Top 5 Fan-Favourite Movies as Voted by South Africa
This October, M-Net Movies 2 is hosting a special Fan Favourites festival, and the lineup was chosen by South Africans! It’s always fascinating to see what captures the audience’s attention, and this selection proves South Africans were in the mood for big-screen spectacle and feel-good entertainment. Here are the top 5 films that received the most votes!
1. Bean
Rowan Atkinson is the inimitable and rubber-faced Mr. Bean, a bumbling British oddball whose peculiar ways have delighted audiences for decades. His adventures are driven by situational comedy and visual gags, making his special brand of funny universal.
In the self-titled family comedy adventure, Bean travels to America to work at a Los Angeles art gallery. When his caretaking job at the Royal National Gallery is in question, he is tasked with unveiling one of the US’s greatest works of art, Whistler’s Mother.
2. The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King
Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King is a miraculous achievement. As the crowning culmination of the trilogy, this four-hour fantasy epic brought back the idea of an intermission. This masterpiece brings J.R.R. Tolkien’s renowned fantasy to life with cutting-edge visual effects, delivering an eye-popping experience that truly enthralls.
Winner of 11 Oscars and rated #6 on IMDb’s Top 250 list, Return of the King remains the pinnacle of fantasy – a film of such great passion, magic, and power that it will be difficult to topple.
3. Sonic the Hedgehog
Sonic the Hedgehog is the Sega superstar that rose up to challenge Nintendo’s Mario Bros. Exuberant, determined, and full of pluck, this speedy hedgehog’s mission to gather rings became a staple of K-TV in the 1990s, where viewers would phone in to control the character with instructions like “forward” and “grab.”
While the much-anticipated video game adaptation’s character design initially drew criticism, the fun, high-energy buddy action adventure soars. In this whirlwind animated adventure, Sonic must take refuge on Earth when his unique abilities draw the attention of his evil nemesis, Dr. Robotnik, played by the scene-stealing Jim Carrey.
4. The Matrix
Wear a black trench coat and sunglasses if you want people to think you’re from the future. The Matrix revolutionized the action genre with an anime-inspired cyberpunk sci-fi adventure that echoes Alice in Wonderland. Taking a page from Ghost in the Shell, the Wachowskis created a mind-bending world where an office worker is awakened from what seems like a dream.
Teaming up with Trinity and Morpheus, Neo discovers that he may be humanity’s last hope for survival against the machines. This dark, sleek and game-changing sci-fi epic oozes cool with its kung fu choreography, gunslinging action, and ability to bend reality. It’s an immersive and thought-provoking journey that cemented Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Laurence Fishburne as cinema icons.
5. Crazy Rich Asians
Crazy Rich Asians is a refreshing romantic comedy-drama that stands out with its strong cultural focus, modern gender roles, and an all-Asian cast. While it’s built on a typical Hollywood “rom-com” concept, it completely switches things up with a vibrant Asian setting and a powerful feminine edge.
The movie centers on a young Economics professor, Rachel Chu, who is cast into her super-rich boyfriend’s Singaporean property tycoon world, only to face immediate backlash from his mother and other envious single women. This feel-good film features the charming Constance Wu, the dapper Henry Golding and the indomitable Michelle Yeoh, serving up a sparkling and satisfying love story with a difference.
Runners up: Shrek Forever After, Godzilla, Batman Begins, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, Dennis the Menace
Catch all of these movies on M-NET Movies 2 this month or on DStv catch up.
