Posts Tagged ‘musical’
The Prince of Egypt: The Musical Blu-ray Review: Holy Moses
The show is an affable enough effort for spectators new to musical theater, but lacking any real substance for serious fans of the form.
Read MoreWaitress: The Musical Blu-ray Review: Small-Town Servers Accentuate the Positive
Waitress: The Musical returned to Broadway in late 2021 for a limited engagement starring the original lyricist and composer, Sara Bareilles.
Read MoreGay Purr-ee Blu-ray Review: Judy Garland Gets Animated
This animated musical is a fine send-off for Garland’s collaboration with her Wizard of Oz songwriters, and a fitting coda for her monumental career.
Read MoreThe Broadway Melody Blu-ray Review: Give My Regards to the Warner Archive Team
While the backstage exploits are familiar to the genre, it’s a fun snapshot of a bygone era for both film and theater.
Read MoreDu Barry Was a Lady Blu-ray Review: All Show, Little Story
Even by the admittedly low bar of plot development in classic movie musicals, this story is so half-baked it may as well just be called a musical revue.
Read MoreChicago: Limited Edition Blu-ray SteelBook Review: Rob Marshall Gives Audiences the Old Razzle Dazzle
If you are new to the film, there is no better time to get acquainted with it.
Read MoreNeptune Frost Blu-ray Review: The Revolution Will Be Televised
This passion project by writer/composer/co-director Saul Williams is a kinetic, thought-provoking work that represents his strongest artistic statement to date.
Read MoreFiddler’s Journey to the Big Screen Blu-ray Review: An Absolute Delight All the Way Through
I really love and respect this film.
Read MoreGrease 2 (40th Anniversary) Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray Review: Back to Rydell High School Again
What struck a chord with me is the main story about a woman not willing to settle for anything less than what she wants.
Read MoreThe Red Shoes Criterion Collection Blu-ray Review: 15 Minutes in Heaven
Although the overall narrative is nothing special, those precious minutes of performance magnificence elevate the film to well-deserved classic status.
Read MoreBlue Skies Blu-ray Review: Holiday Inn Revisited
Crosby and Astaire are delights performing solo and together.
Read MoreThe Legend of the Stardust Brothers DVD Review: ’80s Japanese Manic Musical
Directed by the son of Osamu Tezuka, this film is several music videos in search of a story… that somehow works.
Read MoreGold Diggers of 1933 Blu-ray Review: It’s Perfect
Gold Diggers of 1933 is one of the very best Depression-era musicals.
Read MoreWest Side Story (2021) Movie Review: Spielberg Keeps It Real
Spielberg proves to be adept at filming a musical, and is probably the only living director who could have pulled it off this successfully.
Read MoreLullaby of Broadway Blu-ray Review: Don’t Sleep on This Joyous Delight
So joyous and feel-good that it’s impossible to watch without a smile on your face.
Read MoreOn Broadway DVD Review: Start Spreading the News
Essential viewing for musical theatre fans as well as students who weren’t around for the historical moments of the last 50 years.
Read MoreIn the Good Old Summertime Blu-ray Review: You’ve Got Snail Mail
This 1949 Judy Garland vehicle that is an update of the 1940 Jimmy Stewart movie, The Shop Around the Corner,
Read MoreThoroughly Modern Millie Blu-ray Review: Thoroughly Charming
Kino Lorber has opted to provide the full roadshow version of the film.
Read MoreTake Me Out to the Ball Game Blu-ray Review: Almost a Home Run
A Warner Archive release that I would point to if asked to recommend one of their titles from a technical perspective.
Read MoreAn American in Paris: The Musical Blu-ray Review: C’est Bon
A fun, engaging show that is well worth a look by all musical theatre fans.
Read MoreZiegfeld Follies Blu-ray Review: Two Hours of Follies, Half Hour of Jollies
While it’s not consistently enjoyable, the overwhelming caliber of talent and the many high-quality production numbers make it a worthwhile curiosity.
Read MoreSXSW 2021 Movie Review: ‘Best Summer Ever’ Sings with Inclusivity
A familiar crowd pleaser that still forms a layout for representation of the disabled community going forward.
