DVD reviews
Real Steel features Hugh Jackman as a down- and- out boxer in the not- toodistant future who still plays the fight game, only via a new breed of fighter: robots.
REAL STEEL
Hugh Jackman has endless charisma and director Shawn Levy knows just what to do with it: He sticks it on a platter overloaded with pyrotechnic effects, then pours a bucket of schmaltzy gravy on top. It’s all tasty, but you know every flavour is artificial as Jackman plays an off- the-rack character named Charlie Kenton. Charlie is a down- andout boxer who still plays the fight game, only via a new breed of fighter: robots. This movie tries to convince us of a not too-distant future where human beings are replaced by robots in the ring, because our blood lust grew too big. This is the movie’s primary problem: It’s not believable. After all, watching a crank case leak oil doesn’t offer the same primal thrill as a gladiator being eaten by lions, or a boxer beaten to a pulp. All the same, Jackman brings his best daddy act to the camera for the family crowd, and he’s agile enough to move with the director’s two left feet. Special features include a three- disc combo pack with Blu- ray, DVD and digital copies, as well as the Making of Metal Valley, building the ’ bots, and bloopers.
50/ 50
Seth Rogen proves he’s got bona fide acting chops, as well as a very sincere heart, in this charming comedy about a young man diagnosed with a potentially terminal illness. Joseph Gordon- Levitt and Rogen plays best buddies, but when Levitt’s backache is identified as a rare form of cancer, their friendship moves in a whole new direction. The mortal coil is a tough reality to pull humour from, but screenwriter Will Reiser ( who was diagnosed with a similar ailment) does an elegant job of making us laugh when we want to cry. Special features include audio commentary, deleted scenes, the story of 50/ 50, Life Inspires Art and more.
THE WHISTLEBLOWER
Nominated for six Genie Awards, including best picture and best actress for Rachel Weisz, this true story of a sex- trade scandal among UN Peacekeepers and paid U. S. contractors working in Bosnia is such a disturbing slice of life, you wish it weren’t so. Sadly, the idea of mercenaries cashing in on forced prostitution, sexual torture and human trafficking seems a little too easy to swallow. Given the horrific subject matter, director Larysa Kondracki could have wallowed in victim stories, emotional blackmail and one- sided sympathy. Instead, she gives lead actress Weisz room to prove herself as a force of one, and the actress has no problem filling the canvas as a dedicated police officer, mother and reluctant hero. Special features include a featurette on the real whistleblower, Kathy Bolkovac, but not much more.