The Score

Starring:Angela Bassett, Marlon Brando, Mark Camacho, Christina Colburn, Claude Despins, Martin Drainville, Carlos Essagian, Gary Farmer, Jamie Harrold, Serge Houde, Thinh Truong Nguyen, Edward Norton, Jean-RenÃ© Ouellet, Lenie ScoffiÃ©, Paul Soles, Gavin Svensson, Christian Tessier, Richard Waugh
Director: Frank Oz
Studio: Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

Robert De Niro plays a weary thief tempted by wily old associate Marlon Brando into, yes, one last job, a plan to rob a priceless scepter from Montreal's Customs House. Director Frank Oz's heist thriller partners De Niro with hotshot upstart Edward Norton, and you'd have to be determinedly grumpy not to get half a kick out of Brando, DeNiro, and Norton--more than holding his own--coolly bouncing off one another in a Method paradise. Brando may be enormous and breathing heavily with every move, but his technique is as agile as it ever was; he still seems spontaneously clever. Oz doesn't have the most crackling visual style in the world, as the film is far too smooth for tension, and keeps tapping Howard Shore's music score to do most of the work in that department; the divine Angela Bassett is once again totally wasted in a 10-minute throwaway role as De Niro's girlfriend. The Score isn't anything new, and there isn't a single surprise, but if you're into this sort of thing you do respond to its polished familiarity. --Steve Wiecking

Customer Reviews:

The Score: Smart With Heart.......2007-06-21

The Score is hugely entertaining. Set in Montreal, Canada, the environs are familiar yet slightly foreign. Robert De Niro's gentleman thief character Nick is likeable and believable. His day job is owner of the NYC jazz club.

In a memorable scene, Nicky offers rock solid middle class advice to would be hot shot Edward Norton's character by advising him never to take longshots or high risks. "Make a list of everything you want and take the next twenty years to get it." Sounds more like a stock broker than a master thief.

The Score's score is superb. Jazzy and atmospheric.

The actual theft and escape scene is creative and well orchestrated.

Great movie with a great twist.

The youth against the experience!.......2007-05-10

The score is film with a double reading. On one hand is an electrifying and chilling story of a specialist of first order and a very young newcomer (Edward Norton in an extraordinary performance as the young defiant). This double speech will intermingle in order to convey us one of the most breathtaking movies of this year.

You will realize how you can make close affinities with that old cult movie. "Cincinnati Kid" . This was, on the other hand, the last Op. of Marlon Brando, too.

Good flick !.......2007-03-18

This is a robbery movie that has some twists and turns .. I think you will enjoy it.. With these two actors you really cant go wrong. DO not read much of the story-line because the ending you dont want to know... watch the movie ...!!!

The Score.......2007-01-12

Great movie. I dont understand all the hate towards this movie, but it has great actors with a great plot.

De Niro says that he was already done, but there was ONE last big thing he had to do before then. This movie kept me entertained throughout the whole thing, because you wanted to know what he was gonna do next and so on. This movie has great actors, and Norton did a great job of playing 2 different characters at the same time. The story could have maybe been a little more fleshed out with backgrounds, but it doesnt take away from the movie at all in my opinion.

The movie has very little action in the beggining, then it grows more and more as the movie progesses. The best parts of the movie are the planning of the heist, and the end when everything takes place. Also at the VERY end when De Niro and Norton are talking on the phone. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes the main actors, or just a great overall movie.

A Score to Settle Between Combatants........2007-01-10

Edward Norton has come a long way from portraying the weird-looking punk, Jack,in this movie to the handsome, debonair Illutionist of 2006. The story of a jazz club in Montreal run on dirty money was by Daniel Taylor. Frank Oz directed. The music was selected by Howard Shore. I enjoyed M. Allison's song at the piano in the Club most of all. The ending was the only surprise, but it was predictable.

There were a few complications with their planned theft. Norton was a good actor as a handicapped employee (with symptoms of a stroke) who worked on the inside to help with the heist at the House of Commons. He's sneaky but no one pays any attention to him, and he has access and keys to important places. He was actually Jack Teller and not Brian at all. Now, that took acting! They made it look complicated as they avoided the security cameras. Nero in that silly mask especially with the goggles, was almost comical. It was all done by computers. I wish I had more tech savvy and maybe I'd know how to restart my computer some hacker knocked out. It was long and drawn out and I really got tired as it was not suspenseful, a lot of damage and sparks flying, but he was double crossed by Jack.

Or was he? Jack was left hight and dry without so much as busfare to get out of town. He was a con man, albeit a super smart one, but he was out-foxed by a pro who'd switched bags. And, thus, the treasure was headed to the right place while Jack to jail most probably.

Dream Theater - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra

Average customer rating:

You'll watch this over and over again.
woof
Pleasant surprise
Very Good
One More Time

Dream Theater - Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour Live with the Octavarium Orchestra
Starring: Dream Theater
Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B000GIWS7E
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Amazon.com

The tenacious odyssey of Dream Theater culminates in one of their finest concerts ever on this magnificent Score: 20th Anniversary World Tour DVD. Just how good is this blazing prog-metal performance, recorded at New York City's radio City Music Hall on April 1, 2006? For starters, it's easy to believe the band's drummer and co-founder, Mike Portnoy, when he ends the nearly three-hour show by saying "this was one of the best nights of our career." Then consider that for one brief but shining moment in mid-September 2006, Score nudged Pink Floyd's Pulse out of the #1 spot on the bestselling music DVD charts, proving without a doubt that DT's loyal fan base was more than willing to elevate the band to an unprecedented level of critical and commercial success. It's a win-win scenario for everyone, because it's obvious, from this performance and the Octivarium CD that spawned it, that Score represents 20 years of bold perseverance, and the sheer power of combined talents against the fickle forces of a music industry that repeatedly tried, and failed, to compromise Dream Theater's unique creative vision.

For longtime fans, Score offers an abundance of material that's exclusive to this release, with minimal crossover from previous Dream Theater DVDs. "The Spirit Carries On" is a natural highlight, and James LaBrie's vocals are as pristine here as they are throughout the entire concert. But there can be little doubt that this gig will be best remembered for the flawless performances of the DT epics "Six Degrees of Inner Turbulence," "Octivarium," and a jaw-dropping encore rendition of "Metropolis," all spectacularly accompanied by the Octivarium Orchestra under the baton of arranger and conductor Jamshied Sharifi. These massive arrangements have been beautifully mixed in 5.1 Dolby Digital or equally crisp PCM stereo, and each member of Dream Theater is given ample opportunity to demonstrate their virtuoso skills, including several transcendent solos by guitarist John Petrucci and keyboardist Jordan Rudess (the latter proving his mastery of the lap steel guitar, vintage Moog synthesizer and the curiously amazing Continuum Fingerboard). Of course, one must never underestimate the awesome bass foundation laid by John Myung, whose priceless contribution is sonically ever-present, if not always visually apparent. As directed by Portnoy, however, Score is totally focused on the music, gracefully and unobtrusively covering the concert from a variety of visually advantageous angles, and edited (by Chris Osterhus) to follow every beat, transition, and solo with breathtaking precision. All in all, Score is easily on par with Pulse, and arguably surpasses the Floyd DVD in terms of overall performance. It's a godsend for fans, and a perfect introduction for the band's ever-growing audience of new and converted fans. -- Jeff Shannon

On the DVD
"The Score So Far" is an outstanding documentary that fully chronicles Dream Theater's history from its earliest days (when Portnoy, Petrucci, and Myung met at Boston's Berklee College of Music) to the Radio City concert on April 1, 2006. Personnel changes are candidly addressed (as opposed to some bands, DT don't hide their past difficulties, and credit is always given when due), and the film serves as a tribute to the band's refusal to bow to commercial pressures. (It's no wonder Mike Portnoy feels a gratifying sense of vindication; after 20 years, he and his bandmates fully deserve it.) Also included is the amusing "Octivarium Animation" shown during the concert, and three live performances (from 1993, 2002 and 2005) that further illustrate Dream Theater's ability to refine and/or redefine its sound and image while keeping up with the times. --Jeff Shannon

Description

This DVD features the grand finale concert of the "20th Anniversary Tour", recorded live at Radio City Music Hall on April 1, 2006. Disc One is footage of the concert, and Disc 2 includes bonus features.

Track Listings:
The Root Of All Evil [Set 1]
I Walk Beside You [Set 1]
Another Won [Set 1]
Afterlife [Set 1]
Under A Glass Moon [Set 1]
Innovence Faded [Set 1]
Raise The Knife [Set 1]
The Spirit Carries On [Set 1]
Six Degrees Of Inner Turbulence: [Set 2]
I. Overture [Set 2]
II. About To Crash [Set 2]
III. War Inside My Head [Set 2]
IV. The Test That Stumped Them All [Set 2]
V. Goodnight Kiss [Set 2]
VI. Solitary Shell [Set 2]
VII. About To Crash (Reprise) [Set 2]
VIII. Losing Time/Grand Finale Vacant [Set 2]
The Answer Lies Within [Set 2]
Sacrificed Sons [Set 2]
Octavarium: [Set 2]
Intro [Set 2]
I. Someone Like Him [Set 2]
II. Medicate Me [Set 2]
III. Full Circle [Set 2]
IV. Intervals [Set 2]
V. Razor's Edge [Set 2]
Encore: Metropolis [Set 2]

Customer Reviews:

You'll watch this over and over again. .......2007-06-27

This baby will never make it to my media storage unit. I've had it for about 3 weeks, and I've watched all the way through it about 6 times, and bits and pieces almost every night. I have no idea how it is that I missed this band over the years. I actually learned about them when this very same concert aired on PBS a couple of months ago. Now, they are at the top of my favorites heap.

DT's musicianship and band synergy is as good as it gets, and it is so obvious from this particular concert. Each member is the best at what they do, and together, they are greater than the sum of the parts.

I highly recommend this DVD.

woof.......2007-06-01

I thought I'd get this dvd as a way to remember their concerts. but you know, I find myself just enjoying the dvd about as much as the concert. we all know DT has technique, but add to that their individual musicianship and collective umph...

Pleasant surprise.......2007-05-13

Back in the early 90's I bought a Dream Theatre Cd "Images and Words" not knowing anything about it. It quickly became my favorite CD. Well, time passed and just recently I pulled out that CD and listened again and I thought "wow" these guys were really really good and started listening to it all over again. And then I thought, "I wonder if these guys did anything after that?" I searched Amazon and discovered that indeed these guys had been very active over the years. I decided to get there most recent CD "Octavarium" and was completely blown away by it. Then I decided to get this DVD. And I cannot say enough about how good it is. I thought prog rock had pretty much died and then I see this and realize that Dream Theatre has kept it alive and growing. 5 Big stars for this DVD and Dream Theatre in general.

Very Good.......2007-05-09

If you are a Dream Theater fan you oughta have it, this is an excellent concert, with the best muscician that you could hear. It's recomended

One More Time.......2007-03-12

Like Styx, how many live cd's do you as a band need to come out with. The song selection on this DVD is different than the others so that makes it worth the money. They bring some out from the vault, especially Raise the Knife from the Falling into Infinity sessions. The addition of the orchestra on the second half is nothing special because so many other bands have done this. Overall, I still like Live at Budokan the best. But, like I always say it's just a metter of opinion. If you're a Dream Theater fan then you probably already own this. If you're still debating then don't wait anymore. Great music from a great band.

Keeping Score: Revolutions in Music - Beethoven's Eroica

Average customer rating:

A Great Exploration of Eroica
Heroic MTT
More heroic than I had realized

Keeping Score: Revolutions in Music - Beethoven's Eroica
Starring: Beethoven , Sfs , and Thomas
Manufacturer: San Francisco Sym
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Keeping Score: Revolutions in Music - Stravinsky's Rite of Spring
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ASIN: B000JBWWTC
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Customer Reviews:

A Great Exploration of Eroica.......2007-03-11

It is a shame that more DVDs of this quality are not produced. A movement by movement explanation of a pioneering work in classical music history. MTT does a fabulous job of providing his personal insights into the music with a terrific musical ensemble. This is the "Big Picture" tour of the work, the great facade of the building and not necessarily the intricacies of its architecture. A detailed exploration of the nearly molecular construction of the music is not undertaken (it would take quite a few DVDs for that) but the overall storyline is beautifully explained. Beethoven's music has a poignancy that can't be denied; a sharing of thoughts and emotions with his audience that leaves both better off for the experience. I hope there will be more pieces such as this about Beethoven's music in the future. I heartily recommend this to any fan of classical music.

Heroic MTT.......2007-02-28

I was at one the performances they filmed for this wonderful DVD. The SF Symphony is my favorite band (this from an ol' Deadhead!), and MTT is brilliant! I hope he never leaves.

We have all heard the Eroica a million times before. How could there be anything new to hear in it? The SF Symphony succeeds. An example, there is a moment in the variations of the fourth movement when the first chairs, violin and viola, share a few fleeting mesaures, and you realize why Alexander Barantschik and Geraldine Walther are first chairs. What they do seems spontaneous and absolutely magical. The performance is filled with such moments.

I recommend all of the DVDs in the "Keeping the Score" series. The performances are more than first rate, and MTT supplies an insightful and informative lecture in each instance. They would have done Lenny proud.

More heroic than I had realized.......2006-11-20

This dvd was given to me by friends who know I love to learn more and more about music.

