Cinema Effect

Cinema Effect
  • 5.0 (8)
  • FILM REVIEWS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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

  1. #291 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

    3 DAYS AGO

    #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

    1hr 46min
  2. #290 - Fury

    20 APR

    #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.

    1hr 36min
  3. #289 - 12 Monkeys

    13 APR

    #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.

    1hr 28min
  4. #288 - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

    6 APR

    #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.

    1hr 41min
  5. #287 - Project Hail Mary

    30 MAR

    #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.

    1hr 48min
  6. #286 - Starship Troopers

    23 MAR

    #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.

    1hr 45min
  7. #285 - Donnie Brasco

    16 MAR

    #285 - Donnie Brasco

    Mike Newell returns to the show for the second time in a fortnight with Donnie Brasco (1997). Following the gripping true story of FBI agent Joe Pistone, played by Johnny Depp, who infiltrates the New York Mafia under the alias Donnie Brasco and forms a dangerous bond with aging mobster Lefty Ruggiero, portrayed by Al Pacino. The chemistry between Depp and Pacino is fantastic, making every scene they share super entertaining while slowly building toward an unexpectedly tragic story. Pacino delivers a performance worthy of his peak run in the 1990s, while Depp fits seamlessly into the role of a New Yorker navigating the criminal underworld. Filled with memorable moments and compelling character drama, the film stands out as a gangster movie that is often overlooked, and one that could easily be considered among the greats of the genre. 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.

    1hr 14min
  8. #284 - Romper Stomper

    9 MAR

    #284 - Romper Stomper

    Romper Stomper is a confronting Australian drama set in 1990s Melbourne that follows a violent gang of neo Nazi skinheads whose hatred and reckless behaviour slowly tear apart their own unstable world. Starring Russell Crowe in one of the role's which launched his career, the film throws viewers directly into the ugly mindset of its characters, forcing us to experience the story through their deeply unpleasant perspective. Watching this well known Aussie film for the first time, we found there was a lot to admire in how brutally the movie commits to its premise, delivering violent and memorable moments, and some powerful reveals along the way, all building toward a dramatic and surprisingly clever ending. Plus after the review, we turn to the small screen with reactions to several new TV trailers including the final season of The Boys, Beef Season 2, and DC’s Lanterns.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.

    1hr 33min
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5
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

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

Information

  • Creator
    Cinema Effect
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Cinema Effect
  • Show Website
    Cinema Effect