SPOTLIGHT | 'Dune' closes a chapter; local thriller streams on Prime; upcoming releases previewed

'Dune: Part Two' plays out in cinemas and IMAX; 'Death Of A Whistleblower', streaming on Prime Video, is a salute to corruption-busters; 'Imaginary', 'Godzilla x King Kong', 'Boy Kills World' coming to big screens

29 February 2024 - 13:57
subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now

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.

Watch all episodes

Click here to find previous episodes of Spotlight with all the movie news you need and follow Spotlight on Facebook for all the latest news and giveaways

This week’s Spotlight episode shines a light on the epic culmination of the Dune saga in cinemas, a perfectly themed film to stream leading up to Human Rights Day later in March, and a peek at some tentpole cinema releases.

The wait is over as the second part of Denis Villeneuve’s SF action-adventure Dune arrives in cinemas, and on IMAX and 4DX. Follow Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) as he unites with the Fremen people of the desert planet Arrakis to wage war against House Harkonnen in Dune: Part Two. Stars Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson and Javier Bardem reprise their roles from part one, with a host of additions including Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Christopher Walken and Lea Seydoux. Don’t miss Spotlight’s coverage of the local advance screening.

In an era of manufactured reality and news, new local film Death Of A Whistleblower examine SA’s struggle over capture of the country’s military assets and the corruption of leaders profiteering from the illicit trade in military hardware and chemical weaponry. This sets off a devastating rot at the core of the nation. Director Ian Gabriel skilfully frames the fractured political and social landscape with this thriller.

The film, now available to stream on Prime Video, premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2023 and is featured at the Johannesburg Film Festival. It stars award-winning Noxolo Dlamini in the lead role with co-stars Irshaad Ally, Deon Coetzee and s’Thandiwe Kgoroge.

Don’t miss a first look at trailers for Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire (March 29), the locally shot Boy Kills World (April 26) and next week’s release, the horror Imaginary, which casts doubt on your every imaginary childhood friend. We also feature the Johannesburg Film Festival opening night.

• Book your cinema tickets by visiting sterkinekor.com and numetro.co.za.

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: Dune hampers

Spotlight has Dune: Part Two movie merchandise hampers up for grabs.

To stand in line to win, answer the competition questions via the Spotlight Facebook page, and DM your answers and contact details by February 28 2024.

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.


subscribe Just R20 for the first month. Support independent journalism by subscribing to our digital news package.
Subscribe now