Scoop

When I rewatched Match Point a couple months back I realized that I usually don't like a lot of movies the first time I see them. I spent entirely too much time slamming Match Point when I first saw it to realize that the movie is genius. I also thought about how great it would be if Woody Allen stopped making movies right there. Not because he doesn't have another good one in him. Just because it's a good place to leave off.

Allen often leaves me torn. He's an incredibly talented filmmaker but he's also a comedian. The guy can put together a beautiful movie, but it's not the Õ70s anymore. His best movies, with the exception of a handful he made back then, are the ones he doesn't show up in. But whatever. Allen averages at least a movie a year so something's got to stick sooner or later.

Unfortunately, Scoop just slides right down the wall. We've got more of the same dreck that Allen has been churning out over the past ten years or so, only this time with more miscasting than usual. Allen re-teams with Scarlett Johansson and pulls a few more names from the It Crowd Hat such as Hugh Jackman and Deadwood's Ian McShane. This is supposed to make you forget that Allen is retreading earlier material, especially Manhattan Murder Mystery. Like a lot of his movies, you'll be able to tell yourself it wasn't the worst movie ever made even if you don't like it that much.

Unfortunately Allen appears in front of the camera this time around. He and Johansson are hot on the tail of a mystery that just makes you want to stand up and freak out because it's that exciting. However you want to brand it, it's a drag. Hardcore Allen fans probably won't be too disappointed, but something as above average as Match Point needs a better follow up.

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Talladega Nights | Miami Vice | The Night Listener
The Descent | Scoop | John Tucker Must Die

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