Sound Speed Action: Movie & TV Reviews

Episode 35 - SPOILER Review: Oppenheimer (2023)

Two special guests, Papa Hozour and Kathy Garber, join me today to talk about the latest Christopher Nolan epic which seems to be on a clear path to sweep at the upcoming Oscars.

After years of success at Warner Bros, his major minor tantrum over the disaster that was the movie “Tenet” and Warner Bros and its irresponsible rollout, Nolan seems to have found his stride at Universal Pictures taking up this “lower budget” ($100 million) feature and within that budget Universal giving him carte blanche on how to deliver that film. I don’t hide that I don’t exactly see this Director in the best light and yet it is what it is - I absolutely loved the film “Oppenheimer”. Cillian Murphy, Robert Downey Jr, Emily Blunt (doesn’t get talked about enough for this movie) and so many others that make up this amazing cast. No actor (no matter how big or small their scene is) has their screen time wasted in this film. Ludwig Göransson (Composer), Jennifer Lame (Editor), Hoyte Van Hoytema (Cinematographer), Christopher Nolan (Writer/Producer/Director) - the entire team behind the camera also played key roles in catapulting this movie to being a brilliant epic that has endless rewatchability.

“Oppenheimer” is available to stream on Peacock and is available to rent and or purchase on all platforms. 

Episode 34 - Hype: Sneakers (1992)

There are so many great movies that came from the 90’s, but “Sneakers” is one that not only stands out but is one that I either return from time to watch again and again or stop and watch some (or all of) whenever I find it playing anywhere. 

While I can appreciate dark, twisted espionage thrillers, 'Sneakers' takes a different path. It steers away from what we have more recently been accustomed to with the usual gritty tones for a blend of light-hearted mischief, humor, and suspense, making it a uniquely enjoyable experience.. You have a one of a kind cast with Robert Redford, Sidney Poitier, Mary McDonnell, River Phoenix, Dan Aykroyd, Ben Kingsley, David Strathairn, Donal Logue, Stephen Tobolowsky, Timothy Busfield and more. It kind of (I am reaching here a little bit) feels like the precursor to the Ocean’s 11 reboot with its group of goofy characters facing real threats. This movie is written by the team behind “WarGames” and is directed by the always entertaining Phil Alden Robinson (“Field of Dreams”, “The Sum of All Fears”, and the series “The Good Fight”). The movie’s crown jewel, however, is its music. Composer James Horner, known for 'Avatar', 'Braveheart', and 'Titanic', delivers one of my all-time favorite scores. Everyone behind and in front of the camera brings their A-game to this movie. Yes at times its a little cheesy and feels a little dated, but none of that gets in the way of this movie being pure fun. 

The only frustration I have with this movie is its bad title. As you will hear in this episode, there were other great title options that were included in the movie! 

Other than that one (but important) frustration this early 90’s hit is one that if you have not seen it that I highly recommend you check out. 

“Sneakers” is available to rent and or purchase on all platforms. Enjoy the movie and thanks for listening.

Episode 33 - Halloween and SPOILER Review episode : Talk to Me (2023)

Audio recorded on October 24, 2023

IMPORTANT NOTE: This review episode focuses on a horror film and includes topics and scene descriptions and topics that are serious, dark, graphic and disturbing in nature. To be absolutely clear, the discussion in this episode seeks to only make clear these topics were part of the telling of the story of this film.

Additional note: Chris’ movie example was not “The Cave” but rather it was the 2005 movie “The Descent”. Also please disregard the movies I mention as my halloween favorites: 1) “Village of the Damned” from 1995 aged sooooo poorly. Interesting concept but wow going back and looking at it, it’s pretty awful and 2) “Arachnophobia” is an amazing horror movie but (in my opinion alone) it’s not a halloween movie.

Strike update: 1)  As of October 29, 2023 we are at 3 and a half months (107 days) into the ongoing strike between SAG-AFTRA (acting union) and the AMPTP (body representing the studios).

Looking for that perfect jump-scare-loaded halloween movie? The feature debut film for YouTube personalities Danny and Michael Philippou, “Talk to Me” serves up just that. This indie Australian horror movie pushes the limits for the horror genre and keeps you guessing up until the very end. The story isn’t without some issues and moments of confusion. What helps for the most part carry the movie is the fact that is a very unique indie horror film. Besides being a movie that really makes you squirm (and yes at times a little bit too much), it is also a very interesting commentary. As mentioned before though some issues in the film persist like understanding why certain things are happening. Certainly we don’t need thorough explanations but what is needed is just enough info so we can care about the people in this story. 

Friend of the podcast, Chris Cheng, returns after joining previously to review “Smile” in episode 28. On this episode, we break down this movie and then we shift to going over some of our favorite horror movies. 

“Talk to Me” is available to rent and buy on all platforms. 

Wishing you all a wonderful. Stay spooky and thanks for listening.

Episode 32 - SPOILER Review: Mission Impossible Dead Reckoning Part One (2023)

Audio recorded on September 25, 2023

Strikes updates: 1) There is a tentative deal in place for the full WGA union to vote on! Starting on Wednesday September 27th, the WGA can resume work. Ratification of the new 3 year deal is expected to happen very soon. 2) As of September 25th, we are almost 2.5 months (73 days) into the ongoing strike between SAG-AFTRA (acting union) and the AMPTP (body representing the studios)

Here we go! This is the movie for 2023 that I was waiting for. I was so amped and ready for this movie by the time it was released. It did not disappoint. Today’s episode is a spoiler review episode for the summer blockbuster “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One”. Ethan Hunt and the IMF are back for this latest chapter.

I have said it before and I will say it again, Director Christopher McQuarrie is the reason why I get so excited for the Mission Impossible movies. He has been actively involved going back to the 4th movie, “Ghost Protocol”. McQuarrie and Cruise make a fantastic creative team. This 7th installment of the franchise has a ridiculous (in a good way) cast - Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell (awesome addition), Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales (Ozark), Cary Elwes, Henry Czerny (Kittridge is back!) - I mean come on! Amazing cast. In typical mission fashion there are amazing stunts, fantastic locations and another thrill-delivering soundtrack by returning Composer Lorne Balfe. The movie is a ride and engages you by making you care with a pretty good emotional story too like with the 6th movie, “Fallout”.

“Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - Part One” is available for digital purchase (and hopefully to rent too) on October 10th. In the podcast episode I mentioned to skip renting and just move on to buying it (Paramount is not paying me). That’s how enthusiastic I am for this movie.

Enjoy the movie and thanks for listening.

Before mentioning this month’s episode, I just wanted to say that recovery efforts continue to take place after fires devastated the city of Lahaina in Maui earlier this month. A friend of the podcast, Chef Jason Raffin, is one Lahaina resident who needs our support. Just weeks away from opening the new tasting room, Ursulas, in Lahaina, Maui, a devastating wildfire swept through, leaving destruction in its wake. Chef Jason's home, commissary kitchen, and the beautifully curated private dining space he poured his heart into were all destroyed. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a difference in helping him rebuild/restore Ursulas and continue his invaluable contributions to the Maui Culinary Community. Please visit the GoFundMe page dedicated to this effort and  contribute what you can. https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-chef-jason-raffins-home-businesses?utm_campaign=p_cp+share-sheet&utm_medium=copy_link_all&utm_source=customer

 It would be appreciated if you can also share the gofundme page link to spread the word. Thank you.  #SupportChefJason #RebuildUrsulas

Episode 31 of "Sohrab's Movie Queue” is now available on YouTube and wherever you listen to podcasts! The following episode was recorded on August 14th, 2023. 

We have 2 major strikes that are ongoing within the American film industry: 1) We are on day 115 of the WGA strike that launched on May 2, 2023 and 2) we are on day 42 of the SAG-AFTRA strike that launched this month on July 14, 2023. 

Our friend of the podcast, Jonathan Olivo, returns to talk about:

1. The current state we are in with these 2 strikes, how there are arguments to both sides of these conflicts and predictions on when we think these strikes could end.

2. For the second half of the episode, we dive into a topic that I wanted to bring on this podcast for a while: true stories.  What makes a good true story movie? What are good practices and what are bad practices with making true story movies?  Finally we both share some true stories that we would like to see adapted for the big screen soon.

Share with us in the comments section the answer to the following question: what was the last true story movie you watched that you thought was done very well?

Enjoy the episode and thank you for listening.

Episode 30 - The US film strikes of 2023

Audio recorded on July 26, 2023

We have 2 major strikes that are ongoing within the American film industry: 1) the SAG-AFTRA strike that started on May 2, 2023 and 2) the WGA strike that launched this month on July 14, 2023. 

I go over how this podcast is going to proceed while the strikes are ongoing and I respond to a particular argument that has been voiced repeatedly since these strikes began.

Until the strikes end, I will not be posting any content (trailers, reviews, articles, etc.) that discuss/mention anything (includes past, current, and upcoming movies and shows) by the struck companies (members of the AMPTP). Members of the AMPTP include (but are not limited only to): Netflix, Amazon/MGM, Apple/Apple TV+, Warner Bros Discovery/HBO/MAX, Disney/Disney+/ABC/Hulu, Comcast/NBC/Universal/Peacock, Paramount/CBS/Paramount+, Sony, Lionsgate). My understanding is that movies and shows that are produced AND distributed by non-AMPTP members (such companies like A24, Bleecker Street, and NEON) are acceptable to discuss and post about. Content going forward will be about films and shows by these non-AMPTP members and will be about other topics that relate to the entertainment industry that are both outside of the AMPTP and observe the spirit of the strikes.

I appreciate your understanding and thank you for listening.

Notes from the episode: 

Note 1: By “pay” I mean updating residual payments for the world of streaming content now.

Note 2: it is actually $26,470 and not $30,000 that a SAG member must earn a year to qualify for health insurance from SAG.

Episode 29 - Review: Air (2022)

Ben Affleck is a truly gifted Director and he lets that talent shine again in the drama “Air”. Here Nike is in a very different position then how we know them today. Competition is crushing from all sides. Converse and Adidas are the Goliaths to Nike’s David. Alex Convery writes an amazing debut script (a black list script) and unofficially Affleck and Damon contributed to the script too making this their 3rd time writing together (“Good Will Hunting” from 1997 and “The Last Duel” from 2021 available to rent now and a must see too). It’s the first time also that Ben Affleck directs Matt Damon as Nike’s Sonny Vaccaro. This movie is also the first film produced by Affleck and Damon under their new “Artists Equity” production company. The movie is beautifully shot by Robert Richardson (Kill Bill movies) and I wish I could say well-scored too but therein lies one problem - what score? Overall this a truly fantastic movie where you feel what is at stake for these characters played by a wonderfully stacked cast: Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Viola Davis (for sure will be busy come awards season), Jason Bateman, Chris Tucker, Chris Messina, and Marlon Wayans. One of my only other gripes with this fantastic movie is that this crowd-pleaser of a film had such a short time theatrical run (April 5 to May 12) before launching on Prime Video. On a positive note though, now all Prime and or Prime Video subscribers will have this movie available to stream. Also pretty soon Amazon will enable non-subscribing customers to rent and or buy copies of movies (such as “Air”) made by them (via MGM) too through their newly launched business unit Amazon MGM Studios Distribution.  “Air” is a kind of movie that is hardly made any more. For that reason (and many more), this is one not to miss! 

“Air” is available to stream in the States on Prime Video.

Episode 28 - SPOILER review: Smile (2022)

*Please note today’s episode has some graphic horror movie descriptions*

I don’t know when was the last time that I had a horror movie stay with me like this one. “Smile” was released in September of 2022. What a clever take on a horror story. In this movie we have our main character, Rose (played fantastically by Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick’s daughter, Sosie Bacon) who after witnessing something terrible starts to believe that something is after her. It might seem like your typical horror movie (at times it might seem like oh yeah I have seen this before in other horror movies) but overall it is the execution of this movie and the utilization of trauma which makes it truly something unique. This is Director Parker Finn’s (Chapman University Class of 2011 Screenwriting MFA WOOHOO!) feature film debut. What a hell of a debut! $200+ million worldwide box office on a ~$17 million budget - the movie earns every penny of it. Awesome job, Parker! Also you need to check out the brilliant (and absolutely creepy) guerrilla marketing that was deployed for this movie during the 2022 World Series (just do a youtube search for  “Smile Movie (Guerrilla Marketing) TikTok Ad” - haha so freaky and yet genius to help this movie). This movie is truly a one of a kind horror story experience that you have to check out. 

“Smile” is available to stream in the States on Prime Video and Paramount Plus.

Episode 27 - Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023 film)

Audio recorded on April 14, 2023

I wasn’t sure if I was going to enjoy the film adaptation of “Dungeons & Dragons” (full movie title “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves). I went into the film knowing very little about the world of DnD other than it has been around for many years and has a very enthusiastic following. Then the reviews for this film came out after it’s premiere at the South by Southwest festival. The result is one of those great experiences where expectations are low and then the reviews come out saying it is one of the most entertaining films of the year. That piqued my curiosity and I went to check this one out in the theaters. You know you have a smashing hit when the die-hards, the uninitiated, and the critics all are shouting their praises for a movie. “Honor Among Thieves” is definitely one of these movies. It was a big sigh of relief for me because with few recent exceptions (“The Last of Us”, “The Witcher”, “Halo”, “Sonic the Hedgehog”, “Sonic the Hedgehog 2”, “Angry Birds 2) there have unfortunately been so many bad game adaptations (the cult-classically awful 1993 “Super Mario Bros.” with Bob Hoskins and John Leguizamo, the 2005 film “Doom” and every adaptation of “Resident Evil” to date). This film is just right at just over 2 hours in running time (2 hours and 15 minutes). Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez are fantastic in this movie. They bring a great balance of action and comedy to the film. Regé-Jean Page also has some pretty great scenes and laughs in the movie too. The team behind the camera includes writers and directors from movies like “Game Night” (funny movie if you haven’t checked it out - Jesse Plemons steals the show) and “Vacation” so you know you are in for a good time with this one. The movie also has an expected cameo in it. Questions I have from this movie: is a strong fan-base for a globally enjoyed game and A-list of talent in front and behind the camera enough to make this movie a hit? Also will Chris Pine be able to break free of his curse of movies that are made with Paramount Pictures (Paramount made this DnD movie) ? I love this studio and all the characters and stories that they have created but for some reason even though he has had success with work at other studios, Paramount and Chris Pine have never had a successful (box office success) film together. Paramount is a great studio and Pine is an entertaining actor. This curse that they have when working together needs to end.

Episode 26 - Review: Creed III (2023 film)

Are you ready for one of the best directorial debuts of 2023? That’s what you get with the Michael B. Jordan helmed movie “Creed III”. I went into this movie with doubts: I was not sure of Jordan as a Director. Sylvester Stallone was not involved with this movie at all due to falling out with Producer Irwin Winkler. I was not sure about Jonathan Majors after the disappointment of “Ant-Man: Quantumania”.  “The Book of Bobba Fett” composer (not a great soundtrack) Joseph Shirley was scoring this movie instead of Ludwig Goransson (Black Panther, Creed and Creed II, The Mandalorian, Tenet). I was wrong to worry about any of these parts. This movie fires on all cylinders. Jordan is back as Adonis Creed. It is a movie that is up there in quality with the first Creed (and the first Rocky movie too) in that it is not really a boxing movie. Don’t get me wrong the action (with some innovative anime-inspired moments) is phenomenal but the movie is a drama first. Jordan and the entire Creed III team really surprised me. My takeaway is for me to try better to remember that past work and performances are not an indication at all of what people can do in the future for better and for worse. Jonathan Majors, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, Wood Harris and Mila Davis-Kent are all so great and each have their moments to shine in this movie. Creed’s daughter, Amara is deaf and the way this movie develops her character is really well-executed, thoughtful and wonderfully inclusive. Also now that Amazon owns MGM it is exciting to see where this franchise will go as the Creed-verse continues to unfold.