DVD Review format?

[Luke]

I know many if not most of you don't read the DVD reviews I do...but some have told me they find them useful, and well they're mildly fun to do (but a lot of work), so I would certainly appreciate the feedback.

Particularly on the design of the page and the structure of the review.

The recent reviews like <a href="http://www.dvdizzy.com/petesdragon.html">Pete's Dragon</a>, <a href="http://www.dvdizzy.com/funandfancy.html">Fun and Fancy Free</a>, and <a href="http://www.dvdizzy.com/newsies.html">Newsies</a> have a pretty well-defined design to them, and I'm now thinking about revisiting the narrow pop-up reviews and reformatting them to match the new ones. (Of course, the original versions will still exist somewhere on the site. )

For comparisons' sake,

old Monkeys, Go Home review:
Maximized Window (moderator edit - expired link removed)

Re-designed:
<a href="http://www.dvdizzy.com/monkeys.htm">Maximized Window</a>

Ah, okay, well I can't post the pop-up type link on the forum, but if you visit <a href="http://www.dvdizzy.com/oldliveaction.htm">Old Live Action</a> and scroll down to Monkeys and click where it says Review on the right, you'll see how the new design looks in pop-up; the old design looks pretty cruddy in Full-sized window form.

Do you think it's worth the effort of reformatting the to new design? Is the new design an improvement? Do you read reviews? Do the reviews look okay on whatever resolution and text size you're viewing the site with?

You can address any or all the points you'd like; as with everything on the site, I'd really like to have visitor feedback and comments shape it and make it best for you. Reviews take a long time to do, and I'm not really sure they're worth the time sometimes.

Thanks for the feedback!

[indianajdp]

Luke--

I actually read most of the reviews and especially enjoyed the review you did for The Lion King. I for one am not more or less likely to read a review based on whether or not I like the format, design, layout, etc.,. of the review. I think it's probably a lot easier for you and other reviewers to use a set format, but it's not a deal-breaker for me. 9 times out of 10 I read a review based solely on my interest level of the title.

In otherwords, I personally have no qualms with how any of the reviews are presented and would certainly not stop reading them based on any design changes. Whatever is easiest for you and other reviewers is fine with me...but I would say that consistency is probably a good thing.

[Lady]

I think I've read between five to ten reviews. I wish there were more reviews! There are a lot missing. Especially reviews of the Treasures would be nice.

The formatting is fine. Not really enough a computer geek to know a difference.

[BasilOfBakerStreet427]

Nice redesign.Read all of the reviews.I'm not lying.

[Beastboyravenz]

Luke, I for one really appreciate the time and effort you take to make your reviews. I have read many of them and I find them to be very imformative. I like how you start with the films history and how you feel about it. I like how you're honest about everything, you never leave anything out that you think might stop many from purchasing some films. Your reviews in my opinion are one of the most deatiled. Trust me I've read other reviews and they don't rival yours one bit (although I did read this really good Bambi review). I like how you explain if the film has edge-enhancement and other technical problems ( i recently found out what Edge-enhancement was, and I'm against it). Thank you very much, because you could be doing anything else with your time. You're loyal to every Disney fan out there, and that never goes by overlooked!

Oh an yes! your design is way better now, it's not as cluttered as before. To be honest I think The Hunchback and Beauty and The beast review should have your new format. But new or old, that never stops me from reading them.

[Luke]

Thanks a lot for the feedback. As should be obvious, doing reviews the way we do takes extreme amounts of time, so it's nice to get some recognition once in a while. When it's as thought-out and sincere as yours appears to be, it's all the more appreciated!

I've been reformatting old reviews lately when time allows, and at some point, I'd like to convert all the old ones to something better looking and more consistent to present-day reviews. As it is, <i>Beauty</i> got a minor upgrade last month, which made a little easier on the eyes, but not yet on par with other reviews. The skinny pop-up format that I initially thought distinctive and appealing just obviously doesn't cut it when it comes down to practicality.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts and digging up this neglected thread to do so!

