TW: eating disorders Last episode of 2024 and an important reminder that Rachel and Maddie are shrill feminist buzzkills with hater energy :) This episode we discuss Megalopolis, Emilia Pérez, Wicked, "live action" remakes of animated films, The Substance, and Conclave. Links: The episode of On Point that Rachel mentions: https://www.wbur.org/onpoint/2024/12/02/trump-authoritarianism-ruth-ben-ghiat-voters-strongmen Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): Megalopolis*, The Substance*, Emilia Pér...
Dec 24, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Transcript available on Metacast We are now in awards pre-season and we have a lot to discuss. How are we going to get to 10 Best Picture nominees? Can James Mangold pull off A Complete Unknown ? Will Nightbitch be good? (Answer: yes, it's Marielle Heller). Why are there so many horror movies about pregnancy right now, and romcoms with older women age gap relationships? (Not complaining!) Listen and find out! Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): The Brutalist Anora, Sing Sing, Conclave, Maria (2024), Jackie, Spencer, Du...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast Sorry for the delay between episodes! A lot has happened - Maddie went to Cannes! We hate the suburbs! Maddie and Rachel saw Challengers ! Links: Maddie's Cannes ranking on Letterboxd The article about pop music's "middle class" that Rachel mentioned Maddie's Seed & Spark campaign for the short film she's producing, Always Were - or if you'd like to make a tax-deductible donation, the Louisville Film Society fiscal sponsorship page Maddie's newsletter Movies...
Jul 08, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep 25•Transcript available on Metacast It's time for the Smartest People Oscar Predictions! Hopefully we are of some help to your ballots this weekend 🙏🏻 we also discuss the releases we're looking forward to in 2024. Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): Oppenheimer*, Everything Everywhere All At Once Poor Things*, Nyad Eileen The Boy and the Heron, Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse Barbie The Zone of Interest*, Killers of the Flower Moon* 20 Days in Mariupol Anatomy of a Fall Maestro*, Society of the Snow A Star Is Bor...
Mar 05, 2024•55 min•Ep 24•Transcript available on Metacast Okay, so, we recorded this emergency podcast the Saturday after the Oscar nominees were announced, and then Maddie got too busy and is only just now uploading it. This episode is no longer topical, nor a hot take. Please forgive us but please listen anyway! (Also, Maddie knows the song is called "What Was I Made For?" but was too worked up to remember the title). "Barbie Has Cellulite (But You Don't Have To)" from Jessica DeFino's newsletter The Unpublishable Movies d...
Feb 20, 2024•37 min•Transcript available on Metacast Things are getting back on track in 2024. We discuss awards season (recorded before the Oscar nominees were announce so don't @ us!), our Barbie's box office success, our favorite movies of 2023, and May December. Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): Anatomy of a Fall, The Boy and the Heron Thelma (June Squibb’s film) Barbie, Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, Oppenheimer, The Lego Movie The Zone of Interest, Birth (2004), Sexy Beast, The Fall (2019 short), Under the Skin, La Chimera, Salt...
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Transcript available on Metacast I know last time we said we were gettin' it together but, well, a lot has been going on! Maddie co-produced a movie, Rachel is a damn city planner, but we're here now to talk about festival buzz, actor-directors, stage-to-screen adaptations, and we pour one out for one of the greatest directors of our time, the late Terence Davies. The Private Eye , the graphic novel we discussed Passing Time , Terence Davies's final film, a short he did in collaboration with composer Florence Di Con...
Oct 17, 2023•52 min•Ep 22•Transcript available on Metacast We're gettin' it together, folks. This week we talk a lot about Matt Damon, Lily Gladstone, Martin Scorsese, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Sofia Coppola, plus Killers of the Flower Moon and Beau Is Afraid . Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): Air, BlackBerry, The Martian, The Last Duel, Hustlers, Erin Brockovich, The Departed*, Promised Land, Downsizing, The Talented Mr. Ripley, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story The Terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Day, Terminator: Dark Fate Beau Is Afraid, ...
May 23, 2023•1 hr•Ep 21•Transcript available on Metacast This week we talk about Rachel's problem with Mia Goth, touch on the films of Kelly Reichardt, and share the upcoming films we're excited about. Plus, Maddie details her recent experience working on an indie film production which shall not be named. Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): MaXXXine, Emma., Suspiria (2017), X, Pearl, Infinity Pool* Resurrection (2022) , Call of the Wild (1935) , Hail, Caesar!, Air, Moneyball, Showing Up River of Grass, Night Moves, Wendy & Lucy, Meek’...
Apr 11, 2023•50 min•Ep 20•Transcript available on Metacast Ahhh, the Oscars. First half of the episode is Rachel and Maddie making their picks for winners, and the second half is their reactions to the winners. Irene and Yayoi both stop in with their opinions. OVER IT: Oscar bait war movies, fat suits, apology Oscars. HERE FOR IT: Naatu Naatu, first-time nominees, animation is film. Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): Nomadland, Tár Avatar: The Way of Water Babylon, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Elvis, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Mrs. Harr...
Mar 21, 2023•1 hr 12 min•Ep 19•Transcript available on Metacast No Maddie until next time, but join Rachel and special guest Spencer Campbell for this episode themed around the films of Bennett Miller! Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): Moneyball*, Capote*, Foxcatcher* Goon, Remember the Titans, Ford v Ferrari Boogie Nights, Pirate Radio (The Boat That Rocked) The Social Nework, The Trial of the Chicago 7, Molly’s Game, His Girl Friday In The Bedroom, Fight Club The Smartest People in the Room is hosted by Rachel Casey and Maddie Weiner. It is edited b...
Feb 17, 2023•58 min•Ep 18•Transcript available on Metacast Our topics this week include the 8th Sight & Sound Greatest Films of All Time poll, Avatar: The Way of Water , White Noise , and "nepo babies." Maddie will be back in March! Sight & Sound poll Sight & Sound 2022 Films poll Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): Avatar: The Way of Water* Jeanne Dielman, 23 quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles*, Vertigo, Citizen Kane, Marie Antoinette, Safe (1995) , Saute ma ville*, Bicycle Thieves, Get Out, Nope, Parasite, Moonlight, Portrait of a Lady ...
Jan 10, 2023•59 min•Ep 17•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're discussing a backlog of movies, including The Fabelmans , The Menu , Glass Onion , RRR , BROS , romantic comedies, Todd Field, and more! The next episode will be in two weeks instead of three and then after that we'll be doing some guest episodes as Maddie has a new job! You're Wrong About podcast: The Movie Rating System with Karina Longworth Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): The Fabelmans*, CODA The Menu*, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery*, Knives Out, Guardians of the ...
Dec 27, 2022•38 min•Ep 16•Transcript available on Metacast We're back... again!! We're finally done filming our short film so expect more podcast episodes from us, at least for now! This week we discuss The Banshees of Inisherin , TÁR , the death of Film Twitter and its effect on people's brains (for better or for worse), Disney's internal drama, Don't Worry Darling, Elvis, Blonde , and the year's remaining new releases. "How Personal Baggage Will Impact Oscar Chances" by Scott Feinberg (The Hollywood Reporter) Movies discussed (* indicates spoilers): T...
Nov 29, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast We're back!! Who knows how long it will be before the next episode but we're here now, and that's what matters. This week we catch up with the movies we've watched lately, including Nope , Three Thousand Years of Longing , and Bodies Bodies Bodies . We also discuss the problems facing HBO Max and other streaming services, theatrical releases, festival movies we're looking forward to, Gen Z, and... the astrology of film?? Also some TV?? You'll have to check it out! Nope, Blonde, BROS, Honk for Je...
Sep 20, 2022•53 min•Ep 15•Transcript available on Metacast Just a quick update, we’re not dead!
Aug 09, 2022•1 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast We are raising money to produce a short film!! Please check it out here and consider throwing some support our way. Every little bit helps. If you like the podcast, we really think you'll like the film. Thanks :) This week we are joined by Irene in the first half of the episode (she had to dip after the break) and we tell you more about our movie. We also discuss Memoria , which we all saw together, Alfonso Cuarón for some reason, Elvis , Benediction , and the intriguing nature of this summer's ...
Jul 12, 2022•54 min•Ep 13•Transcript available on Metacast We get some visits from Maddie's pet snake Cleo as we discuss Top Gun: Maverick , Fire Island , Apollo 10 1/2 , The Bob's Burgers Movie , and Netflix's ill-fated decision to stop producing "vanity projects". Support the Kickstarter for our short film Blanch ! Movies mentioned (* indicates possible spoilers): Top Gun: Maverick*, Top Gun* Ford v Ferrari, The Bob’s Burgers Movie*, Mad Max: Fury Road, Apollo 10 1/2* Fire Island*, The Age of Innocence, The Happiest Season, Love, Simon, Crush The Godf...
Jun 21, 2022•51 min•Ep 12•Transcript available on Metacast Despite our impromptu break between episodes Rachel has been too busy to see any new movie, while Maddie has seen The Northman, The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent , and Deep Water . We also discuss The Trial Currently Happening Now, A24's membership club, and the types of action movies we like. Movies mentioned (* indicates possible spoilers): Mikey and Nicky Judy, Pirates of the Caribbean series The Northman*, The Witch The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent*, Pleasure, Men, Adaptation., ...
May 24, 2022•52 min•Ep 11•Transcript available on Metacast We are joined once again by beloved recurring Smartest Person Irene Mudd to discuss Cyrano , The Eyes of Tammy Faye , Jesse Plemons, and a lot of talk on Everything Everywhere All at Once , the movie of the moment. Movies mentioned (* indicates possible spoilers): Cyrano* Thelma & Louise, Taxi Driver Darkest Hour Windfall, Everything Everywhere All At Once*, The Eyes of Tammy Faye (2021) *, tick tick…BOOM! The Power of the Dog, Killers of the Flower Moon, Stars at Noon, Once Upon A Time… in ...
Apr 19, 2022•54 min•Ep 10•Transcript available on Metacast Our format is a little different this week: the first half of the episode was recorded before the Oscars and features our predictions for each category, plus the films which we think actually deserved to win; the second half is our reaction to the total mess that was the 94th Academy Awards. Movies mentioned (* indicates possible spoilers): West Side Story (2021), Cruella, Cyrano, Nightmare Alley (2021), Dune The Power of the Dog*, King Richard, tick tick… BOOM!, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtu...
Mar 31, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast This week we are joined by Scott Boice, the creator of our theme music! The three of us discuss all of the controversy surrounding the upcoming Oscars broadcast, how Camilla Cabello's Cinderella will probably win the stupid #OscarsFanFavorite award, Francis Ford Coppola's GQ profile, and a lot of new movies we've seen lately, from the great to the atrocious. Movies mentioned (* indicates spoilers): Titane* Spider-Man: No Way Home Killers of the Flower Moon You Were Never Really Here, The Power o...
Mar 08, 2022•53 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast We recorded this episode the day the Oscar nominations came out and you can tell we're riding high on some unexpected noms. We discuss all the major categories, with a particular focus on the actresses because we're a stereotype. You can find the Thrillist article we discussed here . Movies mentioned: First Reformed, Nomadland Wild Rose, i’m thinking of ending things., The Lost Daughter Women Talking, Stories We Tell, Take This Waltz West Side Story, Belfast, The Power of the Dog, King Richard P...
Feb 15, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast We're joined this week by Smartest People in the Room Awards Correspondent Aaron Hartley! We discuss the Screen Actors Guild nominations and likely Academy Awards contenders, David Ehrlich's annual Top 25 Movies supercut which you can find here, and our tentative top films of the year! Movies mentioned (* indicates possible spoilers): Belfast, CODA, Don’t Look Up, House of Gucci, King Richard, C’mon C’mon The Eyes of Tammy Faye, The Lost Daughter, Respect, Being the Ricardos Spencer, The Worst P...
Jan 25, 2022•51 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast Happy New Year! We recorded this episode before Rachel went on a trip to LA and after she saw several films - the new West Side Story , tick, tick... BOOM! , Belfast , and House of Gucci . Maddie only wants to talk about Joaquin Phoenix, as usual. And we discuss Christmas movies - are they bad? Are they good? The Santa Clause hot cocoa theory (courtesy of Hannah Priest) It’s A Wonderful Life, Christmas Vacation, A Christmas Story, Carol, The Apartment, Hustlers, Love Actually, Elf, The Nightmare...
Jan 04, 2022•46 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast Sorry in advance for the bad sound quality on Maddie's end! There were a LOT of technical difficulties with recording and editing this episode so please bear with us! This episode we discuss mainly two big releases, Spencer and The Power of the Dog , and jump from there to discussions about actors disappearing into roles and auteur theory. Small correction: Maddie said the comic From Hell featured Prince Edward but it is about Prince Albert Victor. Movies mentioned (* indicates possible spoilers...
Dec 14, 2021•59 min•Ep 4•Transcript available on Metacast This week we're joined by beloved recurring guest Irene Mudd!! Our topics include Bond movies and Bond theme songs, the new Uncharted trailer, how we got into film, our controversial opinions on Method acting, our hopefully-uncontroversial opinions on J*red L*to, Memoria 's distribution plan and the importance of seeing movies in theaters, and our thoughts on the Gotham Awards nominees! The Vulture article Maddie mentioned is here: How to Fix the Oscars: Seeded Nominations! by Adam Sternber...
Nov 16, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast This week's topics include Villeneuve's Dune and Timothee Chalamet in general, the Best International Feature submissions to the Oscars, the tragic events on the set of Rust (R.I.P. Halyna Hutchins), the IATSE union issues and possible strike, and The Last Duel. Movies mentioned (* indicates possible spoilers): Dune (2021) Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Wonka Titane The Last Duel* The Velvet Underground CODA (2021) A Hero (2021) Drive My Car The Worst Person in the World Memoria The Good Boss (r...
Oct 26, 2021•50 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast A grand introduction to Rachel and Maddie's most important and controversial opinions, i.e. how they feel about a certain director and a certain franchise. Movies mentioned (* indicates possible spoilers): Dark Waters (2019) The Card Counter* Everybody Wants Some!! Molly’s Game* Drive Richard Jewell The Aristocats Homeward Bound, The Incredible Journey, An American Tail Petite Maman Shiva Baby Mother! and Hereditary Uncut Gems* Licorice Pizza and Phantom Thread Cruella Shang-Chi and the Legend o...
Oct 05, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast The Smartest People in the Room with Rachel Casey and Maddie Weiner is coming soon!
Sep 20, 2021•2 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast 
