Costumes Movie Reviews

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Family movie reviews for "Costumes" sorted by average review score:
Casablanca - Limited Edition Collector's Set
Released in DVD by CREATIVE DESIGN ARTS (25 October, 2000)
MPAA Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Starring: Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman
Average review score:

Special Edition? Nothing Special
I was also peeved by the lack of details about this "Collector's Set", so I went hunting.

Bottom line: Unles you want lobby cards, 8X10 stills, and a few other "collectables", save your money. The DVD itself in the "Collector's Set" appears to be identical to the DVD in the original release. Based on other vendors' sites, here's what you get for the extra money:

- Lobby Cards: 8 Original limited edition lobby card prints.
- Senitype: Exclusive limited edition senitype® image from movie with 35mm film frame.
- Theatrical Poster: Original one sheet movie poster (27 x 40 ).
- Exclusive Collection: 6 Original Limited Edition B & W Photograph Stills.

Information regarding the DVD in the "Collector's Set" is:
DVD CONTAINS:
- Digitally restored image and cleaned soundtrack.
- Theatrical trailers.
- YOU MUST REMEBER THIS, a 36-minute documentary newly updated with recently discovered, unseen outakes and screen tests.
- Special introduction by screen legend Lauren Bacall, wife of Humphrey Bogart.

I didn't see any new DVD features on any site.

This is one of the greatest films ever made, but the "extras" aren't worth the extra $... to me. I'll gladly take the original release, which should be in everyone's DVD library!!

Please include list of special features
This is a fantastic movie, but Amazon.com unusually does not list anything to distinguish this Limited Edition Collector's Set from a regular edition. I would like to assume that Special Features are included, given the edition title, but have no way of knowing. If this is an oversight I would be grateful if Amazon.com would remedy this.

Classic Collector's Item
The DVD is still one of the best films ever made.

The extras are what make this box set so unusual. Original lobby cards are very rare and expensive to purchase so these provide a unique prospective. The black and white photographs offer a behind-the-scenes look into a historical film, the one-sheet movie poster is in the box (as well as a free offer for an additional rolled one!) and the Senitype contains a film clip from the movie. For me, it's like owning a true piece of Hollywood Glamour.

Donizetti - La Fille du Regiment (The Daughter of the Regiment) / Bonynge, Sutherland, Australian Opera
Released in DVD by Kultur (20 November, 2001)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Director: Peter Butler (IV)
Hometown girl makes good as soprano Joan Sutherland struts her considerable stuff in this ramshackle but mostly delightful version of Donizetti's frantic comedy. Videotaped at a 1986 Australian Opera performance, the production tries a bit too much to imitate Gilbert & Sullivan in its broad comic strokes and overly frilly costumes, but this approach isn't totally alien to Donizetti's madcap plot and characters. Of course, the mettle of any Donizetti staging is tested by its lead actress, and Sutherland is in top bel canto form as the heroine, Marie, easily handling the composer's difficult vocal writing and receiving a highly partisan but justly earned ovation. Richard Bonynge, conducting the Elizabethan Sydney Orchestra, and the Australian Opera Chorus also contribute greatly to the generally upbeat atmosphere. --Kevin Filipski
Average review score:

Not funny, not funny!
After hearing her Decca recording of La Fille du Regiment, I'm disappointed with Sutherland's singing in this performance. It's just sad to hear her way past her prime. High notes are forced and effortful. Timbre is thick, heavy, and mannered. What more, as always, her acting is below mediocre, and as this being a comic opera, the entire performance suffers. Sutherland should have known better than to step back into a role she knows she's not capable of handling anymore. Sorry, but that's how I feel.

A delightful staging, and a horrible DVD production
I had watched my VHS tape for years and enjoyed the staging of this comic opera. I ordered the DVD when it came out, and boy, did I regret it! The DVD production is horrible! It came at the usual poor Kultur DVD production level (no extra features, DD2.0 sound, no subtitle selection, etc.) That's fine, I can live with that. But the video quality is so poor, you can literally see the screen as a bunch of small pixels! I don't know what kind of video compression technique was used for the DVD production, but it is about as poor (if not poorer) than a VCD (MPEG1) quality. And the compression is so bad that some times you watch the action in slow motion!

Regarding the opera production, it is a real delight! Joan may not have all her power and high notes in her prime, but she showed us what a brilliant actress she is. The orchestra played real well under Richard's conducting. The tenor is no Pavarotti, but is quite acceptable.

I just hope that Kultur can start improving their DVD production quality. Otherwise, so many great performing archives that Kultur owns the release right will be ruined.

It's good, but
Sutherland is good here. But she is spectacular in the DVD "The Complete Bell Telephone Hour Performances 1961-1968, and the VHS "Age of Bel Canto". These two are Joan Sutherland's most accomplished performances and among the most mind bogglingly awesome recordings available today.
In this Daugher of the regiment, she is way past her prime. If you like the opera, buy the Sutherland/Pavarotti cd or cassette instead.

John Gay - The Beggar's Opera / Jonathan Miller · John Eliot Gardiner · Roger Daltrey · English Baroque Soloists
Released in DVD by Image Entertainment (31 October, 2000)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Director: Jonathan Miller
John Gay's The Beggar's Opera created a theatrical revolution in London in 1728. It lampooned the conventions of Italian opera seria--then the reigning form of musical theatre in London--by putting the genre's aristocratic attitudes and high-flown sentiments into the dialogue of thieves, beggars, cutthroats, and prostitutes and by making it painfully clear that petty greed, vanity, and jealousies, not the noble sentiments uttered by operatic heroes, were what motivated its plot. For the elaborately structured da capo arias and rhetorical recitatives of opera seria, it substituted spoken dialogue and popular tunes of the time with new, satirical lyrics. It was sensationally popular because it was in touch with the contemporary environment.

Today, nearly three centuries later, it requires some historical background for complete enjoyment. Only a few of the tunes are still familiar, and for American audiences, subtitles might occasionally be useful. Some of the characters, representing small-time underworld operators, have Cockney accents almost as impenetrable as the German, Italian, or Russian heard in other opera videos. But the performance is superbly styled and it grows more enjoyable with repeated hearings. The cast includes some highly skilled stars of British TV who slip easily into a baroque equivalent of their sitcom experience. For Americans, the best-known cast member is Roger Daltrey (of the rock group the Who), perhaps better-known for Tommy than for The Beggar's Opera. --Joe McLellan

Average review score:

A misconceived flop
Despite all that is praiseworthy about this production--sets, costumes, supporting roles--it misses John Gay's artistic intent by several thousand light years. Gay didn't write just another British working-class grumble about real or fancied oppression by everybody in sight, as this production has it. He crafted a sly, funny dig at the upper classes as aped by the lowest: outcasts, thieves and scalawags. Until Jonathan Miller's "rehabilitation" it was a very funny, even romantic, little piece. Anthony Powell, in his autobiography, dwells nostalgically on the charm it cast every time a new production was mounted every 20 years or so. Or at least did cast until this latest--which should finish it for good. It may be politically unimpeachable but artistically it is witless and mendacious.
The now unobtainable Olivier version, marred only by Lord Laurence's decision to sing his own part, may well be the last to respect Gay's original intent.

Miscast MacHeath
I agree entirely with the reviewer who said that this version is badly recorded. The words are unintelligible.

I have a further criticism. I don't believe the part of MacHeath should be played by a boy in such a foppish, effete manner. MacHeath is a bold highwayman and a charmer of the ladies. This young man could never fit that description.

It's a shame that the version of Beggar's Opera with Lawrence Olivier, produced in the 50's or 60's is not available on video.

Excellent direction and performances
Although I understand the complaints about the dialogue being unintelligible, I actually thought the songs were very easy to understand. Both the singing and the general presentation of the music were excellent--John Eliot Gardner does a great job of music direction. I also agree that this is an excellent version to use in teaching; it's lively, thoughtful, virtually uncut, and offers some interesting interpretations. (Jonathan Miller diverges from the text at the end, but it is a thought-provoking divergence.) It's not a sugar-candy version of the Opera, but since the threat of death by hanging is a central element of the text, I don't see the gritty aspects of this performance as a problem.

Wagner - Tannhauser / Levine, Cassilly, Marton, The Metropolitan Opera
Released in DVD by Pioneer Video (02 November, 2000)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Starring: Richard Cassilly and Eva Marton
This Tannhäuser is a fine example of something that unfortunately has become rare: a modern Wagner opera performance that Wagner would certainly have applauded. Under the artistic leadership of conductor James Levine, the production team of director Otto Schenk and designer Günther Schneider-Siemssen has adhered strictly to the composer's wishes. These are not hard to fathom; they were clearly articulated in his lifetime and rigorously enforced at Bayreuth long after his death. But in the last half-century they have been frequently violated by his descendants and heirs, among others. The temptation to plumb these music dramas for symbols and allegories is almost irresistible. In this production, like the later Met edition of the Ring cycle, the artists sensibly allow each audience member to develop a personal interpretation without undue interference. The singers--Richard Cassilly, Eva Marton, Tatiana Troyanos, Bernd Weikl, and John Macurdy--are superbly matched to their roles. --Joe McLellan
Average review score:

The Most Important Thing You Need To Know About This DVD...
...is that there are voices heard mumbling throughout the second half...as if the sound engineers accidentally put a live microphone next to the snack bar in the lobby. I'm not kidding. The first few times you hear it, you'll think "Hmmm...that's strange." But after it's been going on for 20 minutes, then 30, you'll realize that you wasted your money.

I've noticed that, in general, sound engineers in orchestral music are SADLY lacking in comparision to pop music producers. I've become inured with these ridiculous flaws in my own Wagner collection, what with the frequent mysterious noises and sloppy edits in even the best renditions of his operas. Where's George Martin when we need him?!?

It's an incredible shame too, because the performances in this particular version are great.

Outstanding Visual Design
This is not my favorite Wagnerian opera by a long shot. But it is a must own, for the simple reason that these are absolutely the best set designs ever done. The Venusberg scene is dazzlingly Bosch-ish, the entry into Wartburg looks like it stepped out of an Italian Early Renaissance fresco. A must own.

From a Wagnerite
This was the most passionate opera I've ever seen. Also, it was my first. I wrote a thesis on Richard Wagner and studied the synopsis of the opera. It was up to the tee. Marton does and excellent job playing Elizabeth that the tears in her eyes led me to tear up also. The guy who played Wolfram looked as though he didn't fully study out his lines, because of the bewildering look on his face when the camera did a close up. Cassily was wonderful despite in Act I his hair was sticking out. The most famous Pilgrims' Chorus was good, but I would have wanted it to be slowed down and appreciated...maybe it was a difficult piece to sing that is why the orhcestra sped it up so they could get it done and over with. The Entry of the Guest scene was great. Overall, I strongly recommend this. Enjoy!

Mozart - Cosi Fan Tutte / Muti, Dessi, Ziegler, Teatro alla Scala
Released in DVD by Image Entertainment (21 July, 1998)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Director: Ilio Catani
This is an opera about true and false feelings, emotional manipulation, and the striking of poses and attitudes by people who are "emotionally correct" the way many individuals and institutions today are politically correct. As the opera progresses, the attitudes of the two romantic heroes and their fiancées are gradually undermined, but they begin by saying and doing exactly what is expected of them, with results that are musically beguiling and, at the same time, very funny. In Act II, the emotion becomes real: the characters who were like puppets begin to shed true tears, and the comedy deepens into a serious statement about human fragility and the need to tolerate one another's weaknesses. These points are well made in a performance that is musically and theatrically polished, with particularly fine ensemble singing. There are six solo singers in Cosi; all the roles have approximately the same importance but in this production, as in many others, the spotlight is often stolen by the maid Despina. Adelina Scarabelli is so good in the role that you wish her performances weren't so rare. --Joe McLellan
Average review score:

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.
I have listened to over 600 different opera recordings in my lifetime on video and if I had to choose a video that had the worst sound quality and the worst balance of sound recording between voices and orchestra, this would be the one. This, like many opera dvds, was not a recording produced exclusively for dvd, but rather, a dvd recording re-recorded onto vhs with added menus and special effects. Muti is an excellent conductor and the emotion sparkles in this production but my ears were left straining to hear the notes of Mozart's beautiful opera. Avoid this recording like the plague and don't say that I didn't warn you. If you want a good recording of Cosi Fan Tutti to listen to, (I'm still looking for a good video recording) buy Georg Solti's recording with Michele Pertusi singing bass. You'll love it, I promise!

