This is a title from Warner Bros. that came out almost a month ago (May 14th), but since I was unable to then, I’d like to profile it now.  It is a film I first saw at TIFF last September and for almost three hours equal parts drew me in and intrigued me.

The film is Cloud Atlas, directed by the Wachowski siblings.  Based on a novel by David Mitchell, Cloud Atlas is a story of a thousand years and how everything is connected through past, present, and future.  Some may find the fractured narrative and actors playing multiple roles through the ages confusing, but it is a fascinating piece of filmmaking that I found really worked.

For the visuals, costuming, and makeup, as well as the ideas the film presents alone it is one worth checking out.  The score by Tom Tykwer, Johnny Klimek, & Reinhold Heil is also worth paying extra attention to – the piece ‘The Cloud Atlas Sextet for Orchestra’ which factors into the storylines of the film was one of the best single pieces of music written for film last year.

Whether you are looking for a gift for Father’s Day or have been meaning to get a copy of this one for yourself, it is now available on Blu-ray for your enjoyment.  It is one that you will want to see more than once.

The Cloud Atlas Blu-ray includes the following special features:

• A Film Like No Other: See how three visionary directors came together, divided their tasks and created a cohesive masterpiece

• Everything Is Connected: The cast and filmmakers delve deeper into the connections that tie the story together

• Spaceships, Slaves & Sextets: Unravel the mysteries, themes and subtext of Cloud Atlas with the cast, filmmakers, author and producers

• The Bold Science Fiction of Cloud Atlas: Explore the film’s cutting edge future with tales of cloning and extra planetary exploration

• And More!

Cloud Atlas is 172 minutes, and is rated 14A for coarse language, sexual content, and graphic violence.

You can read John C.’s article on the film here, and his TIFF capsule review here.

– Erin V.