FS #146 (WBEZ): Sundance Review / Garth Jennings, Craig Brewer Interviews

Jan. 28: Maybe the first Sundance is always the best. Take a glance at festival reports from Sundance veterans and you'd think that Park City had become indistinguishable from the crass commercialism of Hollywood. Adam and Sam spent six days at the festival, saw 20 films [most of them good, very good or great], sat down with the writer/directors of two of their favorite films, had a quick chat with Elvis Mitchell, and sat within shouting distance of Justin Timberlake at the world premiere of Craig Brewer's "Black Snake Moan." It was a very good, occasionally surreal week.

On this Chicago Public Radio edition of Filmspotting: the five [actually, six] best films that Adam and Sam saw at Sundance and two interviews -- one with "Black Snake Moan" director Craig Brewer and another with Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith, the directing/producing team behind Adam and Sam's favorite film of the festival, "Son of Rambow"). Plus, Massacre Theatre and the Top 5 Sundance Debuts... of all-time.

To hear more in-depth coverage of the films that Filmspotting saw during its week at Sundance, check out the three "daily dispatches" that posted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of festival week (see below).

Music by Utah Carol from the album "Rodeo Queen."

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Filmspotting #146
:05-15:45 - Top 5 Sundance 2007 Films
Music: Utah Carol, "Kimberly Smiles"
17:40-20:19 - Oscar Disappointments
20:20-31:24 - Interview: Garth Jennings/Nick Goldsmith
Music: Utah Carol, "Twilight Time"
33:10-37:07 - New DVDs, Massacre Theatre (Winner: Mike Thomas)
37:08-46:56 - Interview: Craig Brewer
Music: Utah Carol, "The Northern Skies"
48:34-59:28 - Donations/Nicknames, Top 5 Sundance Debuts
59:29-1:01:02 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- On Sundance Dispatch #2 earlier in the week we said that "The Pool" was Chris Smith's first fiction film. Actually, it is his second, but his first since his 1995 debut "American Job." We misinterpreted Sundance's notes. Thanks for the correction to listener Scott Jones.
- "Midnight Cowboy" was not only the first X-rated movie to win Best Picture, it is, of course, the only X-rated movie to win Best Picture.

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.

Sundance Dispatch(ed)

Jan. 25: Wednesday at Sundance turned into a long press day and the only film we had a chance to see together was Craig Brewer's "Hustle & Flow" follow-up "Black Snake Moan." We'll save our thoughts on "Moan" for Sunday night's episode of Filmspotting, which will also feature interviews with Brewer and the directing/producing team behind "Son of Rambow," Garth Jennings and Nick Goldsmith.

An interview with the director and one of the stars of "Low and Behold" -- Zach Godshall and Eddie Rouse -- will be available for download here this weekend. Rouse, a David Gordon Green regular, gives one of the stand-out performances of the festival so far in "Low."

And if you really need your fix of Filmspotting today, check out Chicago Public Radio's Weekday Magazine show "848" for our conversation with host Steve Edwards. You can listen live between 9 and 10 am CT at wbez.org.

Update: Here is an archive link to our Sundance segment on "848" -- thanks Beth!

Sundance Dispatch #3: Son of Rambow / Hounddog

By the end of day four in Sundance, Adam and Sam had seen the very best of the festival ... and the very worst. In their third Sundance Dispatch, Filmspotting discusses new films about the pitfalls of childhood from Garth Jennings ("Son of Rambow") and Deborah Kampmeier, whose movie "Hounddog" is generating some controversy over a rape scene featuring young star Dakota Fanning. Plus, a debut film about post-Katrina New Orleans from Zach Godshall ("Low and Behold"), and documentaries about an American GI who defected to North Korea in 1962 ("Crossing The Line"] and the greatest soccer player in the world ("Zidane").

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Sundance Dispatch #3
:05-7:26 - Son of Rambow
7:27-11:53 - Hounddog
11:54-19:10 - Low and Behold
19:11-27:20 - Zidane / Crossing The Line
27:21-30:56 - Notes / Close

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.

