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KPBS Film Club reviews THE WACKNESS, MONGOL, UP THE YANGTZE, SAVAGE GRACE & MOTHER OF TEARS

June 25th, 2008 by Scott Marks

Olivia Thirlby in THE WACKNESS

Good show today, but I can’t believe how much mileage we got out of Mongol. Glad that Tom didn’t see Savage Grace (most decidedly not for him), but I wish that he would have been able to catch The Wackness. It’s got Fudge written all over it.

The Argento discussion could have been a bit livelier, by our producer warned me not to mention anything about a sword being thrust so deeply into a woman’s private parts that it pops out of her mouth. Gotta’ love Dario Argento.

Believe it or not, the clip from The Conqueror did not come from my Good Times DVD. Credit Beth with beating me to the punch. It was also nice to have someone other than myself evoke Hitler’s name. Not unlike Woody Allen, I try to sneak it into every show.

To those of you that listen in your car, drive safely.

Download the Podcast here.

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Phil Donahue joins KPBS-Radio’s Film Club of the Air

April 23rd, 2008 by Scott Marks

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Eddie Vedder, Tomas Young, Ellen Spiro, Phil Donahue

On this morning’s Film Club we were joined via telephone by Phil Donahue who is making the rounds promoting his exceptional new anti-war documentary Body of War which he co-wrote and directed with Ellen Spiro. Phil spoke with great passion and intensity about the film’s subject Tomas Young, a paralyzed veteran cut down after only five days of service. The film details the unspeakable indignities the 25-year-old vet must endure on a daily basis as well his rapidly changing feelings concerning the merit of Bush’s “war on terror.”

Sadly, more people will see Morgan Spurlock’s giggle fest than Body of War. It’s not often that I use the word important when it come to cinema. I was hipped to this after seeing the trailer for A Night at the Opera which refers to the Marx Bros. romp as one of “the most important comedies ever made!”

Generally, if a poster contains the loaded term I break out in hives. That said, this is one of the most important films I have seen in years, and even though I’m a born pacifist and a die-hard Bush-hater it has forever changed the way I look at war.

I’ve talked this film up to like-minded friends as well as strangers at the checkout stand. (I hold back by not mentioning the catheter scene or that I cried all the way through it.) Unfortunately, the reaction is almost always the same: “I don’t know if I want to see it. It sounds too depressing.” It angers me that our society is pulling a blanket over their collective eyes as I am convinced that films like this (not Redacted) will help bring about an end to the war.

Since starting this blog I have never once insisted that you see a film, not even one of Marty’s. I’m doing it now. Please, hold off on seeing Harold and Kumar and if you’re smart, skip The Life Before Her Eyes and Deception altogether. Break away from your computers and home entertainment centers and see this movie opening weekend.

Also on the show, three concise minutes on Shine a Light, reviews of My Blueberry Nights, Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden and Redbelt in addition to some closing fireworks over Zombie Strippers.

Note to San Diegans: Ellen Spiro will be making a personal appearance at this Saturday night’s 7:15 pm screening at The Ken.

Download the Film Club podcast here.

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KPBS Film Club of the Air this Wednesday!

April 21st, 2008 by Scott Marks

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The Wong Kar-Pie

If you live in San Diego and are near a radio this Wednesday morning be sure to tune into KPBS, 89.5 FM when the Film Club of the Air reviews a bunch of new releases.

I’ll be there with my partner in crimes against cinema Beth Accomando and These Days host Tom Fudge to talk about David Mamet’s Redbelt, Wong Kar-Wai’s My Blueberry Nights, and a comparison between two war documentaries Ellen Spiro’s Body of War and Morgan Spurlock’s Where in the World is Osama Bin Laden. We’ll also take a few moment to discuss Marty’s Shine a Light and that soon-to-be family favorite, Zombie Strippers.

If you can’t join us live, make sure to download the podcast.

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KPBS-RADIO SHOWS

March 1st, 2008 by Scott Marks

Pineapple Express, Man on Wire, The Last Mistress, Vicky Christina Barcelona, Baghead
Aug 06, 2008
There’s a new documentary about the man who walked a wire between the World Trade Towers in the 1970’s and a horror movie that satirizes indie movies. We talk about these films and more on this Film Club of the Air.
Mongol, Up the Yangtze, Savage Grace, The Wackness, Mother of Tears
Jun 25, 2008
On this Film Club of the Air, we talk about a new epic film made in the old Hollywood style about Genghis Kahn, a documentary about the modernization of China, a stoner comedy with heart, and a tragic drama about a wealthy family with no sense of boundaries.
Indiana Jones, The Visitor, Before the Rains
May 21, 2008
We’ll talk about the new Indiana Jones movie as well as fan tribute to the first film in the franchise, Raiders of the Lost Ark. We’ll also get our critics to weigh in on an independent film called The Visitor, the latest from Merchant and Ivory, and a new French thriller called Roman de Gare.
My Blueberry Nights, Body of War, Zombie Strippers, and More
Apr 23, 2008
We talk about Wong Kar-Wai’s first English language film “My Blueberry Nights” and Phil Donahue joins Beth Accomando and Scott Marks to talk about his new documentary “Body of War.”
Horton Hears a Who!, Chicago 10, Funny Games, Married Life, Snow Angels
Mar 19, 2008

We hear what Dr. Seuss’ widow, Audrey Geisel, has to say about the anti-abortion contingent politicizing the newly released “Horton Hears A Who!,” and we discuss the films “Chicago 10,” “Funny Games,” “Married Life,” and “Snow Angels.”
Oscar Nominations, There Will Be Blood, Cassandra’s Dream, War/Dance, The Waterhorse
Jan 23, 2008
The Academy Award nominations were announced yesterday; we agree and disagree with the Academy’s choices. We also talk about ‘There Will Be Blood,’ the new Woody Allen movie ‘Cassandra’s Dream,’ a documentary called ‘War/Dance,’ and a family movie called ‘The Water Horse.’
Sweeney Todd, Juno, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Savages, Youth Without Youth
Dec 19, 2007
There are a lot of movies to see this holiday season and we make sure to recommend the best of the bunch. Our critics for this Film Club of the Air will discuss Sweeney Todd, Juno, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly, The Savages and Youth Without Youth.
Film Club of the Air: February
Jan 31, 2008
Once a month, local film critics gather to discuss some of the new films opening in theaters. Film Club of the Air is broadcast as a regular segment on These Days with host Tom Fudge.
No Country for Old Men, Redacted, Dr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, Margot at the Wedding
Nov 20, 2007
During this Film Club of the Air, we’ll talk about the Coen brothers’ dark new thriller “No Country for Old Men,” as well as a war movie from Brian DePalma and some family fare with “Dr. Magorium’s Family Emporium.”
American Gangster, Rendition, Control, Finishing the Game
Oct 30, 2007
Ridley Scott’s take on the gangster movie opens in theaters this weekend. We’ll also talk about a comedy called “Finishing the Game,” Ben Affleck’s directorial debut and a new biopic about Joy Division’s tragic lead singer Ian Curtis.
Eastern Promises, The Brave One, Across the Universe
Sep 19, 2007
David Cronenberg has a new film set in the underworld of the Russian mafia, and Paul Haggis follows his Oscar-winning “Crash” by turning to the Iraq War with Tommy Lee Jones in the lead. We’ll also talk about Jodie Foster in “The Brave One” and Julie Taymor’s Beatles extravaganza, “Across the Universe.”
David Lynch, King of Kong, No End in Sight and Colma
Aug 29, 2007
David Lynch’s latest feature film goes straight to video, but we’ll talk about it anyway. We’ll also discuss two new documentaries, one about the Iraq War and the other about a little known war between two classic video game champions. Finally, we’ll look at a modern-day musical set in Colma, California.
The Simpsons Movie, Rescue Dawn, The Interview, Sunshine
Jul 25, 2007
The longest running sitcom in television history heads to the big screen this weekend. On this Film Club of the Air, we’ll talk about “The Simpsons Movie”, Werner Herzog’s new film “Rescue Dawn”, Steve Buscemi’s film “The Interview”, and the latest sci-fi thriller from Trainspotting director Danny Boyle.
Michael Moore’s Sicko, A Mighty Heart, Broken English, Killer of Sheep
Jun 27, 2007
We speak with two film critics about the films in area theaters, including “Sicko”, the new Michael Moore documentary and “A Mighty Heart,” which tells the story of the kidnapping of journalist Daniel Pearl.
Paprika, Chalk, Knocked Up and Once
May 31, 2007
While the third “Spiderman” and “Pirates of the Carribean” break box office records, we explore some of early summer’s smaller releases. We talk about a modern-day musical from a former member of The Frames, an adult-oriented anime movie called “Paprika,” and we’ll see if the comedies “Chalk” and “Knocked Up” make us laugh.
Hot Fuzz, Jindabyne, Red Road, Black Book
Apr 25, 2007
New films by Paul Verhoeven and the team behind “Shaun of the Dead” are currently in area theaters. We’ll talk to our film critics Beth Accomando and Scott Marks about what they think about what’s on the big screen in San Diego. We’ll also get a DVD recommendation from the film curator at the San Diego Museum of Contemporary Art.
The Lookout, The Namesake, The Hoax, Color Me Kubrick
Mar 28, 2007
Beth Accomando and Scott Marks discuss The Lookout, The Namesake, The Hoax, Color Me Kubrick, and more.
Academy Awards, Zodiac, Black Snake Moan, The Astronaut Farmer, The Host
Feb 28, 2007
Film critics Beth Accomando and Scott Marks join These Days host Tom Fudge for a review of the Academy Awards, as well as new films currently in theaters, including Zodiac, Black Snake Moan, The Astronaut Farmer and The Host.
Venus, Breaking and Entering, Pans Labyrinth, Rules of the Game and Smoking Aces
Jan 30, 2007
Film critics discuss some of the new films in local theatres. Films include “Venus,” “Breaking and Entering,” “Pans Labyrinth,” “Rules of the Game,” and “Smoking Aces.”
Apocalypto, The Good German, Notes on a Scandal, The Painted Veil, Dreamgirls
Dec 20, 2006
Beth Accomando and Scott Marks are back with another hour of film. They cover controversial films like “Apocalypto,” smaller independent releases like “Notes on a Scandal,” and the blockbuster options like “Dreamgirls.”
Borat, Volver, Babel, Casino Royale
Nov 15, 2006
Beth Accomando and Scott Marks are in studio for opinionated talk about new films. Expect a mix of ranting and laughter as the Film Club critics review “Borat,” “Volver,” “Babel” and “Casino Royale.”
The Departed, Flags of Our Father, Jesus Camp and More
Oct 12, 2006
Film critics Beth Accomando and Scott Marks come together for an hour on new movies. They cover Martin Scorsese’s new film “The Departed,” Clint Eastwood’s “Flags of Our Father,” a documentary “Jesus Camp,” Sophia Cappola’s “Marie Antoinette,” and Hou Hsiao Hsien’s “Three Times” screening at the local Asian Film Festival.
Black Dahlia, Hollywoodland, The Last Kiss, and more…
Sep 13, 2006
Film critics discuss some of the new films in local theatres. Films include “Black Dahlia,” “Hollywoodland,” “Factotum,” and “The Last Kiss.”
Woody Allen’s Scoop, Clerks II, and more…
Jul 27, 2006
Film critics discuss some of the new films in local theatres. Films include Woody Allen’s “Scoop,” “Clerks II,” “Lady of Vengeance,” “Wassup Rockers” and the local “Alt Picture Show.”
Who Killed the Electric Car, Road to Guantanamo, and more…
Jul 13, 2006
Film critics discuss some of the new films in local theatres. Films include “The Road to Guantanamo,” “Strangers with Candy,” “Who Killed the Electric Car,” and “A Scanner Darkly.”
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