Reviews Written by Dancer5612004
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April 5, 2006
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The Complete Superman Collection (1978)
by Richard Donner | VideoPrice: $6.90 to $11.77 Compare PricesApril 5, 2006
More powerful than a locomotion!
Pros: Christopher Reeve staple
Cons: Hammy actors
Christopher Reeve was Superman, simply put. This collection is a voucher for that. When DC comic artists say that after awhile they began to use him as a model, it's time to go home. The score is yet another reason to enjoy this superhero movie. In the first movie, it's nothing short of poetry. Believe a man can fly? Chris did, and does. He wears that suit like it should be worn, and he controls it, it doesnt control him. His Clark Kent may be just a slight too nerdy, but it only helps to endear him to his dual role. Some of the actors may go a tad overboard with hammy acting, but after Adam West's Batman, can we blame em? It's Christopher Reeve, and John Williams music all the way. ...
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April 5, 2006
Somewhere. . .
Pros: Judy Garland
Cons: nothing to mention
A movie that should be entered in every time capsule sent to the outer regions of space. The aliens should love Munchkinland songs. The special effects ae still the how to do of Hollywood manual books. Judy Garland could not have found the ultimate vehicle to launch her celebrated career like this one. And believe it or not, I watched this the other day, and thought, even Lord of the Rings does not make my visual tastebuds gasp as when viewing the scenery down the "yellow brick road." I have to watch this periodically, if not to mimic the once annual treat of television of yesterday. When my parents got their first color television tube, I couldnt help resist but to ask neighbor friends to come watch The Wizard Of Oz to see the magical transition from black/white into COLOR! It was the champagne bottle for the new feature technology. Best wicked witch of the west! ...
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April 5, 2006
LUKE, come with me. . .
Pros: Best Star Wars
Cons: outshines the rest
Outshines the rest of Star Wars movies, but the first three made are distictive classic sci-fi thrillers. Another original, unlike anything I've ever seen before and I took to it like water. It left Disney eating it's own BLACK HOLE. Was there anything really wrong with the first three, or am I looking the other way. The Empire Strikes Back is pure Americana, baby. "No. . .I am your father" said the villain to the hanging for dear life hero. BOOM BABY! The John Williams score will live on with the stars. This is the Wizard Of Oz for Star Wars buffs. If I received a cash refund for movie theatre viewings, it would amount to one of my regular salary paychecks. The big screen is the only true place to see this movie, surround sound and all. The force was HERE. ...
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April 5, 2006
MAESTRO
Pros: Walt Disney's Best Animated Feature
Cons: sequel does not live up to it
We've heard of star performers. . .this is Disney's star animated flick. If not for being entirely unusual, it is definitely the one original. Disney had experimented many times with music and animation, but never on this scale of production. It works, dramatically! If ever there was a moving canvass, this is it. A long time ago, I had my most cherished possesion-the ultimate three vinyl FANTASIA collection produced by Buena Vista, and came with inserted program with animated covers. This album got more replay like my original Mary Poppins edition soundtrack. If ever I take to crime, you can seek my many fingerprints on this particular program. It had Walt Disney's black and white photo, along with Leopold the conductor at the beginning of the program. A decade or so ago, I spotted the FANTASIA cassette collection sitting on a wooden shelf in Disneyland's Tomorrowland souvenir shop. I had to get it, and still have it. Prosperity, that's what it's all about. Watch the movie with the changing of the seasons to remind me how nature really does act. ...
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April 5, 2006
cats and rabbits
Pros: pure disney
Cons: it could have been longer
With every concept of this famous tale available, how does a studio reach out, make it their own, and then add a fun amusement ride to boot? I dunno, I guess that's why I'm a follower. But then followers can become critics! I WIN. With that said, this ALICE is the movie screens definative version. (It's not the first time the Disney Studios have managed to accomplish this.) At the time Disney had it's hand on a lot of contracted performers, and that made it seem more like family. That's why this movie works, like a lot of Disney others, the extreme voice range talents are put to use. As much as critics and even Mr. Disney himself felt shortchanged by this movie, I think it works on all levels. It's no SLEEPING BEAUTY masterpiece, but it's true to fine form. There are an incredible amount of Disney original characters to hold on to. The cheshire cat, mad hatter, the white rabbit, and the queen of hearts are Disney giants! The continuity level does not disturb me as overwhelming as some earlier critcs talked about, because most movies now in days relish high energy movies. It'll only put you to sleep by watching it too many times. VOTE me one for Alice! ...
