Saturday, September 1, 2018

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

Scoop. 2006: Scarlett Johansson

Scoop. 2006: Scarlett Johansson

Scoop. 2006: Scarlett Johansson

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.

Celebrity. 1998. Woody Allen: Melanie Griffith

Celebrity. 1998. Woody Allen: Winona Ryder

Celebrity. 1998. Woody Allen: Charlize Theron

Celebrity. 1998. Woody Allen: Charlize Theron

Celebrity. 1998. Woody Allen

Celebrity. 1998. Woody Allen: Leonardo DiCaprio

Celebrity. 1998. Woody Allen: Leonardo DiCaprio

Celebrity. 1998. Woody Allen

Celebrity. 1998. Woody Allen: Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron in "Celebrity"

Small Time Crooks (2000): Woody Allen and Tracey Ullman


     Written, directed by and starring Woody Allen, Small Time Crooks (2000) was well received by both audiences and critics, and marked a strong pairing of comedic talents with Allen sharing the spotlight with comedienne Tracey Ullman. The story concerns a would-be bank robber couple that strike it rich on a fluke cookie business, then try to get cultured. Backed by a wonderful script, the acting is great all around, including performances by Woody Allen, Tracey Ullman, Hugh Grant, Jon Lovitz and Michael Rapaport.

Small Time Crooks. 2000. Woody Allen

Small Time Crooks. 2000. Woody Allen

Small Time Crooks. 2000. Woody Allen

Small Time Crooks. 2000. Woody Allen

Small Time Crooks. 2000. Woody Allen

Small Time Crooks. 2000. Woody Allen

Small Time Crooks. 2000. Woody Allen

Small Time Crooks. 2000. Woody Allen

Small Time Crooks. 2000. Woody Allen