There are many things one considers before deciding whether to watch a film or not. For me, sometimes the cast sells the film before I decide to watch it. It was the same for New Year’s Eve. Looking at the star-studded cast was all I needed to jet off to The Pavillion to watch this year’s biggest holiday themed films.

Josh Duhamel as Sam in New Year's Eve.

Before I even go any further, let me apologise in advance for the comparisons I will make between New Year’s Eve and another film that came out early this year, Valentines Day. Which I think are more than warranted. Firstly, the same director, Garry Marshall, is at the helm of both the films. Secondly, the title is another obvious link. I believe New Year’s Eve was first introduced as a continuation of Valentine’s Day, even though it ended up veering into a completely different entity.

Another fact about the film that leads to my comparisons is the long list of Hollywood‘s biggest movie stars on the bill. From Robert De Niro to Halle Berry, from Hilary Swank to Ludacris, from Sarah Jessica Parker to Common, and the list goes on. Every time another widely recognisable face appeared on screen, it took me by sheer surprise.

Speaking of the cast, I remember when Halle Berry was embroiled in a child custody case with her former model boyfriend Gabriel Aubrey. As a result of that personal matter, she pulled out of the film. Halle‘s role was replaced by Katherine Heigl. So when I saw both of them in the film, it clicked that this was the very same film that she ended up being cast in a different, much smaller, role.

New Year’s Eve, just like Valentines Day, follows the intertwined stories of different characters on the last day of the year. As the rush of the festivities on New York‘s Time Square builds up to that one ball dropping moment, so are their lives as they reflect on the experiences of the past year, also sharing their dreams and hopes for the new year. It is the story of love, loyalty, family, forgiveness, and aspirations.

As for the performances, I was quite surprised by a few that I didn’t expect. Whether they came out of their shells to shine, or they effectively toned it down, it was a great balance to see. One such notable performance was by Common. However small his stint was, his presence was strong. Another highlight was Sofia Vergara‘s hilarious character.

Some of the best character rapports came in the chemistry between Michele Pfeiffer and Zac Efron, as well as Hilary Swank and Ludacris. Whenever Katherine was in a scene with Jon Bon Jovi, who impressed me by the way, I kept wondering how the scene would have worked out if Halle was playing that character. One pair that stands out that I would never have imagined was that of Josh Duhamel and Sarah Jessica Parker.

Overall, New Year’s Eve delivered on its premise as a holiday feature. If the many big names in Hollywood don’t appeal to you, the story, especially at this time of the year, will resonate with the audience.

New Year’s Eve opens at Nu Metro cinemas countrywide on Friday, 09 December 2011.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Abigail Breslin as mother and daughter.

Ryan Gosling in the beast he drives in Drive.

Drive centres around the character of Driver (played by Ryan Gosling), who is a driver stuntman for action movies. However, when the sun goes down, Driver changes the gear to become a getaway driver for heists and criminal activities of that nature.

Having grown under his wing, and representing him on both his day time and night time activities, Shannon (played by Bryan Cranston) is the only person the lone Driver trusts. With ambitions of making Driver a fixture on the car racing professional circuit, Shannon enlists financial backing of film producer-turned-crime boss Bernie (played by Kaden Leos).

The plans they have take a left turn when Driver meets Irene (portrayed by Carey Mulligan), a new neighbour in his apartment. When Driver sees Irene again, he strikes a potentially dangerous relationship with the waitress and her young son. Before the relationship develops any further, Irene‘s husband, Standard (played by Oscar Isaac) is released early from prison for good behaviour.

Standard‘s demons follow him, leading to an encounter, in the presence of his son, that leave with bloody. When Driver witnesses the beaten up Standard, he offers to help him sort his issues out, by using his driving expertise.

The pair, now joined by a representative of those that want Standard to pay his debt, are unaware that they are about to be back stabbed. In turn, this leads to Standard‘s death, and a series of cat-and-mouse experiences for Driver.

In the background, the pieces of the puzzle begin to come together to reveal that the same people who want to help Driver out, may be the very same people that want him dead.

What I enjoyed the most about Drive was the witty and humorous dialogue. The car chase scenes were also a marvel to watch. These fair amongst the best for the ‘need for speed’ junkies. The graphic nature of the killings reminded me of Quentin Tarantino‘s style, even though they were not as ‘gratuitous or as campy as Tarantino’s films’, as fashion designer Thula Sindi responded on Twitter when I made the Tarantino comparison.

And of course, I always pay attention to the performances. Ryan Gosling‘s performances was fairly good. It was the other members of the cast who impressed me the most, including Carey Mulligan who is yet to disappoint me; the best I’ve ever seen her being in the Oscar-nominated An Education.

Although Drive is not exactly one of the best cinema experiences, it places its mark among the best in the ‘need for speed’ genre, just because of those brilliant car chases. It opens at Nu Metro cinemas around the country on Friday, 09 December 2011.

Ryan and Carey in an elevator scene in Drive.

Naomi Harris on The First Grader

Skyfall production started at the beginning of this week. Here is the release about it.

Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli today presented the cast of the 23rd James Bond adventure, entitled SKYFALL. The film, from Albert R. Broccoli’s Eon Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, and Sony Pictures Entertainment, is directed by Academy Award® winner Sam Mendes and stars Daniel Craig, who returns for his third film as James Bond 007. The screenplay is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and John Logan. SKYFALL, which goes into production on Monday, November 7th, will begin its worldwide roll-out in the UK and Ireland on October 26th 2012 and in North America on November 9th 2012.

Joining Michael G. Wilson, Barbara Broccoli and Director Sam Mendes were members of the cast of SKYFALL, including: Daniel Craig, Javier Bardem, Dame Judi Dench, Naomie Harris and Bérénice Marlohe. The filmmakers also announced Ralph Fiennes, Albert Finney and Ben Whishaw.

In SKYFALL, Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.

“We’re so delighted to have Sam Mendes direct SKYFALL and be working once again with Daniel Craig. We’ve a great script, an extraordinary cast and an incredibly talented creative team for this latest James Bond adventure,” said Wilson and Broccoli.

The Director of Photography is Roger Deakins, a nine-time Oscar® nominee who previously shot the films Jarhead and Revolutionary Road for Mendes. The Production Designer is Oscar® winner Dennis Gassner, who previously designed Quantum of Solace and collaborated with Mendes on the films Road to Perdition and Jarhead. The Editor is Stuart Baird, A.C.E., whose many credits include Casino Royale. Jany Temime, whose many credits include the Harry Potter series, In Bruges, and Children of Men, is the Costume Designer. Action specialist Alexander Witt is the 2nd Unit Director. Gary Powell is Stunt Co-ordinator, Chris Corbould is SFX Supervisor and Steve Begg is Visual Effects Supervisor, all of whom have worked on previous Bond films.

007 fans can learn more about SKYFALL at the James Bond franchise Facebook page at www.facebook.com/JamesBond007.

I can’t wait for next year when Skyfall is released throughout the world. Daniel Craig in one of my favourite Bonds. Sean Connery and Pierce Brosnan are the other two. And of course, Naomie Harris is one of my favourite actresses of all time.

There are very few sport films that are able to not only capture your attention, but enthrall you from beginning to the end. Warrior is one of those films.

Tommy Conlon (played by Tom Hardy) is a temperamental ex-marine who hasn’t been home in the past fourteen years. He returns to ask his former alcoholic father (played by Nick Nolte) to train him for the biggest no-holds-barred winner-takes-all mixed martial arts event in the country.

Brendan (played by Joel Edgerton) is his brother, a more calmer soul than his younger sibling. However, Brendan has his own flaws too. He is on a verge of losing his house because his teaching job doesn’t cover all his expenses. Brendan convinces his rather doubtful wife (played by Tess Conlon) to let him participate in the very same competition.

What are the chances that the two brothers can actually face each other at the final leg of the world-renowned Sparta competition? Before such a possibility is even explored, we are taken through their parallel lives, as well as the point where they are reunited. the relationships between their father is also delved into.

Warrior is a riveting and inspirational story about family, brotherhood, loyalty, triumph, and responsibility. The way this moving and inspiring tale is told is delicate, yet striking. Each and every scenario is impeccably crafted.

The performances are equally impressive. Tom Hardy has continued to impress me with each and every film he has done. On Warrior, he captures the spirit of a man feeling betrayed, but on his way to redemption and forgiveness, with every slithering move and word uttered from his mouth.

His co-star, Joel Edgerton, is also exceptional in portraying his character. So are veteran Nick Nolte and Tess Conlon. More so Nolte, as he dips between different nuances with such ease and flair. It was great to see young stars like Denzel Whitaker make moves, however small they may be, in films of this calibre.

Warrior is an absolutely fantastic film. It is wholesome in its presentation, with elements including action, drama, humour, and inspiration. The film will be released at Nu Metro cinemas nationwide this coming Friday, 07 October 2011. Be sure not to miss it.

MTVBase hosted an exclusive premiere for Viva Riva! at Ster Kinekor in Rosebank Thursday night. It was good to see unfamiliar and fresh faces during the pre-cocktail session. However, there were some faces you see every day. Here are a handful:

Bianca Miles, representing the company distributing Viva Riva!, Indigenous Films. She is posing with MTV Networks Africa‘s Marketing head honcho Sylvester Chauke.

The ever-beautiful Farah Fortune attended to represent one of her clients, Patron. Patron were one of the drinks sponsors for the premiere event.

Yo-TV presenter, Selae Thobakgale, attended with a friend.

Do you remember actor Mpumelelo Bhulose? I hadn’t seem him in years. I remember him as a flatmate from my days as an occasional resident of Ogwini in the Durban CBD. I had a chat with him, catching up. He told me about a very interesting project he is working on. He suggested we hook up to talk about it extensively. Can’t wait to tell you all about it.

Back to the business at hand. Congo-born R&B singer Patsha Bay Mukuna stars as Riva. Making her screen debut in a lead role, as the beautiful night club denizen Nora, is the gorgeous Paris-based actress Manie Malone. Cesar is played by Hoji Fortuna, an Angolan born actor who lives in New York. Diplome Amekindra takes on the role of Azor.

The film chronicles a period in the life of Riva, a young estranged man who comes back home with barrels of stolen fuel. Planning to capitalise on the biggest fuel shortage in Kinchasa, he hatches a plan to make as much profit as possible. It’s not long before we are introduced to a ruthless Angolan man, Cesar, who wants a piece of the pie. Before long, a female military officer (played by Marlene Longange) joins in the action. It seems trouble follows Riva everywhere, especially when he catches an eye of a beautiful, sultry club goer. In an attempt to get close to this seductress, Nora, he makes yet another enemy in Azor, a local crime boss who is boyfriend to Nora.

The utterly beautiful Manie Malone playing Nora.

Viva Riva! is a gritty, raw thriller that is unapologetic in its blatant delivery of the action. The performances from the likes of Patsha, Manie and Marlene are superb. The story is equally amazing, with twist and turns making it a refreshing piece of film making. And of course, it’s eye candy galore for both males and females, thanks to the two leading talents of Manie and Patsha. Not to mention the unadulterated nudity.

The film opened in the U.S. in June to rave reviews. It is finally coming to the continent of Africa. The country where Viva Riva! is set, Democratic Republic of Congo started the run on the 22nd of September. South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Uganda, Lesotho and Swaziland get their turn this coming Friday, on 7 October. West Africa and Central Africa follow suit in the next coming weeks. In total, the film will showcase in theatres in 18 African countries. That’s a major accomplishment for African cinema.

Please be sure to check it out wherever you are in the continent. You won’t be disappointed! Viva Riva!

Patsha Bay Mukuna as Viva.

In the previous instalment the crew vowed that whatever happened in Vegas would stay Vegas. Now, they are in Bangkok. Will they be able to do the same with what happens in the Asian city of Thailand?

Stu (played by Ed Helms) is about to get married. He assembles his boys to travel with him to see him seal his pending nuptials with the love of his life. When coerced into a bachelor party, he tries his all to not have to go through what he went through in Vegas. With persuasion from his friends Phil (portrayed by Bradley Cooper) and Doug (played by Justin Bartha), he ultimately succumbs to the pressure. Although he attempts to keep things lighter this time around, there is no telling what his crew, including Allan (played by Zack Galifianakis), has in store for the night.

Recalling the talent that appeared on the first film, Phillips had a mammoth task to outdo the success and acclaim of the original film. And so he does. The characters are just as crazy and multi-layered. The same goes for their wicked experiences, all bigger than the last ones in Vegas. The humour was cleverly maintained, like it was done with The Hangover.

One of the best parts of the film are the pictures shown at the end, that tell them what happened the previous night. A nice little surprise towards the end is also one of the highlights.

For the most part, The Hangover Part II is easily side-splitting. The film is thoroughly enjoyable for its comedic nature and light-hearted approach at serious matters. It is definitely another winner.

The Hangover Part II opens at Nu Metro cinemas countrywide on Friday, 27 May 2011.