Back Stage

Starring:Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man, Redman, Beanie Sigel, DJ Clue, Amil, Ja Rule, Dave Howard, Tyran 'Ty-Ty' Smith, Memphis Bleek, Lady Luck, Damon Dash
Director: Chris Fiore (III)
Studio: Dimension
Product Type: DVD

Amazon.com

This raucous documentary of the 1999 Hard Knock Life Tour--featuring Jay-Z, DMX, Method Man, Redman, and other rappers--is chaotic and confusing, but that seems entirely appropriate. Life on tour is notoriously grueling, and this tour (with such an abundance of high-profile performers and support staff) proves to be no exception. Surprisingly, the egos of the performers seem reasonably under control; the driving motor of the entire event is Roc-A-Fella Records CEO Damon Dash, who rants to great effect--in one entertaining sequence, as someone fruitlessly tries to shave Dash's head, Dash vents at length about how everyone is wearing jackets publicizing Def Jam instead of Roc-A-Fella. Backstage depicts naked groupies, drug use, internal squabbles, and hardly a sentence goes by that isn't filled with obscenities or epithets, but the rappers come across as a surprisingly genial, friendly lot just enjoying themselves. Jay-Z is particularly charming, but rapper Beanie Sigel has the sharpest comments to make as he describes the treatment of demo tapes at record labels. Curiously, the concert footage only comes across in snippets, though it certainly communicates the flavor of the show. Backstage is unlikely to tell you anything you didn't know or already suspect about the touring life or rap music, but it depicts the experience vividly. --Bret Fetzer

Customer Reviews:

Good Video.......2005-02-05

DMX is sick and Meth and Red were awsome too. It was crazy seein Methodman and Redman perform flyin though the sky kickin off their Timbs. Pain in tha ass was some funnt sh*t too doin his Tony Montana Impression Eatin a sandwich. This DVD is worth watchin, peace

PHAT but could be better........2002-07-23

They needed to extend the length of this DVD. Despite the title i thought it would have more concert footage. Its fustrating when one of your favourite songs begins and is then cut off, and believe me with the rappers featured on this DVD its rather frequent. DMX is by far the most entertaining because what he says is most interesting and at times relevant. Its good to see how Ja acts in a interview senario. he seems very on point. Method Man and Redman are themselves, entertaing and so high they could kiss tha sky as always. This DVD was a must for my collection beacuse of the all-star cast. If u respect the people mentioned above i recommend u buy this DVD. Definatly blunt somkin material.

so close its like u there.......2001-05-16

If there is one hip hop documentary u gotta pick up, its Backstage. Whats more fun than seein Red and Meth gettin high? Whats more fun than seein Damon Dash curse out da Def Jam prez? This documentary gets you so close to the backstage action even tha artists was startin to get [mad] yellin at da cameras. Some people said there wasnt enough actual concert footage: READ THE TITLE...! ITS CALLED BACKSTAGE NOT ONSTAGE!

Great but technically flawed DVD.......2001-03-20

The "Backstage" DVD is a great slice of hip hop life showing you the behind-the-scenes, industry point of view on the hip hop music touring biz mixed with snippets (NOT whole songs) of some the hits songs performed live on the tour. Just for the scene where Dame Dash puts Def Jam prez Kevin Liles on blast for trying to steal Roc-A-Fella's shine by giving all the artists on tour Def Jam Hard Knock Life tour jackets is worth the price of the DVD alone.

However, I have had trouble with 2 copies of the DVD I have bought so far. Both times, chapters 9-12 have played OK but won't fast forward or rewind. When you try to do either the DVD freezes up. I'm not sure if I'm buying from a bad batch of DVDs at the particular store I went to or if this is a problem with all the Backstage DVD's but it's frustrating if you want to just skip to a particular scene within any of these chapters. In summation: great disc for those wanting to see some of the reality behind the glitz and glamor of the hip hop music world but buyer beware: there may be problems with your DVD depending on where you purchase it.

BACKSTAGE.......2001-02-23

THIS IS A DOCUMENTARY TYPE MOVIE FOR TRUE HIP-HOP FANS. I RANK IT AS GOOD, I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER IF MORE OF THE ACTUAL CONCERT WERE FEATURED. IT WAS REAL,YOU GET TO SEE THE PERFORMERS AWAY FROM THE STAGE... SOME OF THE PERSONALITIES BEGIN TO SHINE THROUGH THEIR ONSTAGE PERSONAS, (THE BRAINS AND THE BRAWN)...

Average customer rating:

The Worst Memories
Back To The Beach
Disheartening- a waste of time AND money
Not very cherry!
A big disappointment

Back to the Beach
Starring: The Beach Boys
Manufacturer: Unicorn
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Similar Items:

The Beach Boys - Special Edition EP
The Beach Boys - Endless Harmony
Summer Dreams: The Story of the Beach Boys
The Beach Boys - The Lost Concert
Beach Boys - An American Band / Brian Wilson - I Just Wasn't Made for These Times

ASIN: B000B8QF9G
Release Date: 2005-10-25

Description

The Beach Boys are an American phenomenon. Now, for the first time on DVD, Unicorn Videos Performance Series is proud to present Back to The Beach with the Beach Boys captured live in Saint Louis. The Beach Boys are Rock & Roll royalty, with such classic songs as: California Girls, Catch A Wave, Under The Boardwalk, Be True to Your School Plus, as an added bonus, Back to the Beach features a rare live performance by surf legends Jan & Dean. This is the first time The Beach Boys and Jan & Dean have ever appeared on a DVD together, making Back to the Beach a must have for rock & roll fans of all ages!

Customer Reviews:

The Worst Memories.......2006-09-04

This DVD reminds me of why I stopped seeing the Beach Boys in concert. I stopped shortly after Dennis died as the band was quickly deteriorating into a Vegas lounge act, that more or less relied on gimmicks. As others have said, this is more or less the Mike Love show. Given that I consider him to be the reason for the decline of the band, this DVD is useless. If you like Mike Love, just go see the band traveling as the Beach Boys now. Mike's used the legal system to get monies and the Beach Boy name which is more of the same from him. He strong armed the guys to change the show more in his favor, going for his "formula" argument. It's a waste.

Oh and by the way, to the reviewer previously who said that John Stamos was playing with the guys since 1972, you are incorrect. Ricky Fataar became the drummer for two or three years during that time. He and Blondie Chaplin (sp?) joined the band from South Africa. Check the live album from 72/73. Ricky even sings lead on "We Got Love." John Stamos didn't begin playing with the guys until the mid 80s.

Back To The Beach.......2006-01-20

One of John Stamos's few recorded appearances with The Beach Boys (Also appears on Forever from the Summer In Paradise albums, Kokomo, and various Jan & Dean Albums) , he is featured as a drummer and guitarist. John has been a part time member dating back to 1972, when he filled in for an injured Dennis Wilson. The date of this video is 1993, and shows Al Jardine during his long haired, pony-tail days. Jan & Dean appear by a swimming pool, obviously lip-syncing to old recordings. Only one problem, the original recording of Surf City also featured Brian Wilson. So you have two vocalists featured on the video, while you are hearing 3 different voices, a huge disappointment.

Disheartening- a waste of time AND money.......2005-11-28

BEWARE! The text on the DVD's box DOES NOT accurately describe the video's contents; one may be fooled ( as I was ) into thinking it is a complete concert performance, but it is not- only FOUR songs are performed live by the Beach Boys. Jan and Dean do NOT appear together on stage with the Beach Boys as one would assume by the description on the DVD cover, but rather lip-synch to two of their recordings (accompanied with clips of surfers, etc.) made back in the early '60's...

To add insult to injury is the horrible camera work/editing. It is definitely the "Mike Love show". All the band sidemen plus Carl Wilson, Al Jardine, Bruce Johnston, especially Matt Jardine(?)AKA Brian Wilson's "vocal substitute", barely had a chance. Hardly any close-ups of them, let alone vocal solos.

( an incredibly MUCH better and highly recommended video is the Knebworth concert from 1980 )...

Also of note: Nowhere to be found is the date of the performance, which I have determined to be 1992 from Mike Love's mention of their current album (at the time) of new material-"Summer in Paradise". Also, I have seen this concert tour in Chicago, as I am reminded by the inclusion of the pretty female dancers. But again, the camera too painfully bypasses them mostly in favor of focusing on Mike Love, or worse, John Stamos, a guest musician, as if he really mattered to the legacy of the Beach Boys sound and reputation. Apparently, at least to the female members of the audience, Stamos's presence was the only thing worth reacting to.
This DVD is totally disappointing, but if you absolutely must check it out, try to rent or borrow it just to say you saw it.
I consider myself a fan of collecting rare Beach Boys material, but after seeing Jan & Dean's 'performance', I am sooo embarrassed that I bought this DVD.

Not very cherry!.......2005-11-11

As a HUGE Beach Boys fan of many years I am sorry to say that I was VERY disappointed with this dvd. The picture quality is good (with some video dropouts but that is to be expected with older video) and the audio mix is ok, but it should have been labeled the "Mike Love Show" due to the fact that the camera is mainly on him and rarely shows the other guys. If you are a Mike Love fan then you will like this particular dvd. Brian Wilson appears on the cover but was not at this show... or at least didn't make it on camera. Carl Wilson and Al Jardine appear to be sidemen and not frontmen which was a HUGE disappointment also. If you don't already own a Beach Boys dvd this is slightly better than nothing, but it is not a true representation of the bands talents nor does it showcase their earth-shattering harmonies as one would have hoped. This is what they are best known for and what the buying fanbase really wants! Plus we miss Carls angel-like voice and look forward to every new release hoping to hear him sing lead at least once. Same with Al (the most under-rated Beach Boy) PLEASE Mike (he now owns the rights to the Beach Boys name), release another dvd BUT with ALL the guy's singing lead. AND/Or at least a dvd longer than an average half hour TV sitcom.

A big disappointment.......2005-10-26

This DVD is features 5.1 and 2.0 Audio. Picture quality and sound quality is great. The only other great thing about this is that it is less than 23 minutes in length. The photos on the box feature Brian, Carl and Dennis Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine. The Beach Boys performing on the show, a 1994 concert from Saint Louis, MO, are Carl, Al, Mike and Bruce Johnston. The drummer? Oh, that's pretty boy John Stamos living out his fantasy of being a rock stor. You see 4 songs performed by the Beach Boys: California Girls, Catch a Wave, their classic hit, Under the Boardwalk and Be True to Your School.
They certainly make it seem that Jan & Dean appear with the Beach Boys, but this is not true. Jan and Dean perform from pool side, lip-syncing to Surf City and SideWalk Surfing. No band, no Beach Boys, but some decent footage of surfing and skate boarding and pretty girls.
I can really find nothing of value with this product. It's not worth the postage to mail it to you, the gas money to drive to the store to pick it up, or the shoe leather to walk to the DVD store.
It is a trememdous disspointment. Not even the more arden Beach Boy fan will want to admit he purchased this.

Average customer rating:

FOAPP rox my sox!

Fear Of A Punk Planet, Vol. 1
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Kung Fu Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Punk | Hardcore & Punk | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

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Punk-O-Rama, Vol. 1

ASIN: B0000633R2
Release Date: 2002-03-05

Description

Fear of a Punk Planet is the first-ever original dramatic series in a television format depicting life in the Southern California punk rock scene. Vol. 1 features 3 episodes led off NOFX and 7 extra concert performances from BOuncing Souls, Sick Of It All, Ataris and Good Riddance.

Customer Reviews:

FOAPP rox my sox!.......2003-09-19

Fear of a Punk planet is awsome. The Vandals really pick it up where they left off with "That Darn Punk" and keep the ball rolling strong. Joe plays a great lead role and is acompaned by Waren as always. This show breaks down into the lives of a few punks in the sad sack town of Mullet, CA and there fight to keep there local hang out. The show is funny, has great music, and even better preformances. I own it, love it and am waiting for season 2.

Average customer rating:

Awful (Not even worth the 1 star!)
bleh
An Unexpected Surprise
How people really are when we're not looking ...
The Real Story

That Darn Punk
Starring: Joe Escalante , Katalina , Mia Crowe , Kandis Scalise , and Zander Schloss
Director: Jeff Richardson
Manufacturer: Kung Fu Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000068MAM
Release Date: 2002-06-25

Description

This is a full length Punk feature films, starring the Vandals' Joe Escalante, Repo man's Zander Schloss, Mr. Show's Scott Aukerman and Tenacious D's Kyle Gass. There's lots of music, too, featuring Pennywise, Rancid, The Vandals, The Ataris, AFI, Lagwagon and more.

Customer Reviews:

Awful (Not even worth the 1 star!).......2005-02-25

This was one of the worst movies I have ever attempted to watch. I had to TURN IT OFF. I love the Vandals, which is why I wanted to see it. In result, it made punk in general look ridiculous! Some of these bands should stick to making music, when they go off and try to make a movie as horrible as this, it makes their fans take a second look at who they are all about! Now Suburbia is a good movie, low budget - yes, but a good punk movie. The acting is bad, but the acting in "That Darn Punk" was just something to plain laugh at, before you turn the thing OFF!

bleh.......2003-06-30

this movie doesnt even deserve the one star rating that i gave it.

it was absolutely horrible!

An Unexpected Surprise.......2002-07-20

Very funny movie made by and featuring members of the veteran L.A. punk band the Vandals. This film features live footage of (bands) the Vandals and Guttermouth with actors from Repo Man, Mr. Show, Tenacious D, Straight to Hell, etc. intertwined in a tromaesque plot (space aliens, zombie police, pregnant junkies). Sound track features Nerf Herder, Lagwagon, Pennywise, The Ataris, Rancid, Sloppy Seconds, Swingin' Utters, and many more. DVD comes with tons of extras.

How people really are when we're not looking ..........2001-06-28

Hilariously written and poorly acted, this episodic tale trounces through the weird and the wonderful. Although the movie clearly suffers from its budget being an afterthought, it has moments of sheer brilliance in how it captures the assortment of humanity we meet. I'm particularly fond of "Spoons" and the Japanese phone lady. Oh, yeah, and the pregnant junkie hooker. The soundtrack rocks, but you knew that already, didn't you?

The Real Story.......2001-04-25

On March 6, 2001, Kung Fu Records will release THAT DARN PUNK, its first feature film direct to home video under the Kung Fu Films banner. This is not a digital video, music video, concert video, "rockumentary," or Internet project. It is a feature length movie shot on film. You will not see TDP at posh film festivals or "underground" film festivals. In fact, says the Kung Fu President, "You have to admit, festivals are pretty lame. The Kung Fu label has customers that want to see and CAN see this film now. There is no need for a festival." In 1996 Kung Fu released the soundtrack to the Ben Affleck film, Glory Daze. Although this seemed like a big break as only the second release for the young label, it was a year before the film was released to the public and Kung Fu's customer base was not pleased. 8,000 of them had already bought it and were waiting to see the film. This time, Kung Fu has effectively eliminated the Hollywood machine from the entire equation. Originally approached to just do a soundtrack for the film by director Jeff Richardson, Kung Fu told him that if he would slash the budget (to $20,000) and gear it a little more toward teenage punkers, Kung Fu would finance it and release it on home video THE SAME DAY the soundtrack is released. The film stars members of The Vandals, with bassist Joe Escalante playing a punk musician who pays the ultimate price for his back stage indiscretions. Kidnapped, drugged, and left in the desert to die for his sins, he manages to dodge enough gangsters, dead cops, UFOs, and pregnant alien junkies to make it back to his best girl. But was it too late? The film is loaded with classic songs from leading punk bands like Pennywise, Rancid and Lagwagon, with exclusive tracks from Nerf Herder, No Motiv, and The Vandals. New music from Kung Fu's Ataris, Assorted Jelly Beans, MI-6, Antifreeze, and OZMA round out a high quality soundtrack with no "turds" thrown in as "favors." TDP also stars Repo Man's Zander Schloss, Mr. Show's Scott Aukerman, and Tenacious D's Kyle Gass, as part of a large cast with over 40 speaking roles. With comparisons being made to films like Repo Man and Roger Corman's Suburbia, Kung Fu is quick to point out that those films cost way over a million dollars, even in their day. Says Escalante; "we're talking about $21,000 here, so let's keep that in perspective. It's more like what Robert Rodriguez did with El Mariachi, except the kids get this first, not some Hollywood agents." Advance orders for the soundtrack have already covered the entire cost of the film's production...four times over!

Average customer rating:

Back to Back (Broadway Theatre Archive)
Starring: George Rose , Michael Hordern , Jean Marsh , and Leueen MacGrath
Director: Stuart Burge
Manufacturer: Kultur Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd (Broadway Theatre Archive)
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June Moon (Broadway Theatre Archive)
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Two by Saroyan (Broadway Theatre Archive)

ASIN: B0000AGWRA
Release Date: 2003-07-15

Description

Two hilarious one act plays from John Mortimer (the creator of "Rumpole of the Bailey"). In "The Dock Brief," a highly incompetent lawyer prepares to defend a man who, by his own admission, is guily of murdering his wife. In "What Shall We Tell Caroline," a foul tempered, but loving, husband and father seeks to shelter his wife and daughter from the realities of life. Stars Sir Michael Hordern (Ghandi, How I Won the War)and two-time Tony winner George Rose (My Fair Lady). Also appearing, in one of her early television appearances, is Jeannne (Jean) Marsh, of "Upstairs, Downstairs" fame.

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