Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: I ♥ Minnie

A new home video from Walt Disney Studios releases this Tuesday, February 7, 2012. Featuring five fun-filled episodes and one special bonus feature that underline the themes of friendship, teamwork, sharing and problem solving, MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE: I ♥ MINNIE was a sure hit with my little girl and is bound to become a favorite in your home too.

• Mickey Mouse and his Clubhouse friends are planning a surprise party for Minnie’s Birthday. My daughter was truly worried they wouldn’t be able to keep Minnie occupied while they got ready. She worried along with Minnie too, who thought her friends had forgotten her special day, but a happy ending brought a smile back to her face.
• When Daisy discovers her shoe is broken, the Clubhouse friends get creative. My daughter felt like she was really helping with her suggestions on how to fix it, and she had a great time learning the steps to Daisy’s Dance.
• The Pet Parade is almost here, and everyone has a pet to pamper except Daisy. My daughter, who recently got her very own puppy, absolutely loved this episode, because Daisy ends up keeping not just one but three adorable critters for Daisy’s Pet Project.
• Minnie and her friends follow the colorful rainbow that has appeared over the clubhouse and encounter a mischievous leprechaun along the way. At first, my daughter was irritated by the leprechaun, because he kept thwarting their plans, but in the end she and the Clubhouse gang were pleasantly surprised by the special treasure waiting at the end of Minnie’s Rainbow.
• The flower festival is fast approaching, but Minnie’s and Daisy’s flowers won’t bloom. My daughter wanted to run to the store and buy them a bouquet! But in this all new, never-before-seen episode, the two friends are able to coax the clouds to rain on Minnie & Daisy’s Flower Shower. 

The bonus episode makes it personal. You’re Invited to Minnie’s Birthday Party  lets your children join the celebration. My daughter really enjoyed using Toodles’ Mouseketools to RSVP to the invitation, choose the perfect gift for Minnie and decorate a party hat. She made a pink hat with lots of colorful polka dots and oodles of sparkly glitter. She thought Minnie would approve and wished Minnie could see her through the television. The episode ties in to Minnie’s Birthday, wishing the Guest of Honor special birthday wishes.

We were excited to see the bonus sneak peeks at the upcoming Disney Studios All Access offers, Lady and the Tramp and Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure DVD/Blu-ray releases, Lion King 1-1/2 and Lion King 2 combo pack DVD release, and Cinderella DVD/Blu-ray diamond edition, as well as a look at some brand new features that are in the works: Brave (coming to theaters Summer 2012 from Disney-Pixar), Planes (coming to theaters Spring 2013 from Disney-Pixar), and Tinker Bell Secret of the Wings (coming soon to DVD). A Digital Copy is also included for computer download, so we can watch our favorite episodes on the go, but my daughter was most excited about the two complimentary Best Friend necklaces that are packaged with MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE: I ♥ MINNIE, providing a keepsake memento to share with her BFF. 

Don’t let the party start without you!

For more information on MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE: I ♥ MINNIE, see press release.

On the back cover of the new Diamond edition Blu Ray you will find a quote from a Time magazine reviewer, “A winner that delights every new generation of children.”  Not only does Richard Corliss have it right, but I have yet to meet anyone that doesn’t like this movie young and old alike.  There is something magical about this movie even before it was remastered for the HD edition.

There are 2 different editions of this new Diamond Edition Lady & the Tramp, the 2 disc combo pack which comes with Blu Ray and DVD and the 3 disc edition that comes additionally with a digital copy of the film.

Let me start by saying this film looks stunning and sounds sensational.  Who would have ever thought that a movie almost 50 years old could have been remastered to look so magnificent.  You will have trouble seeing or hearing a single flaw, as Disney magic shines right into your living room.

As if the quality of this classic film weren’t enough there are tons of bonus features! It has a Disney Second Screen option with iPad and laptops as well as an optional introduction from Diane Disney Miller and audio commentary.  Additionally there is a really great featurette called “Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad” which you can watch on the DVD or Blu Ray and is a must for Walt Disney fans.  This focuses on Walt’s apartment over the Disneyland firehouse and Diane’s memories from when her father was working on this film.  The Blu Ray & DVD also both feature a children’s feature that is called PuppyPedia and helps identify the breeds found in the film.

The Blu Ray additionally has three deleted scenes (played out through storyboard), a never-before-heard song written during the original creation of the film called “I’m Free as a Breeze”. And as if these aren’t enough to have you spending hours watching this movie, there are additional featurettes about the making of Lady & the Tramp (specifically focusing on Lady and then Siamese Cats).

As if being an amazing copy of a classic film, have discs filled with special features and viewing options weren’t enough there are also lots of Sneak Peaks including the sequel’s upcoming Blu Ray release and other titles from the Walt Disney family of companies.

Related articles

• Lady and the Tramp: Diamond Edition on Blu-ray & DVD February 7, 2012 (chipandco.com)

Lady and the Tramp is coming to Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack on Tuesday, February 7th. If you have an existing copy of Lady and the Tramp (on either DVD, VHS or LaserDisc), you can enter that UPC code on the Disney Movie Rewards website to print a coupon for $8 off the Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack or $5/1 Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack.

Plus if you need Tangled, Beauty & the Beast, Dumbo, Lion King, Bambi or Winnie the Pooh, you can get a really great deal at Target:

Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Combo Pack Deal:

Buy Lady and the Tramp Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Combo Pack — $27.99
Buy either Tangled, Beauty & the Beast, Dumbo, Lion King, Bambi or Winnie the Pooh — $19.99
Save $8 instantly at the register when you buy both movies
Use the $8/1 Lady and the Tramp Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack coupon
Total: $31.98 for both movies!

Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Deal:

Buy Lady and the Tramp Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack — $22.99
Buy either Tangled, Beauty & the Beast, Dumbo, Lion King, Bambi or Winnie the Pooh — $19.99
Save $8 instantly at the register when you buy both movies
Use the $5/1 Lady and the Tramp Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack coupon
Total: $29.98 for both movies!

Thanks Couponing to Disney!

Related articles

• Cinderella & Lady and the Tramp added to Disney’s 2012 Diamond Collection Releases (chipandco.com)
• Lady and the Tramp: Diamond Edition on Blu-ray & DVD February 7, 2012 (chipandco.com)

Thomas the Friend’s Curious Cargo is Thomas’ wildest ride yet. Settle in and watch as Thomas and his friends deliver furry friends to the Sodor Wildlife Center. In these three episodes, Thomas learns how to overcome the challenges of transporting a very tall giraffe, Percy learns the importance of being gentle with animals, and Belle and Toby discover why it’s so important to listen to others.  All good lessons presented in a fun way that you can reinforce after you watch the video with your child.

Thomas the Tank Engine has been around for 65 years and yet the stories never fail to convey the importance of friendship and hard work. This episode is no exception.  My four-year old twins laughed at Thomas silly predicament and loved the fact that the trains’ mouths moved in these episodes.   The animation is top-notch and the stores are entertaining yet easy for a young child to follow. Unlike a lot of cartoons aimed at children, there’s never any violence or inappropriate humor in these videos, something I appreciate as a parent.

My kids are huge animal lovers and they also love Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends, so this video was the perfect combination. If you have a little boy or girl at home who likes Thomas, this is a great addition to your video collection.

Related articles

• Coming to DVD Thomas and Friends: Curious Cargo. (chipandco.com)

Volume 1 of the Hot New ABC Family Show Available on DVD March 20
Relive all the Drama and Excitement Just Two Weeks After the Season Finale

Synopsis:

When mistaken for an adult, sixteen year-old Jane (Erica Dasher) finds herself working for a high-powered executive (Andie McDowell) at a hip fashion house.  From classes to couture, relive all the drama, romance and non-stop excitement as Jane juggles her life as a regular teenager and her job in the cutthroatworld of fashion…all while trying to keep her true identity a secret. Bring home ABC Family’s Jane By Design: Volume 1, available on DVD March 20^th, just two weeks after the season finale!

Cast:

Erica Dasher (The Lake) asJane Quimby
Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day, Shortcuts) as Gray Chandler Murray
Nicholas Roux (Lemonade Mouth) asBilly Nutter
Rowly Dennis (TV’s “Desperate Housewives”) as Jeremy Jones
India de Beaufort (TV’s “One Tree Hill”) as India Jourdain
Meagan Tandy (10 Things I Hate About You) as Lulu Pope
Matthew Atkinson (TV’s “CSI”) as Nick Fadden
David Rogers (TV’s “Cougar Town”) as Ben Quimby

Executive Producers:

Gavin Polone (TV’s “Gilmore Girls”), John Ziffren (Melissa & Joey) and April Blair (Lemonade Mouth)

 Street Date:  March 20, 2012 (Direct Prebook: 1/24/2012; Distributor Prebook: 2/7/2012)

Rating:  TV-14 DLSV in U.S.
Feature Run Time:  Approximately 430 minutes
Suggested Retail Price:  2-Disc DVD = $29.99 (U.S. only release)
Aspect Ratio:  1.78:1/Widescreen
Sound:  Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Languages:  English

Check out the First Look from Season 1: http://youtu.be/FscbGfJApqM 

Related articles

• Official ABC Family’s Jane by Design Opening (chipandco.com)
• Sorcerer Radio Interview with Andie MacDowell of ABC Family’s “Jane By Design” (chipandco.com)

What’s the DVD about?
Timmy Time follows a day in the life of barnyard preschoolers. With diverse animal characters along with a rich and colorful nursery school backdrop, Timmy and his friends learn life lessons that every preschooler needs to know. Whether fleeing bath time, becoming a walking collage, being bitten by the cleaning bug or engaging in a paint war, Timmy and his pals always bring joy, heart and a little silliness to any situation.

Timmy Time™ is part of Disney Channel’s Disney Junior programming for kids ages 2-7 and their families, which airs in more than 99 million U.S. homes. The show is created by Aardman Studios, the Academy Award®-winning creators of Wallace & Gromit™ and Shaun the Sheep™.

The lowdown…
Timmy, a cute little lamb, gets into all kinds of trouble but with the help of his teachers and furry friends he learns something along the way. If your’re not familiar with the stop-motion style of Wallace and Gromit you’re in for a treat. The animation/clay-mation is brilliant. The colors are vibrant and the work is amazing. It will leave you and your little ones amazed and entertained. The one drawback for me is also one of the charming points of the series. There is no dialog. The characters all make animal noises and although it caters to the very little (ages 2-5) it can get very repetitive. What makes this collection fun for the family is the story. Using limited dialog with vivid visuals and gestures your children should be able to pick up on some of the elementary lessons told in this collection: cleanliness, organization, responsibility and interaction with their peers. Something that most adults could stand a lesson or two on.

Extras…
As you might expect for a kiddie title it’s “short” on extra content. “Timmy’s Tune #2″ is a short music  video featuring the cast of his animal buddies and the “Shaun the Sheep” bonus episode “Supersize Timmy” is a nice bit of extra animation. The autoplay feature is also nice for parents and children who want to dive right in.

Bottom line…
The quality of storytelling and animation are it’s strong point. What’s not to like about these cute little creatures? If you can handle the kiddie “sheep talk” that this video would be a great addition to your family’s library and would be perfect for travel trips to keep your child visually entertained.

Grab your rubber ducky and get ready to soak in some lamb-tastic good fun as preschool favorite Timmy Time™ returns for an all new family-friendly, good-hearted release, Timmy Time: Timmy Needs A Bath, available on DVD January 24, 2012 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

Purchase “Timmy Time: Timmy Needs a Bath” on DVD today!

Synopsis:

Enjoy some good clean fun with Timmy and his friends! Adventures with mud, glue and paint leave Timmy in some sticky situations. This clever little lamb uses his creativity to make tub-time fun and turn a paint fight into a masterfleece! Timmy cleans up and discovers the most fun of all is being with friends! Soak up the good times with Timmy…just don’t forget to wash behind your ears!

Episodes:

• “Timmy Needs A Bath”
• “Sticky Timmy”
• “Tidy Timmy”
• “Timmy Goes Camping”
• “Timmy The Artist”

DVD Bonus Features:

• Timmy’s Tune #2 – Music Video
• Shaun the Sheep Bonus Episode: Supersize Timmy

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/timmytime

Program Website: www.timmytimedvd.com

Don’t Let The Party Start Without You! Come on along and celebrate Minnie Mouse’s birthday in a brand new video from The Walt Disney Studios.

MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE: I ♥ MINNIE will be released on DVD with Digital Copy for the first time and made available for purchase nationwide on February 7, 2012. This coming Valentine and Easter seasons, The Walt Disney Studios invites everyone to join the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse gang—Daisy, Mickey, Donald & Goofy—in a special celebration of Minnie Mouse’s birthday. 

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: I ♥ Minnie includes five, fun-filled episodes—each underlining the themes of friendship, teamwork, sharing and problem solving—and an all new bonus feature “You’re Invited to Minnie’s Birthday Party,” as well as two complimentary Best Friend necklaces, one to keep and one to share with a very special someone this Valentine’s Day.

The five classic episodes include:

• Minnie & Daisy’s Flower Shower (All-New, Never-Before-Seen) - The botanical highlight of the year is in trouble, unless Minnie and Daisy can get their flowers to bloom! Together, they board the glove balloon to help coax the clouds to sprinkle much needed rain.
• Daisy’s Dance - Clap your hands and tap your feet! Join Daisy, as she gets ready for one of the most important events of her life––performing in the big talent show!
• Daisy’s Pet Project - The Pet Parade is almost here and Daisy needs to find the perfect animal for which she can love and care. But it’s not as easy as she thinks and soon she has three new friends: an elephant named Bubbles, a giraffe called Longfellow and a bunny called Captain Jumps-a-lot!
• Minnie’s Rainbow - After a brightly colored rainbow appears over the clubhouse, Minnie searches for the pot of gold that’s supposed to be at its end. Along the way, she meets a leprechaun and discovers that not all treasure turns out to be as she expected!
• Minnie’s Birthday – Today is Minnie’s birthday, but the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse friends need to set up her birthday party.

Disc Specifications:

Street Date:                               February 7, 2012

Direct Prebook:                        December 13, 2011

Distributors Prebook:             December 27, 2011

Suggested Retail Prices:       $19.99 U.S./$24.99 Canada

Run Time:                                  Approximately 120 minutes

Rated:                                          TV-Y (bonus not rated)

Aspect Ratio:                             Widescreen (1.78:1)

Sound:                                        Dolby Digital Sound

Languages:                               English, Spanish, French

The Digital Copy allows parents to easily and quickly download episodes onto a computer or secondary handheld device for on-the-go access.  

Voice Talent:

• MICKEY MOUSE - Wayne Allwine (TV’s “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,” &  “House of Mouse”)
• MINNIE  MOUSE - Russi Taylor (TV’s “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” & “The Simpsons”)
• DAISY  DUCK - Tress MacNeille (TV’s “Futurama,” & “The Simpsons”)
• DONALD DUCK - Tony Anselmo (Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Fantasia/2000)
• GOOFY - Bill Farmer (Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Monsters, Inc.)
•  PLUTO  - he doesn’t speak

About The Walt Disney Studios:

For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (DIS: NYSE) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Touchstone Pictures and Marvel. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!. For more information, please visit www.disney.com.

DreamWorks Studios’ Action-Adventure With Heart, “REAL STEEL,” Starring Hugh Jackman, Enters the Home Entertainment Ring on Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital and On-Demand January 24, 2012

“It’s Rocky with robots…a heartwarming movie for everyone.” —Pete Hammond Box Office Magazine

DreamWorks Studios’ REAL STEEL, starring Hugh Jackman, muscles its way into the Home Entertainment arena on Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital and On-Demand on January 24, 2012. This visually stunning action-adventure filled with heart and soul is a “must-add” to every home movie collection, delivering a premium in-home experience complete with knockout bonus materials that dive deeper into the action.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack, with its perfect picture and sound, delivers the ultimate punch, offering viewers a variety of supplemental bonus features that take them ringside with Director Shawn Levy on the making of the film. Exclusive features include a bare-knuckled exposé of the life story of Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman), deleted and extended scenes that go deeper into the film and storylines, and a riveting profile with legendary boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard. Plus, the revolutionary Real Steel Second Screen app lets viewers sync their iPad™* or computer with the Blu-ray movie to peel back layers of effects with progression reels, check out 360-degree turnarounds of the robots, explore seamless branching pods that delve into the cutting-edge technology used to create the fights, and much more.

The #1 movie in the country for two consecutive weeks during its theatrical run, REAL STEEL is directed by Shawn Levy (Night At the Museum franchise, Date Night and What Happens in Vegas), produced by Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan, Schindler’s List), with a screenplay by John Gatins (Coach Carter, Summer Catch). Set in the not-so-distant future where boxing has gone high-tech and 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots have taken over the ring, the film stars Hugh Jackman (X-Men franchise, Australia) as Charlie Kenton, Evangeline Lilly (TV’s Lost, The Hurt Locker) as Bailey Tallet, Dakota Goyo (Thor) as Max Kenton, Kevin Durand (I Am Number Four, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) as Ricky, and Anthony Mackie (The Adjustment Bureau, The Hurt Locker) as Finn.

