Search - Mozartballs on DVD

For the record...

Amber D. Gorby | CA, USA | 10/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...I know these two women, and they are two in a billion. Nothing "plain" about them. If they are eccentric, it is because they are intellectual, open-minded, and unafraid to speak truths that the average, ignorant person is too close-minded to consider. I wish to God we had more people who are so "eccentric". I believe Steph and Lynette were who they say they were, completely, and though I have my own reasons for this, one needs only to know them to find any claim that they are fame-seeking fanatics laughable.

By the way, I don't get the Elvis thing either, but I think you have a lot of nerve mocking Elvis fans when you call yourself Daisy Brambletoes (from the Shire). We all worship at one altar or another. That's easy. But put yourself on the other side - what if you had been J.R.R Tolkien? Would you be brave enough to stand up and say it?

Moving away from this unpleasantness, I really enjoyed "Mozartballs". It's a fitting tribute to the lasting legacy of Mozart, both moving and comedic, which I suspect the Master would have appreciated."

A case for the nut cases.

K. Lynette Erwin | 10/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a member of the cast of this film, and one of the "plain women" who has enlivened my "dull" life by "writing herself into Mozart history", I feel compelled to respond.

Although, for obvious reasons, I can't give this film a completely objective review, what the previous reviewer failed to mention is that she is biased by the fact that she is well acquainted with we two plain women to whom she attaches the motive for our being in this film as that of seeking after our fifteen minutes of fame. I refuse to defend myself, my motives, my beliefs, or this film. They are what they are and the film is what it is, and only those who choose to experience this film with an open heart and an open mind will truly get its message. There will be those who scoff for various and sundry reasons. That is to be expected. Believe me, we weighed that fact very heavily before we ever agreed to be in it, but the accusation that we sold ourselves out for "fifteen minutes of fame" is rather judgmental indeed, and speaks more of the accuser than those who are accused. I would hardly risk my reputation and credibility, nor would I place my family and my children in a position where they could be embarrassed and humiliated for such a shallow and selfish motive. My motives came from a much deeper, even spiritual place inside of me, and for another to believe that they have the right or even ability to judge my motives, especially someone who doesn't know me, (except for what they have encountered of me over the internet), is rather insulting.

I will say that Mozartballs was, for me, more about the experience than the final product, and it will go down in the annals of my history as probably the single most life-changing event of my entire life. What you see captured briefly in this film is only a fraction of what took place. It would be impossible for the writer, director, and editors to put into a film, even twice its length, what was seen, felt, and experienced by each and every member of the Mozartballs cast and crew. Larry Weinstein did a brilliant job, in my humble opinion, of presenting each person's story without interjecting his own personal judgment or bias, letting the film speak for itself, and the viewer to come to his/her own conclusions regarding each character and their story. It is the intelligent and wise viewer who will dive into this film, quirky as it is, reserve judgment of its participants and their eccentricities, and look for how and why Mozart and his music and life has profoundly affected them.

In the end, I will quote Herr Rich, (the melancholy but delightful Swiss school teacher who was also featured in this film), "The world would be a better place if there were a few more nut cases in it." That, to me, sums up the entire essence of what Mozartballs is about, and how, if we will but search a little deeper into ourselves, each of us would find our own quirky eccentricities and outrageous beliefs, and learn to celebrate them and allow them to shine forth rather than fearfully hide them from a world that is desperately searching for less conformity and more eccentricity. I know of no better way to celebrate the memory of the composer, who more than any other composer in history, bucked and defied the established system, was well-known for his eccentricities, and lived his life in such an outrageous and flamboyant fashion. Many of Mozart's peers believed him to be a "nut". Go ahead. Call me a nut case. I stand with an illustrious company.
"

Mozartballs

Sk Waller | Stillwater, OK United States | 10/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is surprising to me that Ms. Brambletoes failed to mention that Lynette and I were once online friends of hers, a relationship that ended a few years ago. I have always known her to be a person of sound integrity and I wish she would have at least mentioned our past relationship before trying to lead the reader to think she is an impartial reviewer. As for her judgment of us "plain women" (I think the film demonstrates quite the opposite) leading "dull" lives (our lives are in fact filled with almost too much excitement, with new and stimulating experiences confronting us on a weekly basis), it is obvious that her assessment is in no way subjective and that she has ax to grind, although I still think very warmly of her and even miss her friendship. It was in fact her own eccentricities that I so enjoyed when we were friends; I love colorful people.

Honest opinion is one thing and a plausible critique is based on just that, not on grudges. I actually enjoy the honest criticisms that this film receives from strangers, but in truth, anyone who watches it in the spirit in which it was meant to be viewed knows that it is not about Lynette and myself. Or Herr Rich, Dr. Cope, or Herr Viehböck. It is about how Mozart's music, as well as his colorful and eccentric personality still touches people two centuries later, and in ways that prove just how wonderful and unique all human beings are.

S.K. Waller"

Captivating

SherBear | Florida | 10/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I watched this documentary and it was excellent. I have a newfound love for Mozart and learned so many things that I didn't know. I was moved to tears at times and also found myself giggling at the tour guides who had good intentions but inaccurate information which Steph thankfully let us viewers know the real version of events rather than the myths that have evolved through the centuries. I felt the passion and emotion of everyone in this film. And Lynette has a such a beautiful singing voice that can bring you to tears as well! I have a new appreciation of the life and music of Mozart. Thank you to all involved in Mozartballs for sharing such a personal journey with us. A must see!"