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A few episodes ago, we talked about Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire. We had a few bones to pick with hyper-paced indie romance, some of which caused us to question the value of Boyle’s cannon. As we should have expected, a few listeners were not happy with us dogging the feel-good, rags-to-riches, out-of-left-field Oscar contender of the year.
Meanwhile, Karina has written a less than favorable review of the forthcoming David Fincher film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Again, a wave of backlash has ensued.
Are we simply spiteful film snobs who love ripping on movies while they ride a wave of buzz into awards season? No. We love movies. But sometimes that love must be tough. On this week’s show we clarify a few positions, navigate the tricky waters of blogosphere backlash, and search for what Werner Herzog calls “adequate images.”
(Subscribe to FilmCouch–Spout’s weekly movie podcast–in the iTunes store or to our RSS feed and an episode will download each Friday)
0:00 - Intro, the ideal Thanksgiving
7:56 - Slumdog backlash, It’s a Wonderful Life, Casablanca
24:41 - Karina on Benjamin Button
Kevin Buist
FLAME + CITRON Review
Christopher Campbell
Happy Halloween Links. Today in Film...
Brandon Harris
5 80s Literary Adaptations Worse Than...
Kevin Kelly
John Krasinski, Brief Interviews With...
Karina Longworth
SpoutBlog, Now Available in Book Form
Paul Moore
October 31, Karina’s Last Day
Lauren Wissot
Sasha Grey Interview
We’ve had a bit of trouble getting this episode to go through the iTunes feed, so we hope this re-post will fix the problem. The original post, with episode description and embedded player, is here.
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i support karina longworth
may our cadre be silent no more
Agreed on the last; Kevin also included.
Though I’m holding out on my judgement of Button and Slumdog until I see them (if they ever get around to a release here in Aus) I found Karina’s review interesting, and the discussion on Boyle in Episode #99 not entirely unfair.
But hearing Karina mention receiving personal attacks, is upsetting.
Consider me signed up to aforementioned cadre.
Keen to hear your takes on Australia, keep ‘em coming.
I’m also part of the cadre (though I prefer the term “backlash-backlash). Karina’s opinions are as valid as anyone else’s, and her review seemed pretty well thought-out to me.
And I, for one, hate Angelina Jolie.
Thanks for all the kind words. It really does make a girl feel less like packing it all in.
[...] manually grab each one… I need something in the middle with a bit more control. Also grab the FilmCouch podcast on Slumdog + Benjamin Button (subscribe to this feed) who will be going to head to head, along with The Wrestler for Best [...]
I finally saw Benjamin button over christmas, (i live in the middle part of the country) and your review (karina longworth’s review) was spot on. any “outrage” is coming from idiots, i don’t mean to dehumanize them, but it is true. all one has to do is to see the darn film, and the points laid out in the review are correct. and one more thing that sprang out in the podcast; It is extremely silly to make fun on one’s appearance…can’t believe people go that low. and all of it is just Unnecessary really, since a film critic is Supposed to criticize.
LOVE YOUR REVIEWS KARINA, they are honest, thought provoking, and worth every reader’s time (even if they don’t know it). CARRY ON!
I agree on Slumdog Millionaire, it is 6 or 7 out of 10 tops.
Latika is a non-entity.
Repetitive plot.
Highly unconvincing central tenet…..that he is on Who Wants To Be Millionaire to find his girlfriend who might not have a personality for all we know. He had just been to see her in her house. I suppose you could say she needed someone with money but if the older guy she’s with is really a gangster then the shit is going to hit the fan whether Jamal has money or not.
Where’s the warmth that we’re all supposed to feel? How can I when I don’t know anything about the lead girl?
Guess you guys are just don’t have your finger on the pulse, as BUTTON and DOG just received the most BAFTA nominations (11) and the boxoffice for both is soaring. I’d be nice if you critics actually saw movies the way most other viewers do. Who are you writing for, yourselves?