Can you believe that it’s already April and Easter for that matter. I certainly can’t, it feels as if it was just the other day that we counted down to 2010. This is officially my first blog of movies shown on DStv. Hopefully you'll enjoy them as much as I have.
This weekend has a feast of movies lined up which defs includes something for everyone. You can look forward to anything from period dramas, dramas, action, romance to sci-fi and suspense.
My apologies if this article is a bit on the long side, but I thought that seeings as Friday and Monday are public holidays I should include some of the movies shown during the day - even if it’s only to keep the little ones occupied.
There’s also the Super 14 and soccer to look forward to. In other words it’s a jam-packed schedule.
May I wish you a very blessed Easter and if you’re going away for the weekend please remember to drive safe, considerate and sober.
My absolutely have to see movie of the week: Valkyrie
FRIDAY 2 APRIL 2010
Ch 101 M-Net 21:30 The Spirit
Starring: Gabriel Macht, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Eva Mendes, Sarah Paulson, Jaime King, Paz Vega
Director: Frank Miller
Rookie cop Denny Colt returns from the beyond as The Spirit, a hero whose mission is to fight against the bad forces in Central City
Ch 103 MM1 09:00 Frost/Nixon
Starring: Frank Langella, Michael Sheen, Sam Rockwell, Toby Jones, Matthew MacFadyen
Director: Ron Howard
A dramatic retelling of the post-Watergate television interviews between British talk-show host David Frost and former president Richard Nixon.
Ch 103 MM1 16:00 Paul Blart: Mall Cop (**½)
Starring: Kevin James, Keir O'Donnell, Raini Rodriguez, Adhir Kalyan, Jayma Mays
Director: Steve Carr
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It’s not Oscar material, but it is funny and very sweet. It’s something to sit back to, relax and not think about anything. Perfect to unwind on a holiday.
Synopsis
When a shopping mall is overtaken by a gang of organized crooks, it's up to the a mild-mannered security guard to save the day.
Ch 103 MM1 20:30 Two can Play that Game
Starring: Vivica A. Fox, Morris Chestnut, Anthony Anderson, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Tamala Jones
Director: Mark Brown
An arrogant career woman plays a series of heartless mind-games with her boyfriend to "put him in line," only to discover that he has a few tricks up his own sleeve
Ch 104 MM2 12:35 It’s a Boy Girl Thing (**½)
Starring: Kevin Zegers, Samaire Armstrong, Sharon Osbourne, Maury Chaykin, Mpho Koaho
Director: Nick Hurran
If you liked Freaky Friday and Big, then you’ll enjoy this movie. It’s a predictable romantic comedy/teen movie (i.e you’ll know the outcome at the start of the movie), but it still stays very sweet. It’s a must for all those love sick teens out there.
Synopsis
Sworn enemies find themselves in each other's bodies, and use this to ruin each other's lives.
Ch 104 MM2 17:35 Fracture (***½)
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, David Strathairn, Rosamund Pike, Embeth Davidtz
Director: Gregory Hoblit
This movie is brilliant. The suspense unbearable. Hopkins is brilliant as the cunning and conniving husband. Gosling again as the know-it-all lawyer. Their scenes together are brilliantly executed. It will defs keep you on the edge of your seat until the end credits roll. A must see in my books.
Synopsis
An attorney intent on climbing the career ladder toward success, finds an unlikely opponent in a manipulative criminal he's trying to prosecute.
Ch 104 MM2 20:00 Flyboys
Starring: James Franco, Jean Reno, David Ellison, Martin Henderson, Jennifer Decker
Director: Tony Bill
The adventures of the Lafayette Escadrille, young Americans who volunteered for the French military before the U.S. entered World War I, and became the country's first fighter pilots
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 15:30 Three Wishes (**½)
Starring: Patrick Swayze, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Joseph Mazzello, Seth Mumy, David Marshall Grant
Director: Martha Coolidge, Dennis Michelson
I was thinking about this movie just the other day and was quite surprised when I discovered that MNS will be showing it. This is another sentimental and sweet movie, but I loved it. I liked Patrick Swayze as an actor, he was one of my favourites, which means that I’ve seen about 99% of his movies. This is a movie the whole family can enjoy.
Synopsis
In an unexplained act of charity, Jeanne Holman, picks up an injured, apparent tramp and takes him home to care for him little realising who he was or the effect he would have on her life and those of her family.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 19:30 La Bamba (***)
Starring: Lou Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, Rosana DeSoto, Elizabeth Peña, Danielle Von Zerneck
Director: Luis Valdez
If you like music from the 60s then this movie is defs for you. It is mostly an uplifting true life story of a poor Latino (Ritchie Valens) who made it big time in the music industry, but not without the help and support of his mother. So much so that she actually sort of neglected her other children and their talents. It’s heartbreaking stuff, so keep that box of Kleenex near.
Ch 106 M-Net Action 20:00 Men in Black I (****)
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Will Smith, Linda Fiorentino, Vincent D'Onofrio, Rip Torn
Director: Barry Sonnenfeld, Eric Brevig
Who would have thought that teaming TLJ and WS will equal block buster status, not me, but they did and they did it so good that a sequel was made. It has all the ingredients, it’s funny and fun, has amazing special effects, lots of action and off course Mr Smith who makes Ray Bands look cool. If you haven’t seen it yet, then I’d highly recommend that you do.
Synopsis
Two men who keep an eye on aliens in New York City must try to save the world after the aliens threaten to blow it up.
Ch 109 TCM 17:25 Gone with the Wind (*****)
Starring: Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard (II), Olivia de Havilland, Hattie McDaniel (II)
Director: Victor Fleming
If you’re in the mood for something more serious and classic then this is the movie for you. What can I say other than that this movie is still the movie all others should be compared to . In my books this movie was and still is one of Hollywood’s highest accomplishments if you take into account that they didn’t have CGI or visual effects at that time. It’s one of my favourite movies and a must see in my books.
Synopsis
American classic in which a manipulative woman and a roguish man carry on a turbulent love affair in the American south during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
SATURDAY, 3 APRIL 2010
Ch 101 M-Net 20:30 Inkheart (***)
Starring: Helen Mirren, Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Jim Broadbent, Rafi Gavron
Director: Iain Softley
I love adventure movies and really enjoyed this movie. It’s not exactly what I expected, the movie trailer was a bit misleading, but it turned out to be quite nice. It’s one of those movies the whole family could enjoy. It has a stellar cast. Some amazing action sequences and the visual and CGI effects are spectacular. If you like movies such as Stardust, then you’ll defs enjoy this one.
Synopsis
A young girl discovers her father has an amazing talent to bring characters out of their books and must try to stop a freed villain from destroying them all, with the help of her father, her aunt, and a storybook's hero.
Ch 104 MM2 20:00 Good Luck Chuck
Starring: Jessica Alba, Dane Cook, Dan Fogler, Michelle Harrison, Ellia English
Director: Mark Helfrich
A man breaks up with his long-time girlfriend only to see her get engaged to the next guy she dates. The same pattern occurs with his next girlfriend, and continues to repeat. All of a sudden he finds himself becoming a lucky charm for women, who all want to date him.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 19:30 Saturday Night Fever (****)
Starring: John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Barry Miller, Joseph Cali, Paul Pape (II)
Director: John Badham
Just to see JT in top form and at the top of his career makes this movie a must see and if you’re a BeeGees fan – more the better. This movie will have you tap dancing in your lounge in no time. It’s a good classic that shouldn’t be missed.
Synopsis
Slice-of-life tale about a working-class young Brooklyn Italian-American who finds an escape from his mundane neighborhood existence at the local discotheque, where he is the "king of the dance floor."
Ch 106 M-Net Action 20:05 Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (***)
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Jon Voight, Iain Glen, Noah Taylor, Daniel Craig
Director: Simon West, Simon Crane
I’m not a fan of videogames turned movie, but this one is not half bad. It has Angelina Jolie looking fabulous, a good storyline and some amazing action sequences and visual/special effects.
Synopsis
Video game adventurer Lara Croft comes to life in a movie where she races against time and villains to recover powerful ancient artifacts.
Ch 108 Universal Channel 20:50 You Stupid Man
Starring: William Baldwin, Denise Richards, Milla Jovovich, David Krumholtz, Jessica Cauffiel
Director: Brian Burns
A man cannot get over his former girlfriend who moved to Los Angeles to become a television star. When he finally falls in love with a friend who has been helping him get over his ex, the former girlfriend's show gets cancelled and she becomes determined to win him back.
Ch 109 TCM 19:20 Singin’ in the Rain (****)
Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell
Director: Gene Kelly, Stanley Donen
If you’re in the mood for old fashion Hollywood and romance, then this movie is for you. I love musicals and this one doesn’t disappoint. Gene Kelly is as always amazing. Did you know that he was sick when they shot the ‘singing in the rain’ sequence and that it was done in one take, just incredible.
Synopsis
In 1927, the former stunt Don Lockwood becomes a successful actor with the company of his best friend Cosmo Brown forming a romantic pair with the actress Lina Lamont. In the period of transition from silent movies to talking pictures, Don accidentally meets the aspirant actress Kathy Selden while escaping from his fans and fall in love for her. Lina has troubles with the sharp tune of her voice, and Cosmo and Don decides to dub her, using Kathy's voice, to save their movie. When the jealous Lina finds the strategy of the studio, she does not want to share the credits with Kathy and tries to force the studio to use Kathy in the shadow to dub her in other productions. But when Lina decides to speech and sing to the audience, the truth arises.
Ch 113 Sony ET 20:30 Life without Dick
Starring: Sarah Jessica Parker, Craig Ferguson, Elijah Wood, Johnny Knoxville, Harry Connick Jr.
Director: Bix Skahill (II), Bix Skahill
A woman unwittingly falls in love with a hit man hired to kill her annoying boyfriend. The hit man however, does not want to kill anybody but would rather pursue his true passion, becoming an Irish tenor. The woman helps him by carrying out his hits for him.
SUNDAY, 4 APRIL 2010
Ch 101 M-Net 20:00 The Pink Panther 2
Starring: Steve Martin, Jean Reno, Alfred Molina, Emily Mortimer, Aishwarya Rai
Director: Harald Zwart
Insp. Jacques Clouseau teams up with a squad of International detectives who are just as bumbling as he is. Their mission: Stop a globe-trotting thief who specializes in stealing historical artifacts.
Ch 103 MM1 19:00 Americanizing Shelley
Starring: Beau Bridges, Shaheen Khan, Namrata Singh Gujral, Phillip Rhys, Wil Wheaton
Director: Lorraine Senna
Looks like something from My Fair Lady - same story different settings.
Synopsis
A wannabe Hollywood player sets out to Americanize an Indian girl from the Himalayas.
Ch 104 MM2 20:00 Norbit
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Thandie Newton, Cuba Gooding Jr, Eddie Griffin, Terry Crews
Director: Brian Robbins
Norbit has never had it easy. As a baby, he was abandoned on the steps of a Chinese restaurant/orphanage and raised by Mr. Wong. Things get worse when he's forced into marriage by the mean, junk food-chugging queen, Rasputia. Just when Norbit's hanging by his last thread, his childhood sweetheart, Kate, moves back to town.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 19:30 Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway
Starring: Will Chase, Adam Kantor, Michael McElroy, Rodney Hicks, Tracie Thoms
Director: Michael John Warren
Set in New York City's gritty East Village, the revolutionary rock opera RENT tells the story of a group of bohemians struggling to live and pay their rent. "Measuring their lives in love," these starving artists strive for success and acceptance while enduring the obstacles of poverty, illness and the AIDS epidemic.
Ch 106 M-Net Action 20:00 187
Starring: Samuel L. Jackson, John Heard, Kelly Rowan, Clifton Collins Jr., Karina Arroyave
Director: Kevin Reynolds
After surviving a brutal attack by a student, teacher Trevor Garfield moves from New York to Los Angeles.
Ch 113 Sony ET 17:35 Ben-Hur (*****)
Starring: Charlton Heston, Jack Hawkins, Stephen Boyd, Haya Harareet, Hugh Griffith
Director: William Wyler, Andrew Marton, Yakima Canutt (II)
What can I say about BH except that it is spectacular, grand and visually stunning. It has everything and more i.e. Charlton Heston (looking fantabulous) – check, betrayal – check, romance – check, action – check, revenge – check. This movie has everything rolled into one exceptional masterpiece – it is perfect for a Sunday afternoon.
Synopsis
When a Jewish prince is betrayed and sent into slavery by a Roman friend, he regains his freedom and comes back for revenge.
MONDAY, 5 APRIL 2010
Ch 101 M-Net 21:30 Changeling
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Amy Ryan, John Malkovich, Jeffrey Donovan, Riki Lindhome
Director: Clint Eastwood
A grief-stricken mother takes on the LAPD to her own detriment when it stubbornly tries to pass off an obvious impostor as her missing child, while also refusing to give up hope that she will find him one day.
Ch 103 MM1 10:15 Race to Witch Mountain (***)
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Ciaran Hinds, Anna-Sophia Robb, Alexander Ludwig, Carla Gugino
Director: Andy Fickman
I’m quite a fan of ol’ Dwayne – at least he tries something different as not to be typed cast as the next Arnie or Sly. I enjoyed this movie, it has a little bit of everything – action, adventure, suspense and a bit of romance. The kids will surely enjoy this.
Synopsis
A Las Vegas cabbie enlists the help of a UFO expert to protect two siblings with paranormal powers from the clutches of an organization that wants to use the kids for their nefarious plans.
Ch 103 MM1 11:55 Valkyrie (****)
Starring: Tom Cruise, Kenneth Branagh, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkinson, Carice Van Houten, Thomas Kretschmann, Eddie Izzard, Terence Stamp
Director: Bryan Singer
All that I can say is WOW! I was blown away by this movie. It has a stellar cast, a good script and even though you know the outcome the director still managed to create unbelievable suspense which will have you on the edge of your seat and leave you without nails at the end. At one stage I was thinking how could such a perfect plan could go awry – it’s just not possible and then the answer reveals itself. You will be tearing the hair out of your head in frustration – thinking if only this or that. It’s a story of courage and determination and of heartbreak and loss. The only reasons I can think of why the Academy ignore this movie was that it was either gatvol for all the war movies made especially WWII ones or Hollywood had enough of Mr Cruise. Say what you will of the latter, either hate him or love him, he can act. This is one movie I’d highly recommend watching.
Synopsis
The true story of Col. Claus von Stauffenberg and the daring plot to eliminate one of the most evil tyrants the world has ever known.
Ch 103 MM1 17:15 A Walk in the Clouds (***)
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, Anthony Quinn, Giancarlo Giannini, Angélica Aragón (II)
Director: Alfonso Arau
This is another one of my favourites. It’s not your typical Reeves movie, but do not let that put you off. If you’re into family dramas and sagas then this movie is defs for you. It is beautifully shot and the cinematography is stunning. It has a good storyline, good chemistry between the main characters and on top of that it has Anthony Quinn. Even though the cast is relatively the director manages to get the best performance out of each one, which makes this movie a gem to watch. I’d highly recommend it, if you haven’t seen it.
Synopsis
After returning from the war, Paul and a young woman meet on a bus as she's headed home from college to help with the grape harvest and face her Old World domineering dad. The woman has not married but is pregnant and she thinks her father is going to kill her. Paul proposes to pose as her husband to help her face her father. When their passion for each other is finally ignited and explodes, they realize they must overcome all odds to be together.
Ch 104 MM2 09:10 Because I Said So
Starring: Diane Keaton, Mandy Moore, Gabriel Macht, Tom Everett Scott, Lauren Graham
Director: Michael Lehmann
A meddling mother tries to set her daughter up with the right man so her kid won't follow in her footsteps.
Ch 104 MM2 17:45 Irresistible
Starring: Susan Sarandon, Sam Neill, Emily Blunt, Charles Tingwell (II), Georgie Parker
Director: Ann Turner
A wife and mother is consumed by the thought that her husband's co-worker is trying to win him away from her and their family
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 10:45 I Am Sam (****)
Starring: Sean Penn, Michelle Pfeiffer, Dakota Fanning, Dianne Wiest, Loretta Devine
Director: Jessie Nelson
This is a good drama with a top notch cast. It is heartbreaking and will defs tear at your heartstrings, so best keep those Kleenex near. Sean Penn rightly deserved that Oscar nom, but sadly lost out to Denzel Washington. Michelle Pfeiffer plays the b*%chy lawyer to the T and Dakota Fanning is as always amazing. This is a good movie and if you haven’t seen it yet, I’d highly recommend that you do.
Synopsis
A mentally retarded man fights for custody of his 7-year-old daughter, and in the process teaches his cold-hearted lawyer the value of love and family
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 16:10 Philadelphia (****)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Roberta Maxwell, Buzz Kilman, Karen Finley (II)
Director: Alex Cox, Jonathan Demme, Kristi Zea
This movie earned Mr Hanks the first Oscar of his back to back wins and rightly so. It’s a good movie with a topic that is still relevant today. Denzel is also as always amazing as the only lawyer who was willing to take his case. It’s heartbreaking stuff and a must see in my books.
Synopsis
When a man with AIDS is fired by a conservative law firm because of his condition, he hires a homophobic small time lawyer as the only willing advocate for a wrongful dismissal suit.
Ch 106 M-Net Action 20:00 The Hunted
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Benicio Del Toro, Connie Nielsen, Leslie Stefanson, John Finn
Director: William Friedkin
This is one movie that’s defs on my schedule to watch.
Synopsis
An FBI deep-woods tracker captures a trained assassin who has made a sport of hunting humans