It may seem like a while away, but I am already excited for this cool line up of movies hitting South African screens in early 2018. I mentioned a few weeks ago that I used to ice skate as a teenager, and the fact that two of these movies revolve around ice skating/skiing may be part of the reason I am so excited. Check them out – and remember, you heard it here first 😉

Molly’s Game

Release: 12 January 2018

Cast: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Jeremy Strong and Justin Kirk

Director: Aaron Sorkin

A compelling action-packed drama about the life of Olympic skier and underground gambling queen, Molly Boom. Sorkin (Social Network, Steve Jobs, Moneyball) adapted the script from Molly Bloom’s book and memoirs and manages to deliver a striking version of her story for the big screen.

It tells the story of a beautiful and competitive sportswoman who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game for a decade, before being arrested in the middle of the night by the FBI. The movies shows how she tries to protect her players during the court case that follows and how things get even more complicated when she realizes that the Russian mob is also involved. Her only ally is her criminal defence lawyer, who soon learns that there is much more to Molly than the tabloids lead the public to believe.

Breathe

Release: 19 January 2018

Cast: Claire Foy, Andrew Garfield, Hugh Bonneville and Tom Hollander

Director: Andy Serkis

What would you do if your husband’s life suddenly changed irrevocably and he is about to give up hope? You take over and give him strength to go on, just like Diana Cavendish did in this inspiring true story. Adventurous and charismatic, Robin Cavendish, has his whole life ahead of him when he is paralysed by polio whilst in Africa at the age of 28.

Against all advice, Diana brings him home from hospital where her devotion and witty determination transcends his disability. Together they refuse to be imprisoned by his suffering, dazzling others with their humour, courage and lust for life. Clever technology makes it possible for Robin to ‘get out of bed’ and experience new adventures and enables him to become an advocate for disabled people across the world

I, Tonya

Release: 16 February 2018

Cast: Margot Robbie, Allison Janney, Sebastian Stan, Caitlin Carver, Paul Walter Hauser

Director: Craig Gillespie

I, Tonya is based on true events. Former figure skating champion, Tonya Harding, is well on her way to becoming one of the world’s biggest ice skating legends. Her dreams and career were shattered by her alleged association with an infamous, ill-conceived and even more poorly executed attack on fellow Olympic competitor, Nancy Kerrigan, by her ex-husband and bodyguard.

A darkly comedic drama that tells the tale of a talented sports star whose success is destroyed by her troubled childhood, her mother’s abuse and her stormy relationships.

Stay tuned movie goers – this promises to be a good start to the 2018 film season…