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Family movie reviews for "Arts" sorted by average review score:
Kevin James - Sweat the Small Stuff
Released in DVD by Wea Corp (22 July, 2003)
Starring: Kevin James
Average review score: 
THE FUNNIEST GUY EVERthis guy has 2 be the funniest person ive ever seen doing stand up. on stop hilarious jokes that catch everyone by surprise send any normal person rolling off their seats, and clutching there stomaches w/ laughter. VERY funny, recomended 2 anyone who simply wants 2 laugh until they puke.
Absolutely Hysterical!My husband and I laugh non-stop at this DVD. We view it often and have given it as gifts to most of our friends & family. This is the best comedy show I have ever seen. Kevin James is a funny, funny man!
Hilarious!Kevin James doesn't get on the mic too often, but when he does it was definitly worth the wait. In probably the best Comedy Central full length special to date watch Kevin James attack the DMV, airports, male ego, and a females obsession with greeting cards. 5 stars, and two thumbs way up for Sweat The Small Stuff!
King Lear / Jones, New York Shakespeare Festival (Broadway Theatre Archive)
Released in DVD by Image Entertainment (18 September, 2001)
Brilliant performances from an amazing cast highlight this piece of modern theater history. James Earl Jones stars as Lear in this digitally remastered recording of a live performance in the park. (If you've ever wished you could see one of Joseph Papp's legendary New York Shakespeare Festival productions, this is your chance.) The crowd reactions add a layer to the play by helping to bring the excellent production to life. The direction is vibrant, keeping both a reverence for Shakespeare's work and the importance of entertaining a crowd in mind. The astonishing supporting cast includes Rosalind Cash, Paul Sorvino, Rene Auberjonois, and Raul Julia, and a remarkable performance by Douglass Watson as Kent. --Ali Davis
Average review score: 
Shakespeare Rocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Words cannot describe my love for this production of King Lear. This is definitely the greatest live taping of a Shakespeare play I've ever seen. Most of the actors were simply amazing. Had I been at that performance that night, I would have given a a standing ovation. James Earl Jones was phenomenal. He brought a new King Lear to the stage. I was thrilled as he cursed his daughters and sons in law as violent thunder symbolically rumbled over the actors' heads. Even the audience was thrilled. They applauded when he exited. The show had more jokes than I thought. I thought that the Fool brought the only jokes to the show. My favorite funny part was when Edmund said, "I am rough and lecherous", made an offensive sign, and a farting noise. It was so funny. Raul Julia was simply amazing as Edmund. He portrayed Edmund with such perfection. Tom Aldredge was great as the Fool. When I first heard him talk, I realized, "Oh, my God. Is that the Narrator from Into the Woods?" I was truly shocked. The woman who played Goneril was very sexy indeed. I had to take off a star for a few reasons.
1. The woman who played Regan overacted.
2. Cordelia was wearing boots similar to Go-go boots in one of her scenes (by the way, she was good too.)
3. The guy who played the doctor had an afro and his acting wasn't good.
These two touches of the 70s were somewhat out of place in a Shakespeare play. Those are minor reasons why I gave this DVD four stars. I think that if you want to see a great play on video or DVD, the Broadway Theatre Archive is the place to go. King Lear rules. Shakespeare rules. James Earl Jones rules.
Raving and Drooling!This is not only the finest Lear I've seen - Jones delivers one of the best personal performances I've ever witnessed - on stage or screen. This is an unabridged 3-hour King Lear that adeptly handles the entire range of difficulties and dynamics that challenge any reader, director or actor fortunate enough to attempt it. The supporting cast is fine - the late Raul Julia as the conniving Edmund is especially good - but Jones overpowers all - as he should - and his booming, spitting, crying, sceptre-tossing ferocity, despair and madness cut to the quick of Shakespeare's play. This is a 1974 outdoor performance and despite digital remastering, the audio is 8-track quality at best - fortunately the acting and staging overcompensate for the sound and whatever else one might consider shortcomings, though there aren't many, and for my money I'll take Jones over Olivier any day.
A near perfect introduction to that world of Shakespeare.While attending High School in Michigan, I took a 9 week course in Shakespeare. Monday through Friday, for an hour, I would sit and study the words of the man often referred to as the greatest single writer that ever used the English language. In this class, we were exposed to both audio and video productions of various plays.
After 4 weeks, I became fully convinced that anyone that said that they read or attended Shakespeare for entertainment purposes was either a liar or severely mentally unbalanced.
Then I was shown this production, and my mind expanded.
The production was taped from a Shakespeare in the Park festival, live. There are points during the production when it becomes apparent, yes it is live. It is also vital. It lives, it breathes, it is wildly passionate and elegent and bold and gentle, often within the space of one line to another.
The cast is nothing short of astonishing. Rosalind Cash, Raul Julia, Paul Sorvino and Rene Auberjonois are stunning. These four actors, in and of themselves, make this particular performance a (what is now the hyped phrase) Must See.
What makes it a Must Own is James Earl Jones.
Mr. Jones is, IMHO, possibly the single greatest actor living today. He is also IMHO the finest voice in the industry, and has been from the time I became aware that this production existed.
His Lear is a vain man, a proud man, and a man that is falling apart before our very eyes. He is indeed King, and a king that has brought himself low. Kingship does not imply wisdom.
Any flaws in this production only remind us that Shakespeare was once performed live in the presence of those who would hoot and toss things at the actors if the audience was not happy with what they were seeing.
Superb!
Kenneth's MacMillan's Mayerling / Mukhamedov, Durante, Collier, Royal Ballet
Released in DVD by Kultur (30 July, 2002)
Average review score:
Poor MacMillanMayerling is one of the most intense ballets I have ever seen and Kenneth MacMillans choreography is superb (as allways). This reccording though is very lacking. The cast is excellent (including such stars as Irek Mukhamedov, Viviana Durante and Darcey Bussell, Lesley Collier) and all give wonderfull performances, but the camera angles and the frequent close-ups ruin many of the scenes - especially the dramatic and very high energy pas de deux between Prince Rudolf (Irek Mukhamedov) and his new wife Princess Stephanie (Jane Burn). This pas de deux is quite violent and covers huge areas of the stage. The movement and energy is compleatly lost in shots of faces, hands etc. As the only reccording of the ballet it is still worth having though.
Beautiful, passionate and sad.This video is worth buying just for the wonderful dancing from the stars of the Royal Ballet. There are some lovely choreography although the ballet does have its dull moments. Irek Mukhamedov is the star with his wonderful dancing and characterization of Prince Rudolf. Also stars Viviana Durante as the cool and sexy Mary which she dances perfectly, and Darcey Bussell in the role of Mitzi Casper ( Rudolf's mistress ), Sarah Wildor, Jane Burns, Adam Cooper, Nicola Trannah.
A masterpieceI think the Royal Ballet's version of Mayerling was wonderful.In my opinion, the royal ballet has never dissapointed me with their productions.The shows that they put on, are quality performances, in regards to the stage sets, the costumes, the skills of the dancers,the story lines.By the time you are done watching this video, you will have a better understanding of Austro Hungarian history,of the Hapsburg dynasty (you will learn more about Franz Joseph,Empress Elizabeth and their emotionally tender love starved son; Crown Prince Rudolf), and of the richness and high culture of that royal dynasty.The main character,(played by Irek Mukhademov), was a fantastic Rudolf.He brought out the raw emotions of this character (Rudolfs lonliness,his mother's lack of warmth for him, his father's unfriendly relationship with him, his fascination with death, his and Mary Vetsera's substantial love for one another). I am also a great fan of Viviana Durante, who plays Mary Vetsera.She is an excellent dancer and plays her part beautifully.I also enjoyed seeing Lesley Collier in this performance. Her dancing is lovely, and you just can't help but like her. The music in this ballet is by Franz Liszt.I think that the music is perfect for the ballet.
Kickboxer
Released in DVD by Hbo Studios (11 January, 2000)
Starring: Jean-Claude Van Damme
Average review score:
Kickboxer: Van Damme learns his craftJean-Claude Van Damme will never be confused for anything other than what he is: a martial arts actor whose acting abilities are less important than his high-kicking ones. This is not a bad thing either. He is probably one of the two or three best action stars now working, and his legions of fans appreciate his style. In KICKBOXER, he reveals in one movie the best and worst of what he is capable. He plays Sloan, an American fighter whose brother is crippled by the savagery of the Thai champion, Tong Po, played by Van Damme's real life friend Michel Quissi, who stars in many of his other films. What the viewer sees is your basic get-revenge-on-the-dude-who-hurt-my-brother movie.
Van Damme closes with s stirring victory over a very tough and, in his own way, a colorful foe. Van Damme's strengths include his good looks, athletic ability, martial arts expertise, and even some boog-a-looing disco dancing. What he adds to this is a sense to the audience of breathless expectation. By simply looking at him undergo the bone-breaking training imposed on him by his Wise Old Master, the viewer can just for that moment put himself on the screen, absorbing the same beating. Even in his first films, when he played the bad guy, the audience knew that any victory the hero achieved over him was dictated only by the script. In KICKBOXER, Van Damme begins what for him proves a winning trend: he needs a worthy opponent to make the movie resonate. In KICKBOXER, Michel Quissi, who is no Asian at all, puts on makeup to simulate the epicanthic eyefolds and shaves his head to produce one mean-looking man. One of the most effective uses of a heavy that I have ever seen in any martial arts film is directors Mark DiSalle and David Worth's decision to introduce Tong Po not by sight but by sound. Van Damme hears a strange pounding and when he investigates by following the noise, almost as if he were a human geiger counter, he sees Tong Po kicking a concrete pillar hard enough to shake dust. The latent fear in his eyes connects viscerally to the audience. This scene in which Van Damme shows hesitation is one of his best, but he rarely exhibits this less than heroic temperament in future films. The down side to KICKBOXER is generic to the genre. It is simply not possible for him to absorb such bone-crunching punishment and bounce up off the mat to fight on and win. But his ability to do so is probably part of the myth and mystique that marks such fight movies. Does anyone really want to peek into the magician's hat to see where the dove comes from?
Van Damme closes with s stirring victory over a very tough and, in his own way, a colorful foe. Van Damme's strengths include his good looks, athletic ability, martial arts expertise, and even some boog-a-looing disco dancing. What he adds to this is a sense to the audience of breathless expectation. By simply looking at him undergo the bone-breaking training imposed on him by his Wise Old Master, the viewer can just for that moment put himself on the screen, absorbing the same beating. Even in his first films, when he played the bad guy, the audience knew that any victory the hero achieved over him was dictated only by the script. In KICKBOXER, Van Damme begins what for him proves a winning trend: he needs a worthy opponent to make the movie resonate. In KICKBOXER, Michel Quissi, who is no Asian at all, puts on makeup to simulate the epicanthic eyefolds and shaves his head to produce one mean-looking man. One of the most effective uses of a heavy that I have ever seen in any martial arts film is directors Mark DiSalle and David Worth's decision to introduce Tong Po not by sight but by sound. Van Damme hears a strange pounding and when he investigates by following the noise, almost as if he were a human geiger counter, he sees Tong Po kicking a concrete pillar hard enough to shake dust. The latent fear in his eyes connects viscerally to the audience. This scene in which Van Damme shows hesitation is one of his best, but he rarely exhibits this less than heroic temperament in future films. The down side to KICKBOXER is generic to the genre. It is simply not possible for him to absorb such bone-crunching punishment and bounce up off the mat to fight on and win. But his ability to do so is probably part of the myth and mystique that marks such fight movies. Does anyone really want to peek into the magician's hat to see where the dove comes from?
A Good Action Movie!This was a very good movie about karate fighting. Van Damme's brother who is champion of the arena takes on a new challenger. After watching the new challenger warming up Van Damme urges his brother to drop out of the fight. Van Damme's brother loses the fight and his title. He is also paralyzed as a result of the beating that he recieves from the Thai fighter. Van Damme decides to seek vengance for his brother's injury. He learns the Thai method of karate from a master. He has a few fights before he fights the man who crippled hid brother. Van Damme is finally able to gain vengance after a wild battle. Once again Van Damme prevails. This is a very good movie that you should watch. You will not be dissapointed.
ONE OF VAN DAMME'S BESTAFTER HIS BROTHER IS CRIPPLED BY AN EVIL THAI KICKBOXER [TONG PO] IN A WORLD TITLE MATCH, A MAN [JEAN CLAUDE VAN DAMME] LEARNS MARTIAL ARTS IN ORDER TO AVENGE HIS BROTHER'S MERCILESS BEATING. I GOTTA ADMIT, THIS MOVIE WAS QUITE ENTERTAINING. THE FIGHTS WERE GOOD AND JEAN CLAUDE VAN DAMME EVEN DID A PRETTY GOOD ACTING JOB TOO. I ALSO WILL ADMIT THAT TONG PO IS ALSO ENTERTAINING WHEN IT COMES TO WATCHING HIM FIGHT. DEFINITELY NOT BAD FOR WHAT IT IS. FOLLOWED BY FOUR DIRECT-TO-VIDEO SEQUELS.
King Lear
Released in DVD by Kultur Video (29 February, 2000)
Average review score:
King Olivier!From his earlist roles to his last Laurence Olivier was a consummate actor, the best in my opinion that ever was. His extraordinary talent shines best however in Shakespeare's plays, with his King Lear being the finest I have ever seen. This version is filmed on stage with a great supporting cast that includes Diana Rigg of the "Avengers" as Lear's older daughter Regan, Leo McKern who was Cromwell in "A Man For All Season", and John Hurt playing the Fool. Well scripted and directed, this particular version of King Lear made me addicted to Shakespeare when I saw it on P B S many years ago. Most Shakespeare plays have been poorly done - according to self-aggrandizing wants of the director or someone else. Happily, this is not the case as this production sticks with Shakespeare's script. I only wish all Shakespeare plays were as well done as this. King Lear? King Olivier!
Laurence Olivier plays Shakespeare's "King Lear"Laurence Olivier's performance as "King Lear" received the same sort of critical acclaim that the actor received three decades earlier for doing "Hamlet," "Richard III" and "Othello." Certainly Olivier was of the right age to play Shakespeare's embittered monarch and it is not surprising that a first-rate supporting cast signed on for the 1984 production, directed by Michael Elliot. Leo McKern as Gloucester, John Hurt as the Fool, Brian Cox as Burgundy, Dorothy Tutin as Goneril and Diana Rigg as Regan particularly stand out. The BBC was taping productions of all of Shakespeare's plays and "King Lear" was the crown jewel in this collection (although I always liked John Cleese doing "The Taming of the Shrew"). "King Lear" is not a play/film to begin your appreciation of Shakespeare, but it is good to know that when you get around to it Olivier's performance is preserved for your enjoyment.
"Our darker purpose..."It is difficult to imagine a better Lear than Laurence Olivier at this stage in his carreer. He had said that he completely identified with Lear by this stage in his life. We see the ruination of an old, but monumentally great man. The DVD notes describe Lear as a man brought down by his excessive pride, but that is wrong. Lear's weakness is his capacity, and his need, for love. He cannot bear that Cordelia may not love him as much as he loves her and it drives him mad. It is a pleasure to watch Olivier beat his head as he curses his daughters as only he can.
I don't know of any other comparable production of Lear, unless one counts Kurosawa's Ran. It seems that the art of Shakespearean acting has been lost on the newer guys, so it is a pleasure to watch the old masters of the Royal Shakespeare Company go at it. They make Elizabethan English perfectly lucid to modern audiences. It is a great production.
