Pinball Machine Reviews

Reviews

Grew up in the 50s/60s, did some DJing, so this is one of my favorites. The quintessential "Rock Opera" that's just good rock music, opera or not. Maybe it's my old ears: the recording was slightly flat (Bose speakers, Onkyo amp), but the music is just as exciting now as then. Despite the moderately good movie, the music remains the heart of this album. The story line is a little adult with a side dish of sociology that doesn't diminish the rock. Guitar riffs few can play. Forget the "opera", just enjoy the "rock".

A classic rock opera that should be listened by anyone who is interested in the development of rock and roll. Period.

While I did not buy this version of Tommy for myself,I bought it for my daughter,she loves it. I am a fan of the movie Tommy,I have loved that movie for the last 34 yrs.

Like THE WALL, and The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway, the record tells a story, through music and characterization, and achieves this quite well. Not to mention the musical content of the record, which also works. A real departure for the WHO at this point, because they were struggling to right hit singles, and weren't really a hit singles type of band. They were always more of a live band, and this record worked well for them when played live.

I have received two albums; returned the first album because CD#2 would not be recognized by any of the four CD players I put it in. I am sending back #2 for the same problem. I would think others have had this issue and it is not corrected. I will send #2 back for a refund.

Reviews

My parents never went to movies together, but one day in 75 they took in Tommy. Throughout my childhood and into adulthood I would occasionally hear stories from my folks about how awful and bizarre the film was. My dad seemed to like to point out the scene with Ann Margaret rolling around in baked beans. Well, the combination of this bitter hatred for the film and the whole baked beans thing finally wore on me enough that I watched the film. I neither liked or disliked The Who, but decided to press on. Plus, I was familiar with Ken Russell by that point. I was quite dumbfounded when the film ended. What in the hell did I just watch? Was this a comedy? Was it supposed to be disturbing? Deep? Was there a message I was supposed to pick up on? It was totally insane. The movie really messed with me for some time until it hit me that I absolutely friggin loved it! For those who don't know, the movie deals with Tommy, who at a young age sees his father murdered by his mother's lover. This puts him into a kind of psychosomatic state of being deaf, blind and mute. Throughout his childhood and young adulthood he's mistreated and exploited by damn near everybody until he becomes a pinball champion. He gains a kind of cult following, and soon after he breaks the spell of his condition and sees himself as a kind of religious messiah, and pays the price for it. As you know, the film is a musical, but certainly unlike any musical you've ever seen. All dialogue is done through song-the characters sing all of their lines. I believe there is only one spoken word in the film, "Tommy' at one point. Russell cast singers and nonsingers in the roles. Many cameos by musicians like Tina Turner, Elton John, Eric Clapton, and of course, The Who themselves. Supporting actors are Oliver Reed, Jack Nicholson, and Ann Margaret(looking yummy as can be. I really fell in love with her after seeing this). Russell makes them all sing, whether they can sing or not! The movie is almost impossible to describe-it's disturbing as hell because it's surreal to begin with, but everyone acts like they're from an insane asylum on top of that. A scene where Tommy is molested by his uncle is played as comedy! Tina Turner is so over the top twitchy, wild, cartoony and crazy to the point that she's downright scary. In fact, the whole thing is zany, but I'm not sure if the movie is supposed to be funny, even to this day. I know parts of it are, but it's just such an overload of crazy stuff that you don't know what to make of it. How Ken Russell got all of these people to do this stuff is beyond me. The reputation of this movie is NOT good. It's looked at as a rape of the album(an absolutely fantastic album by the way), even by Pete Townsend(didn't he watch the dailies?). Yes the story is altered and new elements are added in. New songs are introduced as well. The film is given a twisted funhouse vibe that the album didn't have, and it's understandable that many folks weren't gonna dig this movie. Only the 70s(and Russell)could have produced a movie like Tommy. I've seen the movie a ton of times since, and even became a Who fan as a result. I don't have many hangups about the alterations to the story, the album's the album and the movie's the movie. In fact, I see the album as The Who's and the film as a Ken Russell film-two totally different entities. Kinda like how the Novel The Shining is Stephen King's, but the film is Stanley Kubrick's all the way. Both are quite different, but very cool in their own right. My friends all hated the film when I made them watch it, but I just love it for it's great music and it's total insanity. Of course my parents think I'm totally out of my tree for liking this one.

I've been watching this movie over and over and over again since I was about 8 years old. I've always loved it and always will. Yes, it's strange, a bit trippy, and those who are fans of the The Who's original recording will probably not like this. But I LOVE the performances of Oliver Reed, Ann Margaret, Elton John, Tina Turner, Roger Daltrey, and especially Jack Nicholson (how sexy was he as the doctor!). When Oliver Reed and Ann Margaret are singing "You didn't hear it, you didn't see it" to young Tommy and the way they're yelling it to him at the end of the song gives me goosebumps. Even though Oliver Reed and Jack Nicholson aren't the best singers, I like it, I think it gives the movie some realism and even some comedy. I'm a huge fan of the songs from the movie by all the guest artists! And the ending of the movie is great. Overall, I think it's fantastic, despite it's "flaws".

Get the original album by the Who and for get this crap. The Who, Elton John Eric Clapton and Tina Turner are the only members of the cast that can sing or have any noticeable talent. Oliver Reed can't sing, Ann Margaret looks great but also can't sing, and so on to infinity. The big names here in can sing and have a presence on screen while the others slop their way around like some amateur night talent show. Be Warned - The origianl is better and this only serves to annoy and well you get the picture. The sets are overblown and very colorful but only serve to confuse as to whether this was intended to funny, sad or exactly what they were thinking. But definitley advise against buying. Don't even take it if it's free - it's bad.

This film has some of the wildest sets and costumes and shenanigans you'll ever see! Not to mention an amazingly outrageous cast. But most of the music is not well performed and the film doesn't come close to the effect of the original album. See it for fun. But stick to the original album for the best rendering. It all works better in your own mind than letting Ken Russell fill it in for you. And I LIKE Ken Russell! Check out "Women in Love" His masterpiece! That's the problem here. Ann-Margret is better in a lot of other stuff. The Who is better elsewhere. Eric Clapton is better elsewhere. So too Jack Nicholson, Oliver Reed, and everybody else. No one is up to par except Tina Turner.

Top buy i saw this movie when it first came out many years ago at the movies i am glad that you can still get it through Amazon and i find it great that you can watch it in tow ways on one side it is HD on the other side it is just like normal great idea.

Reviews

When I listen to the album "Pinball Mars" it's like walking into an alternate universe where normal rules seem passe'. It's like a dream that is extremely weird but makes perfect sense within the context of the dream. The Circus Devils' "Pinball Mars" takes you on an auditory journey that is dark, humorous, sometimes rocking ("Don't Be Late": what a sexy, hooky rock song!), and, at times, painfully beautiful. "Are You Out With Me?" (opening track) is one of the funniest openings I've heard on record: a few friends singing "Let's go out! Let's go out! Let's go out-out!" but the same words are repeated until screamed and then it feels like a very bizzare rock-opera. I can only imagine the 3 characters (Pinball Mars, Flush and Z) finally getting up from the couch, or whatever people sit on in Pinball Mars, and making an effort to "go out". The 3 characters enter their world of "Gargoyle City" and the journey continues. "Pinball Mars" plays like a concept album and lets your imagination participate in its' creation. Not only is this one of my favorite Circus Devils recordings, it is one of my favorite concept albums(and they do it in approx. 35 minutes!). Yet, at the end, you feel like you've been through a full life experience where time has no meaning. I never tire of listening to "Pinball Mars" because, like most great recordings, I hear something new each time I listen.

Anytime someone hops on a pedal and heads to outer space, the spirit of Helios Creed/Chrome is evoked. And here, Robert Pollard and the Tobias Bros channel their inner Chrome-ness. As with much of the music released from The Pollard trust in the last five years, it is for the open minded or devoted listener. While not as focused as that superior head fest "The Harold Pig Memorial" , it is not as bad as the tiresome Ringworm Interiors. The band has the sense to space out such endurance tests as Plasma and Raw Reaction with tracks like "Gargoyle City", "Glass Boots", "Sick Color" and "Don't Be Late". This is as close to an Amp Rep record as Pollard has ever gotten. And that makes it a unique album in his formidable discography. Not an entry point for all but that most outre listener. Are You Out With Me?

Heavy. Heavy heavy heavy. This is a very psychedelic and psychological record. Phenomenal. Tim and Todd Tobias make great weird music here, and Pollards vocals are at times beautiful, at times demented, and always lyrically brilliant. Act 2 is the weirder of the two sides. A fantastic listen on vinyl - its all of side 2. Plays like a concept album, and takes ya somewhere. Bob - if you are reading this - keep it weird!

A month without cigarettes! But I started again. Lasted a month! Took the first drag to the final track on this album (stupid I know but I couldnt take it anymore!) Pinball Mars by the Circus Devils is even more demented than Harold Pig and less accessible (sp?). YEAH! Brilliant nonetheless. Music like this makes me second guess everything else on offer. If you are even viewing this item, give up the movie rental cash or whatever other sundries you may think of rewarding yourself with and get this instead. Pop hooks however arent included.

Reviews

"Mr. Belvedere" was created at a time when television didn't have to hit you over the head to make a point. It was also a time when TV dealt with moral issues and "Mr. Belvedere" consistantly puts out good moral lessons. A proper Britishman comes to be the housekeeper for George and Marsha Owens, he is employed full-time, she is a full-time student in law school. Immediately Mr. Belvedere clashes with George. This back and forth between George and Belvedere (his first name is Lynn) is played out very well as the couple's young son Wesley (9) begins to see both as his mentors; with his Dad remaining his main concept of manhood, but with Mr. Belvedere being a unique perspective to come to for ideas and advice. The Owens also have a teenage son (17) and daughter (15). There son is a nice enough fellow, but seems a sandwich short of a picnic much of the time. The girl is eager to be an independent woman. These children, too, benefit from Belvedere's reasoning skills. The series is everything television has stopped being. There is warmth, love, characters that you wish you knew in the real world, and a tremendous amount of belly-laugh humor. A standout espisode is "Pinball", one that does not show Mr. Belvedere in a good light as he becomes addicted to playing pinball and neglects his duties. This adds realism to Mr. Belvedere because he is not a superman who never falls, but a regular person who is generally reliable, but has his weaknesses, too. This first installment features the first season (which came in as a mid-season replacement) and the entire second season. Great for fans and newcomers.

Based on the character "Belvedere" created by Gwen Davenport and first portrayed on screen by Clifton Webb in the adapted films Sitting Pretty (1948), Mr. Belvedere Goes To College (1949) and Mr. Belvedere Rings the Bell (1951), ABC's "Mr. Belvedere" finds the live-in butler (the late great Christopher Hewett) deposited with the Owens family, a somewhat provincial household in the suburbs of Pittsburgh. As Belvedere notes in his journal entry: "Although the individual members seem well intentioned enough, they do seem a bit out of touch with each other. But with a certain amount of patience and direction, I'm sure I can whip them into shape...even George. They're damn lucky to have me". Indeed. And thanks to Shout! Factory (props to DVD producer Brian Blum), the show's fans are lucky to have him finally on DVD. Mr. Belvedere - Seasons One & Two is a 5-disc (single-sided) set featuring the show's first 29 episodes (all 7 from Season One, plus all 22 from Season Two); Full Frame (1.33:1) video; plus the following Special Features: New Interviews with the Cast, and Saturday Night Live - Mr. Belvedere Fan Club sketch. The discs are housed in 3 slimcases inside a handsomely designed [brown] slim outer box. Disc 1 contains Season One Episodes 1-7, Disc 2: Season Two Episodes 1-6, Disc 3: Episodes 7-11, Disc 4: Episodes 12-17, Disc 5: 18-22 plus Bonus Features. The picture and sound are fairly good, despite some noticeable grain and a very noticeable sound drop in "The Letter" episode. There are chapters for the episodes which you can skip through using your remote. Season One Disc 1: Stranger in the Night (3/15/1985) The Outcasts (3/22/1985) Gotta Dance (3/29/1985) Gorgeous George (4/5/1985) What I Did For Love (4/12/1985) The Lost Weekend (4/19/1985) Sweet Charity (4/26/1985) Season Two Disc 2: The Lion Sleeps Tonight (9/27/1985) Tornado (10/4/1985) Cheerleader (10/11/1985) Requiem (10/18/1985) Delivery (10/25/1985) The Contract (11/1/1985) Disc 3: Vows (11/18/1985) Strike (11/15/1985) The Letter (11/22/1985) Pinball (11/29/1985) The Prize (12/6/1985) Disc 4: Speechless (1/3/1986) The Teacher (1/10/1986) The Dropout (1/17/1986) Rivals (1/24/1986) Wesley's Friend (1/31/1986) The Will (2/7/1986) Disc 5: Valentine's Day (2/14/1986) Heather's Tutor (2/21/1986) Amish (3/7/1986) Dinner For Two (3/21/1986) The Play (3/28/1986)

Great unique comedy show from the '80s! I recommend you get a dose of Mr. Belvedere!

This dvd takes me back to the 80"s I really have enjoy it you forget how funny it was. Mr. Belvedere and George Owens have really good chemistry and how could you forget Wesley Owens the original Bart simpson.

The videos were of great quality and brought back a lot of memories of the '80s! I would definitely recommend this DVD set for any who loved the series.