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True Stories [DVD] [1986] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
 
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True Stories [DVD] [1986] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]

DVD ~ Jo Harvey Allen
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

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Region 1 encoding (requires a North American or multi-region DVD player and NTSC compatible TV. More about DVD formats.)

Note: you may purchase only one copy of this product. New Region 1 DVDs are dispatched from the USA or Canada and you may be required to pay import duties and taxes on them (click here for details). Please expect a delivery time of 5-7 days.


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What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

True Stories [DVD] [1986] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC]
88% buy the item featured on this page:
True Stories [DVD] [1986] [Region 1] [US Import] [NTSC] 4.5 out of 5 stars (4)
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Everything That Happens Will Happen Today 4.4 out of 5 stars (14)
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Product details

  • Actors: Jo Harvey Allen, Amy Buffington, Capucine de Wulf, Chris Douridas, Richard Downlearn
  • Format: Closed-captioned, Colour, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
  • Language English
  • Subtitles: English
  • Region: Region 1 (US and Canada DVD formats.)
  • Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Classification: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) (US MPAA rating. See details.)
  • Studio: Warner Home Video
  • DVD Release Date: 30 Mar 1999
  • Run Time: 89 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 6305308845
  • Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 33,697 in DVD (See Bestsellers in DVD)

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Customer Reviews

4 Reviews
5 star:
 (2)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
2 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (4 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars An ingeniously quirky, funny, meaningful slice of Americana, 10 April 2005
By Daniel Jolley "darkgenius" (Shelby, North Carolina USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   
I have always loved True Stories, but it's not for everyone. This is one ingenious but quirky movie that plays on multiple levels all at the same time. The box cover describes True Stories as "a completely cool, multi-purpose movie," and that's about as good a description as there can be for a film almost impossible to describe. The film takes the form of a documentary of the sesquicentennial celebration in Virgil, Texas, with Talking Heads front man David Byrne cruising into town in his red convertible to narrate the events. Byrne is, in my opinion, an underappreciated genius, and what he managed to do here was to capture a wonderful slice of Americana. Virgil isn't a small town, but it has a small town feel, surrounded by flat land as far as the eye can see - land destined to be developed in the coming years. The townspeople are the true stars of the film, though; most of them are not even given names, and I think this is because they are not so much individuals as representatives of everyday men and women. You have, for example, the Laziest Woman on Earth (Swoosie Kurtz, who has not gotten out of bed for years and years), the Cute Woman, and the Lying Woman (Jo Harvey Allen) - who continually steals the show with some of the most outrageous comments you've ever heard. The silent masses are just regular people going about their regular lives, most of them the opposite of glamorous, just the kind of folks you probably see in your own local shopping malls. The only difference is that here, thanks to David Byrne, you notice these people - and I think that is very important. When these people get up and lip synch to a song like Wild Wild Life, it doesn't matter how weird they are - they are just having fun being themselves.

Of course, the star and central figure of True Stories is a reasonably svelte John Goodman; he plays Louis Fyne, a man desperate to find a woman to share his life with. He pays for ads on television, and even has a Wife Wanted sign in his front yard, but nothing seems to work. This is certainly a character I can identify with. Louis is as excited as everyone else in town over the big doings for Virgil's Celebration of Specialness. And why not? You get to see the world's strangest fashion show, enjoy the big parade featuring such sights as Shriners in little red Mustangs and a precision lawn mower marching team, and end the festivities with a great big local talent show outside of town. The parade speaks volumes; as the townsfolk watch it wind away into the distance, they may well have a sense that life as they have known it will soon disappear as the population swells and modern conveniences trump their connection to one another and the town. Despite a good bit of off-beat humor in this film, it does leave you feeling somewhat sad and nostalgic.

Of course, one has to mention the music of True Stories. It is a pity that plans to release a soundtrack featuring recordings by the actors and actresses in the film fell through because these songs are an integral part of the film (the Talking Heads supplied only three of the songs themselves). You can buy the album featuring the Talking Heads performing all of these songs (and it is an outstanding album), but People Like Us seemingly belongs to Louis Fyne after you watch the movie, and "Kay Culver" gives an unforgettable performance of Dream Operator.

Inevitably, you'll either "get" this movie or you won't, and I don't think you can predict anyone's reaction to the film until he or she actually watches it. It is exceedingly quirky, almost surreal at times, and filled with off-the-wall comments that will not even register with some viewers. I don't think it's possible to hate this movie, though. It either leaves a lasting imprint on your mind or instantly disappears from your memory. For me, True Stories is one of those rare films that I not only enjoy but actually treasure.

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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Weird, wacky, brilliant...definitive Talking Heads !, 4 Feb 2001
By Mr. D. Woods "dwoods92" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)      
The creative genius that can only be described as David Byrne has yet again spawned a work of exemplary alternative art. Byrne's off-the-wall portrayal of small town America is a deliciously bizarre and exaggerated account, one in fact that has his label stamped all over it. Heads fans will simply lap this up; the film's peculiar brand of humour and insight representative of their musical works that we are all so familiar with. Newcomers to the world of Mr. Byrne and his associates may find 'True Stories' slightly meandering but the film's wit and three Talking Heads songs, including 'Wild Wild Life', are more than adequate compensation. A sterling cast includes John Goodman and David Byrne himself.

The heat goes on, people...

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5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars David Byrne and Talking Heads go strange in Texas, 3 Dec 2000
By Mrs. N. J. James - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
If you like Talking Heads then this is a must for you. If you don't...then this is a gentle way to get into their music and mindset.

Lead singer David Byrne goes on a tour of a small town in Texas which os preparing for its Celebration of Specialness. He meets a number of people including the woman who never gets out of bed and Lewis the dancing bear, played by John Goodman.

This film is gentle but quite strange in places though not in a nast strange way. You are left turning to your viewing companions and saying "Eh??"

Only one of the songs is performed by Talking Heads..the rest are performed by actors in the film.

If your going to watch it...leave your brain in another room and just chill.

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Delivered within just a few days from the US to the UK. Brand new, works perfectly, great value. Thanks!!
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