Cinema Effect

The Hidden World is by far the least watched entry in DreamWorks’ beloved How to Train Your Dragon trilogy, which made it exciting for us to finally see it for the first time. Following Hiccup, Toothless, and the whole gang of snots and louts as they face their biggest challenge yet, the film offers a heartfelt continuation of the saga, though we felt it lacked the soaring highs of the previous in...

Thanks to our Instagram voters, we dove into The Butterfly Effect, and we ended up thoroughly enjoying the ride. Starring Ashton Kutcher and Amy Smart, this sci-fi thriller delivers shocking twists and surprises that pack serious entertainment value while still staying grounded in the core emotional weight of its story. Despite some of the wild and over the top moments, the characters remain relat...

Oliver Stone drew from his own experiences as an infantryman in Vietnam to craft an unflinching portrayal of the war that feels sweaty, uncomfortable, and authentic. Platoon (1986) follows a young soldier played by Charlie Sheen, with Willem Dafoe and Tom Berenger in supporting roles (also a very young Johnny Depp), as the film immerses viewers in the chaos of combat. Stone pulls no punches in sho...

Peter Weir's Dead Poets Society is a stirring drama set at an elite all-boys school, where new teacher Mr Keating (Robin Williams) inspires his students to embrace free thinking and pursue their passions, clashing with the oppressive authority figures who claim to know what is best for them. But you already knew that of course. This classic film delivers powerful and resonant emotional moments...

How to Train Your Dragon 2 continues the adventures of Hiccup (Jay Baruchel) and Toothless in a story that expands the scope of the world in some bold and emotional ways. This time we are all on the same page that this is a great movie, with DreamWorks Animation noticeably upgraded from the first film, delivering stunning visuals, and some truly impressive flying and battle sequences. The returnin...

Amélie is the whimsical French hit from Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Audrey Tautou as a shy waitress who finds joy in secretly improving the lives of those around her. With its quirky humour, inventive visual style, and a magical opening ten minutes, the film makes a striking impression. Though we found ourselves losing interest as the many story threads unfolded. It remains a unique presence in w...

At this year’s Melbourne International Film Festival (or MIFF, as I’ve reluctantly had to start calling it), we caught some of the first showings of the Australian Stan original film One More Shot. Set on New Year’s Eve 1999, the story follows Minnie (Emily Browning) who discovers a bottle of time travelling tequila that sends her back to the start of the night with every shot, giving her only a b...

A24's Warfare is an immensely impressive war drama that delivers a visceral and unflinching look at the reality of soldiers on the ground in Iraq. Co-directed by Alex Garland and Ray Mendoza, the film draws from Mendoza’s own experiences during the battle of Ramadi, bringing an authenticity that permeates the film. The cast is stacked (with mostly British actors) and their chemistry and precis...

With a live-action remake upon us, I guess there's no better time to revisit DreamWorks’ original animated How to Train Your Dragon. Even if it’s been 15 years since its release. A near-perfect example of a fun, breezy, and emotionally resonant animated adventure, the film follows young Viking Hiccup (voiced by Jay Baruchel) as he forms a heartwarming bond with the adorable/intimidating dragon...

David Cronenberg’s A History of Violence (2005) presents an intimate and unsettling story of a small town man, played by Viggo Mortensen, whose past comes violently back to haunt him after a heroic act puts him in the national spotlight. With Ed Harris delivering a menacing supporting performance, the film thrives in its tense moment. But there's also no shortage of ambiguity. Jayden expertly...

Easily one of the most anticipated blockbusters of the year, Superman arrives with the enormous task of launching James Gunn’s bold new vision for the DC Universe. With David Corenswet donning the cape as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan stepping into the role of Lois Lane, this latest superhero epic reimagines the Man of Steel for a new generation. We break down the entire cast (including Nicholas...

It’s hard to believe Amadeus is over 40 years old, because from its sharp pacing to its energetic editing, this Best Picture winner feels like it could have come out just last year. Whether watching the theatrical or director’s cut, both versions absolutely fly by, driven by a riveting exploration of jealousy and genius as we witness Salieri’s bitter envy of Mozart twist into a personal war agains...

F1 flies onto the big screen with exciting, practically filmed racing sequences shot entirely in-camera. Exactly the kind of visceral spectacle you’d expect from Top Gun: Maverick director Joseph Kosinski. Starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, the film captures the raw speed and adrenaline of Formula 1 in a way that lives up to its summer blockbuster status, even if we found ourselves a bit less in...

E.T. showcases so many of Steven Spielberg’s trademarks: fractured family at its heart, a soaring John Williams score. But what makes it truly enjoyable is just how lean and precise it is. Every scene serves a purpose, delivering simple yet deeply effective visual storytelling, which explains how it became the highest-grossing film of all time for over a decade. Henry Thomas shines as Elliott, a c...

Dìdi (2024) is a charming and sometimes painfully relatable coming-of-age story set in the mid-2000s, complete with MySpace profiles, low-res YouTube videos, and all the awkwardness of adolescence. Written and directed by Sean Wang, the film is clearly a deeply personal project inspired by his own youth, and even features his real-life grandmother playing Nai Nai. Izaac Wang stars as Chris, a teen...

Mountainhead is the latest satire from Jesse Armstrong, in large part tackling the terrifyingly current intersection of AI, generative content, and the existential threats they pose to modern civilisation. Written in November of last year and fast-tracked into production at an astonishing pace, the film stars Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, and Ramy Youssef as tech billionaires bros with way too...

For the second week in a row, we’ve recorded the longest episode in the show's history. Because The Last of Us: Season 2 brings out the passion, the debates, and some very strong opinions. As long time fans of the Part II game, we were deeply curious to see how HBO would tackle its already divisive story, and the result is as polarising as expected. Prepare for an at times contentious discussi...

After a long production wait, it’s finally time to return to the oppressed galaxy of Andor for its second and final season. A massive 12 episode journey that inspired our longest podcast episode ever. Diego Luna leads an outstanding cast alongside Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgard, and of course the returning Ben Mendelsohn mate. This season offers some of the most unique writing and narrative...

We’ve watched and reviewed every Mission Impossible film on the podcast, and it’s all led to The Final Reckoning, the apparent last chapter in this legendary franchise. Directed once again by Christopher McQuarrie, the film delivers several standout moments, including two impressive action set pieces. One of which (as teased on the poster) is so absolutely, undeniably insane, it surely has to be t...

Fallout isn’t just the pinnacle of the Mission Impossible franchise... it’s peak cinema. Tom Cruise returns as Ethan Hunt in this action masterpiece once again directed by Christopher McQuarrie, featuring multiple jaw dropping set pieces, including the epic Paris exchange scene (which Zac won’t stop gushing about). The film’s relentless pacing, outstanding score by Lorne Balfe, and countless fun m...

Mission Impossible: Rogue Nation officially ushers us into the McQuarrie era of the franchise, delivering a masterclass in action filmmaking with Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt facing off against the sinister Solomon Lane, the coolest named villain played with chilling intensity by Sean Harris. This installment also introduces Rebecca Ferguson’s Isla Faust, whose presence quickly won over many Cinema Eff...

Since we've just returned from Japan, we have to stay on theme by talking about Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984). This famous anime film is widely regarded as Hayao Miyazaki’s first major success, laying the groundwork for what would soon become Studio Ghibli. The story follows Princess Nausicaä as she navigates a toxic, post-apocalyptic world filled with stunningly designed creatures and...

Season 3 of The White Lotus once again delivers a sharp and sometimes shocking blend of satire, mystery, and drama, solidifying Mike White’s status as one of the most compelling creators in modern television. Set against another luxurious backdrop and featuring a phenomenal cast including Michelle Monaghan, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Parker Posey(!), Jason Isaacs, Carrie Coon, and so many more, the s...

Megalopolis is the long-gestating passion project from legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, who personally financed the film’s reported $120 million budget after decades of development limbo. Starring Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf and Giancarlo Esposito, among other Hollywood greats, the result is a bizarre cinematic experience that left us genuinely baffled. The f...

Coming in hot after Zodiac in 2007, David Fincher had another big swing the following year with his most expensive film ever. The Curious Case of Benjamin Button follows the life of Benjamin (Brad Pitt), a man born old who ages in reverse, and his decades spanning romance with Daisy (Cate Blanchett). With emotionally rousing scenes and some striking imagery, the film showcases its Oscar-worthy mak...