Filmspotting

FS #282: Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans / The Messenger / Ben Foster-Oren Moverman Interview / Taste of Cherry / Top 5 Turkeys of 2009

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:08:35 PST

Nov. 20: It’s a potpourri of crazy this week on Filmspotting. First, Matty heads down to the French Quarter to grab some beignets at Café Du Monde and split a muffuletta with the venerable Werner Herzog and Nic Cage as he takes in the bizarre genius that is "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans." And while Matty is busy maxing out the Filmspotting credit card buying rounds of hurricanes for Florida State co-eds at Pat O’Brien’s, Adam sits down with his man-crush Ben Foster and writer/director Oren Moverman to discuss their new project, "The Messenger," a film chronicling the arduous duties of two Army casualty notification officers. Then the lads find time to discuss the third film in their Palme d’Or Marathon, 1997’s "Taste of Cherry" from Iranian director Abbas Kiarostami, during which not even the illustrious Roger Ebert is spared Filmspotting wrath. Finally, in honor of America’s annual celebration of its continued subjugation of near-flightless fowl, Filmspotting holds its annual Thanksgiving Awards buffet and name its Top 5 Turkeys of 2009. Zack Snyder, I think there’s a seat available over there next to Optimus Prime.

Also on the show: Music by Thee American Revolution and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #282
:13-9:29 - Review: "Port of Call New Orleans"
9:30-17:14 - Review: "The Messenger"
Music: Thee American Revolution, "Electric Flame"
18:10-22:38 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: M. Lovgren)
22:39-46:11 - Foster/Moverman Interview
Music: Thee American Revolution, "Power House"
46:56-54:30 - Voicemail, Polls, Notes
54:31-1:05:30 - Cannes #3: "Taste of Cherry"
Music: Thee American Revolution, "Shoeshine Blues"
1:05:56-1:14:43 - New DVDs / Donations
1:14:44-1:31:56 - Top 5: Turkeys of 2009
1:31:57-1:34:36 - Close / Next Show / Outtake

NOTES
- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

FS #281: The Men Who Stare at Goats / Farewell My Concubine / Top 5 Films of 1999

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:50:24 PST

Nov. 13: Usually Filmspotting trots out an elaborate, creative, highly over-written show description. This week, however, in keeping with the spirit of the film they’re discussing, "The Men Who Stare at Goats," the boys are decidedly phoning it in. Which is a shame, because their other discussion of the second film in the ongoing Cannes Golden Palm Marathon, "Farewell My Concubine," a beautiful epic sent against the backdrop of Chinese opera, certainly requires a stab at some decent verbiage. And the fact that the creators of the highly addictive website, Flickchart.com stop by to help the lads list their Top 5 Films of 1999 calls for some kind of special notation -- at the very least maybe a Prince pun or two, but, you know, that’s what you get when you take a great premise and a handful of extraordinary actors and give them absolutely nothing to do. Two can play at the game, sporty. What? You expected Filmspotting to be the bigger person? Have you listened to the show?

Also on the show: Music by Crown City Rockers and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #281
:13-11:25 - Review: "The Men Who Stare at Goats"
Music: Crown City Rockers, "Break"
12:16-16:48 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: J. Medeiros)
16:49-22:51 - CPR Event, Polls
22:52-36:28 - Cannes #2: "Farewell My Concubine"
Music: Crown City Rockers, "Go Away"
37:210-43:59 - New DVDs / Donations
44:00-1:05:23 - Top 5: Films of 1999
1:05:24-1:15:59 - Flickchart Interview
1:16:00-1:19:22 - Close / Next Show

NOTES

- Matty mentioned Terence Malick getting edged out of his top 5. "The Thin Red Line" is often considered a 1999 film, though it did get a limited release in Dec. 1998.

- Other Stephen Root films: Office Space, No Country for Old Men
- Great Faye Dunaway roles/movies: Bonnie and Clyde, Network, Chinatown
- Adam's #6-10 of 1999: All About My Mother, Fight Club, Magnolia, The Insider, Eyes Wide Shut

- Flickchart's Top 5 for 1999:
1. Fight Club
2. The Matrix
3. Office Space
4. American Beauty
5. The Sixth Sense

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

FS #280: Precious / When Father Was Away on Business / Top 5 Bad Screen Parents

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 09:21:57 PST

Nov. 6: O Captain! My Captain! This week, Adam and Matty make music from the heart and navigate the blackboard jungle as they stand and deliver their latest edition of Filmspotting featuring a discussion of the Sundance sensation, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire," starring Paula Patton as a Harlem high school teacher trying to save Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe’s teenaged Precious from an abusive mother -- played to the hilt by comedienne Mo'Nique. The lads also ask all dangerous minds to lean on them and trust their takes on 1985’s "When Father Was Away on Business," the first installment of the Filmspotting Golden Palm Marathon. Then, in honor of Mo’Nique’s devastating performance, the boys close out Mr. Holland’s Opus by listing their Top 5 Bad Screen Parents. Good-bye, Mr. Chips!

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, music by The Almighty Defenders and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #280
:13-15:44 - Review: "Precious"
Music: The Almighty Defenders, "Bow Down and Die"
16:46-22:57 - Voicemail, Polls
22:58-34:54 - Feedback (Nostalgia Movies)
Music: The Almighty Defenders, "She Came Before Me"
35:59-39:56 - Mass. Theatre (Winner: Lance St. Laurent)
39:57-54:50 - Cannes Marathon #1: "When Father Was Away"
Music: The Almighty Defenders, "Cone of Light"
55:52-1:03:59 - New DVDs / Donations
1:04:00-1:16:26 - Top 5: Bad Parents
1:16:27-1:18:59 - Close /Next Show / Outtakes

NOTES

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- Suspense films mentioned in poll: Wait Until Dark, The Others, The Silence of the Lambs, Vertigo
- Romanian movie at TIFF: Tales From a Golden Age
- Government quashing dissent: The Lives of Others
- Another Cannes winner from Emir Kusturica: Underground
- Other "Neo-neo realism" films like Ballast: Shotgun Stories, Sugar, Wendy and Lucy, Chop Shop

FS #279: An Education / Antichrist / Top 5 Taboo Relationships

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:47:08 PDT

Oct. 30: Yes, we are obviously trying to seduce you. This week, Adam and Matty decide to forgo their spot at Oxford next semester and instead fall head over heels for the much older Peter Sarsgaard's fast car, cool jazz and French cigarettes. The lads sneak out during fifth period to gossip with the girls about their love for the new Lone Scherfig film, "An Education," starring the aforementioned dreamy Mr. Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams and the lovely Carey Mulligan in a jaw-dropping performance.

And after a lost weekend of dissecting Camus beside the Seine, Adam and Matty head out to the countryside to further lose their innocence (and quite possibly their stomachs) at the hands of Lars von Trier and his latest rollicking cinematic parable, "Antichrist." Humbled and confused by their time spent with Mr. von Trier (and his playful anthropomorphic realizations of Grief, Chaos, and Despair -- Br'er Fox eat your heart out [literally]) -- and in light of a couple of pending lawsuits, Filmspotting has been advised by counsel not to comment on this week's Top 5 outside of giving its title: Top 5 Taboo Relationship Movies."

But Filmspotting (ahem, Matty) would like to remind the fine civil servants of Kane County, particularly the two members of the local constabulary that might have been sitting in the West Dundee Steak and Shake at 2:00 am last Friday night, that "Excuse me, miss, do you know where the high school girls hang out around here?" is a QUOTE from the movie "Swingers." Thank you, Senator, no further comment.

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, music by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #279
:13-17:46 - Review: "An Education"
17:47-32:05 - Review: "Antichrist"
Music: The Pains of Being Pure..., "Higher Than The Stars"
32:52-38:36 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: R. Nemec)
38:37-44:15 - Voicemail, Polls, Notes
44:16-53:48 - Feedback (Bad Day Movies)
Music: The Pains of Being Pure..., "Everything With You"
54:22-1:01:48 - New DVDs/Donations
1:01:49-1:18:52 - Top 5: Taboo Relationships
1:18:53-1:21:56 - Close/Next Show/No outtake, sorry!

NOTES

- Good "Antichrist" reviews: Karina Longworth and Roger Ebert.

- The addictive website that will destroy your productivity is Flickchart.com.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

FS #278: Where the Wild Things Are / High and Low / Top 5 Nostalgia Movies (Redux)

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 15:14:52 PDT

Oct. 23:

Little Sammy and the Mystery of Filmspotting Island
By Ayn Ballgame

Sammy was a little boy who loved making mischief (many would argue his acting out stemmed from Sammy’s lack of a relationship with his estranged father).

One day, young Sammy was making so much mischief around the house that his mother sent him to his room without supper (while she went to the phone to schedule another appointment with her therapists, Dr. Friedman and Dr. Jim Beam).

Alone in his room (with only his X-box, his Wii, his action figures, his Legos, his board games, his DVDs, his iPod, and his toy trucks to keep him company), Sammy sulked and moped and exclaimed, “I’m so bored!”

“Hellllllllooooo, young Sammy!” boomed a voice from out of nowhere.

“Why are you using a Jamaican accent?” boomed another voice from out of nowhere.

“It’s not a Jamaican accent! I’m trying to sound authoritative, you know, cool,” whispered voice number one.

“You sound like you’re doing a bad imitation of Punjab from Annie,” countered the other voice.

“Does Punjab even talk in that movie?” rebutted the voice from "Cool Runnings."

The booming unseen voices then began to bicker for ten minutes.

Finally, young Sammy shouted, “Who are you guys!?”

“We’re the Monsters of Filmspotting Island!” boomed the two voices in unison.

“Jinx,” whispered the invisible Jamaican.

“Filmspotting island?”

“It’s a fantastic place with no moms to make us do things, where we play all day and watch movies every night!” answered the unseen voice with the weird accent that now sounded a little like a bad Ricardo Montalbán.

“Sounds great!”

“It is great!” answered the voices.

“Can I come visit?” asked Sammy.

“Oh, hah, heavens no. You’re a rude little boy who makes too much mischief. Besides, it would be totally creepy if you were to come hang out with two much older Monsters on our island. Think of the liability.

"Ugh, creeps me out just thinking about it,” answered the more neurotic sounding voice.

“Oh,” said a disappointed Sammy. “Then why are you talking to me?”

“Because we wanted to let you know about our latest show. When we’re not playing all day and stuffing our bellies with gumdrops for dinner and Big League Chew for desert, we like to discuss the movies we watch. This week, we’re talking about Spike Jonze’s latest "Where the Wild Things Are," Akira Kurosawa’s "High and Low" and we list our Top 5 Nostalgia Movies from when were wee little Monsters just like you.”

“You just wanted to tell me about your show?” asked Sammy.

“Yeah, while you’re being punished, why not make something of it? Help your poor mom out, learn a thing or two. Way you’re headed right now, best you could hope for is to start working on your phrasing of ‘You want fries with that,” taunted the invisible Bob Marley. “I guess it could be kind of freeing knowing you’ll never have to deal with the attendant pressures of being a Rhodes Scholar.”

“I’ll show you, you jerky Filmspotting Monsters!” shouted an angry little Sammy. “I’m gonna grow up and direct awful movies just so you have to discuss them!”

“Little Uwe? Is that you?” teased the voice that didn’t sound like he came from the outskirts of Kingston.

And with that the Monsters' howling laughter began to fade away until little Sammy was once again alone in his room, a broken former shell of himself, now haunted by the prospect of his college choices.

