Filmspotting #150: Zodiac / Oscars Recap / Top 5 Movies We Need To See

March 2: Inspector Harry Callahan took down a Zodiac-like killer with a bullet to the chest back in 1972's "Dirty Harry," but that was in the movie world. In the real world, the Bay Area serial killer was never caught. Which makes the unsolved case the perfect subject for a David Fincher movie. The director of "Seven," "Fight Club" and "The Game," Fincher doesn't mind making things unpleasant for his audiences, even if that means denying them the pleasure of seeing a bad guy get what's coming to him. "Zodiac" (opens today) was one of Adam and Sam's most anticipated films of 2007. Did it meet their expectations? At least one of them thought so.

Also on the show: Sam and Adam recap Sunday night's Academy Awards and wrap up their six-week Animation Marathon with "The Harryhausens," their Best of the Marathon Awards.

Plus, Massacre Theatre and the Top 5 Movies We Need To See -- a redux of the top 5 list from Filmspotting's second episode way back in March 2005.

Music by Anne McCue from the album "Koala Motel" courtesy of Messenger Records.

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



Filmspotting #150
:19-13:07 - Review: Zodiac
Music: Anne McCue, "Bright Light of Day"
14:07-18:24 - Poll Questions
18:25-27:28 - Oscars Recap
Music: Anne McCue, "Coming To You"
28:20-30:34 - New DVDs/Donations
30:35-34:23 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Kevin Mulqueeny)
34:24-46:51 - Animation Awards: "The Harryhausens"
Music: Anne McCue, "Sweet Burden of Youth"
47:43-49:23 - Dope Sheet Contest Winners!
49:24-1:02:26 - Top 5: Movies We Need To See
1:02:27-1:03:21 - Close/Next Show

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Yes, there is some extra 'white noise' in Sam's audio track, especially in segments #2-4. This was our first effort recording with Sam in Milwaukee. Still working out the kinks.
- The Woody Allen clip during the Top 5 is from "Manhattan."

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 #148 (WBEZ): Oscar Preview / The Dead Girl / Jesus Camp

With Helen Mirren and Forest Whitaker virtual locks for Best Actress and Best Actor at next weekend's Oscars, you'd think that there would be little to debate on this Oscar Edition of Filmspotting. Then again, this episode marks the official end of the 2006 movie season, which means one last chance for Adam to take potshots at "Babel" and a final opportunity for Sam to remind listeners that he has no soul by hating on "Little Miss Sunshine." On this week's show, your hosts look into their patented Filmspotting crystal ball and pick the winners [and the should-winners] for Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Actor and Actress, Directing and Best Picture.

Plus, Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, and reviews of the Oscar-nominated documentary "Jesus Camp" (out now on DVD) and "The Dead Girl," the new ensemble film starring Toni Collette and Brittany Murphy,

Music by Dan Bern from the album "Breathe" courtesy of Messenger Records.

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



Filmspotting #148
:00-8:23 - Review: The Dead Girl
8:24-15:46 - Review: Jesus Camp (DVD)
Music: Dan Bern, "Another Man's Clothes"
16:44-19:43 - Oscar Scores, Poll Questions
19:44-26:16 - Listener Feedback (Inland Empire, Deserved Oscars)
Music: Dan Bern, "Feel Like a Man"
28:31-32:58 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Stanley Nguyen)
32:59-44:21 - Oscar Picks
Music: Dan Bern, "Breathe"
45:05-46:20 - New DVDs
47:02-57:35 - Oscar Picks cont.
57:36-59:30 - Close/Outtake

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 #147: Inland Empire / Tom Tykwer / Spirited Away / Top 5 Most Deserved Oscars

Feb. 7: In order to properly discuss David Lynch's new film "Inland Empire," Adam and Sam were given a one-show licence to turn Filmspotting into a forum to discuss abstract art.

That license was revoked halfway through their conversation.

If there are unconventional pleasures to be had with this unconventional film, what are they? What does it mean that a film is simultaneously thrilling, tedious, unnerving and impenetrable? Does that make it a masterpiece? Or a pretentious, self-indulgent exercise?

Also on the show: Adam's interview with director Tom Tykwer ... some quick thoughts on Tykwer's new film "Perfume: The Story of a Murderer" ... and, after a long hiatus, the Animation Marathon returns with the fifth film in the six-week series, Hayao Miyazaki's Oscar-winning "Spirited Away."

Plus, Massacre Theatre and the Top 5 Most Deserved Oscars -- the rare cases where the Academy actually got it right!

Music by The Silos from the album "Come On Like The Fast Lane" courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

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 #147
:20-14:41 - Inland Empire
Music: The Silos, "Behind Me Now"
15:36-30:07 - Review: Perfume, Tom Tykwer Interview
Music: The Silos, "I Won You Won"
31:40-35:08 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: TJ Wells)
35:09-44:52 - Animation #5: Spirited Away
Music: The Silos, "Days Gone By"
45:40-46:59 - New DVDs, Donations/Nicknames
47:00-51:51 - Poll Questions, Dope Sheet Contest
51:52-1:02:58 - Top 5 Most Deserved Oscars
1:02:59-1:04:48 - Close

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- "Inland Empire" trailer
- Why does Sam use the word "mind-Cinecast" when setting up "Inland Empire"? Replacing a vulgarity with the word Cinecast became fashionable 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.