Rating: 
Summary: Deleted Scenes - Mike and Page
Review: Let's get the negatives out of the way. Yes, Trey gets most of the camera time. I've heard it was just because he was more accessable during the filming. Why then do we find extra footage of Mike and Page in the deleted scenes? Oh well. Don't worry about the quality of the sound...it's fine. Critics are most likely audio geeks (just kidding - we all appreciate the tapers). But seriously, the average fan will enjoy it just fine. My experience watching it for the first time was very positive. I joined the scene in 94-95, and the footage caught on the film (97-98) just captures a great year with the band - not some defining moment or their best concert ever - just some good times and good tunes with some insight into what goes into their creative process. That's good enough for me. Why argue if it should have been shot during different dates, if it should have had a different song list or something petty like that? If you enjoy the scene, you'll appreciate the film. If you are curious about Phish, don't expect this film to reveal some universal truth that IS the band. It's a "year in the life" sort of documentary, not a history of the band. Good job Todd, look forward to seeing more.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Band, Amazing Music, Good Movie
Review: I will begin by saying that if you are reading this, you probably are a phan. Phish music is unmistakable, undeniably fantastic; their ability to execute both technically astounding and fun music is well reknowned enough to continue with little mention of it. The disc is full of music, all good. One of the best scenes features the band developing the song "Birds Of A Feather" into what ended up on the recording "The Story of the Ghost". There isn't alot of focus on the process, though, since it's mostly live performances in Europe and the East coast of the U.S. My interest is in the personalities, and there are some tantalizing scenes featuring backstage antics. One of the most fascinating things about the band is that they almost transform when they go on stage. Their off-stage demeanor is somehow completely different and during downtime Trey doesn't resemble the man on stage with the guitar- at all. When being interviewed, The group's frontman is depicted as a defensive 17 year old explaining why he's so minunderstood. Between musical feats of magic and rehersals, He's shown setting up pranks (which seem as improvised as anything the band does) and executing them with childlike glee. A scene in Spain in which Trey buys a bullwhip and proceeds to crack it after a few steps out the door is supremely telling. ...Or is it? Honestly, there is no way to tell anything concrete from the band as the interview/candid segments are few and far between, and approximately half of all screen time is given to Mr. Anastasio. I think the director lack of familiarity with the band ultimately creates the feel of The Stillwater T-shirt from Almost Famous; one guy is in focus and the rest are blurry and faded. The disc is surely lacking footage of the man Page McConnell calls "the funniest guy in the band"- Mike Gordon. As an addendum, I must say that the deleted scenes are some of the best- the two that focus more on Gordon are both interesting and hilarious. God knows why they were deleted.
Rating:
Summary: better than i expected
Review: when i first got this, i didn't have any clue of what to expect, except that it was abo0ut phish. i was in for a big surprise. this is really a great movie. the concert footage is great, and the scenes at the great went are really cool. i'd have to say my favorite scene though is when trey and mike are in the gun shop. i laugh my ass off everytime i watch that scene. i do wish they showed more of fish, but they really didn't focus on trey as much as everybody says, although he really is the main focus. buy this if you're a fan, buy it if you're not. its great no matter what.
Rating:
Summary: The story of a very good DVD!!
Review: This is an excellent DVD although I must say I was slightly disappointed because it was so short. There are a lot of highlights though like when Trey goes gun shopping in Barcelona. That was hilarious! There is a lot of conert footage that is cool too. Highlights include hearing: "Roses Are Free", "Waste", "Wilson" and all the additional stuff on the DVD ("Punch You In The Eye" ect.) are amazing. This video in my opinion focuses a bit too much on Trey Anastasio and I wish there was more of the other 3 members. I can tell that Fishman is a funny guy and would have liked to have seen more of him. Todd Phillips, who directed "Road Trip" is someone who knows what he's doing so maybe everyone else was burned out and didn't want to be in the spotlight. Heck, Trey pretty much banged out "Farmhouse" by himself so its probably good that Phish is taking a break from touring this year. Like other reviewers, this movie brought back memories from seeing the band live and hopefully Phish hasn't taken the stage for the last time.
Rating:
Summary: Not what I expected, but that's not a bad thing.
Review: It's obvious that this film neglected a great portion of the vast and varied types of "phish fans," but it would be impossible to display them all in 84 minutes, especially since the film is actually about the band itself. The filmmakers overlooked, much to my chagrin, the sober fans who are often shunned among the "phan" community simply because of a personal choice. Nevertheless, the film acheives what it set out to (with a few slight shortcomings). Some have been disappointed by the prevelance of Trey in the film and the seeming disregard of Page, Mike, and Fish. This "problem" is addressed in the interview with Todd Phillips. It turns out that Trey was, as we all know, more outgoing and willing to be on camera and participate with the producers and director. Though Fish will easily expose his body to thousands of people, he's not one for gratuitous verbal exposition. Page just likes to sit in his own little corner and do his own thing. Mike seems to have some self-esteem issues. These all impede the complete portrayal of the band's personal lives. Personally, I watched this film for no reason other than the music. As a bonus, I received: insight into Trey's humanity and difficult blend of sensibility and idealism; some spontaneous and completely genuine laughs; a brief peek at what goes on backstage; the knowledge of how Trey honestly feels about music in general and the music that he creates; and so much more. With all of this though, the film would only appeal to persons who are already fans of Phish. It is when Trey goes into exmination of modern music culture (in his SUV, after reading the concert reviews) and of the familiar underdog and hopeless dreamer (on the golf cart, just before the final concert footage), that the film reaches beyond the parameters of Phishdom. These sentiments are so commonly felt by everyone, especially those who express themselves artistically, that they can affect the most avid fan of popular music, breaking through the illusive barriers of arrogance and disdain.
Rating: 
Summary: It's not THAT bad.
Review: I love Phish and I was excited to see a movie capturing the behind the scenes mayhem and what not. I was not pleased to find out that it mainly consists of Trey's thoughts on the band, Trey's playing, and pretty much all things Trey. It really looks like the other band members were not really into the whole documentary thing and sort of retreated to the background thus forcing the director to focus on the frontman, Trey. There is some great concert footage, and it is understandable why there are only clips, the movie would just be way too long. The full length songs are a definite bonus. I do have one major problem, the sound on the live concert portions of the movie seems really muddy, there is some weird compression going on, I can't tell if it is my system or the DVD, i suspect the latter. Another problem, the 'phans' they chose to film REALLY brings this movie down. It doesn't speak to highly of us REAL fans or the band for that matter. I mean what the hell do I care about some drunk and high kids talking about random stuff, or an annoying hippie chick sucking on a nitrous balloon on the verge of passing out. Oh, but my favorite part was the five minutes devoted to a bunch of ugly naked people. Now I'm not that shallow, but there is just some things that I don't need to see....I think some of you will understand. Overall is is a good DVD, you might find yourself getting a little annoyed by Trey, but other than that it is enjoyable. Get it if you are a true fan of these guys, if you are on the fence borrow your friends copy. Not a must have, but solid.
Rating:
Summary: Impressive
Review: This dvd is one of the best music documentaries ive ever seen. i was throughly impressed w/ the concert footage. The insight from all the members was excellent too. i really enjoyed all the trey interviews. His remdemtion of sleep was sub par, but he still delivers a good performance w/o giving away that he messed up. The wilson track is unbelievable. this is a must for any fans. my only complaint is that they should of showed more concert footage of the "great went", instead of interviewing fans. i did the like the scene where a fan approaches trey at the great went. she almost passes out in mid conversation. as stated earlier this is a must for all phish phans.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good
Review: Bittersweet Motel is a great DVD that documents the life of the musical group Phish. Rolling Stone Magazine called Phish, "The Most Important Band of the 90's", and this DVD shows you why they are called that. I would give this DVD 5 stars but the DVD seems to focus on guitarist, Trey Anastasio, a bit too much. I would have liked to see more of Mike Gordon, John Fishman, and Page McConnell. I also would have like to see more concert footage. The DVD offers some great scenes too, my favorite being Trey buying the whip in Spain. If you like Phish, buy this DVD.
Rating:
Summary: This is great
Review: Hey-
went I saw this DVD, I became a convert to Phishism. I am now a hardcore- Phishhead, and it was because of this. So, Amazon reviewer, this can and has gained new listners.
This was great. The movie was really interesting and had some sick live footage. I thought the Great Went piece was spectalular, especially since you could have made the whole movie about just that. Awesome, awesome, awesome. I love Phish.
Rating:
Summary: Fun Movie!
Review: This video is very fun to watch. Sit back and listen to the rockstars express their feelings about there musical career. It made me laugh many times troughout and I found it very enjoyable. The Madison Square Garden shots were great and I can't wait to be there on New Year's 2003!!!
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