No Love for Woody Allen?

[bob]

I find it really odd that when naming the cinema greats, about 10% of people would name Woody Allen. As you can see from my favorite movie slot(located directly to the left), I think he's great. In an age where Spielberg and Lucas are given the top prize consistently, I think that I should point out that woody allen has 20 really good films, at least 5 great films, and at least one perfect film(Manhattan).
Allen gets absolutely no love from "movie-lovers" and it's really a shame, because his personal life is no reason to hate his work. I mean, just look at these movies(mind you, these are only the movies I consider good):
Take the money and run
Sleeper
Love and Death
Everything you always wanted to know about sex
Annie Hall
Manhattan
Midsummer Night's sex comedy
Zelig
The Purple Rose of Cairo
Radio Days
Broadway Danny Rose
Hannah and Her Sisters
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Husbands and Wives
Manhattan Murder Mystery
Mighty Aphrodite
Everybody Says I love you
Sweet and Lowdown
Small Time Crooks
Curse of the Jade Scorpion
Hollywood Ending

[tbone]

Woody Allen's style is something that suits your taste or doesn't. I have never really enjoyed his movies. Mind you they are not bad movies, but I wouldn't call them great. I think you are somewhat wrong in saying movie lovers do not like Allen though. At least when it comes to critics and different stars of Hollywood. Look at AFI list's and you see many Allen films on the Best, Comedy and Romance. Plus he has received many oscar nominations. Anyway I admire how you stick up for one of your favorite directors though he may not get a lot of love on the board.

[Grebdron]

And not just because of his personal life. His stereotypical Jewish humor is very annoying, as is he. I just don't like him or his movies. Sue me.

[MR.HOLLYWOOD001ME]

How can you hate Woody Allen he is one of the best directors of the past decades.He is brillant and his movies are all funny and hysterical to watch.

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by MR.HOLLYWOOD001ME
How can you hate Woody Allen he is one of the best directors of the past decades.He is brillant and his movies are all funny and hysterical to watch.

Well see, that's an opinion. And in my opinion, his movies are not funny and hysterical to watch. They're annoying, and grating on the nerves.

[charliebobo]

I’ m a huge fan of Woody Allen's movies. I have only seen a few but they were all great. My favourite so far is Manhattan, what sets it apart from the others is the stunning Gordon Willis cinematography. His funniest is definitely Annie Hall though

Manhattan 9/10
Annie Hall 8.5/10
Hannah And Her Sisters 8.5/10
Everyone Says I Love You 8/10
Crimes And Misdemeanours 8/10
Sweet And Lowdown 7/10
Sleeper 7/10
Love And Death 7/10
Husbands And Wives 6.5/10
Mighty Aphrodite 6/10

I think Woody is really underrated as an actor. I love his facial expressions, like in Manhattan (the final scene w/ Tracy most notably); there is also a moment in Crimes And Misdemeanors where he laughs sarcastically at something Alan Alda says which is really funny (if you've seen it you probably know what I'm talking about)

[James Logan]

I live in France, and like most Europeans, I love the guy. I don't exactly approve his personal life, but as a director and actor, he's a blast.

[Grebdron]

Originally posted by James Logan
I live in France, and like most Europeans, I love the guy. I don't exactly approve his personal life, but as a director and actor, he's a blast.

Yeah, but you guys idolize Jerry Lewis, too. So that pretty much negates your opinion.:D

[James Logan]

Originally posted by Grebdron
Yeah, but you guys idolize Jerry Lewis, too. So that pretty much negates your opinion.:D

Hey, don't you criticize Jerry Lewis, he's the greatest comedy mind in history! :)

[ninja555]

Yeah woody allen is great. Annie hall is one of my favorite movies. I must now see this manhatten u speak of. Allen is a genius in his satire of life and it's form. Great man.

[Nate6]

Allen is a great director. My favorite film of his is Manhattan.

[movienut]

yah he's a genius but he's one sick fuck if u ask me.

[FeverDog420]

I appreciate his style of humor more since moving to NYC. I don't like all his movies, but the ones I do are:

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex...
Annie Hall (best of the '70s)
Manhattan
The Purple Rose of Cairo
Radio Days (best of the '80s)
Hannah and Her Sisters
Manhattan Murder Mystery
Another Woman
Bullets Over Broadway (best of the '90s)
Small Time Crooks

I didn't care for:

Sleeper
A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy
Broadway Danny Rose
Mighty Aphrodite
Everybody Says I love You
Deconstructing Harry

I haven't seen his others.

