Release Date: August 16, 2011

Rating: R

Running Time: 108 minutes

Based on the acclaimed memoir by Greg Marinovich and Joao Silva, THE BANG BANG CLUB is the real life story of a group of four young combat photographers — Greg Marinovich (Ryan Phillippe), Joao Silva, Kevin Carter (Taylor Kitsch) and Ken Oosterbroek — bonded by friendship and their sense of purpose to tell the truth. In the thrilling vein of Blood Diamond and Hotel Rwanda, this Official Selection of the Tribeca Film Festival and a 2011 major market theatrical release, will arrive on blu-ray and DVD this August…only from Entertainment One.

Risking their lives to show the world of the brutality and violence associated with the first free elections in post Apartheid South Africa in the early 90s, THE BANG BANG CLUB tells the remarkable and sometimes harrowing true story of these four photographers, recounting their relationships and the stresses, tensions and moral dilemmas of working in situations of extreme violence, pain and suffering. And, while this intense political period brought out their best work — two won Pulitzers – it also cost them a heavy price. Exploring the thrill, danger and moral dilemmas associated with exposing the truth, this highly acclaimed and compelling film from director Steven Silver, also starring Malink Ackerman, has been called “a haunting lesson in war-zone journalism… excitingly capturing [a] chaotic era.

Maybe art imitates life here in The Bang Bang Club because this film is more visually stunning than I could have ever anticipated, especially on Blu-Ray. In fact, the visuals are what make the story so captivating. And no, I am not talking about Ryan Phillippe and Taylor Kitsch being eye candy here. That’s not at all what I am talking about. Their characters are covering the aftermath of the apartheid in South Africa and are risking their lives in this foreign territory with every step that they take. Following these photographers as they take that risk, well, it is one exhilarating journey. The violence that these photographers witness is striking to say the least.

Unfortunately, there’s a bit of a distracting focus on a relationship between one of the photographers and Malin Akerman’s character. So there are aspects in the film that are clearly all about enticing the typical viewer. These elements take away from the film and actually slow the film down. Though with all of the action that goes on, believe it or not, the pace is quite slow anyway. Every photo has a message but it seems at times that’s all the writers aimed for… the images to tell the story. So with that said, there’s not as much depth to the story or main characters as I would have liked. I am a character girl so while the story may be about the natives in South Africa, I also need to really know, understand, and connect with the people that are following the natives. Plus, there’s a lot to this story that could have made it into the film and clearly didn’t, so it is hard to say where I would rate this film if I were to rate it.

When it comes down to it, The Bang Bang Club does not come close to delivering the true story at hand like Hotel Rwanda told. It tells a story but is not as moving as it could have been. I’d watch a documentary or read the memoir from which this film is based on in an instant and before watching the film again. Take your pick, the film or the memoir.

Bonus Features:

* Making-of Featurette

* Audio Commentary with Director, Steven Silver

* Deleted Scenes

* Kgosi Mongake Interviews Cast & Crew

* Slideshow

Own The Bang Bang Club on Blu-Ray and DVD today.