29 June 2021
Gravity (2013)
It’s action time, space fans! But this is realistic movie magic – Sandra Bullock plays astronaut Dr Ryan Stone, with George Clooney as her mission commander Lieutenant Matt Kowalski in this 7-time Oscar winner. A miscalculation by the Russian Space Agency sends them into a world of terror when their ship is smashed into by Soviet equipment and their return to Earth is near-impossible.
But that’s the thing about astronauts: they don’t fear things like being stuck in space, spinning out of control hundreds of kilometres above Earth, with their death almost guaranteed. Instead, they find solutions and make their way home safely … or they die trying to get their crewmates home.
For a movie made in 2013, Gravity more than holds up against anything recent in terms of CGI trickery. You’d think that Sandra and George filmed the action up in space. It’s super-realistic for most moviegoers. If you’re one of those sciency folk, like Neil deGrasse Tyson, watch it, enjoy it, and try not to shout about the handful of inaccuracies like the fact that the Hubble Telescope was in a high orbit and the International Space Station in a low orbit so their collision was highly unlikely.
Original African stories by local talent

The ABC Killer
The ABC Killer is a twisty true-crime documentary series about serial killer Moses Sithole. Stream from 22 July on Showmax.

What if we believed the best can come from here?
Let’s rewrite the rules of what it means to be local.

Untied S1
Untied explores the deeply personal and often complex experience of divorce, told through the voices of women who have lived it. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.

Reckless S1
Reckless follows a pair of young brothers who find themselves at a crossroads when a tragic accident changes their lives forever. Stream now, with new episodes every Monday and Tuesday.

The Mommy Club NBO
The Mommy Club NBO is the fifth instalment of the record-breaking Mommy Club franchise. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.

Empini S1-2
Empini is a high-stakes, action-packed drama set in the ruthless, corrupt world of private security. Season 2 is now streaming, with new episodes every Tuesday.

Youngins S1-2
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins. S1 and S2 are ready to binge.

The Real Housewives of Durban Seasons 1-5
Our eThekwini queens are back with a brand-new season. Stream Season 5 now, with new episodes every Friday.
The Mommy Club NBO now streaming
The Chocolate Empire, now streaming
The best movies to stream

Elphaba and Glinda’s Wicked little guide
Find out what Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have to say about Wicked, pick up 10 magical behind-the-scenes facts, and explore 7 more schools of witchcraft and wizardry.

Push play on Father’s Day: Dads just want to have fun
If you’re trying to figure out what the mystery man known as dad really wants this Father’s Day, promise him one-on-one time with our Dads Just Wanna Have Fun collection.

James McAvoy and James Watkins on Speak No Evil
Speak No Evil director James Watkins and star James McAvoy explain “host” Paddy’s creepy charisma, and we check out 6 more roles that prove you never know what to expect with James McAvoy.

Celebrate World Oceans Day with My Penguin Friend
My Penguin Friend director David Schurmann and actor Jean Reno explain how you shoot a penguin. Plus, explore our World Oceans Day watchlist of 25 wet and wild movies and series.