DVD Collectors Online

It's a Wonderful Life, a review by Antares

It's a Wonderful Life





Year: 1946
Film Studio: Republic Pictures, Liberty Films
Genre: Drama, Family, Classic
Length: 130 Min.

Director
Frank Capra (1897)

Writing
Frances Goodrich (1890)...Screenwriter
Albert Hackett (1900)...Screenwriter
Frank Capra (1897)...Screenwriter
Philip Van Doren Stern (1900)...Story By

Producer
Frank Capra (1897)

Cinematographer
Joseph F. Biroc (1903)
Joseph Walker (1892)

Music


Stars
James Stewart (1908) as George Bailey
Donna Reed (1921) as Mary Hatch
Lionel Barrymore (1878) as Mr. Potter
Thomas Mitchell (1892) as Uncle Billy
Henry Travers (1874) as Clarence
Beulah Bondi (1888) as Mrs. Bailey
Frank Faylen (1905) as Ernie
Ward Bond (1903) as Bert

Review
       At the time of its release, Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life was derided by critics as being out of touch with mainstream life in America, and an antiquated form of filmmaking. In the aftermath of World War II and the atrocities of which were just coming to light, this films message seemed out of date with the general movie public. Although most people in this country would hark back to the simpler times portrayed in this film, the overall response for this movie was lukewarm at best. The results would be a poor showing at the box office and the tag of affixed to this films legacy.

      Forty years later with the advent of cable television and the films entry into the public domain, it was once again derided for its overexposure to mainstream audiences. I myself had relegated it to a position of obscurity in my collection by purchasing it on DVD and for two years never viewing it. Then one night in a moment of inner turmoil, as I was thumbing through my collection to find the film that would help me escape, I selected this film. It was a most fortunate choice, for it would re-awaken me to the fact that this is one of the truly great films in the history of cinema.

      Four years of making patriotic propaganda films for the government had left Frank Capra with a desire to turn back the hands of time, and remind the country of the moral values which had forged our nation and for which some of our countrymen had made the ultimate sacrifice. It's now sad to think that this message is deemed as archaic by the cynical and media blitzed public of today.

       We may never be able to go back to the times and values portrayed in this film, but we can still dream and hope. For when a country fails to dream of better times and loses its desire to hope for a light at the end of the tunnel, it ceases to be. We all can learn from the message in this film.


Review Criterion
5 Stars - The pinnacle of film perfection and excellence.

(From It's a Wonderful Life (1946) on November 5th, 2010)

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 Buffy and Angel Marathon, a review by Tom

03. The Harsh Light of Day (1999-10-19)
Writer: Jane Espenson (Writer)
Director: James A. Contner
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Seth Green (Oz), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Mercedes McNab (Harmony Kendall), Adam Kaufman (Parker Abrams), James Marsters (Spike), Jason Hall (Devon), Melik (Brian)

A good episode. Nice to see Spike and Harmony again. Though Spike is really stupid to challenge Buffy as soon as he got the ring instead of leaving town. Even stupider is, that he tells her exactly why he is now invincible giving her the chance to take the ring away from him.

Rating:



04. Fear Itself (1999-10-26)
Writer: David Fury (Writer)
Director: Tucker Gates
Cast: Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy Summers), Nicholas Brendon (Xander Harris), Alyson Hannigan (Willow Rosenberg), Seth Green (Oz), Anthony Stewart Head (Giles), Kristine Sutherland (Joyce Summers), Marc Blucas (Riley Finn), Emma Caulfield (Anya), Adam Kaufman (Parker Abrams), Lindsay Crouse (Maggie Walsh), Marc Rose (Josh), Sulo Williams (Chaz), Aldis Hodge (Masked Teen), Walter Emanuel Jones (Edward), Adam Bitterman (Gachnar), Michele Nordin (Rachel), Adam Grimes (Lobster Boy), Darris Love (Hallmate), Larissa Reynolds (Present Girl)

Really fun episode. Anya in a bunny costume, Giles with a chainsaw and the great reveal at the end about the fear demon.

Rating:

(From Tom's Buffy and Angel Marathon on August 1st, 2009)