Filmspotting #154: The Host / Blades of Glory / The Lookout / Top 5 Career Reboots

March 30: Bong Joon-ho's "The Host" has been picking up critical accolades since its debut at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2006. Bong's satirical monster movie has finally come ashore here in the States, but Adam and Sam are approaching the film with caution -- encouraged by the praise, but a little skeptical that the movie will have more to offer than it's multi-tentacled, multi-million dollar CGI creature.

Also on the show: One-sided reviews of the new Will Ferrell/Jon Heder figure skating comedy "Blades of Glory" and "The Lookout," the new thriller from writer/director Scott Frank starring Joseph Gordon-Levitt. [Due to scheduling conflicts, Adam and Sam had to flip a coin for these reviews ... listen to find out who lost.]

Plus, Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, and Filmspotting's Top 5 Career Reboots -- Adam and Sam stage an intervention for ten lucky actors.

Music by National Beekeepers Society.

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Filmspotting #154
:19-12:59 - Review: "The Host"
Music: National Beekeepers Society, "Cricket in the Field"
14:09-25:16 - Reviews: "Blades of Glory" / "The Lookout"
Music: National Beekeepers Society, "Slackerevolution"
25:59-29:09 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Tarik Abdel-Monem)
29:10-40:44 - Listener Feedback (Top 5 Friendship Movies, Battle Scenes)
Music: National Beekeepers Society, "Funeral Procession"
43:21-43:20 - New DVDs, Donations
43:21-49:59 - Corrections, Notes, Poll Questions
50:00-1:05:27 - Top 5: Career Reboots
1:05:28-1:07:01 - Close/Next Show

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Sam's Dope Sheet correction on "Reign Over Me" writer/director Mike Binder.
- Early downloaders may notice a glitch in the New DVDs segment. No idea what happened... there's no edit there.
- The classic 'single' line from "Annie Hall" is actually... "I forgot my mantra."

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.