FS #170: Talk To Me / Hairspray / Top 5 Movies of the Year (So Far)

July 27 (Chicago Public Radio Edition): Once you've seen Kasi Lemmons's new film "Talk To Me," you'll understand why it's nearly impossible to sound articulate talking about it. As played by Don Cheadle, the film's subject, the late, great Washington, D.C.-based DJ Ralph Waldo "Petey" Greene makes everyone on the radio sound bad. Cheadle and co-star Chiwetel Ejiofor turn in inspired performances as Greene and producer/mentor Dewey Hughes, but is the movie worthy of their efforts?

Adam couldn't have been less interested in seeing the new adaptation of the Broadway musical adaptation of John Waters's 1988 film "Hairspray" ... that is, until the film opened to enthusiastic reviews and it was too late for Sam to get to a screening. Adam spends a couple of minutes sharing his thoughts.

Also on the show: Afraid of arriving at some dull consensus on their Top 5 Movies of 2007 (So Far), Adam and Sam invite two of their favorite movie critics to join them: Scott Tobias from The Onion A/V Club and Michael Phillips from the Chicago Tribune. As it turns out, only one film appeared on all four lists.

Music by Nora O'Connor courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

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Filmspotting #170
:31-8:17 - Review: "Talk To Me"
8:18-12:18 - Review: "Hairspray"
Music: Nora O'Connor, "Two Way Action"
12:39-16:04 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Ken Stachnik)
16:05-18:50 - Poll Questions
18:51-26:35 - Listener Feedback (Best Performances So Far)
Music: Nora O'Connor, "My Backyard"
27:06-32:28 - New DVDs, Podcast Awards, Donations
32:29-45:39 - Top 5: Movies of the Year (So Far)
Music: Nora O'Connor, "That's Alright"
46:17-1:04:50 - Top 5: Movies of the Year cont.
1:04:51-1:07:04 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Vote daily for Filmspotting in Movies/Films and Best Produced between July 28 and August 11 at podcastawards.com.

- Congrats to all three Filmspotting Photography Competition winners. 1st Prize was an engraved iPod Nano; 2nd and 3rd place winners received a $25 Amazon gift certificate.

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 #153: Reign Over Me / The Lookout Interviews / Top 5 'Friendship' Movies

March 23: Quick... name three films about grieving men that aren't also about sports, dating, and/or revenge. It's not a common subject, which makes Mike Binder's new film "Reign Over Me" a compelling case. The film also gives Adam Sandler another shot at dramatic acting, this time as a profoundly depressed man whose wife and children died on 9/11, and whose only solace is classic rock and video games.

Binder's previous film was 2005's "The Upside of Anger," a film neither Sam nor Adam particularly liked, despite the fact that it starred Joan Allen, one of their favorite actresses. Is Binder's latest effort an improvement? Or are the considerable talents of Sandler and co-star Don Cheadle wasted?

Also on the show: Adam's interview with Scott Frank (Out of Sight, Get Shorty), writer/director of the new film "The Lookout," and two of the film's stars, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Matthew Goode.

Plus, Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, and our Top 5 Movies About Friendship.

Music by Richard Buckner from the new album "Meadow" courtesy of Merge Records.

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



Filmspotting #153
:18-16:05 - Review: "Reign Over Me"
Music: Richard Buckner, "Lucky"
16:48-30:36 - Interview: S. Frank, J. Gordon-Levitt, M. Goode
Music: Richard Buckner, "Window"
31:05-34:39 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Justin Valentini)
34:40-47:16 - Listener Feedback (300)
Music: Richard Buckner, "Town"
47:48-49:15 - New DVDs, Donations
49:24-53:59 - Poll Questions
54:00-1:06:27 - Top 5: Movies About Friendship
1:06:28-1:08:10 - Close/Next Show
1:08:11-1:08:38 - Guest Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- We have learned since recording that "Reign Over Me" director Mike Binder's last name is pronounced BINE-der, not BIN-der.
- Binder told Charlie Rose Thursday night the origin of the script. Sadly for Sam, no mention of an iPod.
- This show was for public radio so Gordon-Levitt's 'dick move' line had to be bleeped. 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.