Sound Speed Action: Movie & TV Reviews
- Episodios
- 77
- Se publica
- cada dos semanas
- Último episodio
- 30 Oct 2026
Sobre el podcast
Sound Speed Action is a film and TV review podcast hosted by Sohrab Amid-Hozour. Since 2022, the show has blended movie reviews, entertainment-industry deep dives, and viewing recommendations spanning new releases and timeless favorites. Special episodes cover major industry events, from the 2023 American film industry strikes to the business of film. New episodes every month.
Episodios 77
77. Halloween SPOILER Review: Resident Evil (2026)
IMPORTANT NOTE: This spoiler review episode covers the full movie, ending included, and includes language, topics, and descriptions that are dark, graphic, violent, and disturbing. Listener discretion is …
Notas del episodio
IMPORTANT NOTE: This spoiler review episode covers the full movie, ending included, and includes language, topics, and descriptions that are dark, graphic, violent, and disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.
Same movie. Two very different reactions. Resident Evil (2026) is Zach Cregger's all new take on the game series we grew up with on PlayStation, and it takes one of the boldest swings a franchise movie has taken in years. From the director of Barbarian and Weapons, who also produced Companion, this is a movie people are going to argue about for a while.
Our friend of the podcast Chris Cheng is back for our Halloween episode. Chris grew up playing Resident Evil with the lights off, scaring himself silly, and I loved Weapons, so we went in hyped… and well, yeah. Strong reactions all around afterwards. What we got mixes nervous laughs with real scares, takes one very big swing, and gave us plenty to talk through.
WHAT WE COVER
• Growing up with the games, and the Milla Jovovich era
• Why it fumbled for Chris, and the moment he started to check out
• The jump scares we both agree landed
• My defense of the first half, and why the lead's nervous laughter felt so human
• The big gamble in the third act, and why I really dug the movie
• Whether Cregger does his best work on his own stories
• Is it a Halloween movie? Plus the past picks that really scared usThe cast includes Austin Abrams (Weapons, Euphoria), Paul Walter Hauser (Richard Jewell, Black Bird), Zach Cherry (Severance), and Kali Reis (True Detective: Night Country).
CHAPTERS
00:00 Fair warning, spoilers ahead
00:14 Weapons, the games, and the Milla Jovovich era
01:33 Our first numbers
01:43 Where it lost Chris
04:42 The jump scares that worked
05:44 First half vs. second half
07:09 My defense of the first half
08:30 The big gamble and why I really dug the movie
12:46 Cregger likes to mess with you
13:40 How this one might have gotten made
15:06 Is it a Halloween movie?
15:57 Smile, Talk to Me, and past Halloween picks
16:43 Go see Weapons anyway
17:45 Where to watchALSO MENTIONED (and where to stream)
• Weapons (2025): HBO Max
• Barbarian (2022): Hulu
• Companion (2025, produced by Zach Cregger): HBO Max and Hulu
• Obsession (2026): Peacock
• Smile (2022): Paramount+
• Smile 2 (2024): Netflix, Prime Video, and Paramount+
• Talk to Me (2023): HBO Max🎃 Resident Evil is in its final week in theaters, with a digital release to rent or buy rumored for this coming Tuesday, November 3rd.
Watch this episode on YouTube: Sound Speed Action: Movie & TV Reviews
If you saw it, tell us which side you landed on. If you enjoyed this episode, a rating or review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify really helps the show grow.
Thanks for listening, and happy Halloween from Sound Speed Action!
76. Review: The Social Reckoning (2026 film)
On this episode of Sound Speed Action, we review The Social Reckoning, Aaron Sorkin’s new drama starring Mikey Madison as Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, Jeremy Allen White as Wall Street Journal …
Notas del episodio
On this episode of Sound Speed Action, we review The Social Reckoning, Aaron Sorkin’s new drama starring Mikey Madison as Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, Jeremy Allen White as Wall Street Journal reporter Jeff Horwitz, and Jeremy Strong as Mark Zuckerberg. The Social Reckoning comes out swinging and makes the case on issues that are hard to dispute. That is exactly why it didn’t work for me.
It also stumbled hard at the box office opening weekend, and I think I know why. But this is not a hit piece. Sorkin is one of the writers I love most, and I’d rather be straight with you about him than grade him on a curve. I’ll tell you where I think this one slipped, and then I’ll make the case for why I’ll still be there opening night for whatever he does next.
What We Cover:
Sold As The Wrong Movie: Sony marketed this as a companion to The Social Network. Why that promise set the movie up to disappoint before anyone bought a ticket.
Hoping For The Insider: A journalist, a whistleblower, one promise. I walked in hoping for my favorite film, and it took me a while to recalibrate.
What Works: Mikey Madison carries the movie in her first major role since Anora, Jeremy Allen White gets the classic Sorkin rhythms, and Bill Burr gives the performance I can’t stop thinking about.
The Zuckerberg Question: Jeremy Strong’s take has divided people. If you’re expecting Jesse Eisenberg, you’ll be disappointed, and I think that’s the right call.
Two Things That Fell Flat: Two honest gripes about a movie with a great team behind the camera.
Two Words: Sorkin taught a whole generation of writers the two words that turn a message into a story. What happens when his own movie forgets them.
Jinxed From The Start: The people who didn’t come back, and why this one may have been in trouble before a single frame was shot.
Sorkin Will Be Back: The body of work that keeps me buying tickets, a Molly’s Game monologue every acting student should be handed, and why people on the left and the right both love his shows.
Fellow Sorkin fans, how are you doing after this one? Tell me your favorite Sorkin movie and your favorite Sorkin series.
Connect & Support:
Show Website: https://www.ssapod.com
Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please leave a review on your podcast app and follow the show for more cinema breakdowns.
75. Review: The Insider (1999 film)
The Insider review: the 1999 Michael Mann drama starring Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, and Christopher Plummer, based on the true story of tobacco whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand and the 60 Minutes story CBS almost …
Notas del episodio
The Insider review: the 1999 Michael Mann drama starring Al Pacino, Russell Crowe, and Christopher Plummer, based on the true story of tobacco whistleblower Jeffrey Wigand and the 60 Minutes story CBS almost didn't air. If you love Heat and never got around to The Insider, this is the case for watching it tonight.
Ask people to name Michael Mann's best film and you'll hear Heat, Collateral, or The Last of the Mohicans. For me it has always been The Insider. It has been my favorite film since the first time I saw it in 1999, and for twenty seven years I couldn't explain why.
This is a special episode. It's an origin story. The Insider didn't just become my favorite movie, it built the lens I watch every other movie through, and it took me years to find the words for it. Here's the short version: the stories I love most are about two people and a relationship at the center of the film, and by the time the credits roll that relationship has either been forged into something unbreakable or completely decimated. The Social Network, Amadeus, Whiplash, The King's Speech, and it started here, with Al Pacino on a hotel phone in Louisville, Kentucky, telling a broken man to trust him.
There is also something most people get wrong about The Insider. I got it wrong for years. It's about which relationship the movie is actually built on, and I'll make the case in the middle of the episode.
