Eat.Sleep.Movie.Repeat

A small victory can change the mood of a whole week. We open by settling our Bad Guys 2 bet, then swing straight into the real work of programming after the school holidays: choosing films that spark curiosity, fill seats, and feel worth the trip. That means championing a few special titles, passing on others (for now), and crafting a lineup that plays to our audience’s taste without playing it sa...

Economic headwinds continue battering the cinema landscape as we head into the school holiday season. Even star-studded films like "The Roses" featuring Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Coleman are struggling to meet box office expectations, despite strong word-of-mouth driving second-week attendance. What's behind this trend? Is it the R-rating limiting audience size, broader econom...

Movie theaters across New Zealand are facing a puzzling paradox. Quality films with strong reviews aren't drawing audiences like they used to, and Liam Neeson's recent comedy "The Naked Gun" perfectly illustrates this challenge. Despite excellent marketing, positive word-of-mouth, and an impressive 88% approval rating, the film struggled to break $336,000 at the New Zealand box...

Movie theaters are battling their toughest economic climate since the pandemic. Box office numbers are startlingly low – Stephen King's "The Life of Chuck" brought in just $71,000 on opening weekend, a fraction of what would normally be expected. For every cinema opening globally, five are closing as audiences tighten their belts and reconsider entertainment spending. What makes us...

Are movie theaters dying or just evolving? That's the question at the heart of our latest deep dive into cinema's current landscape. While studios continue to release films at a breakneck pace, getting audiences through the doors remains the industry's biggest challenge. Horror films are particularly struggling in New Zealand, with the latest "I Know What You Did Last Summer&qu...

The dinosaurs have roared back to life at the box office, and Hollywood might finally be catching its breath. This week we're celebrating Jurassic World Rebirth's spectacular performance - a whopping $2.3 million in New Zealand alone and $335 million globally. After months of underwhelming theatrical releases, this prehistoric powerhouse signals what could be a turning point for cinema a...

Movie theaters find themselves at a fascinating crossroads where critical acclaim doesn't necessarily translate to box office success. Disney Pixar's Elio has become their worst opening film worldwide despite positive reviews, while horror sequel Megan 2.0 and the new Karate Kid reboot similarly struggle to find their audiences. This troubling trend reveals how quickly major cinema chain...

Why do critically acclaimed female-led action films struggle at the box office? This question takes center stage as we dig into the surprising commercial failure of "Ballerina," the Ana de Armas-starring John Wick spin-off that opened to a mere $363,730 despite strong reviews. The film's underwhelming performance highlights a troubling pattern for female action heroes on the big scr...

The theatrical landscape continues its fascinating evolution as major studio releases compete with festival fare and streaming exclusives. We kick off with our regular box office predictions segment, where Mission Impossible's latest installment has performed admirably with a $1.44 million haul. While not reaching the heights some predicted, it demonstrates the franchise's enduring appea...

The latest "Eat Sleep Movie Repeat" conversation takes us on an exciting journey through cinema's present and future as Brent and Ross dive into box office predictions, upcoming releases, and the remarkable success story of New Zealand film. The friendly competition between our hosts continues with Brent edging ahead 5-4 in their box office prediction battle after correctly anticipa...

When rain falls, cinema seats fill—regardless of what's showing. This simple truth provided a much-needed boost to theaters during recent school holidays, as film industry insiders Brent Harbour and Ross Churchhouse discuss in their latest conversation. The duo unpacks how weather patterns directly impact box office results, creating unexpected winners and unfortunate timing casualties among...

The Minecraft movie has delivered a seismic shock to the cinema industry, crushing all box office predictions with an astounding $2.99 million opening weekend in New Zealand alone. After months of challenging theatrical returns, this blockbuster adaptation of the beloved game has breathed new life into theaters nationwide, with global earnings exceeding $300 million in its first frame. The film is...

Snow White's troubled journey to theaters reveals the growing chasm between online discourse and actual audience experiences. After enduring an 18-month hate campaign before release, Disney's remake scored a brutal 1.6 on IMDB while simultaneously earning a respectable 74% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. We discuss what this means for the studio and the film industry at large as Disne...

