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Animal Crackers, a review by addicted2dvd

Animal Crackers (1930/United States) Universal Studios Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Victor Heerman Writing: George S. Kaufman (Original Material By), Morrie Ryskind (Original Material By), Bert Kalmar (Original Material By), Harry Ruby (Original Material By), Morrie Ryskind (Screenwriter) Length: 97 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

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Stars:
Groucho Marx as Captain Jeffrey Spaulding
Harpo Marx as The Professor
Chico Marx as Signor Emanuel Ravelli
Zeppo Marx as Horatio Jamison
Lillian Roth as Arabella Rittenhouse

Plot:
Groucho stars as Captain Spaulding, the famous African explorer whose return is being celebrated with a gala party thrown at the house of the wealthy Mrs. Rittenhouse (Margaret Dumont). A valuable painting is stolen and Signore Ravelli (Chico) and the Professor (Harpo), along with Spaulding's stenographer, Jamison (Zeppo), all pitch in and try to help Spaulding recover the rare work of art.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Feature Trailers
• Closed Captioned

This is the second Marx Brothers film I watched... and the second I enjoyed. This is the kind of comedy I like. So far for me they are right up there with Abbott and Costello. While I do enjoy the lead of the pack, Groucho Marx... I am finding I really like the antics of the silent Harpo.



(From November Movie Marathon: Classic Comedy Greats on November 13th, 2017)

Notes on a Scandal, a review by Jon

Notes on a Scandal
4 out of 5

I felt compelled to highlight this film. You may read the overview or even the reviews and feel that although it may be worthy of all the praise, it doesn't really appeal. A short (87 minutes) British drama about a school teacher's affair with a pupil doesn't leap out as essential viewing, but it really is.

This film is worth seeing for several reasons. The note perfect acting from the whole cast is one, the sublime writing another, but I enjoyed it almost as a thriller. That's the last thing I thought I'd be describing it as, but Judi Dench portrays such a potent menacing threat as Barbara it certainly comes very close. And like the best villains, Barbara doesn't know herself.

That's what is so good about the writing; the plot is often advanced by what is not said, rather than by what is. A great deal of the tone is provided by Barbara and her diary (the titular "Notes"), written in beautifully descriptive language, but unusually for narration, it isn't the voice of the film. Her problems are very clear to the viewer. Also other angles are emphasised by overheard comments from supporting characters who aren't always on screen.

It's a very adult film. Concise, to the point, with clear distinct lines and tackling moral issues head on without any sugar coating. A masterclass in screen acting, I couldn't recommend it as an enjoyable story because it's a grim situation, but it's engrossing. And Judi Dench is scary!

(From Notes on a Scandal on November 4th, 2007)

"Due South" marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

The Deal
This is a good episode. Like Tom I liked how Ray took care of Frank Zuko. And was good to see Francesca again. The episode was a little light on the comedy though.

My Rating:

(From "Due South" marathon on July 26th, 2009)