Episode 37 - Spoiler Review: Poor Things (2023)

⚠️ Warning: As said in this episode, "It's not a family-friendly movie. It's not going to be a family-friendly podcast episode." Listener/Viewer Discretion Advised: This episode contains explicit discussions about adult themes and strong language as we delve into the movie 'Poor Things.'

Every year, I go into my Oscar predictions with shaky confidence at best. However, for the 96th Academy Awards for movies from 2023, there was one award for which I had absolute confidence: Best Actress. As soon as I finished watching "Poor Things," there was no doubt in my mind that Stone's performance would not be topped. Stone created a once-in-a-career experience with her portrayal of Bella Baxter in this movie.

On today's episode, I'm joined by my cousin Roya Tavakolian. We had a lot to talk about with this one-of-a-kind movie. From Emma Stone living out what can certainly be imagined as any actor's dream role, to Yorgos Lanthimos navigating us through his world that we see through the eyes of the main character, Bella Baxter. We laugh and joke about parts of this movie, like how Mark Ruffalo is great in his villain (kind of a villain? Not really a villain?) role, and how the movie brilliantly tackles so many themes and ideas in ways that are sometimes subtle and at other times very much in your face.

"Poor Things" is yet another reason why I need to remind myself not to start my "top 10 favorite movies of the year" list too early. It is a standout 2023 movie. It is streaming now on Hulu in the US and is also available for rent and purchase. I can't wait to see more from Lanthimos and Stone soon. Enjoy the movie!

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.

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.