Director's Club

Damon Houx of ScreenCrush.com joins us to talk about the influential and original Hong Kong filmmaker Wong Kar-wai. We briefly touch upon on his breakout film CHUNGKING EXPRESS (most of that discussion was lost due to technical difficulties) but the main film we focus on is the very beloved IN THE MOOD OF LOVE.  We definitely expand upon some more of his lesser known work as well.  In addition, Jim lept into Rian Johnson’s extremely entertaining LOOPER, Damon reviews the new sci-fi opus from Tom Tykwer and The Wachowski’s CLOUD ATLAS, and Patrick recently had a chance to see GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 on the big screen.

In a couple weeks we will be talking with our friend & guest columnist Gabe Powers about the prolific genre-hopping director Mario Bava!  Please be sure to leave us a voicemail to play on the show as well at 224-366-9528. If you’re a movie blogger/podcaster and would like a guest spot on the show to talk about a filmmaker whose work you admire. Thanks again for listening and be sure to check out our updated upcoming schedule in the sidebar to see which directors we’ll be talking about soon! Questions are always welcome via email: [email protected]

Jay Cheel of Film Junk, Kurt Halfyard of Row Three's Cinecast, and Zach Betonte of Film Jive join me in a quick 90-minute conversation about the two recently released films COMPLIANCE and THE IMPOSTER, both of which I think are two of the year's best.  I have a couple of reservations about the latter which are brought up, but most of the debates surround the former.  Overall you can expect a roundtable-style discussion as we examine two very interesting films that tackle true life stories about liars and manipulation.  COMPLIANCE fictionalizes a real-life event that is shocking and stranger than fiction, and for some, this fictionalized approach doesn’t entirely work.  THE IMPOSTER has been highly praised for its style and taut thriller-like execution (and rightfully so), and I mention a couple of things that lead to some questions surrounding documentary ethics and the way we perceive the events overall.

For the most part, the conversation surrounds the idea of director intention and the way both stories are presented in distinctively challenging ways that spark some thought-provoking ideas about the way we watch movies based on true events.  Since I realize both of these films are in limited release at the moment, I will promote this episode again once these two titles are out on DVD & Blu-Ray so you can listen to the discussion and maybe send us your thoughts/comments once you've had a chance to catch up with these movies, and I really hope that you do .  Both of these movies are conversation-stimulators in the best way, and I couldn't have been happier that these three guests complied and came on the show for a lively bit of rambling.  We will return to the regular format next week with Patrick as well, when guest Damon Houx joins us to talk about the great Wong Kar-Wai.  - Jim

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Website:  http://directorsclubpodcast.com

Troy Anderson joins us to talk about our very first animated filmmaker, the audacious and highly original Ralph Bakshi. We mainly focus on his adaptation of THE LORD OF THE RINGS as well as his unique look back at American history with AMERICAN POP, but we definitely touch upon some more of his lesser known work as well.  Towards the end, we realize that a 2nd episode may come into fruition in the future simply because there's a lot to be said about this incredibly unique artist.  In addition, Jim had time to take a stroll with Mike Birbiglia's rather charming SLEEPWALK WITH ME, Troy discusses BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS PART ONE and SWEET KILL, while Patrick takes a look at an animated short entitled DISKJOCKEY, which is linked in the show notes.

In a couple weeks we will be talking with Damon Houx about the great Wong Kar-Wai.  The two films we will be focusing on CHUNGKING EXPRESS and IN THE MOOD OF LOVE so feel free to watch them before the show and send us your thoughts.  Please be sure to leave us a voicemail to play on the show at 224-366-9528. If you’re a movie blogger/podcaster and would like a guest spot on the show to talk about a filmmaker whose work you admire. Thanks again for listening and be sure to check out our updated upcoming schedule in the sidebar to see which directors we’ll be talking about soon! Questions are always welcome via email: [email protected]

Returning guest Erik Childress talks with Jim about the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival and the really good time he had this year. Obviously, we don't touch on all 38 movies (!) he saw in 6 days, but we discuss around 12 titles that stood out.  Included are spoiler-free summations on these films in particular:

Antiviral
Cloud Atlas
Frances Ha
John Dies at the End
Passion
Seven Psychopaths
Silver Linings Playbook
The Iceman
The Impossible
The Place Beyond the Pines
To the Wonder

If you want to learn more about Erik, feel free to visit Efilmcritic.com (which is linked in our sidebar at the website).  In a few days, we return to the regular format.  We will be talking with Troy Anderson about our first animated filmmaker, Ralph Bakshi!  Please be sure to leave us a voicemail to play on the show at 224-366-9528. If you’re a movie blogger/podcaster and would like a guest spot on the show to talk about a filmmaker whose work you admire. Thanks again for listening and be sure to check out our updated upcoming schedule in the sidebar to see which directors we’ll be talking about soon! Questions are always welcome via email: [email protected]

The great Phil Nobile Jr returns to talk with us about the legendary (and often controversial) director William Friedkin. Although we do touch upon his more renowned 70s era favorites, the two films we focus on are the controversial CRUISING as well as the mid-80s action crime drama TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA.  In addition, Jim digests the rather subpar Stephen King adaptation THINNER, Phil talks about a private 35MM screening he had of COCKFIGHTER, and Patrick ventured out the theater to see the newly released PARANORMAN.

In a couple weeks we will be talking with Troy Anderson about our first animated filmmaker, Ralph Bakshi!  Please be sure to leave us a voicemail to play on the show at 224-366-9528. If you’re a movie blogger/podcaster and would like a guest spot on the show to talk about a filmmaker whose work you admire. Thanks again for listening and be sure to check out our updated upcoming schedule in the sidebar to see which directors we’ll be talking about soon! Questions are always welcome via email: [email protected]

Jim and Patrick play catch up on listener emails, discuss the shocking news of director Tony Scott's suicide, briefly touch on the latest season of Breaking Bad, and later do a more lengthy "What We Watched Segment" for this quick little bonus episode for the month of August. 

Jim brings the love for both THE LONG GOODBYE and LAST SUMMER, while Patrick begins checking out Season 1 of THE X-FILES.  Send us your thoughts at:  [email protected]

Jim and Patrick reunite alongside guest and friend to the show Dan Solomon, a journalist that has written for a wide variety of news outlets including Austin Chronicle, Texas Observer, and Culture Map.  We decide to talk about a filmmaker whose main strengths rely on screenwriting and characterization for this episode.  Noah Baumbach first came onto the scene in the mid 90s with the cult Gen-X classic KICKING AND SCREAMING.  Then we elaborate more on his even bigger success a decade later with the divorce dramedy THE SQUID AND THE WHALE.  In addition, Jim revisits the incredibly overlooked Billy Wilder satire ACE IN THE HOLE, Dan reviews the highly acclaimed documentary THE IMPOSTER, and Patrick addresses some questions we got from a listener that makes for some fun discussion!

In about ten days, we will be joined once again by Phil Noble Jr, to discuss the great William Friedkin! Please be sure to leave us a voicemail to play on the show at 224-366-9528. If you’re a movie blogger/podcaster and would like a guest spot on the show to talk about a filmmaker whose work you admire. Thanks again for listening and be sure to check out our updated upcoming schedule in the sidebar to see which directors we’ll be talking about soon! Questions are always welcome via email: [email protected]

This week Director’s Club has film buff and hobbyist filmmaker Greg David talking with Patrick about highly influential American-turned-Brit director Richard Lester. The films we focus on capture the many sides of this unique director, from the French new-wave inspired pure joy of A Hard Day’s Night (where the template for the modern music video was born) to the unexpectedly touching and heartfelt Robin and Marian, which simultaneously tells a rousing adventure story while capturing deep feelings of loss and love. In addition, we talk about Nightbreed: The Cabal Cut and some low-budget superhero sequel that a guy named Chris Nolan did. Maybe you heard of it, it came out recently.

Next episode we discuss the wit and bile captured in the films of Noah Baumbach with pop culture writer/blogger Dan Solomon. If you liked the show, why not leave us a voicemail at 224-366-9528? If you’re a movie blogger/podcaster and would like a guest spot on the show to talk about a filmmaker whose work you admire. Thanks again for listening and be sure to check out our updated upcoming schedule in the sidebar to see which directors we’ll be talking about soon! Questions are always welcome via email: [email protected]

Kurt Halfyard returns once again, alongside film blogger Matt Marko as they join Jim (sans Patrick this week) to talk about the controversial provocateur Lars Von Trier. Despite touching upon a few of his films throughout the conversation, we mainly focus on the stylistic film noir EUROPA as well as the highly acclaimed BREAKING THE WAVES.  In addition, Kurt revisits E.T, Jim reviews Oliver Stone's latest film SAVAGES, and Matt touches on Aaron Sorkin's THE NEWSROOM.

In about a week, Patrick will be talking with Greg David and possibly another surprise guest to talk about the great Richard Lester. Please be sure to leave us a voicemail to play on the show at 224-366-9528. If you’re a movie blogger/podcaster and would like a guest spot on the show to talk about a filmmaker whose work you admire. Thanks again for listening and be sure to check out our updated upcoming schedule in the sidebar to see which directors we’ll be talking about soon! Questions are always welcome via email: [email protected]

Sean Dwyer of Film Junk Podcast joins us to talk about the prolific and widely acclaimed filmmaker Ridley Scott. Despite touching upon a few of his films throughout the conversation, we mainly focus on the sci-fi classic BLADE RUNNER as well as the Oscar-winning GLADIATOR.. In addition, Sean gives us a review of THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, Jim talks SEEKING A FRIEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD, and Patrick proclaims MOONRISE KINGDOM as the best film of the year so far!

In about two weeks we will be talking once again with Kurt Halfyard from Row Three's Cinecast as we discuss the controversial Lars Von Trier. Please be sure to leave us a voicemail to play on the show at 224-366-9528. If you’re a movie blogger/podcaster and would like a guest spot on the show to talk about a filmmaker whose work you admire. Thanks again for listening and be sure to check out our updated upcoming schedule in the sidebar to see which directors we’ll be talking about soon! Questions are always welcome via email: [email protected]