Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey

Hi. Just read your review of "Pulse: A Stomp Odyssey". I know this review is two years old, but I felt I had to reply to defend the film.

It is understandable that not everyone is into music, and that People's tastes in music and dance styles vary. I have to say, though, that I have a hard time understanding how this film did not reach you. You indicated in your review that most viewers would become bored within 20 minutes. I would argue that most viewers have remained captivated for the duration of the film. I, and a few others I know who have seen it, left the theater yearning for more.

What you seem to lack appreciation for are the polyrhythmic music and arrhythmic dance styles that dominated worldwide culture for 25,000 years before western musical conventions began to take hold first through colonization and later through the development of mass media.

Polyrhythm involves several simultaneous beats in different times, which wind up diverging and re-converging at regular intervals. Arhythmic dancing involves responding to these rhythms, following one and then another, changing pace in synchronization with the other dancers, and in effect tapping into the "pulse" created by the interplay of the polyrhythms.

In all of western music, we stick to the profoundly simplistic 4/4 time rhythm of rock, classical, etc. or the 3/4 time of swing, the waltz, and some folk traditions. Your preference for what we have been raised with culturally is evident in your appreciation of only the Flamenco music/dancing, the most western of the styles portrayed in the film.

I would urge you to view the film again, with the goal of letting yourself go, letting yourself feel the music. These rhythms and dance styles cannot be taught or easily dissected intellectually. This is not the "civilized" music of the brain (as are, surprisingly, even modern rock and pop musical styles), but rather the music of the body and spirit, of the ancient collective unconscious, and, in my opinion, the music of pure flow, rapture, and bliss.

Again, I urge you to give it another chance. It may be difficult to let go of the culturally ingrained preference for strict meter and order, but 300 years of western culture cannot have wiped out what 25,000 years of evolution has made a part of you.

With respect, good luck.

Cheers.

Saw this @ The Franklin IMAX last week and loved it. It begins in a Manhatten setting with a dance troupe doing "Stomp" like percussion routine but then the film switches to various countries around the globe with the local people doing musical percussion & dance presentations, from South Africa to Brazil to Utah and much more. To see it on an IMAX screen was fabulous and the sound was outstanding.

The cinematography was exceptional. I felt as though I went on a world tour, experiencing different cultures, language, music, and dance while just sitting in a movie theater in Philly. This is what the movies should be more like. I wish it had been longer than 40 minutes.

I really enjoyed it and recommend it highly.

One of the major selling points of this film compared to others is that it needs no narration. I am lucky enough to get to run this film, let alone see it. I never get tired of it, and I love listening to the soundtrack. We have just started our run of the film, and all of the audiences, big and small are leaving loving the film, and dancing and talking about it. I have never experienced a film where the audience actually interacts with an IMAX film as much as they do (especially the school groups). I, as well as the staff, love the IMAX format in general and we are thrilled to see them exploring this type of genre and hope to see more in the future.

refreshing and meaningful, this film was a delight from beginning to end ... just wish it were longer. the film speaks volumes about humanity and culture -- all by showing you through incredible imagery and beautiful music, rather "telling" you through narration. a must see.

I've never had so much fun in an Imax theater. This film's combination of stunning visuals, powerful musical performances, and subtle humor succeeds in enthralling audiences of all ages. Filmed in dazzling locations all over the world, the film features some of the world's most brilliant musicians and their unique performances. Highlights include a breathtaking ensemble of hundreds of Brazilian drummers, an astounding Flamenco dancer performing on a vista in Granada, Spain, and the almost unbelievably perfect Kodo drummers from Japan. Highly recommended.