Porcupine Tree: Arriving Somewhere (2006) Review

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(More customer reviews)I received an advance copy of this from PT distributer Burning Shed (#417 for those of you keeping count). This DVD is Porcupine Tree live at Chicago's Park West October 11-12, 2005.
The material list is:
Disc One
Revenant (opening theme music)
Open Car
Blackest Eyes
Lazarus
Hatesong
Dont Hate Me
Mother and Child Divided
Buying New Soul
So Called Friend
Arriving Somewhere but Not Here
Heartattack in a Layby
The Start of Something Beautiful
Halo
The Sound of Muzak
Even Less
Trains
Disc 2
Lazarus Video, Futile and Radioactive Toy from German TV Show Rockpalast, Drummer Gavin Harrison's Cymbal Song, the Movies that accompanied Halo, Start of Something... and Mother and Child Divided and Photo Gallery.
OK reviewing this, the short review is; get it, this is the best band out there right now and this DVD is a great representation of how good they are.
The longer version is, Porcupine Tree and Steven Wilson alter their musical direction every couple of years (sort of the theme of the rarely played Buying New Soul) and this is where they were in 2005 and 2006. This is their first DVD and it perfectly captures what that 2005 Deadwing tour was. I happened to see the first show of this tour in Tampa and the DVD shows that they just became tighter and heavier as the tour went on.
The Deadwing Tour was heavier than the old psychadelic, progressive and song based material (yes its too bad there werent official DVDs for the previous phases of PT), but it is still great stuff. (as Steven sings on Arriving somewhere-- all my designs simplified, all of my plans compromised, all of my dreams sacrificed). While the music now may be slightly simplified, anyone would be hard pressed to say much has been sacrificed.
Some may question the inclusion of non-cd tracks such as Mother and Child Divided or So-Called Friend, but fans of the band either know these or get to know them quick and they fit the overall feel of the tour very well. Anytime you have as much great material as PT the song selection can be questioned, but this performance is so powerful I reccomend just sitting back and enjoying what there is rather than lamenting what there isnt.
The 5.1 audio on this release is better than any Ive heard (I also highly reccomend the DVD-A versions of Stupid Dream, In Absentia and Deadwing, if you want hear how good 5.1 DTS can sound, and make yourself slightly deaf without realizing you are doing it;-).
The video is nicely shot, lots of shifts of focus without being jarring, and the camera seems to be where you'd like it to be most of the time (a real flaw in tons of Live DVD's). Also, there are no cheesy effects or technological experiments which means this should stand the test of time (there is some shifting of black and white to color, but it is pretty unobtrusive, although Im used to a lot of vids from the 70s some of which have really bad effects).
Now let me add, this DVD isnt perfect, but the complaints are fairly minor. The thoughts I had after only a couple of watches... 1. On Open Car the vocals seem buried (may have been purposeful, but its a distraction. 2. The video never captures(and maybe couldnt)the size and integration of the films that accompanied the songs. 3. The packaging is nice, but its cardboard and vulnerable to fingerprints, dents, etc.
Also, don't think you are getting 2 discs of live music, Disc 1 is a full concert, Disc 2 is odds and ends. I wasnt sure why they didnt just include the entire Rockpalast show (if they could show 2 songs, why not the whole show?) My guess is because it was largely the same material, but fans wouldnt have minded.
Fans can argue for the different albums of PT being their best, but this really seems to a document of a great band at the top of their game. If all music was this thoughtful, composed and sincere, I would like a lot more music.
End thought, if you like PT at all, get this! If you are curious, get this! If you have friends that might like this; show them! People into this band know there really isnt a way to describe how close to perfect they are (only God knows why they arent HUGE, and I suspect he has questions)and this DVD is a great document of that circa 2005-06.

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Resurrection Blvd - The First Complete Season (2000) Review

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(More customer reviews)This outstanding series gives PBS's "American Family" a run for its money as the finest series about a typical, all-American family. Superbly acted across the board, from proud, tough-love Patriarch Roberto (the excellent Tony Plana), struggling sister-in-law Bibi (Elizabeth Pena - why isn't this woman a star?) and her loving son Tommy (the underrated Douglas Spain) to always-reliable veterans Rita Moreno and Glynn Turman... this series strikes gold on all counts, from the fine acting and directing to the smart scripts and warm designs. Let's hope Paramount resurrects seasons two and three on DVD in the not-too-distant-future. It's impossible not to fall in love with these characters. Bravo!

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RESURRECTION BLVD:FIRST SEASON - DVD Movie

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Dead Space: Aftermath Review

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(More customer reviews)In the latest bit of synergistic marketing, "Dead Space: Aftermath" arrives on DVD shelves on the same day that the eagerly anticipated "Dead Space 2" arrives for gaming consoles. Sound familiar? It's the same strategy that brought the original "Dead Space" game forth in conjunction with its companion piece DVD "Dead Space: Downfall." Well, who's to look success in the face and not try to replicate it? I'm a bit torn in what to say about "Dead Space: Aftermath." A perfectly acceptable adventure, by all rights, if not particularly distinguished--this will obviously appeal (or not appeal) to different people for different reasons. If you are a "Dead Space" enthusiast, then--I might rank this production at four stars for a built-in audience. If, however, you're completely unconnected with the gaming experience--I'd probably put this at closer to two stars. I also think that if you were to watch this for free, you might think it a perfectly harmless entertainment--as a game extra, it might be awesome. However, when laying down your DVD dollar, your expectation might be higher.
Enough convoluted analysis, though. Here's the story. "Dead Space: Aftermath" tells the story of spaceship USG O'Bannon. O'Bannon responds to a secret and dangerous mission to attend to a planet in distress (if you've been to "Dead Space," you'll recognize the setting). The planet, however, is extremely volatile and soon the rescue party is fleeing--but not before uncovering a strange and hallucinatory rock. Back on O'Bannon, the rock starts affecting those on the ship. Before you can say "what the heck is going on," the crew is engaged in the ultimate battle for survival. Horrible creatures start to attack just as critical characters are sinking into dementia, it's not a pretty sight! The story of "Dead Space: Aftermath" is revealed in interviews from the four survivors of the O'Bannon. But are the survivors really safe? Or are they a part of a more nefarious conspiracy? And the film's final moments tie into the upcoming "Dead Space 2."
For me, the best sequences in "Dead Space: Aftermath" involve the interrogation of the survivors. Creepy and visually inventive, these segments really stand out. However, the whole story of what transpired lacked a real freshness. I felt like I'd seen it before--and better! As someone who really enjoys a good narrative gaming experience, I'll say that the plot requirements for a game aren't necessary as stringent as they need to be for a movie. So plotting-wise, "Dead Space: Aftermath" felt a little half-baked (for my taste anyway) as a feature film. However, I will say again--some individual moments can be quite compelling. And vocal performances (especially by the survivors) are effective to very good.
The film is a collaboration of several directors. One of the more intriguing aspects of "Dead Space: Aftermath" is that each of the survivor's stories is told from a different directorial vantage point and/or a variation of animation style. Characters can look completely different depending on who's telling the story. I found this strangely distracting, at first, until I just went with it. But while I appreciated this unique approach, I don't necessarily think it enhanced the viewing experience. Overall, "Dead Space: Aftermath" is more enticing as a game supplement than as a stand alone venture. Not a disaster, by any stretch, but in the ever expanding options in the worlds of animation and anime--there are fresher choices available. KGHarris, 1/11.

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The year is 2509 and not only has Earth lost contact with the Ishimura and Isaac Clarke, but now also the USG O'Bannon, the first responder ship sent to rescue them. Four crew members of the O'Bannon have survived. But what happened to the rest of the crew? What were they doing? What secrets are they keeping? All to be revealed...in the Aftermath! Dead Space: Aftermath is a fast paced, horrifying thrill ride told through the perspective of the four survivors by several renowned international directors.

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