NEW TPR DVD!!! Coaster Expedition Volume 7 is NOW SHIPPING!

I haven't gotten mine yet, but as soon as I do it will be up on TN ASAP.

still awaiting my copy, but I'll definitely post review asap once I get it.

EDIT: Lo and behold, I get home and there it is!!

After a long day at work trying to sell pretty italian pieces of art to wife-beater wearing, half toothed carnies, I returned home to find some extra padding in the 'ol mailbox. A large padded envelope caused a bit of a clog, as one of Amanda's graphic design mags was half hanging out waving to the world.

However, when I looked inside and saw the return address was on "everybody's favorite theme park" parkway, I knew my summer dose of coaster porn had arrived!

With barely enough time to drop the briefcase and crack open a Shipyard Summer Export Ale, the first DVD was popped in, and off we go. Now, I wasn't quite drunk enough yet to listen to Hilary Duff, but that's fine.

As has been the case with the rest of TPR's "coaster season" style productions, disc one flows real well, and has a great balance of ride footage (more than just coasters) along with group antics, catchy music, and general regional footage as well (showing cityscapes, etc.)

All of Robb's patented "weeeeeees!" and "OMG that hurts" were there, as were Elissa's trademarked giggles (most prominant during the spinning dragon of death segment).

Volume 7 is not only an international production, but also the coaster video with the greatest amount of climatic variance. Whether it's coasting through the summer heat, or corkscrewing mere inches above ice and snow, it's here. Blackpool in the snow and sleet? It's there too.

The obscure Japanese park segments were great. Particularly seeing the amazing lights of Tivoli, Kobe Porto Potty Lane mere months before closing, the quriky looking Space World, or the zany Hello Kitty theming at the Sanrio Park. Hong Kong Disneyland was represented well with a nice segment, highlighted by a lights on ride on board Space Mountain...."have a magical day" works in any corner of the Disney World of parks I guess. The closing segment highlighted the crew's marathon run through the parks of the Tokyo Disney Resort over the 2005/2006 New Year- I still can't get over how amazing the Tokyo Disney Parks look, or how many people they handle in such an efficient manner.

All in all, typical great stuff. Can't wait for the next installation.

-Mark

<----- My copy made it's way up I-5 and landed in my mailbox today. I now have all 7 TPR DVD's in my collection. Woot.

Thanks again,

SM-

Hey Mark! Thanks for the great review!

--Robb

Just got my copy yesterday. (Thanks, Robb!) Here’s my review:

It’s been a while since I’ve seen a full-scale TPR video extravaganza. In fact, I think the last one I saw was “Home Movies 2000.” (And it was on videotape, no less!) And though Robb’s work has always been impressive, time and experience (or maybe Elissa) have clearly resulted in a streamlined, fine-tuned, and superior offering here in the year 2006.

Although it doesn’t quite cover as many countries as the title might suggest--sticking mostly to Asia, England, and the US as it does--the number and variety of parks is still quite impressive. And there are quite a few “non music video” segments sprinkled throughout (including random snippets of strange Japanese TV programs) to break up the format and keep things interesting.

Of course, the “music videos” are still the heart of the presentation--chock full of theme park footage, coaster POV, Robb going “wheee,” and lots of random “WTF” moments. The musical selections remain esoteric, but entertaining. In fact, I was surprised at how many songs I didn’t recognize this time around. And though I didn’t intend to, I ended up blowing through the entire DVD in one sitting last night--and I’ll probably watch it again today. It’s that good.

As always, this latest TPR offering makes you want to hang out with Robb, Elissa, the one they call “the Quaker,” Derek, and the whole rest of their wacky gang during the upcoming year, in hopes of becoming a big time DVD star yourself. But if you can’t quite afford that yet, these DVD’s make for a pretty darned swell alternative.

Thanks, guys!

Awesome Erik! Thanks for the review.

BTW, has anyone had a problem with the "volume" of the DVD? Someone told me it was very loud, but I haven't heard anyone else mention it.

Please let me know if you're having any problems.

--Robb

^Well really, all your DVDs are loud. When I am watching TV I have the speakers set at 13-15. When I play the DVDs, I have it set to 6 or 7. Its not bad, I don't notice anything with I play it through the TV.

I don't think its anything to worry about

OMG BENZO HAS A PROBLEM!!! I'm so shocked, alert the media!!!

^Post of the Weekend

dt

No that wasn't a problem....I don't really care if its loud. He said if there was anyone who noticed the loud volume, let me know. So I told him. Like I said, its not a problem at all. Actually, any home video sounds loud compared to a movie or TV.

Wish mine worked. Is anyone else having a problem with disc 1 playing?

^ Instead of posting about it here, why don't you email me so I can take care of that for you.

--Robb

The suspense is KILLING me! I run to my mailbox every day now...

I don't really have a problem with the volume. The only issue is that the segments aren't always normalized, so sometimes, there may be a sudden spike in noise because the music for the previous segment was softer than the music of the current one.

Nothing hugely distracting though; just noticeable.

Anyway, Robb, I deeply apologize for nothing having put in my review yet. It's been an insanely busy couple of weeks with work, getting ready for school and study abroad, architecture internship stuff, and a whole bunch of other things. I will try to get it up asap!

^ It's cool! I know what it's like being busy.

And yeah, normalizing the audio is one of my personal pet peeves. I keep meaning to run all our music through Cool Edit Pro or something, but so many times we'll change music on the fly (the Weird Al song on Volume 7 is a great example) so it's almost too late.

Anyway, looking forward to your review.

--Robb

^So when you get music from DVDs where do you get it? Because I know that all songs have a different volume so i can see where the problem is.

But when you burn the DVD, cant you set a certain volume when it burns?

Sorry this review took so long! I am desperately trying to have my DVD ready to go by the Halloween Orlando trip.

Anyway! IMHO this is the best DVD you all have released! Seriously! The pacing is great. Fantastic choice in music. The footage is awesome! None of the segments are too long or get dragged out.

Congrats on another fine installment of the TPR franchise vids! You guys realy deserve all the praise in the world for the awesome job you do.

Keep up the good work!

Hurry up Guy with your vid!! I want to see it and you in October!

TPR Coaster Expedition Volume 7 - Corkscrewed's Review

Remember when Theme Park Review’s coaster season volumes used to actually come out once a year? Well, at the rate Robb and Elissa are going, they might have to start releasing them literally once every meteorological season! Indeed, fresh off their madly and gropingly successful first-ever TPR trip to the United Kingdom, Robb and Elissa have released Coaster Expedition Volume 7: Around the World with Theme Park Review! This wild and entertaining three-DVD set contains everything people have come to expect in a TPR DVD, taking viewers on a whirlwind trips across three continents and dozens of roller coasters, from the traditional to the cutting edge to the totally awesome to the downright bizarre. And throughout it all, Robb, Elissa, and the gang exhibit such an overwhelmingly enthusiastic sense of fun that you won’t be able to help but enjoy yourself as you watch each segment.

It’s this uncanny ability to infect fans with this excitement that sets the TPR DVD’s apart from most of other coaster videos out there. Like the six sets before it, Volume 7 allows the audience to vicariously experience the adventure, comedy, and Dan-unapproved wetness that seem to follow Robb and Elissa around on all of their trips. Beyond being simple music videos set in theme parks and focused on roller coasters, these are elegantly produced home videos that capture the spirit and childlike glee that theme park visitors experience whenever they make a trip to a park. It’s the closest thing you can come to touring a park with the Alveys short of… well… touring a park with the Alveys! You’ll laugh, you’ll cry (okay, maybe not), you’ll laugh again, but mostly, you’ll be wishing you could join them around such exotic locales as Hong Kong Disneyland, Nasu Highland, Uminonakamichi Seaside Park (say that one time fast), Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Mount Olympus Theme park, and more!

The main video (disc 1) kicks it off with Hong Kong Disneyland, aka Disneyland Lite, complete with the same small and repeatedly bashed Sleeping Beauty Castle. Mount Olympus Theme Park, in Wisconsin Dells, brings you face to face with Hades, home of… NINETY DEGREES!!!! —banked turning, that is. There’s an amazing Midwest conquest segment where the gang tackles seven parks in one day, a flurry of crazy Japanese parks (including Nasu Highland, in SNOW), and a plethora of European parks mixed in with parks from the “good ol’ U.S. of A. In a way, this is all six previous Coaster Expedition volumes now rolled into one, but Volume 7 is more than that.

What stands out this time around, even more than before, is the effortless quality of each segment, so it goes without saying that the production values of Volume 7 are the best they’ve ever been. Having done these for pretty much half a decade now, Robb and Elissa have become excellent editors and cinematographers. As such, the quality of the footage, music synching, and spirit of each excursion are wonderfully refined and executed each and every time. In addition to the crisp editing and smooth shots, the lip-stick cam makes its return to capture clearer front seat POV footage than ever before. Furthermore, as usual, neither Robb nor Elissa rely on flash special effects to generate interest: they let the content speak for itself and edit it in a simple but eye-catching way that places you in the park, with them. Never does anything seem forced or artificial, which makes sense, because all Robb and Elissa have ever been is open and up front. That’s part of the charm, that two ordinary people (believe it or not, Robb and Elissa are regular people like you and me) can have such extraordinary times simply engaging in something they love.

Now, it wouldn’t be a TPR video if it didn’t feature random hilarious moments totally unrelated to roller coasters or theme parks. The highlight this time around is a three part series featuring Japanese game shows—messed up, completely outrageous, totally unbelievable, and undoubtedly unfit for American viewing. I’d rather not spoil it, but I will say four words. MacGyver. Crotch. Dogs. Humping. And no, I don’t mean you see MacGyver humping a dog’s crotch. Close, though.

You also get to witness regular TPR guest star Mark prove that Quakers are no better at traversing water than Jews, as evidenced by his struggle to cross a small stream by swinging over monkey bars. It’s a shame too. At least Joey had crossing a parted Red Sea to his heritage’s credit!

Speaking of parted, don’t miss Robb’s hilarious race on Blackpool’s famed Steeplechase coaster. Scratch your head in confusion as Robb falls behind early on despite his weight and momentum advantage. Cheer with fervor as he overtakes his opponents in the second half. Laugh your bum off when a very abrupt brake combined with the “parted” seating position result in a very uncomfortable stop. Uncomfortable, to say the least (guys can grimace in anticipation now).

The video concludes with the Alveys spending another holiday… not in the United States. Last year, it was July 4th in France. This year, it’s ringing in the New Year in Tokyo. And this is certainly an incredible sight. Imagine 100,000 people in one park, eagerly awaiting the new year, and nary any chaos in sight! Indeed, they remain orderly and patient as the countdown approaches! That would never happen in the U.S., but in Japan, it’s all gravy. The celebration is a perfect way to cap off yet another fantastic TPR production!

As mentioned earlier, there are two other discs included with the set. Disc 2 features on and off ride footage of some of the roller coasters featured in the parks on Disc 1. Disc 3 features most of the rest of the TPR Coaster Contest 2005 placers. The top five are on here again, and unfortunately, a few of the finishers aren’t actually included due to technical problems. This doesn’t really detract, however (and I can say that because I’m one of the people whose video couldn’t be transferred to this disc for whatever reason), and it certainly allows you to see the skills of the TPR community as well!

So, although it’s getting a little old to say, the crew at Theme Park Review has outdone itself again! Volume 7 is the best one yet, and I personally cannot wait until Volume 8 comes out. The scary thing is that it’s scheduled to be released later this year. Two Coaster Expedition DVD’s in one year? Well, I’m sure no one will complain.

That was an awesome well thought out review. It covers all the bases. I'll just restate that it is the best of the series. A great job overall!

Congrats again Alveys!

Guy "Did I just review a review?" Koepp

Woohoo! I just opened up my package from the Alveys. One TPR T-Shirt and coaster expedition 7.

I'll post my review after watching it... over... and over... and over again.

Andrew "My T-Shirt smells funny" C.

*sorry for double post*

REVIEW:

First of all, I'd like to say that how you organized the films was really neat. It went from snowing, to Christmas (at ground zero!), to New Year's. I also liked how you set up the menu screens.

DVD 1:

This DVD had GREAT footage of the parks and gave me a pretty good idea of what they were like. There were some nice songs, along with some quirky and outdated ones, but all of them fit well with the footage. You guys really know how to balance coasters with a bit of guaranteed TPR craziness. I especially liked seeing what you all did at SFGAm, since that's my home park. The DVD made me laugh and smile all the way through! BTW, I will go on the Japan trip JUST to watch Japanese TV

It's so screwed up!!!

DVD 2:

I liked how this DVD had basically all POV's. Despite my DVD being scratched for Hades (which I could care less about, since I've already seen it), the rest had great editing and footage. I'm always impressed with how you Alveys can film POVs. I also thought it was neat to see the Flamingo Land installation of their giant SLC (DVD/Name of Coaster?).

Overall, I thought that this was an AWESOME DVD! Great editing along with some awesome footage of coasters and Japanese TV (lol) made this a worthwhile investment.

Thanks again, Alveys!

Andrew "Dog humping races?!??" C.

Ok, time to un-stick this. I think by now everyone knows about the new DVD!

--Robb

YOU HAVE A NEW DVD OUT!

Oh my God! How do I get one? You guys make tha most awesome DVDs. I just have to have it! I can't live without it! I need it!

Guy " " Koepp