Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Ex Machina’ Released On DVD
Ex Machina, the original sci-fi thriller from British director Alex Garland, was released on DVD, Blu-ray, and digital download on July 14, 2015. The DVD/Blu-ray release of Ex Machina features over 2 hours of special features, including a Q&A with the cast and crew, a “making of” video, and a “behind the scenes” video. The title of the film, Ex Machina, comes from the Latin phrase “Deus ex machina,” which means “God from the machine.” While Ex Machina is Garland’s directorial debut, he is known for writing the screenplay for 28 Days Later in 2002, Sunshine in 2007, and Dredd in 2012.
Starring Alicia Vikander, Domhnall Gleeson, and Oscar Isaac, Ex Machina takes a young computer programmer, Caleb, played by Gleeson, to the residence of his employer, Nathan, played by Isaac. To assist with Nathan’s experiments in artificial intelligence, Caleb is given the task of observing the most recent experiment, Ava, played by Vikander, and assessing her human traits.
“One day the AIs are gonna look back on us the same way we look at fossil skeletons on the plains of Africa… an upright ape living in dust with crude language and tools, all set for extinction,” Nathan says. “Don’t feel bad for Ava, feel bad for yourself, man.”
Hailed as “one of the best films of the year” by Forbes.com, Ex Machina pulled in almost $250k during its four-theater debut weekend. The following weekend, Ex Machina made its debut across the country, grossing over $5.3 million. Overall, Ex Machina has brought in over $36 million worldwide.
With 7.8 out of ten stars from IMDB and a 92 percent fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes, Ex Machina has earned its place on Time‘s “Here Are The Best Movies Of 2015 So Far” list.
Matt Zoller Seitz, a writer for RogerEbert.com, gave Ex Machina four out of four stars.
“Garland’s screenplay is equally impressive, weaving references to mythology, history, physics, and visual art into casual conversations, in ways that demonstrate that Garland understands what he’s talking about while simultaneously going to the trouble to explain more abstract concepts in plain language, to entice rather than alienate casual filmgoers. (Nathan and Caleb’s discussion of Jackson Pollock’s ‘automatic painting’ is a highlight.) The performances are outstanding. Isaac’s in particular has an electrifying star quality, cruelly sneering yet somehow delightful, insinuating and intellectually credible. The ending, when it arrives, is primordially satisfying, spotlighting images whose caveman savagery is emotionally overwhelming yet earned by the story. This is a classic film.”
Ex Machina can be purchased on DVD or Blu-ray on Amazon.com or at your local retailer, or you can download a digital copy on Google Play, Hulu, or iTunes. Ex Machina is also streaming video-on-demand from Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Showtime.
[Image via Wired.com]
