Sneak preview: 2018’s best upcoming movies
Orielle Berry takes a look at some of the eye-catching films that will be hitting the big screen this year.
THE POST, directed by Steven Spielberg (set for release on January 26): In June 1971, The New York Times, the Washington Post and other major American newspapers took a brave stand on freedom of speech and reported on the Pentagon Papers, the massive cover-up of government secrets that spanned four decades and four US Presidents.
At the time, the Post’s Katherine Graham, here played by Meryl Streep, was still finding her footing as the country’s first female newspaper publisher and Ben Bradlee (Tom Hanks), the paper’s volatile, driven editor, was trying to enhance the stature of the struggling, local paper. Together, the two formed an unlikely but formidable team, as they were forced to come together and make the bold decision to support The New York Times and fight the Nixon Administration’s unprecedented attempt to restrict the first amendment.
MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE, directed by Wes Ball (January 26): In the epic finale to the Maze Runner saga, Thomas leads his group of escaped Gladers on their final and most dangerous mission yet. To save their friends, they must break into the legendary Last City, a WCKD-controlled labyrinth that may turn out to be the deadliest maze of all. Anyone who makes it out alive will get answers to the questions the Gladers have been asking since they first arrived in the maze. Starring, among others, Dylan O’Brien as Thomas, Kaya Scodelario as Teresa and Thomas Sangster as Newt.
FIFTY SHADES FREED, directed by James Foley (February 9): The allegedly steamy next instalment is here in the Fifty Shades sagas, based on EL James’s best-selling novels. Believing they have left behind shadowy figures from their past, newlyweds Christian and Ana (played by Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson ) fully embrace an inextricable connection and shared life of luxury. But, just as she steps into her role as Mrs Grey and he relaxes into an unfamiliar stability, new threats could jeopardise their happy ending before it even begins.
BLACK PANTHER, directed by Ryan Coogler (February 16): Three South Africans star in this, one of the most anticipated movies locally that will hit the silver screen mid-February. Connie Chiume has confirmed that she will be starring in the upcoming Marvel superhero movie, as will John Kani and his son Atandwa. It also stars Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Basset and Forest Whitaker. Chadwick Boseman plays T’Challa, the prince of the African nation of Wakanda, who must take over the throne after his father’s murder. In the comics, M’Baku was one of Wakanda’s most powerful warriors and one of T’Challa’s biggest rivals. Forest Whitaker plays the role of Zuri, an elder stateman in Wakanda.
LOVE SIMON, directed by Greg Berlanti: Based on the novel by Becky Albertalli, this tells the story that, while everyone deserves a great love story, for 17-year-old Simon Spier, it’s a little more complicated. He’s yet to tell his family or friends that he’s gay and he doesn’t actually know the identity of the anonymous classmate he’s fallen for online. Nick Robinson stars as Simon and Jennifer Garner as his mom.
DARKEST HOUR, directed by Joe Wright (February 2): As the unstoppable Nazi forces roll across Western Europe, the threat of invasion is imminent and, with an unprepared public, a sc eptical king and his own party plotting against him, British prime minister Winston Churchill must withstand his darkest hour, rally a nation, and attempt to change the course of world history. An allstar cast includes Ben Mendelsohn, Gary Oldman, Lily James, John Hurt, Kristin Scott Thomas, Tom Ashley, Michael Bott and David Olawale Ayinde.
INXEBA, directed by John Trengrove (February 2): Xolani, a lonely factory worker, joins the men of his community in the mountains of the Eastern Cape to initiate a group of teenage boys into manhood. When a defiant initiate from the city discovers his best kept secret, Xolani’s entire existence begins to unravel. Included in the cast are: Nakhane Touré, Bongile Mantsai, Thobani Mseleni, Inga Qwede and Siphosethu Ngcetane with music by João Orecchia.
ISLE OF DOGS, directed by Wes Anderson: Touted as an animated comedy, this follows a young boy on an epic search for his lost canine companion in Japan. Voices by Scarlett Johansson, Tilda Swinton, Edward norton and Bill Murray.
LOVING VINCENT, directed by Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman (February 23): In what’s described as the world’s first fully oilpainted feature film, the artwork of Vincent van Gogh is brought to life in an exploration of the complicated life and controversial death of one of history’s most celebrated artists. More than six years in the making, with the help of 125 specially-trained painters, this uniquely animated film is composed of 65 000 painted frames. Drawn from meticulous research and inspired by the Dutch artist’s masterpieces, subjects and 800 personal letters, it encapsulates the world of Van Gogh in a totally different cinematic experience. Voices of Douglas Booth, Jerome Flynn, Robert Gulaczyk, Josh Burdett, Holly Earl, Robin Hodges, Chris O’Dowd, John Sessions, Helen McCrory.
ZULU WEDDING, directed by Lineo Sekeleoane (February 23): Nondumiso Tembe, seen on local stages last year in the hit musicial King Kong) takes up a role here as feisty choreographer, Lu “Lungile”, who will do anything to avoid falling in love. Even more so, to avoid going home to South Africa where she’s traditionally engaged to a king. However, when she meets her soulmate Tex (Darrin Dewitt Henson), she is forced to confront the tradition she’s been running away from since the death of her parents, when she turned 18, and the ancestral debt they left her. She hatches a plan to confront the king and convince him to forget about her, but when she prevails upon handsome royal advisor Zulu (Pallance Dladla) to help her get into the Royal Compound, he proves to be a dangerously seductive charmer, one who seems to represent all the best aspects of her background.
THE 15.17 TO PARIS, directed by Clint Eastwood (March 9): is based on the book The 15:17 to Paris: The True Story of a Terrorist, a Train, and Three American Heroes, by Anthony Sadler, Alek Skarlatos, Spencer Stone and Jeffrey E Stern in this true story with the real-life heroes playing themselves. In August 2015, Isis terrorist Ayoub El-Khazzani boards a train from Brussels to Paris. El-Khazzani is armed with an AK-47 and enough ammo to kill more than 500 people, but three American friends refuse to give in to fear and t ogether, they avert a mass tragedy in this nail-biting thriller.
TOMB RAIDER, directed by Roar Uthaug: Alicia Vikander is Lara Croft, the fiercely independent daughter of a missing adventurer, who must push herself beyond her limits when she finds herself on the island where her father disappeared. Also starring Dominic West, Walton Goggins, Daniel Wu, Alexandre Willaume, Leo Ashizawa.
OCEAN’S EIGHT, directed by Danny Ross: Just out of prison, Danny Ocean’s sister, Debbie Ocean, recruits a team and orchestrates the theft of the world’s most valuable diamond necklace from the neck of gorgeous, loopy star Daphne Kluger during the Met’s star studded annual ball. An all-star glitzy cast includes Sandra Bullock, Rihanna, Helena Bonham Carter and Kate Blanchett.
MAMMA MIA HERE WE GO AGAIN, directed (and screenplay) by Ol Parker: In a sequel to the 2008 hit, a return to the magical Greek island of Kalokairi in an all-new original musical based on the songs of Abba. Original members of the cast reappaear, namely Meryl Street, Pierce Brosnan and Colin Firth along with some new faces.
WHITE BOY RICK, directed by Yann Demange: White Boy Rick is set in 1980s Detroit at the height of the crack epidemic and the war on drugs, and tells the moving story of a blue-collar father and his teenage son, who became an undercover informant and later a drug dealer, before he was dropped by his handlers and sentenced to life in prison. It’s based on the true story of Richard Wershe Jr. Jennifer Jason Leigh and Rory Cochrane portray FBI agents who began working with Wershe (played by Richie Merritt) as a confidential informant from the beginning. Matthew MacConaughy plays Ricks father.
A STAR IS BORN, directed by Bradley Cooper: This follows a country music star (played by Bradley Cooper as well), who is on the brink of decline when he discovers a talented unknown named Ally (Stefani Germanotta). As the two begin a passionate love affair, Jack coaxes Ally into the spotlight, catapulting her to stardom. But as Ally’s career quickly eclipses his own, Jack finds it increasingly hard to handle his fading glory. This is the fourth remake following the 1937 original with Janet Gaynor and Fredric March, a 1954 remake with Judy Garland and James Mason, and the 1976 film with Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson. Lady Gaga composed and performed new music for it.
Where possible, release dates have been included but are subject to change. Check out Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor websites to track other release dates.