Music DVD: Beatles Stories (Seth Swirsky)

By
Charles A. Smith

The Beatles, who hail from Liverpool, England, are one of the most famous musical groups of all time. Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison, and John Lennon made history with their music, and created a frenzy wherever they went. This prolific and spectacular DVD, from director Seth Swirsky, is a rich documentary that tells many stories about them, ushering in a new generation of fans.
(/br> Many well known icons from the 60's are present on "Beatles Stories", including Henry Winkler and Graham Nash who many years after their zenith, are still looking great! Stars from British Rock & Roll who were  very big at the time (or were soon to be) enlighten viewers with their stories about what happened back stage in the early years, such as how the individual members of the Beatles acted and thought when the cameras were not rolling. Stars like model Nancy Andrews (Ringo's former girlfriend) and singer Hurricane Smith, who was a songwriter/engineer for the Beatles, Jon Voight, and Smokey Robinson all have interesting and unheard takes on the world renowned group. Brian Williams from the Beach Boys, and Peter Noone of Herman and the Hermits are also featured, as are many others who convey intimate tales about different members of the group or the story about the Era in which the group was formed. I was completely captivated hearing these stories about the greatest group of all time, and all music lovers -- especially fans of The Beatles, will be too. This is a group that changed the world, and "Beatles Stories" gives you a inside look at just who they really were. It's a great and refreshing revelation.Bonus tracks are included. This is a real example of great investigative reporting on a topic that will never get old. I highly recommend this DVD.

Music DVD: Hiromi: Live In Marciac (Hiromi, Anthony Jackson, and Simon Phillips)

By
Charles A. Smith

The performance DVD "Hiromi: Live In Marciac" is a collaboration between jazz composer and pianist Hiromi Uehara, bassist Anthony Jackson, and drummer Simon Phillips. Hiromi, who has graced the stage with jazz greats like Stanley Clark and Chick Corea, was born in Hamamatsu, Japan, and is one of the most prominent pianists to appear on the music scene in the last decade. She is well known for her virtuosic technique, energetic live performances, and blend of musical genres. Master contrabass player Anthony Jackson has played with Paul Simon, The O' Jays, Steely Dan, and Chick Corea, among others. Master drummer Simon Phillips has performed with Toto, The Who, Judas Priest, David Gilmour, and Jack Bruce. No lightweights here.
 
Hiromi has stunned the world with her innovative compositions and style of play. I knew from the moment the DVD began to play that she was full of passion and brilliance, and that I was in for a treat. I was not incorrect in that assumption. It was a very unique musical and visual experience. As I watched the expressions of the trio's faces and listened to their music, I could clearly see their passion and synergy. It was almost as good as being there.
 
Recorded July 31, 2011 in Marciac, France, "Hiromi: Live In Marciac" is a tremendously riveting production. France is smoking hot as Hiromi, Jackson, and Phillips form the kind of connection that Bill Evans was well known for long ago. Drummer Simon Phillips holds it all together when his counterparts get twisted up in musical love, and the trio is simply resplendent, as they move from one form of jazz to another with ease and intensity. Hiromi is almost unbelievably amazing. She leads this trio with precision and a confident command of the stage and her instrument. At times, she plays with a powerful demonstration of prowess, and at others, with a delicate stroke. But she always plays flawlessly. This is the kind of performance that requires one to reach deep down within themselves and access feelings and emotions that are then thoroughly conveyed to the audience. This is Jazz and Jazz fusion at its highest level.  I highly recommend this DVD. I most certainly enjoyed it.
 
Click Here To Visit Hiromi's Official Website

Film Review: Master Qi And The Monkey King (Alan Govenar)

By
Charles A. Smith

Alan Govenar's Master Qi and the Monkey King is a documentary that chronicles the beautiful and compelling Chinese Opera. Qi Shu Fang is one of the most prominent masters of Chinese Opera, who made the tough choice to stay in the United States and act as a cultural liaison between the cultures. Master Qi and her husband Ding Mei-kui and their company of Chinese Opera performers spread knowledge and beauty about the ancient art form of Peking Opera. Balancing modern life and her love for ancient tradition, she and her husband work and live in Queens NY, in a section of the city that now has many Chinese and Asian immigrants. This documentary shows the hard work and dedication that are demanded by this art form, as well as its' nature and perfection. This is carried over to the performers that work with and for her. 

