DVD Collectors Online

The Quiet Man, a review by Rogmeister

The Quiet Man
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Year: 1952
Length: 129 Min.
Stars:
John Wayne
Maureen O'Hara
Barry Fitzgerald
Ward Bond
Victor McLaglen
Extras:
- Commentary by Maureen O'Hara
- "The Joy of Ireland" Documentary with Maureen O'Hara
- "Remembering The Quiet Man" Montage
-2 Audio Versions (Including special enhanced restored version)
-"The Making of the Quiet Man" hosted by Leonard Maltin
- Trailers
Plot:
Sean Thornton (John Wayne) is an American who swears off boxing after accidentally killing an opponent. Returning to the Irish town of his birth, he finds happiness when he falls in love with the fiery Mary Kate (Maureen O'Hara). Though he is sorely tempted to fight her brother, the town bully (Victor McLaglen), Sean is determined not to raise his fists. Mary Kate and Sean wed but her brother refuses to pay the dowry. Sean would rather walk away than accept this challenge. Even when his new wife accuses him of cowardice, Sean stands firm. But when she boards a train to leave, he is finally ready to take matters into his own hands. The resulting fist fight erupts into the longest brawl ever filmed, followed by one of the most memorable reconciliations in motion picture history.

DVD Info:

Video: Full Frame (as it was originally shot)
Audio: Dolby Mono
Subtitles: None

My Thoughts:
A truly great movie, nominated for Best Picture and one that many people feel should have won. The film was shot in Ireland and has gorgeous cinematography. It's got drama, humor and, finally, action. I personally just love to hear the Irish accents this people talk with Ward Bond's style of speech a particular favorite. It has gentle moments to go along with the comedy and is definitely one of my all-time favorites. My one reservation in this edition is that the picture quality could be better. The focus is a bit soft and not nearly as sharp as you expect from a DVD. Of course, the movie is 57 years old now and perhaps this is as good as it can be...but perhaps not. If a new version (keeping Miss O'Hara's commentary) comes out with improved picture quality, I'll definitely add it to my list. I'd rate this a 10 but will have to take a point off due to the picture quality.  I think I did hear a rumor a few years back that a restoration of this film was in the offing so I hope that is true.

My Rating:
9 out of 10

(From Roger's Random Reviews on July 23rd, 2009)

Yankee Doodle Dandy, a review by Danae Cassandra

Yankee Doodle Dandy
Year of Release: 1942
Directed By: Michael Curtiz
Starring: James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, Richard Whorf, Irene Manning
Genre: Drama, Biography, Musical

Overview:
A musical portrait of composer/singer/dancer George M. Cohan. From his early days as a child-star in his family's vaudeville show up to the time of his comeback at which he received a medal from the president for his special contributions to the US, this is the life- story of George M. Cohan, who produced, directed, wrote and starred in his own musical shows for which he composed his famous songs.

Yankee Doodle Dandy will include "Warner Bros' Night at the Movies 1942" (Casablanca theatrical trailer, a vintage newsreel, the short "Beyond the Line of Duty," and the Looney Tunes short "Bugs Bunny Gets the Boid"). Other extras include a commentary from Behlmer and trailers for seven Cagney films; "James Cagney: Top of the World" biographical tribute hosted by Michael J. Fox; "Let Freedom Sing!: The Story of Yankee Doodle Dandy" making-of documentary; the Looney Tunes shorts "Yankee Doodle Daffy" and "Yankee Doodle Bugs"; the wartime short "You, John Jones" starring Cagney and Greer Garson; audio-only outtakes and rehearsals; the Oct. 19, 1942, Lady Esther Screen Guild Theater Radio Show with the film's cast members; and other material.

My Thoughts
This is very much a film of its time.  The display of patriotism and the classic American dream is absolute vintage WWII; a snapshot of a less cynical era.  That's partly why Yankee Doodle Dandy hasn't aged as well as other films of the era.  Cohen's songs come off as naive; his faith in his country innocent.

Still, Cagney's performance is dynamite, and the film is worth watching just for him.  Douglas Croft, who plays Cohen at a younger age, is also really great in his part.  The song and dance numbers are fine, but the pacing could be better.  As a biography, it makes Cohen a much more wholesome, clean-cut fella than he really was - reality is always complex, and the Cohen here isn't.  

Still, this is an iconic piece of 40's cinema, and worth watching for cinema enthusiasts.

Bechdel Test: Fail
Mako Mori Test: Fail

Overall: 3.25/5

(From July Movie Marathon: Musicals (Yes... You read right!) on July 5th, 2016)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Seinfeld: Seasons One, Two and Three (1989/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia (United Kingdom) Length: 904 min. Video: Audio: Subtitles:

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Seinfeld
1.01 The Seinfeld Chronicles (Pilot)
Writer: Larry David (Writer), Jerry Seinfeld (Writer)
Director: Art Wolff
Cast: Jerry Seinfeld (Jerry), Michael Richards (Kramer), Lee Carlington (Claire), Jason Alexander (George), Pamela Brull (Laura)

The pilot episode has some differences to the actual series. For one thing there is no Elaine yet. Another is the different restaurant they eat in. Also Kramer's hair is normal
But still I think this episode is already quite funny. I always enjoyed this series.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on July 1st, 2012)