La Traviata

More of a spectacle than an opera performance
It's good within the limitations of an outdoor event.

I didn't like the very prominent microphones or the frequent panning of the camera to what were presumably sponsors names on city buildings

La Traviata - Brilliant performance and audio
Operas should be revitalised by new inspiration to make them relevant to today's new audiences rather than preserved in camphor. Opera Australia's new venture of a once-a-year opera performance on Sydney Harbour is a way of doing this as it challenges even the most basic tenets of putting on an opera. Directed by Francesca Zambello this La Traviata is a triumph of technical ingenuity in every aspect from the floating mirrored stage, to the suspension of the giant chandelier, to the amazing audio.

The stage props are necessarily sparse as there is minimal space for storage and no convenient curtain to effect scene changes behind. Yet, the props used are stunningly oversized and have impact, seamlessly moved into place, or removed, as part of the show. The stage itself conceals the orchestra `pit' below, so that performers and conductor can only see each other via video screens, and it is this, plus the challenges of recording anything out of doors that makes the quality of...

OPERA AUSTRALIA SCORES A GRAND SLAM !!!
This an easy review. Four new releases from OPERA AUSTRALIA and are all SPECTACULAR, CREATIVE, and among the best new stagings I have recently viewed. They are not perfect; but, DO THEY WORK !!!
They are LAKME, RIGOLETTO, DON GIOVANNI, and this new TRAVIATA. I will be reviewing each in the next few days. Do yourself a favor and try all four. They are bold new and creative settings with mostly excellent musical values and fine detailed stage directorial touches.
1) Emma Matthews is the real thing a great coloratura VIOLETTA with a stunning high Eflat. She is also an accomplished actress. Her embellishments are great, runs, staccatti, every thing is easy and natural for her. She has it all and it's really her show all the way!
2) The production is updated to Sydney Harbor on a wonderful all flexible theatrical barge with the Opera House and Sydney Harbor for a back drop... it works.
3) Modern setting and colorful dress costumes that work and are "eye...

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Love & Valor: The Intimate Civil War Letters

Love & Valor: The Intimate Civil War Letters
For those of us interested in the Civil War, whenever such private letters and/or diaries are made accessible to we all benefit from the added information and personal perspective that they contain. I have not yet read the book, and after watching this video it is something that I intend to do. The video can only provide snippets of the entire correspondence, and since it consists of day-to-day matters, in this medium it may seem a little dry to some. One incidental thing about this video: about halfway through I clued into the soft background music. For some reason it had piqued my interest and seemed familiar - but could figure out what it was for about 30 seconds... when I realized that it was "Deutschland über alles" (now the German national anthem). I guess being in a Civil War context it wouldn't register in my mind, but I knew what it was, I thought it a nice touch. Many, many Germans left central Europe in the war of the 1848/49 revolution, many were "liberal" and...

Civil war
This was very good! I Highly Recommend watching this DVD! This was a very well made DVD and would purchase it again as a gift!

Fascinating
I enjoyed the family history given. The interviews and the trips to the places where incidents happened. Anyone who collects Civil War movies must see this. There is information here on little known conflicts as well.

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Mystery Trooper

Subtract a few stars if you expect a good serial
"The Mystery Trooper" is a 10 chapter serial produced in 1931 by Harry S. Webb, under the "Wonder Serials" name, directed by Stuart Paton and released by Syndicate Pictures. The story is by Flora E. Douglas, with continuity and dialogue by Carl Krusada. While it has been called the worst serial ever made, such an honour depends on how "worst" is defined, and while certainly a top contender it helps illustrate how the "Poverty Row" producers dealt with making early sound films. My "4-star" rating is mostly from finding that Grapevine's DVD was from the original version, and not an indication of the merits of the serial or of the transfer quality.

The story has Jack Logan (Robert Frazer) inheriting half a map from his uncle, who years earlier had quarreled with his partner over discovery of a lost Indian gold mine near Moosehead, somewhere in Canada. Jack goes to Moosehead, but is followed by a gangster, Mack (Charles King) who plots with Jean Gregg (Al Ferguson), trading...

"The King of Serials...VCI Entertainment ~ "The Mystery Trooper (1931)"
VCI Entertainment and Guaranteed Pictures Co Inc present "The Mystery Trooper" (1931) (Dolby digitally remastered), (a.k.a."Trail of the Royal Mounted") with 10 Chapters of vintage serial episodes jam packed with thrilling action sequences and stunts that will keep you on the edge of your seat...our story opens with this all talkie serial with a map that leads to a rich mysterious Indian mine hidden up in the hills...our hero Jack Logan (Robert Frazer) has in his possession half of the map that Mack (Charles King) is bent on stealing during all 10 episodes...is the heroine Helen (Blanche Mehaffey) and her brother Billy (Buzz Barton) in danger because they too have another part of the map...will our story get anymore exciting with the help of the evil French trader Jean Gregg (Al Ferguson) who is behind most of the skullduggery...can the identity of the cloaked Northwest Mounted Police Constable (The Mystery Trooper) be the answer to clear up all the mysteries that lie ahead... ...but...



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Complete Piano Sonatas Nos 1-32 [Blu-ray]

It's very, very good...
...if your expectations are not out of line with what is being presented.

These performances were recorded in ca. 1984 on 35mm film then much later transferred to BD format, with some recordings presenting better than others as he moves from room to room in notable Vienna palaces/living spaces, changing the available light and acoustics with each passing piece. The sound quality and image quality are commensurate with a 35mm film process: if you are expecting surround DTS-HD and 4000+ pixel digital images at high frame rates from a Red Epic or an ARRI Alexa, you're probably going to be disappointed. These videos are very good 35mm quality overall, except perhaps the Appassionata in F minor, no. 23, which suffers from low-light shallow depth-of-field focus issues. The sound is in stereo format, not 5.1 or 7.1, etc.

In terms of the performance itself, Barenboim has an amazingly disarming command of these compositions, once you realize that all 32 sonatas are...

Third of Four
OVERVIEW:
Daniel Barenboim memorized the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas when he was only 17 years of age, and has performed them for half a century. During that time he has recorded at least four complete cycles:
(1) His first recording for Westminster is excerpted in the 3-LP set "Prodigy and Genius: Barenboim and Beethoven." One copy is currently available on eBay.
(2) At the age of 24 he signed a contract with EMI to record his second cycle (1966/69), and it appeared on quality vinyl in a 1970 boxed set, used copies of which can still be found by those who seek to do so. Earlier this year, EMI re-released the cycle on CD, in a significantly better mastering than the previous 1998 CD release.
(3) Metropolitan Video produced and Jean-Pierre Ponnelle directed a third cycle in various acoustically excellent and photogenic settings from 1981 to 1984, and DGG released the soundtrack on audio cassette, "digital LP" and CD (the cover photograph shows Barenboim in the same...

Excellent, but I prefer the live set from Berlin
This set was recorded in 1983 and 1984 in four different "palaces" and castles, showing Barenboim at what one might call his middle period. His first recording of the Beethoven sonatas on disc, in his mid-twenties, bore the impetuousness of youth. His later interpretations, such as the mid-1980s cycle for DG, show wisdom acquired through experience. These films are from that period, and catch Barenboim at a stage where he had been playing these works for decades. His performances here are polished and refined, though lacking the sparkle of the 2005 live recordings. Barenboim is generally expressionless as he performs, and, while he gets a bit animated at times, his face betrays very little.

The filming is unadventurous. Edits are conservative, there are lots of long shots, and not many showing Barenboim's dazzling finger-work. There is much attention to the surroundings; the buildings are merely the setting for the music, however, and shouldn't be more than that. There are...

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Tutto Verdi Highlights [Blu-ray]

Excellent Way to Preview New Verdi Series
This is a sampler; it contains one selection each from most,, but not all, of the complete Verdi operas being released by C Major/Unitel Classica between now and next Spring. Since buying the entire series involves a substantial cash outlay over time, the disc gives the potential buyer a limited opportunity to evaluate performances because most excerpts feature one performer. On the plus side, disc quality in this series seems to be first rate, with all operas being made from an HD master, with very fine surround sound, and subtitles in "E, F, Sp, I, Chin, Kor, Jap". Some operas will be first time DVDs while others face varying levels of competition from existing discs.

All operas are performed by the Teatro Regio di Parma, a tough venue for singers, since the Parmigiani are a very demanding bunch in the audience. Some performances are done in the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi in Busetto, a venue I like a lot since it seats only 300 and the stage is about 30 m deep. Orchestral work...

you get what you pay for....or maybe just a little bit more
I have a considerably lower opinion of this disk than John Gleason in another review, but am deeply indebted to him for his careful and detailed analysis, which was the reason for my purchase. I paid around 9 dollars from a reseller, and feel it was worth it, but if this disk had been much more expensive, I'd have felt cheated and would say to others to hold off. I found five or six of the excerpts at "Met level" or thereabouts, but the others considerably less strong. Beyond that something Mr. Gleason doesn't comment on is the production value of the video (not the staging, but the sound and photography). (By the way, all of my references are to the Blu-Ray version, which is the one I bought.) It was a real disappointment to me. E.g., the quartet at the end of Rigoletto did not utilize the potential of modern individual miking technology to bring out individual voices/harmonies/vocal interactions. I have no idea how it was miked (radio or whatever), but I have heard many Blu-Ray...

Well Worth Buying
This is a pretty nice intro to the Box set and it gives you some idea of the production and vocal values of some of the operas. I wish we could have seen more of the lesser known opera like Alzira, I Masnadieri etc. instead of the old war horses which have many different DVD's available.

Just from seeing this single DVD I can honestly say that the box set is NOT worth buying - some of the individual operas are - especially ones like Alzira - but most of the War Horses are available in better productions with famous singers.

These operas are all set in small provincial opera houses and some of the staging is minimalist at best. The Il Trovatore staging was not only awful but so was the singing. I didn't got for the White Bed, Candles and Red Moon for Di Quella Pira. I suggest if you want that opera get either the Met version with Pavarotti or the TDK with Domingo. Both are better sung, and the Domingo is the well stages - the Met is pretty poor staging...

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Coming Home: Israel Philharmonic 75th Anniversary [Blu-ray]

An exhilarating concert with everyone on absolutely top form
This 75th Anniversary concert, recorded in 2011 at Tel Aviv in Hanger 11, is a spectacular success on every level.Clearly this anniversary meant a great deal to the players and audience and the whole event rises to the occasion in a way that is really quite special.

The concert starts with an assured and exciting performance of Saint Saens' Introduction and Rondo played by Julian Rachlin who adds a thoughtfully satisfying Sarabande from Bach's second Partita as an encore. Expectations were high therefore as Kissin settled down to deliver as fine a performance of Chopin's fist piano concerto as I have heard. This was full of detail and nuance without, for a single moment, losing the wonderful effect of spontaneous music making. The number of meltingly beautiful moments throughout this concerto were almost beyond number. Interestingly it was not a brilliant performance in terms of virtuoso speed. Those characteristics, which he demonstrated at Warsaw on a previous anniversary...

More than just a concert
This is a fascinating Blu-ray in many ways. First and foremost, it marks the 75th anniversary of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. Curiously, as good as the concert is, I didn't really detect extra emotion from the players or audience related to this major occasion. But the accompanying documentary (nearly an hour long) fills this gap nicely.

The documentary effectively charts the history of the orchestra, hitting all the highlights. Benefiting from a large number of interviews with orchestra members past and present, it shows how the orchestra has attracted stellar musicians from around the world, originally largely from Germany and Austria, and more recently from Russia. It also touches on Arturo Toscanini's early championing, Leonard Bernstein's injections of excitement, and the five-decade relationship with Zubin Mehta, who has helped the orchestra maintain its Central European sound through all these years. I found it very interesting, and as you might expect, moving...

Great performance by Kissin
The Israel Philharmonic does its usual superb job, especially when under the direction of Mehta. Kissin gives a spectacular performance of Chopin. And the DVD has an fantastic added bonus about the Israel Philharmonic with commentaries by Mehta, Barenboim, Zuckerman and many others connected with the Orchestra

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Carnivale: The Complete Seasons 1-2

"To each generation...born a creature of light and a creature of darkness"..
Easily as eliptic, complex and mysterious as "Twin Peaks" with more magic in its soul "Carnivale" only lasted two seasons on HBO because the witless suits didn't have the imagination to see the value the series added to their schedule. Keep in mind these are the same folks that also cancelled their second most watched series "Deadwood" after having already renewed if for a third.

Set during the 1934 dustbowl we first meet the ragtag members of the Carnivale as they pass through Oklahoma. Ben Hawkins (Nick Stahl) mother has just died. His home is about to be bulldozed and the dust storms that struck the midwest rage incessantly. Jonesy (Tim DeKay)the head roustabout stands up to those about to destroy Hawkins home and helps him bury his mom as do the other members of the carnival. Suddenly their family whether Hawkins likes it or not.

It seems Hawkins has the ability to heal others and perform miracles. He's a lost soul in denial of his abilities and focused on...

Stands in testimony to the stupidity of the folks at HBO.
To me this was the absolute finest production ever made for television/cable and because "only" several million totally devoted viewers could not get HBO to finish the four or five year series, we are left with two and will never know where this journey could have taken us all. It is magnificent but it is painful to watch because you know that it is unfinished "business." I for one have never watched HBO again because to make the time and emotional investment in Carnivale that so many of us made only to hear we didn't count, says to me that they can and most likely will do the same thing again.

HBO seems to thrive on super violent material that is laced with meaningless four letter words. The actors on _The Sopranos_ certainly have a payroll that out does the production costs of Carnivale yet maybe there is no room even on cable for works of complexity that demand that viewers think.

So buy it and yes, HBO owns it and will profit - but just this one last time...

One of THEE best HBO Series!!!!!!
Why HBO didn't renew this series, I'll never know. It's based back in the "dust bowl" era of America with a boy in a traveling circus and a preacher gone evil. It deals with the power to heal, good vs evil, and more. Carnivable was based in a time of nobility. However man created wonder for reason. And the show takes you back to that time of wonder and after each episode you think back to that time of nobility.

A very well made series! But why didn't HBO keep going with it????

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Ernani

I recant.
I must apologize for my unfairly low evaluation of Ernani. I watched and listened again. Indeed, it was much better by a long shot than it came across to me the first time. I must have been tired or inattentive or angry. Certainly, I want to encourage the Tutto Verdi series. While I'm not wild about this performance, it is very competent and at times rousing. Please, as I did, listen again and reconsider if an initial negative response is questionable for any reason.

Disappointingly Uneven
I like Ernani. As William Berger notes in "Verdi With A Vengeance", it is "...graced with more melody in a few hours than most composers managed in a lifetime". Thus it was that I put this disc in the player, with great anticipation, based on the preceeding C Major Tutto Verdi releases.

Alas ...

Three of the four principal singers were average at best. When I heard Marco Berti begin Ernani's first scene aria, all I could think of was the title to a late 1980's show, "Lend Me A Tenor". It sounded like he had not warmed up, but even later in the opera, he sounded clumsy and unfocused. Susan Neves, who supposedly has Elvira as one of her major roles, doesn't. Her bottom notes were right off the glottus and her upper notes had a forced quality. Bass Giacomo Prestia as Silva had a noticeable wobble. No one tried to act.

Saving the day, so to speak, was Carlo Guelfi as Don Carlo. Although he, too, sounded like he had not warmed up when he made his entrance,...

An Exhilerating Performance of Verdi's First Verdian Opera
Ernani is the fifth of Verdi's canon (1844) and in many ways the beginning of the real Verdian operatic dramas. Ernani is focused on a clear set of issues and as pronounced by Budden (The Operas of Verdi) in this opera Verdi defines the male voice arch types he will use for the rest of his career. The granite like monochromatic bass (Silva) to whom honor and family pride are excessively important, the heroic tenor whose lyrical, ardent, suffering lover and his railing against authority makes him the romantic hero as Victor Hugo had invented him. The third voice type will be the most potent force in Italian opera to come; The Verdi baritone. In the character Carlo, the King of Spain and soon to be Emperor Carlo V he is a mix of conflicting noble and impulsive desires. He looms largest over the events and lives of the others. His is the throne and the power. It is a powerful and exciting story.
At it's premiere this opera was an overwhelming success. It really made Verdi famous and...

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Knowledge Is the Beginning & Ramallah Concert

Excellent film
This is a very important documentary about a wonderful experiment in international relations. The orchestra created by Daniel Barenboim and Edward Said brings together Arab and Jewish young people, who blend well in making beautiful music. The first disc provides the background for the orchestra and clips of various concerts. The second disc is a full-blown concert a few years later.





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Bagels with Bruce

Cool mini-series
This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the series.

Tanner 88 is a TV miniseries which aired on HBO during the 1988 election year. It portrays the campaign a fictional presidential candidate by the name of Jack Tanner.

He is ultra liberal and nominates Ralph Nader for Commerce secratary, Gloria Steinem for Health secratary and other actvists for cabinet positions.

The film has a cast of many famous people playing themselves, including the late country singer, Waylon Jennings, Bob Dole, Pat Robertson, Gary Hart, and many others.

The show ran for 11 episodes starting with the beginning of his campaign to his loss of the nomination to Michael Dukakis.

I found it to be interesting and had some interesting humor in it also. Also since the show aired on HBO it contains language and scenes not shown on regular television. It would get a TV MA for language and sensuality if aired today.

The Criterion DVD...

Tanner is for real
Tanner is an odd bird, it hasn't aged quite as well as i thought it would...yet it remains interesting and sometimes fascinating. The performances are all over the place, sometimes great (Micheal Murphy especially) and sometimes alomst cartoonish...this could be a result of the writing...Trudeau is a cartoonist after all. Being taped on video gives it an odd look as well. Still i watched the whole thing in one sitting and wanted more...so it gets 4 stars. (the interview with Altman and Trudeau is a nice plus)

Robert Altman's Mockumentary MASTERPIECE
This is one of the most important things Alman's done. Which is probably why it's one of his favorites along with MASH and NASHVILLE and SHORT CUTS. It is a political satire set in the '88 presidential election. It has everything and more, even a sequal, Tanner On Tanner. Very smart and sophisticated. CHECH IT OUT NOW!!!!!!

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Reichorchester [Blu-ray]

Playing for Germany
"Then all of a sudden the portrait of Mendelssohn vanished". Thus begins the Berlin Philharmonic's 12-year period under Nazi control. The Philharmonic had been owned by the musicians, but in early 1934 Josef Goebbels' propaganda ministry took over and the orchestra became part of the effort to promote the superiority of German culture. But as this fine documentary makes clear, it was never a "Nazi orchestra". There were a handful of committed Nazis who intimidated their colleagues, and the 4 Jewish members soon emigrated. As to the rest, some eventually joined the Nazi party, whether out of careerism or self-preservation, while the rest made sure not to rock the boat. And there were good reasons not to, aside from the political threat - they were, after all, the elite Berlin Philharmonic, with Furtwangler as their conductor; who would want to give that up? When war broke out, the musicians were deemed essential in their propaganda role, and none was obliged to enter military service,...

Superb documentary of Berlin Philharmonic in Third Reich
I can only add my words of praise to everyone else. This documentary is a superb telling of the Berlin Philharmonic during the Third Reich. It doesn't gloss over, it doesn't condemn - it simply tells you what it was like and allows you to make your own decisions. I learned a great deal from this documentary that I hadn't realized before.

I do confess, however, to curiosity over why there is NO mention of von Karajan conducting the Berlin Philharmonic during the Third Reich. Of course, he wasn't the principal conductor - that was Furtwangler - but Karajan WAS a guest conductor during that period, plus, he was Goring's protege, Hitler had named him State Conductor, etc. It's simply curious that he was totally absent - they mentioned other guest conductors, etc., but never him. Oh, well, no matter. Even without him, this was a superb documentary which I enjoyed immensely and learned a great deal from.

The Art of Moral Compromise
This documentary by Enrique Sánchez Lansch focuses on a fascinating and under-examined historical subject--how the Berlin Philharmonic, Germany's preeminent orchestra, adapted itself to the political and cultural realities under the Nazi regime from 1933 to 1945. The orchestra, known for its brilliant musicianship under the legendary conductor Wilhelm Furtwängler, had to toe the party line under Hitler's rule, purging its Jewish members (four of the musicians were forced to leave) and allowing itself to be used for propaganda purposes in Germany and on foreign tours. Archival footage shows the orchestra playing at Nazi party conferences, before and after speeches by Hitler and Goebbels, and during the opening ceremonies of the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin under the grim, watchful eyes of the military and political elite. In return for its cooperation, the Philharmonic was granted a number of special privileges. Its members were exempt from military service and enjoyed a...

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Just B Live - Foam Roller Core Workout with Bonus Mat Sculpt

Maybe the best pilates workout I've done ever.
Bernadette Giorgi's foam roller workout is the most...peaceful killer workout ever. What do you mean? Well, not only are you centred, as you tend to be doing Bernadette's workouts, but you work every aspect of your body, while getting a great massage from the foam roller. And yes, of course giving your core the most amazing workout. Bernadette doesn't just do basic pilates, but she adds her own little twists to things, extra holds, little extra twists: things that you don't really see in 'traditional' pilates, but things that Bernadette are known for, and quite frankly what I love about her practices. The little touch of "differences".

The practice is about one hour long. You actually DON'T need a foam roller for this workout. When I first did this live class, I didn't have access to my foam roller, but if you know how to do pilates, you know how to make it work without it. (Some will require you to do things like mountain climbers, or just alternate legs, etc). But DO try...

Pretty good
A bit disappointed with this dvd. It was just not as challenging or informative as I had hoped. Would not buy another from this series.



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Il Prigionier Superbo & La Serva Padrona

More amazing rare Pergolesi from Jesi
Last year saw the Blu-ray release of Adriano in Siria, the first Pergolesi opera made available through a new initiative by the Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini to not only stage new editions of all the existing opera works by the composer - all of them rare, most all-but forgotten - but to have them all released to the public on DVD and, if we're lucky, Blu-ray. The hopes raised by Adriano in Siria at the possibility of recovering some unheard of masterpieces are met with yet another extraordinary work (or should I say pair of works, since the composer's Intermezzos are also being recorded and released alongside the main works) in the 1732 dramma per musica Il Prigionier Superbo (The Proud Captive), which is released here alongside its rather more famous Intermezzo, La Serva Padrona. And, happily, it's another exceptionally well-performed production of a work that truly merits rediscovery and re-evaluation, which...

Pergolesi in Iesi
Read the reviews by Keris Nine and Giordano Bruno first. Everything they say is bang on. (Even their points of disagreement make sense. You won't get unanimity about this DVD.)

First, what's good about this DVD and why should you buy it if you are a serious music lover and opera afficionado?

1.) Pergolesi's music, melodically straightforward, often hard-driving, often rhythmically inventive (in a way that makes it fun to listen to, but tricky to play.) Most music lovers know and love Stravinsky's Pulcinello, which is based on the music of Pergolesi. Stravinsky has beautifully captured the charm of Pergolesi's music, and given it a neo-classical update.

A good many of us know about La Serva Padrona, which changed the course of opera and opened the way for longer and more "serious" applications of commedia dell'arte, such as The Marriage of Figaro (which may not have been possible without Serva.) The evening recreated by these DVDs is one of the most...

Weirder Ain't Always Gooder!
Read Keris Nine's review before continuing with mine. Keris says all the nice things about these two productions that I would prefer to say, and Keris is a consistently fine reviewer. However ...

These two DVDs make a very good case for the value of sound-only CDs. The staging of La Serva Padrona, mis-en-scene in a circus, is not offensive. In fact, it's modestly amusing. But it completely disregards and diminishes both the humor and the earnest social commentary of the libretto, which is all about class consciousness and class resentment. If the drama is so dispensable, why not just stage it as a concert, even though it was the drama more than the rather workaday music that kept this intermezzo popular far longer than any other stage piece by Pergolesi?

"Il Prigionier Superbo" is another matter. Several of the arias and ensemble pieces in it are very fine, fiery/luscious Vivaldi-worthy Baroque, and some of the principal singers are musically magnificent in their...

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Sleeping Beauty

Highly recommended
I was delighted to see that this ballet is availabe on DVD. I bought it because of the two principal dancers and I was not disappointed. I was lucky enough to see David Hallberg dancing when he was a guest with the Australian Ballet. Svetlana Zakharova is a magnificent dancer and I have her performances in Swan Lake, Giselle, La Bayadere and my favourite, The Pharaoh's Daughter, on DVD.

This is an opulent production, beautiful sets and costumes and of course Tchaikovsky's music.

I choose this DVD firstly because of Svetlana Zakharova, Secondly, I was interested to see how David Hallberg perfoms especially
I choose this DVD firstly because of Svetlana Zakharova. Secondly, I was interested to see how David Hallberg preforms especially after reading all about how he is the first Western ballet dancer gets to join the Bolshoi Ballet, and to see how he performs with such a big star as Zakharova. Well, I must say I was impressed. I thought Hallberg did an excellent job as you can imagine the kind of pressure and responsibility that he must had felt. And as for Zakharova, she is absolutely sensation to watch. One tends to lose track of time when watching her dance.

