Six movies released this week nationwide in South Africa. From Gerard Butler and
Aaron Eckhart battling terrorism in the thrilling action movie Olympus Has Fallen, to
an illuminating story of man’s search for belonging, a coming-of-drinking-age comedy
to a struggling writer having to cope with psychopaths and a kidnapped Shih Tzu to
two mothers who are determined to ensure the best possible future for their children
as well as a supernatural love story, it’s time to smell the popcorn!
21 and Over
Jeff Chang, a straight-A college student, has always done the right thing. However,
Jeff decides he wants to do everything he wants to do for a change when his best
friends Casey and Miller surprise him with a visit for his 21st birthday – even though
he has an important medical school interview the next day. A night that was
supposed to an outing for one beer only turns into an evening of humiliation and
debauchery in this coming-of-drinking-age comedy from the writers of The Hangover.
With Miles Teller, Skylar Astin, Justin Chon, Jonathan Keltz and Sarah Wright.
Written and directed by Jon Lucas and Scott Moore.
Produced by Mandeville Films, Relativity Media, SkyLand Entertainment and Virgin
Produced.
Distributed by Nu Metro.
A Lucky Man
This new locally produced movie is based on the real life story of legendary former
South African gangster Ernie “Lastig’ Solomon, and charts his violent rise from
childhood in the slums of Cape Town to one of the country’s most infamous gangland
bosses. According to producer Mark Fyfe A Lucky Man is a story of intrigue and a
convoluted cultural ethos based on gang structures and details what happens in the
Cape Flats on a daily basis – a “backyard’ that people know little about. The movie is
a morality story in which the perplexing issues of identity and morality are played out
in the life of a man literally living on the edge.
Starring Keenan Arrison, Levi du Plooy, Jarrid Geduld, David Isaacs, Tauriq Jenkins,
Travis Snyders, Bronwyn van Graan and Theresa Williams, among others.
Written and directed by Gordon Clark.
Produced by Mark Fyfe and Gordon Clark in association with LuckyMan Pictures and
Groovetown Productions.
Distributed by Indigenous Film Distribution.
Olympus Has Fallen
Disgraced former Presidential guard Mike Banning (Gerard Butler) has to save the
President of the United States of America when the White House (Secret Service Code
“Olympus’) is captured by a terrorist mastermind and Banning finds himself trapped
within the building. As the national security team scrambles to respond, they are
forced to rely on Banning’s inside knowledge to help retake the White House, save
the President and avert an even bigger crisis.
Also starring Angela Bassett, Finley Jacobsen, Morgan Freeman, Ashley Judd, Melissa
Leo, Dylan McDermott, Radha Mitchell and Rick Yune.
Written by Katrin Benedikt and Creighton Rothenberger.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua.
Produced by Millennium Films, Nu Image Films and West Coast Film Partners.
Distributed by Crystal Brook Distributors.
Seven Psychopaths
This black comedy tells the story of Marty, a struggling writer who dreams of finishing
his screenplay, Seven Psychopaths. Marty’s best friend Billy is an unemployed actor
and part-time dog thief, who wants to help Marty achieve his goal by any means
necessary. Hans, Billy’s partner in crime is a religious man with a violent past. In an
attempt to inspire their writer friend, the two smalltime crooks kidnap a gangster’s
beloved Shih Tzu. Now, if only Marty will live long enough to tell the tale…
Starring Colin Farrell, Woody Harrelson, Sam Rockwell, Tom Waits and Christopher
Walken.
Written and directed by Martin McDonagh.
Produced by BFI, Blueprint Pictures and Film4.
Distributed by UIP.
The Host
The Host is the next love story from the creator of the “Twilight Saga’. Melanie Stryder
will risk everything to protect the people she cares most about when an unseen
enemy threatens mankind by taking over their bodies and erasing their memories.
Melanie’s heroic battle for Jared, Ian, her brother Jamie and her Uncle Jeb proves that
love can conquer everything in a dangerous new world.
With Saoirse Ronan, Jake Abel, Chandler Canterbury, Max Irons and William Hurt.
Written and directed by Andrew Niccol from the novel by Stephenie Meyer.
Produced by Chockstone Pictures, Nick Wechsler Productions and Silver Reel.
Distributed by Ster-Kinekor.
Won’t Back Down
This fictional story inspired by actual events tells of the journey of two determined
mothers who will stop at nothing to transform their children’s failing inner city school.
Despite facing a powerful and entrenched bureaucracy, they risk everything to make a
difference in the education and future of their children and other kids in the
community. This powerful story of parenthood, friendship and courage features strong
performances from Maggie Gyllenhaal and Viola Davis who portray a struggling mother
and a veteran teacher respectively.
Also starring Dante Brown, Holly Hunter, Oscar Isaac, Emily Alyn Lind, Rosie Perez,
Ving Rhames and Lance Reddick.
Written by Daniel Barnz.
Directed by Daniel Barnz and Brin Hill.
Produced by Gran Via Productions and Walden Media.
Distributed by Nu Metro.
