Celia Cruz & Friends - A Night of Salsa

Starring:Celia Cruz, Isidro Infante, Tito Puente, Johnny Pacheco, Luisito Quintero, India (II)
Director: Jay Whitsett
Studio: Pbs Paramount
Product Type: DVD

Description

Robby Rosa, former lead singer of the super group Menudo, stars in this sexy story of young dreams,dangerous passions and dance-floor fireworks! With special performances by Salsa legends Celia Cruzand Tito Puente, this high-energy musical sizzles with breathtaking choreography and all the spice of red-hot salsa! In a nightly escape from his day job as a mechanic, Rico (Rosa) enters his true element: the wild exuberance of the East L.A. La Luna salsa club. Dreaming of making himself and his girlfriend the King and Queen of Salsa, Rico pours all his energy into winning La Luna's Grand Salsa Competition. But when the club's gorgeous owner sets her sights on making Rico her dance partner, Rico must decide what drives himhis ambition or his heart.

Customer Reviews:

Sals-The Motion Picture........2007-01-06

very good movie if you are in to Latin Dancig. A Must see movie.

Absolute rubbish!.......2006-11-24

This is by far the worst dance movie I have ever watched. The characters, acting and plot lines are laughable (even for someone who usually loves cheesy dance movies) and what little dancing there is in the film is badly filmed and boring. If it hadn't been for the hilarious 80's outfits and hairdos (especially the curly mullet sported by the lead character), I would have turned it off. If you like salsa, watch 'Dance With Me'.

Salsa's Hot!!!!!!.......2006-11-22

When I first saw this movie, I feel in love with it! I used to rent it all the time, but when I first started shopping at Amazon, I found this movie and I was so happy!! The dancing, and the music in this movie is sensational!!! If you love salsa music, this movie is a must!!! Also the soundtrack is even better, so if you get the movie, you will want the soundtrack!!!

Well worth viewing.......2006-11-10

This is a great film. Probably underrated by "professional" reviewers, it's full of energy, enthusiasm and fun.

excellent film!.......2006-11-04

this movie is a romantic tale of a young man who wants to be the best salsa dancer *in the world pretty much. it's kind of cheesy and corny, but the dancing in the film is superb. the main character is a buff, good looking guy with a jerry curl *hehe* i guess that was cool during the time the movie was made! he is overprotective of his sister... blah blah, she goes out with his friend and he is against it but realizes that he is being stupid and goes on to become a great dancer. good watch for those of you into movies such as dirty dancing and llambada!

Average customer rating:

Sesame does it again!
An enjoyable bilingual program
Fiesta! Mucho Gusto!!
A MUST Have!
Kinah's Mom

Sesame Street - Fiesta!
Starring: Celia Cruz , and Linda Ronstadt
Manufacturer: Sesame Street
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Plaza Sesamo: Me Gusta Ser Yo
Plaza Sesamo: Vamos a Cantar
Brainy Baby - Spanish
Cantos Y Rimas - Nursery Songs & Rhymes
Sesame Street - Kids' Favorite Songs

ASIN: B0001IN08A
Release Date: 2004-04-06

Amazon.com

Fiesta means party in Spanish, and Sesame Street is pulsating with activity in this upbeat preschool program featuring Latino songs. Jim Henson's Muppets join the fun while everyone's favorite, Elmo, learns the Conga- Wiggle dance. Maria, Rosita, and Gabi create floats and costumes; even Oscar reluctantly partakes in the festivities. The dialogue is sparse in order to devote most of the 30-minute show to singing and dancing during eight Spanish/English tunes, featuring special performances by Linda Ronstadt and Celia Cruz. Most of the music will be familiar, such as "Conga Counting Song," "Amigo," and "It Sure Is Hot." Kids will also learn greetings, familiar words, and numbers in Spanish. While some might wish for the addition of live-action scenes of Mexico or a more complex story line, the bilingual focus is solid and the ever supportive cast of Sesame Street grownups, kids, and Muppets make it a neighborhood worth visiting. --Lynn Gibson

Customer Reviews:

Sesame does it again!.......2007-06-15

My 2 kids, 5 and 1, love this DVD and are learning some spanish too. We practice what we learn and they are speaking some spanish at home. We also use the Brainy Baby DVD which I also recommend.

An enjoyable bilingual program.......2007-02-21

This bilingual (Spanish-English) Sesame Street video is cheerful and well-produced. The educational information is clearly and effectively presented... and fun! Plus, with guest stars like Celia Cruz and Linda Ronstadt, this is a class act. Recommended.

Fiesta! Mucho Gusto!!.......2007-01-10

My 2 yr old watches Elmo whenever he can, and let me tell you, this is the best Elmo there is...especially after viewing it dozens and dozens of times. The skits are cute, the music has a nice latin beat and it teaches the kids some basic Spanish. It's fun listening to my boy sing the songs.
Plus, it's the only video/cd that we play that I don't go running from the room as soon as it starts.
Thumbs up for Fiesta!

