Film News South Africa

#OnTheBig Screen: Skyscraper and Kings

Skyscraper and Kings open at local cinemas this week.

Skyscraper

Global icon Dwayne Johnson leads the cast of Legendary’s Skyscraper as former FBI hostage rescue team leader and US war veteran Will Sawyer, who now assesses security for skyscrapers. On assignment in China, he finds the tallest, safest building in the world suddenly ablaze, and he’s been framed for it.  A wanted man on the run, Will must find those responsible, clear his name and somehow rescue his family who is trapped inside the building above the fire line.

It's Die Hard meets Towering Inferno set in Hong Kong, a love letter to the action movies writer/director, Rawson Marshall Thurber grew up watching.

“I wanted to make a big movie that demands a big-screen experience, with the biggest movie star in the world driving every bit of it,” he says. To that end, Thurber is proudest of the fact that his film isn’t based on a comic book; it’s not a reboot, remake, prequel or sequel.

Skyscraper is an original idea, one that guarantees the audience won’t know what’s going to happen next.  I wanted to make something with Dwayne that audiences have to experience firsthand in the theatre and I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”

Kings

Millie is a hardworking, tough, and protective Los Angeles single mother with an affection for homeless children. Her neighbour Obie is the local loose cannon — and the only white man — in an area largely inhabited by African-Americans, Latinos, and Koreans. With racial tensions running high, Millie and Obie appear to be unlikely allies. But following the acquittal of four of the officers accused of beating Rodney King, the two of them must navigate the gathering chaos in the city.

With Halle Berry and Daniel Craig. Written and directed by Deniz Gamze Ergüven.

Read more about the latest film releases: www.writingstudio.co.za

About Daniel Dercksen

Daniel Dercksen has been a contributor for Lifestyle since 2012. As the driving force behind the successful independent training initiative The Writing Studio and a published film and theatre journalist of 40 years, teaching workshops in creative writing, playwriting and screenwriting throughout South Africa and internationally the past 22 years. Visit www.writingstudio.co.za
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