Natural Journeys (Goldhil Exercise Series)

 

Picture: C (1.33 X 1)/C+ (16 X 9)     Sound: B-     Extras: C     Main Programs: C+

 

 

Goldhil Media has thrown their hat into the exercise DVD market with the Natural Journeys imprint.  We rarely review such material, but found the titles we received interesting.  Divas Of Dance, My Personal Trainer and Daily Quickies – 10 Minute Workouts feature various types of exercise segments for the needs of the viewer.  The two twists are that belly dancing is added more than expected and two of the discs offer a 16 X 9 anamorphic setting, but only for 16 X 9 TVs, so 4 X 3/1.33 X 1 sets cannot take advantage of it, unless they want to watch the image slightly squeezed.

 

Considering how fuzzy the regular 4 X 3 images are versus what they should be, that’s not such a bad idea.  The Dolby Digital 2.0 in all cases has Pro Logic surround, while the 5.1 mixes offer a slight improvement where available sonically.  The music is not bad, though much of the dancing is not exactly the most intense to date.  For all the room on the DVDs, each could offer far more content, but there is very little talk to the credit of these productions.  Some also have options for music only and you can pick the segments you like best.

 

Extras can vary from daily charts to bonus exercises, with trailers for the other installments of the series on each volume.  The stills sections have little point, but know the music is not hit music, just amusing facsimiles that are serviceable.  Now you have the information you need to better judge if titles form this series are what you are in the market for.

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo