Warner Bros. Pictures presents Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon in 'Invictus,' a look into the mind of Nelson Mandela 

By Eunice Moseley

"I thank whatever gods may be for my unconquerable soul...I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul," are the words that ring throughout the Warner Bros. Picture presentation "Invictus," a story about how the mind of South Africa's heroic icon Nelson Mandela works.

That quote is from a poem by William Ernest Henley which Mandela recited throughout his 27 year imprisonment (for his political views) and it gave him the passion to not give in. Nelson believes this poem gave him what he needed to survive so that he could one day walk away from the South African prison - still intact with his soul.

"Invictus" stars Academy Award winners Morgan Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as Francois Plenaar, the captain of the rugby team, Springboks. Mandela uses the team to unite a nation that was divided by race. The film gives the audience a look into the mind of a very very wise man.

The film shows how Nelson used what was in front of him to not only show South Africans that they are more powerful as one, but to also show the world that South Africa is worthy of their investment.

"Mandela was asked who he'd like to play him, he said Morgan Freeman," said Morgan when asked if he received the blessing from Mandela to play him. "When he said he'd prefer I be the one to play him...I had to start then (preparing for the role). I contacted him shortly afterwards. I said I have to have access to you, touch your hand."

Freeman explained that he went to lunch and dinner with Nelson just holding his hand.

Morgan said," I have to feel your energy, see how you feel...the hardest challenge was sounding like him."
As you will see in the film he conquered that as well as Mandela's walk, facial expressions and posture. Morgan, in my opinion, gave another Academy Award winning performance.

Directed by Clint Eastwood ("Million Dollar Baby") and produced by Rob Lorenz, Mace Neufeld and Lori McCreary "Invictus" is based on a book, "Playing the Enemy," by John Carlin.

The movie will make you cry, laugh, gasp in horror - at how one human can treat another - and in the end make you cheer when the South African rugby team went beyond what they thought they could do to win the 1995 World Cup Championship.

"First thing I did when I read the script was to call Clint and say, 'This can't be true?'," said Matt Damon about the unbelievably true story of how newly elected president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, used an under-rated rugby team - that blacks cheered against - and motivated them to win the world cup and in the process united a nation. "I also said the guy is huge, I'm only 5'11"!"

Matt admitted that he worked hard on Francois' accent. He visited the rugby captains' home and learned more about him and in the process gain a good friend.

The screenplay was written by South African native Anthony Peckham ("Sherlock Holmes") and "Invictus" was executive produced by Freeman, Tim Moore, Gary barber and Roger Bimbaum.

"Mandela is about challenging people to succeed," said co-producer Lori McCreary, who is a producing partner of Morgan Freeman. "Morgan got him down good...Morgan and I hope to screen it with him in South African...Mandela is really excited for us to be there."

"Invictus" hits theaters December 11, 2009. You can find out more on the film by logging onto www.Invictusmovie.warnerbros.com.  

Marques Houston releases a music video for each song on his current CD, 'Mr. Houston'
Co-founder and lead vocalist in the Pop/R&B group Immature/IMx and an outstanding comedic and dramatic actor who has starred in such television shows as "Sister Sister" and "Cuts," has a marketing campaign for his current solo release, "Mr. Houston," that will make history.

The campaign calls for a music video for all 12 songs on the album. It also includes a perfect Christmas stocking stuffer, a DVD, for the CD release that is available just in time for Christmas.

"Timing," said Marques Houston is what is important when asked about the gap between albums. "An artist gets the feeling...I felt like recording. I actually started recording right after the last album."

So far from what I can see Houston has released nine music videos of the twelve song on the CD which include "How I do" released in September with Marques sporting an expensive looking suit; my favorite of all the videos, "Case of You," which has the veteran performer doing his famous dance moves; "Date" and "Sunset," which has Houston in all white on the beach playing a classical guitar, were both released in October; "Circles," also released in October, has amassed almost three million views; "Body" released in November has him singing tenor (watch out Prince) and "Favorite Girl" - also released in November - has over a million views. Other releases include the first single "I Love Her" and the second single "Sexy Young Thing" which Houston say is his favorite because it is a bit jazzy and has live instruments.

The CD comes with a new production team (Detail/Akon and Christina Aguilera, Jay Bynum, and Alex Cantrell) and label Musicworks Entertainment, which he co-owns with Jerome "Romeo" Jones (also a co-founder of the group Immature/IMx), distributed by TUG/Universal Music.

"Mr. Houston" is Marques' four solo project. After the disbandment of the group Houston's first solo CD was "MH" followed by "Naked," which reach number 13 on the Billboard Charts and number five on the R&B/Hip-Hop Charts, and "Veteran," the last CD, which also reach number five on Billboard 200 Chart and number one on Billboards' Top R&B/Hip-Hop Charts. Marques was also featured on the 50 Cent remix of "Candy Shop."

Watch out for the new Chris Stokes directed movie "Boogie Town" in 2010, a modern day West Side Story where Marques Houston stars along with Brenda Song and Vanessa Simmons. The film dance routines are choreographed by Shane Sparks. In this film you will really get to see the dance skills of Houston.

For more on the "Mr. Houston" CD log onto www.Marques-Houston.com, www.myspace.com/marqueshouston, www.youtube.com/mrhouston08, or you can twit him at www.twitter.com/marqueshouston.