A year that felt like a cliffhanger deserved a finale with stakes. We open with a candid pulse check on the film industry—streamer chess moves, lawsuits on the horizon, and a box office that held steady only because a few heavy hitters carried the load. From there, we dive into what actually moved audiences. Nuremberg, anchored by a commanding Russell Crowe, started quiet and gathered steam as word spread about its historical accuracy and gripping tension. Then we champion our sleeper of the season: The Housemaid. With Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried trading sharp, twisty turns, this psychological thriller begins with restraint and ends with crowd-pleasing catharsis—the kind of movie people push their friends to see.

Of course, the blue elephant in the room is Avatar: Fire and Ash. We unpack the buzz, the 3D spectacle, the Ash People conflict, and the simple reality that three-plus-hour epics ask for both time and ticket money. Will the scale win out over fatigue? We put real numbers on the line with a tie-breaking bet. Along the way, we spotlight current and upcoming options: Christmas Karma’s modern Dickens spin, Ella McKay’s scrappy political dramedy, Sadie Frost’s bright-eyed Twiggy doc, and a slate of 2026 titles ranging from meta-comedy remakes to heartfelt music dramas and smart sci-fi. We also celebrate New Zealand’s top earners, including a homegrown triumph in Tina and the crowd-power of live-action reimaginings and gaming IP.

It wasn’t all hits. We share best-of lists that balance franchise thrills with tender indies, then get honest about the letdowns—reboots that missed the spark and superhero entries that felt tired. The throughline is simple: audiences reward clarity, character, and craft, even when budgets are tight. Cinema still shines when the room is cool, the lights go down, and a story earns your attention. Join us for a season wrap that’s frank, hopeful, and packed with recommendations. If you enjoyed the conversation, follow the show, share it with a movie-loving friend, and leave a quick review—what film surprised you most this year?

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

A surprise surge at the box office can change the mood of a season, and Wicked just did exactly that. We unpack why certain titles break through when the economy is rough, how audience behavior shifts toward event value, and what that means as Avatar 3: Fire and Ash barrels toward release with sky-high expectations and even higher costs. The stakes aren’t just bragging rights for opening weekend; they’re a stress test for whether premium spectacle still earns its keep on the big screen.

We dive into the heartbeat of December programming, starting with Nuremberg, a gripping historical drama anchored by Rami Malek, Michael Shannon, and a commanding turn from Russell Crowe. The film tracks Robert H. Jackson and the Nuremberg trials, exploring how legal architecture shaped the postwar world. Prestige dramas like this can bring in mature audiences while tapping younger viewers who showed up for dense, dialogue-driven cinema with Oppenheimer. Add regional pride with Lydia Peckham’s involvement and you have the makings of a word-of-mouth standout.

On the other side of the aisle, Five Nights at Freddy’s 2 returns with teen-friendly scares, a tight rating, and social watchability that powers big group outings. We talk about why accessible horror wins, the fine print of the M rating, and how it fuels holiday momentum. Event cinema gets its turn too, as André Rieu’s Christmas concert fills seats with music lovers who treat the theater as a cultural venue. Families aren’t left out: Pets on a Train offers a short, colorful adventure perfect for younger kids who can’t handle three-hour blockbusters during a busy season.

We close with rapid-fire recommendations—The Housemaid previews, Alla McKay, Twiggy, David—and a local spotlight on Anchor Me: The Don McGlashon Story, with a possible opening-week Q&A. Plus, our final prediction showdown on Nuremberg’s opening adds a little competitive spice. If you’re mapping your December watchlist, this guide will help you pick the right big-screen moments and understand the industry signals behind them.

Enjoy the conversation? Follow, share, and leave a quick review to help more film lovers find the show. Got a bold box office prediction of your own? Drop it in the comments and let’s compare notes next week.

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

What happens when a locally made sci-fi brawler outperforms the noise and a buzzy remake doesn’t land? We dig into Predator Badlands’ franchise-best opening and the Running Man’s stumble, then chart a hopeful path forward with Wicked For Good building real momentum. Along the way, we tackle a hard truth: New Zealand’s box office has slid about 15% over recent weeks, with empty prime-time shows even in major cities. Tight budgets, uneven releases, and a chorus of AI-fed hot takes telling people to stay home haven’t helped. Our take: trust your own eyes. Go see movies you’re curious about and decide for yourself.

We unpack why a faithful adaptation can clash with nostalgia, why Predator’s softer rating didn’t blunt the fun, and how Wicked’s early numbers suggest audiences still crave a big-screen musical when the storytelling sings. We spotlight a classic that punched above its weight—A Room with a View—proving a well-timed revival can beat new releases. Then we shine a light on Jay Kelly, Noah Baumbach’s low-hype, high-merit awards hopeful starring George Clooney and a quietly devastating Adam Sandler, and explain why limited theatrical windows deserve attention before they vanish to streaming.

To rebuild habit and hype, we debut Trailer Day: a free, one-hour barrage of upcoming trailers designed to turn curiosity into ticket-buying intent. We preview what’s next—Zootopia, a high-profile Avatar premiere, and the page-to-screen thriller The Housemaid with Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried—before placing our weekly wager on Wicked’s opening take. If you want cinemas in your town next year, use them now. Hit play, share this with a movie friend, and tell us: which film gets you off the couch first? Subscribe, rate, and leave a review to help more film lovers find the show.

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