SPOTLIGHT | Local talent on show in 'Redeeming Love' movie; blockbusters preview; win cash

Spotlight is our entertainment bite-sized snapshot featuring new entertainment releases in SA, exclusive film trailers and much more. New episodes are out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and on YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook.

We look ahead to upcoming movies for 2022, as well as our cinema release this week: Redeeming Love, featuring South African talent and which was shot in Cape Town.

Directed by DJ Caruso, (Eagle Eye, Disturbia) and based on the bestselling 1991 novel by Francine Rivers, the film boasts a list of well-known local actors, including Tanya van Graan, Stephen Jennings, Clyde Berning, Brandon Auret and Daniah de Villiers.

It follows the journey of Angel (Abigail Cowen), against the backdrop of the 1850 goldrush in California. As a child she knew only betrayal and pain, but she discovers that love can be transformative and triumphant. Also starring Tom Lewis, Redeeming Love starts at cinemas on January 21. 

Spotlight also features some exciting updates and news about two cinema releases at the end of January. Licorice Pizza, by acclaimed writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, Punch Drunk Love), garnered some great feedback from local cinema audiences. SA cinemagoers’ comment ranged from “brilliant” to “funny, sweet and charming” and “my current favourite film” at recent advance screenings, proving that we are in agreement with the high ratings accorded it by international audiences and critics. 

We also have a peek at the Denzel Washington-directed A Journal for Jordan. Based on a true story, it's the heart-wrenching portrayal of First Sergeant King’s (Michael B Jordan) untimely deployment to Iraq, leaving behind his wife and baby.

Lastly, we look at all the reasons to look forward to 2022: many big movies are touted for big cinema releases, including Top Gun: Maverick (which we hope will reach cinemas this year), The Flash, The Batman, Minions: Rise of Gru, MI7, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Avatar 2 and so many more.

For full interviews, breaking news, trailers, clips and competition details, visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies!

Presenter Collette Prince is dressed by Kalea Collective.

Stand a chance to win R2,000 by entering our competition

To help ease the Janu-worry blues, in that long countdown until payday, this week’s competition giveaway is a cash prize of R2,000. 

To enter, visit Spotlight SA on Facebook for all the details. 

Terms and conditions apply.

Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed.  Entrants’ personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driver’s licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight SA on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.