The Big Picture

The Ringer

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins review the movies you need to see. Plus: Top 5s, Movie Drafts, Oscars analysis, and more. Subscribe to Sean's newsletter, Projections, here.

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959 episodes
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Episodes959

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Dec 20, 2019 · 54 min
'Cats': Seriously, WTF? | The Big Picture
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
Dec 20, 2019 · 1 hr 32 min
'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker' Emergency Deep Dive (SPOILERS) | The Big Picture
'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
Dec 17, 2019 · 1 hr 41 min
'Bombshell,' 'Richard Jewell,' and What Happens When Movies Mess With the Media | The Oscar Show
Bryan Curtis stops by to talk about 'Richard Jewell' and 'Bombshell,' two new films about the media, the Kathy Scruggs controversy at the center of Clint Eastwood's latest, and how factual a movie about real people ought to be (1:04). Then, Sean and Amanda break down the just-released Oscars short lists and survey the Best Director race—and the probable absence of women from said race (38:48). Finally, Sean is joined by 'Bombshell' director Jay Roach to discuss his long career in comedy and the
Dec 13, 2019 · 1 hr 40 min
Netflix + Michael Bay = 2019's Wildest Movie a.k.a ‘6 Underground’ | The Big Picture
The grand master of ridiculous action movies is back and he’s teamed up with Netflix. Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to break down every aspect of Michael Bay’s latest, ‘6 Underground’ (0:37). Then, Sean and Amanda analyze the Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations and what they could mean for the Oscar race (56:19). Finally, Sean is joined by ‘Richard Jewell’ leading man Paul Walter Hauser to discuss the new Clint Eastwood drama and his long road to Hollywood stardom (67:00). Host
Dec 9, 2019 · 1 hr 31 min
Golden Globes Nominations Snubs and Surprises | The Oscars Show
The Golden Globe nominations are here, and they're as dumb as ever. But will they matter come Oscars time? Amanda and Sean break down all the nominees and who was left out in the cold (1:08). Then they discuss the Academy Awards chances of Netflix's 'Marriage Story' and 'The Irishman' now that both films have debuted on the service (50:02). Finally, Sean is joined by Oscar-winning documentarian Alex Gibney to talk about his new film, 'Citizen K' (62:30). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobb
Dec 6, 2019 · 1 hr 3 min
The Top Five Movies of the Year | The Big Picture
Chris Ryan and Adam Nayman join Sean and Amanda to rank their top five movies of 2019, which got off to a slow start but has been flooded with great films over the last two months. The quartet discuss masters of their craft like Quentin Tarantino and Martin Scorsese making late-period career retrospectives, as well as internationally renowned auteurs like Bong Joon-Ho and Claire Denis stunning American audiences. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan and Adam Nayman
Dec 3, 2019 · 1 hr 43 min
'The Irishman' Is NOT Too Long. Plus: Predicting the Golden Globe Nominations. | The Oscars Show
We're less than a week away from the official start of awards season: Golden Globe nominations. Amanda and Sean share their best guesses in the major categories and defend the honor of Martin Scorsese's 'The Irishman' (4:00). Then, resident 'Frozen' fan Jason Gallagher joins to break down why the sequel has become the fall season's juggernaut at the box office (41:10). Finally, Sean is joined by director Todd Haynes to talk about his new film, 'Dark Waters,' a chilling legal thriller that isn't
Nov 26, 2019 · 1 hr 23 min
The Top 10 Movies of the Decade | The Big Picture
Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to discuss, debate, and ultimately crown the 10 best films of the decade as they see them. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan
Nov 25, 2019 · 1 hr
Top Five Murder Mysteries. Plus: Rian Johnson on ‘Knives Out’ | The Big Picture
We convene to share our top five murder mystery films and judge the category with ranging specificity (1:15). Then writer-director Rian Johnson joins to discuss ‘Knives Out’—the whodunnit vehicle featuring Chris Evans, Daniel Craig, and Ana de Armas—and how he landed on this film after his role in the 'Star Wars' franchise (32:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Rian Johnson
Nov 22, 2019 · 1 hr 47 min
The Tom Hanks Hall of Fame. Plus: The Snubs and Surprises of the Independent Spirit Award Nominations. | The Big Picture
The Spirit Awards typically act as Oscars counterprogramming, rewarding outliers and underseen indies in the race. Sean and Amanda break down the 2020 nominations and what they could mean for the big show (1:09). Then, with 'A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood' hitting theaters, we discuss the long and brilliant career of America's Dad, Tom Hanks, by constructing a hall of fame with his 10 most essential performances (16:15). Finally, Sean is joined by director Marielle Heller to talk about Hank
Nov 19, 2019 · 1 hr 52 min
The Seven "on the Bubble" Oscar Contenders. Plus: #ReleaseTheSnyderCut ... or Something | The Oscars Show
The Oscars are closer than you think—just 82 more days!—so Sean and Amanda take a closer look at the chances of 'Ford v. Ferrari,' 'Waves,' and five more potential contenders (2:40). Then they break down the dismal box office performance of Elizabeth Banks's 'Charlie's Angels' reboot (48:02) and discuss the unlikely boost that 'Joker' received over the weekend (59:23). Finally, Sean interviews writer-director Scott Z. Burns about his new drama 'The Report' (68:41). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and
