DVD Collectors Online

Angel and the Badman, a review by Rogmeister

Angel and the Badman  (1947)  Black & White   100 minutes
Producer: John Wayne
Written and Directed by James Edward Grant
Cast: John Wayne, Gail Russell, Harry Carey, Bruce Cabot, Irene Rich, Paul Hurst

A gunslinger named Quirt Evans (John Wayne) is injured and taken in by a Quaker family.  Slowly, their ways and the growing love between him and their daughter begins to change him.

This was the first movie produced by John Wayne, who also starred in the film and the only film directed by James Edward Grant whose real trade was screenwriting.  Though Grant is certainly no Howard Hawks or John Ford, this film is surprisingly effective and holds up well today.  As with many of John Ford's films, much of the film was shot on Monument Valley and used many familiar character actors including Harry Carey Sr. and Bruce Cabot.  Though not one of John Wayne's most famous films, this is one I really like and I enjoy coming back to it again and again.  As with many Republic pictures, this film has fallen into the land of public domain and there are many copies out there, some good and some bad as far as picture and sound quality goes.  My copy is from The Roan Group, a company that had a great reputation regarding quality product...at least until they were bought out by Troma.  If you can find a Roan copy, that's the one to go for.  Of course, as with many older films, there are no real extras to speak of, just some text about the background of the film and a screen showing the main players in the film.

(From DCO third annual November Alphabet Marathon - discussion/review/banter thread on November 5th, 2009)

Batman Returns, a review by addicted2dvd

Batman Returns


My Thoughts:
Michael Keaton returns as Batman in this one. This time joined by Danny DeVito as The Penguin and Michelle Pfieffer as Catwoman. While I still definitely enjoyed this movie... in my opinion it is not as good as the first one. This could be partially due to the fact to The Penguin. Don't get me wrong... I think Danny Devito was a good choice to play him... and think he did a good job with the role. It is just that the character of the Penguin has never been one I cared much about. Also the circus gang... while had it's moments... just wasn't that impressive. I did like Michelle Pfieffer as the Catwoman. Over-all I would say a good... but not great sequel... at least not in my opinion.

(From Batman Marathon on August 29th, 2008)

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon, a review by addicted2dvd

5. Never Kill a Boy on the First Date
Buffy sets her sights on the mysterious and brooding Owen and she opts to go on a date rather than help Giles prevent a prophecy about an unstoppable vampire rising to help the Master.

My Thoughts:
This was a good episode... really enjoyed it. Buffy learns a lesson on just how much her being a slayer effects her personal life... and you also see how the outcome can sometimes be less then perfect.

6. The Pack
While enduring the annual field trip to the Zoo, Xander and several other students enter the quarantined Hyena pen and leave in an altered state. Xander begins acting strangely, sniffing Buffy and being cruel to people, including Willow; and Buffy becomes convinced that he has been possessed by the spirit of the wild animal.

My Thoughts:
This episode was just a lot of fun... Xander is in a bit of trouble once again... and of course it is Buffy to the rescue!

7. Angel
After saving her from a gang of vampire warriors, Angel and Buffy's "relationship" grows until he reveals his true self to her. Angel is really 'Angelus', a 240-year-old vampire who has a reputation for being the most violent creature to ever walk the Earth. Faced with the reality that her possible true love is an enemy, Buffy must ask herself - can a vampire really be a good person or must she do her sworn duty and destroy him?

My Thoughts:
Great episode where you first learn a lot about Angel... Where Buffy and the gang first learn that Angel is actually a vampire.

8. I Robot, You Jane
Willow, saddened by Xander's affection for Buffy turns to the chat rooms and meets a charming boy on-line, ignoring Buffy's concerns about Internet freaks. Meanwhile, the rest of the gang discover a demon trapped in the school computer network.

My Thoughts:
This is another one of those episode that while good... is not one of my favorite episodes. And one I really can't put my finger on why I feel that way. It is also the first time we get to meet Jenny Calander.

(From Buffy the Vampire Slayer Marathon on November 9th, 2007)