FS #274: The Informant! / Top 5 2009 Toronto Film Fest Movies

Sept. 18: LIVE from a makeshift dais outside the original Maple Leaf Gardens

Q: Ballgame, you’re coming off a tough road trip to the Toronto International Film Fest -- over 30 films in four days -- how do you think team Filmspotting held up?

A: Well, obviously we’re tired, but I’m proud of the guys. You know, dealing with the time change, the gravy on the French fries, the sometimes smothering congeniality of Canadians... it was a challenge. But I think people will be pleased when we lay out our Top 5 Toronto Film Fest Movies.

Q: What about other reviewers like Phillips and Ebert, who are likely seeing hundreds of films over two weeks?

A: Look, we can’t focus on what other reviewers or other podcasts are doing. We just have to take it segment by segment, discussion by discussion, film by film, and bring a solid 90 minutes of criticism to the show. Look what Kempy brought to the table during our review of "The Informant!" I mean, here’s a guy that loves director Steven Soderbergh, and this film starring Matt Damon as a notorious corporate whistleblower is generally eliciting a lot of love from the critics -- it would have been easy for Adam to phone this one in. But, no, he stepped it up. He brought his ‘A’ game and BAM, what do you get? Point-by-point, generally articulate dissection of an overall pretty middling film. That’s Kempy being Kempy and why he gets paid the big bucks. And by big bucks I mean he gets paid in hugs and beer.

Q: What about some of the feedback you’ve been getting from the fans?

A: Look, we love our fans, we wouldn’t be here without them and we’ve got a great batch of Listener Feedback on this week’s show, as well another cringe-worthy rendition of Massacre Theatre and music by Heroes of Popular Wars. Overall, we think it’s a great show. Are we satisfied? No, we can never be satisfied; we’re not a .500 podcast; to compete with the big guys, we’ve got to step it up, but as long that microphone is on, we’ll keep bringing the heat.

Massacre Theatre is presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.


Filmspotting #274
:13-18:49 - Review: "The Informant!"
Music: HOPW, "A Bus Called Further"
19:22-24:45 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: E. Munn)
24:45-42:49 - Polls, Notes, Feedback
Music: HOPW, "It's A Doozy"
43:57-55:15 - New DVDs/Donations
55:16-1:17:39 - Top 5: TIFF '09 Recap
1:17:40-1:19:58 - Polls, Next Show

NOTES

- Filmspotting's David Mamet/Anne Frank scene on YouTube

- Information on Facets Fright School. Full lineup should be posted soon.

- Information about "The Art of the Steal," since we didn't really explain.

- Get 10% off retro movie inspired t-shirts at Wake Up... Time To Die by using the discount code FSPOT10.

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

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

FS #259: The Brothers Bloom / Rian Johnson / The Girlfriend Experience / Top 5 Con Movies

May 29: FPPLE, Film Podcast seeks Podcast Listener Experience
You: Must love dog racing, the collected works of Rush, and listening to riveting discussions of Steven Soderbergh's films, including his latest "The Girlfriend Experience," starring adult film star Sasha Grey. Tolerance for gambling debts and raging debates over the merits of the new con film starring Mark Ruffalo, Adrien Brody and Rachel Weisz, "The Brothers Bloom," a must. Long walks on the beach unnecessary, but must have appreciation for interviews with "The Brothers Bloom" writer/director Rian Johnson. Ability to name Top 5 Con Movies of all-time a plus. Vanderbilts, Roosevelts, and Kennedys encouraged to submit headshot, lock of hair, and resume to matty@filmspotting.net.

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


Filmspotting #259
:13-15:37 - Review: "The Brothers Bloom"
Music: Syd, "Mallory"
16:25-19:25 - Notes, Poll
19:26-40:44 - Interview: Rian Johnson
Music: Syd, "The Pattern"
41:47-46:02 - Mass. Theatre (Winner: Kimberly Parker)
46:03-1:00:14 - Review: "The Girlfriend Experience"
Music: Syd, "Easier On You"
1:01:10-1:06:49 - New DVDs/Donations
1:06:50-1:19:52 - Top 5: Con Movies
1:19:53-1:22:06 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES
- Check out Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast. It can be accessed through iTunes here.

- So, yeah... we forgot to say this week's poll question.

- Watch Filmspotting's voice-work on last week's Massacre Theatre scene from "Gladiator" on YouTube.

- Rian Johnson recently wrote up his Top 5 Con Movies for Rotten Tomatoes.

- Tatum O'Neal 10, Anna Paquin 11... Thanks to Kevin Vasquez for reminding me of this note.

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

FS #241: Che / Steven Soderbergh Interview / Top 5 2008 Blowout

Jan. 16: This week's four-hour roadshow production of Filmspotting -- OK, 90-minute roadshow production -- is brought to you without an intermission, though it does feature musical interludes from Ezra Furman and the Harpoons. Adam and Matty recorded their epic review of director Steven Soderbergh's two-part, 257-minute film "Che," starring Benicio Del Toro as the legendary revolutionary, on a raft floating just outside of Key West, Florida. Adam then returned to the studio to interview Mr. Soderbergh, and if you turn the volume up real high, you can hear the drool dangling from Adam's chin. Plus, the guys sweep out the old with their Top 5 2008 Blowout, highlighting some more of the best and worst of the past year -- reports concur that "Speed Racer" figures prominently on both lists.

** Filmspotting is presented by Spout.com. This week, Sundance kicks off and SpoutBlog's there to get you inside coverage. Find reviews of the best of the fest on blog.spout.com. **


Filmspotting #241
:23-15:53 - Review: "Che"
Music: Ezra Furman, "Take Off Your Sunglasses"
16:43-20:49 - Mass. Theatre (Winner: Scott Tosh)
20:50-37:19 - Interview: Steven Soderbergh
Music: Ezra Furman, "The Stakes Are High"
39:30-43:43 - Voicemail, Polls
43:44-1:03:48 - Interview: Soderbergh cont.
Music: Ezra Furman, "The Dishwasher"
1:04:21-1:09:49 - New DVDs, Donations
1:09:50-1:28:22 - Top 5: 2008 Blowout
1:28:23-1:30:46 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

NOTES/CORRECTIONS
- Please don't correct me on sui generis. Nobody seems to agree on the pronunciation.

- Everyone does seem to agree that Mila Kunis is pronounced Mee-la, not My-la, and yet that's what I keep saying. My apologies to Ms. Kunis, her family, friends and fans.

- We pick a great Massacre Theatre scene from one of the greatest films ever... and don't get the dialogue right. Wrong script online and no time to check it before we recorded unfortunately.

- That's right, "Hounddog" was so bad it's my worst film of 2007 (when I saw it) and 2008 (when it was finally released).

Filmspotting #164: Ocean's Thirteen / Once / Out of the Past / Top 5 Music Movies

June 15: Since following up his twin Oscar nominations [and Best Director win] in 2000 with the blockbuster "Ocean's Eleven," Steven Soderbergh has stayed busy but failed to reach those same early millennium artistic and box office highs. The big-budget "Ocean's Thirteen," like its predecessor "Ocean's Twelve," follows two films that seemed to satisfy Soderbergh's film-geek curiosity -- the digital art project "Bubble" and the homage to classic Hollywood cinema "The Good German", just as "Ocean's Twelve" was preceeded by the digital art project "Full Frontal" and a remake of Russian master Andrei Tarkovsky's "Solaris." Maybe making the "Ocean's" franchise is how a guy like Soderbergh relaxes. A lot of fans of "Ocean's Eleven" were let down by the lightweight sequel. Will a return to Vegas return Soderbergh and company to the audience's good graces? Adam and Sam weigh in.

Also on the show, a review of "Once," winner of the World Dramatic Audience Award at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. The low-budget musical romance has audiences swooning. Will Adam and Sam dare to stand in the way of what is fast becoming one of the most beloved films of the year?

Plus: Listener Feedback, Massacre Theatre, the third film in Filmspotting's Film Noir Marathon, "Out of the Past," and -- in honor of "Once" -- our Top 5 Movies About Music.

Music by Fever Marlene from their new album "Civil War."

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

Enter the Filmspotting Photography Competition and get a shot at a 4G iPod Nano!



Filmspotting #164
:22-11:55 - Review: "Ocean's Thirteen"
11:56-22:37 - Review: "Once"
Music: Fever Marlene, "Red Fire"
23:07-29:43 - Personal Notes, Polls
29:44-35:48 - Listener Feedback (Knocked Up, Opposites Attract)
Music: Fever Marlene, "We Are All Colors"
36:14-39:31 - New DVDs, Donations
39:32-42:17 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Ailyn Renteria)
42:18-52:44 - Noir Marathon #3: Out of the Past
Music: Fever Marlene, "Melodies in Four"
53:35-1:07:06 - Top 5: Movies About Music
1:07:07-1:08:29 - Close/Next Show/No outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Live in Eastern Iowa? Come hear Adam talk about podcasting on June 29 at The Bookmark Cafe.
- Check out a picture of Adam's newborn son, Quinn.
- The next film in our Noir Marathon is actually "Gun Crazy," not "The Asphalt Jungle" -- which we'll review in two weeks.

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 #143: The Good German / We Are Marshall / Bobby

How low has the great Steven Soderbergh fallen when a review of his latest film, The Good German, is relegated to an end-of-the-month holiday bonus show featuring reviews of McG's by-the-numbers sports drama We Are Marshall and Emilio Estevez's Bobby -- the Brat Packer's first feature film directorial effort in 10 years? Depending which host of Filmspotting you ask, "German" is either an elegant and interesting misfire or a near masterpiece marred only by a single unsatisfactory performance [guess what: it's not Cate Blanchett].

This episode of Filmspotting also marks the first time in the history of the show that Adam and Sam worked without any kind of show outline in front of us. Sam calls it "commando style." Adam would like everyone to pretend that he and Sam were drunk when recording.

NOTE: The Massacre Theatre winner for the scene acted out on Filmspotting #142 will be announced on Filmspotting #144. So keep the entries coming!

Music by Bobby Bare, Jr. courtesy of Bloodshot Records.

Thanks to everyone who donated to Filmspotting this past week! We appreciate your support.

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

Any by Sony Picture's Stomp the Yard. In theatres in January. Check it out at StompThePodcast.com



Filmspotting #143
:22-17:20 - Review: "The Good German"
Music: Bobby Bare, Jr., "Snuggling World Championship"
18:34-23:33 - New DVDs, Donations, FS at Sundance
23:34-34:52 - Review: "We Are Marshall"
Music: Bobby Bare, Jr., "The Heart Bionic"
37:08-48:44 - Review: "Bobby"
48:45-50:26 - Close/Next Show/Outtake

CORRECTIONS/NOTES
- Filmspotting on Digg.com

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.