Digg or die baby and we are digging Digger! Question Of The Week: What is the worst thing you've posted on social media? Post your answer in the comments below to be featured on next week's episode. Next Week's Film: The Social Reckoning Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Review 1:22:00 - What We've Been Watching 1:27:10 - Question Of The Week
We're over 300 episodes in, we really need to stop ending so many of our sentences with 'I don't know'. My close personal friend Paul Anderson returns yet again; this time, however, he is unable to avoid the scathing remarks of my narrow-minded co-host (Zac). The Three Musketeers (2011) is a liberally adapted swashbuckling family adventure film that may have Dumas rolling in his grave, but given that we haven't read the source material, who really knows. The film boasts an incredible cast, some of whom are giving genuine performances; others (Macfadyen) couldn't care less, creating an odd contrast in many of his scenes. The breezy and camp nature of the film works to varying degrees on us, as some aspects feel under-explored or neglected, but ultimately, we all see eye-to-eye on the fact that the inclusion of James Corden crosses the line. Question Of The Week: What is your favourite weird movie? Post your answer in the comments below to be featured on next week's episode. Next Week's Film: Digger (Cinemas) Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Review 51:54 - What We've Been Watching 58:57 - Question Of The Week
Don't look now! For if you do you will be stuck with a terribly dull and underwhelming legendary film for the next 100 minutes. That's right we're not afraid to diss Nicolas Roeg on this show, and to be frank he kinda deserves it for putting this out. Like many of his other works, Don't Look Now is considered essential viewing within the classic cinema cannon and in regards to the craft behind the film it isn't to hard to understand why. However, a messy story, unsatisfying through lines and a lack of Donald's 'southern lands' despite an extensive love scene left us looking for so much more from this adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier adaptation. Question Of The Week: What is you favourite Mads Mikkelsen character? Next Week's Film: The Three Musketeers (2011) Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Review 51:10 - News Chat 56:59 - What We've Been Watching 1:06:46 - Question Of The Week
The actors play themselves, the story is super meta, the camera hardly cuts and its one of the best movies we've ever reviewed. Alejandro G Iñárritu's seminal, Best Picture winning film gets the final seal of approval that YOU have been waiting for to know whether it's worth watching. The glowing comments are accompanied by an in depth conversation about characters, themes and technical elements that has probably been had before but this time it's less concise and eloquent, and features a lot more sentences that end in "I don't know" than previously thought possible. We also take a quick look at the Emmy results where Zac spurts his usual shit before capping off the episode going over misleading film trailers. Question Of The Week: What is the worst holiday experience in fiction?Post your answer in the comments below to be featured on next week's episode. Next Week's Film: Don't Look Now Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Review 1:16:49 - News Chat 1:23:54 - What We've Been Watching 1:34:45 - Question Of The Week
We’re going all the way back to the early days of the career of mythic director Terrence Malick with our first viewing of Days of Heaven (1978), starring Richard Gere, Brooke Adams, and Sam Shepard. The film follows an impoverished couple posing as siblings while working on a wealthy farmer’s land in the 1910s, where a deceptively simple plan gradually develops into a tragic love triangle. Its journey to the screen was tumultuous, with the script largely abandoned during shooting, the production going over budget, and Malick spending two years piecing together the final edit, all before the film struggled at the box office and caused his 20 year exile from filmmaking. Nearly 50 years later, however, we found an incredible piece of work. Its brisk editing creates a remarkably efficient and flowing 90 minute experience, painting a portrait of the impoverished working class against much larger biblical themes. The film’s extraordinary, Oscar winning cinematography is among the best we’ve seen, capturing both the beauty and destruction of the countryside and its wildlife in unforgettable images. The narrative itself is fascinating in its simplicity, leaving plenty of room to read between the lines as we break down the characters, their motivations, and what Malick is ultimately trying to say. Needless to say, we came away from this discussion incredibly impressed with Days of Heaven. Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday. Record your own podcasts with Zencastr at https://zencastr.com/?via=cinemaeffect to get 30% off today. Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Days Of Heaven Review 1:16:10 - News Chat 1:27:57 - What We've Been Watching 1:36:24 - Question Of The Week
My close, personal friend Paul WS Anderson makes his much awaited return to the show. The consensus the second time around from the skeptics? He's still doing pretty good! Event Horizon has garnered a significant cult following post its rocky box office debut and these days is considered as one of the best efforts of the director. A sci-fi horror tale that strongly embraces its inspirations and still carves out a path of it's own, the film does all it can to stun its audience even after being gutted by the studio. Following the review Liam and Zac discuss the new Harry Potter trailer with varying energies before we cap the episode with a chat about your favourite mid budget sci-fi pictures. (We know that this film technically isn't mid-budget given the time that it was created) Question Of The Week: What is your favourite film in the Criterion catalogue?Next Week's Film: Days of Heaven (SBS) Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Review News Chat - 54:09 What We've Been Watching - 1:03:00 Question Of The Week - 1:14:45
Mask of the Phantasm is perhaps the most famous Batman movie outside of the live actions yet it remained a gaping hole for each of us on CE until last week. A tie in to the animated series of the 90's, this sleeper hit of a children's film is possibly the most mature analysis of the character in film form as it delves into the mechanism's of why Bruce dons the mask and what could lead him to taking it off. The film is a showcase of high-quality craftmanship in all facets from the voice performances and writing to the iconic and timeless animation. Zac also talks about House of the Dragon S3 for 20 minutes if your keen on our thoughts on that. Question Of The Week: What is your favourite mid-budget sci-fi project? Post your answer in the comments below to be featured on next week's episode. Next Week's Film: Event Horizon (1997) Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Review 57:26 - What We've Been Watching 1:16:09 - Question Of The Week
There is no **BLEEEP** ! Primal Fear is your fairly standard 90's courtroom thriller with a killer twist, this is Edward Norton's first major role! An outstanding performance that run's circles around his veteran co-star making this story a truly thrilling watch. In a story that has every possible avenue of being typical given its ties to religion, the justice system and age-gap relationships, it goes to incredible lengths to SPLIT away from its contemporaries. Question Of The Week: What is your favourite direct to DVD movie?Post your answer in the comments below to be featured on next week's episode.Next Week's Film: Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Review 57:47 - News Chat 1:14:54 - What We've Been Watching 1:20:00 - Question Of The Week
Kathryn Bigelow's Zero Dark Thirty saw the director returning to the theater of war in the Middle East this time examining the long road to finding the most wanted man in history. Jessica Chastain stars as a fresh faced agent tasked with the impossible but armed with any amount of human rights violations to get it done. A brilliant supporting cast brings tension and excitement to even the quieter tradecraft scenes in the film balancing out the equally enthralling action throughout. We sing our praises for the modern master of tension however the film isn't without its flaws and ethical blackspots but at least even at its darkest, the night scenes are still viewable. Question Of The Week: What is the best Edward Norton performance?Post your answer in the comments below to be featured on next week's episode.Next Week's Film: Primal Fear (ABC iview) Timestamps ;)0:00 - Review1:08:11 - What We've Been Watching1:10:42 - Question Of The Week
Oh that me? Pure aura. Press tours, polyester edits and a hunger for Tom to return as Spidey on our big screens after a 5 year drought has created the worlds newest and fastest billion dollar movie. No multiverse, no surprise cameo's, a world of quality. Holland and friends play their characters better than ever, and new comer Sadie Sink is fierce in her role introducing the next era of the MCU. The film walks a fine line of getting caught up in the past and being overstuffed however just like its titular character is able to mutate into something better and truly exciting. Question Of The Week: What's your favourite instance of Kyle Chandler just popping up in a movie?Post your answer in the comments below to be featured on next week's episode. Next Week's Film: Zero Dark Thirty (Stan) Timestamps ;)0:00 - Review1:23:50 - News Chat1:27:54 - What We've Been Watching1:34:32 - Question Of The Week
We're back with another Frank Miller adaptation, again at the hands of a mediocre director who sure as hell has flair. The testosterone fueled anthology film features a star studded cast including Bruce Willis, Clive Owen, Mickey Rourke, Rosario Dawson and genuinely so much more as they reckon with the corruption and violence of Basin City. With a style that truly transports you into the pages of a comic book this notorious noughties films has seemingly stood the test of time and even in this age of cinema saturated with comic adaptations it remains worth seeking out. We continue the comic coverage in news chat as we go over some huge casting news out of last weeks Marvel panel at SDCC before launching into our favourite modern desaturated films. Question Of The Week: Should Spider-Man: Brand New Day have dropped the characters of MJ and Ned?Post your answer in the comments below to be featured on next week's episode.Next Week's Film: Spider-Man: Brand New Day Timestamps ;)0:00 - Review54:48 - News Chat1:01:57 - What We've Been Watching1:15:18 - Question Of The Week
Defy the gods and the source material Once again a Christopher Nolan film gets discussed and dissected by three adoring white fan boys, with his most recent effort being an adaptation of Homer's epic, The Odyssey. An incredibly old story about a man going there and back again with the help and hinderance of some wacky creatures. Each of us have a different relationship to the source but that doesn't really stop the universal glaze that this session ended up being. This film is the ultimate expression of Nolan's sensibilities that he has been nurturing and presenting to us across his 20+ year career, with a cast and crew of familiar faces and some new, delivering a powerful (and very large) entirely shot on IMAX epic that has been promised and teased for over a decade now. The hype doesn't end with the review though, as we cover some huge trailer news as well as discussing hype that we don't buy into. Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday.Record your own podcasts with Zencastr at https://zencastr.com/?via=cinemaeffect to get 30% off today. Timestamps ;) 0:00:00 - Intro0:00:57 - Review1:57:33 - News Chat2:07:25 - Question Of The Week
After years of threatening to get around to it, we’ve finally watched and reviewed Netflix’s globe trotting action thriller The Gray Man (2022). Directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the film stars Ryan Gosling as an elite CIA operative, with Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, and Billy Bob Thornton. We compare the Russo brothers’ work here to the rest of their filmography and discuss how their reputation has evolved outside of the shadow of their enormous Marvel successes. The cast is put to varying levels of use, though Chris Evans steals plenty of scenes as the delightfully sociopathic Lloyd Hansen, while the globe spanning action sequences prove mostly entertaining. Where the real debate begins is over the screenplay, particularly the quality of its dialogue and dramatic moments. Is it quality? Is it Netflix slop? Is it quality Netflix slop? And what even qualifies as slop? These are the pressing questions we attempt to answer before delivering our final verdict. Then after the review, we each reveal our favourite Netflix slop shows. Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday. Record your own podcasts with Zencastr at https://zencastr.com/?via=cinemaeffect to get 30% off today. Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Intro 0:35 - The Gray Man Review 55:23 - What We've Been Watching 1:01:19 - Question Of The Week
There really is no better time to review Zack Snyder’s 300 than for episode 301 of Cinema Effect. Starring Gerard Butler, Lena Headey, David Wenham, and Michael Fassbender, this stylised action epic retells the legendary Battle of Thermopylae, where King Leonidas and 300 Spartan warriors make their final stand against the invading Persian army. Despite being familiar with many of its iconic moments through pop culture, this was our first time actually sitting down to watch the full film, and it completely divided us. There is no denying Snyder’s singular vision, with a meticulously crafted visual style inspired by Frank Miller’s graphic novel, combining a striking bronze colour palette, extensive digital effects and green screen, trademark slow motion and speed ramping, all layered beneath heavy film grain. Whether those unique creative choices actually work, however, is where the debate begins. Some of us found the experience mesmerising, while others thought it was rubbish. Either way, if you have never seen 300, it is an action spectacle worth experiencing at least once to decide which side of the battle you fall on. Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday. Record your own podcasts with Zencastr at https://zencastr.com/?via=cinemaeffect to get 30% off today. Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Intro 00:36 - 300 47:33 - News Chat 1:03:19 - What We've Been Watching
It’s pretty unbelievable that we’ve reached the 300th episode of Cinema Effect, so what better way to celebrate than with the grand finale to one of our favourite franchises, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, after spending the last eight months revisiting the entire saga. The film brings Harry’s journey to its explosive conclusion as the Battle of Hogwarts erupts and the fate of the wizarding world hangs in the balance. The shortest film in the series wastes no time, embracing its role as the action packed endgame with spectacular visual effects and relentless momentum that still make for an exciting watch more than 15 years after we packed cinemas to see it. While repeated viewings inevitably make some of the story beats feel familiar, Alan Rickman’s extraordinary performance and the emotional revelations surrounding Snape elevate the film to another level. Plus we always can't get enough of Ralph Fiennes' Voldermort. We break down the movie's big twists, character arcs, and final choices. At least until The Cursed Child comes along (and don't get Jayden started on that). After the review, we read your responses to one final Harry Potter question: if you could bring back one actor from the films for HBO’s upcoming series, who would you choose?
We have unintentionally ended up reviewing every Steven Spielberg alien film on the podcast (yes, we’re counting War of the Worlds, whether he does or not), and now we bring that journey home with Disclosure Day. Starring Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colman Domingo, and Colin Firth (who sports an exceptional beard), Spielberg’s latest blockbuster surprised us in more ways than one, blending a modern conspiracy thriller with big action set pieces and the kind of whimsical 1980s wonder that has defined so much of his career. He even dragged his old mate John Williams out of retirement to compose the score. The film takes some unexpected turns that left each of us with different expectations. Even so, it remains a well-crafted spectacle, anchored by a hugely satisfying final twenty minutes that pays off the journey in a big way. After the review, we break down the latest Spider-Man: Brand New Day trailer, before tackling a very important question of the week: do we think aliens have visited Earth? Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday. Record your own podcasts with Zencastr at https://zencastr.com/?via=cinemaeffect to get 30% off today. Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Intro 00:36 - Disclosure Day Review 1:08:19 - News Chat 1:15:45 - What We've Been Watching 1:22:13 - Question Of The Week
There’s only one way to tackle Oldboy, Park Chan-wook’s revered South Korean masterpiece (not the Hollywood remake!), and that’s to dive in head first. The film follows a man who is mysteriously imprisoned for 15 years before being suddenly released and given the chance to uncover who ruined his life and why. Needless to say, this is a dark, twisted, and often confronting cinematic experience that gives you a lot to process by the time the credits roll. The film is rightly celebrated for its exceptional filmmaking and visual style, including one of the most iconic and flawlessly executed action tracking shots ever put to screen. Yet it is the rollercoaster of shocking twists and revelations that truly defines the experience. We discuss what it was like experiencing the story for the first time, how it holds up on a rewatch, and why its many dark and violent moments still have the power to make audiences squirm more than twenty years later. Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday. Record your own podcasts with Zencastr at https://zencastr.com/?via=cinemaeffect to get 30% off today. Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Intro 00:36 - Oldboy Review 1:12:43 - News Chat 1:17:54 - What We've Been Watching 1:22:04 - Question Of The Week
Continuing our trend of reviewing films with "Mortal" in the title, we arrive at Mortal Engines (2018), Peter Jackson’s attempt to launch a new fantasy blockbuster franchise on the scale of The Lord of the Rings. Starring Hera Hilmar, Robert Sheehan, Hugo Weaving, and Jihae, the film is set in a post-apocalyptic world where moving cities roam the Earth and consume smaller settlements for resources. It is an incredibly silly premise, and one we were particularly excited to see brought to life. Unfortunately, the execution left us sorely disappointed. Between weak writing, uninspired direction, unconvincing visuals, and a cast that struggles to bring much charisma or presence to the screen, the film never manages to capitalise on its concept. Worst of all, it is not even bad enough to become entertaining. Instead, we found it largely dull, to the point where we paused the movie multiple times before summoning the willpower to continue. Considering it became one of the biggest box office bombs of its era, it is not difficult to see why.Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday.Record your own podcasts with Zencastr at https://zencastr.com/?via=cinemaeffect to get 30% off today.Timestamps ;)0:00 - Intro00:36 - Mortal Engines Review1:06:49 - What We've Been Watching1:19:25 - Question Of The Week
We’re very excited to finally reach the point in the Harry Potter saga where we can celebrate the often overlooked Deathly Hallows Part 1, a film that deserves far more love than it gets. While some viewers dismiss it as the "boring one" because they are impatiently waiting for the action packed spectacle of Part 2, we think they are missing some of the strongest character writing in the entire franchise. As Harry, Ron, and Hermione go on the run as wanted fugitives, separated from the comfort of Hogwarts, the series takes on a unique tone that only enriches the story. We discuss the many standout scenes and sequences that make this chapter so memorable, from tense escapes to quiet character moments. Helped brought to life by the ever-expanding roster of incredible British and Irish acting talent. We also have plenty of praise for the stunning Deathly Hallows animated sequence, one of the most creative storytelling choices in the series. David Yates does it again with thoughtful, exciting, and underrated direction that continues to impress us every time we revisit it. Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday. Record your own podcasts with Zencastr at https://zencastr.com/?via=cinemaeffect to get 30% off today. Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Intro 00:36 - Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 Review 1:25:30 - What We've Been Watching 1:30:39 - Question Of The Week
Yeah baby, yeah! Liam has successfully bullied the Austin Powers franchise onto the show through our Instagram poll, which means it is time to revisit Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Starring Mike Myers in the dual roles of Austin Powers and Dr Evil alongside Elizabeth Hurley, the film follows a groovy British spy thawed out in the 1990s to stop his old nemesis from taking over the world. Myers’ comedic prowess still impresses us, especially in how distinct and memorable he makes both characters, delivering plenty of the goofy, quotable, and iconic moments the franchise is known for. Beneath all the silliness, though, the movie works surprisingly well as a commentary on James Bond films, the spy genre, and the cultural attitudes that failed to evolve beyond the 1960s. Much like Austin himself probably needs to stop being quite so horny. Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday. Record your own podcasts with Zencastr at https://zencastr.com/?via=cinemaeffect to get 30% off today. Timestamps ;) 0:00 - Intro 00:36 - Austin Powers Review 48:06 - What We've Been Watching 58:56 - Question Of The Week
