Thu, Jan 12, 2017
The Ringer's Sean Fennessey sits down with Ted Melfi to discuss the success of his latest film, Hidden Figures, and how it came about, as well as the difficulties of making an entertaining movie about math. Melfi also shares what it's like working with Taraji P. Henson and Kevin Costner, getting Pharrell to score his movie, and how he feels about the "Hidden Fences" mishap.
Wed, Jan 18, 2017
Mike Mills's past 2 films (Beginners and 20th Century Women) have both been semi-autobiografical. Beginners focuses on Mills's father, who came out at age 75 shortly before his death, while 20th Century Women is bases on Mills's mother as a way to look at the 1970s. On Channer 33, Sean Fennessey talked to Mills about his experience makin the films, and how he blends his own childhood with his art.
Wed, Feb 8, 2017
Barry Jenkins's Moonlight is one of the heavyweights in this year's Academy Awards race, racking up eight nominations. The film was the first movie for Jenkins in eight years, and provided particular challenges due to limited funding and time. One way he overcame those obstacles and made his movie unique was by casting non-actors alongside actors, something he discussed with Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey.
Thu, Feb 16, 2017
Gore Verbinski has been directing movies for two decades now, including The Ring, Rango, The Lone Ranger, and the first three Pirates of the Caribbean features. His latest picture, A Cure for Wellness, breaks away from big-budget Hollywood features with a lesser-known cast and unique premise. On the latest Channel 33 episode, he spoke with Sean Fennessey about the joy in making something different and the future of the industry.
Wed, Mar 8, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with writer-director Jordan Peele (of 'Key and Peele' fame) to discuss his new hit film, 'Get Out,' how and why he made it, and its overwhelmingly positive reception. Peele also talks about ideas for alternate scenes and endings as well as his reasoning behind some of the movie's most pivotal moments.
Thu, Apr 27, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with first-time director J.D. Dillard to discuss how he went from dropping out of school to being on the set of The Force Awakens with J.J. Abrams to debuting his first film, Sleight, at Sundance. Dillard also talks about helming the long-rumored reboot of The Fly.
Wed, May 10, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey and executive editor Chris Ryan explore the career arc of renowned director Guy Ritchie before sitting down with Ritchie to discuss the challenges of making his new film, King Arthur, and his personal philosophies surrounding fear, results, and self-confidence.
Wed, May 31, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey discusses comedic storytelling and Amy Schumer's career arc, from stand-up comedian to movie star, with Jason Zinoman of The New York Times. Then Sean is joined by filmmaker Jonathan Levine ('The Wackness,' '50/50') to discuss collaborating with Schumer on his new comedy, 'Snatched', his own career arc, finding his path, and dealing with bad reviews.
Wed, Jun 7, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey and film critic K. Austin Collins discuss the emergence of modern horror films like 'The Witch' and the increasing emphasis on tone over standard horror tropes. Then, Sean is joined by Trey Edward Shults, who explains how working through his own darkness led to making his latest film, 'It Comes At Night'.
Thu, Jun 15, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey and staff writer Lindsay Zoladz discuss the dearth of female filmmakers in the R-rated comedy space before Sean chats with the 'Rough Night' writing and directing team of Lucia Aniello and Paul W. Downs about meeting at the UCB Theatre, developing 'Broad City,' and making a studio comedy starring big names like Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, and Zoë Kravitz.
Wed, Jul 5, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey and Vanity Fair film critic Richard Lawson discuss filmmaker David Lowery's latest, 'A Ghost Story,' an unconventional film with an unconventional debut at Sundance. Later, Sean chats with Lowery about the making of the movie and why he no longer watches his movies or reads his reviews.
Thu, Jul 13, 2017
The Ringer's Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan discuss the successes and failures of filmmakers who have recently overseen big-budget franchises, such as Matt Reeves's 'Planet of the Apes' series, Michael Bay's 'Transformers' series, and Christopher Nolan's sustained run. Later, Sean sits down with Matt Reeves to discuss the intricate filmmaking process of 'War for the Planet of the Apes' and what to expect from his next movie, 'The Batman'.
Thu, Jul 20, 2017
The Ringer's Sean Fennessey and Amanda Dobbins discuss Gillian Robespierre's 'Obvious Child' and her new film, 'Landline.' Then Sean is joined by Robespierre, Jenny Slate, and Elisabeth Holm to discuss growing up in the '90s, the sacrifices of independent filmmaking, and collaborating on their second project together.
Thu, Aug 3, 2017
The Ringer's Sean Fennessey and Chris Ryan discuss screenwriter Taylor Sheridan's films 'Sicario,' 'Hell or High Water,' and his new film, 'Wind River,' starring Jeremy Renner. Then, Sean and Sheridan discuss 'Wind River,' how he depicts raw and realistic scenarios in his movies, and why he decided to get behind the camera.
Thu, Aug 10, 2017
The Ringer's Sean Fennessey and K. Austin Collins discuss the Safdie Brothers' new crime film, 'Good Time.' Then, Sean sits down with the Josh and Benny Safdie to discuss making a movie starring Robert Pattinson, capturing New York City on-screen, and the frenetic pace of 'Good Time'.
Thu, Aug 17, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with Alison Herman about Janicza Bravo's approach to uncomfortable comedy and her direction of "Juneteenth," the instant-classic episode of 'Atlanta'. Then Sean sits down with Bravo and her husband/producing partner, Brett Gelman, to discuss the tumultuous five-year process of getting their film 'Lemon' into the world.
Thu, Sep 14, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey and executive editor Chris Ryan reveal their favorite biopics and hash out what makes them great. Then, Sean sits down with writer, actor, and director Danny Strong to discuss his recent J.D. Salinger biopic, 'Rebel in the Rye,' and how doubling down on his passion paid off.
Thu, Nov 9, 2017
Richard Linklater join to discuss the impact of war in his new film, 'Last Flag Flying,' as well as his tendency to creatively revisit his previous films over time, like with 'Dazed and Confused,' 'Before Midnight,' and 'Boyhood'. Linklater also discusses the state of sexual harassment news in Hollywood.
Tue, Nov 21, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with director Joe Wright to discuss how he picked himself up after the failure of his 2015 film, 'Pan,' to deliver 'Darkest Hour,' a Winston Churchill biopic that stars a mesmerizing Gary Oldman. Plus: Wright discusses the changing state of the movie business and why he took the reins on an episode of 'Black Mirror.'
Thu, Nov 30, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with documentarian Errol Morris to discuss his new Netflix miniseries 'Wormwood,' a story of mind control, LSD, the CIA in the 1950s, and murder. They also discuss Morris's classic works like 'The Thin Blue Line,' as well as the day he spent with Donald Trump to discuss the president's favorite film, 'Citizen Kane.'
Thu, Dec 7, 2017
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey chats with Sean Baker, who was recently awarded Best Director by the New York Film Critics Circle for his latest film, 'The Florida Project.' They discuss how Baker tells authentic stories about underrepresented communities, his use of inexperienced actors, and why he prefers making smaller-budget films.
Thu, Jan 11, 2018
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with director Jaume Collet-Serra to discuss teaming up with movie star Liam Neeson for a fourth time in his new movie, 'The Commuter'; the difficulties of shooting a movie in a confined space; and why he keeps coming back to genre films.
Thu, Feb 8, 2018
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with filmmaker Bryan Fogel to discuss his Academy Award-nominated documentary, 'Icarus.' Fogel explains how his journey into the world of blood doping and cycling was transformed into a larger story about the state-run Russian Olympic doping program.
Thu, Feb 15, 2018
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey sits down with 'Wallace and Gromit' creator and Academy Award-winning animation director Nick Park to discuss the time-consuming process of making stop-motion animation, his commitment to the form, and his new underdog cavemen comedy, 'Early Man.'
Sun, Feb 18, 2018
Ringer Editor-in-Chief Sean Fennessey speaks with Academy Award-nominated documentarian Yance Ford about making Netflix's 'Strong Island,' a personal film about the tragic murder of his brother, William, and the larger implications in the story about segregation, race, violence, and power.
Thu, Feb 22, 2018
Ringer editor-in-chief Sean Fennessey speaks with acclaimed writer and director Alex Garland about the making of the Natalie Portman sci-fi thriller 'Annihilation' and the tricky nature of adapting Jeff VanderMeer's best-selling book. They also discuss Garland's first film, 'Ex Machina'; his time as a novelist and screenwriter of movies like '28 Days Later...' and 'Sunshine'; and a lot more.For more movie coverage, check out The Ringer.