Director's Club

Brad and Al talk about Pre-Leone history of the Westers:  3:13
"The Colossus Of Rhodes"  12:16
"Fistful of Dollars" 16:14
        * Theme from...
"For A Few Dollars More" 33:47
        * Theme from...
        * "The Musical Pocket Watch"
"The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly"  49:38
        * Theme from...
        * "The Story of a Soldier"
        * "The Ecstacy of Gold"
        * "The Trio"
"Once Upon a Time in the West"  1:34:40
        * Theme from.... (Jill's Entrance)
        * "Man With The Harmonica"
        * "Farewell to Cheyenne" (played at our outro)
"Duck, You Sucker!" 2:21:33
        * Theme from...
"Once Upon a Time in America"  2:42:20
        * "Amapola"
Summary: "Is Sergio Leone 'The Guy'?"  3:18:48
        * Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass playing "Tijuana Taxi"

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PART TWO OF TWO:  Nothing's gonna stop us now!  Ladies and gentlemen, let's go back thirty years to when three film critics fell in love with going to the movies.  The mid-80s informed a lot of my taste, and much like previous years' retrospectives, it's always a blast to go back and see what holds up and what we each consider to be personal favorites from a particular year.  RogerEbert.com's very own Erik Childress and Collin Souter return for what is officially a yearly tradition that started thanks to original podcast creator Jim Laczkowski (that's me).  We started with 1985 two years ago, and plan to do this all the way up until 1999 as a bonus excursion for reflection, nostalgia, and to celebrate those 80s and 90s kids that adored film as much as we did.

After a brief intro for this episode, we go through the entire year chronologically covering titles that range from THE STEPFATHER to SPACEBALLS and everything in between (LA BAMBA, BROADCAST NEWS, WALL STREET, THE GATE and so much more).  Yes, some big titles come up, but have no fear, we talk OVER THE TOP and ISHTAR too.  Some debates come up mainly revolving around horror films, but for the most part, it's a friendly 4-hour conversation between 3 die-hard movie fans that enjoy sharing memories, insights, and reviews.  At the end of this, we list our favorite films of 1987.  We hope you enjoy each the conversation, and yes, consider this our major malfunction!  Eventually, we snapped out of it.  This is Part Two.

Part One Of The Year In Review
Jim's 20 Favorites
http://nowplayingnetwork.net

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The 1987 List Of Movies!

PART ONE (OF TWO):  You can follow the list from 1987 that we cover linked above.  Nothing's gonna stop us now!  Ladies and gentlemen, let's go back thirty years to when three film critics fell in love with going to the movies.  The mid-80s informed a lot of my taste, and much like previous years' retrospectives, it's always a blast to go back and see what holds up and what we each consider to be personal favorites from a particular year.  RogerEbert.com's very own Erik Childress and Collin Souter return for what is officially a yearly tradition that started thanks to original podcast creator Jim Laczkowski (that's me).  We started with 1985 two years ago, and plan to do this all the way up until 1999 as a bonus excursion for reflection, nostalgia, and to celebrate those 80s and 90s kids that adored film as much as we did.

We go through the entire year chronologically covering titles that range from THE PRINCESS BRIDE to SPACEBALLS and everything in between (LA BAMBA, BROADCAST NEWS, WALL STREET, THE GATE and so much more).  Yes, some big titles come up, but have no fear, we talk OVER THE TOP and ISHTAR too.  Some debates come up mainly revolving around horror films, but for the most part, it's a friendly 4-hour conversation between 3 die-hard movie fans that enjoy sharing memories, insights, and reviews.  At the end of Part Two, we list our favorite films of 1987.  We hope you enjoy each the conversation, and yes, consider this our major malfunction!  Eventually, we snapped out of it.  This is Part One so expect Part Two the following day.

http://directorsclubpodcast.com
http://nowplayingnetwork.net

 

