Sunburns, cricket, and school holidays are stealing attention, but the big screen is about to fight back. We open the door on a quieter week in Cinema Land and dig into what actually pulls people off the couch: clear promises, smart timing, and the thrill of a cool, dark room with M&Ms in hand. Our box office game gets real as we reconcile a surprising data point—Taylor Swift’s latest cinema event underdelivered versus the Eras juggernaut, despite topping the global weekend. We unpack why audience expectations matter, how format confusion can sting, and what that means for the next wave of event releases.

From there, we jump into the freshest titles and festival plays. Colin Farrell leads Ballad of a Small Player, a tense Macau-set character piece that rides a limited theatrical window before Netflix. For Diwali, we spotlight a Hindi horror-comedy with vampire flair and musical energy—exactly the kind of communal, high-spirited counterprogramming that can catch fire when the festival calendar and the crowd line up. We also celebrate the rise of stage-to-screen: a 2019 concert staging of Les Misérables delivers arena-size emotion to theaters, while National Theatre Live’s Inter Alia, starring Rosamund Pike, explores the high-wire act of career, family, and identity.

Then we scan the runway to the holidays. Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere is building buzz with Jeremy Allen White channeling the raw Nebraska era. Predator Badlands hints at a slick android-versus-hunter dynamic, Now You See Me, Now You Don’t promises nimble spectacle, and a classic 70mm titan returns with Lawrence of Arabia. Add Wicked Part 2, Knives Out, Zootopia 2, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and Avatar: Fire and Ash, and you’ve got a season stacked with franchises, nostalgia, and family anchors. We cap it with fresh predictions for the Diwali release—measured, hopeful, and ready to be proven wrong.

Enjoy the ride, then tell us what you’re betting on. If you’re into smart box office talk, festival finds, and sharp previews with no fluff, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a quick rating. Your picks might shape our next prediction.

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!

A small victory can change the mood of a whole week. We open by settling our Bad Guys 2 bet, then swing straight into the real work of programming after the school holidays: choosing films that spark curiosity, fill seats, and feel worth the trip. That means championing a few special titles, passing on others (for now), and crafting a lineup that plays to our audience’s taste without playing it safe.

First up: The Ballad of Wallace Island, a heartfelt British comedy with festival praise and a glowing nod from Richard Curtis. One man, one remote island, one wildly ambitious concert—charming, funny, and just different enough to cut through. We pair that with Holy Cow, a crowd‑pleaser from the French Film Festival about a teen who finds purpose and craft in cheesemaking as he steps up for his sister. When people ask for something by name, we listen.

Then we examine a surprise drop from pop’s shrewdest strategist: Taylor Swift’s 92‑minute album film anchored by behind‑the‑scenes footage, lyric videos, and The Fate of Ophelia. Is it an irresistible big‑screen event or premium pre‑release marketing fans will wait to stream? We debate the ceiling, compare it to the Eras Tour phenomenon, and place our bets on a tight weekend window. To balance the slate with spectacle, we’re also bringing back Avatar: The Way of Water in full 3D for a limited run—Pandora as it’s meant to be seen—just as anticipation builds for December’s next chapter.

We close with the British & Irish Film Festival, a highlight on our calendar and a perfect fit for local tastes. Expect a lovingly restored Twiggy documentary brimming with 60s electricity and Spinal Tap 2: The End Continues—original members, fresh chaos, and volume set to eleven. Along the way, we talk risk vs reward, niche vs broad appeal, and how to make every showtime count.

If this mix of smart picks, big swings, and festival flavor sounds like your jam, follow the show, share it with a film‑loving friend, and leave a review telling us which title you’ll see first. Your picks help shape our slate.

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!

Economic headwinds continue battering the cinema landscape as we head into the school holiday season. Even star-studded films like "The Roses" featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Coleman are struggling to meet box office expectations, despite strong word-of-mouth driving second-week attendance. What's behind this trend? Is it the R-rating limiting audience size, broader economic factors, or perhaps shifting viewer preferences?

Relief may be coming with the wave of family-friendly releases hitting theaters for the school holidays. "Gabby's Dollhouse" targets the youngest moviegoers (ages 3-8) with its magical story about a girl who transforms into a cartoon character in a world of feline friends. Theater representatives report children being spellbound during screenings and immediately asking to return – a promising sign for exhibitors. Meanwhile, "The Bad Guys 2" brings back the popular animated crew now struggling with economic challenges themselves as they're forced back into action by a new squad called "The Bad Girls."

For those seeking heartfelt storytelling, "Kangaroo" delivers a beautiful Australian tale about an ex-TV personality who accidentally kills a kangaroo and adopts its joey, establishing a rehabilitation center with a young indigenous girl. With Rachel House among the talented cast and the stunning Australian outback as a backdrop, this film promises to connect with viewers of all ages. Other options include the fantasy "A Big, Bold, Beautiful Journey" starring Margot Robbie and Colin Farrell, the cheese-making drama "Holy Cow," and the upcoming "Tron: Aries." Whether these diverse offerings can overcome current economic challenges and bring audiences back to theaters remains the big question facing the industry. Will families make movies part of their holiday plans? The answer might determine the future health of cinema exhibition.

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!