Scoop (2006, UK)

Here I am, nearly two years after starting blog, saying the same thing. What the hell, Woody Allen? You think you know what's going on and then he just tosses in the most random twists and turns in the plot.

A famous British journalist dies before he can reveal his big scoop, the identity of the tarot card serial killer of London. He cheats the Reaper and appears to American journalism student Sondra, passing his scoop on to her. She's on stage at a magic show featuring magician Sidney. Sidney and Sondra embark on an investigation to verify the dead journalist's story, which has a wealth aristocrat pegged as the murderer. Things are complicated when Sondra falls in love with the prime suspect.

It's hard to say much without giving the ending away, but I will say that the acting was top notch. Allen himself stole the show. He was very funny with his stutter and repetitive phrases and odd mannerisms/demeanor. Johannson was the perfect nerdy co-ed, while Jackman was a perfect suave aristocrat. (I love Hugh Jackman. He is so yummy and such a good actor!) The plot takes all kinds of unpredictable twists and turns, and it is very laugh-out-loud funny. I read one review that called it a "top-notch 'Woody-Lite,'" which is a perfect description. And as always, Allen chose a fascinating soundtrack that completely set the tone of the film. Wonderful.

Rating: 3.5

He's Just Not That Into You (2009, U.S.)

It was the weekend, I was bored, I wanted to see a movie, and there was very little playing. That is how I ended up seeing this travesty of a movie.

I liked it so little that I don't think I can even bother scrounging up any constructive comments. The ensemble cast was pretty great, but the characters they played were terrible—shallow, irritating, self-centered, and stupidly causing themselves trouble that would be easily avoided.

In fact, I'm not really sure why I stayed to the end of this one. Perhaps I hoped it would redeem itself. It didn't.

Rating: 1.5