The Big Picture: The Best Picture Movie Draft – Episode Summary

Release Date: February 21, 2025

Hosts: Sean Fennessey, Amanda Dobbins, Bill Simmons Guests: Chris Ryan (CR Pod), Van Lathan

In this engaging episode of The Big Picture, hosted by Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins from The Ringer, the team delves deep into the intricacies of the Academy Awards by conducting a comprehensive Best Picture Movie Draft. Joined by Bill Simmons and occasional contributions from Ringer colleagues like Chris Ryan and Van Lathan, the conversation navigates through decades of cinematic history, examining both winners and notable losers of the prestigious Best Picture category.

1. Introduction to the Best Picture Movie Draft

The episode kicks off with Sean Fennessey introducing the concept of the Best Picture Movie Draft, a strategic exercise aimed at selecting the most deserving Best Picture winners from various decades. The draft encompasses categories spanning the 1930s, 1950s, 1970s, 1990s, 2000s, and 2010s, alongside a unique category called Best Picture Loser, which includes films that were nominated but did not clinch the award.

Sean Fennessey [02:28]:
"We are drafting from essentially half of the eligible Best Picture winners."

2. Oscars History and Selection Process

The hosts delve into the evolution of the Oscars, discussing how the selection process and the nature of Best Picture winners have shifted over the decades. They reflect on the Decline of Box Office Influence and the Changing Dynamics of the Academy.

Amanda Dobbins [03:20]:
"I have rewatched Apollo 13. But I think really, like, they're Billy Crystal razzmatazz of it all."

Sean Fennessey [10:26]:
"Maybe the most flawed popular thing we have short of national elections."

The conversation highlights a noticeable trend where modern Best Picture winners often perform less robustly at the box office compared to their predecessors. From 1997 to 2004, every Best Picture winner grossed over $100 million domestically, a streak that has dwindled in the ensuing years.

Sean Fennessey [15:25]:
"From 1997 to 2004, every Best Picture winner grossed at least $100 million at the domestic box office. That's eight straight years."

3. Draft Rules and Strategy

Bill Simmons introduces the drafting rules, emphasizing the inclusion of six categories, each representing a different decade, plus the Best Picture Loser category. A significant strategy element is the blocking mechanism, where selecting a film from the Loser category disables the selection of any other film from that year, including the winner.

Sean Fennessey [12:35]:
"Once that film has been taken, no other movie can be taken from that year, including the winner."

This approach adds a layer of complexity, ensuring that each pick is thoughtful and strategic, considering both personal preferences and the broader context of each film's impact.

4. The Draft Picks: Best Pictures and Losers

Sean Fennessey’s Selections:

• 1930s: Mutiny on the Bounty
  Sean [56:33]:
  "It's one of my favorite screen performances of all time and one of my personal favorite Best Picture signals."

• 1950s: On the Waterfront
  Sean [55:35]:
  "Impacting the conscience of American movie making."

• 1970s: The Godfather Part II
  Sean [35:03]:
  "Clint Eastwood's supposed capstone on his career... yet he kept cranking them out."

• 1990s: The Silence of the Lambs
  Sean [31:10]:
  "Universally a wonderful movie... last movie to win the Big Five."

• 2010s: Parasite
  Sean [41:00]:
  "One of the best – truly original voice in cinema."

• Best Picture Loser: Barry Lyndon
  Sean [72:36]:
  "One of the most beautiful and striking movies ever made."

Amanda Dobbins’ Selections:

• 1930s: It Happened One Night
  Amanda [32:35]:
  "One of the great romantic comedies and one of the most influential movies."

• 1950s: All About Eve
  Amanda [50:53]:
  "One of the best and most influential movies in cinema history."

• 1970s: The Sting
  Amanda [66:26]:
  "A tremendous, entertaining movie with Robert Redford and Paul Newman."

• 1990s: Titanic
  Amanda [74:46]:
  "A beautiful film that changed the Best Picture landscape."

• 2010s: Moonlight
  Amanda [74:53]:
  "A beautiful film and a turning point in our understanding of Best Picture."

• Best Picture Loser: The Social Network
  Amanda [57:30]:
  "A great film, eligible, and deserves recognition."

Bill Simmons’ Selections:

• 1930s: All Quiet on the Western Front
  Bill [48:33]:
  "An epic anti-war film that's a historical masterpiece."

• 1950s: Bridge on the River Kwai
  Bill [55:35]:
  "Incredible performances and a profound cinematic achievement."

• 1970s: The Sting
  Bill [66:23]:
  "A classic caper that stands out in the decade."

• 1990s: Unforgiven
  Bill [34:41]:
  "One of my favorites, a true masterpiece of the Western genre."

• 2010s: Argo
  Bill [48:28]:
  "A classic Best Picture winner deserving of its acclaim."

• Best Picture Loser: Goodfellas
  Bill [69:26]:
  "One of the greatest crime films in Oscar history."

5. Personal Anecdotes and Experiences

Throughout the drafting process, the hosts share personal memories and experiences related to the Oscars and the selected films. For instance, Sean recounts his uncle’s detailed explanations of The Silence of the Lambs during childhood, which ignited his passion for cinema.

Sean Fennessey [06:38]:
"He explained the whole movie to me, I think maybe without some of the more evolved facility."

Amanda reminisces about watching Billy Crystal's hosting of the Oscars and the impact those early ceremonies had on her perception of the awards.

Amanda Dobbins [05:20]:
"Billy Crystal crashing the Oscars was such a memorable moment."

The conversation also touches on modern viewing habits, such as the decline in theatrical releases' impact on Oscar success, shifting towards streaming platforms and on-demand services.

6. Current Trends and Future of the Oscars

The hosts critically analyze recent trends in Best Picture selections, noting a shift away from box office-heavy films to more nuanced and varied choices. They discuss the potential future directions of the Academy Awards and how evolving societal tastes might influence future selections.

Sean Fennessey [20:18]:
"The winners just don't make a lot of money at the box office because the Academy has kind of changed."

Amanda Dobbins [21:29]:
"We have to let go and let movies people care about what the Oscars are."

There’s also speculation on how Best Picture winners might perform post-awards in the current digital age, with considerations of streaming numbers and global viewership rather than traditional box office sales.

7. Light-Hearted Side Conversations

Interspersed with the main discussion, the hosts engage in playful banter about topics like skincare routines, comedic exchanges about deodorant brands, and humorous takes on maintaining focus during long podcast recordings.

Amanda Dobbins [72:16]:
"You're over exfoliating and making your skin weak. You only need to exfoliate once or twice a week."

Bill Simmons [76:42]:
"Stay in your lane. Chicks diggled Spice."

These moments add a personable and relatable layer to the episode, showcasing the camaraderie and dynamic among the hosts.

8. Conclusion and Recap

As the episode wraps up, the hosts recap their draft selections, reflecting on the choices made and the reasoning behind each pick. They express excitement for future episodes, where they will explore these selections in more depth and continue to dissect the evolving landscape of Best Picture contenders.

Sean Fennessey [82:42]:
"In the 1930s I chose Mutiny on the Bounty. In the 1950s, On the Waterfront. In the 1970s, The Godfather Part II. In the 1990s, The Silence of the Lambs. In the 2010s, Parasite. And in Best Picture Loser, I chose Barry Lyndon."

Amanda Dobbins [83:05]:
"In the 1930s I took It Happened One Night. In the 1950s, All About Eve. In the 1970s, The Godfather Part II. In the 1990s, Titanic. In the 2010s, Moonlight. And in Best Picture Loser, The Social Network."

The episode concludes with a teaser for the next installment, promising an exploration of alternative Oscar choices and continued in-depth analysis of cinematic excellence.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Sean Fennessey [10:26]:
  "Maybe the most flawed popular thing we have short of national elections."

• Amanda Dobbins [03:20]:
  "I have rewatched Apollo 13. But I think really, like, they're Billy Crystal razzmatazz of it all."

• Sean Fennessey [15:25]:
  "From 1997 to 2004, every Best Picture winner grossed at least $100 million at the domestic box office. That's eight straight years."

• Amanda Dobbins [32:35]:
  "One of the great romantic comedies and one of the most influential movies."

• Sean Fennessey [41:00]:
  "One of the best – truly original voice in cinema."

This episode offers a rich exploration of the Oscars' Best Picture category, blending historical analysis with personal insights and strategic drafting. Whether you're a cinephile or a casual movie enthusiast, The Big Picture provides a comprehensive and entertaining look into the films that have shaped, and continue to influence, the landscape of American cinema.