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Bloody jaws, treacherous fins sticking out of the water, and a killer stare are the standard staples of shark attack movies. Monster thriller/horror is a celebrated genre and while it may not be as mainstream as sci-fi or romance, it still has a staunch following. Breakthrough classics like Jaws and Deep Blue Sea have set a precedent that has instilled a generational fear among watchers regarding these majestic creatures.

It’s safe to say that viewers have at least once felt that the things depicted in shark movies are real or bound to happen to someone at some point. Although not all sharks in the sea are looking to devour human flesh, most facts in such movies are for entertainment purposes only. However, the audience would be surprised to know that several popular titles in the genre are more or less based on actual events.

Updated by Alex Roush...

British-Australian film director Tom Hooper's résumé is long and impressive. Since breaking into film and TV in the late 1990s, Hooper has bagged a startling number of accolades, including a Primetime Emmy for Elizabeth I (2005), a Golden Globe for his HBO miniseries on the famous American president, John Adams (2008); and an Academy Award and BAFTA for The King's Speech (2010).

And although, more recently, Hooper has made headlines for the wrong reasons – his work on the 2019 box office bomb Cats puts him alongside Kevin Costner as one of only two people to have won both an Oscar for Best Director and a Golden Raspberry for Worst Director – there's no denying his dedication to the craft.

But while mainstream audiences will be familiar with his work on Cats, The King's Speech, Les Misérables, and Michael Sheen's sports drama The Damned United (2009), Hooper's first movie is arguably his best. Red Dust (2004) was a taut,...

BBC Sounds continues to champion the growing UK podcast sector as it joins Spotify’s Megaphone, an industry leading podcast publishing and monetisation platform.

With Megaphone’s technology, we will be able to dynamically recommend relevant content to audiences on other podcast platforms in the UK, helping listeners discover more brilliant audio they’ll love from across the BBC, wherever they listen. Thanks to this new approach, we will transform the way we highlight BBC programmes on other podcast platforms, demonstrating our commitment to the growing podcast listenership in the UK.

Podcasting icon Jon Ronson announces the return of the phenomenally popular and acclaimed BBC Radio 4 podcast Things Fell Apart for a second series in 2024, and the long awaited Chapter Four of George The Poet’s groundbreaking Peabody Award winning Have You Have You Heard George’s Podcast? launches this autumn.

Plus details of a raft of exciting new...

A new seven-part series from BBC Studios investigates a disturbing story behind, what appeared to be a genuine charity endorsed by stars. The series, hosted by Jamie Bartlett, tells the story of 16-year-old Megan Bhari who set up a charity in 2012 called Believe in Magic, which gained the backing of the boy band One Direction. Seriously ill children were granted wishes by the charity, and it didn’t take long for Believe in Magic to become a household name in the child cancer community.

Exclusive: In a highly competitive situation, New Regency Television International has won screen rights to hit BBC Sounds podcast The Missing Cryptoqueen.

The buzzed-about, eight-part podcast was downloaded 3.5 million times in four months last year and reached number one on the UK iTunes charts. The pod delves into the remarkable and ongoing saga of Bulgarian entrepreneur Dr. Ruja Ignatova who in 2014 launched a cryptocurrency called OneCoin. Ignatova set out to rival BitCoin, and hooked investors from 175 countries to the tune of $4 billion. But OneCoin was in fact an enormous scam fuelled by a multi-level marketing scheme. Ignatova disappeared in October 2017 and hasn’t been seen since.

Ignatov’s brother recently pleaded guilty to several counts of fraud in a Us court, while her American lawyer was found guilty of laundering $400 million of the money raised by OneCoin in the Us.

New Regency, which we understand beat out a host of...

Northern Ireland will celebrate the joy of music with “Proms in the Park 2014: Belfast.” The two-part television special, which will air on BBC One North Ireland Dec. 29, will take place on Belfast’s Titanic Slipways and will feature music from popular signers such as Alfie Boe, Erin Boag, Dana Masters, Anton Du Beke, Kirril Troussov, Amy Dickinson as well as the musician who was named the BBC Young Musician of the Year, Martin James Bartlett. You can watch this and other UK programs on FilmOn. The online television service features live TV from channels across America and around the world, including UK channels such as BBC One, BBC Two, [ Read More ]

The post Watch Proms in the Park 2014: Belfast for Free on FilmOn appeared first on Shockya.com.

Talk about a killer kickoff! To celebrate the launch of BBC Music (and to raise money for charity), many musicians from around the globe banded together to cover The Beach Boys' 1966 hit "God Only Knows." Backed by the BBC Concert Orchestra, performers included Alison Balsom, Martin James Bartlett, Nicola Benedetti, Jake Bugg, Eliza Carthy, Coldplay, Jamie Cullum, Danielle de Niese, Jaz Dhami, Paloma Faith, Florence + the Machine, Dave Grohl, Jools Holland, Chrissie Hynde, Elton John, Lauren Laverne, Lorde, Zane Lowe, Baaba Maal, Gareth Malone, Brian May, Kylie Minogue, One Direction, Emeli Sandé, Sam Smith, Tees Valley Youth Choir, Pharrell Williams, Brian Wilson and Stevie Wonder. "All of the...

"God Only Knows" is a perfect song. That's just science, people. The BBC commissioned a star-studded version of the Beach Boys/Brian Wilson classic. Watch the video, we'll talk about it after. Here are all the music superstars that appeared in this clip: Wilson, Elton John, One Direction, Stevie Wonder, Pharrell Williams, Jake Bugg, Lorde, Emeli Sandé, Chris Martin, Kylie Minogue, Paloma Faith, Sam Smith, Florence Welch, Chrissie Hynde, Brian May, Dave Grohl, Alison Balsom, Martin James Bartlett, Danielle de Niese, Nicola Benedetti, Eliza Carthy, Baaba Maal, Jamie Cullum, Jaz Dhami, plus BBC's Zane Lowe, Lauren Laverne, Katie Derham, Gareth Malone and Jools Holland, joined by the Tees Valley Youth Choir and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Here's what Wilson said about its creation: "All of the artists did such a beautiful job I can’t thank them enough,” he said. “I’m just honoured that God Only Knows was chosen.

Sir Elton John, One Direction and Pharrell Williams are among the 27 artists who have united to perform a reworking of the Beach Boys' 1966 classic 'God Only Knows'.

Launching BBC Music, the ensemble - dubbed The Impossible Orchestra - were revealed in a unique broadcasting moment at 8pm when all of the BBC's television, radio and online networks premiered the track.

BBC Music: 6 things we learned about the Beeb's new strategy

Beach Boys star Brian Wilson, who composed and produced the track, heads the group, and is joined by: popular music stars Sir Elton John, One Direction, Pharrell Williams, Stevie Wonder, Jake Bugg, Lorde, Emeli Sandé, Chris Martin, Kylie Minogue, Paloma Faith, Sam Smith and Florence Welch; rock musicians Chrissie Hynde, Brian May and Dave Grohl; classical musicians Alison Balsom, Martin James Bartlett, Danielle de Niese and Nicola Benedetti; folk performer Eliza Carthy; Senegalese singer Baaba Maal; jazz...

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom (12A)

(Justin Chadwick, 2013, UK/Sa) Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Jamie Bartlett. 146 mins

Prestige dramatisation finds little to add to a true story that's already inspirational enough, and has already been much retold, especially since Mandela's death. That leaves this as a slightly redundant exercise in biopic box-ticking and corner-cutting, puffed up with awards-friendly grandeur and less interested in the political questions than the personal heart-strings. Still, Elba conveys something of the man as well as the icon, and Harris is a spirited Winnie.

Last Vegas (12A)

(Jon Turtletaub, 2013, Us) Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas, Morgan Freeman, Kevin Kline. 105 mins

If that title and cast had you thinking "is this The Hangover for seniors?", you wouldn't be far off. It's another Las Vegas bachelor-party adventure, in which four decaying dudes cement their buddyhood and lose their dignity – often assisted by people a fraction of their age,...

Director: Justin Chadwick; Screenwriter William Nicholson; Starring: Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Jamie Bartlett, Terry Pheto; Running time: 139 mins; Certificate: 12A

A film that tells a remarkable story is not necessarily the same thing as a remarkable film, and Justin Chadwick's solidly crafted chronicle of Nelson Mandela's life falls very respectably into the former category. Watching the extraordinary facts of Nelson Mandela's life played out on screen will always be fascinating, and the conventional approach taken here is understandable if ultimately disappointing - you can sense at every turn the filmmakers' reluctance to risk overshadowing their subject.

Despite being adapted from Mandela's autobiography, which gives the film its subtitle, William Nicholson's screenplay is almost entirely devoid of psychological introspection, leaving Idris Elba to give a charismatic and physically nuanced performance that still feels emotionally undernourished.

Mandela's lesser-known early life as an ambitious young lawyer in...

Chicago – Nelson Mandela, the father of modern South Africa who died two days ago, has a new film coming out soon. In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film with our unique social giveaway technology, we have 50 pairs of advance-screening passes up for grabs to “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” starring Idris Elba (“Prometheus”) as Nelson Mandela.

“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom,” which is rated “PG-13”, also stars Naomie Harris (“Skyfall”) as Winnie Mandela, Jamie Bartlett, Terry Pheto, Deon Lotz, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa and Fana Mokoena from director Justin Chadwick (“The Other Boleyn Girl”) and writer William Nicholson based on the autobiography by Nelson Mandela.

To win your free “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our unique Hookup technology below. That’s it! This screening is on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2013 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the...

Watch how a man of peace stands up to fight for his freedom in the latest TV spot for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Idris Elba stars as South African leader Nelson Mandela in this upcoming drama, which takes viewers through his entire life, including the 27 years he was imprisoned before being released and becoming the embattled nation's president. Director Justin Chadwick's drama, which co-stars Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela, debuts in limited release November 29, before opening nationwide on Christmas Day.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom comes to theaters November 29th, 2013 and stars Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Terry Pheto, Deon Lotz. The film is directed by Justin Chadwick.

The Weinstein Company has debuted a new preview for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom . Check it out in the player, courtesy of Yahoo! Movies . Opening in theaters on November 29, the drama stars Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country's once segregated society. Justin Chadwick ( The Other Boleyn Girl ) directs from a script by William Nicholson.

Here's a much better look at The Weinstein Company release, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which stars Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela, and Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela, in a film directed by Justin Chadwick, which highlights Mandela's early life, education and 27 years in prison.South African stars Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto, round out the film's cast. The Weinstein Company will open the film in the USA on November 29 - likely as one of its Oscar contenders.Watch the 20-minute featurette...

The American Film Institute (AFI) today announced additional Centerpiece Galas and Special Screenings – comprised of a world premiere, award season contenders and highly anticipated independent and international films of the fall – for AFI Fest 2013 presented by Audi.

There will be a red carpet Gala each night of the festival.

The additional Centerpiece Galas are August: Osage County (Dir John Wells) on Friday, November 8; The Last Emperor 3D (Dir Bernardo Bertolucci) on Sunday, November 10; and the World Premiere of Lone Survivor (Dir Peter Berg) on Tuesday, November 12.

All Galas will be presented in the historic Tcl Chinese Theatre.

August: Osage County

AFI Fest’s Special Screenings are Her (Dir Spike Jonze); The Invisible Woman (Dir Ralph Fiennes); Jodorowsky’S Dune (Dir Frank Pavich); Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom (Dir Justin Chadwick); The Past (Le PASSÉ) (Dir Asghar Farhadi); Philomena (Dir Stephen Frears); and The Unknown Known: The Life And Times...

