The Big Picture

We asked, you decided: After a public vote, we're drafting from the year 2004. Who were we? What were we doing? And what movies were we seeing? Join Sean, Amanda, and Chris as they explore a time of anchormen, eternal sunshine, and sequels galore.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean is joined by Chris Ryan to break down the new Paul Schrader film ‘The Card Counter,’ explore Schrader’s seminal works, and define one of their favorite movie subgenres: the Prestige Dirtbag Movie. What is it and why do they love them (0:30)? Then, Sean and Chris review James Wan’s ‘Malignant’ before discussing the state of horror movies in 2021 (59:00).

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean chats with Amanda about his trip to the Telluride Film Festival, an annual launchpad for Oscar contenders. He talks about the best films he saw and the scene in Colorado (0:30). Then they discuss what to look forward to for the rest of the movie year (44:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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This weekend sees the release of a hugely important movie for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, ‘Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.’ Sean breaks down the character’s place in Marvel mythology, the films that influenced the new movie, and whether it all worked with The Ringer’s Daniel Chin (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by the film’s screenwriter, Dave Callaham, to talk about writing blockbusters in the 21st century, the challenges and rewards of the work, and how 'Shang Chi' came together (46:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Daniel Chin and Dave Callaham

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda talk about the buzzy new ‘Spider-Man’ trailer, as well as some hotly anticipated awards-season films, including ‘The Power of the Dog’ and ‘Spencer’ (0:31). Then they dig into the mailbag to answer listener questions about ‘Dune,’ their dream biopics, and the HBO Max experiment so far (30:00). Finally, Sean is joined by Michael Sarnoski, the writer-director of the acclaimed Nicolas Cage drama ‘Pig’ (1:20:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Michael Sarnoski

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean returns from his break and Amanda runs down the major story lines from the world of movies that he missed (0:31). Then, they share their favorite (and not so favorite) movies of the summer (48:30).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Still reeling from Gene Siskel's death, Roger Ebert tries to bring their show into the new century. But Hollywood is changing, and so is the media landscape Gene and Roger conquered during their time together. And as the story of Gene and Roger ends, it's clear that movies—and movie criticism—will never be the same again.

Host: Brian Raftery

Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner

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By the late '90s, the unlikely alliance between Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert was stronger than ever. But their hard-won friendship would soon face unexpected challenges that would end their time together sooner than anyone expected

Host: Brian Raftery

Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner

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In July, the sometimes-acclaimed, sometimes-controversial, sometimes-downright-vilified writer-director M. Night Shyamalan released his 14th feature film, 'Old.' Joining Sean to talk about all things Shyamalan—from his best films to his worst and everything in between—is the cohost of 'Higher Learning' and one-half of the Midnight Boys on the Ringer Podcast Network, Van Lathan.

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guest: Van Lathan

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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For Siskel and Ebert, the '90s were a revolutionary era—both for the movies and for their careers. A new generation of filmmakers was taking over Hollywood, and Gene and Roger became cheerleaders for the bold next wave of writers and directors. But the industry was also plagued by problems and controversies, many of which Siskel and Ebert faced head on. By the time the '90s ended, Gene and Roger would become more than just the country's best-known film critics. They'd also become advocates.

Host: Brian Raftery

Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner

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