Oscarologist extraordinaire Pete Hammond reports from Cannes that "Vicky Christina Barcelona" is Woody Allen's "funniest film in years." Scarlett Johansson and Oscar nominee Penelope Cruz do battle over Oscar winner Javier Bardem in a sun-drenched romp set in Barcelona. Pete tells us in this video that Cruz is a slam dunk for a supporting actress nod, calling her "absolutely hilarious."

And our pal Lou Lumenick of the New York Post is equally enthusiastic. While Lou says Cruz is "already generating Oscar buzz," the performance to watch for may well be that of Rebecca Hall who "scores a breakthrough as Johansson's neurotic fellow American pal, who succumbs to Bardem's charms even though she's engaged to another man."

Allen certainly has an impressive track record of showcasing supporting players with the following actors winning Oscars for their efforts:
Michael Caine ("Hannah and Her Sisters," 1986);
Dianne Wiest ("Hannah and Her Sisters," 1986; "Bullets Over Broadway," 1994); and
Mira Sorvino ("Mighty Aphrodite," 1995).

And then there is the longer list of those who were at least nominated:
Maureen Stapleton, "Interiors" (1978);
Mariel Hemingway, "Manhattan" (1979);
Martin Landau, "Crimes and Misdemeanors" (1989);
Judy Davis, "Husbands and Wives" (1992);
Chazz Palminteri, "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994);
Jennifer Tilly, "Bullets Over Broadway" (1994); and
Samantha Morton, "Sweet and Lowdown" (2000).

Allen has three Oscars himself –- two for writing and directing 1977 best picture "Annie Hall" and a third for writing "Hannah and Her Sisters." In total, he has six directing nods (the last of these for 1994's "Bullets Over Broadway") and a staggering 14 screenwriting Oscar nominations, the last of these coming three years ago for "Match Point," the first film he made with Johansson.

To read the rest of Lou's reports from Cannes - CLICK HERE

Here's the first trailer for "Vicky Christina Barcelona," which is due out in August.