David Garrett: Rock Symphonies (2011) Review

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(More customer reviews)Typically, David Garrett's concert DVDs are only available in the US through PBS pledge drives. The footage is the same as his German concert DVDs, but the American PBS versions are noticeably shorter than their German counterparts, and "Rock Symphonies" is no exception. However, this time around Decca has put more thought into the total package. David's first concert DVD seemed rushed into production, lacked any sort of interactive menus, and cut between songs with no warning and frequently no introductions (this was in part due to the fact that most of David's intros are in German for a German audience). On "Rock Symphonies," the root menu is the same as the "Rock Symphonies" album cover, except the grey background rotates clockwise, giving the impression of movement. The "Chapters" menu features the promo photo of David standing on a rooftop with animated dark clouds sweeping across the sky. The "Bonus Features" menu is the close-up of David with eyeliner...gorgeous! There are two bonus tracks, "Bicycle Race" and "Live and Let Die." These can only be accessed from the "Bonus Features" menu and not the full concert, apparently. The "Behind the Scenes" feature is the same as the North American EPK for "Rock Symphonies" (just shy of 6 minutes).

Sound and picture quality are great (according to the back of the case, it's 5.1 Surround Sound and 2.0 Stereo). The biggest improvement over the PBS David Garrett: Live In Berlin is that the introductions flow smoothly into the songs, rather than cutting from song to song. There were actually more non-album tracks like "Mission Impossible", "Peer Gynt,' "Child's Anthem" and "Adagio in G Minor" than "Rock Symphonies" tracks ("Kashmir," "Smells Like Teen Spirit," "Walk This Way," and "Asturias"). Minus one star for leaving off David's smokin' cover of Metallica's "Master of Puppets," which was hands-down one of the best covers on Rock Symphonies. Australian guitarist Orianthi really rocked out with David on the Michael Jackson medley, which saw David exploring "Billy Jean" and "I'll Be There" on the heels of last year's cover of "Smooth Criminal." It was also nice to see one song ("Zorba's Dance") carried over from the David Garrett album of last year. However, compared to the German Open Air Live DVD, there are only thirteen tracks (plus the two bonus tracks accessed separately) clocking in at just shy of an hour. It's too bad that they didn't include the studio interviews with David that were filmed as part of the PBS pledge special as bonus materials, seeing as this is a PBS exclusive.
Overall, the PBS "Rock Symphonies" DVD feels like Decca took more care with packaging and designing menus (using hi-res promotional photos from "Rock Symphonies" and adding animated backgrounds, for example). It's great to hear David add his own unique intros to the songs, like the stories about him being an ersatz drummer at a gig in London, or the story about when he was seventeen and a girl tried to kiss him on the beach. His connection to his fans is obvious...he dedicates one song to a "couple in love" in the audience, and he positively glows whenever he performs. If you're looking for the full David concert experience, by all means get one of the German versions: there'a a regular, Region 0 2DVD set, ASIN B003V89YT6 and a Blu-Ray version, ASIN B00415Z9Y2 at Amazon.de. With shipping and currency conversion, the German Open Air Live DVDs will run about twice what you'd pay for the US version, but it clocks in at 2 DVDs, 196 minutes and 28 songs total, far more than the 15 (!) on the PBS single-disc version.
PBS "Rock Symphonies" Tracklist: *song NOT in broadcast program
1.Kashmir
2.Schubert's Serenade
3.Smells Like Teen Spirit
4.Mission Impossible Theme
5.Walk This Way
6.Michael Jackson mini-medley -- Billy Jean / I'll Be There
7.I'll Stand By You
8.Peer Gynt
9.Asturias
10.Child's Anthem
11.Adagio (Albinoni)
12.Zorba
13.Hey Jude
14.Bicycle Race*
15.Live and let Die*
German "Rock Symphonies: Open Air Live" Tracklist: (ASIN B003V89YT6 and ASIN B00415Z9Y2, Available at Amazon.de)
Tracklisting:
01. Kashmir
02. Brahms: Hungarian Dance No.5
03. Hes A Pirate ('Pirates Of The Caribbean' Theme)
04. Live And Let Die
05. Serenade
06. Jota Navarra
07. Smells Like Teen Spirit
08. Csárdás - Gypsy Dance
09. Duelling Banjos (Duelling Strings)
10. Mission Impossible ('Mission Impossible' Theme)
11. Walk This Way
12. Smooth Criminal
13. Childs Anthem
14. Vocalise
15. Summer
16. Peer Gynt Suite
17. Bicycle Race
18. Zorbas Dance
19. Humoresque
20. Little Wing
21. Asturias
22. Master Of Puppets
23. I'll Stand By You
24. Rocking All Over The World
25. Thunderstruck
26. Nothing Else Matters
27. Flight Of The Bumblebee
28. Hey Jude

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This concert special was taped before a live audience at Berlin's open air Wuhlheide Theater. David Garrett has touched hearts and astounded audiences around the world by carving out a unique and wholly new artistic path. In a thrilling performance that moves all ages, the young German violinist weaves classical standards like Vivaldi's works with rock and pop hits from the likes of The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith and Nirvana.

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The Glass Menagerie (1987) (1987) Review

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(More customer reviews)It is incredibly rare to find a film adapted from a play that actually works and remains faithful to spirit of the original story. "The Glass Menagerie" is one of the infinitesimally few efforts that manages to do both. Casting, direction, and acting are superb, with an especially priceless performance by John Malkovich as the poetic but stifled Tom Wingfield. The entire film is worth watching for his "opium den" rant at Joanne Woodward, though the remainder is in no way lacking. This is a much underrated, gut-wrenching, true cinematic treasure.

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Who's Dancin' Now? (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)Jacques D'Amboise demonstrates the difference between a teacher and a mentor. A teacher gives information, a mentor literally reaches into a child's life and lifts him/her to a higher plane. In this video, it's great to watch Jacques coach average kids into above-average performance, and provoke them into seeing greatness in themselves, and his technique has obvious application in all fields, not just artistic or physical. This video is superb for not only profiling an accomplished mentor like Jacques, but for showing us the incredible power of dance to unchain a child's imagination, and boost their self esteem.

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Inspector Lewis Complete Set: Pilot, Series 1 & 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)I absolutely love this show! I am one of perhaps a dozen people on the planet who enjoyed watching 'Inspector Morse' more for the character of Sergeant Lewis than for Morse. I am angered, however, by the shameful way 'Lewis' is treated by PBS.
Have you ever watched an episode and wondered 'How did Hathaway know about that film deal?' or 'Why are they suspecting so-and-so all of a sudden?'; not to mention some incongruous, apparently midday, wardrobe changes? I'll tell you why this happens: these DVDs do NOT have the complete version of the episodes; PBS has done a hatchet job on them. They cut even more scenes from the versions they air on Masterpiece Mystery.
The only complete versions are those on the ITV DVDs which you'll need a region-free DVD player to watch. On the bright side, you can get the ITV versions of the pilot and series 1 through 3 (12 episodes) and a Behind-the-Scenes bonus disc for about the same price as incomplete versions of the pilot and series 1 and 2 (11 episodes - what PBS calls series 1-2 includes all the series 1 and 2 episodes and three series 3 episodes; excluding only the episode 'Counter Culture Blues' from series 3. Don't ask me why.). Oh, and the British DVDs have subtitles, too.
American license-holders: Stop giving us an inferior product for an increased price!!

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Inspector Robert Lewis (Kevin Whately) is back on familiar ground-Oxford, England-though not all is as it was. Five years after the death of his long-time partner, the legendary Inspector Morse (John Thaw), Lewis is trying to prove himself to his dubious new boss while rebuilding his life following the hit-and-run death of his wife. To do that, he must confront his past, his future, and his new younger partner, the brilliant and distant Detective Sergeant James Hathaway (Laurence Fox). Fortunately for Lewis, his most compelling cases haven't changed much at all; they still revolve around the secrets and lies of the Oxford elite he knows so well. This set contains 11 mysteries: the series pilot, Whom the Gods Would Destroy, Old School Ties, Expiation, And the Moonbeams Kiss the Sea, Music to Die For, Life Born of Fire, The Great and the Good, Allegory of Love, The Quality of Mercy, and The Point of Vanishing.

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Beckett on Film DVD Set (2003) Review

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(More customer reviews)First let me say I've been waiting my whole adult life for this collection. I've spent 30 years trying to collect audio and video recordings of Beckett's work, and suddenly here are all the theatre peices in one beautiful package. The chance that you will ever find another film version of most of these works, or ever have a chance to see them on stage, is almost nil. If you love Waiting for Godot and Endgame, you will not regret the money spent on this. Unlike most plays and almost all movies, these are peices to be seen again and again, over a lifetime, letting the beauty and subtlety of Beckett's language slowly soak into your being.
That being said, I was disappointed with only one peice: Endgame. With Michael Gambon as one of the leads, I expected the most from this play. But I'm afraid he was badly misdirected in this. He simply enjoys his dispair too much. He enjoys being a selfish, cruel master and his "Perhaps I could go on..." speech (one of Beckett's greatest)loses all its power. Gambon delivers this with hardly a pause, rambling on with the same puckish tone as the rest of his performance. (I thought maybe I was just too used to an earlier film version directed by Beckett, so I went back to the script to check this. After almost every phrase in the speech, Beckett has written (Pause). Without these pauses to let the anguish of the words sink into our minds, the speech carries no more weight than the rest of the text. Well, probably much more than you wanted to know.)
Short Review: BUY THIS NOW! You'll be watching these films again and again as long as you own a DVD player.

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2003 PEABODY AWARD WINNER!
This acclaimed film project includes all 19 plays of Samuel Beckett, considered the most significant Irish playwright of the 20th century. Many of these outstanding filmed productions have received critical acclaim at prestigious international film festivals around the world including New York, Toronto and Venice. Beckett on Film has brought together some of the most noted directors of our day including: Atom Egoyan, Damien Hirst, Neil Jordan, Conor McPherson, Damien O'Donnell, David Mamet, Anthony Minghella, Karel Reisz and Patricia Rozema. A list of distinguished actors including exceptional performances by Michael Gambon, the late Sir John Gielgud, John Hurt, Jeremy Irons, Julianne Moore, Harold Pinter, Alan Rickman and Kirsten Scott-Thomas.
THIS 4 DVD 19 Play Set includes:Waiting for Godot (running time: 2 hours)Not I (running time: 14 minutes) Rough for Theatre I (running time: 20 minutes) Ohio Impromptu (running time: 12 minutes) Krapp's Last Tape (running time: 58 minutes) What Where (running time: 12 minutes) Footfalls (running time: 28 minutes) Come and Go (running time: 8 minutes) Act Without Words I (running time: 16 minutes) Happy Days (running time: 1 hour 19 minutes) Catastrophe (running time: 7 minutes) Rough for Theatre II (running time: 30 minutes) Breath (running time: 45 seconds) That Time (running time: 20 minutes) Endgame (running time: 1 hour 24 minutes) Act Without Words II (running time: 11 minutes) A Piece of Monologue (running time: 20 minutes) Play (running time: 16 minutes) Rockaby (running time: 14 minutes) Plus a 52 minute Documentary on the making of the Beckett on Film Project
Features*Widescreen*Dolby Digital*Color and Black & White

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Fauteuils d'Orchestre Review

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(More customer reviews)Jessica (gamin-like Cecile de France from "The Spanish Apartment) arrives in Paris without a sou in her pocket but within minutes nabs a prime waitress job in a smart, stylish, up to this point type of café that only hires men as waiters, Restaurant on the Avenue Montaigne, close to the Champs Elysee' with the Eiffel Tower looming nearby.
Though "Avenue Montaigne" ("Fauteuils D'orchestre" in France or "Orchestra Seats") is very fairy tale-like, there is actually a very good reason for Jessica's hiring: the restaurant is short of help and the very next night three major events are taking place nearby: a big auction selling off the contents of an entire apartment filled with names like Braque, Brancusi and Modigliani belonging to an art collector played by the legendary Claude Brasseur, a major piano recital featuring virtuoso pianist Jean-François Lefort (Albert Dupontel) and the opening of a Feydeau farce starring TV Soap star, (actress Catherine Versen played by Valérie Lemercier) looking to land a prime Motion Picture about Simone de Beauvoir. Jessica swirls in and out of every one of these stories having a positive effect on all with her sunny sweetness and disarming honesty. There are definitely shades of "Amelie" and "Emma" at work here. "Avenue Montaigne" is as slight and light as a Crepe and de France, Brasseur and Lemercier hit all the right notes, acting-wise which sounds a lot easier than it is as the genre of light comedy is pretty much dead today and these actors are remarkably spot on here.
No one in the world makes this kind of film as well as the French and director Daniele Thompson is definitely up to the task: her film exudes warmth and a charismatic charm that is damn near impossible to resist.


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Masterpiece Theatre: All the King's Men (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)It is unusual in the history of warfare for entire units to disappear without a trace and when it does occur, such occurrences are usually the result of serious mistakes that lead to the annihilation of one's command. In American history, Custer and the 7th Cavalry come to mind. Further back, the disappearance of the entire Roman 9th Hispana Legion in Scotland is another example. In the British-made movie entitled "All the King's Men," a more recent occurrence of such an incident is portrayed. On August 12, 1915 at Gallipoli, over 300 British soldiers of the 1/5th Norfolk Battalion attacked into a morning mist and where never seen again. Few of the bodies were ever found and none returned from Turkish prisons after the war. Winston Churchill no less, called it one of the great-unsolved mysteries of the 20th Century.
This film focuses on the "Sandringham Company," formed mostly from servants, gardeners and other workers on King George V's estate of that name, which were part of the 1/5th Norfolk Battalion. Virtually none of these men were ever seen again and the Royal family made great efforts during and after the war to ascertain their fate. The main characters in this film are Captain Frank Beck (David Jason), his two nephews who are lieutenants in the company, a Sergeant Grimes, King George V and Queen Alexandra. Beck is the main focus, as the fifty-plus estate manager who organizes and prepares the unit for war; rather than appearing as an odious "Colonel Blimp" type character, Jason wonderfully portrays Beck as a trusted father figure in the unit, respected by both the King and the troops. Much of the early part of the film focuses on the lives of the men while on the estate, and Beck's efforts to go to war with them despite his age. Eventually, Queen Alexandra lends her support to his martial ambitions and Beck is allowed to lead his men off to Gallipoli.
Unfortunately, the film bogs down a bit once the unit gets to Gallipoli. In reality, the 1/5th Norfolk landed at Suvla Bay on 10 August and was lost two days later, but in the film these two days seem to drag. The fact that the British were making a major effort to break out of the Suvla Bay enclave is missed here, because the film shows the men of the company lounging about and engaging in mundane camp activities. Some patrol activity against Turkish snipers is shown, but this has little relevance. On 12 August, as part of a minor preliminary operation to clear the way for a larger attack on the next day, the 1/5th Norfolks and several other units are sent forward to clear out Turkish outposts. At this point in the film, when the unit disappears in the mists, the director begins to switch back and forth between post-war investigations into the disappearance and a hypothetical depiction of what actually occurred on that day.
Historically, the film is a bit disappointing in recounting the fate of the "Sandringham Company" because it fails to put the day in perspective. The Sandringham company is shown in total isolation from the rest of the British army. The participation of other units or even the rest of the battalion is not depicted in this film, nor is even the audience told what their mission was. In fact, Captain Frank Beck did not lead the attack; it was his superior Colonel Beauchamp (Beck is never shown interacting with his superiors), who also died. The 1/5th Norfolk lost 372 men that day, of which the Sandringham men were only 2/3rds of the casualties. Even more glaring is that the British suffered about 18,000 casualties in less than a week at Suvla Bay during the period of the Sandringham company's brief involvement in the campaign; the disappearance of a few hundred troops in the midst of such slaughter and confusion might have made more sense given these facts.
Obviously the men were all killed, since none ever returned, but the exact nature of their fate remained a mystery. This film depicts the Sandringham's as punching through the thin Turkish line in a glorious charge, but are then overwhelmed once they become surrounded behind enemy lines. The Turks execute all the captured survivors, including Beck. While this theory has merit, it is not the only possibility. The film depicts the mist as obscuring the battlefield, but fails to show the heavy scrub brush and small trees that hindered the British advance and made it difficult for the officers to maintain control. Another plausible theory, not suggested by the film, is that the 1/5th Norfolk lost cohesion in the rough terrain and the battle-hardened Turks destroyed the untried unit piece-meal. While there is little doubt that the Turks were not taking prisoners that day, there is no evidence to suggest that the "Sandringham's" went down in a blaze of glory as depicted in this film (although certainly such a depiction is preferred to anything that suggests an ignominious end). Perhaps they did, but the loss of the entire unit is more indicative of incompetence than competence.
Despite these historical reservations, the film is very well done and provides a poignant example of the enthusiasm of men to go off to war in the early days of the First World War. Although some minor characters, including a conscientious objector and a shell-shock casualty, temper the glorious view of war to some extent, the film remains committed to a patriotic depiction of martial duty. The cost of such devotion is apparent by the end of the film, but the meaning of such sacrifice is left ambiguous. Contrast this British-made ambivalence about the sacrifices of the First World War with the current American films that glorify the sacrifices of the Second World War.

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The true story of England's vanished regiment is revealed. It is one of the most compelling and curious legends of the First World War. Led by Captain Frank Beck (David Jason), a favorite agent of King George V (David Troughton, Madame Bovary), Sandringham Company was comprised entirely of servants, grooms and gardeners from the King's Norfolk Estate. On August 12, 1915 the unit marched into battle against the Turks in Gallipoli and simply vanished, never to be heard from again. Queen Alexandra, played by Dame Maggie Smith (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, A Room with a View), was the driving force behind the investigation into the real fate of the battalion. But despite her extensive inquires, no trace of the men was ever discovered. Now, All the King's Men brings the details of what really happened in 1915 to the screen for the first time. It tells the story of these amateur soldiers, the idyllic life and loves they left behind in the quintessential English country estate and the horrors of an ill-prepared campaign to which they were subjected.

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Anguish (1988) Review

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(More customer reviews)This underrated horror flick from 1986 should be seen by any movie fan intrigued by the hypnotic nature of film. The movie within a movie theme is taken to an ad nauseum degree in a hallucinogenic rollercoaster of gore and killings. There's a mad killer tearing eyeballs out of people watching a movie ("The Lost World") in a movie theater which in turn is being watched by an audience watching that movie in a movie theater which in turn we are watching (unfortunately at home and not in a movie theater)--what a mind trip that would have been!...and it doesn't even end there! It's a unique thriller which takes a theme from "Demons", but increases it ten-fold. This is a stunning widescreen 2.35:1 transfer....the old P&S VHS release really destroyed the whole design of the film....you need the entire panavison frame to get the complete effect that this is a film about film. Bizarre, gory, hypnotic....but most of all clever....check this one out...and stay for the end credits!

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Hey Mr. Producer: The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh (2006) Review

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"My Fair Lady", "Oliver", "Les Miserables", "Phantom of the Opera", "Cats", "Miss Saigon" all packed in one DVDs. My favourites include Jonathan Price as Professor Higgins singing "I've grown accustomed to her face, "You've got to Pick a Pocket or Two" from Oliver, "send in the clowns" by Judi Dench, "Oh! What a beautiful morning" from Oklahoma and the lovely melodies from Les Miserables. Though the performances were dated back in 1998, the star studded performances made a lasting impression nevertheless. The songs were enchanting melodies but it's the presence of the singers and the great chorus that maded this DVD truly special. And the line up of seven songs from "Les Miserables" highlighted the great work of Cameron Mackintosh. A wonderful treat.

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Item Name: Hey Mr. Producer!: The Musical World of Cameron Mackintosh; Studio:Well Go Asia

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Alice at the Palace (Broadway Theatre Archive) (1982) Review

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(More customer reviews)Finally, the musical Alice at the Palace is available on both DVD and VHS! I have been looking for this musical for almost 20 years, and am so delighted to have found it at Amazon[.com]. The musical stars Meryl Streep and has a talented supporting cast that helps her bring Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass to life in one musical.
Alice at the Palace appeared on TV in 1982, and at that time my family had a Beta tape recorder, so Alice was immortalized on tape. At some point the last 10 minutes were recorded over and it was transferred from Beta to VHS. Ever since it aired, my family has been on a quest to obtain a copy of the full musical...and at times I was desperate enough to go searching for just the transcript to read and relive it.
Alice at the Palace is low on grand theatrical gimmicks and high on incredible talent, songs, acting, and humor. It's a delight for both adults and children. I give it two thumbs up and five stars out of five for sheer entertainment. You'll be singing the songs for years afterwards....my family did.
And for anyone who says, "Meryl Streep? In a musical? Singing??!" I say, "Just wait..."

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ALICE AT THE PALACE - DVD Movie

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Dillinger (1973) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is not a completely true story. This is not a documentary. It is just a fun movie to watch based very loosely on a few gangsters around the early to mid 1930's. The lead roles are bank robber John Dillinger and FBI agent Melvin Purvis. While trying to capture or kill Dillinger, Purvis runs across a few other notable gangsters of the day. If you want true history, don't get it from Hollywood, head to your local library. If you want to watch a fun movie, check this one out. I believe that many people write reviews to impress others with their knowledge of history. If I was sitting in a college class, that may be significant. While I am watching a movie, who cares?

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From the writer of Apocalypse Now comes an electrifying crime saga about one of the most notorious gangsters of the 1930s. Starring Warren Oates, Ben Johnson, Cloris Leachman and Richard Dreyfuss, Dillinger sets the screen ablaze with explosive shootouts, daring escapes and magnificent performances. Bank robber John Dillinger (Oates) has become a folk hero to the people ofDepression-era America, capturing their imaginations with the exploits of his outlaw "super-gang." But time may be running out for Dillinger's violent band of fugitives; the FBI's finest agent (Johnson) is on the case, and his pursuit won't end until every member of the gang is behind bars...or dead!Charged with heartstopping action and riveting drama, Dillinger is an unforgettable experience hailed as nothing less than "brilliant" (San Francisco Chronicle)!

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Beyonce: I Am... Yours - An Intimate Performance in the Encore Theater (2009) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of the best concert video I own. I have all of Beyonce's and Destiny's Child's concert DVDs and this one surpasses them all for showcasing Beyonce's talent as a singer, songwriter, and performer. The smaller, less showy setting works perfect for the intimate storytelling theme she was going for. There isn't a moment in the show where Beyonce isn't giving 100%. Even when she's not singing or dancing, she's working it for her audience by her posture, energy, and facial expressions. From song #1 to song #20 her passion and energy remains high for the entire show. A fantastic DVD, highly entertaining, and well worth the money!

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1. Scene One: Hello Introduction (5.1 Surround Sound)2. Scene Two: Halo (5.1 Surround Sound)3. Scene Three: Irreplaceable (5.1 Surround Sound)4. Scene Four: Sweet Dreams Medley; Sweet Dreams\ Dangerously In Love\ Sweet Love (5.1 Surround Sound)5. Scene Five: If I Were A Boy; If I Were A Boy\ California Love\ You Oughta Know (5.1 Surround Sound)6. Scene Six: Scared Of Lonely (5.1 Surround Sound)7. Scene Seven: That's Why You're Beautiful (5.1 Surround Sound) 8. Scene Eight: Satellites (5.1 Surround Sound)9. Scene Nine: Resentment (5.1 Surround Sound)10. Deja Vu Jazz Medley; It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)\ Ornithology (Live at Wynn Las Vegas - 5.1 Surround Sound)11. Deja Vu (5.1 Surround Sound)12. Tap Sequence (5.1 Surround Sound)13. Scene One: I Wanna Be Where You Are; I Wanna Be Where You Are\ Welcome To Hollywood (5.1 Surround Sound)14. Scene Two: Destiny's Child; No, No, No Part 1\ No, No, No Part 2 (featuring Wyclef Jean)\ Bug A Boo (H-town Screwed Mix)\ Bills, Bills, Bills\ Say My Name\ Jumpin', Jumpin'\ Independent Women Part I\ Bootylicious\ Survivor (5.1 Surround Sound) 15. Scene Three: Beyoncé (5.1 Surround Sound)16. Untitled Chapter 16 (5.1 Surround Sound)17. Untitled Chapter 17 (5.1 Surround Sound)18. Untitled Chapter 18 (5.1 Surround Sound)19. Untitled Chapter 19 (5.1 Surround Sound)20. Scene Four: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It); Electric Feel\ Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)\ Hey Hey Heys (5.1 Surround Sound)21. Finale & End Credits (5.1 Surround Sound)22. MENU 23. What Happens In Vegas... (LPCM Stereo)

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The Outer Limits Original Series Complete Box Set Review

