The Big Picture · Discussion
June 16, 2025/ 92 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins
With no movie booked, Sean and Amanda run a live YouTube advice hour, taking listener questions on breakups, weddings, smelly friends, and skincare, with movies dropped in along the way.
25 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 Advice Hourlistener mailbag, live on YouTube
The weekend's flashpoint: everyone in the hosts' lives caught up with it and reported back. Sean splits the reaction into people reflexively defending it because of the cast and people who want the private-equity premise 'sent to Mars.'
The new Wes Anderson, and the movie a listener took a date to before the date went sideways.
One of three breakup movies Luke watched to get over a girl named Amanda. Amanda's verdict: enough wallowing.
Also on Luke's breakup binge; the pick that gives away the letterboxd boy.
The third of Luke's post-breakup watches.
Sean's comfort watch; he says he fires it up and lets it wash over him like a warm bath, and it has no character named Amanda.
The Italian film Amanda recommends in general but warns Luke off, for obvious reasons.
Amanda's throwaway feel-good prescription: just marathon the whole series.
In Amanda's feel-good bucket of classic screwball comedies.
Another of Amanda's go-to screwballs.
Amanda's favorite of the Spencer Tracy-Katharine Hepburn pairings.
The example in a listener's question about a friend who won't watch movies with 'bad people' in them.
Sean's Friday plan: drive to Ontario to catch it, then drive back to record.
The middle film Sean just rewatched, mostly to see a young Idris Elba barely used.
Cited for young Edward Norton; Sean calls it one of the weirdest movies he saw in theaters.
The Fall-Festival Previewwhich titles might land at Venice
Luca Guadagnino's next; among the unusual number of US titles slotted for Venice.
The hosts argue about whether it premieres at Venice; Sean doubts it given the two-week gap to its September 26 release, Amanda wants Leo on the red carpet.
The Aronofsky movie, which Sean says he doesn't think looks very good.
The new Yorgos Lanthimos, which usually premieres at Venice.
Benny Safdie's movie with the Rock.
Jim Jarmusch's next, floated for the Venice slate.
Edward Berger's film with Colin Farrell playing poker in Macau.
Chloe Zhao's adaptation, which Amanda is stressed about.
Guillermo del Toro's; Sean will watch it, of course.
Also mentioned raised along the way
In passing HeatCan't Hardly WaitMy Best Friend's WeddingPulp FictionUncut GemsBloody SundayBallerinaTotal Recall
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
TV Sex and the CityAnd Just Like ThatDragon Ball Z
Books LibraBlood and Dancing
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