Cosi Fan Tutte
The sets are wonderful, as one expects from La Scala. There is not one weak voice in the cast. You will love Despina. What can I say? Mozart reigns.

Muti's Cosi
It's important to realize what we have here. A very sophisticated performance musically, full of vitality, beautiful orchestral playing, and six superb soloists in roles that suit them well. Riccardo Muti is one of the leading Mozart conductors of the day, and his perfectionist and stylish approach, serving the composer totally, is an absolute delight. The production is stylistic, and pretty to look at. The live performance has an electricity which is captivating. 10 out of 10 !

Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Rozhdestvensky, Boylan, Glushchak, European Union Opera
Released in DVD by Kultur (20 November, 2001)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Starring: Vladmir Glushchak
The important balance to be struck in any production of Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin is between, on the one hand, the long lyrical monologues (Tatiana's letter scene, Lensky's aria, Gremin's praise of his wife) and the crucial confrontations between Tatiana and Onegin with the more public scenes in which these private emotions evolve into tragedy and disillusion. In this European Union Opera production, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky finds this balance effortlessly. The chorus that dances its way through the small-town ball that ends in Lensky's challenge is as much a character in the tragedy as the principals. The principals are excellent, too. Orla Boylan is good both as the mature Tatiana and as the callow girl who first falls for Onegin, while Vladimir Glushchak's Onegin is a convincing object of her devotion as well as a self-pitying egoist who wrecks his own life and those of Olga and Lensky. The orchestral sound is convincing but unexciting. --Roz Kaveney, Amazon.co.uk
Average review score:

Buy it, but close your eyes when you watch it.
I agree with everything the next viewer(dated May 31, 02)said about this DVD. I like Tchaikovsky's operas. I expected to see something Russian, but I was very disappointed. The stage design and the costume looked awlful. Only the Onegin character makes the DVD worth buying. Fat Tosca is okay, but not a Fat Tatiyana. The VHS version with Yuri Marusin and Sergei Leyferkus is definitely the 1st choice. It should be issued on DVD.

Not bad but all the other versions are better
I bought this DVD because it was so highly rated. It doens't deserve 4 stars! Not even three! The first act is pretty awful. It's so abstract and overdone. It gives you no feeling of a Russian countryside. It looks "POP". Olga is childish instead of youthful, Tatiana is fat (could be a beautiful lady if she loses some weight), Nya-nya is a big healthy maid. But Onegin is a real handsome guy. Maybe that's the only highlight of the whole opera.
Among all the other productions, my first choice is the live performance from Kirov with Yuri Marusin and Sergei Leyferkus. Tatiana (I don't recall the singer's name)is a rare beauty. She looks totally in role. I can't imagine anyone better than her. Only available on VHS, though. Too bad.

Overvalued !
OK, but overvalued according to the other rewievs.

Verdi - Macbeth / Sinopoli, Bruson, Zampieri, Deutsche Oper Berlin
Released in DVD by Image Entertainment (10 April, 2001)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Director: Brian Large
In English-speaking countries, we tend to look at Verdi's Macbeth, think of Shakespeare, and shake our heads a little sadly. Yes, it is a fine Italian opera, but it lacks the verbal richness, the psychological depth, the symbolic resonance, and the subtle characterizations of Shakespeare's tragedy. Dissatisfied with it himself, Verdi revised the 1847 original in 1865 but remained unhappy; it's not easy to stack yourself up against Shakespeare. He did better at the end of his career with Otello and Falstaff, aided by superior librettos.

Still, taken on its own terms, as an Italian opera of the mid-19th century, Macbeth stands out. It is a powerful look at ambition, violence, remorse, the dark doings of witches, and the spooky torments of a guilty conscience. The late Giuseppe Sinopoli conducted vigorously, and his numerous fans will specially treasure this recording, which focuses its cameras on him frequently. Renata Bruson and Maria Zampieri are both at home in their roles and they exult in the opera's many opportunities for melodrama. There is not much subtlety in this production, but that is true to the spirit of the opera. --Joe McLellan

Average review score:

Buy another version!
This is a very boring version of 'Macbeth'. Only Renato Bruson sings really well. Mara Zampieri is a good actress, but her voice wasn't in her best day. Neill Schicoff is really horrible here and James Morris isn't very well too.
Ronconi's production is really boring. There aren't anything in scene, only a real chair and some panels.
I don't like Sinoppoli very much.
In resume, don't spend your money with this, buy another version.

