DVD Reviews

THIS IS THE LAST INSTALLMENT OF DVD REVIEWS @ HARD VISION BY THE LATE PAUL AUTRY, WHO PASSED AWAY DECEMBER 30, 2011. PAUL WAS A GREAT GUY WHO IS MISSED GREATLY HE WAS A GOOD FRIEND AS WELL AS A GREAT JOURNALIST. PAUL'S REVIEWS WAS ALWAYS HONEST, YOU MAY NOT AGREE WITH WHAT HE SAID BUT THEY WERE PAUL'S OPINIONS. I HAVE TALKED TO PAUL MANY TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND HE IS ONE OF THE ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTORS OF BALLBUSTER MAGAZINE AS WELL AS BALLBUSTERMUSIC.COM DATING BACK TO 1995. PAUL ALWAYS SAID WHAT HE MEANT AND MEANT WHAT HE SAID. I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT WILL CLOSE HERE. PAUL WAS ONE OF A KIND. R.I.P. MY FRIEND.

When you see something like "this release is not authorised by Brian Wilson, his record company or management" written on the back of the DVD, chances are, you're probably not getting a real quality product. I've seen enough of these documentary films to know what to expect and it's usually not good. However, this double disc set seems to be right on the money. Now, I'm not that big of a Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fan to know what's true and what isn't. But, this release seems to go into great detail about Brian Wilson and his career as a songwriter and they explain his creative process behind some of his best known work. I have to say, I never really gave The Beach Boys much thought. I never really paid attention to how good the music actually was and why it was good. After viewing this release, I was able to see their music in a whole new light. I have a little more respect for what they were able to accomplish. There's a wealth of obscure footage mixed in with interviews and contributions from people like Bruce Johnston, David Marks, Carol Kaye & Hal Blaine (Wrecking Crew musicians) and many others who offer a little bit of insight to the genius of Brian Wilson. I don't usually say this about films that aren't authorised by the people they're talking about, but, this is a must have for any Brian Wilson/Beach Boys fan. It's a top quality release that should be added to your collection.

There's really not much to this release. It's a 45 minute program...and I'm not sure if this was filmed for an actual television show or not...but...that's how it's set up. No special features or anything. What you get is an explosive, up close and personal performance by Eric Sardinas & Big Motor and some interview clips thrown in between each song. I'll admit, it doesn't sound like much. But, watchin' this band play is worth the price of admission. They play with such a passion that...it's just...really...I'm at a loss for words. Not only can you see it in each song they do, you can feel it as well. Even in the interview clips...when Eric's talkin' about music...you can tell that he's speakin' from the heart. From start to finish, this release is just pure, raw emotion. Never before have I seen a release that does so much with so little time. You're not gonna watch this once and put it back on the shelf...that's for sure. I guarantee that you'll watch this one over and over again. It's well worth checking out.