Movies

Simon Morris looks at life after the glitter of the recent Oscars, in particular three more modest films, all coincidentally connected to earlier hits. Sci-fi comedy Mickey 17 is the belated followup… Audio

The Companion is a twisted tale of a man who ropes in his sex-bot…. or rather, his "emotional support companion" - to a plot not covered by her User's Guide. Starring Sophie Thatcher (Heretic) and… Audio

Nightbitch is a Disney Plus semi-fantasy about a mother of a toddler being driven into unexpected territory. Can she be turning into a dog? Starring Amy Adams (Arrival), Scoot McNairy (Woody Guthrie… Audio

Babygirl sees Nicole Kidman in a Golden Globe-nominated turn as a frustrated CEO of a big tech company, who finds herself being lured into dangerous erotic territory by her new intern. Co-starring… Audio

Simon Morris returns, having missed out on a bumper summer of good movies, all lining up for the awards season. He's less than impressed with his first selection, involving slightly kinky women CEOs -… Audio

Goodrich finds an LA father of 10-year-old twins in trouble when his wife books herself into rehab for a few months. He calls in his daughter from a previous marriage. Can he become the father he… Audio

The Problem With People follows a dying man's wish to bring together the American and Irish sides of the family after a century-old dispute. Starring and written by Paul Reiser (TV's Mad About You)… Audio

The Teachers' Lounge is a German Oscar-nominated drama about what happens when an investigation into thefts at a school escalates out of control. Starring Leone Benesch (Babylon Berlin). Audio

Simon Morris is underwhelmed by what's on offer before the holiday movie riches. They include The Problem With People, an American/Irish comedy about a family feud…. Goodrich, a comedy-drama about… Audio

Heretic confronts two young Mormon missionaries with their worst nightmare - a man determined to challenge their beliefs in the worst possible way. Starring, of all people, Hugh Grant (Four Weddings… Audio

Taki Rua: Breaking Barriers tells the story of the theatre group that started out as an activist group following the Springbok Tour protests, and ended up creating a new art form. Directed by Whetu… Audio

There's Still Tomorrow is a hugely popular Italian comedy-drama, set in Rome immediately after World War Two. Fascism may be over, but for Italian women their home is still a battleground. Can Delia… Audio

Simon Morris is surprised at how smart the Biggest Film of the Year ™ is this year, then goes on to look at three rather smaller films. There's a local documentary about our first Maori theatre group… Audio

Suddenly sees two married adventurers sail round the world, but come adrift when they're stranded on an Antarctic island when their boat is swept away in a storm. Written and directed by the… Audio

Gladiator II sees Paul Mescal take over Russell Crowe's (unhistoric) leather wrist-straps as Son of Maximus. Directed by the tireless 86-year-old Sir Ridley Scott, it co-stars Denzel Washington, Pedro… Audio

Never look away is the story of one of CNN's first war camerawomen, Margaret Moth. Reckless, courageous and dedicated, the New Zealander's story is almost as exciting as the events she covered… Audio

Simon Morris finds himself getting picky at the end of the year as Christmas movies start to clog up the cinemas. Instead he checks out Ridley Scott's second blockbuster in a year, Gladiator II, a… Audio

Sebastian Stan stars as a struggling New York actor with a face deformed by rapidly growing tumours caused by neurofibromatosis. He is offered a miracle 'cure' but will the transformation make him… Audio

Dan Slevin reviews Jonathan Ogilvie's autobiographical portrait of the Christchurch New Wave music scene in 1979. Ed Oxenbould plays schoolboy Angus, discovering the underground music scene and a… Audio

An experimental and sentimental drama shot from a single point-of-view in a single location but presenting people and events over many decades. The stars, screenwriter and director of Forrest Gump… Audio