With Sofia Coppola's new film 'On the Rocks' arriving this weekend on Apple TV+, Sean and Amanda are convening to discuss her work as one of the greatest filmmakers of her generation. They discuss her career, her family's creative history, and what makes her the embodiment of cinematic cool. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 23, 2020•2 hr 46 min•Transcript available on Metacast In the terrifying year of 2020, we needed our horror correspondent to weigh in on the state of the genre, so Chris Ryan joins Sean to talk about the new Adam Sandler Netflix vehicle ‘Hubie Halloween,’ the best horror flicks of the year so far, and 20 underrated scary movie classics. Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 20, 2020•1 hr 27 min•Transcript available on Metacast Acclaimed writer-director Aaron Sorkin’s new film, ‘The Trial of the Chicago 7,’ hits Netflix this weekend, so Sean and Amanda commence a walk-and-talk on one of their favorite Hollywood voices. They examine his long career on film and television, share their top 5s, and break down his new movie from every angle. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 16, 2020•2 hr•Transcript available on Metacast To celebrate 300 episodes of 'The Big Picture,' Sean and Amanda are opening up the mailbag and answering an array of wide-ranging questions about the movies that drew them to their careers, the future of film post-COVID-19, the movies they think the critics got totally wrong, and more (5:01). Then, Sean is joined by filmmaker Garrett Bradley to talk about her new film, 'Time' (1:40:31). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Garrett Bradley Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podca...
Oct 13, 2020•2 hr 14 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week is the 40th anniversary of ‘Private Benjamin,’ Meyers’s first screenplay. Meyers would go on to write and direct a number of modern comedy classics, including ‘What Women Want,’ ‘Something’s Gotta Give,’ ‘It’s Complicated,’ and, yes, ‘The Holiday.’ Sean and Amanda dive deep into her filmography to build a Hall of Fame for one of the most successful and arguably underrated filmmakers of her time. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastcho...
Oct 09, 2020•2 hr 58 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this unprecedented year, the Oscars need a boost. Sean and Amanda have just the right ideas, including ways to improve the ceremony, rule changes to enliven the ballot, and a new way to unveil the winners (0:30). Then, Sean is joined by filmmaker Alex Ross Perry ('Her Smell,' 'Listen Up Philip') to talk about how independent filmmakers are responding to the COVID-19 shutdown, what the future of indie cinema could look like, and what he's been watching in quarantine (57:35). Hosts: Sean Fennes...
Oct 06, 2020•2 hr 17 min•Transcript available on Metacast What makes a great movie father? Inspired by the new movie 'Dick Johnson Is Dead,' Sean and Amanda pick not necessarily the best movie dads, but their favorites (15:23). Then, Sean is joined by 'Dick Johnson' director Kirsten Johnson (and a special guest) to discuss her new Netflix film (55:24). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Kirsten Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 02, 2020•2 hr 32 min•Transcript available on Metacast ‘Tenet’ is struggling at the box office. The MCU is on pause. And TV is threatening to take over our beloved movies. So we have to return to the past. That’s right: The movie draft is back. Chris Ryan rejoins Sean and Amanda to make their picks for the best of 2012 (1:17). Then screenwriter Billy Ray joins the show to talk about his Showtime miniseries ‘The Comey Rule' (1:31:54). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan and Billy Ray Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod...
Sep 29, 2020•2 hr 10 min•Transcript available on Metacast We're ready to complete our journey into the commercials, music videos, TV shows, and films of David Fincher. But there are some shenanigans in our midst. What's his greatest music video? What will be no. 1? And is 'Mindhunter' making a comeback into the top 10? We feel like saying more, but we don't want to ruin the surprise (0:41). Then, Sean is joined by writer-director Miranda July to talk about her new film, 'Kajillionaire' (1:10:05). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris R...
