The Highwaymen - On the Road Again Review

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(More customer reviews)"On the Road Again" is a good video portrait of the Highwaymen. This hour long DVD is as close as most will ever come to a Highwaymen show. The camaraderie and bond between Waylon, Willie, Johnny and Kris is as apparent here as it is invisible on the corresponding album. The sentiment that the group is made up of four ol' friends comes across strongly. Relevant interview fragments are sprinkled between and within songs. Regardless of who your favorite Highwayman may be, the song selection is good as the band plays most of the favorites that one would expect like the Dukes of Hazzard Theme, Folsom Prison Blues, Me and Bobby McGee and Riders in the Sky. The United Kingdom may seem like an odd place for a Highwaymen video concert, but the boys explain their connection with the land and people. While the video production is good, the sound could be better. At times, the audio sounds like an audience recording. "On the Road Again," may be the essential document to showcase the Highwaymen's power, talent and warmth.

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Item Name: The Highwaymen - On the Road Again; Studio:White Star

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Don Henley Live - Inside Job (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)You all know Henley so I'll spare the career retrospective. This DVD was taped May 25, 2000 at Fair Park Music Hall in Dallas. From the opener of Dirty Laundry through the entire set and closing with Hotel California, this is a great show by a fantastic song writer. Don's voice sounds great on this night and his back-up band is very sharp. Not a lot of talk between songs, but one great tune after another. The other songs include Sunset Grill, Workin' It, Taking You Home, The Boys of Summer, Lilah, Everything is Different Now, The End of the Innocence, All She Wants to Do is Dance, New York Minute, Talking to the Moon, They're Not Here (They're Not Coming), The Heart of the Matter, Desperado, The Long Run, and My Thanksgiving.
That covers the show, now on to the DVD features... well, there really aren't any. The sound quality is excellent and the production is flawless, but no multiple camera angles, no extras, no videos, just a short intro then on to the show. I'm not complaining as the show is fantastic, but if you like whistles and bells look elsewhere. If you love Henley, the Eagles or just great music then you'll still love it.

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Grammy Award winner Don Henley helped define the '70s as a member of the fabulously successful rock band The Eagles before launching an impressive solo career. On May 25, 2000, he returned to his Texas roots for a remarkable concert, recorded before an enthusiastic audience at Fair Park Music Hall in Dallas. This rock legend's live performance captures all the passion, satire and originality that fans around the world most treasure in his influential music. Songs: Dirty Laundry, Sunset Grill, Workin' It, Takin' You Home, The Boys of Summer, Lilah, Everything is Different Now, The End of the Innocence, All She Wants to Do is Dance, New York Minute, Talking to the Moon, They're Not Here They're Not Coming, The Heart of the Matter, Desperado, The Long Run, My Thanksgiving, Hotel California.

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Paul Simon - Graceland (The African Concert) (1986) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is one of the most amazing concerts ever! Not only is the music amazing, but the players are royalty. It is a powerful example of the potential music has to speak the truth and move the soul. Somebody complained about the quality of the sound or whatever -- but I don't understand how that can even be an issue you'd want discuss in the review of such a powerful piece of musical history.
This concert is a celebration of freedom, and the music is a celebration of truth. It is a joy to watch, and even if you're not a Paul Simon fan, you probably still won't be able to keep yourself from being moved -- either figuratively or literally: my friend (who's not a big Paul fan) said she couldn't stop dancing. Miriam Makeba -- who had been in exile from her homeland for 27 years because of her political beliefs -- has an inspired presence, as does Hugh Masakela -- also a political exile. Ladysmith Black Mambazo is both a force to be reckoned with and a perfect example of gentle humility. All the "back-up" players are astounding, and Paul is as full of love and humility and sincerity as he could possibly be.
I have watched this concert a dozen times, and look forward to the next dozen. It is a rare gem that I enjoy sharing with the people in my life I love the most.
To sum it up? GET THIS CONCERT.

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Studio: Wea-des Moines VideoRelease Date: 03/23/1999Run time: 90 minutesRating: Nr

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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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Kenny Chesney Video Collection - When the Sun Goes Down Review

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(More customer reviews)The track list for this DVD is:
Young
Big Star
Good Stuff
There Goes My Life
No Shirt, No Shoes, No Problems,
Live Those Songs
Plus
There Goes My Life
If you are here, you like his music and videos. And you know every new video from him becomes his best to date.
Not much beyond music videos... really, nothing but videos, but for a great price, this is a great DVD, and a perfect companion to his First Music Video Collection.

