Help!
|
List Price: Our Price: $19.56 You Save: $10.42 (35%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $17.04 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Help!
Movie Review: The question of aspect ratios, neither U.S. version is correct.
Summary: 5 Stars
The issue of aspect ratios will always be a problem with films produced between 1955 & 1990. Unless they were produced in a real "widescreen" format such as Cinemascope, VistaVision, or other trademarked names, the movie is best seen in full frame 1:33-1 format.
The Beatles Films A HARD DAY'S NIGHT & HELP were shot in a British theatrical format which is inbetween 1:33-1 and 1:85-1. About 1:66-1, which means both U.S. screen formats will cut something off of the picture.
I compared the old "Full Frame" 1:33-1 release of HELP to this new "Anamorphic" 1:85-1 release. I must first say that all of the long shots benefit from the added picture to the sides on the widescreen version, and they feel better this way. However the widescreen version tends to cut off the tops of peoples heads in the close-ups and the full frame version looks better.
Overall the film looks superior in this newly re-mastered widescreen DVD, with the color correction & scratch removal. The sound has been improved also (even though Laserdiscs have better sound reproduction).
The old Criterion 2-disc Laserdisc does contain some bonus material that is not on this 2-disc DVD release. But there is also much new bonus material on this release that was not on the old 2-disc Laserdisc release.
I will keep both versions. Hopefully someday someone will release the film in it's original 1:66-1 aspect ratio and give us the full picture!
Movie Review: Four For Fun...
Summary: 5 Stars
When this movie first came out, I was 14 years old. I had seen "A Hard Day's Night" four times in the theatre, and I was determined to see this one, too ~ at least more than once.
I was not disappointed, but alas, only saw it twice ~ until the days of the VCR/DVD player ~ and what a boon to the existence of a movie buff like me!
I already had my copy of the first movie on DVD and when this one was finally offered at a reasonable price, I snatched it up!
The story itself is full of silliness and fun, as any fan of the Beatles knows...these four guys knew how to "act it out" in front of a camera, even for an older person like myself, who is now 57 years old.
Nothing like the gory, slasher movies of today, this one was just what a movie-goer looks for ~ lighthearted entertainment, nothing too heavy or melodramatic, and a few good tunes thrown into the mix, just for fun! :)
Thanks to the British Invasion of the early 60's, our music has made a definite turn for the better, not only in Pop or Rock'n'Roll, but in many other areas as well, including, some say, Classical itself.
But what ever your taste in music may be, there is no denying that the Fab Four were alot of fun to watch ~ their antics, their brotherly closeness, their music...all in fun, all for one...and four for all!
Movie Review: INCREDIBLE SOUND -- ICONIC TONIC FOR THE SOUL
Summary: 5 Stars
This terrific looking restoration with crisp surround sound is a time machine to another era.
Ringo's drums are sharp in "You're Gonna Lose That Girl" and Lennon's acoustic guitar has real presence in "You've Got To Hide Your Love Away." I liked the electricity of Harrison's Rickenbacker in "Ticket To Ride" and the heartfelt bass of Mccartney in "Another Girl." I have never heard the Beatles like this and if you have a high end home theater system, you can shut your eyes and swear they're in the room with you. After all, the music is what matters and the incredible remix of the seven original songs is stunning.
The original idea behind "Help" was to take a look at the real life of the Fab Four. But the sex and drugs made it unlikely so a ridiculous plot was formulated as an excuse to travel to the Austrian Alps and the Bahamas.
The intervening years will melt away as you sample this delightfully poignant celebration that reminds us we are indeed mortal and as the years pass some of us have already faded away. But with a little help, and a little love from our friends, the melody lingers forever and maybe that's more than enough. All we have is this moment. It's all we'll ever have.
Recommended -- for the music and the memories.
Movie Review: Beautiful restoration. Great film!
Summary: 5 Stars
I've always loved this film ever since I first saw it as a very young man in Buffalo NY.
This film has been given all the respect that it deserves with this brilliant restoration of picture and sound. I only want to see it issued in High Def.
All of cinematographer David Watkin's visuals are back with pristine glory. And there isn't a single speck on this digital transfer. This has been well worth waiting for all these years, using today's technology.
The sound might just be a point of contention to anyone who can't access DTS surround, but there is a PCM track as well. The DTS sound is just magnificent to my ears. If you have the system, you know how you are. The image fills my 46" 16 by 9 screen and looks fantastic. There is a second disc of supplemental material, which is just icing on the cake. And even the incidental music has been remixed into DTS surround stereo! That makes things much more seamless than the recent release of "A Hard Day's Night". It all feels like modern sound.
The Beatles just go on and on and it actually makes aging worth it. What would life have been without The Beatles, Walt Disney or "The Wizard Of Oz"?
Movie Review: Still Magnificent After All These Years
Summary: 5 Stars
It's 43 years since the release of this film and you almost wouldn't know it. The music is still magnificent, the plot is still hilarious, and the extras make it all the more worthwhile, even if your kids are astonished to discover that Paul McCartney was in another band before Wings.
The plot is fairly simple: Ringo is wearing a ring (which he can't seem to get off of his finger) that marks him as the next victim to be sacrificed for the sake of an obscure eastern religion. Besides being pursued by the leader and various followers of that odd group, he is being pursued by two mad scientists who want the ring because they believe its unusual properties will allow them to rule the world. In the telling of the story we're treated to all manner of aural and visual puns, social commentary, and extraordinary music that has lasted all these years without becoming an embarrassment to the memory.
It's sad to think we no longer have John Lennon and George Harrison with us in life, but I'm glad there is this beautifully preserved film along with commentary.