DVD Pick of the Week: Across the Universe

Even with all of the worthy releases this week, choosing the week's pick was an easy task. The one DVD that all of you need to see is Across the Universe. It is also known as the Beatles musical, although the PR machine was not allowed to mention the name Beatles in the advertising. Strange, don't you think? I believe the figure paid for the rights to the music was somewhere in the realm of $8.5 million, with that rider as part of the contract. They were able to get around it by using quotes from critics mentioning the musical source.

The film is absolutely incredible, earning a spot on my top ten list for 2007. Across the Universe takes you on a musical journey through the 1960s, the era of free love and living with no rules through the Civil Rights Movement and the Vietnam War. All of these events are characterized by a series of Beatles songs, sung by characters with Beatles-inspired names. The story is timeless and could just as easily have been set in modern times. It is so relevant it is scary. Despite the similarities to the modern world, I do not sense any particular agenda or political statement. Perhaps that is just me being naive and not wanting to see it, but I don't think so. It is so much more about the characters and the journey that they take as they navigate the choppy waters of the real world as they grow and mature as individuals.

What can I say? This is a great film. Of course, it was received with wildly mixed reviews. It has inspired a love it or hate it response in just about everyone who has seen it. Maybe you should not take my assessment blindly, but I have to strongly recommend that you give it some consideration.

Here is where my love affair started, with the trailer:

The DVD is being released as a two-disk special edition, as well as on Blu-ray and PSP (do people still buy those movies?). Here is a look at the specs from the press release:

BLU-RAY DISC™/TWO-DISC DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Eight extended musical performances
• Deleted Scene: “And I Love Her” – with Dana Fuchs and Martin Luther McCoy
• Commentary from director Taymor and composer Elliot Goldenthal
• 5 featurettes:
• “Stars of Tomorrow” – an inside look at the cast of rising stars
• “All About the Music” – an inside look at the film’s unforgettable music
• “FX on the Universe” – exploring the film’s visual effects with VFX supervisor Kyle Cooper
• "Creating the Universe” – cast and crew discuss the making of the film
• “Moving Across the Universe” – a featurette on the choreography including an interview with choreographer Daniel Ezralow

Article Author: Chris Beaumont

Christopher Beaumont spends much of his time writing about music and movies when he isn't indulging in them. He is always ready to talk about his favorite form of entertainment and offer up recommendations. Follow: Twitter and Tumblr. Visit: Critical Outcast. …

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