Synopsis

Snarky high school graduates Enid (Thora Birch) and Rebecca (Scarlett Johansson) find humor in the oddballs and weirdos that surround them, namely record collector Seymour (Steve Buscemi) and wacky art teacher Roberta (Illena Douglas). Based on a graphic novel by Dan Clowes.

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Match Point is the Woody Allen film I’d been waiting years for. Not his best since Annie Hall, but since Crimes and Misdemeanors his films have consisted largely of screwball romantic comedies and crime capers (Mighty Aphrodite, Curse of the Jade Scorpion, Manhattan Murder Mystery) that while decent on their own, are ultimately replaceable and muddled with one another, peopled by interchangeable characters, situations, and dialogue. Allen’s career has been a long struggle between comedy and tragedy - he’s fascinated by both many of his films alternate between the two (Hannah and Her Sisters, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Melinda and Melinda), almost self-consciously afraid that a too-somber film will scare people away, and a too-funny one will bring the wrong people back for more. So with Match Point, it’s refreshing to see Allen that do away with much of the comedic meandering and give drama to us straight.

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I’ve seen Lost In Translation twice, in the theater and again on DVD after a first trip to Japan. Oddly enough, it moved much more quickly the second time.

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This is a short review. The Island is directed by Michael Bay, and that alone should indicate if this film is for you. He directed Pearl Harbor and Armageddon, which starred an asteroid and Ben Affleck in a supporting role.

Bay’s film-making is woefully haphazard: random camera angles, constant movement, macho posturing, and explosions galore. Just imagine the cinematography of an action sequence applied to an entire movie. Some may pump their fists in glee, while I reach for the Dramamine.

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As a fan of Woody Allen’s older films who was really impressed by Match Point, I’m sad to say I really hated Scoop - despite featuring Scarlett Johansen and England, as did Match Point. Therefore, more blame is reserved for Allen.

Melinda and Melinda was two films in one: a comedy and a thriller, each starring the same actress (Radha Mitchell) where much of the fun was the cutting back and forth between the two. Match Point and Scoop could be seen as separate explorations of these two halves, both starring Scarlett Johansen.

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