Here's another clip from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which stars Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela and Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela, in a film directed by Justin Chadwick, which highlights Mandela's early life, education and 27 years in prison.  The Weinstein Company will open the film in the USA on November 29 - likely as one of its Oscar contenders. Reactions and reviews after its Tiff premiere last month were mostly strong.South African stars Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto, round out the cast. The new...

The Weinstein Company has debuted a new trailer for their upcoming Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom . Check it out in the player, courtesy of Yahoo! Movies . Opening in theaters on November 29, the drama stars Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country's once segregated society. Justin Chadwick ( The Other Boleyn Girl ) directs from a script by William Nicholson.

Here's a clip from Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, which stars Idris Elba as Nelson Mandela and Naomie Harris as Winnie Mandela, in a film directed by Justin Chadwick, which highlights Mandela's early life, education and 27 years in prison.  The Weinstein Company will open the film in the USA on November 29 - likely as one of its Oscar contenders. Reactions and reviews after its Tiff premiere last month were mostly strong.South African stars Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto, round out the cast. The new clip...

If there were any doubts in your mind that Idris Elba is a heavyweight contender for Best Actor at the Oscars early next year, this latest trailer should dispel them.

Justin Chadwick’s anticipated biopic of the South African President has had its debut out in Toronto, and it’s not long before it will be heading into cinemas on both sides of the Atlantic.

The story of South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, spanning over seventy years, including his struggle against apartheid, 27 years in jail, and his rise to prominence as a political leader and head-of-state.

This epic motion picture spans Mandela’s extraordinary life, from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected President of South Africa. Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is the thrilling story of an ordinary man who rose to the challenge of his times and triumphed – an...

A new full-length international trailer for the film “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” has been released online. The film stars Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz, and Terry Pheto.

“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” is directed by Justin Chadwick from a screenplay by William Nicholson.

The film is based on South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society.

“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” will hit theaters on November 29, 2013.

Check out the international trailer below.

Source: The Weinstein Company

The post ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ Full-Length International Trailer appeared first on Latino-Review.com.

It’s still very much early days yet, but there’s every reason to expect Idris Elba’s leading performance in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom to push both the film and himself straight towards the Oscars, the BAFTAs, and all the leading awards ceremonies in the coming months.

The first teaser trailer that launched last week set the tone nicely for the film, without really showing us anything from it. And now The Weinstein Company have launched the first theatrical trailer, via Yahoo Movies, which gives us a much better look, strengthening the suggestion that is bound for the Oscars.

The story of South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, spanning over seventy years, including his struggle against apartheid, 27 years in jail, and his rise to prominence as a political leader and head-of-state.

This epic motion picture spans Mandela’s extraordinary life, from his childhood in a rural village through...

Last week, he cancelled the apocalypse. This week, Idris Elba plans to liberate a nation. In the first full-length trailer for Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom, the actor takes on a far more challenging role than defeating aliens. Now he embodies one of the great modern day icons of peace.

Elba takes on the part of Nelson Mandela in what looks like a fairly straight forward biopic of the South African president. The film follows Mandela from his rural childhood through the struggle against apartheid, imprisonment and his rise to become South Africa’s first black president in a multi-racial, fair election. The film is based on Mandela’s book Long Walk To Freedom.

The trailer gives a fairly basic overview of the film, including the struggles against apartheid and the centrepiece of Mandela’s imprisonment. It’s a harrowing but inspiring story, made all the more poignant when we...

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom has released a new trailer.

The video charts Nelson Mandela's journey from peaceful protest to violent sabotage as he battles to free his people in South Africa.

Idris Elba plays the iconic leader in Justin Chadwick's biopic, which follows the events of Mandela's trial and long incarceration.

The film is based on Mandela's autobiography of the same name.

Skyfall's Naomie Harris will star in the film as Winnie Mandela, with Les Misérables screenwriter William Nicholson penning the script.

