The Big Picture

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...

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

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, No...

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

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 Fennesse...

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 w...

We’re drafting again—and this time we’re not messing around. It’s 2007, one of the greatest movie years of our lifetimes, with several personal favorites on the board. Who will drink whose milkshake? Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As Gene and Roger jumped from one program to another, they left behind shows that were desperate to replicate the duo’s groundbreaking success. These reiterations, along with other imitations of the format, paved the way for a television market saturated with Siskel and Ebert wannabes. But what they all failed to realize was that what made Gene and Roger special was Gene and Roger themselves. Host...

The '80s were the blockbuster era—and Siskel and Ebert were its blockbuster film critics. It was the decade in which Gene and Roger would realize the full extent of their powers, as well as their limitations. And it would find them making yet another high-profile business decision, one that would have big consequences for Gene. Host: Brian Raftery Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac L...

It’s time for another movie swap! This time, Amanda and Sean trade a pair of classics from James Cameron: the Oscar-winning behemoth ‘Titanic’ and the action classic ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (0:30). Then, Sean is joined by David Lowery, the director behind the long-awaited Arthurian fable ‘The Green Knight’ (1:24:00). Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: David Lowery Producer: Bobby...

In the early ’80s, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert went from PBS stars to pop-culture celebrities. That newfound fame tested their already-heightened rivalry. But it also united them as they made one of the riskiest moves of their careers—a move that would change the way films were talked about, and that made Gene and Roger bigger than ever. Host: Brian Raftery Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennesse...

We’re living in a boom time for music documentaries. Rob Harvilla joins Sean to talk about the history of the subgenre, why it’s exploding, and their top five favorites (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Garret Price, the filmmaker behind the first installment in Ringer Films’ new documentary music series Music Box: ‘Woodstock ’99: Love, Peace, and Rage,’ a powerful and fascinating portrait of a terr...

From the minute Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert hit the air, everyone wanted to know: Did these two guys actually hate each other? In this episode, we’ll learn more about how Gene and Roger came to be critics and rivals, and what made them the perfect foils for each other on TV. Host: Brian Raftery Producers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad...

Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were the most famous and powerful film critics of their time—and their shows were smash hits that changed an entire industry. Over the next eight episodes, host Brian Raftery will talk to Siskel and Ebert’s families, friends, coworkers, and peers to explore the duo's lasting impact—on movie criticism, on the media landscape, and on how we talk to one another. Host: Bria...

The 'Big Picture' Movie Auction is back! Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to bid on the rest of the movies coming out this year that they’re desperate to see (17:00). Sean and Amanda also talk to Brian Raftery about ‘Gene and Roger,’ his new podcast series about the true story behind the rivalry and the partnership between legendary film critics Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert (1:30). Finally,...

Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert were the most powerful and influential movie critics of their time. The way they talked about film set a template for pop culture conversations far beyond the cinema. In this eight-part series, premiering July 20 on ‘The Big Picture’ feed, we’ll talk to everyone from family members to show producers to filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino about the legacy Siskel and Ebert...

It’s a very special episode of the show: a deep dive into the career of one of our favorite filmmakers, Brian De Palma. We’re celebrating the 40th anniversary of one of his masterworks, ‘Blow Out,’ this summer, and exploring the depths of his career. Joining Sean is Ringer contributor and author Adam Nayman. Host: Sean Fennessey Guest: Adam Nayman Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad ch...

The first new movie installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 737 days is finally here, available now on Disney+ with Premier Access or in movie theaters. Amanda and Sean break down ‘Black Widow’ and the future of the MCU, emphasis on the “C” (0:30). Then, Sean is joined by writer-director Leigh Janiak to discuss her three ‘Fear Street’ films that are rolling out on three consecutive Fridays...

It’s been an odd movie year, but there have been a handful of standouts at the halfway mark. Sean and Amanda share their top fives of 2021 thus far and explore whether we need to define what qualifies (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, the Roots drummer and now film director, to discuss his new documentary, ‘Summer of Soul (... or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televise...

‘No Sudden Move,’ the latest film from Steven Soderbergh—now available on HBO Max—is a return to a familiar form for one of our favorite filmmakers: the heist movie. So in this episode, Sean and Amanda share their top 5 favorite heist flicks. (0:45) Then, Sean is joined by Janicza Bravo, the writer-director behind one of the year’s most entertaining films, the ripped-from-Twitter tale of ‘Zola.’ (...

Quentin Tarantino is here! The writer-director had adapted his film 'Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood' into a novel, and on this episode he dives deep on everything: what's different from the movie, why he wrote a novelization in the first place, the movies he watched during quarantine, the future of moviegoing, and so much more. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan Guest: Quentin Tarantino Produ...

The long-awaited ‘Fast 9’ is here, so Sean and Amanda are digging into the entire ‘Fast & Furious’ series of movies and ranking ’em all with the man who lives his life one-quarter of a pod at a time, Shea Serrano. Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Shea Serrano Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Yes, we are drafting again. It’s the Movie Draft: 1975 Edition. It was simply one of the best years in film history. Let’s get it! Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins Guest: Chris Ryan Producer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda discuss the news that Peter Jackson's Beatles documentary will stretch into a limited documentary television series (0:30). Then, Sean is joined by writer-director Alex Ross Perry to talk about the phenomenon of the lost movie, specifically great works from well-known filmmakers that have fallen out of circulation, critical celebration, and general viewership. With the advent of so...

Sean and Amanda discuss the box office returns for ‘In the Heights’ and how the movie’s availability on HBO Max may have affected it. They also discuss the launch of ‘Loki’ on Disney+ and ‘Infinite’ on Paramount+ and the challenges facing movie lovers as more and more services pop up (0:30). Then, they share their plans to build the perfect streaming service, by drafting film and TV libraries, spo...