The Big Picture Podcast Summary
Episode: The 2025 Dumpuary Extravaganza. Plus: Steven Soderbergh Returns!
Release Date: January 27, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of The Big Picture, hosted by Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins from The Ringer, the conversation delves deep into the latest cinematic releases deemed fit for their Dumpuary Extravaganza—a term they use to categorize movies released in January, traditionally a slower month for box office hits. This episode not only reviews movies that may have been overlooked but also features a special segment with acclaimed director Steven Soderbergh, discussing his latest project, Presence.

Main Discussion

1. "Better Man" Biopic Review

Timestamp: 02:43 – 22:58

The episode kicks off with an in-depth analysis of "Better Man," a daring biopic about British musical star Robbie Williams. Unique to this portrayal is Williams being depicted by a CGI chimpanzee, sparking a lively debate among the hosts and guest Yassi Salak.

• Character Portrayal: Yassi Salak points out the precision in Robbie Williams' chimpanzee representation, noting, “...it is a chimpanzee. Monkeys have tails. This is a chimpanzee. It does not have a tail.” (03:31)

• Emotional Connection: Sean Fennessey remarks, “I don't think I understood that delineation,” highlighting the challenge of connecting emotionally without a direct human portrayal. Yassi counters, “I was honestly shocked how much I loved Better Man because I did not know most of the songs,” emphasizing that the film's strength lies beyond just the music (11:00).

• Directorial Vision: The film is directed by Michael Gracey, known for The Greatest Showman. Fennessey appreciates Gracey's dynamic visual style, stating, “...the dance sequences, the choreography, the way that CGI is deployed” (12:34).

2. Music Biopics: Strengths and Weaknesses

Timestamp: 22:58 – 35:09

The hosts transition into a broader discussion on music biopics, evaluating their effectiveness and common pitfalls.

• Formulaic Narratives: Yassi expresses frustration with typical biopics: “I hate music biopics across the board, they're almost all bad.” (18:34) She praises Better Man for avoiding the usual self-serious tone that often plagues the genre.

• Emotional Authenticity: Sean shares his personal aversion to the clichéd narratives, saying, “...they don’t have the right classification here,” critiquing how traditional scripts fail to capture genuine emotional arcs (15:24).

• Comparative Analysis: The conversation references successful biopics like Walk the Line and Rocketman, contrasting them with less effective ones such as Back in Black and Last Days. Chris Ryan highlights, “I enjoyed Walk the Line. I've never wavered on that,” underscoring the importance of authentic storytelling (32:35).

3. Other Movies in Dumpuary Review

Timestamp: 35:09 – 55:04

The discussion broadens to include reviews of other January releases, categorized under the Dumpuary Extravaganza.

• "Days" by Lawrence Lamont: A modern take with laughs, likened to Friday and Bridesmaids. The hosts appreciate its humorous set pieces and cameos, though Yassi notes, “It's like the plot of Friday basically with like two tweaks or whatever” (39:37).

• "Back in Action" on Netflix: Starring Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx, the movie receives criticism for its lackluster plot and execution. Sean summarizes, “It's very bad” (54:07), while Chris humorously shares his disinterest despite the star power.

• "Presence" Directed by Steven Soderbergh: A contemplative ghost story seen through the camera's eyes. Amanda praises its narrative depth and visual language, stating, “It's a very contained, constrained, intimate horror movie” (91:02).

• "Wolfman" Directed by Leigh Whannell: A modern werewolf film featuring Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner. The hosts discuss its effective makeup and thematic depth but critique its lack of traditional scares. Sean mentions, “I think it's not scary” (72:00), while Amanda elaborates on the character dynamics and visual storytelling (75:34).

• "Flight Risk" Directed by Mel Gibson: A consensus of disapproval marks this film as a significant misstep. Yassi emphatically states, “This movie eats absolute shit. Crime against cinema” (78:27), with Sean agreeing on its poor execution despite the star presence.

4. Technical Aspects of Filmmaking with Brian Curtis

Timestamp: 55:04 – 88:21

Brian Curtis joins the hosts to discuss his experience directing "Presence".

• Filmmaking Techniques: Curtis details his use of the Sony A7 camera with a Ronin stabilization device, emphasizing the technical challenges of shooting from a ghost's perspective. He notes, “...the camera is flying all over the place” (12:34), reflecting on the dynamic visual style required.

• Editing Style: The film employs an abrupt cutting technique, deliberately avoiding traditional transitions to signify time passage. Curtis explains, “It seemed like the easiest and simplest way to indicate the passage of time” (121:13).

• Narrative Structure: Sean praises the screenplay, highlighting the movie’s ability to convey complex family dynamics without explicit exposition. Amanda adds, “It's a pretty staggering portrait of a family” (94:23).

• Learning Outcomes: While Curtis acknowledges the unique demands of Presence, he reflects on the project's one-off nature, stating, “...it was so specific in its demands and its requirements and they don't really fit in most things” (110:33).

5. Interview with Steven Soderbergh

Timestamp: 88:21 – 133:00

In a special segment, the hosts interview Steven Soderbergh about his latest film "Presence" and his filmmaking philosophy.

• Filmography and Milestones: Sean notes, “Presence is your 35th feature. Not a lot of people get to 35. It's a huge accomplishment” (102:00), commending Soderbergh on his prolific career.

• Collaboration with David Koepp: Soderbergh discusses his long-standing friendship with screenwriter David Koepp and their collaborative process on Presence. He remarks, “...it was a real movie idea. This doesn't work in any other format, even television” (105:00).

• Narrative and Visual Innovation: The film’s unique perspective through a ghost’s viewpoint is explored. Soderbergh emphasizes the importance of pushing narrative boundaries while maintaining audience engagement: “I think it's absolutely mandatory that we keep pushing at that line because I don't think there isn't” (114:10).

• Theatrical vs. Streaming Releases: A significant portion of the conversation revolves around the impact of distribution methods. Curtis asserts, “I feel very strongly about this. You got to put the movies in movie theaters to make them real movies” (124:01), advocating for theatrical releases to ensure cultural imprint and audience connection.

• Final Recommendations: Soderbergh shares his appreciation for the film "September 5th," praising its flawless execution and intelligent storytelling: “...it knew exactly what it was doing. And I have no notes” (131:07).

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with teasers for upcoming discussions on Brutalist Best Picture Nominees and further exploration into Steven Soderbergh's contributions to cinema. Hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins express gratitude to guests Brian Curtis, Chris Ryan, Yassi Salak, and Steven Soderbergh for their valuable insights.

Notably, the episode underscores the evolving landscape of film distribution, the enduring challenges of making impactful music biopics, and the innovative approaches of directors like Soderbergh who continue to push the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.

Notable Quotes:

• Yassi Salak on CGI Portrayal: “I'm sorry, just not to be like split hairs, but it is a chimpanzee. Monkeys have tails. This is a chimpanzee.” (03:31)

• Sean Fennessy on Emotional Connection: “I didn't feel emotionally connected to whatever Robbie Williams plight was...” (12:57)

• Chris Ryan on Music Biopics: “I enjoyed Walk the Line. I've never wavered on that.” (32:35)

• Brian Curtis on Filmmaking Techniques: “It's a Sony A7, which is, which looks, which has the sort of form factor of a still camera.” (110:33)

• Steven Soderbergh on Pushing Narratives: “I think it's absolutely mandatory that we keep pushing at that line because I don't think there isn't...” (114:10)

• Brian Curtis on Theatrical Releases: “You got to put the movies in movie theaters to make them real movies.” (124:01)

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and notable moments from The Big Picture podcast episode, providing a clear and engaging overview for those who haven't listened.