FS #175: Rocket Science / Interview / Fall Movie Preview (Part II)

August 31: It says something about the sheer number of compelling films there are to see at Sundance that back in January Adam and Sam left Park City, UT, without seeing either Jeffrey Blitz's quirky coming-of-age tale "Rocket Science" or Steve Buscemi's remake of the late Danish director Theo Van Gogh's critique of media and celebrity, "Interview." Blitz had previously directed the Oscar-nominated Spelling Bee doc "Spellbound," which was Sam's 'secret' favorite film of 2002; and Buscemi is, well, Steve Buscemi, one of the most respected actors in independent film.

Without a mountain high -- or film fest burnout -- to alter their perceptions, do Adam and Sam think either film deserves its Sundance reputation?

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre, Listener Feedback and Part II of Filmspotting's Top 5 Most Anticipated Fall Movies.

Music by Danbert Nobacon courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Sign up for free and discuss this episode!



Filmspotting #175
:22-14:04 - Review: "Rocket Science"
Music: Danbert Nobacon, "The Last Drop in the Glass"
14:36-28:21 - Review: "Interview"
Music: Danbert Nobacon, "Straight Talk (Meet Frank)"
29:04-32:58 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Jeffrey Wettig)
32:59-37:11 - Listened Feedback (Sam's Retirement)
37:12-42:50 - Poll Questions, Notes
42:51-47:54 - Feedback cont. (Invasion, Fall Preview)
Music: Danbert Nobacon, "Rock 'n' Roll Holy Wars"
48:12-52:07 - New DVDs, Toronto Meetup, Donations
52:08-1:05:43 - Top 5: Most Anticipated Fall Movies - Part I
1:05:44-1:07:40 - Close/Next Show/Outtakes

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Massacre Theatre Video from Jared in Boston: Chiwauko

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 #174: The Invasion / Fall Movie Preview (Part I) / Sam's Announcement

August 24: You could argue that the definitive version of "The Invasion of the Body Snatchers" has already been made ... twice. What was it about Jack Finney's 1956 serialized novel that "Downfall" director Oliver Hirschbiegel just had to remake the story for the fourth time in 50 years? With little else tempting them at the box office, Adam and Sam went to see "The Invasion" and decided to find out. [Please insert "Don't fall asleep" joke here.]

Filmspotting has never assembled a proper Top 5 Anticipated Fall Movies list before, and maybe that's why Fall/Winter '07 struck your hosts as a particularly strong season at the cinema. So strong, in fact, that they're taking two weeks to count down the ten (or so) movies -- including Julie Taymor's "Across the Universe" (above) -- that look the most promising. This week, Adam and Sam present their individual 6-10 choices. Tune in next week to hear their Top 5.

Plus, it's that time of year again where Sam hijacks the show to announce some polarizing life decision. Last year, he got married and changed his name. This year, Sam tries to top "turning in his man card" with an even bigger announcement.

Music by Warm in the Wake courtesy of Livewire Recordings.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Sign up for free and discuss this episode!



Filmspotting #174
:22-13:050 - Review: "The Invasion"
Music: Warm in the Wake, "American Prehistoric"
14:22-27:40 - Listener Feedback (Storybook Loves, Theatre Movies)
Music: Warm in the Wake, "Pawn Shop Heart"
28:40-31:57 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Michael Parks)
31:58-43:33 - Sam's Bombshell Announcement
Music: Warm in the Wake, "She'd Never Seen It"
43:46-47:40 - New DVDs, SD Meetup, Correction, Donations
48:08-51:20 - Poll Questions
51:21-1:02:52 - Top 5: Most Anticipated Fall Movies - Part I
1:02:53-1:04:44 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- In his haste during the Top 5 segment, Adam said that "In the Valley of Elah" was "set in Iraq." It really just deals with Iraq and may partly take place there, but seems to mostly be set in New Mexico.

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 #173: Superbad / Moliere / Top 5 Theatre Movies

August 17: Judd Apatow has had a pretty good run lately. "The 40 Year-Old Virgin" and "Knocked Up," both written and directed by Apatow, pulled in huge numbers at the box office AND were widely adored by critics. The latest from Apatow -- he serves as producer here; Greg Mottola directs -- is "Superbad," written by "Knocked Up" breakout star Seth Rogen and writing partner Evan Goldberg. The semi-autobiographical tale of two horny, separation-anxiety-filled teens follows the now standard Apatow formula, mixing sentiment and raunchy humor. Adam and guest host Matty Ballgame reveal how much of themselves they saw in "Superbad's" sex-starved duo of Jonah Hill and Michael Cera, and weigh in on whether Team Apatow has chalked up its third win in a row, or seen its streak come to an end.

Adam and Matty were excited to see Laurent Tirard's "Moliere," a 'non-biopic' about the legendary 17th century playwright and actor, for one major reason -- star Romain Duris. Adam was blown away by Duris's intense performance in 2005's "The Beat That My Heart Skipped" and couldn't wait to see what the "smoldering" French star pulled off next; Matty couldn't wait to see if Adam was an idiot. Would "Moliere" reward their interest, or destroy any credibility Adam had when it came to judging great acting?

