The Woody Allen Retrospective Podcast

fter completing a FULL conversational retrospective on Woody Allen's entire filmography.. arguing about which films were our personal favourites and debating the variables for our final video...   in this phase of the retrospective we thought we would do a bit more of a GENERIC top 10 favourites list to cash in on all the SEO potential (lol) no, really, this will probably be more accessible to tho...

After our 2 year long project of watching EVERY Woody Allen live action production we could find up to March 2018. Your esteemed hosts decided to battle it out and have a long running conversation debating each others picks on the BEST, WORST & MOST UNDERRATED picks from Woody's filmography   We also had some good banter about our thoughts on the movies individually and if things have changed...

At this point in our retrospective we have finally caught up with Woody's movie releases and so that brings us to this romantic-drama set on the beautiful boardwalk of Coney Island...   In Wonder Wheel (2017) Under the dizzying spin of Coney Island's Wonder Wheel, secrets and passions intertwine. Ginny (Kate Winslet), a waitress trapped in a volatile marriage to gruff carousel operator Humpty (Jim...

At this point in Woody Allen's career Amazon Studios were distributing his movies and in an effort to bolster their television projects, Woody was given this opportunity to create this series we are discussing today!   So today we debate the results of said project... hoping for the best and discovering the not so best i'm afraid :(   In Crisis In Six Scenes (2016) A placid suburban life explodes...

Today we discuss a very pleasant surprise Woddy has given to us in this long form tale of love, loss and choices made...    In 2016's Cafe Society 1930s Hollywood beckons young Bobby (Jesse Eisenberg), where his uncle's star power (Steve Carell) clashes with love for his enigmatic assistant Vonnie (Kristen Stewart). He yearns for authenticity amidst studio phonies, but Vonnie's secret affair throw...

We are back on the retrospective with another somewhat interesting moral murder think piece by Woody   In Irrational Man (2015) Cynical philosophy professor Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) drowns his existential despair in booze at a small-town college. Sparks fly with two women: Rita (Parker Posey), a dissatisfied wife, and Jill (Emma Stone), a bright student. But a overheard sob about a corrupt judg...

Back on the retrospective in some familiar territory on which turned out  to be a small little delightful trip :)   In Magic In The Moonlight (2014) On the sun-drenched Riviera, illusionist Stanley (Colin Firth), a debunker of the supernatural, aims to expose young psychic Sophie (Emma Stone) as a fraud. But under the moonlight, his cynicism unravels as Sophie's charm and seemingly real powers cas...

Back again with another sidestep from the focused retrospective to follow Woody on yet another one of his outside collaborations, this time being with an exceptionally well known character actor (John Turturro) in a very strange and sexy* type of character piece???   This was certainly a strange one to say the very least... but always fun to have a conversation about :)   In "Fading Gigolo" (2013)...

Back again with a Woody episode many have waited for us to get around to - apparently this is another standout character piece that although uncomfortable to sit through... it's hard not to admire what's on display here....but sadly we have to inject a bit of reality in this episode as well   First off as always, a description of the movie for the uninitiated    In Blue Jasmine (2013) Jasmine Malo...

BACK on the retrospective with another European story venture for Mr Allen. Memory serves as this one not being very good with alot of critical feedback and disappointment, however, our recent re-watch has given us some new perspective... so lets talk about..   In 'To Rome With Love' (2012) four different couples find themselves intertwined in a series of romantic escapades and life-changing encou...

Back on the retrospective with a little side step discussion....   Robert Weide has proven to be a positive proponent and admirer of Woody Allen over the years, in fact more recently, he was the fellow that had him on for a facebook live interview as hard to believe as that might sound   As such, back in 2012 he puts his documentarian hat on and completed a pretty thorough exploration on Woody's e...

Back on the retrospective with arguably Woody's most acclaimed movie to date - a very creative and crowd pleasing film all around - HOWEVER we will endeavour to get critical on this as well even in all it's glory!   With 'Midnight in Paris (2011) Gil Pender (Owen Wilson), a disillusioned screenwriter, finds himself mysteriously transported back to the 1920s every night at midnight whilst in paris....

Back on the retrospective with woody exploring the many silly delusions of couples in this somewhat tepid comedy / drama   In "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger," we find two couples that find their lives intertwined in a web of desire, deceit, and unfulfilled dreams. As they navigate the complexities of their relationships, they confront the consequences of their choices and the fragility of hap...

Back on the retrospective with what almost seems like a main character casted perfectly for an Allen comedy romp.... sadly the masses didn't seem to enjoy the final result   In "Whatever Works" (2009) Boris Yellnikoff (Larry David), a cynical, misanthropic writer, finds himself unexpectedly thrust into the role of guardian and mentor to Melody (Evan Rachel Wood), a young runaway girl who seeks ref...

Back on the retrospective with woody exploring the sweet highs and lows of nuanced love and relationships within the beautiful city of Barcelona with yet another marvellous cast of actors!    Vicky Christina Barcelona (2008) Is of course set In the vibrant city of Barcelona, where two American friends, Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), embark on a summer adventure, each seeki...

Back on the retrospective with Woody returning to his darker themes for another crime drama - lets dig into it!    With Cassandra’s Dream (2017) we are yet again set in the streets of London, here we have two brothers, Ian Blaine (Ewan McGregor) and Terry Blaine (Colin Farrell), that find themselves trapped in a downward spiral of financial desperation and personal struggles. Ian, a restaurateur s...

Back on the retrospective where fans were somewhat surprised for this to be the follow up to MATCH POINT the year before - but we are still in London and Woody is easing off the darker storytelling on this one   SCOOP (2006) Is set in the bustling streets of London, where Sondra Pransky (Scarlett Johansson), an American journalism student, finds herself entangled in a whirlwind of investigative jo...

Back on the retrospective with what is widely regarded as one of Woody Allen's greatest movies... well... this, Annie Hall and one other are often in heavy debate for the top spot... There is no debate this is a great movie so we will gush and discuss....   In Match Point (2005) Chris Wilton (Jonathan Rhys Meyers), a former tennis pro from Ireland, ascends the social ladder in London by marrying C...

Back on the retrospective with a movie which clearly had a good concept but the execution may have been somewhat lacking   In Melinda and Melinda (2004) we explore the dual nature of reality and the malleability of perception through two contrasting narratives that follow the same character, Melinda (Radha Mitchell).   One narrative portrays Melinda's life as a comedy, highlighting her lighthearte...

Back on the retrospective with another Woody flick where it seems he is trying to do an updated take on Annie hall maybe? - we thinks not... regardless, this one has some amazing cinematography without a doubt... let's talk about..   In Anything Else (2003) Jerry Falk (Jason Biggs), is a neurotic college student that falls for the captivating and unpredictable Anna (Christina Ricci), a 19-year-old...

Back on the retrospective with another fun yet underwhelming offering on Woody once again taking a stab at a Hollywood business narrative....   Hollywood Ending i (2002) follows Val Waxman (Woody Allen), a once-successful film director who has fallen on hard times. Desperate to make a comeback, Val agrees to direct a low-budget film for his ex-wife, Ellie (Tea Leoni), who is now a powerful studio...

Back on the retrospective now in the 2000's with another light comedy romp that seems to have not gone well over with audiences... another fun discussion   In Curse Of The Jade Scorpion (2001) we are taken to 1940's New York City, where two unlikely characters find themselves drawn into a world of crime, mystery, and hypnosis. As they unravel a series of strange robberies, they must confront their...

Back on the retrospective now in the 2000's with a light crime-comedy romp that gets a nice disagreeable conversation with your hosts :P   Small Time Crooks (2001) Ray Winkle (Woody Allen) and Frenchy (Tracey Ullman), are an unsuccessful married couple, that hatch a plan to rob the bank next door to their jewellery store. However, their amateurish heist goes awry, and they end up inadvertently ope...

Back on the retrospective with one of the most bizarre movies Woody Allen has had his hands mixed up in. Admittedly and as always there are some big hitters here regarding the actual cast but with such a random comedy romp script, you might have thought this was one of those 'old funny ones' woody used to make in the 70's or something :P   Who the hell actually directed this movie anyway - does th...

Back on the retrospective with another fan favourite about the life of an unlikeable fellow with a engrossing musical talent    Sweet And Lowdown (1999) follows Emmet Ray, a brilliant but self-destructive jazz guitarist who struggles with fame, addiction, and the love of a mute woman.   Please check out the links below for the full cast, user reviews, ratings and info you may find interesting   Wi...