The 2024 Terror-Fi Film Festival line up is here!

The Terror-Fi Film Festival has unleashed its 2024 programme.

The festival is once again playing in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch from Weds October 30.

And once again, the event's packed in a series of premieres and genre faves.

The full line up:

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE OPENING NIGHT FILM - HERETIC

A24’s HERETIC, the most anticipated horror of the year, opens Terror-Fi 2024!   

In his first horror, Hugh Grant delivers a career best performance as Mr. Reed, a man hell bent on upending the belief system of two unsuspecting missionaries… played by the brilliant Sophie Thatcher (‘Yellowjackets’, ‘Prospect’) and Chloe East (‘The Fablemans’, ‘The Wolf of Snow Hollow’). 

Two young missionaries become ensnared in a deadly game of cat and mouse when they knock on the door of the diabolical Mr. Reed. Trapped in his home, they must turn to their faith if they want to make it out alive.

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE OPENING NIGHT FILM 2 - TERRIFIER 3

Slasher fans are in for a treat on Opening Night of Terror-Fi 2024. If you thought TERRIFIER 2 was delightfully depraved…  TERRIFIER 3 takes the diabolical franchise to a whole new level. Come bathe in the blood bath with us! 

After surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and her brother struggle to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. However, just when they think they’re safe, Art returns, determined to turn their holiday cheer into a new nightmare.

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE CLOSING NIGHT FILM - STRANGE DARLING

The ‘Film of Year’, STRANGE DARLING, will have its premiere at Terror-Fi 2024!  

Shot entirely on 35mm, this twisted tale will put you on the edge of your seat, then throw you around until you don’t know which way is up! An absolute ‘must see’ on the big screen!  

A relentless predator tracks an injured woman through the Oregon wilderness. The woman does her best to outsmart her attacker, but with each tense moment she grows weaker and less able. He’s a man on a mission, and it’s only a matter of time before he captures his prey.

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE - NIGHTBITCH

Amy Adams transforming into a dog… need we say more!?!  

We’re incredibly excited that you get to see the NZ Premiere of this blockbuster comedy, horror hit hot off its World Premiere in Toronto… and a month before it hits our cinemas. Woof!!! 

An artist who pauses her career to be a stay-at-home mum seeks a new chapter in her life and encounters just that, when her nightly routine takes a surreal turn and her maternal instincts begin to manifest in canine form.

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE - U ARE THE UNIVERSE

U ARE THE UNIVERSE is indie filmmaking at its finest. This breathtakingly and beautiful sci-fi will make you laugh, make you cry… and feel everything in between!  

This Terror-Fi exclusive will be your only chance to see the film on the big screen! 

After Earth explodes, Ukrainian space trucker Andriy Melnyk becomes the last person in the universe until he receives a call from Catherine, a French woman on a distant space station. Despite the obstacles, Andriy decides to find her.

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE -THINGS WILL BE DIFFERENT

Fans of films like ‘The Endless’ and ‘Something in the Dirt’ will adore this brilliant indie time-travel thriller… produced by Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead. Tense and trippy… this a rabbit hole you’ll be glad you went down. 

This Terror-Fi exclusive will be your only chance to see the film on the big screen! 

Fleeing the police after a close-call robbery, two estranged siblings escape to a mysterious farmhouse that transports them to a different time. 

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE - ELSE

A stunningly beautiful fever dream with French indie filmmaking sensibilities, ELSE is a body-horror romance like you’ve never seen before. One of those ‘hidden gem’ films you love to discover at a festival! 

This Terror-Fi exclusive will be your only chance to see the film on the big screen! 

Anx has just met Cass when a mysterious virus breaks out: everywhere, people’s bodies are merging with objects. Stuck in their apartment, the couple must face this dreadful threat.

WORLD PREMIERE + Q&A - GUT INSTINCT

We’re incredibly excited to present the World Premiere of New Zealand director Doug Dillaman’s trippy post-apocalyptic sci-fi GUT INSTINCT, where you are an active participant in this one-of-a-kind, epic, eye-popping experiment. 

There will be some sweet treats to enjoy during the film… at the narrator’s command! 

Director Doug Dillaman will also be joining us for a Q&A in Wellington and Auckland!

After the alien gut microbe invasion that brought about the collapse of civilisation and the death of 93% of humanity, life has been … less than ideal. But no longer! Interself’s revolutionary Gut Instinct purification programme will free your mind – and your guts – forever!

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE - UFO SWEDEN

With ‘Super 8’ vibes and a Scandi sense of humour, UFO SWEDEN takes you on a delightfully entertaining sci-fi adventure…  the type cinemas were made for… leaving you with a satisfied grin all over your face! 

This Terror-Fi exclusive will be your only chance to see the film on the big screen! 

When a teenage rebel in foster care suspects that her father is not dead but kidnapped by UFOs, she enlists the help of an underground UFO association to find out the truth.

NEW ZEALAND PREMIERE - THE WAVES OF MADNESS

Inspired by the timeless terror of 1930s monster movies, classic video games, and H.P. Lovecraft, the world’s first side-scrolling horror comes creeping to our shores hot off its World Premiere this October. A truly unique indie gem! 

This Terror-Fi exclusive will be your only chance to see the film on the big screen! 

A special agent is dispatched to investigate a distress call from a round-the-world cruise, only to find the ship eerily abandoned and haunted by a malevolent force that twists sanity into terror.

WORLD PREMIERE 4K REMASTER + Q&A - BLACK SHEEP

They’re baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack… in 4K! Join us on Halloween for the World Premiere of the 4K Remaster of the New Zealand horror comedy classic BLACK SHEEP – remastered in collaboration with Jonathan King, Park Road Post, and Umbrella Entertainment. Kiwi genre classics don’t come much better than this! 

Director Jonathan King will be in attendance for Q&As in Wellington and Auckland! In Wellington, there’s also a Lamb Sandwich food option!

As this is our dress up event, so we’d love you to get creative and come as your genre take on what a classic Kiwi outfit would be – Zombie Buzzy Bee or Killer Kiwifruit perhaps? Prizes for best dressed! 

Sheep-fearing Henry returns to his brother’s farm, hoping his sibling will buy out his share of the property. However, what he finds are genetically altered sheep that prey on humans and turn their victims into undead, woolly killers. Shear madness ensues as Henry, an animal-rights activist and a farmhand set out to stop the rampaging animals.

BLACK SHEEP was digitised to 4K at Park Road Post as part of Umbrella’s commitment to discovering, restoring and releasing Australasian cinematic treasures. 

25th ANNIVERSARY + Q&A - SCARFIES

Join us to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of SCARFIES, the riotous black comedy that features Taika Waititi in his first acting role! Kiwi cult classics don’t come much better than this. 

Director Rob Sarkies will be in attendance for a Q&A in Wellington!

Five kiwi flatmates find something growing in their basement much to their delight, but when the rightful owner comes knocking and finds that they have appropriated the goods things start to go awry.

FREE SESSION – NEW ZEALAND PREMIERES - SHOWCASE SHORTS

Come see an incredible range of genre shorts from New Zealand and around the World… for free!  

This signature Terror-Fi event is carefully curated to showcase a range of new talent across a wide mix of genres…. filmmakers and films to look out for in the future!  

In Wellington this year we’ve added a new feature… where you also get to enjoy pitches from up-coming New Zealand feature film genre projects that are in currently development! 

The Terror-Fi Film Festival dates:

Wellington

30 October – 3 November

Auckland

30 October (Opening Night Screening)

& 7-10 November

Christchurch

30 October (Opening Night Screening)

& 14-17 November

TO BOOK TICKETS, VISIT TERRORFIFEST.COM

Amazon launches exciting new Kindle lineup

Amazon has announced an exciting new lineup of Kindle devices, designed to enhance the reading experience for every kind of reader. 

The new product line-up includes: 

• All-New Kindle Paperwhite: The fastest and thinnest Kindle ever, with 25% faster page turns and up to three months of battery life. Available now starting at NZ$329.
• New Entry-Level Kindle: A compact and affordable device, now in a fun Matcha colour, priced at NZ$219.
• Reimagined Kindle Scribe: Combining all the benefits of Kindle with a digital notebook, and a new first-of-its-kind in-book writing experience called ‘Active Canvas’. Available for pre-order starting at NZ$739.
• Introducing Kindle Colorsoft: The first-ever colour Kindle, launching in 2025, bringing vibrant, paper-like colour to enhance your reading experience.

Amazon has launched an entirely new lineup of Kindle devices — a reimagined Kindle Scribe, the fastest Kindle Paperwhite ever, a new entry Kindle in a fun, new Matcha colour, and the first-ever colour Kindle, coming in 2025 to New Zealand. 

 

“With summer just around the corner we know reading will be at all-time high, and our new Kindle lineup has something for everyone, no matter your reading style,” said Patrick Walker, Amazon Devices Country Manager, Australia and New Zealand. “We obsessed over every detail to deliver the best possible experience, and we know Kiwis will be excited by new features such as 25% faster page turns on the Kindle Paperwhite, a more dynamic and intuitive writing experience on the Kindle Scribe, and fun new colours across the range.”

 

Kindle Paperwhite: Our Fastest Kindle Yet – available now, prices starting from NZ$329

Since its debut in 2012, customers have made Kindle Paperwhite our best-selling Kindle —and the all-new Kindle Paperwhite is our fastest yet. Scrolling through your Kindle Library or Store is snappy and responsive, with 25% faster page turns. The display uses an oxide thin film transistor which gives it the highest contrast ratio of any Kindle Paperwhite, so text and images pop off the screen. A larger, seven-inch display is a first for Kindle Paperwhite — and yet it is also the thinnest Paperwhite ever with up to three months of battery life. 

 

Kindle Paperwhite is waterproof with 16GB of storage for thousands of books, and comes in Black, priced at NZ$329. Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition, which comes with 32GB of storage, optional wireless charging, and auto-adjusting front light, is available in Metallic Jade and Metallic Black, priced at NZ$359. Metallic Jade is only available on Amazon.com.au.

 

Kindle: Our Most Compact Kindle, Now in Matcha – available now, priced at NZ$219

Weighing in at just 158g, the new entry-level Kindle is small enough to fit in your hand or carry in your back pocket —and it’s packed with premium Kindle features. It has a 300ppi, glare-free display, now with faster page turns, higher contrast ratio, and a front light that is 25% brighter at max setting—as bright as Kindle Paperwhite.

 

It comes in black and a fun and fresh new Matcha colour, offers weeks of battery life from a single charge, and has 16GB of storage for holding thousands of books— all of which make it the ideal device for reading anywhere the day takes you for just NZ$219.

 

Kindle Scribe: A Kindle and Digital Notebook in One – available to pre-order now, prices starting from NZ$739

The all-new Kindle Scribe combines all the benefits of Kindle with an innovative notetaking device. The 10.2 inch display has new uniform white borders and the screen has a smooth, paper-like texture that makes it look and feel like you’re writing on a sheet of paper. Plus, at 300ppi text looks crisp and clear when you’re writing or reading. The Premium Pen is finely crafted to deliver just the right heft and balance, so it feels like holding an actual pen, and the new soft-tipped eraser feels like a pencil—you’ll think will you have to brush the screen clean after erasing. 

 

The new Kindle Scribe offers a first-of-its-kind in-book writing experience. With Active Canvas, you can write your thoughts directly in the book when inspiration strikes. Your note becomes part of the page and the book text dynamically flows around it—if you increase the font size, change the font style, or the book layout changes, the note remains visible exactly where you want it so you never lose any meaning or context. 

 

New Zealand customers can pre-order the all-new Kindle Scribe from today, which comes in Tungsten and Metallic Jade colours, with prices starting from NZ$739. Devices will begin shipping from December 5, and Metallic Jade is only available on Amazon.com.au.

 

Kindle Colorsoft: First Colour Kindle – coming in 2025 to New Zealand customers

The all-new Kindle Colorsoft brings colour to Kindle without compromise. It has everything customers love about Kindle today — high contrast, fast page turns, an auto-adjusting front-light, and weeks of battery life. It adds colour that is vibrant yet easy on the eyes. Now you can browse covers in colour in your Kindle Library or Store; see book photos and images in colour; or add colour highlights that you can easily search later. 

