Public Administration Movie Reviews

Or something like that, I hope I got the quote right. Anyway, great energetic performance. I cannot believe these guys are in their 40s, they don't act like it! Not only was the live performance great. The extra features had some great history on Public Enemy as well. A must for any Public Enemy fan! It's a shame the content of rap has gone down hill and didn't follow the political path pioneered by Public Enemy. Most of the songs are performed in full. Though, their first hit, "Public Enemy No. 1" is only partially performed, just the first verse. Good thing I can download a full excellent remix version for free here at [Amazon.com] (Public Enemy No. 1 (Tribal Trance Mix) remixed by Dimension Zero in the music downloads section). I hope Public Enemy plans on releasing more DVDs of their older performances. Who has VCRs these days?

This is truly one of the finest performances that I've seen on DVD! The boys from Strong Island still have a flame that burns within and energy that's unsurpassed. Mind you these guys (Chuck D, Flavor Flav and Prof Griff) are close to forty if not over. They did a great job in performing all their hit records and even at times rapped ole school! My 5.1 Digital Surround Sound system was bumping and blaring as the sound was just clear, concise and incredible. Damn it felt good to sit back and enjoy one of the most knowledgeable, rebellious and legendary rap groups of all time! Power to the People!

Performance from Public Enemy.it's really sad that they no longer get half the attention as many of these Bums out now that are making a Mockery of Rap as we know it.with PE School is always in Session.this is a solid Performance&Great Insight to PE.

I approached this DVD with some trepidation; I'd loved this film as a child, from black-and-white tv viewings, and was afraid I'd be disappointed seeing it as an adult. Happily, I still loved it! KID stands alone in the works of Carol Reed, an intriguing mix of fantasy and kitchen-sink realism, and it's received a nice transfer here. The Technicolor is luscious in that 50's way that makes you want to crawl up into the screen and live for a while. Very touching, nicely judged performance from Diana Dors, and fine work from favorites like Celia Johnson, Brenda de Banzie and Lou Jacobi. My only caveat is that this disc is apparently being marketed as a children's movie (I found it in the kid's section of three different stores in NYC), and, despite my childhood affection for it, KID's not really aimed at children. The Cockney dialect and different world of 50's Jewish London will probably be difficult, if not off-putting, for many active moppets. But for adults, and the kind of child who's reflective, dreamy, and curious about the world, the picture's still magic. Take a chance and see it.

I am now 53 years old and I still remember this movie from my childhood in 50's England. I so loved this movie, it was wonderful. I am about to order it. Of course, as an adult, I may have a different perspective now but I can hardly think I will like it any less. I can't even remember one other movie I saw as a kid, but I sure remember this one! Diana Dors was great. ...she really did an excellent job in this movie and it was sweet and touching as a story can get without being sappy. If you are curious about this film, I'd say, go for it. It will at least be an interesting look at British movie making in the fifties and you'll see what a different world it was back then. At best, you'll want to share it with your friends and as many kids as you can find that will sit still for a black and white movie.

I had seen this movie when I was in 13. I was so touched, I've never forgotten this film since I ever had It made me think about "truth life" even though I was too young. After all, It comes to the best infleuential movie of my childhood. Recently, I found it by my contry websites that related movie. I'm so surprised. 'cuz ..I thought that mostly people in my country(I'm a korean) didn't watch. but A few remember it. They almost said "It's really good one"

I absolutely agree..! I wish movie goer shouldn't miss it!!

The over 20 films Zatoichi films comprise arguably the most beautiful film series ever made. Every frame is a work of art.
If you like moral ambiguity look elsewhere. The plots are simple but classic fables (i.e.: "fabulous"). Zatoichi, the humble blind masseur, is a 15th century Columbo amiably bumbling along, and is played with great skill by Shintaro Katsu in all films. But when a band of villains threatens some damsel, watch out, as Zatoichi pulls the sword from inside his walking cane. Blind but sensing all movement around him, he becomes a whirling dervish of lethal steel. No villain ever survives, though actual blood is rarely seen.

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Usually on Saturdays I catch the Samurai feature (or at least part of it) on IFC while I eat my lunch. While I love Zatoichi movies (I have about 7 on tape and DVD respectively) usually I can't focus on both the subtitles and my lunch at the same time so I usually flip to TBS so I can hear a movie rather than try to read and eat.

This time however I caught Fight, Zatoichi, Fight and was completely enthralled. Any good Zatoichi fan worth their salt doesn't just like the character and the movies because he is a total badarse with his cane sword...it is because he is completely human at the same time. He is fallible and is often more prey to his own emotions than to the regular old scheming Yakuza or ornery samurai warrior. This movie has all the things you like about Zatoichi films. The drama, the emotion, the butt-kicking, the humor. This movie yo-yoed my face like you wouldn't believe...at times I was laughing while the next minute I was feeling quite sad...or heck, even touched. Do you know how hard it is for someone like me to say that?

Anyway, if you like Zatoichi movies, or any movies whatsoever...this is a great one to watch.

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Usually on Saturdays I catch the Samurai feature (or at least part of it) on IFC while I eat my lunch. While I love Zatoichi movies (I have about 7 on tape and DVD respectively) usually I can't focus on both the subtitles and my lunch at the same time so I usually flip to TBS so I can hear a movie rather than try to read and eat.

This time however I caught Fight, Zatoichi, Fight and was completely enthralled. Any good Zatoichi fan worth their salt doesn't just like the character and the movies because he is a total badass with his cane sword...it is because he is completely human at the same time. He is fallible and is often more prey to his own emotions than to the regular old scheming Yakuza or ornery samurai warrior. This movie has all the things you like about Zatoichi films. The drama, the emotion, the ass-kicking, the humor. This movie yo-yoed my face like you wouldn't believe...at times I was laughing while the next minute I was feeling quite sad...or hell, even touched. Do you know how hard it is for someone like me to say that?

Anyway, if you like Zatoichi movies, or any movies whatsoever...this is a great one to watch.

What a gem of a film is DeSica's BREVE VANCANZE. Just last week I finally nailed down Manuel DeSica's poignant main theme on a DRG compilation.

It's a melancholy film, for sure, and Florinda's performance is stellar. The moments of tenderness are memorable, and the humanity seems almost rare in this age of dumbed down, coarse filmmaking. I buy very few DVDs, but A BRIEF VACATION goes into my collection alongside LA DOLCE VITA, THE GODFATHER, The Original SOLARIS and other indispensables.

We saw A BRIEF VACATION when it first came out and loved it so much we watched it a second time. It is an extraordinarily
beautiful and poignant movie. The directing and acting are both superb. Memories of it have haunted us for years! Emphasis on memories: it has NEVER been available
until this DVD. With this release, the film should gain a
whole new generation of fans. We are eager to share it with
our children and friends.

After viewing the film, I was left with an incredible sense of hope. To see how Michael Angelo's life had changed on his journey of faith, showed me that it was in his struggle to use his gift to serve God that brought him right into the presence of the Lord.

Having just returned from Italy, I was very interested in seeing this program. I wish I had been exposed to it before my trip, I would have better appreciated Michelangelo, the person.

When I visited the Sistine Chapel, it was a hot day in August and the first thing I remember was that it was air-conditioned, what a blessing. There were hundreds of people standing but I managed to get a seat in the middle and meditated for 1/2 hour on the beautiful ceiling and in particular Michelangelo's " Last Judgment". It was quite noisy and the loud speakers in various languages continued to tell us not to speak, take pictures etc. These announcements were worst than the people around us.

In viewing this marvelous video, I realized that Michelangelo was about 32 when he was commissioned by the Pope to paint the Sistine Chapel . It took 7 years and afterwards, Michelangelo writes in his letters that he felt and looked like an old man. He was 21 when he sculptured "The Pieta". At the age of 60 he thought he had lived a long hard life. He lived until the age of 87.

This program took 10 years to complete and you realize that this effort will be received with tremendous gratitude. You not only get a wonderful avenue for his paintings and most importantly, Michelangelo's sculptures but the letters that he wrote have been preserved and are delivered orally to us in a very believable manner. Having experienced this wonderful program, I am so much more appreciative of this man, Michelangelo.

Like Ron Mann's other films ("Grass", "Comic Book Confidential", etc), "Twist" is full of much more fun, colour, movement and wit than the average documentary, and provides an equally entertaining and educational look at 20th century pop history. And, as in his other documentaries, he looks at the broader background and sociological implications behind the main subject matter.

One of the more interesting historical aspects explored in this film is the politics and social engineering behind the '50's dance crazes. The twist itself grew out of the more blatantly sexual, bump and grind dances popular in black music halls. Knowing that it was impossible to wipe out their children's interests in black culture (let's face it, African Americans not only invented rock and roll, but put out far superior music to the watered-down white artists who were more radio-friendly), white adults decided to instead try to replace the dances their children were imitating with something "safer" and more "wholesome" by doing for dance what Pat Boone and company did for rock. Funny clips are shown of whites demonstrating the "proper" technique for twisting with absolutely no hip movement! But they only partially succeeded.

The Twist is not the only dance examined. Mann shows how it evolved from other dances, and how others later tried to cash in on its success by releasing songs with built-in new dances. Witness such Macarenas of the past as the hilarious The Elephant where kids use their arms to imitate an elephant's trunk! (Unfortunately, Mann does not include footage of the Neil Sadaka non-craze, The Jellyfish!!)

All the people most instrumental in creating the dance craze who were alive at the time of filming are interviewed, many of them demonstrating their own twist (pun intended) on the dance. And the music and dancing is absolutely exhilarating.

Sadly, Lulu's (former home of the world's largest stage) in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada where the interviews and new dance sequences were filmed has long since closed down, so this film is also a good nostalgia trip for those who miss the legendary club.

I never get tired of watching this great documentary on "The Twist" dance craze in the early 60's. The film covers the years leading up to it, the height of the craze, and the years afterwards, finishing up with how the twist evolved into go-go "freestyle" dancing.

The movie is broken up into eight different "Lessons", and contains documentary and newsreel footage in between interviews with singers such as (among others) Dee Dee Sharp, Cholly Atkins, Hank Ballard, and of course, Chubby Checker. They also interview some dancers from American Bandstand, and one of the go-go dancing waitresses at the Peppermint Lounge, who says they had the fringe on their skirts "clocked at 130 mph" when someone timed it once (how exactly they measured this, I don't know, but in the footage you see, it doesn't look too far off the mark).

I just can't put into words how much fun this movie is. If you love to dance, you'll understand and maybe get a little emotional like I did in parts. You can hear the passion in most of the dancer's voices when they talk about how dancing made them feel and/or how it changed their lives. Even without the narration, some of the footage speaks for itself- watch the faces of some of the couples doing the jitterbug and swing-dancing early in the film. I don't think I've ever seen bigger smiles on anyone in my life- they look like they're having so much fun they would have to look down to see cloud 9.

This movie is not only a great documentary, but educational. I learned the names of some of my favorite go-go dances (I had the The Frug confused with The Watutsi...well, those are harder ones to figure out than say, The Monkey, so sue me), and the week after I first bought this movie for my home collection and watched it a couple times, I won a dance contest using-or maybe "stealing" is a better word, to be honest- some of the moves from "Twist!". If you want to learn just a couple of basic dance moves (and don't mind them being what some people might think of as 'dated' ones), this is a great movie to watch. Pretty much anyone can do the Twist, as they show you- if you're really having trouble, just imagine you're smashing out a cigarette stub into the floor with your foot.

Whatever you do, don't turn this movie off after the credits start! When we saw it at a film festival, we left early and missed a group they show during the credits that called themselves "The World's Greatest Twisters", 3 men and 2 women that they interviewed earlier in the film. They named themselves that because they would go to every twist contest they could find and win every time- the women look they could have been Ikettes. When I first saw it, I thought the men were the same, but that they'd replaced the females with younger women from the way they were moving. Then I looked closer and realized that it was the same two women- they were probably at least in their early 50's, but watch them go- they can dance better and move faster than most women in their 20's! (partly because they've had much more time to work on it, I guess). Plus, they look like they can still wear their original dance outfits. Prepare to see them out-dance almost everyone in the movie put together.

If you loved "Hairspray", (and not just because you're a John Waters fan), loved dancing at any point in your life, or the music of the time period (especially if you're a fan of any of the artists interviewed), this movie is worth hunting down and owning. Just warm up first if you attempt to copy any of the dance moves in the last 15 minutes of the movie!

Yet another good offerring in the Zatoichi series of films. About the only thing I can offer that I have not seen mentioned before in any of the reviews is that this one is a fair bit shorter than part one but it has quite a bit more action than the first. At any rate, and most importantly, if you liked the first, you will like the second as well as the rest of the recent releases on dvd( of which they are apparantly going to release the first seventeen films in the Zatoichi series.). Also, a company called animeigo has the rights to a few of the later Zatoichi films and are supposedly planning on releasing them in the near future as well.

Let me say this, I saw my first Zatoichi movie back when I was 14 and since then I was absolutely hooked.

The move was beautifully done and I can not stress enough what an awesome character Shintaro Katsu can play. I have all of his VHS tapes and I am slowing starting to build my DVD collection. I have DVD's from overseas subtitled and let me tell you.
It invokes a feeling that no one anywhere, time, or place can in this day and age. The movies are genre films (Feeling invoking). DO you remember the first time you saw seven, primal fear, titanic - (kind of cheesy now) but at the time the movies gave you a feeling right.

Well all of his movies are like that. This one here is 1 of my top 10's! 5 out of 5. He has over 30 movies made and also 100's of TV episodes. Trust me on this. Its great. Once you get hooked you'll love it as much as me. BUT BEWARE YOU HAVE TO ENJOY FILM> If those action packed rockem sockem's are your only cup of tea then not for you.

I really appreciate Home Vision Entertainments production of the Zatoichi movie series. Each release has been an excellent presentation of Zatoichi. As a Japenese Samurai Movie fan I think that this series of DVD's is the best. The character of Zatoichi is very compelling and each story helps you identify with this Blind Swordsman who is always trying to do good for others. The examples of Japenese culture during this time period is very beautiful and detailed. Shintaro Katsu displays a wide range of emotions as Zatoichi and his display of swordmanship is excellent.

My ONLY complaint about this video is that it is so long. Two videos is a little bit much in my opinion.

The positives are that this video is typical of all Teletubbie videos. There are short segments that provide good stopping points with little shows between the Teletubbies shows. They are fun and gentle and encourage hugs and respect. They are fun.

My young daughter, who is 2 still likes Teletubbies. My son, who is 4, has recently outgrown the Teletubbies. So that might provide potential buyers of an age range (0-3/4) when buying this video.

Enjoy.

Tubbies ride on Thomas and friends comming in second in popularity. I dug the snow. My two year old son and I kept remarking, It's snowing again! Dipsy finaly discovers the joy of sliding. Christmas celebrations in different countries is cute. You can't go wrong with lot's of big hugs.

This video conveys a peaceful and loving atmosphere. Even when it is snowing, the sun is shining. There are great segments of different countries and Christmas traditions. It is "too cute for words." The children loved it! They danced, clapped and sang along. Even the babies enjoyed watching the snow fall and pointed to the snowman. Older kids were curious about the different languages spoken. Best for ages 0 to 2 when broken into smaller viewing segments.

I am from the gypsy world so to me this movie is so real and so true that I was almost on the verge of tears. The music direction is amazing. This is like watching a Passolini movie - but a Passolini of modern days. The camera work is also good. If you get a chance watch this movie.
The movie is about that part of Spain which does not get publicity. Life here means more than football games and TV - it is music and the passion for music. Life and death are part of a flow where everybody gets the chance to die (some with honor and some as sacrifice). The passion behind this movie is beyond imagination - the only recent movie I can compare with is "Sound of Music" but at a much grand scale.

This is a powerful , hipnotic, tour de force movie that captures the soul of flamenco. Although it is not a documentary and is a drama it has the feel of a documentary. This is probably because the realism is brought out by Algerian-born director Tony Gatlif's use of "real" flamenco artists as opposed to actors. The lead is taken by Antonio Canales who in real life is a renowned dancer. Ironically he does not dance in the film but plays the role of a leader of a gypsy clan that is at odds with a rival clan of gypsies. The thin plot evolves around avenging the death of a family member of the rival clan. Caco is the name of Canales in the movie and he is a man with a heavy heart after the death of his young daughter and the responsibility of keeping his clan together and protecting his nephew who suffers, although you'd hardly know it, from cerebral palsy. Many of the scenes involving Caco and his nephew are funny as they romp from bar to as Caco looks to find him a "good time" with some beautiful women. The plot is nothing exceptional but the film draws it's superb power from the fantastic musical performances. Set in Andalusia, the stark landscape, the whitewashed churches contrasting with the dressed in black clan is a powerful reminder of the roaming gypsy existence steeped in a long ancestral heritage. The clan moves about in old cars, and a flat bed truck that doubles as a stage as they set up daily for their night of wine, dance and music. The fiery flamenco music is the real reason to see this movie. The performances by such greats as Tomatito, La Caita, Gritos de Guerra and La Paquera is nothing short of spellbinding. The close camera work reveals the duende in the faces of the performers as they collaborate for the best scenes of the movie, and there are many of them as it is full of emotion. An interesting aspect of this movie is how director Gatliff incorporates the history and ethnic mixes of flamenco into the film by using Sheik Ahmad Al Tuni as a vocalist on several songs amidst Turkish flutes blown by Kudsi Erguner, interwoven by masterful guitar work by Emilio Fernandez de Los Santos and Ramon Pisa Borja, who also sings on occcasion. Naturally all of the performances are accentuated by palmas(clapping), gritos( guttural shout outs) and lively percussion. Many of the singing and dancing performances are done by women and the harsh , throaty sounds emanate and penetrate deep from their souls. I keep saying performance but in actuality you feel as though you are not watching a performance but are watching a lively get together of family members; it is truly amazing stuff that will captivate you. The spontaneity of the clan in action is a dervish whirlwind of activity that is the extended family personified. As the clan adds color to the landscape by bringing out their huge pillows and blankets, the tranformation begins to take shape as the music starts to capture the spirit of southern Spain.You are more of a witness to an extraordinary celebration of life in spite of it's sometimes tragic consequences. If you love flamenco than you will love this movie. If you are new to or have limited knowledge of flamenco you will be engrossed and probably seek out some flamenco music afterwards. This is a powerful piece that reveals the soul of flamenco. Highly recommended for flamenco aficionados.

Excellent.The music alone is worth the watch.Sure the storyline is thin (vendetta) but a look into the Moorish/Gitano (Gypsy) lifestyle in al Andalus well worth it.Stunning scenery,good acting,flamenco,all make this a great movie.As a descendant of these people I enjoyed a look into a culture that was unknown to me.Another thing that was all too realistic for me was the central character Caco's lack of fear of mortality due to his daughter being deceased;I lost my 4 year old daughter on 9/11/02 and I no longer fear dying if my daughter and I will be reunited.

As a high school art teacher, I really appreciate a well-made, engaging art video. This is one that kept my students' attention from beginning to end. One of the best things about this video is that the viewer gets to see Chuck Close in his studio painting and talking about art-making. He is shown working on one of his huge self-portraits from its beginning, when he chooses the large-scale photo reference and lays out a grid on a canvas, through the painting's completion. What a great opportunity to see inside the life of one of our most talented and admired modern artists! I highly recommend this video.

this is a fantastic video. I use it regularly for teaching. It gives a wonderful & sophisticated view of Chuck Close as an individual and an artist, as well as a glimpse of the other artist's work who are interviewed in the video. It is filmed in a very immediate and personal style. There is nothing stiff, boring, or disconnected about it, common faults of many art videos. Anyone who has experienced something similar in their family will find the discussion of Chuck's "event" very moving, and not at all sappy.

this is a fantastic video. I use it regularly for teaching. It gives a wonderful & sophisticated view of chuck close as an individual and an artist, as well as a glimpse of the other artist's work who are interviewed in the video. It is filmed in a very immediate and personal style. There is nothing stiff, boring, or disconnected about it, common faults of many art videos. Anyone who has experienced a similar tragedy in their family will find the discussion of chuck's "event" very moving, and not at all sappy.