Snow White
Out in cinemas 20 March (Available at Shaw Theatres)
Stars: Rachel Zegler, Gal Gadot, Andrew Burnap
A vain and cruel queen (Gadot) has an unhealthy obsession with beauty and being “the fairest one of all”. One day, she is shaken when her Magic Mirror tells her that her stepdaughter Snow White (Zegler) is primed to supersede her as the most beautiful, due in large part to her pure heart. In a classic fit of overreaction, she instructs her huntsman to take Snow White into the woods and do away with her. The young princess escapes and stumbles upon a cottage, which seems to be inhabited by seven smaller-than-average men.
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Rachel Zegler: Pitch Perfect
Disney’s newest princess is a 23-year-old songbird who broke out in 2021’s West Side Story, and will soon be seen going up against Gal Gadot in the modern retelling of Snow White.
You may know her as Maria, the latest one to grace the big screen, from the 2021 film adaptation of the musical, West Side Story.
It was a breakout leading role that announced Rachel Zegler, a Golden Globe winner for that memorable performance, to the world.
But Zegler has actually had a closer – lifelong – connection with another cultural icon, from the sitcom Friends; her mother named her after Jennifer Aniston’s beloved character, Rachel Green.
As a performer, one known for her considerable vocal talents, Zegler hasn’t yet made a mark on television. At 23, she’s shown a strong affinity for musical theatre.
When she was in high school, she already started acting, and impressing, in musical productions. So confident in her talents, Zegler answered an open call at age 16 for the role of Maria that would see her chosen out of over 30,000 hopefuls.
An American of Polish and Colombian descent, Zegler had further roles in the Hollywood blockbusters Shazam! Fury of the Gods and The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes (both in 2023), and went on to act in a Broadway production of Romeo & Juliet last year.
She can next be seen in the titular role of Disney’s live-action retelling of Snow White, opposite Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen.
In it, she will, of course, be fighting against black magic and oppression alongside her friends from the forest, including all manner of animals and seven indomitable dwarfs.
Mickey 17
Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)
Stars: Robert Pattinson, Naomi Ackie, Steven Yeun
It’s usually a good idea to read your employment contract before you sign it. Mickey Barnes (Pattinson) does not and is swiftly thrust into a series of dangerous roles on a snowy planet humans plan to colonise. He does not survive every mission, but keeps clocking in because technology means that he can be revived – well, 3D printed – each time he dies, with his memories mostly intact. This cycle of life-death-repeat goes on until the day he returns to base to find his bed already occupied by his clone.
Dog Man
Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)
Stars: Pete Davidson, Stephen Root, Isla Fisher
No animals were harmed in the making of this animated film, which is a good thing to know when the hero is a half-dog, half-man hybrid and the villain is an orange cat prone to violence. The cat, Petey (Davidson), plants a bomb that severely injures a police officer and his loyal dog Greg. To save their lives, the doctors in their infinite wisdom decide to put Greg’s head on the policeman’s body. The result is Dog Man, who continues to work in law enforcement, and is thus headed on a collision course with the felonious Petey.
Forbidden Fairytale
Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)
Stars: Park Ji-hyun, Choi Si-won, Sung Dong-il
This is a story of how an aspiring author gets her big break. Sort of. Dan-bi (Park) dreams of writing wholesome children’s stories and enters a fairytale writing competition. In her day job, she works for a public agency that deals in protecting the youth, by way of online censorship. One day, she is cycling along when she gets into an accident whereby she somehow manages to injure a man and damage his car. In order to compensate him and repay her debt, she ends up writing erotica and discovers a lucrative hidden talent.
Novocaine
Out in cinemas now (Available at Shaw Theatres)
Stars: Jack Quaid, Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson
Nathan (Quaid) is an ordinary, mild-mannered guy who works in a bank. When he goes out with his colleague Shari (Midthunder), he reveals his big secret: he cannot feel physical pain. Impressed, she calls him a “superhero”, even though Nathan’s best friend reminds him that he can still die. His relationship is abruptly curtailed when a gang of robbers hold up the bank and take Shari hostage. Impulsively, he decides to take matters into his own hands, going after the kidnappers and using his unusual condition to his advantage.
Presence
Out in cinemas 20 March (Available at Shaw Theatres)
Stars: Lucy Liu, Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang
A family of four move into a new, big house in the suburbs. The parents, Rebecca (Liu) and Chris (Sullivan), have a troubled marriage – they’re worried about money, but have made the move to help their son excel at school. Their daughter, Chloe (Liang), is grieving the death of her best friend, and is disturbed by her brother’s attitude towards women. To add to their misery, the house seems to come with a ghost included. Strange goings-on start to occur in reaction to their presence, and the family wonder who or what is there.
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