DVDizzy Forum

Nice Return to Halloweentown one!!!!!!!!

Luke and every other reviewers, I'm amazed at the amount of work and engery you guys pour into your reviews, it's fun reading different intakes on whatever dvd is coming out.

I found an interesting thing that I hope UD will prepare in time for Jungle Book's Platinum release, found it on Animated- News.com

Aug. 28th 2007

The Jungle Book at the El Capitan

Gearing up for the 40th Anniversary Platinum Edition DVD of Disney’s The Jungle Book (release date: October 2), Animation World Network reports that the El Capitan Theatre on Hollywood Blvd. will host a two-week engagement of the animated classic from September 7 through 23, with a special opening night panel taking place on September 6. Panel guests scheduled to appear include voice actors Bruce Reitherman, Darlene Carr, Chad Stuart and Clint Howard, as well as songwriter Richard Sherman and current Disney animator Andreas Deja who was inspired to become an animator when he viewed The Jungle Book in its original 1967 release. The panel will be hosted by Disney producer Don Hahn.

Renata, I was at your excellent Enchanted Tales review! I''ll support the Princess line and encourage more DVDs if it meant you'd get to review them! Loved the following lines:

It can also be noted that while Abu, Iago, and Rajah are shown often, Aladdin is inexplicably out of town. Apparently princesses aren't allowed to have fun when their man is around.

I can only assume that many studies were conducted as to what color is found most appealing by a young girl, and blue must not have been the winner.

Well, at least they tried. (I'll leave out the sentence before so it'll encourage members to read the review and understand the context of this!)

The Wrath of Maleficent (which made me picture Aurora yelling KHAAAAAAAAAAANNNN!!!)

Is there any room for silliness in the Disney Princess realm? I guess not.

shockingly white

However, everyone knows that all princesses in their right minds much prefer platinum to gold (and this reminded me of how Platinum Editions were better than Gold Classic Collection!)

Those who have read this and my past reviews probably think that I don't like the Disney Princesses at all and wonder why such a hater is allowed to repeatedly cover the latest additions to their DVD line.



Scaps

HAHAHA! Nice review,Reneta! Do more!

I liked your review, too, Renata. I'll probably be getting this DVD for Christmas (instead of rushing out to buy it)...it's disappointing a bit that it was made more for the preschool set, but I'm sure I'll still enjoy it...

Am late here, but the ATHF review was dead zero on target.

This Boomer got one or two chuckles out of it (when they briefly reverted to very minimal absurdist humor so plentiful in classic animation), but otherwise it seems a cheapo, attitude driven internet animation thing for the fans of cheapo, attitude driven internet animation things (of which most of Adult Swim is).

Whoa, I have seriously been neglecting this thread. I haven’t commented on the fantastic job all the reviewers have been doing in three months. Since I’m so far behind, I’ll just pick a few of my favorite reviews to leave feedback on.

I’ll start with Luke’s Esther Williams, Volume 1 review. Wow, what can I say about the stellar job you’ve done on this set. I really like that the site is branching out to include reviews of big sets like that one. It was thorough and informative. I look forward to seeing more sets like this covered. I know a great deal of time and effort is spent preparing a review for such a big set, I really appreciate you making the time to do so.

Aaron, once again you have saved me from wasting my time on a movie. I particularly enjoyed this passage of your Premonition review: Like Linda Hanson, I, too, had a premonition. It came as I sat in a crowded theater, an entire movie flashing before my eyes from beginning to end. Eerily, the rest of the audience had this same vision. It was the theatrical trailer for Premonition, a piece that failed to excite but did disclose essentially the entire plot.

Disneykid, it’s nice to see you have returned to the reviewing team. Your Labyrinth review has me intrigued about the film. Eventually, I’ll have to check the movie out.

Another film that I’ve never seen is The Dark Crystal. After reading Escapay the Tracker’s review, I definitely want to give it a chance. Great job on the review, Escapay, I especially like your honesty in the closing paragraph about the film being an acquired taste.

Kram, Welcome to the review team. While I’m not a fan of Cory in the House or Handy Manny, I enjoyed your reviews. I look forward to seeing more reviews by you.

