Another Woman (1988)

Title: Another Woman
Release Date: 18 November 1988
Directed by: Woody Allen
Starring: Gena Rowlands, Blythe Danner, Mia Farrow, Ian Holm, Gene Hackman
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094663/
My Rating: (9/10) ★★★★★★★★★✩

Gena Rowlands stars as Marion, a 50 year old woman facing a midlife crisis. About to start writing a book, she rents a downtown apartment next door to a psychiatrist's office and due to a bit of acoustical magic, she can hear everything that is being said in the doctor's office (side note, is there really even a doctors office or is it all just a working of her subconscious?).

Marion is the kind of woman who's lived her entire life without actually feeling too deeply. She makes sensible, intelligent decisions and considers herself quite accomplished, but when it comes down to it she's chosen this life over any sense of passion. So when she begins eavesdropping on Hope's (Mia Farrow) conversations with her psychiatrist she begins seeking out that passion she traded and re-examining her own life of sensible decision making.

This film is one of Woody Allen's sparse, Bergman-esque films (shot by Bergman's premiere cinematographer). Gena Rowlands is really incredible, and the camera loves holding on her for minutes at a time. Her deeply analytical stature shrouding a woman desperate to burst free is remarkable. There are other outstanding performances as well, particularly by Sandy Dennis and Barbara Buckley as two different women spurned by Marion's actions. Watch this with Interiors for a different side of Woody Allen!

Airplane! (1980)

Title: Airplane!
Release Date: 2 July 1980
Directed by: Jim Abraham, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Starring: Leslie Nielsen, Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty, Robert Stack, Peter Graves
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080339/
My Rating: (7/10) ★★★★★★★✩✩✩

I'm ashamed to say I'd never seen this movie before. The fact that it had been on my radar all my life is no excuse. I'll admit I dismissed it partially due to not understanding the appeal of Leslie Nielsen and also due to the love my parents and grandparents seemed to have for it. That made it an *old* film in my mind and my appreciation of comedy was far more in tune and sophisticated than theirs. So last night I watched it for the first time. And this morning I watched it for the second time. Genius!

I love so much what ZAZ did here by casting these serious actors of the genre in these satiric roles. That alone elevates the film and gives it this classic quality. I also understand Leslie Nielsen a bit more now than I used to and actually began to appreciate his deadpan delivery. Knowing he was not trying to be a comic actor helped a lot. The cameos were awesome, especially the cameos by Ethel Merman (in her last film) and Barbara Billingsley as a Jive talking middle aged woman.

I must admit though, much of the references do not stand the test of time. Though the gags still have impact, the social commentary they are making feels a little empty. That simply comes from being 32 years old and out of context.

Man cannot survive on Woody Allen alone

I'm branching out!

September (1987)

Title: September
Release Date: 18 December 1987
Directed by: Woody Allen
Starring: Mia Farrow, Elaine Stritch, Dianne Wiest, Sam Waterston
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093940/
My Rating: (8/10) ★★★★★★★★✩✩

"Life is too short to dwell on our tragedies"

September was intended to be like a filmed play, thus there is only one location and a small cast of characters. Perhaps this is also why there is a touch of melodrama running throughout the piece and a very theatrical way about each of the characters. Elaine Stritch as an old Broadway star, of course gets a free pass. But the rest find themselves again and again in situations where whispers or screams are more appropriate than natural conversation. To the credit of the film though, the quietest scenes are the most engaging and Mia Farrow strikes a chord as a lonely woman recovering from a suicide attempt.

The most interesting thing about this film to me is that it was actually filmed twice. Woody Allen, so dissatisfied with the first attempt, recast a few roles and tried it again. Perhaps in this way it is most like a stage production.

Chronicle (2012)

Title: Chronicle
Release Date: 3 February 2012
Directed by: Josh Trank
Starring: Dane DeHaan, Michael B. Jordan, Alex Russell
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1706593/
My Rating: (7/10) ★★★★★★★✩✩✩

Josh Trank creatively and comically weaves together a found footage tale of teenage angst that, under less visionary leadership, could have been a confusing mess. But here, with complete commitment to the aesthetic and adequate time spent developing major far-fetched plot devices, Chronicle does what most found footage films can only hope to do: make you believe both the impossible scenarios and the implausible camera set ups. Couple this with Dane DeHaan's spot-on performance (making you feel for the character even though most of the time he is relegated to off camera VO's or extreme closeups), and you got a winning combo.

Haywire (2012)

Title: Haywire
Release Date: 20 January 2012
Directed by: Steven Soderbergh
Starring: Gina Carano, Ewan McGregor, Antonia Banderas, Michael Fassbender
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1506999/
My Rating: (5/10) ★★★★★✩✩✩✩✩

Maybe I wanted to hate it the moment I found out they digitally altered Gina Carano's voice to be lower because they wanted the actress to have more depth. Or maybe I wanted to hate it because it was the biggest waste of an all-star male cast since The Departed (if Michael Douglas had more than two lines I didn't hear them). But if you can overlook the fact that the lead character sounds like she's speaking in a vacuum the whole time (which does NOTHING for immersion), or the fact that Ewan McGregor bears a striking resemblance to Kiefer Sutherland, then you'll be pretty entertained with a few of the ass-kicking sequences...even though the film was a poor man's SALT in terms of production value. I do regard it as also a rich man's SALT in the fact that I didn't have to sit through two hours of Angelina Jolie. And you know this script went to her first. Maybe then I would have paid more attention to Michael Douglas.

Man On A Ledge (2012)

Title: Man on a Ledge
Release Date: 27 January 2012
Directed by: Asger Leth
Starring: Sam Worthington, Elizabeth Banks, Jamie Bell
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1568338/
My Rating: (6/10) ★★★★★★✩✩✩✩

My legs felt stiff every time the camera exploited the fact that Sam Worthington was on a ledge. Which, as it is the central device of the film, was quite often. But we're not here to discuss my fear of heights or my fear of ever seeing Elizabeth Banks in a lead role ever again (love you on 30 Rock girl). Since it is, on the surface, a movie about a man trying to prove his innocence I find it to be a gaping, overlooked plot hole that he had to go about proving that innocence in many illegal ways. But whatever, it's a jewelry heist film. But it's also a quirky buddy comedy in which the Latin girlfriend is actually referred to as a Chihuahua at one point and says spanish curse words a lot (because, hey that's what Latinas do when they're emotional). But don't you dare take her hot pink bra and panties away from her in the middle of a jewel bust or shit is gonna go down.

Jamie Bell is cute though.

The Woman in Black (2012)

Title: The Woman in Black
Release Date: 3 February 2012
Directed by: James Watkins
Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Janet McTeer
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1596365/
My Rating: (5/10) ★★★★★✩✩✩✩✩

It's a curious situation to be completely on edge during a film in which absolutely nothing is happening. Sometimes the mark of a good director, if discussed in terms of his ability to build tension out of thin air. But in this case, where nothing was happening in terms of plot and character development, I can't help but cast the blame on the frequent jump cuts for exposing that nothing was actually happening while casting a furrowed brow at the man at the helm. So James Watkins, consider this my personal correspondence. In your next film, I hope you steer clear of the jump cut + loud clang method of scaring an audience. You've used up all your freebies for years to come. May your next effort rely on a subtler, more psychological approach. I bet you'd be good at it, as there were hints throughout this film. But too much is too much and the next film you direct I'm bringing ear muffs just in case.

Radio Days (1987)

Title: Radio Days
Release Date: 30 January 1987
Directed by: Woody Allen
Starring: Seth Green, Julie Kavner, Dianne Wiest
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093818/
My Rating: (7/10) ★★★★★★★✩✩✩

(note william h. macy)

Woody Allen narrates and a young Seth Green stars in this love poem to radio programming. The tale centers around Joe, whose childhood is influenced, shaped and directed by whats happening on the radio. The radio is a source for community. It is simultaneously entertainment, news and romance. It brings families together (a touching vignette about a girl falling down a well hits rather unexpectedly and quite poignantly) and tears people asunder (Mia Farrow plays Sally, a woman who's about to get her big radio break the moment they announce Pearl Harbor). In all, a funny and quick film. Nothing about this film packs too heavy a punch, but it is notable for the simple fact that Mia Farrow and Diane Keaton appear together for the only time. Additionally, the pacing is quick and the dialogue will be familiar to anyone who grew up with a large family.

Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)

Title: Hannah and Her Sisters
Release Date: 07 February 1986
Directed by: Woody Allen
Starring: Mia Farrow, Barbara Hershey, Dianne Wiest, Michael Caine
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091167/
My Rating: (6/10) ★★★★★★✩✩✩✩

"For all my education, accomplishments and so-called wisdom, I can't fathom my own heart."

My favorite Woody Allen film thus far has been Interiors. That stunning tale of three sisters naturally had me excited to revisit the dynamic of three with this film. Needless to say, knowing very little about the plot I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately, the comedy felt forced and it didn't quite land for me. Narration is always a tricky beast, and here I think it's a little too on-the-nose and meant to spoon feed the audience. Additionally, the characters are each so self absorbed they bordered on caricature and I found it difficult to watch each of these caricatures attempt to have meaningful dialogue with other caricatures. Which is ultimately a shame because, for all the bravado and neurosis, there are a few great moments here--namely the argument between Hannah's parents and also Mia Farrow's interaction with her own real-life mother Maureen O'Sullivan.

The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)

Title: The Purple Rose of Cairo
Release Date: 09 May 1985
Directed by: Woody Allen
Starring: Mia Farrow, Jeff Daniels, Danny Aiello, Dianne Wiest
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089853/
My Rating: (8/10) ★★★★★★★★✩✩



This is a truly enchanting movie set in 1930's New Jersey. Mia Farrow plays Cecilia, the dissatisfied wife to Danny Aiello's abusive, unemployed creep. She spends most of her time at the movies, alone, and has seen The Purple Rose of Cairo five times. Jeff Daniels plays a dual role here; First he's the dapper Tom Baxter, supporting character in the film-within-the-film and then he's Gil Shepherd, the actor who plays Tom Baxter. When Tom literally comes out of the screen and whisks Cecilia away on an adventure, the producers of the film are called in to help track him down. Thus begins a sweet story of love, itself tracking along blurred lines of reality and fiction. Will Cecilia choose impossible romance or will she choose reality?

Farrow gives a great performance, at times really masquerading as the female Woody Allen (who does not appear in this film). Glenne Headley and Dianne Wiest, though each in minor roles, are also especially noteworthy. But this film belongs to Jeff Daniels who plays both characters with astute comic reserve and the right amount of gusto.

Broadway Danny Rose (1984)

Title: Broadway Danny Rose
Release Date: 27 January 1984
Directed by: Woody Allen
Starring: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow, Nick Apollo Forte
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087003/
My Rating: (7/10) ★★★★★★★✩✩✩

Woody Allen stars as Broadway Danny Rose, a theatrical manager for a string of really bad talent. His only semi-talented act, Lou Canova, is a washed-up has-been who is cheating on his wife with hardened floozie Tina, played deliciously by Mia Farrow. In order to keep Lou happy, Danny agrees to pick up Tina in Jersey and bring her to what promises to be Lou's make-or-break show. What ensues is a comical string of events that pit Danny against the mob who are seeking blood vengeance because they believe he's having an affair with Tina. In the end, a touching tale of forgiveness emerges with much to say on friendship, success and devotion. A fine flick with great comic moments.

Zelig (1983)

Title: Zelig
Release Date: 15 July 1983
Directed by: Woody Allen
Starring: Woody Allen, Mia Farrow
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086637/
My Rating: (9/10) ★★★★★★★★★✩

In the time it took to edit Zelig, Woody Allen filmed The Purple Rose of Cairo and Broadway Danny Rose. Being a mockumentary set in the 20's and 30's, the visual effects are so intricately woven and elemental to the storytelling in Zelig that it's no wonder it took a year to complete post. Let's remember this was before Final Cut, so the simple fact that the tricks are very rarely seen is a phenomenal feat and a testament to the talent of the technical artists working on the film.

Zelig is an allegorical representation of the same theme that pervades Woody Allen's work-("God is dead; life has no meaning; man is a lonely speck in a vast, impersonal void" - Mark Shechner). Thematically, Allen does not stride too far from his safe zone here but because he usually treats his subject so literally and openly, there is deep satisfaction found in watching Zelig. You see the content, though matured, is the same but the context is much more wildly imagined (Zelig is a man who, afraid of not fitting in with those around him, has the ability to literally change physicality and become like those he's with--when he's with Frenchmen, he becomes French; when he's near a mariachi band he becomes a mariachi). The personal preoccupations at the root of this story can easily be identified as trademark Woody Allen, but the style and treatment are new and thus we get a vastly more complex glimpse into the mind of Allen. Wildly funny as a satire and intricately complex, this is one of my favorites.

From NYTimes Original Review (by Vincent Canby)
Zelig which opens today at the Beekman Theater, is Woody Allen's triumph. It's one more demonstration that he, rather than any of his more conventional, mainstream contemporaries, is the premier American film maker of his day.

Woody Allen's Lovable Anxious Schlemiels by Sanford Pinsker

Click here for a wonderful article that explores the line between Woody Allen and his comic persona. It's astounding how difficult it is to separate the two in Allen's case, perhaps because he so perfectly looks the part he plays. The above picture is my favorite and chosen because I think he looks super sexy.