The Final Act?

Spoiler notice! Consider our episodes a spoiler review with a comedic twist. This episode contains fictional violence, elements of gore and themes of a disturbing nature. Liam’s pick - The Boogeyman (2023) is a full fledged horror directed by Rob Savage based on a short story by Stephen King. Our stopping point is 1:09:19 when the TV gets smashed. The film follows Sadie (Sophie Thatcher) finding her way through grief and adapting to a new home dynamic after the recent passing of her mother. Her father, Will (Chris Messina), struggling to open up about the struggle he shares with her, is visited by a disturbed stranger - this kicks off a series of events that will make their trying times even more difficult and dark. The lads take very different roads to the end of this movie. Both encounter modern horror tropes and mechanics along the way. Long hallway beats Light globe. Light globe beats Boogeyman. Boogeyman beats Long hallway.

Spoiler notice! Consider our episodes a spoiler review with a comedic twist. This episode contains fictional violence and drug use and many, many f-words. John’s choice - Bones (2001) is a supernatural horror directed by Ernest Dickerson and starring Snoop Dogg. Jimmy Bones wants what is best for his community, and he’s willing to come back to life for it. 2001 has aged well in some ways, and not at all well in others. Crazy CGI has us double taking and going wild with our imaginations. More-so than many modern horror films, there is a very strong sense of “anything could happen” when watching the first parts of this one. Rated far too low during its time for how much fun we have with it! Our stopping point on this one is 58:48 after the line “Thanks Bro”.

Spoiler notice! Consider our episodes a spoiler review with a comedic twist. This episode contains fictional violence and drug use and many, many f-words. Shane's choice - Cocaine Bear (2023) directed by Elizabeth Banks and (loosely) based on whacky true events. This film is exactly what it says on the tin. With the stopping point (57.41) landing John and Liam in the middle of a stand-off between a cop, some emotional drug runners and quite possibly a large mammal with addiction issues, the boys have various paths to choose from to proceed... Expect a lot of fun with a touch of gore.

Spoiler notice! Consider our episodes a spoiler review with a comedic twist. It’s Aliens! We stopped at 1:06:22 when Brynn wakes up screaming… This film from Brian Duffield is ambitious from the outset when you pick up on its quirk - no one is speaking. The story follows Brynn, a young woman shunned by her small town community, but why? Visitors from other worlds take an interest in her and her country home becomes an arena of unsettling and uncertain encounters. The boys have a choice to make. Do we keep the silent trend going? Or do we throw the tone of the film away to find our way to the end? Very different approaches are taken this time and AI makes its Final Act debut… primarily to help “quote” one famous holy book…

Spoiler notice! Consider our episodes a spoiler review with a comedic twist. Trigger warning: Sensitive subjects raised. We stopped at 50:25 after the line "Sure you should take it off?" John's choice this time! Sick Of Myself is a Norwegian dramedy-thriller from Kristoffer Borgli. Meet Signe, a young woman who, like many of us, wants to make her mark. Be noticed for something! Her partner in crime, artist/designer Thomas, is up and coming in his scene. Attention is very unbalanced when they meet and greet those nearest to them.. Is it all in her head?... Is she out of her mind? For once, the boys have an ending to contend with when it comes to the unexpected and drastic measures a writer might go to for shock and awe.

Spoiler notice! We summarise the entire plot of each film we choose. We stopped at 1:03:30 after the line "What time do you finish?" Up until this point, we always recorded apart. Recording in person for the first time brings a giddy energy out of us in this one. We chose this movie together browsing Netflix, and overall we are glad we did. I Came By is full of suspense and difficulty. That is, until we get involved... Toby, played by George McKay (known for 1917) plays a robin hoodlum type who is passionate about making sure the "man" does not feel 100% safe and secure on his high tower. His mother Liz, played by Kelly MacDonald (known for Trainspotting and Black Mirror), is at odds trying to get Toby to see a better way of living. Their lives are interrupted when an opportunity leads to terror. Have a movie to suggest for us? Let us know at thefinalactpod@gmail.com.

John, Liam and Shane here, just checking in! Reflections... Acknowledgements... and what is next? We hatched some plans and picked some more movies to wreck. We found out how to use e-mails and will read yours, today! Reach us at thefinalactpod@gmail.com Your watch list for the next few months: I Came By (2022, Netflix) We stopped at 1:03:30 "What time do you finish?".. Sick Of Myself (2022) We stopped at 50:30 "Sure you should take it off?".. No One Will Save You (2023) We stopped at 1:06:22 when Brynn wakes up screaming.. Cocaine Bear (2023) We stopped at 57:41 "ehhhhh" .. (the cop can't get off the roof) Bones (2001) We stopped at 58:48 "Thanks bro".. The Boogeyman (2023) We stopped at 1:09:19 when the TV gets smashed.. Leave The World Behind (2023, Netflix) We stopped at 1:16:20 at the Part IV title screen.. Happy New Year!! Spread the good word, and get in touch!

Spoiler warning - we summarise the entire plot of each film we choose. Trigger warning - Contains themes of emotional anguish and references of suicide for fictional story telling purposes. Episode 10! The Finale? To close out “Season 1” of our show, we have a special episode where we break our formula. No Time To Die is Daniel Craig’s farewell film as the famous international super spy, James Bond. Originally planned for release pre-pandemic, this movie was extra long awaited by 2 out of 3 of us movie nerds. You will be treated to trivia and immersed in indulgence. The Bond movies are rooted in tradition for each of us in different ways. John & Liam raced to see this film and absorb every detail, while Shane draws the short straw and leaves the theatre. Now it’s TIME to witness some high energy, fast paced improv while he weaves the closing chapters. Our stopping point is … a little more vague than usual as we do this for the first time with a theatre release! It’s when you see a helicopter over the trees in pursuit of the man himself.

