Podcast Summary: The Big Picture – The Summer Movie Preview Game. Plus: David Cronenberg on ‘The Shrouds.’
Episode Details:
- Title: The Summer Movie Preview Game. Plus: David Cronenberg on ‘The Shrouds.’
- Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins
- Release Date: April 25, 2025
- Description: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins delve into the upcoming summer movie slate, engage in a fun box office and Metacritic prediction game, and feature an insightful conversation with legendary director David Cronenberg about his latest film, The Shrouds.
1. Introduction to the Episode
The episode kicks off with Sean Fennessey and Amanda Davis introducing the show's focus on the summer movie lineup and a special segment featuring David Cronenberg’s new film, The Shrouds. They briefly touch upon recent Hollywood events and set the stage for the discussions ahead.
Notable Quote:
- Sean Fennessey [01:58]: “This episode is brought to you by the Wells Fargo Active Cash Credit Card...”
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2. New Oscar Rules Discussion
The hosts dive into the recent changes announced by the Academy Awards, highlighting the new requirement that voters must watch all contending films. They debate the practicality and potential loopholes of this rule, such as the possibility of voting delegates hiring assistants to fulfill viewing requirements.
Key Points:
- Mandatory Viewing: Academy members must watch every nominated film.
- Screeners Portal: Transition from physical screeners to a digital portal to verify viewership.
- Potential Exploits: Concerns about members outsourcing viewership verification.
- Casting Award Introduction: The Oscars are introducing a new casting category, recognizing casting directors and their teams.
Notable Quotes:
- Sean Fennessey [02:55]: “I think I should be able to vote.”
- Amanda Davis [04:06]: “Is it just. Did you click play or is it like, you know, one of the like, corporate training things...”
3. Summer Movie Preview Game
Sean and Amanda introduce a new interactive segment where they predict the domestic box office earnings and Metacritic scores for upcoming summer movies. The game rules involve guessing two data points for each film: the U.S./Canada box office gross and the Metacritic score. The difference between their guesses and the actual data will determine their scores, with the lowest total score across all movies crowning the winner.
Game Structure:
- Box Office Prediction: Estimating the total domestic earnings.
- Metacritic Score Prediction: Forecasting the critical reception score.
- Scoring: The smaller the margin between guess and actual, the better the score.
Example Round:
- Movie: Inside Out 2
- Sean's Guess: $320 million box office, Metacritic 73
- Amanda's Guess: $380 million box office, Metacritic 71
- Actual: $650 million box office, Metacritic 73
- Scores: Amanda: 282 (difference of $270 million and +2 Metacritic points)
Notable Quotes:
- Sean Fennessey [16:00]: “This is a tricky game.”
- Amanda Davis [19:14]: “So just do box office first. So the chasm between is 270 and 380 is 270.”
4. Movie Predictions and Discussions
The hosts go through a series of upcoming films, providing their predictions and discussing their rationale behind each guess. They cover a variety of genres, including superhero blockbusters, A24 comedies, horror sequels, and live-action remakes. Their discussions often mix humor with critical analysis, reflecting on past performances of similar films and casting choices.
Selected Films Discussed:
- Thunderbolts: Marvel's ensemble of less recognized characters, anticipated to perform moderately at the box office.
- Sean's Guess: $199 million, Metacritic 64
- Amanda's Guess: $215 million, Metacritic 61
- Friendship: An A24 comedy starring Tim Robinson and Paul Rudd, predicted to have a niche audience.
- Sean's Guess: $12 million, Metacritic 77
- Amanda's Guess: $22 million, Metacritic 80
- Final Destination Bloodlines: The latest installment in the horror franchise, expected to leverage its established fan base.
- Sean's Guess: $46 million, Metacritic 44
- Amanda's Guess: $42 million, Metacritic 62
- Lilo and Stitch Live-Action: Directed by Dean Fleischer-Camp, aiming for nostalgic appeal.
- Sean's Guess: $180 million, Metacritic 57
- Amanda's Guess: $218 million, Metacritic 74
Notable Quotes:
- Amanda Davis [25:14]: “I was, I was swimming in cinema...”
- Sean Fennessey [22:15]: “Premiered next week.”
5. Highlight Conversation: David Cronenberg on The Shrouds
A significant portion of the episode features a conversation between Sean Fennessey and Adam Naiman about David Cronenberg's latest film, The Shrouds. They explore the film's themes of grief, technology, and paranoia, delving into Cronenberg's artistic intentions and stylistic choices.
Key Discussion Points:
- Personal Significance: The Shrouds as Cronenberg’s most personal film, reflecting his own experiences with grief.
- Technological Intrusion: Exploration of how technology invades personal spaces and relationships.
- Grief and Obsession: The protagonist's inability to let go of a deceased loved one through technology.
- Eroticism and Humor: The intertwining of serious themes with elements of humor and eroticism.
- Cinematic Style: Cronenberg’s unique approach to storytelling, balancing absurdity with profound emotional depth.
Notable Quotes:
- Adam Naiman [130:18]: “Filmmaking is changing a lot because of the combination of COVID and Netflix...”
- David Cronenberg [133:36]: “It's just observing the way things are. If people are finding that to be sinister, so be it.”
- Sean Fennessey [137:08]: “There's this ongoing dialogue among movie fans that a lot of the great filmmakers who are getting older are not making nearly as many contemporary pieces because you have...”
Insights from Adam Naiman:
- Art as Observation: Cronenberg views filmmaking as a way to observe and reflect on current societal behaviors rather than making prophetic statements.
- Technological Realism: The technology depicted in The Shrouds is grounded in current advancements, making the film resonate with contemporary audiences.
- Emotional Processing: The film delves into how individuals cope with loss and the lengths they go to reconnect with deceased loved ones, showcasing a blend of vulnerability and obsession.
6. Closing Remarks and Upcoming Content
The episode concludes with the hosts reflecting on the Summer Movie Preview Game, acknowledging the fun and competitive spirit it brought to the show. They also hint at future episodes, including deeper dives into specific film genres and more engaging content.
Notable Quotes:
- Sean Fennessey [160:21]: “We hope people see it.”
- Amanda Davis [160:44]: “To it, maybe I'll fire it up. I'll at least, you know, take a gander.”
Future Teasers:
- Next Episode: Breakdown of a series of action films, including The Accountant 2, A Working Man, The Amateur, Gareth Evans' Netflix film Havoc, and possibly G20.
Conclusion
This episode of The Big Picture expertly balances entertainment with insightful analysis. Hosts Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins engage listeners with their Summer Movie Preview Game, offering predictions and thoughtful discussions on a wide array of upcoming films. The highlight conversation with Adam Naiman provides an in-depth look at David Cronenberg’s The Shrouds, exploring its intricate themes and Cronenberg’s enduring impact on the film industry. For movie enthusiasts who missed the episode, this summary encapsulates the vibrant energy and critical perspectives that make The Big Picture a must-listen for cinephiles.
Final Notable Quote:
- Sean Fennessey [130:16]: “David Cronenberg thank you for the films. Thank you for the time.”