The Big Picture

Movies are back! On today’s show, Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to bask in the glorious commercial and cultural success of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey.’ Before diving in, they react to myriad movie news headlines, including the first trailer for ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ the Paramount and Warner Bros. merger being paused, some fall film festival updates, and much more. Then, they sort through the dominant opening weekend box office performance of ‘The Odyssey’ and break down the film at length by discussing some of CR’s main takeaways. Finally, they embark on the overwhelming challenge of ranking every movie from Nolan’s filmography.

(0:00) Intro

(0:54) Summer movie mailbag

(1:52) ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ trailer reaction

(10:50) Paramount-Warner Bros. merger has been paused

(12:40) Fall film festival updates

(17:55) Ryan Coogler’s ‘X-Files’ reboot pilot shot on 65mm film

(19:15) Edward Berger making the next ‘Bourne’ movie with Matt Damon

(22:20) Rachel Cusk is writing a novel about Natalie Portman

(24:30) ‘The Odyssey’ smashes its opening weekend, and CR’s takeaways

(1:13:14) Our relationship to Christopher Nolan in 2026

(1:22:32) The Christopher Nolan movie rankings

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

It’s on Prime.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time. On today’s show, Sean and Amanda cover the biggest movie event of the year, Christopher Nolan’s highly anticipated ‘The Odyssey.’ Before entering their wooden horse to ambush the gates of Troy, they react to some movie news, including ‘The Batman Part II’ being delayed (again), some fall film festival lineup announcements, and more. Then, they kick off their deep dive into this legitimately levitating epic. They make the case for why it’s the perfect Christopher Nolan movie, highlight the pivotal decision to cast Matt Damon as Odysseus, and predict its box office and Academy Awards chances.

(0:00) Intro

(1:11) Movie news

(22:37) ‘The Odyssey’ deep dive

(1:51:32) Box office and Oscar predictions

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

It’s on Prime.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan for their first ever (and potentially last) Epic Movie Draft, in anticipation of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’. Before kicking things off, they react to legendary actor Sam Neil’s passing, Moana’s opening weekend box office bomb, and the trailers released for ‘Digger’ and ‘Dune: Part Three’. Then, they debate what it is exactly that makes a movie “epic” and draft some incredible films from a myriad of different categories.

(0:00) Intro

(1:47) We went to Canada

(3:27) Sam Neill’s passing

(7:12) ‘Moana’ bombs at the box office (and Disney's live-action future)

(17:04) ‘Digger’ trailer reaction

(22:11) ‘Dune: Part Three’ trailer reaction

(24:58) ‘Odyssey’-inspired epics series on the Criterion Channel

(27:00) What makes a movie epic?

(33:20) The Epic Movie Draft

(1:39:15) Honorable mentions and draft recap

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

It’s on Prime.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On today’s show, Sean and Amanda invite their enigmatic upstairs neighbor Chris Ryan for an episode that spirals into unexpected places, because they’re discussing Olivia Wilde’s ‘The Invite.’ They praise Wilde for her incredible sense of direction, celebrate the connective tissue between the wonderful writing and the distinct performances, and explore whether they read the ending as optimistic or pessimistic. Then, they share their personal top five “nightmare couple movies” of all time. Finally, Sean is joined by Wilde to dive deep into her new film. She explains why she feels we're very isolated in our culture now, how you know whether you’re giving the right performance in a movie you’re directing, and why this film had no chance being made within the studio system.

(0:00) Intro

(1:13) ‘The Invite’

(20:40) Spoiler alert

(45:37) The top five nightmare couple movies

(55:28) Olivia Wilde joins the show!

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

It’s on Prime.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sean and Amanda open the show by briefly discussing the disappointing opening weekend box office performance of ‘Minions & Monsters.’ Then, they honor legendary actor Diane Keaton by celebrating what made her such a special star, and they build her Hall of Fame, selecting their favorite performances from her illustrious career.

(0:00) Intro

(0:58) The disappointing box office performance of ‘Minions & Monsters’

(8:38) What made Diane Keaton so special?

(36:28) The Diane Keaton Hall of Fame

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Jack Sanders

Production Support: Lucas Cavanagh

It’s on Prime.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices