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The Woody Allen Collection - 8 pack Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 9 Reviews)

The best of the best of the early Woody Allen!
Naturally, since I'm writing this review about a month and a half before this boxed set is released, I cannot possible base this on the actual DVDs. Hell, I don't even own a player! Hah, this review is a travesty of a mockery of a sham of a mockery of a travesty of two mockeries of a sham. If you remember that line, then I guarantee that you will love this set! These are the first eight movies that Allen directed (not counting What's Up, Tiger Lily?, which he has since called a mistake and Take The Money And Run, which is already available on DVD) and starts with his 1971 slapstick comedy Bananas (from whence comes that earlier reference for those of you struggling to remember). It moves on through 1972's Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex* (*But Were Afraid To Ask); 1973's sci-fi, Keaton- (Buster, not Diane) inspired masterpiece Sleeper; the last of his purely slapstick comedies, the albsolutely wonderful Love And Death from 1975. It then moves on to his more intellectual and move acclaimed Annie Hall from 1977 (the only one of these already available in the DVD format); his 1978 Bergmanesque drama Interiors; the 1979's lovingly made black-and-white Manhattan and finishing with 1980's Stardust Memories. I have loved all of these movies, but have hesistated to buy them until they came out on the (from what I've heard) superior DVD format. And, now they have (and, of course, for the technologically stable, it's on VHS, too!) For anyone who ever loved Woody Allen's films, books or even his plays, I can personally guarantee that you will not be let down by these films.

Woody fans (like me) will scream in ecstasy
Eight Woody-Allen-films in one DVD-collection. This is clearly a must for all collectors of great film classics. The included pictures should especially attract fans of his "earlier, funnier" work.

Most of the films on the DVD's were made in the 70's and most of them are pure comedies. "Bananas", "Sleeper" or "Love and Death" are among the funniest work by the director. It's unnecessary to say more words about the masterpieces "Annie Hall" and "Manhattan". Their place in the film history books is certain. Another film of the collection is the underrated "Interiors", which might not be funny, but a well observed, subtle, bergmanesque drama. "Stardust Memories" was also treated in an inappropriately hostile way when it was released.

I already said in my reviews of "Annie Hall" and "Deconstructing Harry", that I consider Woody Allen as one of the funniest, wittiest and finest filmmakers. It's really a pity that his latest films are all struggling to find an audience. I recently found out that his last film "Small Time Crooks" (which I haven't seen yet) succeeds to draw in customers. Maybe this is the beginning of his commercial comeback. Artisticly, he rarely let me down.

For those interested in learning the MIND of Woody Allen
Every movie in this collection will leave you in deep thought one way or the other long after you view them. This is the sort of collection you can own and view multiple times without tiring of the plots, and there's always something new to get out of the stories each time you see them. "Annie Hall" and "Manhattan" are more prominent and famous over the others because there are more moments where you can laugh and enjoy the characters.

"Interiors" is not a film to be viewed for uplifting entertainment, but you can still appreciate it for its unique perceptiveness into a wealthy New York family's misery. It's serious movies like this one where you can delve into the artist's mind and pick apart his brain, enjoy the neurotic journey, and later you will be able to see reoccuring themes and motifs appear in his later works. What makes "Interiors" special is that it captures the essence of a family's life that rarely any other author or filmaker would bother to examine. Through this movie you can step outside yourself and feel the raw anguish and bitter remorse of all old maids around the world, and even still have the desire to sock them in the kisser. However i must warn this movie is for people seriously interested in examining human character and family dynamics. This doesn't follow a climax/ happy ending standard.

"Everything you always wanted to know about sex But were afraid to ask" is a fun film, and one of his earliest. There are a few weak and dull moments, but there are other episodes that make it all worthwhile. Right before you want to let out a big yawn you'll choke with laughter till you cry. It's inspiring to see how much Woody Allen has accomplished since.

All in all, this collection is the most diverse in mood compared to the other collections. From silly slapstick humor to neurotic-relationship drama, and the bleak and miserable... This pack carries a sample of Woody Allen's every style.

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