The End

Also on the show: Music by Mittens On Strings and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #278
:13-19:48 - Review: "Where the Wild Things Are"
Music: Mittens On Strings, "Lou Reed Says"
20:49-25:28 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: J. Pascal)
25:29-31:35 - Voicemail, Polls
31:36-47:20 - Kurosawa #6: "High and Low"
Music: Mittens On Strings, "Big Brother"
47:44-58:01 - New DVDs/Donations
58:02-1:17:23 - Top 5: Nostalgia Movies
1:17:24-1:21:12 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

FS #278 Delayed

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:15:12 PDT

FS #278 with discussions of "Where the Wild Things Are" and "High and Low," plus our Top 5 Nostalgia Movies, will not be available until late afternoon/early evening. Thanks for your patience!

FS #277: Zombieland / Capitalism: A Love Story / Top 5 Bad Day Movies

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:47:02 PDT

Oct. 16: This week Filmspotting celebrates Matty's 100th episode by playing catch-up and sitting down with two films currently creating a lot of buzz at the box office. First up, our heroes hole up in the abandoned Dixie Square Mall in Harvey, Illinois to fend off an invasion of the undead. If they follow the rules they gleaned from watching the new horror/comedy "Zombieland," odds are the intrepid duo might just hold out for a solid six hours. Much more harrowing than any zombie infestation (and requiring the same amount of shotguns kept at hand) is the current state of the United States economy. Fittingly, Filmspotting sends its in-house socialist, Matty "Ilyich" Ballgame, to take in Michael Moore’s latest piece of agitprop, "Capitalism: A Love Story." Suitably sobered by both zombies and economics, the lads transmit their Top 5 Bad Day Movies via Morse Code from their underground bunker located one hundred feet below 1060 W. Addison. And for the record, Filmspotting really hates Illinois Nazis.

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, music by The Dead Milkmen and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #277
:24-13:20 - Review: "Zombieland"
13:21-16:29 - Poll Questions
16:30-23:22 - Review: "Capitalism"
Music: Dead Milkmen, "Air Crash Museum"
24:15-29:20 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: K. Spahr)
29:21-45:44 - Feedback (Tearjerkers)
Music: Dead Milkmen, "Punk Rock Girl"
46:19-55:54 - New DVDs/Donations
54:55-1:10:08 - Top 5: Bad Day Movies
1:10:09-1:13:54 - Close/Next Show
1:13:55-1:16:07 - Bonus: Matty's Movie Minute

NOTES

- Annie Proulx wrote the short story "Brokeback Mountain."

- Stuart Gordon directed David Mamet's "Edmond" -- but it's definitely a Mamet film.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

FS #276: A Serious Man / Michael Stuhlbarg Interview / Top 5 Chicago Film Fest Preview

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:54:14 PDT

Oct. 9:

Dean Wermer
Adam, Matty, thank you so much for coming in today. As you both are well aware, the tenure committee is in its final stages of making its decision on whether or not to grant the both of you tenure here at Grinyon Online University. Unfortunately we’ve read your submitted examples of publication.

Matty
Well, they were really first drafts...

Dean Wermer
Oh, you mean to tell me, Mr. Robinson, that your essay entitled “What The Movies Is” in which you wrote the word “stakes” over and over for 25 pages is not the final copy?

Matty
Well, I haven’t settled on a font yet...

Dean Wermer
And you, Mr. Kempenaar, while we appreciated the work that went into the composition of your 1,012 page article titled “Steven Soderbergh: Deity or Super God?”, we find it a little hard to believe that Mr. Soderbergh’s use of the RedOne camera is worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize, and if the UN were to anoint Mr. Soderbergh as Director of the World as you propose, we doubt it would single-handedly reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Adam
Well, if you look at the algorithm I laid out in appendix B...

Dean Wermer
AND we’re horribly confused why you chose to submit this macaroni portrait of Faye Dunaway. Was this done by your son?

Adam
Um... Yes? That’s probably the best answer, right?

Dean Wermer
Luckily for you gentlemen, we were a little bit more impressed by your electronic submissions. Particularly we enjoyed your discussion of the latest Coen Brothers film, "A Serious Man." And, Mr. Robinson, we felt you didn’t altogether embarrass yourself during your interview with the film’s star, Michael Stuhlbarg. We also appreciated your run-down of the films you’re most looking forward to seeing at the Chicago International Film Festival. (Sigh) I almost hate to ask this. Do you have anything further to add that might assist the committee in rendering its decision?

Matty
I just want to say that I think there's been a miscarriage of, uh, proportions... I want Ron Kuby or Ron Meshbesher. Uh, just, just get me a Ron.

Adam
I suppose it wouldn’t tip the scales any if I presented the committee with my homemade macramé potholders featuring Alain Delon?

Dean
Get out.

Also on the show: Music by The Ams and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #276
:13-17:01 - Review: "A Serious Man"
Music: The Ams, "Godspeed Your Safe Return"
17:57-22:22 - After Hours Winners
22:23-25:58 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Alex Kies)
25:59-43:34 - Interview: Michael Stuhlbarg
Music: The Ams, "Saturday Afternoon"
44:11-53:17 - New DVDs/Donations
53:18-1:13:10 - Top 5: CIFF Preview
1:13:11-1:17:18 - Next Show, Outtake

NOTES

- We said "A Serious Man" is opening wide. It is not. Top 10 markets this weekend; Top 25 next weekend (or so the plan is currently).

- Links to support victims of the massive storm in Manilla are here and here.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

Filmspotting Revisited w/ Guest Host Matt Singer

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:43:13 PDT

October 2: With the guys off this week, Adam and Matty welcome in special guest host Matt Singer from IFC News and the IFC News Podcast as he takes a look back at some of his favorite Filmspotting segments.

Note: The file size for this show is about twice what it normally is. Sorry for any inconvenience. A smaller version will be uploaded eventually.

FS After Hours #11: Wait Until Dark

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:08:53 PDT

September 29: On this edition of Filmspotting After Hours... Our Listener's Choice discussion of the 1967 thriller "Wait Until Dark," starring Audrey Hepburn in an Oscar nominated turn. Plus, another provocative batch of Listener Feedback on John Hughes, the best backyard movies and more.

Thanks again to all of our donors for your tremendous support! Winners on this show were chosen from episodes #268-275. Please email feedback@filmspotting.net if you were one of the lucky winners.

Listener's Choice
Brian Stein, Arlington, VA

T-Shirts
Timothy, Glen Iris, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Jay, Wellington, FL
Robin, Seattle
Michael, Colorado Springs

Mugs
David, Brunswick West, Victoria, Australia
Bertha, Austin, TX
Tyrone, Woking, Surrey, UK
Fabien, Ilford, Essex, UK

Copy of "Shootin’ the Sh*t with Kevin Smith" from Titan Books
John, Oak Park, IL
Peter Purcell, Lenoir, NC
Mark, Ottawa, Ontario
Erik, Wellington, NZ
Gil and Alysia, Yarraville, Victoria, Australia

FS# 275: Overlooked DVD Picks / Top 5 Tearjerkers

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:17:50 PDT

Sept. 25: It’s alive! Not to be outdone by Netflix's crack team of engineers and mathematicians who recently revamped the efficacy of the company's online DVD recommendation system, Adam and Matty roll out a high-powered movie recommendation machine of their own -- the Rec-o-Matic 2600 (beta). Powered by beer and our co-hosts own sense of self-admiration, Adam and Matty harness the power of the Rec-o-Matic to complement their slate of suggested Overlooked DVD Picks. And while it’s generally accepted that there’s no crying in podcasting, the boys offer up a powerful theoretical lineup for Lifetime's "Movies That Make Men Cry" Marathon with their Top 5 Tearjerkers. Ladies, take notes on why lines such as "Shane! Come back, Shane" can bring NFL linemen to their knees.

Also on the show: Music by Alligators, Listener Feedback and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #275
:13-19:11 - Overlooked DVD Picks
Music: Alligators, "Where Does It Hide"
19:58-24:45 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: D. Dominic)
24:46-30:49 - Voicemail, Polls
30:50-39:48 - Feedback ("The Informant!")
Music: Alligators, "Conqueror"
40:40-49:48 - New DVDs/Donations
49:49-1:07:47 - Top 5: Tearjerkers
1:07:48-1:11:22 - Next Show, Outtakes

NOTES
Here's the link to Matty's new source: Jandy Stone’s Film on TV.

- Adam appeared on the /Filmcast earlier in the week to discuss "Jennifer's Body" and more.

- Thanks to Titan Books, we're giving away 5 copies of "Shootin’ the Sh*t with Kevin Smith" on the next edition of After Hours.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

FS #274: The Informant! / Top 5 2009 Toronto Film Fest Movies

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 15:41:14 PDT

Sept. 18: LIVE from a makeshift dais outside the original Maple Leaf Gardens

Q: Ballgame, you’re coming off a tough road trip to the Toronto International Film Fest -- over 30 films in four days -- how do you think team Filmspotting held up?

A: Well, obviously we’re tired, but I’m proud of the guys. You know, dealing with the time change, the gravy on the French fries, the sometimes smothering congeniality of Canadians... it was a challenge. But I think people will be pleased when we lay out our Top 5 Toronto Film Fest Movies.

Q: What about other reviewers like Phillips and Ebert, who are likely seeing hundreds of films over two weeks?

A: Look, we can’t focus on what other reviewers or other podcasts are doing. We just have to take it segment by segment, discussion by discussion, film by film, and bring a solid 90 minutes of criticism to the show. Look what Kempy brought to the table during our review of "The Informant!" I mean, here’s a guy that loves director Steven Soderbergh, and this film starring Matt Damon as a notorious corporate whistleblower is generally eliciting a lot of love from the critics -- it would have been easy for Adam to phone this one in. But, no, he stepped it up. He brought his ‘A’ game and BAM, what do you get? Point-by-point, generally articulate dissection of an overall pretty middling film. That’s Kempy being Kempy and why he gets paid the big bucks. And by big bucks I mean he gets paid in hugs and beer.

Q: What about some of the feedback you’ve been getting from the fans?

A: Look, we love our fans, we wouldn’t be here without them and we’ve got a great batch of Listener Feedback on this week’s show, as well another cringe-worthy rendition of Massacre Theatre and music by Heroes of Popular Wars. Overall, we think it’s a great show. Are we satisfied? No, we can never be satisfied; we’re not a .500 podcast; to compete with the big guys, we’ve got to step it up, but as long that microphone is on, we’ll keep bringing the heat.

Massacre Theatre is presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #274
:13-18:49 - Review: "The Informant!"
Music: HOPW, "A Bus Called Further"
19:22-24:45 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: E. Munn)
24:45-42:49 - Polls, Notes, Feedback
Music: HOPW, "It's A Doozy"
43:57-55:15 - New DVDs/Donations
55:16-1:17:39 - Top 5: TIFF '09 Recap
1:17:40-1:19:58 - Polls, Next Show

NOTES

- Filmspotting's David Mamet/Anne Frank scene on YouTube

- Information on Facets Fright School. Full lineup should be posted soon.

- Information about "The Art of the Steal," since we didn't really explain.

- Get 10% off retro movie inspired t-shirts at Wake Up... Time To Die by using the discount code FSPOT10.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

FS #274 Delayed

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:29:21 PDT

Filmspotting #274 with a discussion of "The Informant!" and the Top 5 '09 Toronto Film Fest Movies will not be available until around 3 pm CT. Thank you for your patience.

Update: Make that 5 pm. :(

FS #273: Extract / Yojimbo / Top 5 Most Anticipated TIFF '09 Movies

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 08:31:06 PDT

Sept. 11: Filmspotting reviews Mike Judge's latest, "Extract" ... discuss the 5th movie in their Kurosawa Marathon, "Yojimbo" ... and preview their trip to the Toronto International Film Festival with their Top 5 Most Anticipated TIFF Movies.

Also on the show: Music by Colin Hay, Listener Feedback and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #273
:13-15:11 - Review: "Extract"
Music: Colin Hay, "Oh California"
15:59-32:47 - Listener Feedback (Fall Preview)
Music: Colin Hay, "Prison Time"
33:23-36:46 - Facebook/Mamet Winner
36:47-41:02 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: B. Tackett)
41:03-51:28 - Kurosawa #5: Yojimbo
Music: Colin Hay, "There's Water Over You"
52:13-59:59 - New DVDs/Donations
1:00:00-1:133:52 - Top 5: TIFF '09 Preview
1:29:00-1:17:33 - Polls, Next Show, Outtake

NOTES
- "The Ice Storm" came out in 1997, so good chance I watched it on DVD not VHS. Who knows.

- Toronto Film Fest Meetup details.

- Get 10% off retro movie inspired t-shirts at Wake Up... Time To Die by using the discount code FSPOT10.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

FS# 272: Taking Woodstock / The Hidden Fortress / Top 5 Most Anticipated Movies

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:40:30 PDT

Sept. 4: How ‘bout another hand for Sha Na Na?! Groovy. Okay, cats. Just a reminder, please avoid the Sluggo and Nancy tabs, man. They’re no good. All right, up next, we’ve got a great act, all the way from Richard J. Daley’s cow palace on the prairie, Chicago, it’s the soulful crooning of Adam and Matty. Their set list includes Matty performing the Star Spangled Banner on his flugelhorn, followed by a discussion of the new Ang Lee joint, "Taking Woodstock," featuring Demetri Martin, Imelda Staunton and Liev Schreiber. Then they delve into "The Hidden Fortress," man; we’re talking 1958 and Akira Kurosawa’s classic samurai epic starring Toshiro Mifune, the fourth film in their on-going Kurosawa Marathon. They’ll come back for an encore with their Top 5 Most Anticipated Fall Movies. Heady stuff, man.

Also on the show: Music by The Penelopes, Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre -- presented by In Review Online and Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.

Filmspotting #272
:13-20:07 - Review: "Taking Woodstock"
Music: The Penelopes, "Sabotage"
21:00-40:55 - Polls, Listener Feedback
Music: The Penelopes, "Stuck in Lalaland"
43:05-48:44 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: J. Wilcox)
48:45-1:00:07 - Kurosawa #4: The Hidden Fortress
Music: The Penelopes, "Circle of Seasons"
1:00:36-1:13:11 - New DVDs/Donations
1:13:12-1:28:59 - Top 5: Most Ant. Fall Movies
1:29:00-1:31:29 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES
- I wasn't laughing at "Battle Royale" being Tarantino's favorite film since 1992 (not all-time), but laughing at the fact that Matty had no idea what "Battle Royale" was.

- I wasn't necessarily arguing "Schlinder's List" does trivialize the Holocaust, just that the argument certainly can be made.

- Help send Chris White to Australia to direct "Brick" the play at Fundable.com.

- Toronto Film Fest Meetup details.

- Check out TheReelists.com and feel free to contact editor Corey Atad at coreyatad@thereelists.com.

- Get 10% off retro movie inspired t-shirts at Wake Up... Time To Die by using the discount code FSPOT10.

- Massacre Theatre version of "Meet the Parents" courtesy of Kevin Crossman.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

FS #271: Inglourious Basterds / Top 5 Quentin Tarantino Scenes

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:43:49 PDT

August 28:

EXT. FILMSPOTTING STUDIOS. DAYTIME. LOS ANGELES. TWO HITMEN SIT IN A WHITE HONDA CIVIC.

KAHUNA
You really think you should be drinking while we’re casing a joint?

NEIL VEGA
What is this an intervention? You’re gonna get all Betty Ford on me?

KAHUNA
No, I’m just saying. Don’t you want to be, you know, alert, on top of your game, in case they come out? I mean, you never hear of a doctor tying a couple on before going into surgery, or an actor downing a fifth before his big monologue...

NEIL
Oh, oh, oh contraire mi amour. Exhibit A, Richard “Ginny Wolf” Burton, my friend. Drank like a sailor between acts, sometimes between lines. Peter O’Toole: never appeared sober on a set in his life.

KAHUNA
Larry the Arab?

NEIL
The same. And you know the Titanic.

KAHUNA
Not that Jimmy Cameron-Celine Dion video from the 90’s?

NEIL
No, I’m talking about the boat. The mother-effing R-M-S herself. Grand old lady is going down. It’s a panic, right? Everyone’s scrambling. You’ve got Astors and Guggenheims about to waltz with Davy Jones. No one’s thinking. No one’s doing what they should, you know, looking for Queequeg’s coffin. Except one guy. Wally Pipp. Second class passenger. Waltzes on up to the pantry, no one’s paying him any mind, they’re too lost in "Nearer My God To Thee" to notice the portly little guy making his way to the liquor locker. He opens it up. What does he see? Bam. It’s a Valhalla of booze. We’re talking the Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio of moonshine: 500 year-old Scotch from Robert the Bruce’s personal collection, Beowulf’s mead, Miles Standish’s Ouzo. It’s all there. And Wally Pipp figures, well, “I’m going down, I’m going down pickled!” And he just starts drinking. I mean WC Fields wetdream drinking. Three hours straight. Just as he's polishing off Joan of Arc’s favorite cabernet. Good night Mrs. Calabash, wham, he blacks out.

KAHUNA
What a way to go.

NEIL
But that’s just it. Seven hours later, the Carpathia comes by to start plucking Kate and Leo from the water, everyone’s dead, hypothermia. Guess who they pull from the water, still breathing? Wally effing Pipp. He drank so much, his blood was 70% alcohol. It wouldn’t freeze.

KAHUNA
Wow. Now that’s A Night to Remember.

NEIL
Now you’re talking. Pussy Galore and Kenny Moore on the high seas.

KAHUNA
He was in "Longest Day," right?

NEIL
Exactamundo. The Duke Does D-Day. Great war movie. Not like this latest travesty, you seen this thing, this "Inglourious Basterds?"

KAHUNA
No.

NEIL
Quentin Tarantino, movie clerk. It’s his new film. What a piece of refuse. But that’s why we’re here. These two guys that Mr. Wallace wants us to take out, Adam and Matty, they won’t shut up about it. They’ve got this Filmspotting show and they spend thirty minutes geeking out over the genius of "Inglourious Basterds" and the performance of Christoph Waltz as Nazi Hans Landa like it should be hanging in the frigging Louvre. And if that’s not enough, they devote the entire rest of the show to all things Johnny Destiny, including a list of their Top 5 Quentin Tarantino Scenes. All this dead air wasted over a guy that can scribble some clever dialogue and pepper his scripts with annoying movie references. It’s exhausting. Man, I’m hungry.

KAHUNA
You want a get a taco?

NEIL
Ah, forget it. Where we gonna get a taco 'round here? It’s Chinatown.

Plus, music from the "Reservoir Dogs" soundtrack.Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre -- presented by In Review Online and Pixar Talk.

Filmspotting #271
:13-30:17 - Review: "Inglourious Basterds"
Music: Steeler's Wheels, "Stuck in the Middle With You"
31:04-35:14 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: J. Wilcox)
35:15-49:15 - Polls, Notes, Feedback
Music: Sandy Rogers, "Fool For Love"
50:13-56:50 - New DVDs/Donations
56:51-1:13:35 - Top 5: Tarantino Scenes
1:13:36-1:16:39 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES

- Adam alluded to this during the review... he has a theory about Hans Landa, or at least something worth considering. Some are buying it, some aren't.

- List of film references in "Inglourious Basterds"

- Daniel Mendelsohn's "Inglourious Basterds" article in Newsweek

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

FS #270: Ponyo / Throne of Blood / Top 5 Films of 2000

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 08:43:25 PDT

August 21: 今週のfilmspottingは、日本editionです！まずAdamとMattyは、宮崎駿の崖の上のポニョにたいして話します。それから、ShakespeareのMacbethを参考にした、黒沢明のクラシック蜘蛛巣城を話します。そして最後には、２０００年のtop 5映画。

We believe the show description above loosely translates to: Two American dunderheads try to sound smart talking about Hayao Miyazaki's latest animated feature "Ponyo," and Kurosawa's 1957 classic take on Macbeth, "Throne of Blood." The yammering yankee dorks also list their Top 5 Films of 2000.

Plus: Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre -- presented by In Review Online -- and music by Deer Tick.

Filmspotting #270
:13-15:00 - Review: "Ponyo"
Music: Deer Tick, "Easy"
15:55-21:19 - Voicemail, Polls
21:20-23:38 - Matty's 'The More You Know'
23:39-34:47 - Feedback ("District 9")
Music: Deer Tick, "Little White Lies"
35:45-40:28 - Massacre Theatre
40:29-52:50 - Kurosawa #3: "Throne of Blood"
Music: Deer Tick, "Song About a Man"
53:55-1:04:15 - New DVDs/Donations
1:04:15-1:21:56 - Top 5: Films of 2000
1:21:57-1:25:26 - Close/Next Show

NOTES

- We didn't choose Ponyo over Inglorious Basterds. Basterds wasn't an option for us because Matty wasn't able to make the lone press screening. Next week for QT.

- Adam's Top 5 Films of 2000 Regrets: Need to see Yi Yi and Dancer in the Dark.

- Adam's Top 5 Films of 2000 Honorable Mentions: Ghost Dog, Wonder Boys... and the first half or so of All The Pretty Horses.

- Amores Perros was counted as a 2001 movie and made Adam's Top 5.

- Here's the link to the Akira Kurosawa forum discussing the Lady Asaji scene that Adam referenced.

- For some reason Adam has started calling Ang Lee "Ahng"... and he reverted back to mispronouncing Mifune. Sorry. Probably butchered Lady Asaji too.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

FS #270 Delayed

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 09:11:22 PDT

Having some technical issues and FS #270 with discussion of "Ponyo," "District 9" Feedback, "Throne of Blood" and Top 5 Films of 2000 is going to be delayed a while. However, I will tweet a link to the entire show minus the Top 5/End shortly for those who absolutely can't wait and want to hear whatever they can get.

FS #269: District 9 / Top 5 John Hughes Characters

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 08:36:24 PDT

August 14: Do I just start talking? Do I look at you or at the camera? Oh, okay. Well, uh, my name is Jeroen Van Der Rohe, and I am the Chief Cultural Administer to the aliens currently living in District 9 here in Johannesburg. The aliens are unique creatures, to be sure. Odd tastes. Very different than humans. For one, they consider cat food a delicacy. They, uh, adore the work of Alan Thicke. And weirdly enough they really like this podcast featuring two jackanapes droning on about movies called Filmspotting. Can’t get enough of it. To human ears, Filmspotting sounds like a monkey grating a chalkboard with tinfoil, but the aliens love the guys' takes on new films like, obviously, "District 9" from first-time director Neill Blomkamp. We thought at first the podcast might be transmitting some kind of incendiary code to the aliens, but their segments featuring Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre and Top 5 John Hughes Characters seemed innocuous enough. Painful to listen to but, uh, relatively harmless. Aliens. Go figure, right?