It consists of a complete performance by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra of Beethoven's Third Symphony, "The Eroica,"

AND

Michael Tilson Tilson Thomas, conducting a movement by movement "tour" of Beethoven's Third. Tilson Thomas explains what was going on in Beethoven's life and provides various explanations of why the music is the way it is. Comments are added by some of the SFSO's musicians, including their approach to playing Beethoven.

I had long known of Beethoven's original intention of dedicating the symphony to Napoleon Bonaparte, whom Ludwig saw as "a leader come from the people." Later, of course, when Bonaparte crowned himself emperor, Beethoven literaly scratched out the dedication to Napoleon, and it has been hereafter know simply as the Eroica, or heroic symphony.

What I didn't know, which Micael Tilson Thomas explains, is that Beethoven was confronting the reality of his impending deafness, just at the time he was writing this symphony. He explains how the symphony includes Beethoven's anguish and (unfounded) shame at being a deaf musician. Yet he goes on to explain that Beethoven faces this demon, and the music tells us that he goes on with life. Thus Beethoven's Eroica is heroic in more ways than is commonly known.

Keeping Score: Revolutions in Music - Stravinsky's Rite of Spring

Average customer rating:

The work - and this DVD - stand alone
Great Presentation
Wonderful presentation on every front!

Keeping Score: Revolutions in Music - Stravinsky's Rite of Spring
Director: Joan Saffa , and David Kennard
Manufacturer: San Francisco Sym
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ASIN: B000JBWWTW
Release Date: 2006-11-14

Customer Reviews:

The work - and this DVD - stand alone.......2007-05-24

To my knowledge, this DVD is unique. Michael Tilson Thomas does an excellent job of dissecting this music for those of us who can't read a score. I've been listening to Le Sacre ever since I was sixteen (1972), and there are many, many things I've learned from watching and listening to this DVD. (Not the least of which is the fact that the famous upper register bassoon opening is, in fact, quoting a Russian peasant song.)

The audio mix is especially good for hearing the various orchestral textures in this piece. (I heard details I've never heard before.) Also helpful is the actual footage of the instrumentalists playing the pieces - and discussing their parts in the work.

One note, however: A DANCED PERFORMANCE OF LE SACRE IS NOT A PART OF THIS DVD. What you get is an orchestral performance. (Some footage of danced scenes are in Thomas' commentary, however.) This concert performance is excellent - but it is just not complete. I suppose it's too much to ask for both...

Great Presentation.......2007-04-18

This DVD is fantastic, especially if you are not familiar with the Rite of Spring. The DVD goes through some of the background of Russian ballet and Russian composers from the late Romantic period, then briefly discusses Rimsky-Korsakov (Stravinsky's teacher) and his ballet Mlada. This leads up to to Stravinsky and the Firebird, then covers the radical departure to Rite of Spring. Michael Tilson-Thomas does a superb job in breaking down the musical material and orchestration of the Rite, and there are interviews with some of the musicians from the SF orchestra who describe and demonstrate their parts, although this can sometimes be a bit redundant in conjunction with the narrative. What is also remarkable about the DVD is that the viewer gets to see the conductor from the front, as opposed to the back of the conductor in a concert hall situation. Michael Tilson-Thomas is a very expressive conductor, and his face demonstrates this as well as his baton. I recommend this DVD for music teachers, as I use it in my classrooms. It is a very fine presentation of one Western music history's greatest pieces!

Wonderful presentation on every front!.......2006-12-27

Michael Tilson Thomas does a fantastic job presenting the musical and social elements that went into this masterpiece of composition. The program is pithy enough for musicians, and accessible enough for music lovers. A very intelligent and entertaining piece of work; beautifully filmed and edited.

As a bonus, we get full performance versions of excerpts from "The Firebird" (beautifully played!) as well as the complete "Rite of Spring". The performance is very exciting; I am familiar with at least 4 other recordings of this piece, and sections here are taken faster than I've heard before-but never sound too fast. The energy and joy of the the conducting brings out the best of this incredible piece. This performance has become my favorite. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Better than expected. Entertaining script, fun.
A perfect story, an incomplete execution
Fun Movie
It's Just About the Stars.
Good Showcase for Chris

The Perfect Score (Widescreen Edition)
Starring: Erika Christensen , Chris Evans , Bryan Greenberg (II) , Scarlett Johansson , and Darius Miles
Director: Brian Robbins
Manufacturer: Paramount
ProductGroup: DVD
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ASIN: B0001ZX05Q
Release Date: 2004-06-29

Amazon.com

A mutant hybrid of a heist movie and The Breakfast Club, The Perfect Score follows a clutch of kids who steal the answers to an upcoming SAT test: An aspiring architect (Chris Evans) who isn't quite achieving his dreams (or his parents' expectations); his middling pal (Bryan Greenburg) whose girlfriend is already in college; an overachiever (Erika Christensen, Traffic) who freezes under pressure; a basketball star (NBA player Darius Miles) whose grades don't match his game; a stoner (Leonardo Nam) who falls into the scheme by accident; and a rich punk girl (Scarlett Johansson) who wants to strike back at her neglectful father. The heist itself is nonsensical, but the interplay of personalities manages to keep the movie afloat. Still, only Nam and Johansson (who, after Ghost World, Lost in Translation, and Girl with a Pearl Earring, is becoming a true movie star) stand out of the bland pack. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Better than expected. Entertaining script, fun........2007-03-29

MTV films is very hit and miss as far as producing consistantly decent movies, but this is one of there better ones. 6 high school kids find themselve developing a plan to steal the answers for the SAT. Each person in the group is unique, from the smart kids to the "stoner" , but all believe they need the test answers to get what they want...except maybe the stoner who joined by accident, but turned out to be the needed "ghost". Yes, it's far fetched that they could steal the SAT scores...thier are multiple tests and keys, and unlike the movie protrays, they do give students many different test at each site, so the idea that getting one key for a site will give them all the correct answer is incorrect...but why tear the movie appart. Its funny, and the kids really do find out whats important in life. Wasn't what I expected, decent film, worth checking out.

A perfect story, an incomplete execution.......2007-03-16

I remember when this film came out. I remember that because it was during the same time period where I had lots of school work to take care of. I was studying for my mid year exams and not that long ealier, I had taken the PSAT's. A movie this kind of plot, a bunch kids stealing test scores, definetly got my attention. At the time, there was also another comedy in theaters-Eurotrip. From the commercials, I thought the Perfect was going to laugh out loud funny and Eurotrip was just going to be some dumb retarded comedy. However I did miss both films when they were in theaters but I did catch'em when they were later on tv. Here is what's ironic-I found Eurotrip to be hilarious (and one of my favorite films today) and The Perfect score to be a complete waste of time. Obviousely this movie was really dissapointing.
Kyle is a role model student with good grades and hopes of being an architect. However, he finds himself having difficulty on SAT. His friend Matty is an underachiever who would like to do well on the SAT so he can go to the same college as his girlfriend. They both conclude that the SAT is kinda pointless (b/c it doesn't test you on how smart you are) and unfair (b/c its standing in their way) They enlist the help of Francessca whose father owns the building of where the SATs scores are located. Kyle also slips the plan to his crush Anna, a very intelligent student whose has some the best academic achievements in school but finds trouble with the SAT. Anna brings in Desmond, a start basketball player who needs a 900 or better to get into college. The last person to join the team is Roy a slacker and stoner. With their combined brain power, the can devise a perfect plan in order to achieve the perfect and thus create a happy and bright future.
A movie with a plot like this sounds funny. However, it ultimatley failed to deliver laughs. The only scene I laughed at was when Kyle's brother said what his score (it was something really LOW like 125). The movie does try to be funny but in the end, it really just tries to force the audience to laugh. I am gonna go watch Eurotrip now.

Fun Movie.......2006-11-05

It's a fun movie if you like teen flicks. It takes a shallow look at teen problems and the SAT but moves along and is well acted.

It's Just About the Stars........2006-09-14

The plot of THE PERFECT SCORE is easy enough: six very different high school students bond together to steal the answers to the SAT test the night before it is administered. The movie takes a little while to build up and tries to be a teen version of THE BREAKFAST CLUB meets MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. Unfortunately, the people who originally came to see this film (and the ones whom MTV marketed it to) weren't really coming to watch a movie; they were coming to see the people who were starring in the movie. The girls wanted to see Chris Evans, Bryan Greenberg, and basketball player Darius Miles while the guys came to see Erika Christensen and Scarlett Johansson. Therefore, though the movie has an interesting set-up, it never really delivers and ends up being just another teen movie that most people will forget fifteen minutes after watching it. I enjoyed watching the movie, but outside of the people who star in it, there's nothing outstanding about it.

Good Showcase for Chris.......2006-08-02

The film is all about the SATs and I'm surprised that ETS allowed them to make it. Certainly it makes ETS look like a company with a bunch of nitwits running it, and in addition shows that they have lousy security and any bunch of six random idiot teens could break in and get all of the answers to any particular SAT exam. Was product placement so important to ETS that they let the filmmakers run down their whole organization in this way? This is not even to mention the gfeneralized, pervasive indictment of the whole SAT system that the Scarlett Johansson character, Francesca, spouts throughout the whole movie and which is, indeed, the movie's most interesting selling point. It's like the FAHRENHEIT 911 of standardized testing.

Otherwise it falls into a slavish imitation of THE BREAKFAST CLUB, with a bit of HARRY AND KUMAR GO TO WHITE CASTLE thrown in, redeemed by the presence of the divine Chris Evans, who makes every movie he's in an overwhelming visual and sensory experience, as though Aldous Huxley had released some pleasure-inducing "soma" gas into the ventilation system of the theater you're watching him in. Is he a real person, or actually a god come to earth to provide nirvana to the millions? Here he plays "Kyle," sort of a switch up for Chris in a way, as the thoughtful would-be architect who can't get good enough SAT scores to get himself into Cornell. ("Cornell University," the guidance counselor adds, just in case we were thinking it was Cornell Community College Kyle was aiming for.)

Chris has played characters called Jake, Adam, Ben, Bryan AND Ryan, Seth, Bryce and Johnny Storm, but Kyle is one of his best parts yet. A row of perfection, like clay ducks in a shooting gallery, each identical, all of them ideal.

Keeping Score: Copland and the American Sound

Average customer rating:

A Marvelous Video Essay In The Bernstein Tradition

Keeping Score: Copland and the American Sound
Starring: Copland , Sfs , and Thomas
Manufacturer: San Francisco Sym
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000JGG888
Release Date: 2006-12-12

Customer Reviews:

A Marvelous Video Essay In The Bernstein Tradition.......2007-01-05

This edition of "Keeping Score" is the only one I've seen, but in looking at the ratings of the other three available, I must rate this one tops, too! This makes for great viewing, not only for those familiar with Copland and his "American" sound, but for those willing to listen and learn and discover this terrific music. This state-of-the-art video presentation picks up where Leonard Bernstein's pioneering work in this field left off. In fact, Bernstein's spirit often lurks beneath the surface. If you have the other three installments of "Keeping Score", add this to your collection.

Average customer rating:

"One of the years best non-profit films. It is performing, stunning, and brilliant."
the 24-dollar output of an affable (American) conductor
Breaking a barrier an educational tool
C;lassical music made accessible

Keeping Score: MTT On Music
Starring: Michael Tilson Thomas
Manufacturer: San Francisco Sym
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Music Video & Concerts | Genres | DVD | Video

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Keeping Score: Copland and the American Sound
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Hilary Hahn: A Portrait

ASIN: B0007R4TI0
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Customer Reviews:

"One of the years best non-profit films. It is performing, stunning, and brilliant.".......2006-07-23

Ahhh... AAhhhhh... AAAAHHHHHhhhh... Why am I so sad? Why am I so alone? That's the message that stretches through the music.

(Ahem) For those of you who noticed the scene I typed down, I have an appreciation in classical music. Classical music has been around for thousands of years. In fact, it will never go extinct. Because of Tilson Thomas, I really agree with him that classical music is "how life feels." I wished that I have met him in person, so I could ask him how the purpose of life is in classical music. Tilson Thomas is kind of dramatic. Somehow, he's a brilliant music director.

"You there! Listen and obey! Fate decrease you must follow! The road down!" (Michael plays the rest of the following notes) "To a place you've never imagined, yet secrectly always feared!"

the 24-dollar output of an affable (American) conductor.......2006-03-23

In Keeping Score we get to see Tchaikovsky's 4th Symphony from a few angles MTT is approaching this work as conductor. Unlike other conductor DVDs, this one directs one's attention more to the meaning of the work as revealed by the composer (via notes or life details) than to the effort of the conductor to reach some desired note or musical effect. It is as if MTT were reaching for the meaning, not for the note, at least not beyond what the orchestra members normally have to offer. In reality, conductors do have to reach for both and things cannot be so separated; MTT makes no exception. I should add that MTT has been with SFO for a long time and they most probably know each other musically and otherwise quite well by now.

How well MTT goes about revealing the details of Tchaikovsky's 4th is anybody's judgment. I think he could have done more/better, and feel this DVD is honest yet cursory in its approach. I could describe it as the 24-dollar output of an affable (American) conductor. For the music connoisseur is a nice to watch, for the beginner is a nice to have.

