Available on Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD, On Demand and for Download 3/15!
It's rare to see a movie about the afterlife that isn't completely slathered in some rambling message about what you should believe. It's actually quite the rarity. I was skeptical going into Hereafter because that was just what I was afraid it would do: confront me with a religious or belief system and spend two hours trying to convince me that it was right. Thankfully, Clint Eastwood proved that I should never have doubted him, and delivered a rather subdued film less about the afterlife and more about those who stick around after loved ones die.
The film, of course, has been in the news lately because it opens with a giant tsunami that kills a lot of people. That's led to WB pulling it from Japan because they want to be sensitive, which is a pretty smart idea. But don't think that the tsunami is the focal point of the movie. Sure, it's a turning point for one of the film's three main characters, but the destruction and the storm itself are surprisingly - refreshingly - underplayed.
The movie is possibly one of my favorites I've seen this year. Like, say, HBO's The Sunset Limited, which deals with the afterlife as well, Hereafter doesn't tell you what to think; it lets you think. Of course, you wouldn't expect anything less coming from Clint Eastwood, whose directing style is just as distinct as his gravelly voice.
Should you buy this movie? Definitely. The Blu-ray includes a lot of special features that includes a bunch of short "Focus Point" videos and a look at Eastwood's thirty-five-year career with Warner Bros. But even if you haven't made the upgrade to Blu-ray yet, the movie is worth the price of the DVD -- provided you're into thinking a little bit.
You can order the film on Blu-ray/DVD combo pack for $18.49. 
Check out the official site.
