Sleeper

Woody Allen's 1973 comedy—made when the young filmmaker was more gag man than storyteller—is what fans like to think of as one of his “early funny ones.” This sci-fi spoof stars Allen as neurotic health food store owner and amateur musician Miles Monroe, who is cryogenically frozen after a routine operation goes wrong. Waking up 200 years in the future, Miles finds himself in a conformist society ruled by a Big Brother government under threat of rebellion. After hiding from both the secret police and revolutionaries by posing as an android working for flaky greeting card poet Luna (Diane Keaton, in her first collaboration with Allen), he's drafted into the rebel ranks. One of Allen's funniest films, Sleeper is full of crazy sight gags (including giant bananas and an escape hindered by a self-inflating suit) and satirical jabs at 1970s culture, enhanced by Allen's trademark neurotic persona and signature one-liners. Sleeper is also his first movie to boast something of a sustained story (thanks in part to screenwriting partner Marshall Brickman) and genuine romantic chemistry with his leading lady (the next time Allen worked with Brickman and Keaton, they made the Oscar-winning Annie Hall). Making a welcome debut on Blu-ray, this is recommended. (S. Axmaker)