The Summer Movie Mailbag

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Big Picture – "The Summer Movie Mailbag" (August 5, 2025)

Hosts: Sean Fennessey & Amanda Dobbins
Description: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins delve into listener questions about summer movies, sharing insights, recommendations, and personal anecdotes. This episode features a rotating cast of Ringer colleagues, including Jack Sanders, who assists in reading and responding to the mailbag.

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1. Introduction to the Episode

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins kick off "The Summer Movie Mailbag" by reflecting on the summer movie season. They acknowledge a mixed reception to the films released, citing both high points and disappointments. The hosts express anticipation for a robust fall movie lineup and discuss their involvement in upcoming film festivals such as Venice and Telluride.

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2. Overview of the Summer Movie Season

Discussion Highlights:

• Mixed Reactions: Both hosts agree that the summer has been mediocre, neither exceptionally good nor bad. Sean remarks, "Could have been worse. [...] Could have been better" ([03:06]).
• Industry Challenges: They touch upon the industry's recovery post-strikes and COVID-19, along with fluctuating success in movie franchises.
• Upcoming Fall Slate: Optimism is shared about the fall season, anticipating "rich opportunities to dig into episodes" ([03:55]).

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3. Mailbag Questions

Jack Sanders reads listener-submitted questions, and Sean and Amanda provide their thoughtful responses. Here's a breakdown of each question and the hosts' insights:

a. Summer Movie MVPs (Question by Tyler)

Question:
"Who or what is your summer movie MVP? The catch cannot be a movie. Could be a performance, a trailer, a poster, piece of music, distributor, even a random moment of marketing brilliance."

Responses:

• Sean: Highlights the heated discourse around the movie "Materialists" as a standout moment, stating, "That is the most amused I've been by the discourse around a movie in a long time" ([07:14]). He also appreciates Celine Song's candidness about her favorite movie, "Zootopia", adding, "Celine Song saying the number one movie she would take with her on a desert island is Zootopia" ([07:40]).

• Amanda: Commends the New York Times Cooking segment featuring Chris Evans and Dakota Johnson cooking pizza, noting, "Chris Evans and people like cooking pizza in the New York Times Cooking kitchen [...] which I don't think we're talking enough about" ([07:56]).

Notable Quote:

Sean Fennessey ([07:40]): "Celine Song saying the number one movie she would take with her on a desert island is Zootopia."

b. Best Year for Summer Movies (Question by Matt)

Question:
"What year would you say was the best year for summer movies?"

Responses:

• Sean: Lists significant films from various years, mentioning classics like "The Lion King", "Forrest Gump", and "Casper", reflecting on their lasting impact ([56:06]).

• Amanda: Agrees with 1997 being a standout year due to its diverse offerings, including "Men in Black", "My Best Friend's Wedding", and "Good Burger", adding a nostalgic touch to their shared memories ([56:16]).

Notable Quote:

Sean Fennessey ([56:11]): "It's impossible to overstate the absolute phenomenon of Disney's The Lion King. It was... the most phenomenal thing ever."

c. Summer Sadness Films (Question by Mackenzie)

Question:
"Which films evoke a sense of melancholy perfect for those reflective summer nights?"

Responses:

• Sean: Recommends "Adventureland" and "Crooklyn", emphasizing their emotional depth and nostalgic value ([25:48]). He also mentions "Call Me by Your Name" as a quintessential sad summer film.

• Amanda: Suggests Joanna Hogg's "Unrelated" and "Archipelago", along with "Melancholia", highlighting their contemplative themes and summer settings ([27:12]).

Notable Quote:

Amanda Dobbins ([27:12]): "Joanna Hogg's 'Unrelated' and 'Archipelago'... they take place in the summer."

d. Adult Cocktails for Summer Rewatchables (Question by Stephanie)

Question:
"Which homemade cocktail would you pair with your favorite summer rewatchable?"

Responses:

• Sean: Pairs "Stand By Me" with a Coors Banquet Beater, reflecting on the nostalgic and rebellious spirit of the film ([65:06]).

• Amanda: Connects "Call Me by Your Name" and "A Bigger Splash" with a Negroni, appreciating the films' stylish and sensual undertones ([68:42]).

Notable Quote:

Amanda Dobbins ([69:16]): "For 'Call Me by Your Name', a Negroni."

e. Movies Worth Reappraising (Question by Drew)

Question:
"Are there any movies you think are more than worth a reappraisal since their original release?"

Responses:

• Sean: Introduces a project on underrated movies of the 2010s, mentioning "Only God Forgives" and "Nightcrawler" as films that deserve more attention ([75:08]).

• Amanda: Advocates for rewatching Wes Anderson's films released post-'Grand Budapest Hotel', specifically "Isle of Dogs", highlighting their unique storytelling and visual style ([73:36]).

Notable Quote:

Sean Fennessey ([75:08]): "I want to do something with this. I want to figure out how to reassess... the prevalence of a certain kind of movie from the last decade."

f. Creating Friendships Through Movie Screenings (Question by Chiarise)

Question:
"How can one create friendships and be more social after a movie screening without seeming awkward or creepy?"

Responses:

• Amanda: Emphasizes the missed opportunities by theaters to facilitate social interactions, suggesting informal mixers or community-building events centered around movies ([76:39]).

• Sean: Highlights the natural conversation starters at film festivals and the communal aspect of movie-watching, advocating for more open and engaging theater environments ([79:05]).

Notable Quote:

Amanda Dobbins ([76:39]): "There should be more places for people to meet because it's like don't do a running club, do a movie club."

g. Impact of High Volume Movie Watching (Question by Brendan)

Question:
"Are there times when watching a large volume of movies for your job numbs your enjoyment of going to the movies? If so, what strategies do you use to rejuvenate that passion?"

Responses:

• Sean: Acknowledges a personal struggle with maintaining passion due to the necessity of watching numerous films, especially during intensive periods like Oscar seasons. He contemplates taking intentional breaks to preserve his love for cinema ([103:07]).

• Amanda: Shares that while the magic of movie theaters remains exhilarating, the obligation to watch multiple films can feel like homework, decreasing the joy derived from leisure movie-watching. She mentions taking scheduled breaks to prevent burnout ([106:11]).

Notable Quote:

Sean Fennessey ([103:07]): "What I am struggling with... is powering through the obligatory totally. So that is the thing that can kind of grind you down."

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4. Personal Anecdotes and Host Interactions

Throughout the episode, Sean and Amanda interweave personal stories related to their movie experiences, such as attending film festivals, watching classics with family, and navigating their professional commitments alongside their passion for cinema. These anecdotes provide a relatable and engaging backdrop to their discussions, enhancing the listener's connection to the hosts.

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5. Predictions for Next Summer's Big Titles

Question by Jack:
"Do you have any predictions for next summer's big titles? Quality box office hits, performances, anything?"

Responses:

• Sean: Expresses skepticism about over-hyped releases like the 70mm "Odyssey", criticizing the practice of selling tickets far in advance and creating a black market for them. He looks forward to more organic and less commercialized releases ([107:46]).

• Amanda: Aligns with Sean's perspective, noting her disinterest in purchasing tickets a year ahead and emphasizing a preference for films based on genuine interest rather than marketing blitzes ([108:49]).

Notable Quote:

Sean Fennessey ([107:46]): "I didn't like putting movie theater tickets on sale one year in advance... It's asking a lot."

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6. Closing Remarks

In closing, Sean and Amanda reflect on the episode's discussions, reiterating their excitement for upcoming films and their commitment to exploring both mainstream and underrated movies. They encourage listeners to engage with the mailbag and share their own movie experiences, fostering a community of passionate cinephiles.

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Notable Quotes from the Episode

• Sean Fennessey:

  "Could have been worse. [...] Could have been better." ([03:06])

• Amanda Dobbins:

  "Chris Evans and people like cooking pizza in the New York Times Cooking kitchen [...] which I don't think we're talking enough about." ([07:56])

• Sean Fennessey:

  "It's impossible to overstate the absolute phenomenon of Disney's The Lion King. It was... the most phenomenal thing ever." ([56:11])

• Amanda Dobbins:

  "There should be more places for people to meet because it's like don't do a running club, do a movie club." ([76:39])

• Sean Fennessey:

  "What I am struggling with... is powering through the obligatory totally. So that is the thing that can kind of grind you down." ([103:07])

---

Conclusion

"The Summer Movie Mailbag" provides an insightful and engaging exploration of listener questions, blending movie critiques with personal narratives. Sean and Amanda's dynamic discussions offer both entertainment and valuable perspectives for movie enthusiasts seeking recommendations and community-building tips.

Transcript

[Sean Fennessey]

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[Amanda Dobbins]

Foreign.

[Sean Fennessey]

This episode is brought to you by MGM plus from executive producer Stephen King and an executive producer of From Comes the Institute, a chilling new original series from mgm. It stars Emmy winner Mary Louise Parker, Ben Barnes and introduces Joe Freeman as Luke Ellis, a 14 year old genius abducted and locked inside a hidden facility with other children who have powerful psychic abilities. As dark secrets unravel and and the experiment grows crueler, the kids must rally together to escape the institute, premiering July 13th on MGM. I'm Sean Fennesee.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I'm Amanda Davis and this is the.

[Sean Fennessey]

Big Picture 8 conversation show about the summer. We have a summer movie mailbag to jump into. This is going to be the last full episode of that's Just Me and you of this summer. Before that, because you're leaving soon, you will not be joining me at a programming reminder special screening of one of our 25 for 25 films here in Los Angeles.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I'm really, I'm pained that I don't get to go see Michael Clayton at the Arrow theater on Monday, August 25th.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yes. At 7pm I'm very excited. I'll be presenting an introduction. You won't be there. I will be representing your spirit.

[Amanda Dobbins]

True. I might send an email. I'm going to, I'm going to be honest. I go to Venice the next day for the Venice Film Festival. So don't cry too hard for me. But I am sorry that I'm going to miss you and Michael Clayton on the big screen and all of our friends here in Los Angeles. That's a cool festival that we have been a part of.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yes. Friend of the fest. The American cinema tech puts it on every year. There are a few other ringer podcasters who are presenting films across that time. Look out for that in my calendar. Okay. Summer movies. We've had an interesting summer, you and I. We, we have been, I would say, mixed on the movies this summer.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure.

[Sean Fennessey]

Some high highs, some low lows, some breaks with consensus, some, some strident opinions are you feeling like this has been a good one?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I just thought about. I mean, I don't. I don't know. How do we. That's. I feel like this is the common condition now. How do we answer this? Like the, you know, everything is on fire sometimes quite literally here in Los Angeles. And, you know, there were some good movies. It. It hasn't been the best summer movie year. I think that's true. Qualitatively, I think that's true at the box office. I think that's true in my heart. But I. Again, there were things I liked. I don't know.

[Sean Fennessey]

Could have been worse.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Could have been better. That's kind of where I'm at. I don't. I don't think it's bad, but I don't think it's good. It's kind of right in the middle. We obviously are in a recovery period in the aftermath of the strikes and a post Covid theatrical experience and a lot of franchises going up and a lot of franchises going down and trying to figure out where they're going to get settled in general. Yeah, I think it's been just fine. I do think I'm prepared for a really powerful fall. Now, I'm not saying that the films coming this fall will be great. We don't know yet. And in fact, a lot of the work that we'll be doing in Venice and Telluride will help set the template for what kinds of conversations we're going to have on the show for the next few months. But when you consider the fact that we have 12 more films in 25 for 25 to run down. Oh, yeah, in three months time.

[Amanda Dobbins]

That's right.

[Sean Fennessey]

Four months time. Four months time. And then we've got. We literally only have one best picture contender out there right now in Sinners. Yeah. Yeah, just one.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay, well, bring them on.

[Sean Fennessey]

I know, I know, I know.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I just extended my Venice trip because it's going. Things are happening on the Lido.

[Sean Fennessey]

I made this big promise at the beginning of the year to be like, we're going to dive deep into movies on these episodes. And for the most part, I have tried to live up to that. I have tried to say, we're going to do like a really deep Eddington episode. We're going to try to go deep on 28 years later. We're going to try when a movie arrives that is not just fun and a popcorn movie, but is an event, has thematic stuff in it, try to explore the movies as deeply as we can. We just haven't had a lot of them that have been worthy of that.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And when we did, people yelled at us. See Materialists.

[Sean Fennessey]

No, but I. But to me, I would never take that back because I love that episode. I thought that was so fun.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I don't take anything back.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, I know you don't. I know you don't. I always think I could do something a little bit better. But, like, that's an example of. I wish we could have more conversations like that on the show. And there were more movies that even if they're unsuccessful in some ways, we. We could explore more deeply. I'm really hopeful that in September, October, November, and December, we will get rich opportunities to dig into episodes. Will you make this pact with me?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Absolutely. I'm excited.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay. I'm excited, too.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I'm gonna. I'll call in from Venice if I need to.

[Sean Fennessey]

You know, that sounds unnecessary, but maybe not.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, actually, we probably should discuss scheduling afterwards.

[Sean Fennessey]

And we can do that. Here's the thing. When Jack Nicholson dies while you're on the Lido, like, what are we gonna do? How are we gonna handle this?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I mean, I hope he doesn't.

[Sean Fennessey]

Of course I hope he doesn'.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Again. I'll call in. I'm taking my computer.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, great. That's great.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, sometimes I don't. Sometimes I'm like. Sometimes I'm living a laptop free life at this point.

[Sean Fennessey]

Jack, can we get Amanda on FaceTime on this television?

[Jack Sanders]

I can make it work.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay. We might need that.

[Amanda Dobbins]

In the event, we might have a special big picture correspondent and DP available in Venice to make it look really great.

[Sean Fennessey]

You don't want to spoil it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I don't want to spoil anything.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay.

[Amanda Dobbins]

But, you know, content might be coming. But. So, yeah, if that happens, I'm available with, you know, Jacob Elordi and George Clooney in the background.

[Sean Fennessey]

Sure.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And we'll do our best, but no, I'm excited. I'm excited for New York Film Festival.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yes, we'll be going to that as well.

[Amanda Dobbins]

There's a PTA movie in between those two things. And. And then it's Oscar season, and then it's 25 for 25. Yeah. Listen, we feel this way every year. We're a little tired. We're a little mixed at the end of the summer, maybe we're not. Our hearts aren't as open as they should be, but they'll be ready. August 27th. Here we go.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, well, we asked for mailbag questions, and some of them were about this summer that we've had, but Most of them were not. And I wonder if that tells you anything about how people out in the world are feeling about this summer movie session. Jack, you ready to read us some questions?

[Jack Sanders]

Absolutely. First question here comes from Tyler. There's been a lot of talk about what didn't work this summer, but here's a question about what did. Who or what is your summer movie mvp? The catch cannot be a movie. Could be a performance, a trailer, a poster, piece of music, distributor, even a random moment of marketing brilliance. Just something that made summer at the movies feel special.

[Sean Fennessey]

Well, you already spoiled, I think the funniest thing that has happened at the movies this year, which is people going to see Materialists and being mad about it. That is the most amused I've been by the discourse around a movie in a long time. And I think maybe because I didn't feel a strong emotional attachment to that movie, I really could bask in all of it. Celine song saying the number one movie she would take with her on a desert island is Zootopia. That's one of the best things that's happened this summer.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And also the follow up where she was like, gotta be honest, I wasn't prepared for that. It's no one's fault but my own.

[Sean Fennessey]

Who can't relate to that. So I really enjoyed that. Obviously there were some attendant press tours around that movie that set the template for Pedro Pascal and Dakota Johnson for the rest of the summer.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And Chris Evans and people like cooking pizza in the New York Times Cooking kitchen, which I don't think we're talking enough about.

[Sean Fennessey]

The New York Times has a cooking kitchen. I guess that makes sense. They have a test kitchen.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, they have a test kitchen. And now they have all the movie stars come and make pizza and they like feed the sourdough starter. And they debuted it with Dakota Johnson and Chris Evans.

[Sean Fennessey]

You think Dakota Johnson eats pizza?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I was gonna say, you know, just a question. She could be gluten free. The materialist moment that stands out most to me is still the Shrek meme by a movie watching girl explain the meme. The meme where. So it's the wedding cake and Fiona's looking at it with the. It's the prince and herself on the cake. And then she pushes the prince down like six inches because he's short. And then it was just. That's literally the plot of the Materialist which is just the most incredible. It was great. Really, really good meme making Shout Out.

[Sean Fennessey]

Ashley, as far as other good stuff like this, I haven't seen Weapons yet when we're recording this, by the time this episode comes out, I will have seen Weapons.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I'm excited for future you.

[Sean Fennessey]

I've been sold very well on weapons. Now, this is a slippery slope. Being sold well on a movie could lead to disappointment. And we have hyped the movie up a little bit on the show. So I hope people are not disappointed by the movie, and I hope I'm not disappointed. But they have deployed some old school tactics.

[Amanda Dobbins]

So that's worked for you.

[Sean Fennessey]

You know, the weird analog website, the sparse plot details in the trailer skins, the Fortnite skins.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I don't know what that means.

[Sean Fennessey]

I definitely played Fortnite. I understand it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I don't want to know.

[Sean Fennessey]

I do understand it. Tell me and I will play.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Not even looking at the control booth right now, because if those guys know, don't say anything.

[Sean Fennessey]

No, we are. Not only do we play Fortnite, we're good at it. We're one of. We're two of the best Fortnite players in the world.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Real, honest, legitimate question that I'm. I'm not Googling. You can see if you're watching on video. What do you do in Fortnite? True story, true question.

[Jack Sanders]

It's a battle royale elimination type game. Last person alive wins.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. Kind of like, what's the setting?

[Jack Sanders]

Oh, they change all the time. Fortnite has different seasons. They create different maps, locations. There's different types of terrain on each map.

[Amanda Dobbins]

So the weapons, like, scale the weapons. Fortnite could be like, you're fighting everyone in the world of weapons.

[Sean Fennessey]

No, what.

[Jack Sanders]

What skins are, is people can pay to dress up as certain characters so you can play as Josh Brolin in Fortnite.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Jack Sanders]

All it effectively does is you look like.

[Amanda Dobbins]

When you say different worlds are like.

[Sean Fennessey]

Medieval world, like, we're approaching science corner here. What are you.

[Amanda Dobbins]

What are like, set the scene for me.

[Jack Sanders]

Fictional worlds, all different types of temperature and terrain. Forests.

[Sean Fennessey]

It's very contemporaneous.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Olden times.

[Sean Fennessey]

All.

[Jack Sanders]

Literally anything you can imagine.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Are there demons, monsters?

[Jack Sanders]

You know, I. I stopped playing Fortnite quite a long time ago, so I'm not sure when I played there were no demons or monsters.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. And. But you're not involved in the creating of the worlds. You just pick a world and then you go fight some people.

[Jack Sanders]

That is correct.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay, thank you so much. This was an incredibly instructive episode of the big picture.

[Sean Fennessey]

I. I actually literally have to play the one battle after another Fortnite with you. Like, I. If I don't Play it then. I'm not doing.

[Amanda Dobbins]

No, it's true.

[Sean Fennessey]

As the pta.

[Amanda Dobbins]

How about that? And then we'll record it. That's honestly, like a really fun.

[Sean Fennessey]

Sounds great. Look, I mean, look, there's gonna be at least three episodes about the one battle after another run up, maybe four. So with that in mind, very packed.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And then October. It's fine. We're gonna get through it. I had two more summer movie moments that I wanted to share very quickly. One's marketing, which is when Rihanna's children wore baby Dior to the Smurfs premiere. Which was really the only Smurfs content that I or anyone else took in this summer. But I enjoyed it. Very funny. Shout out Rihanna for being Rihanna number two for me. I think amidst everything that was going on at the movies and also our feelings about Mission Impossible, Final Reckoning, we've overlooked the biplanes. And the biplanes were really special.

[Sean Fennessey]

I agree with you.

[Amanda Dobbins]

The biplanes were 20 minutes of cinema.

[Sean Fennessey]

I agree with you.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And I appreciate Tom Cruise and his hair and his jowls.

[Sean Fennessey]

I think I learned recently that those sequences were filmed in 2022.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

Which is kind of strange, right?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

And I know that they split the movie in half and a lot of that stuff was shot and some things had to be reshot. And when you watch the movie, you can see how it has really been Frankensteined together. But there's no denying that when we got out of that movie, which I ultimately just didn't like very much.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

No, I still was like, God damn, this is amazing stuff.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I mean, you were. We were both just sitting there being like, ooh, for 20 minutes. So that's good.

[Sean Fennessey]

That stuff really did work.

[Amanda Dobbins]

You know, I just. I wanted to take a moment for the biplanes.

[Sean Fennessey]

That's a good shout out by you. I like it. Okay, what's the next question Matt asks us?

[Jack Sanders]

Christmas and Halloween always get the attention when it comes to best of lists or top movies to watch during those holiday seasons. With Fourth of July just passing, I was wondering if these. If there are specific movies that you throw on each year around the fourth or any point during the summer, really, that have become tradition. I think the easy answer is Independence Day, but in our house, it's Jaws.

[Sean Fennessey]

Did you watch Jaws at 50, the documentary?

[Amanda Dobbins]

No, I didn't.

[Sean Fennessey]

I would recommend it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

There are a lot of Jaws documentaries.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Are there any moving cranes with cameras on them? It's. It's getting really dire in our house.

[Sean Fennessey]

Well, there's. There's, you know, ocean Photography.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure.

[Sean Fennessey]

And the. And the shark monster.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

And you see how some of those sequences are made in this documentary. So that could be of some interest. Now, Jaws, very scary movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes. Yeah, I think. And also, we are going to the beach and we want Knox to go into the water.

[Sean Fennessey]

Might be a little early for that. Jaws at 50, which is streaming on Disney, is just a very good, very competent, very engaging making of documentary celebration of one of the greatest movies ever made. This actually took the place of our annual jaws screening on July 4th this year. And I felt good about it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

How did Eileen feel about it?

[Sean Fennessey]

She sat through the whole thing with me and stayed awake. Stayed awake.

[Amanda Dobbins]

No shots to Eileen?

[Sean Fennessey]

No, she just. She does fall asleep during the night.

[Amanda Dobbins]

She likes to nap.

[Sean Fennessey]

That's one of her things she did. She loves Jaws. It's a. It's a. It's a.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Of course, it's a part of the.

[Sean Fennessey]

Fabric of American culture. But I will often say try to compel her to watch a, like, making of movie documentary. And 90% of the time, she's either like, okay or, no, thank you. And in this case, she was like, yeah, let's do it. And so that was what we did this year. Now, that doesn't mean it's the best possible answer to this question, but it is my answer.

[Amanda Dobbins]

You went Fourth of July coded. You're engaging with the idea of America.

[Sean Fennessey]

So there's a lot of ways to view this. Right. There's a lot of ways to think about this country of ours. The first movie that came to mind is Lincoln.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure. Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

You know, Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president of the United States of America's very reedy. It was it. Now, now, now. There's a. There's actually a DDL question coming in this mailbag that I'm very excited about. I also thought of An American Tale, which is a story about Fievel, who's an immigrant mouse who moves west.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Is this Fievel goes west in American Tale?

[Sean Fennessey]

No, Fievel arrives at Ellis island in the first film.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Oh, okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

He just goes west to America. I think he. Does he come from Italy? Fievel. Where does he come from?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Fievel does go west at some point.

[Sean Fennessey]

He goes west in the second film.

[Amanda Dobbins]

No, An American Tale, Fievel goes west. 1991. Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

But isn't the original film called An American Tale?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes. Okay, so, yes, it is. You're right. This is the 1991 sequel.

[Sean Fennessey]

Where's Fievel from? Is he from Sweden? Is he from Italy?

[Amanda Dobbins]

So it seems that they Are Russian Jewish migrants Russian?

[Sean Fennessey]

Of course.

[Amanda Dobbins]

The Mousquets. How could I forget who emigrate to the Wild West? Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

I haven't seen that movie in some time, but it is on my list of future Alice stories. And it's kind of like the Godfather, but for mice.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure.

[Sean Fennessey]

Wet Hot American Summer. A movie that is obviously a cult classic now, but just screams Summer at me on July 4th blowout. Because the climactic sequence happens in front of fireworks.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay, there you go.

[Sean Fennessey]

Brian De Palma's conspiracy thriller masterpiece. Robert Altman's Nashville.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes.

[Sean Fennessey]

Watch this space.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Robert Altman will come up again in the near future.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Those are good. My answer to this was to not think about America at all.

[Sean Fennessey]

Respectfully. Has something been going wrong? What's the issue?

[Amanda Dobbins]

It's great. Two thumbs up.

[Sean Fennessey]

I haven't been reading the news, so.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Obviously, when you say summer, I say talented Mr. Ripley. Sure.

[Sean Fennessey]

That is not America.

[Amanda Dobbins]

No, but it's about Americans.

[Sean Fennessey]

They don't celebrate July 4th in Italy. Just want you to know that.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, it went summer.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah. Okay.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Right. And so I went summer. I didn't go July 4th. I went Americans abroad wearing, you know, Keds. And.

[Sean Fennessey]

I was wondering if there are specific movies that you throw on each year around the fourth. That was in the question.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes, sure. But then it says, or at any point during the summer, really. So I went with during the summer.

[Sean Fennessey]

Matt, we're gonna need you to be a little more specific in the future.

[Amanda Dobbins]

He was. He gave me room, and I'm taking the room. Another summer film camp leads me to The Parent Trap, 1998. You know, and under discussed on this podcast. Nancy Meyer is classic. But I just.

[Sean Fennessey]

Many people are saying Nancy Meyers is under discussed on this podcast. I'm hearing it over and over again.

[Amanda Dobbins]

It's film. But I know that to the younger generation, it's very important. And they do. They meet at camp.

[Sean Fennessey]

Good movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

You know. Yeah, it's really good. And then, not to be a bummer, but at some point during summer, I do start thinking about fall again. And back to school. And back to school. Movie is Noah Baumbach's Kicking and Screaming for me.

[Sean Fennessey]

All time classic.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, Just one of the great movies of our time.

[Sean Fennessey]

New Bombach movie this year.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I'm really psyched.

[Sean Fennessey]

It's huge. Okay, next question. Oh, wait, hold on. I wanted to ask Amanda about something on mic, which is we had this conversation for the first time, I think. No, I was talking with Greenwald about it, and I was thinking about it with you.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Camp your Experiences with camp as a.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Young person, I went to several camps and obviously hated all of them.

[Sean Fennessey]

So what were they? Run them down for us? Sure.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I went to a Girl Scout camp at the age of six. Sleep away. Yeah. Just for a week. Six. Yeah. And I was too young, and I was like, I'm homesick. Yeah. So I didn't like that very much. And then I went to both traditional, like, sleep away summer camp, Southern camp.

[Sean Fennessey]

Southern camp. Is that, like, where they show you Confederate monuments? What happens here?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I mean, it was, like, in a part of North Carolina where you're not, like, totally sure, but whatever. And then I also went to the Interlochen Arts Camp. That was the performing arts camp. It's in Michigan.

[Sean Fennessey]

Switzerland.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. No, it's in Michigan, but it's like, you know, it's, like, fairly well known as a performing arts.

[Sean Fennessey]

Is there a town in Michigan called Interlaken?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Taken from the Swiss town. Interlaken, probably.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I mean, it just. That just means between two lakes. So that's where it is. You know what I mean? They got a lot of lakes up there.

[Sean Fennessey]

That makes a lot of sense, I.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Would say, to an experience. I hated all of them. Do I like organized activities? Do I like being told what to do and where I gotta be? No, of course I don't. Do I. Am I a joiner? No, I am not. So it was not really the experience for me, but I did it. And I know what that's like. The end.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, great story.

[Amanda Dobbins]

They did also at Interlochen, they made you do. So you had a specialty, and mine was piano. Because, as you know, I had some aspiring stage parents, but I didn't really live up to their dreams.

[Sean Fennessey]

But they would look at you now.

[Amanda Dobbins]

They would make you, like, part of your schedule is practice hours, and they would put you in a hut with the piano. And then there would be counselors patrolling along to make sure you were practicing.

[Sean Fennessey]

I'm seeing midsommar right now.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I mean, it was a little bit, but I was definitely reading books under the piano until I could hear someone coming. And then I start doing my skills again. Yeah, not for me.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, thanks for sharing.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Did you like camp?

[Sean Fennessey]

I mostly went to day camp as a kid.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Oh, love to. Day camp. Come on.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, day camp. I went to a lot of day camps from the age of probably 5 through 14. And then I did go to Sleepaway Basketball camp the summer of 15, 16, and 17. And that was a great experience. I went to Bruns Basketball Camp, which was held on the Manhattan University Campus slept over in the dorms. And I loved basketball as a teenager and loved playing basketball. And it was two straight weeks of nonstop basketball, and it was great.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Can you imagine how bad it smelled there?

[Sean Fennessey]

We were just young men exploring our physical endurance, you know, trying to get to the absolute pinnacle of our athletic ability. And I don't regret a minute of smelling like absolute dog shit.

[Amanda Dobbins]

There are many people for whom camp was a formative experience, and I'm happy for them.

[Sean Fennessey]

I never had the, like, you know, sleep away. You meet a girl, you have a summer romance kind of a thing. I think that's a pretty formative thing for a lot of people.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Like, had that in high school at the, you know.

[Sean Fennessey]

Well, but I. I didn't start dating my wife until I was 16, 17. So, you know, when I was 14, I could have gone to a sleepaway camp. My parents never were into that. I don't know why. That was just not part of our raising strategy. I'm sure. We were just talking with.

[Amanda Dobbins]

With Andy about.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyway, what's next?

[Jack Sanders]

For the record, my sleepaway camp was sports broadcasting camp. I was trying to be the next Bill Simmons.

[Sean Fennessey]

Holy shit.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes, Jack.

[Sean Fennessey]

And look at you now.

[Jack Sanders]

My first year, I did Baltimore, Maryland.

[Amanda Dobbins]

So there are multiple places where you.

[Jack Sanders]

Can be sports all over the country. It's called sports. It's literally called.

[Amanda Dobbins]

How long is this program?

[Jack Sanders]

At least a week, I think. A week? Okay, maybe a full week.

[Amanda Dobbins]

That's incredible.

[Jack Sanders]

Honestly, it was Electric Factory. No regrets.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I'm really jealous. The one place I never got to go, famously, was Space Camp, you know.

[Sean Fennessey]

And I really trying to get there.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I just really want to experience. Experience Zero Gravity.

[Jack Sanders]

All right, moving on from Matt to Matthew. I think War Games was a formative movie in teaching me how to curse. Barry Corbin and Danny Coleman in particular. Not that it had the most. In fact, it has quite few curse words. But it hit me at the right age where I was learning about these words and occasionally using them. I'd also put films like Clerk, Small Rats, Bad Santa, Glengarry Glen Ross, and Pulp Fiction amongst the most educational in my swearing education. What movies make the list for you as being formative in your swearing education?

[Sean Fennessey]

Well, Clerks and Mallrats were important to me, as you know, and definitely I think there was a creativity to the foul language in those movies that I think definitely made an impression on me. I think constantly of 37. Whenever I'm thinking about Kevin Smith movies, the number 37 real heads will know what I mean by that. Reservoir Dogs is definitely a really big one. Casino is one. The Scorsese movie. Because I think at the time it broke the record for the most F bombs in a movie. And you can really feel that when you're watching it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And they say it as poetry.

[Sean Fennessey]

Exactly. Any for you?

[Amanda Dobbins]

My two. So Four Weddings and a Funeral stands out as. Because it is R rated and there is a little bit of sex. But I think it is mostly the, the, the British swearing. So they use curse words and, and, and use an array of them.

[Sean Fennessey]

Do we get a C U N T in there?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I don't know if you do, but you get a lot of F words and then, and then also the, the, like the B word. The British, you know, So I like.

[Sean Fennessey]

Which Alex, you're saying.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, no, another one. But okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

Bagpiper.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes, exactly that. But I had never really. Most romantic comedies and most movies I was seeing at the age of 10, which is how old I was when I saw this movie. Shout out. My parents were not cursing. And then they do have the, the Brits treat it as poetry in their own way.

[Sean Fennessey]

You know, I like that scene in the Parent Trap when Lindsay Lohan says to Lindsay Lohan, I will skull fuck you. That was very formative for me specifically.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I will also say Clueless doesn't have curse words but. Or not very many that I can think of. But in terms of just general language like expression and also, you know, how to talk and how to say things. Explaining attitudinal. But clueless also hugely formative because I just, you know, would repeat everything they said over and over again.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, I think learning how to speak is an interesting way of thinking about this question. Rather than just pulling the words out, saying that there's something that you're presenting as, you know, when you're a teenager, you're just emulating shit that you think is cool and trying to copy what you think is cool. And that's when 14 year old me is watching Glengarry Glen Ross and trying to act like a depressed salesman living in Chicago in the early 1990s. That's a very weird thing to be doing. Anyway. Okay, what's our next question?

[Jack Sanders]

Mackenzie says she's just a girl who loves a melancholy movie. I would love to know Amanda and Sean's selections for their top Summertime sadness films. She can only watch Rohmere's Green Ray so many times before she completely melts, so she would love some other recommendations.

[Sean Fennessey]

First two that popped into my head immediately were Adventureland and Crooklyn. Yeah, I wouldn't say Crooklyn is explicitly sad, but it has sad moments. There are definitely moments of exaltation. Spike Lee's kind of memory movie about growing up and actually going down south for a period of time in the summer and then coming back up to New York and seeing the contrast of experiences. And I think it's based specifically on his sister's experiences growing up and then Adventureland.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah. Kind of the quintessential.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, it almost feels like a remake. It's so archetypal but so effective in terms of the nerdy guy and the girl that he pines for and the guy that she's dating and the frustrations and the inability for people to communicate at that point.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Summer is a time of longing and, like, everything is on. On pause and it doesn't.

[Sean Fennessey]

Everyone's wearing shorts.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Right. You don't really feel.

[Sean Fennessey]

Sleeveless T shirt and you're sweating and you just wish you could just reach across and. Yeah, you can't. There is another Eric Romer movie called the Collector, which if. If the person who asked this question, whose name I'm gonna say right now, mackenzie, hasn't seen the Collector, I highly recommend it. It's another summer movie. It's another super sad movie. Call me by your name. I think it's probably one we can both agree on. Right? Like one of the great 100% sad summer exploration movies, for sure. What else?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, the first two Joanna Hogg movies, Unrelated, and Archipelago, which are both vacation movies, at least in my mind, they take place in the summer.

[Sean Fennessey]

Archipelago, for sure.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah. If they don't, they're at least like, you know, traveling on holiday. And then, you know, I would just point out, like, Melancholia definitely seems like it takes place in the summer. You know, it's a summer wedding. It's a wedding season. And it's.

[Sean Fennessey]

They're in short sleeves out there on.

[Amanda Dobbins]

The golf course, so, you know, you need some sadness.

[Sean Fennessey]

I wrote down A Brighter summer Day, which I don't think of as necessarily a summer movie, but it has summer in the title. It's an Edward Yang movie. It's kind of a gangster coming of age drama that is like one of the best movies of all time. And so even though you couldn't literally make it a summertime sadness movie, you could spiritually say that it is. What's our next question?

[Jack Sanders]

Next question comes from Stephanie. When summer rolls around, I find myself wanting a break from all the big budget IP superhero sagas and animated movies. Instead, I'm drawn to adult, sensual, steamy films. The kind that feel sun soaked, maybe in a faraway place and a little dangerous. Think the talented Mr. Ripley, true lies or Bigger Splash. Do you have any recommendations for summer movies that bring that kind of adult heat? Something stylish, a little sexy and perfect for a summer night. Wind down, Stephanie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Same.

[Sean Fennessey]

This. This email has like shades of like Penthouse Forum. You know, there's like a little bit of like an insinuating, like this is what I. What really gets me going. What's wrong with not Nothing at all. I think it's as I adjust my microphone just so I. I like the passion. I appreciate the passion, Stephanie. And I don't know. What are your answers? What do you got?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I mean, you know, Talented Mr. Ripley and A Bigger Splash are like, are two that are top of mind for.

[Sean Fennessey]

Me, especially when you can mix in a little murder. You know, like there's definitely some slashing going on.

[Amanda Dobbins]

One thing I put on this list was Body Heat, which I don't know if that's summer or just, you know, tropical.

[Sean Fennessey]

Well, I mean it's.

[Amanda Dobbins]

It's hot and steamy, but like it's flor.

[Sean Fennessey]

William Hurt is just sweating through cotton poplin button downs in that movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Another film that is not set in the summer because Renee Russo's wearing a lot of chunky turtlenecks. But they do go on one of the great tropical vacations and also have sex on a Marvel staircase. It is, of course, the Thomas Crown Affair, 1999.

[Sean Fennessey]

So before we go any further, there is a question later on that I want to just hit right now, which is that we have not talked about the upcoming remake of the Thomas Crown Affair. Michael B. Jordan is directing a remake that is meant to come out, I think next year, maybe 2027. I can't remember which year.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I think it's 2027 because they just recast it.

[Sean Fennessey]

So he is starring as the McQueen Pierce Brosnan role. Taylor Russell was going to star in the Faye Dunaway Renee Russo role. She has been replaced by Adria Arjona.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Houna, who is one of the most beautiful people working in my opinion right now.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yes, Taylor Russell, excellent actress. Beautiful. Adria Arjona in this part. Upgrade.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I accept.

[Sean Fennessey]

How are you feeling about this movie? Anxious, Concerned.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Open, you know, there. Listen there, as you said to me earlier, it comes for us all at some point and they're remaking a lot of my favorite things. And because this one was originally was a remake anyway, I. I feel less protective of it even though, you know, there are 45 different versions of Pride and Prejudice in the world. And I still just feel really anxious about the new series, even though Olivia Colman's in it.

[Sean Fennessey]

So who else is in it? Do you know?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Emma Corrin is, I believe, Elizabeth Bennett, and then Jack Louden is Mr. Darcy.

[Sean Fennessey]

That's a good cast.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, they're great. But I'm also like, what are we.

[Sean Fennessey]

You know, it's a film or series?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I think it's a series. Which, you know, there's a very famous BBC series starring Colin Firth. His. For Netflix.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yes.

[Amanda Dobbins]

So, you know, and then they're also. They're remaking Sense and Sensibility as a movie with. And those have been remade 45,000 times.

[Sean Fennessey]

That one seems a little tricky, though. I know that one's a big one for you.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I would agree that I am slightly nervous about it. So there are some that I feel protective of and some where I'm like, sure, I'll watch. It seems fun. And I would say that Thomas Crown Affair, starring Michael B. Jordan, who is quite handsome, is the latter category.

[Sean Fennessey]

He feels like. It feels like an obvious star vehicle for him. I really like it as a choice for him. And it's been a long time now since the McTiernan version. I mean, it's been almost 30 years, right?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Is it 97?

[Amanda Dobbins]

It's 99.

[Sean Fennessey]

99. Okay.

[Amanda Dobbins]

26. We missed the anniversary last year.

[Sean Fennessey]

No. You did a great episode of Blank Check. Oh, that's true.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I did. Oh, yeah. That was very fun.

[Sean Fennessey]

You got to cook on that movie at length. Right.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I got two more sexy movies.

[Sean Fennessey]

Shoot.

[Amanda Dobbins]

E Tu Mama Tamien.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yes.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Obvious. No doubt.

[Sean Fennessey]

Just revisited that.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And then just so we can mention basically every Luca Guadamino movie existing, like, I do feel that I am. Love is really slept on. Some of it happens in winter, but a lot of the sex scenes are, like, in a field with some bees, you know, so that. That seems summer coded. And I. I think that's a great film.

[Sean Fennessey]

Great picks.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah. Thank you.

[Sean Fennessey]

What's the next question before we move on?

[Jack Sanders]

I think a good recommendation that would overlap for Mackenzie and Stephanie not to pile on Luca Guadagnino too much would be bones and all. Great summer movie.

[Sean Fennessey]

Very movie.

[Jack Sanders]

Exactly. I think that would be. Make a good pair.

[Amanda Dobbins]

That's the summer.

[Jack Sanders]

It is the summer. They're very sweaty and they're in T shirts.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

Well, they're sweaty from eating all that flesh.

[Jack Sanders]

That's also true.

[Sean Fennessey]

They got the meat sweats.

[Jack Sanders]

That movie's not really talked about at all. I feel like it Kind of just came and went.

[Sean Fennessey]

Covid. Yeah, I really. I recommend if people like Lucas movies. He and I had a really good interview about that movie on the pod back then, which I think was 2022, maybe even 2021. But I agree that movie's a little slept on.

[Jack Sanders]

All right, next question. Here comes from Brent. What movie watching habits or perspectives have been shaped by the relationships in your life, whether with parents, significant others, friends, bosses, or kids? For example, I started watching movies with subtitles when my girlfriend and I began dating. I keep up with Marvel movies to stay connected with my brother, who is a huge fan. And I still make popcorn the same way my dad taught me when I was a kid. Also, a quick thank you to Amanda. I apparently talk about you all enough that I convinced my girlfriend to see Sinners. She normally shares Amanda's no horror ever policy by telling her Amanda from the movie podcast saw and loved it without getting scared. It's now one of her favorite movies, Changing lives.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, shout out to Brent's girlfriend. I do want to. I want to take a minute to thank the partners. You know, do you. Do you hear about this a lot? Like, I hear a lot about the partners of listeners of this podcast who don't listen to us and who kind of dismissively but supportively call us like, oh, you're movie friends, or, oh, it's like your movie friends again, and they have to put up with a lot of shit. And.

[Sean Fennessey]

What shit?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I don't know. Just, you know, if your partner's nearby. If you have one of these partners, play this. Hello. Thank you. We're sorry, but we appreciate you.

[Sean Fennessey]

Can we get a little, like, very quickly metatextual about this?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure.

[Sean Fennessey]

So podcast listening.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Is a very passive medium experience. You're usually doing it while you're doing something else. The rise of video podcasting has led to more people actively engaging with it by looking at it and listening at the same time. There's obviously some people who prefer to listen, some people who prefer to watch, and then there's a middle ground. You do what you can. I wonder if some of the partners. The more podcast listening becomes active and more like watching a TV show, the more that these unions will be able to be more tightly bonded because they'll get to see you in real time, exulting about sinners or something.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Maybe. But I do also think the secret to a successful relationship or one of them is to have your own hobbies and friends, you know, So I don't want. I don't want to force Anyone to get on this boat if they're not. If they're not interested.

[Sean Fennessey]

I see.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Because that will. Well, you know, if you don't like this podcast, I really don't know why you're listening. Just that's a blanket statement for almost every single.

[Sean Fennessey]

But you know why? Well, this podcast is made in the image of Howard Stern and Mike and the mad dog where the hate listen is as common as the love listen.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I guess I do know that, but like, I don't think that's a way to live personally.

[Sean Fennessey]

It's not something I would do.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, I just, I. Once again, I think you should find something you like or go outside, but I don't listen just because you're. You feel like you need to support your partner.

[Sean Fennessey]

This is an interesting thing. We're not actually answering this question, but it is kind of related. People just want something that has like a strong communication and feeling and that disagreeing is a powerful energy and that listening to people with whom you disagree has its own merits. There is something to that. So I think there is a fine line between hate listening, which is something we hear all the time as podcasters, and people who work at a podcast company. But it isn't always hate. It's like it's in seek of confrontation that is one sided, which is the thing that I think people want in this very weird media atmosphere that we exist in right now. Sure, I can shout at you without getting anything returned at me. You know what I mean?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Here's why your wrong culture is a thing for sure.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I. I mean, I can think of some more interesting outlets for that. But once again, I'm. I've been told that I'm working too blue on this podcast already, so. Movie watching habits.

[Sean Fennessey]

I'll say for me, when I was growing up, I've shared this before. My brother and I shared a bedroom in the basement of our home. And the basement was large and so we had our beds on one side.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Can't wait till my sons reach this space.

[Sean Fennessey]

I hope that they have these spaces. We don't need a basement.

[Amanda Dobbins]

We don't live in the Zodiac house.

[Sean Fennessey]

I know unfortunately in la, no basements. But growing up in the basement was weird because we were definitely placed in a dungeon by our parents. But that bred not just the strength of our relationship. And we're very close to this day, but we did a lot of things together because of that. And the thing we most often did was we watched movies together. And so I felt very comfortable the first time I went on The Rewatchables, which I think was before this show existed or in the early days of this show because I was like, this is like rewatching a movie with my brother and then we bullshit about it for 45 minutes after the movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Did your brother ever get to pick a movie?

[Sean Fennessey]

Oh, I'm sure he did, but probably not as much as he would like. He also, I mean, it's like, I don't believe it. The truth is when your brother is 15 and you're 11, you don't know as much as your. The whole point of being a big brother is you get to help put people onto stuff. You know, help inform their taste or share something new with them. Nowadays, if he really wanted to watch something, I'd let him watch it. The thing is he lives in Virginia, so that never happens, so I don't have to worry about it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I have seen every Barry Levinson film because my dad showed it to me. So that's how my movie watching habits have changed.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, your dad putting you in front of diner and then you working at the Ringers. My favorite one to one conclusion of all time.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Here we are.

[Sean Fennessey]

It's the greatest thing ever.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Having two sons. I just like, you know, here we are.

[Sean Fennessey]

It is.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Thank you, Barry Levinson.

[Sean Fennessey]

Magical symmetry. Yeah, I'm sure we have a bunch of other experiences like this. We do have some friends, I think, who we stay in touch with by way of movies at this stage of our lives. And unfortunately most of them don't contact us because they already know we think about movies.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I would also say that movies played a pretty significant role in me and Zach dating. We met outside a movie screening of the Anna Faris and Chris Evans film what's yous Number? That's a true story. And then like kind of dated by going to screenings and talking about movies for a long time. And now we have to schedule like who gets to go see which movie when. We rarely get to go together, but that was a very fun thing.

[Sean Fennessey]

You know, I had drinks with him last week and he hit me with a couple of here's two movies I've seen that you haven't seen. And I felt like I got shot in the stomach. It was really tough. He's seen a couple of movies I really want to see.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I still don't know if I guess he has seen Mission Impossible and he did finally the other day he went to go see F1. But like he. He's way behind on everything that isn't possibly going to get the two most anticipated Movies. Top Gun, Maverick, he saw a full year before me. And we begged and I was like newly pregnant, barfing every two minutes and we were just like, please, please let me come see this movie. And Paramount said no.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, well, duly noted. Guess what? New ownership in Paramount.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Soon it'll totally change.

[Sean Fennessey]

Everything's going to completely change. I think your slow acceptance of horror has been an interesting and underrated aspect of this show. Five years ago it was a hard no pretty much across the board. And you're getting a little bit more open minded.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I, I think that's true. I'm, you know, trying to do the work, trying to keep in touch. I would also, I guess my understanding of my relationship to horror, which is, has changed and it's less fear and more disinterest. And so then I realized that there are places where like I can be interested so.

[Sean Fennessey]

In certain kinds of horror movies, you mean?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, exactly. And, and you know, certain directors and, and like the craft of it. But also, you know, I like, I didn't like the new I Know what yout Did Last Summer, but I went because that was like a pop cultural event. I have liked every Scream movie, so. Sure. Yes, you, you have. You have opened my eyes to the world of horror.

[Sean Fennessey]

That's what I wanted to hear. Thank you so much.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

What's the next question?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Like Halloween. The holiday, not the movie. Movie's great.

[Sean Fennessey]

The holiday kicks fucking ass. And you take it back right now the holiday is the greatest thing ever.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Like deeply, deeply, deeply overrated.

[Sean Fennessey]

I, I honestly want to just walk out of the room right now. I cannot believe that was just said on this show. Just delete the entire episode. What the fuck? Our next question, Ben asks what are.

[Jack Sanders]

The top five movies to watch to prepare for this fall slate? Maybe your favorite non. The Worst person in the World, Trier and Under the radar music biopic. A potential one battle after another influence.

[Sean Fennessey]

Good question. Yeah, we just mentioned we have a lot of work to do this fall. I put a few together. You put a few together. I think it would be good to go back to decision to leave.

[Amanda Dobbins]

In fact, I'm going to do that.

[Sean Fennessey]

We saw that movie at the New York Film Festival in like a two or three movie day as I recall. Beautiful, kind of fascinating, beguiling movie that is a little confusing and probably deserves a rewatch ahead of no other choice. The forthcoming Park Chan Wook movie which the more and more I look at the slate, even though the sight unseen on the movie, I'm like, you could definitely see a world where the Park Chan Wook thing happens and they finally decide to honor him. This year I wrote down Putney Swope, which is a Robert Downey senior satire, which is one of my mom's favorite movies of all time, which is hugely influential on Plotinus. Anderson and Downey Sr. S movies are. You'll know right away when you see one of his movies why they're influential. This one in particular. Its relationship to both race, power and class. And maybe what one battle after another may be about. Feels like it could be a good prep for that one. The Trio. I wrote down Oslo, August 31, which is 2011, I want to say, and stars Anders Danielson Lee, who also will appear in Sentimental Value and was in the Worst Person in the World, Jafar Panahi's this is Not a Film, which is a kind of documentary that explains how he was sort of exiled from creativity by his own country that I think everyone should watch. That is an amazing film, an amazing exploration of what it means to make something. And then Frankenstein, the original 1931, just a wonderful movie and a movie that I wonder how much Guillermo del Toro will point towards it or try to subvert it or not repeat what this movie accomplishes. What else you got?

[Amanda Dobbins]

So for under the radar music biopic, I wrote down Inside Llewyn Davis, which is not a biopic in the sense that some liberties were taken with the Llewyn Davis character and his real world counterparts. But Bob Dylan also does show up in the. The very end of it and is. I really liked our 25 for 25 conversation. And since so many people were so mad about that choice, maybe it is underseen and then marriage story to get ready for. For bomback. I mean, but really, any bomback.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah. Might be time to rank all those movies.

[Amanda Dobbins]

We did that okay last time, but.

[Sean Fennessey]

We can do it again. What's the next question?

[Jack Sanders]

Tim says there is a new Daniel Day Lewis movie coming out this year. It's his first since 2017. Where is the hype? Am I crazy or is this flying under the radar? Shouldn't this be a bigger deal?

[Sean Fennessey]

This movie's out in two months.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, two months. Yeah. Where is. I mean, there's a decent amount of hype. He's appearing in his son's film, which is a wonderful act of fatherhood and a TBD act of, you know, creative achievement. So let's shout out to him. It's great. It seems cool. I'm excited. I'll see it.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah. A film is called Anemone and I Don't know a whole lot about it, and I'm trying to not learn too much about it. We will be building the Daniel Day Lewis hall of Fame peg to this movie on the show in October when it comes out. I'm very excited about that. I have started accumulating the movies of his that I haven't seen or I don't know about. There are actually four or five that are pretty obscure. Nanu is one that I haven't seen. Bars and Stars. There's a couple of movies like that, you know, mid-80s productions that are not, you know, there are obviously some very big films that are not as in fashion, like Unbearable Lightness of Being, for example. Or like, he's in the Bounty, the remake of Mutiny on the Bounty with Mel Gibson and Anthony Hopkins. Like, I'm gonna try to revisit a bunch of this stuff.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Stuff.

[Sean Fennessey]

But he's got like seven of the hardest auto greens in movie history where it's gonna be an interesting conversation about how he only makes one movie every 2.9 years. And when it happens, everybody's like, best actor who ever lived. Yeah, and that's kind of true. And so I wanna fill in some of those gaps to just have a little bit more to say than, you know, he's rocking Bill the Butcher. He rocks. You know, like, there's only so much you can do there.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

But yeah, that's coming soon.

[Jack Sanders]

Will asks a question here that I really resonate with, which is hearing the slate for fall film festivals and everything releasing between September and December. Do we simply have too many movies releasing in the last quarter of the calendar year? It may sound like an obvious question, and not every movie premiering at a fall festival will be released this calendar year. But as someone who likes to see plenty of films, this pattern has become a little exhausting. Sinners get out and everything everywhere all at once have proven that you don't need to release in the fall to make a cultural impact year round. Do you think this practice of blitzing so many movies in Q4 will change?

[Sean Fennessey]

I don't know. I, I, I can't say I totally understand it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I, you know, I think I do. And while I agree that it's like a lot of movies and it's, it's both exciting and a little daunting to stare down the fall schedule, I don't, you know, sinners get out and everything everywhere all at once are the exceptions to the rule. And for the most part, we're grateful for our listeners who go see movies all year round. Most people do not. And I do think that there is kind of like a seasonal training of the audience of large of like, okay, like here is your summer blockbuster. Here's when you, you know, you go see dumb stuff. And here is when you look out for interesting films. That is kind of one of the only effective ways we have of like getting non film nerds attentions at this point, it's true.

[Sean Fennessey]

But it leads to at least two or three movies a year getting kind of forgotten or cast aside or not getting as much attention as they deserve because of the way that, you know, October and November, October and December I find are usually so stacked now. Like for example, I'll give you two kind of comps on this for this year and next year. So this year in October we have Anemone, which we just discussed. The following week we have after the Hunt and Roofman on the same day, which is also the same day that Tron Ares comes out.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Right.

[Sean Fennessey]

And then the following week we have Ballad of a Small Player. It was Just an accident. Black Phone 2, the forthcoming Richard Linklater movie Blue Moon, which just got a trailer. The Mastermind and Good Fortune from Aziz Ansari. That's all on October 15th through 17th. I can barely find one movie a week to cover for three months out of the year and then all of a sudden they drop six movies in a three day window that ostensibly we could put a whole episode to. So I know I'm using my experience as a movie podcaster as a lens here, but are people really expected to be able to see more than two of those six movies in a month long period? It's asking a lot. Even if some of them are streaming, it's still asking a lot. So I think it's like a huge flaw. All those movies I just listed, maybe half of them are awards movies, the other half are just entertainment. So I hope they start to change this a little bit. It does feel like next year I'll just throw a few examples at you that are in the first half that hopefully will upend this and be more like Sinners Are Everything Everywhere. Project Hail Mary comes out in March.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, well, you do get one big budget march like post Oscars thing every year now.

[Sean Fennessey]

Well, we'll also have the Bride in March.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

We'll also have Weathering Heights in February. The Emerald Fennel adaptation.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I think that.

[Sean Fennessey]

But this is, that's.

[Amanda Dobbins]

There's a reason for that.

[Sean Fennessey]

That's just a subjective thing though. Like in theory that's going to be a big movie with Margot Robbie. Right. So that's at least notable. And then we have one more. Well, there's in theory the Trey Parker movie that Paramount pushed from last year, also coming in March, in April. Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic, was just redated for April. And then by June, we get a Steven Spielberg movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Right.

[Sean Fennessey]

Which is a blockbuster, sure, but it's a Steven Spielberg original blockbuster. That's way different than what we've gotten this year.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I guess so. I mean, I think like the concentration in March, but also, you know, last year at this time, we would have been saying in March we get Mickey 17, which is like a bomb Jun Ho, like blockbuster. You know, no one, like, went and saw it. So sometimes I think, I think hindsight is very valuable. And I, you know, I just think the, I wish that the strategies were more catered to the people who actually go see movies. And there are a growing number of them. And I think, like sinners and other is a great example of, like, if you make a movie that people who like going to movies want to see, you will make a lot of money where you can make a lot of money. But, you know, I, I think that most people are still in, in the Minecraft mode of thinking, you know, and just casting the, the. The widest net that you can.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, that's sad.

[Amanda Dobbins]

It is sad.

[Sean Fennessey]

What's the next question? How do we pivot out of that feeling of despair?

[Jack Sanders]

Our next question comes from Liam, who says, my wife and I are currently traversing France for our honeymoon. We've downloaded some movies for our train rides, all of which are what we consider to be quintessential movies for this experience. Before Sunset, Marie Antoinette, Midnight in Paris, ratatouille, Cleo from 5 to 7. My question to you guys is, what are some of your favorite destinations for traveling and what movies would you recommend to pair with the trend trip?

[Sean Fennessey]

You've got some great ones.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, so this was tricky because, you know, most places in the world I haven't been to and I have only, like, seen them through the movies. And so, you know, I, I know about certain places because people go there in movies and I think that's exciting. But I don't know if they're an honest representation, you know, like, so I can't really speak to that. So since you guys are in France, I picked some, some France or like, Mediterranean adjacent movies that aren't the obvious ones, but great list, by the way. Shout out Marie Antoinette forever. So the first was a double header of Charade and Funny Face, which Are two like, you know, classic Hollywood set in Paris musicals, one starring Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire, the other starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. I know you don't like Audrey Hepburn, but you don't have to speak on it. Anyway, those are.

[Sean Fennessey]

I do not like Audrey Hepburn.

[Amanda Dobbins]

You don't respond to it.

[Sean Fennessey]

I just think it's like she's not an icon.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah. I mean, in some ways they're like Roman Holiday, but in France. And I guess Roman Holiday is also a good one, starring Audrey Hepburn, but magical, using the actual city as, like. As the backdrop and part of the texture of an old Hollywood musical. Two Days in Paris, which is Julie Delpy's movie about. Starring her real parents as. As her parents. And it's. She's with her boyfriend, played by Adam Goldberg, and they spend two days in Paris before going home. And then things devolve. It's really, really funny. And then in. In terms of travel, so evil under the sun is, I think, somewhere outside of Spain on a Spanish island, though I can't be sure on that. Somewhere Mediterranean adjacent.

[Sean Fennessey]

You've been to Spain?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I have. It was a great trip. My 30th birthday, we did Barcelona and then the Costa Brava. It was awesome. And then. I'd love to go back. Death on the Nile is set in Egypt, obviously, and filmed. These are two Agatha Christie adaptations from the 70s, early 80s that are my faves and are also filmed in the place. Again, I. You know, I don't know if they are the most representative or culturally sensitive of films, but Death on the Nile, there's a. Like, they are just galloping to the pyramids at some point. You know, Mia Farrow is like, threatening people outside of temples. It's pretty cool. So I like those films for this purpose.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, I think those are. Those are great. I think this answer also relates to the question about what movie should I watch to prep for the fall film season. But I think if you. You probably should just watch Breathless, the Godard film, which is sort of like one of the most significant movies ever made. And Nouvelle Vague, the new Richard Linklater movie that's coming out. The movie is entirely about the making of Breathless, specifically, you know, what Godard and Jean Paul Belmondo and Gene Seberg did. And, you know, that film was shot on the streets of Paris, and the. This Nouvelle Vague was shot on the streets of Paris. And it really takes you to that time in history. So it's an obvious recommendation, but maybe a useful one, given this movie is coming soon.

[Amanda Dobbins]

If you have kids and you're trying to teach them about Paris for some reason. Red Balloon is a great, wonderful choice.

[Sean Fennessey]

Just pulled it out of the Criterion closet truck for my daughter. Okay, what's the next question?

[Jack Sanders]

Lost in Translation in Japan would be a good one too.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Totally. But it's like I've never been, you know.

[Sean Fennessey]

That's why I suggest.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I would love to go. I'm trying to get those like Hyatt points, you know?

[Sean Fennessey]

Right.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I'm just.

[Sean Fennessey]

Those Hyatt points.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, I think it's. Is it. I don't know what their program is.

[Sean Fennessey]

You just slid into full influencer.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, I want to stay at the park Hyatt, which is the hotel in Lawson. Translation. But it's not on my budget unless you're.

[Sean Fennessey]

What's the name of the band? Is it we are Sausalito? Is that what she says? That she's prefer the bar band? We are Sausal. Is it Sausalito? What am I?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I think so, yeah. It's really, really, really good, that actress. But anyway, you know, I don't really think that that's in my budget unless I get those, you know, rewards points, so.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, cool. Good to know.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. I'm working hard.

[Sean Fennessey]

Thanks for influencing. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Having the right people in your corner can make all the difference. Fall festival movie season is upon us and it's always a really stressful time here at the Big Picture. Luckily, I have Amanda at my side to help me determine what movies we're going to see, which ones she'll take care of. And I also have my family at home taking care of me and I'm really grateful for that. And like those people, State Farm is there to help you choose the coverage you need. With so many coverage options, it's nice knowing you have help finding what fits for you. Go online@state farm.com or use the award winning app to get help from one of their local agents. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. What's.

[Jack Sanders]

Our next question comes from Nancy. What year would you say was the best year for summer movies? For me, 1997 is up there because it had something for everyone with movies such as Men in Black, My Best Friend's Wedding, Air Bud and Good Burger.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, this is a total bias of when you were somewhere between the ages of 10 and 14.

[Amanda Dobbins]

97 would be on my list, but Nancy identified it already, so.

[Sean Fennessey]

So 94 hit like fucking crack.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

In the halls of Long island. This was an incredible time for me I was 11, turning 12. I saw all of these movies in theaters and had my noodle cooked by all of them. The Lion King. I saw the Lion King in theaters with my siblings at least four times. It is impossible to overstate the absolute phenomenon of Disney's the Lion King. It was. There's a reason why it persists so strongly to this day. Cause that movie, whatever was in the special sauce of that movie took over America.

[Amanda Dobbins]

That soundtrack. Are you kidding?

[Sean Fennessey]

Unbelievable.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And you're just rocking out to it.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yes. I mean, I was an 11 year old boy, so you'd think I would have been like growing up past that, but no, I was all about it. I loved it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

You never outgrown Elton John.

[Sean Fennessey]

Well, I don't know if that was the biggest draw for me, but it was a factor. I was really there for Jeremy Irons, you know, and what he was up to. This is the same summer that had Forrest Gump.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Also an insane phenomenon. And I don't know that I had.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And that soundtrack also was how the.

[Sean Fennessey]

Boomers, you know, they took over every.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Boomer household, taught us about their music.

[Sean Fennessey]

It is true Lies.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Speed. Jim Carrey's the Mask coming off of the incredible one two punch of Ace Ventura. And Dumb and Dumber.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Clear and present danger. The superior of the two Harrison Ford, Jack Ryan films. Totally Maverick, which is a movie that I think is completely forgotten in part because we're, you know, slowly deleting Mel Gibson from our cultural memory. But Maverick was one of a bunch of. Of Adaptations of 60s and 70s TV shows made into a live action film or a feature film. Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster and James Garner, who was the original Maverick on television, directed by Richard Donner, which I think is like one of the most fun adventure comedies of its era and is totally underrated. And I loved it. I watched it over and over again. It's probably a big reason why I love poker as much as I do. And then John Grisham's the Client starring Susan Sarandon and a number of incredible actors, including the late Brad Renfro. I saw all those movies in that summer in movie theaters, most of them at the single theater, Walt Whitman Movie Theater screen at the Walt Whitman Mall. And I'm here because of that summer.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

It is so vivid to me in my memory.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I am. But for one summer later, which is 1995, which is. Which for me was on the. I was turning. I was turning 11. Right. And so it's the cusp of both like kids movies and grown ups so you get Braveheart.

[Sean Fennessey]

Did you see Braveheart in a movie theater?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I. I don't know if I did. I'm. You know. Then you saw. It was so pervasive, culturally, you know, at the time. And we were all doing the speech to each other, but maybe it was too violent.

[Sean Fennessey]

I feel like I didn't see I.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Could be wrong, but, like, just the awareness of it, you know, and like, you'll never take my freedom, you know? Anyway.

[Sean Fennessey]

Casper, we forgot about Mel Gibson.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, I don't think we forgot about that.

[Sean Fennessey]

We purposefully forgot about this.

[Amanda Dobbins]

We put that in a little box and we don't want to deal with it anymore.

[Sean Fennessey]

That's so true. I know. That's Van's whole bit. The Mel. Why Mel? But he's so right. That, like, he was such a great star. It sucks that he's an asshole.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Jack Sanders]

God.

[Amanda Dobbins]

It's not really does Casper, which, like, if you were there, like, you were there. Devon Sawa, I see you.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, for sure. Produced by Clint Eastwood's production company, Malpasso. One of the very. One of the very few non Clint Eastwood movies that he produced.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah. But once again, I was turning 11. Like, I. You know. Here we go.

[Sean Fennessey]

It's a good movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Batman Forever.

[Sean Fennessey]

Hot trash.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, but, like, you're turning 11, you know, it's Val. Like, you don't know what the time is.

[Sean Fennessey]

I was excited.

[Amanda Dobbins]

That's Poison Ivy, right?

[Sean Fennessey]

It's Poison Ivy.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Uma Thurman and Drew Barrymore. No, Poison Ivy is in Batman and Robin.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Oh. Which is 97.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yes.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

This is Jim Carrey as the Riddler, Tommy Lee Jones as Two Face, and Drew Barrymore as. I forget the character's name.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. Well, it's still. I think it was maybe like the first time I was aware of Batman because for the Keaton ones, I was too little.

[Sean Fennessey]

Well, the thing to remember about this one or the thing that I remember about this one is Kiss from a Rose. And Seal.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes.

[Sean Fennessey]

And that song. And also Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, kill me, the U2 song. That soundtrack was crazy.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Seal. Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

He had the juice.

[Amanda Dobbins]

He really is.

[Sean Fennessey]

He really had the juice.

[Amanda Dobbins]

So powerful.

[Sean Fennessey]

Another guy who. It's like we forgot how powerful Seal, he was on the super bowl commercial, like, a year or two ago. And I was like, man, we really forgot. They made him, like, a literal Seal in an Old Spice commercial or something. What a horrible culture we have now. Anyway, keep going.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Two more deeply formative Apollo 13 and clueless.

[Sean Fennessey]

You didn't open with these.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, I think I was trying to go chronologically, but you know, Clueless. I was turning 11, I went with my mom to Lennox Mall and my life changed forever 30 years ago.

[Sean Fennessey]

That's great.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I'm old as time. But Clueless is forever.

[Sean Fennessey]

Is this like the alpha and the omega of your movie interest, do you think?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Clueless and Apollo 13. Sense and Sensibility is also later this year. So 95 was really like when it all happened for me. And then there was Free Willy too. And Babe also this summer, which like I definitely saw.

[Sean Fennessey]

I don't think I saw Free Willy too well.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Free Willy was just really, really, really important.

[Sean Fennessey]

It was a heater.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, yeah. And then the Michael Jackson song from.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, listen, speaking of. Deleted from culture.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure. But listen that. It was a banger.

[Sean Fennessey]

It went hard. Yeah, I know. God damn. Used to be a country, et cetera. Jack, you got a summer that you is really memorable. Don't say like, like 2022. I'll kill you.

[Jack Sanders]

No, I. I don't have a specific.

[Sean Fennessey]

I.

[Jack Sanders]

If I prepped for this, I probably could have cooked up a good. A good year, but off the top of my head, I don't have one.

[Sean Fennessey]

It legit would have been like 2019 and then I would have had to assassinate you for saying something younger.

[Jack Sanders]

I could have, I could have went younger. I could have said Moonrise Kingdom is 2012. Right. 2011.

[Sean Fennessey]

I want to say.

[Jack Sanders]

But I remember telling Amanda that when we.

[Sean Fennessey]

It was 2012, it was 2012.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I mean like I. I was like a grown up paying my own rent at that point. But that's cool.

[Sean Fennessey]

Unlad now I found movies.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Jack Sanders]

Yeah, that's when we did the Gen Z episode. I told am that was like movies go Technicolor moment for me and that I'm pretty sure that was close to a summer release.

[Sean Fennessey]

This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Whether you're debating watching that award winning TV drama or rewatching your comfort cult classic for the 10th time, choices are important when it comes to choosing coverage. A State Farm agent can help you find options that are right for you. Go online@state farm.com or use the app to get help from one of their local agents. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there. This episode is brought to you by Pretty Litter. Keeping your house clean when you've got a cat is no easy feat. But with Pretty Litter, you don't have to choose between a fresh house and a healthy cat. Litter is practically magic. It's low dust, controls odors, and lasts up to a whole month. But the best part? It monitors your cat's health every time they use the box. Plus, Pretty Litter ships free right to your door so no heavy bags to carry and no last minute pet store runs right now. Save 20% on your first order and get a free cat toy at Pretty Litter.com BigPicture that's PrettyLitter.com BigPicture to save 20% on your first order AND get a free cat toy. Pretty Litter.com Pretty Litter cannot detect every feline health issue or prevent or diagnose diseases. A diagnosis can only come from a licensed veterinarian. Terms and conditions apply. See Cite for details. This episode is brought to you by LinkedIn. When you release a movie, the first thing you want to do is make sure people know about it. And even more importantly, you want to make sure that people who like the genre know it's out. Because horror fans are more likely to go see new horror movies. Disney fans will go see new Disney movies. Rom com fans will go see new rom com movies. Targeting the right audience is key when it comes to marketing. If you're selling expensive new kitchen appliances, you probably want to sell to people who actually like to cook, not people who rely on food delivery services for every meal. And that's the tricky part. Making sure your message gets to the right people. You have to use the right tools. If you're in B2B marketing, that means using LinkedIn ads. LinkedIn has a network of over 130 million decision makers and the targeting tools to make sure you're connecting with the right ones. You can target your buyers by job title industry, company role, seniority skills, or company revenue. So you can stop wasting your time and budget on the wrong people. LinkedIn will even give you a hundred dollar credit on your next campaign, so you can try it yourself. Just go to LinkedIn.com thebigpicture that's LinkedIn.com thebigpicture Terms and conditions apply only on LinkedIn ads.

[Jack Sanders]

This next question is probably my favorite one that we have. Elizabeth asks. Summer is arguably the best season for both rewatchable blockbusters and refreshing cocktails. A question for both of you. Which homemade cocktail would you pair with your favorite summer rewatchable?

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, I had a lot of fun with this.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, you have a beautiful list.

[Sean Fennessey]

I didn't just do cocktails, I did alcoholic beverages of all kinds. Okay, I thought of Stand By Me first, which is a wonderful summer movie about friendship. And I chose a Coors banquet beater because that's the kind of Beer that the kids in that movie would have drank were they to go about doing some illicit underage drinking, as I did. Once upon a time, wandering around, we never found a dead body, but if we did, I probably would have needed a couple of beers to chill down a little bit. Bit Kids.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

There's probably some people at home who don't know what Kids is.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I think kids is also 1995.

[Sean Fennessey]

I think it is.

[Amanda Dobbins]

But I didn't see it too much.

[Sean Fennessey]

I saw kids on for the first time on a little screen on a bus heading north to Vermont on a ski trip in the winter between 1995 and 1996.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Recognize this ski trip? And who allowed you to watch Kids?

[Sean Fennessey]

I don't know who organized it. It was a class trip, but there were no chaperones. There were freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors. I was a freshman and I went with a lot of juniors and seniors.

[Amanda Dobbins]

The 90s hit different.

[Sean Fennessey]

I saw things on this trip that I can never unsee. I skied 0 days, 0 minutes on this trip. I spent all the time at the motel. But on the way up, we took one of the those big ass Greyhound buses that had the little TVs up in the corner. I don't know if they still have those, but you could pop a VHS tape in and watch it. And so someone gave the bus driver a copy of kids on VHS. It might have been 96, 97, I can't remember. And we watched it on the way up as a unit, as a group. And we're scandalized and mesmerized and fascinated. And it became. It's. It's a. Is it a good movie? I. I don't even know. But it's. It is important to me. And this is the Larry Clark movie that scandalized the nation once upon a time. And to me, Stoli and Gatorade is what I think about when I think about.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, I can taste that.

[Sean Fennessey]

You know that. What were we drinking on that bus?

[Amanda Dobbins]

From the Gatorade bottle. You pour the stolen.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, exactly. You're very familiar with the. Just put vodka in whatever colored drink you have.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Fancy. We were. Svetka is where we were.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, it might have been like Gordon's. Like, it might have been some cheaper for sure. But that is such a disgusting thing that we did.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I just. I would like to explore unchaperoned skiing trip.

[Sean Fennessey]

I just can't believe my parents let me go on that trip.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Honestly, I can't believe I grew up.

[Sean Fennessey]

In a strict household too. Like, I. I really can't believe who rented the bus. I must have been a senior. I honestly don't know. I don't know how this happened again. I saw some wild things on this trip. I would say it was a loss of innocence over those three days. Me and my friend Evan, we were the only freshmen who were on that trip, and we had a lot of fun. Evan, if you're listening, I'm sorry. Do the right thing.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Just a nice glass of red wine in an air conditioned pizza parlor. And it doesn't have to be in a wine glass. It can be one of those weird plastic frosted cups that you might get at a pizza parlor where they would pour seven up, but like a nice, beautiful Italian red.

[Amanda Dobbins]

All right.

[Sean Fennessey]

Licorice pizza. Yeah, a little underrated as a great summer movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I guess I hadn't thought of it as specifically a summer movie because it has that sort of just like Valley in la, eternal summer vibe.

[Sean Fennessey]

It may actually be taking place not during summer, but it feels like summer when you watch it with the sunsets and the silhouettes and that's a gin martini to me. Plymouth would be my choice of gin for that cocktail.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Aviator's not available.

[Sean Fennessey]

I do enjoy aviators, you know, I don't see it in the bars as much as I would have thought. Aviator, it's not on offer. They didn't have it as Steppenwolf, for example. And then I wrote down 20th century women, another great summer break movie about a young adolescent. As you can tell, this is something that resonates with me, from kids to stand by me to this movie. And I chose a Golden State margarita, which is Don Julio 1942. Passion fruit liqueur and lime.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. Wow.

[Sean Fennessey]

You have any of these that you want to go with?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Passion fruit liqueur? I'm still stuck on passion fruit liqueur.

[Sean Fennessey]

Well, it's just a very specific kind of margarita.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, absolutely. Okay, sure. So for talented Mr. Ripley, a Negroni for call me by your name, a Negroni for a bigger splash. A Negroni. Just a Negroni. Campari only I don't want the white Negroni. Don't bring me your capelletti. I've been around the block. I've tried it. Campari. Thank you so much for your time.

[Sean Fennessey]

This is influencing. What's the next question?

[Jack Sanders]

Next question comes from Drew. Are there any movies you think are more than worth a reappraisal since their original release? I'm thinking about films like Greg Araki's smiley face or Jonathan Glazer's birth movies that Maybe didn't land when they first came out, but over time have found a stronger following. Curious to hear what titles come to mind for you, but both. Either ones you've personally reassessed or think film culture at large has slept on for too long.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, so I made a list called the most Underrated movies of the 2010s. And before we landed on 25 for 25, I thought that this was what I wanted to do as a project for a quarter century. Recap. Now, we could still do it next year. And I've got. How many movies are on this list right now? 150. Just from the 2000 and tens. Now, they're not the most obscure movies ever made, but there are a lot of movies that I really, really like. There are some movies that I think are very ringer coded that like, the ringer talks about a lot, but other people don't like. Rush is an example of that. The Ron Howard, Chris Hemsworth F1 racing movie. Yeah. Then there are, like, slightly more obscure movies. Like Kelly Reichert's Night Movies is a movie that I really like, but even in the context of Kelly Reichardt, it doesn't get shouted out as much as her, you know, her master works. And so, like, Only God Forgives is a movie like this that I really like. Nicholas winning Refn. At the time, people were like, this is a big deal. And then he just stopped making movies, and so nobody cares about them anymore. So I want to do something with this. I want to figure out how to reassess not the canon per se, but the prevalence of a certain kind of movie from the last. Maybe. Maybe it should just be the 2010s would be the best way to do it. But, you know, I thought about this because I think the same thing is going to happen with the2020s because of COVID There's going to be roughly three years worth of movies that are either going to be overrated or underrated.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Right.

[Sean Fennessey]

The overrated stuff is like, how did Coda win Best Picture? Like, that's not going to age well. That's going to age really badly. I have a lot of affection for that movie, as you know, but we're going to see that movie in a stack. Yeah, of course, with Oppenheimer. And we're going to be like, really? And then there's going to be stuff that really went under the radar. Now, the Worst Person in the World is a really interesting version of this to me, because when it came out, people thought it was very good. It was Widely acclaimed internationally, but it is very modest. But then when you look back at that year that it came out, it's clearly one of the two or three most influential and exciting movies we see. Trier is now kind of continuing to be a very relevant international filmmaker. And it's a movie that, because it's in the Criterion Collection, I think has this imprimatur of excellence, which seems small and stupid, but I actually don't think is. I do think it kind of confers something and. And as more people buy physical media now and there becomes more of a cult like feeling around some of that stuff. I see it as an interesting movie that like you and I could probably just do a two hour episode about that movie right now. And I think people would care and they would listen. And I think I'd like to try to figure out a way to do that a little bit more in the future on the show too. To be like, this is relatively recent history and this isn't Top Gun Maverick, but it matters and here's why it matters.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, well, in that particular case, you know, you'll get the downstream effect for sentimental value, which, you know, I. We haven't seen yet. I'm very excited to see it and I do think sounds extraordinary on its own. But I do wonder how much of like the rapturous the attention paid to it is the fact that people do now have caught up with worst person in the world, are taking Trier seriously and are like, okay, like here it's time, here we go. So maybe we will get an opportunity to do it.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, I think it would be a fun thing to do. And also Renata Renzvi being like an actress that people are. Is really on their radar and she was such an unknown to us when that movie came along. What do you have an example of what we're talking about?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, my answer is like every single Wes Anderson film released since Grand Poopest, but then I realized that includes Isle of Dogs. So every Wes Anderson film released since French Dispatch, you know, I've only seen.

[Sean Fennessey]

Isle of Dogs one time.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Right.

[Sean Fennessey]

It is coming out on the Criterion Collection very soon and I will rewatch it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

We tried it because fantastic. Mr. Fox is a big hit in our house with Knox and didn't click. It didn't click.

[Sean Fennessey]

Click.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, but, you know, that's fine. But, but everything else, and we talk about this all the time and we as to Wes Anderson, like full on stands, like we're, you know, we're in the club and I still think that we just kind of let them. We. We don't. We say they're amazing and then we like don't talk about them. I turned on the TV last night to watch Happy Gilmore 2 and found that my husband had just been like randomly watching part of the Phoenician scheme again because now it's available to stream and he has great taste. Yeah, so. So maybe I should be doing that too. Instead. I watch Happy Gilmore too.

[Sean Fennessey]

It's a good shout. I'm just reminded of another movie too, from the relatively recent past that I think is a bit overlooked and didn't come up in our Chicago movie draft, which is Chirac, the Spike Lee kind of musical that was an Amazon co production, starred Teona Paris. It was an adaptation of Is it Lysistrata?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes.

[Sean Fennessey]

And it's like, I don't know. It's again, an imperfect movie but has a lot of interesting ideas in it and really good performances. Easily the best Nick Cannon performance in the history of movies. So again, I gotta figure out a bucket for us to just dig into something that we think is cool and is slipping through the sewer drain of popular culture as so much time goes on. Anyhow, what's our next question?

[Jack Sanders]

Jack, Our next question comes from, I believe. Chiarise. I apologize if I'm mispronouncing your name. I am a 25 year old woman living in the Tri State area. My go to theaters include IFC center and the Angelica. As a frequenter of these theaters, I always hoped I would strike up conversations with other moviegoers of similar tastes and we'd become friends. However, this wish is a lot more difficult than I thought. I would love to create friendships and be more social after a screening, but I have no idea how to do that without seeming awkward or creepy. I've even tried looking on Facebook and Reddit for NYC based movie clubs. Please lend me some of your experience.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I feel really passionately about this, that this is like a real missed opportunity by the rep theaters, the indie theaters. Like do mixers. Like do. And they don't have to be dating mixers though. Like I do think we should be doing more missed connections and there should be more places for people to meet because it's like don't do a running club, do a movie club. You know, like then you don't have to be sweaty.

[Sean Fennessey]

Forget about your health. Think about being sedentary for several hours at a time.

[Amanda Dobbins]

You know that I believe in prioritizing your health, but also like the running club. Like I don't really understand you're running and you're talking and you're sweating.

[Sean Fennessey]

I think both of those experiences are ultimately antisocial. And so there is an inherent challenge. Now the upside, I think in my opinion of a movie club is that talking about movies is so much fun. Obviously it's what we do.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Totally.

[Sean Fennessey]

And talking about running is boring. So the post run convo I find not typically entertaining.

[Amanda Dobbins]

That was a hill.

[Sean Fennessey]

Exactly. That was a hill.

[Amanda Dobbins]

It kept going.

[Sean Fennessey]

But you're right that there can be more community building around the moviegoing experience. I'm fond of saying movie theaters should be terrariums and not tunnels. That you should be looking up and looking around you at the world that you're inside of rather than just putting your head down and walking straight through into the movie theater and straight out. Out of the movie theater. There's a lost opportunity in exhibition, which.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Is literally what you do every single time.

[Sean Fennessey]

I know but I have a lot of shit to do.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Same. We're there for work. We're.

[Sean Fennessey]

But we also have a. Have a premeditated time to talk about the movie together. Like we know we're gonna do it already. So in general. And I'm also candidly not in search of friends at the movies.

[Amanda Dobbins]

But yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Shy rise. Needing that, wanting that I think is totally understandable.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I will also say in Chicago I met a lovely. We met a lot of lovely fans. But a group of people who had met on. I think it was the Facebook page for the watch because I don't. We're not on Facebook anyway. But they didn't live in the same city and they like had met each other and they like were going to each other's weddings which is.

[Sean Fennessey]

That was so sweet.

[Amanda Dobbins]

It's like really, really lovely. And, and so if I don't. I try not to be on the big pic social media things. That's like, that's you time, you know, like someone, someone was asking whether dob mob is spelled with like one B or two Bs and that's a decision for the community. That's not a decision for me.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, sure, you're more of a laissez faire politician in that respect.

[Amanda Dobbins]

But I, you know, if, if, if there are other listeners, if there are like a way for people to like meet and if this can be a facilitation for get to talk about movies and make friends, then that is, that's the best thing that we've done in my opinion.

[Sean Fennessey]

I, I agree. I think you. I love what video has.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Where videos essentially the lobby is just sort of open if you have a movie ticket and you can get there early ahead of the movie. And the lobby is open and has not just concessions but a bar. It has beer, they sell beer and wine at which is essentially our local rep theater.

[Amanda Dobbins]

There are some, there are like stools also. There are places where you sit and hang out, gather besides like immediately going to your seats.

[Sean Fennessey]

And honestly, at any like well attended screening at that movie theater.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

There's a real. In the lobby before the movie starts and people are hanging out. And it is a place where you could meet a friend. You could not just meet a friend, you know, but a friend you don't know.

[Amanda Dobbins]

The one thing there is that like you need the bar to be open afterwards after the movie.

[Sean Fennessey]

I agree.

[Amanda Dobbins]

You know, and again, this is part of, I think like it requires staffing, it requires resources. But if, if these movie theaters could like make these spaces and it doesn't have to be an organized program though, like, listen, like a singles night would kill. It would just absolutely kill.

[Sean Fennessey]

Here's the problem.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Somewhere between 13% and 76% of single male hardcore moviegoer, cinephile people are actually serial murderers. I'm just saying. Just between 13% and 76% somewhere in that number. And what? I don't want to be as responsible for one of these sad boys doing something untoward.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure, I don't want to be responsible either. But I, I believe in our listeners.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay. And I'm not saying listeners of the show.

[Amanda Dobbins]

It's really hard out there dating wise.

[Sean Fennessey]

You know, so I wouldn't know.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I just, I like the stories, I read the stories I hear. So. But also, it's hard to make friends when you're adult. It really is.

[Sean Fennessey]

If you're a young woman though, there are so many traps you can set. Like just, just think hard. If you're on letterboxding, you're a young single woman and you're looking for just like heat.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Just, you have just, just log heat.

[Sean Fennessey]

And just your top, your top four.

[Amanda Dobbins]

No, no, no, you don't is like.

[Sean Fennessey]

The biggest thirst trap in the universe. Like it is so easy to ensnare a feeble minded boy who fancies himself a cinephile. Like one Kurosawa, one pta.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Don't do this.

[Sean Fennessey]

One Michael Mann of Letterboxd and then.

[Amanda Dobbins]

One Wes Andrews, your truth and make them come to you.

[Sean Fennessey]

You know, I'm just saying that we all need to find ways and sensibility it' we have to find ways to attract our opposites and There are some tactics that can be deployed. I'm not saying if you openly despise heat, don't tell a person that you like heat, but if you like heat.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, yeah, sure. Well, honestly, you don't have to offer opinion. Just be. Just log it. Just be like, I watch Heat. And then people are gonna be like.

[Sean Fennessey]

Hey, but then what if it's like, a man? Like, if it's your follower and you're like, heat. Yeah, heat's a bad example. But if it's like, like, you know the Fantastic Four, right?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

And. And this gal logs the Fantastic Four, and this guy is like, oh, I really love the representation for Reed Richards's maladies on this movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Don't log the Fantastic Four if that's not what you're looking for, you know? Okay, but maybe some people. Are other people really?

[Sean Fennessey]

Like, what's the number one movie a man could log that would make you interested in his inner life?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Oh, wow.

[Sean Fennessey]

Vice.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Probably like an old, you know, like a Press and Surges or a Howard Talks like a screwball rom com from the 30s and 40s.

[Sean Fennessey]

And you would think, I want this man solo.

[Amanda Dobbins]

And that person's single. And I'm like, oh, I'm interested, you know? Okay. Zach very famously. Not very famously. I mean, he took me to see Margaret. Famously, to me, took me to see Margaret on, like, our second date, which is still the. The most iconic thing that's. Anyone has ever done. But I. Very early on in our relationship, actually, I was telling you this story the other. The other night I had. We went out and met some good friends of ours. It was the first time I was meeting them. I was very nervous. For dinner, we ordered oysters. I caught the bad oyster. I spent the night, you know, dealing with that as one does. And then to nurse me back to health, Zach put me on the couch and put on the Philadelphia Story. And I was like, what? Well, this is good.

[Sean Fennessey]

This.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I accept this.

[Sean Fennessey]

But you're. You're. That's 10 years. 20 years of. Of relationship experience. The new. The fresh.

[Amanda Dobbins]

No, that was very early on.

[Sean Fennessey]

Oh, that was, like, early on when that happened.

[Amanda Dobbins]

No, that was the Park Slope apartment and the tiny, like, bathroom. And, you know, and I was like, don't come in here. I'm vomiting.

[Sean Fennessey]

And then the ship Captain's Cabin bathroom. That was a tough.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I think that was. First six months.

[Sean Fennessey]

I was ill in that bathroom once, too. Okay, great. Well, once again, we've solved dating here.

[Amanda Dobbins]

In America, but also friendship. But I. I do. I. I think friendship we need to.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yes. Friendship.

[Amanda Dobbins]

We need to facilitate that also. I don't know, people are. Everyone's lonely, you know, so make a.

[Sean Fennessey]

I think the best thing that we specifically could do.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Would be to announce a big picture meetup. Yeah. But then not show up. So then all the other people would have to talk to each other.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Have you guys thought. Remember that guy that wrote in about the girl that he was like maybe dating, but he doesn't know if he. He really likes her and he likes talking about movies. But is he stringing her on?

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, sure. Then the last mailbag we did.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah. I just. I've been thinking about him a lot. You think that ended well?

[Sean Fennessey]

I would like to hear from him. Please check in with us if you have either found a realized love or. I hope she's cut that gal loose, you know? You hope she's thriving.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay. You don't know her well.

[Amanda Dobbins]

That doesn't mean I can't wish her the best.

[Sean Fennessey]

That's true.

[Jack Sanders]

Really quickly, before we move on, I feel like this question specifically is something I can really speak to as a 22 year old person who moved across the country by himself, went to movies and had this exact thought. This is something I've spoken to in great length with tons of my friends and people in my life. And I think the key part of the question where they say I have no idea how to do that without seeming awkward or creepy.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Jack Sanders]

That's where you just gotta go press down the anxiety and say this, this is okay. Because if you have good intentions, you're not awkward and you're not creepy and the worst case scenario is you don't get along with the other person. As intimidating and weird as it can be, as it still is for me, sometimes I'm just like, I'm just gonna strike up a conversation with this person. So that, that would be my 2 cents on jack.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I love it. That's so brave. Great job. We should all be like Jack.

[Sean Fennessey]

Absolutely.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

For sure.

[Jack Sanders]

Absolutely. Okay, Jamie, next question. What is your favorite alternative summer movie viewing experience? Some examples, Movies in the park, rooftop cinema, Hollywood bowl, et cetera. I just saw Jaws at the Hollywood bowl accompanied by the LA Philharmonic playing the legendary John Williams. Scott, I've been going to these performances every summer for as long as I can remember and I was wondering if you've ever enjoyed similar experiences.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I mean, I would really like to do that.

[Sean Fennessey]

Me too. Definitely in like 14 years and I don't have a kid in the house anymore, I'll definitely be doing that.

[Amanda Dobbins]

So let me just say about these screenings. And they also do sing alongs for like, Sound of Music and stuff.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah. At the bowl.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Even at the Hollywood Bowl. And they start at 8 o'. Clock. And I. And I'm sure I know it's in a neighborhood, noise ordinances or whatever, but, like, you know, I've got to push.

[Sean Fennessey]

It back a little bit.

[Amanda Dobbins]

No.

[Sean Fennessey]

You want to start it earlier?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah. Give me a matinee for my child.

[Sean Fennessey]

I've been thinking about pushing the limits of how late Alice can stay up to have experiences. This is like a new thing. And that's largely because sleep is under control.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I'm seriously considering getting my child out of bed tomorrow night. We're filming this in the past. We're recording this in the past, everyone. To drive him to the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Two sets so he can see the cranes in action. Sick. Is that crazy? Yes. But it's okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

I don't think so. I think it's a great idea. I'm looking back at purchases that I made for Cinespia. Are you familiar with Cinepia?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I never went because you guys did it before I got here. And then you're like, yeah, it's nice.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah.

[Amanda Dobbins]

That Hollywood Forever traffic, though.

[Sean Fennessey]

I assume it's still happening. It is still happening. So in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery here in Los Angeles, which you may have heard sung about by Father John Misty, for example.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes, of course.

[Sean Fennessey]

Summer Saturday nights, there's a large outdoor lawn and a massive movie screen that is erected. And they show beloved classics. For example, right now, I'm looking at their lineup for August, and I see Point Break. I see a double of the Lost Boys and An American Werewolf in London. Zoolander and Cyclone, the Hitchcock film. So that's the kind of thing that they do. And you have to essentially line up two or three hours early.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

To get your spot, you got to bring your blankets, you got to bring your cooler, you got to bring all your beverages. My wife and I, when we moved to la, we were told, like, immediately, like, this is a classic. You're 30 years old in Los Angeles. This is what you do to have a fun time on a Saturday night. If you love movies. And we did it many times. And you missed out because we did it many times. And we're like, I don't have nine hours in the middle of the day to do this anymore. But. But I have a couple of very memorable experiences. One cr. And I. And Eileen and Phoebe went to go see Aliens. And I think both Eileen And Phoebe fell asleep, and Ciara and I were, like, in tears, holding hands, like, screaming, like, we did it. This is America. And then there was one other time I went with our friends Anna and Clay. And I think we saw Clueless. I don't remember what it was, but whatever we saw, it was a comedy. I think it was a 90s comedy. And we. I think that was my first gummy.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Oh.

[Sean Fennessey]

And I just lost control of my mind. Like, I just don't. I can't really remember anything other than, like, really struggling to stumble back out to the street to find an Uber. But it is very memorable because it happened there. And that must. This must have been 2012, 2013.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

But it was a fun time.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah. I really would like to. Ago Kirsten Dunst attended the Bring It On. Was it like a Bring It On Virgin Suicides doubleheader, or maybe it was just Bring It On.

[Sean Fennessey]

That makes sense. Virgin suicides in that setting is a little tough.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure.

[Sean Fennessey]

Not like partying.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Maybe it was just Bring It On. Anyway, I would have really liked to be there for that.

[Sean Fennessey]

It's cool, participatory, but not annoying.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

You know, it's not like Rocky Horror where people are throwing shit. It's just, like, people know when to clap, they know when to laugh, they know when to cheer. And you're in a really big. So that's one that really jumps out to me. There's a Rooftop theater in LA that my little sister Grace really wanted to visit when she was here, but I was closed for the entire month while she was here. But that is quite popular, too. That I think is giving a similar energy. But I've never attended. I think it's the Melrose Rooftop. Do you know about that one, Jack? No.

[Jack Sanders]

No, I don't.

[Sean Fennessey]

Sam knows about it. Yeah, I don't know what alternative summer movie experiences sitting in my garage.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, I saw Minions, the Rise of GRU in my childhood theater with a lot of, you know, Minions kids. That was memorable by myself.

[Sean Fennessey]

Meaning, like, the little babies of Minions or kids who really liked Minions.

[Amanda Dobbins]

No, this was like the Minions, you know, or maybe it was a Despicable Me 4. Which one was the one where all the children wore the suits?

[Sean Fennessey]

That was Minions. The Rise.

[Amanda Dobbins]

That's right. That's what I just said. Yeah. So.

[Sean Fennessey]

Oh, yeah. But you're saying in the movie. Not in the movie theater. Theater.

[Amanda Dobbins]

What?

[Sean Fennessey]

Let's get. Let's get to the next question.

[Jack Sanders]

All right, moving on to Nathan. About halfway through the year, what are your favorite performances? So Far this year? Not necessarily the best, just some that you really enjoyed.

[Sean Fennessey]

I completely overlooked this question. You've got two great answers, though, and I'm gonna look number one.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Trebel Tillman in Mission Impossible, Final Reckoning. I guess that's not the last time we were going to talk about that movie. 2. Tom Burke and Black Bag.

[Sean Fennessey]

You want to speak about either of those things?

[Amanda Dobbins]

They were really good.

[Sean Fennessey]

The best thing ever in movies this year is Tramell Tillman on screen for the first time. And I think his line is, you must be out of your mind. The first time he sees Tom Cruise, that is so fun. And the movie just completely shifts. It's like super self seriousness.

[Amanda Dobbins]

So exciting.

[Sean Fennessey]

Other good performances? Well, I really love the Sinners cast, obviously. I think Miles Caton is like a huge revelation and Delroy Lindo is a personal favorite of mine. So those are two that I would really shout out.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Hailee Steinfeld. I would just add, while we're on.

[Sean Fennessey]

The topic, she has the juice for sure.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Benicio Del Toro in Phoenician Scammer. That's a really good one that we talk about that.

[Sean Fennessey]

That's a really, really good one. I'll say a smaller one. I think Deirdre o' Connell in Eddington, who plays Emma Stone's mother, is excellent in that movie and maybe a little bit overlooked because of the strength of that cast right now. You know Eddington.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, I know. We were there.

[Sean Fennessey]

We were there. We got turned. I don't know what was going on with the Cannes reaction to that movie, but I've talked to a lot of people now who really, really vibed with it and really dig seeing it again and thinking about it more and trying to unpack it even more. I'm really happy with how that is. Like, obviously it's not a box office success at all, but it is cool the way the tide is turned, I think. Sorry Baby has some really good performances, you know, not just Ava Victor, but first time I've seen Lucas Hedges in a while. And he's got like a really comfortable energy in that movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes, he's lovely in it. And Naomi, I really like that movie.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, that's a good movie. Okay, what's the next question?

[Jack Sanders]

All right, we have two random ones. One for Amanda, one for Sean. For Amanda. Joan needs to know if you picked out your husband Shawn shirt that Andre 3000 complimented in the GQ profile video and one from Bill. Sean, what are some of your favorite answers you've received from what's the last great thing you've seen.

[Amanda Dobbins]

You want to do the serious question first?

[Sean Fennessey]

You go first. No, you go first.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. I. I actually really appreciate this question because it gives me a chance to. To write a familial wrong live in front of everyone. So I think not only did I not pick out the shirt in question, but I do think. Think that I tried to veto it.

[Sean Fennessey]

Wow.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I. I was presented with several wardrobe options, and in general, I would say the subject of men's fashion in my home is much discussed and seldom agreed upon. But Zach is an independent man and wears what he wants to wear. And he picked this shirt and. And Andre 3000 loved it. And I was wrong. So I'm sorry, Zach. I still think the pants could be a bit smaller. But he was right and I was wrong.

[Sean Fennessey]

I don't remember the last time I've ever heard you say I was wrong. I literally can't remember the last time those words were uttered on this show.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I think that I say it in my home life more than I do here. Explains a lot, because that is how you survive a marriage and build a relationship with someone.

[Sean Fennessey]

I think the same is probably true for me.

[Amanda Dobbins]

But while we're on this topic of big people pants and shirts and other things that I'm not in charge of choosing, our friend Nick Sylvester wrote a recent piece about embracing skinny jeans or re. Embracing skinny jeans for gq, where my husband also works. And Nick, that was a great piece.

[Sean Fennessey]

Persuasive.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Really, really enjoyed all of it.

[Sean Fennessey]

He's just trying to not have to buy more new pants, which is something all men face in their 40s.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Nick Sylvester has an album out. Please, you know, listen. And some of the best Instagram content I've seen in some time. But I agreed with that piece and I thought that GQ was brave to publish it.

[Sean Fennessey]

Uh, yeah, I mean, Nick is one of the bravest creative people I've ever met. Uh, the name of his album is Stereo Music for Breakbeats and Samplers.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes.

[Sean Fennessey]

And you should listen to it on Spotify or wherever you get your music. Um, what was my question? Oh, yeah, it was about the best answers for that. Yeah, it's a little hard to remember, to be honest, because I've now done so many of those interviews. One of the most memorable ones is Damien Chazelle saying the Colosseum, the literal edifice in Rome. I could be reading this wrong.

[Amanda Dobbins]

That's awesome.

[Sean Fennessey]

It was a fair response to an open ended question. I think he was trying to avoid just saying another movie and so was trying to Pivot his heart away from being like. As circumspect as he could in that response. Not trying to be like, aren't I a clever little shitheel? With that answer.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay, I don't think it's a clever shitheel answer. I think if you're privileged enough to see the Coliseum in Rome, that's a great thing. It's a wonder.

[Sean Fennessey]

Fair enough. Fair enough. I would say the ones that I like the best are when I don't know what the film is. I like hearing somebody recommend a movie that I like, but it was either the first or the second time that James Gray was on the show. He recommended the Bullfighter and the lady, which is a movie I hadn't heard of, hadn't seen, and that I eventually saw. And so those are always exciting for me. But I know that there's also that feeling of recognition where someone says something that you really care about. I think, at least later this summer, hopefully, we're going to start to share some of those clips of what's the last great thing you've seen on Social, which I'm really excited about. So the people who don't listen to the interviews or have forgotten or wanted to make a list of recommendations will be able to get those a little bit more easily, too. So that'll be cool. What's next?

[Jack Sanders]

Next question comes from Joe. One of my favorite episodes of the show was when you did the Movie Director Game with Sam Esmail in 2020. Given where we are in 2025 and the movies that have been released since the initial game, would you change your answers for the 2000s or 2010s? Who would you say is in the lead for the 2020s?

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay. So just to remind people I had forgotten, because we did this episode five years ago, the premise of the Game was choose a director whose career as a filmmaker started in a certain decade, and then you get to grab that filmmaker and hold onto them for your lineup, your roster. And we started in the 1940s, and we each chose me, you and Sam each chose one director for the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, and 2010s.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

So this question is asking us to choose a filmmaker that has started making movies in the 2020s.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes.

[Sean Fennessey]

So in the 2000s and 2010s, I chose Bong Joon Ho and Jordan Peele. Who did you choose?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sofia Coppola and Greta Gerwig.

[Sean Fennessey]

Now, would you change either of your answers?

[Amanda Dobbins]

No. Would you? I think we're four for four I.

[Sean Fennessey]

Mean, I feel great about these picks.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Jack and I both just saw Nope on 70 at the arrow or at the Egyptian over the weekend. Fire. Everybody who came out was so stoked. Such a great movie. So I feel good about those. I don't think I would change anything. You know, it's funny to think about Nolan now, though. Oh, and where my head was about Nolan back then.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Pre Tenet, pre Oppenheimer. I don't think I wouldn't take Nolan over Bong Joon Ho personally, regardless. But I think memento is 2000, right?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes.

[Sean Fennessey]

Or is it 99? I can't remember. It's 99 or 2000.

[Amanda Dobbins]

It's maybe 2001 because maybe you're right. It. I thought it was going to be in the 2000 draft, but then it was released later.

[Sean Fennessey]

I think most people would probably go with Christopher Nolan, but it's an interesting. Yeah, obviously I've shifted a lot of my his last three movies are three of my favorite of his movies. So anyhow, 2000s directorial debuts of note. Most people in the 2000s have not made who debuted in this century have not made more than one movie, in part because of COVID And then there's a variety of other reasons. You know, I wonder if ari in the 2010s is somebody I would consider too, instead of Peele.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Interesting.

[Sean Fennessey]

Now that Ari is kind of shifting out of the pure horror stuff because he debuted with Hereditary, then Midsommar, then Bo and now Eddington. I would consider it. I have such a fondness for his movies. 2000s, was this easy for you?

[Amanda Dobbins]

No, it's kind of tough. Yeah. I know where I'm going right now. If I had to pick today, I.

[Sean Fennessey]

Think that I do too. Do you think I should read this whole list?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

So Sam has pulled together this list for us. So here are some really notable debuts of the 2000 and twenties. Charlotte Wells, who made After Son. Celine Song, who made Past Lives and has Materialists. Of course. Rommel Ross has Nickel Boys. We kind of discounted that one. That's his feature film debut. But he did have Hale county as a documentary, so I'm not totally going to count Rommel. Jane Schoenbrunn, who had We're All Going to the World's Fair. Cord Jefferson, American Fiction. Emerald Fennel, a promising young woman. I don't think that's going to get picked. A.V. rockwell, who had 1001, one of my favorite movies of 2022 2. Sean Wong, who had Dee Dee just last Year. Maggie Gyllenhaal, the lost daughter has the bride coming up soon. Payal Kapadia. All we imagine is light. Emma Seligman, who has had two movies, Shiva Baby and Bottoms. Darius Martyr, who had Sound of Metal and I don't know what's up with Darius Martyr. I hope he's making another movie soon. Lin Manuel Miranda, perhaps you've heard of him. He had Tick Tick Boom. Danny and Michael Filippo, who did talk to me and also did bring her Back earlier this year here. Zach Kreger for Barbarian and Michael B. Jordan, who did Creed 3 and has the forthcoming Thomas Crown Affair. So who are you going with?

[Amanda Dobbins]

I. I'm. I'm sticking to my guns and I'm doing Selen song.

[Sean Fennessey]

I thought you might.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, I. Past lives, just revelatory and materialists I definitely thought was really interesting. And also as we've discussed, the funniest thing of the year, how you all just absolutely lost your mind. And so by the time this is released in the world, we'll have done Amanda's like very extended nervous breakdown about my best friend's wedding too. Or is it. We'll find out. And who can say how I'm feeling about it when this is released?

[Sean Fennessey]

Unbelievable how the power has shifted on this show.

[Amanda Dobbins]

How I'm feeling about it when we record it tomorrow. Right now I'm still processing. But you know, she does like a love triangle and I like someone who has. She's got a vision, she's got themes she's interested in. She's got genres that she likes working in and genres that I care about as well. So I, I feel good about it. Emma Seligman was like in the mix.

[Sean Fennessey]

For me as well. I really like it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Emma Martins was really, really funny and obviously babies.

[Sean Fennessey]

I agree. She's on my short list for sure. The Filippos are on my short list. Even though I was a little bit more down on bringing her back. My pick is Zach kreger. Now I'm 36 hours away from seeing Weapons at the time of recording. Okay, maybe I changed my mind. Yeah, after I saw it. Maybe not. Okay, maybe not. He's making a Resident Evil movie after this. I can't say that's the number one thing I would want him to be doing with his time. But I am open minded that he.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Can make a cool Resident Evil isn't Resident Evil.

[Sean Fennessey]

There are zombies that need to be killed.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Like in our world, in a different world, in a situation.

[Sean Fennessey]

I can't do more corner with you right now about Resident Evil. I. I didn't.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Just one sentence.

[Sean Fennessey]

I didn't play the game. You know, I think it's a post apocalyptic Earth and evil game series. Okay, here's what you're going to do.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

During your vacation, you watch all of the Paul W.S. anderson, Mila Jovovich Resident Evil movies. Okay. And then you come back and you report back to me that the details about the world.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. Well, right now I'm just reading the history story overview. Okay. International farm. This is too much information for me. Okay. Someone can let me know in one sentence.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, we have time for two more questions.

[Jack Sanders]

All right, our next question comes from Brendan. As movie lovers, first and foremost, you have the unique position of watching a large volume of movies for your job. Are there times where watching so much all the time numbs your enjoyment of going to the movies? One example they give is festival. If so, what strategies do you use to rejuvenate that passion? Brendan also notes, Amanda, I really hope.

[Amanda Dobbins]

You get that jam, Brendan. I'm never getting that jam. But thank you.

[Sean Fennessey]

This has been on my mind lately as I am getting to the very end of an extremely extended period of no proper breakup from this show.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

And I obviously have a very bad movie watching addiction that is bleeding over into unhealthy over the last couple of years.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Years.

[Sean Fennessey]

There's a delineation, though. I am still as jazzed as I've ever been in my life about going to the movie theater. I love going to the movie theater. It is my number one pastime. I was there three times last weekend. I'll be going again twice tomorrow for screenings. Being in a movie theater seat, especially with sour patch watermelons and a drink of some kind, is just my favorite feeling, aside from. From being with my family and with you, of course, on the show. Seriously. And so I have no issue with that whatsoever. What I am struggling with, especially when we have more research oriented episodes or I'm trying to catch up on new stuff that I know I'm not gonna love, is the powering through the obligatory totally. So that is the thing that can kind of grind you down, especially because it was a lot of work to do the show when you were on.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I know, I'm sorry.

[Sean Fennessey]

And that. No, it's. I mean, that's not your fault, obviously. But it was just. Was. And then just continuing through a breakneck Oscar season into summer movies.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I just feel like plus 25 for 25.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, 25 for 25.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Plus we're doing other things.

[Sean Fennessey]

We're doing. Yes, and we're increasingly doing more screenings and stuff. All of it is magic. Like, I'm really. We're lucky to do it, but you could. What Brendan has identified is very fair.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, I would agree that. And I agree with you that, like, the movie theater, the magic experience is still exhilarating, which is. Is, like, why, for me, festivals, at least, you know, festivals where you don't have to stand in line in the snow for three hours not saying any names are, like. Are amazing.

[Sean Fennessey]

I agree.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I look forward to them because it is about, like, the ceremony and the magic and you, like, want to go be seeing movies, but that just kind of, you know, we are beyond lucky that movies are our job and that our homework is to be watching a lot of movies. Movies that. It's like, I. I can't express you how grateful I am, but sometimes you. When you have to watch, like, five movies, like, very quickly for an episode, it's just that it's homework. There is just a different valence between, like, I'm popping this on because I want to, versus, you know, I. I have to get through this by time. Tbd. So I find that it's more a.

[Sean Fennessey]

Cue with kids, too.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Because your free time is smaller.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Totally. So I find actually that. That what's sad is that I. I wind up watching less, like, movies in my free time. Fewer movies in my free time, which is unfortunate. We watch a lot of sports, like, because it's the. It's just something where your mind powers off. Like, it, like, it is different because I don't work on the sports part of the ringer. And then, yeah, sometimes we'll take breaks. I'm curious how many movies I watch during our time off. And I. And I may well like, take a couple weeks just fully off and. And. And read.

[Sean Fennessey]

But I already told Eileen that I don't think. I don't think I'll watch any movies when we go on vacation, proper vacation, very intentionally. We might watch a lot of TV together, like, in bed, like, in a hotel. But I don't. I think I'm gonna probably take a full week break, which I know sounds like, oh, you know, how brave of you. But for me, it's really unusual.

[Amanda Dobbins]

These are, like, very specific coded to us things also. But I think in terms of, like, the broader question of. Of, like, finding love again at the movies. It's going to the movies. You know, it is going. It is making it an event, which it, like, still is.

[Sean Fennessey]

I echo your experience about festivals, too, and I honestly love going to three or four movies a day at festivals. I think it's a lot of fun. I love having my brain super engaged in a lot of different kinds of stories. And then there's also that great communal aspect that we were talking about earlier with making friends at film festivals. That's a great place to meet people. It's a very expensive version of that. But there's so much naturally occurring conversation with strangers at festivals because everybody wants to talk about what they've just experienced whilst waiting in line or whatever. So I am so jazzed about that part. It's just like I'm revisiting the ninth movie about dancing and I'm like, okay, you know, like for the dance movies episode.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Hurtful example. Did you ever see Center Stage? Nope.

[Sean Fennessey]

No. We're waiting for Alice. We talked about this.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Oh my God.

[Sean Fennessey]

Okay, okay.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I'm really excited for Alice.

[Sean Fennessey]

Last question, please.

[Jack Sanders]

Last question comes from Nate. And many, many people sent similar ones. Do you have any predictions for next summer's big titles? Quality box office, performance, anything?

[Sean Fennessey]

I have a few.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

There's a very obvious one which is the Odyssey.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah. Did you get 70 millimeter titles tickets?

[Sean Fennessey]

I didn't and I frankly, I don't believe in that.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

I don't believe in putting the movie theater tickets on sale one year in advance and trying to create like a black market or whatever that was meant to do. I understand eventizing and I think that's valuable, but like, movie going is a very democratic thing. It's like, it is a, it's a mass cultural event. And I'm not saying Chris Nolan is responsible for this or Universal should be shamed. I just, I didn't like it. And I think putting movie theater tickets on sale a month early is fine, but this like eventizing around. Did you get tickets for Thursday at 7pm like you should be trying to get as many people as possible to see the movie. You shouldn't be making people feel like purposefully like left out and then driving ticket prices up on, on black markets for the movies. This isn't a ball game like it. The movie's going to play round the clock for months in movie theaters. So I wasn't, I'm not trying to lecture anybody about it. I just didn't really like it very much. And so no, I didn't get tickets.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. I didn't either. But that's, that's just because I'm not going to buy tickets a year in advance.

[Sean Fennessey]

Who knows what city we'll be living in?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah, I'm not a format nerd like you are. I mean, obviously I have to see this in 70 millimeter or whatever, but.

[Sean Fennessey]

I think it would be ideal. Yeah, that's how it's intended.

[Amanda Dobbins]

We'll see. Either we will or we won't.

[Sean Fennessey]

Either we will or we won't. I saw Oppenheimer that way twice, and I really was happy that I did it. Untitled Steven Spielberg film. This is coming in June of 2026. I've read that it could be called the Dish. That might also be a fake title. Emily Blunt and Josh o'. Connor. Emily Blunt is a pretty significant participant in the movie Jaws at 50 that I mentioned earlier, the documentary about the making of Jaws. And every person who talked in the movie was either a literal artisan who worked on the film or Guillermo del Toro. Denis Villeneuve, like J.J. abrams, elevated filmmaker who had a huge admiration, was inspired by the first film. And then Emily Blunt, she was the only actor or actress in the movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

Talking about how much she loved it. And I'm watching the movie and I'm like, what the fuck is Emily Blunt in there? And I love Emily Blunt. It's nothing. I have nothing against her. But then I remembered that they were making a movie together, and that's why she's in that documentary.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I do also think Zach, my husband, has had Emily Blunt in, like, several secondaries at this point.

[Sean Fennessey]

She loves to show up.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I think she's very good at it. And he's just like, she's a real pro. Like, she, you know, and she was.

[Sean Fennessey]

Good in the doc.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Exactly. Like, you put a camera and she knows her stuff and she can just talk. So I think maybe, maybe, maybe she's well cast.

[Sean Fennessey]

Could be. Could be. I'm looking forward to that movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Speaking of movies, that Emily Blend is in next summer. Devil Wars, Prada 2, baby.

[Sean Fennessey]

Is that dated for the summer?

[Amanda Dobbins]

It's dated for May 1st. So I'm. I'm counting it. I have to. I'm going to have to, like, mute the paparazzi accounts at this point.

[Sean Fennessey]

It's going to be a wild episode of this show.

[Amanda Dobbins]

But I. I have, like, ordered a pair of boots on the real real based on one of the photos. They were 37 bucks in my size.

[Sean Fennessey]

You are sick.

[Amanda Dobbins]

37 bucks. Who says no?

[Sean Fennessey]

You adopting Bill Simmons trade machine language in 2025 for boots. Acquired because of paparazzi photos around the dev wars. Prada 2 is actually the end of the ringer. Like, we actually have finished our mission. We are full circle. We've completed what we need to achieve. I can't wait for that episode because, like, I have no emotional investment in the Devil's product. I like it and that's it. Like, I'm just like. I enjoyed it when I saw it. I probably saw it two or three other times.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

But like, this being in your court now, all this shit going in your direction is so interesting.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Really, really, really intense. I'm. I'm like a. I'm stressed out right now.

[Sean Fennessey]

Can I give you my version of Devilverse product, too? Masters of the Universe?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure.

[Sean Fennessey]

So here's another true story. Our pal Griffin Newman famously did some voice work for the Masters of the Universe Netflix series, and he's the plug when it comes to those things. And my daughter, as I mentioned on the show with Andy, really into. She ra really into he man, and he just, like, dropped the bag, like, full of toys and action figures for her. Like, just a care package with a lot of cool stuff. So now we're like, really into it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yes, I know.

[Sean Fennessey]

It's a huge. Really a kind act by him. We did see a weird promo trailer thingy featurette at Cinemacon for Masters of the Universe with Nicholas Galitsin, who will be he man? Prince Adam. And I want to say Camila Mendes is. She's not Sorceress. Who is she in that world?

[Jack Sanders]

She is Teela.

[Sean Fennessey]

Teela. Actually, Teela was one of the characters who came across the Transom. The movie is directed by Travis Nicholson Knight, who is the son of Phil Knight, the Nike shoe impresario and also the director of many good Laika animated stop motion feature films. He also directed Bumblebee, a not bad Transformers movie. When I was five, he man was my religion. I would have sacrificed blood at he man's altar. Rewatching the 1983 series on the big screen with my daughter was a little humbling for what I thought was interesting back then. But I still would love to go back to my adolescence and enjoy this movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. I hope it works out for you.

[Sean Fennessey]

Thanks. Toy Story 5.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

Don't care.

[Amanda Dobbins]

The iPad's the villain.

[Sean Fennessey]

Is that what it is?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Isn't it? Something like that. Screens are the villain.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure. But also, the call's coming from inside the house.

[Sean Fennessey]

New Spider man movie?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah. Like a Tom Holland one or a drawn one?

[Sean Fennessey]

Tom. Tom Holland.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

Not a drawn one. How dare you? Fucking asshole. Supergirl.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

And the Dog, starring Millie Alcock and Krypto Evil Dead Burn.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

Last night, Eileen and I watched 20 minutes of Evil Dead 2, because I was watching it. And then she sat down and she was like, are you watching Evil Dead 2? And I said, yeah. And she kind of said it in a way that she wanted me to turn it off. And then I did turn it off after eight minutes, and she was like, wait, I want to see what happens. And then we put it back on. And then another 12 minutes went by. And then she said, can you turn this off? That's going to be an exciting sequel to that movie directed by Sebastian Vanichek, who made a great French horror movie about spiders a couple years ago called Infested. And then Flowervale Street. This is the big round question of the summer. Anne Hathaway, David Robert Mitchell's return to movies after under the Silver Lining Lake, and reportedly there are dinosaurs in this movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay. I can, like, you know, I can only greet these things as they are. Like, I. I have. It's too much, you know, under the Silver Lake, Anne Hathaway, Dinosaurs. Remember that movie?

[Sean Fennessey]

Pro Jurassic World, Rebirth. But you're not willing to process Flower Veil street right now.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, what was that movie where Anne Hathaway is like a monster, you know, or fights a monster?

[Sean Fennessey]

I do. She.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Is it like colossal?

[Sean Fennessey]

Colossal.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Colossal.

[Sean Fennessey]

Colossal.

[Amanda Dobbins]

It didn't work for me, so. And.

[Sean Fennessey]

And that's all you're basing this on? We just talked about Devil Wears Prada, too.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I know.

[Sean Fennessey]

Also a monster movie.

[Amanda Dobbins]

My. Sure. But those. Those I recognize. And my. My energy's there, you know? Know. And who knows how I'll be feeling about Anne Hathway by the time we get to Flower Vale Street.

[Sean Fennessey]

I know how. How I'll be feeling.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I know. I know you're unwavering, and that's beautiful. You loved Les Mis. Can you sing? I dreamed a dream for us to send us out.

[Sean Fennessey]

Did I see it? I don't think I saw it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

You didn't see I Dreamed?

[Sean Fennessey]

I don't think so. Didn't we talk about this? Didn't they not see it?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Are you familiar? Like, have you seen the play?

[Sean Fennessey]

I've seen the play. I've seen the stage musical. Yeah. I thought it was terrible. I really don't think it's good. So it's just the truth.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

I know. Like, I know the songs and everything.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Amanda Seifert, also one of my gals, just didn't see it.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Sure. Okay.

[Sean Fennessey]

Russell Crowe.

[Amanda Dobbins]

He was miscast.

[Sean Fennessey]

Yeah. Who's the other? Is it Hugh Jackman?

[Amanda Dobbins]

Hugh Jackman? Yeah. Yeah.

[Sean Fennessey]

Who's the other? There's somebody else too, of note.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Well, Sasha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne. Yeah. Oh, yeah, he's that guy.

[Sean Fennessey]

Eddie Redmayne.

[Amanda Dobbins]

Bring him home. This is Sasha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter are the masters of the.

[Sean Fennessey]

Did you see that? Sacha Baron Cohen was revealed to be Mephisto on the Ironheart series on Disney.

[Amanda Dobbins]

I actually do need to look up.

[Sean Fennessey]

Anyway, great mailbag. Thank you to all of the wonderful listeners. This will be the last, like I said, extended conversation between us for a long period of time. In fact, don't contact me on your vacation. I don't want to hear from you. I'm just kidding. Please text me. Thanks to Jack Sanders for his work on this episode. And I'll be back later this week to talk about weapons. See you then.