Liza’s At The Palace (2009/MPI Blu-ray)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: C Concert: B-
Liza
Minnelli is a survivor. Known as much
for being a star as a performer, the daughter of Judy Garland has continued the
family legacy, including with some personal problems behind the scenes, but the
work speaks for itself. On film, she
distinguished herself with work in Charlie
Bubbles, The Sterile Cookoo, Cabaret and Scorsese’s underrated New York, New York. She is still one of the leading voices of song
standards and is back with a new concert called Liza’s At The Palace.
As staged
and directed by Ron Lewis, Minnelli does her two-hour show that has been such a
hit and brought her another Tony Award.
Besides covering some of her best material in single performances and
medleys, she also brings back to life the hit stage show by mentor Kay Thompson
(Donen’s Funny Face, reviewed
elsewhere on this site) who was her personal adviser, kept MGM #1 in the
Hollywood Musical days and based the classic children’s book Eloise on
Minnelli. This includes Thompson’s show
with The Williams Brothers (including Andy Williams). Minnelli is also candid about her life and it
can be brutal at times, but the lady gets the last word on her life and that is
worth a good look here.
This is
done in two acts and includes songs like My
Own Best Friend, Shine On Harvest
Moon, My Man, the Theme from Cabaret, Jubilee Time,
Clap You Hands, I Love A Violin, Mammy
(no kidding) and The Theme from New York, New York. Though I am not a fan of every song here, I
did like the show overall and also realized I was seeing the end of an era when
performers still had to have talent to be known. Too bad that is changing.
The 1080i
1.78 X 1 digital High Definition image is not bad and colorful, but is a little
soft throughout, though there are some good shots and moments during playback
that make this look really good. The DTS-HD
MA (Master Audio) lossless 7.1 mix is better than the 2.0 Stereo option, but I
stretching out and audio mix thinner than it should. Too bad this was not 5.1, but that is their
choice and it was a slight miscalculation.
Extra
include liner notes in a paper pullout inside the case by Michael Feinstein and
an interview with Minnelli by Lewis.
- Nicholas Sheffo
