4 comments about Tchaikovsky - The Nutcracker (1989) / Natalya Arkhipova, Irek Mukhamedov, Yuri Vetrov, Andrei Sitnikov, Ilze Liepa, Alexander Kopilov, Bolshoi.

1. I took my grand-daughter to see the San Jose Ballet do The Nutcracker, and was reminded of how much I liked it. I used to have the old Kirov version on tape, and I loved it, but it's gone, so I bought this Bolshoi version. I love it! I also bought the Baryshnikov version, and have to say that he's a great dancer, but definitely an inferior choreographer. This version is vastly superior (I gave the Baryshnikov away). I should add that this Bolshoi version is all about the dancing, and only slightly about child entertainment. But my grand-daughter wants to be a ballerina now (she's 2 3/4), so I think the dancing is what should matter most. Of course, the music and presentation are excellent.



2. This DVD received a 5 star review, yet upon close examination it has serious problems.
   
   First, the transfer appears to have been from a mediocre video tape, yielding a very soft image - many details are missing especially in the dark scenes.
   
   Second, the print has much video noise and often flickers light to dark.
   
   Third and most serious, is the problem of the playback speed. The time is listed here as 112 minutes, yet my box says 101. It could be a typo mistake, but this DVD appears to have been time-accelerated. All the dancers and action appear to move too fast. Some movements are just blurs - very unnerving. If this frantic speed didn't make one dizzy it might have been funny instead. Unfortunately this flaw renders this performance mostly un-watchable for me.
   
   The (accelerated) sound is OK, but the audience sounds as if they were either under water or on a cell phone.
   
   My recommendation is to avoid this DVD and look for another Nutcracker. There is another DVD of this same Bolshoi production from a few years earlier which has problems of its own that is neither recommended.



3. I am sorry to disagree with one of the reviewers, but I have a completely different view of this DVD. In the first place, the DVD box says the ballet lasts 101 minutes and the DVD actually does run for 101 minutes. If Amazon's review says it lasts 112 minues, then Amazon has made an error. This is no reason to blame the producers of the DVD.
   With regard to other areas of complaint, I did not find the video image to be very soft, I found no details missing, there was no excess video noise, there did not appear to be any time-acceleration in sound or performance, and there were no flickers light to dark. The only item about which I agree with the other reviewer is that the applause seems to be coming from some sort of echo chamber, but I did not buy the DVD for the applause. (You can easily avoid the applause by hitting the "Next" button on your remote to take you immediately to the next track.) This is not a Kultur video. (Unlike Kultur, this video gives you a beautiful brochure with information about the ballet and a track-by-track description of the dances in the ballet.) I bought two copies of this DVD, one of which I gave to my granddaughter because she loved it so much. I think the other reviewer got stuck with a defective copy and should return it for another one.
   I rate this DVD only four stars instead of five because I have two very small problems with the performance. In the first act, the boys try to annoy the girls with their trumpets. However, there is only one trumpet and no girls are around at the time except Clara. In addition, the boys are halfway across the stage from her. The second item is in the second act. In the Dance of the Mirlitons, two dancers are pulling a sheep on wheels. That part of the choreography leaves much to be desired. What happens if the sheep tips over? Luckily it didn't this time.
   All in all, however, this is a marvelous disc. To the best of my knowledge, it is one of few versions that play ALL of the music COMPLETE. There are NO cuts as there are in most ballet performances of most ballets. However, the Dance of the Mirlitons and Mother Cigogne are combined into one track, which is no big deal since they are played complete. On the positive side, there is no obnoxious "ritardando" and pause at the end of the Waltz of the Flowers as is found in so many other versions. The music simply flows naturally to the end of the dance.
   One of the very best "character actors" of ballet is Yuri Vetrov. He plays Drosselmeyer in this DVD. He is marvelous, as usual, and I especially love the way he lifts and moves the dolls (real people) around as if they actually WERE dolls.
   The Nutcracker is a children's ballet, so much fun to watch with gorgeous music and marvelous dancing, especially in the dances in the second act. This version is beautifully performed and should be at the top of your list.



4. Natalya Arkhipova and Irek Mukhamedov, are the "Best of the Best". Their performance in this ballet was mesmerizing. The supporting cast was also outstanding along with the fine accompainment by the orchestra.
   
   Our entire family loves this DVD. Especially our one year old granddaughter!!
   
   Many thanks to the Bolshoi Ballet for this fantastic rendition. They truly are the World's Best Ballet company!!!

2 comments about New Zealand to the Max.

1. 
   A good DVD if you want an overview of New Zealand, doesn't go into great depth on anything, but on the whole its a good watch.



