The Next Three Days [2 Discs] [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2010]

When it involves thriller, drama, suspense and action, you have a keeper!!

Russell Crowe plays a man who's wife is convicted of a murder he's convinced she didn't commit. After she tries to kill herself, he decides to break her out of jail. Although the movie felt somewhat slow for a portion of it, ultimately I have to say that I enjoyed it, and can highly recommend it. Here's why: 1. It's a smart movie. It makes you think, and you're not told every last detail up front. In fact, you don't even know if the wife was innocent of murder or not for most of the movie. You're led through the story with pieces to the puzzle, and by the end it all comes together. It was really interesting. 2. It was not predictable. I found myself constantly evaluating what was happening, and trying to figure out what would come next. When you think you know what's coming, you realize you don't. It had some interesting turns and twists. Although it started out slow, I think the way it progressed was important for the development of the characters and the story. It was, in my opinion, a good decision to develop the story this way, and worth sitting through. 3. It challenges your values. I had to keep wondering if I thought Crowe's character was doing right or not, and I found I kept evaluating whether I wanted him to succeed. Was he a desperate man who was forced to become a hero? Or was he a man who has gone over the edge into darkness? It certainly makes you think. 4. The acting was amazing, as you'd expect from Crowe. We think he's one of the very best actors of our time. Elizabeth Banks played the wife, and she was so believable. I was surprised that Liam Neeson had such a very tiny role, and Brian Dennehy, a powerful actor, barely said anything. Still, their presence in the film added to it. 5. There was some good action. Not a ton of it though, but enough to keep your adrenaline rushing once in a while. The last portion was edge of your seat exciting. Ultimately I'd say this is a very satisfying movie experience. It's different, not a formula, and by the end you're on the edge of your seat

When ordering it shows a picture that includes "DVD" on it yet when it was delivered TWICE it ONLY had the Blu-Ray in it!!! Horrible advertising! CORRECT IT!!!!!!!

Life seems perfect for John Brennan until his wife, Lara, is arrested for a murder she says she didn’t commit. Three years into her sentence, John is struggling to hold his family together, raising their son and teaching at college while he pursues every means available to prove her innocence. With the rejection of their final appeal, Lara becomes suicidal and John decides there is only one possible, bearable solution: to break his wife out of prison. Refusing to be deterred by impossible odds or his own inexperience, John devises an elaborate escape plot and plunges into a dangerous and unfamiliar world, ultimately risking everything for the woman he loves.

Life seems perfect for John Brennan until his wife, Lara, is arrested for a murder she says she didn’t commit. Three years into her sentence, John is struggling to hold his family together, raising their son and teaching at college while he pursues every means available to prove her innocence. With the rejection of their final appeal, Lara becomes suicidal and John decides there is only one possible, bearable solution: to break his wife out of prison. Refusing to be deterred by impossible odds or his own inexperience, John devises an elaborate escape plot and plunges into a dangerous and unfamiliar world, ultimately risking everything for the woman he loves.

This taut thriller is skillfully presented by director, Paul Haggis and carried expertly on actor, Russell Crowe's shoulders like an athletic actor. It is a story of a normal family whose wife/mother is accused and convicted of a murder she says she didn't commit. The tension lies in the moral dilemma of what path the husband (Crowe) will take with his wife in prison. Packaging, blu-ray, picture and sound are good quality. There are four featurettes and deleted scene extras. The movie is presented in 185:1 aspect ratio.

I really enjoyed "The Next Three Days" -- it's a great take on the prison break/cat and mouse genre. I think it really highlights Banks' acting chops, as she is good in non-humor roles as well. The cameo/bit part by Neeson is fun as well, as I love seeing him in films.

Even if you are not a fan of Russell Crowe, he was superb in this film. His co-star Elizabeth Banks was also great in the film. It's well worth adding to your personal collection. Crowe as the husband desperate to free his wrongfully convicted wife is convincing and personal. Liam Neeson, despite being in little more than a cameo role, makes the film even better.