Isola

Starring:Kimura, Kurosawa
Studio: Adness
Product Type: DVD

Customer Reviews:

An excellent performance.......2007-06-27

This is a reissue (digitally remastered) of a 1977 Live from the Met telecast. The production (scenery % costumes) are traditional 1970s Met, the singers and conducting are excellect (Cotrubas had a little trouble with a few of the high notes), and the remastered video and audio bring it very close to todays technical standards. This is the best Rigoletto I have seen on DVD.

SECOND-EVER "LIVE FROM THE MET" TELECAST.......2007-02-16

I never had the chance to see this telecast when it first aired, and to my knowledge it was never issued commercially (or rebroadcast) until now. Of the three recently issued early PBS telecasts (the others being "Boheme" with Scotto & Pavarotti, and "Luisa Miller" with Scotto & Domingo), this is perhaps the weakest, as some other posters have suggested. Still, it ranks as one of the finest performances of Verdi's middle period masterpiece on video. I think it's hilarious that Domingo actually admits to Tony Randall, on camera, that he "despises" the role of the Duke! Can't help wondering if he doth protest too much about the character's heelish demeanor (a la Jon Vickers and Tannhauser?), and instead it's just a matter of "oh, God, those high Bs!" But he nails both of them, onstage and off, big and loud, albeit a bit rough around the edges. Otherwise he sings the role with real slancio and style--considering he did the role only a handful of times, I think it's fair to call this a historic performance. He looks absolutely wonderful to boot.

Cotrubas is predictably superb, if showing a hint of strain on a couple of top notes--her top was never her strong suit, but projecting a touching vulnerability certainly was. Her Gilda is irresistible.

Cornell MacNeil is the weak link, but I have trouble criticizing him too heavily in this performance. Yes, by now he had largely lost the rich, juicy core of his huge baritone, and had revamped his technique--not very successfully--to try to keep his increasingly wobbly tone focused and forward, resulting in that tiresome wide-open tonal quality. But in the intermission interviews Mac talks of taking the previous summer off to rest and study (and having suffered through some truly ugly singing of his on Met radio broadcasts in the spring of 1977, he NEEDED time off!) And the fact is, it helped tremendously--aside from some pitch lapses and the increasingly raw, wide-open quality of his tone around the break, the voice here is amazingly firm, focused, settled. Can't quite say the same about his interpretation, which tends to go in and out of focus--and he spends far too much time staring at Levine. But when he's fully "in" the character it's really pretty impressive. The voice was no longer a thing of beauty, but he was pretty much in command of it here... sadly, I remember him sliding back into bad vocal habits as the 77-78 season went on (BUH--UH--WUH--UH--WUH etc.) Levine's conducting seems similarly unsettled--racing through some sections, dragging others lethargically. But overall it's an impressive performance all round, undoubtedly one of the best "Rigolettos" on video. I even rather like the Dexter production.

DG's remastering is remarkably good, and the sound here is surprisingly clean for such an early PBS effort--this was only their second live telecast from the Met, following the March 1977 "Boheme." But in general they tended to mic the singers rather too distantly, and seemed to get way too much back-of-the-wall "echo"--something the Met radio engineers managed to avoid. Why didn't PBS simply use the radio mic setup? (I understand that by 1980 or so, they began utilizing an audio crew from the European video outfit Unitel, or at least retained them as consultants [?], and later Met telecasts have far cleaner sound.)

most moving!.......2006-11-17

This trio performance of MacNeil, Cotrubas and Domingo is overwhelming, and actually I was on the verge of tears upon seeing it. What more can I say? Just have your copy of it, please!

interesting production.......2006-11-06

The production is faithful to the style of Verdi. Singers did a good job. Orrchestra is fine.

The Tragedy of Rigoletto.......2006-06-09

And the tragedy is that there is no decent performance of this opera available. The sets in this production are acceptable but later productions are more attractive. As the Duke Domingo cannot be bettered and Cotrubas is a touching Gilda. The other members of the cast are fine as well except for the title role. MacNeil is simply inadequate, his tone dry and forced and frequently under pitch. Its very painful to see him struggle through this performance. His presence ruined the whole opera for me. The Met certainly should have been able to find a more suitable singer to portay this all important role. His work is not at a professional level at this stage of his career. Terrible, terrible, terrible!

Average customer rating:

Girasoles sin las flores...y mucho mas
Girasoles Para Lucia

Girasoles Para Lucia
Starring: Neyra , Aravena , Martin , and Isola
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
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La Mujer de Mi Vida
Calypso
Pasion De Gavilanes
Cuerpo Del Deseo
Alborada

ASIN: B000FUF6YU
Release Date: 2006-08-01

Description

A captivating, sentimental telenovela packed with desire, scheming, enchanting characters, and witty humor! The stunning and sweet Lucia Trevi (Gianella Neyra) has two dreams: become a famous Hollywood actress and win the heart of Jose Simon Landaeta (Pablo Martin), the country's most desirable bachelor. Like Cinderella, this cheery yet poor beauty believes that dreams can come true if you wish for them strongly enough. Finally she gets the opportunity she has longed for: contact with the distinguished Landaeta family, which brings her closer to the man of her dreams. Yet it is the charismatic Roberto Landaeta (Jorge Aravena), brother of arrogant Jose Simon, who falls in love with Lucia and hides his identity to conquer her heart without the influence of his fortune. And so begins the dangerous adventure that will force Lucia to choose her destiny.

Una telenovela cautivadora y sentimental con deseos ardientes y planes ocultos, llena de encanto y humor! La hermosa y dulce Lucia Trevi (Gianella Neyra) tiene dos suenos en la vida: convertirse en una famosa actriz de Hollywood y conquistar a Jose Simon Landaeta (Pablo Martin), el soltero mas codiciado del pais. Como la Cenicienta, esta chica alegre y dulce- pero pobre - piensa que los suenos si pueden realizarse si uno los desea con la suficiente intensidad. Quizas como recompensa por tanto optimismo, la vida le da a Lucia una oportunidad que anhela: entrar en contacto con la distinguida familia Landaeta y asi poder acercarse a su idolo. Aunque es el bondadoso y sencillo Roberto Landaeta (Jorge Aravena), hermano del arrogante y despreciativo Jose Simon, que se enamora de Lucia y oculta su identidad para poder conquistar a la bella joven sin influencia de su apellido. Asi comenzara una peligrosa aventura que llevara a Lucia hacia la realizacion de su mas ansiado sueno y la forzara escoger cual de los hermanos es su verdadero principe azul.

Customer Reviews:

Girasoles sin las flores...y mucho mas.......2007-05-08

This DVD was such a disappointment. They have cut more than half of the novela. Almost all of the funny stuff is gone. If I didn't already know the storyline, I doubt I would be able to follow it. I hope someone will come out with the complete novela, preferably with extras. Esa es una travestia. BTW, there are no English subtitles, or Spanish either, for that matter. I definitely don't recommend buying it. Of the telenovelas I have bought, the best was Cuerpo del deseo.

Girasoles Para Lucia.......2007-01-10

I t was verry good, the quality of the image was good verry nice to. I miss some parts of the film , But is good.

Verdi - La Forza del Destino / Price, Giacomini, Nucci, Jones, Giaiotti, Fissore, Vernon, Levine, Metropolitan Opera

Average customer rating:

great!
A GREAT MEMENTO OF A GREAT SOPRANO
The best "La forza" I know so far...
A Tribute to a true Diva
A 'Historic' Forza to Own:"La Splendissima" LIVE on VHS/DVD

Verdi - La Forza del Destino / Price, Giacomini, Nucci, Jones, Giaiotti, Fissore, Vernon, Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Starring: Richard Vernon (IV) , Leontyne Price , Giuseppe Giacomini , Leo Nucci , and Isola Jones
Director: Kirk Browning
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Verdi - Don Carlo / Placido Domingo, Mirelli Freni, Grace Bumbry, Louis Quilico, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Ferruccio Furlanetto, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Verdi - Luisa Miller / Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, Bonaldo Giaiotti, James Morris, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore / Pavarotti, Battle, Pons, Dara, Upshaw, Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Verdi - Simon Boccanegra / Levine, Te Kanawa, Metropolitan Opera
Verdi - Un Ballo in Maschera / Levine, Pavarotti, Nucci, Metropolitan Opera

ASIN: B0009YBYSE
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Amazon.com

For much of the late 20th century, Leontyne Price was the leading exponent of Verdi's heroic soprano roles--among the most demanding vocal and dramatic categories in opera. One of her specialties was Leonora, the tormented heroine in La forza del destino (The Power of Fate). Her classic performance, combined with some of Verdi's most soaring and energetic music, did much to justify this flawed but compelling masterpiece--a thud-and-blunder melodrama about war, duels, violent death, guilt, vengeance, and concealed identities in which, following a tried and true operatic formula, nearly everybody dies at the end. There are also comic scenes.

A Metropolitan Opera production of La forza del destino starring Leontyne Price should be a basic item in any collection seriously dedicated to Verdi. This would be an even better production if it had been recorded earlier, when her voice was richer and more precisely controlled, but it is clearly a case of better late than never. The supporting cast is capable and sometimes exciting, but frankly no match for the all-star ensemble supporting Renata Tebaldi and Franco Corelli in a 1958 performance at the San Carlo Opera in Naples available only on VHS. That production is filmed in black and white; no subtitles are provided and the video's technical quality is primitive. But it captures the opera's emotional energy and epic scope. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

great!.......2006-11-17

This cd with Giacomini and Nucci and Price is
priceless, to say the least. I urge you to view it and experience for a moment one grand musical destiny only the unique genius of Verdi can give.

A GREAT MEMENTO OF A GREAT SOPRANO.......2005-08-27

This performance is worth having as a reasonably good representation of "Forza del Destino", an opera not abundantly available on DVD, but more so for the presence of Leontyne Price in one of her greatest Verdi roles. True, the voice is not as resplendent and luscious as it was some seasons earlier, but the grand authority and imperial voice remain intact. I really wonder who could sing this role as well today as Price does on this Met video. Like Zinka Milanov before her, Price is a Verdi soprano to the manner born, and her bearing and personage alone makes her assuption of this role treasurable. Granted ------ it would have been better for her to have appeared in a DVD of this opera a few years earlier, but in her case, it's better late than never. Now if the Met would only release her farewell 1985 Aida, which, while not as vocally infallable as it was a few years earlier, is still good enough to blow all of the other competition away.

The best "La forza" I know so far..........2004-03-08

The best "La forza" I know so far..., Tragic, amazingly performed and unforgettebly staged. Very nice.

A Tribute to a true Diva.......2003-03-29

Although La forza del destino is not my favorite opera by Verdi, it does showcase Leontyne Price's magnificent voice. At times it almost seemed as if the composer had written it for her. As for the DVD, it is wonderful to be able to view the opera singers up close (something one never sees on the stage, even with opera glasses)and see the emotion on their faces. The lighting was quite dramatic, although I was a bit disappointed in the sets and expected much more from the Met (as I have seen far better and grander sets at the local operas where I live). All in all though, I highly recommend this DVD to anyone who admires Leontyne Price, as well as to anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to see her perform. Brava!

A 'Historic' Forza to Own:"La Splendissima" LIVE on VHS/DVD.......2003-02-28

I attended this performance, and even allowing for individual quibbles with various artists heard on this DVD, I believe the sum of its parts are well worth the 'PRICE' of owning it.

This performance,taped live on a Saturday afternoon in 1983, presents the great American diva, soprano LEONTYNE PRICE in one of her most famous Verdi roles. Her performance, factoring in age(57), career(30+ yrs),& the AFTERNOON, is late vintage Price. Certain vocal mannerisms - a cloudy lower voice, sliding portamenti, and scooping - are indeed present in this performance (as they were in some degree since the late '70s). However, they hardly diminish either the vocal or dramatic impact that Ms. Price brings to this live performance. Her upper register, slightly weaker than before, still rings out minus any wobble and/or false pitches. She sings with beautiful dynamic shadings to accentuate the drama, and still floats pianissimi with little obvious effort. Indeed in this VERDI opera, most of those 'mannerisms' abet the drama, and always did for this particular artist! Ms. Price's performance as the tragic Leonora di Vargas here is heartfelt, passionate, and deeply moving. As there are no other full-length taped commercial opera performances available of this legendary soprano, this VHS/DVD is all the more treasurable for a glimpse of what made LEONTYNE PRICE the reigning Verdi soprano for the past 40 yrs! Tenor Giuseppe Giacomini, while more protean vocally, sings crudely, giving a loud, unsubtle, yet dramatically tenable portrayal of the unfortunate Don Alvaro, complete with a bawling middle, somewhat off-set by ringing high notes. Leo Nucci is a lightweight Verdi baritone, lacking the customary heft and tonal warmth associated with the role of Don Carlo di Vargas. He nonetheless produces exciting vocalism, enhanced by committed acting, and HIS thrilling high notes as well. Mezzo-soprano Isola Jones acts well, looks lovely, but is a barely adequate Preziosilla vocally, with a weak middle voice & a short top. Bonaldo Giaotti's portrayal of Padre Guardiano is somewhat stolid, but his basso is authoritative, and also is beautifully produced. Maestro James Levine's love & mastery of this sprawling masterpiece( the RCA CD version with Price/Domingo/Milnes is magnificent)is evident throughout, birnging clarity to the inherent contrasts between searing, private dramas, and all the lively interludes that occur on the battlefield and amongst the Italian countrysides. Overall,this is a very fine VHS/DVD to own - not the overall best taped performance (Tebaldi, Corelli, etc 1959)- but a Special one for those seeking a cohesive, modern performance of "La Forza del Destino", and starring one of its most celebrated artists, "La Splendissima" soprano Leontyne Price LIVE!! Note: A "cut" (the Soldier's Chorus) while regrettable, is hardly FATAL. Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Engrossing
A College Seminar Costume Drama that needs patience

La Commune
Starring: Caroline Esnard-Benoit , Zinedine Vergnaud , Micheline Letourneur , Patrick Dell'Isola , and Manon Lepage
Director: Peter Watkins
Manufacturer: First Run Features
ProductGroup: DVD
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The War Game/Culloden
The Conformist (Extended Edition)
1900 (Special Collector's Edition)
Hail Mary
The Gladiators