The cast also features Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto.

Elba has described the role as a "massive opportunity" to be a part of the story of the legendary freedom fighter's life.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom will arrive on November 29 in the Us and on January 3, 2014 in the UK.

Today, on the 95th birthday of Nelson Mandela, The Weinstein Company has released the trailer for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom which you can watch using the player below. Opening in theaters on November 29, the drama stars Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country's once segregated society. Justin Chadwick ( The Other Boleyn Girl ) directs from a script by William Nicholson.

Idris Elba has described his role in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom as a "massive opportunity".

Elba has been cast as the former South African president in director Justin Chadwick's biopic, which is based on Mandela's 1994 memoir.

In an interview with Reuters, the actor said it "meant so much" to be given the opportunity to play Mandela.

"It's such a massive opportunity to be part of a true legend's life, and more importantly, the film re-educates people on this legend," Elba commented.

He continued: "I never met Mr Mandela because he was very ill, so our interpretation of him was without his personal influence.

"But the script is such a good script, and obviously it comes from his book, and the book speaks for itself."

Elba went on to admit that portraying the icon comes with tremendous responsibility.

"This is the first real biopic I've done, and there's no real difference in the process,...

The UK teaser trailer is now online for “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” starring Idris Elba, Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz, and Terry Pheto.

Film is directed by Justin Chadwick from a screenplay by William Nicholson.

“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” is based on South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society.

“Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom” November 29, 2013.

Check out the teaser trailer below.

Source: Pathe...

This couldn't come at a more bittersweet moment: Just a few weeks after Nelson Mandela was hospitalized in Pretoria, the first teaser trailer has debuted for the upcoming biographical film about the South African luminary, "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." And even with very little actual footage shown, the movie looks stirring and inspirational.

The trailer starts off with text ("It only takes one man to change the world"), followed by a panoramic shot of Mandela, played by "Pacific Rims"'s Idris Elba, walking along a field, followed by small children.

As the moment plays out, Elba-as-Mandela narrates, "I have walked a long walk to freedom. It has been a long road and it is not over yet. No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin. People learn to hate; they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart.

A UK teaser trailer for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is here. Opening in theaters on November 29, the drama stars Idris Elba ( Pacific Rim ), Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country's once segregated society. Justin Chadwick ( The Other Boleyn Girl ) directs from a script by William Nicholson.

In Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Idris Elba will bring to the big screen one of the most renowned politicians in history, who made his name standing against Apartheid in South Africa, before going on to become the country’s President in 1994.

The upcoming biopic is due to be released towards the end of the year in prime position for a run at the Oscars. And now the first teaser trailer has been released, giving us our first good look at Elba in the eponymous role.

The story of South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, spanning over seventy years, including his struggle against apartheid, 27 years in jail, and his rise to prominence as a political leader and head-of-state.

This epic motion picture spans Mandela’s extraordinary life, from his childhood in a rural village through to his inauguration as the first democratically elected President of South Africa. Mandela is the...

Few politicians’ names are known around the globe like Nelson Mandela’s, and it’s with great anticipation that we’re looking forward to seeing Idris Elba bring the man to life on the big screen in the biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

The Weinstein Company launched the first poster for the film late last month. And whilst we’re waiting for the first trailer to surface, they’ve released a new poster bearing the slogan, ‘Trouble Maker’.

The story of South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, spanning over seventy years, including his struggle against apartheid, 27 years in jail, and his rise to prominence as a political leader and head-of-state.

Elba is joined by Naomie Harris, who plays Mandela’s wife, Winnie. And starring alongside them will be Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, and Jamie Bartlett.

Justin Chadwick (The Other Boleyn Girl) is directing from a script written...

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom has unveiled a new poster.

The promo artwork for the biopic declares star Idris Elba a "trouble maker".

Based on the autobiography of the same name, the film will chart Nelson Mandela's life from an early age.

It will follow his activism against the South African regime, followed by his 27 years in prison, his eventual release and ascension to the position of President.

Naomie Harris will star alongside Elba as Winnie Mandela.

Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto will also feature in the Justin Chadwick-directed movie.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is scheduled for a limited Us release on November 29. It will arrive in the UK on January 3, 2014.

A new poster for The Weinstein Company's Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is now online, courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter . Check it out below! The film is based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country's once segregated society. Idris Elba ( Prometheus ) stars as Nelson Mandela with Justin Chadwick ( The Other Boleyn Girl ) directing. Set for release on November 29, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom also stars Naomie Harris, Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto.

Justin Chadwick’s biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, is all but guaranteed to be a strong contender at the Oscars this year, particularly with the muscle of The Weinstein Company behind it and a late November Us release date set.

The film sees Idris Elba take the titular role as the world-renowned South African politician, who served as President from 1994 to 1999, and who was the first black South African to hold the position. And with a little over half a year before the film arrives in theatres, the first poster has been released online, with Elba front and centre.

The story of South African freedom fighter Nelson Mandela, spanning over seventy years, including his struggle against apartheid, 27 years in jail and his rise to prominence as a political leader and head-of-state.

Elba stars opposite Naomi Harris, perhaps best known for her recent performance opposite Daniel Craig in Skyfall, who plays Winnie Mandela.

The Weinstein Company and Anant Singh announced today the acquisition, by TWC, of the North American, Australian and New Zealand distribution rights to the film of Nelson Mandela's life based on his autobiography Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. The film is directed by Justin Chadwick (The First Grader, The Other Boleyn Girl) and produced by Anant Singh.

Singh began communicating with Mandela about making a film based on his life while he was still in prison and acquired the film rights to Mandela's book at the time of its publication in 1996 and development on the film began immediately when Academy Award Nominee, writer William Nicholson (Les Miserables, Gladiator, Shadowlands) signed on. The completion of Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom sees the culmination of Singh's most ambitious project to date.

On awarding the film rights to Singh, Mandela had this to say.

"Anant Singh is a producer I respect very much.

The Weinstein Company has acquired all North American, Australian and New Zealand distribution rights to the Nelson Mandela biopic "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." The film stars Idris Elba ("Prometheus," "The Wire") in the title role of the former South African president and anti-apartheid revolutionary, and Naomie Harris ("Skyfall") as Mandela's wife of 39 years, Winnie. Tony Kgoroge, Riaad Moosa, Zolani Mkiva, Jamie Bartlett, Lindiwe Matshikiza, Deon Lotz and Terry Pheto co-star. The film is based on Mandela's autobiography of the same title, and is directed by Justin Chadwick ("The First Grader," "The Other Boleyn Girl"). Producer Anant Singh started communications with Mandela about a film based on his life while he was still in prison, and acquired film rights to the book at the time of its 1996 publication. The long-gestating project eventually signed Oscar nominee William Nicholson ("Les...

We are pleased to give you the trailer, poster and images from Screen Media Films' "White Lion," a film helmed by Michael Swan which opens on October 15th in limited areas. Shot in South Africa, the film stars Jamie Bartlett, John Kani , Aj Van Der Merwe, Thabo Malema and Ayrton Loureiro. Swan, credited with work on "Wake of Death" with Jean Claude Van Damme as well as "Prey" and "Yesterday" wrote the screenplay alongside newcomer Janet van Eeden. A young Shangaan named Gisani finds himself destined to protect a rare and magnificent white lion cub named Letsatsi who is cast from his pride and is forced to survive on his own. After many perilous adventures young Letsati befriends Nkulu, an older lion who teaches him how to survive in the harsh African wilderness...

After a couple of light on horror weeks, we are finally treated to a bumper crop of new releases. Headlining the week is Frozen, which is just what we in Southern California need to stave off our current heat wave. A couple of oldies but goodies are out, too, as Madman celebrates its Happy 30th Birthday and the original King Kong comes to Blu-ray. Fangoria's eight FrightFest titles bow as well.

Frozen

Directed by Adam Green

In Frozen (review), Adam Green has crafted a potent combination of absolute terror and compelling human drama that will stick with you long after you've left the theatre or turned off the DVD. One thing's for sure: The next time your friends invite you on a ski weekend, odds are you'll try to convince them to head to the beach instead. Frozen stars Shawn Ashmore, Emma Bell and Kevin Zegers.

Buy the Blu-ray or the regular DVD.

Screened at the Toronto International Film Festival

TORONTO -- Both documentaries and feature films have dealt with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, South Africa's extraordinary tribunal that attempted to heal the wounds of apartheid through confession and amnesty rather than revenge and retribution.

On balance, the documentary approach has worked best. Fiction has a difficult time competing with the brutal reality of what happened in South Africa during the dark decades of repression, torture and murder. Furthermore, fiction demands third-act resolutions that fly in the face of South African reality: The hurt suffered under apartheid may be forgiven but never truly "resolved."

Red Dust, a feature made mostly by South Africans and starring Oscar-winner Hilary Swank, at least understands the problem and succeeds to some degree in having it both ways: It solves a murder mystery, but leaves open and raw the wounds suffered by its victims.

Swank's presence will make the movie accessible in North America, but its success in adult urban cinemas may be limited in that most viewers are unfamiliar with the reconciliation commission.

Adapting Gillian Slovo's novel, Troy Kennedy Martin's script tells the story of an amnesty application filed by a cop, Dirk Hendricks (Jamie Bartlett), for the torture of political activist Alex Mpondo, played by the talented Chiwetel Ejiofor (Dirty Pretty Things), who is now a Member of Parliament. So brutal was the beating that Alex cannot remember what happened to Steve Sizela, a friend arrested along with him, who was never seen again.

Swank plays Sarah Barcant, a South African-born attorney who fled that country years before to live in New York (which presumably explains her completely American accent). At the behest of her mentor, activist Ben Hoffman (Marius Weyers), she returns to her homeland to represent both Alex, who opposes the amnesty, and Steve's family.

Two questions hang over the hearing: Will Hendricks' testimony, which must be fully truthful for amnesty to be granted, implicate his unrepentant former superior, Piet Muller (Ian Roberts), in Steve's disappearance? And will Alex remember what role he may have played in Steve's fate?

British television director Tom Hooper, making his feature debut, maintains a lively pace, and the story contains enough twists and turns to sustain interest in what is, after all, a 14-year-old murder case. Unfortunately, the film focuses more on Sarah and her reaction to what she learns instead of the true protagonist, Alex, who risks his future life and career on the outcome.

This focus tips the balance of the movie into more of an intellectual experience than an emotional one. Whether the case will persuade Sarah to remain in South Africa to help rebuild the country is not nearly as compelling as Alex's desperate search for the truth about his friend and his possible involvement in his fate.

As it is, Swank's role is far too reactive to carry the film, a task that falls to Ejiofor, who delivers a complex and empathetic performance as a man willing to get torn apart by the truth.

Cinematographer Larry Smith and designer Mark Wilby take advantage of the awesome landscapes and rugged townships of a country we are still getting to know in movies to create a striking environment for the tragic tale to unfold.

The film goes a long way toward explaining the healing philosophy and methodology behind the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which could serve an example to all damaged peoples of how best to seek justice.

RED DUST

Distant Horizon & BBC Films in association with Videovision Entertainment and Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa

Credits:

Director: Tom Hooper

Writer: Troy Kennedy-Martin

Based on the novel by: Gillian Slovo

Producers: Ruth Caleb, David M. Thompson, Anant Singh, Helena Spring

Director of photography: Larry Smith

Production designer: Mark Wilby

Music: Rob Lane

Editor: Avril Beukes

Cast:

Sarah Barcant: Hilary Swank

Alex Mpondo: Chiwetel Ejiofor

Dirk Hendricks: Jamie Bartlett

Ben Hoffman: Marius Weyers

Piet Muller: Ian Roberts

No MPAA rating

Running time -- 110 minutes...

Screened at the Toronto International Film Festival

TORONTO -- Both documentaries and feature films have dealt with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, South Africa's extraordinary tribunal that attempted to heal the wounds of apartheid through confession and amnesty rather than revenge and retribution. On the balance, the documentary approach has worked best. Fiction has a difficult time competing with the brutal reality of what happened in South Africa during the dark decades of repression, torture and murder. Furthermore, fiction demands third-act resolutions that fly in the face of South African reality: The hurt suffered under apartheid may be forgiven but never truly "resolved."

Red Dust, a feature made mostly by South Africans and starring Oscar-winner Hilary Swank, at least understands the problem and succeeds to some degree in having it both ways: It solves a murder mystery, but leaves open and raw the wounds suffered by its victims.

Swan's presence will make the movie accessible in North America, but its success in adult urban cinemas may be limited in that most viewers are unfamiliar with the TRC.

Adopting Gillian Slovo's novel, Troy Kennedy Martin's script tells the story of an amnesty application filed by a cop, Dirk Hendricks (Jamie Bartlett), for the torture of political activist Alex Mpondo, played by the talented Chiwetel Ejiofor (Dirty Pretty Things), who is now a Member of Parliament. So brutal was the beating, Alex cannot remember what happened to Steve Sizela, a friend arrested along with him, who was never seen again.

Swank plays Sarah Barcant, a South African-born attorney who fled that country years before to live in New York (which presumably explains her completely American accent). At the behest of her mentor, activist Ben Hoffman (Marius Weyers), she returns to her homeland to represent both Alex, who opposes the amnesty, and Steve's family.

Two questions hang over the hearing: Will Henricks' testimony, which must be fully truthful for amnesty to be granted, implicate his unrepentant former superior, Piet Muller (Ian Roberts), in Steve's disappearance? And will Alex remember what role he played in Steve's fate?

British television director Tom Hooper, making his feature debut, maintains a lively pace, and the story contains enough twists and turns to sustain interest in what is, after all, a 14-year-old murder case. Unfortunately, the film focuses more on Sarah and her reaction to what she learns instead of the true protagonist, Alex, who risks his future life and career on the outcome.

This focus tips the balance of the movie into more of an intellectual experience than an emotional one. Whether the case will persuade Sarah to remain in South Africa to help rebuild the country is not nearly as compelling as Alex's desperate search for the truth about his friend and his possible involvement in his fate.

As it is, Swank's role is far too reactive to carry the film, a task that falls to Ejiofor, who delivers a complex and empathetic performance as a man willing to get torn apart by the truth.

Cinematographer Larry Smith and designer Mark Wilby take advantage of the awesome landscapes and rugged townships of a country we are still getting to know in movies to create a striking environment for the tragic tale to unfold.

The film goes a long way toward explaining the healing philosophy and methodology behind the TRC, which could serve an example to all damaged peoples of how best to seek justice.

RED DUST

Distant Horizon & BBC Films in association with Videovision Entertainment and Industrial Development Corporation of South Africa

Credits:

Director: Tom Hooper

Writer: Troy Kennedy-Martin

Based on the novel by: Gillian Slovo

Producers: Ruth Caleb, David M. Thompson, Anant Singh, Helena Spring

Director of photography: Larry Smith

Production designer: Mark Wilby

Music: Rob Lane

Editor: Avril Beukes.

Cast:

Sarah Barcant: Hilary Swank

Alex Mpondo: Chiwetel Ejiofor

Dirk Hendricks: Jamie Bartlett

Ben Hoffman: Marius Weyers

Piet Muller: Ian Roberts

No MPAA rating

Running time -- 110 minutes...