New York, New York VHS

6 reviews for New York, New York VHS

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   – January 19, 2024 Craig Prosacco III

   Great early film the Master Director

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   – January 20, 2024 Prof. Wilfred Hirthe

   As expected

3. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   – January 20, 2024 Ms. Maymie Marvin Jr.

   Ralph Burns wrote the musical score, and Georgie Auld played the tenor sax solos. They are both deceased now, but along with the talents of Robert DeNiro and Liza Minnelli, through the music, the stormy relationship of a saxophone player and girl singer making a living on the road with the big bands, and 1940’s supper club scenes, this film really captures the feel of the post-war 40s and the slow decline of the big band era. My wife and I watched it the other night and couldn’t get over how much it captured the entertainment culture of that era. I’m sure that was’t the intent when they made the film many years ago, but in my opinion this film is ripe for a comeback/remake. As I recall the original reviews weren’t that great, maybe because the story line sort of stalls and moves fairly slowly, especially towards the end, and then jumps to a fairly abrupt final ending. But, even if the script isn’t ideal, the acting, singing, musical arrangements, etc. are wonderful. Take a chance on it…it won’t disappoint!

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   – August 16, 2024 Amelia Lehner

   Very pleased with the product!

5. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   – October 27, 2024 Dr. Yasmin Stokes

   It’s amazing what a few years of living can do to your perception. I saw this film in a theater in 1977, and again in the mid-80s when it was reedited and rereleased, and both times it left me cold. I thought Scorcese–one of my favorite directors–had jumped the track with his weird attempt at a musical. Now, almost 30 years after the last time I saw it, I got this 2-disc set from Amazon, thinking I’d give it one more try. And boy, was that a good idea! This isn’t the movie I remember at all! But, of course, the movie hasn’t changed–I have.Scorcese is very interested in film history, and this film was his attempt to fuse the past (old-time big screen musicals like42nd StreetandSingin in the Rain) with the 1970s present (gritty, realistic character studies like his ownMean StreetsandTaxi Driver), using the artificial old style to comment on the dark new one, and vice-versa. The hopes and dreams of the two main characters are contrasted with their grim reality, and we get a vivid idea of what they’re experiencing. Minnelli was a perfect choice–she’d just doneCabaret, which used the same contrast idea to great effect, and our inevitable memories of her mother’s movies (particularlyA Star Is Born) helped sustain the illusion. De Niro is fine as the brooding, conflicted antihero, and his fake-playing in the musical scenes is very impressive. The big musical numbers and the painful, sometimes violent “book” scenes are a jarring combination. Together, they give us a real feel for the time and place of the story. Is it a complete success? No. But it’s worth seeing, anyway.I love Scorcese, mainly because he’s one of the few directors who always take chances. His films don’t look like anyone else’s–he has his own definite stamp–and Hollywood is one place where individuality should always be encouraged. Let’s just celebrate his vision, even here in NEW YORK, NEW YORK. It’s not his best film, but it’s a fascinating one. Recommended.

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   – December 15, 2024 Leonora Marquardt

   It is unfortunate that this film did not have a wide audience in 1977 when it came out. The style of this film is similar to the style long gone from the movie studios: a very engaging story, combined with great musical pieces, wonderful singing of Liza Minnelli and the joy of seeing DeNiro himself playing the saxophone pieces (he learned to play it, for this movie). The second DVD is filled with interviews, anecdotes, and little-known trivia about the making of this movie. In my opinion the Minnelli version of “New York, New York” is superior to the better known Sinatra version.