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.

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.

Diane Kruger and Liam Neesen

A couple has just arrived in Berlin. The man forgets his briefcase with all his travelling documents on the trolley as they are whisked away by a taxi. Upon arriving at the hotel, he realises what he’s left behind and catches a taxi back to the airport to look for his belongings. On the way, a freak accident takes place. This is when the action begins. Although he has not sustained any serious injuries, he is a different man. His wife doesn’t recognise him and his identity has been stolen by another man. It’s not long before he realises that there are bigger powers at play with this mystery. He rushes against time, the disbelieving authorities and a bevy of assassins ordered to kill him, to prove his identity. Moreover, he sets on a quest, assisted by the driver that was driving him when the accident took place, to uncover the truth.

Unknown is riveting and thrilling, from the twist and turns to the car chases, fight sequences and other stunts. The suspense keeps you on the edge of the sit, a sure sign for a highly entertaining experience. The acting is just as impressive. Neesen is superb, showing his flair for this genre. Equally phenomenal were the likes of Diane Kruger and Frank Langella. I also enjoyed the little injections of understated comedy.

January Jones as Elizabeth Harris and Liam Neesen as Dr. Martin Harris

Another fascinating thing I found in the film was a character called Biko. The pronounciation that he was African, although a specific country not revealed, could have some reference to the South African liberation icon Steve Biko. I just wish we could have seen more of the character on screen.

If you are an espionage and spycraft fan, you are totally going to love Unknown. It is such an unassuming treat of a film. It opens this coming Friday, 08 April 2011, at Nu Metro cinemas countrywide.

James Borthwick & Angela Killian on Pieter Toerien's Evita

Towards the end of last year we were tasked with the most difficult part of the judging experience. It was time to select the productions and talent that we thought went beyond the call of the craft to offer the best entertainment and inspiration. The process of nominating and subsequently submitting our finalist proved a challenging but extremely eye-opening and enjoyable experience.

Just as the award season is dying down, the time has come for the winners in all the categories to be announced at the classy and refined ceremony. The 8th Annual Naledi Theatre Awards takes place on Monday, March 7th, at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City.

In the process of paying tribute to the best on stage in 2010, the Naledi organisers are piling a heap of entertainment onto The Lyric Theatre’s stage, to keep the audience enthralled throughout the night’s procedures. We are talking here about funny man Nik Rabinowitz who will be the evening’s MC. Theatre doyennes Dr John Kani and Dawn Lindberg will b joining him to complement him with their poise and style.

Performing for the night is Grammy Award winners Soweto Gospel Choir, The Bala Brothers, World Champion exhibition dancers Craig and Natalie, and the powerful PJ Powers. Some of the presenters include Robert Whitehead, Sello Maake ka Ncube, Fiona Ramsay, Nat Ramabulane, Princess Zinzi-Mhlongo, Kgomotso Matsunyane, and Sindi Mabe. They will also be joined by local celebs and business couple Khensani and Zam Nkosi, as well as Loyiso Bala of The Bala Brothers.

The great thing about this all is that the gates will not be closed for the general public. Those who would like to rub shoulders with the glitterati of the South African theatre world and enjoy a high-octane show in the deal, will be pleased to know that – for the first time this year – a reserved number of seats are being made available to the public. Booking is already open at Computicket on a first-come, first-served basis.

The details of the event are as follows:

Be sure not to miss out on this amazing experience. I attended last year’s ceremony and was impressed by the refreshing nature of the event. For more info, swing by the Naledi website at www.naleditheatreawards.org.za

Natalie Portman as Nina and Vincent Cassel as director of Swan Lake

The award season has created such a buzz for this film that I couldn’t wait to watch it. Even friends who got a chance to watch it towards the end of last year were singing praises about it, particularly that of its star Natalie Portman. Although a former child star, it wasn’t until 2004 that I took more interest in her. Subsequently, I became a fan of hers after seeing her on Garden State. She continued to impress me on Closer alongside Julia Roberts, Clive Owen and Jude Law. Portman didn’t stop there as she made a name for herself as a versatile actor with unimaginable range in her next numerous films, including V For Vendetta. It was for these reasons that I anticipated to watch this film so much.

Black Swan is a psychological thriller tracing the life of a conflicted ballerina whose dream is to play the queen in the upcoming Swan Lake production. Portman plays Nina, a ballet dancer who has her sights set on the coveted leading role of this production. For her to be recognised for this role she has to be able to equally play both the White and Black Swans with conviction and ease. The director openly praises her for her sterling performance as the White Swan. On the other hand, she is struggling to pull off the other much more sensual and darker side of her role. How far will she go to make both the parts on par with each other?

