Reviews Written by darkhart
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October 8, 2006
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October 8, 2006
The Searchers Ultimate Edition
1 of 1 Yahoo! Users found this review helpfulPros: One of the best films ever made
Cons: none
The Searchers: Ultimate Edition
For most John Wayne fans this is the one JW movie that is the best and hands down there favorite. So lets review the Ultimate Editon DVD.
First the Packaging:
It's a very nice looking box brown carboard kinda looks like leather. Personally for 29.99 it should be in real leather or at least a better binding. No to say its not nice but its cardboard and I personally don't care for card board cases I rather have the plastic ones they tend to hold up better. Inside you will find 2 discs and some extras.
Disc 1:
The movie one of the best westerns ever filmed finally gets a great transfer and looks the best I have ever seen it owning the original dvd release you will be happy to know its not a flip disc and is presented in widescreen the way it should be seen the it was shot. The story is around the search for a woman kidnapped by native Americans on the plains and Wayne plays one of the darkest and most deep characters in cinema history. You want to hate him, then u pity him, and u end up just feeling sad that you know there no place for him in the time the movie is set. The way ford shot the violence without showing a thing makes for a haunting picture, a movie you won't soon forget.
The Sound is stunning for a movie of its age they did a remarkle 5.1 mix its crisp clear and makes for the total package
There is also a Commentary by Peter Bogdanovich that for the most part seems irrelevant mainly cause only john ford and john wayne would do for this though he is kinda interesting at time but you won't listen twice.
Disc2:
The Extras
The Searchers An Appreciation:
This Featurette explores the movie and how actors and others feel about this movie and its location the duke and location interesting but again you won't watch it twice.
A Turning of the Earth John Ford & John Wayne and the Searchers
Some interesting info but all in all starts repeating what they said in the first one. You won't watch this one twice either
The Assasination of Jesse James
First the movie theater now the dvd COMMERCIAL IGNORE IT.
Now the other extras more stuff your don't need there to separate insert boxes with stuff in them the first one has
A comic book.
Its just the movie in comic book form
A book of clipping
It has all the info of the searchers from the time newspaper clipping poster ads lots of stuff they are both small about 5 by 8.
The Other Box
It has 2 interoffice memos about the concerns over the movie nice read
And 10 photos from location all 5 by 8's I guess u could frame these and have them they are glossy and nice but all in all not really needed either
So in conclution it's a DVD set but its not worth $29 of $31 if you want this one I recommend getting it like I did in the John Wayne John Ford Collection. Other wise get the Two Disc Anniversary Edition. Or do what I usually do wait 6 months and get them from a seller for 10 bucks. If you own the original flip disc this makes it look like its illegitimate counsin on you moms side that no one talks about so it does improve it. ... -
October 8, 2006
She Wore A Yellow RIbbon Reissue
Pros: No flip case
Cons: More extras would have been nice
She Wore a Yellow Ribbon
The DVD Review The 2006 one
First lets break a lot of hearts let it be known the only real difference between this one and the first release is the case which isn't a flip disc. Now that said lets get to the movie.
The Movie
It stars John Wayne as a retiring Captain in the US cavalry. It has the usual cast of characters from the John Ford cast if they were in the other ones there in this one all that missing is Maureen O'Hara. The story is around a Native American uprising after the cutting down of Custard and the 7th cavalry. Young Native Americans take it as a sign to retake there land. JW is the man who of course has to fix it. It one of the best written of the John Ford Cavalry movies. It also to me shows the duke can act considering he plays and elderly captain and makes you believe.
The Transfer:
It holds up well for not getting the Disney treatment it really deserves. Some flicker but its not noticeable less you looks for it.
The Audio
2.0 no surround sound mix they just won't spoil us with the horse thumping we deserve and the cavalry charge.
The Extras
Cast & Crew
Just shows the cast and crew names
John Ford Home Movies
Well its grainy the music isn't that great but it still looks better than the DVD transfer of the Green Beret...lol, there not much too it less u want to see a Mexican kid play a violin
Awards
Just says academy awards 1949 best color cinematography Winton Hoch
Guess he didn't have and acceptance speech to show us.
Theatrical trailer
Kind of neat to see ... -
October 8, 2006
Stage Coahc Special Edition
Pros: No flip case
Cons: Same movie not cleaned
Stagecoach Special Edition:
The DVD review
Let's start with the good it's a great movie, even for it age it just fun to watch. My kids really got into it. It stars John Wayne as a man who has escaped from prison to avenge his father and brothers killers. Along the way he meets up with a cast of characters whom set the story in motion of course on a stagecoach running from Native Americans who are out to get them. Plus it's not a flip case that's always a plus.
The Video:
Sadly they did not clean it up. If Stagecoach doesn't deserve the Disney treatment I don't know a film that does. It goes out of focus here and there and has a light flicker. It's not the Green Beret flicker but it's no Rio Grande that's for sure.
The Audio
2.0 Of course it will be nice when the audio catches up to the video ability to clean up.
The Extras
Here where the DVD Shines though if you already own the movie I suggest you wait 6 months till it hits 5.50 at Wal-Mart.
American Masters: John Ford/John Wayne the Film Maker the Legend
This is the PBS Special shows in may a very good documentary about duke and john. I enjoyed it and it did make up some for the lack of a restoration of the original film.
Stagecoach a Story of Redemption
A Very good look at the politics of getting stagecoach made nothing you watch twice but a good watch never the less.
5/4/1946 Academy Awards Theater Broadcast
Worth a listen to its certainly unique for a dvd extra but u won't do it twice...lol ... -
October 8, 2006
Ultimate Prince?
Pros: Some good Songs
Cons: cost too much
Ultimate Prince?
Lets start by saying I grew up in the MTV 1980 era so nostalgia took part in this purchase.
First the songs: Disc 1
1. I Wanna Be Your Lover
2. Uptown
3. Controversy
4. 1999
5. Delirious
6. When Doves Cry
7. I Would Die 4 U
8. Purple Rain
9. Sign "O" the times
10. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man
11. Alaphabet ST.
12. Diamonds and Pearls
13. Gett Off
14. Money Don't Matter 2 Night
15. 7
16. Nothing Compares 2 U
17. My Name Is Prince
Not a bad mix but as you can see some songs u expect for and ultimate prince missing. Most Notably the Most Beautiful Girl in the World. Stands out to me. I am sure there are others but to me that am a definite missing song I am not sure I consider my name is prince on of his greatest hits.
Now for the Worst part of this set Disc 2:
The songs:
1. Let's Go Crazy (Special Dance Mix)
2. Little Red Corvette (Dance Remix)
3. Let's Work (Dance Remix)
4. Pop Life (Fresh Dance Mix)
5. She's Always In My Hair (12" Version)
6. Rasberry Beret (12" Version)
7. Kiss (Extended Version)
8. U Got the Look (Long Look)
9. Hot Thing (Extended Remix)
10. Thieves in the Temple (Remix)
11. Cream (N.P.G. Mix)
The only thing worse than remix's are live on an ultimate disc. This would better be severed as a Prince remix single release and give us the songs we know and love. This set is all in all a very big disappointment the remix's aren't that great cream is the worst of them sound utterly ridiculous. They could have at least had both versions on the set to show the difference and honor its title
This set is not worth more than 10 bucks and even then it's a rip off it is no means the Ultimate Prince getting his previous 2 greatest hits discs are much better than this set. If they take and opened CD back I return it. It is that bad. ... -
October 8, 2006
They finally fixed it right
Pros: this is the version to own
Cons: there to many out there that aren't this one
IT took a long time for um to do it but they finally gave McLintock the special treatment this version doesn't suffer from the out of focus problems that plague the original release. This was one of the first dvd's i had ever bought back when the players were 800 bucks
The Video:
THe video is in widescreen format which those movie lovers know is truly the only way to view a classic its beautiul for being 42 years old they did a nice job with it. It doesn't go out of focus like the original and stays true to the greatness of this movie
The Movie
Here we have john wayne in his best surrounded by a supporting cast including maureen ohara whom is the only woman who can go toe to toe with the duke and make beleive it. It takes the antics of a cattle baron and his wife troubles to the exteme. its as good as blazing saddles and doesn't use volguraity to do a rareity n any movie. The addition of Patrick Wayne his son and Yvonne De Carlo shows her talent as his mother in this film u will also notice jerry van dye among other in the cast to love
The audio
Suprisingly the 5.1 audo comes thru crisp and clean and no mainly front loaded. even the spanking goes surround sound very impressive for its age. The Comemntaries aren't bad they are interesting once to listen too
The Good
A Movie you can watch with your kids and not worry its funny its also cheap to buy and just a blast to watch
The Bad
Leonard Maltin why they are adding him to introduce movie is beyond me. It wouldn't be so bad but u have the option to view then u are forced to watch it at the start of the movie its annoying and completely just a waste of there money and our time i hope in the future they no longer use this though it is used in Hondo very annoying. ... -
October 8, 2006
The Cowboys
Pros: One of his best films
Cons: Could use the disney treatment
The Movie
The cowboys is a comming of age story of john wayneforced to lead a bunch of young kids on and epic cattle drive. Its easily one of the best westerns ever made. it has and interesting cast with verterns even then like Roscoe Lee Browne, Bruce Dern as the villian and from revenge of the nerds fame Robert Carradine as a youngman and of blazing saddles fame Richard Farnsworth.
The Audio
the of the few earlier dvd releases that has 5.1 surround sound. It is crisp clear no stutter or noise beautiful crisp clear sound of the well know score by john williams.
The Video
THe case doesn't specify if it has been digitally remastered but if it hasn't its the clearest analog transfer ever made. ITs presented in wide screen format which is the only way to watch and epic u paid for the whole movie might as well see it.
The Extras
The extra's include the sound track playable thru the dvd player it aslo has card with bios on the major actors. not a whole lot to write home about but lets all be honest most of us only watch those once anyhow. There is one long advertisment of most of the dukes movies on the plus side no lenard maltin intoduction.
The Case
Unfourtanely the only blimish on this excellnet dvd is the case
its a flip case mostly used by warnerbrother the cardboard with the side flip they are annoying and never look good on the shelf but its a small price to pay ... -
October 8, 2006
Hondo
Pros: ITS HONDO
Cons: no widescreen ...lol
The Movie
Not your typical 1950's western, when most most 1950 westerns were almost always racist this one was respectful and ads to a feel of realism in the this tale of one mans sense of duty to protect a woman and a boy just cause they need it. In all the westerns that have ever been made this one holds a special place for alot of western fans. the cast isn't really that special though its solid no one will make u go i didn't know they were in that, but if you are a fan of westerns this is a must have
The Audio
You get 2 mixes on this disc a 5.1 surround sound mix and the standard mono. THe 5.1 is acceptible after all this movie was made in 1953. The gun shots are loud and clear no noise at all. The mono is unbearable its very quiet and there some noise in it.
The Video
Unfourtanly this movie is made in full screen i beleive that is because at the time screens weren't 16x 9 so it was made that way if i am wrong i apologize it gives it that saturday western feel which ads to the feel of nostalgia. Its a good transfer not perfect it has soem grain and shows its age seems they rushed it just to get it on dvd. It clear for 90% though so acceptable for a 10 movie. The original was shot in 3d which they are now trying to bring back (they think it will bring people back to the theater..haha lowering the prices so i can not bye the dvd cheaper would do that) by the time it was released the 3d craze was dying.
The Extras
Commentary
by Lenard Maltin, Frank Thompson, and lee asker. Its a descent commentary worth a listen once
A Special Introduction by Lenard Maltin, a very pointless adition to the john wayne collection. Very annoying to anyone who just wants to watch the movie.
The Making of Hondo, a very good look into the process of making the movie
Profile:
James Edward Grant, frankly boring to watch and just thrown in cause they could i guess.
