SPOTLIGHT | 'The Marvels' uses power of three to save the universe; local films head overseas and onto Netflix

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 of Spotlight features some big cinema releases, and the local entertainment industry is contributing to escapism to pull audiences through to the holiday season.

The universe is under threat again in this week’s big cinema release, The Marvels. It is the sequel to the 2019 box office hit ($1.3bn in takings), Captain Marvel. Carol Danvers (aka Captain Marvel), played by Brie Larson, faces an evil force and she must band together with Ms Marvel (Iman Vellani) and other superheroes to form ‘The Marvels’. Directed by Nia DaCosta (Candyman), the film also features Samuel L Jackson, Zawe Ashton and Jude Law in this adrenaline-fuelled adventure now out in cinemas, on IMAX, 3D and 4DX.

The cinema release of prequel The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is drawing near (November 17), and last week’s drop of Olivia Rodrigo’s new single, Can’t Catch Me Now from the soundtrack, is dialling up the fever of anticipation. Ultimate Hunger Games superfans can also dive into a marathon of the current four movies at Montecasino on November 11, with prizes on offer.

Local family animation movie Headspace is charting box office success beyond our borders. The movie has been released in Spain and Poland, with upcoming dates for big screen debuts in Australia and New Zealand, Brazil, the Middle East, the UK, Germany, North America and more. 

Another local movie, Six in the City, is also expanding to streaming audiences on Netflix. Starring Kagiso Modupe, Armand Aucamp, Antonio David Jeftha and Joey Rasdien, the film is a fun road-trip comedy.

Don’t miss next week’s episode featuring presenter Collette Prince’s interview with epic adventure seeker Hazen Audel ahead of the new season of National Geographic’s Primal Survivor: Extreme African Safari.

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

Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events.

Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns.

Competition giveaway: The Marvels hamper

You can win an exclusive The Marvels merchandise hamper.

To stand in line to win, answer the competition question via the Spotlight Facebook page, and DM your answers and contact details before November 16 2023.

Terms and conditions apply.

Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants’ personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driver’s licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight South Africa on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.