Simon Morris
At the Movies for 30 September 2020
Simon Morris checks out films for the school holidays, each one starring a distinguished actor. Audio
Review - Dead
A low-budget Kiwi comedy Dead sees a medium join forces with a deceased cop to solve his murder. Stars Thomas Sainsbury, Michael Hurst and last year's New Zealander of the Year, Jennifer Ward-Lealand.
…Review - Hope Gap
Hope Gap sees writer William Nicholson (Gladiator, Les Miserables) make his debut as a director. Stars Annette Bening, Bill Nighy and Josh O’Connor (The Crown). Video, Audio
At the Movies: Becky
Becky tells the story of a little girl protecting her home from bad guys with extreme violence. It's like Home Alone blended with Rambo, Simon Morris says. Video, Audio
At The Movies for 23 September 2020
Simon Morris is philosophic about the current state of movies, as the world waits for the big, important titles to be released in the Year of Covid. Audio
Movie review -The Quarry
The Quarry sees a new preacher arrive in a West Texas town, but is he who he claims to be? Stars Michael Shannon (99 homes, The shape of water) and Shea Wigham (Fargo, Boardwalk Empire). Video, Audio
Movie review - School life
School life is a hit French film set in a low-decile school in Paris. Directed by the exotically named Mehti Idior and Grand Corps Malade (“Tall sick bodyâ€!) Audio
Cut Throat City
Cut Throat City is a heist movie set in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005. With cameos from Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes and Terrence Howard, directed by the Wu Tang Clan's RZA. Video, Audio
At The Movies for 16 September 2020
Simon Morris recognises the appeal of traditional, archetypal stories when times are tough, and looks at three - a gangster movie, a school-year movie and a modern western. Audio
Toke - a TV comedy for our time
If ever there was an idea whose time had come it may be a TV movie called Toke. When the country is getting ready to make a decision about marijuana - to legalize it or not - what better time for a… Audio, Gallery
Movie review - Bill and Ted Face The Music
Bill and Ted Face The Music - like it says on the tin - follows their excellent adventures 30 years on. Stars Keanu Reeves (Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure) and Alex Winter (Bill and Ted's Bogus… Video, Audio
Movie review - The New Mutants
The New Mutants is a spinoff from The X Men that's more Haunted House than superhero. Stars Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones) and Anya Taylor-Joy (Emma). Video, Audio
Movie review - Savage
Savage - a New Zealand drama that offers a clear-eyed look at the gang culture of the 1980s. Stars Jake Ryan (Home and Away, Underbelly) and John Tui (Hobbs and Shaw, The Legend of Baron To’a)… Audio
At the Movies for 9 September 2020
Simon Morris looks at three movies that took their time getting here - including a “threequel†to a franchise last seen in 1991. Audio
At the Movies: Papi Chulo
Papi Chulo is a comedy-drama about the relationship between a stressed-out TV weatherman and a middle-aged Mexican odd-job man. It's a delightful film with a uniquely light touch, Simon Morris says. Video, Audio
At the Movies: Return to Gandhi Road
Return to Gandhi Road is a New Zealand-made film about an extraordinary Buddhist teacher and the efforts he made to rescue texts from Tibet during the cultural revolution of the Sixties. Video, Audio
At The Movies for 2 September 2020
Simon Morris gets a little sick of the small art-films coming out each week, and turns to Netflix for a big, dumb action movie. Return to Gandhi Road is a New Zealand made story about an extraordinary… Audio
Never Rarely Sometimes Always
The independent American film Never Rarely Sometimes Always is the story of a young woman's efforts to have her pregnancy terminated away from home. Directed by Eliza Hittman (13 Reasons Why). Video, Audio
Two of Us (Deux)
Two of Us (Deux) sees two ageing lesbians torn apart when one has a stroke. Stars Barbara Sukowa (Hannah Arendt) and Martine Chevalier (Tell no one). Audio
Two of Us (Deux)
Two of Us (Deux) sees two ageing lesbians torn apart when one has a stroke. Stars Barbara Sukowa (Hannah Arendt) and Martine Chevalier (Tell no one). Audio