Dishin' it: DVD reviews

I should probably connect the dots here and direct readers of this blog to some of my other recent writing. I’ve been reviewing DVDs for Disc Dish since its inception; the site is the brainchild of two of the editors I worked with at the sorely missed trade mag Video Business, Laurence Lerman and Samantha Clark.

My writing for DD is a bit more formal than it is in the entries here, but I’m proud of the reviews, as they include a little background, a little historical context, and a note or two on the supplements that appear on the discs, as well as any missing elements or special marketing maneuvers made by the DVD companies.

I know lots and lots of folks are doing the streaming thing these days — I can’t even imagine having another reason to be tethered to my computer — but the little silver discs are still being produced on a weekly basis, and there are some wonders to be found thereupon. For example:

The 1980 new wave music pic Breaking Glass

The Ernie Kovacs Collection

Phil Ochs: There But For Fortune

Francois Ozon’s Potiche

One word: Skidoo

The box set of the Seventies TV show Celebrity Bowling

Fassbinder’s I Only Want You To Love Me

Ozon’s Hideaway (Francois has been a busy guy!)

When the finest Sixties protest singer met the ultimate Sixties rock idol: Phil Ochs and John Lennon jam

Last week I gave you two of the greatest comedians ever in a photo, this week I bring you two of the finest rebellious Lefty singer-songwriters meeting up in audio form. I had heard that John Lennon had met Phil Ochs (no surprise, as the two traveled in the same circles when “Jock and Yono” moved to Manhattan), but now there is audio proof the two hung out together — and John played dobro in accompaniment to Phil doing his terrific “Chords of Fame.” The Internet is rife with discoveries like these, but each one of them is sublime: