'Jaws' turns 50 and is back on IMAX screens this weekend!
To celebrate, Schmear and Sena Adjei are joined by legendary documentarian Laurent Bouzereau for a deep dive into both 'Jaws' and his new documentary, 'Jaws @ 50' (4:22).
They discuss Steven Spielberg’s PTSD while making the original film, whether Laurent sees any modern equivalents to Spielberg, his favorite scene in 'Jaws,' and much more.
After that, the conversation turns to Brian Raftery—author, podcaster, and creator of the new Ringer podcast series 'Mission Accomplished,' which explores the movies of the George W. Bush era (30:27).
It’s a scintillating talk about films like 'Michael Clayton,' 'Zodiac,' and 'Anchorman'; where big-budget comedies went; whether superhero movies ruined everything; and what Brian set out to uncover with his latest series.
Two great conversations, two brilliant guests. Dive in.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Laurent Bouzereau, Sena Adjei, Brian Raftery
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
Alex Russell, writer and director of the new psychological drama thriller 'Lurker,' joins the pod!
First up, resident FX expert Teddy Kim stops by to vivisect Noah Hawley's 'Alien: Earth.' Teddy and Schmear discuss what's working and what's not through the first 3 episodes, assess the performances, and talk about how Episode 3, "Metamorphosis," was a step in the right direction for the series.
After that, Alex Russell helps unpack what a "lurker" means to him as he talks about his brilliant new film and the performances of his leads Theodore Pellerin and Archie Madekwe, what he thinks about parasocialism, and his time working on 'Dave' and 'The Bear.'
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Teddy Kim, Alex Russell
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
Weapons writer and director Zach Cregger, as well as the film’s production designer Tom Hammock, join The SchmearCast!
Before that, Schmear is joined by horror expert Rachel Lydia Barker to review Weapons. They start by discussing Zach Cregger’s earlier work, Barbarian, before diving into what works and what doesn’t in the new film, assessing the performances, and getting into spoiler territory about its meaning.
After that, Zach Cregger shares on-set wisdom, his feelings about The Shining and Magnolia, working on the upcoming Resident Evil movie, and more.
Lastly, Tom Hammock discusses his influences in building out the world of Weapons, names the movie he considers to have the most inspiring production design, and shares anecdotes from working on films like X and Pearl.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Rachel Lydia Barker, Sena Adjei, Zach Cregger, Tom Hammock
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
Ari Aster's latest film, 'Eddington,' is pissing A LOT of people off.
But on this episode, Schmear is joined by Karsten Runquist to discuss why they think this Joaquin Phoenix / Pedro Pascal neo-western is so brilliant.
They talk about Ari Aster's career up to this point (14:52) and the brutal reception of 'Eddington' at Cannes (20:37) before diving into the movie's themes, what works, what doesn't, and delving into Austin Butler and Emma Stone's performances (37:10).
They wrap up by sharing some other ''Eddington'-adjacent recommendations (45:12) before Karsten shares 3 overlooked movies from the year so far (47:12).
Then, Alison Sivitz (Bald Ann Dowd) returns to the show to talk about Lena Dunham's new rom-com series 'Too Much,' starring Megan Stalter and Will Sharpe (49:05). She and Schmear assess why they loved the series and why everyone should be watching it.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Karsten Runquist, Alison Sivitz
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
It’s a bird, it’s a plane—it’s a...divisive new 'Superman' movie?
Schmear is joined by Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) and Brock Engi (Movie Talk with Brock) to break down James Gunn’s much-anticipated 'Superman,' starring David Corenswet as the Big Blue Boy Scout.
They share headline thoughts and discuss the meaning of the Superman character before debating what works and what doesn’t in the new film and the tricky tightrope Gunn walks in rebooting the DCU.
They wrap up by discussing what's in DC's pipeline and assess how Marvel’s 'Fantastic Four ' might stack up in just a couple of weeks.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Brock Engi, Sean Byrne
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
Seems like no one’s talking about Season 4 of 'The Bear.'
Schmear is joined by Jesse Aaronson and Lauren Brodauf to unpack why that might be, while also sharing their big-picture thoughts on the season. Then they dive into a full episode-by-episode breakdown, including the Ayo Edebiri-led 'Worms' (33:17) and the big wedding moment in 'Bears,' (52:11) featuring a standout scene from Jeremy Allen White and Bob Odenkirk.
After digging through the season, the trio looks ahead and asks, where does the show go from here? (1:16:36)
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Jesse Aaronson, Lauren Brodauf
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
Brad Pitt stars in ''F1'—loud, shiny, and fast—but is it a good movie?
Schmear and writer/critic—and Formula One expert—Iana Murray rev up to debate Joseph Kosinski’s (Top Gun: Maverick) latest film. They discuss the impact and attraction of the sport before diving into the film, arguing about Brad Pitt’s star wattage, discussing supporting performances from Kerry Condon, Damson Idris, and Javier Bardem, and questioning whether the racing was portrayed in an exciting enough way.
They wrap up by giving some other racing recs if you leave 'F1' with the need for speed.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guest: Iana Murray
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
The rage virus returns!
Danny Boyle and Alex Garland re-team for ’28 Years Later,’ and Schmear hosts Marta Djordjevic (Rewind & Revive) in an in-depth conversation covering everything you need to know about the film.
They first discuss zombie films (7:10) and their significance, then talk through the careers of Boyle and Garland (10:24) before analyzing both ’28 Days’ and ’28 Weeks Later’ (14:34) and their impact on the genre. They then dive into ’28 Years Later’ in its entirety (23:00), discussing the plot, filmmaking, performances, and why it’s such a surprising, fresh blockbuster that subverts expectations.
Wrapping up, they discuss its reception, box office, and if they are looking forward to its sequel, “The Bone Temple” (58:55).
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Marta Djordjevic
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
Schmear is rejoined by Alison Sivitz—aka Bald Ann Dowd—to dive into one of the most divisive movies of the year: 'Materialists,' the new Celine Song rom-com (or is it?) starring Dakota Johnson, Pedro Pascal, and Chris Evans.
They discuss the rom-com genre (3:38), break down what works and what doesn’t (9:48), and discuss the film’s strange and extreme reception (45:57). Schmear wraps by asking Sivi about the masterpiece movies she's been watching since she was last on the show for White Lotus coverage (56:04).
Then, Schmear is joined by Jason Keller, creator and showrunner of the hit Apple TV+ comedy 'Stick,' starring Owen Wilson—and screenwriter of 'Ford v Ferrari.' (1:00:55) Schmear asks about working with Owen Wilson, how Keller promotes cast chemistry on set, and his thoughts on golf overall. They finish with a lightning round of rapid-fire questions (1:16:39), including what makes a good dad movie—and Jason’s favorite sports movie of all time.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Alison Sivitz, Jason Keller
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
Schmear is joined by Ezgi Eren, creator of the excellent 11am Saturday questionnaire, for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of moviegoing in 2025. They trace the origins of her newsletter and unpack some of the best responses she’s received—favorite snacks, ideal showtimes—before diving into the electric energy currently powering theatrical culture.
Together, they break down what’s working for theaters (and what’s not), compare moviegoing in LA and New York versus the rest of the country, unpack the bizarre Minecraft release, and analyze how Gen Z is reshaping their relationship to movies—both online and in theaters—through platforms like Letterboxd and Film Twitter.
Then, Ezgi flips the script and has Schmear fill out her own questionnaire—prompting some unpredictable answers to questions like “What movie world would you want to live in?” and “Which movie do you wish you saw on the big screen?”
Schmear closes by turning the tables again, asking Ezgi for a few spicy movie hot takes of her own.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Ezgi Eren
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
New Wes Anderson! Jesse Armstrong’s first project since Succession! And Gen Z’s answer to Girls?
Schmear, Sena Adjei, and Jesse Aaronson dig into all of that.
Up first, they discuss Wes Anderson’s latest, 'The Phoenician Scheme. ' (2:04) They start off talking about how and why Wes is such a lightning rod before diving into their favorite moments in the film and judging the performances of Benicio Del Toro and Michael Cera, among others.
After that, they dive into the new HBO film 'Mountainhead,' (25:30) a dark satirization of tech billionaires. They debate why the film is working for some but bumping for others, which performance stood out most, and what Jesse Armstrong should skewer next.
Lastly, the trio assesses 'Adults' (47:16), the new FX comedy series in the vein of generational comedies like 'Broad City' and 'Friends,' about 20-somethings living on top of each other in NYC. They discuss why it feels so fresh, the amazing cast chemistry, and where they want the show to go in its hopeful second season.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Sena Adjei, Jesse Aaronson
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
Schmear is back from Cannes and ready to debrief.
He watched 16 films — including Eddington, The Phoenician Scheme, and Palme d’Or winner It Was Just an Accident — and breaks them down into four clear categories: plagues (3:26), politics (9:23), the personal (13:50), and the past (22:04).
Then, it’s time for the definitive ranking: all 16 films, worst to best (29:47).
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
It’s the wrap-up of 'Andor'—one of the most accomplished shows of the year and maybe the finest example of IP storytelling to date.
Schmear is rejoined by Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) and Dan Monaghan (ReelTakes) to break down episodes 10, 11, and 12: how they function as a bridge to 'Rogue One,' whether they’re a slight comedown from the explosive highs of episodes 8 and 9, and why 'Andor' remains a rare gift—both within the Star Wars universe and the larger landscape of franchise storytelling.
Episode 10: (13:57)
Episode 11: (43:11)
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guests: Dan Monaghan, Sean Byrne
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
Schmear and Sena Adjei run down the most intriguing titles at Cannes 2025 ahead of their arrival, featuring 'Eddington', a new Western thriller from Ari Aster; directorial debuts from Harris Dickinson and Scarlett Johansson; Schmear’s dark horse Palme d’Or pick; and, of course, Spike Lee’s hotly anticipated re-team with Denzel Washington, 'Highest 2 Lowest'.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guest: Sena Adjei
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Letterboxd
'Andor' ascends to thrilling new heights with its latest batch of episodes.
Schmear is joined by Dan Monaghan of Reel Takes to dive into Season 2, Episodes 7–9: they discuss the slow start and debate the odd inclusion of the force as a theme in episode 7 (08:25), unpack the chilling real-world political echoes in the masterfully tense episode 8 (21:27), and celebrate the pure excitement of episode 9 (36:46) — spotlighting Genevieve O’Reilly’s tremendous speech as Mon Mothma and the show’s smooth, confident storytelling.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guest: Dan Monaghan
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Schmear returns to the post-apocalyptic world of 'The Last of Us,' joined once again by Sena Adjei to break down episodes 2 through 4 of S2 (1:52). They unpack that massive E2 shocker, explore why episode 3 left them disappointed, and assess whether the show is back on track after a much-improved episode 4 packed with visceral set pieces and Jeffrey Wright's compelling new character.
Later, Schmear and Sena pivot to the new Marvel film 'Thunderbolts*', diving into the performances, debating whether the film worked for them, and sharing what they’re excited about next in the world of superheroes (26:02).
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guest: Sena Adjei
Producer: Gabriel Frieberg
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Episodes 4–6 of 'Andor' S2 deliver masterfully thrilling television, pushing the Tony Gilroy-created series to soaring new heights.
Schmear is joined by Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) and Dan Monaghan (Reel Takes) to break it all down: they unpack the fan reactions to the season’s first batch, dig into the Ghorman-centered arc, and spotlight the standout performances, shifting motivations, and intricate webs of deception. They wrap with three things they’re most excited to see in the back half of the season.
Episode 4 Recap and Review (16:11)
Episode 5 Recap and Review (36:47)
Episode 6 Recap and Review (56:35)
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guest: Sean Byrne, Dan Monaghan
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
The thrilling, deeply layered 'Andor' — arguably the best Star Wars byproduct — returns for a spectacular Season 2.
Schmear is joined by Sean Byrne (Modern Mythos) to break down what makes this Tony Gilroy-created series so exceptional (3:06). After touching on the show's development and its ties to 'Rogue One' (11:04) they dive into the first three episodes: “One Year Later,” (18:04) “Sagrona Teema,” (35:28) and “Harvest.” (44:33)
Sean and Schmear parse the stellar, across-the-board performances — spotlighting Diego Luna and Stellan Skarsgård — while assessing the action-packed storytelling, analyzing the timely political undercurrents, and unpacking how the Empire evokes Nazi Germany.
They wrap by speculating on where the season might head (1:02:58) and Sean lets loose on the stunted Star Wars fan base’s baffling response to the series (1:06:53).
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guest: Sean Byrne
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Ryan Coogler’s 'Sinners' is one of the best, boldest movies of the year.
Schmear and Sena Adjei dive in rapturously, starting with their big-picture impressions and in-theater experiences. They break down Coogler and Michael B. Jordan’s creative partnership, the film’s development, and then go deep on the filmmaking, performances, standout scenes, and major themes.
They wrap with thoughts on the film’s reception and box office, the current state of Black horror, what’s next for Coogler—and three films each to watch if you’re craving more of 'Sinners.'
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guest: Sena Adjei
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
'The Last of Us' is BACK...but is it any good?
Schmear is joined by Sena Adjei to break down the Pedro Pascal-led series, reflecting on the highs and lows of Season 1 before diving into the S2 premiere, "Future Days." They talk about new cast members like Kaitlyn Dever and Catherine O’Hara, why Sena’s underwhelmed so far, and whether they’re emotionally in for the long haul.
Then, Schmear links up with Dan Monaghan of Reel Takes to dissect 'Warfare'—Alex Garland’s explosive, hotly debated follow-up to 'Civil War,' co-directed with Navy SEAL Ray Mendoza. They unpack the film’s big ideas, the discourse it’s sparked, and why 'Warfare' stands out as a raw, boots-on-the-ground war story—before sharing their top picks from the “war is hell” canon.
Host: Gabriel Frieberg
Guest: Sena Adjei, Dan Monaghan
Producer: Pavlo Melnyk
Music: Justin Friedman
WATCH ON YOUTUBE
YouTube
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA