Simon Morris
Tenet
The sign of a great film is one you want to see again, says Simon Morris. So how does Christopher Nolan’s latest Tenet measure up? Video, Audio
At the Movies for 26 August 2020
Simon Morris looks at three films that encourage a second viewing - a fiendishly complex sci-fi epic, and two smaller films that leave tantalizing holes in the narrative. Audio
Movie review - Low Down Dirty Criminals
The second Kiwi comedy in two weeks - crime-goes-wrong comedy Lowdown dirty criminals. Directed by Paul Murphy (Second hand wedding) and starring James Rolleston (Boy), Rebecca Gibney (Packed to the… Audio
At The Movies - Romantic Road
Romantic Road tells the story of eccentric travellers Rupert and Jan Grey as they drive across the North of India in an old Rolls Royce. Executive Producer, Sharon Stone (Basic Instinct). Video, Audio
At The Movies - 23 Walks
23 Walks follows the romance of Dave Johns (I Daniel Blake) and Alison Steadman (Gavin and Stacey) through their dogs' exercise. Video, Audio
At the Movies for 19 August 2020
Simon Morris sympathises with films that miss the mood of the times, and welcomes three films that defy time and trends - a middle-aged romance, a travel documentary and a Kiwi crime comedy. 23 walks… Audio
Rebecca Gibney - a lowdown criminal at last
The secret weapon in the upcoming comedy heist movie Lowdown dirty criminals is undoubtedly the woman who left New Zealand a raw Kiwi kid and became one of the most successful and most loved actors in… Audio, Gallery
At the Movies: The Old Guard
The Old Guard is a Netflix B-movie but with A-movie star Charlize Theron. She's the leader of a group of immortal superheroes that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor and KiKi Layne. Video, Audio
Film editor John Gilbert on the state of the movie industry
Oscar-winning editor John Gilbert (Hacksaw Ridge) talks about how the film industry around the world is coping with enforced idleness, and whether stalled projects will now beat a path to New… Audio
At the Movies: This Town
This Town is a comedy about a man rebuilding his life after being acquitted of a murder. Written, directed and produced by star David White. With Robyn Malcolm (Outrageous Fortune) and Rima Te Wiata… Video, Audio
At the Movies for 12 August 2020
Simon Morris reviews a quirky New Zealand comedy and a Netflix comic-book superhero movie. He also talks to award-winning editor John Gilbert about the effect of the lockdown on the world film… Audio
Britt Marie Was Here
And Swedish feelgood movie Britt-Marie was here sees middle-aged Pernilla August (The Phantom Menace) abandon her safe life and go to a country village to run the local youth club. From the people who… Video, Audio
Unhinged
Kiwi-Australian actor Russell Crowe takes road rage to the lethal level in Unhinged. It's essentially Jaws from the shark's eye view but in this case, the shark is Russell. Video, Audio
Where'd You Go, Bernadette
Where'd You Go, Bernadette is based on a best-selling self-improvement novel. It stars Cate Blanchett, Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids) and Lawrence Fishburne (The Matrix), and it's directed by Richard… Video, Audio
At the Movies for 5 August 2020
Simon Morris remembers the old, low-budget B movies fondly, and wonders if the current cinema fare can learn from them. Audio
Daniel Roher and Once were brothers - the story of The Band
One of the givens of the annual New Zealand International Film Festival is a strong music section. One highlight is a documentary about Seventies legends The Band called Once Were Brothers: Robbie… Video, Audio
Gregory Monro
A new documentary, Kubrick by Kubrick, offers unique insights into the notoriously reclusive auteur. Director Gregory Monro talks about hearing Kubrick’s own voice for the first time. Audio
Bel Canto and Shirley
Bel Canto stars Julianne Moore (miming) as an opera diva, taken hostage by a group of Latin American rebels. Directed by Paul Weitz (About a boy) it also features Ken Watanabe (Godzilla) and Sebastian… Audio
At the Movies for 29 July 2020
Simon Morris looks at two women-led films at the cinemas, and talks to the director of a fascinating Film Festival documentary on a movie legend. Audio
Movie review: Radioactive
Radioactive tells the story of Nobel Prize-winning physicist and chemist Marie Curie and her husband Pierre. While the Curies did brilliant work, their lives don't make for a brilliant narrative, says… Video, Audio