SPOTLIGHT | 'Blacklight', 'Dog' and Bollywood film on big screens; Netflix releases 'Tinder Swindler' doccie

Spotlight is our entertainment bite-sized snapshot featuring new entertainment releases in SA, exclusive film trailers and much more. New episodes are out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and on YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook.

This week’s episode takes us to cinemas to see Liam Neeson and Channing Tatum’s latest big screen releases, and to introduce the madam of Mumbai’s red-light district, while we learn more about The Tinder Swindler, alias “Simon Leviev”, in a Netflix documentary.

Blacklight is Liam Neeson’s latest action movie, opening this week. He plays operative Travis Block, uncovering conspiracies, protecting families and kicking up a storm to expose the bad guys. Look out for our interview with Neeson, one of cinema’s favourite action heroes.

Channing Tatum treats cinemagoers to a fun-filled road trip, full of misadventures, called Dog, which he also co-directs. Prepare to have your heartstrings thoroughly pulled in this gem of a feel-good film as Lulu the dog teaches army ranger Briggs (Tatum) to find happiness and enjoy the freedom of not being in charge of anything and everything.

Spotlight heads to Bollywood for a true-life story in Gangubai Kathiawadi, adapted from the book, Mafia Queens of Mumbai.  Hoping to become a movie star, Ganga finds herself betrayed and sold off to a brothel where she quickly learns to protect herself as the madam of Kamathipura — Bombay’s infamous red-light district. Starring Alia Bhatt, this film is now at cinemas.

On Netflix you can find the jaw-dropping story of alleged Israeli con man “Simon Leviev” (real name Shimon Hayut) in The Tinder Swindler. Characterised by his line, “My enemies are after me — I need $1m,” the documentary shows how women are duped into parting with sizeable amounts of money, all in the name of love. You really cannot make this up and, coincidentally, You Can’t Make This Up is the title of a three-part Netflix documentary podcast series of additional content on Hayut, subtitled The Making of a Swindler. It is available on all major podcast platforms.

For full interviews, breaking news, trailers, clips and competition details, visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies!

Presenter Collette Prince is dressed by Kalea Collective.

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