@amavel: I actually like some of his epileptic stuff, the colors and light are really beautiful. Yet I don't think anyone would consider him a genius. This has nothing to do with him having a particular style/repeating himself.

I want to get Brakhage, but it just doesn't work for me.

One thing for people to keep in mind when they watch a Brakhage film is that these are intended to be viewed from a projector in a dark cinema, not on your computer screen. I think a lot of the effect is lost when it isn't viewed as intended.