You may not know his face, but Don LaFontaine was one of the great voices of Hollywood. An American voice actor that narrated over 5000 movie trailers and became famous for kicking them off with the words “In A World…”, LaFontaine is one of the inspirations behind comedian and actress Lake Bell’s debut as a writer/director. In A World is a tribute to the voice-over industry, also inspired by Bell’s experience trying to breaking into the cliquey and lucrative voice over scene in Los Angeles. The result is a hilarious film about life in Hollywood from a side of the industry you might not have seen before. In A World, is my first pick of the week.

If you love the Danish-Swedish television co-production The Bridge currently screening on Tuesday evenings at 7.25pm, then you won’t want to miss The Keeper of Lost Causes. Following in the tradition of Camilla Lackberg, Stieg Larsson and Jo Nesbø, The Keeper of Lost Causes is the first of Danish author Jussi Adler-Olsen Scandi-noir novels to be adapted for the big screen. A well-presented good yarn and a nice addition to the genre, it screens Monday 9^th March, and is followed on Tuesday night by another Danish noir flick The Hour of The Lynx. 

During March, Rialto Channel puts the spotlight on women in independent film screening films from writer-directors Lynn Shelton (Touchy Feely) and Lake Bell (In A World), as well as taking a look at the work of actresses Mia Wasikowska (Tracks) and Brie Larson (Short Term 12). Also throughout March, Rialto Documentary will unsettle you with a collection of films based on true crime stories, and Rialto World takes over both Monday and Tuesday nights, screening two films each week from South Korea, Denmark, Israel and Belgium. There’s plenty to enjoy, here are my picks for the week. 

Rialto Channel’s Month of Sin wraps up this weekend with one of the most controversial and sinful films of 2014, Lars Von Trier’s Nymphomaniac: Vol I and II. These films are as indulgent, playful, and full frontal as you’d expect from world cinema’s enfant terrible, who is clearly in the mood to shock and enlighten his audience. Don’t miss this epic sexual odyssey, it’s one of the most polarizing and talked about films of 2014, and is my first pick for the week.  

The sin continues on Rialto Channel this week with films filled with lies, cover-ups, alcoholism, bullying and desire – you know, all the things that make us human. It’s great to see Matt Dillon in fine form as the wheelchair bound lover of a convenience store worker played by Naomi Watts in the indie flick Sunlight JR. It might not seem like it, but Dillon has been working consistently since his Oscar nominated turn in 2004’s Crash, appearing in a variety of films such as Herbie Fully Loaded, You, Me and Dupreeand Girls Most Likely. This year he joins the growing list of film actors embracing television, appearing in a new mystery drama series called Wayward Pines along with Melissa Leo. 

Rialto Channel presents A Month of Sin throughout February featuring wicked, steamy feature films filled with a variety of sinful behavior for you to indulge in. The month wraps up with one of the most controversial and sinful films of 2014, Lars Von Trier’s Nymphomaniac: Vol I and II. The critics are divided – is this Von Triers’ best or worst film? You decide on Saturday 28^th February, if you dare.

Here are my picks for the week:

Japanese animation company Studio Ghibli is one of the most well respected animation companies in the world. Founded in 1985 by directors Hayao Miyazaki and Isao Takahata, and producer Toshio Suzuki, Studio Ghibli has produced some of Japanese highest grossing films of all time. In 2001 Miyazaki’s masterpiece Spirited Away won the Oscar for best animation, introducing Japanese anime to an international audience. 

I’ve been reviewing and writing about film, and often music, for 18 years now. This is the first time someone has asked my opinion on a car, bless them, and my first thought was, who doesn’t love a Mini?

Since the Morris Mini Minor hit the streets in 1959, the MINI has enjoyed enduring appeal. Most people have a MINImoment, whether you remember Paddy Hopkirk winning the Monte Carlo Rally in 1964, or watching the caper classic The Italian Job for the first time. It was the perfectly formed small car your grandmother picked you up from primary school in, and for many Kiwis’ of a certain generation, one of the stars of the classic New Zealand road trip movie, Goodbye Pork Pie. 

Director Ritesh Batra may have released his debut feature film The Lunchbox in 2013, but on Sunday 8 February his gentle romantic comedy will compete in the ‘Film not in the English Language’ category at the 2015 British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA). The Lunchbox kicks off the week on Rialto Channel, and is my first pick for the week. 

Well, it’s been a good week for Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel as they follow up their success at the 2015 Golden Globe Awards with nine nominations each for The Oscars. Not surprisingly Boyhood received six nominations, including best picture and best director for Richard Linklater, and the British film-of-the-moment The Imitation Game received seven. Great to see Whiplash being recognized with five nominations, especially for best picture – it was one of the best films of 2014. The biggest snub is Selma, the handsome and well acted biopic about Martin Luther King Jr. The film received a nod for best picture and best original song, but that’s it. Kind of feels like a token gesture to me. Anyway, I can’t wait for the awards on Monday 23^rdFebruary (NZ time) – worthy films might just win!