Arts Movie Reviews

The "Backstage" DVD is a great slice of hip hop life showing you the behind-the-scenes, industry point of view on the hip hop music touring biz mixed with snippets (NOT whole songs) of some the hits songs performed live on the tour. Just for the scene where Dame Dash puts Def Jam prez Kevin Liles on blast for trying to steal Roc-A-Fella's shine by giving all the artists on tour Def Jam Hard Knock Life tour jackets is worth the price of the DVD alone.

However, I have had trouble with 2 copies of the DVD I have bought so far. Both times, chapters 9-12 have played OK but won't fast forward or rewind. When you try to do either the DVD freezes up. I'm not sure if I'm buying from a bad batch of DVDs at the particular store I went to or if this is a problem with all the Backstage DVD's but it's frustrating if you want to just skip to a particular scene within any of these chapters. In summation: great disc for those wanting to see some of the reality behind the glitz and glamor of the hip hop music world but buyer beware: there may be problems with your DVD depending on where you purchase it.

They needed to extend the length of this DVD. Despite the title i thought it would have more concert footage. Its fustrating when one of your favourite songs begins and is then cut off, and believe me with the rappers featured on this DVD its rather frequent. DMX is by far the most entertaining because what he says is most interesting and at times relevant. Its good to see how Ja acts in a interview senario. he seems very on point. Method Man and Redman are themselves, entertaing and so high they could kiss tha sky as always. This DVD was a must for my collection beacuse of the all-star cast. If u respect the people mentioned above i recommend u buy this DVD. Definatly blunt somkin material.

If there is one hip hop documentary u gotta pick up, its Backstage. Whats more fun than seein Red and Meth gettin high? Whats more fun than seein Damon Dash curse out da Def Jam prez? This documentary gets you so close to the backstage action even tha artists was startin to get [mad] yellin at da cameras. Some people said there wasnt enough actual concert footage: READ THE TITLE...! ITS CALLED BACKSTAGE NOT ONSTAGE!

This DVD gives us a special look into the life and behind-the-scenes workings of Barbara Hendricks- one of the worlds most enchanting (opera) singers. I appreciate that this DVD documents her rise to Paris fame from her humble Arkansas roots. She is truly a magnificent woman in so many ways, from her voice, to taking on formidable challenges with grace, to her beauty, to her visionary path, that I really don't know what to say... but this DVD gives us a unique glimpse into this Diva's stunning voice, mind, career, and mystique...

(speaking predominantly about the Latin, being I don't really watch Standard)

Dancesport is electrifying. This VHS is far from electrifying. Save the $ to put towards one of the more expensive, recent competitions. The music places you right back into the stereotypical, "ballroom dancing is for your grandmother" mindset. The costumes are absolutely hideous. Yes, there are people worth seeing on the tape such as Louis Van Amstel, Karen Hardy, Donnie Burns and Gaynor Fairweather, and Marcus and Karen Hilton but you can see them on the more up to date tapes. It's funny how dancing always seems to be a package deal. Neither costumes nor music make an impression, and this goes for the dancing as well. Don't get me wrong, these are talented dancers but you're not going to see their best performance here. I've watched the tape more than a few times to see if it would grow on me, but so far it just makes me cringe.

The only salvageable part is the exhibition by Donnie Burns and Gaynor Fairweather. (and I would think if you like the Standard, Marcus and Karen Hilton) That's the only part I watch repeatedly.

I've bought many copies of this video in years as gifts to friends. If you want to know what is the internatinal (or English) style ballroom dance, I assure you this is the best value (at $ 20.00!)on the market to watch ballroom dance at its best. It has spectacular shows by Donnie Burns, Gaynor Fairweather and Marcus and Karen Hilton -- they are the top of the ballroom dancing world! Thanks to V.I.E.W, Inc. who produced this video! END

This 60 minute video, produced in 1991, includes ballroom shows and competition finals in both the Latin and Modern (smooth ballroom) styles. Donnie Burns and Gaynor Fairweather, at the peak of their 13 year reign as World Professional Latin champions, do a five dance show; Marcus and Karen Hilton, early in their reign as World Pro Modern champions, do four dances. The competition includes many the top ranked Latin amateurs of the time, some of whom are in the top professional ranks now; the Modern competition draws from the second tier of world class amateur competitors (still better than anyone in the U.S.). Contrary to the implication in the title, the video was not filmed at the International Championships in England, but rather at a competition in Czechoslovakia.The camera work presents the dancing very well, and the price makes the video an excellent value - most comparable ballroom competition videos go for $50-$100.True students of ballroom dance, however, will probably be bothered by the fact that the synchronization of the audio track to the video is off by as much as half a beat - as can be seen from the mismatch between the music and the audio sensitive floor lights. This lack of synchronization makes the competitors look off time, which somewhat spoils the effect; in the shows, perhaps because of the higher caliber of the dancers, the music sounds off time.Still, it's difficult to go wrong for a mere $20.