You asked and we answered. After diving into the mailbag, Sean and Amanda tackled all your questions and came up with dozens of movies to watch during self-quarantine. Plus: We discuss the future of the Oscars in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the postponement of the Cannes Film Festival, the watch-at-home problem, and the absolute disgrace of #ReleaseTheButtholeCut. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mar 20, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 246
With virtually every major new release pushed back and the box office recording a record low over the weekend, movie theaters have shuttered around the country to battle the coronavirus. And some studios are starting to make their movies widely available on streaming services and VOD platforms. Sean and Amanda talk about the brave new world of movies, what these radical changes could portend for releases both big and small, and whether the industry will ever be able to turn back to the old way o...
Mar 17, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 245
The coronavirus and new social distancing measures have led most major studios to delay their spring theatrical releases. With blockbuster titles like 'Fast & Furious 9,' 'Mulan,' and 'A Quiet Place: Part II' on hold and many people quarantined at home, streaming has become the movie lover's refuge. Sean and Amanda talk about the long-term ramifications of the delays and then they each pick three movies from three different streaming services to get you through a long weekend free of human conta...
Mar 13, 2020•50 min•Ep. 244
The spread of COVID-19 has struck virtually every part of communal life, including the movie theater. With more people staying home to watch movies, Sean and Amanda look at some of the short- and long-term ramifications that anxiety from the coronavirus has provoked (0:41). Then, The Ringer's noted dad Jason Gallagher stops by to discuss the latest Pixar film, 'Onward'; whether the company's movies are aimed at kids or adults; and where the studio is headed after 22 feature films (20:41). Hosts:...
Mar 10, 2020•53 min•Ep. 243
Mark Wahlberg is one of the most unlikely movie stars of the century, mixing serious drama, comedy, action, and highbrow films across his long career. Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to talk about his peculiar acting style, what makes him such a persistent figure in Hollywood, and his best roles over the years (1:23). Then, Sean is joined by writer-director Kelly Reichardt to talk about her new film, 'First Cow,' one of the very best of 2020 so far (55:28). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Ama...
Mar 06, 2020•2 hr 32 min•Ep. 242
As his new drama, 'The Way Back,' nears release, Ben Affleck is back in the spotlight and opening up about his struggles with substance misuse. It's the latest in a career that has collided the personal with the artistic in a way few writer-director-actors can claim. Sean and Amanda talk through Affleck's series of comebacks, his utterly unique brand of stardom, and the last decade of self-reflexive roles in movies both mega-successful and widely reviled (1:08). Then, Bill Simmons swings by to p...
Mar 03, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 241
To celebrate the release of 'The Invisible Man,' Leigh Whannell's clever reimagining of the classic Universal monster movie, Adam Nayman joins the show to help construct a shrine to the greatest creatures, ghouls, aliens, oversized apes, and ineffable spirits in film history (1:03). Then, Whannell joins Sean to talk about the making of his new movie, casting Elisabeth Moss as the protagonist of the story, and the unlikely inspirations he channeled (47:30). Hosts: Sean Fennessey Guest: Adam Nayma...
Feb 28, 2020•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 240
The art of placing music in a movie is harder than it looks. 'Ringer' staff writer Rob Harvilla joins Sean to explore the rules of a great needle drop and the pitfalls of an obvious one, before sharing their five favorite music movie moments (0:42). Then, Sean sits down with The Band cofounder Robbie Robertson to discuss his collaborations with Martin Scorsese, the relationship between movies and music, and 'Once Were Brothers: Robbie Robertson and The Band' a new documentary about his life and ...
Feb 25, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 239
Movies have the February blues, so we enlisted a friend of the show to liven things up. 'Mr. Robot' creator and movie fanatic Sam Esmail joins Sean and Amanda and comes bearing a new game to play that reveals a lot about their favorite directors, personal taste, and how they view the long arc of film. Their sprawling conversations covers more than 80 years of movie history. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Sam Esmail Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...
Feb 21, 2020•2 hr 2 min•Ep. 238
The Oscars are a distant memory, but we are still trapped in February, a typically scary time for movie lovers. Sean and Amanda explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of the 2020 Dumpuary movie slate so far this season, including 'Sonic the Hedgehog,' 'Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey,' 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before P.S. I Still Love You,' and 'Fantasy Island' (1:11). Then Sean is joined by Oscar-winning screenwriters and directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash to talk about 'Downhill,' their American...
Feb 18, 2020•2 hr 39 min•Ep. 237
Still awash in the 'Parasite' afterglow, we drill down on some of the lingering questions from the 92nd Oscars submitted by you, the listeners (1:17). Has 'Parasite' undone the wrongs that the Academy inflicted on Alfonso Cuarón’s ‘Roma’? What happened to ‘Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood’ and what are Quentin Tarantino’s future Oscar prospects? Which films are emerging as early contenders to be discussed for next year’s Oscars? Then, writer-director Céline Sciamma joins to discuss her wonderful ...
Feb 12, 2020•2 hr 38 min•Ep. 236
In a shocking and exhilarating finale to the 92nd Academy Awards, ‘Parasite’ and Bong Joon-ho won Best Picture, capping off an amazing Cinderella run to the top. Sean and Amanda gather their emotions to recap a strange and often dull ceremony that was highlighted by some extraordinary bursts of greatness. They break down all the awards and the best presenters, speeches, and moments from the show. They also try to understand why there were so many damn musical performances. Hosts: Sean Fennessey ...
Feb 10, 2020•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 235
In our final show before the 92nd Oscars, we run down every category and predict what we think will win each award. Will it be a historic night for 'Parasite' and Bong Joon-ho, a sweep for '1917' and Sam Mendes, or a night full of curveballs we don't see coming? We also discuss whether the feeling of inevitability surrounding the acting categories has decreased excitement for the show overall. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adc...
Feb 07, 2020•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 234
Now that we know how this weekend’s Oscar ceremony is lining up, we’re ready to share some ideas of our own. Wesley Morris joins Sean and Amanda for the first annual Big Picture Oscars to create some new awards for the telecast and find new nominees in the six big categories. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Wesley Morris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Feb 05, 2020•2 hr 45 min•Ep. 233
'1917' has run roughshod over the preliminary awards shows, dominating at the BAFTAs over the weekend. Does a WGAs win for 'Parasite' create any daylight for the South Korean sensation? Amanda and Sean break down the film's chances with a deep dive into the preferential balloting system that the Academy uses to determine its Best Picture winner (2:15). Then, they make the case for 'Parasite' as the right pick for the prize, celebrating its writing, production design, performances, direction, and...
Feb 03, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 232
We have returned from Sundance and we have seen the movies. Some of them, at least. Sean and Amanda break down the Sundance movie archetypes and share their favorites from the festival (1:02). Then, they discuss what's been purchased in the market, and how streaming services are trying to improve their track record of Sundance acquisitions. They also explore the festival's biggest disaster (35:25). Finally, Sean is joined by writer-director Eliza Hittman to talk about her terrific third feature,...
Jan 31, 2020•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 231
After a victory at the Directors Guild of America Awards, Sam Mendes's '1917' seems poised for dominance on Oscar night. How did the most exciting race in years become so predictable so quickly? And if there are surprises on February 9, what will they be? Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan debate whether a '1917' Best Picture win would signal a return to unimaginative Academy tradition (1:17). Then they break down the weekend's box office winners and losers, including Guy Ritchie's tasteless but enter...
Jan 27, 2020•47 min•Ep. 230
We've touched down in Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival and we're ready to watch some movies. Sean and Amanda break down what it means to be a Sundance movie, the evolving state of the festival, and a few of the films they've already seen, including a Taylor Swift documentary and a hair-centric horror movie from the director of 'Dear White People' (1:00). Then, they share their lists of the movies they're most excited to see, from documentaries with grave international consequences...
Jan 24, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 229
After a busy weekend for guild awards ceremonies, we have a new front-runner, '1917,' which scored a big win at the Producers Guild Awards. But 'Parasite' nabbed a surprise victory for Best Cast at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, setting up an intriguing showdown. Sean and Amanda break down the new narrative for Best Picture as we head into the Oscars home stretch (0:57). Then, we're joined by Shea Serrano, who shares the best and most important things about the weekend's box office champ, 'Bad ...
Jan 21, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 228
A new movie year is upon us, and just like that we have our first disaster: 'Dolittle.' Sean and Amanda break down the Robert Downey Jr.–talking animals fiasco (0:55). Then they wash out the bad taste in their mouth by discussing the movies they're most excited for this year, among them long-awaited new projects from Christopher Nolan, David Fincher, Sofia Coppola, Wes Anderson, the latest in the MCU, a new 'Dune' adaptation, and much more (15:30). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn ...
Jan 17, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 227
Sam Mendes's extraordinary World War I drama, designed and shot to look as if it is unfolding in one seamless take, has crashed the Oscars party and dominated at the box office in its first week of wide release. Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to discuss the movie's technical feats, storytelling troubles, and Academy chances next month (1:04). Then, the trio discuss the work of '1917' cinematographer Roger Deakins and select the 10 essential films from his brilliant career—which damn su...
Jan 15, 2020•1 hr 21 min•Ep. 226
Sean and Amanda break down all the surprises and snubs (RIP, 'Uncut Gems') among a complicated collection of Oscar nominations, including the overwhelming support for 'Joker,' 'Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood,' and 'The Irishman' (1:43). Then they discuss whether the Academy has a persistent problem with diversity, snubs for long-rumored nominees like Jennifer Lopez and Beyoncé, and a solution for the Oscar telecast's lingering issues (21:30). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn mor...
Jan 13, 2020•54 min•Ep. 225
With the 2020 Oscar nominations set to be announced Monday morning, we run down a list of 15 categories and attempt to predict which films, filmmakers, actors, and craftspeople will be nominated (0:45). Then, Sean sits down with writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton to discuss his film ‘Just Mercy,’ working with Michael B. Jordan, and his cohort of collaborators in the film community (1:07:12). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Destin Daniel Cretton Learn more about your ad choices...
Jan 10, 2020•2 hr 37 min•Ep. 224
Sean and Amanda recap a night in which '1917' won big, taking home both Best Motion Picture—Drama and Best Director. What does this mean, if anything, for the coming Oscar races and masters like Quentin Tarantino ('Once Upon a Time .... in Hollywood') and Martin Scorsese ('The Irishman')? Plus: Does Joaquin Phoenix's win for Best Actor—Drama for 'Joker' hurt Adam Driver's chances to win Best Actor for 'Marriage Story' at the Academy Awards? Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more abo...
Jan 06, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 223
The new year is here, and with it the most fraught awards show of the season. Ricky Gervais returns to host and Sean and Amanda return to make some (probably wrong) predictions. They look at every big race, including the complicated showdowns of Best Director and Best Drama. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jan 03, 2020•57 min•Ep. 222
Sean and Amanda close out the year by breaking down the tepid reception and complicated franchise future of 'Star Wars' in the aftermath of 'The Rise of Skywalker' (1:10). Then, they look at former president Barack Obama's picks for his favorite movies of the year and the Christmas season box office winners (34:47). Finally, they debate whether 2019, which has featured so many exciting movies, is the very best the decade has had to offer. Amanda presents the case for three other candidates, and ...
Dec 30, 2019•1 hr•Ep. 221
This is how the Safdies win. Sean shares the 12 highly specific things he loves (with spoilers!) about the New York brothers' new film (0:55). Then, Josh and Benny Safdie join Sean to talk about the long road to its creation (16:04). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Josh and Benny Safdie Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 26, 2019•1 hr 16 min•Ep. 220
It's been 25 years since the last Hollywood adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's novel about the March sisters. Why did Greta Gerwig want to tackle this piece of classic literature for her 'Lady Bird' follow-up (14:15)? We look at how she refashioned and reimagined certain aspects of the book, how it fits in with previous iterations of the story, and why there's something uniquely urgent about it. Then, Gerwig joins the show to talk about how she conceived the film and executed her vision (1:00:00)...
Dec 23, 2019•2 hr 46 min•Ep. 219
Tom Hooper's adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's smash musical hit has finally come to movie theaters and … well … yikes. Sean and Amanda break down the history of Webber's show and its enormous impact on Broadway. Then they take a closer look at the characters, the confounding production design and costumes, and just generally have a meltdown about the absurdity of this enterprise. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices...
Dec 20, 2019•54 min•Ep. 218
'Episode IX' is here and, well, it's not all we'd hoped and dreamed it would be. To break down J.J. Abrams's film, the ninth and final installment in the Skywalker saga, Sean is joined by Binge Mode's Mallory Rubin to explore what worked (Rey and Kylo), what didn't (um, a lot), and where the 'Star Wars' machine will go from here (Disney+?). Hosts: Sean Fennessey Guests: Mallory Rubin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Dec 20, 2019•2 hr 32 min•Ep. 217
