Ricker, Bruce

Tony Bennett - The Music Never Ends (Two-Disc Special Edition) [Region 2]

A class act in every respect, Tony Bennett deserves the same in a documentary tribute, and The Music Never Ends is just that, an 87-minute compilation of music and words that's as likably modest as the octogenarian singer himself. Born in New York in 1926, the former Anthony Benedetto grew up during the Depression, served in World War II, hit the big time in the 1950s, marched in Selma, Alabama with Martin Luther King, Jr., faded from the scene during the rock-dominated '60s, became an estimable painter, and then, with son Danny as his manager, staged a revival that earned him many young fans and continues to this day. All of that is detailed (by celeb talking heads like Harry Belafonte, Martin Scorsese, Mel Brooks, and Alec Baldwin, as well as various critics and pundits) in the film, but the most entertaining content, of course, is the music. There are concert and television performances spanning more than half a century, from "Boulevard of Broken Dreams" in '53 to Monterey in '05 (his gig at that year's Jazz Festival occupies a second disc, with bits and pieces scattered throughout the main documentary); we see Bennett at the Grand Ol' Opry in '55 (singing Hank Williams' "Cold Cold Heart"), on several TV talk fests (including a wonderful, if too short, clip with the great jazz pianist Bill Evans on The Tonight Show), and even on Saturday Night Live, in an amusing bit with Baldwin impersonating Bennett and "Anthony Benedetto" as one of his talk show guests. The presentation is pretty impressive, too: the composers and lyricists of every song are identified, Clint Eastwood co-produced (the principal bonus feature is an informal conversation between the two), Anthony Hopkins narrates, and medleys of several songs (including the inevitable "I Left My Heart in San Francisco") combine Bennett performances from different eras; two especially delightful sequences intersperse Bennett's versions of "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and "I Got Rhythm" with clips from films featuring Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly, respectively. Hot stuff. --Sam Graham

Clint Eastwood presents a documentary on the extraordinary career of one of music's greats: Tony Bennett. Bennett is considered to be one of the greatest living singers in American popular music and this film reflects all that he has accomplished while living against the background of a changing America. The 90-minute film weaves archival footage with contemporary clips of Bennett performing live throughout his career including him singing his famous hits "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" and "For Once in My Life". Peppered throughout the film are interviews with celebrities reminiscing about their favorite moments with the legendary singer. It is a story of integrity winning over adversity...and of art triumphing over all.Running Time: 123 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: DOCUMENTARIES/BIOGRAPHY UPC: 883929008384 Manufacturer No: 1000036791

Eastwood After Hours (Live at Carnegie Hall)

Dirty Harry--jazz fan? Perhaps not, but the man who brought him to life sure is, as this 106-minute concert and tribute to Clint Eastwood makes apparent. As a director (and occasional pianist), Eastwood has made no secret of his passion for jazz, using it in films as diverse as Play Misty for Me, Unforgiven, The Bridges of Madison County, and of course Bird, his Charlie Parker biopic. In 1996 a stellar group of musicians, both veterans (pianists Kenny Barron and Jay McShann, singer Jimmy Scott, saxophonist Charles McPherson) and relative youngsters (saxophonist Joshua Redman, singer Kevin Mahogany, Eastwood's son Kyle on bass), assembled in New York to play the music and pay homage to the man. The repertoire is solid, the performances outstanding; but what really sets this program apart is its frequent but understated commingling of film clips with the music itself, to evocative, humorous, and entertaining effect. This one's a keeper. --Sam Graham

On October 17 1996 veteran and contemporary jazz greats gathered for a select soiree on the stage of New York's Carnegie Hall saluting a guy more noted for making popular films than for making sweet music. But as any fan of Clint Eastwood especially after he started directing 30 years ago will attest the award-winning star is also an inveterate jazz lover who has uniquely integrated that musical form into the scores of his films. Join Joshua Redman Christian McBride Flip Phillips Charles McPherson James Rivers Slide Hampton Hank Jones Thelonious Monk Jr. the Kyle Eastwood Quartet the Carnegie Hall Jazz Band and more for this scintillating celebration of film and music.Running Time: 107 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MISCELLANEOUS/SPECIAL INTEREST UPC: 085393726324

The Last of the Blue Devils - The Kansas City Jazz Story

Kansas City in the 1930s was a wild, wide-open place. Under political boss Tom Pendergast, the booze flowed freely, prostitution and gambling flourished, and the Depression pretty much passed the city by, making it an ideal spawning ground for some great music. Pianist-bandleader Count Basie, saxophone immortals Lester Young and Charlie Parker, and blues belters Big Joe Turner and Jimmy Rushing were all working there, along with a host of lesser- known but equally formidable musicians, and they all played the blues, Kansas City style.

Director Bruce Ricker's 90-minute The Last of the Blue Devils chronicles the 1979 reunion of many of these legendary players, combining interviews, vintage film footage, photos, and some inimitably swinging performances by Basie, Turner, pianist Jay McShann, and many others to create an intimate, good- natured portrait of what one old-timer calls the "cool, relaxed sound" of the city. The camaraderie among these men, all of whom are colorful raconteurs (drummer Ernie Williams's harangues to some bemused local kids are especially entertaining), is palpable. But it's the music, unsurprisingly, that's the main attraction; performances include some familiar tunes, like Turner's "Shake, Rattle & Roll" and a Basie big band version of "Night Train" (featuring tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest, the tune's composer) that's as greasy as the local barbecue. The Last of the Blue Devils is an absolute delight. --Sam Graham

Clint Eastwood - Out of the Shadows

Bruce Ricker's documentary Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows offers an entertaining, in-depth look at this American icon. It's hard to believe now, but there was a time when Clint Eastwood and his films were casually dismissed by critics as inconsequential pop tripe. This film explores Eastwood's career from his early days as a stock player on the Universal lot to his seven years on TV's Rawhide, and his breakout hits with Italian spaghetti westerns through his eventual acceptance by the critical cognoscenti as an elder statesman of film. Punctuated with great interviews and priceless home movies and outtake footage, this film is sure to make any Eastwood fan's day. --Kristian St. Clair

Hollywood careers are full of make-or-break moments. For Clint Eastwood one such moment came when studio powers agreed to let him make his directing debut with "Play Misty for Me" - provided he would direct for free. Eastwood didn't hesitate to agree. That story and others comprise this portrait of the famed Hollywood icon narrated by Morgan Freeman. From bit roles to Oscar gold from 16-year-old barroom pianist to jazz emissary from Dirty Harry controversy to Western classics to "Space Cowboys" Eastwood's career is explored via a captivating array of film clips interviews and more.Running Time: 87 min.System Requirements:Running Time 87 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: ACTION/ADVENTURE Rating: NR UPC: 085392151424

American Masters {Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows} [Region 2]

Bruce Ricker's documentary Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows offers an entertaining, in-depth look at this American icon. It's hard to believe now, but there was a time when Clint Eastwood and his films were casually dismissed by critics as inconsequential pop tripe. This film explores Eastwood's career from his early days as a stock player on the Universal lot to his seven years on TV's Rawhide, and his breakout hits with Italian spaghetti westerns through his eventual acceptance by the critical cognoscenti as an elder statesman of film. Punctuated with great interviews and priceless home movies and outtake footage, this film is sure to make any Eastwood fan's day. --Kristian St. Clair

American Masters {Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows} [Region 2]

Bruce Ricker's documentary Clint Eastwood: Out of the Shadows offers an entertaining, in-depth look at this American icon. It's hard to believe now, but there was a time when Clint Eastwood and his films were casually dismissed by critics as inconsequential pop tripe. This film explores Eastwood's career from his early days as a stock player on the Universal lot to his seven years on TV's Rawhide, and his breakout hits with Italian spaghetti westerns through his eventual acceptance by the critical cognoscenti as an elder statesman of film. Punctuated with great interviews and priceless home movies and outtake footage, this film is sure to make any Eastwood fan's day. --Kristian St. Clair