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- Review count28
- Helpfulness votes9
- First reviewApril 27, 2008
- Last reviewJune 5, 2008
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating3.9
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![Greatest Hits [Deluxe Edition] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8761/8761805_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Buy This Version With Bonus Live CD
on June 5, 2008
Posted by: backrowreviews
I already reviewed the single-disc version, so I won't repeat myself here. This is the version to buy, though, because it includes a live bonus disc of Morrissey at the Hollywood Bowl -- a great (although could-have-been-longer) performance. It's also a treat to hear Morrissey's ad-libs within his lyrics about American politics, substituting "Republicans and Democrats" for "Tories and Labor" in "Irish Blood, English Heart," and inserting a reference to George W. Bush in another song. Funny.
What's great about it: The bonus live CD makes up for the fact that you probably have most of the songs on disc one already
What's not so great: Both CDs should have been longer
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Greatest Hits [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8745/8745879_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
All Recent Singles and Four Older Classics
on June 4, 2008
Posted by: backrowreviews
Mostly devoted to Morrissey's singles from his more recent output on Attack Records (although this collection, oddly, is on Decca), a quartet of his older hits is also included (Suedehead, Last of the Famous International Playboys, Everyday Is Like Sunday, The More You Ignore Me the Closer I Get). There are 15 total tracks, which means several more songs could have been added time-wise, but why quibble? Everything on here is a gem -- and the two new songs that are exclusive to this album (That's How People Grow Up and All You Need Is Me) are so good they are worth the price of the CD all by themselves. But then, if you're a Morrissey fanatic, you already know that. (Note: This release also is available in a two-CD format that includes a "Live at the Hollywood Bowl" bonus disc.)
What's great about it: The Two New Songs Are Worth the Price Alone!
What's not so great: Could have had more older singles
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Bang!...The Greatest Hits of Frankie Goes to Hollywood [Bonus Tracks] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8505/8505575_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
The Best Singles by the Best Pop Group of the '80s
on June 3, 2008
Posted by: backrowreviews
Trevor Horn's amazing production on Frankie Goes to Hollywood's first four singles (Relax, Two Tribes, The Power of Love, Welcome to the Pleasuredome) made those songs genuine classics of way-over-the-top '80s pop. They're all here, along with FGTH's reverent cover of Ferry Cross the Mersey, their ridiculous version of Springsteen's Born to Run, several Steve Lipson-produced tracks from FGTH's second album...and, as they say, "more." Also included are the original 12" mix of Relax, and a 1994 remix of Two Tribes that should have been replaced by Horn's original 12" mix of the song, but what the heck. A later two-CD collection was devoted to nearly all of FGTH's 12" versions. Highly recommended!
What's great about it: Great songs, amazing production
What's not so great: Should have included more of the original 12" mixes as bonuses
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Empire of the Sun [DVD] [1987]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4318/4318946_sa.jpg)
Steven Spielberg's ambitious screen adaptation of J.G. Ballard's novel about a young boy who finds himself in a Japanese prison camp during WWII gets an appropriately glossy treatment on DVD. The film has been given a letterboxed transfer of 1.85:1 aspect ratio (the transfer has also been enhanced for widescreen monitors), and viewers have a choice of the original soundtrack in Dolby Digital Stereo or a new mix in Dolby Digital 5.1 (there's also an alternate French-language soundtrack in Dolby Digital Stereo). The film has been subtitled in no fewer than eight languages -- English, Spanish, French, Japanese, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai -- and the film's original theatrical trailer has been included, as well as a bonus behind-the-scenes documentary, "The China Odyssey: Empire of the Sun, A Film by Steven Spielberg."
Customer Rating
2
Elaborate Production, Chilly Execution
on June 2, 2008
Posted by: backrowreviews
Director Spielberg may have been trying to avoid the sentimentality for which he is famous by making this movie so reserved and strangely cold, even though it is about a boy sent to a Japanese prisoner of war camp in China during WW2, which you'd think would rate a few get-out-the-handkerchiefs moments. But the movie ends up being about as off-putting as Spielberg's similarly chilly "A.I." The beginning scenes of "Empire of the Sun" are its best, in which Christian Bale (the future Batman of "Batman Begins" and "The Dark Knight") is the pampered, spoiled son of British citizens living in wealth and splendor in Shanghai. But as soon as the Japanese invade, the Brits are sent to POW camps, and John Malkovich shows up as a weird hybrid of Col. Hogan of "Hogan's Heroes" and Harry Lime, the movie goes straight into the tank. From that point on, everything feels fake and forced...although nicely art-directed.
What's great about it: Beautiful locations
What's not so great: Often unconvincing
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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![The Sound of Girls Aloud: The Greatest Hits [International Version] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/1543/15432569_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Great Overlooked Girl Group
on May 31, 2008
Posted by: backrowreviews
Girls Aloud is a five-member British girl group created as part of a reality TV series, but don't let that put you off. Their songs are so catchy and well-produced that it's a crime their CDs never have been released on an American label. This best-of serves as a good introduction, but be warned: After you hear it, you will want to buy up all of their CDs at exorbitant import prices. Go ahead, they're worth it!
