Customer Reviews:
Ball Bouncingly Funny!.......2006-09-05
The second funniest film with leslie nielsen in it. Its just hilarious
Better than spy hard - Parody of many, funnier than most..........2004-09-15
A great Leslie Nielsen spooftastic film - you know what to expect from slapstick to parody of such films as Mission Impossible, Braveheart, Titanic and it's main story - The Fugitive - as Ryan Harrison (leslie) is wronfully accused of murder - so he must track a one-eyed, legged and armed man to clear his name...
Also co-starring Micahel York, Kelly LeBrock, Sandra Bernhard, the jokes hit home more than they miss - If you like Hot Shots, Aeroplane, Scary Movie Three, Naked Gun, Police Squad - you are in for a treat as it is more of the same in a similar league but done more sharply, coherently and consistently dafter than Spy Hard (and funnier). Also outplays the likes of Dracula Dead and Lovin' It and it is hard to believe that anyone but Nielsen was considered as the lead as his deadpan style was made made for the lead!
The features are limited but this an amusing release from the hum-drum of normal life or boredom and if you can get it for less than £5 it is a bargin!!
Amazon.co.uk Review
This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than US$2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.
The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory", and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two-and three-shots.
The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory", which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theatre standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns". On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from TS Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler
Amazon.co.uk Review
Cats is a pop-cultural phenomenon that has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, resulting in more than two billion dollars in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided it until now.
This video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium. Most of the cast--assembled from London, Amsterdam and New York productions--are competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr Mistoffelees and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory", and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the covers of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, which is not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots.
The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors, John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory", which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theatre standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns". On the plus side, most of the characters and lyrics, from TS Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews:
CATS.......2008-02-05
Brilliant family show, is enjoyed from the youngest to the oldest. We all have our favorite cat, and everyone joins. Great if you love cats, great if you love music, brilliant if you love both. Entertainment at its best
Wonderful - but missing key songs which may ruin it for you.......2008-01-16
I confess I am a huge Lloyd Webber fan, and having seen Cats myself when I was 10 (22 years ago!) I still remember it in detail. I have always adored the music and recently introduced my children (aged 5 and 4) to the songs on CD as they already adored Joseph. They loved Cats which is why I bought this to them from Father Christmas.
Since they can't see it in the theatre anymore, this is a great way for them to see the Cats show and understand how the songs are brought to life. The Jellicle Cats opening is super, as is The Gumbie Cat, The Rum Tum Tugger, Skimbleshanks et al.
BUT the 2 key changes ruined it for us. Firstly WHY does this not feature the original tune for Mungojerry & Rumpleteezer? The new tune is frankly rubbish and unmemorable. And secondly, John Mills as Gus is all very well but it means that Growltiger (including Billy McCaw) has been cut altogether. This is one of the key pieces in the 2nd act and was the main song that my pirate-mad boys wanted to see. The disappointment when it cut from Gus straight to Skimbleshanks was palpable - we had tears!
If you don't care about these 2 songs but adore everything else, you really will love this DVD. But if you're as familiar with the original as we are, the addition of the Pekes and Pollicles (which is excellent) in no way makes up for the lack of Growltiger or Mungojerry&Rumpleteezer.
Still Great!.......2007-08-22
I watched this with my daughter aged 10 and we were both transfixed. Just goes to show its still a great musical today and works very well on DVD. The bigger the screen the better the effect!
Even good for dog lovers!.......2007-08-20
It is unlikely, as a dog person, that I would ever have gone to the theatre to see this show, and after watching the DVD, I'm still unlikely to do so.
Regardless of that fact, this was a tremendously entertaining show to watch on DVD. The camera work was superb, giving a much better view of the action than you would get in a live show, and some perspectives you would never get to see - it comes across as if you have your own personal window onto the stage and its characters.
The performance was exceptional all the way through, although the couple of `special effects' that were included detracted more than added to the overall effect. And you have to goggle over the incredible make up and costumes which must have taken forever to put on.
For dog lovers, the cats scene when they dress up as dogs is tremendous fun, and even for fellow dog people you can't help but appreciate the whole cattiness of the performers, and whether intentional or not, the scatty, catty storyline that ambles along in a very cattish, distracted fashion.
Absolutely worth renting, or buying, especially if you have surround sound and a large screen to watch it on.
Fantastic Musical DVD.......2006-12-29
This DVD is definately worth buying, especially if - like myself - you did not see the stage show. The performance is full of energy, and the close up shots develop character relationships very effectively.
The bonus features are also really interesting to watch, especially the making of cats, which shows you just how much work went into the show. Elaine Paige's performance as Grisabella is especially worth commenting on, as it was full of emotion and very well acted and sung.
Overall, a brilliant DVD, and one you will want to watch over and over again :)
Amazon.co.uk Review
This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than US$2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.
The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory", and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two-and three-shots.
The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory", which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theatre standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns". On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from TS Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler
Amazon.co.uk Review
Cats is a pop-cultural phenomenon that has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, resulting in more than two billion dollars in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided it until now.
This video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium. Most of the cast--assembled from London, Amsterdam and New York productions--are competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr Mistoffelees and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory", and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the covers of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, which is not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots.
The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors, John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory", which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theatre standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns". On the plus side, most of the characters and lyrics, from TS Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews:
CATS.......2008-02-05
Brilliant family show, is enjoyed from the youngest to the oldest. We all have our favorite cat, and everyone joins. Great if you love cats, great if you love music, brilliant if you love both. Entertainment at its best
Wonderful - but missing key songs which may ruin it for you.......2008-01-16
I confess I am a huge Lloyd Webber fan, and having seen Cats myself when I was 10 (22 years ago!) I still remember it in detail. I have always adored the music and recently introduced my children (aged 5 and 4) to the songs on CD as they already adored Joseph. They loved Cats which is why I bought this to them from Father Christmas.
Since they can't see it in the theatre anymore, this is a great way for them to see the Cats show and understand how the songs are brought to life. The Jellicle Cats opening is super, as is The Gumbie Cat, The Rum Tum Tugger, Skimbleshanks et al.
BUT the 2 key changes ruined it for us. Firstly WHY does this not feature the original tune for Mungojerry & Rumpleteezer? The new tune is frankly rubbish and unmemorable. And secondly, John Mills as Gus is all very well but it means that Growltiger (including Billy McCaw) has been cut altogether. This is one of the key pieces in the 2nd act and was the main song that my pirate-mad boys wanted to see. The disappointment when it cut from Gus straight to Skimbleshanks was palpable - we had tears!
If you don't care about these 2 songs but adore everything else, you really will love this DVD. But if you're as familiar with the original as we are, the addition of the Pekes and Pollicles (which is excellent) in no way makes up for the lack of Growltiger or Mungojerry&Rumpleteezer.
Still Great!.......2007-08-22
I watched this with my daughter aged 10 and we were both transfixed. Just goes to show its still a great musical today and works very well on DVD. The bigger the screen the better the effect!
Even good for dog lovers!.......2007-08-20
It is unlikely, as a dog person, that I would ever have gone to the theatre to see this show, and after watching the DVD, I'm still unlikely to do so.
Regardless of that fact, this was a tremendously entertaining show to watch on DVD. The camera work was superb, giving a much better view of the action than you would get in a live show, and some perspectives you would never get to see - it comes across as if you have your own personal window onto the stage and its characters.
The performance was exceptional all the way through, although the couple of `special effects' that were included detracted more than added to the overall effect. And you have to goggle over the incredible make up and costumes which must have taken forever to put on.
For dog lovers, the cats scene when they dress up as dogs is tremendous fun, and even for fellow dog people you can't help but appreciate the whole cattiness of the performers, and whether intentional or not, the scatty, catty storyline that ambles along in a very cattish, distracted fashion.
Absolutely worth renting, or buying, especially if you have surround sound and a large screen to watch it on.
Fantastic Musical DVD.......2006-12-29
This DVD is definately worth buying, especially if - like myself - you did not see the stage show. The performance is full of energy, and the close up shots develop character relationships very effectively.
The bonus features are also really interesting to watch, especially the making of cats, which shows you just how much work went into the show. Elaine Paige's performance as Grisabella is especially worth commenting on, as it was full of emotion and very well acted and sung.
Overall, a brilliant DVD, and one you will want to watch over and over again :)
Amazon.co.uk Review
This pop-cultural phenomenon has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, churning more than US$2 billion in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided Cats until now. The video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium.
The video cast, assembled from London, Amsterdam, and New York productions, is competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr. Mistoffelees, and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory", and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the "covers" of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two-and three-shots.
The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage seeming spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory", which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theatre standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns". On the plus side, most of the Cats characters and lyrics, from TS Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler
Amazon.co.uk Review
Cats is a pop-cultural phenomenon that has been performed on stage for more than 50 million patrons in 26 countries for almost 18 years, resulting in more than two billion dollars in ticket sales. Now that Cats has finally made it to the small screen, attention must be paid not just by fans of this critic-proof show, but also by those entertainment mavens who have somehow avoided it until now.
This video version has been restaged but, alas, not really reconceived for its new medium. Most of the cast--assembled from London, Amsterdam and New York productions--are competent. Ken Page as Old Deuteronomy, Jacob Brent as Mr Mistoffelees and Elaine Paige--the original London Grizabella, the Glamour Cat well past her prime--are a great deal more than that. Paige has toned down her theatrical belting of her big number, "Memory", and allowed the faded ruin of her character's soul to prevail in close-up. For all the covers of her signature song, Paige's version remains definitive. The video is, by definition, more intimate, which is not always a good thing: costumes are even more Halloweeny in garish close-up, the cats less cuddly without that all-important interaction, the stage's appropriately midnight lighting transmuted to a Las Vegas neon. And the chorus of cats in production numbers is even clunkier and more amorphous in two- and three-shots.
The one complete newcomer to the cast is the 90-year-old icon among English actors, John Mills, a delight as Gus the Theatrical Cat. Sir John and his character show the youngsters how it's done in close-up, largely behind the eyes, abetted by a heart-tugging delivery of his one song. Yet virtually all of the songs are lip-synched, further robbing the video Cats of its onstage spontaneity. It's clearer than ever that Lloyd Webber's music is mostly twaddle, with the important exception of "Memory", which instantly and rightly became one of the genuine theatre standards not dependent on context, in the vein of Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns". On the plus side, most of the characters and lyrics, from TS Eliot's 14-poem Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats, are far better defined and understood from the video version. --Robert Windeler, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews:
CATS.......2008-02-05
Brilliant family show, is enjoyed from the youngest to the oldest. We all have our favorite cat, and everyone joins. Great if you love cats, great if you love music, brilliant if you love both. Entertainment at its best
Wonderful - but missing key songs which may ruin it for you.......2008-01-16
I confess I am a huge Lloyd Webber fan, and having seen Cats myself when I was 10 (22 years ago!) I still remember it in detail. I have always adored the music and recently introduced my children (aged 5 and 4) to the songs on CD as they already adored Joseph. They loved Cats which is why I bought this to them from Father Christmas.
Since they can't see it in the theatre anymore, this is a great way for them to see the Cats show and understand how the songs are brought to life. The Jellicle Cats opening is super, as is The Gumbie Cat, The Rum Tum Tugger, Skimbleshanks et al.
BUT the 2 key changes ruined it for us. Firstly WHY does this not feature the original tune for Mungojerry & Rumpleteezer? The new tune is frankly rubbish and unmemorable. And secondly, John Mills as Gus is all very well but it means that Growltiger (including Billy McCaw) has been cut altogether. This is one of the key pieces in the 2nd act and was the main song that my pirate-mad boys wanted to see. The disappointment when it cut from Gus straight to Skimbleshanks was palpable - we had tears!
If you don't care about these 2 songs but adore everything else, you really will love this DVD. But if you're as familiar with the original as we are, the addition of the Pekes and Pollicles (which is excellent) in no way makes up for the lack of Growltiger or Mungojerry&Rumpleteezer.
Still Great!.......2007-08-22
I watched this with my daughter aged 10 and we were both transfixed. Just goes to show its still a great musical today and works very well on DVD. The bigger the screen the better the effect!
Even good for dog lovers!.......2007-08-20
It is unlikely, as a dog person, that I would ever have gone to the theatre to see this show, and after watching the DVD, I'm still unlikely to do so.
Regardless of that fact, this was a tremendously entertaining show to watch on DVD. The camera work was superb, giving a much better view of the action than you would get in a live show, and some perspectives you would never get to see - it comes across as if you have your own personal window onto the stage and its characters.
The performance was exceptional all the way through, although the couple of `special effects' that were included detracted more than added to the overall effect. And you have to goggle over the incredible make up and costumes which must have taken forever to put on.
For dog lovers, the cats scene when they dress up as dogs is tremendous fun, and even for fellow dog people you can't help but appreciate the whole cattiness of the performers, and whether intentional or not, the scatty, catty storyline that ambles along in a very cattish, distracted fashion.
Absolutely worth renting, or buying, especially if you have surround sound and a large screen to watch it on.
Fantastic Musical DVD.......2006-12-29
This DVD is definately worth buying, especially if - like myself - you did not see the stage show. The performance is full of energy, and the close up shots develop character relationships very effectively.
The bonus features are also really interesting to watch, especially the making of cats, which shows you just how much work went into the show. Elaine Paige's performance as Grisabella is especially worth commenting on, as it was full of emotion and very well acted and sung.
Overall, a brilliant DVD, and one you will want to watch over and over again :)
DVD Review:
- Zubeidaa [2001] (NTSC)
- A Hard Day's Night [1964] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- America Dances! 1897-1948: A Collector's Edition of Social Dance in Film [2000] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Anna And The King Of Siam [1946]
- Aria [1987] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Art of Guitar Crosspicking [1995] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- A Star Is Born - 2 Disc Special Edition [1954]
- Babes in Toyland [1961] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Bartok the Magnificent [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Basic Classical Guitar Method, Book 1
DVD Review List
DVD Review
![Wrongfully Accused [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21HVTX34FGL.jpg)
All Action & Adventure
|
Action & Adventure
|
Categories
|
DVD
|
Video
![Spy Hard [1996]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004CXYN.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Spy Hard [1996]
2001 - A Space Travesty
![Camouflage [2000] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0006FO578.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Camouflage [2000] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
![Repossessed [1989]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B000087I22.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
Repossessed [1989]
Family Plan
![Wrongfully Accused [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://www.bill88.com/buy.gif)
![Cats [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31YQZXJEFSL.jpg)
![Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat [1999]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004R95G.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Black Cat Run [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21JTCSAA8VL.jpg)
![Quest for Camelot/Cats Don't Dance [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31modxZNX8L.jpg)
![Cats [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21NN2QV710L.jpg)
![Cats [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21KPQV2C4BL.jpg)
![Cats - Commemorative Edition [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://www.germanelectronics88.com/noimage.gif)
![Spanish Fly [1998] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21SETD5KHKL.jpg)