Natalie Portman‘s transformation into the Black Swan is one filled with intensity. This facet of the story is laced with such thrill, captivating the audience to the core. She is absolutely brilliant in the role of Nina. Her transition from this weak, sweet girl into a dangerous, sexual being is remarkable. The audience is kept on the edges of their seats from start to finish with suspense and curiosity. She has already bagged two of the biggest awards so far, the Golden Globe and the SAG, from the numerous awards she and the film has won along the way. It’s unmistakable that she is going to walk away with the biggest of them all come the Oscars on February 27th.

Director Darren Aronofsky and star Natalie Portman on the set of Black Swan

The supporting cast is just as immensely enjoyable to watch in this amazing piece of work from director Darren Aronofsky. Everything is top notch, from the story to the directing, from the acting to the visualisation.

Black Swan opens at Nu Metro cinemas on Friday, 04 February 2011. Be sure to check it out. It’s also one of the Best Picture contenders at the Oscars at the end of the month.

Photo by Niko Tavernise.

Kenneth Nkosi was MC and returns as host of Class Act Season 2.

The show’s producer and concept originator Donovan Marsh revealed that this year they are not just looking for a leading man, but a leading lady as well. This is great news for ladies with ambitions of following their dreams of being on film, and an amazing extension showing the growth of the show and its objectives. This move was echoed and supported by the sponsors, Brandhouse. Their Amstel flagship brand manager Nomonde spoke passionately about what this growth means for them and fervently rooted for the ladies.

She also announced that, from some of the learnings from the first season, there will be practice workshops for the hopeful contestants. This exercise is to ensure that those that have never even attempted acting but believe they can, will get some training before actually trying for the auditions. The initiative will rotate around Mzansi‘s biggest initiatives, where the brand, as well as the show itself, feels the most raw talent lies. The two way dialogue that the brand wants to establish and stamp with its consumers is also what motivated this undertaking.

Producer Donovan Marsh going through what to expect in Season 2.

In the beginning of the briefing, we were played a video of Sdumo‘s experience at the New York Film School where he spent eight weeks learning the intricacies of his craft. The motion picture montage included him touring some of New York‘s most popular attractions, attending classes, as well as little treasures like the friends he has made and accidentally finding himself in Brooklyn. He was also called to the podium to extend more on his experiences and offered advise to this season’s hopefuls by simply saying, “Enjoy it!”

During the question and answer session, I asked how far they are in a process of doing the film that was part of the prize package for the winner last year. Marsh shared that although it was difficult to raise funds, they are well in the pre-production stages of the project. He went on to say that Sdumo has even started reading his script. He also added that they hope to have the film completed before the end of this season’s Class Act.

Director Tim Greene just before the media briefing.

Class Act will return to SABC 1 in April. SABC1‘s Head of Publicity, VK Madlala, also shared the same sentiments as those by Nomonde. She thanked all the parties involved in bringing together such a phenomenal concept to life.

But before the first show airs on the 23rd of April 2011, there shall be a lot of activities as part of the groundwork. As mentioned above, the practice workshops start around the townships next week. Then there’ll be mass auditions that take place on 5th March in Cape Town, then moving to Durban on the 12th of March. On my birthday, 19th March, Pretoria will get their turn to try out; with Jo’burg closing the auditions leg on the 2nd and 3rd of April.

SABC 1's VK Madlala (in green shirt) with a friend just before the media briefing.

The fact that a leading man and a leading lady will be crowned at the end of the competition is exciting on its own. What you are most looking forward to on Class Act Season Two? Are you an aspiring actor? Go out there and give it a try.

SPUD, the motion picture adaptation of the novel with the same name by John van de Ruit, is finally hitting cinemas in Mzansi. I have not read any of the three books the film is adapted from, therefore I cannot compare the two mediums. What I will say though, is that I was utterly impressed by some of the performances.

John Milton aka SPUD, played by South African born Troye Sivan has just been accepted to an elite boarding school. His life is about to change completely as the new experiences shape and form what he becomes by the end of the school term. From the illegal night swimming sessions with his housemates to being bullied to participate in more similar delinquent activities, from his relationship with an eccentric drunkard English school teacher (portrayed by British actor John Cleese) to a budding romance with a friend of the family’s daughter, the only things keeping him sane are his diary and the wits he shares on it. And these are just a few things thrust into his young life at a volatile time in the political state of the country.

Troye Sivan is remarkable as SPUD. From his mannerisms to the nuances in his character, he tackles the role with such ease and precision. The chemistry he shares with John Cleese on screen is unmistakably electric. Although their characters come from two different backgrounds, they share more than they care to imagine. They learn more from each other than they thought they would. It is this very same disposition that binds them to the kind of friendship they have.

Other noteworthy performances include that of Lehasa Moloi, who plays the character of Luthuli, the Head Of House; and the whole Crazy 8 pack that form the backbone of the film. It was also great to see Brenda Ngxoli, although her character wasn’t an integral part of the story.

And I absolutely loved seeing the familiar breath taking scenery of the Midlands in Kwazulu Natal, where Michaelhouse primary school, in which the film was primarily set in, is situated.

SPUD is a wonderful film, packed with themes many young school boy and girls will relate to. There are subjects examining adulthood as well. The way the two are blended is immaculately done. However, there are a few stereotypes I’d rather not have seen. But overall, it’s an enjoyable film. Particularly the performances from Troye Sivan and John Cleese.

SPUD is out at cinemas nationwide from today, 03 December 2010. Just in time for school holidays.

Did you read the books? What did you think of them? Will you watch the film? Or, have you seen it? Did the adaptation from book to film work? Are you happy with the cast? Please share your thoughts below.

Helen Mirren, Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman as Victoria, Frank and Joe, respectively.

RED is a n action-comedy film based on a three-part DC Comics graphic novel by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner. It brings together heavyweights that have dominated the silver screen for decades. I’m talking Morgan Freeman, Bruce Willis, John Malkovich and Helen Mirren. That tight line-up on its own is sure to appeal or at least convince any cinema goer to see what it’s about.

Although the story is something I’ve seen many a time before, RED‘s strength lies in the light way the plot unravels. Basically, the film is about retired black-ops CIA agents who are forced to reunite after one of them is attacked one night whilst living his uneventful life. After he wipes out the army sent to assassinate him, he enlists his fellow Retired: Extremely Dangerous comrades to find the reason why he’s been brought back from retirement. Putting together their stellar weaponry, excellent combat skills, cunning experience and their agile minds, they have to get to the bottom of a seemingly deeper and higher conspiracy in the government.

Beside the high-energy pace and brilliant performances from the A-list leads, the dialogue is immensely witty and smart. Particularly, I thoroughly enjoyed John Malkovich‘s paranoid character that produced endless tongue-in-cheek and timed humour, from the very instant he is introduced to the screen. Mary-Louise Parker (from Weeds) as the skill-less but helpful catalyst for balance in the madness that ensues is well-played.

This film proves that the oldies still have it. RED is fun, hilarious, entertaining and charming. It opens at Nu Metro cinemas this coming Friday, 19 November 2010.

Check out the official trailer below to whet your appetite:

We were recently invited to the launch of the show at Atlas Studios in Auckland Park. The MC for the night actress Brenda Ngxoli introduced key people that were involved in bringing about this production to talk brielfly about the project. They included the creator Zami Nkosi Uzanenkosi, as well as funder John Sullivan Patrick Coleman [update: thanks to Richard for the correction on comments below] (who was also instrumental in Tsha Tsha in which Brenda starred). Below are a few pictures taken from the evening.

Some of the actors I know are in the series but did not see at the launch include reality show Class Act winner Sdumo Mtshali, who has just returned from his NY trip, as well as Fezile Makhanya who briefly told me about InterSEXions last month.

A group of us had an interesting conversation outside the venue about sex and HIV/AIDS where some of the guys we chatted with even admitted to not using condoms every now and then. I’ll definitely be tuning in to see how the show pans out. Will you be watching? Do you think this will encourage more people to talk about these issues?

Title: Brothers
Cast: Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, Natalie Portman
Director: Pierre Morel
Running Time: 101 min

Based on the Danish Motion Picture entitled Brodre by Susanne Bier and Anders Thomas Jenson, Brothers tells a tale of two brothers with distinctly different personalities and the bond they may or may not share.

Sam (Tobey Maguire) is about to be deployed to Afghanistan once more. His brother Tommy (Jake Gyllenhaal) has just been released from prison. When the military chopper crashes in the middle of war zone, the worst is presumed. Tommy has to fight off his dark history and assume responsibility for Sam’s wife Grace (Natalie Portman) and their two daughters.

A gripping account of not just how wars can affect individuals on the call of duty, but the consequential conflicts that arise within families of such individuals. Loyalties are strongly tested, invoking different emotions.

Tobey Maguire is exceptional in his portrayal of the upstanding, yet flawed character. Supporting him so soundly are Jake Gyllenhaal and Natalie Portman.

DVD out in September.