DVD Collectors Online

The Uninvited, a review by Danae Cassandra

The Uninvited
Year of Release: 1944
Directed By: Lewis Allen
Starring: Ray Milland, Ruth Hussey, Donald Crisp, Alan Napier, Gail Russell
Genre: Suspense/Thriller, Horror

Overview:The UninvitedMy Thoughts:
This is a sophisticated, romantic take on the haunted house story. It has a beautiful, mysterious setting at a mansion overlooking the Cornish coast and a wonderful score, including the now-classic "Stella By Starlight." Like a lot of old films a lot is left to the viewer's imagination. The ghostly activity, for instance, is very understated.

The performances are all good. Veterans Milland and Hussay anchor the film, but fragile Gail Russell is it's soul. She's perfectly cast as Stella Meredith, and her luminous beauty here makes knowing her real-life fate all the more tragic. There's some obvious age differences in the film's romances, but nothing that shouldn't be expected from films of this age.

Which brings this point: do you like classic Hollywood movies? Because that rather predicates whether you'll enjoy this one. Highly, highly recommended if you enjoy films of this age.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 4/5

2015 Horror Movie Count: 6

(From Horror/Halloween Marathon 2015 on October 10th, 2015)

My Blue Heaven, a review by addicted2dvd

Title: My Blue Heaven
Year: 1990
Director: Herbert Ross
Rating: PG-13
Length: 95 Min.
Video: Pan & Scan 1.33:1
Audio: English: Dolby Digital Surround, French: Dolby Digital Surround
Subtitles: N/A

Stars:
Steve Martin as Vinnie
Rick Moranis as Barney
Joan Cusack as Hannah
Melanie Mayron as Crystal
William Irwin as Kirby

Plot:
The zaniness continues in My Blue Heaven, which asks Can an urban hood be happy with suburbanhood? Martin is a mob informant tucked away in a Witness Protection Program. Backup includes comedy reliables Rick Moranis, Joan Cusack, screenwriter Nora Ephron and director Herbert Ross. Laugh 'til you're blue!

Extras:
Scene Access
Closed Captioned

My Thoughts:
I went into this one not sure what to expect since Steve Martin in his early career was rather silly and over acted. And this one is no exception. But it does have a pretty good storyline. Nothing really laugh out loud funny... but more smile on your face fun. There was also one of those familiar faces that I have seen a lot... but never knew who the guy was. A skinny older guy with a very memorable voice. I looked him up on the credits... his name is  William Hickey. Anyone recognize him by his name here? Unfortunately the DVD itself leaves a lot to be desired. Part of a Comedy Double Feature with another old Steve Martin movie The Man with Two Brains... there is no extras what so ever for this movie...and it is in Pan and Scan. Which is something I wish I noticed before I bought the release. At least it was cheap at only $3.



(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Anything Goes on February 26th, 2010)

Tom's Random Star Trek Reviews, a review by Tom

VOY 4.14 Message in a Bottle
Writer: Lisa Klink (Screenwriter), Rick Williams (Original Material By)
Director: Nancy Malone
Cast: Kate Mulgrew (Captain Kathryn Janeway), Robert (Chakotay), Roxann Dawson (B'Elanna Torres), Robert Duncan McNeill (Tom Paris), Ethan Phillips (Neelix), Robert Picardo (The Doctor), Tim Russ (Tuvok), Jeri Ryan (Seven of Nine), Garrett Wang (Harry Kim), Judson Scott (Commander Rekar), Valerie Wildman (Nevala), Andy Dick (EMH-2), Tony Sears (Starfleet Officer), Tiny Ron (Hirogen), Majel Barrett (Computer Voice (voice))

The doctor gets sent through an alien communication network to the alpha quadrant on a Starfleet starship prototype. There he has to battle off Romulans who have taken over the ship with the help of the prototype of his successor program (played by Andy Dick). I always enjoyed this episode for the interplay between the two doctors.

Rating:

(From Tom's Random Star Trek Reviews on September 20th, 2009)