Latest news with #TheBreakerUpperers
NZ Herald
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Taskmaster New Zealand season 6 cast revealed
So who is poised to take home the coveted Taskmaster trophy? Jackie van Beek – actor, writer and director Jackie van Beek. Photo / TVNZ The sharply funny Jackie van Beek, known for Educators and The Breaker Upperers, says she's delighted to be competing against 'New Zealand's most talented idiots' this season. 'Being on the show felt like a throwback to my childhood in which I'd constantly hijack my parents' dinner parties by dressing up and entertaining the guests with hurriedly rehearsed and often poorly executed back-to-back song-and-dance routines.' Bree Tomasel – ZM Drive Host Bree Tomasel. Photo / TVNZ Bringing her signature wit and wild energy to the mix, ZM Drive and Celebrity Treasure Island host Bree Tomasel swears she's got bruises from how many times she's pinched herself after being cast on the show. 'A genuine dream come true for me to be a part of my favourite show with such an incredible cast. I've always known that I'm a little bit bats*** but there was really nowhere to hide on this show,' shares the host. Pax Assadi – comedian, actor and writer Pax Assadi. Photo / TVNZ Acclaimed comedian, Billy T nominee, writer and Great Kiwi Bake Off host Pax Assadi is pumped and ready for the chaos to ensue with him and his talented castmates. 'This is going to be chaotic, hilarious, and exactly the kind of beautiful disaster that gets remembered for a millennium (or at least until the next season of TM).' Alice Snedden – writer and comedian Alice Snedden. Photo / TVNZ With more than a decade in the industry under her belt, accomplished comedian Alice Snedden returned to New Zealand from the UK just for the honour of being on the show. 'I had the time of my life publicly humiliating myself for the sake of entertainment, and I'm just enjoying these last moments with friends and family before they are forced to distance themselves.' Jack Ansett – comedian Jack Ansett. Photo / TVNZ Up-and-coming comedian and all-round funnyman Jack Ansett says he feels extremely privileged to be part of the show's incredible line-up for 2025. Ansett says he's been begging to be cast for years and finally nabbed his opportunity. 'So grateful TVNZ decided to take a chance on my under-the-table cash bribe. From me, you can expect some big swings (that'll fingers crossed make Taskmaster history) and some big misses (that I'll be lodging a Broadcasting Standards complaint about if they're dared aired).' Taskmaster NZ will premiere on Monday, August 18 at 7.30pm on TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+ and continue on Tuesday for a double dose of chaos each week.
Daily Record
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Little-known Netflix comedy 'genuinely laugh out loud funny'
Described as "a bloody good time at the movies", the rom-com has cemented its place as one of the top 20 grossing New Zealand films ever. Boasting a robust 89 per cent review score on Rotten Tomatoes, New Zealand romantic-comedy The Breaker Upperers opened to high acclaim and smashing box-office numbers when it released back in 2018. Written, directed by, and starring Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami, the rom-com grossed over $1.7 million at the New Zealand box-office, swiftly becoming the best-performing New Zealand film of 2018. It has also cemented its place as one of the top 20 grossing New Zealand films ever. Streaming on Netflix, the film was produced by Taika Waititi and follows two cynical-about-love friends, Jen and Mel, who run an Auckland Agency which does the dirty work for people to help them break up with their partners using hilariously contrived and unorthodox methods. In an interview about the film with Guardian Australia, Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek explained their thinking going into the film. Van Beek said: 'We took a premise that is quite morally ambiguous, really, and dark. And then we really worked to make sure the film still made the audience feel warm and empowered – not grim and despondent. We pushed it toward generosity and friendship, we worked away from the darkness.' Sami added: 'It's not an anti-romantic-comedy at all, because we still love the cheesiness of romantic films. But we did want to f*** with some of the tropes. And New Zealandify it as well. "You couldn't end The Breaker Upperers with a double church wedding, because people would go, 'Oh, that's a bit sappy, that's a bit much, mate.'' Critics had mostly great things to say about the movie, with one saying: 'Directors, writers and stars Jackie van Beek and Madeline Sami still give this film a wild energy that's absolutely their own, with jokes that take the audience from giggles to