Knowing

Astrophysicist Nicolas Cage discovers a prophetic sheet of numbers in a time capsule that predicts a series of disasters that may lead to the end of the world in the apocalyptic science-fiction thriller directed by Alex Proyas. Roger Ebert, who championed Proyas' earlier film "Dark City," calls the film "frightening, suspenseful, intelligent and, when it needs to be, rather awesome," but according to Metacritic, it's a minority opinion. Most critics found it overwrought and ridiculous. But if you like the film, you'll appreciate the thoughtful commentary track with director Alex Proyas (with prompting by an unidentified collaborator). "Knowing All: The Making of a Futuristic Thriller" is a traditional 12-minute featurette with the cast and crew talking about why this film is so special, and the 17-minute "Visions of the Apocalypse" is a pseudo-scientific survey of cultural myths and legends and anxieties of the end of the world through history. Also available on Blu-ray.