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Further Tales of the City

Further Tales of the City

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $17.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Stunning! Does Justice to Great Book! 10 Stars!
Review: "Further Tales of the City" continues in the fine tradition established by the first two dramatizations of Maupin's works. We can only hope for the last 3 books (and maybe "Maybe the Moon" as well??)

Fortunately, the lion's share of actors from "More Tales of the City" continues into part three. It is critically important that Mary Ann and Anna Madrigal have been played throughout by the same fine actors, and it is a great bonus that Dee Dee has also had one performer. Her look in part three is quite a change from pts. 1-2; this woman has seen great changes in her life, and has weathered them well. The experience shows.

Other important actors (especially Bryan, Michael, and Mother Mucca) continue from part two.

It is amazing how much of the plot of the book, and how much of the actual language, has been able to be incorporated into this new series. The major substantive change was the incorporation of Mother Mucca (who appears only in book 2) and a whole new subplot into Further Tales. The major deletion was the "gay bashing" of Bryan and Michael, and the shifting of the wedding scene. None of this does violence to the original plot, and none will interfere into devoutly-desired future sequels, and they add richnesses of their own.

I am a veteran of many readings of the books, and of frequent viewings of "Tales" and "More Tales", will certainly watch "Further Tales" repeatedly.

Do get this and watch it! And those of you who have produced this gem, please continue the good work!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: This whole series has rated 5 stars
Review: "Further" is the third filmed adaption in an ongoing series of six books by Armistead Maupin dealing with a cross section of people living in 1970s San Francisco. Part one ran on PBS around 1994. Despite high ratings, there apparently was some protest over the fact that it had sexual themes and some homosexual characters. So PBS decided to put their "member dollars" elsewhere. Too bad, since it's one of the finest mini series done on television. Part one isn't available on DVD due to some rights issues.

Showtime funded production of the second installment ("More Tales..") in the late 90s with most of the same cast , followed by "Further" in 2001. Neither parts two nor three have quite the dazzle of the original, but are still extremely entertaining. It's fun to see Laura Linney's character evolve in this film into a self-assured woman. Giving too many details about the plot would spoil the fun. But it ties up some loose ends from part two and for the character of Mrs. Madrigal, a role that Olympia Dukakis imbues with a wonderful sense of humanity. The subplot of Michael Tolliver involves a star-crossed visit to an actor's home in L.A., modeled after Rock Hudson. Absent from this series are the wretched stereotypes found in so many films with gay subplots. These people are like a cross-section of a community, all nicely drawn and interesting in their own right. Laura Linney and many other cast members seem comfortable with the nudity in the story, which doesn't seem sensationalized. It just fits theme of sexual revolution and the search for self fulfillment that seems to have been part of the late 70s era.

Overall - Highly rated. But make sure you have seen parts one and two first before tackling this third visit to 28 Barbary Lane. This is a series with a strong story most people should enjoy.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fabulous
Review: Another wonderful adaptation of the third Tales book. Hugely enjoyable, and a must for those UK fans with a multi-region player, who have still not had the oppurtunity to see this broadcast (what's wrong with you Channel 4?).

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Badly mastered DVD
Review: Four starts for the content. Zero stars for the DVD mastering.

Perhaps it's because they tried to stuff more than three hours worth of material onto 1 DVD, but like others, I too was unable to play this all the way through on my DVD player. The problems start right about at the start of episode 4, and just keep getting worse. But perhaps it's just bad mastering, because I had the same problem with the second, extras, DVD, which isn't nearly so full. It's a shame such a wonderful series is marred by a badly mastered disc.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A wonderful miniseries in an excellent DVD set!
Review: Further Tales Of The City continues on with the tradition of the 2 previous mini-series - wonderful characters and amazing storylines. To be truthful though the whole Jim Jones storyline didn't quite gel with me - I thought it could have been handled a little better. But what makes this series stand out is the way the subtle changes between the 70's and 80's are illustrated. Further Tales is set in that transition period from loving and caring attitudes towards each other to the greed and emotional corruption of the 80's. Great to see the character of Mother Mucca back as well - one of the best characters TV has ever seen!
This series has been lovingly created and it shows. The characters are all magically relatable in their way, though I did miss Mona.

A special mention needs to be made of the DVD - a whole disc packed with an outstanding set of extras. From interviews, to behind the scenes footage, and much more besides - you really get a indepth look at the making of the miniseries - all TV shows should be released on DVD like this!

Hopefully there will be 'Even Further Tales' for us to enjoy in the future....

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: technical difficulties as well
Review: I also went through two copies of the DVD and returned both due to the tale end skipping and not reading on my player. One was purchased through Amazon, another through Borders, both had trouble in the same spot! I love the books, and enjoyed what I saw to the point it fritzed out. I had seen it on Showtime initially and went out and bought the books and the first two series...what a gem. Hopefully I will get lucky on the next purchase.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: So-so conclusion
Review: I did enjoy seeing my favourite movie characters again, but the whole Jonestown story seemed to be a bit unconvincing. Still, the cast are brilliant and it was a good way to finish!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Bring on "Babycakes"
Review: I have watched and own all three "Tales of The City" mini-series and have watched them all repeatedly. While the first is by far my favorite (as others have mentioned, the casting for the first series was flawless), I love them all. In "Further Tales..." I do find the whole Jim Jones storyline a stretch, as I did with the book and I find that so much time is spent with Prue that I end up missing the rest of the 28 Barbary Lane characters. But, all in all, "Further Tales..." is certainly better than most of what you see on television and a delight. I'm more than ready for mini-series #4, "Babycakes".

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Bring on "Babycakes"
Review: I have watched and own all three "Tales of The City" mini-series and have watched them all repeatedly. While the first is by far my favorite (as others have mentioned, the casting for the first series was flawless), I love them all. In "Further Tales..." I do find the whole Jim Jones storyline a stretch, as I did with the book and I find that so much time is spent with Prue that I end up missing the rest of the 28 Barbary Lane characters. But, all in all, "Further Tales..." is certainly better than most of what you see on television and a delight. I'm more than ready for mini-series #4, "Babycakes".

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: wish i could give more than 5 stars
Review: I once read a review saying that this film is like comfort food- I think there's no better way to say it! It's a bowl of pasta or warm chocolatey pudding. Makes you want to live their and know the characters. Mrs. Madrigal -adopt me!!!!!


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