UltimateDisney.com/DVDizzy.com Reviews: Discussion Thread

[Luke]

Assuming my currently lost baggage (which includes both <i>Grand Theft Auto</i>: Tricked-Out Edition and more importantly, <i>Walt Disney Treasures: More Silly Symphonies</i>) gets to me soon, then <i>More Silly Symphonies</i> should get finished by the end of this month. All of the shorts have been watched and critiqued. All that's left to do is cover Disc 2 bonus features, write an opening and closing, get screencaps (and write captions), and to transform my barrage of notes into print-ready sections on Video and Audio and Bonus Features. Doesn't sound like a lot, but it is, especially the way that we do Treasures reviews with section links and whatnot.

The first post of this thread is regularly updated with the order that reviews are coming in. While that doesn't necessarily tell you when an article will be posted, it does give you a clue that there's other things being covered first. Right now, I've got a couple of Disney Channel DVDs to review, finishing that <i>Grand Theft Auto</i> capsule that's now holding up the Winter Roundup, and quite possibly getting to Touchstone's <i>The Guardian</i>. After all those are done, it's getting the work finished on the entirely or mostly viewed DuckTales V2 and More Silly Symphonies, getting to The Hardy Boys, and then enjoying the deadline-free fun of catching up with older, unreviewed DVDs like <i>Popeye</i>, <i>The Tigger Movie</i>, etc.

While the January - March slate of BVHE DVDs may quite likely be the weakest stretch of schedule I've encountered in the last several years of dutifully covering the company's output, it should definitely afford me and other UD reviewers opportunities to catch up on not-yet-reviewed titles, both recently and long-ago released.

Thanks to CJ and others who have offered words of encouragement in this thread. It's greatly appreciated.

[AwallaceUNC]

I read Aaron's "The Fox and the Hound 2" DVD Review, and curiosity got the best of me. I gave in and rented the movie. And I must say that I am pleasantly surprised with the movie just as Aaron predicted in his review. Great job on the review Aaron, it was definitely spot on.

Thanks a lot, CJ! I'm glad that you liked FatH2. I hope others will give it a chance and be pleasantly surprised as well.

-Aaron

[Kram Nebuer]

Good job on the "That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana" DVD, whoever wrote it (there's no name on it)! I hadn't realized how age exclusive the Disney Channel television shows have been getting. I still like them all the same, but I don't think I'll be buying this DVD. Once on television was cool and I'll probably only watch the DVD once more if I get it. If there's a season set of Suite Life, then I'll probably buy that instead and they obviously can't exclude these episodes since its shows characters were featured in all episodes.

Luke, I hope your luggage gets back to you! If not, I pity the poor soul that stole it and is stuck with the Grand Theft Auto DVD (which doesn't sound too exciting a movie according to the review, lol).

[Luke]

Luke, I hope your luggage gets back to you! If not, I pity the poor soul that stole it and is stuck with the Grand Theft Auto DVD (which doesn't sound too exciting a movie according to the review, lol).

Yeah, I got it back about 48 hours after it was expected. Thanks for the kind feedback!

[Lucylover1986]

Great Cinderella III review Aaron. Was actually really looking forward to it and am glad it doesn't really dissapoint.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Fantastic Cindy III review, Aaron. A recommended sequel sounds pretty nice. I have yet to read the HH review, but I promise I will.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Okay, I read the Higglytown review, and even though I'm not a fan of the television series, it's a neat little show*. Great job on that review, Mr. Al. Then I read the Silly Symphonies review, and I was impressed, and happy that it's finally here. I know, everyone here is busy, so I really shouldn't be complaining. Anywho, I'm grateful for everyone who does these reviews!






*If you are wondering why I have seen it, I sometimes baby-sit for my neighbor, and their childe likes to watch it.

[Escapay]

Well, it's been awhile since my last feedback, so here goes...

As always, excellent reviews from the Lukester, the Aaron, the Ed, the Renata, and the Escapay!!!



Okay, that should cover me until mid-March or so.

In all seriousness, I am really loving the reviews here. I had originally written a very long article about how UD reviews differ from other reviews on other sites, but unfortunately, it was at 4 am, so it didn't make much sense and I deleted it later. But anyways, yes, I do love the reviews here.

This may not be the long article, but essentially, here's the highlights of what I remember from that article...

-UD Reviews give more than the reviewer's opinion about the film - One thing I hate about some reviews (namely a variety at dvdjournal and dvdtalk) is that the reviewer seems more concerned with offering their opinion on the merits of the film as opposed to the actual merits of the film (love him or hate him, DVD Savant at DVDTalk is the biggest offender of this practice). It makes for slanted writing and more often than not, is barely about the DVD. At UD, we get much more than that. We get a great synopsis, we get great background information on the movie/series/collection on DVD, and we get explanations for a variety of topics surrounding the release. More importantly, UD reviews don't focus entirely on "I hate this movie, I don't think you'll like it", but on the actual strength of the DVD and the movie/series/collection.

-UD Reviews actually give runtimes - A short quip here, but I always prefer having a DVD review include runtimes for everything from the movie to the trailer to the bonus features. I hate reading a review that says, "Comes with short documentary, trailer, and photo gallery" and have it end at that. That says NOTHING and pretty much could mean the person didn't bother looking at them, and instead focused on their opinion of the movie. I'm so glad that UD makes it a point to offer not only a clear-cut and objective look at the DVD, but also keeps track of certain things on the DVD.

