The Third Act Podcast

On the two hundred and seventy-ninth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are trying to listen more and talk less. Christian and Jericho wade into the discourse with reviews of Luca Guadagnino's polarizing cancel culture satire(?) AFTER THE HUNT, writer-director-star Eva Victor's comic drama debut, SORRY, BABY, and Sarah Polley's 2023 parable of shame and abuse, WOMEN TALKING. They also disc...

On the two hundred and seventy-eighth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are experiencing strange tingling sensations. Christian, Jericho, and returning guest Mayra Russo get together for a spooky season-themed episode titled "Horror Hive 2025" where they dissect three horror-adjacent films, William Castle's 1959 camp classic THE TINGLER, German artist/filmmaker Muscha's lo-fi punk curio D...

On the two hundred and seventy-seventh episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are joining the resistance. Christian, Jericho, and Armando reconvene for a very special episode titled "PTA Meeting II: One Bake Sale After Another" where they review Paul Thomas Anderson's sprawling comic action epic, ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER (which they saw together in Oakland, Ca!). But first, THE NAKED GUN (2025...

On the two hundred and seventy-sixth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are obsessed with high heels and phallic razors. Christian and Jericho continue their Auteurography series on the films of Brian De Palma with reviews of the lo-fi farce HOME MOVIES and sleazy grindhouse thriller DRESSED TO KILL (both from 1980). But first, Darren Aronofsky's CAUGHT STEALING and repertory screenings of...

On the two hundred and seventy-fifth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew have a competition in them and want no one else to succeed. Christian, Jericho, and Armando look forward to the upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson film ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER by glancing back with reviews of BOOGIE NIGHTS (1997), THERE WILL BE BLOOD (2007), and INHERENT VICE (2014) for a theme titled "PTA Meeting." They a...

On the two hundred and seventy-fourth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are wondering who will be the highest or lowest on the Spike-0-Meter. Christian, Jericho, and Armando get in front of the mics to rap about the latest Spike Lee joint HIGHEST 2 LOWEST, a "reimagining" of Akira Kurosawa's 1963 neo-noir classic HIGH AND LOW. But first, they discuss MISSION IMPOSSIBLE: THE FINAL RECKONIN...

On the two hundred and seventy-third episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are embracing their horror era. Christian and Jericho jump in front of the mics for an episode theme titled "Weapons of Mass Witchcraft", where they review the newly released horror sensation WEAPONS and the 1982 cult curio HALLOWEEN III: SEASON OF THE WITCH. First, however, they tackle the 2025 James Gunn SUPERMAN, 20...

On the two hundred and seventy-second episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are Coen' the distance. Christian, Jericho, and returning guest Mayra Russo do a deep dive into the CBCU (Coen Bros Cinematic Universe) with reviews of their neo-noir debut, BLOOD SIMPLE (1984), zany screwball farce/financial flop THE HUDSUCKER PROXY (1994), and downbeat noir character study, THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE...

On the two hundred and seventy-first episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are embracing their inner arthouse goon. Christian and Jericho limp away from the mainstream into fringe territory with reviews of Andrzej Żuławski's 1972 horror parable, THE DEVIL, and Mark Rappaport's 1977 minimalist melodrama, LOCAL COLOR, for a series entitled "Arthouse Goonies Vol. 1". They also chat about Alain G...

On the two hundred and seventieth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are freeing their hearts. Christian and Jericho go back to the early days of the COVID 19 pandemic with a theme titled "2020 Visions" to review Ari Aster's divisive black comedy, EDDINGTON, and Lou Ye's more empathetic but still intense doc hybrid AN UNFINISHED FILM. First, however,  French New Wave films LOVE AT SEA (196...

On the latest bonus episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are communicating via telekinesis. Christian and Jericho continue their Auteurography series on the films of Brian De Palma with reviews of 1976's iconic horror hit CARRIE and 1978's comic psychic teen drama/espionage thriller, THE FURY. They also discuss Southwest Airlines screening slop, the audacious CARRIE opening sequence, patriar...

On the two hundred and sixty-ninth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are isolating from the infected. Christian and Jericho hunker down on their quarantined island for a SPOILER-filled review of Danny Boyle and Alex Garland's return to their celebrated franchise, 28 YEARS LATER. For the paring film, the 1971 cerebral outbreak classic THE ANDROMEDA STRAIN is up for discussion. They also ch...

On the two hundred and sixty-eighth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are grabbing slices of stuffed crust pizza. Christian, Jericho, and Armando continue their long-gestating journey through the Karate Kid franchise with a review of the latest llegacy-quel, KARATE KID: LEGENDS, which they pair with the 1983 Jackie Chan action comedy, PROJECT A. First, however, they chat PEE-WEE AS HIMSEL...

On the latest pulse-pounding bonus episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are sleeping better knowing that Ethan Hunt is out there. Christian joins forces with long-time listener and fellow Mission Impossible fan Mayra (covertly beaming in from Italy) to talk Tom Cruise's death-defying ode to the power of cinema with MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - THE FINAL RECKONING. They also discuss their personal h...

On the two hundred and sixty-seventh episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are helping themselves to hand grenades. Christian and Jericho jump on a plane mid assassination attempt for a review of the latest globe-trotting Wes Anderson adventure, THE PHOENICIAN SCHEME. First, however, they tackle FRIENDSHIP, BRING HER BACK, FINAL DESTINATION: BLOODLINES, and DANGEROUS ANIMALS in the Recently W...

On the latest bonus episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are snorting lines of cinema. Christian and Jericho continue their Auteurography series on the films of Brian De Palma with reviews of 1974's rock/horror/musical parody PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE and 1976's Alfred Hitchcock-coded neo-noir psychological thriller, OBSESSION. They also discuss art vs commerce, camp/kitsch, Hitchcock homage,...

On the two hundred and sixty-sixth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are throwing curveballs. Christian, Jericho, and Armando go into extra innings with reviews of the new melancholic baseball hangout movie EEPHUS, and then pair it with two older films, 1973's BANG THE DRUM SLOWLY starring a young Robert De Niro in full southern drawl, and the 1994 biopic COBB, featuring a scenery-chewing...

On the two hundred and sixty-fifth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are yielding to cinematic temptation. Christian and Jericho are singin' the blues with a review of writer-director Ryan Coogler's 1930s-set vampire smash, SINNERS, and then pairing it with James Bond III's sole directorial effort, 1990's vampire cult curio DEF BY TEMPTATION. But first, they chat WOMAN IN THE YARD (2025),...

On the two hundred and sixty-fourth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are hitting the open road. Christian, Jericho, and Armando (who called in via phone after his car broke down mid-trip) get together for some hometown nostalgia to review Michael Angarano's comic buddy road drama, SACRAMENTO and the late David Lynch's 1999 character study, THE STRAIGHT STORY. First, however, they chat BL...

On the latest bonus episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are living life at the gut level. Christian and Jericho continue their Auteurography series on the films of Brian De Palma with reviews of 1972's corporate satire/tap-dancing magician comedy, GET TO KNOW YOUR RABBIT (1972), and the Hitchcockian psychological thriller, SISTERS (also released in 1972). They also discuss top 5 animals, be...

On the two hundred and sixty-third episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are faced with a real "Sody's Choice." Christian and Jericho are sipping crisp sodies on a Sunday to talk about two 2025 releases from prolific director Steven Soderbergh; the POV haunted house ghost story PRESENCE, and slick spy drama BLACK BAG. They also discuss filmmaker "retirements", grief/trauma horror trends, base...

On the two hundred and sixty-second episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are hacking the system. Christian and Jericho reconvene to discuss the legacy of actor Gene Hackman after his recent passing with an episode titled "He's No Hack, Man!" featuring reviews of three high profile films in his catalog spanning three decades, 1975's NIGHT MOVES, 1989's MISSISSIPPI BURNING, and 1992's UNFORGIV...

On the two hundred and sixty-first episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are confined to a claustrophobic setting. Christian and Jericho are onto 2025 with a review of the Norwegian chamber drama ARMAND (without Armando!), which is directed by the grandson of Ingmar Bergman and Liv Ullmann. With that prestigious heritage in mind, they decide to pair it with Bergman's soul-crushing 1972 classi...

On the latest bonus episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are getting emasculated. Christian and Jericho continue their Auteurography series on the films of Brian De Palma with reviews of 1969's familial farce The Wedding Party and 1970's satirical auto-critique masterpiece, Hi, Mom! They also discuss peep art, Alfred Hitchcock and Orson Welles homage, young chubby Robert De Niro (or Denero),...

On the two hundred and sixtieth episode of THE THIRD ACT PODCAST, the crew are counting down their favorite films while aggressively nodding. Christian and Jericho purge the cinematic year that was 2024 by tackling their respective Top 10 lists while reminiscing on the treasure trove of filmic riches discovered along the way. Putting the year in movies into perspective has rarely felt this liberat...