Come Together - A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music (2001) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Rescheduled to October 2, 2001 -- less than a month after the September 11th attacks -- this live event became urgent in a way its organizers probably hadn't planned. For me, it was a profound part of the post-9/11 healing process; I've watched it repeatedly since it originally aired, and it never fails to inspire.
The concert recalls the transcendent messages of a great fallen poet, and is a fitting tribute to his music. The diverse collection of popular musicians and entertainers mirror John Lennon's pure, powerful words and honest expression. As a result, this was one of New York City's best and most-earnest responses to the 9/11 attacks -- far better than the "Concert for New York City" which aired three weeks later, despite the fact that Paul McCartney does not appear here.
Truth be told, a few musical performances are a bit uneven, and the all-star band occasionally overwhelms the vocals... but Kevin Spacey's street-smart hosting skills and his astounding performance of "Mind Games" are not to be missed.
Come Together is an essential contextualizer for anyone who connects with John Lennon's ideals. Given our place and time in history, this concert is a wonderfully sublime guide to the days that lie ahead. Highly recommended.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Come Together - A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music (2001)

Click here for more information about Come Together - A Night for John Lennon's Words and Music (2001)

Two of Us (2000) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Michael Linsey-Hogg, the director of Let It Be, weaves fact and fiction into a compelling movie about two of the greatest personalities of our generation.
McCartney comes off a bit too warm in this but its hard to see that as a flaw. Reputed to be a 'cool' person at the best of times perhaps we see through to the real Paul. Lennon on the other hand is accurately portrayed from the clowning to the acid wit he was so well known for.
While the actors don't physically resemble John and Paul that well they certainly come across as them if you just squint your eyes and pretend a little.
Best moments in the movie:
McCartney in a heartfelt moment telling John how during the break up of the Beatles he felt as though he was losing his best friend. Lennons acid response. "We were never that close mate".
A scene in Central Park with the two of them in disguise. Reminiscent of A Hard Days Night is the exchange between them and two mounted police. We laughed out loud at this one and the scene just felt right.
A scene in a restaurant when an elderly couple finally get there nerve up to approach John. They make the gaffe of requesting that he sing a few bars of Yesterday (Pauls song). Lennons response again had us laughing out loud and again it felt as though it really was John saying it.
The best moment of all is one with John and Paul on the roof of the Dakota. I won't attempt to describe this one but it brought tears to my eyes and confirmed to me that the chemistry between John and Paul was truly magic.
This movie brings back a little of the joy the Beatles brought to the world way back when. A celebration of John and Paul and the real world magic of Beatle music.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Two of Us (2000)

Get 27% OFF

Click here for more information about Two of Us (2000)

In His Life - The John Lennon Story (2000) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a capably directed, better than average television movie about the beginnings of The Beatles, as seen through the eyes of John Lennon. The focus of the film is always on John and some of the people, places, and events that shaped his early life and made him the man he was to become. As its focus is on John Lennon, the other members of The Beatles take a back seat to John in the film.
The film, shot in the gritty, port city of Liverpool where John and the other Beatles grew up, shows how John (Phillip McQuillan) was reared by his devoted Aunt Mimi (Blair Brown), his mother Julia's older sister. His mother, Julia (Christine Cavanaugh), also lived in Liverpool and he would visit with her, but his father was an absentee one and would remain nothing but a distant memory. John grew up in his Aunt Mimi's household, and it was she who governed much of his early life. It was his mother, however, who was instrumental in John getting his first guitar.
The film shows the viewer some of the childhood places and people that would someday be memorialized in the music of The Beatles: Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane, Eleanor Rigby, and Julia. John's courtship of Cynthia (Gillian Kearney), the girl who would become his first wife, is also grist for the mill, as are his reasons for marrying her. The early popularity of The Beatles in Germany is touched upon, as is the tragic end of one of its original members and John's best friend, Stuart Sutcliffe (Lee Williams). Stuart was an artist who, while performing with the band in Germany, fell in love with a German girl named Astrid (Palina Jonsdottir) and left the band in order to marry her and remain in Germany.
The film shows how John and Paul McCartney (Daniel McGowan) met, as well as how George Harrison (Mark Rice-Oxley) came to join the group. The film deals with the issue of the replacement of their original drummer, Pete Best (Scott Williams), with Ringo Starr (Christian Ealey), when on the brink of success. It also shows how their local popularity brought them to the attention of record store owner, Brian Epstein (James Glover), and what he did to help make them them the most popular rock band of all time. One sees their arrival in America and their auspicious and memorable debut on the Ed Sullivan show.
Phillip McQuillan, whose physical resemblance to John Lennon is slight, at best, gamely tackles the lead role of John Lennon with much bravado, playing him as a bit of a bad boy with a good heart and a dream of rock and roll fame. He also manages to get John's intonations and inflection down pretty pat. Blair Brown does a wonderful job with the role of Aunt Mimi, the woman who managed to put some structure and order to John's early life. Christine Kavanaugh whimsically plays the role of John's mother, the woman from whom John appeared to have inherited his creative juices. Gillian Kearney gives an excellent portrayal of John's first wife, Cynthia.
Daniel McGowan, who actually resembles Paul McCartney in a peculiar sort of way, infuses the role of Paul with an intelligence that is palpable. Mark Rice-Oxley, however, is wooden and does nothing to bring the role of George Harrison to life. As he does not even resemble him, his portrayal of George is jarringly out of place. Christian Ealey, who somewhat resembles Ringo, fares better and does a more than passable job in the role of Ringo Starr, the Johnny come lately who was in the right place at the right time. Last but not least, James Glover give an excellent portrayal of Brian Epstein, the man who shrewdly and firmly set them on the road to rock and roll stardom.
All in all, this is a better than average made for television film. If you are not a fan of The Beatles, especially John Lennon, however, you would do well to deduct one star from my review.

