UltimateDisney.com/DVDizzy.com Reviews: Discussion Thread

[blackcauldron85]

I just read the reviews for both The Sword in the Stone and College Road Trip. I enjoyed reading both...Aaron, your review was really excellent! I enjoyed reading Luke's review, but I disagree with a lot of it, since I loved the movie, and think that "Double Dutch Bus" is a really good song.

But, I did enjoy reading both reviews!

[PeterPanfan]

Fantastic new reviews!!!

[AwallaceUNC]

I enjoyed reading both...Aaron, your review was really excellent!

Thanks a lot, Amy! Both for reading and replying. I'm glad you enjoyed it... just curious, do you generally enjoy The Sword in the Stone?

Thanks to everyone else who has posted here, recently.

And as long as I'm in this thread, I'll post links to a few recent reviews from UD/DVDizzy:

College Road Trip - http://www.ultimatedisney.com/collegeroadtrip.html
"Reno 911": Season 5 - http://www.dvdizzy.com/reno911-season5.html
The Ruins: Unrated - http://www.dvdizzy.com/theruins.html
The Sword in the Stone: 45th Anniversary Edition - http://www.ultimatedisney.com/swordinthestone-45th.html
Stop-Loss - http://www.dvdizzy.com/stop-loss.html
Vantage Point - http://www.dvdizzy.com/vantagepoint.html
"The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Lip Synchin' in the Rain - http://www.ultimatedisney.com/suitelife-lip.html

-Aaron

[blackcauldron85]

Thanks a lot, Amy! Both for reading and replying. I'm glad you enjoyed it... just curious, do you generally enjoy The Sword in the Stone?

You're welcome, Aaron! I do enjoy The Sword in the Stone, yes, but I enjoy all the DACs! But, regardless, the review was very well-written!

[BrandonH]

Tangentially related to the review:

I noticed from the blurb about the College Road Trip review that it has two audio commentaries and plenty of other bells and whistles. It's amazing that a movie that did not do phenomenally well critically or financially gets such lavish treatment while the animated movies are treated like dirt in the bonus features department.

[Fflewduur]

Tangentially related to the review:

I noticed from the blurb about the College Road Trip review that it has two audio commentaries and plenty of other bells and whistles. It's amazing that a movie that did not do phenomenally well critically or financially gets such lavish treatment while the animated movies are treated like dirt in the bonus features department.

Unfortunate, perhaps, but not at all amazing. Bonus content is added value to make the product more desirable: crappy films need it, but wanted films...not so much.

[PeterPanfan]

Great Hannah Montana review. I LOVED the subtitles to the pictures!

When will a Nightmare Before Christmas review be up?

[blackcauldron85]

I am pleasantly surprised with the Hannah/Miley concert DVD review...it was a lot more positive than I expected. Nice job, Luke!

[Disney Duster]

I read The Nightmare Before Christmas review!

I only read the part on the movie, because I'm not into the movie that much, and I don't care about bonus features that much, especially when I'm reading about them instead of experiencing them. If I read the bonus features, I might feel they were spoiled.

But I'm more interested in how the author feels about the movie. And Luke was honest and I agreed with some of what he said. While the movie isn't as great as it's hyped up to be, I personally think the movie is good. In the times where I'm more prone to depression and want to find something new and exciting and different, and to figure out what things mean, the movie's deep or mature or something profound.

However, I knew already Luke wasn't going to like the film. And why? Because I swear, I swear...he reviewed the barebones disc before. But I couldn't find it! I looked in the review index - it was nowhere! So...what's up with that? I really wondered if Luke would re-review the film, and I thought it would be an excellent chance to see what changes between one review and a re-review. Now...I can't compare.

One other thing I noticed was...the Blu-ray wasn't reviewed. I guess the point of the site is to only review DVDs, as that is what it has always done (well, actually it always reviewed Disney DVDs, then it expanded to cover all, I guess it won't expand to Blu-rays). I felt like, since the Blu-ray has all the bonus features, they should get done. Does everyone who does the reviews dislike Blu-ray? Surely not Kelvin?

I noticed the review said "long-term hopes for Blu-ray", so is that the reason? You think Blu-ray won't last? Because I, and I think lots of others, would like to know what's going on with UltimateDisney and Blu-ray.

And I'm really not trying to urk anyone here or cross the line...I just think we deserve to know, if anyone has time to explain. Please.

[Disneykid]

I've made the jump to Blu and thought about having Luke request BDs for me, but then I realized a major setback: I have no way of making screencaps. My laptop doesn't have a BD drive, and I have no intention of buying a separate one to install for it.

