Vicky Cristina Barcelona

Like shipwrecked sailors awaiting the return of the hero sent for help, comedy-deprived moviegoers are desperate for the return of the old Woody Allen, the one who made them laugh. Each new Allen film is frantically examined as soon as it appears on the horizon: "Is that him? Is he back? Please, God, let him be back." This frenetic searching has been going on for so long that Allen spoofed it in 1980's "Stardust Memories," having aliens from outer space yearn for "the early, funny ones."

SERIES Chuck: "Quantum Leap's" Scott Bakula reprises his guest role as Chuck's (Zachary Levi) dad on a new episode of the action comedy (8 p.m. NBC). One Tree Hill: The long-running drama presents its season finale (8 p.m. KTLA). Dancing With the Stars: The final four teams hit the floor in this new episode of the reality competition (8 p.m. ABC). House: The medical drama starring Hugh Laurie ends its season (8 p.m. Fox). Two and a Half Men: Charlie (Charlie Sheen)

Oscar-winning actress Penelope Cruz has listed her Sunset Strip-area home at $3,695,000. Described as "Balinese modern," the one-story house has intricately carved entry doors that open to a courtyard with a fountain. Another set of double doors lead to the open-plan interior, which has bamboo floors, skylights and French doors along the back. A living room, a dining area, a breakfast area, an office, three bedrooms and 3 1/2 bathrooms lie in more than 3,300 square feet of living space.

Woody Allen film: An article last Sunday about filmmaker Woody Allen misspelled the middle word in his new movie "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" as Christina. Also, the last name of filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard was misspelled as Goddard in an Allen quote.

Focus Features "Milk" Fox Searchlight "The Wrestler" Miramax "Doubt" Overture Films "The Visitor" Paramount "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" "Tropic Thunder" Paramount Vantage "Revolutionary Road" Sony Pictures Classics "Frozen River" "Rachel Getting Married" Universal "Changeling" "Frost/Nixon" Weinstein Co. "The Reader" "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" -- Tom O'Neil ...

Marisa Tomei got lots of attention for taking off her clothes in "The Wrestler," and Penelope Cruz seems to be the critics' favorite to win for her role in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," but in the supporting actress category, everyone's got a shot at winning. Just look at Tomei, who came out of nowhere to win it in 1993. This year, it's still anybody's game -- Amy Adams, Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis, above, are all in the running. See our panelists' last-minute changes at TheEnvelope.

The 2009 Tribeca Film Festival will open with Woody Allen's latest comedy, "Whatever Works," the filmmaker's first movie shot in New York City since 2004's "Melinda and Melinda." The film, which stars "Curb Your Enthusiasm's" Larry David and "The Wrestler's" Evan Rachel Wood, will open the Manhattan festival on April 22. "Whatever Works" is scheduled to be released by Sony Pictures Classics on June 19. The Tribeca Film Festival, launched to stimulate the arts and local spending in New York after the Sept.

Where can you see the films and performances that received Oscar nominations? Many are still in theaters; others are out on DVD or will be soon. Here's a list of many of the movies that made the finals Thursday. "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" : In theaters "Slumdog Millionaire" : In theaters "The Reader" : In theaters "Doubt" : In theaters "Frost/Nixon" : In theaters "Milk" : In theaters "The Wrestler" : In theaters "Rachel Getting Married" : In theaters "Revolutionary Road" : In theaters "Bolt" : In theaters "The Dark Knight" : Rereleased in theaters and on DVD now "The Visitor" : On DVD now "Wall-E" : On DVD now "Kung Fu Panda" : On DVD now "Tropic Thunder" : On DVD now "In Bruges" : On DVD now "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" : On DVD on Tuesday "Frozen River" : On DVD on Feb. 10 "Changeling" : On DVD on Feb. 17 "Happy-Go-Lucky" : On DVD on March 10

Spy Kids 2001 Showtime 9:30 a.m. The Dead Girl 2006 Sundance 9:45 a.m. An Ideal Husband 1999 FX 10 a.m. Bananas 1971 IFC 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 1993 AMC noon For Your Consideration 2006 HBO 1 p.m. Contract Killers 2008 TMC 1:30 p.m. G.I. Jane 1997 Encore 2 p.m. Gangs of New York 2002 AMC 2:30 p.m. Sergio 2009 HBO 2:30 p.m. The Happy Road 1957 TCM 3 p.m. Home Alone...

Spy Kids 2001 Showtime 9:30 a.m. The Dead Girl 2006 Sundance 9:45 a.m. An Ideal Husband 1999 FX 10 a.m. Bananas 1971 IFC 10:45 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story 1993 AMC noon For Your Consideration 2006 HBO 1 p.m. Contract Killers 2008 TMC 1:30 p.m. G.I. Jane 1997 Encore 2 p.m. Gangs of New York 2002 AMC 2:30 p.m. Sergio 2009 HBO 2:30 p.m. The Happy Road 1957 TCM 3 p.m. Home Alone...

Penelope Cruz, making her first public appearance in her native Spain since she won an Academy Award last month, told reporters Friday that the gold statue she received for "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" had made the trip with her from her home in California. "The Oscar has come with me to Spain, and I am going to leave it here," she told a news conference in Madrid to promote her new film with frequent collaborator Pedro Almodovar, "Los Abrazos Rotos" (Broken Embraces). "For now, I have no idea what this award is going to mean for me."

"The Wrestler," the poignant drama about an aging grappler who refuses to give up the ring, pinned its competition Saturday afternoon at Film Independent's Spirit Awards, winning honors for best feature, best male lead for star Mickey Rourke, and best cinematography for Maryse Alberti.

Marisa Tomei got lots of attention for taking off her clothes in "The Wrestler," and Penelope Cruz seems to be the critics' favorite to win for her role in "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," but in the supporting actress category, everyone's got a shot at winning. Just look at Tomei, who came out of nowhere to win it in 1993. This year, it's still anybody's game -- Amy Adams, Taraji P. Henson and Viola Davis, above, are all in the running. See our panelists' last-minute changes at TheEnvelope.

It's nearly an hour into Woody Allen's golden-hued comedy of desire "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" when Penelope Cruz shows up as Javier Bardem's passionately unhinged ex-wife Maria Elena, a life-is-art-and-vice-versa firecracker. It takes only seconds for the Spanish siren to shake up the molecules in the film's breezily romantic air with her confrontations and seductions. One bloc of moviegoers particularly entranced by Cruz was academy voters, who nominated her for supporting actress.

Focus Features "Milk" Fox Searchlight "The Wrestler" Miramax "Doubt" Overture Films "The Visitor" Paramount "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" "Tropic Thunder" Paramount Vantage "Revolutionary Road" Sony Pictures Classics "Frozen River" "Rachel Getting Married" Universal "Changeling" "Frost/Nixon" Weinstein Co. "The Reader" "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" -- Tom O'Neil ...

Vicky Cristina Barcelona Weinstein, $28.95; Blu-ray, $34.99 Fresh off its Golden Globe victory, Woody Allen's breezy romantic comedy "Vicky Cristina Barcelona" debuts on DVD, where it's likely to surprise viewers who might be expecting a conventional Allen picture. Yes, the movie is about gorgeous female intellectuals, played by Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall and Penelope Cruz, all circling around a lusty painter (Javier Bardem).