It's enchanting to watch the excerpts from various operas and the time at work the artists put in after working other jobs. Qi's movements are exquisite and brilliant. There's also footage from the early days of her career as a prodigy finishing her schooling in three years instead of the five that was normally required. She spent her early years doing plays for the central government and the "Modern Model Play Company", then ventured into films. "Taking Tiger Mountain", in which she plays Little Changbao, a strong female character, propelled her to even higher levels of fame. Now years later, Master Qi is just as powerful and engaging as she ever was, if not more so. To be a performer of this type, one must be an acrobat,  martial artist, singer, dancer, actor, and more. What this incredible documentary does is allow the uninitiated to develop an interest in Chinese Opera, while aficionados gain further insight into a wonderful art form and one of the masters of it. This is one 200 year old tradition that you shouldn't waste another day to see! Very highly recommended!!  

Film Review: The Heart Of The Peloton (3 DVD set)

By
Charles A. Smith

The Heart Of The Peloton is a riveting 3 DVD set from First Run Features that goes behind the scenes of professional bike racing. It's one big shot adrenaline from beginning to end, and biking fans are sure to enjoy these immensely.

Blood Sweat and Gears
Blood Sweat and Gears is about a the forming of the professional bicycle racing team Team Slipstream, product of the vision of  Johnathan ( JV) Vaughters, former racer and now manager of Team Slipstream, a collection of riders who race competitively all around the world in hopes of getting a invite to the Tour De France and  sponsorship. The sport suffered from rampart drug use to enhance performance and he was determined to change that, so he created a dope free team. With frequent testing, he and his athletes remain drug free and very competitive. Realizing his dream, he recruited riders like David Miller, Christain Vende Velde, Mike Freidman, Magnus Backstedt, and the rest of Team Slipstream. See what it takes to form a team, get a sponsor, and get the invitation to the biggest  race of the sport. There is only one way to do that and that is what this very uplifting documentary is about. Can they win their way into sponsorship and the race? The dedication to the sport by these athletes is really something that will impress and inspire you  along with the vision of Jonathan Vaughters who is the one making it happen in the U.S. first. He's a real innovator and believer of fair play. Highly informative, viewers sett what happens in the struggle for real improvement in, a sport that needs to be drug free! I applaud Team SlipSream, and was fascinated by this DVD.

Hell On Wheels
The 2003 T-Mobile bike racing team from Germany shows us the inside world of the Tour De France, which is easily the biggest biking event in the world. Follow the team as they reveal the heartbreak and triumph of this dangerous and glorious event. Witness the pain and sacrifice they and the other riders must endure just to make it to the end, let alone compete for the yellow jersey and the green. This documentary is in German with subtitles, and is well made, taking you right along with the riders. You actually feel like you're on the bikes and a part of the team and race. With stunning footage from past and present events, and with France as the background, this DVD is great for any viewer, especially those into biking on any level. The dedication that these riders and the greats of the sport have is unbelievable, as they push their bodies to the very limits of human ability during the most grueling race on earth. You will develop a sincere appreciation for the sport and its athletes.The race from start to finish is covered with greats like Rolf, Petacchi, Armstrong, Ullrich, and many others. This documentary is very up close and personal, taking you not only into the race but into the minds of the racers. 

Yell For Cadel
Yell for Cadel is the third DVD of the trilogy in this great box set. In every sport, there's a super star. Cycling is no different, and that what this documentary is all about. In Yell For Cadel, we are allowed inside the camp of Australian world class cyclist and recent winner of the World Championship, Cadel Evans. Following him and team Silence Lotto in their attempt to win over his rivals in this Tour De France 2008 Menchev, Sastre, and Valverde, the other real contenders in the race according to the experts. It's a very different kind of ride when you are one of the top cyclists in the world, and a class above most other riders. The ride is grueling, but they handle it differently. See what makes that difference as you follow the Aussie superstar and his bodyguard Evans as they push through the competition, reporters, and fans in France. Funny, lively, educational, and very entertaining, it's almost like watching a movie. Characters worthy of Hollywood come to life in the everyday activities of a winning team with a leader in the race. This is a well made documentary and will give you a whole different perspective on the Tour De France. For this superstar this seems like a ride in the park...almost. But we know this race is the race.. How he does it is what makes him great. This is an amazing watch! Not arrogant, just gifted, he could be a actor after the racing is over along with others in his camp. You will smile the whole time while enjoying Yell for Cadel. I highly recommend this DVD!! And the box set will be a perfect treat for anyone, especially cyclists!! The Tour De France is a three week race where every day the cyclists must do the equivalent of running a marathon. That is simply incredible, and so is this 3 disc set: The Heart Of The Peloton!!    

Film Review: Modern Con Man Collection

By
Charles A. Smith

Imagine being dropped off in a major city with absolutely no money to your name, no contacts, and no credit cards either. How do you think you'd fare for 7 days? You might be a smooth talker, but something tells me (at least I can speak for myself) that it would be a nightmare. But not for Todd Robbins, who is a master is manipulation. At the end of his 7 days, Robbins was staying in a nice hotel and had $500 in his pocket. 

The Modern Con Man Collection Boasts 3 DVDs: 
- How To Scam Your Way Into Free Beer (And Other Bar Bets) 
- Poker Night Games (And Other Card Playing Tricks) 
- Workplace Pranks (And Other Ways To Con Your Co-Workers) 

Brought to us courtesy of First Run Features, the DVDs are hilarious and great for anytime you want to have a few friends over and have a laugh, or just enjoy the craziness all alone. I can tell you now that Robbins is not the guy you want to buy your next used (or new) car from. Slicker than a frog's back, on Disk 1, Robbins shows you how to drink your way through the night for free on How To Scam Your Way To Free Beer by giving you some of his tricks that will prank drinkers at the party or bar. Smoothly, like a uncle who's come into your life that you didn't know about and your parents didn't want you to know about, he shares his secrets of the bar con game with many brilliant manipulations that will confound your victims like he does his. He really makes it look so simple on this very entertaining and enlightening DVD . It's very funny at times and will make you wonder if you could really pull it off, and after watching, I think I could. Con after rib chuckling fun, this is a must for the party guy or girl. 

"On disk 2, Poker Night Games, Todd Robbins, aka Mr. Con Man, shows you tricks that you can use to win with cards. His solutions and gimmicks will make you a semi expert at the card con game. Many interesting cons are displayed and broken down so with a lot (in some cases) or a little practice, you can definitely work the cons. Once again, it's all highly entertaining and full of fun as Robbins carries you right along like you're his protégé. He even shows how to set up the con so the person is a good mark before you even begin, and he's a great teacher because he obviously loves his job and is a natural in front of the camera; he seems to be in another place than the rest of us. The world he thinks in is very different and yet simple when he shows you the brilliant solutions. This DVD is a card players dream. There are very simple patterns and counting systems you can learn quickly.

On Disk 3, Workplace Pranks, the very slick Robbins once again displays his wonderful gift of observation and being able to read and manipulate people, and guides the viewer through the mayhem of office politics with a twist. You will love some of his suggestions for giving a co worker a little payback or just ways to have some good, clean fun to keep the boredom down. He also has jokes and tips for success in the corporate office, as well as office games employees can play to make the day go by a little faster. He is a lot of fun on this one. I bet you didn't know you could put your head though a business card. Well, believe it or not, you can. Trust me, this guy has a very unique way of seeing the world around him, and just taking a walk with him will educate you way beyond your years. He is one step away from the edge, but still comes off as a real nice guy (slow wink). Some of the things he suggests, you might want to do as you are leaving on your way to the next employer, but for the most part, it's all a day of play at the office.He calls it mirth and mayhem, and he's right. I really like this guy and you will absolutely love the riveting "Modern Con Man Collection". This is a great present to yourself or to those you love who need a little more laughter in their lives.

Film Review: The Callers

By
Charles A. Smith

The art of auctioneering has been brought to DVD via Susan Sfarra's documentary The Callers, and it is interesting to find out there is another way to find treasures and great values at auctions, something most of us don't really think about. Those of you who do yard sales, and go to garage sales and flea markets  might have never considered going to a auction, but you might want to rethink your position.

Everything is auctioned from livestock to buildings and there is serious money to be saved and made. People have made this a business, but the major player here is actually the auctioneer, who is a work of art in human form. In The Callers, you will find out how they become auctioneers and what it takes to become one. It is fascinating to see the amount of things and ways people call upon these craftsmen and women to help them sell -- things they no longer want or need. Said to be the fairest method of doing trade, the auction game is big business. Some of the things people get rid of at auctions are really of great value. These days, some things just aren't made like they use to be, so antiques are worthy of purchase because of the craftsmanship that has gone into them. And the Auctioneer really serves a very useful purpose organizing the auction and all the items to be sold, doing it all in a profession and fast paced way. This documentary made me think about checking for auctions in my area for some of the things I need and just to see what I might find. Great DVD. Happy hunting!!

Film Review: Doubletime

By

Michele Wilson-Morris

Doubletime, from Producer/Director Stephanie Johnes, is a wonderful documentary about competitive jump roping. The energy, skill, and dedication of  the athletes as they prepare and compete is breathtaking. Astounding acrobatics with amazing precision are all done while skipping rope. Let me clarify things a little. There are two kinds of competitive jump roping. Double dutch is done with two ropes turned in an egg beater fashion with one person jump roping at a time. With many different competitive categories like speed and fusion, a musical and dance oriented type of expression is done while jumping.

This very interesting documentary not only shows and teaches you about the history of the sport, but also tells of the diversity of the teams (The Bouncing Bulldogs of Chapel Hill, NC and The Double Dutch Forces of Columbia, South Carolina) and the two leagues that compete against each other and the world. The two teams are followed as they prepare for a invitational at The Apollo Theater in New York. One team is predominantly inner city blacks (The Double Dutch Forces) and the other is suburban whites (The Bouncing Bulldogs), but both are world and national champions.and viewers get to watch them go up against each other for the first time Meet them and their coaches, see the way they coach and their insightful philosophies about the sport and the world that divides them. This DVD is not only about competitive jump roping, it is also about taking a look at race and the role it plays in American culture. Doubletime is an excellent production and every child and coach who appears in it is a big winner. These star athletes are not well known, but they are setting the foundation for a strong competitive productive activity that all children should partake in because it's fun,  competitive, and rivals any other sport or activity in intensity and physical fitness requirements. These youth have amazing strength and tenacity, and display it beautifully on this amazing DVD. Doubletime also features an excellent soundtrack from Keyshia Cole, Petey Pablo, MIA, Pete Miser, and The Caesars. Highly recommended!

Film Review: Fixation

By
Charles A. Smith

Fixation is an adorable film by Alex Trudeau Viriato about bike riding of a certain kind. Fixed gear and track bikes are unique in the way they are made and the way one rides them. First of all, these bikes don't have gears or brakes. So, not only does the rider determine how fast or slow the ride is, but leg strength is required for braking. The bike also never stop pedaling, and there is no coasting. Put simply, the rider and the bike become one.

Viriato's Fixation is a behind the scenes look of the love of this style of bike, its riders, and their love for the design. Many of the young people one sees doing bike tricks are using fixed bikes, sparking an entire movement that is centered around it. And it's not necessarily the style of the bike that's new, so much as it is the differences in attitude and concepts about being on the edge, and setting new standards. Filmed in the west coast, mainly San Francisco and L.A., viewers get more than just a peek at riders doing what they do on every level from bike clubs to racing. There are also some very beautiful shots of those areas.

Fixation is a fun and lively documentary, and Viriato has no doubt pleased bike enthusiasts with this great film.

Film Review: The Beat Hotel

By
Charles A. Smith

In 1957, the Beat Hotel in Paris became a haven for artists like Allen Ginsberg, the now esteemed writer of the poem Howl, which was once considered obscene to some. In search of a respite from the strict censorship of America in the 1950's, Ginsberg found a small, cheap (and dirty) hotel, which is now famous for the refuge that it offered to its patrons. In Alan Govenar's exquisite film The Beat Hotel, viewers are treated to an amazing historical journey that captures the heart and purpose of a place that allowed the freedom of expression, which has resulted in some of the greatest works of our time. 

Amazingly, Ginsberg was an "occupant" at the Beat at the same time as other writers who were destined for fame like Peter Orlovsky, Gregory Corso and William Seward Burroughs, who completed his work "Naked Lunch" there. The Beat not only offered them the luxury of sharing life and their art together, it also had an atmosphere of non-judgment that freed their minds to such a degree that they could become the great artists that we now respect them as being. 

The Beat was run by Madame Rachou, who thought that artists should be cared for, and who went out of her way to bring them together in tolerance and permissiveness, freeing them creatively. The Beat continued to be a haven for artists through the early 1960s, and has produced what are known as Beat artists and the Beat generation. It is fascinating to hear firsthand accounts from the artists themselves about the Beat and life inside of its walls. The documentary is insightful about many different art forms:  poetry, writing, photography, and painting. There are brilliant glimpses of what made the Beat artists great, and the methods they used to come up with their various styles. This is a vividly exquisite display of important cultural history about Beat generation art. It is very well done and highly entertaining, and includes shots from British photographer Harold Chapman who also lived there. 

The Beat Hotel is rich in history and may be the best documented film of our time on the subject. Govenar could not have done a more impeccable job.

Film Review: Secret Things

By
Michele Wilson-Morris

Secret Things, is a Jean-Claude Brisseau film starring Sabrina Seyvecou and Coralie Revel. It is a very seductive tale about power, sex, deception, manipulation, and the roles they play in the workplace. The film is presented in a very exciting format that stimulates the senses and intrigues the mind. These two actresses play their roles to perfection as the story unfolds with brilliant direction, and it's as if the viewer is right there in the room with them. That's just how much Secret Things draws you in.The acting is very good, the plot is thick, and the ending is a big surprise, which is quite nice in today's world of movies where you can guess the ending about 20 minutes in.

Seyvecou and Revel act as teacher and student as they weave their way through problems, coming up with a fail proof plan. But everything is not what it seems in this excellent production. This is a thoroughly entertaining piece of work that shows the way things often work when climbing up the ladder of success, using the art of seduction. Outclassing their prey by far. they are relentless in their pursuits, but soon find an unexpected challenge in the son of the bank executive for whom they work. He takes their seduction to whole new level, resulting in wonderfully tense and suspenseful moments. This is cinema at its best, and I highly recommend the watch.