Sunday Night Movies
Angel Has Fallen
He’s played God and the President of the United States. Morgan Freeman brought his characteristic charisma and gravitas to these roles in Bruce Almighty and Deep Impact. In your first Sunday night movie this August, Angel has Fallen, Freeman returns to the role of POTUS. In the first two films, he played Speaker of the House then Vice President to Aaron Eckhart’s POTUS. But for the third instalment in the Fallen franchise, he’s the big cheese. And of course Scottish treasure Gerard Butler returns to the role of Secret Service Agent Mike Banning. If you’re a fan of the franchise or love action-packed thrillers, make sure you don’t miss this one.
Bombshell
There’s no denying how astounding the makeup is in this movie. After all, it did win an Oscar for transforming the actors almost beyond recognition. But it’s not all about the hair and makeup. Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, and Margot Robbie are in top form as always. Airing on Women’s Day, the film focuses on the sexual harassment that took place at Fox News and the women who came forward to denounce it.
Playing with Fire
An awesome cast including John Cena, John Leguizamo, Keegan-Michael Key, and Dennis Haysbert comes together for this hot comedy about a group of smokejumpers who unexpectedly find three children in their care. Smokejumpers, you ask? Smokejumpers are first-response wildland firefighters. Sounds pretty cool, right? Or maybe that should be “sounds pretty hot … ”
Rambo: Last Blood
Another franchise favourite in the August mix is Rambo. The fifth instalment, subtitled Last Blood, sees John Rambo head to Mexico on a very personal mission. Watch it and let us know where it ranks on your Rambo list.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
August ends on a high note, so high it finds us all the way in a galaxy far, far away. The third instalment in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and the ninth in the Skywalker saga, it has J.J. Abrams back in the director’s chair. If you’re a die-hard fan, settle in for another viewing. If you enjoy the movies, but missed this one, make sure you conclude your month with the conclusion to this epic saga.
Women’s Month Festival
Along with Bombshell on M-Net, M-Net Movies has a fine selection of female-led films lined up across its channels, including Tully (also starring Charlize Theron), Captain Marvel, Widows, Red Joan, I, Tonya, and Harriet. From motherhood to saving the universe, the movies in the festival celebrate and explore the many different roles women play, whether in reality or fiction.
There are also movies centred on real-life figures including Harriet, based on American abolitionist Harriet Tubman. Starring Cynthia Erivo in the title role, the actress was nominated twice for the film at this year’s Oscars. Along with her nomination for Best Actress, she was also nominated for the film’s song Stand Up, with Joshuah Brian Campbell. Red Joan is not quite as biographical a film as Harriet, but it is inspired by real-life KGB spy Melita Norwood.
Margot Robbie features in your Sunday night movie Bombshell, for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at this year’s Oscars. Unlike Theron and Kidman, her role is not based on an actual person but is instead representative of many women at Fox News. In I Tonya, however, she takes on a real-life figure, portraying figure skater Tonya Harding. Her performance landed Robbie her first Oscar nomination.
Meryl Streep has played many real-life figures, including Karen Silkwood, Roberta Guaspari, Julia Child, Emmeline Pankhurst, and Margaret Thatcher. In The Post she takes on another figure, playing American publisher Kay Graham for which – yup, you guessed it – she was nominated for an Oscar. Nominated in 2018, it marked Streep's 21st Oscar nomination. With four wins, Katherin Hepburn still holds the record for the most wins, but with 21 nominations, Streep holds the record as the most-nominated actor in Oscar history.
For another awesome ensemble film, you can check out Widows about a group of widows who have to pay back a crime boss after their husbands are killed in a getaway gone wrong. The widows are played by Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki, and Carrie Coon. Cynthia Erivo also stars – in fact, Widows was her feature film debut.
Check out more leading ladies on M-Net and M-Net Movies during Women's Month and beyond.
M-Net Movies Premiere
Hugh Jackman just landed an Emmy nomination for his role in Bad Education, which airs on M-Net Movies Premiere this August. Focusing on the true story of public school embezzlement at Roslyn High, it was written by Mike Makowsky who attended the school at the time of the event. It also stars the marvelous Allison Janney, so be sure to check it out.
You can also check out these fresh titles on channel 104 this month:
10 Minutes Gone
All the Devil’s Men
In Plain View
The Current War
Submission
The Dancing Dogs of Dombrova
Local Love on Box Office
You can still support local films on DStv Box Office this month, so grab your blanket, hot chocolate, and buttery popcorn and settle in for these great South African films.
Knuckle City (available to rent online until 17 August)
Poppie Nongena (available to rent online until 18 October)
World Cinema
Hop around the world from the comfort of your armchair with these films on M-Net channel 101.
Keys to the Heart
Sunday 2 August, 22:40
A charming South Korean dramedy about a washed-up ex-boxer and how he reconnects with his estranged family.
Duelles: Mothers’ Instinct
Sunday 9 August, 22:30
A thrilling drama set in 1960s Belgium. The unbreakable bond between two best friends is shattered when tragedy strikes their families.
Pain and Glory
Sunday 16 August, 21:45
Acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar directs Antonio Banderas in a moving performance that landed him a nomination for Best Actor at this year’s Oscars. Also written by Almodóvar, the semi-autobiographical film follows the story of a director, suffering from chronic illness, as he reflects on his life choices.
The County
Sunday 23 August, 22:45
A gripping Icelandic drama in which a widowed farmer begins a new life on her own terms by fighting against corruption and injustice in her community.
Pororoca
Sunday 30 August, 23:00
This Romanian film follows the story of Tudor and Cristina whose lives change when their daughter disappears in a park.
What are you looking forward to watching this August? Share your thoughts on Facebook and Twitter.