Thunderbolts*: Movie Review

Cast: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, Olga Kurylenko, Julia Louis Dreyfus
Director: Jake Schreier

After the somewhat underwhelming Captain America: Brave New World, the pressure's back on Marvel to deliver a cinematic tentpole worthy of their oeuvre.

Step forward Thunderbolts*, a movie about a ragtag bag of reformed villains looking to do the right thing. Less Avengers, more Suicide Squad - but with plenty of issues.

And the film largely lands, thanks to an incredible performance from Pugh as the damaged Yelena, still struggling with the loss of her sister Black Widow and searching for her meaning and purpose after hit after psychological hit.

Best experienced spoiler-free, loosely the plot of Thunderbolts* concerns itself with a ragtag group comprising Yelena, the first Captain America, Taskmaster, Ghost and Red Guardian. When Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Valentina is threatened with impeachment by Congress, she decides to eliminate her dodgy past - which means literally burning her bridges with the operatives she's deployed in the past. 

However, when the gang is forced to team up for survival, they uncover a greater threat that needs addressing.

With trauma, suicide, depression and darkness swathing large parts of Thunderbolts*, the film can feel like the least Marvel-led outing for a long time. But in some ways, that's a good thing - particularly here where it gives Pugh the chance to bring some depth to her assassin; and while Harbour provides the comic relief as her father, there are plenty of moments that mine the humanity of the father-daughter relationship in ways that feel grounded and real.

Slices of visuals from The Boys and Homelander creep in, and there's a lot here that feels familiar (in ways too spoiler-heavy to mention) but if Thunderbolts* does anything, it goes a long way to prove that Marvel can pull together relevant films that feel both timely and timeless.

From dealing with toxic male behaviour to blatant fragility, the film does take some very wild swings, and tonally doesn't always quite match up. Yet it proves to be compelling enough to be enjoyable for its two hour pacing.

And given Marvel's relative uneven edges to Phase Five of its existence, that really does leave this one feeling like a Thunderbolt out of the blue.

The Penguin: Season 1 Blu Ray Review

Colin Farrell's Oswald Cobb comes to the small screen in this spinoff series from the 2022 Matt Reeves movie The Batman.

Picking up directly after the end of the movie after Paul Dano's Riddler had unleashed a series of bombs which destroyed the seawalls and flooded Gotham, the eight-part run sees Oz try to scrabble to the top of the criminal underworld during a power vacuum.

But standing in his way is the Falcone family, who've been running the drugs operation in Gotham for years without contender. However, a new challenger to the throne arrives in the form of Cristin Milioti's Sofia, who's fresh out of Arkham hospital and on the push for revenge.

It's very easy to categorize The Penguin as a Sopranos-wannabe. (Even down to the opening titles graphics card of the show name).

From Cobblepot's Tony Soprano-esque gait through to his browbeaten relationship with his own mother, who's grappling dementia, there are plenty of parallels to the David Chase James Gandolfini-led show.

It's not a bad comparison to rub up against in many ways, and those expecting a more superhero-led show full of the quirks of the Burton Batman world may deservedly be disappointed. But what it does mean for The Penguin is solid drama or not, it never really ascends the similarities to any other mob drama you've seen and emerge as something solidly different.

Which is a shame, because it's watchable enough fare.

Farrell is all New York-swagger and threatening vibes, with flashes of insecurity bubbling over into violence. It makes for an intriguing protagonist, because even with the machinations and political manoeuvrings that Cobblepot's dabbling in, you're never quite sure what's going through his mind.

Thankfully, his relationship with young stammering street kid Victor Aguilar (Rhenzy Feliz) is stunning to watch. Whether it's mentoring him or remonstrating his failures, the frisson of uncertainty and would-be father vibes makes for solid viewing.

Equally impressive is Milioti's Sofia Falcone. Clearly traumatised by her time in Arkham and resentful at being held at arm's length by her own family, Milioti channels a kind of dead-eyed stare that is borderline psychotic and cold when the menace is needed.

Ultimately, The Penguin is a mix of politics and violence. Its more dialogue-led episodes very occasionally feel lumpen and leaden, but as a portrait of a character often ridiculed for his gait and props, thanks to Farrell's depth of work, this Penguin emerges as more of a duality character than a one-dimensional freak to Gotham.

The Penguin plays every Friday from 4pm on Neon

What’s new on Netflix in May

Here’s everything that’s streaming on Netflix in May.

SIRENS  Premieres on May 22, 2025 

Devon thinks her sister Simone has a really creepy relationship with her new boss, the enigmatic socialite Michaela Kell. Michaela’s cult-ish life of luxury is like a drug to Simone, and Devon has decided it’s time for an intervention, but she has no idea what a formidable opponent Michaela will be. Told over the course of one explosive weekend at The Kells’ lavish beach estate, Sirens is an incisive, sexy, and darkly funny exploration of women, power, and class.

Starring: Julianne Moore, Meghann Fahy, Milly Alcock, Kevin Bacon

THE FOUR SEASONS - Premieres on May 1, 2025 

The decades-long friendship between three married couples is tested when one divorces, complicating their tradition of quarterly weekend getaways.

Starring: Tina Fey, Will Forte, Kerri Kenney-Silver, Marco Calvani, Erika Henningsen, Colman Domingo, Steve Carell

CONAN O'BRIEN: THE KENNEDY CENTER MARK TWAIN PRIZE FOR AMERICAN HUMOR

Premieres on May 4, 2025 

Comedy's biggest stars gather to toast and celebrate late-night legend Conan O'Brien as he accepts the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Starring: Conan O'Brien, John Mulaney, Will Ferrell, Kumail Nanjiani, Paul Rudd, Sarah Silverman, Stephen Colbert, Tracy Morgan, Reggie Watts, Sean Evans, Adam Sandler, David Letterman

FULL SPEED: SEASON 2

Premieres on May 7, 2025 

In the race for the 2024 NASCAR championship, this high-octane documentary series gets closer than ever to the drama on and off the track.

Starring: Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Daniel Suárez

BLOOD OF ZEUS: SEASON 3

Premieres on May 8, 2025 

Set loose from captivity and burning for revenge, the king of the Titans swears to crush the Olympian gods and reclaim the power they stole from him.

