The film follows Powell’s character as he attempts to secure his rightful slice of a messy family inheritance, a setup that leans into chaos, suspicion and sharp-witted maneuvering. Think the quirky, self-aware storytelling style of the Knives Out franchise: playful narration, eccentric characters and a tone that flirts with absurdity without completely losing the plot.

It’s a straightforward story, easy to follow, and anchored by a lingering sense of intrigue that keeps you guessing, especially as it builds toward a twist worth sticking around for. This is precisely where Powell thrives. The role fits him like a glove, allowing him to flex that effortless charm that’s quickly becoming his trademark.

The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that works in its favour. It taps into a proven formula, stylish mystery meets comedic timing, that continues to resonate when executed well. That said, it’s not flawless. A few antics stretch believability a little too far, and the script could’ve been tightened to sharpen its impact. Still, as an enjoyable, switch-off-your-brain watch, it absolutely delivers.

Powell is joined by a strong supporting cast, including Margaret Qualley (Maid, Happy Gilmore), Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist, The Matrix Resurrections), and the legendary Ed Harris (A Beautiful Mind, Westworld).

If you haven’t been paying attention to Powell’s run, where have you been? From Anyone but You to Hit Man (and more on the way), his catalogue is growing fast, and wisely chosen.

Shout out to Sun Africa Group for hosting the pre-screening.

Verdict: If you’re after a dose of stylish, slightly silly escapism, a film that entertains without demanding too much, How to Make a Killing is right up your alley.

This exclusive event, held at Ster-Kinekor Eastgate, that offered attendees an early glimpse into the film’s richly imagined universe, delivered all the sparkle of a major premiere, blending spectacle and anticipation as guests experienced the film ahead of its national release in cinemas on Friday 21 November 2025.

A positively spellbinding guest list

The yellow brick road arrivals carpet buzzed with a show-stopping line-up of South Africa’s most recognisable personalities, each adding their own touch of magic to the Wicked For Good celebration. Among the many farmiliar faces were Bontle Modiselle, Mrs SA Verushka Singh, Tamara Day, Hope Ramafalo and others. 

Kim Jayde took the spotlight as the official host, guiding the event with her signature charm and vibrant presence. Her energy kept the crowd enchanted as she welcomed guests on the carpet and in cinema, celebrating the magic, the emotion and the cinematic spectacle that define Wicked for Good.

Guests were also treated to a live rendition of the film’s beloved song “For Good” by the Johannesburg Queer Chorus, whose heartfelt harmonies filled the room with emotion and added a beautifully poignant touch to the celebration.

More Wicked For Good magic to come

Wicked For Good tells the untold story of the unlikely friendship between Elphaba and Glinda as they navigate love, rivalry and the forces that will shape their destinies, long before Dorothy ever arrives in Oz. With ticket bookings now open, local cinemagoers are encouraged to secure their seats for the nationwide release this Friday, 21 November. Not one to be missed, we can safely and confidently declare that after seeing the movie. Whilst you wait, check out the official trailer below:

The 234-metre skyscraper was illuminated with striking “TRON: Ares” – inspired visuals, echoing the film’s digital world and signature neon aesthetic, symbolising the film’s bold leap from the digital world into the real world.

This Johannesburg moment adds to “TRON: Ares” global celebration, following a series of international stunts and activations that have captured audiences’ imaginations around the world.

“TRON: Ares” follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares, who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings. The feature film is directed by Joachim Rønning and stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Jodie Turner-Smith, Hasan Minhaj, Arturo Castro and Cameron Monaghan, with Gillian Anderson and Jeff Bridges.

Sean Bailey, Jared Leto, p.g.a., Emma Ludbrook, p.g.a., Jeffrey Silver, Justin Springer, p.g.a., and Steven Lisberger are the producers, with Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, Russell Allen, and Joseph Kosinski serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Jesse Wigutow, with story by David DiGilio and Wigutow, based on characters created by Steven Lisberger and Bonnie MacBird.

