Invictus follows the true story of how South African President, Nelson Mandela helped unite his country by way of the rugby team. Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon, Invictus is an inspirational movie made all the more interesting because it’s based in fact.

Eastwood, whose acting career serves him well as a director, understands the importance of character and takes time to nurture strong yet subtle nuances out of his stars. It also doesn’t hurt that Morgan Freeman is a master of understatement to begin with, who delivers a powerful punch on screen.

Eastwood and his movies seem to be an award season staple and Invictus will no doubt join the ranks of his other worthy films.

The Lovely Bones is a both beautiful and disturbing story that follows the murder 14-year-old Susie Salmon (Saorise Ronan), and the aftereffects on her family, friends and community. Susie continues to watch over her family – and her killer from heaven, but her thoughts are hardly angelic. Susie is torn between vengeance and healing her family.

Peter Jackson (Lord of the Rings trilogy) creates a visually stunning film in the most horrifying of circumstances. And oddly, the dreamy qualities enhance rather than interfering with the storytelling.

Ronan, who blew audience away with her Oscar-nominated role in Atonement, delivers another powerful turn in The Lovely Bones.

Stanley Tucci should probably set aside plenty of time for award season. As the neighbor who actually commits the murders, Tucci gives a frighteningly good performance that is the essence of creepy and sinister.

The Lovely Bones, based on the bestselling book by Alice Sebold, probably won’t disappoint fans of that novel. However, the movie is a tough journey on an emotional level – and one that should be taken with that information in mind before going in to see it.