The Mamas And The Papas - California Dreamin' (DVD)

Advantages: Fantastic DVD
Disadvantages: There ARE no disadvantages!

...California Dreamin' by the Mammas and the Papas. This is ? what? Exactly? Just a music DVD from the 1960s? A seminal masterwork by some of the world's best ever musical geniuses? Having listened to this DVD and viewed it, all I can say is yes, I think it is probably a seminal masterwork by some of the world's best ever musicial geniuses.. I am in my late 40s, so I can remember the 1960s and I can remember the fantastic influence that the Mamas and the Papas had on music and on society in general. There songs are a combination of pathos, of love, of joy, are happiness of melancholy of? of life itself, I suppose. All the hits of the Mamas and the Papas are on this DVD. I Call Your Name, Dancing in the Street, Do You Believe in Magic Somebody Groovy Words of Love Creeque Alley Twelve-Thirty (Young Girls Are Coming To... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Sunny, catchy pop songs
Disadvantages: Mama Cass and John Phillips are no longer with us

...'t - all the emphasis is on her wonderful, clear vocal. All the hits are here: "California Dreamin", "Monday Monday" (starts off so quietly that I usually end up turning the volume up), and "Dedicated to the one I love" - all beautiful harmonies, and very reminiscent of the hazy days of Summer - and the 60s for anyone old enough to remember those days! There are plenty of flower-power memories here: "I call your name" even reminds me of Tiny Tim. It is, in fact a Lennon and McCratney song, though. Many of the Mamas and Papas recordings were cover versions: "You baby" is a gorgeous, exhuberant version of the Turtles' song, equally as good as the original, and "Twist and shout" is a slowed down version of the showstopping tune, one that you could even do a bit of romantic dancing to. But the best songs were written by the band members... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: art direction, compelling narrative, historical background
Disadvantages: cast

...has produced a work of art that changes perspectives, that gives the spectator food for thought, and has the arguments to change opinions. His unfinished masterpiece California Dreamin' was his last film before a fatal car crash in 2006. It won the Prix un certain regard at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. California Dreamin' takes place in Romania, and is based on a true story. In 1999, during the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, a train containing American radar equipment required in Kosovo goes through Romania and is held up for several days in a small village on the Bărăgan Plain (in the movie, the village of Căpâlniţa) because some customs papers are missing. Since the train is occupied by American soldiers, the village folk make an effort to welcome the visitors, while the station manager, who has a grudge... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful