Finding humanity and salvation in the midst of the horrors of war – is it possible?  We’re checking out the new drama "The Flowers of War," out now on Blu-ray/DVD from Lionsgate Home Entertainment.  Find the answers below!

   Title: "The Flowers of War"

   Grade: 4

   Cast: Christian Bale, Ni Ni, Zhang Xinyi

   Director: Yimou Zhang

   Rating: R

   Runtime: 142 minutes

   Release Company: Lionsgate Home Entertainment

   Website: www.lionsgatebluray.com

The Flick: Director Yimou Zhang has always had a gift for making his stories look their best.  Whether it’s "Raise the Red Lantern" or "House of Flying Daggers," Zhang has proven himself a master of moving image.  But in his latest effort "The Flowers of War" he also molds in some seriously effective performances as well and the result is his most passionate work to date.  In a tale that’s both repelling and engaging, the film deals with the redemption of both a flawed man and some high strung prostitutes as they try for salvation by saving some innocent school girls from the horrors of war.  It may sound trite, but in the hands of Zhang it’s a dramatic sawn song.  So effective is Christian Bale as the ailing American and so haunting is newcomer Ni Ni as a sassy gal looking for humanity that it even gives Zhang’s signature style a serious run for its money.  (And Zhang does stage some seriously bloody and beautiful war battles!)  Bold (war never looked so dim), brutal (the realistic scenes of soldier-on-women violence sickens all who watch) and heartbreaking, "The Flowers of War" is powerful cinema.     

Best Feature: The very detailed five-part 'Making Of' dissects everything from sets to costumes to the bravado of Bale – a featurette befitting of the equally layered flick it represents.

Best Hidden Gem: As the alluring, provocative and ultimately damaged lead prostitute Yu Mo, Ni Ni all but steals the show – you can't take your eyes off her.

Worth the Moola: If you can stomach the more harrowing bits, "The Flowers of War" is one affecting and effective piece of work.