historynut

Perhaps no band in the history of rock has worked as hard, toured as much as Kansas. Device-Voice-Drum is "exibit A" of this! A flawless effort by America's most prolific classic rock band. They are respected by the music industry and fans alike. Their music isn't for everyone, that's for sure. But this band shines in a live venue (I've seen them many times and in all their incarnations over 25 years) and they ALWAYS satisfy in concert. "DVD" is a must see for music lovers! Good job guys!

If there is a "complaint," it is that I wish Kansas had done more recordings for video format over the years. I really don't believe that they fully understand how great they are in a live situation. Studio music does not do this band justice (although I love their studio work as well).

The awful script notwithstanding, it is great to see the cast get back together in this trip down memory lane. Those of us who grew up with the Andy Griffith Show like it. When Barney asks Andy to answer the telephone in the Sheriff's Office, and hearing Andy simply say "Sheriff's Office," well, talk about your nostalgia! What's amazing is that in 2004, almost all of these people are still alive and many still working (Don Knotts for one).

This is just a nice movie for the "fans" of the show. No stunning acting, no over the top in your face "shock" humor we are all too sick of now.

They just don't make them like this anymore (the origional show, that is). These new so-called comedy sitcoms don't even come close....

Gods and Generals, which should have been called "Gods and Rebels," is proof positive that Ted Turner's people should stick to TV movies (see "The Day Lincoln Was Shot" and "Andersonville" by TNT - VERY good, even great movies).

Gettysburg was OK, but the more I watch Gods and Generals, the more I have to agree with the critics that it was a disaster (sorry my fellow Civil War reenacting brethern - WE ARE NOT ACTORS as much as we like to think otherwise).

What disappoints the most is that this had the potential to be a good film what with such talented people involved in the main roles. The script was simply awful.

I would say that the whole endevor would have been better served by making the movie about Stonewall Jackson's career as opposed to being loyal to Jeff Shaara's fine novel. Trust me, as a former Civil War reenactor, I seen for years first-hand the public's love affair with all things Rebel, and it certainly came shining through in Gods and Generals.

But as a Jackson fan, sticking to his story only might have saved the film. Ted, the epics are an admirable attempt to revive the spirit of "Gone With The Wind," but please, put it in the hands of more competent people!

I did like using Harpers Ferry as a filming location for the town shots, and there were some convincing performances here and there. But the whole thing just comes across as a jumbled, disjointed cut and paste story that, if you stay awake, make no sense.

Finally, I think the battle scenes were tolerable and somewhat of an improvement over Gettysburg.