Review: Walt Disney's "Bambi" Diamond Edition (Blu-ray/DVD)

On March 1st, 2011 a three-time Academy Award-winning film was released as BAMBI Diamond Edition on a Blu-ray/DVD combo.  I was told that I saw this 1942 film when it was brought back to the theaters in 1982, but I honestly do not remember it at all.  So when I watched this DVD with my children, it was like I was seeing it for the first time.

One word that can be used to describe the animals in this film is endearing, whether you are thinking about Thumper, the grumpy old owl, or Bambi himself.  I found BAMBI to be a perfect movie for young children because they can easily relate to the lives of the forest animals.  This includes everything from waking up in the morning, playing, eating, napping and sleeping to learning to walk, being afraid of thunder and lightning, discovering one's reflection for the first time, making new friends, and experiencing one's first snowfall and the changing of the seasons.




My children are 4, 4, and 7.  Luckily, any tragedy was ambiguous enough to go right over their heads.  There were some more sophisticated themes presented, such as falling in love, the destruction of fire, and the concept of hunters.  These themes could open some lines of discussion, if you feel it is appropriate for your children.  For any parents who are wary of showing this film to their younger children as I was, I have proven to myself that there was no need for concern.  I do think that older children who are able to pick up on more things on their own are more likely to draw their own conclusions or ask questions about love, death, and hunting animals.

You can currently find BAMBI Diamond Edition on Blu-ray/DVD at most major retailers of Disney movies.  If you are looking for the BAMBI Diamond Edition 2-Disc DVD, you can pre-order it now, but will have to wait until it is released next month on April 19th.

Thank you to Click-Communications for providing a complimentary product sample for us to base this review upon.

Review: Disney's Beauty and the Beast (Diamond Edition)

On October 5th, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment released the much-anticipated Beauty and the Beast - Diamond Edition on a Blu-ray/DVD combo and movie download. I remember when this Academy Award winning Disney film hit the theaters in 1991. I was amazed by the art and music of this production. Now, nearly two decades later, I still find this movie to be just as charming and humorous and the graphics to be just as breathtaking. I am so thrilled to be able to share the magic of Disney's Beauty and the Beast with my children.

The lesson taught by this timeless story is that one must look beyond the surface to see the inner beauty in people. This concept is simple and can be understood by children as young as preschoolers and is a lesson that everyone needs to be reminded of occasionally, children and adults alike.

Of course, the main characters of Belle (Paige O'Hara) and the Beast (Robby Benson) make the movie, but they did not do it alone. The supporting characters, such as Belle's endearing father Maurice (Rex Everhart), the motherly Mrs. Potts (Angela Lansbury), the passionate Lumiere (Jerry Orbach), and the every-so-proper Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers) help to make this movie the gem that it is. Let us not forget the character you love to hate Gaston (Richard White) and his jester-like sidekick Lefou (Jesse Corti).

This movie runs for approximately 90 minutes, which was a little too long for our 3-1/2 year old twins. After an hour they began to get antsy, but that did not stop our youngest son from asking every five minutes "What's going to happen next?" for the first 60 minutes. Our 6-1/2 year old son enjoyed the film very much, especially since this romantic fairy tale also included plenty of humor, adventure, and even some action.

(Click any image to enlarge)

If you are looking for this movie in DVD only, then you will have to wait until November 23rd, 2010. In the meantime, you can find the Beauty and the Beast Blu-ray/DVD combo at the Disney Store and other retailers who offer Disney movies. The movie download can be found on iTunes.

Thank you to Click-Communications for sending us a complimentary sample Blu-ray/DVD combo to base this review upon.

Another Classic Holiday Gift Idea!

Not too long ago, I suggested that the White Christmas Anniversary DVD would be a great gift for anyone you are stumped on for gift ideas. Well, here is another great classic, but this one comes with a little something extra.

This is your chance to introduce or reintroduce this 1946 Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed classic to someone you know. Perhaps you will help someone start a new tradition of watching this holiday movie every year on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?





This It's A Wonderful Life 2-Disc Collector's Gift Set comes with a limited edition bell ornament. It's packaged nicely and would make a perfect gift for a co-worker, a neighbor, or a family where you don't want to gift something too personal. You can't go wrong with a family-friendly movie!

Thank you to Click-Communications for sending me this collector's gift set to gift to someone this holiday.