#OnTheBigScreen: Horror, faith, passion and revenge

Mother!

In the psychological horror, Mother (Jennifer Lawrence) and Him (Javier Bardem) live in a seemingly idyllic existence in a secluded paradise. But the couple’s relationship is tested when Man (Ed Harris) and Woman (Michelle Pfeiffer) arrive at their home uninvited. Answering that knock disrupts their tranquil existence and as more and more guests arrive, Mother is forced to revisit everything she knows about love, devotion, and sacrifice. Written and directed by Darren Aronofsky.

All Saints

This inspiring true story tells of salesman-turned-pastor Michael Spurlock (John Corbett), the tiny church he was ordered to shut down, and a group of refugees from Southeast Asia. Jeopardising his family’s future by ignoring his superiors, Michael must choose between completing what he was assigned to do - close the church and sell the property - or listening to a still, small voice challenging the people of All Saints to risk it all and provide much-needed hope to their new community.

Tulip Fever

In 17th Century Amsterdam, an orphaned girl (Alicia Vikander) is forcibly married to a rich and powerful merchant (Christoph Waltz) – an unhappy ‘arrangement’ that saves her from poverty. After her husband commissions a portrait, she begins a passionate affair with the painter (Dane DeHaan). Seeking to escape the merchant’s ever-reaching grasp, the lovers risk everything and enter the frenzied tulip bulb market, with the hope that the right bulb will make a fortune and buy their freedom.

Directed by Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom) from a screenplay by Sir Tom Stoppard (Anna Karenina, Shakespeare in Love) based on the Deborah Moggach’s novel.

Amityville: The Awakening

When some footage dating back to 1976 is discovered, the case of the haunted house in Amityville is reopened in Amityville: The Awakening. An ambitious woman who is working as a television news intern seizes the opportunity to advance her career and is soon leading a team of journalists, clergymen, and paranormal researchers into the house, but she may have unwittingly opened a door to the unreal that she will never be able to close. Written and directed by French film director and screenwriter Franck Khalfoun.

Suburbicon

In the decade following the WW2, America’s emerging middle class was moving to the suburbs: idyllic, affordable homes in planned communities. For many, the American Dream of owning a home was becoming a reality for the first time.

Suburbicon is a picture-perfect 1950s suburb where the best and worst of humanity is reflected through the deeds of ordinary people.  But when a home break-in turns deadly, a family must turn to blackmail, revenge, and betrayal in order to survive.

Wolf Warriors 2

In this Chinese action film, China’s deadliest special forces operative settles into a quiet life on the sea. When sadistic mercenaries begin targeting nearby civilians, he must leave his newfound peace behind and return to his duties as a soldier and protector. Directed by Wu Jing, who also stars in the lead role.

Norma

Opera enthusiasts will delight in the 2017-2018 opera season from the Metropolitan Opera and it starts off with Vincenzo Bellini’s Norma.

Norma will be screened on 14 and 15 November 2017.

Read more about the latest film releases: www.writingstudio.co.za.