Further Tales of the City.
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Movie Reviews of Further Tales of the City.
Movie Review: The newspaper, the books and the TV show
Summary: 5 Stars
When you think that Tales of the City led to national outrage in the US when it first aired on PBS in 1994, you almost don't believe it. Much has changed since then and part of that change must be credited to Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City; indeed, it paved the way for Ellen, for Will & Grace, for Queer as Folk, the L Word, Six Feet Under... you name it.
When you read the books, you become a prisoner of Armistead's wit and you can't stop reading. The short chapter structure, inherited from its daily serial early life in the San Francisco Chronicle, makes these books the perfect companion for short underground (subway) or bus journeys. The only problem is that as soon as you're done reading one chapter, you simply want to read further. With the exception of a few "one night stands", characters in the Tales are recurrent and they come and go into the lives of the main characters in such way that the only omnipresent and omniscient person is the reader. This helplessness of the characters and the inevitability of what you suspect is going to happen keeps you reading.
The TV series shares these exact same characteristics except that each episode (lasting for about 1,5 h) keeps you seated in front of your screen while you follow the lives of those living at 28 Barbary Lane.
Forget your prejudices. The Tales are actually about sharing your life with others and being good. It's about friendship and being open to it in the most unlikely places.
Further Tales of the City is the 3rd DVD of this most watchable TV series.
Movie Review: Stunning! Does Justice to Great Book! 10 Stars!
Summary: 5 Stars
"Further Tales of the City" continues in the fine tradition established by the first two dramatizations of Maupin's works. We can only hope for the last 3 books (and maybe "Maybe the Moon" as well??)Fortunately, the lion's share of actors from "More Tales of the City" continues into part three. It is critically important that Mary Ann and Anna Madrigal have been played throughout by the same fine actors, and it is a great bonus that Dee Dee has also had one performer. Her look in part three is quite a change from pts. 1-2; this woman has seen great changes in her life, and has weathered them well. The experience shows.
Other important actors (especially Bryan, Michael, and Mother Mucca) continue from part two.
It is amazing how much of the plot of the book, and how much of the actual language, has been able to be incorporated into this new series. The major substantive change was the incorporation of Mother Mucca (who appears only in book 2) and a whole new subplot into Further Tales. The major deletion was the "gay bashing" of Bryan and Michael, and the shifting of the wedding scene. None of this does violence to the original plot, and none will interfere into devoutly-desired future sequels, and they add richnesses of their own.
I am a veteran of many readings of the books, and of frequent viewings of "Tales" and "More Tales", will certainly watch "Further Tales" repeatedly.
Do get this and watch it! And those of you who have produced this gem, please continue the good work!
Movie Review: A wonderful miniseries in an excellent DVD set!
Summary: 5 Stars
Further Tales Of The City continues on with the tradition of the 2 previous mini-series - wonderful characters and amazing storylines. To be truthful though the whole Jim Jones storyline didn't quite gel with me - I thought it could have been handled a little better. But what makes this series stand out is the way the subtle changes between the 70's and 80's are illustrated. Further Tales is set in that transition period from loving and caring attitudes towards each other to the greed and emotional corruption of the 80's. Great to see the character of Mother Mucca back as well - one of the best characters TV has ever seen! This series has been lovingly created and it shows. The characters are all magically relatable in their way, though I did miss Mona.
A special mention needs to be made of the DVD - a whole disc packed with an outstanding set of extras. From interviews, to behind the scenes footage, and much more besides - you really get a indepth look at the making of the miniseries - all TV shows should be released on DVD like this!
Hopefully there will be 'Even Further Tales' for us to enjoy in the future....
Movie Review: Great DVD, but incorrect version sent
Summary: 5 Stars
Now, I love the Tales of the City series of books, and the DVDs are almost better. Further Tales of the City volume 2 is much darker than the previous episodes -- with more sexuality and less character. But still it was great to see another episode.
What spoiled it, though, was the DVD I got was completely without any booklet. There had been one in previous episodes, so that was disappointing. But the worst thing was that the default subtitles were French and were on by default. So you had to actually switch them off. And also, not that it matters much, but there seems to be no English subtitles -- at least not when I checked.
Was despatched from Germany rather than the US, so that could be why. But hey, I ordered it from the US so why isn't it a US English version? Very strange.
However, it was great to see more Tales of the City. I only wish the other books were made into TV series too. Please, Armistead? :)
Movie Review: 28 Barbary Lane welcomes a bigger family.
Summary: 5 Stars
The brilliant thing about the 'Tales of the city' translations to film, is that so many more people can lose themselves into the magnificent soap opera that is the lives of the tenents and family of the beguiling Anna Madrigal.
I've read all the books and, so far, the films have been pretty true to them.
My partner never reads,so I could never really talk about the books with him.
Well, at least I can now, (sort of).
I really hope that the next 3 books will be made into film too.
I suspect that if anyone is reading this, they are already a Maupin fan.
In the previous film, only 1 criticism, Pity we didn't get to see Beauchamp expire in more vivid detail. Whoever played him did it so well, I hated him as much as I did in the book!