Search - Gotham on DVD

Mesmerizing

oompah_loompah | PA, USA | 04/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a die hard, so I guess I'm sort of biased. I watched this DVD with a friend, and we both literally just sat there, jaws dropped, glued to the screen, from start to finish. (well, we are teenage girls, so don't go by us)Peter Murphy is truly an enigmatic and phenomenal performer, as is Daniel Ash. True, the director was kind of annoying, especially when he kept panning to the audience at really odd times (yeah, okay, people who like Bauhaus wear eyeliner, WE GOT IT! You don't have to remind us every 5 seconds or so!!). The little in between bits are highly entertaining, and I don't think there's anything more fabulous than the performance of "Boys". All of the performances are excellent. Although, since it was a DVD, a little behind the scenes featurette would have been nice. And, personally, I think the sound is fine. I mean, it wasn't AMAZING, but it didn't stink..., either.Oh yeah, and one more thing, I was pleasantly surprised to see that Peter Murphy hasn't become fat, bald or prematurely geraitric over the years. He still weighs, like, 4 ounces, has a really cool haircut, and dances in a way that makes the most affected monacle-and-top hat-wearing goths cry. (Just look at the audience, it's not like they ever SHOW them!!)So, anyways, bottom line, if you're a die hard, you need it. If you're a newbie, this will get you hooked. If you're on the fence, this will tip you over. If you're--wait, what was I talking about again? Oh yeah, just buy the freaking thing. ..."

Don't waste your money

Ark | Hamburg, Germany | 11/16/2000

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Shame. This is the word that for me resumes that work. It's sad, I didn't expect anything so poorly conceived, bad done. It's a total disappointment. Who directed the shooting and the postproduction doesn't know even the songs, has a poor taste, no criteria when using the different visual effects (the most of them useless and ridiculous), seems obsessed of showing the audience, breaking the feeling, the rythm of the performing. How easy could have been to take advantage of the starting of the concert, with Peter singing Double Dare from the b/w monitor, but here all is ruined, seeing this video not having been in the concert it's easy to think that all was a fake. The director didn't get anything of what happened on the stage, or if he did he has been totally incompetent to translate it into a movie. I didn't wait for the final credits, I prefer to ignore his name. It would be cruel to try to compare Gotham to other live movies such as Stop Making Sense or Home Of The Brave, if they tried to screen Gotham in theaters they would have to retire it in a couple of days. My recommendation is that people better keep the money for better ends. If you don't have Archive buy it, all is more exciting, thrilling. And honest."

Excellent concert...dissappointing sound.

oompah_loompah | 04/21/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I saw Bauhaus twice on this tour, once during their 4 show run at the Palladium in Hollywood, and again during their U.S. tour. I remember how much I enjoyed the shows, how cohesive they sounded together, how much they enjoyed playing together. A dream come true, to see a band that was already 'mythical' and 'legedary' by the time I first heard "bela legosi's dead" in high school in 1985.All of these elements come through again on this DVD, but I must say I way disappointed with the sound. It sounds like it was recorded by from the back of the arena as opposed to "sound board" quality. Maybe this was intentional, to give a "Press the Eject" rawness to the show? With such a clear picture, why would this be released with less that perfect sound? It could have been a longer show as well, clocking in at only 64 minutes. The ommision of Terror Couple Kill Colonel and Silent Hedges, as well as Severance from this concert that were included on the CD version doesn't make sense. It would have been nice to have versions of Hair of the Dog and Rose Garden Funeral of Sores as well.Other performance notes, Peter Murphy on guitar gave All We Ever Wanted a magical quality, complete with clips from the bands early days. Some nice "acoustic" treatment with Daniel Ash on 12 string guitar and Kevin Haskins on keyboards. Danny's killer goth-jazz sax playing too. David J's fretless bass was unfortunately drowned out in the poor mix.Performance: 5 stars Sound: 4 stars"

An incredible live spectacle

Christian Buckley | Washington State, United States | 12/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I saw both San Francisco shows, the first from the balcony, the second from the floor -- and was amazed at how well this DVD captured the sights, sounds, and intensity of this incredible band. Beginning with 'Double Dare' and the eyes and face of Peter appearing on a television at the center of the stage. It was a great minimalistic effect; stark, frenetic, and powerful. Most ands start a show with a big bang, but this was more of a rising thunder before the storm hits with the second song, 'In The Flat Field' when Peter emerges from back stage.

If you missed this tour, you missed an incredible opportunity to see one of the best live shows I've ever seen. If at all possible, view this DVD from a projector and crank it up as loud as possible."