DVD : Humperdinck - Hansel and Gretel (The Metropolitan Opera HD Live Series) |
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Rating:  - * YECH!!! ... First off, it's not the music making or singing that make this such a horrible evening at the opera. It's this psycho, pseudo-Eurotrash production that puts the beloved classic in some weird time and place - we have fish-headed waiters instead of a dream pantomime, a hausenfrau witch and a lot of other weird stuff. True, it's not as godawful as the ENO production of a few years back (that takes place in WWI England, the sandman is a coke-snorting wastrel and the mother and witch are portrayed by the same singer) but I wonderful how awful opera productions have to get before we all scream, Enough! If you get this one, turn off the picture and just listen to the music. Or better yet, wait for DG to revive the Pioneer Classics DVD of the earlier Met O'Hearn Production. Rating:  - * A very enjoyable Hansel & Gretel ... I loved everything about this production: first, Vladimir Jurowski's excellent conducting. The cast is uniformly good, but one should mention Philip Langridge in the role of the Witch. He is really outstanding. I don't know why former reviews were irritated by the production. I think it is a funny, original, and brings many insights to the score. Recommended. Rating:  - * This innovative staging generally serves Humperdinck well. ... When this Richard Jones staging of Hansel and Gretel first appeared it took a little getting used to. After all, missing was the mysterious forest, the enticing gingerbread house and the fourteen angels that watch over our vulnerable protagonists. What replaces these conventions are weird and mysterious images that hew true to the story's sweet sense of adventure yet still remain beautiful within their own aesthetic. The casting for this production was cleverly effected. Did the Met intentionally cast singers in the adult roles who are all over six feet tall? Whether intended or not, this serves the story well as all the singers inhabit their roles with assurance and a real sense of character. Christine Schafer and Alice Coote used the long rehearsal period that a new production affords to really gel as a team. Working with director Jones, each one brings a fully conceived character to the fore; Schafer's proud impetuous Gretel is well contrasted to Coote's plucky impish Hansel. As the two parents, Rosalind Plowright and Alan Held perform very well indeed. My complaint about them has more to do with how director Jones views their characters. In my mind, Peter is a sweet dopey broom merchant, certainly not a wife beater and Gertrude is not the chemically dependent, despondent mess that we have here. By limning their characters thusly, the director brings their concern for the children as well as the ultimate happy ending into doubt. Perhaps my favorite aspect of this production is the realization of the witch by the inestimable Philip Langridge. Imagine Julia Child run amok with a dash of the Marx Brothers and you might get an idea of what this delicious performance by Mr. Langridge is like. Consummately sung and acted, this is a wonderful performance of comic villainy, Margaret Hamilton would be proud. In the smaller roles of The Sandman and Dew Fairy, Sasha Cooke and Lisette Oropesa do a fine job in conveying their characters supernatural benevolence. Presiding over the whole undertaking from the pit is the sure hand of Russian maestro Vladimir Jurowski. He is a savvy enough conductor to know that this music needs to be played straight, without the saccharine milking of sentiment that too often comes with performances of this opera. Rating: - * Fabulous! ... I saw this production at the Met last December and it was fabulous. Don't let unbending traditionalists who believe going to the opera is like going to the museum turn you away from this highly entertaining and extremely well sung performance of H & G. I can't wait to purchase this dvd and relive that magical afternoon at the Met! Rating:  - * The old production was better ... I saw this new production at the MET and it just didn't work for me. None of the acts worked (although the last act somewhat redeems the show and I thought Philip Langridge did a great job). This is a children's opera and it was never necessary to "adult it up"; the music already does that, it was always mature, thoughtful, respectful of the opera, never childish or dumbed down. The opera didn't need to be made edgy or raw. This is not the Hansel & Gretel everyone else and I loved and that is a shame. Isn't life already edgy and raw enough? If the 40-year old production needed to be replaced, fine, but the opera is older than that and it was always fine the way it was. |
The story is pointedly set in the late 1980s, years before the establishment of the WNBA, so Monica's prospects for pro ball lie exclusively in Europe, while Quincy steps into the pros at home. It's a pleasure to see a character as passionate and fully developed as Monica, and Lathan gives a fiery portrayal (she had never played ball before the film, but you'd never tell from her performance). Prince-Bythewood favors her struggle over Quincy's and opens our eyes to her unique challenges with a sharp, savvy contrast. Alfre Woodard costars as Monica's harping mom (always trying to get her to be more ladylike) and Dennis Haysbert is Quincy's philandering father. Hoops fan Spike Lee produced. --Sean Axmaker
 A large, easy-to-read display helps you keep tabs on your workout. View larger. |
The device's large, easy-to-read LCD display can separately display aerobic steps and minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously, so you always have the information you need right in front of you. Meanwhile, a seven day history lets you review a full week of exercise. The device also resets at midnight automatically so it's ready to go every morning. Of course, the device can also function as a handy and highly accurate clock. It also comes with a detachable belt holder and security strap so it's always close at hand.
The HJ-112 is powered by a replaceable lithium battery (CR2032) that will last six months when used for walking 10,000 steps a day. The device measures approximately 2.8 x 2.1 x .6 inches (H x W x D) and weighs 1.1 ounces (not including battery).
What's in the Box
Pedometer, battery (CR2032), screwdriver, strap, clip for strap, holder, and instructional manual.
| Compare Omron Pedometers | ||||
 |  HJ-150 |  HJ-151 |  HJ-112 |  HJ-720ITC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement |
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| Product Placement | Clip to belt | Clip to belt | Pocket, bag or clip to belt | Pocket, bag or clip to belt |
| History | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days (displayed) 42 days (in memory) |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Batteries | 3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032) | 3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032) | 3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032) | 3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032) |
| Estimated Battery Life | Approx. 1 year (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day) | Approx. 1 year (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day) | Approx. 6 months (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day) | Approx. 6 months (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day) |
| Time of Day Display |  | | | |
| Omron Health Management Software |  | | | |
Does it matter where the pedometer is placed or attached?
The HJ-150 and 151 Pedometer must be positioned correctly. Attach the unit to your belt or to the top of your waistband. The unit must be horizontal to the ground in order for the unit to function correctly. The HJ-112 and HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer can also be placed in your pocket or purse.
What's the accuracy rate of Omron pedometers?
The precision of the step counting is within +/- 5%.
What are moderate steps?
At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise is recommended each day. The HJ-151 Pedometer separately displays the steps and minutes walked at a moderate pace.
What are aerobic steps?
The HJ-112 and HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer separately displays aerobic steps and minutes that start counting after 10 minutes of continuous walking with more than 60 steps a minute.
How does the PC software work?
The HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer includes PC software for Windows 2000 or XP. It keeps track of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly progress.
The device's large, easy-to-read LCD display can separately display aerobic steps and minutes walked more than 10 minutes continuously, so you always have the information you need right in front of you. Meanwhile, a seven day history lets you review a full week of exercise, and there's also a 42-day memory for uploading past workouts to your PC. The device resets at midnight automatically so it's ready to go every morning. Of course, the device can also function as a handy and highly accurate clock. It also comes with a detachable belt holder and security strap so it's always close at hand.
The HJ-720ITC is powered by a replaceable lithium battery (CR2032) that will last six months when used for walking 10,000 steps a day. The pedometer also includes PC software for Windows 2000 or XP, which keeps track of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly progress.
 The included Omron Health Management Software provides a steps graph that lets you see how your values are trending over time. View larger. |  View pedometer and blood pressure data together (via a split screen) on a weekly, monthly, or yearly basis. View larger. |
| Compare Omron Pedometers | ||||
| HJ-150 | HJ-151 | HJ-112 | HJ-720ITC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement |
|
|
|
|
| Product Placement | Clip to belt | Clip to belt | Pocket, bag or clip to belt | Pocket, bag or clip to belt |
| History | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days | 7 days (displayed) 42 days (in memory) |
| Warranty | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year | 1 Year |
| Batteries | 3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032) | 3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032) | 3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032) | 3 VDC (1 lithium battery CR2032) |
| Estimated Battery Life | Approx. 1 year (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day) | Approx. 1 year (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day) | Approx. 6 months (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day) | Approx. 6 months (when used for walking 10,000 steps a day) |
| Time of Day Display | | | | |
| Omron Health Management Software | | | | |
Does it matter where the pedometer is placed or attached?
The HJ-150 and 151 Pedometer must be positioned correctly. Attach the unit to your belt or to the top of your waistband. The unit must be horizontal to the ground in order for the unit to function correctly. The HJ-112 and HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer can also be placed in your pocket or purse.
What's the accuracy rate of Omron Pedometers?
The precision of the step counting is within +/- 5%.
What are moderate steps?
At least 30 minutes of moderate exercise is recommended each day. The HJ-151 Pedometer separately displays the steps and minutes walked at a moderate pace.
What are aerobic steps?
The HJ-112 and HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer separately displays aerobic steps and minutes that start counting after 10 minutes of continuous walking with more than 60 steps a minute.
How does the PC software work?
The HJ-720ITC Pocket Pedometer includes PC software for Windows 2000 or XP. It keeps track of daily, weekly, monthly and yearly progress.
