Happy Sad Confused - Toronto Film Festival Special w/Elizabeth Olsen, Alicia Vikander, & Dakota Johnson

Episode Date: September 11, 2024

Josh has returned from the Toronto Film Festival was a bunch of great movies in his brain and more importantly a couple of great conversations for you! First up Elizabeth Olsen and Alicia Vikander teaming up for the mesmerizing THE ASSESSMENT, and later on Josh catches up with Dakota Johnson who has turned to directing with LOSER BABY! Subscribe here⁠ to the new Happy Sad Confused clips channel so you don't miss any of the best bits of Josh's conversations! SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! ZocDoc -- Go to ZocDoc.com/HappySad UPCOMING EVENTS! Kathryn Hahn 9/13 -- tickets here! Kate Winslet 9/23 -- tickets here! Zachary Quinto 9/29 -- tickets here! 10th Anniversary event with Sam Heughan & David Harbour 10/17-- ⁠tickets here!⁠ Andrew Garfield 10/4 -- tickets here! Anna Kendrick 10/22 -- tickets here! Check out the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Happy Sad Confused patreon here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! We've got discount codes to live events, merch, early access, exclusive episodes, video versions of the podcast, and more! To watch episodes of Happy Sad Confused, subscribe to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Josh's youtube channel here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

D.C. high volume, Batman. The Dark Nights definitive DC comic stories adapted directly for audio for the very first time. Fear, I have to make them afraid. He's got a motorcycle. Get after him or have you shot. What do you mean blow up the building? From this moment on,

none of you are safe. New episodes every Wednesday, wherever you get your podcasts. Okay, it's official. We are very much in the final sprint to election day. And face it, between debates, polling releases, even court appearances, it can feel exhausting, even impossible to keep up with. I'm Brad Milkey. I'm the host of Start Here, the Daily Podcast from ABC News.

And every morning, my team and I get you caught up on the day's news in a quick, straightforward way that's easy to understand, with just enough context so you can listen, get it, and go on with your day. So, kickstart your morning. Start Smart with Start Here and ABC News because staying informed shouldn't feel overwhelming. Prepare your ears, humans. Happy, sad, confused begins now. I'm Josh Horowitz, and today on Happy, Sad, Confused,

it's three of our best actors out there. I'm talking about Alicia Vakander, Elizabeth Olson, and Dakota Johnson. all on one special Toronto Film Festival edition of the podcast. Hey guys, I'm Josh Harrowitz. Welcome to another edition of Happy, Sad, Confused. Well, if you're watching, you see I'm in a wonderfully drab Toronto hotel room. If you're listening, you can tell there's a really annoying, fun, loud air conditioner.

But this is the life of being on the road. And I am indeed wrapping up my fun times at the Toronto Film Festival. And it is always fun because it is a combination of great movies, great people, fellow folks that do what I do to catch up with them, and also all the amazing actors and filmmakers out there. It's been a really fun one, and a nice kind of back-to-normal-ish times edition of the festival after last year's one was played by the strikes. I've seen a lot, I've seen a lot of people. Some highlights include seeing, you know, movies that are not even on people's radar yet because they haven't been acquired.

That's kind of the part of the side of Toronto that maybe doesn't get quite as much attention because, like, the ones that are already with studios get a lot of attention. But things like The Life of Chuck with our friend, Mr. Tom Hiddleston, debuted here, directed by Mike Flanagan, based on a Stephen King, short story is such a touching, sweet, big idea movie that I found really moving. And I'm so excited to see it land distribution soon, and it will. who knows if it'll be this year or next year. But put that on your list because Tom delivers a great performance, but also everybody, Chewettel Egy, 4, Karen Gillen, got a chance to see all those folks at the party and to see them all in such good spirits

after a very rewarding premiere was really, really nice. Lots of great films, though. I mean, I saw Conclave back Tell You Right. I saw Nora Pryor, but both have premiered here as well. Lots of talk about them. I saw Nightbitch, which is, Yes, I'm allowed to say that because that's the name of the movie and who doesn't want to say night pitch over and over again This is from Amy Adams or rather I should say from Mariel Heller the director and Amy Adams the star

And I love Mariel Heller's work and it's another fantastic performance by Amy Soterical funny but also very will connect with people in a very profound way What else just ravelling off things I've seen? I got a chance to see the new Andrea Arnold movie starring Barry Keoggan who I believe will be doing the podcast this year yes returning to the podcast Barry got chance to see him the other night saw Nick Holt the other night who will also be returning to the podcast soon he has a ton of movies coming soon including the order which premiered here it was also at Venice he's fantastic in that alongside Jude law he's also Nosferatu which is skipping the festival circuit

seemingly but is maybe my most anticipated film of the year yeah just too many to list. I can't even think of all the movies I've seen. I'm rounding it out with Amelia Perez in a matter of minutes, which is the new movie that won some big awards in Cannes. It's a new movie from Jacques O'Diard and includes a trio of great performances from actresses by all accounts. So I'll report back on that one. And yeah, it's festival season, which means great movies and great people to talk to. It also means great events. So here's a segue. So many cool events for happy, say I confused. listeners and watchers. If you're in the New York City area, I want to mention that we are celebrating

big time very soon. In about a month on October 17th, I am so happy to say this. We're celebrating 10 years of happy, happy, say I confused, if you can believe it, 10 years of this little old podcast with a giant event at New York Comic-Con, the first night in New York Comic-Con. They invited me to be there and ask me what I wanted to do. And I said, you know, it's been 10 years and we haven't had a real chance to kind of take a look back and enjoy it with friends. So we're going to do just that. I've invited a bunch of folks. The guest list is still coming together,

but we can say that Sam Hewinn and David Harbor will be a part of it. There will be more to come. And it will be hopefully everything that Happy Say and Fused is, which is smart and funny and silly and entertaining above all else. So I hope you guys, if you're able to be there, come in person, say, hey, and celebrate with us 10 years of Happy Say I Confused. tickets are on sale. You do not need a Comic-Con badge to get in. You do need a ticket. Those are being sold right now. And the link and info and how to get that are in the show notes. Also, a lot of other 92-Y events, as always I'm doing, with some pretty amazing folks, whether it's Catherine Hahn, Andrew Garfield, first time, a first live guest for Happy Say I Confused. So that will be special. Kate Winslet, Anna Kendrick, and more to come. It'll be a busy fall. But all, you know, all people that I'm really excited to chat with and share with all of you.