Kill and Kill Again
Released in DVD by Nutech Digital Inc. (29 January, 1999)
Starring: James Ryan (IV) and Anneline Kriel
Average review score:
The quintessential cheeseball martial arts flick!!When I was ten years old, I had no idea what martial arts were. All I knew was about something called "karate" where people wore funny suits and tried to chop boards in half with their hands. Then one day I stayed home sick from school (5th grade) and saw this film on Showtime. That was 21 years ago and I've been an avid martial artist ever since. If you're a grown-up film snob, then yeah, avoid this film. But it's perfect for kids. It's true that the acting is ultra-cheese and the plot is a formulaic ripoff of "Enter the Dragon," but kids don't care about that kind of stuff. This movie makes an effort to educate the young viewer as to what the martial arts are all about (despite the title, which is NOT what the martial arts are all about), taking time to specifically narrate about different martial arts styles and even the meditative/spiritual side of the martial arts. The fight scenes are totally unrealistic (if memory serves me, some dude jumps over a helicopter at one point) but SO WHAT!! ...This is a kids' movie!! Don't expect it to be Cannes Film Festival material!! You rent a martial arts film from 1981 with actors you've never heard of--what did you expect!!?? This movie is good old 80's cheeseball martial arts flick fun! It really is a classic in that regard.
Old School Karate, the way it was!This is a classic martial arts film. If you like the energy of any of Bruce Lee's movies and in his way of life , you'll surely appreciate James Ryan. It is just one of those films that bring you back to a special time in your life, where martial arts was magical. It doesn't rely on special effects like all the cheesy films today ...Matrix etc, it is just hands down martial arts combat - no frills! Any true martial artist can appreciate this film, they just don't make them like this anymore. I love this film, alway's will. It was the very first karate movie I ever saw and I never forgot it even after years of not being able to find it I could vividly remember the names like the Fly and Hot Dog and of course Steve Chase - the perfect martial artist's name!
EEEEEYAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!This movie is so awesome,it makes me foget about the cheesey acting.I tried everywhere to find this,and I'm now in the process of getting my hands on a dvd of it from amazon.The fight scenes look top notch and these guys are tough.The story is the usual man tries to take over the world formula,but it's the characters that are cool-Fly,Gorrilla,Gypsy and Hotdog.Cool martial arts champion James Ryan plays the leader of the group.Watching these guys infiltrate the evil dictator's compound is hysterical as they're not the best at this.There are several well choregraphed fights leading to the great ending.Each member of the group has to fight in a tournament against the dictator's fighters.It's one of those few stand out classic martial arts movies.
The Kids in the Hall: Tour of Duty
Released in DVD by Ventura Distribution (18 March, 2003)
Average review score:
Rehashed KidsI was disappointed at the lack of original material on this disc. It is some of their best sketches - word for word - performed onstage, including the Chicken Lady and Kathy and Cathy. There is a new Buddy Cole sketch which is lukewarm, a likewise mediocre Headcrusher skit and the Dr. Suess bible thing...whaaa?
I'm glad I only rented this and not purchased it, but it does give you a Kids fix if you really need it. Why can they can put Friends and that junk out on DVD season by season but no Kids? Come on! Kids on DVD! Kids on DVD!
The Kids In The Hall TV Series will BE RELEASED ON DVD!!!Thanks to demand from Kids fans like you and me, the first season of The Kids In The Hall will be released on DVD, possibly by the end of 2003.
www.kidsinthehall.com
Is the Kids' Tour Of Duty DVD still worth it? Yes. However, your priority should be on the DVD of the series!
Hopefully, this DVD will become obsoleteThis is the best us Kids fans are going to get until the original episodes make it to DVD (cross your fingers). However, it's a good DVD that captures a pretty good performance. Most of the classic characters make an appearance, including the Head Crusher, Simon Milligan & Hecubus, Gavin, and a good new monologue from Buddy Cole (dealing with, of course, dressing in drag in Afghanistan), among others.
Essential for all KITH fans, but it will become obsolete when we get the episodes on DVD.
Kick to Get Fit Jr. - For Kids
Released in DVD by Grogan's Martial Arts & Fitness (01 December, 2003)
Average review score:
No reviews found.
KICKBOXING #1 - D
Released in DVD by RISING SUN PRODUCTIONS (11 November, 2003)
Average review score:
No reviews found.
KICKBOXING #2 - D
Released in DVD by RISING SUN PRODUCTIONS (11 November, 2003)
Average review score:
No reviews found.