From heartfelt promises and food truck dreams to animated nostalgia and gladiator grit, a line-up of epic proportions takes over The Galileo Open Air Cinema’s silver screen this week.
Whether you’re yearning for a good love story, a glimpse of childhood past or gasp-filled moments, you’re bound to find some tear-jerking moments with The Vow, a delicious dose of feel-good inspiration in Chef, a sing-along trip down memory lane with The Lion King and all the Colosseum-level action in Gladiator II.
So book your spot here, swing by when the doors open, grab your snacks, and soak in golden-hour picnic vibes and lawn games before getting cosy with your fellow film fanatics for movie night, officially beginning after sunset (± 7:30pm).
Here is what’s on the silver screen this week:
25 March: The Vow
The Vow is a 2012 romantic drama loosely based on the actual relationship of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter, who wrote a book about their marriage with the same name, directed by Michael Sucsy and starring Channing Tatum and Rachel McAdams.
Paige (McAdams) and Leo (Tatum) are happily married newlyweds, but their idyllic life together suddenly shatters when a car accident leaves her in a coma.
When Paige awakes, she has severe memory loss and doesn’t know Leo. She also has a confusing relationship with her parents and still harbours feelings for a former fiancé. Despite these difficult obstacles, Leo is determined to renew their bond and rebuild their marriage.
- Day: Wednesday
- Location: Kirstenbosch Garden
- Time: Gates open at 6pm, and the movie starts at 7:30pm
- Genre: Romance Comedy
- Age restriction: 13 PG
- Tickets: Webtickets
26 March: Chef
Chef is a 2014 American road comedy-drama film directed, written, co-produced by and starring Jon Favreau, who features alongside Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Emjay Anthony, Bobby Cannavale and Dustin Hoffman, along with Robert Downey Jr. in a cameo role.
After a controlling owner (Hoffman) pushes him too far, chef Carl Casper. (Favreau) quits his position at a prestigious Los Angeles restaurant. As he tries to figure out what his next step should be, he finds himself in Miami.
Carl joins forces with his ex-wife (Vergara), best friend (Leguizamo) and son (Anthony) to launch a food truck business, and the venture provides a chance to reignite his passion for cooking – as well as his zest for life and love.
- Day: Thursday
- Location: Kirstenbosch Garden
- Time: Gates open at 6pm, and the movie starts at 7:30pm
- Genre: Comedy Drama Indie Road Movie
- Age restriction: 13 L V
- Tickets: Webtickets
27 March: The Lion King (1994)
The Lion King is a 1994 American animated musical coming-of-age drama film released by Walt Disney Pictures, and featuring an ensemble voice cast consisting of Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Robert Guillaume, Moira Kelly, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella and Whoopi Goldberg, to name a few.
After being anointed as the next king of the Pride Lands, young lion cub Simba (Thomas) is every bit as eager to take his proud father Mufasa’s place as the king. However, this makes Simba’s villainous uncle Scar (Irons) jealous and vengeful.
When Mufasa is suddenly killed in an orchestrated wildebeest stampede, Simba feels responsible for his death and runs away from home, leaving Scar to rule with an iron paw. Meeting up with two outcasts named Timon (Lane) and Pumbaa (Sabella), Simba embraces their way of ‘Hakuna Matata’.
Years later, a grown-up Simba (Broderick) is approached by his childhood friend Nala (Kelly) and the wise baboon Rafiki (Guillaume), who convinces him to return home to stop Scar’s evil reign and fulfil his destiny as the new king.
- Day: Friday
- Location: Kirstenbosch Garden | Rhebokskloof Wine Estate
- Time: Gates open at 6pm, and the movie starts at 7:30pm
- Genre: Animation Adventure
- Age restriction: PG
- Tickets: Webtickets
28 March: Gladiator II
Gladiator II is a 2024 historical epic film directed and produced by Ridley Scott, a sequel to Gladiator (2000) and stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Joseph Quinn, Fred Hechinger, Connie Nielsen and Denzel Washington.
Years after witnessing the death of Maximus at the hands of his uncle, Lucius must enter the Colosseum after the powerful emperors of Rome conquer his home.
With rage in his heart and the future of the empire at stake, he looks to the past to find the strength and honour needed to return the glory of Rome to its people.
- Day: Saturday
- Location: Kirstenbosch Garden
- Time: Gates open at 5pm, and the movie starts at 7:30pm
- Genre: Action Epic Period Drama
- Age restriction: 16 V
- Tickets: Webtickets
Also read:
International movies and shows that were filmed in South Africa
Picture: Supplied
