Filmspotting

FS #177: Toronto Top 5 / Eastern Promises / Guy Maddin / The King of Kong

adamkemp — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:57:40 GMT

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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FS #177: Toronto Top 5 / Eastern Promises / Guy Maddin / The King of Kong

adamkemp — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:57:25 GMT

Originally posted on:

FS #176: Shoot 'Em Up / Top 5 Farewells

adamkemp — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:55:59 GMT

September 7: The movie gods and Fate herself conspired to release Michael Davis's action movie/action movie send-up "Shoot 'Em Up" just in time for Sam's retirement from Filmspotting. Co-starring two of Filmspotting's favorite actors (Paul Giamatti as super-villain and Clive Owen as the film's indestructible super hero), the movie was impossible to ignore (impossible, that is, if you don't count the circumstances that kept Adam and Sam from screenings to this weekend's even more compelling release, "3:10 To Yuma" with Christian Bale and Russell Crowe). "Shoot 'Em Up" also promised loud, stupid bloodshed and depictions of women as victims and sex objects (just a couple of Sam's hot buttons). Could Giamatti and Owen redeem the movie's immodest ambitions? Or would Adam and Sam have one last row for old time's sake?

Also on the show: A very special, "earmuffs" edition of Massacre Theatre and, in honor of Sam's last show, the Top 5 Movie Farewells.

Music by Spoon courtesy of Merge Records.

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Filmspotting #176
:22-3:17 - Open, Samontage #1: Disagreements
3:18-17:24 - Review: "Shoot 'Em Up"
17:25-20:58 - Poll Questions
20:59-22:34 - Samontage #2: Mr. Sensitive
Music: Spoon, "You Got Yr Cherry Bomb"
22:56-26:25 - New DVDs, Donations
26:26-28:47 - Massacre Theatre Winner (Michelle Foy)
28:48-30:41 - Samontage #3: Acting
30:42-33:02 - Massacre Theatre "Earmuffs Edition"
33:03-38:18 - Samontage #4: Vanperbole, Samontage #5: Humor
38:19-48:29 - Top 5: Farewells
48:30-50:45 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Check out the new documentary "Cut" by listener Eliyahu Ungar-Sargon.

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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FS #178: Across The Universe / In the Valley of Elah / Top 5 Overrated Directors

adamkemp — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:55:57 GMT

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

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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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FS #179: Into the Wild / Smiles of a Summer Night / Top 5 Senior Citizen Performances

adamkemp — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:55:56 GMT

September 28: Adam and Matty review Sean Penn's latest film as writer/director, "Into the Wild" ... Plus, Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, the first movie in our Ingmar Bergman Marathon -- Smiles of a Summer Night" -- and our Top 5 Senior Citizens On Screen, in honor of Hal Holbrook's performance in "Into the Wild."

Music by Bottle Rockets courtesy of Bloodshot Records

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Filmspotting #179
:21-12:41 - Review: "Into the Wild"
Music: Bottle Rockets, "Better Than Broken"
13:21-14:41 - Audio Feedback
14:42-25:47 - Listener Feedback ("Across the Universe," Overrated Directors)
Music: Bottle Rockets, "Middle Man"
26:35-31:12 - New DVDs, Donations/Nicknames
31:26-34:08 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Melinda Hale)
34:09-37:46 - Chicago Film Fest Preview
37:47-45:05 - Bergman #1: "Smiles of a Summer Night"
Music: Bottle Rockets, "Happy Anniversary"
45:37-59:15 - New Poll, Top 5: Overrated Directors
59:16-1:02:48 - Close/Next Show/Outtake (New "Elah" ending)

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- McCandless: Hero or Dumb Jerk?

- "Into the Wild" makes use of one of my (Adam's) all-time favorite poems - "I Go Back To May 1937" by Sharon Olds.

- "Network" has been added to my Top 5 penalty box... and is being considered for the pantheon.

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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FS #175: Rocket Science / Interview / Fall Movie Preview (Part II)

adamkemp — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:55:55 GMT

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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FS #180: The Assassination of Jesse James / 3:10 To Yuma / Lust, Caution / Top 5 Movies About Brothers

adamkemp — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 14:55:53 GMT

October 5: Two movies ride into this week's Filmspotting... will only one ride out? The boys shoot up "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford," starring Casey Affleck and Brad Pitt, and "3:10 To Yuma" -- James Mangold's remake of the 1957 Western.

Also on the show, a review of Ang Lee's new erotic thriller "Lust, Caution" with the venerable Tony Leung, and Adam shares some quick thoughts on the documentary "My Kid Could Paint That."

Plus, Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre and our Top 5 Movies About Brothers -- a tie-in with "The Darjeeling Limited," which will be reviewed next week.

Music by Waco Brothers 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 #180
:21-10:43 - Review: "The Assassination of Jesse James..."
10:44-13:48 - Review: "3:10 To Yuma"
Music: Waco Brothers, "Nothing At All"
14:18-24:00 - Review: "Lust, Caution"
24:01-27:45 - Review: "My Kid Could Paint That"
Music: Waco Brothers, "It's Amazing"
28:07-30:16 - New DVDs, Donations
30:32-33:42 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Len Lipkin)
33:43-44:32 - Polls, Listener Feedback (Senior Citizen Performances)
Music: Waco Brothers, "Rest of the World"
45:34-54:40 - Top 5: Movies About Brothers
54:41-57:14 - Close/Next Show/Outtakes

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- "Feel the Noise" is not a movie "with" Jennifer Lopez. She was just a producer on the film.

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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FS #174: The Invasion / Fall Movie Preview (Part I) / Sam's Big Announcement

adamkemp — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 10:01:30 GMT

August 24: You could argue that the definitive version of "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers" has already been made ... twice. What was it about Jack Finney's 1956 serialized novel that "Downfall" director Oliver Hirschbiegel just had to remake the story for the fourth time in 50 years? With little else tempting them at the box office, Adam and Sam went to see "The Invasion" and decided to find out. [Please insert "Don't fall asleep" joke here.]

Filmspotting has never assembled a proper Top 5 Anticipated Fall Movies list before, and maybe that's why Fall/Winter '07 struck your hosts as a particularly strong season at the cinema. So strong, in fact, that they're taking two weeks to count down the ten (or so) movies -- including Julie Taymor's "Across the Universe" (above) -- that look the most promising. This week, Adam and Sam present their individual 6-10 choices. Tune in next week to hear their Top 5.

Plus, it's that time of year again where Sam hijacks the show to announce some polarizing life decision. Last year, he got married and changed his name. This year, Sam tries to top "turning in his man card" with an even bigger announcement.

Music by Warm in the Wake courtesy of Livewire Recordings.

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Filmspotting #174
:22-13:050 - Review: "The Invasion"
Music: Warm in the Wake, "American Prehistoric"
14:22-27:40 - Listener Feedback (Storybook Loves, Theatre Movies)
Music: Warm in the Wake, "Pawn Shop Heart"
28:40-31:57 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Michael Parks)
31:58-43:33 - Sam's Bombshell Announcement
Music: Warm in the Wake, "She'd Never Seen It"
43:46-47:40 - New DVDs, SD Meetup, Correction, Donations
48:08-51:20 - Poll Questions
51:21-1:02:52 - Top 5: Most Anticipated Fall Movies - Part I
1:02:53-1:04:44 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- In his haste during the Top 5 segment, Adam said that "In the Valley of Elah" was "set in Iraq." It really just deals with Iraq and may partly take place there, but seems to mostly be set in New Mexico.

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

FS #173: Superbad / Moliere / Top 5 Theatre Movies

adamkemp — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 09:59:56 GMT

August 17: Judd Apatow has had a pretty good run lately. "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up," both written and directed by Apatow, pulled in huge numbers at the box office AND were widely adored by critics. The latest from Apatow -- he serves as producer here; Greg Mottola directs -- is "Superbad," written by "Knocked Up" breakout star Seth Rogen and writing partner Evan Goldberg. The semi-autobiographical tale of two horny, separation-anxiety-filled teens follows the now standard Apatow formula, mixing sentiment and raunchy humor. Adam and guest host Matty Ballgame reveal how much of themselves they saw in "Superbad's" sex-starved duo of Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, and weigh in on whether Team Apatow has chalked up its third win in a row, or seen its streak come to an end.

Adam and Matty were excited to see Laurent Tirard's "Moliere," a 'non-biopic' about the legendary 17th century playwright and actor, for one major reason -- star Romain Duris. Adam was blown away by Duris's intense performance in 2005's "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" and couldn't wait to see what the "smoldering" French star pulled off next; Matty couldn't wait to see if Adam was an idiot. Would "Moliere" reward their interest, or destroy any credibility Adam had when it came to judging great acting?

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre and the Top 5 Theatre Movies.

Music by Dan Bern courtesy of Messenger Records.

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

Filmspotting #173
:22-13:02 - Review: "Superbad"
Music: Dan Bern, "Baby Bye Bye"
14:14-26:58 - Review: "Moliere"
Music: Dan Bern, "Joe Christ"
27:35-29:15 - New DVDs
29:38-32:13 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Meredith Santiago)
32:14-41:44 - Listener Feedback (Memory Movies)
Music: Dan Bern, "Chelsea Hotel"
42:27-46:27 - Poll Questions
46:28-56:54 - Top 5: Theatre Movies
56:55-58:40 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Helen wrote and I read Last Year 'in' Marienbad. The Alain Resnais film is Last Year 'at' Marienbad.

- Voicemailer David Hanbury stars in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" at the Actors Theatre of Louisville.

- Adam will be meeting up with listeners in San Diego this weekend (8/18). If you're in the area, you can get more information in the Filmspotting Message Boards.

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

FS #172: Stardust / Matthew Vaughn / Film Noir Awards / Top 5 Storybook Loves

adamkemp — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 09:00:08 GMT

August 10: There have been plenty of comedic fairy tales in the 20+ years since "The Princess Bride," but few have so obviously taken their cue from that film's cocktail of magic, irreverence and sincerity as Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's "Stardust." Adam and Sam can't resist a little "Bride" nostalgia in their discussion of the new film, and rate Michelle Pfeiffer's return to the screen after a five-year absence.

In his interview with "Stardust" director Matthew Vaughn, Adam learns the surprising -- and not so surprising -- inspirations for "Stardust."

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre, the Film Noir Marathon Awards -- "The Marlowe's" -- a conversation about the late Ingmar Bergman's "Autumn Sonata" and the Top 5 Storybook Loves.

Music by Dollar Store 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 #172
:29-15:49 - Review: "Stardust"
Music: Dollar Store, "Scrap Truck"
16:20-28:30 - Interview: Matthew Vaughn
Music: Dollar Store, "Work=Reward"
28:58-31:55 - New DVDs, San Diego Meetup, Donations
31:56-35:03 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Ryan English)
35:04-48:10 - Bergman Tribute: "Autumn Sonata"
Music: Dollar Store, "Money Music"
48:44-52:04 - Poll Questions
52:05-1:01:38 - Top 5: Storybook Loves
1:01:39-1:03:49 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

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