Result? HappinessA David Copperfield movie that’s both refreshing and hugely affectionate for the source material.THE PERSONAL HISTORY OF DAVID COPPERFIELDDirected by Armando IannucciAs his life and books showed, and as this effervescent adaptation of his most loved… Apr 05 20April 05, 2020Article at NZ Listener
Military Wives: An endearing home front hit paradeMILITARY WIVES directed by Peter Cattaneo Although a bit like a half-Full Monty, this tale of soldiers’ wives consoling themselves in song is undemanding and enjoyable. Has Kirstin Scott Thomas ever sung in a movie before? The thought occurred when… Mar 19 20March 19, 2020Article at Noted
In Emma., Jane Austen is rekindled with style for the Tinder generation EMMA.directed by Autumn de WildeThe fullstop that comes with the title to this Jane Austen adaptation marking an impressive screenwriting debut for Eleanor Catton makes its own small point of difference. It’s a device also used in the… Feb 25 20February 25, 2020Article at Noted
Naval-gazing: Why Midway stays afloat despite that sinking feeling MIDWAYdirected by Roland EmmerichA film about the pivotal WWII sea battle by master-of-disaster Roland Emmerich is surprisingly good.Since the first shots were fired, the Battle of Midway has always been in the movies. The celebrated… Feb 07 20February 07, 2020Article at Noted
French dramedy Roxane is an enjoyably cheesy souffléROXANE directed by Mélanie Auffret An egg-farming community faces ruin by corporate food giants in Mélanie Auffret’s debut feature. You can understand why the hens belonging to French farmer Raymond like to spend their free-range time listening to… Jan 21 20January 21, 2020Article at Noted
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood is an utter delightA BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD directed by Marielle Heller The Oscar-nominated saint specialist outdoes himself as Mister Rogers in a new film. In the history of American television, Fred Rogers is a sainted figure. After a career that began in… Jan 18 20January 18, 2020Article at Noted
The problem with Bombshell is that it doesn't contain anyBOMBSHELL directed by Jay Roach A drama about the downfall of Fox News media mogul Roger Ailes lacks insight. Bombshell contains none really. In its telling of the downfall of Roger Ailes, the man who turned Fox News into an echo chamber for… Jan 15 20January 15, 2020Article at Noted
The Rise of Skywalker: A suitably biblical ending to the Star Wars trilogySTAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER directed by JJ Abrams Star Wars might have started as a swashbuckling space adventure with a sideline in interstellar hocus-pocus, but it won the devotion of a religion. Aptly enough, The Rise of Skywalker – or Star… Jan 09 20January 09, 2020Article at Noted
Is Frozen 2 too young for me, a 13-year-old asksFROZEN 2 Directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer Lee A Frozen veteran, now 13, guides a novice through the sequel to the Disney mega-hit. The first Frozen movie may have held a grip on popular culture since its 2013 release, but, for me, a child-free fan… Nov 30 19November 30, 2019Article at Noted
Joker is no laughing matter, but it's villainously goodJOKER directed by Todd Phillips Joaquin Phoenix is unnerving in his portrayal of the Batman villain in an origin story that owes more to Scorsese than it does to comic-books. There might not be a Batman in Joker, but it’s still an exceptionally batty… Oct 07 19October 07, 2019Article at Noted
Toy Story 4: The beloved franchise reaches a Forky in the road TOY STORY 4 directed by Josh Cooley The fourth Toy Story instalment is clever, enjoyable and refreshingly weird. The original Toy Story movies may now be considered a trilogy, but they weren’t planned that way. The 1995… Jun 25 19June 25, 2019Article at Noted
Pavarotti doco shines a soft light on the opera superstarPAVAROTTI directed by Ron Howard There are many snippets of famous arias in this documentary about superstar tenor Luciano Pavarotti, who died in 2007. The footage of the maestro hitting yet another high C is a reminder of the emotive power of his… Jun 22 19June 22, 2019Article at Noted
It's a little bit funny: The new Elton John biopic Rocketman achieves lift-offThe movie of Elton John’s life does some odd things in its mix of rock biopic and stage musical. Elton John spent much of his early career living dangerously and performing outrageously while delivering music that largely played it safe, but… Jun 01 19June 01, 2019Article at Noted
Avengers: Endgame is worryingly endlessThe epic and worryingly endless Avengers: Endgame marks the closing of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s old testament, 22 films that started with Iron Man in 2008 and finish with this three-hour follow-up to last year’s cliffhanger, Avengers: Infinity… May 04 19May 04, 2019Article at Noted
Braving The Chills: Film on Dunedin sound pioneer Martin Phillipps packs a punchThe Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps directed by Julia Parnell Rockumentary goes beyond rudimentary as it charts the songwriter’s life and career. There are moments in this unsettling, brave and absorbing documentary about the long… May 01 19May 01, 2019Article at Noted
The Heart Dances: Lifting the lid on the culture clash behind ‘The Piano’ balletDocumentary offers an intriguing look at the clash of artistic sensibilities behind adapting The Piano into a ballet. The Royal New Zealand Ballet likes playing to the camera, as it has demonstrated on the docu-reality series The Secret Lives of… Apr 20 19April 20, 2019Article at Noted
In Woman at War, an Icelandic eco-warrior fights the powerDeadpan comedy meets high-voltage thriller in a tale of an Icelandic woman who takes on a smelting plant. Like New Zealand, Iceland is used frequently as a Hollywood backlot, its otherworldly scenery doubling for distant planets or fantasy lands.… Apr 16 19April 16, 2019Article at Noted
Daffodils is a charming, bittersweet and tuneful piece of KiwianaAren’t pop musicals meant to be all sweetness and light? Daffodils contains death, divorce, dashed dreams and quite a bit of unhappiness. It takes place largely in Hamilton during the 60s, 70s and 80s, too. But we do get to go to the beach a couple… Mar 22 19March 22, 2019Article at Noted
Captain Marvel is a rare movie in Marvel Cinematic UniverseStarring Brie Larson as lead superheroine, feminist fable Captain Marvel actually gets better as it goes on. If you somehow missed the previous 20 movies in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Captain Marvel may be a good place to start. For one thing,… Mar 19 19March 19, 2019Article at Noted
Rob Brydon's Swimming with Men doesn't quite earn its feelgood certificateRob Brydon stars in this all-male synchronised swimming team story. Ever wanted to see Downton Abbey’s Mr Carson in togs? Well, then, Swimming with Men is the film you didn’t know you were waiting for. Downton’s head butler, Jim Carter, is among the… Mar 09 19March 09, 2019Article at Noted
