Cinebanter

Cinebanter - 6th ANNUAL TELEBANTER

2012-01-25T19:38:00.001-08:00

The mp3 of this show is here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula resume their tradition of rating the year in television during their 6th ANNUAL TELEBANTER. They also discuss the PARADISE LOST documentary trilogy. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 TOP 10 TV SHOWS of 2011

• Break

• 59:21 PARADISE LOST Discussion

• 1:22:42 Credits

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #110: SHAME

2011-12-31T18:31:00.000-08:00

The mp3 of this show is here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula fight with passion, as they disagree on SHAME. In the Last Five®, Tassoula likes what she sees at the theater, while Michael makes it through another black-and-white classic. They also give their picks on those leading this season in award wins. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of SHAME

• Break

• 17:19 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 17:45 The Last Five®

• Break

• 46:03 Award Season Roundup

• 1:06:01 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: GREEN CHAIR, HUMP DAY, BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, M and IN BETWEEN DAYS. Tassoula's Last Five were: LOVE, ACTUALLY, YOUNG ADULT, WE BOUGHT A ZOO, YOU WILL MEET A TALL, DARK STRANGER and HUGO (in 3D).

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #109 - J. EDGAR

2011-11-26T07:21:00.001-08:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula investigate the life of FBI legend Hoover, as they review J.EDGAR. In the Last Five®, both hosts return to their indie roots. They also respond to a Listener Last Five®. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of J.EDGAR

• Break

• 20:40 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 21:22 The Last Five®

• Break

• 53:00 Listener Last Five (Steven in Northern Virginia)

• 1:03:25 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: DRIVE, MONEYBALL, MARGIN CALL, TAKE SHELTER and THE SKIN I LIVE IN. Tassoula's Last Five were: GHOSTBUSTERS, FROM THE SKY DOWN, ESCAPE TO WITCH MOUNTAIN, JERRY MAGUIRE and MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins, and also Vincent Do, for providing the original music in this episode.

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #108 - THE IDES OF MARCH

2011-10-22T16:36:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula get their political junkie fix, as they review THE IDES OF MARCH. In the Last Five®, both hosts explore new music documentaries about two of their favorite bands. They also respond to feedback about their most recent show. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of THE IDES OF MARCH

• Break

• 17:19 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 18:02 The Last Five®

• Break

• 47:50 Listener Feedback (Anonymous in Sacramento)

• 57:25 Credits

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: STRAW DOGS (1971), CIRCUMSTANCE, PEARL JAM TWENTY, DRIVE and MONEYBALL. Tassoula's Last Five were: MONEYBALL, THE BEAVER, IT WAS A WONDERFUL LIFE, GEORGE HARRISON: LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD and THE DOORS.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

Special thanks to Brad Daane and Mark Cummins, and also Vincent Do, for providing the original music in this episode.

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #107 - CONTAGION

2011-09-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula wash their hands compulsively, as they review CONTAGION. In the Last Five®, Tassoula catches up with a few older documentaries, while Michael revisits the first R rated film he ever saw. They also reveal their top five films of the year so far. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of CONTAGION

• Break

• 21:47 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 22:44 The Last Five®

• Break

• 50:27 Top Five of the Year So Far

• 1:06:21 Credits

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: APOCALYPSE NOW, SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET, SENNA, STRAW DOGS (1971) and CIRCUMSTANCE. Tassoula's Last Five were: A GOOD OLD FASHIONED ORGY, HARLAN COUNTY USA, IMAGE OF AN ASSASSINATION: A NEW LOOK AT THE ZAPRUDER FILM, THE WHALE and THE LAST UNICORN.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #106 - TABLOID

2011-08-27T14:14:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula rejoice in the return of documentarian Errol Morris, as they review his latest film TABLOID. In the Last Five®, the hosts disagree about a movie playing in theaters now. They also respond to a Listener Last Five® and Listener Feedback. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of TABLOID

• Break

• 13:34 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 14:14 The Last Five®

• Break

• 48:25 Listener Last Five® (Eric from San Mateo) & Listener Feedback (Chris)

• 57:09 Credits

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: THE UNFORGIVEN; CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE; RESCUE DAWN; TOUCH OF EVIL and 28 DAYS LATER. Tassoula's Last Five were: ALL OR NOTHING; CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE; HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 2; THE HELP and GONE WITH THE WIND.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #105 - BEFORE SUNRISE AND BEFORE SUNSET

2011-07-31T13:42:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula gush at their favorite pair of romantic films, BEFORE SUNRISE and BEFORE SUNSET, to celebrate the 5th anniversary of Cinebanter. In the Last Five®, Michael sees a profound documentary, while Tassoula revisits one of her favorite Michael J. Fox films. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of BEFORE SUNRISE, Part 1

• Break

• 24:38 Discussion of BEFORE SUNRISE, Part 2

• Break

• 40:05 Discussion of BEFORE SUNSET

• Break

• 1:10:06 The Last Five®

• Break

• 1:41:54 Credits

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: TREE OF LIFE, HOOPER, IMMORTAL BELOVED, HOW TO DIE IN OREGON and UGETSU. Tassoula's Last Five were: AMERICAN BEAUTY, LARRY CROWNE, TREE OF LIFE, LAST DAYS and DOC HOLLYWOOD.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

It's BEFORE SUNRISE and BEFORE SUNSET for Cinebanter #105

2011-07-07T20:49:00.000-07:00

Dear Listeners,

Since it was my turn to choose the film for our July episode, and nothing that Michael and I both wanted to see was playing in both of our cities, I decided to craft the show I've been wanting to do for ages: formally reviewing BEFORE SUNRISE & BEFORE SUNSET.

These were some of the first films Michael and I discussed when we became friends and it's fitting that for Cinebanter's 5th anniversary, we review something dear to both of us.

If you haven't already seen both films, I highly recommend you do so. If you've seen them both already, why not revisit them this summer and send us some feedback after you listen to the show?

We'd love to hear from you!

Cinebanter #104 - MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

2011-06-26T15:22:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula imagine themselves in other eras during their review of MIDNIGHT IN PARIS. In the Last Five®, Michael discusses the must-see film of 2011, while Tassoula indulges in several silly comedies. Tassoula also provides her report from the recent Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF). The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of MIDNIGHT IN PARIS

• Break

• 11:53 To Sum it Up

• Break

• 12:36 The Last Five®

• Break

• 49:24 SIFF Report

• 1:05:59 Credits

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: MEAN GIRLS, SUPER 8, TURKEY BOWL, ONCE and TREE OF LIFE. Tassoula's Last Five were: BRIDESMAIDS, EASY A, THE HANGOVER PART II, SUPER 8 and AMERICAN BEAUTY.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

HOT COFFEE Debuts on HBO Tomorrow

2011-06-26T09:02:00.000-07:00

Tassoula recently reviewed this documentary when she screened it at the Seattle International Film Festival (see post below). Now, you can watch this film starting tomorrow, June 27, exclusively on HBO.

Here's the trailer:

For additional content from HBO.com, click here.

SIFF Sighting: HOT COFFEE (Documentary; USA)

2011-06-12T18:40:00.000-07:00

Everyone remembers the lady who sued McDonald's for her coffee being too hot, right? We all thought she encouraged frivolous lawsuits and tied up the court system with a meritless complaint, right?

Well, this new documentary by Susan Saladoff may actually revise our judgments.

In the film, we're shown (very graphically) the burns that were left on said lady (the late Stella Liebeck) and given an exact play-by-play of what really happened.

I left thinking that McDonald's definitely should've paid her medical bills, but still believing the first awarded amount was ridiculously high.

But that is just the first story in the film: there are more, and the rest are worst. What they all have in common are the injustices suffered by innocent people in the wake of big business taking precedence over human life.

If that sounds like generalizing, just see the film and see for yourself. Though the slant is clearly biased, it's hard to ignore the facts, even if they are sometimes unbearable to digest.

You'll undoubtedly be moved to take action.

Hot Coffee screened at The 37th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

SIFF Sighting: REVENGE OF THE ELECTRIC CAR (Documentary; USA)

2011-06-09T22:19:00.001-07:00

In 2006, one of my favorite films at SIFF

was Who Killed the Electric Car? Directed by Chris Paine, it was an expose presented like a murder mystery, about the rise and eventual demolition of the EV1 electric car.

