Testimonials

June, 2005

I never really liked Hollywood movies much before. I would see one and be mostly annoyed. Sometimes, I would chance upon something different and it was usually
foreign.

However, that completely changed when I met the person that told me about DVD Beaver. I always knew instinctually that there was something better moviewise, but I had never encountered it before then. My means don't permit me to collect DVDs. Hell, I don't even pay for the rental! I'm somewhat lucky in the sense that I work for a video store part time that has SOME interesting films. But it being a Hollywood company they mostly have American friendly imports.

Hardly anyone ever asks me about our copy of Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring or Five Obstructions, but National Treasure or Hitch (of which we have 238 copies and all out I might add...) Seriously, after having worked at a video store, I can safely say to everyone here not many people in America want to see foreign films. EVEN IF THEY ARE GOOD! Even if they are more geared for American sensibilities. There isn't much of a market for them, and I live in South FL. It's not a hick phenomena. Even my local art house cinema has a small clientele. (I got lost going there and NO ONE knew what I was talking about... and consequently missed half the movie. One night showing too.)

Until Americans want that kind of product the rest of us are just going to have to do what is necessary. Such as visiting Gary's page here to even know what coming out; otherwise, you just don't really know.

June 2005

I've got about 6 DVD shelf units, roughly speaking, only two of which hold region 1 materials. I only cared to collect DVDs after chancing upon the DVD Beaver site and discovering all that was available elsewhere. I wouldn't have a collection if it weren't for the attractions found on my two non-region 1 Asian shelves, my R2 French shelf, or my R2/R4 Spanish language shelf. The amount of world cinema that graces region 1 is improving, but has typically been foreign films geared more toward American sensibilities, nice films like Amelie, Camille Claudel, and Jean de Florette.

Like the box office, if my interests aren't being served, I won't go. Before 2 years ago, I had maybe 70 discs, region 1 and 2/3 foreign. With the floodgates opened but being able to circumvent the barriers of video formats and region controls, a market opened that didn't exist FOR ME before.

Dear Gary

Just a note of support for your response to Manohla Dargis's statement in the NY Times. All I can say is that your site (and all its contributors) are a shining beacon of hope, the sheer amount of work and professionalism you exhibit is sans pareil. I am sure I speak on behalf of all Europeans who visit your site when I say that DVDBeaver is without doubt one of the best services in existence for all cinephiles around the world.

Keep up the good work and be proud of what you have achieved.

Hello,
I just wanted to express my gratitude about your site and the information you present. After purchasing a region-free DVD and finding your site, I feel that I have truly entered a new dimension in movie appreciation and found out opportunities I did not know existed. Until a couple of days ago, I had no idea until a couple of days ago that some of the movies that I really wanted to see on DVD, were indeed available on DVD but in a different format/region. Some of the things I liked to name just a few... You have a great list of noir films and their availability. I also enjoyed Gary's list of movies. What a great eclectic collection! I should study it in more detail. Some of my recent purchases are 4-DVD set of Miss Marple movies with Margaret Rutherfort, The Narrow Margin (original 1950s version), Angel Face, Big Steal, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Le Samourai. I primarily use amazon.co.uk and amazon.fr because of their reliability and ease of use. I also found that exploitedcinema.com located in the US has a small but quite good section of Art House movies available in PAL format (I got Le Samourai and Le Doulos from them).

Karol Karol (aka RJ)

From July 2003:

I visit your site regularly and your graphic comparisons have been invaluable in helping me make the right purchase. Recent cases include 'The Fast Runner', 'Breathless' and most notably, 'Metropolis'. As such, I hold off buying a DVD available in multiple regions until DVDBeaver compares them. I cannot even begin to thank you for such an essential service.

I am indeed indebted to DVDBeaver.

Cheers,

Veen Senn

From: March 2003:

Your website is very cool DVD Review

Keep up good work !!!!!!!!!

Visitor from Thailand.

Ping

Sept 29th, 2003

I am regular visitor of your website and today I saw your excellent review of 2001:A Space Odyssey and couldn't restrain myself enough not to write to you. I have seen dozens of websites on DVD's but yours I can say is the best. Let me congratulate you on the great job you do. I think you have a superb taste in Cinema and a great knowledge of how a DVD should be.

