BluTuesday - January 10, 2017
What’s going on, ProFans? I’m taking a break from thawing out of this Southern freeze to bring you the latest releases to home media for January 10, 2017. In this week’s episode, we discuss tragedy inspired by true events, a really awkward hired hand, more tragedy inspired by true events, a great documentary, espionage, and one of television’s best. Let’s not waste any time and get right to it.
Deepwater Horizon (PG-13)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 83%
On April 20, 2010, the Deepwater Horizon offshore oil rig exploded, dumping tons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. This is the story of Mike Williams (Mark Wahlberg) and his fellow coworkers struggling to contain and survive this disaster. This film, which also stars Kurt Russell, John Malkovich, and Gina Rodriguez, is available in a two disc 4K UltraHD/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD version. I’m not too sure how to feel about this movie; on the one hand, it does give a look at the unsung heroes who helped to save the rig as best they could. On the other hand…it’s Mark Wahlberg. On top of that, it’s ending is rather disappointing, as it was in real life. So, take that for what it’s worth.
The Accountant (R)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 51%
Ben Affleck plays Christian Wolff, a math savant who works as an accountant for some of the most dangerous criminal organizations the world has ever known. However, when the Treasury Department’s Crime Enforcement Division, run by Ray King (J.K. Simmons) starts to close in on him, he takes a legitimate client with big money issues. As Christian and accountant Dana Cummings (Anna Kendrick) start to close in on the discrepancies, they immediately put their lives at risk. This film, which also stars Jon Bernthal, Jeffrey Tambor, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson, is available in a two disc 4K UltraHD/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD version. This movie could be good, but the way that Hollywood as a whole plays autistic characters gives me pause.
Birth of a Nation (R)
Rotten Tomatoes rating: 72%
Set in the Antebellum South, this film tells the story of Nat Turner (Nate Parker), a literate slave and preacher who witnesses countless atrocities to his fellow slaves. Inspired by God, he leads a rebellion that he hopes will set his people free from their lives of tyranny. This film, which also stars Armie Hammer, Colman Domingo, and Aunjanue Ellis, is available in a two disc 4K UltraHD/Blu-ray + Digital Copy version, a two disc Blu-ray/DVD + Digital Copy version, and a single disc DVD + Digital Copy version. Okay, let’s get the elephant out of the room: I did not watch this movie, and it’s not because I’m sick of slave narratives. No; I didn’t watch this movie because I can’t find it in my heart to support a man who – along with his friend and co-author of this film – raped a woman and got off. If you can, then good for you. I can’t, and I ain’t.
Black America Since MLK: And Still I Rise
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. takes a journey through 50 years of African-American history in this groundbreaking PBS series. Joined by scholars, celebrities, and other history makers, Gates goes from the time of Dr. King and the Civil Rights Movement to today and asks the difficult questions about where Black America and this nation stands today. This series is available in a two disc Blu-ray version and a two disc DVD version. Now, more than ever, it’s important to know our history, know where we came from, and know where we’re headed going forward.
Homeland: The Complete Fifth Season
Two years after leaving the CIA, Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) finds herself working at a private security firm set out of Berlin. But, when she discovers that she can’t run away from her past, she has to use only her wiles and wit to uncover a deadly conspiracy and save countless lives – including her own. This series, which also stars Rupert Friend, Sebastian Koch, and Miranda Otto, is available in a three disc Blu-ray version and a four disc DVD version. You know it’s sometimes very difficult to describe something, no matter how hard you try? That’s where I am with this show. It started off fantastic, but I have no idea what happened after that. If you’ve been in it this long, why stop now?
Mr. Robot: Season Two
USA’s critically acclaimed show is back for another season of technological intrigue. Elliot Anderson (Rami Malek) is still working for fsociety, run by the enigmatic Mr. Robot (Christian Slater). After they took down multinational company Evil Corp last season, this season deals with the fallout of their actions, and deals with the illusion of control. This series, which also stars Carly Chaikin, Portia Doubleday, and Martin Wallström, is available in a three disc Blu-ray + Digital Copy version and a four disc DVD version. This show has been a thrill ride from the moment it showed up on TV, and it shows no signs of stopping now. Definitely check it out.
That’s all I’ve got for this week. Got any questions or comments? Did I miss something you wanted to discuss? Feel free to hit me up in the comments section below.
Until next time…
