English Archive
Bjarte EIKE & Barokksolistene – The Alehouse Sessions – Rubicon
A playful tribute to the engaging world of 17th-century English tavern music infused with jazz and folk music elements.
Isolation (2017)
A nice little horror/thriller. Isolation (2017) Cast: Dominic Purcell, Luke Mably, Marie Avgeropoulos, Tricia Helfer, Stephen Lang Director: Shane Dax Taylor Studio: Lionsgate (6/20/17) Video: 2.35:1 for 16:9 screens, color Audio: English 5.1 DD Subtitles: English, Spanish Length: 94 min. Rating: ****1/2 This is full of highly unexpected twists, and proves that it is not […]
Solace, Blu-ray (2017)
Hopkins plays a consultant with psychic powers to solve a series of murders. Solace, Blu-ray (2017) Actors: Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Abbie Cornish, Colin Farrell, Matt Gerald Director: Afonso Poyart Studio: Lionsgate Premiere (3/14/17) Video: 2.40:1 1080p for 16:9 screens, HD color Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish Extras: Commentary […]
Manchester by the Sea, Blu-ray (2016)
A real downer of a film but worth watching, perhaps twice. Manchester by the Sea, Blu-ray (2016) Actors: Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges Director: Kenneth Lonergan Studio: The Farm/ Lionsgate [2/21/17] (2 discs) Video: 1.85:1 for 16:9 screens, 1080p color HD Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Subtitles: English SDH, Spanish Extras: Conversation […]
Curtis Stigers, vocals – One More For The Road – with The Danish Radio Big Band – Concord Jazz
Curtis Stigers – One More For The Road – with The Danish Radio Big Band – Concord Jazz CJA00011, 33:28 ***: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. (Curtis Stigers – vocals; The Danish Radio Big Band) Charles Caleb Colton, an English cleric of the 19th Century, offered the following quotation: “Imitation is the sincerest […]
“Schumann’s Enigma” = SCHUMANN: Sonata for V. and P. No. 1 in a; Sonata for V. and P. in d ‒ Svetlana Tsivinskaya, v. / Natalia Tokar, p, ‒ Blue Griffin
“Schumann’s Enigma” = SCHUMANN: Sonata for Violin and Piano No. 1 in a, Op. 105; Sonata for Violin and Piano in d, Op. 121 ‒ Svetlana Tsivinskaya, v. / Natalia Tokar, p, ‒ Blue Griffin BGR 391, 48:10 [Distr. by Albany] **1/2: Sadly, the chief enigma here is why anyone would choose to invest in […]
The 9th Life of LOUIS DRAX, Blu-ray (2017)
A thriller of a film about a child’s supposed death-defying accidents. The 9th Life of LOUIS DRAX, Blu-ray (2017) Actors: Aaron Paul, Jamie Dornan, Michael Adamthwaite, Aiden Longworth, Oliver Platt Director: Alexandre Aja Studio: Miramax/ Summit/ Lions Gate (2/7/17) Video: 2.39:1 for 16:9 screens, color HD 1080p Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD MA Subtitles: English SDH, […]
The Girl on the Train, Blu-ray (2017)
A daring thriller without the usual gun play. The Girl on the Train, Blu-ray (2017) Cast: Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux Director: Tate Taylor Studio: Universal Studios Home Ent. 61179949 (1/17/17) (2 discs) Video: 1.85:1 for 16:9 screens, color HD Audio: English DD 5.1 & 2.0, French DD 5.1, Spanish DD 5.1, […]
Star Wars, remastered – (A New Hope – IV 1977, The Empire Strikes Back – V 1980, Return of the Jedi – VI 1983), Blu-ray (2011)
The first three Star Wars films in their improved digital versions, and on Blu-ray. Star Wars, remastered – (A New Hope – IV 1977, The Empire Strikes Back – V 1980, Return of the Jedi – VI 1983), Blu-ray (2011) Cast: Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fischer, Peter Cushing, Alec Guinness, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony […]
George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Blu-ray (2016)
A classic that has been seen by millions—now in your living room. George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker, Blu-ray (2016) TCHAIKOVSKY: The Nutcracker (Live from Lincoln Center) Performers: The New York City Ballet Director: Katherine E. Brown Producer: John Goberman Studio: C Major 738704 2016 [Distr. by Naxos] Video: 16:9 HD Blu-ray Audio: PCM Stereo 2.0, DTS-HD […]
Snowden (Oliver Stone), Blu-ray (2016)
A gripping political thriller as Oliver Stone can make. Snowden (Oliver Stone), Blu-ray (2016) Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Tom Wilkinson, Zachary Quinto Director: Oliver Stone Studio: Open Road/ Universal Studios Home Ent. 55176941 (12/27/16) 2 discs Video: 2.40:1 for 16:9 screens, HD color Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1, DD 5.1 Subtitles: English […]
“UR” – Music by EVA HOLM FOOSNÆS, ODD JOHAN OVEROYE, ØYVIND JOHAN EIKSUND, MARTIN EIKESET KOREN – Eva Holm Foosnæs (cond.)/ Orchestra/Ensemble Kammerkoret Aurum – 2L
UR – Music by EVA HOLM FOOSNÆS, ODD JOHAN OVEROYE, ØYVIND JOHAN EIKSUND, MARTIN EIKESET KOREN – Eva Holm Foosnæs (cond.)/ Orchestra/Ensemble Kammerkoret Aurum – 2L -129 multichannel 5.1 SACD, 44:46 (01/06/17) ****: Another interesting release from 2L in Norway. The recordings consist exclusively of commissioned works, written by composers in affiliation with the musical community […]
Le Chienne (The Bitch), Blu-ray (1931-2016)
One of the first sound films of Jean Renoir and a realistic analysis of life of Montmartre as well as Renior’s push for naturalistic on-site audio. Le Chienne (The Bitch), Blu-ray (1931-2016) Cast: Michael Simon, Georges Flamant, Janie Marese Director: Jean Renoir Studio: Janus/Les Films du Jeudei/The Criterion Collection 818 (6/14/16) Video: 1.19:1 for 16:9 […]
The Last King, Blu-ray (2016)
A stirring medieval action film based on a true story of Norway’s past. The Last King, Blu-ray (2016) Cast: Jacob Oftebro, Kristofer Hivju Director: Niles Gaup Studio: Norwegian/Magnet/ Magnolia Home Entertainment (10/4/16) Video: for 16:9 screens, HD color Audio: Norwegian, English DTS-HD MA 5.1 Subtitles: English Extras: Interview with actor Kristofer Hivju, Music video: Bifrost, […]
CHARLES AVISON: Concerti After Scarlatti – Accademia Mandolinistica Pugliese – Digressione Music
CHARLES AVISON: Concerti After Scarlatti – Accademia Mandolinistica Pugliese – Digressione Music DCTT63, 75:05 [Distr. by Naxos] (10/28/16) ***½: (Leonardo Lospalutti, director/ Mauro Squillante; 1rst mandolin / Gaetano Ariani; 2nd mandolin / Valerio Fusillo; mandolo / Antonio Barracchia; mandocello) Charles Avison’s Scarlatti Concerti treated to an all-mandolin extravaganza. One might imagine that, when Domenico Scarlatti […]
The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), Blu-ray (2016)
A fine Spielberg-directed family film combining live action and cgi. The BFG (Big Friendly Giant), Blu-ray (2016) Actors: Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Penelope Wilton, Jemaine Clement, Rebecca Hall Director: Steven Spielberg Studio: Walt Disney Enterprises 133894 (11/29/16) Video: 2.39:1 for 16:9 screens, color HD Audio: English DTS-HD MA 5.1, French DD 5.1, Spanish DD 5.1 […]
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Sym. No. 2, “A London Symphony”; Sym. No. 8 ‒ Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orch. / Andrew Manze ‒ Onyx
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS: Symphony No. 2 in G, “A London Symphony”; Symphony No. 8 in d‒ Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orch. / Andrew Manze ‒ Onyx 4115, 75:33 (4/29/16) ****: Symphonies from the opposite ends of Vaughan Williams’ symphonic career. Interesting programming choice and fine performances. It’s interesting to note that Ralph Vaughan Williams’ first two symphonies […]
The New Age (1994/2016)
A sexy and smart 1994 comedy on La-La-Land shams and scam. The New Age (1994/2016) Cast: Judy Davis, Peter Weller, Patrick Bauchau, Adam West Director: Michael Tolkin (The Player) Studio: New Regency Enterprises/20th Century Fox [2/23/16] Video: for 16:9 screens, color Audio: English, PCM stereo No region coding No previews Length: 112 min. Rating: **** […]
MOZART: Da Ponte Operas, Blu-Ray (2016)
MOZART: Da Ponte Operas, Blu-Ray (2016) The great writer/rogue/adventurer Da Ponte deserves far better than this middling set. (Don Giovanni, The Marriage of Figaro, and Cosi fan tutte) Performers: Chorus & Orch. of the Zurich Opera House/ Juergen Flimm (Director), Soloists: Rodney Gilfrey, Cecilia Bartoli, Liliana Nikiteanu, Agnes Balta, et al. – Nikolaus Harnoncourt; Chorus Master: […]
Marian Anderson – Let Freedom Ring = Works of DONIZETTI, SCHUBERT, BRAHMS, SCHUBERT SIBELIUS & Others –
Musical and social history are well served by this historic restoration devoted to the art of Marian Anderson. Marian Anderson – Let Freedom Ring = TRAD: “America”; DONIZETTI: “Fia dunque vero…O mio Fernando” from La Favorita; SCHUBERT: Ave Maria; “Gospel Train”; “Trampin’”; BRAHMS: “Immer leiser wird mein Schlummer,” Op. 105, No. 2; “Von ewiger Liebe,” […]
GREGORY PECK Centennial Collection – To Kill a Mockingbird & Cape Fear + Extras, Blu-ray (1961 & 2/2016)
A fine remastering of one the most important films ever made. GREGORY PECK Centennial Collection – Remastering of To Kill a Mockingbird & Cape Fear + Extras, Blu-ray (1961 & 2/2016) Cast: Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Robert Mitchum, Polly Bergen, Brock Peters, Robert Duvall, Phillip Alford Studio: Universal Pictures 61181322 (10/11/16) 2 discs Directors: J. […]
A. SCARLATTI: La Gloria di Primavera – Soloists/Philharmonia Baroque Orch. & Chorale/ Nicholas McGegan – Naxos
What a shame the American continent had to wait 300 years for this wonder. ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI: La Gloria di Primavera – Performers: Diana Moore (Primavera)/ Suzana Ograjensek (Estate)/ Clint Van Der Linde (Autumno)/ Nicholas Phan (tenor)/ Douglas Williams (Giove)/ Philharmonia Baroque Orch. & Chorale/ Nicholas McGegan – Naxos Pure Audio Blu-ray PBP-09BD (5.1 surround + […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
