DVD Collectors Online

Rebecca, a review by Dragonfire

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this one.  Some scenes do move a tad slower, but that works since it allows for the suspense and tension to build up more.  The movie has a rather creepy atmosphere overall, which is established during the first few minutes with the shot following the very long drive up to Manderley.  The house was actual a model, which looked amazingly realistic.  There are a few other elements that Hitchcock is known for, but none of the bits of humor.  Hitchcock had a ...well...complicated working relationship with the producer, Selznick.  The one extra on my copy that is focused on the making of the movie does share a lot about the tensions between the two men.

Only a little bit of time is taken to show the characters meeting and spending some time together before they decide to get married.  Then they go to Manderley, where she is very overwhelmed by the huge house, staff, and especially Mrs. Danvers, the housekeeper.  Many things around the house have been kept the same since Rebecca died, which only adds to the new bride's feelings of inadequacy.  Most of the movie takes place around Manderley, and the house is very imposing and important to what is going on, almost like another character.  Things in the house do seem a bit creepy, especially when Mrs. Danvers gives a tour of Rebecca's room.  Mrs. Danvers is downright creepy, but in a subtle way.  She acts like she is being helpful when she isn't.  The woman does not seem stable and ends up being a wonderful villain.  There is no way any sane person would want her for a housekeeper.

My copy of the DVD has a featurette on the making of the movie and one of Daphe Du Maurier, both of which are entertaining and interesting. 

 

I have a longer review in progress that I'm going to post on Epinions.

(From Alfred Hitchcock Marathon on July 2nd, 2009)

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, a review by Antares

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966) 90/100Once Upon a Time in the West, another investment in extended personal time, just seems to breeze by.

Teal = Masterpiece
Dark Green = Classic or someday will be
Lime Green = A good, entertaining film
Orange = Average
Red = Cinemuck
Brown = The color of crap, which this film is

(From Antares' Short Summations on March 10th, 2019)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Get Smart: The Complete Series (1965/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Warner Home Video (United Kingdom) Length: 3964 min. Video: Audio: Subtitles:

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Get Smart
1.01 Mr. Big [Pilot Episode]
Writer: Mel Brooks (Writer), Buck Henry (Writer)
Director: Howard Morris
Cast: Don Adams (Maxwell Smart, "#86"), Barbara Feldon ("#99"), Michael Dunn (Mr. Big), Vito Scotti (Dante), Janine Gray (Zelinka), Kelton Garwood (Garth), Karen Norris (Mother), Edward Platt (Chief of Control)

This is the first time that I ever saw an episode of this series. I only knew the Steve Carell movie before this. I bought the complete series (five seasons) for 30 pounds a few months ago.
I enjoyed the pilot episode and I can see myself watching this series further. Too bad I would need a lot of time for it. The first season alone has 30 episodes.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on June 26th, 2011)