News & Opinion
Trace the evolution of popular music in Aotearoa with expertly-curated series Give It a Whirl
The landmark history of our music arrives online just in time for NZ Music Month 2022.
Netflix’s tactful two-part Jimmy Savile expose A British Horror Story feels rushed
The once-beloved entertainer’s career and famous connections are well-detailed, leaving little room for victim testimonies.
Evan Rachel Wood finds her voice in sensitive two-part survivor story Phoenix Rising
Small moments hit hard in this HBO docuseries, recounting the actress’s abusive relationship with Marilyn Manson.
Now’s a good time to get bowled over by legendary cricket doco Shane
Here’s your chance to get to know ‘the man behind the legend’ —controversial spin bowl king Shane Warne.
Blind Ambition finds hope in a bottle—or several, actually
We’re getting notes of creativity, diversity, and a strong flavour of underdog spirit. Yum.
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.
Jackass forever and ever: the 5 most painful stunts from the Jackass films
Watch these cringeworthy moments through your fingers: they put the ‘evil’ in Evel Knievel.
Even the powerful, petulant UFC can’t stymie Mark Hunt: The Fight of His Life
Hunt’s prowess in the ring is impressive, his life story told in moving and candid fashion.
Get bowled over by cricket doco Shane, now streaming on Prime Video
Here’s your chance to get to know ‘the man behind the legend’ —controversial spin bowl king Shane Warne.
Mothers of the Revolution is an extraordinary true story of triumphant idealism
A reminder of how important a bit of hope and determination can be in the face of seemingly insurmountable threats.
Peter Jackson’s The Beatles: Get Back is full of priceless moments
Footage offers a candid, unflinching look at the group’s personalities and the creative process.
Tiger King season 2 is engrossing car crash television – but do we really want more?
There’s more Joe Exotic, more Carole Baskin, more magnificent tigers. But have audiences moved on?
The Rescue will likely be the most astonishing against-the-odds film of 2021
You’re likely to leave drenched by your own tension-induced sweat or emotion-fuelled tears.
Julien Temple tells us about his Shane MacGowan doco Crock of Gold
Legendary music filmmaker pairs Shane MacGowan with yet more legends.
Milked director tells us about her film’s unflinching look at NZ’s dairy industry
The documentary exposé is playing as part of Whānau Mārama: New Zealand International Film Festival.
Vice’s Dark Side of the 90s is a nostalgia trip
Ready to feel old? The 90s are to now what the 60s were to the 90s.
This is not a review of a doco that could rewire your reality, it’s merely…A Glitch In The Matrix
Rodney Ascher’s playful recreations fail to answer some of the most compelling questions he raises.
One man’s very subjective list of their favourite music docos
If one thing is true of music docos, it’s that there literally cannot ever be enough.
Todd Haynes doco on The Velvet Underground is disappointingly conventional
Jonathan Richman and John Waters elevate what can be a dour story told by jaded people.
Peter Brook Bell tells us about UFC champ Mark Hunt doco The Fight of His Life
“Mark has had to fight for everything he has in life.”
First trailer and release date for Peter Jackson doco The Beatles: Get Back
Jackson uses the same restoration techniques used in 2018’s stunning They Shall Not Grow Old.
The Alpinist is a brain-feeding, occasionally nerve-shredding, cinematic experience
You’d be forgiven for thinking this latest feature, The Alpinist, was trying to out-solo Free Solo.