So as for the main event today, so coming up a little bit later in the podcast, you'll hear a conversation with Dakota Johnson, who, if you've seen my stuff with her, you know, always is silly and goes off the rails in the best possible way. And this one is actually supporting a new effort for her. She directed a short film. Previously, she's only directed a music video, and now she has a film that just premiered here. here at Tiff called Loser Baby, which is a very fun kind of like sex relationship comedy that she's very proud of as she should be, and it's a step into a new area for her.

So I was pleased to kind of help celebrate that with her and look at what's on tap for her on the producing and directing side, as well as we get a little sneak peek, a little talk about materialists, which is the new film she just shot with Celine Song, and Chris Evans and Pedro Pescal. So that's coming up later in the episode.

The first conversation, though, you'll hear today are two happy, second-fused regulars coming together. First-time collaboration together. It's Elizabeth Olson and Alicia Vicander. I adore these two. They're fantastic, not only great actors, but really always fun to talk to. And you can tell they really vibed both professionally and personally. This conversation is about a movie that they did together

that, again, premiered at Toronto called The Assessment, which at this moment actually, doesn't have distribution yet. It, of course, will because it's not only features those two in Hamesh Patel, but it's also just a really satisfying, smart, cool movie. It's set in the near future, in a future where folks who want to conceive a child have to get permission from the government. They need an assessor to come in and judge them, played by Elisa Vakander. Yeah, it's kind of a black mirror twilight zone episode on steroids, but really I've had to it really interesting and provocative and great performances of course so that

conversation is coming at you momentarily this is just like I said two of my favorites they talk about their points of connection personally and professionally some upcoming stuff some of course a little bit of Marvel talk with Lizzie as always and more so stay tuned Dakota Johnson coming up in a little bit but first up the next voices you'll hear will be me and too happy sad, confused regulars, the great Elizabeth Olson and Alicia Bacander. Here we go, guys. This is your assessment. Welcome, Alicia. Lizzie. It's good to see you both. Good to see you. Yes. This is like the happy set confused all stars. You guys have both.

This is your fourth time. Oh, it's like, yeah. Yeah. Neck and neck. Wow. Eight between us. Wow. It's a lot of happy side confused photos. It's true. It's true. By the way. I wonder how consistent they are. You both deliver great happy. say confused photos. Don't make it a competition. Unless you want to. Not with one another. I mean, do I do the same happy, sad confused every time is what I'm curious about.

We'll check the photos. We'll analyze after this. OK, great. I'm looking forward to it. The fifth time, you get a hat, by the way. So there's an incentive to keep coming back. Like the SNL blazer. Yeah, great.

I can't afford a jacket. So it's just a hat. Hats are good. Congratulations on your movie. I was just saying the world has not seen this movie. I've been privileged enough to check it out. How are you feeling? We're hours away from the premiere

at the Toronto Film Festival. I was super excited. Yeah, really excited. And nervous, obviously. But it feels, we're just talking about, like, it feels like, you know, this film that we did shot last year in Cologne and Tenerife and not many people know that we made it.

So yeah, it's an exciting day. Yeah, and people always ask recently, like, what's your favorite project you've been a part of? And the only thing I can think of is just the projects that haven't been shared with the world because they're still yours. Right. And so this has been my, like, this has been the thing

that I've been really excited to share. Do you generally get nervous before a premiere? Like, what's the most nervous you've ever been before sharing a movie with the world? Oh, I don't know. I think it's just, I'm, that feeling of sharing the movie with the world never really changes, I think. I kind of have that still.

I mean, I'm more happy than, you know, in the beginning of my career, it was just like doing these things. I mean, that was just terrifying. Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely terrifying. Yeah, yeah. And now it's like, fun. Good, we've come a long way.

Yeah. I'm right now, like, a vacant inside, and we'll be very nervous by them. I'm sure I'll be very nervous when it starts. I think there's an adrenaline that happens when it's about to start and you're there and you're trying to settle into the thing and not think about anything

else besides the experience letting it take over you. Also being in a cinema, especially even more nowadays because I don't know, I blame my two children now that I don't have time, you know, but it is a special feeling and then it's one thing to see it there, but to communally experience something and then obviously something you're in is, you know, it's very powerful. Yeah, it's really, we're very lucky to do it. And what about the role of film festivals in each of your respective careers? I remember I think I first met you at Sundance,

those earlier years where you were like, the queen of Sundance a couple of years. You were killing it, Lizzie, at the independent film festivals. Woo! You got the tiara on. It was a little much, but whatever. Yeah, no, I didn't wear a tiara. I would never wear a tiara.

I think you got a tiara. I would never, you know, I would never wear a tiara. One day you will. Yeah, I don't think so. No. But Toronto is one of my favorites, and do film festivals have a special place in your heart considering what they've done for your respective to?

Sure. Yeah. I mean, it's so, and I mean, Toronto is incredible because it's like very much a people's festival. Yeah. And, you know, they have a lot of screenings. You can see that everyone is walking around with the tickets on the street. And, you know, it's, I had that in my hometown in Sweden, the Gothenburg film festival.

And it was like a huge thing every year. Like my mom and I opened the catalog and we like made little stars on, and you had to go to the ticket office and standing queue and wait for, you know, it was a big thing. So, yeah, for sure, and especially. at least my first films that I made, Swedish independent cinemas that no one should be able to see in a way. I mean, it's kind of like...

And then, you know, my first international film festival was Buzan Film Festival, and I got to go to South Korea and get introduced to Korean cinema. Yeah, I love them. What are your memories? I mean, it must have been a big moment for you when those films started to be at those festivals.

Well, yeah, I mean, I think the opportunity that festivals create for projects, that have no home, it's, I mean, it's, it's the, it's the system, but it's also the celebration. I think people are trying to genuinely fight for cinema and move it forward and continue to challenge one another. And so you have all of these really interesting, different, there's no thematic consistency. It's people who are really trying to take swings. And I think our film really is is trying to do that as well, by blending many genres and taking people on a ride

that is kind of a mystery. And it's not a mystery. The film's not a mystery. But it's a mystery as to like you don't know what's going to happen next. You're not ever ahead of the characters. And yeah, it's a special place. And our film still needs a home domestically.

And so all of that's exciting. And there are stakes involved as well. So here's the tricky part where we decide how much did I bulge of this film. But it is, it's a, we can say with the premise, and I'm not sure how well I'll do, but let's see if the three of us can coherently convey it.

We're set in a near future. There is a couple, you and Hamesh Patel, the great Hamesh Patel play. You want to conceive a child, but in this future, that is not a given. Hence, an assessor comes into the, into the home, played by Alicia Vikander. Do we have it?

That's it. Yes. Okay. I think you did a great job. I retire. Seven-day in-person assessment. Yeah. Yeah.

You guys are used to judgment in your lives, sadly. We're all used to judgment. Being judged? Yes. I think we all are. Yes. I mean, yes. But I think that goes right now in the times we're in.

Everyone is kind of. Yes. And also participating the acting of judging. Right. Yes. Yes. I'm like trying, am I doing the right thing? Is this what I am meant to do?

Are people looking at me? Yeah. Am I, you know. Are you in your own heads a lot on that? Are you more chill about? about it as the years go by, or are you still kind of like constantly thinking how am I being perceived?

I mean, I've made a very clear choice because I don't have any social media at all. The same in that way. So that means, I mean, yeah, we talk a lot about that. And I mean, it is like I step into it in one way, I think now I enjoy it. Like I am here, and I'm with the film, and I love talking about it.

And there's been some really sweet people that we met just walking in here. But, and I think that is, I guess, is also what I think the human mind can kind of cope with. You know, it's there in front of you and it's kind of tangible and real, you know, whilst on phones and screen, it gets tricky, you know. Your brain will make, you know, play tricks on you.

Right, yeah. Only one of us is damaged here, because they're on social media every day. I need to get there guys. Well, it also is a part of your active job. Sure, no, and it is a drug, it's an addiction. And I've even thought it's part of mine. Like, I have really questions, so I really much, you know,

I kind of admire a lot of people who can do it. Yes, I do too. And I'm able to compartmentalize. Yeah. So I, it's nothing of me judging it. It's been, it's, it's almost like I even know how I stepped into the like industry now. That's kind of impossible for a young actor. Right.

You have to be a certain number of followers. Come on, guys. I'm like, we're part of the old gang. I know. Feels so lucky for that. Yeah. So that is one part of it, to be honest, that I, we had already created, you know, you know, a person, like a persona line that exists, you know?

A body of work as well. Yeah, a body of work. So that's, you know, yeah, that is the way our society kind of functions and works at the moment. So, so when you walk into something like this, that is, it's a very small cast, it is essentially a three-hander, there's some nice supporting performances that pop in as the film progresses. But what is the, what do you guys do when you know you're going to act with somebody that you've never worked with before? Is it Googling? Is it asking fellow friends? Like, what are they like?

Do you vet each other prior to? I mean, she was attached. Elizabeth was attached when I read the script. So that was one of the parts, you know, why I was like, oh, I thought you were like kind of perfect for this role, but it was also something new that I kind of hadn't seen that you've done before. And so that was part of it.

And then obviously, you know, me being a fan of your work when you then meet on Zoom the first time, it is a special feeling and you know but I think we together with flow had a really nice kind of connection even though it is strange but then we did have at least a bit over a week together and then we did hang out a lot a lot yeah it's lovely I mean not every job when you're on location people continue to to find time and dinners and I mean like our last dinner there I was really sad to leave you guys you know it was like really and I think that is actually one of the things that I love with filmmaking yeah having those experiences I had like a friend that came and visited me

early in my career and it was like it's a bit like summer camp is this work and I was like it's super long hours and very you know hard but it's like it's a community that is becomes very close for a very short amount of time and you have this creative you know experience together and then I mean I also have to say though when you're when like you're saying there's just three of you i think there's a choice of like the when we met on zoom where there's niceties and politeness and then there's also the other option which you lead with which is very disarming which is just in true honesty of just just get super real just just get super real super fast and then we were all then we both we all did and then

we were just there. Yeah. And I think you, that establishes something that's going to also relate to how you're going to work with one another. With Amex Platinum, access to exclusive Amex pre-sale tickets can score you a spot trackside. So being a fan for life turns into the trip of a lifetime. That's the powerful backing of Amex. Pre-sale tickets for future events subject to availability and varied by race.

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to break into the male-dominated tech industry to become the youngest female self-made billionaire. An official selection of the Toronto International Film Festival, the Hulu original film Swiped, is now streaming only on Disney Plus. Look, there are two categories in life for things you should either take a total crapshoot on or things you really shouldn't. For instance, maybe try the new almond milk or oat milk alternative for your coffee today.

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That's Zocdoc.com slash happy-sad. dot.com slash happy sad. Did you guys find points of connection besides not being on social media between the two of you? You both have some interior design. Oh my gosh. Really? She's got some, she's got some sources.

We talked a lot of, yeah, she has some good dealers. We talked a lot about interior design. Really? Dancing in the background for both of you, interest and dance. I mean, you were to accept. Dancing was a huge part of your life, but you were interested. Oh, yeah, I could never, I could never call myself a dancer with her sitting right next to me.

No, that's so not true. It was an important part of my life for discipline. Right. And performance, but I... And that's still kind of what it is. That's what I kept until now. Right. But you were incredibly skilled.

I mean... You should challenge her to a dance off and prove your superiority. No, thank you. We already know. I mean, have you seen the national video that they made, the film? I mean, it's one of the most beautiful pieces of art I'd ever seen.

Like, I mean, it was, and also, I, well, I should, maybe I should. No, I shouldn't. No, you should. There's, no, I just felt like, oh, in the film, there's some dance, yes. I understood you playing the assessor for many reasons of your previous work,

but also that specific art piece was, I think, felt a sense of freedom that we were also seeking within this film and release. There are many points of connection. I think an audience will have, depending on where they are in their lives in this film. There's one bizarre one that I truly felt in my bones. There's a scene where you're being assessed

on kind of putting together a piece of furniture for the kid. I grew up in Sweden, Ikea. I tell you, I have that experience a lot of times. This is what I'm saying. One of the biggest arguments I ever had with my wife was we were putting together IKEA furniture, And I was not good at it, and it got real tense, real fast. He was an Adirondack chair.

I even sat like three hours on the phone with IKEA. I was so mad. And I called them, tell them that, so I put this all together, and turns out it's not going to work because there's one screw missing. And I had a fit. And while I'm on the phone, I see something on the floor. Oh, no. Right.

That usually is what happens. Who took this thing from me? I was like, no, wasn't it. Are there any banal activities that are off limits between you and your partner because you know, even if it's silly and stupid, this is just not, we don't click on this weird small level. I can't watch something for the first time of mine with my partner. Oh, we have the same thing. You do? And it's fun because, you know, you do the same thing.

Yeah. And I think, I mean, you're, you're so good baby and it's all going to be fine. You know, and then he's like, no. It's like, you know, it gets really, you know, awkward. I get so nervous. I'm just thinking about every gesture, every breath, like, and I'm analyzing their experience instead of watching it for myself. I enjoy seeing it with them in the cinema. But not in private.

No, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Oh, funny. Okay. We didn't talk completely also. There you go. You have this too.

More commonality. Are there rules on who, on deciding what to watch at home? It's amazing now. I mean, I've really entered that stage now when I'm going to bed at 9 p.m. Right. And I, you know, I never watch as much TV as I do now. Because I kind of like need that one hour and two hours. Two hours is too much.

That makes sense. What turns your brain off? What can you click into now that's... Oh, I was excited about Pacino season two. Right. I've heard it's amazing. Yeah. And it's a series that I felt like...

A lot of people didn't see. Turns out I thought so, but no. So that was nice. Yeah. What about you? Do you have a comfort television? No, we have a never-ending list of films that just will, I mean, we, we, we belong to a rental place because a lot of the films we want to watch, we can't figure out how to stream or to buy the DVD, it's like $130. That is a huge thing.

Yeah. There's a lot of films that we, you know, we've been, because we often do that with friends, we meet people, new people that I haven't met, is there any film you think that I haven't seen that I should watch? And then I have a list on my phone that I've gathered and my husband has done the same. And then we go home and, you know, we Google the film, obviously

find the film when you search for it. And then you can't find it. Yeah. You just can't find a way to watch it. You know, I would pay $25, $30 to pay it on, you know, to buy it. Highest bid or whatever. I got to get this. So that is a big thing.

Yeah. And it's like, it shows you that it was like Once on Mooby, it was from like four years ago. Yeah, or Pluto. 12 hours on Mooby. You have to get in that window. Like whatever, like those plate, like there's so, but often a lot of the things we want to watch

don't exist in a streaming capacity. So we've just decided to start going back to a rental place. Yeah, well, you, I mean, it's the only way we can watch certain things. So anyway, that is, it's a communal decision, you had asked. Right.

It is a communal decision. Okay, good, good, good. You'll be happy to not catching up with the lovely Catherine Hahn in New York. later this week. Oh, great. Are they doing press for Agatha? They're starting.

I'm going to do one of my fun live events with her to talk about her show and her lovely career. What's it like for you to see what you guys help birth, like kind of expand with Catherine. I mean, I haven't. I mean, there's, I, I don't know. I don't even know if I don't even think I have a Disney Plus account, but, um. I'll loan you my password. I do. It's okay.

Yeah. I actually borrowed Michael Waldron's password to watch like a sporting event or something. He's the writer from Loki and right, wrote, Dr. wrote Dr. Strange. And I was like, you have to have one of these, right? Did they give you one for free? No. They gave me one for free for a year during Law and Division.

That was a big negotiating point. But like something was streaming on ESPN, and I had to walk into Disney Plus. So I asked Michael. It was a, you know, I was for a sporting event. But I'm really excited for Catherine. That cast is incredibly fun. And I've only heard bits and pieces from them.

And Catherine's been so sweet along the way, always sending messages because it seems like there's a presence in some way for her and so it's yeah I'm really excited for them is there better casting than our beloved Aubrey Plaza playing a witch which is so close to her heart I mean yeah she wrote a children's book about a witch Christmas witch did you know about our children's book called Christmas witch I'm well aware I didn't know my I will definitely check that out for the kids there you go yeah I always love our Marvel conversations because they are just go off the rails and the best

I always say things I shouldn't say. No, but it's okay, but here's my only question for you is, um, so what advice will I give someone next? We'll never do that again. Not my fault. Oh my God, I said the stupidest thing on his show. I'm going to Google it now. She keeps going back for more.

I don't know why. I'm always scared because I don't know how to answer any of these questions. Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry. Okay, okay, okay. Here's my only questions. Yeah. But like when you saw from a far, the Robert Downey Jr., news and all of that. Yeah. You had no idea. No one had any idea or did you have an inkling? I got a text

message from someone saying, whoa, that's crazy news. And I was like, what happened? And truly assuming that there was something, some active shooter violent, you know, that's what you assume when someone says, how about that news. And then I found out there talking about Robert. And I was like, oh, I have no idea. And it was like that. right that's how climatic it was the way of the world of today yeah yeah i mean it's i i don't understand how they make how i don't know i don't know all the pie is made is that is that what you say what do you say is made how the cookie crumbles how the cake is made how the sausage is made there it is i am a woman of malapropisms and i'll always be one so you got to embrace what

you are yeah let's end with the happy second fuse profoundly random questions which you've answered so maybe you can help ride shotgun for Alicia here. Okay, I love shotgun. Thank God. Dogs or cats, and if your answer is changed, you can also weigh in. We just have this conversation. Really? Did I hit a point of no-go conversation point?

Neutral. Oh, no. Okay. Longer conversation another time. What's the wallpaper on your phone? Oh, my son's. Classic. Classic.

Do you ever get mistaken for anybody? No, I don't think, no. No. Worst note a director has ever given you? Oh. There's something in there. There are at least ten things in there, I feel like you're swimming around. Yeah, I'm trying, what did you say?

The weirdest? Or worst. I mean, whatever you want. I mean, it could be both ways, but one more time. I mean, I'm just saying that in times, I have a curse. So if you go through my IMDD page. Yes. Even my team, you know, when they send me a script.

Sure. They will be like, yeah, this is another one of those. So I have a thing that I need to go into a cold water at some point in the film. This has been a motif in the works of the movie center. Yeah, I think it's about 96% of the film sent me or something where that happens. and the next one I'm doing in the end of the year. I need to swim in like three degree water at some point in the film.

And it's like a thing. You did it in the film. So I didn't have it to do it. That was, I. It wasn't that cold. It wasn't that cold. It wasn't that cold to you. I curse you.

Oh my God, because I thought when I read the script, we don't. Surely it's coming. And I don't need to. Yeah. I mean, I was kind of soaked, by the way. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. And it was bloody cold.

Yes, it was really cold. Yeah, yeah, no, I mean, I was worried, I didn't like that. What's the recurring motif in your career? What's the thing that repeats inadvertently? Actually, cold water is one of them. I have been rained on by cold water multiple times. Martha, I'm swimming in a freezing cold September lake and upstate New York. And I was trying to hold my breath underwater, but it's very hard to do that when you're

in a very cold body of water. And Dr. Strange, I was cold and wet, soaking. Yeah, I'm wet a lot and at one point I like I've made multiple jokes with the with one at the woman that I do most Films with Trisha Sawyer my makeup artist and we keep saying like at what point are we gonna do like a Jack Nicholson thing at the end of which is of Eastwick Where it just becomes feathers at the end, you know and so I'm just really waiting for like it's like it's always wet and bloody and then it's like where are the where the feathers? Yeah on Tim Raider. I actually got like proper hypothermia It was so, it was like, and they had to take me off set and like get the medics in and everything. And then it was like, it was really like the worst.

It was not fun. It was not fun. And then they called me up and I thought, you know, because it became a big thing. I thought it was a joke. They were like, so we did look at the footage and, you know, yeah, we're putting like, you know, a waterfall, a flying plane, you know, things in the image. But then your face is so blue that we can't use. with the footage. Right.

So I had to reshoot it. You must have been thrilled. No, it was the worst. I mean, then they had to create it in a studio because I just couldn't do it. Yeah, no kidding. There's always the question of, like, how close can you get the warming time? I fell asleep on the ground. Can't they just change the color temperature on your blue face in the footage?

Why can't they do that? That's what I mean with all the special effects. Why can't they do that? No, that's too difficult. We can't, like that's in close up. Because it's moving. Yeah. Because your face is moving.

Yeah. We can't do it. You can only adjust things that are still. I have bad news. On the next, on the fifth time, you get a hat, but we also dumped water on you, cold water on half they say I confused. Oh, okay.

Goodbye, Josh. It was nice knowing. It was nice to be here. It is a pleasure to see you both, always individually, but what a bonus to see you both together. This movie is fantastic. It will get distribution very soon, so hopefully the world at large can see the assessment.

Congratulations and enjoyed the premiere guys. Thank you so much. We did it. No one got canceled. We're okay. Yeah, we're okay. I think. Who knows?

You never know what gets taken, that people analyze. You never know. Yeah, no, we're okay. I think we did a good job. B plus. Thank you. Sounds like average, but thank you. You got two perfectionists right here.

Hello. We're here. Here we are. It's good to see you. Good to see you too. Now I feel like I have to actually show you even more respect than in the past because you're big time director Dakota Johnson now. That feels like you're going to want to take that back because what?

You don't show actresses respect? No. I was joking about our relationship because we're a little silly with each other. I'm just saying now I feel like I need to really show you respect. It's not about a male-female thing. I'm serious now because I'm a director now. I can tell you're carrying yourself in a totally different way. Thank you.

I'm wearing a suit jacket. We're in Toronto in case you can't tell from this Toronto backdrop. And you're premiering your short film, Loser Baby. You've named it. I was going to say you've named it after your pet name for me. It's an autobiography, yeah, right. How does it feel to be here in a different kind of capacity than normal? It's actually pretty funny.

It's very funny. The whole thing is really funny to me because we didn't, I didn't know that the short was submitted to Toronto. Roe, my sweet, sweet-ass producing partner, submitted it without telling me and told me, and Talia, actually, when it had gotten in, so. Here we are. You don't want to know if there was going to be rejection,

because that's, we don't want that. No, I've had enough of us. Thank you. It's just all wins, nonstop wins. This is a win. So the film is great. Congratulations. Thanks.

No, truly. So talk to me a little bit about, like, I don't know how this came about, because you obviously direct the music video before, so this is the next foray into directing. Is this a building block, or is this something like a fun, like, I just want to do this for its own sake? Like, how did this one happen? This one was, we just wanted to make it for its own sake. Talia is an incredible writer, and we had worked together on writing a television show that we had

sold but it never got made it was too good yeah that's that's that's that was the word on the street like this is a little seems to be what's going on these days like you have to write something pretty shitty in order for it to actually get made i've noticed that yeah um so it didn't get made uh but it's really good it's called rodeo queens if anybody wants to make it i'm kick starter right now here we go and uh then we kind of were collaborating we're also really good friends our mutual best friend Blake is also in the short and she had written this as just like a sample piece of writing but also based on how she really wanted to see a real depiction of queer relationships and how they can shift and change and evolve and the different dynamics that can exist between

people in love and friendships and I wanted to cast all my friends in it they're all staring at me right now and there's nobody in the room for the record she's just staring into a corner blankly um and tell them what to do and and i did and it really felt great it went well so oh any lessons learned from i mean music video is a much different kind of experience than this but i think you take away from that experience that you applied this time around it's totally different it was a totally different experience but um i don't know i i i i i feel like I really loved, I loved directing this so much. I loved it because the two of them are comedians, like truly incredible comedians. And not that they would like ever do stand

up because don't, because that wouldn't go well, but on camera, they're amazing. And between the two of them, their banter is brilliant and they're just super intelligent and soulful, amazing people. So being able to sort of know them that well and track them and push them in certain directions knowing what they're capable of and knowing things that they've done in the past that are really funny. Like it just was a lucky combination of things. So is that kind of the secret sauce to kind of like get over any nerves that there might be and doing something slightly new for you is like surround yourself with like a friend group. Like people that trust you that you trust them. I think yes. But but but even be.

On that, I just want to, even as an actor, I want to work with people that are kind and collaborative and willing to try things and not feel like stupid or scared or uncomfortable. So, yes, I just want to work with nice people that are good at what they do. You can tell a lot about a director's approach by the first shots of any of their films. And it will surprise no one, like Kurosawa, like Frank Capra. This one starts with a sex scene with a strap on. Yeah. So there's no question there. It's just an observation.

Just to be named in a group of legends. You know, that's what I strive to do. But I would imagine. I feel like it's no surprise that the opening scene of my short film has a giant pink strap on in it. No, I was not surprised. I was like, I would have been disappointed if it wasn't there. It's also not giant. It's like a pretty regular size strap on.

Right, for the record and totally average size. Is it? I don't know. I'm a virgin. It was all new to her. What is this guys? But like having, look, these are kind of fun, intimate scenes as opposed to kind of like more serious stuff. I mean, having been directed in intimate scenes, you must know by now like how you, how you like to be directed in those kinds of moments.

So did you kind of apply the good or the bad that you? you've experienced in your own career to how you directed your friends in this? Yes, 100%. I mean, Talia has never acted before. And so I really did my best to make her feel as comfortable as possible in all of the sexual moments. Did you feel comfortable, Talia? The most. Would you do it again? With you? What? Would I do a show a shorter thing with you? Would you do like more sex scenes directed by me? I would, I would, I guess. Huh, okay, I mean, it was a yes.

There was a yes in there. Well, we also cast her actual best friend as Martina Navratilova. Right. Are you looking for a movie review show where the critic is at the top of his or her game, meticulously breaking down and explaining exactly why a film does or does not work? Well, good luck with the search. Because we're having fun here on Adam does movies. Each and every week, I hit the big blockbusters.

I cover the streamers, and I even toss in some movie news for fun. Check out the show on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts, on YouTube. And hopefully, we can do movies together. Hot. Hey, Michael. Hey, Tom. Big news to share it, right? Yes, huge, monumental, earth-shaking.

Heartbeat sound effect, big. Mink is back. That's right. After a brief snack nap. coming back. We're picking snacks. We're eating snacks. We're raiding snacks. Like the snackologist we were born to be. Mates is back. Mike and Tom, eat snacks. Wherever you get your podcast. Unless you get them from a snack machine, in which case, call us. Good pronunciation, by the way. Did I say that right? You did. I did. And so they had to make out,

and it was really funny for everybody. But they did good. And it was really funny. But they did good. And it It was hot, I thought. How quick a shoot is this? Something like this is like a, this is a significant short. It's like 20 and 25 minutes. It's not like a 23 minutes. That's why I said 20 to 25 minutes. I didn't remember off the top of my head.

Exactly in the middle of that. Exactly. Three days. We should have in three days. You didn't feel like under the gun. You felt like a good kind of, again, pressure. Let me tell you what happened. So I'm here for.

I discovered this like vitamin drink. Okay. Did not know this is where it was going, but continue. And I was like, first of all, I was like, I'm the most inspired. I am a director. I am not sleeping at night. I am just thinking about this short. I'm coming up with alt lines.

I'm coming up with improv ideas. I have all. And then I realized that the vitamin drink that I was drinking, Celsius, is actually just caffeine. Like, so much caffeine. And, like, too much caffeine. I had this experience once. days I was like thinking I was the most inspired director because I was just awake all night long and directing all day and moving through things really fast but really I was just like

on liquid cocaine basically yeah yeah no I had this experience I was like at a health food store buying stuff and they you know they give you like free stuff if you buy a certain amount they gave me a drink I went home and I drank it and I told my wife like I think I'm having a heart attack like my heart is like jumping out of my chest is it a Celsius I don't know if it was that brand but I looked at it. It was like, this is like 10 times the amount of caffeine you're supposed to have in anything. And my body is not ready. No. But it's good for directing a short film, apparently, is the takeaway. Also, I've taken from that, like, night shoots when I'm working on films. It's helpful. Are you anti-night shoot generally? I mean, that's... They're just hard. Especially extended. If it's like... But fun. Because you stay up all night with your friends. You stay up all night with your friends on set and do weird stuff. Okay, it's official. We are very much in the final sprint to election day. And face it, between debates, polling releases, even court appearances.

It can feel exhausting, even impossible to keep up with. I'm Brad Milkey. I'm the host of Start Here, the Daily Podcast from ABC News. And every morning, my team and I get you caught up on the day's news in a quick, straightforward way that's easy to understand, with just enough context so you can listen, get it, and go on with your day. So, kickstart your morning. Start Smart with Start Here and ABC News, because staying informed shouldn't feel overwhelming. So if I named some of the illustrious directors that you've worked for,

is there anything you could say you've picked up from any of them? so David Fincher yes yes well I did do you know at least

a hundred takes yeah Luca what about Luca no these are the masters they're the masters they're the masters

but like I'm just a little baby Maggie Maggie Joan I feel like I have learned little things from all the directors

I've worked with, things I love, things I didn't love, things, just, you know, things that I, but I also was, like, I wanted everyone to have a good time, and they were all my friends, and also my little sisters are in it, in the short, they are background. Amazing. I know, it was really sweet. I was like, I need free people to fill up space, so get in here. What's your most frequent direction, would you say?

What's the thing that came out of your mouth the most during those three days? what do you think looking to your actors you were very giving with compliments that's not in my experience I've never experienced anything close to that

that feels so backwards I'm joking you look great today that shirt's nice on you with your eyes yeah but the way you're saying that that's so not

legit I don't know action that's the word I used to the most probably do it better again bad have you weren't anything now having been on the other side of the camera as an actor next time you I'm sure you've acted

since then like a new kind of sense of I don't know just having been on the other side that you apply now to your acting I don't know I think it's very personal to the person but for me I like to feel like I'm a part of the bigger picture and like I'm a part of some secret. So when I feel like I am so close with my director that we have, like we're always sort of thinking about each other.

I like that while I'm working. I realized. I didn't realize that before, but I think I felt like working with them. I wanted them to feel really safe and free to like riff and be themselves. take it too far or do something that didn't work and not feel weird about it. So I guess for me, that's something that I want to cultivate on sets that I am acting on or producing or directing is a feeling of like everyone hearing the same music and feeling a part of something bigger than just your individual job on a set because it can be, it can feel really isolating. 100%. So what are the world domination plans for tea time right now?

It feels like you guys are busy and getting busier. We're busy. We're busy ass. That's the motto, busy ass production company. Busy ass. What are the aspirations? That's what we're going to change the name to busy ass. It's almost like business.

It's busy ass. Yeah, it is almost like business because we are business women, but busy ass business women. Right, that's what they say. Yeah, what's the plan? We are producing and I will be acting in. two films before the end of the year, this year, which is not very much time. Yeah. So I really do actually have to go.

Quite literally have to leave. I get it. And our book club is really fun. We've got some other, like, side hustles coming up. I don't know. Aspirations to direct a feature. Does this get you more prime to do? do a full-on feature?

I think I realized that if there was something that came along that I felt like, oh, I know this world backwards and forwards, like I felt I know loser baby. Yeah. I, if it was a feature, I feel like I would be interested in doing that. But I also am not, like, I feel like I have a lot to, I still have a lot to learn in terms of being behind the camera and I don't know. I'm open. I'm open to it. So one of the ones coming up is that the, from the director of the climb, forgive me, I don't remember the... Mike Covino and Kyle Marvin. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Yes, we're going to make Splitsville

like in a couple weeks. Oh, amazing. Yeah. And what's the other one? Do we know? I can't tell you. What just happened to your accent? You just turned into... Now I became this person. I don't know. it's sort of like Anna Delvey I've just seen pictures of her with her ankle bracelet what's it called oh yeah yeah

is it an ankle bracelet I think that's a nice way to put it what's it called it's a tracking device of sorts ankle bracelet it's probably what she calls it what do they call it the prison ones

yeah because they're all wearing one yeah it's like a tracking directly yeah but what do they call it what's the actual name ankle monitor?

Sure. Isn't she doing dancing with the stars? Yes, with a fucking ankle bracelet on. Yeah, so she's going to be like... That's going to be very challenging. Is she doing river dance? What was that? Yes.

Yes. I was just going to talk about river dancing, actually. What? But I won't. Okay, intriguing. My partner's Irish. My partner. My partner.

Roshin. Are you interested in going on dancing with the stars at some point in your career? How dare you? Get the fuck out of here. This is my room. What do you mean? Oh, this is your room?

Oh, my God. You need to paint it, a different color. You don't like the feng shui in here? Fang shui? What would you do with it? How would you redecorate? Demo. Full gut.

