DVD Collectors Online

Baraka, a review by Danae Cassandra

Baraka
Year of Release: 1992
Directed By: Ron Fricke
Starring: Humanity
Genre: Documentary

Overview:
In the ancient Sufi language, it is a word that translates to 'the thread that weaves life together.' In the pantheon of modern cinema, it remains one of the most unique and acclaimed motion picture events of our time. Shot in breathtaking 70mm in 24 countries on six continents, BARAKA is a transcendent global tour that explores the sights and sounds of the human condition like nothing you've ever seen or felt before. These are the wonders of a world without words, viewed through man and nature's own prisms of symmetry, savagery, chaos and harmony.

My Thoughts:
If ever a movie should be called poetic, this is that movie.  This is most a work of art, a creation of tone, image, and theme.  It is also stunningly, magnificently beautiful.

Humanity reaches for, longs for, a spiritual connection.  Perhaps it is found in religion, perhaps in community, perhaps in nature.  But our commodified civilization, and humanity's cruelty (to each other, to other creatures, to nature) drive us away from each other and further from true spiritual connection. 

A film everyone ought to see, yet a film that is not for everyone.  A moving, powerful composition, meditative, forceful, simple and profound.

Bechdel Test: Not Applicable

Overall: 5/5

(From Within My (Mom's) Lifetime Marathon on March 8th, 2015)

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call, a review by addicted2dvd

Ghostbusters: Answer the Call: Extended Edition (2016/United States) Wikipedia |IMDb |Trailer | Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Paul Feig Writing: Katie Dippold (Writer), Paul Feig (Writer), Ivan Reitman (Original Material By), Dan Aykroyd (Original Material By), Harold Ramis (Original Material By) Length: 134 min. Video: Widescreen 2.40:1 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles:

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Stars:
Zach Woods as Tour Guide
Kristen Wiig as Erin Gilbert
Justin Kirk as Phil Hudson
Elizabeth Perkins as Phyllis Adler
Ed Begley, Jr. [Ed Begley Jr.] as Ed Mulgrave

Plot:
Ghostbusters makes its long-awaited return with Director Paul Feig's unique and hilarious take on the classic supernatural comedy, led by the freshest minds in comedy today Mellisa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, Leslie Jones and Chris Hemsworth. Together they tem up to save Manhattan from a sudden invasion of spirits, spooks and slime that engulfs the city. Robert Abele of TheWrap says "This new A-team of ghostbusters are fresh and funny."

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Outtakes/Bloopers
• Digital Copy
• Extended and Theatrical Versions

After watching this one I got to say while not as good as I was hoping for it to be... but it's also not as bad as the reviews made it out to be. But then I never trusted reviews for movies anyway. This one was definitely entertaining enough to keep my interest through-out the entire film. And I loved the cameos that the surviving cast of the original film had in this one. A couple things I did not like in it. #1 has to be Chris Hemsworth character. They just made him to stupid... and I am not talking stupid in a funny way... I mean aggravatingly stupid. Another thing that didn't work for me was the giant ghostbusters logo come to life that they had to fight... it just looked too fake and silly. Those are my two main complaints about the film. Over-all I enjoyed the movie and glad I added it to my collection.



Horror/Halloween Challenge Films: 34/52

(From Horror/Halloween 2016 Challenge on October 18th, 2016)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Ai Yori Aoshi Enishi: Volume 1 "Fate" (2003/Japan) IMDb | Wikipedia (United States) Length: 93 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Japanese: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: English

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Plot:
How long can they keep a secret!?

Two exciting years have passed since the reunion of Kaoru and Aoi. The newest member of the Sakuraba household is Taeko's cousin, Chika, who just started high school. Her frank questions and surprising sexiness have Kaoru in a bind. Later, a tennis outing for everyone leaves Kaoru impressed with Aoi's grace as well as her charming outfit. Finally, the gang hears mysterious noises in the mansion and suspect that it's haunted. Leave it to Taeko, the resident occult specialist, to solve the mystery!

Ai Yori Aoshi: Enishi
1.01 Oshun
Writer: Kou Fumizuki (Original Material By)
Director: Daisuke Takashima
Cast: Original Japanese Cast), Soichiro Hoshi (Kaoru Hanabishi (voice)), Ayako Kawasumi (Aoi Sakuraba (voice)), Akiko Hiramatsu (Miyabi Kagurazaki (voice)), Satsuki Yukino (Tina Foster (voice)), Kaori Mizuhashi (Taeko Minazuki (voice)), Sayaka Narita (Mayu Miyuki (voice)), Haruko Momoi (Chika Minazuki (voice)), Yuka Inoguchi (Uzume (voice)), Kohei Shiozuka (Man (Couple) (voice)), English Voice Cast), Dave Lelyveld ( (voice)), Julie Ann Taylor ( (voice)), Kay Jensen ( (voice)), Kirsty Pape ( (voice)), Lia Sargent ( (voice)), Michelle Ruff ( (voice)), Midge Mayes ( (voice)), Ron Allen ( (voice)), Sue Beth Arden ( (voice)), Wendee Lee ( (voice))

The sequel series to Ai Yori Aoshi, which brings conclusion to the story (although different ending than the manga, because that one was still ongoing at that point).
Who liked the first series will also like this one.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on March 25th, 2011)