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Theatre review: Pianist hits right key for laughs
Thomas Monckton is forging an international reputation with a style that has acrobatics, clowning and mime bouncing off each other in a wildly imaginative piece of absurdist comedy.

Theatre review: Portraits of a lonely man
Existential loneliness is writ large in the three short Samuel Beckett solos presented here by actor/producer Edward Newborn and director Paul Gittins.

Movie review: Woman In Gold
In the black-and-white photograph of her that appears briefly during the end credits of this true-life melodrama, Maria Altmann looks somewhat more interesting than her screen version.

Theatre review: This is Our Youth
A claustrophobic city slice of intriguing, aggressive and hyper-articulate characters whose vulnerability (and self-obsession) makes them rough each other up.

Movie review: Samba
The new film by the writer-director duo behind the 2011 hit The Intouchables is not as formulaic and manipulative but it lacks the single-minded coherence that was so crucial to that film's success.

Album review: Jamie McDell, Ask Me Anything
The first artist comparison that springs to mind when listening to this second album from local lass Jamie McDell is Australian songstress Missy Higgins.

Review: Paolo Nutini at the Powerstation
Wearing a plain white T-shirt against an colourful street art backdrop, Paolo Nutini was a simple but eye-catching figure as he took the stage at the Powerstation for his first ever New Zealand concert last night.

AWOLNATION giving Reznor a Run for his money?
If you're looking for reference points, AWOLNATION bridges the rather large divide between Nine Inch Nails, Meatloaf and LCD Soundsystem.

New game Bloodborne will 'make you suffer'
Hidetaka Miyazaki is a genius. The auteur behind Demon's Souls, Dark Souls and now Bloodborne approaches video games like an artist does a canvas, crafting broad strokes of rich gameplay, in-depth lore and innovative level design.

Furious may leave you in tears
Last night's Auckland premiere of Fast & Furious 7 left movie-goers in tears. Reviewer Chris Schulz explains why.

Connan Mockasin: Forever Dolphin Love
Connan Mockasin performs Forever Dolphin Love, during a very special Barkers Sundae Session performance, recorded and filmed on an Auckland CBD rooftop.

Connan Mockasin: Why Are You Crying?
Connan Mockasin performs Why Are You Crying?, during a very special Barkers Sundae Session performance, recorded and filmed on an Auckland CBD rooftop.

Connan Mockasin: Do I Make You Feel Shy?
Connan Mockasin performs Do I Make You Feel Shy?, during a very special Barkers Sundae Session performance, recorded and filmed on an Auckland CBD rooftop.

Movie review: The Book of Life 3D
Nominated for a Golden Globe, The Book of Life is directed by Jorge Gutierrez but also carries the creative imprint of producer Guillermo del Toro.

Movie review: Dior and I
Frederic Tcheng, who co-directed Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to Travel and co-produced Valentino: The Last Emperor, steps out with his solo directing debut, Dior and I.

Alex Casey: Best Bits makes the best of bad TV
Best Bits is a cheery addition to a Thursday night, taking the worst bits of television and making some pretty damn good TV, writes Alex Casey.

Game review: Super Stardust Ultra
Oldies tours make big money on the concert circuit, and gaming oldies can go the same way when they're done well.

TV review: That Walking Dead finale - where to from here?
The latest season of The Walking Dead shambled to an end this week. Robert Smith kicks at some zombie carcasses and asks, where to from here?

TV review: Tales you can't make up
Unsolved true-life crime as entertainment is hot stuff.

Spoilt for choice: TV 101
Any screen, anywhere, any time is becoming a reality for NZ TV and movie viewers. Lydia Jenkin runs through the increasing options.