Twilight Time Discussion Thread

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I just pre-ordered...

The Crimson Kimono
State Fair
Tom Sawyer/Huckleberry Finn

A little late today, because I was stuck in a work conference. I was worried that State Fair might sell out before I had a chance to pre-order, because I know how much you people love your 1960s musicals. Thankfully, I made it just in time. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if I grabbed the last one.

In my case it's true, but I have to ask why you didn't get the Woody Allen film? Men having sex with sheep not your thing?

[The Great Owl]

Originally Posted by baheidstu

I have to ask why you didn't get the Woody Allen film? Men having sex with sheep not your thing?

I don't "get" Woody Allen movies. I like Annie Hall, Match Point, and Midnight in Paris well enough, and I applaud his unique style, but I just do not relate to his movies as much.

For me, watching a Woody Allen film is sort of like being at a party where I don't know anybody, but everybody else there knows one another and they are all telling inside jokes to one another that go over my head.

I feel the same way about Wes Anderson movies. They're not bad movies, but they're just not...me.

My tastes tend to branch out at the drop of a hat, and I'll probably regret passing up on all of these Twilight Time Woody Allen films at some point. Today is not that day, though.

[javy]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I don't "get" Woody Allen movies. I like Annie Hall, Match Point, and Midnight in Paris well enough, and I applaud his unique style, but I just do not relate to his movies as much.

For me, watching a Woody Allen film is sort of like being at a party where I don't know anybody, but everybody else there knows one another and they are all telling inside jokes to one another that go over my head.

I feel the same way about Wes Anderson movies. They're not bad movies, but they're just not...me.

My tastes tend to branch out at the drop of a hat, and I'll probably regret passing up on all of these Twilight Time Woody Allen films at some point. Today is not that day, though.

No Blue Jasmine?

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I don't "get" Woody Allen movies. I like Annie Hall, Match Point, and Midnight in Paris well enough, and I applaud his unique style, but I just do not relate to his movies as much.

For me, watching a Woody Allen film is sort of like being at a party where I don't know anybody, but everybody else there knows one another and they are all telling inside jokes to one another that go over my head.

I feel the same way about Wes Anderson movies. They're not bad movies, but they're just not...me.

My tastes tend to branch out at the drop of a hat, and I'll probably regret passing up on all of these Twilight Time Woody Allen films at some point. Today is not that day, though.

I'm lukewarm to him myself, but I do enjoy most of his "earlier, funnier ones". The porno mag scene in Bananas had me in stitches the first time I saw it.

[ergumat]

I'll pre-order three of the new ones, will pass on the Woody Allen. I like it well enough but probably will get the UK release.

[mja345]

My dad is a massive Woody Allen fan and I grew up watching his films, so I've remained a fan. Most of his stuff post-2000 is pretty shit, with the exception of "Match Point". As good as "Blue Jasmine" was, it still doesn't stack up to his early stuff. But most of his stuff from "Take the Money and Run" to "Deconstructing Harry" is really quality. His early comedies are classic obviously. Everyone always talks about "Annie Hall" and "Manhattan", but I actually think "Hannah and Her Sisters" is a better film than either and maybe his best film overall. Also, "Broadway Danny Rose" is fantastic. His two best films from the 90s are easily "Husbands and Wives" and "Deconstructing Harry" IMO. One of his most overlooked comedies is "Small Time Crooks", where he gets back to his early slapstick roots and plays an ignorant moron, as opposed to the neurotic intellectual he usually plays.

[javi92]

Picked up The Crimson Kimono,State Fair, and last month's The Bridge at Remagen.

[xxnomad]

Can't wait to get the Crimson Kimono. But can wait for a sale eventually.

They gotta release Underworld USA next.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I don't "get" Woody Allen movies. I like Annie Hall, Match Point, and Midnight in Paris well enough, and I applaud his unique style, but I just do not relate to his movies as much.

For me, watching a Woody Allen film is sort of like being at a party where I don't know anybody, but everybody else there knows one another and they are all telling inside jokes to one another that go over my head.

I feel the same way about Wes Anderson movies. They're not bad movies, but they're just not...me.

My tastes tend to branch out at the drop of a hat, and I'll probably regret passing up on all of these Twilight Time Woody Allen films at some point. Today is not that day, though.

I've never gotten into Woody Allen films either (which is odd because I haven't seen the majority of them) but I blind bought Radio Days and The Purple Rose of Cairo and enjoyed them thoroughly. If you've never seen those I highly recommend them. I want to see his film Mighty Aphrodite as well mainly because of the gorgeous Mira Sorvino and I've been wanting to see Bullets over Broadway for the longest time.

[jcs913]

I love most Allen films. As a TT example, I think Broadway Danny Rose is absolutely hysterical and Crimes is, plain and simple, a well made film. You need to watch his films more than once to get the references though. They have that special comedy 'it' that most comedies do not, nor will never have. He almost reminds me of Godard at times or a less vulgar Dennis Miller. Check out some of his stand-up stuff. It's pretty funny also. I am, by nature, a cynic, so his films really resonate with me. I think you need a little of that quality to enjoy his films. My favorite, is Manhattan, Hannah is a close second, but I think those are his best work, agreed by many. A lot of his newer films don't have that 'it' anymore and are frankly a little too romantic at times. The dread and cynicism will always be there, but as he aged, he tried to be more romantic in his films, which turns me off a little. His classics are just that, 'classics', but you have to watch them more than once, as I said, to get all the jokes and living in a big city also helps. Anyone that lives in a big city will get a lot of his references, obviously New Yorkers especially, so that impedes some of the comedy at times. He's not in my top 5 of directors, but somewhere in the top 10. Enjoy.

[MassiveMovieBuff]

Originally Posted by jcs913

I love most Allen films. As a TT example, I think Broadway Danny Rose is absolutely hysterical and Crimes is, plain and simple, a well made film. You need to watch his films more than once to get the references though. They have that special comedy 'it' that most comedies do not, nor will never have. He almost reminds me of Godard at times or a less vulgar Dennis Miller. Check out some of his stand-up stuff. It's pretty funny also. I am, by nature, a cynic, so his films really resonate with me. I think you need a little of that quality to enjoy his films. My favorite, is Manhattan, Hannah is a close second, but I think those are his best work, agreed by many. A lot of his newer films don't have that 'it' anymore and are frankly a little too romantic at times. The dread and cynicism will always be there, but as he aged, he tried to be more romantic in his films, which turns me off a little. His classics are just that, 'classics', but you have to watch them more than once, as I said, to get all the jokes and living in a big city also helps. Anyone that lives in a big city will get a lot of his references, obviously New Yorkers especially, so that impedes some of the comedy at times. He's not in my top 5 of directors, but somewhere in the top 10. Enjoy.

Manhattan is another one I've really been wanting to see.

[Cremildo]

I love Woody Allen, but that Everything You Wanted... sex comedy film of his is one of the worst things I've ever seen.

[oildude]

Every month on pre-order day, I post the current month's inside booklets and rear cover art. Here they are for July. Enjoy!

[Keymaster]

Originally Posted by mja345

My dad is a massive Woody Allen fan and I grew up watching his films, so I've remained a fan. Most of his stuff post-2000 is pretty shit, with the exception of "Match Point". As good as "Blue Jasmine" was, it still doesn't stack up to his early stuff. But most of his stuff from "Take the Money and Run" to "Deconstructing Harry" is really quality. His early comedies are classic obviously. Everyone always talks about "Annie Hall" and "Manhattan", but I actually think "Hannah and Her Sisters" is a better film than either and maybe his best film overall. Also, "Broadway Danny Rose" is fantastic. His two best films from the 90s are easily "Husbands and Wives" and "Deconstructing Harry" IMO. One of his most overlooked comedies is "Small Time Crooks", where he gets back to his early slapstick roots and plays an ignorant moron, as opposed to the neurotic intellectual he usually plays.

Interiors is a tragic masterpiece, an obvious nod to all the great Bergman closet dramas, and The Purple Rose of Cairo is sublime as well.

I haven't seen Small Time Crooks, but you're pretty much spot on here. Allen began to fall off in the mid-90s. I would argue Midnight in Paris is his last great film, along with Match Point prior to that.

And Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sex is hilarious (though uneven) at times, as far as sketch comedies go. I mean, they really milk the giant tit joke for all it's worth. As far as Allen's slapstick phase, I also love Sleepers and Love and Death, and I'm awaiting Bananas on blu.

Although not directed by Allen, The Front is also an excellent picture. It's both a straight faced and satirical look at the McCarthy era witch hunts and the resulting Hollywood blacklist.

[mja345]

Originally Posted by Keymaster

Interiors is a tragic masterpiece, an obvious nod to all the great Bergman closet dramas, and The Purple Rose of Cairo is sublime as well.

I haven't seen Small Time Crooks, but you're pretty much spot on here. Allen began to fall off in the mid-90s. I would argue Midnight in Paris is his last great film, along with Match Point prior to that.

And Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sex is hilarious (though uneven) at times, as far as sketch comedies go. I mean, they really milk the giant tit joke for all it's worth. As far as Allen's slapstick phase, I also love Sleepers and Love and Death, and I'm awaiting Bananas on blu.

Although not directed by Allen, The Front is also an excellent picture. It's both a straight faced and satirical look at the McCarthy era witch hunts and the resulting Hollywood blacklist.