Sep 25, 2020•2 hr 41 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's Fincher Week at The Ringer, so Sean and Amanda are teaming up with Chris Ryan to present a highly sophisticated, meticulous ranking of the filmmaker's work that would make Fincher proud. In Part I, they analyze his feature films, TV series, commercials, and music videos and build a hierarchy of the top 25 Fincher works. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 22, 2020•2 hr 35 min•Transcript available on Metacast It's (virtual) film festival season! Sean and Amanda break down the Telluride Film Festival and Toronto International Film Festival movies they've seen thus far—including 'Nomadland,' 'Ammonite,' and 'One Night in Miami'—and what these festivals mean for the elongated Oscar race, including the Best Picture and Best Actress categories (0:45). Then, Sean is joined by 'Antebellum' directors Gerard Bush and Christopher Renz to talk about their new film (1:05:07). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dob...
Sep 18, 2020•2 hr 46 min•Transcript available on Metacast Christopher Nolan’s 11th feature film, ‘Tenet,’ has opened in theaters around the world and we are going to talk about it. But first, we dive into the big changes in Academy Awards eligibility; ‘Wonder Woman 1984’ changing release dates and the perilous nature of the American box office; and the state of the virtual film festival (1:18). Then, Sean and Amanda deep dive into ‘Tenet,’ their viewing experience, and the confusing/compelling nature of the film (56:42). Finally, Sean is joined by Anto...
Sep 15, 2020•2 hr 25 min•Transcript available on Metacast The acclaimed writer-director Charlie Kaufman has returned with a new film, the disorienting, fascinating adaptation of the 2016 novel 'I'm Thinking of Ending Things.' Sean and Amanda are joined by film critic and Kaufman expert Amy Nicholson to talk about his work and break down the new film (1:14). Then, Sean is joined by Kaufman himself and the author of the book, Iain Reid, for a discussion of bringing this unusual story to the screen (59:53). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests:...
Sep 10, 2020•2 hr 38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Amanda and Sean are joined by Binge Mode's Jason Concepcion and Mallory Rubin to explore the 1998 Disney classic 'Mulan' and the new live-action remake. They talk about what worked, what didn't, and what was removed from the original that marred this reimagining. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Jason Concepcion and Mallory Rubin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 16 min•Transcript available on Metacast The Master of Suspense's classic film ‘Psycho’ turns 60 this month, so Sean and Amanda have convened Chris Ryan and The New York Times' Wesley Morris for a deep conversation about the filmmaker's career and best work. They pick their top fives and discuss at length what makes Hitchcock's work resonate to this day. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan and Wesley Morris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 04, 2020•2 hr 20 min•Transcript available on Metacast 'Tenet' is here! But not everywhere. With Christopher Nolan's latest unavailable to California and New York residents, Sean and Amanda call on Ringer contributor and Canadian citizen Adam Nayman to share a spoiler-free review of the filmmaker's latest journey into bended time and space. Plus: Sean, Amanda, and Adam share their favorite Nolan works and discuss how his films will be remembered. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Adam Nayman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podc...
Sep 01, 2020•53 min•Transcript available on Metacast In a special mega-pod, Andy Greenwald and Chris Ryan join Sean and Amanda for a two-part conversation about the way that movies seems to be aping the modes and styles of TV, and vice-versa (0:29). (For Part 2, check out ‘The Watch’ on the Ringer Podcast Network.) Then, Sean is joined for a chat with the stars of ‘Bill & Ted Face the Music’: Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter (48:49)! Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Andy Greenwald, Chris Ryan, Keanu Reeves, and Alex Winter Learn more a...
Aug 28, 2020•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast It’s baaaaack. Due to popular demand, we’ve decided to run back the movie draft. Chris Ryan rejoins Sean and Amanda to make their picks for the best of 2011. But first, we discuss the debut of some new trailers from the DC Universe, including an exciting first look at Matt Reeves's 'The Batman.' Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Aug 25, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast '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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast 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•Transcript available on Metacast