cackles to all-out shrieks.' Another critical review of the movie said: 'The Breaker Upperers is packed full of that awkward, dry-as-a-desert Kiwi wit - the unmistakable rhythm of a bloody good time at the movies.' One critic wrote: 'The film manages to be several different comedic plots at the same time; odd couple pairing, screwball antics, quirky romance making it comedic gold that isn't present in it's Hollywood and even indie comparatives.' While one review called it 'hilarious, genuinely laugh-out-loud and even funnier on repeat', another critic said: 'Laugh a minute romp about female friendship, The Breaker Upperers is witty, sharp and contains numerous dance sequences you're unlikely to ever forget' Audience reviews echoed the positive sentiment, with one review that said: 'Totally surreal! Love when characters behave like that. Also, it's rare to see this type of film in times where all screenplays are the same. 5star!' Another viewer wrote: 'Feel good and incredibly funny, the Breaker Upperers tells a touching and relatable story while delivering fast paced jokes, not one of them falling flat. "Happy/sad tones have become a trademark of the Kiwi film industry, a very welcome change to the 'comedy' movies of Hollywood. I look forward to seeing anything Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek do next.'
Irish Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Fans all say same thing about hidden Netflix gem comedy loved by critics
With an impressive 89 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, the New Zealand rom-com The Breaker Upperers wowed audiences and scored big at the box office upon its release in 2018. Written, directed, and showcasing the talents of Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami, the film was a hit in their homeland, raking in over $1.7 million and claiming the title of top New Zealand film of the year. It also stands proudly among the top 20 highest-grossing New Zealand films of all time. The movie, available on Netflix and produced by the renowned Taika Waititi, tracks the hilarious exploits of two love-weary pals, Jen and Mel, operating an unusual break up agency in Auckland, where they help clients dodge the awkwardness of ending relationships through wildly imaginative schemes. During an interview with Guardian Australia regarding their creation, Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek delved into their approach to crafting the film. Van Beek said: "We took a premise that is quite morally ambiguous, really, and dark. And then we really worked to make sure the film still made the audience feel warm and empowered – not grim and despondent. We pushed it toward generosity and friendship, we worked away from the darkness." Meanwhile, Sami added: "It's not an anti-romantic-comedy at all, because we still love the cheesiness of romantic films. But we did want to f*** with some of the tropes. And New Zealandify it as well.", reports the Daily Record. "You couldn't end The Breaker Upperers with a double church wedding, because people would go, 'Oh, that's a bit sappy, that's a bit much, mate.'". Critics lavished praise on the film, with one reviewer saying: "Directors, writers and stars Jackie van Beek and Madeline Sami still give this film a wild energy that's absolutely their own, with jokes that take the audience from giggles to cackles to all-out shrieks." Another critic highlighted the humour by stating: "The Breaker Upperers is packed full of that awkward, dry-as-a-desert Kiwi wit - the unmistakable rhythm of a bloody good time at the movies." One shared an in-depth view: "The film manages to be several different comedic plots at the same time; odd couple pairing, screwball antics, quirky romance making it comedic gold that isn't present in it's Hollywood and even indie comparatives." Some reviewers were effusive, with one calling the comedy "hilarious, genuinely laugh-out-loud and even funnier on repeat" while another opined: "Laugh a minute romp about female friendship, The Breaker Upperers is witty, sharp and contains numerous dance sequences you're unlikely to ever forget". Echoing the critics, cinema-goers also shared their enthusiasm, with an audience member noting: "Totally surreal! Love when characters behave like that. Also, it's rare to see this type of film in times where all screenplays are the same. 5star!". A separate reviewer said: "Feel good and incredibly funny, the Breaker Upperers tells a touching and relatable story while delivering fast paced jokes, not one of them falling flat." They also praised the unique blend of emotions, saying: "Happy/sad tones have become a trademark of the Kiwi film industry, a very welcome change to the 'comedy' movies of Hollywood. I look forward to seeing anything Madeleine Sami and Jackie van Beek do next."
