Roman Archive
Dragon Blade, Blu-ray (2015)
A quite different sort of Jackie Chan movie, with amazing visuals. Dragon Blade, Blu-ray (2015) Cast: Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody, Sharni Vinson Director: Daniel Lee Studio: (Chinese) Grindstone/Lionsgate Premiere (12/22/15) Video: 2.40:1 for 16:9 color 1080p HD Audio: Mandarin & English, DTS-HD MA 5.1 Subtitles: English Extras: Behind the Scenes of Dragon Blade, Music Videos, Extended interviews with cast and crew, Trailer gallery Length: 103 min. Rating: **** The accuracy of the ancient history supposedly researched by the writers of this film is far from believable. One reviewer said it only looks like they watched Gladiator a couple times and then shot it. The plot is incoherent and the position of Chan, as the leader of first the Silk Road Protection Squad and then the leader of a renegade legion of Roman soldiers, is decidedly pro-Chinese nationalism. Nevertheless, the whole thing – never mind the campy scenery-chewing – comes across as a sincere attempt to show how the 36 different tribes involved can learn to treat each other wth respect. One wonders occasionally about Hu An’s (Chan) fairly constant fighting tying in with his statements about peace with no fighting. China becoming a major motion picture market has […]
![“The Flaming Fire: Mary Queen of Scots & Her World” [TrackList follows] – Parthenia/ Ryland Angel, tenor and countertenor/ Dongsok Shin, virginal – MSR](https://www.audaud.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/PARTHENIAx.jpg)
“The Flaming Fire: Mary Queen of Scots & Her World” [TrackList follows] – Parthenia/ Ryland Angel, tenor and countertenor/ Dongsok Shin, virginal – MSR
A fine and fascinating examination of a period not always covered in its complexities.
Pompeii, Blu-ray 3D (2014)
Great EFX in 3D. Forgettable Story.
“Al Combate: Rediscovered Galant Music from Eighteenth-Century Mexico” = Works of JERUSALEM & BILLIONI – Soloists/ Chicago Arts Chorale & Orch./ Javier Jose Mendoza – Navona
Unusual repertory that is well worth hearing, coupled with sprightly performances make for an hour of real pleasure.
VIVALDI: Dixit Dominus; In furore iustissimae irae; HANDEL: Dixit Dominus; – Lucy Crowe, sop./ La Nuova Musica/ David Bates – Harmonia mundi
Two great Dixits, sung and played with fervor.
HANS ZIMMER-LISA GERRARD: Music from the Motion Picture “Gladiator” – Soloists/Lyndhurst Orchestra/Gavin Greenaway – Universal Music/ORG
Quite a movie score demo, to put it mildly. And at 45 rpm 12-inch, 2 discs.
The Eagle, Blu-ray (2011)
Quite an adventure in an environment not often seen in films, and plenty of sword-and-shield action for those who appreciate that sort of blood and thunder.
Agora (2010)
This is a wonderfully thoughtful and intelligent feature that seems head and shoulders above every Hollywood Egyptian epic.
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
