anything else

August 1, 2003 5:06 AM

Watch this trailer and see if you can guess who made this movie. And if you check imdb, you'll also see that the one of the stars isn't shown or mentioned anywhere in the trailer or on the site. Interesting marketing tactic. I wonder if it will pay off.
posted by grumblebee (51 comments total)

I have a friend who like's Woody's films as long as Woody himself isn't in them (a la Purple Rose of Cairo). He would feel really cheated by this film, if he went to see it based on the trailer.

[I forgot to tip my hat to aintitcool.com for this link.]
posted by grumblebee at 5:09 AM on August 1, 2003

is it just me, or could christina ricci just not act in this?
posted by pxe2000 at 5:22 AM on August 1, 2003

David Thomson, the author of the New Biographical Dictionary of Film was on CBC radio last night and the subject of Woody Allen's films came up. He observed that even when Allen wasn't starring in one of his films, he often couldn't help impressing his mannerisms and style onto the lead role, trying to get the lead to act just as he would have. From the few bits they show in this trailer I'm afraid the same thing is happening here. Not something I mind personally, since I still like the caricature of the bumbling neurotic nervous character, but others will wonder why they're feeling deja vu.
posted by Space Coyote at 5:23 AM on August 1, 2003

who is not credited?
posted by Frasermoo at 5:29 AM on August 1, 2003

The Woodman himself, I believe. He's definitely mentioned on the IMDB page.

I'm terrified of Christina Ricci. But in a good way.
posted by emelenjr at 5:33 AM on August 1, 2003

Strike that. He's mentioned on both pages.

I give up. The poster lists the six principal stars, and those six are the first six mentioned on the IMDB page. Which one are we supposed to notice is missing?
posted by emelenjr at 5:37 AM on August 1, 2003

Two things:

1. I miss the curvy Christina Ricci! Can we send her some pizza or something?
   
2. I think Woody Allen is one of the best filmmakers and worst actors on the planet. Therefore, I won't be catching this movie.
   

I do like Jason Biggs, though. And Ms. Ricci. I may have to.... good god! What am I saying?? Arrrrgggggghhhhh!
posted by tommyspoon at 5:41 AM on August 1, 2003

exactly my poinit, what is going on with this post?

grumblebee explain yourself.
posted by Frasermoo at 5:41 AM on August 1, 2003

This movie looks stupid.

And I hope Sara Lee Cheesecake coughed up some bucks for that first scene.
posted by konolia at 5:44 AM on August 1, 2003

Ah well. Just another movie for people to ask, "why is Woody Allen still making movies?"

I think he should maybe try the expatriation thing.

I mean, it seems to have worked for Polanski.
posted by Busithoth at 5:47 AM on August 1, 2003

Hey man, ya gotta give the Woodster credit for not playing the J. Biggs part himself. A couple of years ago he would've.
posted by DenOfSizer at 5:56 AM on August 1, 2003

Funny, too, because to me, the only reason this movie would be of any interest is that it's a Woody Allen movie. I mean, goddamn, Christina Ricci looks sooo cute, but still...
Amazing that nowhere on that webpage do you see the words "A Woody Allen Film" or such.
Because, you know, I think Harmony Korine, of all people, said it best: "Even a bad Woody Allen movie is better than most of the shit out there."
posted by ghastlyfop at 5:59 AM on August 1, 2003

No, I think advertising what is definitely a Woody Allen movie (Biggs plays Allen's intern, and Allen -- ta da, DenofSizer! -- seduces Ricci out from beneath Biggs) without ever showing Woody Allen (he must be the "Ron Keller" Ricci mentions sleeping with) is definitely a case of shifty advertising. Allen's acting credit is listed ahead of Biggs' on the last frame, but that's hard to catch; the larger "A Woody Allen Film" is hard to miss, so at least everyone who cares will at least know how the director is.

I miss the curvy Christina Ricci! Can we send her some pizza or something?

Double amen.

e observed that even when Allen wasn't starring in one of his films, he often couldn't help impressing his mannerisms and style onto the lead role, trying to get the lead to act just as he would have.

I don't know if this is always true, but Kenneth Branagh in Celebrity was scary.
posted by blueshammer at 6:04 AM on August 1, 2003

Dude, just save yourself the 10 bucks and rent Annie Hall or Manhattan.

Watch this trailer and see if you can guess who made this movie.

Even if him name wasn't on the page, it was obvious from the dialog and camera angles that it's Woody Allen. Some of the street scenes are shot the same way as his good movies.
posted by kirkaracha at 6:12 AM on August 1, 2003

The MoTown favorite at the end of the trailer confirmed for me that this movie is probably a case of "been there, done that".
posted by Witty at 6:14 AM on August 1, 2003

I am assuming that grumblebee's point is that Allen's face and voice aren't in the trailer.

After the final shot of Biggs and Ricci in bed, the trailer holds for a full beat on a title card saying "From Woody Allen"; the credits page that follows says in large letters "Directed by Woody Allen." The official movie webpage grumblebee linked to lists Woody Allen first in the row of actors' names.

Other than that, yeah, I don't know how anyone would guess who made the movie :)
posted by anser at 6:23 AM on August 1, 2003

Agreed, tommyspoon. I much prefer Christina Ricci with pizza, as opposed to without, though she's a lovely, lovely girl regardless.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 6:36 AM on August 1, 2003

Here's my explanation: I'm stupid.

somehow I didn't notice Woody's name. Even though it's the first one listed. Sorry. I guess I was dazzled by the teen-flick iconography.
posted by grumblebee at 6:43 AM on August 1, 2003

I really don't care for any of the featured players. However, I've had a notion for a while now that Christina Ricci could be good in a Coen Brothers movie. I don't know why. I just think that would work.

Also, can we not let this thread decay into an Elvisesque debate on whether we prefer the thin or ample Ricci? The bulk of us don't care about with whom you would like to get your freak on.
posted by Mayor Curley at 6:43 AM on August 1, 2003

I watched half of it, and decided that, since I have already lived that relationship, I don't need to see the movie.

I think someone stole my story. Especially the part about " I had to sleep with someone else to see if I could even get aroused anymore." Whatever, Karen. Tell the bastard to get off my couch and go home. I bet in five years, I'll get arrested for seeing this guy in public, punching him in the face, and grinding my foot down on his ear until some guys pull me off of him. I'M GOING TO JAIL FOR YOU, KAREN. I'LL HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD BECAUSE OF YOU, YOU STUPID BI-

I'm not bitter. I swear. I'm totally over her. It's been like, 13 years.

I love Woody Allen films, but this one doesn't look to be his best effort.
posted by bradth27 at 6:43 AM on August 1, 2003

You may want to sit down for this, but I got to thinkin'... Woody Allen movies? Which ones have I seen? Hmmm? {which ones dammit?}

HAH! None... none of the ones listed on that page, that is. I assume that's all of them, no? I've never seen one Woody Allen film. How did that happen? What am I, some kind of cinematic loser? The pirate movie with Mr. Depp was pretty good and I loved City of God. But neither of those were made by Woody. Should I feel ashamed?
posted by Witty at 6:44 AM on August 1, 2003

Dude, just save yourself the 10 bucks and rent Annie Hall or Manhattan.

This looks like Annie Hall with a more talented actor and a less talented actress.
posted by Summer at 6:50 AM on August 1, 2003

well you probaly are stupid, but let's not say that. let's go with dazzled by Christina Ricci.

I was. Something happened to my special purpose.
posted by Frasermoo at 6:54 AM on August 1, 2003

http://www.killermovies.com/a/anythingelse/

Synopsis: Woody Allen's character is a struggling and insecure artist in New York. He is having an affair with Christina Ricci's character, a dense and self-centered young girl. Jason Biggs is Ricci's boyfriend, and when he finds out about the affair, he confronts Allen. Meanwhile, Allen must avoid Danny Devito who plays Christina Ricci's father, chasing after Allen with a loaded shot gun.
posted by callicles at 6:58 AM on August 1, 2003

with all the discussion of her weight, does anyone else (heh) think it's funny that the first thing ricci says in the trailer is "i already ate", followed by a rundown of fatty or high-carb food? if the words weren't hers i'd think she suffered from calista flockhart syndrome.
posted by pxe2000 at 7:06 AM on August 1, 2003

That CAN'T be the real synopsis...can it?
posted by ghastlyfop at 7:26 AM on August 1, 2003

I don't know if this is always true, but Kenneth Branagh in Celebrity was scary.

Very scary. Very.
That's why I never understood the "Woody is a terrible actor" attitude. He's very effective in his movies when playing thr kind of role he played for almost all his career, ie the neurotic Jewish Manhattan intellectual with a lot of free time and a nice apartment and a complicated love life. Usually I ask the Woody-bashers, tell me the name of an actor you'd have cast in Manhattan or Annie Hall or Hannah And Her Sisters to replace Allen. Who? Elliott Gould? Maybe. Who else. (I agree that Allen is terrible in Scenes From a Mall, he doesnt work well with other directors since Play It Again Sam)
It's very difficult to cast another actor in a WoodyAllenesque part. A great actor like Branagh was pathethic, Cusack* pretty good, Biggs sounds good too. But it's very difficult to play Woody Allen if you're not Woody Allen.


*John Cusack in the little-seen (even by Allen standards) Shadows and Fog was pretty good.
He was good in Bullets Over Broadway, too. On the other hand I'm a Cusack fan so I suppose he's almost always good.
posted by matteo at 7:30 AM on August 1, 2003

I've never seen one Woody Allen film. How did that happen? What am I, some kind of cinematic loser?

Not really, like I watch a ton of films but I wouldn't say he's essential, like Kubrick or Kurosawa.

Why is he still making films? He keeps them low budget. Anyway, I'm just impressed by his consistancy (Small Time Crooks was pretty funny), he hasn't hit a steep decline like Mel Brooks had at his age. Jade Scorpion was average but he wasn't embarassing himself.

Anyway Ricci looks fine to me, unlike actresses like Flockhart or Boyle. And isn't Jason Biggs playing the exact same character in every film?
posted by bobo123 at 7:33 AM on August 1, 2003

I'm old enough to remember when Woody Allen was famous for making funny movies(and they WERE funny.)When he started into Serious Filmmaking people thought it was ridiculous.
posted by konolia at 7:39 AM on August 1, 2003

I really don't care for any of the featured players. However, I've had a notion for a while now that Christina Ricci could be good in a Coen Brothers movie. I don't know why. I just think that would work.

The Coens directed her and Dennis Hopper playing chess for a Gap ad two Super Bowls ago. Someone else is welcome to find a link.
posted by blueshammer at 7:42 AM on August 1, 2003

"Interiors" was not terrible.
posted by ghastlyfop at 7:51 AM on August 1, 2003

Do a Polanski?? Holy jumpin' Hannah, I can just Imagine it...

"From STUDIO/CANAL, the people who gave you "The Pianist"...."

"Oooh - ahhh - I'm sorry; is this your mat? I'll just lay over there. In the corner. With the rats..."

"A Canne Festival 2005 Palme D'or Winner"

"That's not a shower; I mean, a shower has water - you have gas. I don't call my oven a bathtub. Sure, I guess you could call it a fumigator.."

Woody Allen in his most important film.

"Personally, I like the gruel with dead flies in it. It's like raisins; give me two scoops, that's what I say... Whats this? OK, who dropped a tooth in my dinner?"

EXCUSE ME, I MUST HAVE THE WRONG DEATH CAMP
posted by Perigee at 7:54 AM on August 1, 2003

And isn't Jason Biggs playing the exact same character in every film?

I don't know if he'll ever get past the American Pie image. "Hey, nice movie, piefucker!"
posted by kirkaracha at 7:56 AM on August 1, 2003

The Coens directed her and Dennis Hopper playing chess for a Gap ad two Super Bowls ago. Someone else is welcome to find a link

link
posted by matteo at 8:28 AM on August 1, 2003

the fact that it is a Woody Allen movie is buried slightly below the surface. Obviously not intended for the normal Woody Allen audience. They want the teens to come see this movie, and if the pump up the Woody factor (no pun intended) they figure they'll lose the teen date market. Interesting. Perhaps Woody is looking for an enlarged payday compared to his usual take. I suspect it will probably work as most teens in my neighborhood could give a rat's a** about who the director of a movie is, let alone the fact that director loves long static shots where the action and dialogue unfold in front of the viewer from a single vantage point. They just want to know if Ricci will take her top off.
posted by pejamo at 8:28 AM on August 1, 2003

very clever and subtle marketing trick there, grumblebee. too bad you wasted the ploy on what looks to be a dull movie.
posted by crunchland at 8:45 AM on August 1, 2003

