Buena Vista Social Club At Carnegie Hall - Buena Vista Social Club

Advantages: Latest OS, some nice features, looks and feels a lot nicer
Disadvantages: Compatibilty, still some bugs, possible system shock, need a decent spec machine

...When it comes to operating systems I tend to stick to what I know. I don't rush out and buy the latest OS for at least 2 years. It took me until 2004 to bother with XP. My main reason is I tend to get comfy with an operating system usually around the same time that a new one comes out. The only real exception to this was the upgrade from Windows 98 SE to 2000 and that was only because I was given an installation disk. My other reason is it gives the peeps who make the OS time to iron out the bugs (and believe me - even the most robust operating systems in the world have bugs). So it was kicking and screaming that I ended up with Vista. And I mean literally kicking and screaming... As I mentioned in my review about my Vaio, it's been tech update time at Ant Towers and one of the things that got updated was the processor on my... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Brought Cuban music, and the surviving stars of its heyday, to a wide audience in a way that's supremely touching and enjoyable
Disadvantages: None...even if you think you don't like this genre of music, by the end of this film you will!

...York's Carnegie Hall three months later. Wenders captured it all, creating a movie that perfectly complements the Buena Vista Social Club record. The official live performances are intercut with footage (both musical and interview) of each member of the BVSC, as well as journeys around the dilapidated beauty of Cuba itself. The juxtaposition of stunning, weathered architecture and the surorunding poverty - a troubled history appears to have left the country in a time-warp - is visually arresting. There's a sad beauty to much of it, and this poignancy is heightened by the gorgeous sounds of these (mostly) ageing virtuosos - either in tandem, or solo - as they play in front of the camera from a variety of locations. It's this aspect of the film which best conveys the spirit of Buena Vista Social Club, and the effect is slowly captivating... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Joyful and evocative documentary. Great music.
Disadvantages: None.

...down long-forgotten musicians - many of them in their 90s - who used to play in the Buena Vista Social Club. The result is a poignant tale of them getting the first chance to perform in many years. They may have been forgiven, therefore, for being a little rusty. However, the music carries the listener away. I did not know the names of the musicians involved, but the Buena Vista apparently hosted some of Cuba's best bands. They had not forgotten their talents, even after a span of nearly 50 years. Most of the musicians had played since they were children, and they had lost none of their skill. Seeing all of them puffing away on fat Havana cigars, I wonder whether the anti-smoking lobby might consider banning this film - it seems to put across the message that smoking makes you live longer! The listener is left with a sense of what... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful