House of Gucci: Neon NZ Movie Review

From its animalistic sex scene atop on an office table on a construction site to its laughably insulting Italian accents that at times feel like they're from 80s UK sitcom 'Allo 'Allo, Ridley Scott's House of Gucci is a high serving of cheese with a side order of tonal disorder to feed proceedings.

Driver plays Maurizio Gucci, the ostracised heir of the Gucci family business, who's cast aside when he begins a relationship with Lady Gaga's Patrizia Reggiani. With his disapproving father (an increasingly gaunt and almost vampiric Irons, replete with sunken cheeks and sallow eyes) in the rear view mirror, Maurizio forges a more normal life. 

But Patrizia believes he's entitled to his birthright, and begins to whisper in his ear about power grabs, leading Maurizio into the world he once shunned and the family fights he wanted to avoid.

High on melodrama, draped in elements of camp, House of Gucci's 160 minutes outing is the kind of film that used to be labelled with the word "folly" and all those within condemned to be part of a cult classic for years to come. But as it oscillates between high soap opera and revenge drama, Scott fails to find a balance to walk the two, leaving it more squarely in the kind of territory that renders it neither fish nor fowl.

It doesn't help that Adam Driver is playing a straight dramatic lead in a film that's not straight at all; equally, Lady Gaga's spirited and fiery performance as the ambitious Patrizia keeps the cylinders firing in a film that they deserve better from. 

Jared Leto's weaselly, eccentric and crazed Paulo Gucci is the perfect example of what House of Gucci does right - and wrong. With an accent that woulda makea your momma blush, his Paulo is the kind of figure that should have been the tragic heart of the film; a character whose descent into irrelevance from the betrayal of others around him in the world of excess would have fuelled a film alone. But he emerges as a figure of comedic fun, fuelled by a rift powered by his father (an OTT, blusterous Al Pacino) - a clear sign that Scott and the script are less interested in depth, and more keen on shallow character once overs.

That's some of the problem with the House of Gucci. 

Despite all the 80s music cues and the occasionally eye-dropping couture, the character beats feel off - even for a 160 minute film. Developments occur because the director and writers feel they should, rather than a naturalistic build of dramatic resonance.

Ultimately, the House of Gucci is a film that feels like it's going to cement its place in history. There will be fevered fans of its fripperies and vehement deniers of any of its charms - but it will be director Ridley Scott who emerges from the House of Gucci with his reputation sullied. It's a film of tonal mistakes, a film of confused identity and a film which may long term hurt its director most of all.

Minari: Neon NZ Movie Review

Quietly unassuming but even more devastating for being so, Minari is a perfect pearl of a film about the American immigration experience.

The Walking Dead’s Stephen Yeun is Jacob Yi, a speedy chicken sexer who has moved his family to the outskirts of rural America for a better life in the 1980s.

But when his wife Monica (Ye-ri, an effective foil) glimpses said life of a trailer on wheels with a 50 acre plot of land she’s horrified. Their two kids aren’t much more impressed either but they have no choice but to settle in.

The couple's youngest David has his a heart murmur and his mother worries at their distance from a hospital should the worst happen; their eldest seems content to carry on a domestic life but both kids are on edge, firing paper planes with "Don’t fight" messages scrawled on their wings into the rows that develop over time.

Eventually Jacob acquiesces and welcomes his mother-in-law to live with them so they can become a true unit and get on with life.

To say more about Minari is not to reveal more for fear of spoilers, merely a statement that this semi-autobiographical film from Lee Isaac Chung isn’t about plot machinations or dramatic reveals.

While the poster and trailer may  be led by the child David and promise a kind of quirkiness reserved for many films of its ilk, Minari isn't about easy simple and lazy stereotypes. There's an earnestness, humour and warmth that's ripe for the viewing.

It’s a gentle film that wraps you in its rhythms and one which is content to shock you over how engrossed and invested you’ve become in this family as the final moments of quiet slice of tragic devastation play out.

Veracity underpins every scene of this bucolic coming of age movie, skilfully shot by Lachlan Milne and directed by Chung. Each frame is a masterpiece in minimalism and a highly-skilled execution in immersion.

Minari is beyond effective throughout, seeding you deeply into the world of these South Korean immigrants. It's another effective examination of the human condition, and of the journey others take in our worlds - and it's easily one that deserves to be part of any awards' talk which happens.

Supernova: Neon NZ Movie Review

Cast: Stanley Tucci, Colin Firth

Director: Harry Macqueen

That Supernova deals with the fallout of a devastating disease - dementia in this case - is admirable. But that it does it in such an overtly subtle way throughout is less admirable, leaving you feeling the whole issue is lightly being danced around.

That's not to detract from the terrific work done by both Firth and Tucci, whose tender relationship anchors this film and grounds it, but also leaves you wanting the film to have been more daring when exploring the emotional devastation wrought on a long-term couple.

Tucci is Tusker Mulliner, a writer whose life is nearing an end because his creative edges are being slowly ravaged by the onset of dementia. Firth is Sam, his soulful and melancholy mate, whose eyes betray every single ounce of fear he feels over what's befalling the love of his love.

Driven on by Sam, the pair take a roadtrip around Britain, visiting the haunts of where they first fell in love and where life blossomed before the vine was so cruelly withered by the disease. But Tusker has more up his sleeve, having "forgotten" his medication....

The poignancies of Supernova come more from what's unsaid in the tender and unfussy, but grounded and real, relationship between Tusker and Sam. Early scenes show the duo playfully bickering on the road, as quarrels over which roads to take, how to read a map, and where they go demonstrate a shorthand of a long lived-in relationship that's excellently conveyed by the pair.

But then the melancholy starts to hit Supernova, and Macqueen's penchant for subtleties teeter on the mawkish as the realities of the disease start to hit home.

In the forlorn Firth and the almost wistful Tucci, the film finds its strengths; in fact most of the movie would be lost in other actors' hands. The duo gel, the tenderness feels real and the subtleties of their relationship are wonderfully and demonstrably shown by the duo - they are a couple for the ages.

Yet, at times, it feels like Supernova is shallow in its exploration of the onset of dementia, and almost dangerously romanticising the practicalities and realities of those impacted. At times, it's close to giving off an emotionless pitch, leaving you almost uncaring in Sam and Tusker's journey toward darkness.

Thankfully, Firth and Tucci do much to keep the film centred and rooted solely in their relationship in a tender and moving way. From brief glances to troubled countenances, this is a movie that dallies more with the human side of the relationship than the existential dread ahead for those afflicted.

It all culminates in a somewhat curious denouement that feels earned, but weirdly emotionless - where there should be tears, despite beautiful lovely acting, there is a void. There is also a stillness in this void though, a sign of tenderness respected and a celebration of quiet strength.

Whereas other dramas could have gone for explosive revelations, Supernova, despite its somewhat grandiose title, chooses to allow small emotional truth bombs of the oncoming reality to pepper its run time. It's a smaller film in many ways, carried by two astral turns, and a desire to approach a subject usually mined for explicit drama in a more subtle and downbeat yet humane way.

Whether that's enough to be as affecting for the audience remains to be seen - were it not for Firth and Tucci, it would have been more a damp squib than the emotional Supernova it aspires to, and far too occasionally reaches.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness: Disney+ Review

Not content with creating just one single cinematic universe, Marvel has now fully adopted the multiverse in a move that will signal endless possibilities for its characters and various iterations over the coming years.

While some elements were explored in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Disney+'s animated series What If?, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness embraces the possibilities in a movie that's more about the FX than the emotions thanks to a strangely underdeveloped plot that seems to hinge predominantly on Benedict Cumberbatch's brilliant surgeon Dr Steven Strange, as he ponders the question if he is truly happy.

In this latest, Strange is pondering his own happiness while attending his ex Christine Palmer's wedding when he's interrupted by a threat destroying downtown and determined to abduct a seemingly helpless girl America Chavez (Gomez, lacking the material to leave anything indelible on proceedings, but still proving solid). But after Strange rescues her, he realises he's seen her in his dreams the night before.

So with forces amassing against America, and with the implication being that they're magical, Strange turns to former Avenger and self-exiled grieving mother Wanda Maximoff (Olsen, easily one of the best parts of the film) to see if she can help.

But soon, Strange finds himself thrust into a fight he never expected and new worlds of possibilities - and dark dangers.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a first for the MCU - a film that dabbles with horror and delivers some truly nightmarish sequences that push the boundaries of family friendly fare. Necks are snapped, demons float in the skies, there's voodoo, possession and corpses - to be frank, it's no surprise Evil Dead's Sam Raimi is on board in the director's seat. Raimi delivers touches of Drag Me To Hell and the kind of jolts you'd expect from Evil Dead type horrors throughout - but they're not quite enough to offset the fact there's not much of an emotional heft to proceedings.

It's an FX-heavy moody melancholy film that continues to pursue the new MCU raison d'etre - trauma, grief and coping with its emotional after effects. It's almost as if Marvel is internalising conflicts rather than the usual CGI world shattering finales. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness also delivers more of the kind of internal schisms we'd seen before with Captain America: Civil War, but in truth it doesn't really build on them and offer anything new on the narrative front.

It's great to see Rachel McAdams get extended screen time in this sequel, and along with some fan service moments, there's a subtle performance from Cumberbatch in all his different forms as Strange in the film, with little nuances adding to the overall takeaway of the movie.

The visual effects employed throughout make Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness soar. From a trip through multiverses (including one where characters are paint) to creeping mist and murderous animated corpses, this is a film that will be remembered for its game-changing visuals, as well as building on the Inception-esque kaleidoscopic visuals that the first Doctor Strange employed some 6 years ago.

But there are also some stumbles, in a film that, in truth, could have dabbled a bit more into the darker arts and provided something edgier rather than safer fare from the stable.

America Chavez feels very one note, a MacGuffin in a story where she should have been the emotional thrust. Despite a solid performance from Gomez , she's extended only the most cursory of backstories when a more beefed-up involvement could have helped raise the stakes to more monumental levels.

Equally, audiences will need an idea of what happened in WandaVision to fully be on board with Olsen's performance - and there are moments when she teeters dangerously close to the hysterical woman stereotype which is worrying. 

Ultimately, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is a different detour for the Marvel genre - it may not always successfully achieve its end goals, and while it offers a solid outing for the blockbuster, it really doesn't quite revel in its own possibilities to hit the highs of a timeless genre-redefining classic.

Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness is now streaming on Disney+.

Only Murders in the Building: Season 2 Review

Only Murders in the Building's debut season was an absolute delight.

A zingy, peppy quick-witted take on the crime podcast genre which exploded in lockdown, the first series centred on three residents of the Arconia building in Manhattan, and a murder mystery of who killed building resident Tim Kono to be solved from within their walls.

But it was more than just a smartly-executed, clever take on the genre, partnering up Steve Martin's physicality, Martin Short's flamboyancy and Selena Gomez's millennial charm to killer effect, making it a series that zigged and zagged throughout (and only sagged when it became indulgent with its Sting cameo).

With the first season ending on a cliffhanger that seemingly placed Mabel as the murder of the trio's nemesis, the Arconia building manager Bunny Folger, season two quickly turned the crime investigators into prime suspects.

And it's here the second season picks up with the same kind of energetic and clever dialogue you'd expect.

But in truth, season two of Only Murders in the Building may be in danger of disappearing into its own meta world.

With knowing jokes about sequels, and terribly lame jokes, some of the pep appears to have gone out of the writing step here, as it becomes a little too self-referential and knowing. Chiefly, Short's character Oliver appears to have become reliant on bluster and gestures as the script demands, 

Lines like "We're getting the hang of this - you can absolutely tell it's our second season" the script's reliance of overly mocking itself and stopping shy of getting characters to break the fourth wall and wink feel a little to on the nose.

And the arrival of Amy Schumer to take Sting's place in the apartment is yet to feel like anything more than a casting decision and a knowing nod to the quirks of her comic persona, rather than real depth to the script. Occasionally too Mabel's one-liners feel a little forced, a quirk of overwriting and scripting than of a millennial snark that she's oft labelled with (though her wardrobe is still on trend and likely to be the envy of many watching)

But these are minor niggles in a show that's still head and shoulders above anything else around currently. From its addictive theme song to its breezy nature, Only Murders in the Building: Season 2 is still the delight you'd expect it to be - and this time adds a bit more depth to some of the other characters in the building - chiefly murder victim Bunny Folger.

Overall though, Only Murders in the Building remains a wonderful series that's worth investing time in. Whether it's from the central relationship of the trio and how they interact to the residents of the Arconia getting more time to shine (not to mention a few surprises on the way), the second series still remains a show to sit back and enjoy - even if occasional meandering from the central plot removes some of its urgency.

What's on Netflix in July

As we head into the coldest month of the year, there’s no better time to get out the blankets, ugg boots and a warm cuppa, and settle in for this month’s greatest hits!

Stranger Things 4: Volume 2 (July 1)

For all of those Upside Down fans, Volume 2 is finally here! Yes that’s correct, Stranger Things 4: Volume 2 will hit our screens this month with the long awaited season finale which is set to have higher stakes than ever before! As we know, time is precious in the town of Hawkins, so what are you waiting for? Grab your plate of Eggos or pineapple pizza as you delve into the next chapter of the Upside Down! 

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight  (July 14)

Family favourite Jack Black returns to Kung Fu Panda in the new series Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight. When a mysterious pair of weasels set their sights on a collection of four powerful weapons, Po must leave his home to embark on a globe-trotting quest for redemption and justice that finds him partnered up with a no-nonsense English knight named Wandering Blade. Together, these two mismatched warriors set out on an epic adventure to find the magical weapons first and save the world from destruction - and they may even learn a thing or two from each other along the way!

 

Persuasion (July 22)

Did someone say Persuasion is officially dropping on Netflix?! If you idolise Jane Austen as much as we do then this film is just for you! Starring Dakota Johnson, Henry Golding and Cosmo Jarvis, the story sees Anne Elliot re-meet a dashing man of humble origins who she was persuaded not to marry. Will she seize her second chance at true love? Only one way to find out!

 

The Gray Man (July 22)

Thriller fans, hold on tight because The Gray Man is like no other! Starring the one and only Ryan Gosling, this blockbuster flick sees the CIA’s most skilled operative fighting to survive a global manhunt by international assassins after accidentally uncovering dark agency secrets. With a supporting lineup of Hollywood icons including Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Regé-Jean Page and Billy Bob Thornton, this is one not to miss!

 Blown Away: Season 3 (July 22)

To all the creative geeks out there, tune in to the red hot Blown Away: Season 3. This ground-breaking competition series returns as ten glass artists from around the world gather in North America’s largest hot shop to push themselves to creative extremes in the quest to be named Best In Glass. In each episode the glassblowers must impress a panel of art experts or risk being eliminated. At stake is a life-changing prize that will send their careers to new heights. 

Here's what else is streaming on Netflix in July:

ORIGINAL SERIES

Stranger Things 4: Volume 2 (01/07/2022)

Divided by distance but ever determined, our scattered friends face a frightening future. But it's only the beginning. The beginning of the end.

Control Z: Season 3 (06/07/2022)

Sofía and her friends try to move on in their senior year, but an unidentified hacker with a familiar account makes life difficult for them.

King of Stonks (06/07/2022)

Desperate for startup stardom, an overly-ambitious finance mastermind lies, cheats and schemes his less-than-authentic company up the ladder to success.

Boo, Bitch (08/07/2022)

Two senior BFFs make a last-ditch attempt to be seen. But when one of them becomes a ghost, she'll need to really live her best life — while she can.

Capitani: Season 2 (08/07/2022)

Now living in Luxembourg City, Luc Capitani takes on a new job and finds himself entangled in a murder investigation linked to the capital's criminal underworld.

How To Build a Sex Room (08/07/2022)

From a rock 'n' roll sex dungeon to a next-level spa space, designer Melanie Rose dreams up erotic renovations for couples in this racy reality series.

The Longest Night (08/07/2022)

Armed men surround a psychiatric prison and cut off all communications. Their purpose: to capture serial killer Simón Lago. Six episodes. One night.

Big Timber: Season 2 (13/07/2022)

With Kevin's new claim inaccessible and a massive government penalty looming, he and Sarah will need a plan B to keep their business afloat.

Hurts Like Hell (13/07/2022)

From illegal gambling to match-fixing, discover the seedy underworld behind the once-revered sport of Muay Thai in this drama inspired by real events.

Sintonia: Season 3 (13/07/2022)

As Doni frets over the price of fame, Rita contemplates a new career and Nando reflects on his chosen path. The stakes are now higher than ever.

Resident Evil (14/07/2022)

Years after a viral outbreak caused a global apocalypse, Jade Wesker vows to bring down those responsible while fighting to survive against the Infected.

Country Queen (15/07/2022)

A Nairobi event planner returns to her village after 10 years, where she confronts her past — and a mining company that threatens to destroy her home.

Farzar (15/07/2022)

Prince Fichael lives in a human colony on an alien world and vows to rid the planet of evil — but then learns his dad's the biggest evildoer of them all.

Mom, Don't Do That! (15/07/2022)

After her husband’s death, a 60-year-old mum decides to find love again — to the joy and annoyance of her two daughters. Based on a true story.

Remarriage & Desires (15/07/2022)

Through an exclusive matchmaking agency that caters to the ultra rich, a divorcee plots revenge against her ex-husband’s scheming mistress.

Alba (15/07/2022)

Alba awakens on a beach, bearing evidence of a rape but with no memory of the night before. Then she learns her rapists are her boyfriend's buddies.

Virgin River: Season 4 (20/07/2022)

Mel navigates her new reality, Jack's past threatens his future and new faces arrive to stir things up in Virgin River.

Bad Exorcist: Season 2 (20/07/2022)

From drug cartels straight out of hell to a bulletproof, potato-craving monster, Boner returns to face a set of completely new adversaries.

Blown Away: Season 3 (22/07/2022)

The hot shop welcomes 10 talented new glassblowers for captivating challenges inspired by outer space, the circus, the Seven Deadly Sins and more.

DI4RIES (26/07/2022)

First crushes, first kisses, fun with friends — and feuds with rivals. In the halls of Galileo Galilei Middle School, every day is full of surprises!

Dream Home Makeover: Season 3 (27/07/2022)

Syd and Shea welcome the newest McGee while making their clients' dreams — anything from a work-from-home oasis to a stylish wine room — come true.

Car Masters: Rust to Riches: Season 4 (27/07/2022)

As Shawn revs up business for the garage, Mark and the rest of the crew work on a variety of projects, including a '57 Chevy and a rare Lincoln Zephyr.

Rebelde: Season 2 (27/07/2022)

A trio of cheerleaders at a posh private school revive their former classmates' anti-bullying club and team up to fight injustice in this teen thriller.

Another Self (28/07/2022)

Three friends take part in a therapy session in a seaside town and learn to work through unresolved trauma connected to their families' pasts.

Keep Breathing (28/07/2022)

When a small plane crashes in the middle of the Canadian wilderness, a lone woman must battle the elements — and her personal traumas — to survive.

Fanático (29/07/2022)

After Spain's biggest music star accidentally dies during a concert, a fan seizes the chance to escape his mundane life by adopting his idol's persona.

Uncoupled (29/07/2022)

When his boyfriend of 17 years abruptly moves out, a New York City real estate broker faces the prospect of starting over as a single man in his 40s.

Rebel Cheer Squad: A Get Even Series (29/07/2022)

A trio of cheerleaders at a posh private school revive their former classmates' anti-bullying club and team up to fight injustice in this teen thriller.

Masaba Masaba: Season 2 (Coming soon)

Amid a career crisis, Masaba puts her love life on the back burner — but is it there to stay? Neena faces all kinds of drama while rebooting a hit show.

NETFLIX FILM

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between (06/07/2022)

Clare and Aidan make a pact to break up before college — no regrets, no broken hearts. But will one epic goodbye date offer them a last chance at love?

Ranveer vs Wild with Bear Grylls (08/07/2022)

Click through this interactive special, helping superstar Ranveer Singh and adventurer Bear Grylls brave the Serbian wilderness to find a rare flower.

