Everything You Always Wanted To Know About Lists

*But Were Afraid To Ask

By M.G. Wood

So, I’m currently reading Eric Lax’s book “Conversations with Woody Allen”, while at the same time trying to come up with my next piece of drivel to post on American Vulture. The book is surprisingly good. Eric Lax has conducted interviews with Mr. Allen since 1971, and thereby spanning almost an entire career in the life of one filmmaker. The book covers Woody Allen as he makes the daring leap from the stage to the silver screen as a writer desperately longing to be a director and literally learning on-the-job with TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN (1969) and BANANAS (1971), both films Allen admits are nothing more than a series of jokes strung together.

But, what makes “Conversations with Woody Allen” so compelling, especially to Woody Allen Worshipers (like myself) and writers in general, is the work ethic and the work process by which Allen is able to propel his career from a joke-a-minute movie-maker to one of the most revered filmmakers in the world. The book is full of fascinating insights into each and every film Allen has made, and as a filmmaker who has continually refused to enhance the DVD releases of his films with “Special Features” like commentary or behind the scenes; this book is the written equivalent of “Special Features”.

First and foremost Allen is a writer, and it’s a pleasure to read about a story idea Allen has in the earliest stages as we follow it’s progression from written word to film. We learn Allen’s tricks of the trade on how to get the work done when you would much prefer to watch the game or read a book or sleep. You have to remember, this is a man that has made a movie a year for 36 years! I have a hard time writing more than one short story in a year, much less write and direct a film!

So, I’m reading along, and generally when I can’t write I read, something in the act of reading always seems to trigger something, but usually its fiction, not non-fiction that inspires. One of the things I’ve been wrestling with is the whole “End of the Year” list, “The Best of…” list, Hell, lists in general. Don’t get me wrong, I read em just like everybody else does, but for some reason every time I sit down to make out a list, I simply get bored. That’s right, I can’t complete a list!

From “Conversations with Woody Allen” regarding Mr. Allen’s habit of making lists in the night when struck with insomnia,

…”I’ve never denied the directors and writers and actors do better work than me…It’s not a question of me feeling superior…I’m talking about if I’m at home and I want to watch something, there are certain things considered iconic that I would nod off on.

Mr. Allen is referring to his inability to watch CASABLANCA. Yes, that’s right, Woody Allen unleashes no stunning revelations about his relationship to Soon-Yi, but he does claim that he has never been able to get past the 20 minute mark in CASABLANCA, one of the most beloved movies in cinematic history. After this statement, Allen begs of Lax to change the subject for fear of insulting another filmmaker. And I thought, Damn, I would have loved to hear some more!

And lo and behold, I began to think about the iconic works of Pop Culture that I have never understood: Radiohead, SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, Kevin Costner. Promptly Mr. Lax changed the subject back to Allen’s “Insomnia Lists” which included Allen’s usual suspects, Bergman’s WILD STRAWBERRIES and CRIES AND WHISPERS; Orson Welles’ CITIZEN KANE; Kurosawa’s RASHOMON; and a few more mostly foreign language classics. Alas, I was free. If Woody Allen could fight insomnia with lists, then by gum, I could fight writer’s block with lists.

Best Films of 2007

10. THE HOAX

9. THE LOOKOUT

8. THE LIVES OF OTHERS

7. THERE WILL BE BLOOD

6. EASTERN PROMISES

5. ZODIAC

4. INTO THE WILD

3. MICHAEL CLAYTON

2. SWEENEY TODD

1. NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN

The Worst in no particular order (although 300 is #1)

300

TRANSFORMERS

GHOST RIDER

GRINDHOUSE

HALLOWEEN

THE REAPING

Best DVDs of 2007 in no particular order (ACE IN THE HOLE is #1)

THE INTRUDER

SPIDER BABY

BLADE RUNNER Final Cut

ACE IN THE HOLE

KILLER OF SHEEP

MALA NOCHE

PLANET EARTH

EL TOPO

RIO BRAVO 2-Disc Special Edition

UNDER THE VOLCANO

ROBINSON CRUSOE ON MARS

Best Book of 2007

GOD IS NOT GREAT by Christopher Hitchens

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