Filmspotting

Filmspotting's six-film Minnelli Marathon kicks off with the director's 1943 debut CABIN IN THE SKY. Despite the folk musical's troubling racial characterizations, the all-black musical is redeemed by astonishing performances from Ethel Waters, Eddie "Rochester" Anderson, and Lena Horne, along with memorable numbers for the likes of Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, John William "Bubbles" Sublett, and tap-dancer Bill Bailey. The movie also offers an early showcase of Minnelli's brilliant camerawork and gift for staging song and dance.Next week: 1944's "Meet Me in St. Louis"      

"Pulp Fiction," "Goodfellas," "Fargo"... some ‘90s movies moved seamlessly from best of the year, to best of the decade, to best of all time. But as the '90s recede further into the past, lesser-known (but also great) films are at risk of being forgotten. In anticipation of this year's edition of Filmspotting Madness, Adam and Josh recommend some overlooked '90s movies from Jane Campion, Spike Lee, John Sayles and more, and split on their Sacred Cow review of James Cameron’s TITANIC.0:00-2:20 - Intro3:14-41:31 - Sacred Cow: "Titanic"The Cardigans, "Lovefool"44:18-47:05 - Next Week / Notes47:05-58:38 - FS Madness PreviewThe La's, "There She Goes"59:29-1:05:27 - Donations1:05:27-1:43:51 - Top 5: Overlooked '90s Movies1:43:51-1:45:40 - Close

The inspired pairing of Ryan Coogler and BLACK PANTHER has the hosts in pitch mode as Adam and Josh offer up the superhero projects they'd like to see on the big screen, including the directors - and stars - who should make them happen. Plus, the 4th annual Filmspotting Madness gets underway with the announcement of a handful of play-in matches. 0:00-1:24 - Intro1:24-27:41 - Review: "Black Panther"Kendrick Lamar, "Black Panther"28:36-37:46 - Next Week / Notes37:46-47:37 - Massacre Theatre47:37-1:01:04 - Filmspotting MadnessWings, "Magneto and Titanium Man"1:01:55-1:46:43 - Top 5: Superhero-Director Combos (We'd Like To See)1:46:43-1:56:18 - Close / Hot Mics

In the 30 years since his turn as the temperamental Sid Vicious in Alex Cox's '86 punk biopic "Sid and Nancy," Gary Oldman has brought an intense commitment - sometimes flamboyant, theatrical level of commitment - to dozens of memorable roles. This week, Adam and Josh review Oldman's Oscar-nominated turn as Winston Churchill in Joe Wright's DARKEST HOUR and share a top 5 devoted to the chameleonic actor's most essential cinematic creations.0:00-1:04 - Intro1:04-30:00 - Review: "Darkest Hour"The Sex Pistols, "God Save The Queen"30:49-46:48 - Next Week / FS Madness46:48-1:19:42 - Top 5: Gary Oldman Performances1:19:42-1:28:19 - Close / Hot Mics  

1983 had De Palma's "Scarface," "Eddie Murphy in "Trading Places" (and "Delirious"!), four Tom Cruise movies and the final film in the original "Star Wars" trilogy, but for their Top 5 of '83, Adam and Josh look to auteurs from here and abroad - and Wally World, of course. Plus, a Blindspotting review of David Cronenberg's prescient techno-horror film, starring a sleazy James Woods along with Blondie's Debbie Harry. And stick around for "Bar-Hopping with Adam: Tampa Bay Edition" in the post-credits 'Hot Mics' segment. 0:00-1:19 - Intro2:25-21:10 - Top 5: 198323:25-52:44 - Poll / Top 5: 1983, contHoward Shore, "Welcome to Videodrome"57:54-1:03:19 - Next Week / Notes1:03:19-1:09:55 - Massacre Theatre1:09:55-1:34:31 - Blindspotting: "Videodrome"1:34:31-1:45:43 - Close / Hot Mics

With so much good news to celebrate with this year's Oscar nominations, Adam and Josh talk through the nominees for "the big six" awards, along with a few of their wish list and long-shot favorites that didn't make the cut. Listeners then chime in with their thoughts on THE LAST JEDI, with the hosts reflecting on their second helping of Rian Johnson's divisive entry into the Star Wars saga. Plus, Adam adds his voice to the chorus of praise for the consensus best film of the new year so far, PADDINGTON 2.0:00-1:59 - Intro3:53-30:18 - Oscar NominationsAlexandre Desplat, "The Shape of Water"32:21-42:32 - Next Week / Next Marathon42:32-51:25 - Adam recommends: "Paddington 2"John Williams, "The Supremacy" (The Last Jedi)52:09-1:32:35 - Revisiting "The Last Jedi"1:32:35-1:39:14 - Close / Hot Mics 

