In 44 states around the country, movie theaters will reopen their doors this weekend for the release of the Russell Crowe thriller 'Unhinged,' a controversial decision by the major theater chains. Amanda and Sean talk about the ramifications of the decision, what it means for the release of Christopher Nolan's long-awaited 'Tenet,' and whether society has officially acclimated to at-home viewing (2:47). Then, Sean is joined by Wu-Tang Clan founder and filmmaker RZA to talk about his new movie 'C...
Aug 21, 2020•1 hr 24 min
Amanda and Sean dive deep into the year’s most provocative and entertaining film, the documentary ‘Boys State,’ an intimate portrait of the summer program that has produced some of the most compelling figures in recent American political history (1:08). Then, Sean is joined by ‘Boys State’ codirectors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss to talk about the casting and production of their extraordinary movie (34:54). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss Learn mor...
Aug 17, 2020•1 hr 17 min
Sean is joined by Chris Ryan to talk about Ben Affleck's recently announced new movie, an adaptation of 'The Big Goodbye' about the making of the film 'Chinatown.' Then, they pitch other chaotic behind-the-scenes stories they'd like to see captured on the big screen (1:30). They also discuss the streaming horror hit 'Host,' now playing on Shudder, as well as the less successful Shia LaBeouf crime drama 'The Tax Collector' (34:00). Finally, Sean is joined by writer-director-actress Amy Seimetz to...
Aug 11, 2020•1 hr 17 min
It’s armageddon time. Or at least it feels that way these days. Sean and Amanda talk about coping with the ongoing fear and frustration by doing what they always do: talking about movies they like. In this case, they discuss their top five favorite apocalypse movies (1:15). Then, Sean is joined by James Gray for a wide-ranging conversation about working as a filmmaker during quarantine, the Hollywood history he’s been sharing with his kids, and more (54:44). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobb...
Aug 07, 2020•2 hr 59 min
The AMC theater chain cut a deal with Universal last week, ending a months-long standoff over the future of film distribution. What does the deal mean for the moviegoing experience? Will more chains and more studios join in? Will we see more movies at home? Amanda and Sean break it all down (1:06), along with news about the star of Paul Thomas Anderson's new film, the state of film festivals in 2020, and the new Seth Rogen HBO Max comedy 'An American Pickle' (32:55). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Am...
Aug 04, 2020•58 min
With the release of his new memoir 'Chasing the Light,' the provocative, award-winning writer-director Oliver Stone is back in the news. Amanda and Sean take a deep dive into the book and Stone's career, examining his origin story, his reputation as a Baby Boomer artist, and his incredible body of work. Then, to verify their feelings on his movies, they play a personally revealing round of Fuck, Marry, Kill with all 20 of his feature films. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more abo...
Jul 31, 2020•2 hr 59 min
'Tenet' is delayed until Labor Day. 'Top Gun: Maverick' has been bumped to 2021. And yet 'The New Mutants' is scheduled to open in theaters on August 28. Everything in the world of movies is up for grabs. So we’re opening up the mailbag and answering all your questions about what the hell movies will even be in the future (6:13). Then, Sean is joined by legendary filmmaker Ron Howard to discuss his career and his new documentary 'Rebuilding Paradise' (1:03:20). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda D...
Jul 28, 2020•2 hr 43 min
This is an episode about movies in the year 2010. Why? Well, it’s been 10 years since 2010, 10 long years in the life cycle of American movies. A lot has changed. Earlier this week, we celebrated the decade anniversary of 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' with a special episode. What else happened in movies that year? How could we have a fun conversation that didn’t just rehash the release schedule? We got an idea for a kind of movie draft: six categories, six picks each, snake-style. Chris Ryan joi...
Jul 24, 2020•1 hr 14 min
It's been a decade since the release of one of the most prescient, purely entertaining movies of the century: Edgar Wright's 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.' To celebrate the anniversary, Sean is joined by 'Pilgrim' superfans Jason Concepcion and Van Lathan to break down the best scenes, characters, fights, and lines in the movie (5:01). Then Edgar Wright stops by to talk about the making of the movie and the likelihood of a sequel (47:28). Bread makes you fat?!? Hosts: Sean Fennessey Guests: Jaso...
