The Big Picture

The Oscars are a distant memory, but we are still trapped in February, a typically scary time for movie lovers. Sean and Amanda explore the good, the bad, and the ugly of the 2020 Dumpuary movie slate so far this season, including 'Sonic the Hedgehog,' 'Harley Quinn: Birds of Prey,' 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before P.S. I Still Love You,' and 'Fantasy Island' (1:11). Then Sean is joined by Oscar-winning screenwriters and directors Nat Faxon and Jim Rash to talk about 'Downhill,' their American remake of the Swedish film 'Force Majeure,' and working with Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Will Ferrell (68:54).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Nat Faxon and Jim Rash

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Still awash in the 'Parasite' afterglow, we drill down on some of the lingering questions from the 92nd Oscars submitted by you, the listeners (1:17). Has 'Parasite' undone the wrongs that the Academy inflicted on Alfonso Cuarón’s ‘Roma’? What happened to ‘Once Upon a Time … in Hollywood’ and what are Quentin Tarantino’s future Oscar prospects? Which films are emerging as early contenders to be discussed for next year’s Oscars? Then, writer-director Céline Sciamma joins to discuss her wonderful film ‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire,’ which goes wide in the United States on Valentine’s Day (56:38).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Céline Sciamma

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In a shocking and exhilarating finale to the 92nd Academy Awards, ‘Parasite’ and Bong Joon-ho won Best Picture, capping off an amazing Cinderella run to the top. Sean and Amanda gather their emotions to recap a strange and often dull ceremony that was highlighted by some extraordinary bursts of greatness. They break down all the awards and the best presenters, speeches, and moments from the show. They also try to understand why there were so many damn musical performances.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

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In our final show before the 92nd Oscars, we run down every category and predict what we think will win each award. Will it be a historic night for 'Parasite' and Bong Joon-ho, a sweep for '1917' and Sam Mendes, or a night full of curveballs we don't see coming? We also discuss whether the feeling of inevitability surrounding the acting categories has decreased excitement for the show overall.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

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Now that we know how this weekend’s Oscar ceremony is lining up, we’re ready to share some ideas of our own. Wesley Morris joins Sean and Amanda for the first annual Big Picture Oscars to create some new awards for the telecast and find new nominees in the six big categories.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Wesley Morris

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'1917' has run roughshod over the preliminary awards shows, dominating at the BAFTAs over the weekend. Does a WGAs win for 'Parasite' create any daylight for the South Korean sensation? Amanda and Sean break down the film's chances with a deep dive into the preferential balloting system that the Academy uses to determine its Best Picture winner (2:15). Then, they make the case for 'Parasite' as the right pick for the prize, celebrating its writing, production design, performances, direction, and so much more (37:02).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

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We have returned from Sundance and we have seen the movies. Some of them, at least. Sean and Amanda break down the Sundance movie archetypes and share their favorites from the festival (1:02). Then, they discuss what's been purchased in the market, and how streaming services are trying to improve their track record of Sundance acquisitions. They also explore the festival's biggest disaster (35:25). Finally, Sean is joined by writer-director Eliza Hittman to talk about her terrific third feature, 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always,' which premiered in Park City last week (54:09).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Eliza Hittman

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After a victory at the Directors Guild of America Awards, Sam Mendes's '1917' seems poised for dominance on Oscar night. How did the most exciting race in years become so predictable so quickly? And if there are surprises on February 9, what will they be? Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan debate whether a '1917' Best Picture win would signal a return to unimaginative Academy tradition (1:17). Then they break down the weekend's box office winners and losers, including Guy Ritchie's tasteless but entertaining crime romp 'The Gentlemen' (22:32).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

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We've touched down in Park City, Utah, for the Sundance Film Festival and we're ready to watch some movies. Sean and Amanda break down what it means to be a Sundance movie, the evolving state of the festival, and a few of the films they've already seen, including a Taylor Swift documentary and a hair-centric horror movie from the director of 'Dear White People' (1:00). Then, they share their lists of the movies they're most excited to see, from documentaries with grave international consequences to a drama based on a "stripper saga" Twitter thread (19:12). Finally, Sean is joined by Randy Newman to discuss his Oscar-nominated work in 'Marriage Story' and 'Toy Story 4,' his showdown at the Academy Awards with his cousin Thomas Newman, and his long career as a songwriter, composer, and bastion of wit and wisdom (41:55).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Randy Newman

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After a busy weekend for guild awards ceremonies, we have a new front-runner, '1917,' which scored a big win at the Producers Guild Awards. But 'Parasite' nabbed a surprise victory for Best Cast at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, setting up an intriguing showdown. Sean and Amanda break down the new narrative for Best Picture as we head into the Oscars home stretch (0:57). Then, we're joined by Shea Serrano, who shares the best and most important things about the weekend's box office champ, 'Bad Boys for Life' (20:59). And finally, Sean and Amanda dig into the mailbag to answer all your questions about the past, present, and future of the Academy Awards (36:52).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Shea Serrano

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