CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Tchaikovsky - Eugene Onegin / Fleming, Vargas, Hvorostovsky, Gergiev, Carsen [Metropolitan Opera 2007]

starring: Renee Fleming, Ramon Vargas, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Valery Gergiev, Jean-Paul Fouchecourt
directed by: Brian Large, Robert Carsen

Release Date December 18, 2007
I dare to say that this production was the MET last year major achievement. Even though a stupendous singers set was gathered for this performance it did not necessarily guarantee it's amazing success. This dreamed cast is formed by three of the most talented singers of our time: Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Renée Flemming and Ramón Vargas.

The staging is minimalist however absolutely accurate and tasty. By adding different intelligent elements the drama flows both naturally and flawlessly, in other words impeccable. The Russian Maestro Valery Gergiev conducted the MET orchestra with full commitment and passion.
The Siberian baritone Dmitri Hvorsotovsky is enormous as Onegin completely understanding the character and making it ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

The Opera Gala: Live from Baden-Baden

starring: Anna Netrebko, Elina Garanca, Ramón Vargas, Ludovic Tezier

Release Date January 08, 2008
It was a very enjoyable concert. Anna Netrebko showed her multi-talents with her beautiful voice, great showmanship, spontaneity, charisma, warm personality and had the audience in the palm of her hand. I particularly enjoyed her singing and dancing Franz Lehar's "Meine Lippen sie Kussen so Heiss" for the encore.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

El Mariachi (Special Edition)

starring: Carlos Gallardo, Consuelo Gómez, Jaime de Hoyos, Peter Marquardt, Reinol Martinez
directed by: Robert Rodriguez

Release Date August 26, 2003
I felt i had to buy this , due to the fact I love the sucessors that followed , and in spite of the fact I do not speak or understand a word of Spanish , but I took a chance anyways. Although I do not think this is as good as the other Mariachi films, I was suprisingly impressed with this very low budget film that that launched off the career of Mr. Rodriquez. It was not hard to follow and was entertaining,and it does remind me of Mad Max (even though it is very little) , but the simularaties are that both films started with low budget first's and then succeeded with two fantasic Sequels that followed. So I will say this is one Spanish film worthy of my collection.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Escuela de Vagabundos

starring: Pedro Infante, Miroslava Stern, Blanca de Castejón, Anabelle Gutiérrez, Óscar Pulido
directed by: Rogelio A. González

Release Date October 21, 2003

"Escuela de Vagabundos" is hilarious, with the kind of sharp, clever wit that is a thing of the past, joyous slapstick, sweet romance, and gorgeous music. It takes a lot to make me laugh out loud, and this film will make you laugh until it hurts, guaranteed. When we first meet Jose Alberto Medina, his car has gone up in smoke and down a ravine, and his bucket has a hole in it; he wanders to the nearest residence, a mansion where the Senora of the house, Emilia, gushes over him, thinking he is the latest in her "vagabundos." It seems that Emilia feels so blessed to have all she has, that she takes in wandering hobos, to feed them and educate them, and though Medina just wants to use the telephone, he gets embroiled in this wonderful but crazy family, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Verdi - Don Carlos

starring: Ramon Vargas, Iano Tamar, Nadja Michael, Alastair Miles, Bo Skovhus
directed by: Peter Konwitschny

Release Date October 30, 2007
A history of a French Don Carlos mirrors the failure of France to provide singers whose career is based on that language. The DVD under consideration reflects that deterioration in that not one singer can claim it as their first language. The Don is Mexican, Posa a Dane, Elizabeth a Georgian, Philip an Englishman,Eboli, a German. As a result we really don't anything resembling French production although Vargas, Miles and Skovhus are better at it than Tamar and Michael. Tamar, howeve, has a beautiful lyrico spinto voice and Michael are somewhat careless. Even with these criticisms I am thrilled that it is a complete text and unlikely to be challenged in the next few years.

What can be challenged and should be is the Konswitschy staging. It is not ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
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Mozart - Idomeneo

starring: Magdalena Kozena, Anja Harteros, Ekaterina Siurina, Ramon Vargas, Jeffrey Francis
directed by: Roger Norrington

Release Date February 13, 2007
Before I begin, I want to mention that I don't think there is any problem with the sound in this video, and that occasionally I have put in one of these modern dvds, thought the sound was terribly full of ambience, and then I chose a better sound track for my antique system, and everything sounded much better.

Anyway, the singing in this video is quite good, particularly Kozena as Idamante, Vargas as Idomeneo, and the Ilia was also very good. The Arbace was also quite enjoyable, but I am pretty sure that one of his arias was cut, the way I am used to hearing this opera. I have only watched this once and would have to go back and check to make sure of that. The Elettra was beautiful but the role seemed just a bit bigger than the voice. I thought she really only ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Bring Me The Vampire

starring: María Eugenia San Martín, Carlos Riquelme, Héctor Godoy, Ramón Bugarini, Yerye Beirute
directed by: María Eugenia San Martín, Alberto Mariscal, Alfredo B. Crevenna

Release Date March 15, 2001
This is not a horror movie, but rather a low-budget comedy made in Mexico and dubbed (badly) into English. The basic premise is that a group of randomly chosen people must spend the night in a house to claim an inheritance. The movie tries to be a 10 little indians affair, but is so badly translated, so poorly acted, and the transfer copy is so poor that it is impossible to tell what is happening frequently. Other than the hysterically terrible sneezing rumba song-and-dance number (which is left in Spanish, no less) there is nothing redeeming about this movie and the no one involved in bringing this movie to DVD should be encouraged by receiving your money.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

La Marca del Zorrillo

starring: Rafael Alcayde, José René Ruiz, Germán Valdés, Ramón Valdés, Joaquín García Vargas
directed by: Gilberto Martínez Solares

Release Date October 21, 2003
Zorro as you know means fox and Zorrillo means skunk, but also "zorrillo" may mean "dumb fox" or just dumb. This is a great Tin Tan classic and nothing but pure fun for all. Made after the success of "The mark of Zorro" with Tyrone Power some years earlier, but since this is Tin Tan, don't expect the story of Zorro. Actually it's a satire on Hollywood, with a mixture of "Zorro", "Doctor Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde" and with a touch of "Robin Hood" and even "Laurel and Hardy". With a great cast that includes a beautiful young Silvia Pinal and at least two Tin Tans. I wonder if you can spot his real brother "Don Ramon". I'm looking forward a digitally restored DVD copy of this, and the many other good ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Eye of the Eagle III

starring: Marilyn Bautista, John Vargas, Ramon D'Salva, Archie Ramirez, Joseph Zucchero
directed by: Cirio H. Santiago

Release Date April 20, 2004
Well-made Vietnam war movie with "Dallas" star Steve Kanaly as a an unconventional but honest major betrayed by his superiors and his firebase left with a unexperienced leader. Written by Outdoors magazine writer Dan Gagliasso and critically acclaimed director Carl Franklin.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

El Rey del Barrio

starring: Alejandro Cobo (II), Lupe del Castillo, Ramón Sánchez (II), Vicente Lara, José René Ruiz
directed by: Gilberto Martínez Solares

Release Date December 16, 2003
The picture and sound quality were fine. However, the DVD does not contain English subtitles as listed on the website.