Limelight Cinemas is diving headfirst into October with a packed line-up spanning rugby history, social media controversy, horror, family-friendly Halloween adventures and a highly anticipated Broadway musical on the big screen.
Speaking on the latest Limelight Cinemas Podcast, Lex previewed the new releases and special events heading to the cinema, led by Lomu, The Social Reckoning and Jessica Chastain horror film Other Mummy. Pasted text
Jonah Lomu story comes to the big screen
Rugby fans can revisit the remarkable story of All Blacks superstar Jonah Lomu in Lomu.
Lex said the film explores Lomu’s power and determination during his career with the All Blacks and the impact he had on the game.
“It highlights how he kind of expanded the representation and reshaped footy to what we know it as today,” she said. Pasted text
The preview featured reflections on Lomu’s rare combination of speed, power and skill, while also looking beyond his imposing presence on the rugby field to the pressures and complexities of his life.
Those featured in the preview described him as both an “unbelievable athlete” and a “gentle giant”, with the film exploring the person behind one of rugby’s most recognisable names. Pasted text
The Social Reckoning tackles Facebook files
Technology and the influence of social media are put under the microscope in another new release, The Social Reckoning.
Described during the podcast as following on from the story explored in The Social Network, the film centres on an exposé of the Facebook files and attempts to uncover secrets inside the social media giant. Pasted text
Lex said the subject was particularly timely given continuing conversations around what people consume through social media and the amount of personal data platforms collect.
“I think this film is really releasing at an interesting time when we still are seeing so much of trying to keep the social media giants accountable,” she said.
The discussion also touched on the familiar experience of talking about a product near a phone, only to seemingly encounter advertising for that same product soon afterwards. Pasted text
The movie’s trailer follows an investigative journalist pursuing internal information and documents, including claims surrounding algorithms, harmful content and the effects of social media on teenagers.
The investigation escalates as sources are sought from inside the company and journalists race to secure evidence supporting the allegations. Pasted text
Social media sparks parenting conversation
The movie also prompted a broader discussion about children and social media.
Lex, whose daughter is 10, said she remained concerned about the prospect of children having unrestricted access to smartphones and social platforms.
While joking that her daughter could expect an old-fashioned “brick” phone rather than a smartphone, Lex said she believed education needed to play a major role in addressing the issue.
“I think that there’s a bigger conversation around educating kids on how they consume social media rather than banning them from it,” she said.
“Kids are smart little cookies and they’re going to find a way around these bans, and a lot of them already have.”
Lex said teaching young people how to interact, communicate and critically consume information through social media was an important part of the conversation. Pasted text
Fright Club takes over October
October also means horror season at Limelight, with enough scary releases arriving to fill an entire month.
Limelight is running a Friday Fright Club, featuring five films across the five Fridays in October.
“This is horror month and we have that many horror films that we’re literally running a Friday Fright Club,” Lex said. Pasted text
This week’s selection is Other Mummy, starring Jessica Chastain.
Lex described Chastain’s transformation in the movie as particularly unsettling, with the story following a mother who changes into a frightening, apparently possessed version of herself.
Her child becomes increasingly terrified by what “other mummy” is doing, while the father struggles to understand what is happening to the family.
“It is very chilling,” Lex said.
“It is slightly terrifying and I’ll be sitting this one out.” Pasted text
Halloween fun for younger moviegoers
Families aren’t being forgotten once the school holidays finish, with two new children’s films continuing the Halloween theme without the full-scale scares.
Tad and the Magic Lamp follows a group of young adventurers attempting to save their world after accidentally unleashing a magical spell.
Also arriving is Stitch Head, another Halloween-themed family movie.
Limelight will give both movies a little extra Halloween treatment on October 31, with Trick or Treat screenings planned.
The first session of the day for each movie will include a small trick-or-treat experience as audiences enter the cinema. Pasted text
Lex said the new releases would also provide families with some fresh weekend entertainment following the end of the school holidays.
Hadestown finally arrives on Australian cinema screens
One of Limelight’s most requested special events is also finally heading to the big screen, with Broadway musical Hadestown receiving a limited cinema run.
Lex said Limelight had received numerous enquiries about the production before its Australian cinema release was confirmed.
“We had so many inquiries for Hadestown to come to Australia and come to cinemas in Australia,” she said.
The musical has played both Broadway and London’s West End, and will now be presented at Limelight for only a small number of screenings, with the first beginning on Tuesday.
“We’re very excited to bring this one,” Lex said. Pasted text
With rugby history, a social media investigation, adult horror, family Halloween adventures and musical theatre all on the program, Limelight’s post-school-holiday line-up is offering something for dramatically different audiences as October gets underway.
0 Comments