[Beastboyravenz]

You're welcome. It's sort of surprinzing only three people other than me have given you feedback, I guess we have a lot of non review readers here. But don't worry, you're work is much appreciate by those who embrace it, and they'll come around. Trust me, this site would be nothing without the reviews.

[Escapay]

You're welcome. It's sort of surprinzing only three people other than me have given you feedback.

Given the fact that this thread is from three years ago, that's quite understandable!

Anyways, I've also thought that early reviews could be re-formatted to later designs, though never suggested it aloud, mainly because while some reviews can benefit from changing to a regular page (like BATB), a few others, which are already short and provide all we need to know (like Snow Dogs), would seem unnecessary.

Regardless, if UD Reviews Version 2.0 ever takes off, it will serve to make the site better and beyond its original brilliance.

Escapay

[TheSequelOfDisney]

Regardless, if UD Reviews Version 2.0 ever takes off, it will serve to make the site better and beyond its original brilliance.

Escapay

Let me guess, in glorious Dolby Digital 5.1???

Anyway, Luke, Aaron, Mr. Al, and everyone else who contributes to the making of these reviews are honestly the best people on this site. I read just about every review, and that's the reason that I do/don't go out and buy a dvd. For instance, there was a sale at Best Buy, and The Sword in the Stone was offered in the sale. So, before I left with my mom, I checked UD, read the review, and was convinced that the transfer was good, and the disc was more packed with Bonus Features than regular Gold Collection DVDs. Now I'm happy that I have the DVD. So, I would like to thank everyone who makes these reviews, and give them a virtual handshake. Thanks Luke/Aaron/Mr. Al/Jake Lipson/the other people that I couldn't place!

[Fflewduur]

I'm too busy these days to do very much posting (two kids under age three), but I'll chime in with a big "Huzzah!" for the UD reviews and reviewers. I get better (and better-informed) information on Disney DVD releases here than anyplace else. Most recently UD helped me choose NOT to replace my 60th Anniversary edition of <i>Dumbo</i>...

And you're helping with my hoiday shopping, too. My eldest daughter is a huge Pooh fan but I'm much too fond of the original shorts that make up <i>The Many Adventures of</i> to go whole hog for the whole extended product line Disney has manufactured. Thanks to UD I now know that if she <i>must</i> have a latter-day Pooh film it will be <i>The Tigger Movie</i>---before reading the review here I had no idea the inestimable <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sherman_Brothers">Sherman brothers</a> had written the songs.

Keep up the good work.

[Luke]

Keep up the good work.

Thanks for the encouragement! Though I'm not sure we can take credit for <i>The Tigger Movie</i> recommendation, as it is not reviewed. Then again, chances are you could be referring to Loomis' Ultimate Guide to Pooh, which I think does cover that terrain. There's been so much written about Pooh on this site that it's tough to remember what's where. Anyway, the <i>Tigger Movie</i> recommendation is spot-on; it's several notches above <i>Piglet's Big Movie</i> and <i>Pooh's Heffalump Movie</i>. And it's one of a handful of DVDs I intend to get to during BVHE's upcoming dry spells.

[Fflewduur]

How bizarre! I'd swear it was a <i>Tigger</i> review I'd found---a look at Loomis' guide doesn't ring any bells (although it's a very nice piece of work). Well...wherever I found the info I sought, it was here at UD <i>somewhere</i>. I don't bother looking anyplace else. Ever since my wife brought home the Heffalump movie I've loudly bemoaned the fact she didn't let me do my research first. The Shermans (and Ashman & Menken too) wrote songs for musicals---they're capable of working in any style appropriate to the film's needs. Carly Simon (and Phil Collins)...nothing against 'em, but they write Carly Simon and Phil Collins songs.

[NarniaDis]

I shall jump on the band wagon as well...

I enjoy each and every review and look forward to each new one because even if its a movie that I dont really like - I may get a laugh anyway.

[Disney-Fan]

I know many if not most of you don't read the DVD reviews I do...but some have told me they find them useful, and well they're mildly fun to do (but a lot of work), so I would certainly appreciate the feedback.

What a horrible thought. I read 'em all the time!
I don't think reformatting is worth the trouble, so there's my answer for ya.