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

04:07 "Comedy Tonight" : Brad and Al Comedies
20:02 "Bicycle Race" by Queen : "Jour La Fete"
35:40 "Holiday" by Weezer: "M Hulot's Holidy"
57:15 "Man from U.N.C.L.E.": "Mon Oncle"
1:09:50 "Playtime"
1:53:16 "Crosstown Traffic" Hendrix:  "Traffic"
2:06:43 "Parade"
2:19:11 "Forza Batista"
2:22:40 Overview of Tati's Life and Work
2:30:00 Some Tati-esque recommendations
2:34:44 3 Favorite Gags from Tati films, 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

It is my esteemed pleasure and honor to introduce the all-new Director's Club!  This is the first official episode hosted by your two new hosts.  The great Brad and Al have been handed the keys to the kingdom and inherited a chocolate factory.  Please give them your support, kind words, and feedback for their stay here on the podcast.  It will continue to be bi-weekly, sometimes featuring guests, sometimes not.  The format is very similar so don't fret.  

For their first episode as hosts, Brad and Al have recruited a familiar voice from past episodes both here and over at RowThree.com.  The Cinecast's very own Andrew James joins Brad & Al to talk about the entire career of Mr. Danny Boyle.  They start at SHALLOW GRAVE and go all the way to STEVE JOBS, and everything in-between.  I pop on the mic at one point to give my two cents on SUNSHINE as well, and the crew discuss the merits of TRAINSPOTTING and its upcoming sequel.  So kick back and relax, and welcome to Director's Club hosted by two truly terrific and intelligent hosts that I hope you enjoy and respect just much as you did with the original hosts.  Looking forward to being a guest on a future episode very soon - Jim

00:00 - 08:41 - Introduction
08:42 - 50:47 - SHALLOW GRAVE, TRAINSPOTTING, LIFE LESS ORDINARY
50:48 - 01:44:56 - THE BEACH, 28 DAYS LATER, MILLIONS
01:44:57 - 02:50:40 - SUNSHINE, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, 127 HOURS
02:50:41 - 03:41:16 - THE OLYMPICS OPENING, TRANCE, STEVE JOBS
03:41:17 - 03:44:33 - Outro

As always, please send Brad & Al your comments, questions and general feedback to:  [email protected]

Visit The Website:
http://directorsclubpodcast.com

Visit The Network:
http://nowplayingnetwork.net

Visit Jim's New Podcast / Blog:
http://voicesvisions.net

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

This is the end!  (Don't worry, I didn't play The Doors in this episode). Well, no of course it isn't actually the end.  But this is the last episode where I officially host.  Fear not, there will be bonus episodes and I’ll be guesting from time to time throughout the year.  Give all your support to Al & Brad when they begin in three weeks on the Danny Boyle episode.  Of course, this is the year-end spectacular for 2016 and it should come as no surprise that it’s 4 hours long. 

I enlisted the help of two great friends of mine to contribute their thoughts on the year that was, as well as sharing their favorite films of 2016.  Supporting Characters’ very own Bill Ackerman as well as Film Jive co-host Zach Betonte expand with me in great detail about memorable moments in film from the year that was!  We also continue the tradition of sub-categories, listener & past guest contributions, 2016 favorites from the fans, and so much more!  Obviously, it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t begin with an introduction and a farewell.  I’ll miss hosting, but I will continue to be behind-the-scenes every step of the way.  It’s been an absolute pleasure and a privilege hosting this show, and you can always find me on either the Now Playing Network or at Voices & Visions - Jim

00:00 - 09:18 - Introduction / Farewell
09:19 - 36:42 -  Overall Thoughts On 2016
36:43 - 01:45:50 - Sub-Categories (Best Actress, etc.)
01:45:51 - 01:52:10 - Regina & Andrew’s Lists!
01:52:11 - 02:26:16 - Numbers #25 - #11
02:26:17 - 02:29:14 - More Listener Lists!
02:29:15 - 03:57:37 - Our Top Ten Favorite Films Of 2016
03:57:38 - 04:03:45 - Final Round Of Listener Lists
04:03:46 - 04:09:30 - Outro / Final Parody Song

For our complete lists, photos and show notes go to:
http://www.directorsclubpodcast.com/blog/favorites2016

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

Merry New Year and Happy Christmas to all.  What I have prepared for you is a gift that I will call the "Royal Sampler Volume One."  It contains short clips from all the podcasts featured at The Now Playing Network, as well as extended highlights from Supporting Characters & Director's Club from over the years.  You also get a brief glimpse into some of my interviewing skills with various guests over the years.  There's also some kind of unusual collage towards the end.  This is a special episode, highlighting the talented folks of NPN for the first half, and then highlighting some of the better moments from the recent wave of Director's Club episodes.  The next episode will likely be released on January 9th, which will be The Best of 2016 featuring Bill Ackerman and Zach Betonte.  This means you have until January 7th to get your top ten lists in so I can read some during our recording!  [email protected]

Thank you again for listening to this pinata of audio treats that will hopefully get you through your commute home for Christmas.  See you next year and stay tuned for some exciting changes to come

00:00 – 07:24 – Introduction
07:25 – 12:48 – Vinyl Emergency Excerpt
12:49 – 19:50 – Fresh Perspective Excerpt
19:51 – 26:27 - Movie Madness Excerpt
26:28 – 33:23 - Tracks of The Damned Excerpt
33:24 – 01:44:00 - Supporting Characters Highlight Reel
01:44:01 – 01:54:50 - Director’s Club Highlight Reel Part One
01:54:51 – 02:16:53 - Interview Excerpts with Stephen Tobolowsky, Keith Gordon, Allan Moyle, John McNaughton, Rachel Grimes, Karrie Hopper
02:16:54 – 02:32:21 - Director’s Club Recent Guest Highlights
02:32:22 – 02:50:32 - ???

Check out the podcasts:
http://nowplayingnetwork.net

Check out my new podcast:
http://voicesvisions.net

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

Welcome to Voices and Visions, formerly Pop Culture Club.  Confused?  Well, there’s an introduction to help assist you.  As you may or may not know, PCC is now V&V, and this is the first official episode under the new name.  After my 8-minute monologue at the top, I am pleased to present another wonderful singer/songwriter by the name of Kay Hanley.  If you’ve heard of the band Letters to Cleo, she is the incredibly energetic frontwoman and has always been a true blue rock star in my eyes.  For movie fans, you’ll also know her as the singing voice of Josie in the hysterical satire JOSIE AND THE PUSSYCATS with Rachael Lee Cook, Parker Posey, and Alan Cumming. 

In addition, Kay is a songwriter for hire and has recently released a new EP with Letters to Cleo. I had the pleasure of meeting with her at the VIP show in Chicago and a couple months later, we reconnected over the phone to have a delightful conversation about her career, loss, inspiration, working in film, and what we can potentially expect from Letters to Cleo in the future.  I truly hope you enjoy this episode since this is precisely the kind of show I will be offering as of 2017 on what I hope to be a weekly basis.  Thank you so much to Nicole Poulos, Michael Creamer, and of course, my great guest Kay Hanley!  My conversation with her begins right around the 8 minute mark.

Buy the new Letters to Cleo EP:
http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/letterstocleo

Official Letters To Cleo Website:
http://www.letterstocleo.net/

Follow Letters to Cleo on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/letterstocleomusic/

My new website:
http://voicesvisions.net

Subscribe to the show:
V&V on ITunes

Follow Me On Twitter:
https://twitter.com/nowplayingjim

Check out the Now Playing Network:
http://nowplayingnetwork.net

Coming Soon:  A double dose of independent filmmakers are featured as well as an upcoming compilation of interview highlights from a number of shows on the network!

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

Happy Thanksgiving to all.  And I want to say thank you for all the very kind words and messages in regards to my introduction from the last episode in which I announced the show will be hosted by two different voices next year. For this episode, it is my pleasure to welcome back two special guests from the past that have meant a great deal to me and for their friendship, I am grateful. The first is the co-host of RowThree.com’s Cinecast, and has been a frequent contributor to the show here going all the way back to his first appearance on the Michael Winterbottom episode, the loquacious and astute Kurt Halfyard. The other is a film graduate and she has joined me twice this year to talk about Hitchcock and Varda, the intelligent and good-natured Kate Blair.  We cover the surprising winner of the listener’s poll, UK’s very own Jonathan Glazer who has made three films that are all incredibly unique as well as several advertisements and memorable music videos.

