Everything I buy is based on reviews.... either from sources I trust such as DVD Talk or from people I know or from personal experience. Seems like any time I just wing it I get burned.

I'd love a forum like Movies That Old Folks Drool Over, but realize that those of us in the pre-rocking chair crowd are vastly outnumbered by the more vocal and youthful among you and that's cool. You all are having your day now.

I just got my copy of Chicago and love it. I'm not that huge a Gere fan, but he blew me away. I'd never really seen C. Z. Jones before and she is such a tremendous talent that she could of made Renee look totally inept except for the fact that ROXIE was a wannabe and not a polished professional. I read both the reviews of Chicago on here and thought they'd missed "something" that I saw, but I'm not articulate enough to say just what. I like to think it's because I grew up watching Dan Dailey and Donald O'Conner and Ann Miller and even BOB FOSSE himself on screen that musicals are a part of my soul.

Oh, sorry, I digress as us old far*s are prone to do. I like polls. I wouldn't mind seeing something along the lines of: how do you rate this movie. Agree w/reviewer? Disagree w/? Couldn't care less. Won't buy it? Already ordered it. Blah, blah, you guys know the drill..... a nice little side box, a place that we could vent without going to all the trouble to think up witty patter.

Great forums, as always, thank you very much just for being here!

p. s. NOW I want Damn Yankees on DVD. I'm so thrilled I finally got All That Jazz! Yea!

As the perpetuator of a couple of those, I agree it is frustrating (on both ends, as a reviewer and a reader). Anime is something with a wealth of content constantly coming out, making it difficult to review if you’ve only got episodes 20-24 of a series in your hands. But, there is a flipside- anyone curious or invested in a series with a couple of volumes out probably doesn’t need much of a content review (who is going to blind buy only vol. 6 of a series?). So, in those cases, the least one can do as a reviewer is just give a general impression, and, most of all, the transfer specifics, thus reassuring fans that the DVD quality is up to snuff. But, yeah, I feel your pain.

well said.

I had another idea. It probably isn't worth doing this retro-actively 7000 times, but maybe we could add a new forum where users can comment on what they thought about the review. The thread would be created along with the review, and normal users should be allowed to post in threads, but not create their own threads in that forum. The review would have a link to the thread, and the thread a link to the review. It would be a quick way to get feedback, and alternate opinions, and it would probably also entice a few more website users to be forum regulars.

Each review does include a "Start a Discussion" link that allows DVD Talk readers to post a response on the DVD Reviews forum, and when a discussion is started, a link to that thread is automatically provided in the review. The feature has gone almost entirely unused.

In fairness, I haven't used this recently. But in the past, I've clicked this link once or twice and just been sent back to the main reviews page:

http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/index.php

Seems to be working fine now, but it was definitely having issues a while back. That may be one reason for its underuse now...

Maybe a sticky thread at the top of the Reviews forum could highlight this feature for a few weeks?

It's a great feature that just needs to be a little more prominent. Could an additional link to it be placed at the bottom of the review? That way, when someone finishes reading the review they'll see it.

I haven't stumbled upon any problems, and it did get some very mild use. I did have some conditions in the code that would redirect to the front page, but it would always have an error message attached that would display near the top...it would redirect if a review ID wasn't provided in the URL string, if a user was trying to access a review by an inactive reviewer, if a review couldn't be found, or if the user's IP address had been banned from using the software. Your IP address, at least assuming it was the same when you were experiencing a problem as it is now, isn't on the 'banned' list. (Originally, clicking on the link would start a new thread with a default subject, and users would be redirected to reply to that thread. So many people would click on the link and not bother to reply that I changed the way the link works.)

Done.

Any further thoughts on how the reviews are presented? By that, I mean the index, the search tools, the layout of the reviews themselves...

Sorry, buddy, no amount of keister conditioning could lure me into another such endeavor. However, I will be lending my critical eye to the second season shortly, especially the 8 o'clock hour when Kim all-too-briefly shimies into something that'd even raise the hair on a cougar corpse.

