Happy Birthday to Woody Allen!
Woody is one of America’s greatest filmmakers and humorists. A short overview of his life and career is here on Wikipedia. But that does not do it justice. The man has been making very-good-to-outstanding films since the 60s and continues today. And that is not to even mention his books, plays, or his clarinet playing. He is one of the truly great artists of our time and I honor him by wishing him a wonderful birthday.
The main thing, though? His films. So many deserving, quality films. Here are my “Top 11” Woody Allen films, at least for today, in no particular order:
Annie Hall
Love And Death
Husbands And Wives
Hannah And Her Sisters
Sleeper
Match Point
Anything Else
Take The Money And Run
Zelig
Stardust Memories
Manhattan
That list can and does change. It covers many of his different styles and periods. There are so many that are worth seeing. Check out a list of his films at the IMBD site. After looking at that list, what are YOUR “Top 11” Woody Allen films? Let me know in the comments (below)!
In add to the Allen quote at the top of my web site, you can find more here, such as:
“I was thrown out of college for cheating on the metaphysics exam; I looked into the soul of the boy sitting next to me.”
“It seemed the world was divided into good and bad people. The good ones slept better… while the bad ones seemed to enjoy the waking hours much more.”
“I don’t want to achieve immortality through my work… I want to achieve it through not dying.”
Happy Birthday to the Woodman. He is one of the best.
Nice post ! Tomorrow I will make my own list of films, which will be a bit different from yours. I received your message to the Woody list.
I have written several essays about Woody Allen and his films.
I would like to be a real vegetarian too but I have a hard time being one in your country where I am for the moment.
marie
http://www.rivet-translations.com/fr/publications.htm
Why 11 and not 10 or 13?
Looking over the IMDB page made me realize how I’ve fallen behind in seeing every Woody Allen movie. It used to be an absolute that I would see each one, but recently, they have been in the theaters for one week and one week only and I’ve missed quite a few. I have several that I want to see on used DVDs that I picked up really cheap but there’s not enough time. My favorites (in alphabetical order) are:
Alice
Annie Hall
Bananas
Crimes & Misdemeanors
Hannah & Her Sisters
Manhattan
Match Point
Play It Again Sam
Purple Rose Of Cairo
Radio Days
Sleeper
Take The Money And Run
Zelig
Like I said…why not 13?
Dean
Good list, Mister Z. and I do appreciate the input.
I like Alice quite a bit and actually had it on my list at one point. Maybe it should be there. On the other hand, I think Crimes and Misdemeanors is a bit overrated, you know, good but not great. Purple Rose is good though I always dislike the ending. But I am SO glad to see Zelig on your list! It is funny and very clever.
Thanks again!
My Top 11:
Hannah and her sisters
Annie Hall
Radio Days
Crimes and misdemeanors
Manhattan murder mystery
Zelig
Deconstructing Harry
Manhattan
Bullets over Broadway
Mighty Aphrodite
Love and death
Happy birthday Woody. My top 11 is in order (at this moment in time). I’m including ones that he wrote, directed or acted in.
Manhattan
Love and Death
Match Point
Annie Hall
Play It Again, Sam
Stardust Memories
A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Hannah and Her Sisters
Anything Else
Sleeper (because of the Orgasmatron)
Anika – Nice to see Mighty Aphrodite got included in your list. Deconstructing Harry was good but darker and kind of bitter, don’t you think? And I see much love for Zelig. Yay!
Mike D – Glad you included Stardust Memories. Anything Else got mixed reviews at best, but I liked it too. Play It Again Sam was a clever idea and a good film too.
I see no one has listed What’s Up Tiger Lily 😉
Favorite 11 Woody Films (In no particular order)
Play It Again Sam
Hannah And Her Sisters
Annie Hall
Sleeper
Mighty Aphrodite
Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Radio Days
Love And Death
Crimes And Misdemeanors
The Purple Rose Of Cairo
Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Sex…
Interesting choices, Robert…
Maybe I should have picked Mighty Aphrodite also. I liked Vicky CB but maybe not enough for the top 11. And I have minor issues with your last three but they are still good. You picked Love and Death so you know a funny, clever, movie when you see one!
Favorite 11
Annie Hall
Hannah and Her Sisters
Take the Money and Run
Small Time Crooks
Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy
Love and Death
Zelig
Bullets Over Broadway
Broadway Danny Rose
Husbands and Wives
Manhattan
Glad to see the drama Husbands and Wives and, of course, the hilarious Zelig, and Love and Death. You gotta pick those two!
Small Time Crooks deserves another viewing too. And for brilliant silliness, Take The Money And Run is a masterpiece. Thanks for the list…
Manhattan
Annie Hall
Stardust Memories
Love & Death
Take the Money & Run
Bananas
Sleeper
Interiors
Zelig
Broadway Danny Rose
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Sex
I might quibble about Broadway Danny Rose and Everything… although I have seen and enjoyed both many times so maybe I just don’t know what I’m talking about. I’ve been told that before 😉