The Countdown

Top 10 Most Anticipated Films (of the Rest) of 2026

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.

 

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Project Hail Mary review

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.

 

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The Top 10 Films of 2025 - Without Jason From Binge Movies

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 7 review

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.

 

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28 Years Later: The Bone Temple review

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!).

The WORST 10 Films of 2025

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.

 

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While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!

The Best & Worst of 2025 Television

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.

 

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While you're at it, check out Wayne's new YouTube channel, Waxing & Wayning!

Top 10 Books We Have Read

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!

One Battle After Another and A Big Bold Beautiful Journey reviews

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!).

Top 10 Last 10: Mid-2025 Edition

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!