Radio_Lady Reviews: “Scoop” (2006)

[Radio_Lady]

I happen to like New York – and London, and I have a lot of respect for Woody Allen and his major contributions to the motion picture field over the last several decades in both places. Now that he has made London his permanent home, more power to him for using the English city and countryside for this film. Yes, Woody has his many detractors – one Portland film critic revealed he liked this movie. But then he said that Woody Allen should have cast someone else as himself in this movie. I ask you, would that not be akin to making lemonade without any lemons?

Well, I have a very positive response to the delicious new movie “Scoop” – a neat little flick filled with crazy stuff and lots of laughs. It’s more of a crime comedy, which is certainly kind of a mixed genre. This latest Allen venture is less ominous and sweeping than last year’s “Match Point,” and I’m resigned to the fact that the movie may suffer critically or at the box office.

Putting that aside, my husband and I thoroughly enjoyed “Scoop” with its talented cast, including Woody Allen, Ian McShane (of HBO’s “Deadwood” fame), and let’s not forget the handsome and charming actor Hugh Jackman (pitter-patter goes my heart…). Jackman has the refined air of a member of the English upper class in this movie – although you might find him quite sinister in several scenes.

“Scoop” unreeled this week in front of a preview audience that laughed in all the right places. Actress Scarlett Johansson, who plays a fledgling American journalist just out of college, is a charming new talent (and just 21 years old – sigh!). Her beauty is undeniable, and her sense of comic timing was impeccable, especially playing opposite several of the more seasoned actors. Scarlett revealed in a TV interview Wednesday that she has been acting since the ripe old age of seven. Her screen work up to now has been excellent, and my impression is that her future is very bright. In my opinion, “Scoop” may not be remembered as Allen’s best, but the film serves well to add to Scarlett’s personal filmography.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/07/25/johansson25706_narrowweb__300x345,0.jpg

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2006/07/25/JOHANSSON_narrowweb__300x452,0.jpg
I don’t want to reveal any plot undulations that could spoil the fun. The movie is not as raw as “Match Point,” and it is not moving ahead among critics this week. Perhaps it’s because “Scoop” may be just a trifle among the financially stupendous summer blockbusters. Woody Allen has had his share of life’s problems and I’m wondering if those are still at play with many members of his audience who just cannot forgive him for his personal peccadillos.

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2006/07/26/woody_scarlett_wideweb__470x352,0.jpg

This movie stands alone in my mind as a charming compilation of elements from other movies Woody has done. It’s a couple of hours of Woody’s schticks and jokes interwoven in an undulating plot. Whether it will resonate with you as it did with me is anybody’s guess. Your move…

I rate this movie a B+ on Ellen’s Entertainment Report Card.

Directed by Woody Allen
Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Woody Allen, Hugh Jackman, Ian McShane, Romola Garai, Kevin McNally, Charles Dance, James Nesbitt, Anthony Stewart Head
Run time: 95 minutes
Rated: PG-13 (for some sexual content)

[Texasgal]

1. Well...honey...

You suck because you ate at OLIVE GARDEN. :eyes:

[WritingIsMyReligion]

2. Talk about old flamewars.

:popcorn:

[Texasgal]

3. Yeah...really.

:eyes:

[Radio_Lady]

7. Really? Is it OK if I love olives and I love gardens?

Hope so.

Heat got you today? Let's have a mint julep and swap Southern stories!

[Texasgal]

4. Yeah...really.

:eyes:

[Radio_Lady]

5. You must be one of the Doublemint girls! Double your pleasure,

double your fun!

[Radio_Lady]

25. Self-delete.

Put message in wrong thread.

[Radio_Lady]

6. Texasgal, I love your city of Austin. Beautiful city! I still have a

necklace my husband bought me at an antique show we attended in the 1990s.

I'm not going to respond to anything else you said, because it's not the Southern way.

In peace,

Radio_Lady (I was born in Pittsburgh, but I grew up in Florida with lots of other gals. We all learned about Southern charm, y'all!)

PS. Where's your favorite restaurant in Austin?

[driver8]

23. Ha Ha! My wife won't even set foot in Olive Garden!!

I like their salad and bread, though.

[Radio_Lady]

24. That's what we had in New York -- salad and bread (and soup).

It was good, quick, cheap, and close to the theater where we saw a matinee.

What else is new?

[Radio_Lady]

8. "A soft answer turneth away wrath" and maybe gets rid of hecklers?

[Radio_Lady]

9. Any DU action tonight? Plan to see this movie? Would love to or

don't give a damn?

[Kat45]

10. I've been interested in seeing this movie.

I read about the plot and saw some commercials, and the movie interests me quite a bit. I loved "Match Point." If this isn't as 'raw,' that's ok. It's on my list to see. Thanks for the review; it's good to hear you say it's worthwhile.

[Radio_Lady]

11. I really enjoyed this movie! We just returned from a trip to

London, so seeing those streets and homes again might be a part of it. Also, I have a BIG crush on Hugh Jackman, one of my favorite actors (don't tell my husband, please...). He's had a few roles which shall remain unmentioned here, but I have big hopes for his future. I just think he's one of the more handsome men on screen these days.

Scarlett is such a beautiful gal -- with real acting chops, too -- and she pulls off the jokes with Woody Allen with panache. She reminds me of other actresses who were in Woody Allen's earlier films. He's back to the genre he does best, comedy -- with Woody playing, well, Woody the Schlump -- the short, skinny, funny, myopic Jewish bumbler.

The movie is kind of predictable and derivative of other efforts (at least, that's what people say on the various movie websites tonight) but there are enough good moments in "Scoop" to keep me on the positive side.

Let me know if you see the film anytime soon -- check your local theater listings. This movie is scheduled to open wide tomorrow (Friday, July 28).

Thanks for your post!

Have a great weekend!

Radio_Lady in Oregon

[SammyWinstonJack]

14. I'll see just because Hugh Jackman is in it!

He's yummy! :loveya:

[AmyDeLune]

21. I'm looking forward to seeing it---

I don't usually go for Woody Allen films (even before all his public family troubles), but this one has such a good cast it would be hard to go wrong with it.

Hugh Jackman and Scarlett will be in another upcoming film (along with Christian Bale) this October, "The Prestige"--

http://www.apple.com/trailers/touchstone/theprestige/

[Radio_Lady]

22. Thanks for the information. Here's the link to "The Prestige":

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0482571/

I should get preview invites for all Touchstone pictures.

Plot Summary for The Prestige (2006)
Bale and Jackman will play rival magicians in turn-of-the-century London who battle each other for trade secrets. The rivalry is so intense that it turns them into murderers. The title refers to the product of a successful trick.

Release dates for
The Prestige (2006)
USA October 20, 2006 (limited)

UPDATE: Oops! Darn. That date is in conflict with my high school reunion in Florida, taking place that weekend. However, if it's good, I'll see it under my own steam.

Thanks again.

[Monkey see Monkey Do]

30. It's likely to suffer a bit from Ed Norton's new film, "The Illusionist"

which opens in the US late August. I don't know, you wait for years for a film about stage magicians to come about (& ask Lee & Janet Scott Bachelor about that) & then two roll along at once. I'm particularly excited about "The Prestige" though, because it's by Christopher Nolan & he rocks.

http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0443543/

[WCGreen]

12. I plan on seeing it now....

After you gave it the okay..

[Radio_Lady]

13. Thanks, WC. I didn't know I had that kind of influence on you!

Have a great weekend!

[Tyrone Slothrop]

15. I'm gonna go see it regardless of any reviews

I'm a big fan of his and am excited to see him returning to form in basically his fourth incarnation as a director.

Also, I read an interview where Woody was saying how great working with Scarlet is and that off caerma she consistently tops him, joke for joke. (As in, he'll make a typical Woody-ism and she'll zing right back with something even better.) So, I'm excited to see them together in a comedy.

As far as the public and his personal life goes, I recently had some guests at my apartment and one of them was appalled when they saw my copies of Manhattan and Annie Hall amongst my DVDs; it touched off a small diatribe about him being a "sicko" and a "rapist" and on and on. (And this was in NYC!) So I guess it still happens...I don't really see why anyone cares so much. As far as box office goes, though, I have a hard time believing that people who think that way would care much for his films anyway.

[Radio_Lady]

16. Smooth move, Tyrone! Only YOU know what you like, and that's

how a moviegoer should approach the whole thing, in my opinion. I agree completely with your summary above. I used to live in New York City and people there (usually) approach things at a different angle. But what happened with your guests? Will you invite them again? Boy, that might be enough to strike them off MY guest list... Just sayin' -- Rape? Between two unrelated, consenting adults? Hmmmmmm....

Here's a Friday 7/28 summation of the bulk reviews from www.rottentomatoes.com

The first number is the percentage of reviewers who gave the film a positive review. 60% is considered the point where ROTTEN TOMATOES turn into FRESH TOMATOES.

53% Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (making a mint worldwide despite average or slightly lower than average reviews.
$35.2M (Weekly gross)
71% Monster House (NOTICE: THIS IS ONLY ONE MOVIE OUT OF TWO IN RT's POSITIVE TERRITORY)
$22.2M
22% Lady in the Water
$18.0M
20% You, Me and Dupree
$12.8M
15% Little Man
$11.0M

Just opening (7/28):

55% The Ant Bully

52% Miami Vice

25% John Tucker Must Die

90% Little Miss Sunshine (AGAIN, THIS FILM IS RATED HIGHLY, BUT WILL IT MAKE MONEY?)

40% Scoop

What do you say? Reviewers don't influence the public very much...

[Kire]

17. Scarlett hearts Dean

[Radio_Lady]

19. She's 21 and she has wisdom teeth that must be impacted...

She had to have them extracted by an oral surgeon. She revealed that little secret to David Letterman this week.

I hope she comes through that enchanting little procedure. I had mine done when I was 19 years old, under sodium brevitol. When I woke up, I kissed the surgeon right on the mouth. I even had a date with him! (Older, divorced guy -- right up my alley!) On edit: He was older than my father -- born in 1909 -- and he died in 1976. He must have been just fifty years old when I met him. Damn! That Social Security Death Index is a downer!

The teeth were taken out two at a time. Not fun.

[wildhorses]

18. I am looking forward to seeing it. Thanks for the review.

:hi:

[Radio_Lady]

20. Have a good weekend, and thanks for the wave! Here's yours!

[Radio_Lady]

26. UPDATE: Anyone see this movie on Saturday? Plan to see it this weekend?

[Radio_Lady]

27. Movie reviews or comments, anybody?

[quiet.american]

28. Saw it on Friday. Liked it.

Granted, the story is flawed, Woody's schtick is a little long-winded, and Johansson's acting seems have come straight out of a high school stage, but somehow, it all came together into something that left me smiling at the end. Oh, NO complaints about Hugh Jackman. O.M.G. His charm is the kind I used to dream about when I was a little girl. :)

[Radio_Lady]

29. Quoting you now, Jackman's charm "is the kind I used to dream about when..

I was a little girl."

Also, when I was an older woman! Oh, I am? OK. I accept it.

Nicely put, quiet.american.

Thanks for your review.

[quiet.american]

31. Thanks for the shout-out, Radio_Lady! :) n/t