Empire Entertainment DVD reviews 2018:
[star rating=”3.5″] RAAISELKIND. Directed by Andre Velts, with Diaan Lawrenson, June van Merch, Deon Lotz, Neels Clasen, Anrich Herbst and Ian Roelofs.
Annelie Botes’ poignant novel, Raaiselkind, here translated to screen, highlights the devastating impact a child with autism can have on a family. It’s an affecting watch as inter‐relationships disintegrate as mother Ingrid (Lawrenson) rallies for her beloved son Alexander (Roelofs), while everything around her crumbles. It’s a disturbing story of loss, with no winners.
The narrative hooks around a potential crime – nine year-old Alexander is found dead in the bath and his mother becomes the prime suspect. Despite the beautiful seaside setting, connections are fraught and joyless. For those not that familiar with autism, Raaiselkind provides much food for thought. It’s not Lotz’s best work, but Lawrenson, Van Merch (as the childminder) and Clasen (father) pull it together. In Afrikaans with English subtitles. – JANE MAYNE
[star rating=”3.5″] READY PLAYER ONE. Directed by Steven Spielberg with Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Ben Mendelsohn and T.J. Miller.
Spielberg’s movies for and with kids have always felt as though he is having as much fun as his actors and audiences – think E.T., the Jurassic Park series, the Indiana Jones adventures. And Ready Player One exhibits the same enthusiasm. Clocking in to a gamers’ world, his movie is set in a dystopian future where people use virtual reality software called OASIS to get away from their grim lives. A young orphan discovers a game within the game, and together with a bunch of mismatched and feisty friends, sets out to claim the prize before an evil businessman can take control. It’s fast, it has amazing visuals (switching between a gaming landscape and the real world with smooth slickness), and the actors, particularly the kids, are just great. There are some inbuilt messages about it being okay to be different, and about fighting the system, which is pretty cool, and the contemporary settings are spot on – but ultimately, it’s a old-fashioned adventure romp. And it works. EXTRAS: Interviews with Spielberg and some of the cast members, behind the scenes action replays, etc. – KAREN RUTTER
[star rating=”3″] DEATH WISH. Directed by Eli Roth with Bruce Willis and Vincent D’onofrio and Elisabeth Shue.
I remember seeing the original Death Wish with Charles Bronson circa 1974 (age reveal!), and I can vividly recall his craggy face and big hair. Bruce Willis has neither, but he does come with a serious action-movie CV, and this version of the action drama is actually not too bad. Albeit a more sanitised version of the original, which was pretty contentious when it was released. Willis plays a surgeon whose home is invaded by burglars who attack his wife and daughter. Frustrated by the lack of police progress in the investigation, Willis launches his own enquiries. And moves from mild-mannered doctor to full on street vigilante. Bronson’s role raised many eyebrows when it was released, mainly for his unapologetically violent portrayal as a hero – despite breaking all the rules. In the 2000s this approach is perhaps less questionable, and Willis comes across as a basically good guy pushed to extremes. The remake is not gonna win any awards – but it’s not too shabby. EXTRAS: Director’s comments,deleted scenes and more. – KAREN RUTTER
[star rating=”3″] A QUIET PLACE. Directed by John Krasinski, with Emily Blunt, John Krasinski and Millicent Simmonds.
Jeesh, talk about tension. Right from the get-go you’re in the red zone. It’s soon evident this is a monster thriller with legions of ugly buggers ready to pounce. You first tune into this family saga as they wordlessly tiptoe about trying negotiate their way in a desolate, post-apocalyptic world. They’re being hunted by creatures who’re blind, but respond to sound – hence the catchphrase for this flick, “If they hear you, they hunt you.”
With every little move a potential death wish, A Quiet Place is an uncomfortable, taut experience, made more so with the additional touches of a child at play and a pregnant mom with a wailing infant on the way. The addition of Deaf actress Simmonds (Wonderstruck) adds weight to the sign language the ‘audio’ relies on. Overall, this is a workable thriller fulled by stock aliens who’re pretty evil bastards with sharp cutters and interesting ears. They’re an efficient bunch, so not everyone makes it… EXTRAS: Creating the Quiet – Director Krasinski gives you a behind the scenes look. – JM
What: Empire Entertainment Africa DVD reviews
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