Cinema Effect

After 5 years we finally reach the holy grail white boy film, Interstellar. Nolan's, 9th directing effort and 4th appearance on the show and another unabashed glaze session, with minor restraint shown by one white boy. The film centers on Coop, a former test pilot who has to take on one last job to save humanity at the expense of raising a daughter he loved and a son he kinda liked. We also ba...

Chris Columbus returns for his second and final outing in the series with Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, a sequel that embraces a darker and more dangerous tone as Harry, Ron, and Hermione uncover the mystery behind the attacks at Hogwarts. Even after countless rewatches, we still find plenty of entertaining moments to enjoy, and on this viewing we were surprised to find the central myst...

It’s hard to believe, but this is actually our first time covering an Edgar Wright film on the podcast, and what a way to start with his new 2025 take on The Running Man. Starring Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, and many others, this Stephen King adaptation follows Ben Richards as he fights to survive a deadly televised game while navigating the constant manipulation of a corrupt media net...

We’re diving into Guillermo del Toro’s new and anticipated adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, a dark retelling of the classic story about a brilliant scientist who creates life, only to face the horrifying consequences of his own ambition. As big fans of the novel (with one of us having just finished reading it this week), we were eager to see how del Toro’s version reimagines the source m...

We had the pleasure of sitting down with director Daniel V. Masciari to discuss his new film 'Stationed at Home', a sincere and personal debut feature set (and shot on location) in upstate New York. Daniel walks us through the film’s long seven year journey to being made, from its early development years to its festival premieres, and shares insight into crafting its cosy visual style and eccentri...

We welcome our fellow Aussie Baz Luhrmann back to the show for the first time in 2025, this time diving into his bold and unconventional adaptation Romeo & Juliet. This stylish, fast-paced, and contemporary take on William Shakespeare’s tragedy keeps the original Old English dialogue intact, a creative choice that proved to be the most divisive element among us. Still, it’s hard not to admire...

With HBO’s new Harry Potter series now in production, we decided there’s no better time to feed our anticipation (and scepticism) by revisiting the beloved film saga month by month, starting with Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (or Sorcerer’s Stone for our US listeners). Chris Columbus’ 2001 adaptation remains a magical introduction to the wizarding world, overflowing with wonder, fun, an...

It’s time to return to the filmography of ultra friend of the show Denis Villeneuve with Enemy (2013), his debut English-language feature, which he once described as a “practice run.” If that’s the case, it’s one of the most impressive practice runs imaginable, as the film stands out as a technical showcase filled with haunting atmosphere, incredible lighting, rich colours, and an unsettling score...

Boy A (2007) is a moving and emotionally heavy British drama that explores themes of second chances, rehabilitation, and whether true change is possible for those with dark pasts. Andrew Garfield delivers a powerful and empathetic performance as Jack, a young man released from prison after committing a terrible crime as a child, trying to rebuild his life under a new identity. Peter Mullan is also...

The long-awaited Leo and PTA collab is finally here. One Battle After Another follows stoner, ex-revolutionary Dad, Bob, and his spirited daughter, Willa, living off-grid. When an old nemesis of the family resurfaces, comedic shambles ensue as father and daughter try to reclaim their past, future, and each other. A grand premise for another personal epic of PTA’s, but does it stick the landing or...

We’re returning to Paul Thomas Anderson’s filmography for the first time in years with Inherent Vice (2014), a pot-fuelled, bumbling detective story that plays as equal parts mystery, comedy, and fever dream. Joaquin Phoenix stars as private investigator Doc Sportello, stumbling his way through a tangle of crime, corruption, and shifting culture in 1970s Los Angeles. The film features a stacked su...

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...