Amazon.com
Critically hailed as an instant classic, Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima is a masterwork of uncommon humanity and a harrowing, unforgettable indictment of the horrors of war. In an unprecedented demonstration of worldly citizenship, Eastwood (from a spare, tightly focused screenplay by first-time screenwriter Iris Yamashita) has crafted a truly Japanese film, with Japanese dialogue (with subtitles) and filmed in a contemplative Japanese style, serving as both complement and counterpoint to Eastwood's previously released companion film Flags of Our Fathers. Where the earlier film employed a complex non-linear structure and epic-scale production values to dramatize one of the bloodiest battles of World War II and its traumatic impact on American soldiers, Letters reveals the battle of Iwo Jima from the tunnel- and cave-dwelling perspective of the Japanese, hopelessly outnumbered, deprived of reinforcements, and doomed to die in inevitable defeat. While maintaining many of the traditions of the conventional war drama, Eastwood extends his sympathetic touch to humanize "the enemy," revealing the internal and external conflicts of soldiers and officers alike, forced by circumstance to sacrifice themselves or defend their honor against insurmountable odds. From the weary reluctance of a young recruit named Saigo (Kazunari Ninomiya) to the dignified yet desperately anguished strategy of Japanese commander Tadamichi Kuribayashi (played by Oscar-nominated The Last Samurai costar Ken Watanabe), whose letters home inspired the film's title and present-day framing device, Letters from Iwo Jima (which conveys the bleakness of battle through a near-total absence of color) steadfastly avoids the glorification of war while paying honorable tribute to ill-fated men who can only dream of the comforts of home. --Jeff Shannon
Description
Nominated for 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Clint Eastwood's Letters from Iwo Jima tells the untold story of the Japanese soldiers who defended their homeland against invading American forces during World War II. With little defense other than sheer will and the volcanic rock of Iwo Jima itself, the unprecedented tactics of General Tadamichi Kuribayashi (Ken Watanabe, The Last Samurai) and his men transform what was predicted to be a swift defeat into nearly 40 days of heroic and resourceful combat. Their sacrifices, struggles, courage and compassion live on in the taut, gripping film Rolling Stone calls "unique and unforgettable." It is the powerful companion piece to Flags of Our Fathers.
Customer Reviews:
The other side of a war........2007-09-15
Clint Eastwood deserves huge kudos for tackling the 'other side' of a big war movie, and so close to 'Flags of Our Fathers', which I also enjoyed immensely. The Japanese actors are excellent and the dialogue was snappy and original, though I had to re-wind a couple times because my eyes couldn't keep up with the subtitles. I tend to go 'cross-eyed' if it's fast. I especially love the baker character who didn't really want to be there and left a young, pregnant wife at home. The movie was excellent in showing how many get caught up in a war they don't necessarily believe in.
Chrissy K. McVay - Author
The bad guys aren't really that bad.......2007-09-11
Its not often that Hollywood makes a movie about soldiers experiencing a defeat. Even more rare is a movie about enemy soldiers being defeated by the home forces; American soldiers. Amazingly, it took Clint Eastwood to make such a movie. Released late in 2006 as a companion of the other Eastwood movie, Flags of our Fathers, this is one of the best war movies this decade. Set entirely on the island of Iwo Jima, it examines the defense and conquest of this island by the US military in 1944 as seen from the eyes of the Japanese defenders. The Japanese soldiers are played by Japanese actors; which is exemplary, and their on-screen dialogue is Japanese, another plus of authenticity.
Not "anti-war" but anti-cliche. .......2007-09-04
Okay, so don't expect the intensity of the battle scenes of Saving Private Ryan or the surrealism of Full Metal Jacket Here. Once I got over my pre-conceptions about what a "war movie" was supposed to be like, I was fine. Also, if you like happy/neat endings...this is not the movie for you. What you will find is a war movie in which you care about the characters and feel torn about many of the issues/dillemas presented. You will vacilate greatly over the course of the movie: one moment disgust/shock, the next admiration/reverence. So, if you are up for a non-traditional war movie, and a roller coaster of emotions, give it a spin.
Interesting Struggle.......2007-09-03
What I liked about this movie is that you walk away with an understanding of how life would be if you where put in that situation. I personally have never been in war but the concept of giving your life for war is disturbing. The consideration that factors of pride or that another man can control your life by ordering your death for the sake of cultural pride..... is mind boggling when analyzed objecively.
Anyways... this movie makes you wonder..... and that to me is a good movie.
Letters From Iwo Jima.......2007-08-31
While there were some "slow" areas in the film, it was nevertheless an OUTSTANDING film due to the unparalleled realism of the the actors in their respective wartime roles, providing great insights into the "Bushido" code thinking of the officers versus the thinking of the common soldier. It also showed both positive and negative actions of each side (Japanese soldier versus American soldier), and shows how real leadership inspires the soldiers. The second bonus disk is a great addition to this movie. I highly recommend this 5+ star movie. This was much better than "Flags of Our Fathers".
Amazon.com
Science fiction and romance collide in The Fountain, the ambitious third feature from director Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream), who labored for four years to complete this epic-sized love story that stretches across centuries and galaxies. Hugh Jackman and Rachel Weisz (Aronofsky's real-life companion) play lovers in each of the film's three settings--16th century Europe and America (Jackman is a Spanish explorer searching for Incan magic), the present day (Jackman is a doctor attempting to cure his dying wife), and the 26th century (Jackman is a space traveler seeking a gateway to the afterlife)--who struggle mightily to stay united, only to lose each other time and again. Aronofsky may not have chosen the easiest presentation for audiences to absorb his theories on the lasting qualities of life and the transformative powers of death--the final sequence, in particular, with a bald Jackman floating through space in a bubble, harks back uncomfortably to "head movies" of the late '60s--but his leads have considerable chemistry (and look terrific to boot), which goes a long way towards securing viewers' hopes for a happy ending. Critical reception for The Fountain has been nothing short of bloodthirsty, with Cannes audiences booing, but there are elements to enjoy here, even if the premise throws one for a loop. Ellen Burstyn (who earned an Oscar nomination for Requiem) delivers a typically solid performance as Jackman's boss in the present day sequence, and special effects (most done without the benefit of CGI) are also impressive given the film's low budget (spurred by a mid-production shutdown after original stars Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett ankled the picture). And science-fiction fans whose tastes run towards the metaphysical (Asimov, Le Guin) will appreciate the attempt to present the genre in a serious light. -- Paul Gaita
Description
Yesterday, today, tomorrow. Past, present, future. Through time and space, one man embarks on a bold 1000-year odyssey to defeat humankind's most indomitable foe: Death. Hugh Jackman plays that man, devoted to one woman (Rachel Weisz) and determined to protect her from forces that threaten her existence. His quest leads him to a Tree of Life...and to an adventure into eternity. Darren Aronofsky (Pi, Requiem for a Dream) directs, continuing his string of imaginative, involving filmmaking with a tale alive with ideas and filled with astonishing vistas. "Not many films can blow your mind and break your heart at the same time, but this one will" (Drew McWeeny, Ain't It Cool News).