A MUST Have!.......2007-01-07

It's entertaining for both you and your child. You'll find yourself singing the songs even when you are not watching it. I highly recommend this video to anyone who is interested in having their child learn a bit of Spanish.

Kinah's Mom.......2006-09-18

My three year old is taking a Spanish Dance and Language Program at her Pre-school on a weekly basis. I bought this video to enhance what she's learning in her spanish class. The words taught in spanish are: numbers from 1-10, Good Morning, Good Evening, Let's Go, Siesta, Fiesta, Amigo, and more. She LOVES to watch this video. We danced around the house to the Conga. Clapped our hands to the beat and repeated words in spanish. The video is a plus for helping preschoolers develop rhythm and pronounciation. Cultural diversity (acceptance and awareness) are important concepts for even preschoolers to acquire. I give this video a big thumbs up. As a sidebar, we have purchased several "Dora" products, but this video by far is much more fun!

Average customer rating:

It never gets old.
MAMBO KINGS
Beautiful Maria of My Soul
Loosely Based On The Hijuelos Novel
Cool film!

The Mambo Kings
Starring: Armand Assante , Antonio Banderas , Cathy Moriarty , Maruschka Detmers , and Pablo Calogero
Director: Arne Glimcher
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Mambo Kings
The Mambo Kings: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Salsa - The Motion Picture
Dance with Me
Of Love & Shadows

ASIN: B0009S4IGU
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Amazon.com

This period drama is hot, hot, hot. Stylish and sexy, it is adapted from the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love, by Oscar Hijuelos, the story of two brothers who flee from Cuba in the early 1950s, heading for New York. Hoping to make a name for themselves as famous musicians, the duo face hardships and painful discoveries along the way. Armand Assante is the older of the two, with a smoldering Antonio Banderas as his younger, more impetuous brother. (In his first English-speaking role, Banderas delivered all of his lines phonetically.) The pulsating, sweaty energy of the first half of the film is not sustained throughout. Partly this is because a movie about the rise and fall of minor celebrities has been done to death. Even when the action slows down, however, the story does not bore. There is too much sensuality and vitality exuded by both Assante and Banderas. --Rochelle O'Gorman

Description

In the 1950s, two Cuban brothers come to America to seek fame and fortune as musicians.

Customer Reviews:

It never gets old........2007-01-05

I recently purchased "Mambo Kings" on DVD. I've watched it many times on VHS and it was time to update and use my surround sound system so that I get the full effect of the music. If your into good looking men with a passion for latin music and women, you need to see this one. Makes me wish I was born earlier to participate in the dancing too.

MAMBO KINGS.......2006-07-03

I found this movie just average, but then I might have expected more from this film because of all the hype it had been given.

Beautiful Maria of My Soul.......2006-06-04

I rate this movie 3 stars and a half (or 7 out of 10), and I definetely recommend it to everyone. It is entertaining, the music is great, and the actors are good. I think this is the first movie Banderas did in America, and he was learning English while shooting the movie. He is a great actor, that caught the directors' eye for his roles in Almodývar's movies, and he did great. Jeremmy Irons did a screen test for that role, but Antonio got the job instead. The night club scenes are really good, and the best is the relationship between the two brothers, who leave Cuba behind searching for the American Dream (and trying to save Nýstor's life).
It is very interesting to follow the director's commentary after you watched the movie, because he tells you a lot of interesting things. I know the movie should speak by itself, but once you watch the movie, if you have time, give that extra a try. It is really worth it, and one of the reasons we should be thankful of the DVD format.
The best in the movie is the music (we get to see Tito Puente and Celia Cruz, both already passed away now), and the worst may be the plot, with some "holes" that in my opinion make the movie weaker. For example, the relationship between Dolores and Cýsar could have been developed deeper (I did not read the book, so I do not know if the movie is 100% loyal to the book). The DVD comes with a "Behind the Scenes" documentary, which is nice to see, but it is too short (sometimes they are too long, but this is too short) and you get to hear all maine actors and the director sepaking about the movie.

Loosely Based On The Hijuelos Novel.......2005-10-24

Oscar Hijuelos' great novel The Mambo Kings Play Songs Of Love forms the basis for this film although the movie version stops about halfway through Hijuelos' story largely ignoring the tragic second half of Cesar Castillo's life without his brother.

The brothers are played by Armand Assante and Antonio Banderas and both are extraordinarily well cast. Assante conveys the more hedonistic Cesar with greaat intensity and Banderas actually steals the film with a remarkable performance as the more sensitve brother Nestor.

Fine casting, including a fairly strong performance by the late Celia Cruz makes this movie a pleasure to watch. Marusckha Detmers plays Nestor's wife Dolores and while she looks great she poses more effectively than she acts.

Overall this is a fine entertaining film and while the plot is derived from the novel in order to translate it to the screen some obvious liberties were taken with the story that frankly do not detract much from the enjoyment of a film that stands on it's own merit.

The backdrop of 1950's Mambo-crazed NYC is also very cool and well done.

