Radio Days

Rating:
Summary: Nostalgia...ah, yes...
Review: I'm a huge fan of Woody Allen (even his "clunkers"), but this is my absolute favorite Woody film. All of his films are personal, but none as personal and revealing as this...and ABSOLUTELY entertaining. Seth Green, Woody's young character, is perfect, justifying his current success. Wonderful performances from Woody's usual stock troupe (Kavner, Wiest, etc) are all in tune with the goings-on. Mia Farrow, in particular, is a hoot, especially her scenes with Danny Aiello. Woody even managed to squeeze a cameo from Diane Keaton at the end ("You Be So Nice to Come Home To"). Lovely and sweet. It's too bad the Academy eliminated the category for "Best Adapted Score", cuz this woud've won, no question. The greatest songs of the period (1940-1945) were lovingly presented, and anyone who sees this film can't help but be left with a wistful, soft and nostalgic feeling. Yes, this is my favorite Woody film.

Rating:
Summary: A standout gem!
Review: I've been hurt in the past by a lot of "classic" Woody Allen films. But this one does not disppoint. I think this is one of his best films. A nostalgic look back on his childhood in the good ole radio days. Although for once, Woody was not the highlight of a Woody movie for me. And I never thought I'd utter thses words in my entire life. But...Mia Farrow was the funniest thing about this movie (and it was a really funny movie by itself). I just loved her eating as people are discussing where to dump her body and my favorite line of her's is upon hearing of the bombing of Pearl Harbor at an inconvenient moment, she asks kind of agitated, "Who is Pearl Harbor?" The second stories would switch, and she'd pop up, I'd already be laughing. And I am by no means a Mia Farrow fan. She was just so broadly funny; maybe that's what she should have done more of. Because usually she plays such dry characters...but this was a welcome change. Woody must have loved her role too. He basically recycled her in Bullets Over Broadway with Jennifer Tilly's ditzy character (also funny). This film was just so real and honest and clearly personal to Woody, that his passion showed in the writing and the acting and made this movie one of my favorites of his (and a young Seth Green did Woody justice too).

Rating:
Summary: A standout gem!
Review: I've been hurt in the past by a lot of "classic" Woody Allen films. But this one does not disppoint. I think this is one of his best films. A nostalgic look back on his childhood in the good ole radio days. Although for once, Woody was not the highlight of a Woody movie for me. And I never thought I'd utter thses words in my entire life. But...Mia Farrow was the funniest thing about this movie (and it was a really funny movie by itself). I just loved her eating as people are discussing where to dump her body and my favorite line of her's is upon hearing of the bombing of Pearl Harbor at an inconvenient moment, she asks kind of agitated, "Who is Pearl Harbor?" The second stories would switch, and she'd pop up, I'd already be laughing. And I am by no means a Mia Farrow fan. She was just so broadly funny; maybe that's what she should have done more of. Because usually she plays such dry characters...but this was a welcome change. Woody must have loved her role too. He basically recycled her in Bullets Over Broadway with Jennifer Tilly's ditzy character (also funny). This film was just so real and honest and clearly personal to Woody, that his passion showed in the writing and the acting and made this movie one of my favorites of his (and a young Seth Green did Woody justice too).

Rating:
Summary: A standout gem!
Review: I've been hurt in the past by a lot of "classic" Woody Allen films. But this one does not disppoint. I think this is one of his best films. A nostalgic look back on his childhood in the good ole radio days. Although for once, Woody was not the highlight of a Woody movie for me. And I never thought I'd utter thses words in my entire life. But...Mia Farrow was the funniest thing about this movie (and it was a really funny movie by itself). I just loved her eating as people are discussing where to dump her body and my favorite line of her's is upon hearing of the bombing of Pearl Harbor at an inconvenient moment, she asks kind of agitated, "Who is Pearl Harbor?" The second stories would switch, and she'd pop up, I'd already be laughing. And I am by no means a Mia Farrow fan. She was just so broadly funny; maybe that's what she should have done more of. Because usually she plays such dry characters...but this was a welcome change. Woody must have loved her role too. He basically recycled her in Bullets Over Broadway with Jennifer Tilly's ditzy character (also funny). This film was just so real and honest and clearly personal to Woody, that his passion showed in the writing and the acting and made this movie one of my favorites of his (and a young Seth Green did Woody justice too).

Rating:
Summary: heart warming woody
Review: if not one of his best films, this is certianly one of woody allen's warmest. In this film we finally get to see the warm vuldernrable, and sensitive Allen that is hinted to and alluded to in all of his other films. It shows where Allen came from and where he got his sense of bizarre and dry humor.

Rating:
Summary: Woody Knows His Audience
Review: If you are looking for zany slap-stick thrills and rib-cracking laughter, then this is not the entertainment for you. If, however, you want to take a humorous stroll down memory lane or share a stroll with your parents or grandparents, then this is a wonderful film to do it with. The story really plods along with no real aim, just a lot of subplots that loosely tie in together, but that is part of the craft of this film. Much like Neil Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs" Woody Allen describes life as a boy in the early/mid 20th Century and narrates the film from the first person perspective. It is, in effect, his childhood autobiography. There are plenty of old radio advertisements for previous generations to quote and musical tunes for them to recollect and sing along with. I recently viewed the DVD with an older lady who did this very thing and smiled throughout the duration of the movie. A few times I could see tears welling up as she smiled and recalled her own childhood. I was able to relate to some of it, as it helped me recall memories of my grandparents and even some of my own shinanigans as a youngster. It also appealed to me immensely as a fan of Comedy and Drama. This is not typical Woody Allen fare but, as with any of his stories, it is directed at a specific audience. In that regard Woody has accomplished his goal in flying colors. This is a must-see film for nostalgic types and history buffs; a show to be shared with family and friends.

Rating:
Summary: One of Woody's Most Underrated Films
Review: One of Woody Allen's most underrated outings, "Radio Days" is a tremendously funny film which depicts the grip that radio had on America during World War II. While void of an actual plot, "Radio Days" succeeds as a series of vignettes involving a loud, comical New York family whose lives are enlightened by an array of music, sporting events and soap operas which reach their home by way of static-filled airwaves. Long before TV and the Internet, radio was the only source of popular culture in many American homes. Family members who fought constantly (And boy do they fight in "Radio Days"!), always found time to bond around the big radio cabinet in the kitchen or living room. In typical Allen fashion, the dialogue and characters are delightfully over the top. The cast -- Michael Tucker, Julie Kavener, Seth Green, Mia Farrow -- are stellar and perfectly suited for the outrageous script. The real charm of the film is Allen's witty take on War-era radio shows. Everything from Superheroes to a radio ventriloquist (think about it...) are spoofed in way that only Woody can spoof. Of course, classic songs from the 1940's gloriously re-reate the romance and charm of a bygone era. While "Radio Days" may not be as "important" as "Annie Hall" or "Manhattan", it is a wonderfully entertaining film which bares all the trademarks of a Woody Allen classic.

Rating:
Summary: One of Woody's Most Underrated Films
Review: One of Woody Allen's most underrated outings, "Radio Days" is a tremendously funny film which depicts the grip that radio had on America during World War II. While void of an actual plot, "Radio Days" succeeds as a series of vignettes involving a loud, comical New York family whose lives are enlightened by an array of music, sporting events and soap operas which reach their home by way of static-filled airwaves. Long before TV and the Internet, radio was the only source of popular culture in many American homes. Family members who fought constantly (And boy do they fight in "Radio Days"!), always found time to bond around the big radio cabinet in the kitchen or living room. In typical Allen fashion, the dialogue and characters are delightfully over the top. The cast -- Michael Tucker, Julie Kavener, Seth Green, Mia Farrow -- are stellar and perfectly suited for the outrageous script. The real charm of the film is Allen's witty take on War-era radio shows. Everything from Superheroes to a radio ventriloquist (think about it...) are spoofed in way that only Woody can spoof. Of course, classic songs from the 1940's gloriously re-reate the romance and charm of a bygone era. While "Radio Days" may not be as "important" as "Annie Hall" or "Manhattan", it is a wonderfully entertaining film which bares all the trademarks of a Woody Allen classic.

Rating:
Summary: Beware EvilDoers, Wherever You Are!
Review: RADIO DAYS is not much of a narrative film but a rather beautiful collection of childhood memories and urban legends. the episodic nature is delicately woven and supported by wonderful vintage music as well as the largest production value of WOODY ALLEN's career. The film is always entertaining, often funny but not afraid to bring a tear as we see the story of a young girl stuck in a well, and the effect on the listening audience. WOODY only appears as the narrative voice of the film while SETH GREEN (Austin Powers) plays the narrator as a boy. Many of teh Allen regulars are here including a return of Diane Keaton (ANNIE HALL) for a nice song. His family is very enrolling, from the desperate aunt (Wonderful Dianne Wiest) to the Uncle with a thing for fresh fish... Watch for WILLIAM H MACY (FARGO) in a silent role as a radio performer preempted by Pearl Harbor. A beautiful film that suffers the same fate as the radio stories it illuminates... Who remembers radio anymore? Fewer amd fewer every day... There's no room for Howard Stern in this film. Great cinematography is nicely transferred into the widescreen DVD as well as a wonderful soundtrack. RADIO DAYS is available in the 3rd WOODY ALLEN box set.

Rating:
Summary: Seth Green shines
Review: Seth Green plays a Jewish boy..and its basically a story about Woddy Allen's childhood which this movie is greatly doned on...good acting fro Mia Farrow and others..a nicely done..feel good movie..you dont want to miss it