The audience laughed (and sometimes cried) at what was put before them, then were encouraged to act when they left the theater. To write to the government. To boycott GM. To get mad as hell.

And something worked.

As if by magic (er, American auto industry collapse), one of the most staunch supporters of the old school—Bob Lutz of GM—changed his mind and became an advocate for the creation and revival of electric cars.

So, Paine brought the band back together and created this follow-up documentary, Revenge of the Electric Car, to bring everyone up to speed (no pun intended) on what has transpired in the past five years.

The update is (thankfully) good news about the progress electric car creators are making, and a look at how happy all of the consumers are with the finished vehicles.

Like the first film, there are celebrity appearances—Danny DeVito, Jon Favreau, The Governator—though Lutz is by far the most interesting person on screen. But unlike the first film, there is nothing here that holds everything together.

Sure, the topic (and political slant) is consistent, but what's missing is the fun gimmick of the 'murder mystery' in the first.

Of course that same theme wouldn't work well here, but going for a different, humorous theme may have kept the pace a bit more agreeable.

Basically, if you have interest in electric cars, you're sure to smile a lot throughout; but if you're going to the film simply to be entertained and enlightened, you may instead find yourself checking your watch.

Sometimes sequels just don't deliver.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: THE OFF HOURS (Drama; USA)

2011-06-07T21:12:00.000-07:00

It seems there is always one film at the festival each year that has me debating whether to walk out or not. This year, that film was The Off Hours.

Set in a small town near Seattle, the main character Francine (Amy Seimetz), is directionless, unintelligent, loose and broke.

The men in her life are her roommate/former foster brother, a truck driver who visits the diner where she works, the boss at the diner (always sitting in a chair or coming out of the kitchen to tell people to get to work) and one female colleague who doesn't serve much of a purpose. Yeah, that about covers it.

It's one of those films that has you counting the 'independent' tags throughout instead of focusing on the (sad) script. Late night diner featuring old, half-full, glass coffee pot? Check! Depressed town with no hope of recovery? Check! Woman trying to 'find' herself? Check! Alcoholic, deadbeat Dad? Check!

The dismal part is that the main actress in this film can truly act. Though I cared nothing for Francine or her supporting cast of lifelong losers, I really did believe her, and that's a credit to Amy Seimetz, who brought her to life. I hope she continues on and gets a part in something more matched to her talent.

Unfortunately many will mistake this pretension for art, and that unfortunately, it is not.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: KILLING BONO (Comedy; United Kingdom)

2011-06-02T21:13:00.000-07:00

Neil McCormick was a childhood friend of the members of U2. Like Bono, The Edge, Larry and Adam, he had big dreams of being a rock star. But his path took a different turn than theirs.

McCormick wrote about living the life of Bono's doppelganger in his book Killing Bono, upon which this film is based.

The book is hilarious, smart, sentimental—even sad at times—but very satisfying. The movie is some of those things, but not all.

First of all, Ben Barnes does a fantastic job of portraying McCormick. As someone who has spent a few hours with the real Neil, I can safely say that Ben captures his essence and energy well. He sort of looks like him too.

The rest of the cast is fine (though Martin McCann could've dialed down his Bono a bit; especially in the earlier scenes), and overall the characters are well-drawn. It was especially nice to witness the final performance of Pete Posthelwaite, who the world sadly lost earlier this year.

The screenwriters took great liberties with the truth, which is also fine, except for one scene that featured a gun. It was unnecessary. The dots that your brain can't help but connect while you're watching it (especially with an earlier reference to Lennon's murder) take the film to a much darker place than it needs to go.

That said, at the end of the day, Neil's story is a fun ride, and the fashion in which it's told here is pleasurable in the simplest way.

If you go in for a U2/McCormick history lesson, you'll most likely be disappointed. But if you enter wanting to have a laugh at the expense of a relatable hero who is his own worst enemy, you'll leave with a smile.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: THESE AMAZING SHADOWS (Documentary; USA)

2011-05-30T21:47:00.001-07:00

The prestigious National Film Registry is explained, praised and celebrated in the delightful documentary These Amazing Shadows.

Any film nerd will smile through all 88 minutes of love as a who's who of directors, actors, critics and preservationists gush over the importance of cinema as a national scrapbook.

Aside from being charming, the documentary actually teaches us something (who knew that we, the public, could have a say as to what gets nominated?). A greater respect for the meticulous work of the preservationists is also earned, plus, several goosebump-worthy clips are shown to remind us why we're all watching a movie about movies. I'm proud to announce that the whole audience reacted with claps and cheers to the Back to the Future montage.

There are mysteries uncovered, controversies dismantled and just enough humorous anecdotes (thank you, John Waters) to keep this flick from being solely for the geeks.

It made me want to rush home and pull Gone With the Wind off my shelf, then rent about a dozen classic films that I'm ashamed I haven't yet seen.

Three cheers for the Library of Congress, and for directors Paul Mariano and Kurt Norton, for making us aware of this great acknowledgement of art and history.

These Amazing Shadows screened at The 37th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: Summer Coda (Romance; Australia)

2011-05-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

Heidi (Rachael Taylor) is like many other American girls—raised by a single mother with only a handful of memories from the days her father was still around.

Michael (Alex Dimitriades) is the operator of an Australian orange grove, who is trying to heal from his painful past.

Their meet-cute happens as Heidi is on her way to Australia to attend the funeral of her absent father and she hitchhikes into town. Michael, worried for her safety, picks her up and the two develop something that resembles friendship.

When Heidi is met with a less-than-pleasant reception from her stepmother, she leaves the family home and seek's refuge at Michael's house, becoming one of his orange pickers.

Feelings soon develop between the two, but they don't act on them because of the secrets they have yet to share with one another.

This all plays out with a quiet tension that's painfully real and also hopelessly romantic.

The actors and their situations are all believable, and the slow pace of the film can be easily forgiven since most of what we see throughout the narrative are beautiful places and beautiful people.

For a first feature film, director Richard Gray has done quite well.

I'm anxious to see his next project, which he is coincidentally filming in Washington state.

Summer Coda screened at The 37th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: THE WHISTLEBLOWER (Thriller; Canada)

2011-05-29T16:27:00.000-07:00

In the late 90s, U.S. cop Kathryn Bolkovac went to Bosnia to be a human rights investigator.

She uncovered a sex trafficking operation involving many of her peers, which the U.N. was covering up. She was fired for reporting the scandal.

The Whistleblower details this true story with a strong Rachel Weisz as Kathryn, accented with heartbreaking performances from the supporting cast.

It's a solid film, but it takes a while for the pace to gain momentum.

The Whistleblower screened at The 37th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

Another Change of Plans

2011-05-28T19:57:00.000-07:00

Sorry folks—Michael has decided the film we'll review for Cinebanter #104 will be MIDNIGHT IN PARIS; not THE HANGOVER II, as previously announced.

We regret the error and promise not to change our minds again.

Now, back to your regularly scheduled programming.

SIFF Sighting: HIT SO HARD (Documentary; USA)

2011-05-28T00:11:00.000-07:00

"Patty will always be my drummer." –Courtney Love Cobain

Of course, Courtney's talking about Patty Schemel, the small-town Washington state musician that helped develop the band Hole's sound, and battled a terrible addiction to drugs and alcohol along the way.

It may sound cliché on paper, but the life Schemel entered into when she joined the band, and the resulting life she lives now—after rising above it so many years later—is nothing short of miraculous.

Raised in Marysville, Wash., Schemel always knew she was different, but wasn't comfortable being openly gay in her small home town. She channeled her energy into music and was a member of several bands before landing in Hole.

During her early years with the band, she lived with Courtney and her famous husband, Kurt Cobain. They became close, and as Courtney mentioned in the film, the couple discussed "sharing" Patty's talent between their two bands because they both liked her playing so much. But Nirvana never got the chance to use her.

She settled in to Hole, grieved the death of Cobain soon thereafter and then just two months later, endured the death of the Hole bassist, Kristen Pfaff.

Patty had scattered periods of sobriety, but most of the time, the aftermath of grief left her perpetually waiting until the next time she could get high.

The addition of replacement bassist, Melissa Auf der Maur helped somewhat, giving her a BFF within the band, but even the strength of Melissa's friendship wasn't enough to pull Patty out of her addiction.

This documentary, directed by P. David Ebersol, gives a candid portrait of her battle, featuring footage going as far back as the early 90s, spliced with present day reflections from her Hole bandmates, other musicians in the industry, her mother and her brother.

They all speak lovingly of Patty, who was thankfully able to turn her life around before it was too late.

It's an enjoyable, if not somewhat painful, glimpse into the world of a true survivor.

Hit So Hard screened at The 37th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: PAGE ONE: INSIDE THE NEW YORK TIMES (Documentary; USA)

2011-05-25T22:12:00.000-07:00

Be sure to wear black if you're heading to this one—you'll feel as if you're attending a funeral.

Though The New York Times newspaper has so far survived the media rapture, there is constant speculation that its days are numbered.

This documentary, Page One: Inside The New York Times, takes you behind the curtain of the famous Gray Lady to take the temperature of those who live it, and ultimately love it. Not to be missed!

The Seattle International Film Festival is the largest film festival in the United States. Now in its 37th year, the event runs through June 12.

Change of Plans: It's The Hangover Part II

2011-05-25T06:19:00.000-07:00

Due to the limited availability of Meek's Cutoff in the Bay Area, and the rigorous film festival schedule Tassoula is now enveloped in, the May Cinebanter show has been canceled.

The June show, coming soon, will feature a review of The Hangover II and Tassoula's report from the Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF).

In the meantime, look forward to written reviews from Tassoula as makes her way through dozens of films at SIFF.

Cinebanter #103 - CERTIFIED COPY

2011-04-28T19:06:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula mimic old dialog, relationships and thoughts as they review CERTIFIED COPY. In the Last Five®, Michael has trouble making it to the end of a few films, while Tassoula continues her Scorsese viewings. They also answer Listener Feedback. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of CERTIFIED COPY

• Break

• 16:17 To Sum it Up

• Break

• 17:15 The Last Five®

• Break

• 44:30 Listener Feedback

• 1:03:25 Credits & Outtake

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: FISH TANK, GROWN UPS, THE WOMAN CHASER, 2012 and THE BEACH . Tassoula's Last Five were: THE LINCOLN LAWYER, ALL GOOD THINGS, ALICE DOESN'T LIVE HERE ANYMORE, IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY and SCREAM.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #102 - THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

2011-03-31T21:45:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula exercise free will as they share their thoughts on THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU. In the Last Five®, Michael heads down a dismal path, while Tassoula revisits a 70s classic on the big screen. Michael also provides a wrap-up of the recent Cinequest Film Festival. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU

• Break

• 15:54 To Sum it Up

• Break

• 16:49 The Last Five®

• Break

• 55:33 Michael's Cinequest 21 Report

• 1:11:36 Credits & Outtake

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK, OF GODS AND MEN, FISH TANK, GROWN UPS and THE WOMAN CHASER . Tassoula's Last Five were: A WALK ON THE MOON, CRIMES AND MISDEMEANORS, CEDAR RAPIDS, NO WOMAN, NO CRY and TAXI DRIVER.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter Special Edition - Top 10 of 2010

2011-03-06T17:55:00.001-08:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula finally put the prior year of cinema to bed with their TOP 10 OF 2010. They also announce their next show. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Top 10 - 6
• Break
• 17:44 Top 5 - 1
• 40:06 Credits

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here. Please leave comments if you like what you hear.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

2011 Oscars® Live Tweet

2011-02-27T13:41:00.000-08:00

2011 Oscars® Live Tweet

Last Call for Participants on Tonight's Live Oscar Blog

2011-02-27T12:56:00.000-08:00

This is your last chance to send us your Twitter username if you want to be included in tonight's Live Tweet. Once our blog posting begins in just a few short hours, we will not add any additional users.

Send us an e-mail at cinebanter@gmail.com or Tweet your username to @cinebanter ASAP if you haven't already.

Only a few hours until showtime!

Spirit Awards Live Blog (a.k.a. warm-up to Oscar® night)

2011-02-26T13:00:00.000-08:00

Spirit Awards Live Tweet

Wanna Join in on the Cinebanter Live Oscar Blog?

2011-02-19T19:27:00.000-08:00

For the fifth consecutive year, Michael and Tassoula will be hosting a live blog during the Oscars®—for the second year, you're invited to join them!

Using Cover It Live, Michael and Tassoula will be able to post to their individual Twitter accounts (@michaelvox and @tassoula) and those Tweets will populate live on cinebanter.com. It will be a faster, more succinct way of posting and both hosts can comment at the same time (vs. in the past when they took turns).

The best part? If you send them your username, they'll add you to the user list and your Tweets will appear alongside theirs. You won't need to join any new websites or register anywhere. They urge those who want to participate to go this route vs. leaving comments as the show progresses—that slows the hosts down from blogging and can cause them to miss crucial parts of the broadcast.

If you want your Tweets to appear on the blog that night (February 27), please send your Twitter username to cinebanter@gmail.com. Space is limited, as there are a maximum amount of users allowed via the platform.

The blog will begin Sunday, February 27, in the afternoon, when Michael and Tassoula order their annual pizzas.

To view an archive of last year's live blog, click here.

Cinebanter Special Edition - OSCAR PICKS AND PREDICTIONS 2011

2011-02-13T11:37:00.000-08:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula open their envelopes as they reveal their OSCAR PICKS AND PREDICTIONS for 2011. They also announce their next show. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Oscar Discussion, Part 1
• Break
• 15:13 Oscar Discussion, Part 2
• 44:33 Credits & Outtakes

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here. Please leave comments if you like what you hear.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #101 - BLUE VALENTINE

2011-02-06T15:38:00.000-08:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula exhibit their differences of gender during their review of BLUE VALENTINE. In the Last Five®, Michael finds four quality films, while Tassoula is embarrassed by one of her choices. The hosts also announce the topic of their next episode. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of BLUE VALENTINE, Part 1
• Break
• 20:32 Discussion of BLUE VALENTINE, Part 2
• 42:47 To Sum it Up
• Break
• 43:32 The Last Five®
• 1:20:06 Credits & Outtake

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: NICE GUY JOHNNY, THE KING'S SPEECH, TRUE GRIT, CASINO JACK and BIUTIFUL . Tassoula's Last Five were: SPRING BREAKDOWN, THE ECLIPSE, WINNEBEGO MAN, A PRESIDENT TO REMEMBER: IN THE COMPANY OF JOHN F. KENNEDY and I NEED THAT RECORD!

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter Special Edition - 5th ANNUAL TELEBANTER

2011-01-17T19:28:00.001-08:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula take advantage of the last chance they'll ever have to argue about FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS and MEDIUM in their 5th ANNUAL TELEBANTER. They also announce what the film will be for Cinebanter #101. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 TOP TV of 2010, 10 - 6
• Break
• 17:09 TOP TV of 2010, 5 - 1
• 1:00:56 Credits & Outtakes

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #100, Part 2 - LISTENER MEMORIES AND MOMENTS

2011-01-09T14:30:00.000-08:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula respond to the brimming mailbag and discuss their first 99 shows. They also share a clip they consider one of their favorite moments. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of LISTENER MEMORIES AND MOMENTS, PART 1
• Break
• 21:24 Discussion of LISTENER MEMORIES AND MOMENTS, PART 2
• 59:13 Credits

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

New Written Reviews (12/2010)

2010-12-29T21:14:00.000-08:00

The Cinebanter hosts have posted new written reviews to their respective blogs:

Michael saw THE FIGHTER and ANDREI RUBLEV.

Tassoula watched NICE GUY JOHNNY and THE KING'S SPEECH.

Check back soon for Part 2 of the 100th episode of the show, featuring your feedback and favorite moments from the past four years.

Cinebanter #100 Part 1 - BLACK SWAN

2010-12-20T14:17:00.000-08:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula pirouette into their 100th show with their review of BLACK SWAN. In the Last Five®, Michael is impressed with a depressing drama, while Tassoula chooses some films based on their location. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of FAIR GAME
• Break
• 20:15 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 21:07 The Last Five®
• 1:04:04 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: ALL ABOUT LILY CHOU CHOU, BLADE RUNNER, RABBIT HOLE, 127 HOURS and THE BANK JOB . Tassoula's Last Five were: SEEMS LIKE OLD TIMES, HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS, PART 1, LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS, THE GHOST AND MRS. MUIR and 127 HOURS.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

What's your favorite Cinebanter moment?

2010-12-02T11:06:00.000-08:00

The 100th episode of Cinebanter will post later this month, and the hosts would like to know about your favorite moments from the past 99 shows.

E-mail your choices to cinebanter@gmail.com or leave them in the Comments field below. Please remember to include the episode number, the section of the show where the moment happens (or even better, the specific time) and why you love that part.

If they have enough participants, they'll create a montage of all of the moments and air them at the end of the episode.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Cinebanter #99 - FAIR GAME

2010-11-21T20:42:00.000-08:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula blow their cover as they review FAIR GAME. In the Last Five®, Michael catches up with "the show that got away," while Tassoula celebrates the 25th anniversary of her favorite flick. Then, the hosts respond to their first-ever audio version Listener Last Five. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of FAIR GAME
• Break
• 19:38 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 20:14 The Last Five®
• Break
• 54:05 Listener Last Five (Norm in Seattle)
• 1:07:15 Credits & Outtake

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: ORDET, WAITING FOR SUPERMAN, THE SEA IS WATCHING, BREAKING BAD (Season 1) and ALL ABOUT LILY CHOU CHOU . Tassoula's Last Five were: BACK TO THE FUTURE, PARANORMAL ACTIVITY 2, HEREAFTER, THE GOODBYE GIRL and EVERYBODY'S FINE.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #98 - THE SOCIAL NETWORK

2010-10-17T21:04:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula confirm each other's friend requests as they review THE SOCIAL NETWORK. In the Last Five®, Michael spends time underground with Ryan Reynolds, while Tassoula makes it through a lengthy Kurosawa flick. Then, the hosts respond to a Listener Last Five from one of their regulars. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of THE SOCIAL NETWORK
• Break
• 41:24 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 41:56 The Last Five®
• Break
• 1:02:11 Listener Last Five (Scott in Florida)
• 1:13:48 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: SUGAR, TERMINATOR SALVATION, THE OTHER GUYS, UNDER THE SUN and BURIED . Tassoula's Last Five were: THE TILLMAN STORY, THE TOWN, UP IN THE AIR, HEARTBREAKER, THE BAD SLEEP WELL.

Want to contribute to the show and help with production costs and server fees? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #97 - THE AMERICAN

2010-09-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula admire the Italian landscapes as they review Anton Corbijn's THE AMERICAN. In the Last Five®, Michael enjoys a comedy that Tassoula recommended, while Tassoula gets angry at a current documentary. Then, the hosts respond to two Listener Last Fives from two different continents. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of THE AMERICAN
• Break
• 17:16 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 18:12 The Last Five®
• Break
• 45:24 Listener Last Fives (Miss Piggy in Germany and Peter in Virginia)
• 1:03:31 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: THE TILLMAN STORY, GOING THE DISTANCE, SUGAR, THE OTHER GUYS and TERMINATOR SALVATION. Tassoula's Last Five were: THE LAST EXORCISM, CAIRO TIME, BLUE STATE, A HARD DAY'S NIGHT, I'M STILL HERE.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Rory's Back—And I Couldn't Be Happier

2010-09-13T20:35:00.000-07:00

One of my all-time favorite documentarians, Rory Kennedy, returns this week with THE FENCE (LA BARDA) on Sept. 16.

The film examines the 700-mile fence that our government built in 2006 along the Mexican border to discourage terrorists, contain immigration and fight drug trafficking. Apparently, things didn't go as planned.

Tune in to HBO this Thursday to see what transpired.

Show Delay (So Sorry)

2010-09-11T23:21:00.001-07:00

Dear Listeners,

Michael and Tassoula had a rough few weeks with the new school year starting, so episode #97: THE AMERICAN will be delayed by a week. They apologize for the inconvenience, but look forward to creating a better show after getting some much deserved sleep.

-Hector (the Cinebanter intern)

Cinebanter #96 - GET LOW

2010-08-30T06:57:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula eulogize the acclaimed dramedy GET LOW. In the Last Five®, Michael is pleasantly surprised by a romantic comedy, while Tassoula revisits an 80s classic. Then, in a special bonus segment, Michael and Tassoula remember the impact of AT THE MOVIES and discuss their favorite film critics. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of GET LOW
• Break
• 16:29 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 17:02 The Last Five®
• Break
• 51:03 The Legacy of AT THE MOVIES
• 1:07:45 Credits & Outtake

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: THE INVENTION OF LYING, LILIA FOREVER, A CRUDE AWAKENING: THE OIL CRASH, THE TILLMAN STORY and GOING THE DISTANCE. Tassoula's Last Five were: WALKING AND TALKING, THE SAINT, THE OTHER GUYS, WALL STREET and IF GOD IS WILLING AND DA CREEK DON'T RISE.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Book Review - Hollywood Stories

2010-08-19T20:40:00.000-07:00

If you've ever journeyed to Hollywood and enjoyed the guilty pleasure of a guided tour, you may have encountered Stephen Schochet. He's been a tour leader for over a decade and also shares 60-second Tinseltown anecdotes on a syndicated radio feature called Hollywood Stories.

The book I'm reviewing today is his work of the same title—a collection of nearly 300 pages of stories much like the ones you'll hear on his tours.

Schochet divides the text into categories such as "Oscar Tales," "Singers and Dancers," and "Moguls and Directors," then offers a brief title before each blurb so you can anticipate what you're getting into. The format works well for the content, but I did find myself wishing certain sections weren't so redundant (he has not one, but two paragraphs referring to Julia Roberts spontaneous laughter during the filming of Pretty Woman).

I also got stuck on minor factual errors. For example, in reference to the filming of Titanic, the author names Kate Winslet as the "twenty-three-year-old" leading lady when really she hadn't even reached that age by the time the film was released. As the actors were promoting the movie, Kate told a story on a talk show about how she turned 21 on the set and her best friend co-star Leo DiCaprio was famously too exhausted and cold to care. While her age being accurate may not make any difference to the enjoyment of the story Stephen tells here, it did make me doubt the validity of other facts throughout the book.

On the topic of age, Schochet also begins many of his paragraphs by stating his subjects' ages. After a while, this becomes a redundant and tired pattern. The stories themselves are typically lively enough to draw the reader in, so it would've been more effective to break up the formula.

The good thing about the book is that it's not completely constructed of stories we've already heard. For example, I knew Steven Spielberg didn't initially like the score for Jaws, but I didn't know that Kirk Douglas desperately wanted to play Jack Nicholson's part in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. I was also unaware that Margaret Mitchell's first choice for the role of Rhett Butler in the film version of her book Gone With the Wind, was Groucho Marx.

Each story here is like an appetizer: many leave you longing for a larger meal; others satisfy a short-term craving.

Hollywood Stories by Stephen Schochet is published by Hollywood Stories Publishing. To purchase online visit www.hollywoodstories.com.

Cinebanter #95 - MIDDLE MEN

2010-08-16T06:41:00.001-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula unleash hardcore criticism as they review the porn-centric MIDDLE MEN. In the Last Five®, both hosts embrace the HBO documentary series and respond to a Listener Last Five®. Then, in a special bonus segment, Michael and Tassoula discuss the future of film.

The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of MIDDLE MEN
• Break
• 12:39 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 13:09 The Last Five®
• Break
• 41:49 Listener Last FIve (Melissa in Ohio)
• Break
• 47:05 The Future of Film
• 1:14:54 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: TOUCH THE SOUND, HOMELESS: THE MOTEL KIDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, RASHOMON, LUCKY and CITY OF LIGHTS. Tassoula's Last Five were: HOMELESS: THE MOTEL KIDS OF ORANGE COUNTY, SOLITARY MAN, THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, SALT and THE GIRL WHO PLAYED WITH FIRE.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

It's MIDDLE MEN for Show #95

2010-08-06T18:25:00.000-07:00

Michael and Tassoula had a really tough time choosing a film this time around mostly because the supposed great stuff hits their respective cities during different weeks.

So, it was decided that the new Luke Wilson flick MIDDLE MEN, "inspired by a true story," would be the one. They figure they can't go wrong with porn (no matter how bad the story may be).

The show will air on August 16.

Cinebanter #94 - INCEPTION

2010-08-01T16:15:00.001-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula infiltrate each other's dreams of what a great film should look like as they disagree about INCEPTION. In the Last Five®, Michael sees the film of the book he read this summer, while Tassoula catches up with the buzz film of 2010.

The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of INCEPTION, Part 1
• Break
• 21:30 Discussion of INCEPTION, Part 2
• Break
• 45:34 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 46:09 The Last Five®
• 1:10:09 Credits & Outtake

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: MY MOTHER, THE ROAD, BIG FAN, KISSES and GHOST TOWN. Tassoula's Last Five were: LOVELY AND AMAZING, EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP, MADE IN HEAVEN, A SIMPLE PLAN and THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #93 - CYRUS

2010-07-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula duke it out as they review the indie hit CYRUS. In the Last Five®, Michael praises a recent documentary, while Tassoula celebrates the anniversary of a beloved film. Plus, the hosts respond to two Listener Last Fives® from the Emerald City.

The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of CYRUS
• Break
• 19:13 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 19:47 The Last Five®
• Break
• 48:50 Listener Last Five (Seattle Edition: Gary B. and Norm G.)
• 1:02:04 Credits & Outtake

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: KIDS, FUNNY PEOPLE, ANIMATRIX, THE SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP and RESTREPO. Tassoula's Last Five were: BEYOND HATRED, BACK TO THE FUTURE, PLEASE GIVE, NO ONE DIES IN LILY DALE and TO SIR, WITH LOVE.

Feeling lucky?

2010-07-15T14:58:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, Michael and I love documentaries and have both been tuning into HBO's award-winning films for years. Since many of our listeners/readers enjoy hearing our Last Five segment, I thought it might be nice to offer a heads up about something one or both of us will definitely be watching in the coming weeks. The film is called LUCKY and it follows the lives of folks who have won large sums of money in the Powerball lottery. Results from the windfalls apparently provide unexpected outcomes. Here's a sneak peek:

If you also tune in, please drop us an e-mail and tell us what you thought of it.

Trailer used with permission, courtesy of HBO Films.

~~~

Cinebanter #92 - TOY STORY 3

2010-07-05T00:13:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula reach for a hankie as they review the tear-jerker TOY STORY 3. In the Last Five®, Michael changes his mind about a 90s film, while Tassoula delights in a new documentary. Plus, the hosts respond to a Listener Last Five®. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of TOY STORY 3

• Break

• 23:31 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 23:56 The Last Five®

• Break

• 48:10 Listener Last Five (Sarah in Vancouver, BC)

• 53:47 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: BELLE DE JOUR, TOY STORY, TOY STORY 2, KIDS and FUNNY PEOPLE . Tassoula's Last Five were: THE SECRET IN THEIR EYES, GREENBERG, HATE.COM, THE SECRET OF KELLS and JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK.

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here. Please leave comments if you like what you hear.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

Cinebanter #91 - ONDINE

2010-06-21T08:11:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula fish for a mythical selkie as they review ONDINE. In the Last Five®, Michael dives into some classics, while Tassoula indulges her fondness for the 80s. Plus, Tassoula recaps her experience at the Seattle International Film Festival. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro

• 00:32 Discussion of ONDINE

• Break

• 17:48 To Sum It Up

• Break

• 18:27 The Last Five®

• Break

• 48:59 SIFF Recap

• 1:08:21 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: CORALINE, MICMACS, THE KIDS ARE ALL RIGHT, JULES AND JIM and BELLE DE JOUR . Tassoula's Last Five were: DINER, THE GOONIES, MURDERBALL, WHITE NIGHTS and FOR NEDA.

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here. Please leave comments if you like what you hear.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

SIFF Sighting: GREASE SING-A-LONG (musical; USA)

2010-06-14T22:12:00.000-07:00

A special treat at the recent GREASE SING-A-LONG in Seattle was the presence of one of the original Pink Ladies—Dinah Manoff (pictured here, with her son Oliver during the Q & A), who played Marty Maraschino in the classic hit.

After making a comment about how much older she felt watching her younger self on-screen, an audience member shouted out "You're beautiful!" She responded by saying, "I'm really glad I came today."

Most folks asked questions about what went on behind the scenes, hinting at true-life romances. Dinah claimed that John (Travolta) and Olivia (Newton-John) were most likely just a rumor, but she was pretty sure Kenickie (Jeff Conaway) was "active."

She also remarked about how nervous she was auditioning for the film because it was primarily a dance tryout (she never actually had to sing until she already had the part), and she originally read for the role of Frenchie.

All in all, the showing was a whole lot of fun, complete with fans dressed like many of the cast members, the boys singing the boy parts and the girls singing the girl parts. The subtitles/karaoke-like lyrics are presented so humorously, even parts that weren't intended to be funny become at least a little bit amusing. What a wonderful celebration of a film that never gets old!

The GREASE SING-A-LONG screened at the 36th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~

SIFF SIGHTING: THIS WAY OF LIFE (documentary; New Zealand)

2010-06-13T15:53:00.000-07:00

Peter and Colleen Karena had very different upbringings: Colleen was part of a family that listened to her opinions, valued her perspectives and taught her to talk things through; Peter was raised in a sort of dictatorship with his resentful stepfather at the helm. Now as a married couple in rural New Zealand, they resolve to offer their many children a utopian childhood, complete with wild horses (the family business), church on Sundays and two parents completely devoted to them.

This Way of Life offers a glimpse of modern people who have chosen to live simply as our great-great-great grandparents may have. They live off the land, kill their food (strictly for nourishment; not for sport) and pitch in collectively to complete the cooking and cleaning chores. Dad also works to make money to pay their taxes. Respect for one another, the land and the animals they share the space with is emphasized and quite frankly, they just seem like really, really good people.

But Peter's stepfather, the owner of the home and land they live upon (though they've paid the mortgage for years, apparently) thinks otherwise. Bitter because Peter challenged his authority as a youth, this old curmudgeon sells the house out from underneath them (they didn't make it to the auction house in time to bid) and then makes their lives a living hell in the months that follow. All of this is captured brilliantly and beautifully by director Thomas Burstyn.

During this tumultuous time, Colleen has another baby (a daughter, Salem) and the family becomes technically homeless. But do they let it break their spirit? Absolutely not. And that's why this film is so inspiring—though I may never desire to live life as primitively as this family chooses to, I have a great admiration for the values they're teaching their children.

They lead by example: they do good things by being good people and sticking by one another no matter what life throws their way. If only everyone had this presence and peace of mind, the world would be a better place.

THIS WAY OF LIFE screened at the 36th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: MONOGAMY (drama; USA)

2010-06-12T13:35:00.000-07:00

The film Monogamy is less about a commitment of sex between two people and more about individuals who can't seem to function in a relationship.

Nat (Rashida Jones) and Theo (Chris Messina) are a New York couple nervously approaching their wedding day. Theo is frustrated because Nat never wants to make love; Nat is frustrated because when she contracts a staph infection, Theo doesn't visit her at the hospital very often.

We're not sure why Nat isn't in the mood for love, but Theo's excuse for being a bad partner lies in his work: acting as a hired 'surveillance' photographer, who is responsible for showing up at agreed-upon locations to capture his employers on camera doing whatever they want to be doing.

His current client, a fake blond with a female empowerment tattoo and a wedding ring, coaxes him to different locations to witness her playing out her sexual fantasies: masturbating in a public park; performing oral sex on a man in a car; having intercourse under the Brooklyn Bridge. She is very nonchalant about the process, which only intrigues her photographer more.

When Nat observes one of the photos on Theo's computer, he does the right thing by telling her the truth of what's going on and she seems okay with it. However, when Nat begins to mention her doctor (who pays more attention to her than her fiancé) too much, Theo is clearly bothered.

The problem with the film isn't the actors (they're both solid) or the cinematography (Brooklyn looks great), it's the writing. The characters are so forgettable and unlikeable, the audience is left with no one to root for.

Furthermore, so many of the details are left open to interpretation we lose interest trying to decipher them. A thriller this film is not.

MONOGAMY screened at the 36th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: UPPERDOG (drama; Norway)

2010-06-08T16:25:00.000-07:00

Axel (Hermann Sabado) and Anne (Birgitte Victoria Svendsen) are a brother and sister of Asian heritage, adopted by separate Norwegian parents. Axel is the younger of the two, and has no conscious memories of his past; Anne is older and remembers him, and their life with the mother they shared.

Anne is a working class, sweet individual who enjoys a modest life. Axel has enjoyed a privileged upbringing and has the spoiled attitude to show for it. He entraps his current girlfriend by sending a man to cheat with her (she complies), then uses his "grief" over losing her as an excuse to move back in with his wealthy parents and do... nothing. Well, except for the maid.

The maid his parents have hired, Maria (Agnieszka Grochowska) is a feisty, gorgeous girl from Poland, earning money to send back to the son she left behind. Despite Axel's awful treatment of her, she falls in love with him and realizes from a picture on the wall that he is the long-lost brother of her roommate and friend Anne. When she attempts to reunite the two, she at first fails, but when Anne learns of how close she's become with Axel, she reconsiders and agrees to a reunion.

This is all incredibly compelling (and well-acted), but what slows the film down is the romance that Anne enters into with Per (Mads Sjøgård Pettersen), a soldier back from the war who is fighting his own demons from the past. He has the potential to be the most complex of the characters, but unfortunately falls short, leaving us to wonder why Anne is so smitten with him.

In a profound way, the film communicates how deeply we can be affected by things that happened to us months or even years ago. How our day-to-day life is altered by how we view our identity, and why resolution and healing are so critical to our personal growth.

UPPERDOG screened at the 36th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~

It's ONDINE for Cinebanter #91

2010-06-07T16:29:00.000-07:00

Michael and Tassoula will be seeing the new Colin Farrell flick ONDINE for their next show, which will air on June 21.

We hope you'll stay tuned in the meantime for more SIFF coverage through June 13!

Never Say Die: Final Thoughts on a Weekend of Goonies

2010-06-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

Coming together with fellow fans to celebrate a film anniversary is a unique experience.

Sure, it's fun to see folks get dressed up like their favorite characters, and of course it's cool to speak with celebrities (especially nice ones, like these), but what's more meaningful is the sense of community—no matter how silly it is—that one feels in the presence of those who share a love for a common piece of pop culture. In this case, often what made braving those long event lines bearable was trading GOONIES stories with strangers.

As an Oregon native who was the perfect age (9) when this film came out, I realize my sentimental attachment to it probably makes it greater for me than some, but to have hundreds of people converge on the same beachfront location 25 years later to celebrate it confirms that there is definitely something special about it.

On my final night in Astoria, I attended a late screening of the film and was delighted to see fans of all ages filling up the theater. There were folks my age, couples my parents' age and children who may have been seeing it for the first time (or at least seeing it on the big screen for the first time). When the lights went down after the pre-show, which was devoid of any trailers or commercials, a child shouted out "Never say die!" and the crowd cheered at the appearance of the pirate skeleton that starts the film.

It's so comforting to know that The Goonies live on in our hearts.

GOONIES 25th Anniversary Press Conference

2010-06-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

As you can see from the video, even those of us with press passes on were not allowed to film the Cast Meet and Greet on Day 1, which featured Joe "Joey Pants" Pantoliano, Jeff Cohen and Curtis Hanson.

So, what went on after the we turned our cameras off? Lots and lots of questions! Some good; others more reminiscent of the fictional Chris Farley Show on SNL (e.g. "Where's Mouth?" note: Corey Feldman was scheduled to appear the next day, alongside Sean Astin), but all entertaining nonetheless.

Most of the queries were for Jeff Cohen, who played "Chunk" and is an all-grown-up handsome—and slim—thirtysomething these days. Instead of remaining an actor after his rise to fame in THE GOONIES, he took the unusual child-star route of going to college (at Berkeley), then developing a solid off-screen career. He now practices entertainment law.

Jeff shared many anecdotal stories about being a kid on the set of the hit film—the free Baby Ruths he consumed, the many flavors of ice cream he recited during a partly improvised scene with "Sloth," and how enticing the hidden pirate ship was for the boys (they weren't allowed to see it until it came sailing out on the beach in the final scene).

Apparently, the actors were encouraged to ad lib, so many of the memorable moments on-screen didn't come directly from the script (credit does go to the screenwriter, however, for the famous puking story Chunk tells).

One fan stood up and asked Jeff about a line that's been bugging her for years.

She asked: "When Sloth pulls you close, do you say 'You smell like fish heads or You smell like phys. ed'?"

The correct answer: "You smell like phys. ed!"

Also gracious and sincere with responses were Curtis Hanson (Elgin Perkins) and Joe Pantoliano (Francis Fratelli).

In response to the fan hysteria surrounding the film, Curtis replied "I don't understand it, but I love it!"

When asked about participating in specific stunts, Joe replied, "I never get to be there when the cool stuff happens to my characters. I wasn't even there when they cut Ralphie's head off!" That of course, was in reference to his landmark character in The Sopranos, where the killers place Ralphie's head in a bowling bag before disposing of it.

As for general questions, none of them seemed to think THE GOONIES 2 will actually get made, but would be happy if it did. Only a few of the cast members have kept in touch (Jeff and the actor who portrayed 'Data' remain close) and some have passed on (the actors who portrayed Sloth and Ma Fratelli). All remarked how much they loved Astoria and filming on the beautiful Oregon Coast.

Sure, it was disappointing that I couldn't be there the following day when two more of the actors were scheduled to join them, but I truly loved getting to share space with some of the folks who helped make my childhood happier.

~~~

The Debut of the Oregon Film Museum

2010-06-05T16:59:00.001-07:00

Today marked the unveiling of the Oregon Film Museum in Astoria, on the site of the old County Jail that was featured in THE GOONIES.

Timed entries were necessary to handle the crowds, which began gathering shortly before the ceremony at 9:00 a.m. Fans dressed as characters posed with other fans during the jovial wait in the parking lot.

Once inside, the first room of the museum shares a tutorial of sorts that explains many of the jobs that go into creating a film. The explanation below uses MY OWN PRIVATE IDAHO to describe the work of the Director of Photography.

The next rooms feature a wealth of GOONIES relics, such as the statue that Chunk breaks in one of the early scenes, Data's high-tech outfit and the Walsh family mailbox, autographed by many of the cast members.

They also have an area with stand-up figures of most of the GOONIES cast. I couldn't resist posing with Josh Brolin's likeness, but the room was so small, my photographer cut most of his face off.

All in all, the museum has room to grow (the upstairs is not yet open to the public), but for the amount of items it does have to show off (provided you're a GOONIES fan like me), it's worth the price of admission.

Never Say Die: The Goonies Turns 25

2010-06-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

A massive amount of fans have converged on Astoria, Oregon this weekend for the Goonies 25th Anniversary Event. Because the schedule is so chaotic (and the uncharacteristic sunny day has the streets packed with people) I've only got a few moments to create this post before I'm on to the next activity. Check back later tonight for my write-ups on the Meet and Greet with the cast, the opening of the Oregon Film Museum and more.

-Tassoula

~~~

SIFF Interview: Directors Dave LaMattina and Chad N. Walker

2010-06-03T16:23:00.000-07:00

Last week I had the pleasure of seeing the documentary BROWNSTONES TO RED DIRT at SIFF (read my review here), and wanted to know more about the subjects of the film. Luckily, directors Dave LaMattina and Chad N. Walker were kind enough to grant me an interview via e-mail since we weren't able to connect at the festival. Here is that exchange:

Tassoula Kokkoris: Tell us about how you came to know both groups of students and where the idea for the project originated.

Chad Walker: Dave pitched me this idea when we were on a long train ride into New York City. He told me about how he wanted to shoot another documentary in Africa. He had shot a documentary on the legacy of the child AIDS activist Nkosi Johnson in South Africa. I had shot documentaries in Boston a few years before and also wanted to shoot another.

Dave LaMattina: When I was with the kids in South Africa, I was struck by the sense of hope in a community where outsiders (like myself) felt there should be none. It was inspirational--I was looking to recapture that experience and initially, I turned to South Africa to look for a similar story.

CW: Funny enough, his mom said to him, "You know, there are kids in our own backyard who need help too." This got Dave searching around and he found the RESPECT Refugees Pen Pal program. This program links kids in the first world with refugee children in the third world. Dave contacted them and soon a pen pal program was implemented at the School for the Urban Environment (the school featured in our film).

DL: We were actually looking at a pre-existing RESPECT pen pal partnership between a school in the Congo and a school in New Jersey because it was close to our home in NY. I was sharing this with my wife, who is the teacher in the film, and she said that she wanted to have the program at her school, and that, if they did, we could feature her class in the film. It worked out great. We had nothing to do with the pairing of the schools or selecting the countries--RESPECT just happened to pick a school in Sierra Leone. I couldn't have picked Sierra Leone out on a map. Actually, I would've been hard-pressed to tell you it was in Africa.

CW: We went in and did some test shoots four years ago at UE and realized right away that these kids had stories and unique voices, and those stories and voices needed to be heard. We spent the next school year following four kids from UE. We also went to Sierra Leone for just under a month where we found another bunch of amazing kids, kids who were so hopeful, kids who had so much faith. It blew me away. In the film, Emmanuel, one of the children from Sierra Leone, talks about how [the place] where he lives has no electricity and no lights. Instead of waiting for someone to fix this, he is determined to be an electrician so he can bring light to his people. They were just absolutely amazing kids in both places and I feel lucky to have met them.

TK: How does the pen pal program work? How can such a poverty-stricken nation such as Sierra Leone afford the paper, postage, etc.?

CW: In a nutshell, the kids in Bed-Stuy will send a bunch of letters to Sierra Leone. The letters can get there as fast as within a couple of weeks, or it can take as long as a few months. Once the kids in Sierra Leone have the letters, the read them and write letters back. But, your question is a good one because this school in Sierra Leone can't afford postage, so the teachers at UE will wire money to Sierra Leone. Then the letters are sent back, and again, it can take them anywhere from a week to a few months to get back to UE in Bed-Stuy.

DL: Lately, we've been trying to send letters over with friends who are visiting Freetown. It's a great way to get updates on all the kids there AND expedite the process a bit!

TK: Do the children still keep in touch? How about the teachers?

CW: Sadly, most of the kids in BROWNSTONES TO RED DIRT do not write to each other anymore. The kids from Sierra Leone have all moved on to different secondary schools, which are spread throughout the region, so getting the letters to all the different schools is pretty much impossible. However, the pen pal program is alive and well. Kids from UE are still writing to kids in Sierra Leone, just not the same kids as before.

DL: The teachers have stayed in touch. Again, communication can sometimes be spotty, but I know that my wife will write letters (and sometimes receive them) from her counterparts in Sierra Leone. I think it's been a pretty amazing experience for her. Chad and I also send letters to the kids--nothing major, just a little note to let them know that we think about them all the time. I also made a mixtape once--it was actually really fun to compile music that I thought they would like, but maybe hadn't heard.

TK: If other schools around the country want to get involved with the pen pal program, what should they do?

CW: The best thing to do to get a pen pal program started is to either visit our website: www.copperpotpictures.com/help.html
or visit:
www.respectrefugees.org

All the information to start a pen pal prgram can be found there.

TK: If viewers of the film wanted to donate money to the people of Sierra Leone, what programs/non-profit groups would you recommend they use to facilitate that?

CW: We have raised over $53,000 to build a new school in Sierra Leone and help create a library in Bed-Stuy. Obviously, the school in Sierra Leone needs replacing, but we were shocked to find that UE did not have a proper library. The best way to donate to either of these causes is to visit the Schools for Salone website: www.schoolsforsalone.org. This is the Seattle-based non-profit we have been working with. Here, you can make donations to sponsor your child's education, to help build a school in Sierra Leone or to help build the library in Bed-Stuy. When you donate, please make sure that you designate what the donation is for and make sure to put "Brownstones to Red Dirt" in the description field if you want to help the kids featured in our film.

DL: Just to add to that, we've already raised enough money for the school in Sierra Leone. We are simply waiting for the right piece of land to open up. The school will cater to nearly 400 primary school students. Once they graduate, however, they'll need school sponsors for their secondary school education. It only costs $250 a year to sponsor a kid's education--that money goes towards uniforms, books and even food. Often, even if a kid can afford to go to school, they have to drop out in order to work to make money so they can feed themselves. The sponsorship program that Schools for Salone has established takes that into account. They also make sure the kids keep their grades up!

TK: Do you have any updates on the children featured in the film? Where are they now?

CW: The kids from Bed-Stuy are now 8th graders. They are so big now! They are all doing well. The kids in Sierra Leone are also doing well, however we have not had a chance to see them since we left Sierra Leone two years ago. We do hope to go back once construction on the new school begins.

DL: It's crazy to see how big they are. I know that makes us sound like old-timers, but it's true! I'm not a big guy and a couple of them are definitely taller than I am. They're all applying to different high schools throughout New York. I can't wait to see where they end up. We've spoken with the headmistress in Salone a lot and she always says that the kids are doing very well--for a while, some of the kids didn't have the money to take their exams, so they couldn't go on to secondary school. I'm happy to report the kids featured in the film now have sponsors and they're all diligently working towards completing secondary school.

TK: Are there any plans to do a follow-up piece with the same groups of students?

CW: As of now there is no "sequel" planned; however, when we go back to Sierra Leone for the construction of the new school we are definitely going to bring our cameras and document the whole thing. Maybe it will be a special feature on the DVD!

TK: What will your next film project be?

CW: Unfortunately, we cannot announce our next project just yet. But we do have a new project we are working on that we are very excited about and can't wait to make it public!

DL: Be sure to follow us on all the social media channels out there--Facebook, Twitter and anything else that pops up--we'll definitely update those areas with any news about this project or the next one. Also, if you check out our website, www.brownstonestoreddirt.com, you can sign up for our mailing list where we'll announce additional screenings and any new spertaining to BROWNSTONES or future Copper Pot Pictures' projects. We promise not to spam!

BROWNSTONES TO RED DIRT screened at the 36th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: THE TOPP TWINS: UNTOUCHABLE GIRLS (documentary; New Zealand)

2010-06-01T06:23:00.000-07:00

Linda and Jools Topp are sisters—musical, lesbian sisters to be exact; but that's only part of their charm. In this lighthearted biographical documentary, The Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls, we trace the roots of Jools and Linda back to their humble-yet-proper upbringing in New Zealand.

As told by their business associates, parents and partners, it appears the girls were always entertainers. Born with a gift for song and an incredible sense of humor, the sisters developed a series of characters based on types of people they knew and performed songs and skits as if they were them. What resulted was a comedic attack complete with costumes, guitars and audience participation.

In addition to becoming popular entertainers, they also became active in Kiwi politics, leading the fight for gay and lesbian rights. Amidst all of the injustices that come with declaring oneself homosexual, these two ladies approach their lifestyle with the same refreshing joy and positive energy that they bring to their shows.

It's also important to note that they are not unlike millions of other twins who seem to have an undeniable bond that makes them want to spend time together. Aside from working as a pair, the two live together, with their respective partners, under one roof. As they describe in the film, if anyone is going to come after either of them, they should be forewarned that they are coming for two.

All in all, it's a pleasant journey through the lives of two driven women who are living life to the fullest, using their talents to create joy for themselves and thousands of others. What I appreciated most about this piece was its ability to convince me that, yes, sometimes nice girls do finish first.

The Top Twins: Untouchable Girls screened at the 36th Annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~

Cinebanter #90 - ROBIN HOOD

2010-05-31T07:57:00.000-07:00

The mp3 of this show can be found here.

In this episode, Michael and Tassoula aim their arrow at various targets as they review Ridley Scott's ROBIN HOOD. In the Last Five®, Michael unveils a triumphant indie, while Tassoula revisits a classic novel. Plus, this hosts answer a Listener Last Five. The breakdown is as follows:

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:32 Discussion of ROBIN HOOD
• Break
• 20:09 To Sum It Up
• Break
• 20:43 The Last Five®
• Break
• 43:39 Listener Last Five (Luke in Regina/Toronto)
• 52:54 Credits & Outtakes

Michael's Last Five in this episode were: EXTERMINATING ANGELS, SHIRI, MAMA MIA, CHLOE and WINTER'S BONE. Tassoula's Last Five were: THE HOST, THE BONE MAN, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, THE BOX and THE EXECUTION OF WANDA JEAN.

If you'd like to subscribe to the show (it's free, of course) via iTunes, click here. Please leave comments if you like what you hear.

Want to donate to the show and help with production costs, server fees, etc.? Click on the "Make a Donation" button to the left of this blog.

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

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

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

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

We hope you enjoy the show!

SIFF Sighting: MARWENCOL (documentary; USA)

2010-05-30T21:28:00.001-07:00

A brutal attack in the neighborhood bar left Mark Hogancamp in a coma for nine days in August of 2000. When he regained consciousness he had to re-learn all of his basic functions—speaking, reading, writing, etc. His former life was a mystery to him. He had just begun therapy when his insurance benefits ran out and he was forced to improvise. There began a creation of his own making: Marwencol.

In this film of the same title, we take a trip inside Marwencol, a fictional place constructed from dolls and hobby props by Mark himself, aimed at helping him heal. An amateur artist before the attack, Mark retained a gift for creativity and meticulously fashions action figures and Barbies to look like real people in his life. Then, he places the characters in World War II era clothing and situations to have them survive battles, get married, have catfights (girls only) and drink at the local bar. While improving his motor skills, he psychologically goes where many of us only allow ourselves to go when we dream. Fascinating, eh?

The situation is compelling in itself, but what makes the film work are the quality of Mark's creations, his good humor in sharing them, and the non-exploitive way the 'extra' details about his life are revealed.

He was an alcoholic before the attack, now he only drinks coffee; he's still fearful of groups of people and treats his dolls with a special reverence.

Director Jeff Malmberg has done a beautiful job sharing Mark's gifts with the world and documenting an incredibly unconventional road to recovery.

Marwencol screened at the 36th Annual Seattle International Film Festival. It will open in limited release this October, and appear on PBS next spring. To visit Mark's world, visit Marwencol.com.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: BROWNSTONES TO RED DIRT (documentary; Sierra Leone)

2010-05-29T20:59:00.000-07:00

The Sierra Leone Civil War, which began in 1991, caused thousands of deaths and created millions of refugees.

Many of these young refugees, who were orphaned as a result of the war, are featured in this touching documentary, Brownstones to Red Dirt.

In the film, we meet a class of youngsters in the region who have been paired up with pen pals in Brooklyn, New York. They are getting to know each other the old-fashioned way—through handwritten letters and photos sent through the mail. As the envelopes arrive, we see the reactions on both sides of the globe as the children share their personal stories and form genuine friendships. The New York kids don't live the high life, but they certainly don't face the same dangers and poverty as their African counterparts.

After learning of their pals' extreme hardships (many don't have electricity or proper beds), the New York students decide to host a barbecue to raise funds for them. The money is then donated to help buy necessities (including a new building) and the lives of both groups of students are changed by the generosity.

What makes this movie so sweet is that the filmmakers let the kids do the talking. From start to finish, they are the ones sharing their experiences in their own words, clearly unscripted, which creates a raw authenticity that would be difficult to duplicate with actors. One heartwrenching scene shows the African children re-enacting the war; another shows the disappointment of the New York kids when their barbecue isn't reaching their desired dollar amount.

It's a pleasure to get to know these young, compassionate souls, and feel thankful someone is making a difference in their lives. If only there were enough pen pals to go around.

Brownstones to Red Dirt screened at the 36th Annual Seattle International Film Festival. To learn more about how you can help build schools in Sierra Leone, visit the Schools for Salone website. If you are a teacher interested in setting your students up with refugee pen pals, visit the Respect for Refugees website.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: WINTER'S BONE (drama; USA)

2010-05-28T22:55:00.000-07:00

When we arrive in the Winter's Bone world of backroad Ozarks, we immediately know that 17-year-old Ree (Jennifer Lawrence) is tough. Tough from poverty, tough from cold Missouri weather and tough from growing up too fast.

Her father Jessup, a meth-mixer, has gone missing. He's on the run from the law and may or may not already be dead. Her mother is on site, but not present. She's ruined from drugs and maybe some mental illness thrown in for good measure. There are also two younger children: Sonny (Isaiah Stone) and Ashlee (Ashlee Thompson), who just want to be fed.

Ree learns that unless her father materializes, the family will soon lose the log cabin home they're living their miserable existence in, so she sets out to find him. Under normal circumstances, this would probably be no big deal, but in this rural nightmare it proves to be extremely dangerous. She is threatened, beaten, chased off—you name it—because she shouldn't be asking questions.

Resourceful, if not intelligent, Ree tries to join the Army to earn the money to save her home, not realizing that she can't take her siblings with her to basic training. If you think this scenario sounds sad, it is. But it's also a series of quiet occurrences that you can't take your eyes off of.

Everyone is punished at one time or another for someone else's stupid mistakes, and to watch this poor girl endure a life sentence of other people's mistakes is practically unbearable. Ree is a martyr for sure, but all of the characters in the film are tragic.

I didn't like riding out the pain of her struggles, but I certainly appreciated the writers' brilliance to get me there. Every situation, however horrific, was made believable by the realistic dialog and the impressive, understated acting.

A fine triumph in independent film.

Winter's Bone screened at the 36th annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~

SIFF Sighting: TURTLE: THE INCREDIBLE JOURNEY (documentary; United Kingdom)

2010-05-26T21:51:00.000-07:00

Each year at SIFF, there is always a nature documentary that makes you want to leap from your chair and dedicate your life to saving our ocean's creatures. Last year it was The Cove, the year before that Saving Luna. This year, the front-runner for 'heart-tugging champion of the festival' is Turtle: The Incredible Journey.

When we meet the star of the show, a female loggerhead turtle named FeeBee, she has just hatched from the sand on a beach in Florida and is enduring a race similar to that of the classic Centipede video game to get to the water—through a maze of 'enemies' ready to devour her in one bite. We watch a crab obliterate one of her siblings, and large birds swoop down to capture a few more. Luckily, our heroine prevails and launches herself into the deep blue sea, learning to make her way alone, guided only by primal instinct.

Just like any traveler, FeeBee encounters beautiful, breathtaking sights along her route and also endures several layers of danger. Her foes come in the form of larger sea life, oil spills (which were all the more painful to watch in light of the recent accident on the Gulf Coast), human garbage, large boats and fishermen. One scene will leave those who use grocery store plastic bags with a horribly guilty conscience.

The miles she covers are truly impressive: from Florida she swims around the brisk North Atlantic, over to Africa, on to the utopian-like Azores (a particularly gorgeous part of the film) and finally back to her own beach, where she will become a mother.

The narration by Miranda Richardson is calming and helpful, but the score of the film bordered on intrusive (though I'll admit, I smiled when the Jaws-like notes arrived as a shark was infringing on FeeBee's territory).

There are also moments that aspire to a Disney-like preciousness that weren't necessary to establish our love for the main character. Turtles are endearing by their expressions alone—allowing us to follow one along on their dangerous, but meaningful journey of life certainly conjures up enough emotions that the "Oh, look! Babies!" routine isn't essential.

What I enjoyed more were the metaphorical implications of FeeBee's trip. We all struggle to fit in and survive when we're young, and by the time we learn the ropes, it's time for another cycle to begin.

Following this gentle creature's life was a beautiful way to illustrate that.

Turtle: The Incredible Journey screened at the 36th annual Seattle International Film Festival.

~~~