Blu Tuesday is a weekly column where we review the newest Blu-ray and 4K releases, along with a brief rundown of the included bonus material, to determine whether they’re worth buying, renting or skipping.
Pick of the Week: “Belfast”
Loosely based on writer/director Kenneth Branagh’s childhood in Northern Ireland during the start of a violent conflict known as The Troubles, “Belfast” is a very personal film that works both as a historical document and a loving tribute to family and home, and the strength they bring even in the worst of times. Though the movie is painted in pretty broad strokes — it feels more like a collection of memories told through the eyes of Jude Hill’s youthfully innocent Buddy — it’s enriched by some fabulously low-key performances from Caitriona Balfe, Ciarán Hinds and Judi Dench. Haris Zambarloukos’s gorgeous black-and-white cinematography is also incredibly effective in its simplicity. And yet, while “Belfast” is undoubtedly a charming little film that benefits greatly from its lean runtime, it lacks the emotional punch to make it truly memorable.
Extras include an audio commentary by Branagh, a behind-the-scenes look at making the film, interviews with the cast, deleted scenes and more. FINAL VERDICT: RENT
Disclosure: Bullz-Eye was provided a copy of the above titles for review purposes.