Thank you for sharing it all with us.

Thanks,

Vinod.

February, 2003

I've just come upon your site recently and cannot believe the enormity of information I am finding. It is a most helpful resource for cinephiles the world over...

Thanks

Anthony Dugandzic

March, 2004

I visit your site as much as I can to check on DVD reviews and comparisons which along with the screen captures I think is the most invaluable research provided on the net to DVD lovers such as myself. I have read many portions of your site regarding some of my favorite movies currently available and have been able to realize the best versions that are out. Thanks to the fact that I've owned a multi region player for awhile now I have been able to enjoy a lot more European cinema than I would have the chance to experience without one, having not known that they actually exist. Anyways your guys site rocks and thanks.

Ryan Corrigan

July 2003

I just wanted to thank you for your website. Being fairly new to film and DVD's, I have found your site more than helpful in introducing me to some wonderful movies.

Mike Costa

April 2004

Hi Gary.

First of all let me express my gratitude for the work being done at DVDBEAVER -my favourite site. The titles covered and the comparisons are right on the spot!

Martin Humble

Stockholm, Sweden

April 2003

Hi there,

I recently discovered your site and since then I have spent hours viewing your "DVD graphic comparisons" In a word, they are great. Your webpage is so much more useful than a typical DVD review site! I think the more useful reviews for me anyway, are the ones that compare newer and older DVDs within Region 1.

All of the comparisons are highly interesting however and keep up the amazing work!

Sincerely,

Mark Balson

January 2003

Hi,

Love DVDBeaver.com. Just spent the whole afternoon looking at all those comparisons between different region discs!

Keep it up,
-Andrew

January 2004

Gary,

I first discovered DVDBeaver when I realized on that DVD Basen that all the cool reviews of all the most interesting films were all coming from here! No one else offers the comprehensive break down of all edition and the wonderful scans. DVD Beaver is the source that I use to determine what DVD editions are worth purchasing.

Thank You,

Lee B.

February 10th, 2004

Hi, my name is Kang and I'm writing you from Los Angeles. As a foreign film lovers, I've made my visits to some of the sites and finally found yours. I must say yours is fantastic - showing all those great frames from DVDs

Thank you! Kang

January 2004

Hi,

Your site is fantastic - I enjoy the abiltity to know about the very best version of a particular title regardless of region. Great concept and great job!

Thanks again for the super content!

-Keith

October 2003

Hello!

Just dotting down a few lines, because I cannot help myself. I just have to tell You how wonderful You are. Without comparison the best film site on the internet and maybe the best site whatsoever.

I have a lost of films myself and it could be that I have a title which You want to know more about (cannot promise anything of course) - please let me know, I would so much like to be of assistance to You for Your good work!

Best Regards

Karl Ericsson

January 2003

Dear Gary,

I thoroughly enjoy the graphic comparisons on your website -- they are the most comprehensive and useful (i.e. good movies are compared) that I have found...

Keep up the excellent work!

Sincerely,

Jonathan Gardner

June 2003

Gary,

Just a note to say how much I enjoy DVD Beaver and the new look of your website. I've been a fan for almost a year since finding you on the Criterion Collection Forum. I never buy a R2 without looking at your website first, which is just about every day.

Thanks again,

John Weideman

Seattle, WA

January 15th, 2004

Hi,

I just discovered your site and really amazed at its content. Thank you for providing us so detailed and interesting reviews about great movies which are difficult to find in another DVD sites.

With my best regards

Izzet Oncel

June 2004

Just wanted to drop you a line and say thanks for the great site. I work at a DVD QC lab that does work for most of the major studios and your site proves time and again to be an invaluable resource. The comparison for The Leopard today was particularly enlightening. There are some people on the inside trying to make sure things get done right on the films that really matter!

Keep up the good work, Gnz

July 30th, 2003

Hi Gary!

Let me just say thank you for this wonderful site of yours.

It is, in my opinion the best source for serious DVD-Reviews, and I'm glad to see, that you're now covering some of the Panorama HK Releases of Japanese Movies.

With Best Regards,

Florian Bülow

March 2003

Hi Gary,

You have such an amazing website. I visit it almost every other day! Thanks for all the passion and time you're putting into your website...

Thanks again!
Take care,
Michael Gottuso

January 2003

Terrific site with lots of juicy information. I am a foreign/silent/independent movie aficionado, and there aren't many web sites that concentrate on those areas... Please keep up the great work!

-Dick S., a fan

June 2003

Hi Gary,

I'm David, and I have been an avid reader of your website for a long time now. Thanks for the site, the reviews and for providing a great DVD resource for us fans of foreign cinema. Your site has become a must for cinema-on-DVD aficionados!

Thanks again,

David.

May 2004

Hello,

Thanks for your phenomenal DVD comparison page. It is a dream come true for international DVD collectors!

Ted

April 2004

Dear Gary,

I just wanted to congratulate you on the fantastic website: not only are your comparisons and review of a very high technical standard but actually covers the kind of films I would actually want to buy. Your advice has guided my purchases a number of times since I stumbled onto the your site which I now visit daily.

Thanks a lot for your time,

Christopher

February 2004

Hi Gary,

Wow, where do I start !!? I've just been directed to your website from the 'Rewind' website and was rendered speechless. The time and effort you obviously put into it is staggering. I was looking for some enlightenment on the film 'Spirited Away' and was amazed at the information presented to me. The attention to detail was breathtaking . In future I know where to come, brilliant stuff !!

Christopher

February 2004

Dear Mr. Tooze,

Just wanted to thank you for your invaluable information about the Bergman MGM set, for which I've now cancelled my Amazon pre-order based on your comparisons. Many thanks as well for such a wonderful overall site and for defending the esthetics of film directors—concerns which are, amazingly, apparently still sometimes secondary to the commercial interests of many of the companies responsible for the continued distribution of their art.

Many thanks again, and very best wishes,

Chris Ware.

November 18th, 2003

Hi Gary

I have been meaning to send you an email for quite some time, telling you just how appreciative I am of your site. Is is one of a few sites I try to visit every couple of days in order to keep up with the wealth of wonderful titles being released all over the world.

Anyhow, in my humble opinion your site is one of (if not the) best DVD site on the net. The reviews are thoroughly comprehensive and seem to have a standard methodology which makes it unique.

Thanks once again, your guys have done a tremendous job.

Regards

Chris

March 2004

Hi Gary,

I'll be brief.

I think your website is ASTONISHING and arguably one of the 10 most important film sites on the web for serious film buffs. Particularly those in the mood to build a worthwhile film collection.

I'm merely offering my congratulations!

Cheers,

Bill Georgaris

July 27th, 2003

Hi Gary

I've been a long time fan of your site - utterly superb.

Kind regards

Alistair

March 12th, 2004

Gary,

I just have to say that your site is my favorite one on the web. It is insightful, intelligent and you communicate your love of film without the need to be a snob (sometimes it is difficult, I know!). My question is how do you maintain the site without being commercial? Do you have a fundraiser of some kind? Keep up the great work! I just bought Spirit of the Beehive, Gone to Earth, Edge of the World (love P&P!) and Paris, Texas based on your recommendations. Thank you so much!

Sincerely,

Adrian Correia

July 1st , 2003

Hi,

I'm a constant visitor to your web site, and find it to be the best on the web for DVD info and news...

Best wishes,

Adam Nebbs

Hong Kong

August 2004

Dear Gary,

My name is Jay and I reside in London UK.

I just stumbled upon the unfortunate news about the website and hope to GOD that it doesn't shut down permanently considering the fact that it's been put on freeze until the donations come through.

I'm writing to you to express my utmost sympathy and support to you as I myself am pretty pissed off to see the website being put on the verge of closure, I hope this won't be result. Although I wouldn't hesitate for a second to donate any funding for the website to remain open and I just hope it won't be too long until there is good enough chance for some to put up a generous donation for the website's continuous run.

Thanks once again and hope that DVDBeaver remains open for further DVD futures releases,

Jay.

