The Big Picture - The Ringer

Latest Episodes:

Will Smith’s ‘Aladdin’: Why Does This Movie Exist? | Exit Survey May 24, 2019

Show notes

Disney is releasing its third live-action remake of a beloved animated classic this year alone—is this overflooding the market or is it a smart strategy for bolstering their incoming streaming platform? Plus, we examine how Will Smith’s career led him to be a charming (if lacking) Genie, and the perplexing decisions of an ultimately interesting filmmaker in Guy Ritchie.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

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'Booksmart' Bonanza and the Best High School Movies, With Olivia Wilde, Beanie Feldstein, and More | The Big Picture May 21, 2019

Show notes

We preview ‘Booksmart,’ Olivia Wilde’s directorial debut out this weekend, and the latest in a long tradition of what we call “high school movies"—of which we share our top five lists (1:10). Then (recorded previously at SXSW), Sean is joined by Olivia Wilde, Beanie Feldstein, Kaitlyn Dever, Katie Silberman, and Billie Lourd to talk about making ‘Booksmart’ and what it takes to make a successful high school comedy in 2019 (49:30).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Olivia Wilde, Beanie Feldstein, Kaitlyn Dever, Billie Lourd, Katie Silberman

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Making ‘John Wick: Chapter 3—Parabellum’ With Chad Stahelski, and Watching It With Shea Serrano | The Big Picture May 17, 2019

Show notes

Chad Stahelski, the mind behind John Wick, joins the show to discuss some of the unique difficulties of shooting one of the most action-packed franchises in Hollywood, his relationship with Keanu Reeves, and the converging arts of stunt making and directing (2:11). Then, Shea Serrano calls in to wax poetic about the Wick universe and what ‘Parabellum’ means for its future (50:42).

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Chad Stahelski, Shea Serrano

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The WTF Movies of 2019 So Far | The Big Picture May 14, 2019

Show notes

You asked and we answered—sort of. In a year dominated by superheroes, it's been hard to find a common theme at the movies for just about anything else. So we share some of the weirdest movies of the year so far, like 'Serenity,' 'Under the Silver Lake,' and 'Wine Country.' Then we break down some of our favorites, including Olivier Assayas's 'Non-Fiction' and Claire Denis's 'High Life.'

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guest: Amanda Dobbins

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‘Pokémon Detective Pikachu’ Exit Survey, Plus Werner Herzog on His Epic Career | The Big Picture May 10, 2019

Show notes

Micah Peters joins the show to make sense of the public’s obsession with Pokémon and the release of ‘Detective Pikachu’ (1:30). Then, Werner Herzog comes by the studio to discuss his new documentary, ‘Meeting Gorbachev,’ and the scope of his long and successful career (26:30).

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Micah Peters and Werner Herzog

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'Endgame' Reigns in Theaters, While Netflix Rules at Home—What's the Future? Plus ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile’ Director Joe Berlinger | Interview May 07, 2019

Show notes

We discuss the continued dominance of ‘Avengers: Endgame’ at the box office and the ramifications for wide-release movies and smaller festival darlings alike (1:30) before analyzing Zac Efron’s portrayal of Ted Bundy (26:40) in Netflix's ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil, and Vile.’ Then the film's director, Joe Berlinger, joins the show to discuss his documentary work, his second narrative film, and its companion documentary (31:40).

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Amanda Dobbins, Joe Berlinger

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Charlize Theron, Plus an Interview With ‘Long Shot’ Director Jonathan Levine | Career Arc May 03, 2019

Show notes

We examine Charlize Theron’s arc on the big screen—from prototypical roles that leaned heavily on her sexuality to her turn toward action stardom, ultimately leading to her role as secretary of state in Jonathan Levine’s new comedy, ‘Long Shot’ (0:45). Then, Levine joins the show to talk about working with Theron, Seth Rogen, and what types of films he sees himself making in the future (49:15).

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Amanda Dobbins, Rob Harvilla, Jonathan Levine

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‘Avengers: Endgame’ Has Overwhelmed Hollywood. Is That OK? | The Big Picture Apr 30, 2019

Show notes

We discuss the high-wire act that ‘Avengers: Endgame’ was trying to pull off—stitching together over a decade of films into one neat, fan-serviceable, creative ending—and if it ultimately worked (1:00). Then, we take a step back and look at some of the numbers ‘Endgame’ put up at the box office, and whether it spells total domination for the mid-budget movie (23:40). Finally, we look ahead to a summer full of non-Marvel movies and share which ones we’re most excited for (40:30).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

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‘Avengers: Endgame’: Emergency Deep Dive (SPOILERS) | Exit Survey Apr 26, 2019

Show notes

‘Avengers: Endgame,’ the culmination of more than a decade of Marvel Cinematic Universe films, is finally here. We discuss how the long-running arcs of Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, and many others have been strung together and resolved in ‘Endgame.’ Plus, we break down the movie’s complex ideas about time travel, character deaths, and, ultimately, its stakes. Finally, we take stock of where this leaves the MCU, and what could be in store for Phase 4 and beyond.

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guest: Mallory Rubin

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‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ | Marvel Month Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

‘Avengers: Endgame’ is just days away, and with that comes the final installment in our Marvel Month series: ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’ We discuss our relationships with Spider-Man as a cinematic figure, Tom Holland’s portrayal of a character who hadn’t been quite nailed down by other talented actors like Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield, and where the character is headed as the Marvel story drifts further into space—decidedly different than the high school setting of this film.

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guest: Adam Nayman

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