Timezoneone Blog

This Zoner is an avid film fan. In fact in the past 5 years I have seen over 500 movies, some good, some bad, most end up somewhere in the middle.

So with the summer blockbuster season having already kicked into gear in the U.S.A, I thought it would be a good time to share with you some of the best New Zealand films… yes there is more to kiwi film making than just Lord of Rings (at the risk of offending all you hobbit fans I won’t tell you what I think of those movies)…

Smash Palace 1981: Smash Palace stars the late great Bruno Lawrence , probably the best New Zealand actor never to achieve fame overseas. The film is a hard slog about a failing marriage but stick it out to the end as it’s worth it.

Came A Hot Friday 1984: This little flick stars the late great Billy T James (common theme here), who could be summed up as New Zealand’s answer to Bill Cosby, back when Cosby was funny. James plays the The Tainuia Kid, and becomes mixed up with bookies, dodgy bets and a Taniwha . Watch the video to see Billy T in action - COMEDY GOLD!

Footrot Flats - The Dogs Tail 1986: Based on the famous New Zealand comic strip by Murray Ball, this was New Zealand’s animated attempt at film making. Pre computer animation, it still holds up pretty well and is a humorous look at kiwi life.

In My Father’s Den 2004: This film has plenty of mystery and intrigue and will keep you guessing till the end. A good effort at trying to fit in to a more mainstream genre.

Eagle Vs. Shark 2006: Starring Jemaine from Flight of the Conchords fame, this falls in the quirky but funny category. Well worth checking out.

So get to your local video store and kick back with some popcorn. You will all be speaking kiwi in no time.

MOVIE TRIVIA: Strange but true… 2001: A Space Odyssey missed out on a Academy Award nomination for best makeup as the Academy thought the monkeys at the start of the film were real and not actors. For anyone who has seen the film this sounds like a joke, but I guess the 60’s were a crazy time and men dressed as chimps were not as common as they are today (?)

MOVIE TRIVIA: Seperated at Birth…. Recent Zoner addition Murray Grossmith quite clearly has an evil twin who justs happen to have starred in the James Bond Movie, The World Is Not Enough. Murray is still mourning the loss of Renard and is actively seeking revenge against Pierce Brosnan.

Finally, here is a little piece of New Zealand TV Magic… The Goodnight Kiwi. NZ TV used to go off air at midnight every day, and it was a special treat as a kid to be allowed to stay up and see the Goodnight Kiwi. Enjoy!

Wannabe Film Maker Blogger Tim.

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