Rating: 
Summary: A real surprise.
Review: SHADOWS AND FOG is one of my favourite Woody Allen films. Although the reviews here are very positive that's not what I've read elsewhere, so it wasn't really a film that I was obsessed with tracking down, but I saw it at my local video store and gave it a go. The first thing I found is that it's much funnier than I expected, one of Allen's funniest in my opinion. The humour in the film is something that isn't even mentioned in a lot of the reviews I've read elsewhere. Also, the atmosphere is perfect and the sets are amazing. Talk about a movie living up to it's title. The music is also very effective, not just the standard old jazz/pop tunes he seems to use in every single film he makes. It also has one of the best cast's he's ever assembled and everyone performs well, except for maybe Malkovich who seems a bit awkard.It may have been passed over by some critics, but SHADOWS AND FOG is a must see.
Rating:
Summary: Usually misunderstood, this film is one of Allen's best!
Review: This film IS enjoyable: great actors, funny lines, and perfect atmosphere. Many of those who don't enjoy it say it is confusing, but the film can be easily understood as an allegory for the search for meaning (existentialism). A strangler-at-random serves as the representative of death, while the hapless characters try to figure out their lives and stay out of the strangler's way at the same time. You get to see all the "solutions" to the problem of life and death played out: sex, artistry, religion, science, childbearing, mob thinking, they're all there. As a perfect foil to all of these perspectives Allen plays a snivelling "everyman" with comic brilliance. If you really want to enjoy this movie, read the pulitzer prize- winning book, The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker (the same book Diane Keaton threw at Woody in Annie Hall!). If The Denial of Death is cake, Shadows and Fog is the frosting.
Rating:
Summary: Usually misunderstood, this film is one of Allen's best!
Review: This film IS enjoyable: great actors, funny lines, and perfect atmosphere. Many of those who don't enjoy it say it is confusing, but the film can be easily understood as an allegory for the search for meaning (existentialism). A strangler-at-random serves as the representative of death, while the hapless characters try to figure out their lives and stay out of the strangler's way at the same time. You get to see all the "solutions" to the problem of life and death played out: sex, artistry, religion, science, childbearing, mob thinking, they're all there. As a perfect foil to all of these perspectives Allen plays a snivelling "everyman" with comic brilliance. If you really want to enjoy this movie, read the pulitzer prize- winning book, The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker (the same book Diane Keaton threw at Woody in Annie Hall!). If The Denial of Death is cake, Shadows and Fog is the frosting.
Rating: 
Summary: Things aren't so black and white....
Review: This is a modest little film, essentially a homage to German cinema of the 1920's, where Woody Allen once again takes up his usual themes: sex, death, God's absence, etc. Accomplished performances all around, with the notable exception of John Malkovich and Lily Tomlin (they both seem rather ill at ease). For what it's worth, Jodie Foster seems to be having a really great time! This film is visually stunning, loaded with thoughtful dialogue, and, at times, very funny--no wonder so many people hate it.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent movie, terrible DVD
Review: This is one of Allen's most underrated films. The cinematography by Carlo Di Palma alone makes this worth watching. The film is not totally successful, a lot of the jokes fall flat, some of the acting is a little rough, but the mood, the atmosphere, the sets, the costume design, and, like I said, the cinematography are all as excellent as can be. It's amazing that this movie was made so recently, there's nothing else like it today. That said, the DVD looks absolutely awful. Although I am grateful that this film is finally released in widescreen format (it shouldn't be seen any other way), I have never seen worse compression on a DVD. This is an 80 minute movie with no extras (except a trailer), and with such little information on the DVD, the compression could be very good. I'm not being picking here' every frame on this DVD is ruined by this problem. It's a real shame. Also, the "collectible" booklet, like the other ones in this series, is ludicrous.
Rating: 
Summary: KafkaMania!!!!!!!!!
Review: This is one of the very worst movies yet made by the King of Self-Indulgent Cinema, Woody Allen. Desperately trying to make some kind of Kafkaesque allegory set in an unnamed European city, populated by writers, prostitutes, and clowns, Allen sets a wild new standard for High Pretentious Silliness. Be glad it is out of print.
Rating:
Summary: Love will tear us apart
Review: This movie was vilified when it was originally released, but in the end, Shadows and Fog stands up as one of Woody Allen's most challenging and intelligent films. It's far from being perfect and some of the acting is just plain awful, but the questions asked about the meaning of life are profound. The dark epiphany of the film comes in the scene where Kleinman, who is trying to hide from the angry mob, is told by a very un-sympathetic Julie Kavner to, "GET OUT AND DIE!" You will laugh in horror.
Rating:
Summary: Woody Allen's "Shadows and Fog" lifts the spirits.
Review: Woody Allen's mystery-comedy, "Shadows and Fog" takes us on a journey through a fictional European town plagued with mystery and highlighted by a traveling circus. A few Allen regulars (Mia Farrow, Julie Kavner, John Cusack) join a stellar cast (Allen, Jodie Foster, Lily Tomlin, Kathy Bates, Kate Nelligan, John Malkovich, and Madonna) in the off-beat, hilariously funny and surprisingly touching comedy written as only Woody Allen can. Though his flawless screenplay, Carlo DiPalma's extraordinary photography enhancing the maze-like danger of a foggy European night, a haunting musical score, and impeccable performances, "Shadows and Fog" rates high as one of Woody Allen's finest, yet unfortunately less popular films.
Rating:
Summary: Woody Allen's "Shadows and Fog" lifts the spirits.
Review: Woody Allen's mystery-comedy, "Shadows and Fog" takes us on a journey through a fictional European town plagued with mystery and highlighted by a traveling circus. A few Allen regulars (Mia Farrow, Julie Kavner, John Cusack) join a stellar cast (Allen, Jodie Foster, Lily Tomlin, Kathy Bates, Kate Nelligan, John Malkovich, and Madonna) in the off-beat, hilariously funny and surprisingly touching comedy written as only Woody Allen can. Though his flawless screenplay, Carlo DiPalma's extraordinary photography enhancing the maze-like danger of a foggy European night, a haunting musical score, and impeccable performances, "Shadows and Fog" rates high as one of Woody Allen's finest, yet unfortunately less popular films.
Rating:
Summary: woody allen at his best
Review: Woody most of the times is genial, but here we have the director/actor at his best. Everyone who likes him will love this movie.
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