The Big Picture

Yasi Salek, a film critic, joins the fun, sharing her quirky insights on the bizarre Robbie Williams biopic, 'Better Man,' featuring a CGI chimpanzee. Chris Ryan dives into the contrasting qualities of 'Wolfman,' 'Flight Risk,' and the thought-provoking 'Presence.' Finally, director Steven Soderbergh discusses his new film 'Presence,' exploring the innovative horror perspective of viewing through a ghost's eyes. Expect laughs, nostalgia, and a deep dive into cinematic creativity!

Gints Zilbalodis, a Latvian animation director known for his film 'Flow,' shares insights into his unique journey and animation style. He highlights the unexpected mass appeal of his work and discusses the challenges of solo filmmaking versus leading a collaborative team. The conversation also delves into the art of dialogue-free storytelling, showcasing how animation can convey deep emotions and invite interpretation. Plus, the hosts react to the latest Oscar nominations, dissecting surprises and snubs that have caught everyone off guard.

Chris Ryan, a regular contributor to film discussions, joins the hosts to dive into the thrilling world of upcoming movie auctions. They passionately analyze anticipated blockbusters like 'Mission: Impossible—The Final Reckoning' and indie gems like 'Marty Supreme.' The trio eagerly shares their auction strategies, speculating on box office potential and the impact of streaming on film performance. With humor and camaraderie, they reflect on past auctions, making it clear that predicting cinematic success is as much an art as it is a science.

In this engaging discussion, Chris Ryan, co-host of The Watch podcast and film aficionado, joins the hosts to reflect on the profound loss of David Lynch, examining his unique impact on cinema and storytelling. They explore Lynch's distinctive style and his cultural legacy, while also diving into the current Oscar nominations and the emotional stakes behind them. The conversation wraps up with a lively review of 'Den of Thieves 2: Pantera,' analyzing Gerard Butler's performance and debating the film's standing compared to its predecessor.

Sean and Amanda discuss the latest out of the guild award nominations and what it portends for Oscar chances (1:00). They then look ahead to the rest of 2025 and share their 25 collectively most anticipated movies of the year (31:00), including new films from favorites of the show like Paul Thomas Anderson, Wes Anderson, Richard Linklater, Bong Joon-Ho, Steven Soderbergh, and Luca Guadagnino, as well as long awaited follow-ups from exciting young directors like Chloe Zhao, Celine Song, Joseph Kosinski, and more.Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsSenior Producer: Bobby WagnerVideo Producer: Jack Sanders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Halina Reijn, a talented writer-director of the film 'Babygirl,' dives into her exploration of sexual themes and power dynamics in this engaging discussion. She shares insights on building chemistry among stars Nicole Kidman and Antonio Banderas, emphasizing the importance of humor in an erotic thriller. The hosts also dissect the film's mixed reception and highlight the evolution of Kidman's iconic roles, showcasing her range as an actress. Reijn's passion for storytelling and cinematic artistry shines through in this captivating conversation.

Join Joanna Robinson, a film expert and host of House of R, as she dissects the 2025 Golden Globes alongside Sean and Amanda. They dive into standout films like 'The Brutalist' and 'Emilia Pérez,' sharing surprises over weaker performances from 'Anora' and 'Wicked.' The trio reflects on the evolving awards landscape, the role of social media in shaping perceptions, and even dips into celebrity dynamics with a playful take on Timothée Chalamet and Kylie Jenner. With humor and insight, they explore the future of Hollywood's awards scene.

Amanda returns to share her thoughts on movies and shows during her parental leave. The hosts dive into Golden Globe predictions, analyzing potential winners and standout performances. They discuss the cultural impact of 'Wicked' and explore nostalgia through family favorites like 'Paddington.' Exciting plans for a yearlong project showcasing the best films of the century are revealed. Humor abounds as they debate animated features, awards-season surprises, and engage in lighthearted banter about adaptations and personal cinematic preferences.

Adam Nayman, a film critic known for his sharp insights, joins Brady Corbet, the ambitious writer-director of 'The Brutalist,' and actor Adrien Brody, celebrated for his nuanced performances. They explore groundbreaking storytelling techniques, including the film's chapterized structure and its rich thematic connections to identity and familial ties. Corbet shares the creative journey and unique challenges of the production, while Brody reveals what drew him to the role and the technological innovations behind the film's striking visual style.

Join Chris Ryan and Rob Mahoney as they explore the dark and captivating world of Robert Eggers, the visionary director behind the new ‘Nosferatu.’ They dive into the history of vampires in cinema, the emotional depth of horror, and share their top five vampire films. Eggers discusses his creative choices, the themes of vampire storytelling, and the challenges of adapting such a classic. With a mix of humor and insight, they reflect on the evolution of vampire myths and what makes them so enduring in film today.