The Big Picture

Delve into the emotional depths of 'Melancholia,' a film that intertwines existential dread with stunning performances, especially from Kirsten Dunst. The discussion highlights the film's controversial Cannes debut and its artistic significance in shaping von Trier's career. Explore the profound themes of despair set against a backdrop of familial chaos, as well as the unique storytelling that challenges perceptions of depression. The narrative is peppered with personal anecdotes, comedic moments, and reflections on the intersection of art and controversy.

In this conversation, filmmaker Alex Ross Perry, known for his indie hits, returns to share insights about his new genre-blending music biopic, 'Pavements.' He discusses the creative spark that led him to this unique project and reflects on the fascinating, sometimes chaotic filmmaking process. The hosts also dive into the influence of underrated indie directors and how recent films are shaping the future of cinema. Their light-hearted banter on familial tech issues and film trivia adds a delightful touch to the insightful dialogue.

The hosts dive into the life and legacy of Paul Newman, celebrating his unique persona both on and off the screen. They explore his profound impact as an actor, selecting the ten essential performances that define his career. The conversation touches on Newman's philanthropic efforts, including initiatives to support disadvantaged youth and combat substance abuse. Additionally, they examine the complexities of his roles and the emotional truths he portrayed, offering insights into his remarkable journey through film history.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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!

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.