DVD Collectors Online

The Shootist, a review by Rogmeister

The Shootist  (1976)   100m
Directed by Don Seigel
Music by Elmer Bernstein
Cast: John Wayne, Lauren Bacall, Ron Howard, James Stewart, Harry Morgan, Richard Boone, Hugh O'Brian, Scatman Crothers, Bill McKinney, Sheree North, Richard Lenz, John Carradine

Gunfighter John Bernard Books comes to Carson City, Nevada in 1901 to see a doctor.  It turns out he has cancer and has a short time to live.  How he deals with it, and those around him and their reactions to him, form the crux of this story.

This was, of course, the final film for John Wayne in a long career that spanned nearly 50 years during which time he appeared in over 150 films.  Ironically, his character in this film was dying of cancer and that was how John Wayne himself died only a few years after this film was released.  Unlike many of Duke's films, this was not really a typical western shoot-em-up, but a character study and not exactly fast-moving...but it is a fine film nonetheless.  It does have some fine action in it in spots, including an exciting final shootout in a fancy saloon towards the end of the picture (for you trivia buffs, Hugh O'Brian is the final character to be shot by John Wayne on film).  A first-rate cast, excellent direction and photography and a fine Elmer Bernstein score all contribute to make John Wayne's last film a first-rate entertainment.  

DVD extras include the original theatrical trailer and a fine behind-the-scenes featurette including interviews with the producers and with screenwriter Miles Hood Swarthout (son of novelist Glendon Swarthout whose book was the basis for this film).  I believe Hugh O'Brian was the one cast member included in the interviews.

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

The Cave, a review by addicted2dvd

The Cave
Deep in the Romanian forest, a team of scientists stumbles upon the ruins of a 13th-century abbey. On further inspection, they make a startling discovery - the abbey is built over the entrance to a giant underground cave system. Local biologists believe the cave could be home to an undiscovered ecosystem, so they hire a group of American cave explorers to help them investigate its depths.

Jack (Cole Hauser) and his brother Tyler (Eddie Cibrian) are thrill-seeking professional cave explorers who run a team of the top divers in the world. The crack unit, which also includes Charlie (Piper Perabo) and Buchanan (Morris Chestnut), immediately begin their exploration. But what they find deep inside the caves is not just a new eco-system, but an entirely new species altogether.

My Thoughts:
This is the first time I ever seen this movie. I picked it up when I found it cheap... and remembered that it was suggested by a friend. It is a decent enough movie... though I definitely have seen better... it is worth checking out. Naturally since the majority of this movie happens in caves the movie itself is rather dark... but not overly dark where you are questioning what is going on. It is one of those shows where you only get quick glimpses of the creatures here and there... though there is some decent views as well.One thing I didn't like is that there is no Theatrical Trailer on the disc. This was a "Blind Buy" for me... and I would have liked to check out the trailer before the movie... I always felt trailers not only give you a look at what the movie is about... but it also gets you in the mood for the movie. But as it seems to be common place anymore... the trailer was missing from this release.

(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Unwatched DVD Collection on April 5th, 2008)

Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Second Season, a review by addicted2dvd

Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Second Season: Uncut (2005/United States)

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Stars:
Ellen Pompeo as Dr. Meredith Grey
Sandra Oh as Dr. Cristina Yang
Katherine Heigl as Dr. Isobel "Izzie" Stevens
Justin Chambers as Dr. Alex Karev
T. R. Knight as Dr. George O'Malley
Chandra Wilson as Dr. Miranda Bailey
James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber

Extras:

• Audio Commentary
• Bonus Trailers
• Deleted Scenes
• Featurettes
• Closed Captioned

I just finished watching season 2 of this series. As I said before... this is definitely one of my favorite medical dramas. This is the first full season of the series. As season 1 only had 9 episodes. And it pulled off a great season with ease. I especially enjoyed the couple of 2 part episodes that is in this season. Especially the one where they have to deal with an unexploded bomb inside of a patient. That is about as a suspenseful of an episode as you can get.




(From Addicted2dvd's Random TV Series Watched on November 26th, 2011)