| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Moon Over Broadway
List Price: Unknown [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
I certainly love documentaries (I've certainly seen enough small ones included on DVDs), but I particularly enjoy a chance to just sit back and watch the proceedings without having the details explained to me. The filmmakers simply allow the viewer to watch what happens and then come to our own conclusions about what just happened. This is the case with "Moon Over Broadway", a 1997 documentary by director D.A. Pennebaker, who also directed the famed Bob Dylan documentary, "Don't Look Back"(which also gained a DVD release earlier this year).
The documentary focuses on the making of "Moon Over Buffalo", a 1995 Broadway play that starred Phillip Bosco and Carol Burnett. The filmmakers sit in with the early rehearsals and planning meetings, and with no narration or anything else to get in the way, the viewer is allowed an all-access look. The feeling is very personal and intimate, and we feel a part of every meeting and conversation.
The documentary allows us to see the highs, the lows and the nerves. And definitely, the egos. We're allowed a view of the meetings with the actors when they are not pleased with their lines and attention to their contributions is not given. After the meeting process is over, we enter into the testing before an audience, and the run-throughs. "Moon Over Broadway" eventually takes us to the opening curtain as the final product is eventually presented to a paying audience.
The funniest thing is that the documentary is more entertaining than the play, which when viewed, doesn't seem to be that interesting. It's more entertaining to see these people at work, arguing and creating and definitely worrying when things go wrong. "Moon Over Broadway" is pretty much the ultimate pass backstage, taking us through every step of a play's release. Although I'm not a fan of theater, I still found the process entertaining, so fans of theater will likely love it.
The DVD
VIDEO: The video quality for "Moon Over Broadway" isn't too bad, and for a small-budget documentary, it's pretty solid. Images are adequately sharp and clear, and detail is fair but not great. Colors are natural, although occasionally they look a little bit subdued.
The biggest problem with the image is that many sequences look variably grainy; some look close to smooth and clean, but occasionally scenes begin to harsh and distracting. There is some pixelation as well, but no shimmering. The print used has a few minor marks, but nothing too major. Other than the occasionally distractingly grainy sequence, this is a good looking image taking into consideration the budget and intent.
SOUND: The sound is actually very good, again, taking into consideration that this is a fairly low-budget documentary. Certainly very basic in nature, it still allows us to hear all of the important conversations even when there is noise and/or rehearsals going on the background. Sound is natural and clear and although there is some background noise audible on occasion, it's never overpowering of what the filmmakers want the audience to be able to hear. It's definitely limited, but it gets the job done well.
MENUS:: Non-animated, but basically stylish menus that are easily navigated.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a rather interesting commentary that is an edited track, full of comments and interviews from various people involved with the film, from the actors to the directors to the producers to the set designers. Some of the people seem to be discussing together, some of them do not. This is, like the movie, pretty revealing as the contributors also talk about their true feelings and emotions about working on the play.
Some certainly offer how wonderful it was to work with the actors, but there is an equal amount of people who are very honest in what went wrong about this play and what they may have done differently had they had the chance to do it over once again. The commentary is usually screen-specific and often, the speakers point out their viewpoint on a specific sequence. Some of the comments are fairly bland, but there are also some great moments as the contributors are very honest about the problems they had with their dialogue and also, problems working with other members of the crew.
Like the film, there's rarely a dull moment in this commentary track. Although there are some small pauses, they really don't distract from what's otherwise a very entertaining and honest talk about what went on during the making of both the documentary and the play. Although this is an edited track, the combined comments make for a great commentary track.
Also: Text bios, previews for other Docurama titles("Don't Look Back", "Regret To Inform", "Dancemaker") and credits.
Final Thoughts: "Moon Over Broadway" is a very entertaining documentary, but the DVD is a mixed effort. The picture quality occasionally suffers from distracting problems, but remains watchable; the sound quality, on the other hand, captures everything quite well. Still, "Moon Over Broadway" is worth a look, especially for theater fans who would like a look at the backstage process.
I certainly love documentaries (I've certainly seen enough small ones included on DVDs), but I particularly enjoy a chance to just sit back and watch the proceedings without having the details explained to me. The filmmakers simply allow the viewer to watch what happens and then come to our own conclusions about what just happened. This is the case with "Moon Over Broadway", a 1997 documentary by director D.A. Pennebaker, who also directed the famed Bob Dylan documentary, "Don't Look Back"(which also gained a DVD release earlier this year).
The documentary focuses on the making of "Moon Over Buffalo", a 1995 Broadway play that starred Phillip Bosco and Carol Burnett. The filmmakers sit in with the early rehearsals and planning meetings, and with no narration or anything else to get in the way, the viewer is allowed an all-access look. The feeling is very personal and intimate, and we feel a part of every meeting and conversation.
The documentary allows us to see the highs, the lows and the nerves. And definitely, the egos. We're allowed a view of the meetings with the actors when they are not pleased with their lines and attention to their contributions is not given. After the meeting process is over, we enter into the testing before an audience, and the run-throughs. "Moon Over Broadway" eventually takes us to the opening curtain as the final product is eventually presented to a paying audience.
The funniest thing is that the documentary is more entertaining than the play, which when viewed, doesn't seem to be that interesting. It's more entertaining to see these people at work, arguing and creating and definitely worrying when things go wrong. "Moon Over Broadway" is pretty much the ultimate pass backstage, taking us through every step of a play's release. Although I'm not a fan of theater, I still found the process entertaining, so fans of theater will likely love it.
The DVD
VIDEO: The video quality for "Moon Over Broadway" isn't too bad, and for a small-budget documentary, it's pretty solid. Images are adequately sharp and clear, and detail is fair but not great. Colors are natural, although occasionally they look a little bit subdued.
The biggest problem with the image is that many sequences look variably grainy; some look close to smooth and clean, but occasionally scenes begin to harsh and distracting. There is some pixelation as well, but no shimmering. The print used has a few minor marks, but nothing too major. Other than the occasionally distractingly grainy sequence, this is a good looking image taking into consideration the budget and intent.
SOUND: The sound is actually very good, again, taking into consideration that this is a fairly low-budget documentary. Certainly very basic in nature, it still allows us to hear all of the important conversations even when there is noise and/or rehearsals going on the background. Sound is natural and clear and although there is some background noise audible on occasion, it's never overpowering of what the filmmakers want the audience to be able to hear. It's definitely limited, but it gets the job done well.
MENUS:: Non-animated, but basically stylish menus that are easily navigated.
EXTRAS:
Commentary: This is a rather interesting commentary that is an edited track, full of comments and interviews from various people involved with the film, from the actors to the directors to the producers to the set designers. Some of the people seem to be discussing together, some of them do not. This is, like the movie, pretty revealing as the contributors also talk about their true feelings and emotions about working on the play.
Some certainly offer how wonderful it was to work with the actors, but there is an equal amount of people who are very honest in what went wrong about this play and what they may have done differently had they had the chance to do it over once again. The commentary is usually screen-specific and often, the speakers point out their viewpoint on a specific sequence. Some of the comments are fairly bland, but there are also some great moments as the contributors are very honest about the problems they had with their dialogue and also, problems working with other members of the crew.
Like the film, there's rarely a dull moment in this commentary track. Although there are some small pauses, they really don't distract from what's otherwise a very entertaining and honest talk about what went on during the making of both the documentary and the play. Although this is an edited track, the combined comments make for a great commentary track.
Also: Text bios, previews for other Docurama titles("Don't Look Back", "Regret To Inform", "Dancemaker") and credits.
Final Thoughts: "Moon Over Broadway" is a very entertaining documentary, but the DVD is a mixed effort. The picture quality occasionally suffers from distracting problems, but remains watchable; the sound quality, on the other hand, captures everything quite well. Still, "Moon Over Broadway" is worth a look, especially for theater fans who would like a look at the backstage process.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||