Indie film news, reviews, commentary, interviews, podcasts and more, updated throughout the week.
Being a "Female Filmmaker"
By Alison Willmore on 06/22/2009
When Kathryn Bigelow makes an intense action film like "The Hurt Locker," the fact that she's a she becomes a major topic of conversation. So why isn't the same true when a man directs a movie for a "female" audience? That sort of double standard is the subject of this week's IFC News podcast, along with further discussion of Bigelow's career and some of our other favorite women directors. Download: MP3, 36:05 minutes, 33 MB Subscribe to the podcast: [iTunes] [XML] MORE »
-
- Comment
Trying to High Concept the "High Concept"
By Alison Willmore on 06/15/2009
Filed under: PodcastsNazi zombies. Dog plays basketball. Bomb on a bus. Snakes on a plane. The "high concept" movie is usually anything but highbrow, but it's become an essential part of the studio system. This week on the IFC News podcast, we try and define just what a high concept film is, find some extreme examples, and look at how the idea has even spread to the indie world. Download: MP3, 36:32 minutes, 33.5 MB Subscribe to the podcast: [iTunes] [XML] MORE »
Great Modern Uses of Good Ol' Black and White
By Alison Willmore on 06/08/2009
Filed under: PodcastsShooting a film in black and white has been a choice rather than a necessity for decades now. This week on the IFC News podcast, we dig through the last ten years of color-free features to look for all the recent reasons directors have decided to go monochromatic, from its indie credibility to its intimacy to the way it allows you to critique films from the past. Download: MP3, 38:02 minutes, 34.8 MB Subscribe to the podcast: [iTunes] [XML] MORE »
Memory Loss in The Movies
By Alison Willmore on 06/01/2009
Filed under: PodcastsFrom the timeline-warping tricks of "Memento" to the bleary-eyed morning-after of this week's "The Hangover," memory loss remains a treasured (and sometimes abused) movie gimmick. This week on the IFC News podcast, we look at some of our favorite clichés of on-screen amnesia, as well as the best ways memory loss has been used to shake things up and put a new twist on plot and characters. Download: MP3, 31:50 minutes, 29.2 MB Subscribe to the podcast: [iTunes] [XML] MORE »
Sam Raimi Drags Us To Hell
By Alison Willmore on 05/25/2009
Filed under: PodcastsSam Raimi's long-anticipated "return to form" "Drag Me To Hell" hits theaters this Friday, a horror-comedy B-movie that pits a loan officer (Alison Lohman) against a three-day-long gypsy curse. On this week's IFC News podcast, we discuss the film and Raimi's career to date, including our favorite underrated Raimi features and whether he has an obligation to try something new. Download: MP3, 34:42 minutes, 31.8 MB Subscribe to the podcast: [iTunes] [XML] MORE »
Antichrist Compels You
By Alison Willmore on 05/18/2009
Filed under: PodcastsFive minutes after it ended, the first screening of Lars von Trier's new, outrageous "Antichrist" was already a thing of legend. Journalists wobbled away ecstatic, furious, amused, bewildered or physically ill, and at a press conference the next day, the Danish provocateur proclaimed "I am the best film director in the world." This week on the IFC News podcast, we talk about the film everyone's talking about, as well as Pixar's latest, "Up." Download: MP3, 36:12 minutes, 33.2 MB Subscribe to the podcast: [iTunes] [XML]... MORE »
When Amusement Parks Go to the Movies
By Alison Willmore on 05/11/2009
Filed under: PodcastsTheme park rides have inspired movies, and movies have provided the inspiration for rides, but with recent theatrical releases getting gussied up with 3-D, IMAX and rumbling seats, has the line between the two shifted? This week on the IFC News podcast, we look at the changing relationship between amusement park attractions and event movies. Download: MP3, 38:16 minutes, 35 MB Subscribe to the podcast: [iTunes] [XML] MORE »
Screen Siblings
By Alison Willmore on 05/04/2009
Filed under: Podcasts"Rudo y Cursi," which opens this week, reunites "Y tu mamá también" co-stars Diego Luna and Gael García Bernal as brothers and rivals in the world of pro soccer. (One would guess this means there will be less kissing between the two in this new film.) So inspired, this week's IFC News podcast looks at a few of our favorite portrayals of siblings on screen, from slapstick silly ("Step Brothers") to Hollywood gothic ("What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?"). Download: MP3: 39:44 minutes, 36.3 MB Subscribe to the podcast: [iTunes] [XML]... MORE »
Modern Day Retellings
By Alison Willmore on 04/28/2009
Filed under: PodcastsTribeca has an update on an Edgar Allan Poe's short story; network TV turned a biblical story into a contemporary soap opera. The modern-day retelling of older source material continues to be the basis of plenty of new productions, but how often are they actually worth watching? This week on the IFC News podcast, we look at a few of the rare ones that really success. Download: MP3, 33:25 minutes, 30.6 MB Subscribe to the podcast: [iTunes] [XML] MORE »
Going Full... What?
By Alison Willmore on 04/20/2009
Filed under: PodcastsAt the press conference for "The Soloist," Robert Downey Jr. took issue to a journalist's asking what his "Tropic Thunder" character Kirk Lazarus would make of co-star Jamie Foxx's role as a homeless, schizophrenic, Juilliard-trained musician in the new film. Is it even fair to equate the two? This week on the IFC News podcast, we discuss the best and worst portrayals of mental illness and mental disability on screen, and debate whether what Lazarus labeled as going "full retard" actually has the Oscar-grubbing overkill effect he claimed. Download now (MP3: 33:12 minutes, 30.4 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML]... MORE »
Questionable Life Lessons From Formula Films
By Alison Willmore on 04/13/2009
Filed under: PodcastsWe don't need to see "17 Again" to know that it'll include a moral about learning to love what you have -- but c'mon now, who wouldn't actually embrace being a teenager again, retaining everything they've learned post-high school? This week on the IFC News podcast we call out five of our favorite formula film lessons, from "small town life is always better" to "love conquers all social/class divides," and examine just how believable they actually are. Download now (MP3: 33:10 minutes, 30.3 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] __AD__ MORE »
Touring the Spring Trailer Park
By Alison Willmore on 04/06/2009
Filed under: Podcasts"The Limits of Control" makes us scratch our heads in delight, "Taking Woodstock" has us wondering why Ang Lee bothered and "Where the Wild Things Are" leads us to weep with bittersweet nostalgia. This week on the IFC News podcast, we look to the trailers of summer/fall, and judge how well they do their job of making us want to see the films they're ostensibly advertising. Download now (MP3: 41:41 minutes, 38.1 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] __AD__ MORE »
The Devil and the IFC News Podcast
By Alison Willmore on 03/30/2009
Filed under: PodcastsThe trailer for faith-based thriller "C Me Dance," in which Lucifer menaces an aspiring ballerina (totally) got us thinking about the many actors who've channeled their inner evil to play the lord of the underworld. This week on the IFC News podcast, we look at the best and worst of them, and at the divide between those who choose to play their Satan large versus those who'd rather keep it cool and sinister. Download now (MP3: 38:12 minutes, 34.9 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] __AD__ MORE »
Wrestlers Enter the Acting Ring
By Alison Willmore on 03/23/2009
Filed under: PodcastsThis week, John Cena furthers his nascent acting career with "12 Rounds," and in honor of his wrestorly efforts, this week's IFC News podcast is dedicated to the pro wrestlers who've tried to make the transition to the big screen, from the success of The Rock to the failure of, well, just about everyone else. Download now (MP3: 35:27 minutes, 32.5 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] __AD__ MORE »
SXSW 2009: Our Story So Far
By Alison Willmore on 03/16/2009
Filed under: PodcastsFor a glorious ten-day stretch in Austin, TX, the worlds of indie film, music and web culture converge. It's halfway through SXSW 2009, and we spend this week's podcast discussing what we've seen and liked so far, from a doc about a sound sculptor to a heartfelt drama about a vintage clothing business, with a closer look at Joe Swanberg's latest, "Alexander the Last." Download now (MP3: 37:13 minutes, 34.1 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
The Rise of the Bromantic Comedy
By Alison Willmore on 03/09/2009
Filed under: Podcasts"I Love You, Man" may be the most overt film to tell the story of a male friendship using the trappings of a traditional romantic comedy, but it's far from the only one. From the oeuvre of Will Ferrell to the output of Team Apatow, comedies have lately also been all about soft-centered celebrations of platonic man love. On this week's IFC News podcast, we speculate on why the bromantic comedy has become so popular, and debate as to whether there's a female equivalent. Download now (MP3: 35:54 minutes, 32.9 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes]... MORE »
Who Cares About Accuracy, Anyway?
By Alison Willmore on 03/02/2009
Filed under: PodcastsThis week we finally see the end result of the struggle to translate "Watchmen," Alan Moore's "Citizen Kane" of graphic novels, to the screen -- as faithfully as possible, everyone involved has reassured. But is keeping so close to the source material a good thing for a movie? This week on the IFC News podcast, we look at the burdens of trying to please a built-in fanbase when adapting a book, comic book or anything else into film. Download now (MP3: 32:41 minutes, 29.9 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
"Crossing Over" and Hyperlink Cinema
By Alison Willmore on 02/23/2009
Filed under: PodcastsCritics have called films like this week's "Crossing Over," in which the multi-threaded storylines tell different tales of Los Angeles immigration woes, "hyperlink cinema," because the narratives cross and connect at unexpected points. This week on the IFC News podcast, we look at the best and the worst of the genre from "Magnolia" to "Crash," at how Robert Altman was its founding father and why these films always seem to be set in L.A. Download now (MP3: 32:12 minutes, 29.5 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
Are Recessions Good For Movies?
By Alison Willmore on 02/16/2009
Filed under: PodcastsThe economic downturn means movies about adorable spendthrifts aren't as charming as they should be. But the Depression resulted in the Golden Age of Hollywood -- this week on the IFC News podcast, we discuss whether or not the recession will lead to similarly great films, in the indie world and from the studios. Download now (MP3: 32:11 minutes, 29.5 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
"Rapping" Up Joaquin Phoenix's Acting Career
By Alison Willmore on 02/09/2009
Filed under: PodcastsNow that he's apparently set aside his acting career for one as a would-be hip-hop artist, Joaquin Phoenix is all set for an abbreviated career retrospective. This week on the IFC News podcast, we look at the roles he's taken, the appeal of his broody physicality in underdog and anti-hero characters and whether or not this whole music thing is a hoax. Download now (MP3: 38:02 minutes, 34.8 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
Traumatic Children's Movies
By Alison Willmore on 02/02/2009
Filed under: PodcastsChildren's movies aren't all sunshine and light -- this week on the IFC News podcast, we look at films aimed at a younger audience that, intentionally or not, could scare the pants off you, from "The Wizard of Oz" (those flying monkeys!) and its dark '80s sequel to the most frightening of Disney features. Download now (MP3: 40:53 minutes, 37.4 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
The Obligatory Oscar Nominations Analysis
By Alison Willmore on 01/26/2009
Filed under: PodcastsCheers to nods for Josh Brolin and Michael Shannon, jeers to the neglect of "WALL-E" and "The Dark Knight," and wonderment at why anyone would turn down the chance to have Bruce Springsteen perform on their telecast -- on this week's IFC News Podcast, we look over this year's Oscar nods. Download now (MP3: 36:25 minutes, 33.4 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
Live From Sundance, It's the IFC News Podcast
By Alison Willmore on 01/19/2009
Filed under: PodcastsWe're at the midpoint of this year's Sundance Film Festival, and so we gather with colleagues David Fear from Time Out New York and James Rocchi of Cinematical to discuss the highlights and lowlights so far. Download now (MP3: 35:28 minutes, 32.5 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
Mall Movies, Plus Vikings
By Alison Willmore on 01/12/2009
Filed under: PodcastsIn... honor of (?) the unfortunately non-rhyming "Paul Blart: Mall Cop," we take a look at a few of the movies set in major retail settings, from department stores ("Miracle on 34th Street") to malls ("Scenes from a Mall") to big-box stores ("Career Opportunities"), and then, because we're punchy from Sundance prep, discuss the alien versus Viking movie with which we've become obsessed. Download now (MP3: 26:31 minutes, 24.3 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
Our Sundance '09 Preview
By Alison Willmore on 01/05/2009
Filed under: PodcastsThe 2009 Sundance Film Festival kicks off January 15th. On this week's podcast, we highlight the films that sound worthy of that infamous Sundance "buzz," from John Krasinski's adaptation of the late David Foster Wallace's work to a documentary about an unlikely Slovenian endurance swimmer taking on the mighty Amazon. Download now (MP3: 36:01 minutes, 33 MB) Podcast feeds: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
The IFC News Podcast...
By Alison Willmore on 12/29/2008
Filed under: Podcasts...is taking this week off. We'll be back next week -- Happy New Year! MORE »
2008 Odds and Sods
By Alison Willmore on 12/22/2008
Filed under: PodcastsOn this week's podcast, we wrap up the year with a look at our best-ofs, an offering of worst-ofs and biggest letdowns and a round-up of the films we're most looking forward to in 2009. Download now (MP3: 38:27 minutes, 35.2 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
Our Favorite Performances of 2008
By Alison Willmore on 12/15/2008
Filed under: PodcastsFrom the year's greatest comeback and its most tragedy-tinged triumph to underappreciated turns in comedies and foreign films, we salute 2008's great moments in acting. Download now (MP3: 39:17 minutes, 36 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
Are Movies Getting Longer?
By Alison Willmore on 12/08/2008
Filed under: PodcastsDid movies actually get longer this year, or does it just feel that way? As 2008's lengthwise winner, Steven Soderbergh's 257-minute, two-chapter "Che," finally reaches theaters, this week's IFC News podcast looks at runtimes in 2008 and whether 145 minutes of big-screen "Sex in the City" was really necessary. Download now (MP3: 34:51 minutes, 31.9 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
Making Movie News
By Alison Willmore on 12/01/2008
Filed under: PodcastsThe Hollywood Reporter has promised that "no movie flatters the press" like Ron Howard's "Frost/Nixon." Well, to be fair, most movies don't try to flatter the press at all. On this week's IFC News podcast, we look at the different ways journalists have been portrayed on screen, from backbiting magazine staffers to fast-talking, amoral reporters and cynical TV talking heads, with the occasional heroic turn throw in. Download now (MP3: 33:01 minutes, 30.2 MB) Subscribe to the podcast: [XML] [iTunes] MORE »
