Bullet Train: Blu Ray Review

Bullet Train is a thrill-packed ride in parts, but it takes too long to get to its destination and there's not an ounce of emotion throughout proceedings to pull you in.

Based on a 2010 bestseller by Kōtarō Isaka, it's the story of assassin Ladybug (Pitt, all surfer vibes, and chill out man attitude) who's trying to get back in the game after he believes he's down on his luck.

Told to get on a bullet train in Japan and simply retrieve a case, Ladybug doesn't think it's an easy job but his handler (Sandra Bullock, teaming up once again with her Lost City co-star) disagrees.

However, Ladybug soon discovers he's right as a series of circumstances pits him against a train-full of other assassins hellbent on ensuring it's the end of the line for him...

There's no denying that Bullet Train is a shiny, slick affair, one that's a few steps away from being an ACME cartoon hack'n'slash beat-em-up video game of a movie.

Mixing the action with the comedy, and trying to be Guy Ritchie with Taylor-Johnson and Henry's London hitmen Lemon and Tangerine, the film's dangerously close to trying too hard early on - and for ekeing proceedings out so desperately as the movie edges closer to its final destination.

It's almost as if, in among all the impressively choreographed stunts and action, there's too many characters to deal with, and too much style that Leitch wants to get on screen. This is a film that even has a flashback sequence for a water bottle, so there are moments when it feels like it's too much.

Pitt, with his character's zen-like utterings - "Let this be a lesson about the toxicity of anger" being one example - makes an affable enough lead, but the relaxed nature of his character belies some of the danger and tension the script could have afforded proceedings. With so many others on the train, and so little time to spend on them all, characterisation goes by the wayside with quips and cartoonery feeling more like what's to be relied on.

Perhaps it's telling that Bullet Train is from the director of Deadpool 2. With its reliance on a CGI-heavy finale and action and comedy, it sacrifices the tension and potential the storyline offered. 

That's not necessarily a bad thing, as there's no denying Bullet Train is an adrenaline-fuelled ride once you're on the train. But the moment you've reached your destination and exited, it's worryingly forgettable.

Orphan: First Kill: Blu Ray Review

There are some movies which house a devilish twist, a sleight of hand that changes everything you think you know about the characters you've invested time in.

2009's Orphan was one such film - a tale about an orphan child seemingly housed in an idyllic family desperate to love a youngster, its twist was an audacious one that gave the movie a propulsive edge.

But it's impossible to follow that with any other film, knowing full well that the trick that the child Esther was actually a homicidal maniac with a health condition is already revealed.

Sadly William Brent Bell's muddied direction, an awful lens filter and a film that waits for a twist to be unveiled means that Orphan: First Kill isn't quite the killer prequel you'd be hoping for.

Set in 2007, it's the story of how Isabelle Fuhrman's Leena breaks out of an Estonian institute and becomes the Esther of the 2009 Jaume Collet-Serra movie. Escaping to America, Esther becomes ensconced in the wealthy home of Julia Stiles and Rossif Sutherland's Tricia and Allen Albright, as it appears their missing daughter has finally come home.

Orphan: First Kill is a film of two halves - and in truth, it becomes a better film in its back half as its true hand is unveiled. 

It makes an intriguing use of a character and situation that you may already have preconceived ideas of and turns it all on its head, with a storytelling swing that really changes everything.

But getting to that point is a real slog.

It may only be a 90 minute film, but muddied lensing with everything covered in a foggy filter makes you think the movie's out of focus - it's disorienting and distracting. Early pacing of the film swings violently from one extreme to the other; from an initial break out sequence that's full of the requisite jump scares and terror moments, the film becomes a predictable slog of psychological one upmanship.

With some awful dialogue (one character screaming the phrase "Midget Grifter" is memorable for all the wrong reasons) and narrative misfires, there's a lot to dislike in Orphan: First Kill.

But there's also a lot to like too.

Julia Stiles is on a career high in this role, a mother who will stop at nothing to protect her family. She delivers a gritty performance that moves through a gamut of moments with ease.

And Fuhrman, thanks to some cleverly shot scenes, delivers touches that are welcome.

Ultimately though, Orphan: First Kill just isn't the psychological horror you'd hope for, and it's less than the sum of its parts. It may be that lightning doesn't strike twice, but this prequel comes close to capturing some of the magic - and then squanders it.

A Man Called Otto: Movie Review

Cast: Tom Hanks, Marina Trevino, Rachel Keller
Director: Marc Forster

Taking the Swedish book and film A Man Called Ove and remaking it is always a dangerous proposition - even if you have the American sweetheart of film Tom Hanks involved.

The original tale of a cantankerous yet somehow loveable old man who was continually thwarted in his attempts to take his own life was a mix of both heart and black humour. The American remake is pretty much a down-the-line do over of the original that relies on the gradual unpeeling of the onion to emotionally manipulate its audience.

Hanks stars as widower Otto Anderson, who lives in a private community and who's a stickler for the rules, from policing parking permits to making sure the gates aren't left unlocked. Seen as cantankerous by the neighbours, Otto's reign of terror is broken when a new family (headed up by Marina Trevino) moves in opposite.

Hanks plays Otto as a troubled man, whose past revelations hold the key to his current behaviour, and while there's a great degree of mileage to be had from Hanks playing grumpy and snarky, you know the redemption is never far behind given his choice of roles.

From the weaving of flashbacks that star an impressive Rachel Keller as Otto's one time love, the film's sedate pace is more interested at getting you invested in the tragedy inherent in his life - even if they're continually punctuated by oddly comic denouements to suicide attempts. 

There's an odd mix of tone throughout the overlong 2 hour run time; scenes played for laughs come quickly after the bleaker edges of the story poke through. And while it's obvious the feelgood edges are what's expected to win here, there are moments of extreme emotional poignancy throughout. 

