by Joseph Perry and Mike Imboden
In our “The Good, the Bad, and the Verdict” film reviews, Joseph and Mike give their thoughts on a slice of cinema. For this installment, it’s time to tune into The Last Podcast by writer/director Dean Alioto.
Synopsis
Skeptic podcaster Charlie Bailey (Eric Tabach), desperate for subscribers, lands the ultimate guest — an actual ghost (Gabriel Rush as Duncan Slayback) — but keeping the afterlife on-air comes with killer consequences.
The Good
Joseph: With so many horror films released over the past few years dealing with obnoxious wannabe online personalities seeking fame through viewer hits and wealth through sponsorships, I’m happy to report that The Last Podcast rises above the usual efforts, in my estimation. Yes, hardline skeptic Bailey is an annoying, sarcastic jerk (to put it in a family-friendly way) with a grating personality who is rude to his show’s guests, but Alioto gives the character valid reasons to become a better person — his university student girlfriend Brie (Kaikane) and her sudden announcement that she is pregnant being the main ones — giving viewers grounds for investing in his outcome. Tabach and Rush make for an entertaining darkly comic duo as the highly animated Bailey and the silent ghost of Slayback. Kaikane grounds the dramatic relationship elements nicely, while Charlie Saxton as bitter podcasting rival Jasper, who is somehow even more irritating than Bailey, delivers an effective supporting performance. When trouble starts once Slayback’s ghost starts making demands after agreeing to become Bailey’s cohost, it’s only the beginning of the surprises that Alioto has in store for viewers.
Mike: Usually movies that feature an annoying and self-absorbed d-bag as its main character make it hard, as a viewer, to root for them. If you’re an avid follower of any podcasts - or run (or ran) one - you may also find it a little easier to identify with Tabach’s “Charlie”, however he imbues his character with enough charm and chutzpah that it counter-balances his negative points and makes him entertaining and a bit quirky.
The comedy all lands solidly with the banter between Charlie and Duncan (which seems weird to say considering one of them can’t speak), being the highlight of the jibs and jabs.
The Last Podcast unfolds smoothly and at a near perfect pace - no glancing over at the clock on my wall with this one. Nothing drags on needlessly and while there were a few opportunities in which a situation could have been beaten like a dead horse, Alioto knows how long is just enough to make a point and move along to the next bit.
The Bad
Joseph: Sometimes I simply have nothing to put in this section. This is one of those times.
Mike: My ONLY beef is that the issue of addiction (in Charlie’s case, his addiction to upping his subscriber count), is never really dealt with to a satisfying conclusion, in my opinion, and feels a bit like an afterthought that tries to bring a bit of seriousness to what was otherwise pretty much a slam dunk of a comedic affair.
The Verdict
Joseph: Alioto, who got his start making the rather legendary The McPherson Tape in 1989 — an alien invasion/home invasion thriller believed to be the world’s first found footage movie — has crafted a thoroughly enjoyable horror comedy. Fine performances, impressive writing, and crackerjack direction all make it a strongly recommended watch for fans of humorous horror, supernatural cinema, and anyone wishing to see fictitious online fame seekers maybe get theirs.
Mike: Despite the one misstep mentioned in the ‘Bad’ section, The Last Podcast succeeds in making what would normally be a jerk of a main character into a likable one. Great acting from Tabach and Rush has me wanting to see more of them as a duo, assuming the writing is as smart and fun as Alioto provides here. If it’s not obvious, I had a good time with The Last Podcast. I just wish Joseph and I had half as many listeners to our old Uphill Both Ways show (although I don’t think I would have gone to the lengths for success as Charlie did).
The Last Podcast
Directed By: Dean Alioto
Written By: Dean Alioto
Starring: Eric Tabach, Gabriel Rush, Kaikane, Charlie Saxton
Run Time: 1h 38m
Rating: NR
Release Date: 2024
Comments
Post a Comment
Share your thoughts with us