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Benji and Luke discuss Lance Oppenheim’s Primetime, the filmmaker’s first narrative feature film, in which his muse, Chris Hansen, has been gifted with renewed relevance despite his grievance tour. Spoiler: Benji liked Primetime so much he saw it three times. The conversation begins with an examination of David Osit’s documentary Predators (2025) and Luke Dittrich’s Esquire article “Tonight on Dateline, This Man Will Die”, two absolutely essential pieces of context for understanding Hansen and the legacy of To Catch A Predator. They then break down Oppenheim’s fever-dream portrait of Hansen's ascending celebrity built on a TV show template of performative justice. Finally, they discuss the film’s connections to post-9/11 America, Robert Pattinson’s brilliant and unsettling performance, and their final thoughts about Oppenheim's first narrative fiction feature. Warnings: Spoilers throughout after 12 minutes. Also, this episode contains direct discussion of suicide. -- CHAPTERS: 00:00 Primetime (2026), Predators (2025), and our first reactions 04:31 Lance Oppenheim, the filmmakers, and the cast 09:15 Why David Osit's Predators changed our reading of Hansen 22:19 Robert Pattinson channeling Lestat as celebrity-addled Hansen 38:03 The Society of Chris Hansen's Spectacle 54:32 To Catch A Predator on the road in Texas 1:03:38 Dan Plum becomes Hansen & the Murphy, TX sting collapses into tragedy 1:26:30 Final thoughts, Primetime's technical formats, and fever-dream favorites -- Also available on all podcast platforms 🎧 ⁠⁠https://www.allthosemomentspod.com/subscribe⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Isabel Hagen joins Benji for an in-depth conversation about her career as a performing artist and her debut movie, On A String. From Juilliard-trained violist to standup comedian and now filmmaker, Hagen will complete the year 2026 with her first feature film as well as her first comedy special, Live At The Bitter End. Benji talks with Isabel about growing up in a musical family in Lower Manhattan, attending Juilliard, discovering stand-up comedy, and turning her experiences as a working violist into the narrative spine of On A String. They also get into the influence of films like Happiness, Frances Ha, and Inside Llewyn Davis. Other topics include the realities of the gig economy, the film’s depiction of women enduring insecure men, and the balance between comedy and classical music that runs throughout Isabel’s work. Later, they dig into some of the film’s best moments, including Dylan Baker’s connection to Happiness, Jamie Lee and the infamous sheet scene, Fred Weller’s guitar performance, the quartet’s climactic escape, Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, and the real-life encounter that inspired the film’s final scene. Spoiler warning: The second half of the conversation discusses specific scenes and the ending of On a String. -- CHAPTERS 00:00 Isabel Hagen and On a String 04:48 Juilliard, stand-up and growing up in Manhattan 14:22 How On a String began 24:01 The gig economy of a working classical musician 28:45 Women, insecure men and dating in New York 35:41 Todd Solondz's Happiness, Dylan Baker, and the film’s influences 41:37 Carl, the guitar and “plausible deniability” 55:14 The true story behind the film’s final scene -- Watch Isabel Hagen's comedy special, Live At The Bitter End Cover photo: Arin Sang-urai -- Also available on all podcast platforms 🎧 ⁠⁠https://www.allthosemomentspod.com/subscribe⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

When we first saw the trailer for Tony, expectations were low. It looked like a biopic-by-numbers movie about “the coming of age of a future celebrity.” Instead, it's a deeply human portrait of a chapter in Bourdain's life constructed with humor, love, and collaborative invention from director Matthew Johnson. In this episode, we break down Johnson’s evolution as a filmmaker, Dominic Sessa’s performance as a young Anthony Bourdain, and a movie built around self-invention and pathological lying all in the pursuit of finding meaning (and trade and family and purpose). We also compare Tony to Johnson's previous feature, BlackBerry (2023). And finally, Benji tells the story of meeting Anthony Bourdain in Livingston, Montana, in 2009. CHAPTERS: 00:00 First reactions to Tony 06:07 Dominic Sessa as a young Bourdain 12:56 Matthew Johnson, BlackBerry and the filmmakers behind Tony 25:16 The real Anthony Bourdain, Nancy, and Kitchen Confidential 31:36 Tony as a pathological liar 40:55 The Flagship, Sal, and Bourdain wielding nunchuks 48:59 The Lying Montage 55:26 Kitchens, male culture, and malevolent bonding 58:48 Benji meets Anthony Bourdain 01:05:51 The legacy of Bourdain 01:10:42 Another excellent coming of age movie: This Boy’s Life (1993) -- Also available on all podcast platforms 🎧 ⁠https://www.allthosemomentspod.com/subscribe⁠ Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Director Cole Webley joins All Those Moments to discuss his devastating and deeply human film, Omaha, starring John Magaro. Benji talks to Cole about growing up in Central Washington, making movies while raising a family, depicting scarcity on screen, and the emotional ending of Omaha. They also discuss working with child actors and how this movie explores humbling experiences of parenting while quietly celebrating the kindness of strangers. The conversation also explores masculinity, grief, and what it means to ask for help. It's one of our favorite conversations we’ve had on the podcast. CHAPTERS 0:00 - Introducing Omaha & Cole Webley 2:27 - Audience reactions & emotional responses to the film 11:51 - John Magaro, family, and Cole Webley’s filmmaking background 25:47 - Spoiler discussion begins: road trip structure & a hidden destination 39:24 - A controversial scene, judgment, and parenting 56:10 - The ending of Omaha explained: “I’m going to need some help.” 1:08:00 - Kindness, Masculinity, & Asking for Help -- Also available on all podcast platforms 🎧 ⁠https://www.allthosemomentspod.com/subscribe⁠ Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of the show, we dive into Mother Mary, David Lowery's allegorical character study about creativity, betrayal, and the ghosts we carry with us. We discuss Lowery’s maximalist approach, the central relationship between Mother Mary and Sam, and why this director's ninth feature film plays more like a black box love story than a horror film. Along the way, we explore the meaning of the red “ghost,” the role of performance and religion, and how the film turns trauma into art and art into healing. CHAPTERS: 00:00 First reactions & what the movie tried to do 03:49 Setup: logline, key cast & Lowery’s approach 14:11 Mary & Sam: tension, staccato / legato dialog, a broken creative partnership 25:25 The musicless dance sequence 30:50 The red ghost and shared trauma 38:22 The ritual & the meaning of the red dress 43:09 Ending explained & Mary's final performance 45:11 Audience reactions & interpretations 54:25 Lowery’s films as “ghost stories” 56:42 Final thoughts Also available on all podcast platforms 🎧 https://www.allthosemomentspod.com/subscribe Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Project Hail Mary is part sci-fi blockbuster and part screwball comedy that still observes the hard science source material from Andy Weir. In this episode of All Those Moments, we talk about why this movie is an antidote to our cynicism, how its dual-timeline structure keeps the story moving, and why the relationship between Grace and Rocky becomes the emotional and intellectual core of the film. Along the way, we break down the astrophage premise, the science behind the mission to Tau Ceti, and how the movie pulls off one of the most effective buddy movies in all of Lord & Miller's filmography. Yes, including Benji's favorites, 21 & 22 Jump Street. We also get into the tonal balancing act between the comedy and the existential stakes, the decision to use practical effects for Rocky (and why that might have been a billion dollar decision), the agency and ethics of Grace's big decision, and whether the ending actually works. 0:00 Episode Setup 2:55 First Impressions 6:00 The Sci-Fi Premise Explained 12:10 Earth Timeline & Backstory Discovery 22:00 First Contact at Tau Ceti 33:00 Meeting Rocky 48:30 Solving the Astrophage Crisis Together 1:01:00 The Ending, Sacrifice, and Final Thoughts Also available on all podcast platforms 🎧 https://www.allthosemomentspod.com/subscribe

The story of Hind Rajab can never be ignored and it should never be forgotten. Kaouther Ben Hania's film, The Voice of Hind Rajab, is an imperfect but essential document that turns the details of what has happened to more than 20,000 children in Gaza since the end of 2023 into an intimate rendering of human anguish. Benji and Luke watched this movie during the week that Neil Patrick Harris talked about being "interested in things that are apolitical." The Voice of Hind Rajab, conversely, provokes conversations about the role of politics in art and cinema. After all, isn't art without politics just decoration? Or, as Ben Hania put it recently, "Cinema is not just image laundering." Benji and Luke start their conversation with an introduction to the filmmaker, Ben Hania, and her previous work with Four Daughters (2023) as well as its similarities to The Voice of Hind Rajab. They then describe key moments from the movie and react to the filmmaking, narrative structure, and the real life events depicted in the story. They finish the podcast with their thoughts about recent developments as America and Israel have started a war against Iran and the implications for an ongoing genocide in Gaza. Hosts: Benji Wade Luke Baumgarten -- Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to Mitch Davis for the artwork and Lucid Terminal for the theme song.

Benji and Luke start the show with describing their expectations for the movie No Other Choice based on their familiarity with Park Chan-wook's previous work. They then begin the spoiler-filled section of their conversation with audience responses to the movie and an introduction of the themes of No Other Choice, including its critique of neoliberalism, large language models, and the role of the Moloch theory as a way of understanding the phrase 'no other choice.' They also give breakdowns of key scenes, the incredible performances from Son Ye-jin and Lee Byung-hun, and exchange personal anecdotes that relate to the storytelling. Hosts: Benji Wade Luke Baumgarten -- Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AllThoseMomentsPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to Mitch Davis for the artwork and Lucid Terminal for the theme song.

