Memory is slippery, shadowy and shady, but I'm pretty sure the first Woody Allen movie I saw (i.e., really can remember as such) was Casino Royale, the hit-and-miss James Bond satire from 1967.
Woody Allen, now 73, is one of the few American filmmakers whose better movies I've watched over and over and over again. I've already seen his latest, Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008), twice and will watch it again, fairly soon.
Through the past, quickly, with recurrent thematic strands, whether comedy or drama:
Cassandra's Dream (2007) is dark, hastily made, interesting, British.
Scoop (2006), a hasty throwaway, but I like it.
Match Point (2005) -- a big splash, first of Woody's European cycle. "I'd rather be lucky than good."
Melinda & Melinda (2005) -- is life comedy or tragedy? Hastily put together, but I like this one, especially Radha Mitchell in the twin leads.
Only seen snippets of Anything Else (2003) and need to get back to it. Stars Christina Ricci and Adrian Grenier.
Hollywood Ending (2002). Might need to give this one a second try. Didn't do much for me first time.
Missed The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001), and may need to see Small Time Crooks again (2000).
Sweet and Lowdown (1999), is a bit long and offbeat (almost an epic). Sean Penn stands out.
Need to see Celebrity (1998) again. Have been to Elaine's twice, so might as well see Celebrity twice, too, before I make it back for a third adventure.
I totally dig Deconstructing Harry (1997). Brutal, brilliant, love it.
Everyone Says I Love You (1996) -- a musical, a little too weird for me (I tend to hate musicals, except for maybe, thanks to Catherine Deneuve, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg / Les Parapluies de Cherbourg).
Love Mighty Aphrodite (1995), Greek chorus and all.
Bullets Over Broadway (1994). Brutal, but consistently so in its worldview.
Cutting to the chase, the rest of these Woody Allen films are all definitely worth seeing:
Husbands and Wives (1992)
Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989)
Another Woman (1988) -- may be a little too rough for some.
Radio Days (1987)
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985)
Broadway Danny Rose (1984)
Zelig (1983)
Stardust Memories (1980). Charlotte Rampling, Marie-Christine Barrault, et alia
Manhattan (1979)
Annie Hall (1977)
Love and Death (1975)
Sleeper (1973)
Bananas (1971)
Men of Crisis: The Harvey Wallinger Story (1971)
Take the Money and Run (1969)
What's Up, Tiger Lily? (1966)
Wow, happy birthday Woody Allen! One of the great living artistes of the USA, maybe better appreciated in Europe than in "the Homeland."
Larry David stars in Whatever Works, shot back in Manhattan and scheduled for an early 2009 release.
Today's Rune: Flow.
6 comments:
Wow, he's 73? And I'm still coping with how long ago the National Lampoon Christmas Vacation movie came out.
I'm not sure I've ever watched a Woody Allen film all the way through. But then, that could be said for a lot of directors and films.
Have you ever read any Allen? A friend gave me his "Side Effects" years ago. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Broadway Danny Rose, Sleeper, Bananas, & Take the Money and Run are my personal favorites. Perhaps I'll appreciate the new movies once they aged, and I mean, really, really aged.
wow...thank you for posting this! so many films to re-visit and some I have not yet seen.
Jade Scorpion is worth a watch, sort of take on old murder mysteries if memory serves, one of his better newer movies. Like you, I think he's misjudged in the USA, and underappreciate, but then so are a lot of the better directors ie.--not enough explosions, car crashes, and mindless gun scenes.
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