Cool film!.......2005-03-12

Reportedly,this is Antonio Banderas' first English-speaking film. This film is set in the late 1940's to early 1950's Here,we hear the great sound of Mambo,probably based on the concept of TV's I Love Lucy.

Average customer rating:

Great for kids or adults
A True Christmas Lesson at its Best
boring
Great holiday movie for the whole family
Jonathon Taylor Thomas Tries, But He Can't Save This Film

I'll Be Home for Christmas
Starring: Jonathan Taylor Thomas , Jessica Biel , Adam LaVorgna , Gary Cole , and Eve Gordon
Director: Arlene Sanford
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004Z1GR
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Amazon.com

Jonathan Taylor Thomas stars as Jake, a shallow huckster attending college in Los Angeles who finds troubles aplenty and, eventually, redemption on a road trip home in this youth-oriented Christmas vehicle. The action begins with Jake dumped in the desert dressed in full Kris Kringle regalia as payback for a scheme gone wrong, making Taylor Thomas the second Home Improvement cast member to don a Santa suit for film. (The first, of course, was his TV dad Tim Allen in The Santa Clause, for those of you who snoozed through recent Christmases.) With Jake stuck in the dunes, his stranded girlfriend (Jessica Biel from TV's Seventh Heaven) accepts a ride from his rival and thus begin the cross-country shenanigans that lead to a Christmas sleigh ride in their shared New York hometown. Look for Gary Cole (a.k.a. Mike Brady in the movie version of The Brady Bunch) playing another wise father. Although it may be hard for adults to buy the diminutive Taylor Thomas as a college student (and what's with the high school lockers at the so-called college?), Taylor Thomas and Biel have plenty of swoon appeal for young fans 10 and up. --Kimberly Heinrichs

Description

In the spirit of the season, Disney presents the hilarious comedy adventure that celebrates the believer in all of us. Jake Wilkinson (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), a self-centered college student, has one thing on his mind -- get home for Christmas dinner or forfeit the vintage Porsche his father promised him. Just days before his deadline, Jake awakens in the California desert -- stranded and penniless, wearing a Santa suit and white beard! Desperate to claim his gift, he flies, crawls, cons, races, bullies, and even sleighs his way east. But his nonstop mission turns into a nonstop comedy of errors as a multitude of colorful and offbeat strangers look to "Santa" for help and kindness. The closer Jake gets to home, the closer he gets to the true meaning of Christmas and the importance of family. I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS is a trip your entire family will enjoy taking all year long!

Customer Reviews:

Great for kids or adults .......2007-01-16

This movie was a cute movie for the whole family. I would suggest it to add to your holiday collection.

A True Christmas Lesson at its Best.......2005-12-18

Unlike Mr. Baker from Santa Clarita, California who rated this item 2, I think this film deserves much more than that and Jake DOES learn the true meaning of Christmas; one just has to pay close attention and by-pass all the commercialism involved. Yes, he does start out self-seeking and free-wheeling but all that changes as he learns his hard lessons along the way. For one thing, it starts by him getting what he deserves; a punishment by some jocks leaving him out in the desert and so the hard lessons start here. From that point on, the true meaning of Christmas gets shown to him in various ways, and just by wearing a Santa outfit his hardships spawn some lessons: he willingly sacrifices race winnings for a good cause (even though the money was rightfully his), a failed marriage gets repaired, a crooked "elf" gets reformed from a life of crime, plus one can see that the porsche is all forgotten in a tender moment with little Esteban in the hospital who pines for his family-no one can convince me that Jake is not affected by that; he is and it shows. Finally when the lesson is fully espoused, it's remarkable how the climax is coupled with various holiday customs and traditions (Christmas, Hanukah and Kwanza) enmeshed in the local parade plus a group of carolers almost overcome by the running sleigh. Then, as the time limit which determines if he'll receive the porsche approaches, he is in no hurry, but spends a few seconds with the girlfriend watching his family celebrate at the table through the window; hence, a sense of family fizzles through. When all is said and done, the hailed porsche is cast into total oblivion. All he then wants is a family ride on the sleigh. His lessons come hard, but he learns. Again, one has to get past all the commercialism to really get to the meat of this film, and this film should get all the accolades and the respected place of all the time-honored Christmas films of the past. I love Jonathan Taylor Thomas; he's a good actor and very handsome. But this is not the reason for my customer review. Unlike what other people may think or how they may view it, this is one of the best Christmas films to teach what Christmas is really all about.

boring.......2005-12-04

I used to think this film was okay but it's really lame. He's going home only cause he wants a car, shows you how greedy people in america are about christmas. They only care about the material goods they get out of the overrated season.

Great holiday movie for the whole family.......2005-11-08

I'll Be Home For Christmas is your typical fluffy holiday movie. If you don't like fluffy, feel good movies with happy endings, chances are you won't like this movie.