Starring: Derek Phillips, Jessica Henwick, Jason O'Mara, Elias Toufexis, Adetokumboh M'Cormack, Claudia Christian, Chris Diamantopoulos, Fred Tatasciore, Cissy Jones, Lara Pulver

BET

Premieres on May 15, 2025 

At a private school where gambling determines social status, a skillful new student with a mysterious past is shaking things up — and betting on revenge.

Starring: Miku Martineau, Rami Khan, Ryan Sutherland, Eve Edwards, Ayo Solanke, Dorial Giordano, Clara Alexandrova, Hunter Cardinal

LOVE, DEATH & ROBOTS: VOLUME 4

Premieres on May 15, 2025 

Dinosaur gladiators, messianic cats, string-puppet rock stars — it can only be Love, Death + Robots. The fourth volume, presented by Tim Miller (Deadpool, Terminator: Dark Fate) and David Fincher (Mindhunter, The Killer), sees Jennifer Yuh Nelson (Kung Fu Panda 2, Season 3’s “Kill Team Kill”) return as supervising director for ten startling shorts showcasing the series’ signature, award-winning style of bleeding-edge animation, horror, sci-fi, and humor. Buckle up.

FEAR STREET: PROM QUEEN

Premieres on May 23, 2025 

Who will be voted queen at Shadyside High's 1988 prom? For underdog Lori, competition is cutthroat even before someone starts killing off the candidates.

Starring: India Fowler, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazza, David Iacono, Ella Rubin, Chris Klein, Ariana Greenblatt, Lili Taylor, Katherine Waterston

COLD CASE: THE TYLENOL MURDERS

Premieres on May 26, 2025 

Who really laced Tylenol with cyanide? This true-crime series examines alarming theories behind the unsolved killings — and tracks down a key suspect.

F1: THE ACADEMY

Premieres on May 28, 2025 

Follow fifteen of the world's best female drivers as they take to the tough tracks of F1 Academy in this high-octane documentary from Hello Sunshine.

What's on Shudder in May

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

The Ugly Stepsister – Shudder Original Film 

New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ in May (Date TBA) 

A sinister twist on the classic Cinderella story, The Ugly Stepsister follows Elvira as she prepares to earn the prince’s affection at any cost. In a kingdom where beauty is a brutal business, Elvira will compete with the beautiful and enchanting Agnes to become the belle of the ball. 

The Surrender – Shudder Original Film 

New Film Premieres Exclusively on Shudder and AMC+ Friday 23 May 

A fraught mother-daughter relationship is put to a terrifying test when the family patriarch dies, and the grieving mother hires a mysterious stranger to bring her husband back from the dead. As the bizarre and brutal resurrection spirals out of control, both women must confront their differences as they fight for their lives – and for each other. 

The Surrender – Shudder Original Film 

Vampire Hunter D 40th Anniversary Film Premiere

Exclusively on Shudder, AMC+ and HIDIVE Friday 30 May 

In the year 12,090 A.D. technology and the supernatural have overtaken the world, leaving the land desolate and despotic. The remnants of humanity are scattered into small communities and live in fear of vampires who compose the ruling Nobility. When Count Magnus Lee tastes the blood of Doris Lang, she is forcibly chosen to be his next wife. In an effort to escape her ill-gotten fate she hires a mysterious vampire hunter known only as D, who comes from a peculiar lineage. 

NEW ADDITIONS TO SHUDDER’S FILM LIBRARY 1 May  

The Devil’s Business 

At the horse of their target, two hit men bide their time waiting for the kill, only to find the death already  arrived in the shape of black magic, devilish spirits and the occult.  

Blood on Satan’s Claw 

In early 18th century England, the children of a village slowly convert into a coven of devil worshipers. 

Curse of the Crimson Alter 

Robert Manning visits the remote country house where his brother Peter was last seen. While his host  seems outwardly friendly and his niece more demonstrably so, Robert detects a feeling of menace in  the air.  

Witchfinder General 

During the English Civil War, a young Roundhead seeks vengeance against a vicious witch-hunter  and his henchman, who have terrorised the soldier’s fiancée and wrongfully executed her uncle.  

Itim (The Rites of May) 

During a return to his provincial home, a young man gets involved with a woman who is ultimately  possessed by her sister’s spirit, paving the way to revealing the painful truth about her unsolved  disappearance. 

Shutter 

A newly married couple discovers disturbing, ghostly images in photographs they develop after a  tragic accident. Fearing the manifestations may be connected, they investigate and learn that some  mysteries are better left unresolved.  

Coming Soon 

Two projectionists discover a disturbing film featuring the lynching of a woman, not only are they  troubled by the content of the movie, but strange events befall them following the viewing.  

Phobia 

Four chilling tales intertwine: a teenager’s unsettling text messages, a bullied student’s dark revenge,  a camping trip gone wrong and a flight attendant’s nightmarish ordeal. Each story explores fear and  the supernatural.  

Phobia 2 

Horror anthology consisting of five segments by acclaimed Thai directors. Segments involve a criminal  seeking refuge, a haunted hospital, haunted truck passengers, a car dealer’s dark discovery and an  ill actress portraying a ghost.  

5 May 

Severance 

During a team-building retreat in the mountains, a group of sales representatives are hunted down  one by one.  

A Night of Horror Vol 1 

Ten filmmakers. One night of horror. 

19 May 

Dead End Drive-In 

In a dystopian future Australia, a health nut and his tag-along girlfriend become trapped in a drive-in  cinema that has become a concentration camp for delinquent youths and refugees.  

26 May 

The Whip and the Body 

The ghost of a sadistic nobleman attempts to rekindle his romance with his terrorised, masochistic  former lover, who is unwillingly betrothed to his brother.  

Hagazussa 

After the loss of her tormented mother, the erratic behavior of a 15th century woman living in an  isolated mountain village becomes a threat to the safety of her infant child.  

Wicked: Part One: Blu Ray Review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Doctor Who: The Well: Review

The most secretive episode of the second run of Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor arrives - and with it, plenty of fan expectation.

When the Doctor and Belinda examine an abandoned facility on an alien world, they find themselves stuck and facing terror like they'd never have expected.

To say more about The Well is to spoil the speculation that proved to be correct online. But what is clear about The Well is how cleverly insidious and genuinely upsetting it is in parts after the Doctor and Belinda find themselves stuck on planet wiped out by radiation.

