

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

Feb 25, 2021 • 1h 40min
10 Fearless Golden Globes Predictions and the Magic of ‘Minari’
Sean and Amanda do the illogical: They try to predict how the Hollywood Foreign Press Association will hand out the Golden Globes on Sunday (26:39). Then, Sean talks to Lee Isaac Chung about ‘Minari,’ one of the best films of 2020, which is now finally widely available (1:08:23).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Lee Isaac Chung Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 23, 2021 • 1h 27min
The 1984 Movie Draft and the Power of ‘Nomadland’
A front-runner for Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Chloé Zhao's 'Nomadland' arrived on Hulu this weekend. Chris Ryan joins Sean and Amanda to discuss one of the year's most powerful films (0:30). Then, the trio head back to 1984 for a throwback movie draft, selecting their favorites from one of the greatest cinematic years of their lives (19:45).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 19, 2021 • 1h 38min
The Movie Star Ranking: 35 Over 35, Part II
We kicked off our ranking of the top movie stars over 35 years old earlier this week. Now comes the hard part. Sean and Amanda drill down to make the tough choices. Hanks? Sandler? Streep? Denzel? Charlize?Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 16, 2021 • 1h 27min
The Movie Star Ranking: 35 Over 35, Part 1
Last year, Sean and Amanda bravely and controversially ranked the 35 best movie stars under 35. They’re back at it, only this time, they’ve trained their attention on the geriatric stars. This is the first of a two-part mega-podcast series highlighting the 35 best movie stars over the age of 35.Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 12, 2021 • 1h 33min
Top Five Biopics and the Brilliance of ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’
After discussing the Oscars shortlists, Sean and Amanda dive deep on biopics, share their top five favorites, and break down how the new HBO Max film ‘Judas and the Black Messiah’ effectively subverts the formula (0:47). Then, Sean is joined by Shaka King, the writer-director behind ‘Judas’ to talk about his telling of Black Panther party leader Fred Hampton’s story (53:19).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Shaka King Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 9, 2021 • 1h 36min
A ‘Malcolm & Marie’ Meltdown With John David Washington and Sam Levinson. Plus: ‘The Sound of Music,’ Finally.
Sean and Amanda celebrate the life and work of the late actor Christopher Plummer, including a discussion of his most famous film, ‘The Sound of Music’ (0:47). Then, Sean is joined by ‘Malcolm & Marie’ writer-director Sam Levinson and co-star John David Washington to discuss their controversial new Netflix film, which was written and produced during the COVID-19 pandemic (59:00).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: John David Washington and Sam Levinson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 5, 2021 • 1h 29min
Awards Season Has Gone Cuckoo. Plus: The 10 Best Movies at Sundance.
Stonks, SAG Awards, and streamers: Amanda and Sean break down a roller coaster of a week in the movie business (0:36). Then, they’re joined by Adam Nayman to discuss a virtual Sundance Film Festival, the big acquisitions, and the very best films that just might be coming to a streamer near you (30:30).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Adam Nayman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feb 3, 2021 • 1h 30min
Snubs, Surprises, and WTFs of the Golden Globe Nominations, With Mark Harris
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is up to its old tricks again, so Amanda and Sean are here to break down the nominations for the Golden Globes, some of which are truly ludicrous (0:52). Then, they’re joined by journalist, author, and film historian Mark Harris to talk about this strange award season and his new book, ‘Mike Nichols: A Life,’ a biography of the famed film and theater director (32:00).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Mark Harris Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 29, 2021 • 1h 29min
Top Five Denzel Washington Movies and ‘The Little Things'
With the release of ‘The Little Things' on HBO Max, Denzel Washington's first starring role in almost three years, it's time to celebrate one of the world's greatest living actors. Joining Sean and Amanda is Ringer staff writer and Denzel superfan Shea Serrano to break down his remarkable career and share their top five Washington performances.Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Shea Serrano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jan 26, 2021 • 1h 34min
The 2015 Movie Draft. Plus: Amanda Seyfried!
We draft once more! After a triumph at the 1995 draft, Sean attempts to fend off Chris and Amanda as the trio select the very best movies from the year 2015 (20:00). Then, Sean is joined by Amanda Seyfried, now appearing as screen legend Marion Davies in David Fincher’s ‘Mank’ and getting the best reviews of her career. They talk about how to make decisions as an actor, portraying a real person, and the perils of impostor syndrome (1:02:00).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuests: Chris Ryan and Amanda Seyfried Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices