First up in Filmspotting’s Dissident Cinema Marathon, Adam and Josh discuss Charlie Chaplin’s 1940 satire The Great Dictator. They explore how comedy becomes a weapon against fascism, the film’s surprising prescience and moral clarity, and the risks Chaplin took by calling out authoritarian power before much of the world was willing to do so.

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-Filmspotting Marathons

https://www.filmspotting.net/marathons

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-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠

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First up in Filmspotting&rsquo;s Dissident Cinema Marathon, Adam and Josh discuss Charlie Chaplin&rsquo;s 1940 satire&nbsp;The Great Dictator. They explore how comedy becomes a weapon against fascism, the film&rsquo;s surprising prescience and moral clarity, and the risks Chaplin took by calling out authoritarian power before much of the world was willing to do so.
Links:
-Filmspotting Marathons
<a href="https://www.filmspotting.net/marathons">https://www.filmspotting.net/marathons</a>
Feedback:
-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠
-⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://forms.gle/T7aEzSXEovNDCArV9">Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠</a> and we might answer your question in bonus content.
Support:
-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus episodes and archive access. <a href="https://filmspottingfamily.com">https://filmspottingfamily.com</a>
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Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen review new and classic movies, offering "affable, insightful film analysis since 2005" (NY Times).

New and classic movie reviews and top 5 lists.

Filmspotting

The Great Dictator: Chaplin’s Act of Artistic Nobility | Dissident Cinema

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f05956f5-6b69-4261-a773-b43f00f67241/transcript

Not everyone hates Digger. The big swing from star Tom Cruise and director Alejandro González Iñárritu was met with chilly box office and hostility from critics, but Adam and Josh (yes, even Iñárritu skeptic Adam!) found lots to like — especially after the film’s bold transition from politically-charged farce into something completely different. Plus, Josh on Primetime, previews of two regional fests, and listeners pick their favorite “Comedy Boom” movies.        

This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.

(Timecodes will not be precise with ads.)

Intro (00:00:00-00:02:23)

Digger (00:02:24-0:33:35)

Filmspotting Family (0:33:36-00:37:20)

Spoiler Talk: Digger (00:37:21-1:11:00)

Primetime (1:11:01-01:16:21)

Chicago / Refocus Film Fest Previews(01:16:22-01:31:21)

Polls (01:31:22-01:42:54)

Credits / New Releases (01:42:55-01:46:33)

Chicago Film Festival Picks – Josh:

-Citizen Osama 

⁠https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/citizen-osama/⁠

-Eight Bridges 

⁠https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/eight-bridges/⁠

Chicago Film Festival Picks – Adam:

-The Debut

⁠https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/the-debut/⁠

-The Girl with the Leica

⁠https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/the-girl-with-the-leica/⁠

Notes:

-Refocus Film Festival

⁠https://refocusfilmfestival.org/

Feedback:

-Email us at feedback@filmspotting.net⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠-⁠Ask Us Anything⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and we might answer your question in bonus content.

Support:

-Join the Filmspotting Family for bonus shows, archive access, and more.

http://filmspottingfamily.com

-Filmspotting Shop for T-shirts and more.

⁠https://www.filmspotting.net/shop⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow:

-Watch Filmspotting on YouTube:

