Finally was able to listen to the podcast now that I have seen the Informant...Also great to hear about Andrei Rublev/Tarkovsky. One of my favorite things about the Film Talk is Jett's unabashed reverence for Andrei Rublev. Let's keep the film talk going!

OK, People - I've done my part. I have made a donation to support the fine folks here at TFT.

Two things I can tell you: maintaining a website isn't cheap, financially, and keeping up with it as the Maestro and the Good Professor Dr. have is hard work (harder still when you don't get paid to do it).

Times are certainly tough - believe me, I know. My particular industry has been in the crapper for almost 2 yrs now, and my financial well being is directly tied to the economy, so I know giving is tough right now.

I believe that the fellows would agree that any amount would help, but let's make an effort to keep them going.

So sayeth Phil.

Thank you Phil, you're very kind, and we appreciate it a great deal.

So what exactly changed your mind regarding Billy Wilder*?

*note the Maestro's reversal in the introduction

Well you know - he can direct - 'Sunset Boulevard's not bad! ;)

I'm glad to hear Jett soften his position on Billy Wilder.

Sure, 'Some Like it Hot' is overrated. (And 'The Apartment', for that matter.) But 'Double Indemnity' and 'Ace in the Hole' are genuinely great films. He deserves some honor for those.

In the genre of "romantic comedy" (if that's what 'The Apartment' is), The Apt. is pretty good, I think. Especially compared to today's garbage.

I've always had a soft spot for that movie.

Yes, ‘The Apartment’ is a good film. Personally, I love the performances, and I think the scenario is painfully credible. As someone who once found himself consoling a woman who was dangerously depressed after being rejected by a callous douchebag, I can empathize with the Lemmon character more than I care to admit.
That said, ‘The Apartment’ ranked at #80 on the 2007 edition of the AFI’s big 100 list. I consider that overrated. A good film, but I wouldn’t put it above, say, ‘His Girl Friday’ or ‘Ninotchka’ (also written by Wilder).

this i think, is what i was reacting to - the high, high praise of such films as 'Some Like it Hot' - when there's so much else out there - such as all the great Preston Sturges' comedies.