The podcast discusses the trend of established auteurs exploring the short film genre, including Wes Anderson's recent quartet of short films. They also rank the films they think have a chance at getting a Best Picture nomination at the Oscars. In addition, the podcast features a discussion with Grant Singer about his new crime thriller, 'Reptile'. The hosts also explore Wes Anderson's film adaptations of Roald Dahl's short stories, Pedro Almodovar's short films, and Ridley Scott's dedication to his vision by creating extended cuts of his films. They also touch on topics like their regrets about previous movie rankings, becoming a music video director, peripheral scenes in movies, working with actors, and directing with the audience in mind.

Film reviewer and horror enthusiast Chris Ryan joins Sean to review 'The Exorcist: Believer' and discuss horror franchise filmmaking. They award 'horror Oscars' to one film per year for the last five years. The hosts also explore other horror movies, upcoming releases, the use of found footage in 'VHS,' and the trend of high-end filmmakers competing for best short film Oscars.

Reflecting on Martin Scorsese's career and unique filmmaking style, they discuss the impact of his movies on their understanding of movies and life. They explore his departure from his usual style in films like 'Silence' and 'The Irishman'. They delve into his early works and the profound impact of one particular movie on the film industry. They analyze 'Raging Bull' and 'The King of Comedy', praising the virtuosic filmmaking and incredible acting performances. They also discuss his films 'Goodfellas', 'Casino', and 'The Irishman', diving into themes of organized crime and corruption. The hosts debate Martin Scorsese's works and rank his films, expressing uncertainty about ranking 'The Irishman'.

They discuss 'No One Will Save You' and 'The Creator' as well as their favorite sci-fi films. They explore the connection between sci-fi and the real world, analyze 'Rogue One' and 'The Creator', examine unique robot behavior in a movie, and discuss storytelling choices and casting challenges. They also talk about their love for sci-fi, push visual boundaries in the genre, and examine the impact of 'Looper'.

Sean and Amanda briefly discuss the news that the Writers Guild of America has a tentative agreement with the AMPTP to end their strike (1:00), before bringing on The Ringer's Rob Harvilla to discuss A24's re-release of Jonathan Demme's Talking Heads concert film 'Stop Making Sense' (7:00). Then, the three rank their five favorite concert films (44:00).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Rob HarvillaSenior Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The hosts review 'Dumb Money,' a movie based on the Wall Street GameStop short. They also list the 10 most apt entrants into the 'garbage cash' genre. Topics include the portrayal of wealth and finance in movies, the challenges of recreating real-life events, and the correlation between owner spending and player performance.

Speakers discuss haunted house movies, including 'A Haunting in Venice'. They also explore topics like historical figures, comparing albums, cities and glamour, and beliefs in the supernatural. 'The Money Pit' and 'The Beyond' are analyzed, along with 'Hereditary'. They touch on motherhood and recommend haunted house movies like 'Lake Mungo' and 'The Changeling'.

Adam Nayman, Ringer contributor and film critic, joins the hosts to discuss the shifting culture of the Toronto International Film Festival. They also share their most anticipated movies of 2023, including 'Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour' and 'Pain Hustlers'. They discuss Netflix, Amazon, and Apple's release strategy for awards season and the potential impact on the Oscar race.

Guests Chris Ryan, Bill Simmons, and Van Lathan join hosts Sean and Amanda for a draft of the best Denzel Washington movies. They discuss Denzel's rise to fame, his impact on black culture, and their favorite films from his career. The speakers also share personal train travel anecdotes and debate movie genres while drafting their picks. They touch on interracial romance on screen and discuss films like 'The Magnificent Seven' and 'Pelham 1, 2, 3'. The chapter concludes by highlighting Denzel's range and the diverse roles he has taken on in his filmography.

In this mega mailbag extravaganza, the hosts reflect on reaching their 600th episode, discuss comfort movies, the changing landscape of independent filmmaking, and their choices for a hypothetical dinner party. They also talk about favorite on-screen couples, expressing honest opinions, movie set time travel, Martin Scorsese, and fictional bars and restaurants.