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)

The Visit, a review by addicted2dvd

The Visit (2015/United States) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer | Universal Studios Home Entertainment (United States) Director: M. Night Shyamalan Writing: M. Night Shyamalan (Writer) Length: 94 min. Video: Widescreen 1.85:1 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

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Stars:
Olivia DeJonge as Becca
Ed Oxenbould as Tyler
Deanna Dunagan as Nana
Peter McRobbie as Pop Pop
Kathryn Hahn as Mom

Plot:
When Becca and Tyler are sent to their grandparents' secluded Pennsylvania farm for a weeklong stay, they quickly discover something is not right with the elderly couple. Faced with strange rules and increasingly frightening behavior, the children soon realize it will take all their wits to make it home alive. Critics rave, the latest heart-pounding thriller from the director of THE SIXTH SENSE and SIGNS and the producer of PARANORMAL ACTIVITY and THE PURGE is a "DELICIOUSLY CREEPY TRIUMPH." (Scott Mendelson, Forbes.com)

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Gallery
• Digital Copy

This one is a bit different. Kind of a cross between a found footage movie and a regular one as not all the scenes seemed to be like found footage. There is things I liked about this one and things I did not. One thing I liked about it... and the truly scary part about this film is that it could really happen in today's world. While it is worth watching I really don't know how much I would re-watch it.



(From Horror / Halloween 2017 Challenge on October 11th, 2017)

Weekend Movie Marathon: TV Show Reunion Movies, a review by addicted2dvd

A Very Brady Christmas
Mike and Carol Brady decide to spend their savings on bringing their kids and relatives in for the holidays, but the kids are having their own problems: Greg (now a doctor) has to make the trip alone since his wife Nora is spending the holidays with her family; Peter is embarrassed to bring his girlfriend home since she is his boss; Bobby is hiding the fact that he dropped out of business grad school to race cars; Marcia's husband, Wally, has been laid off from his job at Tyler Toys; Jan and stuffy husband Phillip are separating; and Cindy is tired of the fact that mom and dad can't respect her as a grown woman. Just another day in the life of the Bradys.

My Thoughts:
I wasn't sure I was quite ready for this reunion movie... especially with it being so far out of season. But when Brittany found out I was doing reunion movies for this weekend's marathon... she really wanted to watch the Brady Bunch ones with me. So we decide to go ahead and do it. As I have said while watching the complete series set... I personally always enjoyed the reunion movies more then the series itself. I can say I have a new appreciation for the series... as I enjoyed it more then I thought I would when I watched it again... but think I still prefer the reunion movies. Some reason I really enjoy seeing the Brady kids all grown up. But I do believe this is the last time I will watch this particular reunion movie till the Holiday season comes!

(From Weekend Movie Marathon: TV Show Reunion Movies on June 14th, 2008)