Silence

There is so much to say about Martin Scorsese's "Silence" and yet so much that can only be felt. Arriving on Blu-ray and Digital HD is a film that may find difficulty in securing a new audience at home. As a theatrical experience, "Silence" envelops the viewer in an existential blanket of faith, suffering and mortality.

Still, to this day, I find myself thinking about this film, which was the best piece of cinema that 2016 had to offer. "Silence" leaves you stirring, but you need to give it your full and undivided attention in order to receive such an impact. The easily distracted or bored need not apply. This is a film that challenges you at every moment, surrounding you with challenging ideas with no clear-cut answers. It asks you to take these as they come, chew them over and form your own conclusions.

In addition, it's one of Martin Scorsese's most gorgeously envisioned films, a labor of love that will be reclaimed decades from now as a defining point of the legendary director's career. Blending the influences of Japanese cinema, religious scrutiny and the essence of humankind's fragile soul, Scorsese crafts one of his most rich and rewarding works with "Silence."

The film's Blu-ray release contains but one bonus feature, but it's a good one, diving into Scorsese's passion project during the production process. I would've watched a feature length documentary on the subject, but seeing snippets into the filmmaker's creative process is enough to complement this masterpiece of a film.

"Silence"
Blu-ray and Digital HD
$22.99
http://www.paramount.com/movies/silence