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Home (Re) Viewing: Classics and cartoons
Let’s see, what’s in the new release section this week?
The Benchwarmers: Didn’t see it. And besides, the more I think about that movie, the more my face twists into a painful expression of scorn.
Final Destination 3: People who want to see Final Destination 3 don’t read reviews, and people who read reviews won’t see Final Destination 3, so I’m leaving this one alone. Come to think of it, that applies to The Benchwarmers as well.
Well, back to the classics section again!
From the catalog
Bogie & Bacall – The Signature Collection: This Amazon.com exclusive packages all four films that one of Hollywood’s greatest couples made together, and even the “worst� of the bunch is still imminently watchable.
To Have and Have Not: See Bogie and Bacall fall for each other onscreen while the same thing was happening offscreen. This sweltering Howard Hawks drama bears more than a passing resemblance to Casablanca, but the couple’s come-ons make this one immortal anyway. Besides, you know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? Grade: A-
The Big Sleep: My favorite of their pictures features a plot that’s so dense and complex, even its original author, Raymond Chandler, couldn’t keep it straight. Still, it’s delicious all the same. The DVD includes a comparison between the released version and a noticeably different pre-release cut. GRADE: A
Dark Passage: The least known of their pictures is this noir-ish thriller that leans a bit too hard on contrivances, but it’s a thrill to watch, especially during the first hour, in which we only hear, but do not see Bogart, with a subjective camera making Bogie’s eyes ours. GRADE: B+
Key Largo: John Huston’s drama about a gangster holding people hostage in a Florida hotel is a touch overwrought, but as an acting showcase it’s top-notch, with Edward G. Robinson and the Oscar-winning Claire Trevor joining Bogie and Bacall. GRADE: A-
TV on DVD
Normally I don’t cover TV shows, but as SRCPutt duly noted yesterday, perhaps the release of the Animaniacs and Pinky and the Brain sets is a clever cross-promotional gimmick by Warner Bros. to promote the misbegotten Lady in the Water, which also uses the word “narf� like Pinky does.
Or maybe not.
Whatever, the case, these were my favorite TV shows of the early 90s, animated or otherwise, with many a movie reference packed into them. Great fun. And remember, Mary had a Little Lamb … with mint jelly. Thank you.
Permalink | Comments (9) | Categories: On Video/DVD
Comments
By SRCputt
July 27, 2006 9:53 AM | Link to this
United States, Canada, Mexico, Panama, Haiti, Jamaica, Peru…By Kei
July 25, 2006 3:51 PM | Link to this
I probably have both of you beat, to tell you the truth. I remember the lyrics to almost every song that was ever done on that show. “Yakko Sings All the Countries of the World” is how I remember all of them to this day.By SRCputt
July 25, 2006 3:30 PM | Link to this
The irony of today is Eric is actually a much bigger fan of Animaniacs than I am. But he got me into them, so I can spout off lots of quotes (as I have just demonstrated). Any fan of the Marx Brothers should love them (and vice versa). Good night, everybody!By SRCputt
July 25, 2006 2:13 PM | Link to this
And the moral of today’s story is: If you can’t say something nice, you’re probably at the Ice Capades.By SRCputt
July 25, 2006 2:09 PM | Link to this
“Are you pondering what I’m pondering?” “I think so Brain, but if Jimmy cracks corn, and no one cares, then why does he keep doing it?”By SRCputt
July 25, 2006 1:43 PM | Link to this
Roses are red, violets are blue / That’s what they say, but it just isn’t true / Roses are red, and apples are, too / But violets are violet, violets aren’t blue / An orange is orange, but Greenland’s not green / A pinky’s not pink, so what does it mean? / To call something blue when it’s not, we defile it / But what the heck, it’s hard to rhyme violet.By SRCputt
July 25, 2006 1:41 PM | Link to this
Why? Why? Why? Why? OK love you bye-bye!By SRCputt
July 25, 2006 1:40 PM | Link to this
“Are you pondering what I’m pondering?” “I think so Brain, but where are we going to find a duck and a garden hose at this time of night?”By Kei
July 25, 2006 1:37 PM | Link to this
Haha, I always got a kick out of Dot’s Poetry Corner. Never failed to put a smile on my face on the bluest of days. But it’s good news to hear that they finally have their own DVD box sets. I know where my budgeted “Wants” monies are going this week.