The Sea Beast (08/07/2022)

When a young girl stows away on the ship of a legendary sea monster hunter, they launch an epic journey into uncharted waters — and make history to boot.

Dangerous Liaisons (08/07/2022)

Book smart Célène falls for bad boy Tristan at her new Biarritz high school, unaware she's part of a cruel bet he's made with social media queen Vanessa.

Incantation (08/07/2022)

Six years ago, Lee Jo-nan was cursed after breaking a religious taboo. Now, she must protect her daughter from the consequences of her actions.

Jewel (08/07/2022)

While visiting a massacre memorial, a photographer finds herself drawn to a local woman. But their romance stirs up painful memories of a shared past.

Valley of the Dead (11/07/2022)

During the Spanish Civil War, a small group of sworn enemies must work together when they encounter flesh-eating zombies created in a Nazi experiment.

For Jojo (11/07/2022)

When her best friend Jojo falls in love and moves on from their wild dating adventures in Berlin, Paula does everything she can to sabotage her wedding.

Under the Amalfi Sun (13/07/2022)

A year after their romance began in Riccione, Vincenzo and Camilla reunite for a vacation on the picturesque Amalfi Coast and put their love to the test.

Love Goals (Jaadugar) (15/07/2022)

A small-town magician with zero interest in football must lead his local team to the finals of a tournament if he wishes to marry the love of his life.

Persuasion (15/07/2022)

Eight years after Anne Elliot was persuaded not to marry a dashing man of humble origins, they meet again. Will she seize her second chance at true love?

Too Old for Fairy Tales (Za duży na bajki) (18/07/2022)

A spoiled gamer wants to compete in an upcoming tournament, but his mother's illness and an eccentric aunt force him to rethink his priorities.

Live is Life (18/07/2022)

Five boys faced with the realities of adulthood unite for a final adventure: hunting down a magical flower that will make their wishes come true.

The Gray Man (22/07/2022)

When a shadowy CIA agent uncovers damning agency secrets, he’s hunted across the globe by a sociopathic rogue operative who’s put a bounty on his head.

Pipa (27/07/2022)

Living a secluded life in a small Argentinian town, former investigator Manuela Pipa Pelari is suddenly forced to face secrets from her past.

A Cut Above (28/07/2022)

When he sets out to save his mother's salon, a man discovers some unexpected talents of his own.

Purple Hearts (29/07/2022)

Despite their differences and against all odds, an aspiring singer-songwriter (Sofia Carson) and a Marine (Nicholas Galitzine) fall hopelessly in love.

The Entitled (29/07/2022)

Unexpectedly dropped into upper-class society, an awkward woman struggles to fit in.

NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIALS

Bill Burr: Live at Red Rocks (12/07/2022)

Comedian Bill Burr sounds off on cancel culture, feminism, getting bad reviews from his wife and a life-changing epiphany during a fiery stand-up set.

David A. Arnold: It Ain't For the Weak (19/07/2022)

Performing in his Cleveland hometown, David A. Arnold jokes about marital spats and entitled kids as he shares a behind-the-scenes look at his family.

NETFLIX DOCUMENTARIES 

Girl in the Picture (06/07/2022)

In this documentary, a woman found dying by a road leaves behind a son, a man claiming to be her husband — and a mystery that unfolds like a nightmare.

How to Change Your Mind (12/07/2022)

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney and New York Times best-selling author Michael Pollan present this documentary series event in four parts, each focused on a different mind-altering substance: LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and mescaline. With Pollan as our guide, we journey to the frontiers of the new psychedelic renaissance – and look back at almost-forgotten historical context – to explore the potential of these substances to heal and change minds as well as culture. How to Change Your Mind is directed by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Alison Ellwood and two-time Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning filmmaker Lucy Walker.

My Daughter's Killer (12/07/2022)

A father fights for decades to bring his daughter's killer to justice in France and Germany before taking extreme measures. A true crime documentary.

D.B. Cooper: Where Are You?! (13/07/2022)

In 1971, a skyjacker parachutes off a plane with a bag of stolen cash — and gets away with it. Decades later, his identity remains a compelling mystery.

Never Stop Dreaming: The Life and Legacy of Shimon Peres (13/07/2022)

In politics, most pursue power. He pursued peace. Shimon Peres’s influence and integrity were instrumental in the founding and preservation of Israel.

Street Food: USA (26/07/2022)

This season of "Street Food" focuses on American cooks, pit masters, taqueros, loncheros — and culinary heroes.

The Most Hated Man on the Internet (27/07/2022)

This new documentary series chronicles a mother's crusade against the ruthless owner of a porn site.

Indian Predator: The Butcher of Delhi (Coming soon)

A series of mutilated bodies and taunting notes left outside a Delhi jail sends police hunting for a seasoned killer with a grudge against the system.

NETFLIX KIDS & FAMILY

Karma's World: Season 3 (07/07/2022)

From making new friends to standing up for what's right: Karma grows as a daughter, sister, artist and more with new rhymes and lots of fun times!

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (14/07/2022)

Legendary warrior Po teams up with an elite English knight on a global quest to rescue magical weapons, restore his reputation — and save the world!

My Little Pony: A New Generation: Sing-Along (18/07/2022)

A young pony makes a herd of new friends on a quest to bring magic back to her world in this sing-along version of "My Little Pony: A New Generation."

StoryBots: Laugh, Learn, Sing: Collection 2: Learn to Read (18/07/2022)

Follow StoryBot pals Beep, Boop, Bing, Bang and Bo through three volumes of snack-sized early reading lessons set to a soundtrack of catchy tunes!

Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous: Season 5 (21/07/2022)

The family-friendly animated series set in the world of the hit franchise returns for a new season.

Gabby's Dollhouse: Season 5 (25/07/2022)

This colourful series set in a fantastical dollhouse of delightful mini-worlds and irresistible kitty characters returns for a new season.

Oggy and the Cockroaches: Next Generation (28/07/2022)

Oggy is back with a big surprise in tow: Piya the elephant, the 7-year-old daughter of his Indian friends.

NETFLIX  ANIME

Uncle from Another World (06/07/2022)

After being in a coma for 17 years, Takafumi's middle-aged uncle suddenly wakes up speaking an unrecognisable language and wielding magical powers.

Detective Conan: Zero's Tea Time (29/07/2022)

A detective who's also a public security agent and a member of a shadowy organisation juggles his triple identities in this "Detective Conan" spinoff.

NETFLIX GAMES

Before Your Eyes (Coming soon)

Embark on an emotional first-person adventure where you control the story — and affect the outcome — with your real-life blinks.

Into the Breach (Coming soon)

Civilisation is in peril, and it's up to you to defend it. Lead a team to save the world from alien threats in this turn-based strategy game.

Mahjong Solitaire (Coming soon)

Enjoy hundreds of tile-matching puzzles. Equip themes and backgrounds, including “Stranger Things” ones, to change the game’s look and feel.

IMMORTALITY (Coming soon)

A starlet, vanished. Her films, unreleased. Investigate the lost works of the silver-screen hopeful to unlock the secrets behind her disappearance.

Wild Things Adventures (Coming soon)

Rescue cute animals, explore an immersive world and build your dream habitat in this colourful match-3 adventure game.

LICENSED HIGHLIGHTS

True Grit (01/07/2022)

After her father is murdered, a 14-year-old hires a disreputable US Marshal to track down his killer. Together, the unlikely pair mount an epic search.

Catch Me If You Can (01/07/2022)

An FBI agent makes it his mission to put cunning con man Frank Abagnale Jr. behind bars. But Frank not only eludes capture, he revels in the pursuit.

Black and White (01/07/2022)

A small-town public defender and his partner seek to exonerate an Indigenous Australian man accused of raping and murdering a young white girl.

Rabbit-Proof Fence (03/07/2022)

After being swept up in an integration program for Indigenous Australians, three girls vow to escape an abusive orphanage and return home.

Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra (03/07/2022)

This documentary tells the story of Bangarra Dance Theatre and how three Aboriginal brothers grew a dance group into a First Nations cultural powerhouse.

Art of Incarceration (03/07/2022)

The Final Quarter (03/07/2022)

Australian documentary filmmaker Ian Darling reexamines the divisive incidents which marked the final years of footballer Adam Goodes' career.

Download image here

Samson & Delilah (03/07/2022)

Branded as outcasts, teens Samson and Delilah set out on a grueling road trip in search of a place where they can lead a peaceful life.

Jasper Jones (03/07/2022)

My Name Is Gulpilil (03/07/2022)

Celebrated actor David Gulpilil reflects on his life, including his Yolŋu upbringing, storied career, alcohol addiction and cancer diagnosis.

Gurrumul (03/07/2022)

This moving documentary tells the story of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, an Aboriginal musician celebrated as one of Australia's most distinctive voices.

Murandak: Songs of Freedom (03/07/2022)

The Nightingale (03/07/2022)

An imprisoned Irish woman teams up with an Indigenous tracker in 19th-century Tasmania to exact revenge on a sadistic British lieutenant and his troops. 

What's on Prime Video in July

 PAPER GIRLS 

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 29 JULY 

In the early morning hours after Halloween 1988, four paper girls—Erin, Mac, Tiffany, and KJ—are out on their delivery route when they become caught in the crossfire between warring time-travellers, changing the course of their lives forever. 

Transported into the future, these girls must figure out a way to get back home to the past, a journey that will bring them face-to-face with the grown-up versions of themselves. While reconciling that their futures are far different than their 12-year-old selves imagined, they are being hunted by a militant faction of time-travellers known as the Old Watch, who have outlawed time travel so that they can stay in power.

In order to survive, the girls will need to overcome their differences and learn to trust each other, and themselves. Based on the best-selling graphic novels written by Brian K. Vaughan, Paper Girls is a high-stakes personal journey depicted through the eyes of four girls. 

Paper Girls stars Camryn Jones, Riley Lai Nelet, Sofia Rosinsky, Fina Strazza, Ali Wong, Nate Corddry and Adina Porter. 



 

THE TERMINAL LIST 

SEASON 1 AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 1 JULY 

Based on the best-selling novel by Jack Carr, The Terminal List follows James Reece (Chris Pratt) after his entire platoon of Navy SEALs is ambushed during a high-stakes covert mission. 

Reece returns home to his family with conflicting memories of the event and questions about his culpability. However, as new evidence comes to light, Reece discovers dark forces working against him, endangering not only his life, but the lives of those he loves. The series is executive produced by Chris Pratt and Jon Schumacher.

The Terminal List stars Chris Pratt, Constance Wu, Taylor Kitsch, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Riley Keough, Arlo Mertz, Jai Courtney, JD Pardo, Patrick Schwarzenegger, LaMonica Garrett, Stephen Bishop, Sean Gunn, Tyner Rushing, Jared Shaw, Christina Vidal, Nick Chinlund, Matthew Rauch, Warren Kole and Alexis Louder.

 

DON’T MAKE ME GO

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 15 JULY 

**Filmed in New Zealand**

When single father Max (John Cho) discovers he has a terminal disease, he decides to try and cram all the years of love and support he will miss with his teenage daughter Wally (Mia Isaac) into the time he has left with her. 

With the promise of long-awaited driving lessons, he convinces Wally to accompany him on a road trip from California to New Orleans for his 20th college reunion, where he secretly hopes to reunite her with her mother who left them long ago. 

A wholly original and emotional journey, Don’t Make Me Go explores the unbreakable, eternal bond between a father and daughter from both sides of the generational divide with heart and humour along for the ride.

Don’t Make Me Go stars John Cho, Mia Isaac, Mitchell Hope, Jemaine Clement, Stefania LaVie Owen, Kaya Scodelario 

 

ANYTHING’S POSSIBLE

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 22 JULY 

Directed by Billy Porter,  Anything’s Possible is an uplifting and delightfully modern Gen Z coming-of-age story that follows Kelsa, a confident high school girl who is trans, as she navigates her senior year.

When her classmate Khal gets a crush on her, he musters up the courage to ask her out, despite the drama he knows it could cause. What transpires is a romance that showcases the joy, tenderness, and pain of young love.

Anything’s Possible stars Eva Reign, Abubkar Ali, Renee Elise Goldsberry, Simone Joy Jones, Kelly Lamor Wilson, Courtnee Carter, Manu Narayan, Naveen Paddock, Noah Pacht and Lav Raman. Directed by Billy Porter

WARRIORS ON THE FIELD 

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 8 JULY 

Presented by AFL legend Michael O’Loughlin and directed by Indigenous academic and filmmaker Larissa Behrendt, Warriors On The Field is a powerful look at the strength Indigenous players get from their culture, connection to the game, and how it helps them navigate racism in Australia. Sharing their stories alongside O’Loughlin – a Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, Narungga man - are current AFL players Michael “Sonny” Walters, a Proud Noongar man from the Fremantle Dockers, and up-and-coming North Melbourne young gun Tarryn Thomas, a Kamillaroi and Lumaranaana man originally from Sydney.

Warriors On The Field looks to Michael O’Loughlin’s childhood in South Australia and takes him back to his roots, playing backyard footy, as he dreamed of making it in the sport at the highest level. He introduces his family, including mum Muriel and uncle Michael “Muddy” O’Loughlin, who provides an insight into life as a young Aboriginal man. Michael speaks with the younger AFL players and their families to hear their stories and learn about the challenges in making their mark on the game.

Warriors On The Field stars Michael O’Loughlin, Michael Walters, Tarryn Thomas 

FOREVER SUMMER: HAMPTONS 

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 15 JULY 

Forever Summer: Hamptons is a coming-of-age docusoap, set against the idyllic backdrop of the Hamptons, about a group of college kids from widely different backgrounds, from wealthy New York City kids who descend for the summer, to the humble townies. By day, they’re working at a seaside restaurant. 

By night, they are tearing up the town, testing friendships, and exploring love during the hottest days of the year. This group and their friends are chasing the perfect summer at a pivotal time in their lives, when carefree adolescence is about to end. Come September, the stakes and responsibilities will be high, but the summer is theirs for the taking.

JAMES MAY: OUR MAN IN ITALY

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 15 JULY 

In the latest instalment of James May’s Our Man In series, James brings his unique perspective to Italy, travelling the length and breadth of one of his favourite countries to explore its history, landscapes, traditions and much more. From the Sicilian capital of Palermo to the peaks of the Dolomites, James will discover culture, food, industry, and even a bit of sport, all played out against some of the world’s most stunning landscapes. Can a bumbling, middle-aged, British bloke discover the secrets of 'la dolce vita'?

James May: Our Man In Italy stars James May, Paolo Damiano, Guia Scognamiglio, Claudia Traina

JULY 2022 FULL TITLES (IN DATE ORDER)

The Terminal List S1 1/07/22 (TV)

Get Out 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

Lady Bird 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

Split (2017) 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

American Made 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

Atomic Blonde 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

The Boss Baby 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

Captain Underpants 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

Pitch Perfect 3 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

Fifty Shades Darker 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

Blue Bayou 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

Old Henry 1/07/22 (MOVIE)

WNBA: Las Vegas Aces at Minnesota Lynx 3/07/22 (SPORT)

This Is The End 5/07/22 (MOVIE)

1up 8/07/22 (MOVIE)

Warriors On The Field  8/07/22 (TV)

Paranormal Activity: Next Of Kin 8/07/22 (MOVIE)

The Miseducation Of Cameron Post 9/07/22 (MOVIE)

Seven Pounds 12/07/22 (MOVIE)

Angels & Demons 13/07/22 (MOVIE)

Don't Make Me Go 15/07/22 (MOVIE)

James May: Our Man In Italy S1 15/07/22 (TV)

Forever Summer: Hamptons S1 15/07/22 (TV)

Ray Donavan: The Movie 15/07/22 (MOVIE)

WNBA: Atlanta Dream at Phoenix Mercury 17/07/22 (SPORT) 

Blade Runner 2049 20/07/22 (MOVIE)

Anything's Possible 22/07/22 (MOVIE)

The Birthday Cake 22/07/22 (MOVIE)

WNBA: Connecticut Sun at Minnesota Lynx 24/07/22 (SPORT) 

Paper Girls S1 29/07/22 (TV)

The Ides Of March 29/07/22 (MOVIE)

Here Are Young Men 29/07/22 (MOVIE)

Inside Job (2010) 31/07/22 (MOVIE)

WNBA: Seattle Storm at Washington Mystics 31/07/22 (SPORT) 

What's on Neon in July

THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS 

Nuclear families and affluent streets populate Midwich, a small English commuter town. One summer's day, a sleepy corner of Midwich is plunged into panic when people start passing out on their feet without warning or reason. When the mysterious blackout is lifted, life for those affected returns to apparent normality - except every woman of childbearing age inside the zone has suddenly and inexplicably fallen pregnant. 

Starring Keeley Hawes (Misbehaviour, Bodyguard) and Max Beesley (Ordinary Lies). 

THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS AVAILABLE JULY 4 

RETURNING SERIES 

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOW5 

The fractured group return to their Staten Island house, which is in a state of total disrepair. Whilst fixing their creepy manor, Nandor continues his search for love, Nadja opens a vampire nightclub, Lazlo struggles to raise Baby Colin, and Guillermo is torn between his friends and his family. 

Starring: Kayvan Novak (Cruella), Matt Berry (Toast of London) and Natasia Demetriou (The Big Flower Fight). 

WHAT WE DO IN THE SHADOWS S4  IS AVAILABLE FROM JULY 14 

NEW TO NEON 

Rap Sh!t 

Created by Issa Rae, this new comedy series follows two estranged high school friends from Miami, Shawna and Mia, who reunite to form a rap group. Together they must navigate the challenges of trying to break into the male dominated hip-hop scene. Starring: Aida Osman and Kamillion. 

RAP SH!T AVAILABLE FROM JULY 22 

Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin 

Twenty years ago, a series of tragic events almost ripped the town of Millwood apart. In the present day, a new group of teenage girls are tormented by an unknown assailant, forced to pay for the secret sin of their parents - as well as their own! Starring: Bailee Madison (Just Go With It), Chandler Kinney (Lethal Weapon), Maia Reficco (Baskets) Zaria and Malia Pyles. 

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS: ORIGINAL SIN AVAILABLE FROM JULY 29 

THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH 

Based on the Walter Tevis novel of the same name and the iconic film that starred David Bowie, The Man Who Fell To Earth follows a new alien character who arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution and must confront his own past to determine our future. Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor (Locked Down, 12 Years A Slave), Naomie Harris (No Time To Die, Black and Blue) and Bill Nighy (Love Actually). 

THE MAN WHO FELL TO EARTH AVAILABLE JULY 21 

GORDITA CHRONICLES

After immigrating from their home in the Dominican Republic, 12-year old Cucu Castelli and her eccentric family must discover and define their version of the "American Dream" in 1980s Miami. Cucu meets head-on the challenges of being an immigrant in a strange new world with_humour, bravado and some really bad choices. Starring: Olivia Goncalves, Diana Maria Riva and Juan Javier Cardenas. 

GORDITA CHRONICLES AVAILABLE JULY 1

High

A five-part true crime series that depicts one of Britain's most famous drug trafficking cases. Aged 19 and bored of where she grew up, Michaella McCollum craved sun and adventure. However, her dream turned into a nightmare as she fell into an illicit world of drugs and excess. 

HIGH AVAILABLE JULY 15 

COMING TO MOVIES 

Sing 2

Buster Moon and his friends prepare to launch a dazzling stage extravaganza in the glittering entertainment capital of the world. There's just one hitch, they first have to persuade the world's most reclusive rock star to join them. Starring the voices of: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon and Scarlett Johansson. 

SING 2 AVAILABLE JULY 30 

The Many Saints of Newark 

Young Anthony Soprano is growing up in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark, N.J., history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters start to rise and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family. Caught up in the changing times is the uncle he idolizes, Dickie Moltisanti, whose influence over his nephew will help shape the impressionable teenager into the all-powerful mob boss, Tony Soprano. Starring: Michael Gandolfini, Ray Liotta and Vera Farmiga. 