Sundance Dispatch #2: Life Support / The Pool

Today from Sundance, Adam and Sam recount the highs and lows of their third day at the festival, and, among other things, admit to being utterly confounded [again] by "Akira" director Katsuhiro Otomo. If the first couple of days of the festival were dominated by visually inventive, polically relevant films, Filmspotting's Day Three was defined by films more personal than political -- about characters arriving at single, life-altering revelations. Adam and Sam discuss debut directing efforts from Mike White ("School of Rock") and Nelson George ("The Chris Rock Show"), new films from Chris Smith ("American Movie") and Gina Kim, and stand-out performances by Queen Latifah, Vera Farmiga and Molly Shannon [yes, that Molly Shannon]. Plus, a few thoughts on the Oscar nominations announced earlier today.

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Sundance Dispatch #2
:05-6:27 - Bugmaster / Life Support
6:28-11:06 - The Pool
11:07-15:56 - The Year of the Dog
15:57-22:47 - Never Forever
22:48-26:17 - Oscar Nominations / Close

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.

Sundance Dispatch #1: Grace Is Gone / Chicago 10

For their first report from the Sundance Film Festival, Adam and Sam tackle five new films and come to the conclusion that either A) Your movie addresses the war in Iraq, or B) Your movie stinks. Hear discussions of new works from documentary filmmakers Julien Temple (The Filth & the Fury") and Brett Morgen ("The Kid Stays In The Picture"); first-time features from Zoe Cassavettes, James C. Strouse and Steve Berra; plus, performances from John Cusack, Zooey Deschanel and Alessandro Nivola. Note: The word of the day is "provoke" [and all derivations]. It's all part of the forthcoming Filmspotting drinking game: "Drink Along with Adam and Sam."

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Sundance Dispatch #1
:20-6:32 - Grace Is Gone
6:33-11:55 - Chicago 10
11:56-19:22 - Broken English / The Good Life
19:23-28:12 - Joe Strummer: The Future Is Unwritten

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 #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.

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

Filmspotting is brought to you by Peerflix, a fun place to get movies for less.

And by Favre 4 Ever, available now on DVD.



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.

Filmspotting #144: Top 10 Films of 2006

If you go by the calendar, Adam and Sam are at least a week late with their best of 2006 lists. Thankfully, their tardiness can be justified by a flurry of year-end movie watching that is well represented in their respective top 10's (which, for you cheaters, can be found here). And with the no-tie rule in effect, Adam and Sam were forced to call in the help of some very special guests ... including writer/director Rian Johnson, "This American Life" host Ira Glass and Onion A.V. Club editor Scott Tobias (see complete guest list below).

Also on the show: Your hosts share their Worst Movie of the Year candidates and play another round of Massacre Theatre.

Music by Black Elephant ... Thanks to everyone who donated to Filmspotting this past week. We appreciate your support!

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Filmspotting #144
:07-13:32 - Worst Movies of the Year, Top 5 Regrets, #10
Music: Black Elephant, "Nutrition"
14:38-16:33 - Rian Johnson Voicemail
16:34-23:02 - Donations, Chicago Meetup, Poll Questions
23:03-32:28 - #9-6 + Guest Voicemails
Music: Black Elephant, "Hustler's Creed"
33:34-37:18 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Robert Watkins)
37:19-50:07 - #7-5 + Guest Voicemails
Music: Black Elephant, "The City"
51:26-1:11:04 - #4-1 + Guest Voicemails
1:11:05-1:14:35 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

SPECIAL GUESTS (In order of appearance) - View their picks
Matt Singer - IFC News
Rian Johnson - "Brick" writer/director
M. Robert Turnage - Filmspotting Nemesis
Scott Smith - Chicagoist.com, Filmspotting Guest Host
Kevin Crossman - The Frat Pack Tribute
Ryan Heller - Aberdeen City
Tassoula Kokkoris - Cinebanter
Carrie Van Hallgren - Sam's wife, Milwaukee Shakespeare
Alex Knesnik - Filmspotting Message Board Moderator
Ira Glass - This American Life
Jeff Huston - Editor, Filmspotting's Dope Sheet
Matty Ballgame - Filmspotting Contributor, Actor
Scott Tobias - Onion A.V. Club

