The Emperor's New Groove - The New Groove Edition

Amazon.com

Originally developed as an epic called Kingdom of the Sun, The Emperor's New Groove lost scale and most of Sting's song score (some of which can be heard on the soundtrack) on its way to the screen. The end result is the lightest Disney film in many a moon, a joyous romp akin to Aladdin in its quotient of laughs for kids and adults. The original story centers on the spoiled teenage emperor Kuzco (David Spade), who enjoys getting the best of his Aztecan subjects. When he fires Yzma (Eartha Kitt), his evil sorceress, she seeks revenge and turns Kuzco into a llama with the help of her hunk of the month, a lunk named Kronk (Patrick Warburton). Alone in the jungle, the talking llama is befriended by Pacha (John Goodman), who has just been told to vacate his pastoral home by the human Kuzco. What's an ego to do? That's pretty much the story and the characters--simple, direct, fun--a Disney film on a diet. For any fan of the acidic humor of Spade, this is essential viewing. As narrator of his tale, Kuzco uses a sarcastic tone to keep the story jumping with plenty of fun asides (he even "stops" the film at one point to make sure you know the story is about him). Even better is character actor Warburton (Elaine's stuck-up boyfriend on Seinfeld), who steals every scene as the dim-witted, but oh-so-likable Kronk. There's even a delicious Tom Jones number that starts the film off with a bang. --Doug Thomas

Description

If you liked ALADDIN, you'll love Disney's THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE, where outrageous comedy rules! Audiences and critics alike raved about this hilarious animated adventure. "Ebert & Roeper And The Movies" gave it "Two Thumbs Up." Faster than you can say "Boom, baby," arrogant Emperor Kuzco is turned into a llama by his devious advisor, Yzma, and her hunky henchman, Kronk, who want to rid the kingdom of this beast of burden. Now the ruler who once had it all must form an unlikely alliance with a pleasant peasant named Pacha. Together, Kuzco and Pacha must overcome their differences as they embark on a hilarious, "groovy" adventure that will have you howling with laughter.

Customer Reviews:

Hilarious Disney movie.......2007-07-27

I bought this movie more for me than the kids, it is so funny! David Spade is his usual sarcastic self who learns to grow up and treat people right.

I am not a fan of Disney movies like Hunchback of Notre Dame or Hercules, but this a classic.

One of the funniest animated films I've ever seen!........2007-07-17

This film from the beginning till the end was one of the funniest things I've ever seen, there was alot of slapstick humor along with some hilarious characters like Kronk who was my favorite. Emperor's new groove is one of the best Disney animated films in years, Disney haven't been one of my favorites especially with their dull and sappy films however they have made some good animated films in the past including this one. The characters were hilarious and the brilliant writing and animation technique were first rate it was fast paced and there was never a dull moment. Emporer Cuzco is a spoiled and arrogant prince who accidentally turns into a llama by the evil sorceress Yzma who really wanted to kill him but her idiotic and clumsy partner Kronk gave Cuzco a magic potion instead of poison, so alot of hilarity ensues as he tries to get back to normal with the help from a peasant. The film has a ton of great oneliners especially when Kronk starts talking to a squirrel which had me cracking up "squicker, squick" or something like that and then he says that he was a junior chipmunk and versed in all woodland creatures, great stuff and of course Cuzco was also great he was voiced by David Spade who does alot of witty and sarcastic humor "no touchy, demon Llama? where?", this was a great animated flick for both kids and adults.

Got it Memorized.......2007-06-14

YZMA--"Tell us where the talking llamer is, and we'll burn your house to the ground."
KRONK--"Uh, don't you mean, or?"
YZMA--(heavy sigh) "Tell us where the talking llamer is, OR we'll burn your house to the ground."
PACHA'S-DAUGHTER-WHOSE-NAME-I-FORGET--"Well, which is it? That seems like a pretty crucial conjunction."

That is one of my favorite quotes from the movie. Which isn't saying much, for if I were to tell you ALL my favorite quotes, I would be quoting the entire movie. Which I can do. But I don't think anyone here wants that.

Featuring the considerable talents of David Spade, Patrick Warburton, Eartha Kitt, John Goodman, and others, this movie is, in a word, gorgeous. It is one of the only animated movies I can watch now, as a fifteen-year-old, and still adore. (Though I'd love to see the originally planned film, KINGDOM OF THE SUN -- it sounds interesting, according to the professional reviews.)

Matching Kronk's wackiness is Yzma's hilarious villainy ("Pull the lever, Kronk! WRONG LEVEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!") and matching off Kuzco's selfishness and sarcastic wit is Pacha the peasant. In this movie you end up rooting for the "villains" -- Kronk and Yzma -- almost as much as Kuzco and Pacha. Kuzco is, of course, at the beginning, more a villain than a good guy anyway.

THE PLOT: By firing his millenia-old adviser Yzma, Emperor Kuzco gets himself a death wish from said advisor, aided by her hapless right-hand man, Kronk, who accidentally mixes up the poison with extract of llama and turns the former emporor into a long-necked hairball. Too softhearted to hurl the bratty eighteen-year-old Emperor over the edge of a waterfall, he accidentally trips and throws the bag holding Kuzco onto the cart of Pacha, the leader of a village Kuzco means to demolish in order to build himself a summer house with waterslide -- "It's my birthday gift to me!!!" Together, Pacha and Kuzco must get Kuzco back to the palace and back into human form -- but meanwhile the new empress Yzma has found out about Kronk's blunder and is chasing him too -- or, rather, Kronk is, and she's riding in a litter he's wearing as a backpack.

I can't give much more enthusiastic praise for this movie than I've already given, but I'll just leave you with one last, classic quote between Yzma and Kronk.

"WHAT? A llama? HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE DEAD!"
"Yeah...weird."
....
"Take him out of town and finish the job! NOW!"
"But what about dinner?" (Kronk is a talented chef, did I mention that?)
"Kronk...this is kind of important."
"But what about dessert?"
"Ah -- well, I suppose there's time for dessert."
(Kronk nods eagerly) "And coffee!"
"All right, a quick cup of coffee. THEN TAKE HIM OUT OF TOWN AND FINISH THE JOB!"

Rating: Very Good

Emperor's New Groove.......2007-05-14

I love this movie! It is so funny! One of Disney's best! David Spade does a great job as the voice of the Emperor in this movie.

Disney's Demon Llama.......2007-04-23

I was once an anti-fan of Disney. "The Emperor's New Groove," by my reckoning, marks the temporal moment when Disney went wrong. So wrong that it's right. In fact, I am firmly convinced that those giving the green light to projects, as well as those clearing a project for release, were out of their brainwashed Disney Gourde when making and releasing this movie. Thank the Incan gods for that!

To repeat the warning: "beware the groove!" Groo-oo-ooove... Never have I laughed so hard during an animated Disney flick. As I've now introduced this movie to so very man people, I had the opportunity of being there for my blood-sister to turn to me and ask, "I don't like this guy. Am I suppose to like this character?"

"No, no you're not. Not at all!"

For fun and adventure, my brother Tristan developed the "Emperor's New Groove Drinking Game." Every time you hear the words "Kuzco" or "llama," everyone watching takes a shot. I had to add this, as Disney accidentally left this information out. Everything else has been included.

Average customer rating:

Stunning
Very unusual. Very good.
Truly Memorable Screen Adaptation of Shakespeare's First and Bloodiest Tragedy:,
Anthony Hopkins is the new Lawrence Olivier
Don't bother asking for money, he's Titus Andronicus.

Titus
Starring: Osheen Jones , Dario D'Ambrosi , Anthony Hopkins , Jessica Lange , and Raz Degan
Director: Julie Taymor
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
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ASIN: B000E6ESKS
Release Date: 2006-04-18

Amazon.com essential video

Considered by many to be Shakespeare's worst play, Titus Andronicus is a bloodthirsty tragedy full of villainous heroes and bottomless revenge--hardly the stuff of big-screen directorial debuts, it would seem. Yet Julie Taymor dives headfirst into moviemaking with Titus, a spectacular adaptation that manages to find beauty and humor in the piles of carnage.

The story begins simply enough by Shakespearean standards: celebrated Roman warrior Titus Andronicus (Anthony Hopkins) returns from a hard-won victory to bury his slain sons and avenge their deaths by killing the eldest son of his enemy, Tamora, queen of the Goths (Jessica Lange). Tamora responds by seducing the impressionable new emperor and setting all of Rome into a downward spiral of revenge, madness, and death.

Taymor, who won a Tony for her Broadway production of The Lion King, throws all her theatrical sensibilities at the story--armies are exquisitely choreographed, blood is shed so beautifully that it hardly seems real, and characters are costumed in symbolic combinations of ancient Roman and 20th-century garb. She plays up the dark comedy at every opportunity, lending a carnival flavor to the story's most gruesome moments. Excellent performances from Hopkins (whose deranged Titus is more than a little reminiscent of Hannibal Lecter), Lange, and the supporting cast help make the endless treachery credible. --Claire Campbell

Description

Academy Award winners Anthony Hopkins and Jessica Lange ignite the screen in a strikingly original "coup de cinema" (The New York Times). "Titus" is a "wild ride" (Chicago Tribune) - a shocking journy into the depths of the human heart - a place where vengeance and passion reign supreme. A film by Julie Taymor, acclaimed creator and director of Broadway's "The Lion King."

Customer Reviews:

Stunning.......2007-07-07

A stunning visual masterpiece, to be a study guide and inspiration to any designer wishing to push the envelope on their stage, no matter the size.

Very unusual. Very good........2007-06-23

I know almost nothing of Shakespeare and am not educated to appreciate the stage. I am just a mid-western schmuck that likes to watch a good movie (and will promptly tag a bad one appropriately).

I accidently stumbled onto a video of "Titus" and began watching it, not knowing what I was getting into. Whoa!! This thing is incredible. Maybe a few logical holes in the plot (as described by other reviewers), but since we've got 4th century Roman soldiers riding motorcycles and wearing combat boots . . . you gotta just kinda go with it.

Being Shakespeare, the dialogue got ahead of me now and then, but --- visually this film is absolutely awesome. The story is great (a bit brutal, but I was 10-4 with that). The acting is sublime: Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, newcomer Harry Lennix, et al. Musical score is right on. It obviously required genius, much courage, and plain hard work for director Julie Taymor to pull this off - but pull it off she did indeed.

Just a great, great movie experience and a definitive "change of pace" for most of us. Very cool. Check this out (adults only please).

Truly Memorable Screen Adaptation of Shakespeare's First and Bloodiest Tragedy:,.......2007-03-24

Made by a very talented director, "Titus" is a stylish, visually stunning, energetic and truly memorable adaptation of the bloodiest parade of horrors which the first tragedy of the young Shakespeare is. More of the horror show than powerful and poetic later Bard's tragedies, "Titus Andronicus" offers betrayal, murders, tortures, rape, and cannibalism for which Julie Taymor's vision was just perfect in transferring this blood fest to the screen. If it is not enough, the movie has one of the greatest performances in Shakespeare's tragedies I've seen and it is Harry J. Lennix as Aaron. Never have I seen an actor who was able to combine both, noble Othello and the embodiment of evil, Iago in one character so convincingly with such power. Anthony Hopkins, Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming, and Colin Feore all give terrific performances.

Anthony Hopkins is the new Lawrence Olivier.......2007-02-09

I'm not an intellectual movie watcher, I like to be entertained, so my taste runs the gamut of Devil's Rejects to Mel Gibson in Hamlet (he was very good buy the way) And I love Shakespeare but, big, BUT, the verbage should be modernized, However, but, big, BUT, Titus is the exception - all thanks to Anthony Hopkins in the Lead role. It's an old story, because of a man being obtuse, his whole family suffers. This is bloody, gorey, but beautifully presented and performed. Everyone that acted in this should have won awards. Enjoy!

Don't bother asking for money, he's Titus Andronicus........2007-01-29

By conventional wisdom, Shakespeare's tale of murder, revenge, rape, cannibalism, treachery and mutilation (both on and off-stage) is the worst of the 38 or so plays attributed to him. Maybe it is and maybe it isn't. My pick for worst Shakespeare is Timon of Athens. Titus Andronicus is still my favorite of any play by any author (with Lanford Wilson's The Rimers of Eldritch running a close second.
Yes, the play isn't up to the literary standards of Hamlet, yes, it lacks the coherent picture of the characters' motivations we find in King Lear, yes, there are loose ends and unexplained actions. Aaron the Moor is evil because he is evil, not for any particular reason (like Richard III). He does bad things because he likes to do them, not because he wants some advantage (like Iachimo in Cymbeline). There's no indication of why the Goths would follow a renegade Roman in an attack against a city ruled by their own queen. Titus sends his grandson with a load of weapons to Chiron and Demetrius in Act IV, but there's nothing more said about it. Queen Tamora visits Titus disguised as the goddess of Revenge for no apparent reason other than to hand over her two knuckleheaded sons to the Andronicii to be killed and baked into pies. When Titus appears dressed as Chef Boy-ar-dee at the start of the big knife fight in Act V, his costume is dismissed in two lines.
Picky, picky, picky.
The violence and inexplicable behavior is so over the top that it can't be taken seriously any more than a 3 Stooges movie. When Moe hits Larry with a pipe wrench, we know that in just a couple of minutes, somebody is going dump a pot of hot coffee down Shemp's pants. When the kitchen blows up at the start of the film and Titus returns to Rome with his army (which looks like a bunch of computer-generated special effects but was really Croatian police academy cadets wearing blue mud), the scene is so weird that we have to keep watching just to see how it comes out. This is a movie that makes us put our hands over our eyes and peek through our fingers. Sort of like watching Jerry Springer.
Seeing Anthony Hopkins as Titus on his descent into madness (or maybe it was a descent into feigned madness) was a little disconcerting for me. He's very good, but personally, I think Ed O'Neill would have done a better job. Jessica Lange is hot as Tamora, and to the director's credit, is even more so without taking her shirt off.
The dialog is a little hard to follow, partly because the actors are reciting their blank verse lines as conversational speech, and partly because the music is a little heavy-handed. The surreal scenes go on for too long for my taste, and the bacchanal scene seems to be there just to provide some gratuitous nudity.
For a straightforward production of Titus Andronicus, I'd suggest the BBC Shakespeare series. For an evening of highbrow entertainment mutated into guilty pleasure, I'd go with this version.

Average customer rating:

Hilarious Disney movie
One of the funniest animated films I've ever seen!.
Got it Memorized
Emperor's New Groove
Disney's Demon Llama

The Emperor's New Groove
Starring: David Spade , John Goodman , Eartha Kitt , Patrick Warburton , and Wendie Malick
Director: Mark Dindal
Manufacturer: Walt Disney Video
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ASIN: B00005AR3G
Release Date: 2001-05-01

Amazon.com

Description

Customer Reviews:

Hilarious Disney movie.......2007-07-27

One of the funniest animated films I've ever seen!........2007-07-17

Got it Memorized.......2007-06-14

Emperor's New Groove.......2007-05-14

I love this movie! It is so funny! One of Disney's best! David Spade does a great job as the voice of the Emperor in this movie.

Disney's Demon Llama.......2007-04-23

Paul Robeson: Portraits of the Artist (The Emperor Jones / Body and Soul / Borderline / Sanders of the River / Jericho / The Proud Valley / Native Land / Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist) - Criterion Collection

Average customer rating:

An excellent collection of an important man
An excellent release

Paul Robeson: Portraits of the Artist (The Emperor Jones / Body and Soul / Borderline / Sanders of the River / Jericho / The Proud Valley / Native Land / Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist) - Criterion Collection
Starring: Paul Robeson , Henry Wilcoxon , Wallace Ford , Kouka , and John Laurie
Director: Thornton Freeland , Kenneth MacPherson , and Zoltan Korda
Manufacturer: Criterion
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000KRNGOA
Release Date: 2007-02-13

Amazon.com

Paul Robeson is today known for little more than singing "Ol' Man River" in Showboat, but this hefty and potent collection from Criterion (seven movies and a rich trove of documentary features and commentaries) should return Robeson to much-deserved cultural awareness. An imposing, charismatic black actor who demanded respect when most black actors were trapped in mammy and minstrel roles, and a singer whose deep, rolling voice won him acclaim on the concert stages of Europe, Robeson was among the most significant performers of the 20th Century--until the 1950s, when the U.S. government suspended his passport out of fear that Robeson's commitment to social progress and civil rights would project a negative view of America. But even before then, Robeson's career took place outside of the establishment channels of Hollywood. Paul Robeson: Portraits of the Artist includes two silent films (Body and Soul, a melodrama railing against the hypocrisies of the church, made by the pioneering black filmmaker Oscar Micheaux; and Borderline, a startlingly inventive story of an interracial love rectangle, made by film theorist Kenneth Macpherson), both given additional vitality by contemporary jazz scores; three movies from Robeson's rich period in England (Sanders of the Valley, Jericho, and The Proud Valley, which chart both Robeson's rising social conscience and his increasing clout in the industry); Robeson's most significant Hollywood film, The Emperor Jones, adapted from the Eugene O'Neill play that shot Robeson to stardom in the first place; and the movie that probably reflected Robeson's social beliefs more than any, the remarkable and riveting semi-documentary Native Land, which Robeson narrated.

Robeson is one of those rare actors, like Bette Davis or Humphrey Bogart, whose performances drive his movies as much as the director or the screenplay. Much is made of Robeson's powerful voice and intimidating physique, but just as impressive are his piercing eyes; in every role, a questing intelligence bursts through, looking at the world and cutting through charades and illusions. Criterion packages always have phenomenal extras, but Portraits of the Artist is unusually complex because Robeson's life is as important to his stature as his movies. These excellent features capture the world around Robeson, a world that both raised him up and tore him down. Far from a musty historical document, this is a film package that matters, which will reward and surprise viewers used to conventional notions of Hollywood and America. --Bret Fetzer

Description

All-American athlete, scholar, renowned baritone, stage actor, and social activist, Paul Robeson (1898-1976) was a towering figure and a trailblazer many times over. He made perhaps his biggest impact, however, in the medium of film. The son of an escaped slave, Robeson managed to become a top-billed movie star around the world during the time of Jim Crow America, always striving to use film to educate viewers about equality, democracy, and the rights of workers. Though he eventually left movies behind, using his international celebrity to speak on behalf of those denied their civil liberties and ultimately becoming a victim of ideological persecution himself, Robeson left a film legacy that continues to speak eloquently of the long and difficult journey of a courageous and outspoken African American.

Customer Reviews:

An excellent collection of an important man.......2007-08-17

Semi-terse comments on this box set:

Here is a set that is more historically important than aesthetically interesting or artistically elegant (with the exception of Borderline). It is nice to see Criterion put out a set (like the Monsters and Madmen collection) that is not director focused. Paul Robeson is such a captivating character that he (usually) rises above the flawed material he is in. It is interesting how music made way into most of his films even when it seemed out of context of the movie. His philosophy of getting early roles for Black work fell way to good roles for African American or nothing at all which is why he stopped acting in the early 40s.

The Emperor Jones (1933): A strong characterization from Robeson (reprising his stage role from Eugene O'Neill's play) as a power hungry and conniving Pullman porter who eventually becomes emperor of a Caribbean island. Dated and a lot of racist language that has been cut out for past edits of the film, but the movie is still interesting to watch. The first two-thirds of the film are so strongly presented by Robeson that his eventual collapse seems unconvincing. Jones is a good early example of an anti-hero. One scene with a lover of Jones refuses the money he gives her after breaking up, but she eventually picks it up reminds me of the similar scene in Spike Lee's "Do The Right Thing". Excellent commentary by Jeffrey C. Stewart, Professor of History and Art History at George Mason University and author of Paul Robeson: Artist and Citizen, who discusses the context, mise en scenes, actors and comparisons to the stage play. He does not discuss too many biographical details of Robeson though.

Body and Soul (1925): so far the only film I've seen by Oscar Micheaux in one of four extant silent films from this director. Robeson is decent in this silent-film (Robeson's first film) playing two different characters of Isaiah T. Jenkins and his better brother (though he is stiff in his performance). This movie is a strong commentary on the hypocritical aspects of religious leadership. This movie does make you wonder if the mother could have been ignorant enough to ignore the daughter and her cries against the pastor. I wonder if the ending was considered cliché then because it is certainly now though it could have been the fault of the many edits that were forced upon Micheaux to get this film played. This is discussed in the good commentary by Micheaux author/historian Pearl Bowser. She also discusses a variety of topics including the "Race" movies of the time, Micheaux during this time and the actors that are in the film.

Borderline (1930): Beautiful use of editing and montage (Criterion labels this as Eisensteinian) in this film about an interracial love affair (including Robeson's wife Eslanda) and its consequences. There is not much use of intertitles so it forces you to concentrate on the performances and the particular meanings of each countenance. Paul Robeson is not the focal point of the film. Too bad Kenneth Macpherson did not make another film.

Sanders of the River (1935): this film is embarrassing especially for Robeson who still puts in a strong performance. It is a very pro-British imperialistic film. Some beautiful footage of Africa though (mentioned in the extras that several hours were taken).

Jericho (1937): Robeson's had more artistic control (especially how he worked the end and his characters became more utopian and less realistic) but I the film is a bit too simplistic and ends up a little dated -- though still entertaining. Roberson plays Cpl. Jericho Jackson a top notch military man who saves several men but kills a superior. This forces him to go AWOL where he eventually becomes an important leader to Bedouin in northern Africa. It does a nice job to juxtapose the stereotypical black/white duo with comic relief played by Henry Wilcoxon.

The Proud Valley (1940): slow moving idealistic tale of Welsh coal mineworkers (wayward American played by Robeson does make the coal choir club though) during WWII. Proud Valley deals with the dangers of coalminers but more with the Welsh spirit of continuing life even after a calamity (the mine collapsed and the miners had to fight the government to get it back running again). Heartwarming, but ultimately its ending is too naive. An early Ealing production.

Native Land (1942): very biased pro-union film (the union appears almost as a perfect solution) that reminds me of Michael Moore's work. The characters are so one-dimensional and so extremely polarized that the film seems an exercise in finding the logical fallacies. Paul Robeson does the voice-over well though with his booming, brilliant baritone/bass voice in this quasi-documentary.

The extras are good especially the Academy award winning short "Paul Robeson: Tribute To An Artist" (1979), but are far from complete; not much is made on his pro-Stalin comments (especially the written eulogy for Stalin published in the New World Review, April, 1953). It would have been nice if Criterion put out Robeson's last film "Tales of Manhattan" with this set. I am interested in reading his son's (Paul Robeson Jr.) main book on his father, The Undiscovered Paul Robeson, An Artist's Journey, 1898-1939, where he does talk about Paul's career, his political troubles and his long-term affair with an actress. Paul Robeson Jr. was instrumental in getting this set together. This set is long overdue because other than his rendition of "Ol Man River" for "Show Boat" much of Paul Robeson's legacy has been forgotten because of age and political persecution in the 50s.

An excellent release.......2007-02-25

This Release of Paul Robeson films is a great release from Criterion. Released for Black History Month, this set includes 7 feature films and two documentaries.

Each disc contains two fims and select special features

"The Emperor Jones" is about a black man who escapes from a chain gang and flees to the West Indies.
"Paul Robeson: Tribute to an Artist" is a biographial documentary about Robeson narrated by Sidney Poiteir.
"Body and Soul" is about a corrupt preacher.
"Borderline" is about a group of interracial lovers
"Sanders of the River" is about an African tibesman
"Jericho" is about a black World War I soldier who deserts and heads to Africa,
"The Proud Valley" is about a coal miner in Wales
"Native Land" is socialist documentary film about labor unions.

Disc one contains commentary for "The Emperor Jones" by historian Jeffrey C. Stewart, "Our Paul: Remembering Paul Robeson" a retrospective containing interviews various black filmmakers and performers including James Earl Jones, and an interview with Robeson's son, Paul Robeson Jr.

Disc two contains commentary for "Body and Soul" by Micheaux historian Pearl Bowser. Also included are new scores for both films on the disc

Disc three contains "True Pioneer: The British Films of Paul Robeson" a progarm featuring interviews with Robeson Jr. and other persons

Disc four contains "The Story of Native Land," an interview with cinematographer Tom Hurwitz, and a1958 radio interview with Paul Robeson.

Also included is a booklet with various other materials

Jose Limon - Three Modern Dance Classics(The Moor's Pavane/The Traitor/The Emperor Jones)

Average customer rating:

An alternate version on video
lovely

Jose Limon - Three Modern Dance Classics(The Moor's Pavane/The Traitor/The Emperor Jones)
Starring: Jose Limon , Lucas Hoving , and Pauline Koner
Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballet & Dance | Musicals & Performing Arts | Genres | DVD | Video

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ASIN: B000083C6Y
Release Date: 2003-01-28

Customer Reviews:

An alternate version on video.......2004-06-12

For those who would like to have an alternate version of "The Moor's Pavanne", there is a VHS version of it recorded by dancers from the Kirov, namely Gabriela Komleva, Andres Williams and Nikita Dolgushin. It has been recorded with the Baltic Sea as a background, and it is quite a show! Mr. Williams'dancing is both noble and dramatic and Dolgushin's Iago is far superior to the one by the original cast. And all this in color...

The video, called "Tchaikovsky Trilogy", features two other ballets, both using Tchaikovsky's music, "Romeo and Juliet" and "Hamlet", and both are useless, as far as dancing is concerned!

lovely.......2001-06-25

originally aired live on the CBC, these three limon ballets are danced on a set rather than the stage. the cameras are set for an intimate experience with the dances (esp. in The Moor's Pavane). the collection features jose limon and lucas hoving in three roles each that define the male modern dancer.

Average customer rating:

Stunning
Very unusual. Very good.
Truly Memorable Screen Adaptation of Shakespeare's First and Bloodiest Tragedy:,
Anthony Hopkins is the new Lawrence Olivier
Don't bother asking for money, he's Titus Andronicus.

Titus
Starring: Osheen Jones , Dario D'Ambrosi , Anthony Hopkins , Jessica Lange , and Raz Degan
Director: Julie Taymor
Manufacturer: 20th Century Fox
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Action & Adventure | Genres | DVD | Video

General | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

Period Piece | Drama | Genres | DVD | Video

DVDs Under $14.99 | Today's Deals in DVD | Special Features | DVD | Video

( T ) | Titles | Features | DVD | Video
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ASIN: 6305962987
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Amazon.com essential video

Description

Customer Reviews:

Stunning.......2007-07-07

A stunning visual masterpiece, to be a study guide and inspiration to any designer wishing to push the envelope on their stage, no matter the size.

Very unusual. Very good........2007-06-23

Truly Memorable Screen Adaptation of Shakespeare's First and Bloodiest Tragedy:,.......2007-03-24

Anthony Hopkins is the new Lawrence Olivier.......2007-02-09

Don't bother asking for money, he's Titus Andronicus........2007-01-29

Colosseum - A Gladiator's Story/Pompeii - The Last Day

Average customer rating:

Very interesting
A Gladiator's Story a huge success
Superb combination of narrative, acting, special effects, computer graphics, & then-and-now site comparisons to tell the story.
Pompeii - The Last Day
Not bad for a docu-drama

Colosseum - A Gladiator's Story/Pompeii - The Last Day
Starring: Chrissie Cotterill , George Yiasoumi , Emily Canfor-Dumas , Inika Leigh Wright , and Neji Nejah
Director: Peter Nicholson , and Tilman Remme
Manufacturer: BBC Warner
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00017LVKA
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Amazon.com

Ridley Scott's Gladiator is a great movie, but Colosseum: A Gladiator's Story has the distinct advantage of purely historical accuracy. The Roman gladiator whose story is told here is Verus (played by charismatic British hunk Robert Shannon), one of two victors in the only gladiatorial battle that was ever described in detail (by the Roman poet Martial in 80 A.D.). Using this factual record as its basis, Colosseum follows Verus as he is recruited from slavery, trained in gladiator's school, rises to favor among wealthy Romans, and ultimately battles his best friend, Priscus (Derek Lea), to a crowd-pleasing draw in the inaugural games of glorious, brand-new Colosseum, the construction of which is shown in fascinating detail. Combining authoritative narration with diary-like voiceovers from Verus's perspective, this riveting 50-minute BBC production is simultaneously intimate and epic in scale, employing the latest in digital compositing techniques to achieve its unparalleled (for TV, at least) visual splendor. With well-cast actors speaking authentic Latin, this sumptuous production is both dramatically involving and exacting in every detail.

Just as convincing--and just as impressive in its use of cutting-edge CGI--is the 50-minute bonus program Pompeii: The Final Day, which chronicles the final 24 hours of Pompeii when it was decimated by the ultraviolent eruption of Mount Vesuvius on August 24, 79 A.D. Inspired by the written descriptions of Pliny the Younger (whose detailed observations were later vindicated by geological science), recovered artifacts, and the haunting remains of Pompeii citizens preserved under tons of pumice and ash, Pompeii is first-rate from start to finish, proving yet again that the BBC is now setting the standard in lavishly produced docudrama programming. --Jeff Shannon

Description

Travel back in time to the glamour and bloodshed of ancient Rome's gladiatorial world, where men fought for their lives to satisfy the whims of emperors and a bloodthirsty populace. Combining compelling narrative with state-of-the-art computer graphics and high-quality drama reconstruction, this production throws new light on the way gladiators really fought and trained, and reveals that many of them were the superstars of their age. Colosseum: A Gladiator's Story revolves around the true story of Verus, who rises from slave to star gladiator, but who faces the ultimate challenge in one of the very few gladiatorial fights that was recorded and described by contemporary writers. Discover Verus' story, live his journey and experience his quest for freedom.

Customer Reviews:

Very interesting.......2007-05-12

I bought this for a World Cultures class I teach in sixth grade. Instead of boring still pictures the dramatizations of the the last days of Pompeii kept the kids engaged and interested.

A Gladiator's Story a huge success.......2007-03-18

A Gladiator's Story has several great things going for it, but the strongest is its factually-based story. The cinematography captures the scenes wonderfully, without becoming a cheesy over-produced extravaganza. By incorporating simple Latin phrases in the dialog, the introductory Latin student is hooked, and the Roman life details help the viewer to identify with aspects of humanity (funerals, religion). A quick pace and frequent references to help the viewer understand the significance of the scenes make the story clear and enjoyable. As a Latin teacher, I used this in a unit with my 7th and 8th grade students who enjoyed it immeasurably. A winner!

Superb combination of narrative, acting, special effects, computer graphics, & then-and-now site comparisons to tell the story........2006-10-22

If you are curious about the geology, history, and culture concerning the volcanic eruption of Vesuvius and its effects on Pompeii and Herculaneum, this is your DVD. What I liked so much about this program was the interlaced use of the five components mentioned in the title to this review. Before you see this film, I would recommend that you become familiar with the geological term "pyroclastic flow". It took me some time to grasp just what this was.
The program on the Colosseum was, (amazingly) nearly as stunning. Similar techniques are used to show how and when it was built and just what was going on in there. There are all kinds of jobs, perhaps you have one right now, but "The Beastmaster" job was not an easy job at all. It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it. Find out about this and much more.

Pompeii - The Last Day.......2006-06-28

Very well done and a thrill to watch. Brought the moment and time of the tradegy into clear focus, so that even a novice historian like me could understand why so many died that fateful day.

Not bad for a docu-drama.......2006-04-15

Odd mix of original language, voice-over (multiple narrators with not distinctive enough voices), filmed drama, attempt at a documentary. I found it enjoyable, because I enjoy nearly everything about the classical world, and enjoy accuracy even if the entertainment factor isn't quite there (compared to the pyrotechnics of Gladiator)

It was nice to see some myths defused, such as gladiators were always killed in the matches.

So if you're a history buff, this isn't boring. I'd recommend to anyone interested in Classical history.

Emperor of Hemp: Every Revolution Needs a Hero

Average customer rating:

Jack Herer, a real American hero

Emperor of Hemp: Every Revolution Needs a Hero
Starring: Peter Coyote
Director: Jeff Jones
Manufacturer: UFO TV
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007US8AC
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Description

This is the film that the United States government does not want you to see. This is the film that contains the facts about one movement… one man... and one miraculous plant that could revolutionize the world. The best-selling book The Emperor Wears No Clothes blew the lid off the anti-hemp conspiracy and explained all there is to know about an easy-to-grow plant with infinite, non-intoxicating uses.

Why is hemp illegal? The information is in this film, and you won't believe it!

This video is about a man's fight for truth, justice and a plant. What began as a singular battle has turned into a massive movement to educate America about this environmentally beneficial plant. "Emperor of Hemp" exposes government and big-business efforts to keep the plant illegal, and takes you to the front lines of the pro-hemp movement.

Meet the "Emperor of Hemp," Jack Herer, the man behind "The Emperor Wears No Clothes." Find out how his passionate journey began. Discover how he overcame hurdle after hurdle. Cheer his ultimate vindication. Narrated by Peter Coyote, "Emperor of Hemp" could change the world ... if the American public finally realizes "The Emperor Wears No Clothes."

Customer Reviews:

Jack Herer, a real American hero.......2007-04-24

Emperor of Hemp is a brief documentary about hemp activist and author Jack Herer. This film documents his life from Goldwater Republican to the "emperor" of hemp activism. It includes footage from protests, as well as interviews with Jack, close friends, and work partners.

Although the film is only 60 minutes long, it also includes a brief history of the illegalization of the marijuana plant and the history of the hemp plant as a multi-purpose crop grown around the world, and even grown by our first president George Washington.

I hadn't heard of Jack Herer before watching this documentary, and now I'm glad that I have. He wrote the book "The Emperor Wears No Clothes", which is a very detailed and well-researched account of the uses of hemp and the reasons it was made illegal.

Overall, this movie is very interesting, and should be viewed by anyone interested in finding out more about hemp and/or the man who started the hemp movement in this country.

Average customer rating:

Excellent documentary
Emperor of Hemp
A must see!
Must See for Anyone

Emperor of Hemp
Starring: Peter Coyote
Director: Jeff Jones
Manufacturer: Double J Films
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0009JVSKS
Release Date: 2005-05-17

Description

Whether you're already a true believer, or you're still not quite convinced, or you just plain haven't been paying attention, "Emperor of Hemp" will open your eyes and mind to the true history of the incredibly beneficial hemp plant and to the dark secrets of marijuana prohibition. Film contains startling information from Jack Herer's best-selling cult classic book "The Emperor Wears No Clothes." Includes powerful narration by Emmy-winner Peter Coyote and outstanding music from Bonnie Raitt, Joe Walsh, Cheap Trick and Kara's Flowers, now known as Maroon5. DVD also includes 1942 U.S. government pro-hemp propaganda film "Hemp for Victory."

Customer Reviews:

Excellent documentary.......2007-05-14

This documentary showed me information of great interest and also it showed me the great work a man can accomplish if he gets the right idea and the right time to do it.

Emperor of Hemp.......2007-01-19

Interesting and informative video of Jack Herer, noted hemp advocate. Well worth watching.

A must see!.......2006-11-04

If you have not seen this you should. No matter what you think you know about hemp and its by-products, you will learn new information in this documentary that will really make you think!

Must See for Anyone.......2006-01-23

Whether or not you believe marijuana and /or hemp should be legal or not, this documentary is a must-see for everyone. This isn't your run of the mill "legalize it dude" flick. Watch this movie and you will learn about the facsinating 10,000 year history of the hemp plant, while gaining deep insights into Jack Herrer's transformation from Goldwater Republican to Hemp Activist. What's amazing is how Jack, a God-Fearing, Flag-Waving pro-war Republican during the Vietnam War (and who served in Korea), transforms into a driven hemp activist after smoking marijuana for the first time and learning the true history of hemp. It's a tragedy that this movie isn't required in American Schools so that our country could know our true history. You will not be disappointed.

Average customer rating:

ten worst movies of all time
The Emperor Jones a Lost Treasure
An Interesting Failure
Dated but Powerful
Well Worthy Of Praise.

Emperor Jones
Starring: Paul Robeson , Dudley Digges , Frank H. Wilson , Fredi Washington , and Ruby Elzy
Director: Dudley Murphy
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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