Madge, Newt and Moana are amongst our best - and worst - personal highlights of the year.
Madge, Newt and Moana are amongst our best - and worst - personal highlights of the year.
The Herald's entertainment team reflect on 2016 and give you their highlights and lowlights of the year that was.
Joanna Hunkin
BEST: Ab Fab, darling
For me, 2016 will be remembered as the year my childhood dreams came true.
Admittedly, it wasn't a career highlight - I rambled, shook and made little sense. But sitting down with Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley really was everything I'd ever hoped itwould be.
Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley, the stars of Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie, with the NZ Herald's head of Entertainment, Joanna Hunkin.
They were gracious, engaging and deliciously droll. Sure, Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie didn't bring the LOLs quite like it could have. But any excuse to revisit these ladies and their fabulous legacy (which you can binge, in full, on Netflix) is fine by me.
WORST: Madge expressed herself too much...
By contrast, Madonna managed to erase any fond memories I once had of her following her bizarre, rambling performance at Vector Arena in March - her first-ever appearance in NZ.
Madonna Rebel Heart Tour at Vector Arena. 5 March 2016 Herald on Sunday Photograph by Norrie Montgomery.
Arriving in Auckland in the midst of a bitter custody battle over her son Rocco, Madonna broke down in tears, before performing a sex act on a banana, pashing a fan and falling over.
It came late in the game but Moana is by far my highlight of this year.
Growing up, our Polynesian representation in pop culture didn't extend too far beyond Once Were Warriors.
MOANA is an adventurous, tenacious and compassionate 16-year-old who sails out on a daring mission to save her people. Along the way, she discovers the one thing she's always sought: her own identity.
Now there's a strong, independent, witty, beautiful Disney princess showcasing the cultures of the Pacific and showing Maori and Pacific youth that not only is it okay to dream, but it's possible to achieve. Even when the odds seem stacked against you.
And besides all that, it's a beautifully animated film with a killer soundtrack and tonnes of Kiwi talent to its name.
What's not to love?
WORST: Real Housewives real controversies
Don't get me wrong, Real Housewives was well made and I did enjoy it (despite myself).
But two moments in the show were huge low-lights: Julia calling Michelle the n-word and the ridiculous blowout over Angela being called "plus-size".
The Real Housewives of Auckland. L-R Julia Sloane , Louise Wallace , Michelle Blanchard , Anne Batley Burton , Angela Stone and Louise Wallace Supplied 7th May 2016 by The Public Good SUN 08M
Both incidents revealed a slew of Kiwi fans who didn't seem to have a problem with using racist slurs or body-shaming and even worse, the Housewives seemed more than willing to put up with it all for a bit of exposure and fame - and New Zealand gave it to them.
Now we just have to wait and see if we'll get a second season of madness in return.
Chris Schulz
BEST: Big Baby D.R.A.M got me $miling
No matter how depressing 2016 got, and at points it got super dark, there was one man with one song, and one gigantic smile who was there to pick you up.
Thank you, Big Baby D.R.A.M., for crafting Cash Machine, the most infectious slice of celebratory pop-rap since DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince's breezy 1991 classic Summertime.
(Warning: contains explicit language that may offend)
Forget hook of the summer. "I ain't talking to you broke b***** / I got money now!" is the biggest hook we'll hear this decade.
Scream it, as loud as possible, every single time.
WORST: Father turns to the dark side
I hyped it up for weeks. We'd worked out what snacks we were getting. He'd told all his friends at school.
Then I read the reviews. "Darker than Empire Strikes Back," said one. "Band of Brothers set in a Star Wars universe," said another. The Darth Vader massacre scene was the kicker. He couldn't go.
With so many movies and shows disappointing in 2016, Netflix and my 200-strong watch list was an endless comfort this year.
Screencap from Bojack Horseman season three. Photo supplied for TimeOut
All those people who complain we don't have enough content haven't experienced the endless joy of Bojack Horseman, Peep Show, Lady Dynamite and the dozens of comedies that would've got anyone through this hellish, depressing year.
WORST: Harry Potter and the Decline of the Franchise
I love Harry Potter. I will never stop loving the books. And it is because of that love that I hated everything the franchise did this year.
Fantastic Beasts was extremely flawed, but it was a work of art after the atrocious and pointless play Cursed Child.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The prequel series to Harry Potter, starring Eddie Redmayne. Supplied by Roadshow. NZH 22Nov16 - Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, starring Eddie R
I've been told that it looks amazing on stage, but you can polish a turd as much as you want, it's still a turd - even if it is a magical one.
Karl Puschmann
BEST: The Cure were just like heaven
Seeing the Cure live is like being sent on a spidery-haired acid trip. You experience the full range of emotions, from bleak existential despair, to joyous frivolity, to burn-the-world anger, to playful glee all within the space of a few songs.
And, because they tour so irregularly you often can't believe your eyes that yes, that's really them, playing right there in front of you.
Robert Smith and The Cure perform at the Vector Arena, Auckland. 19 July 2016 Herald on Sunday photograph by Michael Craig.
The set list for their recent three hour Auckland show - which was not nearly long enough by the way - was inspired, with a celebratory vibe.
Not only the best gig of the year, but damn near the best gig I've ever been to.
