The Big Picture

By the late '90s, the unlikely alliance between Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert was stronger than ever. But their hard-won friendship would soon face unexpected challenges that would end their time together sooner than anyone expectedHost: Brian RafteryProducers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In July, the sometimes-acclaimed, sometimes-controversial, sometimes-downright-vilified writer-director M. Night Shyamalan released his 14th feature film, 'Old.' Joining Sean to talk about all things Shyamalan—from his best films to his worst and everything in between—is the cohost of 'Higher Learning' and one-half of the Midnight Boys on the Ringer Podcast Network, Van Lathan.Host: Sean FennesseyGuest: Van LathanProducer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For Siskel and Ebert, the '90s were a revolutionary era—both for the movies and for their careers. A new generation of filmmakers was taking over Hollywood, and Gene and Roger became cheerleaders for the bold next wave of writers and directors. But the industry was also plagued by problems and controversies, many of which Siskel and Ebert faced head on. By the time the '90s ended, Gene and Roger would become more than just the country's best-known film critics. They'd also become advocates.Host: Brian RafteryProducers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Chris Ryan joins the hosts for a movie draft set in 2007. They discuss favorite films like 'Superbad' and 'Zodiac,' debate draft strategies, and banter about picks like 'Ratatouille' and 'Ocean's 13.' The conversation also includes discussions on Fantastic Four movies, biopic films, and selecting draft choices from various genres.

As Gene and Roger jumped from one program to another, they left behind shows that were desperate to replicate the duo’s groundbreaking success. These reiterations, along with other imitations of the format, paved the way for a television market saturated with Siskel and Ebert wannabes. But what they all failed to realize was that what made Gene and Roger special was Gene and Roger themselves.Host: Brian RafteryProducers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The '80s were the blockbuster era—and Siskel and Ebert were its blockbuster film critics. It was the decade in which Gene and Roger would realize the full extent of their powers, as well as their limitations. And it would find them making yet another high-profile business decision, one that would have big consequences for Gene.Host: Brian RafteryProducers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It’s time for another movie swap! This time, Amanda and Sean trade a pair of classics from James Cameron: the Oscar-winning behemoth ‘Titanic’ and the action classic ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’ (0:30). Then, Sean is joined by David Lowery, the director behind the long-awaited Arthurian fable ‘The Green Knight’ (1:24:00).Hosts: Sean Fennessey and Amanda DobbinsGuest: David LoweryProducer: Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early ’80s, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert went from PBS stars to pop-culture celebrities. That newfound fame tested their already-heightened rivalry. But it also united them as they made one of the riskiest moves of their careers—a move that would change the way films were talked about, and that made Gene and Roger bigger than ever.Host: Brian RafteryProducers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We’re living in a boom time for music documentaries. Rob Harvilla joins Sean to talk about the history of the subgenre, why it’s exploding, and their top five favorites (1:00). Then, Sean is joined by Garret Price, the filmmaker behind the first installment in Ringer Films’ new documentary music series Music Box: ‘Woodstock ’99: Love, Peace, and Rage,’ a powerful and fascinating portrait of a terrifying moment in music and American history (1:12:00).Hosts: Sean FennesseyGuests: Rob Harvilla and Garret Price Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From the minute Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert hit the air, everyone wanted to know: Did these two guys actually hate each other? In this episode, we’ll learn more about how Gene and Roger came to be critics and rivals, and what made them the perfect foils for each other on TV.Host: Brian RafteryProducers: Amanda Dobbins, Sean Fennessey, Isaac Lee, Noah Malale, Bobby Wagner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices