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33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Good , The Bad, and the Lusty !, September 9, 2002
First off, the good news. Finally, a decent Enigma video compilation. I do not understand why there is so much controversy or fuss about the videos being "too racy" or "visually inappropriate". Those who find the images too titillating or bordering towards soft porn, should not watch them or allow kids to watch them. Period.For the rest of the mature adult world, fans and non-fans, the imagery and art direction is simply very tasteful, artistic and breathtaking! The video imagery is very European because, guess what, that's where Enigma is from ! The only Americanized looking video is the Sliver soundtrack track Carly's Loneliness (one can even catch a brief glimpse of the awesome Twin Towers). Each song and video definitely has a "movie soundtrack" feel to it (especially since a few Hollywood block buster films utilized Enigma's music for their trailers). Enigma does not conform itself to what most people think of as normal pop music standards (then again, what is normal in today's music market ?). Creator Michael Cretu and wife Sandra go beyond that. The beauty is that the music and videos are left to each individual's interpretations.It is truly music for the mind. All songs and videos (at least most of them) are richly steeped in multi global or cultural backdrops and sounds; there is no one particular ethnic sound that Enigma identifies itself with. They combine several ethnic musical influences with modern instrumental technology for a colorful musical tapestry for all or any to enjoy ! So what if the videos are heavy laden with symbols of religion, sex, music, and a strong flair for the visual arts. They're meant to be enjoyed and hopefully take the mind and senses in to a different dimension for a little while. The same symbols or connotations that offend certain viewers are the same symbols or icons that surround us on a day to day basis (hopefully in a positive light)!...Now, the bad news (from a technical stance). I agree with other fans that the lack of a full surround digital track is a huge misstep for whoever did the audio engineering;I may be overstepping my boundaries if it was the final decision of Enigma or the record company. This is one of the major reasons dvd enthusiasts (myself included) look forward to purchasing software like this. True , the label clearly states PCM Digital Stereo. Yet, there's no excuse. Also, this collection was re-released again in limited circulation (possibly only in Europe) where an extra video was added on entitled Turn Around to coincide with the release of the CD Greatest Hits LSD release! Argghh !!! There is also one other video missing titled Out From The Deep. The digital visual compression is not the best. There are visible traces of MPEG artifacting or macro blocking (tiling effect, shades of colors darkness don't blend smoothly as on analog video) that can be seen on quite a few of the videos.As for the "serious" voice over done (by possibly the same guy used for movie trailers and teasers), so what ? His tone gives a sort of cinematic/theatrical appeal in narrating each song's/video's ambiguous message...An interview with the brains behind Enigma and his wife as well as various band members over the years would have been the ultimate icing; especially since none of these European Enigma artists have ever done an American formal interview ! From rare internet Enigma fan site photos, Michael Cretu's wife Sandra is quite beautiful and very much fits her soothing, sensual whispery voice ! Enigma is a group that over the years has won me over as a fan (to say die hard would be misleading). Again, like new age musical/soundtrack composer Vangelis, the average market or listener does not know how to categorize Enigma. They (critics and listeners,viewers) try to fit the round peg in the square hole, but it just doesn't fit. This is why Enigma has it's fans and gains new ones...! Once I collected Enigma's works I was also mesmerized by their European side projects and other protogees or artists that Michael Cretu has produced music for. Hopefully, Enigma bandmember Sandra Cretu will release her collection of pop/dance video hits she has had over in Europe ! She's another enigmatic musical force onto her own ...
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93 of 105 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A explanation of the contents of this WONDERFULL DVD, February 22, 2002
Wel in the previows review are many facts that coul lead you to a wrong impresion about the contents of this.
1.Special intro:
When you put the DVD you'll hear the tipical enigma's introduction, "good evening, this is the voice of enigma", featured in their first album, but edited.
2. The Menu:
a) Select a song
b) hear all the songs.
c) discography
d) factsa) In this youll see a circle of mistic words, in the midle the best moments of the video, when yo put foward you pas to the next and se the news images. b) give you entry to the entire collection of videos. There is any narration, only the full lenght videos c) show all the albums and the singles plus, when you chose a single begins music an a narration who tolds you part of the story, "solve the enigma" each single is a chapter, you see highlights of the video and hear this narration whit the music behind d) Show best images of all videos whit narration about what is enigma, how many dis has been sold and how Michael Crethu himself chose the eleven videos. Track listing.
1. Sadeness.
2. Mea culpa
3. Principless of lust
4. Rivers of belief.
5. return to inocence.
6. eyes of truth.
7. Carly's song.
8. behind the invisible
9. Tnt for the brain.
10. Gravity of love.
11. Push the limits. I really hope this review help you (...)
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lust, Sacrilege and Deceit., May 2, 2003
Enigma.
A statement of mystery. Since the inception of Enigma, the music and the visuals all had themes of life, love and even in some instances, religion. But this all goes back to the Marqui De Sade's theme of church vs. sexuality. Hence, Sadeness...Enigma.
The unexplained question.
The visuals presented in the DVD do not tell complete stories.
They are surreal and dreamlike. Some mixed with strange situations. In "Sadeness" a writer dreams of the eternal conflict of devotion and wanting as we see the ruins of old
cathedral pass before a beautiful woman. "Mea Culpa" in it's undying words of self acusation "Take me,
I'm yours, I'm guilty...". A woman in armored gloves wafts in through images of artifacts repeating in breathy sighs "I'm guilty..." "Rivers of Belief" a beautiful montage of outdoor visions of a
warrior king weilding a sword to this unusual and beautiful remix which features a sample of Bach's "Toccata and Fugue". "Beyond the Invisible" takes a girl from her normal homelife to a most strange world of daydreams that seem to devour her. "TNT for the Brain" is by far the most strange. A man with eyes closed with eyes opened watches himself in situations with women who only tempt him with their sensuality and beguile. A woman sings as drops fall reflecting her face make an arresting image. "Gravity of Love" revolves around a person wrapped in white unable to escape this debauched masquerade party. Themes of paralyisis and debauchery play through. Like watching a Francis Bacon painting! I could go on but find out for yourself in this well thought out package. You can choose to hear narration about the videos in the discography section of the disc. Enjoy Enigma.
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