REAL STEEL will be available to own and for in-home viewing as follows:

BONUS FEATURES:

3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD + 1 Digital Copy)

• All 2-Disc Blu-ray Bonus Features
• All DVD Bonus Features
• 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD)

REAL STEEL SECOND SCREEN

• Countdown to the Fight—The Charlie Kenton Story
• Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman’s Champ
• Deleted and Extended Scenes with introductions by Shawn Levy
• Extended “Meet Ambush”
• Deleted “Butterfly” Storyline
• PLUS All DVD Bonus Features

1-Disc DVD (1 DVD)

• Making of Metal Valley
• Building the Bots
• Bloopers

HIGH-DEFINITION & STANDARD DEFINITION DIGITAL

• Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman’s Champ
• PLUS All DVD Bonus Features

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:

STREET DATE: January 24, 2012

Release Formats & 3-Disc Blu-ray = $44.99 U.S./$51.99 Canada

Suggested Retail 2-Disc Blu-ray = $39.99 U.S./ $46.99 Canada

Pricing: 1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada

HD Digital = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada

SD Digital = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada

On-Demand = check with your television provider or favorite digital retailer for pricing

Feature Run Time: 127 Minutes

Ratings: U.S.: PG-13 / CANADA: PG (bonus not rated)

Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray: 1.85:1

DVD: 1.85:1

Audio: Blu-ray: 5.1 DTS HD-MA; 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital

DVD: 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital

FILM SYNOPSIS:

Balancing gritty action and emotional heart, “Real Steel” is an inspiring and visually stunning film that takes audiences on an action-packed journey. Washed-up boxer Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) scrapes by as a small-time robot-fight promoter as he tries to make a comeback. Against all odds he eventually succeeds—at least in the eyes of his son Max (Dakota Goyo). “Real Steel” is spectacular family entertainment that will have everyone cheering again and again.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Those who would like to stay connected with the exciting REAL STEEL release are encouraged to:

“Like” the Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/RealSteelMovie Follow us on Twitter at @realsteelmovie Visit the website at www.steelgetsreal.com View videos at www.YouTube.com/RealSteelMovie Connect with Facebook and Twitter via Real Steel Second Screen.

REAL STEEL BLU-RAY & DVD VIDEO CLIPS

Blu-ray & DVD Trailer

Film Clip – “Charlie Teaches Atom to Box”

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• Dreamworks Real Steel Coming to DVD & Bluray – $5 off Coupon inside (chipandco.com)
• Coming to Disney 3D Bluray November 1st: Cars 2, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Toy Story 3 (chipandco.com)

A lot of people like to believe this is just a rock ‘em sock ‘em robots movie, but that couldn’t be farther from the case. ‘Real Steel’ is actually about as close to a new ‘Rocky’ film you may ever find yourself getting to. It’s a fun, exciting, and for some, inspirational movie about how far you one person will go to follow their dreams. Hugh Jackman plays Charlie Kenton, a former box in the year 2020 who is down on his luck and is trying to make a living boxing with robots. But when he finds out that his ex girlfriend has passed away, he’s brought to a hearing to decide the fate of where his estranged son, Max (Dakota Goyo), will go. None of this was what Charlie had planned for, but Max may be exactly what he needed to turn his life around.  There are ally fights, boxing matches, and plenty of funny and heartwarming moments that will leave fans cheering during this movie. This was one of my favorite films of last year, and Disney has put together a pretty stellar package here for it. Hit the jump for my full review.

I was never expecting to love ‘Real Steel’ as much as I did. I knew the movie was based on the short story ‘Steel’ by Richard Matheson, which I had seen adapted once before into an episode of the original ‘The Twilight Zone’. But from the trailers, this movie looked like what everyone was calling it: the Rock ‘em Sock ‘em Robots movie. But really, this couldn’t be farther from the case. Does it have giant robots fighting? Sure does. But there’s more to it than that, and ‘Real Steel’ can now be considered ‘Rocky’ for a new generation. This was really a much more fun and uplifting movie than I was expecting. The cast is great, and I love seeing Hugh Jackman when he’s having fun. He’s great here as the washed up boxer Charlie, who just can’t seem to stay on the straight and narrow. He’s got all kinds of debts, and he just can’t seem to straighten out his life. Jackman is great at really sinking his teeth into the character. It actually almost seems if the part was written for him. Charlie Goyo, who plays Max, is actually a great young actor. This was the first movie I’ve ever seen him in, and I was very impressed. He and Jackman share great chemistry together, and they definitely pull off father and son well. And of course, as a ‘Lost’ fan, it was great to see Evangeline Lilly, who played Kate on the series, doing something new with her career. She’s great as Bailey, Charlie’s oldest, and really only, friend. She is a great actress and will have a long career ahead of her.

The blu-ray Disney has put together is really great, though I have one miner quarrel. The commentary track from director Shawn Levy appears to only be on the DVD in the package, which I find a bit strange. I’m not sure why it wasn’t included on the blu-ray, but unfortunately that’s the case. As far as the rest of the features go though, we have some great ones. There’s a mock Documentary ‘Countdown to the Fight: The Charlie Kenton Story’ with all the actors in character doing interviews before the big fight, which I really loved. This may actually be my favorite special feature on the disc. Then we have seventeen minutes of deleted scenes, including a deleted storyline that was kind of fun, but I see why it was left on the cutting room floor for time issues. Then there is a short look at the way the bots were created, as well as a short on the four day shooting of the scene where Max and Charlie find Atom. The Sugar Ray Leonard feature is pretty cool too, where you see the real boxing legend and the work he did training Hugh Jackman on the film. They made sure that it was made very authentically to match a real life boxer, and it definitely shows here. And last but not least, you have a short but fun blooper reel. I always love things like that and it made me laugh out loud quite a few times.

‘Real Steel’ is one of the rare family movies that doesn’t seem to pander to the kids or be too adult that kids won’t enjoy it. It’s a great middle ground, and there is something for everyone to enjoy in it. It’s one of the best sports movies I’ve seen in years, let alone just a great movie overall. Jackman and Goyo are great together as Charlie and Max, and I for one hope that the planned sequel happens soon, because these are characters I can’t wait to revisit again. I can’t recommend this movie enough, and Disney really has put together a great blu-ray set, my one nitpick aside. Look for ‘Real Steel’ to hit shelves January 24!

Related articles

• Real Steel Coming to Bluray & DVD Jan 24th 2012 (chipandco.com)
• Rock ‘Em Sock ‘Em Robots – The Movie. (chipandco.com)

The Must-Own Movie For The Entire Family Debuts on Blu-ray ™ Combo Pack, Digital and On-Demand March 20, 2012

Debut Release Offers Fans the Full Movie Soundtrack with DVD Release andas part of a ‘Wocka-Wocka’ Pack for the Ultimate Muppets Experience!

