The Countdown

Countdown #512 Recorded in mid-March, Paul and Wayne look at what is slated for release in 2026 and rank order what they're most excited to see form 10 to 1. Of course, some of those films have already come to (and in one case, gone from) cinemas, so you'll get to enjoy a knowing laugh or two at some of these choices ... So if you're looking for a guide as to the most Countdownian of films to be released through the remainder of 2026, then you've absolutely come to the right place. As the 2026 version of The Countdown continues ... Want more? Find heaps more Countdowns - all the way back to Episode 40! - on our Podbean site. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with Paul and Wayne and the great listeners of the show. While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!

In this completely NON-SPOILER review, Wayne goes a little crazy for this Gosling shaped brand of entertainment that Andy Weir, Phil Lord and Christopher Miller has fashioned, resulting in him giving Project Hail Mary the most definitive two thumbs down of all time! (This will make sense if you've seen the movie ...) Paul, meanwhile, hasn't see the film at the time of recording, so he's all about the questions and insisting Wayne spoils nothing! If you want more Countdowns and reviews - all the way back to Episode 40! - hit up our Podbean site. Check out Wayne's YouTube channel for more Wayne-esque content at Waxing & Wayning. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

Countdown #511 A long time ago, in a galaxy exactly like this one, three podcasters recorded their regular crossover event in which the American joined the two Australians to talk the best films of the previous calendar year. But the stars were not aligned that day, my friends. For the American had technical difficulties and his end of the conversation was lost to the Dark Movie Overl- sorry, wrong show - to the ether, forever. It took many moons until the Australians felt ready to again scale the mountain that is this massive topic, knowing they would be doing so without their American friend. But here, now, eventually, <i>finally</i>, that episode is yours to enjoy. But while doing so, spare a thought for the American in this story. Maybe go over and give his final season of Binge Movies a listen - one of the Australians did, after all, feature on the most recent ranking episode - the supposedly second last in that show's existence. Or, if you're ready for some blood and gore, hit up that same American-Australian combo with ANOTHER (lovely) American over on the soon to be completed second season of The Slashers. But whatever way you cut it, get ready to hear about the very best films that last year had to offer. In mid-March of the following year (but whatever) ... Want more? Find heaps more Countdowns - all the way back to Episode 40! - on our Podbean site. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with Paul and Wayne and the great listeners of the show. While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!

Scream is back with its seventh installment and it's eating up the box-office, but the critics (generally) think it's pretty crap. So where does the franchise-loving Paul and the horror-hating Wayne stand? There's only one way to find out, and it's not by following the news, watching the football, or thinking about how hot your latest crush is. Get downloading! Time Stamps: Scream 7 NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 14:15 Scream 7 SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 14:15 - 22:35 Final Scores and Thoughts Including Potential Spoilers: 22:35 - 22:55 If you want more Countdowns and reviews - all the way back to Episode 40! - hit up our Podbean site. Want to see the video version of this review? Check out Wayne's channel, Waxing & Wayning. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

Danny Boyle hands the reigns to Nia DaCosta as the saga of the rage virus and the country it has decimated continues ... But is it a better film than the love it or hate it first film in the proposed new trilogy? Does Wayne overcome his Wayneness to watch this one with Paul? Or will it be Paul doing the heavy lifting on this horror film? And most importantly, can a film released in January be truly good? You know the way to find out and it will encourage us to put more of these reviews out, so ... Time Stamps: The Bone Temple NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 11:04 The Bone Temple SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 11:04 - 18:58 Final Scores and Thoughts Including Potential Spoilers: 18:58 - 19:23 If you want more Countdowns and reviews - all the way back to Episode 40! - hit up our Podbean site. Check out Wayne's YouTube channel for more Wayne-esque content at Waxing & Wayning. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

Countdown #510 For the first episode of 2026, the lads are celebrating all the film-related reasons why they're happy to say goodbye to 2025 with a countdown of the worst 10 films of 2025. From disappointments through big comic-book films to head-scratching oddities, this episode takes no prisoners in calling out the biggest pieces of crap that tarnished our eyes through the year that was 2025. So sit back, relax, and let Wayne and Paul act as your PSA when it comes to films you should avoid, as The Countdown enters 2026 swinging roundhouse left and right ... Want more? Find heaps more Countdowns - all the way back to Episode 40! - on our Podbean site. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with Paul and Wayne and the great listeners of the show. While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!

Countdown #509 Just in time for the new year of film and television, Paul and Wayne return to begin their wrap up of the year that was 2025. And, as always, they begin with their lists of the best and worst of television! Was it a banner year for TV? Will future generations look back and marvel at what we were able to watch from the comfort of our couches through 2025? Or is this one of those years that will slip into obscurity without anything to truly set it apart from the decades of television that came before it? Does the good outweigh the bad? Or is there more to lambast than there is to praise? There's only one way to find out - at least, if you care about anything Wayne and Paul have to say - and that's to hit the play button and sit back to enjoy The Countdown, as it (intermittently!) continues... Want more? Find heaps more Countdowns - all the way back to Episode 40! - on our Podbean site. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with Paul and Wayne and the great listeners of the show. While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!

Countdown #508 Novels. Graphic novels. Comics. Non-fiction books. Fantasy. Self-Help. Horror. Superhero. All types of books and genres are in play as the lads attempt to quantify the unquantifiable and countdown the very best books they both have read through to this point in their lives. And you could not hope for more different lists. Prepare yourself for an episode without much in the way of outrage, derision, snorts of disbelief, or rueful chuckles at what might have been, as Wayne has read only two on Paul's list and Paul has read none of what Wayne is putting out there. So get ready to add to your TBR Pile, as The Countdown stutters but resumes! Want more? Find heaps more Countdowns - all the way back to Episode 40! - on our Podbean site. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with Paul and Wayne and the great listeners of the show. While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!

Wayne has been to TWO advanced screening - kicking Paul to the curb (who may or may not have been busy) in the process - and now he fronts up to tell you, dear listener, which (if either) of One Battle After Another and a A Big Bold Beautiful Journey are worth your time and hard-earned... Will Margot Robbie count for more than Leo and PTA combined? Or does the rest of the critical world have it right and is One Battle the film you should be prioritising for your next night out? (Unless, of course, it's a first date, as the boys will again tell you during this recording.) Find out as The Countdown returns with a new episode! Time Stamps: One Battle After Another NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 10:50 A Big Bold Beautiful Journey NON-SPOILER Review: 10:50 - 18:46 If you want more Countdowns and reviews - all the way back to Episode 40! - hit up our Podbean site. Check out Wayne's YouTube channel for more Wayne-esque content at Waxing & Wayning. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

Countdown #507 It's been too long between countdowns, so the lads are back with almost 20 mini-film reviews with their latest Top 10 Last episode. There are crossovers, disagreements, banter and bad language aplenty as Wayne and Paul count down of their most recent watches, from worst to best, letting you know where you should start watching their list along the way. In other words, The Countdown still has a hearty beat! Find its pulse by hitting that download button... Want more? Find heaps more Countdowns - all the way back to Episode 40! - on our Podbean site. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with Paul and Wayne and the great listeners of the show. While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!

Frank Drebin (Junior) is back in The Naked Gun sequel/reboot/requel. And this time he's played by Liam Neeson. Can he crack the case involving the Elon-Musk type Danny Huston? And are Liam and Pamela Anderson really in love? But most importantly, is the film funny? Find out by pressing that play button ... Time Stamps: The Naked Gun NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 10:58 The Naked Gun SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 10:58 - 19:46 Final Scores and Thoughts Including Potential Spoilers: 19:46 - 20:11 If you want more Countdowns and reviews - all the way back to Episode 40! - hit up our Podbean site. Check out Wayne's YouTube channel for more Wayne-esque content at Waxing & Wayning. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

Where's the colon?? The Jurassic Park franchise is back and after dinosaurs were let loose to spread across the earth, what more can the franchise offer viewers? The answer is to go back to the beginning formula and hope nobody notices! But almost 32 years later, can Universal once again stuff lightning in a bottle? Or without Steven Spielberg and Jeff Goldblum is this one DOA? Find out by pressing that play button ... Time Stamps: Jurassic Park Rebirth NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 15:18 Jurassic Park Rebirth SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 15:18 - 23:41 Final Scores and Thoughts Including Potential Spoilers: 23:41 - 24:57 If you want more Countdowns and reviews - all the way back to Episode 40! - hit up our Podbean site. Check out Wayne's YouTube channel for more Wayne-esque content at Waxing & Wayning. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

It's time for Wayne's most anticipated film of the year! With James Gunn in the driver's seat, can his vision of Superman possibly live up to Wayne's expectations? And what about Paul? How will he go with this ultra comic-booky, positive version of Superman? The results may surprise you! Time Stamps: Superman NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 18:05 Superman SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 18:05 - 29:12 Final Scores and Thoughts Including Potential Spoilers: 29:12 - 32:17 If you want more Countdowns and reviews - all the way back to Episode 40! - hit up our Podbean site. Check out Wayne's YouTube channel for more Wayne-esque content at Waxing & Wayning. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

Wayne is a massive wuss and leaves Paul to check out the third film in the 28 Film franchise all on his own. Will Paul be consumed by the rage virus? Does Wayne stand a chance against 28 inches? There's only one way to find out as Danny Boyle and Alex Garland return to resurrect this franchise from the dead. (They're NOT zombies, damnit!) Time Stamps: 28 Years Later NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 8:12 28 Years Later SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 8:12 - 15:05 Final Scores and Thoughts Including Potential Spoilers: 15:05 - 15:52 If you want more Countdowns and reviews - all the way back to Episode 40! - hit up our Podbean site. Check out Wayne's YouTube channel for more Wayne-esque content at Waxing & Wayning and the specific video of this review can be found here! Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

Ready for your Pitt stop? (Wayne's joke: full credit.) Racing! Brad Pitt! Joseph Kosinksi! 200 million dollars! Do you need any more reasons to check out this very early review with thanks Warner Brothers Pictures Australia? We didn't think so. Time Stamps: F1 NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 12:45 F1 SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 15:43 - 21:02 Final Scores and Thoughts Including Potential Spoilers: 21:02 - 22:45 If you want more Countdowns and reviews - all the way back to Episode 40! - hit up our Podbean site. Check out Wayne's YouTube channel for more Wayne-esque content at Waxing & Wayning and the specific video of this review can be found here! Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

Countdown #506 To mark the almost half way mark of the year, Paul and Wayne get together to rank and rate the ten TV seasons they've been consuming in 2025. Counting down (cause that's the name of the show) from worst to best, the lads will attempt to warn you off anything poor they've laboured through, before highlighting the shows that are absolute worth your precious time. So smash that play button and ready yourself for the usual questionable takes, non-subtle banter and shrill laughter, because The Countdown is back (for this month's longer episode)! Want more? Find heaps more Countdowns - all the way back to Episode 40! - on our Podbean site. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with Paul and Wayne and the great listeners of the show. While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!

Two for the price of one this week as the boys check out a film everyone would expect them to (Ballerina) as well as one nobody would think would be their jam (The Phoenician Scheme). Are those assumptions correct or are their some surprisesn in store? Find out but hitting that play button on this ep! Time Stamps: Ballerina NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 9:00 Ballerina SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 9:00 - 20:05 The Phoenician Scheme NON-SPOILER Review: 20:05 - 29:57 Check out Wayne's YouTube channel for more Wayne-esque content at Waxing & Wayning. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

Countdown #505 Aka the Top 10 Gateway Horror Films episode! Do you have a friend who refuses to watch horror films even though you know there are many great films in that genre? Or perhaps you have a child or a niece or nephew who is just getting to that age where they're developing an interest in horror films? Maybe you want to introduce your significant other to this most awesome genre, but aren't sure where to start because you don't want to be over-eager and blow it with something too full on? Or perhaps you're just a massive wuss like Wayne and are ready to challenge yourself with some slightly more frightening or gory films? Well, the boys have just the episode for you. And it's a classic in every sense as Paul and Wayne come at their lists in polar opposite directions, but regardless, will guide you on what to watch when it comes to gateway horror films! Want more? Find heaps more Countdowns - all the way back to Episode 40! - on our Podbean site. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with Paul and Wayne and the great listeners of the show. While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!

The final film (maybe?!) in the Mission Impossible franchise dropped EARLY in Australia and with thankls to Paramount Pictuyres Australia, the boys were in attendance at an advanced screening to bring you the early word on whether Tom cruise and Christopher McQuarrie nail the brief. Can Ethan Hunt overcome the entity and save everybody he loves as well as the world? Will Wayne regret seeing a 170 minute films twice in three days? And just how inadequate does Tom Cruise make the guys feel? You know the only way to learn these questions: tune in, damnit! Time Stamps: MI: TFR NON-SPOILER Review: 0:00 - 15:43 MI: TFR SPOILER-FILLED Discussion: 15:43 - 28:51 Final Thoughts Including Potential Spoilers: 28:51 - 30:33 Check out Wayne's YouTube channel for more Wayne-esque content at Waxing & Wayning and the specific video of this review can be found here! Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with other listeners of the show (as well as the lads themselves!).

Countdown #504 With thanks to those mad geniuses at the Cinereelists Podcast for the concept, Paul and Wayne are back with their first Top 10 Last 10 episode in over 6 months. Tune in for 20 mini-reviews as the guys countdown ten of their recent watches from worst to best, and letting you know the point where they recommend you start watching what they're reviewing. Of course, there's the usual bawdy humour, subtle and not so subtle swipes at one another, and more than one controversial call, but what else do you listen to The Countdown for? Check out Wayne's playlist of Yacht Rock songs if you must! Want more? Find heaps more Countdowns - all the way back to Episode 40! - on our Podbean site. Join The Countdown Podcast Listener Community on Facebook so you can interact more directly with Paul and Wayne and the great listeners of the show. While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!