Top Gun: Maverick is now streaming on Showmax, having just been named Best Movie, Best Wide Release Movie and Best Action & Adventure Movie at Rotten Tomatoes’ Golden Tomato Awards, which recognise the best reviewed films of the year. The title has also been nominated for six Oscars: Motion Picture of the Year, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Visual Effects, and Song, as well as Best Song for Hold My Hand by Lady Gaga BloodPop.

After more than 30 years of service as one of the navy’s top aviators, Pete “Maverick” Mitchell (Oscar nominee Tom Cruise) is where he belongs, pushing the envelope as a courageous test pilot and dodging the advancement in rank that would ground him. 

When he finds himself training a detachment of Top Gun graduates for a specialised mission the likes of which no living pilot has ever seen, Maverick encounters Lt. Bradley Bradshaw (Sundance winner Miles Teller), call sign “Rooster,” the son of Maverick’s late friend and Radar Intercept Officer Lt. Nick Bradshaw, aka “Goose.” Rooster’s father trusted Maverick; he isn’t about to make the same mistake.

Facing an uncertain future and confronting the ghosts of his past, Maverick is drawn into a confrontation with his own deepest fears. 

Oscar winner Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind), Emmy winner Jon Hamm (Mad Men), four-time Oscar nominee Ed Harris (Westworld), multi-award-winner Val Kilmer (Heat) and Monica Barbaro (UnREAL) co-star. 

The biggest box office hit in South Africa last year, and the second biggest globally, Top Gun: Maverick has already won more than 60 international awards and is one of the 100 top-rated movies of all time on IMDb. It was also named the best film of 2022 by media as varied as Complex, The Globe and Mail, IMDb, People, The Telegraph, Total Film, Uproxx, and The Washington Post. 

As Rotten Tomatoes says, “Top Gun: Maverick is why we love the blockbuster experience: exhilarating action with big emotional stakes and an on-your-feet sunset ending.”

Similarly, Independent calls it “as thrilling as blockbusters get”; Daily Telegraph hails it as “unquestionably the best studio action film since 2015’s Mad Max: Fury Road”; and Time/Out says, “You will want to high five someone on the way out.” 

Top Gun: Maverick has been shortlisted in multiple Oscar categories and is already nominated for four 2023 BAFTAs, including Cinematography and Special Visual Effects; the Screen Actors Guild award for Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble; and a Grammy for its soundtrack, among other honours.  

Showmax is also streaming the original 1980s classic, Top Gun, directed by the late Tony Scott and co-starring the likes of Oscar winner Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption), Emmy winners Anthony Edwards (ER) and Tom Skerritt (Alien), multi-award-winner Meg Ryan (When Harry Met Sally) and the late Kelly McGillis (Witness). Top Gun won an Oscar for Giorgio Moroder’s Take My Breath Away, a Grammy for Harold Faltermeyer and Steve Steven’s Top Gun Anthem, and the 1987 People’s Choice Award for Favourite Motion Picture, among other accolades. 

So whether you’re feeling a need for speed, or Tom Cruise, Jennifer Connelly, Miles Teller, old-school action or 80s nostalgia, it's time to strap in to Showmax. 

Watch the Top Gun: Maverick trailer: 

https://youtu.be/giXco2jaZ_4

Watch the Top Gun trailer:

https://youtu.be/xa_z57UatDY

Showmax’s January movie line-up also includes the Oscar-nominated House of Gucci, the BAFTA-winning Licorice Pizza, and the animated blockbuster The Addams Family 2, with Jordan Peele’s Get Out, just named one of the top 100 films of all time in Sight & Sound’s once-a-decade critics’ poll, available from 26 January 2023, and 2022 BAFTA winner Together, starring James McAvoy and Sharon Horgan, available from 30 January 2023. 

Showmax is also home to a wealth of Tom Cruise classics, including Mission: Impossible - Fallout, American Made, Oblivion, Interview With The Vampire, and The Last Samurai, as well as Jack Reacher and its sequel, Jack Reacher: Never Go Back.  

In an effort to assist customers in their hunt for those hard-to-find items, Builders, the leading home improvement, DIY, and building materials retailer, has launched a new online tool called Product Finder.

This new solution utilises a dedicated team of Builders Sales Specialists to locate and source niche décor and outdoor products, a tool, storage solutions, or fittings, whether customers saw the item online, spotted it in a magazine, or encountered it outside the country. Best of all, the platform can even find items the retailer doesn't stock.   

“In the last two years we have seen a surge in South Africans spending more time at home online to search for solutions to fix or improve their homes.  Builders has always had the “we will find it for you” philosophy although there was not a dedicated way to ensure that we do deliver on these requests or any way to track requests and follow up on the leads. The Product Finder Tool means that we can now deliver on this in a seamless and efficient manner”, says Nicole le Roux, Senior Manager Digital Sales.

However, as exciting as taking on a new project can be, struggling to find the right power tool, paint colour, or exotic door handle can quickly dampen things, especially in the age when everything should be accessible online.

The team receives orders uploaded to the track and trace system and can either source requests in-house using Builders vendors or source products from external vendors if the retailer doesn't stock that specific item.

According to a recent Statista report looking into South Africa’s mobile internet user penetration 2018-2027, in 2022, 78.6 percent of the South African population accessed the internet via mobile device. This share is projected to grow to over 90 percent by the end of 2026 indicating a massive potential for digital ecommerce solutions. 

“Our new digitised track and trace system merges this convenience of ecommerce that our customers have grown to love with the Builders’ commitment to going the extra mile to provide the most valuable shopping experience possible. As a result, we can help even more of our loyal customers find whatever they’re looking for, no matter how niche it is”, says Trevor Perumal, VP Commercial.

Builders says the entire process is transparent to customers, who receive a trace number that they can use to track their product progress from initialisation to the finalisation of their request.

To access the platform, customers need to:

• Navigate to the Product Finder tool on the Builders website
• Leave their contact details so they can describe the product they’re looking for over the phone or manually input the product details or upload a picture online
• Confirm the order description they’ll receive from the Sales Specialist
• Accept or reject the quote, which includes a picture of the sourced item
• Check out and proceed to payment if they’re happy with their product

Builders says the new tool will also help the retailer determine which products to include in its in-store range based on search trends and that it will continuously monitor the platform and scale its team to ensure it can keep up with the demand.

Whether you’re a DIY enthusiast, a homeowner, a small business or a large contractor, Builders has all your needs covered, and more! For more information go to https://www.builders.co.za/.                                                 

'Tis the season to be adventurous! That means everyone will be in high spirits, from the little ones searching for fun things to do in the summer sun to families going camping and the unmistakable smell of braai meat permeating the neighbourhood air.

However, with all the festivities and different summertime activities, finding the ideal gift to suit everyone and the adventures they’ll be getting up to this season can take time and effort. So, we've put together this gift guide guaranteed to get anyone geared up for fun in the sun this festive season. 

“South Africa is such a stunningly beautiful country this time of year. It offers countless outdoor activities for the entire family, from spending time at our fantastic beaches and scaling challenging hiking trails to holiday visits to national parks that create endless opportunities to connect with nature," says Martine Vogelman, Strategic Brands Director for Cape Union Mart. "That's why we're simplifying the gift-buying process for outdoorsy loved ones who might be tricky to shop for."

So, to ensure you have no excuse to wait until the last minute to do your festive season shopping this year, here are some gift ideas for that outdoorsy loved one:

●        For the little outdoor adventurer

Little adventurers love exploring. So, to help ensure that the festive season is filled with wonder and excitement every day, protect them from the summer sun on their next adventure with a K-Way Talus Kids Floppy.

Made from quick-dry and moisture-wicking nylon, it features a wide brim that includes a toweling sweatband and an adjustable chin strap. These additions provide enough shade to protect kids from the sun on their little outdoor missions.

●        For the little wanderer

We all know how little ones love to explore the world around them! So why not let your little ones run free with the K-Way Kids Venture Sandals? They feature a durable synthetic upper for wear resistance with a stretch-fit neoprene lining that keeps kiddies’ feet comfy all day.

A compression-molded EVA phylon midsole adds arch support and long-lasting comfort, while the durably TPR outsole provides skid-proof properties for even the most active little wanderer.

●        For the fearless outdoors female

Fearless outdoors women deserve only the best festive season gift that combines outdoor and safari functionality with a feminine look to protect them against the elements. The K-Way Zambezi Waist Bag does just that.

It offers stylish on-the-go convenience by featuring one main entry pocket, an adjustable strap for a customized fit, metal hardware and a rubber-banded badge for that finishing touch.

●        For the all-terrain hiker

Any seasoned female hiker will tell you that no terrain is the same – that’s why the KEEN Women’s NXIS EVO Waterproof Hiking Boots are the ideal all-terrain festive season gift.

The KEEN.DRY waterproof breathable membrane allows water out, but not in, while a PFC-free durable water-repellent coating will keep the wearer cool and dry as they seek those summits. Best of all, they feature ECO Anti-Odour that provides natural odor control.

●        For the urban adventurer

Adventures aren’t limited to the wild outdoors. So consider getting that urban adventurer a city backpack like the Deuter UP Stockholm, which takes care of them and the environment with its resource-saving production.

The UP Stockholm is manufactured from recycled materials and uses less water and crude oil in the manufacturing process. It also offers enough space for everything the urban adventurer will need for a day at the office, university or while out with friends.

“The festive season is about encouraging everyone, young and old, to find their inner adventurer, and the ideal outdoor gift can help them do that! As a trusted, one-stop destination for outdoor enthusiasts, travelers, and explorers, Cape Union Mart's mission is to ensure that families and friends have the right gear to get the most out of their adventure, whatever it may be," concludes Vogelman. 

View the Cape Union Mart Digital Festive catalogue here.

Cape Union Mart has relaunched their Friends & Family Rewards programme where customers can now earn points when they shop and unlock vouchers.

In a market where financial pressures are felt by all consumers, the programme is designed to offer even more value and reward loyal customers for choosing Cape Union Mart. “It has become more important than ever to offer our customers tangible value. We aim to deliver a quality product and a great customer experience which will enable us to build even stronger relationships with our customers, across all of our chains, “says Cape Union Mart Marketing Executive, Candice Thomas.

Customers who’ve joined the Friends & Family Rewards programme now earn points every time they shop which will unlock vouchers that can be redeemed in-store and online. For every R20 spent, 1 point will be earned. Customers will receive a R100 voucher for every 100 points accumulated. Vouchers are valid for three months and can be redeemed on purchases of R200 or more. Points can be earned and redeemed across all of Cape Union Mart’s chains which include Poetry, Old Khaki and Keedo. 

“With the festive season upon us, we believe that customers will love the added value they’ll get through the rewards vouchers which they can use towards holiday purchases, festive gifts or save for the new year,” says Customer Experience Manager, Carla Pullen.

In addition to earning points, customers who sign up to the programme will receive exclusive offers and promotions, VIP early access to sales and launches and 10% off their first purchase of R500 or more as a welcome to the family. Joining the Friends & Family programme is free and can be done online or in-store at any of Cape Union Mart’s 300 stores across South Africa.

For more information, contact Carla Pullen: carla.pullen@capeunionmart.co.za | 082 857 5773

The world’s most epic film festival is back and, creatives from across the globe will gather in Cape Town to celebrate some of the greatest minds in adventure filmmaking at this year’s BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival. Taking place from the 28th of October to November 6th this year’s festival will be the 19th year that Cape Union Mart brings one of the biggest mountain festivals in the world to South African shores. The festival is being hosted in partnership with some biggest names in outdoor adventure including K-Way, Hi-Tec, GoPro, Garmin & Black Diamond.

A Haven For Those Who Leave The Beaten Path

As one of the largest mountain festivals in the world, the festival attracts adventure filmmakers, outdoor heroes, athletes, and thrill-seekers of all stripes. This year’s event will spotlight some of the best mountain films and exceptional filmmaking talent from around the globe. It will also offer something for everyone with a mix of topics and cinematic styles that will both inspire and entertain.

Marketing manager at Cape Union Mart, Odile Hufkie says, “As one of the world’s most prestigious adventure film festivals, Cape Union Mart is delighted to be able to continue bringing BANFF to South Africa every year. It is always a pleasure to give viewers access to the highest calibre of inspirational and authentic stories that showcase the full breadth and diversity of everyday sports and adventure heroes.”                   

The Adventure Film Challenge

Attendees at this year’s film festival will get the opportunity to see the winning submission from the annual Cape Union Mart Adventure Film Challenge. The competition, an initiative created by Cape Union Mart 9 years ago, provides aspiring and professional filmmakers with the opportunity to showcase their videography and filmmaking skills while embracing their love for South Africa’s outdoor culture. This year it was won by Richard Schnitter’s film “9 to 5”. 

Aside from winning the right to show his film at the festival, Schitter also won a R10 000 cash prize, K-Way gear to the value of R5000 and a Mini SE drone and Fly More Combo with additional accessories, all from DJI.

Schnitter says, “I have been going to watch the Banff film festival since I was a small child. It has always inspired me. Winning this competition and being able to showcase my film at this festival is an absolute dream come true.”

Be Part Of The Adventure:

If you want to get in on the action and see what the world’s best and brightest adventure content creators are creating, the BANFF Centre Mountain Film Festival will be airing at the following Nu Metro cinemas in Cape Town, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape:

1. Canal Walk, Cape Town
2. Boardwalk Mall, Gqeberha
3. Cornubia Mall, Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal
4. Ballito Junction, Ballito, Kwa-Zulu Natal
5. Hyde Park Corner, Johannesburg
6. Emperors Palace, Johannesburg 

Tickets went on sale on the 26th of September 2022, click here to book your ticket now. 

Follow www.capeunionmart.co.za for more details and exciting information on the much-anticipated film festival.