Entertainment: Movies and Music for the Holiday Season
Written By: Renate Engelbrecht & Victoria hill
The holiday season is for dancing to the beat of new tunes around the kitchen and settling on the couch for a Christmas-inspired movie. Don’t you agree? Herewith a few movies and music musts that #HelloRecommends for this festive season and beyond.
Movie Madness
The Met: Live in HD
If you’re a fan of the opera, the new season of The Met: Live in HD features stunning opera productions from the stage to the big screen.
Peter Gelb, the Met’s Maria Manetti Shrem General Manager, says: “What began as an experiment seventeen years ago, has become a staple experience for opera lovers all over the world. Our 2024-2025 season in cinemas reflects how opera is changing at the Met, where we’re balancing timeless classics with accessible new work that is advancing the art form and attracting younger and more diverse audiences.”
Keen to explore the world of opera? You can watch these world-class productions at Bedford and Rosebank Nouveau in Johannesburg. Furthermore, at Brooklyn Mall in Tshwane or Gateway in Durban. Additionally, at Garden Route Mall in George, Somerset Mall in Somerset West and Blue Route and V&A Waterfront (livestream) in Cape Town.
22 and 24 December 2024: TOSCA (Puccini)
16 and 18 February 2025: AIDA (Verdi)
Tickets are available online: www.sterkinekor.com
Disney’s The Boy & The Octopus
In its largest festive campaign to date, Disney launched a holiday short film called The Boy & The Octopus. It was directed by Academy Award Winner, Taika Waititi. Premiering on YouTube, the film follows the journey of a young boy who has an octopus attached to his head whilst on holiday by the sea. When the boy and his family return home, the octopus comes with. Subsequently, the octopus experiences the joy of the holiday season with his new companion. It is a story of opportunity, friendship, Christmas cheer and childhood magic.
Watch it now via this link.
Niko Saves Christmas
Feel-good animations make the Festive Season so much more special. One of the latest ones – Niko Saves Christmas – is the perfect example. Released in cinemas on 6 December 2024, this film is the only one of its kind releasing in South Africa this holiday. With toe-tapping music and a happily-ever-after storyline, it is bound to entice festive cheer all over.
Niko is the son of Prancer, the reindeer, and leaves home to join Santa’s Flying Forces. However, there are challenges along the way, including Stella, who has arrived to compete for Niko’s spot. After a series of events, Niko has to save Christmas after Stella steals Santa’s sleigh. It is a story of trust, betrayal, friendship, forgiveness and reconciliation – all against the backdrop of the magical Northern Lights.
Turn Up The Music
Majozi’s REASON, ft Early B
Recently released, Majozi’s deeply personal single – in collaboration with the acclaimed rapper, Early B – touches on themes of mental health, vulnerability and self-acceptance. Majozi says the song, called REASON, is a reminder to everyone – including himself – that it’s okay to feel how you feel and to share those emotions.
“Ultimately, you are loved and enough.” He hopes this final single from his widely praised album ‘A Great Exchange’ leaves a lasting impact. Early B adds to the sentiment, saying: “We are all here for a reason – we aren’t here by chance or luck and the reason for REASON is to help everyone believe it.”
Up At Night with Daniel Baron
Daniel Baron’s latest single is set to keep you up at night. It is designed to ignite dance floors worldwide with a blend of genres. UP AT NIGHT is a sultry, high-energy pop-club banger that brings the artist back to his dance anthem roots. Furthermore, it serves as a hypnotic love letter wrapped in irresistible beats.
The chart-topping, triple SAMA nominated pop sensation has also been making waves behind the scenes. He has achieved five number-one hits as a producer, working on various projects for other artists.
About his latest single, he says: “I wanted to write about how the euphoria of being addicted to someone’s love can literally keep you up at night – the rush, the intensity, they love-drunk obsession, and how music can magnify every emotion. UP AT NIGHT is all about that energy you can’t shake off.”
These are just a drop in the ocean of all the movies and music options this holiday season has to offer. Don’t miss out on anything. Get the popcorn, download the songs on Spotify and be prepare to have a Festive Season of note!
