4 comments about Easter Parade (Special Edition).

1. Don Hews (Fred Astaire), a song and dance man gets a new contract, he finds out the he is being jilted by the girl he had an understanding with Nadine Hale (Ann Miller); she decides to go off on her own with a different contract and more than willing to also go with their mutual friend Johnny Harlow (Peter Lawford). In an effort to replace his dance partner and save face, Don finds a quick replacement Hannah Brown (Judy Garland) from his local bar. Can she fill the bill and does Don really know what he wants?
   
   Lots (17) of great Irving Berlin songs. Lots of tap dancing.
   
   Can't tell you of all the years I enjoyed this and similar movies. As with many things you can not go home again. Now I see the mechanics and the mismatch of characters to story. Now the film takes effort to get through. They seem to be straining to stay in formula as the story was originally designed for Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse not much too old Fred Astaire and too young Judy Garland.
   
   One redeeming thing about the Special edition DVD is that the voiceover commentary by Astaire's daughter gave the film meaning and made it easer to watch.



2. Garland was a phenomenal artist - somehow this is even more evident in MGM's tightly corseted extravaganzas - as Judith Crist or somebody once said of her and Kelly (equally true, to me, of her and Astaire) she was the only partner whom, when they were dancing, you looked at instead of him. What is it about her? More than 'talent' or 'competence,' surely. 'midnight choo choo in alabam' - part of a thrilling montage of Astaire & Garland duets - all aimed, as ever, at getting them to 'The Palace' - is one of the most astonishingly 'right' set-pieces I've ever seen in film. Utterly alive & intense - and Garland's voice, vibrato, have such warmth and laser-sharp accuracy it takes your breath away. Nice special features on this video, too. Astaire's daughter Ava and Garland's biographer John Fricke's commentary does not seem superfluous (as George Sydney's does in "harvey girls"): they're fun, smart & illuminating.
   
   Good stuff.



3. EASTER PARADE represents the pinnacle of the M-G-M musical. Too wonderful to watch only at eastertime, the film is filled with sensational Irving Berlin standards, superbly-choreographed musical numbers; not to mention the once-in-a-lifetime pairing of Judy Garland and Fred Astaire.
   
   Astaire plays famous vaudeville star Don Hewes, whose career as a pair-dancer is cut short when his partner Nadine (Ann Miller) quits the act to become a solo star. One night, whilst drowning his sorrows in a dingy bar, he happens across struggling singer Hannah Brown (Garland). Despite having no training, he decides to turn her into his most formidable dance partner. But their relationship - both on and off the stage - is tempered by Hannah's flirtation with a young collegiate bachelor (Peter Lawford), and the reappearance of beautiful Nadine.
   
   The entire film (based around the pre-existing catalogue of Irving Berlin songs) is a complete joy. While the role of Don was originally meant for Gene Kelly, he suffered a broken leg only days before the filming was to begin. Astaire was brought out of retirement to assume the role, and turned in one of his greatest performances, ushering in a wave of new screen vehicles ("The Band Wagon", "Royal Wedding", etc). Judy Garland is pure perfection as Hannah, and obviously adored working with Astaire (their "Couple of Swells" routine is simply tour-de-force).
   
   Ann Miller, in her first big role at the M-G-M studios, is an eyeful as the tap-happy Nadine. Her bravura rendition of "Shakin' the Blues Away", choreographed by Robert Alton, still counts as one of THE greatest musical numbers ever filmed. It's hard to believe, but Ann Miller was still nursing a broken back when she filmed that number. What a trouper! The role of Nadine was originally earmarked for Cyd Charisse, but once again, an injury kept her from the project and former RKO queen Miller started her series of screen successes for M-G-M, that would continue through "On the Town", "Small Town Girl" and "Hit the Deck". Peter Lawford (coming straight from the successful "Good News"), plays Hannah's would-be suitor very well; his mannered singing voice is quite acceptable.
   
   This fabulous 2-disc Special Edition of EASTER PARADE comes with a wealth of bonus materials; including audio commentary with Judy Garland expert John Fricke, and Ava Astaire McKenzie (Fred's daughter). A new Making-Of documentary called "Easter Parade: On the Avenue", which recounts the various problems and difficulties that were encountered in bringing the film to life. Judy Garland's long-deleted performance of "Mr Monotony" which was cut from the final edit of the film (the costume was later recycled for the "Get Happy" number in Garland's last M-G-M film "Summer Stock"). Among the audio components is the Lux Radio Theatre broadcast, featuring the bulk of the film cast, in a fun little freeze-dried version of the story.
   
   The real highlight is the award-winning American Masters documentary feature "Judy Garland: By Myself", which traces the life of Garland through remnants of audio interviews, film footage and pieces from Garland's attempted autobiography (with the voice of Isabel Keating as Garland). The doco features rare screen-test footage, pieces from "The Judy Garland Show" and lots of insight from those closest to Garland.



4. This film is a joy from start to finish and, as has been mentioned elsewhere, the colour and sound reproduction on the DVD are excellent. On this `special edition' there is also an interesting extra in the making of documentary - Easter Parade: On the Avenue - in which you get to learn interesting little snippets such as the fact that Anne Miller had to dance her numbers in a surgical corset due to the fact that, shortly prior to shooting the film, her husband had pushed her down the stairs and broken her back! Also, some might not have known that, but for a similar, though not quite so severe injury, Gene Kelly might have been playing the lead. The aspect ratio also means that you get the full screen image rather than it being cut down.
   
   There is so much to enjoy: not least, of course, Where a Couple of Swells, in which Judy had to persuade Fred to `dust on' and go very much against the normally suave, sophisticated and elegant grain! It is in this number that she seems almost always to be teetering on the edge of going overboard but just, somehow manages the restraint necessary to achieve a superb piece of vaudevillian pastiche. And then there is Fred's `Steppin' Out With My Baby', in which he ends the number by dancing in slow motion against a backdrop chorus dancing in real time: sheer brilliance.
   
   In an era in which we are often served up garbage and expected to accord it the status of entertainment; of reality TV and Hello magazine and, seemingly, commonplace `mega stars' it isn't often that we get to witness and appreciate true and sublime genius on show.

5 comments about I'll Always Know What You Did Last Summer.

1. I didn't even know this movie existed until today. I remember being about 14 going to the Theater to see the original so I figured I'd take a trip down Memory lane and check this movie out.
   
   Basically You have a Sarah michelle Gellar look alike(in certain scenes they use camera angles that really makes it apparant). Bunch of kids, someone dies, then a year later they start recieving notes saying I know what you did last summer. This Movie doesn't have the All-Star cast the first two movies did and I think thats why it won't be looked at in as positive of light But I did like how they continued the series.
   
   If your expectation is to watch a great horror movie you will be dissapointed. If your expectations are rock bottom like mine, Youll probaly be surprised and the movie does keep you intrested throughout.
   
   I'm probaly being a bit generous with 3, If I could, I'd rate it 2 1/2 stars. Worth watching and worth adding to a horror movie collection, especially if you have the first Two movies.



2. The twist leading to the identity of the killer turned this thriller into a sci-fi horror. Awful sequel to an already mediocre franchise.



3. this series rocks!! i know what you did last summer was orignal,Clever and scary! i still know what you did last summer was the perfecct sequel!
   Great story death scenes rock every thing!
   and the thrid one i'll awalys know what you did last summer every one says it stinks but i like it alot great new cast good story death scene rock!
   and cant wait this year (2008) a fourth movie is coming out titled the fisherman and it will be awsome!
   
   so i would buy this set and buy the new one that will come out after the 4th one!!!



4. Since about 2005 direct to video sequels have started to take off; while there is still a fan base for these movies it's not as strong as it once was so the DTV route is probably the best way to go. A lot has changed since the first 2 movies in the series and odds are a theatrical run would have been a flop. I'll Always Know was clearly produced on a lower budget than the previous 2, but that's not what hurt the movie.
   
   I'll be honest I was never really a fan of this series, but I can tolerate the first one, but the 2nd was pretty much a big waste of time. The original was written by Kevin Williamson who at the time was red hot and with the success of Scream the teen slasher film made a nice comeback for a short while. I Know What You Did Last Summer was one of the better ones from that era, which isn't saying much since it was about average at best.
   
   In many ways I'll Always Know is almost a remake of the original; if not for a very brief history on the previous 2 films this one bares no connection at all. The screenplay by Michael D. Weiss is nothing more than a rewrite of the original. It's almost the same exact movie; the characters are a like and portions of the plot are reused here. The script really isn't so bad, but not all that great either. Again it just takes the first movie and does a rewrite.
   
   Director Sylvain White mostly works well with the limited budget he's given, but the suspense and tension is very much lacking through out. There are far too many clichés and sometimes that help a movie, if you play up to them it can make it fun, but this is a straight up slasher and the clichés bring it down. It's slasher movie 101. Sylvain White never really attempts at putting his own spin on things and does it by the book and pretty much copies the original film.
   
   The biggest problem here is the lack of action; the first death in the movie results from a prank gone wrong, than after that 1 person who was involved gets killed. That death also comes in the first 70-minutes, which means the rest of the murder scenes come in during the final 20-minutes. Had there been some suspense and tension it wouldn't be a big deal at all, but with all that lacking it can get boring and again it's almost a remake of the original film and while the original film made for a decent suspense flick, this one however doesn't and is often just too slow paced.
   
   One of the biggest faults of the movie is the terrible editing. I'll Always Know suffers from the quick cuts so many horror flicks use and quite honestly it almost never works and here it kills any possible tension, not that there was much to begin with, but any possible tension is ruined by the terrible quick cuts.
   
   The cast for mostly unknowns don't do such a bad job; the acting is anything amazing, but it's not too bad. I actually quite liked Brooke Nevin as Amber. She was pretty much the Jennifer Love Hewitt character. Don Shanks best known for his role as Michael Myers in Halloween 5 steps into the role of the Fisherman and is very much under-used and the twist involving the character is quite idiotic.
   
   If you're a fan of the series or at least the original I'll Always Know is worth a shot. For the rest of us this movie is better off being skipped. It serves as a decent time killer, but the end result is a slightly below average movie. I didn't hate the movie, but sure didn't like it and I'm in no rush to see it again. For fans only.



5. A moving suspenseful thriller giving you a emotional rollercoaster ride that promise to entertain you with heart thumping sporadic action. The characters brings you right into the heart of the movie with professional role playing that you can expect only from a mega star.Buckle your mental seat belts because the fear will give you a rodeo ride of your life. A must see. Get the 2 other DVDS that gave life to this one. Then you will understand why everything that follow you is not only your shadow.

5 comments about Super Strong God DVD Hillsong Kids.

1. This DVD is perfect to connect your kids to God. It is full of fresh worship with music that kids love.
   My 6, 5 and 1 year old, all of them love it, and jump and dance and lift their hand to worship a Super Strong God.
   With the many features of this DVD you can choose different backgrounds, or how to learn the hand motions to the song, with subtitles or without subtitles, a whole DVD full of fun.



2. Love it - my daughter loves it! As soon as it comes on she light up and then starts to dance. She is only 11 months old but boy does she know how to get down. We have other DVDs but this one is her favorite! Thanks Hillsong for the great job - I wish more Churches had kids programs like yours! I myself even find this DVD very good and lots of her DVDs I can't stand to watch but this one I can.
   
   All are good but the 2nd DVD in their collection is the best!



3. We have the first Hillsong worship DVD for kids and have loved that one for a few years now. I was a little hesitant that this would not be as good, but I was wrong. I love this DVD and love that they incorporate the salvation message as well as scripture throughout the DVD. My kids dance through most of it and worship at the same time. I love this kind of influence on my kids!



4. I'm so happy I came across this band. The songs are so "now" and the messages are filled with positive christian terms. You do not have to be very religious to enjoy this, which it is where the greatness in the songs lie. It makes you want to sing to Jesus even if you never knew you wanted to do that! A must for girls and boys that love more mainstream preteen bands. THIS BAND WILL RIVAL ANYTHING OUT THERE TODAY.



5. We love this DVD. My kid's saw it @ church and found it on Amazon. We love it!

5 comments about VeggieTales - An Easter Carol.

1. There's no cute intro by Bob and Larry, nor is there a Silly Song. My 2-1/2 yo old, who normally LOVES Veggie Tales, was bored silly and has never managed to sit through the whole video nor has she requested it. I've played it 2 or 3 times, despite some reservations, because, well, I paid for the darn thing! Might as well get some use out of it. But, my daughter couldn't care less.
   
   But what really disappointed me was the story line. The story is all about saving a church building from being torn down, because, apparently without the BUILDING there would be no church or Christians left and the city would be a dreary immoral place. The idea of faith in Christ being inextricably intertwined with the BUILDING horrified me. The church is the body of believers and whether they meet together at a home, a high school gym or in a typical church building doesn't matter.



2. I really enjoyed the story of Easter Carol and the Easter egg factory. I love they way veggietales brings back the real meaning of the season.



3. Easter CArol is basically the story of Dicken's classic Christmas Carol, but adapted beautifully for Easter. The highlight of the show is the tear-jerking ballad sung by angelic "Hope" to a backdrop of stained glass pictorials of Jesus's life from birth to death to resurrection. I still cry every time I watch the tender scene.
   
   My only complaint is the rather awkward emphasis by the Veggie-version of Marley's ghost--Grandma Nezzer--who makes a big point of saying that she is not a ghost, but a vision, then explaining how a vision is different. "Hope", the Veggie-version of all three ghosts of Christmas, also explains that she is not a ghost, but the "Hope" of Easter. It throws off the rhythm of the humor and story, and overall, seems more confusing to kids. I understand if some Christian denominations don't like the idea of ghosts--but it IS a fictional story; afterall, there's also no such thing as talking vegetables.
   
   Overall, worth investing in. My toddlers had a great understanding of Easter after watching this several times in the weeks before Lent.



4. This video is fun. It brings back "Mr. Nezzer" and this time, there is an Easter Egg/Easter Bunny factory.
   
   My reason for giving it only 4 stars is that the song distorts the Bible verse from "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life" to "the way, the truth, and the LIGHT" -- better for the rhymes, but it's not what Jesus said. So I find myself in the position, each time we watch it, of hitting "mute" for that line and singing it the right way. Slightly annoying. But the kids love the show, so I have to recommend it, despite that one flaw.



5. My 8 month old loves loves loves the Veggie Tales Easter Carol. He doesn't care much for Baby Einstein but he loves Veggie Tales and laughs and squirms with delight when they sing. I would definitely recommend this.

5 comments about It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown.

1. Product as described. Perfect condition. Fast arrival. Extra snippets and specials on the DVD. Would recommend seller without hesitation.



2. I am a little biased b/c my 2yo is OBSESSED with Snoopy, but this was a fun DVD. Easter Beagle is a classic and I especially enjoyed the part where Peppermint Patty tried to teach Marcie to color eggs. Easter Beagle is a classic and is enjoyable for us nostalgic adults too! And Charlie Brown--oops, I mean Schultz--allowed the female characters to be more likeable in this one, which is not usually the case. The bonus episode, Arbor Day, was cute and not an episode I'd seen before. Best of all, my 2yo loooooooves this DVD b/c there are plenty of SNOOPY scenes which cause lots of happy giggles! Definintely two thumbs up from us!



3. it brings back memories, it's innocent,cute, funny and great for the who family to see regardless of age.



4. It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown originally aired in 1974 on the CBS network. The special features the voices of Todd Barbee, Melanie Kohn, Stephen Shea, Linda Ercoli, Lynn Mortensen, James Ahrens, and Bill Melendez. The musical score is composed by Vince Guaraldi, and the presentation is directed by Phil Roman. ***
   
   Just in time for Easter, the classic Peanuts special has been given the remastering treatment, and released again as a "special edition." ***
   
   It's The Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown was one of the many television specials released based on the comic strips of Charles Schulz. Naturally, this special focuses on the holiday of Easter, and a number of adventures that befall our young heroes. Amongst the plots crammed into the 25-minute television presentation are Peppermint Patty's efforts to dye Easter eggs, only to have her plans be ruined by awkward pal Marci, Linus frequently preaching to everyone that the "Easter Beagle" will come on Easter Sunday, and Snoopy's efforts to get his bird friend Woodstock a decent place to sleep. ***
   
   All of the Peanuts television specials are classics, and well worth watching. But one thing I won't deny is that the Easter Beagle does fall short of earlier outings. For instance, the episode tends to focus more on the commercial aspects of Easter than the deeper, religious meanings (which the earlier A Charlie Brown Christmas did to perfection.) It's still worth picking up if you're a fan of the comic strip or these characters, though. ---
   
   Image And Sound:
   
   While this still isn't a great DVD transfer, it's definitely a step up from the 2003 DVD release. The 2003 release had a rather soft picture, and plenty of grain throughout. The picture this time around is sharper, and while there's still some grain in many places, I won't deny that this is the best the special has looked in a home video release to date. ---
   
   Special Features:
   Despite being billed as a "Special Edition", there are only two bonus features here. The first is the 1976 special, It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown. This was included as a bonus feature on the original DVD issue as well, so it's nothing new to the DVD presentations of this special. The new, more noteworthy special featured here is the In Full Bloom: Peanuts on Easter featurette. This features a variety of interview footage, and while you'll probably learn some things you didn't know, at just 15 minute it leaves you wanting more. Whether or not you want to buy this special on DVD again based on the inclusion of one little new documentary is up to you. ---
   
   Final Words:
   
   This is one of many classic television specials based on Charles Schulz's classic characters, but it's definitely not up to the earlier specials, namely the Christmas and Halloween ones. Should you buy this DVD? If you're a Peanuts fan and don't have this on DVD yet, go for it. But if you bought the 2003 DVD, the only things you're getting here that weren't on that DVD are improved picture quality and a new documentary that only runs about 15 minutes. It's up to you to decide whether or not the double dip is worth it.



5. Never laughed so much during the original classic Peanuts Christmas or Halloween shows, but this one is a hoot! The kids find nothing BUT Christmas items as they search for Easter goodies, seems like today even though unfortunately we have been dealing with this nightmare since the 1970s! Peppermint Patty trying to dye eggs as Marci constantly cooks them in every imaginable way, BUT hard-boiled. Buy it, watch it with your kids and find you're both "tee-hee"ing. Enjoy!

5 comments about Here Comes Peter Cottontail.

1. Every year I watch this. It's amazing. Seymour S. Sassafrass is totally lovable. Peter Cottontail and Bonnie are too cute. Antoine the inchworm is adorable too. Vincent Price is wonderfully evil as Irontail. The story is thoroughly enjoyable as Peter sails through all the holidays of the year trying to save April Valley by giving out more eggs than his rival, Irontail, and become Chief Easter Bunny. I love the music, especially "If I could only get back to yesterday." (And he can, with the Yester-morrowbile.) I love Sassafrass's colorful garden and Irontail's little bat and Halloween bash. This tape is incredible. All the quotes are so memorable, everyone knows what you're talking about when you mention them. I guess everyone's seen these videos at some point or other. And who couldn't like 'em?



2. To me this delightful Easter special is everything that Easter should be for young children and adults alike. Coming from a far more innocent age of television "Here Comes Peter Cottontail", is one of the greatest creations from the Rankin and Bass team of animators who brought us of course the immortal television classics "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", and "Frosty the Snowman". Taking Easter as their theme here they have created a memorable lead character in the delightful Peter Cottontail and this special was a regular feature of our Easter viewing when I was growing up for many years. I still treasure this special now as an adult and in the beautifully restored DVD version of it now available I still marvel at the truly superb animation created here by this legendary team without the assistance of any computers. Definately an Easter classic, this funny and warm hearted story has most surely stood the test of time. In between my more religious themed viewing over this holiday I always include "Here Comes Peter Cottontail", and the other Rankin and Bass Easter themed special "The Easter Bunny is Comin' To Town", in my regular viewing and it's always a joy to revisit these "old friends", each Easter.



3. My child loves this video & it's great to see it again since it was once upon a time broadcasted on TV.



4. Although "Amimagic" studios Rank & Bass produced over a dozen Christmas specials, they only made one Easter show and this is it! Charming re-imagining of the Peter Cottontail fable, with a year's worth of kid appeal. We follow Peter, who overslept and missed his attempt to become Official Easter Bunny, as he travels through one-year's time and almost every major holiday on the calendar. Think "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" meets "Holiday Inn." I only wish the cute music packed an Irving Berlin punch.



5. I bought this for my kids to watch. I remember it from when I was a kid. They loved it. They liked it better than the new Peter Cottontail Movie. I liked it too!

5 comments about Jesus of Montreal.

1. SPOILER ALERT: THIS REVIEW WILL TALK ABOUT THE ENDING OF THE MOVIE!!
   
   "Jesus of Montreal" is a remarkable acheivement in dramatic structure: it uses a passion play as a framework on which to fashion a passion play. It's all here: the appearance of a charismatic figure who is chosen, almost apart from his own will, to be a religious teacher, but who not only embraces the opportunity but radically alters the message to present a new view of the religion; who calls around him followers who devote themselves to him and to communicating his vision, but who after his death are tempted by opportunities to assert themselves; who delivers one of his followers from humilating punishment (with stripping for a director substituted for stoning) and who follows that up by destroying the valuables of those who would devalue a human spirit; who endures persecution from the religious establishment; and who dies for his message. In fact, the medical use of his body parts is a nearly literal transubstantiation of his body to heal those who never even knew him. The movie is critical of the religious establishment -- as a Christian myself, I would not think much of a religion that cannot stand up to scrutiny. Director Denys Arcand has made a wonderful and (dare I say it) reverent life of Christ in the guise of a story about a group of actors presenting an unconventional passion play. I don't know that you will love this movie as much as I do, but I assure you that if you give it a chance, it will not leave you unmoved. (I wish they would put it out in a widescreen version, however, even though that means I would have to buy it a third time!)



2. This film is a profound meditation on the nature of Christ as understood in different ways by different people in different contexts. It ponders the question of how the idea and felt reality of Christ (again, in various forms) fit into a larger understanding of the world, in the past and in the present.
   
   It is a tour de force as it reviews many different ways of how "to tell the old, old story"--actor Daniel Coulombe is hired by a priest to freshen up a very stodgy Passion Play, and he does just that: the resulting dramatic presentation is nothing short of brilliant, even in its variations from night to night. A truly inspired scene involves several different schticks used to pantomime the Biblical story, using a Brando-esque "Method" style, Kabuki, Parisian night-club, and street-realist presentations--all (sort of) in jest.
   
   But as he puts together the crew for this performance, Daniel's life begins to mirror that of the Biblical Christ, in surprising and profound ways. One or two parallels would come across as obviously didactic, but the film bombards viewers with so many that it becomes an object of wonder: Daniel does live the life, and death, of the typical portrayal of Christ, but in ways that are ambiguous in their meanings.
   
   And that is the strength of this film: unlike films such as Mel Gibson's "Passion" that (semi-literally) flog viewers with their stolid and impossible attempts at realism, "Jesus of Montreal" works on a metaphoric, symbolic level. The meaning of the film is what you make of it--but its intensity forces you in fact to make something of it. You cannot watch this film seriously without having questions arise about what we know and understand of God, Jesus, faith, and the stories that govern people's lives.



3. The movie is not for those who are easily influenced in their faith, since it includes scenes where presumably the church is hiding the fact that Jesus wasn't really raised from the dead.
   
   It is a foreign film with dubbed English, and it plays very well. Although the movie is slow, it is a great concept, and I appreciated how it played out, especially the end.
   
   Interestingly, just after I watched this movie, one of my congregation members asked, "I wonder if people who play Jesus in movies are influenced by playing the part?" The movie opened a great conversation with them, and I was glad I watched it.



4. In JESUS OF MONTREAL, a well-meaning priest hires an actor, Daniel Coulombe (Lothaire Bluteau) to rewrite and perform the Passion Play. Daniel gathers together a small group of fellow artists and together they rework the original script from the priest into a profound, thought-provoking, and emotional moving experience. The play turns into a huge success and the must-see show in Montreal. However, Daniel's company's somewhat radical interpretation of some key events stirs controversy with the Church hierarchy. Meanwhile, the lives of Daniel and his company begins to mirror the life of Christ and his disciples, illustrating the power of the story they have been telling each night.
   
   There is a great deal to admire about JESUS OF MONTREAL; the acting, writing, lighting, and cinematography are all excellent. The film was made in 1989, so some of the costumes, hair, and design look a bit dated. However, the general overall tone of the film is so powerful that these things are easily overlooked. In short, JESUS OF MONTREAL is a moving modern-day parable that illustrates the power of the Gospel to change people's lives.



5. Why is it that the most truly moving spiritual films tend to be either those made by non-believers, or else brash, untraditional, even avant-garde reinterpretations of the basic story? Yet that's the case once more in this lovely version of the life & death of Jesus, as presented by a somewhat motley troupe of French-Canadian actors.
   
   What begins as an attempt by a cynical local cleric to essentially jazz up the annual Passion Play, in order to get more people in attendance, turns into an actual living out of the story by the lead actors. It's indeed a literal imitation of Christ, one that transforms the actors & invites them to become more than what they are, drawing out "the better angels of their nature" in a very real way.
   
   Soon the actors find their roles merging with their everyday lives, particularly on the part of Jesus. It's both amusingly satiric & painfully pointed, asking the audience to consider just how honestly they live out their most firmly-held beliefs in their own everyday lives. And it demonstrates how troubling & even threatening an actual return of Jesus would be to those who claim to follow his teachings, but tend to talk the talk rather than walk the walk.
   
   Of course the story has a tragic ending ... or does it? It makes the viewer reflect on every idealistic movement & belief that's captured an instance of glowing goodness, only to be snuffed out by the powers that be as a danger to the status quo. Even so, the film ends on a note of hope, a reminder that we don't have to settle for the lowest common denominator, that we don't have to compromise everything -- if we're willing to make the necessary sacrifices & live the lives we could be living.
   
   For believer, agnostic, and atheist alike, most highly recommended!

5 comments about Masterpiece Theatre: Room With a View.

1. Skip this version.
   It is far, far better to get/see the Bonham Carter, Daniel Day Lewis, etc. version. Why the director had to sledge hammer us with his interpretation of the future, when anyone who enjoyed the book could experience the subtleties of the Carter/Lewis version. It is practically a travesty.



2. Though I claim A Room With a View as one of my favorite novels, I would never expect a movie to be exactly dead on. And yet, even with lowered expectations, I was highly disappointed in Andrew Davies' adaptation. Not only are the characters somewhat unbelievable (the acting isn't exactly terrible, the writing just seems a bit dodgy), but it turned one of my favorite "Yes! Life is to be lived!" stories into something utterly depressing.
   
   The plot only roughly keeps to Forster's original, the characters are far from being similar and the ending was absolutely terrible.
   
   It's an ok movie if you're out for entertainment, but if you're looking for a good adaptation of a great book, stick with the James Ivory version with Helena Bonham Carter instead. It's much much better.



3. A number of reviewers here tend to, dare I use that pesky word, CLING to the M/I version as if it were some sort of Rosetta Stone. What a relief to finally see a film adaptation of "Room With A View" which is not seen through rose colored glasses and dripping in gossamer. Every M/I film has the same prettified, romanticized, Hollywoodized take on period pieces. The Andrew Davies version is both much closer to the book in spirit than the M/I version and yet shakes it up in a way that beautifully brings all the social, historical and sexual issues into play. The actors look and behave like real people with real dimension instead of character archtypes as in the M/I version. Casting the father and son team of Timothy and Rafe Spall is a stroke of genius. Elaine Cassidy's take on Lucy's inner turmoil and longing is spot on and all the supporting roles are seamless. All this fuss and moaning about the endng is really a tempest in a teacup. The ending is startling, yet innovative, provocative and is based on Forster's own musings. It does exactly what a film adaption should do - adapt! Anyone who is interested in fine filmmaking and this great literary classic should snap up this version.



4. This is a lovely film. No, it's not perfect, and yes, it deviates somewhat from the book, but that doesn't necessarily prevent you from enjoying it. The acting, the sets, characterization, everything was wonderful. It's useless to try to compare everything to previous adaptations - just take it for what it is.



5. I didn't hate this version of Room With a View. Yes, I have seen the Merchant Ivory version. Yes, I have read the book. Although I thought the cast of the Merchant Ivory production was magnificent, I actually like a great deal of the cast in this adaptation as well, so I was prepared to view this with an open mind and not hate it instantly because it wasn't Merchant Ivory. I have seen several of this cast (Cassidy, Cusak, Thompson, Spall) in other productions and thought they were wonderful. The aspects of this production I found most disappointing were the script and direction. I found the dialogue to be lackluster, and the interpretation of some of the characters (primarily Cecil) just plain dull. I have admired some of Davies' adaptations in the past, but his more recent works seem to have an underlying conceit in them that I find distasteful, as though he would deign to "improve" the works of the authors he is adapting. Davies is, indeed a gifted and talented man, but is he really so lofty that he feels capable of enhancing Austen, Forster, and Waugh? He had a wonderful cast of people to work with for this adaptation, but their performances were never going to reach the stellar level they were capable of when the script they were given to work with was second rate. I know there was a time limitation, but the story was just diluted and unnecessary additions were made (the additional meeting with the gig driver, George's death, etc)that seemed to serve no purpose other than to needlessly outrage the audience. I don't understand why Davies feels the need to shock a response out of his audience, rather than impress them with quality. That cheapens the whole production. This production wasn't awful, but if could have been so much better.

5 comments about The Classic Musicals Collection - Broadway to Hollywood (Easter Parade Two Disc Special Edition / The Band Wagon Two Disc Special Edition / Bells Are Ringing / Finian's Rainbow / Brigadoon).

1. The wonderful folks at Warner Home Video have outdone themselves recently with several amazing boxed sets of great films. We now have definitive batches of the best of Film Noir, Classic Comedy, Gangster Films--and this beauty, my favorite so far. The sheer brilliance of the technical work that went into restoring these classic musicals is reason enough to pounce on Amazon's bargain price while it lasts.
   
   What can you say about the films themselves that hasn't already been said? THE BAND WAGON is the crown jewel here, of course, but the others are excellent. EASTER PARADE is terrific. BELLS ARE RINGING, though not the strongest story or score around, has B'way legend (and Oscar-winner) Judy Holliday in her final star vehicle. And BRIGADOON has all that dancing in the heather, not to mention the stunning score of Lerner & Loewe.
   
   For me, the most pleasant surprise in the box is FINIAN'S RAINBOW. I'm familiar with all the other titles here, but I'd never really looked at this one all the way through before, and it's visually impressive and surprisingly charming. Astaire, Petula Clark, Tommy Steele, Don Francks, and an energetic supporting cast of singer/dancers do wonders with the dated story and timeless score. And young Francis Ford Coppola had some fresh and interesting visual ideas (montage, cross-cutting, swooping aerial shots, etc.) to keep it all humming along. Coppola is unnecessarily self-effacing throughout his commentary track--he has no reason to apologize. With its restored widescreen picture and 5.1 stereo soundtrack, this film is really quite beautiful.
   
   All in all, this is yet another must-have collection for all serious film buffs. Thanks again, Warner Home Video!



2. Theses are not the best examples of the Hollywood musical. While I love Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, there a much better films with Fred or Gene.
   
   Easter Parade has the two best musical stars, Fred and Judy, but together they have no chemistry and are further hampered by a weak script.
   
   Finian's Rainbow is Fred's last musical and what a poor choice. Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, he went on to much better fare. This was a groundbreaking musical but does not translate well to the large screen.
   
   Brigadoon is for Gene Kelly super fans only. Kelly is great but this is not one of Lerner and Lowe's better efforts (Think Gigi and My Fair Lady).
   
   There are only 2 great films.
   
   The Band Wagon is Fred at his best. This is classic camp. A show within a show. Fred, Nannette Fabray and Oscar Levant are making a musical version of Faust that turns into a big egg. But they quickly take all the good pieces and rework it to a smash. Sounds familiar but it is original. Most people remember this for the Tripplet's Song.
   
   Bells are Ringing is Judy Holiday at her best. She conquered Broadway with this show and then proved herself again with this film. Dean Martin is her costar and features Jean Stapleton.
   
   Of course both are Comden and Green shows, which of course helps. My suggestion is buy the titles you like seperately.



3. 
   BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD is Warner Home Video's blanket title for five of the splashiest and most tuneful color MGM musicals ever made: THE BANDWAGON, EASTER PARADE, BRIGADOON, BELLS ARE RINGING, and FINIAN'S RAINBOW.
   
   Two of these are sleeper gems. Vincente Minnelli's BRIGADOON (1954), with an army of musical numbers by Lerner and Loewe, has travelers Gene Kelly and Van Johnson coming upon a Scottish village that can only be seen once every hundred years; Cyd Charisse is the lovely leading lady. The movie has been criticized for its sound stage re-creation of a Scottish village, but that is a plus for me. Along with CinemaScope, one gets the feel for what this show was like on Broadway. A dozen songs, choreographed by Kelly, include "The Heather on the Hill" and "It's Almost Like Being in Love." BRIGADOON is a lovely movie, with remastered color and sound. Bonuses include three outtake musical numbers and several original theatrical trailers.
   
   Francis Ford Coppola does brand-new audio commentary on his own fabulous FINIAN'S RAINBOW (1968), in Technicolor and letterboxed Panavision. Again, we are mostly on a soundstage, with Fred Astaire and Tommy Steele as leprechauns and Petula Clark at her loveliest as Astaire's daughter. This E.Y. Harburg-Fred Saidy-Burton Lane musical has songs I cannot get out of my head weeks later, including "Look to the Rainbow,""That Old Devil Moon," "How Are Things In Glocca Mora?" and Steele's show-stopper: "If I'm Not With the Girl I Love, I'll Love the Girl I Am With." The movie is glorious and very underrated, from a late 1960's era of underrated movie musicals, including STAR! and HELLO, DOLLY!
   
