New Movie Releases DVD

2 Comments:

• Dean Anderson

  May 26th, 2012 at 9:53 am

  103 of 110 people found the following review helpful

  
  THE Musical, As It Should Be Presented, December 14, 2004

  By 

  Dean Anderson (New York, New York) –
  
    

  This review is from: West Side Story (Special Edition Collector’s Set) (DVD)

  “West Side Story” is proof that the sum of its parts can not only be greater than the whole, but possibly be the greatest!

  Little known writer in Elizabethian England pens a drama about two star-crossed lovers. Flash ahead to the turbulent streets of New York in the late 1950s and early 60s. Turn feuding families to rival gangs. Add music, choreography, make it vital. Then find a brilliant director who knows what to show, and watch as it takes home every Oscar it can.

  We know the story of this film but what’s important for you to know about here are the extras you get in this package that make it worth your while: The first disc is the film, preserved perfectly. And the second disc has your special features.

  First, you get a great documentary on the making of the film. Titled “West Side Memories,” Principals like Sondheim, Moreno, Chakiris, Beymer and more sit before the cameras and explain the process of preparing and executing what could be the finest example of the Hollywood Musical, ever. It’s a piece that’s could have been a stand alone DVD, it’s so rich with insights.

  You also get an interesting “Storyboard to Film” montage, where you see the artist’s renderings of the scenes, and how those shots looked when they appeared in the film. You get to study these storyboards more carefully in several galleries on the disc. Lots of other goodies, like the theatrical trailers and photos galore… everything from Jerome Robbins’s cattle call for dancers to location shots during production!

  And if that wasn’t enough, there’s a massive book that comes with the set, that includes the complete script of the film, the original lobby brouchure that theater patrons who attended the film received, which has more photos and info, and the newspaper clippings lauding the film as it took its place in movie musical legend.

  It’s simply a valentine to a remarkable film, and a fantastic package, all the way around.

  Highly recommended.

  Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

  Was this review helpful to you? 
  

  
  |

   Comments (8)
• Matt Howe "outloud98"

  May 26th, 2012 at 8:58 am

  247 of 252 people found the following review helpful

  
  WEST SIDE STORY Impresses, April 3, 2003

  By 

  Matt Howe “outloud98″ (Washington, DC) –
  
    
  
    

  This review is from: West Side Story (Special Edition Collector’s Set) (DVD)

  Wow. What a great DVD.

  The one hour documentary featuring interviews with some of the cast, Robert Wise, Harold Prince, Sondheim, and some key crew members is completely engrossing. Home movie footage showing the filming of the movie is included. Examples of the techniques that the movie makers used to film a musical are fascinating. I was amazed that the knife scene, for example, is COMPLETELY counted out and the actor/dancers’ movements were choreographed down to the second (breath, two, three, four; stab, two three; look, two, three, four). Incredible! Rita Morena is particularly informative regarding the dubbing of her song “A Boy Like That”. The Robbins/Wise codirecting of the film is explained. And some of Natalie Wood’s original vocals are included. The documentary is invaluable for fans of the film.

  As for the film itself, it looks and sounds incredible on my widescreen HDTV. The anamorphic transfer is very good.

  The DVD is packaged very well. The book which accompanies the set is very cool, with a great introduction by screenwriter Ernest Lehman (who is one of my movie heros).

  I’m very impressed with this special edition of WEST SIDE STORY. The film is a classic, and deserves such treatment.

  Help other customers find the most helpful reviews 

  Was this review helpful to you? 
  

  
  |

   Comments (4)