Rating: Summary: Madonna: Truth Or Dare Review: The ultimate dare is to tell the truth. That's exactly what Madonna dared to do when she signed new director Alek Kishian to follow her and her crew around the world on her 1990 Blonde Ambition Tour. You get to see everything, because basically Madonna had nothing to hide. The viewer gets to see Madonna mouth off with her technical crew, a visit to the throat doctor, her fights with then boyfriend Warren Beatty, how she almost got arrested for a stimulated masturbation scene on-stage for her hit "Like A Virgin," and just hanging out with her friends. This film shows everything. Being a Madonna fan, I loved this movie. Not just because it was about Madonna, but because it was bold, daring, and original considering it was released in 1991. I've never seen a movie like this, and being a movie nut, I liked it because it was different. Every scene is interesting. The film is serious, touching, and at times comical. My favorite part was when Madonna was in bed with her dancers and her backup singers Nicki Harris and Donna Delory. This is a very comical scene... Along with this great movie you get to see a few numbers from the Blonde Ambition Tour. Full numbers include: "Express Yourself," "Like A Virgin," "Vogue," and "Keep It Together." Snippets include: "Oh Father," "Live To Tell," "Like A Prayer," and "Causing A Commotion." Overall, this is an awesome movie. Every Madonna fan should see this. Even non fans will enjoy. Movie buffs especially will love this!...
Rating: Summary: great doc Review: In my opinion this is one of the best documentaries I have everseen. Outstanding because it's different from a regular one since it'sa Madonna documentary. Its style is so cured, and it looks great. Leaving out the question if it's the complete real life we see here, it's very interesting to see what exactly goes on behind the scenes of a big-scale world tour (of Madonna nonetheless), footage of mis-performances caused by bad weather or technicalities, preparations and what the people do before and after these shows. They have lots of fun, work hard, fool around... Madonna behaves very naughty and uses the 'f' word a whole lot. Keep in mind to be in and create this kind of shows must keep her (all) under a lot of strees, so the behavior of everyone involved is not automatically their regular. The live performances in color look awesome as well as the sound! In particular the performance of 'Express Yourself' here is amazing, though I doubt in real life the sound and picture quality was the same, beacuse if you had the chance to see the (Grammy-winning) taping on laser disc of the 'Blond Ambition Tour' it looks very different (even when you keep in mind no performance is the same); I also think the redention of 'Like a Virgin' in a mid-orient style is great, it gives me the chills right from the start and is absolutely fabulous. The sleeve of the tape I bought in NY in 1996 says there are new performances of 'Like A Prayer' and 'Hanky Panky', but there is none! And to make it even worse, it was recorded in EP! (Why do they use it for original recordings is beyond me). Thank God I already had an english tape and the quality is perfect. The whole movie is great and the use of the music in the background while things happen (improvised press conferences...) is too. Like when she goes to her mother's grave and lies next to her you hear 'Promise to Try' and it makes me so sad (for her too-she lost her mother when she was very young). So what if she behaves like she does? The meaning of life is not of go to work, then go home and go to sleep, she has fun and a great time and she deserves it, we all do. Life is too short and if she decides to live it that way I'm happy for her. I love this movie!
Rating: Summary: Great Classic Madonna, a keeper! Review: This is Madonna at her best. Anyone who has growen up with her music will appreciate this movie. I watch it every so often and not only does it bring back happy times, it's an excellent documentry of what it's like t be rich and very famous. Even if you don't have a liking for Madonna, I find it hard to beleive that you would not at least have a better respect for her after watching this DVD. This will always be on the living room DVD case!
Rating: Summary: Spectacular and intriguing Review: As with everything Madonna does, it sets out to be thought-provoking and honest. This documentary is an insight into the world of Madonna on the road and in between, looking at other aspects of her life and personality. It shows her as a brazen and self absorbed personality, as with all great performers, but you also get to see a very vunerable human behind this exterior. It's a great idea, especially for an artist such as Madonna, because she's a very interesting artist and performer. She may come across as self-indulgent and narcisstic, but she's every bit a stunning and talented performer. Madonna is often complex and often contradictory, I think she had a lot of irony in mind when the concept of this documentary was thought up, but it shows Madonna at her very peak as an artist, a decade where she wasn't afraid to say and do what she pleased. It's essential for every Madonna fan and for any casual fan interested in knowing more and observing her as a performer and personality.
Rating: Summary: What's up with the sound? Review: Being a huge Madonna fan, once I finally got my DVD player and figured out how to play Region 1 DVDs (I live in Europe), Truth or Dare was my first Region 1 purchase. I hadn't seen the film for a few years - my VHS copy had seen better days, especially the songs, so it was with great anticipation that I waited for the DVD to arrive. And ... well, it's ok. The film itself is still as good as I remember it being, but I have to say I'm a more than a little disappointed with the transfer. Another reviewer mentioned the grainy b&w footage, but it was shot that way. My problem is that, in certain sections, the dialogue doesn't match the mouths. It's a little strange, and more than a little annoying. Why is this?! Other than that, a fantastic film. Watching her entourage suck up to her is cringeworthy. Watching the concert footage from the Blond Ambition tour is just amazing. And another bonus for someone living in Europe is that the film plays at the proper speed. The European version, In Bed With Madonna, ran a little faster, meaning that when she spoke her voice took on a helium-like effect, and the songs zipped by super fast. This is great. So, that's all. The film is worth 5 stars, but because of the bad transfer and lack of extras (2 crummy trailers - one with bad sound), I'll only give it 4.
Rating: Summary: Inside Look at 1990's Madonna Review: This movie/documentary is a combination of 1) black and white backstage footage of Madonna and her crew and 2) colorful concert footage. If you are a Madonna fan, this movie is worth having just for the great concert footage, especially because the Blonde Ambition tour footage has not been widely released. I also appreciated the backstage footage. I was surprised at how candid Madonna was at times regarding problems with her show- whether it was content or technical problems. I found it interesting that Madonna's main concern was "Did you like my show?" She is always the consummate entertainer. This movie is an interesting look at a multi-faceted and colorful performer- on and off stage.
Rating: Summary: The best documentary I've ever seen!!!! Review: NOTE: For TRUE Madonna fans only.I really enjoyed watching this. I'm a BIG Madonna fan. TRUTH OR DARE revolves around her "BLONDE AMBITION TOUR"-her difficulties before the show, during the show, after the show, etc. All the movie is shown in black & white except for her performances ("Express Yourself", "Oh Father", "Like a Virgin", "holiday", "Live To Tell", "Vogue", "Causing a Commotion" and "Family Affair"). Of course, TRUTH OR DARE shows Madonna's goodtimes with Donna, Nikki, and all her dancers. She calls them all her family. OK. I don't think I should give away anymore. Overall the movie is great. Madonna is wonderful and she still is. If you're Madonna fan, BUY THIS. She is a Goddess and the Queen of Pop. WE LOVE YOU MADONNA!!!!!
Rating: Summary: Neat Review: The documentary itself is very good. I like that only the performances were shot in color. Madonna's life is quite active so this was never boring. However, I think if Madonna watched this film today she'd be ashamed of the attention whore she was (or perhaps she still is). A lot of this seemed like Madonna was constantly aware of the cameras rolling. Even her visit to her mother's grave seemed "Hollywood" (there was even a soundtrack playing to it). The only really human moment was when Madonna was asked who the love of her life was. In case you want to know: "Sean".
Rating: Summary: Embarrassing Review: It's a good thing Madonna has so many sheep-like fans who pay for her to live in her own fantasy world where she is important. An hour and a half of self-delusion is enough for even the most rabid fan. The gay dancer isn't even in the 'human being' category, humans have backbones if I remember my biology correctly. With over the top stage performances with the males wearing the traffic cone bras, to seeing guys French kiss each other, this has it all. Sure Madonna flashes the camera, but only after she announces that her father used to get in bed with her at night and have sex. The last five minutes is a tribute of hilarity. Madonna is walking around in seclusion as a narrator announces how 'deep' and 'how dedicated to her art' she is. This was nothing more than Madonna pumping up her ego. The parody was better, check out Julie Brown's 'Medusa'.
Rating: Summary: good Review: Wow you would have ever thought so much drama could be caused on tour. It wasn't done by Madonna but the dancers. I wished they'd stop having hissy fits at eachother so I could enjoy Madonna more.
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