   BELLS ARE RINGING.(1960), with Vincente Minnelli directing a delightful Betty Comden-Adolph Green screenplay, with Jule Styne music, is a great musical vehicle for wonderful Judy Holliday, re-creating a Tony winning stage role. She is a switchboard operator named Melasande at Susanswerphone in a lower-depths part of Manhattan. She is not supposed to get personally involved with the clients, but as "Mom" falls in love with songwriter Dean Martin. She also does not know that bookie Eddie Foy, Jr. is using the answering service as a gambling front. Terrific songs here include the legendary "Just in Time" and "The Party's Over". DVD bonuses, in addition to remastered color and sound, include outtake musical numbers and a filmmaking documentary. You also get to see a CinemaScope movie at its right aspect ratio.
   
   The two crown jewels of the BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD set are double disks of Charles Walters' EASTER PARADE (1948) and Vincente Minnelli's THE BANDWAGON (1953). Both have magnificently remastered sound and picture to look and sound brand new. EASTER PARADE has about fifteen old and new Irving Berlin songs, performed by the incomparable Fred Astaire and Judy Garland. Its magnificent bonuses include the finest Garland documentary, two full hours from PBS, that I have ever seen; a filmmaking documentary; and audio commentary by Astaire's daughter Ava and Garland biographer John Fricke. This is an all-time favorite musical of mine, and I have never enjoyed it more.
   
   Last and probably best (which is saying a lot!) is THE BANDWAGON (1953), which several movie musical experts feel is the best movie musical of all time. It is certainly one of the most sophisticated and stylish color ones, with a wonderful Oscar-nominated Comden and Green screenplay about putting on a Broadway show. Astaire stars this time with lovely Cyd Charisse, never better than in "Dancing in the Dark." Other hit songs include "By Myself," "Shine on My Shoes." "Triplets," "Louisiana Hayride," the gorgeously-designed Mickey Spillane climax, and "That's Entertainment!" Comden and Green have a delightful time spoofing themselves as the Nanette Fabray and Oscar Levant characters. The biggest bonus here is audio commentary by a very happy and friendly Liza Minnelli and Michael Feinstein, along with a filmmaking documentary and an hour-long "Men Who Made the Movies" documentary on Vincente Minnelli.
   
   If you'd like to own this DVD boxed set, BROADWAY TO HOLLYWOOD, it retails for about $60, but sells from Amazon for about $45, less than an orchestra ticket for a downtown San Francisco stage show. Happy viewing!
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   



4. This set was given to me a few months ago. My personal interest is in Brigadoon. Cyd and Hugh are probably the greatest dancers to ever crossover (and Mr Kelly doesn't count since he was never really on the other side). What angers me about the transfer of the film version to dvd is that it was edited. DVD transfer is an opportunity to realize a film's full life. The version of Brigadoon in this collection is clearly formatted for some kind of commercial-tv presentation. The beautiful and crucial number "Come to Me Bend to Me" is formatted as an outtake, as if there wasn't time for it in the tv format. I remember when the film was released in 1964. All of us in the production had a sense that this was a show that could delight and move people who would never see a stage production. I cannot fathom why the people that gained the rights to the dvd transfer did nothing more than dump a tv-commercial-edited version onto a piggy-back of a multi-dvd set--they don't know the show, or don't give a damn



5. While all the musicals in this collection are well worth the price my favorites are The Band Wagon and the incomparable Bells Are Ringing. Have Fun!

5 comments about Max & Ruby - Easter With Max & Ruby.

1. I normally do not "review" DVD's purchased, but I couldn't resist on for Max & Ruby's Easter....I read the other reviews that characterized this 2007 as a major disappointment because of the change in Ruby's voice, yada, yada, yada....
   
   I completely disagree - my almost 4 year old who continues to enjoy Max and Ruby didn't even notice and has been glued to each episode of the entire DVD. If you have a Max & Ruby fan in your household, buy this! It's great to finally have new story lines for my preschooler to watch - and for me to listen to!



2. My 2.5yr old loves this dvd and so do I!



3. It's true that it took some adjustments to get used to the new voices of Max & Ruby, especially in the first few episodes. I think the voice of Max stays the same except for when it was in the first story. The last six episodes were of the original voices. My 5 y.o. girl and 3 y.o. boy love it!!! My son especially like the new voices of the toy robots. He would laugh at the sounds everytime he watches it. The new voice of Ruby grew on me, and I got used to it. I do understand for those reviewers who love the original voices. Roger actually speaks and say a few more words than "Uh-Huh." I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but my kids again think it's funny. They would say "Roger speaks!" I thought the quality of the video and artwork were good and I didn't feel that this video is cheaply put together. My family especially enjoys the "Ruby's Easter Bonnet, Ruby's Scores, and Max Meets Morris stories." Oh, the story about the Beach is good too. Anyways, we're glad that more Max & Ruby videos are coming out, because I especially am tired of watching the same old ones.



4. This is a wonderful DVD a must have for any Max and Ruby fan.



5. Max & Ruby - Easter With Max & Ruby
   
   My grandaughter's just love it..They have watched it almost every day since I gave it to them..even in the car. Even my son-in-law who only hears it from the front seat knows almost all the dialogue, and the girls continue to laugh at all the fun stuff....eventhough they have seen it at least 5 times a week.