Sarah Brightman - Harem Desert Fantasy

Amazon.com

Theater star Sarah Brightman turns up the heat in this sexy, baroque DVD counterpart to her 2003 world music CD, Harem. Brightman's artistic purpose on that album--marrying the rhythms of the Middle East to her otherwordly pop sound (as opposed to her boomy, operatic sound)--aren't lost here, but don't expect to catch a glimpse of such exciting studio collaborators as violin star Nigel Kennedy amidst countless shots of the diva in various states of undress. The lavish visual production sets several songs in exotic recreations of fabled harems, where lust is tempered by decorum but sex is clearly on the menu. For a change, Brightman's ethereal version of "Stranger in Paradise" (from Kismet) is shot against a starkly beautiful, mountainous backdrop, and "What You Never Know," a song about the passage of time, includes touching images of children and old people. --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews:

HAREM DESERT FANTASY.......2007-09-08

Fun and very interesting where and how and the hard work it takes for a final production we can sit in our easy chairs and enjoy.

beyond belief.......2007-08-12

Sarah has outdone herself in the DVD. I recommend it to all my friends. Get it. You will not be sorry

Never again.......2007-06-07

I have loved Sarah Brightman's music and bought this without research or hearing it. So bad I donated it to the library.

Sarah Brightman's Harem Desert Fantasy.......2007-02-06

This is a great dvd to watch. Sarah does a brief interview before each song, she has such a beautiful voice either in her music or her interviews.

Sarah Brightman - Harem Desert Fantasy.......2007-01-21

Excelente calidad muy bien empacado y cumple con el tiempo prometido

Average customer rating:

Fun to Watch, Informative
Don't waste your money
Good but not as thorough as I thought it would be
good but bland
Ok, not as good as some, but could be better

Bellydance - The Art of the Drum Solo
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007CIM0G
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Customer Reviews:

Fun to Watch, Informative.......2007-07-20

Not only is the instructor a talented dancer, her drummer also reviews different beats - important if you'd like to choreograph a dance in the future.

Don't waste your money.......2007-04-19

Sorry to say that since I like both Sonia and Issam a lot. The dvd is filmed in a way that it's difficutlt to follow either of them, even though I can see they try really hard to make it look easy. Issam is an excellent table player and Sonia a lovely dancer. If this had been filmed/edited in a different way I would have enjoyed it a lot more.
Buy Bellydance Superstars Live in Paris to see both of these folks in action in a much better way. (This is coming from a bellydancer)

Good but not as thorough as I thought it would be.......2007-03-09

Very good at going through the beats and combinations that could be used. I guess I just had the impression there would be a little more content as far as moves per rhythm.

good but bland.......2007-02-20

I really liked learning the rhythms and how to use basic movements with them. However, I found the presentation style of both Sonia and Issam to be extremely dry, bland.... maybe even boring. This was very different from their animated and energizing attitudes in the candid piece where they were touring Egypt.

Ok, not as good as some, but could be better.......2007-01-26

Drum solos to me are terrifying as there is so much to them, and the horror of repeating a step too many times or starting out too strong and having no where to go encouraged me to try a video. It doesn't explain things as well as I would like, but its better than some (cough*Rania* what on earth is she doing?!!) The extra clips are fun as well!

Bellydance Superstars Live in Paris at the Folies Bergere

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Goddesses
Superstars in Paris
Beautifully put together Performances
Wonderful grace and show-man-ship of belly-dance!
Excellence in motion

Bellydance Superstars Live in Paris at the Folies Bergere
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000A0GYDC
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Description

Film presents the Bellydance Superstars live as they perform their much acclaimed show at the famous Parisian music hall, The Folies Bergere. The music features the most respected names in Arab music including live percussion with Wassan Pharoom and master drummer Issam Houshan

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Goddesses.......2007-08-21

I enjoyed watching this troupe of beautiful goddesses perform. They bring the art of bellydance to a modern audience with grace and skill. One of my favorites was the beautiful Adore, who presents her own fusion of bellydance with acrobatic moves which is a delight to watch. I highly recommend this video to anyone interested in dance, or who wants to see the mysterious and beautiful art of bellydance at its best.

Superstars in Paris.......2007-07-25

We have not received this product. Can you please help us?
Thank you,
Deonauth Mohabir

Beautifully put together Performances.......2007-06-12

This dvd, in my opinion, has some of the best, belly dance performances, performed by the top belly dancer stars. The performances were captured exceptionally on camera. Great production, very well presented. The choreography from one number to the next has a good bit of variety: lot's of tribal, Ansuya on zills, drum solos, solo and group, island interlude, wings of Isis, awesome double veil. The costumes are gorgeous! It was a fantastic production from the entrance of the stars to the end, return of the stars.

Wonderful grace and show-man-ship of belly-dance! .......2007-05-21

This is what Belly dance was meant to be--Absolutely BEAUTIFUL! I've been dancing for ten years and I've looked up to each of these dancers. Each one has a grace a beauty that gives this ancient dance a good name. I wish each of the BDSS the best and I look forward to the next DVD.

Excellence in motion.......2007-03-20

I guess I would consider myself a Bellydance Superstars fan, since I have seen every show that's come to San Francisco/Marin since Rachel Brice joined a few years ago. I was studying privately with her at the time, and was crushed to lose a most excellent teacher. I have been bellydancing for nearly 30 years and know many of the other dancers in the group, and I must say that Miles Copeland has pulled a great group to represent those of us who can't tour.

One of the things that really impresses me about Bellydance Superstars is the fact that what they do is very, very high quality. Production is top-notch, lighting is great, and they don't overdo effects so you can really just enjoy the show. Both live and in the videos, this has been the case.

The Folies Bergere video is fun, engaging, ever-changing and very diverse. As a dancer, I've watched it over and over, but I would think even a non-dancer would enjoy it. It makes me feel proud to be a dancer, and even though I hate the "Bellydance Superstars" name, I think as a whole, the project has been a good thing for the entire dance community, bringing an expectation of excellence into the dance that those of us who have worked in it for decades are always fighting to integrate into our industry.

The only thing I would like to see more of is Rachel Brice doing drum solo. For some reason, she's now confined to the very slow performance venues, all taxim instead of a variety, and she is amazing with a live drummer.

I would highly recommend this video to any dancer, especially those who intend to perform or are doing so now. I honestly believe that if bellydancing is to stay popular in the US, we need to achieve and maintain this level of quality.

Jana E. Beeman
[...]
Enchantment Unlimited Entertainment & Essence of Egypt Dance Company and School

Average customer rating:

Umm Kulthulm rocks!!!

Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt
Director: Michal Goldman
Manufacturer: afd
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

Egypt | Africa | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000K0YG8M
Release Date: 2007-01-09

Product Description

She had the musicality of Ella Fitzgerald, the public presence of Eleanor Roosevelt, and the audience of Elvis Presleyâ¦ Her name was Umm Kulthum, and she became a powerful symbol, first of the aspirations of her country, Egypt, and then of the entire Arab World. Narrated by Omar Sherif, Umm Kulthum, A Voice Like Egypt is the first documentary to bring the celebrated diva of the Arab world to an American audience. The film puts her life in the context of the epic story of 20th century Egypt as it shook off colonialism and confronted modernity.

Customer Reviews:

Umm Kulthulm rocks!!!.......2007-07-29

Raised by a Catholic-Italian mother, and a Russian-Jewish father, both born in the U.S., as was I, I was once the national marketing director for Arab Film Distribution, AFD, Seattle, WA, when the documentary, Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt, was first released in the U.S. Exclusively distributed by AFD, Yahya Sinno, president of AFD, was responsible for the home division or Internet orders. I was responsibile for the institutional division of AFD, first, watching the films and documentaries in our library, then marketing them, including Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt, to colleges and universities (and libraries) to professors who used them as their course curriculum, for example, for gender studies or religion. (Yahya and I designed the video/DVD cover of Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Eqypt.) It was one of dozens of outstanding independent documentaries - and films of all genres -representing the 20 Arab countries, Iran, and recently, the US, that AFD, distributed. Now, there are hundreds of titles. In fact, in 2006, I believe, the highly acclaimed documentary, IRAQ IN FRAGMENTS, garnered 3 Academy Award nominations for best documentary. Written and directed by an American filmmaker, John Langley, who arrived and began shooting in Iraq shortly after Bush declared war in 2003, where he stayed, I believe, for 2 years filming, the producer is Yahya Sinno, president of AFD. Congratulations!

You're probably wondering by now, what the hey - not much - does all that have to do with the review of Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt? Well, in a very round-a-bout way, smile, the point is that I loaned my coveted copy of Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt, to a friend, but forgot whom... So, recently, I bought a copy while shopping on Amazon.com for something else, hence, the following review:

Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt

Well, for starters, Umm Kulthum is without a doubt one of the most amazing, courageous, exciting and incredible singers not only of the Islamic world but world at large! Overall, the documentary is outstanding! Taking holy verses from the Koran and putting them to incredible Middle Eastern music, and singing it in a way nobody else can - many have since tried and miserably failed - Umm Kulthum is a true inspiration, a diva, in the highest, holiest and purest sense! As an Egyptian, Muslim girl, she traveled with her father, a strict Muslim holy man who dressed her as a boy, since it was unheard of for a Muslim girl (or woman) to appear in public singing, which she did to help support her family. Umm Kulthum eventually sang as a girl - and later as a woman - in public, and became the greatest and most beloved and revered singer the Arab and Muslim world has ever known! Treated as royalty by presidents, and beloved by millions and millions worldwide, millions took the streets not only in Cairo, Egypt, but in other Muslim countries as well, to mourn her passing, Umm Kulthum is an icon. This documentary chronicles her entire life, and includes jaw-dropping actual footage of her concert performances of her most popular songs. Today, as seen in the documentary, when adults were randomly stopped on the streets of Cairo, Egypt, and asked if they'd heard of Umm Kulthum, every face immediately lit up and smiled and typically, people sequed into singing a song or humming a refrain from a favorite Umm Kulthum song. Even the children, when ransomly asked if they'd heard of Umm Kulthum, they, too, lit up and smiled and sequed into singing a song or humming a refrain from a favorite song. And, today, Umm Kulthum still lives in the hearts and minds of millions and millions who still cherish her and sing her songs - men, women and children alike. Umm Kulthum is a role model not only for Muslim girls and women, but for women in general, for what she accomplished decades ago, and in a man's world, and in a conservative Muslim (man's) world, at that, with all due respect, is nothing short of remarkable! Although virtually unknown inside the U.S, which is a shame, since I, too, like most, didn't give much thought to films from the Middle East, (quite arrogant, I know), Europe and Japan, yes, the Middle East, no, that is, until I was hired by AFD and watched dozens of films by independent filmmakers from the 20 Arab countries and Iran, and discovered, much to my amazement, shock and utter delight, that some of the best (filmmakers and) films I'd ever seen were stories about and from the Middle East! And, that's coming from a filmmaker trained at - what is considered to be - the finest - American as apple pie - film school in the world, the USC School of Cinema Television! I gotta tell ya, folks, Umm Kulthum: A Voice Like Egypt, is one great documentary! Do yourself a favor... Take off your shades, open your heart and mind, sit back and relax and enjoy a truly remarkable film by an amazing woman filmmaker about an amazing woman singer whose "Voice Like Egypt" is like NO one else you've ever heard before. The one, and ONLY...Umm Kulthum!

Average customer rating:

finally
If you're considering buying, go for it
Loud and raw...as you would expect!

Dinosaur Jr.: Live in the Middle East
Starring: Dinosaur Jr.
Manufacturer: Image Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000NO23SA
Release Date: 2007-05-29

Description

DINOSAUR JR.'S FIRST DVD RELEASE! THIS FULL-LENGTH CONCERT DVD FEATURES THE BAND IN ITS ORIGINAL LINE-UP, WAS FILMED AT NEW YORK'S LEGENDARY IRVING PLAZA IN DECEMBER 2005, AND AT OTHER SHOWS ALONG THE BAND'S DECEMBER TOUR. THE DVD IS DIRECTED BY GOLD IN BERLIN, WHICH IS RUN BY MASCIS' OWN BROTHER IN-LAW, GERMAN FILMMAKER PHILLIP VIRUS. WITH UNFETTERED ACCESS TO THIS FAMOUSLY ELUSIVE BAND, FANS CAN EXPECT COMPLETE BACKSTAGE ACCESS TO DINOSAUR JR.'S RECENT REUNION TOUR, ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEWS, BEHIND THE SCENES GOINGS-ON AND A FULL SET OF PERFORMANCES OF DINOSAUR JR. FAVORITES. THE DVD IS PACKED WITH BONUS MATERIALS THAT ANY FAN OF THE BAND - SEASONED OR BRAND NEW - WILL FIND THRILLING AND ENTERTAINING. SONGS: GARGOYLE - KRACKED - BULBS OF PASSION - LITTLE FURY THINGS - LOSE - FORGET THE SWAN - THE POST - BUDGE - THE LUNG - THE WAGON - RAISANS - SLUDGEFEAST - MOUNTAIN MAN - CHUNKS - FREAK SCENE - IN A JAR - REPULSION - JUST LIKE HEAVEN BONUS FEATURES: INTERVIEW FOOTAGE: KEVIN SHIELDS, KIM GORDON, THURSTON MOORE, MIKE WATT, MATT DILLON, STEVE ALBINI, SONIC BOOM FOOTAGE COURTESY OF GOLD IN BERLIN DINOSAUR JR. INTERVIEW AT WORLD CAFE

Customer Reviews:

finally.......2007-07-03

finally something that caputers just how good they are live. i love this dvd.

If you're considering buying, go for it.......2007-06-03

I'm not a huge Dinosaur Jr. fan, but living in Boston I saw them a few times in the 1980s, and in 2005 at one of the shows on this DVD, and I certainly appreciate their unique, powerful live sound. As concert DVDs go, this is just about as perfect as you could hope. The track list is all vintage classics, and the band played better on these 2005 shows than in the old days -- J. Mascis' guitar playing is much more confident, and loud as ever, and drummer Murph is as fluid as in the old days, often not the case with drummers when old bands reunite.

The shows are shot well, with a good sound mix and plenty of guitar and the right vocal level for Dinosaur Jr. (I listened in 2.0.) Almost all of this set comes from the smallish basement club, the Middle East, and a final few tracks from NYC's midsize rock club Irving Plaza. There are also some neat, subtle director's touches, like the between-encore backstage shot where the band just stands there, seemingly wondering if they've waited long enough yet. But mostly you just watch the band on stage. The DVD's cover shot of Mascis as "Cousin It" is a still from this set, and it's a good representation of the program.

I haven't watched the bonus features yet, but the main show alone is worth picking up if you're interested in this.

Loud and raw...as you would expect!.......2007-06-02

This dvd is pretty great and is an interesting, fairly well shot club show. The sound mix is solid although I would have preferred a bit more kick drum. The band is definitely tighter than when I saw them in the 80's! This is shot on their first reunion tour leg,I think. The extras are nice but it would have been cool to have the full World Cafe bonus performances. Anybody expecting a slick, super professional DVD will be put off by the slightly low-fi quality of the interviews and bonus footage although the people interviewed really seem to express what makes Dino Jr. such a special band. A Dinosaur Jr. fan knows what to expect and they'll get it in this raw and rocking DVD.

Average customer rating:

interesting and educational
An Amazing MUST HAVE documentary for the Oriental Dance lover
Great footage, somewhat annoying production
Interesting & entertaining
Watch the special features

The Bellydancers of Cairo
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000GBEPE0
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Description

Join American bellydancer Natasha Senkovich as she journeys to Egypt and speaks to many Oriental dancers - from the struggling Cabaret performers to the very famous, sexy Dina and the legendary Nagwa Fuad. With unprecedented access, we see them perform and hear them share their personal stories of conflict and struggle they have experienced throughout their careers. This fascinating documentary provides a unique look into the lives of these most unusually strong women. Born into a world where a woman is expected to be covered and demure, they achieve independence and wealth by taking great risks and flaunting their sensuality. It also explores the controversial question of prostitution, which is how most dancers are regarded in the Middle Eastern societies...plus the history of Oriental Dance, and its decline as a result of growing conservatism in the Middle East.

Customer Reviews:

interesting and educational.......2007-07-19

i wouldn't watch it for the dance, but it was fascinating and the music definitely made me dance while i was watching. i learned a lot about Egyptian culture and what these women go through just to feel the dance.

An Amazing MUST HAVE documentary for the Oriental Dance lover.......2007-07-19

This documentary is not to be missed! I used to look at Egyptian dancers when they were speaking about their skill, grace, and understanding of the music, and I would roll my eyes and think, "UGH! How egotistical can you get?" But, after watching this information packed DVD, I have such admiration for the women of this dance that, despite all the harrassment, danger, humiliation, and degredation, the hold their heads high, and they continue to do what their soul is calling for them to do...to be an instrument of the dance. They articulate what the dance means to them, and it is just fascinating. In many ways, I can relate, and I believe you will too. With all they have lost, and fought to attain, it is no wonder they think so highly of themselves. It takes that kind of moxy.

The documentary is a time capsule treasure, because no one knows the future of this dance in the Middle East. To have captured all of these dancers, in their own words, and with footage of their dance to be forever preserved, it is something every dancer must see, and in my opinion must own. Just even studying the dancing is amazing.

The director's commentary was very interesting and brought even more light to the subject of women in the culture, and women and the dance. When you add in the performances (2 from each dancer), and the director's commentary, along with the original documentary, it has HOURS of information. It is a bargain at this price, but it is worth even more.

I purchased this as a gift for my own dance instructor, after I saw it myself. And, I purchased one for me. I think I am going to have all my dance buddies come over for an evening and view it. It's that good.

Seriously, there's a lot of dance stuff out there to purchase, and we (at least me) can't have it all, but I would have no problem, whole heartedly recommending this DVD. I wish the director would do even more!

Great footage, somewhat annoying production.......2007-04-24

This is definitely worth buying just for the dance videos. They show truly authentic, beautiful dance, in many settings and styles.

It's also worth buying for the interviews as they show the amazing sacrifices and difficulties that these artists endure in the pursuit of their art.

However, I have some quibbles. The narrator indulges in a lot of annoying editorializing, telling us things unnecessarily. When the dance and interviews are this good, she doesn't need to tell us what she's already shown us. Also, the video quality is sometimes poorer than I would like, as the lighting or camera angle isn't good enough to really show the dancers. In one case, (perhaps because the original music wasn't available) she's clearly stuck the wrong piece of music onto a dance performance, which is jarring. One performance is in such darkness, I can hardly see anything. Another has a headache-inducing strobe light. But the dances I can see are great.

Despite its flaws, every belly dancer should own and study this video, at least until one with better lighting and less annoying narration comes out.

Interesting & entertaining.......2007-03-09

Overall I liked this documentary.. If you are a dancer of any category I imagine this would be of interest because it focuses on the stories of the dancers, their determination and their passion.

The dancing clips in another chapter of this dvd is valuable, as it shows you the 'low class' nightclub setting and the wealthy wedding ceremonies, etc..

There is no glossing over in this dvd, they do a good job of presenting the reality of Egyptian dancers..

I also enjoyed the directors commentary chapter, a bit lengthly but very honest and humorous..

Watch the special features.......2006-12-15

The dance performances in the special features section was by far the best thing about this DVD. Amazing women. Being a huge documentary fan and amateur belly dancer, I applaud the woman who made this film. Very well done.

Average customer rating:

Nadia Gamal Dance Workshop
Starring: Nadia Gamal
Manufacturer: Hollywood Music
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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Product Features:

Belly dancing dvd Arabic Middle Eastern Music

ASIN: B000OPXT86
Release Date: 2007-09-04

Product Description

Description: Enjoy and learn two of Nadia Gamals grand choreographies. The dance styles presented include Oriental Dance, Folklore, Basic Beledi, Drum Solo, and Bedouin Gypsy. The first is an Oriental Raks Sharki Dance, the second a Bedouin Folkloric Dance. Edited to 90 minutes, Nadia Gamal's six-hour workshop in New York includes all the highlights of the second day's choreography plus a 15-minute overview of the first day's session. The workshop was sponsored by "Arabesque and is geared toward professional dancers and advanced students.)

Average customer rating:

Smokin' hot women
So much fun to watch
AWESOME!
great dancers, terrible camera person
spastic camera man

Bellydance Superstars
Starring: Rania Bossonis , Suhaila Salimpour , and Jillina
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | International | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0001DMY3W
Release Date: 2004-02-24

Description

Shot in high definition for super visual effect of the highest quality, this DVD showcases the exceptional "Raks Sharki" dance form known as bellydance by some of America's greatest bellydancers. Each Superstar performs twice with multiple costumes and staging. Features Suhaila Salimpour, Jillina, Sonia, Amar Gamal, Rania, Ansuya, Rachel Brice, Tamalyn Dallal and a special performance by Dondi as Marilyn Monroe.

Customer Reviews:

Smokin' hot women.......2007-07-23

These women are hot as firecrackers. Ansya, Sonia, Rachel Brice & Riana
lead the way. Also live in Paris at the follies is smokin'
I have been a Bellydance superstar fan ever since I went nearly crazy
with desire seeing them on McEnroe several years ago.
Every dvd they make gets me so excited.
Rachel brice solo dvd's are also very worth while.
Before I got married I spent many nights setting the dvd player
on repeat play of a round robin of Ansya, Sonia, and Rachel Brice
segments as I blasted off with a bowl of prime Ganja.
My wife frowns on such activity so that is in my past.

So much fun to watch.......2007-06-29

This dvd is great if you are a belly dancer, a student dancer or just like to watch great performances. I have seen this dvd a few times already and showed it to all my friends and we all love it.

AWESOME!.......2007-05-13

IF YOU LOOKING FOR A REALLY GOOD DVD OF BELLYDANCE,THIS IS IT! IS AWESOME.THE BEST BELLY DANCERS EVER!

great dancers, terrible camera person.......2006-08-06

I have to agree with every person written the other reviews. The person, or persons, behind the camera couln't have done a worse job. This is a great shame because all of the dancers are extremely good and professional, each one in her own individual style, but, unfortunately, the camera just drives you crazy. One thing in particular really annoyed me. On shooting Rachel Brice, whom I love, he had the camera in the exact part of the body she was not moving. For example, if she did a belly roll, the camera was on her shoulders, if she was doing hip work, it showed her face, and so on. The only reason I did not give it a 5 star is because of the camera work. The dancers are all wonderful and it's worth the money because of them.

spastic camera man.......2006-07-11

overall the dancers are terrific but the camera man changes angles every second or two making impossible to follow any particular movement -sometimes the dancers are doing great hip work and the camera inexpicably moves to an extreme close up of a face and misses the movements-jumping the angle of view every second is distracting and irritating- the dance is interesting enough without shifting from one side to above to a close up all in the space of 3 seconds-it will make you dizzy--great dancers but the camera operator should shot

Bellydance Superstars - Solos Monte Carlo

Average customer rating:

Thank you for dancers angle
Couldn't watch it., but not because of the dancers
More great performances
Weakest of the DVDs
Dull

Bellydance Superstars - Solos Monte Carlo
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Ark 21
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000E1NXNG
Release Date: 2006-05-09

Description

As the art of Bellydance continues to grow in status and recognition the world over, the Bellydance Superstars have tried to present this most feminine dance art with the highest quality product possible to modern technology. This DVD allows the viewer to observe the dance from a "director's cut" for the more theatrical approach, as well the "dancer's cut" with few edits to delight dancers who want to study every move clearly without frills. Solos From Monte Carlo features the world's most respected bellydancers: ADORÉ, SONIA, BOZENKA

Customer Reviews:

Thank you for dancers angle.......2007-07-08

The only way to watch this DVD is to change the angle setting to angle 2, the "dancer's" angle. Otherwise you get an over-cut mess of head closeups and funny angles that make it impossible to see what the dancer is doing. I wouldn't want this DVD if I was missing the remote to my DVD player. Rachel and Shannon are AWESOME!!!!

Couldn't watch it., but not because of the dancers.......2007-02-26

I was so looking forward to this dvd, but after just one minute of constant rapid camera edits, I had to turn it off. Its like other reviewers have said, the editing is awful. Sad.

More great performances.......2007-01-04

There are some great performances in here from the ladies, but I do have one beef: The editing. After a couple earlier dvds, you'd think they'd film the dancers better. With Jillina, Bozenka, Rachel Brice and others, you have some solid and inspiring dancers, but they still cut to some odd angles during the performances so you lose the chance to see some moves orchestrated. Some of the performances are better filmed, but as you go on into the dvd, it seems like it reverts to more problematic style. But the performances are awesome and there's a good variety, from drum solos to american tribal to more cabaret style dance.

Weakest of the DVDs.......2006-11-24

I received my copy of Bellydance Superstars - Solos Monte Carlo this week, and over all, I must say I'm disappointed with it. I think it's the weakest of the three DVDs. The Paris DVD had the benefit of being performed live, and I think that most dancers do their best work in front of an appreciative audience. The Monte Carlo DVD was recorded in a studio, and for the most part, the dancing seems to be done by the numbers. The dancers just look tired in many of the performances, which is likely the case. I'd be tired, too, if I lived out of a tour bus, eating food at truck stops, and doing the same dance routines night after night. The dancers liven up the most when they dance to Issam Houshan's drumming (probably because they have an appreciative audience).

The video suffers further from the camera work. Once again, I think they chose a camera-man with ADD. Please let the camera linger on a dancer for more than three seconds before switching views. And as for all those clever view changes done during musical transitions, well, guess what? Those are often the most interesting parts of the dance, and we're losing it! Gah!

I am disappointed with Rachel Brice's dancing in this one. Her shoulders are often very high and tense, obscuring the line of her neck in a way I find unappealing. She is lit terribly, too, looking wholly washed-out in both sets. I know what colour her tattoo is, and it's not grey. Her make-up makes her look tired, and her eyes sunken deep into her skull. It's a shame, because she's a gorgeous woman and an excellent dancer.

The stand-out performance on this DVD is Bozenka, who I've never had the opportunity to watch before. Her technique is flawless and she dances seemingly without effort. Her dancing floats from one move to another with mellifluous grace. If she ever makes it up around these parts, I'm going to have to check her out! Live dancing is always better than recorded dancing.

Adoré has the most baffling performance on the disc. She forgot to wear pants, and sashays around in showgirl fringed bra and panties, doing some sort of samba/belly dance/club dance fusion. I don't understand why she chose to go bottomless, but I still maintain that Egyptian-style shimmies look far better when you can't see the legs pumping away like pistons.

The worst make-up award goes to Saida, whose face is made up to look like a 70s porn star. Maybe this makeup looks good on a big stage, but for close studio work, it's garish, whorish, and unfortunate. That being said, I'm not won over by her dancing. Although I like her spins, and she uses a little kick which I enjoy, her backbends look forced and painful (especially during the shimmying backbend sequence. Ow, ow, ow!), and if she doesn't have back pain yet, she soon will. I find her raqs assaya performance is the stronger of the two pieces. And indeed, it is nice to see more traditional-styled Egyptian dancing in the Bellydance Superstars repertoire.

Petite Jamilla does a dance which I could barely stand to watch--not because she's a bad dancer, oh no. I quite like her dancing, actually. It's because of the zilling. The finger cymbals appear to have been overdubbed, and they don't quite sync up with what I see on my video screen. Also, they don't sound right with the music, which was driving me crazy! Zilling has to be perfect, or else it's up there in the musical hell room with badly played bagpipes and violins.

One of the extra features on the DVD is a series of vignettes featuring each of the performers. Most of these aren't terribly interesting, aside from the sections on Sharon Kihara and Rachel Brice. It is nice to get a behind-the-scenes look at these women, and to see what they go through to get ready for a show. It's also interesting to get an idea of how Issam Houshan goes about crafting drum solos for each of the dancers.

All in all, I don't recommend buying this DVD, but it is worth checking out.

Dull.......2006-11-22

I love the Live in Paris DVD and the first DVD was already. This one I found a bit dull. On paper it sounded great with Issam doing more solos with the dancers. But it just didn't capture my attention, not even with accompanied by an oud player.

The only thing that was mindly interesting was the short interviews in the special features section.

Average customer rating:

The Exotic Art of Bellydance
Starring: Various Artists
Manufacturer: Hollywood Music
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B000OPVSHK
Release Date: 2007-08-07

Product Description

Description: The popularity of Bellydance has reached global acclaim as a recognized and respected dance form. Graceful and elegant movements join exquisite costumes and passionate music to create an amazing experience. Join the worlds most famous Bellydancers performing to music from great artists such as The Al-Ahram Orchestra, Dr. Samy Farag, Aboud Abdel Al and The Gizira Band. Chapter List: 1. Kaeshi: Orientalis Modern Fusion 2. Aziza: Yasamina Classical Egyptian 3. Amar Gamal: Dina Tata Modern Balady 4. Shimmy Sisters: Moon Over Ala Nar Modern Fusion Duet 5. Tamra Henna: Hoss-Hoss Saidi Cane Performance 6. Nallini: Nawaem Modern Egyptian 7. Ava Fleming: Set Al Hosen Modern Egyptian 8. Louchia: Sahara City Classical Egyptian 9. Sandra: Aswan Dances Classical Egyptian 10. Rania: Ya Bahaia Classical Egyptian 11. Willow: We Marret El Ayam Classical Egyptian 12. Nathalie: Layali Al Sharq Classical Egyptian

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