This week, we overcome immense geographical distance and endless webcam issues to bring you our much-anticipated review of Eclipse, the third instalment in the epic Twilight saga. The franchise continues to build on the very nuanced love triangle between Bella, Edward, and Jacob. So much so that we’re now questioning our past allegiances, constantly flip-flopping between Team Edward and Team Jacob. Meanwhile, the stakes rise even higher as a vampire army looms in the background, threatening to overshadow Bella’s big decision. Will she choose to become a vampire and spend eternity with Robert Pattinson, or stay human and pursue a doomed relationship with a werewolf stalker? Needless to say, we’re on the edge of our seats!

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Timestamps ;)

0:00 - Intro

3:52 - Eclipse Review

53:22 - News Chat

1:02:05 - What We've Been Watching

1:17:59 - Question Of The Week

Another year, another Melbourne International Film Festival (or MIFF, as I begrudgingly call it) is in the books. This time, we caught a screening of Hoard, a British indie film directed by first-time filmmaker Luna Carmoon. The story centers on a young woman grappling with the haunting memories of her troubled childhood, spent with her mother, an obsessive hoarder. Starring Saura Lightfoot-Leon and Joseph Quinn (whom some of us have dubbed the "young Jude Law"), the film delivers some truly grotesque and shocking moments that have unsurprisingly sparked a divide in our reactions. The narrative unfolds in a surreal and sometimes baffling manner, leaving much to unpack. Join us as we delve into the film's layers, exploring its themes of grief, memory, and unexpected connections. And since Luna managed to snag Joseph Quinn for her debut, we also take a moment to discuss which actors we’d realistically cast in our own first films.

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Timestamps ;)

0:00 - Intro

2:26 - Hoard Review

1:12:57 - News Chat

1:19:11 - What We've Been Watching

1:30:07 - Question Of The Week

Alien: Romulus marks the return of the iconic franchise to the big screen for the first time in seven years. And that of course means we have a duty to see it because two years ago we reviewed every single Alien movie (AvP doesn't count). Directed by horror filmmaker Fede Alvarez, Romulus is set in a distant colony where a group of young settlers finds themselves wanting for a better life. Unfortunately for them, their mission takes them to an "abandoned" space station where they have to survive the Xenomorphs. We discuss the fresh energy brought by a talented cast of younger actors, including Cailee Spaeny as Rain, who perfectly over the mantle from Ripley. The film's relentless atmosphere of dread and strong horror elements bring the terror and creativity of the series to new heights. And with an awesome and satisfying climax, Alien: Romulus is bound to greatly please long-time fans. Then after the review, we have to determine which Alien sequel should now be considered the best (because nothing tops Ridley's original film).

Timestamps ;)

0:00 - Intro

3:26 - Alien: Romulus Review

59:57 - News Chat

01:07:15 - What We've Been Watching

01:16:01 - Question Of The Week

Justice was done in our latest Instagram poll. Because we now get to dive deep into the riveting 2013 mystery thriller Prisoners, directed by ultra friend of the show Denis Villeneuve. The movie stars Hugh Jackman as desperate father Keller Dover, who takes the law into his own hands when his daughter goes missing, alongside Jake Gyllenhaal as determined detective Loki. With its gripping performances and Villeneuve's masterful direction, this film expertly portrays the psychological toll of having a missing loved one, and the slippery slope of morality when you are willing to do whatever it takes to find them. Needless to say Prisoners is a masterpiece everyone should watch. And very fitting with the chilling cinematography on display from Roger Deakins, after the review we discuss other great films which possess an innately cold feeling.

Timestamps ;)

0:00 - Intro

5:05 - Prisoners Review

1:20:20 - News Chat

1:31:20 - What We've Been Watching

1:36:19 - Question Of The Week

Smoking is Cool! Or at least Liam thinks so. It's easy to understand his position though as this week we are reviewing Good Night and Good Luck (2005). A brief historical drama directed by George Clooney that has so much smoke on screen it could kill a koala. The film explores the waning years of McCarthyism in America via the CBS news room as they investigate and attack the dangers of this ideal. The film was showered in award nominations but does it still hold up today in a world of vapes and snus? We also tackle the big discussion of Hollywood wages and Liam gives us an insight into the newest Shyamalan picture and whether it is just an advertisement for his daughters music career.

Timestamps ;)

0:00 - Intro

2:39 - Review

50:29 - News Chat

1:00:02 - What We've Been Watching

1:08:37 - Question Of The Week

We are making steady progress in reviewing all of David Fincher's films, as our review of Panic Room this week now marks the point of 75% completion. Off the back of Fight Club, a film with over a hundred locations, Fincher wanted to scale back production and make a smaller tension piece immersing the audience in a single home invasion. Production wasn't without its challenges however, as the movie took longer to shoot than anticipated, and lead Nicole Kidman had to pull out of the cast due to injury. Thankfully, Jodie Foster steps in alongside a young Kristen Stewart. The mother and daughter duo must outwit intruders (played very capably by Jared Leto and Forest Whitaker) while trapped inside their home's panic room. In the end the film doesn't quite reach our absolute favourite of Fincher's features. But we do need to highlight the precise camera movements that intensify this film's claustrophobic atmosphere, among many other cool moments throughout. Plus, it's finally time to talk about that RDJ MCU bombshell a week late. And we spontaneously review The Bear: Season 3.

Timestamps ;)

0:00 - Intro

1:50 - Panic Room Review

49:25 - News Chat

1:01:51 - What We've Been Watching

1:23:49 - Question Of The Week

It's time to dive (off a cliff) into the second chapter of the ground breaking Twilight Saga with New Moon. Bella Swan's world crumbles after her vampire boyfriend, Edward, ditches her for her own safety, leaving her to befriend the perpetually shirtless Jacob and uncover his very obvious werewolf secret. Join us as we poke fun at Bella's melodramatic spiral into depression, featuring the most obnoxious on-screen screaming, and the ineffectiveness of force ghost Robert Pattinson to prevent her extreme adrenaline-seeking antics. This film certainly strikes an interesting balance of cringe and entertainment. Then after the review as promised, it's time to chat our final thoughts on the recently finished Star Wars series, The Acolyte.

Timestamps ;)

0:00 - Intro

2:39 - New Moon Review

53:45 - News Chat

58:16 - What We've Been Watching

1:28:24 - Question Of The Week

Sofia Coppola's Lost In Translation is a heartfelt and beautifully understated film that captures a connection formed between two lonely souls in Tokyo. Join us as we explore the nuanced performances of Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, whose characters form an unlikely bond amidst the bustling yet isolating backdrop of the city. But if the dynamic of their relationship doesn't keep you glued to your screen, then Bill Murray trying to overcome the Japanese language barrier provides a slew of hilarious scenes. Admittedly this was also a timely watch for us as we prepare our own trip to Tokyo, so it was a bonus to find some good lessons for tourists. Plus, it's shockingly Emmys season all over again! Which means its time to predict this year's winners for the best in TV. Then in honour of Lost In Translation's wonderous opening shot, we discuss our favourite opening shots in cinema history.

Timestamps ;)

0:00 - Intro

1:55 - Lost In Translation Review

54:44 - News Chat

1:18:09 - What We've Been Watching

1:30:00 - Question Of The Week