Director's Club

After a slew of bonus episodes, we return to our regularly scheduled program all the way up until the summer. Film Junk’s very own Sean Dwyer and Frank Knezic return to the show for an energetic conversation about a fascinating filmmaker by the name of David O’Russell. No stranger to controversy but also one of the better directors of screwball-style comedy out there. We focus on the majority of his work including Three Kings and then the award-winning romantic dramedy Silver Linings Playbook. But we also bring up each of his films throughout the entire conversation as expected. During the newly dubbed, “what we watched recently” segment, I review another time loop teen drama called The Map of Tiny Pretty Things while Sean caught up with the action-side of that premise with Boss Level. Frank briefly goes through his recent viewings of The Nutty Professor, Raya and the Last Dragon and Attack Of The Murder Hornets. Lastly, I quickly mention that I couldn’t help but enjoy Soliel Moon Frye’s documentary, Kid 90. As always, it was a complete blast talking to two podcasters who are partially responsible for me getting into podcasting in the first place. 

00:00 - 07:08 - Introduction
07:09 - 08:25 - What We Watched Song
08:26 - 34:25 - What We Watched Recently
34:26 - 36:07 - Director Song
36:08 - 01:20:44 - Three Kings + Silver Linings Playbook
01:20:45 - 01:54:44 - Other O’Russell Films
01:54:45 - 02:05:43 - Top 3 O’Russell Films / Outro

Share This Episode With Others:
http://directorsclubpodcast.com/blog/episode186

Follow Frank On Letterboxd:
https://letterboxd.com/dirrrtyfrank/

Follow Sean On Letterboxd:
https://letterboxd.com/filmjunk/

Subscribe to the great Film Junk Podcast:
https://filmjunk.com

Check Out Premium Episodes Of Film Junk:
https://filmjunk.bandcamp.com

Letterboxd Ranking:
https://letterboxd.com/nowplayingjim/list/episode-186-david-orussell

So you might remember him as Arnie from Christine and that's where I first became aware of the terrific talent of one writer/director/actor extraordinaire Keith Gordon. He's been on Voices + Visions / Director's Club a few times now, thus beginning a yearly tradition where we check in and take the opportunity to nerd out about cinema of years past. Get out a notepad to jot down some of the titles discussed on this episode, as well as check out the list on Letterboxd.

The last time we spoke, we discussed underrated films of the 80s. This time we go back yet another decade to discuss the 70s and how incredible of a time it was to be a cinephile. Some titles might be familiar but a few were new to me. We have a wonderful discussion as always so if you've been a fan of our other talks, I have no doubt you'll enjoy the latest one as well. Check out the previous KG episodes / lists below!

Keith Gordon Episode Archives:
https://www.directorsclubpodcast.com/archives/keithgordonarchives

Underrated Films Of The 1990s:
https://letterboxd.com/jimlaczkowski/list/underrated-films-from-the-1990s/

Underrated Films Of The 1980s:
https://letterboxd.com/jimlaczkowski/list/underrated-films-from-the-1980s/

Underrated Films Of The 1970s:
https://letterboxd.com/jimlaczkowski/list/underrated-films-from-the-1970s

Underrated Films Of The 1960s:
https://letterboxd.com/jimlaczkowski/list/underrated-films-from-the-1960s

Check Out The Pure Cinema Podcast (w/QT) Mentioned:
https://thenewbev.com/blog/2021/03/pure-cinema-podcast-qt-movie-club/

What started back six years ago with 1985 continues. This time it’s one entire episode instead of split into two: all six hours plus of an annual tradition co-starring yours truly, Collin Souter and Erik Childress as we run down nearly every film that came out thirty years ago. This time it’s all about 1991!

If you’re a fan of nostalgia, sound clips, trailers, 1991 songs, laugh out loud moments and memories, then you’re in for a treat. Granted we don’t cover every single title but as always, we come pretty close. To follow along with our resource / guide, feel free to click on this link. See you in a year when we’ll do it all again for the following year and thank you so much for listening and for the support.

Footnote: this year we weren't able to record in person obviously so the sound quality may not be as strong as previous years.

Follow us all on Letterboxd:
http://letterboxd.com/nowplayingjim
http://letterboxd.com/cdsouter
http://letterboxd.com/erikthemovieman

It's been a long while since I was contacted about possible interviews, probably because there has been a lot going in the world or more than likely, I've been too busy to reply every single one. Well here are two I simply did not want to pass up because I thoroughly enjoyed the films we discuss. First up, as you heard during Episode 185, I sang the praises of I Blame Society, the latest from Gillian Wallace Horvat. For 15 minutes, we talk about what it was like making one of the year's best films so far and a whole lot more. Right after that, a longer discussion ensues with Mike P. Nelson who previously helmed The Domestics, a favorite from Cinepocalypse where it premiered here in Chicago. This time, he's responsible for a terrific remake / reboot of Wrong Turn. Surprisingly enough, this updating comes from the original screenwriter as well making some big changes along the way. Thanks so much to my great, very talented guests for their insights and delights. A couple more bonus episodes are coming before the next director-centric episode in mid-March.

00:00 - 06:35 - Intro
06:36 - 20:25 - Gillian Wallace Horvat (I Blame Society)
20:26 - 52:02 - Mike P. Nelson (Wrong Turn 2021)
52:03 - 52:59 - Outro

Rent I Blame Society:
https://crankedupfilms.com/iblamesociety

Wrong Turn (2021):
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9110170/

Vidiots - Donate and Save Their Store:
https://www.vidiotsfoundation.org

Switchblade Sisters Podcast (w/Gillian):
https://maximumfun.org/episodes/switchblade-sisters/episode-171-to-die-for-with-i-blame-society-director-gillian-wallace-horvat/

Chicago filmmaker and friend Sean Pierce returns to the podcast to discuss a Swedish director unlike any other. His choice was Roy Andersson and after seeing the majority of his work, I now understand why there is so much acclaim. It’s pretty much nothing but praise all-around particularly for a film that he made early in his career which will also be brought when I talk to Keith Gordon in a week or so. Sean and I had a blast catching up with lots of fun digressions along the way. We should’ve broken this up into vignettes / segments with quirky music in the background but really, Andersson’s films have to be seen to be believed. They’re an acquired taste but both Sean and I hope you acquire it. For the What We Watched segment, we also review I BLAME SOCIETY, IN AND OF ITSELF as well as FALLING & LAST AND FIRST MEN.

00:00 - 13:00 - Introduction
13:01 - 51:05 - What We Watched This Week
51:06 - 52:26 - Director Song
52:27 - 01:30:08 - Roy Andersson Discussion
01:30:09 - 01:48:59 - A Swedish Love Story
01:49:00 - 02:09:49 - Top 3 Films / Outro

Sean’s Work:
https://seanmpierce.com/personal

Patrick’s Work:
https://vimeo.com/user27805792

A Swedish Love Story:
https://www.curzonartificialeye.com/a-swedish-love-story

Sean on Letterboxd:
https://letterboxd.com/seanmpierce/

Episode 184 (technically episode 276 if you count bonus episodes) consists of something special - something we’ve never done before in the history of this show. A collaborative top ten list curated by the two individuals that started this show a decade ago. Normally, we fight and bicker but there’s just a little bit of that this time. Patrick Ripoll and I decided to happily piece together our very favorite films from the Obama Era which is essentially when we hosted this show together, on and off. These particular selections were released between 2009-2016 and a lot of familiar favorites do come up, but there are also surprises along the way. For the first four hours everything went smoothly, but as you’ll hear, there’s a bit of a change at the four-hour mark as we concluded due to technical difficulties.

No worries, you’ll get to hear most of our decisions, justifications and opinions on what the ten best films are from the years 2009-2016, back when things were a bit brighter in the world. We did this to cheer ourselves up and it worked! No time tracks this time since it’s all about the master list and getting it down to ten titles. Happy 10th anniversary to this show and thank you all for listening to me and Patrick ramble on for over four hours about some of our favorite films. 

The Master List:
http://bit.ly/dcobama

Follow Patrick:
https://letterboxd.com/patrickripoll

Listen to his show!
http://www.nowplayingnetwork.net/tracksofthedamned

Check out the last anniversary special:
http://www.directorsclubpodcast.com/blog/50favoritefilms

For the first 10th anniversary special of Director’s Club, you get 6 hours and 45 minutes of me and Bill Ackerman talking about our 50 favorite films of all time. Granted, we did end up spending a little time before that revealing our favorites from 2020 as well, but for the most part you get to learn about what each of us think are all-timers when it comes to movies we love. Some have changed for me including my #1.

Towards the end of the month, you’ll get a second anniversary special featuring Patrick Ripoll, original co-host for a surprise edition that should be quite different than anything we’ve done before. (Which means you’re likely to at least get a total of ten hours of content for January). My full of 100 favorites is available at Letterboxd but don’t spoil the fun, listen to the episode first to see what has changed these past five years since I last revised the list. Be sure to subscribe to Bill’s spectacular show, Supporting Characters. Catch up with all the episodes from the past and stay tuned for more in the future! Thank you so much for supporting Director’s Club this past decade and looking forward to at least another year’s worth of new episodes. See you in a couple of weeks for one more anniversary special - Jim

00:00 - 06:28 - Intro

06:29 - 51:59 - Favorites From 2020

52:00 - 03:13:07 - Favorite Films #50-#26

03:13:08 - 05:21:24 - Favorite Films #25-#11

05:21:25 - 06:44:30 - Favorite Films #10-#1

06:44:31 - 06:47:31 - Outro

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit directorsclub.substack.com/subscribe

BE SURE TO LISTEN TO THE VERY END FOR A SURPRISE CAMEO!  For the last official episode of 2020, I brought on two very special guests from one of my new favorite podcasts, Screen Drafts to talk about one of my favorite writer/directors, James L. Brooks. The great Clay Keller and Ryan Marker join me to discuss his entire filmography since it’s relatively small (unless you count his work in TV) and focus mainly on our love for his first two films. One of which is not only my favorite screenplay of all time but Clay’s favorite movie of all time. Early on, we also provide quick reviews on TIME, PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN and WILD MOUNTAIN THYME! What a great way to end the year and be sure to stay subscribed for two very special anniversary episodes in January! Obviously, I expect all of you to subscribe to Screen Drafts if you haven’t yet.

00:00 - 15:30 - Introduction
15:31 - 37:03 - What We Watched This Week
37:04 - 38:07 - Director Song
38:08 - 01:33:11 - Terms of Endearment + Broadcast News
01:33:12 - 01:57:34 - The Rest Of His Films
01:57:35 - 02:10:02 - Top Three / Outro / Surprise!

Screen Drafts:
https://screendrafts.libsyn.com/

https://twitter.com/ScreenDrafts

https://letterboxd.com/screendrafts/

https://www.patreon.com/screendrafts

After being inspired by Patrick’s foray into commentary tracks with his great show as well as Mike White of The Projection Booth’s version of this on the new Arrow Blu-Ray, I decided it was time to give this a try with a little help from a friend. Erik Childress (of Movie Madness) joins me to talk about one of the great science fiction films of the 1980s, The Last Starfighter. Definitely one of those titles I watched repeatedly that still holds up and has a special place in my heart.

Cue up your Blu-Ray or streaming platform and join us! We certainly bring up interesting facts along the way but also share personal stories too. I recommend watching along with us but you can also listen to this as a separate podcast. This episode will be in the regular feed as a sample of things to come over on the Director’s Club Patreon which I’m finally going to be updating on a regular basis. So if you want future commentary tracks and supplemental material you’ll have to join the family over there please. Really excited for you to hear this because The Last Starfighter meant so much to me as a kid as you’ll hear and huge gratitude to Erik for joining me on this adventure to Rylos and beyond!

00:00 - 03:07 - Introduction
03:08 - 01:51:13 - Commentary Track
01:51:14 - 01:55:06 - Outro

Buy the new Last Starfighter Arrow Blu-Ray:
https://www.diabolikdvd.com/product/the-last-starfighter-arrow-us-blu-ray/

In contrast to the last episode, this time we cover the work of someone more recent and with a much smaller filmography. Since all four films touch upon similar themes, culminating in what's now considered a masterpiece, we chronologically cover the work of French filmmaker Celine Sciamma starting with Water Lillies and ending with Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Joining me on the journey are returning guests Ryan McNeil of the Matinee Cast as well as friend and film writer Kate Blair. In addition, the what we watched segment covers a lot of ground as well ranging from Basket Case to The Offence to Possessor and much more!

00:00 - 11:10 - Introduction
11:11 - 11:59 - What We Watched Song
12:00 - 40:36 - What We Watched This Week
40:37 - 41:24 - Director Song
41:25 - 02:16:50 - Director Discussion (all 4 films)
02:16:51 - 02:33:21 - Outro

Support Jim’s latest endeavor to help music venues during the pandemic: https://justafan.bandcamp.com

Follow Kate:
https://letterboxd.com/selective_kate/

Follow Ryan:
https://www.thematinee.ca