Rating: Summary: Great, but why did they change it? Review: I loved this movie, and I own a copy of the VHS from '84. I preordered the DVD as soon as I found out it was available. Overall the DVD is great, but it was modified from the VHS original, overdubbing words of at least one song (e.g. Genius of Love), and relegating two songs (Cities, Big Business/I Zimbra) to bonus tracks instead of keeping them as integral parts of the movie. I feel that it broke up the flow somewhat, but that may be because I am so familar with the original. Other than those two minor complaints, it is still one of the greatest concert movies ever made.
Rating: Summary: The Acme of Concert Videos Review: This is one of the best concert films that I've ever seen. The Talking Heads alone would make a great concert. The exceptional direction and editing of the film by Johnathan Demme make this an outstanding effort. It played in the theaters forever in its intial release, with good reason. Also some of the best renditions of the bands hits that you'll hear.
Rating: Summary: Hands Down The Best Rock Film Ever! Review: Up until its recent rerelease, I had been searching for a copy of the film to see if it was truly the epic masterpiece everyone had made it out to be. One could imagine the thrill I had upon hearing about the rerelease with enhanced sound and picture. After viewing the film initially, an epic masterpiece was an understatement. This film is monumental! The energy never diminishes from David Byrne's opening solo rendition of "Psycho Killer" up until the ending number "Crosseyed and Painless". It didn't stop the crowd from dancing in the aisles at the end. I was very impressed with the rhythm elements in all the songs....there was never a moment where my foot wasn't tapping. And don't forget Jonathan Demme's brilliant camera work, as complemented by David Byrne's artistic use of lighting, shadows and color as conceived for the stage. I was mesmorized by the creativity involved not only in the songs, but with the solos as well. Bernie Worrell and Jerry Harrison have the keyboards sounding like no other, and Alex Weir and Byrne had fascinating rhythm elements as well. I would HIGHLY recommend you purchase this VHS/DVD. I truly see why this is the best rock film ever, and I believe you will as well.
Rating: Summary: Poor video quality Review: I agree w/ most of the other reviewers about this movie as a whole & the audio quality. However, I was disappointed in the video quality. The DVD transfer is very grainy, the black levels are washed-out, & the source master has quite a lot of scratches. I can even clearly see the end-of-reel markers! Heads fans will still enjoy this DVD, but I wanted to warn you about the picture quality.
Rating: Summary: Best Sounding Music in your collection Review: 5 Stars is not an exaggeration. At one point in the commentary audio, David Byrne described his performance as an aerobic workout. It certainly is as it has me dancing now just as it did when I saw these shows live. The remastered soundtrack truly conveys the awesome energy this band musters. I recommend this DVD without hesitation as it will be the best sounding disc in your collection. As for the music 15 years later: it's not as dated as some of the Heads' contemporaries. This is due partly to the band's energy and mostly to the imagery of Byrne's lyrics. You won't regret spending the money on this disc since it will bring you right into the first row of the concert hall where nowadays tickets run $50 - $65. A must for anyone who saw the Heads during that tour!
Rating: Summary: A bargain at twice the price! Review: Being a Talking Heads fan since the early '80s and having seen this movie when it first came out in theaters back in '84, I needed no convincing to buy the DVD. After fifteen years, I found David Byrne's "character" (as he calls himself on the audio track #4 commentary) just as fresh and motivating. Tina Weymouth's (lead guitarist) rendition of the Tom-Tom Club with Chris Franz (drummer) is a great twist in the non-stop rhythm throughout the entire movie. The energy and excitement displayed by all seven performers compels you to get up and dance in front of your television. Some of the other reviewers of this DVD felt the "tacking on" of the two additional tracks from the original movie and that some of the drummer's bass notes being inaccurate were objectionable to some degree; however, since I have had only the nine song track CD of Stop Making Sense, this full length DVD version is a very welcome and a well remastered concert from fifteen years ago. Buy this DVD for keeps!
Rating: Summary: powerful, artistic, physical music Review: As others have already written, it's a shame that two of the original tracks from the movie have been kept here only as "bonus tracks" (and obviously not remastered for DVD), but the rest of the songs have been freshened up. This is the best way to experience the Talking Heads -- as they themselves point out, their music is very physical in nature, and it rounds out the whole experience to be able to see them interpreting it visually as they perform. Not only is it great to dance to, but my 3-month-old daughter is fascinated by it!
Rating: Summary: Should be included with all DVD players! Review: This film is an incredible document, remixed and remastered with 3 different audio mixes and commentary from band members. The sound will blow you away. It is amazing how good this band was live, and this film puts you in the front row center. By far the best DVD in my collection!
Rating: Summary: A GREAT SHOW THATS ALSO A CONCERT! Review: I HAD SEEN THIS CONCERT LIVE AND THIS VIDEO REPRODUCED THAT SAME SENSATION I HAD WHEN I SAW THE SHOW LIVE. I AM HOOKED UP TO A DOLBY DIGITAL SYSTEM.IF YOU TO HAVE A DOLBY DIGITAL SYSTEM I GUARANTEE IT WILL BLOW YOU AWAY. BEST TO WATCH THE ENTIRE CONCERT AT ONE SITTING.DIFFERENT MUSCIANS COME ON ONE AT A TIME. DAVID BYRNES GETS BETTER AS THE SHOW GOES ON. ENJOY BECAUSE THERES NO BETTER CONCERT DVD AT THIS TIME.
Rating: Summary: Same as it ever was, only better... Review: After 15 years of playing my old VHS copy, I am glad to have the newly remastered version of Stop Making Sense on DVD. The new 5.1 theatrical mix is sonically superior to the old version, although some effects and performances were changed, probably to account for the changes in audio technology, in that the old version probably played in mono in most theatres. The audio commentary is insightful, even though all participants recorded their words separately. The only flaw I saw (or rather, heard) was Eric "E.T." Thorngren's 5.1 studio mix; I was hoping for a studio mix without any audience sound, and I was shock at how flat the bass response was compared to the 5.1 and 2.0 mixes by the film's theatrical sound mixer. At least he did not resort to the excessive Linn drum samples prevolent on Chris Franz's drumming on the CD versions. After years of watching the extra songs "Cities" and "Big Business/I Zimbra" incorporated in the first video release, I was a bit disappointed that they were not again included as an expansion of the feature film, but tacked on at the end. Minor flaws such as these prevent me from going to 5 stars, but even so, I will still be watching this movie for another 15 years or more!
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