Already getting bored of these disturbingly British summer days? Need a little something to occupy all this time you’ve got during the holidays? If so, you’re in luck, as we’ve collated the best that August has to offer in the form of DVDs and Blu-rays. Among this month’s releases are some classic romances, yet another dystopian YA adaptation, and an intriguing Russian crime thriller.
The Divergent Series: Insurgent
In 2013, the first adaptation of Veronica Roth’s wildly popular trilogy – Divergent – stunned audiences, as evidenced by it’s opening day grossing of $22.8 million in the US alone. Incontrovertibly, the sequel, Insurgent, had a lot to live up to. And did it? Well, that’s disputable. Insurgent was never going to fall flat. With a cult following of fans, a huge budget, and some of the most acclaimed young actors on the scene today, the film pretty secured its success before it even hit cinemas. The post-apocalyptic genre is extremely popular at the moment, with other adaptations such as The Maze Runner and The Hunger Games becoming some of the most successful movies of recent times. Film adaptations of Young Adult novels are a booming market. And Insurgent is a very gripping film – dark and exciting, full of action, romance and incredible fight scenes… it has all the ingredients for success.
After escaping the corrupt leaders of the Erudite faction, Tris, Tobias and the other divergents must evade capture by any possible means whilst battling the system which is rapidly falling at the hands of Jeanine Matthews – the leader of Erudite and trailblazer of the ever-growing number of divergent killings. Whilst a brilliant film in its own right, the general consensus of the book’s fans seemed to be “did I read a different book?” Many integral elements of the novel were lacking – leaving me wondering how a franchise that so accurately adapted the series’ first book could be so far off the mark this time. They appear to fall into the trap of vilifying characters – namely, Tris’s brother Caleb – simply not for rebelling against the system or following his sibling’s lead as a renegade. A lack of character development for anyone who wasn’t Tris or her love interest Tobias was also slightly disappointing.
However, despite this, Insurgent is still an extremely enjoyable film. The effects are marvellous, the cinematography is impeccable and the acting is brilliant. And it inspired what the dystopian genre is supposed to; a flicker of strength, of power in its audience and a bit of heroism. Because characters like Tris Prior are role models for the current generation, and that – in my opinion, at least – isn’t such a bad thing.
The Divergent Series: Insurgent is available to buy from 3rd August 2015* | Words: LG
The Woman In Gold
The Woman In Gold is based on the true story of Maria Altmann, a German WW2 refugee who sued the Austrian government in the early 2000’s to get back a painting stolen from her family by the Nazis. And not just any painting, but the legendary Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I by Gustav Klimt – one of the most famous pieces of artwork in the world, the subject of which is Altmann’s aunt. Atlmann, played powerfully and wittily by Helen Mirren, had to flee Austria in the 1930s with her husband on account of the Nazi threat. She is helped, 50 years later, by Randy Shoenberg (Ryan Reynolds, in a good but unremarkable performance), a young lawyer related to her, as they struggle to get the Austrian government to hand over the legendary painting – going all the way to the Supreme Court to retrieve what the Nazis took, a painting that is the crown jewel of Vienna’s art scene.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9bx3KTGBEaI
The Woman In Gold is available to buy from 3rd August 2015* | Words: NG
The Duff
Bianca (Mae Whitman) is an intelligent student journalist who navigates high school alongside her two beautiful and popular best friends, Jess and Casey. However, her entire outlook is shattered when her next-door-neighbour Wesley (Robbie Amell) explains that she’s the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) within her group of friends. Watching the trailers for this latest teen romantic comedy, I assumed like several others that this film would be just like the rest. However, I was happily surprised to find that is a believablecoming-of-age tale – with it’s highlighting of social media and cyber-bullying citing as something that everyone can relate to. The relationship between Bianca and Wesley is witty and despite the stereotypical tropes used throughout the film, the chemistry between it’s leads makes the characters and situations much more realistic.
Featuring a memorable ensemble cast (Allison Janney, Ken Jeong, Bella Thorne) and some brilliant, but embarassing ‘watch-between-your-fingers’ montages, The Duff is one of the best teen outcast movies I have seen in a while. It will strike a chord with teenagers, many of whom themselves have been made to feel like they’re ‘the ugly friend’. However by doing this, the film teaches an important lesson: being the DUFF amongst your friends isn’t something you should associate or define yourself with, but rather something you should ignore and overcome in order to be your own person – squash your doubts and believe in your own self-confidence. If you’re a fan of Easy A, this will go down nicely.
The Duff is available to buy from 17th August 2015* | Words: KS
Cinderella
Continuing Disney’s current trend of remaking it’s most classic animations into fantastical live-action films, Cinderella is quite literally like a fairytale come true. Lily James stars as the kindly heroine, who after the loss of her Mother (Hayley Atwell), must contend with her Father’s menacing new wife; The Wicked Stepmother herself, Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett). When her father inevitably passes too, ‘Ella’ is made to be nothing more than a serving girl, cleaning and chasing after Lady Tremaine and her two ghastly daughters, Anastasia and Drizella (Holliday Grainger and Sophie McShera). One day however, Ella meets a charming prince (Game of Thrones‘ Richard Madden) and… well, surely you know the rest.
There are some aspects in which Kenneth Branagh’s new interpretation works very nicely. James’ portrayal of the kind and naive young Ella is both vulnerable and utterly believable, while the aesthetics are similarly spectacular. The costumes are mesmerising to behold, as is the production design – particularly in the beautifully grandiose ballroom in which Ella and the Prince have their first dance. That said, there are also aspects that are arguably disappointing. Blanchett’s performance as the Stepmother is certainly wicked – but exceedingly so, to the point that she reduces her role to something you’d expect in a pantomime. Meanwhile, Madden’s prince – though definitely not bad to look at – also seems somewhat vacant and less sincere than one might hope. Still, if you like Disney and you enjoy the fluttering buzz of a fairytale, then there can be no doubt that you will enjoy this (sometimes sickeningly) sweet recreation.
Cinderella is available to buy from 24th August 2015* | Words: AH
Child 44
Child 44 is an adaptation of a book by Tom Rob Smith with the same title. It stars Tom Hardy as Leo Demidov – an MGB agent in Stalin’s Russia investigating a spate of child murders. However in the midst of his investigations, his superiors and colleagues warn him not to pursue the case, as murder is supposedly a capitalist phenomena, and does not happen in this socialist paradise. Leo must solve the murders and catch the killer – and all whilst being pursued by fellow MGB agents sent to halt him. The writing in Child 44 is excellent, and engaging throughout what is quite a lengthy movie. There are no cartoon villains; just ordinary people having to function their best in a repressive and paranoid society. The extremes of Soviet society – the lawless and the ruthless authority – are presented with the killer and MGB Sergeant Vasily (Joel Kinnaman).
The actors are also on top form, particularly Hardy, Noomi Rapace as Raisa and Gary Oldman as General Nesterov. The one complaint I personally have is that Hardy seems to suffer from a lack of facial expression, but since that seems to be a constant flaw in every movie he is in, it doesn’t necessarily affect this film in a negative way. The one problem that both critics and fans had with Child 44 was it’s length. Clocking in at 2 hours and 17 minutes, the film is lengthy and can sometimes feel a bit bogged down in itself. That said, I really enjoyed Child 44. True, it has it’s faults, but the acting is excellent, the story is gripping and I honestly believe it’s criminally underrated by critics and moviegoers alike.
Child 44 is available to buy from 24th August 2015* | Words: GR
Far From The Madding Crowd
Movie adaptations of classic novels can be hit or miss for a variety of reasons; many can’t resist a period drama, while others only enjoy the faithful adaptations, and some would just rather eat razorblades than watch sequences of rolling hills and corseted women. The latest incarnation of Thomas Hardy’s Far From The Madding Crowd, however, is a definite hit. Starring the extraordinary Carey Mulligan as Bathsheba Everdeen, the film tells the story of an orphaned young woman who must make her own way in the world, whilst also juggling three suitors; a shepherd (played by Matthias Schoenaerts – a definite one to watch), a wealthy farmer (Michael Sheen) and a soldier (Tom Sturridge).
It may sound cliché at first glance, but it is nothing but; Mulligan plays the early feminist figure of Bathsheba with glorious grace and talent, and the three principal men are each frighteningly interesting, diverse characters portrayed by three masterfully skilled actors. The film is beautiful to behold, too; striking cinematography and wonderful direction from Thomas Vinterberg pair with the medley of wonderful performances to create an entrancing cinematic experience unlike many others of its kind. Its also one of the most faithful adaptations you’ll find, taking Hardy’s wonderful novel and staying really rather truthful to it, with any differences being omissions of less important features rather than drastic changes. If you’re a passionate hater of period dramas then there is unlikely to be one that will change your mind, but if you’re on the fence or an avid lover, Far From The Madding Crowd won’t disappoint.
Far From The Madding Crowd is available to buy from 31st August 2015* | Words: AB
Also out on DVD and Blu-ray this month*: Robot Overlords (10th), The Water Diviner (10th), Get Hard (10th), Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (17th), A Little Chaos (24th), Run All Night (24th) and Monsters: Dark Continent (31st).
*Please note that all release dates referenced are UK only. International release dates may differ.
Words by Amie Bailey, Nana Gongadze, Lauryn Green, Annie Honeyball, Gabriel Rutherford and Kirstie Sutherland.
Compiled by Annie Honeyball