Fricke, Ron

Baraka

The word Baraka means "blessing" in several languages; watching this film, the viewer is blessed with a dazzling barrage of images that transcend language. Filmed in 24 countries and set to an ever-changing global soundtrack, the movie draws some surprising connections between various peoples and the spaces they inhabit, whether that space is a lonely mountaintop or a crowded cigarette factory. Some of these attempts at connection are more successful than others: for instance, an early sequence segues between the daily devotions of Tibetan monks, Orthodox Jews, and whirling dervishes, finding more similarity among these rituals than one might expect. And there are other amazing moments, as when sped-up footage of a busy Hong Kong intersection reveals a beautiful symmetry to urban life that could only be appreciated from the perspective of film. The lack of context is occasionally frustrating--not knowing where a section was filmed, or the meaning of the ritual taking place--and some of the transitions are puzzling. However, the DVD includes a short behind-the-scenes featurette in which cinematographer Ron Fricke (Koyaanisqatsi) explains that the effect was intentional: "It's not where you are that's important, it's what's there." And what's here, in Baraka, is a whole world summed up in 104 minutes. --Larisa Lomacky Moore

Baraka

The word Baraka means "blessing" in several languages; watching this film, the viewer is blessed with a dazzling barrage of images that transcend language. Filmed in 24 countries and set to an ever-changing global soundtrack, the movie draws some surprising connections between various peoples and the spaces they inhabit, whether that space is a lonely mountaintop or a crowded cigarette factory. Some of these attempts at connection are more successful than others: for instance, an early sequence segues between the daily devotions of Tibetan monks, Orthodox Jews, and whirling dervishes, finding more similarity among these rituals than one might expect. And there are other amazing moments, as when sped-up footage of a busy Hong Kong intersection reveals a beautiful symmetry to urban life that could only be appreciated from the perspective of film. The lack of context is occasionally frustrating--not knowing where a section was filmed, or the meaning of the ritual taking place--and some of the transitions are puzzling. However, the DVD includes a short behind-the-scenes featurette in which cinematographer Ron Fricke (Koyaanisqatsi) explains that the effect was intentional: "It's not where you are that's important, it's what's there." And what's here, in Baraka, is a whole world summed up in 104 minutes. --Larisa Lomacky Moore

Chronos (Special Collector's Edition)

Taking the familiar conventions of time-lapse cinematography to a transcendent level of artistic achievement, filmmaker Ron Fricke circled the globe to make Chronos, a stunning 70-millimeter time-lapse tour of natural and man-made wonders. The entire film has the enhanced, hyper-realistic quality of a laser-etched photograph, and by using special cameras and motion-control photographic techniques, Fricke and his technically expert crew were able to create mesmerizing images guaranteed to spark any viewer's sense of awe and wonder. Accompanied by the hypnotic music of Michael Stearns, this visual journey takes the viewer on a tour of over 50 locations on nearly every continent of the world, including explorations of Paris, the Vatican, the Egyptian pyramids, the African veldt, and many more stunning vistas. The cumulative effect is the feeling that the world--from the busiest metropolis to the most serenely remote wilderness landscape--is dictated by "chronos," the rhythm of time to which all living things must submit. Like Koyaanisquatsi and Baraka, this is one of those eye-candy films that was conceived according to its specific theme, so it's not only a soothing visual experience but a thought-provoking study of our fascinating planet. --Jeff Shannon

An epic voyage from the birthplace of Western civilization to contemporary France. Using evocative music and an uncommonly large aspect ratio, "Chronos" attempts nothing less than a high-scale history of a region of the earth. Time-lapse cinematography and even customized film techniques carry viewers through the ages and cover all the wonders -- human and natural -- the world has to offer.

Short 1 - Invention

Short 1: Invention represents the first comprehensive attempt to compile multimedia content on DVD in a magazine-like format, and it's a welcome addition to the digital realm. Originally released on the defunct Polygram label as Short Cinema Journal, Vol. 1, the first installment in the Short series is an above-average mix of documentary, animation, and live-action shorts, even if several of the entries are nearly a decade old. The DVD is divided into six topics--"Marquee"; "Hello, Dali"; "Reality"; "Sound Bit"; "Minutes"; and "Junkdrawer"--the best highlights are to be found in "Hello, Dali," "Reality," and "Minutes," which contain interesting, even brilliant, bits. The excerpt from Shape Without Form is a surreal, four-minute exercise in angst and it shares a slot with the most noteworthy discovery on the DVD, the creative and ingenious Will Vinton-produced Mr. Resistor, which is a cleverly animated, Road Warrior-like ride through the electrical world. In the "Minutes" chapter, British director Michael Apted discusses the premise that "film is the poetry of ordinary life," and although eight minutes can't begin to cover a director's career, this segment does its expurgated best. There are segments from the Ron Fricke film Baraka (also available as a full-length DVD), which still dazzles after nearly two decades with its austere lesson in nature and humanity. Black Rider is an Oscar-winning German short that chronicles a black man's plight on a tram, with a delightful twist ending. A slight disappointment, George Hickenlooper's Some Folks Call It a Sling Blade is the original short that inspired Billy Bob Thornton's acclaimed feature film version, and it pales in comparison. Likewise, Henry Rollins's Easter Sunday in NYC is little more than an angry, pointless, and dated rant for misfits everywhere. Some of the films--like the clay-animated movie spoof The Big Story, featuring Frank Gorshin's hilarious impression of Kirk Douglas--are sure to please those who never saw them on the film festival circuit. On the whole, the good outweighs the mediocre in this deft compilation, boding well for subsequent volumes in the series. --Paula Nechak

A "magazine" on DVD this includes short films interviews and documentaries. Highlights include "Some People Call it a Sling Blade" starring Billy Bob Thorton; a documentary on Henry Rollins; and an interview with filmmaker Michael Apted.Running Time: 118 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MISCELLANEOUS/SPECIAL INTEREST UPC: 085393684525

Baraka

The word Baraka means "blessing" in several languages; watching this film, the viewer is blessed with a dazzling barrage of images that transcend language. Filmed in 24 countries and set to an ever-changing global soundtrack, the movie draws some surprising connections between various peoples and the spaces they inhabit, whether that space is a lonely mountaintop or a crowded cigarette factory. Some of these attempts at connection are more successful than others: for instance, an early sequence segues between the daily devotions of Tibetan monks, Orthodox Jews, and whirling dervishes, finding more similarity among these rituals than one might expect. And there are other amazing moments, as when sped-up footage of a busy Hong Kong intersection reveals a beautiful symmetry to urban life that could only be appreciated from the perspective of film. The lack of context is occasionally frustrating--not knowing where a section was filmed, or the meaning of the ritual taking place--and some of the transitions are puzzling. However, the DVD includes a short behind-the-scenes featurette in which cinematographer Ron Fricke (Koyaanisqatsi) explains that the effect was intentional: "It's not where you are that's important, it's what's there." And what's here, in Baraka, is a whole world summed up in 104 minutes. --Larisa Lomacky Moore

Chronos

An epic voyage from the birthplace of Western civilization to contemporary France. Using evocative music and an uncommonly large aspect ratio "Chronos" attempts nothing less than a high-scale history of a region of the earth. Time-lapse cinematography and even customized film techniques carry viewers through the ages and cover all the wonders -- human and natural -- the world has to offer. Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 881991900018 Manufacturer No: RBF-DV-90001

Chronos

Taking the familiar conventions of time-lapse cinematography to a transcendent level of artistic achievement, filmmaker Ron Fricke circled the globe to make Chronos, a stunning 70-millimeter time-lapse tour of natural and man-made wonders. The entire film has the enhanced, hyper-realistic quality of a laser-etched photograph, and by using special cameras and motion-control photographic techniques, Fricke and his technically expert crew were able to create mesmerizing images guaranteed to spark any viewer's sense of awe and wonder. Accompanied by the hypnotic music of Michael Stearns, this visual journey takes the viewer on a tour of over 50 locations on nearly every continent of the world, including explorations of Paris, the Vatican, the Egyptian pyramids, the African veldt, and many more stunning vistas. The cumulative effect is the feeling that the world--from the busiest metropolis to the most serenely remote wilderness landscape--is dictated by "chronos," the rhythm of time to which all living things must submit. Like Koyaanisquatsi and Baraka, this is one of those eye-candy films that was conceived according to its specific theme, so it's not only a soothing visual experience but a thought-provoking study of our fascinating planet. --Jeff Shannon

The Gate to the Mind's Eye/Beyond the Mind's Eye/Chronos

Future Sight Collection

Chronos

Taking the familiar conventions of time-lapse cinematography to a transcendent level of artistic achievement, filmmaker Ron Fricke circled the globe to make Chronos, a stunning 70-millimeter time-lapse tour of natural and man-made wonders. The entire film has the enhanced, hyper-realistic quality of a laser-etched photograph, and by using special cameras and motion-control photographic techniques, Fricke and his technically expert crew were able to create mesmerizing images guaranteed to spark any viewer's sense of awe and wonder. Accompanied by the hypnotic music of Michael Stearns, this visual journey takes the viewer on a tour of over 50 locations on nearly every continent of the world, including explorations of Paris, the Vatican, the Egyptian pyramids, the African veldt, and many more stunning vistas. The cumulative effect is the feeling that the world--from the busiest metropolis to the most serenely remote wilderness landscape--is dictated by "chronos," the rhythm of time to which all living things must submit. Like Koyaanisquatsi and Baraka, this is one of those eye-candy films that was conceived according to its specific theme, so it's not only a soothing visual experience but a thought-provoking study of our fascinating planet. --Jeff Shannon