A Man Called Otto is as predictable as they come; it's a film about connection, grief, and reconnection in life when it's at its bleakest. It's not an original tale by any stretch of the imagination, and in truth, it dips dangerously close to mawkish in places and feels its weight in its final third.

But if you're willing to forego some of the film's more sentimental edges and open your heart to its story, it's more a cautionary tale of healing that perhaps many in the world will need after some 2 years of extended pain, and with the possibility of more to come.

Nope: Blu Ray Review

There's no denying Jordan Peele knows how to deliver horror and suspense.

Both Get Out and Us were masterclasses in the unsettling, meshing the horror genre with something more tactile in its social commentary.

So it's perhaps disappointing to reveal Nope feels less sharp than Peele's earlier works, less focussed on a specific message and more of a general rejoinder to various societal ills and concerns.

But that's not say it lacks the spectacle and tension to make its 130 minute run time worthy.

Kaluuya is rancher OJ, one half of a brother and sister Hollywood horse wrangling outfit, both of whom are descended from the rider depicted on Eadweard Muybridge's first moving picture. OJ is more reserved, while his sister Emerald is the more spunky and outspoken of the two - and their opposing characteristics cause clashes on the future of their struggling company.

However, when they seemingly discover something in the skies above their backyard, they rush to try and capture footage to sell to make their fortune (their so-called Oprah moment). 

Nope works best as a mystery puzzle, as it melds together the pieces of a sci-fi movie and a horror. And while its big screen intentions of spectacle are obvious and excellently presented, it almost feels like Nope is a spin-off episode of Peele's take on The Twilight Zone.

That's not to say it doesn't straddle the mix of discomfort, fear, horror, tension and humour with the usual aplomb - more that outside of its spectacle, there feels to be little else within.

Kaluuya and Palmer are excellent throughout - Kaluuya has his usual intensity mixed with a level of melancholy that's almost catatonic at times. But Palmer delivers a confident performance that bristles with energy in their yin and yang dynamic, and she easily burns up the screen. And much needs to be lauded about the soundscape created within as well.

But it's Peele's writing here that falters somewhat as it muddies a mixture of commentary on how Black society has been wiped from cinematic history, a take on slavery with cowed heads and subservience, how creatures are to be feared and respected, living life in a Covid world, our relationship to spectacle and little else. 

The lack of a subtext this time may disappoint some fans of Peele's oeuvre, and in fairness, what's on screen is still one heck of a rollercoaster ride, but shorn of the searing societal barbs, it feels less of an essential watch and more of a cleverly constructed  mystery thriller puzzle that doesn't bear up under continued examination.

It's probably best to watch Nope with little knowledge of what's to happen beforehand. 

Like all mysteries this doesn't appear to hold up under scrutiny, but when Peele finds his groove as he does in some sections, it's utterly thrilling edge-of-your-seat stuff. But don't be surprised if rather than leaving with a resounding Nope, many may head out of the film with a more despondent Meh than anything else. However, for those who submit to its spectacle, it's thrilling viewing.

Beast: Blu Ray Review

Essentially a family melodrama (lion after revenge after pride slaughtered, family struggling after grievous loss) transplanted to the South African jungle, Beast is a case of doing exactly what it says on the tin - nothing more and nothing less.

Elba stars as the recently-widowed Dr Nate Samuels, who takes his two daughters (Jeffries and Halley) to the plains of South Africa to catch up with an old mate Martin Battles (Copley, in one of his most human roles for years).

But on arrival, Battles discovers a village full of slaughtered people after a lion attack - and within moments all four of them are fighting for their lives as they realise in horror "We're in his territory now...."

It's not disrespecting Beast to say it's competent - it's a 90 minute film that knows what it wants to do and does it.

While you're either all in for the CGI lion and the squabbles that will ensue between a fractured family is entirely up to you. 

Kormákur goes all in, ratcheting up the tension and jump scares as characters intone in horror "The lion's gone rogue" and generally makes the film the equivalent of a pride-set slasher film on the plains.

That means characters do dumb things, there are lulls in the action as the necessary emotional drama is played predictably out, and there is sacrifice to be had in amongst a redemption and anti-poaching message.

But in amongst all of the predictability lies an affably rugged Elba, willing to sacrifice his all for the film and go along with the absurdities for the audiences' sake. 

Beast isn't exactly the most original film, but with a solid eye for what a thriller of its ilk should deliver, Kormákur makes sure that whilst it's not entirely memorable long term, it's a short term adrenaline hit to see us all through an ongoing cinematic seasonal lull. 

Strange World: Disney+ Review

Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Gabrielle Union, Dennis Quad, Lucy Liu, Jaboukie Young-White

Director: Don Hall

Reminiscent of The Land Before Time, Journey to the Centre of the Earth, Fantastic Voyage, Jules Verne and any number of moments from any Irwin Allen TV series, Disney's Strange World is yet another take on a father-son relationship.

Gyllenhaal voices Searcher Clade, the son of legendary explorer Jaeger Clade, who loses his dad after he chooses a life of exploration rather than staying home to bring him up in the land of Avalonia.

25 years later, Searcher has his own family and has made his name from out under his father's shadow, and farms a power source that's changed Avalonia. But when he's told the power source is potentially dying, he must embrace his explorer past to try and save the day. 

However, things get more complicated when his family get involved in the rescue mission, and he runs into his father again...

Strange World had potential to be something different and inspiring for the Disney stable.

Drawing on pulp magazines of the past, sci-fi yarns and from derring-do adventures archives, there's much in this story that feels familiar and yet ripe for a makeover.

Yet, despite the sound and bluster of the smart opening, Strange World settles too much into the feeling of the familiar and the homage somewhat falters as the story goes on. 

