The Big Picture

Sean and Amanda discuss one of the year's most anticipated movies, 'In the Heights,' a movie adaptation of the Tony-Winning Lin-Manuel Miranda musical that is now in theaters and available on HBO Max (0:30). Then they discuss what makes a great movie musical and share their 10 favorites (45:00).

Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s episode, Sean and Amanda dig into Bo Burnham’s Netflix special ‘Inside’ ... or is it a movie? They talk about the songs, the production style, the themes, and that pesky "is it a movie?" question. Then, they share some new streaming movie recommendations (31:00) before opening up the mailbag for questions about ‘The Underground Railroad,’ movie book recommendations, and more (47:00). Finally, they’re joined by two special-guest lovebirds (1:20:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

‘The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It,’ the third ‘Conjuring’ movie and the eighth installment in the franchise hits HBO Max and movie theaters this weekend. We’re diving into the film and our favorite "no. 3" entries in movie history with Chris Ryan. Plus, we discuss the exciting lineup for this year's Cannes Film Festival.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producers: Bobby Wagner and Steve Ahlman

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Shhhhhhhhhhh. We’re back in movie theaters! After more than 13 months away from our favorite place, we returned to theaters. This is worthy of a celebration. Sean and Amanda talk about the experience, what they expect in the future at theaters, and then dive deep into a movie that they and many other Americans saw this weekend: 'A Quiet Place Part II.'

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda dive into the news that Amazon has acquired the historic Hollywood studio MGM, what it means for the streaming wars, the future of James Bond, and more (0:21). Then they discuss the new Oscars date and how the awards’ theater requirements continue to evolve (29:30). Finally, they review the new Disney Emma Stone vehicle ‘Cruella’ and build a Hall of Fame for Stone (52:39).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re drafting again, and this time we’ve got a doozy of a year. Chris Ryan rejoins Sean and Amanda to select their favorites from one of the most memorable movie years in recent memory. 

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Zack Snyder returns to the undead with his new Netflix blockbuster 'Army of the Dead.' Sean is joined by Chris Ryan and Adam Nayman to discuss Snyder's latest, what makes a great zombie movie, and share their five favorites from the genre.

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Chris Ryan and Adam Nayman

Producer: Bobby Wagner

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda break down a handful of new releases because, well, vaccination rates are growing, theaters are open, and movies are being released (0:25). They discuss HBO Max’s ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’ with Bill Simmons (4:10); break down Netflix’s new Amy Adams thriller, ‘The Woman in the Window’ (38:57); and then share their top five favorite movie twists (59:18). 

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Bill Simmons

Producer: Bobby Wagner

Additional Production: Sasha Ashall

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The release of ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ got us thinking about the best animated movies since 2000. Rob Harvilla and Charles Holmes join Sean to talk about the medium and their favorites from the past 20 years. (0:21) Then, Sean is joined by ‘The Mitchells vs. The Machines’ director Mike Rianda to talk about his movie and the five-year journey to get it to Netflix. (1:00:08)

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Rob Harvilla and Charles Holmes; Mike Rianda

Producer: Bobby Wagner

Additional Production: Sasha Ashall

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After his triumphant introduction of the movie director game, Sam Esmail rejoins Amanda and Sean to discuss his 2020 movie-watching experiences, his favorites films of the year, how the medium could change after the pandemic, and what value the Oscars do or don't have. He covers all this with the aid of a helpful new exercise: The Best Picture match game.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Sam Esmail

Producer: Bobby Wagner

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices