DVD Collectors Online

Hopalong Cassidy Returns, a review by Rogmeister

The next review is of a Hopalong Cassidy movie.  I have many Hoppy films...I have 8 DVDs of double-feature Hoppy films from Image (which is what the below review is from) and I have 8 other volumes that stuff 5 Hoppy films per disc.  Those are from Platinum, a company not known for high quality releases but their Hoppy discs are pretty good.



Hopalong Cassidy Returns (74 min.), finds Bill on his way to Mesa Grande, where he is the new Marshal. Along the way he stops a runaway horse and saves a woman's life. Upon arriving in town, he discovers his old friend, the town's newspaper editor, has been brutally murdered by the very same woman Hoppy just saved, a hardnosed businesswoman who runs the town.

There were "A" pictures (major films like Stagecoach) and "B" pictures (low-budget moves such as Buck Jones and Tim McCoy would make) and the Hoppy movies were "B" westerns...but a cut above most of the other B's. They put a bit more money into them, show on locations instead of the usual sets and the extra money showed. Also, they were often longer. Most B westerns ran just about an hour but the Hoppy movies ran as long as 80 minutes. Gabby Hayes had been in the first Hoppy movie as Hoppy's uncle, but his character died. They wanted him back so they cast him again as a different character, a friend of Hoppy's named Windy.

This episode has a few unusual touches, including a female criminal and a man bound to a wheelchair...he is the friend of Hoppy's who is attacked just before Hoppy and his younger brother get to town. This movie is part of a double-feature disc from Image (they did 8 of these double-Hoppy releases) and the quality in picture and sound is outstanding.

The only downside? Hoppy kisses a girl. Ewwwwwww!


(From Roger's Ongoing Westerns Marathon on June 23rd, 2009)

The Evil , a review by addicted2dvd

The Evil (1978/United States) Shout! Factory Director: Gus Trikonis Writing: Donald G. Thompson (Screenwriter) Length: 89 min. Rating: R Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.78:1 Audio: English: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo, Commentary: Dolby Digital: 2-Channel Stereo Subtitles: None

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Stars:
Richard Crenna as C.J.
Joanna Pettet as Caroline
Andrew Prine as Raymond
Cassie Yates as Mary
George O'Hanlon, Jr. as Pete
Lynne Moody as Felecia

Plot:
Psychologist C.J. Arnold (Richard Crenna) and his wife Caroline (Joanna Pettet) buy a dilapidated historical mansion with a dark past in hopes of transforming the estate into a drug rehabilitation clinic with the help of some of his students and current patients. When he opens a secret door in the basement of the house, Arnold inadvertently releases a malevolent presence in Gus Trikonis' The Evil. Also starring Victor Buono, Andrew Prine and Cassie Yates.

Extras:

• Scene Access
• Audio Commentary
• Feature Trailers
• Bonus Trailers

This is a movie I never seen before... but was recommended to me by a few people. I wouldn't say this is the best haunted house movie I seen... there is a bit of cheese involved here. But it is definitely one I enjoyed. This movie brought me back to my teen years when I was really going hard watching every horror I could find. I am actually surprised that I haven't seen this one before. Some scenes lagged a bit.... but over all it kept my attention. Over-all I am happy with this one.

This is a movie that a friend here at the forum was kind enough to send me... as he ended up with two copies. So I must once again say Thank You! I am looking forward to checking out the other movie on this disc (Twice Dead).




(From Weekend Movie Marathon: Unseen Horrors on July 22nd, 2011)

Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Season One, a review by addicted2dvd

Secret Diary of a Call Girl: Season One (2007/United Kingdom) IMDb |Wikipedia |Trailer |

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Stars:
Billie Piper as Belle / Hannah
Cherie Lunghi as Stephanie
Iddo Goldberg as Ben

Extras:

• Interviews
• Closed Captioned

This is a series I never heard of before finding the DVD set cheap at Big Lots back in January. I have been watching an episode or two here and there since I got it... and finally finished the set this morning. It took longer then I expected considering there is only 8 half hour episodes in the season. The series aired on Showtime (originally on ITV2 in the UK)... but I somehow missed it at that time. I found it to be a fun and interesting series... but it isn't something I could sit through many episodes of at one time. I tend to get tired of watching after a couple of episodes. But over-all I enjoyed the series... and I am interested in getting more seasons. The odd thing is though... after checking Amazon.com I learn that seasons 1, 2 & 4 are available on DVD... but there is no sign of the 3rd season. I really liked the star of this series, Billie Piper, I found her to be just adorable. Unfortunately this is the only thing in my entire collection that I have her in.




(From Addicted2dvd's Random TV Series Watched on June 25th, 2012)