Customer Reviews:
Xibalba is the best way to explain this movie.......2007-09-18
Beware of any linear explanation of The Fountain. It is difficult to definitely tell the plot. It is a little chamber piece that happens to be a nice movie. This nonlinear fable reminds me mostly of a Robin Williams movie, Being Human and somewhat another by the same actor titled What Dreams May Come. 2001: A Space Odyssey also comes to mind, too. It is a love story that goes cosmic, breaking through the fabric of the physical world and astral science exploring a spiritual plain. I was expecting something more conventional in love stories and science fiction. The opening of the movie pretty much dashed that to the rocks but in a good way demanding my mind to loosen up and go for a ride. Mayan astronomy and a fiction being written are the vehicles for bending reality. The language is not just speech but shapes, pictures, light.
Hugh Jackman has to perform more emotion in this movie than the other characters and other parts he has played. He succeeds at showing a lot of range and selling this notion to us. Rachel Weisz plays an idea wonderfully, female characters that aren't women like the rest of us. (She mostly just has to look good and fit into the story, which can be tricky because she projects a lot of presence.) The acting is intelligent and interesting.
As for production, it is admirable. In the documentary footage of how the movie was born, Darren Aronofsky and his colleagues were on a journey that burst into something different than they had originally conceived. It is hard to decribe this film accurately. I hope these notes are helpful. It does and will provoke more and more thought for thoughtful people.
awesome movie.......2007-09-09
I love this movie. My only complaint is that the DVD seemed a little dark on my TV. I have never had that kind of problem before, so I assume that there was some sort of adjustment issue. I also recommend buying the movie soundtrack.
Love Death Rebirth Life Love Death Rebirth Life Love.......2007-09-08
Quite a telling image with Hugh Jackman resembling a cross between Timothy Leary and Buddha in the scenes of him as a 26th century explorer. The Fountain is Sci Fi meets epic romance and I'm really glad Hugh Jackman was in this role rather than the original actor cast for the part - Brad Pitt. Jackman is Tomas, Tommy, and Tom in 1500, 2000, and 2500 in a relentless search for a cure to save his love Isabella, Isabelle, Issy. The trio of characters all play into one another but are still distinct. Jackman is an international film star in his own right but his more private relationship with the papparazzi allows his thespian gifts to shine in a more opaque light. Jackman melts into the different personalities that are weaved together in The Fountain. We see his role not his celebrity life clouding a stellar performance. Being a trained actor skilled in singing and dancing makes Jackman a belivable cast of Tomas, Tommy, and Tom in a psychedelic twist of karma and fate across the centuries. He melts into the role with his muse Isabelle/Issy/Isabella whom he spends centuries trying to save. The timing of this film released at the height of Brangelina is poignat because had Brad Pitt stayed in the lead it may have been unbelievable to audiences of the character's mad devotion to stay with his wife. This is what makes the film work.
Jackman emotes well and plays a Spanish conquistador, American medical doctor, and space age explorer all in one without seeming like the same character each time. Cris crossing between three different lifetimes over a millenium to save the woman he loves The Fountain plays on karma, reincarnation, and endless love and its quest to conquer death. The ending is odd because you don't know whether he succeeds or not and it heartbreaking since it isn't clear if the lovers unite. A well done film that blends distinct story lines into a captivating tale that concludes in a unique way. I'm impressed albeit confused. All that said, mark my words, one day movie trailers will promote Academy Award Winner Hugh Jackman in films he stars in. It's evident in The Fountain that, pretty soon, fellow Australian Russell Crowe won't just be sharing the land down under with Jackman, but also an Oscar trophy.
Surprising but not for the reasons you might think.......2007-09-06
I don't think that whether I liked the film or not is particularly important. I definitely don't think it's for everyone, that's for sure. I did enjoy it to a degree but I have to admit that I liked Pi and Requiem For a Dream much better. I know that this little bit that I've written will probably get me incinerated by the Aronofsky purists but hey, I just don't consider it to be a masterpiece. Sorry if this offends anyone.
That being said, I was surprised that this HD-DVD didn't blow me away. The big visual moments in this film don't look so great in all honesty. Not in HD anyway. I was let down by the video transfer of this disc and that's not to say it looks bad but it just didn't wow me like it should've. I thought the Spain sequences looked terrific and other moments as well but I was surprised to find that the movie didn't look absolutely stunning completely throughout. If a movie like Hot Fuzz can have a gorgeous transfer, then there's no excuse here.
The extras are kind of lackluster and a bit tedious in all honesty. I think those looking for something revealing regarding the making of this film will be disappointed.
I'm recommending this one for a rental. This is not a film for everyone and not exactly the kind of HD-DVD that makes you want to invite your friends over and show off your system. And if you love this film through and through, I'd still suggest a rental because the presentation is simply disappointing.
WTF????.......2007-09-05
I had high hopes for this movie, but it just plain sucked the big dog! I tried to follow the plot.....TRIED - NO success with that. I fast forwarded through most of the crap...stopping at parts I THOUGHT would be okay. Nope!
Don't waste your time, don't waste your money, don't waste your brain power.
You would be better off flushing bills down the john while stoned rather than watching this movie.
Hugh and Racheal...shame on you. I bet secretly they didn't even get it. They are still saying to themselves, WTF was that all about?
It was about the paycheck and nothing more, Hugh and Rach!
Amazon.com
20 years is a long time in the lifeline of movie plot-arc necessities. It's also a pretty big generational stretch in the lives of audience demographics, which may be part of the reason the producers of this remake of the 1986 cult horror classic felt the need to update the original spare mano-a-mano backbone into a girl-and-mano-a-mano. The Twilight Zone-ish setup is still a pretty neat idea: regular guy on a lonely highway picks up a hitchhiker who turns out to be a psychopathic killer with some very unsettling supernatural might. Fans of the original could hardly hope for a demon villain with such creepy charisma as Rutger Hauer. But Sean Bean makes a respectable replacement, with his understated stare and stewing rage that brings a new brand of hair-raising devilry to the role of hitcher John Ryder. The lone "good guy" originated by a boyish C. Thomas Howell has been upgraded to a lovesick couple. In a twisty touch, Jim (Zachary Knighton, sorta unknown) and Grace (Sophia Bush, of One Tree Hill fame) trade gender roles, with Jim turning wimpy and feminine and Grace becoming a shotgun-toting testoster-ette. The body count's a little higher and the gore factor increased by the power of 20 (years), but some of the original film's set pieces remain much the same-- body-snapping case in point being an 18-wheeler being put to use as a old-fashioned torture rack. While the original might have placed a bit more emphasis on the philosophical and existential elements of evil passing from soul to soul, it wasn't exactly an intellectual thrill ride. Likewise, 2007's The Hitcher is no art film, and it can't be faulted for choosing fright and might for audiences that are always looking for bigger and more elaborate splats for their horror entertainment buck. And if you stick out your thumb for this one, expect plenty of splat. --Ted Fry
Description
A road trip takes a deadly turn in this terrifying thriller about a young couple (Sophia Bush and Zachary Knighton) tormented by a psychotic hitchhiker (Sean Bean) who forces them to face their fears head-on. The open road becomes a battleground of blood and metal in the race to reveal the chilling truth about this relentless killer. No one knows who he is, what he's after, or how to stop this "truly twisted villain"*. Watch the madness unfold with intense edge-of-your-seat chase sequences drive this sinister film to a deadly ending you won't soon forget!
Customer Reviews:
Great movie.......2007-08-28
Despite what people have written here, this movie is excellent. The original Hitcher is better, but this movie is also great.
DID I SEE THE SAME MOVIE AS EVERYONE ELSE?.......2007-08-27
I put off seeing this movie because of all of the negative hype on it. I rented Vacancy and The Hitcher. I watched Vacancy first. Maybe this is why I liked The Hitcher so much. I found it to be very suspenseful and entertaining. Of course there was some unbelievable events in it (shooting the helicopter while driving like a madman), but come on folks, this is just a movie!
The no-reality zone.......2007-08-24
This movie started out with a car running over a rabbit. So that's one star knocked off right there. Then for awhile I thought "Ok this movie might be pretty good." But as soon as "the hitcher" single handedly murders an entire police department, the stars kept falling off. Forget any sense of reality in this movie. This does not take place in the real world. None of the people in it act like real human beings. For instance, the two lead characters are believed to have been behind the killings so they're driving and they have about 3 or 4 cop cars behind them and a helicopter. Normally, cops don't execute people on the spot when they're in a pursuit. But these cops were aiming for the head when they started firing their guns!! And then when they kept missing, that's when they decided to aim for the tires. How freaking stupid is that??? And it gets worse! The "the hitcher" drives up behind them and manages to take out ALL the cops in their cars AND the helicopter with one little gun.
This movie is lucky it managed to get 2 stars from me. It did have some thrills. But it was just so stupid that it left me angry in the end.
We don't need a military. Just send "the hitcher" to fight our wars. He can do it all with one gun.
Excellent!!!.......2007-08-16
Before you reply I'm I on crack!!The question you should be asking yourself. Does the HD DVD look and sound great on your HDTV and your surround sound system and the answer is Yes Yes Yes!!!!.You didn't buy this movie because you didn't like it.Repeat after me you brought because it was good buy for your collection and HD DVD and DVD Version will blow your TV and Receiver on it's butt!!.The movie isn't great but it's sure entertaining watch and listen to.Enjoy!!
Sean Bean Needs More Screen Time.......2007-08-15
Having been preemptively tainted by the original performance of the 1986 version with Rutger Hauer (in a good way, Hauer was magnificent), I wasn't expecting much more other than the hope of "greater gore," which this flick definitely delivered on, especially with a "side-splitting" scene that I was happy to use my slow-frame on. Sean Bean definitely needed more screen time, much like the Australian-based thriller "Wolf Creek" managed to provide for their villain. If you're a fan of watching thriller / gore flicks for the fun of it than you will definitely enjoy yourself.
Amazon.com
With harrowing intensity, Alpha Dog dramatizes one of the most tragically notorious murders in recent history. Ripped from the headlines, writer-director Nick Cassavetes' flawed but riveting crime drama (a polar opposite to his previous film, the romantic hit The Notebook) is based on the real-life case of Jesse James Hollywood, a drug dealer in California's San Gabriel Valley who, in 2000, became one of the youngest men to appear on the FBI's Ten Most Wanted list. Names and details have been changed, but the criminal circumstances remain the same: With family links to organized crime, Johnny Truelove (Emile Hirsch) is on the warpath against Jake Mazursky (Ben Foster), a sleazebag addict who owes him money. Fate intervenes when Johnny and his stoner pals including Frankie (Justin Timberlake) encounter Jake's 15-year-old half-brother Zack (Anton Yelchin) and hold him as collateral until Jake pays his debts. What begins as a casual, seemingly harmless situation escalates into a crisis of capital crime, as Alpha Dog employs split-screen, docudrama, and mock-documentary interviews to chronicle a tragic tailspin of reckless events and lawless behavior.
Cassavetes himself became part of the real-life drama when prosecutors (hoping to locate then-fugitive Jesse James Hollywood, who was captured in 2005) gave him legally controversial access to their case files. Alpha Dog clearly benefits from this inside information, and while the film's grueling depiction of underage squalor (including rampant drug and alcohol abuse) is inevitably off-putting and at least partially exploitative, there's no denying that Cassavetes has worked wonders with a well-chosen ensemble cast including Timberlake, who contrasts his music-industry stardom with a convincing performance as a likable, not-too-bright party animal who quickly gets in over his head. The film is ultimately compromised by Cassavetes' ambitious attempt to cover too much dramatic territory, but like his father John before him, he demonstrates a remarkable skill with actors (including Sharon Stone, Bruce Willis, and Harry Dean Stanton in supporting roles), and Alpha Dog is full of powerful, dangerous moments that aren't easily forgotten. --Jeff Shannon
Description
They grew up together in the suburbs of LA, living their own version of the American dream, with every day a blur of partying and looking for the next thrill. Johnny (Emile Hirsch, Lords of Dogtown) is the leader in their sordid world of drugs, greed, power and privilege. But when he is double-crossed by another dealer, things quickly begin to spiral out of control, and an impulsive kidnapping leads to a shocking conclusion. Justin Timberlake (Edison), Sharon Stone (Bobby) and Bruce Willis (Lucky Number Slevin) co-star in this powerful and controversial film.
Customer Reviews:
Comedy Review of a serious movie.......2007-09-16
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2KTTVBBL5U8HB While this is a serious film about what was truly a terrible tragedy (look it up online...), this is a SKETCH COMEDY MOVIE REVIEW. I improv comedy while giving an honest review of the film. Also, this is a review of the film NOT the DVD (so I don't cover the extras and so forth). Please enjoy!
Other films released in theaters at the same time are also covered in this video review.
A waste of time.......2007-08-27
Absolutely horrible. What a waste. Justin Timberlake needs acting lesssons big time! The only scene worth any salt was at the end. Bad acting and poor direction blew it to hell.
Wow.......2007-08-25
I loved this movie! I thought it was awesome. Justin Timberlake was actually a good actor, and I wanted to just make fun of the movie! I thought the acting was spectacular, even though (and I know this is a true story) I think Zach should have used some of his black belt skills on Elvis when he had the chance!
Just okay.......2007-08-21
I guess this film was okay. I'm glad I didn't see this in theater. This movie was pointless. Just a bunch of kids that had nothing to do except party. Well, Alpha Dog is about a guy named Johnny, who is a drug dealer,his friend Jake owes him money. Since Jake doesn't pay. Johnny and his friends kidnap his younger brother brother. **spoiler begginning**They kill him but in the end, they all get caught, no big deal, it is a true story.**Spoiler End** This movie is not worth $20.00 bucks. Take it or leave it.
Move over Disturbia, make room for Alpha Dog.......2007-08-14
Alpha Dog is one of the better films I've seen in 2007. There is no central character as such but most characters are rather absorbing. Bruce Willis has no role in the film, Justin Timberlake was actually good but the most harrowing of acts was done by a man called Ben Foster. It's interesting because this wanna be of sorts knows he has nothing to lose - his act in the film is great. Ben Foster is very convincing as "Jake Mazursky" in this film. He's a little mad in the film, likes to take fist shots at people, will go to any length to procure drugs and to save his job. The girls in the film hardly mattered but I liked the mother who slaps Ben Foster. There are a few scenes in the film which will made me raise my left eyebrow. The end made me go gulp. Alpha Dog is worth watching - it's a pretty good tale of how things go wrong and is reminiscent of films like Juice, 11:14 and Bully - while definitely being better. Where Alpha Dog loses out is at not being as consistently forthright at "Running Scared"
Nonetheless Alpha Dog alongwith "Black Snake Moan" is one of the best films I've seen this year but "Zodiac" remains on top. Watch this and look out for Justin Timberlake.
Description
Dynamic music legends and frequent collaborators Keith Jarrett, Gary Peacock and Jack DeJohnette combine their talents for this rich, melodic performance recorded live in Tokyo at the Hitomi Memorial Hall. A number of beloved standards come to life as never before in this celebration of the past century's greatest musical accomplishments. Tracks: You Don't Know What Love Is, With a Song in My Heart, When You Wish Upon a Star, All of You, Blame It on My Youth, Love Letters, Georgia on My Mind, You and the Night and the Music, When I Fall in Love, On Green Dolphin Street, Woody'n You, Young and Foolish.
Customer Reviews:
"Standards II" a Masterpiece.......2005-09-14
As I listened to each tune the thought kept coming to mind that this is the best I've ever heard this song being played. I want to thank Jarrett, Peacock and DeJohnette for making my life so much richer.
A Different Experience Than Their Albums.......2004-01-25
I bought this DVD because I would like to see how the trio played, and also because of the music itself. The experience you get when seeing them play rather than just hearing an album with them is all the details. Keith Jarrett's dance-like movements for example. The concert is visually not so exciting, especially compared to other music DVD realeases such as Coldplay, U2 and so on. But musically it's as good as it can possibly be.
The concerts starts off with a quiet You Don't Know What Love Is, then continuing with a faster With A Song In My Heart. Then a surprise, for me at least: When You Wish Upon A Star. But that song is beutifully played, with just the right amount of the melody itself and improvisation. When I Fall In Love is also on the DVD, which is a favorite by the trio, and it's played really well here. There's also an extra song which you have to unlock every time by taking a small quiz. If you know just a little about Keith Jarrett, that shouldn't be a problem.
If you want to buy this DVD, then make sure you buy it for the right reason. Actually, I think that the "bare" albums speak more to me than this release, because you focus naturally on the three - on Keith Jarrett particularly - when watching, so if you want to hear the best music buy the albums instead. If you have never seen his style when playing, however, it is a delightful experience.
Pure soul........2000-02-16
As Keith Jarrett's biggest fan, I was delighted to find that his video opens up a whole new dimension on the man. Any Keith Jarrett fan knows how pure and ethereal his music is, but to watch him play is another world entirely.
The man oozes soul, and watching him play his piano in an almost sexual manner will give any serious fan a pleasing and enjoyable new angle to his music. VERY RECOMMENDED.
A revealing look at the work of a master jazz improvisor........1999-03-02
This video presents a live concert in Japan from 1986 featuring Keith Jarrett on piano, with Gary Peacock (bass) and Jack DeJohnette (drums). This is a great, intimate look at one of the best trios in modern jazz. It showcases Keith's brilliant, sometimes volcanic improvisations, and both the sound and video quality are excellent. You can see in this concert how inside the music Keith is, as his body literally rises and falls, following the arc of tension and release that good jazz exemplifies. This is NOT light, cocktail piano jazz; this is what jazz should be: honest, impassioned, personal, and fiery. A feast for both the ears and eyes of jazz fans.
Description
Engelbert shows why he is regarded as one of the world's top performers in this spectacular and stylish concert. Capture the excitement of a night with the King of Romance as he takes an audience through a collection of classic favorites as well as more recent hits.
Menus: English • Spanish • Chinese • Japanese
Subtitles: Spanish • Chinese • Japanese
Running Time: 81 min.
Customer Reviews:
E H Live.......2007-08-23
Earlier years of E H and performances. Always amazing, and wonderful to watch him perform and just listen to the words. To see him performing is a gift you will never forget. I cannot praise his talent enough. He has worked very hard at his profession and it shows and is appreciated by the world he travels and shares his beautiful voice with. Watch him work his magic with the audience.
Simply Electrifying!.......2007-07-21
Had totally forgot how talented he was until this came out! Brought back so many memories after 40 years! Now I have ALL the dvds available for my collection and hope there will be more soon! He has done many concerts and there should be more?? He never seems to grow old and his voice is still vintage "like a fine wine"......Get them all and watch his career unfold over time............great dvd!!!
an astonishing concert.......2004-12-30
This 1990 concert from the Hippodrome in Burlingham has a slight "bootleg" quality to its audio/video...quite a bit of fuzziness when the lighting is bright, and some feedback from the mike, but it is astonishing in its energy, and the variety of this man's talent that is displayed.
This is not "The King of Romance" in a smooth and polished performance (for that, see the "Live" concert from 1995), but rather a rowdy, raucous, brilliant and electric show from a man who truly loves his audience, and in this case it's a crowd that appreciates the sometimes bawdy aspects of this particular concert.
Some of it is laugh-out-loud hilarious; his impressions are first rate, and he does Frankie Vaughn, Liberace, tells a joke as Jerry Lewis, sings a song a la Dean Martin, and does an Elvis that is a masterpiece. He captures the voice and the body language, and with great comedic flair, takes it a few steps further.
Engelbert also sings some songs he wrote: "I Get Lonely", "Step Into My Life", "What Am I Going to do Without You", and "Someone to Love", and he also dances and plays the piano...and gives his all...and then gives more, pouring himself out to his audience, body and soul (and quite literally...as he is soaked with sweat). He is in his early 50's here, and in remarkable physical shape.
For vocal artistry there is Edith Piaf's "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)", and the encore, "I Believe", both sung with a heartfelt emotion that is contagious, and hard to listen to and keep a dry eye, and though there are other lovely songs like "This Moment in Time", and a medley of his early hits, those two songs are musically the standouts.
And then there is Ellen, a young woman from the audience who gets teased a lot, and kissed a lot. She's a really good sport, and I'm sure enjoyed every minute of it...and her husband, who was fortunately not in the audience, must love this DVD. I bet he gets teased at the local pub about it.
This is the down-home Engelbert...you'll even get a very funny midlands language lesson. It's a rare treat, from a very rare talent. Total running time is 90 minutes.
Track list:
1: "I Get Lonely"
2: "This Moment in Time"
3: "Still"
4: "The Wanderer"
5: "After the Lovin'"
6: "Release Me"
7: "Hurry Home"
8: "If You Love Me (Really Love Me)"
9: "I Can't Help Myself"
10: "Wild Thing"
11: "Step Into My Life"
12: "What Am I Going to do Without You"
13: "Someone to Love"
14: Medley ~ "Love is All I Have to Give", "Les Bicyclettes", "Quando, Quando, Quando", "There Goes My Everything", "Spanish Eyes", "The Last Waltz", "Release Me".
15: "I Believe"
Engelbert Rocks forever.......2003-02-14
Engelbert, the name screams romance and the best voice in the world. Even at the age of 66, he is still the best there is and a humble man to beat. This concert was fun to watch and the DVD was more fun to view than just a video tape.
Enjoy the best, listen to Enge.
Hugs
Lucy
Pure Fun.......2002-11-16
I have only recently discovered Engelbert Humperdinck's music, and ordered this video to round out my new collection of his CD's. He has a great sense of humor about himself and gives of himself to the audience in a free, generous way that cultivates playfulness and fun, in addition to the requisite romantic moments. The more I watch it, the more I enjoy it. His ability to belt out a ballad is impressive. I think he's a great entertainer.
Amazon.com
Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock pair up again in what could be described as the anti-Speed: The Lake House, a sweet, relaxed-paced, whimsical romance. When Alex Wyler (Reeves, The Matrix) moves into an unusual glass house on stilts over a lake, he discovers a note from the previous tenant in the mailbox--but no one's lived in the house for years. He replies and soon discovers that he's corresponding with a doctor named Kate Forster (Bullock, Miss Congeniality) who's writing from two years in the future. Their correspondence turns romantic and their paths cross in unexpected ways, but when they try to truly connect, danger looms. Though the plot of The Lake House sounds potentially static, the movie is skillfully structured and, despite some truly awful dialogue, will exert an emotional pull on anyone willing to embrace the device of the time-travelling mailbox. What the movie really demonstrates, though, is the genuine rapport between Bullock and Reeves; Reeves, though handsome, has a wooden presence--but in his few scenes with Bullock, his stiffness transforms into a palpable yearning. On-screen chemistry is slippery and hard to define, but these two have it. --Bret Fetzer
Description
A lonely doctor (Sandra Bullock) who once occupied an unusual lakeside home begins exchanging love letters with its newest resident, a frustrated architect (Keanu Reeves). When they discover that they're actually living two years apart, they must try to unravel the mystery behind their extraordinary romance before it's too late.
Customer Reviews:
Glad I decided to watch it after all!.......2007-09-15
After reading some not so good reviews I wasn't sure if I wanted to watch this movie even though I really like Sandra Bullock. Then a friend of mine suggested that I watch it because she wanted to discuss it and know what I thought about it. While watching the movie, I simply took it as it was presented and not ask "how come", "how did" like I do in a lot of movies. I enjoyed it so much that I'm buying it!
This movie makes you glad that you watched........2007-09-15
Some people expect a realistic story for a movie, but not me. I would like to be entertained and afterward would like to enjoy the happy ending since this world is such a chaotic place... So, I totally enjoyed this movie. If you like Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves and also like a happy ending, you ought to watch this movie!
It's Like Pain You Can Watch.......2007-08-28
This is one of those movies that seems like it has a neat premise, which it does, but it's executed about as skillfully as a cripple riding a half-pipe. If you enjoy predictable, ham-fisted romance with just enough of a clever twist to make yourself feel like you're more intelligent than the people who liked "Black Book," than this is the film for you! If, on the other hand, you don't enjoy having an assault of suck on all of your senses, avoid this movie at all costs.
wow.......2007-08-27
I sat in the theater watching this film...and well, I sat in the theater watching the film and tried to understand what was happening to me. The final scenes were clicking into place and all around me people were hushed into irreverent silence.
Then suddenly the actors appear on the screen in what will be the climax of the movie. Behind me an elderly lady begins to cry into her sleeve and I am over come. I too begin to sob. Huge racking waves of hysteria flood out of my body and my cheeks are wet from thick torrents of hot tears.
Here is where you need to pay attention and understand...
I am crying because this was the most ridiculous, useless, pointless, unemotional, waste of time and space, movie I have ever seen.
I am not going to tell you play by play of why, or what could have been done... or maybe it was an editing thing. The truth is that it was not in anyway, shape or form redeemable. This is that movie you see and then have forty minute fantasies of going to the actors homes personally and asking for your ten dollars back, because you certainly won't see the last three hours of your life again.
If you want a great love story with a tiny pinch of supernatural... read "The Time Travelers Wife."
The Lake House (Widescreen Edition).......2007-08-24
Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves are terrific in this movie---if only it could truly happen!
Description
When Nancy Wilson won her second Grammy in 2005 for "Outstanding Vocal Jazz Performance," it capped a great career that began when she was 15 in Columbus, Ohio. In 1961 she embarked on a recording career at Capital records that would see her second only to The Beatles in album sales on that label, topping even Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee and the Beach Boys. Two albums, "Broadway My Way" and "Hollywood My Way", made her a household name.
Nancy Wilson has never allowed herself to be classified as just a jazz singer. She has worked hard to offer her audience a wide spectrum of songs that include both jazz and the best of American popular music. She has successfully recorded over 40 albums and CDs for both the Capitol and Columbia labels. In 1991, she recorded a very successful CD "With My Lover Beside Me" with Barry Manilow, who wrote music to unpublished lyrics of Johnny Mercer, for her to record, exclusively.
Nancy Wilson, a beautiful woman who is also an actress of note, has been seen in performance many times. However, this 1993 evening of singing at the famed Blues Alley in Washington, D.C. was originally intended for A&E's "Biography" but was never released. It is a definitive evening of Nancy's, during which she performs many of her well known songs including her GRAMMY winning "How Glad I Am," "I Have Never Been To Me" and the classic "Guess Who I Saw Today?" This "ENCORE" concert presents Nancy Wilson at her memorable best.
Customer Reviews:
Not as I remembered her growin' up :(.......2007-01-04
Ahhh, the '60s and '70s! I was a mere teen! They were also the best years to acquaint myself with this gorgeous vocalist, while familiarizing myself with some of the best sung standards, ballads, and show tunes of that era, then accompanied by commendable jazz groups, big band leaders, lush orchestrations and strings arranged by such greats as Cannonball Adderley, Billy May, Oliver Nelson, Gerald Wilson, Sid Feller, and others! Sadly, those days are gone, and regretfully so has Nancy's style that I've become accustomed. This dismal show does little justice for Nancy. The poor club ambience is so dark and dreary the only people you see during the whole show is Nancy and her bassist, and an occasional profile shot of her piano player. The drummer, Roy McCurdy -- forget it. He's somewhere behind the scene, just over Nancy's left shoulder. The audience?? Absolutely no shots of the audience who occasionally applaud Nancy when she hits one of her spine tingling notes (which I can count on one hand). The poor audio engineer must have been asleep at the wheel since Nancy depends mostly on waving her microphone back and forth during her singing emitting this echoing, reverberating/wavering timbre that sometimes made my head spin. The song selection was just as dismal, and her medley of '60s/'70s hits (that made her famous) closed the show. I never much got into Nancy's music once she left Capitol Records, and there is nothing significant from her Columbia years, but seek her Japanese CDs on the Denon label, and that's as close as you get to hearing the best of Nancy, post Capitol. [Note: As an avid audiophile, I used the JAZZ CLUB audio setting on my receiver, backed by a 5.1 speaker setup, despite this item being produced in 2.0 stereo playback. Songs: Guess Who I Saw Today, Sweet Pumpkin, Save Your Love For Me, How Glad I Am, When Did You Leave Heaven, and a few medlies, timing in at 43 minutes for the complete show.
Better that than nothing.......2006-04-12
One reviewer here (Lee, from Malaysia) was right on many accounts about this DVD and Ms Wilson: Mannerisms,growling,changed voice... And yet, I had to see it! There isn't very much video stuff with Wilson to see, so I thought, Let's go! I was sure she wasn't that bad (she is very very good on her 2 last albums w. Ramsey Lewis and her RSVP album.). She isn't a young thing anymore...
The first review, on top of it, a professional one, tells us about a great career and so many records with Capitol label, blahblahblah, the usual empty stuff you can find anywhere (and I mean anywhere on the net, try it!). Did somebody thought about warning us that this DVD has both an awful sound and filming? Is it believable that such a great singer, even if she camouflaged her aging voice (but not her talent), can be seen almost only in such a bad quality product? Who filmed that? Amateurs? Hey! Please, it was intended for a biography on her... It is better not done. BUT, it is better to see that than nothing.
This DVD is for die-hard fan only. Wanna see her in something better? Try the Carnegie Hall show she did, available on DVD. Still the mannerisms, etc (she seems to do that a lot Live, not as much on albums) but a pro job. She will surprise you.
Ms Wilson has retired approx. a year ago. I truly hope that she didn't see that DVD coming out on the market... Or that she said like me: Better that than nothing...
this woman is brilliant.......2005-11-14
nancy wilson is one of the greatest singers alive.i
dont often right reviews but the only one was this
Lee eng kong. this concert captures the essence
of a remarkable artist who while yes mannered,
has an approach that is all her own. do ur
self a favor and see for yourself.
Growlin' Her Way Thru The Songs.......2005-09-14
Nancy Wilson is a beautiful woman. From her early cds on Capitol, I know she has a wonderful voice. Somewhere in the 80s, she suddenly became a very mannered singer and all the bad points are on ample display in this short concert. Why must she insist on growling her way through her songs just to sound bluesy? This results in a contorted exxpression on her face all the time. By the time this concert was staged, she has lost some of her vocal range. To compensate, she has resorted to weird phrasing in all the songs. Her hits are here but unrecognisable in the mess. In stark contrast, her Grammy-winning cd RSVP shows her in excellent voice and back to her 60s roots. Let's hope for a better concert in her next dvd if there is one.
Amazon.com
If you've grown weary of gangsta thrillers and violent depictions of thug life, ATL will hit you like a breath of fresh air. Based on a story by Antwone Fisher (writer and subject of the 2003 film that bears his name) and written by Tina Gordon Chism, it's essentially a contemporary African-American riff on American Graffiti, focusing on a group of teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, learning valuable life lessons as they strive to make a better future for themselves and their loved ones. The title refers to the airport designation for Atlanta, and that's where orphaned 17-year-old Rashad (Tip Harris, aka rapper T.I.) lives with his younger brother Anton (Evan Ross) and uncle George (Mykelti Williamson). They're poor like most Southside families, but they're making ends meet, caring for each other and forging life-long friendships with guys like the smart, ambitious Esquire (Jackie Long), transplanted New Yorker Brooklyn (Albert Daniels), and likable homeboy Teddy (Jason Weaver). On Sunday nights they hang at the Cascade roller rink, trying to impress the girls with their latest moves, and director Chris Robinson (veteran of many music videos) captures it all with casual momentum and genuine affection for his characters. A little too casual perhaps (the pacing sometimes lags), but with a lively mix of color and music, ATL manages to be positive and hopeful without sanitizing the harsher realities (including drugs and violence) of modern urban America. There are threats and obstacles to overcome, but ATL is all about potential, striving for goals and accepting responsibility for one's own actions. Between this and Get Rich or Die Tryin', which example would you prefer to follow? --Jeff Shannon
Description
Sometimes 17-year-old Rashad and his pals hang out at the Waffle House, trying to figure out what's next after they graduate. But on Sunday nights, they know what's coming. They'll be at the Cascade roller rink: laying down moves, chillin' with friends...and for a few hours leaving what's outside outside. ATL is a Sunday night fever of laughs, drama and crunk sounds. Video director Chris Robinson makes his feature debut, guiding an ensemble that includes astonishingly natural movie newcomers Tip Harris (aka rapper T.I.), Lauren London and Antwan Andre Patton (aka Big Boi of the duo OutKast).
