Sean is joined by Chris Ryan and Rob Mahoney to discuss the robust domestic box office this past holiday weekend (1:00), before digging into Steve McQueen’s latest movie ‘Blitz,’ now in select theaters and on Apple TV+ (12:00). Then, they explore the renewable resource that is World War II movies, assessing the various subgenres that have sprung from that genre (26:00). Finally, they each share their top five WWII movies (42:00), and talk about whether they think the genre will persist. Host: Se...
Dec 03, 2024•2 hr 50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Rob Harvilla and Yasi Salek to discuss two movies for the fun of it—‘Moana 2’ and ‘Hot Frosty.’ They start by reacting to the new ‘Yacht Rock: A Dockumentary’ (01:40) before discussing the surprising self-awareness, Easter eggs, and music in ‘Hot Frosty’ (04:59). Then, they share their movie-watching experiences while watching ‘Moana 2’ and how it compares to ‘Moana’ (36:50). Before Yasi and Rob leave, they share the movies they are looking forward to at the end of 2024 (62:40)...
Nov 27, 2024•2 hr 40 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Juliet Litman to discuss another highly anticipated 2024 release in Jon M. Chu’s ‘Wicked.’ They unpack their very mixed feelings (1:07), hypothesize why this movie is such a big hit (41:30), and forecast its Oscar chances by asking whether it could really win Best Picture (50:37). Then, they both rank their top five favorite musicals from the 21st century (58:58). Finally, Sean is joined by writer and director Malcolm Washington to discuss his new film, ‘The Piano Lesson.’ They...
Nov 25, 2024•2 hr 5 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Chris Ryan and Mallory Rubin to discuss one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2024, Ridley Scott’s new film ‘Gladiator II.’ They work through their complicated feelings on the sequel (05:09), highlight some of the key standout performances (22:49), and predict its box office potential and Oscars chances (67:25). Then, they each rank their top five favorite legacy sequels of all time (76:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Chris Ryan and Mallory Rubin Producer: Olivia Creri...
Nov 22, 2024•2 hr 56 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Joanna Robinson to assess why the hell ‘Red One’ is so awful (1:00) and try to make sense of the Rock’s baffling movie career. Then, they discuss ‘A Real Pain,’ Jesse Eisenberg’s new movie about a pair of cousins who go to Poland for a Holocaust tour (25:00). They then each share their top five two-handers in movie history (1:00:00). Finally, Sean is joined by Eisenberg to discuss the film, his evolution as not just an actor but a director, casting and working with Kieran Culki...
Nov 19, 2024•2 hr 42 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Ringer-Verse host Joanna Robinson and The Ankler's awards editor Katey Rich to discuss the state of the Best Picture race. Amid this conversation, they go through the 10 films they think are running hottest to be nominated for the top award at the Oscars and compare their list to the last time Sean did said exercise (1:00). Then, they zero in on one of those front-runners, Jacques Audiard’s ‘Emilia Pérez,’ a challenging swing of a film that's received mixed reviews from critics...
Nov 15, 2024•2 hr 38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Adam Nayman to discuss the head-scratching rollout of Clint Eastwood’s justice system interrogation, ‘Juror No. 2’ and the movie’s successes, shortcomings, and Eastwood-isms (1:00). Then, Sean briefly discusses the appeal of ‘Heretic’ (55:00) before being joined by the film’s directors, Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, to talk about their writing process, Hugh Grant’s lead performance, the state of getting movies made, and more (58:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Adam Nayman, Scot...
Nov 12, 2024•2 hr 39 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Ringer editor-at-large and ‘Press Box’ host Bryan Curtis to discuss ‘Here,’ the new wildly experimental movie from Robert Zemeckis chronicling thousands of years of history in one corner of the world (1:00). Then, they build the Zemeckis Hall of Fame, choosing 10 movies from his roller-coaster canon to enshrine (46:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Bryan Curtis Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Video Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/a...
Nov 08, 2024•2 hr 36 min•Transcript available on Metacast We are drafting again! Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan as well as Griffin Newman and David Sims from the 'Blank Check' podcast to draft their favorite movie presidents. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan, Griffin Newman, and David Sims Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Video Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Nov 05, 2024•2 hr 58 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Chris Ryan to discuss the latest rumors about Christopher Nolan’s next film (1:00) and wishcast some lost IP remakes for current hot directors (7:00). Then, they discuss one of the most exciting movies at the box office right now, Edward Berger’s ‘Conclave,’ the papal conclave thriller starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci (32:00). They discuss the performances of its leads, how refreshing it is to have a true thriller with twists at the theaters, and the effectiveness of th...
Nov 01, 2024•2 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Ringer-Verse pals Mallory Rubin and Charles Holmes to discuss a pair of films that have polar opposite energy. They start by assessing the quality of the third entry in the Tom Hardy Venom trilogy, ‘Venom: The Last Dance’ (1:00), before digging into one of the most heartwarming and visually astonishing movies of the year, ‘The Wild Robot’ (45:00). Then, Sean is joined by ‘Wild Robot’ director Chris Sanders, a stalwart animation creator whose latest film is a visual reinvention ...
Oct 29, 2024•2 hr 44 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean and Amanda field your questions about everything BUT movies (and some movie things). They answer questions about their origin story as friends, fiction and nonfiction book recommendations, death row meals, ‘Industry,’ cocktails, golf, fighting animals, and much more. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Video Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 25, 2024•2 hr 38 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Alex Ross Perry to discuss his new film ‘Pavements’ and the film festival hamster wheel (1:00). They then analyze the state of the slasher film subgenre (10:00) and the year in horror. Later, they run through the decades to build their slasher movie hall of fame (47:00), assessing the merits of stone-cold classics like ‘Halloween’ and ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre,’ as well as 90s era masterpieces like ‘Scream.’ Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Alex Ross Perry Senior Producer: Bobby Wagn...
Oct 23, 2024•2 hr 54 min•Transcript available on Metacast Now that ‘Anora’ has hit select theaters, Sean assesses the state of the Best Picture race by running through a long (emphasis on long) list of 26 films that have a chance to be nominated at the Oscars (1:00). Then, Sean and Amanda discuss ‘Anora,’ Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or–winning drama about a whirlwind romance between a sex worker and the son of a Russian oligarch (30:00). Finally, Sean is joined by John Crowley, the director of the new Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh romance ‘We Live in Time...
Oct 21, 2024•2 hr 48 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Chris Ryan to discuss the biggest film at the box office, ‘Terrifier 3,’ the third installment of the independently made horror clown franchise that has become this year’s biggest box office surprise (1:00). After, they talk about another horror franchise that’s become a reliable sensation for moviegoers, ‘Smile 2’ (23:00); they go over the impressive filmmaking but ultimately choppy story. They then transition to each sharing their top five horror movies of the year so far (1:...
Oct 18, 2024•2 hr 50 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean shares a recap of the best movies he caught at the 62nd New York Film Festival, including the heavy hitters at this upcoming Oscars, the latest installations from old masters and personal favorites, and the biggest surprises of the festival (1:00). Then, Ringer writer and ‘Press Box’ host Bryan Curtis joins to share the myriad successes and failures of ‘The Apprentice,’ Ali Abbasi’s character portrait of early Donald Trump’s rise to power in the New York real estate world and his complex re...
Oct 15, 2024•2 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Chris Ryan to break down ‘Saturday Night,’ Jason Reitman’s quasi-historical exploration of the beginnings of 'Saturday Night Live' (10:00). They discuss the disbelief that needs to be suspended, as well as the more or less knockout cast, before launching into their top five “backstage” movies and discussion of why it’s so interesting to pull back the curtain in cinema (44:00). Then, Sean is joined by New York Times pop critic and ‘Popcast’ host Jon Caramanica to review ‘Piece b...
Oct 11, 2024•2 hr•Transcript available on Metacast We are drafting again! And Amanda is back! She and Sean are joined by Chris Ryan to pick their faves and foil their pals in a draft of the movies from 1996. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Video Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Oct 08, 2024•2 hr 37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Van Lathan to discuss ‘Joker: Folie à Deux,’ the off-putting sequel to Todd Phillips’s 2019 ‘Joker,’ starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga (1:00). They discuss the jukebox musical format’s successes and failures, the filmmaking vs. the experience of watching it, and whether they ultimately liked the movie. Then, they zoom out to discuss the state of moviegoing and movie watching (43:00) and explore whether we’re in a uniquely strange place with the reception of movies and the ...
Oct 04, 2024•2 hr 47 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean and Amanda do their best to parse through the messiness of Francis Ford Coppola’s ‘Megalopolis,’ starring, among others, Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Aubrey Plaza (1:00). They discuss the circuitous journey Coppola took to finally making the film, the convoluted plot (and at times lack thereof), and the ambition in comparison to the actual execution of the final product. Then, they launch into the Coppola Hall of Fame, selecting 10 movies to enshrine from his uniquely boom-or-bust ca...
Sep 30, 2024•2 hr 55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean and Amanda react to some news around the movie world (1:00), before discussing ‘Wolfs,’ the reunion of Brad Pitt and George Clooney in a movie about two lone wolf “fixers” who get assigned to the same job (13:00). They discuss whether the movie is interesting beyond the charisma of its leads and get into the up-and-down CV of Apple Films through 2024 (30:00). Then, they discuss four more movies either available or soon to be available at home or in theaters: ‘The Wild Robot,’ ‘Will & Harper...
Sep 27, 2024•2 hr 34 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean and Amanda react to some news about the Golden Globes being … a lot like they’ve always been (1:00). Then, they discuss Coralie Fargeat’s new body horror film ‘The Substance,’ starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley (13:00). Finally, Sean is joined by Fargeat to discuss the first body horror movies she ever watched, the production process for making such a gross film, how she sees the themes of the movie, and more (1:12:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Coralie Fargeat S...
Sep 24, 2024•2 hr 47 min•Transcript available on Metacast We are drafting again! Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan and Zach Baron to pick their faves and foil their pals in a draft of the movies from Brad Pitt and George Clooney. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan and Zach Baron Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Video Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Sep 20, 2024•2 hr 43 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean and Amanda are joined by film critic, Ringer contributor, and resident “mean pod guy” Adam Nayman to do a speed recap of his favorite (and least favorite) movies out of the Toronto International Film Festival (1:00). Then, they revive the Big Oscar Bet, in which Sean and Amanda predict the nominees and winners of every major category at the 2025 Oscars (37:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Adam Nayman Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Video Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more a...
Sep 16, 2024•2 hr 55 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to discuss ‘Speak No Evil,’ James Watkins’s reimagination of the 2022 Danish psychological horror film (1:00). Then, they discuss other movies that inspire the sensation of needing to get the f--- out of danger and share their top five in the subgenre (1:06:00). Finally, Sean is joined by Watkins and ‘Speak No Evil’ star James McAvoy to discuss why they wanted to remake the film, tapping into darker parts of the human psyche, and the physicality that goes...
Sep 13, 2024•2 hr 13 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean is joined by Chris Ryan to review some news items out of the fall film festival circuit (1:00) before discussing one of their favorite genre movies of 2024, Jeremy Saulnier’s revenge thriller ‘Rebel Ridge’ (17:00). They discuss their delight at having Saulnier back in the director’s chair and Aaron Pierre’s breakout performance, before minting a new subgenre: Garbage Revenge, a.k.a. Trash Justice (49:00). Then, Sean is joined by Saulnier to discuss the production of the movie, what type of ...
Sep 10, 2024•2 hr 57 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean and Amanda are joined by ‘Higher Learning’ and ‘Midnight Boys’ cohost Van Lathan to discuss the successes and shortcomings of ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,’ another mega-sequel that's shaping up to perform well at this weekend’s box office (1:00). They discuss Michael Keaton’s return to the namesake character, how the bloated plot prevents it from reaching the highs of the first, the satisfying return of the original cast, and the refreshing addition of Jenna Ortega. Then, they get into the inc...
Sep 06, 2024•2 hr 30 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean and Amanda recap the long weekend in film news and discuss the biggest films out of the Telluride Film Festival, including the much-anticipated ‘Anora,’ the 'SNL' origin story ‘Saturday Night,’ the Trump biopic ‘The Apprentice,’ and more (1:00). Then, they react to the Venice Film Festival from afar and take stock of the impact that this weekend’s major festivals have had on the state of the awards race (58:00). Finally, they share the yet-to-be-released movies that they’re most excited for...
Sep 04, 2024•2 hr 44 min•Transcript available on Metacast With ‘Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice’ on the horizon, Sean and Amanda enlist the help of Michael Keaton superfan and ‘Blank Check’ cohost Griffin Newman to carve out the Michael Keaton movie Mount Rushmore: an ode to a career with incredible peaks and long, fallow stretches (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by ‘Between the Temples’ writer-director Nathan Silver and producer and star Jason Schwartzman to discuss the unique production style of the movie, how to inject a specific comedic tone into a script, t...
Aug 30, 2024•2 hr 28 min•Transcript available on Metacast Sean and Amanda return to the feed in triumphant fashion by talking about, among other things, Oasis, the ‘Megalopolis’ trailer, and their weeks away (1:00). Then, they run through five recently released features and their “sicko” natures, measuring the quality of each film and the state of the release calendar in the doldrums of summer (18:00). Finally, Sean is joined by JT Mollner, the director of ‘Strange Darling’, to discuss the long gap between his first feature at Sundance and ‘Strange Dar...
Aug 27, 2024•2 hr 53 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
