Filmspotting
A weekly podcast from Chicago featuring reviews, interviews, top 5 lists and insightful film talk with Adam Kempenaar and Matty Robinson
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21 Episodes of this Podcast:
FS #281: The Men Who Stare at Goats / Farewell My Concubine / Top 5 Films of 1999
Published: 2009-11-13 17:50:24Nov. 13: Usually Filmspotting trots out an elaborate, creative, highly over-written show description. This week, however, in keeping with the spirit of the film they’re discussing, "The Men Who Stare at Goats," the boys are decidedly phoning it in. Which is a shame, because their other discussion of the second film in the ongoing Cannes Golden Palm Marathon, "Farewell My Concubine," a beautiful epic sent against the backdrop of Chinese opera, certainly requires a stab at some decent verbiage. And the fact that the creators of the highly addictive website, Flickchart.com stop by to help the lads list their Top 5 Films of 1999 calls for some kind of special notation -- at the very least maybe a Prince pun or two, but, you know, that’s what you get when you take a great premise and a handful of extraordinary actors and give them absolutely nothing to do. Two can play at the game, sporty. What? You expected Filmspotting to be the bigger person? Have you listened to the show?
Also on the show: Music by Crown City Rockers and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.
Filmspotting #281
:13-11:25 - Review: "The Men Who Stare at Goats"
Music: Crown City Rockers, "Break"
12:16-16:48 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: J. Medeiros)
16:49-22:51 - CPR Event, Polls
22:52-36:28 - Cannes #2: "Farewell My Concubine"
Music: Crown City Rockers, "Go Away"
37:210-43:59 - New DVDs / Donations
44:00-1:05:23 - Top 5: Films of 1999
1:05:24-1:15:59 - Flickchart Interview
1:16:00-1:19:22 - Close / Next Show
NOTES
- Matty mentioned Terence Malick getting edged out of his top 5. "The Thin Red Line" is often considered a 1999 film, though it did get a limited release in Dec. 1998.
- Other Stephen Root films: Office Space, No Country for Old Men
- Great Faye Dunaway roles/movies: Bonnie and Clyde, Network, Chinatown
- Adam's #6-10 of 1999: All About My Mother, Fight Club, Magnolia, The Insider, Eyes Wide Shut
- Flickchart's Top 5 for 1999:
1. Fight Club
2. The Matrix
3. Office Space
4. American Beauty
5. The Sixth Sense
- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.
- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.
FS #280: Precious / When Father Was Away on Business / Top 5 Bad Screen Parents
Published: 2009-11-06 12:21:57Nov. 6: O Captain! My Captain! This week, Adam and Matty make music from the heart and navigate the blackboard jungle as they stand and deliver their latest edition of Filmspotting featuring a discussion of the Sundance sensation, "Precious: Based on the Novel 'Push' By Sapphire," starring Paula Patton as a Harlem high school teacher trying to save Gabourey 'Gabby' Sidibe’s teenaged Precious from an abusive mother -- played to the hilt by comedienne Mo'Nique. The lads also ask all dangerous minds to lean on them and trust their takes on 1985’s "When Father Was Away on Business," the first installment of the Filmspotting Golden Palm Marathon. Then, in honor of Mo’Nique’s devastating performance, the boys close out Mr. Holland’s Opus by listing their Top 5 Bad Screen Parents. Good-bye, Mr. Chips!
Also on the show: Listener Feedback, music by The Almighty Defenders and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.
Filmspotting #280
:13-15:44 - Review: "Precious"
Music: The Almighty Defenders, "Bow Down and Die"
16:46-22:57 - Voicemail, Polls
22:58-34:54 - Feedback (Nostalgia Movies)
Music: The Almighty Defenders, "She Came Before Me"
35:59-39:56 - Mass. Theatre (Winner: Lance St. Laurent)
39:57-54:50 - Cannes Marathon #1: "When Father Was Away"
Music: The Almighty Defenders, "Cone of Light"
55:52-1:03:59 - New DVDs / Donations
1:04:00-1:16:26 - Top 5: Bad Parents
1:16:27-1:18:59 - Close /Next Show / Outtakes
NOTES
- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.
- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.
- Suspense films mentioned in poll: Wait Until Dark, The Others, The Silence of the Lambs, Vertigo
- Romanian movie at TIFF: Tales From a Golden Age
- Government quashing dissent: The Lives of Others
- Another Cannes winner from Emir Kusturica: Underground
- Other "Neo-neo realism" films like Ballast: Shotgun Stories, Sugar, Wendy and Lucy, Chop Shop
FS #279: An Education / Antichrist / Top 5 Taboo Relationships
Published: 2009-10-30 11:47:08Oct. 30: Yes, we are obviously trying to seduce you. This week, Adam and Matty decide to forgo their spot at Oxford next semester and instead fall head over heels for the much older Peter Sarsgaard's fast car, cool jazz and French cigarettes. The lads sneak out during fifth period to gossip with the girls about their love for the new Lone Scherfig film, "An Education," starring the aforementioned dreamy Mr. Sarsgaard, Alfred Molina, Olivia Williams and the lovely Carey Mulligan in a jaw-dropping performance.
And after a lost weekend of dissecting Camus beside the Seine, Adam and Matty head out to the countryside to further lose their innocence (and quite possibly their stomachs) at the hands of Lars von Trier and his latest rollicking cinematic parable, "Antichrist." Humbled and confused by their time spent with Mr. von Trier (and his playful anthropomorphic realizations of Grief, Chaos, and Despair -- Br'er Fox eat your heart out [literally]) -- and in light of a couple of pending lawsuits, Filmspotting has been advised by counsel not to comment on this week's Top 5 outside of giving its title: Top 5 Taboo Relationship Movies."
But Filmspotting (ahem, Matty) would like to remind the fine civil servants of Kane County, particularly the two members of the local constabulary that might have been sitting in the West Dundee Steak and Shake at 2:00 am last Friday night, that "Excuse me, miss, do you know where the high school girls hang out around here?" is a QUOTE from the movie "Swingers." Thank you, Senator, no further comment.
Also on the show: Listener Feedback, music by The Pains of Being Pure at Heart and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.
Filmspotting #279
:13-17:46 - Review: "An Education"
17:47-32:05 - Review: "Antichrist"
Music: The Pains of Being Pure..., "Higher Than The Stars"
32:52-38:36 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: R. Nemec)
38:37-44:15 - Voicemail, Polls, Notes
44:16-53:48 - Feedback (Bad Day Movies)
Music: The Pains of Being Pure..., "Everything With You"
54:22-1:01:48 - New DVDs/Donations
1:01:49-1:18:52 - Top 5: Taboo Relationships
1:18:53-1:21:56 - Close/Next Show/No outtake, sorry!
NOTES
- Good "Antichrist" reviews: Karina Longworth and Roger Ebert.
- The addictive website that will destroy your productivity is Flickchart.com.
- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.
- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.
FS #278: Where the Wild Things Are / High and Low / Top 5 Nostalgia Movies (Redux)
Published: 2009-10-23 18:14:52Oct. 23:
Little Sammy and the Mystery of Filmspotting Island
By Ayn Ballgame
Sammy was a little boy who loved making mischief (many would argue his acting out stemmed from Sammy’s lack of a relationship with his estranged father).
One day, young Sammy was making so much mischief around the house that his mother sent him to his room without supper (while she went to the phone to schedule another appointment with her therapists, Dr. Friedman and Dr. Jim Beam).
Alone in his room (with only his X-box, his Wii, his action figures, his Legos, his board games, his DVDs, his iPod, and his toy trucks to keep him company), Sammy sulked and moped and exclaimed, “I’m so bored!”
“Hellllllllooooo, young Sammy!” boomed a voice from out of nowhere.
“Why are you using a Jamaican accent?” boomed another voice from out of nowhere.
“It’s not a Jamaican accent! I’m trying to sound authoritative, you know, cool,” whispered voice number one.
“You sound like you’re doing a bad imitation of Punjab from Annie,” countered the other voice.
“Does Punjab even talk in that movie?” rebutted the voice from "Cool Runnings."
The booming unseen voices then began to bicker for ten minutes.
Finally, young Sammy shouted, “Who are you guys!?”
“We’re the Monsters of Filmspotting Island!” boomed the two voices in unison.
“Jinx,” whispered the invisible Jamaican.
“Filmspotting island?”
“It’s a fantastic place with no moms to make us do things, where we play all day and watch movies every night!” answered the unseen voice with the weird accent that now sounded a little like a bad Ricardo Montalbán.
“Sounds great!”
“It is great!” answered the voices.
“Can I come visit?” asked Sammy.
“Oh, hah, heavens no. You’re a rude little boy who makes too much mischief. Besides, it would be totally creepy if you were to come hang out with two much older Monsters on our island. Think of the liability.
"Ugh, creeps me out just thinking about it,” answered the more neurotic sounding voice.
“Oh,” said a disappointed Sammy. “Then why are you talking to me?”
“Because we wanted to let you know about our latest show. When we’re not playing all day and stuffing our bellies with gumdrops for dinner and Big League Chew for desert, we like to discuss the movies we watch. This week, we’re talking about Spike Jonze’s latest "Where the Wild Things Are," Akira Kurosawa’s "High and Low" and we list our Top 5 Nostalgia Movies from when were wee little Monsters just like you.”
“You just wanted to tell me about your show?” asked Sammy.
“Yeah, while you’re being punished, why not make something of it? Help your poor mom out, learn a thing or two. Way you’re headed right now, best you could hope for is to start working on your phrasing of ‘You want fries with that,” taunted the invisible Bob Marley. “I guess it could be kind of freeing knowing you’ll never have to deal with the attendant pressures of being a Rhodes Scholar.”
“I’ll show you, you jerky Filmspotting Monsters!” shouted an angry little Sammy. “I’m gonna grow up and direct awful movies just so you have to discuss them!”
“Little Uwe? Is that you?” teased the voice that didn’t sound like he came from the outskirts of Kingston.
And with that the Monsters' howling laughter began to fade away until little Sammy was once again alone in his room, a broken former shell of himself, now haunted by the prospect of his college choices.
The End
Also on the show: Music by Mittens On Strings and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.
Filmspotting #278
:13-19:48 - Review: "Where the Wild Things Are"
Music: Mittens On Strings, "Lou Reed Says"
20:49-25:28 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: J. Pascal)
25:29-31:35 - Voicemail, Polls
31:36-47:20 - Kurosawa #6: "High and Low"
Music: Mittens On Strings, "Big Brother"
47:44-58:01 - New DVDs/Donations
58:02-1:17:23 - Top 5: Nostalgia Movies
1:17:24-1:21:12 - Close/Next Show/Outtake
NOTES
- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.
- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.
FS #277: Zombieland / Capitalism: A Love Story / Top 5 Bad Day Movies
Published: 2009-10-17 12:47:02Oct. 16: This week Filmspotting celebrates Matty's 100th episode by playing catch-up and sitting down with two films currently creating a lot of buzz at the box office. First up, our heroes hole up in the abandoned Dixie Square Mall in Harvey, Illinois to fend off an invasion of the undead. If they follow the rules they gleaned from watching the new horror/comedy "Zombieland," odds are the intrepid duo might just hold out for a solid six hours. Much more harrowing than any zombie infestation (and requiring the same amount of shotguns kept at hand) is the current state of the United States economy. Fittingly, Filmspotting sends its in-house socialist, Matty "Ilyich" Ballgame, to take in Michael Moore’s latest piece of agitprop, "Capitalism: A Love Story." Suitably sobered by both zombies and economics, the lads transmit their Top 5 Bad Day Movies via Morse Code from their underground bunker located one hundred feet below 1060 W. Addison. And for the record, Filmspotting really hates Illinois Nazis.
Also on the show: Listener Feedback, music by The Dead Milkmen and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.
Filmspotting #277
:24-13:20 - Review: "Zombieland"
13:21-16:29 - Poll Questions
16:30-23:22 - Review: "Capitalism"
Music: Dead Milkmen, "Air Crash Museum"
24:15-29:20 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: K. Spahr)
29:21-45:44 - Feedback (Tearjerkers)
Music: Dead Milkmen, "Punk Rock Girl"
46:19-55:54 - New DVDs/Donations
54:55-1:10:08 - Top 5: Bad Day Movies
1:10:09-1:13:54 - Close/Next Show
1:13:55-1:16:07 - Bonus: Matty's Movie Minute
NOTES
- Annie Proulx wrote the short story "Brokeback Mountain."
- Stuart Gordon directed David Mamet's "Edmond" -- but it's definitely a Mamet film.
- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.
- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.
FS #276: A Serious Man / Michael Stuhlbarg Interview / Top 5 Chicago Film Fest Preview
Published: 2009-10-09 16:54:14Oct. 9:
Dean Wermer
Adam, Matty, thank you so much for coming in today. As you both are well aware, the tenure committee is in its final stages of making its decision on whether or not to grant the both of you tenure here at Grinyon Online University. Unfortunately we’ve read your submitted examples of publication.
Matty
Well, they were really first drafts...
Dean Wermer
Oh, you mean to tell me, Mr. Robinson, that your essay entitled “What The Movies Is” in which you wrote the word “stakes” over and over for 25 pages is not the final copy?
Matty
Well, I haven’t settled on a font yet...
Dean Wermer
And you, Mr. Kempenaar, while we appreciated the work that went into the composition of your 1,012 page article titled “Steven Soderbergh: Deity or Super God?”, we find it a little hard to believe that Mr. Soderbergh’s use of the RedOne camera is worthy of the Nobel Peace Prize, and if the UN were to anoint Mr. Soderbergh as Director of the World as you propose, we doubt it would single-handedly reduce our dependence on foreign oil.
Adam
Well, if you look at the algorithm I laid out in appendix B...
Dean Wermer
AND we’re horribly confused why you chose to submit this macaroni portrait of Faye Dunaway. Was this done by your son?
Adam
Um... Yes? That’s probably the best answer, right?
Dean Wermer
Luckily for you gentlemen, we were a little bit more impressed by your electronic submissions. Particularly we enjoyed your discussion of the latest Coen Brothers film, "A Serious Man." And, Mr. Robinson, we felt you didn’t altogether embarrass yourself during your interview with the film’s star, Michael Stuhlbarg. We also appreciated your run-down of the films you’re most looking forward to seeing at the Chicago International Film Festival. (Sigh) I almost hate to ask this. Do you have anything further to add that might assist the committee in rendering its decision?
Matty
I just want to say that I think there's been a miscarriage of, uh, proportions... I want Ron Kuby or Ron Meshbesher. Uh, just, just get me a Ron.
Adam
I suppose it wouldn’t tip the scales any if I presented the committee with my homemade macramé potholders featuring Alain Delon?
Dean
Get out.
Also on the show: Music by The Ams and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.
Filmspotting #276
:13-17:01 - Review: "A Serious Man"
Music: The Ams, "Godspeed Your Safe Return"
17:57-22:22 - After Hours Winners
22:23-25:58 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: Alex Kies)
25:59-43:34 - Interview: Michael Stuhlbarg
Music: The Ams, "Saturday Afternoon"
44:11-53:17 - New DVDs/Donations
53:18-1:13:10 - Top 5: CIFF Preview
1:13:11-1:17:18 - Next Show, Outtake
NOTES
- We said "A Serious Man" is opening wide. It is not. Top 10 markets this weekend; Top 25 next weekend (or so the plan is currently).
