Rating: 
Summary: Fun & Exciting Plot Twists at "28 Barbary Lane"
Review: "More Tales of the City" is a fictional, 6-part mini-series exploring the lives of gay and straight residents of a San Francisco apartment house at the address "28 Barbary Lane". A sequel to the original "Tales of the City" 6-part mini-series which aired several years earlier, both are based upon a newspaper serial started in 1976 by Armistead Maupin, who later coverted it into a set of novels. "Tales of the City" is based upon the first novel. "More Tales of the City" is based upon the second novel and continues the lives of the characters brought to life in the first installment.Returning to the cast from the original "Tales of the City" mini-series are Olympia Dukakis as Anna Madrigal (the landlady of the 28 Barbary Lane apartment house), Laura Linney as Mary Ann Singleton (a career-minded secretary), Barbara Garrick as Deirdre 'DeDe' Ligon Halcyon Day, Bill Campbell as Dr. Jon Philip Fielding and Thomas Gibson as Beauchamp Talbot Day. Replacing former cast members are Nina Siemaszko as Mona Ramsey (searching for her identity), Paul Hopkins as Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver (searching for 'Mr. Right'), Diana Leblanc as Frances 'Frannie' Alicia Ligon Halcyon and Whip Hubley as Brian Hawkins. New to the cast are Colin Ferguson as Burke Christopher Andrew, Swoozie Kurtz as Betty Borg Ramsey and Jackie Burroghs as Mona 'Mother Mucca' Ramsey (a brothel owner). In this segment, Mona Ramsey is searching for her self identity and doing everything she can to avoid her controlling mother, Betty Ramsey. She leaves San Francisco on a bus and meets 'Mother Mucca' and agrees to work at Mother Mucca's brothel in Neveda as a receptionist. There, she discovers some startling truths about herself, Mother Mucca and Anna Madrigal. In the meantime, Beauchamp is causing problems for his secretary, Mary Ann, and his wife, DeDe, who becomes impregnated by an Asian worker. DeDe's mother, Frances, ventures off to rediscover her sexuality at an exclusive club. While searching for 'Mr. Right', Michael becomes paralyzed and it rekindles his romance with Dr. Jon Philip Fielding. Several things that happen at the end of "More Tales of the City" lead into its sequel, "Further Tales of the City". It may be true that Nina Siemaszko that Paul Hopkins don't play the roles of Mona and Michael as well as Chloe Webb and Marcus D'Amico from the original "Tales of the City", but the combination of the fun plot twists and other great acting makes "More Tales of the City" well worth watching and owning! I rate this set of DVD's 5 out of 5!
Rating:
Summary: Fun & Exciting Plot Twists at "28 Barbary Lane"
Review: "More Tales of the City" is a fictional, 6-part mini-series exploring the lives of gay and straight residents of a San Francisco apartment house at the address "28 Barbary Lane". A sequel to the original "Tales of the City" 6-part mini-series which aired several years earlier, both are based upon a newspaper serial started in 1976 by Armistead Maupin, who later coverted it into a set of novels. "Tales of the City" is based upon the first novel. "More Tales of the City" is based upon the second novel and continues the lives of the characters brought to life in the first installment. Returning to the cast from the original "Tales of the City" mini-series are Olympia Dukakis as Anna Madrigal (the landlady of the 28 Barbary Lane apartment house), Laura Linney as Mary Ann Singleton (a career-minded secretary), Barbara Garrick as Deirdre 'DeDe' Ligon Halcyon Day, Bill Campbell as Dr. Jon Philip Fielding and Thomas Gibson as Beauchamp Talbot Day. Replacing former cast members are Nina Siemaszko as Mona Ramsey (searching for her identity), Paul Hopkins as Michael 'Mouse' Tolliver (searching for 'Mr. Right'), Diana Leblanc as Frances 'Frannie' Alicia Ligon Halcyon and Whip Hubley as Brian Hawkins. New to the cast are Colin Ferguson as Burke Christopher Andrew, Swoozie Kurtz as Betty Borg Ramsey and Jackie Burroghs as Mona 'Mother Mucca' Ramsey (a brothel owner). In this segment, Mona Ramsey is searching for her self identity and doing everything she can to avoid her controlling mother, Betty Ramsey. She leaves San Francisco on a bus and meets 'Mother Mucca' and agrees to work at Mother Mucca's brothel in Neveda as a receptionist. There, she discovers some startling truths about herself, Mother Mucca and Anna Madrigal. In the meantime, Beauchamp is causing problems for his secretary, Mary Ann, and his wife, DeDe, who becomes impregnated by an Asian worker. DeDe's mother, Frances, ventures off to rediscover her sexuality at an exclusive club. While searching for 'Mr. Right', Michael becomes paralyzed and it rekindles his romance with Dr. Jon Philip Fielding. Several things that happen at the end of "More Tales of the City" lead into its sequel, "Further Tales of the City". It may be true that Nina Siemaszko that Paul Hopkins don't play the roles of Mona and Michael as well as Chloe Webb and Marcus D'Amico from the original "Tales of the City", but the combination of the fun plot twists and other great acting makes "More Tales of the City" well worth watching and owning! I rate this set of DVD's 5 out of 5!
Rating: 
Summary: More tales...
Review: ...misses the mark. The miniseries "Tales of the City" was magical and flawless; I've replayed scenes over and over again marvelling at how perfectly written, acted, photographed, and directed the movie was. "More Tales" is interesting but it's disappointing. The cast is terrific (though I miss the original Mouse and Mona), the story is great, but it's not great moviemaking. Someone needs to remake this one.
Rating:
Summary: Visiting the city
Review: A few years ago I stumbled on the Tales Of the City and fell in love with everyone. I was so disappointed when the show was over. The character development is wonderful, you start genuinely caring and "rooting" for people. The shows conclusion is perfect, and you are left to shake your head at the fact that someone can write lines so perfectly and actors can deliver them so honostly. I have missed everyone at 28 Barbary Lane, and now the fact that I can own them all, on DVD none the less, and with all these extras, all I can say is, Excellent! I recommend "Tales" to anyone who loves a great story with real characters.
Rating:
Summary: Visiting the city
Review: A few years ago I stumbled on the Tales Of the City and fell in love with everyone. I was so disappointed when the show was over. The character development is wonderful, you start genuinely caring and "rooting" for people. The shows conclusion is perfect, and you are left to shake your head at the fact that someone can write lines so perfectly and actors can deliver them so honostly. I have missed everyone at 28 Barbary Lane, and now the fact that I can own them all, on DVD none the less, and with all these extras, all I can say is, Excellent! I recommend "Tales" to anyone who loves a great story with real characters.
Rating:
Summary: GREAT STUFF AND I LIKED NINA
Review: A great series and happily able to be taped on the Showtime late night series, although I am getting the DVD for all the behind the scenes material. Contrary to one of the comments below, I think Nina Simeaszko was great. All these girls, such as she and Landon Hall, are astonishimgly beautiful. I wonder how they get their acting training. To me, the ferocity of the sex scenes is unimaginable. I suppose they do exist in real life though.
Rating:
Summary: Get "More Tales" While You Can
Review: A must have DVD for any fan of the "Tales of the City" books or mini-series...even if you do not have a DVD player yet! This DVD is hard to come by so grab a copy of it while you can. While some viewers might have some problems with the re-casting of some key roles from the original series (particularly Nina Siemasko replacing Chloe Webb as Mona Ramsey), Armistead Maupin's characters and twisting storylines make it a little easier to accept the new actors. "More Tales" also gives you a chance to see some current TV stars in very different roles -- Thomas Gibson from "Dharma & Greg" and Billy Campbell from "Once And Again." Key holdovers include Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis who, along with Maupin, provide insightful voice-over commentary on this 2-disc DVD set. An important part to any DVD (or movie) purchase is whether it holds up after repeated viewing and this certainly passes the test. Unfortunately, the original PBS "Tales" is tied up in a legal mess and unavailable on DVD for the forseeable future. Looking forward to "Further Tales" set to air in Spring 2001. It is rare these days for an author to have such creative control over a movie/mini-series project. Maupin's love for these characters (and the actors who play them) is clearly evident. Hopefully, future "Tales" DVDs will have the caring treatment that was put into this set.
Rating:
Summary: Get "More Tales" While You Can
Review: A must have DVD for any fan of the "Tales of the City" books or mini-series...even if you do not have a DVD player yet! This DVD is hard to come by so grab a copy of it while you can. While some viewers might have some problems with the re-casting of some key roles from the original series (particularly Nina Siemasko replacing Chloe Webb as Mona Ramsey), Armistead Maupin's characters and twisting storylines make it a little easier to accept the new actors. "More Tales" also gives you a chance to see some current TV stars in very different roles -- Thomas Gibson from "Dharma & Greg" and Billy Campbell from "Once And Again." Key holdovers include Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis who, along with Maupin, provide insightful voice-over commentary on this 2-disc DVD set. An important part to any DVD (or movie) purchase is whether it holds up after repeated viewing and this certainly passes the test. Unfortunately, the original PBS "Tales" is tied up in a legal mess and unavailable on DVD for the forseeable future. Looking forward to "Further Tales" set to air in Spring 2001. It is rare these days for an author to have such creative control over a movie/mini-series project. Maupin's love for these characters (and the actors who play them) is clearly evident. Hopefully, future "Tales" DVDs will have the caring treatment that was put into this set.
Rating:
Summary: Get "More Tales" While You Can
Review: A must have DVD for any fan of the "Tales of the City" books or mini-series...even if you do not have a DVD player yet! This DVD is hard to come by so grab a copy of it while you can. While some viewers might have some problems with the re-casting of some key roles from the original series (particularly Nina Siemasko replacing Chloe Webb as Mona Ramsey), Armistead Maupin's characters and twisting storylines make it a little easier to accept the new actors. "More Tales" also gives you a chance to see some current TV stars in very different roles -- Thomas Gibson from "Dharma & Greg" and Billy Campbell from "Once And Again." Key holdovers include Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis who, along with Maupin, provide insightful voice-over commentary on this 2-disc DVD set. An important part to any DVD (or movie) purchase is whether it holds up after repeated viewing and this certainly passes the test. Unfortunately, the original PBS "Tales" is tied up in a legal mess and unavailable on DVD for the forseeable future. Looking forward to "Further Tales" set to air in Spring 2001. It is rare these days for an author to have such creative control over a movie/mini-series project. Maupin's love for these characters (and the actors who play them) is clearly evident. Hopefully, future "Tales" DVDs will have the caring treatment that was put into this set.
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars All the Way!!!
Review: Absolutely one of the best films I've ever seen. With a few minor cast changes from the original series, the new "Michael" is much better than the old one, and Jackie Burroughs as Mother Mucca gives one of the best performances I've ever seen. One of the only things I didn't really get used to is the new Mona (Chloe Webb in the original version seemed to be much better). Great story line, if somewhat far-fetched at times, but nonetheless, very entertaining. This is one of the few 6 part DVD's that I wanted to watch the whole thing once it got started!
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