From: magelman@msn.com   
      
   Hi all.  I've been asked by my local university to give a brief talk on   
   Woody Allen.  I know the professor who teaches the course and, being   
   friends, he felt that I'd be a good one to offer some insights for the   
   class.   
      
   Anyway, it's a sociology class which (1) uses film to help understand   
   sociological concepts better and (2) explores the social value of film in   
   terms of social identity and so forth.   
      
   Annie Hall is the feature that I'm to somewhat focus on, but I'm able to   
   discuss anything really, as long as it relates to Woody.  Considering the   
   nature of the course, I felt that "Play it Again, Sam" would have been a far   
   better selection.  But, that's just my opinion.   
      
   I plan to discuss a few key issues with the class.  (1) Woody as less of a   
   film maker and more of a social commentator who just happens to find an   
   outlet in the movies.  This is pretty obvious I think, especially when   
   looking at his writings prior to film-making.  All the same, it should bring   
   about some interesting discussion.  (2)  Gendered interpretations of his   
   films.  In my experience, many women simply don't "get" a lot of his movies.   
   On that note I should also say that many certainly do.  But by and large,   
   his films seem to touch on something that the modern man finds some sort of   
   comfort it.  I'm really unsure how to go about formulating this idea   
   further...  I think it might just be best to run a few clips / quotes from   
   Woody and see how the gender distinctions break down in class.  (3)  Woody   
   Allen directions as a redifining moment in film.  That is, since he started,   
   every romantic-comedy draws something from his work.  Perhaps more   
   importantly, the treatment of women in his films certainly influenced how   
   women have been percieved in movies ever since.  Annie Hall is the prototype   
   for most contempory fictional women.   
      
   Lots more ideas of course.  I just hope it doesn't turn into an hour of my   
   reciting great Woody quotes.  Although that would be great fun.   
      
   Any other suggestions as to topics I might want to consider?  Any direction   
   or feedback would be greatly appreciated.   
      
   Thanks a bunch.   
      
   Michael.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)