Woody Allen makes opera directing debut in LA
He had just made his successful debut as an opera director Saturday, creating a hilarious and memorable production of “Gianni Schicchi,” the third of the one-act presentations in Puccini’s “Il Trittico.” The Los Angeles Opera’s opening-night audience at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion kept applauding, wanting to see the 72-year-old filmmaker join the cast and conductor James Conlon for the curtain call.
But Allen remained out of view, unwilling to come onstage because of shyness, the company said.
- from here
Oscars for ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona,’ Penelope Cruz and Woody Allen?
“Vicky Cristina Barcelona” is a more appropriate vehicle to return Woody Allen to Oscars glory since it’s what he does best. “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” is a comedy, and Woody Allen’s career could sure use a smile. His flicks have mostly fizzled this decade. The Hollywood Reporter was among the media that lambasted his previous film “Cassandra’s Dream” (2007): “As writer, Allen offers lazy plotting, poor characterization, dull scenes and flat dialogue.”
If Woody Allen wins a screenplay Oscar for “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” it’ll be his first since “Hannah and Her Sisters” (1986) and his third overall after best-picture champ “Annie Hall” (1977) earned him gold for writing and directing. But let’s recall that Woody Allen didn’t bother to show up to accept those honors. In 1978 (for the ‘77 awards), it was far more important to him to remain in New York to play his clarinet in the New Orleans Marching and Funeral Band at Michael’s Pub.
Back then he scoffed, “I have no regard for that kind of ceremony. I just don’t think they know what they’re doing. When you see who wins those things — or who doesn’t win them — you can see how meaningless this Oscar thing is.”
- from LAtimes
‘Vicky’ gives Woody Allen best opening since ‘Crooks’
It was a good day for limited fare with MGM’s Weinstein Co. release “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” leading the pack. The Woody Allen directed romantic comedy raked in $1.1 million from 692 theaters, giving the helmer his best opening day since 2000’s “Small Time Crooks” ($1.09 million). “Crooks,” distributed by DreamWorks, went on to post a three-day opening of $3.9 million.
- from Variety
Is Woody Allen pimping out Scarlett Johansson?
Is Woody Allen pimping out Scarlett Johansson to publicize his new film, “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”?
Sure looks like it. Win a threesome with Scarlett Johansson? Wow. Wonder whose lame idea this was?
- from LATimes
Creepy! Larry David and Evan Rachel Wood in Woody Allen’s latest.
Larry David, the mind behind Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm, is set to be the lead in Woody Allen’s next, as-yet-untitled feature, which is scheduled to shoot in New York City in the spring. Plot details are being kept under wraps, but David will act alongside Evan Rachel Wood (Across the Universe). The movie marks Allen’s return home after he made three films in London and one, the upcoming Vicky Cristina Barcelona, in Spain.
(more…)
Woody Allen VS American Apparel
Woody Allen asked a federal court on Monday to strip a clothing company known for its racy ads featuring scantily clad models of at least $10 million for using his image on billboards and on the Internet. The lawsuit complained of a billboard featuring a frame from “Annie Hall,” a film that won Allen a best director Oscar. The image showed Allen, 72, dressed as a Hasidic Jew with a long beard and black hat and Yiddish text meaning “the holy rebbe.” The words “American Apparel” also were on the billboard. The billboard falsely implied that Allen sponsored, endorsed or was associated with American Apparel, said the lawsuit, which seeks at least $10 million in compensatory damages and unspecified punitive damages.
Via AP
Henry Cavill joins Untitled, and prolly creepy, Woody Allen Movie. (I mean, Larry David stars as Evan Rachel Wood’s love interest. C’mon…)
Henry Cavill has joined the cast of Woody Allen’s untitled romantic comedy, which has started production in Queens. Cavill, known for his role as Charles Brandon, the Duke of Suffolk, on Showtime’s “The Tudors,” plays a man who is set up with Evan Rachel Wood’s character by her mother. Larry David also stars as Wood’s love interest.
Via HR