Cape Town cinemas are gradually returning to their pre-pandemic levels thanks to a regular rotation of blockbuster fandom movies and thought-provoking dramas. Going to the movies, the freshly-made popcorn and slushies, and the comfortable seating will always be a unique experience that can never really be replaced by home streaming.
Benn Ndzoyiya spotlights some of the exciting must-watch movies scheduled for release this August.
HAUNTED MANSION
When to see it: From 4 August
Based on the Disney theme park ride of the same name, Haunted Mansion is a supernatural comedy that shares no elements with the prior films. Rosario Dawson stars as Gabbie, a single mother with a son looking to start over and happens upon a mansion that seems too good to be true in New Orleans – and her hunch proves correct. To resolve her ghostly problem, Gabbie seeks the help of a priest and a widowed paranormal expert, a psychic, and a historian to hopefully rid her home of unwanted guests.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor | Nu Metro | CineCentre
GRAN TURISMO
When to see it: From 11 August
This video game adaptation of Gran Turismo is coming from South African director Neill Blomkamp who shot to fame with District 9 14 years ago. The movie is based on a true story about a man who believed he could create the next big-name race car driver by enlisting video gamers who mastered the game. David Harbour stars as the tough love coach while Archie Madekwe takes the lead.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor | Nu Metro | CineCentre
SARAFINA!
When to see it: From 11 August
Sarafina! Is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the iconic film’s release this August. Whoopi Goldberg, Leleti Khumalo, John Kani and other leading local artists join for a story about the Soweto Uprising during the Apartheid government, opposition to the implementation of Afrikaans as the language of instruction in all schools. Keep an eye out for the late Miriam Makeba’s star turn as Sarafina’s mother.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor
THE LAST VOYAGE OF THE DEMETER
When to see it: From 18 August
Last Voyage of the Demeter is based on a single chapter from Bram Stoker’s classic Dracula and tells the story of a ship’s voyage from Carpathia to London. Strange events and classic monsters befall the crew of this titular ship in this chilling horror film by director André Øvredal.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor | Nu Metro | CineCentre
DOSTOJEE
When to see it: From 5 August
Set in 1992-93, when Hindu-Muslim tensions escalated in India in the aftermath of the demolition of the Babri Masjid and the Bombay bomb blasts and percolated down to a remote village on the India-Bangladesh border, this arthouse film follows the friendship of two eight-year-old boys. Palash (Asik Shaikh), the son of a Hindu Brahmin and Safikul (Arif Shaikh), whose father is a Muslim weaver, are best friends, but fate intervenes.
Where to see it: CineCentre
RETRIBUTION
When to see it: From 25 August
Retribution is a remake of the 2015 Spanish thriller El Desconocido that revolves around a banker who gets into his car with his kids and learns that the car has been rigged with bombs that will explode if anyone leaves their seat or the car is stopped. Liam Neeson stars in what could be on par with some of the actor’s library of popular action films like Taken.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor | Nu Metro | CineCentre
GOLDA
When to see it: From 18 August
Right on time for Women’s Month, Helen Mirren stars as the formidable Golda Meir – Israel’s first female Prime Minister! The story is set during the Yom Kippur War in 1973 when Egypt, Syria and Jordan launched a surprise attack on Israel on its holy day. It shows how her hostile all-male cabinet members fight among themselves and how Golda dealt with a war that threatened the very existence of Israel.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor
OLDBOY
When to see it: From 18 August
Regarded as one of the best Korean films of all time, this 2003 cult classic is getting a widescreen release. With no clue how he came to be imprisoned, drugged, and tortured for 15 years, a desperate businessman seeks revenge on his captors counting with the help of a young lady.
What follows is a fair amount of action scenes that keep the story going at an energetic, anxiety-inducing pace and a wicked plot twist to this psychological thriller.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM
When to see it: From 11 August
The anticipated animation film circles in on the ‘teen’ years of the popular martial artist turtles Leonardo, Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael and a few lesser-known turtles as they explore their first big adventure.
Mutant Mayhem is the franchise’s first big release since 2016 with voice artists including Seth Rogen, Ice Cube, Post Malone, Jackie Chan, John Cena, Rose Byrne and more.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor | Nu Metro | CineCentre
BACK ON THE STRIP
When to see it: From 25 August
Wesley Snipes, Tiffany Hadish, and Kevin Hart take the lead with this coming-of-age comedy. Merlin is a young magician who ventures to Las Vegas to try his luck and meets Luther, an older performer who used to headline an all-Black male stripper group.
Merlin ends up joining Luther in tracking down and convincing former members to reunite and help the financially-strapped hotel where they became popular.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor | Nu Metro | CineCentre
BLUE BEETLE
When to see it: From 18 August
Beetle is one of the 2023 DC Extended Universe movies and serves as a standalone introduction for the DC Comics character of the same name. Jaime Reyes is a teenager who acquires a superhero suit when he discovers a mystical scarab relic that fuses to his body. Although Jaime becomes Blue Beetle in the modern day, the technologically advanced suit already passed through the hands of other heroes years before him.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor | Nu Metro
THE MEG 2: THE TRENCH
When to see it: From 4 August
Meg 2: The Trench is the sequel to the 2018 Sharksploitation blockbuster starring Jason Statham. The trailer shows three megalodon sharks coming up to the surface to snack on humans but there are also dinosaur-like creatures causing mayhem.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor | Nu Metro | CineCentre
SOUND OF FREEDOM
When to see it: From 18 August
Alejandro Monteverde directs controversial actor Jim Caviezel and Oscar winner Mira Sorvino in this independent movie inspired by the story of anti-sex trafficking activist Tim Ballard, who quit his job with the Department of Homeland Security to found a nonprofit organization that aims to end child trafficking.
The film has been making waves for claims on conspiracy theories and mainly centres around Ballard’s career change and one of his first missions to save children from sex traffickers in Colombia.
Where to see it: Ster Kinekor | Nu Metro | CineCentre