Reel advice: Music to our ears

If you saw (and loved) writer/director John Carney's 2006 breakthrough film Once, about the unlikely romance that develops between an Irish busker and a Czech immigrant, then you've probably been waiting for a follow-up that is its equal. Begin Again (Weinstein) comes close, but it doesn't quite make the cut.

Down-on-his-luck indie record label founder Dan (The Normal Heart's Mark Ruffalo) hits bottom when he's dismissed by his business partner Saul (Mos Def) from the company they co-created. His marriage to music journalist Miriam (Catherine Keener), like his steady flow of libations, is on the rocks. His teenage daughter Violet (Hailee Steinfeld) has basically lost respect for him.

Across town, Greta (Keira Knightley), a British singer/songwriter, has seen her relationship with boyfriend and songwriting partner Dave (Adam Levine) come apart at the seams as he experienced an unexpected rise in popularity. Reduced to crashing on the couch at friend and busker Steve's (James Corden) flat, Greta plans to return to England.

But a chance meeting between Dan and Greta at a live music club, where Steve has invited Greta onstage to sing a song, will have a profound effect on both of their lives that neither of them could have foreseen. Where Once felt grounded in gritty reality, Begin Again has a New York fairy tale (minus the fairies – it's Manhattan – they couldn't find one gay character?) quality that borders on the surreal. The environmental recording sessions, for instance, are pure Hollywood. So is Dan's discovery of his daughter's previously unrevealed musical talent.

Redemption and romantic reunions are part of the soundtrack, as are the infectious tunes (a few of which were co-written by Gregg Alexander and former child-star Danielle Brisebois) sung by a some of the cast members. There are parts of Begin Again that feel familiar, especially if you've watched Once, not enough to consider this Once Again, but sufficient to make you wonder if Carney is running out of ideas. However, if you are looking for some non-traditional summer entertainment, you'd be wise to start with Begin Again.

The Elton John concert doc The Million Dollar Piano (Eagle Vision/Yamaha/Rocket) is now available on DVD and Blu-ray. Filmed in 2013 at Caesars Palace's Colosseum in Las Vegas, where Elton John has been performing for many years, the concert features 18 songs from the legendary piano man's career, now in its sixth decade. Backed by longtime members of his band, including Davey Johnstone, Nigel Olsson and Ray Cooper, as well as backing vocalists including Tata Vega, the Rocket Man demonstrates why he's been able to be the concert draw he's been for all these years.

Seated at The Million Dollar Piano of the title, introduced by EJ as his "co-star," a nine-foot Yamaha equipped with several video screens to identify songs, albums and more, the gay music icon sings and tells stories to the audience. He even gets extra points for a Madonna slam. DVD bonus material includes a "Making The Million Dollar Piano" featurette and "Live In Kiev" footage.