With the ink hardly dry on their year-end lists, Adam and Josh offer up a 2018 Preview in the form of their top 5 questions about the new movie year. Conspicuously absent from those best of '17 lists? Paul Thomas Anderson's PHANTOM THREAD. Fresh off a second viewing, the hosts give the film the lovingly in-depth review it deserves. Plus, Massacre Theatre, the return of Larsen Recommends and, in the post-credits "Hot Mics" segment, bonus thoughts on "I, Tonya" and "The Greatest Showman."0:00-1:23 - Intro2:18-39:29 - 2018 Movie PreviewSufjan Stevens, "Tonya Harding"42:50-48:44 - 2018 Preview, cont.48:44-56:21 - Next Week / Larsen Recommends: "Mom and Dad"56:21-1:06:09 - Massacre TheatreJonny Greenwood, "The House of Woodcock"1:07:12-1:47:55 - Review: "Phantom Thread"1:47:55-1:59:28 - Close / Hot Mics

Despite staying in-studio this time, Adam and Josh continue the tradition of making the first show of the new year a celebratory, post-Top 10 "Wrap Party," with a blissful recounting of their favorite movie moments of 2017. In addition to sharing their favorite scenes of the year (along with opening scenes, funniest scenes, music and most moving moments), they also reveal the winner of the 2017 Golden Brick Award. And stick around for the post-credits "Hot Mics" segment for Adam's story about watching JANE with the in-laws.   0:00-1:19 - Intro2:22-29:08 - Opening Scene / Funniest SceneDave Matthews Band, "Crash"31:34-37:12 - Next Week / Notes37:12-53:13 - Golden Brick Award53:13-1:09:19 - Music MomentJohn Denver, "Take Me Home, Country Roads"1:10:13-1:13:29 - Donations1:13:29-1:55:09 - Moving Moment / Scene of the Year1:55:09-2:05:59 - Close / Hot Mics

With their 'outlier' picks behind them, Adam and Josh - joined by guests Tasha Robinson (The Verge) and Michael Phillips (Chicago Tribune) - get down to business in part two of the Top 10 Films of 2017 countdown with their consensus choices for the best films of the year. Consensus, that is, with the exception of a pair of films that also happen to be among the most divisive films of '17. (Trigger warning for those of you who don't like to hear mommy and daddy fight.)0:00-1:52 - Intro2:49-52:17 - Top 10: Consensus PicksHans Zimmer & Benjamin Wallfisch, "Home" (Dunkirk)56:14-1:03:32 - Notes / 2017 Golden Brick Finalists1:03:32-1:48:51 - Top 10: Consensus cont.1:48:51-1:51:32 - Close

With Michael Phillips and Tasha Robinson joining Adam and Josh for the Top 10 Films of 2017 countdown, the roundtable devotes part one to 'The Outliers' - picks unique to each host's list. Before getting to next week's "Consensus" choices, find out who has a soft spot for body-swapping anime, who isn't afraid to put a rom-com in their top ten, and who has a thing for... rats.     0:00-1:58 - Intro4:01-48:51 - Top 10: OutliersDaniel Hart, "Little Notes" (A Ghost Story)50:45-54:40 - Notes54:40-1:02:17 - Poll: Best of 20171:02:17-1:37:56 - Top 10: Outliers cont.1:37:56-1:43:36 - Close

If 2015’s “The Force Awakens” was an explicit attempt to resurrect the rousing adventure and sly humor of the original Star Wars, then it was reasonable to assume that the latest installment in the franchise - Rian Johnson's THE LAST JEDI - might follow in the footsteps of the series’ darkest chapter: “The Empire Strikes Back.” On this week’s show, Adam and Josh discuss a film that finds clever ways to acknowledge what has come before, while making a mark as a fresh, stylish and distinct new entry in the saga. Plus, thoughts on two Golden Brick candidates, LADY MACBETH and LOVING VINCENT, and Luca Guadagnino's acclaimed new film CALL ME BY YOUR NAME.0:00-1:17 - Intro1:17-35:31 - Review: "The Last Jedi"Big Thief, "Mythological Beauty"36:33-45:57 - Brickspotting: "Lady Macbeth," "Loving Vincent"45:57-53:57 - CFCA Nominations / Notes53:57-1:00:15 - Massacre Theatre1:00:15-1:14:29 - Review: "Call Me By Your Name"1:14:29-1:16:39 - Close

It’s not easy to make a good movie, never mind a great one. But it may be even harder to make a truly terrible movie. 2003’s "The Room" is one such terrible movie that is so bad it's become legend - and a favorite at midnight movie screenings. It's also the subject of the new James Franco-directed (and starring) film THE DISASTER ARTIST, which tells the story of how "The Room" came to be. This week, reviews of "Artist" and THE SHAPE OF WATER, a wondrous new Cold War-era fairy tale from Guillermo del Toro. Plus, the Top 5 Best Worst Movies with Rob Hill, author of "The Bad Movie Bible."0:00-2:03 - Intro3:28-34:13 - Review: "The Shape Of Water"Ron Gallo, "Don't Mind The Lion"36:09-38:47 - Next week / Notes38:47-45:35 - Polls: "The Room" / Best of 201745:35-1:00:17 - Review: "The Disaster Artist"Ron Gallo, "Young Lady You're Scaring Me"1:01:40-1:06:31 - Donations1:06:31-1:40:53 - Top 5: Best Bad Movies1:40:53-1:44:11 - Close / Outtake

Great movie years usually come down to a memorable Best Picture matchup. In 1939, it was "Gone With the Wind" versus "The Wizard of Oz." In '94, "Pulp Fiction" versus Forrest Gump." And a decade ago - in 2007 - it was the Coen Bros’ "No Country for Old Men" versus Paul Thomas Anderson’s THERE WILL BE BLOOD. On this week's show, Adam and Josh honor the 10th anniversary of '07 with a Sacred Cow review of the PTA masterpiece and share their own Top 5 Movie Years. (Have a seat, 1939, you and Scarlett are going to sit this one out.)0:00-2:01 - Intro3:09-39:53 - Sacred Cow: "There Will Be Blood"Jonny Greenwood, "Prospector's Quartet"42:57-45:57 - Next week / notes45:57-56:28 - Massacre Theatre56:28-1:03:37 - JL Recommends: "Coco" "Mudbound"Michael Giacchino, "Dia de los Muertos Suite"1:06:14-1:47:27 - Top 5: Movie Years1:47:27-1:49:20 - Close

Back in December 2015, Adam and Josh weren't even allowed to share the location of their "Force Awakens" screening. Stakes were high. Their review - posted just minutes after the critic's embargo was lifted - was overall positive, but notably non-specific. In anticipation of "The Last Jedi," they revisit the J.J. Abrams-directed film and that early review to see how they hold up. Plus, the show's interview with "The Last Jedi" director Rian Johnson recorded live at Filmspotting's 500th episode celebration in 2014. At the time, Johnson had just been announced as the writer/director of Episode VIII. He talks about how early pre-production was going, what order a Star Wars novice should watch the films in and more.0:00-1:28 - Intro1:28-33:29 - Review: "The Force Awakens"33:29-1:14:25 - "Force Awakens" FeedbackJohn Williams, "Star Wars"1:14:52-1:22:41 - 2017 Golden Brick Contenders1:22:41-1:39:39 - Interview: Rian Johnson1:39:39-1:41:44 - Close 

Back in 2010, actress Greta Gerwig was the loopy, optimistic lifeforce in Noah Baumbach’s otherwise bitter and cynical “Greenberg.” She went on to co-write and star in a pair of Baumbach films before making her own directing debut this fall with LADY BIRD. The autobiographical film is set in 2002 and stars Saoirse Ronan as the strong-willed Gerwig stand-in with Laurie Metcalf as her equally tough mom. Ronan's "Lady Bird" may be an iconoclast, but Adam and Josh are only too happy to conform to the critical consensus that Gerwig's film is one of the year's best. Plus, Josh's thoughts on the new JUSTICE LEAGUE and the Top 5 Female-Directed Debuts.0:00-1:35 - Intro2:23-27:42 - Review: "Lady Bird"First Aid Kit, "It's A Shame"29:31-35:22 - Josh on "Justice League"35:22-44:43 - Next Week ("The Force Awakens") / Notes44:43-53:30 - Massacre Theatre53:30-1:01:16 - Adam on "Orient Express," "Wonderstruck"First Aid Kit, "Postcard"1:02:31-1:03:22 - Donations1:03:22-1:36:07 - Top 5: Female-Directed Debuts1:36:07-1:38:50 - Close