Earlier today I watched the Academy Award nominated film, Life of Pi, in Digital HD that I downloaded from iTunes last night. The film is available on many digital formats – Amazon Instant Video, CinemaNow, Google Play, iTunes, Kindle Fire, NOOK Video, PlayStation, VUDU, Xbox Video and YouTube – four weeks before the film will be available on Blu-ray, DVD and Video On Demand (VOD). It’s selling for under $15.00 (it was $14.99 on iTunes). You can enjoy this epic film on your HDTV, tablet and even Smartphone.
Life of Pi is available before the Academy Awards which air Sunday, February 24, 2013. It’s been nominated with an impressive 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director, Ang Lee. If you would like to see what why this incredible film was nominated for so many awards, now is your time to find out. You can download and enjoy the film today!
Life of Pi is a visual masterpiece. It’s best enjoyed in Digital HD so that you can immerse yourself into the stunning cinematography.
“Today, digital platforms offer us greater flexibility to innovate our consumer offerings,” said Mary Daily, President of Worldwide Marketing and Chief Marketing Officer, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. “Revisiting the magical world that Ang Lee has created with Life of Pi on Digital HD gives audiences the choice to enjoy this beautiful masterpiece on the device of their choice.”
I didn’t know that Life of Pi was based on a novel. It was written by Yann Martel and has been published in 40 languages. A friend of mine read the book and said “The book was one of the best I’ve ever read“. Now that I have experienced the film I need to pick up a copy of the book and see how the two compare.
Life of Pi was brought to life on the big screen by Academy Award winning Director Ang Lee. The film has been hailed as a …
…magical adventure of hope, wonder, survival, and the power of the human spirit has been celebrated by critics all over the world. A magnificent and moving (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) motion picture event that has been hailed as a masterpiece (Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times).
Life of Pi made a whopping $500 million dollars in the box office. Had I know how incredible this film was going to be I would have made sure to see it in the theater. If the film visually stunning on my 23″ HD screen at home, I cannot even begin to imagine what it would have been like to see the film on the big screen where everything is larger than life – just like this film.
Here is an brief movie synopsis of Life of Pi.
Life of Pi follows Pi Patel, a young man on a fateful voyage who, after a spectacular disaster, is marooned on a lifeboat with the only other survivor, a fearsome 450 lb Bengal Tiger named Richard Parker. Hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery Pi and his majestic companion make an amazing and unexpected connection.
The movie started off a little slow for me, but it was important to show viewers what Pi’s life was like before his life changing journey. The film touches base on why his name is Pi. His real name is Piscine, and he was named after a pool.
Pi was born and raised as a Hindu. When he was a young teen he discovered Christianity and the Islam. He dabbled in all three religions, much to his family’s dismay. Pi was curious about God and was fascinated by how each religion viewed God.
The film does have plenty of religious references, especially to God. One of my most favorite quotes from the film had to do with God and religion;
Pi: Faith is a house with many rooms.
Writer: But no room for doubt?
Pi: Oh pleanty, on every floor. Doubt is useful, it keeps faith a living thing. After all, you cannot know the strength of your faith until it’s tested.
Pi’s family owned a Zoo, so he grew up around animals, even a ferocious Bengal Tiger name Richard Parker (there is a reason for his unusual name).
When Pi was a teenager his father decided to sell the zoo and the animals and move his family to Canada. On their journey they were going to take a few of the animals from the zoo. The family and the animals never made it to Canada. While crossing the Pacific Ocean the ship sank, leaving Pi stranded all alone on a lifeboat along with some unexpected survivors.
What happens next will put his faith to the test…
I’m still trying to digest the film. It’s nothing like what I expected – it’s a million times BETTER.
Life of Pi is a deeply moving film. Dare I say it’s like a religious experience. Don’t get me wrong. This is NOT a film about religion, although it does play a very large part in the film. It’s also a film about family, love, friendship, courage, perseverance, survival, fear, hope, inspiration and of course faith.
Visually I have never seen anything like this before. I was in awe of the film, especially Pi’s journey across the Pacific Ocean. The movie is absolutely beautiful and breathtaking. At times it made me wish I could jump into the screen and experience Pi’s surroundings with him.
There were only a few scenes I could have done without, which mostly involved the animals. I don’t like animals killing other animals and I don’t like to see animals frightened or suffering. I hope it’s a part of life and it happens every day, but I don’t like to see it.
It’s no wonder that Life of Pi was nominated for 11 Academy Awards.
Best Picture – This film was nominated for the ultimate of Oscars, Best Picture. After watching the film I can see why it’s nominated for Best Picture. If it wasn’t nominated I would have been shocked.
Cinematography – Claudio Miranda has been a member of the American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) since 2009. Hands down this film has one of the most amazing cinematography I have ever seen. I have no doubt that the film will take how this award.
Directing – Ang Lee is no stranger to awards season having won many accolades, including an Oscar for Brokeback Mountain. Life of Pi is Suraj Sharma’s first-ever acting gig and he did an amazing job, especially never having acted before.
Film Editing – Nominated before for Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Tim Squyres forms a great story told partly in the present day and also in flashbacks.
Music – Original Score – Mychael Danna composed the sweeping score for this epic masterpiece.
Music – Original Song – Mychael Danna and Bombay Jayashri wrote the beautiful song “Pi’s Lullaby” for the film.
Production Design – David Gropman and Anna Pinnock worked tirelessly to create the extraordinary world of Life of Pi through their production and set design. The set and production designs are huge, integral aspects to Life of Pi.
Sound Editing – Eugene Gearty and Philip Stockton worked in the sound department for Pi, pulling from the many sounds of nature Pi hears and experiences.
Sound Mixing – Ron Bartlett, D.M. Hemphill and Drew Kunin mixed the many sounds in Life of Pi, balancing the nature, dialogue, score, etc.
Visual Effects – Bill Westenhofer, Guillaume Rocheron, Erik-Jan De Boer and Donald R. Elliott all worked on the breathtaking visual effects that help bring Pi to life. One of the most visually stunning films of the year, Life of Pi gives audiences a different experience from other movies, as they feel transported alongside Pi.
Writing – Adapted Screenplay – David Magee adapted Yann Martel’s best selling novel and added certain details to create a more visual representation of the story.
If you haven’t seen Life of Pi yet I would certainly recommend that you check out the film the first chance you get. Remember the film is available NOW at Amazon Instant Video, CinemaNow, Google Play, iTunes, Kindle Fire, NOOK Video, PlayStation, VUDU, Xbox Video and YouTube. And don’t forget to tune into the Oscar’s on Sunday night (February 24, 2013 – check your local TV guide for channel and time) to see how many of the 11 awards Life of Pi takes home.
Life of Pi is still playing in select theaters across the country in 3D.
You can also check out the film at www.LifeofPiMovie.com. You can also check out the film on Facebook and Twitter. The film’s Facebook page has screen shots from celebrity Twitter accounts who rave about the film. Even Anne Hathaway, herself up for an Oscar, said that Life of Pi “Is easily one of my favorite films of all time“, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Kimberly
*I received a free screener in order to do this review. There was no compensation. The opinions expressed are my own and were not influenced in any way.
Tammy S says
I can’t wait to see this movie. I agree with your friend, it is one of the best books ever! You have to read the book. It is an amazing story.