Filmspotting

May 25 (Chicago Public Radio): By all accounts there are millions of people around the world who have spent the past year in feverish anticipation of "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." Adam and Sam were not among them. In fact, last summer's "Dead Man's Chest" (aka "Pirates 2") had the distinction of being the very nadir of Filmspotting's 2006 movie-going adventures. "At World's End" was filmed simultaneously with it's predecessor, which should offer no sane person any hope of redemption. So why a return to the high seas a year later? Eternal optimism, perhaps? Well, yes ... and the mixed blessing of low expectations.

Also on the show: Filmspotting listeners weigh in with their favorite films directed by women and debate Billy Wilder's classic Noir "Double Indemnity." Plus, Massacre Theatre, the second film in Filmspotting's six-week Film Noir Marathon, "The Killers" (1946), and, in honor of "Pirates 3," the Top 5 "Sea" Movies -- films that take place on [or under, or near] bodies of water.

Music by Greg Brown, Bo Ramsey and Brent Best from the album "Just One More: A Musical Tribute to Larry Brown" courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

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Filmspotting #162
:22-13:38 - Review: Pirates 3
Music: Greg Brown, "Blue Car"
14:37-17:43 - Poll Questions
17:44-23:14 - Listener Feedback: Movies Directed By Women
17:44-23:14 - Listener Feedback: Double Indemnity
Music: Bo Ramsey, "Forget You"
31:53-34:45 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Jackson Loo)
34:46-46:57 - Noir #2: The Killers
Music: Brent Best, "Robert Cole"
47:21-51:54 - New DVDs, Photography Competition, Donations
51:55-1:04:16 - Top 5: Sea Movies
1:04:17-1:06:38 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- In FS #161 I (Adam) referred to the lone Transformer I owned as a kid as "Ironside." 'Keithimus Prime' Hayward wrote in to inform me that the red van was actually "Ironhide." And he's right. I now feel like my entire childhood was a fraud.
- During our "Killers" discussion I (Adam) refer to Burt Lancaster's Olie Anderson as a bit "happy go lucky." That's not exactly what I meant to say. He's clearly a beaten down, existentially adrift sort of character. My point was that he's got a naive, innocent 'Chippewa Falls' way about him.

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.


Originally posted on:Filmspotting

July 13: When Adam and Sam announced earlier this Spring that they were going to skip "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" (as they had every Potter film since the series' debut back in 2001), Filmspotting listeners started a campaign of sorts to convince the hosts that the series, starting with the Alfonso Cuaron-directed third film "Prisoner of Azkaban," was worth catching up with. Adam dutifully brought himself up to speed; Sam remained in the dark. Both treaded skeptically into "Phoenix," but at least one of them was greatly rewarded for his efforts.


Filmspotting listeners also had a hand in convincing Adam and Sam to check out "Ratatouille." As fans of Brad Bird's "The Iron Giant" and "The Incredibles," they didn't need much coaxing, but will they fall into line with both listeners and critics that the latest Pixar film is nothing short of a masterpiece?


Also on the show: Adam's conversation with Kasi Lemmons, director of the new movie "Talk To Me" with Don Cheadle ... Massacre Theatre ... the fifth entry in our Film Noir Marathon, "The Asphalt Jungle" ... and our Top 5 Movie Misfits.

Music by Spoon from the new album "Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga" courtesy of Merge Records.

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



Filmspotting #168
:22-13:21 - Review: "Harry Potter: The Order of the Phoenix"
13:22-21:56 - Review: "Ratatouille"
Music: Spoon, "The Underdog"
22:31-36:06 - Interview: Kasi Lemmons
Music: Spoon, "Rhthm & Soul"
36:30-39:09 - New DVDs, Donations
39:10-42:13 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Connie Slattery)
42:14-45:18 - Poll Questions
45:19-54:42 - Noir #5: The Asphalt Jungle
Music: Spoon, "You Got Yr Cherry Bomb"
55:16-1:08:43 - Top 5: Movie Misfits
1:08:44-1:10:38 - Close/Next Show

CORRECTIONS/NOTES

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.


Originally posted on:Filmspotting

June 29: Much of the new collaborative film "Paris, Je T'aime" is, appropriately, in French. And if you haven't seen the film, Adam and Sam's review may sound a lot like watching a foreign language film... without subtitles. With 18 love stories in 18 Paris neighborhoods from 18+ writer/directors, a coherent conversation about "Paris" proved to be a difficult juggling act. But with a film that pits the Coen Brothers against Tom Tykwer and Alexander Payne against Alfonso Cuaron, it might just be a conversation worth navigating.

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, the fourth movie in our Film Noir Marathon, "Gun Crazy," and the Top 5 Actors We'd Cast In Our Movie.

Music by The Winter Sounds courtesy of Livewire Recordings.

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



Filmspotting #166
:22-18:14 - Review: "Paris Je T'aime"
Music: The Winter Sounds, "Windy City Nights"
19:14-23:47 - Poll Questions
23:48-31:23 - Listener Feedback (Top 5 Journalism Movies)
Music: The Winter Sounds, "Static in the Whole"
31:56-35:23 - Notes, New DVDs, Donations
35:24-37:44 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Erika Calvert)
37:45-49:34 - Noir Marathon #4: "Gun Crazy"
Music: The Winter Sounds, "Poor Sailors"
50:13-1:01:50 - Top 5: Actors We'd Cast In Our Movie
1:01:51-1:03:43 - Close/Next Show/Outtakes

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- You can watch listener Ben Yackshaw's short "Nine Minute Love Song" on YouTube.

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.


Originally posted on:Filmspotting