The Big Picture - podcast cover

The Big Picture

The Ringerwww.theringer.com
Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins review the movies you need to see. Plus: Top 5s, Movie Drafts, Oscars analysis, and more, featuring a rotating cast of Ringer colleagues like Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, and Bill Simmons.

Episodes

Ten Movies to See Right Now. Plus, James Gray Returns!

It’s a tremendously hectic period at the movies right now, with award season picking up pace, the Streaming Wars in high gear, and some major-event movies right around the corner. Sean and Amanda break down 10-plus new releases now streaming or in theaters (39:00). Then, writer-director James Gray returns to the show to discuss his autobiographical new film, ‘Armageddon Time,’ and the state of the movie business. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: James Gray Producer: Bobby Wagner L...

Nov 01, 20222 hr 49 min

'TÁR' Is the Movie of 2022. Here’s Why.

Sean and Amanda dive deep into one of the year’s most exciting and resonant movies, Todd Field’s ‘Tár' (1:00). Then, Field joins Sean to discuss the world of classical music, Cate Blanchett, and how he made the film (1:27:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Todd Field Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 28, 20222 hr 3 min

‘Black Adam’: The Worst Movie of the Decade?

The hierarchy of power has changed and Sean is depressed about it. Charles Holmes and Rob Mahoney join Sean to talk about ‘Black Adam,’ the no. 1 movie at the box office, the latest installment in the DCEU, and yet another Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson action vehicle. Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Charles Holmes and Rob Mahoney Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 25, 20221 hr 5 min

The Julia Roberts Hall of Fame and ‘Ticket to Paradise’

Julia Roberts, the once (and maybe future) queen of the box office returns to movie theaters this weekend with ‘Ticket to Paradise,’ a rom-com reunion of sorts with George Clooney—her first starring role on the big screen in four years. Amanda and Sean will review this new film, then build their Julia Roberts Hall of Fame by choosing 10 of her most essential movie roles. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...

Oct 21, 20222 hr 42 min

‘Halloween Ends’ and the 'Halloween' Movie Rankings

‘Halloween Ends,’ the third and allegedly final installment of David Gordon Green’s legacy sequel 'Halloween' trilogy, debuted this weekend in theaters and streaming on Peacock. Chris Ryan joins Sean to talk about the new film, the year in horror, and to rank all 13 'Halloween' films. Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 18, 20221 hr 19 min

The Horror Movie Draft

We are drafting again and since it’s Halloween season, we needed to bring in a big gun. Six-time 'Big Picture' returning champion Alex Ross Perry is live and in studio to parse through the horror canon. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Alex Ross Perry and Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 14, 20222 hr 10 min

The David Lynch Episode

This year marks the 30th anniversary of David Lynch’s ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me,’ and the 25th anniversary of ‘Lost Highway.’ To celebrate, Sean and Adam Nayman are diving deep into the unnerving, beautiful, often terrifying dream logic of their Lynchian fascinatination. Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Adam Nayman Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 11, 20222 hr 36 min

The Most Exciting (and Baffling) Movies of Awards Season, Plus the Genius of ‘Andor'

Sean and Amanda get excited for the best movie month of the year, digging into some new October releases, including ‘Amsterdam,’ ‘Triangle of Sadness,’ and ‘Tár,’ as well as the best movies at the New York Film Festival and a brief celebration of the new Star Wars show 'Andor.' Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oct 07, 20221 hr 22 min

The Great ‘Avatar’ Debate with Blank Check’s Griffin Newman and David Sims

‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’ the sequel to the most lucrative movie of all time, is slated for the end of this year. Does anyone care? Sean is joined by Griffin Newman and David Sims, hosts of the ‘Blank Check’ podcast, to discuss the lasting impact of James Cameron’s technologically revolutionary behemoth, and more importantly, whether ‘Avatar’ is actually good. Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Griffin Newman and David Sims Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoice...

Oct 04, 20222 hr 51 min

‘Bros’ and Our Top Five 21st Century Comedies

‘Bros,’ Billy Eichner’s first leading role in a feature, is in theaters. Sean and Amanda dig into the movie before sharing their five favorite studio comedies of the century (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Nicholas Stoller, the director of ‘Bros’ and other comedy installments like ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ and ‘Neighbors,’ to discuss the film and the current state of theatrical comedies in relation to streaming and television (58:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Nicholas St...

Sep 30, 20222 hr 31 min

‘Blonde’ and the Top 5 Essential Marilyn Monroe Movies

‘Blonde,’ Andrew Dominik’s long-awaited Marilyn Monroe biopic starring Ana de Armas, is now available on Netflix. Sean and Amanda dissect the film’s handful of successes and numerous, puzzling failures, before discussing Monroe’s titanic impact on movie stardom and the various depictions of her throughout cinema history. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 28, 20221 hr 7 min

The ‘Don’t Worry Darling’ Fiasco

It’s the movie event of the fall, but not in a good way. Sean and Amanda break down all things ‘Don’t Worry Darling,’ Olivia Wilde’s controversy-racked new thriller, and talk about the most scandalous productions in movie history (2:00). Then, Sean is joined by Brett Morgen, direct of the new David Bowie documentary ‘Moonage Daydream’ (1:05:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Brett Morgen Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...

Sep 23, 20222 hr 35 min

‘The Woman King’ and 10 Movies to See Now. Plus: The Best and Worst Films at TIFF.

After a quiet few weeks, movies are back in theaters in a big way—and none bigger than Gina Prince-Bythewood’s warrior epic ‘The Woman King.’ Sean and Amanda break down the new Viola Davis vehicle and nine more new releases, including a pair of disturbing horror movies, a David Bowie doc, and, um, ‘Pinocchio’ (2:00). Then, Adam Nayman joins Sean to share a report from the Toronto International Film Festival, including word on Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Fabelmans,’ ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery...

Sep 20, 20222 hr 31 min

The 1980s Comedy Movie Draft

We are drafting again! And we’re widening the scope this time around. Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan pick their faves and foil their pals in a draft of 1980s comedy movies. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 16, 20221 hr 23 min

'Barbarian'!!!

The no. 1 movie in America is a depraved, completely unpredictable horror movie: hallelujah! Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan (2:00) to talk about this wonderful freak show before Sean is joined by writer-director Zach Cregger (53:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan and Zach Cregger Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 13, 20221 hr 24 min

500th Episode Call-In Spectacular!

We did it—500 episodes! To celebrate, Sean, Amanda, and Bobby are taking your calls and answering your burning questions about their favorite episodes, movie theater experiences, Big-Pic bits, and the future of the show. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 09, 20222 hr 59 min

10 Way-Too-Early Oscar Predictions and the Best Movies at Telluride

The Oscars Show is back! Sean recounts his biggest takeaways from Telluride and what can be gleaned for the upcoming awards season, before Sean and Amanda share their semi-serious predictions for an Oscars show that is six months away. To call in and leave a voicemail for our 500th episode mailbag, give us a ring at (916) 900-2826‬. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 06, 20222 hr 49 min

The 2005 Upside-Down Movie Draft

We are drafting again! And we have a twist: Rather than draft the best movies of 2005, we’re looking at some of the worst and making a case for them. Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan pick their faves and foil their pals in an upside-down draft of the movies from 2005. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sep 02, 20222 hr 47 min

The Sylvester Stallone Hall of Fame With Bill Simmons

Sylvester Stallone is back on the big screen in ‘Samaritan,’ an Amazon Prime superhero vehicle with Stallone at the center. To mark the occasion, Sean is joined by Bill Simmons to build out the Sly Hall of Fame. Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Bill Simmons Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 30, 20221 hr 23 min

Our Top 5 Fantasy Favorites: ‘Lord of the Rings,’ ‘House of the Dragon,’ and ‘Three Thousand Years of Longing’

George Miller, the beloved filmmaker responsible for the 'Mad Max' films, 'Babe,' 'Happy Feet,' and more, has a new fantasy film called 'Three Thousand Years of Longing' out this weekend. Sean is joined by Joanna Robinson to talk about the movie, and our undeniable fantasy moment (1:00). Then, Owen Kline talks to Sean about his debut feature ‘Funny Pages' (1:09:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Joanna Robinson and Owen Kline Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastch...

Aug 26, 20222 hr 36 min

The 20 Most Anticipated Movies of Fall 2022

It’s been a grim summer movie season, but a promising fall awaits. Amanda and Sean break down the summer doldrums at the box office and then share the 20 fall films of 2022 they’re most excited to see. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 22, 20222 hr 35 min

Top Five “One Crazy Night” Movies and ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’

Joanna Robinson joins Sean to dig into A24’s new Gen Z horror-comedy-whodunit ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies’ (0:00) and to share their five favorite “one crazy night” movies (1:00). Then, Halina Reijn, the Dutch actress and director of ‘Bodies Bodies Bodies,’ talks with Sean about how she transitioned to working behind the camera full-time (1:12:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Joanna Robinson and Halina Reijn Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 12, 20222 hr 43 min

‘Prey’ and the ‘Predator’ Movie Rankings

The latest in the ‘Predator’ movie saga, ‘Prey,’ is streaming on Hulu now. Chris Ryan joins Sean to talk about the film and where it sits in the ‘Predator’ canon (1:00). Then, ‘Prey’ director Dan Trachtenberg talks with Sean about how he made the film (44:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Dan Trachtenberg and Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 08, 20221 hr 14 min

‘Bullet Train’ and the Top 5 Movies Set on a Train

‘Bullet Train’, a new movie set—you guessed it—on a Bullet Train, hits theaters this weekend. Van Lathan joins Sean to discuss the star-studded Brad Pitt action vehicle, and then they share their top five favorite movies set on the railway (23:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Van Lathan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aug 05, 20221 hr 3 min

‘The Gray Man’ and the Top 10 Trash Special Ops Movies

The Russo Brothers’ new Netflix action extravaganza got Sean and Chris Ryan thinking about a subgenre they love: trashy spy subcontractor stories. They discuss ‘The Gray Man’ (1:00) and the movies it’s lifting from in depth (33:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 29, 20221 hr 22 min

The 1987 Mega-Movie Draft With Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary!

We are drafting again and we have some special guests: Quentin Tarantino and Roger Avary, longtime friends, filmmaking collaborators, and the hosts of the Video Archives Podcast join Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan to pick their faves and foil their pals in a draft of the movies from 1987. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Quentin Tarantino, Roger Avary, and Chris Ryan Producers: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 26, 20223 hr 30 min

‘Nope’ With Jordan Peele!

‘Nope,’ Jordan Peele’s third feature film as writer-director, is in theaters now. Sean and Van Lathan dig into this complex, fascinating extraterrestrial tale (1:00), before Peele himself joins to talk about how and why he made his movie (1:05:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Jordan Peele and Van Lathan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 22, 20221 hr 28 min

John Carpenter’s ‘The Thing’ at 40, With John Carpenter!

This year marks the 40th anniversary of John Carpenter’s sci-fi horror masterpiece, one of the signature cult classics in American cinema. Sean and Chris Ryan break down everything they love about the movie (1:00) before Carpenter joins the show to discuss how he made the film, and why it resonates to this day (55:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: John Carpenter and Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 19, 20222 hr 32 min

The 2022 Movie Auction Returns!

It’s time to auction again—after a thrilling Part 1 earlier in the year, Chris rejoins Sean and Amanda to bid on the best of the rest of the movies of 2022. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jul 15, 20222 hr 36 min