Mr. Jason
Rental Review | Somewhere
It took me sometime to really put into thoughts (let alone words) how I truly felt about Sofia Coppola’s Somewhere. It is a film that revels in the mundane; the moments of life that bore us, or (if you look closely) move us. The plot of the film is simple. Movie star Johnny Marco (Stephen Dorff) goes about his daily routine with little interest or affection in his lifestyle. He walks aloof at the Chateau Marmont, drifts in and out of parties, does PR work (poorly), and has the loneliest makeup test known to man. When his daughter Cleo (Elle Fanning) is dropped into his care he is able to make sense of his life and accept responsibility for his actions. There are some really fantastic elements to Coppola’s film such as: Dorff and Fanning who are understated and remarkable, Coppola and her director of photography Harris Savides’s eye for composition, and the setting and tone of the piece. Much of the tone of the film is done without dialogue and it features only select music from Phoenix and The Strokes that adds meaning and gravitas to the film. My favorite aspect of the film is the setting, the Chateau Marmont Hotel. I have always wanted to see a film set there, and Somewhere captures a certain essence of disconnection that could only come from that specific location. The most interesting gamble, and at first what I thought would be a problem, is hoping the audience will care for a movie star who is bored and unsatisfied. Why care? I think the answer is obvious. He is a human being. He has doubts, struggles, and insecurities, just like us. Overall, Somewhere is a unique viewing experience and I believe if you are a fan of Coppola’s previous work (The Virgin Suicides, Lost in Translation, and Marie Antoinette) then you will connect with at least some aspects of Somewhere.
The Stream | The Accidental Tourist
My senior year of high school, I discovered Lawrence Kasdan’s film The Accidental Tourist and loved it immediately. Considering that was eight years ago, I decided it was time to revisit the film. Upon re-watching it I realized that not only did it hold up, but it was even more poignant and rewarding than before. The understated and brilliant, William Hurt plays Macon, a travel writer whose books tell how to travel without leaving your comfort zone. After the sudden and tragic death of his child, he and his wife (Kathleen Turner) drift apart and he finds himself struggling to get back into the groove of life. However, he soon meets Muriel (Geena Davis) who dares him to break out of his mundane safe life and take a chance. Letting go and starting over are themes that have been around forever, but Kasdan breathes life into his piece by introducing unique characters whose quirks and oddities show flawed human beings. With every line of dialogue and character action, the audience is presented with individuals who struggle with who they are and show their ability to change. This alone marks The Accidental Tourist as a well crafted ensemble character piece, and certainly worth your time. Highly recommended and available on Netflix watch instantly.
The Filmdogs Podcast: Episode 47 – Million Dollar Podcast
The 47th Episode of The Filmdogs Podcast is taking a Dark Turn. That’s right, our Featured Topic of the Week is Films that take you to dark places... Also, discussed in the News is Jamie Foxx‘s casting in Tarantino’s Django Unchained, Warren Beatty and Christopher Nolan‘s “dueling” Howard Hughes projects, and the premiere episode of Falling Skies. Listen in to hear just how dark The Filmdogs Podcast is willing to go..
Email us with you podcast feedback or segment suggestions at filmdogspodcast@gmail.com. Subscribe to the podcast here, or listen in you browser. Also, you may download an enhanced AAC feed with chapter markers and artwork from iTunes on your computer or straight to your iPhone/iPod touches now! If you like what you hear be sure to write a quick review on iTunes as well. It helps us out. Thanks!
The Filmdogs Podcast: Episode 46 – Stop! Or My Podcast Will Shoot
Episode 46 of The Filmdogs Podcast is up! This we cover the awesomeness that is David Fincher’s The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Red Band Trailer and Mr. Will recants his position on a certain supernatural novel that’s currently filming. Then for our Featured Topic of the Week we reveal our Favorite Leading Men. Who will we chose? Listen in to find out.
Email us with your podcast feedback or segment suggestions at filmdogspodcast@gmail.com. Subscribe to the podcast here, or listen in you browser. Also, you may download an enhanced AAC feed with chapter markers and artwork from iTunes on your computer or straight to your iPhone/iPod touches now! If you like what you hear be sure to write a quick review on iTunes as well. It helps us out. Thanks!
The Filmdogs Podcast: Episode 45 – Clear and Present Podcast
Episode 45 of The Filmdogs Podcast is here and we’re making it up as we go along. That’s right, our Featured Topic of the Week focuses on none other than cinematic icon Harrison Ford. We’ll talk about his best, worst, and our favorite roles of his, and Mr. Jason we’ll even put out a strong defense for Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Will he succeed? Also, discussed in the News is Tom Cruise‘s first Sci-fi role since Minority Report, and the gang offers up their thoughts on the first official photo of Tom Hardy as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises. Listen in now and remember kids, “don’t get cocky.”
Email us with your podcast feedback or segment suggestions at filmdogspodcast@gmail.com. Subscribe to the podcast here, or listen in you browser. Also, you may download an enhanced AAC feed with chapter markers and artwork from iTunes on your computer or straight to your iPhone/iPod touches now! If you like what you hear be sure to write a quick review on iTunes as well. It helps us out. Thanks!
Trailer Exam | The Descendants
Some time ago I wrote an article expressing my love for the work of Alexander Payne and showcasing a clip from his newest film, The Descendants. Well, it turns out the clip is actually lifted directly from the trailer that debuted today. If you weren’t already sold based on the talent involved, this trailer should really do the trick. On display is Alexander Payne’s usual wry intelligent humor and his meditation on our place in this world. The film stars George Clooney as a dad who considers himself “the understudy” parent, who is forced to raise his daughters alone after his wife is injured. He then learns a secret kept from him, that changes everything. Simply put, it looks fantastic. Check it out below.
“Your Nightmare’s Only Getting Worse” | Rental Review of I Saw the Devil
Director Jee-Woon Kim creates something of a multiple genre masterpiece with his 2010 film, I Saw the Devil. It is a film that shifts tone so much, it takes a certain amount of true craftsmanship to maintain a cohesiveness. Up front, this is not a film for the masses. Within this film is both manic blood curdling violence and the emotional exploration of the nature of loss and vengeance. It’s also a brutal roller coaster of the senses (I should be quoted on the DVD cover with that line), and I recommend it. Read the rest of this entry »
The Filmdogs Podcast: Episode 44 – Song of the Podcast
Episode 44 of The Filmdogs Podcast is here! This week we dissect the teaser for Spielberg’s first motion capture film The Adventures of TinTin, and trailers for the new slate of fall tv shows in the News. Then in our Featured Topic of the Week we discuss our favorite DVDs/Blu-Rays in our collections, and name some films that we long to see released in those formats. Listen in and see if some of your favorites made our lists!
Email us with your podcast feedback or segment suggestions at filmdogspodcast@gmail.com. Subscribe to the podcast here, or listen in you browser. Also, you may download an enhanced AAC feed with chapter markers and artwork from iTunes on your computer or straight to your iPhone/iPod touches now! If you like what you hear be sure to write a quick review on iTunes as well. It helps us out. Thanks!











