Search - More Tales of the City on DVD

Get "More Tales" While You Can

edzaf | Chandler, AZ USA | 12/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A must have DVD for any fan of the "Tales of the City" books or mini-series...even if you do not have a DVD player yet! This DVD is hard to come by so grab a copy of it while you can. While some viewers might have some problems with the re-casting of some key roles from the original series (particularly Nina Siemasko replacing Chloe Webb as Mona Ramsey), Armistead Maupin's characters and twisting storylines make it a little easier to accept the new actors. "More Tales" also gives you a chance to see some current TV stars in very different roles -- Thomas Gibson from "Dharma & Greg" and Billy Campbell from "Once And Again." Key holdovers include Laura Linney and Olympia Dukakis who, along with Maupin, provide insightful voice-over commentary on this 2-disc DVD set. An important part to any DVD (or movie) purchase is whether it holds up after repeated viewing and this certainly passes the test. Unfortunately, the original PBS "Tales" is tied up in a legal mess and unavailable on DVD for the forseeable future. Looking forward to "Further Tales" set to air in Spring 2001. It is rare these days for an author to have such creative control over a movie/mini-series project. Maupin's love for these characters (and the actors who play them) is clearly evident. Hopefully, future "Tales" DVDs will have the caring treatment that was put into this set."

More than the first one, a first rate miniseries!

Nicholas Carroll | Portland OR United States | 03/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I thought this series was an overall improvement over the exceptional "Tales of the City", even though different actors play Mona Ramsey, Brian Hawkins, and Michael Tolliver. The change was a little hard to accept at first, particularly with Mona and Michael, as I liked the actors in the first mini-series, but as I watched all the episodes, I got used to the new actors and they did an equally fine job as the ones who originated the roles.

I'm especially glad that Laura Linney continues her role as Mary Ann Singleton, as she is one of my favorite actresses by virtue of her wise choices in picking roles in films that I happen to want to see. She's great in everything I've seen her in thus far, and she nails the character of Mary Ann Singleton in this series. Olympia Dukakis is also another hold over from the original miniseries, which wouldn't be the same without her presence. She simply is Anna Madrigal...elegant and mysterious as the landlord everyone would be lucky to have.

What makes this miniseries an improvement over the first one for me is the brilliant casting choice and performances of the lady who plays Mother Mucca, and Colin Ferguson as the oddly naive Burke Andrew. First, Mother Mucca is a pure delight to watch. She's a crusty old lady with a mouth on her and a wicked wit that just makes you laugh. She doesn't take much from anyone, and even though she's oddly moody and mouthy, you can't help but love her and want to get to know her. She is the one actor who singlehandedly make this series a must watch show. That's not to take away from the rest of the cast, because they all did exceptionally well. This is as fine acting as you'll ever see in any film...and Mother Mucca is the funniest one of the lot.

Colin Ferguson perfectly captures his character from the novel. With his facial expressions alone, he physically displays his discomfort and boyishness that seems a bit odd for a man in his late 20s, but as we see the reason why, it all makes perfect sense. Why isn't this actor in more films? Other than that over-hyped and quickly cancelled "Friends" knock-off ("Coupling"), I haven't seen him in anything else. This guy can act and casting directors should get his number and put him in their film projects! He and Laura Linney have great chemistry together, and his journey in the film represents is fun to watch to its morbidly funny conclusion.

After watching this one, I look forward to "Further Tales of the City" and hope that its just as good as the previous two miniseries. These tales are joyous to watch, and high quality acting and production values are apparent throughout. Well done!

"

Not As Great As the Books But Still Good To See !!!

iheartcrass | 06/25/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ok. The stories of 28 Barbary Lane continue with more laughs, more sex and more mysteries with Armistead Maupin's More Tales of the City, a six-part miniseries (COMPLETE SET OF THREE TAPES) follow-up to the highly successful Tales of the City. Picking up where the original left off, Anna Madrigal (Dukakis) is still keeping watch over her tenants Mary Ann (Linney), who finds love with the mysterious Burke (Ferguson), and Michael "Mouse" Tolliver (Hopkins, replacing Marcus D'Amico), who falls hard for the dreamy Dr. Fielding (Campbell). Meanwhile, Mona (Siemaszko replacing Chloe Webb) heads off in search of her birth mother; and Beauchamp (Gibson) deals with his wife Dede's (Garrick) impending motherhood. More Tales is just as enjoyable as the original, and since there is less time introducing the characters, there's more time spent with them and developing them. Tensions about showing nudity and depicting homosexuality, which caused a controversy with the first production, have been lessened (this was made for Showtime, not PBS as the original was), making the sequel more relaxed. As before, the series captures 1970s San Francisco in all its glory, featuring fabulous period details in the clothes, music and fads of the era. It's like reuniting with long-lost old friends!"

Happily Surprised

Kevin C. Key | Berwyn, Illinois USA | 06/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was a bit leary of this "mini-series" because I loved the books so much, and this production replaced a couple of the lead stars from the first series. Any disappointment I felt, though, was quickly lost as I fell in love with the characters all over again, and soon forgot about the changes. What a great story with deliciously satisfying surprise turns and twists! The actors obviously relished these roles and put everything into them. Especially terrific about the DVD is the commentary from the author and stars of the series. I found it captivating--couldn't pull myself away from their stories, and can't wait to sit down and listen to them again. There's nothing like this out there. It should be part of your library!"