Rnz: At The Movies

Paolo Rotondo introduces this season of the Italian Film Festival, which includes a biopic of bad-boy painter Caravaggio, the first solo film by tbe legendary Federico Fellini, and last year's box office sensation There's still tomorrow, which trounced both Barbie and Oppenheimer in Italy.

Simon Morris introduces an all-Italian show - from Luca Guadagnino's Challengers, starring Zendaya, to an overview of this year's Italian Film Festival road show with Festival Director and film-maker, Paolo Rotondo. Challengers sees top star Zendaya (Dune) playing a top tennis star, torn between two competing suitors, Mike Faist (West Side Story) and Josh O'Connor (TV's The Crown). Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call me by your name). And Paolo Rotondo introduces this season of the Italian Film Festival, which includes a biopic of bad-boy painter Caravaggio, the first solo film by tbe legendary Federico Fellini, and last year's box office sensation There's still tomorrow, which trounced both Barbie and Oppenheimer in Italy.

Challengers sees top star Zendaya (Dune) playing a top tennis star, torn between two competing suitors, Mike Faist (West Side Story) and Josh O'Connor (TV's The Crown). Directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call me by your name).

Simon Morris looks at Hollywood's endless fascination with the crusading reporter, and the less than noble version, hungry for ratings

Civil war imagines a future America torn apart by another civil war, and the people who have to cover the story. Written and directed by Alex Garland (Ex Machina), it stars Kirsten Dunst (Power of the dog) and Caelee Spaeny (Priscilla).

Late night with the Devil sees a late night TV host go for the ultimate shock interview at Halloween. "Absolutely brilliant" says Stephen King. Is he right?

Origin is a semi-fictionalised adaptation of a book about racism by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson. Starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (Ray) and directed by Ava DuVernay (Selma).

Simon Morris buckles up for an all-action show - a drug-fuelled bloodbath, an Indian martial arts revenge thriller and the return of an animated kung-fu favourite.

Monkey Man is star Dev Patel's debut as a director. It's a violent thriller about a man taking revenge on powerful forces, channelling a mythical figure, the White Monkey.

Love lies bleeding sees two women falling in love in the worst possible way. There will be blood…. Starring Kristen Stewart (Twilight), Katy O'Brien (The Mandalorian) and Ed Harris (Apollo 13).

Kung Fu Panda 4 sees the return of Po, the unlikely Dragon Warrior. Featuring the voices of Jack Black, Dustin Hoffman, Viola Davis and Awkwafina (Crazy rich Asians).

Simon Morris looks at three films, all based on journeys - to safety, to a better life, to some sort of happy ending.

The Mountain sees three plucky kids attempt to get to the top of Taranaki to save the life of one them. Debut directing feature of actress Rachel House (Cousins, Boy, Moana).

Io Capitano is an Oscar-nominated Italian film about two boys who run away from their village in Senegal in search of fame and fortune in Europe. Directed by Matteo Garrone (Gomorrah).

Netflix's Damsel sees Millie Bobby Brown (Stranger things) marry a handsome Prince - though he may not be much help when it comes to fighting dragons. With Robin Wright (The Princess Bride), Ray Winstone (Beowulf) and Angela Bassett (Black Panther).

Simon Morris reviews three films all dependent, more or less, on audiences already softened up to like them.

Road House is a reboot of an Eighties thriller starring Patrick Swayze, no stranger to ghosts himself. Stars Jake Gyllenhaal, with guest appearances by MMA star Conor McGregor and singer Post Malone. Available on Prime Video.

Immaculate sees teen favourite Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria) play an American nun in Italy, who finds that her new spiritual home isn't as safe as they thought. Produced by Sweeney herself.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire sees the return of the new cast - and most of the old cast - of the rebooted franchise. Stars Paul Rudd (Antman) and Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things) join old favourites Dan Aykroyd and Bill Murray as the Ghostbusters get back to the Big Apple.

Simon Morris looks at three films based on real life, but wonders if that necessarily means a good story.