Boogie Nights 1997
Scotty J, the boom operator — a sensitive, funny, devastatingly sad portrait of a man who just wants to be accepted. Sean saw it in a theater where a man stood up and clapped when Scotty first appeared. Green on sight.
The Big Picture · Hall of Fame · Discussion
The Philip Seymour Hoffman Hall of Fame
January 30, 2024/ 95 min/ Sean Fennessey · Amanda Dobbins
Ten years after his death, Sean and Amanda walk Philip Seymour Hoffman's entire filmography — from a 1991 golf micro-movie to his last le Carré spy — then argue it down to a Hall of Fame of ten.
52 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 Philip Seymour Hoffman Hall of Famethe ten inductees
The Talented Mr. Ripley 1999
Freddie Miles, bounding out of the convertible — 'don't you want to fuck every woman you see just once?' Takes the movie from a cast of stars; the Arrow screening had the whole room erupt.
Almost Famous 2000
Lester Bangs, the calm guardian angel of the film. Every line quotable; the mainstream-movie/awards fusion the hosts 'all saw at Christmas together.'
Along Came Polly 2004
Sandy Lyle — 'make it rain,' then 'raindrop!' clanking off the backboard from 38 feet. A real physical-comedy performance, and the male version of the Judy Greer best-friend archetype.
Capote 2005
Truman Capote — the full transformation in voice, posture and weight that won Best Actor. In for the win, even though Sean stays mixed on the film itself.
Before the Devil Knows You're Dead 2007
Andy, half of a pair of brothers robbing their parents' jewelry store — a desperate man who only unravels further. One of Sidney Lumet's last films; a credible romance with Marisa Tomei.
Charlie Wilson's War 2007
Gust Avrakotos — the electric office scene with John Slattery ('I learned Finnish!'). The YouTube-generation clip that carries an otherwise mediocre film; led to Willy Loman on Broadway under Mike Nichols.
Synecdoche, New York 2008
Caden Cotard — the internal, restrained, quiet-and-sad counterweight to Charlie Wilson. A twin-killer with it for Sean and Amanda; a movie its lovers love forever.
Moneyball 2011
Art Howe — does with stillness what another actor would need scenes for, the disgust visible behind the desk at Brad Pitt. A Bennett Miller reunion.
The Master 2012
Lancaster Dodd — automatic green. The wedding speech, the processing scenes, the final song; the fullest showcase of everything he did, and both hosts' likely No. 1.
The rest of the filmographyconsidered on air, not inducted
Triple Bogey on a Par Five Hole 1991
One of a few hard-to-see micro-movies at the very start, before he was really himself on screen.
Zooler 1992
Another obscure early credit; title taken from the on-air mention (verify).
My New Gun 1992
Small, hard-to-find early film.
Leap of Faith 1992
His first big Hollywood movie — a roadie for Steve Martin's traveling televangelist. Very small part.
Scent of a Woman 1992
The sniveling, privileged George Willis Jr. opposite Chris O'Donnell and Pacino — a breakthrough small part. Yellowed for the turning point, then cut as sentimental.
My Boyfriend's Back 1993
A minor studio comedy from a big movie-going year for Sean.
Joey Breaker 1993
Minor early credit.
Money for Nothing 1993
A John Cusack thriller-comedy; all pretty minor.
The Getaway 1994
The Alec Baldwin/Kim Basinger remake — a heist guy who gets shot and kicked out of a car by Michael Madsen. Not in.
When a Man Loves a Woman 1994
A skeleton-key three-scene turn as a rehab patient bonded to Meg Ryan's character; the role casting directors noticed. Not in.
Nobody's Fool 1994
A very small part in Robert Benton's Paul Newman film.
Hard Eight 1996
PTA's first feature — the Young Craps Player who mercilessly mocks Philip Baker Hall across the table. Honorary yellow, then cut.
Twister 1996
Dusty Davis — the part he took to bank enough money to move back to New York. Fun, but not in.
Montana 1998
A star-studded thriller (Kyra Sedgwick, Stanley Tucci, Robin Tunney); not a great movie, not in.
The Big Lebowski 1998
Brant, the Coens' obsequious assistant — the office-tour scene Sean calls the funniest of the 1990s. Yellowed, then cut, fondly.
Next Stop Wonderland 1998
A mansplaining ex-boyfriend named Sean, later glimpsed protesting on TV. Not in.
Happiness 1998
Todd Solondz's discomforting film, lost to time and physical media — a very notable, very uncomfortable role. Not in.
Patch Adams 1998
Amanda's teenage favorite, which the hosts agree absolutely stinks and is even a little dangerous. Not in.
Flawless 1999
A Joel Schumacher drama — a drag queen next door to De Niro's stroke-stricken cop. A good performance in a movie that hasn't aged well. Not in.
Magnolia 1999
Phil Parma, the nurse tending Jason Robards — his most open-hearted character, entrusted with holding a whole section of the film together. Yellowed, then cut once Boogie Nights and The Master covered the PTA slot.
State and Main 2000
A tortured writer in David Mamet's lightly satirical romantic comedy opposite Sarah Jessica Parker. Good movie, not in.
Love Liza 2002
A widower huffing gasoline through his grief, in a film by his friend Todd Louiso. Punishingly sad; another gym-basketball scene. Not in.
Punch-Drunk Love 2002
Dean Trumbell, the mattress-store sex-line operator — the phone-call explosion that changes the movie's register. Not quite in, but a great scene.
Red Dragon 2002
Freddy Lounds, a disgusting tabloid man disfigured by Lecter, under Brett Ratner. Not in.
25th Hour 2002
Jacob Elinsky, the private-school teacher and trust-fund fourth wheel to Edward Norton and Barry Pepper. One of Sean's 25 favorite films; he finds the pathos, but it's not a Hall of Fame lead. Not in.
Owning Mahowny 2003
Another very good indie in his one-for-them-one-for-me stretch. Not in.
The Party's Over 2003
An earnest documentary he hosted and helped make about the 2000 election — a bizarre time capsule where you see the real Hoffman for a long stretch. Not in.
Cold Mountain 2003
A preacher in Anthony Minghella's celebrated adaptation — a Ripley reunion with Jude Law. Not in.
Strangers with Candy 2005
A very small part in the comedy. Not in.
Mission: Impossible III 2006
Owen Davian — the sinister whisper and 'I'm going to find her and hurt her.' The whole defense of the film; possibly his most widely seen movie. Yellowed, then cut.
The Savages 2007
A sad sibling drama with Laura Linney (a banned Christmas-Day pick). Recommended, but a red.
Doubt 2008
Father Brendan Flynn, sparring with Meryl Streep in some of the best-acted scenes of the decade — but neither host loves the script. Out.
The Invention of Lying 2009
Just a cameo; cut from consideration.
Mary and Max 2009
The titular Max — his only animated feature, a sad, very good film. Not in.
The Boat That Rocked 2009
The Count, the pirate-radio DJ, in one of the lesser Richard Curtis movies. Fun, not in.
Jack Goes Boating 2010
His directorial debut — worth seeing for John Ortiz, his real-life close friend. Not in.
The Ides of March 2011
A James Carville-esque campaign manager dueling Paul Giamatti in Clooney's flawed political drama. One five-minute scene of pure Hoffman; can't in good faith go in.
A Late Quartet 2012
An unshowy turn in an indie about classical musicians; feels like he's there so the movie can get made. Notable, not in.
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire 2013
Plutarch Heavensbee, the gamemaker — he brings the gravitas the franchise needs. Fine, not in.
God's Pocket 2014
A grimy Philly crime saga, John Slattery's directorial debut and a Charlie Wilson reunion. Not in.
A Most Wanted Man 2014
A dissolute, resigned German intelligence officer in the le Carré adaptation — his final completed lead, with a small, devastating breakdown. Green through the walk-through, then cut in the final round.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1 2014
Technically his last film, though he didn't complete his work on it. Not in.
Also mentioned raised along the way
Mentioned in passing Licorice PizzaZodiacThe Zone of InterestBeing the RicardosManhunterAce Ventura: Pet DetectiveEyes Wide ShutA Few Good MenChicagoThe HangoverGroundhog DayAmerican FictionRustinNyad
Not films filtered out: TV, games, ads
Theater Death of a SalesmanTrue WestAll My Sons
TV Empire FallsArthurHouse of Cards
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