Kansas City Confidential (MGM Film Noir)

Amazon.com

Tightly plotted and perfectly cast, Kansas City Confidential is film noir at its finest. An obvious influence on Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs, this riveting 99-minute potboiler builds its escalating suspense on the fate of reformed ex-con Joe Rolfe (John Payne), whose floral delivery truck matches a duplicate truck used in a Kansas City bank heist. Joe's been randomly framed by disgruntled, double-crossing ex-cop Tim Foster (Preston Foster) who masterminded the robbery, and in an effort to clear his name, Joe follows a trail of suspicion to a Mexican hideaway, where Foster's accomplices (a sublimely hardboiled trio played by Lee Van Cleef, Neville Brand, and Jack Elam) have gathered to split their $1.2 million haul. Under Phil Karlson's skillful direction, this nerve-twitching scenario unfolds as a clever case of hidden and assumed identities (having worn masks during the heist and getaway, none of the robbers knows the others' identities), and Payne gives a smart, sweaty-browed performance as a hard-luck case who finds time for romance with Foster's daughter (Coleen Gray) as he struggles to turn his fate around. For noir lovers, this movie's pure bliss as Brand, Van Cleef, and especially Elam fill the screen with slimy greed and infectious mistrust. As an iconic example of gritty film noir, Kansas City Confidential remains exciting, unpredictable, and thoroughly entertaining. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

Kansas City Confidential.......2007-09-04

If you love the old movies of the Silver Screen era you will probably like this movie. The movie has several well know supporting cast "Bad Guy" type actors. If you are lookng for high tech action forget this one.

A fool-proof heist...A framed man...Falling for the beautiful "dame": The suspense of Film Noir .......2007-09-02

This is a film noir. Made in 1952 in Black and White, it has the cynicism, it has the interesting plot twists that draw you into the story, it has the lead male in desperate circumstances beyond his control, but no femme fatale, no chiaroscuro, no stylishly odd camera angles. This is one of the heist-themed noir films. I found it very engaging and satisfying. The story was believable, the acting was at times inspired, at other times just a bit lackluster, possibly due to a few weak spots in the script. The DVD picture and sound are both excellent, and the disc has no extras. Strange, but I found the leading male resembling Kevin Spacey at times, Jimmy Stewart at times, and Robert Mitchum at times...fun, but a bit distracting. There are three "heavies" who stand out: Lee Van Cleef, Neville Brand, and Jack Elam are all famous for work they did in the 1950's through the 1970's, and it is very interesting to see them here as young men (without cowboy hats, too!) These men have all brought their characters to life with great performances. This film is in the second tier of its genre: Very good, but not essential. Overall, I can strongly recommend it to fans of 1950's crime movies and film noir. 4 1/2 to 5 stars.

KC OK.......2007-08-27

A good,clever plot.John Payne,usually playing light leading men,ys very convincing as a desperatr ex-con trying to proove his onnocence.excellent suppoert from Lee Van Cleef,Neville Brand snd Jack Elam as a trio of justifiably paranoid heavies.My only cavil is the Hollywood happy ending,whish forsed the character played by Payne to allow himself to become a better person via the love og a good,and un-necessary(for this filn) good woman.

True Grit.......2007-08-13

Before larger budgets put a kink in his style Phil Karlson was in a class with Sam Fuller and Don Seigel. His crime films were gritty, low-rent and when people got slugged you winced. "Kansas City Confidential" gave him a dream cast to work with. He had already helped affable song-and-dance man John Payne to re-invent himself as an embittered proletarian hero in "99 River Street," and here Payne is joined by one of the best line-ups of heavies ever to grace a 50s crime film--Jack Elam, Lee Van Cleef and Neville Brand. Karlson ultimately lacked the pessimism to be a great noir stylist. He likes happy endings, and even his ex-cop mastermind proves to be a stand-up guy at heart, all set to turn his three stooges over to the law in exchange for a shot at redemption. (Quite the opposite of the similar character played by Ed Begley in "Odds Against Tomorrow.")
While "Kansas City Confidential" falls short of being a true film noir, it certainly delivers the goods as a tough, tense crime thriller. Well worth seeing for its cast alone.

Finally - The Official MGM DVD Release! Great Film Noir!.......2007-06-03

For years Kansas City Confidential has languished in the Public Domain Hell. Released in a woefully substandard version from Alpha (watch the video wiggle at the bottom of the screen every 10 seconds), and a much better, but still flawed version from Image (the picure is just a bit too dark and has some minor print damage), along with several "dollar" DVD versions that were even more flawed than the Alpha and Image releases, Kansas City Confidential was a movie that most Film Noir fans thought would never see an "official" DVD release by MGM (owner of the master print, and - presumably - the negatives).

But here it is - MGM is actually releasing (or has released, depending on when you read this) the "official" DVD for this fantastic Film Noir. Based on their track record of releasing official versions of movies previously relegated to public domain releases (see He Walked By Night as an example - MGM's DVD is flawless!), this should see a drastic improvement in both image and sound quality over all of the previous versions released to date.

The movie itself is a tightly written, well acted (John Payne is fantastic, and the supporting cast of Preson Foster, Lee Van Cleef, Neville Brand, Jack Elam, and Coleen Gray are all near perfect in their roles), and extremely well directed by Phil Karlson.

This is a classic crime/wrong man framed and sets out for revenge movie. For fans of Film Noir this is truly a, "Must Have," DVD.

Update - The DVD is, as expected, a HUGE improvement over the Image release, which istself is much better than the Alpha version. MGM/Fox have done a very nice job on the quality of this release - the print used is excellent. Even if you already have a previous version of Kansas City Confidential you still may want to get this one for the much improved picture and sound.

NFL History of the Kansas City Chiefs (2pc)

Average customer rating:

Hail To The Chiefs!
Just My Thoughts but...
What happened to the 1980's?

NFL History of the Kansas City Chiefs (2pc)
Starring: NFL History of the Kansas City Chiefs
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000PY52E0
Release Date: 2007-08-07

Description

It began with one man and a dream. It continued with Len Dawson, Willie Lanier, Hank Stram, and an upset in Super Bowl IV. Today, the history of the Kansas City Chiefs lives on in the finest stadium in the land with over 79,000 fans in a vibrant sea of red creating one of the NFL's greatest home field advantages. Now, for the first time, the Chiefs' story is available in this thrilling two-DVD set - The Complete History of the Kansas City Chiefs. From Lamar Hunt's quest to build a second professional football league, to Larry Johnson, Herman Edwards and the Chiefs of today, The Complete History of the Kansas City Chiefs takes you inside one of the NFL's finest franchises. Join NFL Films as they re-capture the team's greatest moments and profile the legendary names that circle the field at Arrowhead. Re-live the thrilling playoff victories, the heart-breaking defeats - all amidst the renown class and style that define the Kansas City Chiefs. The Complete History of the Kansas City Chiefs is a must for any Chiefs fan - buy yours today!

Customer Reviews:

Hail To The Chiefs!.......2007-09-07

This DVD set is perfect for a Chiefs fan! I had seen other teams get their history made into this type of set and I hoped eventually they would do the same for the Chiefs. NFL films has done a great job of using old footage from the AFL back to the Dallas Texans days all the way up to the 1st Herm Edwards year. The interviews are very insightful and the quality lives up to the excellence we have come to expect from NFL Films.

The years between 1977 and 1989 are not dwelled upon nor should they, due to the fact that the Chiefs were not a good team except for 1986 and no Chiefs fan would want to relive it. They do mention in the "Ring of Honor" bonus material the outstanding players from that era (Bill Kenney, Joe Delaney, Stephoine Paige, Christian Okoye, Carlos Carson, Lloyd Burruss, etc.) In response to an earlier review, they don't say it was all those years until they got back to the playoffs, they say it was that long till they got back to the AFC Championship game. Why dwell on the years that were wasted by poor management and drafts? The purpose of a package like this is to make you feel good about your team.

There is wonderful footage from old Municipal Stadium all the way up to the most recent training camps. I have been a Chiefs fan my whole life as my parents moved us to the KC area in 1963, the same year that the Chiefs moved from Dallas. I could not be more pleased with a product and I could not recommend a product more! If you are a true Chiefs fan, you will watch this DVD over & over again.

Just My Thoughts but..........2007-09-01

I really liked it! It went back over the years from the beginning of the team. They interview past and current players as of 2006-07. There are interviews with coaches also. If you are old softies like us, you may tear up as they talk about Derrick Thomas. I love fooball, and the Chiefs so I could have watched even more. Be sure to check out the extra features.

ONE NOTE of a SLIGHT STALL or STUDDER on the first disc close to the end, of the video itself. I returned one copy thinking I had a bad disc, but I was at a store after that, showing it on a big screen TV and it stalled in the same exact spot, so I figure it is on the master film, or done for some reason. I would buy it again for sure!

What happened to the 1980's?.......2007-08-12

For the most part, this Chiefs history isn't bad. But, it's NOT COMPLETE. NFL films as chosen the COMPLETLY ignore KC Chiefs history from 1975 to 1988. What? How can a COMPLETE history NOT include those years? In the 1980's the Chiefs had players such as Bill Maas DL, Bill Kenney QB, Todd Blackledge (QB class of '83), Deron Cherry FS, Carlos Carson WR, Stephone Page WR, Nick Lowery K, Art Still DE, Keven Ross CB and many others. How could NFL films COMPLETLY ignore these fine players? I guess a COMPLETE history is only COMPLETE if the team is winning.

Here's an example of how NFL films COMPLETELY skips over the late 70's and 80's Chiefs. Their narrator claims that from 1975, "It would be 18 years before they won another division title, or had a shot at a Super Bowl". That isn't COMPLETLY correct. What about the 1986 KC Chiefs squad NFL films? They went 10-6 and made it to the Playoffs on the strength of their special teams and defense while displaying a tremendous amount of guts and determination. But I guess because they lost the Wild Card playoff game to the NY Jets 35-15, that doesn't count as Chiefs history.

Average customer rating:

Had potential...
hilarious
Best quote of the film:
I liked it better when it was called "Fandango"
Excellent Movie

Rolling Kansas
Starring: Kelly Bright , Ryan Thomas Brockington , Greg Dorchak , Charlie Finn , and Ed Geldhart
Manufacturer: Monarch Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002CR09U
Release Date: 2004-08-17

Customer Reviews:

Had potential..........2007-07-28

This movie struck me as an independent, cheaper version of 2000's Road Trip. The general plot of this movie seemed to have plenty of potential for a decent comedy. Unfortunately, the movie drags in several places, and nothing particularly funny ever happens.

hilarious.......2007-03-25

this movie isn't for everybody, but if you like movies like super troopers and dukes of hazzard, you might want to check this one out.

Best quote of the film:.......2006-10-24

What do ya got in that box there?
-oh, just Bunnies, sir.
Look like dog snacks to me!

I liked it better when it was called "Fandango".......2006-06-03

This movie was essentially a rip-off of the MUCH BETTER Fandango, which starred (seriously) Kevin Costner. The characters, the basic plot, the basic geography were all lifted from Fandango, and shamelessly so.

Not since the "Point Break" rip-off, "The Fast and the Furious", have i seen such a blatant rip-off of a film.

Quality-wise, it is quite weak.

Excellent Movie.......2006-04-17

I love this movie. It is a total stoner film! I was laughing so hard during every scene! 5 STARS!!!

Classic Western Round-Up, Vol. 1 (The Texas Rangers / Canyon Passage / Kansas Raiders / The Lawless Breed)

Average customer rating:

"Canyon Passage" makes the package worth the money!
Great scenery, flimsy plot
western roundup
Classic Western Roundup
Non-shoot-out Movie About the West

Classic Western Round-Up, Vol. 1 (The Texas Rangers / Canyon Passage / Kansas Raiders / The Lawless Breed)
Starring: Dana Andrews , Susan Hayward , Brian Donlevy , Audie Murphy , and Rock Hudson
Manufacturer: Universal Studios
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

Classics | Westerns | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000N3T0G4
Release Date: 2007-05-08

Amazon.com

This DVD set indeed qualifies as a "round-up," gathering a quartet of otherwise unrelated Westerns on two discs. Despite its seeming randomness, this set has a fine pedigree (three excellent directors are represented) and offers good value for fans of the oater.

The Texas Rangers is a 1936 Paramount picture (the other titles are Universal) from director King Vidor, working from a story of his own concoction. Two shady characters, Fred MacMurray and Jack Oakie, join the Rangers as subterfuge, but slowly find themselves cottoning to the idea of nobility. Although it's a minor effort in the director's career, Vidor shows his feeling for the American land (he'd just come off the salt-of-the-earth classic Our Daily Bread) and the redemptive plot is hard to resist. Lloyd Nolan, in one of his early roles, makes a very offbeat bad guy--eventually named "The Polkadot Bandit"!

The gem of the collection is Canyon Passage, a relaxed 1946 Northwestern directed by Jacques Tourneur. Dana Andrews plays an Oregon frontier entrepreneur who keeps getting dragged into romantic triangles, Indian reprisals, and bailing out his irresponsible best friend (Brian Donlevy). He's a little like Rick in Casablanca, allegedly out for himself but thawed by the needs of his friends. Tourneur's use of color and forest-y locations is beautiful to behold, and the movie has a wry Greek chorus in the form of Hoagy Carmichael's mandolin-strumming shopkeeper (he sings "Ole Buttermilk Sky," among others). Susan Hayward and Patricia Roc provide the lingering looks toward Andrews, and Ward Bond makes a particularly brutal bad guy.

Kansas Raiders (1950) weds two popular Western subjects: the James gang and Quantrill's Raiders. The film's story tracks the arrival and disillusionment of Jesse and Frank James (and the Younger brothers) into the service of Rebel agitator William Quantrill (Brian Donlevy). The movie pretty thoroughly romanticizes Jesse James and co. (a narrator has to remind us at the end that these future bank robbers were "warped" individuals), but it's an enjoyable enough Western outing. Audie Murphy, the Texas war hero, brings his sullen charisma to the role of Jesse, and the gang includes Tony Curtis and Richard Long.

Even more historical whitewash is applied to the legend of John Wesley Hardin in The Lawless Breed (1953), starring Rock Hudson as the notorious killer. The film bends over backwards to prove that Hardin killed in self-defense, which might be why it feels so flavorless (the usually robust director Raoul Walsh is defeated here by the blah conception of the character and Hudson's stolid performance). Quintessential Universal babe Julia Adams is Hardin's showgirl ladyfriend.

This is a no-frills package, which works out just fine. Most importantly, the films look very good, especially the three color pictures. Canyon Passage has a few moments of wobbly color separation, but is otherwise a particularly vivid transfer. --Robert Horton

Description

Journey back to the Old West for timeless adventures in the Classic Western Round-Up: Volume 1! Relive all the gunfights, barroom brawls and romance with The Texas Rangers, Canyon Passage, Kansas Raiders and The Lawless Breed. Starring Hollywood favorites Rock Hudson, Fred MacMurray, Audie Murphy and Dana Andrews, this action-packed collection features some of the most exciting films ever to hit the silver screen! The Texas Rangers (1936) Two crooks (Fred MacMurray and Jack Oakie) reluctantly enlist in the Texas Rangers as a means of staying one-step ahead of the law. Canyon Passage (1946) Adventure awaits when a pack-mule express owner (Dana Andrews) escorts a young woman (Susan Hayward) home to a remote Oregon town. Kansas Raiders (1950) Jesse James (Audie Murphy) and his brothers join William Quantrill (Brian Donlevy) and his vengeful raiders in an effort to save the Confederacy. The Lawless Breed (1953) When famed outlaw John Wesley Hardin (Rock Hudson) is released from prison, he gives an in-depth account of his scandalous life to a local newspaper.

Customer Reviews:

"Canyon Passage" makes the package worth the money!.......2007-09-07

"Canyon Passage" with Dana Andrews, Susan Hayward, Brian Donlevy, and Hoagy Carmichael is the best movie in this set and is good enough to make this set a worthwhile purchase. "Canyon Passage" was filmed in the Diamond Lake area of Oregon and has wonderful scenery featuring Mt. Thielson as the background in many of the scenes. Mt. Thielson is a sharply pointed peak just north of Crater Lake National Park and Crater Lake is briefly seen in the background as Dana Andrews and Susan Hayward ride past it. The story is interesting and well written and the acting is believable by all the actors which includes Ward Bond and a young Lloyd Bridges. The addition of Hoagy Carmichael singing his songs during the film, especially "Ol' Buttermilk Sky", make this a classic western which should have been released separately but at least it is now available on DVD.

Great scenery, flimsy plot.......2007-08-26

Director Jacques Tourneur is probably most fanous for "Cat People" and "Out of the Past," with most of his other work ranging from mediocre to downright B-movie making. "Canyon Passage" is a fairly sluggish western set on Oregon, whose natural beauty is the real star of this film. The 1946 Technicolor process is astoundingly rich and most of the movie is filmed outside, against mountains, lakes, forests, meadows, and farmland. The story is flimsy, involving hionest-to-a-fault Dana Andrews taking care of wastrel Brian Donleavy because Andrews harbors a distant love for Donleavy's fiancee, Susan Hayworth. There is a very violent fistfight in a bar, precursor to the famous one in "Shane," and the Indians' burning of settlers homes is terrifying. Beyond that no one distinguishes himself, least of all Hogey Carmichael who seems to have composed the ditties he sings on the spot (the exception being the tag at the end, "Old Buttermilk Sky."

western roundup.......2007-07-20

This is one of those movies you want to see over and over.The Texas Rangers is one of those movie that was made over call The Streets of Lorado with William Holden thats no longer available/Kansas Raiders is Audie Murphy at his best.I also was suprise to see Tony Curtis in a western, A must see movie for all western fans.Audie Murphy has another very good movie call Seven Ways from Sundown with Barry Sullivan that is no longer available/The lawless Breed very good story line a must see all classics.

Classic Western Roundup.......2007-07-02

Well going in I had high hopes based on earlier reviews concerning Canyon Passage. That turned out to be a pretty good old style western. If all of the other movies had the same standard then the disk would have been rated 5 stars. The others are good but not as good as CP and that is what brought it down. All of the fils were pretty well played, good plot development and any fan of the old stuff should like this collection.

Non-shoot-out Movie About the West.......2007-05-22

Fine picture of mostly non-violent pioneers in the Pacific Northwest. A loyal rendering of Ernest Haycox's novel. Dana Andrews stalwart as Logan, the shopkeeper, Susan Hayward as sweet and loyal Lucy, Brian Aherne as Lucy's fiancee, with a problem with gambling. Hoagy Carmichael is a townsman, who introduced his theme song "Old Buttermilk Sky," Lloyd Bridges a gold prospector, Ward Bond a sweaty ruffian. One for kids to see it wasn't all saloons and gunmen who settled the West.

Average customer rating:

Kansaa City Bomber
It's About Time!
Raquel Welch
Bomber Hits Target
Crash and burn

Kansas City Bomber
Starring: Raquel Welch , Kevin McCarthy , Helena Kallianiotes , Norman Alden , and Jeanne Cooper
Director: Jerrold Freedman
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007TKNJW
Release Date: 2005-05-31

Description

Baseball has its Bull Durham. Basketball has Hoosiers. Football has Rudy. And the mad sport of the roller game has Kansas City Bomber. Step aside, boys, she's coming through. Disco was in, polyester was cool and the roller game was the hottest thing on wheels when this smash-mouth spinfest elbowed its way onto screens. Raquel Welch plays K.C., a single mom (Jodie Foster plays her daughter) who laces up to earn a living for her family. Real competition venues provide settings. Some true-life roller-game players appear in the film. And Welch adds to the authenticity, navigating the banked oval like a rocket-powered bumper car. Round and round she goes. Where she stops may be the top of the roller world.

Customer Reviews:

Kansaa City Bomber.......2007-05-07

Excellent movie that is on DVD for anyone who loves the sport of roller derby.

It's About Time!.......2007-01-20

I was very surprised to see "Kansas City Bomber" finally released on DVD. It was never released on VHS in North America, only in the U.K. It's a classic that I have not seen on TV for years! It looks great on DVD. The video transfer utilized is clear, and the sound is good too. Although, this movie is not an Academy Award Winner, it has it's own type of charm. It cashed in on the Roller Derby craze of the early '70s. I always liked this movie because Raquel Welch starred in it, and she also did all of the roller stunts for this movie too. There is some historically incorrect information in the synopses located on the back cover. It is mentioned that "Disco" was hot when this movie was released. "Disco" didn't break until 1974, and really blew-up and was in full swing by 1976. This is a small piece of info that should be deleted. All and all, I am very happy with this DVD, and this classic Raquel Welch movie. I recommend it highly for people that like early '70s fare movies.

Raquel Welch.......2007-01-11

Excellent roller-skating pro contests, and very well done by Welch. Even if she had a double, I'll bet she got a lot of bruises in this one--tough job!!! Excellent story, with many true-to-life highlights. The movie tells the story, without dwelling on any maudlin aspects of the business too much.

Bomber Hits Target.......2006-03-04

Racquel in spandex and on wheels is a wow. I had the pleasure of working on this film on location in beautiful Portland, Oregon. I am not giving this film five stars because I appear in it. Kansas City Bomber was a very special film for Racquel. The script by Barry Sandler was written expressly for Ms. Welch. This was also the first film for Jodie Foster who played Racquels daughter. Vetran character actor Norm Alden gave the best performance of his life as Horrible Hank Hopkins.
Racquel plays KC Carr, a roller derby diva who's life is in turmoil. Her relationship with her children is strained as she tours the country with her derby team. Her team mates are at odds with her believing that she is sleeping her way to the top with the owner of the team (Kevin McCarthy). KC must come to grips with life and what she really wants to achieve.
You'll find yourself rooting for KC to find herself, and she does. The film ends with an exciting skate off between KC and Jackie Burdett. The skate off is set up for KC to take a fall so that she can be traded off to another team, but at the last minute KC and Jackie decide to "keep it real". The climatic skate off is filled with thrills as KC wins the title, and resolves to be the roller derby diva she is.
There are not many films on roller derby, however, this is clearly the best.

Crash and burn.......2005-12-26

I was ecstatic when one of my fond childhood memories had finally been released on DVD. How could I have been so incredibly wrong?

I remember Kansas City Bomber serving up an abundance of thrills and chills and gripping drama on and off the roller derby ring, but having recently seen it as an adult it was like a test of endurance to make it all the way to the end of the disc. I'm not trying to be overly dramatic when I say this movie was horrible. If there was an actual screenplay involved it must have been written within a twenty-four hour deadline.

Here's an example of how nonsensical the screenplay is. Early in the movie we hear rumors that KC's roommate/teammate was traded because of it possibly having something to do with KC's lusty relationship with the team owner. KC is appalled at even the mere thought of such a thing and she takes action to confronts the owner head-on. The first thing he says is "Of course that's not the reason I traded her!" and the seccond thing he says is "OK, so maybe I was a bit jealous she gets to spend more time with you than I do",. And KC basically says something like "Well, you could have been a bit nicer about it", as they both carry on with the rest of their happy-go-lucky day. It's simply absurd!! First, why would the owner kick a player off of the team all because it's his lover's roommate--esspecially when he plans to give her her own swanky little nest on the water?? And what happened to KC going to save her teammates position on the team?? Incredibly muddled writing.

The action scenes in the ring would have been great if it weren't for Welch's big, mannish stunt woman overtly and clumsilly hiding her face with a wig and keeping her head facing the ground. There's no second guessing which shots feature Welch mainly because Welch isn't really doing much of anything that resembles action. As a matter of fact much of the roller derby action was handled with corny cartoon buffoonery. This movie makes the WWF look like the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

And then there's KC's seasoned old rival who's bitter towards KC because she knows KC is there to take her crown as the roller queen. It's just a one note performance of a woman grousing and crying in her beer and any scene that begins to give us a glimpse into who this woman is/was quickly turns into a sloppy meaningless fight scene. And all the men in the movie (with the exception of the gentle giant Hank) are relegated to being rude, crude, crotch-grabbing, raping neanderthals.

This is just the shell of a movie. It's also the seed of a GOOD movie. Unfortunately the only thing that grew out of this one is stink weed. And what an insult to Rachel Welch's career to even infer this was the greatest roll of her career. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know the studio's main objective was to find yet another action-packed way of selling Welch's undeniable sex appeal in a tight outfit and THAT they were successful in.

Average customer rating:

good but not great
Not 100% happy with this preformance!
Reason #1 why I dislike DVDs-
Get this DVD
KANSAS AT ITS BEST

Kansas - Device, Voice, Drum
Starring: Kansas
Manufacturer: COMPENDIA MUSIC GROUP
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00006L924
Release Date: 2002-10-08

Amazon.com

This exceptional DVD will convince you that the best American progressive rock band is still Kansas. Shot on Super-16mm film and digitally mastered, Device, Voice, Drum was recorded before an appreciative audience in Atlanta on June 15, 2002. The two-hour concert finds Kansas in peak form, the band members now in their 50s, with thicker waistlines (except for trim vocalist-keyboardist Steve Walsh) and sounding better than ever in pristine 5.1-channel Dolby. "Just because they call you a dinosaur band doesn't mean you can't rock," says violinist Robby Steinhardt in the DVD's bonus interviews, and the group backs those words with a high-precision set of ballads and epic anthems. "The Preacher" includes a full choir; "Dust in the Wind" is still an all-time classic; and of course "Carry On Wayward Son" perfectly embodies Kansas's signature sound (even though Walsh now avoids the highest notes). Featuring a dazzling computer-animated music machine (illustrated on the DVD cover), this well-produced disc proves that the band is anything but fossilized. --Jeff Shannon

Customer Reviews:

good but not great.......2007-07-10

This is a decent DVD. The performance is not too bad. It was good to see them play a few rarities here (Belexes, The Preacher and Child of Innocence) but this show seemed a bit forced. The setting was nice and the songs were played a bit too perfectly. It sounded like they were going through the motions here and even some of the cheering seemed canned. But that's just an opinion.

The extras here are decent. The interviews are fairly simple. I do have to disagree with Robby's comments that he felt this "was a very important show and a very big deal". To him it probably was, but certainly not to the fans. It was later revealed that they tried to 'get' Kansas fans and have them meet in this one place for this show. It was my understanding that they really didn't sell tickets per se. This just seemed like a corporate decision. The only other thing I didn't like is the way they grandstand and hyped up the crowd for Carry on Wayward Son. "are you ready?" *rolling my eyes* Aren't they sick of playing this song yet? they have so many other better songs.

Anyway, while this concert doesn't truly suck, I'm sure there were many other better performances than this. I give this 4 stars only. The rarities I mentioned before were nice to hear and if not for their inclusion this DVD would just be a mediocre performance. Recommended for hardcore fans only.

Not 100% happy with this preformance!.......2007-02-07

Well,being a Kansas follower and after seeing this DVD, I haven't upgraded my like for them any! I mean where can you find any DVD put out by Kansas other than here! Some of the songs sounded like they were rushed and the feeling that was once their has been removed from them and gives one a feeling that they are just getting a concert over and done with in places. ( I know that sounds rather hard but, its felt as well as heard throughout most of this recording )
I give it a 3 because Kansas is on a DVD but,the preformance has alot of work left to go before it bears writing a good review from me currently! ( sorry guys )

Reason #1 why I dislike DVDs-.......2007-01-10

What's up with the crowd in the background- were they paid? Subpar performances....feels strained and forced...screetchy, scratchy vocals from Walsh...tired of hearing standard issue Kansas songs...Hey, I love this band but I've seen them live 4 times and they were so much better. The whole package seems too sanitized. Sorry Folks.

Get this DVD.......2007-01-10

If you are a fan of classic rock, this dvd is a must have for your collection. I've seen Kansas close to a dozen times with the most recent show at Station Casino in St Charles Missouri, like wine, they get better with age.....

KANSAS AT ITS BEST.......2006-12-24

THIS IS A GREAT CONCERT BY A TRULY GREAT GROUP OF MUSICIANS. THE KANSAS ARRANGEMENTS ARE VERY INTRICATE AND REALLY WELL PERFORMED. THE AUDIO IS EXCELLENT, AND THE VIDEO IS VERY GOOD. THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST ROCK CONCERT DVD'S YOU CAN BUY. THE SONG SELECTION IS VERY GOOD. THEY PLAY MOST OF THEIR HITS THE 2ND HALF OF THE CONCERT. WELL WORTH THE MONEY IF YOU LIKE KANSAS.

Average customer rating:

Don't waste your time
The Battle Of Kansas City Jazz Or The Deception Of Beauty
Atmosphere and little else.
Might Have The Best Ending Ever
Someone other than Altman should have cut this film

Kansas City
Starring: Jennifer Jason Leigh , Miranda Richardson , Harry Belafonte , Michael Murphy , and Dermot Mulroney
Director: Robert Altman
Manufacturer: New Line Home Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0006Q9482
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Amazon.com essential video

Robert Altman wanted to captured a sense of what life was like in his hometown during the Depression, both in a story about the people who lived there and, more impressionistically, in the jazz that sprouted there before moving to New York. But his plot here is rambling and undramatic: A small-time hood double-crosses a vicious black gangster (Harry Belafonte) and is grabbed by him, marked for death. To save his life, the hood's dim blond wife (Jennifer Jason Leigh) kidnaps a rich politician's wife (Miranda Richardson) and spends the day driving around town with her, on the theory that the politician can convince the gangster to free her husband. Leigh is jittery, Richardson seems bored--and the lengthy jam sessions we see (involving contemporary musicians such as Joshua Redman) serve only to prolong an already slow-moving film. Possibly worth seeing for the silky menace of Belafonte, but there is little else to recommend it. --Marshall Fine

Customer Reviews:

Don't waste your time.......2007-09-01

If you're looking for drama, suspense or anything approaching a real plot, look elsewhere. Not only is the ending predictable, but you'll have to wait through a very long and boring movie to see it. Atmosphere is about all you'll get. Depending on your opinion of jazz or what passes for it in this movie, you may be in for further disappointment. We rented it on line through U-Verse and I'm going to ask for a refund. Belafonte was the only one who was convincing and that's because he wasn't acting.

The Battle Of Kansas City Jazz Or The Deception Of Beauty.......2005-12-30

When one listens to the gorgeous music of Lester Young, Charlie Parker(I think he was "shown" in a scene as well) and Coleman Hawkins and William Count Basie,a jazz fan is left with a sense of wonder what must have gone down at KC in those days...Now we have a great depiction of the music and what life might have been like with great music revisited and performed by these "new giants of jazz" recreating the high swinging good time sense of euphoria sweeping those magical tunes..
Yet, at the same time, music lovers see the battle going on between the somewhat bluesier, aggressive playing of the giant Coleman Hawkins contrasted clearly with his major rival Lester Young, the more sweeter melancholy player..These 2 contrasting visions play-out throughout the entire movie not only as a backdrop as a soundtrack but a portrayal of the contradictory lives played by it's characters.
There is no difference between the Downtown KC of crime, brothels and booze(opium and cocaine as well) with it's underworld in contrast to the Americana of the Uptown KC with it's quaint Democratic lifestyle untouched by the jazz going down at the Hey-Hey Club...ultimately leading to murder from all sides.
This is a powerful message and why the movie scores big besides the wonderful music and the 2 Cd's spurned out which are equally impressive.
The moral equivalency of these 2 worlds makes this movie a great one.

Atmosphere and little else........2005-09-19

Even the mighty have their moments when they stumble and KANSAS CITY is one of those moments for maverick director Robert Altman. There's little more than atmosphere in this film; the period-recreation of 1935-ish Kansas City Missouri, the great jazz throughout every frame and a bravura performance by Harry Belefonte as a gambler/crime kingpin named "Seldom Seen" don't mask the fact that the plot's thinner than newspaper and that every other actor save Belefonte is chewing the scenery and burping after every chew. On the surface, this movie's approach isn't much different from Altman's others--there's constant activity, so much that it's initially disorienting to try and figure out all of the threads of the story, but in many of his films (NASHVILLE, MASH and GOSFORD PARK, for instance), those threads gradually come together into a whole. It never happens in KANSAS CITY. The threads stay threads and you're left with a jumble, albiet a jumble with a great score.

Might Have The Best Ending Ever.......2005-04-28

Bottom line, whether you love or hate "Kansas City" will depend on your reaction to Jennifer Jason Leigh's performance. Leigh's character Blondie anchors the story as a desperate wife trying to save her husband from the gangsters he tried to rob. Leigh looks great in this role, she is fit and trim which makes her face that much cuter. The contrast between her almost angelic appearance and her tough persona is intentional because the toughness is an affectation, qualities she has adopted because she loves her husband and they are a turn-on for him.

Her's is the key performance of the film, the twist is her emulation of Kansas City native Jean Harlow ("The Public Enemy" and "Girl from Missoui"). Watch Harlow in "Red Headed Woman" to see the incredible physical resemblance between these two short actresses. Personally I found it touching, humorous, and inspirational. And her character worthy of the brave heroine hall of fame. But it is almost a caricature and many are put off by this tiny woman talking so tough.

As in "Nashville", there are great songs (but jazz rather than country) throughout the film. It is important to realize that "Blondie's" behavior is intended to mirror the "cutting contests" between the jazz musicians on-stage at the club. Just as the musicians borrow from one another and weave each others stuff into what they are improvising, "Blondie" borrows from the movies and weaves Harlow's tough girl phrases and expressions into her conversation.

Leigh and Miranda Richardson spend most of the film in each other's company. Although Richardson's character is doped up on laudanum (tincture of opium) most of the time, you get the idea that she is taking in a lot more of the situation than she is letting on. It is a fascinating pairing. One of them has lost all restraint, the other has lost everything but her restraint. There is almost a "Thelma and Louise" quality to their relationship, in part because Leigh doing Harlow ends up sounding a lot like Geena Davis doing Geena Davis.

Richardson's character is unexpectedly touching. An emotional bond is subtly forged between the two women as the film proceeds, with Richarson actually becoming protective of her kidnapper. The ending is shocking but you understand the motivation (or you will if you watch it again), then looking back you pick up on the various foreshadowing devices that Altman placed throughout the film. He goes out with a bass duet of Duke Ellington's "Solitude" performed by Ron Carter and Christian McBride.

Like many films with downbeat endings, "Kansas City" is destined to be more appreciated 25 years after its release.

Then again, what do I know? I'm only a child.

Someone other than Altman should have cut this film.......2005-03-28

There are the makings of a good movie here, but obviously Altman had final cut approval, and his gift was quite off on this one. Belefonte endlessly pontificates nonsensibly, Jason Leigh surpasses her legendary how-annoying-can-she-get Hudsucker Proxy performance, it's long, the jazz performances just make the film drag.

Such a shame - beautifully shot, great actors, shame about the director's inability to look in the mirror and notice the obvious bloat. A dreadful, annoying film.

Average customer rating:

This Triple Feature is really a good Two plus One
Gunman From Bodie
Rough Riders

Rough Riders Triple Feature 3 (B&W)
Starring: Buck Jones , Tim McCoy , Raymond Hatton , Luana Walters , and Dave O'Brien
Director: Howard Bretherton
Manufacturer: Critic's Choice
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0008GROEQ
Release Date: 2006-07-18

Product Description

Digitally remastered black and white full length episodes: Down Texas Way, West of the Law, and Dawn of the Great Divide

Customer Reviews:

This Triple Feature is really a good Two plus One.......2007-08-13

This Critics' Choice DVD of the famous Monogram trio Series, The Rough Riders, contains the last
two (of eight) features starring Buck Jones, Tim McCoy, and Raymond Hatton. If not the best two,
these were certainly up to the high standard maintained throughout, and in this case the CCD edition
has decent sight and sound--not always the case in Triple Feature #2.
"Dawn on the Great Divide," the third western in this set, also features Buck Jones, who died in a
terrible night club fire before it was released. Tim McCoy had gone to war, to be replaced by Rex Allen.
But even though the character played by Allen, Jack Carson, entered the story independently, Sandy Hopkins
(Hatton) was now Buck Roberts' (Jones) explicit partner from the beginning. More important, the scenes
shifted from the familiar Monogram Ranch to broader and more richly timbered settings, the usual writer and director came forth with a more adult and complex story, and the result was a sincere effort at an
A-western. There are several important women in the story, including one who dies in childbirth, and
another who aims to establish a gambling house. The marauding Indians turn out to be white thugs in
disguise. And "Buck Roberts" shows serious symptoms of falling in love. In this edition we are treated
to two musical numbers, both sung by the youngest of the heroines, "Rock of Ages," and "Beautiful
Dreamer." I bought this and Triple Feature #2 to see if I liked the Rough Riders as much as I did over sixty years ago; as expected, I do. But "Dawn on the Great Divide" proved something quite different--a fine bonus.

Gunman From Bodie.......2007-02-13

Very bad resolution - Buck Jones was my boyhood idol and it was a shame to see this movie of him in a film in such a bad condition. Box said "Digitally Restored" - but I very much doubt that - due to the terrible resolution.

Rough Riders.......2007-01-10

If you like old westerns, you'll enjoy this movie, they always have plenty of action. You don't have good western movies anymore hardly, these old one's are always in style. You will enjoy this one.

1988 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship - Kansas vs. Oklahoma

Average customer rating:

1988 NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship - Kansas vs. Oklahoma

Manufacturer: Thought Equity
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

ASIN: B000NOKM9M
Release Date: 2007-02-23

Description

For the third time in six years, the decided underdog won the NCAA title game. Unranked Kansas, who had 11 losses entering the tournament, beat Big Eight rival and third-ranked Oklahoma, 83-79. Lead by Danny Manning's 31 points, the Jayhawks earned their first national title since 1952.

Average customer rating:

surprise
Anywhere but here ...
Watch only if you must
this is cool...
Not bad

Kansas
Starring: Matt Dillon , Andrew McCarthy , Leslie Hope , Alan Toy , and Andy Romano
Director: David Stevens
Manufacturer: MGM (Video & DVD)
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005N89O
Release Date: 2001-10-02

Description

When a young drifter is drawn into the dark world of a psychopath, he soon learns that, sometimes, excitement can have deadly consequences. Matt Dillon (There's Something About Mary, Drugstore Cowboy) and Andrew McCarthy (Mulholland Falls, St. Elmo's Fire) star in this taut suspense story packed with action, intrigue and powerful performances. An engrossing tale of small-time crime, Kansas is a big-time thriller you won't want to miss! Slick scam artist Doyle Kennedy (Dillon) has yet another con on his mind as he helps down-on-his-luck wanderer Wade Corey (McCarthy) hop a speeding freight train. Kennedy's been looking for a partner in crime, and hes determined to take Corey along for the ride. But though Corey finds the danger and adventure into xicating at first, he soon realizes he could be looking at some serious jail time Â- or worse Â- unless he finds a way out fast!

Customer Reviews:

surprise.......2004-10-30

I bought this with having no idea what this movie would look like on dvd. Having it on laserdisk for many years, I knew it was a tough looking movie video wise, and being from 1988 and low budget I expected this to look grainy and such. Well, when I popped it in my dvd player I was surprised by how nice it looked transfered onto dvd. There wasn't the grain you would expect. The colors and flesh tones where on. No edge enhancements. The movie was a bit soft, but that was probably due to the studio transfering it onto dvd due to the age and grain that would probably be noticable. This has a nice wide 2:35 aspect that makes the scenery look beautiful. Not stunning like some of todays solid transfers, but for its age and low budget its what makes dvd shine at its best. Overall...great!

Anywhere but here ..........2002-12-07

Kansas ... it's flat; it's monotonous; it stretches on forever; nothing ever happens; and it seems like it will never end. Of course, I'm talking about the movie, not the state! Hard to believe that any film starring the talented Matt Dillon could be a total bore, but this one is a complete waste. The script is pointless and inane; the editing is choppy; the musical score is shrill and inappropriate; the pacing is relentlessly slow. Even the cinematography, despite the natural beauty of the scenery, is lackluster. Blame it all on director David Stevens (who?) ... the man apparently had no sense of dramatic creativity during the production of this incoherent mess.

The DVD also includes the Original Theatrical Trailer. But why would anyone care? Take my advice and stay away!

Watch only if you must.......2001-02-21

Ultra-cheap, predictable trash with Dillon involving McCarthy in a bank robbery, McCarthy runs away with the money, saves a politician's daughter from drowning...well you pretty much figured out the whole story.

this is cool..........2000-12-05

This movie was filmed in Valley Falls, Kansas, the town where I live. This is probably the only reason I have watched this movie, and it is so awesome because our main street looks so different in the movie, but everything still looks so familiar. Many of the people I know, including some of my teachers, were extras in this film, one of them riding one of the horses in the parade. I recognize everything from the bridge to the cemetary, and I think its cool that we had movie filmed in our town. I just wish it could have been more of a success, so we could've gotten recognized more and maybe had another movie shot here. That would be great considering I was 4 when this movie was shot, so I don't remember much about it.

Not bad.......2000-07-29

The main reason I saw this movie was because I lived in Kansas. It has little to do with life in this great state, but it may be accurate for someone passing through on a train. They could have done a little more research before putting this out -- mainly on how to pronounce the names of some of the towns. I did like it, though.

DVD:

DVD

DVD