The Nature of Genius Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		3.5
Audio		3.5
Extras		3.5
Overall		3.5

The Nature of Genius Blu-ray Movie Review

Apted to the rescue.

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 21, 2013

The balance between the science of life and its inherent, untouchable mysteries is what drives the human experience. It’s a hunger for knowledge and understanding that motivates a mind into constant analysis and reflection, and for some, the push and pull of such thinking slowly develops into obsession. Director Michael Apted, captain of the masterful “Up” documentary series, explores this insatiable drive of intelligence in two documentaries, 1997’s “Inspirations” and 1999’s “Me & Isaac Newton,” capturing the process of art, the study of self, and the quest for answers in an exceedingly complex world.

“Inspirations” (100:17)

Taking a look at the process of art and its psychological demands of interpretation and precision, “Inspirations” interviews architect Tadao Ando, sculptor Nora Naranjo-Morse, musician David Bowie, dancer Louise LeCavalier, choreographer Edouard Lock, glass artist Dale Chihuly, and pop artist Roy Lichtenstien, exploring how these individuals approach the challenge of their work, analyzing the particulars of craftsmanship and the breakdown of intent, tracking upbringings and the current state of their passion.

“Me & Isaac Newton” (107:13)

As science evolves throughout the years, leading minds have set out to participate in the investigation of life on Earth, and how our bodies, nature, and the great beyond are connected in ways we’re only just beginning to understand. Introducing primatologist Patricia Wright, geneticist Karol Sikora, cognitive scientist Steven Pinker, computer scientist Maja Mataric, theoretical physicist Michio Kaku, environmental physicist Ashok Gadgil, and pharmaceutical chemist Gertrude Elion, “Me & Isaac Newton” provides varied examples of brilliance and educational craving, dissecting the drive that brought these people to the sophisticated world of science and their desire to use their education and experience to help solve the world’s ills.

The Nature of Genius Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Both pictures are provided with AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratios) presentations. Nothing has been done to spruce up the source material, and the viewing experience for the two efforts is marked by a steady presence of debris, damage, and rough reel changes. "Inspirations" also features prominent scratch lines running through half of the run time. Aging is observed, but colors only reveal a slight fade, remaining accurate and assured. Black levels are less confident, but rarely solidify in the image. Detail is acceptable for such a production (grain is heavy), allowing for textures on works of art and interviewees. "Me & Isaac Newton" makes use of crude digital footage, weakening sharpness on occasion.

The Nature of Genius Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 LPCM sound mix for both endeavors captures the documentary mood, with emphasis on interview audio and scoring needs, which support with a pleasing deepness of bass. Audio damage breaks up the consistency of the presentations, and there's noticeable hiss, but the overall listening event comes through as intended.

The Nature of Genius Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Interviews (30:03, HD) detail Apted's quest to reconnect with his past documentary subjects, catching up on their work and exploring the changes in art and science since the 1990s.

The Nature of Genius Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Intelligent, patient, and illuminating, "The Nature of Genius" carefully deconstructs the soulful and cerebral impulse to explore, chatting up a wide range of subjects who share a common interest in the ways of the world and the potential of the future.