But, for those of us who aren't quite so cynical, this movie is pretty good. I don't really care for Jessica Biel's acting ability, so that's basically my only issue with it. On the other hand, I felt Jonathan Taylor Thomas (J.T.T. as he was known as by my teenybopper sister back in his heyday) was perfect in his role. (What ever happened to that kid?)

Anyway, J.T.T. plays Jake, a college (or prep school, not sure which) student, who is trying to get home for Christmas because if he does so, he gets his dad's vintage Porsche. Not only does Jake have the Porsche over his head, he also needs to make good with his girlfriend Ally, who after being stood up by Jake, takes up an offer of a trip back east with Jake's archenemy, Eddie.

What follows is Jake's cross-country journey where he runs into one adventure after another all the while being dressed in a Santa suit. All of which we found to be pretty entertaining! Of course, he eventually makes it home and he fixes his relationship with Ally and all is happy by the time the closing credits role. Ah, aren't these predictable holiday movies great? I love them.

I'd recommend this for families with children of most ages. My four-year-old actually watched this movie the whole way through. That's impressive!

Jonathon Taylor Thomas Tries, But He Can't Save This Film.......2003-12-16

Jake has no interest in coming home for Christmas and spending it with his dad, sister, and step-mother. But when his father promises him a Porsche if he's there by Christmas Eve dinner, Jake decides to spend the holidays with them. Only things aren't that simple. A scheme to help some jocks cheat on a final backfires, and he finds himself in the desert in a Santa costume. Now, he must use all his wits to get from California to New York before the deadline.

I remember thinking this film would be fun when it first came out. I was wrong then, and watching it again didn't change my mind. The problem is with Jake. Watching the guy lie and scheme his way across the country for an hour and a half to get a car is hard to watch. You're supposed to be rooting for him, but he's so despicable you want him to fail. And his supposed change of heart at the end is too little too late to redeem him. Because of this, the funny situations along the way aren't as funny because you don't care about the character.

Description

Hosted by pop and Latin singing sensations Gloria Estefan and Marc Anthony, this all-star tribute honors the undisputed Queen of Salsa, Celia Cruz, an artist of immeasurable standing whose career has spanned more than five decades. Her music and incomparable charisma have touched the hearts and souls of millions of people from every race, nationality, and culture throughout the world. The Queen of Salsa has carried her title with class and distinction; her powerful voice and electrifying rhythm have garnered more than 60 worldwide recognitions, multiple gold and platinum records, and a star on Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Her boundless enthusiasm, genuine warmth, and deep-seated humanitarianism have made Celia Cruz the music industry's most accomplished and revered performers and the world's most notable ambassador of Hispanic culture. Songs include: "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" (Víctor Manuelle), "La Candela" (Paulina Rubio), "Usted Abusó" (José Feliciano), "Isadora Duncan" (Milly Quezada), "Dile Que Por Mí No Tema" (Los Tri-O), "Quimbara" (Gloria Estefan/ Patti Labelle/ Arturo Sandoval), "Tu Voz" (Ana Gabriel), "Bemba Colorá" (Gilberto Santa Rosa), "Guantanamera" (Tito Nieves/Albita/Johnny Pacheco), "Vieja Luna" (Alicia Villareal), "La Negra Tiene Tumbao" (Olga Tañón and Mickey Perfecto), "Cúcala" (José Alberto "El Canario"), "Burundanga" (Rosario), "Que Bueno Baila Usted" (Luis Enrique), "Yerbero Moderno" (Marc Anthony), "I Will Survive" (Gloria Gaynor), "Yo Viviré/Quimbara" (Celia & All Performers on Stage).

Customer Reviews:

Celia Lives forever!!! AZUCAR!!!.......2007-04-11

The DVD is a wonderful tribute to the Queen of Salsa!! It is an excellent recording of her songs by other top artists in the Latino and popular music business! I can't say enough about the beauty of the concert! It brought tears to my eyes! It is excellent! I should have bought two to share with everyone I know!!

Celia Cruz ROCKS!!!.......2007-01-10

This tape is spectacular, to say the least!!! An AWESOME tribute to the greatest legend who will be sorely missed!!!

Give me sound.......2006-11-10

Even though I love Celia, the sound quality was very poor. Too bad!

Fair.......2006-02-17

It is a very fair tribute to Celia. It's a shame that it was done so late when she wasn't abble to sing as she used to. The singers do well, but it leaves a sad taste to see Celia just sitting and listen to her songs being interpretated by others.

I get chill bumps watching this dvd.......2005-10-09

I am so taken aback everytime I see this DVD. It is filled with everything that represents Celia Cruz and her humanitarian spirit is felt through all the artists showing their love for her through tribute...You will not regret buying this! It even has her last performance. Everything is so bare, its as if you were there yourself. I have had this dvd for a while and everytime I wanna here some good salsa I turn it on and STILL get chill bumps.

Celia Cruz and the Fania Allstars in Africa

Average customer rating:

Deceiving title...not enough variety of songs
Great!
HOT CONCERT IN SALSA
Don't buy this CUT 54 min version. BUY THE 70 MIN VERSION!
Classic Salsa Party -- The End of an Era

Celia Cruz and the Fania Allstars in Africa
Starring: Celia Cruz
Manufacturer: Geneon [Pioneer]
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

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Dos Soneros, una Historia
Marc Anthony - The Concert from Madison Square Garden
Return of Ruben Blades
Our Latin Thing (Nuestra Costa)
Celia Cruz - Azucar!

ASIN: B00005UM2I
Release Date: 2002-01-22

Customer Reviews:

Deceiving title...not enough variety of songs.......2007-06-23

Celia Cruz sings the first two songs and you never see her again. Buy this if you want to see Johnny Pacheco in action. There are very long yet undeniably good jamming sessions...I got bored during a few of these...

Great!.......2007-06-01

Well if you are looking for alot of footage of Celia you will be disapoited,Johnny Pachecco is one hell of a player and band leader! I did not know alot about him til this DVD.

HOT CONCERT IN SALSA.......2007-04-03

THE VIDEO WAS EXCELLENT AND SHOWS HOW LATIN MUSIC CAN ROCK WITH GREAT ARTISTS WHO LOVE THEIR TRADE.

Don't buy this CUT 54 min version. BUY THE 70 MIN VERSION!.......2006-08-27

Don't buy this CUT 54 min version. Save your money ..... look for and buy the 74 min version that includes the musicians and all the "goings on" backstage! WELL WORTH IT.... MUCH BETTER THAN THIS VERSION.

Classic Salsa Party -- The End of an Era.......2005-03-31

I have to admit, we'll never ever see such magnitude of celebration like this again. Salsa music has changed over the past two decades and nothing will ever come as close to being salsa style than what is captivated on this marvelously made DVD. Flaws made were intelligently reverted and marvelously conducted by none other than the great flutista Johnny and what a great job he did, as well as his companions in the band! All were marvelous in this concert. Their studio music is much like their live performances. I absolutely adored each and every one of them since my youth (Celia, Johnny, Santos, Ray Barreto, Lavoe, and more). Brilliantly done. I wish to see salsa like this .. blazing and hot with poetic lyrics that are not harsh and offensive. Thanks to the executors who put this package together for us lovers of salsa!! Bravo!!!

Average customer rating:

A Legend
A Great Intro to the Queen of Salsa

La Eterna Voz De Celia Cruz
Starring: Celia Cruz
Manufacturer: Xenon
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Cuba | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Salsa | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Latin Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

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

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( L ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

Celia Cruz - Azucar!
La Cuba Mia
Celia Cruz and the Fania Allstars in Africa
Marc Anthony - The Concert from Madison Square Garden
Hoy Como Ayer

ASIN: B0000V4294
Release Date: 2003-12-16

Description

The voice, charisma, and talent of Celia Cruz has created one of the most extraordinary careers in popular music. Her more than 70 albums have yielded an impressive array of gold and platinum records worldwide. This cross-over legend received the first of her five Grammy Awards in 1989, and has won two Latin Grammys. She also has left her mark in feature films and television. This compelling documentary traces the queen of Salsa's remarkable career, personal tragedy and inspirational life through exclusive interviews and astonishing archival live performances. A special tribute covering her five decade career, from her humble beginnings in Cuba with "La Sonora Matancera" to bonafide international superstardom with the Fania All-Star to her untimely passing in July, 2003.

Customer Reviews:

A Legend.......2004-10-16

This is a must have item for any fan of Sra. Celia Cruz & Sr. Pedro Knight. I became enamored at once when I saw the facial smiles on my Queen of Mambo (Celia Cruz). Celia will always be in my heart and I will never ever forget her sensational smiles and that voice of hers. She had strength where many of us will never ever get a fraction of. Her contralto voice was resonance in any arena she sang. I am very glad to have my very own personal concert in my hand playing in my DVD machine. Bravo to the executors who've captured the spirit of this awesome artist. Bravo!!

A Great Intro to the Queen of Salsa.......2004-02-05

I didn't know much about Celia Cruz before last year, but a friend of mine who adored her got me to watch this video. Now I see why she was so popular. That woman was just totally fabulous! What's great about this particular video is the live TV appearances from the '60s through the '90s. Not only do you get to hear that incredible voice, but you follow the evolution of her outfits and hairstyles. Celia really knew how to sing and how to dress! She was also quite a dancer.
The interview sequences are just as good because she tells a lot of her own story, which in my opinion is better than getting it all from a third-person narrative. Anyhow, I just can't stop watching this video. I'm a born-again Salsa fan and Celia is my queen.

Average customer rating:

Its always great to see Gloria in concert.
A little bit disappointed

Gloria Estefan - Live in Atlantis
Starring: Gloria Estefan , Justin Timberlake , Marc Anthony , Celia Cruz , and Lance Bass
Director: Marty Callner
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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

DVDs Under $9.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( G ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video

General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music

Gloria Estefan - Live & Unwrapped
Gloria Estefan Live in Miami: The Evolution Tour
Gloria Estefan - Que Siga la Tradicion
Gloria Estefan: Don't Stop!
Marc Anthony - The Concert from Madison Square Garden

ASIN: B00005M2BY
Release Date: 2002-02-26

Customer Reviews:

Its always great to see Gloria in concert........2002-05-14

This concert is for the Latin blood in all of us - even us down here in New Zealand.
Its not the entire show I'm sure, but the music is rich and full bodied. Her voice mixed with great musicians is a real treat!!!
A must have for your collection.

A little bit disappointed.......2002-03-26

After watching the video of Gloria's Evolution Tour, I expected something similar with the Atlantis concert. This video is different from every other live concert recorded by Gloria. It offers new songs from the album Alma Caribena, with Celia Cruz and Jose Feliciano as guests. Songs (5) of Alma Caribena played here sounded pretty identical to the record, which was boring sometimes, as I was looking for something new, a different sound.
Two thumbs up for the new versions of "Conga/1-2-3/... (medley)", "coming out of the dark" and "turn the beat around/Higher...(medley)". Percussion was spectacular.

I didn't like the edition of the video...It doesn't show a concise sequence between songs. It's like watching "the best of Atlantis" instead of a whole concert. Personally, I don't like that. Audio is OK.

Amazon.com

Latin music has always been a fixture in American popular culture, but its history reflects centuries of change and complexity from diverse sources. Roots of Rhythm, an incredible three-hour film originally shown on PBS in 1997, traces the development of this exciting musical genre, going back 500 years across three continents. Hosted by the famed Caribbean American entertainer Harry Belafonte, the film begins in West Africa, in the villages that ring with the ancestral anthems of sacred Yoruba beats and bata drums. The focus shifts to Spain, where modern-day troubadours sing their haunting, Moorish-tinged ballads and Gypsies dance their heated flamenco dances. Those musical influences are brought together by the transatlantic slave trade in the island of Cuba, where enslaved Africans and Spanish immigrants mixed and melded each others' music into a myriad of new, hybrid creations like the rumba, tumba francesa, danzon, and mambo. Belafonte quotes a poet who said, "Cuban music is a love affair between the African drum and the Spanish guitar."

In America, this love affair bloomed in New York, where Cuban and African American jazz musicians like Machito, Mario Bauza, and Dizzy Gillespie melded mambo rhythms to bebop, creating Latin jazz. Belafonte then brings us to the dazzling timbales master Tito Puente and vocalist Celia Cruz, who reigned as the king and queen of salsa, the stateside version of Cuban dance music that emerged in the '60s. The film offers revealing interviews and music clips with many Latin music stars, including Gloria Estefan of Miami Sound Machine and Panamanian Rubén Blades. The rare archival footage features Dizzy Gillespie's 1948 number "Manteca," bandleader Xavier Cugat's "Gypsy Mambo," and a cartoon clip of Donald Duck doing "Tico Tico." After watching this engaging and encyclopedic film, you'll never dance to Latin music the same way again. --Eugene Holley Jr.

Description

Long before World Music became a record store staple, Americans were singing along to the sweet sounds of Celia Cruz and dancing to the rhythmic beats of Tito Puente.

Harry Belafonte hosts this globe-trotting, star-studded celebration tracing the history of the popular sounds we call Latin music, from tribal celebrations in African jungles to Cuba's wild carnivals and New York City's hottest nightspots.

This critically acclaimed production highlights an incredible array of dancing and musical performances from world-renowned stars including Gloria Estefan, Tito Puente, Dizzy Gillespie, Desi Arnaz, Celia Cruz, Ruben Blades, Isaac Oviedo, King Sunny Ade and many more.Don't miss this celebration of the explosive sound that has the whole world dancing.

DVD Features: Interactive Menus; Scene Selection

Customer Reviews:

Roots of Rhythm.......2006-03-21

If you want to know the roots of Cuban music you must see this DVD. Mr. Harry Belafonte takes you on a tour through Africa, Spain, Cuba and finally to the United States. On this DVD he made a thorough investigation and explains how the Afro-Cuban music evolved from the African/Spanish ancestors and spread to other regions including Argentina. Also he shows how the U.S borrowed the Cuban beat to make songs Like "little Darling" by the Diamonds among other hits in America where the lyrics are in English with the Cuban influence sound. He interviews Gloria Estefan, Celia Cruz, Dizzy Gillespie and many others, you will see a rare clip of the great trumpet player a young Louis Armstrong singing "El Manisero"(a traditional Cuban song) in one of his early recordings. Many people have asked me to borrow this DVD because it covers an extraordinary amount of information that most people are not aware, not only is the African sound involved, also the Gypsies and the Spanish Flamenco are traced. It's amazing how much information is available to anyone who is serious in learning the roots of what some are calling Salsa (Afro-Cuban) today. To all musicians this is a must for your collection. Three hours of music to educate the true musicians who want to expand their knowledge in the Afro-Cuban or the Afro-Latin roots.

Roots Of Rhythm.......2005-03-21

Wow! I don't even know where to begin...it's a great documentary on the history of Cuba, music, roots, rhythm, culture and the people. It was beautifully edited! Belafonte did a wonderful job in explaining the history of cuba's music. You will want to stand up and begin to dance. Why sit down?

Get it! I am!

Azucar!

So Glad it's on DVD!.......2004-11-19

This is one of my all time favorites, and Harry Belafonte is the perfect host. He's delightfully informal and shares personal insights along the way, such as how his contract was cancelled by the mob who ran the Copacabana because he'd married interracially.

One of the aspects I particularly enjoyed was the look at everyday life in Cuba, and the discussion of the U.S. role in that country's history. Without hammering away at the fact, Belafonte discusses our government's unwillingness to recognize Cuba's sovereignty, and expresses his hope that music will break down the barriers. But politics aside, this video series is a must-see for any student of African American music, and Spanish American heritage.

Harry is cheesy but overall good info.......2002-04-14

Harry Belafonte acts like a cheeseball sometimes, but this video has some great information for fans of latin music. It tells the story of the music, beginning in Africa and Spain, and going to Cuba and the US. Awesome music throughout, very informative movie. My only complaint is that Harry Belafonte is a dork. I have no problem with him, I just think he's a dork.

Best English language history of Latin Music........2000-08-03

This 3 video collection is a must have for all interested in Latin music history from Africa to Cuba to New York. Has some amazing music clips of Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, etc.

Average customer rating:

disappointing (and I consider myself a great fan of the director).....
Marisa Tomei is an absolute delight and the movie is decent too.
This is funny!!!!!!
A movie that delivered a load of wit and laughter
Romantic fable set!

The Perez Family
Starring: Melissa Anne Acosta , Trini Alvarado , Ranjit Chowdhry , Ellen Cleghorne , and Celia Cruz
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000089731
Release Date: 2003-04-01

Amazon.com

Marisa Tomei releases her inner spitfire in The Perez Family. Dottie Perez (Tomei) comes to the U.S. from Cuba, along with a mixed lot of criminals, lunatics, and political prisoners--including Juan Perez (Alfred Molina), who hopes to be reunited with his wife after 20 years. To work around the bureaucratic politics of the refugee camps, Dottie persuades Juan to pretend that they're married, and drafts a few other Perezes to create a family. Meanwhile, Juan's wife Carmella believes that Juan never arrived and is finally letting go of his memory, helped by the attentions of a Miami police detective (Chazz Palmintieri). Tomei's sexy passion sometimes spills over into silliness and the story unfolds erratically, but the examination of how love grows and how love fades is sincere and affecting. The actors are charismatic, the music's fantastic, and Tomei wears many skimpy outfits. Directed by Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding). --Bret Fetzer

Description

Love blossoms in the most unexpected of places in this sparkling, sexy romantic comedy about freedom, friendship and the true meaning of family. Starring Marisa Tomei, Alfred Molina, Chazz Palminteriand Anjelica Huston, The Perez Family is a buoyant, colorful [and] optimistic celebration of the immigrant experience (The Washington Post) in America in the early 1980s. Free-spirited Dottie Perez (Tomei) is leaving Cuba for America, her head filled with dreams of movies, mascara and dates with John Wayne. Straight-laced Juan Perez (Molina) is headed for a reunion with the wife (Huston) and daughter (Trini Alvarado) he hasn't seen in 20 years. But when an overworked immigration official mistakes Dottie and Juan for husband and wife, the stage is set for a marital mix-up and some very unpredictable romances!

Customer Reviews:

disappointing (and I consider myself a great fan of the director)............2007-04-03

Mira Nair is, without a doubt (in my opinion), one of the finest contemporary filmmakers today. I am not just talking finest Indian filmmakers--I mean filmmaker in any language, context, culture or genre. Nair has a real knack for storytelling, through a glowing combination of luscious cinematography, compelling and believeable direction and great pacing. Unfortunately, if you see THE PEREZ FAMILY, this wonderful gift she has is not front and center. In fact, it's not even off to the side in the background. This might be (partly) due to the fact that Nair's attempt in telling the story of the Marielitos of the 1980s (boat people who crossed the waters from Cuba to the United States, in lieu of Castro's dictatorship) deals much with a culture with which she is unfamiliar. For me, this film and story seemed cartoonish (at best) and very unappealing.

Juan Perez (Alfred Molina) has just been released from prison and is arriving in Florida, after being locked up for twenty years, away from his beautiful wife, Carmela (Angelica Houston) and daughter, Teresa (Trini Alvarado). He is hoping that time hasn't dulled his wife's vigilance, as she awaits his return. On his journey to the United States, he encounters Dottie Perez (Marisa Tomei), who is filled with stars in her eyes and rumba in her hips. Together, they form a "family" of sorts, along with a little vagabond they encounter and a mute old man, who is very prone to climbing trees and (in the words of Juan) "looking for Cuba." My reaction to all this: "QUE?!!!" (translation: "What???!!") Okay, for starters, the main problem I had was with Marisa Tomei. I know they call what she does "acting" for a reason. Granted, British actor Sir Anthony Hopkins played Pablo Picasso (Spaniard), Peter Sellers played Inspector Clouseu (French), but Marisa Tomei (a beautiful actress of Italian descent) playing sultry Cubana, Dotty, was too much of a stretch for me. For starters, the accents were so fake! I have a Cuban aunt, in Florida, and believe you and me, they were overdoing it in this film. They sounded like they had had some bad novacaine shots at times, and it wasn't good. Also, the stereotypical depiction of Cubans was on the insulting side.

Skip this film and see the films that really put Mira Nair on the map, as a filmmaker. My picks for you are SALAAM BOMBAY!, MISSISSIPPI MASALA, MONSOON WEDDING and her latest, THE NAMESAKE.

Marisa Tomei is an absolute delight and the movie is decent too........2006-06-06

I remember seeing this a couple of years ago. I was drawn to this film by the cast list and in fairness I should have spotted that this film about Cubans had very few Cuban or even Latino actors in it. Anyway, aside from that the plot has historical context but I am not familiar enough with it to say if it was accurate or not, although I really don't think it matters very much. The film tries to fizzle with Latin spirit while at the same time delivering a rather convoluted romantic drama of sorts. It partly works but the writing isn't great and the film failed to really engage me as it just seemed a little forced as if it had been a good idea once but had had so many knobs added to it that it got a little daffy. After an hour it settles into the formulaic mould it was in all along, the historical context forgotten and the clichýs allowed to flow. If you can't see where this is going then I salute your ability to blindly accept what is given to you.

Talking of clichýs, the casting of so few Hispanic/Cuban/Latino actors was a mystery to me. Surely it would have been possible to get closer than Italian, which is what quite a few of the main characters appear to be. Tomei was the name that drew me to this film but in turns her role is good and bad. She has an important role and it was necessary for her to be feisty etc but she overdoes it a little bit - hammy up her Latin clichý at the start for all she is worth; she gets better though. Molina is another strange choice but he does well in his role and carries some dignity through the film - it's not his fault that the script gets silly in trying to keep him and Huston apart. Huston is OK but her subplot seems added on to make the ending more palatable to the audience (god forbid anyone should be hurt). For this same reason, Palminteri is wasted. Cruz is good and Chowdhry is quite funny, but why Gallo even bothered is beyond me - pre-fame I suppose. SNL's Cleghorne plays a cop and, in the spirit of ethnic clichýs, pushes the `oh-no-she-didn't' eye-rolling, `talk to the hand', neck moving black character for all she is worth - when she does it as a joke it is OK but here it just felt like laziness - especially for such a minor character.

Overall, any Hollywood film with Latinos/Cubans/Hispanics in it is going to force the rhythm for all it is worth and here is no different. It starts out boasting historical context and spice, falls into a rather convoluted series of plot twists that end up taking the film down a rom-com road to a solution that, although badly delivered, unthinkable and out-of-nowhere, was obvious from about 30 minutes into the film.

This is funny!!!!!!.......2006-02-11

i'm thiteen years old and i am an Anjelica Huston fan
this is a very funny movie.
Carmella(Anjelica Huston) and her daughter live by themselves ever since her husband got sent to work in a sugarcane field which is prison also.

it's very horrible
but Carmella's brother which isn't her real brother is over protective.
that's funny because there is always alarms going off at her house.

you have to see the movie.
in this movie Anjelica is supprisingly atractive in this movie and her character is funny.
Marlena Grooms

A movie that delivered a load of wit and laughter.......2005-12-13

This is my second all time Marisa Tomei movie. Angelica Huston delivered a spectacular performance. Chazz Palmintien performance as a cop was superb. You could learn how to seduce a woman from him, the way he seduced Ms. Huston. Alfred Molina shined as a Cuban fleeing from Castro to start a new life in America. Marisa was sexy, alluring, seductive, attractive and very friendly like the goddess of love. You'll find it hard not to fall instantly in love with her. This movie will keep you at the edge of your seat and make you laugh and eat many bags of popcorn. I highly recommend it to all readers and shoppers.
Ikey Benney, New York City

Romantic fable set!.......2005-06-17

Fighting against all the odds, a group of Cuban refuges arrive to the promised land and their dreams will take through unexpected routes. We have a peculiar dramatic triangle: a man who could escape , his wife and daughter wait for him in Florida but a terrible new comes for her and she thinks her husband failed and died. At the meantime we watch all the unimaginable efforts of beautiful young woman who reminds me in certain aspects to Amelie, who loves the life and brings in her soul a lot of illusions, such as to meet John Wayne and enjoy Elvis Presley's art.
Mira Nair emphasizes the human charm and the best of the human people can give, without forgetting the childhood aspect, reflected in a smart boy who is chased for a miserable mercenary who simply tries to avail the best he can of the circumstances.
A song for the liberty and the hopeful dreams.

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