Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on November 1st, 2003
I can sum up my feelings about the documentary “Stevie” with one word; “uneven”. Some portions of the film are surprising, touching and moving. Other portions, however, leave the viewer feeling a little sick, wondering how anyone could feel sorry for a person as desperately evil as Stevie.
In the end, all of the various problems with this film rest solely on the shoulders of its director. By bringing cameras into Stevie’s world, he has colored it, and made it something different than what it would otherwise...be. One of the greatest challenges facing documentary directors is the issue of how to capture the story while not affecting its outcome. James ignores this issue completely, however, and eagerly thrusts himself in front of the camera, actively engaging himself in the lives of his subjects.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 30th, 2003
dc Talk is a bit of an anomaly in the growing Christian music scene. While not necessarily a group that crosses over into the mainstream, they have grown into about as big of a Christian music act as they can become. The group is made up of three members, each one unique in their musical style and talents. The rock, rap and pop influences they bring together blend to create something new and unique. Backed by a full band, dc Talk has created a live show that rivals most major mainstream acts.
Welcome to th... FreakShow is a concert video, shot during the support tour for the group’s “Jesus Freak” album. Footage from the show is intercut with backstage footage, interview segments, and scenes from different stops on the European leg of the tour. These bonus segments help to break up the show into something that is more enjoyable for home viewing than just a standard concert performance.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 29th, 2003
In his directorial debut, Matt Dillon gives us a character driven story with fantastic cinematography and numerous plot twists. Matt Dillon, better known for his role in teen flicks and his over the top performance in “There’s Something about Mary” definitely can add another credential to his Hollywood portfolio – actor and director. It just seems funny that in his directorial debut he features himself as the main character.
Dillon plays Jimmy Cremmins, a New York con artist, whom in the wake of a huge in...urance scam finds the FBI looking for him. He escapes America and goes to Cambodia to search for his con artist mentor Marvin (James Cann). In his journey he meets many interesting people including Kaspar – one of Marvin’s henchmen (well played by Stellan Skarsgard), the sleazy hotel owner (Gerard Depardieu) and the beautiful English art restorer (Natascha McElhone). Jimmy learns that his associates have kidnapped Marvin and held for ransom, he must try to find him.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 26th, 2003
At a time when the women’s liberation movement was picking up steam, Hollywood was changing the kinds of stories they told, and some of films most beloved personalities were aging and leaving the spotlight, the stars aligned perfectly for Stanley Donen to make the incredibly charming “Charade”. Both a send-up of James Bond films and a genuinely engaging mystery, “Charade” was the perfect film at the perfect time.
The story revolves around a young woman (played by the graceful and immensely likeable Audre... Hepburn) who finds that her husband has been murdered, and that the people who are responsible now want something from her… only she doesn’t know what it is. One man (played by the dashing Cary Grant) emerges to help her, but even he may not be who he appears. The whole mismatched crew rambles along together, in an attempt to discover what, and where, this elusive mystery item is... before it’s too late.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 26th, 2003
Revenge is the theme of what many people consider H.G. Clouzot’s finest film, the 1955 thriller “Diabolique”. This is the story of two women who want to kill the same man. One is his kind and gentle wife, and the other is his attractive but hard-hearted mistress. The two work together to end his life, devising a plan that comes to fruition surprisingly early in the film. What initially appears to be a film about the plotting of a murder turns into a film about something else… something more sinister and unexpected. A... the two realize that the man they mean to kill may not be dead after all, their dread and terror escalates, as does the tension on the screen.
Clouzot’s real life spouse, Vera Clouzot, plays the part of the mild mannered wife, and she does so superbly. I really cannot say enough about her performance in this film. She is reason enough to watch the film, but the engaging plot and thrilling finale make it even better. Criterion brings us a true classic of early French cinema, with “Diabolique”.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 25th, 2003
You don’t necessarily have to be a fan of Big Beat or Electronica music to enjoy this DVD, but it probably helps. Luckily for me, I’m a fan of the genre, and I’m an especially avid fan of Norman Cook, A.K.A. Fatboy Slim. He is an artist that has an uncanny appeal to young and (hip) old alike. Even still, I had my doubts about just how interesting it could be to watch other people dancing and having a good time, while a DJ spins records.
Lucky for me, this DVD follows the same “just have fun” attitude that ...ook’s music does, providing a truly entertaining disc. It’s one thing to think about a large number of people going to a free concert on the beach, it’s another to hear that there were about 250,000 people there. It’s still another thing to see it yourself, and actually try to wrap your brain around the scene. A quarter of a million people, on an average day, meet at the beach at sunset for no reason at all, except to dance and be happy. Wow. This is really cool stuff.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 24th, 2003
It Runs in the Family is a film that combines three generations of the Douglas family – patriarch Kirk Douglas, son Michael Douglas and grandson Cameron Douglas (Michael’s son from his 1st marriage). It’s not clear how much this movie resembles their real-life problems but chances are the emotions involved are quite similar.
The movie follows the story of the Grombergs. Mitchell Gromberg (Kirk Douglas) is the founder of the law firm that his son Alex (Michael Douglas) works at. Alex is quickly involved in...an affair with a fellow volunteer at a soup kitchen (Sarita Choudhury). This is an event that gets the movie rolling.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 24th, 2003
The biggest band in the world did something completely revolutionary on their 2001 tour… they took a step back.
In the eighties and nineties, U2 was a band that became big. Huge. Their shows grew from arenas to stadiums, incorporating massive special effects, a giant lemon-shaped disco ball, and the largest video screen ever. As the productions grew, however, so did the costs, until the band was barely breaking even on the road, despite enormous audiences and absurd ticket prices. After some time off and a...new album, the band returned to the arenas where they first hit it big. This DVD set features the Boston, MA show from the Elevation tour in its entirety. The performance is not only fantastic, but completely honest and real. It is, as the saying goes, all that you can’t leave behind.
Posted in: Disc Reviews by Archive Authors on October 23rd, 2003
It has taken years to finally get a block-buster Hulk film produced, and the outcome has received mixed reviews. Grossing $132 million in the domestic box-office is usually nothing to sneeze at, but considering it cost $150 million to make the Hulk, it must still be looked at as disappointing. Many would argue that the animation was unrealistic, other would argue that it was amazing… each to their own. I, myself, found the film quite disappointing. I found the animation far too overdone, and the story to be lack...uster. I did really appreciate Ang Lee’s direction, but that is about as far as my praise will go for this film.
For those of you who have been stuck under a rock for the past 20 years, here is the basic storyline…
Posted in: Game Reviews by Archive Authors on October 22nd, 2003
Tenchu 3: Wrath of Heaven continues the adventures of Rikimaru, and his ongoing battle with the evil sorcerer Tenrai, taking place one year after the original Tenchu. This time there is 3 playable characters, Rikimaru along with Ayame, and Tesshu (doctor by day, assassin by night). Fans of the first 2 original Tenchu games have nothing to worry about as developer K2 has improved upon every aspect of the game.
Graphics
![U2 - Elevation Tour 2001 - Live from Boston [Region 2] dvd cover art](https://upcomingdiscs.com/ecs_covers/u2-elevation-tour-2001-live-fro-large.jpg)
