The Big Picture

In a rotating-guests episode of 'The Big Picture,' Sean is first joined by Bill Hader to discuss how filmmaking played into the conception of his HBO show ‘Barry’ (2:15). Then, Mary Kay Place and Kent Jones join the show to discuss Jones’s first narrative feature, ‘Diane,’ which stars Place as a mother trying to bond with her drug-addicted son (41:10).Host: Sean FennesseyGuest: Bill Hader, Mary Kay Place, and Kent Jones Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the first episode of our Marvel Cinematic Universe series—dropping once a week in the lead-up to ‘Avengers: Endgame’—Sean and Amanda go deep on the first Captain America movie. How did this movie set the tone for patriotism in superhero movies? Did it succeed as a period piece/spy drama? Why don’t Avengers have more sex?Host: Sean FennesseyGuest: Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Now 20 years removed, we convene to discuss and share our top five movies from 1999—the year many believe was the greatest year of movies ever (1:00). Then, a conversation with ‘Running With Beto’ director David Modigliani from SXSW (1:08:00).Host: Sean FennesseyGuest: Amanda Dobbins, Chris Ryan, and David Modigliani Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We react to ‘Us,’ Jordan Peele’s much-anticipated follow-up to the social thriller ‘Get Out.’ We give a spoiler-laden explanation of the ending, analyze Peele leveling up as a filmmaker, and parse some of the cultural (but largely personal) themes that peek through in the film. (Disclaimer: there are spoilers in this podcast.)Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Oscar-winning director and writer Jordan Peele joins the show—the day after the premiere of his new film ‘Us’ at SXSW—to discuss following up ‘Get Out,’ working with stars like Lupita Nyong’o, Elisabeth Moss, and Winston Duke, and tackling complex themes within the horror genre.Hosts: Sean FennesseyGuest: Jordan Peele Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With ‘Triple Frontier’ now streaming on Netflix, we launch the first episode in a series of career retrospectives on Hollywood’s biggest stars. From ‘Good Will Hunting’ to ‘Gone Girl,’ ‘Armageddon’ to ‘The Town,’ ‘Justice League’ to the "Jenny From the Block" video, we identify Affleck’s breakthrough moments and peak performances before breaking down his latest movie.Hosts: Sean Fennessey, Amanda Dobbins, Rob Harvilla Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean, Chris, and Amanda convene to talk about their favorite movies from the SXSW Film Festival—including Jordan Peele’s much-anticipated directorial follow-up to ‘Get Out’ (1:05). Then, Sean sits down with ‘Gloria Bell’ director Sebastián Lelio to discuss working with Julianne Moore and John Turturro and the calculus behind remaking one of your own films (55:30).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuests: Chris Ryan and Sebastián Lelio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Brie Larson stars as ‘Captain Marvel’ in the latest installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and its first stand-alone female superhero movie. We react to what it means for the forthcoming ‘Avengers: Endgame’ and how directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck incorporated elements of the 1990s into the Marvel machine.Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Steven Spielberg is waging war against Netflix—what does this mean for the Academy Awards (0:57)? Then, Rob Harvilla joins the show to discuss ‘Leaving Neverland,’ the new Michael Jackson documentary on HBO, and its potential ramifications for the future of writing about music (18:08). Finally, Sean and Amanda share the best movies they’ve seen so far in this year and preview some of ones they’re anticipating most in March (40:15).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Rob Harvilla Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Amanda and Sean put a bow on the 2019 Oscars by answering the burning questions they didn’t have time for on Sunday night (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by writer-director Neil Jordan to discuss his latest film, ‘Greta’ (48:06).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: Neil Jordan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices