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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Episode 47 - Classic Recommendation: Swingers (1996)

Can we tell you something? “You are so money and you don’t even know it!”

Let us take you back to 1996, when Jon Favreau (Chef, The Mandalorian, Iron Man), Vince Vaughn (Wedding Crashers, The Lost World), and Doug Liman (Edge of Tomorrow, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Bourne Identity) arrived on the film scene with this gem of a movie.

This one has something for everyone to love — from Vince Vaughn’s magnetic energy to Jon Favreau’s pitch-perfect comedy as he navigates the real sadness of getting over a breakup. We meet a group of friends (who could easily be you and your own buddies) just trying to make it in Los Angeles. This classic flick delivers the perfect mix of laughs and sincerity — and it's way ahead of its time in how self-aware it is.

Swingers helped catapult its creators into the spotlight and brought new attention to indie filmmaking. Favreau wrote the sharp and heartfelt script (his screenwriting debut!). There’s even a moment when the filmmakers ask Steven Spielberg for permission to use the Jaws theme — not only did he say yes, he loved the movie so much he cast Vaughn in The Lost World.

With a runtime of just over 90 minutes, this movie keeps a smile on your face the whole way through. It’s also technically impressive — shot in just 18 days! Look out for excellent supporting turns from rising stars Heather Graham and Ron Livingston (who delivers several truly memorable and relatable scenes). Swingers was both a critical and commercial success, pulling in $4.6 million at the global box office on a $250,000 budget. It’s a reminder of a time when indie films had a strong allure. We debate whether that time has passed for good, or if word-of-mouth can still help indie films and fresh talent break through.

There’s no doubt you’ll be laughing, reminiscing about time with your own friends, and just enjoying the ride of this goofy, heartfelt indie. Swingers is currently streaming on Paramount+ and Hoopla, and is also available to rent or buy on all major platforms.

Enjoy the movie, hit up the comments with your thoughts, and as always, thanks for listening!

Episode 46 - SPOILER Review: Companion (2025)

IMPORTANT NOTE: This is a spoiler review of Companion (2025), a thriller (or is it? Still not sure on the genre…) that is as twisted as it is unique. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, bookmark this episode and come back later. This is one of those films best experienced knowing absolutely nothing. No trailers. No previews. Just trust me. Listener and viewer discretion is advised.

I’m really happy to be joined on this episode by my friend and uber movie fan, Marc Cavligli. Marc is that dude I know I can always talk movie shop with. We don’t always agree on movies (actually, we usually don’t—lol), but that’s what makes our discussions so great... As an artist and creative, Marc brings a unique perspective to the conversation, always spotting things that go overlooked. Our back-and-forth leads to fresh insights, unexpected takes, and a deep dive into what makes a movie work—or not. This episode is no exception.

Director Drew Hancock’s debut film, Companion, is the kind of movie you just don’t see coming. It’s twisted, gripping, and guaranteed to have you talking long after the credits roll. Even after watching, I’m still struggling with how to describe or tease this movie without spoiling it. That’s how original it is.

Adding to the film's appeal, Zach Cregger, director of the 2022 hit Barbarian, serves as a producer on this film. His involvement is no surprise—I've been told that Companion shares that same bold, unpredictable energy that made Barbarian such a standout. (Confession: I haven’t seen Barbarian yet myself, but I’ll be fixing that immediately.)

Our lead actors, Sophie Thatcher (Heretic) and Jack Quaid (The Boys), are superb. They bring to life a script that is sharp, efficient, and extremely inventive. They do a phenomenal job making this strange, unsettling world feel real.

This movie is very unsettling and uncomfortable at times, but always in service of the story. It lingers in your mind, making you question a lot (in a good way) after you see it. And its release timing? Absolutely perfect—for reasons we’ll have to discuss after you've watched. (Let’s talk afterward to get into specifics!)

On the technical side, the filmmaking choices are impressive. It’s a tight, contained movie that grabs your attention and never lets go. With a 90-minute runtime, a limited number of locations, and a small cast, it still manages to feel expansive and gripping. And for those who say original movies aren’t being made anymore—think again. This film begs to differ.

So far, Companion has earned over $34 million at the box office on a $10 million budget. That’s a huge win for original storytelling.

"Companion" is currently playing in theaters and is also available to rent and buy on all platforms.

Enjoy the movie. Hit up the comments section with your thoughts on film and as always thank you for listening.

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!