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.

Review: Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland DVD

Today, Playhouse Disney's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse's new full-length movie Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland hits the stores. We are already huge fans of the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse animated series, so I just knew that my children would love this movie, but I actually underestimated how much. In a 48 hour period, my children asked to watch this DVD three times. Luckily, the movie is only 50 minutes in length, which is a perfect length for younger children.

The adventure began as the cuckoo bird escaped from the clock, which was to be Daisy's surprise birthday gift. Even though this DVD was in a movie format, it still possessed the same features which I love about the show as a parent, which are asking the audience to participate and encouraging logical thinking and problem solving.

What my 5yr old son thought about Mickey's Adventure in Wonderland:

1) My son's favorite character, aside from Mickey and Donald, was the cuckoo bird.

2) His favorite part of wonderland was Upside Down Land.

3) Jake's favorite part of the movie was when Mickey and Donald became lost.

4) Of course, everybody loves the Hot Dog Song at the end of the movie.

You can find Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland on DVD locally and online at the Disney Store and at most major retailers of children's DVDs.

Thank you to WDFHE for providing us with a review product free of charge.

Review: "Pete's Dragon" High Flying Edition (DVD)

On August 18th, 2009, Walt Disney Studio Home Entertainment released Pete's Dragon: High Flying Edition on DVD complete with many bonus features. This musical is one of the earlier films featuring a combination of animation and live-action. Although I do not recall viewing this movie as a child, my husband recalls enjoying it at least once a year throughout his childhood.

This film originally hit the theaters in 1977. Even though I was only 2 or 3 at the time, I still now recognize many of the actors and actresses who helped to make this film a classic, such as Mickey Rooney, Shelley Winters, and Jim Backus. Even though my children have no idea who these legends are, my husband and I fully expected them to enjoy this film.

What my family and I thought about this newly released Pete's Dragon DVD:

1) My husband still loved the story as much as an adult as he did when he was a little boy. I think the magic will stay with him forever.

2) I found that this film brought up some topics our 5-1/2 yr old son Jake was not familiar with, such as the purpose of lighthouses, how teachers were permitted to strike children in school, con-artists, orphaned children, greed, and slavery.

3) This musical was very lively and similar to the style of Mary Poppins, except it contained many more displays of physical comedy.

4) Even though the technology was young, I think the dragon Elliott was integrated very well with the live footage.

5) Our 2-1/2yr old twins were too young to watch the entire movie from beginning to end without having their attention drawn to something else several times. Luke did seem to like watching the dragon very much and Makenzie thoroughly enjoyed the singing.

6) Jake found parts of the movie to be entertaining, but I think he is still at the age where he prefers fully animated films. His favorite part of the DVD was actually the extra feature following the movie, which was a short cartoon about Donald Duck working in a lighthouse.

My opinion is that this film would be perfect for children slightly older than Jake. I think watching live actors is still not as engaging to children his age or younger as animation would be.

You should be able to find the Pete's Dragon: Flying High Edition DVD at the Disney Store online or locally and at other retailers Disney DVDs are sold.

Thank you to Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment for providing us with a review product free of charge.

Giveaway: DisneyNature EARTH DVD (2 Winners) [CLOSED]

In July of 2009, Disney Home Entertainment unveiled a new label called DisneyNature. On September 1st, 2009, the new captivating documentary EARTH will hit store shelves. This new release will be available as a single DVD or in a DVD/Blu-ray combo.


Please take a minute to view the trailer below in order to understand the magnitude of the breathtaking footage of our Earth and it's wonderful creatures . . .

What you can win:
TWO lucky readers will each receive a copy of the DisneyNature: EARTH DVD (ARV $29.99).

Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. addresses only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.


How to Gain Entries:
Take a quick look at the Disney documentaries currently available. Then leave a comment telling me which one interests you the most (aside from EARTH). You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.

Extra Entries:

1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.

2) For 5 extra entries, enter one of my other contests. Leave FIVE separate comments here telling me which contest you entered. You will earn 5 extra entries for each contest you enter.

3) Add this blog to your Technorati Favorites. Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so and under what username. Add to Technorati Favorites

4) For 10 extra entries, blog about this contest linking back to this post AND DisneyNature Earth. Then come back here and leave TEN separate comments with the link to your blog post.

5) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.

6) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.

7) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.

8) Add my button or blog link to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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9) Add my "Monterey Car Seat" giveaway button to your blog's sidebar. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your blog.

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(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)

Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009 at 11:59pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.

Good luck in the drawing!

Review: "The Tigger Movie" 10th Anniversary DVD

We are all huge fans of Disney movies in our house, so when we were offered a chance to review Disney's The Tigger Movie's 10th Anniversary DVD, we were more than happy to accept. Although we own many Pooh Bear books, we have not watched many Winnie the Pooh cartoons on television. This was our first true experience.

The 10th Anniversary release of The Tigger Movie is a 2-Disc set, which includes the featured film plus fun extras, such as games and sing-a-longs. The second disc is a digital copy of the movie, which allows you to watch the film on your computer. The featured presentation is also followed by two brand new Tigger adventures.


What I thought about this Disney DVD:

1) The animation was beautiful and whimsical, just as I would expect from a Disney production.

2) I like the lesson this movie presents, which is the true meaning of what a family is. It teaches children that a group does not have to look, sound, and act alike to be a family.

3) This film was enjoyed on different levels by my children. My 2.5yr old son loved pointing out all the different animals, but he could not follow all the conversation. My 5yr old could follow the events of the entire movie easily.

4) My 5yr old son and I both agreed that the movie was lacking something. I think the difference between this Disney movie and others is that this one is very passive. This is true with the characters' personalities, their voices, and even with the colors used in the film. All were very muted.

5) The character of Tigger saves this movie because he is the one thing that is not passive. Both his voice and actions are very dynamic compared to those of the other characters. In this movie, Tigger is absent in many of the scenes involving the other characters. Although the other characters are endearing, they are slightly monotone.

6) We, of course, love the happy ending to this adventure. My 5yr old son said his favorite part was when Eeyore's new house was unveiled.

The Tigger Movie 10th Anniversary DVD was just realeased on August 4th, 2009. You should be able to find it online and locally most places where quality children's DVDs are sold.

Thank you to Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment for providing us with a review product free of charge.