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.

 

What's on Disney+ in March

 

Here's what's streaming on Disney+ in March

Daredevil: Born Again (March 5)

Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk face off once again in Marvel Television’s all-new series “Daredevil: Born Again,” premiering on Disney+ March 5.

In “Daredevil: Born Again,” Murdock, a blind lawyer with heightened abilities, is fighting for justice through his bustling law firm, while former mob boss Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) pursues his own political endeavors in New York. When their past identities begin to emerge, both men find themselves on an inevitable collision course.

The series also stars Margarita Levieva, Deborah Ann Woll, Elden Henson, Wilson Bethel, Zabryna Guevara, Nikki M. James, Genneya Walton, Arty Froushan, Clark Johnson, Michael Gandolfini, with Ayelet Zurer and Jon Bernthal. Dario Scardapane is showrunner. Episodes are directed by Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Michael Cuesta, Jeffrey Nachmanoff, and David Boyd; and executive producers are Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Sana Amanat, Chris Gary, Dario Scardapane, Matt Corman & Chris Ord, and Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead. 

20 March (New Date)

O'Dessa

Star Original Movie

Premiere

Set in a post-apocalyptic future, O’Dessa is an original rock opera about a farm girl on an epic quest to recover a cherished family heirloom. Her journey leads her to a strange and dangerous city where she meets her one true love – but in order to save his soul, she must put the power of destiny and song to the ultimate test.

19 March

Good American Family

Star Original Series

Premiere

Told from multiple points of view, as a means to explore issues of perspective, bias, and trauma, this compelling drama is inspired by the disturbing stories surrounding a Midwestern couple who adopts a girl with a rare form of dwarfism. But as they begin to raise her alongside their three biological children, mystery emerges around her age and background, and they slowly start to suspect she may not be who she says she is. As they defend their family from the daughter they’ve grown to believe is a threat, she fights her own battle to confront her past and what her future holds, in a showdown that ultimately plays out in the tabloids and the courtroom.

6 March

Deli Boys

Star Original Series

Premiere

After their deli-tycoon father suddenly dies, Raj and Mir Dar, a pair of spoiled Pakistani American brothers, lose everything and find out that their Baba was more drug lord than corporate magnate. The freaked-out boys are ushered kicking and screaming (literally) into the underworld by their Lucky Auntie and her nemesis, Ahmad Uncle. As Raj and Mir fumble from one ridiculous catastrophe to the next, every move they make is life or death. Because when your trust fund is gone, so is the luxury of screwing up.

24 March

David Blaine: Do Not Attempt

Disney+ Premiere

“David Blaine: Do Not Attempt” is a six-part documentary series exploring the world through the lens of magic. Seeking out incredible people who perform real feats that look like magic, Blaine takes us on a jaw-dropping journey through some of the world’s most extraordinary cultures as he seeks out kindred spirits, finds inspiration, and learns some truly exceptional skills along the way.

28 March

Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip

Disney+ Original

Premiere

“Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Road Trip” follows eleven-year-old Alexander and his family as they embark on a dream Spring Break vacation to Mexico City only to have all their plans go terribly wrong when they discover a cursed idol. The all-new family comedy stars Eva Longoria, Jesse Garcia, Paulina Chávez, Rose Portillo, Thom Nemer, with Cheech Marin.

What's on Prime Video in March

Here's everything streaming on Prime Video in March.

THE WHEEL OF TIME SEASON THREE

STREAMING THURSDAY 13 MARCH

Based on the best-selling Robert Jordan fantasy series The Wheel of Time, a humble farm boy, Rand al’Thor, learns he is The Dragon Reborn—a dangerous figure from history destined to save the world … or break it. The Wheel of Time turns, and the Last Battle approaches.

After defeating Ishamael at the end of Season Two, Rand reunites with his friends at Falme and is declared the Dragon Reborn. But in Season Three, the threats against the Light are multiplying: the White Tower stands divided, the Black Ajah run free, old enemies return to the Two Rivers, and the remaining Forsaken are in hot pursuit of the Dragon… including Lanfear, whose relationship with Rand will mark a crucial choice between Light and Dark for them both. As the ties to his past begin to unravel, and his corrupted power grows stronger, Rand becomes increasingly unrecognizable to his closest allies, Moiraine and Egwene. These powerful women, who started the series as teacher and student, must now work together to prevent the Dragon from turning to the Dark…no matter the cost.

The Wheel of Time Season Three stars Rosamund Pike as Moiraine Damodred, Daniel Henney as al’Lan Mandragoran and  Josha Stradowski as Rand al’Thor. The Wheel of Time’s cast also includes Zoë Robins (New Zealand), Madeleine Madden (Australia), Marcus Rutherford, Dónal Finn, Ceara Coveney, Kate Fleetwood, Natasha O’Keeffe, Ayoola Smart, and Kae Alexander.

HOLLAND

STREAMING THURSDAY 27 MARCH

In this wildly unpredictable thriller, Nicole Kidman is the meticulous Nancy Vandergroot, a teacher and homemaker whose picture-perfect life with her community pillar husband (Matthew Macfadyen) and son (Jude Hill) in tulip-filled Holland, Michigan tumbles into a twisted tale. Nancy and her friendly colleague (Gael García Bernal) become suspicious of a secret, only to discover nothing in their lives is what it seems. 

Holland is directed by Mimi Cave, and stars Nicole Kidman, Matthew MacFadyen, Gael García Bernal and Rachel Sennott.

PICTURE THIS

STREAMING THURSDAY 6 MARCH

In this heartfelt rom-com, struggling photographer Pia (Simone Ashley) receives a prediction: true love awaits in her next five dates. With her sister's wedding looming and family playing matchmaker, her ex (Hero Fiennes Tiffin) reappears, throwing her love life into chaos.

Picture This is based on the Australian Amazon Original, Five Blind Dates.

Picture This stars Simone Ashley, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Sindhu Vee, Luke Fetherston, Nikesh Patel, Adil Ray, Anoushka Chadha, Eben Figueiredo, Kulvinder Ghir, Asim Chaudhry, and Phil Dunster.

BOSCH: LEGACY SEASON THREE

STREAMING THURSDAY 27 MARCH

In Bosch: Legacy Season Three, the murder investigation of Kurt Dockweiler brings dangerous secrets to light and threatens to ruin the lives of our three principals. The disappearance of a family haunts Harry Bosch and forces him to confront the limits of justice. In a hotly contested race, Honey “Money” Chandler runs for District Attorney of Los Angeles. And Maddie Bosch gets entangled in a series of follow-home robberies.

There will be 10 episodes of the third and final season of Bosch: Legacy, with the series finale streaming on April 17.

Bosch: Legacy Season Three stars Titus Welliver, Mimi Rogers, Madison Lintz, Stephen A. Chang, and Denise G. Sanchez. 

LAST ONE LAUGHING UK

COMING SOON

Famous for his dark humour, one-liners and THAT laugh, Jimmy Carr challenges 10 of Britain’s funniest comics to spend the day together without so much as a titter. The rules are simple: laugh and you’re out. Over the course of the series, they will use every ounce of their comedic talents to try and break their opponents - without cracking up themselves. And it’s not just their rivals they need to watch out for. The series is packed with comedy cameos, format twists and surprises designed to lure laughs from both the players and the viewers. It’s a stellar line up of British comedy talent as you’ve never seen them before, but who will be crowned the inaugural winner of Last One Laughing UK?

Last One Laughing UK stars Jimmy Carr, Bob Mortimer, Daisy May Cooper, Joe Lycett, Judi Love, Rob Beckett, Sara Pascoe, Lou Sanders, Joe Wilkinson, Harriet Kemsley, Richard Ayoade, Roisin Conaty.

THE CROW

STREAMING THURSDAY 27 MARCH

Soulmates Eric Draven (Bill Skarsgård) and Shelly Webster (FKA twigs) are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Eric sets out to seek merciless revenge on their killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.

The Crow stars Bill Skarsgård, FKA twigs, Danny Huston, Josette Simon, Laura Birn, Sami Bouajila, Karel Dobrý.

TIN SOLDIER

STREAMING TBC

The Bokushi offers a program for US combat veterans seeking their "purpose" and path forward. Now the Government is concerned with the rapid rise of this well-armed, highly trained, and eternally devoted Shinjas in the cult-like "Program."

Tin Soldier stars Jamie Foxx, Robert De Niro, Scott Eastwood and John Leguizamo.

F*** MARRY KILL

STREAMING FRIDAY 14 MARCH

As a serial killer targets women on dating apps, a true-crime junkie must figure out which of her three dates is a f-boy, marriage material, or is trying to kill her.

F*** Marry Kill stars Lucy Hale, Virginia Gardner, Brooke Nevin.

THE DIVORCE INSURANCE

STREAMING MONDAY 31 MARCH

A thrice-divorced man runs into his ex-wife, who works for an insurance company, and they develop a new product: divorce insurance.

The Divorce Insurance Season One stars Lee Dong-wook and Lee Da-hee.

Spit: Movie Review

Cast: David Wenham, Arlo Green, Gary Sweet
Director: Jonathan Teplitzky

Very much a broad Australian comedy aimed at a generation familiar with David Wenham's Johnny Spit Piteri, this latest feels like a throwback in many ways - but benefits greatly from an audience not necessarily needing to know who Spit is.

With a ginger mullet, drain pipe jeans and an elongated gait, small-time ex-criminal Spit heads back to Australia after 20 years on the run abroad. But being busted on a false passport, Spit is thrust into an immigration detention centre.

Suddenly, a whole heap of enemies from his past are on his back and out to get revenge.

There's pleasingly nostalgic vibe to Spit.

It may not win any awards for subtlety or indeed cleverly developed plot - but that's not really what Teplitzky is setting out to achieve here.

Wenham proves to be particularly game, injecting his Spit with a kind of raffish, weasely Ron from Harry Potter look that's crossed with the sneering edges of Rhys Ifans. He's blessed in the physical comedy demands of the role and also the dexterity of the wordplay the script desires.

There's a wonderfully Morecambe and Wise-esque sequence in a courtroom that feels like the best British writers have executed, and thanks to the timing and build-up, it pays off beautifully hitting all the required beats with ease. Equally scenes inside the detention centre feel like they could have been ripped from BBC sitcom Porridge.

As mentioned, Tepltizky peppers enough of the movie with background from Gettin' Square from 2003 to allow audiences to be in on the action and also the jokes. But he also manages to balance the careful line perfectly.

If there's to be one criticism of Spit, it perhaps saddles its detention centre refugees with one-note characterisation with the exception of Arlo Green's Jihad. While most of them exist to be simply Australianised by Spit giving them true blue Aussie nicknames, Green imbues his character and story arc with a great more subtlety and heart than the script demands - and it proves to be perfectly what's needed.

Spit releases in New Zealand cinemas on March 6.

What's on Neon in March

Here's everything streaming on Neon in March.

Secrets at Red Rocks (March 19)

Sky NZ Original’s all-new live-action drama Secrets at Red Rocks is full of adventure, thrills and fantasy. This all new live-action screen adaption of Kiwi author Rachael King’s award-winning novel, produced by Libertine Pictures (Mystic, Under the Vines), brings to life the Celtic myth of the selkie and transplants it into Wellington’s epic west coast. It follows 12-year-old Jake as he is drawn into a world of lifechanging adventure when he finds a sealskin hidden on the rocky shores of his father’s seaside home. When unexpected dangers are unleashed, Jake is called upon to protect his family. Made with the support of NZ On Air. Starring NZ Television Award-winner Dominic Ona-Ariki (One Lane Bridge) and stage and screen veteran Jim Moriarty MNZM (Mahana) and featuring animatronic seals created by Wētā Workshop.

The Sixth Commandment (March 27)

An inspirational teacher is courted by a student, triggering a complex criminal case. Based on the devastating true story of the gaslighting, abuse, and deaths of Peter Farquhar and Ann Moore-Martin in Buckinghamshire. Stars: Timothy Spall (2024 BAFTA winner for Best Leading Actor in The Sixth Commandment), Anne Reid (Last Tango in Halifax), Éanna Hardwicke (Normal People)

Gangs of London S3 (March TB)

As chaos erupts in London after a spiked shipment of cocaine kills hundreds, fan-favourite characters collide with new faces bound by blood ties, sparking brutal power struggles, unexpected alliances, and fierce rivalries. This was no accident – it was a calculated attack. But who’s pulling the strings? Stars: Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Slow Horses), Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders), Michelle Fairley (Game of Thrones), Richard Dormer (Game of Thrones

It Ends With Us (March 6)

Lily Bloom overcomes a traumatic childhood and embarks on a new life in Boston. A chance meeting with Dr Ryle Kincaid sparks an intense connection, but as they fall in love Lily starts to see sides of Ryle that remind her of her parents’ relationship. Stars: Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni

Venom: The Last Dance (March 22)

Eddie and Venom are on the run. With the net closing in, they’re forced to make a choice that could mark the end of their symbiotic partnership. Stars: Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno Temple, Rhys Ifans

Max on Neon

Trixie Motel: Drag Me Home S1 (March 2)

After months of sweat, tears, and lash glue, Trixie Motel has officially been open for almost a year. Trixie Mattel and her partner David look to do something some might say is even scarier - move in together and design a dream home fit for two.

The Baldwins (March 7)

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin have been making headlines since they were married nearly 12 years ago and now in this new follow-doc series, they are inviting viewers into the home they share with their seven growing kids. For the first time, they’re opening up their family lives and bringing everyone in to join in the non-stop love, laughter and drama.

Forbidden Love (March 12)

Would you change your beliefs and live by completely new rules in a totally new culture? Forbidden Love is a docuseries following couples hopelessly in love, but there’s just one major hurdle in their relationship - religion. One person in each couple will be asked to convert to their partner’s religion or to leave their religion entirely.

The Righteous Gemstones S4 (March 10)

The Gemstones are a celebrity televangelist family behind a popular megachurch. Follow the hilarious antics of a holy family whose world of mansions, greed, and corruption belies their virtuous mission. Stars: Danny McBride, John Goodman, Adam DeVine, Edi Patterson, Cassidy Freeman, Tony Cavalero, Tim Baltz, GregAlan Williams

The Watchers (March 4)

A young woman becomes stranded in an extensive forest in western Ireland. Seeking shelter, she finds herself trapped alongside three strangers who are watched and stalked by mysterious creatures each night. Stars: Dakota Fanning, Georgina Campbell, Olwen Fouéré, Oliver Finnegan

Kingdom Come: Deliverance II: PS5 Review

Developed by Warhorse Studios

Published by Deep Silver

Platform: PS5

With a slavish attention to detail and a total immersion experience, Warhorse Studio's sequel to its 2018 game doesn't alienate those who've not delved into the world before.

Taking on the protagonist Henry of Skalitz, the son of a blacksmith, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II throws you in the basic end of the world of the Kingdom of Bohemia and lets you loose to climb the social ladders of the time.

Much like the reality of living in medieval times, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II will see you bogged down in a world that's got more attention to detail than anything else. That's no bad thing as you negotiate a resistance and life in general - but it comes at a cost of needing to spend hours of your time in the game itself. This is not a first person RPG to pick up and play before moving on - it's one that screams out for plenty of time being laid out for you.

There will be some who feel the game's desire to overly explain menus is not conducive to the atmosphere, but in truth, the attention to detail will prove rewarding if you're willing to invest your life away.

Equally though Warhorse Studios' commitment to side-questing and giving you options to ignore the actual storyline itself is enough to keep you amused for hours. Whether it's hunting, selling, robbing or generally exploring, every possible angle has been explored during the development phase and exploited.

Much like The Witcher 3 did, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II's commitment to its world and all who inhabit it give you a feeling that even once you turn off the game or ignore some of the 100 quests on offer, life goes on for the NPCs in the game.

With the world being greatly realised and visualised, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II's combat also delivers a tight experience that's clean and engaging.

All in all, Kingdom Come: Deliverance II is a packed world that's a boon to the RPG world - it offers deep immersion in amongst solid gameplay mechanics. It's no wonder millions have already embraced it since launch.

The Monkey: Movie Review

Cast: Theo James, Tatiana Maslany, Christian Convery, Elijah Wood, Adam Scott
Director: Osgood Perkins

Following the occasional bleakness of Longlegs, director Osgood Perkins returns with something a touch more frivolous.

Based on the 1980 Stephen King short story, The Monkey follows Theo James' twins Hal and Billy, who have an unhealthy rivalry and who live in a world where their father just simply disappeared. Brought up by their mother Lois (Maslany), the pair discover a resin-covered toy monkey that their dad seemingly left behind. 

But after Hal winds up the monkey, and soon after death comes calling, setting in motion a chain of events that will haunt Hal forever.

The Monkey wears its comedic influences on its sleeve proudly from the very beginning. 

From Adam Scott's character being told "You know you've got a fair amount of blood on you" to the odd Final Destination-style deaths and carnage at the drumstick-filled hands of the rictus-grin marble-eyed toy, there's plenty to laugh out loud in among the gore.

Yet it's the innate lunacy of how death comes for us, and how life can end so quickly and so randomly that Perkins leans heavily into - and works into King's usual storylines of trauma and life.

How ever light The Monkey may seem in parts - even though it's blessed by a solid turn from James as the twins - it provides some starkly compelling imagery too enjoyable to spoil here (a final shot of one character is just beautifully executed). 

Once again, as he did with Longlegs, Perkins leans into the aesthetics of the 90s era but still manages to produce something visually different to predecessors. In many ways, it's a farcical fright, with some deaths feeling like they are The Darwin Awards writ large - but the film's desire to embrace that side of it is its strength.

There's plenty of dark humour in The Monkey, but Perkins isn't here to monkey around - it's a fascinating other-side-of-the-coin level of darkness that makes this an enjoyable diversion. 

 

Bird: Movie Review

Cast: Barry Keoghan, Nykiya Adams, Franz Rogowski
Director: Andrea Arnold

Fish Tank director Andrea Arnold's latest outing to the council estates follows Barry Keoghan's heavily-tattooed Bug and his relationship with his daughter Bailey (a phenomenally assured performance from Nykiya Adams in her debut).

When Bug announces he's to marry new girlfriend Kayleigh, Bailey is shocked and runs off in frustration, sleeping in a field overnight. When she awakes she's met by a mysterious man who calls himself Bird (a soft-spoken Rogowski) who befriends her and who she decides to help as he hunts for his family.

A coming of age story that's tinged with fantastical elements, the occasionally disparate and threadbare narrative comes together solely through the performance of Adams, whose tenacious turn as the troubled 12 year old pretty much blows away Keoghan's energetic and frenetic acting.

Both Bug and Bailey are searching for something - albeit on differing paths. Bug just wants to be happy, and Bailey just wants to be accepted as she sits on the cusp of the teen years.

But Arnold's sensitive direction and lithe handling of life for those who slip through the cracks of society makes Bird a compellingly different proposition. Whereas Fish Tank had a more vibrant energy, there's a softer feeling to this as it plays out.

Granted, the idea that Bird is a surrogate father to Bailey is an obvious one, but Arnold switches the relationship around with Bailey finding a purpose of helping him in turn. Themes of rejection and alienation rise to the fire, as well as a need to find identity - and Arnold keeps the pot bubbling just enough to appeal to those who want to dive in.

Very occasionally, it feels like there's not quite enough emotive story to pull you in and that this is an on-the-cusp hangout movie with fantasy edges and a to-be-discussed meaning heavy ending, but it's never less than a singluar take on a very familiar tale.

Strange Darling: Prime Video 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.

What's on Shudder in March

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

The Rule of Jenny Pen – Shudder Original Film

New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and  AMC+ Friday 28 March

Arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen (Geoffrey Rush), who suffers a near-fatal stroke, leaving him partially paralysed and confined to a retirement home. There, Mortensen clashes with a seemingly gentle resident named Dave Crealy (John Lithgow) who is actually secretly terrorising the home with a sadistic game called “The Rule of Jenny Pen” while wielding his dementia doll as an instrument of cruelty. When Mortensen’s pleas to the staff go unanswered, he takes it upon himself to put an end to Crealy’s reign of terror.

Bloody Axe Wound – Shudder Exclusive Film

New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 21 March

Abbie Bladecut is a teenager torn between the macabre traditions of her family’s bloody trade and the tender stirrings of her first crush. In the small town of Clover Falls, Abbie’s father, Roger Bladecut, has built an infamous legacy by capturing real-life killings on tape and selling them to eager customers. But as Abbie delves deeper into the grisly family business, she begins to wonder if it’s time to take the family tradition in a new direction. Starring Molly Brown (Dexter: Original Sin), Jeffrey Dean Morgan (The Walking Dead) and Sari Arambulo (A.P. Bio). 

Arcadian – Shudder Exclusive Film

New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Sunday 30 March

In a near future, normal life on Earth has been decimated. Paul and his two sons, Thomas and Joseph, have been living a half-life – tranquility by day and torment by night. Every night, after the sun sets, they face the unrelenting attacks of a mysterious and violent evil. One day, when Thomas doesn't return home before sundown, Paul must leave the safety of their fortified farm to find him. A nightmarish battle ensues that forces the family to execute a desperate plan to survive.

Satranic Panic

Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Monday 3 March

Jay and Aria are at a low point. Max, Jay’s boyfriend and Aria’s brother, was brutally murdered by a cult. The hate crime was not taken seriously, and now the duo must travel through rural Australia to kill the demons behind it and avenge Max.

New additions to Shudder's Film Library

March 1

Outpost

After a violent attack, a woman searches for strength in the solitude of a lookout job, but is overwhelmed by something darker.

Daughter

A young woman is inducted into a bizarre family as their new surrogate daughter. 

Children of the Corn 

A young woman is inducted into a bizarre family as their new surrogate daughter. 

*The Last Drive-In with Joe Bob Briggs: Nightmareathon “Children of the Corn” Episode 

Also Available

Children of the Corn II

A young woman is inducted into a bazaar family as their new surrogate daughter. 

Children of the Corn III

A young woman is inducted into a bazaar family as their new surrogate daughter. 

March 3

Living with Chucky

A film producer who grew up with Chucky the killer Doll seeks out the other families surrounding The Killer Doll films to share their experiences working on the franchise and what it means. 

The Retaliators

An upstanding pastor uncovers a dark and twisted underworld as he searches for answers surrounding his daughter’s brutal murder. 

T-Blockers

Ancient parasites rise from a small town, taking the most fearful and susceptible hosts. A young filmmaker finds herself as the only one who can sense the possessed resistance before the horror escapes and spreads.

Satranic Panic

Jay and Aria are at a low point. Max, Jay’s boyfriend and Aria’s brother, was brutally murdered by a cult. The hate crime was not taken seriously. Now the duo must travel through rural Australia to kill the demons behind it and avenge Max.

March 10

The Seeding

A man finds himself trapped in a desert canyon with a woman living off-the-grid who is captive to a pack of sadistic boys.

Sasquatch Sunset

A year in the life of a unique family. It captures the daily life of the Sasquatch with a level of detail and rigor that is simply unforgettable. 

March 17

Last Stop in Yuma County

While stranded at a rural Arizona rest stop, a traveling salesman is thrust into a dire hostage situation by the arrival of two bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty -- or cold, hard steel -- to protect their bloodstained fortune.

Founders Day

A small town is shaken by a series of ominous killings in the days leading up to a heated mayoral election. 

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD: Nintendo Switch Review

Developed by Retro Studios
Published by Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch 

It's been around since 2010 and maybe 15 years on would seem to be a red flag for a relaunch of an old title.

But in truth, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD remains a fun and enjoyable platformer within the Donkey Kong world. An enjoyably simple 2D platformer, Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is all about just letting you get into your platforming ways and kick back as the simian king.

When his banana horde is stolen by the Tiki Tak Tribe, it's up to Donkey Kong and his mini pal Diddy Kong to negotiate through the 80 plus levels of the game to get back what's rightfully his.

Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is not really rocket science in many ways - but its MO makes it extremely playable. Especially given in co-op mode, a friend can take on Diddy Kong and play together - it's a fun side of the remaster that makes it more worthwhile.

Just using easy controls and game play methods of rolling, ducking and jumping as well as smashing barrels, Donkey Kong is easy to let loose in the Tiki Tak Tribe's worlds - as always with any platformer, timing is the key to this - and while the latency of the buttons is perfectly fine, it may take a little bit to get used to what's the right time to jump to perfection.

Given all you have to do in levels is jump, stomp, find hidden objects and collect, the key to Donkey Kong Country Returns HD is just the way the game concentrates only on what's needed. Rather than overcomplicating matters, it makes the pick up and play element easy.

While that may be a negative for some, it's actually a boon as the platforming difficulty increases pitching itself perfectly at its key audience.

As platforming goes, it's actually top banana - even if it is a remaster of a title from 15 years ago.

Amazon Australia Introduces AI Features to Kindle Scribe

The recently launched Kindle Scribe is getting even better, with three new updates being announced for Australian and New Zealand customers. Designed to be the ideal companion for the modern-day professional, the powerful AI features will enhance the writing experience and will be rolling out from today:

• Extended Margins provides users with a new note-taking option, allowing users to write longer annotations in expandable book margins, or collapse them to see the original page.
• The notebook summarisation feature instantly converts notes into concise bullet points, it picks key takeaways from user’s thoughts and generate an easily sharable summary.
• The refinement feature will adapt hasty handwriting into a script-like font with the click of a button. Users will still be able to edit and update their refined notes as normal.
• These features will also be available on the 2022 Kindle Scribe via this same software update.
  
  
  

Designed to be the ideal companion for the modern-day professional, to-do list lover or scholarly student, Kindle Scribe combines the benefits of e-reader with a powerful notetaking device. Not only is the world's greatest e-bookstore at your fingertips, users can journal, create meeting notes and to-do lists, and even convert handwritten notes to text and email them to themselves or contacts.

We’re excited to bring the notebook summarisation feature, powered by generative AI, to Australia and New Zealand, which allows you to quickly create a synopsis of your notes that can easily be shared, so you can bring your ideas off the page and turn them into actions. 

To use the feature, select up to 15 notebook pages, open the notebook menu, and click the GenAI Icon. Select “Summarize,” and the feature will convert your notes into concise bullets. The summaries are provided in a script font, so they’re legible and easy to share, while maintaining the look and feel of handwritten notes.
 
Refine your notes
If you’re scribbling in a hurry, or don’t have the tidiest handwriting, the new AI-powered refinement feature will convert your handwritten notes into a script font for a more elegant (and legible) look. While you’re in a notebook, just click the GenAI Icon and select “Refine writing.” Your notes will be quickly converted into a script font and inserted back into your notebook, making them easier to read, review, and share. If inspiration strikes and you want to make changes, you can still edit and update your refined notes.
 
Expandable margins
Last year, we introduced a one-of-a-kind in-book writing experience for Kindle Scribe that allows you to just start writing on the page of a book or reflowable document, and Active Canvas will automatically make space for your notes. Today, we’re adding a new way to use Active Canvas – with expandable margins. You can now take notes in margins, expand them for longer notes, or collapse them to see the original page. 

To open a margin, use the Pen to tap the icon in the top corner (the margin icon will appear on the side of the page opposite the writing toolbar). Then, write as much as you’d like, and tap the icon again to close the margin. Your thoughts will be neatly stored away until you want to reread or edit them. No matter how you choose to take notes with Active Canvas—on the page or in the margins—your notes are tied to the relevant text, so they’re always in context, even if you change font sizes.
 
Rolling out from today
These latest software updates will begin rolling out to Kindle Scribe customers from today (for all 2022 and 2024 Kindle Scribe models), and will continue rolling out over the next few weeks. These updates will automatically download and install on Kindle Scribe when connected to Wi-Fi.

Tinā: Movie Review

Cast: Anapela Polataivao, Beulah Koale, Antonia Robinson, Nicole Whippy
Director: Miki Magasiva

There's nothing in Tinā that's new.

In many ways, it's a very familiar story told within a very familiar framework, with an outcome that won't surprise really anyone who is worth their cinematic worth.

But where Tinā does surprise is in its powerful performance from its lead Polataivao, who elevates the well-trodden story high above its roots thanks to her subtle and crowd-pleasing performance.

She plays Mareta, a school teacher, whose life is irrevocably changed when she loses her daughter in the 2011 Christchurch earthquake. Robbed of her will to live and her desire to even exist properly, she's stumbling through a shadow of a life in one of the city's poorer suburbs. But when her electricity is threatened with disconnection, she's forced to take a teaching job at an upper-class school across the city. 

Coming into conflict with an overly ambitious deputy headmaster keen to make his mark, and trying to start a choir in a mainly sports-led school, it's obvious Mareta is not going to have the easiest of rides. The script doesn't exactly pull any original punches here - and when one of the girls from the school, Sophie (played with restraint by Robinson) is seen pulling away from her mother in anger, it's no surprise where that relationship will go and how it will play out.

But Magasiva manages to keep things on the right side of crowd-pleasing throughout (even if some hamminess from an almost pantomime-villain threatens to derail proceedings) and the city of Christchurch has never looked so beautiful and grounded in the camerawork (credit to cinematographer Andrew McGeorge) - meaning Tinā falls just on the right side of the cinematic ledger throughout.

It could have lost a little in the edit, but sequences such as the choir finding each other and their voice add new visuals to a genre that's become soaked by the likes of Pitch Perfect and Mr Holland's Opus. 

There's a heart here which is hard to deny - and as Tinā, Polataivao is the beating heart of the proceedings. There's an aching sadness to her performance and just something that she manages to capitalise on perfectly. The film's name is Samoan for Mother and franjly Polataivao delivers the mother of all performances here to keep both her cheekiness, her resolve and her tragedy all bubbling away.

Māoriland unveils 2025 lineup

Māoriland, the largest Indigenous film festival in the world, announces an incredible line-up  for its 12th annual screen celebration with 130 films and digital works from 86 Indigenous nations.  

The Māoriland Film Festival (MFF) takes place from 26 - 30 March 2025 in Ōtaki on the Kapiti Coast.

Festival director Madeleine Hakaraia de Young says this year’s festival theme, ‘Ko te mauri, he mea huna ki te Moana,’ is a whakataukī that speaks of the life force of the ocean and the life force within us all. 

“From the winds, electrical storms, and floods of this summer to the fires and extreme snowfalls of winter in the North, our planet is changing rapidly,” says Hakaraia de Young. 

“When we were programming this year's festival, we watched stories that evidence these profound changes all over the planet told through an Indigenous lens.

“We also saw stories of resilience, ingenuity and courage informed by generations of knowledge. Indigenous communities have solutions and we hope visitors to Māoriland will leave this year's festival activated and inspired.”

‘Ko te mauri, he mea huna ki te Moana,’ is reflected across the 40 screening programs in this year’s festival - from short films to feature drama and documentaries. 

Opening MFF2025 is a Special Screening of Kōkā, the debut feature film written and directed by Kath Akuhata Brown of Ngāti Porou. 

Under the celestial guidance of Matariki, Kōkā tells the story of an unlikely bond between Māori elder Hamo (Hinetu Dell) and troubled teen Jo (Darneen Christian, The Dead Lands) as they embark on a transformative road trip. MFF audiences will be the first in Aotearoa to see this new film, a story of healing, community, and reconciliation.

The closing night film Te Puna Ora is a documentary by Virginie Tetoofa intertwining mythology and reality on the lush island of Mo'orea. Inspired by the legend of the goddess Hina, the film follows three Tahitian women who unite to protect their beach from privatisation. 

A number of filmmakers are returning to the MFF2025 with new work. Singing Back the Buffalo, from award-winning Cree filmmaker Tasha Hubbard (nîpawistamâsowin: We Will Stand Up, MFF2020, Birth of a Family), is a deeply uplifting exploration of the reawakening of the buffalo and its profound significance to Indigenous peoples. 

From James Ashcroft (Coming Home in the Dark, MFF2023), The Rule of Jenny Pen (Winner of Best Director at Fantastic Fest, Texas, 2024) is a dark, boundary-pushing thriller that will leave audiences laughing and wincing in equal measure with award-winning performances by George Henare, John Lithgow and Geoffrey Rush (Best Actor, Sitges Film Festival 2024). 

Wilfred Buck, could be described as the Cree Rangi Matamua, reclaiming the star teachings of his ancestors. 

Ojibway filmmaker Lisa Jackson (Savage, MFF2014, Lichen, MFF2021) brings his story to the screen in a way that mirrors his worldview—eschewing conventional narrative structures in favour of a cinematic experience that embodies his unique way of thinking and being in the world.

Māoriland 2025 will also host the world premiere of The Stolen Children of Aotearoa, directed by Julian Arahanga. This powerful documentary brings to light the harrowing experiences of survivors who endured abuse while in state care in New Zealand. 

Through candid interviews and personal narratives, the film delves into the systemic failures that led to the suffering of countless individuals, predominantly from Māori communities. 

At MFF2020, Hawaiian filmmakers Alika Tengan and Jalena Keane-Lee shared their short films, Moloka’i Bound and Standing Above The Clouds .  Both filmmakers and their teams are now excited to be travelling to Aotearoa for screenings of the Feature Film versions of e films. 

Set against the backdrop of Hawai'i's breathtaking landscapes, Moloka’i Bound delves into a young man’s journey as he faces the complexities of fatherhood, cultural identity, and the temptations of his past. Through intimate storytelling, Moloka'i Bound presents a compelling narrative of redemption and the enduring bonds of family.

Standing Above the Clouds chronicles the largest political movement in modern Hawaiian history. 

This intimate film follows Native Hawaiian mother-daughter activists, including Pua Case and her daughters, who lead the decade-long fight to protect Mauna Kea, a sacred mountain, from constructing the Thirty Meter Telescope.

MFF2025 also includes the work of 37 rangatahi filmmakers, many of whom will be presenting at the festival for the first time. 

“Māoriland has always ensured that the stories and voices of Rangatahi are uplifted and supported within the festival. Creating accessible pathways for Rangatahi filmmakers to share their work with audiences and filmmakers around the world,” said programmer and rangatahi Oriwa Hakaraia. 

For younger and older audiences alike, the world premiere of Shrek: Kātahi Te Korokē on March 27 promises to entertain. 

Starring accomplished actors and musicians Maaka Pohatu as Shrek and Tuakoi Ohia as Princess Fiona they are joined by, Te Puaheiri Snowden, co-host of the popular reo Māori podcast Taringa as Donkey and Māori language leader Jeremy Tātere McLeod as  Lord Farquaad. 

“It is a celebration of te reo Māori at Ngā Purapura, a venue operated by New Zealand’s first Māori tertiary institute Te Wānanga o Raukawa in a town where te reo Māori is heard everywhere” said Shrek Producer and Māoriland Head of Content Libby Hakaraia.

Māoriland is also proud to host the New Zealand premiere of the animated feature The Lost Tiger as this year’s free whānau feature film. 

In The Lost Tiger, Chantelle Murray makes history as the first Indigenous Australian woman to write and direct an animated feature. 

With an all-star voice cast including Thomas Weatherall, Rhys Darby, Celeste Barber, Jimi Bani, and Nakkiah Lui, this vibrant film is a joyful adventure for all ages. Seamlessly blending humour, heart, and adventure, The Lost Tiger is a groundbreaking children’s film that celebrates identity and resilience while exploring Australia’s past and present.

Now in its 12th year, the MFF has grown to be the largest Indigenous Film Festival in the world, known globally for its unique audience and filmmaker experience. 

Alongside screenings, visitors to the festival can enjoy filmmaker talk series - NATIVE Minds, Indigenous art showcased on the street and in Toi Matarau Gallery, Food Trucks, Live Music and more. 

21 Feature Films

104 Short Films

40 Thematic Programs

86 Indigenous Nations Represented

27 Countries

51 Indigenous Language Films

37 Rangatahi Filmmakers

62 Wāhine Filmmakers

130 Total Films + Digital Works

Technics launches the EAH-AZ100

Technics announces the EAH-AZ100, its latest true wireless earbuds, adding to the family of award-winning audio products backed by 60 years of sound engineering and product development. The EAH-AZ100 levels up users’ sound experience with a newly developed, proprietary “Magnetic Fluid Driver” that creates clean, high-resolution, low-vibration and low-distortion sounds for the most authentic, balanced audio that’s true to the original source.

For stress-free communication, the EAH-AZ100 introduces “Voice Focus AI”– an innovative feature that combines an AI noise reduction chip and three microphones in each earbud. This advanced technology delivers precise tuning, ensuring the ultimate call quality for both the speaker and the listener. “Voice Focus AI” goes beyond eliminating common call distractions, such as busy street traffic wind or other background noise. It actively analyses incoming sound, enhancing the sound of the caller.

Adaptive Noise Cancelling also brings another performance update to the EAH-AZ100. This technology works with the surrounding environment, background noise levels and the individual shape of the ear, adjusting the level of noise cancelling for the best experience at any time and in any situation. No matter the environment, these earbuds effectively eliminate low to mid-range noises, including human voices, allowing users to stay focused and immersed.

Experiencing music as the artist intended

The launch of the EAH-AZ100 True Wireless earbuds celebrates Technic’s 60th anniversary in style, combining six decades of experience to create its own unique proprietary “Magnetic Fluid Driver” technology, which recreates an artist’s energy and atmosphere without adding any sound enhancement. The quality has been confirmed by the sensitive ears of professional music producers and sets the EAH-AZ100 apart to be the next item on any high-tech audio gadget shopping list.

The “Magnetic Fluid Driver” technology has been miniaturized from the renowned Technics EAH-TZ700 wired, in-ear monitors to enable a new level of low-distortion sound for the EAH-AZ100 earbuds. The ultra-thin free edge ensures an ultra-low frequency of 3Hz for a rich bass, while its aluminum diaphragm produces natural high resolution sound separation and details.

The “Magnetic Fluid” is an oil-type liquid filled with magnetic particles that is injected into the space between the driver magnet and voice coil that enables low-distortion playback. All this creates a dynamic, rhythmic, detailed listening experience so users can hear their favorite music recordings as originally intended by the artist.

Taking performance even further, for that feeling of “live music-concert sound”, the EAH-AZ100 also newly integrates with spatial audio optimized for Dolby Atmos®[1]. With Dolby Audio™, podcasts, movies, music and games have enhanced clarity of voice content. Dolby Head Tracking responds to head movements, creating a more realistic, shifting sound field that continuously recalibrates to keep the listener at the centre of the action and delivering a 360-degree immersive audio experience.

Premium design and connectivity for convenience

Designed to suit any lifestyle, the EAH-AZ100 also includes award-winning features from previous Technics models, including 3-device multipoint connectivity, which enables hooking up to the likes of laptops, tablets and smartphones in minutes. In addition, the EAH-AZ100 simplifies seamless switching between devices and can provide announcements of nearby connected devices.

The concha-fit and shape has also been improved, reducing the size and weight of the earbud for all-day comfort whether the user is on work calls or streaming content. Additionally, a new fifth "ML" size ear tip has been introduced, giving users more options to achieve the best seal, sound quality and noise cancelling performance.

This smaller and lighter design also brings more eco-efficient shipping. Alongside Panasonic’s commitment to reduce its environmental footprint, the latest earbuds come in revamped packaging that is 100% plastic-free that saves on space and weight.

The hassle and clutter have been taken out of charging the true wireless earbuds with compatible Qi Wireless Charging, and a strong battery life. With advanced noise cancelling on, the earbuds have up to 10 hours of playback time left out of the case and up to 28 hours with it.

The EAH-AZ100s also feature One-touch Conversation Mode, allowing users to instantly pause music and activate transparent mode, which focuses on the “voice” element for effortless conversations without having to remove the earbuds. When taken out, built-in wearing sensors automatically pause the music and disable touch sensors to prevent accidental inputs. Simply put the earbuds back in to seamlessly resume music and control.

For the ultimate connectivity, the EAH-AZ100 also supports the new Bluetooth® LE Audio standard and Auracast feature to pair and share an audio experience, as well as the LC3 codec for low-latency audio when gaming and viewing videos. Compatible with Google Fast Pair, Android users can also sync up chosen nearby devices and accessories automatically. The Technics Audio Connect App is available on iOS or Android devices for easy access to preferences and personalized sound tuning, and convenient features such as location tracking if the earbuds are misplaced.

Launching in sleek Silver and Black with its signature stylish ergonomic design, Technics EAH-AZ100 Earbuds are available for purchase online at Technics.com and at trusted retailers.