The Big Picture

Movies are back! Sorta! With dozens of releases delayed in 2020 due to COVID-19, this year figures to be one of the busiest in history. From Marvel's return to 'Dune' to a Beatles documentary to surefire Oscar contenders, Sean and Amanda have lots to look forward to. They break it all down in this episode.Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In December 2020, Francis Ford Coppola oversaw the release of 'The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone,' a reconfiguration of his film 'The Godfather: Part III' and the latest in a long line of director's cuts. What is a director's cut? What is its purpose? And what are the best in movie history? On today's episode, Chris Ryan and Sean break down the truth behind International Immobiliare and why filmmakers return to their work over and over again.Host: Sean FennesseyGuest: Chris Ryan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda look at the early reactions to DC's latest film, which arrived on HBO Max on Christmas Day, and discuss what the ramifications could be to backlash against the film (0:43). Then, they discuss one of the year's best films, Pixar's 'Soul' (41:00).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Writer and podcaster Chris Ryan joins hosts Sean and Amanda to draft the best movies of 1995. They explore nostalgia for films of that year, make adjustments to draft rules, and passionately defend their selections including 'Apollo 13' and 'Clueless'. The discussion covers defining animation, reflecting on foreign language films, and sharing personal connections to crime movies from the '90s.

'Wonder Woman 1984,' the latest installment in the DCEU, has arrived on HBO Max after a controversial decision by Warner Media. Sean and Amanda break it all down, from the '80s time jump to the additions of Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal to the HBO Max launch (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by filmmaker Paul Greengrass for a conversation about his new Western, 'News of the World' (60:30).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Paul Greengrass Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The iconic movie star directed and stars in a new Netflix film, 'The Midnight Sky.' To celebrate, Amanda and Sean build a Hall of Fame in his honor, where they enshrine 10 movies from his long career, and 10 only (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by writer-director Emerald Fennell and Carey Mulligan for an interview about their fascinating, divisive, must-see new film, 'Promising Young Woman' (1:10:00).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuests: Carey Mulligan and Emerald Fennell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Awards season has officially begun with the New York and L.A. Film Critics handing out their annual awards over the weekend. Sean and Amanda talk about the winners and what they mean for the Oscar race (1:00). Then they look at 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' Netflix's adaptation of the August Wilson play that stars Viola Davis and in one of his final performances, the late, truly great Chadwick Boseman (13:00). And then we'll be giving out some hardware of our own: naming the 20 best movie performances of 2020 (25:00).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Nolan's controversial time-inversion saga is finally available to watch at home. Chris Ryan joins Sean and Amanda to break down the movie on a second viewing, celebrate its extraordinary action, and discuss Nolan's future after his comments about Warner Bros.' 2021 HBO Max strategy (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by director Steve McQueen to discuss the making of his exceptional anthology film series 'Small Axe' (54:00).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuests: Chris Ryan and Steve McQueen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The fallout from Warner Bros.' HBO Max announcement is still rippling through Hollywood. Sean and Amanda talk about the responses from Christopher Nolan, Denis Villeneuve, producers at other studios, agencies, and fans. Then, they use the announcement of a glut of new film and TV projects at Disney to talk about the future of streaming, the projects they're excited about, and more (0:45). Finally, Sean and Amanda look back on a year of takes and pick the movies and the opinions they got wrong. They blew it! (39:22)Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Acclaimed filmmaker and 'Big Picture' hero Steven Soderbergh returns with a new film on HBO Max, 'Let Them All Talk.' Sean and Amanda discuss his new movie, the news that he will be one of the producers of next year's Academy Awards ceremony, and rank his 30-plus films and TV projects over the years (0:45). Then Soderbergh himself joins Sean for a wide-ranging conversation about his career, Hollywood, HBO Max's big decision, and more (52:00).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Steven Soderbergh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices