Episode 69: Lee Tamahori's Once Were Warriors

In this episode, we dive into Hirokazu Kore-eda’s 2023 drama Monster, a delicate and emotionally layered story told from multiple perspectives. We explore how the film slowly reshapes our understanding of truth, intention, and human connection as it shifts between the viewpoints of a worried mother, a struggling teacher, and two boys caught at the center of a mysterious incident.We unpack the film’s nonlinear structure, its commentary on social pressure and misunderstanding, and the way Kore-eda uses perspective to challenge our assumptions. We also discuss Ryuichi Sakamoto’s haunting final score, the performances that anchor the narrative, and the themes of identity, empathy, and compassion that make Monster one of the most quietly powerful films of the decade.Whether you’ve seen the film or are discovering it for the first time, join us as we explore what happens when the truth depends on who’s telling the story—and why Monster asks us to look deeper before we judge.

This week, we chat about Sean Baker's Anora from last year. It won plenty of awards and we think it was great as well. So sit in and enjoy a relaxing hour of three friends yap about a good movie.

This week we talk about Ken Russell's The Devils from 1971.

This week, we’re looking at Once Were Warriors (1994), the powerful New Zealand drama that shook audiences worldwide. Directed by Lee Tamahori, the film tells the story of the Heke family, led by Jake “the Muss,” whose explosive violence collides with Beth’s strength and resilience as she struggles to protect her children. Unflinching in its depiction of domestic abuse, poverty, and cultural identity, Once Were Warriors is both heartbreaking and vital—a raw portrait of generational trauma and survival that has lost none of its impact.

In this episode, we dive into Tickled (2016), the jaw-dropping documentary that starts with journalist David Farrier stumbling upon the quirky world of “competitive endurance tickling” videos. What begins as a lighthearted curiosity quickly spirals into a dark investigation uncovering harassment, intimidation, and a shadowy empire behind the strange subculture. We’ll explore how a seemingly harmless fetish unraveled into a chilling story about power, control, and secrecy—and why Tickled remains one of the most unsettling and unforgettable documentaries of the past decade.

This week, we’re white-knuckling through William Friedkin’s Sorcerer (1977) — the tense, explosive thriller that nearly got buried by Star Wars but aged into a masterpiece.Sweat, dynamite, and Tangerine Dream: is this Friedkin’s most underrated film?

This week, we’re cracking open Sneakers (1992) — the ultimate ‘90s tech-heist thriller with an all-star cast: Redford, Poitier, Kingsley, and a young River Phoenix.Encryption, espionage, and one hell of a soundtrack — how does this cult classic hold up in our digital age?

This week, we’re diving into the slow-burn brilliance of Barry Lyndon — Stanley Kubrick’s lush, calculated, and misunderstood masterpiece. From candlelit scenes to duels at dawn, we break down how this 1975 epic turned aristocratic ambition into cinematic art.Is it cold, or is it genius? Let’s talk Lyndon.

In this episode, we dive deep into Hunger (2008), Steve McQueen’s harrowing debut feature that chronicles the final months of Irish republican Bobby Sands during the 1981 hunger strike at Maze Prison. We explore how the film uses silence, imagery, and physical degradation to portray both the brutality of the prison system and the resilience of the human spirit. From the unforgettable 17-minute unbroken shot between Sands and the priest, to the haunting portrayal of bodily sacrifice, we unpack how Hunger confronts themes of power, resistance, and martyrdom. Join us as we discuss Michael Fassbender’s transformative performance and the film's enduring impact on political cinema.

A 2002 crime drama film written and directed by Lukas Moodysson, which was released in Sweden on 23 August 2002. It depicts the downward spiral of Lilja Michailova, played by Oksana Akinshina, a girl in the former Soviet Union whose mother abandons her to move to the United States. The story is loosely based on the true case of Danguolė Rasalaitė.