So the only way around that would be either: a) request both DVD and BD copies from the studios so that the DVD can be used for screencapping purposes (I doubt they'd comply), b) rely on promotional stills (which I'm not fond of), or c) have the reviews graphicless (which no one wants, I'm sure). Most BD reviews on other sites fall under those three categories, and I feel that for us to step up to the quality of more prestigious BD reviews (like Blu-Ray.com), we need direct high-definition screencaps.

There's a possibility that I may get a new computer for Christmas. If that's the case, it may have a BD drive. If it doesn't, I'd be willing to install one since it'd be a fancy new PC deserving of such a luxury. One way or another, I'd like to start reviewing BDs by next year (since there are so many delicious ones coming out). Patience is the key, I suppose.

[Escapay]

Because I swear, I swear...he reviewed the barebones disc before. But I couldn't find it! I looked in the review index - it was nowhere!

Because the 1997 DVD was never reviewed.

The 2000 Special Edition DVD was reviewed by Jack Seiley, and he wrote similar sentiments with Luke (likes the look, but not to crazy about the movie as a whole), so that's probably why you thought Luke wrote it.

I noticed the review said "long-term hopes for Blu-ray"

I had a chuckle at both that and Luke's remark about how silly it is for the only Blu-Ray exclusive to be a 30-second Tim Burton introduction:

It's funny for what's probably another disposable 30-second video clip to be used as an incentive to upgrade to Blu-ray and yet that's the only explanation for it not being on the DVD.

I partly share his sentiment as I'm not exactly for or against Blu-Ray at the moment. I'd love to have it for the exclusive features, but I don't need it that badly for its higher quality a/v presentation. And since the only exclusive feature for TNBC is 30-seconds long, it was worth a laugh.

I've made the jump to Blu

Sounds like a club or something! "Hey, wanna jump over to Blu tonight?" "Yeah, all right! Blu's awesome!"

Patience is the key, I suppose.

Au contraire, Kelvin. Huon particles are the key!*

Albert
*and my "Doctor Who" reference was met with a confused stare by readers. *sigh*

[Disney-Fan]

Just read Luke's NBC review! Great job. Very sincere and fresh opinions regarding the movie, and the featurettes sound interesting enough.

[2099net]

I agree that holding back on content that could fit on the DVD release just to promote the Blu-ray release is lame of Disney, and it is quite laughable that (like the extra deleted scenes on Meet the Robinsons) it seems the best Disney can do is an additional 30 seconds or 1 minute of material, and in those circumstances shouldn't even bother - just put everything on the DVD.

But if it was different and the Blu-ray did have extensive blu-ray exclusives such as Cine-Explore PiP and branching to additional supplements, people would just complain then that the Blu-ray gets more.

Incidently, there's more than a 30 second introduction to incite people to buy Blu-ray over DVD. As well as the movie being in HD and with lossless sound, the new supplements are in HD (but it appears the old "making of" is not - but understandable being as it was made over a decade ago for LaserDisc).

I would hope (but don't know for sure yet) that Frankenweenie and Vincent are in HD too being as these were obviously shot on Film and more than capable of being presented as such.

Edit: OK I've just found out Frankenweenie and Vincent are not HD, which is a huge disappointment.

Finally, there is at least one other BD exclusive feature - a "Holiday Countdown" (which is presumably some BDJava application and probably no mentioned in most PR because it may not work on all players).

Blu-ray will be around for a long time, its already bigger than LaserDisc ever was. and LaserDisc survived close to 20 years. In my opinion it's mainly due to the help the PS3 has provided in making it acceptable, but I know some people will strongly disagree with that and put its current success down to what Blu-ray offers over DVD.

I'm sure Blu-ray won't replace DVD. DVDs success has been runaway, and I'm sure it even surprised the studios. There's room for both formats in the marketplace.

[Disney Duster]

Thank you everyone for helping me!

Kelvin, you especially helped me. Your issues are really good reasons not to do Blu-ray, yet. But I do hope it does happen.

Also, there wasn't that much the Blu-ray had over the DVD this time, so I guess not reviewing the Blu wasn't so bad.

I guess I messed up and Luke didn't review the film last time, and it wasn't the barebones one. Whoops. Thanks for the correction, Albert.

Thinking on what everyone, especially 2009net said, maybe Blu-ray will be mainly for people who are hardcore movie fans or collectors. And there's nothing wrong with that. DVDs could be more popular, but then Blu-ray would be something extra special for the one who wants the best possible stuff about their favorite films.

And they could just make less Blu-rays than DVDs if they weren't so popular, right? I mean, didn't they make a lot less Gift Sets than stand alone DVDs? So Blu-rays and Gift Sets would be made less for the smaller number of hardcore collectors. It could be like that.

[Pasta67]

Anyway, I feel bad for not leaving feedback, but I have been reading all the interviews and (most of) the reviews.

This.

