ENTERTAINMENT
Watch. Read. Listen. MOVIES THE LION KING
BRIAN BANKS
Director: Jon Favreau Starring: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Beyoncé Genre: Animation
Director: Tom Shadyac Starring: Aldis Hodge, Morgan Freeman, Melanie Liburd Genre: Drama
Simba’s father and idol, King Mufasa, tells him of his own royal destiny on the plains of Africa. However, not all members of the kingdom are happy about the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s evil brother and former heir to the throne, betrays his family, resulting in Simba’s exile. With the help of his friends, Simba must grow up quickly and take back what is rightfully his. The Lion King marks the 25th anniversary of the release of the original film.
The inspirational story of Brian Banks, an American high school football star who finds himself wrongfully convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. Despite the lack of evidence, Banks is sentenced to a decade of prison and probation. Years later, with the support of California’s Innocence Project and Justin Brooks, Banks fights to clear his name and pursue his dreams of playing in the National Football League.
STARS: 3.5/5
STARS: 4/5
BOOKS VALENCIA AND VALENTINE
DEAD AT FIRST SIGHT BY PETER JAMES
While a man in London waits for the love of his life at the airport, across the pond a retired New York cop waits at a bar for his first date with a lady who is apparently his soulmate. The two men are about to discover they have been scammed out of every penny they own – and neither woman even exists. In Munich, Germany, a wealthy divorcée falls from an apartment block. In the same week, Detective Superintendent Roy Grace is called to investigate the suicide of a woman in Brighton, England, but all is not what it seems. A motivational speaker in the city comes forward and claims that his identity is being used to scam different women online. The first he knew of it was when one woman called him and said: “You don’t know me, but I thought I knew you.” She is now dead. Grace realises this is a global empire built on evil individuals who will murder anyone who threatens to expose them.
BY SUZY KRAUSE
Valencia is a timid debt collector with a terrible case of OCD and is afraid of many things. The two that scare her most are flying and turning 35. To confront her fears, Valencia’s therapist suggests she should fly anywhere in the world before her birthday. She begins an over-the-phone romance with a man in New York and suddenly has a destination in mind. However, there’s one problem – this man might not actually exist. Mrs Valentine is an eccentric old woman desperate for company. She sparks up a friendship with the new cleaning girl, who provides an ear for her life story, an incredible around-the-world tale that resulted in her husband’s sudden disappearance. The stories of Mrs Valentine and Valentina appear to have nothing in common; but then nothing is as straightforward as it may seem..
STARS: 3.5/5
STARS: 4/5
MUSIC LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS
REAL LIFE
BY EMELI SANDÉ ‘Real Life’ is the third studio album by British singer Emeli Sandé. She co-wrote all 11 songs on the album, produced by Troy Miller. The lead song, ‘Sparrow’, is a power ballad with gospel influences and features lyrics that Sandé said were inspired by Nigerian musician Fela Kuti. Other tracks include ‘Human’, featuring Priscilla Jones-Campbell and Troy Miller, ‘Love To Help’, ‘Honest’ and ‘Extraordinary Being’. The singer hopes her new album will give listeners hope and confidence, especially those who feel marginalised and kicked down by society.
STARS: 4.5/5
BY LIONEL RICHIE In March this year, in conjunction with announcing his plans for a new tour of North America dubbed the ‘Hello Tour’, American singer Lionel Richie told of a new album he would be releasing later in the year. ‘Live from Las Vegas’ will showcase the singer’s recent residency in the Nevada resort. Tracks include mixes of his solo hits such as ‘Hello’ and ‘All Night Long’ and mixes with music made from his days in The Commodores. The album is Richie’s first release on Capitol Records and was recorded at the Zappos Theatre at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas.
STARS: 3/5 www.eastafrican.com
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