Read MoreAnnie Get Your Gun Blu-ray Review: Shoots a Few Blanks but Hits the Overall Target
The film is an important piece of Broadway and Hollywood history that is long overdue for Blu-ray treatment.
Read MoreBroadway Melody of 1940 Blu-ray Review: De-Lovely
The obvious draws are the star turn by Fred Astaire and the songs by Cole Porter, but co-star Eleanor Powell nearly steals the show.
Read MoreDamn Yankees Blu-ray Review: Lola Wants (and Gets) 4K
Warner Archive has done terrific job with this new release of the classic musical.
Read MoreSix by Sondheim Blu-ray Review: Behind the Music of a True Broadway Baby
Six By Sondheim may focus on the six songs, but it does cover his whole career, from the hits to the flops.
Read MoreThe Harvey Girls Blu-ray Review: MGM Misses the Bullseye
The musical misses the mark, but is worth viewing for key contributions from Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, and Angela Lansbury.
Read MoreFathom Events and TCM Present An American in Paris
Watching “An American in Paris” on the big screen was an exceptional experience and one I fully recommend.
Read MoreMamma Mia! Here We Go Again Blu-ray Review: Sing-A-Long with the Oldies (and New Cast, Too)
Set ten years after the events of the first film, viewers get to catch up with Sophie and see where she and the other characters are now.
Read MoreA Star Is Born (2018) Movie Review: A Perfectly Adequate Remake
Bradley Cooper offers an effective glimpse at his potential greatness as a director with his decent remake.
Read MoreJack the Giant Killer (1962) Blu-ray Review: The Original Mockbuster
Kino Lorber Studio Classics debuts the infamous Harryhausen knock-off in HD, complete with the incredulous musical variation as a bonus.
Read MoreLights of New York (1928) DVD Review: The Most Sublime Milestone in Cinema
The Warner Archive Collection brings us the first all-talking motion picture ever, which deserves a look-see for that very reason alone.
Read MoreOh God, They’re Singing: Three Classic Musicals on Blu-ray
The Warner Archive and Twilight Time give us some old song and dance routines, available in High-Definition (and in one case, widescreen) for the first time.
Read MoreWaiting for Guffman (1996) Blu-ray Review: The Waiting is the Artist Part
The brilliant mockumentary from Christopher Guest and Co. gets a beautiful new High-Definition transfer from the Warner Archive Collection.
Read MoreKid Galahad (1962) Blu-ray Review: Elvis. Bronson. Sold.
Twilight Time brings us the only film in history to feature Elvis Presley and Charles Bronson, which automatically makes it awesome by default.
Read MoreState Fair (1962) Blu-ray Review: Suppose They Held an Exhibition and Nobody Came?
Jose Ferrer directs Pat Boone, Bobby Darin, and Ann-Margret in an awkward musical remake of a musical remake.
Read MoreTom Sawyer (1973) / Huckleberry Finn (1974) Blu-ray Review: Wild Oates and Foster Kids
Twilight Time proudly proclaims “I’ll be your Huckleberry” with these ’70s Mark Twain musicals from Arthur P. Jacobs and Reader’s Digest.
Read MoreWhere the Boys Are (1960) Blu-ray Review: Life Was a Beach Even Then
Where the Boys Are still entertains admirably.
Read MoreTwilight Time Presents: Riches, Fortunes, Millions, and Women
Four classics ranging from comedic capers to World War II musicals to soul-stirring Woody Allen dramas make their HD home video debut.
Read MoreS.O.B. (1981) Blu-ray Review: Julie Andrews’ Most Revealing Role
The Warner Archive Collection releases Blake Edwards’ bitingly funny stab at Hollywood, featuring his famous wife’s only nude scene.
Read MoreTwilight Time Presents: Go Big, but Don’t Go Home!
Four classic titles ranging from suffocating small town drama to the wonderful world of corporate corruption highlight this must-see wave of new Blu-ray releases.
