Talking Pictures

Writer director Cord Jefferson (American Fiction) and host Ben Mankiewicz talk life transitions, bravery, and family for this in-depth conversation. Jefferson charts his path from journalist to TV writer to first-time film director of 2023’s celebrated American Fiction. He shares the movies important to him and gives his take on the ending of Shawshank Redemption.FILMS MENTIONED: American Fiction Saltburn  Promising Young Woman  Sex, Lies, and Videotape Master of None The Good Place Succession* Watchmen* The People vs. Larry Flynt Do The Right Thing Jacob’s Ladder Clueless  Cruel Intentions Dangerous Liaisons Punch-Drunk Love Shawshank Redemption Paths of Glory The Killing Eyes Wide Shut Full Metal Jacket* Pulp Fiction* Young Frankenstein Blazing Saddles* Philadelphia *Available on Max as of 2/6 (Availability of titles subject to change) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Writer-director Emerald Fennell has made two of the most talked about movies in recent years: Saltburn and Promising Young Woman. Fennell tells host Ben Mankiewicz why she makes uncomfortable films, why she prefers directing over acting, and shares a formative experience watching Jurassic Park. She also challenges Ben on his knee-jerk aversion to costume dramas. You don’t want to miss that!FILMS MENTIONED: Barbie* Promising Young Woman  Saltburn Casablanca*
The Favourite Smokey and the Bandit  Star Wars The Death of Stalin  Dangerous Liaisons  Napoleon Jurassic Park Midnight Run Out of Sight Bridge of Spies Ben-Hur A Walk To Remember  Cape Fear (1991) Cape Fear (1962) Natural Born Killers* To Die For
Killing of a Sacred Deer  Beau is Afraid  Melancholia The Shining Mrs. Miniver Goodbye, Mr. Chips Random Harvest Brief Encounter*  *Available on Max as of 1/30 (Availability of titles subject to change) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Film director Steven Soderbergh joins host Ben Mankiewicz to discuss his 35-year career, '70s films, George Clooney, and relationship advice. They also talk about Soderbergh's favorite movies, his directing approach, and emotional reactions to films.

Nancy Meyers, writer director, joins Talking Pictures to discuss casting, script advice, and the frustration of being famous for interiors. They also cover romantic comedies, shooting in LA, and a funny scene from Private Benjamin. Check it out!

From TCM and MAX, this is Talking Pictures: A Movie Memories Podcast, hosted by Ben Mankiewicz. We all remember the first movie to really scare us, or the movie a parent loved and watched repeatedly. We know which movies changed us, inspiring a move or a new career path. Mankiewicz, the Turner Classic Movies host, collects these moviegoing memories from Hollywood’s most interesting writers, actors, and directors in Talking Pictures. Listen in as movie-lovers swap stories, jokes, surprising moments, and endless movie recommendations; then watch some of those very same films on the streaming service MAX. For the cinephile or the casual movie lover, this is a conversation about all the life that happens because of watching movies.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices