Well, there's nothing like the last minute - my son's a big fan of a couple Woody Allen movies (and he'd love to see more) and Fritz Lang (Metropolis is his favorite movie of all time - odd for an 18 year old, huh?) So I'm looking for suggestions on three things:

1. Best Woody Allen movies - I'm planning on buying Annie Hall, but any other suggestions on his best?

2. Best Fritz Lang movies available on DVD.

3. Film Noir - The Maltese Falcon is on his Netflix queue, so I might buy that, but any suggestions on what would be essential?

These would all be blind buys, for the most part. He wants to be a filmmaker, and really likes darker, edgy films and appreciates things like lighting, deep characters, etc.

I'd appreciate any feedback - thanks so much!

You could pick any of Bogart's flick (Dark Passage is a great one) but you also can't go wrong with Sam Fuller's Pick-Up on South Street. It's one of the best film noir ever, with great acting and classic noir photography. The dialogues are to die for. Criterion has a grat edition of it. Kubrick's The Killing is also amazing and should be seen by all true cinephiles.

Regarding Lang, well Metropolis is a must and the Kino DVD is amazing, but if your son likes it, he probably already owns it. I'd go with Fury. If what he liked about Metropolis was the futuristic look, I would also recommend good retro sci-fi like Robert Wises's The Day The Earth Stood Still - not the same style, but it'll expend his horizons. If he liked it because it's an amazing silent movie, then I'd reccomend he also check out Murnau's Sunrise.

Have yourself a cinematic Chrstmas!

1. Crimes and Misdemeanors
2. M
3. Touch of Evil

I'd highly recommend the Warner Film Noir Box #1. All the movies are great and it includes some real classics of the genre like Out of the Past and Gun Crazy.

Lang's Scarlet Street was recently released by by Kino and I still see banners all over this site. It is also a Film Noir from his American period and I thought it was very good. So it's Lang and Noir.

For Woody Allen, I really like Radio Days. He isn't an edgy director since he usually makes adult themed dramas or comedies.

For Woody: Take The Money & Run

For Fritz: M

Crimes and Misdemeanors

1. Manhattan
2. M
3. Out Of The Past

For unconventional Woody (And If you're a big MST3K fan) go for What's up, Tiger Lily?

My Lang recommendation:
The Testament of Dr. Mabuse

It's a political,supernatural,suspenseful,romantic,humorous crime adventure!

The Big Heat is a must! Lee Marvin is awesome!

an accessible lang movie: The Big Heat
woody allen: play it again, sam (it's hilarious)

Crimes and Misdemeanors and find Sweet and Lowdown in the bargain bin at Wal-Mart.

For Woddy Allen:

Crimes and Misedemeanors (by far my favorite)
The Purple Rose of Cairo
Sleeper
Hannah and Her Sisters
Sweet and Lowdown

Allen: Bullets over Broadway, Everyone says I love You

For the more straight-out comedic side of Woody Allen, "Sleeper" and "Love and Death" are pretty great. On the other hand, for more of the "serious Woody" - "Hannah and Her Sisters," "Manhattan," "The Purple Rose of Cairo," and "Crimes and Misdemeanors" are must-sees.

"M," "The Big Heat," and "Fury" are all great Fritz Lang films.

Almost anything from the Fox Film Noir line is worth getting, along with the two Warner Film Noir boxsets.

Another vote for The Testament of Dr. Mabuse.

-JP

Thanx, bud.

Too overlooked.

For Woody...

Manhattan.
Sleeper.
Everybody says I love you.

I'm surprised that no one has suggested a pairing of "M" and "Shadows and Fog" for a person interested in both Woody Allen and Fritz Lang.

Woody:

Annie Hall
Mighty Aphrodite

Woody: Husbands and Wives, Love and Death, Manhattan

Definitely. Believe it or not, it was my introduction to Lang. I've since gone on to plenty of his other films, and it remains my favorite.

-JP

WOODY MUST SEES:

Annie Hall
Manhattan
Love and Death
Play it Again Sam (not directed by the Woodman but still essential Woody)
Take the Money and Run
Sleeper
Everything You Always Wanted to Know ABout Sex....

these are the ones where he brings the funny with little drama (aside from Manhattan which is 'dramedy') im partial to the earlier Woody as you can tell, some of the later ones are good as well but im old school

No love for Woody Allen's Bananas? One of my faves. Crimes and Misdemeanors, too.

The restored Metropolis is great.

For noir I love He Walked by Night, The Third Man and The Big Sleep.

i forgot Bananas, another classic...his best early one i think (with Love and Death)

For Woody Allen comedy...I consistently get the most laughs out of:
1. Deconstructing Harry
and
2. Mighty Aphrodite

now for now for his comedies mixed with drama, or dramas mixed with comedy, or just dramas, I would recommend other films.....