The Big Picture

In July, the sometimes-acclaimed, sometimes-controversial, sometimes-downright-vilified writer-director M. Night Shyamalan released his 14th feature film, 'Old.' Joining Sean to talk about all things Shyamalan—from his best films to his worst and everything in between—is the cohost of 'Higher Learning' and one-half of the Midnight Boys on the Ringer Podcast Network, Van Lathan. Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Van Lathan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For Siskel and Ebert, the '90s were a revolutionary era—both for the movies and for their careers. A new generation of filmmakers was taking over Hollywood, and Gene and Roger became cheerleaders for the bold next wave of writers and directors. But the industry was also plagued by problems and controversies, many of which Siskel and Ebert faced head on. By the time the '90s ended, Gene and Roger would become more than just the country's best-known film critics. They'd also become advocates. Host: Brian Raftery Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re drafting again—and this time we’re not messing around. It’s 2007, one of the greatest movie years of our lifetimes, with several personal favorites on the board. Who will drink whose milkshake? Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Gene and Roger jumped from one program to another, they left behind shows that were desperate to replicate the duo’s groundbreaking success. These reiterations, along with other imitations of the format, paved the way for a television market saturated with Siskel and Ebert wannabes. But what they all failed to realize was that what made Gene and Roger special was Gene and Roger themselves. Host: Brian Raftery Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The '80s were the blockbuster era—and Siskel and Ebert were its blockbuster film critics. It was the decade in which Gene and Roger would realize the full extent of their powers, as well as their limitations. And it would find them making yet another high-profile business decision, one that would have big consequences for Gene. Host: Brian Raftery Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s time for another movie swap! This time, Amanda and Sean trade a pair of classics from James Cameron: the Oscar-winning behemoth ‘Titanic’ and the action classic ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (0:30). Then, Sean is joined by David Lowery, the director behind the long-awaited Arthurian fable ‘The Green Knight’ (1:24:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: David Lowery Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early ’80s, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert went from PBS stars to pop-culture celebrities. That newfound fame tested their already-heightened rivalry. But it also united them as they made one of the riskiest moves of their careers—a move that would change the way films were talked about, and that made Gene and Roger bigger than ever. Host: Brian Raftery Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re living in a boom time for music documentaries. Rob Harvilla joins Sean to talk about the history of the subgenre, why it’s exploding, and their top five favorites (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Garret Price, the filmmaker behind the first installment in Ringer Films’ new documentary music series Music Box: ‘Woodstock ’99: Love, Peace, and Rage,’ a powerful and fascinating portrait of a terrifying moment in music and American history (1:12:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey Guests: Rob Harvilla and Garret Price Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the minute Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert hit the air, everyone wanted to know: Did these two guys actually hate each other? In this episode, we’ll learn more about how Gene and Roger came to be critics and rivals, and what made them the perfect foils for each other on TV. Host: Brian Raftery Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were the most famous and powerful film critics of their time—and their shows were smash hits that changed an entire industry. Over the next eight episodes, host Brian Raftery will talk to Siskel and Ebert’s families, friends, coworkers, and peers to explore the duo's lasting impact—on movie criticism, on the media landscape, and on how we talk to one another. Host: Brian Raftery Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The 'Big Picture' Movie Auction is back! Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to bid on the rest of the movies coming out this year that they’re desperate to see (17:00). Sean and Amanda also talk to Brian Raftery about ‘Gene and Roger,’ his new podcast series about the true story behind the rivalry and the partnership between legendary film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (1:30). Finally, Sean is joined by Morgan Neville to talk about his powerful new documentary, ‘Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain' (1:41:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan, Brian Raftery, Morgan Neville Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were the most powerful and influential movie critics of their time. The way they talked about film set a template for pop culture conversations far beyond the cinema. In this eight-part series, premiering July 20 on ‘The Big Picture’ feed, we’ll talk to everyone from family members to show producers to filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino about the legacy Siskel and Ebert built, and just how impactful they remain to this day. Host: Brian Raftery Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s a very special episode of the show: a deep dive into the career of one of our favorite filmmakers, Brian De Palma. We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of his masterworks, ‘Blow Out,’ this summer, and exploring the depths of his career. Joining Sean is Ringer contributor and author Adam Nayman. Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Adam Nayman Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first new movie installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 737 days is finally here, available now on Disney+ with Premier Access or in movie theaters. Amanda and Sean break down ‘Black Widow’ and the future of the MCU, emphasis on the “C” (0:30). Then, Sean is joined by writer-director Leigh Janiak to discuss her three ‘Fear Street’ films that are rolling out on three consecutive Fridays on Netflix this month (61:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Leigh Janiak Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s been an odd movie year, but there have been a handful of standouts at the halfway mark. Sean and Amanda share their top fives of 2021 thus far and explore whether we need to define what qualifies (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the Roots drummer and now film director, to discuss his new documentary, ‘Summer of Soul (... or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised),’ which is out now on Hulu and in theaters (47:03). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson Producers: Bobby Wagner and Kaya McMullen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘No Sudden Move,’ the latest film from Steven Soderbergh—now available on HBO Max—is a return to a familiar form for one of our favorite filmmakers: the heist movie. So in this episode, Sean and Amanda share their top 5 favorite heist flicks. (0:45) Then, Sean is joined by Janicza Bravo, the writer-director behind one of the year’s most entertaining films, the ripped-from-Twitter tale of ‘Zola.’ (48:17) Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Janicza Bravo Producer: Bobby Wagner Associate Producer: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Quentin Tarantino is here! The writer-director had adapted his film 'Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood' into a novel, and on this episode he dives deep on everything: what's different from the movie, why he wrote a novelization in the first place, the movies he watched during quarantine, the future of moviegoing, and so much more. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan Guest: Quentin Tarantino Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The long-awaited ‘Fast 9’ is here, so Sean and Amanda are digging into the entire ‘Fast & Furious’ series of movies and ranking ’em all with the man who lives his life one-quarter of a pod at a time, Shea Serrano. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Shea Serrano Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yes, we are drafting again. It’s the Movie Draft: 1975 Edition. It was simply one of the best years in film history. Let’s get it! Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda discuss the news that Peter Jackson's Beatles documentary will stretch into a limited documentary television series (0:30). Then, Sean is joined by writer-director Alex Ross Perry to talk about the phenomenon of the lost movie, specifically great works from well-known filmmakers that have fallen out of circulation, critical celebration, and general viewership. With the advent of so many streaming services, it’s shocking how many once high-profile movies can’t be seen easily. So Sean and Alex list five memorable examples and explain the contexts of their releases and how they may have slid into obscurity (14:32). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Alex Ross Perry Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda discuss the box office returns for ‘In the Heights’ and how the movie’s availability on HBO Max may have affected it. They also discuss the launch of ‘Loki’ on Disney+ and ‘Infinite’ on Paramount+ and the challenges facing movie lovers as more and more services pop up (0:30). Then, they share their plans to build the perfect streaming service, by drafting film and TV libraries, sports rights, signature stars and creators, and more (41:36). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda discuss one of the year's most anticipated movies, 'In the Heights,' a movie adaptation of the Tony-Winning Lin-Manuel Miranda musical that is now in theaters and available on HBO Max (0:30). Then they discuss what makes a great movie musical and share their 10 favorites (45:00). Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s episode, Sean and Amanda dig into Bo Burnham’s Netflix special ‘Inside’ ... or is it a movie? They talk about the songs, the production style, the themes, and that pesky "is it a movie?" question. Then, they share some new streaming movie recommendations (31:00) before opening up the mailbag for questions about ‘The Underground Railroad,’ movie book recommendations, and more (47:00). Finally, they’re joined by two special-guest lovebirds (1:20:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,’ the third ‘Conjuring’ movie and the eighth installment in the franchise hits HBO Max and movie theaters this weekend. We’re diving into the film and our favorite "no. 3" entries in movie history with Chris Ryan. Plus, we discuss the exciting lineup for this year's Cannes Film Festival. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producers: Bobby Wagner and Steve Ahlman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shhhhhhhhhhh. We’re back in movie theaters! After more than 13 months away from our favorite place, we returned to theaters. This is worthy of a celebration. Sean and Amanda talk about the experience, what they expect in the future at theaters, and then dive deep into a movie that they and many other Americans saw this weekend: 'A Quiet Place Part II.' Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda dive into the news that Amazon has acquired the historic Hollywood studio MGM, what it means for the streaming wars, the future of James Bond, and more (0:21). Then they discuss the new Oscars date and how the awards’ theater requirements continue to evolve (29:30). Finally, they review the new Disney Emma Stone vehicle ‘Cruella’ and build a Hall of Fame for Stone (52:39). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re drafting again, and this time we’ve got a doozy of a year. Chris Ryan rejoins Sean and Amanda to select their favorites from one of the most memorable movie years in recent memory. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zack Snyder returns to the undead with his new Netflix blockbuster 'Army of the Dead.' Sean is joined by Chris Ryan and Adam Nayman to discuss Snyder's latest, what makes a great zombie movie, and share their five favorites from the genre. Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Chris Ryan and Adam Nayman Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda break down a handful of new releases because, well, vaccination rates are growing, theaters are open, and movies are being released (0:25). They discuss HBO Max’s ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’ with Bill Simmons (4:10); break down Netflix’s new Amy Adams thriller, ‘The Woman in the Window’ (38:57); and then share their top five favorite movie twists (59:18). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Bill Simmons Producer: Bobby Wagner Additional Production: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The release of ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ got us thinking about the best animated movies since 2000. Rob Harvilla and Charles Holmes join Sean to talk about the medium and their favorites from the past 20 years. (0:21) Then, Sean is joined by ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ director Mike Rianda to talk about his movie and the five-year journey to get it to Netflix. (1:00:08) Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Rob Harvilla and Charles Holmes; Mike Rianda Producer: Bobby Wagner Additional Production: Sasha Ashall Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After his triumphant introduction of the movie director game, Sam Esmail rejoins Amanda and Sean to discuss his 2020 movie-watching experiences, his favorites films of the year, how the medium could change after the pandemic, and what value the Oscars do or don't have. He covers all this with the aid of a helpful new exercise: The Best Picture match game. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Sam Esmail Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a special episode of 'The Big Picture': a watch-along commentary track for Christopher Nolan’s 11th feature film. In March, we teamed up with Chris Ryan for our first commentary, a four-hour journey through 'Zack Snyder’s Justice League,' a.k.a the Snyder Cut. We barely survived. This time, we’re diving into a more complex movie, but fortunately one we have seen before. This is our collective third viewing of Nolan’s controversial, confusing, and, we will argue, wrongly overlooked 'Tenet.' We will be together for all 150 minutes of this movie, and we want you to watch along with us. Let’s go! Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In honor of the new Tom Clancy adaptation ‘Without Remorse,’ Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to break down all things spy movies, including what they love about the genre, how they define it, and their top five favorites (0:13). Then, Sean is joined by director Stefano Sollima to talk about ‘Without Remorse' (1:06:30). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan and Stefano Sollima Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a record-low-rated Academy Awards ceremony on Sunday, the state of the Oscars has been the subject of debate all week (0:21). Amanda and Sean discuss where the show should go in 2022, what it could look like, and beyond. Then, Sean is joined by Adam McKay, the director behind beloved films like 'Anchorman' and 'The Big Short,' to discuss his new podcast 'Death at the Wing' and the future of movies (1:09:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Adam McKay Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Today, we discuss Fatalities and Flawless Victories. Which one was the new adaptation of the beloved video game franchise ‘Mortal Kombat’? Joining Sean to answer that question and many more about all things video game movies are Ringer staff writers and avowed gamers Justin Charity and Ben Lindbergh. Host: Sean Fennessey Guests: Justin Charity and Ben Lindbergh Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After 15 long months, the Oscars are here. Sean and Amanda break down every award, the in-person ceremony, the weirdest moments of the night, and more. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The time has almost come for the long-awaited—or maybe just long in waiting—93rd Academy Awards. Sean and Amanda discuss what to expect from the ceremony, and then make predictions in every category. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It's Oscars Week, so it's time for a special Movie Draft—Chris Ryan joins Sean and Amanda to pick their favorite Academy Award winners from the years 2000 through 2009, in the eight big categories. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Let’s run back a new tradition: our Alternative Academy Awards with The New York Times’ Wesley Morris. Sean, Amanda, and Wesley pick their favorite performances, first features, cameos, endings, and more as a counterbalance to this week’s Oscars ceremony. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Wesley Morris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to the first 'Big Picture' Movie Auction. What’s that? Well, as we anticipate our return to movie theaters, we thought we’d find a way to measure the movies we’re most excited to see in 2021. The return of James Bond? ‘Top Gun: Maverick’? Three MCU movies? This could be a fun year for Hollywood after all. And what better way to express our excitement than to wager cold, hard (imaginary) cash? Chris Ryan joins Sean and Amanda for a good old-fashioned auction, movie-style. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan and Danny Heifetz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With key victories at the DGAs and BAFTAs in the books, Sean and Amanda discuss whether it’s all over but the shouting for 'Nomadland’ and the Best Picture prize at the Academy Awards (0:30). Then, they travel back in time 10 years to redo one of the most egregious movie award ceremonies in recent memory: the 2011 Oscars (30:46). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Adam Nayman returns to the show to discuss the elusive nature of cult movies: what makes one qualify, and when and why does a movie officially earn cult status. Sean and Adam use two of their favorite recent movies, Netflix's prank comedy 'Bad Trip' and the impressive 2020 thriller 'The Empty Man,' as a launch point before sharing their favorite cult movies of all time (0:15). Then Sean is joined by writer-director Emma Seligman to talk about her terrifically entertaining and terrifying first feature 'Shiva Baby' (1:01:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey Guest: Adam Nayman, Emma Seligman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda dive into the return of the box office after ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ earned nearly $50 million over the holiday weekend. Are movie theaters back for good? Then, they discuss the results of the SAG Awards and what they mean for up-in-the-air Oscar races, including Best Actress and maybe Best Picture (0:30). Then, they’re joined by L.A. Times film critic Justin Chang to discuss the incredible body of work of Wong Kar-Wai, one of the signature filmmakers of the past three decades and the subject of a breathtaking new box set from the Criterion Collection (25:43). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Justin Chang Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ is the first major blockbuster movie event of 2021. Shea Serrano joins Sean and Amanda to discuss the winners and losers of the latest monster showdown, which is now in theaters and available on HBO Max. Then, they share their five favorite blockbusters. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Shea Serrano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda are once again joined by Chris Ryan to draft the best (a.k.a. their favorite) movies from the year 2016. They discuss their lives that year, how Hollywood was changing, what the 'Moonlight' Best Picture Oscar win meant, and how world events manifested at the movies. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda dive into the news about the new release strategy for Disney’s long-awaited ‘Black Widow’ and what it means for movie theaters (0:16). Then, they look at the results of the WGA and PGA awards, and the complications of the forthcoming in-person Oscars ceremony. Finally, Sean is joined by Brian Koppelman—cocreator of ‘Billions’ and cowriter of ‘Rounders,’ ‘The Girlfriend Experience,’ and ‘Ocean’s 13’—to discuss the top five directorial debuts of filmmakers born between 1960 and 1980 (27:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Brian Koppelman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda welcome author Chuck Klosterman to dive deep into two fascinating topics. The first is Adam Curtis' sprawling six-part documentary series 'Can't Get You Out of My Head,' which explores the absurdity of modern life and the intersections of power, drugs, culture, and the future of civilization (0:30). Fun times. Then, Chuck poses a radical theory of movie watching, which leads to a conversation about the multiverse and the value of biopics (46:30). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chuck Klosterman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This is a very, very special episode of 'The Big Picture': our first watch-along commentary track. For 'Zack Snyder’s Justice League.' Except we’ve never seen it before. So when we press play on the Snyder Cut for the first time, we want you to do so as well and to watch with us on HBO Max. We will be together for all four hours and two minutes of this film’s run time discussing Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Steppenwolf, Darkseid, and especially Ben Affleck’s hair. For four hours. Let’s go. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It appears we have a historic and … good (???) set of nominees for the 93rd Academy Awards. Sean and Amanda dive into all the narratives, break down who missed out and why, and look at which film is likely to take home the big prize on April 25. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We're 45 days away from the Academy Awards, and less than a week away from Oscar nominations. Sean and Amanda sense trouble for the hallowed award show, so they dive into the mailbag to come up with some solutions for this weird season (0:30). Then, Sean is joined by Anthony and Joe Russo, directors of the highest-grossing film of all time, 'Avengers: Endgame,' to talk about their new film, 'Cherry' (1:01:32). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Anthony and Joe Russo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices