The Countdown

The DCU has been re-formatted like a hard drive sporting Windows 95, and two films deep, the question is now being asked: Is it working?   The boys are back with their take on that question, as they consider the merits of a punk-metal version of Supergirl versus her 80s predecessor and consider whether James Gunn and Peter Safran have their finger on the pulse of fans the world over. Is it time to...

Countdown #514   These days, the small screen delivers just as much epic content as the theatre does, and Paul and Wayne are happy to be your canaries in cages when it comes to sampling some of what TV-Land has to offer.   From Marvel one-offs to prestige spy shows, the lads are ordering much of what they've watched in order of awesomeness (or, if you prefer, from worst to best) so you don't have...

Wayne and Paul channel their childhoods playing with figurines (not a euphemism) and watching cartoons before school as they this week take on the brand new version of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe!   Among the many important questions answered (or at least asked): Does the film get the tone right for a modern re-boot of a 40 year old property that came from a simpler timer? Does Evil Lyn...

Countdown #513   In an epic labour of love that stretched across three recording sessions, multiple hardware failures (and one act of dumb-assery), the lads are finally back with a full Countdown episode, and how could it be anything other than a Top 10 Last 10?     Join Wayne and Paul as they mini-review 10 of their most recent watches, ranking them from worst to best, to aid you in deciding what...

In this completely NON-SPOILER review, Wayne is again off to the cinema himself to review the second film in the 2020s version of a game he grew up pumping free credits into (not a euphemism) for himself and his friends. How does this compare to the '90s films and is it better than the 2021 original in this series? Paul, meanwhile, hasn't see the film at the time of recording, so he's all about th...

Countdown #512   Recorded in mid-March, Paul and Wayne look at what is slated for release in 2026 and rank order what they're most excited to see form 10 to 1. Of course, some of those films have already come to (and in one case, gone from) cinemas, so you'll get to enjoy a knowing laugh or two at some of these choices ...   So if you're looking for a guide as to the most Countdownian of films to...

In this completely NON-SPOILER  review, Wayne goes a little crazy for this Gosling shaped brand of entertainment that Andy Weir, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller has fashioned, resulting in him giving Project Hail Mary the most definitive two thumbs down of all time! (This will make sense if you've seen the movie ...) Paul, meanwhile, hasn't see the film at the time of recording, so he's all about...

Countdown #511   A long time ago, in a galaxy exactly like this one, three podcasters recorded their regular crossover event in which the American joined the two Australians to talk the best films of the previous calendar year.   But the stars were not aligned that day, my friends. For the American had technical difficulties and his end of the conversation was lost to the Dark Movie Overl- sorry,...

Scream is back with its seventh installment and it's eating up the box-office, but the critics (generally) think it's pretty crap. So where does the franchise-loving Paul and the horror-hating Wayne stand?   There's only one way to find out, and it's not by following the news, watching the football, or thinking about how hot your latest crush is.   Get downloading!   Time Stamps: Scream 7 NON-SPOI...

Danny Boyle hands the reigns to Nia DaCosta as the saga of the rage virus and the country it has decimated continues ... But is it a better film than the love it or hate it first film in the proposed new trilogy? Does Wayne overcome his Wayneness to watch this one with Paul? Or will it be Paul doing the heavy lifting on this horror film? And most importantly, can a film released in January be trul...

Countdown #510   For the first episode of 2026, the lads are celebrating all the film-related reasons why they're happy to say goodbye to 2025 with a countdown of the worst 10 films of 2025.   From disappointments through big comic-book films to head-scratching oddities, this episode takes no prisoners in calling out the biggest pieces of crap that tarnished our eyes through the year that was 2025...

Countdown #509   Just in time for the new year of film and television, Paul and Wayne return to begin their wrap up of the year that was 2025. And, as always, they begin with their lists of the best and worst of television!   Was it a banner year for TV? Will future generations look back and marvel at what we were able to watch from the comfort of our couches through 2025? Or is this one of those...

Countdown #508   Novels. Graphic novels. Comics. Non-fiction books. Fantasy. Self-Help. Horror. Superhero. All types of books and genres are in play as the lads attempt to quantify the unquantifiable and countdown the very best books they both have read through to this point in their lives.   And you could not hope for more different lists. Prepare yourself for an episode without much in the way o...

Wayne has been to TWO advanced screening - kicking Paul to the curb (who may or may not have been busy) in the process - and now he fronts up to tell you, dear listener, which (if either) of One Battle After Another and a A Big Bold Beautiful Journey are worth your time and hard-earned...   Will Margot Robbie count for more than Leo and PTA combined? Or does the rest of the critical world have it...

Countdown #507   It's been too long between countdowns, so the lads are back with almost 20 mini-film reviews with their latest Top 10 Last episode.    There are crossovers, disagreements, banter and bad language aplenty as Wayne and Paul count down of their most recent watches, from worst to best, letting you know where you should start watching their list along the way.   In other words, The Cou...

Frank Drebin (Junior) is back in The Naked Gun sequel/reboot/requel. And this time he's played by Liam Neeson. Can he crack the case involving the Elon-Musk type Danny Huston? And are Liam and Pamela Anderson really in love?   But most importantly, is the film funny?   Find out by pressing that play button ...   Time Stamps: The Naked Gun NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 10:58 The Naked Gun SPOILER-FILL...

Where's the colon??   The Jurassic Park franchise is back and after dinosaurs were let loose to spread across the earth, what more can the franchise offer viewers?   The answer is to go back to the beginning formula and hope nobody notices!   But almost 32 years later, can Universal once again stuff lightning in a bottle? Or without Steven Spielberg and Jeff Goldblum is this one DOA?   Find out by...

It's time for Wayne's most anticipated film of the year!   With James Gunn in the driver's seat, can his vision of Superman possibly live up to Wayne's expectations?   And what about Paul? How will he go with this ultra comic-booky, positive version of Superman?   The results may surprise you!   Time Stamps: Superman NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 18:05 Superman SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 18:05 - 29:1...

Wayne is a massive wuss and leaves Paul to check out the third film in the 28 Film franchise all on his own.   Will Paul be consumed by the rage virus? Does Wayne stand a chance against 28 inches?   There's only one way to find out as Danny Boyle and Alex Garland return to resurrect this franchise from the dead. (They're NOT zombies, damnit!)   Time Stamps: 28 Years Later NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00...

Ready for your Pitt stop? (Wayne's joke: full credit.)   Racing! Brad Pitt! Joseph Kosinksi! 200 million dollars!   Do you need any more reasons to check out this very early review with thanks Warner Brothers Pictures Australia? We didn't think so.   Time Stamps: F1 NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 12:45 F1 SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 15:43 - 21:02 Final Scores and Thoughts Including Potential Spoilers:...

Countdown #506   To mark the almost half way mark of the year, Paul and Wayne get together to rank and rate the ten TV seasons they've been consuming in 2025. Counting down (cause that's the name of the show) from worst to best, the lads will attempt to warn you off anything poor they've laboured through, before highlighting the shows that are absolute worth your precious time.   So smash that pla...

Two for the price of one this week as the boys check out a film everyone would expect them to (Ballerina) as well as one nobody would think would be their jam (The Phoenician Scheme). Are those assumptions correct or are their some surprisesn in store?   Find out but hitting that play button on this ep!   Time Stamps: Ballerina NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 9:00 Ballerina SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 9...

Countdown #505   Aka the Top 10 Gateway Horror Films episode!   Do you have a friend who refuses to watch horror films even though you know there are many great films in that genre? Or perhaps you have a child or a niece or nephew who is just getting to that age where they're developing an interest in horror films? Maybe you want to introduce your significant other to this most awesome genre, but...

The final film (maybe?!) in the Mission Impossible franchise dropped EARLY in Australia and with thankls to Paramount Pictuyres Australia, the boys were in attendance at an advanced screening to bring you the early word on whether Tom cruise and Christopher McQuarrie nail the brief.   Can Ethan Hunt overcome the entity and save everybody he loves as well as the world? Will Wayne regret seeing a 17...

Countdown #504   With thanks to those mad geniuses at the Cinereelists Podcast for the concept, Paul and Wayne are back with their first Top 10 Last 10 episode in over 6 months.   Tune in for 20 mini-reviews as the guys countdown ten of their recent watches from worst to best, and letting you know the point where they recommend you start watching what they're reviewing.   Of course, there's the us...