5 comments about Winnie the Pooh - A Very Merry Pooh Year.

1. A good Holiday movie with all the usual cast. I watched this movie this morning with my nephew to introduce him to the Holiday *this is his first* and I enjoyed it as much as he seemed to! My only small complaint is that when they go into different part's of the story (ie the new year celebration) it seemed a little arkward. Other then that, two thumbs up.
   
   I hope that this will become a holiday tradition.



2. Actually, more like New Year's and Christmas, as that's what this DVD features.
   
   The story begins with an opening segment in which Pooh Bear hides a present he has for Piglet. Then our friends gather together and tell little Roo about a past Christmas. This segment comes from the special "Winnie the Pooh and Christmas Too," featuring the characters from "The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh." Pooh and his friends are getting ready for Christmas. They decide to make a Christmas list and come up with all sorts of gifts that they want to give each other. But when the list is lost to the wind, Pooh and Piglet decide to dress up as Santa and a reindeer and make gifts.
   
   Later, they recall a New Year's in which Rabbit wanted to move away because he was irritated Pooh's eating honey, Tigger's bouncing, Piglet's being afraid and Eeyore's gloominess. So they all made resolutions to change and swapped personalities.
   
   One reason this production is neat is that it has Gopher in it --- he really isn't seen too much lately.
   
   This movie features songs by Carly Simon (who also did the songs for the more recent "Piglet's Big Movie" and "Heffalump Movie") as well as by the characters. She does a great job, as always. The best is "Auld Lang Syne" (with Pooh-specific lyrics mixed in.) This is great, because you don't usually get to hear lyrics for this song these days, only the tune.
   
   DVD special features include a "Covered in Snow" game, a "New Year's Eve" countdown and song selection with on-screen lyrics. These features aren't anything overly exciting, but they are fairly nice. The "Covered in Snow" game is a bit flawed in that you're supposed to choose objects, but it lets you choose the same ones over and over and doesn't progress the game any. Otherwise, good game. You can also put the DVD in your DVD-ROM drive (if you have one) to register it.



3. this isnt a favorite of ours. my son looses interest in in quickly.



4. We checked this video out from the library during the holidays last year and watched it over and over. The entire family loved it so much that we're buying it for this holiday season! The animation and storyline are very sweet and beautifully done.



5. Wonderful addition to the Winnie-the-Pooh family! I purchased this along with Winnie the Pooh - Seasons of Giving, and the new Disney show My Friends Tigger & Pooh - Super Sleuth Christmas Movie and am glad I did! This full length feature follows both perfectly as the gang counts down to New Year's recalling favorite memories. My 2-year-old daughter loves this and the others so much, she requests them each day and I'm happy to have her watch them! It is just good old fashioned fun that brings back my own memories that I'm happy to share with my daughter!

No comments about Warren Haynes Presents: The Benefit Concert Volume 8.

5 comments about A Christmas Memory.

1. This version of "A Christmas Memory" takes a few liberties with the Capote text and is definitely a second to the original version starring Geraldine Page. However, the performances of the various principals in this version, especially of Eric Lloyd, are endearing and are thoroughly convincingA Christmas Memory.



2. I would highly recommend this movie. It is a remake of the Truman Capote film shown on television for many years. The quality is excellent.



3. Once again Hollywood has decided that a genius author is not good enough for their film efforts. Although the color is welcome, the acting superb, and the little Truman adorable, the screenwriters have added several unwarrented scenes and twists to the original plot. I guess if they feel they are better than Shakespeare, who is Truman Capote to be spared? The original is much superior even if it is in black and white.



4. Whether it's Geraldine Page or Patty Duke playing in this fantastic film, it's always a pleasure to pop each movie into the player, come 'fruitcake
   weather' each year. The 'fruit jar' drinking glasses bring back pleasant memories of growing up in the South in the '30s and '40s...this is a delightful film for the family.



5. I love this movie and of course Patty Duke done a great acting job.I'm a Christmas movie fanatic!!!!

5 comments about A Christmas Carol.

1. This is a timeless master piece. Terrific Holiday movie to add to your collection. Enjoy.



2. George C Scott is great in the role of Scrooge. This is a great story, we all know, with great acting.



3. Ever since it was made, we have felt that this is the best version of A Christmas Carol ever. We bought this copy just to have it on DVD, as we watch it at least every year.



4. George C. Scott is at his finest as Ebenezer Scrooge - no one plays him better. This DVD replaces my old Video cassette of this title - I never want to be without this version of A CHRISTMAS CAROL during the holidays.



5. I have read Dicken's "A CHRISTMAS CAROL" and seen it dramatized by a variety of actors, beginning with the late British actor Alister Sims, but I do believe George Scott captures the essese better than any other recent potrayal. It wouldn't be Christman without vewing this version.

5 comments about A Room with a View [HD DVD].

1. The blu-ray edition is just beautifully done. It was wonderful to see the critically acclaimed movie again after so many years. If you're a Merchant Ivory's fan then you must own this blu-ray edition.



2. This is an enjoyable love story set in Italy and England. The cast is wonderful and Daniel Day Lewis, as usual, is amazing. For those who do not care for period pieces, look for the irony and subtle humor. It is very entertaining. For those who are sensitive to such things, there is an extended scene with full frontal male nudity. As men enter the pond, it can be easily skipped over and could have been shot more discretely with the same effect.
   
   My wife and I enjoyed the film a great deal. I felt it was better than the PBS version of the same story.



3. A Room with a View was only Bonham-Carter's second film, made when she was nineteen. To watch her in it, one would imagine her to be a much more experienced actress. Her performance strikes just the right balance of humor and drama and combined with clever dialogue, a dramatic, passionate plot, gorgeous scenery, and a Puccini-driven score, makes for an award-worthy film.
   
   Don't think for a minute that this is some staid, English period piece. A Room with a View is a rolicking journey through Italy, London, and the English countryside, in the company of several fine performers: Maggie Smith, Denholm Elliot, Judi Dench, and Daniel Day-Lewis. Julian Sands turns in a charming performance as a secret suitor to Bonham-Carter's Lucy Honeychurch.
   
   The only caution I can make is the male nudity in the film's bathing scene. While it does add to the humor of the picture, I feel the full frontal nudity went too far. Did we really need to see three sets of family jewels dangling out in the open air? Leave a little to the imagination, but don't leave this one on the shelf.



4. There is so much to like about about the Merchant-Ivory production of A Room With a View that I couldn't wait to see it with all the detailed glory possible from an HD-DVD. But I wanted to hear it too, and alas, with this Warner/BBC version of the disc I could not: It does not have a Dolby or even a basic 2-channel soundtrack. Just DTS HD.
   
   Amazon had nothing on the site to warn of this. A sad oversight.



5. this is a great movie created with such a good taste, with great actors, specially Helena Bonham Carter.

5 comments about Death in Venice.

1. Depending on whom you ask, Visconti's "Death in Venice" is either the most monumentally boring and pretentious film ever made or a wonderfully poetic and profound reflection on life, death, and what it takes to be a great artist. While I agree that gazing for hours into Andresen's ever-sleepy eyes can be a bit yawn-inducing at some points, in general I am in the latter camp. If beauty is its own justification (and consequently does not need words), then this work may perhaps be seen as the almost perfect embodiment of that idea in filmic form -- a movie with relatively little dialogue of any importance to the plot that completely relies on its photography and the Mahler symphonies as a score to convey whatever it has to say. And surprisingly, this movie actually feels less boring each time you watch it, so those who think it to be tedious have not seen it once too many but not often enough.
   
   The novella on which this is based is well-known, but Visconti does not exactly make it easier for his viewers by doing away with the amusing little asides Mann gives us about von Aschenbach: "a man who had learned to administrate his fame", for instance. There are some flashbacks and Bogarde does his best to fill in missing details about his character by subtle facial expressions and body language, but it still helps enormously to have read the novella. Otherwise, even though the story seems simple enough at first glance, it might be a bit confusing at times. And that does not even cover all the little things Visconti throws in in top of what is in the novella, for example what is it about the photographer at the beach with his monstrous camera, which is featured so prominently in the scene at the end when Tadzio walks out into the sea? Also notice that the steamer that brings von Aschenbach to Venice is called 'Esmeralda', like the young prostitute we se him visiting in Germany in one of the flashbacks. Several viewings are required to fully catch each of these little details.
   
   The movie relishes in contrasting the external and obvious with the internal and hidden. Just like the cholera epidemic that strikes Venice, von Aschenbach's emotional turmoils take place behind a stoic facade that only gets cracks during the finale of the film. Or study the gestures and facial expressions of the hotel director (the same actor who played the family priest in "The Leopard") when von Aschenbach is not looking at him. Ambiguity is really the keyword here.
   
   Perhaps this is also the only film from the 1970s where the constant use of the zoom lens actually makes sense from a storytelling standpoint, because it allows us to go without cuts from the external (the hotel, the beach, people chatting, etc.) to the internal, to drill into von Aschenbach's eyes and soul and explore the unspoken thing that goes on between him and Tadzio.
   
   The gist of the film seems to be that von Aschenbach realizes that his German friend Alfred is actually right -- to be a really great artist you have to open yourself fully to the subject of your art. But unfortunately, as soon as he accomplishes that, he also falls prey to his self-destructive, obsessive tendencies, which were probably the reason why he always tried to control himself as much as possible in the first place. His death is also ambiguous -- while he may simply have succumbed to cholera (external cause), he might also have died of an artist's broken heart (internal cause) -- the realization that he may never be able to create the perfectly beautiful work of art he desires, as symbolized in the movie by Tadzio.
   
   The brilliant Criterion edition of "The Leopard" makes you wish that all Visconti films had been shot in Technirama and that they were all available from Criterion. But of course that is not the case. This one is in Panavision and when you compare it to "The Leopard", you do see the picture is a bit fuzzier and more grainy here, either due to the smaller negative or because WB did not do such a good job with the transfer. (If your DVD player has any post-processing options for improving image clarity it might be a good idea to turn them on for this disc.) Unfortunately, Visconti's zoom lens not only adds even more softness to the image but also some noticeable chromatic aberration (i.e., those colorful fringes around bright objects), particularly in the outdoor scenes. But in general the quality of the visuals is quite acceptable.
   
   But maybe this film should never have been shot anamorphic in the first place. "The Leopard" was all about wide shots of sprawling landscapes and huge palace rooms, while "Death in Venice" mostly deals with closeups of faces. I have always felt that these more intimate movies actually work better in 4:3 than an anamorphic format, as it lets the audience concentrate more on the actors's facial expressions. (That is also why I have my reservations about people using 16:9 in their home movies to make them look more "professional".) As it is, I will make the heretic-sounding recommendation to use the zoom function of the DVD player to fill the 16:9 screen. You may find that the movie actually benefits from the tighter framing and that von Aschenbach's desperation in the end feels even more palpable than in 2.39:1. And you will discover the composition is still perfect in the cropped version -- Visconti knew better than to put important people or objects at the edges of his Panavision frame.
   
   The extras on the disc are not exactly mind-blowing, although there is a ten-minute featurette with Visconti on the set of the movie, which is quite interesting, since Visconti generally did not talk about his work very much. So it is fascinating to at least get a glimpse of his approach to filmmaking. The English subtitles are also worth reading, as they translate a lot of all the French, Italian, Polish, and muffled English dialogue. Not that it is important for the plot, but enlightening nonetheless.
   
   I also don't understand why WB still uses those flimsy cardboard/plastic cases for their DVDs. Perhaps they should realize that those cases not only look cheap but are also extremely inconvenient (especially when you try to peel off those plastic labels on the front and the cardboard underneath sticks to them and tears off!). A move to the cases everybody else is using would be much appreciated. But this is still an excellent movie, no matter what type of case it may come in. One of the masterpieces of a director who might only have Kubrick as a near-equal.



2. The casting, acting, and visual surroundings are superb. One scene in particular stays with me: Aschenbach has seated himself so that he can compose music while looking at the boy (and we hear the Mahler he is composing).
   
   What I don't understand is Aschenbach's interior silence. The story (Thomas Mann's) is told by a narrator, but Thomas Mann hardly ever created a principle character who wasn't full of recordable thoughts and feelings, and Aschenbach is not that exception. Aschenbach quotes (and misquotes!) authors in his head, has recorded thoughts, scraps of thoughts, feelings, scraps of feelings continually. I can only assume that Visconti, working in a visual medium, wanted to substitute Bogarde's face for what we read on the page. Although this is sometimes successful, it also accounts for the few negative reviews this film got--mostly due to not enough going on. Bogarde's face is wonderful, but Thomas Mann is a little more wonderful.
   
   But STILL...5 stars.



3. It is hard to believe that some fellow from Illinois or the Midwest in general may enjoy this Gift from Venus. So, please, go and rent some other piece of junk at Blockbuster, you all farm-minded ignorants.
   I'll signore Pecorelli



4. I already submitted this review last week. What I recall stating was that this was a beautiful VHS copy, am glad to have it, but that neither Amazon nor the seller gave any information that this was dubbed rather than subtitled.
   So, as I stated before, this is a terrific product but more information would be much appreciated, especially with films where subtitles are preferred.



5. I found this movie to be beautifully photographed but very tedious, if not pretentious, if not downright *annoying.*
   
   Toward the end of the movie, there's a scene where a woman is singing what I believe is a Polish song. And she goes on and on and on and on and on and on.
   
   She gave me a freakin' headache!
   
   It's interesting that many of the reviewers here who gave the film 5 stars freely admit that it's
   
   ... "slow moving"
   
   ... "not an easy film to watch"
   
   ... "lacking in action."
   
   Yeah, right! So then why give it such high praise?
   
   It's not that a movie has to be "easy" to watch, but it does have to have enough form and substance that the audience cares, one way or another, pro or con, about the central character, especially when the central character is empathetically presented.
   
   I didn't care very much what happened to the Dirk Bogarde character. He was introspective but without the payoff an introspective character should have. "What's on this boy's mind?" I kept asking myself.
   
   Why should we care or empathize with the Dirk Bogarde/Gustav Mahler character? We know very little about him. Yes, Mahler was a great artist, but this isn't a great movie.
   
   The flashback scenes where Mahler is arguing with a colleague about the meaning of art and truth were, for me, forced and overbearing -- throw-ins.
   
   That the Mahler character wanted to stay in Venice just to be around the young boy he fancied -- sorry, but that isn't enough for me as far as a "plot" is concerned. Even great directors have trouble with plots and endings and in that regard this movie, as beautifully photgraphed and as evocative as it is, copped out. Put another way: sometimes less *isn't* more; sometimes less is just less.
   
   When you have a movie with human beings in it, then you need to have them doing things that human beings do. What they do can be absurd, illogical, antisocial -- but have them DO SOMETHING -- fer crissakes!
   
   There seemed to be very little going on inside or outside the Mahler character's mind. Why, for example was he fascinated by the young boy? The film suggests that perhaps he was drawn to the boy because he was obsessed with beauty; perhaps because he's a homosexual; perhaps because as a great artist he inevitably has feelings too large, too sensitive for the world of the mundane. Or a combination of all three possibilities. Ok, but where did the story go from those suggested possibilities? Those are threads, it seems to me, that are relatively "easy" to establish in a movie -- the real art comes in taking those threads and making something meaningful with them. And here's where Visconti's work, ambitious and as technical masterful as it is, falls short.
   
   The threads in great movies may not explain all there is to know or even all there is to contemplate in the human condition, but when the final scene is over, the audience should feel as though some insight has been offered -- insight beyond exquisite technical proficiency and/or outstanding "acting." How can an actor (Dirk Bogarde) give a great performance when his character lacks greatness within the context of the film. here I'm using the word "greatness" to mean a touchstone for an insight into the human condition. That just got by me in this movie.
   
   The only thing I really "cared about" was Dirk Bogarde's luggage!
   
   It's impossible to say that this was a bad movie or a failure, just a great disappointment and a bore.

5 comments about Angel in the Family.

1. This is a wonderful Christmas movie. The whole time I'm watching it, I'm thinking how great it would be to have that extra chance to spend one more holiday with my mom, whom passed away, and whom LOVED Christmas. I recommend this movie to everyone.



2. GREAT MOVIE FOR THE HOLIDAYS I LOVE MEREDITH BAXTER. SHE IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE ACTRESSES AND THIS IS A GREAT FAMILY MOVIE.



3. The idea of this film is false, and not remotely realistic, which no other reviewers seem to mention! Meridith is great as always, and the characters, apart from the father, are realistic enough, but hardly superb. There are a lot of missing elements in the plot lines. Both girls hate each other and feel their lives are harder than anyone elses, which in some ways is realistic, other ways, pathetic. The dad is acting a little too hard all the way through. He seems out of his mind and like he should be avoided. At times Meridith is invisible, at other times, not. I don't believe, and the bible does not teach that people die and become angels, so the whole idea is goofy. But for young kids, be aware that it is about death and life after death, not really something for young kids.
   
   However, there are some bright spots. The idea that the mom held the family together is quite realistic, and something folks can relate to. The idea that the little things we do affect our future, or even eternity is clear and note worthy. It started some conversations and thoughts going in our family. Not really a feel good movie for the holidays, but definitely of the Christmas sort. I wouldn't buy it. Rent it if you want an evening with adults, but again, not the best out there.



4. The idea of reconciliation and completing loose ends is good but many don't have a second chance after they die!
   
   a soso movie with a peaceful feel except when the psychological monster fights with her sister.



5. I haven't had a chance to view the product but was very happy with the time it took to arrive.

5 comments about Happy Birthday to Me.

1. whats with dvd company creating new artwork for classic films from the 80's just to sell it? die hard fans remember the old vhs versions of these gems with original cover i mean is it that hard to release a film with original artwork and sell it as it was . at least it comes with a insert of the original cover art which i find better then this crappy girl on the cover who wasn't even in the damn movie LOL...
   
   i wonder if this one will have a remake in the future being that is the new trend in hollywood , with prom night , terror train , motel hell and others on the rise in the next coming years .



2. I love it.It is great.Keeps you wondering,and then really surprises you.If you have not seen it ,get it and you will like it.



3. I am a slasher afficianado and have seen them all hundreds of times, but Happy Birthday to Me will always be in my top 10 because of it's storyline and imagery, not to mention the bizarre and wicked kills!
   
   The unfortunate thing is that the original score was replaced...and the new score does not work with the film. I will never understand why they had rights issues with the original soundtrack, but the original score is a million times better than this one.
   
   That aside, the film remains the same visually and this film actually creates a mystery element and almost feels like the original "I Know What You Did Last Summer" because you're trying to figure out who the killer is throughout.
   
   Most slasher films of the era were similar, HBTM breaks some of the expected elements for some unique plot twists and creepy imagery.
   
   I have the original theatrical poster which boasts "6 of the Most Bizarre Murders You Will Ever See" and they were not kidding. This movie has some of the most interesting and freaky murder sequences I have ever seen in a slasher film.
   
   It's too bad they don't make horror movies like this anymore. Horror and low budget go together. Now with all this modern crap and big budgets, horror is not what it used to be, scary, effective and fun to watch. Thankfully low budget horror is still made, it just goes direct to video.
   
   I recommend HBTM for any slasher film fan, but try and find the original release (thankfully I have 2 copies of the original VHS edition). Maybe the movie will be re-released later with the proper score.



4. I just Brought This New Dvd Copy And I really Think They Destroyed It I Mean Why Did They Had To Redo The Music Score I Mean I Agree With The Others I Been Trying To Get This Movie On Dvd For A While Now And It's Not Worth It I'm Better Off Just Watching My Vhs Tape At Lease It's The Original I Only Give It Two Stars Because The Picture Shows A Lot Better Than My Vhs But At Lease It's a Lot Scary Than That Garbage That They Have On Dvd



5. "Happy Birthday to Me" is one of the classiest slasher films ever made; it's suspenseful, it has very high production values, and it has some pretty good performances from people like Glenn Ford and Melissa Sue Anderson, who was best known as Mary Ingalls on the TV show "Little House on the Prairie". Despite having a big-name director (J. Lee Thompson) and a major studio (Columbia Pictures) behind it, "Happy Birthday to Me" is mostly remembered for the hilariously exploitive poster art (shish kabobs, anyone?), which was also used as the cover for the 80's home video release. Why Columbia/Sony decided to replace that highly original and striking art with THIS is beyond me. There is a birthday cake in the film, and a knife, but there are no possessed girls or ominous castles to be found. I'm sure this misguided marketing attempt pleased at least two people: the clueless graphic designer and the lucky daughter who got to be a model for the day.
   
   But even worse than the hideous new cover art -- which actually isn't new anymore, because the DVD has been around for four years now -- is the new soundtrack Columbia/Sony decided to slap on the picture instead of securing the rights to the score by Bo Harwood and Lance Rubin. Only the end credits song by Syreeta and a few music cues remain. The 80's dance score is wildly inappropriate for the movie and kills any suspense that was built up. The result is the cinematic equivalent of a lobotomy.
   
   I bought this DVD knowing full well what a monstrosity it is, but I only paid $5. I can't imagine paying full price. The picture quality is good and the movie isn't completely unwatchable this way, but the original soundtrack is ten times better and makes the film a more memorable and enjoyable experience. Do yourself a favor and track down a VHS copy. Perhaps Sony will release another DVD edition with the proper soundtrack, but I wouldn't count on it.

5 comments about Bob Hope MGM Movie Legends Collection (Alias Jesse James/Boy, Did I Get the Wrong Number/The Facts of Life/I'll Take Sweden/The Princess and the Pirate/The Road to Hong Kong/They've Got Me Covered).

1. The quality was great. I thought it might be grainy ~ but it wasn't. They're great movies with wonderful memories. The quick wit humor without the worry of somebody dropping the F bomb or nudity is fantastic. To be able to watch clever dialog with your kids ~ especially when they are advancing from cartoons. Definately a worth while investment!



2. What more can I say, It's Bob Hope! These classic movies are a must have for anyone that enjoys classics. From the 50's western stars doing cameos in Alias Jesse James to Phyllis Diller in Boy, did I get a wrong number Bob is just that....Bob!



3. I sprang at the chance to get this box set and bought it for far more than Amazon's dirt cheap price from a leading electronics retailer. I'd never heard of most of these films, and for good reason: they've never been on video before. I always find Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide helpful, and so it proved in this case. However, as regards Bob Hope, while both of us are big fans, my sensibilities somewhat differ from his on some of these films. Therefore, I'm listing the seven films, giving Maltin's view when available, and my own view. My overall sense is simply of gratitude that Bob Hope's films have finally made it to DVD. I can't wait to watch them all, and will be reviewing more of them as they are released. I also cannot forget what Bob Hope did for the troops before it was trendy to do so, and how greatly his shows on video contrast with the vulgar comedy and musical groups that now are foisted on the troops. Thanks for the memories, Bob, and thanks that, finally on DVD, Hope springs eternal. Seven discs in individual cases in a slip case with brief notes.
   
   The Road to Hong Kong was the last "Road" picture. A DVD guide I read said they made one too many, and ought to have left this one off. However, this has always been one of my favorites. Leonard Maltin gives it 2.5 stars and says, "while fun, it lacks the carefree spirit of its predecessors". One sided disc, widescreen, 92 minutes, black and white, 1962.
   
   Boy Did I Get a Wrong Number. Leonard Maltin calls this a BOMB, his lowest rating. I agree, although one may want to watch it once anyway. Double sided disc: full screen on one side, widescreen on the other. 99 minutes, color, 1996.
   
   Alias Jesse James. Leonard Maltin gives it three stars and calls it "one of Hope's funniest". The Western theme didn't hold me and I found it a big snooze. Double sided disc: full screen and widescreen. 92 minutes, color, 1959.
   
   The Facts of Life. Leonard Maltin gives it three stars and calls it a "sophisticated comedy". Bob Hope co-stars with Lucille Ball in one of her semi-dramatic roles. Maltin says "The two stars make a good team worth watching". I agree. I'll watch Lucy in anything, and that rather goes for Hope as well. Here's one of those "almost an affair" movies, full of subtle innuendo, before the late 'sixties brought out such bilge as Myra Brekinridge and the so-called sexual revolution which, after failing in society, was later shoehorned into popular culture to shore up the declining quality in TV and movies. Double sided disc: full screen and widescreen. 104 minutes, black and white, 1960.
   
   They Got Me Covered. Leonard Maltin gives it two stars and says it "was topical at the time, awkward now; not up to Hope standards." Here we diverge. I found this spy yarn the most enjoyable film in the set. The writing is almost as scintillating as in My Favorite Brunette. Bob Hope plays a broadly comic, but vulnerable and flawed character, somewhat out of his usual ouvre. One sided, full frame disc. 94 minutes, black and white, 1942.
   
   I'll Take Sweden. Leonard Maltin gives it two stars, calling it a "pseudo-sexy Hope vehicle" with "witless proceedings". Since it's from 1965, it had to be conflicted about relationships, but as with Doris Day's films, it's a comedy by Shakespeare's definition, which means it ends in marriage. A chance to see Tuesday Weld, Frankie Avalon, up and coming stars of the '60s, along with Hope and Dina Merrill, stars of the '50s. Lavish animated titles. One sided disc. 97 minutes, color, 1965.
   
   The Princess and the Pirate. Leonard Maltin gives it three stars and calls it "one of Bob's wackiest". This is the sort of '40s "something for everyone" box office smash that I can't get into. Virginia Mayo is, nonetheless, outstanding. Maltin likes the younger Walter Brennan in this film, in which he plays a pirate; I like the older Brennan much better in The Gnome Mobile and The Real McCoys. One sided disc, full frame. 94 minutes, color, 1944.



4. Great compilation for great legend of Hollywood.. It would be priceless if Road to Bali was included with set..



5. seven movies prove that bob hope can do no wrong. the comedy is as sharp
   as can be in the facts of life while alias jesse james reunites bob with
   
   
   jane russell. take a chance on this one. you won't be dissapointed.
   
   now if someone will relase beau james on dvd...

5 comments about It's A Wonderful Life (Two-Disc Collector's Set) (B/W & Color).

1. Although it didn't impress much at the time of it's release, this film probably more than most others, goes to show that eventually the cream always rises to the top. It's just a charming, heart-warming film with a nice mix of comedy, drama, sadness, despair and joy which makes it difficult for any human being to not be touched emotionally in some way by this film. The screenplay is very good, the casting excellent and James Stewart shows why he is considered to be among the greatest screen actors of all time.
   
   The DVD though isn't all that much to shout about. The Special Features are pretty decent with a very good documentary about the film hosted by Tom Bosley of "Happy Days" fame being the standout but it's placed on the the "B" side of this single disc. Fortunately with the advent of Blu-ray and the much greater capacity such a format affords, we don't have to put up with this inconvenience any longer. The sound quality is in the original mono format which has been THX mastered which makes it the best possible mono quality that you can find. However, it would have been nice if they were to provided Dolby or otherwise 5.1 Surround Sound Options as well. The picture quality has been restored but not very well as visual imperfections exist throughout the film suggesting either a poorly preserved master or that the restoration job wasn't the best.
   
   I note at the time of writing that a Blu-Ray version is out there and I wonder if they made any more audio and visual restorations and if so, I will certainly put it on my list of Blu-Ray titles to get in the future. If you are not too picky about the "dirtiness" of the picture quality, this DVD is certainly one for your collection that bears the test of repeated viewing and enjoyment.
   
   Recommended.



2. For many, "It's A Wonderful Life" is a staple to their holiday traditions. With all major networks vying to get their hands on this mediocre blockbuster, this little film transforms from ordinary to cult status every holiday. As a viewer, outside of the final act, this Jimmy Stewart classic is more than just a Christmas movie, but instead a powerful Capra film that demonstrates an America from long ago. It shows a small-town America, without the plowed Wal-Mart roads or big-box makeovers. For this critic, it demonstrates the power of independent business, and why we may never find this type of service ever again. As an independent, downtown shop owner of about a year and a half myself; "It's A Wonderful Life" transformed this viewing from holiday pastime to dedicated film exposing the corruptive nature of capitalism as well as the realism of independent business. With this change in tact, Jimmy Stewart's words become more emotional, Donna Reed's actions become more honest, and our little Christmas film transforms into a man's journey to search for himself. I cannot denounce that this is a holiday film, Stewart screams "Merry Christmas" throughout the entire ending, but before that final conclusion there are about two hours of small town America and one man's struggle to escape. "It's A Wonderful Life" is a powerful blend of realism and fantasy, individualism and community, dreams and truth, as well as frustration and joy. The cast is superbly placed in their respective roles and Capra's action behind the camera stands boldly in place. This is not just a movie, but an experience coupled with foreshadowing - giving George not just a glimpse of a world without him - but also a glimpse of a world without small business
   
