Friday, March 18, 2016

Film Friday

I kind of told somebody I'd do a Woody Allen post, so let's get to it.

(All five feature Allen as a triple threat: actor, director, and writer (or co-writer).)

Take the Money and Run (1969):  The life and times of Virgil Starkwell, inept bank robber.   This is the film that put him on the map.  Before this, people had to stop at the gas station and ask directions. With Janet Margolin.


Annie Hall (1977):  Neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer falls in love with the ditsy Annie Hall.  This is my favorite Woody Allen film.  Oscars for Best Picture, Best Director (Allen), and Lead Actress (Diane Keaton).  With Tony Roberts and Paul Simon. 

Broadway Danny Rose (1984):  In his attempts to reconcile a lounge singer with his mistress, a hapless talent agent is mistaken as her lover by a jealous gangster.  With Mia Farrow and Nick Apollo Forte.


Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989):  An ophthalmologist's mistress threatens to reveal their affair to his wife, while a married documentary filmmaker is infatuated by another woman.  This is my favorite of his "darker" films.  With Martin Landau and Sam Waterston.  Allen was nominated for a Best Director Oscar and Landau for Best Supporting Actor.


Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993):  A middle-aged couple suspects foul play when their neighbor's wife suddenly drops dead.  Golden Globe nomination for Diane Keaton. With Alan Alda and Anjelica Huston.


4 comments:

  1. I love Take the Money and Run. I laughed so hard with his. Soap gun. I also enjoyed Crimes and Misdemeanors but I have not seen the others. I know...I have not seen Annie Hall!i have to rectify this and maybe this year. I have been off Woody Allen films for years but, with others writing about him, I am finding my way back to seeing his films.

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    1. Yeah, I need to catch up on his more recent films. I still haven't seen most of what he's done this century.

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  2. Annie Hall would probably make my Top 5 All-Time Favorites... Great, great film. I love Allen... maybe not *all* Allen, but most of it. And his recent films (You Will Meet A Tall, Dark Stranger and Whatever Works come to mind) are really, really good. Great list here; thanks for sharing!
    Guilie @ Quiet Laughter

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