That Final Scene

• The Academy vs the People: 2025 Oscar predictions and your personal favorites (with Gabriel Frieberg)

  I've never been so unprepared for an Oscar season. This year's race feels like someone threw all the conventional wisdom into a blender, hit puree, and walked away laughing.So in this episode, we are joined by The Schmear Hunter’s Gabriel Frieberg – whose Berlinale stories alone are worth the price of admission – to walk us through his film and TV journey, and quickly descend into our annual tradition of pretending we have any idea what'll happen on Hollywood's favorite night of self-congratulation: The Academy Awards.Gabriel turned out to be the perfect antidote to my cynicism, bringing actual insights from the festival circuit while Ben chugged tea and ranted about why "Furiosa" deserved more recognition. We dove into the genuine surprise of Ariana Grande's performance in "Wicked" (who knew?) and debated whether Demi Moore will finally get her flowers in the Best Actress category.The real fun came when we compared our predictions against what YOU, the TFS community, voted for in our Substack ballot. Your "will win" picks are surprisingly industry-savvy, but your "want to win" choices? Pure chaos in the best possible way.Sean Baker vs. Brady Corbet for Best Director created our most heated exchange (sorry for the sound spike), and none of us could agree whether "Conclave" deserves its Best Picture nomination. But there's unanimous support for "Anora" in both our panel and community picks—which probably means something else will win because the Oscars love nothing more than making us all look foolish.Make sure you listen on our take on the Bond franchise's uncertain future and stay for Gabriel’s passionate defense of the films that got completely overlooked this awards season. As always, I promise to eat my words publicly when my predictions turn out wrong.Catch up on Gabriel’s work at:schmearhunter.comAlso subscribe to his podcast, The SchmearCast, on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts 🎧And follow him on Instagram, TikTok & Letterboxd.instagram.com/schmearhunter_tiktok.com/@schmearhunterletterboxd.com/SchmearHunterLoved what you heard? Let's keep the conversation going at the That Final Scene chat on Substack:https://substack.com/chat/3141096Follow That Final Scene at:Substack: thatfinalscene.comInstagram: @thatfinalsceneTikTok: @thatfinalsceneYouTube: @ThatFinalSceneTimestamps00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest00:51 Gabriel's Journey in Film and TV03:24 The Importance of Unique Voices in Film Critique05:49 Experiences at the Berlinale Film Festival07:58 Discussion on 'Mickey 17' and Director Bong Joon-ho09:39 The Future of Big Budget Films and Auteur Directors11:48 Concerns Over the Bond Franchise and Amazon's Influence20:02 Oscar Predictions and the Best Actor Category29:17 The Rise of Timothée Chalamet30:39 Best Actress Predictions32:36 Best Supporting Actor Insights35:08 Best Supporting Actress Discussion40:00 Best Adapted Screenplay Contenders44:35 Best Director Showdown55:04 Fan Favorites and Cult Classics56:56 Cinematography Predictions01:00:07 Film Editing Insights01:03:21 Best Picture Predictions01:10:30 Oscar Snubs and Underrated Films Get full access to That Final Scene at www.thatfinalscene.com/subscribe

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  1:23:16
• The Da Vinci Code Is Stilll Camp & Nosferatu Ending Explained

  Well, it seems like it's time to sink our teeth into another THAT FINAL SCENE episode (sorry, couldn't resist). If you're also grappling with Robert Eggers' latest “Nosferatu” and Ellen's choice to face death in that haunting final scene, you might want to tune in.We go deep into the shadows of this one – from death-and-maiden motifs to why some of us felt oddly disconnected despite the film's technical mastery. Plus, we somehow end up on a tangent about watching THE DA VINCI CODE over the holidays (questionable choices were made) and why old Bond films hit different now.Fair warning: we get into a heated debate about whether this version of NOSFERATU actually makes us feel anything beyond aesthetic appreciation. And yes, we absolutely dissect that ending – you know I got you covered y’all.Come for the vampire discourse, stay for our chaotic holiday viewing confessions and some spicy award season predictions that will probably age terribly.The episode is available wherever you get your podcasts.And while you're there, maybe leave us a review? Unless you're Count Orlok himself – in which case, we respectfully decline your feedback.P.S. Between you and me, there's a moment where we completely derail into UK Traitors Season 3 territory and I regret nothing. Enjoy!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/3141096Be part of my 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.comTimestamps00:00 Intriguing Opening Scene00:13 New Year Greetings and Cultural Differences01:27 Podcast Behind the Scenes02:41 Movie Recommendations and Reviews10:43 Reality TV Highlights14:08 Discussing the Greatest Film Ever Made22:37 The Pact and Opening Sequence23:21 Psychosexual Dynamics and Imaginary Friends23:28 Critique on Film Length and Pacing23:41 Character Analysis: Nosferatu and Orlok26:03 Robert Eggers' Cinematic Style29:12 Character Performances and Emotional Connection31:52 Themes of Sacrifice and Grotesque Imagery41:26 Final Thoughts and Audience Reactions45:20 Upcoming Episodes and Farewell Get full access to That Final Scene at www.thatfinalscene.com/subscribe

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  46:24
• A Complete Unknown, Conclave, Black Doves reactions & our annual festive movie quiz

  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?Timestamps00:00 Opening Remarks and Final Episode Introduction00:15 Reflecting on the Podcast Journey00:51 Special Ideas for Next Year00:56 Discussing Conclave and Ralph Fiennes01:45 Actors Who Deserve an Oscar02:51 Harry Potter Series Reboot05:15 Robbie Coltrane's Iconic Roles06:52 Black Doves and Other TV Shows10:30 Bob Dylan Movie Review14:49 Tom Cruise and Action Stars18:02 Netflix's Latest Offerings24:37 Discussing 'Queer' and Mubi's Cinema Release25:17 Reviewing 'Craven' and Aaron Taylor Johnson's Performance27:06 Christmas Quiz: Mrs. Doubtfire Edition31:16 Christmas Quiz: Fight Club Edition32:50 Christmas Quiz: James Bond Edition35:25 Bond Franchise Deep Dive40:48 Upcoming Movies and Final ThoughtsLoved what you heard? Let's keep the conversation going - download the Substack app to join our chat around the episode:https://substack.com/chat/3141096Be 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.comAnd 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. Get full access to That Final Scene at www.thatfinalscene.com/subscribe

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  44:07
• There Will Be Blood Ending Explained & Other Milkshakes

  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 Banter00:21 Behind the Scenes of Podcasting00:50 Correction on Russell Crowe's Oscar Wins02:04 Discussion on Gladiator 210:48 Review of The Foreigner12:05 Michael Bay's 13 Hours19:25 Mean Girls and Lindsay Lohan's Career20:45 Upcoming Movies and Recommendations24:45 Revisiting There Will Be Blood27:05 Daniel's Descent into Capitalism27:24 Manipulating Relationships27:59 Curiosity and Camera Work28:51 Moral Ambiguity and Greed29:12 Sympathy for the Son30:00 The Harsh Realities of Business31:10 Religion vs. Capitalism32:13 The Final Confrontation33:33 The Aftermath and Reflections42:57 The Iconic Milkshake Metaphor51:21 Paul Dano's Performance57:50 Upcoming Episodes and FarewellLoved what you heard? Let's keep the conversation going - download the Substack app to join our chat around the episode:https://substack.com/chat/3141096Be 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.comAnd 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. Get full access to That Final Scene at www.thatfinalscene.com/subscribe Get full access to That Final Scene at www.thatfinalscene.com/subscribe

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  1:00:00
• What makes a great music biopic? (and why you hate them)

  Listen, I knew this episode would derail the moment we started talking about The Foreigner (a hidden gem that deserves your time, even if just to watch Jackie Chan break your heart in the most unexpected way). The movie has Pierce Brosnan doing... things with an Irish accent, and that's all I'll say about that. Simon finally caught up with not one, but three gems - the 'Spider-Verse' animation films and Of An Age, which he claims is the best Australian romance film that nobody watched (okay Simon, I see you with the taste).After you all lovingly bombarded my Instagram Q&A Stories with your (music) biopic takes, we had to dive into this whole... situation. Because apparently, we haven't seen enough after Bohemian Rhapsody. If you're wondering – yes, we're all terrified about the upcoming Bob Dylan and Springsteen projects. But also…intrigued.Ben went on his monthly 'Scrubs' evangelism tour (but he's not wrong – the way that show balanced comedy and gut-punch moments? Unmatched). I just sat there and nodded because what else can you do when someone's spitting facts?Timestamps for the chronologically-gifted:00:00 The one where we catch up00:31 Jackie Chan makes us emotional02:00 Brosnan's interesting accent choices07:06 Simon discovers animation can be art (duh)11:49 Simon's 'Of An Age' appreciation corner14:38 That time we all rewatched Skyfall20:51 Netflix's 'The Perfect Couple' exists26:52 Ben's weekly 'Scrubs' supremacy segment28:35 A brief Veep tangent because why not29:07 TV networks vs. good comedy: a saga34:11 Your music biopic hot takes (we're concerned)39:01 Future biopics we're preemptively judging48:50 What to watch when we're goneNext episode: There Will Be Milkshakes (iykyk) 🥤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/3141096Be 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.comAnd 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. Get full access to That Final Scene at www.thatfinalscene.com/subscribe Get full access to That Final Scene at www.thatfinalscene.com/subscribe

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  51:11

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