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(More customer reviews)This is my second review in as many that has given a zero to the poor packaging and contents and higher marks to the show itself.Let's take a look at the show first and then we'll take a look at the rest.
This is one of the top Sci-Fi shows ever to appear on television.Created by Leslie Stevens and Joe Stefano the show made its' premiere in Sept. of 1963 and WHAT a premiere it was."The Galaxy Being" certainly scared the living begeesus out of me and I will never forget that.The whole look and feel was totally different and it definitely was not The Twilight Zone but a deep and darker version of it.Nothing that intense had been seen on TV before and nothing would equal it's impact for many years.The show was directly helmed by the team of Stefano and Stevens with Dominic Frontieres' great scoring in the background through all of season one.When Season two arrived all three had departed and were replaced by others.The format underwent minor changes but it basically stayed true to its' roots.The entire story is detailed wonderfully in the "Outer Limits Companion" by David Schow and Jeff Frentzen.
Some prefer one season over the other but there is much to recommend both.Season one has its' "Galaxy Being","The Zanti Misfits","Second Chance" ,"Production and Decay of Strange Particles" and "A Feasibility Study".Season Two "The Inheritors-Parts 1&2","Keeper of the Purple Twilight" and one of the entire series top eps "The Demon with the Glass Hand".The series is filled with many well known actors like Cliff Robertson,Ted Knight,Robert Culp,Ed Asner,Eddie Albert,Robert Duvall and so many more.There is also a huge Star Trek connection as William Shatner,Leonard Nimoy and James Doohan would all make appearances,along with many of the future shows supporting actors.The ep "Production and Decay..." contains at least five future Trek actors at once,including Leonard Nimoy!
The show never had a big budget and many of the shows today look dated as a result but in quite a few like "Demon...",the props are totally minimal and it is the great script,direction and acting that more than compensate for any shortcomings in the special effects department.That the show could do so much with so little at times,is a testament to the skill of everyone involved.
It is so unfortunate it only lasted two short seasons as the show should have gone many more.As one ep in the first season states:"Maybe young people are the only ones who listen and understand-you can't reach a closed mind".And so it was,as the almighty ratings beast dictated to the head network honchos just how they ought to proceed with shows;promising or not.The biggest shows' fans were the younger gen of the time who did write in frequently praising the show but it was the adults in the end who controlled the decision making of what to watch and they weren't generally impressed with the show;at least not enough for ABC to continue with it.To top this,in the second season it was put up against the ever popular(among the entire family) Jackie Gleason Show;and Gleason wasn't going anywhere.The show may have been cancelled but it has continued in syndication ever since staying in the collective memories of those who first saw it and gaining new fans along the way.
Now let's look at the presentation.The one thing positive about this new set is the price.The original release about eight years ago broke the series into two release sets and both at the same price(at least $10 higher than this set per season!).Everything else goes down hill from here.MGM has decided in their "wisdom" to re-release this set again in the double sided disc format.BAD choice,period.As I stated in my other recent review Universal and MGM(among others) have a fondness for this type of release;it is cheap and yields the greastest profit.DVDs are notoriously scuff and scratch prone and that alone should preclude any such release of this type if these companies actually cared about the product and consumers.
The second thing about this "new" set is...that it isn't.I do not see any difference in the transfer of this product onto DVD from the original release sets."A Feasibility Study" was particlularly grainy in the first release and it remains so in this one and all other eps with any excesses in this area are also the same.So the question presents itself:"Why?".Why would MGM not remaster these eps like they should be,after all this time?
I can certainly recommend the series itself as a groundbreaking one of its' day,as many of the eps still hold up very well,despite the budgetary restrictions.But it gets a zero as far as release presentation goes.It certainly is cheaper than the original release sets but it is just a simple re-packaging of the material on hand.Shame on MGM.

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Disc 1: The Outer Limits Vol. 1 Disc 1 Disc 2: The Outer Limits Vol. 1 Disc 2 Disc 3: The Outer Limits Vol. 2 Disc 1 Disc 4: The Outer Limits Vol. 2 Disc 2 Disc 5: The Outer Limits Vol. 3 Disc 1 Disc 6: The Outer Limits Vol. 3 Disc 2 Disc 7: The Outer Limits Vol. 3 Disc 3

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Moon over Broadway (1998) Review

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(More customer reviews)Moon Over Broadway co-directed by legendary documentary director D.A. PENNEBAKER and his wife Chris Hegedus, is a behind the scenes documentary of the making of the Broadway Show Moon over Buffalo which starred Phillip Bosco, and Carol Burnett and was written by Ken Ludwig. From the announcement of the play being produced, to the beginning of rehearsal, to the disasterous Boston run, to the opening on Broadway. The access to the creative process the film-makers got is pretty amazing and what they captured is a rare behind the scenes warts and all glimpse of how a Broadway show is shaped. It doesn't take us long to realize we seem to be watching a train wreck occurring in slow motion.
Well things perhaps don't turn out as bad as you might believe. The show did wind up being moderately successful and audiences seemed to enjoy this bit of theatrical fluff.
Particularly interesting is the inter-play between the writer Ludwig, director Tom Moore, and the stars. There's a few truly candid moments caught with the producer and some of the show's backers as well. Being privvy to the whole process is a fascinating and educational experience.
But if you are lucky enough to have the DVD of the film, we are from over. As Paul Harvey would say... and then there's The Rest of the Story. . . .
The DVD has a commentary track that is no holds barred and reveals much more than the film ever could. The commentaries from the various actors, directors and producers, two to three years after the show closed, and a year or so after the documentary was released are remarkable frank, candid and revealing. Carol Burnett does contribute (via phone calls) to the commentary track as well. You'll gain even more insight and realize how deep wounds go by re-watching the film with it's invaluable commentary.
The movie is very good. The DVD package is remarkable.
Chris Jarmick Author of The Glass Cocoon with Serena F. Holder - A steamy cyber thriller. Available January 2001. Please order today. Thank You.

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Hailed as "irresistible" by the New York Times, Moon Over Broadway is a no-holds barred, behind-the scenes look at the making of the Broadway comedy, Moon Over Buffalo, starring TV sensation Carol Burnett. Revealing what really goes on before the curtain

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Sweeney Todd in Concert (2001) Review

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(More customer reviews)As one who has been associated with the creators of "Sweeney" on other productions and as a champion of the original production, one still has to admit to the plot problems at the end of the original's second act. This new production effortlessly aviods those traps on the way to the most focused performance of "Sweeney" yet. Featuring two former Sweeneys (Geoarge Hearn as Sweeney and Timothy Nolen as a wonderfully re-conceived Judge Turpin), Patti LuPone making the role of Mrs. Lovett totally her own (no easy proposition with the spectre of Angela Lansbury always nearby) and a wonderfuly talented supporting cast, Director Lonny Price guides this production effortlessly to it's grizzly end. Featuring amazingly thoughtful camerawork which actually advances the plot as opposed to observing it, one gets to know the characters as readily as if this were a fully staged production. Then again--maybe "less" really is "more" in this case. The San Francisco Symphony under Rob Fisher is impeccable. If you value musical theater, if you value Steve Sondheim's supreme contribution to the genre, you must own this version. But go first class---own them all!

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This delicious production of Stephen Sondheim's "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street," a musical thriller of revenge and romance set in Victorian England, features Broadway diva Patti LuPone as Mrs. Lovett and veteran stage actor George Hearn in the title role. Premiering in 1979, the legendary "Sweeney Todd"--winner of nine New York Drama Critics Circle Awards and eight Tony Awards--is recorded with the San Francisco Symphony as conducted by Rob Fisher. Now a major motion picture directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp! Opens in theaters December 21, 2007

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Street Thief (2007) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is honestly a great movie, I first say it on A&E and thought it was such a smart movie, weather it's a documentry or a mocumentry, it's a good film to see. You can't find it on Netflix and they arn't showing reruns anymore. Free Shipping? Good deal.

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Kaspar Carr is a master thief, targeting businesses in the Chicago area. In STREET THIEF, he stakes out fresh opportunities in front of a documentary film crew, which gradually becomes complicit in his crimes. As the director and producer become entangled in the allure of their fascinating subject and the legal ramifications of their actions, Carr pursues a series of larger-scale and more dangerous jobs. All the while, he reveals how he came to choose this unconventional lifestyle.STREET THIEF combines elements of film noir and cinema vérité in a novel approach to filmmaking. Shadowing Carr and his film crew from urban supermarkets to suburban shopping malls to the snowy fields of Wisconsin, viewers are rewarded with a voyeuristic view into the lives of the thief and the filmmakers and are able to witness firsthand their changing philosophies and notions of morality.DVD Features: Trailer; Deleted Scenes

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Masterpiece Theatre: Carrie's War (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)I came across this movie on a BBC channel late one night and was instantly intrigued. The characters are enchanting and the storyline always keeps you interested. I stayed up way too late watching it through to the end, but it was worth it, and now I'm buying it on DVD to share with my kids and looking for the book. It's great!!!!!!

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Item Name: Masterpiece Theatre: Carrie's War; Studio:WGBH Boston

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