NEON’s got another huge HBO show, King Chalamet graces a new Netflix feature, Queen Olivia Colman finds her way on both platforms, and a whole lot of cinema goodness starts streaming this November.
New to Neon
His Dark Materials
Starring the likes of James McAvoy (Split), Ruth Wilson (TV’s Luther), Lin-Manuel Miranda (Mary Poppins Returns), and Logan‘s breakout star Dafne Keen, HBO’s adaptation of the renowned fantasy novels follows a parallel world where science, theology and magic are entwined.
Episode directors include Otto Bathurst (last year’s Robin Hood) and Oscar-winner Tom Hooper (The King’s Speech).
The Favourite
Two cousins (Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone) jockey for influence and power during the reign of Queen Anne (Olivia Colman, who scored an Oscar and Golden Globe for her performance) in this political comedy-drama from the Oscar-nominated director of The Lobster.
“A strange, twisted and darkly funny love story that is truly one of a kind.” -Katie Parker, FLICKS
The Sisters Brothers
Western dark comedy and Jacques Audiard’s follow-up to his Palme D’Or-winning Dheepan. Stars John C. Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix star as brothers (surname Sisters).
“Audiard’s storytelling has an easy swing to it, his dialogue is garrulous and unsentimental, and the narrative is exotically offbeat.” -THE GUARDIAN
Us
Oscar-winning filmmaker Jordan Peele follows his debut feature Get Out with another critically acclaimed horror-thriller, following a family on holiday confronted by murderous strangers who look just like them.
“Even if the film doesn’t hang together in the moment as tightly as one might prefer, it fires up our synapses in the aftermath” -Aaron Yap, FLICKS
Can You Ever Forgive Me?
Melissa McCarthy earned an Oscar nomination playing literary fraudster Lee Israel in this biopic from the director of The Diary of a Teenage Girl. Based on Israel’s memoir and co-starring fellow Oscar nominee Richard E Grant.
“Deftly and sensitively directed by Marielle Heller, the pace, narrative and visuals of this wonderfully understated film combine in perfect complementary balance with both McCarthy and Grant’s exceptional performances” -Sarah Voon, FLICKS
They Shall Not Grow Old
Peter Jackson directs this WWI documentary featuring never-before-seen black-n-white footage that’s been digitally coloured to commemorate the centennial of the war’s end.
“This digitalised revamping is unlike anything I’ve seen before—certainly not as simple as clicking a ‘turn on the colour’ button.” -Liam Maguren, FLICKS
See here for all NEON titles streaming this November
New to Netflix
The King
Timothée Chalamet is King Henry V in this medieval drama based on several Shakespeare plays, adapted for the screen by David Michôd and Joel Edgerton (who co-stars as John Falstaff).
“Chalamet does robust work, straightening his lanky posture as he goes, rising up into the role like a man ascendant.” -VANITY FAIR
Earthquake Bird
Alicia Vikander, Riley Keough and Naoki Kobayashi star in this love triangle-meets-murder mystery adapted from Susanna Jones’s novel. Co-produced by Ridley Scott.
“Everyone here appears to be revelling in the opportunities Earthquake Bird brings to hit up our memories of everything from Fatal Attraction to Single White Female.” -SCREEN DAILY
I’m with the Band: Nasty Cherry
In this docuseries, pop star mentor Charli XCX (who’s heading to NZ for Laneway, by the way) finds out what it takes to make — and break — a badass all-girl rock band.
The Crown: Season 3
Having proved her Oscar-winning dominance as a queen in The Favourite, Olivia Coleman puts the crown back on playing Queen Elizabeth II in the wildly popular period drama series. Co-stars Helena Bonham Carter as her sister, Princess Margaret.
The Irishman
Clocking in at nearly three-and-a-half hours, the great Martin Scorsese directs Robert De Niro in this epic true crime biography penned by the Oscar-winning writer of Schindler’s List. You can also catch it in NZ cinemas a week before it streams (find times and tickets).
