DVD Collectors Online

A Chairy Tale, a review by Antares

A Chairy Tale (1957) 3.5/5 - One part of my film watching regimen that I sorely am lacking in is live action short films. Maybe it's the fact that so many are not available on DVD, or the fact the only outlet for these creative snippets of celluloid are to be found on TCM. This is an interesting conceptual film about a chair that refuses to allow a man to sit upon it, until the man meets the chair on its own terms. The man is played by Claude Jutra, who comes across as part Charlie Chaplin, part Roberto Benigni and is certainly up to the task of performing the quite physical pantomime with the chair. The music is provided by the then unknown Ravi Shankar, and fits the films frenetic pace quite well. This was nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short film, but could have also been nominated for Best Editing. Some of the transitions in this are quite remarkable to look at, and make the subject very entertaining. If I have one complaint with this film is its length, something you would think wouldn't be much of a problem with a short film. But the director probably could have shorn away about 2 - 3 minutes and the film would have not suffered for it. Even so, at ten minutes, you should give this a look see, it's available on YouTube.

(From Antares' Short Summations on March 27th, 2012)

International House, a review by addicted2dvd

International House (1933/United States) Universal Home Entertainment (United States) Director: Edward Sutherland Writing: Francis Martin (Screenwriter), Walter DeLeon (Screenwriter), Neil Brant (Original Material By), Louis E. Heifetz (Original Material By) Length: 68 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: English, French, Spanish

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Stars:
Peggy Hopkins Joyce as Peggy Hopkins Joyce
W. C. Fields as Professor Quail
Stuart Erwin as Tommy Nash
Sari Maritza as Carol Fortescue
George Burns as Doctor Burns

Plot:
After a scientist creates the first television, a cast of characters from around the world (including W.C. Fields, George Burns, Gracie Allen and Bela Lugosi) clamour to purchase the rights at the International House Hotel in China.

Extras:

• None

This one I liked quite a bit. Unfortunately not so much because of W.C. Fields. More because of George Burns and Gracie Allen. After watching three of his movies recently I found I just not much of a fan of W.C. Fields. I mean he seems ok at best... but I just haven't found him all that funny so far. But then maybe I just haven't hit on any of them where he shines.



(From November Movie Marathon: Classic Comedy Greats on November 15th, 2017)

Tom's TV Pilots marathon, a review by Tom

Once and Again: Season One (1999/United States) IMDb | Wikipedia Buena Vista Home Entertainment (Canada) Length: 990 min. Video: Full Frame 1.33:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo Subtitles: English

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Plot:Once And Again explored brave new territory with the compelling story of two families blending at the seams. The second marriage of Lily Manning (Ward) to Rick Sammler (Campbell) pushes both to the limit as they try for domestic normalcy while navigating divorce, parenting, financial hardship and many other life lessons.

From the creators of thirtysomething and My So-Called Life comes the complete first season DVD Collection. Enjoy all the moving moments and memorable performances of a brilliant supporting cast, including Shane West (A Walk To Remember) and Evan Rachel Wood (Practical Magic) once and again.


Once & Again
1.01 Pilot
Writer: Marshall Herskovitz (Story By), Edward Zwick (Story By)
Director: Marshall Herskovitz
Cast: Sela Ward (Lily Manning), Billy Campbell (Rick Sammler), Jeffrey Nordling (Jake Manning), Susanna Thompson (Karen Sammler), Shane West (Eli Sammler), Julia Whelan (Grace Manning), Evan Rachel Wood (Jessie Sammler), Meredith Deane (Zoe Manning), Todd Field (David Cassilli), Marin Hinkle (Judy Brooks), Kelly Coffield (Naomi), Kimberly McCullough (Jennifer), LaTanya Richardson (Counselor), Vanessa Lee Chester (Friend #1), Julie Marie Berman (Friend #2), Anna Mathias (Secretary), Suzanne Lanza (Assistant), Nicola Theodoropoulos (Soccer Coach), Jourdan Fremin (Laughing Mom)

I am still waiting for the third and last season of this great series to be released on DVD. The pilot is really good. I like how the two families are coming together and I think it is handled rather realistically. The two failed marriages are not necessarily one person's fault. Also the reaction of the children about this new relationship is handled well. I like all the actors here. All did a great job. Especially the child actors. Even the youngest (Meredith Deane) does a great job.

Rating:

(From Tom's TV Pilots marathon on June 17th, 2012)