Kansas City [IMPORT]

Starring:Jennifer Jason Leigh, Miranda Richardson, Harry Belafonte, Michael Murphy, Dermot Mulroney, Steve Buscemi, Brooke Smith, Jane Adams (II), Jeff Feringa, A.C. Tony Smith, Martin Martin, Albert J. Burnes, Ajia Mignon Johnson, Tim Snay, Tawanna Benbow, Cal Pritner, Jerry Fornelli, Michael Marisi Ornstein, Michael Garozzo, Joe Digirolamo
Director: Robert Altman
Studio: Pid
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Album Description
Asian only NTSC / ALL CODE DVD. Directed & Co-Written by Robert Altman (The Player, Ready To Wear). Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Miranda Richardson, Harry Belafonte & Steve Buscemi. For his 31st film, director Robert Altman revisits his birthplace, Kansas City, at the peak of its vitality in 1934. Located at the crossroads of America, Kansas City thrived under the rule of city bosses and organized crime. Gambling and prostitution were officially illegal, but freely available; and a new kind of jazz played 'round the clock in the raucous clubs around 18th and Vine. While the rest of the country was mired in the Great Depression, Kansas City not only prospered, it swung. The action in KANSAS CITY occurs over the course of two days in 1934, on the eve of municipal elections. The Democratic political machine of boss Tom Pendergast gears up to get out the votes, using violence when necessary. Virtuoso jazz musicians match musical wits in all-night 'cutting contests' at the Hey Hey Club. And scrappy Blondie O'Hara, portrayed by Jennifer Jason Leigh, simulating the tough-talking broads of her silver screen idol, Jean Harlow, kidnaps wealthy Carolyn Stilton (Miranda Richardson), the laudanum-addicted wife of an advisor to President Roosevelt. Blondie's plan is to swap Carolyn for her small-time gangster husband Johnny O'Hara (Dermot Mulroney), who has been captured by big-time gangster, killer and club-owner Seldom Seen (Harry Belafonte). Johnny has affronted Seldom by robbing one of the kingpin's wealthy gambling customers; worse, he has infuriated Seldom by committing the crime in blackface. Johnny is being held in the basement of Seldom's Hey Hey Club, where the music-loving gangster moves to the jam session going on upstairs. While Seldom considers just how to dispose of Johnny O'Hara, Blondie O'Hara carts her captive, the genteel, opiated Carolyn Stilton, all over Kansas City. Once she tracks down Henry Stilton (Michael Murphy) and gives him the terms of his wife's ransom, Blondie must keep Carolyn out of sight. Inseparable for two days, these two very different women begin to understand one another as they head towards an inevitable, transforming conclusion. KANSAS CITY contrasts the emotions provoked by the film's dual kidnappings with the exhilarating jazz of the all-night jam sessions, while being surrounded by the beauty, violence and joy of a unique time in American history. A cinematic riff on race, class, power and addiction, Altman calls KANSAS CITY 'a jazz memory.' ** Please note this DVD carries un-removable / burned-in Chinese subtitles.

Kansas City [IMPORT]
Average customer rating:

good music but slow movie

good music but slow movie

Kansas City [IMPORT]
Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh , Miranda Richardson , Harry Belafonte , Michael Murphy , and Dermot Mulroney
Director: Robert Altman
Manufacturer: Pid
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video
Belafonte, Harry | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Buscemi, Steve | ( B ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Leigh, Jennifer Jason | ( L ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Mulroney, Dermot | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Murphy, Michael | ( M ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Richardson, Miranda | ( R ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Smith, Brooke | ( S ) | Actors & Actresses | Stores | DVD | Video
Altman, Robert | ( A ) | Directors | Stores | DVD | Video
Used DVDs | Stores | DVD | Video | Action & Adventure | African American Cinema | Animation | Anime & Manga | Art House & International | Classics | Comedy | Cult Movies | Documentary | Drama | Educational | Fitness & Yoga | Gay & Lesbian | Horror | Kids & Family | Military & War | Music Video & Concerts | Musicals & Performing Arts | Mystery & Suspense | Science Fiction & Fantasy | Special Interests | Sports | Television | Westerns
( K ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
ASIN: B00005N904
Release Date: 2001-07-10

Album Description

Asian only NTSC / ALL CODE DVD. Directed & Co-Written by Robert Altman (The Player, Ready To Wear). Starring Jennifer Jason Leigh, Miranda Richardson, Harry Belafonte & Steve Buscemi. For his 31st film, director Robert Altman revisits his birthplace, Kansas City, at the peak of its vitality in 1934. Located at the crossroads of America, Kansas City thrived under the rule of city bosses and organized crime. Gambling and prostitution were officially illegal, but freely available; and a new kind of jazz played 'round the clock in the raucous clubs around 18th and Vine. While the rest of the country was mired in the Great Depression, Kansas City not only prospered, it swung. The action in KANSAS CITY occurs over the course of two days in 1934, on the eve of municipal elections. The Democratic political machine of boss Tom Pendergast gears up to get out the votes, using violence when necessary. Virtuoso jazz musicians match musical wits in all-night 'cutting contests' at the Hey Hey Club. And scrappy Blondie O'Hara, portrayed by Jennifer Jason Leigh, simulating the tough-talking broads of her silver screen idol, Jean Harlow, kidnaps wealthy Carolyn Stilton (Miranda Richardson), the laudanum-addicted wife of an advisor to President Roosevelt. Blondie's plan is to swap Carolyn for her small-time gangster husband Johnny O'Hara (Dermot Mulroney), who has been captured by big-time gangster, killer and club-owner Seldom Seen (Harry Belafonte). Johnny has affronted Seldom by robbing one of the kingpin's wealthy gambling customers; worse, he has infuriated Seldom by committing the crime in blackface. Johnny is being held in the basement of Seldom's Hey Hey Club, where the music-loving gangster moves to the jam session going on upstairs. While Seldom considers just how to dispose of Johnny O'Hara, Blondie O'Hara carts her captive, the genteel, opiated Carolyn Stilton, all over Kansas City. Once she tracks down Henry Stilton (Michael Murphy) and gives him the terms of his wife's ransom, Blondie must keep Carolyn out of sight. Inseparable for two days, these two very different women begin to understand one another as they head towards an inevitable, transforming conclusion. KANSAS CITY contrasts the emotions provoked by the film's dual kidnappings with the exhilarating jazz of the all-night jam sessions, while being surrounded by the beauty, violence and joy of a unique time in American history. A cinematic riff on race, class, power and addiction, Altman calls KANSAS CITY 'a jazz memory.' ** Please note this DVD carries un-removable / burned-in Chinese subtitles.

Customer Reviews:

good music but slow movie.......2002-05-26

If it were not for Harry Bellefonte this one would fall apart. Harry definately held it together as the only acting bright spot.
The music was very good. So if you are a jazz fan skip the movie and get the sound track.
If you want a great jazz movie get Cotton Club.

good music but slow movie.......2002-05-26

Kansas City [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]

Average customer rating:

Kansas City [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - Australia ]
Director: Robert Altman
Manufacturer: Siren Visual
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Art House & International | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Foreign & International | Stores | DVD | Video
ASIN: B000FSR0LY

Product Description

Australia released, PAL/Region 0 DVD: it WILL NOT play on standard US DVD player. You need multi-region PAL/NTSC DVD player to view it in USA/Canada. LANGUAGES: English (Dolby Digital 2.0), SYNOPSIS: The jazz world of 1930s Kansas City serves as the backdrop for an offbeat story of kidnapping, political corruption, and organized crime in director Robert Altman's loving but unsentimental look at his childhood hometown. The film's intricate story is triggered by petty thief Johnny O'Hara (Dermot Mulroney), who aims for a big score by trying to rob notorious crime boss Seldom Seen (Harry Belafonte), only to end up Seen's captive. In fear for her husband's life, Johnny's wife Blondie (Jennifer Jason Leigh) decides to take action. Following an eccentric personal logic, she takes as a hostage the wife of a prominent local politician, in hopes of getting the woman's husband to help; unfortunately, he is on the road with an upcoming presidential campaign, putting a major hitch in Blondie's plans. The film moves freely among its idiosyncratic characters in an overt attempt to mimic the improvisational structure of 1930s jazz. Indeed, many of the film's most important sequences take place in Seldom Seen's club, with contemporary jazz greats imitating the period's master musicians and Harry Belafonte shining as the magnetic, menacing Seen. The central narrative never achieves the seemingly effortless integration of Altman's greatest works, but those who share Altman's obvious passion for the period and its music will find much to admire.

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