I've been searching for a topic to write about and a project to start for over a week now. I had been mulling a few things over, but nothing really excited me. See, I'm a bit lazy (ok, terribly lazy), and I needed something that would not only hold my interest, but that would also instill some discipline. I enjoy writing, but I need a push to get motivated to write. With a little help from my Spectacularly Astounding Mate (my girlfriend, who henceforth will be referred to as SAM), I've decided to task myself with watching, reviewing, and analyzing the filmography of Woody Allen.
The plan is to devote one week to each movie, and to watch them chronologically. Allen has directed a total of 41 feature films, so that's 41 weeks. Ideally, I'll watch the movie on Monday, then do as much research on the movie as I can in the following days. I tentatively plan posting each week's write-up on Fridays. Every film will be watched at least once, and most twice. I say most because, by my count, I've seen 13 of Allen's 41 films. The 28 films I haven't seen will all be watched twice during their devoted week. Of the 13 I have seen, depending on how familiar I am with the film, only one viewing may be necessary.
Now, why Woody Allen? The answer is also my style of dress for the past week due to apparently living in Alaska - layered. Most importantly, I like most of what I've seen from the man. I think 2-3 of his films are (alert! possible hyperbole coming) among the greatest American movies ever made. I'm very interested in seeing his entire output and analyzing his films. Secondly, I don't think most people my age have a grasp of Woody Allen the filmmaker. I figure that most people reading this blog (if there are any at all), belong to my generation. Let's be honest, aside from movie buffs (AKA film nerds), most people under 30 only know Woody Allen as a creepy old man who banged and married his stepdaughter. However weird and fucked up you may think that is (because that is weird and fucked up), his personal transgressions don't take away from his exemplary work. Flat out - the man can make movies. So, think of it as a bit of an educational experience...from a grossly underqualified teacher. My final reason for choosing an analysis of Woody Allen's work as my personal writing boot camp is because I value that work. I think it's important. Allen deals with issues near and dear to my heart, such as God's role in the world (I'm pretty sure he's an atheist) and human nature. He's usually able to touch on profound topics, while keeping a comedic edge. It's an incredibly fine line to walk, as indulging too much in one or the other can result in pretentiousness or a diluted message.
That's really it for now. I plan to get started as soon as Netflix sends me Allen's first film - 1966's What's Up, Tiger Lily?. To get you excited (or possibly turn you off), I'll leave you with the ending voiceover to what is (for now) my favorite Allen film, Crimes and Misdemeanors. If these words don't have a profound effect on you, then Woody Allen probably isn't for you:
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This SAM sounds pretty wonderful...Sam, that's my name, Dude.
ReplyDeleteCrimes and Misdmeanors and Bullets Over Broadway (which I quoted in a previous comment on this blog and do not think anyone got) are both amazing films. I'm not sure which I like better. There are so many things that I could say about both of them and so many other Woody Allen films...but since this is not my blog, I won't write another book as a comment. And sense you are going through all the Allen films, I will wait to comment on each as the project unfolds.