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Russell Baillie
Arts & entertainment editor

NZ Listener Arts & Entertainment Editor Russell Baillie has worked at the Listener since 2017 and was previously the editor of the NZ Herald’s TimeOut section.

The listener.co.nz is the website of the award-winning New Zealand Listener, which has been covering the political, cultural and literary life of Aotearoa New Zealand for 80 years with features on current events, politics, social issues, health, technology, arts, food, culture and entertainment.

Check out Russell’s latest content
LISTENER
Hart to Hart: The latest actors to play one of Roger Hall’s great characters compare notes
Entertainment

Hart to Hart: The latest actors to play one of Roger Hall’s great characters compare notes

11 Jun 06:00 PM
LISTENER
Why Bono movie “Surrender” may leave fans defeated
Reviews

Why Bono movie “Surrender” may leave fans defeated

06 Jun 06:00 PM

Concert film rearranges U2 songs, and furniture.

LISTENER
Succession creator Jesse Armstrong pivots to scathing satire of today’s tech titans
Reviews

Succession creator Jesse Armstrong pivots to scathing satire of today’s tech titans

29 May 06:00 PM

Succession scribe puts rocket up tech-bro billionaires.

LISTENER
Physician reveal thyself: New Middlemore series puts trainee doctors under microscope
Entertainment

Physician reveal thyself: New Middlemore series puts trainee doctors under microscope

25 May 06:00 PM

A series on Middlemore’s junior doctors examines how their careers define their lives.

LISTENER
Fossils refuelled: The return of Walking with Dinosaurs
Entertainment

Fossils refuelled: The return of Walking with Dinosaurs

24 May 07:00 PM

After lying dormant for a quarter of a century, Walking with Dinosaurs gets dug up again.

LISTENER
The new Mission: Impossible – messy, weird and eventually, fun
Reviews

The new Mission: Impossible – messy, weird and eventually, fun

23 May 06:00 PM

Tom Cruise’s barnstorming saves “Final Reckoning” from self-mythologising tedium.

LISTENER
National pride and prejudice: The French film celebrating Jane Austen … and Love, Actually
Entertainment

National pride and prejudice: The French film celebrating Jane Austen … and Love, Actually

21 May 06:00 PM

French Film Festival romcom stars iconic Parisian bookshop where director once worked.

LISTENER
The Salt Path: Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs shine in film of real-life bestseller
Entertainment

The Salt Path: Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs shine in film of real-life bestseller

09 May 06:00 PM

Top UK theatre director inspired to make debut movie by long-walk redemption memoir.

LISTENER
Smith’s dream: How television veteran finally made a film
Entertainment

Smith’s dream: How television veteran finally made a film

03 May 07:00 PM

Lack of big-screen Kiwi love stories an inspiration to create one.

LISTENER
Reeling in Marlon Williams: Doco dazzled by glow of singer’s charisma
Entertainment

Reeling in Marlon Williams: Doco dazzled by glow of singer’s charisma

01 May 06:00 PM

Marlon Williams' documentary sings a sweet tune, but lacks depth.

LISTENER
Why Steve Coogan risks being upstaged by a bird in his latest screen outing
Entertainment

Why Steve Coogan risks being upstaged by a bird in his latest screen outing

20 Apr 05:00 PM

Steve Coogan on why acting alongside a penguin came as a relief.

LISTENER
Japanese doco The Cats of Gokogu Shrine gives paws for thought
Entertainment

Japanese doco The Cats of Gokogu Shrine gives paws for thought

16 Apr 05:00 PM

Love cats? The film that will leave you with a yen to visit Japan.

LISTENER
How Richard Flanagan’s Booker winner The Narrow Road to the Deep North became an acclaimed TV series
Entertainment

How Richard Flanagan’s Booker winner The Narrow Road to the Deep North became an acclaimed TV series

12 Apr 06:02 PM

Fierce film-maker Justin Kurzel on the angst-inducing process of adapting a bestseller.

LISTENER
The Last of Us second season brings twists in survival story
Entertainment

The Last of Us second season brings twists in survival story

09 Apr 05:00 PM

Pivotal events loom large in post-apocalyptic thriller’s return.

LISTENER
Epic reunion: Ralph Fiennes and Juliet Binoche together in ancient story of warrior king
Entertainment

Epic reunion: Ralph Fiennes and Juliet Binoche together in ancient story of warrior king

31 Mar 04:00 PM

Stars set high bar ahead of Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey.

LISTENER
Long-awaited final season of The Handmaid’s Tale soon to arrive - here’s what to expect
Entertainment

Long-awaited final season of The Handmaid’s Tale soon to arrive - here’s what to expect

30 Mar 04:00 PM

June Osborne dons her bonnet again for a last stand against Gilead.

LISTENER
Is NZ ready for its first musical sitcom? The makers of Happiness think so
Entertainment

Is NZ ready for its first musical sitcom? The makers of Happiness think so

21 Mar 04:00 PM

Rebecca Gibney-starring show is queer, very Kiwi and set in Tauranga.

LISTENER
Why Seth Rogen’s The Studio is the best Hollywood send-up in ages
Entertainment

Why Seth Rogen’s The Studio is the best Hollywood send-up in ages

18 Mar 04:00 PM

Comedian stars as movie mogul in star-studded satire.

LISTENER
Aged scare facility: Behind the curtains of Kiwi rest home horror
Entertainment

Aged scare facility: Behind the curtains of Kiwi rest home horror

14 Mar 04:00 PM

How Kiwi director turned Owen Marshall story into Stephen King’s new favourite film.

LISTENER
Back to the kitchen sink for veteran English director Mike Leigh
Entertainment

Back to the kitchen sink for veteran English director Mike Leigh

11 Mar 04:00 PM

Mike Leigh returns to contemporary British life with Hard Truths.

LISTENER
Send in the clones: Why ‘Parasite’ director’s sci-fi latest is a mess
Entertainment

Send in the clones: Why ‘Parasite’ director’s sci-fi latest is a mess

10 Mar 04:00 PM

Movie from the director of Parasite fails to live up to its imaginative promise.

LISTENER
Bogan hero: David Wenham’s return to cult favourite character
Entertainment

Bogan hero: David Wenham’s return to cult favourite character

08 Mar 05:00 PM

LOTR actor on his pointed comedy about a bogan in an Australian immigration centre.

LISTENER
He’s an 82 year old retired teacher, now he’s one of Sweden’s biggest cinema stars
Entertainment

He’s an 82 year old retired teacher, now he’s one of Sweden’s biggest cinema stars

07 Mar 04:00 PM

Real-life road-trip movie propels Swedish grandfather from retirement funk to stardom.

LISTENER
Where’s Johnny? The Sex Pistols’ Rotten-free return to NZ
Entertainment

Where’s Johnny? The Sex Pistols’ Rotten-free return to NZ

28 Feb 04:00 PM

Sex Pistols founder Steve Jones on coming back to NZ with a Johnny Rotten substitute.

LISTENER
Taut drama on how Munich Olympics terror attack made TV history
Entertainment

Taut drama on how Munich Olympics terror attack made TV history

17 Feb 05:30 PM

September 5 puts broadcast journalism in the spotlight.

LISTENER
From Bad Sisters to William Tell: Claes Bang’s bold shift from villain to hero
Entertainment

From Bad Sisters to William Tell: Claes Bang’s bold shift from villain to hero

15 Feb 05:00 PM

Danish actor on playing the crossbow-wielding, apple-impaling hero of Swiss folklore.

LISTENER
ZZ Top roar back to NZ: 56 years young and still sharp dressed
Entertainment

ZZ Top roar back to NZ: 56 years young and still sharp dressed

12 Feb 05:58 PM

ZZ Top recall Western Springs ‘88 and on why the band has legs.

LISTENER
Alien Weaponry: Taking te reo to places it’s never been
Entertainment

Alien Weaponry: Taking te reo to places it’s never been

10 Feb 04:00 PM

Film shows how young band incorporates te reo Māori into the very Pākehā genre heavy metal

LISTENER
Musician Nadia Reid on leaving NZ: ‘I had begun to feel very suffocated and ceilinged’
Entertainment

Musician Nadia Reid on leaving NZ: ‘I had begun to feel very suffocated and ceilinged’

07 Feb 04:00 PM

Nadia Reid's new album inspired by motherhood and a shift from Dunedin to Manchester.

LISTENER
'Haka Party’ doco soft-pedals on violent campus clash
Entertainment

'Haka Party’ doco soft-pedals on violent campus clash

31 Jan 04:00 PM

Film follows acclaimed play about explosive 1979 incident at Auckland University.

LISTENER
Rough cast: More than mere length makes The Brutalist a slog
Entertainment

Rough cast: More than mere length makes The Brutalist a slog

26 Jan 04:00 PM

A lengthy saga about a Holocaust survivor architect offers wall-to-wall misery.

LISTENER
More than another biopic: Timothée Chalamet’s uncanny Bob Dylan performance
Entertainment

More than another biopic: Timothée Chalamet’s uncanny Bob Dylan performance

24 Jan 04:00 PM

Timothée Chalamet's performance helps deliver an exceptional Bob Dylan biopic.

LISTENER
From Latvia to the Oscars? The animated cat that might just do it
Entertainment

From Latvia to the Oscars? The animated cat that might just do it

18 Jan 05:00 PM

Flow, a small-budget animated Latvian film, pipped Hollywood hits for awards attention.

LISTENER
2025 entertainment preview: The 18 blockbuster TV shows you’ll be watching this year
Entertainment

2025 entertainment preview: The 18 blockbuster TV shows you’ll be watching this year

18 Jan 05:00 PM

Russell Baillie on the year's most anticipated international TV shows.

LISTENER
2025 entertainment preview: The year in television
Entertainment

2025 entertainment preview: The year in television

17 Jan 04:00 PM

New Zealanders are about to see more of themselves on air like never before.

LISTENER
Jesse Eisenberg speaks to Russell Baillie on his new Holocaust tourism dramedy
Entertainment

Jesse Eisenberg speaks to Russell Baillie on his new Holocaust tourism dramedy

30 Dec 09:59 PM

Jesse Eisenberg on how his own family history and travels in Poland inspired new film.

LISTENER
Irish family feud comedy gets bogged down in cliches
Entertainment

Irish family feud comedy gets bogged down in cliches

09 Dec 04:00 PM

Apart from the end, there's little entertaining or surprising in The Problem With People.

LISTENER
Thomasin McKenzie delivers a star turn as IVF pioneer in Joy
Entertainment

Thomasin McKenzie delivers a star turn as IVF pioneer in Joy

02 Dec 04:00 PM

NZ star shines alongside Brit favourites Bill Nighy and James Norton.

LISTENER
Brit-rock icon's movie debut in sprawling WWII drama Blitz
Entertainment

Brit-rock icon's movie debut in sprawling WWII drama Blitz

30 Nov 05:00 PM

WWII homefront saga mixes social realism and sweeping drama.

LISTENER
Director Vincent Ward reflects as landmark NZ film turns 40
Entertainment

Director Vincent Ward reflects as landmark NZ film turns 40

29 Nov 04:00 PM

Vincent Ward was in his twenties when he made the film that changed NZ cinema forever.

LISTENER
Offspring’s Asher Keddie’s gripping new dating drama
Entertainment

Offspring’s Asher Keddie’s gripping new dating drama

24 Nov 04:00 PM

Asher Keddie shows less frenetic side in a chilling thriller series based on a true story.

LISTENER
Colossal effort: Ridley Scott’s sequel to his Oscar winning Gladiator
Entertainment

Colossal effort: Ridley Scott’s sequel to his Oscar winning Gladiator

15 Nov 04:00 PM

Scott's Gladiator II is a grander circus maximus with deadly Olympic arts.

LISTENER
In the name of Bob: The 40th anniversary of Band Aid and Live Aid
Entertainment

In the name of Bob: The 40th anniversary of Band Aid and Live Aid

15 Nov 04:00 PM

Bob Geldof is bringing a one-man show to NZ, once he’s figured out what it should be.

LISTENER
Amusing rock flick captures the zeitgeist of Christchurch in 1979
Entertainment

Amusing rock flick captures the zeitgeist of Christchurch in 1979

02 Nov 05:00 PM

Head South is evocative of place and time.

LISTENER
Memoir of a Snail: Sarah Snook voices, Nick Cave recites in filmmaker's poignant return
Entertainment

Memoir of a Snail: Sarah Snook voices, Nick Cave recites in filmmaker's poignant return

31 Oct 03:00 AM

After a 15-year hiatus, Adam Elliot’s trademark claymation figures hit the screen again.

LISTENER
Sir Ian McKellen on criticism, ageing and still being Gandalf
Entertainment

Sir Ian McKellen on criticism, ageing and still being Gandalf

10 Oct 04:00 PM

Recovering from a recent fall, Sir Ian McKellen on why he has no plans to retire.

LISTENER
Brad Pitt and George Clooney double act keeps tired plot on track
Entertainment

Brad Pitt and George Clooney double act keeps tired plot on track

04 Oct 04:00 PM

This is the first time Clooney and Pitt have buddied up since the Ocean’s trilogy.

LISTENER
Struth! The Office - Oz style is here - and David Brent’s a sheila
Entertainment

Struth! The Office - Oz style is here - and David Brent’s a sheila

03 Oct 04:00 PM

Felicity Ward on being the Downunder David Brent in the Aussie version of The Office.

LISTENER
Game of Thrones’ Iain Glen trades frozen wastes of Westeros for a caravan in WA
Entertainment

Game of Thrones’ Iain Glen trades frozen wastes of Westeros for a caravan in WA

01 Oct 03:00 AM

The acclaimed Scottish actor on why he came aboard Last Days of the Space Age.

LISTENER
Crime dominates “go to” Sky channel for premium British drama
Entertainment

Crime dominates “go to” Sky channel for premium British drama

24 Sep 12:00 AM

The arrival of BBC First on Sky here follows a shake-up of BBC outlets in Australia.

LISTENER
Gripping NZ medical drama gets film director back behind the camera
Entertainment

Gripping NZ medical drama gets film director back behind the camera

18 Sep 05:00 PM

Film director Christine Jeffs on returning to the big screen after more than a decade away

LISTENER
NZ-born Shōgun star Anna Sawai on her historic Emmy award-winning role
Entertainment

NZ-born Shōgun star Anna Sawai on her historic Emmy award-winning role

16 Sep 10:30 PM

Ahead of Emmy success, Russell Baillie met Anna Sawai to talk about her life-changing role

LISTENER
American music icon: “I’m so happy that people still play guitars and make loud music...”
Entertainment

American music icon: “I’m so happy that people still play guitars and make loud music...”

14 Sep 06:00 PM

Foo Fighters Dave Grohl says he wouldn't be making music without Bob Mould.

LISTENER
Two Aussies master the waves in two swell-powered documentaries
Entertainment

Two Aussies master the waves in two swell-powered documentaries

12 Sep 04:00 AM

Sailing the circumference of Antarctica and a world champion blind surfer battling waves.

LISTENER
Does next generation Beetlejuice sequel live up to the hype?
Entertainment

Does next generation Beetlejuice sequel live up to the hype?

06 Sep 05:00 PM

Jenna Ortega joins stars Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton and Catherine O'Hara.

LISTENER
Love amid horror: TV version of Holocaust bestseller centres Kiwi author
Entertainment

Love amid horror: TV version of Holocaust bestseller centres Kiwi author

01 May 12:00 AM

NZer Heather Morris's controversial The Tattooist of Auschwitz is now a tv series.

LISTENER
Mirren plays Meir: An interview with acting royalty on her new role
Entertainment

Mirren plays Meir: An interview with acting royalty on her new role

30 Apr 12:00 AM

Dame Helen talks about playing Golda Meir, Israel’s iron lady.

LISTENER
Mad About the Boy: A flawed but fascinating look at one of the world’s greatest showmen
Entertainment

Mad About the Boy: A flawed but fascinating look at one of the world’s greatest showmen

24 Apr 04:30 AM

Mad dash through Noël Coward life an enjoyable tribute to very English showman.

LISTENER
Review: Campion daughter’s debut initially promising then unravels
Entertainment

Review: Campion daughter’s debut initially promising then unravels

05 Nov 11:00 PM

"You have to wonder if the apple was ripe enough to drop from the tree."

LISTENER
Review: Killers of the Flower Moon failing to do justice
Entertainment

Review: Killers of the Flower Moon failing to do justice

29 Oct 11:00 PM

Martin Scorsese’s 1920s true-crime race murder saga mistakes length for depth.

LISTENER
The Flying Scotsman looks back on his halcyon racing days
Entertainment

The Flying Scotsman looks back on his halcyon racing days

24 Oct 11:00 PM

Sir Jackie Stewart talks about the learning difficulties that shaped his ambition.

LISTENER
Preview: Viewers can expect to hear less of Tom Webster in next season of Grand Designs
Entertainment

Preview: Viewers can expect to hear less of Tom Webster in next season of Grand Designs

20 Oct 03:00 AM

"think putting money into good architecture is something akin to the arts, isn’t it?"

LISTENER
Spinning Topp yarns: Jools & Lynda on their revealing memoir
New Zealand

Spinning Topp yarns: Jools & Lynda on their revealing memoir

15 Oct 11:00 PM

The open book that has been the Topp Twins’ existence is now an actual one.

LISTENER
German star Sandra Hüller on being “the actress of the year”
Entertainment

German star Sandra Hüller on being “the actress of the year”

12 Oct 04:30 PM

The critics' darling on her international breakthrough.

LISTENER
Review: Uproar’s no solid gold hit but Julian Dennison shines
Entertainment

Review: Uproar’s no solid gold hit but Julian Dennison shines

10 Oct 11:00 PM

Coming-of-age film evokes the troubles of 1981.

LISTENER
TV preview: Frasier rebooted - but where’s Niles?
Entertainment

TV preview: Frasier rebooted - but where’s Niles?

05 Oct 11:00 PM

Looking at classic sitcom’s sequel and history.

LISTENER
The Beths win 2023 Apra Silver Scroll
Entertainment

The Beths win 2023 Apra Silver Scroll

04 Oct 04:00 PM

It was the Auckland band's fourth nomination for the country’s top songwriting award.

LISTENER
Review: Sci-fi epic The Creator feels like it’s been written by AI
Entertainment

Review: Sci-fi epic The Creator feels like it’s been written by AI

03 Oct 11:00 PM

Sci-fi action flick feels like data-scrape of other films.

LISTENER
Preview: Wes Anderson’s fascination with Roald Dahl’s tales continues with four short films
Entertainment

Preview: Wes Anderson’s fascination with Roald Dahl’s tales continues with four short films

30 Sep 11:00 PM

Unlike Anderson's recent features, the films are driven by plots and stories.

LISTENER
Uproar: Behind Julian Dennison’s ‘81 Springbok tour dramedy
Entertainment

Uproar: Behind Julian Dennison’s ‘81 Springbok tour dramedy

28 Sep 11:00 PM

Dunedin, in all its unspoilt-since-’81 glory, is a star in itself in new local film.

LISTENER
Review: Blackbeard goes forth, for love
Entertainment

Review: Blackbeard goes forth, for love

28 Sep 11:00 PM

HBO pirate comedy takes on extra Kiwi crew.

LISTENER
Kristin Hersh returns with a vital new solo album as her writing career wins her new fans
Entertainment

Kristin Hersh returns with a vital new solo album as her writing career wins her new fans

27 Sep 11:00 PM

US indie music veteran touring New Zealand with 25th album.

LISTENER
Celebrity Treasure Island’s bold new direction
Entertainment

Celebrity Treasure Island’s bold new direction

12 Sep 12:00 AM

Tāme Iti will face off against other celebrities in the wilds of Central Otago.

LISTENER
How director fused fictional blockbuster thrills with Māori history in Muru
Entertainment

How director fused fictional blockbuster thrills with Māori history in Muru

10 Sep 12:01 AM

“Muru is an opportunity to speak truth to power through cinema - the ache is still real."

LISTENER
Fourth Silver Scroll nod for Obama’s favourite Kiwi band The Beths
Entertainment

Fourth Silver Scroll nod for Obama’s favourite Kiwi band The Beths

31 Aug 09:06 PM

Marlon Williams, Tom Scott and Unknown Mortal Orchestra are among the finalists for award.

LISTENER
Russell Baillie: NZ Music Hall of Fame inductee Don McGlashan remains in his own league
Entertainment

Russell Baillie: NZ Music Hall of Fame inductee Don McGlashan remains in his own league

31 Aug 12:00 AM

Russell Baillie pays tribute to the songwriting great.

LISTENER
Tim Finn ponders his life in five songs ahead of his return to live stage
Entertainment

Tim Finn ponders his life in five songs ahead of his return to live stage

30 Aug 12:00 AM

Tim Finn’s forthcoming tour will be a chronological wander through his career.

LISTENER
Review: Film a cinematic love letter with its own unique perfume
Entertainment

Review: Film a cinematic love letter with its own unique perfume

25 Aug 12:00 AM

Last Film Show tells tale of a boy in India who takes his first steps as a movie maker.

LISTENER
Kiwi actress Zoë Robins on the challenges of fantasy screen acting
Entertainment

Kiwi actress Zoë Robins on the challenges of fantasy screen acting

23 Aug 12:00 AM

Zoë Robins shares tips for green screen acting after featuring in The Wheel of Time.

LISTENER
Quiz: Test your Barbenheimer knowledge
Entertainment

Quiz: Test your Barbenheimer knowledge

22 Aug 05:00 PM

You’ve seen the movies. But were you paying attention?

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