Movies
Not a white hat in sight in Ari Aster's scorched earth satire 'Eddington'
Set in New Mexico during the dark days of the 2020 pandemic, Eddington shows a country losing its mind.
Three films that bound them - LOTR cast reunite
Lord of the Rings cast members still hold New Zealand close to their hearts after 25 years, and several are making plans to return
Rings fellowship making tracks to NZ
Lord of the Rings cast members still hold New Zealand close to their hearts after 25 years, and several are making plans to return. Audio
Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Nights' resident screen critic joins Mark Leishman to review the new film Eddington by Ari Aster, Gut Instinct which was produced, written, directed and edited by Auckland filmmaker Doug Dillaman and… Audio
KPop Demon Hunters a huge hit for Netflix - what you need to know about it
The Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters is the streamer's most-watched original film.
The Naked Gun: Do Pamela Anderson and Liam Neeson live up to the original?
This may fall slightly short of the original, but it remains a fun comedy very much worth seeing. In a packed theatre.
Movie review - Eddington
Eddington is a satire about the year of Covid 19, with Joaquin Phoenix as an anti-mandate sheriff at odds with the Mayor, angry protest groups and conspiracy-nut influencers. Directed by Ari Aster… Audio
Movie review - Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life is, surprisingly, a French film about a fan of the great novelist, who goes to England as part of an Austen residency. And soon her life starts to echo an Austen romance… Audio
Movie review - Nobody 2
Nobody 2 sees the return of that most unlikely of action heroes, Bob Odenkirk (TV's Better Call Saul). His family demands that he take time off beating up bad guys to take a holiday. But trouble seems… Audio
At the Movies for 24 August 2025 FESTIVAL NOVELTIES
Simon Morris welcomes two films from two festivals, both offering some originality. From the International Festival comes Ari Aster's Covid thriller Eddington, while from the French one comes the… Audio
Quentin Tarantino on what he thinks his ‘best’ movie is
Hollywood filmmaker Quentin Tarantino has revealed which of his movies he thinks is the best -and it's probably not the one you'd expect.
Samoan director celebrates debut feature film success
New Zealand-based Samoan director, Miki Magasiva's debut feature film "Tina" has pipped iconic Whale Rider at the box office to become the fifth most successful Kiwi film. Audio
Review - Freakier Friday
Freakier Friday sees Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan in the sequel to 2003's body-swap comedy Freaky Friday. Now they find themselves in the bodies of two new teenagers, on the eve of another… Audio
Review - Mr Burton
Mr Burton is the story of a directionless schoolboy in wartime Wales called Richie Jenkins. He is taken under the wing of his teacher, borrows his name and becomes Wales's greatest theatrical star… Audio
Review - The Friend
The Friend sees a grieving New York writer find herself the unwilling recipient of her dead friend's pet - a gigantic Great Dane called Apollo. Starring Naomi Watts, Bill Murray and a gigantic dog… Audio
Great Dames
Simon Morris looks at three films starring strong contenders to follow Dame Maggie, Dame Judi and Dame Helen. Lesley Manville features in Mr Burton, Naomi Watts shines in The Friend and Jamie Lee… Audio
Smash hit film Tinā surpasses Whale Rider at box office
Tinā director Miki Magasiva says the achievement is a "huge milestone" and he's still overwhelmed by the continued success.
Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile to review Riviera Revenge (in cinemas), The Friend (in cinemas) and The Pickup (Prime Video). Audio
Review: French Hitchcockian homage lacks seasoning
Foraged mushrooms cause issues again, this time in French psychological drama.
How two dames met and made a documentary
When they met for the first time at a Rita Angus retrospective, the idea for Grace: A Prayer for Peace was born.
