HOLIDAY VIEWING GUIDE

Kia ora koutou,

We’re mixing up our regular despatch this month to bring joy with a helpful holiday season viewing guide.

How do we all navigate the myriad of viewing choices out there, safely and with fun? Through our mandate we hope that New Zealand ratings and classifications provide that steer in your everyday viewing choices at the cinema, when hiring DVDs, or purchasing video games. And now that major streaming providers are coming online to display NZ rating information we can all expect to be even better informed when making our daily viewing choices at home.

The following is a guide, based on what we’ve seen or what we would like to see while we’re taking a break from the year that was 2021. We wish you a relaxing end of year with fine weather and good times with friends and whānau. We’ll be resuming normal transmission from early February.

Our newsletters generally talk about the media content landscape, and content such as sexual violence that might be harmful. Our aim is to have difficult conversations and shine a light on ways to reduce harm for New Zealanders. If you know someone who should receive these updates, please share our newsletter or encourage them to subscribe here. Be sure to follow our socials too.

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Hey parents, these holidays please keep in mind…

Words of wisdom from our Youth Advisory Panel 

“Approach your young person casually about what they watch. My mum is always a bit formal.” – Panel member

“We all feel awkward watching sex scenes with parents, check the descriptive note before watching.” – Panel Member

“Parents often say content is bad with no reason. Usually they think this just because it deviates from what is considered normal.” – Panel member

On Apple TV+: Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock

Apple self-rating TBC

Jim Henson’s fun-loving, musical Fraggles are back! We haven’t previewed this upcoming series but based on a pretty great track record… we’re certain that the Henson legacy will continue to be heart-warming entertainment for the whole family. We’re already smiling just looking at that key art with Gobo, Red, Wembley, Mokey, Boober, and new Fraggle friends.

Premiering on Apple TV+ on 21 January, 2022.

On NEON: 8-Bit Christmas

Self-rated PG violence, language

80s nostalgia with kid-friendly laughs? Yes please. Neil Patrick Harris stars in this all-ages festive film about ten-year-old Jake who sets out on a quest to get the Christmas gift of his generation - the latest and greatest video game system.

In cinemas: Drive My Car 

M nudity & sex scenes

Missed it at the film festival? (Or didn’t to have a film festival? Sorry Auckland). This three-hour Japanese drama from Ryusuke Hamaguchi (Happy Hour) follows a happily married stage director who must suddenly deal with life without his beloved partner. It was nominated for the Palme d'Or and won Best Screenplay at Cannes 2021, and has very limited in cinemas screenings during the holidays.

If you’re in Auckland also check out the line-up for In The Shade, a new film festival running at The Hollywood and Academy Cinemas 19 Jan – 2 Feb.

On NEON: Teine Sā – The Ancient Ones

Self-rated 16 violence, language, content may disturb

Nominated in the 2021 New Zealand Television Awards, this contemporary horror series is based on supernatural legends from across the Pacific Islands. After centuries of slumber, the Ancient Spirit women, the Teine Sā have been awoken… but will they bestow malevolence or blessings?

On NEON: Yellowjackets

Self-rated 18 violence, language, sex scenes, content may disturb

This edgy TV series stars New Zealand actress Melanie Lynskey and follows a group of high school soccer players who survive a plane crash in the remote Ontario wilderness. Years later, the lives they’ve attempted to piece back together are affected by their dark shared past.

The two main timelines are set in 1996 and 2021. One of our team is currently watching it and said the mystery drama/thriller is like a mixture of shows like Lost and films like Alive, Lord of the Flies and Mean Girls. Sounds like something to get your teeth into…

On Netflix: Hellbound

Self-rated 18+ graphic violence, horror

South Korean series are *hot* right now and so our interest was peaked with the release of a new Netflix series directed by Yeon Sang-ho (Train to Busan). Unearthly beings deliver condemnations, sending individuals to hell and giving rise to a religious group founded on the idea of divine justice. Note that 18+ rating!

On Apple TV+: The Tragedy Of Macbeth

M violence

A new take on the classic tale: Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand star in Joel Coen’s bold and fierce adaptation; a tale of murder, madness, ambition and wrathful cunning. Premiering on Apple TV+ on 14 January, 2022

In cinemas: The French Dispatch

M Offensive language, nudity, drug use & sexual references

Audiences can expect to see classic Wes Anderson aesthetic in this fast-pace short-story anthology which older children and younger teens are likely to enjoy.

There’s whimsical set design, costuming and cinematography, and quirky humour throughout. The short stories are all loosely based off real life events and there is some social commentary that audiences will enjoy picking up on. One of our team attended a preview and said it’s not one for younger kids due to the offensive language and sexual references (there’s also some full frontal female nudity).

On Amazon Prime Video: The Wheel of Time

Self-rated 16+ sexual content, nudity, offensive language, violence with additional warnings for flashing lights, smoking, alcohol use.

The newest epic fantasy series is filled with magic, powerful women and scary beasts. Episodes are being dropped weekly and the show will have you eagerly anticipating the next installment. Scenes do include graphic and bloody violence as well as supernatural imagery so proceed with caution if you are watching with the whānau – especially younger members. Hot tip: If you are watching with a young person a great conversation starter is asking who their favourite characters are and why.

Because our work involves a broad knowledge of the vast online landscape, we consume a lot of media in the office. Here are just a few of the things we’ve enjoyed digesting over the past month.

All of the Marvels: He Read All 27,000 Marvel Comic Books and Lived to Tell the Tale (NY Times)

On ‘Succession’, Jeremy Strong doesn’t get the joke (The New Yorker)

Here’s why movie dialogue has gotten more difficult to understand (and three ways to fix it) (SlashFilm)