Movies

Merchant Ivory tells the story of one of the longest ever movie-making partnerships, between Indian producer Ismail Merchant, American director James Ivory - and German-Jewish born writer Ruth Prawer… Audio

Elio is the latest from Pixar Films - the story of a lonely, space-obsessed boy who dreams of being abducted by aliens. With an original story by Adrian Molina (Coco), Elio features the voices of Zoe… Audio

Simon Morris takes a look at an unusually blokey collection of movies this week, including the return of the "infected" in Danny Boyles's 28 Years Later, a documentary about the films of long-time… Audio

28 Years Later sees the return of director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland to the zombie apocalypse they created 23 years ago. Now survivors settle on a small island, leaving the mainland to the… Audio

The Assessment finds a couple in a dystopian future trying to get permission to have a baby. But first they need to pass an assessment. Stars Elizabeth Olsen (WandaVision), Himesh Patel (Yesterday)… Audio

Chuck Chuck Baby sees a woman in the production line of a chicken farm of the same name, suddenly confronted by her school crush. A winner at last year's Welsh Baftas, it features a string of director… Audio

Simon Morris regrets the passing of the old-fashioned film star, and reviews two movies featuring one-time "stars of tomorrow" - Ana de Armas in Ballerina, and Prime Video's The Assessment, starring… Audio

Ballerina - now prefaced From the world of John Wick - sees a new face at the Continental Hotel for assassins. A young dancer seeks revenge for the death of her father. Joining John Wick regulars… Audio

La Cucina is one day in the life of popular restaurant The Grill. Although it's set in New York, it's based on a 1961 English play and it's written and directed by Mexican Alonso Ruizpalacios. Stars… Audio

The Salt Path is the story of real-life couple Raynor and Moth Winn who set out to walk the gruelling track around Devon and Cornwall after they lose everything in a bad investment. Based on Raynor's… Audio

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning seems to imply this is Tom Cruise's last hurrah in the franchise. Though never say "final". This features old hands Ving Rhames and Simon Pegg, newer hands… Audio

Simon Morris tests the two methods of movie financing - betting a few dollars on small films like Mexican art-film La Cocina and English real-life memoir The Salt Path… or taking a huge plunge on a… Audio

Marlon Williams: Nga Ao E Rua (Two Worlds) is a documentary about the Kiwi alt-country star and his journey to make his first album entirely in te reo. Spoiler alert: that album went on to top the New… Audio

Thunderbolts* are the B-Team you summon when Marvel superstars The Avengers are unavailable. Ironically, or not, it's proving a big hit after a few Marvel misfires. Starring Florence Pugh… Audio

Simon Morris has one of those weeks where you need to do your own research. Looking up the minor villains that make up Thunderbolts*…. Brushing up his knowledge of Kiwi household name Marlon… Audio

The Accountant 2 sees the return of Ben Affleck as the eccentric, former criminal accountant who sets out to avenge the murder of his best friend. Also stars Jon Bernthal (The Amateur) and Cynthia… Audio

Civil War director Alex Garland collaborates with that film's military advisor - and real-life Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza on the story of a platoon of Navy SEALS having a bad day in Ramadi. Audio

Ryan Coogler writes and directs a Southern Gothic horror film featuring gangsters, vampires and the Klan, reviewed by Dan Slevin. Audio

Dan Slevin reviews three new films in local cinemas: In Sinners, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler tells a Southern Gothic horror story withMichael B. Jordan playing identical twins; in Warfare… Audio

Dan Slevin reviews an adaptation of Claire Keegan's 2021 novella about an Irish family man prompted to confront his community about the secrets that they have been keeping (starring Oscar-winner… Audio