FS #222: Pineapple Express / Le Cercle Rouge / Top 5 'On The Run' Movies

August 8: Here's the thing about the film industry, man, are you listening, because, here's the thing, I'm just saying there's not enough movies, there's not enough movies, man, like "Pineapple Express." You know why? Do you know why? Because they're afraid. The industry is scared. The government, man. I'm telling you. Of the truth. Which is why I am so glad this week Adam and Matty are reviewing the latest smoke-filled venture from Team Apatow and director David Gordon Green, starring James Franco and Seth Rogen.

Plus, Adam and Matty (who always bring the truth) will hit the road in their rented Renaults to give you their Top 5 'On The Run' Movies and pause long enough for a hot-box review of the penultimate entry in Le Filmspotting's Classic Heist Marathon, "Le Cercle Rouge," directed by Jean-Pierre Melville and starring the incomparable Alain Delon.

Also on the show: Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre and music by Richard Buckner.

** 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. **

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Filmspotting #222
:24-14:24 - Review: "Pineapple Express"
Music: Richard Buckner, "A Chance Counsel"
15:11-20:05 - Voicemail, Notes, Polls
21:46-36:04 - Feedback (Movies So Far, American Teen)
Music: Richard Buckner, "Straight"
36:48-41:09 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Carrie Cook)
41:10-51:23 - Heist #5: "Le Cercle Rouge"
Music: Richard Buckner, "Her"
52:00-56:20 - New DVDs, Donations, Contest
56:37-1:08:33 - Top 5: 'On The Run' Movies
1:08:34-1:11:11 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES/CORRECTIONS
- Nick and Nora? A stoner duo? Sometimes Matty likes to test me to see if I'm listening. I failed.

- Filmspotting-led discussion of "Forever Never Anywhere" on Aug. 20. Details here!

- Matt Singer's comments on "The Dark Knight," his #2 film of the year: "Enjoyed your second discussion with Phillips about this movie; I think what makes me appreciate it even more than I did when I saw it (in IMAX, which at times is downright stunning) is how much fun it is to debate and to hear others debate it. To me, it doesn't matter whether Batman is George W. Bush or not -- the fact that we can have that debate tells you exactly the amount of skill and thought that went into crafting the film. Come to think of it, making movies that keep you talking about them long after you've seen them (MEMENTO, THE PRESTIGE) may be one of Nolan's greatest skills."

- I knew we'd get through our review of "Le Circle Rouge" and forget to mention at least one of the other great performances. Sorry, Yves Montand.

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.