Dvd To Get

The Raid 2: Berandal is finally out on dvd and I'm so late realizing it until an hour ago.  But that's ok, I'm  about to head straight for a Target or Best Buy and pick it up.   Not many dvds I buy anymore, but this is certainly an exception.  Might even get this on blueray, too.   Oh shit, it's on now!

Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom

Based on Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom is indeed a powerful film that aptly focuses on the the character and spirit of him.  The film is great in scope and ambition, as one might expect.  So there are always going to be things to criticize and oversights made.  What makes this such a standout film beyond the obvious undertaking of the subject matter, is the incredible acting ability of Idris Elba.  I easily compare his performance to be on par with that of Forest Whitaker in The Last King Of Scotland.  Chronicling the early life of Mandela prior to his long stint in prison and on to his election as president, Elba's performance magnificently portrays the complexity that went into forging the latter public image and character most people are aware of.   After a while you actually forget that your looking at Idris as Mandela.  Nevermind the makeup process, the essence of the man is actually radiating from Elba and that's the best kind of acting.  It's hard to undertake such a large movie that could cover a life as Mandela's and the film does fall short in its completeness of that, but the reward of a singular acting performance is certainly realized.

Her

Undoubtedly, this is writer and director Spike Jones best film. Joaquin Phoenix stars as Theodore, a lonely and talented writer of the old school "art" of composing personal letters for people, in a just ever so slightly futuristic world where everyone is even more plugged into their computers.  Now facing a divorce from his estranged wife (Rooney Mara),  he finds reprieve in his new operating system named Samantha (Scarlett Johansson).  This is no Android or Windows system, but a customized system that can seemingly get to know its user and expand its learning in behavior, conversation, empathy, and feeling.  As you may expect, Theodore and Samantha then begin to bond in a way that speaks to the very heart of what we deem as relationships and love.  It is the unexpected evolution of that most unusual relationship and how it applies and redefines universal humanity and all its implications, that is the main thrust of the film.  Her is also a film, that without being overt in science fiction, bridges the gap between the traditional human love story and that of the implied romance in something like the classic Blade Runner between the character Deckart (Harrison Ford) and Rachael (Sean Young).  Perhaps even more obvious, is the look and inevitable evolution of our technologically oriented society and how it will eventually come full circle in clashing with our own flaws, prejudices, and injustices. Even more so, Her explores and goes beyond our own evolution to perhaps give a glimmer into the abyss of what we fear and strive for, the very meaning of life. Phoenix gives a well deserved Oscar nominated performance throughout this truly unique film that has, heart, humor, thoughtful reflection, and universal themes that everyone can take away from.