Sound Speed Action: Movie & TV Reviews

Episode 45 - Review: Wolfman (2025)

Remember back in 2017 when Universal tried launching their Monsters Universe of movies with “The Mummy” starring Tom Cruise? Even with the attempt to sneak in Russell Crowe as Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, that movie became an epic mess. “Wolf Man” is a second bite at the apple for Universal, with Leigh Whannell (“Saw” writer and “Upgrade”, “The Invisible Man” director) directing and horror king Jason Blum (Blumhouse Productions) producing this film.

What this film has going for it is its strong use of storytelling. The movie explores themes of parents, their kids, and the effort not to pass on mistakes from one generation to the next. It’s a very cool concept that is executed well for both how the starts and ends too. The setting, the actors (an amazing main cast: Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, and Mathilda Firth) all shine. Whannell also brings much of the production crew back together from his hit movie “The Invisible Man” for this movie. The sound design is incredible—easily the most creative aspect of the film.

Can lightning strike twice for Universal's revamped Monsters Universe, with its smaller scale but bigger scares? Does “Wolf Man” deliver the chills and thrills you'd expect from a monster movie? I get into it all here, including surprises with this movie’s budget and its interesting origins, which connect to director Derek Cianfrance and actor Ryan Gosling (both of whom previously teamed up on the excellent 2013 film “The Place Beyond the Pines”).

“Wolf Man” is now playing in theaters.

We have a great year of movies, shows, reviews, and recommendations ahead. Please be sure to leave a review—it helps the podcast!

Have a great time at the movies, and thanks for listening.

Episode 44 - Review: Conclave (2024)

The adaptation of Robert Harris’s 2016 novel comes vibrantly to life in the 2024 mystery thriller film, Conclave. This movie is one of a kind and easily among 2024's best releases so far. Joining me on this episode is my cousin, Bahareh Amidi Shargi, who kindly recommended this movie to me.

The film boasts a stellar cast led by the commanding Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence. As if that weren’t enough, the roster of talent also includes John Lithgow as Cardinal Tremblay, Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini, Isabella Rossellini as Sister Agnes, Sergio Castellitto as Cardinal Tedesco, Lucian Msamati as Cardinal Adayemi, and Carlos Diehz as Cardinal Benitez. Each character harbors secrets that gradually unravel in this gripping story.

Directed by the brilliant Edward Berger—best known for the Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front (2022)—Conclave reunites him with composer Volker Bertelmann. Together, Berger’s thrilling direction and Bertelmann’s dramatic score keep you on the edge of your seat until the film’s riveting conclusion.

While the movie begins as a slow burn, your patience will be rewarded as the narrative unfolds. It’s a story that is sure to spark discussions and elicit strong reactions. Bahareh highlights the film’s powerful theme of transparency, which adds depth to the shocking surprises awaiting viewers. The movie makes bold choices that you won’t see coming.

Conclave is now playing in theaters. It’s also available to rent on-demand (No! Go to the Cinema! please). Thank you again for the wonderful recommendation, Bahareh. I hope you all check this one out.

Thanks for listening! This marks our final episode of 2024. Sound Speed Action will return in January. See you at the movies!

Episode 43 - Halloween SPOILER Review episode: Strange Darling (2024)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This spoiler review episode focuses on a psychological thriller film and includes language, topics, and descriptions that are dark, graphic, violent, and disturbing. Listener and viewer discretion is advised.

Happy Halloween, everyone! We’re talking about the surprise movie of the year, Strange Darling. Shocking. Disturbing. Terrifying...and yet I can’t look away! Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner are out-of-this-world fantastic as the leads throughout this entire 96-minute experience. Nothing in this movie is what it seems. Giovanni Ribisi makes his debut as an incredible cinematographer with his amazing work on this film too. This year, for the Halloween episode, we bring back my good friend and go-to horror movie buff, Chris Cheng.

We discuss how this is definitely not your typical Halloween horror movie. In fact, this film is more a psychological thriller than straightforward horror. Can a psychological thriller be appropriate for a Halloween movie? I stand up on my chair and shout, HELL YES! This movie is terrifying, and that’s exactly what I want from a Halloween movie. Right within the first 5 minutes, the movie gets pretty crazy, and you may think, Okay, just another crazy, over-the-top Halloween killer movie. I’ve seen these before; this is just the same old, same old. You have no idea how wrong you are. Buckle up.

Strange Darling is available to rent and buy on all platforms.

Have a fantastic Halloween! Stay out of (too much) trouble, and thank you for listening.

Episode 42 - Fly Me to the Moon (2024) Review

Hollywood heavy hitter Greg Berlanti directs, while Scarlett Johansson produces and stars in “Fly Me to the Moon”. Although the movie is set during NASA's Apollo 11 mission, this is far from a historically accurate depiction of how the moon landing was planned. Instead, the film uses the Apollo mission as a creative backdrop to explore broader themes like truth, trust, and conspiracy theories, delivering it in a way that is engaging, charming, and still resonates with questions we grapple with today.

Scarlett Johansson leads the film alongside Channing Tatum, who is having a standout year after playing Gambit in “Deadpool & Wolverine” and starring in Zoe Kravitz’s “Blink Twice”. Their chemistry shines in this funny and lighthearted take on a highly fictionalized version of the Apollo 11 mission. Berlanti effectively utilizes humor while still keeping the focus on the intriguing ideas the film asks us to consider.

Despite facing production challenges, including casting changes and director shifts, the film overcomes these hurdles to deliver a fun and entertaining experience—one of my favorite films of 2024 so far.

“Fly Me to the Moon” is available to rent and buy now, with streaming coming soon on Apple TV+.

Episode 41 - SPOILER Review: Deadpool & Wolverine (2024)

The merc with a mouth is back! Putting Deadpool and Wolverine in the same movie has delivered the global summer box office hit we were hoping for (only topped this year by Inside Out 2, another Disney blockbuster). After Marvel’s post-Endgame slump with a few lackluster movies, Director Shawn Levy, Ryan Reynolds, and Hugh Jackman have flipped the genre on its head with this very meta and VERY violent (it’s a Deadpool movie, after all) thrill ride.

Shawn Levy and Ryan Reynolds previously worked together on Free Guy (2021) and The Adam Project (2022), while Levy and Jackman teamed up back in Real Steel (2011). But this film marks the first time Deadpool and Wolverine are officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios) in December 2017.

Stay for the humor (though it can feel a bit repetitive at times and might be an acquired taste), the 20th Century Fox comic movie era nostalgia, and the AWESOME cameos—you won’t be disappointed. IMPORTANT HEADS UP: If you haven’t seen the previous Deadpool movies or aren’t familiar with the MCU, especially the 20th Century Fox era of comic book movies (specifically the X-Men franchise), a lot of this might go over your head. It’s still enjoyable, but you’ll miss out on the moments where the hardcore fans (ME) are cheering at the many references scattered throughout the film. Also yes do stay for the credits and post-credits. Both are great.

This blockbuster has already crossed the $1 billion mark at the box office and is yet another success story for Disney, Levy, Reynolds, and Jackman. Be sure to catch it in theaters before it streams on Disney+.

Episode 40 - Hype Episode: Pig (2021)

In today's brief episode, it’s all about Michael Sarnoski's 2021 overlooked indie feature, Pig. This heartfelt story will surprise you and remind you why Nicolas Cage is a one-of-a-kind actor. Discover why Pig is a standout, featuring one of Cage’s best performances in years. The movie slowly reveals more to us about Cage's enigmatic character and how he has had a profound impact on the people around him. The supporting cast, including Alex Wolff and Adam Arkin, also shines.

Fun fact: Director Michael Sarnoski caught John Krasinski's eye with Pig, leading Krasinski to offer him A Quiet Place: Day One. Sarnoski brings back key collaborators from Pig for his new project, ensuring the same intimate storytelling.

It's unfortunate that this 2021 film didn't receive the support needed to be on the Academy's radar, as Cage’s stellar performance truly warranted a nomination at the very least. Pig stands as a testament to independent filmmaking and exceptional storytelling.

Streaming now on Hulu in the USA (if you are outside of the USA, use the search engine justwatch.com to see through which platforms in your country you can stream, rent, or buy this film), Pig is a film you won’t want to miss. Don’t forget to leave a review for the podcast. Follow Sound Speed Action on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok for more movie talk. What did you think of Pig? Be sure to drop a comment below. Thanks for listening!

Episode 39 - SPOILER Review: A ‘FURIOSA’ Saga! (2015 and 2024)

Welcome to the deranged world of George Miller’s Mad Max universe. Here we are focusing on the epic and indomitable character, Furiosa! My cousin Ali-Reza Beheshti joins me as we break down and provide spoiler reviews of both “Mad Max: Fury Road” (2015) and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” (2024) - two brilliant action movie achievements!

The Furiosa chapters of the Mad Max franchise kick this storyline into a whole new gear for George Miller fands (and those who are George Miller fans and just don’t know it yet). If the insane, heart-pounding score and nail-biting, relentless hyperkinetic editing style of this movie aren't enough to keep you entertained, the two powerhouse actors who embody the warrior Furiosa will certainly convert you into die-hard fans of this world.

These movies, while connected, feel distinctly different from each other. We explore our pros and cons on the films, thoughts on the direction, production team, performances, and the use of visual effects versus practical effects, which are handled very differently in each film. Discover why “Fury Road” remains a near-perfect action film and how “Furiosa” adds valuable depth to this saga.

“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” is available now for rent and purchase on all major platforms, including Apple TV+, Amazon, and Google Play. “Mad Max: Fury Road" is now streaming on Max too. Get yourself ready for these unforgettable action thrill-rides but before you start be sure to ask yourself one question: “…do you have it in you to make it epic?”

Episode 38 - Hype Episode: Road to Perdition (2002)

Quick update - "Sohrab's Movie Queue" is now "Sound Speed Action"!

In this brief episode, it’s all about Sam Mendes' 2002 triumph, Road to Perdition. Starring Tom Hanks and Paul Newman, this prohibition-era graphic novel adaptation crime drama is one of my top three favorite films. Explore the perfect blend of storytelling, cinematography, and music. Find out why this movie is endlessly rewatchable and a standout in my top movie lists. Streaming now on Amazon Prime Video and Paramount Plus in the States.

Warning: This episode discusses explicit content and themes. Viewer discretion is advised.

In this episode, my cousin Roya Tavakolian and I break down the critically acclaimed "Poor Things" (2023), directed by Yorgos Lanthimos. Emma Stone shines as Bella Baxter, in a performance that led to her winning Best Actress at the 96th Academy Awards. We highlight the film’s inventive narrative, standout cast, and its exploration of themes like autonomy and societal norms. We also touch on Mark Ruffalo’s intriguing character and the film’s striking visual style. "Poor Things" is available on Hulu and for rent/purchase. Tune in for a comprehensive review of this remarkable film.

Episode 36 - Review: Ferrari (2023)

After 20 years of trying to get "Ferrari" made (including several actors being attached to the film only to depart shortly after), Mann got his lead cast together with Adam Driver playing Enzo Ferrari (2nd time playing a famous Italian entrepreneur after leading in "House of Gucci") and Penélope Cruz as Laura Ferrari, a standout in this movie. Challenges this movie faced included casting as mentioned, COVID-related production challenges, and challenges with distribution in the States because the original distributor STX Films shut down their distribution and marketing operations, so the film was eventually sold to the distributor Neon for US theatrical release on Christmas Day (awful placement considering other films that would be competing with it around that holiday time).

However, after all of these challenges, this movie shows that Mann has not lost his magic touch at all. He directs a tight, tense, and emotional story about Enzo, Laura, and their legendary company Ferrari. The movie focuses on the year 1957 (just 10 years after the launch of the company). The company is on the verge of bankruptcy and needs to make a big splash if it is to continue. The 1,000-mile race, the Mille Miglia, is the perfect opportunity for Ferrari to win and make said splash. Everything has to go just right. No pressure.

Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz are captivating as the leads. The pacing is perfect. The music by Daniel Pemberton injects the right thrills. Pemberton only had one week to score the movie! He does an incredible job with it. Erik Messerschmidt is the cinematographer who beautifully shoots the movie. He also shot the amazing David Fincher movie "The Killer" that was also released in 2023. For negatives, Shailene Woodley was underutilized in the movie, and that arc was maybe unnecessary. On the other hand, it only seems unnecessary because her character and story seemed rushed and a little underdeveloped, but maybe if it was made as a TV series (watch Mann’s brilliant HBO series "Tokyo Vice") that might be a better format for a longer form story where roles like Woodley’s character could be properly shown.

"Ferrari" is still a very powerful story. It is one of my favorite movies of 2023 and is available to rent and/or purchase on all platforms. Enjoy the movie and thank you for listening.