DVDizzy Forum

Fantastic <i>Santa Clause 3</i> review. Spot-on analysis of the movie, both what worked and what didn't. Couldn't agree more. I especially liked the consideration of the cast, both the comparison of their performances to those in the previous movies and the evaluation of the all-important newcomers. The DVD isn't very exciting but at least I'll get to have some Christmas karaoke fun. Definitely picking this one up. Great review (and great screencaps)!

-Aaron

AWESOME review! I liked Aly and AJ's song,though...

A little harsh on A Clockwork Orange aren't we? Still, not as harsh as Warners were with Full Metal Jacket, which is by far Kubrick's best. And it seems to get the least love in the pack.

Oh well, some films are born of greatness, and some films have greatness thrusted upon them (in the form of supplements). I guess FMJ is already "great".

Is UD going to review the Young Indiana Jones sets? I just picked up Volume 1 and watched all of disc 1. One website jokingly wrote that you'll need a week to get through the episodes and all the documentaries. So far what I've seen it's very good. The documentaries are well made. The only negative thing I have about it so far is that there is no chapter menu for the Young Indiana episodes, otherwise it's a great set.

Great new review,Aaron!

The <i>Disneyland</i> Treasures DVD review was a pleasure to read... I just picked up my copy and can't wait to watch. The opening paragraphs were a nice little stroll through the last several several years of anticipation! Thanks for giving the set such a completely comprehensive review so quickly. Great screencaps, too!

Also, awesome "Dirt" review, Luke! The show sounds utterly lame -- not just because you say so, but because you explain the mechanics of the show and it's difficult to imagine that kind of thing succeeding. Always fun to read a scathing review!

Kelvin, great <i>At World's End</i> review... you did a nice job balancing the many good and annoying aspects of the movie. It's not an easy film to tackle as a critic and you did a great job. Your take on the movie is a pretty good reflection of my own.

PeterPanfan wrote:Great new review,Aaron!

Thanks! I'm happy it gets the seal of approval from <i>the</i> Peter Pan fan.

-Aaron

Awesome job on the Disneyland and Dirt reviews! I've only seen one episode of Dirt,the one where Jen guest starred.

Can't wait to get the Disneyland set!

A really really really big thumbs up to Kelvin (aka Disneykid) for that awesome Donald review! Extremely well-written and well-structured! As expected, your review leaves those of other sites in the dust.

By the way, I'm really happy to hear that the video on Donald Vol. 3 is praiseworthy! Just to be sure, does it also eliminate that strange zig-zaggy distortion on outlines (not a restoration fault, but what looked like poor DVD mastering) as exhibited in Donlad Vol. 2? (Do you know what I'm referring to?)

Great Stardust and Donald reviews!

The reviewers have been writing stellar reviews this year! You all are doing a fantastic job. You guys have provided so many reviews and special coverage since my last post, that I will just comment on the latest three.

Disneykid, I loved reading your "High School Musical 2" review. You seem to have the exact same attitude about that movie that I have. I really loved this line: "High School Musical 2 is so outrageous that it makes its predecessor seem subtle and nuanced in comparison, no easy feat to be sure".

Pluto Region 1, you provided excellent coverage of the "High School Musical 2" DVD Premiere at the El Capitan Theatre. I enjoyed your photos and the questions you asked each of the Disney Channel stars.

Luke, you did a great job on the "Stardust" review, I had been waiting for UD to cover this one before seeing the movie. Now, I definitely want to rent the film.

As always, keep up the good work. I look forward to reading more stellar UD reviews!

I just finished reading the Oswald review- great job, Luke! I had no idea that some unreleased Alice Comedies are on the set- I told my hubby (because I'm super excited) and I have a feeling that he already got me it, but I wanted to let him know that I really, really want it...I hope he got the hint.

Anyhoo, it was a super-great review that made me super-excited!

Pluto Region 1- I am way jealous that you were at the HSM2 DVD premiere, and I really enjoyed reading the article!

And, Disneykid- great Donald review, too!

Nice job on the Treasures: Disneyland review!

Great Oswald and National Tresure reviews!

Nice Cinderella II review!

Luke,when I tried to click on The Parent Trap: Vault Disney review,it took me to The Biscuit Biscuit Eater review.

