American Journey Vol. 2 - Dreaming Nevada

Rating:
Summary: visually stunning
Review: A smooth and beautiful glide through Southern Nevada. I've only been to Nevada to gamble, but this rich visual journey takes in all the picturesque sights that I've only seen on postcards. It's a very relaxing DVD that takes you through the natural landscapes of The Valley of Fire and Red Rock Canyon to the fantasies of the Las Vegas Strip.

Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: Finally a DVD which celebrates the beauty of Nevada's nature (stunning landscapes) as well as the artificial beauty of Vegas. It reminds me of the Tom Wolfe book in which he elevated Las Vegas architecture of neon kitsch to a genuine art form of the American century. The surround sound music is awesome and the widescreen aerial shots of Vegas at night absolutely gorgeous. Besides the night time sections (the DVD also features daytime drive shots of the Strip), my favorite parts are Valley of Fire which truly looks like Mars, and Red Rock Canyon. The Map Movie shows you how close everything is to Vegas. Next time I'm there, I'll take day trips to those places. Also, the bonus materials include "Tribute to the Chairman" with two great songs and a singer who sounds just like Frank. Don't expect a "travelogue" / casino infomercial like almost all of the Vegas videos out there (mostly compiled of casino promotional footage). Expect a unique experience, especially for widescreen buffs like me who expect great picture quality.

Rating:
Summary: The Nevada I never knew!
Review: I expected another come-on travelogue, and was I surprised to discover Nevada through the eyes of an artist and poet. To me this DVD is a tone poem wrapped around high-impact visuals. I have played the soundtrack sans the visuals a number of times and, amazingly, it stands on its own like a CD I bought at Tower Records. The next time I go to Vegas I plan to play the soundtrack on my car stereo while I drive to Red Rock Canyon and Valley of Fire. Sweeping across Nevada on the wings of this DVD makes it l'aventure extrordinaire. I can't recommend it highly enough and I can't wait to "sweep" across other states in Mr. Zahn's fabulous phaeton!!!
I.D. Kafaloff
Sherman Oaks, CA