The Big Picture

It’s a tremendously hectic period at the movies right now, with award season picking up pace, the Streaming Wars in high gear, and some major-event movies right around the corner. Sean and Amanda break down 10-plus new releases now streaming or in theaters (39:00). Then, writer-director James Gray returns to the show to discuss his autobiographical new film, ‘Armageddon Time,’ and the state of the movie business.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: James Gray

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda dive deep into one of the year’s most exciting and resonant movies, Todd Field’s ‘Tár' (1:00). Then, Field joins Sean to discuss the world of classical music, Cate Blanchett, and how he made the film (1:27:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Todd Field

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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The hierarchy of power has changed and Sean is depressed about it. Charles Holmes and Rob Mahoney join Sean to talk about ‘Black Adam,’ the no. 1 movie at the box office, the latest installment in the DCEU, and yet another Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson action vehicle.

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Charles Holmes and Rob Mahoney

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Julia Roberts, the once (and maybe future) queen of the box office returns to movie theaters this weekend with ‘Ticket to Paradise,’ a rom-com reunion of sorts with George Clooney—her first starring role on the big screen in four years. Amanda and Sean will review this new film, then build their Julia Roberts Hall of Fame by choosing 10 of her most essential movie roles.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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‘Halloween Ends,’ the third and allegedly final installment of David Gordon Green’s legacy sequel 'Halloween' trilogy, debuted this weekend in theaters and streaming on Peacock. Chris Ryan joins Sean to talk about the new film, the year in horror, and to rank all 13 'Halloween' films.

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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We are drafting again and since it’s Halloween season, we needed to bring in a big gun. Six-time 'Big Picture' returning champion Alex Ross Perry is live and in studio to parse through the horror canon.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Alex Ross Perry and Chris Ryan

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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This year marks the 30th anniversary of David Lynch’s ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me,’ and the 25th anniversary of ‘Lost Highway.’ To celebrate, Sean and Adam Nayman are diving deep into the unnerving, beautiful, often terrifying dream logic of their Lynchian fascinatination.

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guest: Adam Nayman

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda get excited for the best movie month of the year, digging into some new October releases, including ‘Amsterdam,’ ‘Triangle of Sadness,’ and ‘Tár,’ as well as the best movies at the New York Film Festival and a brief celebration of the new Star Wars show 'Andor.'

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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‘Avatar: The Way of Water,’ the sequel to the most lucrative movie of all time, is slated for the end of this year. Does anyone care? Sean is joined by Griffin Newman and David Sims, hosts of the ‘Blank Check’ podcast, to discuss the lasting impact of James Cameron’s technologically revolutionary behemoth, and more importantly, whether ‘Avatar’ is actually good.

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Griffin Newman and David Sims

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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‘Bros,’ Billy Eichner’s first leading role in a feature, is in theaters. Sean and Amanda dig into the movie before sharing their five favorite studio comedies of the century (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Nicholas Stoller, the director of ‘Bros’ and other comedy installments like ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ and ‘Neighbors,’ to discuss the film and the current state of theatrical comedies in relation to streaming and television (58:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Nicholas Stoller

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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