The former Los Angeles Times film critic reflects on his path from Brooklyn to Hollywood, the current state of film criticism and the LA Times, and what inspired him to spend four years writing the first dual-biography in 50 years of MGM's two most legendary executives.
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Mar 2025
William Wyler 1965-1971 (The Old Man is Still Alive, Part 10)
For over 40 years, William Wyler was one of Hollywood’s most dependable classicists, culminating in 1968 with the ultimate New Hollywood-era throwback to Old Hollywood, Funny Girl. Then, for his final film in 1970, Wyler uncharacteristically directed a searing indictment of conte ... Show More
1h 10m
Oct 2019
How Larry Sher Shot 'Joker', Built a Career, and Almost Got Fired on His First Day of Filmmaking
Director of Photography Lawrence Sher takes us through his career from the early days (he calls his first day "the worst first day in the history of first days") to how he lensed the most successful R-rated movie of all time, offering insights as well as practical tools.
Learn mo ... Show More
38m 14s
Nov 2024
The Robert Zemeckis Hall of Fame, and ‘Here’
Sean is joined by Ringer editor-at-large and ‘Press Box’ host Bryan Curtis to discuss ‘Here,’ the new wildly experimental movie from Robert Zemeckis chronicling thousands of years of history in one corner of the world (1:00). Then, they build the Zemeckis Hall of Fame, choosing 1 ... Show More
1h 33m
Oct 2024
‘The Brutalist,’ the Best Movies at the New York Film Festival, and ‘The Apprentice' With Sebastian Stan!
Sean shares a recap of the best movies he caught at the 62nd New York Film Festival, including the heavy hitters at this upcoming Oscars, the latest installations from old masters and personal favorites, and the biggest surprises of the festival (1:00). Then, Ringer writer and ‘P ... Show More
2h 7m
Apr 2022
NYT’s Wesley Morris on writing, podcasting and staying off TikTok
Wesley Morris wrote his first review when he was 15 years old, about the movie “Cape Fear.” Since then, he’s become one of the most celebrated cultural critics of our time, and has two Pulitzers to prove it. Recode’s Peter Kafka talks to Morris about his work as a critic at large ... Show More
44m 8s
Aug 29
Highest 2 Lowest with Spike Lee and Jim Jarmusch (Ep. 558)
<p class="p1">Director Spike Lee discusses his new film, Highest 2 Lowest, with fellow Director Jim Jarmusch in a Q&A at the DGA theater in New York. In the conversation, he discusses working with his longtime collaborator Denzel Washington and trusting him with his process, ... Show More
55m 2s
Feb 2025
The 10 Best Movies at Sundance, and the Astonishing ‘Nickel Boys’
Sean and Amanda discuss the evolving story of Karla Sofía Gascón’s old tweets (1:00) and what it might portend for the ‘Emilia Pérez’ Oscar hopes. Then, they discuss an underwhelming Sundance 2025 (12:00) before diving deep into one of the best movies of 2024, ‘Nickel Boys’ (44:0 ... Show More
1h 42m