Recent viewings in brief

Scoop. All the usual Woody Allen characteristics are present -- the wacky premise; the casually absurdist view of Death and the afterlife; the deadpan, self-deprecating one-liners. But for some reason the whole enterprise seems somehow lifeless. (No pun intended.)

Lady in the Water. The latest thriller from M. Night Shyamalan is watchable, but don't think too seriously about it. "Madame Narf" sounds like a character from a badly-translated Japanese anime.

Hearts and Minds. This early-1970s documentary will forever put to rest any doubts that you might have had about the stupidity and cynicism of the Viet Nam war.