Late Night with the Devil: NZIFF Review

A genre film mixing pulp thrills and a recreation of a 70s late night talk show, Late Night with the Devil manages to be a canny extension of the found footage movie.

David Dastmalchian stars as late night host Jake Delroy, a "perennial also-ran" whose show Night Owls is continually running second to Johnny Carson. After his wife dies from cancer, Delroy begins plummeting further and so he plans a special Halloween outing for the show.

It may be gimmicky in parts, but Late Night with the Devil's desire to mix a solid recreation with the idea of the 70s Satanic Panic in the US create potent genre results that thrill as much as they amuse.

Blending cheesy lines with some genuinely unsettling moments and anchoring the film with Dastmalchian's committed performance amid the more than accurate period recreation, directors the Cairne brothers create a film that's rich on subtext as well as full-on scares when necessary. 

Cleverly mixing tropes and also giving a feeling it's all leading somewhere, Late Night with the Devil is a true fairground ride of a film. Mixing found footage with the master tape of what goes on during the breaks gives the film a kind of grounded feel before things go completely and inevitably ballistic. In parts though, it can't help but feel like a deliciously deviant Larry Sanders Show episode.

But not once do the directors devolve the film into the kind of trashy exploitation of the genre, preferring instead to let atmospherics and scares combine to make an experience that's deeply unsettling in parts, and crowd-pleasingly pulpy in others.

Robot Dreams: NZIFF Review

An-all ages animation that may be one of the sweetest and simplest stories told, Robot Dreams is awash with colourful creations and a vibrancy that's hard to deny.

Spanish writer-director Pablo Berger (Blancanieves) adapts Sara Varon’s graphic novel about a dog who feels lonely in the city of New York into something quite heartbreaking at points.

Dog lives in 80s New York, longing for connection and surrounded by others in the city whose lives have been brought together. Answering an advert for a robot companion, Dog finds his world opened up suddenly by possibilities as the pair wander around the city. 

But when circumstance separates them, the two find their lives irrevocably changed.

Dialogue-free and left only to come alive with the sounds and music of the city, Robot Dreams is a delight - a colourful paean to loneliness and overcoming it with resilience and finding the joy in others. Moving and unnecessarily uncomplicated, Robot Dreams' simple animation and beautifully unfiltered sentiment will break even the most of cynical of hearts.

Retaining a cartoon strip aesthetic, the film's pace comes from its engaging appeal and the eternal tale of friendship. To say it's not groundbreaking in many ways feels like a disservice, but in truth, the uncomplicated tale is much more effective because of the way the narrative unfolds.

Final scenes are bittersweet, mixed as they are with joy and sadness - there won't be many an adult who won't take a deeper meaning over relationships and the ebb and flow of time from this film, and there won't be many children who will adore the characters and be inspired to provide them with further adventures at home via drawings and imagination.

Shin Ultraman: NZIFF Review  

Both insanely bonkers and also dramatically engaging, the wry Shin Ultraman mixes both tongue-in-cheek moments with the slick ideas of a superhero style Kaiju mash up.

When Japan's invaded by yet another marauding beast, it falls to the S-Class Species Suppression Protocol (SSSP) to try and save the day. But as they investigate further, Ultraman's involvement in proceedings sends the subsequent examination into another realm that no-one could have expected.

Wry humour is the key to Shin Ultraman's success - and while the movie may occasionally feel a little bloated in its near two hour run time (particularly in its back half), the script works well to have you invest in characters and their deadpan delivery of almost inane dialogue at times.

Focussing on universal workplace themes such as tension between new work buddies and prospective partners, Shin Ultraman offers as much destruction and carnage as a Marvel movie throws at every conclusion, but ends feeling strangely moving and less hollow than the usual CGI fare.

Shin Ultraman may be controlled and measured sci-fi, but it does loss some impact due to its duration and perhaps an affectation catering more to an audience au fait with the Ultraman series.

Solid effects and a reliance on practical work rather than bloated CGI machinations work ultimately well for Shin Ultraman. However, while it's here for a good time, and an occasionally long time, a little more expeditious editing of Shin Ultraman may have made it a truly impressive and engaging spectacle throughout.

Bad Behaviour: NZIFF Review

Writer, director and executive producer Alice Englert may have taken on a little too much in this scrappy, messy film about scrappy, messy lives that doesn't quite coalesce in the ways that maybe she would have wanted.

When mother Lucy (Connelly, always engaging throughout) attends a retreat headed up by Ben Whishaw's wispy Elon (motto - "Never give into hope") she hopes to find something deep within that's lain dormant for too long.

Before beginning the retreat, she tries to connect with her stuntwoman daughter Dylan (Englert) clearing implying there are fractious elements that need addressing. But unable to say what's needed, Lucy heads to the retreat and to new challenges in the form of Dasha Nekrasova's DJ and model.

It may well be billed as a portrait of whimsical women and an investigation of the complexities, but most of Bad Behaviour teeters between tones of uncertainty and moments of bravura film-making. Both Englert and Connelly rise above their own material with performances that engage, but with a script that barely makes it past overly coherent, Bad Behaviour never quite connects in a way it should do.

It feels unchannelled and disconnected to what it wants to do throughout, and while the likes of Ana Scotney and Marlon Williams add layers to the film, they feel underused as the script battles its own demons to head toward a conclusion.

Lacking a clear vision cripples most of Bad Behaviour and while it's no bad idea to have a film about messy people, its execution feels too messy and too uncertain of the destination to make the journey as fulfilling as it could or should be.

King Loser: NZIFF Review

Cushla Dillon and Andrew Moore's documentary about the apparently legendary 90s band King Loser encapsulates everything a rock'n'roll doco should have.

Archive footage? Check. Modern day reflections? Check. Meditations on where it went wrong? Check. 

Taking in King Loser's final fractious tour around the country, the piece pontificates on life in a rock'n'roll band as well as the threads that are pulled apart and the ones that connect. Largely led by recollections from singer Chris Heazlewood, the piece spends as much time with the band as is seemingly possible, tapping into the claustrophobia or touring, the torment of teammates and also the love that evolves unexpectedly over the years.

It's a fairly straight forward and workmanlike doco, but it displays a sensitive edge showing the damage done to one of the founders Celia Mancini after a bike accident left her with a head injury. Perhaps the most incendiary member, Mancini's not afraid to hold back in both actions and language - but also tellingly, former band partner and romantic liaison Heazlewood isn't afraid to poke the bear, something which seems dangerous at best.

Peppered with reflections that the band imploded because they were "all a bit heinously shackled by pharmaceuticals", the slow decline and inevitable parting of the ways feels distinctively telegraphed by anyone with any cursory knowledge of where these bands go.

But there's also humour too - with Heazlewood warning band members not to get too drunk in case it appears like Spinal Tap. Yet not buried too deep within all this is a heartfelt plea over helping others in life after bands, a cruel reminder that breakdowns of both the band and the mind are permanent and a sign that help comes when you least expect it.

It does end in tragedy, but like most rock'n'roll docos this has a punkish infectious energy that surfs the good and the bad as like the band, the doco makers take on Heazlewood's mantra - "the whole ethos of King Loser is you're encouraged to fail."

Monster: NZIFF Review

Kore-eda Hirokazu’s latest seems to start off down an intriguing road - with a simple story in mind.

Seemingly a tale about a teacher being abusive toward one of his students, Monster swiftly sets the scene as a dissenting parent speaks out at within the school and seems in danger of wrapping up proceedings early on.

But Kore-eda Hirokazu’s less interested in providing a neat resolution to the story, instead preferring to fracture and splinter the narrative in ways that prove to be more impressive and creative to divulge here. What emerges is a film that's sensitive and heartfelt, with the capacity to utterly emotionally destroy those watching.

What's most interesting about Monster is how the small intricate complexities of lives colliding with each other impact on all involved - both on the screen and watching it. Cleverly choosing to distort the narrative with the simplest of tricks proves to be overwhelmingly engaging as the story deepens and the emotional fragilities clash.

It's hard to deny Monster's power - and while it may feel lighter in delivery than the likes of Broker and Shoplifters, there's a real tragedy that unfolds here even if the final sequences pose questions of whether people are reborn.

Keenly shot, but only with the subtlest of changes of location as the viewpoints shift, Monster is a movie that not only commands your attention but also takes a hold of your emotions and finetunes them. It may frustrate that there are not quite the resolutions that are expected, but it's in this that Kore-eda Hirokazu gains his strengths - he's less interested in the neatly tied bow moments, and more keen on using the messiness of life and all its complexities to pierce the cynicism of an audience who feel they're already attuned to where this may go.

Ms Information: NZIFF Review

In director Gwen Isaac's somewhat depressing-for-free-speech documentary Ms Information shows a time in New Zealand's collective life that really all of us should be ashamed of.

Opening with the question: "What do you think New Zealand's problem with you?" the subsequent response shows both the humility of the doco's subject, but also the continuing misogyny that's only deepened since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Focussing on Siouxsie Wiles, the pink-haired scientist replies to the initial question: "That's the wrong way to phrase it, what is the world's problem with women like me is the better way to phrase it." And in that one answer alone, Isaac sets out her stall for the film - a doco that's here to chart a chaotic 12 months in New Zealand history and a meteoric rise in keyboard warriors and unmitigated anger.

But while the majority of the doco simply focuses on Wiles and her increased desire to pass on information to help keep people safe during an uncertain time. 

It may occasionally be a frustrating look given that it strays away from the personal side of things, and Wiles herself, but simply presents the facts and opens a look into the dissenters who appear from the sidelines. There are voiceovers hinting at Wiles' mental fortitude failing in the face of such adversity but it's not often we get to glimpse beneath the veneer of the scientist and the damage caused to the human.

However, maybe that's not a bad thing - given how devastating the death threats are, the perpetual references to her as a Satanic witch throughout, Isaac doesn't really want to add to the pile on. But there is an overriding sense of positivity from this documentary, even if in many corners it seems to continually beat down as it shows a society fracturing.

Isaac deserves credit for allowing some of the conspiracy theorists time, but there's little engagement with them because rational debate would go nowhere. 

Through it all, with a sensitively-helmed lens and a subject whose virtues and heart are never in doubt, Ms Information shows the immense pressure one person took on during the pandemic, and how she  rose to the challenge, and rose above the dissenters.

It ends with a note of positivity and rightly so - Ms Information is a well-delivered discourse on dissent and honour - and while there's a feeling it won't change the world's misogyny, it does shine a light on how much it's increased, and how vile those involved with it have become.

Win a double pass to see horror Talk To Me in cinemas now

To celebrate the release of the brand new thrilling horror Talk To Me in cinemas now, you can win 1 of 3 double passes!

About Talk To Me

When a group of friends discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand, they become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. 

The film is the directorial debut from Danny and Michael Philippou, also known as RackaRacka, stars Samoan-Kiwi Chris Alosio, Sophie Wilde, Miranda Otto and Zoe Terakes and is produced by Samantha Jennings and Kristina Ceyton of Causeway Films.

Talk To Me is in cinemas now!

To win, simply send an email to darrensworldofentertainment@gmail.com with the subject title TALK TO ME and you're in the draw!

What's on DocPlay in August

Kick those winter blues with a diverse program of DocPlay exclusives this August: revisit one of the most inspiring sporting comebacks of all time in The Last Rider (and assuage those post-Tour blues); experience the remarkable life and legacy of Bob Brown in The Giants; and discover the world of German political pioneer Angela Merkel in the German Film Festival hit Merkel.

The Last Rider | 7 August | Exclusive

Premiering at Telluride Film Festival, The Last Rider recounts the incredible story of cyclist Greg LeMond, who returned from the brink of death with a bullet hole in his stomach to haunt the Tour de France. A thrilling epic about one of the greatest and most inspiring comebacks in sporting history. 

The Cult of the Family | 10 August | Series

Dive deeper into the rise and fall of Australia’s most notorious cult: this 3-part investigation from director Rosie Jones draws on new research and archive to tell the unbelievable true story of Anne Hamilton-Byrne and her apocalyptic cult ‘The Family’.

The US and the Holocaust | 14 August | Series

From master documentarian Ken Burns, this must-see 3-part series examines the responses of the American public and its leaders to WWII.

Inside the Mossad | 21 August | Series

Discover the little-known history and evolution of the Mossad, Israel’s notorious foreign intelligence agency.

The Giants | 28 August | Exclusive

Exploring the intertwined fates of trees and humans, The Giants is a inspiring cinematic portrait of environmental folk hero, politician and gay icon Bob Brown.

Merkel | 31 August | Exclusive

The astonishing story of how a triple political outsider – a woman, a scientist, and an East German – became one of the most powerful politicians in the world.

What's on Netflix in August

New releases on Netflix in August have something for everyone. From those who crave a heartwarming coming-of-age romance, to action and truth-seekers, here are the top hits to keep an eye on.

Fisk: Season 1 (August 1) 

Filmed in Melbourne, Fisk: Season 1 is a local fast-paced comedy series which follows the story of Helen Tudor-Fisk (Kitty Flannagan), a high-end contracts lawyer who due to a humiliating marriage breakdown and a professional downfall, finds herself compelled to accept a position at a shabby law firm.

Heartstopper: Season 2 (August 3) 

If you were a fan of the universally acclaimed first season, then you’ll love Heartstopper: Season 2. With exams, a school trip to Paris and prom on the horizon, Nick, Charlie and the gang must navigate the next stages of life, love and friendship.

The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 2 Part 2 (August 3) 

Following the release of Part 1, follow the saga’s conclusion in The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 2 Part 2. As Lisa's trial approaches, Mickey faces doubts, setbacks and unexpected revelations. Lorna and Cisco plan for their big day, while Izzy makes big moves.

Heart of Stone (August 11)

In this must-see action feature, Gal Gadot plays Rachel Stone, an intelligence operative for a shadowy global peacekeeping agency alongside Jamie Dornan as agent Parker as they race to stop a hacker from stealing its most valuable — and dangerous — weapon.

Who Is Erin Carter? (August 24) 

Mark your calendars as Who Is Erin Carter? will be landing on our screens August 24! This series dives into the gripping tale of a British expat's serene life in Barcelona, turned upside down by an intense supermarket robbery, revealing her secretive and violent past.

 You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (August 25) 

L’chaim! Raise a glass to best friends Stacy and Lydia as they both plan their bat mitzvahs. Starring icons Idina Menzel, Jackie Sandler and Adam Sandler to name a few, you won’t want to miss this coming of age comedy!

One Piece (August 31)

Ahoy there! Based on Japan’s highest-selling manga series in history by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. So hoist the sails and let this pirate adventure series sweep you off your feet!

ORIGINAL SERIES

The Lincoln Lawyer: Season 2 Part 2 (03/08/2023)

As Lisa's trial approaches, Mickey faces doubts, setbacks and unexpected revelations. Lorna and Cisco plan for their big day, while Izzy makes big moves.

Heartstopper: Season 2 (03/08/2023)

With exams, a school trip to Paris and prom on the horizon, Nick, Charlie and the gang must navigate the next stages of life, love and friendship.

Fatal Seduction: Volume 2 (04/08/2023)

The dark and mysterious erotic thriller series from Steven Pillemer returns for a new season of lust, longing and betrayal.

The Big Nailed It Baking Challenge (04/08/2023)

In this high-stakes "Nailed It!" spinoff competition, 10 terrible bakers pick up tips from professional coaches while vying for a sweet cash prize.

Zombieverse (08/08/2023)

In Seoul, where a zombie virus outbreak has run amok, who will outwit the undead in the face of challenging quests and come out alive?

Painkiller (10/08/2023)

The causes and consequences of America's opioid epidemic unfold in this drama following its perpetrators, victims and an investigator seeking the truth.

Behind Your Touch (13/08/2023)

A psychic vet and a detective join forces to crack small-town cases — but their skills are tested when they unravel a chilling serial killer mystery.

Destined with You (24/08/2023)

A lawyer bound by a centuries-old curse becomes entangled with a civil servant who holds the key to his freedom — igniting an unexpected romance.

At Home With The Furys (16/08/2023)

Undefeated heavyweight champion Tyson Fury retires from boxing to embrace the eccentricities of family life in this hilarious and heartfelt docusoap.

The Chosen One (16/08/2023)

Jodie, a twelve-year-old living in Baja California Sur, discovers he has Jesus-like powers. Will he answer his calling and fulfill his destiny?

The Upshaws: Part 4 (17/08/2023)

A working-class Black family in Indiana strives for a better life and a happy home while juggling everyday struggles in this comedy series.

Mask Girl (18/08/2023)

An office worker who is insecure about her looks becomes a masked internet personality by night — until a chain of ill-fated events overtakes her life.

LIGHTHOUSE (22/08/2023)

Two leading entertainers casually get together for some real talk, shedding light on their vulnerabilities and worries, with lots of laughs along the way.

The Ultimatum: Marry or Move On: Season 2 (Rolling Episodes)

Episodes 1-8 (23/08/2023)

Episodes 9-10 (30/08/2023)

Five different couples, on the verge of marriage. One partner is ready to get married, the other isn’t quite as sure. An ultimatum is issued - and in just over eight weeks, they must commit to marriage, or move on. In the meantime, each will choose a new potential partner from one of the other couples, in a life-changing opportunity to get a glimpse of two different possible futures.

Ragnarok: Season 3 (24/08/2023)

With the lines between good and evil blurred, Magne's fortitude is about to face its ultimate trial in an epic final battle of gods against giants.

Who is Erin Carter? (24/08/2023)

A British expat's tranquil life in Barcelona spirals out of control when an armed robbery at a supermarket exposes her secret... and violent past.

Miss Adrenaline: A Tale of Twins (30/08/2023)

A competitive biker takes the identity of her long-lost identical twin sister to bring her killers to justice and get the truth behind their separation.

One Piece (31/08/2023)

A live-action pirate adventure story based on the bestselling manga by Eiichiro Oda.

Guns & Gulaabs (Coming Soon)

In the cartel-run town of Gulaabgunj, an unprecedented opium deal pulls a big-city cop and a lovesick mechanic into its chaotic clutches.

Risqué Business: Taiwan (Coming Soon)

Shin Dong-youp and Sung Si-kyung embark on a laughter-filled journey to Taiwan, aiming to gain a deeper understanding of its sex culture and business.

NETFLIX FILM

Soulcatcher (02/08/2023)

A military contractor hired to seize a weapon that turns people into savage killers seeks revenge when his brother falls victim to the device.

Head to Head (03/08/2023)

Hilarity meets danger when a lovesick chauffeur and a bootleg mechanic mistakenly pick up a retired crime lord, igniting a wild, life-changing adventure.

Zom 100: Bucket List of the Dead (03/08/2023)

Bullied by his boss, worked around the clock, he's nothing more than a corporate drone. All it takes is a zombie outbreak for him to finally feel alive!

Marry My Dead Body (10/08/2023)

After finding an odd envelope, Policeman Ming-han's life takes a spooky turn: He's now wed to a ghost husband, and they must solve a crime together.

Heart of Stone (11/08/2023)

An intelligence operative for a shadowy global peacekeeping agency races to stop a hacker from stealing its most valuable — and dangerous — weapon.

Love, Sex and 30 Candles (18/08/2023)

In the year they all turn 30, four best friends navigate relationships, heartbreak and a and a shocking development that threatens to tear them apart.

10 Days of a Bad Man (18/08/2023)

Battered, broken and bereaved, a private investigator must muscle his way through a tangle of lies to uncover the truth behind a mansion murder.

Squared Love Everlasting (23/08/2023)

A flashy influencer and a down-to-earth teacher's committed relationship gets tested when a person from the past threatens their happily ever after.

Killer Book Club (25/08/2023)

Eight horror-loving friends fight for their lives when a killer clown who seems to know the grim secret they share begins to pick them off, one by one.

You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (25/08/2023)

Best friends Stacy and Lydia are both planning epic bat mitzvahs. But it all unravels when a popular boy — and middle school drama — threaten to ruin everything. Idina Menzel, Jackie Sandler, Adam Sandler, Sadie Sandler and Sunny Sandler star in this smartly edgy coming-of-age comedy.

Choose Love (31/08/2023)

Cami Conway has it all until she comes face to face with a kaleidoscope of tempting but tough choices. What she chooses depends wholly on you, the viewer. But be careful! Things don’t always play out like you think!

NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIALS

Jared Freid: 37 and Single (15/08/2023)

Introducing Jared Freid's hilarious stand-up comedy special, "37 & Single". In this uproarious performance, Jared, a self-proclaimed expert on the single life, takes us on a wild ride through the ups and downs of navigating the modern dating world. With a humorously annoyed perspective, he hilariously tackles the frustrations of apps, awkward set-ups, and the constant reminders from friends who have moved into the next phase of life. Join Jared as he explores the nuances of being single, growing up, gender reveal parties, and the inevitable break-ups that occur along the way. Get ready for a night of laughter and relatable stories as Jared sheds light on the joys and challenges of being 37 and still searching for that special someone.

NETFLIX DOCUMENTARIES 

The critically acclaimed docuseries UNTOLD returns with Volume 3, a four-week summer event that pulls back the curtain on epic tales from the wide (and wild) world of sports. From boxing to football to doping scandals, these new stories go well beyond the headlines and upend what we thought we knew. Premiering weekly, each character-driven story hinges on candid, intimate first-person accounts from those who lived it – to reveal the grit, resilience, heartbreak, triumph, and even humor beneath the sweat.

Mark Cavendish: Never Enough  (02/08/2023)

Intimate and captivating, this documentary charts the meteoric rise, tragic downfall and unbelievable comeback of professional cyclist Mark Cavendish.

Poisoned: The Dirty Truth About Your Food (02/08/2023)

Through revealing interviews with experts and victims' families, this gripping documentary examines the problem of deadly foodborne illness in the US.

The Last Hours of Mario Biondo (03/08/2023)

Questions persist about the last night of Mario Biondo, the husband of Spanish TV host Raquel Sánchez Silva. This true-crime series uncovers new details.

Ladies First: A Story of Women in Hip-Hop (09/08/2023)

Rappers, writers and experts detail the influence of women on hip-hop music and culture in this docuseries honoring the trailblazers and game-changers.

DEPP V HEARD (16/08/2023)

Depp v Heard is a three-part series examining the infamous defamation case that captured the world’s attention and became the world's first trial by TikTok. Showing both testimonies side-by-side for the first time, this series explores this global media event, questioning the nature of truth and the role it plays in our modern society.

Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones (30/08/2023)

Travel around the world with author Dan Buettner to discover five unique communities where people live extraordinarily long and vibrant lives.

NETFLIX KIDS & FAMILY

Gabby's Dollhouse: Season 8 (07/08/2023)

With all new songs and all new friends, the fun times never end for Gabby and her cute cat, Pandy Paws. Want to come along? It's time to get tiny!

Mech Cadets (10/08/2023)

An underdog teen joins a group of young Cadets who've been chosen to bond with Robo Mechs from space and defend Earth against alien invaders.

My Dad the Bounty Hunter: Season 2 (17/08/2023)

The hunter becomes the hunted when Terry mysteriously goes missing, leaving his wife, kids — and Blobby — to search for him all over the universe.

The Monkey King (18/08/2023)

A monkey and his magical fighting stick team up on an epic quest, battling demons, dragons, gods and the greatest adversary of all: Monkey’s own ego!

Karate Sheep: Season 2 (31/08/2023)

Armed with karate skills — and super cool gadgets — Wanda and Trico are back to protect their fluffy sheep friends from the wickedly hungry Wolf.

NETFLIX ANIME

Baki Hanma: Season 2 Part 2 (24/08/2023)

New episodes of the martial-arts anime series.

The Seven Deadly Sins: Grudge of Edinburgh Part 2 (08/08/2023)

Reunited with Lancelot for the first time since their tragic accident, Tristan must learn to conquer his inner demons in order to save his mother's life.

NETFLIX GAMES

OXENFREE II: Lost Signals (Now Available)

Shadowy cult members. Ghostly radio signals. Spacetime portals. Investigate a dark new mystery in this interactive story game set in a familiar world.

Sonic Prime Dash (Now Available)

Zip through 3D race courses, jump over obstacles and battle iconic villains in this high-octane running game featuring the world's fastest blue hedgehog.

Too Hot To Handle 2 (Now Available)

More choices, bigger drama. Change your look and make a play: true love or hot hook up? Risk it all in the next season of this interactive story game.

The Queen's Gambit Chess (Now Available)

Welcome to Beth Harmon's world. Take some lessons, play puzzles and matches or compete against friends in this stunning love letter to the show.

Cut the Rope Daily (01/08/2023)

Solve one new logic puzzle every day to keep your streak alive. Cut ropes and pop balloons to feed cute green monster Om Nom, who's craving a candy fix!

LICENSED HIGHLIGHTS

Call Me by Your Name (01/08/2023)

In the summer of 1983, 17-year-old Elio forms a life-changing bond with his father's charismatic research assistant Oliver in the Italian countryside.

Fisk: Season 1 (01/08/2023)

Family feuds. Money squabbles. Wobbly furniture. A no-nonsense lawyer lands at a low-rent wills and probate firm after her marriage and career implode.

Scream (02/08/2023)

There's a new Ghostface in town terrorizing teens, 25 years after Woodsboro's first killing spree — and old friends must reunite to stop the slaughter.

Grease (15/08/2023)

Teen lovebirds-turned-classmates Sandy and Danny struggle to juggle lingering feelings, new friendships and more in this iconic ensemble movie-musical.

Blood Diamond  (21/08/2023)

Amid the civil war in Sierra Leone, the lives of a local fisher, a smuggler and a reporter intertwine on a dangerous quest to retrieve a rare diamond.

Gone Girl (26/08/2023)

His marriage crumbling, Nick comes home one day to find his wife has vanished. And as the police turn up the heat, shocking truths come to light.

Good Omens: Season 2: TV Review

The second season of the Neil Gaiman / Terry Pratchett fantasy comedy series is finally here - and what a return it is.

After Pratchett's death in 2015, Gaiman revealed there had been plans for a second run of the show but which had never been written. So it's with some trepidation many will be approaching this latest, which has been revealed to be a bridging gap between seasons 1 and 3 and was largely scripted by Gaiman himself.

Needless to say, if you've never seen season one of the Prime Video show, then some of the subtleties will be lost on you - but it has to be said Good Omens Season 2 is one of the rompiest, most bingeable series the streamer has ever put on and will appeal even to those who didn't sample season one.

It's a very simple premise in season two - the archangel Gabriel (Mad Man's Jon Hamm) shows up with no memory of who he is, what he's doing or even clothes before knocking on the door of Michael Sheen's angel Aziraphale's book shop.

While Aziraphale is a little more open to helping, Crowley (the scenery-chewing David Tennant) is a little less inclined, but the pair become entwined in finding out exactly what's going on and why in a series that's really a series of road trips with some Richard Curtis-themed roadbumps along the way.

It's difficult to fully reveal much of Good Omens Season 2 as half of the fun is in the episodes themselves; one could almost say the devil's in the details. But for fantasy lovers and fans of different genres, Good Omens' latest season offers many vicarious pleasures, some wonderful cameos and a long-awaited reunion both on and off the screen. (To say more is to spoil).

But central to all of it is Tennant and Sheen, who continue to build on their acting bromance with a series of escapades and interactions that very much thrill and revel in their own eccentricities.

Sheen gives his Aziraphale a more laid-back approach, establishing a veritable yin to Tennant's yang, an occasionally OTT but always enjoyable performance as Crowley. It's clear they're at ease with each other throughout, and the dramatic chemistry is truly palpable throughout.

There's an almost pulpy feel to five of the six episodes of the second season (the finale was not made available for reviewing) that helps the show bound along, gifting viewers with 45 minute chunks of occasional lunacy and pacy zinginess.

Good Omens season 2 is an unabashed burst of glee; a short burst of a series that is both delightful and devilishly entertaining. 

All six episodes of Good Omens Season 2 release on Prime Video on Friday, July 28.

Anatomy of a Fall: NZIFF Review

A film that's about micro-aggressions, subtleties and nuance, Justine Triet's tale of a writer who's accused of killing her husband when nobody was around, Anatomy of a Fall is a film that revels in its ambiguity. 

Toni Erdmann's Sandra Hüller plays writer Sandra, a German who moves to the snowy isolation of the Alps, with her husband and son Daniel, who's partially sighted after an accident. When Daniel returns from a walk with the beloved family dog, he finds the body of his father, who's seemingly fallen from the attic where he was working.

Protesting her innocence, and facing trial, Sandra finds every facet of her life pored over.

It may be a little ponderous as it negotiates its 150 minute run time, but most of what transpires in Anatomy of a Fall is largely fascinating as it dissects and eviscerates marriages, compromise and the frailties relationships demand and also destroy.

Hüller works well with the greyer edges of the story, and while a lot becomes about the trial, she's never showy throughout, even when various truth bombs are lobbed her character's way. Samuel Theis also deserves commendation for his role as the husband, which is largely confined to one superb flashback that proves to be a flashpoint. 

Ultimately, it's Hüller's performance in the mire of ambiguity that helps Anatomy of a Fall rise from its courtroom set latter half. Wisely choosing not to make her a victim, but subtly acknowledging that there's very rarely just one side to blame in relationships, Triet builds a film that compels and appalls in equal measure.

Less about the reality and truth, and more about the journey and the consequences thereafter,  the Palme D'Or winning Anatomy of a Fall proves to be a compelling watch and a fascinating study of human interaction.

Blue Jean: NZIFF Review

An 80s set drama about a teacher struggling to come to term with her sexuality in Thatcher's burgeoning Section 28 world may not be the most original idea for a drama, but writer-director Georgia Oakley largely strays away from the kitchen sink drama that could have sunk this tale.

Coupled with a stunning performance from Rosy McEwan as PE teacher Jean who just simply wants to try and get on with life, Blue Jean's slow-burning tale reaches a crescendo when inevitabilities clash.

Oakley's story may follow a familiar thread, but in truth, it's the subtleties that mark it out as different. From the sly use of TV dating show Blind Date to show how conformist societal norms were in the 80s through to club scenes, Oakley manages to show off the conflict felt by McEwan's Jean and the world around her.

Targeted by Thatcher's Section 28 which prohibited schools from promoting homosexuality, Jean's gradual realisation that she's being targeted (despite earlier telling a colleague not everything is political) and the pressure it internally plies on her is tenable.

McEwen's continually watchable struggle is well internalised and the actress makes much of underplaying the role throughout. It may veer into predictable territory with the arrival of a young potentially gay school girl landing in her PE class, but what Oakley does with the story is use the framework to create something of a dilemma that McEwen's Jean is ill-fitted to deal with, being relatively new to the scene, uncertain of herself and also what lies ahead.

As it tackles gender norms, Oakley's film revels in the insecurities but never glorifies them, resulting in a drama that's as heartfelt and earnest as it is underplayed - and one which rises above the usual fare thanks to its powerhouse central performance.

Merkel: NZIFF Review

Depressingly book-ended by Donald Trump's hatred, doco Merkel is a fascinating and human approach to a character many will have seen on the world stage but in truth, know little about.

Director Eva Weber pulls together a portrait of the woman who rose from behind the communist wall of East Germany to triumph as she led a reunited Germany to success. Using footage from her past, as well as interviews from the likes of Tony Blair, Hillary Clinton and Condoleeza Rice, what emerges from Merkel is a formulaic but friendly look at her failings and her success.

From Blair's quote of absence of ego to her own dismissal of a party portrait overdone in make up, Merkel is a fairly sympathetic approach to the woman, and does revel more in the positive rather than the negative. Her seeming toppling of Helmut Kohl is largely brushed over, and a refugee crisis that rocked Germany is presented more in the light of her fear of separatism having grown up in East Germany than a look at the wider issues. Equally, a relationship with Vladimir Putin and Russia's energy deal is seen more as the former intimidating her than the politics that occasionally divided.

Occasionally a commentary on women in politics that could be widened to powerful women in a modern world, Weber's film only ever lightly raises issues rather than intensely tackling them. That may be no bad thing, but it does give a feeling there are less current critics of her regime given time to speak, even if archive footage provides some of the harder lines.

But as Merkel's humour comes to the fore, and Weber's tight hand on proceedings keeps it all in check, this 90 minute outing into the enigma feels like it's a solid outing into one of the world politics' old guard, whose desire to be on the right side of history, is entertaining enough fare. And as with most docos, it may provoke many to go and seek out further information on its subject.

What's on Shudder in August

The Communion Girl

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+

Film Premieres Friday 11 August

Spain, late 1980s. Newcomer Sara (Carla Campra) tries to fit in with the other teens in this tight-knit small town in the province of Tarrgona. If only she were more like her extroverted best friend, Rebe (Aina Quiñones). They go out one night to a nightclub and on the way home they come upon a little girl holding a doll, dressed for her first communion. And that’s when the nightmare begins.

Bad Things

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+

Film Premieres Friday 18 August

A weekend getaway for a few girlfriends at a snowy resort becomes a psychological tailspin and bloody nightmare. 

Long-deceased guests and the space itself come to life in this haunting thriller. Starring Gayle Rankin (GLOW), Hari Nef (Barbie), Rad Pereira (Betty) and Molly Ringwald (Pretty in Pink, The Breakfast Club).

Paul Dood’s Deadly Lunch Break

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+

Film Premieres Tuesday 1 August

A weedy charity-shop worker is set on winning the big national talent show. But when the actions of five selfish people cause him to miss his audition, he sets out to seek deathly revenge. It’s one lunch break, five spectacular murders.

NEW ADDITIONS TO SHUDDER’S FILM LIBRARY

1 August

Hellraiser (1987)

A woman discovers the newly resurrected, partially formed body of her brother-in-law. She starts killing for him to revitalise his body so he can escape the demonic beings that are pursuing him after he escaped the sadistic underworld.

Hellbound: Hellraiser II

Kirsty is brought to an institution after the horrible events of Hellraiser (1987) where the occult- obsessive head doctor resurrects Julia and unleashes the Cenobites and their demonic underworld.

Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth

An investigative reporter must send the newly unbound Pinhead and his legions back to Hell.

7 August

Oldboy

After being kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years, Oh Dae-su is released, only to find that he must find his captor in five days.

11 August

Amigo

A fiction feature film that brings together psychological thriller and black comedy, bordering on the macabre, all in the form of an intimate drama.

14 August

Amulet

An ex-soldier, living homeless in London, is offered a place to stay at a decaying house inhabited by a young woman and her dying mother. As he starts to fall for her, he cannot ignore his suspicion that something sinister is going on.

America Latina

Massimo is a dentist from Latina, happily married with two daughters. One day he goes down to the cellar for housework and finds a girl tied up and gagged, asking for help.

21 August

Dead End Drive-In

In the future, a health nut and his tag-along girlfriend become trapped in a drive-in theatre that has become a concentration camp for outcast youths.

Terminal Island

After the abolishment of the death penalty, California murderers are dumped on an island to spend the rest of their lives unsupervised. There, two groups are formed, one lead by a psychopath, and another group determined to bring him down.

28 August

Death in Brunswick

Carl Fitzgerald is down-on-his-luck until he meets Sophie, a beautiful Greek girl. He gets a job as a cook, but accidentally kills a fellow worker. He turns to his unscrupulous best friend for help and they attempt to dispose of the body.

Inn of the Damned

A sheriff investigates why the guests at a local hostelry check in but never check out.

Tiger Stripes: NZIFF Review

Coming of age tales are largely a dime a dozen these days, but this Malay feature of a girl entering her next stage of life takes a familiar tale and gives it a hint of something a little bit more, with levels of punkishness thrown in.

Zafreen Zairizal's 11 year old Zaffan loves mucking about with her mates. Whether it's doing TikTok crazed dances in the school toilets on camera or soaking herself with abandon in the local river, she's already on a course to shock those in her life.

But it all changes when she becomes the first in her class to get her period. Ostracised by those she considered her friends and less trusting of the push and pull of her parents, Zaffan's wilder streak comes out as she tries to fit in and carry on with life.

However, actual physical changes also start to manifest causing Zaffan to face more challenges than a girl should.

Marked by comments like "I don't want to be the first" and the cruelty of her companions ("demons will lick that blood and follow you around"), Zairizal and director Amanda Nell Eu deal well with the subtleties of the situation and the loss of innocence. Childish friendships are well explored and examined, as well as the societal changes thrust on many girls by their bodies and their TikTok-devouring friends.

But the film loses its way in sections, with the punkish vibe from early on settling more for something horrific that doesn't quite follow through in terms of the budget and the execution. Equally, a frustrating ending leaves the feeling that while Tiger Stripes has a unique and urgent voice, its conclusion quells any feelings that this movie knows exactly what it wants to do and how to do it.

Ultimately, Tiger Stripes shows off another facet of the familiar tale, and does so with a degree of nuance and a new voice, but some of the shakier elements of its script cause it to wobble in the final run.

EO: NZIFF Review

It starts with a pulsating red flashing light and ends with a shock, and everything in between of EO's journey through life seems designed to provide nightmare fuel to anyone who cares anything about animals.

Director Jerzy Skolimowski's story is one of simplicity, of innocence snatched and of the horrors inflicted on others - some will see religious allegories in this story, some will find beauty in the moments that show a donkey seemingly remembering the love it felt from its first owner.

In truth, Eo is somewhat of an ethereal experience in places as sound and visuals collide together to seemingly inconsequential effect early on, but as the story pieces itself together of a donkey going through life, it comes together in a haunting tableaux that's likely to provoke discussion after the cinema's lights go up.

Slices of life crash into memories from Eo, and at times, Skolimowski's film feels like the kind of thing a Disney or CGI animator could anthropomorphise to devastating effect. But Skolimowski convinces the audience to invest in Eo, with early shots of a grey melancholy looking donkey staring directly in the camera.

In many ways, the donkey is but an audience vessel, seeing everything good and bad that mankind has to offer - and as such, the journey may prove to be harder to bear for some than others.

The overriding effect is one of an innocent troubled by others - from the POV beating by skinheads to standing on a walkway near a dam, the film reaches levels of emotional pain that are at times difficult to bear.

It's hard to discuss EO without raising the pain of its ending, but by the time it comes, you may find yourself exhausted by the denouement as you realise how much has been invested in Eo's story and by how little has been done to turn the film into a mawkishly sentimental piece.

With carefully constructed imagery and compelling cinematography, Eo is a film that will haunt and appall in equal measures.

#Manhole: NZIFF Review

Playing like a mesh of Searching, Missing and Buried, #Manhole's confined space thriller goes to both logical and illogical extremes.

On the eve of his wedding, Shunsuke (Yuto Nakajima) leaves a surprise bachelor party thrown by workmates to head home. Drunk, he falls down an uncovered manhole, ripping open his leg in the process.

Coming to, he finds freedom is tantalizingly close, but with a broken ladder and busted leg, things aren't as easy as they may seem.

A race against time and desperation, #Manhole's mix of well-acted confinement and clever twists make this the kind of film that works as a fairground ride, best experienced without foreknowledge.

In Yuto Nakajima's performance, the boy band star makes for a steady sturdy performance that doesn't overplay the situation but works more than capably as the plot unspools. 

Threats to his existence seem both plausible and palpable before the rug is ripped from audiences toward the end. An embrace of smartphone technology rather than a convenient loss of signal gives this one a dose of reality that's compelling throughout.

Humor helps throughout and with an engaging lead, #manhole makes for a pure cinema romp - a one time experience that ultimately won't hold up to repeated scrutiny or perhaps viewings, but proves to be a perfect audience crowdpleaser for those looking for a mix of WTF and plausible drama.

The Paragon: NZIFF Review

Director and writer Michael Duignan's lo-fi thriller comedy The Paragon may be infused with a touch of sci-fi trappings throughout, but it's also one of the oddest oddball road movies Aotearoa has ever produced.

Benedict Wall plays Dutch, a recently killed victim of a hit and run who comes back to life, only to find it's all falling apart for him. Things get weirder - and worse - when he seeks the help of mysterious hooded psychic Lyra (Florence Noble) to teach him how to use telepathy to find the person who hit him.

But Lyra discovers Dutch has special powers and could be the key to helping her find the mysterious Paragon crystal.

Made for a $25K budget may be the headline of many people's comments on The Paragon - and in truth, it does show at times - but that's to dismiss a lot of the deadpan wit and offkilter moments that come from this Kiwi flick.

Similar to previous NZIFF outing Mega Time Squad, The Paragon channels the quintessential dry humour that permeates so much of the cinematic DNA as well as the can-do attitude that powers much of the film-making community.

Wall and Noble's duo are one for the ages as weird psychedelic edges clash with dialogue spouting such seemingly highfalutin ideas as "hyperdimensional consciousness" (knowingly dismissed by Wall's Dutch who claims "I don't believe in that woowoo bullshit" throughout) for unusual comic effect.

A lo-fi cosmic buddy film it may be, and its ambition may occasionally fall short of its execution, but for a premise that's rooted in character and interactions, The Paragon soars when it should - and emerges as one of the trippier entrants into the festival that's well worth a look.

How to Blow Up a Pipeline: NZIFF Review

Propulsive, urgent and tense, eco-thriller How to Blow Up a Pipeline's clever mix of a seemingly disparate group coming together to fight back against climate change and human drama works together to create a compellingly enjoyable edge of your seat drama that's well worth the time.

Reminiscent of Kelly Reichardt's Night Moves in terms of narrative, How to Blow Up a Pipeline principally works by building a picture of what's going on and deploying into a wider story - even if occasionally the use of flashbacks at particularly tense moments can frustrate.

Inspired by Andreas Malm's book of the same name, everyone in the drama has an axe to grind and is angry over one thing or another. From a grieving daughter whose mother died in climate change-led heatwave to a landowner angry at corporate requisition of his land for oil, everyone has an axe to grind here, but through subtle storytelling and a jigsaw puzzle of pieces, none of this is rushed or feels thrown together to propel a message through to its own ends.

While there are moments of heightened drama that seem to come at the right moments, director Daniel Goldhaber manages to pull together a realistic portrait of the disillusionment of youth and a society largely apathetic to general change.

Mostly sympathetic to the cause throughout, Goldhalber's compelling camera work and direction doesn't falter for being one-sided; whilst it's been compared to Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs for its narrative, How to Blow Up a Pipeline deserves to stand on its two feet and via its own accomplishments throughout.

Highly engaging, this edge of your seat drama tackles a subject in a humane and impressive way - it's easily one of the festival's best dramas.

Asteroid City: NZIFF Review

Esoteric director Wes Anderson's latest movie may feel like a letdown for those looking for quirk and whimsy.

But what emerges from this retro-future pastel colour dreamscape in Asteroid City is a meta-tale of connection and also of coping with loss amid the Junior Stargazer/ Space Cadet convention of an American desert town in the mid 1950s.

Wrangling an extraordinarily large cast, and not really gifting everyone with a decent amount of material (other than perhaps the bragging rights to say they've appeared), Jason Schwartzman plays Augie, a recently-widowed war photographer.

However, in true Anderson style, there's more to it than meets the eye. Towing around Tupperware containing the ashes, Augie hasn't told his kids of her demise, and also falls for Scarlett Johansson's Midge, a fellow visitor to the Asteroid City goings on.

Yet, there's another layer to proceedings, with Augie and his fellow Asteroid City compatriots nothing more than narrative constructs, from the mind of a playwright bashing away his latest creation, "an apocryphal fabrication" as Bryan Cranston's show host tells us.

As Anderson peels back and forth between a much too long list of characters and a plethora of locations (distinguished by colour palettes), he endangers a lot of the audience, who may feel there's simply whimsy at play here and not nearly enough depth to stop waves of apathy and irritation swarming in.

Most of Asteroid City feels a little too presented and constructed, with the result that viewers often find themselves aloof at the interlaced story layers, which never quite feel like they connect with any emotional heft. It's entirely possible there's a lot more going on below the surface, but given Anderson's tried to be ambitious with this lengthy cast, there are very few to latch on outside of Schwartzman and Johansson's double act.

It may be the most Wes Anderson of his films and it is beautifully presented, but scratch below the surface of this whimsical what's going on, and you may end up feeling unfortunately, this is perhaps one of the weakest of additions to his cinematic canon.

What's on Neon in August

Here's everything streaming on Neon in August.

Men In Kilts Season 2 (August 14)

Outlander stars Sam Heughan and Graham McTavish hit the road again for another travel adventure and this time they're going to New Zealand. Exploring Scottish connections to NZ, while diving into Aotearoa's own history, people and culture. 

Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty (August 8)

The acclaimed drama following the 1980s LA Lakers returns for season two, and continues to explore life on and off the court for the legendary basketball team. This season hones in on the period just after the Finals 1980 through to 1984, culminating in the first professional rematch of the era's greatest stars: Magic Johnson and Larry Bird. 

Starring Quincy Isaiah, Adrien Brody, Gaby Hoffman, Jason Segel, Hadley Robinson, DeVaughn Nixon, Solomon Hughes, and John C. Reilly. 

Waco: The Aftermath (August 17)

In this follow-up to the hit 2018 miniseries, this five- part drama portrays the searing aftermath of the disastrous FBI 1993 standoff in Waco, Texas. An event that helped radicalize Timothy McVeigh, Terry Nichols and many others. For better or worse, the actions and decisions of that fateful spring galvanized American militia movements and helped catalyse events that led up to the Oklahoma City Bombing. 

Starring Michael Shannon, Keean Johnson, Abbey Lee, Alex Breaux, Giovanni Ribisi and J. Smith- Cameron. 

Mrs Davis (August 2)

Mrs. Davis is the world's most powerful Artificial Intelligence. Sister Simone is the nun devoted to destroying her. Leading to an epic battle of biblical and binary proportions. The producers of The Big Bang Theory, Watchmen, and Black Mirror combine to create this wildly inventive sci-fi action comedy. 

Starring Betty Gilpin, Jake McDorman and Andy McQueen. 

Rap Shit S2 (August 11)

The hit series about two female rappers trying to make it Miami is back for another season, and there are some big questions on the cards. Who do you have to be to succeed? Can friendship keep up with the dream chase? How long do you have to keep living the life you rap about? Starring Aida Osman and KaMillion and produced by Issa Rae. 

Billions S7 (August 13)

In the seventh and final season of this complex drama about high finance, alliances are turned on their heads, loyalties are tested, and old wounds are weaponised. As betrayal takes on epic proportions, enemies become wary friends. To complicate matters, Bobby Axelrod returns. Starring Paul Giamatti, Maggie Siff and Damian Lewis. 

Nancy Drew S4 (August 25)

In its final season, legendary teen detective Nancy Drew investigates a group of bodies that have gone missing from Horseshoe Bay's cemetery. While a string of unexplained paranormal crimes leads Nancy and her friends to believe the sins of the town's past have returned to haunt the living. Meanwhile, Nancy struggles with yearning for Ace, the man she loves. Starring Scott Wolf and Kennedy McMan. 

My Dead Ex (August 30)

My Dead Ex is your classic, will-they-won't-they romance story. Charley is living your typical teenage girl's life. Ben, Charley's not so secret admirer, isn't living at all. But a little thing like death can't stop these two teens from falling in love. Or maybe it can. 

Last Call (August 4)

In the 1990s, as the AIDS crisis worsens, a serial killer preys upon gay men in New York City. This gripping, investigative crime story dives deep into the prejudices of the times, and highlights the heroic activists who fought for recognition and protection of the queer community. 

Ghosts of Beirut (August 10)

This four-part drama is based on one of the greatest espionage stories of modern times - the manhunt for Imad Mughniyeh, the elusive Lebanese terrorist known as "the ghost", who outwitted his adversaries in the CIA and Mossad for over two decades. 

MOVIES

Babylon (August 8)

Decadence, depravity, and outrageous excess leads to the rise and fall of several ambitious dreamers in 1920s Hollywood. Starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Phoebe Tonkin, Tobey Maguire, Samara Weaving, Olivia Wilde, and Jean Smart 

Megan (August 12)

After becoming the caretaker of her orphaned niece, a brilliant roboticist decides decides to pair thyoung girl with her M3GAN prototype. Starring Allison Williams and Violet McGraw. 

Operation Fortune: Rise de Guerre  (August 24)

Elite spy Orson Fortune and his team of operatives must work with a Hollywood star to prevent the sale of a deadly new weapons technology. Starring Jason Statham, Hugh Grant, Josh Hartnett and Aubrey Plaza. 

The Amazing Maurice (August 26)

A streetwise ginger cat named Maurice comes up with a money- making scheme that involves a group of strangely literate rats. Featuring the voice of Hugh Laurie and Emilia Clarke. 

The Lost King (August 1)

In this inspiring true story, an amateur historian defies the stodgy academic establishment in her efforts to find the remains of King Richard III. Starring Sally Hawkins and Steve Coogan. 

Tad The Lost Explorer and the Emrald Tablet (August 8)

When Tad accidentally unleashes an ancient spell that endangers the lives of his friends, he sets off on an adventure across the globe as he tries to reverse the curse of the mummy. Featuring the voices of Ariel Winter, Trevor White and Ana Esther Alborg. 

Sarah Silverman: Someone you love (August 5)

Sarah Silverman showcases her fearless chutzpah with her takes on religion, politics, and toilet paper. Silverman proves why she's one of the all-time greats... or at least in the top four. 

Loop Track: NZIFF Review

Hell is other people - until it's not in this feature debut from New Zealand comedian Tom Sainsbury.

But unlike Sainsbury's usual comedic fare, this tale is a somewhat darker affair. 

Sainsbury plays Ian, a troubled man who's ill-equipped but sets off anyway for a hike around one of New Zealand's longest tracks - the loop track. Dealing with his own demons and insecurities, Ian hopes to avoid anyone else on this romp through the woods.

However, his ambitions are thwarted when he sees another couple on the track and also a solo tramper Nicky (played with overzealousness by Hayden J Weal). On the edge of a nervous breakdown Ian tries to avoid them, but like limpets on the side of a boat, he can't avoid them sticking to him.

Pushing deeper into the track and with Ian's lack of sleep and paranoia coming to the fore, things get more complicated when Ian becomes convinced he can see a dark black shape in the woods...

Using black humour and suspense in equal measure, Sainsbury's debut feels confident and self-assured, even if its eventual denouement feels a little more silly than perhaps it should.

Mining much from the relationships between humans thrust upon each other and the tensions that ensue, Sainsbury and his small ensemble cast delve deep into the psyche of strangers and the banalities of common bonds.

While it's best to avoid any idea of the final twist in proceedings and go in cold, Loop Track largely works as a study of isolation among people, of alienation and of paranoia. Confident and comedic interactions between Weal and Sainsbury's character arise more from tension than obvious writing and occasionally uneasy laughs do much to mark proceedings as both enthralling and engaging.

Ultimately, Loop Track is another strong addition to New Zealand's film-making canon, proving once again that deep down in the woods, there always horror to mine - and sometimes the worst horrors of all are the people you have to spend time with.

Reality: NZIFF Review

Euphoria and The White Lotus darling Sydney Sweeney stars in this thrilling look at Reality Winner, a US whistleblower who blew the lid on Russian interference in the 2016 US Elections.

Director Tina Satter brings a naturalism to the almost chamber-set proceedings as Sweeney's Winner is confronted by FBI agents on the porch of her home in Georgia one day after heading home.

Based on Is This a Room, Reality uses simple storytelling and a few cinematic digital tricks to bring out an edgy movie that feels unsettling as it unspools. With a pair of FBI agents (Josh Hamilton, Marchant Davis) questioning Reality in a seemingly innocuous way to begin with, Satter has an eye for keeping the motion going and a penchant for delivering jumps in the simplest of executions. 

From just a facial twitch to a quick movement, Reality's drama spins on its small moments, its subtleties caught out of time and in a lightning flash of political turmoil and rampant paranoia.

In amongst it all though is Sweeney, whose initially joyful tone seems to falter as the story unfolds, using dialogue from the actual recordings of the interview.  From looking intimidated to gradually becoming unsure, Sweeney's Reality Winner is a protagonist caught in the headlights as this never more than its play roots movie begins to hit a crescendo.

As the jumpier edges emerge from the filmmaking, in terms of its visual trickery and the way redacted information is treated, the movie starts to tighten its grip on both the audience and Winner.

It's a compelling watch, a chilling point-of-view film that takes one woman's fight against the system and those who work within it to its logical, terrifying extreme and denouement.

What's on Prime Video in August

Here's everything streaming on Prime Video in August.

THE LOST FLOWERS OF ALICE HART (August 4)

Based on Holly Ringland’s best-selling debut novel, the seven-part series tells the emotionally compelling story of Alice Hart. When Alice, aged 9, tragically loses her parents in a mysterious fire, she is taken to live with her grandmother June at Thornfield flower farm, where she learns that there are secrets within secrets about her and her family’s past. Set against Australia’s breathtaking natural landscape, and with native wildflowers and plants providing a way to express the inexpressible, this enthralling family drama spans decades. As she grows from her complicated past, Alice's journey builds to an emotional climax when she finds herself fighting for her life against a man she loves.

The Lost Flowers Of Alice Hart stars Sigourney Weaver, Frankie Adams, Asher Keddie, Leah Purcell, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Alexander England, Charlie Vickers, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Sebastián Zurita, Alyla Browne and Xavier Samuel.

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (August 11) 

Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), the son of the first woman President of the United States (Uma Thurman), and Britain’s Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) have a lot in common: stunning good looks, undeniable charisma, international popularity…and a total disdain for each other. Separated by an ocean, their long-running feud hasn’t really been an issue, until a disastrous—and very public—altercation at a royal event becomes tabloid fodder driving a potential wedge in U.S./British relations at the worst possible time. Going into damage control mode, their powerful families and respective handlers force the two rivals into a staged “truce.” But as Alex and Henry’s icy relationship unexpectedly begins to thaw into a tentative friendship, the friction that existed between them sparks something deeper than they ever expected. Based on Casey McQuiston’s critically acclaimed New York Times bestseller, Red, White & Royal Blue marks the feature film writing and directing debut of Tony Award-winning playwright Matthew López (The Inheritance).

Red White & Royal Blue stars Taylor Zakhar Perez, Nicholas Galitzine, Clifton Collins Jr., Sarah Shahi, Rachel Hilson, Stephen Fry, Uma Thurman, Ellie Bamber, Thomas Flynn, Malcolm Atobrah, Akshay Khanna, Sharon D Clarke, Aneesh Sheth and Juan Castano.

KANDAHAR (August 18) 

In Kandahar, Gerard Butler plays an undercover CIA operative named Tom Harris, who is assigned in the Middle East. An intelligence leak dangerously exposes his classified mission and reveals his covert identity. Stuck in the heart of hostile territory, Harris and his translator must fight their way out of the desert to an extraction point in Kandahar, Afghanistan, while eluding the elite special forces hunting them.

Kandahar stars Gerard Butler, Ali Fazal, Navid Negahban, Travis Fimmel, Bahador Foladi, Nina Toussaint-White, Vassilis Koukalani, Mark Arnold, Tom Rhys Harries, Corey Johnson, Ravi Aujla, Ray Haratian, Olivia-Mai Barrett, Rebecca Calder and Faizan Munawar Varya

HARLAN COBEN’S SHELTER (August 18)

Harlan Coben’s Shelter follows the story of Mickey Bolitar after the sudden death of his father leads him to start a new life in Kasselton, New Jersey. Mickey quickly finds himself tangled in the mysterious disappearance of a new student at his school, Ashley Kent, which leads to uncovering unimaginable secrets within their quiet suburban community. With the help of his friends,  the inventive Spoon, and secretive Ema, Mickey pulls back the sleepy facade of Kasselton to reveal a dark underground that may hold the answers to decades of disappearances, deaths, and legends -and perhaps even Mickey’s own complex family history.

Harlan Coben’s Shelter stars Jaden Michael, Constance Zimmer, Abby Corrigan, Sage Linder and Lee Aaron Rosen.

Cruel Summer SEASON 2 (August 11)

The anthology series, Cruel Summer Season 2, features a brand-new cast and mystery. Set in an idyllic waterfront town in the Pacific Northwest, the next chapter of Cruel Summer follows the rise and fall of an intense teenage friendship. Approaching the story from three different timelines surrounding Y2K, the season twists and turns as it tracks the early friendship between Megan, Isabella and Megan’s best friend Luke, the love triangle that blossomed, and the mystery that would impact all of their lives going forward.

Cruel Summer Season 2 stars Sadie Stanley, Lexi Underwood, Griffin Gluck, Lisa Yamada, Sean Blakemore, KaDee Strickland and Paul Adelstein

BEAUTIFUL DISASTER (August 29)

Abby, a college freshman, is eager to focus on her studies and start a new social life. Her plans are quickly derailed when she meets Travis, a bad-boy brawler and campus charmer. While she tries to resist her attraction to him, Travis offers her a simple bet that makes them roommates for a month.

Beautiful Disaster stars Dylan Sprouse, Virginia Gardner, Austin North, Libe Barer, Neil Bishop, Brian Austin Green and Michael Cudlitz.

AUGUST 2023 HIGHLIGHTS:

BREATH OF LIFE (MOVIE) 1/08/23

THE LOST FLOWERS OF ALICE HART S1 (TV) 4/08/23

WNBA: ATLANTA DREAM AT PHOENIX MERCURY (SPORT) 4/08/23

DESTINATION NBA A G LEAGUE ODYSSEY (SPORT) 8/08/23

WNBA: MINNESOTA LYNX AT INDIANA FEVER (SPORT) 10/08/23

RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE (TV) 11/08/23

CRUEL SUMMER S2 (TV) 11/08/23

THE KILLING VOTE S1 (TV) 11/08/23

WNBA: CONNECTICUT SUN AT PHOENIX MERCURY (SPORT) 11/08/23

M3GAN (MOVIE) 12/08/23

THREE MOTHERS, TWO BABIES AND A SCANDAL S1 (TV) 16/08/23

KANDAHAR (MOVIE) 18/08/23

HARLAN COBEN’S SHELTER S1 (TV) 18/08/23

WNBA: NEW YORK LIBERTY AT LAS VEGAS ACES (SPORT) 18/08/23

WNBA: NEW YORK LIBERTY AT CONNECTICUT SUN (SPORT) 24/08/23

BEAUTIFUL DISASTER (MOVIE) 29/08/23

WNBA: PHOENIX MERCURY AT CONNECTICUT SUN (SPORT) 31/08/23