The Big Picture

After their respective trips to Colorado and Italy, Sean and Amanda convene to discuss the movies they watched at Telluride and Venice Film Festivals, including films from David Fincher, Sofia Coppola, Michael Mann, Yorgos Lanthimos, Bradley Cooper, Ryusuke Hamaguchi, and more (1:00). Then, they share some early Oscar predictions based on the quality and buzz surrounding the films coming out of the two festivals (1:10:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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We are drafting again! Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan reunite for a draft of the best movies of 2006.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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We’re back! Sean and Amanda discuss all the movies they missed, the big stories out of Hollywood, and much more (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by ‘Bottoms’ director Emma Seligman to discuss her new comedy (1:35:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Emma Seligman

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Oliver Stone returns to Vietnam with ‘Born on the Fourth of July’—a movie that closes out the ’80s, as well as the Vietnam movie boom. But ‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘Dead Presidents’ prove that ’90s audiences aren’t ready to leave Vietnam for good.

Other films we talk about in this episode include ‘Running on Empty’ (1988), ‘Dogfight’ (1991), and ‘Heaven and Earth’ (1993).

Host: Brian Raftery 

Producers: Devon Manze, Mike Wargon, Amanda Dobbins, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Bobby Wagner 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville 

All interviews for this series were conducted before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

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In the late ’80s, a new wave of big-studio hits like ‘Full Metal Jacket’ and ‘Good Morning, Vietnam’ introduces young moviegoers to Vietnam—and helps turn the war into an unlikely pop-culture phenomenon.

Other films we talk about in this episode include ‘Hamburger Hill’ (1987) and ‘Casualties of War’ (1989). 

Host: Brian Raftery 

Producers: Devon Manze, Mike Wargon, Amanda Dobbins, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Bobby Wagner 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville 

Interviews for this series were conducted before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

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Oliver Stone’s harrowing and heartbreaking Vietnam drama ‘Platoon’ becomes a worldwide phenomenon in 1986—and signals the beginning of the Vietnam movie boom.

Host: Brian Raftery 

Producers: Devon Manze, Mike Wargon, Amanda Dobbins, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Bobby Wagner 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville 

All interviews for this series were conducted before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

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In the early 1980s, as America is grappling with the fallout of Vietnam, a troubled big-screen vet named John Rambo launches an unlikely movie franchise—and leads a wave of make-believe soldiers who are ready to fight the war all over again.  

Other films we talk about in this episode include ‘First Blood’ (1982), ‘Uncommon Valor’ (1983), ‘Missing in Action’ (1984), and ‘Rambo: First Blood Part II’ (1985). 

Host: Brian Raftery 

Producers: Devon Manze, Mike Wargon, Amanda Dobbins, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Bobby Wagner 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville 

All interviews for this series were conducted before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

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‘Apocalypse Now’ closes out the 1970s with the most ambitious Vietnam movie yet: a big-budget spectacle that will bring moviegoers closer than ever to the madness of war—and nearly push director Francis Ford Coppola over the edge. 

Other films we talk about in this episode include ‘Who’ll Stop the Rain’ (1978), ‘The Boys in Company C’ (1978), ‘Go Tell the Spartans’ (1978), and ‘Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse’ (1991).

Host: Brian Raftery 

Producers: Devon Manze, Mike Wargon, Amanda Dobbins, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Bobby Wagner 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville 

All interviews for this series were conducted before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

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In the late ’70s, ‘The Deer Hunter’ and ‘Coming Home’ offer two very different visions of Vietnam—and become unexpected hits. Together, they’d bring the war to the mainstream—and to the Oscars.

Host: Brian Raftery 

Producers: Devon Manze, Mike Wargon, Amanda Dobbins, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Bobby Wagner 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville 

All interviews for this series were conducted before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

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It’s the mid-’70s, and Hollywood is still scared of Vietnam. But a series of dark and wildly entertaining B movies brings the war to the big screen, with explosive results. 

Other films we talk about in this episode include ‘M*A*S*H’ (1970), ‘Soldier Blue’ (1970), ‘Brotherhood of Death’ (1976), ‘Taxi Driver’ (1976), and ‘Rolling Thunder’ (1977).

Host: Brian Raftery 

Producers: Devon Manze, Mike Wargon, Amanda Dobbins, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Bobby Wagner 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville

All interviews for this series were conducted before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

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In the late-’60s, John Wayne stars in the first hit Vietnam movie: his controversial blockbuster ‘The Green Berets.’ And the piercing documentary ‘Hearts and Minds’ leads to an Oscar-night meltdown in 1975.

Other films we talk about in this episode include ‘In the Year of the Pig’ (1969) and ‘Winter Soldier’ (1972). 

Host: Brian Raftery 

Producers: Devon Manze, Mike Wargon, Amanda Dobbins, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Bobby Wagner 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville 

All interviews for this series were conducted before the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023.

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‘The Deer Hunter.’ ‘Apocalypse Now.’ ‘First Blood.’ ‘Platoon.’ They’re among the hit films dealing with the Vietnam War—a conflict that divided moviegoers and inspired filmmakers. For decades, Hollywood released countless films about the war and its fallout—from action flicks to combat tales to sweeping dramas. 

Through exclusive new interviews, ‘Do We Get to Win This Time?’ chronicles the making of Hollywood’s most ambitious and controversial Vietnam movies. Along the way, we also learn how these films reflected and shaped moviegoers’ feelings toward the war—and toward each other.

Host: Brian Raftery 

Producers: Devon Manze, Mike Wargon, Amanda Dobbins, and Vikram Patel

Sound Design: Bobby Wagner 

Mixing and Mastering: Scott Somerville 

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Sean and Amanda are joined by Ringer contributor Brian Raftery to discuss his upcoming series ‘Do We Get to Win This Time? How Hollywood Made the Vietnam War,’ which will be running on ‘The Big Picture’ feed over the next three weeks (1:00). Then, at long last, Sean and Chris Ryan unveil the latest genre in their ongoing niche genre project: Garbage Fish (15:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Chris Ryan and Brian Raftery

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean discusses ‘Talk to Me,’ the horror movie of the summer, and his five scariest summer movies (1:00), before being joined by the directors of the film, Danny and Michael Philippou (10:00). Then, he is joined by ‘Afire’ director Christian Petzold to discuss his new film, his career, and the shared interests of arthouse and commercial cinema (41:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Danny and Michael Philippou, Christian Petzold

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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To celebrate Amanda’s birthday, Sean, Amanda, and Bobby gather to taste the various liquors, wines, beers, and mixed drinks endorsed or owned by movie stars. While tasting, they discuss the stars’ careers—past, present, and future—and whether their business projects are to blame for the shift in their focus away from the silver screen.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda are joined by Ringer-verse co-host Joanna Robinson to dive deep into ‘Barbie’—its innovation, its performances, its overwhelming success at the box office, and everything in between (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Greta Gerwig to discuss her approach to building the ‘Barbie’ world, the unique challenges it presented, how it relates to the other two films she’s directed, the cultural phenomenon it has set off, and more (1:29:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Greta Gerwig and Joanna Robinson

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to discuss Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ in granular detail, including its script, cinematography, extensive cast, big ideas, and ultimate success.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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The biggest movie weekend in years is finally here. Sean and Amanda discuss the theater-going experience surrounding Greta Gerwig’s ‘Barbie’ and Christopher Nolan’s ‘Oppenheimer’ (1:00), including the order and circumstances in which you should see them. Then, they dig into their feelings on ‘Oppenheimer’ and where Nolan stands in Hollywood (17:00), before pivoting their focus to ‘Barbie’ and what it signals about Gerwig’s ambitions and desires as a filmmaker (52:00).

This episode makes an effort to be spoiler-free of plot points in both ‘Barbie’ and ‘Oppenheimer,’ but does feature in-depth discussion of Sean and Amanda’s reactions and feelings about each movie.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda discuss the dramatic effect the SAG-AFTRA strike will have on the movie industry (1:00), before opening up the mailbag and answering any and all questions about the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise (15:00). Then, they do the impossible work of ranking all seven installments in the franchise (1:10:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda dive into one of their most anticipated movies in years, the return of Ethan Hunt and the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda dig into the year’s releases that they haven’t covered yet, including ‘Joy Ride,’ ‘Insidious: The Red Door,’ ‘Elemental,’ and more.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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At the halfway point of this year, we take a look at the movies yet to be released and hold an auction for the ones we’re most excited about.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda call up an all-star rotation of Ringer colleagues and contributors to share their favorite movies this year so far, from superhero movies to art house darlings and everything in between.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Chris Ryan, Mallory Rubin, Joanna Robinson, Van Lathan, Charles Holmes, Rob Mahoney, Jessica Clemons, Adam Nayman

Senior Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda are joined by Ringer-verse host and Harrison Ford scholar Mallory Rubin to discuss the latest installment in the ‘Indiana Jones’ franchise and whether it functions as a worthwhile send-off to Ford’s iconic role as Indy (1:00). Then, they rank the franchise's five films (56:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Mallory Rubin

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda are joined by Chris Ryan to discuss the life, legacy, and wonder of one of our great movie stars: Mr. Harrison Ford himself. On the cusp of the release of 'Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,' it’s time to choose the 10 essential Harrison Ford films for our hall.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Jennifer Lawrence is back in the center of a movie—this time a studio comedy. Sean and Amanda discuss the successes and shortcomings of ‘No Hard Feelings’ and the unique place this occupies in Lawrence’s movie career. Then, they outline the future playbook for J-Law’s continued development as a movie star.

Host: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Adam Nayman joins Sean and Amanda to discuss Wes Anderson’s career and filmmaking aesthetic before they dig into his latest film, ‘Asteroid City’ (1:00). Then, Sean and Amanda rank all 11 of Anderson’s feature films (50:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Adam Nayman

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Hugely hyped and also facing controversy around its star, ‘The Flash’ arrives at a complicated moment for superhero stories. Van Lathan joins Sean and Amanda to talk about the movie and DC’s future.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Van Lathan

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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We are drafting again! Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan reunite for a draft of the best movies of 2001.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean digs into his pet obsession, the ‘Transformers’ franchise, and its newest installment ‘Rise of the Beasts.’ Then, he recommends five new streaming movies, and opens up the mailbag to answer your questions.

Host: Sean Fennessey

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda dive deep into 'Past Lives,' one of the year's finest films and an extraordinary example of writing, directing, and acting in romantic storytelling (1:00). Then, they share their five favorite romantic films (58:00). Finally, Sean is joined by writer-director Celine Song to talk about her debut feature (1:18:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Celine Song

Producers: Bobby Wagner and Sasha Ashall

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Sean and Amanda are joined by Charles Holmes to dive deep into the ‘Spider-Verse’ movies, from the breathtaking animation to the bold storytelling to the expectation-shattering standard they set.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Charles Holmes

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda discuss the finale of ‘Succession’ as a portal into the true divide between movies and TV today, and the ways in which the latter has stolen the former’s mojo (1:00), before a breakdown of the new live-action remake of Disney’s ‘The Little Mermaid’ (30:00). Then, Sean is joined by Cristian Mungiu, the Romanian master filmmaker, to discuss his latest, ‘R.M.N.’ (56:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Cristian Mungiu

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda come to you live (on tape) from Europe! They recap their journeys, discuss the hype out of the Cannes Film Festival (1:00), and share five new movie recommendations (17:00). Then, Sean is joined by Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Nicole Holofcener, the star and the writer-director, respectively, of the new film ‘You Hurt My Feelings’ (58:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Nicole Holofcener

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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We are drafting again! Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan reunite for a draft, with a twist. We’re drafting movies that feature Robert De Niro.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Bobby Wagner 

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What a double feature. Sean and Amanda discuss ‘Fast X’ and the troubles of the franchise (1:00), before making the hard pivot to Paul Schrader’s ‘Master Gardener’ (40:00). Then, Sean is joined by Schrader to discuss the film, his long career as a writer and director, the state of movies, and more (57:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Paul Schrader

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Amanda and Sean discuss ‘BlackBerry’ before sharing their five most eagerly awaited movies of the summer season (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Matt Johnson, the filmmaker behind ‘BlackBerry’ (55:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Matt Johnson

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Two years have passed since Sean and Amanda ranked their active and over-35 movie icons. So we’re back with deeply scientific new rankings and deeply weird conversations. Please enjoy.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda dig into the mailbag to answer your questions about upcoming movies, the impact of the writers strike, and more.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Joanna Robinson joins Sean to talk about all things Marvel, from its rocky run of recent movies to changes in leadership to streaming series delays, before digging into the most anticipated entry in years, James Gunn’s ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.’

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guest: Joanna Robinson

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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In honor of Guy Ritchie releasing two films in 2023, Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan—the team that brought you garbage crime, junk sci-fi, and trash spies—debut their latest hyper-specific, beloved genre: garbage lads.

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Judy Blume’s beloved 1970 classic of young adult fiction has finally hit the big screen. Sean and Amanda discuss that, along with Disney’s new ‘Peter Pan and Wendy’ live-action adaptation (1:00) before sharing their top five favorite coming-of-age films (29:00). Then, Sean is joined by writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig to discuss making ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret’ (1:06:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Kelly Fremon Craig

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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We are drafting again! Sean, Amanda, and Chris Ryan reunite for a draft of the summer blockbusters of the ’90s.

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guest: Chris Ryan

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Ari Aster’s third feature, the Oedipal nightmare comedy ‘Beau Is Afraid,’ is here. Sean discusses the film’s virtuosic gifts and alienating approach at length with Adam Nayman (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Aster to discuss how he made his thrilling new movie (58:00).

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Ari Aster and Adam Nayman

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Horror is booming—Sean is joined by Chris Ryan to talk about four big releases, the best movies in the genre they’ve seen so far, and what defines this era in scares (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Daniel Goldhaber, the director and cowriter of ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline,’ and Ariela Barer, the star and cowriter of the film (1:05:00).

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Chris Ryan, Daniel Goldhaber, and Ariela Barer

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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It’s time to swap, which means it’s time for our producer, Bobby, to finally watch ‘Casablanca’! Sean and Amanda pitch a pair of beloved spy classics—the 1942 Best Picture winner and 1979’s madcap comedy ‘The In-Laws’—while Bobby shares with them the millennial family romp ‘Spy Kids.’

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda discuss ‘How to Blow Up a Pipeline’ and Kelly Reichardt’s ‘Showing Up’ (1:00) before checking in on several 2023 releases they missed on the show this year. Then, Sean is joined by Michelle Williams and Reichardt to discuss their fourth collaboration, ‘Showing Up’ (1:07:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Guests: Michelle Williams and Kelly Reichardt

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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At long last! Sean and Amanda dive deep on Ben Affleck’s ‘Air,’ the story of how Michael Jordan signed to Nike and the men who made it happen (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Sam Jones to discuss his new documentary, ‘Jason Isbell: Running With Our Eyes Closed’ (58:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

Guest: Sam Jones

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Ben Lindbergh and Charles Holmes join Sean to talk about one of the most anticipated films of the year: 'Mario'! They discuss the new film (1:00) and how video games have been the most valuable IP in Hollywood (36:00).

Host: Sean Fennessey

Guests: Charles Holmes and Ben Lindbergh

Producer: Bobby Wagner

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Sean and Amanda dig into the surprisingly fun new ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ adaptation from the filmmakers who brought us ‘Game Night,’ before discussing a new sort of IP boom in Hollywood (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by A.V. Rockwell to discuss her debut feature, ‘A Thousand and One’ (58:00).

Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins

Producer: Bobby Wagner

Guest: A.V. Rockwell

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