Pure Country

10 Comments

1. Dianna L. Elmore

   September 30, 2010 at 8:58 pm

   Review by Dianna L. Elmore for Michael Jackson: This Is It
   Rating:
   It was midnight Oct.27, 2009 and i saw this movie. It is great and i would love to see it again and again, so i’ll be one-of-the first to buy the dvd. What an entertainer he was and still is to me. Dianna Lynn Elmore

   Reply
2. Tommy Morais

   September 30, 2010 at 8:10 pm

   Review by Tommy Morais for Michael Jackson: This Is It
   Rating:
   When Michael Jackson died on June 25th 2009 it seems a part of the world died with him. It made many people sad all over the world and it seems that for once everyone was being nice to this man who had always been abused by the Medias; journalists, interviewers and others. When I heard of the “This Is It” movie concert I didn’t know what to think. I knew it was rehearsal footage from the 50 concerts he was to perform at the O2 arena but I didn’t know what was going to come out of it or what they were going to do with it. When I saw the trailers I knew I had to see this and that “This Is It” was going to be something special like I’ve never seen. And that’s precisely what I got, I even bought my ticket in advance for the movie and feel like it was much worth it.

   It amazed me how good MJ still was, the dance moves were great and fascinating to me. He was clearly the one in charge of the whole thing. He gave precise instructions of what he wanted, made sure everything was right and did everything that needed to be done. The film shows just how much Michael was respected, there were parts of it where they asked him if he wanted anything or what he thought and if he liked something, it seems no one assumed anything at all. When he talked the crew would listen and he asked things in the nicest way, never to hurt anyone. There’s not a part that doesn’t make him look like the nice guy he always was. There are mixed feelings about him after all the bad things that have been said about him but after watching this I don’t know one could possibly believe them.

   To be honest I loved every minute of it, every song was special and was great to watch. Right from the beginning of “Wanna Be Startin’Somethin'” it was amazing. No matter how many people surround him he’s always the one who does things better than anyone else and the one you’re watching. This Is It was really a unique experience, I felt they chose the right footage parts for the movie and made him look great in every sense. They could truly have messed things up but they didn’t and came out with an amazing documentary, it’s sort of a testament to his fans, it’s just very special. I really liked the Thriller 3D part, it was a 3D video shoot and afterwards you see MJ coming out onstage from a spider, the show would have looked awesome. They Don’t Care About Us was amazing, The Smooth Criminal part was very interesting, so was the Earth Song which had a beautiful video of a little girl in a forest, waking up to see that all of it has been destroyed. I won’t go further but every song had something about them.

   The stage show would have been grandiose, the fireworks, the “fireball” (quite impressive I won’t spoil anything), pyrotechnics, the videos that accompany the songs are all very impressive. This could very well have been the best show ever had he lived to perform them. In the end I was quite amazed by the 1: 48 minutes I watched, I can’t wait to see it again and the message Michael gives at the end is very inspiring. From the auditions of the brilliant performers to the credits with the “This Is It” song I was captivated.

   The said special features will feature more of the rehearsal and a two part documentary on Michael’s history and his comeback along behind the scenes. I can’t wait to see more of the rehearsal and hopefully the extras will be great and there will plenty to watch.

   It’s hard for me to describe what watching this movie was like and what I felt about it. I know this is rehearsal footage but it’s truly brilliant and while it main not catch Michael at his best it certainly catches him at his most honest. I don’t have anything bad to say about either this movie or the man himself, This Is It is a must see. It doesn’t matter if you watch in its theatrical run or on DVD/Blue Ray when released, this is amazing and his fans just have to see this. I will certainly be amongst those who buy it and watch it over and over again. This man gave his life to music and his fans and I don’t remember where I heard or read this but I do remember that someone said: “He was a gift of god, he was a kind human being who’s been mistreated by many opportunists, he’s been taken advantage of but he was the nicest person and could never harm anyone” or sometime like that. These words are very truthful and really mean something to his fans.

   Reply
3. Barbara Rose

   September 30, 2010 at 7:29 pm

   Review by Barbara Rose for Michael Jackson: This Is It
   Rating:
   I was in the movie theater and watched with awe the entire premiere of this phenomenal movie just after midnight October 28.

   THIS IS IT the Movie is extraordinary. Rarely am I so gripped by a movie that I did not want to blink! I was hoping the movie would be made available in DVD – buying this DVD is a MAJOR GIFT!

   During each rehearsal Michael Jackson was passionately hands on regarding every facet of the concert experience he was creating. The energy Michael and ALL who were involved in these rehearsals created an experience that is almost indefinable in words – it transports you with awe INTO the soul behind the creation of the music.

   The movie Director, producers, special effects, make-up, costume, musicians, the dancers who performed with Michael during these final rehearsals before his passing are all PHENOMENAL.
   
   I feel we owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to the special people who filmed the rehearsals that made this movie. What a GIFT you have given humanity!

   Michael Jackson will forever be a gift to humanity. When you see this movie you will understand why.

   {An Update} Tonight, December 3, 2009, I saw the final showing of this amazing film for the 5th time. I was just as glued to the screen as I was the first time. I never cried before for what I could only describe as a poignant ending, but I did tonight. THIS IS IT is so much more about the care Michael Jackson had for humanity, and our planet.

   He said, “I’ve always loved trees, I get upset at the mismanagement of our planet, that every minute trees the size of a football field is cut down in the Amazon rain forest… It’s up to us to fix this and we only have four years left before it’s irreversible. People say the government will fix this, “they” will fix this, “they”, they who? It’s up to us. This is it…That’s why I write these songs, to inspire people, to give them hope, I’m so glad I can give that to the world.”

   When he spoke to all of the people involved in the rehearsals he said, “This is an adventure, a great adventure. To take people places they’ve never been before, to show them talent that they’ve never seen before.”

   This precious soul named Michael Jackson leaves us with an awareness to take responsibility for the changes we must make. I feel one of the best ways we can pay tribute to him is to start planting trees in his name in honor of each person who wants to keep his memory alive.

   Each of the five times I was glued to the screen watching the movie THIS IS IT moved my heart in ways I’ve never experienced before. The loss is HUGE, but I know he’s watching, so I’d like to say, Thank You Michael Jackson for giving us a lifetime of your heart that will remain in our hearts forever.

   Reply
4. Joseph P. Menta, Jr.

   September 30, 2010 at 7:28 pm

   Review by Joseph P. Menta, Jr. for Michael Jackson: This Is It
   Rating:
   “This Is It” is likely one of the best concert films ever produced, and that’s saying something considering that the actual concerts never happened, and the limited time available to shape the ample rehearsal footage into a polished final product.

   While the film includes interviews with those associated with Michael Jackson’s planned London concerts, many snippets of creative discussions, and other “behind the scenes” activities, director Kenny Ortega wisely focuses on performance in the film. Serving that end, “This Is It” is chockful of energetic, heartfelt songs, meticulously-produced dance numbers, and other incredible elements that would have been included in the concerts, including some wonderful filmed sequences (one “co-starring” Humphrey Bogart and Rita Hayworth).

   And when Ortega chooses to include footage of performances that are interrupted (usually by perfectionist Jackson) with creative banter on how this or that song should be tweaked, or how a musician should lengthen or highlight a chord or bar of music, it’s all extremely fascinating. We see from Michael Jackson’s interaction with his musicians and producers that, despite his time away from the limelight, he was still sharp, engaged, and still very much touched by genius in the area of music and performance. Oh, and he also repeatedly came off as a gentle, nice person. And a generous one: a particularly touching scene shows Jackson urging his female back-up guitarist to step up and not be afraid to make the most of a solo moment (“this is your moment to shine!”).

   It’s also uplifting (and even a little funny) to see Jackson not being able to resist giving full-fledged, amazing rehearsal performances despite the many times he says, “Now I’m going to hold back a little and save my voice for the shows”. After one such performance (Jackson singing a wonderfully re-imagined “I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” with an enthusiastic but pretty outclassed duet partner), Jackson apologizes to the crew for again getting lost in the moment and not holding back. To which Ortega essentially tells him to not worry about it because, after all, how can Michael Jackson not help but be Michael Jackson?

   “This Is It” will be a wonderful DVD to own (I’m sure the extra features will be amazing), but I’m glad that I made the trip to see the movie on the big screen. If you can, see it that way first to get all the more impact from this entertaining, illuminating, and bittersweet farewell to Michael Jackson, both the musical icon and, more importantly, the man.

   Reply
5. Tommy Morais

   September 30, 2010 at 6:31 pm

   Review by Tommy Morais for Michael Jackson: This Is It
   Rating:
   When Michael Jackson died on June 25th 2009 it seems a part of the world died with him. It made many people sad all over the world and it seems that for once everyone was being nice to this man who had always been abused by the Medias; journalists, interviewers and others. When I heard of the “This Is It” movie concert I didn’t know what to think. I knew it was rehearsal footage from the 50 concerts he was to perform at the O2 arena but I didn’t know what was going to come out of it or what they were going to do with it. When I saw the trailers I knew I had to see this and that “This Is It” was going to be something special like I’ve never seen. And that’s precisely what I got, I even bought my ticket in advance for the movie and feel like it was much worth it.

   It amazed me how good MJ still was, the dance moves were great and fascinating to me. He was clearly the one in charge of the whole thing. He gave precise instructions of what he wanted, made sure everything was right and did everything that needed to be done. The film shows just how much Michael was respected, there were parts of it where they asked him if he wanted anything or what he thought and if he liked something, it seems no one assumed anything at all. When he talked the crew would listen and he asked things in the nicest way, never to hurt anyone. There’s not a part that doesn’t make him look like the nice guy he always was. There are mixed feelings about him after all the bad things that have been said about him but after watching this I don’t know one could possibly believe them.

   To be honest I loved every minute of it, every song was special and was great to watch. Right from the beginning of “Wanna Be Startin’Somethin'” it was amazing. No matter how many people surround him he’s always the one who does things better than anyone else and the one you’re watching. This Is It was really a unique experience, I felt they chose the right footage parts for the movie and made him look great in every sense. They could truly have messed things up but they didn’t and came out with an amazing documentary, it’s sort of a testament to his fans, it’s just very special. I really liked the Thriller 3D part, it was a 3D video shoot and afterwards you see MJ coming out onstage from a spider, the show would have looked awesome. They Don’t Care About Us was amazing, The Smooth Criminal part was very interesting, so was the Earth Song which had a beautiful video of a little girl in a forest, waking up to see that all of it has been destroyed. I won’t go further but every song had something about them.

   The stage show would have been grandiose, the fireworks, the “fireball” (quite impressive I won’t spoil anything), pyrotechnics, the videos that accompany the songs are all very impressive. This could very well have been the best show ever had he lived to perform them. In the end I was quite amazed by the 1: 48 minutes I watched, I can’t wait to see it again and the message Michael gives at the end is very inspiring. From the auditions of the brilliant performers to the credits with the “This Is It” song I was captivated.

   The said special features will feature more of the rehearsal and a two part documentary on Michael’s history and his comeback along behind the scenes. I can’t wait to see more of the rehearsal and hopefully the extras will be great and there will plenty to watch.

   It’s hard for me to describe what watching this movie was like and what I felt about it. I know this is rehearsal footage but it’s truly brilliant and while it main not catch Michael at his best it certainly catches him at his most honest. I don’t have anything bad to say about either this movie or the man himself, This Is It is a must see. It doesn’t matter if you watch in its theatrical run or on DVD/Blue Ray when released, this is amazing and his fans just have to see this. I will certainly be amongst those who buy it and watch it over and over again. This man gave his life to music and his fans and I don’t remember where I heard or read this but I do remember that someone said: “He was a gift of god, he was a kind human being who’s been mistreated by many opportunists, he’s been taken advantage of but he was the nicest person and could never harm anyone” or sometime like that. These words are very truthful and really mean something to his fans.
   

   Reply
6. D. McAllister

   September 30, 2010 at 5:34 pm

   Review by D. McAllister for Pure Country
   Rating:
   PURE COUNTRY is not so much a Country story as it is a statement about where Country Music was heading at the time the movie was made. Remember? Garth Brooks was climbing the charts faster than a chimp up a banana tree and he was doing it with what? With un-country-like special effects including bizarre light shows, pyrotechnics and smoke. Many other Country stars followed suit.

   To a purest like George Strait the rock-and-roll-ization of Country Music was tantamount to the vilest heresies. What better way to speak out against it than with a movie that depicts a Country singer who has lost his way and rediscovers his roots and his life? PURE COUNTRY makes an eloquent statement against the crossover efforts of Brooks and others while telling an enchanting story about the simplicity of the Country life. The music, as would be expected, is fabulous and the cast performances, including George Strait doing some riding and roping, are terrific too.

