Jazz fans who are dvd fans have probably already got this one, but let me tell those mulling it over - buy it now! The 5.l sound is terrific - Dexter Gordon's sax is front center with band all around you. Some of the dialogue gets lost,but the main thing is the music. Not much in the way of extras - trailer and some cast/crew info. The picture/transfer is super. Funny,I seem to remember this one was supposed to have a director commentary,but it doesn't. The last dvd from Tavernier (the director) did have a commentary (A Sunday in the Country) which was not advertised ahead of time. Things even out in the long run,I guess. Great dvd and low/medium priced.

[This message has been edited by bdots48 (edited February 03, 2001).]

Let me just add that Bird is also out. The film is very well acted by Whitaker. The transfer is decent and the audio is grand. I watched Bird, Round Midnight, and Get on the bus in the past three evenings. Three excellent films.

Theloneous Monk: Straight no Chaser is also out.

I think Bird might be hard to follow if you don't know the details about Parker's life and death. Since I do know enough of those details, I had no problems with the movie, and particularly enjoyed both the Music and Forest Whitaker's acting.

Now, does anyone know what song is playing over the ending credits? It's the one where someone sings "Kansas City" at irregular intervals, and no, it's not the old blues standard "(I'm Going to) Kansas City".

Well, I just picked up Round Midnight for $9.99 at Best Buy, using their $5 off deal, and I'll probably watch it this weekend. So I'll let you know what I think.

OK, I watched it -- or, at least, part of it. I think the most accurate thing I can say is that it is a pretty bad movie with a pretty good soundtrack. The scenes in the movie are so disjointed as to make it almost unintelligible. The main character slurs his words so badly through the entire script that, if you really focus, you can make out what he is saying maybe half of the time.

The music is good. Mostly be-bop standards without much innovation to them, but if you want to hear the standards played in, well, a standard fashion, then this is a movie you might enjoy. Good sound separation and spatial distribution. Personally, I would hold out for a decent concert DVD, as the dialogue of the movie often impairs listening to the music. I got about an hour into it, and was then so annoyed I had to stop.

I don't usually defend films - everyone has their own opinions and biases. BUT...calling this a pretty bad film is ridiculous. Tavernier is a master. Dexter Gordon was nominated for an oscar for his "almost unintelligible" performance.(I know an Oscar nomination does not mean justification,but obviously a lot of people in the business loved his work.) There were maybe two times during the film I had to go back to understand what he had said - but if it's that bad just put on the subtitles. Gordon was playing a role based on Lester Young and used many of his expressions in the performance. Like I said, Hoc, you certainly are entitled to your opinion, but I wouldn't want anyone to be swayed away from considering purchasing/renting this one.

Well, everyone has their own tastes. Personally, I think "Traffic" should be re-titled "Train Wreck," though I liked Soderbergh's other movies, like "Sex, lies and Videotape." So, take both of our thoughts about this movie with a grain of salt.

hey hoc - I just saw traffic yesterday and was also disappointed. couldn't help feeling there was a really good movie in there somewhere trying to get out. The filming in the mexican scenes was aggravating and the unsteady camera work bothersome. and i loved limey and erin
brockovich.

I thought Limey was very good, as well. Erin Brockovich was OK. But I agree with you that, had about an hour been edited out of Traffic, it might have been a good movie.