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.

The arrival of the Triwizard Tournament at Hogwarts injects Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire with adrenaline, spectacle, and such outrageous peril for students that you have to question how it was ever approved in the first place. Directed by Mike Newell and starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Brendan Gleeson, and introducing Ralph Fiennes as Lord Voldemort, this fourth chapter pushes the franchise into darker and more dangerous territory. Despite countless rewatches, we still find it hugely entertaining, and perhaps even underrated among the series’ heavy hitters. We debate some of its sillier moments and Dumbledore’s infamous demeanor. But we all agree that Fiennes’ chilling debut as Voldemort is absolute peak. After the review, we break down the latest surprising developments surrounding Warner Bros being purchased by a major corporation, and brace yourselves for Zac’s rant about the upcoming God of War series on Amazon Prime.

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Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin (2013) is a haunting and hypnotic sci-fi drama starring Scarlett Johansson as a mysterious woman who roams Scotland, luring unsuspecting men into her orbit. With minimal dialogue and an abstract narrative, the film is less about straightforward plot and more about atmosphere and interpretation. Glazer’s mesmerising use of sound design and otherworldly visuals creates a memorable experience, elevated immensely by the unsettling score. Johansson delivers a committed performance, complete with a convincing British accent, anchoring a film that has inspired years of analysis. So after reading the script, we attempt to bring some fresh insights to this modern cult classic and unpack what might really be going on beneath the surface.

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In our first delve into the concert film genre, Jayden and Liam discuss Jonathan Demme and Talking Heads' seminal 1984 film, Stop Making Sense. We discuss our relationship with the band, our concert experiences, and how the film captures the concert spectacle.

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Godzilla Minus One roars back to basics with a powerful reimagining of the iconic kaiju, set in post war Japan as a nation already devastated by World War II is pushed even further into despair by the arrival of Godzilla (hence the 'Minus One'. Directed by Takashi Yamazaki, the film blends human drama with large scale destruction, following survivors struggling with guilt and responsibility in a country left with almost nothing. Made on a remarkably small budget of just $15 million USD, the scale and quality of the visual effects are genuinely impressive, allowing the film to feel both epic and grounded as required for the story. By returning Godzilla to its post nuclear origins and using the aftermath of WWII to explore strong anti imperialist themes, the themes are well integrated into the time period, and carry weight alongside the spectacle, resulting in a very high quality modern Godzilla film (especially compared to the Hollywood slop we've received recently).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.

Josh Safdie may have gone solo without brother Benny, but Marty Supreme brings back the same nervous energy and relentless momentum that defined Uncut Gems, this time set against the world of competitive table tennis in the 1950s. Timothée Chalamet stars as Marty Mauser, a man singularly obsessed with becoming a professional ping pong champion, scraping together money, burning bridges, and moving swiftly from one chaotic situation to the next in a spiral of ambition, desperation, and survival. The film thrives on its frantic pacing, offbeat humour, and a lineup of outstanding performances, including memorable turns from celebrity appearances playing surprisingly fun characters. Questions linger over whether Chalamet’s intensity is enough to carry him toward his first Oscar, whether Marty’s increasingly wild antics stay entertaining, and whether the final act delivers a satisfying payoff. All of which place Marty Supreme firmly among the most talked about films of this awards season. Then after the review, technical hiccups are no match for a full set of predictions across every major Academy Award category heading into the 2026 Oscars.

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After an extended holiday break, Cinema Effect is back for our seventh season in 2026, picking things up exactly where we left off with the Harry Potter franchise and Alfonso Cuarón’s Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The story follows Harry as he returns to Hogwarts for his third year while the escape of Sirius Black sets off a darker, more mysterious chapter involving the super scary Dementors, hidden pasts, and a clever time travel twist that reshapes the entire narrative. We discuss the film’s unique visual style, the way the series begins to age up its themes and characters, and how Cuarón’s distinct directorial influence gives this entry a tone and identity all its own. Its reputation as a fan favourite is helped by how standalone the story feels, free from direct involvement by Lord Voldemore, and by the cool, suspense driven mystery at its core. Add in memorable performances from series newcomers David Thewlis and Gary Oldman alongside returning favourites like Alan Rickman, and it is clear that the Prisoner of Azkaban remains a great film that still feels fantastic no matter how many times we've seen it over the years.

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You know we had to get dressed up for the occasion, because this is indeed the most prestigious night in podcasting,. The sixth annual Cinema Effect Awards! We roll out a full awards ceremony, firstly celebrating the standout film and TV releases of 2025, highlighting the very best titles from the year that was. But that is just the beginning. Once those formalities are out of the way, we dive headfirst into the best and worst of everything we reviewed across the past twelve months. From best musical score and standout performances to the most painful misfires and our favourite episode of the year. It's crazy that another year has flown by. It's been another fun one, so thank you for listening, writing in, and sticking with us. Cinema Effect will return in Avengers Doomsday.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.