Nov 15, 2019 · 1 hr 59 min
Top Five Matt Damon Movies and James Mangold on ‘Ford v Ferrari’ | The Big Picture
With the release of the Christian Bale–Matt Damon racing two-hander, we look back on Damon’s best performances, including the iconic ‘Good Will Hunting’ and the lesser-known ‘Dogma’ (0:45). Then, James Mangold joins to discuss ‘Ford v Ferrari’ and the threat that a changing movie industry presents to movies like it (58:30). Host: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan and James Mangold
Nov 12, 2019 · 1 hr 59 min
Will Disney+ and Netflix Force the Academy Awards to Recognize Streaming? Plus: Why 'Doctor Sleep' Dozed Off | The Oscars Show
The launch of Disney's new streaming service raises fascinating questions about the future of streaming and awards season. Sean and Amanda dive in by looking at the launch slate and whether it will change how we think about the Oscars (1:37). Then, 'The New York Times' culture editor Gilbert Cruz joins to discuss the confusing 'Shining' sequel 'Doctor Sleep' and why the Stephen King adaptation struggled at the box office (28:05). Sean's little sister Grace makes a special appearance to break dow
Nov 8, 2019 · 1 hr 45 min
'Marriage Story' Destroyed Us. Plus: Noah Baumbach on His Divorce Opus. | The Big Picture
Writer-director Noah Baumbach's latest is one of the year's best and most emotionally devastating films. The Netflix release stars Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson as a young couple reckoning with the dissolution of their relationship and the separation of their intertwined lives. Sean and Amanda take a long look at this story; how it will make you feel about your marriage; Baumbach's catalog of erudite, entertaining movies; and the history of divorce movies (1:25). Then, Baumbach joins Sean t
Nov 5, 2019 · 1 hr 44 min
Netflix's 'The Irishman' Is Alive and Well—Are Movie Theaters Dead? Plus: Antonio Banderas! | The Oscars Show
Martin Scorsese's 'The Irishman' is already being hailed as a sophisticated masterwork—by Sean and Amanda and dozens of critics—that will challenge for Oscars in nearly every major category. But it isn't easy to see in theaters. The battle between Netflix and theater chains to show the movie at multiplexes around the world reveals the perilous future of the movie business (3:00). Then actor Antonio Banderas joins Sean to discuss making the transition from Spain to America; his decades-long colla
Nov 1, 2019 · 1 hr 31 min
Top Five Martin Scorsese Movies. Plus: Edward Norton! | The Big Picture
'The Irishman' opens in theaters this weekend, so Sean has convened two Scorsese fanatics, Chris Ryan and Adam Nayman, to share their top five favorite Marty movies. The trio discuss Scorsese's signature themes and visual style, his approach to genre, and what makes him such a historic figure in the world of filmmaking (3:00). Then, Edward Norton joins Sean to discuss the making of his latest film—which he wrote, directed, and stars in—'Motherless Brooklyn' (61:00). Host: Sean Fennessey Gue
Oct 29, 2019 · 1 hr 40 min
Eleven Reckless Oscar Predictions. Plus: Bong Joon-ho! | The Oscars Show
The nominations are flowing and we're already drunk with takes. Amanda and Sean look at the Gotham Awards noms and the Academy's Governors Awards and predict several key questions about the Oscars, including all six major categories (1:10). Then, Sean is joined by writer-director Bong Joon-ho to talk about making his extraordinary new movie 'Parasite' (65:03). Host: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Bong Joon-ho
Oct 25, 2019 · 1 hr 49 min
The 10 Best Horror Movies of the Decade | The Big Picture
The '10s are nearly over, and horror has been one of the decade's most dominant genres. Chris Ryan teams up with Sean to break down the very best the genre has had to offer and where it's going in the coming decades (2:08). Then, Sean is joined by screenwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski to talk about their new, Eddie Murphy–starring film, 'Dolemite Is My Name,' and their long history capturing what they call "the fringe history of America" in their screenplays (52:21). Host: Sean
Oct 22, 2019 · 1 hr 50 min
200th Episode Mailbag Spectacular: Our Dream Double Features and Francis Ford Coppola's Marvel Throwdown | The Big Picture
We did it—200 episodes in the can. To celebrate, Sean and Amanda are tackling reader questions that run the gamut from Francis Ford Coppola's Marvel throwdown to the worst Oscar travesties of the decade (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by 'The Lighthouse' writer-director Robert Eggers to discuss how he made his stunning, flatulence-laden, Robert Pattinson–starring new film (1:11:40). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Robert Eggers
Oct 18, 2019 · 1 hr 24 min
What Do Disney Sequels, Zombies, a Nazi Comedy, and Steven Soderbergh Have in Common? | The Big Picture
Political subtext is everywhere, even at the movies. The weekend's four big releases—'Maleficent: Mistress of Evil'; 'Jojo Rabbit'; 'The Laundromat'; and 'Zombieland: Double Tap'—all have surprising and occasionally confounding nods to the fractured nature of the United States. Amanda and Sean look closely at each movie and the circumstances that led to their messages (2:00). Then, Sean is joined by 'Zombieland: Double Tap' director Ruben Fleischer to discuss the sequel to his 2009 hit, his work