Una voz chillona
En español decimos "voz chillona" cuando el timbre es más agudo de lo necesario. Si hubiese recordado que la voz que no me dejaba llegar al final de la Fanciulla del West era la de esta misma cantante, no hubiese adquirido esta versión de Macbeth. Durante todo el tiempo no hago más que pensar cómo hubiese gozado escuchando a María Callas en un papel de tanta fuerza. Haré un esfuerzo nuevamente para degustar los intrigantes agudos de alguien que intriga tras el trono.

Screw thy courage to the sticking place!
This production from Berlin in 1987 finds conductor Sinopoli and team in good form. Sinopoli's conducting is very rhythmic and exciting overall, but tends to be somewhat rushed in places. The orchestra and chorus do a good job and one can hardly fault the ensemble work of all the performers involved.

The production is traditional (and also minimalist). Yes, true emotion is seldom touched on here, but I'd rather have this type of melodramatic approach than the kind of contrived production 'concept' to which one is so often subjected. The costumes are realistic to the period, but it is a very static production: note that as the aria begins the character usually takes centre stage! That being said, I have to mention that there is something very effective about dressing Macbeth and Lady M almost entirely in red: to indicate the innocent blood they will/have shed?

Renato Bruson as Macbeth sings the role very well, and one wonders if anyone can surpass this achievement. However, do not expect a dramatically compelling interpretation.

Mara Zampieri has a sinister enough voice for Lady M. She has a magnificent technique: good coloratura and an exceptional trill. For me her interpretation does not match Callas's Lady M, as Zampieri lacks two things: she is often out of tune on acuti and her interpretation is not very subtle. And nit-picking: she omits the top D-flat in the sleep-walking scene. Nonetheless, we can be grateful for her presence in the cast.

The supporting cast, which includes James Morris and Denis O'Neill, sing well, and I cannot think of better 'comprimarias' than those two.

"Macbeth", for me is not a very easy work, like "Trovatore", "Otello" or even "Don Carlos", to understand and love. But with "Macbeth" (specifically in Lady M's music) Verdi holds up a beacon of things to come from his gifted pen.

Alcina
Released in DVD by Naxos of America (16 April, 2002)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Director: János Darvas
Average review score:

Perhaps the worst opera I have ever seen
I must say that I had difficulties watching this opera to the end. I only did so because of the music. The singing was quite good but otherwise two words are enough to discribe this production: ridiculous and disgusting. It seemed that the performers were all the time kicking and hitting eachothers or furniture or walls. Or they were undressing themselves or making love to eachothers. The performance had very little to do with Handel. I certainly can't recommend this DVD to any opera or Handel fan.

Gripping Musical Drama
I have to admit, I don't like opera too much, but since I saw this performance live, I was curious to compare it to the DVD. Live one listened to the music more, and enjoyed the singing, which to my lay ears was lovely. But the DVD brings out the great acting and details, a very intricate and well told story. These are no mere singers that 'stand and sing'. So as an alternative to grand opera with the clicheed personification and empty gesture I would say - here is a finely told story of an aging woman, her lusts, loves and the intrigues of the court around her. That ultimately the DVD is more watchable that the performance means for me the director's failure to create viable theater, and he should stick to film. The details of this are exquisite and the stripping scenes (which caused so much controversy) are for me entirely believable and enhance the personification. Again, this was not my impression in the live performance, but that is not the subject of review here. Ultimately, watching Alice Coote and Helene Schneiderman is worth everything.

Intriguing great Opera
I like traditional Opera, but this is not only diffeent it's great.
The singers act like real actors and actresses, not as heavy bodies slowly moving on the stage. The way the story is rendered in a single, simple room is really amazing.
After few minutes, you can feel like being part of the Alcina spell. You become part of Alcina's magic island.
I watched the same edition at the San Francisco Opera and I really enjoy watching the DVD over and over.
If you think opera must be only extremely serious and boring, then don't buy this DVD (and ask yourself why the opera was a so popular at that time...)

FMW (Frontier Martial Arts Wrestling) - International Slaughterhouse
Released in DVD by Tokyo Pop (09 April, 2002)
MPAA Rating: Unrated
Starring: Dudley Boyz
Average review score:

Almost totally Useless
All the matches except the main event of Masato Tanaka vs Bam Bam Bigelow were clipped. Most were clipped to the point that it was not even fun to watch. The only thing to save the DVD was the fact that the DVD extras were FULL VERSION matches, unlike ALL other FMW DVDs, even the other one released with this one, The Judgement. These Bonus matches were very cool too: Shane Douglas vs Tommy Dreamer for the ECW Title, and The Dudley Boyz vs Sabu and RVD in a great ECW Tag Title Match.

Buy it for the Bonus Matches, and avoid all other FMW DVDs like I am, as they seem to be clipping everything except the main events of all their DVDs now.

Interesting matchups
Most of the matches are clipped somewhat, but there's still some good action to see. The DVD is only broken down into 5 or 6 chapters so you'll have to fast forward through to see some matches which just shows laziness on the part of it's creators. I gave it 3 stars because of the all star lineup that is involved though. Here's a rundown of the card.

1. Paul Heyman speech
2. Buh Buh Ray Dudley vs. The Sandman vs. Terry Funk
3. Dudley Boyz vs. Jado/Gedo
4. Terry Funk/The Sandman/Tommy Dreamer vs. Mike "Gladiator" Awesome/Mr. Ganosuke/Yukihiro Kanemura
5. Dudley Boyz vs. Terry Funk/Tommy Dreamer vs. Mike "Gladiator" Awesome/Hido
6. John Cronus/Ricky Fuji vs. Jado/Gedo
7. Tajiri vs. Super Crazy
8. Sabu vs. One Man Gang vs. Yukihiro Kanemura
9. Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Masato Tanaka

Bonus Matches (done in Japanese commentary)
1. Rob Van Dam/Sabu vs. Dudley Boyz
2. Shane Douglas w/Francine vs. Tommy Dreamer

ECW vs. FMW: Good For A Rental...
FMW: International Slaughterhouse DVD features 11 matches pitting the stars of ECW vs. the stars of FMW. While the billing sounds impressive, the product itself leaves a little to be desired. A majority of the matches are "clipped" with the action being about average to slightly above average. Still wrestling fans who favor hardcore wrestling, ECW or Japanese style hardcore wrestling may still find this DVD worth at least a rental or a borrow.

Here are a rundown of the contents of this DVD:

Your Hosts are "Straight Up" John Watanabe and Dan "The Mouth" Lovranski

1.Paul Heyman promo extolling the virtues of the work ethic of ECW wrestlers, Japanese wrestlers and the Japanese fans.

2.Buh Buh Ray Dudley vs. Sandman vs. Terry Funk: 3-way Ladder match. Decent spots and hard action, but nothing overly exciting. 3 stars.

3.Gedo and Jado vs. the Dudley Boyz (Buh Buh Ray and D'von): Not never really got underway as they brawled to a double DQ within minutes. DUD.

4.Terry Funk, Tommy Dreamer and the Sandman vs. Mike Awesome, WING Kanemura and Mr. Ganosuke: Awesome six-man action. Tons of caning. 4 stars

5.Hido/Mike Awesome vs. Dudleyz vs. Dreamer/Funk: 3-way tag elimination match. Wild match with all 6 men fighting at the same time. Lots of action. 3 1/2 stars.

6.John Kronus/Ricky Fuji vs. Jado and Gedo: Short match but tons of nice aerial/martial arts spots 3 ¾ stars.

7.Tajiri vs. Super Crazy: Short, but decent cruiser action from two of the best. I've seen better from them though. 3 stars.

8.WING Kanemura vs. One Man Gang vs. Sabu: All-out hardcore 3-way war with tons of tables, chairs and high-flying mayhem. 4 ¼ stars.

9.Bam Bam Bigelow vs. Masato Tanaka: AWESOME match. Hard-hitting, tons of psychology. Awesome work. Best match on the DVD. 5 stars

10.Post-match Interview with Tanaka in the locker room.

Bonus Match 1: RVD/Sabu vs. Dudleyz: Decent hardcore war. 4 stars

Bonus Match 2: Dreamer vs. Shange Douglas w/Francine: Ditto 4 stars

THE VERDICT:

Overall, the DVD and matches were fairly mediocre with no matches being really
BAD (except the Dudleyz vs. Jado/Gedo) but again only a few matches are really of noteworthiness (Bigelow/Tanaka and the 6-man tag match). Overall, the best reason to buy the DVD is for the mere novelty of the International/promotional match-ups and not the matches themselves. Still, nonetheless, the DVD (or at least the VHS) is worth a watch if you come across it. It's entertaining enough for an afternoon rental.

Recommendation to Rent/Borrow

Jefferson Starship - The Definitive Concert
Released in DVD by Image Entertainment (14 August, 2002)
MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Bombast was always a part of Jefferson Starship. The group's chunky, muscular riffing through the 1970s and '80s made it a rock powerhouse in a way that its earlier incarnation, the Jefferson Airplane, was never meant to be. But in the few years that Marty Balin joined two of his mates from the Airplane, Paul Kantner and Grace Slick, for its retooled edition, bombast was mitigated by a ripened sensuality and other pleasures. Between Balin's splendid love songs, Slick's sass, Kantner's lyrical castles in the sky, and guitarist Craig Chaquico's prankish versatility, the Starship was a fun, sexy, uplifting outfit. By 1983, however, with Balin long gone, Kantner on the way out, and shrill vocalist Mickey Thomas in the mix, the Starship looked and sounded like an anachronism. Sadly, that's what we have here on The Definitive Concert. Thomas seems to be screeching at a single frequency on "Winds of Change" and "Out of Control," while Slick spends much of the time delivering a wide-eyed stare into the camera that seemed trippy enough in 1967, but here looks insistent and vain. On the plus side, Slick's chilling power on "White Rabbit" is something to behold, and Kantner leads the band in a rousing, snakey rendition of "Ride the Tiger." But, for the most part, this "definitive concert" is a woeful reminder of better days. --Tom Keogh
Average review score:

The wrong moment in this band's history
Every great band has a "moment;" a time when they are at their most brilliant, most socially relevant, most musically profound. For the name-changing, member-changing band that was once known as Jefferson Airplane, this DVD is not only NOT that moment; it's not even close.

Message to Grace: Have somebody collect film and tape from a much, much better time in your band's history. Somewhere around the release of "Volunteers" would be a good place to start. Have them work backwards from there, to the beginning. Then, have a talented director make a documentary out of it, with a small emphasis on interviews and history, and a big, big, big emphasis on the MUSIC. (That means LOTS of concert and studio footage...) Put it on DVD, promote it a little, and sit back and watch it sell, sell, sell. I'll buy one for me, and one for everybody I care about; because you did something really special, really important, really profound and quite beautiful during that time, something you should be proud of. Ditch this 80's BS, and give us something real. Please.

How could this happen.....
Jefferson Starship at the time(1983)had released 3 outstanding albums, Freedom at Point Zero, Modern Times, Wind of Change. If anyone had the opportunity to see the band with drummer Ansley Dunbar, You know how disappointing this video is. Unfortunately, when listening to songs like "Stranger" you could hear the bands new drummer(???)the mistakes and missed drum fills. It's a shame that the band never released any Video performance of the band with Dunbar. It's a good mix of song selection. Too bad they didnt fine tune the playing.(Why didnt they play "Save Your Love" "Lightening Rose" "RockMusic")

Real Review
.... This JS concert, pretty much represents the band well for where they were, at the start of the 80's. They have always been a band that appeared to be on the verge of chaos and confusion, as foretold by even some of their own lyrics. All the elements are here and all the quirky individualities of each member...Grace's mysterious antics, Paul's leadership, Craig's guitar, Mickey's high octane vocals(see KNEE DEEP IN THE HOOPLA album)BUT most of all THE MUSICIANSHIP and GREAT SONGS!!! One thing people forget too, is that this band has always evolved and they represent each era perfectly!!! Even Paul Kantner being the sci fi buff that he is, needs to realize this. Everything evolves and the STARSHIP continued right through this show and on through the 80's!!!

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