This week is dominated by wizards – let’s not deny it. But that shouldn’t deter you from checking out the rest of the goodness on offer in New Zealand cinemas this week. From the limited releases, to re-screened classics, to a fraudulent film festival, here’s what’s on.
The Big Release
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them | Find movie times near you (Also in 3D)
J. K. Rowling and director David Yates return to the Harry Potter universe with this spinoff story, starring Oscar-winner Eddie Redmayne (The Theory of Everything) as writer Newt Scamander who discovers an underground community of witches and wizards in New York – 70 years before Harry reads his book.
The Small Releases
Julieta | Playing in limited release nationwide
From the Oscar-winning filmmaker behind The Skin I Live In, this Spanish drama weaves together three short stories by Alice Munro.
Operation Avalanche | Playing in limited release nationwide
Faux-doco conspiracy thriller, partly filmed at NASA after fooling the powers-that-be about the film’s intentions.
War on Everyone | Playing in limited release nationwide
Michael Peña and Alexander Skarsgård are a pair of drug-snorting, give-zero-crap cops in this black comedy from the writer-director of The Guard and Calvary.
I am Not Madame Bovary | Playing in limited release, Auckland only
After being swindled by her ex-husband, a woman takes on the Chinese legal system in this comedy from the director of Aftershock.
The 5th Eye | Playing in limited release nationwide
Kiwis are part of a global mass surveillance system, and this documentary places the incontrovertible fact into context alongside our long history supporting US geopolitical interests.
Fraud Film Festival
Playing at Auckland’s Q Theatre this Friday and Saturday is a film festival dedicated to raising awareness about fraud, featuring thought-provoking films and stimulating live discussions with panelists ranging from Olympian hero Valerie Adams to local film and TV producing icon John Barnett.
Visit the official website | Check out the official Facebook page | Buy tickets
Classics
Taxi Driver | 8.00pm, Friday 18th Nov. @ Event Newmarket (AKLD)
The seminal 1976 Scorsese/De Niro flick. If you haven’t seen it yet, take a date.
All Quiet on the Western Front | 4.45pm, Saturday 19th Nov. @ Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision (WGTN)
A young soldier faces profound disillusionment in the soul-destroying horror of World War I in the war classic.
Mad Max | 7.15pm, Saturday 19th Nov. @ Ngā Taonga Sound & Vision (WGTN)
The classic, Australian post-apocalyptic action thriller with Mel Gibson as Max Rockatansky, a policeman in the near future.
