Shine a Light
from Paramount
Martin Scorsese leaps into the madness of the Rolling Stones' organization in Shine a Light, barely controlling (in a most entertaining way) a documentary that culminates in the Stones' best concert on film. The movie's highly entertaining, pre-performance prologue finds a frazzled Scorsese trying to get a clue about the band's plans for a very special New York City date in 2006, a benefit hosted by Bill and Hillary Clinton. While Mick Jagger quibbles over concepts for the stage's set and peruses lists of possible songs to include in the show, Scorsese tries to figure out how to shoot something for which he has few production details. Everything falls into place eventually, and after an extraordinary meet-and-greet scene in which Jagger, Keith Richards, Ron Wood, and Charlie Watts catch up with the Clintons and sweetly introduce themselves to Hillary's mom, the Stones launch into a set that leans less heavily than usual on their greatest hits canon. Longtime fans are sure to appreciate the wealth of generally-untapped material from Let It Bleed ("You Got the Silver," "Live With Me"), Exile On Main Street ("All Down the Line," "Loving Cup"), and Some Girls ("Faraway Eyes," "Just My Imagination"). Jack White, Christina Aguilera, and Buddy Guy are on hand for memorable collaborations, but the Stones all alone are truly on fire in the relatively intimate setting of a small theater. Among the highlights is a sexy and even thrilling call-and-response between Jagger and ace backup singer Lisa Fischer on "She Was Hot," Richards' gracious and expansive solo on "Connection," and Jagger's witty take on "Some Girls" (which manages to skip over the controversial verse about "black girls"). Throughout the show, Scorsese and an army of camera operators cover the action from every conceivable angle, which results not so much in another hyperkinetic concert film but rather in the kind of graceful, flattering portrayal of a great band that the director mastered with The Last Waltz. --Tom Keogh
Deadwood - The Complete Third Season
by Michael Almereyda
from Home Box Office (HBO)
(Rolling Stone) "The Best Drama on Television" is back with the third season on DVD! Timed to coincide with Father's Day HBO will release Deadwood: The Complete Third Season DVD on June 12 2007. Watch as the lawless era of Deadwood comes to an end. This DVD is loaded with bonus features including two featurettes audio commentaries and more.Running Time: 720 min.Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: TELEVISION/SERIES & SEQUELS Rating: NR UPC: 026359321726 Manufacturer No: 93217
The final complete season of HBO's remarkable Deadwood series is full of surprises and devastating experiences as the nascent, dangerous town prepares to join Dakota territory in 1877. As in the previous two seasons, the question of who will control the town's resources, assets, and people drives much of the drama, affecting all manner of relationships and alliances, often between the most unlikely people. The dominant storyline in Deadwood: The Complete Third Season concerns upcoming elections for mayor and sheriff of the mucky, gold-mining town. The real juice, however, is not so much between the individuals running for office as between two power brokers each trying to steer the results toward their own purposes. Saloon owner and Deadwood's puppetmaster, Al Swearengen (Ian McShane sustaining his brilliant peformance in the previous two seasons), works closely with incumbent lawman Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) on retaining the latter's seat. But Bullock himself has difficulty surrendering his penchant for taking unambiguous action and relying on few words, especially when he has to act like a politician and deal with people such as George Hearst (Gerald McRaney, playing the real-life father of William Randolph Hearst). Swearengen's rival, Hearst--a self-made industrialist who gained his fortune through mining--has every intention of overtaking Deadwood, with his eye particularly on the lucrative mine owned by Bullock's former lover, Alma (Molly Parker). (The violence Hearst employs to get to Alma's claim will stun many Deadwood fans.)
Meanwhile, Bullock's old friend, Sol Starr (John Hawkes), runs for mayor against the feckless E.B. Farnum (William Sanderson), and tries to navigate through his difficult relationship with Trixie (Paula Malcomson) as she grows enraged by former lover Swearengen's manipulation of her and everyone else. Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert) is encouraged to become a public speaker, telling of her misadventures with General George Custer, and she commences a lesbian relationship with Joanie (Kim Dickens), the saloon owner who is becoming increasingly despondent and suicidal. Bullock's relationship with his wife, Martha (Anna Gunn) continues to deepen and become more of an influence on him, Wyatt Earp comes for a visit, and a newcomer to town, Jack Langrishe (Brian Cox), an old friend of Swearengen, attempts to open a theatre. As expected, the season finale concludes with the long-awaited election, but HBO's decision to bring Deadwood to an end required creator David Milch to wrap everything up in a pair of two-hour movies. Still, The Complete Third Season is very satisfying on every level, and will always be, along with the rest of the series, a television landmark. --Tom Keogh
Crossroads: Eric Clapton Guitar Festival 2007
from Rhino Records
The second Crossroads Guitar Festival a day-long concert featuring legendary music and collaborations was held on July 28 2007 to benefit the Crossroads Centre in Antigua. Filmed in HD Rhino has captured the event for release on 2-disc DVD thefollow-up to 2004 s Crossroads Guitar Festival DVD that has been certified 8X platinum.The Festival showcased a wide range of styles Rock Blues and Country Featuring Eric Clapton Jeff Beck Robert Cray Sheryl Crow Vince Gill Buddy Guy B.B. King Los Lobos John Mayer Willie Nelson Robert Randolph Robbie Robertson Derek Trucks Jimmie Vaughan Johnny Winter Steve Winwood and more.Highlights included Clapton regrouping with Blind Faith band mate Steve Winwood a virtuosic instrumental set from Jeff Beck Vince Gill performing along with Sheryl Crow and Willie Nelson Robbie Robertson s rare concert appearance John Mayer s bluesy set Clapton s own set featuring Derek & The Dominos material plus a tribute to George Harrison with a performance of his It s A Pity and Buddy Guy closing the show in his hometown with an all-star jam on Sweet Home Chicago. Since its inception Clapton s vision for the Crossroads Guitar Festival has been to create an event where his friends andcontemporaries can have fun and jam together for the benefit of a good cause. The Crossroads Festival is the realization of a dream for me to gather a group of amazingly talented musicians to perform on one stage said Clapton. The Crossroadsperformers are all musicians I admire and respect. Royalties from the sale of this DVD will benefit Crossroads Centre AntiguaFormat: DVD AUDIO Genre: MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS UPC: 603497987764 Manufacturer No: 352124
A lot of good (and some great) music for a worthy cause takes center stage once again as Eric Clapton hosts the second edition of his Crossroads Guitar Festival, a benefit for his Crossroads Centre rehab facility in Antigua and a near embarrassment of six-string riches occupying two discs. Staged in suburban Chicago in July, 2007, it features several of the same players who were at the first concert (2004, in Dallas), including Robert Cray, Buddy Guy, B.B. King, John Mayer, Vince Gill, John McLaughlin, and Robert Randolph. They're all in fine form, but it's those appearing for the first time who make the biggest impressions. Derek Trucks, who performs on his own, with his wife (Susan Tedeschi, herself an excellent blues guitarist), and backing several other artists (including a frighteningly decrepit-looking Johnny Winter), is a strikingly versatile young player. On the other end of the generational spectrum, the veteran Albert Lee spins out a series of stupefyingly swift licks on "Country Boy," while Jeff Beck is, well, Jeff Beck, at age 63 still inarguably one of the most original musicians to ever strap on a Stratocaster. While most of the others are content to play straight blues or blues-derived rock, Beck sounds as if he's riding a spaceship with strings, wringing sounds out of his instrument that defy understanding, let alone imitation; backed by ace drummer Vinnie Colaiuta and 22-year-old Tal Wilkenfeld, who may be the most exciting electric bassist to emerge since Jaco Pastorius, Beck delivers versions of "'Cause We've Ended as Lovers" and "Big Block" that are the highlights of the show. Elsewhere, Clapton, as is his wont, rises to the occasion in the presence of his peers and plays with considerable passion, even if his "reunion" with Steve Winwood lacks fire (mostly due to the lackluster nature of their Blind Faith-era material, other than the lovely "Can't Find My Way Home"). In the end, one might wish for more good songs, as opposed to opportunities for extended soloing, but even diehard axe-heads will surely be satiated after some four hours of hot licks. As for everyone else, well, that's why God invented the fast forward button. --Sam Graham
Celtic Woman - A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle, Ireland
from Manhattan Records
Live concert performance featuring Celtic Woman.
No Track Information Available
Media Type: DVD
Artist: CELTIC WOMAN
Title: NEW JOURNEY
Street Release Date: 01/30/2007
Genre: CELTIC
Celtic Woman, the PBS sensation, returns for 2007 in A New Journey: Live at Slane Castle, Ireland. Most of the elements return as well: vocalists Chloe, Meav, Lisa, and Orla; fiery fiddler Mairead; music director David Downes; chorus and orchestra; and the New Age-y Celtic and traditional music. New for this show is New Zealand vocalist Hayley Westenra, a picturesque outdoor location, and an almost entirely new song list. Chloe sings "The Prayer" (made famous by Josh Groban) and "Panis Angelicus"; Lisa covers "Caledonia," "The Blessing," and "The Voice"; Orla sings "Newgrange" and accompanies herself on harp for "Carrickfergus"; Meav sings "Dulaman"; Mairead plays "Granuaile's Dance" and "Shenandoah: The Pacific Slope"; and Hayley sings "Scarborough Fair" by herself and duets with Mairead (Handel's "Lascia Ch'io Pianga") and Meav ("The Last Rose of Summer"). Then of course the group performs together ("The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun," "Over the Rainbow," "Beyond the Sea," "At the Ceili," "Sing Out!", "Spanish Lady," "Mo Ghile Mear"). Encore performances from the original show are Enya's "Orinoco Flow," "Danny Boy," "Somewhere," and "You Raise Me Up." Hayley proves to be an excellent fit among the beautiful voices, and Lisa seems to emerge as the talent most deserving of attention, but overall the show lacks some of the fresh sparkle of the original. The song list isn't quite as strong, and some of the "primp and pose" choreography is just silly. But Celtic Woman is never less than charming, and at its best can be quite stirring. --David Horiuchi
The Last Waltz
from MGM
Twenty-five years ago on Thanksgiving Day 1976 five thousand cheering fans gathered for the historic farewell concert of "The Band". In Martin Scorsese's "brilliant" (Newsweek) film superstars Eric Clapton Joni Mitchell Neil Young and Van Morrison join the musicians on-stage along with one-time collaborator Bob Dylan and Ringo Starr in an unforgettable finale.System Requirements:Running Time: 117 Min. Color. This film is presented in "Widescreen" format. Copyright 2002 MGM Studios. Genre: MUSICALS/MUSICALS Rating: PG UPC: 027616875754 Manufacturer No: 1003426
Martin Scorsese's 1978 capsule history of the Band is mixed with footage of the group's allegedly last performance (certainly their last performance as a quintet) in this particularly stylish concert film. Scorsese shoots the players and their sundry guests with the same flair and enthusiasm one can see in the later The Color of Money or Goodfellas. He also proves a good interviewer with Band members, particularly Robbie Robertson, whose sleepy-sexy good looks make a star-caliber impression in close-up. But the film's real hook is the stage show, which features a rotation of rock legends (Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Paul Butterfield, Bob Dylan, and so on) playing with the Band before a wildly appreciative audience. --Tom Keogh
Celine Dion: Live in Las Vegas - A New Day [Blu-ray]
from Sony
If you were one of the handful of folks who missed Céline Dion's mega-run in Las Vegas, fear not: Céline Dion: A New Day is a riveting, sumptuous front-row seat to the whole extravagant experience. As concert DVDs go, this is a show of a lifetime, nearly six hours featuring not only no-expenses-spared production values and every song from Dion's famed show, but priceless extras as well. Dion's substantial voice is in fine form, and sparkles on signature tunes like "A New Day Has Come," "The Power of Love," and of course the theme from Titanic, "My Heart Will Go On" (and Dion-watchers will note that she's thankfully dialed back the breast-beating that used to accompany this song).
But as impressive as the performances are--and they include the talented gymnasts, dancers, and backup singers who work as a Cirque du Soleil-style ensemble--the set's most memorable moments are found in the personal footage and extras. Dion comes across as truly humble and approachable, with a wicked sense of humor and real compassion for her hard-working staff and her fans. There are sweet, intimate moments of Dion with her husband and son, as well as telling scenes that show her true resourcefulness (girlfriend does her own makeup!). The many docs include one on the building of her special theater and the building of the show from the ground up. "If you're going to gamble," says Dion's manager and husband, René Angélil, "Vegas is the place to do it." Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. --A.T. Hurley
An unprecedented 5 year run! More than 700 sold out shows! 3 million spectators! Everything about the record -breaking show that changed the history of entertainment scene in Las Vegas!
This 2 set Blu-ray Disc includes Celine Dion's show in the colosseum at Caesars Palace and three exclusive documentaries: Travel to Las Vegas with the fans- join Celine at home, in her car, in her dressing room and even backstage - find out all the secrets of "A New Day"
More Than 5 hours of Never Before Seen Footage
Blu-ray Disc Trackslisting:
1.A New Day Has Come
2.The Power Of Love
3.It's All Coming Back To Me Now
4.Because You Loved Me
5.To Love You More
6.I'm Alive
7.I Drove All Night
8.Seduces Me
9.If I Could
10.Pour Que Tu M'aimes Encore
11.I Surrender
12.Ammore Annascunnuto
13.All The Way
14.I've Got The World On A String
15.I Wish
16.Love Can Move Mountains
17.River Deep, Mountain High
18.My Heart Will Go On
Disc 1
The Concert (93 minutes)
Because You Loved Me - A Tribute to The Fans (41 minutes)
Disc 2
A New Day: All Access (120 minutes)
A New Day: The Secrets (53 minutes)
Video/Audio:
Mastered in High Definition
PCM (uncompressed) Stereo (48kHz/24bit)
Dolby TrueHD 5.1 Surround Sound (96 kHz/24bit)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound (448kbps)
Live In Las Vegas- A New Day..
from Sony
No Description Available.
Genre: Music Video - Pop/Rock
Rating: NR
Release Date: 11-DEC-2007
Media Type: DVD
If you were one of the handful of folks who missed Céline Dion's mega-run in Las Vegas, fear not: Céline Dion: A New Day is a riveting, sumptuous front-row seat to the whole extravagant experience. As concert DVDs go, this is a show of a lifetime, nearly six hours featuring not only no-expenses-spared production values and every song from Dion's famed show, but priceless extras as well. Dion's substantial voice is in fine form, and sparkles on signature tunes like "A New Day Has Come," "The Power of Love," and of course the theme from Titanic, "My Heart Will Go On" (and Dion-watchers will note that she's thankfully dialed back the breast-beating that used to accompany this song).
But as impressive as the performances are--and they include the talented gymnasts, dancers, and backup singers who work as a Cirque du Soleil-style ensemble--the set's most memorable moments are found in the personal footage and extras. Dion comes across as truly humble and approachable, with a wicked sense of humor and real compassion for her hard-working staff and her fans. There are sweet, intimate moments of Dion with her husband and son, as well as telling scenes that show her true resourcefulness (girlfriend does her own makeup!). The many docs include one on the building of her special theater and the building of the show from the ground up. "If you're going to gamble," says Dion's manager and husband, René Angélil, "Vegas is the place to do it." Ladies and gentlemen, we have a winner. --A.T. Hurley
A Hard Day's Night
by Lester, Richard
from Miramax Entertainment
This strikingly original classic captures all the fun excitement and unforgettable music of John Paul George and Ringo at the height of Beatlemania! It's a wildly irreverent day in the life of the world's greatest rock 'n' roll band! As they prepare for a big TV appearance the Beatles perform their songs look for adventure... and try in vain to keep Paul's mischief-making grandfather out of trouble... all while avoiding hordes of screaming fans! Packed with all-time Beatle favorites including "A Hard Day's Night" "All My Loving" "Can't Buy Me Love" "I Should Have Known Better" "She Loves You" and "Tell Me Why" director Richard Lester's groundbreaking motion picture collaboration with the "Fab Four" is itself a treasured piece of rock history that remains influential to this day! This collector's edition includes "Give Me Everything!" -- a companion anthology to The Beatles' first film -- featuring hours of rare and new material.System Requirements:Starring George Harrison John Lennon Paul McCartney Ringo Starr Wilfrid Brambell Directed by Richard Lester Running time: 92 minutes Copyright Buena Vista 2003 Format: DVD MOVIE Genre: MUSICALS/MUSICALS Rating: G UPC: 717951004864 Manufacturer No: 01830100
The Fab Four from Liverpool--John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr--in their first movie. Nobody expected A Hard Day's Night to be much more than a quick exploitation of a passing musical fad, but when the film opened it immediately seduced the world--even the stuffiest critics fell over themselves in praise (highbrow Dwight Macdonald called it "not only a gay, spontaneous, inventive comedy but it is also as good cinema as I have seen for a long time"). Wisely, screenwriter Alun Owen based his script on the Beatles' actual celebrity at the time, catching them in the delirious early rush of Beatlemania: eluding rampaging fans, killing time on trains and in hotels, appearing on a TV broadcast. American director Richard Lester, influenced by the freestyle French New Wave and British Goon Show humor, whips up a delightfully upbeat circus of perpetual motion. From the opening scene of the mop tops rushing through a train station mobbed by fans, the movie rarely stops for air. Some of the songs are straightforwardly presented, but others ("Can't Buy Me Love," set to the foursome gamboling around an empty field) soar with ingenuity. Above all, the Beatles express their irresistible personalities: droll, deadpan, infectiously cheeky. Better examples of pure cinematic joy are few and far between. --Robert Horton
Elton John: Elton 60 - Live At Madison Square Garden [Blu-ray]
from Island / Mercury
Elton's record breaking 60th sell-out performance at Madison Square Garden on his 60th birthday was recorded on March 25 2007 and was televised worldwide. This awe-inspiring moment was captured in breath-taking high definition complete with 5.1 surround sound and stereo mixes.Track Listing/Features:Sixty Years On Madman Across the Water Where To Now St. Peter? Hercules Ballad of a Well Known Gun Take Me To the Pilot High Flying Bird Holiday Inn Burn Down the Mission Better Off Dead Levon Empty Garden Daniel Honky Cat Rocket Man I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues The Bridge Roy Rogers Mona Lisas And Mad Hatters Sorry Seems To Be the Hardest Word Bennie And the Jets All the Girls Love Alice Tiny Dancer Something About the Way You Look Tonight Philadelphia Freedom Sad Songs (Say So Much) Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me I'm Still Standing The Bitch Is Back Crocodile Rock Saturday Night's Alright For Fighting Funeral For a Friend/LoveFormat: DVD AUDIO Genre: MUSIC DVD/LIVE PERFORMANCES UPC: 602517467934 Manufacturer No: B0009983-59
Help!
by Richard Lester
from Capitol
The Beatles followed up their debut film A HARD DAY'S NIGHT with this fanciful spy spoof. When Ringo adds a new ring to his collection he's unaware of how important and dangerous this piece of jewelry is. On one hand a religious cult considers it a sacred object and the wearer must become a sacrifice to their gods. On the other hand the ring has magical abilities that hold the key to supreme power. Soon the boys from Liverpool are engaged in a slapstick and madcap chase round the world as a crazed scientist a pack of crooks and several religious fanatics set out to capture the band. Watch for the English Channel swimmer who seems to be perpetually lost and appears in nearly every location. Includes Beatles' hits including "Help!" "Ticket To Ride" "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away" and many more.System Requirements:Running Time: 153 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: COMEDY/SHOWBIZ Rating: G UPC: 5099951034795 Manufacturer No: C9DW-10347
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