Read MoreFight for Your Lady (1937) DVD Review: The Ultimate Showdown of Goofy Faces
The Warner Archive Collection dusts off an odd comic rarity with Ida Lupino and an epic battle of dirty looks between Jack Oakie and Billy Gilbert.
Read MoreThe Boy Friend (1971) Blu-ray Review: Was This the Precursor to “The Apple”?
Ken Russell’s hallucinogenic homage to Busby Berkeley is just that ‒ and the Warner Archive has made it even trippier via a beautiful (and uncut) restoration.
Read MoreFinian’s Rainbow (1968) Blu-ray Review: Dance with the Times
The Warner Archive raises the curtains on a movie that would be both Francis Ford Coppola’s first studio film and Fred Astaire’s last complete musical.
Read MoreBells Are Ringing (1960) Blu-ray Review: You Found Me Just in Time
The irreplaceable Judy Holliday teams with the one and only Dean Martin for a musical extravaganza which has received a dynamic makeover from the Warner Archive.
Read MoreVitaphone Varieties, Volume Three: 1928-1929 DVD Review: Utterly Amazing
The Warner Archive Collection unleashes 16 more lost novelty acts from the days of vaudeville and burlesque shows.
Read MoreIt’s Always Fair Weather (1955) Blu-ray Review: Gene Kelly’s Blues
The Warner Archive Collection proudly presents something anyone can sing and dance to: a Cynical Musical from the otherwise sunny 1950s.
Read MoreMusicals and the Musically Inclined from the Warner Archive
Debbie Reynolds, Doris Day, and Julie Andrews highlight a trio of amazing rom-coms from more enjoyable, innocent times.
Read MoreThe Herschell Gordon Lewis Feast Box Set Review: Class-Ick
Arrow Video releases the definitive box set (well two, actually) paying all respect due to one of filmdom’s most unique innovators.
Read MoreRKO Varieties Triple Feature DVD Review: The Very Definition of Below Paar
Don’t let these innocent looking obscurities from the Warner Archive Collection fool you: the jokes are so bad, they could cause blindness, hemorrhaging, or ‒ if you’re lucky ‒ death.
Read MoreWhen Everything is WAC: A Visual Buffet from the Warner Archive
From one of Lucille Ball’s first big roles, to one of John Carradine’s last, this assortment of odds and ends from the Warner Archive Collection has it all.
Read MoreBook Review: The Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQ by Dave Thompson
The Rocky Horror Picture Show FAQ covers everything you need to know about Frank-N-Furter and company and then some.
Read MoreEverything I Have Is Yours DVD Review: A Disjointed MGM Musical Programmer
Husband-and-wife duo Marge and Gower Champion get upgraded to top billing.
Read MoreDick Foran Western Collection DVD Review: The Singing Cowboy Who Could Actually Sing
The Warner Archive Collection wants you to know Dick. And what better way is there than this?
Read MoreTwilight Time Presents: Absolute Beginnings and Bitter Endings
From Bowie to Brando to Blofelds, this selection of five fairly forgotten flicks has an awful lot going on.
Read More42nd Street / Ladyhawke / Wolfen Blu-rays Review: The Musical, Magical, and Mythical
The Warner Archive Collection brings us three classic catalogue titles out of the Standard and into the realms of High-Definition.
Read MoreStormy Weather (1943) Blu-ray Review: What an Eye for Beauty This Storm Has!
Twilight Time brings an early precursor to the blaxploitation subgenre (seriously, it is!) to Blu-ray.
Read MoreMeryl Streep Talks About Going Into the Woods
“What I hope for the audience: that they will be thrilled and challenged.” – Meryl Streep
Read MoreBorn Reckless (1958) DVD Review: My Long Hard Ride with Mamie Van Doren
A delightfully dumb ditty that is bursting with equestrian euphemisms and great B-grade bombshells.
Read MoreFlaming Star Blu-ray Review: Hunka Hunka Burning Death
Elvis Presley’s best performance? Well, if such a thing was ever possible, this is most assuredly it.
Read MoreYankee Doodle Dandy Blu-ray Review: You’re a Grand Old Film
James Cagney gets born on the fourth of July for the Warner Archive’s dynamic HD release of the already exceptional George M. Cohan biopic.
Read MoreOh, Sailor Behave DVD Review: Olsen and Johnson Liven a Dud to Death
They don’t make ’em like this anymore. And an entire nation – if not universe – can sleep soundly with that assurance.
Read MoreClassic Shorts from the Dream Factory, Volume 3 DVD Review: The Lost Stooges
The Warner Archive brings us six rare pre-Code shorts featuring The Three Stooges, including a previously thought-to-be-lost short rediscovered in 2013.
Read MoreThe Desert Song (’43 and ’53 Versions) DVDs Review: Plants and Birds and Rocks and Things
The Warner Archive presents two tales where the heat is hot and the ground is dry, but the air is full of sound.
Read MoreBook Review: The Wizard of Oz FAQ by David J. Hogan: Over the Rainbow and Beyond
It covers all aspects of Oz, from Garland’s recording of “Over the Rainbow” to costumes to casting, to fan reaction to the film – and yes, even includes stories about Ebsen and the Munchkins
Read MoreThe Buddy Holly Story (1978) Blu-ray Review: And I Suppose You’re Mary Tyler Moore?
Even when cast as a legendary rock and roll icon, Gary Busey still looks friggin’ nuts.
Read MoreFollow That Dream (1962) Blu-ray Review: Elvis Presley Stands His Ground in Florida
One of The King’s better-known lesser-known works goes HD thanks to Twilight Time.
Read MoreMusical Oddities from the Warner Archive
Two forgotten musicals, a neglected homage, and The Cars, too.
Read MoreMonogram Cowboy Collection, Volume 7 (1945-1952) DVD Review: There’s Gold on That There Poverty Row
The Warner Archive dusts off another nine delightful B-Western selections.
Read MoreA Chorus Line Blu-ray Review: A Pale Imitation of the Stage Show … and of a Passable Movie
A successful film adaptation of “A Chorus Line” was possible. This is not that film.
Read MoreJane Eyre (1943) / Oliver! (1968) / The Way We Were (1973) Blu-rays Review: Growing Up Again
From Orson Welles to Oliver Reed and Karl Marx, too.
Read MoreCarmen Jones Blu-ray Review: Dorothy Dandridge Sizzles Even if Otto Preminger Doesn’t
The first of Otto Preminger’s all-black musicals is a little staid, but the lead performance is superb.
Read MoreThe Ghastly Love of Johnny X Movie Review: A Too-Hip Good Deed
Struggles under a lack of its own ideas.
Read MoreCall Me Mister DVD Review: That’s MISTER Mister to You
A seldom-seen and unsurprisingly not-so-memorable mediocre (but still entertaining) musical.
Read MoreWake Up and Live (1937) DVD Review: Fun Vintage Semi-Musical Hijinks
Probably the only instance in film to see The Tin Man and Batman ride around in a car together.
Read MoreCarnival in Costa Rica DVD Review: An Endless Unfunny Rom-Com Musical
A movie full of Caucasian Ricans and a hero who looks like frickin’ Matthew Lillard.
Read MoreLes Miserables (2012) Blu-ray Review: Bring This Home
Les Miz fans won’t want to go one day more without it.
Read MoreRock of Ages Blu-ray Review: Overstuffed Rock That Lasts Ages
“Oh, the movie never ends, it goes on and on and on and on”; Don’t Stop Believin’, Journey.
Read MorePal Joey Blu-ray Review: Joey’s Definitely a Pal of Mine
Rita, Frankie, and Kim shine; as does Twilight Time’s presentation.
Read MoreWest Side Story (1961) Blu-ray Review: Celebrating 50 Years of Dancing in the Streets
It’s “Cool” for the most part, but there are a few issues.
Read MoreWest Side Story 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray Review: The Story’s Not the Thing
The choreography and music dazzle in HD, but the story still falls flat.
Read MoreBrand New Day Blu-ray Review: Fast Forward to the Songs
Charming songs and a promising start can’t overcome bloated and meandering road trip.
Read MoreFiddler on the Roof 40th Anniversary Blu-ray Review
The musical about tradition debuts in a new format.
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