However, I find Maria Allash performs the role of Lilac Fairy to be quite disappointed. You have to wonder as how is she able to obtain such an important role when there are plenty of other girls to choose from in Bolshoi Ballet.

Overall, it is a very good 'Sleeping Beauty' DVD. I would recommend it to people who love ballet and who have the knowledge in the field - a must have DVD.

Magnificent
This is a wonderful performance. My favorite up to this time was the one with Dupont/Legris. Much as they are still my favorite couple, this performance by Zakharova/Hallberg is simply in the stratosphere. And the Garland Waltz with the kids participating is so sweet.

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Sir George Solti: Journey of a Lifetime

Solti: Journey of a Lifetime
One has to be a fan of Sir Georg to enjoy this DVD. I am, so I did. There is not much new information on the great
conductor, but I enjoyed Lady Solti's comments as well as some of his former players and friends. The obvious
enthusiasm and PASSION Solti had for music is the first thing I notice about, not only interviews, but in the actual playing of the various orchestras....especially the CSO. I have just about ALL of the recordings and now the DVDs
about Solti. This one is a prize possession.





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I Puritani

Rivetting
Although it's set during a period of considerable interest in English history - the Interregnum that takes in the conflict between the Cromwell's Roundheads and Royalists loyal to the Charles I and the Stuarts - the libretto for Bellini's I Puritani makes little use of the historical circumstances but rather, not surprisingly for an Italian bel canto opera, merely uses it as a backdrop for a story of romantic intrigue. If the libretto follows a well-worn generic line in this respect, I Puritani - Bellini's last work before his early death - is however rather more interesting musically, having more in common with Verdi than Rossini or Donizetti and showing the composer at his most imaginative and inspired. It's fortunate then that there is great emphasis and attention paid to this musical aspect in the De Nederlandse production from 2009, but effort is made in other areas of the production in an attempt to make the work a little stronger and more coherent that it might otherwise...

Original Paris edition (1835) - Quite Different
Every once in a while I rummage through my stacks of CDs and pull out a treasured set. It is to remind me what real Bel Canto singing must have been like in the 1830s when Bellini first presented I Puritani. This CD album is the remastered Maria Callas recording of 1953. Then I was in graduate school and remember that I and my friends marveled at everyone in the cast for such beautiful singing: Callas, of course, di Stefano as Arturo, Rossi-Lemeni as Giorgio and Panerai as Riccardo with Tullio Serafin conducting at La Scala. Her notes were not always on pitch but her agility at fioratura, roulades,trills etc was a marvel but it was all in character. I've loved this opera ever since have seen/heard many performances since. Anna Moffo did a creditable job but Sills, Southerland and E. Gruberova were super creditable as coloratura Bel Canto singers. The Met's recent presentation with Anna Netrebko was not "Bel Canto" but was a dramatic and passionate tour de force and a tremendous...



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Sir George Solti: Journey of a Lifetime [Blu-ray]

Interesting take on a remarkable musical genius
I thought the other film on Solti: Georg Solti, the making of a Maestro was better in that it covered more ground and was also very well done, but I enjoyed this very much and the two are somewhat complimentary. This of course is on Blu and thus has a slightly better picture quality. Solti was a remarkable man, one of many musical genii to come out of Hungary's Jewish community, and surely one of the greatest conductors of all time. His recording of Wagner's Ring has never been equalled in artistic terms even if some of the more recent recordings are better recorded. Hopefully The making of a Maestro will also get a Blu-ray release. This is a fine film that gives much insight into Solti the man.





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WWE: Brock Lesnar - Here Comes the Pain! (Collector's Edition)

Official Listing
Growing Up

Debut: Destruction

King Brock

Brock vs. Rock

Battling the Dead Man

Surviving the Big Show

Wrestling Machines

Backlash

Stretcher Match

Brock Lesnar makes his WWE Debut
18th March, 2002

"The Next Big Thing" takes on the Hardy Boyz
8th April, 2002

Brock Lesnar returns to WWE
2nd April, 2012

Coming Back

Brock Lesnar vs. Leviathan
Ohio Valley Wrestling 28th September, 2001

The Journey

OVW Southern Tag Team Championship Match
Rico Constantino & Prototype vs. The Minnesota Stretching Crew
Ohio Valley Wrestling 10th November, 2001

Superstar?

Jeff Hardy vs. Brock Lesnar
Backlash 21st April, 2002

Wrecking Machine

King of the Ring Finals
Rob Van Dam vs. Brock Lesnar
King of the Ring 23rd June, 2002

Who I Am

Rob...

The First (And Second) Look At "The Next Big Thing"
Back in 2003, WWE released a one disc DVD set of Brock Lesnar since he was definitely the biggest new superstar to come from WWE since the Attitude Era at that time. However nobody knew that he would eventually leave the company a short time afterwords & returned almost a decade later as a bigger name than when he left due to his accomplishments in the Ultimate Fighting Championship MMA promotion causing WWE to release a "Collector's Edition" of this set. Since I've actually seen both sets (and Amazon doesn't separate the original from the Collector's Edition), I'll review both of them here.

THE 2003 ORIGINAL EDITION:
The documentary covers his childhood to his first year in the WWE however you don't hear from Brock past the opening chapter of him growing up (which was taken from the "Before They Were Superstars" DVD series) but the rest of the DVD contains comments from various in-ring & backstage talents including Pat Patterson, Michael Hayes, Steve Lombardi, Paul...

WWE - Brock Lesnar
I thought I would make a review after the DVD was released and give actual facts of the DVD and it's features. Unlike the first four yahoos that just wanted to put in their two cents in before they knew anything. It turned out that they had no clue after all, big shock there. The first chapter of the DVD is the Brock Lesnar segment from Before They Were WWE Superstars 2, and is the only chapter that you actually hear from Brock. The rest of the DVD is Superstars, Officials, Agents, and other WWE personnel speaking very candidly and as them self's and NOT as their "turned up" ring personas. What Paul Hymen contributes is great cause you get to see him as a man and not the little worm he plays on SMACKDOWN! Other contributors include Big Show, Dreamer, Rey, Cena, Angle, and many many more. You learn of the extent of Lesnar's WM19 injury and other great stuff. Unlike what one of the other "review writers" wrote these events are not highlighted, (WWE SMACKDOWN! Ring collapsing, (it is...

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Nirvana: The Final Chapter

Excellent Album Profile
I just received and watched the "Nirvana: The Final Chapter" DVD and was unexpectedly surprised at how good the DVD is. It begins with an abbreviated synopsis of the progress of Nirvana's career. Not a lot of unnecessary time was spent on this area, instead devoting more time to the actual review of the In Utero album as the DVD claimed. The interviews were not the typical one and two liners we've heard over and over again by so-called experts. The people here are able to provide intelligent, thoughtful reviews of each of the tracks on the album without resorting to the typical "yeah, this one is all about suicide and so is this one". Thankfully not a lot of time was spent pouring over the whys of his death.
It was nice to see how others outside America would see the songs. A lot of the interviews are people from Britain (as that is also where the company compiling this DVD is from). One of the extras on the disc is a listing of short descriptions of who each of the people...





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C(h)oeurs

Classic Alain Platel
A typical Alain Platel piece with the dancers of les ballets C de la B and the Chorus of the Teatro Real, Madrid, that is full of symbolism and makes a statement on the way individuals and groups feel silenced and how they find ways to demonstrate with and without words in protest against the things that are happening in their countries today. For example, the throwing of one shoe, or the pinning of a red target to themselves. The accompanying booklet has an excellent article explaining the philosophy behind the piece.





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I Due Foscari [Blu-ray]

SUPERB!!
Much has been written about the plot of I Due Foscari: "Nothing actually happens. There is no moment of decision, no moral dilemma ... When we first see the main characters, they are sad. Then they are sadder. Then they're dead. Slow curtain. The end." (Berger, Verdi With A Vengeance) But the same writers note that the music is fantastic: the baritone part (Francesco Foscari, the Doge of Venice) is "...a tour de force for a great baritone"; the tenor role of Jacopo is " easily one of the most lyrical and least strident Verdi ever wrote".(id)

What I experienced, gentle reader, was one of the most electrifying performance of ANY opera I have ever seen. The intensity of the performers was maintained in chorus and orchestra from start to finish. As far as the individual singers are concerned ...

I think that I will buy any recording in which Roberto De Biasio sings; he was absolutely "on" from his first note to his last. Comments I have heard about how well he did...

Verdi rarity is given full justice
My main concern is that in this series of Customer Reviews only one (1) really applies to this performance, the other nine (9) are written for an entirely different performance. This is entirely Amazon's fault and none of the quotations, correct or false really apply.
The one review that applies is by a gentleman named J.Gleason Sr. and I agree with him. I am not going to duplicate him.
Just would like to emphasize that this is the latest DVD version of this neglected Verdi opus. It's stupendously produced, directed and performed with authenticity, excellence and love worthy of the 200th birthday of the great Italian master whose worst opera is better than many composers' best.

Strong production of an untypical Verdi
Composed in 1844 during the composer's 'galley years', I Due Foscari has very little dramatic drive and is largely tied to the conventions of the number opera, but somehow Verdi still manages to overcome those limitations. In some ways the structure and lack of drama makes this an untypical Verdi opera, but at the same time it demonstrates his characteristic attention to detail and his unerring ability to find exactly the right tone that best meets the dramatic requirements of the work. It might take you right until the end of Act III to realise just how masterfully that has been achieved, but this fine 2009 production from the Teatro Regio di Parma gives the work its best possible presentation.

Based on a work by Lord Byron, 'The Two Foscari', there's very little dramatic development in a story that is little more than a murder trial where we get to see neither the murder nor the trial. The accused however is the son of the Doge, so there's a great deal of conflict between...

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Johann Strauss: Die Fledermaus

Open Air Fledermaus
I have 5 versions of Die Fledermaus, I added this as I am particularly fond of Ute Gfrerer. She does not disapoint as Adele.I was suprised by the outdoor location but it works well. Peter Edelman and Silvana Dussman are adequate as the Von Eisensteins. Paul Armin Edelmen as Dr Falke however has a fine tenor which suits my ears. Artur Stefanowicz as Orlofsky is not quite to my taste, and does not compare with my other versions, the best being Malena Erman, Glyndebourne 2003, both as character and singer. It is not sung in English which is my preference, and the subtitling is good. Frosch the gaoler in his comedy routine was something of a miss, less visual than other versions, and the subtitling did indicate in jokes for the audience, who certainly appreciated him. Overall I would recomend.





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Metalocalypse: Season 4

SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!
Brendan Smalls is a comedic and incredibly talented musical genius and can take my money anytime! MUCH RESPECT! enough said.

This ams funny ands epic
First off I wasn't sure how good this season was going to be, since I wasn't too impressed with season 3. Glad I got it anyways. I was actually laughing alot through this season. On the serious side of Detklok they finally put more storyline to Mr. Salacia (however you spell it) and Falconback as well. There were some repetitious jokes and scenes and that's why the 4 stars, as well as seeming a little short. Overall definitely worth buying.

Warning: Not for the un-brutal
This is the best season of the show yet. The characters get some much needed development and everyone gets at least one WOW episode dedicated to themselves. I'm a little pissed that we now have to wait for season 5.

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Fafner: Heaven and Earth Movie (Limited Edition Blu-Ray/DVD Combo)

Great Movie for the Fafner Universe
Pretty good, actually really awesome at times wish the series had been in BD as its really gorgeous looking for all the fast paced fafner festum battles. And really emotionally intense too with the plot, poor Kazuki and even Kurusu. Not to dig into the plot too much but pretty well done with exploring things from the Festum perspective via Kurusu, as well as Kazuki and some Soushi there. Friendship moments are strong and the ending was really pleasing to me.

Visually looks fantastic for mecha anime in 1080p HD, really well done and fast action high paced and intense.

I hope theres another movie as one huge plot point is still unresolved or possibly two. Peace with the UN, their still on the run from them and their still attacking festum in the North pole for example.

angela music so good for insert and the credits theme and solid dub as like the tv anime. Good bd from funi.

Must see anime
This is an excellent, gripping and exciting movie, wrapping up the series and setting up for the next one. Highly recommended.

Great follow up to the series
Picks up the story 2(?) years after the end of the series as the Festum find the island once more. The pilots this time don't have such a high mortality rate as compared to the series so it has that going for it. If you've watched the series you know what I mean.

The movie wraps up the series enough that you can stop here and consider it the end or wait until late 2013/early 2014 for a follow up movie and another season of episodes scheduled to be released in Japan. That supposedly will advance the story another 2-4 years after this movies events.

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House of Dark Shadows

Before there was "Passions," there was "Dark Shadows"!
To those of you spending your days bewitched by the misadventures of Tabitha and Timmy on "Passions," there are those of us who are here to remind you of "Dark Shadows," the cult soap opera hit that ran from 1966-71. The Gothic soap was floundering in the ratings when the character of vampire Barnabas Collins (Jonathan Frid) was introduced. Producer/Director Dan Curtis provided this 1970 introduction to the wonderful world of "Dark Shadows," so late comers could get up to speed. Barnabas is freed from his crypt after nearly 200 years by a thief stealing treasure and returns to the family home Collinwood pretending to be a distant English cousin who just happens to be named for the infamous "ancestor." Barnabas discovers that the family governess, Maggie Evans (Kathryn Leigh Scott) is the spitting image of his former love Josette, who killed herself when she learned he had become a vampire. Meanwhile, the family physician Dr. Julia Hoffman...

One of the best vampire films of all time
Largely because it was based on a cult daytime seriel, House of Dark Shadows has always been underrated and often unfairly dismissed as just one last attempt to exploit the show's then-waning popularity. As well, House of Dark Shadows came out at a time when the vampire film was having a minor revival and as such, it is often simply lumped together with the likes of Count Yorga or Blacula and forgotten. This is unfortunate because, when watched with an unbiased, open mind, House of Dark Shadows is revealed to be one of the best horror films of the '70s, an original work that -- if indeed it was created mostly to cash in on a tv show in decline -- manages to both improve on the show and to stand along as its own seperate, highly satisfying terms.

It is true that the film's plot is basically a retelling of the first few years of the tv show. Petty criminal Willie Loomis accidentally releases 200 year-old vampire Barnabas Collins who proceeds to reacquaint himself with the modern...

Theatrical version of a Dark Shadows story. Gothic!
House of Dark Shadows will be released on DVD and Blu-ray, October 31, 2012.

"Dark Shadows" (1966-71) was one-of-a-kind. It was an ABC Network soap opera that early on was done LIVE. It became more gothic when they brought in Jonathan Frid for the role of "Barnabas Collins", a resurrected vampire.
As the soap opera changed to living color, they also included werewolves, witches, ghosts and possession. It became so much more scarier. They even tried "time travel" to tell the history of Collins family.
This film was actually made while Dark Shadows was still on television. This theatrical motion picture is actually a remake based upon the first few months of the "Barnabas Collins" storyline. Some changes were made for this movie version. Most of the entire cast in this film also appeared in the original Dark Shadow tv serial (1966-1971). Jonathan Frid, Grayson Hall, Kathryn Leigh...

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Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro [Blu-ray]

A Leading Contender
The new Arthaus Musick release of the Marriage of Figaro was taped in 2006, and why it has taken this long for the commercial release is anybody's guess--possibly no "star power"? With the exception of Ildebrando D'Arcangelo and Diana Damrau the rest of the cast will not be well known, although Pietro Spagnoli appears in the same role in the Rene Jacobs Figaro taping. Mozart, Italy and Teatro alla Scala are not usually grouped together in one sentence. Allegedly Mozart and Italy have never enjoyed each other's company although over the years there have been great singers who have an Italian heritage and have been considered great Mozart interpreters. Most of us have looked to Austria, Germany and England for the most stylish Mozart and in truth they have led the race. This new release immediately upsets the aforementioned troika. I have no hesitation in placing it among the very best DVD's currently available even though the conductor, Gerard Korsten is a name that ill be unknown to...

