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Cinema Effect

Join a crew of wannabe film critics review a different movie every week, and discuss other nonsense. Listen to new episodes every Monday.

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30 episodes
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Avg 1 hr 33 min
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May 25 · 1 hr 8 min
#295 - Austin Powers: International Man Of Mystery
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
May 18 · 1 hr 31 min
#294 - Wind River
Wind River is a film we’ve talked about reviewing behind the scenes for a very long time, so now that the moment has finally arrived, it had self-imposed high expectations to live up to. Written and directed by Taylor Sheridan, this modern western thriller serves as the final chapter in his frontier trilogy, transporting the genre to the frozen landscapes of Wyoming in a setting that feels both harsh and unique. Starring Jeremy Renner and Elizabeth Olsen, the story follows a wildlife tracker and FBI agent investigating the murder of a young Native American woman on a remote reservation. The film is elevated by a terrific score from Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, and tackles poignant themes surrounding inequality and violence within Native American communities. This leads us into some deeper discussion about the writing and execution of those ideas. One thing we all completely agree on though, is that Jeremy Renner once again reminds us just how underrated he is as an actor, delivering an excellent and emotionally grounded performance throughout. 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 - Wind River Review 1:08:42 - What We've Been Watching 1:17:05 - Question Of The Week
May 11 · 1 hr 18 min
#293 - The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones
Our familiarity with The Mortal Instruments as a young adult franchise varied wildly between us, which made the film adaptation The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones both a fresh discovery and a revisit more than a decade later. Starring Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower, Lena Headey, and Jared Harris, the film follows Clary Fray as she uncovers a hidden world of Shadowhunters (which is annoyingly one word!), demons, and supernatural secrets lurking beneath New York City. The results were definitely mixed, but never lacking in entertainment. With roots famously tied to Harry Potter fan fiction, there are some very noticeable parallels. Though the truly baffling part is how the story spirals in the second half, throwing out one unearned plot twist after another every few minutes, often creating unintentionally hilarious moments. And yes, we absolutely have to talk about the infamous incest storyline. Still, there is some charm here, helped by a solid cast and surprisingly strong score. Then after the review, we compare this film to some of the worst YA adaptations ever made. 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 - The Mortal Instruments Review 49:55 - What We've Been Watching 58:56 - Question Of The Week
May 4 · 1 hr 3 min
#292 - Is This Thing On?
We may have unfortunately lost a good chunk of the opening of this episode to technical issues, but that was not going to stop us from diving into Is This Thing On? (2025), the latest film from master auteur Bradley Cooper. The big question going in, can he make a movie that isn't awards bait? Following a struggling New York couple at a crossroads, the story centres on Will Arnett’s character as he unexpectedly tries his hand at stand up comedy while navigating a fractured relationship with Laura Dern. With a low budget indie feel and Searchlight Pictures backing, the film leans into an intimate New York setting that we were immediately on board with. Arnett’s naive charisma makes him an engaging lead, while Cooper shows up in a performance that feels self aware and slightly parodic. We get into whether the writing around the central relationship and its resolution fully lands. Then after the review, we break down ours and your least favourite comedians. 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 - Is This Thing On? Review 35:40 - News Chat 42:54 - Question Of The Week
April 27 · 1 hr 45 min
#291 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
We have peaked. Our journey through the franchise has led us not only to peak Harry Potter, but peak cinema with Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, a thoroughly engaging entry that perfectly balances the series’ biggest dramatic moments with some of its funniest, immersing us in the Hogwarts school year better than ever. Directed once again by David Yates, the film shines through its richly developed character work, especially the fully realised relationship between Harry and Dumbledore, brought to life by what we think are near Academy Award level performances from Daniel Radcliffe and Michael Gambon. Their search for Voldemort’s Horcruxes (fiction's best MacGuffins) gives the story real weight, while the supporting cast elevates things further, with Draco and Snape playing crucial roles and Jim Broadbent’s Slughorn an absolute delight in every scene. Every moment feels purposeful and entertaining, and it’s no surprise this is the only film in the series to earn an Oscar nomination for cinematography, with a visual identity that truly stands apart. Needless to say, we love this movie, so get ready for us to gush about 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 - Half-Blood Prince Review 1:25:11 - What We've Been Watching 1:30:18 - Question Of The Week
April 20 · 1 hr 36 min
#290 - Fury
A gritty and undeniably cool WW2 film, Fury (2014) sees director David Ayer (pronounced Air) at a point before he “lost the sauce,” delivering a brutal story set in the final days of Nazi Germany. Starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal, and Michael Peña, the film follows a tight knit tank crew navigating the horrors of war from inside their claustrophobic steel machine. The craftsmanship is strong across the board, with standout performances, striking cinematography, and a powerful score, while the character dynamics and underlying tension give us plenty to analyse in the film’s more dramatic moments. While we found aspects of the ending and the archetypes it leans on a bit harder to fully get behind, the tank action is just so cool. And yes, the rounds are actually red and green, somehow making it feel like Star Wars but grounded in realism. After the review, we open up the discussion to other directors who may have declined over time, or simply lost their sauce. 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.
April 13 · 1 hr 27 min
#289 - 12 Monkeys
A well regarded dystopian sci-fi thriller from the 90s, 12 Monkeys marks our first time covering the work of Terry Gilliam, giving us the perfect excuse to dive into his unique filmmaking sensibilities and the stylistic quirks that define his movies. Starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, and Brad Pitt, the film follows a time travelling prisoner sent back to uncover the origins of a devastating virus that wiped out most of humanity. Willis anchors the story with a classic leading performance (even if he may have overcommitted to drooling in a few scenes) while Pitt steals the spotlight with a wild, unpredictable turn that was especially fun to experience on a blind watch. The film’s time travel narrative builds toward an ending that raises big questions about fate and whether the past can truly be changed, and we found ourselves with very different interpretations. Sticking with the time travel theme, after the review we pick which celebrities we would go back and remove from Hollywood, leading to some hot takes indeed. 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.
April 6 · 1 hr 40 min
#288 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix has long stood as one of our favourite entries in the Harry Potter saga, but the big question is whether it still holds up under scrutiny on our millionth rewatch. Directed by David Yates, who ushers in a new era for the franchise, the film balances the whimsical and nostalgic elements we still get a kick out of with a darker tone. Most importantly, it builds toward an absolutely phenomenal final act, delivering one great scene after another and culminating in the legendary duel between Dumbledore and Voldemort, which we spend plenty of time gushing over. Daniel Radcliffe also elevates his craft with his performance this time around in how he portrays Harry’s troubled state. For a film that moves at a surprisingly brisk pace, there is so much to unpack, including the unforgettable introduction of one of the most easily hateable characters in fiction in Professor Umbridge. That sets us up perfectly for our question of the week, where we dive into the characters we love to hate (and hate to love). 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.
March 30 · 1 hr 47 min
#287 - Project Hail Mary
It’s time for us to tackle Project Hail Mary, one of the highest rated sci-fi films since Dune Part Two, and we’re even joined by a very special guest, literally Ryland Grace himself. Directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller and starring Ryan Gosling, the film follows a lone astronaut on a desperate, high risk mission to save the Sun and humanity. Gosling delivers what might (debatably) be his most entertaining performance yet, carrying a story that blends big screen spectacle with humour and heart. There’s a major element to the plot we won’t spoil here, despite the marketing giving it away, but it adds a unique and memorable twist to the journey. We break down how the film compares to Andy Weir’s novel, debate the effectiveness of its action sequences against other modern sci fi heavyweights, and discuss why it works so well as a cinematic experience. Overall, it’s an easy recommendation for just about anyone to catch in theatres. After the review, it's time to react to the first trailer for HBO’s upcoming Harry Potter series.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.
March 23 · 1 hr 45 min
#286 - Starship Troopers
Starship Troopers might look like a standard 90s sci fi action movie on the surface, but beneath it lies a sharp layer of satire that makes the film far more interesting than expected. Following Johnny Rico and his fellow soldiers as they battle alien bugs, the movie balances its parodic tone with a genuinely entertaining story and characters, helped in no small part by a cast that is almost absurdly attractive, including Denise Richards, Dina Meyer, and Neil Patrick Harris. Nearly 30 years on, we were surprised by how well the comedy, drama, and practical effects still hold up, all building toward a brilliantly meta propaganda ending that almost had us ready to enlist for the Federation! After the review, we dive into a huge news chat covering the Oscars results, and the brand new trailers for the highly anticipated Dune: Part Three and Spider-Man: Brand New Day. 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.

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