Cinecast #8: Communication Breakdown

Don't forget to check back Monday afternoon for our Cinecast Special Edition covering Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Festival.

In Matobo, the war-torn -- and entirely fictional -- African nation that lies at the heart of Sydney Pollack's new thriller "The Interpreter," tribal tradition dictates that the names of the dead never be spoken. On this week's show, we ignore Matoban protocol by reviewing a film that -- despite the high pedigree of talent involved (including Oscar winners Sean Penn, Nicole Kidman and Pollack himself) -- flatlines in just about every conceivable way.

On a more positive note, we also take a look at director Stephen Chow's latest, "Kung Fu Hustle." Chow is a truly original filmmaker whose unique comic sensibility was witnessed by many for the first time in 2001's "Shaolin Soccer." Although "Hustle" lacks "Shaolin's" narrative strengths, it stands as a fine introduction to Chow's vision, which can count Bruce Lee, the Three Stooges, Fred Astaire and even Stanley Kubrick among its influences.

Also on the show, the second installment of Massacre Theatre, some listener top fives, and the first three entries of our Cinecast Top 5 -- Overlooked Movies.



Cinecast #8
:46-12:02 - Review: "The Interpreter"
12:43-20:48 - Review: "Kung Fu Hustle"
21:34-23:56 - Listener Feedback
25:47-38:09 - Top 5 Overlooked Movies (3-5)
38:16-40:37 - Massacre Theatre

Cinecast theme music courtesy of Age of the Rifle. Between segments music courtesy of Dag, Tags and Kevin.

Have a comment or Top 5 list you'd like to share? Send us an e-mail at cinecast@cinecastshow.com. Or, give us a call at 206-203-CINE and leave a voice message.