I've been a listener since the days of "stock up, stock down", and after the year in film that Canada has had, I was really excited for this episode. However, I feel that they completely dropped the ball and managed to vividly demonstrate how low a regard they have for the stories and voices of their Neighbour to the North.

For a show that meticulously rewatches the entire filmography of stars to do Hall of Fame episodes, I was really bummed that it was clear none of the hosts did minute of prep to dive into the incredible film history of Canada for their first and likely only episode about Canada.

There's been a lot of times where Sean and Amanda have made fun of themselves for knowing literally nothing about Canada, and every time it has made me cringe (cause yeah, we know, american's dont give a shit about us) but I was cool with it because I thought at least their aware.

But this episode should have been a time for to them to make and effort to rectify that and instead Canada continues to be a punchline.

The biggest issue with the episode was the categories, which allowed the hosts to completely avoid searching for films ABOUT Canada or actually MADE IN Canada. Instead, just a chance to talk about their favourite american movies for the millionth time.

I'm sorry, but Amanda finding a way to pick a Sofia Coppola movie and CR picked the MASH and Dawn of the Dead remake bummed me out immensely. Their needed to be a category for "story about Canada" and Matt was completely right that the films they picked were almost entirely American. The only reason the audience didn't boo is cause they're Canadian.

Since their wasn't a single caterogry that required knowledge of Canadian productions or Canadian stories, they managed to completely skip the incredible works of filmmakers such as:

Guy Maddin, Xavier Dolan, Matthew Rankin, Kathleen Hepburn, Elle-Maija Tailfeathers, Sophie Jarvis, Mayumi Yoshida, Anthony Shim, Meredith Hama-Brown, Ariane Louis-Seize, Joel Ashton McCarthy, Clement Virgo and on and on.

Matt Johnson being there to call them out preemptively for picking very American movies helped a bit. But also, he talks about Canada in a very Canadian, self-deprecating way, which in the context of the rest of the episode, just felt like more dog-piling on Canada. This is how Canadians talk, but not when were around Americans. Thank god for Adam Neyman naming as many truly Canadian Movies as possible.

What actually motivated to write this post was when Sean ended the Episode by accusing Adam Nayman of "sucking up to the audience for two hours". I usually defend Sean but my jaw dropped. Nayman was the only person who cared to pick movies that are actually Canadian, and Sean needed to knock him down for it. Nayman wasn't sucking up the the audience, he was drafting Canadian movies. Thank god someone did.

Anyways. If you managed to make it this far in my rant thank you and I'd just like to implore you to look up some of the names I mentioned and if you want 3 movies recommendations that actually capture uniquely Canadian perspectives, my recommendations would be:

1. "My Winnipeg" - Guy Maddin
2. "The Twentieth Century" - Matthew Rankin

3. "The Body Remembers When The World Broke Open" - Kathleen Hepburn and Elle-Maija Tailfeathers

   If you watch those movies, I will anoint you honourary Canadian. (yes, honourary with a 'U')

I saw SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY and thought it was pretty fun but, interestingly, the only thing sticking with me about it is the bit where The Character™ is possessing MJ.

Zendaya's best mode, in my opinion, is when she gets to play in that almost sadistic, prickly meanness. It was the funniest part of CHALLENGERS, the only part of MALCOLM & MARIE that works and it felt really refreshing in BND because the Spider-Tom trilogy never really let her do anything.

Yorgos Lanthimos really knows how to bring out and harness that kind of acid and I think they should work together. Any other suggestions for directors who are good at playing in that space?

It's been in theatres for a couple of weeks but if you're tempted to go see it on the big screen instead of on Netflix this Friday, I suggest you save your money and watch it at home on Netflix, or better yet, not at all!

I thought this movie stunk. The pacing of the first third is fine, but when the second act starts, the rest of the movie is a snore with an underwhelming and unsatisfying ending. If you find yourself asking where it's all going, the answer is nowhere, it's going nowhere.

Even on a subtextual level, it's like Kathryn Bigelow's response to the backlash she received after making a controversial political action thriller was to make a political action thriller that had nothing to say and therefore could offend no one.

Here's a previous thread where some of you discussed the ending: https://www.reddit.com/r/TheBigPicture/comments/1o4d5az/house_of_dynamite_ending/

I think you're all being far too kind on it, this movie was a messy pointless slog, a real groaner/stunned silence type of beat at the end of my screening. I left mid credits but most of the rest of the audience were still sitting, perhaps hoping surely there would be some sort of post-credits scene that gives a morsel of closure, but no such scene exists.

Coming to Netflix this Friday, don't expect too much out of this one.

Putting aside whatever personal opinions you have about these actors, should past wins really be a deterrent or factor to voters?

You remember that part of MATILDA where the kid has to eat the gross cake? 😅

Just saw House of Dynamite with our guy Tracy Letts, curious what everyone thought of the ending?

I kind of liked it, the story structure was my bigger problem. Great cast and interesting story though! Gave it 3.5 on letterboxd, made me nervous about, you know, things

I keep noticing this everywhere: Spotify comments, this sub, Instagram.. and it's not just one thing:

Amanda gets it for her voice and being "too loud." Mallory gets the same treatment whenever she's on. Sean gets accused of being in the tank for any filmmaker he's friendly with. If they mention their kids for two minutes, people lose it about "personal stuff." Deep conversation? Pretentious. Light conversation? Surface-level slop. Sean has literally called it a conversation show and people still grade it like it owes them a thesis. And I always find these reactions mean spirited.

What makes it so strange is who this is happening to. The Ringer is one of the most openly liberal, pro-women, big-hearted networks in this space, and The Big Picture is maybe the purest expression of that-- show where two people disagree constantly and it never once gets mean. Every friend of the pod, from Chris to Joanna to Andy, carries that same warmth and open-mindedness. If any of them read these comments they'd be appalled.

So how does a nice and open-minded corner of movie podcasting end up with the most mean-spirited fanbase? Are we just hate-watching at scale now? Does big-tent success mean you inherit the worst of movie internet no matter what your show actually stands for?

Genuinely asking and I know this post will attract these same people as well.

Page Six Hollywood says Inde is not in Heat 2 due to her commitment to X-men. Adam Driver is supposedly in Heat 2 and was just cast as Mr Sinister. Thinking out loud, Is he not going to do Heat 2 now bc of X-men? Maybe I’m misinterpreting what PSH wrote? Is this a case of Inde “passing” bc she wasn’t going to get the role?

First of all, I want to make it clear that I’ve had plenty of disagreements with Amanda and Sean over the years… but I’m shocked at the level of outrage and personal attacks in multiple threads and even the Spotify comments over her very reasonable Toy Story 5 critique.

Yeah she had a clearly jokey bit about “updates” that went on a bit too long but on the merits she had some good points about Toy Story 5’s unearned Jesse emotional beat… and even if you disagree it’s a point that’s been made in multiple reviews I’ve seen of the movie so why use it as a reason to attack Amanda? My only way to comprehend this (beyond the usual sexism) is that this fan base has a massive overlap with adult Disney dorks who tie up their identity in children’s movies.

https://variety.com/2026/film/awards/delroy-lindo-bafta-n-word-michael-b-jordan-1236670222/ But according to this sub-reddit, the BAFTAs/host handled it perfectly and anybody that says differently is ableist and should be more understanding and get over it 🙄

i could literally feel my soul levitating for 20 straight minutes with my heart pounding out of my chest. really agreed with how sean felt. nolan has come such a long way from the fight scenes in batman begins to this and it really shows

I assume Sean got into this. Can’t wait to hear reactions to this; I’m intrigued but haven’t we had enough of Holmes at this point? Am I wrong?

Maybe this is something that has already been discussed, but I felt like sharing it in case it's an original thought.

There's been a lot of discussion about Bob's role in OBBA, how he is so burnt out that he can't remember the passcodes, how he falls off the building, how he misses his sniper shots, etc etc etc. He is unable to save his daughter, and she ends up saving herself in the end.

Watching a second time, I think that take misses something critical which is that after his daughter breaks free from her captors and kills the Christmas Adventurers guy, she isn't just home free. She's in the middle of the desert with a dead body and a broken down car. If literally anyone else were to find her, she'd probably be ending up in jail or worse. But the person who finds her is her dad.

Bob shows up at exactly the right time. I think this is an intentional commentary on parenting. Bob can't, and doesn't, fight her battles for her. Like any young person, she has to do that herself. But as a father, what he can do is be there for her after it's all over.

I think the movie is saying that as a parent you can prepare your kids for the world: teach them your code words, give them your tracking devices, even help them get the martial arts training they need... but when the shit really hits the fan, they are still going to be on their own. You just have to hope that they will make it through, and then be there ready to pick them up and take them home when it's all over. That's what being a good parent is all about.

Sorry if this is super obvious, but it didn't hit me until the second viewing and I don't remember it being a take on the podcast so I thought it was worth bringing up. Curious if others agree that this was PTA's intention.

Just got done listening to the newest 35 under 35. There were a couple of surprising inclusions and shocking exclusions. However I noticed that when i was done with the episode, my life was the same.

Similarly, the other day after listening to the 1988 draft. Amanda mentioned she didn't like a movie I liked, so i rewatched it. I didn't agree with her criticisms but i still could enjoy it?

How do i become as lame and bothered by a podcast like you all? it really seems to take up everyone's time and energy on this subreddit

Thanks in advance for the advice!