The magic of cinema continues to thrive despite economic challenges, as Ross and Brent explore in this captivating episode examining the current state of moviegoing. When looking at cinema affordability, they reveal a surprising fact - while nearly everything else has dramatically increased in price over 25 years, movie tickets have seen relatively modest increases. In 2000, tickets ranged from $9...

The Oscar results are in, and we're breaking down the winners, surprises, and what they reveal about the changing landscape of cinema. As "Anora" claimed both Best Picture and Best Director, we're witnessing what appears to be a generational shift in the Academy's voting patterns – younger members are changing what gets recognized, signaling an evolution in filmmaking that...

Brent and Ross explore the excitement of Oscar season, revealing box office performances of recent releases and diving deep into predictions for the upcoming awards. With heartfelt discussions about emotional films like "Tina" and the latest hot titles, they offer insights and analysis that resonate with movie lovers everywhere. • Analysis of last week’s box office performance  • In-dept...

This episode explores the latest films set to hit theaters in February, including discussions about box office predictions and the intersection of film and current events. Hosts Brent and Ross dive into the nuances of cinematic storytelling, review several new releases, and critique social media's impact on film reception. • Analysis of upcoming release “September 5” and its historical contex...

This episode explores the dynamic cinema landscape at the start of 2025, highlighting current Oscar contenders and the effects of weather on film attendance. Brent and Ross discuss upcoming films, predictions for box office success, and the anticipation surrounding popular releases. • Discussing weather's impact on movie attendance  • Analyzing current Oscar contenders and surprises  • Review...

Imagine an evening where the magic of Middle-earth comes alive under the stars of New Zealand. We share our unforgettable experience attending the New Zealand premiere of the animated "Lord of the Rings" in Hamilton, followed by an enchanting night at Hobbiton. This new 2D anime-style adaptation struck a chord with not only anime lovers but also longtime fans of Tolkien's universe,...

What if a change in film classification could alter a movie's fate at the box office? Join us in an engaging conversation as we unpack the latest cinematic buzz with industry insider Ross Churchhouse. Moana 2 is making waves with impressive pre-sales, poised to outshine Inside Out 2 despite a modest Rotten Tomatoes score. Ross provides a glowing review of Gladiator 2, a film that defied our b...

Fresh off his trip to an Australian conference,  Ross Churchhouse explores the rollercoaster world of cinema. Ever wonder how word-of-mouth can transform a film's fate? Let's unpack how unexpected hits like "Moonlight" and the heartwarming journey of "Lee," starring Kate Winslet, have done just that. With the exciting releases of "Moana 2" and Ridley Scott&a...

In this episode of Eat Sleep Movie Repeat, we celebrate Lido Cinema's triumphant win at the Hamilton Central Business Awards and dive into the post-holiday box office buzz around "Smile 2,"  As the British and Irish Film Festival kicks off in New Zealand, we spotlight must-watch films like "Conclave," and give you a sneak peek into the hilariously intense world of "Ve...

Can a musical delve into the darkness of the human psyche and succeed at the box office?  Brent Harbour and Ross Churchhouse, tackle this question as we dissect the polarizing reception of the new Joker movie in New Zealand. Despite its daring mix of musical elements and themes of mental illness, the film missed the mark with audiences, especially beyond urban centers, and faced lackluster ticket...

What do a robot, a clown prince, and a zombie kangaroo have in common? They all headline our latest episode of Eat Sleep Movie Repeat! Join us as we dissect the unexpected performance of "Wild Robot" in the New Zealand box office and ponder whether the rainy school holidays can revive its fortunes. We then tackle the biggest enigma in Hollywood: will the musical twist of "Joker: Fol...

Curious about which kids' movies will dominate the holiday season? Join Brent Harbour and industry insider Ross Churchhouse as we reveal the must-see films for the school holidays. Ross clinched victory with his spot-on predictions for "Beetlejuice," and now we turn our focus to exciting new releases like "The Wild Robot," "Harold and the Purple Crayon," "Tr...