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"Hannah and Her Sisters" is quite possibly Woody's best film, certainly his most accessible, and arguably one of the ten best films of the 1980's. With an ensemble cast and multiple story lines interwoven and interrelated, Allen tells a wonderfully rich, and often times hilarious, human story; several, actually. Though some might make the case for this film being a drama, the true comedic element always finds its way to the surface, even during scenes of great dramatic tension. It's a testament to the talent of Woody and his cast that all the other characters, whose stories are so ostensibly dramatic, have instances where they're as funny as Woody's character, if not more so. The awkward bumbling of Elliot, the immature hostility of Holly and the existential plight of Mickey Sacchs all contribute, within the confines of their solemnity, to some of the funniest moments in any Woody Allen movie. Not to mention the interaction between Dusty and Frederick, which is probably the most jocularly gratifying scene in this or any Allen film. "Hannah and Her Sisters" has something for everyone, even those not familiar with or partial to the majority of Woody's work. It's funny, tumultuous and it has a happy ending, which feels less like a contrivance and more like a miracle.

Having recently seen the huge disappointment: Superman Returns, I felt an obligation to watch this version to see how it measured up. I couldn't believe my eyes, and ears! 'My God!' I thought, 'Characters that actually interact with one another!'. That is one of the key elements Superman Returns was missing: dialogue. This movie had so much fun with the story, and the characters, that despite its lack of modern effects, it was still immensely enjoyable to watch. There was real character development, real humor (particularly the scenes between Lex and Otis, which I found hysterical) and a palpable chemistry between Lois and Clark/Superman. From the very beginning, this movie grabs you tightly and keeps you interested. It has an enlivening effect on you, where you feel genuinely happy after watching it, which, to my understanding, is what the movies are all about. Gene Hackman had great one-liners, for instance,"Otis, do you know why the number 200 is so vitally descriptive to both you and I? Because it's your weight, and my IQ", and the entire cast sat right. The roles fit, the effects (for their time) were great, and the script was wonderful. It's amazing to me, that movies like this can still hold up against movies that are made with the gross national product of a small country. If you want Superman in all his glory, ignore 'Returns', and pick up this one; you won't be disappointed.

"Otis, do you want to see a very, very long arm?" "Oh no, Mr. Luthor!"