The reviewer (Spleen) was wrong when he said that Disney did not make another full-length animated feature until 1950. Well, he's wrong! Disney came out with "Saludos Amigos" (1942, though barely a feature at 40 minutes); "The Three Caballeros" (1944) and "Make Mine Music" (1946). These were all original films, with Caballeros being the wildest animated film I believe Disney ever did! "Bambi" is indeed a classic, although the DVD I have promised "All-New Disney Enhanced Home Theatre Mix". I did not hear this Home Theatre Mix, try as I might. The stereo was just fine, though. However, the restoration was gorgeous, and the extras complement the film. Hats off to that team!
Reviews
11 Reviews
George Lucas got it right ... this time!
25 May 2005
Episode III is exactly where Episode I and II should have been!! This last episode has just about everything for even the casual SW fan: great action, grand music, familiar faces, and a really good plot that ties almost everything up. It is dark (that's good!) and deserves the PG-13 rating. It's definitely worth seeing on the biggest screen you can find, and seeing it often wouldn't hurt, either!! Again, John Williams has provided the nuclear music that has helped make this series the monster world-wide bonanza that it has become. The visual effects are the best that I have seen to date, and the blending of the CGI work into the live action is truly spectacular!! In short, this may be the biggest, most spectacular film you will see during your lifetime!!
The Phantom of the Opera
(2004)
One beautiful movie
6 January 2005
Andrew Lloyd Webber outdid himself as producer of this film version of his musical play (operetta?). I do not believe I have ever seen a more opulent film anywhere, anytime! I can see quite a few Oscar nominations for this film, including: best costumes, sound, editing, cinematography, adaptation. Probably even a few I haven't thought of.
I have not seen such a rich-looking film in many a year, if ever. The color and scenery are way above par for a film of this kind. The actors do their own singing (a condition set by Lloyd Webber); the only exception is Minnie Driver (but she sings a new song in her own voice over the closing credits). This movie sounds great! Perhaps I shall see it again -- certainly I'll be buying the DVD! In a word, this movie is GORGEOUS!
I have not seen such a rich-looking film in many a year, if ever. The color and scenery are way above par for a film of this kind. The actors do their own singing (a condition set by Lloyd Webber); the only exception is Minnie Driver (but she sings a new song in her own voice over the closing credits). This movie sounds great! Perhaps I shall see it again -- certainly I'll be buying the DVD! In a word, this movie is GORGEOUS!
Peter Pan
(1924)
Very little to complain about ...
25 December 2004
Having just watched PETER PAN I must say I was very impressed: The quality of this print was just gorgeous!! The idea of giving it a sepia tone was inspired, since it "antiqued" the film just right.
My only complaint with this film (as it is with so many other silents): please run the film at the correct speed. It is running about 20% faster than it should. The labs that convert these films to video have the equipment to do this properly. Running the film too fast spoils the rhythm of the action, and can ruin scenes because of the increase in speed of the action. Apparently not too many people care about this fast action, or the labs would correct this. Well, one can only hope.
My only complaint with this film (as it is with so many other silents): please run the film at the correct speed. It is running about 20% faster than it should. The labs that convert these films to video have the equipment to do this properly. Running the film too fast spoils the rhythm of the action, and can ruin scenes because of the increase in speed of the action. Apparently not too many people care about this fast action, or the labs would correct this. Well, one can only hope.
She
(1925)
It's good, but a little dated.
5 December 2004
I have this film on Super-8mm, but with one or two reels missing, as mentioned above. Of course, the parts missing are important to the plot (primarily the face to face meeting with Leo and his dead ancestor). I think the production values are adequate for this kind of film, in the context of the time it was produced. My Blackhawk print is a little dark and contrasty, but it is enjoyable. I have watched it many times, but I would love to have a DVD copy of this film. (Perhaps I can make my own if none appears.) Perhaps someone out there would be so kind as to let me know whom to write to, in pursuit of this.
Fortunately, I was able to show the picture at its proper speed, which helps give it weight and more lifelike movement. The portions of the film I do have look very good, so I am sure that someone out there could restore this and put it out on DVD.
Fortunately, I was able to show the picture at its proper speed, which helps give it weight and more lifelike movement. The portions of the film I do have look very good, so I am sure that someone out there could restore this and put it out on DVD.
Ziegfeld: The Man and His Women
(1978 TV Movie)
Fairly good
8 November 2004
I had seen this telepic when it originally aired in 1978. I saw it again today on Starz' True Stories channel. It was supposed to run 150 minutes, but on True it barely ran 90 minutes! So while the quality of the film and the acting were quite good, and attention to detail was fascinating, I somehow felt cheated that True would see fit to knock about an hour off the running time! People were listed in the closing cast credits that never appeared in this version.
The musical numbers were very good, the atmosphere was accurate, and the general tenor of the film (what there was of it) was enjoyable. It would be nice if this were available on DVD, in an uncut version!
The musical numbers were very good, the atmosphere was accurate, and the general tenor of the film (what there was of it) was enjoyable. It would be nice if this were available on DVD, in an uncut version!
House of Wax
(1953)
3D or 2D, it still packs a punch!
9 October 2004
I was lucky enough to see this film in its initial release, at the Chicago Theatre (in Chicago) one Saturday morning at 8:30. The soundtrack was stereo surround, which really aided the 3D effects on-screen. I think at that hour of the morning, there were perhaps 12 of us in the theatre, so the fight scene with Roy Roberts and Vinnie was even more heightened, when Roy threw the chair at Vinnie, and we heard it land behind us. Wow!!
It is interesting to note that director Andre De Toth had only one eye -- which made him the butt of several jokes at the time; that is, until the movie actually came out. One way you can get the 3D effect when viewing this film on TV is merely to close one eye. The lighting is so set as to enhance the 3D effect throughout the film. This film (a remake of "The Mystery of the Wax Museum" [1933]) is much better because it takes place in a time past, and is not contemporary, which would date it badly. This film is worth watching time and again, and while perhaps not quite a classic, I would give it a big ***1/2. It is available from Warner Home Video on a DVD with "The Mystery of the Wax Museum" so you can compare the films.
It is interesting to note that director Andre De Toth had only one eye -- which made him the butt of several jokes at the time; that is, until the movie actually came out. One way you can get the 3D effect when viewing this film on TV is merely to close one eye. The lighting is so set as to enhance the 3D effect throughout the film. This film (a remake of "The Mystery of the Wax Museum" [1933]) is much better because it takes place in a time past, and is not contemporary, which would date it badly. This film is worth watching time and again, and while perhaps not quite a classic, I would give it a big ***1/2. It is available from Warner Home Video on a DVD with "The Mystery of the Wax Museum" so you can compare the films.
Vampyr
(1932)
Poor quality all the way around
10 September 2004
If you have insomnia, this film is for you! The poor print quality, the muffled dialog, the plodding pace of this film is guaranteed to make you nod off.
It appears that a lot of this film was shot at the silent speed, the sound speed used whenever there was dialog. The music(?) score is so dreary and funereal so as to induce slumber; indeed, I had to really fight to stay awake (occasionally, I lost the fight).
The lighting was a problem: whether day or night, the light was exactly the same! It made the characters' use of candles seem ludicrous since it was already so bright. And let's not forget the subtitles -- written in a version of Old English, and taking up the lower quarter of the screen!!
It's now available on DVD, but it's the same print! In short, save your money!!
It appears that a lot of this film was shot at the silent speed, the sound speed used whenever there was dialog. The music(?) score is so dreary and funereal so as to induce slumber; indeed, I had to really fight to stay awake (occasionally, I lost the fight).
The lighting was a problem: whether day or night, the light was exactly the same! It made the characters' use of candles seem ludicrous since it was already so bright. And let's not forget the subtitles -- written in a version of Old English, and taking up the lower quarter of the screen!!
It's now available on DVD, but it's the same print! In short, save your money!!
The Prisoner of Zenda
(1952)
Colorful remake not up to the earlier version
30 June 2004
Sadly, even the use of Technicolor does not help improve this shot-for-shot remake of the 1937 Selznick classic. Even using the same Alfred Newman score (!) cannot save it from being a film by the numbers. James Mason was badly miscast as Rupert. (They should have had Fairbanks reprise his role, since he was actually younger than Mason.) The other cast members go through their paces in acceptable fashion, but their actions are just not that very exciting. Some special effects were indeed better than in the '37 version, but the film certainly lacks the verve and style of the earlier film. It's pretty to look at, but that's it.
The Tales of Hoffmann
(1951)
What a gorgeous film!
1 June 2004
I saw this film when it first came out and was overwhelmed by the music (by Jacques Offenbach) and the gorgeous 3-strip Technicolor. I even bought the LP soundtrack album (twice). When the Criterion laserdisc version came out, I forked out beaucoup bucks for it -- and was not disappointed! I suspect this film was the first music video, for all the sound (singing and music) was pre-recorded, which gave it a more pure quality. Nearly all the on-camera players were ballet stars, who lip-synced singing by opera stars! It is an opera, after all, so perhaps it could be accused of being a bit stagey, but so what!! It is a pure delight, and I am now happy to report that Criterion has released the DVD! It has been restored and digitally remastered for a truly glorious presentation. Comments by Martin Scorcese only add to the release!
One heck of a mini-series!
31 March 2004
I do not think there have been any other mini-series such as "Hollywood: The Golden Years" that have gone to such depths to explore the life and death of a major studio. The archival footage is in pristine condition, and the live interviews are all so reflective (and a tad bit sad) of the inner workings of RKO.
I thought Edward Asner -- as host and narrator -- did a bang-up job handling the enormous chores required to properly do this six-parter. I felt the music -- some original, I guess, and some archival -- filled the bill beautifully. Also, each episode had a theme that worked well, with plenty of examples of the subject. I only wish that each episode had been longer. I guess that's the hallmark of a good show: always leave 'em wantin' more!!
My only hope is that this will be released on DVD -- and soon!!
I thought Edward Asner -- as host and narrator -- did a bang-up job handling the enormous chores required to properly do this six-parter. I felt the music -- some original, I guess, and some archival -- filled the bill beautifully. Also, each episode had a theme that worked well, with plenty of examples of the subject. I only wish that each episode had been longer. I guess that's the hallmark of a good show: always leave 'em wantin' more!!
My only hope is that this will be released on DVD -- and soon!!
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