Entertainment weekly Fall movie Preview issue, has a review of Prince's DVDs coming out.

"His Name is Prince and he is funky. Two pics hit sour notes, but Warner's DVD's prove that Purple Still Reigns." by Dalton Ross

Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to get through this thing called Prince- a man with three feature films being released on DVD. The most notable, of course, is a new two-disc special edition of Purple Rain, showcasing the performer at the height of his creative and commercial success. The story may be somewhat threadbare (yet still fresh enough for Eminem to rip off liberally in 8 mile), and the makeup and wardrobe selections a bit on the ridiculous side (what's with all the ruffles?), but the performances are nothing short of magical. (C'mon, tell me you don't get all choked up at the end of "The Beautiful Ones.") And Morris Day provides the perfect comedic foil for The Kid. As far as the extras go, they're as good as one could expect without the direct involvement of His Purpleness; Revolution band members share memories, Eddie Murphy struts around half naked at the 1984 MTV premiere party, and we learn from director Albert Magnoli that "When Doves Cry" was actually a last minute addition to the film. (Hey, nice save, Magnoli!)

But if Prince never meant to cause us any sorrow and never meant to cause us any pain, why the hell did he dare direct the horrendous sequel Graffiti Bridge? The Kid is still dueling with Day, but you'll be fighting back giggles at this embarrassing and incoherent production. Only slightly les egregious is Prince's foray into romantic slapstick, Under the cherry moon, in which he woos Kristin Scott Thomas in the Mediterranean. Neither has any real extras besides some music videos, and you know what? That's just fine. Rain: A- Bridge: D- Moon: C

Why is it that every review of "Purple Rain" spends time focusing in on the fashion?

Fashion is a product of it's time and pretty much all clothing looks out of place in a modern context, yet no one reviewed "Gladiator" saying, "but hey, what's with the leather skirts and togas man? Crowe looked like a fool" or how about "Shakespeare in Love"... Great movie, Paltrow was perfect in the role, but why, oh why did they spend all their time in those stoopid corsets and doublet and hose. Get the wardrobe guy fired!"

[Rant over]


Dee

When will this be released in Ireland /Uk

I can not wait until they all come out. Is Sign O Times coming out on DVD as well I hope so.

Entertainment

Weekly said:

8 mo' days

I would have loved to have seen some blooper reels among the extras on these DVDs. But from what I've read of Prince's photography sessions, I'm thinking he had all of his celluloid flubs burned--well, except for Graffiti Bridge, which is nothing if not a flub in the form of a feature presentation!

apple2 said:

I've heard it will be October before 20th anniversary PR will be released in the UK (think it was Keithy that said that) Keeping my fingers crossed!!

I will definitely buy the Purple Rain DVD. Graffiti Bridge was horrible it's not worth seeing again. Under The Cherry Moon was bad, but not as bad as Graffiti Bridge. I can see myself buying Cherry Moon for a low price.

I'll pick up Purple Rain eventually...but I'm definitely holding off on the other two. If there's a full collection of the music videos on DVD at some point, I don't think I'll need the movies.
[This message was edited Mon Aug 16 11:30:05 2004 by Jarret]

Instead of adding Graffiti Bridge with this set, I would've much preferred them adding A remastered Sign O' the Times and Prince and the Revolution Live instead.

misty2k said:

I agree...but you do have to take notice at the hair and the clothes. They were very much part of what made PR special. PR the movie is dated by these things. We are reminded right fromt he first shots that this is the 80's. It's hard not to take notice.

In reference to Gladiator...it's a movie about a period in time. Of course the costumes were made to fit in. PR is not a period peice but becomes one due to it's costuming and makeup. In other words the make up and costumes were not trying to ber 80's they just were.

Are there video extras for GB or UTCM...like the videos?

sinisterpentatonic said:

YES SIRRRR!!!

Vannelli said:

yep, yep.

i think i'm gonna buy them all. i allready own the normal version of PR on DVD but...

i do agree though that it would've been way cooler if sign and live were released on DVD

K

daddypop said:

I can't dig it enough that they mention how bad Eminem stole from Prince for his movie!

Luv & Peace,
Alex
Clubbin' in Mpls/A Night w. Prince

misty2k said:

Because it looks so utterly ridiculous now.

apple2 said:

Play.com are listing the region 2 version of the DVDs for 18th of October, 2004.

sinisterpentatonic said:

MCA/Universal has the rights to SOTT (always did. WB turned the film down for theatrical release, based on the poor box office for UTCM). Prince has final clearance on P&TR:L, so its up to him whether or not it ever sees a DVD (I kinda doubt it ever will, due to his new religious beliefs).

superspaceboy said:

UTCM and Grafitti Bridge only have videos with no extras.


Daddypop

sinisterpentatonic said:

I totally agree!

I will buy the three DVD's just to have them,but I agree with everyone re:"Sign" and "Live"-would have rather had those than "Grafitti Bridge". If I were Prince,I would sue to stop that from being released!!!

And Livesexy, please.