With South African cinemas featuring generators, and the country’s inhabitants enjoying several shorter work weeks in a row, it’s a good time to head to the movies. And right now there’s something for everyone, from fans of action comedies to family blockbusters and local drama. Check out your new choices below.
The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, Nicolas Cage (um, Nicholas Cage) must accept a $1-million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal). Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones. With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nicolas Cage.
The Lost City
Brilliant, but reclusive author Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) has spent her career writing about exotic places in her popular romance-adventure novels, which feature handsome cover model Alan (Channing Tatum), who has dedicated his life to embodying the hero character, “Dash.” While on tour promoting her new book with Alan, Loretta is kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) who hopes that she can lead him to the ancient lost city’s treasure from her latest story. Wanting to prove that he can be a hero in real life and not just on the pages of her books, Alan sets off to rescue her. Thrust into an epic jungle adventure, the unlikely pair will need to work together to survive the elements and find the ancient treasure before it’s lost forever.
Chickenhare and the Hamster of Darkness
Young Chickenhare is the adopted son of King Peter, a famous adventurer. Part chicken, part hare, he has a really tough time growing up and disguises himself as a hare to avoid the mockery of his peers. When the day of the Royal Adventurer Society trials comes, Chickenhare, hampered by his disguise, fails miserably. But, he is determined to grab a second chance and find the Sceptre of the Hamster of Darkness, before his evil uncle, Lapin does. The sceptre grants immense power to its holder. If Lapin gets hold of it, he will be unstoppable. Accompanied by his faithful servant, Abe, a sarcastic turtle, and Meg, a martial arts expert skunk, he sets off on an epic quest.
Sodium Day
Itʼs a tumultuous day in the life of a mixed bag of students at a poor government school on the Cape Flats. John Shelby Highʼs Grade 12Y class is the only class doing Matric Mathematics. Itʼs September, a month away from the Matric exams, and they still donʼt have a math teacher. Six woefully unqualified temps have already come and gone during the year, leaving everyone hopelessly inadequately prepared for the upcoming finals. The class is made up of a cynical and disenfranchised mixed group of black and coloured students, and the latent racism that still exists in this environment often rises to the surface. A newly qualified white substitute teacher arrives to teach, though he isnʼt a math teacher… heʼs qualified as a History and English teacher. The day is further complicated by the arrival of a teacher and a group of students from an upper-class school, whose day-long visit is part of a cultural exchange programme, but they’re shunted around from class to class by cynical, burnt-out teachers who don’t want interlopers in their classes. The clash of cultures brings things to a volatile head.
Still Showing from Last Week
Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore
Professor Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) knows that the powerful Dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen) is moving to seize control of the wizarding world. Unable to stop him alone, Dumbeldore entrusts Magizoologist Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) to lead an intrepid team of wizards, witches and one brave Muggle baker on a dangerous mission, where they encounter old and new beasts and clash with Grindelwaldʼs growing legion of followers. But, with the stakes so high, how long can Dumbledore remain on the sidelines?
Mr Bones 3 – Son of Bones
Sixty years ago, in an obscure corner of Africa, the only survivor of a light aircraft crash was a baby boy. Perhaps it was the miracle of his survival that gave him the gift of “sight,” and he became a Sangoma, the seer of the Kuvuki tribe, interpreting the wishes of The Great One through the throwing of the bones. Hence his name, “Bones.” Today, at an advanced age but still fit in mind and body, his mission is to pass on his wisdom to his son, Mathambo, and guide him into manhood – a mission doomed to fail because of both of their obsessive personalities.