Past Lives: Movie Review

Director Celine Song's personal movie Past Lives will be lauded by many as a masterpiece of meditation and reflection on lives previously gone and also loves never quite seized.

This slow-burning drama centres on a 24 year time period as well as a relationship that at times resembles a much more serious Sleepless in Seattle vibe early on.

Beginning in their childhood days, it's the tale of inseparable classmates in late 90s Seoul, Na Young and Hae Sung - both are already quite sure of their feelings for one another. 

However, despite an early date seeing them hit it off, Na Young’s family abruptly emigrates to America. 12 years pass before their paths cross again - thanks to the wonder of Skype and Facebook.

To say more about Past Lives is to rob it of its Brief Encounter vibe and its melancholy longing as it explores the Korean concept of "In Yun" a connection felt by some. Yet at the heart of this restrained, sombre and sobering take on life and love is a film that revels in the small moments and lives off the subtlety and nuance of its lead performances.

While the time jumps proffer shorter chances for the child actors to seize their moment, Song's effective in using key interactions and key moments to suggest the bond before Greta Lee and Tae Yoo take over the later-in-life sequences.

Distance and dialect play a large part in proceedings here, with Song choosing to show glimpses of life in both New York and Seoul rather than filling Na Young and Hae Sung's lives apart with mundanities.

This is a film though where the small moments shine - a conversation between Na Young and her husband simmers with veracity, as it teeters toward heartbreak. It's in these moments that Song's eye for calculated shots and sparsely connective dialogue speaks volumes as it invokes truths about immigrant lives and separated connections.

The Equalizer 3: Movie Review

Cast: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea
Director: Antoine Fuqua

Feeling more perfunctory than unforgettable, the third outing for Denzel Washington's vigilante Robert McCall leans very much on the cliche and stereotype while pleasingly eschewing the gun-fu shenanigans made famous by John Wick.

As the film starts, Fuqua's camera weaves through a maze of the massacred, before settling on Washington's calm and collected McCall sitting in the basement of a Sicilian vineyard cellar waiting for one last person to show.

After being injured, McCall's forced to make a small town on the Amalfi coast while he recovers - discovering as he does that he harbours an affection for the inhabitants and is affected by their kindness.  However, that calm deep within his soul is soon brutally shattered as he discovers the Mafioso-like Camorra exerting their grip on the locals - and he faces a decision whether to intervene or walk away.

Paired once again with his Training Day compadre, Washington settles into an easy groove as the murderous assassin, who appears like a ghost throughout exacting brutal kills and immediate takedowns, a sombre reminder of the horrors man can visit on others. But Washington's deadeye demeanour and surly gait means he has to do little in some scenes for maximum effect - something which is brilliantly conveyed in an early shocking moment. 

The film settles into an easy homage to stereotyped seaside coastal life - scenes of a Cinema Paradiso-esque village suggest the quaintness of a simpler life, where villagers share a bond over years of communal suffering and celebration. At times, Fuqua leans too hard into the coastal cliche and the film begins to resemble a postcard rather than a well-pitched drama.

Sure, the film ramps up the violence - a man's dispatched by a gun barrel to the eye and various bones are snapped in brief bursts of brutality, but given the film's script embraces such cliche and stereotypes in its thinly-written bad guys it's hard to emotionally care or cheer when they're shown the ultimate exit door. 

Perhaps that's some of the problem with The Equalizer 3, a threequel that doesn't invest in originality, and relies a little too much on the nuances of those who've been following the franchise to get the pay off required. There's emotional heft if you're a follower, but as a stand-alone movie this feels fraught and while well-executed (pun intended), nowhere near as clever as the first film was.

Washington delivers his character arc with ease as his McCall seeks peace and salvation, and scenes with Fanning's CIA agent showcase the chemistry the pair shared a few decades back with Man On Fire, but despite all the menace conveyed by his withering stares and tacit demeanour, The Equalizer 3 feels fine, but slight in comparison to what's gone before.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem: Movie Review

Vocal cast: Jackie Chan, Ayo Edebiri, Shamon Brown Jr, Brady Noon, Nicolas Cantu, Micah Abbey, Seth Rogen, John Cena, Rose Byrne, Natasia Demetriou, Ice Cube, Maya Rudolph, Giancarlo Esposito, Post Malone
Director: Jeff Rowe

There's an anarchic element to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem as the animation revival continues in 2023.

But with visuals that have a scrappy almost punkish vibe to them, this latest outing is a pleasingly messy movie that sparks with creativity and captures the vibe of both New York City and its titular turtle heroes - even though its third act smacks of rote CGI-driven superhero movie denouements.

Setting up a cinematic universe it may be thanks to some post-credit scenes, but loosely the story of 2023's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles sees Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michaelangelo keen to break free from their overprotective father's shackles. Desperate to do what normal teenagers do around New York, the turtles find themselves in the middle of a plan to come out to the city after newly discovered friend April O'Neill convinces them to try and take down a crime syndicate headed up by the mysterious Superfly.

With animation that feels like a cohesively chaotic mix of claymation, CGI animation and also rotoscoping, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem has a distinctive look that marks its aesthetics out from its somewhat familiar origin tale and its formulaic superhero storytelling toward the end.

While it could be argued the shell brothers have the lightest of characterisations, the script gives them enough time to riff, talk rubbish and capture the vibe of a group of teenagers in a relatable and enjoyable way - albeit one that feels familiar.

Blessing the soundtrack with the likes of De La Soul's Eye Know and peppering the story with pop culture references, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem encapsulates the New York vibe to a tee; from a melting pot of style, this film has a substance that's hard to deny and will easily see family audiences swept up in it for some 90 minutes or so.

Quake II: Remastered: PS5 Review

Developed by id Software

Released by Bethesda

Platform: PS5

First released back in 1997, this first-person shooter wouldn't probably figure high on anyone's list of a game that needs to be remastered.

But as the Quake and Doom remasters showed, if done properly, these basic games can stand the test of time and provide simple bloody entertainment no matter what year it is.

So it is with Quake II, id Software's latest release which really does scratch that pixelated itch that's been nagging at the back of your mind.

Set against the backdrop of a war between humanity and an alien race known as the Strogg, it's up to you as a Marine known only as Bitterman to shoot your way through levels, battle beasties and try and win as part of Operation Alien Overlord, an attempt to end a war.

That's really all there is to Quake 2 but that's not to diminish any of the chaos that comes with it.

While visually it looks as striking as a pixel aesthetic can and it plays with the speed of a computer-based shooter, it's not all perfect.

For some reason, some times direct hits make no impact on those under fire, which can be both disconcerting and annoying. And there are moments when it feels like

the game hasn't quite moved away from its computer-based origins. Under a console experience, it's tricky to access the weapon wheel and activate the likes of the compass as you try to work out where you have to go.

But for the price of the game, and the fact the rerelease features the “Call of the Machine” expansion, a brand-new Quake II experience from MachineGames, there's much to recommend this remaster, which also comes with multiplayer.

Sure it won't win any Game of the Year awards, but it also won't feature in a list of stinkers, because there's love that's been deployed under this hood and tinkering that makes Quake II's remaster a thing of pixelated, bloody blasting beauty.

Broforce Forever: PS5 Review

Developed by Free Lives
Published by Devolver Digital
Platform: PS5

Sometimes, dumb games are just that - dumb.

But also, sometimes, dumb games are just completely fun and aware of their limits and don't care.

Broforce is one such game.

Initially released in 2015, this 2D side scrolling pixel art-led shoot em up is a blast of fun that plays to the dumbest American military tropes and also throws in the stupidity of action movies' excesses for the hell of it. 

Yet, it's also hellaciously fun. 

Given its final update with a new set of playable characters, Broforce Forever sees a series of American military might take on generic evil that threatens various sectors of the world. All you have to do is kill the bad guys, free the hostages and escape. It's really that simple - but what Broforce Forever offers is little more than simplicity - and in a world where sometimes AAA games fall short of their own self-set expectations, this release is simply channeling a gun and run mentality to extremis.

Doused in deadly puns, the game takes some of action's most iconic heroes and Bros them up - Rambro, The Brominator, Ellen Ripbro, the jokes are one-shot funny and done. 

Tongue in cheek violence mixes with pixel art chaos for Broforce, and it's a heady mix. Especially if you add in online co-op and play with others.

There are occasional tech-related issues and slow down moments, and in truth, some of the Bros have limited use. Schwarzenegger's Brominator takes time to power up his weapon, meaning enemies can kill him off before he's even had time to fire a shot for example. And the random way your character is selected during the game means occasionally there can be a disparity in their strengths and cause you death because they're weaker. Heroes with swords for example can easily be picked off by enemies with guns - so sometimes, it's not even a fair fight before it's begun.

While the patriotic fervour is in full effect, it can be a little OTT and borderline xenophobic at times. A gag about Ukraine seems particularly ill-judged, no matter how long it's been in the game. But Broforce is aware of its limitations and toys with them as it channels its ode to retro gaming and largely succeeds.

Chaos elements make for fun at times - random baddies will blow themselves up creating carnage elsewhere and there's no doubt there's something satisfying about executing an explosion that triggers more.

The additional missions are fine, and the new list of characters is amusing - but Broforce Forever simply continues to do what it's always done best - shooting, scrolling and silliness. 

And sometimes, for those just looking to pick up and play well-executed gaming, that's no bad thing.

Scrapper: Movie Review

Cast: Lola Campbell, Harris Dickinson

Director: Charlotte Regan

A curious mix of the quirky and the heartfelt, Charlotte Regan's Scrapper concerns itself with the tale of a 12-year-old girl whose mum has died and whose father has been AWOL for a long time.

A precocious and impressively confident Campbell plays Georgie, who's somehow managed to convince the social services she's living with her uncle Winston Churchill after the death of her only parent - so she doesn't need any intervention from anyone.

Spending her days robbing bikes from the locals and selling them on, Georgie lives in a haze of self-belief, a situation necessitated by her own solitude. But it's shaken one day when her father Jason (Triangle of Sadness's Dickinson) returns out of the blue.

There is a scrappy vibe to Scrapper, a film that starts off with such energy and vitality as well as extreme confidence but which settles into a more familiar vibe once Georgie's dad shows up.

Beginning with bluster and slicing in quirky to camera mockumentary-style interviews and soundbites from those who swing into Georgie's orbit, Regan sets up a novelty of quirk that threatens to burst the proceedings of the more traditional kitchen sink drama that this is clearly drawn from.

But while that will annoy some, it's a clever way to force you into empathising for Georgie, the little scrapper who's fighting her way through life.

Equally though, Dickinson's Jason is scrapping his way through as well - and the pair make for good bedfellows as they struggle to find a groove for a potential relationship. It's essentially a story about a too-young father finally facing up to his responsibilities and Dickinson, with his angular frame and blonded out locks, makes a compelling case.

Granted there's a predictability to where this story will go, and while Campbell's impudent and cheeky way with one-liners masks a vulnerability to her character, there's never any real doubt what the conclusion will be.

With connection being the main thrust of this piece, Scrapper just about emerges victorious from the melange of medleys and familiarities, but it's largely due to Campbell and Dickinson who make diamonds from the occasional coals the script fires their way.

Win an Equalizer 3 prize pack

To celebrate the release of Equalizer 3 in cinemas August 31, thanks to Sony Pictures New Zealand, you can win a prize pack.

Each prize pack contains:

• Laptop sleeve
• Phone grip
• Key chain
• Double pass to the movie

About The Equalizer 3

Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.

the Equalizer 3 is in cinemas August 31.

Sound of Freedom: Movie Review

Cast: Jim Caviezel, Bill Camp
Director: Alejandro Monteverde

Occasionally overwrought and heavy-handed, the conservative movie Sound of Freedom knows exactly what it's doing in its execution of a tale of child traffickers and bad guys.

But by painting everything in such broad brush strokes and by overly playing on the sentiment, the film's message is almost laughable when it needs to be horrific and unsettling.

Caviezel plays Tim Ballard, a former US government agent who embarks on a mission to take down a child sex-trafficking ring in Columbia when he decides enough is enough. As he launches Operation Underground Railroad, he finds himself pushed deeper into the world and more horrified by what he uncovers.

There's definitely something noble about a story such as this that shines a light on the horrors of child-sex trafficking. 

From overly cute children bathed in innocence to close ups of tears in eyes as agents look at the imagery uploaded to the web, the filmmakers know exactly what they want to do with this story - and they're not unashamed to manipulate you along the way.

But that becomes some of the problem of Sound of Freedom - its unwillingness to yield in the face of what it considers its conservative mission.

Almost every shot of Caviezel sees him bathed in beatific light, his blonde hair glistening as his eyes soften - it's almost parody but with religious overtones pushed to the fore. And the moment when a child presents Ballard with a Saint Timothy necklace is so on the nose, it's almost laughable how spoon-fed these proceedings are.

Alejandro Monteverde doesn't help things either - pretty much every shot of horror is ripped from the cliched annals of basic shock cinema, there's nothing original here to behold. 

There's nothing wrong or more admirable than the message within this film, but given how it's presented, it's hard to swallow at times. Which is a shame because it's a largely compelling and sickening story to tell, even before you consider the takeover from the right-wing conspiracy theorists that have so embraced this story in the US, seeking undertones that aren't there on the page.

Sound of Freedom may be viewed by some as  a call to arms, but it would have been a lot more successful if the writer / director had had some outside guidance to help mold a story that still shocked, but presented its cautionary edges in a more subtle way.

What's on Netflix in September

Here's everything that's on Netflix in September.

ORIGINAL SERIES

Disenchantment: Part 5  (01/09/2023)

To save Dreamland from Queen Dagmar's wrath, Princess Bean must vanquish her mother and outrun a prophecy that foretells she will kill the one she loves.

Love is Blind: After the Altar : Season 4  (01/09/2023)

The season's participants share updates and fresh perspectives a year after living the pod life while preparing for an epic flag football showdown.

Is She the Wolf? (03/09/2023)

They're all here to look for true romance — but hidden among the women is at least one "wolf," a saboteur who's only pretending to be falling in love.

6ixtynin9 The Series (06/09/2023)

After losing her job, a woman discovers a mysterious package on her apartment doorstep — and her life takes a turn for the worse.

Infamy (06/09/2023)

Caught between her Roma roots and pressure from her friends, a 17-year-old girl aspires to become a hip-hop musician despite her parents' strict rules.

Reporting For Duty (06/09/2023)

When Suzano assumes the role of police chief at a new precinct, the timid newbie will have to prove his mettle to his fearless squad.

Tahir's House (06/09/2023)

A family of amateur entrepreneurs must come together to convert their failing fish shop into a thriving business, but branching out isn't easy.

Dear Child (07/09/2023)

A mysterious woman's escape from her harrowing captivity points investigators toward the terrifying truth behind an unsolved disappearance years earlier.

Top Boy: Season 3 (07/09/2023)

Sully takes charge, pushing Dushane to cash out, but with a new order comes new challenges, threats, and consequences.

Virgin River: Season 5 (07/09/2023)

Mel adjusts to a different pace of life, Jack works to grow his business, and the town faces new threats as secrets begin to surface in Virgin River.

A Time Called You (08/09/2023)

A grieving woman magically travels through time to 1998, where she meets a man with an uncanny resemblance to her late love.

Burning Body (08/09/2023)

When a police officer is murdered and set on fire, all eyes focus on two other agents: his girlfriend and her lover. Inspired by true events.

Selling The OC: Season 2 (08/09/2023)

O Group agents work to keep their eyes on the prize as they meet a potential new teammate, battle red-hot rumors and test the real estate waters in Cabo.

Glow Up: Season 5 (12/09/2023)

A new batch of aspiring makeup artists draw, contour and blend their way to a big career break in this creative and colorful reality competition series.

Class Act (13/09/2023)

A relentlessly ambitious working-class man becomes one of France's most controversial public figures in this fictionalized biopic about Bernard Tapie.

Thursday's Widows (14/09/2023)

Teresa finds her husband and his two best friends dead in the lavish community where they live. As the truth comes to light, so will dark secrets.

Miseducation (15/09/2023)

After a public humiliation, a wannabe influencer enrolls in the only university that will take her, where she aspires to regain her social status.

Surviving Summer: Season 2 (15/09/2023)

A new rival drops in as Summer trains with her friends for the national surfing competition, challenging her on the waves — and for the boy she loves.

The Club: Season 2 (15/09/2023)

With her husband gone, Raşel raises her daughter at Club Istanbul with the help of her mother, but their relationships are tested by loss and betrayal.

Hard Broken (20/09/2023)

A tragic murder sends a friend group into a frenzy, revealing hidden romances and betrayals lurking beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect lives.

Scissor Seven: Season 4 (21/09/2023)

After an intense battle, a severely wounded Seven must bounce back to defend Chicken Island and his friends from another ruthless Shadow assassin.

Sex Education: Season 4 (21/09/2023)

With Maeve in America and Moordale closed, Otis must find his footing at free-spirited Cavendish College — but he's not the only sex therapist on campus.

Love Is Blind: Season 5 (22/09/2023)

Hoping to find their future fiancés by talking through walls, a new group of men and women braves twists, turns and triangles in search of true love.

Castlevania: Nocturne (28/09/2023)

France, 1792: It begins. A new animated series in the Castlevania universe from showrunners Kevin Kolde ("Castlevania") and Clive Bradley ("Trapped") and directors Sam Deats & Adam Deats ("Castlevania").

Song of the Bandits (COMING SOON)

In the lawless land of Gando, fierce bandits will stop at nothing to fight for their precious homeland and loved ones — even if it means life or death.

The Devil's Plan (COMING SOON)

In this competition of intelligence, contestants face off in games of wit and strategy to be crowned winner and go home with the ultimate prize.

NETFLIX ANIME

GAMERA -Rebirth- (07/09/2023)

In the summer of 1989, four kids in Tokyo witness the emergence of the turtle kaiju Gamera, who bravely stands up against giant human-eating monsters.

KENGAN ASHURA: Season 2 (21/09/2023)

The second round of the Kengan Life-or-Death Tournament continues — without Ohma. As the mighty gladiators clash, a shadowy figure plots a violent coup.

NETFLIX FILM

A Day and a Half (01/09/2023)

In a desperate bid to reunite with his daughter, an armed man bursts into the medical center where his estranged wife works and kidnaps her.

Friday Night Plan (01/09/2023)

When their mother takes off on a business trip, two bickering brothers unite to secretly attend the hottest party of the year before she returns.

Happy Ending (01/09/2023)

A year into their otherwise happy relationship, Luna's suggestion to include a third person in their sex life turns her bond with Mink upside down.

What If (07/09/2023)

When a pair of newlywed musicians get trapped in a storm on their island honeymoon, they must face difficult truths that could tear their marriage apart.

Freestyle (13/09/2023)

In need of cash for time in the recording studio, a rising rap star with a criminal past sets up a risky drug deal that could cost him everything.

Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction (14/09/2023)

Appointed to teach the Grand Duchess's timid son the intricacies of seduction, a love connoisseur finds himself in a scandal — and a romance of his own.

Once Upon a Crime (14/09/2023)

While at the royal ball with Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood finds herself in the middle of a mystery. Can she solve the case before midnight strikes?

El Conde (15/09/2023)

Augusto Pinochet is a vampire ready to die, but the vultures around him won’t let him go without one last bite. A dark satire by Pablo Larraín.

Love at First Sight (15/09/2023)

Two strangers connect on a flight to London, only to be separated by a twist of fate. A reunion seems improbable — but love has a way of defying the odds.

How To Deal With a Heartbreak (22/09/2023)

Her two best friends are mapping out a bright future. Ma Fé? She’s broke, uninspired and under a tight deadline to produce a book she can't write.

 The Black Book (22/09/2023)

After his son is framed for a kidnapping, a bereaved deacon takes justice into his own hands and fights a corrupt police gang to absolve him.

Overhaul (27/09/2023)

When truck racer Roger loses everything, he receives a tempting but dangerous offer: to work as the getaway driver for a gang of thieves.

Street Flow 2 (27/09/2023)

Struggling to overcome cycles of betrayal, revenge and violence, the Traoré brothers continue to fight for a brighter future in a seedy Paris suburb.

Love is in the Air (28/09/2023)

A fiercely independent pilot fighting to keep her family business afloat starts to fall for the man sent by corporate to ground her operation forever.

Do Not Disturb (29/09/2023)

A middle-aged man emerges from a pandemic slump with a new job at a quiet hotel, until some eccentric guests turn his first night into a wild adventure.

Nowhere (29/09/2023)

Pregnant, alone and drifting in the sea, a woman trapped in a shipping container tries to survive after fleeing a devastated totalitarian country.

The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (COMING SOON)

A beloved Roald Dahl story about a rich man who learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes and then sets out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.

NETFLIX COMEDY SPECIAL

Shane Gillis: Beautiful Dogs (05/09/2023)

A new stand-up comedy special from Shane Gillis.

Michelle Wolf: It's Great to Be Here (12/09/2023)

A new stand-up comedy special from Michelle Wolf.

NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

Predators (06/09/2023)

Experience life through the eyes of cheetahs, polar bears and more of the planet's most powerful hunters as they fight against the odds to survive.

Scout's Honor: The Secret Files of the Boy Scouts of America (06/09/2023)

Survivors, whistleblowers and experts recount the Boy Scouts of America's decadeslong cover-up of sexual abuse cases and its heartbreaking impact.

Spy Ops (08/09/2023)

Intelligence operatives from MI6 to the CIA share insider stories of spy craft, Cold War campaigns, and coups carried out by covert agents.

Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons: Season 7 (15/09/2023)

Journalist and former inmate Raphael Rowe experiences life inside prisons in Finland, the Czech Republic, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands.

The Saint of Second Chances (19/09/2023)

Mike Veeck grew up in the shadow of his father, Hall of Fame baseball owner Bill Veeck. But it all fell apart when Mike blew up his dad's career. Exiled from the game, the younger Veeck spent the next few decades clawing his way back, determined to redeem himself. The Saint of Second Chances is wildly unexpected, full of heart, and keeps you laughing through a comeback story unlike any other.

Who Killed Jill Dando? (26/09/2023)

Revisit the shocking 1999 murder of beloved TV presenter Jill Dando, which continues to mystify experts and the public, in this in-depth documentary.

Encounters (27/09/2023)

Lights in the sky over Texas and Japan. Spacecrafts over schoolyards in Wales and Zimbabwe. It’s not science fiction – these stories of extraordinary mass sightings are true. Presented with fresh urgency by experiencers, top scientists, and military insiders, this thrilling four-part series sets aside skepticism to focus on belief, wonder, and the very human impact of encounters with extraterrestrial life.

The Darkness within La Luz del Mundo (28/09/2023)

For the first time, complainants against La Luz del Mundo megachurch leaders expose the abuses they suffered through exclusive interviews.

Ice Cold: Murder, Coffee and Jessica Wongso (COMING SOON)

This documentary delves into the unanswered questions surrounding the trial of Jessica Wongso — years after the death of her best friend, Mirna Salihin.

Vasco Rossi: Living It (COMING SOON)

Italy's most beloved rock star Vasco Rossi grants unprecedented access to intimate details of his personal life and successful career over the decades.

NETFLIX KIDS AND FAMILY

Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight: Season 3 (07/09/2023)

In a race to destroy the all-powerful Tianshang weapons once and for all, the Dragon Knights face off against enemies both familiar and unexpected.

My Little Pony: Make Your Mark: Chapter 5 (18/09/2023)

Now that Opaline has captured Sparky's Dragonfire, the evil Alicorn is stronger than ever — and she won't stop until she has all the power of Equestria!

Spy Kids: Armageddon (22/09/2023)

When a game developer unleashes a powerful computer virus, the children of two secret agents must work together to save their parents — and the world.

Little Baby Bum: Music Time (25/09/2023)

Come join the fun at the magically musical Magic Time preschool, where every day is an adventure fueled by familiar songs — and lots of learning!

Power Rangers Cosmic Fury (29/09/2023)

When Lord Zedd returns more powerful than ever, Team Cosmic Fury takes to the cosmos to battle the emperor of evil — and save the universe as we know it.

LICENSED HIGHLIGHTS 

Dune (02/09/2023)

To secure his people's future, a young man travels to a dangerous, resource-rich planet — where malevolent forces push him towards a foreboding destiny.

The Matrix Resurrections (16/09/2023)

Trapped again in the simulated reality of the Matrix, Neo believes he's video game creator Thomas Anderson — until he's offered another chance to escape.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (30/09/2023)

The brutal beginnings of Leatherface emerge when two brothers on a road trip with their girlfriends in 1969 collide with the killer's clan of cannibals.

Retribution: Movie Review

Cast: Liam Neeson, Matthew Modine, Embeth Davidtz, Noma Dumezweni
Director: Nimrod Antal

Yet another nail in the acting coffin of Liam Neeson, Retribution's rip-off of the Keanu Reeves' thriller Speed is an exercise in absurdity and terrible execution.

Neeson stars as Matt Turner, an absentee father despite always being present, whose day goes from bad to worse after the hedge fund he works for collapses dramatically overnight. Asked to help out at home for once and take the kids to school, Turner finds things even further complicated when an unknown caller tells him there's a bomb in his car and gives him a set of instructions to follow.

As the clock ticks, Turner tries to work out who's behind it, and get out safely.

What should be a tense and taut affair becomes a laughable exercise in stretching a storyline as far as it can go as well as throwing in as many domestic contrivances as is possible. 

While the visuals are largely confined to the car and tight close ups of Neeson and the anguished kids, there are moments the story becomes a wider affair and makes use of a series of nondescript locales around Germany to showcase a side of the urban sprawl rarely seen on camera.

But it's the risible dialogue and the laughable twists that really cripple Retribution from soaring where it could. One twist is so obviously signposted it ruins the whole affair.

And in the middle of it all is Neeson, an actor who seems determined to trash every decent film ever entered into his catalogue. With a series of late career action films that have largely unchallenged the ageing actor or which call on him to lazily deploy his Taken-style range of acting, Neeson turns in nothing original here and thanks to the script, nothing with any kind of depth.

There are moments when Retribution makes use of its premise and ups the tension. A late in the piece sequence involving the police shows signs of what could have been, with suspense and interactions that move the story on and engage the audience.

Unfortunately, they're too few and far in between - and the only Retribution in this bomb of a film is the one the audience will be seeking to inflict on all involved having sat through it.

Ahsoka: Review

The Star Wars universe continues to expand, this time with an extension of the Star Wars: Rebels storylines which may leave some viewers feeling a little left out from the depth of the characters.

Opening very much like the start of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope mixed with a temple scene from Indiana Jones' first outing, Dave Filoni's live-action take on Rosario Dawson's Ahsoka is a moody and mysterious affair that slowly envelops itself around you.

Jedi Ahsoka is searching for a map that will lead her to the missing Admiral Thrawn who ended Rebels being towed away to mysterious places, along with a Jedi called Ezra. But as ever, nefarious forces are also after the map to Thrawn - this time in the form of two would be Sith who feel very much ripped from a Star Wars: Visions story.

But as Ahsoka finds herself back in the path of her former apprentice, things get trickier for both sides when their worlds collide.

There's a depth to Ahsoka's world that feels, once again, like the Star Wars universe is fleshing itself out, rather than relying on old haunts and familiar planets to set the scene.

It's thrilling to see, given there are plenty of corners of the Star Wars world that have been untouched outside of the likes of fiction but also shows the writers are finally embracing the possibilities of what could be, rather than digging through the old tropes.

On a production level, Ahsoka is stunning.

As well as the aforementioned different take on the narrative, the wealth of new buildings and a punkish almost graffiti edge to the visuals gives it a spark and a vitality that's been missing from the likes of the Mandalorian and the Book of Boba Fett.

Some may take time to warm to Dawson's Ahsoka, given how calmly Zen she is and relatively flat she is in terms of her delivery. Perhaps your affection from the character will come primarily from whether you've devoured Star Wars: Rebels - but in time, over the course of the six episodes, it's to be hoped this dual-wielding Jedi will come more to life.

Thankfully there's a heart between her and her former apprentice Sabine Wren that feels familiar - the over-confident youngster snapping at the tethers imposed by the elder is not a new story, but it's nicely executed here and given some resonance.

While the mystery and search for Ezra may keep some aloof, Star Wars fans will once again enjoy escaping to a galaxy far, far away and delight in the fact that this time, there's something new to devour.

Star Wars: Ahsoka starts streaming on Disney+ from Wednesday August 23.

What's on Neon in September

Here's everything that's on Neon in September.

Annika Season 2 (September 21)

Detective Chief Inspector Annika Stranded has just become head of a new specialist Marine Homicide Unit, tasked with solving murders that take place in and around the waterways of Scotland. In her team is the plucky and fearless DI Tyrone Clarke, the emotional DS Michael Andrews and the brilliant and witty analyst Blair Ferguson. Annika Stranded offers a unique perspective on the detective genre. By breaking down the fourth wall, Annika invites the audience in to hear her thoughts, engaging them and enticing them to solve the crimes with her. Led by Annika, every episode will see the team solve a self- contained crime in a visually striking location off the Scottish coast. 

Starring Nicola Walker, Jamie Sives, Katie Leung and Ukweli Roach. 

Lost in France (September 22)

In this exciting new show, Carlos Spencer and Matua Parkinson will take viewers on a journey through France, exploring the country's rugby culture through the lens of their Māori heritage. They'll also share their insights on the similarities and differences between the rugby cultures in France and New Zealand, drawing on their own experiences as players and coaches. 

Made with the support of Te Māngai Pāho. 

A Black Lady Sketch Show S4 (September 6)

The first sketch comedy series to be written by, directed by, and starring Black women, Robin Thede's A Black Lady Sketch Show features a multi- talented cast portraying hundreds of dynamic characters in unabashed sketches and laugh-out- loud interstitials. With six all-new half-hour episodes, season four finds Thede, Gabrielle Dennis, Skye Townsend, and new featured players DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade, and Angel Laketa Moore joined by a host of celebrity guests as they bring relatable, hilarious experiences to life in a magical reality that deftly subverts expectations. 

Night Court (September 13)

Judge Abby Stone, the daughter of the late Harry Stone, follows in her father's footsteps as she presides over the night shift of a Manhattan arraignment court and tries to bring order to its crew of oddballs and cynics. Starring Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory), India de Beaufort (Veep), Kapil Talwalkar (Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist), Lacretta (Second Act), and John Larroquette (Night Court [1984]). 

The Lovers (September 8)

Get ready for a sexy, funny, and fight-y love story like no other in the drama, The Lovers. Starring Johnny Flynn and Roisin Gallagher, the series follows Janet, a foul-mouthed Belfast supermarket worker, and Seamus, self-centred political broadcaster from London. When their worlds collide, clashes and connections ensue, revealing a love that might just be utterly right. With a stellar cast including Conleth Hill (Game of Thrones), this six-part series, written by David Ireland and directed by Justin Martin, promises to deliver dark comedy and unexpected romance. 

Project Greenlight (September 27) 

A reinvention of the hit show from Miramax Television and HBO, this series focuses on the next generation of talented female filmmakers where one of them gets the chance to shoot a feature. Executive Producer Issa Rae along with Kumail Nanjiani and Gina Prince-Bythewood serve as mentors throughout the season. Pulling back the curtain on the filmmaking process from start to finish, get a unique look into selected director Meko Winbush's experience as she makes her first feature film, Gray Matter. 

Telemarketers (September 12)

A high school drop-out works a telemarketing job raising money for various charities including the Fraternal Order of Police, a cog in a wheel perpetrating a billion-dollar scam. He begins videotaping everything and sets out on a darkly comedic fifteen year journey with his heroin addicted co-worker Pat to take down the corrupt telemarketing industry and expose the police union's co-operation in the scam. 

MOVIES

Cocaine Bear (September 24)

A thrilling story inspired by the real events of a drug runner's 1985 plane crash, where a 500- pound black bear ingests a staggering amount of cocaine and goes on a coke-fuelled rampage. Directed by Elizabeth Banks and starring Ray Liotta and Keri Russell. 

A Man Called Otto (September 2)

Otto is a grump who has given up on life after the loss of his wife. But when a lively young family moves in next door, he meets his match in the quick-witted Marisol. Based on the bestselling book "A Man Called Ove". Starring Tom Hanks and Mariana Trevino. 

Knock at the Cabin (September 3)

The new thriller from visionary filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan. A young girl and her parents go on holiday to a remote cabin, but when four armed strangers arrive and take them captive, they must make an impossible choice to prevent the apocalypse. Starring Jonathan Groff, Dave Bautista and Rupert Grint. 

Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance With Somebody (September 22)

A no-holds-barred portrait of the complex and multifaceted woman behind The Voice. From New Jersey choir girl to one of the best- selling and most awarded recording artists of all time. With show-stopping performances and a soundtrack of the icon's most beloved hits as you've never heard them before. Starring Naomi Ackie and Stanley Tucci. 

Living (September 15)

In a London still recovering from WWII, civil servant Williams faces a lonely life, reduced by years of oppressive office routine to a shadow existence. Then a shattering medical diagnosis forces him to take stock - and try and grasp fulfilment before it goes beyond reach. Starring Bill Nighy. 

Scream VI (September 26)

The four survivors of the latest Ghostface killings leave Woodsboro for a fresh start in New York, but a terrifying new killer appears in the 

the mask. Starring Courtney Cox, Jenna Ortega and Melissa Barrera. 

Love to Love You, Donna Summer (September 18)

Shaped by Summer's own reflections and filled with the sounds of Summer's songs, this film is a deeply personal window into the legendary artist and her life as she rose to become the Queen of Disco. Co-directed by Summer's daughter, Brooklyn Sudano. 

Fast X: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Vin Diesel, Jason Momoa, Ludacris, Nathalie Emmanuel, Tyrese Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, Charlize Theron, Brie Larson, Jordana Brewster, John Cena, Jason Statham, Helen Mirren
Director: Louis Letterier

"It's like a cult with cars."

Sometimes, a big dumb film is just a big dumb film.

The Fast and Furious franchise has long moved past any pretensions of grandeur, and instead has focused on providing OTT action and what the fans of the genre want - as well as what the box office expects in terms of the European summer returns.

Fast X fits squarely into the category of big and dumb, with its mix of ACME cartoon violence stylings fitting nicely with its main cast's inability to provide any kind of nuance of emotions throughout.

However, what Fast X has in its arsenal as it reveals the latest film is just the start of a three part finale for the franchise is Jason Momoa's vengeful and flamboyant Dante Reyes, who's determined to visit his father's "never accept death when suffering is owed" mantra on Toretto et al for killing off his dad in Fast Five.

Cue plenty of globe trotting, sequences of retrofitting Momoa's Dante into Fast Five footage and moments of CGI and practical stunts melding together to defy all laws of gravity. 

The Fast and Furious franchise isn't interested in logic, nor is it interested in dialogue in this latest, but is more concerned with splitting off groups of Toretto's fam, revealing unexpected betrayals and setting up future instalments with cliffhanger endings that MCU films would revel in.

Yet, it's hard in parts to take the threat seriously - for in among most of the chaos, and brutal brawls, there are not any hints of any of the characters taking a scratch. 

Cars fly into walls at speed, leaving only broken windows, fights crunch with bloody might but no hint of blood - it's all shifted away from the human level now to reveal Dom Toretto et al are superheroes, protected by the superpower of family and faith.

It would be laughable were it not for a few positive things in the latest. 

Firsly, Momoa's manic character is an excellent antagonist for the series. From revelling in wearing scrunchies and doing nails, to camply taunting Toretto and swinging quickly to menace with demented ease, this Joker-like level performance proves knowing enough and also dangerous enough to provide some menace for the showdowns now - and in future. And while Diesel still can't emote at all during his acting, it's the first time he's gifted his Toretto some vulnerability in proceedings.

Secondly, the action is wall-to-all swirling, twirling cameras that plays up the bigger nature of the stunts and also leans heavily into the cartoony ACME levels you'd expect. (It's a surprise Road Runner and Coyote don't show up, to be frank.) The scale of it all is overwhelming and in fairness to Letterier, extremely crisply choreographed and shot. From a rolling bomb in Rome to street racing in Rio, the visual aesthetics of the series prove once again insanely compelling and crowd-pleasing - no matter how much you're eye-rolling and wondering what next.

But ultimately, alongside the cameos, the returning characters, the peril faced at the end, Fast X is a hollow movie which will be judged on its second half. As a blockbuster, it serves up what's needed, but as ever with this franchise, it's a shallow adrenaline rush that will satiate its fans, will leave some screaming at a post-credits scene and leave others utterly clueless over the appeal of this nearly creatively running on empty series that somehow continues to reinvent itself despite all the odds and despite there being nothing new on offer.

 What's on DocPlay in September

Here is everything that is on DocPlay in September

From farming to Fiddler, it’s a bursting month of DocPlay exclusives this September. Experience two remarkable Australian films - Rachel’s Farm and The Endangered Generation? - that offer real-life climate crisis solutions; or brace yourself for 2nd Chance, a ricocheting documentary about the brash inventor of the bulletproof vest. Not for the faint of heart, De Humani Corporis Fabrica is a visceral examination of the human body; and offering a salve for the heart, Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen is the joyous genesis story of the beloved Fiddler on the Roof film. To life!

Plus, DocPlay goes 4K – over 60 titles will stream in beautiful 4K resolution (on compatible TVs) from September 25.

De Humani Corporis Fabrica  |  4 Sept  |  Exclusive

Visionary filmmakers Véréna Paravel and Lucien Castaing-Taylor (Leviathan) craft a visceral hymn to life and death in this literal deep-dive inside the human body.

Anonymous Club  |  7 Sept

Shot on 16mm, Anonymous Club is an intimate portrait of enigmatic Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett.

Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen  |  11 Sept  |  Exclusive

As heartwarming as the film it celebrates, Fiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen captures the humour and drama of the making of one of the world’s most beloved music films, The Fiddler on the Roof. Director Daniel Raim (USA) is available for interview.

Rachel's Farm  |  14 Sept  |  Exclusive

This uplifting documentary follows actor-director Rachel Ward (Beautiful Kate) as she sets out to regenerate her northern NSW beef farm, with the help of experts and neighbours. 

2nd Chance  |  18 Sept  |  Exclusive

Enjoy a jaw-dropping exploration of the life and legacy of Richard Davis, the brash inventor of the modern-day bulletproof vest. From director Ramin Bahrani (99 Homes).

Red White and Brass: DVD Review

Cast: John-Paul Foliaki, Mikey Falesiu, Haanz Fa’avae-Jackson, Onetoto Ikavuka, Lupeti Finau, Ilaisaane Green and Lotima Pome’e
Director: Damon Fepulea’i

A film that's bursting with enthusiasm and honesty from every pore, Red, White & Brass is a New Zealand true story that deserves to be embraced by the country, warts and all.

Set back in 2011, the movie tells the tale of a big-hearted Tongan rugby enthusiast Maka (an over the top Foliaki) who chances upon a hairbrained scheme when he fails to get tickets for the Rugby World Cup. 

Desperate to see Tonga take on their opposition, Maka promises those running the tournament he can provide a Tongan marching band for the pre-game entertainment. But with no instruments, no band and little to no hope of pulling it together in four weeks' time, Maka may have bitten off more than he can chew.

It's very easy to be cynical about an underdog film like Red, White & Brass.

In parts, it feels like some of the characters are underdeveloped and sidelined, with some stereotypes rolled out for dramatic necessity but cast asunder without much after thought.

But what emanates from the screen is nothing but passion and energy, which overcomes some of the first time director Fepulea’i's work. Mixing both the feelgood vibe of the likes of The Full Monty with practically every sports underdog film there ever was and tacking in an element of Ted Lasso's mantra of Believe, Red, White & Brass actually succeeds in its honest intentions.

Foliaki is the energy burst Maka needs to carry off the story and his enthusiasm is infectious, even when carrying out the most obvious of moments and the corniest of gags. The rest of his support are all perfectly fine, and do what's needed to turn this business-like movie around.

It all ends up predictably as you'd expect, but what may catch you off guard is just how delightfully it's all doled out. Some parts of the story need a leap of faith, but what it lacks in parts, Red,White & Brass more than makes up for in heart, a sense of pride and a real feelgood film - its familiarity is no bad thing here and may actually end up being its secret weapon.

Win a family pass to see Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem in cinemas

To celebrate the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem in cinemas September 14, you can win a family pass thanks to Paramount Pictures New Zealand.

About Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem

After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers set out to win the hearts of New Yorkers and be accepted as normal teenagers through heroic acts. 

Their new friend April O’Neil helps them take on a mysterious crime syndicate, but they soon get in over their heads when an army of mutants is unleashed upon them.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem is cinemas September 14, rated PG

What's on Shudder in September

Here's everything that's streaming on Shudder in September.

Perpetrator 

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ 

Film Premieres Friday 1 September 

Jonny Baptiste is a reckless teen sent to live with her estranged Aunt Hildie. On the event of her 18th birthday, she experiences a radical metamorphosis: a family spell that redefines her called Forevering. When several teen girls go missing at her new school, a mythically feral Jonny goes after the Perpetrator.  

Written and directed by Jennifer Reeder (Knives and Skin, Night’s End) and starring Kiah McKirnan (Mare  of Easttown), Christopher Lowell (My Best Friend’s Exorcism), Melanie Liburd (The Idol), Ireon Roach (Candyman [2021]), and Alicia Silverstone (Clueless, Killing of a Sacred Deer). 

Blood Flower 

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ 

Film Premieres Friday 8 September 

A young apprentice healer tries to suppress his supernatural abilities so he can fit in with the other kids, but when a malicious spirit breaks out in his apartment, he decides to use his abilities while dark family secrets are revealed. Starring Idan Aedan,  Eriza Allya and Amanda Ang. 

Elevator Game 

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ 

Film Premieres Friday 15 September 

Follows socially awkward teenager Ryan, who discovers that the night his sister disappeared she had played ‘The Elevator Game’  — a ritual conducted in an elevator in which players attempt to travel to another dimension using a set of rules that can be found online. Ignoring warnings, he resolves to follow and find her.  

Directed by Rebekah McKendry (Glorious) and starring Gino Anania (Skymed), Alec Carlos (Orphan: First  Kill), Megan Best (Séance), Nazariy Demkowicz (Dark Harvest), Verity Marks (Toys of Terror), Madison  MacIsaac and Samantha Halas.

The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster 

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ 

Film Premieres Friday 22 September 

Vicaria (Layla DeLeon Hayes, The Equalizer) is a brilliant teenager who believes death is a disease that can be cured. After the brutal and sudden murder of her brother, she embarks on a dangerous journey to bring him back to life.  

Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the dramatic thriller thematically challenges ideas of life and death  following a family that, despite the terrors of systemic pressure, will survive and be reborn together again.  Also starring Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther) and Chad L. Coleman (The Walking Dead, The Orville). 

Nightmare 

Streaming Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ 

Film Premieres Friday 29 September 

Mona and Robby are a young couple in love. Robby has just landed his dream job and they’ve scored an amazing deal on a spacious, if run-down, flat. Never mind that it requires quite a bit of renovation. Never mind the neighbours’ constant fighting, and screaming baby... Never mind that Mona is suddenly plagued by night terrors which grow more intense every time she falls asleep… Robby is eager to start a family, despite  Mona’s hesitation. Eventually, Mona’s issues spiral dangerously out of control as she becomes convinced  that she is being attacked by a mythical demon – the Mare – intent on possessing her unborn child. Written  and directed by Kjersti Helen Rasmussen and starring Eili Harboe, Herman Tømmeraas and Dennis  Storhøi. 

NEW ADDITIONS TO SHUDDER’S FILM LIBRARY 

1 September  

Motherly 

Kate (Lora Burke) and her daughter Beth live alone in an isolated farmhouse in the woods. When Kate  slowly begins to suspect that something sinister is happening, her motherly instincts are put to the test. 

4 September  

The Autopsy of Jane Doe 

A father and son, both coroners, are pulled into a complex mystery while attempting to identify the body  of a young woman who was apparently harbouring dark secrets.  

Razorback 

As a vicious wild boar terrorizes the Australian outback, the husband of one of the victims is joined by  a hunter and a farmer in search for the beast.

11 September 

Next of Kin (1982) 

In a rest home for elderly people, a daughter reads her mother’s diary. Soon, events that are mentioned  in the diary begin to happen to the daughter.  

Re-Animator 

After an odd new medical student arrives on campus, a dedicated local and his girlfriend become  involved in bizarre experiments involving the re-animation of dead tissue. 

13 September 

The Ones You Didn’t Burn 

After their father passes away, two siblings return to their old family farm to sell off the land. However,  darker forces may be at play that will force them to reanalyse their relation to their ancestor’s land.  

18 September 

The Crescent 

After an unexpected death in the family, a mother and son struggle to find spiritual healing at a  beachfront summer home.  

21 September 

Project Wolf Hunting 

Follows dangerous criminals on a cargo ship who are transported from the Philippines to South Korea,  as they unleash a sinister force after an escape attempt leads to a riot.  

Win a family pass to see Paw Patrol: the Mighty Movie in cinemas

To celebrate the release of Paw Patrol: the Mighty Movie in cinemas September 21, thanks to Paramount Pictures NZ, you can win a family pass.

About Paw Patrol: the Mighty Movie

When a magical meteor crash lands in Adventure City, it gives the PAW Patrol pups superpowers, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! For Skye, the smallest member of the team, her new powers are a dream come true. But things take a turn for the worse when the pups' archrival Humdinger breaks out of jail and teams up with Victoria Vance, a meteor-obsessed mad scientist, to steal the superpowers and turn themselves into supervillains. With the fate of Adventure City hanging in the balance, the Mighty Pups have to stop the supervillains before it's too late, and Skye will need to learn that even the smallest pup can make the biggest difference.

Paw Patrol: the Mighty Movie is cinemas September 21

Kandahar:  Movie Review

Cast: Gerard Butler, Tom Rhys Harries, Nina Toussaint-White, Navid Negahban
Director: Ric Roman Waugh

Kandahar is an example of a Gerard Butler film where he's at his most formulaic and restrained but yet one which his character remains eminently affable throughout.

When his CIA contractor Tom Harris is outed in Iran after helping bring down an underground nuclear plant, it's up to Butler's usual mix of muted bravery, along with his translator, to flee potential captors desperate to capture him to make an example out of on an international stage.

If this sounds familiar to Guy Ritchie's recent Prime Video outing The Covenant that's because it largely is: A fleeing man heading across desert with enemy snapping at its heels; Kandahar can't escape the comparison sadly.

But whereas The Covenant felt more urgent, Kandahar feels more laid back, its enemies draped in a sheen of under-characterisation and its drama muted to the point of horizontal.

Some efforts go into expanding some of those caught in the web, but with heavy use of foreshadowing as characters telling loved ones they'll be home soon, the drama offers nothing new in its dramatic stakes.

Nor does there feel something new in how director Butler collaborator Ric Roman Waugh expands the action. 

It's all drone shots, expansive vistas and heady explosions a plenty in a film that very much feels like the definition of rote.

Of note though is Butler who avoids any if the action histrionics here and turns in a likeable turn as the man caught in the middle - and while the region's politics are questioned and allegiances discussed, the attempt to make this murkier is commendable 

But ultimately, Kandahar feels too much like it's a film to be lost in the background noise.

Stripped of action bar a few sparse scenes and feeling like a story told many times before this is solid but unspectacular fare that will pass the time but is immediately lost in the memory the moment it ends.

Kandahar begins streaming on Prime Video from Friday August 18.

Strays: Movie Review

Vocal cast: Will Ferrell, Jamie Foxx, Randall Park, Isla Fisher, Will Forte

Director: Josh Greenbaum

Dog-related comedies are few and far between and most animal fare is confined to the world of PG-rated fare.

So while Strays is to be commended for breaking the canine curse and putting the actual cursing into to what all extents is a buddy comedy with a formulaic ride and nod to many animal movie tropes, it's disappointing to note that it's more a sporadic affair than a gut-busting continual comedy killer.

Ferrell voices a sweetly hapless terrier called Reggie, who's stuck in a toxic relationship with his hateful owner Doug (Forte, in a bong-heavy stoner turn) but who is blissfully unaware of the abuse, having never known any other kind of love.

When Reggie's dumped for a new game of Fetch, he finds himself lost and thrust into the world of damaged Bug (a deranged Foxx), as well as laidback Maggie (Fisher) and former coulda-been canine contender sniffer dog Hunter (Park), it's up to the four of them to get back to Doug to exact revenge.

So far, so familiar - in terms of Road Trip, this is Homeward Bound via the prism of potty-mouthed shenanigans.

And in truth, there are some funny moments that riff on the absurdities of life as a dog, and will amuse the many puerile minds in the audience, boozed up and looking for some brain-light entertainment.

But too much of Strays is too hit and miss to even sustain 90 minutes of Superbad-styled silliness. Getting caught up tonally in moments that feel more PG than R along with a message about getting out of toxic relationships and emotional abuse, Strays meanders when it should be going full-tilt.

Even though it adopts real life mixed with CGI a la Babe, there's still a reality about these four rapscallions that makes their journey worthwhile enduring in parts - whereas other moments feel like you just want it to end.

Sure, there's commentary on those keeping dogs when they don't want to, and an indictment on how humans actually behave with animals - but most of Strays feels tonally adrift, a riff on burgeoning friendship and trust among outsiders that we've all seen before but which feels not quite clever enough to make the most of its premise.

What's on Prime Video in September

Here's What's on Prime Video in September

Kiwi Zoë Robins and award-winning Rosamund Pike return in The Wheel of Time as threats new and very old seek out the young friends from the Two Rivers who must find strength in the Light…or the Dark.  

The countdown is on for the highly anticipated prequel series, The Continental: From The World of John Wick - a three-part event that explores the origin behind the iconic hotel-for-assassins centrepeice of the John Wick world.

From the world of The Boys comes Gen V, which explores the training of the first generation of superheroes to know about Compound V, and that their powers were injected into them, rather than God-given. 

Also this September: return to Ramsay St in the new season of Neighbours; the inspiring true story of NASA flight engineer José Hernández in A Million Miles Away; follow the true story of Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler who rises to international stardom, upending the macho wrestling world in Cassandro; and also inspired by true events, Sitting in Bars with Cake follows best friends, the extroverted Jane and shy Corinne who commits to a year of ‘cakebarring’. 

A Million Miles Away (September 15)

Inspired by the real-life story of NASA flight engineer José Hernández, A Million Miles Away follows him and his devoted family of proud migrant farm worker on a decades-long journey, from a rural village in Michoacán, Mexico, to the fields of the San Joaquin Valley, to more than 200 miles above the Earth in the International Space Station. With the unwavering support of his hard-working parents, relatives, and teachers, José’s unrelenting drive & determination culminates in the opportunity to achieve his seemingly impossible goal. Acclaimed writer and director Alejandra Márquez Abella has created a dazzling tribute to the loyalty and tenacity of the entire Hernández family, as well as anyone who dares to dream.

Neighbours (September 25)

The series will launch on Prime Video Australia and New Zealand on Monday, 25 September. This will follow the series premiere on Amazon Freevee and Network 10 on Monday 18 September. In Australia, Network 10 retains first-run rights for the series, and episodes will be available ad-free on Prime Video seven days later. Internationally, Neighbours will be available on Amazon Freevee in the UK and the U.S, and Prime Video in Canada, Ireland and South Africa.

The continuation of the long-running series—about the lives, loves, and challenges of the residents on Ramsay Street in Erinsborough, Australia, a fictional suburb of Melbourne—will pick up two years after the finale in 2022, which was watched by millions of adoring fans. Previous seasons of Neighbours, as well as over 100 iconic episodes, are currently available to stream on Prime Video in Australia and New Zealand.

The new series will star Alan Fletcher, Annie Jones, Candice Leask, Emerald Chan, Georgie Stone, Jackie Woodburne, Lloyd Will, Lucinda Armstrong Hall, Lucinda Cowden, Marley Williams, Naomi Rukavina, Rebekah Elmaloglou, Riley Bryant, Ryan Moloney, Sara West, Shiv Palekar, Stefan Dennis, Tim Kano, and Xavier Molyneux as series regulars. April Rose Pengilly, Guy Pearce, Ian Smith, Jodi Gordon, Melissa Bell, Mischa Barton, and Trevor the Dog will feature as guest stars.

Neighbours ran for more than three decades, garnering fans across the globe and launching the careers of many household names, such as Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Guy Pearce, and Russell Crowe. Neighbours is produced by Fremantle. Jason Herbison, Neighbours’ executive producer since 2013, will maintain his position on the exciting new chapter of Neighbours, with Andrew Thompson returning as producer.

Spring is in full bloom on Prime Video with the finale of The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart (starring Frankie Adams and Sigourney Weaver) on Friday 1 September. This amazing series has reached the top five in 78 countries, and top 3 in 42 countries since launch. The series is officially Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes  at 81% with an audience score of 96% as well as receiving an 8.1/10 score on IMDb

THE LOST FLOWERS OF ALICE HART FINALE 

SEASON FINALE AVAILABLE FROM FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER

Amazon Original, The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart will be available to binge from Friday September 1. 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. The series has reached the top five in 78 countries, and top 3 in 42 countries, since launching on Friday August 4. The series is officially Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes  at 81% with an audience score of 96% as of 17th August, as well as receiving an 8.1/10 score on IMDb.

 

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.

 

THE WHEEL OF TIME 

SEASON 2 AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 1 SEPTEMBER

Based on the best-selling Robert Jordan fantasy series The Wheel of Time, a humble farm boy, Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski, Gran Turismo), learns he is The Dragon Reborn—a dangerous figure from history destined to save the world … or break it. Desperate to protect him from the Dark One, an army of powerful sorceresses must reckon with his burgeoning power and encroaching madness. The Wheel of Time turns, and the Last Battle approaches. Though Rand thought he destroyed the Dark One, evil is not gone from the world. In Season Two, threats new and very old seek out the young friends from the Two Rivers, now scattered over the world. The woman who found and guided them is now powerless to help, and so they must find other sources of strength. In each other, or themselves. In the Light ... or the Dark.

 

The Wheel of Time Season 2 stars Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Josha Stradowski, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn and Ceara Coveney.

 

THE CONTINENTAL: FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK 

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

This three-part event explores the origin behind the iconic hotel-for-assassins centrepiece of the John Wick universe through the eyes and actions of a young Winston Scott, as he’s dragged into the Hell-scape of 1970’s New York City to face a past he thought he’d left behind. Winston charts a deadly course through the hotel’s mysterious underworld in a harrowing attempt to seize the hotel where he will eventually take his throne.  

The Continental: From The World of John Wick stars Mel Gibson, Colin Woodell, Mishel Prada, Ben Robson, Hubert Point-Du Jour, Nhung Kate, Jessica Allain, Ayomide Adegun, Jeremy Bobb and Peter Greene.

 

GEN V

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 29 SEPTEMBER

From the world of The Boys comes Gen V, which explores the training of the first generation of superheroes to know about Compound V, and that their powers were injected into them, rather than God-given. These young, competitive heroes put their physical and moral boundaries to the test, competing for the school’s highly coveted top ranking. They quickly come to learn that ambition comes with sacrifice, and the difference between right and wrong is not as clear as they once believed. When the university’s dark secrets come to light, the students must come to grips with what type of heroes they are going to become.

Gen V stars Jaz Sinclair, Chance Perdomo, Lizze Broadway, Shelley Conn, Maddie Phillips, London Thor, Derek Luh, Asa Germann, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Sean Patrick Thomas, and Marco Pigossi. Gen V also features guest stars Clancy Brown and Jason Ritter, as well as appearances from Jessie T. Usher, Claudia Doumit, Colby Minifie, and P.J. Byrne.

CASSANDRO

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 22 SEPTEMBER

Saúl Armendáriz, a gay amateur wrestler from El Paso, rises to international stardom after he creates the character Cassandro, the “Liberace of Lucha Libre.” In the process, he upends not just the macho wrestling world, but also his own life. Based on a true story. Directed by Academy Award winner® Roger Ross Williams. 

Cassandro stars Gael García Bernal, Roberta Colindrez, Perla De La Rosa, Joaquín Cosío, and Raúl Castillo with special appearances from El Hijo del Santo and Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.

SITTING IN BARS WITH CAKE

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER

Inspired by true events, Sitting in Bars with Cake follows best friends Jane (Yara Shahidi) and Corinne (Odessa A’zion) navigating life in Los Angeles in their twenties. Corinne, the ultimate extrovert, convinces her shy-but-extremely-talented home baker best friend Jane to commit to a year of baking cakes and bringing them to bars with the goal of meeting people and developing confidence - also known as “cakebarring.” During their year of “cakebarring,” Corinne receives a life-altering diagnosis, and the pair face a challenge unlike anything they’ve experienced before. Sitting in Bars with Cake isn't only a madcap joyride through some of L.A.’s most colorrful watering holes, it's a moving celebration of female friendship, forging identity, and finding joy in the most unexpected places.

Sitting In Bars With Cake stars Yara Shahidi, Odessa A’zion, Martha Kelly, with Ron Livingston and Bette Midler.

SENTINELLE 

AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY FROM FRIDAY 8 SEPTEMBER

François Sentinelle leads a double life. During the day, he is the most media-exposed cop on the Island of Réunion, known for his tough methods and floral shirts, chasing criminals in his famous yellow Defender. But outside of working hours (and often during them), Sentinelle has another profession: variety singer. All Réunionnais have danced to "Le Kiki," his youth's hit song, which is now somewhat embarrassing. For the past fifteen years, he has been trying to regain success by preparing a new album... without success. However, Sentinelle doesn't want to choose between the police and music. While he remains busy with his concerts and the release of his album, a wave of violent crimes shakes the island. A prominent figure from the local elite is kidnapped, and another one is murdered. For any cop, it would be the case of a lifetime. But Sentinelle, completely absorbed in his music, doesn't really have the inclination to investigate.

Sentinelle stars Jonathan Cohen, Raphaël Quenard, Emmanuelle Bercot, Gustave Kervern, Ramzy Bedia.

SEPTEMBER 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

THE WHEEL OF TIME S2 (TV) 1/09/23

WNBA: WASHINGTON MYSTICS AT LAS VEGAS ACES (SPORT) 1/09/23

KNOCK AT THE CABIN (MOVIE) 3/09/23

WNBA: LOS ANGELES SPARKS AT NEW YORK LIBERTY (SPORT) 7/09/23

SITTING IN BARS WITH CAKE (MOVIE) 8/09/23

SENTINELLE (MOVIE) 8/09/23

TILL (MOVIE) 10/09/23

JOHN WICK (MOVIE) 11/09/23

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3 PARABELLUM (MOVIE) 11/09/23

JOHN WICK: CHAPTER TWO (MOVIE) 11/09/23

THE KIDNAPPING DAY S1 (TV) 14/09/23

A MILLION MILES AWAY (MOVIE) 15/09/23

KILLER COASTER S1 (TV) 15/09/23

THE CONTINENTAL: FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK S1 (TV) 22/09/23

CASSANDRO (MOVIE) 22/09/23

COCAINE BEAR (MOVIE) 24/09/23

NEIGHBOURS S1 (TV) 25/09/23

GEN V S1 (TV) 29/09/23

SKI JUMPERS S1 (TV) 30/09/23