THE MANY SAINTS OF NEWARK AVAILABLE JULY 31 

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG

When middle-schooler Emily Elizabeth meets a magical animal rescuer who gifts her a little, red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant ten-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. While her single mom is away for business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle Casey set out on an adventure. Based on the beloved Scholastic book character, Clifford will teach the world how to love big! 

CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG AVAILABLE JULY 16

LICORICE PIZZA

This coming-of-age story follows Alana Kane and Gary Valentine as they navigate life and love in the San Fernando Valley, 1973. Starring: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman and Sean Penn. 

LICORICE PIZZA AVAILABLE JULY 28 

MALIGNANT 

Paralysed by fear from shocking visions, a woman's torment worsens as she discovers her waking dreams are terrifying realities. From The Conjuring director, James Wan. Starring: Annabelle Wallis and Mckenna Grace. 

MALIGNANT AVAILABLE JULY 24 

QUEENPINS

A frustrated suburban housewife and her best friend hatch an illegal coupon-club scheme that scams millions from corporations and delivers deals to legions of fellow coupon clippers. Hot on their trail is an unlikely duo - a hapless loss prevention officer and a determined U.S. postal inspector - both looking to end their criminal enterprise. Starring: Kirsten Bell and Vince Vaughan. 

QUEENPINS AVAILABLE JULY 10 

A MOUTHFUL OF AIR

The books from kind, warm, best selling author Julie Davis deal with unlocking childhood fears, but she has yet to unlock the dark secret that has haunted her own life. However, when her second child is born, events occur that bring that secret to the fore, and with it, a crushing, powerful battle to survive. Starring: Amanda Seyfried and Finn Wittrock. 

A MOUTHFUL OF AIR AVAILABLE JULY 17 

Elvis: Movie Review

Cast: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge 

Director: Baz Luhrmann

Frantic and frenetic, it's perhaps appropriate Baz Luhrmann's take on the Elvis story is primarily led by Colonel Tom Parker a former carny showman, given how much it feels like a rollercoaster ride, with highs and lows throughout its bum-busting 2hr 40min run time.

With Parker's claims that he's not to blame for Elvis' demise, but with signs that he's an unreliable narrator, Luhrmann spins us through decades of Elvis' life with absolute chutzpah and nothing short of a giddy opening that is as energetic as it is compelling.

With the jukebox music blasting and Hanks' Parker lurking like some kind of predator, grooming Presley for his next big thing, there's a dichotomy here that's uneasy to behold and a narrative that's scarcely apparent throughout. It's more of a loose run through Presley's life that barely seems to hit any of the emotional highs it needs to make it feel anything less than superficial.

Key moments such as Elvis' mother's death are rushed, and barely register any kind of impact, which is odd given how seismic the film intimates her passing was on Elvis later on. And hints of Parker's impropriety and downfall are relegated solely to the end credits, despite scenes of his end bookending the film.

Perhaps though that is not the film's desire - there seems to be no strong enough thread to ensure the story doesn't feel like it jumps from one sequence to the next, loosely connecting anything and spinning as much on screen as a fairground ride does. 

It's perhaps Luhrmann at his most indulgent in some ways - a chance for jukebox spectacle above all else, and a hint that this is a feelgood film less concerned with the darker elements of the King's life and more interested in following the lighter Bohemian Rhapsody take on a music story.

Complete with dizzying quick cuts, the film leaves you all shook up and feeling like you're caught in a trap of Luhrmann's making as he bombards your senses with an ethos of "Enough of that, take a look at this!". With the fast-slow approach to the narrative throughout the film, the lows are terrifyingly slow too, and don't land because the emotional investment hasn't been engaged within.

And yet, despite all of this, the highs the production delivers are second to none.

Scenes of Butler performing as Presley are utterly electrifying. From Suspicious Minds at the Las Vegas International to early scenes of Presley hanging out in Club Handy, Luhrmann lays it all out on the screen, and Butler steals his moment to shine. It's a star-making turn for Butler and one that he seizes greatly upon, giving the film its vibrancy and energy that's apparent from the opening moments.

There's no denying the King's power was his music and Elvis delivers that in spades, giving goosebump moment recreations. 

But at the end of the day, you're no clearer about the seemingly complex relationship between Parker and Presley, which feels like abuser and victim, but never really gives enough meat to feel like it's justified.

Ultimately, Elvis is all spectacle and little else - that's good enough for a 2hr 40min spectacular cinema experience, but not quite good enough to live up to the legacy of the King.

New PlayStation Plus launches

Finally, after the rest of the world has had it, New Zealand has got the launch of the New PlayStation Plus on June 23.

The newly enhanced PS Plus launches with three triers: Essential, Extra & Deluxe

 

The all new Plus will give fans the chance to discover and engage with more content than ever before, with a diverse portfolio of high quality games and regular refreshers. 

The new PlayStation Plus will offer three membership plans to choose from, with a variety of benefits and game libraries featuring hundreds of recent and classic games to discover. Pay monthly as you go, quarterly for added savings, or get an annual membership for the best bang for your buck.

PlayStation Plus Essential

Enhance your PlayStation experience with core features, including online multiplayer access, two PS4 and one PS5 game to download every month, exclusive discounts, and more.

Pricing:

1 month $13.95/ 3 months $39.95/ 12 months $89.95

PlayStation Plus Extra

Enjoy all PlayStation Plus Essential benefits, and explore a world of incredible gaming experiences with the Game Catalog, featuring hundreds of downloadable PS4 and PS5 games.

Provides all the benefits from the PlayStation Plus Essential plan and adds access to our giant Game Catalogue*, which contains up to 400 PS4 and PS5 games. Download and play games at your leisure, including:

Assassin’s Creed Valhalla

Red Dead Redemption 2

Demon’s Souls

NBA 2K22

Marvel’s Spider-Man

Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales

Pricing:

1 month $21.95/ 3 months $63.95 / 12 months $149.95

PlayStation Plus Deluxe

Get all PlayStation Plus benefits from the other plans, plus game trials, and access to definitive games from years gone by in the Classics Catalogue.

Provides all the benefits from PlayStation Plus Essential and Extra plans, and adds:

The Classics Catalogue, filled with timelessly brilliant titles from the original PlayStation, PS2 and PSP generations – all available to download – including:

Tekken 2

Jak 3

Borderlands The Handsome Collection

Time-limited game trials for selected new titles including:

Horizon Forbidden West

Uncharted: Legacy of Thieves Collection

Tiny Tina’s Wonderland

Pricing:

1 month $24.95/ 3 months $72.95/ 12 months $172.95

12 Cannes films announced for Whānau Mārama: NZ International Film Festival

Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival (NZIFF) today reveals an impressive line-up of acclaimed films direct from Cannes Film Festival 2022 that are set to feature in its 2022 programme coming to cinemas around Aotearoa New Zealand this winter from 28 July.

“NZIFF is bringing the very best from Cannes to New Zealand audiences and we’re thrilled to present an outstanding line-up of major award winners and nominees from celebrated filmmakers from around the globe. Audiences can look forward to a diverse range of cinematic experiences this festival,” says NZIFF Head of Programming Michael McDonnell.

 

Lauded Swedish director Ruben Östlund’s eagerly anticipated satire on the mega-rich, Triangle of Sadness will be the festival’s closing night film, screening in all NZIFF 2022 centres. A biting attack on the one percent, the film earned Östlund his second Palme d'Or for Best Film at the Cannes Film Festival last month.

 

Jointly awarded Grand Prix winners Close, directed by Lukas Dhont, and Claire Denis’ Stars at Noon, also join the line-up. Acclaimed Belgian coming-of-age drama, Close, is an intimate, quietly devastating study of boyhood friends, while Margaret Qualley and Joe Alwyn star in Stars at Noon, a steamy tropical reverie about a journalist stranded in Nicaragua who sees an English businessman as her chance to escape.

From Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook comes Decision to Leave. The black-widow noir romance, for which Chan-wook was awarded Best Director, tells the tale of a married detective torn between infidelity and moral duty.

Also screening at NZIFF 2022 is the latest thriller from Tarik Saleh, Boy from Heaven. The Best Screenplay winner explores the tangled state of modern-day Egypt, focusing on the crooked ties between religion on politics against the setting of Cairo's historical Al-Azhar Mosque and university, one of the world’s foremost institutions of Sunni Islam teaching.

 

From Cannes’ Un Certain Regard selection comes Best Director-nominated films: tender drama The Blue Caftan from Morrocan director Maryam Touzani, stunning historical epic Godland from Icelandic filmmaker Hlynur Pálmason, bittersweet comedy Return to Seoul from Cambodian French director Davy Chou, and Thomas M. Wright’s intense Australian true crime drama The Stranger, starring Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris.

Also, from Cannes’ Un Certain Regard selection, is writer-director Marie Kreutzer's lushly decorated and costumed Corsage, featuring Best Performance winner Vicky Krieps as Sissi, the Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

Celebrated French director Mia Hansen-Løve returns to the festival with the enchanting slice-of-life feature One Fine Morning, this year’s recipient of the Europa Cinemas Label for Best European film in the Directors’ Fortnight section. Actress Léa Seydoux sparkles in this powerful story of a single mother torn between emotionally unavailable men.

 

And from Cannes’ Marché du Film comes one for the whole whānau – the dazzling animation Perlimps from Academy Award nominated Brazilian filmmaker Alê Abreu (The Boy and the World, NZIFF 2014). The film, which will feature in NZIFF’s Square Eyes collection, centres on secret agents from enemy kingdoms, Claé and Bruô, who must overcome their differences and combine forces to face dangerous giants that threaten to swamp the forest.

 

Cannes highlights at NZIFF 2022 include:

Best Screenplay: Boy from Heaven / Walad min al janna

Sweden, 2022

Director: Tarik Saleh

Tarik Saleh deftly explores the tangled state of modern-day Egypt through his firebrand thriller set in Cairo’s Al-Azhar University the country’s most respected religious teaching institution.

Grand Prix Winner (jointly awarded): Close

Belgium, 2022

Director: Lukas Dhont

Belgian director Lukas Dhont follows up his award-winning debut Girl (NZIFF 2018) with this deft exploration of the fragile world of childhood bonds which has already picked up major prizes at Cannes and Sydney.

Un Certain Regard – Best Performance Winner: Corsage

Austria, 2022

Director: Marie Kreutzer

Marie Kreutzer’s bold and subversive costume drama features an imperious Vicky Krieps as the restless Empress Elisabeth of Austria, struggling to break free from the restrictive confines of courtly life.

Presented at NZIFF 2022 in association with Goethe-Institut

Best Director: Decision to Leave / Heojil Kyolshim

South Korea, 2022

Director:  Park Chan-wook

Park Chan-wook makes a welcome return to NZIFF with this masterful and seductive romantic thriller about an insomniac detective investigating a mysterious widow oddly unconcerned with her husband’s death.

Presented at NZIFF 2022 in association with Metro

Un Certain Regard – Selection: Godland / Vanskabte Land/Volaða Land

Denmark/Iceland, 2022

Director: Hlynur Pálmason

Icelandic filmmaker Hlynur Pálmason follows up A White, White Day (NZIFF 2019) with this stunning historical epic which recalls the grandeur and madness of Herzog at his best.

Presented at NZIFF 2022 in association with the Wellington Film Society

Winner Europa Cinemas Label: One Fine Morning / Un Beau Matin

France, 2022

Director: Mia Hansen-Løve

Léa Seydoux stars as a busy single mother, juggling caring for her daughter and her ailing father, who finds love in unexpected circumstances in Mia Hansen-Løve’s nimble romantic drama.

Perlimps

Brazil, 2022

Director: Alê Abreu

Two secret agents from enemy kingdoms are sent to a world on the brink of a terrible war where they have one important mission: to find the Perlimps, mysterious creatures who can ultimately bring peace.

Part of NZIFF 2022’s Square Eyes collection

Un Certain Regard – Selection: Return to Seoul / Retour à Séoul

France, 2022

Director: Davy Chou

A French Korean adoptee returns to Seoul, a home she has never known, and over the course of several visits begins to process her complicated relationship with her biological family and country of birth.

Grand Prix Winner (jointly awarded): Stars at Noon

France, 2022

Director: Claire Denis

Based on Denis Johnson’s cult novel, Margaret Qualley and Joe Alwyn star in this heady and alluring romantic thriller from NZIFF fave Claire Denis, directing her second English-language feature.

Presented at NZIFF 2022 in association with Canterbury Film Society

Un Certain Regard – Selection: The Blue Caftan / Le Bleu du Caftan

Morocco, 2022

Director: Maryam Touzani

A master tailor’s wife watches on as her closeted husband falls in love with his apprentice in this sensuous second feature from Maryam Touzani, as elegant and finely crafted as the beautiful garments in her film.

Un Certain Regard – Selection: The Stranger

Australia, 2022

Director: Thomas M. Wright

Joel Edgerton and Sean Harris deliver brooding performances as predator becomes prey in up-and-coming director Thomas M. Wright’s dark and intense Australian true crime drama.

Palme d’Or Winner: Triangle of Sadness (Closing Night film)

Sweden, 2022

Director/Screenplay: Ruben Östlund

Gilded privilege comes a cropper when abruptly confronted by less luxurious reality in this brilliantly orchestrated satire awarded the Palme d’Or 2022.

Presented at NZIFF 2022 in association with VIVA