Search - Miroir Noir on DVD

Buyer beware!

Henry D. Friedman | Syracuse NY | 04/25/2009

(1 out of 5 stars)

"I was introduced to this group through Austin City Limits on PBS. I thought and still think that this is a very talented group of musicians.

This DVD however, is for me a big disappointment. I truly try to understand what the group or the person(s) who filmed and edited this was thinking?

In all honesty, it appear to be a collection of home video, cell phone camera pics and security cam recordings made by a high school student whose ego was greater than his/her ability and whose artistic passion conflicted with an intention to depict the musicians and their music.

The video quality ranges from mediocre to downright bad. The sound ranges from acceptable to music over a bad telephone connection. What was lacking in video quality is "compensated" by "creative" video editing with "artistic distortion" to the point that I found myself very frustrated. My expectation in this purchase was to observe the artists and their music with sound and image. I am badly disappointed.

I am sorry but at fist view, I regret having purchased this DVD, and would recommend against anyone else doing so. To the group Arcade Fire, you are very talented, and your music deserves better than this. In fact, such a DVD may turn potential fans who do not know you, off."

This DVD reminded me why I love Arcade Fire so much!

Jennifer Bruno | Philadelphia, PA USA | 08/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD is something every Arcade Fire fan should own. Every review here seems to be complaining how its not a straight through concert film, and i just want to say thank god (or whatever) its NOT! You can't ever get the same experiece of watching a band like Arcade Fire Live from a film, and you shouldn't try to. I think the film did a great job at capturing the energy of Arcade Fire, but without trying so hard that the viewer eventually gets bored, the film just moves on to the next thing and I really liked that.

Arcade Fire have been known for their elusiveness and I think that's one of the great things about the band, besides their amazing music, and I like that the film doesn't give too much away, it just gave enough. The film has snippets of fottage of them writing or recording Neon Bible, and its moments in the film like seeing Regine playing the organ for Intervention in i guess what's their church, Regine and Win playing 'Windowsill' in an elevator (that part's really amazing), and the whole band playing 'Neon Bible' in a small, cramped elevator and Richard tearing pages from a magazine to make for great backup sound (not a musician so don't know if thats the right term). But its moments like that where you can really see how talented they really are and more importantly how much they are realy true musicians, and are playing music because its there love, not just to make money.

Oh and the recordings of the callers from the Neon Bible phone line, so great, a different mix of people with all different opinions, it's really cool. And they have a caller at the end who is a mother of a 5 year old and says for her daughter's birthday she wanted to see Arcade Fire, it's such a great moment, cause you can see how Arcade Fire really is relatable to anyone. And the concert parts that the film does include are SO FREAKING GREAT that the dvd is worth buying just for that, showing the crowd and their energy in neighborhood # 3(power out) and then going into Rebellion (Lies), what an amazing show, i wish i was at that one! OK just buy it, I think the proceeds go to helping Haiti anyway, so even if your not a fan of the band, at least your helping a good cause."

Not Quite What I Hoped It Would Be

William E. Innes | Benicia, CA United States | 05/27/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I love Arcade Fire, and was thrilled when I saw video cameras focused on every member of the band during their NEON BIBLE Tour, figuring that it meant a concert DVD was in the works. If one has seen Arcade Fire in concert, then you know that it is an almost religious-like experience.

Unfortunately Win Butler has expressed a general impatience with conventional concert films. To some extent, I can understand this sentiment. However, a great many concert films have not had performers as dynamic on the stage as Arcade Fire. So, in place of a more conventional concert film, we get snippets of songs and a bit of a fly on the wall's perspective of backstage and in the studio. It is stylish in its own way and it does work. That said, I'd really have preferred an entire, uninterrupted concert from this wonderful band.

The bonus DVD is worth getting...and it is worth the few extra dollars to get the deluxe edition of this DVD. Granted, by the time one finishes watching it, one might wonder if "Keep the Car Running" was played on an endless loop (it is featured a number of times on the bonus DVD), but the performances are still unique and lively.

Although nothing will ever take the place of actually being at an Arcade Fire show, I do hope that the band will see fit to eventually release a more conventional (start to finish) concert film."

It would have been better as a simple concert DVD....

C. M. Dunlap | VA | 08/16/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I absolutely LOVE Arcade Fire's music. When I got this DVD I was so excited, thinking it would be like the concert I saw in 2007. Unfortunately it's more like a retrospective "give you a glimpse" of concert and behind-the-scenes footage. There's a mix of song clips along with dialogue and messages from their call-in campaign. Overall I think I would have liked this DVD to be just a straight concert, I think their music speaks for itself. The experimental treatment detracts from that. If you're a die-hard fan, it's worth getting. Otherwise, just go see them live. It's worth every penny."