Building a sense of tension throughout, the story seeks to expand on the previous tale and while there's always an argument that explaining away the unexplainable robs it of the mystery, somehow this just manages to stay on the right side of the ledger. It's not as successful as the first admittedly, but thanks to the central performances of Rose Ayling-Ellis as the only survivor found on the planet, and Slow Horses' star Christopher Chung as a belligerent soldier, the story coalesces despite a rush of revelations around the halfway mark.

With further clues about the fate of the Planet Earth as Belinda tries to get home, and an ending that teases more for the future, The Well is a base under siege story that deals in terror and largely achieves it.

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle: PS5 Review

Developed by MachineGames
Published by Bethesda
Platform: PS5

Porting across to the PlayStation just months after it impressed on XBox, the Indiana Jones game feels like a natural fit for the kind of escapades made famous by the Uncharted franchise - exploring, taking on bad guys and looting where necessary.

Set between Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Last Crusade, the game drops Indy into 1937 as he tries to harness the power of the Great Circle, something a group of bad guy Nazis are also trying to do. Jumping around the world, the game gets the globetrotting story of Indy right and makes a compelling argument for good times in the franchise.

From stealth to fighting, the Great Circle's strength is an accurate depiction of what you'd want from an Indy title - and along with the elements of stealth and whip-cracking, this is the kind of port across that you'd want. With haptics and the PS tech being integrated into the game, the Indiana Jones experience is one that can't easily be denied.

And while the game feels eerily true to the film franchise and could be accused of doing little to stand out on its own, its adherence and performance from Troy Baker as Indy are all to be admired. It does exactly what you'd want from an Indy game and manages to seize on the nostalgia highs you'd expect.

Graphically the game soars on the PS (and one suspects the PS5 Pro would see it soar even higher) but while it's faithful to the Xbox version, its emulation within the PlayStation environment means it's still deeply enjoyable.

The Accountant 2: Movie Review

Cast: Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pinada
Director: Gavin O'Connor

Ben Affleck's autistic accountant returns nearly a decade after his first outing for another run that puts him in not one, but two odd couple situations and runs with it.

Yet rather than deal with the more character-led moments of the story, what emerges in The Accountant 2 is a stereotypical shoot-out set in Mexico that just about hits all the familiar plots of human trafficking, faceless bad guys and bloody ludicrous demises.

Affleck is Christian Wolff, who's called in to help Treasury deputy director Marybeth Medina (Addai-Robinson) when the department's former director is killed (an all too wasted JK Simmons). Tracking down those believed to be responsible throws up a curveball involving a missing Mexican family and a reunion with Wolff's brother Braxton (a livewire and charismatic Bernthal).

While The Accountant 2 is a solid film that goes for action over character, bullets over moral quandaries and ethical edges, its slow burn and aloof lead provide a mix that's hard to love and feels in part like it's simply about enduring the film's two hour run.

The chemistry between Bernthal and the severely restrained Affleck is great to watch, even if many of the moments comes from uneasy laughs over Wolff's unease at dealing with certain situations (something which the script mines a little too often and begins to feel like an unfair dramatic crutch). Equally, a university hub run by autistic kids to hack and track crimes feels a little borderline too - one moment where the edges are blurred and a character pushes back against it seems like an ill-advised roadblock than a dramatic necessity.

But a messy script with untidy edges holds things back when it should soar and a somewhat muddy narrative and central mystery leaves The Accountant 2 feeling undercooked when it should soar. And at times, it never entirely seems convinced whether it's a buddy movie from the 1980s or an overly grim drama that's clearly been inspired by Sicario.

Perhaps an expeditious trim would have helped here - because in the final wash, unfortunately, this Accountant doesn't quite add up.

Until Dawn: Movie Review

Cast: Ella Rubin, Michael Cimino, Peter Stormare, Ji-Young Yoo, Odessa A'Zion
Director: David F Sandberg

When the Until Dawn game appeared back in 2015, its adaptation of horror, third-person gaming and the butterfly effect set in motion a chain of success that saw ripples for years to come.

Now a decade on, the game's been taken as an inspiration point for a horror film that mixes survival, Groundhog Day, slasher and the zombie genres in some truly effective ways.

One year after her sister's disappearance, Clover (Rubin) and a group of her friends head to the last spot she was seen to try and piece together what happened. But within hours of arriving, they find themselves trapped in a nightmare, destined to be killed time and time again.

Until Dawn's movie is tremendously effective at building a world of unease around it - but less so at creating a level of coherence as the reasons for what's going on are revealed toward the end. It has to be said the movie feels like it rushes to some kind of conclusion, with a stream of answers coming in between a run of attacks and escapes. (And a wonderful final nod to the actual game itself).

Yet the journey to the destination is nothing short of compelling and thrilling.

From its headscratching what's going on here approach as the group finds themselves caught in a clutch of seemingly unexplainable mysteries to the moments the horror really ramps up, Until Dawn more than delivers on a promise of changing up the traditional stalker horror into something that's more disturbing and upsetting.

Each kill feels gnarly and gut-wrenching. There are moments of humour (and one series of deaths that's laugh-out-loud funny in its gory execution, despite a final scene explaining away why it happened like that) but they're deftly balanced by a kind of tension that's sickening to watch.

Complete with Easter Egg nods to the game, PlayStation Productions' approach to Until Dawn has been to deviate slightly from the expectations of those who've played it and double down on what makes a good horror work these days - mystery and uncertainty.

An effective thrill ride that impresses until it doesn't, Until Dawn deserves your time - it's a reminder what the horror genre can do when it's treated with intelligence. 

Andor: Season 2 Review

The second season of the Star Wars spinoff Andor is a richly complex and compelling affair, one that requires a lot of its audience, but rewards their investment.

The hardest problem it faces is knowing how it all plays out in its conclusion, given that it builds to Rogue One: A Star Wars Story - though that said, the unpredictable nature of how some of it plays out makes for some truly strong viewing.

Though a lot of what Andor does feels like it inhabits a world outside of Star Wars - and the scope from the beginning through to its end is massive. Picking up threads from the end of season one, the story finds Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) separated from his friends and dallying with the idea of becoming a larger part of the Rebellion. But it's not until the final third of the season that this comes to fruition in a deeply upsetting manner.

