Customer Reviews

The Brain

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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"The human brain, one of the last great frontiers...We've learned more about it in the last 5 years than in the last 5,000 years...For the first time, we're actually seeing what's going on in the brain during sex...What makes some brains evil?...And is there really such a thing as ESP [ExtraSensory Perception]?...Technology is finally unlocking the secrets of the brain. It's explaining why we behave the way we do. It's helping experts develop new methods and machines to boost our brain power. And its revealing the untapped abilities that we all have inside our heads."

The above is what the narrator states in the introduction of this interesting documentary that uses simple analogies, real-life case studies, and state-of-the-art computer generated images.

This program is not about explaining detailed anatomy of the brain. Instead it features experts in brain studies (interweaved with narration) explaining a brain-related topic (like those given above: sex, evil, ESP) and brain function while fantastic animations provide an additional look of what's going on in the brain (learned through brain-imaging techniques) at a specific time.

Eleven brain-related topics are discussed. Eight of the topics last between eight and eleven minutes while three of the topics last between four and six minutes.

The last topic is particularly interesting. Discussed is the future of the brain and how technology may interface with the brain to enhance its abilities for all of us.

I was amazed at the scope of what this documentary covers. However, each topic is given brief treatment (as can be inferred from the above times). It feels that we are given a sample of each topic. This documentary provides a good starting point if you want to do additional research into a topic.

Finally, the DVD itself (the one released in 2009) is perfect in picture and audio quality. There are no subtitles but there is closed-captioning. There are no extras.

In conclusion, this is certainly an interesting program and you'll be amazed at some of the new discoveries in brain studies. I leave you with the last words of the narrator:

"For all that we have learned about the brain, we still have so much to discover...If we do manage to answer [many] questions [we still have about the brain] over the course of perhaps one more life time, what will this mean for the brain, an organ that is so complicated yet so often driven by primitive instincts?"

(2008; 90 min; a History Channel presentation; wide screen; 12 chapters)

<<Stephen Pletko, London, Ontario, Canada>>

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I liked the way the video is divided into several stories that explain what part of the brain is involved with different feelings like fear, pleasure, psychotic behavior, memory, decision-making, etc. Also describes what happens when important parts of the brain are missing. Explains how the brain has evolved over the years. It uses state-of-the art CGI to determine the activity of the brain and this is fascinating. This is particularly descriptive when it comes to sex and I think the video is only appropriate for mature audiences.

This DVD was interesting but I expected something a little more focused on the workings of the brain. The topics covered are case studies of abnormal brain activity.

This movie gives a vague description of what the mind can do and how it works. Following a story lines based on military tactics, sexual attractions and why some people like to kill and have no remorse. Their are some good theories, but how they translate the information is for the unintelligent, sorry I give this film two thumbs down. It seems to me that the History Channel dumbs down a lot of their documentaries for the dumb people who write in and complain how they can't grasp the information.

As a nursing student this dvd really helped explain the functions of the brain, in a very interesting way! I truly did enjoy every minute ofit

Apparently brain research has made tremendous strides in the last few years.

The story begins with pointing out the various parts of our brain, starting with the reptilian brain stem to the front lobes of the cortex and assigning a function to each ofthe parts.

Watching the training of the US marine seals, it shows what we can do to suppress or overcome panic and what parts of the brain are involved.

As is shown with psychopaths there is a link between our psychological treats and our brain function.

Also discussed is autism and the brain of an artistic savant and the remarkable story of a former musician whose brain was damaged by illness and had lost virtually all of his short term memory but was still an accomplished piano player

It also touches on extra sensual perception and gut feeling.

We are also informed of what the future may hold as far as brain research is concerned.

To conclude, it is a very informative story, very well done and which I can highly recommend.

Douwe Visser, New Zealand

A fascinating discourse on the nature of evil, the physics of 'The Force', advice from the training of the Marines on how to deal with life. Lots of interesting insights from the latest on Brain physics that allow us to peer into what we are in whole new ways that may help us firuge out the most complex structure in the known universe and give us some meaning for our existence. Brilliant!

I bought this hoping to use it in teaching psychology, but no luck. The scenes about sex would be too embarrassing, and the dvd tries to make a case that ESP is real. The History Channel should stick to history.

I recently bought this DVD to gain some insights what ticks in the brain during orgasm. I got that covered, thank you. Watching the rest of the footage, I could not help but admire the sweet irony, apparently lost on everyone.

The second half of the movie talks about puzzlement of criminal scientists how psychopaths can shoot several people dead and not have feelings about it.

In the first half of the movie they show how scientists *help* the Navy to train recruits to do anything - e.g., shoot several people dead, as shown - and not have feelings about it. Well ? :-)

It turns out that a tsunami of blood roars through the male brain during orgasm, but blood flow nearly shuts down to the female brain when she comes. The talking heads interviewed for The History Channel's "The Brain" view this is an adaptation from the savannah portion of human history, when after coupling, she is perfectly free to pass out in exhausted delirium, but he is kept in a heightened state of awareness to scout for prowling jackals and leopards.

A lot of heterosexual strife might thus be avoided if only women realized men pass out soon after coitus exhausted from having protected them from hungry predators. "The Brain" is chock-a-block with such interesting revelations as some of the newest research into the human brain is explored through the use of compelling graphics and well-written, intelligent narrative.

This 90-minute History Channel DVD is riveting entertainment and utterly fascinating. We've learned more about this most complex machine in the universe in the past five years than in the hundred that preceded them. In "The Brain," you'll get caught up on what we now know, and frankly, it will blow your mind!