Entertainment
Rough cast: More than mere length makes The Brutalist a slog
A lengthy saga about a Holocaust survivor architect offers wall-to-wall misery.
Latest from Entertainment
Stories and analysis from The Northern Express Herald.
2025 entertainment preview: The 18 blockbuster TV shows you’ll be watching this year
Russell Baillie on the year's most anticipated international TV shows.
2025 entertainment preview: The year in television
New Zealanders are about to see more of themselves on air like never before.
Room for improvement: Great cast under-delivers in Almodavar’s new film
Good actors perform bad dialogue in Almodavar’s ham-fisted first English-language feature.
Ralph Fiennes gives jaw-dropping performance in Vatican thriller Conclave
Based on Robert Harris best-seller, Conclave is steeped in intrigue.
The Listener’s January Viewing Guide: The big shows kicking off 2025
The Listener's guide to summer viewing, across streaming and terrestrial.
Film review: Paddington in Peru
Three’s a charm as our favourite bear hunts for his aunt.
Politics and protest mingle with the sounds of summer
This year's BBQ beats have bite, gatecrashing the backyard summer reggae party.
British comedian Jack Whitehall’s double act with his dad
Whitehall’s comedy act went from stage to screen and now it’s heading to NZ.
Jesse Eisenberg speaks to Russell Baillie on his new Holocaust tourism dramedy
Jesse Eisenberg on how his own family history and travels in Poland inspired new film.
Kiwi-made series takes beloved Badjelly the Witch to the world
British comedian Miriam Margolyes plays Badjelly in Spike Milligan masterpiece.
Planning to catch up on some TV? The best shows from 2024
A guide to the best new, local and return TV shows of 2024.
The best movies of 2024
Sarah Watt and Russell Baillie on their picks, with trailers and full review links.
Anora and All We Imagine Is Light make for satisfying summer movie going
Anora and All We Imagine As Light make for compelling holiday watching.
Robbie Williams’ Better Man: We should applaud his honesty about hollow reality of showbiz
Better Man is an absolute adrenalin ride of pure entertainment. It's also very sad.
The Listener’s Christmas TV Guide: Wham! Doctor Who! Nigella! And other seasonal specials
What to watch for Christmas cheer.
Sounds of the year: 2024′s best albums
Listener reviewer Graham Reid names his picks of 2024’s contemporary albums.
NZ comedians Rose Matafeo and Dave Fane shine alongside Hollywood stars in Moana 2
Disney’s latest blockbuster has been released in English and te reo Māori concurrently.
Irish family feud comedy gets bogged down in cliches
Apart from the end, there's little entertaining or surprising in The Problem With People.
Listener’s Songs of the Week: New tracks by Melodownz, Sharon Van Etten, Iggy Pop and more
Listen to the best of this week's new releases - selected by Listener staff.
Thomasin McKenzie delivers a star turn as IVF pioneer in Joy
NZ star shines alongside Brit favourites Bill Nighy and James Norton.
Little-known Agatha Christie murder mystery gets a revamp
How well the production as a whole works has been a matter of debate.
Hugh Grant finds midlife calling in true horror style
Hugh Grant breaks out into full-on villain territory.
Listener’s Songs of the Week: New tracks by The Chills, Phoenix Foundation, and more
Have a listen to the best of this week's new releases, selected by Listener staff.
Brit-rock icon's movie debut in sprawling WWII drama Blitz
WWII homefront saga mixes social realism and sweeping drama.
Director Vincent Ward reflects as landmark NZ film turns 40
Vincent Ward was in his twenties when he made the film that changed NZ cinema forever.
The Listener’s December Viewing Guide: Rose Matafeo’s new show and Squid Game’s second season
The best of television across streaming and terrestrial.
Andi Crown: The archaeologist turned A-List photographer with a side of acting
How photography in one of the world's remotest locations led to snapping A-List stars.
Jessica Chastain and Peter Sarsgaard shine in drama about slippery nature of memory
Memory is an intriguing and twisty drama about the slippery nature of our recall.
Why Americans heard the Beatles wrong in the ‘60s
Record company tinkering with the Beatles' early sound distorted it for US audiences.