The Woody Allen Pages Turns Two

I’m as surprised as you. Another year has come around, and usually these mad ideas you have evaporate after a few months or so. This site only started because my Dad got sick, and I took time off work to look after him. Sitting by his bed, with my computer, I started creating this. Two years on, my Dad has passed away and are still here – this endeavour is dedicated to him, always. Allen is still here too. There’s been no shortage of news to cover – and we definitely posted more in our second year than our first.

Another year where we finished our mission to rewatch every film written and directed by Woody Allen. We are making our way through Allen’s ‘other films’, where he appeared but didn’t write it direct – and we’re currently up Antz. We hope to start on his books next. We launched polls, which has helped us discover new films at least. We made the Faces page, and the birthdays widget. We did a couple of interviews, and had a couple of scoops.

Many of you will probably know the site Every Woody Allen Movie. We were sad to hear recently that the person behind that site, Trevor, has passed away. We loved that site and we tried to keep what we did separate. But we are going to try and little harder with our film pages, and you will see more changes to them this year.

We are a one man operation, done around a full time job and a family, and we appreciate any help we can get. We would love to get your feedback about what is working and what is not working for you. You can also help us by sharing and retweeting our stories to help us build our audience. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

There’s ways you can help us a little financially. If you buy stuff through Amazon, you can use our store, which brings a few cents our way. If you’re feeling particularly generous, there’s a paypal button below if you want to make a direct donation. But regardless, we will keep working hard and keep this site ad free. But selfishly, I’m dying to save up some money to go to New York to see Bullets Over Broadway.

Enough about that. What’s next? That is largely up to you. If you have an idea for the site please let us know. Leave comments, or get in contact directly. We’re playing around with the idea of forums – anyone care? We want to explore the music of Allen’s films. More interviews – if we can find the time. We want to start a community – and at the moment the best place is to come talk to us and others on Facebook.

On a personal note, the furore that exploded in February caught me by surprise. I never found it rough going – it’s old, old news – but I’ve never really had anything to do with the tabloid world before. Watching people fall into a lynch mob, reacting emotionally over rationally, that whole thirst for scandal, judgement and punishment…it did permanent damage to how I feel about the world at large. Mainly, I’m happy with my own little corner. “Don’t you see the rest of the country looks upon New York like we’re left-wing, communist, Jewish, homosexual pornographers….”

The truth is, Woody Allen is not that popular. He’s highly visible, but his films don’t make much money, and most of the world is always going to not like him – for his politics, his humour, his look, or his whatever.

As always, thanks to everyone who has visited the site, given us feedback or said nice things this past year. Turns out it isn’t too bad to be in a club that would have you for a member.