Breaking a barrier an educational tool.......2006-03-22

I first saw parts of this DVD on PBS and was so intrigued with it, I went immediately to the web site and ordered it. This has to be a 'must purchase' for anybody who is wanting to learn what it is like to prepare for a large concert of a major work.
Michael Tilson Thomas brings the viewer much insight as to what he is trying to achieve from his interpretation of this very familiar piece. Little things such as suggesting a different bow movement makes a huge difference in the presentation.
An excellent educational tool, for those who want to learn more of the background of this piece plus a look at the various instruments that are 'featured' in this piece.
I highly recommend this and hope this is only the first in a series. 'Twould be nice to see other orchestras doing this with other presentations as well!
Well Done MTT & SFO
L J White
New Westminster BC
Canada

C;lassical music made accessible.......2005-04-02

I really enjoyed this documentary. Ever wonder what musicians think or what Tchaikovsky was going through when he wrote music? This video helped me understand the powerful emotions of music and why classical music is important. Michael Tilson Thomas is brilliant as a guide through this music genre and the story he tells is compelling and very entertaining. There is also a terrific website at www.keepingscore.org

Average customer rating:

Can You Dig It?
Good Film!!!
Hot!
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THIS ONE
Nu Yawk's Koolest

Shaft's Big Score
Starring: Thomas Anderson (II) , Don Blakely , Thomas Brann , Drew Bundini Brown , and Evelyn Davis
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
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Shaft
Shaft in Africa
Superfly
Cleopatra Jones
Foxy Brown

ASIN: 0790746689
Release Date: 2000-06-06

Amazon.com

When a pal of detective John Shaft is murdered in a bombing (and $250,000 in cash turns up missing), New York's coolest private eye finds himself caught in the middle of a power struggle between black and white gangsters over the numbers racket in Queens. Directed by Gordon Parks (who does a brief cameo as a croupier in an illegal casino) and written by Ernest Tidyman (both of whom did the original Shaft), this film lacks the pacing of its progenitor. Roundtree is at his best when he's questioning a woman he's just met about a suspect while at the same time beguiling her into the sack (ah, those lazy, crazy days of the sexual revolution). The finale--a shootout in a cemetery, followed by a car-boat-helicopter chase through Queens and up the Harlem River--is preposterously drawn-out: Shaft, impervious to machine-gun fire, winds up tripping, spraining his ankle, and limping while running from the chopper; two shots later, he's sprinting like a halfback. Look for late Muhammad Ali trainer Drew Bundini Brown as a wise-cracking mobster. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

Can You Dig It?.......2006-05-27

Shaft's Big Score is a decent sequel, but the pacing is a bit slow at times. You can't beat The Theme From Shaft, but Big Score has got some tight music in it, keepin' it funky for the Private Dick whose a brotha man. Bumpy and Willie, my two favorite characters are back, and Bumpy is still tolerating Shaft while Bumpy maintains his hilarious disrepecting of him. About midway through is one of coolest scenes ever-Shaft is getting worked over backstage at a nightclub by Mob goons while the shots cut back and forth between busted jaws and writhing exotic dancers. The whole scene is scored with a heavily funky tune about the fuzz comin' 'round and what you gonna do when the mace comes down. Obviously, then you gotta just disrespect the Man and check this movie out.

Good Film!!!.......2005-08-20

Can you dig it! Gotta love the action in this one. Better than the first one!!!

Hot!.......2004-10-15

Of all of the movies that I own, I keep coming back to the Shaft movies. I wish that they could have made more of them. Don't listen to others, this one is just as good as the first one!

This is the typical story of the black man against the Italian-American(black blood is on them also..) for control of the ghetto. This one is good because it takes a look into black people with money in the early 70's. This film has action, sex, story, chases and a mob boss who doe snot mind you talking sh*t to him, but touch his food or matrial items and he is pissed!

If you like black exploitation films or if you are white and you like raw action films, get this. Shaft is Africa was a little different(could be why they never made another), but still ok. Shaft's Big Score should be your score.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY ABOUT THIS ONE.......2003-09-08

AFTER SEEING HOW ENTERTAINING THE ORIGINAL ''SHAFT'' WAS, I WAS DISSAPOINTED BY THIS SEQUEL. THIS TIME, SHAFT INVESTIGATES THE MURDER OF AN OLD FRIEND. SOMETHING THAT MADE THE FIRST FILM SO ENJOYABLE IS SIMPLY JUST MISSING FROM THIS ONE. THIS FILM IS MEDIOCRE AT TIMES, BUT THANKS TO RICHARD ROUNDTREE'S LIKABLE PERFORMANCE, AND THANKS TO THE EXPLOSIVE FINAL HALF HOUR, THIS FILM IS WATCHABLE. ONCE AGAIN, THE THEME SONG IS A HIGHLIGHT. FOLLOWED BY SHAFT IN AFRICA.

Nu Yawk's Koolest.......2002-04-19

Back in prehistoric times, John Shaft was the role model if you was a nice guy, Priest from Superfly was the man if you was dreaming of livin' the life. Shaft's Big Score the followup to the Cool Black crimefighter series, is a slickened up version of the much more grittier original. Still, the bad ... gets off. The climatic chase has been "rescene" in dozens of later films from Hollywood and around the world and Mr. Parks still doesn't get the proper props for bringing to the screen a cultural icon that despite time and Singleton's "nephew" is still the Man. The late Reverend O.C. Smith is too countrified for singing a Big City theme but the powers the be didn't want to pay Isaac"Black Moses-Voice of ... Reason Chef from South Park" Hayes asking price. But there is a tease of what it might of been in the club scene where somebodys' girlfriend swirls to the early '70s funk. Never mind the usher pass the joint and hand me the gin Shaft Big Score is smokin' Jim.

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A screen legend

Arena Concerto
Starring: Ennio Morricone
Manufacturer: Drg
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Morricone Conducts Morricone (Ac3 Dol Dts)
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Arena Concerto
John Williams - The Seville Concert / John Williams, Paco Pena, Andres Segovia
Ennio Morricone - Film Music, Vol.1

ASIN: B000KJTFZ2
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Description

Morricone's first DVD release in the U.S., something long out of print elsewhere. Includes a rare interview with him, talking about his process for writing music for films.

Customer Reviews:

A screen legend.......2007-02-13

Ennio Morricone is a screen legend. Born in 1928 in Roma, he won several composition and conducting awards early on. Born in the era of the dodecaphonism (the use of the 12 semitones of the scale, all the notes being of the same sound level), he would very soon specialise in this twelve-note music, created by Schoenberg in 1923. His solid education would bring him to compose for the industry through professional opportunities : he was brought to it by Mario Nascimbene, a great score composer responsible for historical and biblical blockbusters (Alexander the Great, The Vikings, Cartagine in fiamme, Salomon and Sheba but also The Barefoot Comtessa and Barabbas) who detected Ennio's talents and entrusted him with arrangements and orchestra conducting.
It was the time when Italy would compete with Hollywood. But the one who revealed his huge talent was Sergio Leone ; the both of them would become the successful example of a fruitful collaboration between a composer and a director (like John Williams with Steven Spielberg, François De Roubaix with Robert Enrico, Francis Lai with Claude Lelouch for example). With A fistful of dollars (the DVD is still impatiently awaided by today's film buffs), Ennio Morricone gave free rein to his hyperrealistic musical ideas. His technique is put to the test by his variety composing (he is the one who wrote the song "Here's to you" from the film Sacco and Vanzetti, a melody he wrote for the woman he was in love with at the time, Joan Baez). Through the length of the scenes created from the score, the use of instruments never used before in the film industry, the mixing of women's voices, the composer's wonderful melodies start the "spaghetti western" genre (check out Once upon a time in the West, A fistful of dynamite, The good, the bad and the ugly, My name is nobody... They haven't aged a bit !). Leone and Morricone brought together the strength of the image and the musical lyricism always for the better, never for the worst ! Morricone was as comfortable composing for small groups as he was for 120-musician philharmonic orchestras and he was very much inspired whatever the film genre (the detective films starring Belmondo are amazing also thanks to Ennio Morricone). He was very ackowledged and appreciated in the USA and then in the whole world, Europe would nevertheless remain his big faithful admirer. This DVD is filled with emotion (some musicians have been performing with the Maestro since his beginning and his first recordings) and we are very grateful for his whole body of work, and it is not over yet !

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arty but hot
Great movie....................

Score
Starring: Calvin Culver , Gerald Grant , Lynn Lowry , Carl Parker , and Claire Wilbur
Director: Radley Metzger
Manufacturer: First Run Features
ProductGroup: DVD
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Lickerish Quartet
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The Image

ASIN: B000CCD1YS
Release Date: 2006-02-21

Description

In the Village of Leisure - in the Land of Play - Deep within the Erogenous Zone - live Jack and Elvira, a swinging married couple who have their sights set on seducing a pair of naive newlyweds. The sparks fly in this erotic classic, which also features the sublime original theatrical trailer.

Customer Reviews:

arty but hot.......2007-04-20

first off, as a totally hetero man, i only enjoyed 75% of this movie. everything involving the one guy trying to seduce the other guy i jumped thru. not that there is anything wrong with that. however, everything with the older wife trying to seduce the younger wife is hot hot and HOT, with great sexual tension. plus the scene with her and the telephone repairman is quite good also.

Great movie...........................2005-12-24

A very hot and sexy movie defintely a piece of art..

DVD:

DVD

Friends - Series 1 - Episodes 9-16 [1995]

DVD: Medea

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