   As far as the statement is concerned, I agree wholeheartedly with Strait’s assessment of things. Leave the lights and noise and smoke to KISS and other groups and performers who made that type of outlandish performance famous. For me, as the movie title implies, I prefer PURE COUNTRY.

   THE HORSEMAN
   

   Reply
7. Larry C

   September 30, 2010 at 4:36 pm

   Review by Larry C for Pure Country
   Rating:
   This movie should be retitled “Pure Magic”. George Strait proves why he’s a superstar by turning in a great first time acting job as the fictitional country music star Dusty Chandler. One night after Dusty stops singing for three bars during a concert he figures out that it’s the “glitz” and not the “hits” that fans are coming to see. This rude awakening causes him to take immediate stock of himself when he begins to feel like a “dancing chicken” in a traveling road show. And so he abruptly sets out on a search to find his roots and to recapture the love and passion he once had for performing. One night by way of a drunken stuper in a cowboy bar he meets the georgeous Harley Tucker (in a scene stealing performance by Isabel Glasser) and tries to defend her honor but he can barely stand up. So after losing a fight she takes one look at that killer smile and says…..hmmmm…..I think I’ll bring this one home with me tonight. When Dusty’s manager Lula Rogers (another scene stealing performance played by Lesley Ann Warren) finaly catches up with Dusty and sees her “competition” she sabotages the budding relationship by lying to Harley. When Dusty finds out what Lula did he lays down the law and Lula repents and finds Harley and comes clean with her. Then at his Vegas show Dusty (George that is) procedes to sing to Harley one of the greatest country ballads of all time “I Cross My Heart” in a spine tingling performance that will make you want to jump up and watch the movie all over again! Don’t listen to anybody else but me. This ones a keeper!

   Reply
8. Anonymous

   September 30, 2010 at 3:56 pm

   Review by for Pure Country
   Rating:
   Without a doubt one of the best movies to feature great country music in a true country atomosphere (not like Urban Cowboy or Rhinestone), is the movie Pure Country starring George Strait, Lesley Ann Warren, and Isabel Glasser. The plot centers around the career of a country music singer by the name of Dusty Chandler played by George who gets tired of performing shows that are too extravagent and look lik a forth of July celebration with fireworks, smoke, and music so lound that nobody can hear the words. Dusty’s manager is the flirty Lula Rodgers played by Warren. When Dusty just takes a walk one night he ends up back in his old home town, one thing leads to another and the next thing you know he’s romancing a beautiful young woman named Harley Tucker (Glasser) who is struggling to keep the family ranch out of the bank’s hands. All the while Dusty tours goes on without him. Lula feeling that she has no other choice sends out a Dusty impersonator in the form of Buddy Jackson (Kyle Chandler), a member of the road crew who just happens to be her boyfriend. In the end Dusty gets his girl and he gives a great performance, just him and his guitar. The performance of “I Cross My Heart” is enough to make the anybody anybody wish that they could find a love this true. I get choked up every time and watch and I wish that it was me singing on that stage. At that point he is pretty much the luckiest person in the world. A great career and a great woman. The music this movie has to offer is, how can I say it, greater than any other movie ever made. There is something for every fan of country music, from heartbreak songs to love ballads to songs that you can’t help but dance too. If you want to watch a movie that really makes you want to fall in love watch this one and if you like country music and you haven’t seen this movie that plaease watch it, I beg of you. Buy the soundtrack too. To wrap this up buy the movie, rent it, do what you have to do. It’s the best movie I ever seen and I can’t stress that enough. The movie is clean so you can watch it with your kids, your girlfriend, your boyfriend, your spouse, watch it with anybody you want to. Trust me you’ll be doing them a favor. Thank you very much and have a good ‘un. END

   Reply
9. Ryan Burton

   September 30, 2010 at 3:19 pm

   Review by Ryan Burton for Pure Country
   Rating:
   For anyone who loves traditional country music, and who is a fan of George Strait, then you are advised to watch this very fun movie. This movie was very well made for George Strait(which was motion picture debut) as Dusty Wyatt Chandelor. As Dusty becomes more popular as a country music singer, his manager (Lesley Ann Warren) stages all his tours with smoke, strobe lights, and really loud music to where no one can even see or hear the “real” country artist. To be honest, what Strait’s character goes through is more like being in one of Garth Brooks tours which is more rock & rap than it is country. So he decides to ditch it all to go back to his small town roots, and there he falls for the lovely Harley Tucker (Isabell Glasser). A very wonderful movie that has a heart and soul. Thanks for being true to country, Mr. Strait!

   Reply
10. Ken

    September 30, 2010 at 2:59 pm

    Review by Ken for Pure Country
    Rating:
    I bought the video to Pure Country after listening to the soundtrack album. The movie is well-done. George Strait plays Dusty Chandler, a country music superstar who gets tired of the loud sound and overhyped special effects(smoke and strobe lights) in his shows. After an argument with his manager, Lula Rogers(played by Lesley Ann Warren), Dusty says to his best friend, Earl(John Doe), “I’m just gonna take me a little walk,” and he does that. He returns to his old hometown, cuts off his beard and ponytail, and tries to get back to his down-home country roots, going first to his Grandma Ivy’s house and then to the bar where he once played. After Dusty leaves town, Lula tries to keep his show going at all costs. With some important concert dates coming up, including one in Las Vegas, she hires Buddy(Kyle Chandler), a member of Dusty’s road crew, to lip-synch his songs. Most of the band members have doubts, but Lula goes ahead with the plan. The first concert date goes smoothly, and Lula justifies what she does by blaming Dusty for walking out. Lula also hires a private detective and goes off herself to find Dusty. Meanwhile, Dusty goes to a night club, where he meets the young rancher Harley, the other principal character(played by Isabel Glasser). Harley’s boyfriend gets jealous upon seeing her with another guy, and a fight starts. After breaking his rival’s nose, Dusty is knocked out in the parking lot and wakes up the next morning. He accepts Harley’s offer of breakfast and later finds himself taking roping lessons. Before too long, with the help of Harley and her brothers, he becomes a good roper, and it turns out that his skills are needed. Harley’s dad, Ernest(Rory Calhoun), is in danger of losing the ranch, and he is depending on Harley’s winning her event at a big rodeo in Las Vegas to stay afloat.I don’t want to give away too much of the plot, but it turns out to be a fairy tale in which things eventually work out well for everyone. Harley wins at the rodeo, saving her ranch. Dusty comes back, patches things up with everybody(except Buddy, whom he gets rid of after learning how much publicity Buddy’s lip-synching act has gotten) and puts on a great show in Vegas–minus the ponytail, beard and fancy costume. Lula at long last gives Dusty an emotional apology. And despite Lula’s efforts to break up his romance, Dusty gets his girl(Harley) in the end.Though George is the movie’s star, Lesley Ann Warren, in my opinion, steals the show as the crafty Lula. Lula professes to be concerned about Dusty and his band members, but everything she does(using Buddy as a stand-in, hiring a private detective, and following Dusty) shows me that she’s really in it for the money. It is only after watching Buddy’s TV interview and seeing Harley, who turns out to be Dusty’s true love, that Lula breaks down. We’re not told much about Dusty and Lula’s non-business relationship, although those who saw the movie(including myself) will see, from the barroom photo Dusty looks at, that she played in his band before he got popular and that she was his old girlfriend. John Doe’s character, Earl, also plays an important role, though it’s a minor one. He reminisces with Dusty about the old days(when they went to the carnival and watched the “dancing chicken”). He defends Dusty against Lula’s accusations that he(Dusty) walked out, and, being the loyal friend that he is, he walks out himself and follows Dusty to Harley’s ranch.Director Chris Cain and writer Rex McGee did a very good job on this film. Their failure to develop Dusty and Lula’s relationship further is the only flaw in an otherwise fine movie. The acting, though there aren’t many well-known actors, is first-rate, and George sings a lot of great tunes, including the hit “I Cross My Heart”, on an awesome soundtrack. I think, too, that George, who had never acted before except in TV commercials, does a very convincing job as Dusty. I became a George Strait fan after watching this movie. I think that even those who aren’t music fans will like it. It’s a great portrayal of country music, and it also is a good slice-of-life movie.

    Reply