Spoiler warning - we summarise the entire plot of each film we choose. “He’s Tom Holland, and he’s here to act”. (Shout out to @the Reel Rejects on that one, I think their John said it one time). The Movie is Cherry (2021), starring Tom Holland and directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. This one is Shane’s choice. Can you see the pattern in all his film selections so far? Comment if you see it. We’ll never tell. This film addresses the experiences of a troubled youth come military veteran in 2000’s USA. It tells a gripping story of passion, addiction and survival across unique chapters. The lads bring back some heist antics and suggest some fun music for you to set during their written endings. Join us for one of the exciting and fun episodes we have had the pleasure of recording! Our stopping point is at 01:29:39 after the line “I have a plan”. #tomholland #3boys1podcast #irishcomedy #cherrymovie2021 #russobrothers #applemovies #longepisode #moviepodcast #red #thefinalact #love

Spoiler warning - we summarise the entire plot of each film we choose. Been a while. Hope Halloween was a hoot. Now that its November, its time for Christmas here on the Final Act? Not really, its just the way the episodes have lined up. Let It Snow is an ensemble coming of age comedy drama set during the most wonderful time of the year! Just like Love Actually! The young stars you may recognise include Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Jacob Batalon (Ned from Spider-Man) and Liv Hewson (Yellowjackets). All kinds of teenage big life issues in this often heartfelt story remind us how we each escaped our adolescence unscathed and never needed to learn any lessons or social skills. Our stopping point is at 01:00:20 after the line "I should go get that".

Spoiler warning - we summarise the entire plot of each film we choose. Our stopping point is at 01:07:55 as we see a group of people doing a weird dance. Back to John! “In Fabric” is an art-house horror-comedy film written and directed by Peter Strickland. This is not your average movie about a haunted dress. Seriously, it's a very weird movie about a dress... We step into our discomfort zone and try to write something adequately creepy. Killer outfit. Eerie prediction. Brainwashingmachine. Try it on.

Spoiler warning - we summarise the entire plot of each film we choose. Our stopping point is at 00:52:02 right after the line "You guys?" Shane's choice again - switching the channel over to Amazon Prime. "The Rental" is directed by Dave Franco (yes, that Dave Franco) and stars Dan Stevens (Beaty and the Beast), Alison Brie (Community) and everyone's new favourite rough-around-the-edges chef, Jeremy Allen White (The Bear, which was unreleased at the time of recording). The Final Act's first proper look into the Horror genre. We have a lot of fun with it! Will it go full slasher? Or will it be a subtle mind-bender? Tensions run high and Alison Brie gets high. Hot tubs return to the show. John and Liam talk about Dan Stevens a lot. Wicked stuff. Press play.

Spoiler warning - we summarise the entire plot of each film we choose. Our stopping point is at 01:04:04 right after the line "Oh no!" Back to Liam who chose Netflix animated movie Over The Moon. The movie explores Chinese mythology and some heavy themes. Death, Grief, Moving on, Moon-Cakes. We meet Fei-Fei on her journey to the moon to prove to everyone that all the stories her late mother told her are true. The boys take some digs at a story that is geared toward a younger audience and somehow keep it family friendly PG! Mostly.

Spoiler warning - we summarise the entire plot of each film we choose. Written and Directed by that Spielberg fella. This one is John's choice. Why? Well, he'll tell ya after he hears what the boys come up with. The trio all take something different from this sci-fi classic, and there's lots to see and feel. Wonder. Fear. Mystery. Impatience. Violence? Liam has you covered there, hoo boy. Shane has some Nolan notions of how it could play out. If, like us, this was always on your list that you never get around to, this will be fun to join us for. The stopping point before Shane / Liam's endings begin is at 1:15:08 right after the line "...morning." ...that's if you watch the Special Edition. There's a million versions of the movie. Roy (Richard Dreyfuss) is wearing a dressing gown (outisde his house, the nutter) when he says it though so you can watch for that.

Spoiler warning - we dive into the plot of the film. Gore warning - we use some wild imagination. Shane's choice this time. This movie ties up character arcs that began in both Split (2016) and Unbreakable (2000). So go watch them all. Then come back and listen to this episode that we honestly did try to shorten as much as possible. Samual L. Jackson, James McAvoy and Bruce Willis all return for this (somewhat) climactic battle of wits, twists and brute force. The stopping point of this film is at 1:21:50, just after the line "...if you don't get through that door".

Liam's pick, Jumanji 3.. or 2, depends where you are counting from. The second outing for Karen Gillan, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black. Familiar peril and sugary mystery. Colorful action. Heists, maybe. Most importantly, The Rock is doing a Danny DeVito impression for most of this. If you want to watch to the point we stop before writing, it is 1:18:18 after the line "Yo, you guys gotta see this!"

Our stopping point is at 1:16:40 after the line "...get access to your account". Kajillionaire (2020) is a stylish comedy-drama written and directed by Miranda July. This was John's choice - he's disgusted you haven't watched it yet. It stars Evan Rachel Wood as the quick thinking, socially challenged daughter to con-artist parents played by Richard Jenkins and Debra Winger. The trio's awkward normal is interrupted when they meet their enthusiastic 4th wheel, played by Gina Rodriguez. Let's find out what could happen!