COMMENT: Mr. Bean is back, baby ... only this time he's a pipe-smoking police detective in 1950s Paris.

As far as coming-of-age stories go, The Edge of Seventeen's refreshing mix of authenticity and quirkiness will charm teenagers of all ages.

This a beautiful and gentle documentary with an uplifting story of female empowerment that will resonate with teenage girls around the world.

Even star power fails to keep this gross sexist flop together.

We're looking back on some of our favourite big reads from TimeOut this year. Today, we revisit Karl Puschmann's opinion piece on what to watch when TV is just too much.

The problem with Passengers is how the dodgy premise detracts from feeling the story or characters.

La La Land is an iridescent sparkle of a film that lasts all the way to a clever, perfect ending.

A film with a signature song entitled How Far I'll Go, Moana could have done with taking things a little further.

Even though Sing doesn't have the depth of other recent animations, at this time of year not having to think too hard can be a blessing.

Frankly, Elle is a twisted little number that's weirdly entertaining.

Auckland Choral's Messiah provided a much-loved finale to the city's musical year, writes William Dart.

Huge touring exhibition is an art world highlight for 2017, writes T.J.McNamara.

William Dart chooses his favourite classical CDs of 2016.

Our reviewers look at the highs and lows in Auckland theatre, 2016.

This debut feature from Aussie theatre director Rosemary Myers is a welcome addition to the coming-of-age genre.

The cast help make this one-off spin-off a pleasingly different kind of Star Wars film, one that gives a new hope to other tangential takes in the future.

Keoghan has certainly put his arse on the line to spin Harry's yarn in tandem with a personal challenge. It makes for a riveting if self-flagellating sports doco.

It has been a tough season to be a Walking Dead fan, but finally there's hope.

The new Irish comedy sees two teenagers find themselves in trouble with the police.

The documentary revolves around a comic book artist learning more about his family and their legacy.

A United Kingdom is a handsome, enjoyable historical drama, but doesn't quite reach the epic height it was aiming for.

Office Christmas Party veers into the ridiculous, but with a cast of likeable and quirky characters the wackiness works, without dazzling

Rising pop star's wayward third album shows he hasn't yet worked out the best way forward.

Sunday's German Christmas concert triumphantly signed off another successful year for Bach Musica NZ.

Lianne La Havas had to stop to collect herself because the crowd was "too much" - in the best way.

Elgar's Enigma Variations is a sublime piece of musical portraiture.

This dull heap of action-fantasy mediocrity, one which wants to be Game of Fangs, is the fifth.

The Nutcracker ballet is as sweet as the Sugarplum Fairy herself.

Sunset Song is a gorgeous slice of poetic realism which is as cruel and harsh as it is beautiful and lyrical.

There's little memorable about Trolls, but you got to hand it to these weirdly happy people - they sure know how to put a smile on a kid's face.