From: strwbery_fields@webtv.net   
      
   Of the later films I too agree it's a light comedy that works good,  but   
   it's near the lower end of my list. I think "Small Time Crooks" is a   
   light comedy that works GREAT just as "Manhattan Murder Mystery" does.   
      
   "Anything Else" is a different type of film, there's some dramatic   
   themes, and bigger elements in it, it's his most political film, a   
   return to relationship study, and that crisis all young men face in   
   deciding who they want to be, or love, it's a fresh take on a recurring   
   theme, a rejuvenated cast, and shot in wide scope for a change, it   
   acknowledges the NY of today without forgetting to be sentimental. It   
   also trashes the traditional Woody character, and casts himself as his   
   biggest critic. I think it's a return to form.   
      
   "Curse" is great for setting the story in the world of 40s detective   
   movies, something that was long overdue. I wasn't fond of all the   
   casting, some of the jokes were stale, and the ending was predictable,   
   but the set design was impeccable, the score great as usual, the idea   
   well conceived/executed. Aside from that, it's pedestrian material. He   
   recycled the hypnosis/magic element straight from "Alice", and "Odeipus   
   Wrecks". Even used the same song ("In a Persian Market") for all 3. I   
   love watching it just for even the classic cars, wallpapers, Charlize   
   Theron is well used (again), and Woody as a gumshoe is ideal.   
      
   Michael Medved (yech) ranked it on his top ten list for 2001.   
      
   Then again, Leonard Maltin thought "Hollywood Ending" was his best in   
   years. I think it's one of his weakest, and barely works as a light   
   comedy. The cast is all stale except for a biting comedic performance   
   from Woody, some forced slapstick doesn't work, that can be ugly. The   
   whole subplot with his son at the end fell flat. If the film weren't   
   constantly making fun, referencing itself like the french ending, it   
   would be painful to watch.   
      
   His Dreamworks batch aren't half as bad as people make out though.   
      
   His 90s films, from "Husbands & Wives" straight through "Sweet &   
   Lowdown" were all excellent. "Don't Drink the Water" is the worst.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)