“Martin Scorsese, reunites with his most totemic screen actor to tell a sprawling gangland saga that’s by turns flinty, amusing and richly nostalgic.” -HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
I Lost My Body
Winner of the Critics’ Week Grand Prize at Cannes, this animated adventure from the co-writer of Amélie might just be the most emotionally-evoking film ever to star a severed hand.
“It’s one of the most original and creative animated features I’ve ever seen: macabre, of course — how could it be otherwise, given the premise? — but remarkably captivating and unexpectedly poetic in the process.” -VARIETY
See here for all Netflix titles streaming this November
New to Everything Else
Diego Maradona
Oscar-winning Amy documentarian Asif Kamadia explores the life of the legendary football player in this Cannes Golden Camera-nominated documentary constructed from over 500 hours of never-before-seen footage.
“Has the football and the drugs – think ‘Scarface’ with screamers – but it’s a surprisingly emotional ride too.” -TIME OUT
Late Night
Emma Thompson stars as a late-night talk show host at risk of losing her long-running show in this comedy written by Mindy Kaling, who also co-stars as the show’s new writer.
“Keeps the audience on side, landing political points and punchlines with equal aplomb.” -Adam Fresco, FLICKS
2040
Documentarian Damon Gameau (That Sugar Film) explores what the future would look like by the year 2040 if we simply embraced the best climate crisis solutions already available to us.
“Might just shift your world for the better.” -Liam Maguren, FLICKS
Hail Satan?
Documentary tracing the emergence of America’s Satanic Temple, six years old and challenging established religious norms across the country.
“Wickedly funny, fascinating and niftily made, this crowd-pleaser will reign at festivals and prove, yet again, that the devil always has the best tunes.” -HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
Camino Skies
Documentary following six inspirational Australian and New Zealand pilgrims as they set out to conquer the mighty 800km Camino de Santiago.
“While it won’t be an absorbing watch for everyone, there will be some likely to consider it ideal heartwarming viewing” -STUFF.CO.NZ
Everybody Knows
Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem lead this Spain-set psychological drama from two-time Oscar-winning auteur Asghar Farhadi (The Salesman, A Separation).
“No director does arguments, family trips, guilt, betrayal, repression, grief, suspicion, trust, omissions, group dynamics, and too-late revelations like Asghar Farhadi.” -Amanda Jane Robinson, FLICKS
Happy As Lazzaro
Two mismatched young men form a strange bond in this Cannes Palme d’Or-nominated Italian drama from previous nominee Alice Rohrwacher.
“A magic-realist fable that doubles as an origin myth for a modern Italy subsumed by corruption and decline.” -THE GUARDIAN
Science Fair
An audience winner at both Sundance and SXSW, this 2018 documentary follows nine extremely talented high schoolers as they compete for Best in Fair at the international science fair.
“Goes a long way to validate these students’ obsessive desire to be recognized for their research…” -VARIETY
The Lion King
The Jungle Book director Jon Favreau helms this photo-realistic, CG-animated re-imagining of the 1994 Walt Disney classic.
“The sceptic might believe Disney’s reheating your nostalgia in a CGI microwave in order to get your money. The optimist might think the photorealism brings something completely different to the experience. Well, call me a sceptical optimist.” -Liam Maguren, FLICKS
Fast & Furious: Hobbs and Shaw
Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham lead this buddy cop spin-off helmed by Deadpool 2 director and John Wick co-creator, David Leitch.
“There was magic in this franchise for a while, but its gas tank of goodwill is slowly being drained and Hobbs & Shaw pushes it dangerously close to empty.” -Daniel Rutledge, FLICKS
Dan Carter: A Perfect 10
Documentary on All Black legend Dan Carter, focusing on his World Cup campaigns and promising to reveal the rugby superstar’s personal side.
“There’s plenty of footage here to remind us of his remarkable talents (and how drop kicks can change a rugby game), but Perfect 10 just doesn’t feel like it’s giving us the ‘full Dan Carter’.” -STUFF.CO.NZ
Backtrack Boys
In this Aussie doco, three boys are on a rocky path towards jail until they meet a rule-breaking jackaroo and join his legendary dog jumping team.
“A remarkable story of bringing troubled boys and girls back from the brink.” -SYDNEY MORNING HERALD