Renata, your Enchanted Tales review was extremely entertaining. I won’t bother quoting my favorite lines, as Escapay has beat me to them. Though I must confess that I purchased that dvd today. For the life of me I can't figure out what caused me to do so. One minute I was browsing the dvds at Walmart, then the next it was in my cart. At least I know exactly what to expect from reading your excellent review.

As always, keep up the good work reviewers. I look forward to reading the next review from all of you. I'll try not to wait three months before commenting again.

Thank you all very much for the feedback that's been posted since my last addition to this thread! It's all very much appreciated, especially those who took the time to single out specific things they liked about individual reviews. I'm glad that though the first post is no longer being updated (reviews can now be viewed sorted by publishing date, release year, MPAA rating, studio, and critic on the new and improved DVDizzy DVD Reviews Index), this thread can still hold a very important purpose as a place for comments on the reviews that today are such a integral component of the site.

Thanks again!

Well look who's come crawling back!

I just finished reading The TV Set review, an interesting read, Luke. I especially liked this tidbit: ”just nineteen North American theaters“, it explains why I’ve never heard of this film. It definitely sounds like a film that I’d be interested in seeing too. I probably would have completely overlooked this film had it not been for this review. On a side note, I noticed that you transposed two words in the review, Luke, they are in this sentence: “the premise's "downer" suicide aspect that has direct origins Mike's in real life.”

Next, based on what I read in your review, Luke, I will probably skip this one. It does not sound like something I would like.

Flashdance – you did a great job reviewing it, Escapay. “Flashdance... what a feeling. I can't help but wonder if that feeling is impatience, exhaustion, or a charley horse.” That line made me laugh. I’ve never cared for this film, and this line in your review: “ultimately it really isn't worth anyone's time” pretty much sums up my opinions of it.

Wayside: The Movie, somehow I’ve never come across the book series. Based on your review, Escapay, I will be avoiding the movie at all costs, and I will search out the books instead.

Grey's Anatomy: Season Three, great job, Disneykid. Your picks for the best ten episodes are exactly the ones I would have picked. I completely agree with this statement: “The third season of "Grey's" is noticeably more maudlin than the previous two. There's certainly comedy to be found here, but it's more downplayed and overshadowed by the emotional turmoil of the characters.” I’ll have you know I had to look up the word “maudlin” after reading the review, thank you for the vocabulary lesson.

Walt Disney Records - Summer 2007 CD Roundup, fantastic job everyone, I always enjoy the roundups. Dancing elephants for everyone!

I just wanted to say thank you for all of the reviews that you all work so hard to do.

Excellent review of Brothers and Sisters: The Complete First Season. I believe I need to thank Luke, since no name was listed. I feel much more strongly about the show, finding it highly enjoyable, and much more genuine than you give it credit for. However, I appreciate your opinions on it. I can't wait for the Second Season, which begins this coming Sunday!

Also, great review of Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Third Season, DisneyKid! I agree that the comedy for Season 3 was toned down, a bit more than I would have liked. I'm hoping we'll get more of it with Season 4.

nm

Another great review with The Jungle Book, Luke. Reading this review has me really excited to watch The Jungle Book again on Tuesday, since it has been quite some time since I saw it last. The Jungle Book isn't one of my all time favorites, but I am eager to take another look at it because the Platinum Edition DVDs have a way of making a film shine like never before. Though I feel the movie is lacking in the bonus features department, as the Platinums have been lately, I am rather excited to watch the bonus features that it does have. Thanks again for the great review, I will be picking this film up on Tuesday and "reviewing" it myself that day.

Great TJB review, Luke!!! I'm really excited to get my copy tomorrow!

One minor thing- the caption of the picture with Richard M. Sherman mentions Robert Sherman...just to let you know...

I'm really disappointed with the aspect ratio, though- thanks for including the picture of the vulture with part of his head cut off.

Again, great job!

Absolutely phenomenal <i>Jungle Book</i> review! I think it could be your best, Luke. That's not to disparage your other reviews, which are plentiful and without exception a pleasure to read, but the analysis you gave <i>The Jungle Book</i> was nothing short of revelatory. I generally agree with your take on the movie. I've liked it less in recent viewings than I used to, but still think it's excellent on the whole. My biggest qualm has been the episodic nature, which leads to a slow pace. After having considered the angle you took on that very problem, though, I'm anxious to rewatch and reevaluate. It's been a few years anyways, so a viewing is more than overdue and the enhanced clarity that the Platinum Edition provides will only enhance my appreciation, I'm sure.

As for the DVD itself...

Very happy about the bonuses that have been included. Very distressed that the publicity department is so lacking (no trailers, no poster). Still, at least there is an audio commentary and what sounds like a rather good documentary. Strangely, I'm also pumped for the DisneyPedia featurette and am interested in seeing the Jonas Brothers video as well.

If I had to pick a 16x9 or 4x3 presentation, I'd choose the former, if only for HD-TV considerations. Still, it's disheartening that both weren't made available when they easily could have been.

In summary, thanks for your review. It was informative, insightful and marvellously worded. I especially loved the opening paragraph. This review undoubtedly took a tremendous amount of time and that you accomplished it prior to release date in the midst of all the other reviews you've been churning out is impressive to say the least. Thanks for all your hard work!

-Aaron

Same here Luke! I'm starting to hotly anticipate the UK DVD Gift Set release, and it's all your fault! As to the aspect ratio issue ... well - yes, I do think the framing is cramped, especially in that vultures screenshot you captured. Not good.

You know Aaron's expression of amazement at the truckloads of reviews you're producing? I think you're abusing Professor Krunklehorn's caffeine patches ... that's what you are, you Lukester.

Congrats on a great review!

As with all of your reviews,fantastic job!

Great TJB review, Luke! It was informative and easy to read, and all in all it was a solid piece just like your reviews tend to be. Keep up the good work!

I could just read the review and go back to my days of lurking (and believe me, I'm on these forums everyday, just not posting), but why would I just read a great review and then not thank the person who worked so hard to write it? It's like stealing!

Spectacular Jungle Book review! One thing I especially love about your reviews, Luke, and I don't think any other DVD review site does this, is how you set up the proper atmosphere before diving into the film. It's neat when you let us know what was going on at the time of the film's release and what the company was currently going through. The brief history lesson really makes me feel like I'm in 1967, and although I'm probably making a little too big of a deal out of it than I should be, it really makes reading the review much more enjoyable. It's great, especially when compared to other DVD reviewers on other sites that just say "Yeah, to begin, so-&-so's a classic; you'll love it. Can I get my paycheck now?".

Another thing that really interested me was your analysis of the characters. It's been almost a decade since I last saw The Jungle Book, and I never really noticed how complex they are, despite the fact that the movie only really focuses on one or two key characteristics that they have. King Louie's probably the best example. When I think about King Louie, I think "Oh yeah, that guy. He was the one that loved to sing and dance and just have fun.", but then after a little while, I remember that he's actually kind of a villian. His main goal throughout the movie is to obtain fire, a very dangerous tool. In fact, it's the only real motive he has for taking Mowgli in the first place. I had forgotten how many layers the characters had, and it was something that I never really noticed very much until I read your review. It was a great analysis of the movie.

Since the bonus features are way better than the lackluster ones we got for Peter Pan (whose DVD I finished in one measly day), the only real flaw that bothers me is the widescreen ratio. Whether it's what the directors intended or not, I like having the option of seeing the entire picture, especially considering the hard work that the background artists and animators put into creating it. Seeing the movie the way the creators intended it to be seen is an important thing, and I probably would have been just as frustrated had the widescreen presentation not been included in favor of the fullscreen one, but with a movie like this, the option to watch both versions is a necessity (dare I say, a bare necessity.... ho ho ho *shot*).

I mean, Sleeping Beauty, Lady & the Tramp, and almost all the PIXAR movies get the option, so I don't see why both versions couldn't have been put on the same disc and still have pristine picture quality (especially considering The Jungle Book is considerably shorter than the PIXAR films, meaning there's less disc space to take up).

Oh well, other than the aspect ratio, this release seems like a home run. I'll pick it up tomorrow. Thanks again for the great, thought-provoking review, Luke! I enjoyed every word of it. The quality of UD's reviews never ceases to amaze me.

Now, back to my lurking!

Wow, thanks for all the terrific feedback, everyone! (That includes the since-removed post questioning my personal life. )

As you can probably guess, the reviews take an inordinate amount of time to get to where I want them to be, so it's so nice to see such thoughtful responses to them when I find a moment to check the forum. I'm so glad to hear you guys appreciate all that goes into them. There should be no shortage of ones to read in the days ahead, with the studios' typically full Q4!