With a world that's wondrously realised via starkly different palettes and creatures made of gelatinous form-free blobs, there's stuff to like about Strange World - but not quite enough to make it into the pantheon of timeless classics. It has heart, and earnestness, but there's not a high bar that the film reaches for or achieves here, sadly.

In some ways, it feels like a thin story stretched a little too far in parts and a separation of characters that in truth feels arbitrary rather than narratively enticing and enriching. It is also disappointing to see that the LGBTQ elements of the story, so strongly introduced early on, are reduced to the sidelines and become perfunctory rather than leading parts of the narrative, as the age-old daddy issues come to the fore.

Gyllenhaal and Quaid though make for good foils for each other, with Quaid's roughness rubbing up nicely against Gyllenhaal's more optimistic tone. The more comedic elements will appeal solely to the young and the young-at-heart, but there aren't enough standout moments in the movie to render it a classic.

It won't surprise anyone to note there's an eco-message in this film, but it's handled in a somewhat muddled fashion and not entirely surprising at all. There are elements that gel in Strange World, but it feels clunky, and like the creative vision wasn't quite coherent enough to compel its transition from the page to the big screen.

Doctor Who: 60th anniversary specials release new trailer

Despite there being no Doctor Who airing on Christmas for the first time in a while, the BBC has released a brand new trailer for the 60th anniversary specials, featuring David Tennant and Catherine Tate - as well as some very familiar faces to fans of the Marvel Doctor Who comics.

Watch the brand new Doctor Who: 60th anniversary specials trailer below:

The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me: PS5 Review

Developed by Supermassive Games
Published by Bandai Namco
Platform: PS5

The fourth and final installment of the Dark Pictures Season 1 franchise takes the foot off the horror elements a little and heads to true crime territory.

Attracting once again another stellar vocal cast, including the likes of Paul Kaye and Jesse Buckley, the game centres on a more intimate setting as a group of media hacks who end up in a murder hotel recreation.

But soon things turn deadly as those doing the investigating become the targets.

H.H.Holmes is the target of the game's recreation, but the historical edges of the story and their inclusion into the game's run time makes it feel like it's a little more based in reality and therefore, a little scarier than prior entrants into the franchise.

There is a bit of an issue with dialogue and its delivery in this latest, with some of the more human edges of the game falling a little more flat, but The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me: PS5 shows Supermassive Games are keen on reinventing the franchise as it continues its trajectory of annual releases.

It may be that the franchise could do with a bit of a break, as it's hard to see where else it could go next, but the idea they're considering mixing things up shows it's not content to sit on its laurels. The franchise as a whole has been an interesting experiment in exploration of the horrors and the genre itself. 

The Dark Pictures: The Devil in Me offers a spooky edge, but don't be surprised if you're a little divided in some of its mechanics and characterisation. There's work to be done, but the Dark Pictures franchise offers some hope the series can continue and evolution is the way forward, even if revolution of the elements hasn't quite come to fruition in this latest.

What's on Neon in January

Here's everything that's coming to Neon in January 2023

The Last of Us (January 16)

Based on the critically acclaimed video game developed by Naughty Dog exclusively for the PlayStation® platforms, The Last of Us story takes place twenty years after modern civilization has been destroyed. Joel, a hardened survivor, is hired to smuggle Ellie, a 14-year-old girl, out of an oppressive quarantine zone. What starts as a small job soon becomes a brutal, heart-breaking journey, as they both must traverse the U.S. and depend on each other for survival. Starring Pedro Pascal (The Mandalorian), Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones), Merle Dandridge, Gabriel Luna, Nico Parker, Melanie Lynskey (Yellowjackets), Murray Bartlett (The White Lotus), and Nick Offerman (Devs). 

Your Honor Season 2 (January 17)

Bryan Cranston stars as a judge confronting his deepest convictions when his son is involved in a hit and run that embroils an organized crime family. He faces a series of impossible choices and discovers how far a father will go to save his son's life. Also starring Michael Stuhlbarg (Hitchcock, Steve Jobs), Hope Davis (Succession, Love Life), and Hunter Doohan (Wednesday). 

Love Island

Love Island will kick start the New Year with a fresh batch of Islanders and new host Maya Jama heading to South Africa on a quest for love and romance. In the villa of their dreams, their stay in paradise will serve up everything from bombshell arrivals to hideaway hijinks.

Romantic Getaway (January 2)

Allison and Deacon are desperate for a baby, but have run out of money to fund IVF. A last-minute decision sees them steal half a million quid, and now these unlikely criminals are on the run with a ton of cash. Starring Katherine Ryan (The Duchess) and Romesh Ranganathan (The Ranganation). 

We're Here (January 20)

Drag queens Bob, Eureka, and Shangela return in season three to continue showing small communities the very human side of drag. Over six episodes, the queens help their "drag kids" overcome struggles and insecurities to express their genuine selves in front of their family, friends, and communities in heartwarming and show-stopping performances that celebrate love, individuality, and self-acceptance. 

Bump Season 3 (January 6)

The new season begins nearly five years from where we left off, with Jacinda preparing for her first day of school, and life has changed dramatically for both the Chalmers/Davis and Hernandez clans. Starring Nathalie Morris, Carlos Sanson Jr, Claudia Karvan, Angus Sampson, Ricardo Scheihing Vasquez and Christian Byers.

MOVIES

Top Gun: Maverick (January 24)

After more than 30 years of service as one of the Navy's top aviators, Pete "Maverick" Mitchell is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. Training a detachment of graduates for a special assignment, Maverick must confront the ghosts of his past and his deepest fears, culminating in a mission that demands the ultimate sacrifice from those who choose to fly it. Starring Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer and Jennifer Connelly. 

Minions: The Rise of Gru (January 14)

In the heart of the 1970s, Gru is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem- making backup from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together they deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with weapons and pull off their first missions. 