⁠https://youtube.com/filmspotting⁠

-Adam/Filmspotting

⁠Letterboxd⁠ |⁠ Instagram⁠ |⁠ Facebook⁠ | ⁠Bluesky⁠

-Josh/LarsenOnFilm

⁠Letterboxd⁠ | ⁠Instagram⁠ |⁠ Facebook⁠ | ⁠Bluesky

Not everyone hates Digger. The big swing from star Tom Cruise and director Alejandro Gonz&aacute;lez I&ntilde;&aacute;rritu was met with chilly box office and hostility from critics, but Adam and Josh (yes, even I&ntilde;&aacute;rritu skeptic Adam!) found lots to like &mdash; especially after the film&rsquo;s bold transition from politically-charged farce into something completely different. Plus, Josh on Primetime, previews of two regional fests, and listeners pick their favorite &ldquo;Comedy Boom&rdquo; movies.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
This episode is presented by⁠ Regal Unlimited⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits.&nbsp;<a href="https://experience.regmovies.com/join-unlimited?utm_source=podcast&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=filmspotting">Use code FILMSPOT26 to take 15% off.</a>
(Timecodes will not be precise with ads.)
Intro (00:00:00-00:02:23)
Digger (00:02:24-0:33:35)
Filmspotting Family (0:33:36-00:37:20)
Spoiler Talk: Digger (00:37:21-1:11:00)
Primetime (1:11:01-01:16:21)
Chicago / Refocus Film Fest Previews (01:16:22-01:31:21)
Polls (01:31:22-01:42:54)
Credits / New Releases (01:42:55-01:46:33)
Chicago Film Festival Picks &ndash; Josh:
-Citizen Osama&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/citizen-osama/" data-encore-id="textLink" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true">⁠https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/citizen-osama/⁠</a>
-Eight Bridges&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/eight-bridges/" data-encore-id="textLink" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true">⁠https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/eight-bridges/⁠</a>
Chicago Film Festival Picks &ndash; Adam:
-The Debut
<a href="https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/the-debut/" data-encore-id="textLink" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true">⁠https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/the-debut/⁠</a>
-The Girl with the Leica
<a href="https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/the-girl-with-the-leica/" data-encore-id="textLink" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true">⁠https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/film/the-girl-with-the-leica/⁠</a>
Notes:
-Refocus Film Festival
<p data-encore-id="text" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-fragment="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"><a href="https://refocusfilmfestival.org/" data-encore-id="textLink" data-slate-node="element" data-slate-inline="true">⁠https://refocusfilmfestival.org/</a>
Feedback:
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Iñárritu and Cruise’s ambitious new film.

Digger and Primetime, plus Chicago International Film Fest Preview | #1084

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/f5027247-2b4f-48a4-8249-b4de00164fb2/transcript

Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime paints problematic TV phenomenon To Catch a Predator — and especially its host, Chris Hansen — as an enterprise fueled by ambition, amorality, and a tenuous grasp of journalistic ethics. Those qualities put us in mind of the cursed collaboration between desperate press agent Sidney Falco and influential columnist J.J. Hunsecker in 1957’s Sweet Smell of Success, so this week we’re digging into the twisted loyalties and razor-sharp dialogue of Alexander Mackendrick’s blisteringly cynical portrayal of a very different era in tabloid journalism. Then in Feedback, a listener helps flesh out a bit of William Friedkin trivia that came up during our recent Sorcerer discussion.

Please share your thoughts about Sweet Smell of Success, Primetime, or anything else in the world of film, by sending an email or voice memo to comments@nextpictureshow.net, or leaving a short voicemail at (773) 234-9730.

This episode is presented by⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Regal Unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code NEXTPIC26 for 15% off.

Lance Oppenheim&rsquo;s Primetime paints problematic TV phenomenon To Catch a Predator &mdash; and especially its host, Chris Hansen &mdash; as an enterprise fueled by ambition, amorality, and a tenuous grasp of journalistic ethics. Those qualities put us in mind of the cursed collaboration between desperate press agent Sidney Falco and influential columnist J.J. Hunsecker in 1957&rsquo;s Sweet Smell of Success, so this week we&rsquo;re digging into the twisted loyalties and razor-sharp dialogue of Alexander Mackendrick&rsquo;s blisteringly cynical portrayal of a very different era in tabloid journalism. Then in Feedback, a listener helps flesh out a bit of William Friedkin trivia that came up during our recent Sorcerer discussion.
Please share your thoughts about Sweet Smell of Success, Primetime, or anything else in the world of film, by sending an email or voice memo to&nbsp;<a href="mailto:comments@nextpictureshow.net">comments@nextpictureshow.net</a>, or leaving a short voicemail at&nbsp;<a href="tel:(773)%20234-9730">(773) 234-9730</a>.
This episode is presented by⁠ <a href="https://www.regmovies.com/join-unlimited" data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.regmovies.com/join-unlimited&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1791343619243000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1w7ih2CS9SmuHyF8tJoZMD">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Regal Unlimited⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a>, the all-you-can-watch movie subscription pass that pays for itself in just two visits. Use code NEXTPIC26 for 15% off.

Alexander Mackendrick’s blisteringly cynical 1957 film.

Trial By Media, Pt. 1 — Sweet Smell of Success

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a9770210-541d-4b38-9705-b4db0039a33a/transcript

With Cruise back in ac-tor mode in Alejandro González Iñárritu's Digger, we're sharing our 2017 consideration of the long and storied career of "the last movie star."

Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join the Filmspotting Family⁠. 

With Cruise back in ac-tor mode in Alejandro Gonz&aacute;lez I&ntilde;&aacute;rritu's Digger, we're sharing our 2017 consideration of the long and storied career of "the last movie star."
Unlock the full archive, Filmspotting Discord, ad‑free + bonus episodes, and more when you ⁠join&nbsp;<a href="https://filmspotting.supportingcast.fm/join?sc_promo=summer">the Filmspotting Family⁠</a>.&nbsp;

Top 5 Tom Cruise Performances | Archive

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1e6b99f5-00bb-4532-8a96-b4db010b9037/transcript

The Great Dictator: Chaplin’s Act of Artistic Nobility | Dissident Cinema

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