Disney’s “The Lion King” journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.

Regarded as one of, if not the greatest Disney film of all time, The Lion King is a piece of cinema that truly speaks to audiences with its epic storytelling and musical genius and now noted director Jon Favreau reinvents it for a whole new generation. Favreau’s task is utterly monumental and the director approaches it with sincere love and enthusiasm and this really shows through in the finished print. Favreau really builds out the emotion here in The Lion King, and his directorial eye and talent for narrative completely brings his audience inside this grand tale.

Captured in beautiful photo-realistic detail, you absolutely feel the pull of Mother Earth here, and the visuals are a thing of sheer beauty to look upon. Favreau’s vision is like that of a Richard Attenborough documentary come to life, and great detail is captured here from the mighty stride of Simba to the individual shades of grass that make up the Pride Lands, every part of this film builds the sense of a thriving and lush natural ecosystem. This lavish presentation of the Pride Lands and the creatures that occupy it also pull audiences into the central theme of The Great Circle Of Life, and there is a real reverence given to just how special the natural world is, and how important it is to keep this natural balance in order. It’s one of the most important issues of our time and it’s fabulous to see it being communicated here through The Lion King and its message is sure to make an impression on audiences both young and old.

Leading The Lion King is the supremely talented Donald Glover, and this lauded performer gives an amazing performance as the once and future king. Glover has a great balance of both the fun and the dramatic here, and he takes audiences on an incredible journey through as Simba on his quest to be king. Glover’s vocals are given great space here and he really finds the soul at the heart of who Simba is. Simba’s journey to become King is filled out with emotion, and Glover’s strong auditory performance really builds out the strength of character that Simba develops along the way. Fans of the actor’s Childish Gambino persona will also be pleased to know that Glover lets his musical voice sing out here as well. His impressive ability to carry a tune really sets the cinema alight and audiences are sure to be grooving.

Standing next to Glover’s Simba is the ever fabulous Beyonce as his childhood best friend and eventual love interest Nala, and she brings substantial grace to the role. It’s through Nala’s presence that Simba is once again enticed to return to his sacred duty, and Beyonce really sells this home to a young lion who has grown selfish and lost all sense of duty. Beyonce’s power really shines through up on the big screen, and this incredible artist also gives audiences plenty of musical charm with her duet alongside Glover of the classic “Can You Feel The Love Tonight”, along with giving Disney audiences a fabulous new song in the form of “Spirit”. They say behind every great King, there’s an even greater Queen and that certainly is apparent in Nala thanks to the performance and talent of Beyonce.

Bringing a sense of venomous dread to The Lion King is the sensational Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, the ravaged and spiteful brother of King Mufasa who has his own ideas as to how the Pride Lands should be ruled. In my opinion, Ejiofor completely steals the film with his performance, and his commanding, almost Shakespearian quality that he gives to Scar makes for a very scary villain. Ejiofor’s rich voice is really on display here, and director Jon Favreau coaxes a terrifying performance from the actor, which is lead by the actor’s baritone range that expresses itself through “Be Prepared”. Every hero needs a worthy villain to fight against, and Scar’s tyrannical power struggle tests Simba’s will at every turn and is a true testament to Ejiofor’s abilities as an actor.

It wouldn’t be The Lion King without a good dose of humour and stars Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner bring plenty of laughs to the big screen as the ever lovable duet of Timon and Pumbaa. These two are just a barrel of laughs up on the screen, and each actor absolutely complements the other. Eichner’s wisecracks as Timon will have you in fits with his somewhat snarky delivery, and Rogen’s perfect comedic timing as Pumbaa is a real joy to watch. Rogen and Eichner make the perfect team up on screen, and their hilarity and energy really bring out the joy in The Lion King. Audiences will absolutely go nuts for these two, and they sure do deliver plenty of giggles.

Finally, the great James Earl Jones returns to this beloved film as the ever-wise King Mufasa, and his vocal presence and important life lessons are sure to fill your heart with joy. With a vocal delivery that implies respect, command and kingly might, Jones is once again the philosophical voice of The Lion King that we have long loved him for being. His lessons of fatherhood and responsibility will again be welcomed by audiences, and having not heard him speak these words in such a long time it’s certainly great to hear him impart these important life lessons. Favreau gives tremendous authority to the presence of Mufasa in this film, and some of my favourite moments of this film were led by his performance.

With great visuals and a stunning narrative also comes the presence of plenty of incredible symbolism on the part of Favreau. The theme of destiny carries real significance to this film, and this is expressed through the presence of the wise seer Rafiki, played with great reverence by the one and only John Kani. Kani’s performance as Rafiki has an almost grandfather delivery to it, and he gives the film much of its soul. Rafiki’s presence also gives The Lion King a real spiritual dimension and coupled together with the idea of the natural world and The Great Circle of Life, and the way in which Favreau expresses it through this film, The Lion King really impacts audiences on a far more deeper, meaningful level.

Thematically, The Lion King again follows the key narrative structure of Joseph Campbell’s The Heroes Journey, and Simba’s journey is one of accepting himself, his destiny and the responsibility of what it means to be a king and to serve a higher calling. Favreau’s understanding of narrative is very deliberate here, and the way in which he illustrates Simba’s journey to rise from that of a cub to a king is very meaningful and thought-provoking. This structure at the heart of The Lion King shapes the film into a piece of cinematic opera and there are plenty of grand moments that take your breath away in the illustration of these bold themes.

Just like the previous 1994 film, music also plays a very integral part to The Lion King, and this new score and soundtrack certainly fills the film with plenty of incredible emotions. With both timeless and classic songs such as “Circle of Life/Nants’ Ingonyama”, “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, alongside bold new tracks such as Beyonce’s “Spirit”, there’s a tremendous musical consciousness on display here and you absolutely feel it deep inside your soul. Of all the film’s tracks, Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner’s rendition of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” really sang out to me with its comedic musings and it’s incredibly fun to listen to.

As a cinematic experience, The Lion King is phenomenal in every sense of the word and I loved every moment that played out on its grand canvas. This film holds a very special place in my own heart as it was the first piece of cinema I was ever witnessed more than 25 years ago, and just as then, it still moves me deeply. At the heart of all of us is a deep sense of childlike magic and nostalgia, and all of that is on display here in Jon Favreau’s The Lion King. It is an utterly triumphant piece of cinema and I was moved even more so after watching it again more than 25 years later. The magic of Walt Disney truly lives through this piece of cinema and it certainly touched my heart.

The Lion King is a bold and breathtaking piece of cinema that will absolutely make your heart sing out. Narrative, visuals, performance and theme all come together to craft an utterly unforgettable piece of cinema and you’ll certainly cheer and clap in triumph at this one.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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Doctor Strange is certainly no different.

This origin story introduces us to the exceptionally talented and ruthlessly arrogant neurosurgeon, Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), whose life changes when a devastating car crash cripples his hands. When Western medicine fails him, his search for healing leads him to the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who reveals a secret world of sorcery and the constant battle against those who subscribe to the dark arts. Strange is faced with the choice of his old life of success and fortune or leaving it all to defend the planet against inter-dimensional threats.

Cumberbatch creates a memorable, charismatic character that’s reminiscent of the ever-popular Tony Stark played by Robert Downey Jr. while keeping his own unique brand of wit, charm and ego. His exchanges with the enclave librarian, Wong (Benedict Wong) are spliced beautifully between the intense mystical training and philosophical pondering. Chiwetel Ejiofor gives a brilliant performance as Strange’s headstrong mentor, Mordo while Swinton brings a fresh take and new personality to the Ancient One, typically portrayed as an old, Nepalese man.

I particularly felt they really got the villain right with Mads Mikkelsen who plays Kaecilius, a former student of the Ancient One gone bad. There’s more depth to his character than the usual mindless hunger for destruction; he was the product of conflicting ideologies when he questioned the teachings of his former master. He certainly wasn’t boring to watch.

I need to take a moment to try and emphasise how mind-bogglingly incredible the visual effects are in this film. Watching a speck-like Strange fall through vast dimensions or a kaleidoscopical Manhattan that would make Christopher Nolan jealous is an experience in itself. I personally recommend seeing this movie in 3D.

As the newest addition to the MCU, Doctor Strange is most definitely welcome and intensely fun to watch. The trademark mid-credit and end-credit scenes leave plenty to speculate on regarding the wider plot as we inevitably lead to the Infinity War.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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When eminent but vain neurosurgeon Dr. Stephen Strange (Cumberbatch) loses the loss of his hands in a severe car accident he is left broken and in despair. Desperate for a miracle he travels the world, making his way to the Far East where he comes under the tutelage of the mystical Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) who instructs him in the power of magic and the divine. Taking the mantle of the ‘Sorcerer Supreme’ Strange must use his new found power to battle a renegade follower of the Ancient One whose plans for chaos could impact the entire world.

The new trailer showcases a spot on Cumberbatch as Strange, as he is thrown into a world of Escher-like mystery. The trailer also strikes a good balance between Cumberbatch’s Strange and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Baron Mordo. While their relationship will take a different turn from the comics, it is sure to produce plenty of heated exchanges between these cinematic heavy hitters. Mads Mikkelsen also steps out of the shadows and appears to be channeling his unique villain skills as the ferocious and vengeful sorcerer Kaecilius.

Doctor Strange has major importance to Marvel’s Phase Three, not just because it is the launch pad for a brand new hero, but because it’s introducing the concept of magic into the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe. Doctor Strange also ties into the greater cosmos setting that Marvel are pushing towards with Guardians of the Galaxy: Vol 2, and the impending showdown between the heroes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Josh Brolin’s celestial titan Thanos.

Marvel fans will have a lot to look forward to when Doctor Strange is released in cinemas on October 27 in New Zealand and Australia, on October 28 the UK and in the US on November 4.

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Akin to a Hitchcockian psychological thriller, The Secret in Their Eyes depicts the haunting story of a relentless detective chasing after the murderer of a fellow colleague’s daughter.

Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Ray, a former District Attorney Investigator for a counter-terrorist group following the 9/11 attacks. His partner-in-crime, Jess (Julia Roberts), begins as a cheeky detective, eventually becoming a ghost of her former self after the death of her daughter. Meanwhile, Claire (Nicole Kidman) is Ray’s unrequited love interest-turned District Attorney, who tries to keep him under control as Ray resurfaces the case thirteen years later.

The film has a unique rhythm and interesting pace. Piece by piece, leads come together, but only in the very end do all the dots connect. Similar to Hitchcock’s films, writer and director Billy Ray promotes suspense, asking the audience to play detective until the very end. You never know what is lurking behind hidden corners in this thriller; blood is shed, bleach is poured, and it’s a thrill to watch. Editor Jim Page and Billy Ray have so delicately woven this story together that it falls nothing short of an art form.

Julia Roberts deserves every bit of praise for her stunning performance. While her last few films have been a mix of hard-hitting dramas (August: Osage County, The Normal Heart) and lighter pieces (Mirror, Mirror, Larry Crowne), Roberts strikes harder this time, reminding us why she’s the best. Despite the harrowing subject matter, it’s an absolute joy to see her go deep into the role of a woman haunted by loss and living a life sentence of pain.

Ejiofor’s Ray on the other hand is a man with a plan, fully determined to achieve justice for Jess, though perhaps a little misguided. Ejiofor delivers a wonderful, indomitable performance, propelling the story forward to a twisted conclusion. Though different in many ways, these characters are all tough – they need to be in order to deal with a villain like Marzin (Joe Cole). Although he appears less often in the film than the main trio, Marzin is a twisted and taunting narcissistic psychopath who becomes a shadow. The chase to hunt this man down is gripping, and will undoubtedly keep audiences on the edge of their seats until the end credits.

Secret in Their Eyes will be released in New Zealand and Australia on November 19, 2015,  November 20, 2015 in the US and in the UK on March 4, 2016.

Image source: Roadshow Films.

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