Jul 21, 2020•2 hr 35 min
Summer movie season has effectively been canceled, but we're still thinking about what summer means to the movies. Chris Ryan joins Sean and Amanda to talk about what makes a summer flick, and then they share their top fives. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 17, 2020•1 hr 17 min
The perfect quarantine movie has arrived: the delightful Andy Samberg high-concept rom-com ‘Palm Springs’ exploded this weekend after its release on Hulu. Sean and Amanda dive deep into the movie, before Sean is joined by director Max Barbakow and costar Cristin Milioti for a conversation about how it was made (45:30). Then, Jason Concepcion and Shea Serrano stop by to talk about their new movie podcast, ‘The Connect’ (1:20:45). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Max Barbakow, Cris...
Jul 14, 2020•2 hr 38 min
We're still stuck at home, but another wave of new movie releases arrives this weekend, including Netflix's exciting new Charlize Theron action film 'The Old Guard,' the delightfully high-concept 'Palm Springs' on Hulu, and the Tom Hanks World War II story 'Greyhound' on Apple TV+. Sean and Amanda break down all three, before inviting The Ringer's Kevin Clark on to help construct the Dad Movie Hall of Fame (1:25). Then, Sean is joined by 'The Old Guard' director Gina Prince-Bythewood to discuss ...
Jul 10, 2020•2 hr 38 min
Sean and Amanda discuss the life and career of the legendary film composer Ennio Morricone, who died on Sunday at 91 (1:24). Then they discuss the new additions to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and what it means for the Oscars (0:00). And finally, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical phenomenon finally began streaming this weekend on Disney+. It's a composite of three June 2016 performances, so how does it work as a movie experience? And how has ‘Hamilton’ aged since it premie...
Jul 07, 2020•1 hr 15 min
Movie theaters have been closed for more than half the year, but we’ve still gotten our fair share of great films. Adam Nayman joins Sean and Amanda to share their top five movies so far this year. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Adam Nayman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jul 02, 2020•1 hr
It’s happening again: Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ has been moved once more, stoking new debate about the future of movie theaters. Sean and Amanda talk about when, if ever, they’ll be back in a theater. They also discuss the weekend’s new VOD and streaming releases and the life and work of the late Joel Schumacher (0:52). Then, Sean and Amanda (finally) share their top five movies about making movies (33:32). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...
Jun 30, 2020•1 hr 21 min
We’ve got a double shot of interviews on today’s show. First up, David Koepp, the writer-director of the new horror film ‘You Should Have Left,’ which is available right now on VOD. Koepp is the screenwriter behind some of the most beloved blockbusters of the past 30 years, including ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘Mission: Impossible,’ and ‘Spider-Man’ (1:51). Then, Sean is joined by Karina Longworth, the film critic turned podcaster extraordinaire, to talk about her show, ‘You Must Remember This,’ which is ...
Jun 23, 2020•1 hr 4 min
After five years away from feature filmmaking, Apatow is back with a new muse: ‘SNL’ star Pete Davidson, who loosely adopts his life story for their new dramedy. Sean and Amanda review the film—which features some great performances and a few new moves for the writer-director—and then look back at Apatow’s career to build a Hall of Fame enshrining his greatest contributions to movies and TV. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adcho...
Jun 17, 2020•1 hr 26 min
The release of Christopher Nolan’s ‘Tenet’ was pushed back, setting in motion a domino effect for the rest of the summer movie slate. Sean and Amanda discuss when we’ll be back in movie theaters. Then, they address the changes announced by the Academy to improve diversity in future Oscar nominees, why the number of Best Picture nominees has expanded to 10, and what the extension of the eligibility window means for awards season. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad c...
Jun 15, 2020•1 hr 5 min
Released directly to Netflix during a bracing period of American tumult, Spike Lee's 'Da 5 Bloods' continues his mission as a politically minded and always entertaining filmmaker. Sean and Amanda are joined by Justin Charity to closely examine Lee's career as a celebrity director and to analyze his new movie, which tracks four Black Vietnam veterans as they return to the site of conflict in search of reckoning and buried treasure. Then, Sean and Amanda discuss the film's awards chances during th...
