Vicky Cristina Barcelona

It seems that all Woody Allen needed was a change of location to refresh his creative batteries. This story of best friends Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), the impetuous, adventurous artist, and Vicky (Rebecca Hall), the cautious intellectual, on a summer getaway in Spain is classic Allen, only sexier. They debate morality and relationships and love while the cool voice of an omniscient author observes and explains (but never quite completely) as they fall for a seductive painter (Javier Bardem). Cristina even ends up in a ménage-a-trois, joined by a tempestuous Penélope Cruz, a force of pure passion and unbalanced emotion. Woody's writing hasn't been this deft in years, and his characters are hearty and full-blooded with a touch of melancholy. It's his best in years. Also available on Blu-ray format. No supplements on any edition.