FS #132 (WBEZ): The Prestige / Little Children / Todd Field / Top 5 Movies About Deception

On this Chicago Public Radio edition of Filmspotting ... With "Memento," Christopher Nolan made a film so intricate, exciting and original that he probably could have spent the next ten years making absolute bombs and still get audiences excited about his next project. As it turned out, Nolan did follow "Memento" with a modest misfire (a remake of the 1997 Norwegian film "Insomnia"), but followed that with 2005's "Batman Begins," a hugely successful re-launch of the Batman franchise. Last year, Adam and Sam were among the few people that admitted to being slightly under-whelmed by the new Batman, but both were excited about Nolan's new film "The Prestige." Although one of your hosts claims that "The Prestige" is only the second best turn-of-the-20th-century magic movie to be released this year, both found the film as intriguing to discuss on their way out of the theater as it was to watch.

The director of "In The Bedroom" adapts a book by the author of "Election" ... It's not the most obvious pairing, but your hosts agree that Todd Field's adaptation of Tom Perotta's 2004 satirical novel "Little Children" is among the most intelligent and darkly funny films of the year.

Also on the show, Adam's interview with Todd Field about the making of "Little Children." Plus, Massacre Theatre and the Top 5 Movies About Deception.

Music by The Comfies from the EP "Close To Me" courtesy of Livewire Recordings.

Filmspotting is brought to you by Peerflix. Trade DVDs online at peerflix.com

And by Dexter, a killer new series from Showtime.



Filmspotting #132
:21-12:12 - Review: "The Prestige"
Music: The Comfies, "Close To Me"
13:45-25:52 - Review: "Little Children"
Music: The Comfies, "Understanding 23"
27:34-42:16 - Todd Field Interview
Music: The Comfies, "That's What She Gets"
43:39-46:51 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Lainey Trotter)
46:52-1:00:04 - Top 5: Movies About Deception
1:00:05-1:02:12 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

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.

Your Scariest Moments

With Halloween approaching, next week's Top 5 will be ... Scariest Moments. We'd love to get your input. Share with us the single movie moment that creeps you out the most.

By phone: 206-203-CINE (2463)
By e-mail: Send an mp3 clip to feedback@filmspotting.net
On this site: Check out the new MyChingo feature on the right hand side of this page. Use a mic or your computer's built-in mic to record a message.

Filmspotting #131: The Last King of Scotland / Vernon, Florida

In a century that saw no shortage of charismatic, paranoid and sadistic dictators, among the 20th century's most enduring figures is Ugandan ruler Idi Amin (1971-79). In Kevin MacDonald's "The Last King Of Scotland," Amin is played by the great Forest Whitaker, who gives a performance that's every bit as astounding as you may have heard it is. And Whitaker's performance is just about the only thing Adam and Sam agree on when it comes to MacDonald's film. Get ready for a classic Filmspotting battle.

Plus, Listener Feedback and the fifth film in our Documentaries Marathon, Errol Morris' "Vernon, Florida."

*Filmspotting #132 with reviews of "The Prestige" and "Little Children," plus an interview with writer/director Todd Field and our Top 5 Movies About Deception, will be posted this Saturday night at 8 pm. If you're in the Chicago area, you can listen on Chicago Public Radio 91.5 FM.*

Music by Camera Obscura from the album "Let's Get Out Of This Country" courtesy of Merge Records.

Thanks to everyone who donated to Filmspotting this past week! We appreciate your support.

Filmspotting is brought to you by Peerflix. Trade DVDs online at peerflix.com

And by Dexter, a killer new series from Showtime.



Filmspotting #131
:21-18:07 - Review: "The Last King Of Scotland"
Music: Camera Obscura, "Let's Get Out Of This Country"
19:30-19:59 - Audio Feedback
20:00-23:27 - Peerflix Winner (Marta Moore), New DVDs, Donations
23:28-27:22 - Poll Questions, Next Show
27:23-38:46 - Listener Feedback (The Departed, Cool Characters)
Music: Camera Obscura, "Tears for Affairs"
39:53-49:53 - Documentary #5: "Vernon, Florida"
49:54-56:53 - Next Week/Close/Outtake

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.

FS #130 (WBEZ Edition): Chicago Film Festival / DB Sweeney / Top 5 Movies About Starting Over

Festival of Saints: On this Chicago Public Radio edition of Filmspotting... Reviews of three films playing at the 42nd Annual Chicago International Film Festival (Oct. 5-19) -- Directorial debuts from Dito Montiel ("A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints") and Goran Dukic ("Wristcutters: A Love Story"), plus a new documentary from two-time Oscar-winner -- and Filmspotting Documentary Marathon contestant -- Barbara Kopple ("Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing").

Also on the show: a conversation with actor turned first-time writer/director DB Sweeney, a very special edition of Massacre Theatre (now with real acting!), and this week's Top 5: Movies About Starting Over.

Music by Waco Brothers from the album "Freedom and Weep" courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

Thanks to everyone who donated to Filmspotting this past week! We appreciate your support.

Filmspotting is brought to you by Peerflix. Trade DVDs online at peerflix.com



Filmspotting #130
:00-10:08 - Review: "A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints"
Music: Waco Brothers, "Nothing At All"
11:27-12:02 - Peerflix Giveaway (Winner: Maggie Hart), New DVDs
12:03-22:04 - Review: "Dixie Chicks: Shut Up & Sing"
22:05-28:08 - Review: "Wristcutters: A Love Story"
Music: Waco Brothers, "Rest of the World"
29:08-29:32 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Ben Waldorf)
29:33-43:58 - Interview: DB Sweeney
43:59-46:16 - DB's 'Starting Over' Top 5
Music: Waco Brothers, "Lincoln Town Car"
48:09-58:54 - Top 5: Movies About Starting Over
58:55-1:00:22 - Close

Additional Info
- A Guide To Recognizing Your Saints
- Dixie Chicks: Shut Up and Sing
- Wristcutters: A Love Story
- Dirt Nap
- John C. McGinley
- Milwaukee International Film Festival
"Wristcutters: A Love Story" MIFF Screenings:
Friday, October 27th 7:00 pm / Downer Theatre
Sunday, October 29th 4:30 pm / Times Cinema

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.

