School holidays don’t just test your patience, they test your planning. We kick things off by settling our Oscars scorecard and checking how our New Zealand box office predictions stacked up, then we jump straight into the real question parents are asking: what’s actually worth seeing at the cinema over the break?

We walk through a lineup built for families and kids, including The Magic Faraway Tree and why nostalgia is driving interest, the Super Mario Galaxy movie as the likely blockbuster, and Pixar’s Hoppers as a younger-leaning animated pick with a clear environmental message. We also touch on extra options still on screens, plus special programming like the Hunt for the Wilderpeople 10th anniversary re-release, an R16 horror-comedy called They Will Kill You, and even a marathon-length opera screening for the diehards. With budgets tight, we spotlight where $10 tickets can make a proper night out feel possible again.

Then we zoom out to the moviegoing experience itself. We both rate Project Hail Mary a strong 9/10 and talk about why it’s the kind of sci-fi you should see on the biggest screen you can find, along with the smart marketing that’s helping it cut through. We finish with practical cinema tips that save your day when it’s raining and busy: pre-booking, leaving earlier, handling queues, picking aisle seats with kids, and the simple etiquette rules that make a shared theatre work.

If you found this helpful, subscribe, share the episode with a fellow moviegoer, and leave a quick review with your top school holiday pick.

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!

Oscars season turns smart people into coin flippers, and we are no exception. We sit down with our ballots open and our confidence shrinking by the minute, then make the call anyway: our final predictions for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, and Best Picture. Along the way we argue the cases for the films and performances that feel like front runners, the ones that might sneak up late, and the reasons our “sure thing” picks keep changing as the Academy Awards buzz shifts.

We also keep it grounded in what’s actually playing for real moviegoers right now. We celebrate a strong New Zealand box office result for Holy Days, give love to local storytelling, and share what we’re hearing from audiences walking out of My Name Is Party. On the new release side, we hit a quick guide to Cold Storage as a Liam Neeson and Joe Keery horror comedy, plus a limited release pick for art lovers with Turner and Constable. We even make time for a classic movie spotlight with Clint Eastwood’s The Outlaw Josey Wales, because sometimes the best way to reset your movie brain is to watch a great film on a big screen.

Then we zoom out to the movie industry question that affects everything: the theatrical window. A major studio is reportedly slowing down how fast movies hit streaming services, and we unpack why that change could help cinemas survive and help audiences remember what a theatrical release is supposed to feel like. That leads straight into our excitement for Project Hail Mary with Ryan Gosling, a sci fi crowd pleaser getting rave reviews and promising practical filmmaking that sounds made for theaters.

If you’re playing along with Oscars predictions, building a watchlist, or just want a smart, funny movie podcast from New Zealand cinema people, hit play and join us. Subscribe, share the show with a film nerd friend, and leave a review, then tell us what’s your Best Picture pick this year?

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!

The week’s lineup swings from iconic concert energy to sly, satirical thrills to a heartfelt Kiwi adventure—and we’re here for all of it. We kick off with Elvis Presley In Concert, Baz Luhrmann’s restoration that swaps reenactment for the real thing. Unearthed footage from the Vegas years puts you right on stage with Elvis—sweat, swagger, and sly asides intact—beautifully remastered for modern ears and eyes. It’s a rare chance to see why a voice can become a myth and how a myth can still feel human.

Then we tackle a box office riddle: Scream 7 slicing through US charts while showing softer legs in New Zealand. We unpack the franchise’s roots in meta-horror and why the original’s ruthless opening still echoes today. More importantly, we explore why straight horror struggles locally while horror comedies often break through. That leads us to How To Make A Killing, a darkly funny thriller channeling the spirit of Kind Hearts and Coronets. Glenn Powell plays an heir many rungs down from $28 billion, nudged toward an outrageous solution. It’s sharp, stylish, and perfectly timed for audiences who want stakes with a smirk.

We keep it close to home with Holy Days, a 1970s-set road trip where a boy teams up with three nuns to save their convent. With Miriam Margolyes, Judy Davis, Jacki Weaver, and standout newcomer Elijah Tamity, the film blends cheeky humor with real warmth, echoing the Kiwi classics that make you laugh first and feel later. Along the way, we place our opening weekend bets, reflect on why people crave communal laughs in heavy times, and flag a near-future must-watch: Project Hail Mary. To cap it off, we tee up next week’s Oscars prediction special—reckless optimism, zero cheating, maximum accountability.

Love smart movie talk with real stakes and a few laughs? Follow the show, share it with a friend, and drop your own predictions in a review. Who gets your ticket this week—and are you Team Elvis, Team Scream, or Team Holy? Subscribe and tell us your pick.

Book your tickets to the movies at Cathay Cinemas Kerikeri here - or at Lido Cinema Hamilton here!