High Times
From the wires: festival attendances for Wellington are in, clocking in at 72,315: just short of 2004's all-time record 73,184 admissions. Taking into account the apparent "sombre" tone of this year's programme, the numbers can be considered in good health, particularly in the wake of blow-out films such as Fahrenheit 9/11 – a notable festival selection that contributed in part to last year's windfall in box office takings. Auckland fared even better, breaking the previous festival's 100,000 threshold to reach an impressive 101,805.
Dunedin and Christchurch festivals are currently in action. Palmerston North begins this weekend, with the festival then commuting to Hamilton (August 11 – 28), Napier (August 17 - September 4), Tauranga (August 25 - September 7), New Plymouth (September 1 -14), Nelson (September 8 – 21), Masterton (October 12 – 26), Queenstown (October 27 - November 9), Levin (November 3 – 16), Gisborne (November 10 – 23), Whangarei (November 17 – 30). The festival also visits Greymouth (September 30 – October 2) for the first time this year.
» TNZIFF Press Releases
Dunedin and Christchurch festivals are currently in action. Palmerston North begins this weekend, with the festival then commuting to Hamilton (August 11 – 28), Napier (August 17 - September 4), Tauranga (August 25 - September 7), New Plymouth (September 1 -14), Nelson (September 8 – 21), Masterton (October 12 – 26), Queenstown (October 27 - November 9), Levin (November 3 – 16), Gisborne (November 10 – 23), Whangarei (November 17 – 30). The festival also visits Greymouth (September 30 – October 2) for the first time this year.
» TNZIFF Press Releases
Pineapple Express: The funniest stoner movie I can remember. Seth Rogen's horsepowered performance anchors a consistently amusing flick. George Washington's David Gordon Green ably directs. Rogen effortlessly draws on his natural affability. He tells Lumiere his numerous acting roles aren't hard; generally they are "pretty similar" to his own life: "
