The Big Picture · Discussion · Interview
May 10, 2019/ 57 min/ Sean Fennessey · Micah Peters
Micah Peters helps Sean sort out 'Pokémon Detective Pikachu' and the Pokémon phenomenon at large, then Werner Herzog talks through 'Meeting Gorbachev,' his three sit-downs with Mikhail Gorbachev, and a career that now spans 70-odd films.
4 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.
The 'Pokémon Detective Pikachu' Exit SurveySean Fennessey and Micah Peters
Ryan Reynolds voices the title detective. Micah, a lapsed Pokémon obsessive, calls it fine but dreads a good opening weekend because it means more of these; Sean, coming in with zero Pokémon knowledge, can't tell if it's spoofing noir/buddy-cop tropes or playing them straight.
Sean's comparison point for world-building that front-loads exposition, then loses him once the plot mystery kicks in. He tried three times to finish it at home.
In Conversationhis career, on the occasion of 'Meeting Gorbachev'
Herzog's 30th documentary, co-directed with Andre Singer. He met Mikhail Gorbachev three times, prepared by reading Gorbachev's memoirs and William Taubman's biography, and describes the moment Gorbachev answered a question about his late wife Raisa's death.
Herzog's narrative feature shot in Japan, with Herzog doubling as his own cinematographer. It was a surprise selection at Cannes, out of competition.
Also mentioned raised along the way
Comparisons in the Pikachu discussion ZootopiaSpider-Man 2Princess MononokeBlade RunnerStar Wars: The Last JediDragon Ball Super: BrolyKung Fu Panda 3Avengers: EndgameThor: RagnarokSonic the Hedgehog
Herzog's back catalog Grizzly ManCave of Forgotten Dreams
Herzog's answer to "the last great thing you've seen" The Act of Killing
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
TV The MandalorianThe Simpsons