I don't believe I've seen this mentioned before, but I find a lot of typos in the reviews and would like to quickly and easily notify the author of them without making a big deal about it. Perhaps something similar to the "Report this post to a moderator" feature where it's just a small text box and move on. It's certainly not a big deal, but it could help ease the inner Grammar Nazi in some of us.

das

<a href="http://dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115314">Yeah</a>. There's an "E-mail the Author" link that should do the trick for that.

<BLOCKQUOTE> • Quoth ctyner •<HR SIZE=1><a href="http://dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=115314">Yeah</a>. There's an "E-mail the Author" link that should do the trick for that. <HR SIZE=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

Damn, that's an old thread. I noticed the "E-mail the Author" link, but I guess I figured that's a bit too formal.

The best indication of its effectiveness (at least for me) is that I've never once used it. Not sure why I think a textbox would be easier, though ...

das

Most of the e-mails I get are one-liners <small>(or two or three, but you know what I mean)</small>. Nothing particularly formal. I don't really like the idea of having a textbox on the review itself, and creating a link to a second textbox that does the same thing as the 'E-mail the Author' link seems kind of redundant. If you think I should rename the 'E-mail...' link or reposition it somehow, definitely let me know. I don't really like the way it's worded, but I had to put something there, and that was the first thing that came to mind...

Nah, you're right. I can't really justify the redundancy either. I guess I just feel like an ass (not like that's ever stopped me before). "Hey, Reviewer ... you worked really hard to write this review, so here's an email to nitpick your grammar." The problem is likely mine. With an email, I think I feel obligated to say something constructive about the review itself, so then I figure it's just not worth the effort. I think about things too much.

das

I for one always appreciate when someone catches something that I may have missed. Especially when the feedback is given nicely.

<BLOCKQUOTE> • Quoth gkleinman •<HR SIZE=1>Especially when the feedback is given nicely. <HR SIZE=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

You know me better than that.

das

I promise that I am not on a personal crusade against any reviewer, but http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=7569 Come on, now. Balance? The reviewer acknowledges one of the numerous flaws in the season, and it still achieves perfect scores across the board?

Compare against http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/read.php?ID=7200 Start to finish (taking all episodes into account, not just the great ones), it could be argued that this latter season is the finest 22-episode run in American television history, but it is not without its flaws, and this is taken into account.

Each of us would invariably score reviews according to our own tastes (Lord knows I would have given different star ratings to each), but my issue isn't with the scores; we all have our differing opinions. My issue is what appears to be a willing lack of balance.

The latter review reads like a thoughtful analysis, detailing the strengths and weaknesses of the content. The former is mostly hyperbole and redundant praise of FOX's DVD treatments with a brief summary of the basic plot, but there is no indication of <i>why</i> it is great ... just that it is. It reads as though the reviewer loved the show and was more interested in giving it perfect marks than actually reviewing the content.

With the <i>B5</i> review, I understand why it received the marks it did, and I have information available to me that will help me decide if its a purchase <B>I</B> would want to make. With the <i>24</i> review, I simply have to take the author's word for it, as I really don't know much more than the fact that the author loved it.

I honestly don't intend to harp on any reviewers or blanketly negatively criticize the hard work and effort they are making, but I do believe in the power of thoughtful criticism and the growth that can come from it. I chose the counter-example because it received the same overall "Advice" rating, and both series are arcing stories with very dedicated fans. As such, it's probably as close to apples/apples as I could get and illustrates the issue I'm attempting to address.

Please take no offense from my comments, as I mean nothing personal by them, but what good is feedback if it isn't honest. I appreciate the hard work of all the reviewers and thank them for their time and effort.

das

Well, have a look at my current column featuring the 24 box set, maybe there's some of that illusive "balance" stuff in there someplace.

das,

Personally, I don't look at "perfect" and "zero star" scores as being absolutes, but rather standards. In other words, at a certain point some titles will just get a full score because the minimum requirements for getting that score have been met...which is not to say that it is the best or with out flaws, just that beyond a certain level of achievement it's pointless to keep score. Similarly, once a film goes beyond a certain level of bad, it's going to get zero stars even though there may be films even worse than the one currently being graded.

Also, I think you're less looking for balance than justification of an opinion, or a frame of reference for an opinion.

Then again, I could be pretty far off as I haven't spent too much time reading your posts.

