Author: James Partridge

Director: Annie Silverstein Cast: Rob Morgan, Amber Havard, Yolonda Ross Synopsis: Kris, a headstrong teenager from a rural neighborhood in Houston, is destined to follow her mother to the state penitentiary, until she’s forced to work for her equally willful neighbor, Abe, an aging bullfighter struggling to keep a foothold in the rodeo circuit. Drawing consolation from an unlikely bond, Kris and Abe both attempt to right their paths, before it’s too late. Thoughts: The first hidden gem of Cannes was found on Day Two. This engaging and captivating drama lives and dies on the strength of the characters...

Director: Jim Jarmusch Cast: Bill Murray, Adam Driver, Tom Waits, Tilda Swinton Synopsis: In the sleepy small town of Centerville, something is not quite right. The moon hangs large and low in the sky, the hours of daylight are becoming unpredictable and animals are beginning to exhibit unusual behavior. No one quite knows why. News reports are scary and scientists are concerned. But no one foresees the strangest and most dangerous repercussion that will soon start plaguing Centerville: THE DEAD DON’T DIE — they rise from their graves and savagely attack and feast on the living — and the...

Cannes has finished for another year. But that’s not a bad thing, because I got to see some truly outstanding films once again – which is why I love Cannes so much. It’s been another cracker year that, like last year, didn’t look as strong paper as it was on screen. I truly hope you get to see the best films on my list. Hunt them out, if you have to. I’m hoping many of these will come to NZIFF and, of course, my Terror-Fi Film Festival. As always, there were several hidden gems in amongst the more notable...

Director: Hirokazu Kore-Eda Cast: Lily Franky, Sakura Ando, Mayu Matsuoka, Kilin Kiwi, Kairi Jyo, Kairi Yo, Miyu Sasaki Synopsis: After one of their shoplifting sessions, Osamu and his son come across a little girl in the freezing cold. At first reluctant to shelter the girl, Osamu’s wife agrees to take care of her after learning of the hardships she faces. Although the family is poor, barely making enough money to survive through petty crime, they seem to live happily together until an unforeseen incident reveals hidden secrets, testing the bonds that unite them… Thoughts: Wow. What an utterly delightful...