August 12th, 2004

Dear Gary--

It's crucial you realize how valuable the work you do on DVD Beaver is.

Again, if you need further help, let me know.

The site is so important. You are doing a great job.

And thank you for all your care and imagination--for the great thing you've created.

Frank

August 14th, 2003

Hi Gary,

Just wanted to say I love your site. It's one of the very few sites that I visit on a weekly basis. Your comparisons and reviews have been instrumental in my DVD purchasing as of late.

Thanks for the fabulous film resource; I hope it hasn't seen it's last day.

Tony Youngblood

August 16th, 2004

Gary,

Count me as another devastated user of your excellent Web site, on which I have relied heavily from the day I first found out about it....

In any event, thank you for the great work.

Stan Clark

Berkeley, CA, USA

August 18th, 2004

Gary,

... I also want to tell you how much I appreciate your site and the care and passion that have gone into it over the years. I truly hope you can turn things around.

Respectfully,

Ned Gorman
ILM

August 25th, 2004

Hi Gary,

... my favorite DVD site. The Beaver is great and the only site that I could follow blindly, any recommended pick turns out to be great. for fans of international cinema, this is a great loss. wkw, tran, tsai... those great directors are more popular now thanks to you.

Thank you for the perfect balance between technical and artistic reviews!

Best regards,
rado

August 12th, 2004

Hi,

I'm an avid reader of your site. The graphical comparisons in my opinion make DVDBeaver the best review site on the web.

Anyway, I really hope you can continue to run the site.

Best wishes,

John.

August 18th, 2004

To Gary,

I am deeply distressed to see that DVDBeaver is closing down. I am a college student who loves film, and one of my hobbies is building up a sizable DVD collection. When I stumbled upon your site late last year, it was a great revelation. Here at last was a site where I could compare the myriad editions of DVDs and find the best. To me, your site is a temple for my interest in film, and it has guided me in my decisions of which DVD to buy.

To read that it is now closing....well....I have already donated money to keep the site alive, and I would sincerely (no wait, I think 'desperately' is a better word) hope that you can keep the site working, if even for one more year.

An admirer of your work,

Aidan.

August 18th, 2004

Well, Gary, you've been shouldering the load throughout the Beaver's lifetime, month and after month, and while you certainly derive some benefit and enjoyment from the work, the presence of such a resource for the cinemarati past, present and future imparts tremendous value, and while I'm sure you get some very nice thankful emails, that's just the tip of the ice berg. I am sure that most of the rapture goes unreported, unevidenced.

I only hint at the site's worth in my case--I remember very well scouring the net for articles on Rosetta. There were some appreciative articles, though rather slight (many more that pissed me off; how can such an amazing work go largely unrecognized?!!), then voila, like an unidentified flying disc there appeared a write-up on Rosetta full of pictures and text illustrating perception and admiration. How many times I read that article by some chap named Gary Tooze! Then I looked further, first the other articles, such as Tran, then the reviews, the comparisons (I already had a multi-region player just to play my Mexican movies, but I really had no idea of how much more was out there to have on DVD (I was one of the suckers buying up the VHS pre-DVD times, and though I worked in DVD from early one, I didn't involve myself until late). Then the ranked list of foreign titles, pure gold. Much I had never heard of. So I took that list as my syllabus. I knew of Lucia y El Sexo, but I hadn't gotten around to checking it out, the title probably put me off. I heard of In the Mood for Love, but didn't think it was my fare, it's been sitting at number 2 in my unfinished rankings since. And then Kiarostami I discovered. The great experiences started mounting up. And as you can imagine, works of art aren't just the entertaining movie or book. I'm not even going to try and describe what they mean to me personally. So what you've provided with the Beaver is so vital, so remarkable, it would be a shame to see it go. That last article on film endings... always moistens the eye.

... I consider the DVD Beaver my substitute film school. And there's a nice community of fellow admirers of the cinematic...

