The NO NOTES Podcast

First some thoughts on the troubled release of Clint Eastwood’s new legal drama, 'Juror #2,' starring Nicholas Hoult (4:43). Why did Warner Bros. seemingly bury the film, and is it worth a watch?

Then, Daily Telegraph critic and author Tim Robey joins to chat about his delightful new book, 'Box Office Poison: Hollywood’s Story in a Century of Flops.' (13:27)

He and Schmear dive into the wild behind-the-scenes egos and chaos on films ranging from William Friedkin’s ambitious 'Sorcerer' to David Lynch’s ill-fated 'Dune,' and many more. They wrap up with a look at the very flop-prone 2024 movie year, discussing films like 'Megalopolis' and 'Furiosa.' (45:46)

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Tim Robey

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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'Anora' and 'Red Rocket ' producer Alex Coco sits with The Schmear for an exclusive interview. Coco shares what it’s like working with Sean Baker, when he knew star Mikey Madison had the “it” factor, and what it’s like for 'Anora' to be called “American New Wave."

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Alex Coco

Producer: Samuel Eromo

Music: Justin Friedman

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Calling all the cardinals for a 'Conclave.'

Real-life Catholic and manager/producer Will Iannaccone rejoins the show to break down the new Ralph Fiennes papal thriller (2:20). He and Schmear parse the strengths and weaknesses of the film, discuss its reception (34:23), and do an actor re-draft to see if they can improve Edward Berger’s movie (39:44).

Then, 'Anora' and 'Red Rocket 'producer Alex Coco sits with Schmear for an exclusive interview (45:31). Coco shares what it’s like working with Sean Baker, when he knew star Mikey Madison had the “it” factor, and what it’s like for 'Anora' to be called the “American New Wave" (1:17:30).

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Will Iannaccone, Alex Coco

Producer: Samuel Eromo

Music: Justin Friedman

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Acclaimed artist and now-director Titus Kaphar joins to talk about his brilliant, heartbreaking debut film 'Exhibiting Forgiveness,' starring André Holland (40:36). Kaphar shares his muses, lessons learned on set, what art films get right and wrong, and the filmmakers inspiring him today.

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Titus Kaphar

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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'Anora,' one of the most dazzling films of the year, has hit theaters, and helping to break it all down is producer Casey Durant (2:09). She and Schmear dive into what makes the film special, from Sean Baker’s direction to Mikey Madison’s star-making performance. They debate the film’s ending (27:52) and discuss its potential awards run (37:00).

Then, acclaimed artist and now-director Titus Kaphar joins to talk about his brilliant, heartbreaking debut film 'Exhibiting Forgiveness,' starring André Holland (40:36). Kaphar shares his muses, lessons learned on set, what art films get right and wrong, and the filmmakers inspiring him today.

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Casey Durant, Titus Kaphar

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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Take a time machine to 1970s New York with two new films set in the era: Jason Reitman’s 'Saturday Night,' a tribute to SNL, and Ali Abbasi’s Donald Trump biopic, 'The Apprentice.'

Screenwriter Teddy Kim joins Schmear to break down Reitman’s film (2:38), discussing its strengths, shortcomings, standout performances, and whether it reveals anything new about SNL’s enigmatic leader, Lorne Michaels.

Next, an analysis of 'The Apprentice,' starring Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn (24:25). Is Trump too strange to satirize, and does that explain the film's lukewarm reception?

Finally, filmmaker Ryan Michaels makes the case for 'Disclaimer*', Alfonso Cuarón’s psychological thriller starring Cate Blanchett, now airing on Apple TV (46:19).

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Teddy Kim, Ryan Michaels

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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(Posted October 9th)

'Industry' creators and directors Konrad Kay and Mickey Down stop by for an in-depth, exclusive conversation.

Sena Adjei and Jesse Aaronson join to grill the duo on the characters, the series' message, Season 4 plans, and their favorite needle-drops in the show.

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Mickey Down, Konrad Kay, Sena Adjei, Jesse Aaronson

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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'Industry' creators and directors Konrad Kay and Mickey Down stop by for an in-depth, exclusive conversation.

But first, critic, filmmaker, and YouTuber Karsten Runquist joins Schmear to dissect the disastrously received 'Joker: Folie à Deux ' (3:40). They reminisce on 2019’s 'Joker' before diving into Todd Phillips’ new sequel, starring Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga. Schmear makes the case for the film (30:33), before the two discuss its poor reception (42:31).

Then, it's all things 'Industry' with Mickey and Konrad (49:58). Sena Adjei and Jesse Aaronson join to grill the duo on the characters, the series' message, Season 4 plans, and their favorite needle-drops in the show.

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Karsten Runquist, Mickey Down, Konrad Kay, Sena Adjei, Jesse Aaronson

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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Dissecting the dreamy, devastating, thrilling finale of 'Industry' S3, one of the finest seasons of TV in recent memory.

Sena Adjei and Jesse Aaronson rejoin the show to break down E3 S8 “Infinite Largesse,” the show’s highest rated episode to date (2:35). The guys analyze and recap the episode before picking winners and losers of the season and taking stock of what 'Industry' represents in the present TV landscape (55:27).

Then, re-airing Schmear’s conversation with Euronews Culture Editor David Mouriquand from May, following the Cannes press screening of Francis Ford Coppola’s 'Megalopolis' (1:09:00).

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Jesse Aaronson, Sena Adjei, David Mouriquand

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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The institution definitely doesn’t suffer in this recap and review of Industry S3 E7 "Useful Idiot" (2:34).

Jesse Aaronson and Sena Adjei return to the podcast to break down the lines of the episode, Yas and Robert’s road trip, and Eric Tao’s shocking final move.

Then, a brief check-in on HBO’s new, Colin Farrell-led series The Penguin and if it’s hitting the right notes (47:24).

Lastly, Elvire Audi returns to assess fellow Frenchwoman Coralie Fargeat’s shocking body horror Hollywood satire The Substance, starring Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley (1:00:58). She and Schmear discusses what worked and what didn’t in this divisive new film.

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Jesse Aaronson, Sena Adjei, Elvire Audi

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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