Prince

Purple Rain (Two-Disc Special Edition)

A young man (Prince) with a talent for music has begun a career with much promise. He meets an aspiring singer Apollonia and finds that talent alone isn't all that he needs. A complicated tale of his repeating his father's self destructive behavior losing Apollonia to another singer (Morris Day) and his coming to grips with his own connection to other people ensues.Running Time: 111 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA UPC: 085393353322

When Prince's dazzling and dynamic Purple Rain (movie and soundtrack album) and the hypnotic hit single "When Doves Cry" exploded onto the pop-culture scene in 1984, it seemed there was nothing the purple one couldn't do. The film is basically a feature-length music video, but no musician has ever had a better big-screen showcase for his many talents. The plot is really just a theme (about the son of an abusive father struggling not to continue the pattern) upon which to hang some of Prince's most dazzling songs (including "Let's Go Crazy" and the title tune), and some sizzling live-concert numbers. Apollonia Kotero is ravishing as the romantic interest, and Morris Day and the Time provide some terrific musical competition. Purple Rain is an essential artifact of the mid-'80s pop Zeitgeist. Prince took home an Oscar for the song score. --Jim Emerson

Purple Rain

Rock star Prince plays a headstrong vulnerable young musician known as "the kid." He struggles with his own psyche and family pressures ofan alcoholic father who beats his mother. He sees his father's madness infecting both his music and his own personal life.Running Time: 111 min.System Requirements:Interactive Menus Production Notes Soundtrack Remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 Theatrical Trailer Scene Access Subtitles: English French & Spanish Pan & Scan Standard version has been modified from its original version; it has been formatted to fit your screen English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Video Format: Standard 1.33:1 (4.3) Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: R UPC: 085391139829

When Prince's dazzling and dynamic Purple Rain (movie and soundtrack album) and the hypnotic hit single "When Doves Cry" exploded onto the pop-culture scene in 1984, it seemed there was nothing the purple one couldn't do. The film is basically a feature-length music video, but no musician has ever had a better big-screen showcase for his many talents. The plot is really just a theme (about the son of an abusive father struggling not to continue the pattern) upon which to hang some of Prince's most dazzling songs (including "Let's Go Crazy" and the title tune), and some sizzling live-concert numbers. Apollonia Kotero is ravishing as the romantic interest, and Morris Day and the Time provide some terrific musical competition. Purple Rain is an essential artifact of the mid-'80s pop Zeitgeist. Prince took home an Oscar for the song score. --Jim Emerson

The History of Rock and Roll

Ten titanic hours of the greatest rock extravaganza ever! This definitive 10-part documentary covers rock 'n' roll history from its humble beginnings in the '50s to Lollapalooza in the '90s. Fans can experience their favorite rock 'n' roll moments all over again through hundreds of exclusive interviews classic footage and unforgettable in-concert performances from rock 'n' roll's biggest stars. A must-own for any rock 'n' roll fan!System Requirements:Running Time 578 Mins.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/MISC. Rating: NR UPC: 085393499129 Manufacturer No: 34991

Serving as an introduction for neophytes and a refresher course for experts, The History of Rock and Roll is a mammoth and, when considered on its own terms, frequently successful undertaking. The series, which was first presented in 1995, consumes some 578 minutes, with 10 episodes (there are no bonus features) spread out over five discs. Its pedigree (executive producers include Quincy Jones, while respected writers Peter Guralnick and Greil Marcus are listed as consultants) is impressive, as is its scope, beginning in the pre-rock days of bluesman Muddy Waters and boogie woogie master Louis Jordan and continuing through the death of Kurt Cobain and the birth of the Lollapalooza festival in the mid-1990s. Along the way, dozens of big-name performers (with the notable exception of the Beatles) are on hand to lead us through the story.

On the minus side, the format--clips of musical performances cut short by a parade of talking heads--while typical of the genre, will frustrate those who come for the music alone. Nor is it likely that anyone who studies such things will find much here that hasn't already been seen. To be sure, there are some terrific moments, like the profile of Bob Dylan (in part 5, "Plugging In"), some cool clips of relatively obscure legends like James Burton and T-Bone Walker (in part 7, "Guitar Heroes"), and rarely seen live bits with Jimi Hendrix, Steely Dan, Iggy Pop (goofing on the Dinah Shore Show in '77), and many others scattered throughout the set. Part 8, which chronicles the '70s, is surprisingly compelling (one forgets how many major artists--Bruce Springsteen, Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder--came into their own in a decade remembered largely for disco and faceless arena rock), while part 9, "Punk," is arguably the most entertaining of the lot.

In the end, it's the lack of complete musical performances that is the set's Achilles' heel. Then again, with their appetites whetted here, perhaps viewers will move on to other, more detailed looks at their heroes--beginning with, say, The Beatles Anthology. --Sam Graham

Under the Cherry Moon

Kristin Scott Thomas (The English Patient) made her film debut swapping spit with Prince in this vanity piece directed by the rock legend himself. Prince plays a self-styled gigolo and musician in the south of France, and unlike his interesting grimness in Purple Rain, his character's affect is like one big, walking smirk here. Shot in black and white, the film is handsome enough to look upon for awhile. But even for people who admire Prince for his prodigious musical talents, the Song of Myself stuff in the movie is overwhelming. --Tom Keogh

Graffiti Bridge

A sort of fairy-tale sequel to Prince's enormously successful Purple Rain, 1990's Graffiti Bridge finds his purple highness not only singing and acting, but writing and directing, too. His performance suffers on all fronts. The film isn't a disaster, but it's safe to predict completist fans will make up most of its viewers. In the earlier film, Prince (known as the Kid) was fighting for his place on stage. This time he's fighting to keep his club safe from the money-grubbing hands of his musical rival, the Time's Morris Day, now a nightclub mogul. Day embodies spiritual, sexual, and economic corruption, while the Kid stands for salvation through music and a more redemptive form of lust.

The graffiti bridge conceit--a metaphor for a place of rejuvenation and artistic inspiration--is intriguing. Unfortunately, the bridge itself is merely a prop in a Paisley Park soundstage. Where Purple Rain was a movie that set new standards for lensing musical performances, Graffiti Bridge feels like a music video masquerading as a movie. Lucky for us, Prince cast the honey-voiced poet and performer Ingrid Chavez as Aura, part muse and part angel to both Day and the Kid. Her beauty and charisma ignite every frame she graces. --Michael Mikesell

Girl 6

Girl 6 is a young actress trying to make it in New York. When work and money are scarce she becomes a phone sex operator to pay the rent and embarks on a fantastic roller-coaster journey of self-discovery.System Requirements:Running Time: 107 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY Rating: R UPC: 013131377293 Manufacturer No: DV13772

Perhaps only Spike Lee could make a dignified yet extremely funny comedy-drama about phone sex. Theresa Randle (Bad Boys) is the title character, a hard-working actress who becomes addicted to this peculiar form of safe sex (the movie is verbal, not physical, in that department) at a high-class New York agency. Throughout the film, Girl 6 (she's unnamed beyond this) sports a dazzling array of new looks, hairstyles, and clothes. Randle radiates every step of the way. Lee even delivers on fantasy elements when Girl 6 finds herself in a send-up of blaxploitation films and a keen lampoon of The Jeffersons (the three-minute sequence is better than any planned TV-to-movie film that may come along). Revelations about Girl 6's life are brought out through her ex-husband (Isaiah Washington), who, in his very flawed but honest way, plans to reunite with her. Better yet are conversations with the next-door neighbor (Spike Lee, doing some of his best work). Solitary, experimental, with plenty of delicious cameos (including Madonna), Girl 6 is playwright Suzan-Lori Parks's first screenplay. Similar in tone to Lee's debut, She's Gotta Have It, Girl 6 also boasts an energetic mix of old and new songs by Prince and, as always with Lee, colorful camerawork. An alleyway kiss near the end is a great romantic image. --Doug Thomas

Prince - The Hits Collection

Prince- Rave un2 The Year 2000

Back in 1983, Prince emphatically described how he was going to bring in the new millennium. Still, who knew "1999" would be so prophetic? Who knew Prince would still be around to make good on his promise? It's doubtful you were sitting home, watching a pay-per-view special on the last night of 1999, but know this: The Artist, Prince--whatever he's calling himself on a daily basis--understands how to throw one amazing party. This DVD not only presents the entire 21-song pay-per-view in its entirety, but also includes behind-the-scenes interviews and adds additional jams featuring Jimmy Russell, bassist Larry Graham, and George Clinton. Clinton is the key figure here, because over the last decade, Prince has essentially followed in the funk master's footsteps. Rather than just fronting a band (as he did with the Revolution and New Power Generation), Prince is now more of a bandleader. Here, surrounded by legends like Maceo Parker and members of Sly and the Family Stone, Prince displays the graciousness of a sideman, showcasing the musicians on his crowded stage. He offers backup vocals on the Family Stone's "Everyday People," and then plays cheerleader on "I Want to Take You Higher." Prince even gives up his stage to Lenny Kravitz for "American Woman," and to the Time for energetic, tongue-in-cheek versions of the hits "Jungle Love" and "The Bird." When taking center stage, Prince shows he hasn't lost a step either. His guitar playing on "Purple Rain," for example, is some of his strongest in years. All told, this is the best Prince concert film we've had since Sign O' the Times. --Dave McCoy

The Artist performs music from his critically-acclaimed album "Rave Un2 the Joy Fantastic," as well as selections from his vault of smash hits and pop classics. Filmed at Paisley Park Studio in Minneapolis, where a multi-piece band, including legendary bass player Larry Graham and members of the Family Stone, join the Artist and his special guests in this spectacular historical event. Songs: Let's Go Crazy, She's Always in My Hair, U Got the Look, Kiss, Jungle Love (Morris Day and the Time), The Bird (Morris Day and the Time), American Woman (Lenny Kravitz), Fly Away (Lenny Kravitz), Get Off, Medley (Rosie Gaines, Mike Scott, Maceo Parker), It's Alright, Everyday People (Cynthia Robinson, Gerry Martini), Higher, Purple Rain, The Christ, Blues Medley (Maceo Parker, Johnny Blackshire), Nothing Compares 2 U, Take Me With U/Raspberry Beret, The Greatest Romance Ever Sold, Baby Knows, Baby I'm a Star, 1999.

PRINCE & MICHAEL JACKSON - Music Videos on DVD

MICHAEL JACKSON Bad Billy Jean Black Or White Gone Too Soon Heal The World Hold Me Jam Remember The Time Smooth Criminal The Way You Make Me Feel Thriller PRINCE Automatic Boys & Girls Controversy Dirty Mind I Wanna Be Your Lover Let's Pretend We Are Married Little Red Corvette Money Don't Matter Pretty Mind Raspberry Beret Sexuality Uptown Why You Wanna Treat Me So Bad You Need Another Lover

Purple Rain [Region 2]

When Prince's dazzling and dynamic Purple Rain (movie and soundtrack album) and the hypnotic hit single "When Doves Cry" exploded onto the pop-culture scene in 1984, it seemed there was nothing the purple one couldn't do. The film is basically a feature-length music video, but no musician has ever had a better big-screen showcase for his many talents. The plot is really just a theme (about the son of an abusive father struggling not to continue the pattern) upon which to hang some of Prince's most dazzling songs (including "Let's Go Crazy" and the title tune), and some sizzling live-concert numbers. Apollonia Kotero is ravishing as the romantic interest, and Morris Day and the Time provide some terrific musical competition. Purple Rain is an essential artifact of the mid-'80s pop Zeitgeist. Prince took home an Oscar for the song score. --Jim Emerson