FS #200: Charlie Bartlett / Bergman Marathon Awards / Top 5 Filmspotting Discoveries

February 29: For all those who wondered what would have happened if Pete Best and Ringo Starr had performed with The Beatles at the same time, or if Dick York and Dick Sargent had appeared on "Bewitched" together, well, your wait is over. Filmspotting celebrates its 200th episode by welcoming back original co-host Sam Van Hallgren ... Sam joins Adam and Matty in recounting their Top 5 Filmspotting Discoveries -- and joins Matty for an inspired edition of Massacre Theatre. Plus, your hosts commemorate the show's milestone with their first real fight -- a spirited disagreement over the new teen comedy "Charlie Bartlett," starring Anton Yelchin, Robert Downey, Jr. and Hope Davis.

Also on the show: Your Top 5 Filmspotting Discoveries in Listener Feedback, a brief Oscars recap, and Adam and Matty hand out some hardware of their own -- The Svens -- recognizing the best performances and moments from their recently wrapped Ingmar Bergman Marathon.

Music by Wilder Embry from his new album "Squander."

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Spout.com presents BUTTERKNIFE, a new generation detective series made by a new generation of filmmakers. Up now at butterknife.spout.com!

...And by TLAVideo.com. Buy DVDs online at the Filmspotting store!



Filmspotting #200
:23-10:21 - Review: "Charlie Bartlett"
Music: Wilder Embry, "Dyin for Ya"
12:20-20:04 - Polls, Oscars Recap
20:05-27:00 - Bergman Marathon Awards
Music: Wilder Embry, "Kitchen Beautician"
28:16-34:38 - Welcome Van Sam, 'Ashamed List' Revisited
34:39-43:05 - Listener Feedback (FS Discoveries)
Music: Wilder Embry, "Mommy"
43:42-49:21 - New DVDs, Donations
49:22-53:46 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Seth Micalizzi)
53:47-1:11:32 - Top 5: Filmspotting Discoveries
1:11:33-1:14:04 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES/CORRECTIONS
- Jon Stewart previously hosted the Oscars two years ago, not last year as I (Adam) suggested.

- Thanks to Jeff Huston for passing along this article by Ken Russell, "What makes Ingmar Bergman the best."

- The consensus from listeners on Hayden Christenson's performance in "Shattered Glass" was that he was surprisingly decent in the role. As Stephen Alford so nicely put it: "Hayden Christensen's performance in Shattered Glass works better than his other performances only because he was playing a chronic liar doing a rotten job trying to hide the truth, much like a chronic actor doing a rotten job trying to represent the truth." Despite my suggestion during #199 that there really is no 'right' role for Christenson, I do agree "Glass" came pretty close. Who better to portray someone who is constantly trying to please everyone and doesn't know how to be his own man than someone as awkward on screen as Christenson?

- Both Donations and Discoveries feedback continued to pour in this week after we had already recorded this episode. As mentioned during the show, don't worry, you will get your Van Hallgren nickname; and we do hope to find time in the next few weeks to fit in some more Discoveries stuff. Thanks to everyone for your unbelievable support these past three years -- financial and intellectual!

FS #199: Be Kind Rewind / Definitely, Maybe / Fanny and Alexander / Top 5 Actors We Wouldn't Cast

February 22: This week, when they're walkin' down the street (yeah), and they see a little ghost (what), what are Matty and Adam gonna say about "Be Kind Rewind," Michel Gondry's latest comedy starring Mos Def and Jack Black? Matty also finally convinced Adam to take his wife to a romantic comedy and the boys will relive the Kempenaars' experience with Ryan Reynolds, Isla Fisher and Abigail Breslin in "Definitely, Maybe." Plus, Kevin Spacey joins us to count down the Top 5 Actors We Wouldn't Cast In Our Movie. (OK, no he doesn't, but does he make an appearance on the lists?)

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre and the Ingmar Bergman Marathon draws to a close with a review of 1982's "Fanny and Alexander."

Music by Mark Pickerel and His Praying Hands from the new album "Cody's Dream" (available March 4) courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Spout.com presents BUTTERKNIFE, a new generation detective series made by a new generation of filmmakers. Up now at butterknife.spout.com!

...And by TLAVideo.com. Buy DVDs online at the Filmspotting store!

...And by Audible.com. Download a free audiobook of your choice today at audiblepodcast.com/filmspotting.



Filmspotting #199
:35-11:19 - Review: "Be Kind Rewind"
11:20-16:56 - Review: "Definitely, Maybe"
Music: Mark Pickerel, "Cody's Dream"
17:23-23:44 - Notes, Matty's (and Adam's) Movie Minute
23:45-31:30 - Polls, Listener Feedback (Love Scenes)
Music: Mark Pickerel, "She Calls"
32:31-36:31 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Tyler Lyon)
36:32-45:16 - Bergman #6: Fanny and Alexander
Music: Mark Pickerel, "She Sleeps Through The Sirens"
45:45-49:41 - New DVDs, Donations
49:42-1:04:24 - Top 5: Actors We Wouldn't Cast
1:04:25-1:07:40 - Close/Next Show/Outtakes

NOTES/CORRECTIONS
- Check out clips from "George A. Romeros' Diary of the Dead" here.

- Matty busted me last week on Mercedes Ruehl, so I've got to call him out on the pronunciation of gymnast Nadia Comaneci. I've always heard it/said it "Coe-muh-NEECH," which Nadia apparently has said is correct. According to an article I found online, however, she did clarify further: "Actually, it's Coe-muh-NECH. A short 'e.' I went halfway between Romanian and yours." I know, what a relief this has been settled.

- This week's Top 5 is a response of sorts to Filmspotting 166's Top 5 Actors We WOULD Cast In Our Movie.

- The exact quote attributed to Harrison Ford when making "Star Wars" is: "You sure can type this sh**, George, but you can't say it."

FS 198: In Bruges / 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days / Oscar Picks / Top 5 Love Scenes

February 15: "In Bruges," the new dark comedy from playwright-turned-director Martin McDonagh, finds hitmen Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson biding their time in the title's quaint, medieval city. After watching the film, Matty hasn't been able to stop asking his confused friends and family, "In effing Bruges??" -- complete with faux Irish accent. Find out whether or not that's a good thing. Plus, your hosts make time to discuss Cristian Mungiu's 2007 Cannes Palme d'Or winner, "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days." Adam has been singing the challenging film's praises for months. Will Matty join him in condemning the Academy for failing to nominate "4 Months" for Best Foreign-Language Film?

Speaking of the Academy, Filmspotting welcomes A.V. Club editor Keith Phipps to share their 2008 Oscar Picks, and also help the lads steam up the booth with their Top 5 Love Scenes (in honor of Valentine's Day.) For more, be sure to check out Matt Singer and company's fine work over at IFC -- "The 50 Greatest Sex Scenes in Cinema."

Music by The Rosebuds courtesy of Merge Records.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Spout.com presents BUTTERKNIFE, a new generation detective series made by a new generation of filmmakers. Up now at butterknife.spout.com!

...And by TLAVideo.com. Buy DVDs online at the Filmspotting store!



Filmspotting #198
:23-12:51 - Review: "In Bruges"
12:52-17:29 - Review: "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days"
Music: The Rosebuds, "Boxcar"
18:00-23:13 - Audio Feedback, Notes, Polls
23:14-25:46 - Matty's Movie Minute
25:47-32:38 - Listener Feedback (London Movies)
Music: The Rosebuds, "Wildcast"
33:08-36:56 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Randal McGavock)
36:57-47:30 - Oscar Picks
Music: The Rosebuds, "Leaves Do Fall"
47:54-53:19 - New DVDs, Donations
53:20-56:39 - Oscar Picks cont.
56:40-1:06:31 - Top 5: Love Scenes
1:06:32-1:09:01 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES/CORRECTIONS
- "Taxi to the Dark Side" is an Oscar nominee this year for Best Documentary.

- "Tiger Town" is the TV movie Matty references in his tribute to Roy Scheider.

- "London Film Location Guide" by Simon James.

- According to IMDb, the subject of "Terror's Advocate," Jacques Vergès, is "the controversial lawyer and former Free French Forces guerrilla who has defended unpopular figures such as Nazi war criminal Klaus Barbie and Holocaust denier Roger Garaudy."

- Yes, Matty and guest Keith Phipps sound like they are a bit off-mic at times as compared to Adam. Part of it just has to do with the nature of our respective voices, but it is mainly due to mic positioning. We're in a new recording spot and still working out some kinks.

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 #197: Cassandra's Dream / Shame / Top 5 London Movies

February 8: Adam counts Woody Allen as one of his favorite directors; Matty, unfortunately, has not been able to muster much love for Woody's post-1994 canon -- "Curse of the Jade Scorpion," anyone? This week the boys tackle Allen's latest, "Cassandra's Dream," a London-based thriller starring Ewan MacGregor, Colin Farrell and Tom Wilkinson. Will Woody finally right himself in Matty's eyes? Will Adam have reason to continue to sing his idol's praises? Plus, the Ingmar Bergman Marathon rolls on with a discussion of 1968's "Shame," Bergman's bleak examination of war starring Max Von Sydow and Liv Ullman.

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, and -- tying in with "Cassandra's Dream" -- our in-house cheeky little monkeys run down their Top 5 London Movies.

Music by The Comfies courtesy of Livewire Recordings.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Spout.com presents BUTTERKNIFE, a new generation detective series made by a new generation of filmmakers. Up now at butterknife.spout.com!

...And by TLAVideo.com. Buy DVDs online at the Filmspotting store!



Filmspotting #197
:23-12:39 - Review: "Cassandra's Dream"
Music: The Comfies, "Close To Me"
13:27-19:59 - Poll Questions, Notes
20:00-30:31 - Listener Feedback (Persepolis, Coming of Age Movies)
Music: The Comfies, "Your Sunshine"
31:37-34:53 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Sharon Rodgers)
34:54-44:32 - Bergman #5: "Shame"
Music: The Comfies, "In My Room"
45:18-49:28 - New DVDs, Donations
49:29-1:02:07 - Top 5: London Movies
1:02:08-1:03:52 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES/CORRECTIONS
- In our congrats to Scott Tobias we failed to mention he is, of course, one of the fine critics from The Onion's A.V. Club.

- I (Adam) misspoke during segment two referring to "Atonement" and meant to say "...the power of the book," not "...the power of the movie."

- Turns out "In the Shadow of the Moon" is NOT being released this coming Tuesday on DVD. Apparently there are some legal issues between Thinkfilm and Image Entertainment.

- As noted here last week, we obviously did end up going with London Movies for the Top 5 and not Movies by Playwrights-turned-Directors, as originally mentioned on show #196.

- Thanks to pixote in our boards for reminding me that this was supposed to be my 'Blowup 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.

FS #196: Persepolis / Winter Light / Top 5 Coming of Age Movies

February 1: On this week's show, Matty and Adam give a "C'est bon!" to Vincent Paronnaud and Marjane Satrapi's "Persepolis," the Oscar-nominated animated film based on Satrapi's autobiographical graphic novels about growing up during the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Plus, your hosts attend communion and question the existence of God as their Ingmar Bergman Marathon resumes with a discussion of 1962's "Winter Light."

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre, Listener Feedback, and -- tying in with "Persepolis" -- our Top 5 Coming of Age Movies.

Music by Akron/Family courtesy of Everloving Records.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. Spout.com presents BUTTERKNIFE, a new generation detective series made by a new generation of filmmakers. Up now at butterknife.spout.com!

...And by TLAVideo.com. Buy DVDs online at the Filmspotting store!



Filmspotting #196
:23-9:14 - Review: "Persepolis"
Music: Akron/Family, "Don't Be Afraid, You're Already Dead"
10:21-16:49 - Audio Feedback, Polls
16:50-25:07 - Listener Feedback (Oscar Nominations)
Music: Akron/Family, "Lake Song/New Ceremonial Music for Moms"
25:33-29:16 - New DVDs, Donations
29:17-32:50 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Stephen Alford)
32:51-43:11 - Bergman #4: "Winter Light"
Music: Akron/Family, "There's So Many Colors"
43:57-56:05 - Top 5: Coming of Age Movies
56:06-57:42 - Close/Next Show

NOTES/CORRECTIONS
- Joe Wright obviously did not receive an Oscar nomination for Best Director. I (Adam) just meant that he belonged in that group with those other "flashy" directors.

- "Winter Light's" predecessor in the trilogy mentioned is "Through a Glass Darkly" not "Through THE Glass Darkly."

- Next week's Top 5 is actually going to be London Movies, and not Movies by Playwrights turned Directors, which was great in theory but impossible in practice.

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.