Product Details

• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6303197647
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #386,704 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Hypnotic Overload, October 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Alien Dreamtime (VHS Tape)

My friend gave me a warning before popping this tape in, that it might be a bit intoxicating. That was one of the biggest understatements I have ever heard. The slow soft techno twinkles you along, you feel soothed by the meanderings. The stage undarkens & McKenna is on board. You focus on the qualities of his voice & what he is saying. This soon leads you to a trance/meditative state. You feel calmed by this sensory tooling around with the kboards & digeridoo. The message is ultamitely a positive one, focusing on mankind's primal spirituality. Along with this great affirming vibe is the Visual aspect (which I neglected to mention til now). The visuals are phenomenal. There are several "layers" of video that keep getting pulled through one another... ie mckenna will show up in the silhouette of sensous dances, then one particular color of the shot will melt out with fractalbleeding patterns. Inside these patterns, parts will dissolve to form newer patterns that surface, all in time with the music & words. The visuals could be likened to placing objects (pattern 1) in a bathtub and filling the tub up (the water is pattern 2). new objects (patterns) emerge from beneath the water... Its so hard to describe, but the whole video is very meditative/energetic at the same time. I had to take a break because my brain was spinning too hard.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this video for anyone who needs a little vacation from reality & some healthy affirmation of the spirit of mankind.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From the right place, May 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Alien Dreamtime (VHS Tape)

On one level, this production is somewhat cheesy: the tone of McKenna's voice seems purposely annoying, except when he's speaking enchanting nonsense, and the visuals have a somewhat sexist bent, with naked ladies in bellydancing costumes gyrating around phallic-shaped candles. But on another level, it really works, actually providing the launching pad for a pseudo-psychedelic experience. The best part of it, though, is McKenna's message: the human race is evolving into higher levels of consciousness and psychedelics give us a glmpse of this essential reality. The visuals could be more technically advanced and complex, but one gets the sense that their hearts were in the effort and that makes them okay. There are parts of McKenna's sermons (for they are essentially psychedelic sermons) that will make you nod your head in astonished agreement--that is, if you are one of those people who happen to KNOW what he's talking about! Highly recommended for the subversive and positive-minded.

24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars you simply must buy this, March 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Alien Dreamtime (VHS Tape)

You may or may not have heard about Terrence Mckenna. He is, or perhaps was, the only logical predecessor to Leary. At the time I am reviewing this, in the new millenium, I feel it necessary to note that McKenna information I have heard diagnosed him with a brain tumor sometime last year. It is a sad and terrible thing that the world should lose such a metaphysical prankster as McKenna, but at least he can live on through his books and documented recordings. This video is superb viewing, whether you agree with his take on reality or not. The multi dimensional visual layering is entrancing, the electronic/tribal based music is meditative but gripping, and McKenna intentionally juxtaposes vocal experimentation to enhance his story-like meanderings. It will belly roll your mind inside out and through the wormhole pocket in your favorite jeans. Fortunately, the video is cleverly lengthened to exactly an hour, should you yourself have any trouble telling time. Of special interest is McKenna's relating his first DMT experience. At some point he seems to lose the power of speech, or perhaps bump it up to another level. You must must must see this video. You don't even have to pretend to understand it eveytime you watch, just enjoy the ride!