 

Everything about Kindle Colorsoft was meticulously designed to deliver rich, paper-like colour. It uses an oxide backplane with custom waveforms for fast performance and a higher contrast on both colour and black-and-white content. Its custom Colorsoft display includes a new light-guide with nitride LEDs that, when combined with our custom algorithms, enhances colour and increases brightness, all without washing details. You can zoom in on images without worrying about pixelating and you can choose between standard or vibrant colour styles. Kindle Colorsoft comes with wireless charging, up to 8 weeks of battery life, and is waterproof so you can bring it with you in the bath or take it to the beach without having to worry. 

 

Coming in 2025 to New Zealand customers.

 

Sustainability, Pricing and Availability

Kindle is available now in Black and Matcha, for just NZ$219. Kindle Paperwhite is available now in Black, for NZ$329, and Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition is available now in Metallic Black and Metallic Jade for NZ$359. The new Kindle Scribe will ship on December 5 and is available now for pre-order in Tungsten and Metallic Jade, with prices starting from NZ$739. 

 

A number of new accessories are launching to accompany the new Kindle line-up, including a new Matcha fabric cover for the Kindle for just NZ$54.95, and new fabric, plant-based leather and premium leather covers in a variety of colours for the new Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition and all-new Kindle Scribe starting from NZ$69.95

 

The new Kindle devices and accessories are available from Amazon.com.au and leading New Zealand retailers including Noel Leeming.

 

Kindle Colorsoft is coming in 2025 to New Zealand customers.

 

Our new Kindle lineup comes in packaging that averages 99% wood fibre-based materials from responsibly managed forests or recycled sources.

 

To learn more about all the devices Amazon announced, visit Amazon.com.au/MeetKindle.

 

JBL Launches Modern Audio AV Receivers and Stage 2 Loudspeakers

JBL Launches Modern Audio AV Receivers and Stage 2 Loudspeakers High performance audio designed to create a superior home theatre experience: stylish, intuitive, smart and scalable.

JBL has launched a new range of high performing audio models in New Zealand, expanding its home theatre offering with a series of AV Receivers and matching loudspeakers. The JBL Modern Audio (MA) AV Receivers and Stage 2 Loudspeakers were designed with music and movie enthusiasts in mind, bringing immersive audio to life through JBL’s rich expertise in cinema sound.

Michael Sherman, Senior Strategy Manager at JBL New Zealand, says the company is excited to bring the new range to market.

“JBL’s heritage was built from a legacy of providing sound for cinema, and today we’re able to recreate that detailed surround sound experience from the comfort of any living room,” Sherman says.

“What is most compelling about the new range is their simplicity and ease of use. Thanks to an easy set-up and smart features, the Modern Audio and Stage 2 range form an accessible surround system for anyone looking to level up their home entertainment into a high-performance immersive audio experience.”

Harnessing JBL’s rich expertise in cinema sound, including digital amplification and patented loudspeaker technology, the JBL MA AVRs and Stage 2 speakers are crafted to integrate with any content, from vinyl collections to streaming services, so users can listen to their favourite music, movies, and gaming content with clarity and realism.

Both AVRs and speakers feature a slim and sleek design, with a retro-modern feel and ambient lighting to blend seamlessly into modern home interiors.

Introducing the JBL Modern AVR Line up

The JBL MA series of AV receivers consist of five models, designed with the latest connectivity and technology features to bring entertainment content to life. With a focus on ease-of-use, the new AVRs bring the flexibility of a wide range of input sources and listening modes to help users switch between different content, from games to movies, with minimal effort and steps. Drawing on JBL’s audio engineering expertise, each model delivers high-performance immersive surround sound including powerful low noise Class D amplification and high-resolution DACs.

The JBL MA series AVRs includes three standard-performance models – two 5.1-channel models and a 7.1-channel model – in a more compact, shorter height chassis. Two additional high-performance models – a 7.1-channel model and a 9.1-channel model – offer additional performance improvements including more powerful amplifiers, higher-performance DACs and a second HDMI output.

JBL has engineered the MA series to be compatible with the latest and greatest in cinema and home entertainment technologies, such as 4K and 8K HDMI video, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio. Music can also be streamed wirelessly via Bluetooth and network streaming services such as Apple Airplay 2 and Google Chromecast.

