Spider-Man: No Way Home 2021
77% of all domestic box office over the holiday period; the film the whole campaign is built around.
The Big Picture · Discussion · Review · Rankings
Spider-Man: No Way Home’ for Best Picture—Why the Hell Not?
January 4, 2022/ 73 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins
Sean and Amanda argue over whether a $1.9 billion superhero movie deserves a Best Picture nomination, review 'The Lost Daughter,' and run their Best Picture power rankings.
44 films across 4 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.
Should ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’ Compete for Best Picture?prompted by a Scott Feinberg/THR piece with Sony and Tom Holland lobbying hard
Avengers: Endgame 2019
Feige's earlier stab at a franchise Best Picture push; Amanda argues this, not No Way Home, was the real culmination.
Black Panther 2018
the rare blockbuster the Academy actually nominated.
The Dark Knight 2008
its Best Picture snub (Heath Ledger still won supporting) is what pushed the Academy to a 10-film field.
Get Out 2017
Parasite 2019
Drive My Car 2021
won both the New York and LA critics' Best Picture prizes; Sean doesn't think the Academy follows.
Joker 2019
flattered Academy sensibilities enough for a nomination and an acting win.
Dunkirk 2017
Phantom Thread 2017
Call Me by Your Name 2017
Green Book 2018
the Best Picture winner Amanda still isn't over.
Bohemian Rhapsody 2018
briefly a real threat to win; in hindsight, a disaster.
Vice 2018
Lion 2016
"why is Lion in there, respectfully?"
Darkest Hour 2017
The Shape of Water 2017
Lady Bird 2017
a personal favorite for Amanda, not a top-100 movie for most people: exactly the gap the whole conversation keeps circling.
Ford v Ferrari 2019
1917 2019
F9 2021
cited as the line the Academy shouldn't cross just to chase box office.
Avatar 2009
the last time a box-office giant's nomination meaningfully moved the ratings.
‘The Lost Daughter’
The Lost Daughter 2021
Maggie Gyllenhaal's directorial debut, adapted from Elena Ferrante; Olivia Colman as a mother unraveling on a Greek vacation. Both hosts love it.
Best Actress Power Rankingsper Variety's latest odds
Spencer 2021
Kristen Stewart, not Amanda's favorite film, but she rates the performance.
House of Gucci 2021
Lady Gaga.
Licorice Pizza 2021
Alana Haim.
Being the Ricardos 2021
Nicole Kidman.
The Eyes of Tammy Faye 2021
Jessica Chastain, on the outside looking in.
West Side Story 2021
Rachel Zegler.
The Tragedy of Macbeth 2021
Frances McDormand.
Parallel Mothers 2021
Penélope Cruz.
Coda 2021
Emilia Jones.
Best Picture Power RankingsAmanda drives, 10 to 1
No. 10
Spider-Man: No Way Home 2021
No. 10. If it happens, it's likely at the expense of Being the Ricardos.
Also mentioned raised along the way
In passing The ImpossibleRaging BullRed Notice
Left off the power rankings CodaThe Tragedy of MacbethFleeParallel MothersNo Time to DieThe Harder They Falltick, tick... BOOM!
Teased for next episode Free GuySonic the Hedgehog 2
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
TV MacGruber (Peacock series)
Ads Boar's Head Friar's Turkey BreastNetflix FIFA World Cup Launch EditionCheap Heat (Ringer wrestling show cross-promo)