What's great about it: Unbelievably catchy pop songs
What's not so great: Should have been even longer
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Rambo [WS] [DVD] [2008]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/8803/8803716_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
2
Weak
on May 30, 2008
Posted by: backrowreviews
In the latest installment of this is-it-tongue-in-cheek-or-just-stupid series, Sylvester Stallone's Rambo has turned into a slightly less articulate but moodier Incredible Hulk, with biceps the size of hams and a permanent hangdog expression. He's living in southeast Asia these days on a boat, apparently subsisting in make-the-world-go-away poverty. He reluctantly ferries a bunch of naive missionaries upriver into "Apocalypse Now" territory, finds out later that they've never returned, and joins a nasty mercenary rescue mission to find them. Mass slaughter ensues. The free-fire-zone frenzy scenes are pretty well done, if you're into blood and dismemberment, but the real star of the show is what's supposed to be a leftover WW2 bomb that goes off like a plasma torpedo from the starship Voyager. (See, I could have said "starship Enterprise" there, if I weren't so edgy and alt-critic cool.)
What's great about it: Great explosion
What's not so great: Unintentional self parody alert
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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-1point
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![The Work of Director Michel Gondry [DVD] [2003]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/6049/6049787_sa.jpg)
Michel Gondry has carved out a career as one of the most distinctive music video directors of his generation. His unique collaborations with diverse artists like Björk, the Chemical Brothers, and the White Stripes have been collected on this double-sided DVD release. Over two-dozen videos are presented, each in their original broadcast aspect ratios. In addition to famous works like "Everlong," the Lego-inspired "Fell In Love With a Girl," and the visually inventive "Let Forever Be," the disc contains a 75-minute documentary consisting of interviews with Gondry and testimonials from the people with whom he has worked. A selection of his commercials, short films (including one starring Jim Carrey), and other random visual images captured by the artist round out this impressive package from Palm and Director's Label. Companion releases featuring the work of Spike Jonze and Chris Cunningham are also available.
Customer Rating
4
Great Selection of Fantastic Music Videos
on May 29, 2008
Posted by: backrowreviews
Terrific collection of unbelievably imaginative music videos Gondry directed for the likes of Bjork, Daft Punk, Kylie Minogue, the White Stripes and others. Many of them are so strange and clever that you can't figure out (a) how he thought them up and (b) how he executed them! Just wait until you see the "multiple Kylies" video for "Come Into My World," possibly the coolest video ever made!
What's great about it: Michel Gondry is a genius
What's not so great: Makes every other video director look pathetic
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Volumen 2 [DVD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5582/5582381_sa.jpg)
Björk: Greatest Hits -- Volumen 1993-2003 is a complete Björk video collection presented with a standard full-frame transfer with Dolby Digital Stereo Sound. It includes the 2003 videos for "It's in Our Hands" and "Nature Is Ancient." The videos for "Hidden Place," "Pagan Poetry," and "Cocoon" are also offered in Dolby Digital 5.1. Side one contains the NTSC version and side two contains the PAL version. The beautiful black-and-white packaging features art by Gabriella Fridriksdottir and a booklet.
Customer Rating
4
Amazingly Creative Videos
on May 28, 2008
Posted by: backrowreviews
This collection of music videos by Bjork is impressive not only because all of them are so good, but because they show so much variety. My favorite is "Bachelorette," directed by the great Michel Gondry (director of movies including "The Science of Sleep") -- but it's a tough choice! If you're a Bjork fan, you probably already own this -- and if you don't, what are you waiting for?
What's great about it: Clever, Artistic, Interesting Music Videos
What's not so great: None, loved it!
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Medúlla [DualDisc] [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7892/7892408_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
3
Worth the Extra for the DualDisc
on May 27, 2008
Posted by: backrowreviews
The bonus DVD features on the flip side of the DualDisc (especially the videos) are a nice bonus.
What's great about it: Videos and Extras are a swell bonus
What's not so great: One "making of" feature goes on forever
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Elektra [WS] [Unrated Director's Cut] [2 Discs] [DVD] [2005]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7391/7391431_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
2
Not as bad as most reviews...but not very good
on May 26, 2008
Posted by: backrowreviews
Wow, what a bad idea: Show one scene at the beginning featuring Elektra in costumed action, then let more than an hour pass before she gets back in the outfit. Also, while Jennifer Garner was good in the role in "Daredevil," she somehow doesn't pull it off as well here. She seems more wholesome than hot, never convincing as a cold-hearted hired assassin. And the movie's band of super-powered villains are the ridiculously over-powered type who should have been able to dispatch Elektra in about three seconds, so the fights don't make much sense. The movie's "junior Elektra," played by Kirsten Prout, is okay, but she looks older in the movie's early scenes than she does at the end. (Shot out of chronological order, perhaps.)
What's great about it: Jennifer Garner probably does her best...
What's not so great: ...but she should have been in costume a lot more.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
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