well, after a few lean weekends, there's actually a couple flicks I plan to see in the next 2-3 days.
Tonite it's Scoop, the new Woody. I have no expectations, the reviews are generally not good (so of course Mick LaSalle sez it's fall-on-the-floor-funny), and that trailer just looked horrible IMHO. But hey, Scarlet Jo gets nekkid with Huge JackMan, and those are 2 bodies that make it worth 8 or 10 bucks for me.
I forsook the KRSH Soul Patrol for a long-lunch matinee of
Scoop. Haven't checked the KRSH thread to see if it was
really worth it, but Mike & any other self-described Woody Allen fans, you'll definitely like the flick. Similar in style to
Curse of the Jade Scorpion, but a lot funnier without resorting to slapstick and without any 'cringe' moments (Woody 'plays' Scarlett's dad, not lover). Not quite to the level of
Bullets Over Broadway, more like a refreshing afternoon tea than a great 4 course meal. What I found myself enjoying the most is that Woody really gets to trot out his old stand-up persona, and he hasn't done that in a
loooooong time. For the most part he's light-hearted & quite funny, but even when he isn't, as a fan I could forgive him the swing-and-a-miss. I also found myself enjoying the film on a whole separate level, because it is clearly a bookend with
Match Point.
Scarlett proves that she has excellent comedic chops (at times anyway) & isn't afraid to not take herself seriously. But her performance is rather uneven, even considering that she plays sort of a dual role and half the time is supposed to come across as a college girl trying to be an actress. Unfortunately Hugh Jackman is
woefully underused. Then again, since the whole plot revolves around the viewer (along with Scarlett's & Woody's characters) not being sure what his character is really up to, Woody the writer/director can say that it was deliberate. Still, it has to be a shame to think that a pretty damn good actor got to use more of his craft as a superhero in a film with the number III appended to it than he did as the leading man in a Film by Woody Allen. Lastly, Scarlett & Hugh meet in a pool, and although they do become lovers (as the trailer indicates), if you're looking for a skin-thrill you'd better get it while they're both in their swimsuits. Not that Scarlett looks anything less than outstanding in a bright red speedo, but you see less of her in the bedroom. Likewise for Hugh. But then again I only paid $6.75 at the Shoreline 16. For 8 or 10 bucks I might have felt ripped off on that account.
A solid 3 to 3 1/2 stars for me, not quite the wattage in the star performances as
The Devil Wears Prada, but not as deeply flawed either.
