PET SHOP BOYS - POP ART
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Canada
Movie Reviews of PET SHOP BOYS - POP ART
Movie Review: PopArt is perfection
Summary: 5 Stars
Sure to replace the outdated VHS video collections like "Television" and the previous greatest hits companion, "Videography," "PopArt" is the ultimate collection for diehard PSB fans. Digitally remastered in both sound and picture, this represents the Pet Shop Boys at their best, leaving no visual representation of their work out of the picture (save for the new singles, "Flamboyant" and "Miracles").The commentary from the duo is excellent; the two offer witty insights into the rather dated, yet well-crafted, videos. Tracks are presented chronological via the "play all" function or can be randomized (there is nothing quite like seeing "West End girls" followed by "Se a vida e" or "New York City boy"), a feature that is both fitting and appreciated.
As I said, a few of the videos are dated, such as those representing the "Very" album, but to see the visuals that accompany the singles is a great experience. Highlights include the duet with Dusty Springfield on "What have I done to deserve this," "Paninaro '95," "Single-Bilingual," "London," "Always on my mind," and, of course, "Can you forgive her." (Though it is fair to say that every video is indeed a "highlight," and it is tough to pick out a few favorites). Indeed, some may balk at the included extended versions of "Domino dancing," "So hard," and "Go West," but these are significant works in and of themselves.
This DVD is a necessary and requisite companion for the "PopArt" CD as much as it is a requirement for any true Pet Shop Boys fan. So far, the only available version is an import from Canada (playable on all regions) but it is well worth the wait to receive this stunning work. Also included with the DVD is a companion book full of photographs representing the videos themselves, little screen shots of whatever struck their fancy.
The videos are as eclectic as the Pet Shop Boys themselves and their music, and it is truly great to have such a collection available on DVD with crystal-clear visuals and superb sound.
Movie Review: Pet Shop Boys on DVD.
Summary: 5 Stars
"PopArt" is the video anthology of Pet Shop Boys. It compiles all 38 of their videos (as well as extended versions of 3 videos) on a single DVD. When viewed from start to finish, the DVD runs for nearly three hours. While most pop acts release great singles but inferior videos, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe have crafted music clips that are just as elegant as the albums they release. "PopArt" the DVD runs the gamut of moods and flavors, from the tasteful (Bruce Weber's black-and-white "Being Boring"), the homoerotic ("Domino Dancing" and "Paninaro 95") to high-tech ("Can You Forgive Her?" and "Liberation"), to the violent ("Jealousy") and the silly ("Heart," which has an appearance by Sir Ian McKellan). Even better, the videos are remastered, featuring picture quality ranging from good to striking. The music is also presented in a full-bodied 2.0 channel surround sound. Sure, I would have liked to have seen these videos in 5.1 audio, but the 2.0 sound quality is so superior that I didn't care. You can also watch these videos individually, in random order, or in a continuous sequence. There isn't much to boast in the way of extras, although there is a running commentary by Neil, Chris, and journalist Chris Heath. These guys are very laid back and have a real ball poking fun at each other and at the videos they made. The DVD also comes with a booklet that contains production credits and various pictures of the music videos. For American listeners who can't catch all these clips on MTV, this DVD is a real treat and a must-own. One final note: "PopArt" doesn't have videos for either 2003's "Miracles" or "Flamboyant," but other than that, this covers the groups entire visual history.Movie Review: A Genuine Piece of Video 'Pop' Art
Summary: 5 Stars
The 41 musical videos put together here are FAR more then mere clips designed to sell an audio product.They all define the different periods of time in whitch the Pet Shop Boys were recording and are works of art in their own right.The earlier ones such as "Opportunities","Suberbia" and of course "West End Girls" reflect the various British 'slice of life' that the songs themselfs portrayed.And the other videos range from the topical "It's Going To Be Alright" and "It's A Sin" to the lever "What Have I Done To Deserve This" and "Left To My Own Devices.My favorites are the colorful early CG videography used for the video's from the 1993 'Very' album era,especially the cone hats worn in the fancifull "Can You Forgive Her?" video.The last 15 or so video's on this set are from albums released long after I lost interest in the Pet Shop Boys music but by the sound and look of things I should reevaluate that notion.So the facts are for any PSB fans who either need to replace or have never seen these video's then this is an obvious must have-it covers every era of their music and is highly comprehensive.And for newcomers this DVD will take you back before music video's became basically just lots of T&A and actually had some genuine thought and theatrical content to them-an era that could really use a comeback in this day and age.Movie Review: PSB best and the rest in motion
Summary: 5 Stars
How can any video collection be complete without this companion video set to their double/triple disc anthology? As if the PopArt audio set wasnt generous enough, PSB included all of the videos to the songs (except the new ones Miracles and Flamboyant) that were on the CDs as well as two extras Was it Worth it and How Can You Be Taken Seriously and three extended videos of Go West, Domino Dancing and So Hard.Two things made this DVD superb. First, the remastering of the videos. Obviously, the DVD authors have gone to great lengths to revive the color and sound of all videos especially the older ones. Most of the 80's video look as if they could have been shot any day now. The audio quality is also unrivalled. Loud and crisp with the option of hearing a 3-hour long commentary of the boys themselves. The second thing is the booklet that accompanies the disc. Very often, record companies include a pathetic piece of paper in the inlay but PSB gives you 60 pages of video images and colors.
As with the videos, they need no introduction. Each tells a story of their own and most would have fitted perfectly with what PSB had in mind at the point in time.
Was it worth it? Yes, every penny in your pocket!!!
Movie Review: Great Buy - A must
Summary: 5 Stars
Having been a PSB fan since the 80s, this dvd collection was eagerly awaited and it is not a dissapointment. It has all their videos (the hilarious Absolutely Fabulous is not here and so are their new videos for Miracles and Flambouyant), but nevertheless is a complete collection of fab clips to their wonderful music.
My personal pick of the lot is the extended versions of Domino Dancing and So Hard, which have a sweeping mini-movie feel in them. While videos Home and Dry, London seem rather plain, in the context of the songs or the album 'Release'. Derek Jarman and his pretty models fill 3 of the clips, the best of the lot being 'Being Boring '
Whats hilarious is the commentary, where they make fun of their poses, haircuts and dancing..esp 'what have i done to deserve this' The commentary is ofcourse a grand tradition of their, when they've described the songs (Alternative, Album reissues etc)
PSB were an indelible part of the 80s, who have continued to make wonderful music to lesser commercial claim in the 90s and 00s. This is a must for all their fans and curious fans alike. There is no one like them..