DVD Reviews

Carlos Santana- Blues at Montreux- Buddy Guy:
There is no more energetic blues performer alive today than Buddy Guy. His magnificent blues guitar, as well as his unparalleled showmanship is a joy to listen to and watch. The intensity really picks up when he concludes with a soaring blues jam with Carlos Santana. Yikes, there goes the roof.
Recommended

Flight of the Conchords, Season 1:
I only made it through the first disc of this series. Though the Conchcords make clever, funny music, it doesn’t seem to be enough to drive a television series- at least, not enough to motivate me to watch more than the first five episodes.
Not recommended, but listen to their music.

Young at Heart:
Thoroughly enjoyable documentary about an adult chorus whose member’s average age is in the 80’s. Very uplifting and moving.
Recommended

Iron Man:
Entertaining with a good choice of casting Robert Downey, Jr. in the lead role. It’s obvious that sequels are to follow.
Recommended

Angel’s Wing:
French drama about a sickly young aristocrat who becomes a crack fighter pilot in World War I. The acting is mediocre and the story depressing, considering the lead character aims to prove his worthiness by becoming a hired killer for the state.
Not recommended

Standard Operating Procedure:
Excellent documentary that examines the US crimes of torture and abuse at Abu Ghraib prison in Iraq. It provides insight into just how degenerate many members of the US military are and how power over others brings out the worst in humanity.
Recommended

The Story of Qui Ju:
Chinese drama about a young wife who seeks justice from the state after a local bureaucrat physically abuses her husband. It’s hard to have sympathy for her plight, however, as her task seems petty after refusing several acceptable judgments.
Not recommended

Two Men Went To War:
True story about two British army dentists in 1942. Not satisfied by their assigned positions in the war effort, the two men sneak across the English Channel to France to take on the occupying Germans by themselves. Very enjoyable and outright hysterical at times.
Recommended

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull:
Typical action packed, whiz bang, Indiana Jones movie entertainment. Harrison Ford can still play the part.
Recommended

A Tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughn:
A 1995 tribute to SRV on Austin City Limits hosted by big brother Jimmie. A great lineup of blues greats play homage to one of the premier guitarists in blues and rock music. Dang, he’s missed.
Recommeded

Steep:
Brilliantly filmed documentary about extreme mountain skiing. What a great bunch of rugged individualists/kooks (depending on your perspective). The method used to film these incredible performers is just as extreme as their sport/art.
Recommended

War, Inc.
Satire about the “corporatizing” of war. You’ll notice many similarities with what has been going on for the last 5+ years in Iraq. Ben Kingsley is particularly entertaining.
Recommended