Cinecast #15: Let Them Eat Layer Cake

Chomping at the bit for a new (good) film from "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" director Guy Ritchie? Well, how about one from Ritchie's producer instead? "Layer Cake," a British import from first-time director Matthew Vaughn, features a complicated plot and rogues gallery of tough-talking London gangsters that is familiar turf for Ritchie's collaborator. "Layer Cake" comes out a little half-baked, but Adam found enough redeeming qualities to recommend it -- particularly its star, Daniel Craig. Sam was less convinced that it was anything more than re-heated Tarantino.

Also on the show, a quick look at two more new films: Adam Sandler's remake of "The Longest Yard"; and "Tell Them Who You Are," Mark Wexler's documentary about his father, Oscar-winning cinematographer Haskell Wexler. Plus, we count down our Top 5 Crime Movies.



Cinecast #15
:43-10:04 - Review: "Layer Cake"
10:43-11:04 - Music: "Made From Dirt," Chris Whitley
11:04-18:32 - Reviews: "The Longest Yard," "Tell Them Who You Are"
19:26-19:48 - Music: "Invisible Day," Chris Witley
19:48-25:42 - Listener Feedback: "Revenge of the Sith," Nostalgia Movies
26:18-26:48 - Music: "Ghost Dance," Chris Whitley
26:48-37:30 - Top 5 Crime Movies
37:37-39:32 - Massacre Theatre

Music by Chris Whitley from the album "War Crime Blues" courtesy of Messenger Records ... Cinecast theme music courtesy of Age of the Rifle.

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.

Cinecast #14: Redemption of the Jedi

Did Sam and I agree or disagree on the final installment of the Star Wars saga? Consider this exchange that caps off our review of "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith":

Adam (with fanboy glee): "I walked out of it wanting to talk to people about Star Wars, and I haven't had that feeling in forever, so... I loved it."

Sam (drenched with sarcasm): "I'm so excited for you."

Plus, we count down our Top 5 Nostalgia Movies -- films that had a profound impact on us as kids and continue to have a special hold on us. In Sam's case, "special" can also mean "sad" or "creepy."



Cinecast #14
:39-15:56 - Review: "Star Wars - Episode III: Revenge of the Sith"
16:49-17:21 - Music: "Turning Over," Dan Bern
17:21-21:27 - Critical response to "Crash," Listener Feedback
22:10-22:34 - Music: "Black Tornado," Dan Bern
22:34-35:50 - Top 5 Nostalgia Movies
35:51-37:50 - Massacre Theatre

Music by Dan Bern from the album "New American Language" courtesy of Messenger Records ... Cinecast theme music courtesy of Age of the Rifle.

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.

Cinecast #13: Do The Race Thing

In the latest Cinecast, I fight a cold and duel with Sam about the merits of Paul Haggis' directing debut, "Crash," which follows a diverse collection of Los Angelinos on a 36-hour collision course. The film boasts an all-star cast that includes Don Cheadle, Matt Dillon and Sandra Bullock, and employs an Altman-esque, disjointed structure to ruminate on the current state of race relations. Or, as the film's official site more profoundly puts it, "Crash" takes "a provocative, unflinching look at the complexities of racial tolerance in contemporary America." Sam thought it was just provocative and unflinching enough to recommend, while I couldn't buy the contrived scenarios and patronizing dialogue. Also in the show, we count down our Top 5 Directorial Debuts.



Cinecast #13
:34-13:27 - Review: "Crash"
13:46-14:36 - Music: "Stupid," Anne McCue
14:31-20:03 - Critical response to "Kingdom of Heaven," Listener Feedback
20:23-21:23 - Music: "Tiny Little Song," Anne McCue
21:18-32:31 - Top 5 Directorial Debuts
32:31-34:18 - Massacre Theatre

Music by Anne McCue from the album "Roll" courtesy of Messenger Records ... Cinecast theme music courtesy of Age of the Rifle.

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.

Next Show...

Cinecast #13 will be up Saturday morning. We review "Crash" and count down our Top 5 Directorial Debuts.

Cinecast #12: A Kingdom of Conscience

On this week's show, we take a look at "Kingdom of Heaven," Ridley Scott's $100 million plea for religious tolerance. With films such as "Gladiator" and "Black Hawk Down," Scott proved himself a skilled craftsman at portraying the art of war. "Kingdom" gives Scott a chance to stage some spectacular battle sequences between the 12th century Christian and Muslim armies as they fight for control of Jerusalem. But do he and screenwriter William Monahan let their political agenda get in the way of effective storytelling? Or is Scott's strong ensemble, including Orlando Bloom, Jeremy Irons, Liam Neeson and newcomer Eva Green, compelling enough to carry the film? We agree on a number of "Kingdom's" strengths and weaknesses, but split on whether the film is really worth checking out.

Also on the show: Listener feedback and top fives, a look at the critical response to Todd Solondz's "Palindromes," Massacre Theatre, and this week's Top 5 -- Movies with Swords.



Cinecast #12
:47-14:46 - Review: "Kingdom of Heaven"
16:03-23:30 - Critical response to "Palindromes," Listener Feedback
24:47-32:57 - Top 5 Movies with Swords, Massacre Theatre

"Last Monday Night" by Wilder Embry ... "Albuquerque Lullaby" by Dan Bern courtesy of Messenger Records ... Cinecast theme music courtesy of Age of the Rifle.

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.

Slight Change

We love Will Ferrell -- and hey, we like Val Kilmer a lot too -- but neither Sam nor I are particularly excited about seeing or reviewing next weekend's two big releases, "Kicking and Screaming" and "Mindhunters." So, we've decided to make "Kingdom of Heaven" our lone review this week and save "Crash" for next weekend's show. We may also throw in "Kicking" or "Mindhunters" -- or some artsy film we'd rather see that is playing in Chicago -- but "Crash" will be our focus.

Next Podcast... And Your Vote

Coming up this Sunday, Sam and I will review "Kingdom of Heaven" and "Crash," share some more listener feedback, and play another round of Massacre Theatre.

If you enjoy Cinecast and haven't voted for us yet this month at Podcast Alley, we'd really appreciate your support. Vote now!

Cinecast #11: Girl, Interrupted

On this week's show, a review of "Palindromes," the new film from social satirist Todd Solondz. Solondz, who directed "Welcome to the Dollhouse" and "Happiness," is responsible for some of the most provocative films of the last decade, and "Palindromes" is no exception. In his continued exploration of America's psychic underbelly, Solondz challenges conventional notions of child sexuality, religious hypocrisy and abortion. We both found things to admire about the experimental "Palindromes," but disagreed when it came to the effectiveness of Solondz's dark vision -- is it sympathetic or far too cynical?

Also on the show: Listener feedback, a look at the critical response to "The Interpreter" and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," Massacre Theatre, and our Top 5 'One-Timers' ... films we loved but may never see again.



Cinecast #11
:46-12:08 - Review: "Palindromes"
12:57-23:35 - Critical response to "The Interpreter" and "Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," Listener Feedback
24:28-33:52 - Top 5 One-Timers, Massacre Theatre

"Baby Bye Bye" and "Sweetness" by Dan Bern courtesy of Messenger Records. Cinecast theme music courtesy of Age of the Rifle.

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.