Primetime is a far-from-straightforward take on a true story, using the mid-aughts TV phenomenon To Catch a Predator and especially its host, Chris Hansen, for a darkly comic exploration of the morally murky place where ambition and justice overlap. It’s a tonal high wire act that gets a lot of mileage out of Lance Oppenheim’s expressively stylized direction and strong performances from Robert Pattinson, Merritt Wever, and Skyler Gisondo, but whether that all adds up to a satisfying film is up for debate this week. Then we bring 1957’s Sweet Smell of Success back in for Connections to discuss how it and Primetime both navigate protagonists who punch down from their moral high ground, and the bygone media environments that enable them, all while maintaining a sense of humor. Then, for anyone looking for a fuller picture of To Catch a Predator’s rise and fall, we offer a Your Next Picture Show for David Osit’s 2025 documentary Predators.

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.

Next pairing: Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning and David Fincher's The Social Network.

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.

Primetime is a far-from-straightforward take on a true story, using the mid-aughts TV phenomenon&nbsp;To Catch a Predator and especially its host, Chris Hansen, for a darkly comic exploration of the morally murky place where ambition and justice overlap. It&rsquo;s a tonal high wire act that gets a lot of mileage out of Lance Oppenheim&rsquo;s expressively stylized direction and strong performances from Robert Pattinson, Merritt Wever, and Skyler Gisondo, but whether that all adds up to a satisfying film is up for debate this week. Then we bring 1957&rsquo;s Sweet Smell of Success back in for Connections to discuss how it and Primetime both navigate protagonists who punch down from their moral high ground, and the bygone media environments that enable them, all while maintaining a sense of humor. Then, for anyone looking for a fuller picture of To Catch a Predator&rsquo;s rise and fall, we offer a Your Next Picture Show for David Osit&rsquo;s 2025 documentary Predators.
Please share your thoughts about&nbsp;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>.
Next pairing: Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning and David Fincher's The Social Network.
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=1791940186829000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Y_YyF0ZbN2CLfNHR8CsiN">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠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.

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

Since 2005, Filmspotting has featured Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen's in-depth movie reviews and Top 5 lists, delivering "weekly installments of affable, insightful film analysis" (The New York Times). Today, the Filmspotting feed also offers an expanded lineup of original movie and pop culture shows.

Since 2005, Filmspotting has featured Adam Kempenaar and Josh Larsen's in-depth movie reviews and Top 5 lists, delivering "weekly installments of affable, insightful film analysis" (The New York Times). Today, the Filmspotting feed also offers an expanded lineup of original movie and pop culture shows.

Trial By Media, Pt. 2 — Primetime

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/0a6c4ad0-ea6f-467d-aa4b-b4e2002aa38e/transcript