Arts Movie Reviews

I am an active woman of 62 and stretching is vital in keeping my body able to do each activity I ask of it. The "a.m. & p.m. stretch" DVD of Madeleine Lewis has made this necessary stretching a pleasure. Her wonderfully soothing voice, her flowing movements, her obvious knowledge of the body encourages me never to miss my morning & evening routines. I feel no important muscle has been neglected and I feel confident that Madeleine is helping me do a really good thing for myself. I especially appreciate her gentle reminders to breathe, check my posture, and persevere. The beauty of the mountains surrounding her is a wonderful bonus and instills feelings of peace and tranquility that I take with me into my busy day. Nature is very important to me so I truly look forward to the visual aspect of this DVD. I'm looking forward to more of this kind of work from Madeleine Lewis. Thank you GAIAM and especially thank you, Madeleine!

This is definitely one of the most effective stretching videos I've ever used. It moves very quickly, but doesn't seem rushed. With 4 kids, I rarely get more than 25 minutes to myself, so I need something that provides a good head-to-toe stretch in a minimum amount of time.

The scenery is fantastic--especially the bright mountaintop sunrise for the a.m. program. Madeline Lewis is pleasant and very "down to earth" (no new age "yoga speak").

My only criticism (and not enough to give it less than 5 stars): There are one or two postures in each program that are uncomfortable if you have low back pain. I've practiced yoga long enough to know how to modify them, but instructions either aren't given or they aren't given until you're already in the posture.

This is a great program for all levels--easy enough for most beginners, but still worthwhile for those who are already pretty active.

This is a great DVD. The scenery is absolutely beautiful and the stretches are relaxing and invigorating at the same time. The instructor does an excellent job reminding you to keep proper form and proper breathing. I am an advanced exerciser and found that this DVD was a great addition to my routine. I really felt like the lower back, hamstrings, and the entire upper body were opened up and stretched. You even stretch the wrists in the PM Stretch, which is often a neglected part of the body. Very basic, but very effective. Beginners to advanced exercisers would benefit from using the DVD.

China offers it's master! Chinatown, the air is locked in a veil of secrecy. A sect of the Triads control the streets and no one can move across Chinatown's borders without the Triads permission. A complication arrives in the form of Lily, the adopted sister of Young's Triad Boss. Eric Yong is torn between his love for Lily and his commitment to uphold the Triad's honor. Yong must choose between love which he has never known or the possibility of dying for Eric, who hates him. He cannot run from destiny or hide from fate. Chinatown will be the ultimate test of Eric's honor. Cast: Henry Lee Robert Z'Dar Liat Goodson

this is a must for any dice fans or comedy fans- this is filmed at a club within a year ofhim becoming the biggest comedian ever- i like this etter than dice rules and a little better than diceman cometh- there is something really cool about it being in a small room- all the classic dice material with some good stuff that is only on this show but for some reason he didn't use it later- enjoy! its pretty raunchy but you just gotta laugh. Great stuff.

"Variety and Virtuosity" is a very good DVD that will provide any dance fan with excellent entertainment value and an easy way to view some classic Pas de Deux. The all-star American Ballet Theatre cast (1998 version) is enjoyable to watch, and performs admirably. The dialogue between the pieces is a nice way to provide a little background about the dances as well as a little insight into the personalities of the performers.

Aside from the opening three-minute "Polonaise" (lots of walking around) leading to the introductory words by Natalia Makarova, there are seven dance numbers performed. Five feature a Pas de Deux, and only one shows a dance in its entirety, "Remanso," choreographed by Nacho Duato (not to be missed; it's awesome). The partnering is very good: the younger Jose Manuel Carreno provides a strong complement to the seasoned Susan Jaffe in a number from "Swan Lake," husband and wife John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow are likewise well-matched ("The Leaves are Fading"), and Julie Kent and Robert Hill convey interesting straight-faced emotion in a work ("Cruel World") choreographed specifically on them by James Kudelka. Julio Bocca comes across as a little overly sappy in the Balcony Pas de Deux with Alessandra Ferri (one of my favorite ballerinas), but it's still great to watch. The most exceptional pair is Paloma Herrera and Angel Corella, in the Grand Pas de Deux from "Don Quixote," who elicited the loudest cheers for their combination of energy, athleticism, grace and balance. As mentioned earlier, "Remanso" was unbelievable; I was spellbound (also check out "Three by Duato," one of the best modern dance DVDs). The 3rd Movement from "Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 was pretty good."

I'd give this DVD a 5-star rating were it not for a few little negatives which combined to knock it down a notch. First, with a run time of 83 minutes, there's very little dancing left after the introduction (not necessary, but typical for an episode of "Great Performances") and interviews with the director and dancers. Secondly, I was frustrated by camera work and editing that was a little spotty, with too many instances of dancers running in and out of the picture ... I wasn't seeing where my eyes wanted to look. Lastly, there are zero DVD extras (included in most other performance discs) that would have provided some welcome extra dimensions to the viewing experience (e.g., biographies, more behind-the-scenes footage).

Overall, this is a nice compilation of highlights for anyone wanting an good introductory look into ballet. Also, it's great for seasoned ballet fans, especially those of ABT.

...oh, I can do SOME nit picking...at 83 minutes it is a sadly
short program. It is choice, however. The opening has two
wonderful dancers but the gentleman is in black tights against
a black background...I would have had him change to medium gray.
But if you have the movie: "Center Stage" and the ballet: "La
Corsaire"...you will find many old friends and some new ones.
I have some ABT laser discs (remember them?)..."ABT at the Met"
and "ABT in San Francisco" as well as the ABT/Baryshnikov production of "Don Quiote"...and it is my hope that these and
many other ABT performances will be made available on dvd. ABT
is primarily a touring company, and some of us are not in cities
where we can see them. Frequent dvd releases can keep us current on new dancers and choreographers and hopefully allow
us in our way to be fans and support ABT, too.
..."ABT Variety and Virtuosity" is a delightful addition to
the ABT dvd's. I especially loved the "Don Quixote Pas de Deux"
...but really 83 minutes is a very short program. I would like
to see ABT do a revival of "Gaite Parisienne" and "Pinepple Pol"
on dvd...watching the ABT company is always a delight...please
bring us more!

The title of this DVD really fits perfectly; "Variety and Virtuosity" features not only some of the classical standards of ballet but also a few modern works to show off the talented dancers that make up the American Ballet Theatre. In this disc the group performs ensemble sets as well as several Pas de Deux.

Although the DVD only lasts 83 minutes it contains some real gems: just to mention a few......

- the great athletic and dancing skills (along with the colorful costumes) of Angel Corella and Paloma Herrera in Minkus's Don Quixote.

-Alessandra Ferri and Julio Bocca do a wonderful interpretation of young lovers in their balcony scene Pas de Deux from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. Their dancing and expressions are so sensitive that you could almost feel the love that their characters had for one another. In addition, Ferri has in some way, an indescribable allure to go with her infectious smile that draws your eye to her.

-However, the highlight of the entire disc was, to me, the husband and wife team of Amanda McKerrow and John Gardner in The Leaves are Fading . ( choreography by Antony Tudor, music by Antonin Dvorak) This is one of those ballets that combine the perfect music with the perfect dance; and McKerrow and Gardner simply do a magnificent job in expressing the quiet joy and subtle sadness of this masterpiece by Mr. Tudor. I have watched this particular dance frequently since I got this DVD and I seem to see something new with each viewing. The ending is so exquisitely beautiful and peaceful it near moves me to tears. It has gotten to the point that I cannot imagine this music being played without this dance accompanying it.

All in all, this fabulous disc is a must have if you have any interest in great ballet. Highly recommended.

I was a teenager when this program originally aired on television, and I thought that William Shatner was merely playing the same old wildly emoting Captain Kirk that has made him the butt of so many jokes. After a recent second screening, I see that I was probably wrong. Shatner's prosecutor is a little over the top, but it's because his justifiable moral outrage at the defendant has caught him in a terrible trap, and forces him to ask questions that were almost unthinkable in 1865; namely, is it ever justifiable for an officer to refuse to follow orders which he judges are immoral?
The defendant, Wirz, as excellently played by Richard Basehart, is an immigrant from the European school of miltary theory, and he is by turns hateful, confused at the sudden shift in the meaning of his duty, and pathetic (Wirz is still considered something of a hero in the local area outside the present-day National Cemetery near Andersonville). Jack Cassidy, as the defending attorney, is fully aware of the prosecutor's dilemma, and seems to be taking great pleasure in pointing up the US Army's hypocracy in trying a man for following malicious orders, yet refusing to allow that he would have been militarily justified in refusing them. Cameron Mitchell is the presiding officer, Gen. Lew Wallace (of "Ben-Hur" fame), and portrays a man who is about to lose control of the proceedings through the unsettling forays of the Army's own prosecutor. I gave the film four stars because it is a little too long and drags a bit in some places. However, the depth of the story, and the exploration of the ethical problems dealt with in the courtroom, make it superior to a very similar movie, "Judgment at Nuremburg."

Basehart, like many other television stars, was unfortunate to be associated with a long-running program (four years on "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea"). A prolific and skilled actor, Basehart is a sympathetic figure as the commandant of the infamous Georgia prison. He is allowed to show depth that the 60's Irwin Allen show of which he is associated never allowed him.

The production also features two other actors playing against type in pivotal and revealing roles, Buddy Ebsen and the late Jack Cassidy. The two match Basehart in the acting department and do justice to the George C. Scott-directed presentation.

"The Andersonville Trial" ranks as one of the best productions ever shown on PBS.

"Andersonville Trial" is special in more ways than one.

First and foremost, it is a damn fine production, and a very powerful stage play captured on video. Second, the play has many famous names among the cast, some of whom appear in early roles (Martin Sheen, for one). William Shatner, of course, is oddly Kirk-like, but does very well as Lt. Colonel Chipman. Richard Basehart? Wonderful, and the ultimate professional, as always. Buddy Ebsen plays a doctor. Even Alan Hale Sr., who blazed a trail of adventure in many of Errol Flynn's films, is on hand (though in a non-speaking role). None other than George C. Scott directed the enterprise, and introduces the feature in a short segment.

Another thing that makes this production unique is that it harkens back to the best of PBS, before they started worrying about ratings, hype, and marketing. Shows like "I, Claudius" and "Masterpiece Theater", among others, made their way to the network about the same time, and "Sesame Street" had yet to become the moneygrubbing exercise it is now (Elmo, this means YOU!). This was back when PBS really lived up to the ideals of being a Public Broadcaster, and shows like "Andersonville Trial" were an offshoot of those ideals. Like other PBS shows, it was the BEST the arts offered at the time; a famous cast in a dramatic play, coming right into our living rooms.

On the tape, we even get to see the old PBS logo, with "PBS" spelled out in that funky 60's-70's type they used to use (with the orange letter "P"). That alone is worth the purchase price.

Hopefully a DVD will someday be released. Until then, if you can latch on to a copy of the tape, you should by all means do so. It is a dramatic telling of a famous war crimes trial, with superb acting and a moral message about war that will stay with you for some time to come.

This eclectic program (Les Sylphides, Sylvia pas de deux, Kenneth MacMillan's Triad, and Paquita) is a beautiful slice of ABT's wide range of repertory and features sparkling performances from Baryshnikov, Cynthia Gregory, Fernando Bujones, Cynthia Harvey, Marianna Tcherkassky, Martine van Hamel, and many others. Although the taping itself is a little less engaging than I would like (ABT's 1998 tape, Variety and Virtuosity, is far superior in this aspect), this is still a wonderful addition to any ballet fan's collection.

Thsi video is ripe with great performances. The first is an awsome performance of "Les Sylphides". Led by Baryishnikov, it has some exceptional dancing.

Next is a performance of "Triad" a modern peice with Amanda McKerrow. Its is done well.

Next is Natalia Makarova's staging of "Pquita" the famous excerpt of Petipa (creator of Swan Lake, Nutcracker, La Bayadere) done very well by the leads and soloist.

Great video 5 stars.

I ordered this DVD because I couldn't find a DVD of my favorite Dice Clay video - The Diceman Cometh. This act was [...] crap compared to his earlier material. He has replaced the many moments of wit and humor (yes, I'm talkin' about Dice) with simple juvenile crudeness. Now, I can deal the nastiest of the nasty, as long as there is some humor involved, but F-word, C-words, etc... are not particularly funny unto themselves. It looks like Dice just dug the "shock" value of his rep and ran with that. What is worse (at least on my copy) is the SOUND. I guess it was recorded thru the telephone!!! Some of the words I could not even figure out. There are a couple decent moments which might be worth [$], but my time is more valuable than that!

Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy Andrew Dice Clay's comedy, his early work was, just plain funny. I have spent many hours listing to his old records, however this DVD was a disapointment, I seen it when it was first broadcast in 1993, It seemed fresher then.. His timing is a bit off, and rehashes his old material. The DVD sound is not that great even though it is advertised as redone in 5.1.. I don't know if it was his mic that night or what. There are no extras except for a lame intro with him trying to rap and hit a punching bag.. On the original broadcast there was a really HUGE comedian named wheels, he was on for about 15 min. They do not mention him in this DVD and he was 10 times as funny as the Diceman was this night.

My girlfriend says that when I am drunk, I get loud, obnoxious and just plain stupid. That being said, I think The Diceman must kick back a few drinks before doing his leather jacket clad cigarette smoking filled routine. Otherwise, he's one hell of an actor. His jokes cover everything from women to racism--done in a shock value style long before Eminem was offending everyone and everything. If you wanna see foul mouthed, politically incorrect dialogue delivered by a Jewish goomba from Brooklyn who could just as easily have had a career like Stallone or Travolta (both of whom he imitates to a T along with Elvis and many others), than Dice is your guy. Dice was hugely controversial in the late 80's and early 90's and if I recall he even tried to clean up his act and make a few unfunny family sitcoms. But this is what he does best, and he has since rebounded with a live show out in Vegas and more comedy CDs. If you like Rodney Dangerfield, Joe Pesci and comic geniuses like them, you will enjoy The Diceman. If you are offended by his schtick you need to lighten up. The guy aint the best of all time, but he thinks he is, and that's what makes him cool.

About two years before this movie was released, I attended an Andrew Dice Clay concert one night at a resort in the Catskills.
That afternoon, I had lunch with three middle-aged ladies who spoke at great length about their shock that such a hotel would book a "vulgar" artist like Clay.
As I took my seat that night, I wondered if maybe one of the ladies had a point - maybe his humour was more attuned to comedy clubs or Cable TV. I uncharacteristically ordered a mixed drink and sat forward as the lights went down. The opening act appeared, one of those less-focused comics who seems to intentionally do a mediocre job so as to enhance the status of the featured act. (He actually looked like me, and after the show, in the disco, a guys comes up to me and says, with emotion, "Hey, you were pretty funny". I said "It wasn't me", and he patted me on the back).
Clay is announced, steps into the spotlight, lights up his cigarette, and describes his pre-show, personal activity. To my left, an attractive blonde struggled with her reel-to-reel tape recorder, while to my right, the three ladies sat with their mouths open.
This video is ofcourse from a much different venue - Madison Square Garden, so all eyes are focused on Mr. Clay, no distractions. However, the "opening act" on "Dice Rules" is not a low-esteem set-up but a long semi-biographical series of vignettes. They're well done, but the kind of segment that one fast-forwards from.
The '91 performance contains alot of the expected offensive humour, and it's a bit hard to take. For example, the bit on Handicapped parking. But if you give it some thought, he's really expressing a kind of frustration that all people feel, whether or not they consider themselves free of prejudice or insensitivity. Making fun of Handicapped people is horrible, but poking fun at the *situation" of self-righteous non-Handicapped people who can't find a parking spot at the mall trying to control their reactions, can be humorous. (He does have pathos even when he's close to going over the top: he's the schoolyard bully who takes his Mother shopping on Saturdays).
Clay is actually more impressive with quieter, more everyday issues - such as describing a miserable trip to his wife's friend's guaranteed-to-be-miserable party.
More "traditional" successful bits include great imitations of actors like Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, John Travolta, and a pretty good Elvis on "Baby, What You Want Me To Do".
I enjoyed the good camera and edit work, which integrates the crowd in the performance.
(By the way, the three ladies stayed for the whole show).

If you like Mother Goose.....OH! This is a DVD for you. This is the Madison Square Garden concert when Dice was at his highest point of his career. Dice acts, sings, and slices & dices the J-Offs in the audience.

Dice is one of the most popular comedians in Las Vegas. His new CD from 2000 showed that he is back.

Just laugh your a... off!!

Dice is one of the best ever. It shows in Dice Rules how much he has impacted people. Why not selling out MSG on top of that. The only reason I give this a 4 is because it isn't as intimate as Dice's other concerts. This has 20,000+ in the audience which makes it lose some sparkle. The jokes are great, and will keep you laughing.

Although this DVD claims to be a championship of the world's best street dancers, it's actually a poorly edited amateur contest that's not worth the time it takes to watch.

The packaging makes some big claims: "the best of the best," "brilliantly inspiring," and "The Most Exhilarating Exhibition In The History Of Dance." None of those claims are remotely true. The skill levels of the dance groups are about on par with a high school talent show.

We watch one dance crew after another take the stage in this competition. The back cover touts the professionalism and amazing acrobatics, but what we really see are groups that need to rehearse more. There is none of the exhilarating unison or precision that characterizes street dance - in fact most of the groups have difficulty staying together on the beat.

There are few memorable moments, and fewer standout talents. This isn't necessarily the fault of the performers. I think that this DVD showcases them far too early in their dance careers. Also, the poor camera work serves to hide many of the better moves. These dances are designed to be viewed from the front, so why continue to cut to overhead cameras making the routines seem confused and disorderly?

My aim here isn't to deflate any of the young kids in this video. Their talent and energy shows me their power to continue on to do great things someday. My problem is with the deceptive packaging, the remarkably poor camera work, and the amateur quality of the show.

Clearly this was meant to be a pilot for TV, but the content just isn't good enough. Even at a mere ten dollars, this DVD makes me feel ripped off.