District 9

To think that this film was vying for the Best Picture award last year along with Avataar and didn't get a word in. What a tragedy - but appropriate that Avataar didn't get it eventually either, which would have been a greater tragedy. A far superior movie is District 9, a story of the rehabilitation of aliens in Jo'burg that goes totally wrong, but at another level, goes totally as per the usual human plan. Neill Blomkamp's first feature that's strong in its depth and accompanied by brilliant acting by Sharlto Copley & the various prawns. Backed up by fine action, effects and cinematography - and avoiding cheesy love stories & moralising of any kind - especially the nauseating "green" variety. Look forward to many more films from the duo.

Rating : * * * +

Tsotsi

Tsosti is South African slang for thug. That's exactly what the protagonist in the film is until he is saddled with a baby after a brutal robbery. Holding the baby awakens compassion and a need to nurture in the hardened criminal. But his means of expressing them still remain feral.

In a city where urban wastelands is cuddled by glittering wealth, Tsosti is the creation of this intercourse. The film does not try to highlight this problem or present a solution. It shows things as it is without any excuses.

Rating: * * +

Cape of Good Hope

Kate (Debbie Brown) runs an animal shelter home in Good Hope, South Africa. She is ably helped by Sharifa (Quanita Adams) a Muslim and Jean Claude (Eriq Ebouaney), a Congo immigrant. Kate's shelter is open to animals of all shapes, sizes and temperaments. The only issue is that she extends the same principle to her love life. Coupling her problems with those of her co-workers the director explores the race and class issues still running rampant in post Apartheid South Africa with a touch of humor.

Rating: * * *