Filmspotting #129: The Departed / The Science of Sleep / Top 5 Coolest Characters

The Science of Deception: If the 2002 Hong Kong thriller "Infernal Affairs" was a song and you had to pick a director to cover that song, you would probably pick Martin Scorsese. Gangs, guns, grisly violence, macho banter and "Gimme Shelter" by the Rolling Stones... "The Departed" proudly bears the distinctive Scorsese stamp. The film also showcases the most impressive cast this side of "All The King's Men," which, as we know, doesn't mean anything at all. Adam and Sam debate the merits of Scorsese's narrative ambition and give at least one Hollywood legend some bad news. (WARNING: 'Potential' Ending Spoilers from 20:00-20:42)

Also on the show: a review of Michel Gondry's "The Science of Sleep." One of your hosts calls it his favorite movie of the year; the other spends the rest of the segment trying to convince everyone that the critically adored "Half Nelson" is wildly overrated.

Plus, Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, and this week's Top 5: Coolest Characters or If I Could Be One Character in the History of Film, I Would Be...

Music by The Arcade Fire from the album "Funeral" courtesy of Merge Records.

Thanks to everyone who donated to Filmspotting this past week! We appreciate your support.

Filmspotting is brought to you by Peerflix. Trade DVDs online at peerflix.com/filmspotting



Filmspotting #129
:00-24:04 - Review: "The Departed"
Music: The Arcade Fire, "Neighborhood #1 (Tunnels)"
24:52-26:10 - Peerflix Winner (Matthew A. Wilkinson), New DVDs
26:11-36:44 - Review: "The Science of Sleep"
36:55-45:10 - "Half Nelson" Debate cont.
Music: The Arcade Fire, "Neighborhood #2 (Laika)"
46:25-49:46 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Josh Youngerman)
49:47-54:10 - Calendar, Corrections
54:11-1:04:31 - Poll Questions, Listener Feedback ('80s Movies)
Music: The Arcade Fire, "Rebellion (Lies)"
1:05:44-1:06:17 - Audio Feedback (If I Could Be...)
1:06:18-1:09:22 - Listener Feedback (Directors of the Future)
1:09:23-1:23:14 - Top 5: If I Could Be Any Character...
1:23:15-1:24:27 - Next Week/Close

No outtake again... sorry, we must be getting better at this.

Additional Info
- "Ponce" - a campily effeminate male.

- David Poland's "Half Nelson" review: "To Sir With Crack"

- Armond White's "Half Nelson" review

- Mike O. was the listener who suggested this Top 5 topic. His choices: Han Solo and Peter Venkman.

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.

Filmspotting #129 Delay

Really sorry... but with the Chicago Film Festival going on, Filmspotting #129 featuring reviews of "The Departed" and "The Science of Sleep" will not be available until Thursday. Thanks for your patience.

Filmspotting #128: Half Nelson / Gates Of Heaven / Top 5 'Future' Directors

The way critics are raving about Ryan Fleck and Anna Boden's "Half Nelson," you could be forgiven for thinking that the film is being considered for sainthood. Just try and remember that most critics spend a good part of the year watching really crappy movies. The story of an 8th grade history teacher (and crack addict) who tries to save one of his students from a life of crime, "Half Nelson" sounds like a bizarre pairing of "Dangerous Minds" and "Requiem For a Dream." And in a way, that's exactly what it is. In a two-opposing-arguments-synthesizing-into-a-dialectic kind of way. Adam and Sam try to navigate the hype in a discussion of what many are calling one of the best pictures of the year.

Also on the show: Errol Morris kicked off his documentary career with a movie about endings -- the pet cemetery doc "Gates Of Heaven." Morris’ film is the fourth in Filmspotting's six-week Documentaries Marathon. Plus, Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, and this week's Top 5: Directors of the Future (Thanks to listener Brian Z. in California, MD for the suggestion).

Music by The Rosebuds courtesy of Merge Records.

Thanks to everyone who donated to Filmspotting this past week! We appreciate your support.

Filmspotting is brought to you by Peerflix. Trade DVDs online at peerflix.com

And by Dexter, a killer new series from Showtime. Watch the free preview this Sunday, Oct. 9.



Filmspotting #128
:22-21:06 - Review: "Half Nelson"
Music: The Rosebuds, "Leaves Do Fall"
22:28-29:49 - Peerflix Winner (Tyler Shue), New DVDs, Poll Questions
29:50-38:48 - Listener Feedback (Corrections, '80s Movies)
Music: The Rosebuds, "Shake Our Tree"
39:51-43:54 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: James Kang)
43:55-47:52 - Listener Feedback (Documentaries)
47:53-1:01:24 - Documentary #4: "Gates Of Heaven"
Music: The Rosebuds, "What Can I Do?"
1:02:14-1:03:52 - Listener Feedback ('80s Movies)
1:03:53-1:19:03 - Top 5: Directors of the Future
1:19:04-1:21:03 - Next Week/Close/No Outtake (Sorry!)

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.

Your Vote / Nashville Meetup

It's a new month, so feel free to throw us a vote over at PodcastAlley if you have sec. Thanks.

I (Adam) will be in Nashville Wednesday and would be willing to consider a little Music City Meetup if there are any interested listeners. Drop me an email at feedback@filmspotting.net.