*** Official Scoop Review & Discussion Thread (Please use Spoiler Tags)

Steve...O · 07-30-2006, 06:13 PM

After reading some positive reviews my wife and I went to see Scoop yesterday. We both thought it was quite entertaining. Allen was funny without being annoying and the two young leads (Johansson and Jackman) were quite engaging.

I don't want to give away anything so I won't go into specific plot points, but it did seem to be the perfect blend of mystery, fantasy and comedy while making it all seem halfway believable . Best of all, it wasn't overly long (about an hour and a half).

The theater was packed which could be a sign that Woody has a hit on his hands. This is my favorite Allen movie since Curse of the Jade Scorpion/Hollywood Ending came out several years back.

Any other HTF members see this yet?

Craig S · 07-30-2006, 08:42 PM

I saw it this afternoon, and I pretty much agree with you. Scoop doesn't come anywhere near Woody's best, but it's a fine, light entertainment. My screening was pretty full as well, and there were several places where the whole crowd erupted with laughter.

Plus it has Scarlett Johansson in a wet bathing suit. That's worth at least an extra star in my book.

I've seen at least one review that called this Allen's worst movie ever. That's just ludicrous (did the writer NOT see Anything Else?). If you like Woody's films give this one a watch.

Michael Elliott · 07-31-2006, 12:25 AM

I should be seeing it sometime this week. It's only playing in 2 theaters around here and it's rare for an Allen film to open in Louisville. I think the last one that did that was EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU.

I'm glad to hear that the crowds were good. A friend told me that the screening he went to was sold out.

Kirk Tsai · 07-31-2006, 02:58 AM

A lot of people compared Match Point to Crimes and Misdemeanors. Going by that logic, this is sort of like the new century Manhattan Murder Mystery.

I also liked this movie too. It was pretty funny. The initial boat sequence had several different people laughing out loud, probably because each realized what the boat meant at different times. Allen's role in this movie is also probably his best on screen role since Small Time Crooks. He doesn't seem overly pushy, and his neurotic side is just right for this sidekick.

Jerry R Colvin · 07-31-2006, 02:16 PM

"It's only playing in 2 theaters around here and it's rare for an Allen film to open in Louisville. I think the last one that did that was EVERYONE SAYS I LOVE YOU."

What are you talking about...? I moved to Louisville in 1990, and have seen every Woody Allen movie released since then, either at the Vogue or at Baxter Filmworks. Match Point played at Baxter Filmworks earlier this year....

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Dave Hackman · 08-01-2006, 11:04 PM

Scarlett Johansson plays Sondra Pransky an English journalism student on vacation in London. While attending a vaudeville performance by the great Splendini who’s real name is Sid Waterman (Woody Allen) Sondra finds herself chosen to be part of Sid’s de-materializing act. Once in the box and the magic words are spoken she sees the ghost of Joe Strombel (Ian Mcshane) a well-respected dead reporter. This guy was so good he even got a scoop while traveling by boat in the after life. Joe was so determined to break the story that he materializes before Sondra and gives her the name of the Tarot Card killer who is killing prostitutes in London.

The alleged killer is Peter Lyman (Hugh Jackman) a wealthy good-looking man who is the least likely person one would consider a murderer. Sondra enlists Sid initially against his will to help her verify this ghostly tip.

When this movie first started it appeared to be a real disaster. It opens with a cheesy after life scene that is followed up by the first appearance of a dead reporter. Once Sid and Sondra begin looking for clues I was able to get into it and enjoy the many funny moments. The laughs are in the bantering back and forth between Sid and Sondra as they make up stuff on the fly and try to mingle amongst Lyman’s rich friends.

I read reviews stating that they wished Woody would cut more of himself out of the movie and I disagree completely. I loved every scene with Woody and felt he carried the film. I wouldn’t even want to image Scarlett attempting to carry this on her own. I don’t like her much but she gave her performance a ditsy nerdy-ness that worked. Jackman was nothing like Wolverine and he did a great job.

This is definitely for an older crowd who enjoys laughing at the subtle jokes that Woody plants in the dialog.

B

Michael Elliott · 08-02-2006, 04:42 PM

Quote:

What are you talking about...? I moved to Louisville in 1990, and have seen every Woody Allen movie released since then, either at the Vogue or at Baxter Filmworks. Match Point played at Baxter Filmworks earlier this year....

Re-read what I wrote. I said to open in Louisville. MATCH POINT opened 2 months after its release date on 1/31. This is the first film in a VERY long time to not open months after the original release.

Joe Karlosi · 08-02-2006, 07:23 PM

Finally. Something I want to see at the movies.

Michael Elliott · 08-03-2006, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Finally. Something I want to see at the movies.

Then go see it as an Allen fan. Then rent MELINDA AND MELINDA and MATCH POINT because I think you'll enjoy all three.

I just got back from seeing SCOOP and like others have said, it's nothing groundbreaking like (IMO) MATCH POINT but it's still a very good return to form for Allen. Johansson does a terrific job with Allen's dialogue, which isn't too easy to do. Allen's "Dreamworks" films, IMO suffered from actors not being able to pull off his dialogue but Johansson didn't seem to have any trouble. I also thought Woody, the actor, was at his best form in a good ten years or so. I also thought his comic timing was off in previous films, which really hurt him but he hit all the right marks here. The chemistry the two bring to the screen was charming, sweet and just downright cute. I'm glad to see Allen playing her "father" and not her lover. I thought the father figure Allen in ANYTHING ELSE was a nice touch but it works even better here.

Now for the ending, which I thought was Allen at his classic best.

Spoiler:

Overall, a very strong

rating. Not as brilliant as MATCH POINT but it's certainly worth watching even if you aren't a fan of Allen. For my money Allen is back in top form that makes me drooling for his next film. That wasn't the case after CURSE but now I can't wait to see what he does next. ANYTHING ELSE was certainly flawed but I liked the change to Allen's character and I thought the screenplay was his strongest in years. MELINDA AND MELINDA was a sly, Bergman-like comedy/drama, which I enjoyed a lot and as I've already said, MATCH POINT was a major breakthrough. SCOOP isn't among Allen's best but it's certainly a delightful little film that I'll be able to watch over and over.

As for the crowd, I'd say there was around 35 people at the 1pm showing. The manager said this was more than any other movie playing, which included PIRATES, CARS, SUPERMAN, MIAMI VICE and a couple other "hit" films.

Joe Karlosi · 08-03-2006, 05:09 PM

Mike, I've been putting off seeing MATCH POINT for a long time and I wish I hadn't, but I do mean to get to it eventually. But for me, I like seeing Woody Allen in his films and I mainly enjoy comedies with him featured as his usual nebish character.