An excellent 'Le Nozze' for starters!
There are of course many many recordings both audio and visual of this ever-popular opera.
This La Scala production conducted by Korsten, is however, the best starters' choice. The reasons are evident:
(1) It is authentically Mozartean in style, both musically and visually (it is a period production, not avante garde);
(2) The sets are fabulous and truly 'classical';
(3) The performers all master with exactitude the requirements of their respective roles, with some clear standouts in the main protagonists;
(4) The singing cast is of the very top rate;
(5) There is exceptional choregraphy to match the musical performance;
(6) The entire performance is bubbling with dramatic tension.
Is it really so good? It is!
The main protagonists are exceptionally well chosen and performed. Italian bass-baritone D'Arcangelo as Figaro is the 'perfect' incarnation. He has an added bonus of being Italian. Musically he is as accomplished as Hermann Prey,...

A Very French Figaro
Please ignore reviews dated before the release date October 30th, 2012. They refer to a Milan video, not to the Paris blu-ray.
***
Mozart picked up musical ideas during the nine months he spent in Paris in 1778 (among them the new genre of the symphonie concertante, invented by Joseph Boulogne, le Chevalier de Saint-Georges). He also soaked up the theatrical atmosphere, dominated already by Beaumarchais. So it is not surprising that there is a very French quality to Mozart's own LE NOZZE DI FIGARO.
Philippe Jordan (age 36), son of the late director Armin Jordan, conducts a lively rendition of LE NOZZE DI FIGARO in October/November of 2010 at the Palais Garnier (Thé

Copper: Season One [Blu-ray]

BBC Comes To America With This Impressively Styled Crime Drama Set In 1860's New York
One of the most ambitious new shows to be produced by the BBC is actually set on American soil. What's up with that? And "Copper" arrives with one of the season's most impressive pedigrees! Oscar winner Barry Levinson (6 total nominations with "Rain Man" earning him a Best Director prize) and Tom Fontana (3 Emmy wins for writing on "St. Elsewhere" and "Homicide: Life on the Streets") are the creative forces behind the series set in New York's immigrant neighborhood of Five Points. Set shortly after the Civil War, "Copper" showcases the unruly lawlessness that runs rampant in a city struggling to define itself. The streets are filled with murder, illicit sex, and unchecked racism. At the same time, the wealthy are embroiled in political scandal, dubious business dealings, and an equal proportion of unqualified racism. Straddling these two worlds is Kevin Corcoran (Tom Weston-Jones in a star making role), a good cop who's not above coloring outside of the lines to pursue the truth or...

A Period Piece with Stylized Grit!
NO SPOILERS:

As K. Harris did the heavy lifting. I can provide a more granular viewpoint re: what I like about Copper.

While some "poetic license" has to be allowed, as a student of history, BBC America nailed it! The time period has been covered before in the big budget "Gangs of New York" who took somewhat more of a "poetic license" than BBC America.

The Irish as a growing minority, the winding down of the Civil War, Tammany Hall, The integration of Blacks, the role of woman, the gap between rich and poor (& the fostering of well-known industrial titans) and general cleanliness (it might be a small thing, though look at the dirt caked nails of some of the main characters) are all topics prevalent to the time period.

Copper is both well-acted and well scripted. Franka Potente stands out with her best performance since "Run Lola Run."

The storyline itself might only merit a *4 rating, though historical accuracy bumps Copper up...

Copper - It's pure gold!
Set in the gritty Five Points area of New York during the Civil War, Copper follows Det.Kevin Corcoran, an Irish American 'copper', as he solves crimes with nothing more than guts, brains and the clumsy tools of the day. Set against the backdrop of his own missing wife and murdered daughter, it's a dark and foreboding angst-fest for all. Corcoran's urge to champion every underdog continually undermines his career, and he has as many enemies on the police force as he does friends in the filthy underground he polices. Some people may be surprised or offended at some things depicted in this show - including a child prostitute 'married' at the age of ten against her will, and later imprisoned in a brothel to serve a 'certain kind of gentleman'. Child actress Kiara Glasco plays Annie Reilly, the child prostitute, and her performance is simultaneously electrifying and disturbing. Even seeing a child her age uttering the lines she's given in the show is enough to sometimes turn the...

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Lawrence Welk: Classic Episodes 5

Great TRUE Black And White Shows!
This is a very enjoyable video. I have bought all of the Synergy Welk videos (EXCEPT VOLUME 4), and been disappointed in most of them. I didn't buy Volume 4 because the shows it showcases are newer, were originally color shows, but presented in black and white. The modern Welk shows stink, but the ones from 1955-64 are outstanding. I would have given this 5 stars, but the picture and sound quality is not the best. If you're a Welk fan, I recommend this one highly. The only bad thing about this DVD is the 1964 show has been shown recently on PBS, however this one is uncut, and even has the commercials in it.

Lawrence Welk had a second weekly show that had two different titles; "Top Tunes And New Talent", and "The Plymouth Show". We need DVDs of that one too! There is a "Plymouth Show" on the Synergy Welk Christmas show DVD that is the best of all the shows they have offered so far!

Great gift for the older generation
These types of DVDs are always a great gift idea for the older generation. It takes them back to the "good old days" and can be a real treat for them.

The video quality is grainy and the sound not the best, but chances are this is how they were when they were watched by you or your loved one 50 years ago too! They are what they are .... and they do serve their purpose.

not good
This is a very bad recording of the show.Its in b&w,and real bad quality.It was a xmas gift for my mom,and she cant watch them.

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Alfred Hitchcock: The Masterpiece Collection (Limited Edition) [Blu-ray] (2012)

Bad Transferring of two movies mars this Hitchcock Collection
The four stars are an accurate rating of the transfer quality of most of the films in this collection. A few rate five stars ("Vertigo", "The Birds" and "Rear Window", for example).

But there are real defects in two of the titles in this set: Both "Marnie" and "Family Plot" were given slipshod transfers. "Marnie" particularly (a film I consider one of Hitchcock's masterpieces) has visual specks throughout, and some scenes of "weak" color. If you don't believe me, just go to a scene mid-way in the film and freeze the frame on a closeup. You'll see what seems a shabby grill on the faces. The images aren't clear and seemingly form a grill pattern. ("Frenzy" also exhibits flaws but not as seriously as those two.) These problems are obviously due to a lack of quality control in mastering these discs. To see the difference compare these two titles to "The Birds" or "Rear Window" and check the clarity and brightness of their color images in a freeze-frame. This crappy...

Great Films with Hi-Def Transfers That Vary Considerably in Quality
There are three absolutely gorgeous new transfers contained in this set of 15 Hitchcock films:
1. Rear Window
2. The Trouble with Harry
3. Vertigo [the color issues discovered in the pre-release copies have been corrected, and the U.S. edition does have a fine sounding mono option]

The two transfers that have had previous releases and are still available as "stand alones" are also stellar:
1. North by Northwest (despite some color issues)
2. Psycho

Seven of the transfers are acceptable high definition upgrades from their previous standard def releases:
1. Saboteur
2. Shadow of a Doubt
3. Rope
4. The Man Who Knew Too Much (1956) [This one really needs a restoration--but the problem here, isn't the transfer per se]
5. Torn Curtain
6. Topaz
7. Frenzy [The problem with the credits that were discovered in pre-release copies has been corrected]

That leaves us with three very problematic...

14 films in the UK; 15 in the US (Including NbNW)
Just wanted to point out, as it's not immediately evident in the "most helpful" reviews (though it can be found in the comments) that the UK box does not contain "North By Northwest." Given the difference in pricing between US and UK sets, this may not be a deal-breaker for many people, but it is a pretty significant omission.

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My Favorite Martian: Season 3

A first for Australia
I live in Australia and believe it or not, we are apparently the first country in the world to have My Favorite Martian - the Third Series (and the FIRST shot in colour) available. It boasts that on the cover but don't worry my American friends - it is in your NTSC TV system - and is ALL region so your players will have no region problems.

I was sweating off to buy a season or My Favorite Martian because I wanted it in colour and kept checking Amazon but no go. Found the set a while back at the local Target but it is around in plenty of other stores here (JB Hifi for example). Full price here in OZ is AUS$69 (about US$60) which is pretty expensive but I managed to buy it for AUS$55 which is still steep but I really wanted it.

Enough of that. What about it.

Well I love it. It is the complete 3rd series (32 episodes) and as an extra includes the orignal unaired pilot episode (1963 BW). It is great to see how Uncle Martian came to end up with Tim...

A Well Packaged Show With Nice Extras
I ordered this 3rd season of My Favorite Martian from Australia in November, 2007 for $53 (American dollars) including shipping, and it has turned out to be great. The single sided discs are in a plastic multipack, as opposed to the cardboard packages that held the 3 Rhino double sided discs for each of seasons 1 and 2. With the exception of one episode featuring Yvonne "Batgirl" Craig, which, though full length, appears to be from a faded 16mm print, the episodes are very clear, unedited, and have good sound.