The Forgiven (January 29)

While driving through Moroccan desert to a lavish party at a grand villa, miserable wealthy couple David and Jo accidentally hit and kill an impoverished young man. Things take an uneasy turn when the young man's father insists that David return with him to his home to help with the burial. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Jessica Chastain and Matt Smith. 

Lizzo Live in Concert (January 1)

Celebrate the new year with Emmy® and three-time GRAMMY- winning superstar Lizzo, her band The Lizzbians and The Little Bigs, The Big Grrrls with special guests Cardi B, SZA and Missy Elliott for a spectacular show filled with lots of love, positivity and incredible music. 

Redeeming Love (January 3)

In 1850s California, Angel is sold into prostitution as a child and knows nothing but betrayal. When a young farmer arrives in her life he offers her love and a chance to mend her broken heart, but first Angel must overcome the trauma of her past. Starring Abigail Cowan, Famke Janssen, Nina Dobrev, Tom Lewis and Eric Dane. 

Dual (January 7)

Upon receiving a terminal diagnosis, Sarah opts for a cloning procedure to ease her loss on her friends and family. When she makes a sudden and miraculous recovery, her attempts to decommission her clone fail, leading to a court-mandated duel to the death. Now, she has one year to train her mind and body for the fight of her life. Starring Karen Gillan, Aaron Paul and Theo James

The Duke (January 8)

In 1961 Kempton Burton, an aging taxi driver, stole a famous painting of the Duke of Wellington and demanded as ransom that the government invest in more care for the elderly. Based on a true story that became the stuff of legend. Starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren. 

What's on Shudder in January

Sorry About the Demon – A Shudder Exclusive 

Premieres Thursday 19 January 

After being dumped by his girlfriend Amy, broken hearted Will is offered a massive house at a very low rent. What’s the catch?  

The restless spirit haunting the place needs a human sacrifice and the prior owners must find one or else their young daughter is toast. So, Will must figure out how to make things right with his ex-girlfriend AND banish the sacrifice seeking demon residing in his house. 

Starring Jon Michael Simpson, Paige Evans, Jeff McQuitty and Sarah Cleveland. Written and  directed by Emily Hagins. 

The Lair – A Shudder Exclusive 

Premieres Thursday 26 January 

Royal Air Force pilot Lt. Kate Sinclair (Charlotte Kirk) is shot down over Afghanistan and finds refuge in an abandoned underground bunker where deadly man-made biological weapons - half human, half alien - are awakened. 

Directed by Neil Marshall (Game of Thrones, The Descent) and written by Marshall and Kirk (The Reckoning)

What's on Disney+ in January

Here’s everything coming to Disney+ in January 2023

11 January

Chasing Waves

Disney+ Original

Series Premiere (All Episodes)

In the wake of surfing’s Olympic debut in Tokyo, "Chasing Waves" shines a spotlight on the people and places that are defining Japan’s reach in the global surf culture. This character-driven documentary series follows multicultural athletes in pursuit of their dreams, paints a captivating picture of Japanese life and showcases what it takes to succeed in the international surf industry.

9 January

Koala Man

Series Premiere

Koala Man follows middle-aged dad Kevin and his titular not-so-secret identity, whose only superpower is a burning passion for following rules and snuffing out petty crime in the town of Dapto. Though it may seem like any other Australian suburb, forces of evil both cosmic and man-made lie in wait to pounce on unsuspecting Daptonians. On a quest to clean up his hometown, and often roping his frustrated family into his adventures, Koala Man stands at the ready. He’ll do whatever it takes to defeat villainous masterminds, supernatural horrors, or worse: jerks who don’t take their rubbish bins down on the proper days.

4 January

Star Wars: The Bad Batch

Disney+ Original

Season 2 Premiere

Months have passed since the events on Kamino and the Bad Batch continue their journey navigating the Empire after the fall of the Republic. They will cross paths with friends and foes, both new and familiar, as they take on a variety of thrilling mercenary missions that will take them to unexpected and dangerous new places.

6 January

If These Walls Could Sing

Disney+ Original

Premiere

For more than 90 years, Abbey Road Studios has been at the heart of the music industry. In this personal film of memory and discovery, Mary McCartney guides us through nine decades to see and experience the creative magic that makes it the most famous and longest-running studio in the world. From classical to pop, film scores to hip-hop, “If These Walls Could Sing” explores the breadth, diversity and ingenuity of Abbey Road Studios. Intimate interviews reveal how leading artists, producers, composers and the dedicated engineers and staff of Abbey Road all found their musical language and community, while vivid archive footage and session tapes give exclusive access to these famously private studios.

25 January

Extraordinary

STAR Original

Series Premiere (All Episodes)

Welcome to a world where everyone over the age of 18 develops a superpower. Everyone except for 25-year-old Jen, who feels like she’s being left behind. Luckily, Jen’s flatmates – Carrie, Kash, and a mysterious stray – keep her from falling into a well of self-pity. Adrift in a big, confusing world, and armed with nothing but a bit of hope and a lot of desperation, Jen begins her journey to find her maybe-superpower. But in doing so, she might discover the joy of simply being ordinary instead.

Also in January…

4 January

STAR Original

Alaska Daily

International

The French Mans - Season 2

Runaway

Taiwan Crime Stories

Movies

Barbarian

Series

Atlanta: Seasons 1-3

6 January

Movies

Ghost Rider

The Punisher

Special

Beauty and the Beast: A 30th Celebration

Baby Sharks

Soul of a Nation Presents: Mi Gente: Groundbreakers and Changemakers

Norman Lear: 100 Years of Music and Laughter

11 January

Disney+ Original

International

Gina Yei

Series

America’s National Parks: Season 1

13 January

Disney+ Original

The Flagmakers

Movies

Retrograde

The Territory

18 January

Disney+ Original

International

King Shakir Recycle

STAR Original

International

Super Junior: The Last Man Standing

20 January

Disney+ Original

Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?

STAR Original

International

The Heir: The Freestyle Dynasty

25 January

STAR Original

International

Commander Fort

27 January

STAR Original

Darby and the Dead

New Episodes

Welcome to Chippendales Finale 3 January

Willow New episodes weekly on Wednesdays, finale 11 January

Abbott Elementary: Season 2 New episodes weekly on Wednesdays

National Treasure: Edge of History New episodes weekly on Wednesdays

Between the World and Us New episodes weekly on Wednesdays, finale 25 January

Big Bet New episodes weekly on Wednesdays, finale 25 January

Big Sky Season 3 Midseason return 18 January, new episodes weekly

Criminal Minds Season 16 New episodes weekly on Fridays

Dino Ranch New episodes 4 January

Gannibal New episodes weekly on Wednesdays

Men on a Mission New episodes weekly on Wednesdays

Dina Ranch Season 2 New Episodes

What's on DocPlay in January

Off Country

2 January

Off Country

From inside the boarding house, on the sports field and in the classroom we follow the 2020 school year as the boarding school is thrown into chaos as they tackle the pandemic. Wrestling with their conflicting identities as students move between boarding life and home life, OFF COUNTRY creates a historic record of one of Australia’s key Indigenous education pathways and a complex portrait of what it is to be an Indigenous child in Australia today.

9 January

Love in Bright Landscapes

LOVE IN BRIGHT LANDSCAPES is the inspiring, tragic and intimate life story of David McComb, cult Australian singer/songwriter and driving force behind one of the greatest Australian bands, The Triffids. Love in Bright Landscapes reveals the man behind the music; and McComb’s status as a quintessentially Australian artist. 

23 January

Three Minutes: A Lengthening

A recently-discovered three-minute film of a Polish town in 1938 is transformed into an expansive meditation on memory, erasure and the Holocaust. Dutch director Bianca Stigter – with the help of narrator Helena Bonham Carter – dives deep into this precious fragment. Through inventive assemblage and intimate reflections, the footage unfurls into a haunting tapestry of mystery and loss demonstrating how the film medium can bear witness. Co-produced by Steve McQueen (12 Years A Slave).

26 January

The Velvet Queen

High up on the Tibetan plateau. Amongst unexplored and inaccessible valleys lies one of the last sanctuaries of the wild world, where rare and undiscovered fauna lives.  Deeply moving images of pristine landscapes and the marvellous creatures populating Tibet with original music by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis, The Velvet Queen is a poetic documentary and an exquisitely beautiful experience that leaves us questioning where humans belong in nature.  

Win a double pass to see A Man Called Otto at the movies

To celebrate the release of A Man Called Otto in cinemas January 1 and starring Tom Hanks, you can win a double pass thanks to Sony Pictures New Zealand!

About  A Man Called Otto

Based on the comical and moving # 1 New York Times bestseller, A Man Called Otto tells the story of Otto Anderson (Tom Hanks), a grumpy widower who is very set in his ways. 

When a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in quick-witted and very pregnant Marisol, leading to an unlikely friendship that will turn his world upside-down.

 Experience a funny, heartwarming story about how some families come from the most unexpected places.   

Directed by Marc Forster (Finding Neverland), A Man Called Otto stars Tom Hanks (Philadelphia, Forrest Gump, Cast Away), Mariana Treviño (Club the Cuervos), Rachel Keller (Fargo) and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Magnificent Seven). 

The screenplay is written by Academy Award® nominee David Magee (Best Adapted Screenplay, Life of Pi, 2012; Best Adapted Screenplay, Finding Neverland, 2004) based upon the best-selling novel “A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman. The film is also based on the Swedish film written and directed by Hannes Holm. 

A Man Called Otto is in cinemas January 1

Win a prize pack for Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

To celebrate the release of Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody in cinemas December 26, you can win a prize pack thanks to Sony Pictures New Zealand!

Each prize pack includes

• Tote Bag
• Phone ring holder
• Double pass to the movie

About Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody

I Wanna Dance with Somebody is a powerful and triumphant celebration of the incomparable Whitney Houston.

Directed by Kasi Lemmons, written by Academy Award® nominee Anthony McCarten, produced by legendary music executive Clive Davis and starring BAFTA Award® winner Naomi Ackie, the film is a no-holds-barred portrait of the complex and multifaceted woman behind The Voice.

From New Jersey choir girl to one of the best-selling and most awarded recording artists of all time, audiences are taken on an inspirational, poignant—and so emotional—journey through Houston’s trailblazing life and career, with show-stopping performances and a soundtrack of the icon’s most beloved hits as you’ve never heard them before.

Don’t you wanna dance?

Starring Naomi Ackie, Stanley Tucci, Ashton Sanders, Tamara Tunie, Nafessa Williams and Clarke Peters

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is in cinemas December 26

The Callisto Protocol: PS5 Review

Developed by Striking Distance Studios
Published by Krafton
Platform: PS5

A spiritual successor to Dead Space, The Callisto Protocol is a horror that both celebrates the genre it's from, but also falls foul of some its pitfalls.

The game follows Josh Duhamel's Jacob Lee who finds himself trapped in a prison by mistake, with infected prisoners taken over by an unknown disease. As Lee tries to escape and also survive, a wide-ranging conspiracy emerges...

If you're after a game which offers jumps and jolts, there's no denying that this is a cinematic experience that aims for the stars and most of the time hits. There are moments that performance issues hit the quality of the game, but for a large part of what transpires, the game's desire to lull you into a sense of deep-space security and then send you screaming is truly effective.

While it's puzzling that killed off creatures yield odd health packs and "Callisto credits", the game has a fairly chunky and obvious lilt toward combat. Using a wrench to beat the living daylights out of an enemy is surprisingly effective thanks to the rumble of the PS5 controller. Using the left and right stick to avoid attacks is a little like being in a boxing match, but visually it looks like a movie moment or two, that benefits from slow motion.

There are elements of Alien and Dead Space within and while The Callisto Protocol doesn't quite do enough to bust free from the mould to make it its own beast, it does work well as a game which benefits from atmospherics, stereo headphones and a 3D sense of sound.

The intriguing story may hit a few cliches here and there, but with its stars Duhamel and The Boys' Karen Fukuhara, there's plenty of showbiz pull to see you through the odd Resident Evil and The Last of Us overtones.

Visually the game's extended death scenes are impressive, but the gruesomeness may grate if you're keen for them to end. There's a feeling of repetition as you plunge through corridors and combat, but The Callisto Protocol feels like the kind of game that's worth sinking your time into - it's a B-movie of a game, and not quite as superior as it should have been - but it's worth boarding this rollercoaster ride of a sci-fi horror mesh and enjoying the somewhat shallow jolts when they come.

Win a double pass to see Babylon in cinemas

To celebrate the release of Margot Robbie's new film Babylon in cinemas January 19, 2023, you can win a double pass thanks to Paramount Pictures New Zealand.

About Babylon

From Damien Chazelle, BABYLON is an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, with an ensemble cast including Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Jean Smart. 

A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.

Babylon is in cinemas January 19, 2023.

The Forgiven: Blu Ray Review

It's hard to believe The Forgiven comes from the same pen of the man who gave us the biting The Guard and also Calvary.

In this latest from John Michael McDonagh, there's still a degree of bite from the story, but the screenplay lacks the precision to scythe through its targets this time, leaving the viewer feeling somewhat muted by the end.

Based on a 2012 Lawrence Osborne novel, it centres around a party being thrown by Doctor Who and Game of Thrones star Matt Smith's Richard Galloway in the mountains of Morocco.

Ralph Fiennes and Jessica Chastain star as bickering couple David and Jo Henninger, who've been invited to the party. On the way to their destination, an increasingly drunken David, resentful of both Jo and her friendship with Richard, puts them into dangerous territory after a distracted driving moment causes him to kill a boy in the road.

As the party gets in to full swing, the Henningers' world unravels as the price of their actions comes for them.

There are delicious barbs to be had early on in The Forgiven, and many of them hit home perfectly on target. But as the film goes through its 2 hour run time, there's a feeling the creative well has run dry, a takedown of the bourgeoise feeling more indifferent than anything else.

The ensemble is impressive. Fiennes goes from ghastly to recalcitrant with ease, and ends up with a degree of sympathy despite all the odds. Smith's lounge lizard approach is also welcome, and Chastain's growing disdain and character change are potent fuel to a fire that's simmering away.

But among all the stellar locations and the moral quandary cum journey into acceptance, there's a feeling that McDonagh's somehow lost some of the fire he's been known for. A final frame shock is perhaps aimed at jolting us out of our indifference, but all it really does is reiterate the fact this film could have been so much more.

What's on Netflix in January

As the countdown begins for 2023 and the champagne corks pop, Netflix fans can kickstart the new year with some stellar content that is sure to start 2023 on the right foot. As you start writing your new year resolutions…or begin regretting the choices of the night before, why not check-in for a laugh or even a thrill, some fan fave returns or a feel good hit? So hop on the couch and get ready for the best year of entertainment yet to come! 

Kaleidoscope (January 1)

To kick off the year with a bang is the compelling crime anthology series like no other, Kaleidoscope. Loosely inspired by the real-life story where seventy billion dollars in bonds went missing in downtown Manhattan during Hurricane Sandy, Kaleidoscope consists of eight episodes spanning from 24 years before the heist to 6 months after. This show is one of a kind where viewers will eventually see all episodes but the order in which they watch the episodes will affect their viewpoint on the story, the characters, and the questions and answers at the heart of the heist. How will you see through the lens of the Kaleidoscope?

 

Ginny & Georgia: Season 2 (January 5)

Following the success of the first season, Ginny & Georgia: Season 2 will be landing on our screens January 5. New relationships and challenges await mother Georgia and her daughter Ginny as they navigate life in Wellsbury until secrets from the past threaten everything. Need a new show to tune into? Well this is the perfect mother and daughter duo series to add to your radar.

The Pale Blue Eye (January 6)

Are murder mysteries your thing? Well we have just the film for you! The Pale Blue Eye uncovers the storyline of a retired detective who recruits an astute West Point cadet named Edgar Allan Poe to help him solve a grisly series of murders at the U.S. Military Academy. Set in 1830, this film adaptation from the gothic novel by Louis Bayard has a stellar cast starring Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton and Charlotte Gainsbourg to name a few.

Vikings: Valhalla: Season 2 (January 12)

Fans of Norse legends, axes and Aussie actors  are in for a treat with a new season of Vikings: Valhalla: Season 2. Starring Aussie Sam Corlett, Season two finds our heroes shortly after the tragic fall of Kattegat; an event that has shattered their dreams and altered their destinies. Finding themselves suddenly fugitives in Scandinavia they are forced to test their ambitions and courage in worlds beyond the fjords of Kattegat. This historical drama will have you edged to your seats with all the twists and turns like never before.

Break Point (January 13)

For all the sport fans out there, we bring you Break Point which follows a diverse group of tennis players on and off the court as they compete in grueling slams with hopes of winning a final and even bigger dreams of becoming world number one. As some of the greatest players tennis has ever seen reach the twilight of their careers, there is room for a new generation of players to claim the spotlight. From physical injuries and emotional heartbreak, to triumphant victories and personal insights, viewers will get an exclusive behind the scenes look at the pressure-tested lives that pro tennis players experience in order to achieve greatness. Be on the lookout for some familiar faces from our cousins down under, including Ajla Tomljanovic, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

That '90s Show (January 19)

Get to the basement because the all time fave sitcom That ‘70s Show is back with a new installment, That '90s Show and we couldn’t be more excited! Let’s throw it back to 1995 where Leia Forman visits her grandparents for the summer and bonds with a new generation of Point Place kids. Returning to the series many years later are icons Kurtwood Smith, Debra Jo Rupp, Callie Haverda, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Maxwell Donovan, Reyn Doi, and Sam Morelos. Make sure to keep a lookout for this one because the Formans are back and better than ever.

 You People (January 27)

You People, the long awaited comedy starring legendary comic Jonah Hill is about to hit the service in no time. The film also stars Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Lauren London that follows a new couple and their families as they find themselves examining modern love and family dynamics amid clashing cultures, societal expectations and generational differences. This will be one not to miss.

ORIGINAL SERIES

Kaleidoscope (01/01/2023)

A master thief and his crew attempt an epic and elaborate heist worth $7 billion dollars — but betrayal, greed and other threats undermine their plans.

Lady Voyeur (01/01/2023)

Hacker Miranda loves to spy on her sex worker neighbor, Cléo. But after their paths cross and a murder is committed, Miranda’s destiny forever changes.

The Lying Life of Adults (04/01/2023)

In 1990s Naples, a sheltered teen befriends the estranged aunt her parents detest to better understand herself and the city she comes from.

Ginny & Georgia: Season 2 (05/01/2023)

New relationships and challenges await Georgia and Ginny as they navigate life in Wellsbury — until secrets from the past threaten everything.

Woman of the Dead (05/01/2023)

When a suspicious car crash tears a woman's life apart, her quest for revenge ensnares her in a conspiracy reaching the highest levels of her small town.

Copenhagen Cowboy (05/01/2023)

After a lifetime of being sold as a human good luck charm, a woman with mysterious supernatural abilities seeks revenge against those who wronged her.

The Ultimatum: France Season 1 Part 2 (Rolling episodes)

Episodes  1-8 (30/12/2022)

Episodes  9-10 (06/01/2023)

Six couples on the cusp of lifelong love are hit with an ultimatum: Get engaged or break up. Before they decide, they’ll swap partners for three weeks.

Pressure Cooker (06/01/2023)

Living under one roof, eleven chefs use culinary skills and strategic plays in a tense cooking contest where they vote on who among them will win $100,000.

Sexify: Season 2 (11/01/2023)

With the future of their startup in flux, the three young entrepreneurs must balance tumultuous personal lives, a bitter rival and a demanding investor.

The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House (12/01/2023)

Two inseparable friends move to Kyoto to chase their dreams of becoming maiko, but decide to pursue different passions while living under the same roof.

Vikings: Valhalla: Season 2 (12/01/2023)

Enemies — old and new — await Freydis, Leif and Harald as they scatter to the far corners of the globe in pursuit of power and new worlds to conquer.

Sky Rojo: Season 3 (13/01/2023)

Coral, Gina and Wendy have made a new life — and found love — in Almería. But with Romeo bent on revenge, their peace and quiet won't last long.

Trial by Fire (13/01/2023)

After the deadly Uphaar cinema fire, two grief-stricken parents navigate the loss of their kids and a dogged fight for justice. Based on true events.

That '90s Show (19/01/2023)

Hello, Wisconsin! It’s 1995 and Leia Forman, daughter of Eric and Donna, is visiting her grandparents for the summer, where she bonds with a new generation of Point Place kids under the watchful eye of Kitty and the stern glare of Red. Sex, drugs and rock ’n roll never die, they just change clothes.

Women at War (19/01/2023)

France, 1914. As the German troops advance and men leave for the frontlines, four women must grapple with the devastating consequences of war at home.

Fauda: Season 4 (20/01/2023)

The action-packed series returns for a new season.

Şahmaran (20/01/2023)

When Şahsu goes to Adana for a lecture, it’s the perfect chance to face her estranged grandfather. But soon, she stumbles into an ancient myth — and an epic love.

Bake Squad: Season 2 (20/01/2023)

The baking competition returns for a second season.

Bling Empire: New York (20/01/2023)

A new cast of stylish Asian American socialites flaunts their fortunes — and fashions — while bringing the drama and living it up in New York City.

Represent (20/01/2023)

A youth center leader from the suburbs of Paris becomes a finalist in the presidential election. But is France truly ready for its first Black president?

Shanty Town (20/01/2023)

Against the Ropes (25/01/2023)

After being released from prison for a crime she didn't commit, Ángela decides to win back the love and respect of young daughter Rocío, who's a fan of lucha libre wrestling, by entering the ring herself as a mysterious new persona.

Lockwood & Co. (27/01/2023)

A trio of teen ghost-hunters — two gifted boys and a girl with rare psychic abilities — run a tiny agency investigating deadly spirits haunting London.

Kings of Jo'Burg: Season 2 (27/01/2023)

The drama returns for a new season.

The Snow Girl (27/01/2023)

When a little girl goes missing during a parade in Málaga, a young newspaper journalist becomes fiercely determined to help Amaya's parents find her.

Cunk On Earth (31/01/2023)

Philomena Cunk is here to show how far humanity has come — or not — in this witty mockumentary tracing the history of civilization.

The Endless Night (Coming Soon)

Limited fictional series inspired on the true story of the fire at Boate Kiss - a nightclub where 242 young adults were killed in 2013 - and in the fight for justice led by the parents of victims and survivors, which continues to this day.

Physical: 100 (Coming Soon)

In this fierce fitness competition, one hundred contestants in top physical shape compete to claim the honor of best body.

NETFLIX FILM

How I Became a Gangster (04/01/2023)

An ambitious gangster works his way up the ranks of Warsaw's criminal underworld, and ultimately takes his shot at the big time.

The Pale Blue Eye (06/01/2023)

A retired detective recruits an astute West Point cadet named Edgar Allan Poe to help him solve a grisly murder mystery at the U.S. Military Academy.

Noise (11/01/2023)

A search for her missing daughter leads a mother to a support network, where she bonds with other women whose lives have been destroyed by violence.

Dog Gone (13/01/2023)

When his beloved dog goes missing, a young man embarks on an incredible search with his parents to find him and give him life-saving medication.

Khallat+ (19/01/2023)

An anthology of social deception and trickery in four unlikely places.

Devotion (20/01/2023)

A pioneering Black U.S. Navy aviator (Jonathan Majors) and his devoted wingman (Glen Powell) form a life-and-death bond in this acclaimed Korean War epic inspired by an incredible true story.

Mission Majnu (20/01/2023)

Set in the 1970s, an undercover Indian spy takes on a deadly mission to expose a covert nuclear weapons program in the heart of Pakistan.

Narvik (23/01/2023)

While a young Norwegian soldier fights in the trenches, his wife back home must contend with an occupying German force that has invaded their town.

You People (27/01/2023)

Jonah Hill, Eddie Murphy, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Lauren London lead a stacked cast in this comedy from Kenya Barris that follows a new couple and their families as they find themselves examining modern love and family dynamics amid clashing cultures, societal expectations and generational differences.

JUNG_E (Coming Soon)

In a post-apocalyptic 22nd century, a researcher at an AI lab leads the effort to end a civil war by cloning the brain of a heroic soldier — her mother.

NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIALS

Andrew Santino: Cheeseburger (10/01/2023)

No topic is safe in this unfiltered stand-up set from Andrew Santino as he skewers everything from global warming to sex injuries to politics.

NETFLIX DOCUMENTARIES 

MADOFF: The Monster of Wall Street (04/01/2023)

This docuseries follows the rise and fall of financier Bernie Madoff, who orchestrated one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in Wall Street history.

Mumbai Mafia: Police vs The Underworld (06/01/2023)

In 1990s Mumbai, a crime boss and his network wield unchecked power over the city — until the rise of "encounter cops," who brazenly kill their targets.

The Hatchet Wielding Hitchhiker (10/01/2023)

This shocking documentary chronicles a happy-go-lucky nomad's ascent to viral stardom and the steep downward spiral that resulted in his imprisonment.

Break Point (13/01/2023)

From the team behind F1: Drive to Survive, BREAK POINT follows a diverse group of tennis players on and off the court as they compete in gruelling slams with hopes of winning a final and even bigger dreams of becoming world number one. As some of the greatest players tennis has ever seen reach the twilight of their careers, there is room for a new generation of players to claim the spotlight. Break Point gets up close and personal with these top players on the tennis circuit through an entire year traveling across the globe for all four Grand Slams and the ATP and WTA tours. From physical injuries and emotional heartbreak, to triumphant victories, to personal moments off the court, viewers will get a behind the scenes look at the pressure-tested lives of these pro tennis players.

Pamela, a love story (31/01/2023)

In her own words, through personal video and diaries, Pamela Anderson shares the story of her rise to fame, rocky romances and infamous sex tape scandal.

NETFLIX KIDS & FAMILY

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight: Season 2 (12/01/2023)

To find the legendary Tianshang weapons, big-hearted Po and the Dragon Knights journey across the world. But will they beat evil to the punch?

Daniel Spellbound: Season 2 (26/01/2023)

Daniel teams up with a legendary tracker to help him reverse a demonic curse and restart an age of magic that has mysterious ties to Daniel's family.

Princess Power (30/01/2023)

Adventure-loving princesses from four different Fruitdoms jump into action to help their fellow fruitizens and make their worlds a better place.

NETFLIX  ANIME

The Way of the Househusband: Season 2 (01/01/2023)

Everyone's favorite ex-yakuza is back! He's clipping coupons, planning penny-saving meals — and taking his job as a househusband very, very seriously.

Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre (19/01/2023)

From the mind of horror manga maestro Junji Ito comes a spine-tingling selection of some of his most bizarre, disturbing and terrifying tales.

Record of Ragnarok: Season 2 Episodes 1-10 (26/01/2023)

Humanity may be down, but their fight for survival is far from over. For the pivotal next round, a truly evil human emerges to face the next mighty god.

NETFLIX GAMES

Valiant Hearts: Coming Home (Coming Soon)

Become an unsung hero. Solve puzzles, fly above chaos and heal the wounded in this follow-up to the beloved adventure game inspired by World War I.

TMNT: Shredder's Revenge (Coming Soon)

Kick shell with Leonardo, Raphael, Donatello, Michelangelo or other familiar friends in this totally tubular '80s-inspired beat 'em up. Cowabunga!

LICENSED HIGHLIGHTS

F9: The Fast Saga (01/01/2023)

Dominic Toretto and the crew race to foil a civilization-threatening plot led by an elite criminal — who also happens to be Dom's own brother.

The Hills: Season 1 (04/01/2023)

Everything is bigger in LA for a group of young women juggling their careers, relationships and all kinds of drama in this "Laguna Beach" spinoff.

The Hills: Season 2 (04/01/2023)

Summer's over but the drama continues as workplace rivalries, relationship dilemmas and more unfold for Lauren, Audrina, Whitney and Heidi this season.

The Internship (15/01/2023)

When two old-school salesmen lose their jobs, they try to reinvent themselves by competing against tech-savvy college interns for a job at Google.

Bosch & Rockit (18/01/2023)

After authorities discover his illegal weed farm, a young father (Luke Hemsworth) goes on the run with his teenage son (Rasmus King), who believes they're on a magical surf holiday.