Filmspotting #135: Babel / Borat / Documentary Awards / Top 5 Culture Clash Movies

The writer/director team that partnered on "Amores Perros" and "21 Grams" have been trading public blows all year about who deserves more credit for the success of their collaborations, but what's interesting about Alejandro González Iñárritu and Guillermo Arriaga's latest film, "Babel," is the nearly seamless pairing of concept and execution. But is the movie any good? That, it turns out, is not so easily agreed upon.

Plus, a review of "Borat" that Adam and Sam fear may be used against them if they are ever brought up on charges of sounding too "NPR-y." (Please note Adam's rather posh sounding "Really? I'm shocked" response to Sam's initial analysis of the film.)

Also on the show, Massacre Theatre, 'The Nanooks' -- our Best of the Documentaries Marathon Awards -- and our Top 5 Culture Clash Movies.

Music by M. Ward courtesy of Merge Records.

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Filmspotting #135
:19-14:42 - Review: "Babel"
Music: M. Ward, "Vincent O'Brien"
15:59-18:02 - Peerflix Winner (Jeffrey Kelly), New DVDs
18:03-28:40 - Review: "Borat"
28:41-34:00 - Donations, Poll Questions
34:01-37:12 - Adrienne Shelly Tribute
Music: M. Ward, "To Go Home"
38:10-41:32 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Mark Kommers)
41:33-52:12 - Documentary Marathon Awards: The Nanooks
Music: M. Ward, "Post-War"
53:21-1:11:37 - Top 5: Culture Clash Movies
1:11:38-1:14:00 - Next Week/Close/Outtake + 2 Bonus Outtakes

CORRECTIONS
- The 'Stromboli' song from "Mermaid Avenue" is actually called "Ingrid Bergman"
- The D'Abo Bond girl is Maryam not Olivia.

NOTES/LINKS
- Great print review of "Babel"
- FS Review: "Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple"
- Adrienne Shelly, New York Daily News story
- Thanks to M. Robert Turnage for recommending the "respect, admiration and trust" scene from Hal Hartley's "Trust"
- "Stromboli" review, John Flaus
- Paul Baack brillianty suggested calling the Doc Awards 'The Nanooks' ... thanks also to Patrick Kelley in Altoona, PA for suggesting 'The Flahertys'

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