Disney’s “TRON: Ares” is now showing in cinemas nationwide.

Written and directed by Benny Safdie, The Smashing Machine is a biographical sports drama that tells the tragic rise and fall of mixed martial arts fighter Mark Kerr, played by Johnson. The story zeroes in on the late 1990s, showcasing Kerr’s dominance in the ring, his subsequent struggles with opioid addiction, and his turbulent relationship with his wife, Dawn Staples (portrayed by Emily Blunt).

Interestingly, the film is a scripted adaptation of HBO’s 2002 documentary of the same name, which chronicled the same pivotal chapter in Kerr’s life. It’s another example of Hollywood leaning into the “true story” formula – a recipe that, when done well, often connects deeply with audiences.

The movie admittedly starts off slow, even with the fight scenes sprinkled in, and the pacing may test your patience at first. Some sequences feel oddly put together, almost disjointed, but as the narrative unfolds, the pieces begin to align, pulling you deeper into Kerr’s world.

For Johnson, this is arguably the most demanding role of his career. It required a massive physical transformation (he looks even more like a monster of an athlete than ever before), cosmetic alterations to his appearance, and, perhaps most importantly, a willingness to push his emotional range further than we’ve seen from him. One scene in particular, where Johnson breaks down in tears, is a standout moment that reminds us he’s more than just muscle and charm.

While the film doesn’t fully live up to its potential, it’s uneven in parts and some key moments feel rushed, it does eventually win you over. By the end, it lands with an emotional punch that sticks.

The performances are where the film shines brightest. Johnson delivers a career-best turn, while Emily Blunt gives a powerful and layered performance as Kerr’s wife. Together, they bring real humanity to a story that could have easily been overshadowed by the brutality of the sport. Credit also goes to the casting team for putting together a lineup that feels authentic and compelling.

At its heart, The Smashing Machine is an ode to an underappreciated MMA pioneer. Kerr’s sacrifices, resilience, and raw humanity are on full display. He comes across as a kind, humble man who became an unstoppable force once the cage doors closed. It’s a story that not only inspires but also highlights just how much Kerr contributed to shaping modern MMA.

For Johnson, this role marks an important turning point. It elevates his career to new heights and shows he’s capable of far more than the blockbuster archetypes he’s known for. Here’s hoping this is the first of many roles that challenge him to dig deeper into his craft.

Verdict: Not perfect, but powerful where it counts. The Smashing Machine delivers Dwayne Johnson’s finest performance yet and pays fitting tribute to an MMA legend who deserves the spotlight.

The original songs were written by Grammy®, Tony® and Emmy® Award winner and Kennedy Center Honor® recipient Lin-Manuel Miranda, and produced by Grammy Award winner Mark Mancina and Lin-Manuel Miranda, with additional music and performances by Lebo M. Said Miranda, “’The Lion King’ has an incredible musical legacy with music from some the greatest songwriters around, and I’m humbled and proud to be a part of it. It’s been a joy working alongside Barry Jenkins to bring Mufasa’s story to life, and we can’t wait for audiences to experience this film in theaters.”

The album was produced by Miranda, Mancina and Grammy Award winner and Walt Disney Music President Tom MacDougall. The score, which will be included in the Deluxe version of the soundtrack, was composed by Tony Award winner and composer Dave Metzger.

The Mufasa: The Lion King Original Soundtrack track list follows.

1. “Ngomso” Performed by Lebo M
2. “Milele” Performed by Anika Noni Rose and Keith David
3. “I Always Wanted A Brother” Performed by Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somulo, Aaron Pierre and Kelvin Harrison, Jr.
4. “Bye Bye” Performed by Mads Mikkelsen, Joanna Jones and Folake Olowofoyeku
5. “We Go Together” Performed by Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Preston Nyman and Kagiso Lediga
6. “Tell Me It’s You” Performed by Aaron Pierre and Tiffany Boone
7. “Brother Betrayed” Performed by Kelvin Harrison Jr.

Tickets are on sale now for “Mufasa: The Lion King,” which explores the unlikely rise of the beloved king of the Pride Lands. Rafiki relays the legend of Mufasa to young lion cub Kiara, daughter of Simba and Nala, with Timon and Pumbaa lending their signature schtick. Told in flashbacks, the story introduces Mufasa as an orphaned cub, lost and alone until he meets a sympathetic lion named Taka—the heir to a royal bloodline. The chance meeting sets in motion an expansive journey of an extraordinary group of misfits searching for their destiny—their bonds will be tested as they work together to evade a threatening and deadly foe. 

The film features an all-star roster of talent, including Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., John Kani, Tiffany Boone, Kagiso Lediga, Preston Nyman, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Blue Ivy Carter, Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Folake Olowofoyeku, Joanna Jones, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter.

Blending live-action filmmaking techniques with photoreal computer-generated imagery, the all-new feature film is directed by Barry Jenkins, produced by Adele Romanski & Mark Ceryak, and executive produced by Peter Tobyansen. Featuring original songs by award-winning songwriter Lin-Manuel Miranda, original score by Dave Metzger and additional music and vocal performances by Lebo M, “Mufasa: The Lion King” opens only in cinemas on 20 December, 2024.

Subsequent episodes will continue to stream on weekly thereafter for the remainder of the season.

In the same breath, Disney+ also took the opportunity to release brand-new key art today to celebrate Lucasfilm’s newest galactic offering. See it after the jump.

The series stars Jude Law, Ravi Cabot-Conyers, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Kyriana Kratter, Robert Timothy Smith, Tunde Adebimpe, Kerry Condon and Nick Frost. Episodes are directed by Jon Watts, David Lowery, the Daniels (Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert) Jake Schreier, Bryce Dallas Howard and Lee Isaac Chung.

Thanks to a special pre-screener last week, I was lucky enough to be one of the few to see it first and words can’t describe how amazing it is with heartbreak and all kinds of emotions evoked whilst watching, such is the power of the overall story that most people in the cinema were crying and watching in disbelief. The film has been dubbed the “sleeper hit” of the year by critics internationally who did not foresee the remarkable success that it has achieved at the American and European box offices.

During the weekend of 21 – 23 July, Sound of Freedom outperformed Mission: Impossible — Dead Reckoning Part One, according to Rotten Tomatoes, taking third place in earnings behind the “Barbenheimer” behemoth in America. In the weekend prior to that, it outgrossed Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. 

Sound of Freedom is based on the real story of Tim Ballard, a former U.S. Department for Homeland Security agent who conducts sting operations to rescue a young brother and sister from human trafficking in Colombia. Jim Caviezel, who portrayed Jesus in Mel Gibson’s 2004 movie, “The Passion of the Christ,” plays Ballard in the movie.

The film’s production house, Angel Studios launched an unconventional, grassroots “Pay it Forward” initiative to help people get to cinemas to see the film, and help spread awareness for the cause globally. This initiative will be running in South Africa. Caviezel explained the intent behind the call to action at the end of the trailer for the film, and at the end of the film is to help people “hear the story” of trafficking children. 

“Our goal is to inspire two million people to attend the film’s opening weekend to represent the two million trafficked children around the world,” he said. “Angel Studios set up a pay it forward program where you can pay for someone else’s ticket who might not otherwise see it. If the ticket price is preventing you from attending, claim your free ticket.” So far the two million goal has been exceeded and is on four million and counting.

The film’s South African distributor, Gravel Road Distribution Group, have set a target to raise 10,000 tickets from everyday South Africans and corporates, for those who cannot afford to see the film in cinemas, through their #PayItForwardAngels campaign. As the population dynamics and circumstances are somewhat different to the USA, some of the funds raised will also go towards covering the cost of transport to get certain communities to and from the cinemas.

South African audiences can go to this website for more information on how to donate, or claim a ticket locally.

Benjamin Cowley, CEO, Gravel Road Distribution Group shared his anticipation about the film’s release: “Sound of Freedom tells an important story, one that all too often is hidden in alternative media. Child trafficking is a worldwide phenomenon and it is estimated that there are more people in slavery today, than ever before. I hope that through the film’s release, we can help raise awareness of the magnitude of the issue and contribute towards positive change”

I described it as the movie of our lifetime and probably one of the most important pieces of content one can invest their time in watching as well as going a step further by getting involved in the fantastic #PayItForwardAngels campaign. Sound of Freedom is a powerful example of how storytelling can be used to drive forward and bring awareness to real issues. If I could I would ensure that it stays on the circuit for many more years because of it’s main premise.

Directed byJesse Atlas, Assassin takes audiences on an action-packed sci-fi thrill ride featuring a stellar cast of top talent, that also includes Andy Allo, Dominic Purcell, Mustafa Shakir and Fernanda Andrade. In the film, a private military operation led by (Willis) invents futuristic microchip tech that enables the mind of an agent to inhabit the body of another person to carry out covert, deadly missions. But when an agent (Mustafa Shakir) is killed during a secret mission, his wife (Mbatha) takes his place in an attempt to bring the man responsible to Justice.

Director Jesse Atlas shares: “Assassin is an exploration of identity. The evolution of drone warfare from remotely piloting machinery to remotely inhabiting another person raises important questions about what it means to truly be oneself. Can we retain our identity when the face in the mirror is not our own? How do we navigate our psyche when cognitive dissociation becomes a daily routine? What kind of memory is imprinted when a complete stranger wraps you in an intimate embrace, and you feel their touch on skin that isn’t actually yours?

It’s a psychological minefield, and co-writer Aaron Wolfe and I were instantly drawn in by the challenge of visualizing and humanizing the story. The concept gave us so many unique storytelling devices to play with, from mind-bending visuals and surreal sound design, to the repeated spoken mantra “This is not my body. But the true gift of this concept was the opportunity to bring the character of Alexa to life with two completely different actors playing her. Nomzamo Mbatha and Andy Allo both came at the character from different starting points, yet fearlessly embraced each other’s choices to discover a shared emotional truth that resonated for both of them,” Atlas concluded.

I Am Here is now showing at Cinema Nouveau Rosebank, and, in response to popular demand, will release at Ster-Kinekor V&A Waterfront today (Friday, 10 February).

Despite surviving one of history’s darkest systematic genocides during WWII, Ella has reclaimed her life and inspires others with her tenacity and bubbly personality. As one of the last remaining survivors in South Africa, her message of love and tolerance could not be more relevant in a world still plagued with xenophobia and discrimination.

In I Am Here, we meet Ella Blumenthal (now 101) at her 98th birthday celebration, where she opens up to close friends and family about her journey of survival, in a way she has never done before. This documentary contrasts Ella’s vibrant day-to-day life with stories of her survival. These memories are depicted through dynamic 2D animation, innovatively bringing her storytelling to life and resonating with audiences across generations.

Ella recalls bearing witness to losing her family, being a prisoner of three concentration camps, and narrowly escaping death in a gas chamber. However, she is not your average nonagenarian. This grandmother has joie de vivre, a zest for life, like no other, a characteristic that is unexpected, given her traumatic past. Ella perfectly encapsulates a strong willed, unwavering woman, who will stop at nothing to live life to the fullest and cherish every single moment.

Never afraid to express her mind, to joke around or to spontaneously speak about extremely dark moments from her past, Ella captures attention and lights up the screen. This has led to the film connecting with audiences around the world, with multiple awards already secured.  Most recently I Am Here, won three prestigious Golden Horns at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTA) for Best Documentary, Best Achievement in Editing and Best Achievement in Cinematography. This documentary is no stranger to winning awards. I Am Here won Best South African Documentary at the Durban International Film Festival and has received four Audience Choice Awards and two Awards for Best Director during its extensive film festival run.  Additionally, the film will feature at the Rapid Lion South African International Film Festival in 2023.

