Director: David Mallet
Starring: Cher, Bubba Carr, Aaron James Cash, Suzanne Easter, Kristin Willits
Genre: Music Video & Concerts
Studio: Hbo Home Video   Theatrical: 1999   Rated: NR
Languages (Country): English ()
Summary: You don't have to actually like Cher to at least respect her for having the chutzpah and sheer resilience to overcome any number of ill-conceived moves (most of which she acknowledges with wry self-deprecation), including bad records, disastrous relationships, embarrassing infomercials, and enough cosmetic surgery to underwrite several surgeons' Beverly Hills manors. This 90-minute concert, filmed in Las Vegas in '99 and subsequently broadcast on HBO, is Cher in all her kitschy glory. She's a performer, not just a singer (a good thing, given her limited if distinctive voice), and the show gives us the requisite array of Bob Mackie costumes (Valkyrie and vamp, pirate and prostitute, and one item that she herself describes as "Bozo the Clown meets "Braveheart""), wigs galore, a host of beautiful bodies writhing about onstage in what might charitably be called "interpretive dances" (also known as "filler while the star changes outfits")....
Oh, and there's music too, from the old hits ("Half Breed," "Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves") to "Believe," the late '90s techno-dance smash that here is saved until last, with a few covers thrown in for good measure (U2's "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For"? Go figure). We also get some old "Sonny & Cher" TV clips (bet you didn't remember that Ronald Reagan and David Bowie appeared on their show), highlights from her very impressive film career, still photos, drawings of Mackie's creations, and the "Walking in Memphis" music video. All in all, it's a weird, extravagant, campy stew, and a heck of a fun ride. "--Sam Graham"

Director:
Starring:
Genre: Music Video & Concerts
Studio:   Theatrical: 1994   Rated:
Languages (Country): English ()
Summary: The long-defunct, Southern California band regrouped for an album, an expensive tour (expensive for ticket buyers, that is), and this televised special, which features the Eagles in performance. Laid-back but sharp and even stirring during a longish acoustic set, the guys quickly get past the nostalgia element and sound truly viable. They even make it look easy: the sight of Joe Walsh wearing glasses and sitting in almost perfect repose as he effortlessly colors old hits "Tequila Sunrise" and new material such as "Learn to Be Still" may make you wonder why you ever stashed that guitar in the attic. But the band eventually gets off their stools and rocks out on "Hotel California" and other Eagles standards. All in all, it's an enjoyable and mellowing show. "--Tom Keogh"

Director: Gary Hovey, Steve Binder, Todd Morgan
Starring: Elvis Presley, Buddy Arett, Barbara Burgess, D.J. Fontana, Alan Fortas
Genre: Music Video & Concerts
Studio: Bmg Marketing   Theatrical: 2004   Rated: NR
Languages (Country): English ()
Summary: Released in conjunction with a two-disc deluxe edition of "Elvis: Aloha from Hawaii", the three-disc deluxe edition of Elvis's "'68 Comeback Special" is another incredible treasure trove of footage documenting a high point of the King's career and a milestone of televised musical performances. Taped and broadcast in 1968 after Elvis had seemingly abandoned live performing in favor of a movie career, the "'68 Comeback Special" was a remarkably intimate show, Elvis singing his old songs on a small stage, often alone, surrounded on all sides by a rapt audience. The show's numbers fall into three general categories: the black leather stand-up shows, in which Elvis performs solo on stage; the black leather sit-down shows, in which Elvis jams with former bandmates Scotty Moore and D.J. Fontana and others; and big production numbers, often overdone and now looking as dated as any other 1960s variety show.
In addition to the complete, uncut TV special (with the bordello number that was deemed too daring for TV), this DVD set includes both of the original stand-up shows and both of the original sit-down shows (the first was released mostly complete as "One Night with You"), and multiple takes of numerous production numbers. The numerous glitches and stumbles of the production numbers have limited replay value, but the complete stand-up and sit-down sessions are like gold for those who couldn't get enough of them during the 73-minute television special. Decades after the original telecast, Elvis has made another comeback. "--David Horiuchi"

Director: Jim Brown
Starring: Mary Chapin Carpenter, Joan Baez, Shawn Colvin, John Jennings
Genre: Music Video & Concerts
Studio: Sony   Theatrical: 1995   Rated: NR
Languages (Country): English ()
Summary: I'm a big fan of Carpenter, who has developed a nice mix of fine interpretations of other artist's songs and a substantial number of her own. She is a fine live performer and her studio work is high quality. It's not like you have a lot of choices on Mary Chapin Carpenter DVD's, but this DVD has some defects that might give you pause.
Let me say first that there is nothing wrong with her performance or the band. When it's MCP's music that is on screen, it's a lot of fun. But there are three things wrong: (a) it's too short, (b) it's chopped up by interviews, commentary and nattering, and (c) there are segues that make no sense.
Too short: this is a moderately old concert (c. 1995) and the focus in on songs from "Come Con, Come On." There's nothing wrong with that, but a number of fine songs from earlier albums aren't touched, and, of course, thee's nothing from "Party Doll" or "Time * Sex * Love". It's not a ridiculously short playlist, but it's mighty short.
Too chopped up: The DVD seems shorter than it is because it's mixed with interviews, commentary and annoying nattering. It comes across more like a TV special than a concert. Not all of the interviews and commentaries are bad; some is even insightful. But listening to it during a song is doubly annoying.
Bad segues: A specific example - There's a bit with Joan Baez where they talk about songs they've done and you can just sense there's going to be a nice duet. And they talk some more, and Baez shuffles lyric sheets in her laps. And they cut to a song -- and it's just Carpenter. Huh? What?
But as annoying and frustrating as these lapses may be, the DVD still does a fine job of showing MCP in concert, having fun, and making excellent music with a fine band. It just could have been better. Too short, bad mix, too bad.

Director: John Landis, Steve Barron, Gowers, Bruce, Pytka, Joe, Ritts, Herb
Starring: Michael DeLorenzo, Simon Fields, Traci Guns, Iman, Michael Jackson
Genre: Music Video & Concerts
Studio: Sony   Theatrical: 1995   Rated: NR
Languages (Country): English ()
Summary: This compilation features 10 of Michael Jackson's greatest video hits, including "Billie Jean," "The Way You Make Me Feel," "Black or White," "Rock With You" and others. 90 minutes.

Director: Dwight Hemion, Peter Israelson
Starring: Neil Diamond, Richard Bennett, Vince Charles, King Errisson, Tom Hensley
Genre: Music Video & Concerts
Studio: Sony   Theatrical: 1988   Rated: NR
Languages (Country): English ()
Summary: Neil diamond shines in concert performing 16 all-time favorites. Includes bonus video. Studio: Sony Music Release Date: 05/01/2001 Run time: 60 minutes Rating: Nr

Director: Gavin Taylor
Starring: Freddie Mercury, John Deacon, Brian May, Roger Taylor, Spike Edney
Genre: Music Video & Concerts
Studio: Hollywood Records   Theatrical: 1992   Rated: NR
Languages (Country): English ()
Summary: Studio: Uni Dist Corp (music) Release Date: 10/03/2006

Director: Phil Joanou
Starring: Dennis Bell (II), Bono, Adam Clayton, Adam Gussow, Jack Hale
Genre: Music Video & Concerts
Studio: Paramount   Theatrical: 1988   Rated: PG-13
Languages (Country): English ()
Summary: "Rattle and Hum" is not a film for anyone looking for an introduction to Irish band U2's career in the 1980s, but it is a vibrant portrait of an established group making its musical pilgrimage through the America it has always imagined through blues, gospel, and early rock 'n' roll. Filmmaker Phil Joanou ("Heaven's Prisoners"), a veteran music-video director and maker of the distractingly kinetic "Three O'Clock High", finds a suitable outlet for his high energy in this juggernaut of a journey, which finds U2 collaborating with a black gospel choir and B.B. King, recording inside the legendary Sun Records studio, dropping by Graceland, and in a moment of fearlessness, performing the Beatles' "Helter Skelter" to exorcise Charles Manson's sick claim on the song. "--Tom Keogh"