MacGuffin Film Podcast Episode 98 - America's Everyman

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Episode 98 – America’s Everyman

Date: Tue, 2 Aug, 2011 at 10:31 AM | Author: Spencer Fornaciari | Category: Podcast Releases

Spencer and Rich look at Jason Bateman’s career in advance of , suggest some films that could be remade and give their DVD picks of the week.

For his DVD pick, Spencer chose the second season of the outrageous comedy, Eastbound and Down (/). Rich selected the indie drama, .

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Spencer Fornaciari

Co-Host/Editor-In-Chief Seattle, WA

Spencer grew up with the many great films of the 1980’s before having his world rocked after seeing The Usual Suspects. That film inspired him to become a filmmaker.

Follow him on or .

Comments

Mike C

I thought that Up in the Air was the best movie of its year. The idea of using real people who were recently laid off to discuss losing a job was a great idea by Jason Reitman. I would have been very happy if it beat out The Hurt Locker and Avatar at the Globes and Academy Awards.

In regards to remakes, “It” would be a good choice. The shower scene with claymation would at least look better. Also as a none TV movie. they would definitely be able to get the darker tone of King’s work with a rated R movie. If you’re talking about remaking Stephen King work, my personal choice would be the Stand. Clocking in at over 1000 pages, it was initially a mini series on one of the major networks in the 90s, but I think it would do great as a HBO or cable network mini series. I know someone recently just brought the rights to it, but turning a 1000 page book into a movie just spells disaster.

Stakeland was a surprise for me. I was expecting a mediocre post-apocalyptic movie, but I got a movie that actually had some good character with some backstory, and a quality plot. The movie is a must for everyone who enjoys the post-apocalyptic genre.
Spencer Fornaciari

Up In The Air is a great film. Jason Reitman definitely has proven himself to be one of the most talented directors currently working.

Making a non-TV movie version of it alone would probably be a big step forward. Even as it was I found that movie quite creepy. I do remember the Stand version, and I agree that making a miniseries is the best way to treat a 1000 page property. Stephen King’s work is probably best suited for a network such as HBO or Showtime (though you could probably make something like the Green Mile on cable)…I ‘ve never watched the version they play on TV to see what they cut out.

I’ve never heard of Stakeland, but it sounds up my alley. I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.
Rich

Spencer – isn’t this the one where I tried to sneak in a second DVD suggestion of Stakeland? I’m now very grateful to Mike C for confirm my suspicion you weren’t actually listening to me.

BTW – I dug out my notes on Stake Land from Fantastic Fest last year. It’s got a bit of the post film Q&A for anyone who wants to listen to the director and some of the cast:

http://www.randomwalkthroughfilm.com/2010/09/stake-land.html
Spencer Fornaciari

Rich, you got me, I totally blanked on you mentioning it. But to be fair you were cheating on the DVD picks and trying to slip another one in.

Cool deal about the Q&A, I’ll post a review of it on the site after I watch it.
Rich

Yes – that is fair – indeed was totally cheating. Rules, schmules…
Scott

I agree with Mike C, a remake of “It” and “The Stand” would be great. I really like both TV Movies, although both have their flaws. Like Spence said, the ending of It is awful, & the special f/x in The Stand look dated & cheesy.
Spencer Fornaciari

I’ll be honest, I haven’t read the book that It is based on, but it amazes me that you could have a film that good for almost all of it and ruin it at the end. I wonder if the book is equally cheesy.
Scott

Not sure… I’ve read several of Stephen King’s books but have not read either of those two.
Mike C

The Book for “It” pretty much ends the same as the movie if I remember correctly. I read the book when I was twelve and I am still moderately terrified of clowns. I thought the end was fine when I read it, but as a I said, it’s been awhile.