Filmspotting #138: The Fountain / Grave of the Fireflies / Top 5 Ambitious Movies

The artistically ambitious will inevitably be accused of pretension. And so it goes for Darren Aronofsky and his new film "The Fountain." A visually stunning, millennia-spanning meditation on love and death, "The Fountain" boldly follows in the footsteps of Kubrick's "2001." Adam and Sam agree that Aronofsky's film is elegantly constructed and beautiful to look at, but end up debating the mystical-religious underpinnings of the story: is "The Fountain's" 'road to awe' really worth taking, or is it indulgent silliness?

And believe it or not, Aronofsky's meditation on death isn't the most depressing film Adam and Sam review on this episode of Filmspotting. That honor belongs to Isao Takahata's luminous but devastating "Grave of the Fireflies" –- the second film in six-week Filmspotting Animation Marathon.

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre and Adam and Sam's 'Go Big or Go Home' Top 5 Ambitious Movies.

Music by Groom from the album "All This Happened, More Or Less."

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Any by Favre 4 Ever, available now on DVD.



Filmspotting #138
:22-16:40 - Review: "The Fountain"
Music: Groom, "Codebreakers"
18:01-20:28 - Peerflix Winner (Cindy Sweeney), New DVDs
20:29-24:36 - Donations, Poll Questions
24:37-27:53 - Notes, Next Marathon
27:54-36:09 - Listener Feedback (Casino Royale)
Music: Groom, "Love Me Aimlessly"
37:40-40:23 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Jennifer Wright)
40:24-51:15 - Animation #2: Grave of the Fireflies
Music: Groom, "School Uniform"
52:39-1:00:41 - Listener Feedback (Adrenaline Rushes)
1:00:42-1:13:26 - Top 5: Ambitious Movies
1:13:27-1:15:55 - Close/Next Show/Outtakes

NOTES/CORRECTIONS
- I (Adam) credited Aronofsky's cinematographer Matthew Libatique; editor Jay Rabinowitz deserved his name being said as well.
- It occurred to me later that "MASH," of course, was likely Robert Altman's most successful film, not "The Player." According to this BBC story, I would be correct. "Gosford Park" was his second most successful film at the box office.
- I said I disagreed with emailer Dan Heaton about the action scene early in "Casino Royale." Actually, I think I do agree... he was probably mentioning the great opening scene (Bond's first kill), and not the 'parkour' chase scene which did nothing for me. Sorry, Dan.
- The latest "Santa Clause" movie is, of course, "The Escape Clause."
- If you have a sec, you should really check out this week's edition of crackspotting.com... it will make more sense if you are message board regular, but it's clever and impressive regardless.

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 #137 (WBEZ) Fast Food Nation / Casino Royale / Richard Linklater / Top 5 Adrenaline Rushes

If you didn't read Eric Schlosser's 2001 best-selling expose of the meat packing industry, "Fast Food Nation," you probably know someone that did. And they probably stopped eating at Wendy's or McDonald's for at least a couple of weeks, if not permanently. So why would you want to see Richard Linklater's fiction adaptation of Schlosser's book if you know it's just going to tell you something unpleasant -- like, to be perfectly explicit, there's cow manure in your hamburger meat? Adam and Sam give you a couple reasons to risk losing your appetite and try to avoid letting their discussion devolve into a fight about "Babel," which they've been sparring about all week. Plus, hear Adam's conversation with "Nation" co-writer and director Richard Linklater.

Also on the show: one of your co-hosts thinks the new Bond film "Casino Royale" is every bit as good as many people are saying it is, while the other politely begs to differ ... another edition of Massacre Theatre ... and, in honor of Daniel Craig's debut as 007, our Top 5 Adrenaline Rushes.

Music by Chuck Prophet from "No Other Love" (2002) and "Age Of Miracles" (2004).

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Filmspotting #137
:00-13:58 - Review: "Fast Food Nation"
Music: Chuck Prophet, "Just To See You Smile"
14:59-29:08 - Richard Linklater Interview
Music: Chuck Prophet, "Old Friends"
30:18-33:01 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Dean Dauger)
33:02-44:08 - Review: "Casino Royale"
Music: Chuck Prophet, "I Bow Down To Every Woman I Meet"
45:18-57:19 - Top 5: Adrenaline Rushes
57:20-59:29 - Close/Next Show/Outtake + Bonus SVH Vulgarities

NOTES/LINKS
- Yes, my (Adam's) voice does sound funny during the Linklater interview; no, we don't know why.
- Top 5 note: I wasn't paying close enough attention to Sam during his comments about the scene from The Matrix... turns out I like that scene as well. Based on a previous conversation, I had it in my head that Sam was thinking specifically of the helicopter scene.
- Outtake note: I suppose it's possible Sam was thinking of the actor Tony Roberts from "Annie Hall" fame.

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 #136: Stranger Than Fiction / Watership Down

Issue #1: A lead character so boring he claims not to like cookies. Issue #2: A reclusive novelist whose "brilliant" writing literally dictates the action of the film. And those are just two of the dramaturgical hurdles screenwriter Zach Helm gives himself in "Stranger Than Fiction." Casting Will Ferrell as Harold Crick, the world's most boring IRS agent, helps to solve issue #1, but how does Helm get us to believe that Emma Thompson's Karen Eiffel is as good a writer as we're told she is? Nevermind the dozens of other potential problems that crop up when you're making a quirky meta-comedy like "Fiction." Adam and Sam don their English major hats and debate the merits of Marc Forster's new film.

Also on the show, two jam-packed segments of Listener Feedback and the first film in the Animation Marathon, Martin Rosen's 1978 adaptation of Richard Adams’s "Watership Down."

Music by Spoon from the album "Gimme Fiction" 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 #136
:19-14:57 - Review: "Stranger Than Fiction"
Music: Spoon, "The Beast and Dragon, Adored"
16:19-18:09 - Peerflix Winner (Erik Moe), New DVDs
18:10-22:25 - Donations, Poll Questions
22:26-31:23 - Meetup Notes, Corrections
31:24-35:46 - Listener Feedback (Recent Reviews, Borat)
Music: Spoon, "I Turn My Camera On"
37:06-59:47 - Listener Feedback (Audio, Recent Top 5's, Scary Moments)
Music: Spoon, "Sister Jack"
1:00:54-1:13:14 - Animation #1: "Watership Down"
1:13:15-1:15:26 - Next Week/Close

NOTES/LINKS
- The great Robert Altman died on Monday, November 20, at the age of 81. Unfortunately, we were not aware of this when they recorded the show Monday night, which is why when we mention Altman in passing during Feedback, we make no mention of his death. He will be greatly missed.
- That's What She Said - The Office Podcast
- Want to learn more about all those rabbit societies in "Watership Down" that we couldn't remember the names of? Check out this site for more information.
- Wanna freak out your inner 6 year-old? Check out the trailer for "Magic" that, for listener Brett 'Sparta!' Merryman, is the scariest movie moment ever.

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 #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.

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 #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'

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 #134 (WBEZ): Flags of Our Fathers / The Queen / Shortbus / Barry Pepper / Top 5 Sophomore Efforts

On this Chicago Public Radio edition of Filmspotting ... Cynical Civics & Pornographic Patriotism

Three films, three contradictory visions. Clint Eastwood tells the complicated story behind WWII's most iconic photograph in "Flags of Our Fathers"; Stephen Frears' "The Queen" details the aftermath of the 1997 death of Princess Diana for strange bedfellows Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth II; and John Cameron Mitchell follows up his debut film "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" with "Shortbus," a subversive shot of (real) sex and (personal) politics. Sam calls one of these three the most patriotic movies of the year ... guess which one?

Plus, Adam's conversation with "Flags of Our Fathers" co-star Barry Pepper, Massacre Theatre, and -- in honor of Mitchell's "Shortbus" -- this week's Top 5 ... Sophomore Efforts w/ special return guest Matty Ballgame.

Music by Alejandro Escovedo from "A Man Under the Influence" (2001) courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

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Filmspotting #134
:19-10:23 - Review: "Flags of Our Fathers"
10:24-16:39 - Review: "The Queen"
Music: Alejandro Escovedo, "Rhapsody"
17:37-19:00 - New DVDs, Peerflix Winner (Jose Aguilar)
19:01-27:44 - Review: "Shortbus"
Music: Alejandro Escovedo, "Follow You Down"
29:18-31:42 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Clara Gelatt)
31:43-44:00 - Barry Pepper Interview
Music: Alejandro Escovedo, "Wedding Day"
44:50-1:01:00 - Top 5: Sophomore Efforts
1:01:01-1:02:54 - Close/Next Show/Outtake + Bonus Vulgarity

NOTES/LINKS
- Matty Ballgame is a professional actor in New York. Interested agents and casting directors may contact him at mattyballgame@gmail.com
- Yep, the "Evil Dead" clip is not actually the scene we massacred on our last show. Turns out that scene wasn't in the movie -- though I (Adam) and everyone who responded would swear it was.
- The "25th Hour clip is with Barry Pepper and the actor who plays his boss, not his co-worker played by Aaron Stanford. I (Adam) wanted to use part of the exchange between Pepper and Stanford, but it was shorter than I remember and the only part worth playing would have been a little too offensive for Public Radio, see 22:02 here if you're curious.

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 #133: Marie Antoinette / Times of Harvey Milk / Top 5 Scary Moments

When Sophia Coppola's "Marie Antoinette" debuted at Cannes earlier this year, the audience reportedly responded with "lusty boos and smatterings of applause." Adam and Sam make no effort to re-create that scene on this week's show, but Coppola's New Wave-scored revisionist period film does force them to pick a side in the love it or hate it debate.

Plus, a spirited edition of Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, the final film in our Documentaries Marathon -- Robert Epstein's "The Times of Harvey Milk" -- and our special Halloween Top 5... Scary Moments.

Music by The Blue Jackets from the album "Shadow of the City."

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 #133
:21-18:07 - Review: "Marie Antoinette"
Music: The Blue Jackets, "Who Needs a DJ"
18:30-20:50 - Audio Feedback, Peerflix Winner (Marta Moore), New DVDs
20:51-25:55 - Donations, Poll Questions
25:56-32:34 - Listener Feedback (Battle of Scotland Part Deux)
32:35-36:22 - Listener Feedback cont. (Starting Over)
Music: The Blue Jackets, "Four Cheers"
37:30-40:10 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Scott Jones, Provo, UT)
40:11-54:29 - Documentary #6: "The Times of Harvey Milk"
Music: The Blue Jackets, "It's Easy On You"
55:26-57:06 - Listener Feedback cont.
57:07-1:16:19 - Top 5: Scary Moments
1:16:20-1:18:30 - Next Week/Close/Outtake

NOTES/LINKS
- Charlotte Rampling is the actress from "The Verdict" and "Swimming Pool" ... and she's British, not French. Nice work, Adam.
- More nice work from Adam ... the 'Proposition 6' Senator from "Harvey Milk" is, in fact, John Briggs not Jim (as in our listener Jim Briggs from Concord, CA.
- Top 100 Scariest Movies according to the Chicago Film Critics Association (yes, that includes Adam)
- retroCRUSH: 100 Scariest Movie Moments
- Correction from our friend Kevin ... Donna and James weren't working on a school project at all when Bob appears in the Hayward living room. Apparently they were singing a song. I (Adam) remember this, but could have sworn they were at least supposed to be doing homework or something. In any event, it's Maddy who actually sees Bob.

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.