A tribute to the sitcoms of old? In the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Yup. Sam Brooks reviews the audacious WandaVision. Nothing sends a chill up my spine like the phrase “Marvel Cinematic Universe”. Since launching in 2008 with Iron Man, the MCU has become a shambling behemoth, with over 23 films (not including a forthcoming 17) … Read more
Ever wanted to be Iron Man? Sam Brooks prefers Pepper Potts, but he had a great time stepping into the iron suit anyway. The first few moments of Iron Man VR are where it plays its hand, confidently and assuredly. You hold your palms out in front of you, and Iron Man’s shiny, red-bronze suit-hands … Read more
Sam Brooks gives you the lowdown on Disney+, the exhaustive streaming service launching today. What on this good green world is Disney+? Disney+ is a streaming service run by, as you might expect, Disney. If you need someone to explain what Disney is to you, then this service probably isn’t for you. Stick to whatever … Read more
Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola, and Ken Loach all have one thing in common: they don’t like superhero movies. But are they right? Are they heck. Josie Adams defends the existence of the world’s most money-hungry film genre. There’s only one thing worse than a comic book nerd; a film nerd. Nerds of any kind … Read more
Sam Brooks reviews The Boys, dropping today on Amazon Prime, and finds it far from the critique of superhero fantasies he was promised. In the third episode of Amazon Prime’s new superhero series The Boys, newly-official superhero Starlight (Erin Moriarty) has a meeting with corporate to discuss her new outfit, which is decidedly skimpier than … Read more
There are more characters in Avengers: Endgame than there are minutes in an hour, but how much is your favourite actually in it? Tom Augustine has the answers. Avengers: Endgame spoilers follow. If you clicked on this article expecting no spoilers, turn back now. Click out of the tab and go see the movie. I love … Read more
It’s breaking box office records and has been met with universal acclaim, but one character in Avengers: Endgame that weaponises hate for laughs. Please note the following story contains a minor spoiler. Like most, I was excited to see Avengers: Endgame. I bought my tickets months ago and took great satisfaction knowing I’d get to … Read more
Last year, Marvel’s Venom came out and was a huge hit, and you can watch it on Lightbox right now. But the real killer? Eminem’s rap over the credits. Sam Brooks performs an in-depth lyrical analysis of ‘Venom’, the song. First off: I have to declare my love for Venom, the film. It’s a bonkers good time. In … Read more
It’s a scandalous journalism drama, the darkest Marvel film yet, the thirstiest show on television and Queen Diva™ Mariah herself – it’s January on Lightbox. Press (binge from January 2) Is your New Year’s resolution to watch more classy TV? If it is, look no further than Press. If it isn’t, you better watch Press anyway. This six-part BBC series … Read more
Keagan Carr Fransch is a New Zealand-Zimbabwean actress studying in London. She writes about the breathtaking moments representation on screen can create for African diaspora. *Contains spoilers for the film Black Panther. Since whisperings began of Black Panther joining the Marvel cinematic universe in late 2015, the African diaspora was abuzz with excitement. As promo … Read more
Dan Taipua explores indigenous ideologies in Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok, New Zealand’s highest grossing film of 2017. This story was first published on 31 October 2017. Without a doubt, Taika Waititi is the finest New Zealand filmmaker of his generation. At the time of writing, Thor: Ragnarok is the most critically well-received Marvel movie of all … Read more
Following the success of Thor: Ragnarok, Toby Morris looks at other Hollywood franchises that Taika Waititi could improve. It’s Taika’s world, we’re just living in it. So where does he go next? Wherever he bloody wants. After the success of Thor: Ragnarok, every major studio and blockbuster franchise in Hollywood will be lining up to … Read more
Dan Taipua explores indigenous ideologies in Thor: Ragnarok, the blockbuster movie from the king of the space Māori, Taika Waititi. Warning: contains spoilers for Thor: Ragnarok Without a doubt, Taika Waititi is the finest New Zealand filmmaker of his generation. At the time of writing, Thor: Ragnarok is the most critically well-received Marvel movie of all … Read more
Fresh from rocking Coachella, movie score titan Hans Zimmer is coming to Auckland to perform one show only, Hans Zimmer Revealed. He spoke to Madeleine Chapman about some of his most recognisable scores and how he avoids repeating himself. Whether he realises it or not (he definitely doesn’t), Hans Zimmer has scored the past five years … Read more
Wonder Woman is the latest and biggest star of Marvel and DC’s quest to appear as diverse as possible in an attempt at drawing in readers. But as Ethan Sills discusses, their superficial efforts leave a lot to be desired. We all know that, when it comes to comic books, no one really dies. People … Read more