The Treatment

<p><em>Shaun of the Dead</em> started as a satire of zombie films but shifted into making points about friendship and loss.  <em>Hot Fuzz</em> parodies the 80's action film and Bruckheimer excess.  British director and co-writer <strong>Edgar Wright </strong>(UK TV series <em>Spaced</em>, 'fake' trailer segment in <em>Grindhouse</em>) discusses the weight of comedy - or laughs it off.</p>

<p><span>Wry, thoughtful, but not detached, </span><b>David Duchovny</b> (<i>House of D, Trust the Man, Bones</i>) <span>ironic yet emotional approach to acting gave <i>The X-Files</i> a center and</span> also grounds his satiric new film, <i>The TV set</i>.</p>

<p>From <i>Little Man Tate</i> to <i>Out of Sight</i>, screenwriter <b>Scott Frank</b> (<i>Get Shorty, Minority Report</i>) has written scripts about emotional honesty in intense situations. His first film as director, <i>The Lookout</i>, continues in that vein.<br /></p>

<p>Composer <b>John Frizzell</b>'s score have covered a wide and deep expanse, from the excentricity of<i> Office Space</i> to the large-scale registers of <i>Alien Resurrection</i>. He talks about <i>The Reaping</i>, and bringing the music in his head to the movies.</p><p><br /></p>

<p>Since creating <i>El Mariachi</i>, writer, director, cinematographer and composer <b>Robert Rodriguez</b> has done it his way with <i>Spy Kids, Sin City </i>and, his newest, <i>Planet Terror</i>. It's part of the <i>Grindhouse</i> double feature which he'll unspool for us.<br /></p>

<p>Writer-director <b>Quentin Tarantino </b>works when he wants to on what he wants.<i> Reserve Dogs, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown</i>, the <i>Kill Bill</i> films and, now, his newest part of a double bill, <i>Death Proof</i>.<br /></p>

<p><b>Chris Rock</b>'s first film as actor and director, <i>Head of State</i>, was a comedy about a black presidential candidate.<span> </span>His newest, <i>I Think I Love My Wife</i>, is, for him, even more political, a romantic comedy about the black middle class.<span> </span>He'll see if he can get your vote.</p> <p></p>

<p>Documentary filmmaker <b>Rory Kennedy </b>(<i>American Hollow</i>) has melded her curiosity to subjects of social injustice. Her new documentary,<i> Ghosts of Abu Ghraib</i>, took on different shadings as she learned.<br /></p>

<p>The TV series <i>Lost</i> has changed television. But has it lost its way? We ask executive producers <b>Damon Lindelof</b> and <b>Carlton Cuse</b>. <br /></p>

<p>In 1975, a comedy series connected to the politics and pop culture of young people, NBC's <i>Saturday Night Live</i> debuted. Its first season is now on DVD. <b>Anne Beatts</b>, one of a handful of women writers on the original <i>Saturday Night Live</i>, drops in to talk about being a pioneer among a group of pioneers.<br /></p>

<p>Writer <b>Gay Talese</b>'s fame as a journalist began with his fine profiles for Esquire and continued with non-fiction books such as <i>Honor Thy Father</i> and <i>Thy Neighbor's Wife</i>. With his new book, <i>A Writer's Life</i>, he turns his eye on himself.<br /></p><p><br /></p>

<p>The book, <i>Scenes from the City: Filmmaking in New York</i>, is not only a sumptuous and evocative photo-history of New York filmmaking, it's a sharp and compelling look at city's cultural and social history through cinema. Its editor, <b>James Sanders</b> (co-writer or the Emmy Award-winning PBS series <i>New York: A Documentary Film</i> and its companion volume, <i>New York: An Illustrated History</i>, as well as <i>Celluloid Skyline: New York and the Movies</i>), connects the dots, from Marlon Brando to Woody Allen.<br /></p>