One of the year’s best-loved family comedies and among the best reviewed films of 2011, Disney’s “The Muppets,” starring Jason Segel, Academy Award®-nominee Amy Adams, and favorite celebrity couple Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy — debuts March 20 on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD, Digital Download and On-Demand formats. A must-own movie the entire family can enjoy, Disney’s “The Muppets” in-home release includes the DVD and music soundtrack packaged together and also offered as the ultimate Muppets experience, a ‘Wocka-Wocka Value Pack,’ which contains the movie on Blu-ray high definition, DVD and Digital Copy (three discs), plus a download card which allows fans to own all the songs from the film’s hugely popular soundtrack.

Disney’s “The Muppets” Blu-ray Combo Pack, with its flawless picture and pitch perfect sound, comes with a fantastic slate of bonus content including the laugh out loud “The Longest Blooper Reel Ever Made (In Muppet History––We Think).” The exciting release also includes the hilarious featurette “A Little Screen Test on the Way to the Read Through,” which follows Jason Segel, Kermit, The Great Gonzo, Fozzie Bear, Miss Piggy and others asthey get ready for the first day of production, and much more fun.

“Blu-ray is a great way to bring the Muppets into your home without having to worry about cleaning up after us,” said Kermit the Frog, commenting on the announcement. “And the behind-the-scenes extras are a revealing tell-all look at what it took to bring our movie to the big screen. It’s a must-see for fans of bloopers, flubs and slip-ups – which pretty much describes our act.”

Miss Piggy is equally thrilled at the movie’s Blu-ray release, “Now you can watch moi whenever you want! Ooh! Lucky vous!”

Additional fun-filled features on Disney’s “The Muppets” Blu-ray include a groundbreaking industry first — ‘Disney Intermission,’ a hilarious all-new feature that allows viewers to press Pause on their remote control and watch as the Muppets take over the screen and entertain until the movie resumes playing. The release also includes “Explaining Evil: The Full Tex Richman Song,” an extended version of the rollicking rap song by villain Tex Richman (Academy Award® winner Chris Cooper) who provides the hilarious backstory of why he hates the Muppets. Audio commentaries with screenwriter and star Jason Segel, director James Bobin and screenwriter Nicholas Stoller are also included.

With the Muppet’s signature irreverent comedy, songs and dancing, Muppet fans of all ages will cheer as the gang reunites to put on a benefit show to save the crumbling Muppet Studios from being razed by nefarious oil baron Tex Richman. New fans and long-time devotees will find the rainbow connection when they bring Disney’s “The Muppets” into their very own homes.

3-Disc ‘Wocka-Wocka Value Pack’

(1-Disc Blu-ray + 1-Disc DVD + Digital Copy + Soundtrack Digital Download Card)

Includes:

Ø  The Longest Blooper Reel Ever Made (In Muppet History––We Think) – A laugh out loud look at the actors’funny gaffs and gags from behind the scenes of making Disney’s “The Muppets.”

Ø  Disney Intermission – Groundbreaking Blu-ray feature. Pausing a movie will never be this much fun, as the Muppets take over the screen every time you stop the disc!

Ø  Scratching The Surface: A Hasty Examination of the Making of Disney’s “The Muppets.” Hosted by unit production manager monster J.G., the cast and crew take a behind the scenes look at making Muppet and movie history.

Ø  Explaining Evil: The Full Tex Richman Song. Rapping his way through the story of his miserable life, Tex tells audiences why he turned out to be such a rotten guy.

Ø  A Little Screen Test on the way to the Read Through. This hilarious footage follows the Muppet gang as they go to their first table reading of the script.

Ø  Eight Deleted Scenes

Ø  Audio Commentary with Jason Segel, James Bobin and Nicholas Stoller

Ø  The Combo Pack also comes with the popular theatrical spoof trailers

Ø  The Complete Soundtrack

2-Disc Combo Pack (1-Disc Blu-ray + 1 Disc DVD)

Includes:

Ø  The Longest Blooper Reel Ever Made (In Muppet History––We think).

Ø  Disney Intermission

Ø  Scratching the Surface: A Hasty Examination of the Making of Disney’s “The Muppets”

Ø  Explaining Evil: The Full Tex Richman Song

Ø  A Little Screen Test on the Way to the Read Through

Ø  Deleted Scenes

Ø  Audio commentary with Jason Segel, James Bobin and Nicholas Stoller

Ø  Hidden Easter Eggs

1-Disc DVD + Soundtrack Digital Download Card

Includes:

Ø  The longest Blooper Reel Ever Made (In Muppet History––We Think)

Ø  Complete Soundtrack

1-Disc DVD

Includes:

Ø  The Longest Blooper Reel Ever Made (In Muppet History––We Think)

Digital Bonus Exclusive
Includes:

Ø  Inside Walter’s Trailer. Take a peek inside Walter’s star trailer as he prepares to play his big role.

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:

            Street Date:                                            March 20, 2012                                   

                  Release Formats &                            3-Disc Blu-ray with Soundtrack (‘Wocka-Wocka Value Pack’) =

Suggested Retail Pricing:               $49.99 U.S./$56.99 Canada

2-Disc Blu-ray = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada

1-Disc DVD with Soundtrack = $34.99/$41.99 Canada

1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada

High Definition Digital = $39.99 U.S./$44.99 Canada
Standard Definition Digital = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
On-Demand = check with your television provider or favorite digital retailer for pricing

Feature Run Time:                              Approximately 103 Minutes

                  Ratings:                                                                       U.S.: PG/CANADA: PG
                                                            (Bonus material is not rated)
Aspect Ratio:                                         Blu-ray: 1.85.1

                                                                                          DVD: 1.85.1

                  Audio:                                                         Blu-ray 5.1 DTS HD-MA; 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital

                                                                                          DVD: 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital

Social Media
Stay connected with the latest news and information on Disney’s “The Muppets.”

·       View exciting trailers, games, video clips and more at  www.Disney.com/Muppets

·       Like us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/Muppets

·       Follow us on Twitter @MuppetsStudio

Film Synopsis

On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world’s biggest Muppet fan, his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and Gary’s girlfriend, Mary (Amy Adams), from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze Muppet Studios and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets’ former stomping grounds. To stage a telethon and raise the $10 million needed to save the studio, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have allgone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate.

Disney’s “The Muppets” is directed by James Bobin (“Flight of the Conchords,” “The Ali G Show”) and produced by the Academy Award^®-nominated team of David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman (“The Fighter,” “The Proposal”) with a screenplay written by Segel & Nicholas Stoller (“Get Him to the Greek”), who also serve as executive producers along with John G. Scotti and “The Muppet Show” veteran Martin G. Baker. Bret McKenzie, who created, co-wrote, executive-produced and starred in the hit HBO television series “Flight of the Conchords,” is the music supervisor as well as the writer/producer of three original songs. Original score is by Christophe Beck, Michael Rooney is the choreographer, Rahel Afiley is the costume designer, and James Thomas is the editor. SteveSaklad is the production designer, and Don Burgess, A.S.C., is the director of photography.

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Disney Channel’s smash TV hit Geek Charming will be releasing on DVD on February 7, 2012.

Modern Family’s Sarah Hyland stars as Dylan Schoenfield, Woodlands Academy’s top popular girl!  When Dylan accidentally drops her expensive handbag into the mall fountain, she is surprised that film geek, Josh Rosen (Matt Prokop), retrieves it for her.

In exchange for rescuing her bag, Dylan agrees to be the subject of Josh’s documentary film for his upcoming film festival.  Dylan hopes the film will help her campaign for Blossom Queen, which she claims is her life goal.

Josh plans to make a hard-hitting expose about popularity, but, as he gets to know Dylan, he learns that the real Dylan is much more interesting than the persona she’s created.  At the last minute, Josh decides that his film should introduce this awesome girl to the world, but how will Dylan react when she sees it?

The 2-Disc DVD (DVD + Digital Copy) is the ideal Valentine’s Day gift and includes 10 episodes of the Disney Channel smash hit television show “Shake It Up,” plus a special collectible charm set.

Never heard of Geek Charming? Get a peek at the trailer

Related articles

• Disney’s Geek Charming on DVD February 7! (chipandco.com)
• Walt Disney Studios DVD & Bluray Releases for Early 2012 (chipandco.com)

Disney has announced The Muppets starring Jason Segel and Amy Adams coming to Blu-ray and DVD on March 20!

The combo edition of The Muppets includes the film on Blu-ray and DVD. The Wocka Wocka value pack adds on top of the combo edition a digital copy and the film’s soundtrack available via download.

Both versions of The Muppets on Blu-ray will feature the following fun and informative bonus features:

• BD Exclusive: The Longest Blooper Reel Ever Made (In Muppet History)
• Scratching The Surface: A Hasty Examination Of The Making Of THE MUPPETS
• Deleted Scenes
• A Little Screen Test On The Way To The Read-Through
• Explaining Evil: The Full Tex Richman Song
• Unreleased Theatrical Spoof Trailers — And More!
• Audio Commentary — With Jason Segel, James Bobin, And Nicholas Stoller
• Disney Intermission — Pause The Movie And See What Happens!

Stay tuned to Chip and Co for the full Press Release and as always a Giveaway!

Related articles

• Jason Segel Talks About “The Muppets” and More (chipandco.com)
• Disney Unveils Muppets Inspired Jewelry, Shoes, Cosmetics and More (chipandco.com)

“One of the great classics…more glorious than ever in dazzling Disney Blu-ray High Definition!”

A classic love story unfolds in the best Disney tradition as a lovely young pedigreed cocker spaniel named Lady, who lives a pampered life, finds herself falling romantically for Tramp, an amorous street-smart pooch without prospects. Although they have fun together on several dates, including a sentimental spaghetti dinner by moonlight at Tony’s restaurant, their relationship is strained not only by Lady’s loyalty to her human family and their newborn baby, but by Tramp’s devil-may-care attitude that eventually gets Lady in trouble and tossed into the dog pound. However, good-hearted Tramp redeems himself by saving the baby from potential harm and thus wins Lady’s love and the affection of her human family.

Share this timeless Disney Classic with your family as Walt Disney’s beloved classic, Lady and the Tramp, finally releases from the Disney Vault for the first time ever on Blu-ray. This heartwarming tale now charms a new generation of families and fans with its exquisite animation and unforgettable songs in one of the greatest love stories of all time. Featuring high definition sound and immersive bonus features your family can enjoy together, Lady and the Tramp Diamond Edition is a must own addition to your Disney collection.

Voice Talent:

• Barbara Luddy (Sleeping Beauty, 101 Dalmatians) as Lady
• Larry Roberts (Theatre background with Circle Theatre in Los Angeles) as Tramp
• Peggy Lee (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, American Beauty) as Darling, Si, Am & Peg
• Bill Thompson (Peter Pan, Alice In Wonderland) as Jock, Joe, Bulldog, Dachsie & the Policeman
• Bill Baucom (TV’s “The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp,” Judge Roy Bean) as Trusty
• Stan Freberg (Stuart Little, Looney Tunes: Back In Action) as Beaver
• Lee Millar (TV’s “I Love Lucy,” The George and Gracie Allen Show) as Jim Dear & the Dogcatcher

Producer:

• Walt Disney

Directors:

• Clyde Geronimi (Alice In Wonderland, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty)
• Wilfred Jackson (Snow White, Pinocchio, Dumbo)
• Hamilton Luske (Alice In Wonderland, Cinderella, Pinocchio)

Blu-ray Bonus:

• Disney Second Screen: Inside Walt’s Story Meetings*
• Audio Commentary: Inside Walt’s Story Meetings
• Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
• Three Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
• Never Recorded Song: “I’m Free as the Breeze”

Classic DVD Bonus:

• Lady’s Pedigree: The Making of Lady and the Tramp
• Finding Lady: The Art of the Storyboard
• Original 1943 Storyboard Version of the Film
• PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs
• “The Siamese Cat Song,” Finding a Voice for the Cats
• “Bella Notte” Music Video
• Trailers
• Excerpts from “Disneyland” TV Shows

DVD Bonus:

• Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
• PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs
• Digital Bonus: Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad
• Three Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes
• PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs

Street Dates:

• Blu-ray & High Definition Digital = February 7, 2012
• DVD & Standard Definition Digital= March 27, 2012

Rated: G (bonus materials not rated)

Feature Run Time: Approximately 76 minutes

Suggested Retail Prices 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) = $44.99 U.S./$51.99 Canada and Product 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada

Configurations: 1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada

High Definition Digital = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada

Standard Digital = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada

Aspect Ratio: 2.55:1

Sound: Blu-ray Feature Film – 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio

DVD Feature Film – 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix

Languages: English, French and Spanish

Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish

Related articles

• Cinderella & Lady and the Tramp added to Disney’s 2012 Diamond Collection Releases (chipandco.com)
• Walt Disney Studios DVD & Bluray Releases for Early 2012 (chipandco.com)

On January 31, 2012, The Walt Disney Studios proudly unleashes Treasure Buddies, an all-new live action feature for the whole family on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital. The 6^th film in the Buddiesfranchise stars everyone’s favorite talking canine superstars Rosebud, B-Dawg, Budderball, Buddha and Mudbud, as the pup pack journeys to mysterious Egypt in search of the greatest treasure known to animalkind, the legendary Cat’s Eye jewel, from the lost treasure of Cleocatra! Danger lurks around every secret sphinx, cryptic crypt and puzzling pyramid as Ubasti, a devious cat, schemes to possess the mystical jewel and use its powerful energy to rid the planet of all dogs! With help from new lovable friends Cammy, a baby camel – and a mischievous monkey named Babi – the gang and their new friends avoid booby traps, solve puzzles and explore a mysterious tomb in their most exciting and challenging adventure yet.

Treasure Buddies tail wagging adventure debuts across North America as an all-new 2-Disc Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD), 1-Disc DVD and Standard Definition and High Definition Digital on January 31, 2012.

Bonus Features:

·       DIGS: B-Dawg Edition – In this fun bonus feature, B-Dawg the hip hop happening pup gives a tour of his home to kid reporter G.

·       “Roam” Music Video – A re-make of The B-52s song performed by Caroline Sunshine, Kenton Duty and Adam Irigoyen from the cast of the Disney Channel hit series “Shake it Up.”

Disc Specifications:

Street Date: January 31, 2012

Direct Prebook: December 6, 2011

Distributor Prebook: December 20, 2011

Suggested Retail Prices: 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada

                  1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada

      High Definition Digital = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada

                  Standard Definition Digital = $29.99 U.S /$35.99 Canada
Feature Run Time:                  Approximately 93 minutes

Rating:                                     G in U.S. and Canada (Bonus material not rated)

Technical:                               Blu-ray: 1080p High Definition 1:78.1
                  DVD: 1.78:1

Sound:                                     Blu-ray: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
DVD: English, French and Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

Subtitles:                                Blu-ray: English SDH, French and Spanish

                DVD: English SDH, French and Spanish

Social Media
Stay connected with the latest news and information on Treasure Buddies.

·       “Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheDisneyBuddies

·       View exciting trailers, games, video clips and more at www.disney.com/TreasureBuddies

Director/Producer & Cast:

Producer/director Robert Vince, the imaginative force behind the popular worldwide hits Air Buddies, Snow Buddies, Space Buddies, Santa Buddies and Spooky Buddies, creates his most fetching adventure yet with Treasure Buddies. Starring Mudbud (voice by Ty Panitz – Santa Buddies, Spooky Buddies, How to Eat Fried Worms), Rosebud (voice by G. Hannelius – Space Buddies, Snow Buddies), B-Dawg (voice by Skyler Gisondo – Santa Buddies, Space Buddies, Spooky Buddies), Budderball (voice by Nico Ghisi – Santa Buddies, Space Buddies) and Buddha (voice by Field Cate – Santa Buddies,Space Buddies), the film also stars Richard Riehlel as Thomas Howard, Mason Cook as Pete Howard, Edward Herrmann as Philip Wellington, Adam Alexi-Malle as Amir, Mo Gallini as Tarik, Christopher Maleki as Seti and Anna Primiani as Cleopatra.

Film Synopsis:

The Buddies are off on an all new adventure, and this time their journey takes them all the way to the ruins of ancient Egypt where, with the help of some new friends, including Digger the Archeologist dog, Cammy, a baby camel, and a mischievous monkey named Babi, they’ll explore mysterious tombs, dodge treacherous booby traps, and race against a devious cat in search of the greatest treasure known to animalkind, the lost collar of Cleocatra.

About The Walt Disney Studios:

For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (DIS: NYSE) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Touchstone Pictures and Marvel. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!. For more information, please visit www.disney.com.

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Peter Pan is back––but his shadow is missing! When Peter loses his shadow while playing a game of Catch-Me-If-You-Can, he returns to Never Land to seek help from his kid pirate friend Jake. Embarking on one of his most daring and exciting adventures ever, Jake and his kid pirate pals, Izzy and Cubby, along with lookout parrot Skully, must use teamwork to find Peter’s shadow and return it to its rightful owner. However, their mission is nearly thwarted by the fiendish Captain Hook, and his bumbling first mate Mr. Smee. But bravery and justice win the day and Jake and his Never Land pirate crew once again reveal what it takes to become heroes, in Disney’s “Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns.”

Kids can set sail with Jake on Disney DVD April 3. Packed with more value than ever before, “Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns” comes with over two hours of content on DVD, Jake’s first digital copy and a FREE in-pack Never Land Sword.

Talent:

• Colin Ford as Jake (“We Bought A Zoo,” TV’s “Supernatural”)
• Madison Pettis (“Santa Paws,” “The Game Plan”) as Izzy
• Jonathan Morgan Heit (“Bedtime Stories”) as Cubby
• David Arquette (“Scream 4”) as Skully
• Corey Burton (TV’s “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”) as Captain Hook
• Jeff Bennet (“Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue”) as Mr. Smee
• Adam Wylie (TV’s “Picket Fences”) as Peter Pan

Director:

• Howy Parkins

Producer:

• Mark Seidenberg

Executive Producer:

• Rob LaDuca

Episodes: 1 – Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Peter Pan Returns

2 – The Elephant Surprise!/Jake’s Jungle Groove

3 – The Pirate Pup!/Pirate Rock!

4 – The Sword and the Stone/Jake’s Home Run

5 – The Pirate Princess/The Rainbow Wand

6 – Mama Hook Knows Best/Pixie Dust Away (Never-Before-Seen Episode)

Bonus Materials: “Yo Ho, You Ready to Find Jake’s Shadow?” – Taking a cue from Peter’s shadow, now Jake’s shadow has run off and disappeared. Help Izzy and Cubby find Jake’s shadow by discovering clues to where the shadow is hiding. Use Jake’s sword (on pack) to help in your adventure. Learn about pirate lore along the way (just where did the name “doubloon” come from anyway?).

Street Date: April 3, 2012

Release Format: 2-Discs (DVD + Digital Copy) + FREE in-pack Never Land Sword

Suggested Retail Price: $19.99 (U.S.)/$24.99 (Canada)

Run Time: Approx. 130 minutes

Rated: TV-Y

Aspect ratio: 1.78:1 Widescreen (Enhanced for 16×9 televisions)

Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound

Languages & Subtitles: English, Spanish & French

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GOOD MORNING VIETNAM (1987)
Stars: Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker
Director: Barry Levinson
Studio: Disney/Touchstone
Genre: Comedy, Drama
Rating: R
Length: 121 Min.
Movie Grade: A-
Bonus Features Grade: C+

Good Morning Vietnam was one of the first films to take a usually taboo subject matter and try to make it funny.  I can assure you that during the 1960s and most of the 70s that very few people were laughing about the Vietnam War, as it still remains a touchy subject from our Nation’s history.  However, regardless of the scenarios, one thing has always been certain (no matter how cliché) – Laughter is the best medicine.  Williams’ eccentric DJ character, Adrian Cronauer, is based on a real person who actually did DJ on Armed Forces Radio during the Vietnam War.  When Cronauer decides to “shake things up” while on the air, he quickly becomes an iconic hero to the soldiers that listen to him.  He also infuriates the powers-that-be in a way that is reminiscent to Howard Stern today.  Sure, he is controversial but people tune in.  Good Morning also delivers a terrific and surprising love story when Cronauer agrees to teach the villagers English and ends up falling for one of his Vietnamese students.

While the film is a superb break from reality in a way that refreshes the often horrific thoughts of Vietnam, the special features on the new blu-ray were a little lackluster.  Here is a quick list of the bonus material that will be included on the blu-ray:

-Production Diary (5 mini-features on the film’s inception and making)
-Raw Monologues (Robin Williams’ improvisational DJ-ing)
-Original Trailer and Teaser Trailer

As you can see, the bonus features are not abundant, first of all.  And, secondly, they are a little boring, even for fans of the movie (which I am).  The interviews with the cast and crew, as usual, were a delight. It’s always great to see them speak so candidly of their experiences.  However, Robin Williams was not interviewed.  To me, that placed a huge void since his retrospect I find most alluring.  It was interesting and enlightening to see the interviews with the real-life Adrian Cronauer, and to hear his comparison between the “real thing” and Hollywood’s version.  Along with the wonderful music from the 1960s, that was probably my favorite part of the bonus materials.

DEAD POETS SOCIETY (1989)
Stars: Robin Williams, Ethan Hawke
Director: Peter Weir
Studio: Disney/Touchstone
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG
Length: 129 Min.
Movie Grade: A+
Bonus Features Grade: B+

Just to be fair, I should tell you that Dead Poets Society just happens to be one of my favorite movies of all-time. In fact, along with perhaps films such as Stand By Me and The Goonies, it may very well be the best coming-of-age film ever. In this one, Robin Williams is once again back in the classroom (man, he plays teachers really well). This time as Professor Keating, an influential Poetry Professor at an all boys academy in the 1950s. The film features many glorious and wonderful personalities, most of which are Keating’s students who eventually become the “Dead Poets Society.” In a nutshell, the film is about friendship and the long journey to find one’s self. Some of us are able to reach a satisfactory outcome in this endeavor, and perhaps even more of us are not able to. Either way, we all have mentors and “teachers” in our lives that we look up to and who ultimately help pave the way for our future successes.

Watching the bonus materials on the recent blu-ray release came with quite a bit of nostalgia. Here is a quick rundown of what the features include:

-Dead Poets, A Look Back (interviews with cast and crew)
-Raw Takes (Outtakes and screen tests)
-Master of Sound: Alan Splet (review of the score/music)
-Cinematography: Master Class (review of the cinematography)
-Original Theatrical Trailer

Basically, all of the bonus materials are interviews with the cast and crew. And, while I thoroughly enjoyed them, Robin Williams was missing. It definitely creates a sense of disappointment for the avid fan playing the “those were the days” angle in his or her head, but unlike Good Morning Vietnam (also being released 1.17.12), Dead Poets comes with an arsenal of unforgettable characters to compliment Williams, as opposed to possibly being shadowed by him. Most of the young actors featured in this film got their “big break” or career starts here, so it was fascinating to hear them retell it in their own words. While the bonus materials on both films is standard quality, the HD 1080 blu-ray re-mastered look of the films was amazing, and it was a welcomed trip down memory lane. On January 17, I definitely recommend that you make room on your movie shelf for this Robin Williams helmed classic.

Grab your rubber ducky and get ready to soak in some lamb-tastic good fun as preschool favorite Timmy Time™ returns for an all new family-friendly, good-hearted release, Timmy Time: Timmy Needs A Bath, available on DVD January 24, 2012 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

With slapstick humor and not a single line of dialogue, