Search - Memories of Hollywood on DVD

Memories Are More Than This

05/26/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"If you are looking for an informative documentary about film and Hollywood -- with words, either as dialogue from the films or as commentary on what you are watching -- then pass this video by. While it is true that there are various clips that show scenes that bring back visual memories, perhaps, of actors, films, and moments you might have enjoyed -- the whole is set to somewhat pretentious orchestral excerpts (by great Hollywood film composers), but with no dialogue from the films... no sounds, no commentary. So even with sound films, you feel that the visuals you are watching are really from "silent" films. The presentation is divided into various chapters titled: Movies in the Making; Sneak Preview; The Great Western Stars; Ladies of the Silver Screen...and others, 12 in all. There is also a folded brochure with six panels which give some information on the scenes, stars, and films you are watching as well as the orchestral excerpts you are listening to (which are taken from various CD compilations of film music). The orchestral music is quite good, a little too grand...but it does not seem to go with the style of the scenes as they are presented. Even at the very reasonable price for a DVD which this effort offers, it still seems a not satisfactory buy, at least for a film lover who remembers dialogue as well as visuals...and who would like intelligent commentary for a bit of context, at least at the beginning of each chapterpresentation, to prepare you for what you are about to see."