Russell Watson - Live In New Zealand DVD

Advantages: Great to see a live action version at last
Disadvantages: Limited on the small screen

...which tells the story of War Of The Worlds from a production point of view, all aspects are covered from the music and set design, to the return of Richard Burton. Also an introduction to the cast Richard Burton as the Journalist, Justin Hayward as The Sung Thoughts Of The Journalist. Alexis James who replaces David Essex as the Artilleryman. Two further new additions Irish singing sensation Tara Blaise replaces Julie Covington as Beth the parsons wife; and Russell Watson as Parson Nathaniel filling the shoes of the late Phil Lynott. Chris Thompson returns as The Voice Of Humanity and the final new addition Anna Marie Wayne the daughter of Jeff Wayne as Carrie the Journalists fiancé. Finally the booklet gives you a run down of all the tracks and the massive list of extras. Onto the DVD after going through the lengthy menu's section which I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Great performances, enjoyable who-dunnit mystery
Disadvantages: Not overly faithful to the books

...'s performance as Watson in both this and the BBC adaptation of "Hound of the Baskervilles" from the year before; he's second only to David Burke in the "Best Watson Ever" stakes, in my opinion. Too often Watson is either portrayed as a complete blundering idiot (e.g. Nigel Bruce, the "classic" Watson who starred alongside Basil Rathbone in the 1940s) or just not nice enough (e.g. Edward Hardwicke) but Hart plays Watson as an intelligent individual with a kind heart who's just a bit of a sucker when it comes to his good mate Holmes, and, you know, I can live with that. So, anyway, off Watson toddles to find Holmes, it doesn't take too long, he's busy being sulky and striding impressively around the streets of London. It's obvious from the off that there's something up between him and his "Boswell" as Holmes is exceedingly horrid to Watson... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Russell is always funny
Disadvantages: Recycled material, not as good as the first dvd

...As a big fan of Russell Brand, I have to say that I was somewhat disappointed with the "Doing Life" show. I have long enjoyed Russell's work on TV, I enjoy his podcasts, and also thought his first stand-up DVD "Russell Brand Live" was a work of art. "Doing Life" is in much the same vein, so much so that he recycles material from the first show. He also recycles jokes used on his television show "Ponderland", which to me is rather lazy and disappointing from one of the UK's best. Allow me to state clearly, the show is not bad. Not at all. Brand's unique charm and his audience interaction are as good as ever. His confessional style to comedy is back, as he once again shares some embarassing and hilarious stories from his own life with the crowd. Most of the material is new and Russell on several occasions is able to demonstrate his great... Read review

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