Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008): Woody Allen, Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz

     Set against the breathtaking, scenic landscape and Architecture of Spain, Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) ranks up with the best of Woody Allen's dramatic works. Two of Allen's latter day muses are present: Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz. Allen wrote a great script, and both actresses perform amazingly under the Woodman's direction. Scarlett Johansson is stunning as always, her beauty radiating through every frame she is in. It is Penelope Cruz, however, that really steals the show here. Her powerful, chaotic, raging and sensitive performance is probably the best of her career, and she deservedly won the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her work.

     Two American friends, Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are spending the summer in Barcelona, Spain. Vicky is semi-proper and engaged to be wed. Christina is more free spirited and adventurous. When artist Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem) propositions them at a restaurant, Vicky is hesitant...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

     But Cristina, on the other hand...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

     she is more than willing to go for it...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson

     When Cristina suddenly gets ill with food poisoning, Juan Antonio shifts his attention to Vicky and they have a fling. It is over the next day, however, as Vicky wants to return to her fiancé, and Juan Antonio is now free to pursue Cristina once again. Cristina moves in with Juan Antonio and they have a passionate, complacent time. That is... until Juan Antonio's unbalanced ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz), herself an artist, comes back into the picture...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Penelope Cruz

     Maria Elena is willing... and Cristina seems fine with having her around...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz

      and the three all live together and inspire one another...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz

      Maria Elena opens up new things for Cristina, encouraging her to pursue photography, both on location...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz

     and in the darkroom...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz

     They are happy as a threesome for a while, but things can't possibly go on this way for long...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona. 2008. Woody Allen: Scarlett Johansson and Penelope Cruz

Broadway Danny Rose (1984): Woody Allen and Mia Farrow

     Written and directed by Woody Allen, Broadway Danny Rose (1984) is an often-underappreciated masterpiece from the celebrated Allen filmography. The story focuses on a talent manager who promotes hapless acts, and the trouble he finds himself in when he tries to help out a has-been lounge singer client with his mafia-connected mistress. Shot in gritty black and white, the film has a palpable New York City edge. Woody Allen is great and witty as Danny Rose. Nick Apollo Forte is strong as the washed-up singer. Mia Farrow is excellent as the girlfriend. The supporting cast is good as well, including Milton Berle.

Broadway Danny Rose. 1984. Woody Allen

Broadway Danny Rose. 1984. Woody Allen

Broadway Danny Rose. 1984. Woody Allen

Broadway Danny Rose. 1984. Woody Allen

Broadway Danny Rose. 1984. Woody Allen

Broadway Danny Rose. 1984. Woody Allen

Broadway Danny Rose. 1984. Woody Allen

Broadway Danny Rose. 1984. Woody Allen

Broadway Danny Rose. 1984. Woody Allen

a scene from "Broadway Danny Rose"

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. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

Interiors. 1978. Woody Allen

"Interiors"- movie trailer