Episode 55 – 'Southland Tales' Cannes Cut

Another cross-over episode! I’m joined by podcaster Ryan Whitten to discuss this new/old cut of the infamous sophomore film from the the creative and once-promising Richard Kelly, a cut first shown and panned by critics at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival before being reedited into a shorter and (supposedly) more coherent domestic version that was panned by critics in 2007. On this episode we discuss

• how helpful it might be to read the volumes I-III of the film’s graphic novels (with the Cannes cut comprising volumes IV-VI of the story);

• if claims that the movie is still “unfinished” are legit or an excuse;

• how over-explanation has helped both Southland and Donnie Darko’s cult film status;

• the influence of writers Thomas Pynchon, Kurt Vonnegut, or Philip K. Dick (including parallels between Southland and the novel Flow My Tears, the Policeman Said).

Also:

• if this is the most superior difference between released cuts since Brazil’s “Love Conquers All” version;

• Kelly’s popular spec script Bessie about a genetically sentient cow;

• apocalyptic suicidal ideation in his films;

• how much WWE training went into the Rock’s performance;

• whether or not it’s worth it to meet a difficult movie more than halfway;

• and if Kelly might be back towards reclaiming that early promise as a high concept, high intellect writer/director.

Ryan Whitten hosts the American Werewolf in Vancouver podcast along with co-hosting the Spicy Boyz podcast, the latter of which is currently on hiatus. He’s based out of Vancouver, BC, where he produces film.

The Cannes cut of Southland Tales is available on a Blu-ray from Arrow.

Episode 47 – 'Nothing Lasts Forever' & 'SNL' Cinema

Filmmaker Kyle Smith is back, along with first-time guest co-host and old friend of the show (and me), writer and performer Dustin Levell, to pick and talk one of Saturday Night Live’s founding filmmakers, Tom Schiller, his lone feature film, and its bizarre underground relegation. On this episode, we also discuss:

• Schiller’s self-description as a “foreign” director,

• how out of place this style is from SNL’s current formatted format,

• why SNL films are less about format than characters,

• and how truly amazing it is that a movie with these stars and filmmakers was shelved at the height of the comedy boom that SNL helped create.

Also:

• If this is or isn’t Lorne Michaels first produced narrative feature,

• is or isn’t the first “SNL movie,”

• what its failure to even secure a release might have done to Michaels other produced films,

• the relationship between him and Schiller,

• the filmmakers from Adam McKay to Christopher Guest that have sprung from SNL ranks,

• and outsiders who’ve made short films for the show such as Robert Altman, Paul Thomas Anderson, Martin Breast, and Jim Jarmusch.

Kyle Smith is writer/director of the films Blue Highway and Turkey Bowl, which debuted at the 2011 SXSW Film Festival. Currently in development on his third feature, you can find Kyle and his film thoughts on Letterboxd.

Dustin Levell is a Chicago-based comedy writer, performer, and stage director.

Nothing Lasts Forever made its television premiere on Turner Classic Movies, which means it will hopefully air again in the future. Bootlegs are also available for purchase.