Benji and Luke start season two of the podcast by catching up on news from the movie industry, including the announcement of Jess Walter's bestselling novel So Far Gone coming soon to Netflix. They also discuss an essay from A.S. Hamrah in the New York Review of Books on the state of contemporary film criticism. Then, they look back at the nine movies they've covered on the podcast in 2025 before catching up on all the movies they watched to close out the year, including a lengthy discussion of Marty Supreme. Finally, they preview the year ahead for the podcast and announce the first movie they will feature in 2026. CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Intro of the podcast and a preview of the episode 03:54 - Industry news including Jess Walter's book coming to Netflix, A.S. Hamrah's excellent piece on film criticism and how that relates to the silly discourse around One Battle After Another 28:25 - Benji and Luke review the nine movies from the first year of the podcast and the reception and discourse surrounding movies like Marty Supreme and One Battle After Another 35:00 - Benji and Luke revisit the movies seen since recording the last episode: Bring Her Back, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, The Worst Person in the World, Materialists, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Jockey, Sing Sing, Zootopia 2, Wake Up Dead Man, Jay Kelly, and Sentimental Value 49:10 - An extensive discussion of Marty Supreme, its reception, and rumors of director Josh Safdie's alternative ending - A VAMPIRE?! 1:05:24 - Benji and Luke preview 2026 for the podcast and announce the first movie they will screen and discuss for season two Hosts: Benji Wade Luke Baumgarten -- Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AllThoseMomentsPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to Mitch Davis for the artwork and Lucid Terminal for the theme song.

Benji is joined by cinematographer Adolpho Veloso to discuss his work on Train Dreams (2025) and Jockey (2021). The conversation starts with Veloso describing life growing up in São Paulo and his love of cinema. Benji then asks Veloso about the filmmakers who inspired him, including César Charlone and Rodrigo Prieto. They then discuss Veloso’s first collaboration with director Clint Bentley and actor Clifton Collins, Jr. on the 2021 drama, Jockey. This discussion is followed by a breakdown of Veloso’s work on Train Dreams, including the artistic approach, challenges, and filming within sets built on location in Spokane and near the Idaho border. Finally, they talk about the incredibly warm reception of Train Dreams among audiences and critics alike and what’s next for Veloso’s career. Host: Benji Wade Guest: Adolpho Veloso, ABC AIP -- Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AllThoseMomentsPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to Mitch Davis for the artwork and Lucid Terminal for the theme song.

Benji and Luke are joined by award-winning novelist Jess Walter. Born and raised in Spokane, Jess has written several novels set in the Inland Northwest, including The Cold Millions. They begin the episode with an exploration of Jess's background, including his relationship with Denis Johnson, the author of the novella Train Dreams. Jess offers insights and perspectives about the practice of his works being adapted for the screen. Then, they dive deep into the moments from the movie including key distinctions between the movie and the book. Finally, they wrap up the episode with their overall thoughts about Clint Bentley's Train Dreams and the meaning it has to the city of Spokane. -- 00:00 - Intro of the podcast and guest Jess Walter 07:42 - Jess describes how historical, real-life figures are used in The Cold Millions as well as Train Dreams 11:16 - Luke asks Jess questions about his career going from reporter to novelist to having his nonfiction book, Ruby Ridge, adapted into a CBS miniseries starring Randy Quaid, Laura Dern, and Kirsten Dunst 13:36 - A discussion of expectations going in and general impressions of the movie Train Dreams23:04 - A brief background on the filmmakers behind Train Dreams 26:52 - A deep dive into the moments from Train Dreams including audience feedback from our first screening of the movie 1:12:02 - The ending of the movie and Jess's final thoughts about the success of the adaptation of one of his favorite books 1:17:00 - Benji and Luke wrap the episode with their summary of where Train Dreams sits among other movies made in and around Spokane Hosts: Benji Wade and Luke Baumgarten Guest: Jess Walter ⁠Train Dreams⁠ Director: Clint Bentley Starring: Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, William H. Macy -- Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AllThoseMomentsPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to Mitch Davis for the artwork and Lucid Terminal for the theme song.

Benji and Luke start their conversation about The Mastermind by describing their familiarity with director Kelly Reichardt's films and her history as a hero of American slow cinema. They then provide background and details about Reichardt's creative collaborators and the logline for The Mastermind before diving deep into the moments from the movie including themes, ideas, and thoughts from the audience at their screening. Finally, they wrap up the episode with their overall thoughts on The Mastermind and Benji compares it to Reichardt's 2010 film, Meek's Cutoff. -- 0:00 Intro 08:11 Kelly Reichardt's history of creative collaborators including production designer Anthony Gasparro and cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt 11:34 The logline for the movie The Mastermind 13:23 The moments from the movie: recap of key plot points, themes, ideas, and thoughts from our audience 1:00:13 The social, political, and cultural moment of The Mastermind and how Kelly Reichardt's period piece about 1970 is a hilarious tragicomedy that dunks on privileged American white men Hosts: Benji Wade and Luke Baumgarten The Mastermind (2025) Director: Kelly Reichardt Starring: Joshua O'Connor, Alana Haim, Hope Davis, Bill Camp, Gaby Hoffman, John Magaro -- Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AllThoseMomentsPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to Mitch Davis for the artwork and Lucid Terminal for the theme song.

Benji and Luke begin the show by presenting context for Kathryn Bigelow’s career to date and their expectations for her first film since 2017 and her first since 2002 without long-time screenwriter, Mark Boal. They then provide an assessment of the cultural relevance of A House of Dynamite along with a spoiler free plot summary of the movie. They follow with a breakdown of themes and key moments from the movie along with audience feedback from their screening. Finally, they briefly discuss Bigelow’s 2017 movie, Detroit, and use that to set up their takeaways about Bigelow’s role as a Trump era director. -- 0:00 Intro 10:19 The cultural relevance of A House of Dynamite 11:27 Spoiler free plot summary 25:07 The moments: themes, ideas, and thoughts from our audience 49:54 Was this movie successful or credible in 2025 America? 53:29 Kathryn Bigelow’s career arc from Obama to Trump Hosts: Benji Wade and Luke Baumgarten A House of Dynamite (2025) Director: Kathryn Bigelow Starring: Rebecca Ferguson, Idris Elba, Anthony Ramos, Jared Harris -- Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AllThoseMomentsPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to Mitch Davis for the artwork and Lucid Terminal for the theme song.

3D artist and filmmaker Julian Glander joins Benji and Luke for a conversation about Julian's background, influences, and the origin of why he wanted to make the animated film, Boys Go to Jupiter. He also shares stories about spending his teenage years in Florida and how those experiences shaped his perception of American life for millennials. Then, Benji and Luke play audio clips of audience feedback from their screening of Boys Go to Jupiter and discuss these moments with Julian. The podcast concludes with a discussion of the relationship between Boys Go to Jupiter and The Florida Project, in particular each film's critique of American dream--peddling capitalism. 00:00 - Benji and Luke talk about their immediate impressions of the movie Boys Go to Jupiter before introducing their guest, writer and director Julian Glander 08:22 - Julian’s background as a 3D artist and animator, his role as writer, director, AND musician on the movie, and how he financed it the project 24:58 - The places around the eastern side of the U.S. where Julian has lived and how regional cultures influenced his storytelling 36:04 - Julian gives feedback to the audience comments from the screening of his movie 1:02:22 - Benji and Luke reflect on their conversation with Julian before wrapping up their thoughts about the movie and the audience feedback 1:10:17 - An intertextual comparison of Boys Go to Jupiter to Sean Baker’s 2017 film, The Florida Project Hosts: Benji Wade and Luke Baumgarten Guest: Julian Glander -- Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AllThoseMomentsPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to Mitch Davis for the artwork and Lucid Terminal for the theme song.

Hosts Benji Wade and Luke Baumgarten are joined by filmmaker Carson Lund, writer and director of Eephus. After premiering at the Cannes Film Festival Director’s Fortnight in 2024 and releasing in theaters in 2025, Eephus has become one of the year’s most acclaimed films, ranking near the top of the year's best list on Rotten Tomatoes among critics.This is not a typical interview. It’s a wide-ranging conversation that touches on both the challenges and joys of producing independent films. Carson shares stories about making his debut feature, the quirks of shooting a baseball game across shifting daylight, and the details of financing films with help from supporters like Chapo Trap House. We also dive into Carson's influences (Hollis Frampton, James Benning, Liu Jiayin), his thoughts on modern film criticism, and his upcoming project about a candlepin bowling alley, another film that will contemplate the loss of communal spaces.Whether you’re a cinephile, indie filmmaker, or just curious about the creative process, this episode is a thoughtful deep dive into the thoughts, feelings, and ideas of a talented young storyteller and filmmaker. Highlights of the conversation include: How Eephus resonates with film critics, baseball fans, and lovers of cinema Carson’s influences, from Hollis Frampton and James Benning to Liu Jiayin The challenges of shooting a full baseball game across changing light and weather Carson’s background as a film critic and his take on today’s criticism landscape Nostalgia, community, and the disappearance of shared rituals in American culture The surprising role of Chapo Trap House in financing Eephus Carson’s next project: a story about a candlepin bowling alley and vanishing community spaces Why Eephus is both a universal story and a deeply specific portrait of a cultural region -- Follow the podcast on Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/allthosemomentspod/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow the podcast on YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@AllThoseMomentsPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Thank you to Mitch Davis for the artwork and Lucid Terminal for the theme song.