In this week's episode, we'll have our review of the Coen brothers' "Inside Llewyn Davis" as well as the Netflix exclusive documentary “Mitt,” a behind-the-veil perspective of the former Massachusetts Governor's 2008 and 2012 Presidential campaigns.Plus, a highlight of films from the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and a remembrance of actor Philip Seymour Hoffman. Robert Kahne fills in for regular host Chris Ritter, who is out of town on a film project for the next few weeks, but joins the conversation via phone from Meredith, New Hampshire. Hello brave listener and welcome to WFPL’s Sound on Film. Subscribe to Sound on Film using this link. Find us on Facebook here. Find us on Twitter here. Questions? Feedback? Story or guest interview ideas? Contact us at film@wfpl.org. Special thanks to house band Discount Guns. Remembrance: Philip Seymour Hoffman (02:55) Thoughts on the storied career of one of the greatest actors of our time. Aaron Sorkin: Philip Seymour Hoffman’s Death Saved 10 Lives OBIT (via Time Magazine) Sundance Film Festival Highlights (13:07) A discussion of standouts from the 2014 festival, including Grand Jury Prize winner “Whiplash,” starring Miles Teller (“The Spectacular Now”) and J.K. Simmons. Recommended starting points for delving deeper into the festival: Sundance 2014 Wrap: Discoveries, Disappointments, Breakouts & Awards Contenders (via Anne Thompson) Indiewire Selects the 14 Breakouts of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival Memo to Distributors From Indiewire’s Film Critic: Buy These 2014 Sundance Film Festival Titles Review: 'Inside Llewyn Davis' (20:17) Documenting one tumultuous week in the life of a singer/songwriter trying to make it in the early 1960s New York CIty folk scene, “Inside Llewyn Davis” stars Oscar Isaac in the titular role, as well as Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake and Garrett Hedlund. Nominated for the Oscars for best cinematography and best sound mixing, the film’s varied musical performances are the work of the famed T Bone Burnett, who served as executive music producer. “Llewyn Davis” is the latest from brothers Joel and Ethan Coen, and the filmmaking duo’s most musically oriented effort since “Oh Brother! Where Art Thou?” NPR’s Fresh Air with Terry Gross: The Coen Bros. On Writing, 'Lebowski' And Literally Herding Cats “Inside Llewyn Davis” Oscar Snub was Painfully Predictable (via CinemaBlend) Review: 'Mitt' (33:41) Debuting on Jan. 17, 2014 at the Sundance Film Festival, “Mitt” was released on Netflix less than a week later, as a Netflix exclusive documentary. Directed by Greg Whiteley, the film presents an intimate perspective of Romney’s 2008 Republican primary loss to John McCain, and 2008 general election loss to Barack Obama. Whiteley was reportedly an admirer of Mitt’s father George, and had become interested in a documentary after hearing that the former Massachusetts governor had attended a screening of his previous documentary “ New York Doll,” which was itself nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance 2005. Mitt Romney has said he was originally resistant to the idea, and that it was his wife Ann who pushed for it. 'Mitt' director: Romney was 'uncomfortable' watching the doc (via Today) Interview: Greg Whiteley (via CineSnob) Like what you hear? Let’s do something awesome together. Help bring Sound on Film to the masses by posting a rating or review on iTunes. Next time on Sound on Film: “ The Lego Movie” and Academy Award Best Picture nominee “ August: Osage County."
