Filmspotting
http://filmspotting.net/
Let’s face it, there are many, many venues you can go to in order to get your movie discussion fix. And since it is the avowed purpose of this blog to sift through the vast universe of podcast material available about any given subject, I have sampled many, many of the episodes of the movie podcasts that are out there. Now my work is done and I am presenting for your enjoyment my favorite: Filmspotting. Why have I picked this show out of all the possible choices? I will admit there is a subjective component here, but I like what I like. What draws me to Filmspotting is its outstanding execution of two key elements… Content and Presentation.
Content wise, Filmspotting does indeed adopt the standard movie podcast format of discussing new releases for that week. However, the hosts, Adam Kempenaar and Matty Robinson, expertly avoid the formulaic by concentrating on one or two films and providing a lengthy, informed and informative look at the week’s choices. This is not the “two minutes with selected clips” version you get in a televised review. It’s not fast food, so be prepared for a meal of several courses.
In addition to the main event, Adam and Matty build onto the beginning and launch into other segments which make the show fun and give it a unique vibrancy. There’s usually a weekly Top Five with a variety of topics (Five Best Spike Lee Scenes, Five Best Supporting Actresses of 2008, etc.). There’s Listener feedback (voicemail and email). There are marathons that stretch over several episodes (currently they are holding an “Angry Young Men” marathon which has featured, among others, “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” and “Look Back in Anger”).
Content wise, Filmspotting does indeed adopt the standard movie podcast format of discussing new releases for that week. However, the hosts, Adam Kempenaar and Matty Robinson, expertly avoid the formulaic by concentrating on one or two films and providing a lengthy, informed and informative look at the week’s choices. This is not the “two minutes with selected clips” version you get in a televised review. It’s not fast food, so be prepared for a meal of several courses.
In addition to the main event, Adam and Matty build onto the beginning and launch into other segments which make the show fun and give it a unique vibrancy. There’s usually a weekly Top Five with a variety of topics (Five Best Spike Lee Scenes, Five Best Supporting Actresses of 2008, etc.). There’s Listener feedback (voicemail and email). There are marathons that stretch over several episodes (currently they are holding an “Angry Young Men” marathon which has featured, among others, “Saturday Night and Sunday Morning” and “Look Back in Anger”).
And then there’s “Massacre Theater”. Each week Adam and Matty read a scene and invite the listeners to guess what film the lines they have just butchered came from. Correct answers are entered in a drawing and there is a prize so test your movie knowledge here.
Presentation wise, the host’s personalities and film knowledge bring a lot to the table in Filmspotting. It would be wrong to categorize Adam and Matty as being one thing over another. But I feel I can say that Adam is a member of The Cult of Director Love and that movies for children are not on his radar. Matty is a little harder to pin down but he doesn’t suffer fools. Listen to a few episodes and you will hear what I mean.
Each podcast is a little over an hour, so every listener will have to figure out how that fits their schedule. Filmspotting never bogs down and has consistent, excellent pacing. Episodes are sometimes segmented with interstitial music featuring an artist of the week, some of whom I have added to my Ipod (for example, Sunny Levine). The Filmspotting website, which is quite comprehensive, gives a listing of the songs used on each podcast, with links to the artists showcased, a feature that is very helpful because you do not have to take notes.
Speaking of the Filmspotting website, I am heading over to the Merch section to see what kind of T shirt selections they have. Why don’t you stop by as well.
