Filmspotting

One of the most acclaimed movies of 2015 tells the story of an ordinary encounter between two strangers in an ordinary Cincinnati hotel room. Less ordinary? They’re puppets. ANOMALISA, written and co-directed by Charlie Kaufman is an unusual – and ambitious – stop-motion animated film from the creator of SYNECDOCHE, NEW YORK. In this special fix edition of Filmspotting, Adam and Josh review ANOMALISA and note the passing of legendary cinematographers Haskell Wexler and Vilmos Zsigmond. 0:00-25:21 - Review: "Anomalisa"25:21-35:18 - Notes / Poll LINKS - Josh's Anomalisa review

The 2015 box office has been dominated by the usual spectacle – JURASSIC WORLD, THE AVENGERS and now THE FORCE AWAKENS – but there is less consensus than usual on the best films of the year. And that includes our Top 10 Films of 2015 roundtable. For the first time in the nine years that Scott Tobias and Michael Phillips have been dropping by for Filmspotting's year-end countdown, no single film made it onto all four lists. This week, the Top 5 of 2015, plus Massacre Theatre and more. This episode is brought to you by MUBI , Harry's (code FILMSPOTTING) and Vermont College of Fine Art MFA. 0:00-3:16 - Billboard / Sponsors3:16-47:01 - Top 10 of 2015 (#5-3)"The Times," Carol47:51-51:23 - Squarespace / Vermont MFA36:10-1:02:30 - Notes / Massacre Theatre1:02:30-1:43:15 - Top 10 cont. (#2-1)1:43:15-1:46:41 - Close MUSIC - Carter Burwell, Carol NOTES - MT Winner: Zak Santucci, Queens, NY LINKS - 2015 Wrap Party Live tickets - Full top 10 lists with guest picks - Scott Tobias (Full Top 10) - Michael Phillips

End of year movie talk is usually dominated by a few prestige pictures, but does anyone care about prestige with a new STAR WARS in theaters? Sure you do. Michael Phillips and Scott Tobias join Adam and Josh for the Top 10 Films of 2015 roundtable - and ok, a little Star Wars talk. This episode is brought to you by Squarespace (code FILM), Vermont College of Fine Art MFA and MUBI. 0:00-3:57 - Billboard / Sponsors 3:57-33:54 - Top 10 of 2015 "Rohan," The Assassin 34:57-36:10 - Squarespace 36:10-47:57 - "The Force Awakens" / Notes 47:57-55:38 - Polls "We Used To Dance," While We're Young 56:08-57:49 - VT MFA 57:49-1:37:44 - Top 10 of 2015 cont. 1:37:44-1:41:40 - Close MUSIC - Doudou N'Diaye Rose / James Murphy LINKS - Michael Phillips - Scott Tobias (Full Top 10) - 2015 Wrap Party Live tickets - Golden Brick Finalists - Village Voice Critics Poll - Indiewire Critics Poll - Chicago Film Critics Winners

Are you looking for "the most non-specific, superficial" review of STAR WARS: EPISODE VII - THE FORCE AWAKENS? Then step on board the Millennium Falcon with Josh and Adam for a spoiler-free conversation – until the 22 minute mark, anyway.   :00-21:51 Review: "The Force Awakens"21:52-22:31 Break22:32-30:36 Spoiler Talk

If a movie has you sticking around for the credits, chances are you’re looking for an answer to the question: who WAS that? Every year the movies introduce us to someone – or something – we’ve never seen before. Adam and Josh share their Top 5 Discoveries of 2015 – among them: "Anchorman" director Adam McKay, great director? Lots of debate on that one during their review of THE BIG SHORT starring Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling and Brad Pitt. Plus, Larsen Recommends CHI-RAQ. This episode is brought to you by MUBI, Harry's (code FILMSPOTTING) and Vermont College of Fine Art MFA. 0:00-4:25 - WBEZ Promo / Billboard / Sponsors 4:25-28:00 - Review: "The Big Short" Sharon Jones..., "World of Love" 29:22-31:54 - VT MFA / Harry's 31:54-39:46 - Notes / Golden Brick Finalists 39:46-43:56 - JL Recommends: "Chi-raq" Sharon Jones... "8 Days of Hannukah" 45:15-58:11 - Sponsor / Donations / SVU Promo 58:11-1:29:46 - Top 5: Discoveries of 2015 1:29:46-1:33:08 - Close MUSIC - Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings LINKS - 2015 Wrap Party Live tickets - Golden Brick Finalists - Josh's review of The Big Short - Josh's review of Chi-Raq - The First King of Hollywood - Setsuko Hara obituary

It may not be quite as momentous as Hitchcock and Truffaut getting together in 1962, but on this week's show, Adam speaks with HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT director Kent Jones about the legacy of Truffaut's seminal film book about the Master of Suspense. Plus, Adam and Josh take care of the holiday shopping for the budding film snob in your life with their own Top 5 Film Books. This episode is brought to you by MUBI, Audible and Vermont College of Fine Art MFA.   0:00-2:42 - Billboard / Sponsors 2:42-28:51 - Interview: Kent Jones Music: Ryan Adams, "Bad Blood" 29:56-31:51 - Audible / MUBI 31:51-42:58 - Notes / Massacre Theatre 42:58-51:15 - Polls Music: Ryan Adams, "Blank Space" 52:22-1:01:43 - Donations 1:01:43-1:29:26 - Top 5: Film Books 1:29:26-1:32:17 - Close / Outtake MUSIC - Ryan Adams NOTES - MT winner: Brian Fontanilla, San Leandro, CA LINKS - Hitchcock/Truffaut info - Chicago Serbian Film Festival

Based on a true story and made in the same decade as Hitchcock masterpieces "Strangers on a Train," "Rear Window" and "Vertigo," 1956's THE WRONG MAN with Henry Fonda is an often overlooked title in the Hitchcock filmography – as it was until recently by Adam and Josh, who discuss for this special Blindspotting prelude to Adam's conversation with HITCHCOCK/TRUFFAUT director Kent Jones and their Top 5 Film Books.   LINKS - Josh's review of The Wrong Man

We hope you haven’t had your fill of leftovers because on this week’s show Josh and Adam start their look back at the year in film with their annual Thanksgiving Golden Brick Preview. They revisit reviews for three of their favorite overlooked or under-seen movies of 2015 and announce the films that have made the shortlist for this year’s Golden Brick Award. This episode is presented by Squarespace (use code FILM). 2:13-24:34 - Review: "Buzzard" Chance Jones, "Love Still Wild" 27:04-28:01 - SVU Promo 28:01-45:36 - Review: "What We Do..." Chance Jones, "Alone With Him" 46:43-52:49 - Golden Brick Shortlist 52:49-1:18:43 - Review: "Slow West" 1:18:43-1:20:46 - Close / Outtake MUSIC - Chance Jones LINKS / NOTES - Golden Bricks Shortlist

The HUNGER GAMES series could have settled for pleasing its YA fan base, but its success at the box office – and (mostly) with critics – shows a greater ambition. Or at least really good judgment in the casting of Jennifer Lawrence. Adam and Josh have a review of the series finale, MOCKINGJAY – PART 2, plus the Top 5 Dramatic Ensemble Movies and some thoughts on the stellar ensemble in Tom McCarthy's SPOTLIGHT. This episode is brought to you by MUBI. 0:00-2:18 - Billboard / MUBI 2:18-24:34 - Review: "Mockingjay – Part 2" The Dead Weather, "I Feel Love (Every Million Miles)" 25:47-44:25 - Notes / Polls 44:25-54:24 - Review: "Spotlight" The Dead Weather, "Impossible Winner" 55:27-59:35 - Donations 59:35-1:28:16 - Top 5: Ensemble Movies 1:28:16-1:31:33 - Close / Outtake MUSIC - The Dead Weather LINKS - Josh's "Mockingjay - Part 2" review - Hunger Games Name Generator - Clip: James Bond Jr. - Josh's "Spotlight" review - Roosmania.ca - Klosterman on "Dazed and Confused"

Daniel Craig’s James Bond is more serious, more human and more haunted than his predecessors. Does that make him the best? (Yes, actually it does.) Craig’s fourth and latest outing as Bond, SPECTRE, topped the box office in its opening weekend. Adam and Josh review and share their Top 5 Bond Tropes with the help of special guest Bond expert Chris Klimek. This episode is brought to you by MUBI and Harry's (use code FILMSPOTTING).   0:00-2:26 - Billboard / Sponsors 2:26-27:27 - Review: "Spectre" Shirley Bassey, "Goldfinger" 28:27-30:45 - Promo: Harry's 30:45-42:28 - Notes / Massacre Theatre 42:28-44:33 - Brickspotting: "Heart of a Dog" Nancy Sinatra, "You Only Live Twice" 45:15-52:01 - Donations / SVU Promo 52:01-1:21:25 - Top 5: James Bond Tropes 1:21:25-1:25:47 - Close / Outtake NOTES - MT winner:  Rochelle Fetters MUSIC - Bond Themes LINKS - Josh's Spectre review - The Next Picture Show - Michael Phillips on "Heart of a Dog" - Matt Singer ranks every Bond - Chris Klimek - Klimek's "Spectre" review - Klimek on the history of SPECTRE

The Cannes Film Festival has awarded a Best Director Prize since the festival’s second year, 1946. For this week’s Top 5, Adam and Josh pick their favorite winners of the Prix de la mise en scène and review the film that won this year's prize, THE ASSASSIN, from Taiwan's Hou Hsiao-Hsien. Plus, some thoughts on Paul Thomas Anderson's JUNUN. This episode is brought to you by MUBI. 0:00-2:51 - Billboard / MUBI 2:51-20:57 - Review: "The Assassin" The Surface of the Deep, "Poetry" 21:57-38:19 - Notes / Polls 38:19-45:55 - AK Recommends: "Junun" Jonny Greenwood, et al, "Roked" (Junun) 46:30-53:13 - Donations 53:13-1:21:17 - Top 5: Cannes Director Winners 1:21:17-1:24:06 - Close MUSIC - The Surface of the Deep LINKS - Josh's "Movies Are Prayers" Tumblr - Labuza's interview w/ Hou Hsiao-Hsien - "Junun" on MUBI - John DeCarli's review of "Junun" - Cannes Best Director Winners

Twenty-five years ago, the movies gave us Schwarzenegger on Mars, “Best Director Kevin Costner,” and iconic performances like Kathy Bates’ Annie Wilkes, Julia Roberts’ Hooker with a Heart of Gold Vivian Ward, and of course Joe Pesci’s career-defining performance as Harry Lime in HOME ALONE (oh yeah, and GOODFELLAS)... Adam and Josh share their Top 5 Films of 1990, plus a "Blind Cow" review of Tim Burton's cult classic EDWARD SCISSORHANDS. This episode is brought to you by MUBI.   0:00-2:59 - Billboard / MUBI 2:59-25:58 - 'Sacred Cow' Review: "Edward Scissorhands" They Might Be Giants, "Whistling in the Dark" 26:54-27:49 - SVU Promo 27:49-41:01 - Notes / Massacre Theatre 41:01-50:54 - Top 5 1990 Movies They Might Be Giants, "Istanbul" 51:36-58:37 - Donations / Sound Ops Promo 58:37-1:13:31 - Top 5 cont. 1:13:31-1:16:35 - Close MUSIC - They Might Be Giants NOTES - MT winner: Ashley Adum LINKS - Josh's "Movies Are Prayers" Tumblr - "Before Neorealism" screening - Alex in Philly links - Recommend Belgian films

Josh and guest host Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune) are visited by the 'Ghost of Fights over Guillermo del Toro Movies Past' for their divisive review of CRIMSON PEAK. Plus, their takes on Steven Spielberg's BRIDGE OF SPIES and the Top 5 Cold War Movies. This episode is brought to you by MUBI and Squarespace (code FILM). 0:00-4:35 - Billboard / MUBI 4:35-25:17 - Review: "Crimson Peak" Murder By Death, "Solitary One" 26:22-27:23 - Squarespace 27:23-37:52 - Notes / Polls 37:52-47:16 - Review: "Bridge of Spies" Murder By Death, "Last Thing" 48:27-1:18:51 - Top 5: Cold War Movies 1:18:51-1:24:03 - Close / Outtake MUSIC - Murder By Death LINKS - Josh on "Crimson Peak" - Michael on "Crimson Peak" - Josh on "Bridge of Spies" - Michael on "Bridge of Spies"

How hard is it to make two great films in a row? Turns out, most legendary directors have done it. The show's recent Ridley Scott Death Match poll between "Alien" ('79) and "Blade Runner' ('82) was the inspiration for this week’s Top 5: Back-To-Back Movies. Plus, a review of Danny Boyle's STEVE JOBS starring Filmspotting Madness Champion(tm) Michael Fassbender. This episode is brought to you by MUBI. 0:00-3:17 - Billboard / MUBI 3:17-30:01 - Review: "Steve Jobs" Music: EL VY, "Paul is Alive" 31:02-31:57 - SVU Promo 31:57-42:18 - Notes / Massacre Theatre 42:18-51:55 - Top 5: Back-To-Back Movies Music: EL VY, "Return to the Moon" 42:18-51:55 - Donations 53:10-1:27:38 - Top 5 cont. 1:27:38-1:30:41 - Close / Outtake MUSIC - EL VY NOTES - MT winner: Bianca Soto LINKS - D.C. Immigration Film Fest - Dark Side of Disney - Lukas in Belgium's site - What Died At Altamont - Bergman's legacy

Telluride, Venice, Toronto, New York… they’ve had their fun. Now it’s Chicago’s turn, as the Fall film festival season sweeps into the Windy City for the 51st annual Chicago International Film Fest. Josh and Adam—with the help of Chicago filmmaker Stephen Cone—sort through the fest's 130 feature titles to offer a few of their most anticipated screenings. Plus, a completely likable review of Ridley Scott's completely likable THE MARTIAN. This episode is brought to you by MUBI and Audible.com. :00-2:38 - Billboard / Squarespace 2:38-21:17 - Review: "The Martian" Music: Ne-Hi, "Turncoat" 22:29-24:42 - MUBI 24:42-37:50 - Notes / Polls 37:50-57:34 - Stephen Cone / Top 5: CIFF Preview Music: Ne-Hi, "Drag" 58:36-1:13:18 - CIFF Preview, cont. 1:13:18-1:16:51 - Close / Outtakes MUSIC - Ne-Hi LINKS - Josh's review of "The Martian" - Henry Gamble's Birthday Party - Phillips' profile of Stephen Cone - "Junun" on MUBI - Kent Jones' Selected Criticism - Top 5 Anticipated CIFF Movies