Finally, the last season of My Favorite Martian
More than anything, seeing this set finally become available is great news for those of us who bought the first two seasons of "My Favorite Martian" from Rhino several years back...and then waited, and waited, and waited for the third (and final) season that never came.

The first thing to know about this set is that it doesn't come from Rhino, but rather from an Australian company, Umbrella. When it became clear that Rhino was never going to release the final season, Jack Chertok Productions (producer and owner of the the show) worked with Umbrella to produce and release this set in Australia -- but in a format that could be re-imported into the US. As a result, we not only get all 32 episodes of the final season, but we get to see the extras that Rhino didn't see fit to include in the previous seasons.

For those who enjoyed this show (and probably already own the first two seasons), this set is well worth buying. It's a better quality set by far than what...

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Night of Dark Shadows [Blu-ray]

Welcome Back To Creepy Collinwood!
'Night of Dark Shadows' is the second of the two Dark Shadows motion pictures. At the time of it's release, this one didn't do quite as well as the first, but over the years, it has developed a strong cult following, and looks very good on repeated viewings.

What always impressed me about 'Night of Dark Shadows' was it's subtlety. 'House of Dark Shadows' was fast, loud and very "in your face." 'Night of Dark Shadows' is quiet in comparison -- the music is lush and softer, and the pace is quite relaxed at times. However, what emerges is an underlying sense of dread which intensifies throughout the course of the film (similar to Dan Curtis' 'Burnt Offerings' from 1976). This makes the shocks and scares even more jarring, and by the end of the film, the audience is left feeling bewitched, bothered and bewildered!

It's also important to mention David Selby, who turns in an excellent performance as Quentin Collins. His moodswings and erratic behavior (sensitive one...

I Liked It.....
I'm actually quite suprised to see all the criticisms of this movie. I feel obligated to briefly respond in its defense. I've been going through a phase (for reasons unknown) where my wife and I are almost exclusively renting horror videos. We saw this movie last night and I found it very scary and filled with a particular atmospheric that seems to only come from movies from the 60's and early 70's. There's something dated about the style, but it is also classic.

In this genre my favorites would be: "The Haunting" (the original); "The Legend of Hell House"; "Burnt Offerings" (starring Karen Black); "Phantasm" (albeit that's from 1978). I supppose the common denominator is that they are all of the haunted house motif. I mention these movies because I thought the "Night of the Dark Shadows" fit in with them quite well. I do agree that the editing was a little rough, but I didn't find it to detract in any major way. The...

Not as good as House of Dark Shadows, but still creepy!
In this, the second of two Dark Shadows movies spawned from the cult classic immortal TV series, storylines and character traits from the show are forgotten and a completely original story unravels. Whereas the original, House of Dark Shadows, capitalized on the popularity of the character of Barnabas Collins, this movie showcases the characters of Quentin Collins and Angelique. Unlike the original, this movie is NOT a vampire story, but rather a ghost story of mystery and intrigue. The result is an eery haunting tale of betrayal, murder, reincarnation, and ghostly possession.

Note to all fans of Barnabas or vampires in general, Jonathan Frid is NO WHERE to be seen here, as he declined to appear in any more Dark Shadows movies due to his being typecast. However, David Selby is back from the show as Quentin and gives a great performance. The beautiful ladies Kate Jackson (Tracy Collins) and Lara Parker (Angelique) are also great here. John Karlen and Nancy Barrett, fan...

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Arabella

A Viennese Bon Bon gone bad
Almost certainly the same production I saw in Berlin several years ago, a production I found so distasteful that I left before the first act ended. This is one of those awful stagings that make you wonder why it was "modernized". What was to be gained? Strauss" music is lush and lyrical; it cries out for a staging that reflects those qualities, not destroys them. So why was the opera so brutally gutted? To create controversy? To serve the hubris of those responsible? Or was it simply that a threadbare production is cheaper to stage than one calling for beautiful period costumes and settings. Whatever the reason, avoid this version and get the Te Kanawa or Ashley Putnam performances.
Better singing, too...much better.

An impressive Arabella
Sven-Eric Bechtolf's production of Richard Strauss' Arabella is set in 1930s Vienna rather than the original 1860s. However, the story transfers well to this time period as familial pressure with regards to the duty of a girl to marry well for her family is still very much in place despite the changing views and values of society in general.

The three stage sets - bedroom, ballroom and hotel lobby, are simple and effective - proving that you don't need to have massively complicated or overly expensive sets to produce a good opera. What is of importance is the quality of the performers and in this production, filmed at the Vienna State Opera, all the artists are of the finest quality both in their singing and in their acting abilities. Although I found the singing of the beginning of Act 1 a little stentorian this is perhaps a reflection of the powerful emotions being played out.

Emily Magee (an American soprano) makes a believable Arabella, torn between duty and...



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Minder Collection Set

Incomplete
I love Minder. I own the five seasons that have been released.And that is exactly what this collection is, the previously released 5 seasons. There are two more seasons, 6 & 7 that featured Dennis Waterman, and they've not been released to the North American viewer. Then there are three more seasons with the loveable Arthur and his new Minder, series 8,9,10. I would love to see all the seasons available here in North America...and at the least maybe finish up the Dennis Waterman years. but I believe the sales were never great and my wishes will never be granted. We can only hope

Very FunnyShow
There is nothing to dislike about this classic series. You have to love the two principal characters, with poor Terry stuck at Arthur's mercy. Arthur is right out of The Lavender Hill Mob.



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Hellsing Ultimate: Volumes 1-4 Collection [Blu-ray/DVD Combo]

Hellsing Ultimate is finally back on the U.S. Market.
Hellsing Ultimate is an OVA reboot, that follows the manga more precisely as opposed to the 2001 TV Series,the art style of the show is also more faithful to the manga and none of the violence is toned down like the original was. Don't get me wrong the original TV series was bloody and brual, but its not as graphic and detailed as this new OVA. For example in the OVA they go as far to show chunks of flesh and brain splattering on the walls and people being decapitated and there intestines being ripped out. This series started in 2006 and is still ongoing, so far 9 OVA's have been released in japan, each are approximately 45-50 minutes long. In December of 2006 Geneon had begun releasing this series in the U.S., but unfortunately they went under on December 2007 and only 4 OVA's had been released at that time and so only 4 were dubbed. Then along came Funimation who announced that they have acquired Hellsing Ultimate OVA's 1-7 at Anime Expo 2010. Due to the fact that Geneon had...

Best Dub Ever!
Theres a lot of stigma floating around out there that dubs are basically trash and all "real" anime fans only watch subs. While I dont neccisarily agree with this, I have started to latley feel as though Japanese voice actors are for the most part superior. Not in every anime, but usually the original Japanese voices just seem more natural to me.

Hellsing however is the one anime where the english dub absolutley blows the japanese voice cast out of the water. Not that there arent superior english dubs out there, but Hellsing is the only one Ive seen that goes absolutlet uncontested. Crispin Freeman is incredible as Alucard (between him and Morgan people with the last name Freeman just seem to have awesome voices).

Steven Brand also did an exellent job as Alexander Anderson. But really I want to praise the whole cast, particularly those who worked with accents and different ethnicities. Whether its British, Itallian, German, french, or Irish, the whole cast...

"Those who dare impersonate the dead are judged to join their ranks."
Let me start off by saying that this is one of Funimation's most comprehensive releases to date. Normally Funimation's releases are very bare-bones with literally no bonus features besides the occasional commentary track. This release, however, is incredibly comprehensive. It includes an entire Blu Ray disc filled with bonus features, not to mention the full length commentaries on all 4 OVAs! Simply fantastic!

On to a review of the OVAs:
If you do not like Japanese humor, extremely gory shows, and a good amount of camp...then you've come to the wrong place, my friend. This has abundant amounts of all of these things. Also, if you are looking for the serious tone of the original Hellsing series you should also look elsewhere. However, if you are looking to turn your brain off for a few hours for a spectacular show of vampires vs Nazi zombies, look no further than Hellsing Ultimate. It is a faithful adaptation of the manga, and is definitely worth any fan's time. This is...

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The Young Montalbano: Episodes 1-3

To Die For!!!
The Young Montalbano makes us see why the girls fall for the Old Montalbano--(bullet headed, bowlegged, and utterly charming). In this delightful backstory, set in the imaginary town of Vigata on the sea (I covet his house!!!) we meet the young Commissario, who is still bowlegged and utterly charming, but has a full mop of curly hair, and is heartthrobbingly gorgeous! (Che bellissimo!)

