That Final Scene – Details, episodes & analysis

In our final episode of 2024, we do what any self-respecting film nerds would do during the holidays - torture each other with impossibly specific movie trivia. But first, some cinematic therapy:

We kick things off diving into CONCLAVE (or as I like to call it, "Ralph Fiennes Does His Best Pope Impression While Looking Incredibly Concerned"). This leads us down a rabbit hole about actors who deserve Oscars but keep getting snubbed. Speaking of snubs, we tackle the Harry Potter reboot news - I have THOUGHTS about recasting, and they mostly involve protecting the sacred memory of Robbie Coltrane. But that’s for another episode.

The middle chunk gets spicy with chat about Black Doves (Netlix’s new smash hit), the new Bob Dylan film that feels like it exists in a parallel universe (it’s really good), and why Tom Cruise continues to defy both gravity and aging. There's a brief detour into Netflix territory, which somehow evolves into an impassioned debate about MUBI's latest programming choices. If anyone wants to get Simon a pressie, let it be an annual MUBI subscription.

Then comes the quiz portion - the main event, if you will. I channel my inner film school professor and subject Simon to a Mrs. Doubtfire interrogation that would make Robin Williams wince. I absolutely demolish the Fight Club round - turns out watching it approximately 27 times pays off. Ben tests Simon's James Bond knowledge, which leads us down various 007 rabbit holes. Which I didn’t understand one bit.

We close out with anticipation for the new Nosferatu coming in 2024. Because nothing says "Happy New Year" like a German expressionist vampire, right?

Timestamps

00:00 Opening Remarks and Final Episode Introduction

00:15 Reflecting on the Podcast Journey

00:51 Special Ideas for Next Year

00:56 Discussing Conclave and Ralph Fiennes

01:45 Actors Who Deserve an Oscar

02:51 Harry Potter Series Reboot

05:15 Robbie Coltrane's Iconic Roles

06:52 Black Doves and Other TV Shows

10:30 Bob Dylan Movie Review

14:49 Tom Cruise and Action Stars

18:02 Netflix's Latest Offerings

24:37 Discussing 'Queer' and Mubi's Cinema Release

25:17 Reviewing 'Craven' and Aaron Taylor Johnson's Performance

27:06 Christmas Quiz: Mrs. Doubtfire Edition

31:16 Christmas Quiz: Fight Club Edition

32:50 Christmas Quiz: James Bond Edition

35:25 Bond Franchise Deep Dive

40:48 Upcoming Movies and Final Thoughts

Loved what you heard? Let's keep the conversation going - download the Substack app to join our chat around the episode:

https://substack.com/chat/3141096

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And hey, if you're feeling generous, take 30 seconds to rate and review us wherever you're listening - it helps other film obsessives find us. See you in a couple of weeks for another ending that will either vindicate or devastate us.

There's a moment in There Will Be Blood where Daniel Plainview stares at a burning oil derrick with maniacal glee while others panic around him. That scene captures everything fascinating about PTA's examination of capitalism, greed, and American ambition - and it's just one of many moments we unpack in this week's episode - including of course…its final scene.

Before diving into our main discussion, Ben and I get into it over Gladiator 2 (which I maintain is a perfectly entertaining time if you accept it for the ridiculous spectacle it is), and Simon takes us through Michael Bay's 13 Hours, leading to an unexpected conversation about method acting and on-set dynamics.

But the heart of this episode is our analysis of the iconic There Will Be Blood - from Paul Dano's remarkable dual performance (pulled off with just 4 days of prep) to the film's masterful exploration of how capitalism and religion feed off each other. We dig into the historical context, decode that famous milkshake monologue, and debate whether Daniel Plainview was always a monster or if success corrupted him.

Next episode: We're closing out the year with our Christmas special, featuring what will surely be a deeply competitive movie trivia showdown.

Timestamps for the chronologically-gifted:

00:00 Opening Remarks and Initial Banter

00:21 Behind the Scenes of Podcasting

00:50 Correction on Russell Crowe's Oscar Wins

02:04 Discussion on Gladiator 2

10:48 Review of The Foreigner

12:05 Michael Bay's 13 Hours

19:25 Mean Girls and Lindsay Lohan's Career

20:45 Upcoming Movies and Recommendations

24:45 Revisiting There Will Be Blood

27:05 Daniel's Descent into Capitalism

27:24 Manipulating Relationships

27:59 Curiosity and Camera Work

28:51 Moral Ambiguity and Greed

29:12 Sympathy for the Son

30:00 The Harsh Realities of Business

31:10 Religion vs. Capitalism

32:13 The Final Confrontation

33:33 The Aftermath and Reflections

42:57 The Iconic Milkshake Metaphor

51:21 Paul Dano's Performance

57:50 Upcoming Episodes and Farewell

Loved what you heard? Let's keep the conversation going - download the Substack app to join our chat around the episode:

https://substack.com/chat/3141096

Be part of our chronically online film community by following me on:

* Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatfinalscene

* TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@thatfinalscene

* Substack (for deeper takes): at https://thatfinalscene.com

And hey, if you're feeling generous, take 30 seconds to rate and review us wherever you're listening - it helps other film obsessives find us. See you in a couple of weeks for another ending that will either vindicate or devastate us.

We're back with our bi-weekly movie and TV show chat (sorry for the delay, I was off to Iceland for a few days 🇮🇸). We discuss films such as 'Dune' (um yup, Ben only just saw it), 'I The Iron Claw', the TV show 'Time' and yet again...'Poor Things'. We also got to chat your responses around which actors and actresses could use new agents (we're looking at you Tom Holland). Dive right in:

Sophie praises the performances in 'Ironclaw', while Ben critiques Tom Holland's career choices. They also touch on movies like 'Patriot Games', 'The Fugitive' and 'Saltburn'. They receive a voice note from a listener, Andres, who presents a critique on the adaptation of 'Poor Things'. The main discussion revolving around actors and actresses who possibly need new agents, with names such as Zac Efron, Tom Holland and others discussed. John Hamm, Eddie Murphy and others also come up in the conversation.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

01:26 Movie Guessing Game (thanks to Simon)

02:29 Deep Dive into 'The Fugitive'

08:30 Discussion on 'Saltburn' (yet again - hear how me and Simon saw the film differently)

20:40 Review of the BBC TV show 'Time' and 'Dune'

23:49 The Iron Claw review

26:23 Listener's Voice Note Discussion (thank you Andres for your thoughtful question on Poor Things)

26:53 Debate on Film Adaptations

31:00 Actors Who Need New Agents

34:13 The Impact of Superhero Movies on Actors' Careers

52:18 Closing Remarks and Future Episode Teaser

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This year's Everything Everywhere All At Once is here and it's no other than Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things (my boy!). In this episode, we break down its final scene but we also finally launch A FEW GOOD FILMS with our very first debate up for a listen. Can't wait for you to chime in & vote.

So let's go:

• Our dreamy celebrity encounters
• A friendly debate on approaching celebrities and personal experiences with meeting them
• Introduction to 'A few good films' aka 'Desert Island' segment
• The actual DEBATE between me and Simon
• Discussion on 'Poor Things' , the film's pacing and structure
• Dissecting the film's final Scene and why it's Lanthimos' most optimistic one yet
• Reflecting on the film's impact and the director's style

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**Note: We recorded this before the Oscar noms came out**

It's too late to say happy new year so....happy January 🥹

We kickoff our first episode of the year with a banging movie chat including 'Ferrari', 'May December', and...'Dune'. However, y'all will appreciate how an old Eric Bana film triggers a tangent around shocking film scenes. YOU NEED TO CHIME IN.

Dive in to listen:

• Catch-up and New Year Blues
• Holiday Recap and Movie Reviews
• Deep Dive into 'Rebel Moon' (ouch)
• More Movie Reviews and Discussions
• Review of 'Society of the Snow', 'Dune' (because Simon only just saw it now?!). 'Ferrari' and 'May December'
• A notable debate on trustworthy actors
• An unexpected double click in the career of Eric Bana

Loved what you heard?

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Hello hello. In our final episode for the year, we're diving into the absolute, total, one and only banger: PARASITE. We could number a thousand reasons why but the one that matters: It's in Sophie's Desert Island list.

Jump right in to get all the things:

• Reactions to the Golden Globes nominations; Do we even care anymore?
• Quick roundup on what we've been watching; somewhat sappy, somewhat surprising, somewhat really fun
• A deep dive into the iconic ending of Parasite (Bong Joon-ho can do no wrong)
• Stick to the end to find out which film is Sophie kicking out of the Desert Island list 😱

Loved what you heard?

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Hello hello. You told us you want more reviews and hot takes so we're delivering these to you bi-weekly. This is a spicy ep so grab the 🌶️

Dive in to hear:

• Sophie watched Saltburn and she has THOUGHTS
• We also caught up with the latest The Crown season: Did we agree with *that* Guardian review?
• Ben has gone down his favourite rabbit hole: James Bond 🙃
• While Simon has graced us with some heavy-hitter documentaries including Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland
• Your perspectives on remakes, prequels, sequels: When do they make sense?

Loved what you heard?

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Hello, my fellow kids. Our first Tarantino film ending is here & it's none other than Reservoir Dogs'. One of the most perplexed endings from the auteur himself so we thought it needed some attention and re-examination. Curious to hear your thoughts: Whatever happened to mr. Pink? 🤔

That's not all though. In this episode, we're also introducing a new game: Our Desert Island films aka 3 films each one of us would take to a desert island with them. We need you to listen in because you'll have to help us vote which ones should stay in the list and which ones should go. It's about to get all Hunger Games-y in here 😨

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WE ARE BACK. After a much needed extended break, the gang is back with new goodies - and a rejigged format. Dive into the episode to get all the details (and let us know what you think of this new direction!)

Meanwhile, you'll also hear:

- What Sophie, Ben and Simon have been watching over the past couple of months (we've got LOTS to cover)

- Sophie's reaction to Killers of the Flower Moon, alongside other London Film Festival premieres

- Our takes (and your thoughts) on the best Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro performances in a Martin Scorsese film

Loved what you heard?

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We attempted to do a summer episode but the UK weather didn't agree - apologies in advance for the weather chit chat.

That said, we still did our best with:

• An emotional review of the summer blockbuster of the year, Barbie, from the one and only blockbuster aficionado...Ben
• Simon is obsessed with Risky Business' soundtracks (lol more Tom Cruise talk)
• Sophie has new documentary and TV show recommendations for you
• Films that you watched as a kid that traumatised you (we have thoughts, LOTR..why???)
• A breakdown of the surprisingly ambiguous final scene of Point Break

Loved what you heard? 

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