[Annie Hall]

Although I am ashamedly lacking in the amount of Woody Allen movies I have seen (but 3 :( ) I love his sense of humor, and believe that at least two of his movies are two of the best of all time. Manhattan is brilliant from start to finish, as is Annie Hall. While I found Annie Hall to be a more typical romantic comedy, it easily set the stage for the other good movies of the genre (When Harry Met Sally...etc.) I look upon Manhattan as more of a humorous drama.

Perhaps it is my background, or my familiarity with New York, but I find Allen's "stereotypical" NY and Jewish humor to be right on target, and not simply unfair (like, say, "everyone from L.A. is like Cher from Clueless or every teenager is difficult on purpose.)

[flowrchild]

I like some of his older movies (manhattan, annie hall, etc) but his newer ones just suck big donkey balls. And I certainly don't like him as a person, but that is another issue entirely. It follows the "Bill Clinton was sleazy so he was a terrible president" school of thouht which I do not agree with. But I definitely think Woody has completely lost his edge and ability to make a decent film.

[bob]

Well, I guess it's not the fact that people don't like him, it's that it's so acceptable to hate his movies. If someone asked you:
Do you like Manhattan?
No.
Oh, alright.

Whereas if someone asked you:
Do you like the Godfather Trilogy?
No.
WHAT!!!?? But what about the scene.......What about Coppola's intention to.....

His films aren't regarded as classics. In my opinion, they should be.

[rushmore beauty]

I love Woody Allen's work and he is easily one of my 3 favorite comic directors (Kevin Smith and Wes Anderson). I can't wait for his next picture which is apparently going to be a lot like his earlier fliks like Annie Hall (9/10) and Manhattan (9/10) rather than his newer ones (The Curse of the Jade Scorpion) that are just broader comedy.

[studlyhorrorbuf]

Originally posted by rushmore beauty
I love Woody Allen's work and he is easily one of my 3 favorite comic directors (Kevin Smith and Wes Anderson). I can't wait for his next picture which is apparently going to be a lot like his earlier fliks like Annie Hall (9/10) and Manhattan (9/10) rather than his newer ones (The Curse of the Jade Scorpion) that are just broader comedy.

I just read in an article about Allen a few weeks ago that says his career is almost finished. Especially after three big time flops at the box office. Most notably, "Hollywood Ending" which only grossed four million the whole time it was in the box office. I really think Woody Allen is washed up and I don't think it has anything to do with screwing his stepdaughter. So could you fill me in if Woody did manage to get financing for another upcoming film project after all? Studly Horror Buff out.

[areyoubeingserved]

I'm only really getting into Woody Allen now and am enjoying his work terribly and finding impact in my daily conversations from his films.

Sleeper would have to be the most recommended film I desperately try to get people to watch.

[FeverDog420]

Woody Allen's career will be finished when Woody Allen says so. He has the knack for attracting A-list talent to his projects, and a lack of box office success will never deter him.

[Memento8291]

I have to agree that he is simply an aquired taste. I absolutely LOVE Woody Allen...I *am* Woody Allen half the time in my life. Annie Hall is the only romantic comedy (other than When Harry Met Sally) that I will watch over and over. Everything You've Always Wanted To Know About Sex: But Were Afraid To Ask. is classic Woody. The "sperm paratroopers" scene is marvelous. I think I grew to like him so much because people started comparing me to him but as a performer, writer and director..he is certainly one of the greats. I don't get angry with people who hate him for no reason...cause I know it's a love or hate situation with Allen. I, myself, am proud to say I adore him.

[jlovborg]

Woody's a comedic genius. I've seen about 30 of his films, and only a few of them are bad. Most of his movies stand up to several viewings and some of them like MANHATTAN, ZELIG and RADIO DAYS are simply great. I also recommend his short story collections, they're some of the funniest books I've ever read.

[Annie Hall]

Originally posted by Memento8291
I have to agree that he is simply an aquired taste. I absolutely LOVE Woody Allen...I *am* Woody Allen half the time in my life. Annie Hall is the only romantic comedy (other than When Harry Met Sally) that I will watch over and over. Everything You've Always Wanted To Know About Sex: But Were Afraid To Ask. is classic Woody. The "sperm paratroopers" scene is marvelous. I think I grew to like him so much because people started comparing me to him but as a performer, writer and director..he is certainly one of the greats. I don't get angry with people who hate him for no reason...cause I know it's a love or hate situation with Allen. I, myself, am proud to say I adore him.

Exactly! He really is a genius, if you like him. I, (as you can see from my name) adore most of his work. And often find people around me much like him...perhaps it's my family or my background...but I just love the guy's movies.

[Asokan]

Woody Allen used to be really, really great (the 70s).

Then he was very, very good (the 80s).

Then he was pretty good (the 90s).

But now he is found lacking (everything after Bullets over Broadway, 1994).

I love his early movies and some of his later ones, and the witty, amiable persona he creates on screen is unforgettable. Still, he's dated now and just doesn't make interesting movies anymore. Too bad. He should stop making mediocre movies and retire.

[The Claw]

I'm not too big on woody allen. I dont really like his movie. I did enjoy Bananas, Whats Up Tiger Lily, Curse Of The Jade Scorpin. I didnt really care for Annie Hall, Manhatten, Deconstructing Harry or Small Time Crooks. Just my opinion though.

[BakeTheMooCow]

I loathe Woody Allen. I can't stand to see his ugly fucking mug, nor hear his squeaky little voice nor watch his boring, unfunny, predictable, ultimately hollow movies. I've seen more than I should've. In my opinion, he hasn't made a decent film to date. He's a washed-up, half-witted irritating wank.

[ilovemovies]

Only Woody Allen movies I've seen:

Small Time Crooks **1/2
Sweet and Lowdown ***

And then there is:

Antz ***1/2

But is that considered a Woody Allen film since he didn't write or direct it?

I do want Deconstructing Harry, Annie Hall and The Curse of the Jade Scorpion. As well as Hannah and her Sisters. But Hollywood Ending looks dumb though.

[MarkItZero]

My wife is a huge Woody Allen fan, so I have seen quite a few of his pictures.

Almost all of his films seem to follow the same formula to me. Generally, the first 45-60 minutes of the movie are great. Very funny, really enjoyable and usually quite original. But then inevitably almost all of his movies get really boring and predictable during the second half.

If Woody Allen cut off the second half of all of his films, then I would consider him a great filmmaker. He definetly has a great knack for setting up good movies, but the payoff is ALWAYs the same. He bumbles around and then eventually scores with the young attractive women. Its gotten sooo old.

My favorite Allen movie is probably Sweet and Lowdown, it doesnt quite follow the same path as the others. Plus Sean Penn was great in it.

[Bullet Tooth Tony]

You know what I've NEVER watched one Woody Allen film in my entire life?

Annie Hall don't hate me for that please :)

[bob]

I think you should more worry about me and blankpage getting pissed off.:D

[blankpage]

Originally posted by bob
I think you should more worry about me and blankpage getting pissed off.:D

Damn fucking straight!! :D

Woody Allen, how to describe the man. Well, brilliant could basically sum him up. His films include some of the best dialouge anyone has ever written. It's witty, it's smart, it's basically every day things that go around in people's lives. People may hate to admit it, but fuck, it's true. He writes what we think and do. Now not all of us talk the same way he does.

His style, brilliant also. He just brings you in, with the satire, the wit, and everything else. Fuck, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion was awsome! He's just that kind of guy. He is a shrimp, but man the man can film make.

Manhattan and Annie Hall are excellent examples of every day life. They deal with relationships between people. I can relate to the man's work! He is writing my life, in a way.

I agree with bob that people should be pissed if you don't like Allen's work. They should be considered classics, in which they are. The man is a true filmmaker who just wants to tell stories. And baby, he is brilliant at it.

My tow beans.




















Until next time

[happy OUT here]

I like his old stuff. He didn't know when to give up the acting....repetitive jewish humor got old. Is he brilliant? YES.

He is not even looked at by today's youth. Shameful.

[AE35Unit]

"He is not even looked at by today's youth. Shameful.

What can you say about that? Or what does that say about today's audiences is the better question. Woody Allen has managed to make, what, 30 films without a fart joke?

Want to talk asethetics?
Something About Mary VS Manhattan

No wonder he's becoming underappreciated. :rolleyes:

[paul calf]

the guy is just not my thing at all regardless of his private life,i find all his film too similar they are all slow,mellowdramtic comedies with allen playing exactly the same part in all his films,his humour has never changed with the times,he just does not make me laugh.

[zsofika]

the neat thing about woody allen...is you can love him and
hate him...at the same time...be compassionate and repulsed..
angry and curious....he does what he wants....and for
that....i have learnt from him...help me become a bit less
mechanical about being a christian....there is something unreasonably
real about this guy....but he far from my favourites....i like the
more sensual european types....he seems to be always..
looking at this watch....