ASIN: B000GYI3JA
Release Date: 2006-10-24

Amazon.com

Peter Watkins, in his ambitious epic, La Commune, tells the riveting story of the French revolutionary, proletarian group established by Parisian citizens in 1871, as rebellion against the National Assembly lead by Adolphe Thiers during the Franco-Prussian War. In his inimitable style, Watkins builds a meta-narrative around a journalist whose propaganda is destroyed by Communard broadcasts, as they document abject poverty and chaos throughout their beloved city. Over 200 non-actors were recruited to play Parisian revolutionaries, as the camera follows them for interviews, showing how they have organized a small military, food banks, housing, and makeshift offices. Watkins gives viewers tours of the sets, to remind us of how our present reality mirrors what was happening historically, and to formally challenge standard-format documentary filmmaking. As journalism's aim, often, is to present facts objectively, La Commune captures the essence of the Communards' rage, while showing the nuances of the conflict from both sides, as a way to more personally present the story. Nearing six hours in length, the film is excruciatingly detailed, leaving one with what feels like a complete picture. A bonus documentary, "The Universal Clock," educates about Watkins' directing style and about the making of La Commune. Mustering up the patience to watch this feature will result in an education about revolutionary thought, from the angles of both the Parisians and Peter Watkins himself. --Trinie Dalton

Description

The films of Peter Watkins are events, and LA COMMUNE may be his magnum opus. Revolutionary in form as well as content, LA COMMUNE captures the historical moment of the Paris Commune of 1871, when a revolutionary government spontaneously formed by the people of Paris defied the national authorities during the Franco-Prussian War. A cast of hundreds re-create the events, and competing camera crews - one from the "official" government station, the other run by the Commune - capture the drama as it unfolds, from different perspectives. An exhilarating experience with special relevance to our media-saturated present, Watkins sweeps us up into the events, showing the aspirations and mandates of the revolutionary government, even as the fighting continues that will bring it to an inevitable bloody end. A penetrating critique of modern media, no one who meets the challenge of LA COMMUNE will be unchanged by the experience.

Customer Reviews:

Engrossing.......2007-03-01

This is one of the most engrossing and challenging and in the end rewarding films I have seen in a very long time. It is well worth the effort and the time to get into it.

A College Seminar Costume Drama that needs patience.......2007-02-22

Fans of Peter Watkin's earlier films, especially his brilliantly directed THE WAR GAME, and the cleverly recreated
faux documentaries, PUNISHMENT PARK and CULLODEN need to pull in their expectations when approaching LA COMMUNE. A lot of time has passed since those earlier triumphs, and there is very little "riveting re-creations of dramatic events to be had"---everyone TALKS about dramatic events, have just participated in them, or are going to --but the recreations take place in a large warehouse-factory,and are nothing like the
exciting moments in the earlier films. And there is an awfully lot of talking and polemic--socialist mindset--that, well, educates. Many of the scenes reminds one of a college seminar with students dressed in costumes airing the issues of the times--and if that sounds exciting to you, this is your baby. For my part, I longed that some of the characters, desperaton and tragic consequences of that brief revolution would be up there on the screen (the rows of coffins famous in photographs, with poetic young intellectuals placed in them comes to mind)...but this is the least "visual" of Watkins films. And there is also lots of filler (no drama, no debate, just meandering around with the camera) which doesn't help move the ideas foward very fast. For excitement, try THE WAR GAME. For visual beauty go to EDVARD MUNCH. But if motley revolutionists expounding endlessly for a doomed cause with a few bursts of passion and exalted oratory are what you crave, get ready to be patient and by all means, embrace LA COMMUNE.

Puccini - Manon Lescaut / Levine, Scotto, Domingo, Metropolitan Opera

Average customer rating:

WOW
Glorious
Great Production, Poor Video
The Singing is Not Very Good
5 stars but 2nd Best Manon L.

Puccini - Manon Lescaut / Levine, Scotto, Domingo, Metropolitan Opera
Starring: Renata Scotto , Plácido Domingo , Pablo Elvira , Renato Capecchi , and Philip Creech
Director: Kirk Browning
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
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Verdi - Luisa Miller / Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, Bonaldo Giaiotti, James Morris, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Verdi - Don Carlo / Placido Domingo, Mirelli Freni, Grace Bumbry, Louis Quilico, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Ferruccio Furlanetto, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Daniels, Domingo, Milnes, Croft, Laciura, Fitch, Slatkin, Metropolitan Opera
Wagner - Tannhauser / Richard Cassily, Eva Marton, Tatiana Troyanos, Bernd Weikl, John Macurdy, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Leoncavallo - I Pagliacci / Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana / Domingo, Stratas, Pons, Bruson, Obraztsova, Pretre

ASIN: B00000INHI
Release Date: 2000-05-02

Description

Giacomo Puccini's ultimate story of youth and love. Director Gian Carlo Menotti gave Manon Lescaut a sense of humor, eye catching invention and sex appeal. Stars: Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo, Pablo Elvira, Renato Capecchi. Conductor: James Levine. Orchestra and Chorus of the Metropolitan Opera.

Customer Reviews:

WOW.......2004-11-08

This is my favorite opera production. I consider it to be one of the greatest ever (as did Domingo). Occasionally there is a camera problem, but it's minor. This is a sexy opera and the stars give it right back to us. Yes, I prefer Freni (my goddess) than Scotto, but Scotto makes up her vocal shrillness with her incredible acting. This is a must see for Manon lovers and I can't wait to see it next year live at Seattle Opera.
Enjoy, friends!

