Movies out today: AGE OF ULTRON and that’s all you really care about…

After a few dry weeks for movie releases, Age of Ultron is finally here! And it’s releasing locally one whole week before its release in the States, haha take that America!

• Avengers: Age of Ultron

When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for a global adventure.

Well it’s not perfect, but it’s damn near as close as it can get. You’re in for loads of insane action and witty humour balanced neatly with some heavy, dark drama. You should read Kervyn’s (spoiler free) review for more details, but basically it’s as good as Avengers and another shiny 4/5 gem in the Marvel crown.

• The Book of Life

THE BOOK OF LIFE, a vibrant fantasy-adventure, tells the legend of Manolo, a conflicted hero and dreamer who sets off on an epic quest through magical, mythical and wondrous worlds in order to rescue his one true love and defend his village.

If you read this week’s Midweek Movie Mouth-Off, you’ll have heard about The Book of Life, and know that I highly recommend it. With incredibly detailed animation and an ambitious story, it’s colourful, bubbly, feisty and full of energy, and has scored an excellent 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.

• Dear White People

DEAR WHITE PEOPLE is a sly, provocative satire of race relations in the age of Obama. Writer/director Justin Simien follows a group of African American students as they navigate campus life and racial politics at a predominantly white college in a sharp and funny feature film debut that earned him a spot on Variety’s annual “10 Directors to Watch.”

Smart and insightful, Dear White People is a satirical look into race, privilege and prejudice, without getting too preachy or heavy handed. Instead, it delivers its message with candour and wisdom, earning 92% on Rotten Tomatoes.

• French Toast

Photographer Lise le Roux lives with her father on a wine farm near Stellenbosch. Her mother passed away some time ago, leaving a secret French toast family recipe behind as a symbol of her legacy. One day, Lise stumbles upon her mother’s old diary and, to her astonishment, finds out that she has a sibling somewhere in France. Despite the fact that Theo, her father’s right-hand winemaker, is about to propose, Lise travels to Paris to find the truth.

I’m sure that French Toast is all kinds of romantic and heart-warming, but I can honestly tell you how it’s going to end based on the trailer alone. Nevertheless, it’s a different take on the usual South African fish-out-of-water story, by taking the South African overseas instead of having the usual culture clash within our borders.

Last Updated: April 24, 2015