For those who aren’t clued up on it, IMAX uses state-of-the-art technology, specially designed theatres and a screen that extends beyond the viewer’s peripheral vision to put the audience right at the heart of the movie. IMAX enables the viewer to experience films to the fullest, with the clearest images on the largest screens and immersive, heart pounding audio. IMAX is the world’s more immersive film experience.

With a spectacular line-up of blockbusters heading to Ster-Kinekor over December, including Jumanji: The Next Level (now showing) and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker which releases this Friday, it turns out more “Great Moments at their Greatest” are on their way to Cape Town this December:

Forty years after its original release, yes you read that correctly, we will get the chance to experience Apocalypse Now: Final Cut, a never-before-seen and newly restored cut of Coppola’s spectacular cinematic masterpiece in a way which the director believes “looks better than it has ever looked and sounds better than it has ever sounded”. Coppola said that he is “thrilled beyond measure to present the best version of the film to the world.” It will release in all seven (7) IMAX theatres in Gauteng, the Western Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, from 23 – 29 August 2019.

The film follows Army Captain Willard (Martin Sheen), a troubled man sent on a dangerous and mesmerizing odyssey into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade American colonel named Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has succumbed to the horrors of war and barricaded himself in a remote outpost.

Apocalypse Now has received numerous plaudits including various award nominations and wins. Having only heard great things about it and not officially seeing it before we can’t help but be excited to lay our eyes on this one. It’s different, it’s a classic and it’s presented in our fave mode of watching any movie, IMAX theatres…there’s a lot to like here.

The film premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival on 28th April 2019 and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in the following IMAX theatres, in South Africa on 23 August 2019: Bay West, Cape Gate,

Cast – Taissa Farmiga, Demian Bichir, Bonnie Aarons, Charlotte Hope & Jonas Bloquet

Director – Corin Hardy

Genre – Mystery/Thriller

Running Time – 1h 36m

The Premise

When a young nun at a cloistered abbey in Romania takes her own life, a priest with a haunted past and a novitiate on the threshold of her final vows are sent by the Vatican to investigate. Together they uncover the order’s unholy secret. Risking not only their lives but their faith and their very souls, they confront a malevolent force in the form of the same demonic nun that first terrorized audiences in “The Conjuring 2,” as the abbey becomes a horrific battleground between the living and the damned.

We won’t lie this movie is just about as freaky as one can get, it perfectly includes all the ingredients of a typical horror movie. So yes, you will get your fair share of drama, scary moments, weird and dark background music and voices with the occasional uneasiness and edge of your seat type of feeling whilst watching. For the fainthearted and horror movie rookies, this is probably not the movie for you but if you are up for a challenge and something different with scary sequences (like we were) then give it a try, just try to not leave early otherwise you won’t get your money’s worth right?

The Nun doesn’t hold back and that’s something we appreciated and in IMAX (which we experienced it in) the movie literally comes alive with crisp, quality sound and images. We never knew horror movies could render this good in IMAX, turns out they do and make the experience that much more worthwhile. Highly recommend you see this one or any other movie (like we’ve been saying all along) in IMAX…the movie watching experience is unlike anything, take our word for it, that’s for those who have never watched anything in that format of course.

As mentioned before, we are not full-blown horror movie fans however, The Nun did a great job of continuing to alter our feelings. We now get the appeal and what others see in them, agreed they’re not for everyone but there’s a certain consistent level of excitement, sequences and drama they bring that you don’t find in other genres. We mentioned that the movie doesn’t hold back and there’s a good reason for that, The Nun goes deep into satanic, demonic elements that might not appeal to some with the sprinkle of biblical references also used throughout…don’t say we didn’t warn you.

For individuals who weren’t too fond of the horror genre, A Quiet Place and The Nun (our focus this time around) went a long way in convincing us otherwise. The Nun won’t appeal to some but definitely will strike a good cord with those open to anything and especially hardcore horror movie fans. It had us on the edge of our seats and we thoroughly enjoyed the ride it took us on. We definitely approve of this one and that’s why it gets a refreshing 7 out of 10 rating. The Nun officially opens up in cinemas tomorrow.

Special thanks to Ster Kinekor for the great screening that came in IMAX…best way to watch any movie we still say!

Next month, Marvel and IMAX will make cinematic history with Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Infinity War, which marks the first Hollywood film entirely shot using IMAX cameras. Today, IMAX released a special edition side-by-side comparison of the latest Avengers: Infinity War trailer that illustrates just how much more exciting it will be for fans to experience this epic adventure in the immersive IMAX format!

Directors Joe and Anthony Russo designed Avengers: Infinity War for IMAX. In addition to it being filmed entirely using IMAX cameras, the movie will be presented in IMAX’s expanded 1.9:1 aspect ratio. Only in IMAX theatres will the movie expand vertically to show up to 26% more of the image than standard theatres – providing IMAX fans with even greater scope and immersion. In this new video, IMAX presents a side-by-side comparison of the expanded view movie-goers will experience in IMAX versus what they will see in standard theatres. To view the side-by-side trailer, either click here or check it out below:

The Russo Brothers utilized the ALEXA IMAX 65mm camera to film Avengers: Infinity War. It is a next-generation revolutionary 2D digital camera developed through a partnership between ARRI and IMAX for use by today’s leading filmmakers working in the IMAX® format. The camera, when combined with IMAX’s digital re-mastering process, delivers the highest level of digital image capture and playback resulting in stunning lifelike images with pristine clarity, incredibly fine detail, vivid colors and a higher dynamic range for superior contrast. This camera is no stranger to the world of superheroes as it was first used by the Russo Brothers to shoot the airport battle sequence of Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, released in May 2016.

About Avengers: Infinity War

As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos. A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment – the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.

The IMAX release of Avengers: Infinity War will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality The IMAX Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

For more information about Avengers: Infinity War, visit www.imax.com.

Taking such a cinematic and immersive approach to a television series has never been done to this degree, with Marvel’s Inhumans director Roel Reinè using IMAX® cameras to take full advantage of the scale and scope of the IMAX canvas. In IMAX theatres, Marvel’s Inhumans will be presented in its entirety in an expanded IMAX 1.9:1 aspect ratio – offering moviegoers 26% more of the image than normal – for a truly immersive experience.

The IMAX release of Marvel’s Inhumans has been designed and customized to take full advantage of The IMAX Experience, with crystal-clear images, powerful digital audio and customized theatre geometry.

What’s it all about anyway?

Marvel’s Inhumans is ABC’s third Marvel television series, following Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Marvel’s Agent Carter.  The plot follows the story of the Inhuman Royal Family’s escape to Hawaii after a military coup, where they are greeted with surprising interactions with the lush world and humanity around them. Now they must find a way to reunite with each other and return to their home before their way of life is destroyed forever.

The series stars:

Anson Mount as Black Bolt – The enigmatic, commanding King of the Inhumans, with a voice so powerful that the slightest whisper can destroy a city

Serinda Swan as Medusa – Queen of the Inhumans and wife of Black Bolt — his most trusted advisor, a fiercely resilient warrior who has the ability to move and control her hair the way most people use their hands and fingers.

Iwan Rheon as Maximus – The clever and charming Inhuman that is fiercely devoted to the people of Attilan, especially his brother, the King – although he harbors an intense desire to wear the crown himself.

Ken Leung as Karnak – Cousin and closest advisor to Black Bolt. His gift is an ability to see the fault in all things – people, plans, structures, everything. He’s Black Bolt’s most ardent supporter and strategist and is often seen as the royal family’s planner and philosopher.

Eme Ikwuakor as Gorgon – Cousin of Black Bolt, member of the Royal family, and leader of Attilan’s military. With super strong legs, complete with hooves, he can generate destructive seismic waves with a single stomp makes him a force to be reckoned with among Inhumans. The yin to his cousin Karnak’s yang, Gorgon would rather fight than talk to solve his problems.

Isabelle Cornish as Crystal – Medusa’s sister, Crystal, is the youngest member of the Royal family and has the ability to control the four elements of fire, earth, water and air. Impetuous and independent, she is also deeply devoted to her family.

Mike Moh as Triton – Black Bolt’s cousin, he’s calm under pressure and supremely athletic. His gift is his fish-like ability to live underwater.

Sonya Balmores as Auran – Head of the Royal Guards on Attilan, a capable and no-nonsense woman. She is fiercely loyal to the King of Attilan.

Ellen Woglom as Louise – A smart, intense, and focused woman. Her job at a private aerospace company is her life, second only to her passion for all things space and lunar.

Lockjaw as himself – Crystal’s 2,000 lb canine (yes, a dog!) companion with the ability to teleport.

You can enjoy the IMAX release of Marvel’s Inhumans only at Ster-Kinekor seven IMAX® theatres across the country, situated at Eastgate in Johannesburg, Cradlestone Mall in Krugersdorp, Mall of Africa in Midrand, The Grove Mall in Pretoria, Gateway in Durban, Baywest Mall in Port Elizabeth and CapeGate in Cape Town. 

The good news is we have two tickets available (yeah only two, word has it that these are in high demand!) for one of our lucky readers. To stand a chance of winning, simply answer the below question in the comments section:

Who plays Maximus in Marvel’s Inhumans?

Congrats to our winner Duvane Moodley! For those of you who were unlucky, you can book your ticket by visiting www.sterkinekor.com or the Ster-Kinekor app. Hurry!

The Premiere

East Gate Mall Ster-Kinekor cinema was the place to be last week Thursday. Second time at an IMAX experience with the first time being when it involved this small matter. I was blown away then, second time around was even better. There’s no better way to watch a movie than in IMAX, literally nothing better, even said so in this earlier post.

The curved ginormous 3D screen sucks you in and you can’t help but feel that you are one with the movie…anyone whose experienced it before will know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, well, please do yourself a favor and do it…all movies should be in IMAX now that I think about it.

The Star Wars trilogy

I’m not going to pretend to be one of those die-hard Star Wars fans who know the ins and outs of the trilogy and how each episode relates to who, where, what and how. From a general point of view though I’m familiar with most of the movies from the franchise and can confidently hold my own in an argument around it. The likes of Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Han Solo etc., are characters I’m familiar with – I’ve always enjoyed the movies from the trilogy and watched them for fun – that’s exactly why I was hooked on Rogue One from the onset.

Cast – Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Ben Mendelsohn, Donnie Yen, Mads Mikkelsen, Alan Tudyk, Jiang Wen & Forest Whitaker

Director – Gareth Edwards

Genre – Science fiction film/Action

Running Time – 133 minutes

And what about the movie itself?

Rogue One is the first in what is known as the Star Wars Anthology series with other films in the series expected to focus on Han Solo and Boba Fett. These (stand-alone films) will not cross over with the films of the sequel trilogy and this is clear in Rogue One. Even though it has the same look and feel of an original Star Wars movie, you get the sense that Rogue One is unique.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frdj1zb9sMY

The plot in detail

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, or simply Rogue One, is the first Star Wars Anthology film, a standalone story set shortly before the events of the original Star Wars 2016. After the formation of the Galactic Empire, the Rebel Alliance recruits Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) to work with a team including Cassian Andor (Diego Luna) to steal the design schematics of the Empire’s new superweapon, the Death Star.

Rogue One has an easy flow to it with a fairly uncomplicated story-line carried out by an impressive cast led by a fresh-faced Felicity Jones who does a stellar job as the lead. The movie has a PG13 rating meaning it’s perfect for most members of the family and anyone will enjoy it, this also applies to you who’s not a huge fan of the franchise but are at least open to something new that’s a good watch and don’t mind sci-fi.

Whilst watching the movie you’ll also find yourself chuckling every now and then with clever inclusions of funny moments. It doesn’t end there as the flick also comes packed with impressive amounts action sequences that are guaranteed to keep you interested. In all, the movie has a perfect balance and a little bit of everything.

I had a great time watching Rogue One. It allowed me to escape to a galaxy far far away (for those two or so hours). It is the perfect filler to keep us busy and interested until the next Star Wars offering eventually comes. Rogue One gets a well-deserved 3.5 out of 5 rating from me. Go watch it and if presented with the option, do so in IMAX!

Announced earlier today, Ster Kinekor has inked deals to get its digital projection systems into two additional venues in Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth respectively, the additions are at Cradlestone Mall and BayWest Mall. As it stands, IMAX theaters already operate in Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban (Gateway) but plans are to have a total of ten open in the country by end of 2016

Hold on before you get ahead of yourself and think you will be in charge of pouring your own “bottomless” drink, and eating popcorn until you’re full and then filling it up a few times before even starting the movie. Think a little more technologically. How long does it really take you to go to a movie, get your tickets, waiting in line after line? Ster-Kinekor have come up with a revolutionary, custom designed system to provide an easy and time saving way to reduce the amount of time wasted in long cue’s by subconsciously helping everyone decide what they want in a more speedy fashion by providing them with the power of choice, one touch screen at a time.

With the help of the well-spoken and friendly staff at each terminal there is no need to panic. If you are movie goer who hasn’t quite “kept with the times” or feel that you and the new age of technology just don’t get along, the staff will assist you. With or without the complaints, the inevitably growing demand from audiences continuing to visit cinemas to watch the latest releases is getting greater and greater. However, Ster-Kinekor has decided to make going to the movies feel effortless, amazing and as simple as counting to one, two and three. Step one: you get to the cinema and go to the ticket terminal to purchase your ticket then move on to the snack terminal. Step two: you select what you would like and then receive a printed coded slip. You walk over to the Snack bar, scan your encoded slip and the clerk receives it on a screen and starts preparing your order. Step 3: after throwing some flavours on your popcorn and claiming a straw, you scan your ticket and in you go.

Fiaz Mahomed, CEO of Ster-Kinekor Theatres has stated “When we introduced our unique self-service ticket terminals more than eight years ago, we noticed an immediate and significant reduction in queue times for our customers. We are hopeful that the catering terminals will have as great an impact in offering our customers a seamless experience when buying their tickets and snacks, before entering the cinema to sit back and enjoy the latest blockbuster on the big screen”. Ster-Kenikor does not seize to amaze as they provide the very latest in digital projector technology with surround sound speaker quality, eight state-of-the-art cinemas and seats you wish you had in your lounge. The cinema house includes two 3D-ready screens with that “produce a larger-than-life format”. A statement with which I heartily agree.

There is a certain type of expectation I have when going into a cinema and the Ster-Kinekor at Thorn Hill Mall not only lives up to that expectation, but is leading the way in setting new standards which put it ahead of other cinemas available at the moment

What better way is there to launch a premier event then to showcase the new Transformers Age of Extinction?

Carpet rolled out, open bar and floating cuisine decorated in blue cocktails, the finest red meat, fried prawns and chili chocolate deserts. After indulging in everything I could, the suspense set in and was dually shared with a few acquaintances. It was time for us to head into the cinema

“This cannot be, is it real, am I going to watch a movie off of that?” These are the thoughts running through your mind when you step into the IMAX theatre. Shocked and even more anxious you find your seat, where I must say there is no perfect seat because it is one massive screen. IMAX theatres are all customized and have patented the screen and seating design to ensure you’re always in the center of the action no matter where you’re sitting. The seat was one of the most comfortable seats that I have sat in and let me tell you that I have fallen asleep in a few.

[quote_center]“This cannot be, is it real, am I going to watch a movie off of that?” These are the thoughts running through your mind when you step into the IMAX theatre.[/quote_center]

Your anticipation is relieved and every wish of having the best is met. The picture is bigger, better, higher. The quality is crystal clear. You are no longer watching a movie; you are experiencing it first hand!

The new 3D glasses you wear are lightweight and do not give you a head ache, although tilting your head to the side does blur the image slightly. However this is quickly forgotten as you reset and take in everything that IMAX has to offer you. The use of the world’s highest resolution cameras and projection lights; quality so amazing, IMAX claims that you can see from the moon. And then a sound system so clear it begs the questions, “do the world’s largest music festivals know about this?”.

The theatre itself is fascinating and a spectacle to look at in its own right, but once the lights are out everything comes to life and you are in it and nothing else matters.

For their continuous dedication to creating a movie experience so great and for giving us something we didn’t even know we were missing, we salute you IMAX and Ster-Kinekor.