The free EZ Set EQ app provides easy-to-use room equalization for optimised sound quality for all AVR models across the lineup. The calibration collects room acoustics data for each speaker group in under 2 minutes and can be done by anyone using an iOS or Android mobile device. Taking performance to the next level, the higher spec MA7100HP and MA9100HP models come “Dirac Live Ready” for automatic room correction, allowing integrators and power users to use advanced tools to optimise the system to their room acoustics.

Adhering to the design of simplicity, the appearance of the AVRs includes a unique glass front panel with minimal controls. The colour, on-screen display assists with easy system setup and operation, and the remote has been simplified for easy use. Designed to stand out on a shelf, while not competing for attention unless called upon, the next generation JBL AVRs feature a unique, retro inspired design with a modern touch. The range is available in two timeless colour options – a clean and classic white or warm “espresso” brown – differentiating them from a sea of black boxes.

“The top of the range JBL MA9100HP offers stunning realism with the latest 8k video, and nine channels of powerful low noise Class D amplification to all channels for the ultimate home cinema experience. All that power is packaged into a minimalist modern design that is unmistakably JBL,” says Sherman.

Stage 2 Loudspeakers

The new Stage 2 loudspeaker family was specially conceived to partner with the new JBL MA AVRs, building on the much-lauded performance of the previous generation Stage 1 series.

The line consists of eight models including two floor-standing speakers, two bookshelf speakers, one centre channel, one ATMOSheight speaker, and two powered subwoofers.

With more than 75 years of experience, JBL is the go-to audio provider for movie theatres, recording studios and luxury home theatres around the globe. Developed at the JBL Center of Acoustics Excellence in Northridge, California, the Stage 2 speakers draw on this rich heritage to produce the systems’ advanced acoustics.

Next-generation patented HDI waveguides and anodized tweeters produce room-filling sound and crystal-clear highs, while the polycellulose ribbed cone woofers generate deep, accurate, room filling base – essential for bringing movie action scenes and games to life.

Featuring a modern design with wood finishes, the Stage 2 speakers complement the sleek aesthetics of the new AVR range, with a choice of two colours – white and maple, or anthracite and espresso. Premium details, including magnetically attached grilles, give the Stage 2 series an elevated look.

Scalable System, Without Complexity

Many consumers find the home theatre component purchasing experience intimidating and overly complex. Not so with JBL MA AV Receivers and Stage 2 Loudspeakers as they were purposefully designed as a simple, turnkey system, both easy to understand and simple to install. Buying a single branded solution engineered to operate in unity effectively removes the need to figure out which components to combine, giving users the peace of mind that comes of knowing that everything they need is provided. Setup and upgrades are equally simple, so users can spend less time installing their system and more time enjoying it.

Whether users are just starting out with a basic two-channel system, upgrading from a soundbar or simple home audio system, or looking to build a high-end home theatre setup, this product range can be scaled accordingly. Moreover, the performance of each model has been optimised both individually and as a system, giving users the freedom to create the setup they want without ever having to sacrifice sound quality.

Meet the JBL MA and Stage 2 Line-Up

The JBL MA AV Receivers are available in a variety of models, including: • The 60W JBL MA310 5.2-channel 4K AV Receiver • The 75W JBL MA510 5.2-channel 8K AV Receiver • The 110W / 125W MA710 / MA710HP 7.2-channel 8K (High Performance) AV Receiver • The 140W JBL MA9100HP, with either 5.1, 7.1, or 9.1 channels, Dolby Audio® and DTS® or Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support, low noise Class D amplification, and broad compatibility

JBL Stage 2 Loudspeakers also offer a wide array of models and options, including: • The 260F and 280F Floor-standing models • The 240B and 250B Bookshelf models with separate floor stands • The 245C Center Channel speaker • The 240H Dolby Atmos enabled Height Module • The 200P and 220P Subwoofers

The JBL MA Series AV Receivers and JBL Stage 2 Series Loudspeakers are available now with recommended retail prices from $849.95 to $2949.95 for the JBL MA AV Receivers and $549.95 to $1049.95 for the JBL Stage 2 Loudspeakers.

The Office Australia: Review

Despite numerous spinoffs, there has never been a female boss in charge of The Office.

That's changed now with the gender-flipped Australian version of the popular Ricky Gervais show - and it comes in the form of Felicity Ward, who plays packaging company Flinley Craddick boss Hannah Howard.

And it's to her credit - and the writers - that her femininity plays no part in how the show's perceived.

When the bosses at Flinley Craddick realise they've been overspending on rent for premise that their Work-From-Home employees are not using, Hannah is told her local branch will be closed down to save money - and all the workers will have to stay home to work.

But unimpressed with the plan for closure, Hannah commits to the opposite - and brings in all the employees and promises to meet OTT performance targets.

The back story of The Office Australia is not really as relevant as you'd expect - though the timely decision to drag employees back to their offices after it's been realised a pandemic-fuelled WFH is destroying CBDs and shops in Australia is a zeitgeist element the show's creators have stumbled upon.

More akin to the much-loved US version of The Office, it's the dynamics within the team that make this show watchable - and funny. From the Dwight Schrute-like Lizzie (Edith Poor) to the put upon HR manager (Josh Thomson), to the Jim and Pam-esque romance, there's much that will ring familiar to many who've binged various seasons.

And while initially that becomes a distraction in the first episode, by the time the soon-to-be-classic second episode The Wake arrives, those all become forgotten about.

There's a warmth here and some genuinely laugh-out-loud moments that may surprise the detractors of the show. From Hannah's misplaced belief that her staff won't need to be forced to return as she'll just ask them, Ward makes Howard a relatable and seemingly inept boss that many of us will recognise. The fact she's a woman is secondary to proceedings, largely due to the fact her type of management is very familiar to many. But she also leans into the semi-tragedy of her life well.

Smartly, the writers and directors don't lean too far into the quirky and annoying edges of the workers, and all of the cast emerge as rounded and grounded characters, the likes of which many of us will have encountered in our daily lives.

There may be familiar dynamics at play among the cast in the show, but there's a uniqueness to this latest that makes it become its own beast. You may be surprised how quickly you will adapt to this iteration of the show - and  given the run of episodes offer the same level of quality as is demonstrated earlier on, any future seasons can't come quick enough.

All episodes of The Office Australia were reviewed for the purpose of this article.

All eight episodes of The Office Australia are released on Prime Video on October 18.

Neva: PS5 Review

Developed by Nomada Studio
Published by Devolver Digital
Platform: PS5

Nomada Studio's follow up to Gris takes players into the woods and into the heart of a relationship between a character and a baby wolf.

Written like that, it seems twee, but in its opening moments alone, Neva is a poignant and heartbreaking story that's best experienced cold.

Loosely, you play Alba who is forced into a co-dependant relationship with wolf Neva after a major event impacts their world.

Split into seasons, the game mixes up combat and platforming as you make your way through a time period and through a series of challenges as well. With two different modes affecting which version of the game you play - one's a softer story-led approach, the other a brutally fatalistic mode - Neva is a game to be experienced rather than to race through.

Gorgeously minimalist art backgrounds catch the eye repeatedly (though occasionally the visuals are obscured by some of the more obtuse game requirements) and prove to be a distraction from the light combat which takes place throughout. Certainly on the more basic level, the game's combat is easy - apart from the need to dodge later on.

With Alba using the PlayStation's DualSense controller to call to her pup with clarity, there are moments when the sound completely catches you offguard. And repeatedly pressing a button to call her proves to be annoyingly compulsive too.

Whilst it may be a tale of protective parenting amid ecological issues, the basics of Neva work to ensure immersion and engagement with both the wolf and the situation. It may lack some of the more major challenging elements you'd expect for a platform game and its puzzles, but Neva proves to be an emotional experience whether you're heavily cynical or not.

And sometimes, that's not necessarily a bad thing.

A Quiet Place: Day One: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Lupita Nyong'o, Joseph Quinn, Alex Wolff, Djimon Hounsou
Director: Michael Sarnoski

The latest chapter in the A Quiet Place franchise goes back to the very beginning, moments of which were hinted at during flashbacks in 2020's A Quiet Place Part II.

This time, shorn of any on-screen John Krasinski or Emily Blunt, the film focuses on Lupita Nyong'o's Sam, who finds herself trapped in New York City when the alien invasion begins.

The latest film is penned by Krasinski, so his fingerprints are still all over the storyline and in truth, it's infinitely better than it has any right to be. 

That's largely due to a story that feels like a Tales From The Quiet Place rather than attempting to replicate what has gone before. But it's also seemingly hampered by the fact that it begins with a character in a hospice and an inevitability over how the alien invasion goes and therefore there's a limit on how much stock you'd place on any length of survival.

Yet, surprisingly, the film is quite moving, even if parts of it feel dangerously close to overplaying some of the mystery of how it all began. Abandoning the flashback ethos of the first two, the film follows a linear narrative as it tells the story of Nyong'o's Sam and Joseph Quinn's Eric.

Throwing in a cat as Sam's support animal, the heartstrings are already to be tugged, but wisely by injecting proceedings with some tension and some overt scenes of 9/11 style stragglers and survivors in New York's dust-ridden warzone streets, the film flirts dangerously close to overegging the pudding. (Especially in one sequence which is overt in its religious iconography.)

Yet Nyong'o's dignified, empathetic and restrained turn as survivor Sam makes A Quiet Place: Day One what it is - granted, there needs to be a suspension of disbelief (cats wouldn't be quiet for that long, surely), but anchored by such a lead, the film manages to wipe away any doubt this is a lazy cash-in.

Pig director Sarnoski wisely keeps the creatures largely out of focus as threats (apart from a few scenes which teeter on the edge of B-movie creature feature and lazy jump scares) as he steers this journey of connection and redemption to its conclusion.

It may not quite reach the heights of the first film, but stripped of a need to over-explain proceedings, and thanks to committing to film some imagery of harrowing proportions, this spinoff side story manages to prove that once again, silence is golden.

The Mountain: DVD Review 

Cast: Elizabeth Atkinson, Terrence Daniel, Reuben Francis, Fern Sutherland, Troy Kingi, Byron Call
Director: Rachel House

Child cancer, dead mothers, errant fathers - they're all big weighty issues in director Rachel House's drama, which doesn't shy away from reality or indulge in mawkish sentimentality.

Atkinson plays Sam, a child cancer patient who breaks out from her hospital ward via the roof to go and visit her spiritual ancestor Mount Taranaki from which she believes she will be able to draw strength. 

An accidental meeting with Mallory (Francis) who's recently lost his mother to cancer convinces Sam he can be her sherpa and get no credit from climbing to the top.

Along the way they bump into Terrence Daniel's Bronco, a staunch Maori enviro-activist, who sees litter as "blinking disrespectful" and who believes he's being ignored by his father, a policeman who's just moved to the area. All three of them set out with something to prove - but will they make it?

The Mountain is occasionally uneven, and has some rough edges with its first time cast - despite having great heart and mana about it.

Moments that should be jokes sometimes fall flat, punchlines are not as snappy as they could be; but the film's heart shines through in some inspired and creative moments. from the use of KRS-One's Sound of the Police at a fireside hangout to some unbelievably jaw-dropping shots of Mount Taranaki itself.

Perhaps some of the problem with The Mountain is it never really rises above its sweetness and intentions as a kids' film. With little to no conflict in the movie, the film's drama is severely undercooked and feels more like a hangout movie rather than anything with definitive aims.

It's worth noting that the trope of the quirky Maori kid is once deployed in Bronco, a crowd-pleaser who wears his heart on his sleeve; but it's disappointing to see this once again rolled out for global audiences. 

Yet among the group of Mallory, Sam and Bronco, there's a pleasing dynamic and an understated bond that runs tried and true throughout. It's all held together by the first time actors - and by leaving them as a gang while the parents try and track them down and deal with their own issues, the Mountain doesn't seek to overcomplicate matters throughout.

There's a charm in The Mountain, and an understanding of what the ancestral home means to Sam, Mallory and Bronco in their own ways proves to be a valuable message for viewers.

But make no mistake, while it doesn't reach perhaps the summit of what it could be, House's take on a coming-of-age story that's etched with tragedy, yet never overplays its inherent sadness, is something to be saluted.