Best regards,

August 2004

Dear Gary,

I just wanted to say how glad I am to see the site back! When I saw you were in trouble, I didn't think about it twice... As a matter of fact, I've never done this before, but I've been a fan of the site for more than a year now and I knew you wouldn't let us down. The best and most comprehensive DVD review site on the net, and the one I always consult about the quality of the disc before buying, but also the one that absolutely loves films! Great work, Gary, keep it up!

Thanks,

Dimitris

August 2004

Although I don't usually post messages. I do keep up with the message board as well.

You have an excellent site that provides me with an oasis of culture down here in the deep south.

Your hard work is not going unnoticed!!!

Carlos

August 2004

Hi Gary,

I can't tell you how happy I was when I discovered that DVDBeaver had been saved. It was only then that was I able to admit to myself, just how much I love and need your website. It was almost like finding out from the doctors that a dear friend who had been sick was going to live and be well.

We really really need DVDBeaver, because it helps put the DVD producing companies in their place and keeps them on their toes.

Movies are one of the greatest art forms, and DVDs are such a wonderful medium by the help of which we can enjoy cinema and share it with our friends.

I love your analogy of the beaver being one of the few mammals who changes his environment. When I read it, I suddenly understood the name for your website, and especially I realized, why I attach such importance to DVDBeaver. It's important to our culture and cultural heritage. You truly help shape our cultural environment.

I'm so happy you continue. Besides, you put so much love and life into this website and your reviews, it would be very hard to live without it.

Thanks for everything

Thomas

September 2004

Dear Gary,

I just had to say I absolutely love the DVDBeaver site. It is a recent discovery for me and I find it filled with valuable information - it's by far better than DVDDebate and DVDTalk even. The red comments section you do and the Report Card analysis are incredible tools for the rest of us and I hope you are very appreciated for your work. The fact you include the posters photos is also a great touch.

This year I began buying other regions after getting a player and of course, my main concerns are English subtitles and the reliability of retailers selling the product. It's very time consuming but I want to be sure so I make the time.

Sincerely,

Cristine

September 2004

Gary,

I discovered your website several months ago and it has been an

indispensable tool in building my DVD collection. Glad to see you site was resurrected - boy was I sad :( when I thought you were closing the doors. I will be mailing you a money order to contribute toward your site. In summation, you are a class act. The world needs more people who have a passion!!!!!!!!!

Movies forever,

Donald

September 2004

Hi Gary,

First, I just want to tell you that I love dvdbeaver.com's format of first presenting a title picture, then, a brief synopsis, then poster art, then tech analysis (bit rate, aspect ratio etc.) and then your comments (always concise and to the point) then screen captures.

I come to dvdbeaver.com first. If you have reviewed the film I wish to purchase, I always follow your link to purchase at amazon.com (which is where I purchase all my films, usually, 6-12 a month).

GREAT! GREAT! work - I REALLY appreciate that you folks aren't just another Critics text review site - don't get me wrong, overall, I think that dvdverdict.com is second to yours....

Range

Accolades:

DVDBeaver mentioned in Star Tribune article CLICK HERE to read

Article on DVDBeaver and Masters Of Cinema by Jonathan Rosenbaum in Jan 2004 edition of CinemaScope magazine!

DVDBeaver is proud to be nominated for The Annual Cinemarati Awards for BEST FILM WEBSITE. CLICK HERE to find out more.

From a Forum post:

"Jonathan Rosenbaum"
<jrosenbaum2002@y...> wrote:

Sorry I haven't been contributing to the latter portions of this discussion. The fact is, I bought a $300 multiregion player before the prices went down, and others in this group seem to know a lot more about the subject than I do from an updated perspective. But I can at least alert members to a couple of valuable web sites that are excellent guides for keeping up with what films are or are becoming available overseas:

www.mastersofcinema.com and www.DVDBeaver.com.

The former is more comprehensive, but the latter has the irreplaceable feature of comparing frame enlargements from separate versions of the same film, and offering expert advice about which versions are better from other standpoints. The new UK version of Lang's M, for example, which is much superior to Criterion's, was something I learned about from DVD Beaver. It may also be worth mentioning that one can now get a superb version of the restored PLAYTIME in stereo from France, issued by the same people responsible for the Tativille web site.

Jonathan