The Big Picture A Mailbag for All Time. Plus: Alex Ross Perry Returns!
19 snips
May 12, 2025 
In this conversation, filmmaker Alex Ross Perry, known for his indie hits, returns to share insights about his new genre-blending music biopic, 'Pavements.' He discusses the creative spark that led him to this unique project and reflects on the fascinating, sometimes chaotic filmmaking process. The hosts also dive into the influence of underrated indie directors and how recent films are shaping the future of cinema. Their light-hearted banter on familial tech issues and film trivia adds a delightful touch to the insightful dialogue.
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Early Movie Disappointments
- Sean Fennessey vividly recalls being let down by "The Village" when he figured out its twist early and felt frustrated watching the rest of the film.
- Amanda Dobbins recalls "How Do You Know" (2010) as a clear early disappointment, realizing shortly into the film it wouldn't work.
Classics Shape Storytelling
- Amanda studied classics because it provides foundational story language for Western storytelling.
- Sean reflects that many stories repeat archetypal patterns dating back thousands of years, easing judgment on modern film repetition.
Unusual Family Movie Traditions
- Sean shares his childhood tradition of watching HBO's Saturday night movies with his dad, sometimes witnessing very graphic films at a young age.
- Amanda recalls holiday movie outings with her dad, often watching intense or bleak films not typical for festive times.