The biblical story of Noah has been told and depicted in numerous ways, from cute little kids tales to ferocious epics.
Darren Aronofsky’s recent film version navigates a more adult interpretation — part psychological, part metaphorical, part blockbuster spectacle.
Noah is told by God — or voices in his head, depending on what you believe — that a mighty storm is coming and only he and his family, along with pairs of every other species, could be saved if he built an ark to ride it out.
The rest of humanity — deemed by God as too reprobate to continue living — along with the unfortunate beasts not chosen, would be wiped out.
“Noah” is uneven but continually interesting. Foremost is Russell Crowe’s restless performance, which has a taste of madness to it.
Aronofsky captures both that intimacy and the vastness of the undertaking.
Occasionally, the film drifts into silliness. What it adds up to, like the passage from the Book of Genesis, is up to you.
Special editions
There are a number of box sets worth checking out. “The Big Chill: The Criterion Collection” is in-depth look at Lawrence Kasdan’s film about a friends from the 1960s reuniting and coming to grips with their lives more than a decade later for the funeral of a friend.
“Herzog: The Collection” brings together 14 of the great German director’s films.
“Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery and The Missing Pieces” reveals the parts that were left out of the landmark series.
There is now a Blu-ray 40th anniversary edition of “Woodstock.”
And for puck fans, there is “Los Angeles Kings: 2014 Stanley Cup Champions,” which chronicles the team’s amazing run to the top.
