Filmspotting #145: Children of Men / Pan's Labyrinth / Top 5 Breakthroughs of 2006

If 2006 was the year of the Mexican director, then it's appropriate that Adam and Sam finish their [gratuitously long] look at the year's best with reviews of films from two of the "Three Amigos" -- Alfonso Cuaron's "Children of Men" and Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth." Along with Alejandro Gonzelez Inarritu's "Babel," the directors were responsible for three of the most imaginative, thrilling and powerful films of the year.

Cuaron's "Children of Men" is more than just an incredibly well shot movie, but it's hard to get past the sheer thrill of watching it. And del Toro's "Labyrinth" is more than just a well constructed "adult fairy tale"; but, of course, it's that, too. Both films work on a number of levels: as exciting cinema, as potent political allegories, as moving personal journeys ... here's hoping they find the audiences they deserve.

Also on the show, 2006: The Best of Everything Else -- with a little help two of the most quotable movies of the year, "Clerks II" and "Talladega Nights." Last week Adam and Sam announced their ten favorite films of the year. This week they bring you the overrated and the under-appreciated, plus their favorite villains, memorable scenes, surprises and more. And, after a long hiatus, Listener Feedback returns, along with Massacre Theatre and the Rian Johnson Memorial Top 5 Breakthroughs/Discoveries of 2006.

WARNING: Filmspotting apologies for a few f-bombs and other 'crude' language. We warned you about the first one in the voicemail, but somehow forgot to mention the swearing in the first "Clerks II" clip. And, well, we HAD to play that clip. You understand. We're not actually opposed to this language, but since the show is typically pretty clean, we feel obliged to point out such deviations.

Music by The Clientele from the album "Strange Geometry" courtesy of Merge Records.

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Filmspotting #145
:21-11:59 - Review: Children of Men
12:00-23:53 - Review: Pan's Labyrinth
Music: The Clientele, "E.M.P.T.Y"
24:50-31:03 - Voicemail, New DVDs, Donations, Poll Questions
31:04-37:11 - Meetup Notes, Dope Sheet, Corrections
37:12-43:49 - Listener Feedback (Best of 2006)
Music: The Clientele, "When I Came Home From The Party"
44:49-48:01 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Derrick Bates)
48:02-59:29 - Year In Review (Overrated, Underrated, etc...)
Music: The Clientele, "My Own Face Inside The Trees"
1:00:28-1:05:03 - More Year In Review
1:05:04-1:14:56 - Top 5 Breakthroughs/Discoveries
1:14:57-1:17:54 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Video: Charlie Rose - Cuaron, del Toro and Gonzalez Inarritu
- Video: Hustling the Double Massacre
- Seriously, we didn't overlook "Brick" writer/director Rian Johnson when putting together our Breakthroughs/Discoveries Top 5. We just wanted to shine the spotlight on some other folks who haven't received as much attention from us this year. It truly is the Rian Johnson Memorial List.

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.