The other evening I spent watching the new film from Netflix, 'Woody Allen: A Documentary' which was so extensive, it was a 2-disc set. If you like/admire/love this guy's work, SEE THIS FILM! It's extremely entertaining and you won't be disapointed. There's a lot of him actually speaking to the filmmaker, as well as extensive interviews by former cameramen, producers, actors and actresses, screenwriters, technicians, relatives, etc. On each disc is a wealth of additional materials including suppelemental 'deleted scenes'. These deleted scenes are also s-o-o-o good. One in particular has Mariel Hemingway describe how after the filming of 'Manhattan', she invited Woody to her native Idaho - and he accepts. It's hilarious and very lengthy. Obviously if you don't enjoy Woody, just bypass this completely. But there's stuff here from his entrance into show business in the late 1950's and very early 60's that probably most of us have never seen before. It even goes well into the release of his latest film 'Midnight in Paris'. Great stuff!
Hiya Dave. There ain't no Woody Allen fans on this board, so we might as well get used to one another's company.
Part one was two hours and while it's interesting to have an extensive interview with Woody, there just seems to be a glossing over of the content of his films. A movie every year for thirty five years will do that. Part one stops at Stardust Memories...which has become my current favorite Allen film.
I liked the stand up material they showed from 1962 and '63, when Woody was a Hefneresque-type comedian.
This aired on two of my local PBS stations and both of them had the screen all wrong; names cut off, etc. It's like they have it formatted for those widescreen TVs...they don't even know how to present their own medium. I also found it prude that they blurred out the huge plastic breast from Everything You Wanted to Know About Sex, even if it was hilarious to see a gigantic pixilated/censored fake boob trundling on screen. Friggin' puritans.
Part two was good as it showed Allen actually directing. It was also interesting to see the the (color) footage of him at work on Stardust Memories, both on set and in the editing room. I disagree with the oft-quoted critical unwashed belief that Stardust Memories is a "misstep." I wish they'd discussed more of Woody's use of music in his films, but overrall I was enthralled with the entire program.
Hello Jim Phelps. You may be right about the # of fans of his on this board, I think there may be more than us but not more than 5. The 'haters'...I can't count that high. It's interesting that only two of his films I haven't seen, 'Curse of the Jade Scorpion' and...'Stardust Memories'. The very one you love too. It was interesting to see Mia Farrow go back to the set of the film they were working on to finish the film (I forget which one it was) when their big personal disaster occured. You watch both Woody and Mia do their scenes knowing how they feel and their respective professionalism shines through that scene - more or less. I only saw 'Crimes and Misdemeanors' a few months ago and was really shaken at how BRILLIANT that film was. Harrowing drama and funny lines courstesy mostly of Alan Alda. I found that giant breast amusing...hadn't seen that since the film came out around, what, 1972 or so. At present I gotta brave the snow and walk my dog......
Hiya Dave. There ain't no Woody Allen fans on this board, so we might as well get used to one another's company.
Speak for yourself
I've been getting gradually throughout his filmography. I recently watched 'Manhattan Murder Mystery', 'whatever works', 'The Curse of the Jade Scorpion', 'Small Time Crooks', 'Hollywood Ending', 'Radio Days', ...
Working my way back to the older material. Love his dialogue and humor of course.
Hiya Dave. There ain't no Woody Allen fans on this board, so we might as well get used to one another's company.
*ahem* So did I imagine making all those posts in the top 5 Woody Allen films thread? Hmmph!
Just a second Allardyce. *Speaks into tape recorder* "A poor loser does a documentary of a great man and in the process comes to learn deep values. ..."
I wrote that thing about there being no Woody fans just because I knew the ten or so here would take umbrage.
I've had the Woody doc on my wish list for awhile, but the mention of bonus materials seals the deal for me.
LOVE ALLEN! One of THE FUNNIEST things that I have EVER seen in any film was that clip in "Take the Money and Run" when he was playing cello in the high school marching band! I damned near pissed in my pants, I was laughing so hard!!!!
