Housekeeping

Just some quick news and notes to pass along...

* 5 films, 2 nights, 2 podcasts. As you can see, Sam and I have been busy. If you haven't had a chance to check them out yet, our two most recent podcasts are now available. Cinecast #8 includes our take on two new movies, "The Interepreter" and "Kung Fu Hustle," and we reveal our Top 5 Overlooked Movies. Cinecast #9 is a Special Edition detailing our day at Roger Ebert's Overlooked Film Fest, where we saw "The Secret Roan of Inish," "Primer" and "Me and You and Everyone We Know."

* Early "Hitchhikers" Review, 'One-Timers': Sam and I are planning to attend a preview of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy" this Wednesday night. If everything goes as planned, we'll record an Early Review Edition of Cinecast on Thursday night that will focus solely on that film. So, in theory, only a 10-15 minute podcast -- which will probably be a relief for everyone after Sam and I waxed cinematic for over 80 minutes last weekend. We will have a "normal" show up Sunday where we'll discuss Todd Solondz' "Palindromes" and count down our Top 5 'One-Timers' -- movies that we really like but don't intend to watch again anytime soon.

* Correction: In Cinecast #9, we mentioned that "Primer" will be out on DVD soon. Actually, it was just released last week. And it does include a commentary by writer/director/star Shane Carruth. Sorry for the confusion.

* Memo to David Edelstein: As Sam can attest, I was way too proud of myself for coming up with the phrase "Bloated with self-importance" when describing Sydney Pollack's "The Interpreter." Well, this morning I surfed over to Slate and clicked on David Edelstein's review (also negative, Sam and I aren't alone!) only to discover these nuggets: "Besides, The Interpreter (Universal) is too bloated with its own significance to deliver the requisite thrills" ... and ... "Speaking of humorlessness and self-importance, The Interpreter gives us Sean Penn..." I greatly admire Edelstein's work, but I can assure you I didn't need his perspective to know that "The Interpreter" sucked. I consciously avoid reading reviews until after we record so that I can be sure I'm not appropriating any thoughts from other critics. I guess we were just really on the same page.