The hosts dive into the vibrant world of Super Bowl movie trailers, contrasting the stunning visuals of 'Final Reckoning' with the lackluster 'Thunderbolts.' They unpack the implications of the PGA and DGA Awards on the Oscar race, spotlighting front-runners like ‘Anora.’ A lively mailbag segment tackles over 1,000 listener queries, covering everything from auteur theory to the evolving theater-going experience. Expect humor, anecdotes, and insightful debates about the intersection of cinema and personal lives throughout the discussion.

Drew Hancock, a writer-director making his feature debut with 'Companion,' discusses his unique journey in Hollywood. He shares casting insights about Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher while exploring 'Companion's' themes of relationships and tension. The conversation takes a humorous turn as the hosts introduce the 'garbage love' genre, dissecting Valentine’s Day releases and their quirky narratives. Hancock also dives into the challenges of marketing a film steeped in emotional depth, revealing the creative process behind merging entertainment with meaningful storytelling.

Tim Fehlbaum, the director of the Oscar-nominated film 'September 5,' shares insights into his impactful work and the story behind the film, which explores the Munich Olympics tragedy. He discusses the challenges of capturing real historical events and the emotional weight of storytelling. The conversation also touches on the innovative techniques utilized in filmmaking and the importance of narrative in shaping audience experiences. Additionally, they reflect on the film's ascendance during awards season, highlighting its resonant themes.

Joanna Robinson, a savvy film critic and writer, joins the discussion to delve into the intricate world of the Best Picture race. They dissect the film 'The Brutalist,' examining its cultural impact and themes of pain and authenticity. Joanna shares her insights on award nominations and the unpredictability of this season, while the trio ranks the nominated films based on their winning potential. With humor and brutal honesty, they navigate the fierce competition and highlight key trends in film representation and storytelling.

Yasi Salek, a film critic, joins the fun, sharing her quirky insights on the bizarre Robbie Williams biopic, 'Better Man,' featuring a CGI chimpanzee. Chris Ryan dives into the contrasting qualities of 'Wolfman,' 'Flight Risk,' and the thought-provoking 'Presence.' Finally, director Steven Soderbergh discusses his new film 'Presence,' exploring the innovative horror perspective of viewing through a ghost's eyes. Expect laughs, nostalgia, and a deep dive into cinematic creativity!

Gints Zilbalodis, a Latvian animation director known for his film 'Flow,' shares insights into his unique journey and animation style. He highlights the unexpected mass appeal of his work and discusses the challenges of solo filmmaking versus leading a collaborative team. The conversation also delves into the art of dialogue-free storytelling, showcasing how animation can convey deep emotions and invite interpretation. Plus, the hosts react to the latest Oscar nominations, dissecting surprises and snubs that have caught everyone off guard.

Chris Ryan, a regular contributor to film discussions, joins the hosts to dive into the thrilling world of upcoming movie auctions. They passionately analyze anticipated blockbusters like 'Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning' and indie gems like 'Marty Supreme.' The trio eagerly shares their auction strategies, speculating on box office potential and the impact of streaming on film performance. With humor and camaraderie, they reflect on past auctions, making it clear that predicting cinematic success is as much an art as it is a science.

In this engaging discussion, Chris Ryan, co-host of The Watch podcast and film aficionado, joins the hosts to reflect on the profound loss of David Lynch, examining his unique impact on cinema and storytelling. They explore Lynch's distinctive style and his cultural legacy, while also diving into the current Oscar nominations and the emotional stakes behind them. The conversation wraps up with a lively review of 'Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,' analyzing Gerard Butler's performance and debating the film's standing compared to its predecessor.

Sean and Amanda discuss the latest out of the guild award nominations and what it portends for Oscar chances (1:00). They then look ahead to the rest of 2025 and share their 25 collectively most anticipated movies of the year (31:00), including new films from favorites of the show like Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, Richard Linklater, Bong Joon-Ho, Steven Soderbergh, and Luca Guadagnino, as well as long awaited follow-ups from exciting young directors like Chloe Zhao, Celine Song, Joseph Kosinski, and more.Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsSenior Producer: Bobby WagnerVideo Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Halina Reijn, a talented writer-director of the film 'Babygirl,' dives into her exploration of sexual themes and power dynamics in this engaging discussion. She shares insights on building chemistry among stars Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas, emphasizing the importance of humor in an erotic thriller. The hosts also dissect the film's mixed reception and highlight the evolution of Kidman's iconic roles, showcasing her range as an actress. Reijn's passion for storytelling and cinematic artistry shines through in this captivating conversation.