First up we cover Glazer’s take on the gangster heist noir SEXY BEAST, in which we all do our best impersonations of Ben Kingsley and his Oscar-nominated role as Don Logan.  Secondly, we revisit a much-derided film upon its release, BIRTH, with a pitch-perfect Nicole Kidman as she grapples with the possibility that her dead husband has been reincarnated into the body of a ten-year-old boy.  Finally, the one that anyone who has seen it then can’t wait to talk about it afterward, we dive into the pool of the profoundly original sci-fi alien thriller UNDER THE SKIN.  Later in the episode, we briefly talk about 2016 recommendations as well as the plans I have for the rest of the year.  There may be a bonus episode or two, but other than that, I’m taking most of December off to focus on a number of projects including the revision of my interview podcast and more. Stay subscribed and Happy Holidays to all!

00:00 – 07:03 – Introduction
07:04 – 08:57 – Director Song
08:58 – 26:48 – General Overview, First Experiences
26:49 – 01:02:30 – Music Videos, Sexy Beast
01:02:31 – 01:58:28 – Birth 
01:58:29 – 02:21:06 – Under The Skin
02:21:06 – 02:31:13 – Outro

For the next episode, it may be a whole month until I return alongside friend Bill Ackerman as we talk for three hours about our favorite films of 2016.  I’m going to be binge-watching as much as I can for the next month, getting ready to launch a revised version of Pop Culture Club, as well as spending time with friends and family because now more than ever, we need to remind one another that we care.  Please visit Directorsclubpodcast.com, send me an email to [email protected]. I want to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving, a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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

Listen to Kurt on The Cinecast:
http://www.rowthree.com/cinecast-archive/

Follow Jim on Letterboxd:
http://letterboxd.com/instantjim/

Visit Jim's Network For Many Great Shows:
http://nowplayingnetwork.net

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

As of mid-January 2017, I will no longer be the host of Director's Club on a full-time basis. Episode 121 (The Best of 2016) will be my last official episode as the predominant voice you hear on the show. While some of you may frown at that change, I encourage you to listen to my reasons during the introduction as well as learn who the new host will be and why I decided to move forward. Reminder: I am not disappearing completely.  After a lengthy monologue about the changes to come including the ridiculous election results, I happily have a conversation with one of my favorite guests and friends, Supporting Characters' very own Bill Ackerman.

Not only will Bill be my guest for Episode 121, he joins me today to discuss the life and films of a fascinating figure by the name of Peter Bogdanovich. We talk about his most renowned work such as THE LAST PICTURE SHOW & PAPER MOON, but we also touch upon overlooked gems like TARGETS, THEY ALL LAUGHED & SAINT JACK. There's a review for all of his films overall. Please listen to the entire episode this time around, it would be greatly appreciated. And I can't thank Bill enough once again for another wonderful conversation and education about one of cinema's greats!  For some reason, we forgot to give our top three lists! 

00:00 - 22:22 - Introduction / Announcement (changes in 2017)
22:23 - 24:32 - Introduction w/Bill
24:33 - 26:34 - Director Song
26:35 - 01:08:08 - TARGETS, THE LAST PICTURE SHOW
01:08:09 - 01:39:52 - WHAT'S UP DOC, PAPER MOON
01:39:53 - 02:02:41 - SAINT JACK, THEY ALL LAUGHED
02:02:42 - 02:17:47 - MASK, TEXASVILLE, NOISES OFF
02:17:48 - 02:42:10 - THE THING CALLED LOVE & others
02:42:11 - 02:49:44 - Outro

Stay tuned. In two weeks, right before Thanksgiving, you'll be treated to a special episode involving returning guests Kurt Halfyard and Kate Blair as we talk about the three films of Jonathan Glazer. Then December, I'll be laying low, watching as many 2016 releases as I can before my final official episode in early January. Please stay subscribed, and more news to come!  Visit: http://directorsclubpodcast.com and send an email to: [email protected]

Please visit:
http://nowplayingnetwork.net

http://letterboxd.com/billackerman

http://letterboxd.com/instantjim

 

 

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