LOVE ALLEN! One of THE FUNNIEST things that I have EVER seen in any film was that clip in "Take the Money and Run" when he was playing cello in the high school marching band! I damned near pissed in my pants, I was laughing so hard!!!!
Hello Jim. Yes, that scene is in the documentary and I hadn't seen it in decades. It's still hilarious. He's in a moving marching band, parading down main street and he's the only cello player. So of course every time Allen moves his chair up to tak position, he's got to pick up the chair and move along with the band over and over. I read your other thread about many on this board having money to buy anything and everything and how times are very difficult for you (Jim in Cleaveland) at the moment. I feel your pain. I used to have a very high paying job in New York, which I gave up. Now of course it's a whole new ball game. I haven't been to the movies in about 4 years. I almost never buy a dvd movie I rent them. Buying now is extremely selective and they come to probably less than dozen a year, if that many. Probably more like 10. I think I understand what your asking in your thread because I see it all the time on the board, it seems everyone is buying the latest releases. There have been countless titles I've had to force myself to forget about, titles that in years past I'd have snapped up and thought about paying for them....later. Those days are history for me now. Soundtrack afficianados are a different species than other folk, I think. I'm NOT buying the new HOOK, I'd love to get 'THE MECHANIC', but I cannot. I'm really saving now to see about the expanded 'CASINO ROYALE', but if it doesn't pan out, I still have the first issue of it. You're not alone out there...
Speaking of CASINO ROYALE, I just read an anecdote from The Woodman himself. While staying in London, Woody often played in marathon poker sessions with cast members of The Dirty Dozen. Woody said he often played with John Cassavetes, Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, and Telly Savalas! I read this in the Eric Lax "Conversations with Woody Allen."
Speaking of CASINO ROYALE, I just read an anecdote from The Woodman himself. While staying in London, Woody often played in marathon poker sessions with cast members of The Dirty Dozen. Woody said he often played with John Cassavetes, Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, and Telly Savalas! I read this in the Eric Lax "Conversations with Woody Allen."
I wish there was a photo of one of those poker sessions. Can you imagine? Heh.
LOVE ALLEN! One of THE FUNNIEST things that I have EVER seen in any film was that clip in "Take the Money and Run" when he was playing cello in the high school marching band! I damned near pissed in my pants, I was laughing so hard!!!!
Hello Jim. Yes, that scene is in the documentary and I hadn't seen it in decades. It's still hilarious. He's in a moving marching band, parading down main street and he's the only cello player. So of course every time Allen moves his chair up to tak position, he's got to pick up the chair and move along with the band over and over. I read your other thread about many on this board having money to buy anything and everything and how times are very difficult for you (Jim in Cleaveland) at the moment. I feel your pain. I used to have a very high paying job in New York, which I gave up. Now of course it's a whole new ball game. I haven't been to the movies in about 4 years. I almost never buy a dvd movie I rent them. Buying now is extremely selective and they come to probably less than dozen a year, if that many. Probably more like 10. I think I understand what your asking in your thread because I see it all the time on the board, it seems everyone is buying the latest releases. There have been countless titles I've had to force myself to forget about, titles that in years past I'd have snapped up and thought about paying for them....later. Those days are history for me now. Soundtrack afficianados are a different species than other folk, I think. I'm NOT buying the new HOOK, I'd love to get 'THE MECHANIC', but I cannot. I'm really saving now to see about the expanded 'CASINO ROYALE', but if it doesn't pan out, I still have the first issue of it. You're not alone out there...
Hey Dave... Thanks... I think quite a few of the responders on that thread think I was trying to start a pissing contest, when nothing could've been further from the truth! I also used to collect Dr Pepper memorabilia, but those days are long gone. In fact, I have a friend who I'm getting ready to trade some CDs(Warners Wild Bunch, Varese Club Predator, among others) and whatever cash I can scrape together, and get that Herrmann box, and that will be IT for the foreseeable future in terms of my soundtrack acquisitions. I, too, would love to get The Mechanic and particularly The Gauntlet, but as you said... I've had to force myself to forget about them. I guess that can be considered being "mature". It is my hope that times will improve for you, me, and everyone on this board who is "feeling the pinch"(Don't you just HATE that phrase? Hmmm... I guess I should put that in the "phrases that need to go away" thread! )
It may be helpful in finding this to point out that it is a part of the PBS "American Masters" series. Granted that it is impossible even in 3 hours+ to capture all there is to know about a guy who's been as prolific as Woody Allen, this is a wonderful documentary which captures a lot of what there is to admire or at least remark upon about this comic genius. I am a big fan of his style of humor and have liked most of his films that I've seen. Certainly I've missed a few but I hope to see them all as time permits. I particularly enjoyed Mariel Hemingway's remarks and I was impressed all over again with what a sensitive and thoughtful person she is. MANHATTAN was one of my very favorite WA films, as you might have guessed. Among other things Allen's casting is usually brilliant.
It may be helpful in finding this to point out that it is a part of the PBS "American Masters" series. Granted that it is impossible even in 3 hours+ to capture all there is to know about a guy who's been as prolific as Woody Allen, this is a wonderful documentary which captures a lot of what there is to admire or at least remark upon about this comic genius. I am a big fan of his style of humor and have liked most of his films that I've seen. Certainly I've missed a few but I hope to see them all as time permits. I particularly enjoyed Mariel Hemingway's remarks and I was impressed all over again with what a sensitive and thoughtful person she is. MANHATTAN was one of my very favorite WA films, as you might have guessed. Among other things Allen's casting is usually brilliant.
I agree. Did you see his 'Small Time Crooks'? I loved Elaine May's character in it. She was hysterically funny and he knew how to write for her and she knew how to play the trully ditzy woman. And May is a talent that's seldom utilized by filmmakers.
I agree. Did you see his 'Small Time Crooks'? I loved Elaine May's character in it. She was hysterically funny and he knew how to write for her and she knew how to play the trully ditzy woman. A May is a talent that's seldom utilized by filmmakers.
Elaine was the highlight of that flick for sure. Hilarious.
I agree. Did you see his 'Small Time Crooks'? I loved Elaine May's character in it. She was hysterically funny and he knew how to write for her and she knew how to play the trully ditzy woman. A May is a talent that's seldom utilized by filmmakers.
Elaine was the highlight of that flick for sure. Hilarious.
She was almost as delightful as the cherry cinnamon cookies.
Thanks for this trailer Jim Phelps. The film was mentioned in today (or yesterdays?) N.Y.Times. And, that Allen's next film will be set mostly in San Francisco. My old stomping grounds! I don't think he's filmed in that area since his 'Play it again Sam' from 1972. 'To Rome with Love' will be eagerly anticipated (by me anyway). Rome is the one European City I've been fortunate enough to have visited most.
On each disc is a wealth of additional materials including suppelemental 'deleted scenes'. These deleted scenes are also s-o-o-o good. One in particular has Mariel Hemingway describe how after the filming of 'Manhattan', she invited Woody to her native Idaho - and he accepts. It's hilarious and very lengthy.
I was set to ask what all the bonuses were, then decided to look it up my own damn self.
"The five entertaining Deleted Scenes (17:42 total) are a combination of edited segments (more of Allen visiting the old neighborhood, him and Lasser talking about him getting into the New Yorker), outtakes (a disbelieving neighbor being told Allen used to live there), and interview segments (Hemingway talking about bringing Allen to Idaho, a funny series of rapid-fire questions for Woody, and more of Woody's interview with his mom). Also included is an Interview with Director Robert Weide (6:09), where he talks about the protracted process of getting Allen to agree to the film, and his lifelong love of the filmmaker's work."