Yeah, it really went downhill after "Deconstructing Harry". That is by far Woody's most hard-edged, biting film and it was like he didn't really know where to go after that. "Celebrity" is pretty awful, kind of like a shoddy version of "Stardust Memories" with Kenneth Branagh doing an Allen imitation. He rebounded with "Small Time Crooks", which reminds me of his early stuff and features a brilliant turn from Elaine May. "Hollywood Ending" isn't too bad, with Woody trying to direct a film while he has no eyesight. But most of the other stuff post-2000 is pretty poor, excluding "Match Point", "Midnight in Paris", and "Blue Jasmine". "Irrational Man" was alright because of Joaquin Phoenix's performance. Big mistake Allen's been making lately is casting the insufferable Jesse Eisenberg.

"The Front" is a very good film, as you mentioned. Also, another really underrated one that TT put out is "Shadows and Fog", probably one of his more experimental films. Also, "Zelig" is brilliant.

[Davidian]

Originally Posted by The Great Owl

I don't "get" Woody Allen movies. I like Annie Hall, Match Point, and Midnight in Paris well enough, and I applaud his unique style, but I just do not relate to his movies as much.

For me, watching a Woody Allen film is sort of like being at a party where I don't know anybody, but everybody else there knows one another and they are all telling inside jokes to one another that go over my head.

I feel the same way about Wes Anderson movies. They're not bad movies, but they're just not...me.

My tastes tend to branch out at the drop of a hat, and I'll probably regret passing up on all of these Twilight Time Woody Allen films at some point. Today is not that day, though.

I knew there was a reason I liked you buddy... and not just your top quality reviews.

[the one who knocks]

Originally Posted by mja345

Yeah, it really went downhill after "Deconstructing Harry". That is by far Woody's most hard-edged, biting film and it was like he didn't really know where to go after that. "Celebrity" is pretty awful, kind of like a shoddy version of "Stardust Memories" with Kenneth Branagh doing an Allen imitation. He rebounded with "Small Time Crooks", which reminds me of his early stuff and features a brilliant turn from Elaine May. "Hollywood Ending" isn't too bad, with Woody trying to direct a film while he has no eyesight. But most of the other stuff post-2000 is pretty poor, excluding "Match Point", "Midnight in Paris", and "Blue Jasmine". "Irrational Man" was alright because of Joaquin Phoenix's performance. Big mistake Allen's been making lately is casting the insufferable Jesse Eisenberg.

"The Front" is a very good film, as you mentioned. Also, another really underrated one that TT put out is "Shadows and Fog", probably one of his more experimental films. Also, "Zelig" is brilliant.

I've always thought Curse of the Jade Scorpion was his funniest post-2000s film. I know the internet tends to disagree but a few of my friends and I had a lot of laughs at that one in the theater back in the day.

[belcherman]

Originally Posted by the one who knocks

I've always thought Curse of the Jade Scorpion was his funniest post-2000s film. I know the internet tends to disagree but a few of my friends and I had a lot of laughs at that one in the theater back in the day.

I really think that Woody Allen the director and Woody Allen the actor should get a divorce. Since about Mighty Aphrodite, I have preferred the Woody Allen movies that don't feature Woody Allen the actor. These include Bullets over Broadway, Sweet and Lowdown and Match Point. On the other hand, I thought Allen the actor was great in Fading Gigolo.

[baheidstu]

Originally Posted by Keymaster

Interiors is a tragic masterpiece, an obvious nod to all the great Bergman closet dramas, and The Purple Rose of Cairo is sublime as well.

I haven't seen Small Time Crooks, but you're pretty much spot on here. Allen began to fall off in the mid-90s. I would argue Midnight in Paris is his last great film, along with Match Point prior to that.

And Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Sex is hilarious (though uneven) at times, as far as sketch comedies go. I mean, they really milk the giant tit joke for all it's worth. As far as Allen's slapstick phase, I also love Sleepers and Love and Death, and I'm awaiting Bananas on blu.

Although not directed by Allen, The Front is also an excellent picture. It's both a straight faced and satirical look at the McCarthy era witch hunts and the resulting Hollywood blacklist.

I "C" what you did there.

[Page14]

I guess there's one in every crowd but ...

I love Everything You Always Wanted to Know..... That and Sleeper might be my 2 favorite Woody Allen movies. It might be the first Woody Allen movie I ever saw on the big screen (not sure about Bananas or What's Up, Tiger Lily?, or even Play It Again, Sam ... too long ago for my old brain to remember without a doubt). But I think it's the first one I saw after his name gained some popularity (back in the 70s).

Other thoughts on Woody Allen:

• I think Woody Allen might be an acquired taste ... like martinis or beer or cigarettes or coffee. (Gee, are any of those things good for a person?)

• Even though I never seem to get a roaring belly laugh out of any Woody Allen movie, I can usually count on them for an unexpected guffaw or 2.

• You would think that at some point, all of these releases will be available on blu-ray in one big box set, no? (Even though, I don't like waiting for "what might be").

EDIT: Maybe I overreacted in saying that I *love* Everything You Always Wanted To Know...... It has been so long since I've seen it. I did like it at the time, and am very anxious to revisit it.