Thoughts on Baraka - Blu-ray Forum

MountainBlu · 12-01-2008, 03:38 PM

The wife and I watched Baraka last night and afterwards I thought: this is the perfect reason why I rent before I buy.
Don't get me wrong. The PQ is the best that I have seen to date on Blu-ray and the story is intriguing but I am so glad that I did not make a blind buy. There are a lot of great things about this movie, but I guess I wasn't expecting the scenes of sheer beauty coupled with the horrors of mankind. (And yes I realize the director's intent was to show the complete range of human interconnectedness- good and bad.)

I'm glad I watched it once but I doubt I see it again. Anyone else have this experience with Baraka?

GregBlu5 · 12-01-2008, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainBlu

The wife and I watched Baraka last night and afterwards I thought: this is the perfect reason why I rent before I buy.
Don't get me wrong. The PQ is the best that I have seen to date on Blu-ray and the story is intriguing but I am so glad that I did not make a blind buy. There are a lot of great things about this movie, but I guess I wasn't expecting the scenes of sheer beauty coupled with the horrors of mankind. (And yes I realize the director's intent was to show the complete range of human interconnectedness- good and bad.)

I'm glad I watched it once but I doubt I see it again. Anyone else have this experience with Baraka?

That was pretty much my response. It was far more disturbing to me than glorious, regardless of the exceptional PQ. I would certainly, as I said in an earlier post, steer younger viewers away from this film.

Lsalas76 · 12-01-2008, 04:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainBlu

The wife and I watched Baraka last night and afterwards I thought: this is the perfect reason why I rent before I buy.
Don't get me wrong. The PQ is the best that I have seen to date on Blu-ray and the story is intriguing but I am so glad that I did not make a blind buy. There are a lot of great things about this movie, but I guess I wasn't expecting the scenes of sheer beauty coupled with the horrors of mankind. (And yes I realize the director's intent was to show the complete range of human interconnectedness- good and bad.)

I'm glad I watched it once but I doubt I see it again. Anyone else have this experience with Baraka?

Yes I had a similar experience. I thought the pq was great but the movie itself bored me and I fell asleep. It is something I would not see again too. I actually did a blind buy on this because of all the rave reviews but after watching it I decided to sell/trade it. I ended up trading it for Lucky Number Slevin Import

DavePS3 · 12-01-2008, 04:02 PM

Nah. I've owned this documentary-style film in VHS, then Laserdisc, then DVD then DVD anamorphic and now Blu'. I love seeing shots from around the world... amazing to me that we're all on this one ball of dirt and rock and yet there is such a vast diversity of peoples, customs, religions etc. It's a stunning film and the Blu-Ray is like watching it for the first time. Yes, there are images that are a bit hard to watch for some but it's a beautiful film.

Gremal · 12-01-2008, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainBlu

The wife and I watched Baraka last night and afterwards I thought: this is the perfect reason why I rent before I buy.
Don't get me wrong. The PQ is the best that I have seen to date on Blu-ray and the story is intriguing but I am so glad that I did not make a blind buy. There are a lot of great things about this movie, but I guess I wasn't expecting the scenes of sheer beauty coupled with the horrors of mankind. (And yes I realize the director's intent was to show the complete range of human interconnectedness- good and bad.)

I'm glad I watched it once but I doubt I see it again. Anyone else have this experience with Baraka?

Yes, I agree...except you say the story is intriguing. Was there a story?

haste · 12-01-2008, 06:08 PM

omg, the rock demolition scene...sound was amazing, it felt like i was at the blast site.

but yeah...definitely a rent only disc. was booooring.

s2mikey · 12-01-2008, 06:22 PM

A great thread about the merits of renting first. Actually, as per many of the other reviews Im reading about this title, I might even remove it from my Netflix queue altogether. I thought I'd be getting a "Planet Earth-lite" not something disturbing or unsettling.

mikejet · 12-01-2008, 06:26 PM

Watching it I couldn't help but think that Tarsem watched this right before he started work on The Fall.

SquidPuppet · 12-01-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s2mikey

A great thread about the merits of renting first. Actually, as per many of the other reviews Im reading about this title, I might even remove it from my Netflix queue altogether. I thought I'd be getting a "Planet Earth-lite" not something disturbing or unsettling.

Think Planet Earth with interesting music instead of naration

Renting is very very smart. I often do when uncertain about a title. However, the reviews I read explained that this was my cup of tea so I blind bought it. I will watch this many many times in my life.

SquidPuppet · 12-01-2008, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikejet

Watching it I couldn't help but think that Tarsem watched this right before he started work on The Fall.

Cant help but make a connection there

The Don · 12-01-2008, 06:32 PM

I watched it high and thought this was the best way to watch it......I then watched it again on another occasion as well, I was high at that time too...

it is not nearly as fun sober...

mikejet · 12-01-2008, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquidPuppet

Cant help but make a connection there

It looks almost like he stole shots directly from it too. The same angles and all just different outfits and makeup.

MountainBlu · 12-01-2008, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gremal

Yes, I agree...except you say the story is intriguing. Was there a story?

Opps, did I say "story"?

To make matters worse, I thought there was at least going to be some dialogue! So when I first started the movie, I hit the button for subtitles and nothing happened. I'm thinking, "What the heck is going on? Something broken? Remote battery depleted? "
Then I realized...

Just wasn't what I was expecting...
(I'll read the review more carefully next time)

mhafner · 12-01-2008, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikejet

Watching it I couldn't help but think that Tarsem watched this right before he started work on The Fall.

The Wachowkis must have seen it before making the Matrix trilogy.

Jon Bon · 12-01-2008, 07:16 PM

Will someone please scan the damn cover in 300dpi

Monkey · 12-01-2008, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Watching it I couldn't help but think that Tarsem watched this right before he started work on The Fall.

Yup, I commented on that in the other Baraka thread. I actually enjoyed The Fall more due to the story and artistic style.

On topic: I enjoyed Baraka as well but isn't something I'd watch often. I bought it as my wife was very anxious to see it on blu-ray as she watched it in the theaters back in the day. Some amazing photography and a very good transfer (just stay away from the AVS DNR (LOL despite it not having any) EE police

) where only the perfect are worth buying. Any positive comments and the "Elites" will be all over you.

Hep · 12-01-2008, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gremal

Yes, I agree...except you say the story is intriguing. Was there a story?

At the risk of beating up Gremal to the point of submission (you sure are the center of numerous debates today), I must respectfully disagree. I think Baraka is a perfect example of how music and imagery is enough to convey powerful emotions and forward a narrative; though I will not judge your powers of analysis

. The results will vary for each individual. My thoughts are here.

Having said that, different strokes for different folks, and I would recommend a rent to anyone who is unsure. I found the balance between the good and evil of humanity a positive aspect of the film; it can be a humbling experience that brings one a good dose of perspective.

SquidPuppet · 12-01-2008, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikejet

It looks almost like he stole shots directly from it too. The same angles and all just different outfits and makeup.

Now watch Wild China and Ganges....all kinds of shots in there that will be familiar.

Gremal · 12-01-2008, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hep

At the risk of beating up Gremal to the point of submission (you sure are the center of numerous debates today), I must respectfully disagree. I think Baraka is a perfect example of how music and imagery is enough to convey powerful emotions and forward a narrative; though I will not judge your powers of analysis

. The results will vary for each individual.

Judge away...we're bound to agree on something someday.

MountainBlu · 12-01-2008, 08:38 PM

Yeah, I don't mean to "stir anything up". Baraka just wasn't my cup of tea. I can see why some people love it, while others don't.

12-01-2008, 03:38 PM	#1
MountainBlu Active Member Member since:Jun 2008 Blu-ray reviews:3	Thoughts on Baraka The wife and I watched Baraka last night and afterwards I thought: this is the perfect reason why I rent before I buy. Don't get me wrong. The PQ is the best that I have seen to date on Blu-ray and the story is intriguing but I am so glad that I did not make a blind buy. There are a lot of great things about this movie, but I guess I wasn't expecting the scenes of sheer beauty coupled with the horrors of mankind. (And yes I realize the director's intent was to show the complete range of human interconnectedness- good and bad.) I'm glad I watched it once but I doubt I see it again. Anyone else have this experience with Baraka?

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12-01-2008, 04:02 PM	#4
DavePS3 Blu-ray Guru Member since:Jan 2007 Location:Toronto Home Theater Gallery:56 Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:1	Nah. I've owned this documentary-style film in VHS, then Laserdisc, then DVD then DVD anamorphic and now Blu'. I love seeing shots from around the world... amazing to me that we're all on this one ball of dirt and rock and yet there is such a vast diversity of peoples, customs, religions etc. It's a stunning film and the Blu-Ray is like watching it for the first time. Yes, there are images that are a bit hard to watch for some but it's a beautiful film.

12-01-2008, 06:08 PM	#6
haste Senior Member Member since:Aug 2007 Blu-ray collection:87 Blu-ray reviews:1	omg, the rock demolition scene...sound was amazing, it felt like i was at the blast site. but yeah...definitely a rent only disc. was booooring.

12-01-2008, 06:22 PM	#7
s2mikey Banned Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Upstate, NY 4K collection:130 Blu-ray collection:303 Trading Score:40	A great thread about the merits of renting first. Actually, as per many of the other reviews Im reading about this title, I might even remove it from my Netflix queue altogether. I thought I'd be getting a "Planet Earth-lite" not something disturbing or unsettling.

12-01-2008, 06:26 PM	#8
mikejet Banned Member since:Sep 2008 Location:Los Angeles, CA Blu-ray reviews:5 Trading Score:29	Watching it I couldn't help but think that Tarsem watched this right before he started work on The Fall.

12-01-2008, 06:32 PM	#11
The Don Blu-ray Ninja Member since:Apr 2006 Blu-ray reviews:12 Trading Score:2	I watched it high and thought this was the best way to watch it......I then watched it again on another occasion as well, I was high at that time too... it is not nearly as fun sober...

12-01-2008, 07:16 PM	#15
Jon Bon Member Member since:Nov 2008 Location:Kansas City Trading Score:1	Will someone please scan the damn cover in 300dpi

12-01-2008, 08:38 PM	#20
MountainBlu Active Member Member since:Jun 2008 Blu-ray reviews:3	Yeah, I don't mean to "stir anything up". Baraka just wasn't my cup of tea. I can see why some people love it, while others don't.

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