Film News South Africa

#OnTheBigScreen: What Men Want, Eighth Grade and The Princess And The Dragon

This week at South African cinemas: Taraji P Henson uncovers the workings of the minds of men in What Men Want; Bo Burnham explores the confusing and awkwardness that comes with adolescence in Eighth Grade; a princess discovers a world of wonder in The Princess And The Dragon; and the limits of power are tested in Almeida Theatre's production of The Tragedy Of King Richard The Second, which is playing at Cinema Nouveau outlets across the country.

What Men Want

Ali Davis (Taraji P Henson) is a successful sports agent who’s constantly boxed out by her male colleagues. When Ali is passed up for a well-deserved promotion, she questions what else she needs to do to succeed in a man’s world – until she gains the ability to hear men’s thoughts. With her newfound power, Ali looks to outsmart her colleagues as she races to sign the next basketball superstar, but the lengths she has to go to will put her relationship with her best friends and a potential new love interest (Aldis Hodge) to the test.

Inspired by director Nancy Meyers’ 2000 hit What Women Want, directed by Adam Shankman from a screenplay by Tina Gordon and Peter Huyck and Alex Gregory, from a story by Jas Waters and Tina Gordon.

Eighth Grade

Thirteen-year-old Kayla (Elsie Fisher) endures the tidal wave of contemporary suburban adolescence as she makes her way through the last week of middle school – the end of her thus far disastrous eighth-grade year.

Written and directed by Bo Burnham. It is his feature film directorial debut.

The Princess And The Dragon

On her seventh birthday, Princess Barbara discovers a magical book that transports her to Wonderland – an enchanted place filled with dragons and fantastic creatures in this animated adventure directed by Marina Nefedova.

The Tragedy Of King Richard The Second 

Starring Olivier Award-winner Simon Russell Beale as Richard II, captured live at the Almeida Theatre in London. This visceral new production about the limits of power will be directed by Joe Hill-Gibbins, whose previous plays include Little Revolution at the Almeida andAbsolute Hell at the National Theatre.

Richard II, King of England, is irresponsible, foolish and vain. His weak leadership sends his kingdom into disarray and his court into an uproar. Seeing no other option but to seize power, the ambitious Bolingbroke challenges the throne and the king’s divine right to rule.

Showing at Ster-Kinekor Nouveau nationwide.

Read more about the latest and upcoming films: writingstudio.co.za/lets-go-to-the-movies

About Daniel Dercksen

Daniel Dercksen has been a contributor for Lifestyle since 2012. As the driving force behind the successful independent training initiative The Writing Studio and a published film and theatre journalist of 40 years, teaching workshops in creative writing, playwriting and screenwriting throughout South Africa and internationally the past 22 years. Visit www.writingstudio.co.za
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