-UD Reviews actually discuss bonus features - more on what I said above, I love that there's an actual discussion about bonus features. DVDJournal seems pre-occupied with only having the last 2 or 3 sentences listing the bonus features, at least for their "Quick Reviews". If I'm curious in a DVD, I want to know about its bonus features, and some reviews seem to think it's their responsibility to just talk up or talk down the movie. At UD, I've always read that the reviewer will go through each and every bonus feature, and not just say, "There's an x-minute featurette on such-and-such, but I couldn't be bothered with it". And even the childish games and interactive demos get played by UD reviewers. I've ready many a Disney review at other sites where they intentionally pass over them, without even mentioning it beyond "Don't bother with the games, they're for kids".

-UD Reviews don't assume their readers know everything technical - and thankfully, the technical part of the DVD (Video/Audio) is written without all the extra jargon. It's not as in-depth as the HTF reviews (which I do enjoy), it writes to readers in terms everyone can understand, and doesn't cater to the technophile or to the Average Joe who hates widescreen. It basically offers an analysis of the technical side without getting too technical.

-UD Reviews use screencaps - aka "Proof they not only watched the DVD, but that they rewatched it a few times to find caps that would be worth presenting on the review as examples of how the DVD looks both content-wise and bonus-wise". A few times, other DVD reviews will only offer caps for a comparison between the old video transfer and the new one.

Well, that's the gist of what I remember from the article.

Oh, also and a quick correction: In the closing thoughts for "Higglytown Heroes: On the Move", it says it's four episodes of HH when it's supposed to be five.

Escapay

[Luke]

Thanks very much for the detailed, positive feedback, Escapay. I hope you held up a mirror while writing it because it most definitely applies to you now too.

Thanks for the HH correction as well.

Three pink elephants for extremely thought-out (and appreciated) feedback!

[kurtadisneyite]

Still, they could have at least given us new animation of the characters, instead of just flat cardboard cut-outs. What the heck...?

I have not seen all of the latest Princess DVD game yet (is what you saw the one with the card-like castle with fireworks shooting up behind it as it unfolds??). If there is animation of the princess Aurora talking to the player about choosing tiaras or other stuff, or Belle looking straight at you and giving you instructions, those sequences __are__ new animations done the good old classic way !

[Disney Duster]

Well...I honestly haven't seen the game, kurtadisneyite, but I've seen trailers and commercials and images. And actually, aren't the animated Aurora and Belle just from their Enchanted Tales DVD? I guess that is new, but I wanted animation specifially for the game, not recycled from other things! Even Disney Dogs Edition got jipped because they recycled some stuff from the Lady and the Tramp Platinum Edition bonus features!

AwallaceUNC, I will read your Cinderella III: A Twist In Time review after I've seen the feature because I want to be as surprised as possible. Other people's opinions of things go through my head when I watch something, and I see what they see and it's not my own, initial reaction. But thanks again for making it so positive and not being down on it just because it's direct-to-video!

[James]

Hi guys, it's taken me so long to post here- I keep meaning to because of all the great work you guys have done. Okay let me think about which review was the best that you guys have done since I last posted. Hmm.................. I really did enjoy tha That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana one. I think that wins, but the Brenda Song interview helped. That one a great interview again Aaron. I also really liked the recent Cinderella 3 one- it's good to here that it better than the first sequel, of which, embaressly, I quite enjoyed. With these DTV sequels, I never compare them to the original so they never really seem bad in my eyes.
I also loved the FatH review. Fantastic stuff there. I also like re-reading past reviews, like of past Disney Channel stuff, and it's great that you guys are so on top of the DVDs and so intricate in writing about the bonus features, episodes, running times, and about the menus, sound and audio. Oh, and the captions, I always read the captions for every single image. They're possibly my favourite part. These reviews are great, and the CD round-ups are too. Oh and so are the DVD round-ups. I still want to see the Night Listener, even thought the review wasn't too positive of it. Anyway, great stuff, and keep up the great work.
-James

[danfrandes]

Excuse me. When is the review for "Walt Disney Treasures: The Hardy Boys - The Mickey Mouse Club" going to be on?

[Just Myself]

Excuse me. When is the review for "Walt Disney Treasures: The Hardy Boys - The Mickey Mouse Club" going to be on?

In the immortal words of Frank Barone - HOLY CRAP.

Also, only two stars for The Gaurdian? I'm kind of surprised, personally. I thought it was pretty good.

Also, Luke, I emailed you. Just saying.

Cheers,
JM

[Mason_Ireton]

Hey Luke, just wondering out of curiosty, is there gon'na be a El Captian review of Peter Pan? if so then that's wonderful. How did it feel seeing Paul Collins/Kathyrn Beaumont expressing their expericene on Peter Pan? .


write back please

sign Mason

[Escapay]

Report Peter Pan: Opening Night at El Capitan by Scott Wolf

Wow! So now UD is chumming with Party of Five's Bailey Salinger!

Seriously, that's totally cool, even if it's another UDer who has the same name.

Escapay

[Escapay]

Finished up reading both Small World and Mr. Toad (hey, two great Fantasyland rides!), and agree with the ratings for both as well. Was disappointed to hear that Reluctant Dragon video transfer isn't taken from the Behind the Scenes DVD. Having only seen one episode of Monty Python (and I didn't particularly like it because I was tired and it was around 11 pm after a busy Sunday), I was a little wary of reading the review, though it seems like a worthy rental. All in all, great job on both, Lukester, and I'm still waiting for a package to arrive in the mail. Doctor Who, of course, as well as IASWOFV3 which oddly still hasn't come in yet.



Escapay

[danfrandes]

Don't forget reviews for "The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars" and "The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue".

[memnv]

Don't forget reviews for "The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars" and "The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue".

They wont forget, they were doing reviews long before you came along

[Luke]

Can there be a "DuckTales Volume 2" review? The review of "DuckTales Volume 2" is kinda late, I think.

Man, I finally finish it and I don't hear anything from you. And it's been up for like an hour. I hope you know that hurts me deep at the core.