Trainwreck 2015
Her first movie and a big hit; Zinoman notes it had a Judd Apatow claim on it that 'Snatched' does not.
The Big Picture · Discussion · Interview
Amy Schumer's Career Arc, and 'Snatched' Director Jonathan Levine
June 1, 2017/ 45 min/ Sean Fennessey
Episode 14: New York Times comedy critic Jason Zinoman on Amy Schumer's rise and the scrutiny that came with it, then 'Snatched' director Jonathan Levine on taking a for-hire gig, ripping off 'Boogie Nights', assisting Paul Schrader, and clearing his AFI debt.
18 films across 2 segments.
AI-generated This episode was transcribed and analyzed with AI models. The matches aren't perfect — expect the occasional misheard title or a link to the wrong film.
Amy Schumer's Career Arcwith Jason Zinoman, New York Times comedy critic
Snatched 2017
The sophomore vehicle, with Goldie Hawn 'selling tickets.' Zinoman calls it a truer test than 'Trainwreck': around $32M so far, and despite the bad reviews, a bankable step.
Jonathan Levine on 'Snatched'
Jonathan Levine on
Snatched 2017
His reactive next move after a personal film: a for-hire comedy he could rework on set with Schumer, Kim Caramele, and Katie Dippold. Did well financially, less so critically, 'a first' for him.
Jonathan Levine on
The Night Before 2015
The Seth Rogen Christmas comedy he wrote and re-outlined two months out at Rogen and Evan Goldberg's insistence. He thinks it has a shot as a cable-discovered cult classic.
Jonathan Levine on
The Wackness 2008
His personal, point-of-view-driven breakout; he wants to write a sequel and misses the stylistic agility it allowed.
Jonathan Levine on
50/50 2011
His favorite of his own films, and one he 'had so little to do with the writing of.'
Jonathan Levine on
Warm Bodies 2013
He was the only writer on it; last-minute voiceover rewrites 'made the movie take a quantum leap forward.'
Jonathan Levine on
All the Boys Love Mandy Lane 2006
Paid about $15K for two and a half years; he sold the editing computer on Craigslist. Its sale was the first real money he saw.
Jonathan Levine on
21 Jump Street 2012
One end of his 'Snatched' reference stack: 'everything from 21 Jump Street to Fitzcarraldo.'
Jonathan Levine on
Boogie Nights 1997
Ripped off repeatedly: the yardstick he used to talk himself into risky shots.
Jonathan Levine on
The Killing of a Chinese Bookie 1976
Cassavetes; the red-light club look was 'stolen directly from that.'
Jonathan Levine on
This Is the End 2013
One of the Rogen/Goldberg movies their producers and financiers had already made, which made the mid-shoot rewriting safe.
Jonathan Levine on
Auto Focus 2002
Schrader was editing it while Levine assisted him; 'a movie I really, really like.'
Jonathan Levine on
Taxi Driver 1976
Levine found Schrader's original yellow-legal-pad outline in the office files: the whole thing planned before a word was written. His favorite movie.
Jonathan Levine on
A Bigger Splash 2015
His favorite movie of the previous year: 'so beautiful, so cool, so weird,' and a high-level Ralph Fiennes performance.
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
TV I'm Dying Up HereGame of ThronesMr. RobotDear White PeopleRushLouieNas / BET childhood docudrama (untitled)
Podcasts Binge Mode
Books Letterman: The Last Giant of Late Night
Music IllmaticPurple Rain