News & Opinion

Phil Tippett is Frankenstein and Mad God is his painstaking, visionary monster
The Old Gods are dead: long live a potato with human teeth, in Tippett’s apocalyptic stop-motion feat.


Pixar’s promising Lightyear quickly nosedives into disappointment
Pixar’s latest effort is a disappointing experience, though not a disaster.


The 20 best films on Netflix for kids (and their parents)
A lot of these films are new. Others are… NeverEnding.


How to watch The Lion King Reo Māori in Aotearoa
Translations were completed by Te Reo Māori experts in each rohe (regions) with different mita (dialects).


An unnecessary deep dive into the history and philosophy of Scrat from Ice Age
This is, perhaps, the world’s most comprehensive essay on the iconic sabretooth squirrel.


The biggest family films to watch these NZ school holidays
Get the whānau together for some hearty entertainment on screens big and small.


Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood turns the moon landing into a gorgeous dream
Inspired by his own upbringing, Richard Linklater takes viewers on a gosh-darn beautiful journey to the moon.


Violent fantasy epic The Spine of Night is a rare, otherworldly animated experience
This feels destined to be cherished by a cult audience.


Human Resources is even more filthy, funny and thoughtful than Big Mouth
Meet a new gang of metaphysical sex beasts, including Hugh Jackman’s three-dicked angel. Yep.


Inspired, heartfelt animated film Flee tells one of the year’s most gripping true stories
The history-making documentary uses animation as a safe space for its storyteller.


Flee’s history-making Oscar nominations are only half of its remarkable story
This acclaimed animated doco is the first film ever to be nominated for Best Documentary, Best Animated AND Best International Feature.


Happy anniversary! 10 important movies celebrating big milestones in 2022
Let’s shout out some cinematic birthdays—including one century-old horror classic.


The 10 most colourful, creative animated films heading our way in 2022
From the serious to spin-offs and sequels (including a follow-up to the best Spidey flick to date).


Netflix’s The House is like a Wes Anderson animation gone horrifyingly wrong
An early candidate for the weirdest film of the year is this trippy stop-motion animated feature.


Cowboy Bebop and the challenges of adapting animation for a live-action series
Before judging the Netflix Bebop, just what is and isn’t possible in translating animation to the live-action medium?


All 10 Wes Anderson movies, ranked from worst to best
Dysfunctional humans, dysfunctional dogs, a suave fox, a camp concierge – all part of Wes Anderson’s adorable funny farm.


Your mileage will vary with hit-or-miss anime experiment Star Wars: Visions
Nine standalone shorts: but which ones are worth your while?


Netflix’s Q-Force is here and queer, proudly doing the spy genre its own way
Fast-paced, it doesn’t let a single frame go without at least one gag.


Colourful Cuban love song Vivo celebrates family and music
Lin-Manuel Miranda brings Broadway flair to Netflix animation.


The real stakes and excitement of Kevin Smith’s Masters of the Universe: Revelation
Kevin Smith doesn’t have to put the toys back in the box after each episode.


Spirited Away returns to cinemas for its 20th anniversary
Studio Ghibli’s Academy Award-winning masterpiece makes a welcome return.


Rick and Morty’s fifth season has landed on Netflix
Another ten episodes of very adult, animated sci-fi are coming your way. Oooooh weeee.
