U2 Go Home - Live From Slane Castle (Limited Edition Packaging) (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Packaging
The first surprise is that the DVD is available in two different kinds of packaging. One version comes in the usual digipack-cover as we know it from the Boston DVD. Inside you find the booklet in the usual DVD upsize format. The second version, in contrast, comes in a suprising format: its a standard cd jewel case with a booklet in the same format. A pretty unusual format for a DVD and day-to-day customers might easily mix up this version with a normal audio CD.

The Content
The DVD contains the entire slane castle concert from September 1st. 'Mysterious Ways' is not part of the concert, but listed as a 'bonus track'. The reasons for this are still unknown. The concert without Mysterious Ways lasts 1:38h, the bonus track is 6:26 min long. Furthermore the DVD contains a remastered version of the 'Unforgettable Fire' Documentary, which has been available before on the 'The Unforgettable Fire Collection' VHS from 1985. Bonus-Features include the already mentioned Mysterious Ways track, a DVD-ROM section with screensavers, desktop wallpapers, an elevation tour calendar and weblinks, plus - for the the first time ever - the possibility to view 3 songs from the show in a 360° perspective.

The Concert
The most noticeable fact about this concert is the perfect mood the band was in on this evening. What seemed somewhat artificial and nervous in the Boston show, you can see much better here - the band enjoyed playing a second time in front of such a crowd at Slane Castle. Maybe it's the fact that it was not planned to release this concert for sale. Some incidents before the shows made both Slane concerts very emotional. The huge crowd brings a terrific spirit to the homes of all U2 fans, and the interaction with fans is much better here than in Boston.

Between songs Bono tells stories, plays games with fans and makes other kinds of jokes, all this makes the recording and U2 on this evening so likable. We pass on a song by song review, as we think that each viewer has to make up his own mind about this concert. We just want to point out that U2's mood and musical performance is outstanding. In comparision with all the other live videos this is the one which transports the feeling of a live concert best. All other videos tend to be stiff in some way or too well prepared. U2 at Slane Castle 2001 is the band U2 we want to see, they act with their hearts and have fun.
The Picture
The concert was recorded with many camera perspectives although Ned O'Hanlon said in an @U2.com interview that the expenses on that show were just a small fraction compared to the expenses for recording the Boston show. The spirit of the entire show is captured very well, shots from and of the audience are used very often and reflect its enthusiasm. The video format is 16:9, the pictures are sometimes very coarse, sometimes due to special effects, but this may have to do something with the light conditions during the shooting.
The Sound
This is the first time a U2 DVD is released with DTS sound, in addition to the PCM stereo format and DolbyDigital 5.1. But we think that for a normal user there is no relevant notable difference. Bonos voice is transferred very clearly via the centre speaker. The instruments are mixed to the front speakers, from the rear speakers you can notice quiet echoes, which are sometimes irritating. The audience is well mixed into the rear-speakers. There is no crystal clear mixing as can be found on DVDs like 'Eagles - Hell Freezes Over', where each instrument can be heard on a different channel. But maybe it's not comparable, because the Eagles show was a club-gig especially prepared for this, U2 in Slane was an open-air show which was, at the time of recording, not scheduled for a release.
The Extras
'The Unforgettable Fire' documentary
As mentioned before this is a remastered version of the 'Unforgettable Fire' documentary which follows the recordings of the album of the same name at Slane Castle in 1984. The video format is 4:3 and the documentary is 28 min long. The Documentary also includes the "Pride (In The Name of Love)" video. The picture quality is not the best, it's far away from DVD-quality.
Bonus-Track 'Mysterious Ways'
Once the track list of the DVD became public, many fans were shocked as the same song which was already missing on the Boston DVD was once again cut out. For still unknown reasons the song was taken out of the usual running order of the DVD and instead placed as a bonus track. It is not as was rumoured (and feared) a so called "easter egg", but a normal track which can easily be accessed via the main menu. (Remark: Producer Ned O'Hanlon said in a recent interview that the song just didn`t really fit into the show).
DVD-Rom Bonus Tracks
The most anticipated special, the 360° view of the concert, ends up being a Quicktime video of the three songs Elevation, Beautiful Day and Where The Streets Have No Name. Users have the possibility to spin around 360° degrees in real time at the touch of their mouse. A real high-end-special-feature feeling unfortunately doesn't come across due to the lack of quality which reminds one of a cheap webcam.
The second special feature is the 'Elevation tour diary calendar and clock'.
Furthermore two screensavers in red and blue are available - their style matching the artwork of the DVD. Nice, but not really exciting.
Four desktop motives are available to polish up your Windows system. They are available in 1024x768 and 800x600 resolution.
Finally the obligatory links to U2.com and NGOs that are supported by U2 are featured. Exclusive weblinks are unfortunately missing.
You can read the entire review with screenshots also in english at .....,..

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U2 GO HOME:LIVE FROM SLANE CASTLE - DVD Movie

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About a Boy (Widescreen Edition) (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)This movie is set in contemporary London and its story revolves around the life of playboy Will Freeman (Hugh Grant). Freeman is an independent man who enjoys a leisurely life carved into careful sections. His friends find him desperately lonely and unfulfilled, a notion he entirely disregards. Whilst trying to find creative new ways to meet single women for casual relationships, he meets a boy named Marcus (Nicholas Hoult). Marcus is the misfit at his school, overburdened by his freethinking and chronically depressed mother, Fiona (Toni Collette). Freeman and Marcus forge an unlikely but edifying bond that transposes their generation gap and differences. Culminating in a hilarious school music performance, the two discover new ways to navigate a changing world and terms in which to redefine the meaning of family.
Saturated by the amazing music of Badly Drawn Boy, this is an enduring and enjoyable comedy. Hugh Grant's character of the roguish unlikely hero seems ideally suited to him. Collette's performance as a seeming shallow liberal is wonderfully dynamic, bringing depth and heart to the character. The film tackles many social issues, especially problems of male (father-son) relations, from a compelling point of view. It's a picture of modern England that burrows into the largely untapped life of this fascinating country. The horribly undeveloped and unrealistic character of the rebellious teenage girl with whom Marcus becomes smitten is the only place where this film really lacks. Otherwise it is a pleasure to watch.

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ABOUT A BOY - DVD Movie

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Friday After Next (Infinifilm Edition) (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)Let's face it, the first one was the best. It came out of nowhere and became a decent hit which has grown into cult status in a very short amount of time. Chris Tucker and Ice Cube were perfectly matched and had a chemistry so palpable which made for a very enjoyable ride. Then, inexplicably Chris Tucker didn't appear in the sequel "Next Friday" (it was probably his choice not to return after the success of Rush Hour) and he was sorely missed. This second outing in the trilogy was boring beyond belief and, even though I had tried, I couldn't bring myself to like it.
Then, I had pretty much given up on the whole Friday thing until a friend of mine recommended that I rent this next installement. He told me he found it very funny and, not really knowing what to expect, I gave it a try. I must say my confidence was restored in the Friday potential and, even though this third act is not as great as it could have been, I found myself enjoying it quite a lot.

True, I am like most fans of Friday who all wish "Smokey" would come back. Chris Tucker made this role so memorable that everytime we get a new one, most of us secretly hope he'll be around. Well, no luck here either even though Mike Epps is doing quite a good job and is very funny in this. John Witherspoon as the father is always hilarious to watch and I found myself captivated by the pimp character, dressed in flamboyant costumes with an attitude to match. He was probably the best new character in the film in my opinion along with the new big tug around the block involved in a delicious storyline with homoerotic overtones.
My one regret about the Friday movies is the fact that Ice Cube doesn't give us the whole family anymore. What made the first one so enjoyable was the fact that they were all part of the scheme of things but now, we never get to see Craig's sister and his mother is only featured in a small thankless role. Frankly, she deserves much better.
There are some very nice gags and I laughed out loud at many of them. I must say I don't really care much for the infinifilm gimmick where you see the film as different options to watch the behind the scenes stuff became available all throughout. I either want to watch the movie without interruption or watch the special features and mixing the two is not my idea of fun. But maybe that's just me.
In conclusion, this third one is a good effort. It also made me hopeful that the fourth one (I am pretty sure there will be one according to what the actors said in the documentaries) will be even better, if we can finally have the chance to see every member of the family have a bigger part in the story. Good comedy worth a shot!

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Sequel. Craig and Day-Day move back into the hood, where they find jobs as security guards at a strip mall. Hijinks ensue on their first day on the job, which happens to be Christmas Eve.DVD Features:3D Animated MenusAudio CommentaryDVD ROM FeaturesDeleted ScenesDocumentariesFull Screen VersionGag ReelMusic VideoOtherTheatrical Trailer

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WWE No Way Out 2002 (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)I order no Way out on PPV and it was an experience to say the least. the nWo came out first and although i wasn't perticularly thrilled with the way they were introduced,they did the opposite of what was expected,so they get points for that. It is amazing to see Hogan,Hall,and Nash back in the WWF. Now on to the matches:
Tag Team Turmoil: APA, Billy&Chuck, Hardy Boyz, Dudley Boyz, Christian&Lance Storm, and Scotty&Albert.-I didn't really get into this match. I was glad that the Hardyz came back and I think that Storm/Christian could make a really good tag team if pushed right. I think that Billy and Chuck are funny characters,but I can't stand their new entrance music. I give it **1/2 stars.
RVD vs. Goldust-I'm a big RVD fan,so I love most of his matches. This match dragged in some parts,but overall was very good. It was interesting to see these two wrestle since they both have vastly different wrestling styles. I give this match *** stars.
WWF Tag Team Championship: Booker T& Test vs. Spike&Tazz(champs)-I love Tazz and Spike as the tag champions. That said I don't like the pairing of Booker T and Test. Booker T is a great wrestler and so is Test,but there characters have been dragging. Test has pretty much stopped his immunity gimmick since the Alliance has ended and Booker T has gotten stale... There really wasn't any build-up for this match. I think it was announced the week of no Way out,so there really wasn't and feud to it. I think if it was built up more it could have been better. I give it ** 1/2 stars.
Brass Knucks on a pole match for the WWF Intercontinental Championship: Edge vs. Regal(champ)-I like both of the wrestlers,but their feud has grown stale. I was anxious to see this match however though because it is a classic WCW match. I think this match could have been better. I think the way that Regal won was really cheap and it gives him less credibility as a champion. ** stars.
Rock vs. Undertaker-I was excited about seeing this match as it is two of the biggest starts in the WWF going at it. Some people have said that the Undertaker has lost a step or two,but I don't think he has. His match at Vengeance w/RVD was awesome and definately his best in a while. The biggest problem I think in this match is that the Rock doesn't do a lot of moves. The sad thing is is that if you've seen some of the Rock's old matches he used to do a lot of different moves. I think they need to expand his wrestling style and give him a couple of new moves,so that his matches become less repetitve. *** stars just for nostalgic purposes.
Triple H vs. Kurt Angle w/ Stephanie McMahon as referee, winner goes on to WrestleMania X8 in an Undisputed Championship match...so this match seemed kind of pointless. However,the ending was very much a shocker and I would have loved it if they had kept it that way. I think that Angle/Jericho at Wrestlemania would have been awesome. alas it is not to be. very good match though even though the screw job by Stephanie was expected. overall though *** stars.
Undisputed Championship: Stone Cold Steve Austin vs. Jericho(champ)-The whole match I was waiting for the nWo to come down. I knew that Jericho was going to Wrestlemania,so I wasn't expecting much from this match. I'm a fan of both wrestlers,so it's always fun to see them wrestle. The ending was semi-predictable because of what happened earlier in the night. I give it *** stars just because of Hall spray painting nWo on Austin's back.
Overall,this was a really good ppv. I think more could have been done with the nWo,but it is great to see them back in the WWF. They pretty much overshadowed all of the other matches. One note though. Hogan should never ever take off his bandana. It's true his bald head really shows his age. Other then that I think the nWo made a decent entrance into the WWF and a lot of the things that happened throughout let really well into Wrestlemania. I hope they put a lot of extras into this dvd as they should. It really is a monumental event and the next night's RAW is something that should not be missed.

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February 17, 2002, Milwaukee, WI.A lethal virus has been unleashed on the World Wrestling Federation, it's called...The nWo. Hulk Hogan returns to the WWF!The day the World Wrestling Federation fans never thought they'd see!The nWo is coming to the Federation!Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and yes... Hulk Hogan!

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