Entertainment reviewer for NZ Herald.
We are your advocate, Aotearoa. Uncovering stories that matter, asking hard-hitting questions of those in power, live-blogging sport events, monitoring the highs and lows of the NZX and providing Premium expert opinion and analysis. Bringing you distinctive, quality journalism and breaking news from across New Zealand and around the world. With specialists working together to create indepth reads, engaging video, and unmissable podcasts.
Movie review: Military Wives
If you're looking for a pleasant distraction on a Sunday arvo, this is just the ticket.
New movie Beats takes you back to the glory days of rave
A fitting tribute to the era, writes TimeOut's reviewer Francesca Rudkin.
The verdict on Kristen Stewart's new biopic Seberg
Does Kristen Stewart's biopic on cinema's new wave icon Jean Seberg sink or swim?
Movie Review: Mrs Lowry and Son offers a stunning family portrait
Timothy Spall and Vanessa Redgrave go head-to-head and give a masterclass in acting.
Review: Will Frozen 2 melt your heart or should you let it go?
In the long awaited sequel Elsa, Anna, and Olaf go in the unknown, should you join them?
Like its namesake the movie Farming is tough and grueling
An extraordinary true story but can you handle its blunt and confrontational style?
Forget Rudolph, Ailo is the reindeer to fall in love with this Xmas
Follow a year in the life of a newborn reindeer in this doco-meets-fictional tale.
'Just go': New rural dramedy Bellbird, a 'joy to watch'
Bellbird balances heartfelt drama with laugh-out-loud moments for a can't-miss movie.
'Crazy' new Hillary doco 'like stepping back in time'
You won't hear a more Kiwi yarn than this adventure documentary, writes Francesca Rudkin.
Is Ride Like A Girl a winner?
It's based on the true story of the first woman jockey to win the Melbourne Cup.
20 years in the making, is NZ's Mosley worth your time?
The first fully 3D animated movie made in New Zealand is out today, should you see it?
Women's yachting the winner in compelling Whitbread doco
Mocked and disparaged the all-women crew defied all odds to compete in the Whitbread race.
Is Seth Rogen's R-Rated comedy Good Boys any good?
The stars are so young they can not legally watch their own movie. But should you?
Twilight star confounds in indie film of 'despair and violence'
There's nothing sparkling in this grimly confounding sci-fi flick...
New movie follows New Zealand's troops in the Vietnam War
Danger Close: The Battle of Long Tan is realistic and brutal but is it worth seeing?
Can a boss girl gang cast save Hollywood's new gangster flick?
The Kitchen has a killer cast of Hollywood's leading badass women, but is it enough?
Third entry in action franchise running out of things to fall
Perhaps its time for the ...has Fallen franchise to fall away?
Back of the net? We review bio-pic The Keeper
The remarkable true story of a WWII POW who became an English soccer legend.
Review: The biggest problem with The Lion King
The remake looks amazing but does it charm like the animated original?
New Shakespeare movie less Hamlet, more Herlet...
But is a female twist on the bard's classic enough to keep your interest?
Does Annabelle bring the scares home? Here's our review.
Another creepy doll lies in wait at the cinema.
Tessa Thompson goes indie in new drama Little Woods
In Little Woods sisters are doing it for themselves but should you see it?
Does Ron Howard's new Pavarotti doco sing?
Or does this movie-length doco hit a bum note?
Sex, drugs and Rocketman. We review the Elton John biopic
Should you rocket to the cinema to see Rocketman?
Jesse Eisenberg's new nerd flick 'absurd, underwhelming'
The Social Network's Jesse Eisenberg is back, but with new levels of absurdity.
Movie review: The Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps
Movie review: The Chills: The Triumph and Tragedy of Martin Phillipps
The new kids' film that gets unexpectedly dark
My 10-year-old was crying over the emotional turmoil in this colourful animation.
The unlikely middle-aged film hero you've been waiting for
Forget yellow spandex and tech-heavy armour, this heroine wears a lovely knitted jumper
Will Five Feet Apart leave you love sick?
Is this teen romance set in a hospital good for what ails ya?
Does Rob Brydon's new comedy sink or swim?
It's been compared to The Full Monty but can Swimming With Men float to the top?
The new Laurel and Hardy bio-pic is no joke
John C. Reilly and Steve Coogan show the serious side of the slapstick duo in great biopic
The film that could save you these school holidays
Looking to keep the little'uns entertained these holidays? Try this on for size.
The film that gives politics an edgy twist
Adam McKay's Vice puts a whole new twist on an old story.
Scared of heights? After this doco you will be...
Free Solo, a vertigo-inducing, rock climbing doco, is dizzyingly good...
Melissa McCarthy gets serious - does it pay off?
The comic actress tries her hand at true crime in Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Movie review: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Movie review: The Nutcracker and the Four Realms
Movie review: Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Are J.K Rowling's beasts fantastic the second time round?
With Vermilion has Kiwi film grown up?
Jennifer Ward-Lealand leads this thoughtful, sensual new Zealand movie
Does Born Racer get mileage out of Scott Dixon's story?
We take the new documentary on local motorsport hero Scott Dixon out for a spin
Movie review: Christopher Robin
Christopher Robin is a child-like story mixed with complex adult themes.
Movie review: On Chesil Beach
Ian McEwan's novel was thought to be unadaptable so how does this downbeat drama get on?
Movie review: Whitney
A well-crafted documentary about the life and career of Whitney Houston.
Is doubling down on Double Lover double trouble?
If the thought of Cronenberg directing 50 Shades sounds interesting, this may appeal...
#MeToo goes corporate in new movie
This corporate thriller explores misogyny, equality and diversity within corporate culture
Is Tully worth seeing? Mum's the word...
Charlize Theron and writer Diablo Cody reunite to tackle motherhood. But does it deliver?
Chappaquiddick shines light on dark Kennedy mystery
You'll be glad you're not a Kennedy after seeing this period political drama...
Is The Breaker Upperers a crack up? Our review ...
Will you be crying with laughter or left in tears? Francesca Rudkin reviews.
The year's most convoluted movie title has arrived...
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society is much better than its title suggests
Should you be outraged by Amy Schumer's new comedy?
Was the social media uproar over I Feel Pretty valid? Francesca Rudkin takes a look.
Is Mary Magdalene godly or a sin against movies?
The director of the Oscar nominated Lion gets biblical, but is it worth watching?
Is it worth revisiting Earth in this BBC sequel?
Nature film Earth: One Amazing Day shows a lot can happen in 24 hours on our rock...
Colin Firth lost at sea in new movie
Based on mysterious true events we review The Mercy
Movie Review: Paddington 2
Warm, witty and wonderfully eccentric, Paddington 2 is a treat for the whole fam.
This is the year's best Christmas film
This is one Christmas movie that won't leave you muttering, 'bah humbug'....
Movie Review: Only the Brave
It's an emotional human story with a real sense of what it's like to be a firefighter.
An extraordinary Sheila's life in New Zealand
A charming new film is giving a charming view of NZ through the eyes of a Kiwi treasure.
Uplifting portrait of an artist's bleak life
Sally Hawkins and Ethan Hawke's new drama about painter Maud Lewis uplifts and bums out
Can Kate Winslet and Idris Elba survive love?
There's a mountain between them but that couldn't stop the pair from looking for love