First Look - Ant Man Trailer

Here it is the first full size view of Ant-Man

Film Review - The Great Beauty

The Great Beauty         (142 minutes)            Italian with English Sub-Titles

From the very beginning “La Grande Bellezza,” in English “The Great Beauty” entices with its audacious scenes of Rome.

Perhaps all of this is a dream. The film may seem as Baroque as in its sensibilities like Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” we are in the presence of great theatre, the stage is the city, Rome. If life is a dream, we are easily seduced by Sorrentino’s lush canvas.

From the high vistas of Rome, we travel through the facile world of la dolce vita, although these darkened corners are less the world of Fellini; yet showing a wistful but jaded detachment from all, namely a world drenched in facades.

The main character, Jeb Gambardella, a latter-day Proust without the cork-lined rooms; appears satiated by his life as the dilettante. His character although constantly flitting from party to party represents an older world, where sensory beauty, and art is everything.

Gambardella is surrounded by the opposite side of the coin: the nouveau riche. The contrast between the writer, his interior motives and his destiny are uneasily juxtaposed to the new era. The shallow swans, swains and chimeras of this Rome, an Italy of empty poseurs, indulge their media fantasies, endless Bellusconi-like parties, reprises a large segment of the film. The depths of the dark shades are really a beautiful meditation on loss, life, death, memory, art which encourages a dance, an evocation most satisfying, because it is a life involved in art. The visionary element of this film charts the vagaries of modern Rome. Subtly played by all, especially Toni Servillo as Gambardella; but we are drawn to the furies of the city, both good and bad. This universe brings both creation, but also death. Fame, as some have come to regard it, may be the disease of the age, while some find it difficult to part from its allure. Gambardella seems ambivalent, although he is intoxicated by the beauty of this truncated world, and the nature of Rome.

Rome resplendent is very fine indeed. In the hands of this director we share in a very human fable. The body and life of man: his sadness, his pride and his destiny unfold with the poignancy of the most fervent dreams. “La Grande Bellezza” is full of life with many dazzling scenes. We might have a vainglorious tale; the story of a modern Icarus, but my, how brightly he, Gambardella burns. This is an old-fashioned film, but it is a truly Great one in the European tradition.   

Review by Timothy Sparks

Freelance Writer - Poet - Film Reviewer

Email: tphwsparks@gmail.com 

The Equalizer Hits IMAX at Gateway and The Grove courtesy of Ster-Kinekor

STER-KINEKOR RELEASES THE EQUALIZER IN IMAX® THEATRES AT GATEWAY AND THE GROVE

IMAX® fans will be excited to know that the next film to receive the full-on IMAX treatment, The Equalizer, releases worldwide on Friday, 26 September in the IMAX® theatres – including here in South Africa, in the IMAX® theatres at Ster-Kinekor’s cinema complexes at Gateway in Durban and The Grove in Pretoria East.

The IMAX® release of The Equalizer has been digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience® using proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology.

In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he comes out of his self-imposed retirement to rescue a young girl, Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), he finds himself face-to-face with ultra-violent Russian gangsters.

The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua and also stars Bill Pullman, David Harbour, Marton Csokas and Melissa Leo. 

Book your tickets today to ensure you don’t miss out on any of this action-packed film.

Trailer:  https://www.imax.com/movies/m/the-equalizer-the-imax-experience/

For more information on Ster-Kinekor and IMAX®, visit www.sterkinekor.com. Avoid the queues by booking online, by calling Ticketline on 0861-MOVIES (668 437) or you can book at the box office.  You can also download the Ster-Kinekor App on your Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry phone for updates and to book from your mobile.  To find out what other exciting promotions Ster-Kinekor has on offer, follow @sterkinekor on Twitter or Facebook at Ster-Kinekor Theatres.

This edition by +Fred Felton 

Film Review - Guardians Of The Galaxy

Film: Guardians Of The Galaxy
Cast: Chris Pratt, Bradley Cooper, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel.
Director: James Gunn

This is a real fantasy adventure.  Another in the huge line of Marvel movies.  You can find a link from this movie to The Avengers and there is word that these 2 franchises might just collide in the future.

So we join Star Lord (Chris Pratt) a human type who was abducted from Earth a long time ago.  He likes to 'acquire' things for the highest price.  We join him as he is after a valuable orb.  He has no idea just how valuable and powerful the orb is.

He forms a fragile alliance with Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Drax (WWE's Dave Bautista), Groot (Vin Diesel) and  Gamora (Zoe Saldana).

They somehow band together as they try to avoid the scary Ronan the Accusor (Lee Pace).

Look out for some great action sequences.  There is a wonderful supporting cast as well which includes
Glen Close, Josh Brolin.  You get a bonus point if you can spot Stan Lee in the movie.

If you love Star Wars and Star Trek then this is your kind of movie.

Make sure you stay till after the credits for a bonus scene.

Best viewed in IMAX 3D.

Rating 8/10


Review by +Fred Felton

Film Review - NUOC 2030

Film - NUOC 2030
Cast - Quynh Hoa, Quy Binh
Director - Nghiem-Minh Nguyen-Vo
Vietnam
http://www.nuoc2030.com/

Had a look at this movie last night.  Set in a futuristic Vietnam in a world where there is no more land.  All you see is water and some floating wastelands.  We get to know Sao and her husband Thi.  They live a simple life on a floating house of sorts.  Thi goes out in search of food and Sao tends to the home.   Water is at a premium in this world.  Even such things as washing or cleaning fish prove hard.

The Director shows us quite a deal about their relationship and all is not as it may seem.
All is not well at sea.

One of the filmmakers from NUOC 2030 joined us for the viewing and he gave us some added insight into the making of this film.

In case you were wondering 'NUOC' means Water in Vietnamese.

Next showing at DIFF - Tuesday, 22 July 8pm Musgrave

Review by +Fred Felton

Opportunity for Filmmakers at Durban FilmMart

AFRINOLLY SCREENING LOUNGE AT DFM 2014

The Durban FilmMart will this year introduce an industry screening lounge available to registered delegates to host private screenings.

This year’s lounge is hosted by Afrinolly. The Afrinolly Lounge will run from the 18th of July until 21st of July 2014.

As a new service introduced by the Durban FilmMart, the lounge will be offered free for 2014.

Available Screening date(s):

Friday (18 July) 09H00 – 17H00 

Saturday (19 July) 09H00 – 17H00 

Sunday (20 July) 09H00 – 17H00 

Monday (21 July) 09H00 – 17H00 

Should you wish to make use of the Afrinolly Screening Lounge, please make your booking via the Durban FilmMart:

privatescreenings@durbanfilmmart.com

You are kindly requested to make your bookings as early as possible as there are limited screening slots available. Bookings will be made on a first come, first served basis.

Due to time constraints please take note that the maximum time for screenings is 90 minutes per project.

Please also note that the Durban FilmMart is not responsible for inviting your guests. Applicants (projects) will be required to invite their own guests. Interested delegates should use our website to view and contact registered attendees, which can be accessed on:

http://www.durbanfilmmart.com/DelegateRegistration/DelegateList.aspx .

The Afrinolly Screening Lounge can seat approximately 20 guests and will be equipped with the following:

Public Address System with one microphone

A 62-inch Plasma Screen with VGA connection

For bookings please contact Mr. Mlungisi Zondi at:

privatescreenings@durbanfilmmart.com

(Only emailed bookings will be allowed. No telephone bookings will be accepted.)

Film Review: X-Men: Days Of Future Past

Film: X-Men: Days Of Future Past
Director: Bryan Singer
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Halle Berry, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender.
Rating: 10/10

This movie has a big cast.  All star quality the lot of them.  Special effects for days and loads of twists and turns.

A real popcorn and coke type movie so don't forget them.

Set in the past and the future the movie jumps from the future to the past.  Wolverine is sent back in time to see if he can convince the young Professor X (McAvoy) to join forces with the young Magneto (Fassbender) in a bid to help save the future.

So does Wolverine succeed?  Can the X-Men, good and bad, co-exist and help each other to fight for the future?  Guess you will have to watch the movie to find out.

Look out for some jaw breaking scenes, surprises and much much more.   Watch out for
Boliver Trask (Peter Dinklage).

Over 15 000 people worked on this movie.  It shows.

If you wait for the credits to finish there is a nice little surprise waiting for you.

Review by +Fred Felton

Loads of Film Festivals For Durban in June and July

Film Festivals For Durban

World Refugee Day: 20 June

In multiple venues - Dbn and Pmb: 20 June onwards

Refugee Social Services will be hosting Forced to Flee - a mini-film festival and a series of activities happening in venues in and around Durban to commemorate World Refugee Day on June 20. 

The focus this year will be on creating awareness around the stories of forced migration and refugees. The commemoration will marry film; photography; visual art; music; craft and discussions. 

The core event will take place at the Denis Hurley Hall, Diakonia Centre on World Refugee Day, June 20 starting at 11am with supporting events taking place at the Alliance Française;  Durban Holocaust Centre; Project Gateway in PMB and the Rainbow Restaurant in Pinetown – as well as in the waiting rooms of the Home Affairs (Refugee Reception Centre: Che Guevara Road, which is the one participating venue not open to the general public); the Refugee Social Services; Lawyers for Human Rights; Archie’s Cafe at the Diakonia Centre and Refugee Pastoral Care - throughout the week following World Refugee Day, from 23-27 June.

For more information, call 031-310 3578 or email admin@refugeesocialservices.co.za for the full programme

The Durban Gay & Lesbian Film Festival 20 June - 6 July 2014 at KZNSA

For more details visit their website: www.dglff.org.za 

Find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DGLFF

Durban FilmMart 2014

Early Bird Delegate Registration Closes 27 June

Will you be registering early for the Durban FilmMart? Time is running out to take advantage of the Early Bird Delegate Registration currently on offer. The specially reduced fee of R1350 ends on the 27 June, thereafter those who wish to attend will have to pay the full price of R1850 for their registration.

The Durban FilmMart has become one of Africa’s leading co-production and finance markets for filmmakers in Africa. This event offers filmmakers the chance to build and improve on their storytelling, film content and filmmaking skills through workshops, masterclasses and interactive forums run by international experts in the film industry.

Celebrating its 5th successful year running, this year’s Durban FilmMart is one not to be missed. Through the continued partnership with Produire au Sud of Festival des 3 Continents, there will be a special focus on story development and story presentation. Master classes will be conducted by renowned 'Script-Doctor' Miguel Machalski, 'Pitch coach' Stefano Tealdi, 'Co-production’ expert Denis Vaslin and 'Documentary Financing' expert, Julia Overton. Some of the DFM Partners, industry professionals and special guests in attendance include ARTE France; Berentsfilm; Blinker Filmproduktion; Rotterdam Cinemart; Cine-Sud Promotion; Hot Docs Blue Ice Group; IDFA Bertha Fund and International Documentary Festival Amsterdam, International Organisation la Francophonie; M-Appeal; Prescience Film Finance; Produire au Sud; Rezo Films; Rome Cinema Network; Rush Lake Media; Sundance Institute, Tribeca Film Institute; YLe Finland and many more. 

The Durban FilmMart, funded by the City of Durban, is a partnership between the Durban Film Office and the Durban International Film Festival, and takes place from 18 - 21 July 2014 alongside the 35th Durban International Film Festival, which runs from 17 - 27 July 2014 at the Elangeni Tsogo Sun Hotel in Durban, South Africa.

Make sure you reserve your seat before the Early Bird Registration draws to a close!

For more information on the Durban FilmMart and how to register as a delegate please visit:

 www.durbanfilmmart.com

Durban International Film Festival 2014 17 - 27 July 2014

Find them on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/DurbanInternationalFilmFestival

Catch South African Actor Sharlto Copley in Maleficent at Ster-Kinekor

STER-KINEKOR RELEASES MALEFICENT IN THE IMAX® 3D THEATRE AT GATEWAY

Be the first to watch this Disney film on the IMAX® 3D screen with special pre-release screenings this weekend

“This curse will last until the end of time…”

Get ready for evil revenge on a large scale. The first Disney movie to focus on the villain in the title role, Maleficent, blasts its way onto the Ster-Kinekor IMAX screen in June. All the action happens at the IMAX® 3D theatre at Ster-Kinekor’s most popular cinema complex, Gateway in Durban, from Friday, 06 June, with the release of Maleficent.

But, for those Disney fans who can’t wait for the national release on 06 June, Ster-Kinekor has arranged two days of exclusive pre-release screenings of Maleficent. These will take place at its IMAX theatre at Gateway, for the first three shows on both Saturday, 31 May and Sunday, 01 June. Bookings for these special pre-screenings are now open.

The IMAX® release of Maleficent has been digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX 3D Experience® using proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customised theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

From the Disney studio comes Maleficent—the untold story of Disney’s most iconic villain from the 1959 classic Sleeping Beauty. A beautiful, pure-hearted young woman, Maleficent (Angelina Jolie) has enjoyed an idyllic life growing up in a peaceful forest kingdom, until the day an invading army threatens the harmony of the land. 

Maleficent rises to be the land’s fiercest protector, but she ultimately suffers a ruthless betrayal—an act that begins to turn her pure heart to stone. Bent on revenge, Maleficent faces an epic battle with the invading king’s successor. As a result, she places a curse upon his newborn infant, Aurora. As the child grows, Aurora is caught in the middle of a seething conflict between the forest kingdom she has grown to love, and the human kingdom that holds her legacy.

Maleficent realises that Aurora (played by Elle Fanning) may hold the key to peace in the kingdom—and perhaps to Maleficent’s true happiness too – but she is forced to take drastic action that will change both worlds forever. The film, directed by Robert Stromberg, also stars South African actor, Sharlto Copley, as Stefan.

Seeing Disney’s Maleficent in The IMAX 3D Experience® is a truly immersive cinematic experience that you won’t want to miss this June!

Trailer:  https://www.imax.com/movies/m/maleficent-an-imax-3d-experience/

For more information on Ster-Kinekor and IMAX®, visit www.sterkinekor.com. Avoid the queues by booking online or by calling Ticketline on 082 16789, or you can book at the box office.  You can also download the Ster-Kinekor App on your Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry smart phone for updates and to book from your mobile.  To find out what other exciting promotions Ster-Kinekor has on offer, follow @sterkinekor on Twitter or Facebook at Ster-Kinekor Theatres.

Godzilla crashes onto Imax at Ster-Kinekor Gateway 16 May

STER-KINEKOR RELEASES GODZILLA IN IMAX® 3D AT GATEWAY

Since opening in November 2013, the IMAX® theatre at Ster-Kinekor’s most popular cinema complex, Gateway in Durban, has hosted some of the biggest blockbuster titles released to date and continues to attract large audiences.

On Friday, 16 May, Godzilla will be crashing his way onto the impressive IMAX® screen, in line with its worldwide release. Book your tickets now to see this sci-fi action adventure film in the most immersive cinematic experience.

The IMAX® 3D release of Godzilla has been digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX 3D Experience® using proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX's customised theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie – and part of the non-stop action.

An epic rebirth to Toho's iconic Godzilla, this spectacular, visual effects-driven adventure from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, pits the world's most famous monster against malevolent creatures who, bolstered by humanity's scientific arrogance, threaten our very existence.

Directed by Gareth Edwards, Godzilla stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Kick-Ass), Oscar® nominee Ken Watanabe (The Last Samurai, Inception), Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene), Oscar® winner Juliette Binoche (The English Patient, Cosmopolis), Sally Hawkins (Blue Jasmine), with Oscar® nominee David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck, The Bourne Legacy) and Bryan Cranston (Argo, TV’s Breaking Bad).

Don’t delay in securing your tickets for this blockbuster - watching Godzilla on the IMAX® screen will make you feel as if you are part of the action.

The film carries a 13 PG classification.

Trailer:  https://www.imax.com/movies/m/godzilla-an-imax-3d-experience/

For more information on Ster-Kinekor and IMAX®, visit www.sterkinekor.com. Avoid the queues by booking online or by calling Ticketline on 082 16789, or you can book at the box office.  You can also download the Ster-Kinekor App on your Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry phone for updates and to book from your mobile.  To find out what other exciting promotions Ster-Kinekor has on offer, follow @sterkinekor on Twitter or Facebook at Ster-Kinekor Theatres.