Movies
Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Nights' resident screen critic joins Mark Leishman to talk about One Battle After Another (in cinemas) and a new "secret cinema" initiative from AroVision in Wellington. Audio
A formulaic Aussie film saved by a charming ensemble
If you like kangaroos, big city weathermen being accepted in a town with virtually no weather, cute kids and lovable adults, then this likable Aussie outing will hit the mark.
Review : Kangaroo
Kangaroo has all the right elements for a feelgood, family movie - small-town outback Australia, a big city idiot and a teenage girl both looking for redemption, and an awful lot of kangaroos… Audio
You Had Me At Hello
Simon Morris is seduced by some undeniably charming stars - Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell in A Big, Bold, Beautiful Journey, indigenous Australian national treasures Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair… Audio
Review : Prime Minister
Prime Minister is the story of Jacinda Ardern's eventful five years leading Aotearoa New Zealand. With previously unseen footage shot by Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford, it's not just a biopic of a… Audio
Review : A Big Bold Beautiful Journey
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey features Colin Farrell (In Bruges) and Margot Robbie (Barbie) being drawn back into their pasts by magical rental car! Directed by Kogonada (After Yang) and featuring… Audio
Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Nights' resident screen critic joins Emile Donovan to review the American fantasy comedy horror film Sketch and looks back at the work of the late Robert Redford and selects five titles that are… Audio
Clunkety clunk, as always, goes the latest Downton spin-off
Sumptuous looking and with a dream cast, Julian Fellowes' latest aristo outing nevertheless serves up the more of the same clunky plotting and tin-eared dialogue.
Review : Splitsville
Splitsville sees the International Film Festival comedy about open marriages get a general release. Essentially a millennial version of a Sixties hit, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, with added (male)… Audio
Just Your Opinion Man
Simon Morris finds himself on the wrong side of history - or at least the general, critical opinion of the new Stephen King movie, The Long Walk, and millennial sex-comedy Splitsville. Though he… Audio
Review : The Long Walk
The Long Walk, based on Stephen King's first novel, is set in a dystopian future where 50 young men compete to be the last one standing. If they slow down they're shot. Directed by Francis Lawrence… Audio
Review : Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is the third and final Downton movie, we're told. It features all the old favourite characters - and, frankly old favourite plotlines. With added Noël Coward, and… Audio
'I can't stop crying' - Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep and more remember Robert Redford
Robert Redford tributes pour in from Hollywood figures including Jane Fonda, James Gunn, Meryl Streep, and more following the actor's death.
China in spotlight as NZ short film festival turns 20
New Zealand film lovers are in for a treat this October - a chance to catch some of the most exciting short films coming out of China.
Review: 'How to Make a Killing' - French farce of the old school
This year's Laure Calamy comedy is a classic example of the French farce - a soufflé built around a Swiss watch.
'The Roses': Colman, Cumberbatch shine in literate, funny remake
The Roses is a gentler remake of the pitch-black 1980s divorce comedy The War Of The Roses and the stars turn out to be worthy successors.
Short-Cuts with Dan Slevin
Our weekly catchup with the Nights' resident screen critic. Audio
Review : How To Make A Killing
How To Make A Killing sees Laure Calamy (Call My Agent) caught up in a tangle of gangsters, refugees, a big bundle of money - and a gigantic black bear. French farce at its most farcical - and French… Audio
Review : The Roses
The Roses is a gentler remake of the pitch-black Eighties divorce comedy The Ear Of The Roses. But stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch turn out to be worthy successors. Directed by Jay Roach… Audio
You Have To Laugh
Simon Morris looks at three films that use comedy in different ways to make a point - the divorce comedy The Roses, a film about a traumatic event, Sorry, Baby, that uses humour as a healing tool and… Audio
