At The Movies

Simon Morris asks Annie Murray, CEO of the New Zealand Film Commission, why local audiences for New Zealand films are currently so low – around just three percent of the total box office? Is it poor promotion and publicity? Do audiences prefer streaming services to cinemas these days? Or are we simply making the wrong movies?

Director Tim Burton returns to his 1988 hit comedy about the afterlife. But does it still pack the same punch? It stars old hands Catherine O'Hara, Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton as Beetlejuice, with newcomers Jenna Ortega and Monica Bellucci.

Simon Morris looks at three specifically targeted films - a sequel to Tim Burton's cult classic Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, a popular documentary from a recent architecture film festival, Maurice and I, and a comedy-drama featuring a 93-year-old grandmother action hero - Thelma. He's interested to see if any of them can reach outside their audiences.

Maurice and I tells the surprisingly moving story of two of the most successful architects in New Zealand - Sir Miles Warren and Maurice Mahoney - their life, their times and their struggle to save their most famous building after the 2011 Christchurch earthquake.

Thelma is the year's least-likely action hero on a mission to get back the money she lost to scammers. Starring 90-plus film veteran June Squibb she's out long past her bed-time, and she's not going back empty handed! Co-starring Robert Roundtree, Parker Posey and Malcolm McDowell.

Eileen is a Netflix noir, starring New Zealand actress Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho) and Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway (Les Miserables) as co-workers in a juvenile prison whose relationship goes bad.

How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies is a tiny independent from Thailand that’s punching considerably above its weight. It’s being sold entirely on its ability to make audiences cry!

Midas Man tells the story of Brian Epstein, the man who discovered the Beatles and changed the world. Starring Jacob Fortune-Lloyd as Epstein with cameos from Eddies Marsan and Izzard, Emily Watson and talkshow host Jay Leno as Ed Sullivan.

Simon Morris looks at three smaller films that attempt to do more with less – Midas Man, a biopic of the Beatles’ manager, a Thai tear-jerker called How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies and a dark thriller called Eileen that went straight to Netflix.

Simon Morris suggests that when it comes to breaking the film-making rules, it's best to pick your battles. This week The Sitting Duck is a real life French miscarriage of justice, Blink Twice is a thriller about life among the idle rich - yes, another one! And We Were Dangerous sees three teenage girls plan to break out in 1950s New Zealand.

The Sitting Duck is the real-life story of a French trade union dispute that turns nasty. Was the whistleblower really attacked at her home, or did she make it up to publicise her cause? Starring Isabelle Huppert (Elle).

Blink Twice is the directorial debut of actor Zoë Kravitz (The Batman) that sees a tech billionaire (Channing Tatum) invite his celebrity friends to an island getaway where all is not what it seems. Co-starring Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston in I Wanna Dance With Somebody), Christian Slater (True Romance) and Geena Davis (Thelma and Louise).

New Zealand film We Were Dangerous is set during the famous "moral panic" of 1954, when a new invention - the "teenager" - seemed to terrorise the powers that be! Three rebel girls decide to get out from under. Starring Erana James (Uproar), Nathalie Morris (One Lane Bridge) and newcomer Manaia Hall. With Rima Te Wiata (Hunt for the Wilderpeople) as the Matron.

Simon Morris investigates the dark art of casting - which gives you the best value for money, a star, a real actor or a trendy celebrity? He checks three contrasting films - Alien: Romulus, a little indie comedy-drama Ghostlight, and a celebrity-dotted action comedy on Prime Video, Jackpot!

Alien: Romulus is the latest entry in the space-horror franchise that goes back to basics, and is all the better for it. Directed by Fede Álvarez (Don't Breathe) and starring Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla) and a digital version of Ian Holm (the original Alien).