U2 Movies

The 'Very Special Christmas' albums began appearing in the late 1980s. A series of yuletide-themed compilations that featured contemporary rock stars performing beloved Christmas songs (some secular, some not) the albums were recorded and issued to raise money for the Special Olympics. Volume One emerged in 1989, and by the holiday season of 2001-2, four sequels had been produced and issued. Now, the home video release A Very Special Christmas compiles some of the most memorable music videos and live performances of songs from those initial albums, with additional renditions of holiday tunes culled from the 1998 and 2000 Christmas at the White House specials. Performers include Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, Wyclef Jean, Tracy Chapman, Jon Bon Jovi and many others. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

Quebec-born artist/singer-songwriter/record producer/filmmaker Daniel Lanois explores the true nature of creativity by inviting the viewer into the very studio where he has recorded some of the best work of his illustrious career. To Lanois, improvisation is an essential part of creativity, and it is this aspect of the creative process on which he and co-directors Adam Vollick and Adam Samuels focus most of their attentions. In the comfort of his self-described "sonic temple," Lanois and such famed musicians as Garth Hudson, Brian Blade, and longtime collaborator Brian Eno embark on a creative journey the likes of which have rarely, if ever, been captured on camera before. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

This 2004 episode of Saturday Night Live is hosted by Luke Wilson and features musical guest U2. ~ Skyler Miller, Rovi

Paramount presents this compilation of some of the most memorable rock performances from past MTV Video Music Awards ceremonies. Among the songs are Lenny Kravitz's "Are You Gonna Go My Way," Blink 182's "All The Small Things," Marilyn Manson's "Beautiful People," Stone Temple Pilots' "Pretty Penny," INXS's "Suicide Blond," and five others. Also included on MTV Video Music Awards: Rock are host monologues by Chris Rock, Dana Carvey, and Dennis Miller. MTV Video Music Awards: Hip-Pop, featuring rap performances, is also available. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Although the conventional wisdom is that Irish rock band U2 lost their way during the '90s, this compilation of videos shows that the work they did during that period is worthy of further consideration. This plentiful collection contains clips from Achtung Baby era hits like "One," "Even Better Than the Real Thing," and "Mysterious Ways," as well as the more challenging videos for "Numb," "Lemon," and the lead single from Pop, "Discoteque." Sure to please fans of the band, this release may help people reconsider their opinions of U2's output during the Clinton years. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

While they've become one of the biggest bands in the entire world, U2 have always maintained a special relationship with their fans in their native Ireland, and this concert video records the riotous yet deeply emotional reception the band received when they played two massive concerts (drawing 80,000 fans each) at Slane Castle in Dublin in the Summer of 2001. U2 Go Home: Live At Slane Castle features the songs "Elevation", "Beautiful Day", "Desire", "Where The Streets Have No Name", "Pride (In The Name Of Love)", "With Or Without You", "Sunday Bloody Sunday", "Bullet The Blue Sky", and many more. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This documentary, produced for VH1's Classic Albums series, examines the making of U2's The Joshua Tree, which in Europe confirmed their status as one of the most popular and influential rock groups of the day, and in America elevated them from a major cult band to multi-platinum selling superstars who helped bring alternative rock to the masses. Along with excerpts of performances of the album's best known tunes, including "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For," "Where the Streets Have No Name," "With or Without You," and "Bullet the Blue Sky," this film features interviews with the four members of the group (Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen), album producers Brian Eno, Daniel Lanois, and Steve Lillywhite, and friend and fan Elvis Costello. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

From a Whisper to a Scream documents the rise of Irish musicians through the ranks of rock & roll royalty to become the vibrant force they are in music today. In this segment of the program, the early days of Irish rock music (1950-1976) are examined through a blend of performance footage and interviews with musicians of the era, including Van Morrison. ~ Rob Ferrier, Rovi

Looking to boost sales, Costington's Department Store invents a new holiday, Love Day, which prompts Springfield residents to buy one another gifts such as "Sir Loves-A-Lot, the bear who loves to love." However, all those boxes and wrapping paper mean plenty of trash, and Homer Simpson (voice of Dan Castellaneta), typically late in taking the trash out to the curb, curses the sanitation workers when they don't pick up his rubbish. The angry garbage men refuse to pick up the Simpsons' trash until Homer apologizes, which he's highly reluctant to do. Eventually, Marge (voice of Julie Kavner) apologizes on her husband's behalf, which leads to an angry confrontation between Homer and Ray Patterson (voice of Steve Martin), Springfield's sanitation commissioner. Homer decides to put Patterson out of business by running for sanitation commissioner himself, and after making a number of ridiculous promises and slandering his opponent, Homer wins the office. However, Homer's ambitious plans cause him to blow through his annual sanitation budget in less than a month, and to cover up his mistakes, he starts accepting dangerous waste from other cities until Springfield's landfills are overflowing. First aired on April 26, 1998, "Trash of the Titans" also features a guest appearance from Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Mullen of the rock group U2 as themselves. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi