Blackguard Media Reviews

A beloved Christmas classic returns to The Civic this December. Tickets are on sale now for A Christmas Carol, a magical festive production that will also help support the Auckland City Mission Christmas Appeal.

Click on the title or image below to get the full details!

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7 October 2026

6 October 2026

Two stations. Two completely different experiences.

6 October 2026

Don't miss two of the standout experiences from Auckland Live's We The Young festival, with giant projected artworks and an interactive pinball adventure taking over the city centre.

Click on the title or image to check out some footage of the installations!

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6 October 2026

2 October 2026

Official remastered trailer release for Footrot Flats: The Dogs' Tale (4K)

2 October 2026

Forty years after it first charmed Kiwi audiences, Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale is heading back to the big screen. Check out the newly released remastered 4K trailer and get ready to revisit a true New Zealand classic, or discover Dog, Wal and the gang for the very first time when it returns to cinemas in January 2027.

Click on the title or image to see the trailer or pre-order the new book!

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2 October 2026

Latest Film & TV Reviews

Film & TV

8 October 2026

Big Girls Don’t Cry (2026)

8 October 2026

Big Girls Don't Cry is a raw, deeply authentic coming-of-age drama that captures the awkwardness of adolescence with remarkable honesty. Anchored by a breakout performance from Ani Palmer, this poignant debut explores identity, desire and belonging against the nostalgic backdrop of rural New Zealand in 2006. We rate it an uncomfortable 4.5 out of 5!

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8 October 2026

2 October 2026

Carrie (2026)

2 October 2026

Carrie is a thoughtful, modern reinvention that trades pure horror for character‑driven drama. Summer H. Howell brings a fresh, openhearted take to Carrie White, and the series builds tension through grounded emotion, sharp social commentary, and Flanagan’s steady direction. We rate it a compelling 4 out of 5!

Click on the title or image to read the full review!

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2 October 2026

1 October 2026

Verity (2026)

1 October 2026

Verity is an intriguing psychological mystery that thrives on uncertainty, suspicion, and moral ambiguity. Anne Hathaway is captivating as the enigmatic Verity Crawford, while Josh Hartnett brings genuine emotional weight to a story built on secrets, obsession, and unreliable truths. We rate it a tense 3.5 out of 5!

Click on the title or image to read the full review!

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1 October 2026

Latest Live Show Reviews

Live Shows

3 October 2026

Enamoured

3 October 2026

A charming and chaotic Regency-inspired improv comedy, Enamoured thrives on quick thinking, recurring jokes and a cast willing to turn every mistake into an opportunity. While the romance and narrative occasionally struggle under the weight of the show's improvised format, the performers' commitment to escalating absurdity ensure an entertaining evening. We rate it a creative 3.5 out of 5!

Click on the title or image to read the full review!

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3 October 2026

27 September 2026

Big Low Dream

27 September 2026

Big Low Dream is a surreal, visually striking contemporary dance work that feels like stepping inside somebody else's subconscious. Blending dream logic, loaded imagery, inventive choreography, and a constantly shifting soundscape, it invites every audience member to find their own meaning within the chaos. We rate it a beautiful and occasionally unsettling 4 out of 5!

Click on the title or image to read the full review!

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27 September 2026

26 September 2026

Cabaret

26 September 2026

Cabaret is a dazzling and deeply relevant production that balances seductive spectacle with an increasingly unsettling sense of inevitability. Anchored by exceptional performances from Matu Ngaropo and Nomi Cohen, inventive staging, and rich visual storytelling, Auckland Theatre Company transforms the Kit Kat Club into a world that is equal parts celebration and warning. We rate it an uncomfortably timely 4 out of 5!

Click on the title or image to read the full review!

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26 September 2026

Latest Art Reviews

Art

4 April 2026

Dreamer

4 April 2026

Dreamer has landed in Tāmaki Makaurau and it is pure magic. An indoor world of light, colour, music and play that brings kids and adults together in the best possible way. If you need something affordable, joyful and weather‑proof these school holidays, this is the one. We rate it a creative 4 out of 5!

Check out the full review!

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4 April 2026

13 March 2026

Helios

13 March 2026

In a week of unpredictable weather, the chance to sit beneath a sun that never burns out feels like a small gift. Helios offers a moment of stillness, a reminder of the beauty and complexity of the star that sustains us, and a rare opportunity to see it in a way that feels both monumental and gentle. We give it a warm 4 out of 5!

Check out the full review!

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13 March 2026

5 March 2026

Red Phone

5 March 2026

Not everything lands perfectly. The audio is on the quiet side, and because you’re reading instructions while trying to listen, the experience leans more toward concentration than immersion. You’re aware of the mechanics even as you’re inside them. But the uniqueness of the setup; the handcrafted booth, the red phone, the thrill of speaking scripted words to someone you can’t see; still carries a certain magic. We give it a curious 3 out of 5!

Check out the full review below

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5 March 2026

Blackguard Media Reviews

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