Travis Simpkins

Interiors (1978): Woody Allen and Diane Keaton

Written and directed by Woody Allen, Interiors (1978) was Allen's first full-fledged drama film. Somber in tone, the story focuses on a group of sisters trying to cope with life and their aging parents' divorce. Woody Allen, himself, was fearful about how a dramatic effort from him would be received... and half-expected Interiors to bomb. Instead, it stuck a chord with critics, gaining praise and several Academy Award nominations... and it stood to show Allen's diverse range as a writer and filmmaker. The cinematography is beautiful and the shots are thoughtfully composed. The cast is great, including Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page, E.G. Marshall, Maureen Stapleton and Sam Waterston.

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

"Interiors"- movie trailer

Scoop (2006): Woody Allen and Scarlett Johansson

A true artist, Woody Allen seems to find a muse, focus his attention on her for a while, then move on to a new one. There was Diane Keaton, then Mia Farrow, then Scarlett Johansson and most recently... Penelope Cruz. It is in his series of films with Scarlett Johansson that one finds a reborn energy, however. For she seemed to awaken the creative spirit in Woody Allen that, although always present, had been temporarily shelved just prior to meeting her. In Scoop (2006), the two work well together, obviously having light fun after making the more somber film, Match Point (2005), together one year before. Indeed, they are a joyous pair to watch.

Scarlett Johansson plays Sondra Pransky, a young journalism student visiting friends in London. While at a Vaudeville show, she encounters Splendini (Woody Allen), a magician who brings her on stage to perform a trick involving a mysterious box...

Scoop. 2006: Woody Allen and Scarlett Johansson

While inside, Sondra meets the ghost of a recently departed news reporter who wants to provide her with an amazing inside story about the true identity of a serial killer known as the Tarot Card Killer...

Scoop. 2006: Scarlett Johansson

The ghost states that the killer is in fact Nobility, the multi-millionaire son of Lord Lyman and this "scoop" will make her career. Eager, Sondra begins to investigate... with the reluctant help of Splendini, who is now posing as her father...

Scoop. 2006: Woody Allen and Scarlett Johansson

They track Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman) to a health club, where Sondra uses her charm...

Scoop. 2006: Scarlett Johansson

and a fake drowning act to seduce him...

Scoop. 2006: Scarlett Johansson

They are now inside, and have access to dig up all the dirt to expose him as a horrific murderer...

Scoop. 2006: Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson and Woody Allen

But Sondra, of course, is being seduced as well. Now, she is having trouble focusing on the facts and is getting lost in love...

Scoop. 2006: Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson

Was she given false information, or is she destined to become Peter's next victim...

Celebrity (1998): Woody Allen, Charlize Theron, Winona Ryder, Leonardo DiCaprio

Written and directed by Woody Allen, Celebrity (1998) is a black and white treatise on Fame. The plot surrounds a couple who go on different paths of success after a divorce. The cinematography is excellent and the comedic/dramatic performances are great featuring lots of famous faces, including Kenneth Branagh, Charlize Theron, Winona Ryder, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hank Azaria, Judy Davis, Melanie Griffith, Famke Janssen, Bebe Neuwirth and Joe Mantegna.