Sunday, September 5, 2010

Sound of Music, The 45th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + DVD

Sound of
Sound of Music, The 45th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray + DVD
Starring: Christopher Plummer Format: Blu-ray
Release Date: November 2, 2010

Buy new: $34.99 $31.49

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Review & Description

When Julie Andrews sang "The hills are alive with the sound of music" from an Austrian mountaintop in 1965, the most beloved movie musical was born. To be sure, the adaptation of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II's Broadway hit has never been as universally acclaimed as, say, Singin' in the Rain. Critics argue that the songs are saccharine (even the songwriters regretted the line "To sing through the night like a lark who is learning to pray") and that the characters and plot lack the complexity that could make them more interesting. It's not hard to know whom to root for when your choice is between cute kids and Nazis.

It doesn't matter. Audiences fell in love with the struggling novice Maria (Andrews), the dashing Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer), and, yes, the cute kids, all based on a real-life World War II Austrian family. Such songs as "My Favorite Things," "Do Re Mi," "Climb Every Mountain," and the title tune became part of the 20th century Zeitgeist. In addition, The Sound of Music officially became a cult hit when audiences in London began giving it the Rocky Horror Picture Show treatment, attending showings dressed as their favorite characters and delivering choreographed comments and gestures along with the movie. --David Horiuchi Read more


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Saturday, September 4, 2010

A Surprise in Texas - The 13th International Van Cliburn Piano Competition (featuring Nobuyuki Tsujii; Haochen Zhang; Yeol Eum Son)

A Surprise
A Surprise in Texas - The 13th International Van Cliburn Piano Competition (featuring Nobuyuki Tsujii; Haochen Zhang; Yeol Eum Son)
Starring: James Conlon, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra Director: Peter Rosen Format: DVD
5.0 out of 5 stars (1)
Release Date: September 1, 2010

Buy new: $24.99 $18.49
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Review & Description

In May 2009, twenty-nine of the world's best young pianists converged in Fort Worth, Texas for a once in a lifetime chance at gold in the thirteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. Emmy-winning director Peter Rosen follows these distinctive personalities during a rigorous three-week competition through intense rehearsals, introspective moments, pre-concert rituals, and endearing celebrations.
With the performances of Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven, and Rachmaninoff and other piano masterpieces setting the impassioned tone, the result is an intricate inside view into the inner workings of the world's most prestigious piano competition and a
heartwarming story that proves to be a momentous surprise in Texas. Read more


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White Christmas [Blu-ray]

White Christmas
White Christmas [Blu-ray]
Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye Format: Blu-ray
4.6 out of 5 stars (285)
Release Date: November 2, 2010

Buy new: $29.99 $19.99

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Review & Description

Two talented son-and-dance men (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show business.This semi-remake of Holiday Inn (the first movie in which Irving Berlin's perennial, Oscar-winning holiday anthem was featured) doesn't have much of a story, but what it does have is choice: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, an all-Irving Berlin song score, classy direction by Hollywood vet Michael Curtiz (Casablanca, The Adventures of Robin Hood), VistaVision (the very first feature ever shot in that widescreen format), and ultrafestive Technicolor! Crosby and Kaye are song-and-dance men who hook up, romantically and professionally, with a "sister" act (Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to put on a Big Show to benefit the struggling ski-resort lodge run by the beloved old retired general (Dean Jagger) of their WWII Army outfit. Crosby is cool, Clooney is warm, Kaye is goofy, and Vera-Ellen is leggy. Songs include: "Sisters" (Crosby and Kaye do their own drag version, too), "Snow," "We'll Follow the Old Man," "Mandy," "Count Your Blessings Instead of Sheep," and more. Christmas would be unthinkable without White Christmas. --Jim Emerson Read more


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Friday, September 3, 2010

Little Shop of Horrors (Keepcase)

Little Shop
Little Shop of Horrors (Keepcase)
Starring: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene Director: Frank Oz Format: DVD
Ranking has gone up in the past 24 hours 67 days in the top 100
4.6 out of 5 stars (212)

Buy new: $14.98 $6.49
25 used & new from $6.49

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Review & Description

Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 11/03/2009 Run time: 94 minutes Rating: Pg13The off-Broadway comedy-horror-musical hit that ran for years makes a successful transfer to film with a bevy of big-name cameos and two perfectly cast leads. Rick Moranis is the nebbish Seymour, who pines for flower-girl Audrey (Ellen Greene) while living in the basement of florist Mr. Mushnik (Vincent Gardenia). Things start turning around for Seymour, though, after he buys a little plant during a solar eclipse, christens it Audrey II, and discovers that it likes to drink blood. Soon enough, though, Seymour finds out that Audrey II, now grown to epic proportions, is in actuality a "mean green mother from outer space" that is hell-bent on world domination. Based on the 1960 Roger Corman cheapie that featured a young Jack Nicholson, Little Shop boasts a hilarious, amazing score by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, who would go on to revitalize Disney's animation arm with The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Greene, the lone holdover from the original cast, is a ravishing, goofy Audrey, whose awkward demeanor belies a voice that could knock Ethel Merman off her feet. She's ably matched by Moranis, whose lack of a singing voice is perfectly in sync with Seymour's nerdiness. And Levi Stubbs Jr. of the Four Tops provides the lowdown, nasty-minded voice of Audrey II; his rendition of the Oscar-nominated "Mean Green Mother from Outer Space" is a showstopper. As for those celebrity cameos, Steve Martin's sadistic dentist is a masterful creation, as is Bill Murray's masochistic patient; John Candy, James Belushi, and Christopher Guest also pop up. And there was never a lovelier and funkier Greek chorus than the three Motown-fueled girls (Tichina Arnold, Michelle Weeks, and Tisha Campbell) who appear throughout the film. --Mark Englehart Read more


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Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Pee-wee's Playhouse #1 - Seasons 1 and 2

Peewees Playhouse
Pee-wee's Playhouse #1 - Seasons 1 and 2
Starring: Paul Reubens, John Paragon Director: Paul Reubens, Bill Freiberger Format: DVD
Ranking has gone down in the past 24 hours 184 days in the top 100
4.8 out of 5 stars (73)

Buy new: $29.99 $12.99
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Review & Description

Pee-wee and his friends have fun while learning valuable lessons.The secret word is overdue in regard to a DVD release of the delirious Pee-Wee's Playhouse, but this boxed set, packaged with the assistance and approval of series creator and star Paul Reubens, brings back all the bizarre charm and energy of this terrific Saturday-morning series. In creating Pee-Wee's Playhouse, Reubens blended the innocence of early children's television shows with the surreal visual style of music videos and Reubens' own gleefully manic creation (Pee-Wee grew out of Reubens's stint with the legendary comic improv group the Groundlings). The end result was the rare '80s children's program that encouraged creativity and individuality (and screaming, which was the proper response whenever the "secret word" was uttered) in its younger viewers, and delivered sly, subversive humor for Pee-Wee's older fans that had seen his live shows and movies. Critics were tickled by his antics as well, and gave the show the Television Critics Award for Outstanding Children's Program in 1987 (it would also pick up numerous Emmy awards and nominations for writing, editing and art direction through its five-season run).

The five discs in Playhouse #1 include all of Pee-Wee's first- and second-season adventures (including two unaired episodes) with his puppet pals Chairry, Conky the Robot, and Pterry, as well as a host of offbeat human performers like the late Phil Hartman (who played Captain Carl and served as one of the show's writers), Laurence Fishburne (Cowboy Curtis), Natasha Lyonne (the precocious Opal), William (Blacula) Marshall as the King of Cartoons (Marshall replaced Gilbert Lewis, who reigned as the King from 1986-87), Shirley Stoler from The Honeymoon Killers as Mrs. Steve, and Law and Order's S. Epartha Merkerson as Reba the Mail Lady. Highlights include the first episode, "Ice Cream Soup," which introduces most of the Playhouse crew; "Playhouse in Outer Space," which teaches a sweet (if thoroughly cracked) lesson in friendship; and the frantic "Party," which culminates in a rousing game of Pin the Tail on the Globey. PW faithful, take note: the 1988 Christmas Special is not included here, but fret not--it's available as a separate disc. This set has no supplemental features. --Paul Gaita Read more


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Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Bill Maher: But I'm Not Wrong

Bill Maher
Bill Maher: But I'm Not Wrong
Format: DVD
Release Date: September 14, 2010

Buy new: $19.98 $14.99

(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Hot New Releases in Musicals & Performing Arts list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

Review & Description

A comic force, multi-Emmy® nominee Bill Maher (Real Time with Bill Politically Incorrect ) is in his true element — stand-up comedy — in this freewheeling, no-holds-barred performance before a packed house in Raleigh, North Carolina. In this live show, Bill fearlessly and hilariously lets loose on a comprehensive set of unique insights and controversial topics: the“Great Recession,” fake patriotism, President Obama, Michael Jackson, the drug war, health care, the Tea Party movement, reverse racism, religion, and much more — including the first-ever burka fashion show. Incisive wit, social observer, political provocateur, Maher proves to be one of today’s most brilliant comedy minds. Read more


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The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

The Best
The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas
Starring: Burt Reynolds, Dolly Parton Director: Colin Higgins Format: DVD
4.3 out of 5 stars (87)
Release Date: September 7, 2010

Buy new: $14.98 $8.99

(Ranking is updated hourly. Visit the Hot New Releases in Musicals & Performing Arts list for authoritative information on this product's current rank.)

Review & Description

Texas madam miss mona and her sheriff boyfriend try to save her chicken ranch from a tv muckraker. Studio: Uni Dist Corp. (mca) Release Date: 08/01/2006 Starring: Randy Bennett Theresa Merritt Run time: 114 minutes Rating: R Director: Colin HigginsThis is an energetic, but ultimately mediocre adaptation of the play, directed on Broadway by Tommy Tune. Burt Reynolds is the town sheriff and a regular patron of a local bordello. He wages a public battle to keep it open after it is targeted as the devil's den by a television minister. Charles Durning was nominated for a Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, and there are some lively song and dance numbers featuring Dolly Parton as the madame of the Chicken Ranch. However, this becomes bogged down in too many serious moments for it to be more than a lightweight musical comedy. --Rochelle O'Gorman Read more


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