DVD Features:
Deleted Scenes
Featurette:In the Rink- A Director's Journey. Follow Chris Robinson, the director of ATL, as we watch his feature film debut take place before your eyes, along with the excitement of the growing Atlanta music scene with hip hop rapper T.I., roller skaters , and the many diverse areas of ATL
Music Video:T.I.'s hit MTV music video "What You Know"
Theatrical Trailer
Customer Reviews:
A decent movie.......2007-09-12
This is a good film about growing up in an urban lifestyle. It has a good cast of characters and each one has a unique view and perception of not only where they came from but also, where they are heading. I expected more of a gangster tale like Menace to Society or Boyz in the Hood, but instead it was almost a black version of American Pie. I thought the end was predictable but nessesary and it tied the movie together.
A Top Level Movie!.......2007-07-20
This is one of the best movies I have ever seen in my life. It's a feel good story where each character is compelling and has a struggle to deal with. You have Rashad (T.I.) struggling to get by in life and struggling to keep his brother Ant (Evan Ross) out of trouble. Ant struggles with trying to avoid the temptation of easy money. Their Uncle George (Mykelti Williamson) struggles trying to get by in life also and trying to fill the void of their parents after their death years prior. Then you have Rashad's friends Esquire (Jackie Long), Teddy (Jason Weaver), and Brooklyn (Albert Daniels). Esquire is struggling with trying to get accepted to a prestigious school because of his parents' financial situation. Teddy is struggling with trying to finally graduate high school. And Brooklyn is struggling to decide what to do with his future. Then you have Rashad's new girl New New (Lauren London) who has a struggle of her own. Keith David turns in a solid performance as a very successful business man and Big Boi does a great job playing the drug king pin Marcus. The performances were excellent all around and the movie is powerful. The romance between Rashad and New New is a very compelling aspect about the movie. A must see for the most open minded movie watchers!
"ATL" - ain't what I thought it would be.......2007-05-20
I came across this movie on cable recently and I was surprized - I really enjoyed it. I remember this movie came out last year about the same time as "Akleelah and the Bee" - another excellent film - but based on what I saw on the commercials for it, I said, "Oh please, not ANOTHER hood movie with black kids shooting each other up" and passed on it. I went to see "Akleelah" instead because it was being promoted as a movie with positive black characters, which we need more of. I enjoyed it but now after seeing "ATL", I realized seeing either one of those movies would have been a wise choice. "ATL" was definitely marketed the wrong way and fooled a lot of people, like it did me.
Produced by Will Smith's production company, Overbrook Entertainment and based a story written by Antwone Fisher (who was himself the subject of a movie directed by Denzel Washington a few years back), "ATL" is far from being your typical black film about coming of age in the hood. It does show some instances of drug dealing and violence, but very few, and that is not the central focus of the story anyway. This is an urban tale with a message that is powerful - striving and working hard to achieve the better things in life in an honest fashion, and having some fun along the way. That includes Sunday nights at the Cascade - a popular roller rink on the southside of Atlanta, where all of the kids love to hang out and have a good time. The focal point of "ATL" is on the lives and the camaraderie of four friends who ponder their futures as they approach graduation.
Because I am not really into today's rap music, I was not too familiar with T.I., other than from his song that was a big hit last year, "What You Know". But I thought he showed wonderful potential in the starring role of Rashad, a poor, 17 year old high school kid who has a gift for art and lives with his janitor uncle because both of his parents were killed in an auto accident. He is extremely protective of his little brother, Ant (Evan Ross, Diana's son). Ant's only goal is to make big money and sport bling-bling, since he feels this is the only way he can gain some respect and attention. He decides to get on the fast track to obtain what he wants, but he's not quite ready to deal with the consequences.
The supporting cast, which includes veteran actors Keith David, Lonette McKee, Mykelti Williamson (his poetic reading later in the film blew me away) and Jason Weaver as a high school super senior, was perfectly chosen. Lauren London, who plays New New, does a great job as a sassy, ghetto-fabulous diva with a secret. She and Rashad begin dating and their relationship is a mutual one until a chance event causes the truth to unfold. Also to take note of is the intelligent, proud and driven Esquire (Jackie Long) who has dreams of going to an Ivy League college but fears because of his parents' income and his background, his opportunities will be extremely limited. Big Boi from the hip-hop duo OutKast and singer Monica also appear in the film, although Big Boi's role is way more pivotal to the storyline, while Monica simply makes a cameo appearance.
Think of this as sort of an updated, African-American version of "American Graffiti" - but one I can definitely relate to much more, with various intertwined stories of everyday life in the Georgia hood. Overall, this film speaks of dreams and aspirations - realized, potential, and yes, unachieved. "ATL" is inspirational in its own way - a humorous, touching and refreshing alternative to the typical films out there about growing up poor and black with the odds stacked against you. No, yall, you don't have to die trying to get rich. There is a better way! A must see.
LOVE ATL.......2007-05-13
I RECENTLY MOVED TO ATLANTA FROM CHICAGO(HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MOVIE) BUT I LIKE TS MOVIE. IT SPEAKS OF THE TROUBLES OF A YOUNG MAN FOM A POOR NEIGHBORHOOD STILL TRYING TO DO RIGHT WITH HIS LIFE. TI PLAYED THE ROLE OF HIS CHARACTER WELL AND I ADMIRE HIM FOR IT. WE NEED MORE MEN TO STEP AND DO THE RIGHT THING INSTEAD OF STANDING ON THE CORNER TO MAKE A QUICK BUCK
Like No Other.......2007-03-16
The movie is sooo different than what you see in the video "What You Know". I won't lie. When I saw the video, I thought the movie was going to be about that hip hop ride or die gangsta lean but when I saw it, it was completely different and I really enjoyed it. I know alot of people(younger people)are saying that it's wack b/c TI is not portraying himself as a thug, a hustla/pimp beddin down big booty chicks gold grillin' and ice chillin'(which is pretty much what most rappers talk about) But it was a great movie about everyday life as a black kid growing up in the ATL. Rashad had saved up the money that he was making as a janitor for his brother Ant. He didn't take his earnings and go out and throw some D's on his ride-he had the vision of investing into his brother, who in the end got back on the right track and "let go of all his d-boy ambitions". It sent out a good message to our youth in more than just one way as well: "You don't have to be a d-boy to have money" That right there makes this movie a hit. We need more movies like this to inspire our youth that there is more than one way to get rich and you don't have to die while tryin'to do it.
Amazon.com
People in movies just don't break out into song and dance often enough anymore--at least that's the sentiment of Anything But Love, a throwback to the Fred & Ginger era. Sweet-voiced redhead Isabel Rose plays an aspiring songbird in present-day Manhattan (in other words, she's a waitress), singing her beloved standards in a dowdy little club and auditioning for the big break. In order to learn piano, she must endure lessons from a cynical slob (Andrew McCarthy), with whom, of course, she strikes sparks. Anyone with an inclination toward old musicals will probably be willing to go the extra mile for this awkward, low-budget offering. It never really takes wing, but does have two attractions: the fresh presence of Isabel Rose (who also co-wrote the script), who's hopelessly lost in the past; and a long roster of standards from the American songbook, which are given the affection they deserve. --Robert Horton
Customer Reviews:
Anything But Love.......2007-06-11
I really enjoyed the movie. I liked the actors and the story line.
Anything But Magical.......2006-07-08
This movie (variously titled STANDARD TIME and ANYTHING BUT LOVE) really has its heart in the right place. As director Richard Cary's DVD message makes clear, his film is an attempt to re-create a modern version of the glamorous Technicolor musicals of yesteryear, where romance and magic were the order of the day.
Unfortunately, you can't make a Technicolor movie without a Technicolor budget, and this film is quite clearly operating on a shoestring. Missing the right look means the emotional tone of the film is way off as well. With two untalented leading men, that means that despite an appealing lead actress in Isabel Rose and some amusing appearances by Eartha Kitt, ANYTHING BUT LOVE is anything BUT magical.
Darn the luck.
Terrific movie.......2005-06-06
This movie is a wonderful, wonderful film. They really don't make movies like this any more. The music, the writing, the acting.... what a beautiful experience. It's one of those movies that I'll want to watch again, and again.
"You have to be able to make music together".......2005-03-25
Anything But Love is a surprisingly fresh and lively homage to the big-budget Hollywood musicals of the 1940's and 50's. Full if witty dialogue, and fresh, young actors, the movie is also absolutely gorgeous to look at, and really manages to show off New York at its dreamy, romantic best. And while the film does have some shortcomings, it can certainly be forgiven for these, as Anything But Love reeks of a sweet temperament, and is admirable for its old fashioned romantic portrayal of the suffering that one must go through to find true love. Full of earnestness and sincerity, there's no doubt that the film has been lovingly put together.
The story centers on the life and loves of Modern-day New York City cabaret singer Billie Golden (an extremely talented Isabel Rose, who also co-wrote the script) who lives in a Technicolor, Audrey Hepburn-like world of vintage 50's clothes and enchanting hairstyles. We first meet her when she is singing in a rundown, budget-like airport lounge. She's being accompanied with her daffy pianist (Sean Arbuckle), but they're not having much luck with their act: She does her best to croon through a noisy drinks blender, while aircraft fly overhead, and the audience of seniors snore and cough. Practical proprietor Sal (Victor Argo) decides a DJ might be cheaper and more popular than their old-fashioned act, so he promptly fires them.
Billie's love life is also on the rocks and while she manages to get several auditions - one for a lucrative cruise line job - she never seems to get any work. By night she waits tables at a ritzy French restaurant with her best friend Marcy (Ilana Levine), and catches glimpses of Eartha Kitt performing. Suddenly Sal shuts his lounge down for several weeks to remodel, then offers to rehire Billie if she'll accompany herself. One evening she runs into handsome high school crush Greg Ellenbogen (Cameron Bancroft), now a successful and single lawyer and they both start dating. At the same time, she decides to sign up for piano lessons to brush up on her skills. Her new teacher is Eliot Shepard (Andrew McCarthy).
Eliot shares Billie's passion for music, which Greg regards as an eccentric hobby, and it's not long before their friendly joshing gives way to the dormant attraction that is sparkling just beneath the surface; they're both "singing the same kind of music." Torn between two lovers, Billie finds herself caught between the life she thinks she wants and the dreams she feels she can't live without. How she reconciles these two needs and handles her difficult relationship with Laney (Alix Corey), her irascible widowed mom is the centerpiece of the story. As Billie sings her way through life, she fantasizes about being some kind of Hollywood showgirl and it isn't until she accidentally meets Eartha in her dressing room one night that Billie can finally decide whom she really wants.
There's no doubt that Anything But Love is totally ambitious in content and form, but the film works mainly because of the talents of singer-across Isabel Rose. While not conventionally pretty, she does have cute appeal, combined with an innocence and vitality that is totally endearing. She's also pleasingly unassuming, and she doesn't feel the need, as an authoring presence, to chew up scenery. Andrew McCarthy is also good as her ruffled, manorish piano teacher and their scenes together have a nice, almost quiet intimacy. The film has a fine, polished look from Horacio Marquinez's vividly rich cinematography to Sarah Beers's retro-glam costume design. There's absolutely nothing new or original as far as the story goes, but this hardly matters, as Anything But Love is so cute and genteel, and so absolutely charming that most viewers will walk away completely satisfied. Mike Leonard March 05.
DVD:
- Lilith Fair - A Celebration of Women in Music
- Live and Pissed
- Luther Vandross - From Luther with Love: The Videos
- Madonna - What It Feels Like for a Girl (DVD Single)
- Mahler Symphony No. 5 & Ades Aslya / Rattle, Berlin Philharmonic
- Marilyn Manson - Guns, God and Government World Tour
- Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues - The Soul of a Man
- Meatloaf - VH-1 Storytellers
- Merlefest Live: 15th Anniversary Jam
- Mike Portnoy: Progressive Drum Concepts
DVD
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| Art House & International
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| DVD
| Video
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