DVD Collectors Online

Cats, a review by Danae Cassandra

Cats
Year of Release: 2001
Directed By: David Mallet
Starring: Elaine Paige, John Mills, Ken Page, Rosemarie Ford, Michael Gruber, John Partridge
Genre: Fantasy, Musical

Overview:Memory, you'll want to experience CatsMy Thoughts:
I used to have this soundtrack on cassette. Of course, I upgraded to CD a long time ago. I can sing along with every song - except the Rumpus Cat song, which isn't on the soundtrack. So, for everyone who will never have the opportunity to see this on Broadway (in other words, everyone like me!) this is great. Yes, the story is exceedingly thin. After all, it's all about the competition between cats to be the one picked for the Jellicle Choice, so it's a showcase of each individual cat. Actually it's a showcase of T.S. Elliot's poetry and Lloyd Webber's music, and a triumph of musical theatre. Highly recommended.

Bechdel Test: Pass
Mako Mori Test: Pass

Overall: 4/5

(From July Movie Marathon: Musicals (Yes... You read right!) on July 17th, 2016)

McLintock!, a review by Rogmeister

McLintock!  Authentic Collector's Edition  Film Release: 1963   127m
Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen
Cast: John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara, Stefanie Powers, Chill Wills, Patrick Wayne, Yvonne De Carlo, Jack Kruschen, Jerry Van Dyke, Bruce Cabot, Robert Lowery

You could call this a western comedic version of "The Taming of the Shrew".  In it, rancher G.W. McLintock (John Wayne) is surprised at the return of his estranged wife (Maureen O'Hara) who is mainly there due to the impending arrival of their daughter (Stefanie Powers) who is arriving from an Eastern college.  This sets into motion all sorts of goings-on in a riotous and hilarious movie with all kinds of great moments including a free-for-all where people are knocked down a steep hill into a watery mudhole and the big finale where McLintock chases his wife through town (while she's  in her underwear) culminating in his giving her a public spanking.  Hey, it's certainly not politically correct now but I never turn down the chance to see Maureen O'Hara in her undies!  Be aware, however, that a few public domain copies of this movie have been released by other companies, all of poor quality.  The one you want is the "Authentic Collector's Edition" released by Paramount.  Not only is it very affordable (list price in the U.S. of a mere $15) but it has a load of nice extras so you certainly get your money's worth there.

DVD Extras
Promo for The John Wayne Collection
Introduction by Leonard Maltin
Commentary by Leonard Maltin, Frank Thompson, Maureen O'Hara, Stefanie Powers, Michael Pate, Michael Wayne and Andrew V. McLaglen
The Making of McLintock! (3 parts including a nice chapter featuring nice on-screen interviews with Maureen O'Hara and Stefanie Powers)
The Corset: Don't Leave Home Without One!
2-minute Fight School (learn how to throw punches the John Wayne movie way!)
Photo Gallery
Original Theatrical Trailer
Batjac Collection Teasers (short trailers for several Batjac films, with and without John Wayne)

Overall, a highly recommended title.   

(From DCO third annual November Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on November 22nd, 2009)

"Due South" marathon, a review by Tom

1.08 Chigaco Holiday - Part 2 (1994-11-17)
Writer: Paul Haggis (Created By), Jeff King (Writer), Paul Haggis (Writer)
Director: Lyndon Chubbuck
Cast: Paul Gross (Constable Benton Fraser), David Marciano (Detective Ray Vecchio), Beau Starr (Lt. Harding Welsh), Daniel Kash (Detective Louis Gardino), Tony Craig (Detective Jack Huey), Catherine Bruhier (Elaine), Lisa Jakub (Christina Nichols), Stacy Haiduk (Janice DeLuca), Ron Lea (Mr. Nichols), Deborah Rennard (Medical Examiner), Peter Williams (Gerome), Holly Cole Trio (Themselves), Stephen Shellen (Eddie Beets), Marvin Ishmael (Niffug), Beth Amos (Mrs. McGuffin), Kevin Rushton (Henry), Tannis Burnett (Dominatrix), Kelly Proctor (Janus), David Rosser (Quigly)

I didn't like this second part very much. It was rather boring to me.

Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on July 10th, 2009)