DVD Collectors Online

Ziegfeld Follies, a review by Danae Cassandra

Ziegfeld Follies
Year of Release: 1945
Directed By: Vincente Minnelli
Starring: Fred Astaire, Lucille Ball, Lucille Bremer, Fanny Brice, Judy Garland, Lena Horne, Gene Kelly
Genre: Comedy, Musical

Overview:
Heaven's harps and wings are nice, but what showman extraordinaire Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. wants most now that he's no longer on Earth is to put on another extravaganza. It would have the brightest stars and creative talents. The most glamour, gams and optimism. In short, it would be like Ziegfeld Follies.

With a Who's Who of credited and uncredited Hollywood talents, this all-star revue is heaven to fans of musicals. Fred Astaire dazzles once, twice...four numbers in all. Red Skelton reprises his funny Guzzler's Gin skit. Esther Williams swims, Lena Horne sings and Judy Garland spoofs snobbery. There's Verdi opera and Fanny Brice vaudeville. Patter and pantomime. And The Babbitt and the Bromide, with Gene Kelly joining Astaire in their first-ever screen pairing. What a show! The man called Flo must be proud.

My Thoughts:
Sure, there's no story here, just musical numbers and skits held together on the premise of Florenz Ziegfeld staging one of his Follies in 1945, but it's still a lot of fun for fans of musicals.  Yes, the best treat is watching Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly dance together, but the rest of the numbers are still pretty good.  Okay, except for maybe the last one.  I wasn't too fond of Kathryn Grayson's singing.  I think it's just the style, though, she's too high and wavery for my taste.  Of the comedy bits, both mom and I laughed most at Red Skelton, though we also enjoyed Fanny Brice's bit as well. 

May I say also, that, while "Limehouse Blues" was a beautiful and creative number, and I love Fred Astaire and he does a great job with Lucille Bremer, it really would have been better with an Asian cast.  Yeah, 1940's and all that, but still, would have been better. 

Recommended if you enjoy old musicals, but know what you're getting into here.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3/5

(From July Movie Marathon: Musicals (Yes... You read right!) on July 23rd, 2016)

The Dead Pool, a review by addicted2dvd

The Dead Pool
Fame isn't Detective Harry Callahan's style. He dislikes being grouped with a rock star, a film critic and a TV host, all slain celebrities in a macabre betting pool called 'The Dead Pool'. Another name just got added: his.

My Thoughts:
This one I actually seen before. Though it has been many years. All I remembered about it is that I enjoyed it. Talking to other people about this series... this seems to be the least favorite of the bunch. After watching it today I just don't see it. I thought this one was just as good as the previous couple. But then again... that could have something to do with the movie taking place behind the scenes of a horror movie. And we all know how much I love my horror movies! I got a kick out of seeing Jim Carey in an early role as that weird rocker dude that was recording a music video tie-in for the horror movie. Once again we see that Harry Callahan has absolutely no luck with his partners. They are always either injured or killed.

I have to say... over-all this was a very well done series of movies. It is not often I can give a movie and all 4 sequels the same rating. And I can hear it now that people won't think I should have... especially with The Dead Pool. But what can I say... I enjoyed every one of these movies! And hey... that is all that matters... right?

My Rating:

(From Dirty Harry Marathon on September 20th, 2009)

Dexter: The Fourth Season, a review by addicted2dvd

Dexter: The Fourth Season (2009/United States) IMDb |Trailer |Wikipedia |

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Stars:
Michael C. Hall as Dexter Morgan
Julie Benz as Rita Bennett
Jennifer Carpenter as Debra Morgan
Desmond Harrington as Joey Quinn
C. S. Lee as Vince Masuka
Lauren Velez as Lt. Maria Laguerta
David Zayas as Angel Batista
James Remar as Harry Morgan
John Lithgow as Arthur Mitchell/The Trinity Killer

Extras:

• Galleries
• Production Notes/Bios
• 2 Episodes of Californication
• 1 Epiosde of Lock 'N Loaded
• 1 Episode of The Tudors

This is an excellent season to an excellent series! I loved every second of it! It has a great storyline in the Trinity Killer. Every single episode keeps you on the edge of your seat through-out the season. This is probably my favorite season of the series so far. Though I have to say... I hated how they killed off one of the main characters at the end of the season. Don't get me wrong... made for a great and shocking ending... but I just hate seeing this particular cast member leave the show... as she is one of my favorite actresses and played one of my favorite characters in the series. And I will miss her on here in the upcoming seasons. Part of me can't wait to watch the next season... but yet another part of me don't want to be let down since I am not so sure they will be able to top... or even come even with... this season.

If by any slim chance you never seen this series... it is definitely one I highly recommend!




(From Dexter: Season 4 on August 18th, 2012)