Joo know what time it is?

ON DVD NOW, Vicky Cristina Barcelona is an oh so incredibly sexy movie. And it’s sexy without being overly graphic with its sensuality. Stocked with beautiful people giving beautiful performances in beautiful locales with a beautiful theme song, it’s a movie to savor, like a good bottle of cheap wine.

Oscar®-winning writer and director Woody Allen (Match Point) uses the vibrant energy of Barcelona as his canvas to paint a sexually-charged but ultimately accurate portrayal of lust and love. The film tells the story two young American women vacationing in Spain. There, they both meet and fall for the same local bohemian painter (Javier Bardem). The situation becomes increasingly difficult when his tempestuous ex-wife (the hilarious Penelope Cruz, now an Oscar nominee for this role) unexpectedly makes her way back into his life. 

Vicky Cristina Barcelona represents Allen’s fourth consecutive project outside of the United States (he will return to New York for his 2009 release) and, if nothing else, it has given him a newfound energy for creating complex and fascinating character studies. Allen has admitted that the only reason he shot this film is because Spanish financiers invited him to shoot in Barcelona; and all I can say to that is ‘thank you.’ Spain has definitely rejuvinated Allen, and given him the chance to make a unique and fresh romance.

Brimming with charged sexual energy and sparkling performances, this is one of his best films in recent memory.

While Allen has always been an acquired taste, even more so in his latter years, his fans should be delighted with this latest European flavored effort. If you’ve never liked Allen’s movies before (and I know many people who can’t stand him)…I feel there’s a chance you might actually enjoy this one. Except for the VERY Allen-like voice of the narrator, the Spanish setting creates a warmer, more colorful tone than we’ve seen in awhile. Either way, this is a must-see for all film-lovers.

VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA will be available for the suggested retail price of $28.95 on standard DVD and $34.99 on Blu-ray on Tuesday, January 27th, 2009. 

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