Sean and Amanda hit the stunning box office success of ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ (1:00). Then they circle back to the Oscar race because this week sees the release of some serious contenders, including Aaron Sorkin’s ‘Being the Ricardos’ and Guillermo Del Toro’s ‘Nightmare Alley’ (12:00). Then, Sean talks with Sean Baker, director and cowriter of ‘Red Rocket’ (1:00:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Sean Baker Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
Dec 21, 2021•2 hr 39 min
We’re talking about the most anticipated movie of the winter: 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.' Swinging into the conversation with Sean and Amanda is our friendly neighbor Mallory Rubin for a spoiler-free (1:40) and then spoiler-packed breakdown of the movie (33:00). Later in this episode, Sean will have a conversation with Tommy Oliver, the director of 'Juice WRLD: Into the Abyss,' the final film in HBO and The Ringer’s Music Box documentary series (1:15:00). Hosts; Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins ...
Dec 17, 2021•2 hr 48 min
Sean and Amanda discuss the new Netflix climate crisis satire ‘Don’t Look Up,’ which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, and Meryl Streep (1:00). Then, they build a Hall of Fame to Leo, one of the best movie stars ever (20:00). Finally, ‘Don’t Look Up’ writer-director Adam McKay joins Sean to discuss his new film (1:00:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Adam McKay Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 14, 2021•2 hr 36 min
This week marks the release of Steven Spielberg’s first musical, a remake and modest reimagining of the 1957 show and legendary 1961 film. Sean and Amanda are joined by Joanna Robinson to talk about the original, Spielberg's remake, and their five favorite Spielberg films. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Joanna Robinson Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 10, 2021•2 hr 32 min
It’s a music-movies team-up episode. Rob Harvilla returns to the show to talk about the art of the soundtrack and share his top five favorites (1:00). Then, Sean talks with John Maggio, who directed the latest entry in The Ringer’s Music Box film series on HBO. His movie, ‘Mr. Saturday Night,’ chronicles the fascinating life of Robert Stigwood, an impresario of stage, screen, and music responsible for projects like ‘Saturday Night Fever’ (46:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Rob Harvilla and Joh...
Dec 09, 2021•1 hr 22 min
It's time to talk about the best of the year, so Sean and Amanda are joined by Adam Nayman and Chris Ryan to share their five favorite movies of 2021 (1:00). Then, 'Dune' director Denis Villeneuve comes to the show to talk about his extraordinary adaptation of Frank Herbert's novel (1:17:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Denis Villeneuve, Chris Ryan, and Adam Nayman Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 07, 2021•2 hr 53 min
It’s December, which means it’s officially holiday movie season. We’re bringing Chris Ryan back to draft holiday movies with one special twist—a wild-card category of any holiday content. It’s the most wonderful draft of the year! Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 02, 2021•1 hr 11 min
The weekend delivered a bountiful feast for Beatles fans: Peter Jackson’s epic, revelatory eight-hour ‘Get Back’ documentary series on Disney+. Amanda and Sean talk about the film today and their favorite Beatles albums (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Penny Lane, whose film ‘Listening to Kenny G’ in the latest installment of The Ringer’s Music Box series, which premieres on HBO and HBO Max Thursday night (49:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Penny Lane Producer: Bobby Wagner L...
Nov 30, 2021•1 hr 29 min
Paul Thomas Anderson’s ninth feature film opens today in select theaters. Sean and Amanda have a spoiler-free conversation about the coming-of-age story set in the San Fernando Valley (1:00). Then, Amanda allows Sean some room to work through his feelings and rank his favorite director’s movies from top to bottom (33:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 26, 2021•1 hr 27 min
It's time for the house of Gucci! Ridley Scott's much-anticipated family crime drama set among the famed Italian fashion empire, starring Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Al Pacino, and many others, is here. Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to talk about how much fun they had with the film, the performances, the style, and the Gucci of it all (1:00). Then they share their top 5 favorite Scott-directed films (35:00). Finally, Sean is joined by Chris Frierson, the filmmaker behind the Music Box ent...
Nov 24, 2021•2 hr 49 min
We're talking about a trio of new releases—'Ghostbusters: Afterlife,' 'Tick, Tick ... Boom!,' and 'C'mon C'mon'—that attempt to pluck our heartstrings. They inspired Sean and Amanda to share their top five feel-good movies (1:00). Then, Sean talks with 'C'mon C'mon' writer-director Mike Mills about his wonderful new film (1:00:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Mike Mills Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 22, 2021•2 hr 35 min
With Will Smith in the center of the frame, ‘King Richard’ has garnered a lot of Oscars buzz. Now that the film is in theaters and on HBO Max, we talk about what makes it a throwback sports movie—and ultimately a big success—before sharing our top five sports movies (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by ‘King Richard’ director Reinaldo Marcus Green to discuss how he became involved in the project, working closely with Will Smith, and the lineage of sports movies that influenced his approach to directi...
Nov 19, 2021•2 hr 51 min
Once upon a time, this was a podcast dedicated to Academy Awards coverage, so we’re going to throwback today to discuss Kenneth Branagh’s autobiographical feature ‘Belfast’ and the state of the 2021 Oscar race (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Alison Klayman to discuss ‘Jagged,’ her film about Alanis Morissette that is part of Ringer Films’ ‘Music Box’ documentary series on HBO (51:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Alison Klayman Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad c...
Nov 16, 2021•1 hr 28 min
Kristen Stewart’s much-anticipated role as Princess Diana in ‘Spencer’ has finally arrived. We discuss Stewart’s performance, as well as the larger successes and failures of the film (1:00) before building a 10-movie Hall of Fame comprising the best films about royals (34:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 12, 2021•1 hr 10 min
A new Tom Hanks movie, ‘Finch,’ just hit Apple TV+; it's about a man and his robot pal enduring a post-apocalyptic terrain. Sean is joined by 'Gene and Roger' host and writer Brian Raftery to break down the movie and share their favorite movie robots (1:00). Then, writer-director-producer Jim Cummings stops by to talk about his new film, ‘The Beta Test,’ and the uncomfortable truths about a career in Hollywood (49:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Brian Raftery and Jim Cummings Producer: Bobby W...
Nov 09, 2021•1 hr 21 min
The newest entrant in the MCU comes from Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloe Zhao, but something isn’t quite right about the movie. Sean is joined by Joanna Robinson to break down the film and what its struggles mean for the future of Marvel (1:00). Then, writer-director Joanna Hogg stops by to talk about her latest, ‘The Souvenir Part II,’ the follow-up to her brilliant 2018 film (54:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Joanna Robinson and Joanna Hogg Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choi...
Nov 05, 2021•1 hr 27 min
We are drafting again! And this time, the roster is growing. Shea Serrano and Van Lathan join Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan for a draft of one of the greatest years in movie history: 1994. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, Shea Serrano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 02, 2021•2 hr 35 min
The director’s latest, the psychological horror movie ‘Last Night in Soho,’ is out in theaters. Sean is joined by The Ringer's Rob Harvilla to talk about Wright's fascinating career and their favorite Edgar Wright films, including 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,' 'Shaun of the Dead,' and 'Baby Driver.' Then, Sean talks with Wright himself about how he crafted his new movie, his career, and the movies he loves. Hosts: Sean Fennessey Guests: Edgar Wright and Rob Harvilla Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn...
Oct 29, 2021•1 hr 28 min
This is a podcast about ‘Dune.’ DUUUUUUUUUUUNE. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 25, 2021•1 hr 19 min
After being delayed more than a year by COVID, Wes Anderson’s ‘The French Dispatch’ has finally hit theaters in limited release. We gather to discuss the film and rank Wes Anderson’s unique world of film (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Mia Hansen-Løve to discuss ‘Bergman Island’ (1:09:12). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Mia Hansen-Løve Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 22, 2021•2 hr 44 min
We’re talking about ‘The Last Duel,’ the latest film from Ridley Scott and the first produced screenplay from Matt Damon and Ben Affleck since ‘Good Will Hunting.’ Thinking about Matt and Ben has us in the mood to celebrate movie duos, so Sean and Amanda drop some top 5s (1:00). Then, Sean talks to Todd Haynes about his new documentary, ‘The Velvet Underground’ (43:55). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Todd Haynes Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...
Oct 19, 2021•2 hr 37 min
Every year, Chris Ryan joins Sean to share his favorite horror flicks, break down the state of the genre, and spotlight a few under-the-radar gems. They also rank their favorite horror franchises and put Freddy, Jason, Michael Myers, Chucky, and more in their proper place (1:00). Then, filmmaker David Gordon Green comes to the show to discuss 'Halloween Kills' and his 'Exorcist' reboot (58:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey Guests: Chris Ryan and David Gordon Green Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more abou...
Oct 15, 2021•1 hr 28 min
We are drafting again! Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to pick their faves and foil their pals in another hotly contested draft over a delightful time in recent movie history: 1998 (23:43). Then, actor Fran Kranz sits down with Sean to discuss his impressive and powerful directorial debut, ‘Mass’ (1:24:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan and Fran Kranz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 12, 2021•2 hr 10 min
James Bond is back! After a nearly two-year delay, ‘No Time to Die’ finally arrives in theaters around the world. To celebrate, Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to talk about the new film, Daniel Craig’s legacy as 007, and their top five favorite Bond films (47:00). Then, Sean welcomes ‘No Time to Die’ director Cary Joji Fukunaga to talk about becoming the first American to take on Bond and the unique challenges of shepherding a massive franchise film (1:22:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and...
Oct 08, 2021•2 hr 53 min
Eddie Brock and his alien symbiote pal are back in 'Venom: Let There Be Carnage,' a sequel to the surprise mega-hit from 2018. To break down the new 'Venom' movie and our favorite comic book movie sequels, Sean is joined by Van Lathan and Charles Holmes, aka The Midnight Boys (0:30). Then, Sean talks to 'Let There Be Carnage' director Andy Serkis, the acclaimed performance capture artist behind Gollum in the 'Lord of the Rings' films and a filmmaker in his own right (1:14:05). Host: Sean Fenness...
Oct 05, 2021•2 hr 46 min
This weekend sees the release in theaters and streaming on HBO Max of ‘The Many Saints of Newark,’ a film prequel to David Chase’s medium-altering TV series. Justin Sayles, The Ringer’s resident Sopranosologist, joins the show to discuss the movie and his deep dive on every single episode in show history, including his top five picks (35:30). Then, ‘Sopranos’ creator and ‘Many Saints’ cowriter and producer Chase joins Sean to talk about the movie, his relationship to the show now, and a lot more...
Oct 01, 2021•2 hr 58 min
It’s the 400th episode! To celebrate, Sean and Amanda are opening up the mailbag to answer just about anything you wanted to know, in the world of movies and beyond. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 28, 2021•1 hr 28 min
It's back! We revisit our controversial list of young stars 18 months later and determine what we got right, what we got wrong, and where movie stardom is going in 2021. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 24, 2021•2 hr 31 min
It’s late September, and that can only mean one thing: We now begin that deathless march to the center of the hellscape better known as Awards Season. But will anyone care? Sean and Amanda discuss the lay of the land after Telluride and TIFF, including the reception of 'Belfast,' 'Dune,' and 'Dear Evan Hansen' (1:00). Then, they talk about 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye,' a Jessica Chastain showcase and possible Oscar contender, before picking their top-five favorite actor transformations (42:00). Host...
Sep 21, 2021•1 hr 28 min
'Cry Macho,' the 44th film directed by 91-year-old Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood, arrives in theaters and is now available on HBO Max. Adam Nayman and Chris Ryan join Sean to talk about the expansive, six-decade career of one of the signature filmmakers and movie stars of all time. They analyze 'Cry Macho,' his on-screen persona, his complicated political presence, and his relationship to genre, and, finally, they share their five favorite Eastwood films. Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Chris Ryan ...
Sep 17, 2021•2 hr 33 min