Click Here to see more reviews about: In His Life - The John Lennon Story (2000)

Get 59% OFF

Click here for more information about In His Life - The John Lennon Story (2000)

The Old Grey Whistle Test, Vol. 1 (2003) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)The British are way ahead of us when it comes to release vintage performances on DVD. The Old Grey Whistle Test got its name from a Tin Pan Alley test; it was said that agents would have the doormen for the building come in, listen to a song and see if it was worthwhile. The test was whether the "old grey" folks could whistle the tune. The Old Grey Whistle Test had a variety of different types of performers over the years. While rock did dominate it wasn't the only type of music presented.
This DVD presents the following performances and performers:
Alice Cooper-Under My Wheels
Elton John-Tiny Dancer (solo)
Curtis Mayfield- We Gotta Have Peace
Randy Newman - Political Science
Bill Whithers - Ain't No Sunshine
Rory Gallagher - Hands Off
Bob Marley & the Wailers - Stir It Up
Roxy Music - Do The Strand (with Eno but lipsynched)
The Edgar Winter Group - Frankenstein
Captain Beefheart-Upon the My O My
Little Feat- Rock 'n' Roll Doctor
John Lennon - Stand By Me
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Freebird
Emmylou Harris - Amarillo
Bonnie Raitt - Too Long At The Fair
Tom Waits - Tom Traubert's Blues
Talking Heads - Psycho Killer
XTC - Statue of Liberty
Blondie - I'm Always Touched By Your Presence, Dear
Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers - American Girl
The Police - Can't Stand Losing You
Bruce Springsteen - Rosalita (filmed concert performance)
Iggy Pop - I'm Bored
The Specials - Message to Rudi
The Damned - Smash It Up/I Just Can't Be Happy Today
The Ramones - Rock 'n' Roll High School
U2 - I Will Follow
REM - Moon River/Pretty Persuasion
The interviews are fairly good as well. The John Lennon interview was a treat for me as a long time Beatles fan. Also interviewed are Elton John & Bernie Taupin, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Bruce Springsteen. Producer Mike Appleton has included an audio commentary. There's also an artist's gallery where you can read about the performance and artist. In special features mode a guitar will appear in the upper right hand corner and take you directly there. After you've read it, it takes you directly back to the performance.
Each of the Whistle Tests 6 presenters give really interesting (and occasionally funny)stories about either the performance or artist they're discussing. Why the BBC choose to release this as a single disc set when compared to the UK version is a bit strange.
There's also a two page booklet that includes the performances, a little background on the show and a paragraph or two from the producer. That's becoming more of a rarity now as many companies are discontinuing these. I personally like them as it allows you to see the chapter you want prior to the DVD starting. Disney is experimenting with discontinuing theirs for certain discs as is MGM.
I bit of caution about the British two disc set; On the amazon.com British website it states it is a region 0 so it can be played anywhere. I have heard complaints from various folks that this isn't so. Since I don't have the 2 disc set from the UK, I can't comment directly but be wary.

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Old Grey Whistle Test, Vol. 1 (2003)

Over its incredible 16-year run from 1971-1987 The Old Grey Whistle Test was THE destination in the U.K. to see cutting ed live performances by the hottest emerging acts in music. Until now! On Sept. 16 BBC Video is importing a DVD jam-packed with 28 vintage live performances from The Old Grey Whistle Test. Most have NEVER BEEN SEEN IN THE U.S. The first in a series of three Old Grey Whistle Test DVD compilations to be exported to the U.S. The Old Grey Whistle Test features performances by such legends as John Lennon Elton John Bob Marley Lynyrd Skynyrd Rory Gallagher The Police REM and U2 often at the start of their legendary careers! PLUS historic interviews with Mick Jagger John Lennon Keith Richards Robert Plant Bruce Springsteen and Elton John - over three hours of music and interviews in total - all on one DVD that will be a must have for music fans everywhere! Complete Playlist (in order of appearance on the program): Alice Cooper "Under My Wheels"; Elton John "Tiny Dancer"; Curtis Mayfield "We Gotta Have Peace"; Randy Newman "Political Science"; Bill Withers "Ain't No Sunshine"; Rory Gallagher "Hands Off"; The Wailers "Stir It Up"; Roxy Music "Do The Strand"; The Edgar Winter Group "Frankenstein"; Captain Beefheart "Upon the My O My"; Little Feat "Rock 'n' Roll Doctor"; John Lennon "Stand By Me"; Lynyrd Skynyrd "Freebird"; Emmylou Harris "Amarillo"; Bonnie Raitt "Too Long At The Fair"; Tom Waits "Tom Traubert's Blues"; Talking Heads "Psycho Killer"; XTC "Statue of Liberty"; Blondie "(I'm Always Touched By Your) Presence Dear"; Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers "American Girl" The Police "Can't Stand Losing You"; Bruce Springsteen "Rosalita"; Iggy Pop "I'm Bored"; The Specials "Message to You Rudi"; The Damned "Smash It Up/I Just Can't Be Happy Today"; The Ramones "Rock 'n' Roll High School"; U2 "I Will Follow"; REM "Moon River" / "Pretty Persuasion"Running Time: 192 min. Genre:MUSIC DVD/CONCERTS UPC:794051181220 Manufacturer No:E1812

Click here for more information about The Old Grey Whistle Test, Vol. 1 (2003)

The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder (2006) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just got back from picking this set up and put them in to sample about before getting back to work but could not stop watching until they were done. This is just brilliant stuff. Lennon is just ridiculously honest and all of these were made before PR guys had soundbytes programmed into the mouths of the talent and Tom Snyder asked some of the most ludicrous and off the wall questions which all ads to the fun. More than a curiosity (as many of these DVDs of old shows are) all three of the fab four say interesting things and this set will get repeated viewing.
I can't recommend this strongly enough. If you are a Beatles fan (who isn't?) or a fan of pop culture or music in general...just amazing!
enjoy!

Click Here to see more reviews about: The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder (2006)

The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder was one of the hippest, most-interesting late-night talk shows around, during its 70s and early- 80s run. The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder: John, Paul, Tom & Ringo brings together captivating interviews with John Lennon, Paul McCartney, and Ringo Starr. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disc One features the last televised interview that John Lennon ever gave, taped on April 25, 1975, and full of revealing details about The Beatles, his solo career, and his difficulties with the Nixon Administration. Featured is the complete interview as rebroadcast on December 9, 1980, the day after he died, adding interviews with music journalist Lisa Robinson and Lennon producer Jack Douglas, and serving as a poignant tribute to one of rock s greatest icons. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disc Two contains a 1981 interview with Ringo Starr, who discusses his film and music career, as well as remembrances of his band mate and friend John Lennon. Also included is a 1979 interview with Paul McCartney, then enjoying huge success with Wings.

Get 6% OFF

Click here for more information about The Tomorrow Show With Tom Snyder (2006)