VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA

Directed by: Woody Allen

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem

Release Date: April 16 (in theatres everywhere)

Woody Allen must be one of the most prolific writer/directors in the history of American cinema. Throughout his sprawling career, he consistently churned out a new movie every year. Some were good, some were bad, but most of them were just plain mediocre. If only he spent a bit more time on each project instead of squeezing them out like the queen of an ant colony he might learn the importance of quality over quantity. Yet, even in his old age, he keeps up the relentless pace.

With “Vicky Cristina Barcelona,” he adds another run-of-the-mill title to his long list of credits. The story - a sort of love triangle that opens up into a rectangle - plays out like a Rohmer film, but not as fluid or technically adept. Everyone knows an old dog can’t learn new tricks, and Allen’s latest work reflects that. He seems desperate to break away from the formulas that have come to define him as an artist, without really venturing into too unfamiliar territory. The film is neither cliche nor original, but it is unexceptional. And Penelope Cruz’s performance is totally overrated.

DUPLICITY

Directed by: Tony Gilroy

Starring: Julia Roberts, Clive Owen

Release Date: April 16 (in theatres everywhere)

Tony Gilroy, the screenwriter-turned-director behind  “Michael Clayton” (2007) is back for his follow up - another corporate crime thriller that’s being marketed as its more light-hearted, savvy counterpart about a male-female duo that pulls off a con-job on two rival corporations. Think “Intolerable Cruelty” (2003) meets “Ocean’s Eleven” (2001). If neither of those movies bring back fond memories, just hope the film is better than its advertising campaign.