“Ella’s feisty, upbeat personality makes her a fantastic raconteur and wonderful character to follow in this film” said Benjamin Cowley, CEO Gravel Road Distribution Group. “I Am Here not only shines a light on her remarkable life, but also pays tribute to the power of the human spirit. Her vivacious personality and her positive outlook on life is truly inspiring,” he added.

I Am Here was directed by Jordy Sank, produced by Gabriella Blumberg and was supported by a grant from The Conference on Jewish Material Claims against Germany. To book tickets, click here.

In the latest installment, Thor: Love and Thunder, the superhero sets off on a journey unlike anything he’s ever faced – one of self-discovery. But his efforts are interrupted by a galactic killer known as Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), who seeks the extinction of the gods. To combat the threat, Thor enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg (Taika Waititi) and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who – to Thor’s surprise – inexplicably wields his magical hammer, Mjolnir, as the Mighty Thor. Together, they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late. 

As we previously mentioned in our Endgame write up, any great action or superhero movie consists of a formidable villain, who, like the hero, is pivotal if not more. In the Avengers Trilogy we got the likes of Loki and Ultron but ultimately the best one came in the shape of Thanos, who didn’t disappoint. In this instance, the choice of the character was interesting and made even more intriguing by the fact that it’s played by Christian Bale, who not so long ago was a hero in his own right in the legendary Batman trilogy… very sneaky Marvel. The question is, is he as good of a villain as he is a hero? We know we’re probably crossing some sort of line with the mention of a DC character in an exclusively Marvel piece but it’s hard not to, especially considering the circumstances. 

It won’t come as a surprise to many, considering his body of work, but Bale does a stellar job as the main instigator in Marvel’s latest outing. We liked the fact that his character’s main ‘why’ of what he does is uncomplicated, some might argue that it is too simplistic but sometimes you need that especially in a movie like this which feels more like a fun ride than anything else. Following the heaviness of the two-part Avengers ending, Thor: Love and Thunder calms things down a bit and mostly finds Hemsworth being his goofy and, at times, clumsy self.

Having said that however, the movie isn’t all fun and games with some great fighting scenes and moments of real action where the main characters outside of Thor, Valkyrie and Jane Foster aka Thor (you’ll get it when you watch the movie) go toe to toe with the villainous Gorr the God Butcher. We also especially liked the numerous references to Vikings (which we’re huge fanboys of… nothing new there) throughout the movie. The movie also introduces other interesting and familiar legendary characters that open up further and intriguing chapters in the ever evolving Marvel Universe. Speaking of which, as customary with the majority of Marvel movies, stick around until the end, this one has two end credit scenes.

Thor: Love and Thunder is a great and fun watch that many will naturally take a liking to. It’s a classic Marvel movie full of humor, intrigue and great action sequences. The storyline is a bit thin and isn’t the studio’s best movie (not by a long shot) but it’s one that will be remembered for all the right reasons – the great characters assembled ensure that. 

Directed by Taika Waititi (also responsible for Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit) and produced by Kevin Feige and Brad Winderbaum, the movie officially opens in local theaters this week on Friday (July 8, 2022). Tickets are now available, get yours now, you’ll be glad you did.

Our thanks to Disney Plus for the prescreener. 

The story delves into the complex dynamic between Presley and Parker spanning over 20 years, from Presley’s rise to fame to his unprecedented stardom, against the backdrop of the evolving cultural landscape and loss of innocence in America. Central to that journey is one of the most significant and influential people in Elvis’s life, Priscilla Presley (Olivia DeJonge).

It’s unbelievable that the biopic was first announced way back in 2014 with Moulin Rouge director Baz Luhrmann confirmed as overseeing what has been a movie that’s taken seven years to be a reality.

As soon as shooting began in early 2020, Luhrmann gushed about Butler’s take on the role, which would be daunting for any actor. “I always avoid getting in and heralding the work we’re doing before we do it, but during the testing process, his commitment, his transformative abilities from the young Elvis to beyond, he had been playing so very well,” the Australia director told Deadline in March 2020. “He was terrific. There was such great energy and excitement in the cast and company, about the show we were about to shoot.”

Appropriately dubbed ‘The King of Rock n’ Roll’, to this day, Elvis continues to break all records:

• $1 Billion in Record Sales
• The best-selling solo artist of all time
• Most certified Gold/Platinum/Multi-Platinum albums ever
• Currently ranked #10 in all-time digital sales
• More popular than Elton John (#17) and Queen (#33)
• More popular than current artists Ed Sheeran (#12), Ariana Grande (#24), Beyonce (#31)

Yes, we admit to not especially being huge fans of Presley, we are, however, huge fans of movies and in this instance, the ELVIS movie looks very promising. With that said, we’re very much looking forward to it when it drops later next month.

It features a host of new characters to look forward to, in addition to the usual suspects and their crazy antics. They comprise of Leon Schuster, Alfred “Shorty” Ntombela, Tumi Morake, Sans Moonsamy, Daniel Janks, Sthandile Nkosi, Jay Anstey and Jerry Mofokeng.

Its aforementioned predecessor aired way back in 2008 with many under the impression that the story had officially wrapped… fast forward an entire 14 years later and boy were we clearly wrong. In 2022, I find myself asking, as outlined earlier, did we really need another one?

The storyline is centred around the beginning turn of the last century, where we witness (via flashback) the burying of the Kruger millions by two Boer soldiers, who then kill each other through idiotic greed, leaving the Kruger millions hidden in a graveyard in Kuvukiland. Now, in the present, a scrawny businessman named Alvin (Moonsammy) and his Texan engineer partner named Jack (Janks), together with their beautiful guide, Gabrielle (Anstey) are plotting to mine for oil in the pristine land which would leave it an oily mess. Bones and Mathambo must devise a way to outsmart the opinionated Westerners. Of course, as their plan unfolds, so do many other unexpected twists and turns, with hilarious effect.

I won’t lie, going into it, I wasn’t especially excited nor did I bother watching the entire trailer. I wasn’t expecting much and in hindsight that’s usually not a great start with anything. And whatever the reaction to it is and whatever your opinions on the man himself are, there’s no doubt that Leon Schuster is a local movie legend who has brought much needed laughs over the years to many of us.

It’s also great and encouraging to see the support of local productions with Mr. Bones 2: Son of Bones produced in collaboration with Thabede Menzi Films and M-Net Movies, with assistance from Film Chrome, the National Empowerment Fund and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition. The film is also locally distributed for Mzansi cinema by Filmfinity Pty (Ltd.) and all other media, Africa wide, through DStv.

Schuster’s bond with long time collaborator and friend Alfred “Shorty” Ntombela is also evident throughout the movie. By far it’s the main thing driving the entire movie with the supporting cast merely adding to the overall ridiculous and funny antics. One way to describe the movie is pointless fun with the storyline not being of major consequence, it’s probably one of the few movies that can get away with that.

Heading into the cinema I had my ‘reviewer’ hat on ready to analyse various sequences but after a few minutes into the movie, I realised that’s not the point and instead the entire thing around it is to just relax, laugh, and escape for an hour and a couple of minutes. It’s a movie many of us enjoyed at a young age (with the same ridiculous humour) but despite that, for many (now very much a grown up crowd) it might not land the same way which is understandable. I for one though, despite feeling that some things were unnecessary, did enjoy it for what it is.

So, did we really need another one? The simple answer is no, funding could have certainly gone into something else but the movie is here and so it goes. Having said that, if you are looking for potential things to do during these upcoming Easter holidays then Mr. Bones 3, Son of Bones is worth a shout. It will make for a good outing with the entire family, especially if you have kids.