Welcome to the final episode of this season of the Woody Allen Pages podcast. I’m ending with a wrap up of your thoughts and comments, and some questions, and some things about what next. So much more at our website – Woody Allen Pages. Find us at: Facebook Instagram Twitter Reddit Support us Patreon Buy a poster or t-shirt at Redbubble Buy out books – The Woody Allen Film Guides Buy Me A Coffee You can write to us at woodyallenpages [at] gmail [dot] com

Allen’s use of the camera has led to many cinematic highs. His insistent use of black and white, to his experiments in mockumentary, to breaking all the rules with haphazard editing to just film after film of gorgeous shots, Allen has made a career of incredible camera work. Welcome to the Woody Allen Pages podcast. This week is special episode three. This episode we look at Woody Allen’s relationship to the camera, his work with cinematographers and editors, and how it led to some of the...

Rifkin’s Festival is the 49th film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 2020. Wallace Shawn stars as Mort Rifkin, a film teacher who accompanies his wife, Sue, played by Gina Gershon, to the San Sebastián Film Festival. During the festival, Mort has strange dreams that seem oddly familiar, and realises he has some regrets in his life that he has to face. Filmed in gorgeous San Sebastián in Spain, Rifkin’s Festival is a playful conversation about cinema itself. But at the...

Mighty Aphrodite is the 25th film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 1995. Woody Allen stars as Lenny Weinrib. Together with his wife Amanda, played by Helena Bonham Carter, the two adopt a child who turns out to be especially gifted. When Lenny gets obsessed by his son’s genetic heritage, he tracks down the mother only to discover she’s a lowly prostitute named Linda Ash, played by Mira Sorvino. Woody Allen in the mid 90s was overcoming the turmoil of his private life to...

The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion is the 31st film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 2001.  Woody Allen stars as CW Briggs. An insurance investigator whose workplace rival is Betty Anne Fitzgerald played by Helen Hunt. Both come under the spell of a hypnotist named Voltan, and find they themselves chasing after criminals that are closer to home than they think. The Curse Of The Jade Scorpion is a throwback to another era. It harkens back to the sparky, dialogue driven...

Manhattan is the 8th film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 1979. Woody Allen stars as Isaac Davis, and we follow him as he romanticises the hell out of New York City, falling in love, and dealing with the poetry of every day life. His story is divided by several women and one friend. And he’s made a decision to live a better life, if there is such a thing. What do you say about Manhattan? It’s a masterpiece, and where Allen’s skill as a director finally matches his skill...

Shadows And Fog is the 20th film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released 1991. Woody Allen stars as Max Kleinman, returning to being the sole lead for the first time since Broadway Danny Rose in 1984. He lives in a town that resembles old German expressionist films by directors such as Fritz Lang. The dark and foggy town is plagued by a killer. Kleinman has been roped in to search for the killer, but is given little or no facts to work with, and soon left on his own. Shadows And...

Blue Jasmine is the 43rd film written and directed by Woody Allen. Cate Blanchett stars as the titular Jasmine - a well-to-do woman who finds herself broke. Her financial criminal husband, played by Alec Baldwin, is no longer in the picture, so she moves in with her working class sister Ginger, played by Sally Hawkins. And she has to try and find a new life in San Francisco. Blue Jasmine was a critical success for Allen and in particular Blanchett, who won all the awards. It is also one of...

The Purple Rose of Cairo is the 13th film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 1985. This film holds a special place in Woody Allen’s filmography. It is Woody Allen’s own favourite of his films, whilst he consistently rags on just about every other one he’s ever made. Even now, he claims it is the film that is closest to his original vision. From it, we can see what it is that Allen the filmmaker really wants to do. Beloved by critics if not so much by audiences – not only...

Celebrity is the 28th film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 1998.  Kenneth Branagh stars as Lee Simon, a journalist with aspirations of higher writing and a better life. He has just split from his wife Robin, played by Judy Davis. The two go on separate searches for happiness through fame. Lee by hanging around it, Robin by accidentally becoming it. Coming straight after Deconstructing Harry, Celebrity is another harsh, angry film. Shot in stark black and white and with...

Sleeper is the 4th film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 1973. Woody Allen stars as Miles Monroe, a man who has been frozen for 200 years. He wakes to find himself in a strange futuristic world, run by an oppressive, big-brother-like government force. Things get worse when he unwittingly becomes part of the underground movement and causes a revolution. Sleeper is another in the early run of high concept set ups for Woody Allen’s comedy. But it sees Allen’s continued...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona is the 38th film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 2008.  Rebecca Hall stars as Vicky, and Scarlett Johansson stars as Cristina. Two friends who have decided to spend the summer in Barcelona. The two friends have very different views on love, and their lives take very different paths when they encounter Juan Antonio, played by Javier Bardem and his ex-wife Maria Elena, played by Penelope Cruz. Woody Allen’s London period became a European period...

I am so pleased to announce that the Woody Allen Pages podcast will return later this month, even if it kills me. Yup, we’re back for season 2. I will launch episode 11 sometime after Easter, giving me the holiday to get everything ready for the return. I’m sorry it has taken so long. I don’t want any sympathy, but I’m not sure last year turned out like anyone thought it would. I had a long lockdown, caught COVID and my brain is finally forgetting the trauma of it all.  A big thanks to all...

Stardust Memories is the 9th film written and directed by Woody Allen, first released in 1980. Woody Allen plays Sandy Bates – a renowned director looking for a change. He is invited and attends a retrospective of his own films, where he is faced with fans and critics all wanting his time. During all this, he reflects on a past relationship that’s gone wrong but still haunts him, and tries to find happiness with a new partner. STARDUST MEMORIES sees Allen tackle fame and celebrity with jet...