FS #267: Funny People / Ikiru / Top 5 Movies About Comedy

July 31: What’s up Cleveland?! So nice to be back in the City of Lights. What’s the deal with these iPods? You see these things? Everywhere I go, people have iPods clipped to their arms or hanging from their belts. Not me. I still rock the Walkman. Remember the Walkman? Remember cassette tapes? You’d spend hours listening to the radio hoping they'd play your song? You’d hear the first few bars and run to the boombox and hit record? And then you’d scream in agony because you got the radio guy’s voice! Oh man, you couldn’t give a girl a mix tape with the radio guy’s voice on it! Guys would set up tables in the lunchroom selling radio mixes like they were Grateful Dead basement session bootlegs... “I got GNR Don’t You Cry Tonight, 9:17 last Friday WXRX, completely clean dude, all pure, this is the good stuff.”

Anyway, I’ve been listening to this show, it’s called Filmspotting. You know these guys? They DON’T SHUT UP! I’m like, what in God’s name could you possibly have to say about Judd Apatow’s "Funny People" for like 17 minutes? It’s Adam frigging Sandler! Last time I looked, he wasn’t beating out Marlon Brando for the role of the Waterboy. But these guys, they don’t stop there. They keep going and start yammering away about some Japanese film from 50 years ago called "Ikiru." And they’re such pretentious snobs, they start talking about how this film is all about the meaning of life, and yada yada. COME ON. It’s some old dude sitting on a swing! I’m like, old dude, you’ve got CANCER, quit stalking the kids and get your butt to Vegas. But nooooo, Adam and Matty (what kind of name is that? I mean seriously? That’s how you describe your dog’s fur, it’s not a name!) they keep droning on and on about the Top 5 Movies About Comedy.

What do these guys know about comedy? If it’s not some unknown, unwatchable indie flick or something directed by Steven Soderbergh, these two morons aren’t interested. That Kempenaar jerk wouldn’t know funny if Ingmar Bergman himself rose from the dead, came to his house and started kicking him in the jewels while wearing a Michael Bay ringer tee-shirt. All right, my name's M. Night, you’ve been great!

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre -- presented by In Review Online -- and music by Ben Folds.


Filmspotting #267
:13-19:52 - Review: "Funny People"
Music: Ben Folds, "Hiroshima"
20:40-33:25 - Polls, Listener Feedback
Music: Ben Folds, "Effington"
34:53-39:44 - Mass. Theatre (Winner: A. Dillon)
39:45-50:46 - Kurosawa #2: "Ikiru"
Music: Ben Folds, "Brainwascht"
51:42-1:01:59 - New DVDs/Contests/Donations
1:02:00-1:16:07 Top 5: Comedy Movies
1:16:08-1:19:59 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES
- I didn't come to the show expecting to quote Woody Allen and ended up combining, more or less, a couple great lines: "I don't want to achieve immortality through my work; I want to achieve immortality through not dying. I don't want to live on in the hearts of my countrymen; I want to live on in my apartment."

- Here's the Bill Simmons article using "Almost Famous"... and the "Fresh Air" podcast about Zooey Deschanel.

- Read the Watchmen Contest winners here. Thanks again to Titan Books!

- Seattle Metro Cinemas blog

- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.

- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.

FS #206: Forgetting Sarah Marshall / Sarasota Film Fest / The Visitor / Top 5 Vacation Movies

April 18: Just when you feel like you're not getting enough full frontal male nudity, ribald oral sex jokes and Paul Rudd in your life, along comes the perfect remedy in "Forgetting Sarah Marshall," the latest comedy from producer Judd Apatow starring Jason Segel, Mila Kunis and Kristen Bell. Adam and Matty take a moment to deconstruct some of the recurring themes in the Apatow canon from an auteurist perspective and laud Kunis for a breakout, Bacall-esque performance. Plus, team Filmspotting emerges from the beaches of Florida minted with a fresh sun-burned glow and some thoughts on their experience at the Sarasota Film Festival and their all-time Top 5 Vacation Movies.

Plus, a conversation with Richard Jenkins and Hiam Abbas, stars of the new film "The Visitor," from actor/writer/director Tom McCarthy ("The Station Agent").

Also on the show: Massacre Theatre and The Matadors, our Pedro Almodóvar Marathon Awards.

Music by The Josh Davis Band courtesy of Authentic Records.

Filmspotting is presented by SpoutBlog and the FilmCouch podcast. Find out why The New York Times says, "SpoutBlog's got it all," at blog.spout.com.

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

CONTEST
Spout.com dares Filmspotting listeners to recast "Ghostbusters" for a shot at great prizes at recast.spout.com.



Filmspotting #206
:24-13:51 - Review: "Forgetting Sarah Marshall"
Music: The Josh Davis Band, "Turn Up the Sun"
14:39-26:18 - Voicemails, Sarasota Recap
26:19-33:22 - "The Visitor" Interview
Music: The Josh Davis Band, "Wedding Crows"
34:10-37:44 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Abby Olcese)
37:45-45:35 - The Matadors - Almodovar Awards
45:36-48:16 - Poll Questions / Next Marathon
Music: The Josh Davis Band, "Go Lightly"
48:34-54:55 - New DVDs, Contest, Donations
54:56-1:05:17 - Top 5: Vacation Movies
1:05:18-1:07:18 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES/CORRECTIONS
- Obviously I (Adam) meant to reference the "In Cold Blood" duo Dick and Perry in the quote from "Annie Hall."

FS #192: The Orphanage / Walk Hard / 2007 Top 5 Blowout

January 4: This week, Adam and Matty top off 2007 with a potpourri of Top 5 lists, including Worst Movies of the Year, Most Annoying Performances, Best/Worst Date Movies and more. Also, Matty admits to being a bit of a fraidy-cat when it comes to scary movies, so Adam holds his hand during their discussion of the latest Spanish ghost thriller, "The Orphanage," directed by first-timer J.A. Bayona and 'presented by' Guillermo del Toro.

Plus, the guys find time to "Walk Hard" with John C. Reilly for a review of Jake Kasdan and Judd Apatow's music biopic spoof.

Music by Chuck Prophet from the new album Soap and Water.

Filmspotting is presented by Spout, a gathering place for people who love movies. In January, spout.com will present BUTTERKNIFE, a new generation detective series made by a new generation of filmmakers. Find out more at butterknife.spout.com.



Filmspotting #192
:26-11:20 - Review: "The Orphanage"
Music: Chuck Prophet, "Freckle"
12:14-19:52 - Review: "Walk Hard"
19:53-24:44 - Poll Questions, Overrated Movies of 2007
Music: Chuck Prophet, "Small-Town Girl"
25:36-29:20 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Michael Watson)
29:21-38:55 - Listener Feedback (Voicemails, Best of 2007)
Music: Chuck Prophet, "I Can Feel Your Heartbeat"
39:34-43:18 - New DVDs, Donations
43:19-52:46 - 2007 Blowout: Worst Movies, Underrated, Best/Worst Date Movies
52:47-1:00:22 - Discoveries, Disappointments, Documentaries
1:00:23-1:03:35 - Annoying Performances, Best Male Frontal Nudity
1:03:36-1:05:12 - Close/Next Show

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Watch an interview with "Orphanage" screenwriter Sergio G. Sanchez and director J.A. Bayona here.

- Matty actually meant he saw a trailer for "Meet the Spartans," not "Epic Movie."

- See Filmspotting friend Michael Phillips deliver his worst movies of 2007 here.

- Click here for details about the Filmspotting-Sundance Meetup.

- Just for the record, Matty was embellishing when he suggested we considered a Top 5 Steamiest Scenes of 2007 list. It was not a potential topic we discussed.

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.

Filmspotting #163: Knocked Up / Bug / Top 5 Opposites Attract Movies

June 1: "Knocked Up," writer/director Judd Apatow's follow-up to 2005's hilarious "The 40 Year-Old Virgin," burdens its portly, uncouth leading man Seth Rogen with a formidable task -- the "Virgin" sidekick doesn't just have to carry a movie for the first time (granted, with the help of Apatow regulars Paul Rudd, Jonah Hill and Jason Segel, among others), he also has to convince the audience that his sexy, put-together co-star Katherine Heigl could actually find him endearing. Does Rogen (and Apatow) succeed? Can a comedy that features a group of buddies developing pink eye after farting on each other's pillows actually prompt use of the word "profound"? Adam and guest host Scott Tobias from The Onion AV Club have your answers... and discuss William Friedkin's wacked-out, minimalist new film "Bug" starring Ashley Judd as a lonely barmaid who falls for a creepy former soldier (Michael Shannon) and becomes convinced that her run-down hotel room is teeming with insects. [Read Scott's review of "Knocked Up" here and his interview with Seth Rogen here.]

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre and -- in honor of "Knocked Up" -- our Top 5 Opposites Attract Movies.

Music by Robert Pollard courtesy of Merge Records.

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

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Filmspotting #163
:22-13:00 - Review: "Knocked Up"
Music: Robert Pollard, "Love is Stronger Than Witchcraft"
13:30-26:26 - Review: "Bug"
Music: Robert Pollard, "Supernatural Car Lover"
26:50-30:04 - New DVDs, Donations
30:05-33:14 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Amy Fox)
33:15-44:59 - Polls, Listener Feedback (Pirates 3, 'Sea' Movies)
Music: Robert Pollard, "Dancing Girls and Dancing Men"
45:58-1:00:25 - Top 5: Opposites Attract Movies
1:00:26-1:03:05 - Close/Next Show/Pirates 3 Voicemails

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- My goodness. Scott was right, of course. Seth Rogen discusses watching a woman have sex with a horse in "The 40 Year-Old Virgin." What was I thinking of -- the donkey in "Clerks 2"? I'm an idiot.

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.