Podcast
The Big Picture
Hosted by The Ringer · EN
Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins review the movies you need to see. Plus: Top 5s, Movie Drafts, Oscars analysis, and more. Subscribe to Sean's newsletter, Projections, here.
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Episodes
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‘The Odyssey’ Is Massive and Magnificent
Today02:10:38Summary readyLadies and gentlemen, it’s time. On today’s show, Sean and Amanda cover the biggest movie event of the year, Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated ‘The Odyssey.’ Before entering their wooden horse to ambush the gates of Troy, they react to some movie news, including ‘The Batman Part II’ being delayed (again), some fall film festival lineup announcements, and more. Then, they kick off their deep dive into this legitimately levitating epic. They make the case for why it’s the perfect Christopher Nolan movie, highlight the pivotal decision to cast Matt Damon as Odysseus, and predict its box office and Academy Awards chances. (0:00) Intro (1:11) Movie news (22:37) ‘The Odyssey’ deep dive (1:51:32) Box office and Oscar predictions Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Jack Sanders Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh It’s on Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe Epic Movie Draft
3d ago01:54:34Summary readySean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan for their first ever (and potentially last) Epic Movie Draft, in anticipation of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’. Before kicking things off, they react to legendary actor Sam Neil’s passing, Moana’s opening weekend box office bomb, and the trailers released for ‘Digger’ and ‘Dune: Part Three’. Then, they debate what it is exactly that makes a movie “epic” and draft some incredible films from a myriad of different categories. (0:00) Intro (1:47) We went to Canada (3:27) Sam Neill’s passing (7:12) ‘Moana’ bombs at the box office (and Disney's live-action future) (17:04) ‘Digger’ trailer reaction (22:11) ‘Dune: Part Three’ trailer reaction (24:58) ‘Odyssey’-inspired epics series on the Criterion Channel (27:00) What makes a movie epic? (33:20) The Epic Movie Draft (1:39:15) Honorable mentions and draft recap Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Jack Sanders Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh It’s on Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Summary‘The Invite’ Is a Hilarious Social Nightmare, With Olivia Wilde!
1w ago01:37:46Summary readyOn today’s show, Sean and Amanda invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbor Chris Ryan for an episode that spirals into unexpected places, because they’re discussing Olivia Wilde’s ‘The Invite.’ They praise Wilde for her incredible sense of direction, celebrate the connective tissue between the wonderful writing and the distinct performances, and explore whether they read the ending as optimistic or pessimistic. Then, they share their personal top five “nightmare couple movies” of all time. Finally, Sean is joined by Wilde to dive deep into her new film. She explains why she feels we're very isolated in our culture now, how you know whether you’re giving the right performance in a movie you’re directing, and why this film had no chance being made within the studio system. (0:00) Intro (1:13) ‘The Invite’ (20:40) Spoiler alert (45:37) The top five nightmare couple movies (55:28) Olivia Wilde joins the show! Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Jack Sanders Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh It’s on Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe Diane Keaton Hall of Fame
1w ago02:21:47Summary readySean and Amanda open the show by briefly discussing the disappointing opening weekend box office performance of ‘Minions & Monsters.’ Then, they honor legendary actor Diane Keaton by celebrating what made her such a special star, and they build her Hall of Fame, selecting their favorite performances from her illustrious career. (0:00) Intro (0:58) The disappointing box office performance of ‘Minions & Monsters’ (8:38) What made Diane Keaton so special? (36:28) The Diane Keaton Hall of Fame Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Jack Sanders Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh It’s on Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe 2026 Movie Auction Returns!
2w ago02:27:20Summary readyWe’re back with the second part of our 2026 Movie Auction! Chris Ryan returns to look back at the results from the first auction (thus far), and then Chris, Sean, and Amanda bid against one another for some of their most anticipated movies coming out during the second half of the year. (0:00) Intro (1:17) ‘Werwulf’ trailer reaction (5:20) The 2026 Movie Auction returns Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Jack Sanders Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh It’s on Prime. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe 10 Best Movies of 2026 … So Far
3w ago02:42:12Summary readySean and Amanda are joined by some Ringer all-stars to share their favorite movies of the year so far, including big blockbusters, small indies, and everything in between. Later, Sean is joined by John Early to discuss his new film, ‘Maddie’s Secret,’ and break down the crazy journey of making this movie, shed light on his cinematic influences, and explain why he wants to prioritize filmmaking in his career going forward. (0:00) Intro (1:00) Chris Ryan’s favorite movie of 2026 (7:01) Joanna Robinson’s favorite movie of 2026 (17:20) Charles Holmes’s favorite movie of 2026 (27:22) Mallory Rubin’s favorite movie of 2026 (44:36) Van Lathan’s favorite movie of 2026 (58:21) Adam Nayman’s favorite movie of 2026 (1:12:12) Yasi Salek’s favorite movie of 2026 (1:26:19) Rob Mahoney’s favorite movie of 2026 (1:37:17) Jack Sanders’s favorite movie of 2026 (1:45:04) Amanda Dobbins’s favorite movie of 2026 (1:52:44) Sean Fennessey’s favorite movie of 2026 (1:58:23) John Early joins the show! Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan, Joanna Robinson, Charles Holmes, Mallory Rubin, Van Lathan, Adam Nayman, Yasi Salek, Rob Mahoney, and John Early Producer: Jack Sanders Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe Comic Book Movie Death Rattle and ‘Supergirl.’ Plus: ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ Goes Out With a Bang.
3w ago01:23:24Summary readySean and Amanda open the show by covering myriad movie news headlines, including the status of Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Artificial’, new footage released of Tom Cruise in his highly anticipated film, ‘Digger,’ and the Academy inviting 529 members, including Jacob Elordi, Teyana Taylor, Josh O’Connor, and more. Then, Sean and Amanda use the new DC film, ‘Supergirl,' which they found creatively and technically empty, as a springboard to have a wide-ranging conversation about the decline in importance of superhero movie culture. Finally, Chris Ryan joins the show to discuss the (potentially) final film of the ‘Jackass’ franchise: ‘Jackass: Best and Last’, a movie they all thoroughly enjoyed. (0:00) Intro (0:49) Movie news (23:42) ‘Supergirl’ (45:12) What was the superhero movie era? (1:03:23) ‘Jackass: Best and Last’ with Chris Ryan Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Jack Sanders Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh Talk to a State Farm agent today to learn how you can choose to bundle and save with the Personal Price Plan®️. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there®️. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe 2010 Mega-Movie Re-Draft
3w ago02:58:22Summary readyWe’re drafting again! Sean and Amanda are joined by Ringer all-stars Chris Ryan, Mallory Rubin, Van Lathan, Joanna Robinson, and Rob Mahoney to draft their favorite movies from the year 2010. (0:00) Intro (0:17) The state of movies (and us) in 2010 (24:03) The 2010 Mega-Movie Re-Draft (2:40:50) Honorable mentions and draft recap Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guests: Chris Ryan, Mallory Rubin, Van Lathan, Joanna Robinson, and Rob Mahoney Producer: Jack Sanders Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh, Jacob Cornett, and Jamie Yukich Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Summary‘Toy Story 5’ and the ‘Toy Story’ Movie Rankings. Plus: ‘The Death of Robin Hood’ and the Top Five Robin Hoods.
4w ago01:32:54Summary readySean and Amanda open today’s show with a long list of movie news headlines, including Luca Guadagnino’s Sam Altman movie ‘Artificial’ being dropped by Amazon following their OpenAI partnership, and Curry Barker inking a 10-figure deal with Universal and Blumhouse Atomic Monster for his next original project. Then, they cover a new release with Michael Sarnoski’s ‘The Death of Robin Hood’ starring Hugh Jackman. They highlight its impressively gnarly filmmaking, explain why its big flaw is in the concept of the film itself, and take a look at the history of ‘Robin Hood’ movies and discuss what makes them successful. Next, they discuss ‘Toy Story 5’, a film which Sean and Amanda had vastly different reactions to. After debating what did and didn’t work for them, they rank every film from the ‘Toy Story’ franchise. (0:00) Intro (0:36) Movie news (19:03) ‘The Death of Robin Hood’ (27:04) What makes a good ‘Robin Hood’ movie? (42:18) ‘Toy Story 5’ (1:15:19) What is Pixar now? (1:21:07) The ‘Toy Story’ movie rankings Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Jack Sanders Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
SummaryThe 21st-Century Steven Spielberg Rankings. Plus: ‘Office Romance’ and ‘The Furious.’
Jun 1601:36:45Summary readyOn today’s show, Sean and Amanda dive deep into legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg’s filmography throughout the 21st century. Before discussing those movies, they celebrate the New York Knicks becoming NBA champions, a feat so magnificent that Sean swears he’s become a changed man. Next, they briefly touch on the overperformance of ‘Disclosure Day’ at the box office on opening weekend and cover two wildly different recent releases: ‘Office Romance’ and ‘The Furious.’ Then, they share some secondary thoughts about ‘Disclosure Day’ and react to the divisive response to the film thus far. Finally, they explore Spielberg’s 21st-century filmography and identify some key touchpoints and ideas before ranking every film he’s made this century. (0:00) Intro (0:36) The New York Knicks are NBA champions (9:10) ‘Disclosure Day’ box office performance (12:08) ‘Office Romance’ (24:05) ‘The Furious’ (26:53) Secondary ‘Disclosure Day’ thoughts and the divisive audience response (43:17) Steven Spielberg’s 21st-century filmography (1:15:34) The 21st-Century Steven Spielberg Rankings Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Producer: Jack Sanders Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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