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Invictus , a review by samuelrichardscott

Invictus (2009) Region B United Kingdom (rental)

Overview:
Clint Eastwood directs this drama based on events that took place during the first term of Nelson Mandela's presidency of South Africa. In an effort to help unite his racially and economically divided country in the wake of the apartheid system, the newly-elected Mandela (Morgan Freeman) joins forces with Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), captain of South Africa's rugby team The Springboks. Convinced that he can use the universal language of sport to help bring his people together, Mandela rallies the team as it makes its historic run to the 1995 Rugby World Cup Championship final against New Zealand.

My Thoughts:
I've been on a bit of an Eastwood kick lately and last week watched Changeling and Gran Torino. This week, I went to my rental queue and added Invictus as high priority and I am glad I did. Despite some dodgy accents (are there no South African actors for these big roles...? same for Blood Diamond) Freeman and Damon impress in the lead roles of what is an unlikely important historical event. Eastwood manages to catch the varying views of people via the way members of the crowd, and the rugby team, initially react whilst at the same time catching Mandela's hope for the future of his country and how he used Rugby to help him change the opinions of many, and the way they acted by bringing people together through a sporting event. Recommended. 4/5

(From Never Ending Movie Marathon (short reviews) on August 9th, 2010)

Whip It, a review by Dragonfire

Whip It

(From Whip It on October 20th, 2009)

Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

6.16 Hell's Bells
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Rebecca Rand Kirshner (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: David Solomon
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Casey Sander (Mr. Tony Harris), Kali Rocha (Halfrek), Andy Umberger (D'Hoffryn), Lee Garlington (Jessica Harris), Jan Hoag (Cousin Carol), George D. Wallace (Old Xander Harris), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Steven Gilborn (Uncle Rory), Susannah L. Brown (Caterer Girl), Chris Emerson (Josh Age 21), Mel Fair (Tentacle Demon), Julian Franco (Young Bartender), Joey Hiott (Josh Age 10), Rebecca Jackson (Tarantula), Nick Kokich (Demon Teen), James C. Leary (Clem), Abigail Mavity (Sara Age , Daniel McFeeley (Warty Demon), Robert Noble (Night Manager), Megan Vint (Karen), Ashleigh Ann Wood (Sara Age 18)

The episode itself is not bad, but I really do not like the fact, that they have broken up Xander and Anya in such a stupid way.

Rating:



6.17 Normal Again
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Diego Gutierrez (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: Rick Rosenthal
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Danny Strong (Jonathan Levinson), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells), Dean Butler (Hank Summers), Michael Warren (Doctor), Kirsten Nelson (Lorraine Ross), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Rodney Charles (Orderly), April Dion (Kissing Girl), Sarah Scivier (Nurse)

A great episode playing with an alternate reality. Fun that they left it open in the end, that the other reality may be the real one.

Rating:



6.18 Entropy
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Drew Z. Greenberg (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: James A. Contner
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Danny Strong (Jonathan Levinson), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells), Kali Rocha (Halfrek), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), Edie Caggiano (Mother)

Another average episode.

Rating:



6.19 Seeing Red
Writer: Joss Whedon (Created By), Steven S. DeKnight (Writer), Joss Whedon (Writer)
Director: Michael Gershman
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Michelle Trachtenberg (Dawn Summers), Amber Benson (Tara Maclay), James Marsters (Spike), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Danny Strong (Jonathan Levinson), Adam Busch (Warren Meers), Tom Lenk (Andrew Wells), Amy Hathaway (Christine, Girl in Bar with Anya), Nichole Hiltz (Diana, Frank's Girlfriend), Garrett Brawith (Frank), Tim Hager (Administrator), Christopher James (Guard #2), James C. Leary (Clem), Stefan Marks (Guard #1), Kate Orsini (Girl at Bronze)

A fun episode with a great finale which brings the stone rolling for this season's showdown.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on December 19th, 2010)