For Realz.

Films opening in South Africa this weekend/some opening during the week, but anyway…

Hancock

Haven’t even bothered with a review of this yet, it really can wait. I’m not sure how I can take my opinion of the film, a horrible waste of time for some of its duration and surprisingly awesome in other parts, and string it out into a review. But what I can offer is the official synopsis!

“There are heroes… there are superheroes… and then there’s Hancock (Will Smith). With great power comes great responsibility – everyone knows that – everyone, that is, but Hancock. Edgy, conflicted, sarcastic, and misunderstood, Hancock’s well-intentioned heroics might get the job done and save countless lives, but always seem to leave jaw-dropping damage in their wake. The public has finally had enough – as grateful as they are to have their local hero, the good citizens of Los Angeles are wondering what they ever did to deserve this guy. Hancock isn’t the kind of man who cares what other people think – until the day that he saves the life of PR executive Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), and the sardonic superhero begins to realize that he may have a vulnerable side after all. Facing that will be Hancock’s greatest challenge yet – and a task that may prove impossible as Ray’s wife, Mary (Charlize Theron), insists that he’s a lost cause.”

Get Smart

“The iconic 60’s show of the same name is given its contemporary reinvention in Peter Segal’s “Get Smart,” but the resultant action-comedy proves to neither pay homage to the touchstones of the series nor is it a very successful modernisation of them. For a show that thrived during its run, there is very little inspiration evident in this modern-day incarnation, a formulaic misbalance between a weak action film and a weak comedy film, there is almost no reasoning as to why the film would work, but it does, even if barely.” (read the rest of my review)

Bustin’ Down the Door

In 1975, a group of young surfers revolutionised their sport. This is their untold story.

“During the winter of 1975 in Hawaii, surfing was shaken to its core. A group of young surfers from Australia and South Africa sacrificed everything and put it all on the line to create a sport, a culture, and an industry that is today worth billions of dollars and has captured the imagination of the world. With a radical new approach and a brash colonial attitude, these surfers crashed headlong into a culture that was not ready for revolution.”

Surfing was never to be the same again.

Bella

Winner of the Audience Award at the Toronto Film Festival in 2006, as if no one noticed its annoying flaunting of its award, director Alejandro Monteverde’s emotional tale of self-discovery tells the story of a man whose life is about to be changed forever and who discovers that sometimes it takes losing it all to finally appreciate the things that truly matter.

“An international soccer star (Eduardo Verástegui) is on his way to sign a multi million dollar contract when something happens that brings his career to an abrupt end. Now a cook in his brother’s restaurant, José retreats from the world until Nina (Tammy Blanchard), a beautiful waitress struggling to make it in New York City , discovers something about herself that she’s unprepared for. In one irreversible moment, a simple act of kindness brings them together and turns an ordinary day into an unforgettable experience. Before the day is through, José must confront his own haunting past to show Nina how the healing power of love can help her embrace the future.” I think it looks sweet, so I will see it. Hopefully.

I’m sure there are more Bollywood or Opera movies stealing screens that could be occupied by films I actually want to see, and I refuse to cover them anymore. Screw You.

To Book/For more info on any of the above films:

Nu Metro or Ster Kinekor