First of all, understand that I am not reviewing the DVD, as it has not yet been released. I saw this film in the Good Old movie theatre, right on the second row. KB2 is definitely a different animal from KB1, as the martial arts action is not as predominant (except for a few key scenes), and there is more character development. A large chunk of the film concerns the back-story, or what happened prior to the beginning of KB1. Tarrantino flips back and forth in time, but this never slows the flow of the basic plotline. The episode featuring Michael Madsen is by far the most entertaining, and his comeuppance is quite grisly indeed. Dialogue is superb and oftentimes hilarious, with Gordon Liu getting off some really choice lines; in fact, he is one of the best things about this film. Don't be put off by some reviewers, who have stated that the film is boring, compared to KB1. This is like comparing apples and oranges (they both taste good). All Tarrantino fans should love this film, it delivers all of his trademark style and eccentricities.

I must confess that I am one of the few people on the planet who has enjoyed every single one of Mr. Rundrgren's albums in the past 10 years. The sole exception would be "With a Twist", which I didn't buy and have never listened to, because "remixed" or "re-arranged" compositions bore me (are you listening, George Lucas?). That being said, I can heartily recommend "Liars", Todd's latest offering, as his best work since "New World Order", which I thought was his best work since, well, "Hermit of Mink Hollow". (Many Todd fans didn't like NWO, probably because of its format; that was exactly the reason that I did like it, but then I'm funny that way, I like new concepts) But I digress. Every song on this CD is unique, in terms of rhythm, instrumentation and style. It is somewhat keyboard/synthesizer driven, but the sound quality is awesome ( I got the Japanese pressing, just couldn't wait for the pokey USA release). Todd's vocals are great, he really stretches on some cuts. Everyone seems to have their own favorite songs, mine are "Truth", "Past/Future" (2 separate cuts that are similar but with different arrangements and tempo), "Afterlife" and "Living". "Living" really rocks with some powerful drum work and includes the only extended guitar work of any song on the CD. That would be my only gripe, that Todd didn't have more lead guitar work included here. Otherwise, the CD shows an artist who is definitely not slowing down with age, but continuing his track record as an eclectic, exciting composer and performer. By the way, the Japanese version has a totally different cover/artwork (better, in my opinion) the the USA release.

I agree with the other reviewers, who state that this recording is not for the uninitiated Lenny listener, as it is a very uneven performance, and many of his references (for those under 45) may mystify some folks. But it is a vital historical document, concerning humor and censorship. At the time it was recorded (1964), Lenny's stage act had no peer within nightclub comedy, and few realized the groundbreaking nature of what he was doing and saying on stage. Lenny's satire was an in-your-face barrage of outrageous ideas and images (his King Kong "bit", hilarious when one gets past the sexual imagery, is available on no other released recording, to my knowledge) and he attacked religion and politics in a fashion almost guaranteed to result in career suicide. Yet, 40 years later, he is revered as a saint of free speech, an articulate commentator on his times who made it possible for later (and much less hip/funny) comedians who have only a small percentage of his intellegence and wit. The best reason to buy this disc is that it contains some material that is available nowhere else (yet) and that is quite funny. He also gets into an insult contest with an inebriated female audience member, that while brief, is a riot. This is an essential item for any serious Lenny Bruce collector.

A excellent introduction to the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim, this CD is a tribute to the composer of "Girl From Ipanema", featuring mostly American musicians. The instrumentals are my favorites, particularly "Stone Flower" (also covered by Santana on his Caravanserai album; Herbie Hancock steals the show here), "Agua de Beber", "Lamento" and "Mohave". The featured vocalists (Al Jarreau et al) seem to be curious choices and I must admit that Waters Of March and Dindi did not particularly impress me. Girl From Ipanema is also not one of my favorite versions of this song, although Oleta Adams does try her best to capture the Bossa Nova groove. Still, a worthy CD for those who prefer light jazz with a South American feel. Jobim's music is deceptively simple and at the same time amazingly complex; for more authentic versions of Jobim, check out "Wave" and "Tide" by the composer.

Many folks will disagree with me, but "Sniper and Other Love Songs", is, in my opinion, Harry's best album. This collection is a touch melancholy, perhaps, but poignant all the same. I am mystified as to why all of his other albums were released on CD, and Sniper languished for years before they finally released it. The sound quality is great, though, and the price is right. A must buy for anyone who appreciates the story-songs of Mr. Chapin.

This review applies solely to the new, remastered version of "US", and what an improvement it is! I have always liked the original "US" as I am a Peter Gabriel/Genesis fanatic of 25 years or so, but found the soundy somewhat muddy in spots. Well, that's all in the past, as this new version is much sharper, clearer and better seperated, especially in the high ranges. The title track and "Digging In the Dirt" benefit most obviously from the remaster process, and all of the tracks sound more balanced than their previous incarnations. Even if you've owned this CD for years, buy this version; it's like getting an entirely new Peter Gabriel CD!

Having seen both this film (on DVD) and "A Beautiful Mind" (in the theatre), I'm perplexed at the disparity of honors that were given out on Oscar night. Halle Berry absolutely deserved her Oscar for her portrayal of Leticia Musgrove, the Death Row widow who enters into an unlikely relationship with Hank Grotowski, played by Billy Bob Thornton. This was not a "political" choice, i.e. because she happens to be black. Her character was a black woman, okay? I can't even remember the other actresses who were up for the Best Actress Award. Anyway, the Academy got that one right. But in truth, this film should have won Best Picture, Best Director (for Mark Forster) and probably best supporting actor, for Heath Ledger, even though his character dies early on in the film. But the subject matter of this film (black man is executed, widow falls in love with a white man) just wasn't "appropriate" enough to give it the high visibility of those other awards. Better give them to a superficial, "unreal" concoction that is "A Beautiful Mind", a feel-good movie if there ever was one. Don't get me wrong, I though Russell Crowe did an outstanding job in that film; but, "Monster's Ball" is about the hard truthes of life, death and love in an unequal society, told with unflinching realism. Sean Combs did an outstanding job (for a non-actor) as the condemned man, Leticia's husband, and his scenes leading up to the execution are some of the most powerful ones in the film. As a native southerner, I actually thought that the racism was toned way down, and that is my only real criticism of the movie. Oh yes, and the commentary by the director and the principal actors on the DVD was a nice touch. Believe me folks, they wuz robbed.

Based on Truman Capote's book, "In Cold Blood" is a rare example of a film which does justice to its original source. Based on an actual mass murder which occured in Kansas in late 50's, this stark black-and-white film directed by Richard Brooks (who also wrote the screenplay) is not for the squeamish. The two murderers, Dick Hickock and Perry Smith, are excellently portrayed by Scott Wilson and Robert Blake. Two down-and-out losers, they plan what they believe will be a "major score" in the robbery of a supposedly wealthy Kansas farmer. But their partnership, and the psychopathic personality of Perry Smith, creates a third entity which results in the slaughter of the entire Klutter family. The last 30 minutes of this film are truly horrific, in flashback mode, and the brilliance of Richard Brooks' direction is that the murders are merely inferred by quick camera cuts that never show the killings on screen. The killers' executions at the end of the film are almost anti-climactic. See the film, then go read Capote's book; both are excellent accounts of this sad and savage story. This is a film that cries out to be released on DVD, with possible extra features being a documentary or two on the real-life killers and their actual capture. A much under-appreciated classic of film noir.

Having been a hardcore Genesis fan since the Lamb days, I had mixed feelings when I bought this box set. No Peter Gabriel, y'see.....but the music on this box set is, for the most part, worth your time and money. I could have done without the 12" mixes of Invisible Touch et al, as they represent a purely commercial attempt to mainstream this band. The real jewels of this release are the live cuts (lots of 'em) and the non-album cuts such as "Inside and Out" (my favorite non-album Genesis song) and "Hearts On Fire". One wonders why these songs were left off the albums, as they are better than some of the cuts that were left on.....it's too bad that there weren't more outtakes from "Trick Of the Tail" or "Wind and Wuthering" but overall, if you like the music of the Phil Collins-Genesis band, you'll love this set.

After reading about a zillion reviews of this movie, most of them negative on the whole, I will risk a minority opinion. I saw this film when it was first released and I thought (and still believe) that it is vastly underrated. Yes, I was perplexed by the ending, since it is somewhat ambivalent, and the film could have been shortened by 20 minutes or so, by way of some judicious editing on the part of Mr. Speilberg. But overall, I found the film to be visually stunning, the characters entirely believable and the plot somewhat complex (hint: one must reflect on the film, in order to truly appreciate its major themes, that playing God is a risky endeavor and that to love does not mean that one's love will be returned, even by a "parent". Obviously, some people prefer not to think, reflect or otherwise be challenged by art.) I cannot remember when a "sci-fi" film so moved my emotions, and I'm not a terribly emotional person. The last 30 minutes of the film are the key to understanding its messages, especially the precious state of being human and how extraordinary we humans really are.....the robots of the future (in the film's ending) understand this, but do we? By the way, this film should win an award for special effects, the robots and the technology really are incredible. I can't wait to see the "bonus materials" on the DVD; I will probably buy the DVD for that reason alone. Do yourself a favor, buy or rent this DVD and watch the entire film again........it demands repeated viewings.