Manhattan Murder Mystery
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.58 You Save: $6.37 (42%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Manhattan Murder Mystery
Movie Review: No Surprises
Summary: 5 Stars
I haven't watched this since I first saw it in a theater in downtown Philadelphia sixteen years ago; I didn't remember that it was so deliberately paced, or that the plot was so cleverly conceived. Allen's collaborations with Marshall Brickman have resulted in some of his best films; it's unfortunate that they haven't written more scripts together. As this is an older (1998) DVD edition, one side of the disc contains the film in its original 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio, while the other side features the 1.33:1 ratio. The former is very nice to watch, as the few static shots in the film sport surprisingly coordinate composition, and most other scenes were shot via steadicam, which imparts an entirely naturalistic feel to the proceedings. The audiovisual quality of this disc is quite good - unlike the "Husbands and Wives" DVD, this appears to have been transferred from a decent print.
There aren't many more or less features on this DVD than those of most other Allen films. The dubbed French dialogue track is well-executed (even though the actor who voices Allen's dialogue sounds a bit incongruous), as are the English and French subtitles. As usual, scene selections are comprised of titled thumbnail images. Like the "Husbands and Wives" disc, trailers for both films are included.
Movie Review: The Best Woody Movie for non-Woody fans
Summary: 5 Stars
Okay, I love Woody Allen, but this movie is funny even if you're not a fan. My one-liner plot summary: Larry (Woody Allen) and Carol Lipton (Diane Keaton) suspect their neighbor may have murdered his wife one night, so Carol sets out to discover the truth aided by Ted (Alan Alda) and Larry turns to Marsha (Angelica Huston) for help since he suspects his wife and Ted are having an affair. The typical brand of humor is here, along with enough tension and subplots to keep the non-Allen fans interested, not to mention the strong supporting roles played by Huston and Alda. Great New York City locations, great music, and I have to thank Woody for introducing me to no less than three other brilliant movies from within Manhattan Murder Mystery. There's a scene from Double Indemnity here, a long-sequence from Orson Welles--The Lady From Shanghai (which took me months to figure out), as well as brief mention of the movie, Last Year at Marienbad--a wonderful French, arthouse movie from the 60's. Recommend this film and all three of these mentioned!Movie Review: Diane and Woody Together Again
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of my favorite Woody Allen films. My family teases me about how many times I've watched it. I own both the tape and the DVD. It doesn't hurt that it stars one of my all-time favorite actors, Diane Keaton, who I believe stepped into this roll that was supposed to be played by Mia Farrow. It's as if the role had been written for Ms. Keaton. She is perfect in every scene. It's a joy to see her and Woody Allen together again as she tries to solve the myserious death of a neighbor and the phobic character Woody plays reluctantly goes along for the ride.The elevator scene in the sleazy hotel is one of the funniest moments.
The character of a recently divorced friend, played by Alan Alda, adds some sexual tension to the plot as he agrees to help Diane Keaton do some detective work. Angelica Houstin and a great suppoting cast make this humorous mystery fun to watch. The New York City scenes add to the atmosphere. Catch Joy Behar of The View as the wife of a friend who helps them with their scheme to catch the bad guy.
Movie Review: Delightful To Have Diane & Woody Together Again
Summary: 5 Stars
Having Woody Allen & Diane Keaton together in this delightful murder mystery is akin to a newly discovered Spencer Tracy-Katherine Hepurn comedy. Well maybe not quite... But how about it's like a lost William Powell-Myrna Loy Thin Man movie?....No, I got it for sure. It's like one of those old Burns & Allen two reelers that surfaced in someones foot-locker, stashed away in an attic. Anyway viewing this very funny installment into the cannon of work by Woody and Diane convinces me that they're a wonderful pair and deserve to be mentioned alongside the other great boy/girl comedy teams......Oh did I mention Mea West and W. C. Fields?...Or how about Red Skelton & Lucile Ball?...Or perhaps a fabulous old Jimmy Stewart-Margaret Sullivan romatic comedy?... Hey, as a fan, all I ask is GIVE US MORE! Well, how 'bout it Diane & Woody? We'd all love to see you both back up there on the silver screen together.Movie Review: The couple Keaton -Allen strikes anew!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of my favorite films of the second period of Woody. In this case, Woody focuses the well known differences between a couple, but concentrated about the shadow of a doubt. Was or not a murder the death of the beloved wife of their neighbor?
She likes Wagner, he dislikes him; she really likes to meet her new neighbors, he does not; she suspects about the weird behavior of the widow, he thinks there is nothing to worry about him. But in the meantime, there will be a series of vignettes loaded with fine irony and clever cynicism that encircle a nice and outstanding picture. There 's a deserved tribute to Double indemnity.
Keaton and Alda are specially refulgent in this original proposal of the untiring mind o this singular filmmaker who has filmed about his beloved city with much more fervor than any other else, becoming his flag and helmet; NYC.