DVD Collectors Online

The War Wagon, a review by Rogmeister

The War Wagon (1967)
Cast: John Wayne, Kirk Douglas, Howard Keel, Robert Walker, Keenan Wynn, Bruce Cabot, Joanna Barnes
Music composed by Dimitri Tiomkin--"The Ballad of the War Wagon" sung by Ed Ames
Directed by Burt Kennedy

Following a shoot-out...

Lomax: Mine hit the ground first...
Taw: Mine was taller!

By the late 1960s, John Wayne's movies were started to fall into forumula westerns though one here and there was a bit different and this was one of those. In this film, he's just returning to town after a 3-year stint in prison where he had been framed and the man who framed him has taken over his ranch where he's discovered a gold mother lode. John Wayne, as Taw Jackson, decides the best means of revenge is to his the man where it hurts...by robbing his gold shipment. The war wagon of the title is like an armored car on wheels which they transport the gold in...and it's even dangerous once bad guy Bruce Cabot has a gatling gun mounted on it. The ranch owner wants a gunslinger named Lomax (Kirk Douglas) to eliminate Taw (not realizing his plans) but Taw actually winds up getting Lomax to side with him and his other partners to take down the war wagon.

This isn't just another western filled with gunplay and saloon brawls (though there's a bit of that) as we slowly learn Taw's plans on his detailed plan to take on the armored vehicle. There's also lots of familiar faces (including small parts for such actors as Bruce Dern, Gene Evans and Sheb Wooley) and the film is tinged with humor not always seen in westerns. Add good photographer and a sprightly score and you've got a darn good western...not a great one, but a good one.

I'm currently on my second copy of this movie...my first was a disc featuring the movie along with one extra, the trailer.  Now I have it as part of a 3-disc set called John Wayne: Screen Legend Collection.  This set contains 5 films...besides The War Wagon, it also has Reap The Wild Wind, The Spoilers, Hellfighters and Rooster Cogburn.

(From Roger's Ongoing Westerns Marathon on July 13th, 2009)

Batman vs Robin, a review by addicted2dvd

Batman vs Robin (2015/United States) Trailer |IMDb |Wikipedia | Warner Home Video (United States) Director: Jay Oliva Writing: J. M. DeMatteis (Writer), Bob Kane (Original Characters By), Marv Wolfman (Original Characters By), George Perez (Original Characters By), Scott Snyder (Original Characters By), Greg Capullo (Original Characters By) Length: 80 min. Video: Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: DTS-HD Master Audio: 5.1, French: Dolby Digital: 5.1, German: Dolby Digital: 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital: 5.1 Subtitles: English, French, German, Korean, Spanish

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Stars:
Stuart Allan as Robin / Damian
Troy Baker as Owl Lieutenant
Kevin Conroy as Thomas Wayne
Trevor Devall as Jack
Robin Atkin Downes as Grandmaster

Plot:
The shadows of Gotham City are no place for a child, but Damian Wayne is no ordinary child. Now bearing the mantle of Robin, he blazes a headstrong and sometimes reckless trail alongside his father, the Batman. While investigating a crime scene, Robin encounters a mysterious figure, Talon, who leads him on a life-altering course through the depths of Gotham's secret society known as the Court of Owls. It's a dangerous journey that will force Batman and Robin to face their most dangerous adversary, each other! Witness the epic battle that will shape a destiny and forge the future of Robin forever.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Bonus Trailers
• Featurettes
• Digital Copy
• 4 Bonus Cartoons

I enjoyed this one alot. It is a good continuation of Son of Batman. This is the first I have ever seen of the "Court of Owls." I found it to be an interesting and entertaining story line. This is one that is definitely worth the time put in to watch it.



(From March Marathon: Superhero Films on March 18th, 2016)

Caroline in the City Marathon, a review by Tom

Caroline and the Married Man (1996-01-11)
Writer: Wil Calhoun
Director: Tom Cherones
Cast: Lea Thompson (Caroline), Eric Lutes (Del), Malcolm Gets (Richard), Amy Pietz (Annie), Andy Lauer (Charlie), Beau Gravitte (Tom Barna), Tom La Grua (Remo), Jessie Jones (Receptionist)

Average episode. Beginning of the unrequited love of Richard.



Caroline and the 28 lb. Walleye (1996-01-25)
Writer: Ian Praiser, Carol Gary
Director: Tom Cherones
Cast: Lea Thompson (Caroline), Eric Lutes (Del), Malcolm Gets (Richard), Amy Pietz (Annie), Andy Lauer (Charlie), Paul Castree (Chris Duffy), James Callahan (Mayor Paisley), Patrick T. O'Brien (Councilman Hardy), Beth Wishnie (Lindsay), Patricia Gaul (Mrs. Baerwald), Earl Holliman (Fred Duffy), Mariette Hartley (Margaret Duffy)

A good episode. Caroline gets a park in her hometown named after her, but her brother steals her thunder as usual.



Caroline and the Watch (1996-02-01)
Writer: Mark Wilding
Director: James Burrows
Cast: Lea Thompson (Caroline), Eric Lutes (Del), Malcolm Gets (Richard), Amy Pietz (Annie), Andy Lauer (Charlie), Rose Marie (Stella Dawson), Morey Amsterdam (Vic Stansky), Robert Cesario (Mr. Dunn), Beans Morocco (Minister)

The opening titles change with this episode. Sadly they have done away with the little animated comic strips which they did for opening each episode.
Also new is that in this episode Caroline got the new work desk. Which means that finally Richard and Caroline can work at the same time

(From Caroline in the City Marathon on September 16th, 2008)