Rnz: At The Movies

Rose is an independent American film about a retired cop - Cybill Shepherd - on a road trip through New Mexico in a motorized wheelchair. Co-stars James Brolin and Pam Grier.

Review - A gigantic blockbuster with franchise ambitions, Mortal Engines has  enough detailed gadgets to fill a dozen films, but skimped on big-name actors to carry it, Simon Morris writes. 

On At The Movies, Simon Morris looks at the surreal Sorry To Bother You and the heroic Creed 2. And he talks to Rupert Everett, star, writer and director of a new film about Oscar Wilde, the acclaimed The Happy Prince.

Rupert Everett talks about writing, directing and starring in The Happy Prince, the story of the last months of the life of Oscar Wilde.

Creed 2 continues the story of Rocky Balboa and the son of his friend Apollo Creed. Adonis Creed is challenged by tbe son of the man who killed his father. Stars Sylvester Stallone, Michael B. Jordan and Dolph Lundgren.

Review - Sorry to Bother You is a surreal satire about capitalism that seems to rejoice in its "cult" status, and while it's done well with the critics it forgot to invite the audience in, writes Simon Morris.

Simon Morris notices a split between the critics and the public when it comes to picking hits. And he previews a film about a writer loved by both factions - until it all came crashing down.

The Nutcracker and the Four Realms seems to follow the Disney Christmas formula, though the story of the ballet isn't as well-known as some fairy-tales. Stars Helen Mirren, Morgan Freeman, Keira Knightley and teen star Mackenzie Foy.

Review - This is the first movie in years you can talk about in the same breath as Chinatown, Heat or The Godfather, with unlikely director Steve McQueen proving the mark of a great director is picking great talent, then listening to them, Simon Morris writes.

Japanese drama Shoplifters won the Palme D'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. It tells the story of a family living under the radar in Tokyo. Directed by Koreeda Hirokazu.

On At The Movies, Simon Morris welcomes two films from two top film-makers - from Japan, Koreeda Hirokazu with Shoplifters and from the UK, Steve McQueen's Widows. And in time for Christmas, Disney family movie The Nutcracker and the Four Realms.

The old man and the gun is Robert Redford's swan-song, playing a real life elderly bank robber. Co-stars Sissy Spacek and Casey Affleck.

Suspiria is a controversial remake of a cult horror film of the Seventies. Stars Dakota Johnson, Chloe Grace Moretz and several helpings of Tilda Swinton. Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call me by your name).

The Crimes of Grindelwald continues to follow Newt Scamander in J K Rowling's Wizarding World series. Stars Eddie Redmayne, Johnny Depp and Jude Law as a young Professor Dumbledore.

Simon Morris is interested in cinema releases in the age of Netflix. Currently out is the latest J K Rowling film Fantastic Beasts 2, and a horror classic remake, Suspiria. And Robert Redford calls it a day with the film The old man and the gun.

Journey's End is a new version of R C Sheriff's classic play about World War I, following a small group of men on the eve of the 1918 Spring Offensive. Stars Sam Claflin (Their Finest, My Cousin Rachel), Paul Bettany and Asa Butterfield.

Review - When Stieg Larssen died, the new author of the "Millenium" novels decided Lisbeth was by far the most interesting character - which is true - and the story would benefit from concentrating on her, which isn't, Simon Morris writes.

Vermilion stars Jennifer Ward-Lealand as a composer whose life undergoes a dramatic change, affecting her and her friends and family. Directed by Dorthe Scheffmann.

On At The Movies, Simon Morris reviews New Zealand film Vermilion, starring Jennifer Ward-Lealand, and the first Lisbeth Salander film not based on a Stieg Larssen book, The girl in the spider's web. Also out this week, a new film of the classic World War One play Journey's End.

Cinematographer Simon Raby talks about his award-winning work on the documentary The Heart Dances, and his upcoming gig as lighting cameraman for Mortal Engines, produced by Sir Peter Jackson.