RNZ: At The Movies

Happyend is a Japanese drama, set in the near future. Five high school rebels face the prospect of going their separate ways, while corrupt politics arrive at both the school and out in the wider world. To protest or not to protest? Written and directed by Neo Sora, son of the legendary actor and musician Ryûichi Sakamoto (Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence). Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Predator: Badlands finds a young member of the Yautja (Predator) tribe hunting on the most dangerous planet in the Galaxy. His quest: to capture a beast that can't be killed. Starring Elle Fanning as two robots, and Kiwi Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi (Red White and Brass) as the Predator.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Little Something Extra is a hugely popular comedy from France. Two jewel robbers hide out from the cops among a party of holidaying people with disabilities. They find it harder than it looks to fit in. Starring, written and directed by Artus, it's one of the highest-grossing movies ever at home. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris returns to a group of rather specifically targeted movies. From the recent International Film Festival, a very French farce about two crooks hiding out at a camp for people with disabilities…. And an equally Japanese film about high school rebels. And the latest Predator film seems to be changing the formula.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone (in her fourth collaboration with director Jorgos Lanthimos) star in a black comedy about a desperate young man who kidnaps a wealthy pharmaceutical executive believing that she's an alien sent to enslave the people of Planet Earth – reviewed by Dan Slevin.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Bugonia is a black comedy about an executive (Emma Stone) kidnapped after she's mistaken for an alien . Aziz Ansari's comedy Good Fortune stars Keanu Reeves as a fallen angel. Hedda is an adaptation of Ibsen's classic play starring Tessa Thompson.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews a comedy about a low-level angel (Keanu Reeves) who tries to save a struggling gig worker (Aziz Ansari) in present day Los Angeles.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews Nia DaCosta and Tessa Thompson's adaptation of Ibsen's classic play about a frustrated, ambitious and manipulative woman who goes to great lengths to support her husband's career.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Robert Sarkies directs a film about the aftermath of New Zealand's worst modern workplace tragedy – reviewed by Dan Slevin.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews Guillermo Del Toro's epic passion project, an adaptation of Mary Shelley's gothic horror about a mad scientist who believes he can breathe life into a dead flesh with disastrous results.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews three new films: Robert Sarkies directs Pike River, a film about the aftermath of New Zealand's worst modern workplace tragedy; Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere is a biopic about rock star Bruce Springsteen and the creation of his introspective masterpiece Nebraska; and in cinemas (soon to be streaming on Netflix), Frankenstein is Guillermo Del Toro's epic passion project, an adaptation of Mary Shelley's gothic horror about a mad scientist who believes he can breathe life into a dead flesh with disastrous results.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews a biopic about rock star Bruce Springsteen and the creation of his introspective masterpiece Nebraska.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews a horror sequel set in a snowy Christian youth camp.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Channing Tatum plays an escaped convict who hides out in a toy store – reviewed by Dan Slevin.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews two new films in cinemas: In Roofman, Channing Tatum plays an escaped convict who hides out in a toy store; Black Phone 2 is a horror sequel set in a snowy Christian youth camp; and on Apple TV, Mr. Scorsese is a five-part documentary series about the legendary director Martin Scorsese.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Dan Slevin reviews a five-part Apple TV documentary series about the legendary director Martin Scorsese.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Australian-New Zealand co-production Went Up The Hill is a ghost story with a twist. Jack returns home for his mother's funeral, where he meets her widow, Jill. And it seems mum is reluctant to leave the family home. Starring Vicky Kriep (Phantom Thread) and Dacre Montgomery (TV's Stranger Things) it's directed by New Zealand-born, Sydney based Samuel Van Grinsven.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Eleanor The Great sees a grieving 90-year-old woman - played by June Squibb (Thelma) - impersonate a Holocaust survivor with the best of intentions, she thinks. But it all gets away from her. Also starring Chiwetel Ejiafor (12 Years a Slave) and Erin Kellyman (28 Years Later). The directing debut of Scarlett Johansson.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

French favourite Miss Violet sees a woman with a mysterious past arrive in a rural village to take over the local school in the 1880s. But she runs into resistance from village parents who think of education as optional only. Written and directed by Éric Besnard (Délicieux).Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris checks out three female-led films, and wonders if the Bechdel test for substantial female characters in movies still applies. From the USA, Eleanor The Great, starring June Squibb and directed by Scarlett Johansson…. From France, Miss Violet fights for free, secular education…. And from New Zealand, Went Up The Hill, a ghost story in which two people are haunted by one (female) ghost.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Play Dirty sees writer-director Shane Black (Predator, Iron Man 3) bring pulp fiction favourite Parker to the screen. Robber/gunman Parker (Mark Wahlberg) is roped into a billion dollar heist by untrustworthy Zen (Rosa Salazar – Alita). Expect cars, horses and a spectacular train-wreck. On Amazon Prime.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Steve, starring and produced by Oscar-winner Cillian Murphy (Oppenheimer) is the story of a troubled teacher holding a 1990s English reform school together by sheer will-power. Featuring Tracy Ullman, Emily Watson and musician Little Simz, it's directed by Belgian film-maker Tim Mielants (Patrick). On Netflix. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Smashing Machine tells the true story of Mixed Martial Arts pioneer Mark Kerr and his struggles with drugs and depression. Starring Dwayne Johnson/The Rock (Fast and Furious) and Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada), it's directed by Benny Safdie (Uncut Gems).Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris looks at three movies about people who break the rules. The Rock gets out of his comfort zone in The Smashing Machine, about a pioneer of the no-holds-barred MMA…. Maverick director Shane Black brings cult figure Parker to Prime Video in Play Dirty…. And Steve is about the teachers who have to take over the kids that society has discarded.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris looks at two movies divided along left and right lines – Paul Thomas Anderson's comedy-thriller One Battle After Another, and Spanish Civil War drama The Teacher Who Promised The Sea – and a French film – Holy Cow! – in which the answer is cheese!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

French film Holy Cow tells the story of a teenage ne'er do well who decides to turn his life around by winning a cheese-making gold medal. A multi award-winner for both director Louise Courvoisier and star Maïwene Barthelmy, it was also a huge box-office hit at home.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Teacher Who Promised The Sea is a Spanish-Catalan real life account of a teacher who falls foul of the fascists during the Spanish Civil War. Featured at the recent International Film Festival, it stars Bafta Rising Star Laia Costa.Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

One Battle After Another sees a retired revolutionary forced to rejoin the struggle when his daughter is captured by an old enemy. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (Magnolia), it stars Leonardo DiCaprio (The Wolf of Wall Street), Sean Penn (Mystic River), Benicio del Toro (Sicario) and newcomer Chase Infiniti. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris is seduced by some undeniably charming stars – Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell in A Big, Bold, Beautiful Journey, indigenous Australian national treasures Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair in Kangaroo, and A-Lister politician Dame Jacinda Ardern in Prime Minister. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Prime Minister is the story of Jacinda Ardern's eventful five years leading Aotearoa New Zealand. With previously unseen footage shot by Ardern's partner Clarke Gayford, it's not just a biopic of a fascinating political figure, but it shows this country at its best and its worst. Directed by American Lindsay Utz (Billie Eilish: The World's A Little Blurry) and Kiwi Michelle Walshe (Chasing Great). Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

A Big Bold Beautiful Journey features Colin Farrell (In Bruges) and Margot Robbie (Barbie) being drawn back into their pasts by magical rental car! Directed by Kogonada (After Yang) and featuring Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag) and Kevin Kline (A Fish Called Wanda).Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Kangaroo has all the right elements for a feelgood, family movie – small-town outback Australia, a big city idiot and a teenage girl both looking for redemption, and an awful lot of kangaroos. Featuring Deborah Mailman and Wayne Blair (The Sapphires), Ernie Dingo (Crocodile Dundee) and Rachel House (Boy). Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris finds himself on the wrong side of history – or at least the general, critical opinion of the new Stephen King movie, The Long Walk, and millennial sex-comedy Splitsville. Though he agrees with most people about whether we really need yet another Downton Abbey spinoff movie. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Long Walk, based on Stephen King's first novel, is set in a dystopian future where 50 young men compete to be the last one standing. If they slow down they're shot. Directed by Francis Lawrence (The Hunger Games Catching Fire), it stars Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza) and Mark Hamill (Star Wars).Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Splitsville sees the International Film Festival comedy about open marriages get a general release. Essentially a millennial version of a Sixties hit, Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice, with added (male) nudity. Features Dakota Johnson (Materialists).Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale is the third and final Downton movie, we're told. It features all the old favourite characters – and, frankly old favourite plotlines. With added Noël Coward, and scandal in high places. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Simon Morris looks at three films that use comedy in different ways to make a point – the divorce comedy The Roses, a film about a traumatic event, Sorry, Baby, that uses humour as a healing tool and French farce How To Make A Killingwhich uses comedy to make you laugh!Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

How To Make A Killing sees Laure Calamy (Call My Agent) caught up in a tangle of gangsters, refugees, a big bundle of money – and a gigantic black bear. French farce at its most farcical – and French. See you at the Swinger's Club on Thursday! Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Sorry, Baby was a big hit when it debuted at Sundance – the story of a young woman getting over a traumatic event. Star, writer and director Eva Victor had never made a feature film before. Produced by Barry Jenkins (Moonlight). Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Roses is a gentler remake of the pitch-black Eighties divorce comedy The War Of The Roses. But stars Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch turn out to be worthy successors. Directed by Jay Roach (Meet the Fockers). Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

The Ballad of Wallis Island is a British charmer about a lonely millionaire who just wants to put his favourite folk duo back together. His solution? A reunion concert for an audience of one. Starring and written by Tim Key (See How They Run), Tom Basden (After Life) with Carey Mulligan (Promising Young Woman). Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Workmates is the latest from husband and wife team writer-star Sophie Henderson and director Curtis Vowell. Can theatre best mates Lucy – Sophie – and Tom – Matt Whelan, get from the friend-zone to love? Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details