The writers and directors have enhanced the plausibility of the entire story by giving us a real history to the established Montalbano series, introducing us to the younger versions of the denizens of the Questura that keeps a watchful eye on the territory between Vigata and Montelusa: Salvo Montalbano is mentored by Fazio's simpatico father; the younger Catarella is as endearingly misbegotten as the older Caterella; young Fazio, straight out of the police academy, is tack-sharp; and lady-killer Mimi Augello, with a full moustache, is full of himself.

We meet the beautiful and...

Sicilian Ecstasy
The Young Montalbano is a prequel to the very popular Detective Montalbano Italian mystery series. The Montalbano shows were originally aired in the United States on the MegaHertDetective Montalbano: Episodes 1-3z Networks in the Washington, D.C. area and quickly built a national cult following. Salvo Montablano is a Sicilian detective who works for the police as opposed to what the Italians call "the flying squad" and he is one of the great characters of detective fiction. Each of the Montalbano's is a movie in itself, with movie quality production in every sense. There is so much to love about these shows - acting, comedy, cinematography, script - that it is hard to know where to begin.

Young Montalbano shows the early years of Detective Montalbano. When the actors in Montalbano became too expensive or weary of their roles, RAI could not think of substituting others. Followers of Montalbano are too...

See my review of The Young Montalbano: Episodes 1-3.
After the jarring experience of seeing Montalbano many years younger and just starting out with his career, I gradually warmed to the performance of this young and extremely talented actor. Indeed, I soon believe I was watching the "real" Montalbano, minus a few years. And even the plot lines follow the same very general pattern, although the plots themselves are --- as in the original series --- rather different. Definitely a five-star series.

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We're Going to Have a Baby

Great value for this little seen show........
The opening credits are on the set, but they play just once when you load the disc before the episode menu comes up. A bad idea, I agree, and something which should be fixed on any feature releases, but the credits aren't really completely missing.

The series was filmed in B/W for the first season, switched to color film for seasons two and three, and then went back to B/W for the final year when it moved to CBS. I guess they weren't as interested in promoting early color TV as NBC was at the time. The color is a bit faded, but not that bad, and I would bet the color schemes were chosen for how they would appear on B/W sets because very few people had color TVs in 1962!

For 39 shows, I'm happy. This show isn't great but I've enjoyed the first few shows so far. It is all new to me since I wasn't born at the time....

I can't stop watching!
To me, Joey Bishop is a true sitcom pioneer. This show reveals how a great troupe of actors can create the foundation of what comedy is today and in many ways how it should be today. Joey and his fellow cast members have the comedic timing and camaraderie that really delivers the laughs. This DVD set not only brings back fond memories but also a youthful perspective I have missed for so many years. This is television without the political correctness that distroys the shows of today. It's even fun watching the cigarette smoking. Bravo Joey and thanks.

Questar gets an "F"
How disappointing to find that, like Questar's release of "Make Room For Daddy", this set truncates the opening credits from each episode. Sorry, Questar....the shows should be in their entirety.

It's rather obvious that, contrary to another reviewer's claim, the deletions of the credits was not due to damaged source material, or both this and the "Make Room For Daddy" wouldn't have the same problem.

Fortunately, I read of this atrocity before purchasing this set. Until I find out that Questar has changed its ways, they will be added to my list of companies from which to NEVER buy.

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Celebrity Manhunt

Awesome
This is a great add on to the Total Drama series. With the original cast and the 2 newbies this show was amazing.

This show is the best show i've seen in years!
This show is amazing! It's hilarious, funny, awesome, and it will entertain you for hours! The best deal is to buy the whole season for $19.99 because you save a lot of money then buying all of them separate. Total Drama World Tour is awesome. It's my favorite show. When I talked to the creator of Total Drama World Tour, she said that she wanted everyone to have a laugh and enjoy a good drama show. She had to cut out some parts because she thought that they were to mature for kids. She enjoyed writing and producing this show, and she hopes you will have as much fun watching it. Thank You!
The truth teller behind the scenes speaks

Miss
Total drama world tour is the best thing ever!!! I would really watch this show you'll really enjoy it!!! I bet you'll laugh too.

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Haunted

Loved it!
This was probably my favorite season out of all six seasons. Season six is a little predictable and I was a little disappointed after season five, but over all still a great show that touches on some critical topics, especially for the 90's!

... and season 6 is coming as well!
I ordered it as soon as that was possible and I loved it as much as I did when I first saw it on TV all those years ago. And today I have received the message that season 6 will be available in October. Of course, the DVD does not contain any extras, but after waiting so many years for those last three seasons to be published, I hardly care about that anymore. By October the collection will be completed and we can stop signing online-petitions.

Closed-Captioning or English Subtitles
I am very disappointed to see season 4 and 5 does not contain any captioning or English subtitling. I am deaf and I always wanted to see this but now I cannot.

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Firm & Fit

Excellent video
This is a perfect video for the beginning Pilates practitioner. The instruction is clear, and breathing instruction is given concurrently with the actions, which makes the video useful for the beginner. The background is simple, which enables one to concentrate on the practice.





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Il Prigionier Superbo & La Serva Padrona [Blu-ray]

More amazing rare Pergolesi from Jesi
Last year saw the Blu-ray release of Adriano in Siria, the first Pergolesi opera made available through a new initiative by the Fondazione Pergolesi Spontini to not only stage new editions of all the existing opera works by the composer - all of them rare, most all-but forgotten - but to have them all released to the public on DVD and, if we're lucky, Blu-ray. The hopes raised by Adriano in Siria at the possibility of recovering some unheard of masterpieces are met with yet another extraordinary work (or should I say pair of works, since the composer's Intermezzos are also being recorded and released alongside the main works) in the 1732 dramma per musica Il Prigionier Superbo (The Proud Captive), which is released here alongside its rather more famous Intermezzo, La Serva Padrona. And, happily, it's another exceptionally well-performed production of a work that truly merits rediscovery and re-evaluation, which...

Pergolesi in Iesi
Read the reviews by Keris Nine and Giordano Bruno first. Everything they say is bang on. (Even their points of disagreement make sense. You won't get unanimity about this DVD.)

First, what's good about this DVD and why should you buy it if you are a serious music lover and opera afficionado?

1.) Pergolesi's music, melodically straightforward, often hard-driving, often rhythmically inventive (in a way that makes it fun to listen to, but tricky to play.) Most music lovers know and love Stravinsky's Pulcinello, which is based on the music of Pergolesi. Stravinsky has beautifully captured the charm of Pergolesi's music, and given it a neo-classical update.

A good many of us know about La Serva Padrona, which changed the course of opera and opened the way for longer and more "serious" applications of commedia dell'arte, such as The Marriage of Figaro (which may not have been possible without Serva.) The evening recreated by these DVDs is one of the most...

Weirder Ain't Always Gooder!
Read Keris Nine's review before continuing with mine. Keris says all the nice things about these two productions that I would prefer to say, and Keris is a consistently fine reviewer. However ...

These two DVDs make a very good case for the value of sound-only CDs. The staging of La Serva Padrona, mis-en-scene in a circus, is not offensive. In fact, it's modestly amusing. But it completely disregards and diminishes both the humor and the earnest social commentary of the libretto, which is all about class consciousness and class resentment. If the drama is so dispensable, why not just stage it as a concert, even though it was the drama more than the rather workaday music that kept this intermezzo popular far longer than any other stage piece by Pergolesi?

"Il Prigionier Superbo" is another matter. Several of the arias and ensemble pieces in it are very fine, fiery/luscious Vivaldi-worthy Baroque, and some of the principal singers are musically magnificent in their...

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Don Matteo - Set 4

not quite up to expectations
some wonderful scenery with fair quality acting and a slow plot....light weight , mildly entertaining but lacking in the gentle humour and appeal of Don Camillo.

family viewing at it's best
I love MHZ network period, and when you watch the don matteo series,
you come away feeling so good, the good guys win, the bad guys loose
and the whole family can watch this series; a must buy and you will fall in love
with the characters!!!!!

after a while, you don't notice the Italian...
These mysteries are so good, while fairly wholesome and the characters so enjoyable, that you forget you're reading after a while and you even find yourself understanding some of the Italian. we'll buy the next season for sure!

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