<p><em>Breaking and Entering</em>, the title of director <strong>Anthony Minghella</strong>'s new film, could be used to describe the furtive movement between classes dramatized in his work.  It's found in his <em>Talented Mr Ripley, Cold Mountain</em> and here.</p>

<p>There's not as big a gap between the <i>Mad Max</i> cycle of films, the <i>Babe</i> movie and <i>Happy Feet</i> as you might think. They all come from filmmaker <b>George Miller</b>, whose instincts as a entertainer also connect to using film as fable. He discusses the difference between making film for kids and for adults.<br /></p>

<p><b>Christine Vachon</b>, one of most prolific forces in independent films, has opened the door for some of the most singular talent in movies. <br /></p><br />

<p>Communication is not only a theme in the films of <b>Alejandro González Iñárritu</b>. In <i>Amores Perros, 21 Grams</i> and his newest, <i>Babel</i>, it's also a plot point.<br /></p>

<p>Writer-director <b>Bill Condon</b> adapted <i>Chicago</i>, and he finally brings <i>Dreamgirls</i> to the big screen.<br /></p>

<p>Director <b>Steven Soderbergh</b> (<i>Sex, Lies, and Videotape, Erin Brockovich, Traffic</i>) likes to use each film he makes as a way to clear his head and palate. He goes from low budget, stark digital film to lush the studio film, <a href="http://thegoodgerman.warnerbros.com/" target="_blank"><i>The New German</i></a>. He'll discuss navigating both worlds and what they have in common.<br /></p>

<p>As creator and executive producer of <i>Everybody Loves Raymond</i>, <b>Phil Rosenthal</b> did more than just add humor. He helped the cast--from novice to veteran--understand its reality. It's all in his book, <i>Youre Lucky You’re Funny</i>.</p>

<p>Writer-director <b>Brad Silberling</b> (<i>Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, Moonlight Mile</i>) came up with the film <i>10 Items or Less</i> about an iconic star affair to dip his doe into indie-film waters. <b>Morgan Freeman</b> (<i>Million Dollar Baby, The Shawshank Redemption</i>) decided to take the role as star and producer. Hear all about the ripple effect.<br /></p>

<p>Integrating movie stars into ensemble dramas is not just a social experiment for director <b>Ed Zwick</b> (<i>About Last Night, Glory, Thirtysomething, Legends of the Fall, The Last Samurai</i>), it's how he works. You can see it in his new film, <i>Blood Diamond.</i><br /></p>

<p>Writer-director <strong>Darren Aronofsky</strong> (<em>Pi, Requiem for a Dream</em>) continues exploring themes of life, death and rebirth in his new film, <em>The Fountain</em>. It's a lot to cram into an action-adventure, melodramatic epic.</p>

<p>Envy. Pettiness. Betrayal. They're all elements of –comedy? Yes, if you're talking about the work of writer-director-actor <b>Christopher Guest</b>. He follows <i>Best in Show</i> and <i>Mighty Wind</i> with <a href="http://wip.warnerbros.com/foryourconsideration" target="_blank"><i>For Your Consideration</i></a>, inside dealist showbiz. It's all for <i>your</i> consideration.<br /></p>

<p></p><p align="left"><i>Gorillas in the Mist.<span> </span>Coalminer's Daughter</i>. Many of director <b>Michael Apted</b>'s films have a journalistic bent. But his documentaries have a soulful touch, like the series following a group of 12 people.<span> </span>The first one was called <a href="http://www.reel.com/movie.asp?MID=40647" target="_blank"><i>7 Up</i></a>. The new one is <a href="http://www.firstrunfeatures.com/49up_synopsis.html" target="_blank"><i>49 Up</i></a>.<span> </span>We'll discuss marking time--on film.</p>

<p><strong>Phillip Noyce</strong>'s <em>Catch a Fire</em> follows he real life story of an black South African who is radicalized after being wrongly accused. It follows the director's <em>Rabbit Proof Fence</em> and <em>The Quiet American</em><strong>.  </strong> The film is about being awakened to the world around you and moments that change your life forever.</p>

