The Big Picture
The Ringer
Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins review the movies you need to see. Plus: Top 5s, Movie Drafts, Oscars analysis, and more, featuring a rotating cast of Ringer colleagues like Chris Ryan, Van Lathan, and Bill Simmons.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Apr 27, 2021 • 1h
17 Questions About ‘Mortal Kombat’ and the Worst Video Game Movies Ever
Today, we discuss Fatalities and Flawless Victories. Which one was the new adaptation of the beloved video game franchise ‘Mortal Kombat’? Joining Sean to answer that question and many more about all things video game movies are Ringer staff writers and avowed gamers Justin Charity and Ben Lindbergh.Host: Sean FennesseyGuests: Justin Charity and Ben LindberghProducer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 26, 2021 • 1h 11min
Best Actor Goes to Who??? The Winners, Losers, and WTFs of the Academy Awards.
After 15 long months, the Oscars are here. Sean and Amanda break down every award, the in-person ceremony, the weirdest moments of the night, and more. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsProducer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 22, 2021 • 1h 24min
25 Oscar Predictions That Will Win You Cash
The time has almost come for the long-awaited—or maybe just long in waiting—93rd Academy Awards. Sean and Amanda discuss what to expect from the ceremony, and then make predictions in every category. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsProducer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 21, 2021 • 1h 19min
The Oscar Winners Draft: 2000s Edition
It's Oscars Week, so it's time for a special Movie Draft—Chris Ryan joins Sean and Amanda to pick their favorite Academy Award winners from the years 2000 through 2009, in the eight big categories.Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Chris RyanProducer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 20, 2021 • 1h 47min
The Second Annual Alternative Academy Awards (a.k.a. The Big Picks!), With Wesley Morris
Let’s run back a new tradition: our Alternative Academy Awards with The New York Times’ Wesley Morris. Sean, Amanda, and Wesley pick their favorite performances, first features, cameos, endings, and more as a counterbalance to this week’s Oscars ceremony. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Wesley Morris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 16, 2021 • 1h 29min
Introducing the 2021 Movie Auction
Welcome to the first 'Big Picture' Movie Auction. What’s that? Well, as we anticipate our return to movie theaters, we thought we’d find a way to measure the movies we’re most excited to see in 2021. The return of James Bond? ‘Top Gun: Maverick’? Three MCU movies? This could be a fun year for Hollywood after all. And what better way to express our excitement than to wager cold, hard (imaginary) cash? Chris Ryan joins Sean and Amanda for a good old-fashioned auction, movie-style.Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuests: Chris Ryan and Danny Heifetz Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 13, 2021 • 1h 35min
The 2011 Oscars Were a Travesty. Let’s Fix That.
With key victories at the DGAs and BAFTAs in the books, Sean and Amanda discuss whether it’s all over but the shouting for 'Nomadland’ and the Best Picture prize at the Academy Awards (0:30). Then, they travel back in time 10 years to redo one of the most egregious movie award ceremonies in recent memory: the 2011 Oscars (30:46).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 9, 2021 • 1h 40min
Top Five Cult Movies, ‘Bad Trip,’ and ‘The Empty Man’
Adam Nayman returns to the show to discuss the elusive nature of cult movies: what makes one qualify, and when and why does a movie officially earn cult status. Sean and Adam use two of their favorite recent movies, Netflix's prank comedy 'Bad Trip' and the impressive 2020 thriller 'The Empty Man,' as a launch point before sharing their favorite cult movies of all time (0:15). Then Sean is joined by writer-director Emma Seligman to talk about her terrifically entertaining and terrifying first feature 'Shiva Baby' (1:01:00).Hosts: Sean FennesseyGuest: Adam Nayman, Emma Seligman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 6, 2021 • 1h 26min
Five Reasons Movie Theaters Are ... Back?! Plus, the World of Wong Kar-Wai.
Sean and Amanda dive into the return of the box office after ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ earned nearly $50 million over the holiday weekend. Are movie theaters back for good? Then, they discuss the results of the SAG Awards and what they mean for up-in-the-air Oscar races, including Best Actress and maybe Best Picture (0:30). Then, they’re joined by L.A. Times film critic Justin Chang to discuss the incredible body of work of Wong Kar-Wai, one of the signature filmmakers of the past three decades and the subject of a breathtaking new box set from the Criterion Collection (25:43).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Justin Chang Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Apr 1, 2021 • 1h 21min
‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ and Top Five Blockbusters
‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ is the first major blockbuster movie event of 2021. Shea Serrano joins Sean and Amanda to discuss the winners and losers of the latest monster showdown, which is now in theaters and available on HBO Max. Then, they share their five favorite blockbusters.Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Shea Serrano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
