Annie Hall(Woody Allen)(1977)

Wow on a side note before I start this review I just noticed this is my first review in over three weeks. Not that anyone really cares but be prepared for a couple more reviews in the next couple weeks as I am like 5 movies and one book behind. I have also decided to do away with the number grading. I will still put letter grades but no more numbers.

It is hard to really say anything new on a movie that is a near perfect classic such as this film is. It is one of the funniest movies ever written, it is well directed and has some amazing acting to top it all off. This movie is one that is truly inspired and clever, filled with so many moments that should be inside your cultural lexicon it is unbelievable.

The acting is one of the main reason i feel that Annie Hall has managed to stand the test of time. Keaton as a ditsy Midwestern girl and Woody Allen as a neurotic stand up comedian work so well together. They have such an immense amount of chemistry that do not really see all that often in every movie. They play their parts so well you feel these characters are real(I guess it would not be too hard for Woody Allen since he is basically just playing himself in this movie). All the supporting actors do their assigned duties well and do not derail the movie by being out of place or by being terrible actors. Also this has a tiny guest role for a younger Christopher Walken and he is absolutely hysterical as Dwanye.

This movie defiantly rated 18+ not for the usual reasons that is a gross out teen flick but if you watch this film too young you may find it boring(I will admit the pace is somewhat slow but not too slow). Also some of the jokes may fly over your head. I saw this movie at a young age and I will admit the latter part of that statement happened to me. Although it still does have a lot of moments that would be hilarious for almost anyone who appreciates humour.

Of course this film is not the most original movie out there but it defiantly does dabble in a few film aspects that were not unheard of in 1977 but were different then what was mostly being done in film at the time in the comedy genre. The most original aspect of this movie is the breaking of the fourth wall(for those unaware of what that means it is when an actor talks directly into the camera basically making you aware you a watching a movie). Another moment is when Annie and Alvy are talking and the subtitles are saying different things then what they are saying. Another is how Alvy is waiting in line and he is able to pull out Marshall McLuhan to prove his point against the film snob.(I always found this part to be even more humorous due to the fact that many Woody Allen fans do act like the obnoxious film snob we see waiting in line at the movie theatre. The list could go on forever from the animated part tossed in to how Woody Allen puts himself into flashbacks in his childhood to how the story is not told in a straight linear fashion. Many of these moments now are generally in every person cultural lexicon and they are the moments that really make this film hilarious.

Another factor into the hilarity that is this movie is many of the clever gags and witty one liners. Some of my favorite one liners ever come from this movie. Some examples are the over quoted"those who can't do teach. those who can't teach teach gym", when describing L.A. "they never throw their garbage away they just put it on t.v." and lastly describing award ceremonies being such a farce"Adolf Hitler fascist dictator of the year". There was also a lot of clever and heart warming moments in this film such as Alvy and Annie making the lobster and Alvy coming over to Annie's to get the bug out of her bathroom.

This film is one of my personal favorites and quite possibly is the funniest movies I have ever seen. It has a ton of intelligence, wit and poignancy that puts this movie above a lot of other comedies. It is a movie that has stood the test of time quite well and should be viewed by audiences for decades to come. A true American masterpiece
A+
-Hutz

Ferris Bueller's Day Off(John Hughes)(1986)

When a person thinks of the 1980's the first things that usually com to their mind are big hair and John Hughes movies. This movie does fit into John Hughes' realm of what he writes about, young people struggling to deal with the world around them. I find that Ferris Bueller's Day Off Stands out among his other movies because it truly is more entertaining than all his other movies. Although most of his movies don't really hold the test of time and are only found "great" by the group of people who grew up in the time period and are clouded with nostalgia.

This movie was acted well enough. I am not a huge fan of Matthew Broderick but he plays his character well enough. The women who plays his girl friend is pretty awful and it is pretty obvious that the only reason she is their is for eye candy. The most intriguing out of the three would have to be Ferris' friend Cameron played by Alan Ruck. He is the only one who really has any emotional depth. I guess the other actors can't be blamed for their lack of depth though. That blame lies on director/screenwriter John Hughes. I must say though that their is one terrific acting performance by Jeffery Jones, playing the tough dean. This performance has now become somewhat iconic and for good reason.

The humor of this movie is not something that takes multiple viewings to get, but alas that is a true John Hughes film. The targets are quite obvious(schools, living too fast, etc.) and there really is no hidden layers beyond the shell of this movie. It is a typical teen movie where they're fighting for recognition, individuality and independence. Not that I am saying this message is not a good one. We all could use a little break to slowdown and "smell the roses" but it fails under repeat viewings as their is no depth. There is quite a few few funny gags in this movie though. They of course mainly involved the Dean trying to catch Ferris' and really ruin his life. There are quite a few that are quite dull and tedious. Like the Dean getting his foot stuck in the mud(c'mon and people try to use movies like this to show teen movies now are stupid.) Overall though if it is your first time seeing this movie you will like it because it is entertaining and funny despite it's problems.

One major problem I have though with this film is the lack of emotional depth and character development. The only one that changes in this movie is Cameron. He has an epiphany near the end of the film that he must learn to stand up to his dad and to authority figures in general. That is truly the message of this film so it fits well into the story. The problem I have with it though is I don't know it just seems a little contrived and you only feel a little for Cameron. I for one though feel more for Cameron and his personal struggle than I do for Ferris Bueller though.

One absolutely iconic moment that will not be forgotten from this movie however is that epic race home between Ferris and his family. The music is perfect for the scene and it is really adrenalin packed and exciting. If there is any reason you have to see this movie, the chase scene is the reason. It must be part of your cultural lexicon so you can understand the numerous references and homages it has received.

A movie that will forever be part of the 1980's movie cannon. It is an entertaining one but one that does not hold strong under multiple viewings. It's a movie your parents will show you to display how "radical" the 80's were.
68/100 C+
-Hutz