Massacre Theatre is presented by In Review Online. Music this week is from John Hughes' "Pretty in Pink."

Filmspotting #269
:13-17:32 - Review: "District 9"
Music: Psychedelic Furs, "Pretty in Pink"
18:32-34:16 - Polls, Feedback (Food Movies)
Music: OMD, "If You Leave"
35:07-44:27 - New DVDs/Donations
44:28-49:33 - Mass. Theatre (Winner: M. Startsev)
49:34-1:09:50 - Top 5: John Hughes Characters
1:11:12-1:14:01 - Close/Next Show/Outtakes

NOTES
- The Bunuel doc Adam has seen is "Land Without Bread."

- How to pronounce Bunuel.

- Travis is dead right that one of "Humpday's" real pleasures is the depiction of Ben and Anna's marriage.

- Molly Ringwald wrote a great tribute to John Hughes in the NY Times.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

FS #268: Julie and Julia / Humpday / Top 5 Food Movies

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:11:07 PDT

August 7: Hellooooooooo my lovelies! This week we’re going to be making Filmspotting a la Awesome. To begin, please find yourself a suitable receptacle, an iPod or a radio station; then find yourself two charming, pedantic cinephiles: a nice ripe Kempenaar will do nicely (you’ll know it’s in season if it's a little smushy in the middle) and then add a healthy dollop of some beautiful Matty Ballgame for some added spice. Mix the two liberally together for about an hour, stirring all the while. Once congealed, add in a healthy discussion of "Julie and Julia," the new comedy from Nora Ephron starring Meryl Streep as Julia Child and Amy Adams in the role of another young actress once again out-acted by the great Meryl Streep. Next, gently massage in some poignant Listener Feedback for stability before topping the entire concoction off with a demiglase of the Top 5 Food Movies. Let sit for an hour until the Ballgame has fully pickled and then, “Bon Appetit!”

Also on the show: Adam's Articulate Analysis of Lynn Shelton's new film "Humpday," Massacre Theatre -- presented by In Review Online -- and music by The Sea and Cake.

Filmspotting #268
:13-14:18 - Review: "Julie and Julia"
14:19-18:41 - Adam's AA: "Humpday"
Music: The Sea and Cake, "Car Alarm"
20:12-41:11 - Polls, Listener Feedback (Comedy Films, "Funny People")
Music: The Sea and Cake, "the Staircase"
41:59-51:11 - New DVDs/Donations
51:12-56:21 - Mass. Theatre (Winner: D. Molloy)
56:22-1:09:50 - Top 5: Food Movies
1:09:51-1:13:27 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES

- "District 9" should be the review next week.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

FS After Hours #10: Our Man Flint

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 14:28:14 PDT

August 5: On this edition of Filmspotting After Hours... Our Listener's Choice discussion of the 1966 James Coburn Bond parody "Our Man Flint." Plus, a provocative batch of Listener Feedback on Moon Movies, the Best Films of 2001 and more.

Thanks again to all of our donors for your tremendous support! Winners on this show were chosen from episodes #263-267. Please email feedback@filmspotting.net if you were one of the lucky winners.

FS #267: Funny People / Ikiru / Top 5 Movies About Comedy

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:11:06 PDT

July 31: What’s up Cleveland?! So nice to be back in the City of Lights. What’s the deal with these iPods? You see these things? Everywhere I go, people have iPods clipped to their arms or hanging from their belts. Not me. I still rock the Walkman. Remember the Walkman? Remember cassette tapes? You’d spend hours listening to the radio hoping they'd play your song? You’d hear the first few bars and run to the boombox and hit record? And then you’d scream in agony because you got the radio guy’s voice! Oh man, you couldn’t give a girl a mix tape with the radio guy’s voice on it! Guys would set up tables in the lunchroom selling radio mixes like they were Grateful Dead basement session bootlegs... “I got GNR Don’t You Cry Tonight, 9:17 last Friday WXRX, completely clean dude, all pure, this is the good stuff.”

Anyway, I’ve been listening to this show, it’s called Filmspotting. You know these guys? They DON’T SHUT UP! I’m like, what in God’s name could you possibly have to say about Judd Apatow’s "Funny People" for like 17 minutes? It’s Adam frigging Sandler! Last time I looked, he wasn’t beating out Marlon Brando for the role of the Waterboy. But these guys, they don’t stop there. They keep going and start yammering away about some Japanese film from 50 years ago called "Ikiru." And they’re such pretentious snobs, they start talking about how this film is all about the meaning of life, and yada yada. COME ON. It’s some old dude sitting on a swing! I’m like, old dude, you’ve got CANCER, quit stalking the kids and get your butt to Vegas. But nooooo, Adam and Matty (what kind of name is that? I mean seriously? That’s how you describe your dog’s fur, it’s not a name!) they keep droning on and on about the Top 5 Movies About Comedy.

What do these guys know about comedy? If it’s not some unknown, unwatchable indie flick or something directed by Steven Soderbergh, these two morons aren’t interested. That Kempenaar jerk wouldn’t know funny if Ingmar Bergman himself rose from the dead, came to his house and started kicking him in the jewels while wearing a Michael Bay ringer tee-shirt. All right, my name's M. Night, you’ve been great!

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre -- presented by In Review Online -- and music by Ben Folds.

Filmspotting #267
:13-19:52 - Review: "Funny People"
Music: Ben Folds, "Hiroshima"
20:40-33:25 - Polls, Listener Feedback
Music: Ben Folds, "Effington"
34:53-39:44 - Mass. Theatre (Winner: A. Dillon)
39:45-50:46 - Kurosawa #2: "Ikiru"
Music: Ben Folds, "Brainwascht"
51:42-1:01:59 - New DVDs/Contests/Donations
1:02:00-1:16:07 Top 5: Comedy Movies
1:16:08-1:19:59 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES
- I didn't come to the show expecting to quote Woody Allen and ended up combining, more or less, a couple great lines: "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve immortality through not dying. I don't want to live on in the hearts of my countrymen; I want to live on in my apartment."

- Here's the Bill Simmons article using "Almost Famous"... and the "Fresh Air" podcast about Zooey Deschanel.

- Read the Watchmen Contest winners here. Thanks again to Titan Books!

- Seattle Metro Cinemas blog

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

FS #266: 500 Days of Summer / In the Loop / Harry Potter / Top 5 Films of 2009 So Far

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 12:54:51 PDT

July 24: Remember when your mother offered you one whole dollar if you cut all the coupons out of the Minneapolis StarTribune and filed them away for her in her coupon Rolodex, but instead of cutting them all out, you just threw away most of the paper, and then your mother went through the garbage to discover your treachery and immediately went down to the Ben Franklin where you had promptly spent your dollar on penny candies and humiliated you in front of your friends and grounded you for two weeks which made you miss the Little League playoffs, and you were so mad that you threatened not to thank her in your Oscar speech? Remember that? Well, one Filmspotting host certainly still does. And to this day, any time he sees a weekend circular, a coupon book, or any discount advertising at all, he breaks down into a catatonic ball on the floor. Well, luckily for you but unluckily for the Filmspotting host cursed to pay full price for the rest of his life, this week Adam and Matty are bringing you not one, not TWO, but THREE movie discussions for the price of one. The lads kick around the British comedy "In the Loop," consider spending "500 Days of Summer" with Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Muggle Matty does battle with "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." But that’s not all! Filmspotting triples your value as the esteemed Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune joins Adam and Matty to list the Top 5 Best Films of 2009 (so far). That’s three movie reviews, fifteen Top Five picks brought to you by three legitimate film critics (well, okay one legitimate film critic and two pretend critics) all for the regular Filmspotting low, low, price of absolutely free.

Uh oh. Can we get some smelling salts for Matty? He’s drooling on the swag. Hate to see that.

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre -- presented by In Review Online -- music by Andrew Bird, and special guest voicemails from Matt Singer, Dave Chen, Tassoula Kokkoris and Adam Palcher.

Filmspotting #266
:13-10:37 - Review: "500 Days of Summer"
10:38-15:50 - Review: "In the Loop"
15:51-24:05 - Review: "Harry Potter"
Music: Andrew Bird, "Nomenclature"
24:50-30:04 - Mass. Theatre (Winner: A. Bowie)
30:05-46:15 - Poll, Top 5: Films of '09
Music: Andrew Bird, "Tenuousness"
47:06-57:03 - New DVDs/Contests/Donations
57:04-1:17:35 Top 5: Films of '09 cont.
1:17:36-1:19:39 - Close/Next Show

NOTES
- SPOILER ALERT! Kind of... During the Top 5, Michael Phillips may or may not reveal some info about "Moon" that one could consider a spoiler.

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

- After Matty's infamous Freudian slip with Sasha Grey a few weeks ago, did I just commit a similar "Girlfriend Experience" sin?

Best Films of 2009 So Far Coming Soon

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 06:38:36 PDT

Filmspotting's Top 5 Films of 2009 So Far w/ Michael Phillips, plus reviews of "500 Days of Summer," "In The Loop" and "Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince" will be available around 10 am CT.

FS #265: The Hurt Locker / An Unlikely Weapon / Top 5 Performances of 2009 (So Far)

feedback@filmspotting.net (Adam Kempenaar & Matty Robinson) — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:09:35 PDT

July 17: Okay everyone, we need you to move back. Please! We need to establish a proper perimeter to deal with what we have here. We've identified the show in question as Filmspotting; we have yet to ascertain if it's programmed to explode. The trigger mechanism might be tied to its discussion of director Kathryn Bigelow's "The Hurt Locker" starring Jeremy Renner, Anthony Mackie and Brian Geraghty as members of a U.S. Army OED (bomb squad) unit in Iraq. We're a little concerned about this blue wire, however, which might indicate a detonation timed to coincide with the appearance of Steve Prokopy (aka Capone) from Ain't It Cool News. He's scheduled to help Matty and Adam list their Top 5 Performances of the Year (So Far). Or, there might be a secondary IED buried deep within the show, possibly found in the discussion of "An Unlikely Weapon," a documentary exploring the story behind the famous "execution" photo taken by photographer Eddie Adams on the heels of the Vietnamese Tet Offensive in 1968. Fear not, we are trained professionals, as qualified in the art of bomb-defusing as Adam and Matty are in the art of film criticism. In other words, run!

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre -- presented by In Review Online -- a "Watchmen: The Film Companion" Giveaway courtesy of Titan Books, and music by Animal Collective.

Filmspotting #265
:13-15:00 - Review: "The Hurt Locker"
Music: Animal Collective, "Guys Eyes"
15:58-24:28 - Mass. Theatre (Winner: P. Trap), Contests, Polls
24:29-31:25 - Review: "An Unlikely Weapon"
Music: Animal Collective, "My Girls"
32:31-41:27 - New DVDs/"Watchmen" Contest/Donations
41:53-1:01:07 Top 5 Male Performances So Far
Music: Animal Collective, "Brother Sport"
1:01:50-1:25:37 - Top 5 Female Performances So Far
1:25:38-1:27:21 - Close/Next Show

NOTES
- Be warned, parents and children, of a vulgarity in Massacre Theatre!

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- While I'm sure Steve Prokopy is more than qualified for such an award, the Internet Film Critic of the Year, or whatever Matty said, is, in fact, made up.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.