Media Mayhem with Allison Hope Weiner
Episode 249
STAR WARS, CREED and Best and Worst Films of 2015 with Film Critic Peter Rainer
From blockbuster Star Wars: The Force Awakens, to independent film Lady in the Van, film critic Peter Rainer breaks down the best and worst of this year’s award season nominees. Rainer also examines Steven Spielberg’s career and whether or not his signature storytelling style still resonates with today’s audiences. Is David O’Russell’s latest film Joy, starring Jennifer Lawrence, more exhausting to watch than entertaining? Watch as Steve Jobs, The Danish Girl and Spotlight are also discussed and finally, Rainer reveals his favorite film and director of all time in this Media Mayhem interview, hosted by Allison Hope Weiner.
Episode Breakdown
00:01 Welcoming to Peter Rainer to Media Mayhem.
01:44 STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS and Christmas releases.
03:30 Films Peter has reviewed.
03:58 CAROL, chemistry and capturing the 50’s on film.
05:54 BROOKLYN, immigrant films and stereotypes.
09:00 THE DANISH GIRL and the trouble with vague storytelling.
11:30 LADY IN THE VAN, Maggie Smith and the history of the homeless.
15:00 JOY, David O’Russell, Jennifer Lawrence and a lack of creative spark.
19:35 SPOTLIGHT, the dangers of clique filmmaking.
21:09 CREED, Rocky and heartfelt storytelling.
23:21 Can Steven Spielberg keep making groundbreaking movies?
26:34 The Criterion Collection & favorite film and director of all time.
32:39 Favorite western and doing voice over for THE SEARCHERS.
34:30 STEVE JOBS and transcending public image.
37:54 Thank you and goodbye.
Guest Bio
Peter Rainer is chairman of the National Society of Film Critics and the editor of the anthology Love and Hisses (Mercury House). He was a finalist for the 1998 Pulitzer Prize in Criticism. He wrote and co-produced the A&E Biographies of Sidney Poitier and The Hustons.
His newest book is the collection, “Rainer on Film: Thirty Years of Film Writing in a Turbulent and Transformative Era.”
Additional Links
http://www.amazon.com/Rainer-Film-Writing-Turbulent-Transformative/dp/1595800778
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