"There's one final test - a test of your spirit." Madman Films in Australia has revealed a new 20th anniv. trailer for the beloved New Zealand classic Whale Rider. It originally premiered at the 2002 Toronto Film Festival, which is the date they're using for the anniversary, despite not opening it theaters until 2003. The indie film ended up earning an impressive 20 million at the box office in 2003 after playing for months in art house theaters. Spunky and determined 12-year-old Paikea, played by Keisha Castle-Hughes, must both challenge tradition and embrace the past in order to find the strength to lead her people forward in this critically acclaimed story of bravery, perseverance, and whānau. It's a contemporary story of love, rejection and triumph as a young Maori girl fights to fulfill a destiny that her grandfather refuses to recognize. Keisha Castle-Hughes even went on to earn an Academy Award nomination for her performance.

Photo credit: Make-Up Effects Group Agents of an oil tycoon vanish while exploring a swamp marked for drilling. The local sheriff investigates and faces a Seminole legend come to life: Man-Thing, a shambling swamp-monster whose touch burns those who feel fear. Man-thing was directed by Brett Leonard ("The Lawnmower Man"), from a screenplay written by Hans Rodionoff ("Lost Boys: The Tribe"). It's based on Marvel Comics creature created by Stan Lee, Roy Thomas and Gerry Conway. The cast included: Matthew Le Nevez as Sheriff Kyle Williams, Rachael Taylor as Teri Elizabeth Richards, Jack Thompson as Frederic Schist, Rawiri Paratene as Pete Horn, Alex O'Loughlin as Deputy Eric Fraser, Steve Bastoni as Rene Laroque, Robert Mammone as Mike Ploog, Pat Thompson as Jake Schist and Conan Stevens as Man-Thing. The film was released as a "Sci-Fi Original" on the Sci Fi Channel in 2005.

Archipelago (15)

(Joanna Hogg, 2010, UK) Kate Fahy, Tom Hiddleston, Lydia Leonard. 115 mins

With her debut, Unrelated, Hogg proved herself to be just about the only film-maker out there seeking to depict Britain's middle classes in a way they wouldn't necessarily enjoy. This brave follow-up is even more uncomfortable and less narrative-driven, as a well-to-do family's get-together in the Scilly Isles turns into a slow, sparse drip of resentments, silences, joyless activities and blithe snobbery. It's uncomfortable in a good way.

Rango (PG)

(Gore Verbinski, 2011, Us) Johnny Depp, Isla Fisher, Ned Beatty. 107 mins

Fine visuals and surreal comedy help this hallucinogenic animated spaghetti western stand out – far out. Depp's identity-crisis chameleon is the stranger in a town that's already strange.

The Adjustment Bureau (12A)

(George Nolfi, 2011, Us) Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Terence Stamp. 106 mins

Ambitious, Inception-style conspiracy thriller, with Damon and Blunt lovers on the run from literal agents of fate when they deviate from The Plan.

A strange, unlikely fable from New Zealand that doesn't quite pull off what it's aiming at

This New Zealand movie is a heartfelt oddity with some nice moments. Lovers of the 2002 film Whale Rider may remember its star, charismatic Maori actor Rawiri Paratene. Here, he plays Arthur, resident of a homeless shelter in Ponsonby, a suburb of Auckland. Arthur is a sweet, harmless guy who claims to be the son of God; things begin to happen when he finds an emotional connection with a professional woman longing to become pregnant. A pleasant movie, if naive and underpowered.

Rating: 2/5

DramaWorld cinemaPeter Bradshaw

guardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2011 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds...

Sunday Star Times - 7 March 2009

Expat Kiwi actor Manu Bennett, (Xena, Street Legal, Shortland Street, Mataku), whose last film was 30 Days of Night with Josh Hartnett, has scored the supporting lead role in the new 13-episode series Spartacus being made in New Zealand for Us television. He plays an offsider of rebel slave leader, Spartacus, which is a big role, and the series will have all the drama of a classic swords-and-sandals piece including battles in the Colosseum.

Manu arrived back in the country this week to go into military-style training to learn how to spar like a gladiator. Filming starts at the end of the month.

All being well there will be seven series and Manu is thrilled. (It might make him rich and it might make him a household name.) Other gladiators and various Romans will all be played by local actors and Lucy Lawless's husband Rob Tapert...

Artisan Entertainment's Man-Thing will find its way to theaters on Aug. 27. The film, a collaboration between Marvel Studios and Fierce Entertainment, is based on the Marvel Comics character and recently wrapped production in Sydney after an eight-week shoot. Penned by Hans Rodionoff and helmed by Brett Leonard, Man-Thing follows the vengeful creature born from the evil and injustices perpetrated against man and nature. It stars Jack Thompson, Rawiri Paratene, Matt Le Nevez, Rachel Taylor and Steve Bastoni. The film was shot by director of photography Steve Arnold, with Peter Pound and Tim Ferrier handling production design and Omnilab and Rising Sun doing the visual effects. Special effects and prosthetics work was provided by the Make-Up Effects Group.