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The Doors (15-Year Anniversary Edition) (1991) Review

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(More customer reviews)'The Doors' were one of the greatest rock and roll bands of the sixties and the quintessential California group of the decade. They so embodied the West Coast counterculture experience that viewing this biographical film about Jim Morrison and The Doors also provides a fascinating view of the cultural and spiritual forces that drove Jim and that entire generation to challenge the status quo of the American mainstream.
What exactly is the true story of the life and death of Jim Morrison? Is it the story of one of the many rebellious young adults of the time who in looking for an alternative way of living got lost along the way in the drugs, alcohol and sexual freedom that so dominated that culture? Or is Jims' story a deeply mystical tale announcing the rebirth of ancient shamanism into the collective consciousness of the twentieth century? The story of someone chosen by the spirits to bring the 'old ways' to a new generation looking for something to fill the spiritual void brought about by the loss of belief in the Christian God?
Director Oliver Stone has played the mythmaker to perfection in this amazing film providing us with the unique experience of entering into the American Dreamtime. Layering mundane worldly events intermitently with glimpses of the psychic, shamanic forces motivating those events we are given the opportunity to chose for ourselves what level of reality we are willing, or ready to accept. A truly remarkable accomplishment.
As for the performance of Val Kilmer as Jim Morrison, it couldn't have been better. His ability to capture both the physcial appearance and dark persona of the legendary rock star so completely is beyond extraordinary. Without question Val was born to play this role.
Did Jim really believe he was the "Electric Shaman" called by the spirits to open the "Doors of Perception" to a sleeping world? Was he Dionysus reborn, here to use his suggestive music and lyrics to arouse his followers and bring to fruition his new 'Rites of Spring' with "Golden copulations in the streets of L.A." More likely he was playing the part of the mischevious Indian 'Trickster' leading us once again in the wrong direction. Maybe it's just like his Mother said long ago while the old Indian lay dying along the roadside in the California desert. "It's just a dream Jimmy, that's all it is."
So relax, show no fear, "Kiss the Snake" and enjoy the ride!

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Jim Morrison (Val Kilmer), one of the most sensual and exciting figures in the history of rock and roll, explodes on the screen in THE DOORS, the electrifying movie about a time called the sixties and a legendary outlaw who rocked America's consciousness - forever. Meg Ryan, Kevin Dillon, Kyle MacLachlan, Frank Whaley and Billy Idol also star.

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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Platinum Edition) (1938) Review

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(More customer reviews)Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" (1937) remains an enduring landmark in cinema history. Happily, the DVD edition does justice to one of the all-time great films, featuring a pristine transfer and a wealth of archival material. With the exception of "Fantasia" (1940), Disney never surpassed this remarkable achievement in animation.

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The most revered of all Disney films, SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS is alive with fairy tale magic, heart-pounding suspense, and rousing adventure. Once Snow White's vain stepmother, the wicked Queen, consults her Magic Mirror to learn that her stepdaughter's beauty surpasses her own, the lovely young girl must flee into the forest. There, she meets seven lovable dwarfs: Dopey, Sleepy, Sneezy, Bashful, Happy, Doc, and the rough-edged Grumpy. But even their devotion cannot save her form the Queen's spell ... the spell that can only be battled by a prince! Now, through high-definition direct-to-digital technology, you can own "The One That Started It All" -- the first full-length animated feature ever created, lovingly restored for a memorable entertainment experience for all ages!

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We Are the World - The Story Behind the Song (20th Anniversary Special Edition) (1985) Review

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(More customer reviews)I heard this DVD was to be released at its 20th Anniversary Special Edition on local radio on 104.3 FM in LA. They played the song on Friday, Jan. 29, 2005 before its re-release for a DVD. I went right away and found at the local Best Buy store for a great price.
I loved this song and I remembered that I was 14 at the time of its release on cassette and LP records. It was for a great cause and United for song of hope. The great popstars came out to raise their voices to help Africa's hungry. I was looking for a CD re-release of the song. They should re-release as a CD single. So far you can buy the title song online for resonable price as a MP3 file like Itunes.
I have watch the documentary on DVD and it tells who wrote the songs, who the stars that participated in it, and who sang all the parts of the song with solos and the entire group.
The song was written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson.
The 2 disc DVD set comes with collectible insert booklet, which contains the history of how the night of Jan 28, 1985 how the song was made with all the stars. The booklet also contains the lyrics of the song and picture of the group and where the stars stood in the group (like Lionel Richie, Stevie Wonder, Cydie Lauper, Diana Ross, Diane Warwick, Kenny Rogers, Bruce Springstein, Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Bette Midler, Janet Jackson, etc up to 45 stars) for the memorable song.
1st Disc includes the documentary by Jane Fonda and the Music Video of the We Are The World Song conducted by Quincy Jones.
2nd Disc contains the extras,history and documentary, and places where the song ws played like 10th anniversary "one song, many hands", American Music Awards, 28th Grammy awards, "Live Aid" footage from ABC, etc. and Karaoke track of the song too.
It well worth the price this song that makes history and make for a good cause, USA For Africa organization still is around to help out for hunger and AIDS 20 years later. The proceeds of this DVD goes to the USA For Africa organization. Great! If you like Great Music and Great Stars come for a good cause, it's a great piece of history with this song "WE Are the World" and how it all began. This DVD is for you and for your children to remember.
The Stars should make a DVD or CD of a new song for the Tsunami victims in Asia with today's pop artists with yesterday's pop and rock artists too.

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Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, heads an all-star music event that changed the world! See the making of a miracle as 45 of the biggest names in American popular music combine to record a song to benefit the suffering of starving millions in Africa and America. Narrated by Jane Fonda, this program provides a behind-the-scenes look at the night of January 28, 1985 to provide more than a moving collection of words, pictures and music - it's a living piece of history.

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Merlin (1998) Review

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(More customer reviews)There is nothing on this disc, that was not already in the previous one.
Nothing except perhaps the Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Stereo sound, which in the previous appearance had been reduced to a simple 2.0 Channel Stereo sound.
The specials are the very same you had before.
The screen ratio remains the classic TV 1.33:1 ratio screen resolution, which can be "expanded" to Full Screen, but watching the actual filming of the movie in the Making of, I seemed to have recognized a Panaflex camera moving around, hence it could have been transferred either in 1.78:1 or even in a matted 1.85:1 screen ratio as well.
But perhaps they already lost that copy.
Anyway, the acting by everyone involved in this project is magnificent and involving. Sam Neill, Martin Short, Miranda Richardson and Helena Bonham-Carter, without forgetting brief appearances by Rutger Hauer and John Gielgud give their very best and seem to truly have fun playing their respective roles.
The story flows and grips you from the very first shot, to the very last, without ever becoming too obvious or boring.
The special effects for a TV Movie of that era (late Nineties) are exceptional and very well interwoven within the story, without ever becoming overbearing on the plot.
This is the true Family Movie everyone should have. It has fun moments, dramatic moments and even magical moments for everyone to enjoy.
If this movie had been made to be shown in movie theaters, I am sure it would have won an Oscar for best leading Actor (Sam Neill as Merlin) and also best supporting Actress (Miranda Richardson in her double role as Mab, Queen of the Old Ways and as the Lady of the Lake).
I can highly recommend it in the present format.

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The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (Platinum Series Special Extended Edition Collector's Gift Set) (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)No movie protrayal can match a good book, but Jackson's attempt is the best ever effort in the history of movies. His team's enormous amount of research, attention to detail and love of the original literary work comes through. Yes, some plot lines are altered in minor ways to keep the off-screen characters part of the movie as it still has to serve an audience that didn't read the books, but overall anyone must admire their work. Yes, all of us Tolkien fanatics would love to see a movie of 139 hours in length that shows every scene and includes every line of dialog from the books, including Tom Bombadil and the everything else, exactly as written, but that obviously isn't going to happen.
Sam - please read the books again as many of your review details are wrong. Gollum does have an internal struggle of Smeagol vs. Gollum, it's right in the book. It is pretty obvious in the movie that Sam is disgusted by Gollum and Frodo is more pitying him, same as the book. There is the conflict between Arwen and Elrond about her relationship with Aragorn and her struggle with remaining elfen and going West vs. staying with Aragorn. But it is subplot not detailed in the books as much, but Jackson is trying to flesh out characters. Aragorn does have doubts and struggles about coming out of hiding to rise to the thrown, he sets this up more in movie #2 for movie #3 but it is there in the books. Saruman does have control over nameless character "A" which nameless "B" breaks with a struggle and in the movie he has to make it obvious (over-do-it) what is going on or movie-goers would go "what the heck?" since they aren't reading the book. Saruman does rip down all the trees and into forest which P-O's the Ents, moving them into action, which WAS inspired by Tolkien's dislike of the industrial age (more to come in movie #3 I'm sure as in the books). There are warg-riding (i.e. big rats) orcs (even back in the Hobbit books) - READ THE BOOKS AGAIN!!!
But some variations are needed for a movie version for the general public; I'll agree with you that all were not needed _FOR_US_, but there is the Joe Blow ticket buyer he is trying to entertain as well, to actually make money on this colossal project (which was completed, by the way, before movie #1 came out and was still a gamble then; hindsight only shows he could have gotten away with "less", perhaps).
It's easy to tear down pick on every detail especially when movies are based on books. But this has to be (with the others in the series) some of the best movies ever made, and clearly the best attempt to mirror books on the screen; especially with the fantasy setting and special effects requirements. "To Kill a Mockingbird" is another great adaption, but it's not so hard to find a small Southern town and a guy named "Boo" as it is to create Balrogs, Orcs, Rings of Power and the Eye that Never Sleeps. Give him a break.

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Presented in packaging illustrated by famed artist Alan Lee, this gift set includes the 4-disc Platinum Series Special Extended DVD Edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, collectible Gollum polystone statue created by Sideshow Weta, and "The Evolution of Gollum" exclusive: bonus DVD on the Weta Workshop and how the Gollum statue was created, featuring interviews with Peter Jackson, Richard Taylor, the cast and more plus a printed companion piece showing how Gollum evolved from pencil sketch to sculpted maquette to digital character Weight - 3 lbs., 5 oz. Width - 8 in. Height - 8 3/8 in. Depth - 6 in. Not seen in theaters, this "Extended Version" of this epic adventure features over 40 minutes of new and extended scenes integrated into the film by the director. DVD set consists of four discs with hours of original content including multiple documentaries, commentaries and design/photo galleries with thousands of images to give viewers an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the film.DVD Features:Audio CommentaryDVD ROM FeaturesDocumentariesPhoto galleryProduction Sketches

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Tempest (1982) Review

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(More customer reviews)I just purchased this video today after many years of recalling memorable scenes from it. To me it's about a man with a greek surname who abandons his meaningless life as an NYC Architect to explore himself, taking his trepidacious(?) daughter with him to a small Greek island.
The story has dual timelines which eventually meet at the present day. This was a new experience for me when first seeing this movie.
Some of the many memorable scenes are:
John Cassavetes looking up at the baloons falling during the New Years Day party and making the decision to get the hell out of there.
The Greek captain of the ship taking them to their island calling out the names of the dozens of Greek islands.
Raoul Julia dancing around with an octopus on his head.
Also Raoul admitting that he wants to sleep with Cassavetes daughter saying 'She wants the Bonnie Johnnie inside of her'. Cassavetes fights him and probably considers killing him but stops.
Cassavetes' wife happens to be floating near the island as an entouragee of a Greek tycoon ala Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis. Cassavetes conjures a storm with his reading glasses saying "Come on, show me the magic."
To me this is the pinnacle of Cassavetes journey to find himself, fancies himself a god, and makes the magic happen only to regret his actions but assist in rescuing the party.
This movie is definitely on my list of the best movies ever.

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This modernistic fantasy-drama, is about a New York architect Phillip (John Cassavetes), who is fedup with city living. He takes his wife Antonia (Gena Rowlands), an actress, and their daughter, Miranda (Molly Ringwald in her debut), to Greece to a barren island. There he meets a singer and a hermit and others who land on the island when the boat is shipwrecked.

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Concert for Bangladesh (2005) Review

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(More customer reviews)The George Harrison-led "Concert for Bangladesh" will make its DVD debut Oct. 25 via Rhino, the same day Capitol releases a remixed, remastered CD of the project. Rhino is also creating a deluxe edition set with a reproduction of Harrison's handwritten lyrics for the then-new song "Bangla Desh," a postcard set, a sticker and a print of the original show poster.
Staged on Aug. 1, 1971, at New York's Madison Square Garden, the show raised funds via UNICEF for Bangladeshi refugees caught in the middle of the country's battle for independence from Pakistan.
It featured Harrison performing alongside Bob Dylan (making a rare public appearance in the wake of a serious motorcycle accident), Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Ravi Shankar, Billy Preston, Badfinger and Leon Russell. The event was chronicled the following year on a triple-LP set and a feature film.
Rhino's DVD restores the original 99-minute movie in 5.1 sound and tacks on a wealth of extras, including a rehearsal performance of "If Not for You" with Harrison and Dylan and a soundcheck take on "Come on in My Kitchen" with Harrison, Clapton and Russell, plus Dylan performing "Love Minus Zero/No Limit," an outtake from the theatrical release.
The DVD will also include a 45-minute documentary, "The Concert for Bangladesh Revisited 2005," which features interviews with Bob Geldof and United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.
Here is the track list for "The Concert for Bangladesh":
"Bangla Dhun"
"Wah-Wah"
"My Sweet Lord"
"Awaiting on You All"
"That's the Way God Planned It"
"It Don't Come Easy"
"Beware of Darkness"
Band Introduction
"While My Guitar Gently Weeps"
"Jumpin' Jack Flash"
"Youngblood"
"Here Comes the Sun"
"A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall"
"It Takes a Lot To Laugh, It Takes a Train To Cry"
"Blowin' in the Wind"
"Just Like a Woman"
"Something"
"Bangla Desh"

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The Concert for Bangladesh was the first benefit concert of its kind in that it brought together an extraordinary assemblage of major artists collaborating for a common humanitarian cause-setting the precedent that music could be used to serve a higher purpose. The concert sold out Madison Square Garden and has helped to generate millions for UNICEF and raised awareness for the organization around the world, as well as among other musicians and their fans. It is acknowledged as the inspiration and the forerunner to the major global fundraising events of recent years. To quote the United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, "George and his friends were pioneers." All artists' royalties from the sales of the DVD will go to UNICEF.

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Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book (1994) Review

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(More customer reviews)Since the special features in "Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book" aren't mentioned in Amazon.com's usually thorough product info, here's a quick rundown:
- Widescreen (2.35:1) - Enhanced for 16 x 9 Televisions
- Audio Commentary With Director Stephen Sommers and Editor Bob Ducsay
- "The Making of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book" Featurette
- Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
- Spanish Language Track
- Spanish and French Subtitles
All in all, a fine presentation of a fine family adventure film.

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The Reduced Shakespeare Company - The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)When the Reduced Shakespeare Company performs , it is a case of three apparently indefatigable actors (Adam Long, Reed Martin, Austin Tichenor) whirlwinding through the plays, some of which are barely mentioned, some of which are treated at greater length--all in 90 minutes. Well, the Good News is that the show is now available from Acorn Media on a VHS. (Note: this video contains material not shown on PBS.)
To cut to the chase, you really have to know your Bard to get all the jokes. Treating "Titus Andronicus" as a cooking class works if you are familiar enough with the plot (the recent movie might help here); and unless you know your English kings from Richard II to Richard III (with all the Henrys in the middle), the football game with a crown as ball will have little meaning. ( I thought the line about cutting Henry VI into three parts was the best in this sketch.)
Possibly the bit that calls for the audience's greatest degree of knowledge and concentration is the resume of a plot that combines all the Shakespearean comedies into a single play (with a very long title). There are plenty of in-jokes and bad puns throughout Act I to demand your fullest attention--and again, few of them work if you do not know the originals.
The first act ends with a little situation in which one of the troupe refuses to do "Hamlet" and flees from the theater. When Act II begins, he has not been brought back and the remaining actor must fill the time with Monty Python-like bad routines. Once back on track, the audience is enlisted to help one of their number (I assume she is not a plant) "feel" the part of Ophelia. The trio's versatility is put to the test at the very end when they repeat the entire Hamlet production quickly, then very quickly, and finally very quickly and backwards!
So all in all, this is a joyous romp for those "in the know" and one that might seem pretty pointless for those who have avoided Shakespeare once school was over. Therefore I must give it 4 stars out of 5 in general, although it deserves 5-plus for those who have stuck with the iambics all these years.
A perfect gift for your English teacher, by the way. Unless you are an English teacher, in which case buy one for yourself.

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Life is short. The complete works of Shakespeare are long. To the rescue: THE REDUCED SHAKESPEARE COMPANY, the three-man comedy troupe known for fast, funny, physical condensations of real serious stuff. They wrap up the Bard's outsized oeuvre in 90 roller-coaster, rib-tickling minutes. After warming up with a nothing-is-sacred send-up of Romeo and Juliet, they're off, dispensing with the comedies in one fell swoop (because the tragedies are funnier). You decide after you see Othello as a rap song, Titus Andronicus as a cooking program, and the show's unforgettable finale - Hamlet - told with the help of audience members and lascivious sock puppets. Contains material not seen on the PBS broadcast. "Intellectual vaudeville" - The New York Times. "Inspired American spoof merchants...slings and arrows of outrageous comedy" - Daily Telegraph. "This trio of modern Marx brothers will leave you in stitches" - Boston Herald. DVD SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE: Trade secrets: Two commentaries featuring the stars and the director; Humble beginnings: Rare footage of an early RSC performance; Who are these clowns?: Cast bios; Pop Quiz: Interactive trivia, Say Again?: English Subtitles. WARNING: High-speed hilarity. Not for people with weak hearts or English degrees! Starring Adam Long, Reed Martin & Austin Tichenor.

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A Doll's House (1973) Review

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(More customer reviews)In 1973 two theatrical version of Henrik Ibsen's classic play "A Doll's House" were filmed. This version, starring Claire Bloom as Nora, won national release, while the other, with Jane Fonda, ended up on ABC television. No other play from the 19th-century continued to be performed as often as "A Doll's House." The story is of what appears to be a normal family, Torvald Helmer (Anthony Hopkins), a bank lawyer, and his wife Nora, and their three small children. Torvald has blithely assumed his wife to be a flighty little thing, but Nora has been creating a facade to please her husband. Then we discover that in the past Nora forged a signature to get money to save her husband's life. When this act is revealed, Torvald is outraged and renounces his wife. Nora finally sees her husband for the miserable fraud he truly is and walks away from him and her children, leaving a stunned Torvald still trying to figure out who he has been married to all these years. Ibsen's play is a major classic of modern drama, one of the first superb character studies that provided a psychological portrait of an actual human being.
As in any production, this version of "A Doll's House" rests on the actress playing Nora. With Bloom's characterization Nora is presented as being more noble than usual; her habit of lying is played down and we get the sense she is clever and cunningly playing the game of being her husband's "doll." However, the result of this approach is less of an emotional range than I would expect with Nora. Hopkins is, as you would expect, fully up to the pompous, hollow figure of Torvald. Indeed, the final scene succeeds largely on his reactions to Nora's departure. For me, choosing between these two 1973 films is pretty much a toss up since I am not overly enamored with either of the interpretations of Nora, although there are parts of both performances that are quite strong. However, Bloom does have the advantage of a better supporting cast. Christopher Hampton wrote the adaptation from Ibsen's play for this film version, which was directed by Patrick Garland.

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A woman's struggle to have her voice heard in a man's world is "startlingly moving" (The Wall Street Journal) in this cinematic adaptation of Henrik Ibsen's famous play. "Superior performances" (The New York Times) by Claire Bloom (Crimes and Misdemeanors) and Oscar®winner* Anthony Hopkins (Hannibal) set the stage for an engrossing and remarkable drama.Nora (Bloom) will do anything to please her authoritarian husband Torvald (Hopkins). Per Torvald's instructions, Nora focuses on such womanly disciplines as dancing and taking care of babies whilehe sees to all the affairs of money. But when a past financial mistake comes back to haunt Nora, and Torvald finds out, the result is an explosion of fury and a shocking revelation that changes the course of the entire family forever. *1991: Actor, The Silence of the Lambs

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The Doors Collection (Collector's Edition) (1985) Review

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(More customer reviews)"The Doors Collection" is the best audio/visual source about the band available. It is a stunning, exciting collection of the best of The Doors on film. It is the best Doors DVD out there and a must for big fans, rockers and anyone barely aquainted with the music who wants to know more. All the three segments are excellent documents of The Doors and their hypnotic music and the dynamic persona of Jim Morrison. It is clear from what you see here that he was poet, rock star, artist and genius. The first segment, "Dance On Fire" has some great material. There is the music video for "Break On Through" which is stylish and has aged well, in fact, I saw it air on MTV a few nights ago. There is also the neat video for "People Are Strange" and the legendary performance of "Light My Fire" at the Ed Sullivan Show. The video for "The Crystal Ship" is dreamy, romantic and hypnotic, with a real feel for the song which showcases some of Morrison's best poetry. The performance of "Love Me Two Times" for Danish television is especially entertaining and cool, with Jim all in leather reciting some poetry before breaking into one of their best blues tunes. The video for "Moonlight Drive" is interesting with Jim sporting some black shades and Robby Krieger doing some dreamy slide guitar. The "Roadhouse Blues" footage is especially fun with shots of some wild concert moments and Jim doing a Dionysian dance as images flash by. The second segment, "Live At The Hollywood Boal" is a nice document of The Doors in concert. They performance some of their best songs like "Backdoor Man," "Light My Fire" and "Whiskey Bar." The best performances are those of "When The Music's Over" which is epic and "The End" which is hypnotic. The final segment, "The Soft Parade" is an interesting look at The Doors as the end was coming closer. The beginning features a montage cut to "The Changeling" and shows Morrison and the band in a "superstar" tone. The interview they give is fascinating, especially when Jim predicts advancements in musical technology with incredible precision. The performance of "The Soft Parade" is better than the album version while footage of the band recording "Wild Child" is fun and interesting, not least because it's a great song. The bonus features in the DVD are also great. The commentary by the band members is funny and fascinating with lots of cool facts. Robby Krieger's new version of "The End" rocks while Ray Manzarek's student films are interesting to watch. The memorabilia section is especially fun and interesting, they even show ticket buts. John Densmore's one-man play is really silly and frankly, boring and uninteresting. It's annoying to hear him sing the songs because frankly, he can't sing. All in all, "The Doors Collection" is the best Doors visual collection. It's exhilarating, fascinating, visually alluring and filled with great music and poetry. It shows how there are certain things as timeless music and artists. Though The Doors music and lyrics are kept alive and well by newer bands (Creed, STP, The Cult), nothing beats the originals. The Doors were the first rock band to mix music with poetry and explored dark realms and set in motion things in rock n' roll that we are still living through. This DVD is a great document of how they did that.

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DOORS COLLECTOR'S EDITION - DVD Movie

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Barbie as Rapunzel (2002) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was so surprised to see the lukewarm reviews about this video. My 4 1/2 yr. old son and 2 1/2 yr. old daughter watched it repeatedly when we rented it from the video store, so now we are buying it.
I watched it with them several times and was completely enchanted with the original twist on the familiar Rapunzel tale. This version is full of interesting characters, including dragons, dueling kings, and even children. I loved the entire concept of the magic paintbrush as a portal into the village. How unique!
Sure, the animation wasn't exactly as well-done as, say, "Finding Nemo," and the story line was less than perfect, but it was certainly exciting and interesting, even to an adult who was watching it repeatedly with her preschoolers.
I was hesitant to introduce my daughter to the world of Barbie, so to speak, but now that there are such fun new fairy tale characters and ideas to explore, I am much more of a fan.

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Long, long ago, in a time of magic and dragons, there lived a girl named Rapunzel who had the most beautiful radiant hair the world had ever seen.But Rapunzel's life was far from wonderful. She lived as a servant to Gothel, a jealous, scheming witch who kept her hidden deep in a forbidding forest, guarded by the enormous dragon Hugo and surrounded by an enchanted glass wall.However, in a twist of fate, Rapunzel's discovery of a magic paintbrush leads her on a journey that will unravel a web of deception, bring peace to two feuding kingdoms, and ultimately lead her to love with the help of Penelope(TM), the least intimidating of dragons!Stunningly produced in computer animation, the movie stars Academy Award(R) - Anjelica Huston* as Gothel and Cree Summer as Penelope(TM). The movie features a song by Samantha Mumba and music by the London Symphony Orchestra.Barbie(TM) as Rapunzel shows that love and imagination can change theworld...

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