Robin Laing Movies

Three small-time gamblers discover their stakes have been raised to a career high in this comedy-drama. Jack (Robbie Magasiva), Wayne (Scott Wills), and Thomas (Paolo Rotondo) compose a trio of hotshot billiards players who devote their spare time to hustling games at their favorite watering hole in New Zealand. When the boys learn that Daddy (Enrico Mammarella), a fearsome local crime czar, is organizing a high-stakes pool tournament, they decide to get in on the action, but when they learn that Dave (John Leigh), the owner of their favorite pub and hustling spot, is deep in dept to the mob, they figure that wining the tourney may be their only hope for keeping the bar open (and Dave alive). As Jack, Wayne, and Thomas prepare to square off against the sharpest Kiwi pool sharks alive, they find themselves attracting the attention of Karen (Simone Kessell) and Sara (Anne Nordhaus), a pair of beautiful women who seem to know their way around a billiard table and are more than casually interested in the boys. But what the guys don't know is that Karen and Sara are world-class pool hustlers who've been hired by Daddy's crew to distract them and throw them off their game. Stickmen was the first feature film from director Hamish Rothwell, who previously was a top director of television commercials and music videos. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

"Ed" Edwards (Craig McLachlan) has only recently gotten married, when he is drafted in to the army in New Zealand in 1942. He is very much afraid that he will be sent overseas, and that his young wife Daisy (Katrina Hobbs) will be left to fend for herself. At about the same time he finds out that she has suffered a miscarriage, a rumor begins going around that his unit will be shipping out to fight the Japanese. He is desperately worried about his wife, and takes off to see her without getting permission to do so. Technically, he is already a deserter, but some leniency might be extended to him if he is able to return soon. He helps her find a new place to live, and then cannot bring himself to leave her. When the authorities finally catch up with him, he has earned himself a hefty prison sentence and Daisy is indeed left to fend for herself. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Meg (Heather Bolton) is a typical girl next door beleaguered by a haunted car in this light thriller by director Gaylene Preston. Like most young women, Meg suffers from overprotective parents, at least from her perspective, and as a way to assert her independence she buys a used Jaguar. When odd occurrences in the car seem a little paranormal to Meg, she begins to investigate the Jag's history. Much to her surprise, she discovers that the car's previous owner was murdered. Added to that chilling history is the equally odd Mr. Wrong (David Letch) and a suspicion that she is going to be the next victim. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi