48 hrs.

before the rappers started getting all the good acting roles, black standup comedians were the movie stars. one such comedian was Eddie Murphy. i had a chance to watch the young Murphy in the 48 hrs. and there is on denying that Eddie Murphy was born to be a star. in 48 hrs. he plays a street wise convict who has to help a cop (Nick Nolte) catch a cop killing baddie in 48 hours. eddie's comedic timing and wise cracks over shadow the stiff Nolte. murphy's performance secured a sequel called... yes you guessed it, Another 48 hrs. (2 out 10 for title originality).

The Last Kiss is so so

I recently watched movie entitled the Last Kiss a 2006 American romantic comedy-drama film, which is based on the 2001 Italian film L'ultimo bacio, directed by Gabriele Muccino. The plot revolves around a young couple and their friends struggling with adulthood and issues of relationships and commitment.

All I can say is that the film is worth watching but I don’t see a lot of people including it on their must-watch lists.   It left me wishing that I had watched the Gabriele Muccino version as opposed to the American one. The Last Kiss does did not leave a lasting impression on me.

District 9 elevates SA cinema

IT took me a while to come around and watch District 9 or D9 as it has come to be known its many zealous fans. Right off the bat I am going to say that I did myself an injustice by not watching on the big screen because the movie is such a tour de force. D9 elevates South African filmmaking to a whole new level that has never been seen before and won’t be repeated any time soon. 

In a nutshell District 9 is a 2009 science fiction action/thriller film directed by Neill Blomkamp. It was written by Blomkamp and Terri Tatchell, and produced by Peter Jackson and Carolynne Cunningham. The film stars Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope, and David James. The film won the 2010 Saturn Award for Best International Film presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, and was nominated for four Academy Awards in 2010: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, and Best Editing.

Dream Girls

i finally watched Dream Girls on tv over the weekend and i must say its an entertaining work of art. when the movie first came out i refused to join the band wagon of movie goers- i mean just because the movie got several Oscar nods and stars beyonce doesn't mean its a must. right? wrong! by not watching it on the big screen back then i was being 'pop culturally ignorant'especially for an aspiring film critic.

THE GOSPEL

There was once a man who had two sons, the younger said to his father ‘father, give me my share of the property’. So the father divided his estate between his two boys. A few days later the younger son turned his whole share into cash and left for a distant land where he squandered it in debauchery and reckless living. This timeless and unforgettable parable of the prodigal son was adapted into a movie in 2005. I had another chance to watch the movie again on TV yesterday and I must say it was pleasant viewing.

The Gospel is the film that tells this age old tale with a modern twist that is refreshing, compelling and full of powerful gospel tunes. The movie is about David (Boris Kodjoe) a successful R’n B star who turned his back on his father’s church and God after tragedy. David returns home after many years to find the once vibrant church in disarray. With his childhood friend Frank (Idriss Elba) as the new church leader, who has a grand vision for the expansion of the church there is bound to be drama. David has to deal with his family issues, romance, his secular music career, the egotistical Frank along with all the church politics. Faced with all of this David is either on the road to ruin or on the road to repentance and reconciliation.

Armoured

What happens when a group of disgruntled armoured vehicle guards have to transport $ 40million dollars? A cash in transit heist carried out by the guards themselves. But throw in a dead hobo, a wounded cop plus a young guard, who has a change of heart and you, have a recipe for tension, drama and a lot of action. I think the movie does a good job of telling a gripping story from a meagre 20 mil budget. Young, black and talented Columbus Short holds his weight among seasoned acting veterans to rise as the movie’s hero. This star studded movie stars Laurence Fishburne, Matt Dillon, Jean Reno and Columbus Short.

Bloody saw 6

I have to say, I actually enjoyed this blood fest of a movie. Maybe it’s because a lot questions that fans have about this gory franchise finally get answered. In the sixth instalment of the Saw series Special Agent Strahm is dead, and Detective Hoffman has emerged as the unchallenged successor to Jigsaw's legacy. However, when the FBI draws closer to Hoffman, he is forced to set a game into motion, and Jigsaw's grand scheme is finally understood.

adult kiddies flick

Alice in Wonderland confirmed what I have always thought- that children’s movies are actually not intended for a young audience. Why do I say this? Last week I took my two nieces and nephew to watch this ‘Goth’ inspired fairytale and with moments of the movie my young nephew started to cry in fear. So after my futile attempts to calm down I eventually had to walk out of the cinema before I was murdered by an angry mob of Tim Burton fanatics….So much for an All Ages film.

Alice in Wonderland is a 2010 fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton, written by Linda Woolverton, and starring Mia Wasikowska, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway. It is an extension of Lewis Carroll's novels Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass. The film uses a technique of combining live action and animation.

The Book Of Eli is Not just Another Post Apocalyptic Picture

The Book Of Eli

There has been a plethora of post apocalyptic films in recent years- I am Legend, The Road, Zombie Land, 2012, Terminator Salvation the list goes on. Perhaps it is a sign of the looming end. The latest movie to come out this gory genre is The Book of Eli starring the ever impressive Denzel Washington. The film tells the story of Eli (Washington) a seemingly normal person on a journey to deliver precious cargo, a book, across the desolate and violent waste land that was once America. We soon learn that Eli posses deadly combat and survival skills which he uses to protect himself and the book that could hold the future of the human race.

This futuristic thriller is delivered with a new-fangled flavour from the black filmmaking duo Albert and Allen Hughes who gave man birth to fine films like ‘From Hell’ and ‘Dead Presidents’. Gary Oldman, Mila Kunis, Michael Gambon and Ray Stevenson co-star in the violent and action packed thriller.Though The Book Of Eli is similar to most post apocalyptic stories it still manages to be refreshing and its biblical overtone will appeal to the Christian audience.

The Princess and The Flop

In Barry Ronge’s review of the movie The Princess & The Frog he suggests that the film’s lack lustre performance at the box office could be because it is the first time Disney used a black princess. I couldn’t disagree more with this assumption. An excellent story is excellent regardless of the race of the characters or of the actors. The reason of the poor box office performance is could be because the film faced stiff competition in the children movie genre. The film was competing with films like ‘Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeakquel’ and ‘A Christmas Carol’ both of which use CGI. So instead of trying to blame a BLACK Princess for meagre movie ticket sales Barry and other movie critics should stop playing the race card and just appreciate a good film. As for Disney they should learn from Avatar and shift with the times. If CGI is what audiences want CGI they should get- be it black, white, brown or yellow.

Skin

How do you tell if someone is black and not white? Well in 1965 in apartheid South Africa the infamous 'pencil test' decided. The test involved sticking a pencil through your hair and then shaking your head. The pencil will usually fall out if you are white but will not fall out if you are black. For Sandra Laing a coloured girl born to white Afrikaner parents such inhumane tests decided her fate and made her life hell. The biographical film Skin tells the Remarkable and touching story of a black Afrikaner growing up in a time where race dictated who you were, who you could love and where you could live and study. I must admit I was a bit skeptical about watching this movie because I don’t like the way I feel after watching dramas about race. You know the kinda feeling you get after watching something as heart wrenching as Roots. With that said Skin is wonderful movie that affected me emotionally. My emotions aside, Skin is a compelling film- brilliantly executed and exceptionally acted. The movie stars Sophie Okonedo (Hotel Rwanda, The Secret Life of The Bees); her portrayal of Sandra Laing in her adolescence and her adult life is convincing and captivating. The supporting cast which includes Tony Kgoroge and Sam Neil is also equally impressive. Zimbabwean audiences will be interested to know that our Tongai Arnold Chirisa (Studio 263's Davies) makes an appearance in this film.

What to Watch This Valentine's Day

What with Cupid shooting his arrows, malls plastered with valentines paraphernalia and movie moguls scheduling film premieres this February, it is hard to ignore that Valentines Day is just around the corner. For a holiday that is all about love Valentine’s Day tends to stir up the opposite emotion- hate. I loath the expensive clichés that come with V-day (Hallmark Cards, bouquet of dark red roses, frilly hearts and all those fancy ‘schmancy ‘ frivolities. But Valentines Day is not a totally ridiculous holiday it is good excuse to watch great movies. With that said here is Simba’s top Ten movies you could watch this ‘month of love’ and why.
10. Ninja Assassin
This movie has great excellent action sequences I can’t say the same about the storyline. The movie is about a young ninja turns his back on orphanage that raised him, leading to a confrontation with a fellow ninja from the clan. Something to watch if you are not a big fan of V-Day.
9. Did You Hear About the Morgans?
A Romcom with Hugh and SJP. An estranged New York couple witness a murder and are relocated to small-town as part of a witness-protection program. Since its Hugh and SJP you can be guaranteed some corny romantic fodder.
8. The Rebound
Its about a single mom (Cathrine Zeta Jones) who captivates her new neighbour, a much younger man. What more can I say?
7. Amelia
Oscar Winner Hillary Swank and Richard Gere star in this biographical drama about a legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt to make a flight around the world.
6. An Education
A coming-of-age story about a teenage girl in 1960s suburban London, and how her life changes with the arrival of a playboy nearly twice her age.
5. The princess and The Frog
A fairy tale with a black princess set in Jazz Age-era America. The animated film centres on a young girl named Princess Tiana who turns into a frog after kissing a frog prince who desperately wants to be human again.
4. Brothers
This A captivating and wonderfully told drama about A young man comforts his older brother's wife and children after his supposed death in Afghanistan.
3. Skin
Skin is based on the true story of a black girl who was born to two white Afrikaner parents in South Africa during the apartheid era. This great movie will ensure that your feet will remain safely on the ground during all the Valentine’s Day madness- it’s a must watch.
2. Up in the Air
With a job that has him travelling around the country firing people, Ryan Bingham (George Clooney) leads an empty life out of a suitcase, until his company does the unexpected: ground him.
1. Valentine’s Day
It’s all in the name. Valentine’s Day tells the story of Intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles who break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine's Day.The stellar cast includes Jamie Foxx, Julia Roberts, Queen Latifah and Jessica Alba.

AVATAR A Tale of Colonialism & Love

Avatar is an all too familiar story if you know the history of colonisation. The year is 2154 on planet Pandora where the gigantic Na’vi race live in harmony with nature. All this changes when a group of testosterone charged white capitalist invade the planet in search valuable minerals. Like their predecessors who raped mother Africa these futuristic colonisers look down on the natives and don’t mind exterminating them to get what they want. Not all these colonisers are evil though some scientists who are intrigued by the Pandorian eco-system believe in diplomacy (they would rather ask Na’vi nicely to have their land). To carry out their negotiations the humans need Avatars. The title Avatar comes from the genetically engineered Na’vi bodies used by a few of the human characters to interact with the Na’vi.

Let me cut to the chase Avatar follows the protagonist, Jake Sully (Sam Worthington), a disabled former Marine who takes his late twin brother's place in the avatar program. The only problem is that he is a soldier now stuck with a bunch of scientists who consider him a burden. Without any training, Jake suddenly must learn how to link his consciousness to an avatar, a remotely controlled biological body that mixes human DNA with that of the Na'vi. Due to his brave character Jake manages to get taken in by one tribe where a princess named Neytiri (Zoe Saldana) takes him under her wing to teach him how to live in the forest, speak the language and honor the traditions of nature. The two fall in love but with an impending war between the humans (with colossal guns) and the Na’vi (armed bows and arrows) Jake Sully has to decide where his loyalties lie.

Avatar in a word is HUGE, from the record breaking $350 million budget to its larger than life characters. This colossal science fiction epic is Director James Cameron’s brainchild. Cameron most of you will remember as the same man who brought us the massive Titanic. Development of Avatar started way back in 1994 with filming scheduled in 1999 but according to the writer and director Cameron technology was not yet ready for what he envisioned for Avatar. His wait definitely paid off. Avatar is a must see, you will be dazzled by landscapes and amazed with the animation.

Cast
Sam Worthington
Zoe Saldana
Sigourney Weaver
Laz Alonso

BY

SIMBA NYAMUKACHI

The Pursuit of Happyness

Will Smith has come along way from his days in ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’. He has recently been dubbed the ‘The last movie star’ and if one looks at his impressive movie career there is no denying it. a perfect example of Will Smith’s legendary status is in ‘Pursuit of Happyness’ (the spelling mistake is intended and is explained in the movie) The rapper turned actor stirs up a powerful performance, showing his versatility as an actor and proving that his isn’t just the Hollywood blockbuster hero but also formidable actor in drama genre. Will Smith stars and produces ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’ an inspirational movie loosely based on the life of Christopher Gardner. As the title suggests it is a story about a poor family man’s quest for happiness against the odds. Gardner (Smith) is a struggling sales man trying to make it into the stock brokerage business as an intern. Frustrated by the poverty, his wife Linda (Thandie Newton) bails out on Gardner and his son Christopher played by newcomer Jaden Smith (Smith’s real-life son). A chance encounter leads Gardner to Dean Witter a brokerage firm where there are looking for 20 intern stock brokers from which only one will be hired. Though the film is predictable, it still manages to work your emotion.
Apart from excellent performances from both Smiths there aren’t any outstanding performances from the rest of the cast. Thandie Newton is rather weak as the unhappy wife, though I think that the script did not help her cause. Newcomer Jaden Smith is wonderful, showing that it was not just his cute looks and daddy that got him the role. Their pairing works in getting an authentic father and son chemistry. The same cannot be said about the on screen relationship between Smith and Newton. They are not compelling. There is no chemistry between them even for a loveless, failed marriage.
Smith’s brilliant performance earned him his second Oscar nomination for best actor. It was a well-deserved nomination for Smith showing that he is capable of acting the teary and emotional roles a side he has been exploring with movies such as ‘Ali’, I am Legend’ and recently ‘7 Pounds’. Even with Smith’s brilliance some of the scenes come across as overacted and exaggerated but overall Smith deserved the Oscar nod. Young Jaden is shows great depth and promise. Some of his scenes are sure to melt even the coldest of hearts.
Smith insisted that Italian Gabriele Muccino direct the movie because the actor appreciated his style in movies such as ‘L'ultimo bacio’ and ‘Ricordati di me’. The story line is not outstanding; it is simple and easy to follow. It moves in chronological order making use of unconventional narration. Gardner repeatedly says “this part of my life is called running” or “this part of my life is me being stupid”. This is unnecessary and at times redundant. We can see Gardner running down the streets of San Francisco. We did not need anyone telling us that.
Marketed with the line ‘inspired by a true story’ and the box office muscle of Will Smith the movie was bound to be a box office hit. The film is based on the values of the ‘American dream’ and having the determination of fighting for what you want. The film also deals with the issues of poverty and its effect on families. Muccino is successful in depicting the poverty experienced by some Americans in graphic detail. In one scene the Gardner family is so poor that after dinner Linda takes all the left over juices from the table and puts it back into the juice jar for the next meal.
Pursuit of Happyness is motivational and like a true under dog Gardner is down on his luck. At times you can’t help but feel like life is out to get him. The film has a number of stimulating scenes that seem to stretch for too long. The movie runs for 117 minutes and for most of it we see Gardner suffer terribly in ‘Pursuit’ it would have been refreshing to see his life after achieving ‘Happyness’.

Denzel Washington is an American Gangster

Denzel Washington is an American Gangster

Your opinion of American Gangster will depend on what you are looking for. If you are one for a refreshing organized crime drama then you will definitely enjoy this story of the rise of small time hustler to heroin kingpin bigger than mafia. Those looking for a 'good guy' versus wicked cruel 'bad guy' scenario however might be left in a moral dilemma. Set In the backdrop of marginalized and economically deprived Harlem, American Gangster is the story loosely based on the life of Frank Lucas.
This gripping drama stars Oscar winners, Denzel Washington as the ruthless business minded drug dealer Lucas and Russell Crowe as Detective Richie Roberts a man determined to bring down the Lucas drug empire.
You cannot help but like Frank Lucas. With designer tailor made suits, He has a swagger that exudes sophistication and power yet still managing to be inconspicuous. Lucas is a charming family man and gangster with the state of mind a business executive. Yet there more to Lucas than what meets the eye, he is cold-blooded killing anyone who stands in his way.
The storyline of American Gangster moves smoothly alternating from Frank Lucas’s life to that of Richie Roberts. The cutting from one story to the other enhances the sharp contrast between the two main characters and exposing an underlining irony that continues in the whole film. The film juxtaposes the organized life of Lucas against that of Roberts. Unlike Lucas Detective Roberts is a scruffy womanizing detective with a dysfunctional marriage. He is trying to balance his job where he is hated because of his incorruptible nature, law classes and a child custody case. Russell Crowe is a good actor and nails the determined detective but you do not feel his love for his son. Herein lies the irony, we can’t help but sympathise with Lucas the 'bad guy' but and though we see the determination and honesty in Roberts it is just not compelling enough to stir up emotion
As much as the juxtaposition contrasts Lucas and Roberts, the film also manages to depict the one common characteristic the both man share. That is a strong work ethic that can not be compromised.
Denzel Washington is dazzling in his portrayal Frank Lucas, successfully achieving the balance between the wicked and unremorseful cold bloodedness of the gangster and the compassion that is evident in this dark person. This makes us view Lucas on multiple levels.
The film also has a variety of other experienced actors. Brilliant British actor Chiwetel Ejiofor stars as one of the Lucas brothers. Ejiofor who has grown in leaps and bounds is steadily establishing himself as a bankable player in Hollywood. Oscar winning Cuba Gooding Jr makes the most of a minor as Nicky Barnes. The scene between Barnes and Lucas is compelling encapsulating Lucas’s grasp of business. Rappers Common and TIP also make up the cast as member of the Lucas family. Their performances are nothing to write home about but they but they hold their weight amongst seasoned actors. Ruby Dee who stars as Mama Lucas earned her first Oscar nomination for best Actress in a Supporting Role.

The star-studded cast is directed by Oscar nominated Riddley Scott who has directed critically acclaimed movies such as Thelma & Louise, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down and kingdom of Heaven. American Gangster sees Scott working for the first time with Denzel Washington and for the third time with Russell Crowe. Scott and Crowe have worked together on the Gladiator and A Good Year.
I applaud the film. It is entertaining showing a scenic Harlem. In addition to composer Marc Streitenfeld’s score the movie sound track features 60’s and 70’s period songs which enhances the authenticity of the period. There are only two new vocal songs, performed by soul singer Anthony Hamilton's in a 1970s style.
The film how ever is too long and you find yourself waiting for the film to end. This is because film tries to tell two stories concurrently in one film.