Black Bag: Movie Review

Cast: Michael Fassbender, Cate Blanchett, Marisa Abela, Tom Burke, Naomie Harris, Rege-Jean Page, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Steven Soderbergh

Soderbergh's second movie of the year offers another insight into the world of a family, the second film to do so after Presence a little earlier this year.

But unlike Presence's spooky goings-on, this one showcases a group unit of spies haunted by the fact one of them has betrayed the nation with thousands of people likely to die as a consequence.

Enter Fassbender's controlled, turtle-necked and icy spy George who's tasked with finding the mole and whose composed demeanour is rattled by the possibility the offender could be his spy wife and colleague Kathryn (Blanchett).

While it's fair to say that this 90.minute slice somehow feels langorous in pace in parts, it's a taut, twisty drama that's engrossing and intriguing - even if some of the dialogue us a little exposition-led.

While Fassbender and Blanchett feel detached throughout, the film actually belongs to Industry star and Amy Winehouse player Abela whose ambiguity the script plays with carefully and cleverly. Every scene she's in crackles with a nervous energy and her playful vibe with Fassbender's George as she needles him is a joy to behold.

In truth, all of the main cast shine in different ways, and with an "everybody lies" mentality throughout, both play the duplicitous edges to perfection.

Yet it's the script and its execution that also is the star here, with a story that chooses home soil and dinner tables for its drama, rather than globe-trotting and big set pieces and explosions.

There are traces of Agatha Christie as the slick spy thriller plays out and as the stylish edges come to the fore, the film cements its place as a movie that's a reminder that going back to basics in the spy genre is what makes it cool in the first place - and so enduring for years to come.

Moana 2: Disney+ Movie Review

Cast: Auli'i Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Rose Matafeo, Dave Fane, Awhimai Fraser, Alan Tudyk, Temuera Morrison

Director: David G Derrick Jr, Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller

In the way that The Empire Strikes Back chose to be a darker sequel than its initial lighter first outing, Moana 2 strives for more cloudy sailings for the titular wayfaring heroine.

But unfortunately, the darker edges are purely represented by the animated colour palette rather than a narrative theme.

This time around Auli'i Cravalho's Moana is on a mission in uncharted waters after saving her island from an environmental disaster. Looking for other societies, she discovers proof they're out there, and returns home to a vision that shows her the way to where she needs to go.

Gathering together a ragtag crew, Moana sets out - in a collision course with both danger and a reunion with Dwayne Johnson's demi-god Maui.

There's much in the visuals of Moana 2 that impresses.

Whereas the coral clear blues and topaz have been jettisoned in favour of darker waters, purples and stormy greys, the story, with its message of togetherness and reuniting races, feels rote and underwhelming.

Again, much like the 2016 film, there's a deep appreciation of cultural significance, traditions and myths, but this time around, it largely feels like an episodic storyline that draws from the roots of the proposed Disney+ series rather than a fuller filmic sequel.

The quest storyline is solid enough and the likes of Rose Matafeo and Dave Fane impress in their respective roles, but a lack of a strong villain and a definite sense of purpose leaves the film floundering in waters that are clearly in place for a set up for future installments than a clear sequel tale.

Equally disappointing are the songs. This time around, many feel formulaic and lacking in the strength and life of the first (although the bar was set extremely high) - with perhaps only Maui's Can I Get a Cheehoo being the one that will be lodged in the brain after the lights have gone up.

While the movie's perfectably serviceable for fans of the not-Disney princess desperate to revisit that world, it doesn't seem poised for domination in perhaps the ways the first did. Its structural issues compete with its heroine and hero's energetic and vibrant performances.

Moana 2 is not exactly lost at sea - but it does feel like it's sadly lacking a definitive course and in need of a narrative correction for future installments hinted at in its denouement and mid-credits scene. 

What's on Disney+ in April

Doctor Who (April 12)

Disney+ and the BBC have confirmed season two of “Doctor Who” will premiere on Saturday, April 12 on Disney+ in New Zealand. New episodes from the eight-part season will premiere weekly.

Emmy® Award winner Alan Cumming (“The Traitors”) will guest star in the second episode as Mr Ring-a-Ding, a happy, funny, singalong cartoon, who lives in Sunny Town with his friend Sunshine Sally. However, in 1952, after years of repeats in cinemas across the land, Mr Ring-a-Ding suddenly looks beyond the screen and sees the real world outside — and the consequences are terrifying. Cumming is returning to the Whoniverse after previously playing King James I in the 2018 episode “The Witchfinders.” 

Showrunner, executive producer and writer Russell T Davies said, “Only Alan Cumming could give a runaway cartoon so much wit, malice, danger and fun. He makes the whole universe of ‘Doctor Who’ wilder and madder than ever, and it’s an absolute honour to welcome him on board the TARDIS.” 

In Ncuti Gatwa's second season, the Doctor meets Belinda Chandra and begins an epic quest to get her back to Earth. But a mysterious force is stopping their return and the time-travelling TARDIS team must face great dangers, bigger enemies and wider terrors than ever before. 

The new season stars Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, Varada Sethu as Belinda Chandra and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday. Previously announced guest cast includes Rose Ayling-Ellis, Christopher Chung, Anita Dobson, Michelle Greenidge, Jonah Hauer-King, Ruth Madeley, Jemma Redgrave and Susan Twist. 

Creative Team: In addition to Davies, executive producers are Joel Collins, Phil Collinson, Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter. 

Production: “Doctor Who” is produced by Bad Wolf, with BBC Studios for Disney Branded Television and BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Dying for Sex (April 4)

All Eight Episodes Available at Premiere

Inspired By the Story of One Woman’s Terminal Cancer Diagnosis and the Unconventional Journey that Beckons

Starring Michelle Williams, Jenny Slate, Jay Duplass, Kelvin Yu, David Rasche, Esco Jouléy, with Rob Delaney and Sissy Spacek

Co-Created and Written by Kim Rosenstock & Elizabeth Meriwether

Based on the Podcast by Wondery and Nikki Boyer.

FX’s “Dying for Sex” is inspired by the story of Molly Kochan, originally shared on a Wondery podcast created with her best friend, Nikki Boyer. After Molly (Michelle Williams) receives a diagnosis of Stage IV metastatic breast cancer, she decides to leave her husband, Steve (Jay Duplass) and begins to explore the full breadth and complexity of her sexual desires for the first time in her life.

Gird yourself, Molly has a lot to accomplish in the little time she has left. There’s no time for pearl clutching or passing judgement, Molly has no interest in what you think about her proverbial bucket list (btw, this phrase will always provoke an eye roll). She gains the courage to embark on this adventure from her ride or die Nikki (Jenny Slate), a woman whose love and devotion will compel you to pick up the phone and call that friend already! Also joining the cast are Rob Delaney, Kelvin Yu, David Rasche, Esco Jouléy and Sissy Spacek.

Didi: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Izaac Wang, Joan Chen, Shirley Chen, Chang Li Hua
Director: Sean Wang

There's plenty of nostalgia in Sean Wang's vibrant but familiar coming-of-age story. 

Izaac Wang plays 13-year-old Chris Wang, who's on the cusp of many things facing teenagers - his first crush, negotiating friendships, dealing with family life.

Essentially, Didi is a story that we've seen before, but Chris is in the awkward phase of looking to grow up, while still trying to keep his fingers in his past and clawing at his future. 

As he deals with a new school, and old friends and new, he turns often to his social media to try and express himself.

It may be a bit of an Asian American experience in parts, but the social faux pas from Wang are universal, the awkwardness all-too-familiar and the missteps somewhat painful to watch. There's also an inherent sadness in proceedings too, with one scene seeing Chris unable to reach out to anyone truthfully than a messenger bot to relay his pain. 

It's in moments like this that Didi does something different, and plays with the truth of life as a teenager. While the school and friends side forms most of the movie, the more interesting elements of this crowd-pleaser are to be found within the family dynamics. 

From a sister moving away to a mother stewing with uncertainty, there's fertile drama to be mined here, but it's not what Wang wants to do - he's more interested in capturing Didi with his mates, and in his interactions. 

But no matter how sensitively constructed, Didi is a more enjoyable hangout experience than a fully-formed drama with anything new to say about the transition from child to teenage years.

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

Win a double pass to see Novocaine in cinemas

To celebrate the release of Novocaine in cinemas April 3, Paramount Pictures New Zealand is giving you the chance to win a double pass to see the movie

About Novocaine

When the girl of his dreams (Amber Midthunder) is kidnapped, everyman Nate (Jack Quaid) turns his inability to feel pain into an unexpected strength in his fight to get her back.

Novocaine is in cinemas April 3, Rated R16 for violence.

The Watchers: Neon NZ Movie Review

Cast: Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Olwen Fouéré, Oliver Finnegan
Director: Ishana Night Shyamalan

Mixing Irish folklore with mystery and horror proves to be a relatively fertile start for M. Night Shyamalan's daughter, who directs this adaptation of A M Shine's 2022 novel.

Fanning stars as Mina, a distant and disinterested woman who's asked to ferry a bird across Ireland for a client, but whose car abruptly stops in woods she heads through. Unable to make the car restart, Mina's forced to traipse through the woods and takes shelter inside a giant building called the Coop.

Inside are three other occupants, and among their number a de facto leader who explains the rules to Mina - chiefly that the Watchers come nightly and she must not disobey their rules...

The promise of The Watchers is there from the beginning.

A murky mix of mystery and a chilling atmosphere combine to make The Watchers an intriguing parable that hints at a subtext rather than ever really dropping enough hints to allow others to connect the dots.

From interesting framing techniques to minor cinematic flourishes such as anyone around Mina being clearly out of focus early on, Shyamalan proves to have a handle on what her career could be - even if she is disappointingly paddling in the same pool as her father. 

But an over-reliance on Fouéré's character, the de facto leader, spouting repeated amounts of exposition rob the film of some of its more obtuse elements and subsequently lead the movie more into the basic tropes of horror rather than am ambiguity which would have served proceedings greatly.

Fanning is perfectly fine as the grief-stricken Mina, who has shut down for years; her indifference shaped by trauma and sharpened by a desire to escape (probably from herself as well). But there's not quite the challenge needed to propel her into the stratosphere here - more a scripted desire to see her pulled back from leading the film.

Ultimately a sedentary pace means much of The Watchers forces you to over-examine some of the contrivances rather than being swept up in what's on screen - it's not a fatal flaw, but when the final raft of exposition flies heavily through the screen and the mystery is wrapped up, it feels like it struggles under its own weight.

Hard Truths: Movie Review

Cast: Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Michele Austin, David Webber, Tuwaine Barrett

Director: Mike Leigh

Mike Leigh's latest is an intriguing movie, one that feels like the backend of a film rather than a fully cathartic experience.

A fabulously physical (and hunched) Marianne Jean-Baptiste plays Pansy, a woman who lashes out at anything and everyone for seemingly no reason. She's angry at her son Moses, a near-mute overweight child who spends most of his time in his room with his headphones on, reading books at planes; she's mad at the world in general and rants when her husband Curtley returns from work. And she raves at her sister when she suggests about heading to a cemetery on Mother's Day to pay respects to her mother.

Initially, Pansy's verbal altercations prompt a degree of sympathy and concern. But after a while of Jean-Baptiste's ferociously expressive and physical performance, they begin to elicit a troubling reality - that this is a woman lashing out at a world that's wronged her and at a frustration that nothing she can do will help.

