SPOTLIGHT | ‘Lord Of The Rings’ animated film delivers fantasy drama

Spotlight is our bite-sized entertainment snapshot featuring new releases in South Africa, exclusive film trailers and more. New episodes come out every Thursday on Sunday Times Lifestyle, Sowetan Entertainment and YouTube, plus you can follow Spotlight on Facebook.

The runway is set for the Christmas holidays to commence, and Spotlight’s episode this week covers spectacular movie releases lined up at cinemas for fans to feast on.

Acclaimed director Robert Zemeckis, best known for Forest Gump, Back to the Future and Cast Away, reunites Robin Wright and Tom Hanks in Here, a film dealing with the passage of time and portrayed and filmed in one place. The nostalgic and heartfelt film, unlike anything you have seen before, also stars Paul Bettany and Kelly Reilly and is on at cinemas. Don’t miss presenter Collette Prince’s interview with Zemeckis and Wright about their experience filming the cinema release.

A highly anticipated animated release takes us back 183 years, before the events chronicled in the original The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, childhood friends become sworn enemies when the brave Hèra defends her father’s kingdom at Helm’s Deep. From revered Japanese artist, writer and author Kenji Kamiyama, the film features voice cast Gaia Wise, Christopher Lee, Miranda Otto, Brian Cox and more. Prepare for fantasy drama delivered as a visually spectacular cinematic experience at cinemas and IMAX.

A joyful and adorable animated movie for the entire family features Niko, a flying reindeer who dreams about becoming part of Santa’s Flying Forces. When a threat looms of a cancelled Christmas, choices between loyalty, friendship and trust are unavoidable in Niko Saves Christmas, with friends old and new trying to find Santa’s sleigh and save everyone’s favourite celebration. At cinemas.

• Book your cinema tickets by visiting sterkinekor.com and numetro.co.za.

For full interviews, breaking news, trailers and clips visit our Spotlight Facebook page. See you at the movies.

Presenter Collette Prince is styled and dressed by Claris by Gerrit Pienaar when attending premieres and special events.

Facebook @Claris by Gerrit Pienaar/Instagram: gerritpienaardesigns.

Competition giveaways

Win a The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim exclusive merchandise hamper by answering a question.

For full competition details and the question, go to the Spotlight South Africa Facebook page and DM your answers and contact details by December 11 2024.

Terms and conditions apply.

Winners will be drawn randomly and notified by SMS after the competition has closed. Entrants’ personal details will not be retained for marketing purposes. Winners have to provide proof of age (ID/driving licence) and cover their own travel and accommodation expenses. By entering, participants agree to have their names published on TimesLIVE, SowetanLIVE and Spotlight South Africa on Facebook. Employees of Arena Holdings and their family members are not eligible to enter.