Itzhak Perlman Movies

Established in 1905 for the encouragement and nurturing of young talent, the New York-based conservatory Juilliard has boasted such stellar alumni as Kevin Kline, Wynton Marsalis, Robin Williams, Christopher Reeve, Christine Baranski, Laura Linney, and Kelsey Grammer -- not to mention such distinguished instructors as Walter Damrosch and John Houseman. Produced in conjunction with a book about the celebrated conservatory, this two-hour TV documentary focuses on four contemporary Juilliard students: Jeffrey Carlson (acting), Abdur-Rahim Jackson (dance), Elizabeth Morgan (piano), and Sarah Wolfson (voice). In fine PBS tradition, the footage of the chosen foursome studying, practicing, succeeding, and sometimes falling short of their goals is counterbalanced with interviews of famous Juilliard grads (as well as some current celebrities who were unceremoniously invited to leave the conservatory). Juilliard was originally telecast as an episode of PBS' American Masters anthology. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Hero is two-time Academy Award nominee Zhang Yimou's directorial attempt at exploring the concept of a Chinese hero. During the peak of their Warring States period, China was divided into seven kingdoms all fighting for supremacy. Most determined to dominate China was the kingdom of Qin, whose king (Chen Daoming) was wholly obsessed with becoming the first emperor of China. Though he was an assassination target for many, none of his would-be killers inspired as much fear as the legendary assassins Broken Sword (Tony Leung), Flying Snow (Maggie Cheung), and Sky (Donnie Yen). In hopes of thwarting his death, the king has promised endless wealth and power to anyone who defeats his would-be murderers. No results come until ten years later, when a man called Nameless (Jet Li) brings the weapons of the three assassins to the Qin king's palace. Nameless claims to be an expert swordsman who had defeated Sky and destroyed the famed duo of Flying Snow and Broken Sword by using their love for one another against them. Once Nameless comes face to face with the king, however, it looks as if the situation is more complicated than he had thought. Also featured in Hero is actress Zhang Ziyi (The Road Home, Crouching Tiger, Hiden Dragon) as Broken Sword's devoted servant, Moon. ~ Tracie Cooper, All Movie Guide

After devoting his career to such horror films as Scream, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Last House on the Left, director Wes Craven makes a dramatic change of pace with this inspiring drama about a teacher who helps change the lives of her students. Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras (Meryl Streep) teaches at an elementary school in Harlem, where discipline is a higher priority than the lively arts. But Roberta believes that studying music will give the children a sense of purpose invaluable in later life. Despite indifference from the school administration and budget cuts that force her to seek outside funding (and even threaten her job), Roberta struggles to teach the violin to her students, instilling a love of classical music in kids who might otherwise never have heard Bach or Mozart, and leading to a student recital at Carnegie Hall. Angela Bassett, Cloris Leachman, and Aidan Quinn highlight the supporting cast, and virtuoso violinists Isaac Stern, Itzhak Perlman, and Mark O'Connor appear as themselves. The Music of the Heart is based on a true story; the real Roberta Guaspari-Tzavaras and her students can be seen in the documentary Small Wonders. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Three of the most celebrated artists in classical music -- violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, and pianist Daniel Barenboim -- come together for a special recital in this performance video. Recorded during a 1995 performance with The Berlin Philharmonic, Beethoven: Triple Concerto and Choral Fantasy marks the first time this concert has been made available on home video. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Shalom Sesame: The Land of Israel is the first episodes in the Muppets special edition series, Shalom Sesame, an educational journey through ancient and modern Israel. Kids meet old and new Muppet friends on "Rechov Sumsum," the Israeli version of Sesame Street, including Grover, Cookie Monster, Moishe Oofnick the grouch, and Kippy ben Kipod, a large porcupine. In Shalom Sesame 1: The Land of Israel, Muppet characters take kids on a whirlwind tour, introducing the cities of Haifa, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Metulla, and Caesaria. Children experience the excitement of Israeli city life and the peaceful silence of the desert region. Along the way, the Muppets help viewers make many new friends. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

Shalom Sesame: The People of Israel is the fourth episode in the Muppets special edition series Shalom Sesame, an educational journey through ancient and modern Israel. Kids meet old and new Muppet friends on "Rechov Sumsum," the Israeli version of Sesame Street, including Grover, Cookie Monster, Moishe Oofnick the grouch, and Kippy ben Kipod, a large porcupine. In this episode, Muppet characters introduce kids to the diverse range of people who make up Israel's population. Viewers meet children who came from all over the world -- Sweden, Russia, Egypt, India, Ethiopia, and the United States -- to make their home in Israel. Also, Mandy Patinkin performs in a music video. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

Shalom Sesame: Jerusalem is the fifth episode in the Muppets special edition series Shalom Sesame, an educational journey through ancient and modern Israel. Kids meet old and new Muppet friends on "Rechov Sumsum," the Israeli version of Sesame Street, including Grover, Cookie Monster, Moishe Oofnick the grouch, and Kippy ben Kipod, a large porcupine. In Shalom Sesame 5: Jerusalem, the Muppets take children on an informative sight-seeing tour through Jerusalem, Israel's capital city. The huge city prints its street signs in three languages and serves as a historic center for Jews, Christians, Moslems, and Armenians alike. ~ Betsy Boyd, All Movie Guide

Violin virtuoso Henryk Szeryng is the featured soloist in this recording of highlights from the 1983 Huberman Festival, featuring the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of Zubin Mehta. The Huberman Festival, Vol. 3: Tchaikovsky and Vivaldi features performances of Tchaikovsky's "Concerto for Violin in D Major, Op. 35" and Vivaldi's "Concerto for Two Violins and String Orchestra in A Minor, Op. 3, No. 8", in which Szeryng is joined by second soloist Chaim Taub. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

A musical presentation featuring the world-renowned Israel Philharmonic Orchestra are featured here. ~ All Movie Guide