Quiet, meditative and beautifully filmed, Why has Bodhi-Dharma Left for the East is not everyone’s cup of tea. Set at a modest mountain monastery above a small city, the daily lives of an elderly monk, his young disciple, and small orphan boy are defined by the nature around them. Recurring images punctuate their daily lives. They each grow in their own way and must eventually go their won way. There are several sequences that are set in the city both in flashback and present time, but I found them somewhat confusing as to time frame.
     You could probably publish a table top book of still images from this film. The compositions are stunning. Korean Director Yong-Kyun Bae style is filled with Zen patience as the camera lingers and observes along with the characters. The sounds of the mountains, the streams, the birds and insects, adds to the depth of the images. 

Mine's bigger than yours!. ©Columbia

      The image is off-set to the right slightly, leaving a border on the left side on display devices that do not overscan.  This DVD cries out for a maximum amount of resolution and pristine transfer elements, but that is not the case, unfortunately. Colors are okay at best. The final verdict is that this is likely the best you will see this film on video for many years.  

The Feature Archive has articles ranging from A Western is a Western is a Western to Screen Voices, The Heistmasters,  Akira Kurosawa, film preservationist Robert Harris and Shawshank Redemption director Frank Darabont.

Film Preservationist Robert Harris talks to Films on Disc. Click on the image to learn more.

Check out the Movie Poster   Archive for short bios and images of Susan Hayward, Kirk Douglas, Katharine Hepburn and many more. This month's featured star is  Clark Gable.

Imaging Science Foundation
The Imaging Science Foundation promotes proper standards in home theater viewing. ISF trained technicians offer monitor calibration services to consumers. The difference in a  properly calibrated monitor can be astounding. Click on the image to find an ISF member near you.

HOT LINKS
Fade-In Magazine
Did you like Scream, the energetic youthful take on the horror genre written by newcomer Kevin Williamson? Fade-In’s interview with the young filmmaker is currently online for your enjoyment.

Widescreen Movie Center
An excellent resource for original aspect ratios of widescreen movies. Seems to be primarily if not exclusively for anamorphic  films.

Home Theater Reference Reviewing System

When you read a DVD review it's of utmost importance to know what equipment is being used to evaluate quality. Click on the projectors to find out more.