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre and the Top 5 Theatre Movies.

Music by Dan Bern courtesy of Messenger Records.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Sign up for free and discuss this episode!



Filmspotting #173
:22-13:02 - Review: "Superbad"
Music: Dan Bern, "Baby Bye Bye"
14:14-26:58 - Review: "Moliere"
Music: Dan Bern, "Joe Christ"
27:35-29:15 - New DVDs
29:38-32:13 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Meredith Santiago)
32:14-41:44 - Listener Feedback (Memory Movies)
Music: Dan Bern, "Chelsea Hotel"
42:27-46:27 - Poll Questions
46:28-56:54 - Top 5: Theatre Movies
56:55-58:40 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Helen wrote and I read Last Year 'in' Marienbad. The Alain Resnais film is Last Year 'at' Marienbad.

- Voicemailer David Hanbury stars in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" at the Actors Theatre of Louisville.

- Adam will be meeting up with listeners in San Diego this weekend (8/18). If you're in the area, you can get more information in the Filmspotting Message Boards.

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 #172: Stardust / Matthew Vaughn / Film Noir Awards / Top 5 Storybook Loves

August 10: There have been plenty of comedic fairy tales in the 20+ years since "The Princess Bride," but few have so obviously taken their cue from that film's cocktail of magic, irreverence and sincerity as Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of Neil Gaiman's "Stardust." Adam and Sam can't resist a little "Bride" nostalgia in their discussion of the new film, and rate Michelle Pfeiffer's return to the screen after a five-year absence.

In his interview with "Stardust" director Matthew Vaughn, Adam learns the surprising -- and not so surprising -- inspirations for "Stardust."

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre, the Film Noir Marathon Awards -- "The Marlowe's" -- a conversation about the late Ingmar Bergman's "Autumn Sonata" and the Top 5 Storybook Loves.

Music by Dollar Store courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Sign up for free and discuss this episode!



Filmspotting #172
:29-15:49 - Review: "Stardust"
Music: Dollar Store, "Scrap Truck"
16:20-28:30 - Interview: Matthew Vaughn
Music: Dollar Store, "Work=Reward"
28:58-31:55 - New DVDs, San Diego Meetup, Donations
31:56-35:03 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Ryan English)
35:04-48:10 - Bergman Tribute: "Autumn Sonata"
Music: Dollar Store, "Money Music"
48:44-52:04 - Poll Questions
52:05-1:01:38 - Top 5: Storybook Loves
1:01:39-1:03:49 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES

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 #171: The Bourne Ultimatum / The Simpsons Movie / Werner Herzog / Top 5 Movies About Memory

August 3: As charter members of the Bourne "Supremity" fan club, Adam and Sam were in a perfect position to be let down by the third film in the spy franchise, Paul Greengrass's "The Bourne Ultimatum." Would the movie pull a Streisand and fail to meet expectations? Or would Matt Damon and company "rock the sh*t" a third time around?

Between the two of them, Adam and Sam figured they'd probably seen 20 or so episodes of "The Simpsons." That averages out to just over one episode for each of the long-running series' 18 seasons. So what do a couple of non-devotees think of "The Simpsons Movie"? Well, it depends who you ask.

Plus, part one of Sam's interview with the man, the myth, the legend... Werner Herzog.

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre, the sixth and final movie in Filmspotting's Film Noir Marathon, "Kiss Me Deadly," and the Top 5 Movies About Memory.

Music by Ashton Allen courtesy of Livewire Recordings.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Sign up for free and discuss this episode!



Filmspotting #171
:30-13:53 - Review: "The Bourne Ultimatum"
13:54-19:46 - Review: "The Simpsons Movie"
Music: Ashton Allen, "Better Than I Know"
20:24-36:48 - Interview: Werner Herzog
Music: Ashton Allen, "Pretty Pink Rose"
37:13-40:40 - New DVDs, OFC Top 100, Donations
40:41-43:37 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Keith Geiger)
43:38-45:59 - Poll Questions
46:51-58:01 - Noir #6: "Kiss Me Deadly"
Music: Ashton Allen, "Prodigal Son"
58:49-1:04:50 - Muhe, Bergman, Antonioni
58:49-1:01:51 - Top 5: Movies About Memory
1:01:52-1:15:00 - Close/Next Show/Outtake + Bonus Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Vote DAILY for Filmspotting (Movies/Films, Best Produced) between now and August 11 at podcastawards.com.

- Online Film Community's Top 100 Films of All-Time

- Sam and I (and a good number of critics, probably) need to stop giving ALL the credit for technical aspects to directors like Paul Greengrass. Props to "Ultimatum" cinematographer Oliver Wood and editor Christopher Rouse.

- Coincidencespotting in this episode: Both "Bourne" and "The Simpsons" have surveillance scenes where someone in a government agency overhears a character saying something they shouldn't. Also, in "Kiss Me Deadly," Mike Hammer breaks an opera record from Caruso -- Klaus Kinski's hero in Herzog's "Fitzcarraldo."

- I didn't name it, so I thought I'd clarify... "I Think I Love My Wife" is an update of Rohmer's "Love In The Afternoon."

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.