We are drafting again! Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan reunite and are joined by several special guests for a mega-draft of the best movies of 1999. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan, Mallory Rubin, Joanna Robinson, Van Lathan, and Rob Mahoney Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to run through the 10 most anticipated movies from this week’s CinemaCon, which Sean attended (1:00). Then, they have a long—and, at times, combative—discussion about Alex Garland’s big-budget A24 release, ‘Civil War’ (44:00), delving into the film’s politics (or lack thereof), point of view, cinematic style, and more. Finally, Sean is joined by Garland to answer questions regarding some of those very things and where he sees this in the arc of his career, as well as discuss whether he will take a step back from filmmaking (1:50:00). Hosts: Sean Fennes ..read more

Sean and Amanda revisit Denis Villeneuve’s ‘Dune: Part Two’ and assess whether the fervor for it holds up (1:00). Then, they share their 10 favorite movies of the year so far (25:00), including ‘Immaculate,’ ‘La Chimera,’ ‘The First Omen,’ and others. Sean is then joined by the director of ‘The First Omen,’ Arkasha Stevenson, to discuss the subversive nature of a her legacy sequel, how she got it made, and the career that led her here (1:15:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Arkasha Stevenson Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit pod ..read more

Sean and Amanda dig into the successes and shortcomings of this week’s biggest release at the box office: Dev Patel’s directorial debut, ‘Monkey Man’ (1:00). They discuss, among other things, the unique action put to screen and the movie’s rumored behind-the-scenes studio management. Then—after casually losing their sanity for 15 minutes in the middle of the podcast—they discuss the best directorial debuts of the 21st century (42:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

In a hundred years, when you and I are both long gone, anytime someone listens to this podcast, you will be alive again. Chris Ryan joins Sean and Amanda as they discuss Damien Chazelle’s 'Babylon.' (The movie is now available on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount+, so you can stream along with 'The Big Picture.') Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

We are drafting again! Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan reunite for a draft of the best movies of 1977—the year of Chris’s birth and a compelling year for many of our most iconic directors. John Cassavetes on TV sucking: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePptcNqXRJA Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Sean and Amanda discuss a recent run of positive 2025 movie news (1:00) before digging into Rose Glass’s second feature, ‘Love Lies Bleeding’ (20:00). They take stock of Kristen Stewart’s unique movie star presence, discuss Glass’s genre command and audacious screenwriting, and praise Katy O’Brian’s wonderfully physical and emotional performance. Then, they run down a list of films they’re calling the 21st Century Noir Movie Canon (36:00). Finally, Sean is joined by Glass to discuss the production of ‘Love Lies Bleeding,’ working with a star like Stewart, why she set the film in America, how E ..read more

Sean and Amanda are joined by Joanna Robinson to briefly discuss ‘Dune: Part Two’ and other way-too-early contenders for the 2025 Oscars (1:00). Then, they open the mailbag to answer your questions about ‘Oppenheimer,’ Emma Stone, Lily Gladstone, ‘Rango,’ Bradley Cooper, ‘The Holdovers,’ and more (37:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Joanna Robinson Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more

Sean and Amanda give their immediate reactions to the 96th Academy Awards, which were largely dominated by Christopher Nolan and ‘Oppenheimer.’ They appreciate Jimmy Kimmel’s hosting, admire a barn-burning performance of ‘I’m Just Ken’ by Ryan Gosling, analyze a surprising Emma Stone victory over Lily Gladstone, discuss the increasingly international voting body of the Academy, note the continued cultural power of 'Barbie' (despite winning very little at the awards), and wonder whether this year is a one-off or whether it portends the Oscars telecast making a sustained comeback. Hosts: Sean F ..read more

Sean and Amanda make their final predictions for who will (and who should) win in every category at the 2024 Academy Awards. They discuss whether or not ‘Oppenheimer’ and Christopher Nolan will run the table as expected, who will come out on top in a neck-and-neck Best Actress race, whether any major contenders will go home empty-handed, and more. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices ..read more