An Amazing Brain Adventure

REVIEWS 

Having been a student of film since I was 5 years old, and a screenwriter myself for the past twenty, I found Mirror to be a very provocative film. Why provocative? Because unlike many films I view, this one made me think! I find that very appealing in any film. Many films on the market today have just the entertainment value attached. I can usually go to a film and within the first thirty minutes discover the meaning and the ending. That’s sad not only for the storyteller but for all of us.

We all know the brain can tackle many difficult tasks, yet today it still remains a mystery to most of us. The compilation contained within this amazing brain adventure is just that…. AMAZING! You have managed to unlock our creativity with yours. Not only did it compete for my thought process, the cinema photography contained within this film I felt to be outstanding for not being a major studio undertaking. 

The story, commentary and characters, I found not only to be exceptional quality, but people I would love to spend time with…. a welcome addition to any film.

Finally a film you can watch over and over and get a new meaning with every viewing. A film that I wished would never end.

In my mind you have scored a success with Mirror! I can’t wait for your next outing to appear.


James O’Brien Mullica
Screenwriter, Businessman, and Movie Enthusiast

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"Came back indoors and couldn't resist putting Mirror on my computer's DVD player even though I was not sure I'd have time to watch it all. Some synchronicity at work here: yesterday evening the tools appeared (thanks to my wife) which enabled me to fix the sound system on my computer which had been out of action for the last two months.

The Prelude is a delightful surprise and alone was worth the price of the DVD. Plenty of amygdala clicks going on whilst I was watching this. Particularly good to see the footage of T.D.A. Lingo and the Dormant Brain Research and Development Laboratory.

Then the main feature. WOW! Sat there with a smile on my face and my brain clicking all the way through it. Neil, it's AWESOME: gorgeously shot, beautifully sound tracked, and Mind-Blowing in concept. Will set aside some time this weekend to see it again, but this time on my TV and DVD player.

Congratulations and thanks again.

-Laurie"

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"The movie reminds us to see the “Magical” side of life. Mirror shows treasures are created from seemingly mundane things and moments when clicked forward with positive intension. “Child Play” life is not just fun, you can take it to the bank!

Great movie to watch with friends, because it inspires frontal lobes thought, and conversation! An interesting question to play with after the movie is, “how many watchers are there with the big binoculars?”

Watch without the Audio Commentary first, then with. There is meaning to every part of the movie, and it reminds us to train our minds to notice everything.

It is not necessary but reading or listening to “Mirror” in Frontal Lobes Supercharge may enhance the experience. [Note: This is now included in the DVD, and it's nearly a completely different additional 42 minute story].

Cover for DVD just being a “Mirror” is very cool.

Sounds and soundtrack are really really great. End of credits very funny. [Make sure and wait till ALL the credits are done- there's a surprise].

Great Bike! Great old truck!"  

-Craig Simpson, Boulder Colorado, IBM

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"Watched Mirror- WOW. Very moving."
Best, Amy

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I have just received the book "Brain Magic" and love the DVD Mirror An Amazing Brain Adventure... I have dissolved clouds and made perfect circles within them I couldn't contain myself . Thank you and thank you again for Mirror. - Leland Miller

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Neil, I really like the film.  It is different, fresh, natural, and beautiful.  It makes you think and brings your forgotten memory of unexplainable experiences back.  Each time I watched it, I found something I had missed. 

I like the way you present it.   The prelude not only indicates the origin and making of the film, but also introduces the main theme -- reality is a reflection.  To watch the film is like to enjoy a understated multidimensional  symphony.  The scenes move like continuum of impressionist paintings, accompanied by pleasant music, almost without the distraction of spoken words.   Occasional dialogues are short and natural.  

No shooting or kicking.  No screaming or cursing.  Sparce speech and explanation.  A gifted girl naturally turned water into milk, junk into birthday cake, or stick into a flute and healing wand, painted the wall without actually painting, restarted a broken car with thought, or offered friends different drinks they wanted.  Yet, noting short of miracle, the kind of miracle recorded in bible and other ancient writings.   The possibility of transformation between matter and energy , expressed by Einstein's famous formula, has long been accepted as truth. The film portraits such transformation as it is.  It tells Mirror's story in a relaxed way.  In realty, the occurrence of paranormal events is everywhere.   Mirror reflected this reality, indicating that paranormal is normal.    

The characters are natural and likeable.  The film did not create artificial conflict or tension, rather let people be -- coexist peacefully, treat one another with respect, share, and help one another whenever and wherever needed and possible.   Why not?  We all have frontal lobes and are capable of clicking amygdala forward. 

I appreciate the care you took in design each scene.  The screw driver left on the road, the long moral Mirror passed by, or the clean painting pad -- each serves a different purpose in a quiet way.   

I love that horse scene --- ten times natural when they are gracefully running than they are pushed into competition or battle field, and that dancing scene,  framed with painted boxes which themselves can easily walk into an abstract painting :-)) 

Dr. Julia Lu

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"Hey Neil, I saw the rest of the DVD and I really liked it!  It was all very cool indeed. I think you should wright a song about Erfie and Chloe, a song where you sing in it, (I personally think that you have a very beautiful singing voice), and put it on their website. Thanks for creating the Mirror movie and the rest of the cool and interesting stuff on the DVD. It's all awesome!

-Telah Bhavah Groove, massage therapist

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Pro Film Critic Doug Gerash adds his two cents- here's a few excerpts:

"...Mirror is the story of a young woman (Emily Choi) who, like Mr. Slade, is endowed with unusual psychic power.  The drama of the story lies in the conundrum of the fact that she is largely unaware of these powers.  She has a good heart and finds herself applying her magic to those who are in need, such as the Buster Keaton-like Mr. Vincent (Eric Vincent).  After a colorful romp in the mountains with no one but herself, she discovers a stick.  Using her creative mind, she finally turns it into a colorful cane, which she presents to Mr. Vincent.  The cane imparts its healing energy to his gimpy leg, and voila, he is made whole again....

The Magoffin in the show is the pursuit of higher consciousness through a process of "clicking" Mirror's brain into a cooperative and empathetic level of consciousness.  This process is the holy grail of Mr. Slade's crusade to get humanity to transcend its current level of humdrum toil and reptilian violence into a more human and kind world....an excellent original music score...The electric cinematography is truly excellent. Mr. Slade has utilized digital tape and applied a 24 fps progressive format creating a smooth, film effect, which indeed give the show a fine depth and continuity that would otherwise be lacking in a standard video format.  He also uses adept editing...the overall show has a pleasant and real feel to it.  The characters all touched by Mirror's gift, and we are left with a colorful, meditative film from the heart that contrasts with the standard mechanical features that are typical of American mainstream films.  It is tempting to say this film has some European nuances in it, a little Amelie, some Fellini touches.  Most importantly, it is a tribute to the New Cinema, where an individual can take a story, and with some mastery of some editing programs, create a personal vision on a scale unprecedented in the past.- Doug Gerash"

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Send in YOUR review to ns AT neilslade.com