DVD REVIEW: LED ZEPPELIN - THE SONG REMAINS THE SAME

I’ll be honest. I received my copy of Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same and figured it would be the typical concert dvd. I know, there were claims that it wasn’t the same, but that’s what all promotional items say. “A mesmerizing movie” featuring Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham. Mesmerizing? I was skeptical but it deserved a chance.

The film started with what might be the oddest collection of scenes I have ever seen. Naked children playing in a stream while the parents watch from the bank, a father telling stories to his children…a group of guys ambushing a back room and lighting it up with gunfire. One guy has his head blown off only to have streams of colors shoot out of his neck. Huh?? I was baffled by what I was seeing, although I was intrigued as well. Call it my sick side.

Apparently these scenes were part of the band’s fantasy sequences and shouldn’t be subject to much over-analyzing. Just take them for what they are, an added element to break up the monotony of the usual concert film.

A few minutes after the scenes from The Godfather in Oz, I was taken to the band members exiting a plane and heading toward their destination, Madison Square Garden. That’s when the fun began.

I’m not someone who would be considered a big Led Zeppelin fan, but I do enjoy the music and appreciate the group’s place in history. The band helped change the face of rock and continues to influence today’s musicians. So, to watch this group of talented men perform in 1973, amidst tons of hype and electricity, should be considered a gift.

The performances include many of the expected songs, the first being “Bron-Yr-Aur.” As the journey continues with “Rock and Roll,” “Black Dog,” and “Since I’ve Been Loving You,” video clips (including more of the band member fantasies) are inserted and provide viewers with something more than watching four guys on stage. This is the general flow of the film and, at some point, I started to feel like it might be losing its entertainment value.

That’s when “Stairway to Heaven” kicked in. Unless you have been locked in a cave for about 40 years, you’ve heard this one. I have talked to numerous people who believe it might be the best rock song ever, without question one of the top ten. But the version in the film is different than the one always pumped over the radio. This time it’s live and there are added dimensions of feeling, entertainment, showmanship, etc. It’s a different, exciting twist on a classic and was surely going to be my favorite part of the movie. At least that’s what I thought.

When “Stairway” ended, Plant called attention to Bonham on drums and introduced the song “Moby Dick.” That’s when the drummer went on an impressive solo show that had me on the edge of my seat. I was especially entertained when he put down the sticks and started playing with his hands. Now, this may be something that other drummers do, but seeing a legend like Bonham do it provided a special quality. Seeing his intensity and focus only added to the experience. During his solo, video clips once again appear, so viewers don’t have to just stare at a man behind a drum set. The clips were somewhat sad to me, leaving me wondering what would have happened had he not passed as a result of alcohol poisoning.

When the rest of the band came back out, apparently going backstage during the drum solo, Plant summed up the performance by saying, “John Bonham, 130 pounds of glory.” Perfect.

Two songs, “Heartbreaker” and “Whole Lotta Love,” finish out the concert footage. The film then follows the band as it boards a plane and heads off. The more familiar version of “Stairway to Heaven” plays as they take flight, continues through the end of the credits and then plays on over black. It was a fitting end to this surprisingly entertaining film.

Even though, after almost two hours of concert video, it seems like I may have had enough, I still felt the urge to pop in Disc 2. It’s full of standard “extras,” from the BBC interview of Plant and Peter Grant (while boating on the Thames) to the added concert footage, including the never-before-released “Over the Hills and Far Away” and a cutting copy of “Celebration Day.”

As a member of the media, I was fond of the Tampa News Report (from PULSE in Tampa, includes airplane footage of the band’s arrival) and the news report about the band being robbed while on tour. While my interest in those to features comes from being in news, those outside of the business should also enjoy them simply because they are a look at elements of an exciting time in music history.

Also included are the original film trailer and a unique radio profile by Cameron Crowe (who also has a printed commentary in the booklet included with the 2-cd set).

(For fans looking for more, a Limited Collector's Edition is also being released and includes: Exclusive T-shirt with Album Artwork Design • Collectible Lobby Cards • Clippings and reproductions of Original Premiere Invitations • Original Tour Schedule • Press Memorabilia • Mail-in Poster Offer.)

GRADE: 8.5/10
Obviously, for fans of Led Zeppelin, this is an item they must have and it’s probably already on their wishlists. But, what about those who aren’t diehards? If you’re a fan of music, I highly recommend it. It’s a chance to see a band that holds a key place in music history as it approaches its peak. It’s an opportunity, in today’s world of lip syncs and choreographed dance shows, to actually see what an old fashioned rock and roll show was all about. And Plant, Page, Bonham and Jones definitely knew how to entertain. This type of performance is what helped create a spot in the Rock Hall for Led Zeppelin and why that name still carries weight today. Add in the fact that it’s just plain great music and you have a top-shelf concert video. If you are a fan of music, look into this title.

Rated: PG

Led Zeppelin: The Song Remains the Same (Warner Home Video)
Disc One Performances
- Bron-Yr-Aur
- Rock and Roll
- Black Dog
- Since I’ve Been Loving You
- No Quarter
- The Song Remains the Same
- The Rain Song
- Dazed and Confused
- Stairway to Heaven
- Moby Dick
- Heartbreaker
- Whole Lotta Love

Disc Two
- Tampa News Report
- “Over the Hills and Far Away” (never-before-released)
- Boating Down the Thames (BBC interview with Plant/Grant)
- “Celebration Day” (cutting copy; never-before-released)
- The Robbery
- “Misty Mountain Hop”
- Original film trailer
- “The Ocean”Radio profile spotlight by Cameron Crowe

AVAILABLE NOW (HD DVD and Blu-ray available December 11th)

VIDEO GAME REVIEW: NHL 2K8 (Xbox 360, PS3, PS2)

Are you a control freak? How about a hockey fan? If you answered, “yes,” to both of those, NHL 2K8 might be the game for you.

This game is about hockey – no big shock there. But, what is surprising, is just how much hockey. Other titles have offered franchise/dynasty options, most of which are done well. But it often seems like there are glaring weaknesses such as free agents signing too easily, simple manipulations of other teams in trades and the feature is just too shallow. That’s not the case with this title.

You are the supreme ruler of your franchise and handle just about everything you can imagine…well, except for the wants and needs of the players. As the owner/GM, be prepared to have players hold out because they want more money or a longer contract. Expect free agents to turn you down, walk away from negotiations and sign with a rival team. Be ready to deal with salary cap issues. Basically, if it’s in the game, it’s in the game. Wait, did someone else used to say that? In this case, it’s 2K Sports that can make the claim.

Of course, the main reason people buy a hockey game isn’t because they want to negotiate player contracts. It’s because they want to play hockey. They feel the need to sharpen ‘em up, lace ‘em up and hit the ice. So, when it comes to gameplay, does 2K8 light the lamp? Like Sidney Crosby standing alone in the crease attempting an empty-netter!

One of the best things in this game is the stick control feature. It essentially gives you full control over your hockey stick. Thinking back to the days when the goal in a hockey video game was to drop an opponent and see blood on the ice, it’s amazing to think just how far 2K8 has brought simulated hockey. Skating up the ice and cutting left, all while having your stick move to the right, is amazing. This is done by using the right stick to control your hockey stick. No longer do players have to use their player control button/stick to do everything. With 2K8 the right/left stick actions are independent of each other, just like real hockey.

Are there drawbacks to this game? Sure. Getting used to the stick control feature can take a little while, especially if you’re used to the old style. Of course you can use the practice mode to hone your skills. Another issue is the fact that during games your players don’t seem to have the same resiliency as the computer’s guys. It seems easier for the computer to separate your guys from the puck than it is for you to do the same to the cyber-skaters. Of course, some may feel it just makes for a more challenging game and that’s not always bad.

So, if you like total control and frozen pond action, give NHL 2K8 a try. Chances are it’ll get you fired up enough to drop the gloves, just not the controllers.


GAMEPLAY: The game is smooth and sims a real hockey game very well. The total control functions well and, after time, improves the play over the typical control layout many may be used to. Still might be a little too much for casual gamers. Menu screens leave something to be desired, but they are manageable. The life of this one should be long…at least long enough to last until 2K9.

GRAPHICS: Players are represented well and their movements are fluid. The lines are pretty clean. The same can’t be said for this ice, as the surface shows more abuse as the game goes on. The crowd is the typical blah filler that doesn’t add anything, but who plays a hockey game to see the fans?

SOUND: Announcers are the typical sports game announcers – not cream of the crop, but not bottom of the barrel. Quality soundtrack and pretty good in-game sound effects. I’m not sure there’s a way a sports title can go wrong when Quiet Riot is one of the tracks!

EXTRAS: Practice modes, mini-games and a pond hockey mode all add to the life of the title. The pond mode, for whatever reason, was more entertaining than I anticipated, although it’s probably nothing special if you play it too much. Overall, there are enough options to give you a break from the franchise/season stuff and to extend the replay life of this one.

GRADE: 86%

This game should be safe for all, except for the youngest of gamers, to play. Basically, if watching real NHL games is OK, playing this title shouldn't be a problem.

DVD REVIEW: The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Vol. 1

If adventure has a name, it must be Indiana Jones.

That was the line at the top of a promo poster for "Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom" back in 1984. Based on the popularity of the Indiana Jones titles, many moviegoers must have agreed. The success of the movies, combined with George Lucas' love of history, led to the appearance of the hero on the small screen.

"The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones" originally aired on ABC (as "The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles") and received critical acclaim. However, after its initial acceptance by viewers, ratings began to drop. The series was not providing the action and excitement of its big screen predecessor, something fans and the network were expecting. After two seasons, ABC pulled the plug. But Lucas, believing the shows had something to offer, pressed on and found a new outlet, the USA Network.

The new home didn't air episodes in series form, but offered them to viewers as TV movies. They were basically the same as the series, offering more of a history lesson than the action/adventure of the trilogy. Eventually the attempted edutainment hybrid had run his course on television. After a short lifespan, 1992-1996, young Indy drifted away, apparently lost like the artifacts he often pursued.

However, thanks to a charge led by many loyal Indy fans, the series has been rescued from the past and is now being offered on DVD. It did make a brief showing on VHS, but that's like something being available on CD and being told it was once on 8-track too.

The series has been put into 22 episodes that will span three volumes, the first being available now. It not only contains seven of the episodes, but also 38 historical documentaries. These extras are based on the figures and events the young Indy encountered during his adventures. If Henry Jones, Jr. encountered someone of historical significance, there will be a documentary to accompany the episode. T.E. Lawrence, Sigmund Freud, Leo Tolstoy, Teddy Roosevelt and Giacomo Puccini are just a handful of the those featured in the extras. Documentaries about women's suffrage in America, the American invasion of Mexico, Eastern spirituality and ecology can also be found in this edition.

Of course none of that would be important if the stories weren't worthwhile. Thanks to quality performances from Sean Patrick Flannery (teen Indy) and Corey Carrier (10-year-old Indy), the adventures flow fairly well and keep the attention of the audience. For fans of Dr. Jones, it's also interesting to see what made this man the hero they came to know. It's also fun to watch Lloyd Owens' portrayal of Henry Jones, Sr., knowing that Sean Connery eventually became the face of the elder Jones.

Viewers will also be able to watch guest appearances by some of acting's bigger names. Lukas Haas, Max Von Sydow, Elizabeth Hurley and Vanessa Redgrave can all be found in the episodes of Volume 1. In addition, these works also offer the skills of some of Hollywood's most talented writers and directors (DIRECTORS: Mike Newell - "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire," Joe Johnston - "Jurassic Park III;" WRITERS: Frank Darabont - "The Shawshank Redemption," Jonathan Hensleigh - "Die Hard with a Vengeance")

It's true that this series isn't really a smaller version of what Lucas, Steven Spielberg and Harrison Ford brought to the movie theaters. But that really shouldn't be considered a bad thing. "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones" still offers action, adventure, comedy and romance, but its focus is history. But it doesn't get so wrapped up in itself that the concept of entertainment is lost. It's a well done series that provides families with the opportunity to sit down together and enjoy some old-fashioned television fun. And, in the process, everyone might learn something too.

Maybe a new slogan will even start popping up.

If history has a name, it must be Indiana Jones. (OK, maybe that's a bit much.)

GRADE: 8.0/10
This is a quality release that everyone can enjoy. It was created more as a means to educate and bring history to a younger crowd, so it couldn't get carried away with whip-cracking, fancy horseback riding, melting faces, etc. However, it probably would have benefited from a little more action, especially considering that's what the title implies to most people. But, thanks to clever stories, quality acting and the expected settings for an Indiana Jones title, it was still entertaining enough to hold the attention of an audience, while providing a brief history lesson. Education and entertainment...that's a good combination.

"The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Volume One" - available now
EPISODE LIST:

• "My First Adventure"
• "Passion for Life" (guest star: Lukas Haas)
• "The Perils of Cupid" (guest star: Max Von Sydow, director: Mike Newell)
• "Travels with Father" (writer: Frank Darabont)
• "Journey of Radiance" (writer: Jonathan Hensleigh)
• "Spring Break Adventure" (director: Joe Johnston)
• "Love's Sweet Song" (guest stars: Elizabeth Hurley and Vanessa Redgrave)

Volume 2 - scheduled release: December 18, 2007
Volume 3 - scheduled release: Spring 2008