2. Very little coverage of the vast and numerous highlights of this beautiful country. Way too much focus on a few specific lodging, dining, and recreation providers and too little on the wonderful places to see and things to do. The advertisements for one of the largest on-line travel companies are the best example of the commercial rather than informational nature of this DVD. Very dissapointing.

5 comments about Charlton Heston Presents The Bible: Genesis.

1. Charlton Heston is to be commended for his fabulous job in "Jesus of Nazareth". He brings the story of Jesus' life on earth to life as he shows us the places where Jesus lived and taught, while interweaving the appropriate Biblical narratives. Charlton Heston's dramatic readings give this DVD a truly emotional impact. A+++



2. Charlton Heston who has thrilled me in BEN HUR (for which he won his Academny Award), THE TEN COMMANDEMENTS and my favorite EL CID is remarkable in this telling of the Book of Genesis. This combines his brilliant acting with the magnificent scenery of the Holy Land and it gives us beautiful music and works of art from great masters of the past as well.
   What more can one want from entertainment: Inspiration, uplifting and enlightenment -- if you want more than that go to the Bible and read the real book of Genesis or the real Passion of Jesus.
   Get this one and you will not regret it.



3. Charlton Heston really does a superb job in this wonderful presentation.
   A great actor (and American) with great material!
   What more can one ask?



4. I do find myself finding Charlton Heston attractive, even in his later days of lively living..... Charlton Heston Presents the Bible has got to be his most memorial memory of the Charlton Heston line..... If there's only 2 in stock then I erge you to INSTANTLY make a coffee and order it! I've sat there many of a time watching this masterpeice with a tear in my left eye.



5. Charlton Heston is the greatest actor the world has ever known. I can think of no better qualified person to have done this project than him.
   This should be required viewing by all elementary through high school students.

No comments about 5 Takes: Pacific Rim Episode 12: Thailand.

5 comments about Kon-Tiki.

1. Another Image Entertainment release, another disappointment.

   From the fact that there is no menu...and no extras...to the fact that this is not the complete original release (this is the edited television release), this is yet another loser from Image Entertainment.

   The original release is 78 minutes long, and has different opening and closing credits.

   As for the movie...it is interesting for one viewing, but the poor quality of the pictures (not up to the standards of Thor's later movie "RA Expeditions") make it unlikely you will want to see it more than once.

   My suggestion...stick with the book.




2. Thor Heyerdahl's "Kon-Tiki" was one of my favourite childhood
   books. I read it many times (every time I had to stay in bed
   because of sickness) and always was glad to come back, sit on
   that bamboo deck and watch the Pacific waves. There was something
   truly magical for me in an idea of that slow ocean-crossing to
   Polynesia. Now - 25years after I last read the book I had a
   chance to watch DVD. It speaks to me the same way book did.
   It is very low-tech, grainy black and white far below any modern
   standards for nature cinematography. But it has same spirit the
   book had - optimism, perserverence and love and respect for
   nature. I recommend that DVD to anybody that read the book.



3. Did the Polynesian Islands get seeded by men from South America? That might be tough to say based on this 1951 Academy Award winning documentary by biologist Thor Heyerdahl. But this is exactly what Thor and several other men try to prove by building a raft in Peru and drifting/sailing into the Pacific Ocean.
   
   The film is interesting if very dated. The cartoonish depictions of the world map and their travels were often hard to watch, reminding me of some kid's crayon drawing scrawling across the screen, but informative in a kind of regressive nature.
   
   The more interesting aspects of this 58-minute documentary were how involved the world was in the Kon-Tiki expedition (Ham radio operators were listening around the world), and some of the strange and new discoveries of fish species during their voyage.
   
   But lost to me were the difficulties of the journey. More film time was spent describing the rigors of gathering the rare cork-like wood for their raft than was given to their actual struggles out on the water.
   
   Once we're on the Pacific Ocean with them, we also feel that this is some sort of simple trip, as if they're just trolling around a lagoon (felt kind of Gilligan's Islandish). But this was also a bizarre strength for the film. In today's (2005) reality TV world, every bug bite that some contestant on Survivor receives is broadcast as if a limb were amputated, but here the men seemed minimally interested in the sharks following them and when their cooking facilities nearly burn up.
   
   Scientifically, though, I think this documentary is a serious flop. The initial idea was to prove that the peopling of the Pacific Islands came about by ancient mariners from South America. Although I still believe this is true, doing it in 1946 with a sextant, cooking stove, experimental military food supplies, and other modern conveniences didn't set well in my analytical mind.
   
   Final summation: watch it once if you're a film history buff. If not, stick with the book.



4. The story of the Kon-Tiki was a vague memory from High School days. I remember reading the book, but back then, it seemed dull and boring. The film of this voyage in the new DVD format revived the old memories and brought to me a greater appreciation of the story.
   The film is pretty much a hand held 8mm or 16mm adventure filmed by the author during the trip. But it certaintly did contain the romantic ingredients for a great adventure. I came away envious of the six crewmen who took the 3 month voyage across the pacific guided only by the winds and currents and a specualtive theory that this was the way that the ancient Polyneisans made their made to the Central pacific islands.
   For all of its old documentary baggage it was surprisingly entertaining and interesting. I would recommend this to anyone who ever thought of taking a long ocean voyage.



5. This DVD doesn't even have a menu. Soon as you put it in it just starts playing and when you do hit the menu button it just goes to the chapter listing. How cheap.
   
   The documentary itself about Thor Heyerdahl and his crew sailing a large raft 5,000 miles from South America to the Polynesian Islands is interesting but surprisingly tiresome - I felt like I was watching somebody's vacation videos. You would think actual footage of people sailing a handmade raft the equivalent of San Francisco to Iceland in open water would be very exciting, but Thor's narration is so flat he sucks the energy right out of the remarkable images on the screen.
   
   Worth watching for historical value.

No comments about Venice: Tides of Change.

1 comments about Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations Season 1 - Episode 1: Paris.

1. This is a gem of a dvd it makes u want to go straight to PARIS it shows some of its hidden beauties Bourdain in fine style.

5 comments about The Red Light District.

1. I'M A BIG LUDA FAN AND DTP FAN THE DVD IS REALLY GOING TO BE HOT.BECAUSE THERES LOTS OF HOT GIRLS AND NAKED GIRLS ON THE DVD.THIS DVD IS GOING TO BE EXCELLENT DVD.



2. THIS DVD IS REALLY HOT THAN I THOUGHT BECAUSE THERE IS REALLY HOT GIRLS SHAKING THEIR THANGS.THIS DVD INCLUDES PREFORMANCE BY LUDACRIS FROM AMSTERDAM,TRIP IN THE RED LIGHT DISTRICT(ALSO KNOWN AS AMSTERDAM) WITH LUDACRIS,UNCUT MUSIC VIDEOS,AND MORE!!!!
   MY ADVICE BUY THIS DVD.



3. Ludacris has released his first full length musical DVD. "The Red Light District" DVD features a full length concert from Luda. It also includes some behind the scenes footage from his trip to Amsterdam. Don't expect to find the BET versions of the videos from "The Red Light District" CD or the regular video for "Pimpin All Over The World." The videos on this set are uncut and feature new versions of the videos with very scantilly clad women. Parents consider yourself warned there is some nudity "crotch shots and all" in this set.



4. Yes yes yall! This was a goodie. Luda out there In the dutch capital. Puff puff passin! Kickin It with the fine working girls of amsterdam. Doing It up big. I can't get Into details. But I'll tell ya this "It's da red light district".



5. ...like I do this is just absolutely great. Down in Amsterdam nothing is forbidden, including convos with a madam and her girls, a couple of 'ladies of the evening'and even smoking a giant spliff while you do a song!!

3 comments about Randolph Hirsch's Ukraine Adventure.

1. I bought this to learn a bit more about Ukraine. Instead, I got some fat rich guys' handicam 'adventure' from LA to the Uktraine get his chubby mail order bride. I was treated to endless drivel with the family and friends--all of which was long and boring and involved wearing a lot of striped clothing. There was nothing of interest in this at all and it certainly wasn't about Ukraine - the country.
   I would have given it negative stars, but that wasn't an option.



2. This is just one big home movie. No real useful info. Choose a travel guide and avoid this item.



3. This DVD ranks as the number one worst DVD's I have ever seen. Not only was it a poorly made home video, it had very little informative travel or cultural information. It completely lacked substance. What you get is some guy walking around filming the day as it progresses while he courts his internet bride. There were MANY awkward moments where anyone that is a seasoned traveler felt sorry for the participants. You basically have to sit through someone elses boring home made video with no substance just to see his trip from his perspective. Suggestion: Save your money and buy a Travel Guide and just go there.

1 comments about The Orient Express.

1. The Orient Express; the standard for luxury and adventure, rides out of our past into this 2005 TV documentary. It is simply the best ever episodes of Great Railroad Adventures! You may never get the chance to take this epic journey, but here's your chance to see what it would be like to travel from London to the far east on some of the most colorful and celebrated trains in the history of train travel!