Episode 286 - The Phoenician Scheme
Welcome back to Not A Bomb! —the podcast where we resurrect cinema’s most infamous box office disasters and ask the burning question: was it really that bad? We’re celebrating five years of cinematic redemption.
Not A Bomb! rolls on with another cinematic misfire from 2025—this time diving into the black comedy The Phoenician Scheme. Troy and Brad use the occasion to take a hard look at the career of Wes Anderson. Sure, everyone recognizes his unmistakable visual style—but has he truly evolved as a filmmaker, or is he simply perfecting the “Wes Anderson thing” over and over?
As the hosts wrestle with their first impressions, The Phoenician Scheme gives them plenty to debate. And honestly, any film that lets Troy and Brad gush about Richard Ayoade—yes, Dean Learner himself from Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace—might automatically qualify as a masterpiece for that reason alone.
The Phoenician Scheme is directed by Wes Anderson and stars Benicio del Toro, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, Rix Ahmed, Bryan Cranston, Mathieu Amairic, Richard Ayoade, Jeffrey Wright, Scarlett Johansson, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Rupert Friend
Additionally, Troy and Brad discuss Kill Bill: The Whole Affair as a bonus.
Want to help support the show? Head over to the Not A Bomb Tee Public store and check our merchandise. Special thanks to Ted Blair for the amazing designs!
We're committed to hearing your feedback and suggestions. If there's a cinematic flop you'd like us to delve into, please reach out to us at NotABombPod@gmail.com or through our contact page. Your reviews and feedback are what drive us. If you enjoy our content, consider leaving a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify.