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WT03.01 Choke (2008)

Watching Theology February 20th, 2009

WT03.01 Choke (2008)In this first episode of season 3, Joe spends a few minutes with Clark Gregg's Choke. This latest adaptation of a Chuck Palahniuk novel is far removed from the David Fincher Fight Club adaptation, but a few threads connect them. Of course there is a fascination with vulgarity and the visceral. There is the strange blend of romanticism, religion and repulsion. But Choke also offers a few comments on the messiah complex of a young man who needs to kill his mother to save his life. All this, and more, waits for the eager and forgiving listener. [#3.01]

NOW AVAILABLE: Watching, a film book by Joe and Melissa Johnson

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13 Responses to “WT03.01 Choke (2008)”

Erik February 20th, 2009

I love being surprised by my own website (except, of course, when it unexpectedly decides to only play partial .mp3 files). It's always good to see more WT!

Obed February 20th, 2009

FWIW I've really missed WT, Joe. I'm glad to have a new episode with or without your better half! And I vote they keep on comin'!

Patrick February 25th, 2009

Hey Joe (and melissa?) I just wanted to say it's good to hear your voices again. I loved the Xmas special and the Choke episode was fantastic as well. Just wanted to shoot you a note and tell you that you guys do a great job, regardless of the format/topic/who is on the show :)

BS February 26th, 2009

Thanks Joe! so good to see another show come out. Keep it coming.

I don't know how to contact you, but I was hoping that you would discuss (or listen as you say) to a film with strong racial reconciliation and/or prejudicial themes. I have recently moved into the city and the economic and social divide is huge, it's unbelievable. Being that we have our first Black president, it may be worth some thought. It's certainly on people's minds.

Thanks again . . .

BCB March 3rd, 2009

Just saw that WT had a new episode and I'm listening to it right now. I very much agree with the others that you should keep on going. I'll inform my friends that there's a new episode!

Carmen in San Francisco March 6th, 2009

I only recently discovered Watching the Directors and then this one. Please please please keep on. Your ideas and insights are often compelling. Love your humor and good will that comes through clearly. However, no offense meant, but I am sooooooooooo disappointed when Melissa cannot appear. You two are a great duo. Bless.

Watching Theology March 21st, 2009

Thanks all for the comments. We will try to keep it going — at least once a month.
I'm particularly intrigued by BS's comments on a show about racial themes. I'll definitely put some thought into that. The newest episode (Creature from the Black Lagoon) touches on this very briefly, at least in the ways that progress, evolution, and an implicit racism were connected in that film (and as a reflection of 1950s society). But that would hardly be sufficient. I have a few better ideas that we will filter through.

Davey May 4th, 2009

Whoa! More Watching Theology! This is the best movie podcast I've ever come across, and I'm pumped you're back in action.

Davey May 6th, 2009

P.S., I wrote a short article/endorsement about the show on my own website, where I write about the movies (it's only been up about a week or so, there should be some more interesting content on the way). Feel free to visit http://www.examiner.com/x-9888-Salt-Lake-City-Film-Events-Examiner. Also, I'm really looking forward to the podcast on Richard Dutcher's "Falling"–I've been a Dutcher fan since "God's Army" first came out, and I'll have to get ahold of that film so I can listen to your analysis. I've heard some really wildly mixed things about it–people I respect who've said it's maybe the best film they've ever seen, or maybe the worst.

Watching Theology May 6th, 2009

Hi Davey.

I saw your link to us (the power of "Google words"); thanks for the nice write-up.

Unfortunately, Falling is still not available. I was able to get hold of a screener and have been frustrated since, because very few people have seen this film. I felt like talking about it for hours afterward. I had to settle with writing back to the fine people at Dutcher's production company the moment I could stand up again. My first thoughts were, "I have rarely felt so immersed, beaten and rewarded by a film."

It may be the best film (one of them) — it isn't the worst (that's possibly "Judge Dredd"). But it is not for everyone. It is incredibly disarming, dark, and penetrating. I hope you get a chance to see it as I would love to hear how others respond to it.

Davey May 8th, 2009

Your response has me ever more excited.

Oh, and have you seen the trailer for Dutcher's horror movie "Evil Angel"? It looks disappointingly exploitative for one of the most interesting filmmakers around ("States of Grace" and "Brigham City" are amazing). I live in Provo, UT, and should see if I can contact Dutcher's company Main Street Movie Company directly to see if I can see the film. Thanks again for some of the most interesting and insightful film criticism anywhere!

Davey June 4th, 2009

Update: Just saw "Falling" today. Wow. Your first thoughts were pretty accurate on my end too. I was, quite literally, weak-kneed, and accidentally stumbled down the stairs, which I'm not sure I've ever done in response to a film before. I'm trying to write some of my thoughts down, and I'll be interviewing Dutcher soon for Examiner.com about it, which I'm really excited about. I eagerly await hearing your thoughts on the film, as well as the rest of your "Silence of God" series–"Mean Streets" and "In Bruges" are both amazing as well–and the rest of your podcast.

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