I read the newest CD Roundup last night, and I'm rereading it now to post my thoughts. It was late at night, but I remember that I disagreed with some of what was written.

Personally, I think that "Disney Channel Holiday" is an awesome CD. Granted, I listen to Radio Disney all the time, so I'm kind of the target market (just a few years older than the average listener). I do agree that Kyle Massey's song is a joke (but I've discovered that all pop Christmas compelations, at least the ones I own, have one bad song on them). I know that I'm hugely biased on this, but Corbin Bleu's "This Christmastime" is not forgettable! And how did the Jonas Brothers rip off Mariah Carey?!? Just because they made an upbeat original Christmas song doesn't mean that they copied "All I Want For Christmas Is You"...

"The Cheetah Girls, who forget the lyrics to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" halfway through and resort to their usual caterwauling of "Cheetahlicious" this, "Cheetahlicious" that."
I'm sure that you're kidding...they didn't do that because they forgot the words...I know that you just don't like the Cheetah Girls, but I (and thousands of little girls) think that they're talented.

The songs by Keke Palmer & Jordan Pruitt weren't mentioned in the review, but I think that they're two of the best entries on the CD (besides my favorites, which, for the record, are the songs by Corbin, Jonas Brothers, Ashley Tisdale, & Aly & AJ ).

I own "Radio Disney Jingle Jams 2", and I enjoy it, but I don't have the first volume. At the end of the "Disney Channel Christmas" CD, you said that the Radio Disney CD is a better choice. Again, having not heard that particular CD, I can only judge it based on its track listing and review. Where "Disney Channel Christmas" only has 1 truly bad song (the Kyle Massey song), it looks like "Radio Disney Jingle Jams" has a horrible song (fan_3) and maybe another in the B5 song (I don't really like them). As much as I love Disney songs, and as much as I love Disneymania versions of Disney songs, it feels like Disney was being lazy by putting the Disney Channel Circle of Stars' songs on there in Christmas form. Based on those 4 songs, I would say that, in my opinion, "Disney Channel Holiday" would be a better buy, or at least another volume of "Radio Disney Jingle Jams".

I agree with this statement from the "Enchanted" review: "Jon McLaughlin's "So Close" is a snoozer and destined for the "skip" button." I've only heard this song while I was watching the movie, but it was so boring!!! If I had liked this song, I would've been more inclined to purchase the whole album, but I just downloaded the 3 main songs (I do like Carrie Underwood's song, but it's not available for download at this time).

All in all, I really enjoyed the CD Roundup (I guess except for the "Disney Channel Christmas" review).

Oh, and how would one become a CD reviewer on UD? I don't have a fancy TV with a fancy soundsystem for reviewing DVDs, but surely I'd be able to review CDs? Disney & music are my two passions/hobbies in life, so it'd be a cool thing to do...!

Great new DVD and CD reviews!

And welcome to the newest reviewer! You did a good job.

blackcauldron85 wrote:Personally, I think that "Disney Channel Holiday" is an awesome CD. Granted, I listen to Radio Disney all the time, so I'm kind of the target market (just a few years older than the average listener). I do agree that Kyle Massey's song is a joke (but I've discovered that all pop Christmas compelations, at least the ones I own, have one bad song on them). I know that I'm hugely biased on this, but Corbin Bleu's "This Christmastime" is not forgettable!

I had a feeling you wouldn't like this review when I was writing it! Sorry! You know I'm not one to merely dismiss these Radio Disney artists as soon as I see their names on the track list. I've written nice things about Corbin Bleu elsewhere and do think he has talent -- this song just didn't display much of it. But at least I listed it as one of the more tolerable tracks, right?

blackcauldron85 wrote:And how did the Jonas Brothers rip off Mariah Carey?!? Just because they made an upbeat original Christmas song doesn't mean that they copied "All I Want For Christmas Is You"...

It's more than just the music. Lyrically, it's the very same idea, only more juvenile. Again, I normally like the Jonas Brothers and acknowledged that the song grows on you, but it doesn't stand out as anything special.

blackcauldron85 wrote:"The Cheetah Girls, who forget the lyrics to "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" halfway through and resort to their usual caterwauling of "Cheetahlicious" this, "Cheetahlicious" that."
I'm sure that you're kidding...they didn't do that because they forgot the words...I know that you just don't like the Cheetah Girls, but I (and thousands of little girls) think that they're talented.

The forgotten lyrics bit is just a little quip for comic effect, I'm sure they didn't actually forget the lyrics. They might as well, though -- why reduce it to something as asinine as "Cheetahlicious"? I have to just disagree with you here. I find The Cheetah Girls to be perhaps the least talented and artistic act I have ever come across.

blackcauldron85 wrote:I own "Radio Disney Jingle Jams 2", and I enjoy it, but I don't have the first volume. At the end of the "Disney Channel Christmas" CD, you said that the Radio Disney CD is a better choice. Again, having not heard that particular CD, I can only judge it based on its track listing and review. Where "Disney Channel Christmas" only has 1 truly bad song (the Kyle Massey song), it looks like "Radio Disney Jingle Jams" has a horrible song (fan_3) and maybe another in the B5 song (I don't really like them). As much as I love Disney songs, and as much as I love Disneymania versions of Disney songs, it feels like Disney was being lazy by putting the Disney Channel Circle of Stars' songs on there in Christmas form. Based on those 4 songs, I would say that, in my opinion, "Disney Channel Holiday" would be a better buy, or at least another volume of "Radio Disney Jingle Jams".

You're right about the bad songs on Radio Disney Jingle Jams, but the number of truly enjoyable songs far exceeds what's offered on the new album.

Ultimately, Disney Channel Holiday is easy enough to listen to but on closer inspection reveals it to be extremely typical pop music, relying on the most predictable beats and hooks. Naturally, tastes will differ from song to song but I can't imagine the CD surviving any critical analysis without at least a few big bruises.

blackcauldron85 wrote:I agree with this statement from the "Enchanted" review: "Jon McLaughlin's "So Close" is a snoozer and destined for the "skip" button." I've only heard this song while I was watching the movie, but it was so boring!!! If I had liked this song, I would've been more inclined to purchase the whole album, but I just downloaded the 3 main songs (I do like Carrie Underwood's song, but it's not available for download at this time).

Hey, at least you liked one of my reviews!

But seriously, Amy, thanks for reading the reviews (twice, even!) and taking the time to give a thoughtful reply, even if you don't agree with what's said.

PeterPanfan wrote:And welcome to the newest reviewer! You did a good job.

Agreed... a fantastic entry review by Christopher Disher. Well done!

-Aaron

Had a chance to quickly read the reviews for An Affair to Remember and When Harry Met Sally.... Excellent as usual, and I half-agree with Aaron's opinion that AAtR is easy to forget. While I enjoyed the film when I first saw it, it's been one that I've rarely revisited and have often brushed off. Still, whenever I think of great romcoms, AAtR is usually on the top of the list as ones to watch. Also, as much as I love When Harry Met Sally..., I disagree with Kelvin's assessment that the conclusion is unsurprising. If anything, it threw me for a loop as soon as the two slept together. What had started as a unique and inspired turn on an otherwise predictable genre degenerated into another romcom happy ending. Harry & Sally sleeping together betrays the foundation of their relationship, and thus, destroys the entire premise of "men and women being friend without the sex thing getting in the way". But I've complained about that enough times in other threads I'm sure...

Anyway, loved the reviews, pink elephants for all




Also, just a couple minor edits to consider:
-The review says An Affair to Remember was first released in 2003, but that was actually its second release. An early (and I believe non-anamorphic) barebones edition was released in 2000, followed by the 2003 Studio Classics release.

-There's a couple minor time issues regarding When Harry Met Sally.... The deleted scenes run a little over 7 minutes, at least on the old disc. So either 40-odd seconds was cut from the beginning and ends of scenes (I think the old disc had a title card preceding each scene), or there's a typo in the review. Also, the old doc was 33 minutes, not 30.

Scapsta

Escapay wrote: If anything, it threw me for a loop as soon as the two slept together. What had started as a unique and inspired turn on an otherwise predictable genre degenerated into another romcom happy ending.

Thanks for ruining the ending, Scaps. I've never seen much more than the restaurant scene, but I like Meg Ryan's movies, and I'd like to eventually see the film... I forgive you, though.

I just read "The Game Plan" review. I didn't know that it was a "horrid" movie (as Luke wrote); I've wanted to see it since I first saw the trailer. I think that it looks cute. But, I'm glad that I read the review before watching it, so I won't go into watching the film with high expectations.