Midway into the Fall movie season comes the first truly perfect film: Andrew Dominik’s The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. In episode 17, Lily and JM wax poetic on the beauty and brilliance of the film, its strong supporting cast, and, after his stellar performance in Gone Baby Gone, Casey Affleck’s unstoppable acting prowess. Plus, JM discusses his latest Netflix rentals–Fracture and The Lives of Others.

Scarlett Cinema's Pamela Kerpius catches up with filmmaker and SM staff writer Barry Jenkins about his debut feature, currently in production, Medicine for Melancholy. Read the article.

Medicine for Melancholy's producer Justin Barber locks himself in the post facility, and with six hours counting down, finds a way, cops flooding on scene, to get out. Read here.

Confronting a lack of resolution about residuals for DVD and new media initiatives, the Writer's Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers hit an impasse last night, setting the WGA into its official strike this morning. Variety reports.

Ben Affleck, Ben Affleck, how we love you, let us count the ways. In episode 16, Lily and JM do their best to try and suppress their love for all things Affleck and provide an unbiased review of his directorial debut, “Gone Baby Gone.” Casey Affleck shines in the film, something that, along with Ed Harris’ hair, has been getting a lot of press as of late, but the real surprise is just how good a storyteller our beloved Ben turns out to be. Plus, the pair bitch at length about their latest Netflix rentals–”Evening,” “Reign Over Me,” “Transformers” and “Black Sheep.”

8 Weeks humping prehistoric 35mm camera gear in the Pennsylvania snow climaxed with a daring wrap party to be forever unparalleled in dance, drink and carnal debauchery. The morning after: the day before Christmas, 2005. “Dude,” I said - gently but sternly stirring you from your nest of hung-over art assistants, “We have 24 hours to drive 1200 hundred miles or my family disowns me.”

In episode 14, JM and Lily review Wes Anderson’s new film, The Darjeeling Limited. Listen in as the pair discuss the relative importance of Hotel Chevalier, the pros and cons of Anderson’s distinct storytelling technique and the sheer brilliance of the film’s opening sequence. Plus, the pair delve into their latest Netflix rentals–The Method and Broken English.

Finally, the Fall movie that Lily has been dying to see, Sean Penn’s “Into the Wild.” Will JM end up liking it or will he stand by his original contention that Chris McCandless is an idiot? Listen in as the pair discuss the film, the distinct difference between William Hurt and John Hurt, and the brilliance of Sean Penn: Director. Plus, the pair delve into their latest Netflix rentals–”Demetri Martin: Person,” Driving Lessons” and “The Wind that Shakes the Barley.”

GreenCine's Francine Taylor talks with filmmaker AJ Schnack about Kurt Cobain: About a Son. Read an excerpt here, or the full article over at GreenCine.

Despite On the Lot's black sheep status as a reality show, filmmaker Will Bigham has still managed to come out with bells and whistles. Read the full interview here.

SM Buddy Mike Everleth of Bad Lit reviews Matthew Lessner's Darling, Darling. Read the full review here.

Craig Zobel's lovely and bittersweet Great World of Sound opens tonight in New York City.

Journalist Jonathan Marlow writes a GreenCine Daily dispatch from the Toronto International Film Festival, putting the film programming in quick perspective.

Distributor IndiePix catches up with Ronald Bronstein at SWSX 2007.