As a public holiday-filled period wraps up, cinema fans have a mix of superheroes and crime comedy to choose from this pseudo long weekend. Meanwhile, enjoying select screenings on the side are the rerelease of Mel Gibson’s period actioner The Patriot, and, from 8 May, documentary OCEAN with David Attenborough.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe finally has its big screen answer to the Suicide Squad in the form of Thunderbolts (with or without the * at the end of its name). Devious CIA head Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) assembles a group of former assassins and antiheroes, including ex Black Widow Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), who are seeking redemption. Also starring are David Harbour, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, and Hannah John-Kamen.
Read our review of Thunderbolts here.
Keeping things action orientated is comedy-leaning Fight or Flight, which should appeal to fans of Bullet Train. Josh Hartnett’s mercenary takes on the job of tracking down a target on a plane but must protect her (Charithra Chandran) when he realises they’re surrounded by assassins who want them both dead.
Riff Raff brings the crime, comedy and dysfunction family dynamic. Oh, and an all-star cast. Former criminal Vincent (Ed Harris) leads a blissful life with his new wife (Gabrielle Union). However, their plans for a peaceful New Years are upended when his ex-wife (Jennifer Coolidge) and their troublesome son pop up. Also with Bill Murray.
On the homegrown front, there’s Afrikaans language comedy Die Kwiksilwers. Elderly widow Elsabe Marais (Lida Botha), and her similarly aged band of friends, embark on a road trip to attend a meteor shower viewing in the Karoo. It’s a race against time – and Elsabe’s overprotective son – to get there.