Al-Jimzeera Talking Points

* "Match Point" like "Lost in Translation" before it loses itself in the face and curves of starlet Scarlett Johansson. Both directors, Woody Allen and Sofia Coppola seem so captivated by the very young actress that it is enough to simply light the set and zoom right in on her. All the other British actors seem dead in comparison. They are brunette furniture pieces.  "So you *do* know the effect you have on men?" she is asked early in the movie. Sure, she lights up the screen, but she hasn't had a great line since "Ghost World." Somebody please write better parts for women and especialy Scarlett. In Woody's rendition she is 3/4 sex kitten and 1/4 whiny needy clinger victim.  The thrill of a Woody Allen film typically is to see to what lengths Woody will go to put himself in a scene to make out with some young actress he has no business even speaking to. And also the jittery stuff. There are no jitters, it's all stiff upper lip and the movie is a slow sipping brandy, part maybe-noir caper part prototypical La-De-Da.  The new Beekman (basement) is a charming place that in no way evokes the original which is surrounded by blue construction lattice. Ride the Roosevelt Island Tram after the movie, though, especially if it's rainy and after midnight.

* Currently formulating resolutions. Getting more into BDSM is one of them maybe. But I am so gentle and like a lamb!

* "Purple Parallelogram" by Evan Dando, although it didn't make my Top 40 played list, is the song that makes me the most reliably happy when played and was a find in 2005. That the Oasis guy doesn't remember helping Dando write it--even better.