Rating: 
Summary: Buena Vista Social Club
Review: This film better than any other I know illustrates fulfillment--unexpected, long-despaired of, and perhaps more precious for that. Havana may be a magnificent relic crumbling into the Atlantic Ocean, but the spirits that inspire this film soar free. Aging and forgotten Cuban musicians are given an opportunity to tell their stories and to perform and record again, and their vibrant music is thereby introduced to a wildly appreciative world-wide audience. Ry Cooder is the catalyst in this story, and his pleasure in these musicians' rediscovery and unprecedented success is palpable throughout. Wim Wenders effaces his own characteristic obsessions and tells this tale through the music and the musicians. Buena Vista Social Club is joyous, uplifting, totally satisfying both narratively and musically.
Rating:
Summary: Buena Vista Social Club
Review: This film better than any other I know illustrates fulfillment--unexpected, long-despaired of, and perhaps more precious for that. Joyous, uplifting, totally satisfying both narratively and musically.
Rating: 
Summary: Highly Recommended
Review: This is a great documentary. The DVD qualities are exceptional and the colors are great. The sound is very good. The style of narration is quite engrossing especially towards the end where the serendipitious ramblings of the musicians thru NYC are juxtaposed with snippets of the Carnegie Hall concert. Some shots drift away and you are not sure why or where - like the shot where relics of Cuban communism are focused on as the singers sing about their homeland. Why? Personal highlights of the movie are the duet session between Omara and Ibrahim - the electricity and respectful tension in the recording studio are very palpable, the domino playing session between Pia and friend just before a recording session, the childlike wonderment of Pia and Ruben as NYC tourists, Omara walking the streets of Havana and harmonising with a passerby, and the decaying grandeur of Havana as a backdrop. The profile sessions of the musicians are well documented and mingles very well with musical performances either in rehersal, recording or in concert. The only problem I have with this offering is the Ry Cooder slide guitar flicks on certain songs. I am just not sure why? If ever a note sounded out of tune and place, this was it - in more ways than one. And was Cooder Jr. playing Cuban percussion instruments on some sessions? I am not really sure. I watched this three times yesterday evening after getting it in the afternoon mail. It was a long evening but well worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Pure Magic
Review: This is one of the greatest movies I have ever seen. It is timeless and priceless. I was immediately interested in this movie because I had grown to love the album of the same name. I was completely caught off guard by how much I came to truly enjoy the players and gain perspective into their lifes and dreams. This movie makes you want to get up and chase your dreams. It is a beautifully filmed tribute to music, age, friendship, and the integrated fabric of Cuban culture. It makes you laugh, and tap your toes. It is like watching 10 to 12 eighty year old Cinderellas go to the ball, and bring down the house.
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Summary: this film will inspire you to jump on the next plane to cuba
Review: this is literally one of the greatest movies i've ever seen. wim wenders is an excellent, though often overlooked, director who managed to compliment an ideal narrative with pure, optical pleasure. the films storyline reflects perfectly the sensations of the individualls involved. you will leave the film with a feeling of placidity, comfort, and radiant warmth, which one can only find through (or in this case viewing) the endeavors of maximum human achievement. also, the film communicates well the essence of cuban culture, of which american's are usually unaware. if nothing else sells you, just imagine the fun of watching cute, old men who thought the world had forgotten them play their little instruments and light up with life. it's wonderful.
Rating:
Summary: unbeleavable documantary of music
Review: I watched the movie on the plane, I cried like never before. The best of best latin musicians were literally found on the streets, gathered together by Mr. Cooper and his son-in-law in amasing ansamble of voices and players. This movie is a treasury because those voices and techniquis would have been lost. I am anxious to buy a tape and will look forward to a soundtrack.
Rating:
Summary: A TRUE GEM!
Review: Jazz lovers, and especially those who love Latin style jazz should not miss this experience. Not only is the music wonderful; the simplicity, the way in which these interesting and talented people were brought together, and the insight into contemporary Cuba, are outstanding. What a treat!
Rating:
Summary: Extraordinary musical \ documentary picture
Review: Portraits very unique philosophy of live
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully filmed, well-directed review of 50's Cuban music
Review: Nice juxtaposition of dialogue and rehearsals in Havana with live performances in Europe and Carnegie Hall by these older Cuban musicians. Although many of the good Cuban musicians and singers left in the 60's along with most of Cuba's middle and upper class, this group stayed behind and was almost forgotten. It is obvious from the film that they truly enjoyed performing again to world-wide acclaim. The scenes of downtown Havana were depressing, from the delapidated buildings to the lack of street lights at night. Artistically filmed, a moving picture, beautiful melodies.
Rating:
Summary: Worth watching it again, again, again, and again.
Review: Excelente documental sobre la musica criolla de Cuba, sus interpretes, el campo, sus vidas, sus suenos y el humor que caracteriza a estos queridos viejos personajes de la Cuba de antano.El documental no solo es un deleite visual pero un extra ordinario viaje musical por el campo cubano.La musica tradicional de Cuba, como lo es el son, la guajira, y el bolero, son acompanadas por un toque hipnotico de la guitarra "slide" de Ry Cooder y del acompanamiento percusivo del tambor Udu de su hijo Joachim. Las voces de Ibrahim Ferrer, Compay Segundo, y Eliades Ochoa, entre otros, nos perfuma con el olor a cana, ron, y tabaco de una celebracion entre viejos amigos.Excelente trabajo.
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