Simon Morris looks back on 2024, a year initially damaged by writers’ and actors’ strikes in Hollywood, and still wondering what happened after Barbie and Oppenheimer changed the rules last year.

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Simon Morris is underwhelmed by what’s on offer before the holiday movie riches. They include The Problem With People, an American/Irish comedy about a family feud…. Goodrich, a comedy-drama about blended families in LA, and, raising the level, an Oscar nominated German drama, The Teachers' Lounge.

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The Teachers’ Lounge is a German Oscar-nominated drama about what happens when an investigation into thefts at a school escalates out of control. Starring Leone Benesch (Babylon Berlin).

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The Problem With People follows a dying man’s wish to bring together the American and Irish sides of the family after a century-old dispute. Starring and written by Paul Reiser (TV’s Mad About You), with popular Irishman Colm Meaney (TV’s It’s Always Sunny In Philadephia).

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Goodrich finds an LA father of 10-year-old twins in trouble when his wife books herself into rehab for a few months. He calls in his daughter from a previous marriage. Can he become the father he never was with her? Starring Michael Keaton (Beetlejuice Beetlejuice) and Mila Kunis (Bad Moms).

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Taki Rua: Breaking Barriers tells the story of the theatre group that started out as an activist group following the Springbok Tour protests, and ended up creating a new art form. Directed by Whetū Fala, it features Wi Kuki Kaa, Jim Moriarty, Rena Owen, Briar Grace Smith and many more.

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Simon Morris is surprised at how smart the Biggest Film of the Year ™ is this year, then goes on to look at three rather smaller films. There’s a local documentary about our first Māori theatre group – Taki Rua Breaking Barriers, a rare horror outing for the usually suave Hugh Grant – Heretic – and the most successful Italian film this century – There’s Still Tomorrow.

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Heretic confronts two young Mormon missionaries with their worst nightmare – a man determined to challenge their beliefs in the worst possible way. Starring, of all people, Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral) as Mr Reed. Written and directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods (A Quiet Place).

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There’s Still Tomorrow is a hugely popular Italian comedy-drama, set in Rome immediately after World War Two. Fascism may be over, but for Italian women their home is still a battleground. Can Delia get out from under the tyranny of her violent husband and take charge of her own life? Starring, written and directed by TV comedy favourite Paola Cortellesi it cleaned up at the Italian Academy Awards.

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Joy tells the story of the development of IVF – the then-notorious “test-tube babies”. Featuring Bill Nighy (Living) and James Norton (TV’s Happy Valley), it stars New Zealand actress Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit) and is produced by New Zealand-born Finola Dwyer (An Education). Streaming on Netflix.

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