This is me. I too read most of the reviews that Luke, Aaron, Kelvin, Albert, and company type up, but almost never leave feedback. I feel like a real jerk for that, actually. I mean, if you guys are kind enough to type up these long, in-depth reviews, then I have no excuse to be so lazy as to not even type up a "good job" or a "right on." Reading the reviews and not giving credit where it's due makes me feel like I'm stealing. It's just... hardly anything motivates me to post anymore. I guess that's true for a lot of old members, since there are only a select few that I still see here.

But I digress. I won't hijack the thread.

First off, I'm with Disney Duster on the Blu-Ray thing. I really am genuinely curious as to what Luke's feelings towards Blu-Ray really are. I don't mean to put him on the spot, and to be honest, I actually get a kick out of everything he writes about the format, but a simple explanation would be neat. Does he just not think the format will last, or does he hate Disney for making it their favorite, or what? I'm perfectly fine with no Blu-Ray reviews, though. Upgrading to Blu-Ray is a huge investment, and it's nothing that a guy with a fansite should have to do if he doesn't want to. If the staff doesn't want to invest in Blu-Ray (with the exception of Kelvin ), then that's fine with me. I don't wanna invest in it either, so I understand.

Just read Luke's NBC review!

Luke reviews television stations now?! Wow, I really have been gone for too long!

Loved the Nightmare review, Luke. Fantastic as always. Kudos for going against the general consensus and giving your honest opinion of the film. I hope you don't get the hatemail you predicted!

I admit, with most of your reviews, I've found that we usually see eye-to-eye on what movies are good or bad. This is one of the few times that I, while I can definitely see where you're coming from, feel differently than you do about a film. Well, a little. I really do like the movie, though I agree that it's flawed. I think that the concept is ingenious, but the execution is lacking. My feelings toward the film are actually closer to those expressed in Jack Seiley's review (which Albert has kindly provided a link to). When I look at Nightmare as a film about a man who's lost meaning in his life, looks for it in all the wrong places, and eventually discovers that everything he's ever wanted has been right in front of him the whole time, I find myself caring about Jack and his problem.

Another point you expressed in your review that I disagree with is that the characters are "cold." Well, actually, let me rephrase that. I agree that the characters aren't exactly interesting (sans Jack, and I've already explained why I like him). What I disagree with you on is that you call this a bad thing. Let me explain. Yes, the characters that populate Halloween Town are boring, often one-gag characters with one-track minds and little to care about. I feel, however, that this works as a strength of the film. It helps enphasize that Halloween Town is a boring place, which helps the viewer to understand why Jack hates being there. When he's introduced to Christmas Town (which is the film's most charming scene, I agree), we see that it's so full of life and fun that we understand why Jack prefers it to his old home. Whether it was intentional or not, I think that the uninteresting characters in Halloween Town only help the viewer identify with Jack all the more. After all, in the end, the only character we need to care about to enjoy the film is Jack, and in this sense, everything else in the film, even things that could be labeled as negative, seems to help that. I know that may seem like a weak excuse to forgive a flaw in the film, but that's how I've always seen it.

Of course, just because I can overlook that particular flaw doesn't mean the film is flawless. I really hate "Sally's Song," because it contributes nothing to the story and just feels like a last-ditch effort to make us care about Jack's unappealing love interest. Other that that, I love all the songs, and feel they're completely warranted and plot-progressing, though I'll admit that "Making Christmas" wasn't exactly needed. Also, I think that the film isn't quite complete. I don't know how to explain it, but whenever I watch the movie, I can't help but wonder what a few extra story meetings and fine-tuning could have done for the film. I also agree with you that it's extremely overrated and overhyped. It's a fine film, but it's not the Godlike, changes-your-life movie that the Hot Topic crowd makes it out to be.

Plus, and I know this is a tad nitpicky, but Santa Claus seems overly irritable, even for somebody who's just been kidnapped. He's is a bad mood the whole movie. That's not how Santa's supposed to be.

But still, great review. Even if I don't entirely agree with your opinion of the film, it was still a great, thought-provoking read. I was already double-dipping for the anamorphic transfer, but the bonuses look fantastic as well, even if most of them are from a disc that I already own. I can't wait to listen to the new commentary! With this and the upcoming Wall-E two-disc edition, it looks as if Disney DVD may be finally getting back on track after four long years!

I want to go this in-depth about all of the reviews I've read, but I don't think I'd ever finish typing if I did! Thanks for the great reviews, UD staff! Keep up the good work.

[2099net]

Thinking on what everyone, especially 2009net said, maybe Blu-ray will be mainly for people who are hardcore movie fans or collectors. And there's nothing wrong with that. DVDs could be more popular, but then Blu-ray would be something extra special for the one who wants the best possible stuff about their favorite films.

And they could just make less Blu-rays than DVDs if they weren't so popular, right? I mean, didn't they make a lot less Gift Sets than stand alone DVDs? So Blu-rays and Gift Sets would be made less for the smaller number of hardcore collectors. It could be like that.

Disney Duster, there does seem to be a certain double-standard when it comes to DVD reviews and posters' opinions on UD. While a picture comparison for Nightmare Before Christmas can be easily justified given previous (US) releases were non-anamorphic, it still seems somewhat crazy that Luke (and others, including by extension yourself) can casually dismiss the drastic increase in picture quality the Blu-ray will offer over the anamophic DVD. If the improved picture on the DVD is worth commenting on and deamed worthy of a disc upgrade, why is the blu-ray release with its vastly improved picture quality quickly passed over? or only worthy of "collectors"? If you're not bothered about picture quality, why worry if the new Nightmare Before Christmas DVD is anamorphic or not?

Side by side comparisons of picture quality on releases like the recent Sword in the Stone release are, to some extent, pointless. Don't get me wrong, I'm pleased that the reviewers take the time and effort to do it, it shows a dedication to the reviews that few, if any, other sites can match, but discussing a small increase in picture quality on DVDs when there's a format that offers huge improvement, but is often overlooked in other reviews (I'm aware films like Sword in the Stone and The Aristocats don't have Blu-ray releases) does seem somewhat crazy.

I appreciate not everybody has or wants Blu-ray, and I appreciate that getting into Blu-ray does cost money. I also appreciate that at this time not only do the majority of the reviewers not own Blu-ray players and that even if they did they would need to spend considerable money on audio/visual equipment to give true and accurate reviews of the Blu-ray discs. But I do feel the main selling point of Blu-ray, which is after all, better audio and video presentation, could be given its due in reviews, even if just supplementing the current Video and Audio contents briefly such as "This release is also available on Blu-ray with a 1080p transfer with a 2.35: 1 aspect ratio and a 7.1 DTS MA lossless soundtrack." You don't have to review the Blu-ray as such, just let people know it's there, and it does offer more in the way of audio/visual specifications.

Before I sign off, I'll just once again point out that I agree some of Disney's decisions regarding DVD and Blu-ray releases are inconsistant, at times laughable and at times simply cynical and manipulative. While I do support Blu-ray, I also support DVD and have long complained on this forum about the current state of Disney's DVD releases, and will continue to do so.

But in all honestly, Disney's Blu-rays rarely get's significantly more (the only discs to date I feel Disney really has screwed over DVD owners are Cars, Ratatouille, Chicken Little (the commentary could easily have been on the DVD) and presumably the upcoming Sleeping Beauty). Who knows, with Wall-E getting a 2 disc release, perhaps most of the Cine-Explore features we expect Wall-E to get will be on the 2 disc DVD set as featurettes?

[Escapay]

If you're not bothered about picture quality, why worry if the new Nightmare Before Christmas DVD is anamorphic or not?

Well, in my case it's because my portable DVD player is a 16:9 screen, as is my computer screen, both of which I use more than a 4:3 television. Also, it's just a nice safeguard for whenever our family gets a 16:9 television (regardless if we get Blu-Ray or not. I'd prefer getting Blu-Ray in tandem with a 16:9 television, but if I had to get one or the other sooner than later, it'd be the 16:9 television).

Who knows, with Wall-E getting a 2 disc release, perhaps most of the Cine-Explore features we expect Wall-E to get will be on the 2 disc DVD set as featurettes?

God, I hope so!

Albert

[PeterPanfan]

Fantastic The Nightmare Before Christmas and Ariel's Beginning reviews!

[Disney Duster]

Well, glad to see Pasta is still hear, he just reads rather than posts. It's like...he's out there, we just can't see him.

What Netty said really made me think. What's the point of talking about upgrades in quality if you won't talk about the best upgrade in quality that's available?

But if some people said, "Well, I only care about an upgrade in quality on DVD, because I already have DVD. I want good picture, but it doesn't need to be that good", I guess I could understand. But there isn't very much sense to upgrade to so little.

A lot of people keep saying the jump from VHS to DVD was so big, that's why the general public accepted DVDs as the format. And I guess this jump from DVD to Blu-ray isn't big enough for them.

But collectors and people who care about getting the best, audially and visually, know how big it is.

I guess it depends on the authors of the reviews and the readers. The authors could make a point of only doing DVDs, so readers who don't like that read somewhere else, and UD's readers change.

Or, the readers voice what they want, and the authors try to accomodate.

But all authors are not the same. We have Kelvin, who likes Blu-ray. Right now it's seems UD's reviews will become mixed and so will its readers.

[PeterPanfan]

I loved the new It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown! review!!