Sam Brooks is a playwright, journalist and critic. Email him on sam@thespinoff.co.nz
The writer of the acclaimed new Rose Matafeo comedy talks on how her own experiences as an expectant mother inspired the script.
Our most verbose screenwriter, Aaron Sorkin, makes good on all his hype in just his second turn as director.
Is there still a place for a show that portrays property managers as housing market heroes?
Our very quick guide to what's on offer for our arts and culture sector.
We bid adieu to Auckland's oldest Maccas with some saucy stories from a Queen Street icon.
The second season of TVNZ on Demand's satire skewers New Zealand's school system, brilliantly and brutally.
His gripping memoir deserves a content warning for just about every trauma you can think of.
Emily in Paris wants to be Sex and the City but ends up being pure merde instead.
Westside has covered twenty years of New Zealand history in six seasons of television – but how old are these Westies meant to be?
On Thursday night, arts trust Te Taumata Toi-A-Iwi, in association with The Spinoff, hosted a pre-election forum on arts policy. Sam Brooks picks out the best moments.
Three shows in one month? Sounds ridiculous, but that’s New Zealand actress Morgana O’Reilly for you.
On Thursday night the Arts, Culture and Heritage spokespeople from the major political parties will have a conversation on arts policy. We've got their takes here.
We took a look at the Neon and Sky catalogues to gain a little insight on how a show can maximise its chances.
Netflix drama Ratched aims to rehabilitate the villain from One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, but would do better in the electric chair.
When you're gulping down a wine from behind a mask and can't mill around pre and post-show, does the theatre experience lose its shine?
It's been two decades, so how is it you can still pull off a kickflip like it was yesterday?
I’m Thinking of Ending Things is another trip into the mind of the pathetic man, but Charlie Kaufman finally finds universality in one man’s fantasy.
Away tries to be a space drama and a family drama, but fails massively at both.
Why do we keep seeing Billie Piper on our screens? Because we want to, because we want to.
The second instalment of Patrick Gower’s On… series is about the one issue that has touched all of us this year. But the documentary seems almost as fascinated by Gower himself.
While musically and visually on point, much-anticipated indie game No Straight Roads is all sensory overload and little substance.
Do you like cute dogs? Do you like cute people? Wellington-based Starcolt Studios' first game, Best Friend Forever, might just be the one for you.
Two weeks into Auckland’s second lockdown, Sam Brooks reflects on the strange distortion of time in alert level three.
A quarter of the country has been at home for just over a week. So what the hell are they watching?
It's 2020 and the world is a different place, but 7 Days is still the same. That's not a good thing, but is it still worth a watch?
Ever wanted to see John Campbell lit on Kava? Look no further than Melodownz' new show, Kava Corner.
