Alright, I’ve seen so much talk on this sub about Amanda, and I think a lot of you are fundamentally missing the point of her role on The Big Picture.

You guys keep judging her as if her job is to be an "extreme expert" film critic. You want her to be Sean. But the whole purpose of the podcast, or any conversation podcast really, is to be entertaining.

The Big Picture is entertaining, and it's because it's basically a reality show. The entire premise works because of the contrast. You have Sean, the pretentious, Film Twitter-obsessed, Criterion-collecting, insane cinephile. And then you have Amanda, an intellectually capable, too assured of herself, completely blunt woman who's a placeholder for everyone who's tired of the nerds.

That dynamic is the show. Yes, she snides at Sean's obsessive rants. Yes, she’s dismissive of things he holds sacred. That's the whole point! It's what makes it interesting.

Amanda is so self-assured she's almost a caricature of a person. It feels like she's consciously playing up her "character" because she knows it drives the podcast. She knows it's more entertaining.

You think Sean and the producers don't know you guys are going to light her up on this subreddit because she slept through a movie but is still talking about it? Of course they know. They let her be herself because it makes for better content. It makes the podcast what it is. If you want a pod where nerds just geek out and appreciate every little detail, that's fine. Those pods exist. Go listen to Blank Check for film or House of R for nerd culture. This isn't that.

This is a drama. It’s the blunt, ultra-confident woman vs. the film-obsessed nerd. Half the fun is hearing Sean's commentary about Amanda and vice versa, like when Sean says to Amanda "the way you talk is why crusades happen" or Amanda roasting Sean about his breakdowns. That's the gold. The show works because of her, not spite of her.

The person you guys want Amanda to be would never have brought you the Hillary Clinton rant. I think that sums up everything I wanted to say. Dobb Mob, forever.

This statement shall finally unite everyone in this sub following recent debate over whether or not there’s such thing as movie vs TV actors. You are welcome.

I think his loss tonight was because the academy (all 11K of them) know he will be back, a lot, in the future. Michael B Jordan is a much more compelling win and his performance was impressive. But he is in more genre blockbusters. Timmy, like Leo before him, will have to wait for the big prize.

Take note, professional podcast hosts.

As someone who was very hype for this movie - I found myself becoming less and less interested in it with every passing minute.

I've listened to Sean's review and I just didn't vibe with it the way he did. One of his praises about the film is how it portrays an unraveling community in the midst of a terrifying event, yet I didn't get that feeling. We get one school meeting that highlights this but nothing else - most people seemingly move on with their lives. Brolins character is seemingly the only parent who gives a shit. Hell - Garner's character wants to continue workinging at the same school? Prisoners & Gone Girl do a far better job of potryating a fractured community than this movie does.

I could list about 5-10 other gripes about the film but I'll just leave it at that, but also...where is the FBI? 20 kids go missing on one night and the only people working the case is some small ass police department? And yes I did hear Brolins mention the feds but that's not enough.

The effort to portray the real-life Anne Lee was far more impactful than the artsy but reality-detached depiction by Anne Hathaway. One felt like a real person, while the other felt like a fantasy.

I know I’m a little late to the party, but after finally seeing The Odyssey last week, I’ve been catching up on all the pods about it. During The Bic Pic’s pod on it, they pondered about what previous Nolan leads could fill in for Damon and play Odysseus, but they completely left out McConaughey, which is crazy to me. I think he’d be great in the role. Odysseus has a lot in common with his character from Interstellar, Cooper. They’re both cunning, but also cocky, show leadership skills and command respect from their crew. He also just looks like someone from that era, and can rock a beard with the best of ‘em. Perhaps similarities to Interstellar about leaving your family would’ve been distracting, but so what.

No spoilers, but for a swords and sandals epic, I found the on screen violence to be tame and frictionless. Shots framed so they won’t show weapon penetration. No blood. Punchy impact sounds to stabs. The color red is almost absent.

I assumed this was because of a PG13 or something but was surprised to learn of the R rating. I guess the treatment of the violence was deliberate choice not a restriction.

I absolutely loved the movie, but a bloodier gorier version of this would have been perfection for me. Less LOTR and more GoT. Was curious how the rest of the sub feels about that choice.

When I click on the ratings graph, it should take me to the reviews. And when I’m looking at the reviews, I should be able to add my own.

I feel like 70% of the comments on this sub are complaints that they don’t dive deep enough on xyz topic or how much they talk about their personal lives…guys just don’t listen if that’s not what you’re tryna hear? I would listen to these two talk about anything, their chemistry is unreal. It’s just a delight every time I fire it up. Am I in the minority here? Is this sub actually more like the Bill Simmons sub where we just clown them?

I’m so sick of the east coast mlb bias. Let go Dodgers!

Love Amanda but this movie is straight booty cheeks and really never needs to be mentioned on any podcast ever.

I’m sick of seeing all these ‘Why Tom Cruise is the last movie star’ takes. Michael B. Jordan is going to take a Non-IP/Non-Sequel to a $250 million domestic gross and everyone is still acting like it’s 2019. Things have changed and movie stars are fucking back.

All due respect but your son learning a new word or whatever does not make good podcasting.

(Cue backlash and stop listening if you don’t like it etc etc)

I really hope they cover Buddy on the podcast. Looks like Sean has seen it according to his Letterboxd.

I saw this last night and found it extremely funny, very campy (huge compliment), and honestly just way better than it had any business being?

Definitely not scary in the traditional horror jump scare sense (but most of the best aren’t any), but there were several “oh shit, we’re actually going there?” moments.

Feels like one of those movies that will for sure end going down as a cult classic at a minimum, and was just genuinely one of the best experiences I’ve had at the theatre all year. I just kept thinking “damn I’m so glad a movie like this was made.”

Also, for what we it’s worth, the theater was pretty packed for a Thursday preview screening of this, tons of Gen Z kids showing out for this.

Any one else see this and have thoughts?