Release Info:
Original Release Dates: July 9, 1982 and December 17, 2010
DVD Release Date: April 5, 2011
Online Availability: Amazon for $49.99

I am a child of the 80s. I also had the opportunity to meet actor, Bruce Boxleitner, when I was a child. I have a progressive muscle disease, so when I went to Hollywood for my Make-a-Wish, Bruce was one of the people I met. He was great, very courteous and happy to meet me. This was back in 1990, with Tron still a remembered and watched movie. Over time, the film had the chance to fall by the wayside. As other, 80s classics were reintroduced to the newer generations, and as technology progressed to become amazing, Tron seemed to become virtually obsolete. I have to admit I had all but forgotten about the film, since I had not seen it nor heard about it in years.

Then, along comes a new set of writers and a new director, and Tron reemerged from the place where it had been buried for years. Thanks to the sequel, Tron: Legacy, a new generation has been able to embrace a concept that started with technology way before its time. Who knew how popular and necessary computers and their programs would become? We certainly had no idea in 1982. Yes, computers were emerging as important in the business world, but the creators of Tron had the ability to think outside the box. Now, more than ever, Tron seems relevant. Due to our knowledge of how far technology can go and has been going, it is easy to see this film as a predecessor to what really happened, technologically speaking, to our world.

When Tron: Legacy was being developed, the creative team behind it obviously realized, and took advantage of, the fact that the technological world of today could expand to make sense within the world of Tron. This is part of what I believe made the film a successful sequel. I liked it. Sure, it received mixed reviews, but I wonder how many of those critics actually got the film. How Tron: Legacy evolves is perfect, in relation to how Tron ended. The most intriguing part of all of this was the character played by Olivia Wilde, Quorra. What a great idea for a concept, and it was definitely the most unexpected part of the film.

While I enjoyed the storyline of the original Tron, the story for Tron: Legacy was pretty good. The visuals for the second film are downright stunning. Both films are visual masterpieces of their time, though the sequel is a visual wonder for today. The soundtracks, especially the one for Tron: Legacy, by Daft Punk, add to the technological feel and suits the film well. My big complaint is with the dialogue in Tron: Legacy. Some of it is downright hokey. The cheese factor distracts from the realization that the story behind the film is a pretty good concept and makes it seem almost like a joke. Of course, the entire dialogue isn’t like this, so the cheesiness can be ignored, by concentrating on how excellent the visuals are.

The nice thing about this five-disc collection is the fact that both movies, Tron and Tron: Legacy are included in it. Those who never had the chance to see the original can check it out in Blu-Ray. The sequel is available in Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray 3D, DVD and Digital Copy. With so many different formats, no matter where you are, you can bring the Tron franchise with you. While I am not sure about a third title being added to this series, I do enjoy both Tron and Tron: Legacy, and will explain why I believe purchasing this Collection is worth it, throughout my review.

The Tron and Tron: Legacy Plots
In the original film, Tron, software engineer/computer genius, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), is using a program he developed, Clu, to hack into the mainframe computer of his former employer, ENCOM. When Clu disappears, Flynn realizes something fishy is going on at the company. Ed Dillinger, the senior executive who saw to the firing of Flynn, since he stole Flynn’s ideas and passed them off as his own, is informed by the Master Control Program of Flynn’s attempted entry, so he shuts out all of his other programmers from the system, until things are under control.

When programmer, Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner), is shut out of the system, he questions Dillinger’s judgment. His girlfriend, another ENCOM employee, Lora Baines (Cindy Morgan), who has been working on a laser project with ENCOM founder, Dr. Walter Gibbs (Barnard Hughes), goes with Alan to warn Flynn about the crackdown, since Dillinger assumes Flynn is the one breaking in and creating the security conflicts. Lora is Flynn’s ex, and the tension is high between the three, but they soon bring Flynn from the arcade he runs to ENCOM headquarters, to help him get the proof he seeks, concerning Dillinger stealing his concepts/work.

As Alan attempts to find his program, Tron, which can shut down the Master Control Program so Flynn can find his evidence, Lora leaves Flynn at her workstation. With a laser right behind him, Master Control Program zaps Flynn into the world of computers, where he must fight for his life and find his way out of the intricate, interweb universe. Of course, Master Control Program has taken over, and Clu, Tron and many other programs have been kept under his control or worse, destroyed. It is up to Flynn, the only User in a world of programs, to find a way to override Master Control Program and get himself back into the real world unharmed.

The following plot outline contains spoilers that may ruin your viewing experience with the original Tron film. If you have not seen it, read with caution.

Some years after Tron ends, Kevin Flynn disappears. The year is 1989 and he leaves behind a young son, who he has been raising since his mother’s death. Young Sam Flynn is heartbroken at his father’s disappearance, though he continues to hold out hope he will return. With Flynn’s disappearance, Sam has become the leading shareholder of ENCOM, though he is too young to show much interest in the company his father took over as CEO of, at the end of the first film.

Twenty years pass and Sam (Garrett Hedlund), a brilliant computer mind, is content pranking the company he has control over. Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner), continues to serve on the board, though he is much older and is not as hip as the lead software developer Ed Dillinger Jr. (Cillian Murphy). After a massive prank that makes the board of ENCOM look like asshats, and gets Sam arrested, Alan goes to see him. He informs him that he received a page from Kevin Flynn’s arcade store phone, a number that has been disconnected since Kevin disappeared. He advises Sam to check it out.

Sam heads to the arcade, where he discovers a hidden room and a the secret project his father was working on when he disappeared. He also finds a way into the computer world his father entered in the first film. There, the world is cold, calculating and run by Clu, who has turned evil. Tron has disappeared and is considered dead, and Kevin Flynn has been living out in the fringes of the world. As Sam tries to escape from Clu, who has him participate in the games’, Flynn’s protegee, Quorra (Olivia Wilde) rescues Sam and reunites him with his father.

Sam is shocked to learn his father has not been fighting Clu, even though Flynn believes he can’t. Flynn explains how he was able to create a new breed through developing this world with Clu and Tron. The breed, the ISOs, have all been wiped out, except for one, whom Flynn believes can help cure diseases in the real world. Sam soon realizes he will be trapped in the world unless he finds the escape portal. With Quorra’s help he sets out to make it home, knowing once he is there, he and Alan can shut Clu down.

Storyline/Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 4 out of 5 stars
Acting: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
I already mentioned that Tron: Legacy is a visual masterpiece. It is eye candy above all else. However, longtime Tron fans, like myself, have hit pay dirt as the original classic, Tron, has been remastered, in Blu-Ray. The good news is that the remastered film looks downright exceptional. While the film is nearly as old as I am, this fixed up version does not look like it is that old. The only thing to give away it’s age is Bruce Boxleitner’s early 80s clothes and dreadful glasses. Of course, the world outside the GRID looks far better than the world inside it.

The GRID looks great, but the effects look like 80s effects that just happen to be really pretty! Today, our effects are high tech, with less pixelation and 3D coloring and shading. The GRID helps to date the film, though even these sequences look amazing for what they are. Honestly, I believe that this adds charm to the film and those who are old fans will appreciate Disney did not give it the 2011 treatment.

There are instances of grain, especially during the CG GRID sequences. Colors are robust and pop off the screen while black levels remain consistent. The film is presented at a 2.20:1 aspect ratio with an image that is letterboxed. Overall, this transfer is downright amazing and worth every penny you will pay to upgrade from the previously released DVD.

I cannot review the quality of the Blu-Ray 3D because I do not have a television capable of 3D. However, those that do will get to take advantage of this new, at home technology. You will need a TV capable of showing 3D, 3D glasses to use this disc, but I’ve heard the 3D version that played in theaters is pretty good.

Tron: Legacy is the type of film that Blu-Ray 2D technology was made for, and it shows in this release. Every image in and out of the GRID is stunning. You will see every single nuance and detail through the visual quality of this feature. The entire film features crystal clear picture, with rich, engaging colors. Strong black levels accompany a new perfect picture. The image is free of typical visual errors like aliasing, grain, and an out of focus lack of sharpness. The vibrant colors are highlighted by the glowing within the GRID, which pops the colors off the screen and dazzles the eyes.

Unlike most Blu-Ray releases, Tron: Legacy has a unique visual feature. The film adapts to the scene that it is playing. The majority of the film is in 2.35:1 and it changes to 1.78:1 randomly. I didn’t really notice the changes, as I was immersed in the other visual pleasures that were a sight to behold. This is to try to replicate the IMAX experience, which was such a potent part of the film’s in theater promotion. The film looks worthy of IMAX and nearly as great as it does in theaters, especially if you have a big screen television.

The audio for both Tron and Tron: Legacy feature lossless DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks. Tron is remixed into a Dolby 5.1 track, while the DTS-HD audio for the sequel is relegated to eight different, monstrous sound channels. Both films feature English subtitles, though you shouldn’t need to rely on them too much as the audio sounds crisp, concise and no sound overpowers another. The most amazing part is that the remastered audio for the original film does not sound like it was recorded close to 30 years ago. It sounds as good as the sequel. As far as aesthetics go, this set is superb. You can’t ask for much more than what was offered in this set.

Visual: 5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
When it comes to bonus features, this set is chock full of them. First, I need to say some were ported over from the Tron DVD release that came out previously. Others are too short and leave fans wanting more. While this is, by no means, a truly comprehensive set of bonuses, there is quite a bit here. This could have been a bare bones release, but Disney does try to bring on the bonuses, and though better features are needed, what is here is also pretty cool, too.

Starting with the original classic, Tron, here is a list of the bonus features included with the Blu-Ray and a short description of each:

The Tron Phenomenon: Featured in HD, this feature lasts around 10 minutes. This is one of the brand new features developed with this release, which make this set worth having. The cast of the sequel discuss how groundbreaking this original film was and though it has a hint of promotional in it, it is still fun to hear their thoughts.

Photo Tronology: Another, brand new, HD feature, this time just shy of 20 minutes, is an extra with Steven Lisberger, the writer and director of the original film. Lisberger is allowed to view the Disney archives for Tron. He brings along his son and the two go through photos, strips of film, and other pieces of making of memorabilia. Lisberger’s son is the age he was when he first started making Tron. It is touching to see just what kind of stories he shares with his younger generation of family. This is, easily, the most amazing feature in the set.

The Making of Tron: Ported over to the Blu-Ray, this documentary was released in 2002. It is around 90 minutes in length and is quite comprehensive. This has to be one of the best making ofs I’ve ever seen. There is a lot of detail into the complex processes used to create CG effects never before attempted, and how impossible they seemed at the time of filming. Every aspect of the filmmaking process is explored in this feature, and then some.

Audio Commentary: Another ported over feature, this commentary is with writer/director Steven Lisberger, producer Donald Kushner, associate producer/visual effects supervisor Harrison Ellenshaw, and visual effects supervisor Richard Taylor. This is a feature that is over 10 years old. If you like learning about the technical aspects of filmmaking, this is a great commentary, otherwise, you might find this a bit bland and somewhat confusing.

Deleted Scenes: There is six minutes worth of deleted footage with explanations by Steven Lisberger on why some scenes got chopped.

Development: This is a grouping of ported over features from previous releases of Tron. This set of features runs for around eight minutes in length. These features look at the visual effects for the film.

Digital Imagery: Another grouping of ported bonuses comes in at around 12 minutes in length. The featurettes in this set explore the extensive work done through the backlit animation for the film.

Music: This eight minutes of feature looks at the lightcycle chase with a full score by Wendy Carlos.

Publicity: As this section implies, it is filled with promotional material for Tron. There is 13 minutes of material here. There is a promotional reel sent to theaters when Tron was trying to find places to be released. There are also a selection of trailers, including a mock trailer.

Design: This is a selection of design mini-features. There is four minutes of footage. Steven Lisberger introduces the section. There are animation tests for the lightcycle sequences, a look at the original concept for the lightcycles, and a peek into the Recognizer in “Space Paranoids”.

Storyboarding: For this set of features, there is nine minutes offered. The storyboards are compared to the on screen lightcycles chase, and there are storyboards for the title shot, CG sequences, and more.

Finally, there is a selection of galleries. These include galleries for Design, Early Concept Art, Publicity and Production Photos, and Storyboard Art.

Finally, there is a selection of extras for Tron: Legacy. Sadly, what is here isn’t as good as what is available for the original. Here is a list with descriptions of the features for the sequel:

Second Screen: I LOVED this. You can download an app on your iPad or laptop and sync it up with the movie. You can do this through a network that connects, and as the film plays, your laptop or iPad offers a view of concept art, visual effects progression reels, and rotating 3D models. It occurred at key moments. If you have a desktop, this feature is going to suck, but otherwise it is tres cool!

The Next Day: Flynn Revealed: This HD feature was added specifically for the Blu-Ray release of Tron: Legacy. This is a feature that looks into what happened at ENCOM after Flynn left, and what happens the day after Sam returns at the end of the film. There are some really cool moments in this and it certainly makes the prospect of a Part Three that much more appealing.

Launching the Legacy: This is an HD feature that comes in at around 10 minutes in length. It serves as a pseudo-making of for Tron: Legacy. You’ll get the chance to check out test footage, how the screenplay came to be and how it was made to stay true to the original, storyboards, and more. Though it should have been longer, I liked what was here.

Visualizing Tron: So many of the features on both films explore the visual world of Tron and this is no exception. This feature is around 12 minutes. It looks into how the visual effects came to be (including de-aging Jeff Bridges), looks at the geography within The Grid, costume design, and the link visually between the two films.

Installing the Cast: This is pretty robust for a cast featurette. It explores the actors and their roles in the film.

Disc Roars: It’s just three minutes in length but it lets you know exactly how the crowd scenes at the gladiatorial games were created.

First Look at Tron: Uprising: If you are excited about the Disney XD series coming, this just over a minute sneek peek is going to make you want more.

Music Video: The final feature is three minutes of HD music video for Daft Punk’s “Derezzed”.

Bonus Features: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
One of the greatest parts of growing up in the 80s was watching Science Fiction films with cheesy, 80s graphics and great storylines. Tron was one of those films. It is great to have this old classic back on my shelf, and to have the sequel along with it. There are many great bonuses, and every format of Tron: Legacy you want is included in this set. If you like fast-paced Sci Fi adventure films, especially ones the majority of the family can enjoy together, this is the set for you. Tron: Legacy / Tron: The Original Classic Five-Disc Combo Set comes highly recommended.

Overall Rating: 4.29 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Tron, Tron Legacy, The original classic, film, Blu-Ray, DVD Combo Pack, Blu-Ray 3D, Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Disney, Computers, Video Games, review

Release Info:
Theatrical Release Date: November 22, 1991
DVD Release Date: October 5, 2010
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.99

You might be surprised to know that I never saw Beauty and the Beast before watching it for this review. In the last week, I’ve watched it in both Blu-Ray and DVD. There wasn’t anything personal against Beauty and the Beast. I just did not see it because it came out in 1991, when I was 13 years old. Yeah, I am a girl and girls tend to be more sensitive to the Disney stuff, but I think I was going through that Disney is for babies phase we all seem to go through. Sadly, it was Beauty and the Beast that was the casualty. It is a good thing that I came to my senses and got over it, because what a gem of a movie to miss out on viewing.

Beauty and the Beast was really entertaining. Dom and I watched the DVD once we received it from Disney, but he had seen it before. Apparently, being 10 (for him) meant that he wasn’t too old to enjoy a Disney movie. He had yet to reach the Disney is for babies stage. In fact, he even confesses to owning the VHS of Beauty and the Beast. Truthfully, this film really is a timeless classic. Girls, boys, it doesn’t matter. Like the other Disney classics, everyone should own a copy of Beauty and the Beast. This version is a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack and everything is exceptionally bright and sharp visually, so owning this specific release is recommended.

This weekend, our friends Tiff and Karen came over with Tiff’s daughter, Jasmyn. Jasmyn will be 3 next week and she LOVES the Disney princesses. When she was here, she found our copy of Beauty and the Beast and insisted we watch it. So, we popped in the Blu-Ray. The animation visually POPS of the screen with insanely amazing clarity. Jasmyn had never seen Beauty and the Beast before. Though she was squeamish during Gaston’s song, she calmed down once Belle came back on screen. Watching Beauty and the Beast was indeed a success.

The plot of Beauty and the Beast is what makes it so successful. It is a simple story. A love story that will enchant people of all generations. We all kind of have an idea of the story of the beauty and the beast, but Disney’s version is far superior to others. This simple story is not dumbed down for children nor is it too intelligent for them. There are plenty of elements that adults will enjoy, and that is why Disney has remained so successful at making animated stories that appeal to all generations. This is why Beauty and the Beast is such a great film.

The Beauty and the Beast Plot
Many moons ago, an arrogant prince is inhospitable to an old woman. When she reveals she is a beautiful sorcerer, she curses him to a live as a beast, and puts a curse on the entire castle. He is left with only a reminder of a red rose, which petals start to fall after he has turned 21. The beast has until the last petals to fall to find true love, since he only ever loved himself, or he and his castle will remain as they are, forever.

In a small, French village, the smart, beautiful, bookworm daughter of an inventor, Belle, seems out of place. Though the villagers think she is odd, her beauty has ensured she has caught the eye of Gaston. A large, brawny, arrogant, hunter who is the fancy of every girl in town, Gaston sets out to woo Belle. He intends to marry her, but Belle wants so much more than to be a trophy wife, left to raise a bunch of babies while her burly man goes out to work. Her father, Maurice, a crazy inventor who sometimes seems more crackpot than genius worries about Belle, but realizes she is a smart girl and can find her own way.

When Maurice takes his latest invention to a fair, he gets turned around and ends up at the Beast’s castle. Seeking shelter from a storm, he is imprisoned. When his horse returns home without him, Belle searches for her father. When she finds him, she realizes he is sick and agrees to exchange her freedom for her fathers. The Beast has a horrible temper, but his staff, a candle stick, Lumiere, a clock, Cogsworth, a Tea Pot, Mrs. Potts, and her young cup/son Chip hope that maybe Belle is the girl to thaw his heart and break the curse. With the petals already falling, they do not have much time to get the beauty to love the beast.

The last version of Beauty and the Beast to be released was a Platinum version. This version offered three different cuts of the movie. This version, the Diamond Edition, offers these three versions, as well, on both the Blu-Ray and the DVD. The Original Theatrical Version is not really the version from 1991. It is the version that was updated for IMAX re-release, and it offers a few changes to the original Original Theatrical Version. This is sad, because nobody seems to know what Disney has done with that original version, which is the film longtime fans have loved for so long.

The Special Extended Edition is the version created for a 2002 IMAX debut. This adds a new song, “Human Again” and changes to the background animation throughout. It is an interesting song addition, because it was supposed to be included in the film and wasn’t. The third version is called the Work-in-Progress Version. This is the screened version of Beauty and the Beast, which debuted at the New York Film Festival prior to its motion picture release. It uses pencil tests, concept art, finished scenes, and partially finished animation. This is a more artsy version of the film, and most kids won’t get why this is included, so it is definitely more for the adults watching Beauty and the Beast. On the Blu-Ray, this version is more of a storyboard sequences with picture in picture display.

Storyline/Plot: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
Since the film is displayed on Blu-Ray and DVD, let’s start with the Blu-Ray first. Beauty and the Beast is displayed at a 1.78:1 aspect ratio in anamorphic widescreen, which is closer to the original 1.66:1 display. This restoration was developed with the assistance of the original film animators. With a 1080p, AVC-encoded transfer you can bet Beauty and the Beast looks amazing. While the brilliant color palette used for the animation is breathtaking and there are no image or animation errors to note, one thing we all noticed was how clear Belle’s features were, and at times, the sharp, solidness of the black inking made her features stand out too much to the point of looking ugly. This just goes to show how much attention Disney paid to enhancing every minute detail. The image looks magnificent though, even if Belle occasionally looks goofy, and that is a testament to how good Disney is as an animation studio.

The DVD has also been enhances since the Platinum release. It is also boasting a 1.78:1, 16×9 display, anamorphic widescreen transfer. Essentially, the cleanup for the DVD release of Beauty and the Beast is identical to the Blu-Ray. There are vibrant colors and no animation or visual errors to be found. The main difference is Beauty and the Beast on DVD is presented in Standard Def, while the Blu-Ray is made for High Def. Both look amazing, and much better, quality wise than all past releases of Beauty and the Beast.

Everything I’ve said about the Blu-ray’s coloration applies to the DVD too, but the video quality is otherwise much less pleasing. With three versions of the movie crammed onto one single-sided, dual-layered disc, there’s not enough breathing room for stellar video quality. Of course, that’s all true of the Platinum transfer too. There is a noticeable (but just barely) level of grain that goes beyond what you find in the high-def presentation, creating a pervasive softness. Edge enhancement is also a recurring problem but it’s much less pronounced than on the Platinum.

The audio for the Blu-Ra is presented in English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio surround sound. This is one of the best audio transfers we’ve heard, for any Blu-Ray. With so much music and sound effects, this release needed an immersible soundtrack experience and the newly restored Beauty and the Beast offers that and more. The sound envelopes you in the delightful sounds of Disney, and the sounds are really good, with a delightful orchestra and amazing singing voices. Dialogue remains crisp and easy to hear and all the sounds are at a steady level with little to no need for volume toggling. For sound, it doesn’t get better than this.

The Beauty and the Beast DVD soundtrack is a Dolby Digital, Disney Enhanced Home Theater surround mix, While this sounds amazing and there is no need for volume toggling, levels are equalized, the music is robust, and dialogue is crisp, nothing can compare to what is available for Beauty and the Beast in Blu-Ray. Still, this DVD transfer gets the job done. Subtitles are available on the Blu-Ray (and we think the DVD, too) in English, English for the Hearing Impaired, French and Spanish.

Visual: 5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
Beauty and the Beast is filled to the BRIM with bonus features. Besides the three versions of the film you can choose from, you can also have access to a plethora of bonuses to delight both you and your children.

First, let’s start with the DVD release.

There is the Disney Backstage section.

“Beyond Beauty: The Untold Stories Behind Making Beauty and the Beast” – Close to four hours of documentary footage exploring everything from the creation of Beauty and the Beast to discussions on Walt Disney’s love for fairy tales (a big reason Disney has turned so many into animated features).

“Broadway Beginnings” – Since Beauty and the Beast was made into a musical, this section features interviews with past and present cast members of the show, including Donny Osmond, Deborah Gibson, and Jamie Lynn Sigler.

“Composing A Classic: A Musical Conversation with Alan Menken, Don Hahn and Richard Kraft” – The men responsible for the music of this great animated feature discuss making Beauty and the Beast and the music within it. Includes them singing!

After Disney Backstage, there is a large selection of Deleted Scenes and an alternative opening and ending.

There is also a new scene called “Belle In The Library”, where Belle meets some never before seen characters.

The DVD features a Music Section, too, which has a Sing-a-Long (kids love this), the New Jordin Sparks “Beauty and the Beast” Music Video and an Audio Commentary featuring Don Hahn (Producer), Kirk Wise (Director), Gary Trousdale (Director) and Alan Menken (Composer).

Finally, there is the Family Games and Activities section. This includes the game, Chip’s Musical Challenge and Mrs. Pott’s Personality Profile Game.

Moving on to the Blu-Ray…

The Blu-Ray features all of the bonuses on the DVD and additional BD exclusive features.

These bonuses include:

The Original Storyboard Version of the movie. This is the original theatrical version that has a picture in picture version of the storyboard that plays with the original film.

A Music Section which features:

The original “Beauty and the Beast” Music Video as it was performed By Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson.

Alternative version of the song:
“Be Our Guest”

Alternative score of the song:
“The Transformation”

Introduction to deleted song “Human Again” by Don Hahn and Alan Menken and the deleted song is performed.

The game, Bonjour, Who Is This? is available through BD-Live. This uses a telephone, requires an internet connection and access to BD-Live. There is also the game Enchanted Musical Challenge: A DisneyQuest Game.

Finally, there is a digital exclusive, featurette, “The Beauty of Voice Acting”, which looks at the voice actors that make Disney so awesome. Actors profiled include Walt Disney (Mickey Mouse), Cliff Edwards (Jiminy Cricket), Paige O’Hara (Belle), Robby Benson (Beast), Angela Lansbury (Mrs. Potts), Richard White (Gaston), Jerry Orbach (Lumiere) and David Ogden Stiers (Cogsworth). This exclusive is AWESOME!

Bonus Features: 4 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Beauty and the Beast is one of Disney’s best princess stories. This is from when Disney was still making excellent movies. The quality of this Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack is exceptional. Both transfers look flawless. However, the Blu-Ray almost goes too far in how good things look and sometimes the drawings look goofy. The kids enjoyed watching Beauty and the Beast as much as Dom and I did. This is a true Disney Classic, one to share with the entire family, and one you should pick up if you do not own a previous version.

Overall Rating: 4.79 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Beauty and the Beast, Diamond Edition, Blu-Ray DVD Combo, Blu-Ray Review, Disney, Walt Disney Studios, Disney Princess, Belle, Family movie, animated

The Synopsis:
The Whimsical Adventure Including Never-Before-Seen Deleted Dairy Pages Arrives On “The Cheesiest Edition” Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Pack and Single Disc DVD August 3

Based on the best-selling illustrated novel by Jeff Kinney, the family comedy Diary of a Wimpy Kid arrives on Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Pack and DVD August 3 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The film chronicles the adventures of wisecracking pre-teen Greg Heffley, who must somehow survive the scariest time of anyone’s life… middle school. Convinced it’s the “dumbest idea ever invented,” Heffley considers junior high school a place rigged with hundreds of social landmines, not the least of which are wedgies, swirlies, bullies, lunchtime banishment of the cafeteria floor and a festering piece of cheese with nuclear cooties that he must overcome to become popular.

His diary – or “journal” – chronicles his thoughts, tales of family trials and tribulations, and (would be) schoolyard triumphs. 

From its origins as a series of online cartoons, Diary of a Wimpy Kid exploded onto the pop culture scene when Jeff Kinney’s first novel was published in 2007. Selling over 30 million copies in print, Diary of a Wimpy Kid spent almost three years on The New York Times’ children’s best-seller list and has been translated into 33 languages. 

From director Thor Freudenthal (Hotel for Dogs) and producer Nina Jacobson (The Game Plan), Diary of a Wimpy Kid features rising stars Zachary Gordon (National Treasure: Book of Secrets), Robert Capron (Bride Wars) and Rachael Harris (The Hangover), as well as Steve Zahn (“Treme”). The Diary of a Wimpy Kid “The Cheesiest Edition” Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack includes the film on Blu-ray, DVD and as a digital copy all custom packaged with additional cartoon pages. Both the Blu-ray and DVD include “Greg’s Deleted Diary Pages”, which bring the diary to life with all-new, never-before-seen hysterical moments not included in the feature film such as a rundown of the benefits of the Cheese Touch, more gross, silly Fregley fun, and Rowley’s lost Zoo-Wee Mama cartoons.
The Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack and standard DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99 U.S and $29.98 U.S., respectively.

The Cheesiest Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Special Features:

Greg’s Deleted Diary Pages
Fregley’s Scavenger Hunt
Chirag’s Trail of Tears
Fregley’s Shuffle
Mom Drops Greg Off at School
Greg and Rowley Jump Over The Wall
Mr. Winsky’s Safety Patrol Assignment
Mom Suggests a Friendship Card
Greg Meets Fregley’s Mom
Greg Has The Cheese Touch
Rowley’s Lost Zoo-Wee Mama Cartoons
Feature Commentary with director Thor Freudenthal and writer Gabe Sachs
Disc Two – Digital Copy

Single-Disc DVD Special Features

Greg’s Deleted Diary Pages
Fregley’s Scavenger Hunt
Chirag’s Trail of Tears
Fregley’s Shuffle
Mom Drops Greg Off at School
Greg and Rowley Jump Over The Wall
Mr. Winsky’s Safety Patrol Assignment
Mom Suggests a Friendship Card
Greg Meets Fregley’s Mom
Greg Has The Cheese Touch
Rowley’s Lost Zoo-Wee Mama Cartoons
Feature Commentary with Director Thor Freudenthal and Writer Gabe Sachs

The Downloadables:

Technorati Tags: Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Downloadables, Fun Sheets, Activity Sheet, Kids, Children, Activity, Movie

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: June 22, 2010
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.49

I like cartoons, but I’m not in love with most of the Warner Bros. cartoons. That probably sounds wrong, so let me clarify this statement a little bit. I enjoy watching WB, old school cartoons like Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, but I don’t go ga-ga for them like some people I know. Watching these cartoons is a fun way to shoot the breeze, but I’m not going to freak out if I do not see another Tom and Jerry cartoon again. I will live and the world will go on turning.

In contrast, my kid is nutso for these old cartoons, especially Tom and Jerry. This dynamic, cat and mouse duo are his favorites next to the Chronological Donald cartoons. He is so in love with these cartoons that the minute we get the DVDs he wants to watch them. He will drop everything, especially his homework, to see the same hijinks Tom and Jerry have been pulling far before he or I were born. Thus, we own pretty much every Tom and Jerry DVD set Warner Bros. has put out. We have the Spotlight Collections, the Volume DVDs, the movies, the new incarnations of the cartoon…you name it.

You have to understand my son is a teen, but he also has Aspergers. He has a major problem with re-watching shows, cartoons or movies he has already seen, with a few exceptions. There are certain movies he will watch over and over to the point where his mother and I could go our entire lives without seeing these films again and be happy. He did this with Chicago (and he sang along – knowing every word of the movie and the songs). He did this with I Am Sam. As much as I’ve heard, “Why are we watching this? I’ve already seen it,” I must confess, he has never said this about Tom and Jerry. Like the aformentioned films, he could watch these cartoons over and over with nary a complaint.

What he does not realize, because he is oblivious to censorship, is that some of the shorts in this set have been altered for content. Kids need to understand, as much as adults, about the tawdry history of blackface and how prejudice was ever present in everything, back in the day, including cartoons. What better way to teach them then through cartoons? I watch television with the kids and if something like this comes on we discuss it with them. I do not think it is fair to try and erase this part of history. We can’t pretend everything was hunky-dory and let them think that racism did not exist in the land of imagination and animation. They will eventually grow up and learn the truth; the cartoons of their childhood were a lie.

WB saw the err of their ways in past releases when they reissued DVDs with the shorts in their original format. SO…it boggles the mind why they would turn around and release this set with the edited versions of “The Milky Waif” and “The Little Orphan” and the redubbed version of “The Lonesome Mouse.” It makes no sense. I know many adult fans will be disappointed that these shorts are not in their original form. Besides, my son is a teen. This set isn’t geared towards the little ones. If it was, then maybe the censorship was justified, but it’s not.

Tom and Jerry Deluxe Anniversary Collection Episode Synopsis’
The Tom and Jerry Deluxe Anniversary Collection set is spread across two discs. The first disc features 20 shorts, and the second features a hodge podge of Tom and Jerry memories throughout the years.

Here is a list of what is offered on each disc.

DISC ONE
Oscar Winners and Classics

“Puss Gets the Boot” – The very first short to feature Tom and Jerry. At this time, they were known as Jinx and Jasper. Jasper tries to eat Jinx, but only succeeds in making Mammy Two Shoes mad enough to evict him.

“The Midnight Snack” – Tom interrupts Jerry as he sneaks around the kitchen getting some cheese, his midnight snack. Luckily, Jerry has some tricks up his sleeve.

“Dog Trouble” – Tom antagonizes Jerry, causing him to run in his hole. Jerry escapes after thwarting Tom, but things get interesting when Spike, the bulldog, enters the picture.

“Fraidy Cat” – After listening to the “Witching Hour” on the radio, Tom is very scared by the story being told. Jerry uses this to his advantage to antagonize Tom.

“Puss ‘N Toots” – When Mammy Two Shoes gets a girl cat to watch after, Tom falls in love. He tries to impress her by doing magic tricks with Jerry as his pawn, but, as always, Jerry gets the best of him.

“The Lonesome Mouse” – Jerry gets rid of Tom by causing trouble that Mammy Two Shoes blames on the cat. After a few hours of peace, he realizes things aren’t fun with Tom not around, so he sets out on a quest to frighten Mammy into letting Tom back in.

“Yankee Doodle Mouse” – Jerry heads into his “Cat Raid Shelter” aka mouse hole, where he has plenty of ammunition to take on a pursuing Tom. The two go to “war” and Jerry is set to take on the cat.

“Mouse Trouble” – Frustrated in his failed quest to catch Jerry, Tom finds a book on how to catch mice. He follows the techniques in the book to attempt to catch Jerry and hilarity ensues.

“Mouse in Manhattan” – Jerry leaves the country to head off to live in New York City. However, city life is quite different than life in the country. He begins to realize he might not have it so bad, after all.

“Quiet Please!” – Spike wants to take a nap, but Tom chasing Jerry keeps him wide awake. While Tom is content to try to let him sleep while still pursuing Jerry, Jerry likes seeing Tom chased by Spike.

“The Milky Waif” – When baby Nibbles is left on Jerry’s door, he has no choice but to take care of the little mouse. However, Nibbles is always hungry, so Jerry must find a way to get him lots of milk and protect him from Tom.

“The Cat Concerto” – Tom is playing a piano concerto and he awakens Jerry, who is asleep inside the piano. Jerry sets out to have Tom make a fool of himself, as a result.

“The Little Orphan” – The always hungry Nibbles returns to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jerry. Again, Jerry must find him food, and avoid Tom while doing so. Of course, both are put out by Nibbles’ voracious appetite.

“Saturday Evening Puss” – When Mammy Two Shoes heads out to her Lucky Seven Saturday Night Bridge Club meeting, Tom invites Butch, Lightning and Topsy over for a party/jazz jam session. Unfortunately, Jerry is trying to sleep and he’s not very happy about this loud party.

“The Two Mouseketeers” – Jerry and Nibbles are the two mousketeers. They decide to swipe food from an extravagantly set table, for the King’s Mouseketeers banquet. When Tom has been ordered to guard the banquet food, the two must find a way to eat and run.

“Johann Mouse” – Jerry takes on the part of Johann Mouse, the mouse living in the house of Johann Strauss. Johann Mouse loves music so much and when he dances, he is chased by Johann Strauss’ cat, played by Tom.

“Touché, Pussy Cat” – Nibbles has been renamed Tuffy and all he wants to do is become a Mousketeer. It will take quite a bit for him to convince Jerry he deserves to be a mousketeer, especially since he is an excessive talker.

“That’s My Mommy” – When Quacker, a baby duck, wanders away from his mother’s nest, in his egg, and ends up beneath Tom before hatching, he believes Tom is his Mommy because he is the first thing Quacker sees.

“The Egg and Jerry” – Jerry becomes the Mommy this time, when a baby Woodpecker egg rolls into his mousehole after falling out of its nest. When the baby woodpecker hatches, it latches onto Jerry.

“Tops With Pops” – Spike is sleeping with his little son Tyke. When Tom keeps waking the little guy up as he chases Jerry, Spike takes out his anger on the cat.

DVD TWO
Through the Years

“Anchor’s Aweigh Excerpt” -Watch Jerry Dance with Gene Kelly

“Dangerous When Wet Excerpt” – Esther Williams takes a dip with Tom and Jerry

“Pent-house Mouse” – The first short by Chuck Jones, Tom is living it up in a penthouse. Jerry is starving. He is trying to find food at a construction site. When he is lifted up on a steel beam and is transported to Tom’s patio the chase ensues!

“The Cat Above and the Mouse Below” – Another Chuck Jones short where Jerry performs on stage as Signor Thomasino Catti-Cazzaza Baritone. He is singing “Figaro” and it awakens Jerry who is asleep beneath the stage of the opera house. Unable to doze with all the racket, he seeks revenge.

“The Cat’s Me-Ouch” – This is another cartoon by Chuck Jones. Jerry gets a big surprise when he orders a bulldog and it turns out to be smaller than him. The idea was to have the bulldog attack Tom for Jerry, but with him smaller than Jerry it seems impossible.

“Karate Guard” – This is the last Tom and Jerry short written and directed by Joseph Barbera. The short has Tom trying to sleep as Jerry practices karate loudly. Jerry must face his fear and take on Tom as a karate master, which Tom finds hilarious.

“Cosmic Cat and Meteor Mouse” – From the New Tom and Jerry Show, Tom and Jerry are trying to watch their favorite TV show, Cosmic Cat and Meteor Mouse. The noise from the television disturbs a sleeping Spike who is intent on turning off the set, while Tom and Jerry fight to watch their show.

“Jerry’s Country Cousin” – From The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show, Jerry has an identical cousin who comes from the country to stay with him. His cousin is a lot stronger, but Tom isn’t expecting to be outmaneuvered by Jerry’s country cousin.

“Flippin’ Fido” – From The Tom and Jerry Kids Show, Little Tom is chasing Little Jerry, who is, of course, antagonizing Tom. The chase is interrupted by Fido, who wants Tom, so Tom must find a way to distract Fido, with Frisbees!

“A Game of Mouse and Cat” – From Tom and Jerry Tales, this short features an alternative universe where the mice chase the cats. Jerry is ordered to get rid of Tom, when he has the chance to live out his fantasy.

Storyline/Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 4 out of 5 stars
Directing: 4 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The quality changes from short to short. Obviously, cartoons from 2005 are going to look better than those from the 40s and 50s. This quality ranges from pretty good to wow this is old and looks like it. While most of the shorts are presented in standard format with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, a few are widescreen at 1.85:1. This does not make them great though. Really, T&J need a good clean up job done to truly do these shorts justice and it’s just not here yet.

The audio is, as expected, a Dolby Digital mono track in English. A Spanish mono track is also included. These shorts sound good, but nothing like the 5.1 mixes we hear today. The audio isn’t horrible, but it isn’t spectacular either. There are no major audio flaws, but it isn’t as dynamic as it could be. Subtitles in English and French are also present.

Visual: 3 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
The big bonus is a short documentary. It is not quite 20 minutes in length. Called “Much Ado About Tom and Jerry,” this feature goes over how Tom and Jerry got started, the history of the cartoon and how it has changed throughout the years. It contains interviews with Hanna and Barbera and is featured on Disc 1.

This is the only bonus save for some trailers for other cartoons.

Bonus Features: 2 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
The Tom and Jerry Deluxe Anniversary Collection is a great collection IF you do not already own any of the Tom and Jerry sets that Warner Bros has released, in the past. Some of these episodes are already included so it’s the same ol, same ol. That is not to say the shorts are bad, but who really wants more than one DVD with the same eps on them? Further, who wants episodes with these shorts that have been censored? If you own some of the T&J DVDs, you will want to compare them to the list of shorts in this set before buying this. If your kid goes bonkers for Tom and Jerry like mine does, Tom and Jerry Deluxe Anniversary Collection is a nice collection to own. I just recommend proceeding with caution before buying, because most of these episodes we’ve seen before in other Tom and Jerry DVD releases.

Overall Rating: 3.57 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: DVD Review, Tom and Jerry Deluxe Anniversary Collection, Cartoon, Warner Brothers, DVD, Tom and Jerry, cat and mouse, Kids, Family

DVD Available on July 13, 2010

New York, NY – June 18, 2010 – Get ready for the first day of school with your preschool pals from Nickelodeon! Dora the Explorer leads the way in this adventure-filled DVD, which also includes episodes from Go, Diego, Go!; Blue’s Clues; The Wonder Pets!; and Ni Hao, Kai-lan! Created by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment, Nickelodeon: The First Day of School comes to DVD on July 13, 2010 and contains over two hours of educational entertainment for preschoolers.

Nickelodeon: First Day of School Synopses:

Dora the Explorer – First Day of School
Boots and Tico are really excited because it’s their first day of school and they’re going to learn in English and Spanish! Dora leads the way, teaching Boots Spanish and Tico English as they head out to school. At the river, their Guatemalan friend Camila shows them how to find turtles to ride across, then they go through the Forest where Swiper swipes Tico and Boots’ lunches and they have to find them.

Go, Diego, Go! –“ Linda the Librarian”
Alicia is opening a new library on the mountain top. Linda the Llama was supposed to bring the books for the library — but she’s late and it’s almost time to open the library. Diego finds Linda the Llama and they set off for the library. But first they’ve got to go up and down the rocky mountains by saying “arriba/abajo,” then a big wind blows away the library books and it’s up to the viewer to find them.

Blue’s Clues – “Blue Takes You To School”
It’s Periwinkle’s first day at preschool, and everyone needs to help Periwinkle make it through his first day. From finding his cubby and getting through circle time, to reading the job chart and understanding how to take turns and respect others, Periwinkle has a lot to learn.

The Wonder Pets! – “Off to School / Save the Pangaroo”
• Off to School — The Wonder Pets help our old friend the Baby Blowfish overcome her separation anxiety on her first day of Fish Preschool.
• Save the Pangaroo — The Wonder Pets help a kid-art Pangaroo, a fictional animal that is part kangaroo and part parrot, who has been thrown away in the trash.

Ni Hao, Kai-lan –“Lulu Day”
Today, Kai-lan is having a playdate with her best girl friend, Lulu the rhino. Kai-lan has all sorts of games to play with Lulu, but Lulu wants to play with different things than Kai-lan. Kai-lan and Lulu need the viewers’ help to figure out a way to compromise and play things that make them both happy.

Nickelodeon: The First Day of School Fast Facts:
Street Date: July 13, 2010
DVD SRP: $16.99
DVD Running Time: Approximately 122 Minutes

Technorati Tags: Nickelodeon, First Day of School, DVD, Blues Clues, Ni Hao Kai Lan, Go Diego Go, Dora the Explorer, Wonder Pets

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: February 12, 2010
DVD Release Date: June 29, 2010
Online Availability: $16.99 at Amazon

I liked Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. Granted, I have never read the books. I never even knew they existed until I saw previews for this movie. The main complaints about this film seem to be coming from fans of the series. I know how it feels to see a film bastardize a book I love, so I can sympathize, but I also recognize that certain elements of the story had to be cut for the film to work. It is said Fox had a tight schedule and very specific time restraints and specifications for this film. Chris Columbus did not have that much breathing room. What was cut was cut for the sake of time, and because book to film adaptations have to have some cuts, just because six hour films are not the norm.

I was curious about Rick Riordan’s opinion of the film. I was impressed upon hearing an interview with Riordan, who understands just how difficult adaptation can be, as he urged fans to judge the films and books as two, distinctly different mediums. He did not outright say he loved the film, but I feel his stance suggests he at least respects what was done to his story. Things had to be cut and changes had to be made. He did not seem to have any complaints about this. Of course, this film was made with the potential for sequels. However, with the mixed ratings it received, more films might not get made, which is a tragedy, in my eyes.

I am a fan of Greek mythology. It is nice to see that the old myths have a way of being revitalized for a new audience. Kids who have no idea about the great Greek myths are learning about the Greek Gods and Demi-Gods in a whole new way, thanks to both the Riordan book series and the Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief film. For those who appreciate these classic tales of Ancient times, the revitalization for a new generation, is a welcome change from the annoying, tween-inspired crapola like Hannah Montana and the Jonas Bros. show.

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief has all the elements of a great action flick. It also has some big name stars, like Catherine Keener, and Kevin McKidd, as Percy Jackson’s parents. The newcomers (the youngsters in the film) hold their own against the pros. McKidd’s entrance at the beginning, as Poseidon, God of the Sea, is wicked cool and the entire storyline about the Empire State Building being a portal to Olympus is brilliant. Of course, there is a pretty awesome fight scene and this special effects-filled film is nothing short of amazing visually. If you want a very pretty, action-packed story, this is the movie to watch.

The Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Plot
Percy Jackson (Lerman) suffers from ADHD and Dyslexia. He struggles in school, but at least he has his best friend, Grover (Jackson). He also has to live with his mom, Sally (Keener), and her smelly, abusive, boyfriend Gabe Ugliano (Pantoliano). Percy wants to know about his dad, but what he does not know is that he is actually a Demi-God, the son of Poseidon (McKidd), who is not allowed to see him. His mother is out to protect her son against his parentage and his father’s brothers, Zeus (Bean) and Hades (Coogan), but when Zeus’ lightening bolt is stolen and Percy becomes the prime suspect, the world of Gods and heroes that Percy is destined to be apart of, comes crashing down upon him.

Percy learns that Grover is actually a satyr, his own personal protector. With so many evil entities from Greek mythology out to get to Percy and the bolt he does not even know exists, Grover takes Percy to a camp for Demi-Gods, where he will be safe. At the gates, Percy’s mom is attacked, and the worst is assumed. Percy has no choice but to enter the school, run by his teacher Mr. Brunner, who is actually Chiron (Brosnan), a Centaur. At Camp, Percy excels, especially since he has the blood of one of the three (Zeus, Poseidon and Hades are the three Olympian Gods who rule the world). He quickly makes friends with Luke (Abel), the son of Hermes, and tries to warm up to the beautiful daughter of Athena (Kanakaredes), AnnaBeth (Daddario).

When Percy learns that his mother is alive, and being held prisoner by Hades, he must travel to the depths of the underworld, with AnnaBeth and Grover by his side. Along the way, he must discover the true identity of the thief, before Zeus begins a war that could destroy the world. Along the way they will encounter a cast of Greek legends and Gods, including Medusa (Thurman) and Persephone (Dawson). In the end, it really is up to Percy Jackson to save the world.

Storyline/Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 4 out of 5 stars
Directing: 4 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief looks AMAZiNG in Blu-Ray. The 1080p transfer is exquisite. Presented in anamorphic widescreen at a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, this is a visual masterpiece. The only downside is some of the CGI. Most of it looks great, but you should expect a film like this to be filled with so much CGI, not all of it is perfect. If you can look past the instances of CGI that stand out as not quite right, you will find a rich, brilliantly colored transfer. The colors pop off the screen with dark black levels, and a high intensity of colors that highlight everything on screen as it flickers across it. There is very little to complain about when it comes to visual transfer. These are cinema quality visuals. A film like Percy Jackson and the Olympians is why Blu-Ray was invented. Panoramic views of stunning beauty and detail abound.

In action based movies, the audio quality is often as important as the visual quality. The audio in Percy Jackson is spot on perfect. Every minute sound comes through loud and clear thanks to the DTS-HD Master 5.1 track. There are so many amazing sound effects and the atmospheric soundtrack blasts through the speakers with an overwhelming surround capability that lifts you off your couch and into the film. Sound effects explode through the speakers with a rich, full, deep, penetrating quality. Dialogue is crisp and easy to hear. Volume toggling is definitely not a problem as all the sounds are balanced. Blu-Ray audio perfection is achieved with this track.

Besides the English track there are Dolby Digital tracks in French and Spanish. Subtitles are also included in both English and Spanish.

Visual: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
There are some bonuses included in this set. Here is what is available.

There are 14 minutes worth of deleted scenes. Ten total scenes can be watched. The Blu-Ray includes five exclusive scenes, seen only on the Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief Blu-Ray. Most of these are not truly complete deleted scenes. They are extensions of scenes already in the film that were cut down.

There is a Discover Your Power Quiz which has you answering questions to determine which of the gods you would be descended from if you were a demigod.

There is a promo feature that is about four minutes in length, where the author of the Percy Jackson series, Rick Riordan, discusses how the book was transformed into a film. This feature, which is full of interviews and is called The Book Comes to Life.

There is a feature that is just over five minutes in length and is called On Set With Brandon T. Jackson. Brandon plays Grover and he gives you a tour of the set. This one is pretty clear cut.

There is four minutes of fluff when the cast is interviewed and they discuss the demigods, in the feature, Meet the Demigods.

A short but sweet feature, just three minutes in length, discusses the composition of the movie score with Christophe Beck. The feature is called Composing for the Gods: A Conversation With Christophe Beck, and I found it very interesting.

The last feature is Secrets of the Gods. This is pretty cool. The feature is interactive and it allows you to learn more about gods, monsters, and demigods from the ancient myths. Movie clips help to explain who these myths are.

The theatrical trailer is also included.

Bonus Features: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Despite the mixed reviews that Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief received, I really liked this film. It looks great in Blu-Ray. The story is fun and both kids and adults can enjoy it together. The Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief is full of adventure, action and mystery. If you are a die-hard fan of the books who cannot handle changes made in book-to-film adaptations then avoid this. It is just going to make you and/or your children mad. If you are a little more open-minded, I recommend Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief in Blu-Ray. The upgrade in quality is worth the extra bucks.

Overall Rating: 4.29 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Percy Jackson, Greek Gods, Teen Flick, Family Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Kevin McKidd, Poseidon, Zeus, Gods of Olympus, Rick Riordan

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: June 30, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $22.99

As a parent to a young daughter and fan of the Jonas Brothers, I was excited to carry out this review. My main concern when I received the Jonas Brothers: Concert Experience Extended Movie was how the program would be complied. I knew Disney would do a reputable job, but I was concerned with the flow of the DVD content. I mean this program is a compilation of concerts, so how could Disney make it flow together? Well, I still don’t know the technicalities of it all, but I do know that there wasn’t a single awkward pause from concert to concert, making the movie seamless.

In this Extended Movie set, there were not only many concerts to tickle your fancy, but you get to enjoy an inside look at the lives of Kevin, Joe and Nick. You can experience the tour and the adventure with them. There are also special guest appearances from Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift, as well as, two songs not heard or seen when this debuted in theaters.

Personally, I think Disney did an excellent job of taking us on tour with the Jonas Brothers and giving us an inside look at what this dynamic trio does. As for Eliana my six-year-old daughter who loves the Jo Bros, this program did nothing for her. The movie just could not hold her attention. When it came to the concerts she enjoyed them, but everything else was just filler and ‘boring’ for her. On the other hand, her ten-year-old girlfriend was glued! Having all that said, I believe that this is a program for huge Jonas Brothers fans and is more geared for the tween to teen crowd.

The Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience Extended Edition Plot
In the Jonas Brothers’ movie debut, Disney gives you a front row seat and a behind the scenes pass to the entire concert experience with Kevin, Joe and Nick. The Jonas Brothers: Concert Experience Extended Edition lets you look into what goes on before and after the concerts. This exclusive movie includes, bonus features like two songs that were not heard or seen on the big screen and never before seen performances.

What a treat! And if that wasn’t enough, there are special guest appearances by Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato. The meat and potatoes of the DVD is mainly made up of singing and dancing. That’s why this is the Jonas Brothers’ concert experience. I would expect nothing less. While the behind the scenes moments are a nice touch, it is nice to see that the Jo Bros stuck with what they do best, on stage.

Some of the excerpts are from the Jonas Brothers’ Burning Up concert tour, which happened in 2008. Over 1 million fans experienced this concert first hand, and now they will have the chance to re-experience the adventure. For those of us who never had the chance to attend this concert (especially those young girls who so badly wanted to go), this is our way to experience what was deemed one of the hottest concerts of 2008!

The never before seen song performances are for “Love Is On Its Way” and “Live To Party.”

Storyline/Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 3 out of 5 stars
Acting: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 4 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The Jonas Brothers: Concert Experience Extended Edition was filmed in HD with an aspect ratio of 1.85:1. The concert scenes were fantastic! You truly felt the concert experience right in your living room. As for some of the other scenes, like before or after the concert, they were somewhat hard to watch. The camera was up, down and moving around quite a bit. But other than that, there was nothing to complain about. The picture was clean without errors or dirt.

The audio for the movie was in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and was crisp and clear. The concert sounded wonderful and the dialogue was consistently clear. In addition to the standard audio options you can see this movie with French or Spanish subtitles.

Visual: 4 out of 5 stars
Audio: 5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
In this movie there are three main bonus features. They include two songs in concert and two featurettes. First, the two never before heard songs in concert are “Love Bug” and “Shelf.” Both are great new Jo Bros songs that my daughter and her friend enjoyed.

The second set of bonus features includes the featurettes. The first featurette is the Up Close and Personal With the Jonas Brothers. Here is where the Jonas Brothers share their love for their fans and take you on their “Burning Up Tour.” You definitely have the premium back stage pass on this segment. You get to see everything from the stage rehearsals to the day the tour begins in Toronto, Canada. This was a really cool inside look at what goes on before the Jonas Brothers shows!

And finally, the last featurette is Dylan and Cole Sprouse Blu-Ray is Suite. Here the twins from The Suite Life on Deck talk about the advantages of Blu-Ray discs and Blu-Ray players. I found this segment to be very informative, especially since I do not yet own a Blu-Ray player or any discs. I just might have to convince my husband to get one. With the Extended Movie Edition you will also receive a digital copy. This digital copy allows you to watch the movie anywhere, anytime and on almost any potable device.

Last but not least, there are several sneak peaks for other hot Disney programs. These programs include Race To Witch Mountain, Hannah Montana: The Movie, Tinkerbell The Lost Treasure, Earth, Burning Up, Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, G-Force, Jonas, Disney Blu-Ray Magic in High-Def and Disney Movie Rewards.

Bonus Features: 5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
If you have or know a diehard Jonas fan, this is the movie for them! What more could a Jo Bros fan want? This DVD has everything from live concerts to the inside lives of the brothers and it also has awesome bonus features. Just make sure your child is old enough to actually benefit from watching this concert. My daughter is six and at times, she found that the lack of action on screen led to boredom. This is highly recommended for hardcore Jonas fans, most of all.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: DVD, DVD Review, Movie Review, Jonas Brothers, Disney

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: June 26, 2009
DVD Release Date: June 30, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $17.49

The writers at Disney never cease to amaze me. I love their programs; everything from the classics to their new movies. When I had the opportunity to review the Princess Protection Program I knew it was going to be a great family film. The Disney programs never disappointment me with the characters, plot and the lessons shown in their films. My daughter and I sat and enjoyed the movie and Bonus Features together. What a treat for the both of us!

As a parent, and avid Disney Channel watcher, Princess Protection Program had everything I needed to keep me engaged throughout the entire movie. Demi Lavato as Princess Rosalinda/Rosie and Selena Gomez as an everyday girl and tomboy Carter Mason was a perfect pairing, especially for fans of Hannah Montana and Camp Rock.

I feel this is a fantastic film to teach young girls and boys that just because you are from one side of the world or the other you may still have things in common. Just because you come from different backgrounds doesn’t mean you cannot become great friends. Also, another lesson can be found by not judging a book by its cover. I love this lesson, any which way it’s written and Disney did a bang-up job of presenting it.

My daughter, Eliana, is a big fan of Wizards Of Waverly Place and to see Selena Gomez in a different production was really exciting for her. Of course, seeing Demi Lavato as a princess was the icing on the cake. Even though Eliana is only six years old, she totally understood the message Disney was trying to deliver. She enjoyed every part of the movie and the Bonus Features, too. This is a movie that we will watch over and over, and it’s sure to be a hit at our future slumber parties.

The Princess Protection Program Plot
Princess Protection Program is a wildly exciting reality check for two teenage girls whose lives are turned upside due to unforeseen circumstances. This Disney Channel Original Movie stars Selena Gomez (Wizards Of Waverly Place) as Carter Mason and Demi Lavato (Sonny With A Chance) as Princess Rosalinda Maria Montoya Fioré/Rosie.

Carter’s father, an agent in the covert international Princess Protection Program, brings home Rosie to live as Carter’s “cousin” until it is safe for her to return to her home in Costa Luna. The fact that this is a measure of protection that is necessary for the girl doesn’t matter much to her or the tomboy she is forced to become a “relative” to.

The girls are from two entirely different worlds and in the beginning all they notice is the differences of the other girl. It doesn’t change the fact that these two girls have to learn to get along. Of course, it doesn’t take long for them to learn that they have more in common than meets the eye.

Rosie might not seem like the kind of princess that would be a good fit for Louisiana, but with Carter at her side (like it or not) she soon learns to adapt. Rosie finds herself roughing-it and learns to act like an everyday girl. Meanwhile Carter, with the help of Rosie, finds her inner princess.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The video and audio for the Princess Protection Program was across the board incredible. The picture was crisp, clean and clear throughout the movie. The aspect ratio is 1.78:1 and looks great. There were spots in the movie where I felt as though I was right there. In some movies I have noticed that the scenes seem to be on a green screen or just man made, but this was not the case for this film.

The audio for the movie is in Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound with tracks in French and Spanish. The main tracks are in English and sound superb. I cannot comment on the French or Spanish tracks, but I am led to believe they would be just as favorable. There wasn’t a time that I had to adjust the volume or color for this movie.

Visual: 5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
There are a couple of bonus features for Princess Protection Program. The thing I liked most about these bonuses is that they should be fun for kids that liked the movie. A lot of times, kids are left out of the bonus features, but these ones are enjoyable to the young girls that will make up the core audience for this DVD.

There are three main features for this film. Included are two featurettes and a music video. The music video, “One And the Same” stars both Gomez and Lavato who sing together. Their fans should enjoy this quite a bit. I know that we did!

The featurettes included are “Royal & Loyal BFF’s” and “A Royal Reality”. Both of these are quite entertaining, though I think seeing and hearing from the real life princess was the most exciting option, causing “A Royal Reality” to be the real winner. In “Royal & Loyal” we get a chance to see what real life good friends Lavato and Gomez are. They dish about their friendship and it’s great for their fans to see how much they truly seem to like one another. In “A Royal Reality” kids get a chance to see and hear from a real life princess. While she cannot tell too much about her background, kids get a chance to see that she’s just like most other girls even though she comes from a completely different world. It’s definitely enlightening!

Other than that the only thing that qualifies as special features are the previews. This disk includes previews for Jonas Brothers: The 3D Concert Experience, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, The Princess and the Frog, Hannah Montana: The Movie, Race to Witch Mountain, Sonny with a Chance, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, Earth, and Hatching Pete/Dadnapped Double Feature.

Bonus Features: 5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Disney has created yet another fantastic family movie. The Princess Protection Program will be played over and over again at my house if my daughter has anything to say about it.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: DVD, DVD Review, Movie Review, Disney, Family, Princess Protection Program

The film shot inside of some of the most exclusive stores and boutiques in New York, including Barneys New York flagship store on Madison Avenue, Henri Bendel on Fifth Avenue, Scoop and Catherine Malandrino in the Meat Packing District, Alessi (upscale housewares) in Soho, and Kleinfeld (elaborate bridal shop) in Chelsea.

The film also shot inside some of the most historic buildings in the city, including legendary British architect Lord Norman Foster’s Hearst Tower (the only film to ever be allowed to shoot there) on 57th Street and 8th Avenue; 45 Rockefeller Center (the building that features the statue of Atlas holding up the world at its entrance); the Grand Salon inside of the 1931 Jumeirah Essex House hotel on Central Park South; inside and out of St. James Church (1884) on Madison Avenue between 71st and 72nd Streets; inside of the Beaux Arts and Art Nouveau styled Emigrant Industrial Savings Bank Building (1908-12) on Chambers Street in the Wall Street district; utilizing the exterior of St. Anthony of Padua on Sullivan Street at the intersection of Greenwich Village, Tribeca and Soho, founded in 1866.

The production spent two all-nighters dressing the beautiful atrium of Henri Bendel with a Midsummer Night’s Dream themed design, as well as the aviator-themed window displays. They also created window displays for the Hearst Tower with faux stores by Valentino, Anna Sui, Catherine Malandrino and Alberto Ferretti. Excited New Yorkers thought that actual stores had opened on the ground level of the Tower and were sorely disappointed to discover that they were only for the movie.

Across the street from St. James Church, windows were re-dressed in actual Yves St. Laurent, Asprey and Sonia Rykiel stores for the film’s climax.

In the film, costume designer Patricia Field selected clothing and accessories to adorn Isla Fisher’s Becky Bloomwood, including Balenciaga, Marc Jacobs, Christian Louboutin, Alexander McQueen, Zac Posen, Miu Miu, Salvatore Ferragamo, Prada, Christian Dior, Todd Oldham, Gucci and Matthew Williamson, among others.

To create a lavish display in Henri Bendel’s six-story atrium, as well as window decorations, production designer Kristi Zea and supervising art director Paul Kelly had to bring in a full complement of their department to pull an all-nighter with military precision, as they only had enough time between the store closing its doors to the public and reopening them again in the morning to pull off the impossible. Mission was accomplished, with legions of New Yorkers admiring the results before the cameras began rolling later that day.

Filming in New York City gave the filmmakers access to the pool of local actors perhaps better known for their work in the theatre than on film, including Christine Ebersole (Tony Award winner as Best Actress in a Musical for “Grey Gardens”), LaChanze (Tony Award winner as Best Actress in a Musical for “The Color Purple”) and Kaitlin Hopkins (star of the upcoming touring company of “Dirty Dancing: The Musical”).

Ed Helms of “The Office” is seen only on videotape in the movie as self-help money management guru Garrett E. Barton.

A bank loan officer is portrayed by Jonathan Tisch, Loews Hotel Chairman and CEO; and in a publishing reception scene filmed in Chicago, another banker is played by Andy Serwer, managing editor of Fortune Magazine.

Robert Stanton, who plays ruthless debt collector Derek Smeath, drew upon the only other job he ever had besides actor: a skip tracer for a student loan company, finding people who had defaulted on their debts. Stanton admits that he wasn’t good at harassing people, since he would always burst out in laughter instead.

Sophie Kinsella was on the “Confessions of a Shopaholic” set nearly every day as associate producer, consulting and watching her beloved creation of Rebecca Bloomwood come to life. Not so coincidentally considering the massive international sales of the “Shopaholic” novels, Kinsella was often approached by excited fans on New York, Connecticut and Miami locations as if she were more of a movie star than an author.

CONFESSIONS OF A SHOPAHOLIC is on Blu-ray and DVD June 23rd!

Technorati Tags: Confessions of a Shopaholic, Blu-ray, DVD, Fun Facts, June 23, Disney

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ENTRY DEADLINE:
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FROM THE PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
The GRAND PRIZE is a Princess Protection Program Slumber Party Kit that includes 4 tiaras, 4 boas, 4 bags of make-up including compacts, lip gloss, and more, and 1 copy of the DVD! This is a great prize and sure to be a hit at any little girl’s slumber party!

While this is awesome on it’s own…I’m not done yet. We are also offering two RUNNER UP prizes of the Princess Protection Program DVD.

About the Movie:
In the movie, royalty meets reality with Carter Mason, a rural
Louisiana teen, and Rosalinda Marie Montoya Fiore, the soon-to-be teenage monarch of the tiny country of Costa Luna. The pair meets after Carter’s father, an agent in the covert international Princess Protection Program, rescues Rosalinda from a military take-over. He whisks Rosalinda to a PPP base where she receives a temporary new identity, Rosie Gonzalez, and is placed in his care until order can be restored in Costa Luna.

When he arrives back in Lake Monroe, both teenagers are shell-shocked when Rosie moves into Carter’s room and the princess, posing as Carter’s visiting cousin from Iowa, begins adjusting to country life and enrolls in Carter’s school. Despite their differences, the girls slowly learn that there’s not only a lot to like about each other, but lessons to learn as well.

That’s apparent when Rosie nominates Carter for homecoming queen over the heated objections of two jealous rivals, Chelsea and Brooke. And with her newfound realization, Carter brainstorms a way to help her new best friend regain her throne, even if it puts her own well-being at risk.

Also starring are Tom Verica (“American Dreams”) as Joe Mason,
Jamie Chung (“Samurai Girl”) as Chelsea, Nick Braun as Ed, Samantha Droke (“Horton Hears a Who!”) as Brooke and Robert Adamson as Donny.

Technorati Tags: Princess Protection Program, Slumber Party Gift, Boa, Makeup, Tiara, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Disney, Contest, Giveaway