This week’s episode of Spotlight features a favourite cop duo returning to the big screen, a fantasy horror to spook you and Robert Downey Jr in an almost unrecognisable role in a brand-new HBO TV series.
BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE – AT CINEMAS, IMAX, 4DX
The Bad Boys franchise is back in full force with buddy cop duo Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett heading out on a mission of honour. Trying to clear the name of their late captain from links to illegal drug cartel activity, the action-packed new instalment again offers audiences the trademark comedic interaction between stars Will Smith and Martin Lawrence first seen in. The fourth outing of this big-budget series sees co-stars Joe Pantoliano, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexander Ludwig and Paola Nunez, among others, return as their well-loved characters.
THE WATCHERS – AT CINEMAS & D-BOX
Directed by Ishana Night Shyamalan (daughter of supernatural genre master M Night Shyamalan) in her debut film, this cinema release is based on the novel with the same name written by acclaimed Irish author AM Shine. Trapped alongside three strangers, all stalked by mysterious creatures, 28-year-old artist Mina (Dakota Fanning) is stranded and desperate to escape an expansive, untouched forest — with spine-chilling consequences that promise to keep you on the edge of your seat.
THE SYMPATHIZER – ON M-NET
A gripping HBO original series based on the 2016 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel from writer Viet Thanh Nguyen. Harrowing, gutsy and gripping, it centres around a Vietnamese spy near the end of the Vietnam War taking residence in a refugee community in Los Angeles. Continuing with his intelligence gathering for the Viet Cong, this miniseries (partly based on real events) offers a unique perspective on the war, delving deeper into the complexities of identity, loyalty and betrayal around the fall of Saigon. Starring a gaunt Robert Downey Jr in several antagonist roles, Toan Le, Fred Nguyen Khan and Sandra Oh, the seven episodes of historical black comedy have garnered praise from international critics. Monday nights on M-Net at 8pm.
UPCOMING MOVIES TO KEEP YOU WARM THIS WINTER
Don’t miss the segment in this week’s episode looking ahead at cinema and streaming platforms' enormous bouquet of movie selections, including Deadpool & Wolverine, The Fabulous Four, Despicable Me 4, A Quiet Place: Day One and Twisters.
Spotlight has exclusive movie merchandise from Bad Boys: Ride or Die up for grabs. To stand a chance to win a hamper, answer the following question via our Spotlight South Africa page on Facebook: In what year was the first Bad Boys movie released in cinemas?.
Ts and Cs apply. The competition closes on June 13 2024.