The first scene with Ricci about the cheesecake was a big neon sign saying who directed it. That could have been in Annie Hall unmodified.
posted by smackfu at 8:48 AM on August 1, 2003

The irritating character he plays was humouous thirty years ago. Anyone who still likes it has probably also been eating the exact same food and listening to the exact same music for all that time.
Also, he's likely not in the trailer because they couldn't hide his permanent 'woody' over young Ms. Ricci during the entire filming.
posted by HTuttle at 8:52 AM on August 1, 2003

Ah well. Just another movie for people to ask, "why is Woody Allen still making movies?"

I think he should maybe try the expatriation thing.

I mean, it seems to have worked for Polanski.

I totally agree. Woody Allen is off my list. I boycott his work. It's not very good anymore, anyway...
posted by sparky at 10:08 AM on August 1, 2003

very clever and subtle marketing trick there, grumblebee. too bad you wasted the ploy on what looks to be a dull movie.

Um. Okay. Except I'm not a Hollywood marketing executive. I didn't come up with the ploy, so I can't be accused of wasting it either -- though I suppose you could accuse me of wasting your MeFi time by posting a link to it.
posted by grumblebee at 10:18 AM on August 1, 2003

Usually I ask the Woody-bashers, tell me the name of an actor you'd have cast in Manhattan or Annie Hall or Hannah And Her Sisters to replace Allen.

I thought Michael Caine had the Woody Allen part in Hannah and Her Sisters. I'm not sure which part Woody had; I haven't seen it for a while.
posted by timeistight at 11:27 AM on August 1, 2003

The irritating character he plays was humouous thirty years ago. Anyone who still likes it has probably also been eating the exact same food and listening to the exact same music for all that time.

I've gotten used to feeling out of touch about music and actors, but this is the first time I've heard that I'm not hep to the cool, new foods.
posted by timeistight at 11:33 AM on August 1, 2003

I thought Michael Caine had the Woody Allen part in Hannah and Her Sisters.

And it made sense to do it. They're pretty interchangeable as actors. Woody would've been great as Charlie in the original The Italian Job.
posted by Mayor Curley at 12:12 PM on August 1, 2003

funny no one mentioned "Hollywood Ending," which is, i think, Allen's most recent movie. i thought it was good. so was his first: "What's Up Tiger Lily?"

i'm not a huge fan, but his movies always seem to hold my interest all the way through. let him keep making movies til the cows come home.
posted by mrgrimm at 12:13 PM on August 1, 2003

I don't think anybody could have made anything great about the original Italian Job. I rented it last week and it ranks with the very very worst films I've ever seen.
posted by Marquis at 12:14 PM on August 1, 2003

So I watched the trailer and.......I want my five minutes back. C'mon people! This isn't interesting: Oh look! Woody Allen made another movie about how horrible, shallow, manipulative and destructive women are. How groundbreaking for him. Geez.
posted by elwoodwiles at 12:31 PM on August 1, 2003

They're pretty interchangeable as actors.
???
posted by ghastlyfop at 12:36 PM on August 1, 2003

Thanks, Perigee. That was tastelessly hilarious.
posted by Holden at 2:04 PM on August 1, 2003

For the record, Woody Allen is almost always listed first in the credits of his movies, regardless of the size of the role he plays. Why? His contract when making movies insists that the credits be alphabetical. I can't think of a single exception even though he's had a great many actors in his films during the peaks of their careers, when they commanded first credit (di caprio, caine, ryder, roberts...).

And for the anti-Allens out there, I can only assume you've never seen Manhattan or Celebrity or any other number of Allen's wonderful films. I've seen Stardust Memories a 100 times if I've seen it once.
posted by dobbs at 3:57 PM on August 1, 2003

And it made sense to do it. They're pretty interchangeable as actors. Woody would've been great as Charlie in the original The Italian Job.

Quite. And just think how much better the original 'Get Carter' would have been with Allen in the title role.
posted by Sonny Jim at 9:44 PM on August 1, 2003

Yeah, in retrospect Woody Allen would have been perfect for Jaws IV...
posted by bobo123 at 9:54 PM on August 1, 2003