The NO NOTES Podcast

With the recent releases of 'Longlegs' and 'Maxxxine,' we’re checking in on the state of the horror genre in 2024. 

Lucas Murphy joins the show as he and Schmear first dig into the current horror landscape before diving deep into 'Longlegs.' (13:27) They unpack Neon’s genius marketing campaign before reviewing the movie itself and Nic Cage’s shocking performance. They then provide a few recommendations of what to watch next if you loved Oz Perkins’ new thriller (47:43). 

Then they turn their attention briefly to Ti West and Mia Goth’s “X Trilogy” and the newest entrant, 'MaXXXine' (53:52) before wrapping up and giving some upcoming horror flicks to look out for through the rest of the year (1:09:09). 

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guest: Lucas Murphy

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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A watched 'Bear' never boils?

Jesse Aaronson returns to the SchmearCast to help assess the back half of the FX series’ third season. 

He and Schmear analyze episodes 6–10 before checking in to see if their predictions for the season panned out (43:48). They then turn their attention to the muted critical and cultural reaction to the new season (49:55).

Are fans turning on 'The Bear?'

S3 E6 - "Napkins" (8:15)

S3 E7 - "Legacy" (18:23)

S3 E8 - "Ice Chips" (25:38)

S3 E9 - "Apologies" (31:30)

S3 E10 - "Forever" (36:05)

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guest: Jesse Aaronson

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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Stations are clean, knives are sharpened; let’s get cooking.

On this week’s SchmearCast: an in-depth review and analysis of episodes 1–5 of ‘The Bear’ S3

Jesse Aaronson returns to the show to help break down what is and isn’t working in the new season of one of TV’s best and most beloved shows.

He and Schmear wrap up with their big-picture thoughts and predict what they think is in store for the back half of the season (54:07).

S3 E1 - “Tomorrow” (9:23)

S3 E2 - “Next” (21:05)

S3 E3 - “Doors” (29:44)

S3 E4 - “Violet” (37:19)

S3 E5 - “Children” (45:29)

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guest: Jesse Aaronson

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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Twin battle in Westeros!

Sena Adjei joins the show to break down Season 2 Episode 2 of ‘House of the Dragon.' (2:09) Does the series remain thrilling, or is it flagging?

Then, an appraisal of the new Jeff Nichols’ film ‘The Bikeriders’ starring Austin Butler, Tom Hardy, and Jodie Comer (36:22). One of the best movies of the year, or more style than substance?

After that, a refresher for Season 3 of FX’s ‘The Bear,’ which premieres this evening (1:00:45). Will Iannaccone joins The Schmear Hunter to discuss what makes the series so fantastic and what to expect in Season 3, before listing off their favorite characters in the show.

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Sena Adjei, Will Iannaccone

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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First up, The Schmear Hunter’s thoughts on Episode 1 of the new ‘House of the Dragon’ season (2:55). Is the show on the right track, or is it marred by old mistakes?

Next, a trip inside the mind for ‘Inside Out 2,’ the biggest movie in the world. Psychiatry resident Dr. Simin Mahaleh joins the show to break down the clever science on display in ‘Inside Out,’ (14:29) what works and what doesn’t in the new sequel (28:28), ‘Inside Out 3', and the state of Pixar (49:14), before she and Schmear rank their top 5 favorite Pixar films (54:13).

Lastly, manager Will Iannaccone rejoins the show as he and Schmear gush over hall-of-fame 1990 Harrison Ford-starring legal thriller ‘Presumed Innocent,’ (1:07:57) before digging into the new Jake Gyllenhaal-led remake on Apple TV+ (1:17:45). They analyze how the show is working through three episodes before redrafting Gyllenhaal’s “Rusty Sabich” role (1:39:07).

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Simin Mahaleh, Will Iannaccone

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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Sena Adjei returns to the show to dine through a 3-course TV dinner: ‘The Acolyte,’ ‘Clipped,’ and a preview of ‘House of the Dragon.’

First up, he and The Schmear assess the state of 'Star Wars' TV and provide some context for Leslye Headland’s new series ‘The Acolyte,’ (2:59), before diving in and reviewing the show and what their hopes for the series are (16:57). 

They then discuss the soapy, new Laurence Fishburne-starring FX limited series ‘Clipped,’ which tackles the racist Donald Sterling scandal that befell the LA Clippers (30:36).

Lastly, a rough and rowdy preview of the most anticipated show of 2024, Season 2 of ‘The House of the Dragon.’ They discuss ‘Game of Thrones’ IP and ‘HOTD’s’ first season (49:23) before forecasting this upcoming season (1:05:15). 

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Sena Adjei

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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Some are calling the new Glen Powell and Richard Linklater movie Hit Man one of the best films of the year.

Jesse Aaronson returns to the show, and he and Schmear discuss where they stand with Powell and Linklater (2:49), debate the merits of Hit Man (15:10), and rant and rave about its hyperbolic reception and the current state of movies (22:58).

They then cool off a bit, discussing the compelling new HBO docuseries Ren Faire from on-the-rise documentarian Lance Oppenheim (31:31).

After that, Emily Bice returns to the show to discuss the wonderful third season of Hacks that wrapped up last week (42:38). She and Schmear discuss why the season was so effective before diving into spoiler territory to break down the exhilarating finale (1:02:41).

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guests: Jesse Aaronson, Emily Bice

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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Wrapping up Cannes 2024, discussing Palme d’Or winner 'Anora,' Kevin Costner’s 'Horizon,' a Donald Trump biopic, and so much more.

David Mouriquand, Euronews Culture Editor, returns to the show. He and The Schmear break down the awards handed out and ask a critical question for each recognized film (2:25).

Then reviews for buzz-worthy films including 'Anora,' 'The Seed of the Sacred Fig,' 'The Apprentice,' 'Horizon,' and more (17:20).

The episode closes with David and The Schmear’s Top 5 films from the festival (1:01:30).

Movies Discussed (no spoilers):

Anora (17:20)

The Seed of the Sacred Fig (31:08)

The Apprentice (39:43)

Horizon: An American Saga - Chapter 1 (47:56)

Parthenope (53:16)

All We Imagine as Light (57:00)

Top 5 Films of the Festival (1:01:30)

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guest: David Mouriquand

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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‘Megalopolis!’ New Yorgos Lanthimos x Emma Stone collaboration! Anya Taylor Joy as ‘Furiosa!’

We’re a little over halfway through the 77th annual Cannes film festival. Which films are heating up the Croisette, and which are landing with thuds?

Joining the SchmearCast is the culture editor of Euronews, David Mouriquand. He and The Schmear cover some of the biggest releases as of yet, and then some of the best in a wide-ranging, spoiler-free conversation that provides on-the-ground insight into the festival and its many films. 

Movies Discussed (no spoilers):

Megalopolis (8:38)

Kinds of Kindness (23:45)

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga (33:28)

Bird (45:32)

The Substance (53:15)

Emilia Perez (1:03:41)

Oh, Canada (1:10:06)

The Girl with the Needle (1:14:00)

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guest: David Mouriquand

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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Filmmaker and YouTube critic Karsten Runquist joins the SchmearCast to dissect the ‘Planet of the Apes’ franchise (7:19). They discuss what makes it successful before diving into the brand new release, ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.' (26:49)

After that, Karsten and Schmear dive into the enigmatic and fascinating new A24 film ‘I Saw the TV Glow,’ Jane Schoenbrun’s sophomore feature following ‘We’re All Going to the World’s Fair.” (43:29) They debate the movie before sharing their favorite films from the very compelling and niche genre of techno-horror. (1:04:59)

The episode wraps with a short preview of their most anticipated films of the 77th Cannes International Film Festival. (1:11:05)

Host: Gabriel Frieberg

Guest: Karsten Runquist

Producer: Pavlo Melnyk

Music: Justin Friedman

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