Films opening in South Africa this weekend

Brick Lane

From Elizabeth and The Other Boleyn Girl producer Alison Owen and debut feature director Sarah Gavron comes this adaptation of author Monica Ali’s award-winning, best-selling novel of the same name that is a true contemporary story of love, of cultural difference and ultimately the strength of the human spirit.

Brick Lane tells the story of Naznee (Tannishtha Chatterjee), a beautiful young Bangladeshi woman, who arrives in 1980s London, leaving behind her beloved sister and home in exchange for an arranged marriage and a new life in an alien culture.

You have no idea how badly I have wanted to see this, and I am glad it is finally arriving in SA. The trailer got me interested, watch it if you like. Mixed reviews mean nothing to me, when I am hooked by a trailer, I am hooked.

The Forbidden Kingdom

American teenager Jason (Michael Angarano), who is obsessed with Hong Kong cinema and kung fu classics, finds an antique Chinese staff in a pawn shop: the legendary stick weapon of the Chinese sage and warrior, the Monkey King (Jet Li). With the lost relic in hand, Jason unexpectedly finds himself transported back to ancient China.

I do not know why I want to see this, I have not even seen the trailer, but I do.

What Happens in Vegas

Two strangers awaken together to discover they’ve gotten married following a night of debauchery in Sin City, and one of them has won a huge jackpot after playing the other’s quarter. The newlyweds devise ever-escalating schemes to undermine each other and get their hands on the money – only to find themselves falling in love amid the mutual backstabbing. *swoon* Do I want to see this? A little. Cameron is the hottest goofball ever, or at least one of them.

Death Defying Acts

It is 1926, and Harry Houdini is the most famous performer in the world. Audiences flock to watch him perform his amazing stunts. But the man behind the legend is a tortured soul, having been unable to hear his mother’s dying words. He offers a $10 000 reward to anyone who can contact his mother from beyond the grave. When a beautiful but deceptive psychic, Mary McGregor, and her sidekick daughter, Benji, take the challenge, Harry is initially sceptical, but is soon captivated by her charms. The more time he spends with the mysterious woman, the more attracted he is, and what began as a con soon evolves into a passionate and complicated love affair, as Houdini attempts the most dangerous stunt of his career. Whatever! Saoirse Ronan!!!

Awake

Every year, one in 700 people go under anaesthesia. One in 700 remain awake the entire time. When they planned her husband’s murder, they never thought he’d be the one.

Clayton Beresford, Jr. seems to have it all - a gorgeous fiancée, an adoring mother, a thriving business and all the money he could want. Except that his relationship is a secret because his fiancée works for his over-bearing mother. And he needs a heart transplant.

Jack is Clay’s friend and cardiologist. He was there when Clay first had heart trouble and helps Clay to prepare for the surgery.

When it finally happens, under anaesthetic, Clay realises that he can hear the doctors, prepping him for surgery. As he lies there he feels Jack’s fingers on his sternum, scalpel in hand. Unable to move or speak, Clay knows he’s in serious trouble, when he finds out that he is not meant to wake up from this surgery.
Yeah, I want to see this too, for reasons beyond my comprehension.

To Book:

Nu Metro or Ster Kinekor

(note: not all films listed above play at both cinema chains, be sure to check, because I am too lazy to)

Plus: I want to catch up on what I missed last week; Closing the Ring, City of Men, 21 and The Mist – but I bet I won’t see any of them

~ Enjoy your weekend ~