We round up three great films, reads, shows to bingewatch, new albums to treat your ears to and a couple of decent podcasts to enlighten.

Watching

Cityscape reviews some of the best from the current crop of cinema releases.

Dune A gifted young man and his family must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to protect the most precious resource in existence, entering into a war with malevolent forces and ensuring his people’s future in the process. No biggie. This long-awaited adaption covers the first half of Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel, with a second film possibly (hopefully) to follow.

The French Dispatch Wes Anderson’s latest cinematic beauty is a love letter to journalists, following three different storylines from the French branch of a fictional American newspaper as it prepares its final issue. Inspired by Anderson’s love for The New Yorker, some characters and events are even based on the magazine’s real-life equivalents.

Belfast A young boy from a working-class family comes of age amid the political unrest in the Northern Ireland capital during the late 1960s. This semi-autobiographical film from director Kenneth Branagh is moving, visually stunning and emotionally rich, sure to have you a wrung-out mess of laughter and tears by the end.

Reading

Pene Whitty from University Bookshop Canterbury shares the books currently sitting at the top of her must-read list.

Bill Hammond: Across the Evening Sky by Peter Vangioni Bill Hammond was an artist with a singular vision, one of the greats of Aotearoa’s art history. His paintings of bird-people occupying mythologised landscapes empty of human inhabitants have mesmerised audiences for three decades. This book shows the artist at his finest, with huge images and details of some of Hammond’s finest paintings. The book includes an exclusive interview between the legendary Hammond and fellow artist Tony de Latour, and engaging, readable texts by Rachael King, Nic Low, Paul Schofield, Ariana Tikao and Peter Vangioni.

Pax: Journey Home by Sara Pennypacker The sequel to the 2016 children’s novel Pax, this is a beautiful story taking up the lives of Peter and Pax one year later when the war is over. Themes of grief and environmentalism are gently woven into the narrative as Pax and Peter seek safety and meaning in their lives. The story has just enough background in it to read as a standalone, but reading Pax first would add more depth to the reading experience.

Matrix by Lauren Groff The story of an illegitimate orphaned girl of half-royal blood beginning in 1158, during the reign of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. A strong woman from a line of strong women, Marie was sent from court to an abbey at the age of 17. In her story, we see the struggle of a woman whose life is shaped by the whims of others and how she grows and matures, becoming a visionary, and strongly leading and protecting those in her care.

Bingewatching

What we're hoovering up on the small screen.

Clickbait Family man Nick Brewer goes missing, only to show up in a chilling online video. In this hyperbolic commentary on the risks of the internet and social media, Nick’s family race to find out who is behind the disappearance, uncovering some unpleasant secrets along the way.

Bridgerton Oh yes, the sexy, scandalous and sumptuous period drama is back for another season and we are positively panting at the prospect. This time around, the focus will be on oldest brother Anthony and his rocky path to romance, with Daphne, Simon and Lady Whistledown no doubt providing plenty of intrigue along the way.

Sex Education The third season of this wonderfully funny, heartwarming and sometimes squawkingly outrageous show delivers on all the sex, drama and deeply personal problems we’ve come to love it for. With a new head teacher, new relationships, and even new siblings, this season brings even more hilarity while remaining grounded in its endlessly lovable and incredibly human characters.

Listening

ALBUMS

Ladyhawke – TIME FLIES Pop icon Ladyhawke is back to grace our ears with her irresistible hooks and some awesome collabs on her new album, TIME FLIES. The album is out now and receiving rave reviews for singles ‘Guilty Love’, ‘My Love’, ‘Think About You’ and ‘Mixed Emotions’. The album has a sense of freedom and features catchy beats, upbeat guitar and intimate lyrics. Keep an eye on ladyhawkemusic.com and socials to be the first to hear about her next New Zealand tour.

Chet Faker – Hotel Surrender After five years of working under his real name, Aussie musician Nick Murphy is reviving the Chet Faker name for the first time in seven years. The new album promises to showcase the incredible musical talents of the man behind the moniker, as well as bringing back the stunning, ethereal compositions that Chet Faker is known for.

Japanese Breakfast – Jubilee One of the most anticipated albums of the year, Michelle Zauner’s third outing as Japanese Breakfast leaves (mostly) behind the melancholy tone of her previous work, embracing joy for a record ranging from lush and orchestral to positively catchy. With soaring strings and horns mixing with synths and distorted guitar, this is a delightful and infectious album that explores the immense breadth of pop music.

PODCASTS

Dressed: The History of Fashion A charismatic pair of fashion historian hosts delve into the rich cultural and social history behind the clothes we wear, from legendary names like Vuitton and Chanel to the history of men’s heels.

99% Invisible Whether you notice it or not, design is everywhere: the layout of your street; your house; where you’re reading this right now. One of the world’s most popular podcasts, 99% Invisible takes a closer look at the design we don’t see in the world around us.