This week on Sound Speed Action: why The Insider is Michael Mann's best film, how one movie can teach you what kind of stories you're drawn to, the Aaron Sorkin style engine of intention and obstacle running underneath it, how Mann and cinematographer Dante Spinotti shot a movie about phone calls and depositions like a thriller, the Lisa Gerrard and Pieter Bourke score that other movies keep borrowing, Russell Crowe in his mid thirties playing a man in his fifties right before Gladiator, a hotel phone call, a deposition room, and a golf course driving range that still makes me look over my shoulder, and one honest gripe about a great film.
Also covered: the source material, from the 60 Minutes segment to Marie Brenner's Vanity Fair piece, the Eric Roth and Michael Mann screenplay, Bruce McGill's one scene, who should watch it tonight and who should skip it, and the question I want to leave you with: what was your origin film?
No spoilers. Everything about the plot is what you'd get from the trailer or the back of the box.
Also mentioned in this episode: Heat, Collateral, The Last of the Mohicans, The Social Network, Amadeus, Whiplash, The King's Speech, Good Will Hunting, Gladiator, Ferrari, Tony, The Trial of the Chicago 7, and 60 Minutes.
The Insider is available to rent or buy on Apple TV, Amazon, and YouTube.
What was your origin film? Tell me the title and the year. Find me at https://www.ssapod.com.
Sound Speed Action is a movie review podcast. New episodes out now everywhere you get your podcasts. If you have a minute, a review on Apple Podcasts really does help the program.
🎬 Get the film on Prime Video: The Insider (1999)
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004KR8XG2?tag=soundspeedact-20
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additional cost to you.
74. Review: Mayday (2026 film)
On this episode of Sound Speed Action, we review Mayday, the new 80s style action comedy on Apple TV starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, made in the vein of Midnight Run, 48 Hrs, and Red Heat. It's a …
Notas del episodio
On this episode of Sound Speed Action, we review Mayday, the new 80s style action comedy on Apple TV starring Ryan Reynolds and Kenneth Branagh, made in the vein of Midnight Run, 48 Hrs, and Red Heat. It's a lot of fun, it knows exactly what it is, and Branagh's Nikolai, a former KGB hermit who worships one bootleg VHS of Top Gun, turns out to be a genuine badass. I am not kidding. I did not see that coming.
But I keep telling myself the two guys who made it are cursed. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley made Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, which everybody who saw it loved and Hollywood still called a disappointment. Then they made Mayday, finished it in the spring of 2024, and it sat on a shelf for two years before going straight to your phone. Cursed is not the right word, though. I found a better one, and I'll give it to you at the end of the episode, right after I tell you what they're making next.
What We Cover:
- Nikolai Owns One Movie: A character set in 1987 who worships a film from 1986. Why the 80s homage in Mayday lives inside the character instead of being painted on top.
- Thin Is The Point: Red Heat did not have a serious position on the Cold War. Neither does this. Why the reviews knocking the politics are grading the wrong thing.
- The Villain Problem: One honest gripe about a good actor in a part nobody built.
- Two Years On A Shelf: Apple's habit of holding content that gets close to live geopolitics, and why a comedy stops being the same movie once the room around it changes.
- Same Week, Different Screens: A movie a studio decided was worthless opened in theaters. A movie built for theaters opened on your TV. Neither decision had anything to do with whether the movie was good.
- Not Cursed: Goldstein and Daley keep making movies that Hollywood keeps burying. I owe them a better word than cursed, and I found one. Stay to the end.
Connect & Support:
- Show Website: https://www.ssapod.com
- Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please leave a review on your podcast app and follow the show for more cinema breakdowns.
73. Review: Tony (2026 film)
Anthony Bourdain at nineteen was arrogant, mean, and genuinely hard to be around, and the filmmakers made him worse on purpose. In this episode of the Sound Speed Action podcast, we break down why Tony invents …
Notas del episodio
Anthony Bourdain at nineteen was arrogant, mean, and genuinely hard to be around, and the filmmakers made him worse on purpose. In this episode of the Sound Speed Action podcast, we break down why Tony invents so much of its own story, why that creative license is the point rather than the problem, and how a small independent film gets closer to the truth of a man than most authorized biopics ever manage.
What We Cover:
- A Problem On Purpose: Why Matt Johnson and Dominic Sessa built a lead this unlikable, and the paradox of rooting for him anyway.
- Two Kinds Of True: The difference between what happened and what it felt like, and why Tony trades one away to get the other exactly right.
- The Kitchen Is The Point: The heat, the noise, the tickets, the rhythm of a real line during a rush. What the filmmakers treated as sacred while they invented everything else.
- Matt Johnson Outside Canada: His first feature made away from home, why he brought his longtime creative partner along for the score, and what that says about protecting your voice.
- The Supporting Bench: Antonio Banderas doing his best work in years, Leo Woodall's range across two very different films this year, and Emilia Jones after CODA.
- Permission To Invent: Bourdain's estate signed off on a film that plays loose with the facts. Why that approval, in an independent film, produced something a studio system almost certainly wouldn't have allowed.
- One Small Nitpick: A couple of shots where I could see the seams, and why it didn't dent the film for me.
Connect & Support:
- Show Website: https://www.ssapod.com
- Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please leave a review on your podcast app and follow the show for more cinema breakdowns.
🎬 Get the film on Prime Video: Tony (2026)https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.cebdfaab-b554-48d2-8b26-8579bfabb29b?tag=soundspeedact-20This description contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
72. Review: The Odyssey (2026 film)
Christopher Nolan risked everything on a $400M epic based on an ancient poem, and the result is a massive box office phenomenon. In this episode of Sound Speed Action, we break down why The Odyssey works so …
Notas del episodio
Christopher Nolan risked everything on a $400M epic based on an ancient poem, and the result is a massive box office phenomenon. In this episode of Sound Speed Action, we break down why The Odyssey works so well on a regular screen, the insane sound design bleeding into adjacent theaters, and why its massive success is saving original cinema.
What We Cover:
• The $400M Risk: Why Universal greenlit an ancient epic with no franchise backing, captured entirely using IMAX large-format cameras.
• Star Power & Loyalty: How A-list talent took blind pay cuts and why Nolan’s recurring cast and crew keep coming back.
• A Scene-Stealing Moment: Why one specific performance had the entire theater dead silent and completely locked in.
• Sound Design & Score: Ludwig Göransson’s pulse-pounding music, volume mixes, and the physical limits of 70mm prints.
• Theatrical Window Strategy: Why you shouldn't wait for home streaming and how IMAX is extending runs.Connect & Support:
• Show Website: https://www.ssapod.com
• Follow & Review: If you enjoyed this breakdown, please leave a review on your podcast app and follow the show for more cinema breakdowns.71. Special Topic: The Last 30 Minutes.
Two movies came out in 2026 that did the exact same thing, in completely opposite directions. One spends two hours testing your patience, and then the final stretch is so good it almost erases everything that …
Notas del episodio
Two movies came out in 2026 that did the exact same thing, in completely opposite directions. One spends two hours testing your patience, and then the final stretch is so good it almost erases everything that came before. The other is one of the best action movies you've seen in years, right up until the ending takes a wrecking ball to all of it.This is the last reel flip. When the ending of a movie reaches back and rewrites how you feel about the entire thing, for better or for worse.This is a special commentary episode to start a conversation.Movie one is the flip that saves: Steven Spielberg's "Disclosure Day." Sky, secrets, and the feeling of not knowing what's looking back at you. Nobody does that better than Spielberg. The problem is what you have to sit through to get to the part where he proves it.Movie two is the flip that wrecks: "The Furious," a 2026 martial arts film that earns every bit of its hype for about two thirds of its runtime, with fight choreography up there with The Raid. And then the last 30 minutes arrive and turn a movie I loved into one I never want to watch again.No spoilers on either one. Just the shape of what happened and why it stuck with me.Then I'm handing it to you. Have you lived through a last reel flip? A movie the ending saved, or one it destroyed? Head to our Instagram @soundspeedaction, find the teaser post for this episode, and tell me in the comments. I'm reading all of them and turning a few into a short video."Disclosure Day," and "The Furious," are in theaters and on home video now.More reviews and recommendations on the way. If you're enjoying the show, a review wherever you listen genuinely helps.Thanks for listening.Topics: Steven Spielberg, Disclosure Day, The Furious, martial arts movies, The Raid, movie endings, film commentary, 2026 movies, spoiler free review
🎬 Get the film on Prime Video: Disclosure Day (2026)https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0H3QRLYCN?tag=soundspeedact-20🎬 Get the film on Prime Video: The Furious (2026)https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0H2C6SYQ8?tag=soundspeedact-20This description contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
70. Classic Recommendation: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)
Christopher Nolan is bringing Homer's Odyssey to IMAX with Matt Damon. It'll be an event, and it should be.Before that lands, I want to point you somewhere stranger.O Brother, Where Art Thou? carries Homer's …
Notas del episodio
Christopher Nolan is bringing Homer's Odyssey to IMAX with Matt Damon. It'll be an event, and it should be.
Before that lands, I want to point you somewhere stranger.
O Brother, Where Art Thou? carries Homer's name on the box and almost nothing else. The Coens borrowed a couple of characters, a familiar shape, and then took off in their own direction entirely. Chain gang escapees. Bad hair product decisions. A radio station. It is not an adaptation so much as a rumor of one, and it's better for it.
I'll be honest about my own bias here. Everything about this premise told me to skip it. Depression era. Slapstick. A chain gang escape. I was wrong in a way I still haven't fully worked out, and that's most of why I wanted to make this episode.
No spoilers in this one. What I do get into: why a movie with barely any plot holds together this well, a piece of filmmaking history that happened quietly on this production and now touches nearly every movie you watch, how the music outgrew the film that birthed it, and a bit of union bureaucracy that erased one of the two people who actually directed it.
Nolan's version will be the monument. This one's the detour worth taking first.
Available to rent on most streaming platforms. Watch it, then let's talk about it. Enjoy this classic.
More reviews and recommendations on the way. If you're enjoying the show, a review wherever you listen genuinely helps.
Thanks for listening.
🎬 Get the film on DVD: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00003CXRM?tag=soundspeedact-20This description contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
69. Spoiler Review: Obsession (2026 film)
A spoiler-heavy breakdown of Curry Barker's 2026 psychological thriller "Obsession," the indie horror movie everyone is about to be talking about. Friend of the podcast Chris Cheng is back for this one.⚠️ …
Notas del episodio
A spoiler-heavy breakdown of Curry Barker's 2026 psychological thriller "Obsession," the indie horror movie everyone is about to be talking about. Friend of the podcast Chris Cheng is back for this one.
⚠️ SPOILER WARNING: This is a full spoiler review. See the movie first.
Our friend of the podcast Chris went to see the 2026 psychological thriller (it's also kinda horror too, right?). I have always known that Chris is not the kind of moviegoer to see something in the theater more than once. That was not the case with this instant classic helmed by Curry Barker. I still don't think he has come down from the high of experiencing this one of a kind movie. I was already excited and looking forward to seeing this movie, and when Chris heard that I was planning to see it in theaters, he said yes, you absolutely need to see it in theaters, and when you plan to go, let me know because I'm coming with you and seeing it again! That was the moment that I knew I was in for something different with this movie.... and what a movie it was!
Where to begin with all the great things of this movie. First, it was made by independent filmmakers on a relatively low budget (somewhere between $750,000 to $1m). These filmmakers come from a short content and YouTube fanbase origins. This movie showcases their creativity in bringing stories to life and developing truly fascinating stories, characters, and themes that will be stuck in your head long after watching them.
"Obsession" is such a treat of a film in that it terrifies not just from the psychological thriller and horror elements (oh, it has plenty of those) but also from relatable, accurate, and very cringe awkward moments that are just all too familiar with all of us to some degree from the not so great relationships that we may have experienced.
The cast in this movie is stellar, especially the leads of Michael Johnston as Bear and the out-of-this-world performance by the up-and-coming actor whose name you will definitely know soon, Inde Navarrette, the scene stealer who plays Nikki. There were so many great elements regarding the acting, directing, themes, and creativity of this movie that Chris was so impacted by this movie that he said we have to record a second session because our first session didn't cover enough. After seeing this movie, I couldn't possibly agree more. Listener, this is the movie to beat for 2026 so far. It will stay with you way long after you have seen it. I can't wait for you to check it out and let us know what you think.
"Obsession" is in theaters now. Do yourself a favor and see it in theaters first. It will be available for purchase on June 30th, but trust me, the theater for this movie will be a next level experience.
We've got more episodes, reviews, and recommendations coming your way. If you're enjoying the show, please leave a review, it really helps the podcast.
Thanks for listening, and enjoy the movie.
🎬 Get the film on Prime Video: Obsession (2026)https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GWXJZD16?tag=soundspeedact-20This description contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
68. Review: In The Grey (2026 film)
A new podcast episode of "Sound Speed Action," a review episode on the movie "In The Grey" (2026), is now available everywhere you get your podcasts!Episode 68 – Review: In The Grey (2026)Guy Ritchie movies are …
Notas del episodio
A new podcast episode of "Sound Speed Action," a review episode on the movie "In The Grey" (2026), is now available everywhere you get your podcasts!
Episode 68 – Review: In The Grey (2026)
Guy Ritchie movies are special. There is always something fun about them. I got hooked with the one-two punch that opened his career, "Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch", and I have followed him ever since.
The phases of Ritchie:
The amazing start: "Lock Stock" and "Snatch".
Veering off course (the Madonna era): "Swept Away" (yikes, not Ritchie).
Finding his way back: "Revolver" and "Rocknrolla".
There he is!: "Sherlock Holmes", "Aladdin", and "The Gentlemen". Now he is everywhere, also making shows like "MobLand" and "Young Sherlock". But spreading himself thin has recently produced fun yet troubled movies.
"In The Grey"
Pros: Eiza Gonzalez is the most fun thing here, full of charisma, not phoning it in. The action and that kinetic, slapstick Ritchie energy are intact. The understated Chris Benstead score adds to it, and the locations are fantastic.
Cons: Gyllenhaal and Cavill are dialed way down, so the tough guys never feel human. That ties into the bigger problem: the protagonists never feel in real danger, the third straight Ritchie film with that issue. The courts get manipulated so easily that nothing pushes back, so there are no stakes. The on-screen scribble text is overused to hide the gaps, and the ending, hurt by reshoots that never happened, just abruptly drops.
"In The Grey" hits rental everywhere June 2nd (it was in theaters May 15... 😬). When your movie does worse than "Swept Away," slow down, dude. I love Ritchie, but a reset is needed. Still excited for two Guy Ritchie 2026 works coming soon: "The Gentlemen" season 2 (Netflix, Fall) and "Wife & Dog" (in theaters) with Cumberbatch, Pike, and Hopkins.
If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a review, it really helps the podcast.
Thanks for listening
🎬 Get the film on Prime Video: In The Grey (2026)https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/B0GXX1Q4QJ?tag=soundspeedact-20This description contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
67. Spoiler Review: Project Hail Mary (2026 film)
⚠️ FULL SPOILERS. If you haven't read the book or seen Project Hail Mary yet, do that first, then come back.Andy Weir fans have been waiting for this one. The 2021 bestselling novel finally makes its big screen …
Notas del episodio
⚠️ FULL SPOILERS. If you haven't read the book or seen Project Hail Mary yet, do that first, then come back.
Andy Weir fans have been waiting for this one. The 2021 bestselling novel finally makes its big screen debut and this is the kind of movie that reminds you what movie magic can actually feel like.
Ryan Gosling (star and producer), Sandra Hüller (Anatomy of a Fall, The Zone of Interest), directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller (21 Jump Street, Spider-Verse), and the voice and puppetry team behind Rocky team up to bring Weir's epic to life. It's a tall order given how many people love this book and how many millions were absorbed by Ray Porter's unrivaled audiobook narration.
Sohrab and Roya break it all down. Does Gosling nail the balance of Grace, the goofy, brilliant, emotionally isolated scientist thrust into an impossible mission? Does Hüller carry the cold, commanding presence of Strat with the laser focus the role demands? And how do you bring a faceless alien to life and make the entire audience fall in love with him?
Weir does it again, a story built on optimism, science, intelligence, and teamwork against insurmountable odds. Ted Lasso comes to mind: even in the darkest moments, there is always a place for hope. You feel that in every scene.
Yes, things were cut from the book. Yes, changes were made. Are there some bumps and decisions we didn't fully understand on first viewing? Sure. Does this still deliver? Hell yes.
Project Hail Mary has already locked its place on the best films of 2026 list and its theatrical run has been extended, including on IMAX. See it on the biggest screen you can. When it hits Prime Video, that'll be your second or third watch.
If you are enjoying the show, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. It genuinely helps more than you know.
Sound Speed Action covers film reviews, series reviews, and the business of entertainment. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.
For more great book content follow Roya at @royaltyreads on IG.
🎬 Get the film on 4K UHD: Project Hail Mary (2026)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHY59VKP?tag=soundspeedact-20This description contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
66. Special Topic: Paramount Thinks They Won. They're Kidding Themselves.
A new special topic episode of Sound Speed Action is out now everywhere you get your podcasts!The big ongoing story in the entertainment world has been the fate of Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount has acquired …
Notas del episodio
A new special topic episode of Sound Speed Action is out now everywhere you get your podcasts!
The big ongoing story in the entertainment world has been the fate of Warner Bros. Discovery. Paramount has acquired Warner Bros. Discovery after a long bidding war with Netflix. Netflix is being called the loser in all of this. Look, either of these companies getting their hands on this archive of content pushes this industry into some uncertain territory. But the narrative that Netflix was outplayed here is crazy to me. Today's episode gets into why.
📌 EDITOR'S NOTE: I forgot to include this detail in the episode itself, but it's too important to leave out — so I'm adding it here. A thank you to my friend Arvind for the reminder. The WBD board initially rejected Paramount's hostile bid outright, citing "illusory" financing. The turning point came when Larry Ellison — Oracle co-founder and father of Paramount CEO David Ellison — stepped in with an irrevocable personal guarantee of $40.4 billion in equity financing. WBD's board chairman had specifically said the deal needed exactly that: direct accountability from Larry Ellison himself. Without that guarantee, Paramount's campaign likely dies in December. The episode covers the broader battle, but that's the detail that changed the math.
We're stepping away from our regular reviews and recommendations for this one. Special topic episodes are for exactly this kind of thing, any major development that impacts this industry of art we all care so much about. The last one was about the American film union strikes of 2023. And by the way, the unions are renegotiating their contracts this year. Fingers crossed on that. Those strikes reshaped this industry in real ways, and this acquisition is going to do the same.
65. Spoiler Review: The Housemaid (2025 film)
Psychological thrillers are having a massive moment, but finding a truly successful book to film adaptation remains a rare feat. Today we discuss how director Paul Feig, known for his range in films like …
Notas del episodio
Psychological thrillers are having a massive moment, but finding a truly successful book to film adaptation remains a rare feat. Today we discuss how director Paul Feig, known for his range in films like Bridesmaids and A Simple Favor, took the beloved source material by author Freida McFadden and elevated it for the big screen. While the book set a high bar, this cinematic version manages to heighten the tension through creative risks and licenses that ultimately make for a thoroughly entertaining experience.For today's episode, Roya Tavakolian (@RoyalTeaReads on IG) returns to the podcast to compare the movie to its literary roots. We dive into the all star cast including Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, The White Lotus) and Brendan Sklenar (1923), though the clear MVP of the film is Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!, Mean Girls). Her performance is absolutely unreal and sets the bar high for the movie. We also break down the specific changes Paul Feig made to the narrative and why those choices helped the movie take the story up a notch.This stands as one of the best book to movie adaptations of 2025. The Housemaid is playing in theaters and is available to rent and buy on all platforms now too.If you are enjoying the show, please leave a review because it really helps the podcast.We hope you check out the movie. Let us know what you think and as always thanks for tuning in.
🎬 Get the film on Blu-ray: The Housemaid (2025)https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GL3G9FM7?tag=soundspeedact-20This description contains affiliate links. I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
64. Spoiler Review: Avatar: Fire and Ash
4 years later and James Cameron is back with another headspinning installment of having us enter back into his worl of Pandora. Yes today's SPOILER REVIEW episode of "Sound Speed Action" is covering the …
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4 years later and James Cameron is back with another headspinning installment of having us enter back into his worl of Pandora. Yes today's SPOILER REVIEW episode of "Sound Speed Action" is covering the mega-movie event of 2025 that was "Avatar: Fire and Ash". That of course means returning to the podcast after our review of "Avatar: Way of Water" 3 years ago is our good friend, Mr. Jonathan Olivo. We cover a lot of ground but I think we can definitely say this: WHAT. A. RIDE. Cameron does it again. Certain the visual effects alone are worth the price of movie theater admission alone but seriously this franchise and Fire and Ash bring a lot to it to make them special: The cast with Zoe Saldana (is she the biggest star ever?), Sam Worthing (wasnt crazy about him at first but by this installment he really owns and brought a lot of depth to this Fire and Ash). Stephen Lang and Sigourney Weaver - absolutely impressive with playing any role where there is literally any age. Superb. Oona Chaplan as Varang is a bit over the top but she also own it and goes full ham with her villain character Varang in a way that makes the character fun, complex, definitely interesting. Does it feel like a little bit of re-tread of the 2nd episode? We have some differing thoughts on that. Jack Champion is back as Spider in this movie. His role definitely has more weight here which opens up some doors for some fun directions that the Avatar world could go in? Only gripe with him is that the dialogue is a little paper thin. That said it doesnt take away from this thrill that at over 3 hours should feel long but flies so quickly with bringing all the thrills. Don't miss this one."Avatar: Fire and Ash" is playing in theaters. ABSOLUTELY THAT NEEDS TO BE EXPERIENCED ON THE BIG SCREEN! Enjoy.Also if you are enjoying the podcast, please drop us a review on whichever platform you get your podcasts. It helps the show a lot. Thanks.
63. Spoiler Review: The Wrecking Crew and The Rip (2026 streaming films)
Are Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck bringing back the golden age of cinema? We dive deep into "The Wrecking Crew" and "The Rip" to see if the buddy action movie is finally back for …
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Are Jason Momoa, Dave Bautista, Matt Damon, and Ben Affleck bringing back the golden age of cinema? We dive deep into "The Wrecking Crew" and "The Rip" to see if the buddy action movie is finally back for good.The latest episode of Sound Speed Action is up and also a heads up this episode does include some minor spoilers for the streaming movies The Rip and The Wrecking Crew. On this episode it is the battle of buddy action movies with The Rip from Netflix starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon plus The Wrecking Crew from Prime Video. Ali Reza Beheshti returns to the show as we take a status check on the kind of fun movies streamers are putting out lately. We get into everything from Director Joe Carnahan reuniting with Ben Affleck to the over the top 80s energy of the Dave Bautista and Jason Momoa pairing. One movie is a slow burn thriller while the other is a laugh out loud buddy cop throwback but both represent a big shift in how these platforms are competing for our attention.Beyond the reviews we tackle the massive industry shifts happening behind the scenes. We discuss the Artist Equity production model and how it rewards over twelve hundred crew members based on streaming success. We also dive into the rumors surrounding a potential Netflix acquisition of Warner Brothers Discovery and what that means for the future of HBO. We explore whether folding a prestige brand like HBO into the Netflix ecosystem will lead to a loss of the unique creative visions that make cinema special. The Rip is streaming now on Netflix and The Wrecking Crew is available on Prime Video. If you are enjoying the show please leave a review for this podcast on whichever podcast platform you are listening to us from. It really helps the podcast. thank you.
62. Spoiler Review: Blackberry (2023 film)
Today’s episode was recorded in August 2025.BlackBerry is an unusual, against-the-grain movie, much like the ground-shaking device it’s about. I’m very happy to have my father, Esmail Amid-Hozour, back on the …
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Today’s episode was recorded in August 2025.
BlackBerry is an unusual, against-the-grain movie, much like the ground-shaking device it’s about. I’m very happy to have my father, Esmail Amid-Hozour, back on the podcast, along with my dear friend Kathy Garber, to break down this 2023 indie film and what makes it work, and where it stumbles.
Director Matt Johnson pulls off something genuinely impressive here. The film, like the device itself, is far from perfect, but it captures the nostalgia of a pre-iPhone and pre-Android era with real energy. The story of RIM, Research In Motion, and the rise of the BlackBerry is chaotic, fast-moving, and sometimes messy, just like the movie telling it.
Does that chaos work for the film, or does it hold it back? We don’t fully agree, and that difference of opinion drives much of this spirited conversation. Where do you land on this one?
BlackBerry is streaming now on Hulu and Kanopy, and is available to rent on most major platforms.61. Spoiler Review: One Battle After Another (2025)
The latest episode and final episode of 2025 of Sound Speed Action is live, and what a way to end the year. One Battle After Another caps off an incredible run of movies and stands as our clear favorite of the …
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The latest episode and final episode of 2025 of Sound Speed Action is live, and what a way to end the year. One Battle After Another caps off an incredible run of movies and stands as our clear favorite of the year. What a film.
Marc and I break down this ambitious, unsettling, and often darkly funny work from director Paul Thomas Anderson, and the more we talk about it, the more impressive it becomes. This is one of those rare movies that genuinely gets better with repeat viewings.
The performances across the board are phenomenal. Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a fascinating, off-balance turn. Chase Infinity, in her first film role, is an absolute revelation. Teyana Taylor is terrific, and Sean Penn is unforgettable as the antagonist Lockjaw, a performance that feels destined to dominate awards season. Benicio del Toro appears briefly as Sensei and somehow steals every moment he’s in. Regina Hall continues to prove we need far more movies built around her. Tony Goldwyn is deeply unsettling, playing once again against typecasting he somehow always elevates. And James Ratterman, a real former Homeland Security official, is genuinely chilling in a role that feels uncomfortably authentic.
The score, composed by Jonny Greenwood, marks his sixth collaboration with Anderson, and it is astonishing. The music doesn’t just support the film, it drives it, becoming a constant, pulsing engine that keeps everything in motion.
Loosely inspired by Vineland, the film takes a single thread from the novel and spins it into something entirely its own. It’s timely, disturbing, sharply funny, and deeply confident. With an estimated budget between $130 and $170 million, this is a movie that likely never made financial sense on paper. Its existence feels like a small miracle, and a reminder that there are still producers and executives willing to back original, risky storytelling simply because it’s worth making.
One Battle After Another is now playing in theaters and is also available to rent on demand and stream on HBO. That said, if you can see this in a theater, do it. You will not regret it.
Thanks for listening. This marks our final episode of 2025. Sound Speed Action will be back soon. See you at the movies.
60. Review: Predator: Badlands (2025 film)
“Predator: Badlands” is one of those rare movies. You already expect something good after “Prey,” but then you watch this and it turns out to be one of the most satisfying action films of the year. Disney …
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“Predator: Badlands” is one of those rare movies. You already expect something good after “Prey,” but then you watch this and it turns out to be one of the most satisfying action films of the year. Disney clearly believed in it too, bumping the budget to about 105 million, which is a big jump from “Prey’s” 65 million.Dan Trachtenberg is officially three for three. “Prey,” “Killer of Killers,” (also released in2025, on Hulu and awesome) and now “Badlands.” He delivers a confident, fast, beautifully paced movie that never wastes a moment. It also works as a complete standalone. No homework required. You don’t need to be a Predator fan or even a sci-fi fan. The movie just pulls you in as a flat-out fun, kickass action experience.The details are great. The runtime is a perfect one hour and forty-seven minutes. The movie lightly introduces Yautja culture without slowing anything down, and the world-building is clear, exciting, and leaves the door open for the future. There’s even a subtle crossover nod that never pulls focus.Elle Fanning is incredible. Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi brings a whole new life to the Predator character, making it both terrifying and surprisingly sympathetic. The Kalisk creature is a very fun addition. The invented language is a cool touch. And the villain is genuinely strong without giving anything away.The sound design is excellent, the VFX are top tier, and New Zealand looks unbelievable on screen. Trachtenberg blends real landscapes with massive effects in a way that makes the world feel alive.If there’s one small con: you just hope the crossover tease doesn’t jinx the success the movie has earned so far.“Badlands” is in theaters now and will likely hit digital platforms in December and stream on Hulu or Disney+ in early 2026.
59. Halloween SPOILER Review: Weapons (2025)
Episode 59 – Halloween Spoiler Review: Weapons (2025)IMPORTANT NOTE: This spoiler review episode focuses on an original horror film and includes language, topics, and descriptions that are dark, graphic …
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Episode 59 – Halloween Spoiler Review: Weapons (2025)
IMPORTANT NOTE: This spoiler review episode focuses on an original horror film and includes language, topics, and descriptions that are dark, graphic, violent, and disturbing. Listener discretion is advised.
You are not ready. Weapons (2025) is one of the most original, creative, and unsettling movies to come out in years. From Barbarian director Zach Cregger, who also produced Companion (streaming now on HBO Max), this film proves that fresh, daring ideas are still alive in modern cinema.
In this Halloween spoiler review of Weapons, we dive into what makes it one of the standout movies of 2025. Joining me on Sound Speed Action is our returning guest Chris Cheng, and together we unpack the film’s twists, tone, and unforgettable performances.
The cast includes Julia Garner (Ozark, Fantastic Four: First Steps), Josh Brolin (Sicario, No Country for Old Men), Benedict Wong (3 Body Problem, Doctor Strange), and Amy Madigan (Gone Baby Gone). The story unfolds in a non-linear way, echoing films like Magnolia, with moments that stick in your mind long after the credits roll.
Weapons balances dark humor, tension, and originality in a way few modern movies do. It’s unpredictable, visually striking, and a reminder that the genre still has room for surprises.
🎃 Weapons is streaming on HBO Max and available to rent or buy on all major platforms.
We’ve got more movie podcasts, spoiler reviews, and film discussions coming your way. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review or drop a comment. It really helps the show grow.
Thanks for listening, and happy Halloween from Sound Speed Action!
58. Special Episode: The $850 million mystery of Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)
Episode 58 - Special Episode: Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)Jurassic Park is one of those franchises that I absolutely love, where Spielberg helped define the summer blockbuster movie season. The first two …
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Episode 58 - Special Episode: Jurassic World Rebirth (2025)
Jurassic Park is one of those franchises that I absolutely love, where Spielberg helped define the summer blockbuster movie season. The first two especially are amazing. Jurassic Park III was a flop. Jurassic World and Fallen Kingdom were chapters that brought new life and characters into the franchise. Dominion was overstuffed but had fun visuals and brought back all the characters we love from this series. Three years later we are now caught up with this one... and I am so confused by it.
You have Gareth Edwards directing. You can see his work in Rogue One, The Creator, Godzilla (2014), and Monsters (2010). The man is amazing with visual effects and knows how to work quickly and economically. Disney loves him, and I understand why. You also have David Koepp, the OG writer of Jurassic Park. You also have a rock star cast with Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Rupert Friend. This should have been amazing.
From an audience and review point of view, there was consensus in the reactions, and yet… this is one of the most globally successful movies of the year! I am so confused and have so many questions. The mysterious box office of Jurassic World Rebirth. This one is still bugging me and I need answers.
Jurassic World Rebirth is playing in theaters now. It is also available to rent and buy on all platforms. There is no streaming date for Peacock yet, but my guess based on its theatrical release date is that late October to early November is a safe bet.
We’ve got more episodes, reviews, and recommendations coming your way. If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a review, it really helps the podcast.
Thanks for listening. I’m really curious about your thoughts on this one if you check it out.
57. SPOILER Review: Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Episode 57 - SPOILER Review: Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)Just when it was starting to look pretty bleak for comic movies (over saturation, becoming extremely dark, forgettable stories, visual effects …
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Episode 57 - SPOILER Review: Fantastic Four: First Steps (2025)
Just when it was starting to look pretty bleak for comic movies (over saturation, becoming extremely dark, forgettable stories, visual effects suffering from unsustainable output stretching visual FX artists too thin), it looks like studios are getting the message. First "Superman" from DC/Warner Brothers and now for today's episode we see how Marvel/Disney with "Fantastic Four: First Steps" has done an about face and put a "fantastic" crowd-pleaser of movie to die-hard comic-fans and popcorn moviegoers alike.
For today's episode our friend of the podcast, Ali-Reza Beheshti, returns and we both get into how this movie completely surprised us. A beautifully shot, wonderfully paced, thrill ride of a movie. There was a part that was a little bit of a "stretch" but the movie still was so much fun that you can almost completely let this detail go. Almost. Michael Giacchino returns as Marvel's go-to Composer but here he really crafts something epic and unique on par with John Williams music from classics such as Indiana Jones and Jurassic Park.
This one must be seen in the theaters. It will make you a believer in comic-book movies again. There is still life in this category of movies. Here is to hoping the studios continue to space these movies out enough to keep the creativity, anticipation, and quality going!
"Fantastic Four: First Steps" is playing in theaters now.
We’ve got more episodes, reviews, and recommendations coming your way. If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a review, it really helps the podcast.
Thanks for listening, and enjoy the movie.
56. Review: The Accountant 2 (2025 film)
Episode 56 – Review: The Accountant 2 (2025)Back in 2016, Ben Affleck surprised a lot of people with "The Accountant", a sleek, mysterious action thriller where he played Christian Wolff, a math savant with …
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Episode 56 – Review: The Accountant 2 (2025)
Back in 2016, Ben Affleck surprised a lot of people with "The Accountant", a sleek, mysterious action thriller where he played Christian Wolff, a math savant with deadly skills. That film, written by Ozark series creator Bill Dubuque, had an incredible cast (John Lithgow, J.K. Simmons, Jon Bernthal, Anna Kendrick, Jean Smart) and a vibe that stuck with people. For years, a sequel was teased, and now, nearly a decade later, it’s finally here.
The Accountant 2 makes the rare move of actually improving on the original. Director Gavin O’Connor returns, and Affleck is back as Wolff, joined again by Cynthia Addai Robinson and Jon Bernthal. Newcomer Daniela Pineda (playing Lena) is a total standout. One change this time around: the character of Justine (Christian’s mysterious associate) is now played by Allison Robinson, taking over voice and on screen duties from Allison Wright. And it works.
While the first movie had a haunting score by Mark Isham, this sequel switches gears with a fresh and impressive score by Bryce Dessner. The vibe is a little different, but it still pulls you into Wolff’s world.
There’s a planned third film to complete the trilogy, and both O’Connor and Affleck have hinted at wanting Anna Kendrick back for that one. Fingers crossed.
"The Accountant 2" is now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
We’ve got more episodes, reviews, and recommendations coming your way. If you’re enjoying the show, please leave a review, it really helps the podcast.
Thanks for listening, and enjoy the movie.
Correction: In the audio, the character of Lena is mistakenly said to be played by Daniela Melchior. The role is actually played by Daniela Pineda.
55. SPOILER EPISODE Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning (2023) and The Final Reckoning (2025)
SPOILER WARNING for the latest podcast episode of "Sound Speed Action": Dead Reckoning came out two years ago, but The Final Reckoning just hit theaters a week ago. If you haven’t seen it yet, pause this …
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SPOILER WARNING for the latest podcast episode of "Sound Speed Action": Dead Reckoning came out two years ago, but The Final Reckoning just hit theaters a week ago. If you haven’t seen it yet, pause this episode and come back, because we’re diving deep into both films.
The final chapter of our Mission: Impossible recap covers Dead Reckoning (2023) and The Final Reckoning (2025).
It’s wild to think this series has been running nearly 30 years. This two-part climax, although not always even, aims to tie things up and will likely leave fans divided.
Though the films share villains, Gabriel (mysterious and cartoonish) and the all-knowing Entity, they feel completely different in tone. What is going on with these villains?
Both movies bring stunning set pieces: the runaway train finale in Dead Reckoning is a franchise standout, and the submarine sequence in The Final Reckoning kicks things off with serious intensity.
We get standout new characters: Grace (Hayley Atwell, whose arc around “the choice every IMF member faces” is a great addition), Paris (Pom Klementieff, who steals scenes), Briggs (Shea Whigham), and Dega (Greg Tarzan Davis). Returning favorites include Luther (Ving Rhames, whose appearances remain inconsistent), Benji (Simon Pegg, better than ever), and Kittredge (Henry Czerny), finally back.
Lorne Balfe returns with a strong score for Dead Reckoning after Fallout. He was set to score Final Reckoning, but was replaced by protégés Max Aruj and Alfie Godfrey. Whether their work holds up is still debatable.
Christopher McQuarrie directs both films while navigating COVID, strikes, and more. Not everything lands. Some of the retconning is rough, but he has earned the right to bring it home.
Dead Reckoning is streaming on Prime Video and Paramount+. The Final Reckoning is in theaters now.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sohrabsmovieq.substack.com54. Mission: Impossible: Fallout (2018) — Countdown to The Final Reckoning
2018’s “Mission Impossible: Fallout” is the focus of today’s episode of Sound Speed Action, and the question is not just whether it’s the best in the series—but is it one of the greatest action epics ever …
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2018’s “Mission Impossible: Fallout” is the focus of today’s episode of Sound Speed Action, and the question is not just whether it’s the best in the series—but is it one of the greatest action epics ever made?
It took six movies for the franchise (and two for director Christopher McQuarrie and Cruise) to find their groove, and this is the moment it all clicks. The action! The cast! The music! Even the dramatic and comedic beats land. And this movie fully leans into Ethan Hunt as the ultimate good guy—someone who won’t accept the idea that saving one life means losing millions.
It also has the best “light the fuse” intro of the series and the strongest callback to MI:1. For the first time, we get not just a returning villain, but two bad guys.
Of course, it’s still got some classic MI flaws: the villains still want to destroy the world to save it (seriously, we’re still doing that?). Ilsa Faust is a total badass but seems way too quick to risk it all for Ethan (everyone falls for this guy instantly?). And the Syndicate, Apostles, John Lark—it’s not always clear who’s who or what group is working with which.
Also, that helicopter chase? Cool… but it runs long.
Even with all that, this movie is a blast. The action set pieces (HALO jump, bathroom fight, BMW vs motorcycle, and more) are constant thrills. And the more we learn about Ethan’s ethos, the more charged those moments feel.
This is Mission: Impossible at its peak.
Streaming now on Paramount+. Also available to rent or buy.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sohrabsmovieq.substack.com53. Mission: Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015) — Countdown to The Final Reckoning
“Sound Speed Action” is back with the newest episode in our countdown to Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Now we’re entering Christopher McQuarrie mode with the next film: Mission Impossible: Rogue …
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“Sound Speed Action” is back with the newest episode in our countdown to Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Now we’re entering Christopher McQuarrie mode with the next film: Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation (2015).
Writer and veteran Hollywood script doctor Christopher McQuarrie directs his first Mission Impossible and assembles a great team behind the camera to inject more energy into this thrill ride. Joe Kraemer delivers a pulsing orchestral score straight out of the original TV series. Eddie Hamilton joins as the wizard editor (Top Gun: Maverick, Kingsman), keeping everything moving at a fun clip.
We talk about what we really enjoyed. Cruise is great, but Simon Pegg’s Benji really steps up and commands his scenes. Rebecca Ferguson’s debut as MI6 agent Ilsa Faust is superb—she elevates the movie with charisma and badassery. Sean Harris is fun as our super creepy villain, though it’s tough to get too excited since the bar for villains hasn’t been set very high. Alec Baldwin as Hunley is fantastic, and McQuarrie uses him brilliantly as a way for the franchise to poke fun at itself (“Sir, Hunt is the living manifestation of destiny—and he has made you his mission”). The Vienna Opera House sequence is a unique thrill.
Some odd choices pop up—the snakeskin shirt (you’ll know it when you see it), and a bad CGI car flip. But honestly, there’s not much to knock.
McQuarrie’s been hyped up a lot on this show already, and now that we’re here at his first Mission as director… what do you think? Enough action for you? We haven’t even begun yet.
Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation is available to stream now on Prime Video and Paramount Plus. It’s also available to rent and buy now on all platforms.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sohrabsmovieq.substack.com52. Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011) — Countdown to The Final Reckoning
We’re back with a new episode of Sound Speed Action as we continue our countdown to Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Up next is what feels like an amazing reset for the series — Mission Impossible …
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We’re back with a new episode of Sound Speed Action as we continue our countdown to Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Up next is what feels like an amazing reset for the series — Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (2011).
This is where the franchise really starts to take off. The quality of action and entertainment jumps several levels in this installment. You get the brilliant work of director Brad Bird (The Iron Giant) as well as the first steps of writer Christopher McQuarrie stepping into the Mission world (be on the lookout for more from him soon…), making this an explosive (if sometimes uneven) hit of a movie!
The cast brings a lot of fun: Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt, raising both his action and comedy game. Simon Pegg’s Benji is no longer just the computer guy behind the desk — he’s out in the field as a great agent, delivering some fantastic moments. That includes hilarious scenes alongside Cruise and newcomer Jeremy Renner. On the podcast, we debate whether Renner fully fits the mold of these films — what do you think? Paula Patton as Agent Carter (not that Marvel Agent Carter) kicks ass and is a blast to watch as part of the IMF team. Even the smaller roles are memorable, including Tom Wilkinson as the IMF Secretary, Léa Seydoux as assassin Sabine Moreau, and Ving Rhames (he’s in it for only 39 seconds, but listen for a great bit about what Rhames pulled off in this movie).
Of course, the movie has its flaws: a pretty thin villain character (okay, maybe these movies really aren’t about their villains…) and a major tonal shift once the action moves to India.
But ultimately, this chapter reignites the series with a much-needed burst of energy, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling new era for the back half of the franchise. Let’s go! We’ll be back soon with more to share — enjoy this one, and let us know your thoughts.
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is available to stream now on Prime Video and Paramount Plus. It’s also available to rent or buy on all major platforms.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sohrabsmovieq.substack.com51. Mission: Impossible III (2006) — Countdown to The Final Reckoning
For this episode of Sound Speed Action, we're continuing our countdown to Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. We’re joined by returning guest and friend of the pod, Chris Cheng, to break down the …
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For this episode of Sound Speed Action, we're continuing our countdown to Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. We’re joined by returning guest and friend of the pod, Chris Cheng, to break down the franchise’s third installment — Mission Impossible III (2006).
It’s a movie of firsts: JJ Abrams (of Lost and Alias fame) makes his feature film directorial debut, Simon Pegg arrives as tech whiz Benji, and it’s the only Mission film ever co-produced with China. Oh — and it dropped right in the middle of the Tom Cruise Turbulence Era: the Oprah couch jump, the Matt Lauer meltdown, the Paramount fallout, and an infamous episode of South Park.
Our conversation starts with the highs, but quickly uncovers some shared frustrations:
* Abrams overindulging in his signature moves (lens flares, violin overload, blown-out colors, endless close-ups)
* Wasting powerhouse talents like Philip Seymour Hoffman and Michelle Monaghan
* Failing to make the part of the movie that is in China a meaningful, fun, colorful, vibrant part and character of the story
* Skipping the iconic “light the fuse” title sequence
* A very long rooftop scene of “I need you to trust me” (you’ll know it when you see it)
* The fulcrum scene that really tests your ability to suspend your disbelief
Still, the movie isn’t without its charms:
* The mystery box tool of “the rabbits foot” here is mysterious and fun
* New characters played by Keri Russell, Maggie Q, Billy Crudup, and Laurence Fishburne
* Set piece standouts like the Vatican heist and Davian’s bridge escape
* Philip Seymour Hoffman channeling straight menace in one of the creepiest villain performances of the series (but we have some issues with this too…)
This entry in the franchise is a very divisive one. It marks the halfway point for us in this franchise countdown. But get ready and hold onto your butts because this latter half of the franchise consistently kicks things up a few gears. Back with more soon!
Mission Impossible III is streaming now on Prime Video and Paramount+. It’s also available to rent or buy on all major platforms.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sohrabsmovieq.substack.com50. Mission: Impossible II (2000) — Countdown to The Final Reckoning
A new episode (the 50th episode! 🥳) of Sound Speed Action is out, and we continue our Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning countdown series — and today we’re covering the standout (for better and worse) of …
Notas del episodio
A new episode (the 50th episode! 🥳) of Sound Speed Action is out, and we continue our Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning countdown series — and today we’re covering the standout (for better and worse) of this franchise: Mission: Impossible 2 (2000)!
Wow, yeah — the sequel to the first Mission: Impossible is very much its own unique thing. Let’s take the first Mission: Impossible movie — a cerebral, slow-burn, spy action mystery… and for the follow-up, throw that all out the window. Enter director John Woo! We have action dialed up to an 11. Slow motion. Doves! Fireballs! Barrel rolls! Choreographed fighting mixed with WWE moves! Long flowing hair! The full nine is here.
This movie is so different. It’s a completely different swing that they went for. Some of it doesn’t work — like the special effects at times that didn’t age well. But overall, the takeaways are mostly positive. It has fantastic, true-to-John-Woo action.
If you look at this movie purely through the lens of being a Mission: Impossible movie, you may leave feeling disappointed and that this installment largely missed the mark. But if you look at it purely as a top-tier, over-stylized action movie (think Face/Off — same director), then you’ll absolutely have a blast with this one.
Thandie Newton is great. She and Tom Cruise look their smokin’ best in this movie. I think they’re both competing for who has the best flowing hair. Seriously, they look like something out of a Vidal Sassoon shampoo commercial.
Dougray Scott makes for an okay villain here, but what’s really crazy is what other gigantic movie opportunity he sacrificed to be in this film… You won’t believe it. It would’ve changed everything for that other franchise.
This movie, again, is an enjoyable romp — but it's suuuch a deviation that what it really brings to this franchise is the course correction that follows. We would not have the Mission: Impossible franchise we know today (from the 3rd through 7th installments) — the one that found its voice, style, and identity — without this epic flick!
Mission: Impossible 2 is available to stream now on Prime Video and Paramount+. It’s also available to rent and buy on all major platforms.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sohrabsmovieq.substack.com49. Mission: Impossible (1996) — Countdown to The Final Reckoning
A new podcast episode of "Sound Speed Action" is out now — and with it we start at the beginning with the 1996 thriller “Mission Impossible” to kick off this series.Brian DePalma (Scarface, Carlito’s Way) …
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A new podcast episode of "Sound Speed Action" is out now — and with it we start at the beginning with the 1996 thriller “Mission Impossible” to kick off this series.
Brian DePalma (Scarface, Carlito’s Way) adapts the beloved thriller series for the big screen in a way that no one else can. He has a style all to himself. A really fun thing with this movie is that there is always so much detail and information to be taken from any scene you are watching in this movie. In every viewing you will definitely have a moment of “oh I didn’t notice that before!”
The action set pieces from the initial embassy job, to the Langley break-in scene, to the TGV helicopter chase — this movie set the bar high for action!
Did we mention this movie also has a crazy fun cast? Tom Cruise, Jon Voight, Kristin Scott Thomas, Ving Rhames, Jean Reno and Vanessa Redgrave!
Danny Elfman makes this movie a thrill with his exciting and dramatic soundtrack which is made only better by Lalo Schifrin’s original Mission Impossible theme track and a sneaky inclusion of music too by The Cranberries and U2 members Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen Jr.
The gadgets that don’t always work, the tension created by ultra-silent moments during missions (Langley), the stunts, the fights — this movie is an absolute ride.
One area that we were a little split on with this movie is that DePalma does a great job at trusting his audience to pay attention, read between the lines, and figure things out themselves. The other side of that is that this movie has been critiqued by some saying that the plot at times can feel a little overly complicated. Still, whatever view you have there, it's hard to deny how fun and original this movie was (and still is), at the time it was released.
“Mission Impossible” is streaming now on Paramount Plus and Prime Video and is available to rent and buy on all platforms too.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sohrabsmovieq.substack.com48. Mini-Episode: Series Teaser - Countdown to "Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning"!
May 23 is just around the corner! That means the eighth installment ("The Final Reckoning") to the Mission Impossible franchise is almost here. Here we preview a special series of episodes of the podcast coming …
Notas del episodio
May 23 is just around the corner! That means the eighth installment ("The Final Reckoning") to the Mission Impossible franchise is almost here. Here we preview a special series of episodes of the podcast coming soon where we are going to revisit the Mission Impossible franchise and recap each of these entertaining movies that are so WILDLY different from each other and yet are endless entertaining. This franchise has something everyone and every time brings you along the ride for some thrilling movie magic.
Over the next 7 episodes, we are going to go over the good, the bad, the ugly, and everything in between the following installments:
Mission Impossible
Mission Impossible II
MIssion Impossile III
Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocal (so much better without the numbers)
Mission impossible: Rogue Nation
Mission Impossible: Fallout
Mission Impossinle: Dead Reckoning
all of this leading us up to the next chapter: The Final Reckoning.
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sohrabsmovieq.substack.com
Aquí están los 40 episodios más recientes de 77. Los anteriores están en el feed del podcast.
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