Simon Morris
Movie review - Top End Wedding
Charm is Australian film director Wayne Blair's stock in trade – he made the popular musical The Sapphires. Blair's new romantic comedy Top End Wedding has a bicultural message under the laughs, says…
Video, AudioMovie review - Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen
This New Zealand documentary lays it all out in the title. It's a film about the Māori film-maker, activist and indigenous film pioneer Merata Mita made by her son Hepi. Video, Audio
Movie review - Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen
This New Zealand documentary lays it all out in the title. It's a film about the Māori film-maker, activist and indigenous film pioneer Merata Mita made by her son Hepi.
Video, AudioMovie review - John Wick 3: Parabellum
In John Wick 3: Parabellum, Keanu Reeves' dog-loving hitman is up against even more assassination. The film is undeniably entertaining but hopefully future installments will give female characters… Video, Audio
Movie review - John Wick 3: Parabellum
In John Wick 3: Parabellum, Keanu Reeves' dog-loving hitman is up against even more assassination. The film is undeniably entertaining but hopefully future installments will give female characters…
Video, AudioAt the Movies for 22 May 2019
Simon Morris discovers that just because there's a range of movies doesn't mean they're exactly diverse. He settles for a blokey action franchise, and two different ways of dealing with biculturalism.
…Technology impacting on modern museums and galleries
In the world of museums, libraries and galleries these days, we're regularly reminded we have to keep up with current trends. And that means harnessing technology to attract audiences, to keep them -… Audio
Heihei celebrates its first birthday
Children's television has changed. These days, kids are as likely to be glued to YouTube as they are to be watching old-fashioned linear TV. And that's a worry for some, and it's why parents demanded… Audio
NZ music, museums and childrens' TV on arts & culture radio show 19 May
This Sunday on Standing Room Only, your arts and culture radio show from 12.30pm Mark Amery is standing in for Lynn Freeman
Coming up
Movie review - Long Shot
Long shot is the odd-couple pairing of Charlize Theron and Seth Rogen as a Presidential candidate and her speech writer who fall in love. Audio
Movie review - The Hustle
The Hustle is a switch on old favourite Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with the Michael Caine and Steve Martin roles handed to Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson. Audio
Movie review - The Chills
The Chills - The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps is a big-screen telling of the tale of one of our best band. Directed by Rob Curry and Julia Parnell. Audio
At the Movies for 15 May 2019
Simon Morris finds three films for the audience squeezed between the Spiderman set, and the fans of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. Audio
Hollywood Maverick John Milius
Hollywood maverick John Milius was a good example of the old warning: "keep your politics out of the movies". A self-proclaimed right-wing anarchist Milius seems to be the direct link between Dirty… Video, Audio, Gallery
The Growth of Subtitles
One of the unexpected benefits of the explosion of entertainment available on streaming services like Netflix is that many people have lost a fear of subtitles. Successful TV shows are now coming from… Audio
Shel Silverstein and Tupua Tigafua
For the past five years the Kai Mau Festival in Wellington has been encouraging exciting works, engaging with Maori, Pasifika and indigenous companies from across the Pacific. But Standing Room Only's… Audio, Gallery
Your menu for RNZ National’s Standing Room Only Sunday 12 May
Lynn Freeman is in Venice with Auckland sculptor Virginia King, so Simon Morris is in the presenter chair. Simon’s surprised to find a Samoan-based dance show by Tupua Tigafua inspired by the works of…
Coming up
Kenneth Branagh: All Is True
Kenneth Branagh’s long obsession with Shakespeare has culminated in a film, All Is True, about the bard’s final years in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he had returned to live “to be this modest man of… Video, Audio
Kenneth Branagh: All Is True
Kenneth Branagh’s long obsession with Shakespeare has culminated in a film, All Is True, about the bard’s final years in Stratford-upon-Avon, where he had returned to live “to be this modest man of…
Video, AudioReviews - The Chaperone & The Aftermath
The Chaperone (written by Downton Abbey's Julian Fellowes) and The Aftermath (starring Keira Knightley) are a little too reminiscent of older and better movies, according to Simon Morris. Video, Audio