Leigh's strength in this oddly engaging movie is one of silent patience. Ironic really, given that all of those around Pansy demonstrate exactly the same softly, softly approach.

It's a tale of two sisters - with Michele Austin's Chantelle having a more sympathetic approach on screen and a more joyous relationship with her children. And while Leigh isn't exactly subtle in the juxtaposition of the lives, it's Austin and Jean-Baptiste's performances that make Hard Truths sing - even when its ending feels too muted for what has gone before.

It's likely this will resonate with some who have either known or are the Pansy character - but while Leigh's careful not to demonise Pansy's pain and behaviour, his sensitivity in handling the story makes a compassionate and occasionally tough watch. It's never quite clear why the families tolerate Pansy other than familial bonds, but wisely Leigh never preaches about how to be - he simply shows how complex life can be once it heads down one path alone.

Talking International Women's Day with gamers Meowsparky and Nemysis

As we approach International Women's Day on March 8, we decided to catch up with gamers Meowsparky and Nemysis to get their thoughts on the gaming world and their place as women in gaming.

What first got you into gaming, and what keeps you passionate about it today?

Nemysis

Nemysis: I first got into gaming during the COVID season. Being stuck indoors was not fun, but gaming helped me escape and stay connected with others - as well as meet some new people. Since then, gaming has become more than just a pastime—it’s a passion. The excitement, strategy, and community keeps me hooked, and I love how it’s a space where I can challenge myself and connect with amazing people from all around the world.

Meowsparky:  Growing up as an only child, I often felt bored and lonely. Gaming opened up an entirely new world where I could be anyone, do anything, and escape into exciting adventures for hours. It was my way of feeling connected, even when I was by myself. Today, gaming is still about connection, but in a different way—through online communities. I’ve made so many real friendships through gaming, and being part of a community that shares my passion keeps me coming back.

Can you share a memorable moment in your gaming journey that made you feel truly empowered?

Nemysis:  One of my most empowering moments was when I hosted a charity stream. It was incredible to see the support from my community as we came together for a great cause. Not only did we raise funds for something meaningful, but the energy and positivity from everyone involved made me realize how powerful gaming can be when used to bring people together for a purpose. The experience reinforced my belief in the strength of community, and it showed me that gaming isn’t just about playing—it’s about those connections we can make with people, and the power that holds.

Meowsparky:  The first time I tried sim racing on my Twitch stream with the Logitech G920 wheel and pedals, I wasn’t expecting to love it as much as I did. I was amazed at how much my real-life driving skills transferred into the game, even though I was still a total beginner.

What made it empowering was the support from my community. I had assumed sim racing was a space where women weren’t always welcome, but the response was incredible. So many people—especially men—were genuinely excited to see a woman getting into it, jumping into lobbies with me, and coaching me along the way. That moment changed my entire perspective and made me feel like I belonged.

Gamer Meowsparky

What are a couple of your can't live without gaming products?

Nemysis:  My Logitech G502 X wireless mouse and Logitech A50X headset are absolute essentials. They give me the most reliable accuracy I need in competitive games like Valorant and the comfort I need for long gaming sessions. The sound quality is incredible too, which is ideal for blasting loud music while I play.

Meowsparky:  My Astro A50 X headset is my forever companion. Sound quality is so important to me, and I love that I never have to worry about charging—it just sits in its dock and stays topped up.

Sim racing is my main passion right now, and I’m determined to become the best female sim racer in New Zealand. My Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel & Pedals have been game-changing for my progress. The force feedback and realism help me feel the road and refine my racing skills, making them an essential part of my journey.

 Logitech G PRO Racing Wheel 

What are some of the biggest misconceptions about female gamers that you’d love to break?

Nemysis: One of the biggest misconceptions is that women don’t take gaming seriously or aren’t as skilled as men. Gaming is for anyone who loves it, and skill doesn’t depend on gender—it depends on dedication, practice, and passion. I would love to see a time where we stop assuming that women aren’t just as competitive and driven as their male counterparts.

Meowsparky:  That girls aren’t good gamers. I’m constantly impressed by how skilled women are, and how much effort they put into mastering game mechanics. The stereotype that gaming is a "guy thing" is so outdated—women belong here just as much as anyone else.

What are you currently playing right now?

Nemysis: Right now, I’m fully immersed in Valorant—it’s the perfect mix of strategy, teamwork, and precision shooting. The intensity of each match keeps me so hooked.

Meowsparky:  iRacing has been my main focus for the past year. I love competing in online sim racing and using its realistic physics to improve my real-life driving skills. I also got really into Palworld over Christmas—that game is absolutely wild!

Which female gamers, creators, or developers inspire you, and why?

Nemysis: I’m inspired by creators like Pokimane and QuaterJade—they not only showcase incredible gaming skills but also foster positive, inclusive communities. Their ability to be both competitive and supportive is something I admire. As for developers, I admire women like Corrine Yu, who helped shape some of my favourite games (Borderlands), showing how impactful female leadership in gaming can be.

Meowsparky:  Hana Burton – She’s using sim racing to practice for real-life motorsport, just like I am. It’s so inspiring to see her document her journey, especially since she got into racing later in life. F1Elly – Not only does she stream sim racing, but she also hosts and conducts interviews at real-life motorsport events. That’s something I’d love to do one day! She balances fun and professionalism so well.  Esther Ng – She’s a fellow Kiwi who runs Prix Workshop, a brand that merges gaming and fashion. I love how she showcases the power of women in gaming while bringing such a unique aesthetic to the space.

Meowsparky's gaming set up

What advice would you give to young girls who love gaming but feel hesitant to step into the community?

Nemysis: My advice would be: Don’t be afraid to start! The gaming community is huge, and there’s space for everyone. Trust in your passion, ignore the negativity, and find people who lift you up. Gaming is about having fun, learning, and improving, so go for it, and let your voice be heard!

Meowsparky:  Find a group of friends to play with—it makes the experience way more fun. And if you don’t have one yet, don’t worry! You’ll find great people in-game who are always down to team up. Gaming is meant to be enjoyed, and there’s a place for you here.

How do you think gaming can be a positive space for women, and what can the industry do to support that?

Meowsparky:  A big step forward would be addressing the misogynistic comments that still happen in voice chat. More representation of women in gaming—whether as players, streamers, or developers—helps normalize the idea that we belong here just as much as anyone else. The more visible we are, the more welcoming the space becomes.

Nemysis:  Gaming is a positive space for women when it’s inclusive and welcoming. The industry can do more to highlight and support female players, streamers, and developers, and create games that reflect diverse experiences. It’s also about making sure women feel safe and respected in online spaces, which is something the community needs to continue working on.

What does International Women’s Day mean to you as a gamer, and how would you like to see more women celebrated in gaming?

Nemysis: International Women’s Day is a day to reflect on how far women have come and how much further we can go in gaming. It’s about celebrating the achievements of female gamers, streamers, and developers who’ve paved the way, and supporting the next generation. I’d love to see more women celebrated in gaming by having our stories and achievements recognized, whether it’s through events, partnerships, or just more visibility in the industry.

Meowsparky:   To me, International Women’s Day is about celebrating how amazing and capable women are in every field—including gaming. I’d love to see more encouragement for women to pursue their passions without judgment.  There’s a big cultural difference in how boys and girls are encouraged to engage with hobbies—boys are often supported in investing time into their passions, while girls are sometimes made to feel like theirs aren’t as valid. That needs to change. Women should be able to fully embrace their interests, whether it’s gaming, motorsport, or anything else, without hesitation.

What do you love most about the gaming community?

Nemysis: I love the energy and connection gaming brings. It’s not just about playing a game—it’s about making new friends, building teams, and sharing epic moments together. There’s something special about finding a group of people who get excited about the same things you do, and that shared passion creates a bond that lasts. Some of my closest friends now are those I've met through gaming. The friendships I’ve built over time are priceless, and it’s amazing to know I’m part of a community that values fun, support, and collaboration.

Meowsparky:  How total strangers can come together over a shared love for a game and build real friendships. Some of my best memories are from late-night gaming sessions with people I never would have met otherwise. The connections you make through gaming are special, and that’s what I love most.

This content was provided in collaboration with Logitech.

Midas Man: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Eddie Marsan, Emily Watson, Jacob Fortune-Lloyd, Jonah Lees
Director: Joe Stephenson

Midas Man's attempt to portray the man dubbed by Paul McCartney as the fifth Beatle proves to be alluring in this character study of Brian Epstein who burned a brief but active candle during his time in the world.

In this lively, but heavily nostalgia-led, piece Fortune-Lloyd consistently breaks the fourth wall as the titular Midas Man who took his time to shine - but seized on it successfully.

From his plans within his father's department store in Liverpool to see records from abroad to his persuading of record executives to sign the ban who will be "bigger than Elvis", Fortune-Lloyd makes Epstein an endearing underdog character whose charisma burns from the screen 

But too often in Brigit Grant and Jonathan Wakeham's screenplay, moments for character depth are passed over in favour of bursts of electric Beatle moments or nostalgia-heavy recreations of the time and place.

Epstein's more tortured moments are reduced dramatically to their more stereotyped edges and the film seems loathe to portray a multi-faceted character, darkness and all. From his struggle as a guy man to his drugs problems, Midas Man is less keen to embrace the darkness and opts for a frothing feel, albeit one that makes the biographical edges more perhaps palatable to a wider audience.

Yet the light touch and jolly japery of the Beatles and Epstein's interactions make for a frivolous edge and a desire to keep them om the periphery of the action proves to be wise beyond words lest their so-often told story overshadows proceedings.

It falls to Darci Shaw as Cilla Black to hint at more of the unhappiness in Epstein's life as relationships and family fail him. In these moments, the script exudes a tenderness that's hard to deny and Fortune-Lloyd more than stakes a claim as a worthy-lead.

But some scenes of exposition-led history feel more from a theatrical performance than a big screen production, robbing the movie of a sense of time and its place in historical chronology.

While in some parts, Midas Man feels emotionally lacking, in others, it is genial and affable and somewhat essential- it touches many parts of the Epstein story and leaves them golden. 

Daredevil: Born Again: Review

There's no denying the opening episode of Disney+'s take on Daredevil is anything but devastating.

The first salvo of the nine sets up the proposition effectively and with a great deal of urgency and poignancy before flashing forward to Hell's Kitchen one year later.

Returning to the world of Matt Murdock is an easy feat and with this latest, no prior knowledge of the first two series of the Netflix show are truly necessary. With Murdock (a brilliant Charlie Cox) retiring the masked vigilante Daredevil, he decides to focus more on making a difference via the legal system rather than through fists and nighttime violence.

But when Wilson Fisk (a greatly restrained Vincent D'Onofrio) is elected mayor of New York - picking up a story thread from the miniseries Echo - he, like Murdock, seems determined to put his past behind him and repress his true nature.

However, the path to redemption for both is paved with temptations...

While the latest season of Daredevil deals with a lot of legacy and also a great extended feeling of set-up for a second part due to release in 2026, its storytelling is compelling, propulsive and engaging.

Essentially a tale of dealing with inner conflict, of grief and loss and of fighting with your true nature, Daredevil Born Again's 9 episode arc offers a gritty take on life in Hell's Kitchen, along with several contemporary parallels on police states, mayoral corruption and Trumpian values.

And while some of the action is brutal (and occasionally lacks some of the finesse of the CGI needed), the human side of the series shines through the darkness of the show as it progresses.

At times, it feels like a legal procedural with a case of the week vibe emerging from the second episode, but rather than falling back on lazy ideals, the show folds all of those elements into a wider arc about Murdock's disassociation with the world around him.

While Cox remains extremely watchable as the conflicted lawyer, the show's organic growth of its supporting characters helps to flesh out some of the narrative elements. It feels like it takes portions from the WB miniseries The Penguin in terms of the political manouevrings, but also manages to become its own.

Both D'Onofrio and Cox excel in their roles, as their characters orbit each other - and certainly it feels like Fisk has grown from his previous outings,and been shaped by some of the elements of Echo rather than having them cast to the wayside. But again, the strength of the show is that there's no need to be invested in the myriad of spinoff shows, this stands alone as its own piece.

Ultimately, Daredevil Born Again manages to shake off some of its foreshadowing edges and becomes an eminently watchable and human story about two people struggling with their legacies and their true natures. 

Daredevil Born Again launches on Disney+ on March 5.

9 out of 9 episodes in the show's first season were watched for the purpose of this review.

Mickey 17: Movie Review

Cast: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackles, Steven Yeun, Mark Ruffalo, Toni Collette
Director: Bong Joon-ho

Parasite director Bong Joon-ho's take on the 2022 novel Mickey 7 from Edward Ashton is an intriguing affair, one that, in parts, doesn't feel fully coalesced.

Despite a stellar performance from Robert Pattisnon and a grotesque OTT teeth-laden turn from Mark Ruffalo, with a viperous Toni Collette whispering in her ear, the sci-fi comedy feels unnecessarily drawn out in parts and frustratingly thin when it could have been taut.

Pattinson is Mickey Barnes, a financially destitute drifter, who signs up to become an "expendable", a clone worker (not one of the Stallone-led fighting force, hellbent on revenge) as part of a mission to colonise a far-off world.

Given the worst jobs on the ship, Mickey's treated like dirt - with the additional humiliation that every time he dies, he's brought back to life in a new body with the old memories.

However, after dying 16 times, Mickey ends up surviving a seemingly fatal encounter on the planet of Nilfheim and ends up back on the ship only to discover that a new Mickey - Mickey 18 - has replaced him.

But multiple versions of clones co-existing are a crime - leading Mickey fearing for his own future.

Mickey 17 has plenty of goofy edges, but it's beset by the fact it wants to bring a more existential edge to its Live, Die, Repeat core philosophy gag. Once again, Joon-ho offers up a critique of the societies we live in (as he did more successfully in Parasite) but doesn't really say much different with the core message - other than it's bad.

Thinly veiled attempts like having Ruffalo behave like a Donald Trump figure based on current events is mildly amusing, and Ruffalo embraces the flourish - but one can't help but feel that this character feels thin and lightly sketched.

More interesting is Pattinson's effectively playing fast and loose with the comedic edges required and adding depth to the poignancy of the plight. With colleagues continually asking what it's like to die, and framing another's death as bleak in comparison to Mickey's do-it-all-again job and approach, there's potential for a more philosophical edge here that Joon-ho doesn't quite seize on.

But despite that, there are plenty of visuals that stand out and some slug-like creatures that are more cute than the human inhabitants of the ship on the way to Nilfheim. 

Perhaps if Mickey 17 had embraced one of its elements a little more strongly - be it the comedy, the pathos or the excoriating societal takedown - it would have been a lot more effective.

As it is, in parts Mickey 17 feels like a pale imitation of what's just gone before it. It's pretty to look at and seems to hit all the right visual notes - but its core is hollowed out from overmining its own premise.

Megalopolis: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Adam Driver, Nathalie Emmanuel, Giancarlo Esposito, Shia LaBeouf, Aubrey Plaza, Dustin Hoffman 
Director: Francis Ford Coppola

It's perhaps fitting that the setting of Francis Ford Coppola's passion project is set in the world of New Rome City (a city that looks suspiciously like New York).

With its Roman-named cast and a myriad of Shakespearean speeches tossed out against the backdrop of $120 million worth of financing, there's the same kind of folly that affected parts of the Roman empire under the watch of Nero.

Adam Driver is Caesar Catalina, an idealist who favours a future Utopia and who has pioneered a material that will shape it. But opposed to his ideas is the current Mayor of New Rome City, Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito) - and thrust in the middle of the conflict is his daughter Julia Cicero (a mesmerising Nathalie Emmanuel), who finds her loyalties tested - and her faith rattled.

Swirling around all of this are various subplot that never quite coalesce - a power-hungry reporter (Plaza, in campy, vampy mode): a sneering banker (Voight, channelling his infamous Anaconda-level acting), a troublemaking cousin (LaBeouf, watchable until he's not) - and a myriad of big name bit players.

When it works, Megalopolis is audacious.

A mantra runs through one section: "When we leap into the unknown, we prove that we are free", something that Coppola thrives by throughout. There are moments here when it's patently obvious the director is freewheeling with his actors, and to be frank, it's glorious to watch, to get simply carried away in the visuals of what's playing out.

But then there are many moments when much of Megalopolis feels like it's in desperate need of an expeditious edit or some kind of stronger adherence to some semblance of a plot. What story there is is light in extremis, relying on a MacGuffin, the principles of which are to be adhered to, but whose very existence is shrouded in too much mystery to feel like an importance.

A planned interactive moment with the audience is a nice touch, but its execution is fumbled, a brutally cut in scene that has little to no context to afford it resonance. 

Megalopolis is largely a muddled movie that feels like a folly writ large, and yet, it will be lauded for its existence. At its heart, it's a love story, plain and simple, a Romeo and Juliet tale writ on a larger canvas with tantalising hints of what it could be, and frustrated narratives which hold it back.

It will be debated, scorned, mocked and praised in equal measure - but in truth, it feels like a crushing disappointment that no one reined in its director and tightened the edges. While it cries out to be seen on the biggest screen possible, it does also require nerves of steel and patience to endure its pomposity.

Incredible, infuriating and occasionally inspiring, Megalopolis (aka Megaflopolis) does what all good cinema should - it provokes something. It's just that the something is question is quite potentially ennui among the excess. 

Cuckoo: Blu Ray Review

Cast: Hunter Schaefer, Dan Stevens, Marton Csokas, Jessica Henwick
Director: Tilman Singer

Euphoria star Hunter Schaefer is Gretchen, a teenager dumped with her father, his new partner and step-sibling in this unusual horror set in the Bavarian Alps.

Dragged into a resort to live and work (under the guidance of a suitably unctuous Herr Koenig, played by Dan Stevens), Gretchen soon finds her world plagued by strange goings on.

To reveal much about Cuckoo - even plot basics - is to rob the audience of what Singer is trying to do here, with a film that revels in its strangeness and its unsettling atmosphere that channels European 70s stylings with a sense of dread.

Schaefer is eminently watchable throughout this slice of deranged horror, but even though Stevens is having a good time, and there are a few effective scares that are more than the usual cheap jump efforts, a lot of Cuckoo feels like it's not quite chosen to lean fully into its B-movie horror sensibilities.

Granted the hidden in the hills in isolation setting recalls The Shining, but the central mystery of Cuckoo, while solid, is never really sensational enough to qualify and quantify audience investment.

Consequently, the film's central explanation for loops, unsettling edges and general weirdness, feels a little too unsatisfying to justify. And certainly the film's final act feels like a garbled mess of exposition mixed with heavy gunplay.

Thankfully, Schaefer, Stevens and Csokas prove more than watchable enough in this horror as it unfurls to justify the time spent within. With some touches that feel distinctively new (a bike sequence being chief among those), there's enough to allow Singer another go-around in the genre, but any future films from the writer / director will need to feel a little sharper to fully pierce their target.

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

A Different Man: DVD Review

Cast: Sebastian Stan, Renate Reinsve, Adam Pearson

Director: Aaron Schimberg

Aaron Schimberg's film about duality, doppelgangers and desire is a curious beast.

On the one hand, the film's minimalist approach to plot threatens to cripple it, while on the other, its embracing of body horror and Kafka-esque nightmare pushes more into genre fare mixed with arthouse ambitions.

Stan plays Edward, a shy and introverted actor who has neurofibromatosis, a condition that leads to growths over his face. When a new neighbour Ingrid (The Worst Person in the World's Reinvse) moves in next door, Edward falls for her. But despite mutual flirtation, nothing eventuates, leading Edward to undertake an experimental process that could reduce his medical condition and give him a normal face.

Despite warnings of side effects, it's a roaring success and with a new face, Edward quits his apartment, gets a new job and a new life. But it's all upended when he follows Ingrid one day and discovers she's written a play about their relationship.

There's a perverted playfulness to parts of A Different Man that feels at odds with its more thoughtful provocative edges about how society views different people. And there are moments of body horror and discomfort early on that threaten to push the film in a certain direction - but wisely, it doesn't go there.

From a jazzy-led score, crash zooms and scenes of following, there's a 70s vibe that pervades much of this - along with the beige, washed-out aesthetics, much of A Different Man resembles a thriller, rather than the character portrait that emerges.

While Stan and Reinsve are impressive enough, with each playing their nervousness and uncertainties to a fault, it's Under The Skin's Pearson who impresses the most. A real-life neurofibromatosis sufferer, Pearson's Oswald, who shows up midway through, is the very antithesis of Edward.

Complete with swagger and charisma, his character triggers a meltdown in Edward, forcing his insecurities to the fore. And while Pearson may have the condition that Edward sheds, not once does Schimberg's direction dwell on it, making his character a genuinely great guy who is the energy that lights a room.

Ultimately, A Different Man is the kind of film that offers an intriguing premise, followed by a story that proves to be engaging as well.  It may occasionally dabble in broad strokes and a bit of a lack of direction with an ending that just seems to wither rather than soar, but it's a film worth applauding for its desire to do something different with a story premise that could have been depressingly familiar.

A Real Pain: Disney+ 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.

A Real Pain is streaming on Disney+ now

The Last Showgirl: Movie Review 

Cast: Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Billie Lourd, Kiernan Shipka, Brenda Song, Dave Bautista
Director: Gia Coppola

While Pamela Anderson has been lauded for her role as Shelly in Gia Coppola's The Last Showgirl, don't come to the film expecting it to prove to be a fully cathartic experience that ends on a high.

In fact, this tale of a 57-year-old showgirl facing the end of her days on stage in a Las Vegas revue she's called home for more than three decades feels more like an initial exercise in delusion - even if it ends with an homage to Mia Goth's final moments in Pearl.

But what it is is an ode to ageing in the spotlight, to carrying on regardless toward the end and to being subjected to the indignities of a world that's moved on from talent, rather than endlessly embracing it.

From Shelly's younger colleagues that see her more as a mum than a stage equal at Le Razzle Dazzle to a sweet relationship that's got depth between her and Bautista's tender stage director Kenny via a friendship with a falling out of grace cocktail waitress Annette (an incredibly over-tanned Curtis), this is a story that ebbs and flows with lives lived, of moments gained and lost - and consequently rises as something more gut-wrenching than urgently dramatic.

As Coppola peppers the frame with plenty of close-ups and out of focus backgrounds, of fallen Vegas vistas, she builds a portrait of a city struggling with its own relevance, moods which are transposed onto those who live there.

If most of this is visually wildly successful, perhaps the less successful part of The Last Showgirl lies with Shelly's re-connection with her daughter and her subsequent anger at how she chose stage life over family moments. There are plenty of petulant outbursts that service the script's need for drama, rather than the character's desire for propulsion. 

It's a definitive point of difference that clouds a lot of what The Last Showgirl has to offer - and while it doesn't fully detract from the film's mood, its narrative convenience serves less purpose than perhaps it should.

At the core of it all is Anderson - ranging from squeaky edged delivery to more wistfully subtle moments, she delivers an intriguing performance, rather than a powerhouse one. It's obvious to see why it's polarised some critics and galvanised others. 

But there are powerful moments - such as Shelly ranting at a director looking for younger talent, or delivering a blustering speech in a restaurant about age and being seen. This is a movie that has a message and isn't afraid to deliver it - but in parts, putting its foot on the gas and developing its characters could have helped a little more.

What's on DocPlay in March

Here's what's streaming on DocPlay in March

This month on DocPlay, enjoy two Ken Burns' epics, celebrate the success of New Zealand’s biggest band, and explore the story of the notorious Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult, 30 years on from their infamous sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway.

3 Mar

When the Cows Come Home

Premiering at New Zealand International Film Festival, When the Cows Come Home documents the relationship between farmer Andrew Johnstone and two cows, Tilly and Maggie. 

6 Mar

The Conquest of Everest

This 1953 British Technicolor film tells the story of the famous Mount Everest Expedition of 1953, which saw the first successful ascent of the mountain.

17 Mar

The National Parks

Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature’s most spectacular locales— from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska, this 6-episode, 12-hour series from Ken Burns celebrates the radical idea that beautiful places should be preserved for everyone.

The West

The West, a nine-part series, chronicles the story of European explorers' convergence on the Native American world.

24 Mar

Six60: Till the Lights Go Out • Exclusive • AU only

New Zealand’s biggest band reveal their untold story of ambition and creative vulnerability.

27 Mar

Quant

The first official portrait of Mary Quant, a vanguard of the stylistic revolution of the '60s and '70s, and one of Britain's most renowned cultural figures.

Cunningham

Filmmaker Alla Kovgan brings the work of legendary American dancer and choreographer Merce Cunningham to life with this innovative documentary.

31 Mar

Aum: The Cult at the End of the World • Exclusive

Premiering at Sundance Film Festival, and released to commemorate 30 years since their infamous sarin gas attack in the Tokyo subway, Aum: The Cult at the End of the World explores the story of the notorious Aum Shinrikyo doomsday cult.

What's on Netflix in March

Here's what's streaming on Netflix in March.

THE ELECTRIC STATE

Premieres on March 14, 2025 

Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt star in this retro-futuristic adventure about an orphaned teen's journey to find her brother after a robot rebellion.

Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, Ke Huy Quan, Jason Alexander, Woody Norman, Giancarlo Esposito and Stanley Tucci, Woody Harrelson, Anthony Mackie, Brian Cox, Jenny Slate, Hank Azaria, Colman Domingo, Alan Tudyk

WWE ELIMINATION CHAMBER: 2025

Live on March 2, 2025 @ 1:00PM NZDT

WWE Superstars compete against heated rivals with title opportunities on the line inside the barbaric Elimination Chamber.

WITH LOVE, MEGHAN

Premieres on March 4, 2025 

Meghan, Duchess of Sussex invites friends and famous guests to a beautiful California estate, where she shares cooking, gardening and hosting tips.

Starring: Meghan Markle

FORMULA 1: DRIVE TO SURVIVE: SEASON 7

Premieres on March 7, 2025 

Familiar faces make a comeback, team stalwarts defect to arch rivals, and new champions emerge in one of Formula One's most tumultuous seasons yet.

PLANKTON: THE MOVIE

Premieres on March 7, 2025 

Plankton's tangled love story with his sentient computer wife goes sideways when she takes a stand — and decides to destroy the world without him.

LOVE IS BLIND: SWEDEN: SEASON 2

Premieres on March 13, 2025 

A new group of singles arrives for the ultimate dating experiment: finding true love and lifetime commitment, all before laying eyes on each other.

THE RESIDENCE

Premieres on March 20, 2025 

When a White House state dinner becomes a crime scene, detective Cordelia Cupp must investigate dozens of staff members and guests to catch a killer.

Starring: Uzo Aduba, Giancarlo Esposito, Edwina Findley, Molly Griggs, Jason Lee, Ken Marino, Al Mitchell, Randall Park, Dan Perrault, Bronson Pinchot

REVELATIONS

Premieres on March 21, 2025 

A pastor who believes in divine revelation and a detective haunted by visions pursue a missing person case — exposing their own demons in the process.

Starring: Ryu Jun-yeol, Shin Hyun-been, Shin Min-jae

CHELSEA HANDLER: THE FEELING

Premieres on March 25, 2025 

From ruining Thanksgiving to a wild summer fling, Chelsea Handler recounts coming of age, unexpected encounters and that time she met Bill Cosby.

Starring: Chelsea Handler

SURVIVAL OF THE THICKEST: SEASON 2

Premieres on March 27, 2025 

With her styling brand on the rise — and her love life on the rocks — Mavis takes ambitious risks to make waves in the world of high fashion.

Starring: Michelle Buteau, Tone Bell, Tasha Smith, Marouane Zotti, Peppermint, Garcelle Beauvais, Anthony Michael Lopez, Liza Treyger

Doctor Who Season 2 premiere date revealed

Disney+ and the BBC have confirmed season two of “Doctor Who” will premiere on Saturday, April 12 on Disney+ in New Zealand. New episodes from the eight-part season will premiere weekly.

Emmy® Award winner Alan Cumming (“The Traitors”) will guest star in the second episode as Mr Ring-a-Ding, a happy, funny, singalong cartoon, who lives in Sunny Town with his friend Sunshine Sally. However, in 1952, after years of repeats in cinemas across the land, Mr Ring-a-Ding suddenly looks beyond the screen and sees the real world outside — and the consequences are terrifying. Cumming is returning to the Whoniverse after previously playing King James I in the 2018 episode “The Witchfinders.” 

Showrunner, executive producer and writer Russell T Davies said, “Only Alan Cumming could give a runaway cartoon so much wit, malice, danger and fun. He makes the whole universe of ‘Doctor Who’ wilder and madder than ever, and it’s an absolute honour to welcome him on board the TARDIS.” 

In Ncuti Gatwa's second season, the Doctor meets Belinda Chandra and begins an epic quest to get her back to Earth. But a mysterious force is stopping their return and the time-travelling TARDIS team must face great dangers, bigger enemies and wider terrors than ever before. 

The new season stars Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor, Varada Sethu as Belinda Chandra and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday. Previously announced guest cast includes Rose Ayling-Ellis, Christopher Chung, Anita Dobson, Michelle Greenidge, Jonah Hauer-King, Ruth Madeley, Jemma Redgrave and Susan Twist. 

Creative Team: In addition to Davies, executive producers are Joel Collins, Phil Collinson, Julie Gardner and Jane Tranter. 

Production: “Doctor Who” is produced by Bad Wolf, with BBC Studios for Disney Branded Television and BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Moana 2 Makes Its Streaming Debut on Disney+ on March 12

Experience Moana and Maui’s latest adventure at home when Disney’s Moana 2 arrives to Disney+ on March 12. The highly anticipated sequel to the Walt Disney Animation Studios fan favorite is the #3 highest-grossing film of 2024 and crossed a billion dollars at the global box office making it the fourth WDAS film ever to do so (Frozen, Zootopia, Frozen 2).

Disney’s Moana 2 is Certified-Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes™ with critics and fans alike having hailed Disney’s Moana 2 as “a fantastic voyage” (Brian Truitt, USA Today), “Gorgeous” (Tommy McArdle, People.com), and “a joyous adventure the whole family will love” (BJ Colangelo, Slash Film).

The Moana 2 Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is available on Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music.

About Moana 2

Moana 2 reunites Moana and Maui three years later for an expansive new voyage alongside a crew of unlikely seafarers. After receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors, Moana must journey to the far seas of Oceania and into dangerous, long-lost waters for an adventure unlike anything she’s ever faced. Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, and produced by Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, Moana 2 features music by Grammy® winners Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, Grammy nominee Opetaia Foaʻi, and three-time Grammy winner Mark Mancina.

Free Upgrade for Grand Theft Auto V on PC Coming March 4

On March 4, Grand Theft Auto V on PC will receive a free upgrade featuring enhancements previously only available to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S players – including new vehicles and performance upgrades available at Hao’s Special Works, animal encounters, improved graphics options, faster loading times, and much more.

 

All players who currently own GTAV on PC will be able to upgrade to this new version for free, with a one-time Character Migration flow to bring over your Story Mode and Online progress.

 

New Features on PC

• Enjoy a range of new vehicles and upgrades at Hao’s Special Works (HSW) that push automotive performance to new heights, and test your driving skills with Premium Test Rides, HSW Races, and HSW Time Trials.
• Encounter Ambient Animals all across Southern San Andreas and take pictures of them to participate in the daily Wildlife Photography Challenge for new rewards.
• PC players can sign up for GTA+ Membership to get special benefits in the upgraded version of GTA Online and beyond.
• Track your criminal movements across all of GTA Online’s updates with the Career Progress feature as you build your empire.
• Navigate a refreshed Landing Page as your starting destination to get straight into the action. Plus, take advantage of an improved introductory flow for newer players with a GTA$4,000,000 windfall to buy property, vehicles, and other items as you start off as an Executive, Gunrunner, Nightclub Owner or Biker in the Career Builder.

 

This upgraded version of GTAV on PC also features all our recent player experience improvements for GTA Online, including kernel-based anti-cheat protections, and proactive voice chat moderation to help keep GTA Online safe, secure and fun for everyone.

 

Nickel Boys: Movie Review

Cast: Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs, Jimmie Fails, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor
Director: RaMell Ross

That a story about an African-American man's struggle in the 1960s Civil Rights movement shot in the first person can be so immersive and engaging while presenting a different take on a familiar journey is a testament to Ross' filmmaking.

It's the story of  Elwood Curtis (Herisse), a boy destined for greatness who finds himself sent to a reform school after being caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, things get worse when Elwood discovers - and is a victim of - the true abusive nature of the school.

Nickel Boys starts with dreamy imagery of a childhood, snatched on lazy hazy days in the sun. Memories and recollections swirl across the screen pulling together a briefly disparate story that jumps around initially before setting itself on a more linear path.

But in those opening moments, Ross sets the tone for the film - and begins to subtly immerse viewers in Elwood's life, his hopes, his peers and his family. Swapping the perspective in parts later on in the 2hour 20 minute film helps to make the film equally engaging, jumping as it does to life of Elwood's friend Turner.

Adapted from Colson Whitehead's novel, the film makes a case for the injustices of the time without ever using a sledgehammer to get its point across. Infused with sensitivity and subtlety, the almost sensory approach to the tale marks it as something uniquely different in the way this kind of heartbreakingly familiar story is told.

Nickel Boys is streaming on Prime Video from February 27.