<p>Sex and a need to connect in the days after 9/11 are both integral to the director<b> John Cameron Mitchell</b>'s second film as a director, <span><a href="http://www.shortbusthemovie.com/" target="_blank"><i>Shortbus</i></a>. </span>Lyrical, literal and fanciful, it's his follow up to <i>Hedwig and the Angry Inch</i>. He reveals life from the other side of the camera.</p>

<p><span>After career performances under directors such as Martin Scorsese and Neil Jordan, <b>Forest Whitaker</b> </span><span>(<em><span>Platoon, Bird, The Crying Game, Ghost Dog, The Shield</span></em>) </span><span>is getting noticed for his work under a first-time director.<span> </span>Whitaker’s portrayal of Idi Amin in </span><span><em><span><a href="http://www2.foxsearchlight.com/thelastkingofscotland/" target="_blank">The Last King of Scotland</a> </span></em></span><span>is taking him new places.<span> </span>We find out exactly where.</span></p>

<p>A career as a producer for <a href="http://cbsnews.com" target="_blank">CBS News</a> and <a href="http://cnn.com" target="_blank">CNN</a> not only prepared director <b>Amy Berg</b> for her film, <a href="http://www.deliverusfromevilthemovie.com/index_flash.php" target="_blank"><em>Deliver Us from Evil</em></a>, it sowed the seeds for her documentary as well.<span> </span>It's the story of the path of abuse left by Father Oliver O'Grady, who molested children in parishes throughout California for 22 year, and the awful authority of power corrupted.</p> <br />

<p><span><b>Todd Field</b> chose to complement his acting career, which includes a no-doubt influential turn in Stanley Kubrick’s <a href="http://eyeswideshut.warnerbros.com/" target="_blank"><i>Eyes Wide Shut</i></a>,<span> </span>with a career behind the camera. His directing debut, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=kcrwcom-20&keyword=B000067J3S" target="_blank"><i>In the Bedroom</i></a>, won him a Best Picture nomination.<span> </span>His newest is an adaptation of Tom Perrotta’s <a href="http://www.littlechildrenmovie.com" target="_blank"><i>Little Children</i></a>.</span></p><br />

<p> </p><p>After being rejected as an actor, <b>Thom Browne</b> decided to take control of his own fate.<span> </span>In just a few years after starting his own line of elegant stark menswear, he's the hottest thing going.<span> </span>He talks about turning the spotlight back on himself.</p> <p><br /><br /></p>

<p>Director David Cronenberg said that the <a href="http://www.chrysler.com/300/" target="_blank">Chrysler 300c</a> had movie-star charisma. Snoop Dog said he liked it so much he cthe company to demand one for himself. For "Style Month," <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-treatment/ralph-gilles/&quothttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Gilles"" target="&quot_blank""><strong>Ralph Gilles</strong></a>, the Chrysler designer for the car, cruises by to share what's under the hood.<br clear="all" /><br /></p>

<p>Portraits, frame and sobriety with a hint of wit. That defines the work of portrait photographer <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-treatment/timothy-greenfield-sanders/&quothttp://www.greenfield-sanders.com/%22" target="&quot_blank""><strong>Timothy Greenfield-Sanders</strong></a>, whose subjects range from authors to presidents to porn stars. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=kcrwcom-20&keyword=1576873528" target="new"><em>Look</em></a>, his newest book, adds models and designers. <br /></p>

<p><br />Elvis Mitchell hosts former <a href="http://www.caa.com/" target="_blank">CAA</a> agent <strong>Scott Sternberg</strong>, founder and designer for Los Angeles' <a href="http://www.bandofoutsiders.com/" target="_blank">Band of Outsiders</a> clothing label.</p>

<p><br />You've probably seen the fashions of <strong>Ozwald Boateng</strong> on Jamie Foxx in Miami Vice, as well as on Paul Bettany and Laurence Fishburne. He's also starring in the Sundance Channel documentary series, <a href="http://www.sundancechannel.com/boateng/" target="_blank"><em>The House of Boateng</em></a>, and brings us a little couture.</p>

<p><br />The allure of street-poet Charles Bukowski is such that actors Ben Gazzara and Mickey Rourke, and directors such as Barbet Schroeder have taken their shot at him. Now, <strong>Matt Dillon</strong> (<em>Rumble Fish, Drugstore Cowboy, There's Something about Mary, Crash</em>) can be added to that mix. He stars in <a href="http://www.factotummovie.com/" target="_blank"><em>Factotum</em></a>. </p>

<p>It's often the dream of indie filmmakers to expand a short film into a feature and see it hold up under that growth. Director <strong>Ryan Fleck</strong> and his writing partner, <strong>Anna Boden</strong>, did just that with <a href="http://www.halfnelsonthefilm.com/" target="_blank"><em>Half Nelson</em></a>. We'll talk about that nurturing process.><br /></p>

<p>He's Mr. Wick from <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-treatment/craig-ferguson/&quothttp://abc.go.com/primetime/drewcarey/"" target="&quot_blank"">The Drew Carey Show</a>. He's also host of the <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-treatment/craig-ferguson/&quothttp://www.cbs.com/latenight/latelate/"" target="&quot_blank""><em>Late Late Show</em></a>. And now, <strong>Craig Ferguson</strong> has written his first novel, <a href="https://www.kcrw.com/culture/shows/the-treatment/craig-ferguson/&quothttp://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=kcrwcom-20&keyword=0811853756"" target="&quotnew""><em>Between the Bridge and the River</em></a>. He talks about writing – and talking...<br /></p>

Elvis Mitchell hosts actor William H. Macy (Fargo, Boogie Nights, The Cooler)whose new film is Edmond.

<p>The career of composer Burt Bacharach (The Look Of Love , Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid, Alfie , Magic Moments, I Say A Little Prayer) encompasses every decade of the last 50 years. He hits the 21st century with his newest DC, At This Time, and talks with us about these socially-conscious songs.</p>

Elvis Mitchell hosts author-critic Marshall Fine ( Bloody Sam:The Life And Films of Sam Peckinpah and Harvey Keitel:The Art of Darkness) whose new book is Accidental Genius: How John Cassavetes Invented the American Independent Film.

<p><em>On Michael Jackson</em>, is a loaded phrase and, in <strong>Margo Jefferson</strong>'s hands, a book as provocative as its title. The Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times book critic examines the ever-changing king of pop in her book-length essay.</p>

Screen writer Wesley Strick's output (Arachnophobia, The Tie That Binds) includes having put an updated spin on an old case with the remake of Cape Fear, that he wrote for Martin Scorsese. With his first novel, Out There in the Dark, he once again borrows something old to make something new, folding film history and politics into a behind-the-scene tale.

Elvis Mitchell hosts writer Hazel Rowley ( Richard Wright: The Life and Times and Christina Stead: A Biography) whose new book is T--te----T--te: Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre.

From The Usual Suspects to The X-Men, Bryan Singer is fascinated with secrets, which makes his just the right director for Superman Returns.

<p>After a significant career of acting in films (<em>The Woodsman, Mystic River, Apollo 13</em>), <strong>Kevin Bacon</strong> is returning to the other side of the camera as director of <em>Loverboy</em>, his second film in that role.</p>

Walter Hill redefined the action though a group of films -- The Warriors, 48 Hours, Hard Times, Southern Comfort -- that have become iconic. His newest project is a western miniseries, Broken Trail, for AMC. He'll discuss action and character.

The acrid poetic rage of House, MD has made star Hugh Laurie known for being more than Stuart Little-s dad. The Emmy-nominated doctor stops by for a house call.

<p>After using film noir to tell the intimate stories in Memento and Insomnia, Christopher Nolan applies noir and intimacy to a film with a much bigger set of expectations.</p>

Elvis Mitchell hosts director Chris Nolan whose films include Following and his new film, Memento.