- Links to support victims of the massive storm in Manilla are here and here.
- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.
- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.
Filmspotting Revisited w/ Guest Host Matt Singer
Published: 2009-10-02 11:43:13October 2: With the guys off this week, Adam and Matty welcome in special guest host Matt Singer from IFC News and the IFC News Podcast as he takes a look back at some of his favorite Filmspotting segments.
Note: The file size for this show is about twice what it normally is. Sorry for any inconvenience. A smaller version will be uploaded eventually.
FS After Hours #11: Wait Until Dark
Published: 2009-09-29 10:08:53September 29: On this edition of Filmspotting After Hours... Our Listener's Choice discussion of the 1967 thriller "Wait Until Dark," starring Audrey Hepburn in an Oscar nominated turn. Plus, another provocative batch of Listener Feedback on John Hughes, the best backyard movies and more.
Thanks again to all of our donors for your tremendous support! Winners on this show were chosen from episodes #268-275. Please email feedback@filmspotting.net if you were one of the lucky winners.
Listener's Choice
Brian Stein, Arlington, VA
T-Shirts
Timothy, Glen Iris, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Jay, Wellington, FL
Robin, Seattle
Michael, Colorado Springs
Mugs
David, Brunswick West, Victoria, Australia
Bertha, Austin, TX
Tyrone, Woking, Surrey, UK
Fabien, Ilford, Essex, UK
Copy of "Shootin’ the Sh*t with Kevin Smith" from Titan Books
John, Oak Park, IL
Peter Purcell, Lenoir, NC
Mark, Ottawa, Ontario
Erik, Wellington, NZ
Gil and Alysia, Yarraville, Victoria, Australia
FS# 275: Overlooked DVD Picks / Top 5 Tearjerkers
Published: 2009-09-25 15:17:50Sept. 25: It’s alive! Not to be outdone by Netflix's crack team of engineers and mathematicians who recently revamped the efficacy of the company's online DVD recommendation system, Adam and Matty roll out a high-powered movie recommendation machine of their own -- the Rec-o-Matic 2600 (beta). Powered by beer and our co-hosts own sense of self-admiration, Adam and Matty harness the power of the Rec-o-Matic to complement their slate of suggested Overlooked DVD Picks. And while it’s generally accepted that there’s no crying in podcasting, the boys offer up a powerful theoretical lineup for Lifetime's "Movies That Make Men Cry" Marathon with their Top 5 Tearjerkers. Ladies, take notes on why lines such as "Shane! Come back, Shane" can bring NFL linemen to their knees.
Also on the show: Music by Alligators, Listener Feedback and Massacre Theatre -- presented by Pixar Talk. This week's winner will get the Pixar DVD of their choice.
Filmspotting #275
:13-19:11 - Overlooked DVD Picks
Music: Alligators, "Where Does It Hide"
19:58-24:45 - Massacre Theatre (Winner: D. Dominic)
24:46-30:49 - Voicemail, Polls
30:50-39:48 - Feedback ("The Informant!")
Music: Alligators, "Conqueror"
40:40-49:48 - New DVDs/Donations
49:49-1:07:47 - Top 5: Tearjerkers
1:07:48-1:11:22 - Next Show, Outtakes
NOTES
Here's the link to Matty's new source: Jandy Stone’s Film on TV.
- Adam appeared on the /Filmcast earlier in the week to discuss "Jennifer's Body" and more.
- Thanks to Titan Books, we're giving away 5 copies of "Shootin’ the Sh*t with Kevin Smith" on the next edition of After Hours.
- Jeff Goldsmith's Creative Screenwriting Podcast can be accessed through iTunes here.
- Follow more notes and corrections at http://twitter.com/filmspotting.
FS #274: The Informant! / Top 5 2009 Toronto Film Fest Movies
Published: 2009-09-18 18:41:14Sept. 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.
Copyright info: Telegraph Road Productions, Inc. 2005-09.
All syndicated content presented here is property of the original publisher
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