This Week’s Movie Menu (16 – 22 December 2024)

Though this week’s selection of film choices may be lighter than usual, they’re still ones to roar loudly about, particularly when they include a royal Disney prequel, a magical animated adventure, and a fierce war epic…

Movie of the Week

Cinemas

Streaming/On-Demand

      Movie of the Week

       

      Mufasa: The Lion King (2024, dir. Barry Jenkins)

      CAST: Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., John Kani, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Donald Glover, Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, Tiffany Boone, Lennie James, Blue Ivy Carter, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Preston Nyman, Keith David, Anika Noni Rose, Joanna Jones, Folake Olowofoyeku, Thuso Mbedu, Sheila Atim, Abdul Salis, Dominique Jennings, Braelyn Rankins, Theo Somolu, Kagiso Lediga

      CREW: Barry Jenkins (director), Jeff Nathanson (writer), Mark Ceryak and Adele Romanski (producers), Nicholas Britell and Dave Metzger (composers), James Laxton (cinematographer), Joi McMillon (editor)

      PLOT: The story of Mufasa (Pierre), the orphaned lion cub who would become king of the Pride Lands, and his adoptive brother Taka (Harrison Jr.) who will eventually go on to be known as Scar…

      FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

      • Return to the photorealistic world of The Lion King as director Barry Jenkins presents an origin story of two of the most important characters from the Disney classic (and its recent live-action remake)
      • Rebel Ridge star Aaron Pierre fills in for the late James Earl Jones as the titular future king of Pride Rock, while Kelvin Harrison Jr. dives into the complexities of his soon-to-be-villainous brother
      • The likes of Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner and Beyoncé reprise their voice roles from the previous film, while new additions include Mads Mikkelsen, Thandiwe Newton, and even Beyoncé’s own daughter Blue Ivy Carter
      • Lin-Manuel Miranda contributes a number of original new songs to the soundtrack, all of which are set to be as instantly memorable as Elton John’s classic tunes
      • Though the 2019 remake continues to be divisive, this fresh prequel should win back over sceptics with its heartfelt and entertaining scope

      Mufasa: The Lion King is showing in cinemas from Friday 20 December 2024

      What’s Showing in Cinemas This Week?

       

      Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024, dir. Jeff Fowler)

      CAST: Ben Schwartz, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Idris Elba, Keanu Reeves, Jim Carrey, James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Krysten Ritter, Natasha Rothwell, Lee Majdoub, Tom Butler, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Alyla Browne, Sofia Pernas, Cristo Fernández, James Wolk, Jorma Taccone

      CREW: Jeff Fowler (director), Pat Casey, Josh Miller and John Whittington (writers), Toby Ascher, Neal H. Moritz, Toru Nakahara and Hitoshi Okuno (producers), Tom Holkenborg (composer), Brandon Trost (cinematographer), Al LeVine (editor)

      PLOT: When a powerful new foe known as Shadow (Reeves) emerges, Sonic (Schwartz) and his friends Tails (O’Shaughnessey) and Knuckles (Elba) reluctantly turn to Dr. Robotnik (Carrey) for help…

      FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

      • The third film in Sonic the Hedgehog’s big-screen franchise is the tensest and most action-packed entry yet
      • Fan of the original video games will be excited to not only see the famous blue speedster headline yet another movie, but also the fan-favourite anti-hero Shadow who makes his proper film debut here
      • None other than Keanu Reeves is voicing the red-striped black hedgehog, with the actor also reportedly doing heavy research into the character in order to deliver an accurate on-screen portrayal
      • There’s still plenty of light-hearted humour to go around, as well as silly villainy from Jim Carrey’s delightfully over-the-top Dr. Robotnik
      • With its Christmas release, the franchise comes full circle since the first film was originally scheduled for a late 2019 release, until the infamous teaser with “Ugly Sonic” forced a two-month delay!

      Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is showing in cinemas from Saturday 21 December 2024

       

      Dolphin Boy (2024, dir. Mohammad Kheyrandish)

      CAST: Polina Workman, Lydia Robinson, Dean Mayer, Stephen Peter Krisel, Kay Rommel, Matthew David Smith

      CREW: Mohammad Kheyrandish (director, writer), Mohammed Hamedani (writer, producer, editor), Abdullah Maleki and Mohammad Shokouhi (writers), Behzad Abdi (composer)

      PLOT: A dolphin named Snowball (Workman) rescues a human baby from a plane crash, and the two become fast friends. However, as the boy becomes curious about his long-lost mother, he and Snowball set out on a perilous adventure to find her…

      FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

      • It really is better down where it’s wetter in this fun and colourful family adventure
      • The film is intended as a standalone sequel to the 2011 animated film Sea Level, and the third overall in what now appears to be an anthology series
      • Some energetic animation goes neatly alongside some playful musical numbers that should entertain kids to no end
      • It’s a solid alternative for those who might be a bit too young for some of the more intense family-oriented movies currently showing in cinemas
      • If nothing else, it should provide a plentiful distraction for children as their parents find time to sort out what to get them for Christmas!

      Dolphin Boy is showing in cinemas from Friday 20 December 2024

      What’s Showing At Home This Week?

       

      The Six Triple Eight (2024, dir. Tyler Perry)

      CAST: Kerry Washington, Sam Waterston, Susan Sarandon, Oprah Winfrey, Ebony Obsidian, Milauna Jackson, Kylie Jefferson, Shanice Shantay, Sarah Jeffery, Pepi Sonuga, Jay Reeves, Jeanté Godlock, Moriah Brown, Baadja-Lyne Odums, Gregg Sulkin, Dean Norris

      CREW: Tyler Perry (director, writer, producer), Nicole Avant, Angi Bones, Elan Dassani, Carlota Espinosa, Kim Mulligan, Keri Seligand Tony L. Strickland (producers), Aaron Zigman (composer), Michael Watson (cinematographer), Maysie Hoy (editor)

      PLOT: The story of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only predominantly Black US Women’s Army Corps unit sent overseas during the Second World War…

      FIVE REASONS TO BE EXCITED:

      • Tyler Perry dives deep into the history books to tell the remarkable true story of an influential WW2 army unit
      • Kerry Washington leads the charge as Major Charity Adams, the battalion’s fearless leader and the first Black woman to become an officer in the Women’s Army Corps
      • Writer-director Perry adapts Kevin M. Hymel’s magazine article, which went into more detail about the heroic acts of the “Six Triple Eight” (as it was known) than any other history books
      • As often is the case with Perry’s movies, it was shot primarily at his enlarged studio complex in Atlanta, Georgia, albeit on a far bigger scale than ever before
      • Though his output of movies hasn’t always sat well with critics, this could finally be the film that wins him the acclaim that Perry has always sought for his work

      The Six Triple Eight is streaming exclusively on Netflix from Friday 20 December 2024

      That’s about it for this week – be sure to come back next week for a whole new set of movies to work up an appetite for!

      Want to see our past menus?

      Want to find a specific film?

      Search for it in the box below:

      Captain America: Brave New World (dir. Julius Onah)

      Sam Wilson investigates a dangerous new conspiracy as Captain America…

      Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (dir. Michael Morris)

      Bridget Jones embarks on the next chapter of her ever-rocky love life…

      Heart Eyes (dir. Josh Ruben)

      A masked serial killer stalks a couple on Valentine’s Day…

      Memoir of a Snail (dir. Adam Elliot)

      In 70s Australia, young Grace is tragically separated from her twin brother…

      Love Hurts (dir. Jonathan Eusebio)

      A real-estate agent is forced to return to his violent past life…

      Dog Man (dir. Peter Hastings)

      After an accident, a cop and his dog companion are brought together in an unexpected way…

      September 5 (dir. Tim Fehlbaum)

      During the 1972 Munich Olympics, an American broadcasting team covers a devastating event…

      Kinda Pregnant (dir. Tyler Spindel)

      A woman pretends to be pregnant for attention…

      The Fire Inside (dir. Rachel Morrison)

      In 2012, 16-year-old boxer Claressa Shields makes Olympic history…

      Hard Truths (dir. Mike Leigh)

      Two sisters have two very different reactions to grief…

      0 Comments

      Submit a Comment

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Optimized by Optimole