Filmmaker/Certified Genius Andrei Tarkovsky created a small, but exceptionally powerful group of films in his lifetime. One of his greatest - Solaris - has recently been issued on Blu-Ray for the first time by the incomparable Criterion Collection. A stunning visual feast, the improved image resolution brings to life Tarkovsky's futuristic vision as never seen since the release in 1972.
Why should you go out and buy it? What is so special about Solaris? Here is a brief synopsis from Criterion:
Ground control has been receiving mysterious transmissions from the three remaining residents of the Solaris space station. When cosmonaut and psychologist Kris Kelvin is dispatched to investigate, he experiences the same strange phenomena that afflict the Solaris crew, sending him on a voyage into the darkest recesses of his consciousness. With Solaris, the legendary Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky created a brilliantly original science-fiction epic that challenges our conceptions about love, truth, and humanity itself.
But that is only half the story. Like the other works of Tarkovsky (especially the brilliant Stalker) much of the film centers around psychology, and will continue to haunt you long after the final frame.
Go to Criterion and buy it here.
Side Note: Steven Soderbergh remade the film in 2002 with George Clooney in the lead role. While it was an admirable take on the original source novel, it is an exercise in futility to attempt a remake of such a monolithic, classic of film history.
Why should you go out and buy it? What is so special about Solaris? Here is a brief synopsis from Criterion:
Ground control has been receiving mysterious transmissions from the three remaining residents of the Solaris space station. When cosmonaut and psychologist Kris Kelvin is dispatched to investigate, he experiences the same strange phenomena that afflict the Solaris crew, sending him on a voyage into the darkest recesses of his consciousness. With Solaris, the legendary Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky created a brilliantly original science-fiction epic that challenges our conceptions about love, truth, and humanity itself.
But that is only half the story. Like the other works of Tarkovsky (especially the brilliant Stalker) much of the film centers around psychology, and will continue to haunt you long after the final frame.
Go to Criterion and buy it here.
Side Note: Steven Soderbergh remade the film in 2002 with George Clooney in the lead role. While it was an admirable take on the original source novel, it is an exercise in futility to attempt a remake of such a monolithic, classic of film history.
