Click above to purchase "Radio Days" at
amazon.com
Radio Days
review by Zach B.
Rated PG
Running Time: 88 minutes
Starring Mia Farrow, Julie Kavner
Written and Directed by Woody Allen
Studio: MGM
Retail Price: $19.98
Features: Theatrical Trailer, Collectible Booklet
Specs: 1.85:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, English Mono,
French Mono, Spanish Mono, English Subtitles, French
Subtitles, Spanish Subtitles, English Closed Captions, Scene
Selections (16 Scenes)
Released: November 6th, 2001
Also part of The Woody Allen Collection 3
It's back in the golden era of radio during 1942.
Television is still a few years away, but for Joe Needleman
(a young Seth Green), the radio means a lot to him. And as
events happen in America, Joe experiences it all first hand
through a series of vinteges as the era of radio is slowly
coming to an end.
"Radio Days" is a tribute to Allen's fond memories of his
days growing up and his fondness for the radio. Allen
narrates the movie, and it's rather obvious there is some
sense that a lot of these memories are based on Allen's
fondness and his experiences growing up in this era.
I didn't grow up with radio, but I did know from stories
I've heard, history and other prime sources how much it
meant to people as it served as a source of news and
entertainment. Obviously, radio and these stories of family
and life growing up meant the world to Allen, and here, he
captures it perfectly through the series of his stories. The
writing, intertwined with real events, is sheer brilliance.
The writing is fast, sharp and witty. It's also really,
really funny.
Even though people don't consider "Radio Days" one of
Allen's best, I think it is since it has such a warm, great
and very personable touch to it. This is due to Allen's
familarity with the material since it hits close to him. He
really captures the era and how people were back then
perfectly. His cast is rather nice, even if there is some
uneveness to it all. Yet somehow it all fits. Even though
some people won't fully understand "Radio Days," it's a
worthy movie that's simply great.
The 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen is really good. The
colors of the 1940s are captured here very nicely.
Fleshtones and colors are pretty bold, rich and are really
well saturated. Detail and black levels are pretty good too.
Blemishes, scratches and other little annoyances pop up, but
not in great abundance. There's some grain, but nothing
major. Nicely done.
The mono tracks in English, French and Spanish are
perfect for this movie. The mono tracks give off a classic,
old time radio feel that literally give off the *perfect*
feel for the movie. It's just in tune (pun intended) for the
whole era. Dialogue is clear and easy to hear, while the
other noises and music fill in nicely. Well done here too.
English closed captioning and subtitles in English, French
and Spanish are on this release.
As usual, nothing much. Inside is a collectible booklet
with good bits of information and there's also the full
frame Theatrical Trailer.
A great look back on the days of radio and an incredible
era, Woody Allen's homage to his memories is a fantastic
film that works on so many levels. With a good transfer and
good sound, this is one movie worth looking into, especially
if you're an Allen fan.
 (4.5/5 - NOT included in
final score)
 (4/5)
 (3/5)
 (.5/5)
(3/5,
NOT an average)
| 