The River (Blu-ray)

Screen greats Mel Gibson (The Bounty, Mad Max) and Sissy Spacek (Raggedy Man, Carrie) co-star in this powerful film about the fragility of the American dream. Tom (Gibson) and Mae (Spacek) Garvey are struggling farmers trying to keep their homestead safe from the local power authority who wants to flood their land. When Mae’s former beau, Joe Wade (Scott Glenn, The Challenge), turns out to be in charge of the plan to acquire the property, tensions run high, climaxing in a devastating confrontation on the flooded river banks. Wonderfully directed by Mark Rydell (On Golden Pond, The Reivers) and gorgeously shot by legendary cinematographer Vilmos Zsigmond (Deliverance, The Long Goodbye), The River features haunting music by the distinguished maestro John Williams (Schindler’s List, Jaws) and strong supporting performances by Billy Green Bush (Monte Walsh) and James Tolkan (Back to the Future). This beautiful and heart-wrenching film was nominated for four Oscars, including Best Actress (Spacek), Cinematography and Score.