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 bottle’s worth of chances to reshape the course of her millennium. Alongside Browning, the cast features Ashley Zuckerman and an actor who looks a lot like Lockie Leonard, all delivering strong central performances. The clever and entertaining script offers plenty of quality moments, including one scene that had the whole cinema in hysterics. With its unique take on the Groundhog Day style concept and a perfect runtime, One More Shot kept us hooked from start to finish. After the review, we dive into our own lives and debate which single day we would each choose to relive in a loop.

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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 precision make them feel like a genuine military unit. The performances, combined with exceptional sound design and precisely executed tense sequences, create a 90 minute experience that pulls you in.

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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 Toothless, all while navigating a strained relationship with his father (Gerard Butler) which lies at film's core. Strong voice performances and stunning animation elevate what might be DreamWorks’ most beloved effort. Now with all that in mind, we just need to convince Liam it’s not mid. Then after the review, we discuss your hot takes on the most overrated animated franchises.

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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 guides us through Cronenberg’s filmography and explores how this work fits into his broader cinematic style, marked by identity and the American Dream. While some performances feel deliberately stilted, we debate whether that’s a stylistic choice or a shortcoming. There’s a lot to unpack in the film’s themes, but with such a subdued ending, we wrestle with whether it leaves us with any meaningful resonance or simply more questions.

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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 Hoult as Lex Luther, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced) and explore what each actor brings to their updated take on these iconic comic characters. The film is packed with Gunn’s trademark emotional storytelling, bright colours, and flashy action. But the big question remains: does it all come together to deliver a truly super cinematic experience? After the review, we rank our favourite iterations of Superman across his long cinematic and television history. Plus dig into this year’s newly announced Emmy nominations.

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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 against God himself. With fully realised characters and pretty much every scene striking a perfect balance between humour and drama, it’s no wonder this movie remains endlessly entertaining. F. Murray Abraham’s portrayal of Salieri in particular stands as one of the great performances ever captured on film, anchoring a masterpiece that still resonates as a modern classic.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.

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 invested in its story and characters. As our resident F1 expert, Jayden also breaks down how the movie both succeeds and stumbles in representing the sport (despite it basically playing like a giant ad for it). After the review, we’ll dive into our thoughts Danny Boyle’s much anticipated 28 Years Later and, in our Question of the Week segment, pitch which sport we think Kosinski should tackle for his next big budget film.

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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 clever and easily likable protagonist whose tender bond with E.T. anchors the movie’s emotional power. Revisiting it now, you might be surprised by how eerie and even melancholy it is at times, especially for a family film. This is Spielberg at his most stripped-down and whimsical, crafting a timeless story full of wonder and heart with only the essential details needed to sweep audiences away. It's when you start delving into the greater lore (as we unfortunately do in this episode) that some of the lustre can be lost.

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