New weekend, new movies to watch on the big screen.
After receiving rave reviews at its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Oliver Hemanus' fourth feature film, Moffie, releases in South African cinemas this weekend.
Based on the memoir by Andre-Carl van der Merwe it tells the story of a conscript who embarks on his military service in 1981 South Africa.
In his review, our editor Herman Eloff writes, "Moffie is a war within a war, and war is never beautiful. It's a brave battle of self-acceptance without the jubilation of victory. Because there never truly is a winner in war." (Read the full review here)
(MOFFIE: Kai Luke Brummer as Nicholas Van der Swart in Moffie. Photo supplied: Moffie Film)
In the latest adaptation of Jane Austen's classic novel, Emma - which story follows Emma Woodhouse, a young woman who interferes in the love lives of her friends - director Autumn De Wilde and writer by Eleanor Catton gives the period piece a modern makeover.
In their review, Alex Isaacs writes, "This film remembers that this movie is about a strong, powerful lead who is flawed and intense and most importantly – strong-willed. This version also says in bold and certain terms that, yes, there are men in her life, but they are not her main driving force. Friendship, love and loyalty are." (Read the full review here)
(EMMA: Anya Taylor-Joy as Emma. Photo: Universal Pictures)
In Richard Jewell, Clint Eastwood brings to the screen the shockingly true story of a hero turned villain.
A security guard who saves countless lives at a music festival in 1996 becomes the main suspect of the crime.
In his review, Ilan Preskovsky writes, "A story this important, told with this level of clear-eyed efficiency, deserves a far greater audience than it has so far gotten. It may not be a masterpiece, but it's still very, very good, indeed." (Read the full review here)
(RICHARD JEWELL: Paul Walter Hauser as Richard Jewell. Photo: Warner Bros)
Rounding out the new releases in cinema this weekend is the action-packed superhero film Bloodshot, starring Vin Diesel.
Filmed in South Africa the Fast & Furious alum plays a dead soldier who is brought back to life through advanced nanotechnology, giving him superhuman regeneration.
Our reviewer, Gabi Zietsman, questions whether Vin Diesel has lost his star power, "While he's still quite suited to the role of a technologically-enhanced killing machine, it feels like perhaps a slightly younger actor might have made the film more refreshing to watch - instead of Vin Diesel's ageing biceps." (Read the full review here)
Compiled by Leandra Engelbrecht