DVD Collectors Online

Holiday Inn, a review by Danae Cassandra

Holiday Inn

Year of Release: 1942
Starring: Bing Crosby, Fred Astaire, Marjorie Reynolds, Virginia Dale
Directed By: Mark Sandrich
Genre: Romance, Comedy

Overview:
Experience one of the most popular holiday movies of all-time like never before with the 3-disc Holiday Inn Collector's Set featuring a brand-new color version of the film and the complete CD soundtrack!

Screen legends Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire star as two talented pals who find themselves competing for the affections of the same lovely lady (Marjorie Reynolds) in this Academy Award®-winning† musical, filled with singing, dancing, comedy and romance. Whether you are watching the original black & white masterpiece, discovering the new color version, or listening to the timeless Irving Berlin soundtrack featuring "White Christmas," the 3-disc Holiday Inn Collector's Set is the perfect way to enjoy the holiday season!

My Thoughts:
We've been trying to watch this for a few days, but life kept getting in the way.  But finally we were able to!  Here we have a couple of old Hollywood greats, Astaire and Crosby, doing what they do best (sing, dance, and romance).  Crosby is in his usual fine form with several excellent songs, and Astaire wows us with his dancing, especially the firecracker number.  Man, he sure could dance! 

I can't really consider it a Yuletide film however.  Sure, part of the film is set at Christmas, but it encompasses many more holidays and doesn't really have the spirit I expect from a Christmas film.  It is, after all, basically about one fellow trying to steal another's gal.

Despite the political incorrectness of it today, I'm glad the blackface number is still included.  We can't learn from the past by erasing it.  If you must apply modern sensibilities to the number, consider that this was a different time and how far we have come from it - and how far we still have to go. 

However it's a great film, really lovely with a great nostalgic feel, warm and romantic.  There's great chemistry among the cast, and you end the film with a smile on your face.  Really, what more does one want from a romance and a musical?  I will be untagging it from the Yuletide group however.

Bechdel Test: Pass

Overall: 4/5

(From Danae's Yuletide Marathon on December 30th, 2012)

Drive Angry, a review by dfmorgan

Drive Angry

Year: 2011
Director: Patrick Lussier
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Amber Heard
Overview: Get ready for one hell of a ride! Milton (Nicolas Cage) is a hardened - albeit dead - criminal who has broken out of Hell to stop a religious cult sacrificing his baby granddaughter. The police are in hot pursuit but they're the least of his worries - The Devil's none too pleased either and has sent the enigmatic emissary "The Accountant" (William Fichtner) to bring him back.

Aided by sassy waitress Piper (Amber Heard) and driving a series of smoking hot muscle-cars, Milton is Hell-bent on his mission and is breaking all the rules - but what are they gonna do, not let him back in?

Watched: 2nd Jul. 2011
My Thoughts: This was quite a bit of fun.

My Rating: A fun 3



(From Dave's DVD/Blu-ray Reviews on July 24th, 2011)

My PILOT Marathon, a review by Rich

Cold Feet - Series 1

Pilot
Rachel Bradley is left by her boyfriend Simon, so she turns to Karen who is happy to provide a shoulder to cry. She is happy to spend some time with a friend, her baby and David, her husband.
Meanwhile Adam Williams ends his latest relationship, which ends a sharp slap round the face.
Pete is in trouble since his wife Jenny wishes herself a baby. His friend Adam can't help him in this situation.
Later on Rachel and Adam run into each other at the supermarket.



Cold Feet is the fast and funny ITV comedy drama about a group of friends which has gripped the nation!
Immersing us in the lives of 3 couples who are coping with life, love, careers, marriage, friendship, infidelity and, of course, sex, it gets to the heart of 30-something relationships like no other programme of its kind! It's sharp, funny, tender, touching and full of fantastic moments from a hilarious cast - it's British TV at its best!

A show designed for your missus to watch whilst you are down the pub? Thats what I always thought, these series I bought exactly for that reason, and you only ever heard the fairer sex talking about it.
However after watching the pilot, my first ever episode seen, I gotta say it was bloody funny, well scripted, great choice of actors in all the roles, and left you with a bloody great smile on your chops after viewing. James Nesbitt pinches the best lines and scenarios, but John Thompson is great value as his under the thumb mate trying for a baby.
I have had my mind changed on this series, it was tagged 'to be sold', but I have now removed that and will watch more of these when in need of some good laughs.
 


(From My PILOT Marathon on September 10th, 2009)