WGSA presents a workshop by comedian Darren Maule & Gravity hits IMAX in 3D

WGSA KNOWLEDGE SHARE SESSION IN DURBAN

Comedic Timing – Darren Maule

The Writers’ Guild of South Africa continues its series of Knowledge Share sessions with a workshop on Comedic Timing, to be presented in Durban by popular performer and comedian, Darren Maule.

Equally comfortable in front of a microphone, a camera or a live audience, Maule has been a familiar name on the entertainment circuit for two decades.  As one of South Africa’s top stand-up comedians, he has starred in several award winning television series and numerous advertisements both locally and internationally.  Television viewers have seen Maule most recently on a Survivor island.  He is also an accomplished actor, with stage success in the Tim Plewman farce, Grin and Bare it.

Maule is also remembered as one half of the comedy duo The House Boys, which played in comedy clubs around South Africa. As the host of East Coast Radio’s breakfast show, he is the voice which more than a million listeners in KwaZulu-Natal wake up to, with local and international fans enjoying features such as The Mauling News – Darren’s unique take on current affairs.

Maule’s industry knowledge, intelligent repartee, engaging manner and ability to win over an audience make him the perfect host for this WGSA event.

Bookings essential admin@writersguildsa.org.  Date and Time:  27 January at 18h00 Venue:  Ike's Book Store, 48A Florida Road, Morningside, Durban (Source - WGSA)  Gravity hits IMAX in 3D  GRAVITY: An IMAX 3D Experience® Out-of-this-world 3D experience on massive screen transports you into outer space… IMAX® fans are in for a treat this month. They are about to get the opportunity to watch the movie that is out of this world, that features two of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and that topped the US box office in its first week of release… and, all of this, in the most immersive cinematic experience. If you haven’t yet seen the multi-nominated and award-winning space spectacular, Gravity, Ster-Kinekor is giving you the chance to see it the best way possible – in IMAX® 3D. Director Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity will be releasing at the IMAX®theatre at Gateway in Durban, to coincide with its global IMAX® re-release on Friday, 31 January.  If you have seen Gravity,you haven’t yet seen it in the most immersive cinematic experience that is IMAX® 3D… but, now you can, at Ster-Kinekor’s state-of-the-art IMAX® theatre at Gateway. This acclaimed visual spectacle, which has already garnered a Golden Globe Award (Best Director – Alfonso Cuarón), eleven BAFTA nominations (including Best Film and Best Director), and an incredible ten Academy Award® nominations including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress, comes to life in IMAX® 3D as it has never been seen – or experienced – before. Gravity: An IMAX 3D Experience® has been digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of an IMAX 3D Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images coupled with IMAX®'s customised theatre geometry and powerful digital audio create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are floating in space with the characters of the movie. Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalsky (George Clooney). But on a seemingly routine spacewalk, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalsky completely alone – tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness of outer space. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth... and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. But the only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space. ‘The IMAX® 3D was incredible. The additional dimension seamlessly adds depth to Gravity and isn’t simply for cheap thrills. With the scope and grandeur of Gravity, both in subject matter and in terms of visual storytelling, IMAX® 3D should be your first choice if it’s available in your area…  Gravity in theatres now is a must see film. You could not possibly appreciate nor enjoy the film, as its creator intended, on a smaller screen at home…’ – Michael Foster: www.flixnerd.com If you would like to watch Gravity: An IMAX 3D Experience® at Ster-Kinekor Gateway, bookings will open on Friday 24 January (film releases on Friday, 31 January). The running time of the film is 1hr 31min and it carries a PG7-9 L classification. (Source - Ster-Kinekor)

Review Of The New Imax Theatre in Gateway & a review of Thor: The Dark World

There is a new Imax Theatre in Ster Kinekor, Gateway Shopping Centre, Umhlanga.

Last night I was invited to the launch of the new Imax Theatre in South Africa.
Opening in Ster Kinekor, Gateway Shopping Centre, Umhlanga, the evening was filled with wonderful food and drink, photo opportunities and a wonderful buzz in the air.

Ster Kinekor had especially set out a special theatre for their IMAX theatre.  Brand new seating and a huge screen.  I loved the attention to detail with a great space for your coldrink and popcorn.
The MC for the evening was Sureshnie Rider from 5FM and she had the audience laughing and taking selfies.
No matter where you sat you got the full experience of IMAX and it is an experience.

CEO of Ster-Kinekor Theatres: Fiaz Mahomed

Says Fiaz Mahomed, CEO of Ster-Kinekor Theatres: “We are confident that the time for IMAX® is now. We see its return as a wonderful opportunity for Ster-Kinekor to continue to deliver on its promise to bring the unrivalled power of the cinema experience to our audiences.

“The powerful IMAX® film slate will enable us to offer a wide selection of the world’s latest blockbuster titles from Hollywood and Bollywood, which is what our audiences expect to see on the massive IMAX screen. Bollywood films, in particular, continue to be an important focus market for us, particularly here in the greater Durban region,” commented Mahomed.

 “As Ster-Kinekor, we are focused on providing ongoing moments of ‘impact’ cinema – the element of surprise, launching new sites to reach more audiences, new digital technologies that continue to enhance the cinema experience, delivering a best-in-class online booking facility and providing more personal communication with customers via our various social media platforms. We need to ensure that our audiences keep coming back to enjoy more great moments, and launching this IMAX® theatre is the next evolution in our journey.”

Representing IMAX® at the Gateway opening was Giovanni Dolci, VP Theatre Development, EMEA at IMAX® Corporation, who stated: “We are delighted to welcome Ster-Kinekor to the IMAX® business and believe our partnership will not only raise our visibility in South Africa, but will also set the stage for further mutual growth opportunities in the region. 

“Our agreement with South Africa’s number-one exhibitor at the country’s number-one cinema complex represents the ideal scenario under which to establish IMAX®’s first commercial multiplex entry into the country. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Ster-Kinekor much success with this new venture, and we look forward to expanding our theatre network in South Africa,” stated Dolci.

On Friday, 08 November, the IMAX® theatre at Gateway will open with the international release, of Marvel’s latest superhero epic, Thor: The Dark World: An IMAX 3D Experience.

“Our role is to entice the consumer to watch a film as it was made to be seen – on the big screen. The IMAX Experience® will take this viewing proposition to the next level. With more than 25 full-length feature films expected for release in IMAX® during 2014, and the remainder of this year featuring big titles including Hunger Games: Catching Fire, Ender’s Game and The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, we are looking forward to what we believe is going to be a really big year for Ster-Kinekor,” concludes Mahomed.

Film Review - Thor: The Dark World: An IMAX 3D Experience

Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Idris Elba

Director: Alan Taylor

This film marks the return of Thor as he battles to save the Earth and the Nine Realms.

This time Thor (Chris Hemsworth) fights to restore order across the cosmos.  An ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith return to plunge the universe into darkness.

Look out for a great performance by Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom).

There are some amazing action scenes in this film.  Watching it in IMAX is truly a wonderful experience.  

You get a bonus point if you can spot Stan Lee in this movie.  

Remember not to leave when the closing credits pop up.  There is a nice surprise for you after the credits.  

Rating 9/10

The Trailer for Thor: The Dark World

For more information, visit www.sterkinekor.com. To find out about other exciting offerings and promotions, follow @SKTheatres on Twitter or on Facebook at Ster-Kinekor Theatres. You can also download the Ster-Kinekor app on any Nokia, Samsung Android, iPhone or BlackBerry handset for up-to-date information and to make bookings.

 To check out the IMAX launch on Twitter check out the hashtag #THOReality

(Images and quotes courtesy of Ster-Kinekor) 

Article and Review by +Fred Felton