At The Movies

Robert Sarkies directs a film about the aftermath of New Zealand’s worst modern workplace tragedy – reviewed by Dan Slevin.

Dan Slevin reviews Guillermo Del Toro’s epic passion project, an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic horror about a mad scientist who believes he can breathe life into a dead flesh with disastrous results.

Dan Slevin reviews three new films: Robert Sarkies directs Pike River, a film about the aftermath of New Zealand’s worst modern workplace tragedy; Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is a biopic about rock star Bruce Springsteen and the creation of his introspective masterpiece Nebraska; and in cinemas (soon to be streaming on Netflix), Frankenstein is Guillermo Del Toro’s epic passion project, an adaptation of Mary Shelley’s gothic horror about a mad scientist who believes he can breathe life into a dead flesh with disastrous results.

Dan Slevin reviews a biopic about rock star Bruce Springsteen and the creation of his introspective masterpiece Nebraska.

Dan Slevin reviews a horror sequel set in a snowy Christian youth camp.

Channing Tatum plays an escaped convict who hides out in a toy store – reviewed by Dan Slevin.

Dan Slevin reviews two new films in cinemas: In Roofman, Channing Tatum plays an escaped convict who hides out in a toy store; Black Phone 2 is a horror sequel set in a snowy Christian youth camp; and on Apple TV, Mr. Scorsese is a five-part documentary series about the legendary director Martin Scorsese.

Dan Slevin reviews a five-part Apple TV documentary series about the legendary director Martin Scorsese.

Australian-New Zealand co-production Went Up The Hill is a ghost story with a twist. Jack returns home for his mother's funeral, where he meets her widow, Jill. And it seems mum is reluctant to leave the family home. Starring Vicky Kriep (Phantom Thread) and Dacre Montgomery (TV's Stranger Things) it's directed by New Zealand-born, Sydney based Samuel Van Grinsven.

Eleanor The Great sees a grieving 90-year-old woman - played by June Squibb (Thelma) - impersonate a Holocaust survivor with the best of intentions, she thinks. But it all gets away from her. Also starring Chiwetel Ejiafor (12 Years a Slave) and Erin Kellyman (28 Years Later). The directing debut of Scarlett Johansson.

French favourite Miss Violet sees a woman with a mysterious past arrive in a rural village to take over the local school in the 1880s. But she runs into resistance from village parents who think of education as optional only. Written and directed by Éric Besnard (Délicieux).

Simon Morris checks out three female-led films, and wonders if the Bechdel test for substantial female characters in movies still applies. From the USA, Eleanor The Great, starring June Squibb and directed by Scarlett Johansson…. From France, Miss Violet fights for free, secular education…. And from New Zealand, Went Up The Hill, a ghost story in which two people are haunted by one (female) ghost.

Play Dirty sees writer-director Shane Black (Predator, Iron Man 3) bring pulp fiction favourite Parker to the screen. Robber/gunman Parker (Mark Wahlberg) is roped into a billion dollar heist by untrustworthy Zen (Rosa Salazar – Alita). Expect cars, horses and a spectacular train-wreck. On Amazon Prime.

Steve, starring and produced by Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) is the story of a troubled teacher holding a 1990s English reform school together by sheer will-power. Featuring Tracy Ullman, Emily Watson and musician Little Simz, it’s directed by Belgian film-maker Tim Mielants (Patrick). On Netflix.

The Smashing Machine tells the true story of Mixed Martial Arts pioneer Mark Kerr and his struggles with drugs and depression. Starring Dwayne Johnson/The Rock (Fast and Furious) and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada), it’s directed by Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems).