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Jen Shieff
Film reviewer
Taupō

The New Zealand Herald has more than 200 journalists across the country, bringing you the stories that matter on our website and app, in print and across our social media platforms.

Film reviewer

Check out Jen’s latest content
Heart-throb with a secret explored in insightful documentary
Rotorua Daily Post

Heart-throb with a secret explored in insightful documentary

10 Dec 09:00 PM
Film review: Assassin's precision backed by killer soundtrack
Reviews

Film review: Assassin's precision backed by killer soundtrack

03 Dec 10:30 PM

David Fincher's psychological drama shows the inner workings of an assassin's mind.

Film review: Napoleon
Reviews

Film review: Napoleon

27 Nov 11:00 PM

Film tells Napoleon's story, albeit inaccurately, on a grand historic and cinematic scale.

Sharper: Nuanced and near-perfect drama
Rotorua Daily Post

Sharper: Nuanced and near-perfect drama

13 Nov 11:30 PM

This clever and surprising neo-noir thriller draws in then hexes the viewer.

Review: Coming-of-age tale set on background of Springboks' tour
Rotorua Daily Post

Review: Coming-of-age tale set on background of Springboks' tour

26 Oct 10:26 PM

Uproar takes place in a fraught moment in Kiwi history, but its message is uplifting.

Review: Gripping drama expertly acted and directed
Rotorua Daily Post

Review: Gripping drama expertly acted and directed

22 Oct 11:45 AM

Questions are asked, but not necessarily answered, in French drama Anatomy of a Fall.

Movie review: Why Netflix rom-com will charm your romantic soul
Rotorua Daily Post

Movie review: Why Netflix rom-com will charm your romantic soul

02 Oct 11:30 PM

New romcom has all the hallmarks of a classic.

Branagh delights in adaptation of classic mystery
Rotorua Daily Post

Branagh delights in adaptation of classic mystery

25 Sep 11:08 PM

Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of this Agatha Christie story surpasses the original.

Musical theatre mockumentary a modest success
Rotorua Daily Post

Musical theatre mockumentary a modest success

11 Sep 10:42 PM

Prepare to be entertained, but maybe not wowed, by this quirky mockumentary.

Review: Kingsley shines in tale of aliens and ageing
Rotorua Daily Post

Review: Kingsley shines in tale of aliens and ageing

06 Sep 05:15 PM

Jules answers the question: What if ET had been found by an elderly man?

Tangled web of privilege and power plays out on screen
Rotorua Daily Post

Tangled web of privilege and power plays out on screen

28 Aug 04:00 PM

REVIEW: Christian leaders trap a pool boy in an affair in this incredible but true story.

Asteroid City: Star studded and 'enjoyably shallow'
Rotorua Daily Post

Asteroid City: Star studded and 'enjoyably shallow'

23 Aug 06:55 PM

A star studded cast provides welcome relief from the deep and meaningful.

Tale of pilgrimage is good, but no miracle
Rotorua Daily Post

Tale of pilgrimage is good, but no miracle

15 Aug 06:58 AM

Story of three Irish housewives travelling to Lourdes is good light entertainment.

Review: Talent and prejudice collide in 'Chevalier'
Reviews

Review: Talent and prejudice collide in 'Chevalier'

09 Aug 06:58 PM

This fascinating story of the little-known rival of Mozart is visually gorgeous.

Movie review: 'The Stranger'
Reviews

Movie review: 'The Stranger'

03 Aug 07:59 PM

'The Stranger' is a gritty crime drama based on a true story.

Oppenheimer belongs on the big screen
Rotorua Daily Post

Oppenheimer belongs on the big screen

26 Jul 05:55 PM

Marvellous filmmaking for the big screen.

Film review: 'Marcel, The Shell With Shoes On'
Reviews

Film review: 'Marcel, The Shell With Shoes On'

22 Jul 03:00 AM

Marcel may look a little different, but 'the shell with shoes on' is a deep thinker.

Sour meets joyous in 'My Sailor, My Love'
Reviews

Sour meets joyous in 'My Sailor, My Love'

13 Jul 05:59 PM

'My Sailor, My Love' is a romance rolled into a complex family drama.

Enjoy well-tailored Hollywood movies while they last
Rotorua Daily Post

Enjoy well-tailored Hollywood movies while they last

06 Jul 09:00 PM

Suitably sinister and immaculately stylish,The Outfit is set entirely in a clothing shop.

The insatiable appetite of the rich
Reviews

The insatiable appetite of the rich

26 Jun 05:59 PM

The poor eat to survive, the rich eat to satisfy in the film Hunger.

The perfect story for a mid-life crisis
Rotorua Daily Post

The perfect story for a mid-life crisis

21 Jun 05:59 PM

Intricacies of life and relationships are explored in You Hurt My Feelings.

The power of believing in one's purpose
Rotorua Daily Post

The power of believing in one's purpose

14 Jun 05:30 PM

It sounds like a morbid movie but it's actually quite hopeful.

Film review: Generosity wins out over self-interest in Bank of Dave
Rotorua Daily Post

Film review: Generosity wins out over self-interest in Bank of Dave

07 Jun 05:00 PM

In London, everyone’s out for themselves. In Burnley, people help one another.

Twists and turns keep viewers guessing until the end
Rotorua Daily Post

Twists and turns keep viewers guessing until the end

31 May 05:00 PM

A girls' weekend gets deadly serious in the film "Faithfully Yours".

All is not as it seems in 'Hypnotic'
Reviews

All is not as it seems in 'Hypnotic'

24 May 12:00 AM

Sci-fi movie 'Hypnotic' reshapes reality.

Film highlights true story of misguided vigilante justice
Rotorua Daily Post

Film highlights true story of misguided vigilante justice

16 May 06:00 AM

Dark October tells the tragic story of Nigeria's Aluu 4, killed by misguided vigilantes.

Comedy explores the cultural divide
Rotorua Daily Post

Comedy explores the cultural divide

10 May 06:00 PM

What can go wrong will go hilariously wrong in You People.

A trip down film noir memory lane
Rotorua Daily Post

A trip down film noir memory lane

03 May 04:00 AM

Jen Shieff takes a trip down film noir memory lane with a review of the film Marlowe.

The strange world of a Covid hospital ward brought to life in film
Rotorua Daily Post

The strange world of a Covid hospital ward brought to life in film

23 Apr 11:48 PM

Mature audiences of all ages will find Allelujah an important, eye-opening film.

Kill Boksoon - escapism with a difference
Rotorua Daily Post

Kill Boksoon - escapism with a difference

17 Apr 12:02 AM

How viewers are let inside characters’ imaginations lifts film above most crime capers.

Banding together for a common cause
Rotorua Daily Post

Banding together for a common cause

03 Apr 04:30 AM

A triumphant film, for the band, the film-makers and for Wellington.

Review: Love of movies shines through in Empire of Light
Reviews

Review: Love of movies shines through in Empire of Light

29 Mar 09:00 PM

The exquisite world of 1980's cinema comes to life in 'Empire of Light'.

Tough decision to forgive, fight or flee
Rotorua Daily Post

Tough decision to forgive, fight or flee

18 Mar 11:00 PM

Women Talking is a story that transcends time and place.

Film review: When the power-crazed meet their Waterloo
Reviews

Film review: When the power-crazed meet their Waterloo

15 Mar 11:30 PM

'Tár' is partly about music, but also the unravelling of the power-crazed.

Film review: A tale of 10 fishermen and their sea shanties
Reviews

Film review: A tale of 10 fishermen and their sea shanties

06 Mar 02:12 AM

A true story about ten Cornish fishermen and their sea shanties.

Rom-com sugar-coats the glaring issue
Rotorua Daily Post

Rom-com sugar-coats the glaring issue

26 Feb 09:11 PM

Lightweight rom-com shows the vast cultural divide that exists between some groups.

Film review: We Are Still Here - a story of power, strength and survival
Reviews

Film review: We Are Still Here - a story of power, strength and survival

19 Feb 10:29 PM

A standout post-colonial anthology about power, strength and survival.

Animated triumph of good over evil
Rotorua Daily Post

Animated triumph of good over evil

30 Jan 08:27 PM

The animated movie where Grimm’s fairy tales meets Dr Seuss.

'Killer doll' thriller scarily close to reality
Rotorua Daily Post

'Killer doll' thriller scarily close to reality

23 Jan 07:54 PM

Sometimes the solution is the problem.

White Noise review: Fun, farce and fear of the unknown
Rotorua Daily Post

White Noise review: Fun, farce and fear of the unknown

15 Jan 10:02 PM

White Noise explores human nature in the face of unnatural disaster.

The Banshees of Inisherin review: Playing the fiddle while a friendship burns
Rotorua Daily Post

The Banshees of Inisherin review: Playing the fiddle while a friendship burns

08 Jan 10:45 PM

Banshees is a 'work of art' exploring the human need for connection.

Film review: 'The Menu' an unexpected dining experience
Rotorua Daily Post

Film review: 'The Menu' an unexpected dining experience

12 Dec 01:39 AM

The Menu is a satirical black comedy, with thriller and horror elements.

Riveting and bewitching biopic of wildest Brontë
Rotorua Daily Post

Riveting and bewitching biopic of wildest Brontë

04 Dec 11:54 PM

The story of Wuthering heights author Emily Brontë is brought to life in the film Emily.

Review: Brutal reality of WWI in the firing line
Rotorua Daily Post

Review: Brutal reality of WWI in the firing line

27 Nov 08:37 PM

A film with outstanding story-telling, acting and cinematography.

Chilling true-crime thriller carries social message
Rotorua Daily Post

Chilling true-crime thriller carries social message

21 Nov 06:57 PM

'Hauntingly weird' nurse a cautionary tale for all hospital managers.

Could this film win Emma an Oscar?
Rotorua Daily Post

Could this film win Emma an Oscar?

31 Aug 05:00 PM

Almost every line of Good luck to you, Leo Grande contributes to a humorous moment.

Film review: Where the Crawdads Sing
Rotorua Daily Post

Film review: Where the Crawdads Sing

24 Aug 10:30 PM

Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones, the movie is directed by Olivia Newman.

A new look at Diana
Rotorua Daily Post

A new look at Diana

23 Aug 05:00 PM

Film shows an intelligent Diana, insightful, with a lot more depth than Charles.

Irish tale serves up an exquisite slice of life
Rotorua Daily Post

Irish tale serves up an exquisite slice of life

03 Aug 05:00 PM

There's a lot that's relevant to all of us in the insights The Quiet Girl gives

The Phantom of the Open 'vivid, often hilarious and very moving'
Rotorua Daily Post

The Phantom of the Open 'vivid, often hilarious and very moving'

29 Jul 01:00 AM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on The Phantom of the Open.

Whina will open hearts and minds
Rotorua Daily Post

Whina will open hearts and minds

12 Jul 06:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Whina.

Parallel Mothers beautifully told and sensitively filmed
Rotorua Daily Post

Parallel Mothers beautifully told and sensitively filmed

01 Jul 08:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Parallel Mothers.

Downton Abbey – A New Era: 'The British are on their way'
Rotorua Daily Post

Downton Abbey – A New Era: 'The British are on their way'

25 Jun 10:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Downton Abbey - A New Era.

Mothering Sunday: Good acting makes up for shortcomings in script
Rotorua Daily Post

Mothering Sunday: Good acting makes up for shortcomings in script

17 Jun 01:00 AM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Mothering Sunday.

How To Please A Woman a delightful adult comedy
Rotorua Daily Post

How To Please A Woman a delightful adult comedy

13 Jun 12:47 AM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on a new movie.

Film Review: Visceral Viking tale exhausting but wonderful
Rotorua Daily Post

Film Review: Visceral Viking tale exhausting but wonderful

02 Jun 01:00 AM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on The Northman.

The Duke 'a fantastic crime caper'
Rotorua Daily Post

The Duke 'a fantastic crime caper'

27 May 06:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on The Duke.

Film Review: Unsettling tale of fertility doctor's deception
Rotorua Daily Post

Film Review: Unsettling tale of fertility doctor's deception

20 May 06:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Our Father

Operation Mincemeat: A war, spy and love story all in one
Rotorua Daily Post

Operation Mincemeat: A war, spy and love story all in one

13 May 06:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Operation Mincemeat.

CODA beautiful in every way
Rotorua Daily Post

CODA beautiful in every way

06 May 07:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on CODA.

Film Review: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Rotorua Daily Post

Film Review: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

28 Apr 11:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on latest Nicolas Cage outing.

Film Review: Action-adventure will appeal to all ages
Rotorua Daily Post

Film Review: Action-adventure will appeal to all ages

22 Apr 01:00 AM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on The Lost City

Film Review: Secrets of Dumbledore, not just for Harry Potter fans
Rotorua Daily Post

Film Review: Secrets of Dumbledore, not just for Harry Potter fans

15 Apr 06:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on the latest Fantastic Beasts film.

Film Review: Downfall: The case against Boeing
Rotorua Daily Post

Film Review: Downfall: The case against Boeing

08 Apr 10:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Local author Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Downfall.

Film Review: Fresh gets the pulse racing
Rotorua Daily Post

Film Review: Fresh gets the pulse racing

31 Mar 05:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Local author Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Disney's Fresh.

Film Review: More than Robots shines light on young scientists
Rotorua Daily Post

Film Review: More than Robots shines light on young scientists

25 Mar 12:00 AM

Taupō author Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on More Than Robots.

Tick, Tick... Boom: The torment of a young creative who struggles with intimacy
Rotorua Daily Post

Tick, Tick... Boom: The torment of a young creative who struggles with intimacy

15 Mar 05:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Local author Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Tick, Tick... Boom.

Film review: Suspense, thrills and horror feature in No Exit
Rotorua Daily Post

Film review: Suspense, thrills and horror feature in No Exit

09 Mar 05:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Local author Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on No Exit.

Do you need a man to raise a man? C'mon C'mon thought-provoking
Rotorua Daily Post

Do you need a man to raise a man? C'mon C'mon thought-provoking

28 Feb 09:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Local author Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on C'mon C'mon.

Gripping adventure not just for the gamers
Rotorua Daily Post

Gripping adventure not just for the gamers

21 Feb 09:02 PM

FILM REVIEW: Local author Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Uncharted

Pushing out the boat with character focus
Rotorua Daily Post

Pushing out the boat with character focus

15 Feb 07:00 PM

FILM REVIEW: Local author Jen Shieff gives her thoughts on Death on the Nile.

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