Back to school, back to reality. The year is now in full swing, and so too are cinema releases. This week in South Africa you have four new English-language features to choose from, in addition to a Bollywood take on Top Gun. Let’s take a closer look at your fresh options on the big screen.
Let’s start with the mainstream blockbuster of the bunch. In decidedly R-rated action thriller The Beekeeper, Mr. Clay (Jason Statham) is a former operative of a clandestine organization called “Beekeepers,” which operates beyond governmental jurisdiction to protect the United States. After his friend and neighbor has her life destroyed by a phishing scam, Mr. Clay sets out to exact revenge against the company responsible. Also with Josh Hutcherson, Minnie Driver and Jeremy Irons. Fury, End of Watch and Suicide Squad’s David Ayer directs.
Older movie fans will recall The Color Purple as a grim tale of domestic abuse, with Steven Spielberg directing Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover and Oprah Winfrey in one of film history’s most notorious Oscar snubs back in 1985. Now there’s a fresh, very different take on Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. In this musical version (based on the stage adaptation), Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson and Halle Bailey star. The Color Purple explores the life-long struggles of an African American woman living in the South during the early 1900s, and the friendships that help her through. The Color Purple (2023) is nominated for one Oscar: Brooks in the category Best Supporting Actress.
Speaking of awards, critically acclaimed indie romance and fantasy All of Us Strangers is currently in the running for six accolades at the BAFTA Awards, including Outstanding British Film. Screenwriter Adam (Andrew Scott) is drawn back to his childhood home just as he enters into a fledgling relationship with mysterious neighbor Harry (Paul Mescal). As their bond develops, Adam discovers that his parents (Jamie Bell, Clair Foy) appear to be living just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before. The film is based on the 1987 novel Strangers by Taichi Yamada.
Finally, getting in before Valentine’s Day, there’s spiky romantic comedy drama Beautiful Wedding. In this sequel to Beautiful Disaster, mismatched couple Abby (Virginia Gardner) and Travis (Dylan Sprouse) wake up after a crazy night in Vegas as accidental newlyweds. Committed to giving things a shot, they travel to Mexico to enjoy a wild, lavish honeymoon with their best friends in tow and Abby’s six-figure poker winnings. With chaos following at every turn, though, Abby and Travis must decide if they really belong together.