The Big Picture cover image

The Big Picture

Latest episodes

undefined
5 snips
May 6, 2025 • 2h 17min

The 2025 Movie Star Rankings: 35 Over 35. Plus: Nicolas Cage!

In an engaging discussion, Nicolas Cage, the renowned actor celebrated for his diverse roles, shares insights about his latest project, 'The Surfer.' He reflects on what drives his choices in films at this stage of his career and reveals the inspirations behind his performances. The hosts discuss the movie industry landscape, including the impact of political comments on filmmaking. Additionally, they dive into the rankings of Hollywood's biggest stars over 35, analyzing their recent roles and the evolving nature of fame in today's cinema.
undefined
16 snips
May 2, 2025 • 1h 33min

‘Thunderbolts*’ Is Marvel’s Return to Form. Is It Too Late?

Mallory Rubin, a superhero correspondent known for her insightful work on House of R, joins the discussion on Marvel's latest film, 'Thunderbolts.' They rave about standout performances by Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan while exploring character dynamics and the film's potential to reinvigorate the MCU. The conversation delves into whether this revival comes too late, examining the emotional depth and trauma echoed in the narrative. Plus, they tease the possibilities of new characters potentially stepping in as the next Avengers.
undefined
30 snips
Apr 30, 2025 • 47min

The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 21 - ‘Mission: Impossible - Fallout’

Sean and Amanda return to continue their yearlong project of listing the 25 best movies of the 21st century so far. Today, they discuss their favorite installment of the beloved Tom Cruise action franchise with ‘Mission: Impossible—Fallout’, which features some of the greatest action filmmaking of all time. They explain why this concretized director Christopher McQuarrie as a legitimate star filmmaker, explore what this film means and represents about Cruise’s movie stardom persona, and share why they went with this film instead of ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ as the official late-stage Cruise movie for the list. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
undefined
17 snips
Apr 28, 2025 • 1h 23min

Four Ways of Looking at an Action Movie: ‘The Accountant 2,’ ‘Havoc,’ ‘A Working Man,’ and ‘The Amateur’

Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to recap their trip to the mobile Criterion Closet before celebrating the big box-office weekend performances of ‘Sinners’ and ‘Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith’ and explain why movies are so back (1:09). Then, they cover some recently released mediocre action films: ‘The Accountant 2’ (14:30), ‘Havoc’ (25:39), ‘A Working Man’ (36:33), and ‘The Amateur’ (44:41), and have a big-picture conversation on what these four films mean for the state of action movies (53:32). Finally, they discuss a handful of movie news headlines and share their excitement and concern for some upcoming releases (1:00:35). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
undefined
15 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 2h 42min

The Summer Movie Preview Game. Plus: David Cronenberg on ‘The Shrouds.’

Sean and Amanda briefly react to some Oscars news, including a rule requiring Academy members to watch the movies and the details surrounding the new Casting and Achievement in Stunt Design award (1:34). Then, for the first time, they play the Summer Movie Preview Game, in which they predict the box office and Metacritic score for every major summer movie release in 2025 (16:27). Later, Sean is joined by Adam Nayman to give a brief “state of the movies” before discussing David Cronenberg’s newest body horror film, ‘The Shrouds.’ They talk about its complicated and moving portrayal of grief, praise Vincent Cassel for his excellent performance, and create a “Cronenberg starter pack” for those who aren’t very familiar with the director’s filmography (1:25:06). Finally, Sean is joined by the great David Cronenberg to discuss ‘The Shrouds.’ They talk about his decision to cast Cassel in an unusual and challenging role, why he hates shooting on film and would never return, and his long-term creative collaboration with composer Howard Shore (2:06:43).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuests: David Cronenberg and Adam NaymanProducer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
undefined
13 snips
Apr 23, 2025 • 1h 40min

The ‘Sinners’ Surge. Plus: The Val Kilmer Hall of Fame!

Join Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan, a writer and editor at The Ringer known for his keen insights on action films, as they dive into the legacy of Val Kilmer. They discuss the success of Ryan Coogler’s film 'Sinners,' examining its box office reception and award potentials. The highlight is the creation of the Val Kilmer Hall of Fame, where they select his ten most essential performances, celebrating his unique charm and impactful career. It's a thrilling blend of nostalgia and critical film analysis!
undefined
56 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 47min

The 25 Best Movies of the Century: No. 22 - ‘Children of Men’

The discussion dives into the heart-wrenching world of 'Children of Men,' examining its haunting narrative and striking visuals. The hosts reflect on its themes of societal collapse and hope, particularly in light of recent global events. Key moments include Clive Owen's physical performance and the film's chilling parallels to contemporary issues like the migrant crisis. They also scrutinize the Academy's puzzling snub during awards season, while celebrating the film's emotional resonance and its bold artistic choices that challenge moral responsibility in a dystopian setting.
undefined
48 snips
Apr 17, 2025 • 1h 43min

‘Sinners’ Is for the Sickos, the Cinephiles and You, with Ryan Coogler!

Van Lathan, a cultural commentator and podcast host, joins Ryan Coogler, the visionary director behind Black Panther, to dive into Coogler's latest film, 'Sinners.' They discuss the film's unique blend of horror and blues culture, and ponder if this is Michael B. Jordan's standout performance. Coogler reveals the inspiration behind the film, including the significance of shooting on film and the daring scenes that challenge audience perceptions. Join them as they explore artistic ownership, character complexities, and the importance of authentic storytelling in modern cinema.
undefined
56 snips
Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 44min

The 1990 Movie Draft

Chris Ryan, a writer and editor at The Ringer, joins hosts Sean and Amanda for a fun-filled discussion. They kick things off with humor about Matt Damon’s fitness for 'The Odyssey' and dive into nostalgic reflections on 1990. The highlight is the vibrant movie draft featuring iconic films like 'Goodfellas' and 'Driving Miss Daisy,' where they share personal stories and friendly debates about their favorites. With lively banter about baseball and shoutouts to classics, this conversation is a delightful romp down memory lane, blending humor and cinematic insights.
undefined
59 snips
Apr 11, 2025 • 1h 43min

The 10 Most Intriguing Movies at the Cannes Film Festival. Plus: ‘Warfare’ Is Hell, With Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza.

Chris Ryan, a film and TV analyst at The Ringer, joins acclaimed director Alex Garland, known for works like Ex Machina, and former Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza, co-director of the gripping combat drama Warfare. They dive deep into the complex perspectives presented in Warfare and its emotional resonance regarding military experiences. The trio also discusses the significance of memory in storytelling and the evolving representation of war in cinema, revealing how these narratives can challenge viewers' perceptions and provoke thoughtful reflections.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner