I cannot believe that the World Cup has sung its last song on Sunday in a spectacular manner which has put as all in post world cup blues. We as South Africans can truly be proud of ourselves. But don’t worry DStv made sure that we have some really good movies to snuggle up to this weekend, which will partly ease that Post Traumatic Soccer Syndrome.
I know it’s not the same, but the Tri-Nations is in full swing with the Boks facing the All Blacks on Saturday at 09:35 on M-Net – GO BOKKE! Then there’s the Currie Cup which also kicked of last week.
DStv really have a killer line-up this weekend which made choosing the movie of the week very, very difficult. They have something for the action buffs (Daylight, Pride and Glory), the Horror junkies (Friday the 13th, Sweeny Todd), the romantics (Robin Hood) and the family (Up). Like I said there is plenty to choose from, but my absolutely have-to-see movie of the week (apart from Up) is District 9.
FRIDAY, 16 JULY 2010
Ch 101 M-Net 21:30 Friday the 13th Part 12
Starring: Julianna Guill, America Olivo, Jared Padalecki, Amanda Righetti, Danielle Panabaker
Director: Marcus Nispel
A group of young adults discover a boarded up Camp Crystal Lake, where they soon encounter Jason Voorhees and his deadly intentions
Ch 103 MM1 20:15 Pride and Glory (***)
Starring: Edward Norton, Colin Farrell, Jennifer Ehle, Noah Emmerich, Lake Bell
Director: Gavin O Connor
This is a good action/drama which should defs not be missed. It has a decent storyline, some top notch actors, a nice twist and plenty action. It gives new meaning to the word ‘dirty’ cop.
Synopsis
Four New York City cops are dead, killed in an ambush that has the entire police department on alert and on edge. With a cop killer on the loose and so much riding on the case, Chief of Manhattan Detectives Francis Tierney, Sr. asks his son, Detective Ray Tierney, to lead the investigation. Reluctantly Ray takes over the case knowing the cops who were lost had served under his brother, Francis Tierney.
Ch 104 MM2 20:00 Joe Dirt (**)
Starring: Richard Riehle, David Spade, Brittany Daniel, Christopher Walken, Erik Per Sullivan
Director: Dennie Gordon
I personally did not think much of this movie, but maybe it’s just me. I’m not fond of movies that, dare I say, portray people as common or as ‘trash’. It’s suppose to be a comedy, but I couldn’t find anything funny in it, but then that’s just me in the minority of people who love this movie.
Synopsis
Joe Dirt is an idiot who works as an oil welder, in search for his parents who abandoned him when he was a baby at the grand canyon.
Ch 104 MM2 21:35 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Alan Rickman, Laura Michelle Kelly
Director: Tim Burton
I would like to see this movie, but I’m not sure if I have the guts for it yet.
Synopsis
The infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett. Based on the hit Broadway musical.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 19:30 Major League III
Starring: Scott Bakula, Corbin Bernsen, Takaaki Ishibashi, Ted McGinley, Bob Uecker
Director: John Warren
Aging minor league pitcher Gus Cantrell is planning to retire, but then Roger recruits Gus to be the manager of the South Carolina Buzz, the Twins AAA minor league team.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 21:30 Mystery Alaska (****)
Starring: Little Richard, Russell Crowe, Hank Azaria, Mary McCormack, Burt Reynolds
Director: Jay Roach, Steve Boyum
Before Gladiator, before A Beautiful Mind, before becoming a household name and before o’l Oscar - there was this little movie called Mystery Alaska where Mr Crowe is almost ‘untouched’ by all the fame and fortune. This is a little gem and should defs not be missed. It has a top notch cast, a good story that’s almost human and that anyone could relate to and some decent ice hockey scenes. It’s a must see in my books.
Synopsis
A publicity stunt turns into the ultimate lopsided competition, when the world-famous New York Rangers face-off against the team from Mystery, Alaska, a hockey-loving town of only 633 people. Team Mystery is a rag-tag collection of eccentric locals including the town's sheriffs, its grocer, a deliveryman and a high school senior who play for the love of the game, not fame or big money.
Ch 106 M-Net Action 20:00 D-Tox (***)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Tom Berenger, Charles S. Dutton, Sean Patrick Flanery, Christopher Fulford
Director: Jim Gillespie
I quite enjoyed this movie. It’s a decent drama/action with a decent storyline which will keep you on the edge of your seat with its who-dunnit plot. I would defs recommend this movie if you haven’t seen it yet.
Synopsis
A disgraced FBI agent with a drinking problem joins nine other troubled law enforcement officers at an isolated detox clinic in the wilds of Wyoming. But the therapeutic sanctuary becomes a nightmarish hellhole when a major snowstorm cuts off the clinic from the outside world and enables a killer on the inside to get busy.
Ch 108 Universal 21:00 Live Once Die Twice
Starring: Kellie Martin, Martin Cummins, Cindy Sampson
Director: Stefan Pleszczynski
A woman's life changes dramatically when she loses her husband in a mysterious boating accident.
Ch 108 Universal 22:40 The In-Laws
Starring: Lindsay Sloane, Michael Douglas, Albert Brooks, Robin Tunney, Ryan Reynolds
Director: Andrew Fleming
Right before his daughter's wedding, a mild-mannered foot doctor discovers that his new in-laws are international smugglers.
Ch 109 TCM 19:15 After the Fox
Starring: Peter Sellers, Victor Mature, Britt Ekland, Martin Balsam, Akim Tamiroff
Director: Vittorio De Sica, Richard Talmadge (II), Giorgio Stegani (II)
A career crook who has a habit of getting in and out of jail plans to smuggle millions of dollars worth of gold by tricking some villagers into thinking he's filming a movie and having them "act" a scene in which they bring the loot ashore.
Ch 109 TCM 21:00 Donny Brasco (****)
Starring: Al Pacino, Johnny Depp, Michael Madsen, Bruno Kirby, James Russo
Director: Mike Newell
I would put this movie in the same league as The Departed. It’s a brilliant mafia drama/suspense. It has a top notch cast and won an Oscar for best writing/screenplay that year. Mr Depp plays the dark brooding undercover agent to a t and Mr Pacino well is Mr Pacino – brilliant as always. It’s a must see in my books
Synopsis
An FBI undercover agent infiltrates the mob and finds himself identifying more with the mafia life to the expense of his regular one
Ch 113 Sony 20:30 Cruel Intentions 3
Starring: Kerr Smith, Kristina Anapau, Nathan J. Wetherington, Natalie Ramsey (II), Melissa Yvonne Lewis
Director: Scott Ziehl
Two guys at a college prep school make wagers on seducing naive young girls, and then meet their match when they agree to see which one can seduce the most popular and devious girl who has her own agenda to everything.
My Picks for Today: Pride and Glory, Mystery Alaska, D-Tox, Donnie Brasco
Movies that Might be Worth Watching: After the Fox, Live Once Die Twice
SATURDAY, 17 JULY 2010
Ch 101 M-Net 20:00 Observe and Report
Starring: Seth Rogen, Ray Liotta, Michael Pena, Anna Faris, Dan Bakkedahl
Director: Jody Hill
Bi-polar mall security guard Ronnie Barnhardt is called into action to stop a flasher from turning shopper's paradise into his personal peep show. But when Barnhardt can't bring the culprit to justice, a surly police detective, is recruited to close the case.
Ch 103 MM1 19:10 Up (****)
Starring: Edward Asner, Jordan Nagai, Christopher Plummer, Delroy Lindo and John Ratzenberger
Director: Pete Docter and Bob Peterson
I’m sorry that I’m in the majority, but this movie is brilliant. It deserved the Oscar through and through. It’s colourful, heartwarming, touching, funny, suspenseful and to top it all it has some amazing CG effects. It’s all wrapped into one beautiful movie.
A movie which will make you cry (I cried my eyes out in the first 10 mins or so), it will have you on the floor rolling in laughter and it will make you bite all your nails off. It’s a perfect family movie. In my books Disney-Pixar can do no wrong – they are just brilliant.
Synopsis
At age 78, life seems to have passed Carl Fredricksen by, until a twist of fate (and a persistent 8-year old named Russell) gives him a new lease on life.
Ch 103 MM1 21:10 Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Starring: Patricia Clarkson, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, Kevin Dunn
Director: Woody Allen
Two girlfriends on a summer holiday in Spain become enamored with the same painter, unaware that his ex-wife, with whom he has a tempestuous relationship, is about to re-enter the picture.
Ch 104 MM2 20:00 First Sunday
Starring: Ice Cube , Regina Hall, P.J. Byrne, Katt Williams, Malinda Williams
Director: David E. Talbert
Durell and LeeJohn are best friends and bumbling petty criminals. When told they have one week to pay a $17,000 debt or Durell will lose his son, they come up with a desperate scheme to rob their neighborhood church. Instead, they end up spending the night in the presence of the Lord and are forced to deal with much more than they bargained for.
Ch 104 MM2 21:40 Saving Silverman
Starring: Jason Biggs, Steve Zahn, Jack Black, Amanda Peet, Amanda Detmer
Director: Dennis Dugan
A pair of buddies conspire to save their best friend from marrying the wrong woman.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 19:30 Honey, I Blew Up the Kid
Starring: Rick Moranis, Marcia Strassman, Robert Oliveri, Daniel Shalikar, Joshua Shalikar
Director: Randal Kleiser, Leslie Dilley
Wayne Szalinski inadvertently zaps his two year old son with an enlarging contraption and the overgrown tot sets out on his own.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 21:30 Beavis and Butt-Head do America
Starring: Mike Judge, Cloris Leachman, Robert Stack, Eric Bogosian, Richard Linklater
Director: Mike Judge
Our intrepid adolescent heroes wake up to find their beloved television stolen, and embark on an epic journey across America to recover it.
Ch 106 M-Net Action 20:00 The Man in the Iron Mask (****)
Starring: Jeremy Irons, Leonardo DiCaprio, John Malkovich, Gérard Depardieu (II), Gabriel Byrne
Director: Randall Wallace, David Carrigan
This remake is as good as the original. It has the same premise as the original, but the story is slightly different. It boasts of a stellar cast, some amazing cinematography and dazzling costumes. It’s a must see in my books.
Synopsis
The cruel King Louis XIV of France has a secret twin brother who he keeps imprisoned. Can the twin be substituted for the real king?
Ch 108 Universal 20:50 Brave New Girl
Starring: Virginia Madsen, Lindsey Haun, Barbara Mamabolo, John Ralston
Director: Bobby Roth
Holly has everything it takes to be a star; the voice, the dream and the dedication, but she lacks the means to break away from her humble Texas upbringing. Then she gets the chance to attend an art and music school on the East coast and her future suddenly looks bright. But the road to stardom is a bumpy one. She must compete with the snobby Angela for the star spot and that's the least of her troubles.
Luckily, Holly has the support from her mother and her roommate Ditz who prove that being a star has nothing to do with fame and everything to do with faith, family, and friends. Before all the number one hits and the adoring fans, all she had was the dream.
Ch 109 TCM 21:00 Absence of Malice
Starring: Paul Newman, Sally Field, Bob Balaban, Melinda Dillon, Luther Adler
Director: Sydney Pollack
An ambitious Miami reporter, Megan Carter, tries to stay on top of a breaking story about the mysterious disappearance of a local long-shore labor leader for her newspaper.
Ch 113 Sony 20:30 Ghostbusters II (***)
Starring: Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Sigourney Weaver, Harold Ramis, Rick Moranis
Director: Ivan Reitman, Mickey Moore
Wow this brings back memories – they are currently working on a GB3 due out in 2012 with the original cast already signed up. I personally can’t wait and will be first in line to buy that ticket (that is if the world still exists if we are to believe the scientists and psychics). Who can forget the GB song or that white ambulance like van. It’s huge fun and the little ones might just enjoy it, or maybe not as some scenes might just give them a wee bit of nightmares. It’s a must see in my books even if it’s only for nostalgia.
Synopsis
The Ghostbusters face the spirit of a warlock that lives in his self-portrait in a New York museum.
Ch 303 Disney 19:10 Go Figure
Starring: Jordan Hinson, Whitney Sloan, Cristine Rose, Ryan Malgarini
Director: Francine McDougall
This is defs on my schedule to watch.
Synopsis
Katelin Kingsford, an Olympic hopeful figure skater wants to train with a Russian figure skating coach. In order to go to go to the school that Natasha is at, Katelin gets a scholarship playing on the girls hockey team
My Picks for Today: Up, The Man in the Iron Mask, Ghostbusters II
Movies that Might be Worth Watching: Go Figure
SUNDAY, 18 JULY 2010
Ch 101 M-Net 20:00 District 9 (*** ½)
Starring: Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, Nathalie Boltt, Sylvaine Strike, John Sumner
Director: Neill Blomkamp
Normally when a movie generates a lot of hype I’m very skeptical as I am usually disappointed when I actually go and watch it due to the high expectations the media normally generates, but it’s not totally true in this case.
It’s a good movie that is fresh, different and most of all unpredictable. What the movie critics didn’t mention at the time of its release is that the movie is extremely violent and cruel with lots of torture scenes. I would not recommend it for sensitive viewers or let children watch it and would slap at least an 18 age restriction on it for violence and language.
Some of the aspects that I thought were totally cool were the weaponry, the robot-like weapon, the lead character (Wikus van der Merwe), who curses in Afrikaans even though the movie is English (just loved it), the fact that an Afrikaans person is portrayed as the hero of the movie, Christopher (one of the alien’s) son and the fact that it was actually shot in Jo’burg - the latter does give you a sense of pride.
They (the director/producer) didn’t have a major budget, but in my opinion this didn’t give a disadvantage at all, it just upped their game. It definitely does not have to stand back for any big Hollywood blockbuster.
The movie starts off documentary style, but before you get the feeling of wanting to get up and leave, it goes into movie-drive major time. There are some really cool action sequences which are set against a very drab/winter looking Johannesburg. You would have to be totally dof not to recognise the relevance/undertones of the apartheid era especially in the beginning, but thankfully it doesn’t hammer on that particular issue.
The movie also has a sad undertone, the more you identify with and have compassion for the lead character/s. It’s not totally blood and gore, as there are some funny moments just to break the seriousness of the storyline. It’s a must-see in my books if you haven’t seen it yet.
Synopsis
Wikus is a normal Afrikaans family guy who holds a normal position with Multinational United (MNU), that is until he is given the task to lead the eviction/relocation of millions of aliens (Prawns) to District 10. He comes into contact by accident with an alien substance with devastating, life altering consequences. When faced with despair and hopelessness he seeks and receives help from an unexpected ally.
Ch 103 MM1 19:15 Great Buck Howard
Starring: Colin Hanks, Tom Hanks, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, Debra Monk
Director: Sean McGinly
A young man, much to the chagrin of his father, becomes the new assistant to an illusionist in decline
Ch 104 MM2 20:00 Center Stage (***)
Starring: Amanda Schull, Zoe Saldana, Susan May Pratt, Peter Gallagher, Donna Murphy
Director: Nicholas Hytner
If you’re into dance movies with a killer soundtrack then you should not miss this one. It’s defs one of the better ones on the market today. It deals with all the sacrifices dancers have to endure and shows a little behind the scenes of what really goes on in the world of dancing (not a pretty sight).
The last dance is by far the best (loved how they incorporated Mickey J’s music into a ballet). My all-time favourite is still Dirty Dancing (I have yet to come across a movie that can top it). It’s worth a watch if you haven’t seen it yet.
Synopsis
A group of 12 teenagers from various backgrounds enroll at the American Ballet Academy in New York to make it as ballet dancers and each one deals with the problems and stress of training and getting ahead in the world of dance.
Ch 105 M-Net Stars 19:30 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (***½)
Starring: Kevin Costner, Morgan Freeman, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio, Christian Slater, Alan Rickman
Director: Max Kleven, Kevin Reynolds, Mark Illsley
Loved this movie - it’s so romantic but it also has a bit of tongue in the cheek humour and lots of action. The cinematography is truly beautiful and it has a stellar cast. Mr Costner can come and save me any day or time (sigh). It’s a good movie and one of those rare ones that target both the male and female audience.
Synopsis
When Robin and his Moorish companion return to England and the tyranny of the Sheriff of Nottingham, he decides to fight back as an outlaw.
Ch 106 M-Net Action 20:00 Daylight (***)
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Amy Brenneman, Viggo Mortensen, Dan Hedaya, Jay O. Sanders
Director: Rob Cohen, Buzz Feitshans, IV
I still enjoy this action even after watching it for the gazillion’s time. It has a decent storyline, some heartbreaking moments and some truly awesome special/CGI effects. It’s a good action movie and mindless fun if you’re not in the mood for something too serious.
Synopsis
Disaster struck in a New York tunnel as explosions collapsed both ends of it. One hero tries to help the people inside find their way to safety.
Ch 109 TCM 19:20 Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (***½)
Starring: Howard Keel, Jeff Richards, Russ Tamblyn, Tommy Rall, Matt Mattox
Director: Stanley Donen
I just love old musicals and this one is no different. It’s funny, but it also has its faire share of drama. The songs will have you tapping your feet in no time. So if you’re in the mood for nostalgia and the ‘good old days’ then this movie is for you.
Synopsis
In 1850 Oregon, when a backwoodsman brings a wife home to his farm, his six brothers decide that they want to get married too.
Ch 113 Sony 20:30 Saving Private Ryan (****)
Starring: Bryan Cranston, Tom Hanks, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper, Matt Damon
Director: Steven Spielberg
How can any movie go wrong if it involved the likes of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg. This is a heartbreaking action/drama movie, but at the same time Mr S managed to capture the gruesomeness of war. It’s a good movie and defs worth the watch.
Following the Normandy Landings, a group of US soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.
Ch 303 Disney 19:10 Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
Starring: Mae Whitman, Anjelica Huston, Kristin Chenoweth, Lucy Liu, Jesse McCartney
Director: Klay Hall
Tinker Bell journey far North of Never Land to patch things up with her friend Terence and restore a Pixie Dust Tree.
My Picks: District 9, Center Stage, Robin Hood, Daylight, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and Saving Private Ryan.