Customer Reviews

Living Landscapes: Earthscapes - Olympic Rainforest [Blu-ray]

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

 

 

Living landscapes, includes the sounds of vehicles passing by and people talking, just for a few minutes, but those few minutes kill the mood and comfort of the whole point of the visuals and sounds of this film.

The Living Landscapes series is one of highest quality productions I have seen in the genre.

The dvd clearly states that the video is interwoven with music, and I do agree with the reviewer in that I love the option of having nature sounds only, music, or both together on a dvd. Even though this is not an option on this series. the music is well done, and fits well with the scenery.

I took the time to ask the producer of this series to add this option for future releases, as there are some exciting titles coming up like The African Savannah and The Swiss Alps. Some of the videos are shot in time lapse, which makes the sequencing of natural sounds difficult, but I was told that this would be a feature that would be added in the future.

I am hoping this will be so, but on that Afican title I want some music that will match the modd of the title for a different experience as well.

The scenery is breathtaking, and it is a guaranteed escape to a place that most of us can only dream of seeing in person. It is well produced, and a true treat.
Dana Paull "teagal" (Reno, NV USA)

Originally posted for standard definition version of this DVD

Other than for minor issues with resolution 1080 down to 720p, an outstanding view of the Olympic Rainforest, including the Hoh. If nature and quiet rain or the sound of waterfalls at HD bores you to tears, go to something like "The Dark Knight". If peaceful green and soft raindrops are more your style, get this for your Blu-ray player and HD TV.

I have a good number of nature video dvd's, Let me say that with this Bluray edition of Olympic Rainforest a very interesting thing occurred not that long ago.
Some weeks ago while So. California was in the midst's of one of the fabled Santa Ana heat waves I popped this beautiful disc into my home theater, punched up 5.1 surround and began to walk the rainforest when I realized that I was experiencing a physical reaction of it becoming cooler in the room. Watching the rain dripping off of fern tips and the fog and mists wafting through the air was having a real psychological and physiological effect on me. Coupled with the music and natural sound effects of dripping water, running water, it was just pure enjoyment. The videography is simply artful. It is a real treat to walk the paths through this amazing natural wonder. I highly recommend this dvd but you must get the BluRay versions or HDDVD if you have a player. Treat yourself to a feast of the senses. It's beauty at a walking pace. Enjoy the immersion.

I guess I was expecting something else, or more. Entire video consists of ultra slow-mo pans featuring the flora of this unique rain forest. My experience in hiking the boardwalk to the coast was that this amazing area was so much more than just moss hanging from gnarly trees. I saw so many wild animals on this 9 mile hike that I thought for sure that the video would also document the fauna. Total count of animals shown, one bird, a few fish...

This is one of the best "Real feeling of being in the natural world" DVDs I've seen. It's as if you are on vacation and take a walk in a lush rainforest. As you walk down paths where there are no other people, stresses, or distractions. You get to see nature at its best. There is a soft, comforting sound of doves and other birds. The tropical foliage ripples in the wind, with the colors of green, gold, and a little bit of red, giving an almost surreal appearance. There are varying sizes of waterfalls, ponds, and streams, all surrounded with ferns and moss. The water is so clear you can see the pebbles on the bottom. You hear the soft rain falling on the pond, as the camera ever so slowly turns your gaze to focus on one exquisite view after another. You aren't in a hurry. You take all the time you want, and you go back whenever you wish.

I've visited a rain forest and would love to go back. For now though, this video is just right for my purposes. I have it on as I'm typing this review. Earlier I used it as background while I was reading, listening to the sounds of the water, glancing up from time to time to enjoy the view. The 'nature sounds only' option is very unobtrusive, with bird sounds so real I keep thinking they are outside my window. My dog even thought so and I have lots of nature videos that he never reacts to at all. There may be wildlife in there and I'll continue to look for some as I use the video to relax after a particularly stressful day. Just now I caught myself breathing more deeply, something I normally don't have "time" to do.

The best use I am getting from this video is blocking out the stresses of my regular routine and getting rid of unnecessary tension, something this video achieves in just a few short minutes. As a bonus, I'm also getting some great landscaping ideas for the water feature (small waterfall and large pond) in my back yard. That was a plus I hadn't expected.

Even though I tend to turn off the music by choosing the nature sounds only option, which is now available. I have used the music option as well, and it was very appropriate and a good option for times when you want music. I'm glad that choice is available.