The Big Picture: The 2021 Movie Draft – December 13, 2024
Introduction In this engaging episode of The Big Picture, hosted by Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins from The Ringer, the hosts delve deep into the cinematic landscape of 2021. Amidst the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Sean and Amanda explore how the movie industry navigated unprecedented challenges, from production delays to the evolving relationship between streaming platforms and theaters. The episode is peppered with personal anecdotes, lively banter, and insightful analyses, making it a must-listen for movie enthusiasts.
Reflecting on 2021's Movie Landscape Sean opens the discussion by highlighting the tumultuous nature of 2021 for the film industry. “Weird year, 2021. We were amidst the COVID pandemic. Wasn't the best time in our lives. It wasn't the best time in the history of movies,” he remarks [03:44]. Amanda adds her personal perspective, sharing that she spent much of 2021 pregnant, drawing a parallel between her life events and the film industry's struggles.
Comparing 2021 to Pre-COVID and Current Times The hosts compare the cinematic environment of 2021 to both pre-pandemic years and the current year. Sean notes, “2021 actually provided an opportunity for a few movies to come to the surface,” citing The Worst Person in the World as an example [07:29]. However, he also points out the stark contrast in box office earnings, with significant disparities between blockbuster hits and underperformers.
Amanda discusses how the shift to streaming affected movie reception, mentioning that many films were “vastly improved by seeing them on a big screen” during home viewings [13:00]. This sentiment echoes Sean’s observation that 2021’s hybrid release models left audiences with a fragmented viewing experience.
The 2021 Movie Draft: Categories and Picks
The core of the episode revolves around the 2021 Movie Draft, where Sean, Amanda, and guest Chris Ryan select their top films across various categories. The draft serves as both a nostalgic reflection and a critical evaluation of the year's cinematic offerings.
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Drama
- Sean Fennessey: No Time to Die – Sean opts for the latest James Bond installment, appreciating its blend of action and character development. “It was a fun movie after two very trying years with movies. So for it to be really, truly the first big, big, big movie since COVID I think was appropriate since it gave a lot of people joy” [40:16].
- Amanda Dobbins: The Souvenir Part 2 – Amanda praises Maggie Gyllenhaal’s autobiographical storytelling. “It's a great work of both adaptation and translation. It brings, like, the feeling that you get reading these novels” [62:46].
- Chris Ryan: The Worst Person in the World – Chris selects this film for its relatable protagonist and compelling narrative. “I like this story a lot. I like how the self-recrimination of the Anders Danielson Lie character when he's at the end of his life…” [66:04].
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Comedy
- Sean Fennessey: House of Gucci – Sean chooses this film for its dark humor and stellar performances. “It's very, very, very funny. I think I laughed louder out loud in my seat” [75:05].
- Amanda Dobbins: Shiva Baby – Amanda highlights the film’s humor and awkward charm. “It's a very funny, if awkward movie in its own right” [51:08].
- Chris Ryan: Licorice Pizza – Chris appreciates Paul Thomas Anderson’s direction and the film’s nostalgic vibe. “Paul Thomas Anderson's most recent film. It's a snapshot of 1970s Southern California...” [41:12].
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Oscar Nominees
- Sean Fennessey: Nightmare Alley – Sean commends Guillermo del Toro's noir thriller. “It's an incredible movie. One of the best scripted Soderbergh's in his sort of recent Max straight to streamer run” [53:59].
- Amanda Dobbins: The Lost Daughter – Amanda lauds Maggie Gyllenhaal’s adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s novel. “It’s a great work of both adaptation and translation. And she delivers a beautiful performance” [67:18].
- Chris Ryan: West Side Story – Chris praises Steven Spielberg's remake for its masterful recreation of the classic musical. “The first 15 minutes is a masterclass in reinventing the way” [45:48].
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Action/Horror/Thriller
- Sean Fennessey: Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin – Sean selects this installment for its effective horror elements. “It’s really well done” [78:36].
- Amanda Dobbins: No Time to Die – After deliberation, Amanda also chooses Bond’s latest film for its suspense and action. “Le Sedoux looks great throughout. She's wonderful” [80:32].
- Chris Ryan: Malignant – Chris discusses his evolving appreciation for James Wan’s horror. “After rewatching it, I was like, oh, I see. This is really fun and crazy and chaotic and beautiful” [69:36].
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Blockbusters
- Sean Fennessey: Dune – Sean favors Denis Villeneuve’s epic adaptation for its grand scale and immersive storytelling. “It's a very prescient film” [34:33].
- Amanda Dobbins: Spider-Man: No Way Home – Amanda praises the film’s nostalgic appeal and emotional depth. “It was moving when Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield showed up” [39:54].
- Chris Ryan: Venom: Let There Be Carnage – Chris appreciates the film for its entertaining chaos and strong performances. “Directed by Andy Serkis, chaotically at best. Really enjoyed everything he had to say on the podcast” [82:46].
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Wild Card
- Sean Fennessey: Card Counter – Sean selects this film for its intense portrayal of personal struggles and redemption. “Oscar Isaac as a... really a great movie” [90:40].
- Amanda Dobbins: Shiva Baby – Amanda reiterates her pick for its unique blend of humor and awkwardness, reinforcing its standout qualities [51:08].
- Chris Ryan: Velvet Underground – Chris chooses the Todd Haynes documentary for its innovative approach to the music documentary genre. “A brilliant reinvention of the music documentary form” [86:18].
Notable Quotes
- Sean Fennessey: “We were amidst the COVID pandemic. Wasn't the best time in our lives. It wasn't the best time in the history of movies.” [03:44]
- Amanda Dobbins: “It's a great work of both adaptation and translation. And she delivers a beautiful performance.” [67:18]
- Chris Ryan: “This movie fucking rocks. This is great.” [14:30]
Personal Anecdotes and Banter Throughout the episode, Sean, Amanda, and Chris interweave personal stories and light-hearted exchanges that add depth and humor to the conversation. From discussing nap habits and parenting anecdotes to sharing experiences at movie screenings, their camaraderie shines through. For instance, Sean recounts a silent standoff between two patrons at an IMAX theater [33:10], while Amanda and Chris joke about "icing" each other with Smirnoff Ice, blending personal humor with their film discussions [35:30].
Concluding Thoughts The episode wraps up with a recap of the draft picks, highlighting the diverse range of films that defined 2021. Sean emphasizes the emotional resonance of Nightmare Alley, Amanda champions The Lost Daughter for its profound storytelling, and Chris celebrates Velvet Underground for its innovative documentary style. Their selections reflect a year of cinematic resilience and creativity, navigating the complexities of a transformed viewing landscape.
Final Quote
- Amanda Dobbins: “It's a movie podcast, so I don't really do TV shows.” [68:16]
- Sean Fennessey: “It's a very prescient film.” [34:33]
Closing Sean, Amanda, and Chris bid farewell with plans for future discussions and the anticipation of upcoming cinematic releases. Their heartfelt reflections and passionate debates offer listeners a comprehensive and entertaining overview of 2021’s film scene, all while maintaining the signature humor and insight that The Big Picture is known for.
Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and are intended to guide listeners to key moments within the episode.