JHud as Winnie? Aaaaw hells no…

So, it’s been confirmed. Jennifer Hudson will play Winnie Mandela in a movie about the iconic South African. [Insert severe side-eye here] Hmmm. I’m real salty about this. JHud was okay in Dreamgirls, but she sucked in Sex and the City (as the wide-eyed, countrified assistant). What makes anyone think she’s competent enough to play Winnie Mandela? SMH. This is just turning me off from even attempting to watch the damn movie… I wonder if she’ll even be able to get the accent right? This whole thing reeks of Oscar-bait. According to Variety:

Jennifer Hudson is set to star in “Winnie,” a drama that casts her as the former wife of South Africa’s first black president, Nelson Mandela.

Hudson will play Winnie Mandela in a film that begins production May 30 in the South African locations of Johannesburg, Capt Town, Transkei and Robben Island, where the future president spent 18 of his 27 years in prison.

“Winnie” will be directed by Darrell J. Roodt, the veteran South African filmmaker whose 2006 film “Yesterday” was Africa’s Best Foreign Film nominee, and who also directed “Cry, The Beloved Country,” and “Sarafina!”

“I was compelled and moved when I read the script,” Hudson said. “Winnie Mandela is a complex and extraordinary woman and I’m honored to be the actress asked to portray her. This is a powerful part of history that should be told.”

I know it’s important to get big names attached to a South African project in order to get funding and exposure, but Winnie is a big deal — she’s an icon and (in the eyes of some) a certified (s)hero. Why not get a real actress and a real South African actress, at that, to pay homage to the woman? I mean, is Terry Pheto too busy or something?

Pic via.

Going to the chapel and we’re gonna get married…

Tumi and Elvis get down

The past weekend I did what every single one of you should: watched White Wedding.

Admittedly, it wasn’t the funniest movie I’ve ever seen, but it did what it was meant to do – entertained and didn’t make me regret getting dressed, leaving the flat and paying that (astronomical, damn SK!) ticket price. I mean, so often the best thing about Hollywood blockbusters is the popcorn and smarties combo.

White Wedding, for those of you who have been exiled to outer space, centres on groom-to-be Elvis (Kenneth Nkosi), who has to road trip from Durban to Cape Town with his playa best friend Tumi (Rapulana Seiphemo), where the wedding is set to take place. Hijinx ensue. Obviously. I think the key to this movie is in combining two feel-good movie must-haves: a road trip and a wedding.

The other storylines revolve around ‘crazy white girl’ – English doctor – Rose (Jodie Whittaker), who hitches a ride with the friends. She’s all confused and upset because her best friend slept with her ex-fiance. Shame.

Then there’s Elvis’ bride-to-be, Ayanda (Zandile Msutwana), who has to deal with the wedding arrangements, her overbearing mother and the affections of her ex-boyfriend Tony.

I’m not going to go on and on about this movie. Just go see it. Why? You’ll leave the cinema smiling and you’ll be contributing to SA film that isn’t Leon Schuster. Oh, and, if you want to know more, buy the latest Fairlady magazine (or head over to the site), to check out a profile on the movie’s co-writer/ director, Jann Turner.

Pic via Ster Kinekor.

‘Life is Precious’

This movie, Precious – based on the novel ‘Push’ by Sapphire, won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Apparently, it’s just as harrowing and gritty as the novel (which I’m now determined to find and read).

Miss Mariah Carey (yes, her of Glitter fame) apparently turns it out in this film as the weary, but wise social worker. Mo’nique plays the mother and she also seems to be bringing it.

The film’s scheduled for release in November in the states. I suppose we’re going to have to wait a while to see it!