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Los tres amigos: Mexico-born directors form a band of brothers
- "The Number 23" was the preview I saw the other day featuring "The Proposition's" Danny Huston.
- Sam was right... "The Death of Mr. Lazarescu" wasn't awarded Best Picture by the LA Film Critics Society ("Letters From Iwo Jima" was), but Luminita Gheorghiu beat Jennifer Hudson ("Dreamgirls") for Best Supporting Actress.
- Vote for Filmspotting at PodcastAlley
- David Lynch appearance at The Music Box in Chicago on Jan. 27. Filmspotting Chicago Meetup is before/at the 8 pm screening.
- The performers Carrie refers to in her voicemail are Anthony Mackie ("We Are Marshall," "Half Nelson") and Anika Noni Rose ("Dreamgirls").
- Contrary to what I say at the end of the show, there was, in fact, one film on Sam's list I genuinely didn't like -- "Babel." He gave it 4 stars; I gave it 2. Otherwise, we each gave at least 3 stars to the films that comprise our lists.

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 News You Can Use

Update: Thanks to a suggestion from a listener, the archive and show links appear to be functioning again. Van-tastic. Still some funky Blogger stuff going on, but this is a start...

Busted stuff: Several of you have emailed about our broken archive links -- both the months and individual shows. We know. Do we know how to fix it? Not a clue. If you click here or here, for example, you'll see that the URLs are correct but the content is what you see on our main page. All we know is that it has something to do with the move to the new Blogger/Google... formerly Blogger Beta. If you are reading this and have some kind of insight into what might be causing the problem, please do not hesitate to drop us a line and share your expertise -- feedback@filmspotting.net. In the meantime, you can always access previous shows by clicking Reviews or Top 5's above.

Our kind of town: The first Filmspotting Chicago Meetup has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 27, coinciding with David Lynch's appearance at The Music Box and the 8 pm screening of his new film "Inland Empire." Probably should get your tickets now for the screening... Anyone interested in meeting up with us before the movie should email feedback@filmspotting.net.

Adam Cassidy and the Samdance Kid: Anyone attending Sundance or who will be in the Park City area the week of Jan. 20 can email us about a possible Sundance Meetup. Our schedule will be pretty crazy and we don't have any plans in mind at the moment, but we can certainly make something work. Again, send us an email and we'll respond at some point with more details.

Your vote counts: New year, new month... we'd appreciate your vote at PodcastAlley. Thanks.

Best of 2006: Filmspotting #144 with our Top 10 Films of 2006 will be posted on Wednesday. Note: Just because we haven't reviewed a film yet doesn't mean that we haven't seen it, or that it won't make the top 10.

Filmspotting #143: The Good German / We Are Marshall / Bobby

How low has the great Steven Soderbergh fallen when a review of his latest film, The Good German, is relegated to an end-of-the-month holiday bonus show featuring reviews of McG's by-the-numbers sports drama We Are Marshall and Emilio Estevez's Bobby -- the Brat Packer's first feature film directorial effort in 10 years? Depending which host of Filmspotting you ask, "German" is either an elegant and interesting misfire or a near masterpiece marred only by a single unsatisfactory performance [guess what: it's not Cate Blanchett].

This episode of Filmspotting also marks the first time in the history of the show that Adam and Sam worked without any kind of show outline in front of us. Sam calls it "commando style." Adam would like everyone to pretend that he and Sam were drunk when recording.

NOTE: The Massacre Theatre winner for the scene acted out on Filmspotting #142 will be announced on Filmspotting #144. So keep the entries coming!

Music by Bobby Bare, Jr. 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, a fun place to get movies for less.

Any by Sony Picture's Stomp the Yard. In theatres in January. Check it out at StompThePodcast.com



Filmspotting #143
:22-17:20 - Review: "The Good German"
Music: Bobby Bare, Jr., "Snuggling World Championship"
18:34-23:33 - New DVDs, Donations, FS at Sundance
23:34-34:52 - Review: "We Are Marshall"
Music: Bobby Bare, Jr., "The Heart Bionic"
37:08-48:44 - Review: "Bobby"
48:45-50:26 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Filmspotting on Digg.com

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.