Transgressing through themes of betrayal, trust, insurrection, a lack of faith in authority and a rise of fascism and evil of the Empire (with some prescient parallels in today's America), it's a heady mix which makes for intelligent storytelling.

Yet creator Tony Gilroy's fashioned something that's deeply resonant in parts, due to strong storytelling and some real edge of the seat set pieces. Moments that thrill throughout are double-edged, coming as they do with either a sense of tragedy or the highs of a success that's barely earned - or will barely last.

Visually, the series is just stunning. Different worlds feel lived in in different ways, but some of them stand alone for their sleek and sparse architecture. Certainly, in the final strait of the series, the emotionally charged threads pay off in unexpected and hard ways that are part of the investment in the season's 12 episodes.

What's most obvious about Andor Season 2 is the ambition of scope, something which Gilroy has paid off wonderfully. Yet it's the performances of Luna, Adria Arjona, Genevieve O'Reilly, Stellan Skarsgard and Denise Gough that will pull you deeply in - each of them delivers a masterclass in subtlety, frustration, ecstasy and their own arc.

There's plenty of discussion around what price for being part of a rebellion, but wisely, Andor Season 2 also looks at the human cost of being part of the other side as well. But the human cost throughout is utterly tragic, a reminder of the sacrifices made by those for causes - and the consequences and ripples of their doing so.

Andor Season 2 may be one of the best Star Wars entrants yet - a deeply mature piece of movie-level storytelling that will stand the test of time of the Lucasfilm ambitions in the 21st century. You may know how it plays out and what it leads to, but the journey there is one hell of a ride more than worth taking.

Andor Season 2 premieres on Disney+ on Tuesday, April 22 with three episodes.
12 episodes of 12 episodes of season two were viewed for the purpose of this review.

Transformers One: Neon NZ Movie Review

Vocal cast: Chris Hemsworth, Brian Tyree Henry, Scarlett Johansson, Keegan-Michael Key, Jon Hamm, Steve Buscemi, Laurence Fishburne
Director: Josh Cooley

The latest Transformers film wants to be a Shakespearean tale of tragedy, with two best friends becoming the most bitter of enemies. But unfortunately, as is the way with the Transformers franchise, it ends up a blur of explosions and robots fighting - only this time it's not CGI, it's animation.

In fairness, a lot of what plays out prior to this is amiable fare that does much to remove the rot of the Michael Bay-helmed Transformers films that just feel like endless pompous exposition and clashing of the machines.

Initially Transformers: One leans into a great origin story for Optimus Prime, known as Orion Pax and voiced by Chris Hemsworth, and Megatron, known as D-16 and played by Tyree Henry. With the city of Iacon's de-facto leader Sentinel Prime (Hamm) out looking for the Matrix of Leadership (a MacGuffin), it falls to the rest of the inhabitants to keep civilisation going.

For Pax and D-16, given they don't have a cog of transformation (a MacGuffin that helps them transform), that means a life down the mines, digging for the energy source to keep Cybertron going. 

But Pax longs for more and when he compels D-16 to get involved in a race, the pair find themselves on an accidental mission above Iacon's surface to find the missing Matrix of Leadership - and their own destiny.

Much of the first half of Transformers One is an enjoyable outing for the robots - thanks largely to the Japanese Blade Runner-esque scenery and animation. While there are elements of the 80s Saturday morning Transformers cartoons, there's also a feeling that it's been updated for modern audiences and sensibilities. The world-building is second to none, with above the city elements feeling reminiscent of Horizon: Zero Dawn with the machines living in greenery.

And the narrative deals with social commentary, as well as matters of class, revenge and betrayal. Yet, it somehow ends up with Pax doling out the usual pompous language and speeches that have been a usual tentpole of the franchise; and Fishburne's character shows up halfway through to dish out screeds of exposition and lore, further muddying proceedings and bogging them down in the worst excesses of the series.

Hemsworth and Henry make for good bedfellows though - and Key manages to imbue his B-127 (Bumblebee in all but name) with the same level of annoying that you'd expect - the gang, along with Johansson's Elita-1, makes for a solid group out on a quest.

But far too many of the lines feel like jokes that have been thrown into the dialogue and there's a distinct feeling of set-up being dished out across the film in among the origin story of Prime and Megatron.

It's a solid reinvention of the franchise in many ways and passable enough fare, but there's not quite as much that meets the eye when its finale rolls around and it falls into familiar patterns - and the inevitable sequel beckons.

Twisters: Neon NZ Movie Review

Cast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glenn Powell, Anthony Ramos
Director: Lee Isaac Chung

If 1996' s Twister was a revolutionary blockbuster spectacular that had both heart and state of the art FX, the latest 2024 companion piece and contender to the throne packs a lot of sound and fury, but ultimately blows itself out.

Choosing to centre the action on a couple of young good-looking people, Twisters puts Daisy Edgar- Jones' Kate on a collision course with disaster very early on.  Working to a theory that storms can be tamed and showing off the skills of a storm whisperer, Kate's prescience ends up leaving three colleagues - including her beau - killed in pursuit of her dream.

Fast forward five years later and Kate has all but given up chasing storms. That is until Ramos' former fellow chaser Javi turns up asking for her help to try and save America's mid-west from an unseasonably bad stormfront whipping through tornado alley.

Grappling with PTSD and guilt, Kate reluctantly joins the chase - only to collide with hillbilly Tyler Owens (Powell in full-on charisma assault ,pde) whose polar opposite approach sees him showboating, livestreaning and generally swaggering as much as is humanly possible.

But much like weather fronts colliding, the pair run hot and cold before revelations rock their worldviews as the tornado season picks up steam.

Twisters largely feels like a cheesy, yet somehow affable, blockbuster that concentrates only on its main trio of characters, despite having hordes of supporting cast.

Consequently Tyler's crew are reduced to hollering, whooping brutish stereotypes whose character depth is shallower than a puddle. Equally Kate's cohorts are boiled down to the basics with only Ramos being afforded a degree of humanity.  

Add in Macguffin babble over how to tame storms, scenes of rockets being fired up funnels and some dialogue as corny as what would be in the Midwest fields the chasers plough through, Minari director Chung's film has its sights set more on the brain at the door crowd looking for popcorn entertainment than much else.

