Seventh Date of Blashyrkh

Awesome performence
They pretty much played 11 of their greatest hits. The sound quality is great and trio nailed all the songs live. Still, I feel that it wasn't a perfect performance, as they did not play the legendary Mountains of Might. Other than that this is highly recommended for any Immortal Fan.

And I was surprised as I though it was just the CD but I got a copy of the DVD as well.





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For the Sake of Revenge

Where have these guys been hiding?!
The Good

The DVD portion of this release highlights a sold-out show from Tokyo, Japan. I was instantly amazed at the size of the groups following, and the fact that they knew every word of every song. The stage is well-lit, and the band is in perfect voice and tone. Watch out for the double-kick drums and driving keyboards on the chant worthy "Misplaced," because at the hyper-speed in which they come at you will stop you dead in your tracks. Tony Kakko's vocals on "Blinded No More" are both emotional and enduring. Beautiful keyboard playing and audience clapping lead you into "Full Moon..." The track builds as each new instrument is added to the mix.

Virtuoso guitar runs don't get much faster than on "Victoria's Secret." It's not about what you think. Get your mind out of the gutter! Off the top of my head I can't remember what the "8th Commandment" is, but if it were to apply to Sonata Arctica, it must be `thou must shred to a manic drum beat.' Kakko is joined...

I only rated it five stars.. Because they didn't have an option for 6+. :(
This is the greatest freaking thing that I own! I'm not exaggerating. Sonata Arctica have been my favorite band for years now... But I cannot tell you how much I anticipated this DVD release. (Years before the concept was even in motion) But the bottom line is.. I would have been happy with Marco farting on a snare drum for all I cared.. I just wanted some legit footage of them in concert. So naturally I pre-ordered this product LONG before it was released. To my great surprise it was not only obviously carrying sonata's seal of approval in quality.. but it is down right the best concert I've ever seen. The sound is UNBELIEVABLE.. Tony Kakko's vocals are beyond Epic. Janni and Henrik are on the ball like never imagined. All in all it is absolute brilliance at it's best. I've watched it about 10 times since it came in... (It's been here for 3 days now. haha).

Not to mention.. The boys have really released one hell of a generous offer here. Not only do they have the...

STUNNING!
It is impossible to stay sad, apathetic or lethargic while listening to Sonata Arctica. Their music is EXHILARATING! Their latest studio cd, 'Reckoning Night' is a perfect album - a masterpiece of extremely high-energy power metal, stunning keyboards, and emotionally evocative vocals.

All of that is displayed to perfection in their live show. Yes, they actually did tour the US in fall 2006, and I was one of the lucky ones to see them in a small club in Texas. We met the band backstage - very nice guys! And Tony has the best voice in metal! He SINGS! Wow, such a rarity these days!

This dvd captures the energy and totally does the band justice, as they are in their element in a large venue. You'll see dualing guitar and keyboards and rabid fans, and experience the crystal clarity of Tony's voice and the intensely high-energy yet achingly beautiful music. They take you higher, then higher, and when you think you can go no higher, they take you higher still. It's...

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Love on a Bet

Love this movie
A great movie! That is enough of a review. But if you want more details...

This is a movie where a guy uses his wits and charm to "get ahead". Today, in these hard times, we sometimes feel sorry for ourselves that we don't have enough money or opportunities. In this movie, a guy leaves New York in his underwear and only thru charm and deal making, he tries to get to Los Angeles with a new suit and $100 in his pocket... Oh, and he is to have a girl on his arm... Oh, and this has to be done in a week.

Once you see this movie you will be surprised it is not more popular.

There are rumors that it will be remade but I think this original version is perfect.





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A Late Quartet [Blu-ray]

Intense classical music and relationship drama
"A Late Quartet" (2012 release, 105 min.) brings the story of the (fictional) "Fugue String Quartet", portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman as Robert, Christopher Walken as Peter, Catherine Keener as Juliette (wife of Robert) and Marc Ivanir as Daniel. As the movie begins, we learn that Peter has the beginnings of Parkinson's disease and possibly the end of his musical career. Peter contemplates a replacement so as to assure the contunity of the quartet. Robert at that point voices his long-held frustration of "just" being second violinist and would like to share first chair with Daniel, much to Daniel's dismay. Robert and Juliette get into a huge argument about it and when he feels like she doesn't "have his back", Robert has a ill-fated affair with a younger woman. Juliette finds out and promply kicks him out of the house. Meanwhile Daniel fall for the charms of Alexandra (daughter of Robert and Juliette). At this point we are about half-way into the movie. Will Peter recover from his...

Classical Masterpiece
This movie my favorite film so far this year. The all star cast, including Christopher Walken and Catherine Keener, give a stunning performance. As a violinist, I can appreciate not only he the dramatic storyline but the struggles of the musicians as well. When a world famous quartet is about to lose one of their own, a lot of unspoken and painful feelings are brought to the front burner. There is competition and resentment and friendships that took twenty-five years to build are threatened. This is a film that will make you cry but there are also moments that will make you laugh. The music was as beautiful as the storyline and I enjoyed the classical pieces interwoven with the movie. This film is a must see for anyone who enjoys a good drama but especially for anyone who has even been involved with or loved music

A great study of human relations / community life ;-)
A surprisingly simple yet "complicated" movie that IMHO was one of 2012's best. The aging leader and cellist (played by Christopher Walken) of a classical "String Quartet" finds that he must retire due to the onset of Parkinson's Disease. What now? Well, the "second violinist" (for 25 years ...) played by Philip Seymour Hoffman takes the opportunity to suggest to the first violinist that he'd "kinda like to play first violin on occasion." The first violinist (played by Mark Ivanhir) a true virtuoso and perfectionist is aghast. The second violinist's wife (and viola player rounding out the Quartet) who's spent her entire adult life playing in this Quartet and, in fact, only met her husband through their playing in the Quartet together kinda agrees with the first violinist :-) ... What now? ;-) What a GREAT story about human / Community dynamics and Life ;-) ;-)

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The Dynamiter

"My dreams are smaller than those of others"
Let me state upfront that I am a big fan of the Film Movement library of foreign and indie movies, in fact so much that earlier this year I finally gave in and started my subscription to their DVD-of-the-month releases. This is the most recent (October, 2012) release in that series. While most of the time we get a foreign movie, this is one of those rare occasions when we get a US indie movie.

"The Dynamiter" (75 min.) brings the bittersweet (more bitter than sweet actually) tale of 14 yr. old Robbie (played by William Patrick Ruffin), who is living with his grandma and his younger half-brother Fess in rural Mississippi. Robbie's dad is never mentioned in the movie, but his mom, also absent, is mentioned: she took off for California, looking for "herself". Robbie keeps hoping for her return. Then out of the blue, Robbie's older brother Lucas shows up and you can just tell he's up to no good. Meanwhile Robbie is working long hours at his summer job at a gas station, and...

cecile michallet-riboud
Fantastic! Matt Gordon is a giant and the most promising film director. His american and european education coupled with a natural thinness, emotional intelligence and genuine artistic talent make him the it film director to follow.

Amazing film
I highly recommend it. It is a powerful and sensitive film about a part of America that has been left behind. It is halfway between a fiction and a documentary.
For the soundtrack alone (with songs by Bon Iver and Animal Collective) it is worth buying the DVD.

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The Deadly Companions - Cary Roan Signature Edition

Deadly Companions
Brian Keith play ex-Union soldier referred to as Yellowleg and Maureen O'Hara plays a, er, performer at the Black Garter dance hall in Sam Peckinpah's feature film debut, THE DEADLY COMPANIONS. Keith plays a character with a score to settle with a nasty hombre from his past when he gives O'Hara a grudge of her own to gnaw on when he accidentally shoots and kills her son. Keith, with a brace of prairie thugs in tow (Steve Cochran and Chill Wills) attempts to make amends by escorting the headstrong O'Hara through hostile Apache country after which she'll bury her son.

THE DEADLY COMPANIONS has a lot going for it. Dramatic tension is maintained at a satisfyingly high level - the group is threatened from without by the marauding Apaches and, for a variety of reasons, from within by each other . Keith and O'Hara act and react well with each other. O'Hara always seemed to give her best performance opposite a strong male co-star, and the underrated Keith proves a good match...

A Surprisingly Good Western
This film was director Sam Peckinpah's first feature, and it is a surprisingly good western. What makes this film work is the chemistry and character study between Maureen O'Hara and Brian Keith. No, the sparks don't fly quite the same way they do between John Wayne and O'Hara, but both leads create interesting characters that seperate the film from most B westerns. The supporting cast -- Strother Martin and Chill Willis -- were veterans of numerous westerns, and they provide plenty of color. For anyone who enjoys B westerns this one is a cut above most.

before the blood
While Sam Peckinpah is best known for blood ballets such as The Wild Bunch, and Cross of Iron, it should be known that he was making movies before blood bags were used. Deadly Companions marked his feature debut and while it doesn't stand up to his best films(Wild Bunch, Bring Me The Head of Alfredo Garcia,and Ride the High Country) its a nice start to a long and brilliant career. The DVD lacks extras and is standard format, which should be noted that a lot of older films were shot with a TV standard 1:33:1 frame. But this movie has been all but extinct except for shotty old video tapes for over a decade.

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A Kiss in the Dark

Graft is As Old As The Hills
An excellent film with David Niven and Jane Wyman in the romantic lead. The twist is in the way the story line is built up and the happy but satisfactory ending. The corrupt manager reminds us that the title of this piece has held through the ages, only the level of corruption differs in society.
A film that can be watched by one and all.





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