The Big Picture - The Ringer

Latest Episodes:

The 2011 Oscars Were a Travesty. Let’s Fix That. Apr 13, 2021

Show notes

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

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Top Five Cult Movies, ‘Bad Trip,’ and ‘The Empty Man’ Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

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

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Five Reasons Movie Theaters Are ... Back?! Plus, the World of Wong Kar-Wai. Apr 06, 2021

Show notes

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

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‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ and Top Five Blockbusters Apr 01, 2021

Show notes

‘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

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The 2016 Movie Draft: Three the Hard Way Mar 30, 2021

Show notes

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

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Top Five Gen X Director Debuts, the Fate of ‘Black Widow,’ and a Potential Oscars Disaster Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

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

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The Best Movie of 2021 So Far, and a Chuck Klosterman Theory of Film Mar 23, 2021

Show notes

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

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The Snyder Cut Commentary: A ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ Watch-along Mar 19, 2021

Show notes

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

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The Snubs and Surprises of the Academy Award Nominations Mar 15, 2021

Show notes

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

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Ten Ways to Save the 2021 Academy Awards Mailbag Special Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

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

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