Film News South Africa

#OnTheBigScreen: Monster Hunter and Dinner With Friends

Films entering the South African box office, this week, include Monster Hunter and Dinner With Friends.

Monster Hunter

Behind our world, there is another: A world of dangerous and powerful monsters that rule their domain with deadly ferocity. When an unexpected sandstorm transports Lt. Artemis (Milla Jovovich) and her unit (Tip 'T.I.’ Harris, Meagan Good, Diego Boneta) to a new world, the soldiers are shocked to discover that this hostile and unknown environment is home to enormous and terrifying monsters immune to their firepower. In their desperate battle for survival, the unit encounters a mysterious Hunter (Tony Jaa), whose unique skills allow him to stay one step ahead of the powerful creatures. As Artemis and the Hunter slowly build trust, she discovers that he is part of a team led by the Admiral (Ron Perlman). Facing a danger so great it could threaten to destroy their world, the brave warriors combine their unique abilities to band together for the ultimate showdown.

Written for the Screen and Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson. Based upon Capcom’s video game Monster Hunter.

Among the fantastical settings of the monster-inhabited world is the sea of sand under which the Black Diablos creatures live. This setting, where the Joint Security Operation soldiers are first attacked by these monsters, was situated near Cape Town at the spectacular Atlantis Dunes, known for their distinctively pure white sand.

Read more.

Dinner With Friends

Inspired by true events, the film explores the relationship between two female friends, both going through break-ups, while heading into the Thanksgiving holiday.

But the friends’ plans for a quiet turkey dinner go up in smoke when they’re joined by Molly’s new boyfriend and her flamboyant mother. Throw in some party crashers including Molly’s old flame, a wannabe shaman, and a trio of Fairy Gay Mothers and it’s a recipe for a comically chaotic holiday no one will ever forget - even if they wanted to.

Written and directed by Nicol Paone. It stars Malin Åkerman, Kat Dennings, Aisha Tyler, Chelsea Peretti, Christine Taylor, Jane Seymour, Deon Cole, Wanda Sykes, Margaret Cho, Fortune Feimster, Jack Donnelly and Ryan Hansen.

“Watch the movie because we got it made when nobody wanted to,” says Paone. “Because it’s about the evolving normalcy of gay characters in movies leading everyday lives. Because it’s about a gay lady character as the lead in a movie without the movie being labelled a ‘gay movie. It has heart, turkey and lesbians!”

Read more about the latest and upcoming films. 

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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