FYI… in case you’re not aware, or have just forgotten, one of the most talked about films of the year, "Beasts of No Nation," is out today, both on Netflix and in a limited USA theatrical release (in a partnership with distribution company Bleecker Street). So if you have a Netflix streaming account, you’re a few clicks away from watching it! I haven’t seen it yet myself, but I will be watching it today and will share my thoughts afterward.

Netflix picked up "Beast of No Nation" earlier this year, after a bidding war that ended with the streaming platform paying a reported hefty $12 million for rights to release it. Of course there has been much conversation about how this multi-platform release by Netflix (both streaming and in theaters simultaneously) will influence film distribution and exhibition in the future. The answer to that question will be answered in time, I’m sure. Although, quite frankly, the film production/distribution/exhibition process has already been disrupted. 

Based on the highly acclaimed novel of the same name by Nigerian author Uzodinma Iweala, the story brings to life the gripping tale of Agu, a child soldier torn from his family to fight in the civil war of an unnamed African country. Newcomer Abraham Attah stars as Agu, while Idris Elba plays the role of Commandant, a warlord who takes in Agu and instructs him in the ways of war. 

Both Elba and Attah have received much critical acclaim for their performances, and are potential awards season darlings. Time will tell…

A second and final trailer for "Beasts of No Nation" is embedded below.