   "It's A Wonderful Life", the film itself, is beautifully crafted. With new editions being released each season, one can easily see the crisp beauty of Capra's image. Its characters; George Bailey, Mary, Sam Wainright, Potter, Bert and Ernie, and even Clarence seem to jump from the screen, giving us imaginative citizens to this quaint town of Bedford Falls. Capra not only gives these characters spirits and souls, but also the town. Capra built three blocks of Bedford Falls so that he could capture the honesty of the town that Stewart so adamantly wanted to leave - and upon doing this gave this little town a soul of its own. Watching this film, Stewart's portrayal of George Bailey runs the gambit of powerhouse acting. Stewart, freshly back from the war, was worried if he could carry the weight of Bailey's cynicism. His ability to care for Bedford Falls, while always dreaming of wanting to escape could only be portrayed through Stewart's Americana eyes. When he screams at Mary, denouncing his desire to be on the ground floor in plastics, or when he yells at Potter's bid to join him - we scream with him. This film works from an acting standpoint because we believe in the characters - we trust the actors to give us a slice of their souls for these roles - and they do. One cannot fault anyone in this film for their acting and that is a rarity in today's Hollywood.
   
   Capra's eye in this film seems far more advanced than the credit he has received. His enormous sets, the birth of a new "snow", and his ability to create a world we care for without having to travel the globe. What I enjoy about "It's A Wonderful Life" is that Capra tricks you by the end. Here we believe, outside of the brief opening, that this is just your typical drama, a man's life is shown in scope so that he can see his full worth, but then sneakily Capra brings in (depending on your religious basis) a huge science-fiction element that was unheard of during the time. One cannot argue the validity of science fiction vs. religion in this film - since Joseph is portrayed by the stars and planets. Sure, Clarence was an angel, but there is this aura of the supernatural. Clarence offers no evidence that he is, in fact, sent by the man upstairs, so one has to question the time this film was released, the faith in spirituality, and the fact that Capra's Clarence could be alien, vegetable, or mineral. This film teeters between drama and science fiction, while so many critics award this film the "feel-good" holiday movie during December; I find it a bit strange that perhaps this film lead to so many other science fiction movies of the same nature. Perhaps the "Cloverfield" monster could be considered a Clarence to someone in New York City? I may be stretching a bit, but what pulls me into this film time and time again is the fact that Clarence is not of Earth, yet George easily believes. He listens, follows, and - with some resistance - does what Clarence orders. This is a film without guns, without explosions, without the President getting on his red phone - but instead a film where a celestial being can visit someone without fear, anger, or confusion. This is why I collect the "Alf" television series.
   
   Overall, "It's A Wonderful Life" remains in constant rotation no matter the time of year in my home. The acting is superb, the sci-fi element seems fresh every time, and the growing fact that George Bailey is pro-independent business means quite a bit in this rushed Wal-Mart world. Bailey, and this film, is the voice for the little man, the quiet shopkeeper who doesn't want to sell to Potter, but instead dreams of keeping their home-style values. The spark between Potter and Bailey can be seen in every facet of today's growing world, as the rich continue to get richer - the less fortunate work harder and feel more held back. Dreams are traded for jobs - communities are strengthened by friendships. This film is a time capsule for the future, as we discover convenience overcomes customer service; it is nice to look back and see a world like Bedford Falls. The science fiction element to this film, yep - that is what I am considering it - comes in sharp and remains powerful throughout. Did anyone else see Jimmy Stewart's eyes throughout those scenes? Brilliant! While this film will remain a staple through the holidays, I persist that you watch it away from the holiday to see the real message behind the film. Capra was a genius in creating this film, and subsequently crafted a cult film that will remain forever. Even today, nearly thirty years since my first viewing, I am more impressed that ever. It is a film that grows with you, and that is quite a rarity in today's cinema.
   
   Grade: ***** out of *****



3. This film, starring the brilliant James (Jimmy) Stewart, is one of the best movies made since film first started rolling. I don't know that words can really capture the magic of this film.
   
   A true holdiay classic, and a great movie! A must have for your collection!



4. This is by far my favorite movie of all time. George Bailey is so real. I have been that man. A guy looking for the glitz and the glamour only to settle for small town life raising kids and going to work everyday. He is never the richest in terms of money, but when it comes down to it you finally realize money is not all that matters.



5. Every home should have this movie in their DVD library and watch it every year. It has been my all-time movie favorite for many years that everyone can name my fav.
   
   The moral of this story is so touching to help someone realize how 'wonderful' their life is and the people in it. It will help remind you of your true gifts in your daily presence.
   
   A must own movie!
   
   Merna
   
   Pocket of Pearls: A 30-day pocket workbook to start hearing a softer voice inside of you!