For this week’s Blu-rays for the Weekend we’re focusing on space exploration movies in homage to the final mission of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. So if you’re stuck for ideas this weekend, why not try out one of the following:
Apo
llo 13
What better way to commemorate the final voyage of the space Shuttle Atlantis, than by watching another come to life on BD?
Ron Howard directs a stellar cast including Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton and Kevin Bacon in this nail-biting true life tale of the ill-fated Apollo 13 crew. The film was a box office smash on its release in 1995 and it still stands up to today’s standards thanks to a flawless BD transfer. Special features include three documentaries on the legacy of the mission, as well as a behind the scenes look at filming in zero-gravity and interviews with the cast and crew.
Moon
This smart, provocative film directed by Duncan Jones centres around the multilayered performance of actor Sam Rockwell as a lonely mining employee stationed on the Moon. With a computer voiced by Kevin Spacey as his only companion, this sensitively made drama and its haunting score are sure to leave a lasting impression. Supplemental materials include audio commentaries, interviews with set designers and visual effects specialists as well as interview excerpts with director Jones from his appearances at the Science Centre and Sundance Film Festival in 2009.
Alien Anthology
Often referred to as having redefined the parameters of sci-fi, this BD collection of all four Alien films is arguably one of the finest box sets available. Sigourney Weaver stars as Officer Ripley in the quartet of tales which see her fight for survival against alien life forms. With extras including director introductions and commentaries from James Cameron and Ridley Scott, deleted and extended scenes, over 12 hours of documentaries on weapons, set design and special effects, this BD provides a lifetime of insights on the famous franchise.
So what do you think of our choices? Hit the comments to tell us your space-bound suggestions, or tell us what else you’ll be looking forward to watching on Blu-ray this weekend.
