Alien: Earth: First details revealed

Disney+ unveiled the new key art and teaser for the highly anticipated Original series, FX’s “Alien: Earth” from creator Noah Hawley. “Alien: Earth” is set to stream exclusively on Disney+ in 2025 in New Zealand.

When a mysterious space vessel crash-lands on Earth, a young woman and a ragtag group of tactical soldiers make a fateful discovery that puts them face-to-face with the planet’s greatest threat in the sci-fi horror series “Alien: Earth.” As members of the crash recovery crew search for survivors among the wreckage, they encounter mysterious predatory life forms more terrifying than they could have ever imagined. With this new threat unlocked, the search crew must fight for survival and what they choose to do with this discovery could change planet Earth as they know it.

 
Lead by Sydney Chandler, the series showcases an expansive international cast which includes Alex Lawther, Timothy Olyphant, Essie Davis, Samuel Blenkin, Babou Ceesay, David Rysdahl, Adrian Edmondson, Adarsh Gourav, Jonathan Ajayi, Erana James, Lily Newmark, Diem Camille and Moe Bar-El.

Robust parental controls ensure that Disney+ remains a suitable viewing experience for everyone in the family. Subscribers can set access limits on mature content and create PIN-protected profiles alongside the already existing Junior Mode profiles to give parents and guardians peace of mind.

What's on Disney+ in December

Here's what's streaming on Disney+ in December.

Dream Productions (December 11)

Pixar Animation Studios’ all-new series “Dream Productions” returns to Riley’s mind, where dreams really do come true—every night, on time and on budget. Check out the new trailer, images and key art, which are available to download and share. Taking place in between the events of “Inside Out” and “Inside Out 2,” all four episodes of the limited series come to the streamer beginning Dec. 11, 2024. Riley is growing up and when her memories need some extra processing, Joy and the rest of the Core Emotions send them to Dream Productions. Acclaimed director Paula Persimmon (voice of Paula Pell) faces a nightmare of her own: Trying to create the next hit dream after being paired up with Xeni (voice of Richard Ayoade), a smug daydream director looking to step up into the big leagues of night dreams.

Also featuring the voices of Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ally Maki, Kensington Tallman, Liza Lapira, Tony Hale, Lewis Black and Phyllis Smith, the hilarious, mockumentary-style series is written and directed by Mike Jones and produced by Jaclyn Simon. Featuring score by composer Nami Melumad.

What's on Netflix in December

Here's everything streaming on Netflix in December.

SQUID GAME: SEASON 2

Premieres on December 26, 2024 

Heralding the return of the worldwide hit, a new chapter unfolds as Gi-hun comes back with an agenda, having given up on leaving for the US.

Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun, Gong Yoo, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-uk, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, Jo Yu-ri, Won Ji-an

Country of Origin: South Korea

A NONSENSE CHRISTMAS WITH SABRINA CARPENTER

Premieres on December 6, 2024 

Pop icon Sabrina Carpenter jingles all the bells in her first-ever variety music special full of Christmas hits, unexpected duets and comedic cameos.

Starring: Sabrina Carpenter

BLACK DOVES

Premieres on December 5, 2024 

When a spy posing as a politician's wife learns her lover has been murdered, an old assassin friend joins her on a quest for truth — and vengeance.

Starring: Keira Knightley, Ben Whishaw, Sarah Lancashire, Andrew Buchan, Adeel Akhtar, Tracey Ullman

PAPER DOLLS: SEASON 1

Premieres on December 1, 2024 

In 1999, an all-girl pop group formed on reality TV navigates intense infighting and corporate control for a shot at stardom.

Starring: Emalia, Miah Madden, Courtney Clarke, Naomi Sequeira, Courtney Monsma, Emma Booth, Thomas Cocquerel, Ditch Davey

CHURCHILL AT WAR

Premieres on December 4, 2024 

This captivating docuseries examines Winston Churchill's pivotal role in World War II and the formative events that made him an ideal leader for the era.

THAT CHRISTMAS

Premieres on December 4, 2024 

It's an unforgettable Christmas for the townsfolk of Wellington-on-Sea when the worst snowstorm in history alters everyone's plans — including Santa's.

Starring: Brian Cox, Fiona Shaw, Jodie Whittaker, Lolly Adefope, Alex Macqueen, Katherine Parkinson, Sindu Vee, India Brown, Zazie Hayhurst, Sienne Sayer, Jack Wisniewski

QUEER EYE: SEASON 9

Premieres on December 11, 2024 

The Fab Five welcome a new member as they head to Vegas to transform more inspiring heroes with makeovers that dazzle like the neon-lit Strip.

Starring: Antoni Porowski, Bobby Berk, Jonathan Van Ness, Tan France, Karamo Brown

DUNE: PART TWO

Premieres on December 12, 2024 

Paul Atreides unites with Chani and the Fremen to seek revenge against those who destroyed his family, leading to a struggle for power and spice.

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista, Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Stellan Skarsgård

NO GOOD DEED

Premieres on December 12, 2024 

The sale of Paul and Lydia's picture-perfect LA home forces them to face painful family secrets — and hide them from prying eyes and cutthroat buyers.

Starring: Lisa Kudrow, Ray Romano, Linda Cardellini, Abbi Jacobson, Matt Rogers, Luke Wilson

CARRY-ON

Premieres on December 13, 2024 

An airport security agent races to outsmart a mysterious traveler who blackmails him into letting a dangerous item slip onto a Christmas Eve flight.

Starring: Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, Sofia Carson, Danielle Deadwyler, Sinqua Walls, Logan Marshall-Green, Theo Rossi, Josh Brener, Dean Norris, Tonatiuh, Curtiss Cook, Joe Williamson, Gil Perez-Abraham

VIRGIN RIVER: SEASON 6

Premieres on December 19, 2024 

New beginnings, uncovered secrets and second thoughts: As Mel and Jack prepare for the wedding, they learn more about each other — and their loved ones.

Starring: Alexandra Breckenridge, Martin Henderson, Tim Matheson, Annette O’Toole, Colin Lawrence, Benjamin Hollingsworth, Zibby Allen, Sarah Dugdale, Marco Grazzini

NFL ON BOXING DAY: BALTIMORE RAVENS VS. HOUSTON TEXANS FT BEYONCÉ HALFTIME SHOW

LIVE on December 26, 2024 @ 8:30AM AEDT 

The Baltimore Ravens face the Houston Texans in the second of two NFL matchups, after the Kansas City Chiefs play the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The NFL games featuring Beyoncé’s performance will be available to Netflix’s 283 million members on December 26.

What's streaming on Shudder in December

Here's everything streaming on Shudder in December.

The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula – Shudder Original Series

Season Finale Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Tuesday 3 December

Who will be the winner of the coveted Dragula crown and take home the $100,000 grand prize? Dubbed “Season 666,” the next chapter of Emmy-nominated The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula is the most ambitious and terrifying yet, with world-renowned actors and directors joining the judges' panel, raising the stakes to hellish new heights. Every episode promises spine-chilling, extreme physical feats that will push the cast of drag superstars to confront their darkest fears.

The Creep Tapes – Shudder Original Series

Season Finale Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 13 December

From writers and executive producers Mark Duplass and Patrick Brice, The Creep Tapes continues to unravel the mind of a secluded serial killer who lures videographers into his world with the promise of a paid job documenting his life. Unfortunately, as the tape rolls, the killer’s questionable intentions surface with his increasingly odd behaviour and the victims will learn they may have made a deadly mistake.

Joe Bob Christmas Carnage – Shudder Original Special

Special Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Sunday 15 December

Snow is falling and the bodies are piling up for Joe Bob's Christmas Carnage, when Joe Bob and Darcy host a holiday horror flick featuring so much bloodshed that Santa will think twice before coming down this chimney.

Just Joe Bob – Shudder Original Series

Binge Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 13 December

All the rants, raves and reviews you can handle... without the movies. Gather ‘round with Joe Bob Briggs and Darcy for segments and commentary from Seasons 4 and 5 of The Last Drive-In, along with specials: Goultide Get-Together, Creepy Christmas, Haunted Halloween Hangout, Heartbreak Trailer Park, Helloween, Very Violent Valentine, Vicious Vegas Valentine and A Tribute to Roger Corman.

Horror’s Greatest – Shudder Original Series

Series 2 Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Tuesday 31 December

A deep dive into everything we love about horror -- from fresh looks at classics to unearthing scores of hidden gems, this series has something for every fright film enthusiast. A gallery of ghoulish pros, including actors, directors, writers, composers, and special effects artists, draw on their unique knowledge to answer the big questions: What are the must-see films in horror’s many sub-genres? What’s the appeal of horror tropes, and how do today’s filmmakers subvert our expectations?

What shape does horror take in countries outside of the United States? The answers encompass the breadth of the nightmares we watch for our entertainment.

The Haunted Season: To Fire You Come At Last

Film Premieres on Shudder and AMC+ Sunday 1 December

In rural 17th-century England, a group of men gathers to carry a coffin to the graveyard for burial. Much ancient folklore and superstition surround the pathway to the church, and several members of the party are afraid to walk it after dark. The grieving father promises to double their wages if they make the frightening journey.

What's on Prime Video in December

Here's everything that's streaming on Prime Video in December.

Things are getting sticky this December! Inspired by the true story of the “Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist”, The Sticky follows tough maple syrup farmer, Ruth Landry (Margo Martindale) as she turns to crime to save everything she loves. Along for the ride is a hot-tempered Bostonian mobster (Chris Diamantopoulos), and a mild-mannered French-Canadian security guard (Guillaume Cyr). What could go wrong?

The love story of Noah and Nick continues in Culpa Tuya (Your Fault), the second instalment of the hugely popular Culpables trilogy.  On top of the changes that work and college bring, the couple faces the surprise appearances of a revenge-seeking ex-girlfriend and Nick’s mother. With all this against them, their love may prove not so unbreakable after all…

Liam Neeson plays an ageing gangster with unfinished business in Absolution; get quizzy with Colin Jost in brand-new game show Pop Culture Jeopardy!; and celebrate the world of games and gamers in the star-studded anthology series Secret Level featuring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Hart and Keanu Reeves.

Celebrate the Christmas season with a collection of great films, old and new! New release, Jack in Time for Christmas sees a stranded Jack Whitehall attempt to travel from the USA to the UK in just four days, to make it back in time for Christmas, with some help from the likes of Michael Bublé, Dave Bautista, Rebel Wilson and Jimmy Fallon. 

Prime Video has an array of Christmas content to catch up on. For a little holiday romance, check out Something From Tiffany’s or treat yourself to a movie night with a double screening of Your Christmas or Mine? and Your Christmas or Mine 2. 

Prefer your more unconventional Christmas movies? Revisit EXMas where exes Graham and Ali find themselves unexpectedly spending the holiday season together. If you want something for the whole family, you can’t go wrong with the peculiar tale of a bizarre elf and a quiet young boy in  Elf Me. If you want something decidedly not for the whole family, Violent Night is for you.

On November 13, Prime Video Store launched in New Zealand. Thousands of movies, including new releases and blockbusters, are available for customers to rent or buy. Prime Video Store does not require a Prime Video subscription, allowing anyone to create an account on primevideo.com and the Prime Video app.

THE STICKY

AVAILABLE FROM FRIDAY 6 DECEMBER

The Sticky, inspired by the true story dubbed the "Great Canadian Maple Syrup Heist" is from showrunners Ed Herro and Brian Donovan and follows Ruth Landry (three-time Emmy winner Margo Martindale), a tough, middle-aged maple syrup farmer who turns to crime when the bureaucratic authorities threaten to take away everything she loves. She teams up with the hot-tempered Bostonian mobster (Chris Diamantopoulos), and a mild-mannered French-Canadian security guard (Guillaume Cyr) to carry out a multi-million dollar heist on Quebec’s maple syrup surplus. Oscar and Emmy winner Jamie Lee Curtis also appears as a guest star in the series in addition to executive producing.

The Sticky stars Margo Martindale, Chris Diamantopoulos, Guillaume Cyr and Jamie Lee Curtis.

CULPA TUYA (YOUR FAULT)

AVAILABLE FROM FRIDAY 27 DECEMBER

In this sequel to 2023 global hit Spanish Original, Culpa Mia (My Fault), the love between Noah and Nick seems unbreakable, despite the manoeuvres of their parents to break them up. But his job and her entry into college open their lives to new relationships. The appearance of a revenge-seeking ex-girlfriend and Nick's mother with unclear intentions will shake the foundations not only of their relationship, but of the Leister family itself. When so many people are out to destroy a love story, can it really end well?

Culpa Tuya (Your Fault) stars Nicole Wallace, Gabriel Guevara, Marta Hazas, Iván Sánchez, Eva Ruiz, Víctor Varona, Goya Toledo, Gabriela Andrada, Álex Béjar, Javier Morgade, Felipe Londoño and Fran Morcillo.

SECRET LEVEL

AVAILABLE FROM TUESDAY 10 DECEMBER

Secret Level is a new adult-animated anthology series featuring original stories set within the worlds of some of the world’s most beloved video games. From the creative minds behind LOVE, DEATH + ROBOTS, each of the episodes is a celebration of games and gamers. The series showcases a star studded cast from Arnold Schwarzenegger and Keanu Reeves, to Kevin Hart, Temuera Morrison and more.

Secret Level stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Kevin Hart, Keanu Reeves, Temuera Morrison, Ariana Greenblatt, Heaven Hart, Emily Swallow, Gabriel Luna, Ricky Whittle, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Merle Dandridge, Claudia Doumit, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Clive Standen, Laura Bailey and Michael Beach.

ABSOLUTION

AVAILABLE FROM TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER

An ageing Boston gangster (Liam Neeson) attempts to reconnect with his family and rectify the mistakes in his past, but the criminal underworld won't loosen their grip willingly.

Absolution stars Liam Neeson, Ron Perlman, Frankie Shaw and more.

JACK IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

AVAILABLE FROM TUESDAY 3 DECEMBER

In this hilariously festive adventure, Jack Whitehall finds himself stranded in the USA with just four days to make it back to the UK for Christmas. With time ticking away, Jack embarks on an incredible and, some would say, implausible journey involving planes, trains, huskies, and bobsleighs.  Along the way, some of his famous friends join the fun, lending a hand (or hoof!) as Jack navigates the chaos of Christmas and tries to make it home in time.

Part scripted comedy, part unscripted travelogue, Jack is joined by Michael Bublé, Dave Bautista, Rebel Wilson, Jimmy Fallon, Daisy May Cooper, and Tom Davis, who, together with Jack’s unmistakable British wit, deliver a sparkling international cast set to deliver heaps of laughter. Will Jack make it home in time to hang his stocking, or will he be spending the holidays in the doghouse?

Jack in Time for Christmas stars Jack Whitehall, Michael Bublé, Dave Bautista, Rebel Wilson, Jimmy Fallon, Daisy May Cooper, and Tom Davis.

POP CULTURE JEOPARDY!

AVAILABLE FROM WEDNESDAY 4 DECEMBER

Hosted by Colin Jost, Pop Culture Jeopardy! is a brand-new twist on the classic quiz show’s “answer-and-question” format that combines the academic rigour of Jeopardy! with the excitement and unpredictability of pop culture. Contestants, playing in teams of three, will need to be experts in categories from Alternative Rock to The Avengers; Broadway to MMA; Gen Z to Zendaya as they compete in a tournament-style event for the grand prize of $300,000 and ultimate bragging rights.

Pop Culture Jeopardy! is hosted by Colin Jost.

BANDISH BANDITS

SEASON TWO AVAILABLE FROM FRIDAY 13 DECEMBER

The new season of musical drama Bandish Bandits continues its journey, artfully blending the intricate ragas, talas, and bandishes of Indian classical music with the bold, electrifying beats of modern rock and pop. The lead characters, Radhe and Tamanna, now face off against each other in the quest for acceptance and glory. The narrative delves deeper into family legacy and brings in themes of individuality, empowerment, and the balance between old and new to the forefront, as each character discovers and embraces their true self.

Bandish Bandits Season Two stars Shreya Chaudhry, Ritwik Bhowmik, Sheeba Chaddha,and Rajesh Tailang.

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE

AVAILABLE FROM THURSDAY 19 DECEMBER

In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family returns to where it all started - the iconic New York City firehouse - to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who've developed a top-secret research lab to take busting ghosts to the next level. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire stars Paul Rudd, Finn Wolfhard, Bill Murray, Dan Akroyd, Ernie Hudson, Carrie Coon, McKenna Grace and Kumail Nanjiani. 

CHRISTMAS MOVIES TO CATCH UP ON

YOUR CHRISTMAS OR MINE?

AVAILABLE NOW

Students Hayley and James are young and in love. After saying goodbye for Christmas at a London train station, they both make the same mad split-second decision to swap trains and surprise each other. Passing each other in the station, they are completely unaware that they have just swapped Christmases. Hayley arrives at a vast mansion in a small village in the Gloucester countryside to find a place where Christmas does not exist, whilst James heads north to a small semi-detached in Macclesfield and steps into the warm and chaotic pandemonium that only a large family Christmas can bring. When the entire country is blanketed in the biggest snowfall on record, our star-crossed lovers are trapped at the most manic time of the year. Christmas traditions are turned on their head, secrets are revealed, and family truths are told with hilarious consequences. The couple realise that there is an awful lot they don’t know about each other. Will they be able to swap back in time for Christmas Day? And will Hayley and James’ fledgling relationship make it through to the New Year?

Your Christmas or Mine? stars Asa Butterfield, Cora Kirk, Jim O’Hanlon, Alex Jennings, Harriet Walter, Daniel Mays, David Bradley, Angela Griffin, Natalie Gumede, Lucien Laviscount and Ram John Holder.

YOUR CHRISTMAS OR MINE 2

AVAILABLE NOW

It’s the most wonderful time of the year … but will it be for James and Hayley? James’ father has invited the Taylors to spend Christmas in a luxury ski resort in the Austrian Alps, so they can meet his new American girlfriend. However, Hayley’s dad Geoff insisted on handling his family’s side of the booking and something clearly got lost in translation. After a mix-up with transport at the airport, the two tribes end up at each other’s accommodations, on different sides of a valley and opposite ends of the Tripadvisor ratings scale. Can Hayley and James' relationship survive another turbulent family Christmas, or has their future together gone off-piste?

Your Christmas Or Mine 2 stars Asa Butterfield, Cora Kirk, Alex Jennings, Angela Griffin, Daniel Mays, Jane Krakowski, Rhea Norwood and David Bradley.

SOMETHING FROM TIFFANY’S

AVAILABLE NOW

Nothing compares to the magic and excitement of the holidays in New York City, where the streets blaze with lights, windows dazzle and a special box from Tiffany could change the course of a person’s life. Or several lives. Rachel and Gary (Zoey Deutch, Ray Nicholson) are happy enough but not quite ready for that big commitment. Ethan and Vanessa (Kendrick Smith Sampson, Shay Mitchell), the perfect picture, are just about to make it official. When a simple mix-up of gifts causes all of their paths to cross, it sets off a series of twists and unexpected discoveries that lead them where they’re truly meant to be. Because love – like life – is full of surprises, in the holiday romance Something from Tiffany’s.

Something From Tiffany’s stars Zoey Deutch, Kendrick Smith Sampson, Ray Nicholson, Shay Mitchell, Leah Jeffries and Jojo T. Gibbs.

EXMAS

AVAILABLE NOW

When Graham decides to surprise his family by travelling home for Christmas, he is shocked to discover them already celebrating with an unexpected guest of honour, his ex-fiancée, Ali. The two exes battle it out to see who the family will pick to stay through Christmas Day and who must go. Let the holiday chaos begin!

EXMas stars Leighton Meester, Robbie Amell, Michael Hitchcock, Kathryn Greenwood, Veronika Slowikowska and Steven Huy.

ELF ME

AVAILABLE NOW

Trip is an unconventional elf. As Santa's helper, he seems to succeed only in building bizarre weapons rather than toys. Fate will lead him to meet Elia, a shy and unconventional boy pursued by a gang of bullies. The two will help each other and together discover the value of friendship.

Elf Me stars Lillo, Federico Ielapi, Anna Foglietta, Giorgio Pasotti, Caterina Guzzanti, Claudio Santamaria, Vincenzo Sebastiani, Giulietta Rebeggiani, Francesco Liso, Linda Zampaglione, Orlando Mazza, Cosimo Mazza and Fabio Rovazzi.

NEW MOVIES TO RENT OR BUY

HERETIC 

COMING SOON TO RENT OR BUY

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

Heretic stars Hugh Grant, Sophia Thatcher, Chloe East.

DECEMBER 2024 TOP PICKS:

RENT OR BUY

HERETIC (MOVIE) COMING SOON TO RENT OR BUY

AVAILABLE ON PRIME VIDEO

LOVE ACTUALLY (MOVIE) 1/12/2024

DR SEUSS’ THE GRINCH (MOVIE) 1/12/24

ABSOLUTION (MOVIE) 3/12/2024

JACK IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS (MOVIE) 3/12/2024

POP CULTURE JEOPARDY! (SERIES) 4/12/2024

DR SEUSS' HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS (MOVIE) 4/12/2024

LA VIRGEN ROJA (MOVIE) 5/12/24

THE STICKY (SERIES) 6/12/24

SECRET LEVEL (SERIES) 10/12/2024

BANDISH BANDITS S2 (SERIES) 13/12/2024

KANGUVA (MOVIE) 13/12/2024

CHIEFSAHOLIC: A WOLF IN CHIEFS CLOTHING (MOVIE) 17/12/24

GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE (MOVIE) 19/12/2024 

CULPA TUYA (YOUR FAULT) (MOVIE) 27/12/24

SINGHAM AGAIN (MOVIE) 27/12/2024

VIOLENT NIGHT (MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW

ELF ME (MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW

EXMAS (MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW

SOMETHING FROM TIFFANY’S (MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW

YOUR CHRISTMAS OR MINE? (MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW

YOUR CHRISTMAS OR MINE 2 (MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW

Red One: Movie Review

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, JK Simmons, Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Liu, Nick Kroll
Director: Jake Kasdan

There's a kernel of a great idea and concept in Red One, a film about the kidnapping of Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.

It has potential for a perennial Christmas Odd Couple film, but what permeates much of a bloated runtime is a lot of dark and dour CGI that never quite hits the mark.

Johnson plays the wearied bodyguard Cal, the head of security for Red One (AKA Santa AKA JK Simmons). On the eve of his retirement because he can't see the good in people anymore, Cal finds himself paired off with the world's number one tracker and perennial naughty list inhabiter, The Wolf aka Jack O'Malley (Evans, in a flatly humorous role) as they try and save Christmas - while working out who is behind the snatching.

While having a lot of potential as a festive film, Kasdan drapes proceedings in so much visual darkness, dour tones and a lot of ropey CGI. The end result means what could have been a frothy odd couple dramedy, complete with two leads who usually radiate charisma, is little more than a snoozefest that squanders its high concept.

Johnson is dialled down gruffness - with an obvious arc of a cynic being once again turned into a believer - and Evans is a wearied disbeliever whose journey is also obviously signposted. But whereas the two could have had frothy chemistry, most moments between the pair (other than toward the end) feel flat and uninspired.

It's a shame because the world-building and the Christmas backstory sets up several intriguing propositions and potential for enough mythos to propel any further stories and ideas. Bringing in the Krampus story and the idea of the world being swamped in naughtiness are good solid ideas, but here in Kasdan's hands, they feel limp, unexplored and unnecessarily dour.

Sadly, this Christmas tale lacks any of the magic you'd expect of a film entrant this time of year - complete with any lacking stand-out sequences, it's incredibly flat and while not entirely without some charm and potential, Red One feels like it could have placed just a little bit more under the cinematic Christmas tree.

Wicked: Part One: Movie Review

Cast: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Ethan Slater, Michelle Yeoh
Director: Jon M Chu

There's a scene early on in Jon M Chu's audacious staging of Wicked where his professor character Dr Dillamond, a talking goat, denounces one of the student's assignments as being little more than "form over content."

In some ways, that could be applied to the first part of the adaptation of Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman's musical, a film that's largely about setting up a payoff that won't come until November 2025.

A breathtakingly impressive Erivo stars as the green-skinned outcast Elphaba, who lives in the land of Oz and is destined to become the Wicked Witch of the West. Determined to meet the Wizard of Oz (Goldblum, in an eccentric and whimsical performance), she enrols at Shiz University. 

But appalled at her treatment by the powers that be, blonde-haired mean girl Glinda (Grande, a natural at the comedy airhead routine needed by the Good Witch) tries to ostracise her. However, when the pair actually form a friendship, they find they have more in common as a dark conspiracy swirls around Oz itself.

While the film is largely a great deal of style over substance, set in a derivative version of a Hogwarts-style university complete with talking animals and nods to the Wizard of Oz and what's to come, the incredible costumes and look and feel of the musical is actually astounding to behold.

Covering only the musical's first act, a colourful array of props and scenes litter proceedings, with various songs peppered throughout. It does fall to mention that unfortunately, unless you're a fan of the original musical, many of the numbers are lost to the memory the moment the lights go up.

The central narrative of how wickedness happens is a soft one in many ways, a chance to revamp a story that's previously been doused in evil and all the better for it. But with horrifying imagery such as how the flying monkeys got their wings and emotional betrayal at its heart, most of what transpires in Wicked: Part One is infinitely more enjoyable than you'd come to expect.

Both Erivo and Grande excel, and while the whole gimmick of singing live during filming is fairly tame given both have live music backgrounds, there's no doubting their chutzpah and delivery whatsoever. Taking the traits of a musical that panders to audience knowledge and laughs (from a few knowing cameos to Grande's continual Glinda hair toss routine), the film does much to ingratiate itself in those who aren't familiar with the source material.

Yet at its heart, the film belongs solely to those behind the camera. From visions of bursting colour and exquisitely choreographed and clear scenes of crowds, Chu's eye for what transpires as spectacle is hard to deny - and deserves plenty of praise.

In hindsight, while Wicked: Part One does little in terms of strong narrative and character depth, what it achieves within its genre is completely impressive. It remains to be seen whether the second act is as good as the first's bum-numbing 2hr 40 minutes, but it'd be Wicked to dismiss this film's execution as anything but a triumph within its class.

JBL Soundgear Frames review

The idea of wearable tech is one that's grown over the years, with each subsequent item released pushing the boundaries of what's fashionable and what's practical.

With summer coming up, JBL's push is the JBL Soundgear Audio Glasses - something that mixes both the best for your ears and also your eyes. Equipped with speakers on both of the arms, the audio glasses represent something that's more personal for you, but something which allows you to appreciate your surroundings as well.

Making it a piece of kit that's enjoyed on the go, these audio glasses work effectively on an 8 hour battery, with a short charge giving a few hours of pleasure as well. A simple cable charges both of them, but it's highly advised to do this before you head out.

Cleverly, the glasses turn themselves off and on when you fold in the arms, so there's no accidentally leaving them on to drain the power. But in truth, the arms could do with being a little tighter on the screws, given how easily they close on you.

As such the sound is a little tinny if you like your bass elements, but generally, the audio performs well given the size of the speaker and the positioning near your ears. Everything's customisable as usual via the JBL app, meaning you can get the best of what you need.

In terms of the frame - it's either rounded or square and while the lenses work well to block the UV and look like a pair of RayBans in parts, those who wear glasses and not contacts may find themselves having to fork out for new lenses to incorporate into the frames, something which will bump up the price obviously and may be an option to see some avoid buying them. 

It's not recommended they be worn over glasses as the speakers don't measure up in terms of sound delivery and don't give you the optimaal experience you need for them. While this is not JBL's fault in a mass market, and there is the chance to adapt, it is one thing that's possibly going to prevent people from investing in them.

Ultimately though, with good solid sound from music and decent call quality as well, thanks to a lightweight feel, these audio glasses, with their lower end pricing, mark a good sounding off point for trying out something new. 

With summer coming up, there's likely to be nothing better than chilling in the garden, sunnies on, enjoying sounds without the hindrance of in-ear buds.

A pair of JBL Soundgear Frames were provided for the purposes of this review.

Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person: DVD Review

Cast: Sara Montpetit, Félix-Antoine Bénard, Steve Laplante, Sophie Cadieux, Noémie O’Farrell
Director: Ariane Louis-Seize

Mixing hipster vibes and vampire lore, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person proffers a slice of cool cinema, that's perhaps a little too relaxed in its execution.

It's the tale of sensitive teenage vampire Sasha (Montpetit), who, traumatised after the family slaughter of a clown ordered for her birthday, is struggling to adjust to her lifestyle. Instead of chomping down on hapless victims, Sasha prefers to suck her sustenance from bloodbags - much to the frustration of her mother.

Sent away to live with her cousin (O'Farrell) as a sharp shock to the system and to help her get over the compassion she feels for dying animals, Sasha forms a bond with Paul (Bénard), a depressed teen who's planning his own death.

As she helps him edge closer to his mortal end, Sasha finds herself embracing a new life through Paul - and helping him live out his dying wishes - something which pushes her desire to help him to breaking point.

Pushing quirk and aesthetics above all else, Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person spends a little too long revelling in its oddness and not enough time building the depth of poignancy that it so clearly wants to achieve.

Montpetit is great as Sasha, imbuing her character with the teenage angst and outsider-vibe than many feel, helping her double down on her ostracism from life and the lifestyle of her family. But Benard simply gives his Paul nothing more than wide eyes and a kind of simpering vibe that doesn't help his case or his character.

That's not to say there aren't laughs from unexpected places within Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person; but they come from minor moments rather than a script that feels polished.

More successful perhaps is the overall execution of Humanist Vampire Seeking Consenting Suicidal Person. From a sweet and aching tone to some impressively-lit and staged scenes, the film's more about a swoon-worthy vibe in places than a deep narrative engagement.

It has charm aplenty and a lead actor to die for, but it's not quite enough to ensure this vampire tale is one for all eternity.

This film is playing as part of the 2024 Whanau Marama New Zealand International Film Festival. For more details, visit nziff.co.nz

The Exorcism: Shudder Movie Review

Cast: Russell Crowe, Ryan Simpkins, David Hyde Pierce, Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg
Director: Joshua John Miller

The idea of an actor losing their mind while making a film about dealing with possession is a great one. 

As a concept, the dramatic possibilities of the premise are endless. Unfortunately, while The Exorcism spends a lot of time breadcrumbing its ideas and giving its star a chance to play up the ambivalence and brooding, when it comes to the crunch, it simply abandons it in favour of rote schlock horror shenanigans.

Crowe is Tony Miller, an actor coming onto a horror project as a priest. Troubled by his own demons and forced to take in his daughter (Simpkins) after she's been expelled from school, he already appears on the edge.

But things get worse as he gets into filming - leading to suspicions he's falling back on old addictions. However, is something more sinister at play?

The Exorcism has a great moody atmosphere and plays on its spiritual connections to the original film (its director is the son of one of the actors from The Exorcist) - but when push comes to shove, the film falls back on a few lazy jump scares and schlock to bring the horror.

Yet in its moments such as this, it gives Crowe the chance to bring some of the power he's not shown for years in terms of menace and malevolence. Watching his Tony twist, writhe and glower reminds you of the absolute command Crowe had during Romper Stomper.

Simpkins also deserves praise for a relatively thankless role - their interaction with Frasier's David Hyde Pierce make the more pedestrian and plodding sections of the film feel a little more alive with a degree of intelligence and depth the script hasn't quite afforded them.

Ultimately, The Exorcism stands as middling curio that offers brief pleasures but feels frustratingly like it could have done much more with its intriguing premise.

Deadpool and Wolverine: Disney+ Review

Cast: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin, Matthew MacFadyen
Director: Shawn Levy

Ryan Reynolds returns as the motor-mouth Wade Wilson for yet another outing - but for the first time, Reynolds' wise-cracking, fourth-wall breaking antihero is joining the Disney universe. However, he's not alone in the ride into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Despite trying to join the Avengers in Earth-616, Wade Wilson finds himself rejected. Lacking purpose, he gives up on being Deadpool until the Time Variance Agency (from Disney+ show Loki) shows up on his doorstep on his birthday, saying they need his help.

Abducted, Deadpool is offered a chance in his eyes to redeem himself as the self-confessed Marvel Jesus and bring life to the fracturing timelines...

To say more about Deadpool and Wolverine's (admittedly slight) plot is to rob it of its many reveals.

Needless to say Levy and a team of five writers have pulled together a love letter to both the Marvel and the 20th Century Fox Universe, with a slew of cameos and unexpected moments to thrill fans of the genre. (A moment even Deadpool self-referentially tells nerds to get their sock out to cope with their excitement).

But, if the humour occasionally grates by hitting low-hanging fruit and staying there, and if the pace feels a little bit of a lag over a near 130 minutes run time as the continuing asides fall from his mouth, what Deadpool and Wolverine manages to do is to make essentially what was becoming tired feel somewhat fresh again. However, there are moments when the humour feels a little forced and the script lacks some of the looseness that has previously been brought to table - no doubt thanks in large part to the actors' strike constraints.

Yet, deep within the film Reynolds and Jackman's bond is evident. From continual fights and bickering between the two to a glowering nihilistic Wolverine from Jackman, the chemistry in this Odd Couple companionship is there from the get-go. Of the pair, Jackman is the more successful, having to reinvent yet again another version of the X-Men favourite - but there's a despondency and resentment that Jackman brilliantly mines here to great effect, and which Logan's harder-edge and rating have clearly influenced. (And the script doesn't hold back either, with one moment referencing Jackman's recent divorce).

However, there's a respect for the characters - both the main and the cameos that borders on reverential; at times, the story feels more like it's going for sentiment and saccharine having blown plenty of its cinematic load on some gory, all-out action scenes.

Corrin's take on their character feels both familiar, yet new, exuding menace when needed in the brief appearances she makes as the unsettling antagonist - though the less said about their final moments the better. It's in moments like this, the script's weaker edges come to the fore.

Maybe a tighter edit could have reined in some of Deadpool and Wolverine's less alive moments (which really feel their weight as the story goes on) as it borders on too indulgent (but Marvel famservice) - but as a distinctive love letter to a world, Deadpool and Wolverine strikes the right tone. While it's best to go in cold for maximum enjoyment, the characters will win you over.

It's bitterly ironic for a character who spends so much of his time snarking and poo-pooing sentiment, that Deadpool and Wolverine's central message of mattering to others and heart comes so close to saccharine overload in the final moments. Though, on reflection, perhaps that's Deadpool's ultimate joke on all of us - that no matter what we feel or think, this film and its main character - much like the Marvel Cinematic Universe's legion of fans - just want to be loved.

Rogue Flight: PS5 Review

Developed by Truant Pixel

Published by Perp Games

Platform: PS5

Rogue Flight's penchant for fixed vision arcade-style shooting is a welcome return to the kind of classics you'd encounter back in the 1980s fish'n'chip shops.

Its story seems nicely 80s led too - setting it as it does when Argus, an AI goes rogue, unleashes missles and makes the world burn. But unfortunately, there's a group of resistance fighters called BOW who decide to fight back.

While there's little outside of a predetermined route for your fighter, and it's a case of fighting back against incoming barrages of baddies, Rogue Flight's steely determination to simply do nothing outside of what's expected on screen proves to be one of its selling points.

With barrel rolls, targetting missiles and the chance to unleash on multiple targets at once, Rogue Flight has a small arsenal up its sleeve against the onslaught. But it also uses its combos wisely - with health power ups on offer and a chance to survive for longer.

While the story is nothing sensational, the use of adaptive triggers, haptic feedback and the in-controller mic make it feel like you're really in a dogfight, flying high in the sky.

The only real frustration from Rogue Flight comes from a need to start each level from the very beginning, meaning either re-enduring some tough flights or potentially failing to learn from what you've already done. 

For a smaller indie game with pixel sensibilities, Rogue Flight does soar in places, but given how short it is overall, it's one to improve your skills with early on to able to enjoy it the most.

 

Lego Horizon Adventures: PS5 Review

Developed by Guerrilla Games, Studio Gobo

Published by Sony Interactive

Platform: PS5

The Horizon world is one that's ripe for the kind of humorous approach the Lego games have taken in years previously.

With a very po-faced story and reams of scenes of characters espousing dialogue, the original Horizon: Zero Dawn was slightly ruined by its over-reliance on exposition.

But the Lego approach sees some of that mocked in a purely affectionate way.

Following the same story beats as the original adventure about a foundling outcast searching for answers in a post-apocalyptic world, Lego Horizon Adventures is more about refashioning the game for a (much) younger audience, already versed in the Lego world and subsequent franchises.

Consequently, while the game is cute and enjoyable enough, it's also a little too young for fans of the Horizon series who will be after the trademark action and combat that the original offers.

With the emphasis really being on co-op playing and the beautiful Lego-led sets of various scenes throughout, the developers Guerrilla Games and Studio Gobo have clearly had their eye on what it's like to play with Lego among friends.

Rivers flow with blocks, and the very essence of nature is made up from the plastic bricks. It's a joy to behold and a pleasure to play in that world. 

But the further into the game's relatively short campaign you get, the more it feels surface-level gameplay. Combat is fine, requiring you like in the original to target key components to weaken enemies - something which becomes key later on - but mostly just shooting repetitively has the same effect.

The randomness of weaponry appearing too makes things a little trickier and while combat difficulty can be adjusted throughout, the game's non-adherence to some rules proves to be a more taxing proposition.

Character work is good too - with exaggerated versions of the game's heroes set more to amusing than serious. Aloy's definitely more lively and a little less serious than before and the narration is very much tongue-in-cheek.

With a central base, Mother's Heart, able to be customised with a variety of LEGO props, the game's got plenty to do if you want to collect studs, but it's not quite as unlockable as you'd expect from the Travellers Tale versions. And what is really with the chance to unlock outfits from other Lego franchises (like Ninjago and City) seems a bit difficult to explain, other than to provide an entry point for younger would-be gamers.

Yet it's in the co-op the game excels, giving younger players the chance to perhaps actively experience the Horizon world, rather than passively watch others run around the original.

Overall, while Lego Horizon Adventures seems a little confused in its raison d'etre in parts, it does offer some light relief from the continual unrelenting triple A blockbusters.

Here's hoping for a Lego God of War next...

Gladiator II: Movie Review

Cast: Paul Mescal, Denzel Washington, Joseph Quinn, Tim McInnery, Connie Nielsen
Director: Ridley Scott

It was always going to be a tricky proposition to follow 2000's Gladiator.

From its iconic action to a star-making turn from Russell Crowe as the lead to singular moments that have lasted, the idea of a sequel was perhaps always a little stymied before it made it to the screen.

So it's no surprise to say that while director Ridley Scott builds on the kind of vision more recently witnessed in Napoleon than perhaps on his 2000 effort, Gladiator II is lacking a little heft in the shadow of its own past.

When Paul Mescal's Lucius is captured after Rome's army sacks his North African province and kills his wife, he vows revenge on General Marcus Acacius (Pascal). But Lucius has to escape the confines of his jail via the Colosseum and the hordes of challengers facing him.

From CGI killer monkeys to a water-filled stadium teeming with sharks, it seems like the script of Gladiator II has gone too far the other way for its spectacle, losing sight of the level of intimacy that helped propel the first to iconic status.

Juggling a story about the corruption and fall of Rome along with the political machinations of Denzel Washington's Macrinus as well as destiny and heritage, Scott had a rich vein to mine. Yet somehow, the script fails to service the legacy while simultaneously failing to carve out a new story that measures up.

Mescal also inevitably suffers in comparison to Crowe, reduced to seething moments of rage without the bonus of well-written dialogue to support him. It was always going to be a tricky idea, but it's largely the fault of the script that Gladiator II won't rise from the shadows.

In terms of the Colosseum spectacle, the games lack none of the brutality of the past, even if the emotional edges fail to match up. It's more in keeping of reality, given how swift the action is and how quickly enemies are dispatched - but it does nothing to satiate those looking for vicarious pleasures to match the weaker edges.

The first film talked repeatedly of what was being done echoing in eternity.

But unfortunately, Gladiator II fails to even break free of the former's shadow - and while it's a perfectly serviceable, if overly long watch in parts, it can't help but feel disappointing.

Win a double pass to see Gladiator II in cinemas

To celebrate the release of Gladiator II in cinemas November 14, thanks to Paramount Pictures NZ, you can win a double pass to see the movie!

About Gladiator II

From legendary director Ridley Scott, Gladiator II continues the epic saga of power, intrigue, and vengeance set in Ancient Rome. 

Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. 

With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honour to return the glory of Rome to its people.

Gladiator II is in cinemas November 14.

Strange Darling: Movie Review

Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, Kyle Gallner, Barbara Hershey, Ed Begley Jr.

Director: J.T. Mollner

Writer/ director J.T.Mollner's electric Strange Darling is a difficult film to review. 

Mainly because the film's taut and lean production works best as a film that you know least about - and whose surprises rely more on ignorance rather than prior knowledge.

Loosely, the film begins with Fitzgerald's The Lady being pursued by Gallner's The Demon - and that's as much as you need to know.

With a blast of freshness and and a penchant for twists, the non-linear tale is divided up into a tangled narrative that slowly unwinds as the tension increases. But with searingly focussed performances from both Gallner and Fitzgerald, the movie becomes increasingly suspenseful as it plays out.

A booming OST and crisp visuals make this an experience that messes with perceptions of what a film like this would be setting out to do. And while a second viewing may not necessarily provide the thrills a clean-watch offers, Strange Darling's aesthetic and unnerving adherence to the perversion of genre tropes proves to be frighteningly fresh.

There's much in the dialogue which proffers insight into societal expectations of both men and women and some of the discussions of dating prove to be intriguing insights into how the film messes with the ideas on show.

Not everything works - a sequence with police later on feels awkwardly out of place and goes against the ideas espoused and seems to be an unusual commentary.

But that single moment is the only one that stands out in a singularly-executed vision that's thrilling and unnverving.

Paddington in Peru: Movie Review

Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Antonio Banderas, Olivia Colman
Director: Dougal Wilson

It's easy to cynically dismiss the latest Paddington film.

A movie that at its heart is swathed in unbowed cynicism and eternal optimism, Paddington has always been a ray of cinematic sunshine about the good-natured bear winning over the villains of the piece. This latest is no exception to the rule - and even manages to throw in a parody of the Sound of Music and an Alien homage as well.

When Paddington hears his beloved Aunt Lucy has disappeared from the retirement home she lives in in Peru, he sets out with the Brown family to find out what exactly has occurred.

With the thinnest of plots and the penchant purely for jungle-set interludes and excursion ahead, Paddington in Peru does not quite reach the lofty heights of the previous outings (though a deliciously unexpected ending utterly delights). But what it does do, is provide solidly entertaining family fare - as long as you're willing to forego the slower start to proceedings. 

With plenty of sight gags and mini sequences thrown in initially, Wilson's film reminds you of the slapstick nature of the bear before settling into something more akin to a BBC TV Christmas special where the normally cosy family heads to foreign climes.

But with scene-stealing appearances from Colman as the smiling and seemingly sinister Reverend Mother and a scenery chewing outing from Banderas as the Captain of a boat tormented by his ancestors, there's much to enjoy throughout once you get past the endurance of the earlier stages.

In amongst it all though is Whishaw as Paddington - a vocal performance that's as comforting as the fur that flowers all over Michael Bond's bear himself. Filled with warmth and heart, it's easy to see why this version of the infamous character has gained so much traction. 

And while there's plenty of strong arguments to say that this franchise probably needs resting now, and that the unbridled English cynicism about a bear whose dream to get a passport and travel to a world that doesn't necessarily want him has plenty of Brexit parallels and has a thumbing the nose to current political elements, it's hard to overlook the fact this slice of marmalade-led escapism has a cinematic syrupy goodness that's impossible to resist.   

Nightbitch: Movie Review

Cast: Amy Adams, Scoot McNairy, Jessica Harper, Zoe Chao, Mary Holland
Director: Mariella Hellar

A satirical take on motherhood that has occasional flashes of deadpan brilliance amid frustrations over where the story could potentially have gone, Amy Adams gives a mightily impressive performance as a woman foist into motherhood and feeling trapped by having done so.

Having given up a career as an artist for the new role, Adams' character begins to resent the monotony of her routine and the ignorance of her partner (McNairy) who just appears when not working but is mostly absent during the parenting part.

One day when her son tells her she's getting fuzzy, she notices new hairs. Dismissing them as life pre-menopause, it becomes clearer that she's getting more feral and before long, the mother is out at nights as a dog...

What could have been a bizarre body horror drama feels more sanitised than perhaps its source material might suggest, but that doesn't mean Hellar's film is as neutered as that may appear.

Adams gives a stellar performance to the growing, bubbling inner rage of the mother - buoyed by a script that mines the dark humour in sardonic places and the wry observations over the archaic expectations of motherhood, her imagined monologues give way to both some of the film's harshest truths but also its saddest realities.

There are elements which pertain to the loss of identity and the more frustrated she becomes, the more feral she reveals herself to be. And it's here that Nightbitch feels like it's been watered down for the big screen as elements which could have had real bite, feel more muzzled for wider audiences.

In among all this though, make no mistake - Adams soars in the role, making the most of the absurd premise and giving humanity to the hardest truths that are born from the tragedy and bittersweet joy of parenting.

Memory: Movie Review

Cast: Jessica Chastain, Peter Sarsgaard, Josh Charles

Director: Michel Franco

There's a complexity to director Michel Franco's Memory, a film which addresses some darker themes in a sensitive and moving manner.

Oscar winner Chastain plays Sylvia, a single mother recovering from alcoholism and estranged from her own mother. Navigating a complicated relationship between the two of them, Sylvia's sister Celia persuades her to come to a reunion, despite her protestations.

On leaving the party, she's followed home by a man, Saul, (Sarsgaard) who ends up spending the night outside her house....

To say more about Memory's plot is to rob it of some of its elements of surprise and its seismic revelations.

Needless to say it is impeccably acted by both Sarsgaard and Chastain, a pair whose chemistry is palpable but also whose lived-in experiences feel raw, real yet grounded throughout.

As elements of the story reveal themselves like an onion, there's a temptation to overplay the dramatic edges but director Michel Franco wisely holds back from over-egging elements and pushing it into the melodrama.

It's a decision that pays off handsomely as Memory with its twists and subtle edges plays out. By keeping a close rein on proceedings and a tight eye on the histrionics of the drama, Memory does much to stay long in the memory after the lights have gone up.

A Real Pain: Movie Review

Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Jennifer Grey, Will Sharpe

Director: Jesse Eisenberg

A Real Pain may have its roots in a personal story from Jesse Eisenberg but it's anchored by a larger-than-life performance from succession Kieran Culkin.

The pair play David and Benji (Eisenberg and Culkin respectively) brothers whose life circumstances and distance have driven apart. Coming back together for a pilgrimage to Poland after their grandmother's death, they find their yin and yang relationship sorely tested after the initial joy of the reunion wears off.

Booked in as part of a group tensions are further exacerbated by others swooping in and out of their orbit as they close in on their emotional destination.

What starts off with the promise of an Odd couple trip - from Eisenberg's neurotic worrying on the way to the airport ' soon acquiesces into something a little more dry and whimsical.

Blessed with unexpected moments of humour and edges of grounded reality, A Real Pain gets to the nub of fraternal relationships, both the good and the bad. Along with an eye for the local scenery and the heft of a concentration camp, Eisenberg manages restraint over mawkishness nicely, treading a fine line but never once wobbling over.

While Culkin has the more obvious role as the seemingly cocksure overcompensator of the two, there's much to be said for Eisenberg's subtle touches that provide the right balance.

With a depth that only reveals itself seemingly by accident there's a poignancy in a real pain that's not quite enough to propel it into classic status, but which does enough to make you rethink a lot of what transpires early on.

A thoughtful and pensive piece, carefully constructed, A Real Pain shows distinct promise from Eisenberg.

Ring launches five new features, including 24/7 Recording, through new subscription plan tiers

New features and subscription tiers help Kiwi customers see more, know more, and protect more with Ring Home

Ring is excited to launch five new home security subscription features, including the much-requested 24/7 Recording (select devices only - see below), Doorbell Calls, Video Preview Alerts and Extended and Continuous Live View. These new features are part of Ring's refreshed subscription plan tiers, now called Ring Home (formerly Ring Protect), designed to bring more convenience and peace of mind to Kiwi customers, and available from today. 

24/7 Recording

One of Ring's most requested features has been 24/7 Recording, which is now available as part of the Ring Home Premium plan. 24/7 Recording allows eligible wired and plug-in cameras* to continuously record and capture activity outside of motion zones giving customers an even better understanding of what is happening at home. 

Doorbell Calls

Included as part of Ring Home Standard and Premium plans, Doorbell Calls help customers never miss a doorbell ring. When someone rings the doorbell, Doorbell Calls will ring the customers designated connected phone, like they're receiving a video call, instead of receiving a push notification and needing to open the app. Customers can then answer the doorbell and speak directly to their visitor through Live View via their phone.

Video Preview Alerts

With new Video Preview Alerts, included as part of all Ring Home plans, customers will be delivered a short video clip in their push notification, letting them see a preview of the motion activity without needing to open the Ring app and easily decide what to do, from nothing to using features like Two-Way Talk or Live View. 

Extended Live View and Continuous Live View

In listening to customer feedback, Ring has heard that users want even more Live View time than the current 10 minutes, so they can feel like they're in two places at once. Whether it's wanting to see their kids playing outside while inside cooking or to see how a pet behaves home alone, Extended Live View (included in Ring Home Standard) lets customers watch their camera feed live for up to 30 minutes. The Ring Home Premium subscription tier, coupled with cameras offering 24/7 Recording, unlocks Continuous Live View for eligible customers. 

New Features, New Name, Same Price

These new features are available now through Ring Home, which replaces Ring Protect, and offers three plan tiers:

Home Basic (NZD: $4.95/month, $49.95/year) which covers one doorbell or camera device 

Home Standard (NZD: $14.95/month, $149.95/year) which covers all devices at your home

Home Premium (NZD: $29.95/month, $299.95/year) which covers all devices at your home

To learn more, please go to: https://ring.com/au/en/plans 

*24/7 Recording is available only on Ring Stick Up Cam (wired and plug-in only), Stick Up Cam Pro (wired and plug-in only), Indoor Camera (2nd Gen) and Pan-Tilt Indoor Camera.

My Old Ass: Movie Review

Cast: Maisy Stella, Aubrey Plaza, Percy Hynes White
Director: Megan Park

Maisy Stella's performance in My Old Ass is the kind of appearance that launches a star.

While the plot of the film and its subsequent twists and turns are nothing new and original as it teeters its way toward sentiment and mawkishness, it's her portrayal of Elliott that grounds the film from some of its narrative obviousness.

On the brink of heading away to university and leaving her family, Elliott (Nashville's Stella) goes for one last blast night away with her friends. Consuming a mushroom-infused tea, she suddenly discovers she's face-to-face with her 39-year-old self (played with deadpan and dramatic flair by Aubrey Plaza).

While nobody else can see the interloper, Elliott soon finds herself listening to advice from her future self and questioning everything she knows.

The mechanics of this relationship don't exactly make sense - how can a future self communicate via phone - but what does make sense in director / writer Megan Park's film is a complete sense of self and of time and place for My Old Ass.

Granted the film descends into sentiment as it ties itself up with a familiar message of appreciating what you've got before you don't have it, but over a brief 90 minute run time, what emerges from My Old Ass is a film that's stolen by its confident lead.

Having Stella's performance grounded in both ease and reality, the story's zanier edges are steeled against the traditional young adult fare that emerges in situations like this. And while the narrative's not immune from the genre's trappings, Stella sells the reality with an ease and perfection that's hard to deny.

Plaza once again shows off her dramatic depth (something built on by both The White Lotus and Emily The Criminal) but in truth, she's not on screen long enough to massively overshadow proceedings.

It's hard to deny some of the emotional edges of this, and while even the hard-hearted can see what's coming, thanks to a real and well-acted story, My Old Ass manages to serve up its message of appreciation is probably a good one to take on board as we near the end of 2024.

My Old Ass begins streaming on Prime Video from November 7.

Silent Hill 2: PS5 Review

Developed by Bloober Team

Published by Konami
Platform: PS5

Silent Hill 2 is a broody, moody affair.

The Bloober Team remake of the 2001 favourite follows James Sunderland, a widower, who heads to Silent Hill after getting a letter from his dead wife saying she's there.

But when he arrives, he finds mystery, a lingering fog and a whole lot of jump scares.

The third person game is favourable to the original, while still adding levels of its own intentions on it. Atmospheric and bleak, the game's terrifyingly claustrophobic feeling does much to engender a sense of unease in the player.

Although a lot of the game sees you stumbling through streets and areas awaiting something to happen, it does much to lull you into a false sense of security. And while the game does remain largely faithful to its source material, the inclusion of new cinematics aside - players who've never experienced the original are still able to lean in and enjoy it.

With minimal lighting and dense fog, the game works well on modern day consoles, building in layers of unfurling danger and causing you to squint at what could lie ahead, just out of sight.

There can be frustrations solving puzzles and patience is greatly required throughout as levels of discomfort increase. In fact, it's hard to face the fact that much of Silent Hill 2 is based on misery and unhappiness - but perversely, that's also its thrill.

And while combat is a little trickier than the original and there's more of it, the general atmospherics of Silent Hill 2 ensure the game is one to dive into - and to suffer through. 

It may be tricky in parts, and pantwettingly unrelenting in others, but all in all, Silent Hill 2 proves that remakes when handled well can work - and that this franchise is desperately in need of a dust down for its next generation - and perhaps a new episode unleashed by Konami to inspire and frighten for years to come.