Sacred Spaces – Film Theaters as Church and Commerce
Los Angeles is the film production capital of the world, but it’s also a great place to see those films. Just as the term “Hollywood movie” can contain an almost endless variety of meanings, the act of theater-going in the “film colony” can range from enlightening to exasperating. A repertory screening of the original 1972 “The Mechanic” and a multiplex engagement with its 2011, Jason Statham starring progeny, help illustrate this idea.
THE LINCOLN LAWYER: In Cold Blood
I felt dirtier walking out of Brad Furman’s THE LINCOLN LAWYER than its idol THE LONG GOODBYE, and not just because all that hero worship makes us into peeping toms.
Episode 164 – SUCKER PUNCH / Elizabeth Taylor / TOPSY-TURVY
In this week’s show Gareth and I discuss in some detail the new ‘video games as movie’ SUCKER PUNCH, the work of Elizabeth Taylor and one of Mike Leigh’s few period pieces TOPSY-TURVY.
This Kind of Thing Drives Me Crazy: Variable Image Quality, Netflix versus DVD
This is the kind of thing that drives me crazy Dear Listeners. Am about to settle in to watch the four hour, (!), CLEOPATRA in preparation for our Elizabeth Taylor show tomorrow – and I remember, hey I’ve got on disk and it’s on Netflix Watch Instantly.
Operation Save The Film Talk 2011
We’ve got till the end of April to Save The Film Talk! Click for details on how you can help keep this unique show a chuggin’ along!
VISIONS OF THE SOUTH and 50s Cinema Morality
Dear Belcourt Theatre, I hate you. Your VISIONS OF THE SOUTH series is eating up every available moment of my spare time. Should I write a Film Talk blog or go watch THE PHENIX CITY STORY? Sorry, Film Talk.
OF GODS AND MEN: Putting the static in ecstatic
Can we please talk about the difference between contemplative and just slow? OF GODS AND MEN is the most recent César winner and France’s submission to the Oscars, beating Assayas’ CARLOS, Renais’ WILD GRASS, and most conspicuously Denis’ WHITE MATERIAL.
Episode 163 – BATTLE: LOS ANGELES / LIMITLESS / The iPhone Film Festival
Is BATTLE: LOS ANGELES the most important film of the year so far? Gareth and I think so and say why in this episode. Also discussed are the Bradley Cooper vehicle LIMITLESS and the new iPhone Film Festival.
BATTLE: LOS ANGELES – This Generation’s CASABLANCA?
Probably not. Now, however you feel about the movie am sure you’ll enjoy our lively podcast on the matter – should be released this coming Monday or Tuesday. Enjoy.
HEARTBEATS: Don’t you want me, baby?
HEARTBEATS is like Godard directing the kind of mad love music video the ‘80s were rife with (“Don’t You Want Me,” “Every Breath You Take,” “There is a Light That Never Goes Out,” etc.) where the bouncy electronic pop doesn’t come close to obscuring the dark edge that underscores passionate love
Episode 162 – The Oscars / RANGO / THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU
Here it is – Gareth and I discuss how we managed to endure this year’s Oscars, talk about the lovely RANGO, suggest you become a Social Media Intern for a new feature, cry at SONG SUNG BLUE and reveal a strange personal story with THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU.
THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU: Patriarchy Rules
When will people learn? Mystery is greater than resolution. Curiosity lured us from hulking mouth-breathers into torture rationalizers—but torture-rationalizers who went to the Moon! Answers just remind us that George Nolfi’s THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU is a work of poorly planned screenwriting about half-forgotten ideas
KABOOM, ENTER THE VOID Director’s Cut, VISIONS OF THE SOUTH, and the OSCAR Snorefest
So, the 83rd annual Academy Awards happened. I think. The effort to revitalize the franchise for the “young and hip” demographic failed miserably. Twitter was abuzz with grand pronouncements of “most boring Oscars ever.” The historically-inaccurate THE KING’S SPEECH robbed the historically-inaccurate THE SOCIAL NETWORK of all the highest honors. The most entertaining part of [...]
JUSTIN BIEBER: NEVER SAY NEVER: Pinocchio
After a good three minutes of pulling my hair out trying not to have to write about UNKNOWN (about which Jett and Gareth have already covered the full spectrum of my faintly entertained response), THE MECHANIC (aka The Boor and the Bore), or—Gwyneth-willing—COUNTRY STRONG, I realized that the best reviewed 2011 wide release is a [...]