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April 5, 2006
bobbing along
Pros: special effects
Cons: not much
Angela Lansbury creates one of the most likable witches on the big screen, only because she is entirely believable, and doesnt have to cackle to prove it. She is honored by her preformance from some of the best magic tricks on the silver screen for witchood. The additional animated sequence luckily gives this movie an added boost, rather than a sag in the audience chair. This movie is great for kids, and should not be tunnel visioned for halloween nights. Extra compliments to the catchy score. I still mimic some of the endearing chants of spells! ...
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April 5, 2006
3 lives of cats
Pros: the cat's voice
Cons: too long
When they showed this feature on The Wonderful World of Disney, it was played in two parts, and rightly so. this movie is long. The additional circus abused animals predicament really adds to it's length. However, we as an audience are saved from restless behavior by a likable feline with a perfect voice narration as the story unfolds. We virtually experiance things from the cat's point of view, and it doesnt deter away or leave you screaming for release. They did a fine job with this aspect, because she is not trying to be funny or witty. She just wants to live her life, even in spite of having been reborn several times. The cat in heaven sequence once again illustrates why Disney is in charge of the biggest amusement park chain in the world. It reeks of MAGICLAND. The cast is good, but it's the cat's movie and it should stay that way, for all. ...
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April 5, 2006
MARY POPPINS DVD
Pros: musical score and cast
Cons: no sequel
Mary Poppins was a great movie from the very start. I remember going to the first movie premiere where the audience was jam packed and the feeling of awe and wonder could be cut with a knife. Julie's singing was defintely the real star of this movie, but it was equally matched by the entire cast, as well as the movie's special effects. When they labled this one the "crowning glory of Walt Disney", they were not joking. As a matter of fact, just about everything Walt had learned as an artist, screen producer, and magical pioneer were all featured in this movie one way or another. The dvd only serves to showcase the movie's glory, and does so rightly. I especially like the song with lyrics and the quick rundown on the playlist. An additional comment is that this movie really projects the superb craftsmanship that produces excellant storytelling momentum, even on a fictional scale such as this. ...
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April 5, 2006
7 FACES OF DR LAO
Pros: Tony Randall
Cons: nothing major
This is Tony Randall's finest movie in the Sci-Fi catagory, or childrens features. If you havent seen this one, you are not a true film buff. One has to experiance Mr. Randall's performance and interpretations of many fabled mythological characters to appreciate this film. This movie neither talks up to you or down to you, but makes it's statement as if a next door neighbor. Once in high school, I remember they showed this movie as a "Sunday Night Feature." I didnt expect to hear about this movie the next day at school from a bunch of teenagers that enjoyed this movie. The final sequence of the loose dragon and it's head becoming all the fabled creatures at once is a fine demonstration of what fireworks and chinese have in common. This movie is a classic! ...
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andromeda's strain
Pros: Ray Harryhausen
Cons: not much
This is one of the infamous Ray Harryhausen's last remaining efforts in the movie magical world of stop motion action thrillers. And it's a doozy. That man showed no signs of disinterest or reluctance. It might not be one of the most fast paced action thrillers from Ray, but the movie follows a mythological fable, and allows it to unfold into his talented arms. The added feature of gods on mt. Olympus is what gives this flick the added tension from disputing heavenly bodies to the hero down on earth doing the battles against the powers of evil. Movie is entirely memorable, as well as special effects. Soundtrack is a welcome background booster for romantic and action scenes. Veteran actors give it their all. ...