Cinebanter #32: KNOCKED UP

The MP3 file of Cinebanter 32 is available here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula deliver a bundle of joyful thoughts on the comedy KNOCKED UP, starring Seth Rogen and Katherine Heigl. They also share their Last Five®, which sparks a GODFATHER vs. GOODFELLAS debate. The show concludes with a special interview Tassoula conducted at the Seattle International Film Festival with the filmmakers from CTHULHU. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 KNOCKED UP Discussion
• Break
• 17:01 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 17:34 The Last Five®
• Break
• 31:52 Tassoula’s interview with CTHULHU filmmakers
• 50:59 Credits and Outtakes

If you're interested in visiting the CTHULHU Web site, click here.

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here.

The show is also available on Podcast Alley, Pop Current and Podcast-Review. We've also recently joined the blubrry community. Please vote for us at any of those sites and leave comments if you like what you hear.

And, if you're compelled to donate to the show, there is a PayPal button labeled 'Make a Donation' to the left of this blog. All donations are much appreciated.

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: A SNAKE OF JUNE, DOLPHINS, FIGHT CLUB, SUNRISE and OCEAN'S THIRTEEN. Tassoula's Last Five in this episode were: IDIOCRACY, ONCE, JINDABYNE, DOLPHINS and THE GODFATHER.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the music in this episode.

Reviews and/or notes of every movie Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

Movie Sign Dudes are Funny

Photo from Flickr user indiekidd73

One Week Until RATATOUILLE!

I'm an unashamed Pixar fan of the first degree. When planning our vacation in 2006, which included time in the Bay Area, I was heartbroken to learn that there are no public tours offered at Pixar HQ. I have a collection of Pixar toys on my desk at work. I have a stuffed Sulley (that's the big, blue one from Monsters, Inc. for you movie snobs, which is about everyone reading this) on my bed and another one on the night table.

I (HEART) Pixar.

Yet, 'round about this time last summer I was disappointed to see that the next film would be about cooking ... would be set in Paris ... and would have a rat as the protagonist. I had no interest in seeing the film whatsoever. And then I saw the second version of the trailer about a month ago, and this prodigal Pixar son has come home.

The movie is out next weekend and I am completely geeked to see it. Here are some reviews to whet your appetite, and maybe ... maybe ... even get Tassoula and Michael into a theater to see this one. In fact, what would be cool is for his and her royal highnesses to go see this and then have me on the call, too, when they go over it. Nahhh, they'll never agree to that. :)

Variety video review and written review - loves it!

Ain't It Cool - "The first great summer film has arrived."

Entertainment Weekly Grade: B

Kottke's review - 4.5 out of 5

Cinebanter #31: WAITRESS

Cinebanter 31 is available here.








In this episode, Michael and Tassoula dish out some Keri-Russell-worship-but-this-film's-not-perfect critic pie in their review of WAITRESS. They also deliver their Last Five® and enter into a lengthy discussion about ONCE. The show concludes with a special Seattle International Film Festival report from Tassoula. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 WAITRESS Discussion
• Break
• 13:43 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 14:24 The Last Five®/Listener Last Five
• Break
• 51:41 Special Report from Tassoula at the Seattle International Film Festival
• 1:03:34 Credits and Outtakes

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here.

The show is also available on Podcast Alley, Pop Current and Podcast-Review. We've also recently joined the blubrry community. Please vote for us at any of those sites and leave comments if you like what you hear.

And, if you're compelled to donate to the show, there is a PayPal button labeled 'Make a Donation' to the left of this blog. All donations are much appreciated.

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: ONCE, THE BREAK-UP, A SNAKE OF JUNE, DOLPHINS and FIGHT CLUB. Tassoula's Last Five in this episode were: AILEEN WOURNOS: LIFE AND DEATH OF A SERIAL KILLER, TRANSAMERICA, IDIOCRACY, ONCE AND JINDABYNE.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins for providing the music in this episode.

Reviews and/or notes of every movie Michael sees can be found at his MichaelVox website.

Tassoula has reviews, musings and movie-related product links at Tassoula's Movie Review Blog.

Feedback is always welcome - you may leave comments here or e-mail the hosts at cinebanter@gmail.com.

We hope you enjoy the show!

WAITRESS Show Update

Good news—our technical difficulties have been resolved and we are back up and running.

Episode 31, WAITRESS, will be available on June 13.

In the meantime, here are a few more capsule reviews from Tassoula, who is currently attending the Seattle International Film Festival.

2 DAYS IN PARIS (romantic comedy)

Fans of Before Sunrise and Before Sunset will be delighted by the return of Julie Delpy in this film, which lands her in Paris portraying half of another bantering couple. This time she's paired up with former real-life boyfriend Adam Goldberg who plays her American boyfriend coming home with her to Paris to "meet the family." His germophobia and her past relationships create a comedic landscape that the two travel effortlessly upon, throughout the course of the film.

Goldberg is at his funniest as Jack, balancing the right amount of physical comedy with the timing of his sarcastic lines; Delpy is both a sweetheart and a spitfire as Marion, who you alternately question and adore. In the Q & A with Goldberg (see photo below) at SIFF, he explained that Delpy, who also directed the film, created a pleasantly collaborative atmosphere on-set, which probably explains the great on-screen chemistry between all the actors.

I only hope we see more from this gifted filmmaker.




2 DAYS IN PARIS premiered in the US at the 33rd Annual Seattle International Film Festival earlier this month. It will be open in limited release nationwide August 10.













GRIMM LOVE (German title: ROHTENBURG) (drama/thriller)

Years ago a man in Germany was imprisoned for cannibalism and murder after he met a willing participant on the Internet, killed him and ate him. This film is inspired by that story and is told through the journey of grad student Katie (Keri Russell) who is researching the killer, Oliver Hartwin (Thomas Kretschmann).

Fascinating as the story is, even I (who has a high tolerance for the bizarre) was sickened by the film's apparently accurate portrayal of the act. I wish that the filmmakers had left more to the imagination and explored further why both gentleman were driven to be aroused by such a heinous practice. We get more background on the 'victim' than we do the killer and even that isn't altogether satisfying.

The dialogue is also borderline campy for such a horrific topic and takes away from the effect of the outcome.

GRIMM LOVE screened at the 33rd Annual Seattle International Film Festival last month.

AMERICAN SHOPPER (documentary)

The nicest surprise for me so far at the festival has been this hilarious documentary.

Set in my college town of Columbia, Missouri, the story follows the quest of an insurance agent to launch the first-ever "National Aisling Championships" in the local Schnuck's grocery store.

What is aisling? Well, it's a sport/theatrical exercise that the agent created to bring pride to the city of Columbia. Never mind the fact the town boasts three respected institutions of higher learning—he wanted to invent something that the regular citizens could participate in and have fun with.

And darned if he didn't do just that.

We see the evolution of the idea come to (comedic) fruition from his initial meetings with the grocers to the actual day of the competition, which featured over 20 finalist competitors presenting their decorated shopping cart and accompanying routine to a panel of judges—and dozens of shoppers. Along the way you get to know quite a bit about the cast of characters who chose to participate and watch how they formulated their theme ideas, strategies and choreography. It's all presented in a cleverly edited, warmly funny way that will leave you shaking your head in happy disbelief.

You have to see it to believe it.

AMERICAN SHOPPER will screen at the 33rd Annual Seattle International Film Festival on June 10 at 1:30 p.m. For tickets, click here.

SIFF Capsule Reviews

A LIFE AMONG WHALES (documentary)

This film tells the story of biologist Dr. Roger Payne, who decades ago moved his family to Patagonia to study (and live among) whales. What he discovered was peaceful, productive beings that contribute to our ecosystem and pose no threat to humans. Interviews with Dr. Payne make up the bulk of the movie, but they are in no way boring. His enthusiasm and love for these creatures make his recollections not only watchable, but enjoyable. In a very accessible manner, he makes a case for why people should not harm or eliminate these essential mammals from the ocean. They are not only beautiful—they're capable of protecting, loving...and even songwriting. Even if you're not a whale enthusiast, you're sure to be moved by this tender tribute.


A LIFE AMONG WHALES screened last week at the 33rd Annual Seattle International Film Festival, and is now playing nationally on PBS.

PROTAGONIST (documentary)

Oscar®-award winning director Jessica Yu brings modern-day stories to life by telling them through an ancient Euripidean narrative in this new compelling documentary. Her subjects are a German terrorist, a gay minister, a martial arts expert and a bank robber, and they all act as the story's protagonists. Without seeing it, it's impossible to imagine what all of these men have in common, but once you do, it all makes perfect sense. My co-host once called Ms. Yu a "Goddess" and after seeing this, I can't help but agree with him. Her gift for translating the human experience into a coherent, engaging narrative is nothing short of impressive. Go see this.


PROTAGONIST screened at the 33rd Annual Seattle International Film Festival on Sunday, June 3.

RED WITHOUT BLUE (documentary)

This film follows the lives of identical twins Mark and Alex, who enjoy a somewhat normal childhood then evolve into adults who struggle with depression, drug abuse and gender identity issues. Ultimately Mark comes out of the closet and Alex becomes Clair. Both of their lives (and those of their loved ones) are shaken as a result. And although our subjects are willing participants in the film, as a viewer you do sometimes feel as if you are merely a tourist visiting their internal pain. Nonetheless, the film is an honest and non-exploitative journey into non-traditional American lives.

RED WITHOUT BLUE screened at the 33rd Annual Seattle International Film Festival on Tuesday, June 5. It will also premiere on The Sundance Channel June 25.

SOLDIERS OF CONSCIENCE (documentary)

In the US Constitution, there is an allowance for members of the military who do not want to kill on behalf of their country to become 'Conscientious Objectors.' This film examines how difficult our present-day soldiers have it when they make the decision to apply for this status. The subjects interviewed all seem as if they love their country. They all seem as if they are willing to serve their country. And they all had a very tough time (and in some cases suffered severe punishment) for holding true to their beliefs. It's amazing to me that an institution that fights for freedom and tolerance doesn't promote the same ideals within its own organization. Sad, really.

SOLDIERS OF CONSCIENCE screened at the 33rd Annual Seattle International Film Festival on Thursday, June 7.