Jun 12, 2020•1 hr 27 min
Some filmmakers interpret the past. Some capture the present. Spike Lee does both, and he sees the future. There has never been a more urgent moment for the director’s work: In this episode, we spotlight a 2019 conversation with Wesley Morris about 'Do the Right Thing' (9:53), interview Lee's longtime composer Terence Blanchard (35:32), and revisit a conversation with Lee's editor Barry Alexander Brown (65:01). Plus: Sean shares his top five (OK, top six) favorite Spike Lee movies. Host: Sean Fe...
Jun 09, 2020•2 hr 37 min
The launch of HBO Max means a new entrant in the streaming TV wars. But the big winners might be movie fans. HBO Max's catalog is one of the deepest we've seen. Sean picks a few favorites to start (1:15). Then he's joined by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering to discuss their new film, 'On the Record,' which can be found on the service (30:24). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 29, 2020•1 hr 2 min
The new Netflix film 'The Lovebirds' falls into a classic bucket: the all-in-one-day movie. Sean and Amanda talk about what works (and what doesn't) in the Kumail Nanjiani–Issa Rae comedy. Then, they share their top-five all-in-one-day movies. All killer, no filler. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 25, 2020•1 hr 6 min
After years of lobbying Warner Bros., the fans are getting what they want: the Zack Snyder cut of 'Justice League,' exclusively on HBO Max in 2021. What does that mean? Is that a bad thing? Does it confirm our fears about toxic fandom? Sean and Amanda examine the news and then dive into the mailbag to answer listener questions about which movie made them obsessed; how to watch the essentials in film history; and what to expect from the movie business in 2021, 2022, and beyond. Hosts: Sean Fennes...
May 22, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 264
An extraordinary burden has been placed upon 'Tenet.' With a still-unchanged July 17 release date, the Warner Bros. production could be the movie to reopen movie theaters and kick-start Hollywood again. But is it too soon? Many in the industry believe the date will stick and topple a series of dominoes that will affect the movie industry for months and years to come. Sean and Amanda look at the 'Tenet' conundrum from all angles. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad c...
May 19, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 263
No one challenges the expectations of movie stardom more than Tom Hardy. His latest film—the scatological, phantasmagoric, late-life biopic 'Capone'—features one of his most visceral performances yet. Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to review the new Josh Trank–directed film and build a shrine to Hardy's fascinating, frequently bizarre collection of performances. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoic...
May 14, 2020•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 262
We needed a bigger boat to select the finest movies set on the great ocean blue, so Chris Ryan returns to aid Sean and Amanda. They each choose their top five films, talk about why they love the sea, and what scares them most about it. This conversation got out of hand. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 12, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 261
It's been nearly two months since movie theaters closed and Hollywood was forced to pivot. Sean and Amanda dig into the VOD crates as well as the streaming services to recommend 10 movies to watch from the comfort of your home, including the best that Netflix, HBO, and Shudder have to offer right now (1:45). Then, Sean is joined by stunt performer turned director Sam Hargrave to talk about his rise from fight coordination on MCU movies to helming his explosive action thriller, 'Extraction' (58:1...
May 08, 2020•2 hr 37 min•Ep. 260
Here's the case as it stands: We put the vote to you, the jurors, and you wanted to hear our closing arguments on the best courtroom dramas in movie history. Amanda and Sean, the only litigators this side of the Mississippi who can handle the truth, dig into one of film's most indefatigable genres. They talk through picks from the 1940s all the way through the 1990s, and explore why the courtroom drama has vanished from the movie landscape. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more abo...
May 05, 2020•2 hr 35 min•Ep. 259
With a double hit of noisy movie-business news, Sean and Amanda dive into the mailbag to answer all your questions about the movie theater chain vs. Universal fight over windowing and 'Trolls World Tour' and the ramifications of the Academy's decision to allow streaming films to compete for Oscars at next year's ceremony. Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy pod. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 29, 2020•1 hr 15 min•Ep. 258
That's right, Mike D and Ad-Rock have teamed up with Spike Jonze to make a movie chronicling the history of one of the most important bands of all time: Beastie Boys. Chris Ryan joins the show to talk about the group's history and rank their top-five songs. Then Sean interviews Mike D and Ad-Rock about the film, what late band member Adam Yauch would have thought about the movie, and their favorite fruits during quarantine. Waxin' and milkin'! Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Adam "Ad-Rock" Horovitz...
Apr 27, 2020•1 hr 28 min•Ep. 257
