Filmspotting

September 14: When we last left Adam and Matty in Toronto, the fledgling duo seemed all hugs and kisses with few disagreements to mar their burgeoning relationship. Would their discussion of David Cronenberg's new Russian mob thriller "Eastern Promises," starring Viggo Mortensen and Naomi Watts, further cement their lovefest, or would the gloves finally come off?

Also on this Toronto Film Fest edition: A conversation with visionary Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin, whose new film "My Winnipeg" could command a strong position on Filmspotting's Top 5 Toronto Film Fest Movies countdown.

In addition, the boys find time to confront their own dangerous obsessions with a review of "The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters." Seth Gordon's documentary (currently playing to great critical and audience acclaim) examines the esoteric world of classic arcade gamers and, specifically, the epic clash between Billy Mitchell and Steve Wiebe for Donkey Kong supremacy.

Music by The Arcade Fire courtesy of Merge Records

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Filmspotting #177
:13-10:39 - Review: "Eastern Promises"
10:40-11:49 - Cronenberg Poll
Music: Arcade Fire, "Wake Up"
12:37-27:43 - Interview: Guy Maddin
Music: Arcade Fire, "Rebellion (Lies)"
28:24-31:14 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Brent Funderburk)
31:15-41:25 - Review: "The King of Kong"
Music: Arcade Fire, "Une Annee Sans Lumiere"
41:59-45:39 - Film Fest Poll, Venice Film Fest Notes
45:40-58:12 - Top 5: 2007 Toronto Film Fest Movies
58:13-59:36 - Close/Next Show

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- "Into the Wild" doesn't open in Chicago now until Sept. 28, so we will have something else in its spot next week.
- Click here for Guy Maddin bonus audio.

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send an e-mail or short mp3 clip to feedback@filmspotting.net. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.


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September 21: I am here as you are here as you are me and we are all together... well, Adam and Matty are together anyway in their disappointment with Julie Taymor's "Across The Universe," which attempts to tell the story of the turbulent '60s through the songs of the Fab Four.

"And Adam and Matty took from their mic bag a rock..." Plus, your hosts dare to do battle with Paul Haggis's latest Oscar-bait, "In the Valley of Elah," a true crime murder mystery that examines the effects of war on returning soldiers and their families.

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre and our Top 5 Overrated Directors.

Music by Ha Ha Tonka courtesy of Bloodshot Records

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Sign up for free and discuss this episode!



Filmspotting #178
:14-10:18 - Review: "Across The Universe"
Music: Ha Ha Tonka, "Up Nights"
11:19-23:33 - Review: "In the Valley of Elah"
Music: Ha Ha Tonka, "Gusto"
23:59-29:00 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Megan Reilly)
29:01-37:36 - Poll Questions, Toronto Musings, Next Marathon
Music: Ha Ha Tonka, "Cure For The Common Cold"
38:33-51:57 - Top 5: Overrated Directors
51:58-54:24 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
** Post-publish comment: A few people have written in commenting on how much I've been dominating the discussion over these first few shows with Matty. Believe it or not, I am well aware of the problem. I hear the same show you do. I appreciate everyone being patient with us as we adjust to each other. Matty is brand new to this (ball)game and obviously I had settled in pretty well with one guy over the past 2 1/2 years. It may take us a little time.

- Matty says "EE-lah" ... Adam says "AY-lah" ... In the movie, Tommy Lee Jones says "EL-ah." Take your pick.

- For those of you who have generously given to the Filmspotting coffers the past two weeks, thank you! You have not been forgotten. Your official Sam Van Hallgren nicknames will be read on next week's show.

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send an e-mail or short mp3 clip to feedback@filmspotting.net. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.

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August 31: It says something about the sheer number of compelling films there are to see at Sundance that back in January Adam and Sam left Park City, UT, without seeing either Jeffrey Blitz's quirky coming-of-age tale "Rocket Science" or Steve Buscemi's remake of the late Danish director Theo Van Gogh's critique of media and celebrity, "Interview." Blitz had previously directed the Oscar-nominated Spelling Bee doc "Spellbound," which was Sam's 'secret' favorite film of 2002; and Buscemi is, well, Steve Buscemi, one of the most respected actors in independent film.

Without a mountain high -- or film fest burnout -- to alter their perceptions, do Adam and Sam think either film deserves its Sundance reputation?

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre, Listener Feedback and Part II of Filmspotting's Top 5 Most Anticipated Fall Movies.

Music by Danbert Nobacon courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Sign up for free and discuss this episode!



Filmspotting #175
:22-14:04 - Review: "Rocket Science"
Music: Danbert Nobacon, "The Last Drop in the Glass"
14:36-28:21 - Review: "Interview"
Music: Danbert Nobacon, "Straight Talk (Meet Frank)"
29:04-32:58 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Jeffrey Wettig)
32:59-37:11 - Listened Feedback (Sam's Retirement)
37:12-42:50 - Poll Questions, Notes
42:51-47:54 - Feedback cont. (Invasion, Fall Preview)
Music: Danbert Nobacon, "Rock 'n' Roll Holy Wars"
48:12-52:07 - New DVDs, Toronto Meetup, Donations
52:08-1:05:43 - Top 5: Most Anticipated Fall Movies - Part I
1:05:44-1:07:40 - Close/Next Show/Outtakes

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Massacre Theatre Video from Jared in Boston: Chiwauko

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send an e-mail or short mp3 clip to feedback@filmspotting.net. Or give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.


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