I would also like to take a moment and say that I do appreciate all the work that goes into creating these reviews. They're very helpful to me and my friends. Keep up the good work.

With any review that gives something a 'perfect' score for all various categories (content, video, audio, extras, *and* replay), I too would like to know *why* it is so wonderful.

I believe what das is getting at (and, if not, it's definitely what I am getting at) is that this review reads like ad copy for the back of the box.

Opening: "Take the phone off the hook and lock the doors because here at last is the much-anticipated 24: Season Two from Fox DVD, and it’s a real winner. We already know that Fox is perhaps the studio leader when it comes to producing great box sets of television programs, but 24: Season Two is going to be the set by which all future sets are judged. It’s as top-notch in quality as the 24 series is itself. And it’s a must-have for DVD lovers everywhere."

Then some plot description.

Conclusion: "Run…don’t walk…to your nearest DVD store or online-retailer and pick this one up! The clock is ticking…so don’t miss out! This is one of the best DVD releases of 2003!"


The closest thing to the WHYS of this show are in this sequence:

"I don’t know if Season Two of 24 is better than Season One, but one can certainly make the argument that it is – and that’s quite a statement, since the first season of the show was spectacular. Unlike the first season, this day in the life of Jack Bauer ends with a cliffhanger – one that will leave you breathless and in anticipation for Season Three, which I presume, is exactly why Fox released Season Two on DVD a little less than two months before the premiere of the next season. In fact, 24 was on the verge of cancellation in its first year – but thanks to the release of Season One on DVD (where this reviewer first saw it), enough new fans were added for Season Two to make the show a successful hit. Now, no doubt, even more fans will be added to the rolls, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see 24 finish its third year as one of the top ten series on TV.

The good thing about watching this set (especially if you are watching it for the first time) is that you don’t have to wait seven days to see the next hour in Jack’s life. One gets a better look at just how well-planned out the series is by looking at the shows back-to-back. It’s a remarkable and innovative program, and it’s nice to see Fox give it the justice it deserves in this box set."


But, again, when you really read that... it isn't saying anything. Why is this show so great? Is it the writing? Acting? Stunts? All of the above?

And, as das says, what are the flaws of the set. There are very few films, shows, or DVDs of same that don't have at least some negative aspects.

I want to know ALL of that stuff... otherwise (as das says) I can't make any sort of decision. I just know that this particular individual LOVES the show and set... but I don't know why and I have no clue if I can apply this to my own tastes.



[And, I too want to stress that this is meant as constructive criticism only. I'm certainly not out to bash anyone... I certainly know how difficult -- and time-consuming -- it can be to write adequate reviews.]

<BLOCKQUOTE> • Quoth Blade •<HR SIZE=1>Also, I think you're less looking for balance than justification of an opinion, or a frame of reference for an opinion.<HR SIZE=1></BLOCKQUOTE>
<b>bboisvert</b> pretty much sums up what I was saying as well, but yeah ... while I wouldn't agree with the rating, I don't have a problem with a justified perfect rating; but if you're going to give something 5 stars across the board like that, I think you owe the audience an explanation of <i>why</i> (other than "I loved it").
<BLOCKQUOTE> • Quoth Blade •<HR SIZE=1>Then again, I could be pretty far off as I haven't spent too much time reading your posts. <HR SIZE=1></BLOCKQUOTE>
Oh really? Well nevermind then! Ptooey. I don't read your posts either.

das

<BLOCKQUOTE> • Quoth G. Noel Gross •<HR SIZE=1>Well, have a look at my current column featuring the 24 box set, maybe there's some of that illusive "balance" stuff in there someplace. <HR SIZE=1></BLOCKQUOTE>
Any comments I could make about this review would pale in comparison to how well it speaks for itself.

das

You shouldn't assume hard work was involved.

Seriously, if you spot any mistakes in my reviews (or, I'd guess, anyone else) feel free to write. It's always nice to know that someone's reading!

Allow me to clarify...I meant, "...in this thread".

<BLOCKQUOTE> • Quoth Blade •<HR SIZE=1> Allow me to clarify...I meant, "...in this thread". <HR SIZE=1></BLOCKQUOTE>

Um ... then ... yeah ... me too!

das