Invictus on DVD now

Invitus is centered around the South African based 1995 Rugby World Cup, where a new apartheid free South Africa take their first step on the world stage. The central figure in the story is Nelson Mandela, in a role that Morgan Freeman was born to play, and the film follows his struggle to unite the nation under the new flag – overcoming generations of prejudice and distrust.

Joining Mandela as a uniting force in South Africa is Francois Pienaar (an excellent Damon) the Rugby captain who Mandela asks to spearhead his campaign. The problem is that the Springboks are seen as the ‘white’ side of South Africa and bringing people together under the new flag is going to be a difficult job. Can Mandela use sport to unite a fractured nation?

Well rugby fans will know the history of this match – and for anyone else who doesn’t I'm not going to spoil the outcome of the final match with the Springboks and the All Blacks. As for the film itself it takes an interesting slant on South Africa's recent past and looks at the early hangover from apartheid and Mandelas recent release from prison. Eastwood directs well the film looks great and the two leads have morphed seamlessly into their respective characters – for that alone this film is worth viewing.

Mandela in life is the closest person to a living saint – and these are credentials that are not questioned in this film. Every speech he makes takes him closer to being a deity – is the man never angry / frustrated or even sharp with people? Maybe this is the sort of film that is looking but not digging into South Africa’s recent past and subsequently although its good there’s something slightly lacking.

Director: Clint Eastwood

Cast:
Morgan Freeman – Nelson Mandela
Matt Damon – Francois Pienaar

For the official website click here

Bunny and the Bull - On DVD now

Stephen (Hogg) is a man trapped by routine and lists; he hasn’t been out of his flat in a year lives alone, has relationship problems and definitely has some major issues. One day he begins to recall a trip around Europe he undertook over a year ago with his friend Bunny (Farnaby) when they meet Spanish free spirit Eloisa (Echegui).

Stephen and Bunny’s eventful trip brings both good an bad memories, visits to some of Europe’s more obscure museums (cutlery museum anyone?) and some weird and unusual characters all of this punctuated by Bunny’s compulsive gambling and visits to Captain Crab restaurants.

This was billed as a comedy from the makers of the Mighty Boosh but personally although some of the characters were strange and unusual I didn’t laugh out loud once. To me the film was more of a bittersweet story in which Stephen finds a way to step out of his front door. I suppose I didn’t really relate to any of the major characters and in some respects I found them a bit superficial and ‘nice’ rather than feeling real.

The film looks great the sets are produced in a very innovative way and add a magical playful edge to Stephen’s reminiscing. For me though, this was not enough to sustain my interest and engage with the film. Overall visually great but its not good when the characters appear to be made of cardboard rather than the sets.

Director: Paul King

Cast:
Edward Hogg – Stephen
Simon Farnaby – Bunny
Veronica Echegui - Eloisa

For the official website click here

Harry Brown on DVD now

Harry Brown (Caine) is a retired ex marine living in a sprawling inner city estate. His wife is terminally ill and his best friend Leonard (Bradley) is being harassed by a notorious gang on the estate. Browns life changes when his wife dies and Leonard is beaten to death by the gang. Harry is visited by the police and he realises the gang will claim they acted in self-defence and that there would be no justice for Leonard so he decides to take matters in his own hands.

Think Alfie as an OAP, think Grand Torino set in a London inner city, don’t think of a big surprise or a plot full of revelation and twists. Caine is great, as usual, but I have to say this character isn’t stretching his acting abilities – its Alfie with a freedom bus pass.

The film is ok although not ground breaking – it’s a story that has been done before and Harry Brown doesn’t bring anything new. Harry is a man on a revenge mission, a man with nothing to live for and nothing to loose. The rest of the film is populated with stereotypical hoodies, thugs and junkies – which is a little bit disappointment. There are also a rather dated looking ‘riot’ – which looks like it was pulled from the 80’s not 2009.

It’s a good film, watch it if you’re a Caine fan but don’t expect an intriguing plot as you can pretty much decipher what is going to happen before the opening credits.

Director: Daniel

Cast:
Michael Caine – Harry Brown
Emily Mortimer – D.I. Alice Frampton
Charlie Creed-Miles – D.S. Terry Hicock
David Bradley – Leonard Attwell

For the official website click here