By Bob Bloom The following Blu-rays and DVDs are being released on Tuesday, Jan. 12: The Martian (Blu-ray + Ultraviolet) Details: 2015, Fox Home Entertainment Rated: PG-13, language, disturbing images, nudity The lowdown: This magnificent and stirring achievement is a celebration of man’s ingenuity and resourcefulness. Producer-director Ridley Scott has created an inspiring and thrilling feature that is a public-relations coup for NASA. It’s the performance of Matt Damon, as astronaut Mark Watney, which sells “The Martian.” Watney, a botanist, is stranded on Mars after his crew, believing he was killed in a fierce storm, aborts its mission and blasts off for Earth. Realizing he is alone, Watney must not only devise a way to survive, but find a way to signal Earth that he is alive. Damon’s portrayal is one of the strongest and best of his career. Watching the film on your home screen does diminish some of the impact of the vastness and isolation that Watney endures as he battles to survive and await rescue. That, however, is nitpicking because “The Martian” is one of the best films of the year.
New to View: Jan. 12
New to View: Jan. 12
New to View: Jan. 12
By Bob Bloom The following Blu-rays and DVDs are being released on Tuesday, Jan. 12: The Martian (Blu-ray + Ultraviolet) Details: 2015, Fox Home Entertainment Rated: PG-13, language, disturbing images, nudity The lowdown: This magnificent and stirring achievement is a celebration of man’s ingenuity and resourcefulness. Producer-director Ridley Scott has created an inspiring and thrilling feature that is a public-relations coup for NASA. It’s the performance of Matt Damon, as astronaut Mark Watney, which sells “The Martian.” Watney, a botanist, is stranded on Mars after his crew, believing he was killed in a fierce storm, aborts its mission and blasts off for Earth. Realizing he is alone, Watney must not only devise a way to survive, but find a way to signal Earth that he is alive. Damon’s portrayal is one of the strongest and best of his career. Watching the film on your home screen does diminish some of the impact of the vastness and isolation that Watney endures as he battles to survive and await rescue. That, however, is nitpicking because “The Martian” is one of the best films of the year.