Upstream Color
Directed and Written by Shane Carruth, Starring Amy Seimetz, Shane Carruth and Andrew Sensenig
Synopsis - A man and woman are drawn together, entangled in the life cycle of an ageless organism. Identity becomes an illusion as they struggle to assemble the loose fragments of wrecked lives.
Thoughts - Because I’m one of the many who adore Shane Carruth’s debut film, Primer, his second feature Upstream Color was my most anticipated release of 2013. Listen to my scattered thoughts as I try to work through why I liked the film. Luckily I had some help.
Hear my thoughts as part of our discussion on The Flicksation Podcast Episode 48. We discuss it at the 2:00:33 mark (where we are all semi-intoxicated). You can find the podcast at Flicksation.com or on iTunes. (I’m Ian in case you didn’t know)
My Rating : 8/10
Mud
Directed and Written by Jeff Nichols, Starring Tye Sheridan, Matthew McConaughey, Jacob Lofland, Reese Witherspoon and Sam Shepard
Synopsis - Two teenage boys encounter a fugitive and form a pact to help him evade the bounty hunters on his trail and to reunite him with his true love.
Thoughts - Jeff Nichols last film Take Shelter is my favorite new film I’ve seen in many years, so this follow up was one of my most anticipated of the year. Hear my thoughts on Mud as part of our discussion on The Flicksation Podcast Episode 48. We discuss it at the 25:59 mark (where we are all semi-intoxicated). You can find the podcast at Flicksation.com or on iTunes. (I’m Ian in case you didn’t know)
My Rating : 7/10
The Great Gatsby
Directed by Baz Luhrmann, Written by Luhrmann and Craig Pearce, Starring Tobey MaGuire, Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton
Synopsis - A Midwestern war veteran finds himself drawn to the past and lifestyle of his millionaire neighbor.
Thoughts - Baz Luhrmann does his best to ruin this adaptation of one of the most beloved American novels. Hear my thoughts as part of our discussion on The Flicksation Podcast Episode 48. We discuss it at the 2:37:43 mark (where we are all semi-intoxicated). You can find the podcast at Flicksation.com or on iTunes. (I’m Ian in case you didn’t know)
My Rating : 5/10
The Company You Keep
Directed by Robert Redford, Written by Lem Dobbs, Starring Shia Labeouf, Robert Redford, Susan Surandon, Brit Marling and Nick Nolte
Synopsis - A former Weather Underground activist goes on the run from a journalist who has discovered his identity.
Thoughts - I still can’t decide if I gave this film a pass. I kind of liked it though. You can hear my reasons as part of our discussion on The Flicksation Podcast Episode 48. We discuss it at the 8:31 mark. You can find the podcast at Flicksation.com or on iTunes. (I’m Ian in case you didn’t know)
My Rating : 7/10
Episode 48 is way overloaded, but features some of my most anticipated films of the year. (Mud and Upstream Color) I’ll be begging for worthy films to discuss all summer, so should enjoy it while it lasts.
On the show we discuss Shane Carruth’s Upstream Color, Jeff Nichols’ Mud, Leonardo DiCaprio in the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel adaptation The Great Gatsby, Robert Redford’s political thriller The Company You Keep and then everyone else talks Iron Man 3. ( I was too busy rearranging my bookshelf to be bothered with it ).
We drink some alcohol, break up the reviews with some film news, Ian N. talks the first Big Money Actress and we finish up by offering up film picks with rich bitches in the “Who Want’s to Screen a Millionaire” Feature Segment. Grab a drink and get drunk with us!
I hope you give getting to know us a shot.
If interested the links are below.
The Flicksation Facebook Page (Like Us)
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The Flicksation Podcast (iTunes)
You can listen on the website, but I urge you to subscribe to the podcast through the iTunes Store. Just search The Flicksation Podcast.
As part of the Criticwire Directory I’ve been invited to take part in the weekly Criticwire Critic Survey. This week the Question was: What beloved movie from your childhood holds up just as well today? And which one doesn’t?
Here was my response :
”’Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’ is a movie I loved as a kid and remains one of my favorite comedies today. Tim Burton helped bring a very dark comedy element to Pee-wee’s world that made it more than a kid’s movie and is the reason I revisit it more often than almost any other movie. It was also the beginning of the Tim Burton/Danny Elfman partnership that created some really beautiful and enjoyable stuff.
As a ten year old kid, my favorite actor was Wesley Snipes and my favorite film ‘Demolition Man.’ I have said the phrase ‘Exactamundo’ far too many times. It’s unfair to use this film as I haven’t seen it in more than ten years, but there is no way ‘Demolition Man’ holds up, is there?”
Click here for the article and the answers of everyone who took part.
I ask you all the same question. What beloved movie from your childhood holds up just as well today? And which one doesn’t?
Also, anyone seen Demolition Man recently?
Help us out by offering up a favorite film featuring a Millionaire character!
For the Podcast on Friday we want to know a film you love that features a Millionaire character.Send us an E-Mail @ FlicksationPodcast@gmail.com
A Voicemail @ (608)535-9302
or Leave Your Pick Below this Post and it will be part of the “Who Wants to Screen a Millionaire” Feature Segment on the show.
What great film with a Millionaire character would you reccommend to us and our audience?
Upstream Color is now available OnDemand and on DVD. We are excited to finally discuss it on the podcast on Friday.
We will also talk Jeff Nichol’s Mud, Robert Redford’s The Company You Keep,Baz Luhrman’s The Great Gatsby and Iron Man 3.
As part of the Criticwire Directory I’ve been invited to take part in the weekly Criticwire Critic Survey. This week the Question was: Who is the best Director under 40 years old?
Here was my response:
There isn’t another director under 40 producing more exciting work than writer/director Derek Cianfrance has though his first two (released) feature films. He shows a passion to tell personal stories about unglamorous people and places, real people I can recognize, and exactly the ones most others have no interest in depicting. His films and characters exude an often raw, emotional truth that is unmatched. He offers plenty of style, with huge Scorsese and Cassavetes influences, but his focus is clearly on characters, which is why he gets such quality actors giving beautifully naturalistic performances. Four years ago I didn’t know who Derek Cianfrance was and now I’m not sure there is a director whose next film I more eagerly anticipate.
Click here for the article and the answers of everyone who took part. (Ridiculous for Reitman to get so much love. Yuck!)
Who would be your pick for Best Director Under 40?
The Place Beyond the Pines
Directed and Written by Derek Cianfrance, Starring Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Dane Dehaan, Emory Cohen and Ben Mendelsohn
Synopsis - A motorcycle stunt rider turns to robbing banks as a way to provide for his lover and their newborn child, a decision that puts him on a collision course with an ambitious rookie cop navigating a department ruled by a corrupt detective.
Thoughts - The Place Beyond the Pines is an ambitious and sprawling film that takes itself very seriously and immediately announces itself as important. With some beautifully naturalistic performances, Scorsese and Cassavetes influenced direction and a haunting Mike Patton score, it delivers on its promise. Director Derek Cianfrance is working on a level very few are willing to attempt and far less are capable of achieving.
My expanded thoughts can be found on Episode 47 of The Flicksation Podcast. We discuss it at the 44:59 mark. You can find the podcast at Flicksation.com or on iTunes. (I’m Ian in case you didn’t know)
My Rating : 8/10
