Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Set in Spain and starring breathtakingly gorgeous actors like Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, and the Oscar-nominated Penelope Cruz, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is memorable for its amazing scenery — in the humans and the geography.

A subplot of the film centers around the scenery and visuals when Cristina, played by Johansson, discovers that she's a talented photographer. Her shots frame the other characters and amazing backdrops, but what could I not take my eyes off? The cameras.

Way back in July of '07, I noticed that Scarlett was carrying around a Leica for her role, but that wasn't the only camera she had in the movie. As you can see here, she had a Panasonic Lumix camera. Variety is the spice of life, especially when it comes to gadgets.

Photo courtesy of The Weinstein Company and Source

Penelope Cruz arrived in London yesterday, and last night she was already at work hosting a special screening of Vicky Cristina Barcelona alongside Harvey Weinstein. The film's been out in the US for months, but it hits screens in the UK in 3 weeks. In addition to promoting the movie before its release, it's also a great idea for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee to be putting herself out there as the final ballots are mailed to members of the Academy. Penelope hasn't had much luck taking home the big statues during award season, but she still has reason to be optimistic about what could happen on February 22.

To see more of Penelope out in London just read more

All of the new DVD releases hit stores (and Netflix) on Tuesdays. So each week in What to Netflix: New DVD Tuesday, I sort through the best of the batch and tell you what to add to your queue. In addition to my selections below you can also add RocknRolla, The Rocker, and Kirk Cameron's Fireproof (have you seen the trailer?!) to your queue.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona
I love Penelope Cruz as an actress and I'm glad her performance in this Woody Allen flick is earning her lots of attention — including an Oscar nod. The movie follows Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson), two girlfriends who set off for a Summer in Barcelona. They soon befriend a famous painter, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), who is known for his volatile relationship with his ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz). Things get wacky when a love-square gets underway between all these women and Juan.

Oddly, there isn't a single special feature available with this DVD. Not a one. Boo!

Two more up next, so read more

Penelope Cruz looked gorgeous last night at a screening of Vicky Cristina Barcelona alongside costar Rebecca Hall and her good friend Pedro Alomodovar in London. Penelope and her little movie that could are getting noticed this awards season, and she has one more red carpet to look forward to — she was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Supporting Actress. Other favorites like Benjamin Button, Doubt, and Milk picked up a few nods as well, with Brad and Angelina grabbing his and hers nominations yet again — check out the full list of nominees here. Penelope knows a thing or two about award shows, but hopefully she'll take a little time out today to celebrate her latest achievement.

Lots more of Penelope and her friends so read more

Penelope Cruz was missing all her costars, but was happy to take the stage at the Variety screening of Vicky Cristina Barcelona in NYC yesterday. She wasn't all red carpet done up, she looked effortlessly gorgeous as always. While Scarlett is overseas promoting The Spirit, it wasn't expected that Javier Bardem would make an appearance with Penelope — whether or not the rumors of a rough patch are true. It would be tragic if things weren't working out between the hot Spanish actors and it looks like you agree they're one of the sexiest couples of the year.

To see more of Penelope just read more

The London Film Festival continued in England tonight, as Penelope Cruz and Keanu Reeves came out to support Vicky Cristina Barcelona and Anvil! The Story of Anvil on their respective red carpets. Keanu was all bundled up in his scarf, but Penelope seized the opportunity to show some skin in her LBD. Penelope should be used to walking red carpets for the Woody Allen film by now — and she'll be receiving an award for performer of the year at the Santa Barbara Film Festival next January.

Lots more of Keanu and Penelope, so just read more

Penelope Cruz joined her boys Woody Allen and Javier Bardem at the San Sebastian Film Festival for the red carpet premiere of Vicky Cristina Barcelona on Saturday. Penelope looked stunning in her black D&G gown, which just happened to be the same dress we saw in white on January Jones at the Emmys last night — vote here on who wore it better. We're excited to see Penelope and Javier together, but it looks like her red carpet kisses were saved for Woody rather than any PDA with her man.

More of the boys and Penelope if you just read more

I'd probably say I'm a medium-sized fan of Woody Allen. If I were ordering a dose of Woody Allen at Starbucks, I'd probably get it in a grande cup. His nebbishy dialogue style grates on my nerves after too long, and some of his movies remind me of me at my most neurotic, which is tiring. Vicky Cristina Barcelona is more of the same Allenistic stuff we've grown to expect, but it's also given a refreshing jolt from the (mostly) talented and entirely beautiful cast. There's a nice balance of overthinky anxiety, wacky storyline, and attractive people to make this Woody Allen film a medium-sized, easy-to-drink treat.

The movie is narrated as though someone is reading us a story, and the detached commentary provides occasional insights into the thoughts and feelings of the protagonists, which I appreciated in this case. Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cristina (Scarlett Johansson) are girlfriends who set off for a Summer in Barcelona. They soon befriend a famous painter, Juan Antonio (Javier Bardem), who is known for his volatile relationship with his ex-wife, Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz).

Cristina becomes Juan Antonio's paramour, but before too long, Vicky finds herself drawn to him as well, despite her engagement to the wealthy, steady Doug (Chris Messina). The love triangle becomes a square when the emotionally unstable Maria Elena returns to live in Juan Antonio's house, which he now shares with Cristina. The tangled web gets messier — and funnier — as the Summer goes on. For more of my thoughts on all of this, read more