The John Wayne Stock Company:
Ward Band....all i can ask is why cause its really nothing to do with the movie
From The Batjac Vaults
One big commercial
The Apache
Interesting look and nice piece
Photo Gallery
another pointless extra
Original Theatrical Trailer
lol this shows how far we come nice to see
Batjac Teaser
More Commercials ... -
October 8, 2006
One of the dukes Classics
Pros: Good movie
Cons: Didn't get the disney treatment
The Movie
Here we have john wayne as a man everyone seems to think was dead. Here his grandson is kidnapped and held for ranson with a pretty strong supporting cast Maureen O'hara, his son this time looking alot more rugged and less michael landon like Patrtick wayne, RIcahrd Boone, Bruce Cabot, Harry Carey Jr. well worth 10 bucks on dvd. For those who wonder there is one part that is a discrace being done by batjack the john wayne production company this movie if u have it on dvd do not buy it again its just them hoping to con some who already have it in to buying it again, unlike mclintock the 2 dvd versions are identical jsut the picture on the case is different. Now if u want a new picture on your case go ahead make your wallet lighter...lol
THE AUDIO
here we get a pretty good 5.1 mix for a movie made in 1971 the guns are loud and clean through the rear and front speakers a good deal of the dialog is front loaded but it was made in 1971 we aren't talking about star wars digital here...lol u also get an english stero mix for those with out surround sound its ok and gets the job done. You also get a french mono track for those who plan to listen to it in french...lol
THE VIDEO
Here u get a wide screen crisp clean digital transfer one of the better ones done with the duke movies hardly any dust.
THE EXTRAS
None which is why i gave it 4 stars not 5 not that they are vital but its nice to know they thought hey u want some more on the plus NO Lenard Maltin intro that is always a good thing less u care what he thinks why he cashes that check ... -
October 8, 2006
The Final Countdown
Pros: One of the best fantasy military moves ever made
Cons: none
The Movie
A time travel movie about the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Nimitz getting caught in a storm and sent back to December 6th 1941. With the chance to stop the attack on pearl harbor. with Kirk Douglas and martin sheen u know it must have some quality they alone make it and interesting mix of talent
The Video
The video is better than any othe transfer of this movie before it is crisp clear no fuzz or noise. It is availble in full and widescreen. Widescreen is the only way to see the whole movie the it was shot for the theater
The audio
the 5.1 mix is stellar and really rumbles the room thru the storm and other shots. There is also a 2.0 mix which is ok but where it shines is its dtx mix it is mind blowing
The Extras
Commentary
from The Director And photographer as very boring to listen too they seem bored and uninterested in what they are saying plus get off topic alot
Theatrical Trailers
Nice to see but really bad quality
T.V. spots
More trailers
Bonus Disc if u get the 2 disc limited edition
Inteview with Associate Producer Llyod Kaufman not very interesting makes u say where are the stars who cares about producers
Interviews with jolly rogers f-14 squadron
more fluff with nothing to really do with the movie
poster and still gallery
always a pointless feature
Kirk douglas bio
the bright spot of the extras not really much to do with the movie but a great look at kik
DVD-ROM Feature
Zero Pilot Journal
more just fluff not really interesting ...
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We were soilders
Pros: Stunning
Cons: don't eat during it
THE MOVIE:
We were soilders in the story of the first major battle of Vietnam, But it is much more for the first time in a war movie you see what the wives go thru and that is truly unbeleivable. You could argue this as being the greatest War movie ever made.
THE AUDIO:
Here you get a 5.1 surround sound ex mix that is stellar this is the kind of movie that shows what can be done with surround sound. it is so good that to not listen in surround sound is almost criminal. it also contains an english and french dolby surround.
THE VIDEO
and amazing transfer every bullet comes thru clear and crisp every pair of fatigues simply stunning some movies u watch for the scenery this one u watch for the scenery and the drama excellent transfer. You get the wide screen version and just sit back and be amazed.
THE EXTRAS:
You get and excellent commentary with director writer randall wallace you can feel his passion for this movie one of the best commentaries ever done
10 Deleted Scenes interesting to think how it would have been had they been added
Getting it right a behind the scenes a stunning look at how far they went to get it right and it shows ...