Do you want to do a gut renovation reality show? Is that what you want to do? Instead of dancing with the stars? Can I just do my job that I already do? I'm trying to diversify. We were just talking about the world domination of tea time. Dakota Johnson reality shows, produced by Josh Horowitz. Oh, you want to be a part of tea time?

Yeah, I'm trying to get a cut. Yeah, that's it. Well, maybe. How's, well, you teased that you and Luca are always talking. Are you still talking? What's the weird? We're always talking. You got a weird good idea?

I saw him in London a couple weeks ago. And we always have some weird ideas. I'm not sure if they're good. but I don't know we'll see can you give me a little we talked right after you had done materialists now you've had a minute to have it soak in yes sounds like that was a special experience Celine song Pedro Chris Evans when you look back at that shoot I don't know what comes to mind just like the most love in my heart comes to mind I really loved it so much I it's one of those like special moments in my I think in my

work that I, every moment I felt so inspired and connected to both of those dudes and her and everyone on that set. It was just like a wonderful experience. Did you know Pedro or Chris prior? I knew Pedro. Yeah. I know him very well. Yeah. Um, he sucks. I was just going to say it's the best he's like, what an asshole. It's kind of like the best human being on the planet. Agreed to disagree. Yeah. He's truly one of my favorite people in the whole world. And Chris Evans, I had met I met just on set, and he's the best.

He's a song and dance man. Did he show off his showtune loves you? He loves to tap dance. Right. I don't know if that's a secret. Is that a secret? No, no. He loves it all.

He loves to tap dance. He just lives the sing and dance. He's a little cutie pie. Just tapping away by himself over there. Yeah. Yeah. You know, Pedro's a Mr. Fantastic now. Mm-hmm. I know. I mean, that's...

Oh, I know. Why do you say it that way? Because everybody knows he won't let anybody forget it. Oh, yeah. I know everything about his diet and his workout routine. Oh, I'm sure. Yeah, he's got to get all those abs and shape. Everything. I'm going to leak it to speed. Happy second, Fused profoundly random questionnaire. We're going to end with this.

Okay, great. Dogs or cats? Dogs. There's no wrong hands. Dats, cats, cads. You love all animals, but you're dog. Doggies. Doggies.

Yeah. Do you collect anything? Doggies. Do I collect anything, idiot friends. What's the wallpaper on your phone? I think it says eyes open. Mind open, heart open. That's what it says. It's almost like the Friday Night White's clear eyes full heart can't lose There you go. That's exactly it. Well done

Is there a movie you're embarrassed to admit you've never seen besides all the Spider-Men movie? We covered that the last time Oh God, oh boy Oh God. Oh God. Oh God. I mean I sure there's loads that I haven't seen that I should have seen there's no should have actually it's a flawed question it is a flawed question next worst note a director has ever given you um well I think the worst note at to ever be given is like more energy right which is the classic right joke but it's actually the worst. How do you respond to that, how you go in the opposite direction? Yes, because

I die inside. Right. Right. Is there a podcast? If you were to create a podcast, which you should, T-Times, this is the one thing you're not doing as far as I know. Okay, get off my back. I'm just trying, I just want you to succeed in every possible way, because you're already a succeeder. Everybody's telling us we have to do podcasts. And I got to say, I'm not a podcast person and I feel like somebody on the internet recently I saw them say that there's too much podcast equipment in the world and it needs to be recalled because there's some podcast podcast that are so dumb there are I agree not mine cheer yeah finally actor of happy happy second fuse an actor who always makes you happy you see

them on screen you're giddy um Sandra Bullock What's your favorite Sandra Bollock? Practical magic. Oh, yeah, they're doing a sequel. I know. I'm trying to get it. I'd really like to be in it. We can make that happen.

A movie that makes you sad? Um, a lot of them. Okay. What about a food that makes you confused, finally? You see it on the menu. I just don't get it. Why would I even...

Oh, God. Okay, this is not to answer that question, but it's my favorite story about my sister, and I'm going to tell it publicly. And I hope she hears this on the Internet somewhere. But one time when she was 12 and I was 19, I guess, we went to dinner, like a family dinner, and I ordered the dungeness crab.

And she was sitting next to me and she goes, Dakota, it's Dune. And I was like, it is. She goes, yeah, it's French. Was she being serious? She was dead serious. And I'll never let her forget it. Dakota, it's Dunei. So the Dunei crab.

I support you bringing down your sister. You know what confuses me? Let me tell you. Foods that still move. Yeah. When you are going to eat. eat them. No. You don't want it to be a challenge. You're not hunting on your plate. No, no, no, no. Not for me. By our standards, not such a chaotic conversation, Dakota. I think we did a great job

today. Who knows? We'll let the internet decide. Congratulations on loser baby. Thanks. Good luck. Can you imagine saying that to a person that just had a baby? Not until now. That's amazing. Congratulations on loser baby. Congratulations on Lizard Baby. Thanks. Good to see you. Good to see you too.

And so ends another edition of happy, sad, confused. Remember to review, rate, and subscribe to this show on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. I'm a big podcast person. I'm Daisy Ridley and I definitely wasn't pressure

to do this by Josh. Are you looking for a movie review show where the critic is at the top of his or her game? meticulously breaking down and explaining exactly why a film does or does not work? Well good luck with the search because we're having fun here on Adam does movies. I talked to you like we just got done seeing a movie together, giving you the pros and cons and I'm digging in the trenches in the mud and muck

on streaming services telling you which films are worth your time. Each and every week I hit the big blockbusters, I cover the streamers, and I even toss in some movie news for fun. Because this show is Adam does movies. I'm obviously Adam, I probably should have led with that. But perhaps I have led you to check out the show on Spotify, on Apple Podcasts, on YouTube. And hopefully, we can do movies together. Hooh-hoo-hoo!

Hot.