But giving the leads long scenes where they mope sucks the air out of the spectacle and occasionally leaves you wishing they could be just sucked away in a vortex . Yet somehow, they're just likeable enough to get away with it - from Jones' grounded stoic grief to Powell's star wattage charisma, the old adage that likeable leads can paper over anything proves to be true here.

More confined to the side, the Twister FX noticeably benefit from an upgrade compared to some 30 years ago but the temptation to include firenadoes proves too strong to resist here, as the spectacle tries tp up itself.

Ultimately Twisters is an old school disaster movie that doesn't have quite enough disaster to propel it through its 2 hour run time. It lacks a big set piece or showboating moment, preferring instead to offer up a series of well-choreographed, well-executed moments that are shrouded in sound and bluster.

The story is far more effective in showing the devastation on communities, the quieter moments on lives ripped apart (as well as the stupidity of those ignoring advice during disaster) but for a simple tentpole movie blockbuster, it does exactly what it says on the tin - and nothing more.

Doctor Who: Lux Review

The Doctor continues his journey to try and get Belinda Chandra home in this latest installment of Ncuti Gatwa's second full season.

But things go somewhat awry when the pair ends up in 1952's Miami, where strange things are happening. 15 people have disappeared from a cinema one night after a mysterious visitation from a Mr Ring-a-Ding (Alan Cumming at his vocal best).

Despite Belinda's insistence on not getting involved, the Doctor talks her into finding out why the cinema's chained up and why it's still playing films at night....

There's much in Lux that would prove to ruin the experience were spoilers to be discussed. Suffice to say there's a fair few parallels with The Devil's Chord, a lot of foreshadowing from Mrs Flood once again and a scene that will prove to be extremely polarising (again for reasons too spoiler-filled to discuss). Add into that a nod to a Sylvester McCoy classic and this is quite the catnip for long-term fans.

Yet it remains that this episode of Doctor Who looks like nothing before - the animation of Mr Ring-a-Ding is incredibly reminiscent of early Disney films and the cartooning of the Doctor and Belinda (as above) owes much to La-La-Land's distinct feel.

And if the ending doesn't quite stick the landing, the build up to it is impressive and enjoyable. From the reminders of the horror of segregation through to Gatwa and Sethu's acting, this is an episode that's bold in its attempts to break out from its mold.

Whether it all adds up to something that pays off when the show ends this season remains to be seen, but for 43 minutes, this diversion to Dade, Miami is a provocative thrill ride that will be talked about for a long time to come.

What's new on Neon in May

Here's everything that's streaming on Neon in May.

Duster (May 16, 1pm)

Set in the 1970s Southwest, DUSTER explores the life of a gutsy getaway driver crime syndicate that goes from dangerous to wildly, stupidly dangerous when a tenacious young agent comes into town hellbent on taking his crime family down. 

Stars: Josh Holloway (Lost, Yellowstone), Rachel Hilson (Love, Victor), Keith David (Armageddon) 

And Just Like That Season 3 (May 30, 1pm)

This new chapter of Sex and the City follows Carrie, Miranda,  and Charlotte as they navigate the journey from the  complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s – to the  even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their  50s.  

Stars: Sarah Jessica Parker, Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis 

Choir Games (May 4)

An inspiring four-part documentary series Choir Games is the story of the teenagers and conductors who make up two remarkable choirs – New Zealand Kaitāia Community Voices and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City – as they embark on a life-changing journey to the 2024 World Choir Games held in Auckland, the largest choral competition on earth. Directed by Leanne Pooley OMNZ (Valerie Adams: More Than Gold, Topp Twins: Untouchable Girls) 

Wolf Hall S1 (May 15)

This six-part historical drama chronicles the rapid rise of Thomas Cromwell, the son of a humble blacksmith who became King Henry VIII’s chief minister, as he navigated the corridors of power in the Tudor court. Based on the novels by Hilary Mantel. Stars: Damian Lewis, Jonathan Price, Mark Rylance, Claire Foy, Timothy Spall 

Movies on Neon

Gladiator II (May 27)

Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius enters the Colosseum when the emperors of Rome conquer his home. Stars: Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielson, Denzel Washington 

Smile 2 (May 4)

About to embark on a world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events. 

Stars: Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt, Ray Nicholson

Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story (May 22)

What's on DocPlay in May

Here's everything that's streaming on DocPlay in May.

This month on DocPlay, celebrate the marvellous life of Liza Minnelli; follow the fight of a local family to preserve their carnival traditions, and binge two exclusive new series. Plus, dive in to the history of America with three new Ken Burns series: Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and The Roosevelts.

1 May

The Carnival

Amid bushfires, the pandemic and punters’ changing tastes, the family behind the Bells Family Carnival fight to preserve the attraction’s century-long legacy. 

5 May

The Amazon Review Killer (Exclusive) | Series

This shocking true crime story of serial killer Todd Kohlhepp explores his troubled upbringing, and examines how his Amazon reviews often linked to his violent crimes.

Female Spies (Exclusive) | Series

A gripping six-part archive-driven series on the heroics and villainy of WWII spies, with women at the centre of high-risk operations.

8 May

Dear Zachary

This remarkable and heartbreaking 2008 doco begins as a loving scrapbook tribute to the director’s dead friend before careening into a harrowing and provocative true-crime drama.

12 May

The Hidden Spring

Divided by 4000 kilometres, a son and his dying father connect in this profoundly intimate documentary debut. Directed by Jason Di Rosso, best known as host of ABC Radio National’s The Screen Show.

15 May

Benjamin Franklin

Explore the revolutionary life of one of the 18th century’s most consequential figures.

Thomas Jefferson

A two-part portrait of America’s enigmatic and brilliant third president.

The Roosevelts

This seven-part documentary series chronicles the lives of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of the most prominent and influential family in American politics.

26 May

Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story (Exclusive)

This star-studded tribute brings into focus the dazzling, complex period of Liza Minnelli's life starting in the 1970s, just after the tragic death of her mother Judy Garland--as she confronts a range of personal and professional challenges on the way to becoming a bona fide legend. 

Sinners: Movie Review

Cast: Michael B Jordan, Miles Caton, Delroy Lindo, Hailee Steinfeld, Jack O’Connell, Wunmi Mosaku
Director: Ryan Coogler

Ryan Coogler's impressive world-building skills come to the fore in this genre-hopping story that revels in its originality before concluding in a messy mix of blood and gore.

Essentially a riff on From Dusk Til Dawn's Mexican stand-off in parts, this seductive blues-soaked story stars Michael B. Jordan doing double duty as twins Smoke and Stack who return to their hometown having made their fortune in Chicago.

Deciding to set up a juke joint, the boys set about recruiting talent to invigorate their opening night - from a local heavy to a blues player (Delroy Lindo) and their own cousin, a talented player called Sammie, aka Preacher Boy (a soulful Caton).

But what Smoke and Stack don't realise is their desire to be bigtime players in their small town - along with the divine playing of Preacher Boy - has attracted the interest of some dangerous visitors, headed up by Jack O'Connell's Remmick.

Sinners feels like one of the more original films of 2025 and is all the better for it.

Whilst not every element works in this, the atmospheric set-up, the lived-in feeling of the side characters and the sense of era wonderfully evocative from the get-go. Whether it's the slight difference between the twins (one smiles a little more, the other's more studied), Jordan allows for the subtleties to shine as his director allows for time to build around him.

And while much of the story could be seen as a metaphor for the white man stealing the blues music of the deep south, as well as colonialism, Coogler demonstrates some artful directorial flourishes throughout to keep viewers engaged.

One particular touch, set in the middle of the first night at the juke joint is just so jaw-dropping you wonder why it's not been done before. Without spoiling it, it's audacious and speaks volumes to the legacy of music and the impact of the music of the deep south. Music plays a major part in Sinners and its mix of blues and tribal lore are utterly compelling.

It's these moments that stand out in Sinners, landing head and shoulders above the more traditional horror elements that surface toward the end. And unfortunately, the film's denouement after a stand-off that seems without conclusion feels rushed, a minor creative misfire in a truly tremendous movie.

It's often said there's not enough original cinema out there. 

And while Sinners swirls the ingredients of very familiar fare throughout, the final concoction is a heady, steady mix that's well worth diving into.

Drop: Movie Review

Cast: Meghann Fahy, Brandon Sklenar, Reed Diamond, Violett Beane, Gabrielle Ryan
Director: Christopher Landon

The White Lotus' second season breakout star Meghann Fahy elevates an already tightly written story that lapses into an explosion of violence after simmering throughout in this latest from the director of Happy Death Day.

She plays widowed single mother of one Violet, who's heading out on her first date night with photographer Henry (It Ends With Us' Sklenar) but who's riddled with doubts over whether to go, what to wear and if she should leave her son.

However, when she gets to the restaurant, that's the least of her worries after a series of messages sent to her phone anonymously threaten to kill her son if she doesn't murder her date....

Landon stretches the premise as far as it'll go with this tale, but wisely, using a kind of roulette charm approach to who may be sending the messages works wonders for Drop's simple premise.

Deploying stage-style lighting to drop in and out to pinpoint possible perpetrators and giving the direction a kind of play feel helps sell a story that sees the old adage "everyone's a suspect" come into play. There's a desire here to stick solely to what's expected and Drop delivers it.

Yet it would be nothing without Fahy, whose penchant for subtlety and turning on the slightest moment gives Drop an edge that it needs. With steely determination one moment and extreme vulnerability the next, she's eminently watchable throughout, her spark with Sklenar working stronger on her side than his.

But it never wants to be more than a popcorn movie, where the audience is the detective (giving it a Hitchcockian edge) looking like Violet to find where the suspect could be - with blaring on screen graphics and an over-reliance on the 21st century obsession with technology, the film's contemporary enough to hook in the younger audience, while lightly mocking the older end's uselessness with tech and not alienating those in the middle.

Perhaps the one weak point in Drop's rollercoaster ride is its sudden rush denouement, complete with explanations, boogeymen and horror violence. It feels somewhat of an affront to what's already happened, but it's the payoff the audience seeks - though whether that's a good thing remains to be seen.

Drop is worth dropping everything for - but with its occasional logic holes and its clever teasing of the situation, it's a welcome one and done for a Blumhouse outing that does exactly what it sets out to.

What's on Prime Video in May

Here's what's streaming on Prime Video in May.

Clarkson's Farm Season 4 (May 23)

Prime Video has revealed Clarkson’s Farm will return to Prime Video on 23rd May, with a new, first look at the highly anticipated fourth series. The first four episodes will launch exclusively on Prime Video on 23rd May, with two additional episodes released a week later on 30th May, followed by the final two on 6th June. 

Join Jeremy and his team as they navigate new challenges, ambitious projects, and hilarious moments at Diddly Squat Farm. After rounding off series three with the Diddly Squat gang toasting a tumultuous year, we return a few months later to find life on the farm has changed. Kaleb is on a nationwide tour, Lisa is working on a new product line, and Jeremy is left to run the farm alone. In Kaleb’s absence, Jeremy must keep Diddly on track and comes up with an idea. 

Thwarted in his attempts to open a Farm to Fork restaurant, Jeremy plans to reignite that vision and get back in the council’s good books by drawing crowds away from the farm shop. All he needs to do is buy a pub. 

However, the road to becoming a pub landlord isn’t straightforward either. Jeremy faces obstacles including derelict buildings, red tape and a picnic site with a colourful past. Cheerful Charlie lends a hand, but even he isn’t prepared for the challenges that arise once Jeremy finds his perfect pub. 

Back at Diddly Squat, the Lamborghini tractor is showing its age, and there’s a menagerie of livestock to manage - from a big new bull, a very little pig, to high-tech goats. Mother nature conspires to make this one of the toughest years ever for British farmers. But when the whole gang pulls together, anything is possible. 

Clarkson’s Farm is produced by Expectation and is executive produced by Peter Fincham and Andy Wilman. Zoe Brewer is director of production and Peter Richardson is series producer. Production has also commenced on a fifth series of the Prime Video UK Original series. 

Nine Perfect Strangers Season 2 (May 22)

Nine new strangers connected in ways they could never imagine are invited by mysterious guru Masha Dmitrichenko (Nicole Kidman) to join a transformational wellness retreat in the Austrian Alps. Over the course of a week, she takes them to the brink. Will they make it? Will she? Masha is willing to try anything in the interest of healing everyone involved, including herself.

Nine Perfect Strangers Season Two stars Nicole Kidman, Henry Golding, Lena Olin, Annie Murphy, Christine Baranski, Lucas Englander, King Princess, Murray Bartlett, Dolly de Leon, Maisie Richardson-Sellers, Mark Strong, Aras Aydin.

Another Simple Favor (May 1)

Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) reunite on the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman. Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square.

 

Another Simple Favour is directed by Paul Feig and stars Anna Kendrick, Blake Lively, Andrew Rannells, Bashir Salahuddin, Elizabeth Perkins, Michele Morrone, Alex Newell, Elena Sofia Ricci, with Henry Golding, and Allison Janney

Clarkson’s Farm (May 23)

Join Jeremy Clarkson and his team as they navigate new challenges, ambitious projects, and hilarious moments at Diddly Squat Farm. After rounding off series three with the Diddly Squat gang toasting a tumultuous year, we return a few months later to find life on the farm has changed. Kaleb is on a nationwide tour, Lisa is working on a new product line, and Jeremy is left to run the farm alone. In Kaleb’s absence, Jeremy must keep Diddly on track and comes up with an idea.

Thwarted in his attempts to open a Farm to Fork restaurant, Jeremy plans to reignite that vision and get back in the council’s good books by drawing crowds away from the farm shop. All he needs to do is buy a pub. However, the road to becoming a pub landlord isn’t straightforward either. Jeremy faces obstacles including derelict buildings, red tape and a picnic site with a colourful past. Cheerful Charlie lends a hand, but even he isn’t prepared for the challenges that arise once Jeremy finds his perfect pub.

Back at Diddly Squat, the Lamborghini tractor is showing its age, and there’s a menagerie of livestock to manage - from a big new bull, a very little pig, to high-tech goats. Mother nature conspires to make this one of the toughest years ever for British farmers. But when the whole gang pulls together, anything is possible.

Clarkson’s Farm Season Four launches May 23 with episodes 1-4. Episodes 5 and 6 will be available May 30, with the final two episodes available June 6.

Clarkson’s Farm Season Four stars Jeremy Clarkson, Kaleb Cooper, Lisa Hogan, Charlie Ireland.

Overcompensating (May 15)

Overcompensating is a college-set ensemble comedy about the wild, chaotic journey of Benny (Benito Skinner), a closeted former football player and homecoming king, as he becomes fast friends with Carmen (Wally Baram), a high school outsider on a mission to fit in at all costs. With guidance from Benny’s older sister (Mary Beth Barone) and her campus-legend boyfriend (Adam DiMarco), Benny and Carmen juggle horrible hookups, flavored vodka, and fake IDs. Deeply funny and personal, the show explores the lengths to which we all overcompensate while on the path to finding out who we really are.

Overcompensating created by and starring Benito Skinner. The cast also includes Wally Baram, Mary Beth Barone, Adam DiMarco, Rish Shah, Connie Britton, Kyle MacLachlan, Kaia Gerber, Julia Shiplett, Tommy Do, Alexandra Beaton, Claire Qute, Elias Azimi, Maddie Phillips and more.

The Better Sister (May 29)

The Better Sister, based on the novel by bestselling author Alafair Burke, is an 8-episode electric thriller limited series about the terrible things that drive sisters apart and ultimately bring them back together. Chloe (Jessica Biel), a high-profile media executive, lives a picturesque life with her handsome lawyer husband Adam (Corey Stoll) and teenage son Ethan (Maxwell Acee Donovan) by her side while her estranged sister Nicky (Elizabeth Banks) struggles to make ends meet and stay clean. When Adam is brutally murdered, the prime suspect sends shockwaves through the family, reuniting the two sisters, as they try to untangle a complicated family history to discover the truth behind his death.

 

The Better Sister stars Jessica Biel, Elizabeth Banks, Corey Stoll, Kim Dickens, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Bobby Naderi, Gabriel Sloyer, Gloria Reuben, Matthew Modine, and Lorraine Toussaint.

Molly-Mae: Behind It All (May 9)

The highly-anticipated Part Two of Molly-Mae: Behind It All comes to Prime Video in May. The docuseries takes viewers beyond the headlines to uncover the real Molly-Mae, following her journey after her highly publicised break-up. We’ll see Molly-Mae adapt to the challenges of motherhood, all while preparing to launch her biggest business venture to date: ‘Maebe’. In this intimate look, we uncover how these experiences have shaped her into the powerhouse entrepreneur she is today. Balancing the demands of motherhood, the weight of her brand’s success, and the high stakes of her latest business launch, this documentary offers an unfiltered glimpse into her strength and ambition. This is Molly-Mae as we’ve never seen her before - raw, real and redefining what it means to thrive under intense public scrutiny.

Motorheads (May 20)

Motorheads is about first love, first heartbreak, and turning the key in your first car. Set in a once-thriving rust-belt town that’s now searching for a glimmer of hope, the series is an adrenaline-filled story of a group of outsiders who form an unlikely friendship over a mutual love of street racing, while navigating the hierarchy and rules of high school.

Motorheads stars Ryan Phillippe, Nathalie Kelley, Melissa Collazo, Michael Cimino, Australians Mia Healey and Josh Macqueen, Drake Rodger, Uriah Shelton and more.

Octopus! (May 8)

Octopus! is a two-part documentary special narrated and executive produced by Emmy-Award winning actress and writer Phoebe Waller-Bridge. It transports viewers into the otherworldly depths of one of the most intelligent and mysterious life forms on Earth as it follows the Giant Pacific Octopus from birth to death. The documentary features an eclectic mix of characters who have their own unique connections to these creatures, from the scientist trying to save them, the explorer trying to understand them, to the Emmy-nominated actor and comedian, Tracy Morgan, who is obsessed with them. Their adventures will make us laugh, cry, and question our own place on this planet along the way.

David Spade: Dandelion (May 6)

Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated actor/comedian David Spade will make his Prime Video stand-up comedy debut with Dandelion, his first special since 2022. With signature sardonic takes on the perils of flying, charity auctions, and the evolution of porn, Spade is sharper and funnier than ever in Dandelion.

Since his legendary tenure on Saturday Night Live, Spade’s prolific career has included classics like Tommy Boy, Black Sheep, The Emperor’s New Groove, Joe Dirt, and the sitcom Just Shoot Me!. He now co-hosts the wildly popular comedy podcast Fly on the Wall with fellow SNL alum Dana Carvey. Now, it’s time for Spade to make a triumphant return to the stage in his highly-anticipated fourth comedy special.

MAY 2025 TOP PICKS:

RENT OR BUY

BRIDGET JONES DIARY: MAD ABOUT THE BOY

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

BLACK BAG

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

SNOW WHITE

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

NOVACAINE

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

ONE OF THEM DAYS

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

STREAMING ON PRIME VIDEO

ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOUR

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

MISERY

MAY 2025 TOP PICKS:

RENT OR BUY

BRIDGET JONES DIARY: MAD ABOUT THE BOY

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

BLACK BAG

(MOVIE) AVAILABLE NOW TO RENT OR BUY

SNOW WHITE

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

NOVACAINE

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

ONE OF THEM DAYS

(MOVIE) COMING SOON

STREAMING ON PRIME VIDEO

ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOUR

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

MISERY

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

TEEN WOLF

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

TEEN WOLF TOO

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

AGENT CODY BANKS

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

AGENT CODY BANKS 2: DESTINATION LONDON

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

THE BIRDCAGE

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

SAPNE VS EVERYONE S1

(SERIES) 1/5/2025

THE CRITIC

(MOVIE) 1/5/2025

MAD MAX: FURY ROAD

(MOVIE) 6/5/2025

DAVID SPADE: DANDELION S1

(SERIES) 6/5/2025

PASSENGERS

(MOVIE) 6/5/2025

ACADEMY OF COUNTRY MUSIC AWARDS 2025

(SPECIAL) 8/5/2025

MEN IN BLACK

(MOVIE) 8/5/2025

OCTOPUS!

(SPECIAL) 8/5/2025

BAD MOMS

(MOVIE) 8/5/2025

MOLLY-MAE: BEHIND IT ALL PART 2 S1

(SERIES) 9/5/2025

HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON

(MOVIE) 11/5/2025

MEN IN BLACK II

(MOVIE) 13/5/2025

OVERCOMPENSATING S1

(SERIES) 15/5/2025

MOTORHEADS S1

(SERIES) 20/5/2025

EDGE OF TOMORROW

(MOVIE) 20/5/2025

A HAUNTING IN VENICE

(MOVIE) 21/5/2025

NINE PERFECT STRANGERS S2

(SERIES) 22/5/2025

CLARKSON'S FARM S4

(SERIES) 23/5/2025

THE BETTER SISTER S1

(SERIES) 29/5/2025

What's on Disney+ in May

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

Welcome to Wrexham Season 4 (May 16)

Disney+ announced FX’s “Welcome to Wrexham,” the Emmy® Award-winning docuseries from Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, will premiere its fourth season on Friday, May 16, exclusively on Disney+ in New Zealand. The premiere will feature the first two episodes of the eight-episode season. The key art was also released today.  

Rob McElhenney (“It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”) and Ryan Reynolds (“Deadpool”) navigate running the 3rd oldest professional football club in the world. “Welcome to Wrexham” is a docuseries tracking the dreams and worries of Wrexham, a working-class city in North Wales, UK, as two Hollywood stars guide the future of their historic Club.

In 2020, Rob and Ryan teamed up to purchase the 5th tier Red Dragons in the hopes of turning the Club into an underdog story the whole world could root for. The world took notice and the Club achieved back-to-back promotions to bring the Reds into the English Football League’s League One for the first time in 20 years. As they continue to rise in the pyramid, the stakes get higher with a new level of intensity, competition and costs, all while the Club continues to be plagued with injury and fans demand the signing of new talent. Dedicated staff and supporters celebrate the team’s climb toward the Premiership while bracing against the new-found challenges that come with each new tier up the EFL. Will Wrexham AFC rise to the challenge and do what no team has ever done before?

Wrexham AFC Women’s Team continues to battle amongst the top teams in the Welsh Adran Premier League and strives to stand out amidst a crowded field of talented women footballers. With new players and continued support from the Club and fans, can they make a name for themselves at the top of the League?

Meanwhile, somewhere in a galaxy far away… actually, a series of towns, cities and boroughs likely across Wales, England and California, Humphrey Ker trains for a marathon. Will Wrexham AFC’s beloved Executive Director raise funds for charity, survive humiliation at the hands of the players and staff, and complete 26.2 miles without injury or chaffing?

Follow along as “Welcome to Wrexham’s” cameras bring you unprecedented access on the pitch, inside the locker room and alongside the players while the action unfolds in some of the biggest matches Wrexham AFC has ever played.

Technics AZ100 Review

Technics has game when it comes to earbuds.

Their AZ range has been consistently strong, offering sound quality that's both immersive and impressive across the brand.

The EAH-AZ100 shows no sign of bucking that trend, providing users with an experience that gives them what they need - and gives professionals who've been seeking more than just a user experience a little more too.

Announced at CES2025 in January, the EAH-AZ100s have hit a marketplace that's starting to seem crowded, but thanks to the Technics' penchant for consistency, they should be able to break through. It's helped, in no small matter, by the quality of what's provided.

With adaptive noise-cancellation and Bluetooth technology, the earbuds offer up a simple user experience that makes wearing them easy. While there's a noticeable difference in sound quality if ANC isn't engaged, overall, they're chunky enough and bassy enough to handle both calls and anything you'd want to stream. Adaptive AI certainly helps on calls, filtering out excess noise and allowing you to focus on what's incoming.

With around 12 hours of battery life without ANC on, the earbuds do have a good solid couple of days in them, but perhaps if you're having to use them regularly, that feels a little on the lower side. But when you consider the output of what they achieve, it's understandable that battery would drain. It's a little more than what previous iterations have offered, so perhaps there's an increase in scale there, but it's still somewhat hard to match up across the marketplace.

These buds are smaller, sleeker in design and as a result, sit better in the ears for longer periods of time than they would have done before. It's small touches like this that will likely not be noticed by users that are appreciated by continual owners of the Technics range - and it's no surprise with touches like that they have survived 60 years in the market.

New drivers in the earbuds also help to deliver clearer sound and again, it's a small touch from the developers, but it's had a major impact on users. Calls are crisp as well, with sound quality even better if ANC is engaged.

It may seem a little unfair to say it's business as usual for the brand, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. While some developers try to push the boat out with each new launch, Technics have veered closely to their high-end design, high-end output spec - and it's very much welcome in a crowded marketplace that quality and consistency can shine out.