my review (long)
Here is my review of the Sigel vs. Reyes DVD.
As you've probably already heard or read, the match itself wasn't the highest quality of matches, especially considering the players involved. Reyes and Sigel had uncharacteristically too many unforced errors. Sigel was plagued with numerous positional errors and missed table-lenghted shots, not to mention experienced a lot of unlucky rolls. Efren missed several even simpler shots. If Sigel didn't make a few early gaffs early in the match, the match would have been A LOT closer and more entertaining.
On a positive note, both Reyes and Sigel did string together several impressive outs. It's entertaining to hear Sigel talk, especially if things are not going his way. And it's also funny to hear Efren yell out after making the final 8, since I don't think he's ever done something like that before. You think he was paid by the IPT to exhibit emotion after sinking the final 8?
As for the production quality and coverage of the match, I'd have to say it was a disappointment. Yes, you can definitely tell it is a big-budget production. The coverage has lots of bells and whistles, such as numerous camera angles, instant replay, pre and post player interviews, smokes and sound...etc. But when it comes to just telling the story of the pool match itself, sometimes less is more.
Although there are obviously numerous cameras that cover the match (compared to your typical accustats and ESPN coverage), many of the camera angles are just annoying, extraneous, and totally unnecessary. It is especially frustrating when they show a closeup of the OB going into the pocket while totally neglecting displaying the path the CB takes around the table. This would be appropriate if the player is shooting the 8, but not so for all the other balls, since the CB path with respect to the entire table layout is what is most informative.
As for the commentary, it is by far the worst part of the entire production. There are three commentators...Matt Vasgersian, KT, and Loree Jon Jones. Matt shows he knows nothing about pool, and he provides zero useful commentary. KT is just extremely annoying to listen to, and acts and talks as if he's a total expert of the game. Trudeau talks more than the two other commentators combined, and all the while I just kept wishing he keep his mouth shut (there is a two-minute span when he keeps saying "Efrem").
Loree Jon Jones supposedly provides the "professional" commentary. Although she gives more useful info than the other two combined (not hard to do), her commentary totally lacks in the strategy department (unacceptable for an 8ball match). LJJ just doesn't provide nearly enough basic strategy talk that would satisfy the average pool player, or be beneficial to the typical banger seeking to improve his game. Not only does she lack substance, sometimes she is even flat out clueless as to what Efren was trying to do at the table. I'll provide a specific example...
The most unforgivable part of LLJ's commentary happens in the second rack of the second set. Reyes is in the middle of his run shooting stripes. The 8 ball doesn't have clear paths to the two closer corner pockets because solid balls are blocking its paths to those pockets. Reyes executes a brilliant shot, pocketing a stripe in the side pocket while steering the CB two rails (you really can't see the CB path, because the camera shows a closeup of the OB going into the pocket) and running perfectly into the 7 ball that is blocking the 8's path to one of the corner pockets. LJJ says, "Obviously Efren didn't want to run into the 7", thinking he screwed up positioning to a hanger on the other end of the table. What?? Any decent 8ball player would have known he planned to do exactly that, since he wouldn't have had a pocket for the 8 if hadn't done so (there is actually some applause in the stands after Efren's shot, most likely from the players' section). Her comment not only totally disregards Efren's impressive shot, but she makes it seem that Efren was careless! Totally unacceptable commentary!
To sum up my review, I think the DVD would disappoint a lot of us pool players used to watching accustats tapes. Although the average joe might be impressed by the expensive production, there is only so much strategy and insight one can obtain from watching the DVD due to the subpar commentary. Although it might be worth $25, I'm sad to say it's not worth my $50 investment.
If I was in charge of the IPT, these are three improvements that I feel are a MUST for their future DVDs...
1) Cut down on the numerous camera angles when the player shoots. Sure they are great for replays and dead time in between shots, but when the player actually shoots the shot, stick with the standard camera angle that is directly in front of the table that shows the entire table layout. Remember, the most interesting part is watching the CB path in relation with the other balls on the table. It is not watching the OB fall into the pocket.
2) Get rid of the current commentators, especially KT! Put in experienced commentators that have done 8ball commentary before. Personally, I would like to see Billy Incardona in the booth (if he's not playing himself).
3) Reduce the price. The only reason I bought this DVD is because it's Sigel vs. Reyes. I still think that $50 for a single match is absurd. I'm pretty sure I won't be purchasing another $50 DVD in the future, especially if the production is similar to this DVD.
If anyone else has seen this DVD, I'd be interested in what you think of it.
Here is my review of the Sigel vs. Reyes DVD.
As you've probably already heard or read, the match itself wasn't the highest quality of matches, especially considering the players involved. Reyes and Sigel had uncharacteristically too many unforced errors. Sigel was plagued with numerous positional errors and missed table-lenghted shots, not to mention experienced a lot of unlucky rolls. Efren missed several even simpler shots. If Sigel didn't make a few early gaffs early in the match, the match would have been A LOT closer and more entertaining.
On a positive note, both Reyes and Sigel did string together several impressive outs. It's entertaining to hear Sigel talk, especially if things are not going his way. And it's also funny to hear Efren yell out after making the final 8, since I don't think he's ever done something like that before. You think he was paid by the IPT to exhibit emotion after sinking the final 8?
As for the production quality and coverage of the match, I'd have to say it was a disappointment. Yes, you can definitely tell it is a big-budget production. The coverage has lots of bells and whistles, such as numerous camera angles, instant replay, pre and post player interviews, smokes and sound...etc. But when it comes to just telling the story of the pool match itself, sometimes less is more.
Although there are obviously numerous cameras that cover the match (compared to your typical accustats and ESPN coverage), many of the camera angles are just annoying, extraneous, and totally unnecessary. It is especially frustrating when they show a closeup of the OB going into the pocket while totally neglecting displaying the path the CB takes around the table. This would be appropriate if the player is shooting the 8, but not so for all the other balls, since the CB path with respect to the entire table layout is what is most informative.
As for the commentary, it is by far the worst part of the entire production. There are three commentators...Matt Vasgersian, KT, and Loree Jon Jones. Matt shows he knows nothing about pool, and he provides zero useful commentary. KT is just extremely annoying to listen to, and acts and talks as if he's a total expert of the game. Trudeau talks more than the two other commentators combined, and all the while I just kept wishing he keep his mouth shut (there is a two-minute span when he keeps saying "Efrem").
Loree Jon Jones supposedly provides the "professional" commentary. Although she gives more useful info than the other two combined (not hard to do), her commentary totally lacks in the strategy department (unacceptable for an 8ball match). LJJ just doesn't provide nearly enough basic strategy talk that would satisfy the average pool player, or be beneficial to the typical banger seeking to improve his game. Not only does she lack substance, sometimes she is even flat out clueless as to what Efren was trying to do at the table. I'll provide a specific example...
The most unforgivable part of LLJ's commentary happens in the second rack of the second set. Reyes is in the middle of his run shooting stripes. The 8 ball doesn't have clear paths to the two closer corner pockets because solid balls are blocking its paths to those pockets. Reyes executes a brilliant shot, pocketing a stripe in the side pocket while steering the CB two rails (you really can't see the CB path, because the camera shows a closeup of the OB going into the pocket) and running perfectly into the 7 ball that is blocking the 8's path to one of the corner pockets. LJJ says, "Obviously Efren didn't want to run into the 7", thinking he screwed up positioning to a hanger on the other end of the table. What?? Any decent 8ball player would have known he planned to do exactly that, since he wouldn't have had a pocket for the 8 if hadn't done so (there is actually some applause in the stands after Efren's shot, most likely from the players' section). Her comment not only totally disregards Efren's impressive shot, but she makes it seem that Efren was careless! Totally unacceptable commentary!
To sum up my review, I think the DVD would disappoint a lot of us pool players used to watching accustats tapes. Although the average joe might be impressed by the expensive production, there is only so much strategy and insight one can obtain from watching the DVD due to the subpar commentary. Although it might be worth $25, I'm sad to say it's not worth my $50 investment.
If I was in charge of the IPT, these are three improvements that I feel are a MUST for their future DVDs...
1) Cut down on the numerous camera angles when the player shoots. Sure they are great for replays and dead time in between shots, but when the player actually shoots the shot, stick with the standard camera angle that is directly in front of the table that shows the entire table layout. Remember, the most interesting part is watching the CB path in relation with the other balls on the table. It is not watching the OB fall into the pocket.
2) Get rid of the current commentators, especially KT! Put in experienced commentators that have done 8ball commentary before. Personally, I would like to see Billy Incardona in the booth (if he's not playing himself).
3) Reduce the price. The only reason I bought this DVD is because it's Sigel vs. Reyes. I still think that $50 for a single match is absurd. I'm pretty sure I won't be purchasing another $50 DVD in the future, especially if the production is similar to this DVD.
If anyone else has seen this DVD, I'd be interested in what you think of it.
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