When you go to Ster-Kinekor you will now be spoilt for choice

Movie-lovers have always been spoilt for choice about which film to watch. Now, with the opening of its two luxurious Cine Prestige cinemas, Ster-Kinekor’s flagship site at Gateway in Durban can proudly boast the widest range of how a film is watched. No other cinema site has the choice of three state-of-the-art cinema formats that includes IMAX®, Dolby Atmos® and the latest addition, Cine Prestige, in one complex.

Launching the “Choose Your Thrill” campaign, Ster-Kinekor Gateway now offers its audiences the most extensive choice of cinema viewing experiences in the southern hemisphere. This was revealed at the launch of the two new Cine Prestige theatres in Gateway today (27 March).

Ensuring that audiences continue to experience ‘Great Moments at their Greatest’ with Ster-Kinekor, visitors to the upgraded and fully digital Gateway complex can enjoy the cinema chain’s ultra-luxurious cinema experience. This, in addition to the other wonderful cinema viewing options that include IMAX®, IMAX® in 3D and Dolby Atmos®.

Says Darren Hampton, brand manager of Ster-Kinekor Theatres: “With a variety of different cinema experiences on offer under one roof, plus the art-house Cinema Nouveau downstairs, our cinema complex at Gateway has certainly earned its stripes as our flagship site. Having launched the revolutionary sound experience of Dolby Atmos® in 2012 and the immersive cinematic experiences of IMAX® and IMAX® in 3D late last year, the opening of the two Cine Prestige 3D theatres adds the luxurious option to the ‘Choose Your Thrill’ offering.”

All the other cinemas at Gateway also offer upgraded projection formats that include 3D HFR (high frame rate), 2D HFR as well as Digital 2D and 3D. There is no other cinema multiplex in the southern hemisphere that gives its cinema audiences such an array of viewing options.

“As Ster-Kinekor, we are focused on continually improving our audiences’ big screen experience – the element of surprise, the choice of titles and how these are viewed, launching new sites to reach more audiences and upgraded digital technologies that continue to enhance the cinema experience. We also deliver a best-in-class online booking facility.

“Personal communication with our customers is vital to our business and we make use of a variety of social media platforms to reach them, including the website, Facebook and Twitter, MXIT, the popular SK App and the SK Club loyalty programme. We do all of this to ensure that our audiences keep coming back to enjoy more great moments and, launching Cine Prestige is the next exciting evolution in our journey,” states Hampton.

This is the company’s fourth investment in the luxurious Cine Prestige format, following the successful installations of one such cinema at The Zone in Rosebank, and two each at the new Ster-Kinekor complexes at Cradlestone Mall, west of Johannesburg and The Grove in Pretoria East. This upgraded cinema format epitomises film-viewing heaven and pure luxury rolled into one. Audiences relax in large, comfortable chairs in an exclusive cinema environment, while watching the latest blockbusters on the big screen.

Each of the Cine Prestige cinemas has 39 seats, made up of a mix of single and double leather recliner chairs that ooze lavish comfort, with snack trays neatly fitted into them, for the perfect date-night. Adding to the experience is an exclusive VIP lounge where delicious platters of food can be ordered and enjoyed inside the cinema, and where queuing is a thing of the past.

“We are very proud of this exciting upgrade at Gateway, as we continue to bring the very best in cinema entertainment to our audiences across the country. Our role is to entice the consumer to watch a film as it was made to be seen – on the big screen. With the viewing choices now available at Gateway, ‘Choose Your Thrill’ takes this cinema proposition to the next level.

“We want movie-lovers to enjoy great moments with every movie experience. Our investment into new cinemas such as Cine Prestige at our flagship site, is further evidence of our commitment to deliver on this promise. With the latest blockbusters releasing each week and the widest choice of state-of-the-art cinemas in which to watch them, we are confident that audiences who enjoy a ‘great moment’ at Gateway will certainly be back for more,” concludes Hampton.

For more information about Ster-Kinekor, or to book your tickets, visit: www.sterkinekor.com or call Ticketline on 082 16789. For news and updates, go to Facebook: Ster-Kinekor Theatres | Follow Ster-Kinekor on Twitter: @SKTheatres, or download the SK App on your Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or Blackberry smart phone for updates or to book from your mobile phone.

Coriolanus Tragedy Hits South Africa

CORIOLANUS TRAGEDY HITS SOUTH AFRICA

Source: www.etsy.com

It’s been ages but still Shakespeare’s plays are the best, As Cinema Nouveau announces the release of Coriolanus, Shakespeare’s searing tragedy of political manipulation and revenge. The National Theatre Live will broadcast Donmar Warehouse production of the Coriolanus, this interesting play will be broadcasted onto Cinema Nouveau’s big screens at Ster-kinekor Blue Route in Tokai, Cape Town starting from the 1^st of March.

This thrilling play presents the best English actor and best villain actor Tom Hiddleston who previously acted in the avengers, War house (BBC’s The hallow Crown as Prince Hal in Henry four part 1 and 2) in the title role and Mark Gatiss (Season’s Greetings at the National theatre, BBC Entertainment’s Sherlock) as Menenius, which is directed by Josie Rourke. With a synopsis of “when an old adversary threatens Rome, the city calls once more on her hero and defender: Coriolanus. But he has enemies at home too. Famine threatens the city, the citizens’ hunger swells to an appetite for change, and on returning from the field Coriolanus must confront the march of realpolitik and the voice of an angry people.”

Characters in Coriolanus are: Tom Hiddleston playing Coriolanus and has previously performed for Donmar in Othello and Ivanov, Mark Gatiss playing Menenius performed for the Donmar his roles feature films such as the Avengers, Deborah Findlay playing Volumnia has previously appeared at the Donmar in Madame de Sade and Josie Rourke Director of the Donmar Warehouse. The Coriolanus will be out on South African screens on Saturday, the 1^st of March for four screenings only in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town. The running out of this production is two hours and forty minutes.

For more information on bookings, visit www.cinemanouvea.co.za, sterkinekor.mobi or you can contact the ticket line on 082 16789. Follow the nouveabuzz on twitter, @nouveabuzz and you can also download from your mobile. The National Live enables audiences to experience the best British theatre throughout the year, as the NT brings camera into the auditorium to broadcast performances live from stage.

Article by +Molly Dimpho 

Film Review 300: Rise of an Empire, Film Festivals & EFC Africa hits Cinemas

Film Review - 300: Rise of an Empire

Cast: Sullivan Stapleton, Rodrigo Santoro, Eva Green
Director: Noam Murro

300: Rise of an Empire is a powerful film that certainly does justice to its release in IMAX® 3D, and audiences will leave the theatre feeling as if they too had been part of the war.

If you see it with the Dolby Atmos Sound System at Ster Kinekor Gateway the powerful digital audio creates a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie – and part of the non-stop action of the warring Greeks taking on the might of the Persian army.

The film is based on Frank Miller's latest graphic novel, Xerxes, and told in the breathtaking visual style of the blockbuster 300(released in 2006). This new chapter of the epic saga is a companion piece to the first film and takes the action to a fresh battlefield – on the sea, as Greek general, Themistokles (Sullivan Stapleton), attempts to unite all of Greece by leading the charge that will change the course of the war.

300: Rise of an Empire pits Themistokles against the massive invading Persian forces, led by the mortal-turned-god, Xerxes (Rodrigo Santoro), and Artemesia (Eva Green), his vengeful commander of the Persian navy.

After its victory over King Leonidas of Sparta’s army of just 300, the Persian Army under Xerxes’ command marches towards the major Greek city-states. The Democratic city of Athens, first in the path of Xerxes' army, bases its strength on its fleet led by the fearless Themistocles. However, Themistocles is forced into an unwilling alliance with the traditional rival of Athens, the oligarchic Sparta led by Queen Gorgo (Lena Headey), whose might lies with its superior infantry troops. Together, they take on Xerxes and the powerful Persian army that still reigns supreme in numbers over sea and land.

The visuals really are amazing.  It is almost as if you have been transported to that time and you will feel like you are in the middle of an adventure.  Some great acting, writing and direction makes for a wonderful film.

Rating 9/10 

View the trailer here:

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 @SKTheatres on Twitter or Facebook at Ster-Kinekor Theatres.

www.dolby.com/Atmos

DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL CALLS FOR FILMMAKERS

The largest of Southern Africa's film festivals and the most important film festival in Africa, DIFF hosts a film competition component and also presents screenings in township areas where cinemas are non-existent.

The festival will consider films completed in 2013 and 2014, and there is no charge for entry. All submissions must be entered via the Eventival online system. In order to submit a film you will need to create a visitor account if you have not already done so in past years. The deadline for all entries, including delivery of screeners, is 28 March 2014 for short films, documentaries and feature fiction films.

The extensive seminar and workshop programme featuring local and international filmmakers and industry professionals includes the 7th Talent Campus Durban (19-23 July) in cooperation with Berlinale Talent Campus, and the 5th Durban FilmMart (19-22 July) in partnership with Durban Film Office, as well as various other streams of programming including Durban Wild Talk Africa and Wavescape.

Specific streams of programming for 2014 will include a focus on 20 years of democracy in South Africa, as well as films that explore architecture in various ways. This latter stream of programming acknowledges the World Congress of Architects which will take place in Durban in 2014, the week after DIFF.

"We look forward to once again receiving a wealth of top quality films from around the globe," says festival manager, Peter Machen. "We also welcome input from and engagement with current and potential partners who support the development of the film industry on the continent. It is through collaboration that we can offer film-makers and the public a festival of brilliant film and a worthwhile industry development programme."

The festival is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development and Tourism, the City of Durban and other valued funders and partners.

www.durbanfilmfest.co.za eMAIL: diff@ukzn.ac.za

EFC AFRICA HITS CINEMAS Ster-Kinekor & EFC AFRICA announce exclusive broadcast partnership

Johannesburg (South Africa) – EFC AFRICA 28, taking place on Thursday, 27 March, will be screened at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas around the country for the first time, with an eruption of high-definition (HD), larger-than-life MMA action on the big screen.

In a partnership that has been in development for months, EFC AFRICA and Ster-Kinekor announced today (12 March) that fight fans throughout South Africa will be able to watch all 13 bouts from every upcoming EFC AFRICA event, live.

The partnership is launched on the back of Ster-Kinekor having completed the digital conversion in each of its cinemas. Substantial investment in the highest quality, live satellite broadcast equipment and a continuously tested and monitored signal will ensure a stable live broadcast of all the fight action, in crystal clear high definition.

The new format promises fans a big screen, live cinema experience, using the most advanced cinema broadcast platform available worldwide.

"We're excited to be offering fight fans the chance to see our events in such an awesome, larger than life setting," said EFC AFRICA president Cairo Howarth. "Ster-Kinekor's state of the art, digital HD setup makes it an incredible experience, from the first fight to the last. From 01 May, fans in Bloemfontein will be able to attend the cinema too, which we've been trying to organise for some time. Ster-Kinekor is leading the way with HD broadcast technology, and we're incredibly proud to be associated with this exciting project."

Doug Place, Marketing Executive of Ster-Kinekor Theatres, is equally delighted with the announcement of this new partnership. “Cinema is an evolving sector and we are in an exciting place right now. Resulting from our massive investment in technology and the digital upgrade, doors are opening for us to consider more alternative partnerships such as this one with EFC AFRICA.

“The digital conversion also means that the EFC fights on the big screen will be an awesome viewing experience for the fans. Watching all the live action in larger-than-life high definition is better than it has ever been seen before, and makes for a fantastic night out at the cinema!

“We are focused on continually improving the consumer experience and introducing fresh new offerings and alternative content that tap into new markets and what appeals to those audiences. It is these new initiatives that will ensure that the path to ongoing and future growth in the cinema industry is sustained,” comments Place.

The live Ster-Kinekor EFC AFRICA experience is to be made available in stages, with additional cinemas coming online for future events.

Fans can enjoy the EFC AFRICA 28 HD, big screen experience at the following Ster-Kinekor cinemas:

·         Ster-Kinekor Fourways (Johannesburg)

·         Ster-Kinekor East Rand Mall (Johannesburg)

·         Ster-Kinekor Gateway (Durban)

·         Ster-Kinekor Cavendish (Cape Town)

EFC AFRICA 29, taking place on 01 May, will see the addition of cinemas at:

·         Ster-Kinekor Brooklyn (Pretoria)

·         Ster-Kinekor The Zone (Johannesburg)

·         Ster-Kinekor Cradlestone (West Rand)

·         Ster-Kinekor Maponya (Soweto)

·         Ster-Kinekor Cape Gate (Cape Town)

·         Ster-Kinekor Tyger Valley (Cape Town)

·         Ster-Kinekor Mimosa (Bloemfontein)

·         Ster-Kinekor Greenstone (Edenvale)

Bookings for EFC AFRICA 28 at select Ster-Kinekor cinemas open on Friday, 14 March. Tickets cost R120, Ster-Kinekor SKCLUB, Discovery Vitality or Edgars club movie card benefits will apply. To find out more, visitwww.sterkinekor.com.

Films Opening Around South Africa

#300jointhebattle is the official hashtag for the Gareth Cliff Worldwide Fan Event for 300: Rise Of An Empire.  Remember to use it when you come to the event. 

JOIN STER-KINEKOR AND GARETH CLIFF FOR THE WORLDWIDE FAN EVENT PREMIERE OF 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE IN IMAX® 3D

Fancy being part of a WORLDWIDE fan event for the premiere of the action adventure film, 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE in 3D?

Ster-Kinekor, in partnership with Warner Bros. Pictures and 5FM’s Gareth Cliff, is hosting the exclusive South African fan events at three of its 3D cinemas on Wednesday, 26 February at 20:00. The free screenings are taking place at the Ster-Kinekor IMAX® theatre at Gateway in Durban, hosted by Gareth Cliff; at Ster-Kinekor Sandton City in Johannesburg, hosted by 5FM Morning’s Damon Kalvari; and at Ster-Kinekor Cavendish in Cape Town. The fans at all three events will be treated to free Coke and popcorn on the night, and the chance to win some great 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE prizes!

In addition, Durban fans will enjoy cocktails with Gareth from 19:00, and an opportunity to capture the moment with Glam Cam photography. Thereafter, the guests will move through to the cinema at 20:00 to watch the film in IMAX® 3D, for a full-on, immersive cinematic experience that is The IMAX® Experience.

To secure your tickets to this once-off fan event, make sure you listen to Gareth Cliff on 5FM Mornings and visit his website (www.garethcliff.com) or his Facebook page from Thursday 19 February to get in on the deal. Tickets will be issued on a first come, first served basis (limited to two tickets per person).

This is one fan event you don’t want to miss out on, so start listening to 5FM now – and catch the premiere of 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE in 3D with the rest of the world!

The film releases nationally at Ster-Kinekor cinemas on Friday, 07 March 2014, in line with its global release.

CINEMA NOUVEAU ANNOUNCES PRE-RELEASE SCREENINGS OF THREE MULTI-NOMINATED OSCAR CONTENDERS IN LEAD UP TO AWARDS CEREMONY

Watch all ‘Best Picture’ nominees on the big screen this week to qualify your Oscar predictions

The ‘Oscar Buzz’ is heating up as the countdown to the 86^th Academy Awards ceremony on 02 March starts. In a year in which almost every category is still being hotly contested, Cinema Nouveau is pre-releasing three multi-nominated titles, two of which have ‘Best Picture’ nominations after their name, to allow South African audiences the opportunity to view them on the big screen before the Oscars are announced.

Each of the three pre-release titles, August: Osage County, Nebraska and Philomena, will have one screening each at 20:00 on 24, 26 and 27 February respectively, at the four Cinema Nouveau theatres at Rosebank Mall in Johannesburg, Brooklyn Mall in Pretoria, Gateway in Durban and the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Bookings are now open for these three special pre-Oscar screenings.

The talented Meryl Streep, who is no stranger to the Best Actress category, is once again nominated in this category for her role in August: Osage County, which will be pre-released at the four Cinema Nouveau theatres on Monday, 24 February at 20:00. Another big Hollywood name, Julia Roberts, shares the screen with her in this film and is up for Best Supporting Actress.

August: Osage County tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family. Their lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name is directed by John Wells (The Company Men) and features an all-star cast, including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Nicholson, Sam Shepard and Misty Upham. This film releases nationally on Friday, 14 March.

(Official August: Osage County  trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hd_uO72h1s)

On Wednesday, 26 February at 20:00, Cinema Nouveau audiences are transported to another American state with the pre-release of Nebraska. With an impressive six Oscar nominations, for Best Picture, Best Actor – Bruce Dern, Best Supporting Actress – June Squibb, Cinematography, Best Director – Alexander Payne, and Original Screenplay, this black-and-white masterpiece explores another complex family relationship.

Director Alexander Payne (Sideways, The Descendants) takes the helm for this black-and-white road trip drama starring Bruce Dern as a tempestuous Missouri father who is convinced he has won a million dollar magazine sweepstakes. His son, played by Will Forte, begrudgingly agrees to drive him to Nebraska to claim his winnings. June Squibb, Bob Odenkirk and Stacy Keach co-star. The film releases nationally on Friday, 14 March.

(Official Nebraska trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuIBvmxIN4w)

With four Oscar nominations – Best Picture, Best Actress – Judi Dench, Best Original Score and Best Adapted Screenplay –Philomena plays on the Cinema Nouveau circuit at 20:00 on Thursday, 27 February. It releases nationally on Friday, 28 March.

When former journalist Martin Sixsmith (Steve Coogan) is dismissed from the Labour Party in disgrace, he is at a loss as to what to do. All that changes when a young Irish woman approaches him about a story of her mother, Philomena (Judi Dench), who had her son taken away when she was a teenage inmate of a Catholic convent. Martin arranges a magazine assignment about Philomena’s search for her son that eventually leads to America. Along the way, Martin and Philomena discover as much about each other as about her son's fate, as their basic beliefs are challenged.

(Official Philomena trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DBPqcp6Hc4)

With these three pre-releases, all nine contenders for the lucrative ‘Best Picture’ category can be seen on the big screen at select Ster-Kinekor and Cinema Nouveau sites during the course of next week. Audiences will need to plan their week’s viewing carefully in order to take in all nine titles – and make their predictions – before the winner of ‘Best Picture’ is announced during the early hours of Monday, 03 March (SA time) from Hollywood, LA!

The full list of nominees vying for this prestigious award are: Gravity; Captain Phillips (both titles re-released by Ster-Kinekor recently); American Hustle (28 Feb); Dallas Buyers Club (28 Feb); Her; Nebraska (14 Mar); Philomena (28 Mar); 12 Years a Slave; and The Wolf of Wall Street.

Released exclusively at Cinema Nouveau and select Ster-Kinekor cinemas is another Oscar contender, Inside Llewyn Davis,which has been nominated in two categories – Best Achievement in Cinematography and Best Achievement in Sound Mixing. The film embodies the spirit of a great American folk tale, but finds the power of a lyrical odyssey when told by the talents of Joel and Ethan Coen. With T Bone Burnett as their musical muse, the Coens brilliantly encapsulate the saturated soul of the early sixties, as they play this cyclical ballad sparked by a bar fight and a cat on an incredible journey.

Oscar Isaac is Llewyn Davis and his finely tuned performance is inseparable from the character he plays, as he wanders down the road to redemption. Lost between undeniable talent and hopeless abjection, he sees his music as we see the film: “…it's never new and it never gets old; it's a folk song…”. Inside Llewyn Davis follows a week in the life of the young folk singer as he navigates the Greenwich Village folk scene of New York City in 1961. Llewyn Davis (masterfully played by Isaac) is at a crossroads in his life. With guitar in tow and huddled against the unforgiving New York winter, he is struggling to make it as a musician as he comes up against seemingly insurmountable obstacles… many of them of his own making.

(Official Inside Llewyn Davis trailer: http://www.insidellewyndavis.com/videos/trailers)

There is also still time to test your ‘Oscar Buzz’ knowledge and win some awesome weekly prizes, including DVD box sets of previous Oscar-winning films and movie tickets. Visit the Cinema Nouveau Facebook page and click on the ‘Oscar Buzz’ app to play the quiz.

For more information and to make a booking, visit the Ster-Kinekor website at www.sterkinekor.com or the Cinema Nouveau website at www.cinemanouveau.co.za Call Ticketline on 082 16789. Follow us on Twitter @sktheatres / @nouveaubuzz, or on Facebook at Ster-Kinekor Theatres / Cinema Nouveau. Own an iPhone, Nokia, Samsung Android or Blackberry? Download Ster-Kinekor’s app now, to get the latest news and updates on what’s showing at Ster-Kinekor and Cinema Nouveau, and to make a booking.