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

Nick Paris from Lumière Cinemas reviews some of the best from the current crop of cinema releases:

MILITARY WIVES Inspired by a real phenomenon, Military Wives follows a group of women who band together to form a choir while their husbands are on a tour of duty in Afghanistan. The director of The Full Monty returns to the realm of comedy-with-heart, although in this case it might be more heart-with-comedy. Through trials and yes, grief, these wives know that singing releases all those feel-good chemicals, and you’ll find yourself leaving the cinema feeling similarly buoyant.

WHĀNAU MĀRAMA: NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL Kicking off in late July, the New Zealand International Film Festival will be the first festival around the world to begin showing films both in cinemas and online. It’ll be worth snagging a ticket to True History of the Kelly Gang, the tale of famous Aussie outlaw Ned Kelly. And be sure to catch Rūrangi‌, a Kiwi- and queer-made webseries dealing with how people in the queer community can be burdened with the troubles of those around them, even more than with their own.

SHIRLEY Elisabeth Moss brings Shirley Jackson to life in this dark and twisty tale, featuring a cast of characters nobody would want to invite round for tea. It is less biopic than it is an imagining of the off-beat horror writer as a character in one of her own novels. Based on Susan Scarf Merrell’s novel of the same name, Shirley fictionalises the lives of Jackson and her husband, Stanley Hyman (Michael Stuhlbarg) as seen through the eyes of a young couple who come to live with them.

TENET In this latest from Christopher Nolan, John David Washington (eldest son of Denzel), is tasked with preventing World War III, with the help of a spot of time travel, of course. Reminiscent of such successes as Inception and Memento, and boasting the characteristically trippy effects and beautiful cinematography, this will be a spy film stamped with Nolan’s unique brand of fun.

Reading

THE SUBTLE ART OF NOT GIVING A F*CK, MARK MANSON This book offers a different perspective – chapters include ‘Don’t Try’, ‘Happiness is a Problem’ and ‘You Are Wrong About Everything (But So Am I)’. This is a reaction to the self-help industry and what Mark Manson sees as a culture of mindless positivity that isn’t helpful for most.

ADULTS, EMMA JANE UNSWORTH Shining a light on the misadventure of maturity, Adults is totally relatable and will have you chuckling along. The story follows Jenny McLaine, a 35-year-old columnist who appears to be living the perfect life – that’s just on the surface though. There’s a common theme throughout of social media addiction and its effects.

HUSNA’S STORY, FARID AHMED Husna Ahmed was a victim of the mosque shootings in Christchurch on March 15 last year. She was shot while looking for her husband. In this book, Husna’s husband, Farid, recounts that harrowing day and tells her story – one of selflessness and bravery. With a philosophy of peace and love, Farid offers forgiveness.

Bingewatching

YOU You’ll follow this story from the edge of your seat as Joe Goldberg, a bookstore manager in New York, becomes infatuated with Guinevere Beck and removes any obstacles in the way of their love. Played by Penn Badgley (Gossip Girl), Goldberg does creepy a little too well, providing curveballs and cringeworthy moments that will have you checking your blinds are closed and doors are locked. Binge two seasons on Netflix now.

AJ AND THE QUEEN Legendary queen RuPaul stars in this comedy-drama story that follows Ruby Red, a larger-than-life drag queen who’s a little down on her luck, as she travels across America with her unlikely sidekick, AJ, a 10-year-old stowaway. You can catch the first season on Netflix now.

THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY End-of-the-world anti-superhero comedy-drama-music-spectacular The Umbrella Academy is returning for its second season. After their tragic and epic reunion, the siblings are now separated in time across three years in Dallas, Texas. On top of that, the two hunters who chased them down in Season 1 have been swapped out for a trio of ruthless Swedish assassins.

OZARK The American crime drama has returned to Netflix for its third season. Ozark follows the story of the Byrdes, who are forced to relocate from big-city Chicago to the quiet town of Missouri Ozarks when a money-laundering scheme goes wrong for husband and dad, Marty. A financial advisor, Marty also serves as the top money launderer for a Mexican drug cartel.

Listening

NADIA REID – OUT OF MY PROVINCE With her signature immersive, smooth sounds, Kiwi singer-songwriter Nadia Reid’s latest album is sure to be absolute perfection. Out of my Province is out March 6 and will deliver Reid’s sharpest songwriting to date. The album features 10 tracks and will be celebrated with a small number of shows around Aotearoa. If you’re after some effortless folk tunes with a dash of chillaxified energy, this one is for you.

TAME IMPALA – THE SLOW RUSH Five years in the making, this highly anticipated fourth studio album from Tame Impala brings the goods. It captures Tame Impala’s signature sound and doesn’t miss a single chill-electro beat. The album features banger single ‘Borderline’, which was released in early 2019, alongside 11 other killer tunes. The album was initialy delayed when the man behind it all, Kevin Parker, said, “Part of the thing about me starting an album is that I have to feel kind of worthless again to want to make music.” The Slow Rush should be on your playlist.

PEARL JAM – GIGATON The 11th studio album for rock gods Pearl Jam is landing in March. New album Gigaton is the first since 2013 and features 12 tracks of pure awesomeness, including the band’s latest single ‘Dance of the Clairvoyants’. Having dominated the music scene with their grunge and alternative beats, Pearl Jam haven’t lost any traction in recent years, with early reviews of the album being nothing but praise. Mark March 27 in your diaries, it’s going to be a biggie.

Podcasts

99% INVISIBLE An interesting insight to design and architecture in the world, this podcast exposes unseen and overlooked aspects. If you’ve ever wondered how inflatable men came to be regular fixtures at used car lots or the origin of the fortune cookie, 99% Invisible will deliver the answer.

OPRAH’S SUPERSOUL CONVERSATIONS Talk show host extraordinaire Oprah has put together a selection of her interviews with thought leaders, best-selling authors, spiritual luminaries and health and wellness experts. Designed to inspire, guide and light you up so you can be your best self.