Glorious.......2004-07-16

I dislike reviewers (or anyone else) who use expressions like "must have," "must read" or "buy it!"! The first two expressions are just in, and I'll buy what it pleases me to buy. But Manon. This I thought was glorious music gloriously sung and acted to within an inch of its life by everyone involved. Manon has always been one of my favorite operas, this is the first time I've seen it, and I doubt I'll watch it again, nothing happens, I'll just listen to the CDs. I only had 2 objections. Scotto and Domingo were both a bit long in the tooth for their roles which to me anyway was very hard to take, the illusion that they were 18 or 20 years old was impossible to maintain. Both were wonderful of course, just too told for their parts. And (sigh, which is typical of an opera), it took forever for Scotto to die, in fact, the music notwithstanding (and I've always loved listening to it), I got bored and started laughing at the dialogue or lyrics or whatever its called by those who are in the know. The sets (as others mentioned) were really wonderful. Levine performed as well as the actors on stage. He always seemed to be looking right into the camera or at least facing it, this was particularly prolonged during the intermezzo. I liked Levine (or at least, never disliked him) up until this DVD. The subtitles were thorough, a thing I've not encountered lately on other DVDs. I recomend this DVD 100% musically and for everything except the age of its stars, and if you can find a version as perfectly done with younger lovers (and by younger, I mean young), I wish you'd recommend that to me.

Great Production, Poor Video.......2003-01-30

"A woman like Manon can have more than one lover", this is a statement made by Puccini when he decided to write his opera of "Manon", facing the already universally successful "Manon" by his French predecessor Massenet. Distinctively, he brought out his Manon with innocence, vanity, and cupidity, and Des Grieux, Manon's passionate lover, with Italian blood.
There is an abrupt jump from Act I to Act II, which may result in discontinuity of Manon's characters, as well as her love to Des Grieux. But as it goes on and as Puccini's music gets more deeply into the agony of the lovers, it gets better. In Act III the emotion has reached its hilt when Des Grieux sings his desperate pleading "Guardate, pazzo son", begging the captain to let him aboard with Manon. The strong dramatics then carries on and gets intensified in Act IV, and ends on Manon's tragic death and Des Grieux's helpless sobbing.
Soprano Reneta Scott, who sings Manon, is impressive in singing. Giving the best performance in Act IV, she is amazing in her vocal power, in forte or in piano. But portraying an eighteen-year-old character, Scott needs more than she could in order to be convincing. She delivers Manon with accuracy, if not vividness.
Although it is the story of Manon, on the stage of Met shines the brilliant Des Grieux, played by Domingo. His voice is lighter and brighter, and yet, more expressive, and his big outbursts are wallop. He looks young and lean, and his acting is full of feeling. Act IV is purely Pucinni with great intensity. Domingo portrays desperation and rage brilliantly. His sobbing is heartbreaking.
One big problem with this DVD is its video and audio quality. Almost every motion on the screen has a ghost tail following behind, somewhat distracting, and at times, annoying. The audio is not as bad as video, but just acceptable. What a pity that this production couldn't be caught on camera with the same sharpness as the opera itself!

The Singing is Not Very Good.......2001-08-28

I have contributed this video to the library because I couldn't stand the singing. Both leads sing uncharacteristically but consistently flat in the early part of the opera. The chorus is limp and other minor parts are are sung with too much wobble to be distinct. The strongest part of the singing is the excellent Lescaut of Pablo Elvira, but it just isn't a big enough part to make up for the rest. The orchestra plays well and the last two parts of the opera are well staged.

5 stars but 2nd Best Manon L........2001-07-28

This is well done and I have had in my collection for years along with Domingo and Kiri in Covent Garden production. I love them both but prefer Covent Garden just a little over this one due to the chemistry of Domingo and TeKanawa who's singing is better than Scotto's as she was beginning to dim vocally. However, the two productions are so different that they are both required for any opera collection. Domingo fans will just love him in what he used to say was his "favorite role". I recommend both versions!

Average customer rating:

Sweet, delightful, fun, touching, insightful
Give Kiernan Turner A Lump Of Coal
A WONDERFUL DELIGHTFUL FILM!
A Happy Holiday Film... Any Time Of The Year
Dumb gay holiday film

24 Nights
Starring: Kevin Isola , Aida Turturro , Stephen Mailer , David Burtka , and Rob Bogue
Director: Kieran Turner
Manufacturer: TLA Releasing
ProductGroup: DVD
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Dorian Blues

ASIN: B00005OLBB
Release Date: 2001-11-13

Description

Jonathan (Kevin Isola) has always believed in Santa, even despite his exasperated sister Marie's (Aida Turturro, The Sopranos) "lies" to the contrary. Now in his early twenties working in a New York gay bookstore, Jonathan knows that despite a string of failed affairs, he can, with a little help from Santa, still find that perfect man! He thinks he's found his present from Santa when he meets new co-worker Toby (David Burtka), a cute southerner and winner of the local "wet underwear" championship. But if Toby really is his gift from Santa, why is he exploding like a party animal all over the New York scene and why has he brought his older childhood sweetheart Keith (Stephen Mailer) along with him? As the shopping days count down to Christmas, Jobathan discovers that Santa doesn't always deliver what sexy gay boys want, he delivers what they deserve.

Customer Reviews:

Sweet, delightful, fun, touching, insightful.......2006-02-08

Yes, I think 24 Nights is a nice little film. All the negative reviews remind me that so many people always view the glass as half empty.

Has the message of this movie been presented before? Yes, hundreds of times. The message being that something what you hunt for is something right in front of you that you don't even recognize.

But this theme was put into the "____ shopping days until Christmas" format and it turns into a simple and delightful film. Of course the main character is moody--he is single, living with his sister who raised him because his parents died/disappeared. It's a sad existance.

So Jonathon does something so cute and sappy...he writes to Santa Claus and asks for a boyfriend. He thinks his Christmas wish was granted when a young man with a Southern accent appears at the book store and asks for a job...could there be a more blatant sign?

But Jonathon was wrong. He found love with another man once he let go of his preconceived notions and opened his heart.

Give Kiernan Turner A Lump Of Coal.......2005-11-26

It was a nice idea and had potential. But this film is so uncheerful and filled with unpleasant people, if Ebeneezer Scrooge had watched it on Christmas Eve, the ghosts of Chirstmasn past, present, and future would have joined him in saying "BAH, HUMBUG!"

Here is the story: Jonathan, an early 20-something gay man is haunted by the death of his parents when he was 8 and, partly to cope, still believes in Santa Claus. He lives with his sister, Marie, and essentially waits for his life to begin. The day after Thanksgiving, he writes Santa asking him for a boyfriend, particularly a cute southerner. Well, the next day, in walks Toby, a guy who fits that description, applying for a job in the gay bookstore where he works. Believing Santa has answered his wish, he persues the guy of his dreams, but the object of his infatuation already has a boyfriend, uptight, suspicious Keith. And the story goes from there.

It had possibilities, but rarely makes good use of them. Part of the problem is the very low budget, which would embarrass a porn production. The lighting and sound are bad, and the editing and film quality leave much to be desired. But even worse is writer/director Kiernan Turner's story and characters. Jonathan is a sullen, immature, self-pitying pothead. And the supporting characters are no better. Everyone in this film is either rude, dumb, selfish, and/or noisy. Maybe the last part is because the sound is so bad, the actors felt the need to shout their lines.

The actors are no better. Kevin Isola is convincing as a pothead, but other than that he sulks throughout the movie and never gives us a reason to care about his character. Aida Turturro (of "The Sopranos") basically shouts her lines, and treats us to more Italian stereotypes than an Olive Garden commercial. It's laughable for them to be portraying brother and sister. With his mushy California mumble and her thick Noo Yawk accent, I couldn't believe they grew up in the same state, let alone the same house. Embarrassing, unintentional comic relief comes from David Burtka as the object of Jonathan's desire. His performance consists of a bug-eyed, goofy grin and bogus, honey-chile' accent. Jim Neighbors fans will be happy to know that Gomer Pyle is alive and living in New York City. And, oh, the poor Stephen Mailer. A nice-looking and likeable actor, he's stuck in the thankless role of Burtka's insecure, uptight boyfriend. With his rigid posture and grin-and-bear it manner, it's obvious that Mailer is bored and embarrassed. I was hoping he'd appear shirtless, to see whether he was wearing a back brace. He performance screans, "I can't wait till the filming is over so I can fire my agent." His attitude is understandable, but doesn't make the film any more entertaining.

What's sad about this is not only the good premise, but the fact that a few moments are quite good. The scene where Jonathan mistakes a woman for his deceased mother and follows her to a store Christmas display is genuinely moving. Some of the quiet moments, like Marie confiding how much she cares about her brother or Keith reaching out to someone he once considered his rival, make us briefly care about them. And some of the humor is laugh-out-loud funny. These give you a sense of what could have been. But there just aren't enough of them.

A WONDERFUL DELIGHTFUL FILM! .......2005-01-09

I disagree with ANYONE that the film is shot quote "Amateurish"...that's pure rubish! THAT IS WHAT MAKES THIS SOOOO APPEALING! NO high tech nonsense! BRIALLANTLY done and well acted by all the characters. Everyone has something that adds a delightful charming appeal to this fun, feel good movie. (Like a nice hot cup of cocoa). I loved it... PERIOD! Makes you really believe that there is a Santa Claus! :) Check it out and you decide!

A Happy Holiday Film... Any Time Of The Year.......2004-12-22

The grainy low-budget vibe to this film only adds to it's sheer delight. A warm-hearted story that will have you watching it with friends many times. Solid performances by Aida Turturro as "Marie" and Stephen Mailer as "Keith." Many delightful characters and highlights. Mark Bateman as co-worker "James" was just hysterical. And you'll learn how to play "45 Poker." Get your music trivia ready. Enjoy!

Dumb gay holiday film.......2003-12-06

Aida Turturro could have been nominated for an Oscar for this film. If you are a big Aida Turturro fan, then I won't stop you from checking this movie out. Otherwise, it was just a weak film with a dumb premise. The central character has few redeaming qualities and isn't particularly likeable, so it's hard to imagine why he becomes the hinge of a love triangle. Just because there aren't many gay holiday films doesn't mean we need this one.

Average customer rating:

Must be rough being a refuge for multiple spirits

Isola
Starring: Ken Ishiguro , Makiko Watanabe , Yoshino Kimura , Satomi Tezuka , and Yu Kurosawa
Director: Toshiyuki Mizutani
Manufacturer: Adness
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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One Missed Call
Shadow of the Wraith
A Tale of Two Sisters (Deluxe Edition)
One Missed Call 2
Cello (2005)

ASIN: B00066FBQ6
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Description

The second film based on the word of award-winning novelist Yusuke Kishi. When Yukari, a psychic able to read the thoughts of others, comes to help survivors of the 1995 Kobe earthquake, she encounters a troubled girl named Chihiro who is suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder. Chihiro has 13 different personalities, and her 13th personality is a revengeful ghost named Isola. Can the psychic find a way to stop Isola without harming Chihiro?

Customer Reviews:

Must be rough being a refuge for multiple spirits.......2007-03-30

This Japanese horror film is the first horror film I've seen with this type of theme. It's both disturbing yet suspenseful. And once the plot begins to unviel you can feel yourself getting sucked in to try and solve the mystery before the main character does. Since I figured some people might be wondering what this is about and hear it from someone who has seen the movie and what not I decided to make a short summary of Isola.

The main character, Yukari Kamo, is a volunteer worker after the earthquake in Kobe in 1995. She has no home and no family. But she holds the special talent of being able to read people's minds. Yukari has been severly affected by her "gift" and is forced to take pills to calm herself down.
Eventually she runs into Hiroko Nomura who is the director at a rescue center. Hiroko allows her to stay at her house and Yukari learns that Hiroko is a high school counseler who has a special student named Chihiro Moritani. Chihiro drew 13 pictures of different types of trees that represented each of the personalities that confined in her mind. She would call it her "family tree". The only personality that can't seem to be drawn as a tree is the 13th personality named ISOLA. Chihiro merely scibbles out the name whenever she is pressed by Hiroko. Yukari learns that Chihiro obtained these personalities after she got into a car accident in which took both her parents lives.
The movie progresses and dead bodies begin to show up. Chihiro's classmates tease her and frame her of the killings. But whenever somebody shows their face and gets her too agitated that person turns up dead. Eventually Yukari finds herself trying to solve the question of who Isola really is and how a psychologist she meets named Dr. Kazuhiko Manabe is attached to her death.

Puccini - Manon Lescaut / Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo, Pablo Elvira, Renato Capecchi, Isola Jones, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera

Average customer rating:

WOW
Glorious
Great Production, Poor Video
The Singing is Not Very Good
5 stars but 2nd Best Manon L.

Puccini - Manon Lescaut / Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo, Pablo Elvira, Renato Capecchi, Isola Jones, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Starring: Renata Scotto , Plácido Domingo , Pablo Elvira , Renato Capecchi , and Philip Creech
Director: Kirk Browning
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Verdi - Luisa Miller / Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, Bonaldo Giaiotti, James Morris, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Verdi - Don Carlo / Placido Domingo, Mirelli Freni, Grace Bumbry, Louis Quilico, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Ferruccio Furlanetto, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Puccini - La Fanciulla del West / Daniels, Domingo, Milnes, Croft, Laciura, Fitch, Slatkin, Metropolitan Opera
Wagner - Tannhauser / Richard Cassily, Eva Marton, Tatiana Troyanos, Bernd Weikl, John Macurdy, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Leoncavallo - I Pagliacci / Mascagni - Cavalleria Rusticana / Domingo, Stratas, Pons, Bruson, Obraztsova, Pretre

ASIN: B000E5KOK2
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Customer Reviews:

WOW.......2004-11-08

Glorious.......2004-07-16

Great Production, Poor Video.......2003-01-30

The Singing is Not Very Good.......2001-08-28

5 stars but 2nd Best Manon L........2001-07-28

Zandonai - Francesca Da Rimini / James Levine, The Metropolitan Opera

Average customer rating:

Scotto Convert
disappointing production
Met puts best foot forward
Francesca da Rimini at the Met (DVD)
A LITTLE-KNOWN WONDER

Zandonai - Francesca Da Rimini / James Levine, The Metropolitan Opera
Starring: Renata Scotto , Plácido Domingo , Cornell MacNeil , William Lewis (III) , and Gail Robinson (II)
Director: Brian Large
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

Meyerbeer - L'Africaine / Arena, Domingo, Verrett, San Francisco Opera
Verdi - Don Carlo / Placido Domingo, Mirelli Freni, Grace Bumbry, Louis Quilico, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Ferruccio Furlanetto, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Berlioz - Les Troyens / Levine, Troyanos, Norman, Domingo, Metropolitan Opera
Puccini - Manon Lescaut / Renata Scotto, Placido Domingo, Pablo Elvira, Renato Capecchi, Isola Jones, James Levine, Metropolitan Opera
Puccini - Manon Lescaut / Sinopoli, Domingo, Te Kanawa, Allen, Royal Opera Covent Garden

ASIN: B00000IC1L
Release Date: 1999-04-27

Description

This is a prime example of the lush musical style of the late Romantic era. The production features opera greats Placido Domingo, Cornell MacNeil and Renata Scotto. Riccardo Zandonai's Francesca may be one of the most beautiful in the Metropolitan Opera company's recent history. The sets and costumes match the lushness of the music. Conducted by James Levine. Includes English Subtitles.

Customer Reviews:

Scotto Convert.......2006-02-22

Being too young to have ever experienced Scotto live, I was confused as to why Met audiences held her so high in her heyday. I had heard her recordings and thought she was interesting but that her floppy high notes were a major turnoff. Then, I saw this DVD. I completely understand her appeal now. She is magnetic and (I can't believe I am saying this) the loose high notes didn't even bother me. Everything else in this production is high quality as well. If you are a fan of Scotto, this is a must have. Also, the score of this piece is worth hearing and I haven't heard it done better than this (in fact, it is hard to find many recordings of this at all)...

disappointing production.......2003-07-12

although this DVD has very good performances by Domingo and Scotto it is flawed by very poor filming. Yes the set and costumes are lush, but it is so dark you can't see them. I bought this in spite of it being a Pioneer production, but I
will not make this mistake again.

Met puts best foot forward.......2002-08-08

The Metropolitan Opera went all out to make its production of this rarely performed work a success. The sets are beautiful and match the music perfectly. The conducting and playing could hardly be bettered. Scotto is nearly perfect in the title role (just a few years earlier she would have been absolutely perfect). Domingo was at his best as Paolo. Nevertheless, veteran baritone Cornell MacNeil nearly steals the show as the nasty, brutish Gianciotto. At this stage of his career, his voice was no longer beautiful, but it still had the range, power, and expressiveness to personify this evil character. The opera falls somewhat short of being an unqualified musical masterpiece, but it is a fascinating and dramatically effective work and has some stunning scenes, including the longest battle scene I have ever seen on stage in an opera theater (Die Walkure, Act III Scene 1 is shorter and the actual battle seems always to take place off stage). I recommend that you get this one. You won't be bored.

Francesca da Rimini at the Met (DVD).......2002-07-12

Francesca da Rimini is a fascinating opera and in parts - the end of act 1, the second half of Act 3 - truly magical. It is not the sort of opera which would take kindly to a minimalist production or to updating, so - in this case - the lavish sets and costumes provided by the Met are entirely appropriate and highly effective (though I do wish the audience would refrain from applauding the scenery). The opera stands or falls by the casting of Francesca and Paolo and in this production it definitely stands. In 1984, Placido Domingo was a dashing and handsome Paolo acting with verve and on top vocal form. We perhaps too often take him for granted because he has been so good for so long. Francesca is supposed to be young and beautiful. Renata Scotto is neither, but for much of the time she makes you think that she is. Her acting is most certainly of the operatic variety, but it works. At this stage in her career, when she is called upon to deliver the highest notes her voice turns hard and wobbles - fortunately there are not that many of the highest notes in this part. The rest of the voice remains gorgeous and infinitely expressive. Levine and the Met orchestra play superbly.

A LITTLE-KNOWN WONDER.......2000-03-23

This opera doesn't find its way to the stage very much, but I fell in love with this video version and look forward to seeing it live somewhere. The first act sets the stage with a great Pre-Raphaelite look, as Francesca and Paolo meet and begin their doomed love. The music, highly melodic in the first and final acts, is charged with drama. In between, you have the brutal scenes of war, hate, violence--with Paolo's brothers, a nasty pair, contrasting nicely with the languid beauty of the two lovers' encounters. This is truly a case where the sets and costumes create a jewel-like setting for the sensual emotions displayed in Zandonai's music.

The Island (L'Isola) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - France ]

Average customer rating:

The Island (L'Isola) [ NON-USA FORMAT, PAL, Reg.0 Import - France ]
Director: Constanza Quatriglio
Manufacturer: Doriane Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Product Description

France 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: Italian (Dolby Digital 2.0), English (Subtitles), French (Subtitles), Italian (Subtitles), SYNOPSIS: A coming of age story of a boy, Turi (Ernandes) and his younger sister, Teresa (Guarrasi) on an island off the coast of Sicily. Using mostly non professional actors in a neorealist style, this film creates a charming and seemingly authentic slice of village life. SPECIAL FEATURES: Interactive Menu,

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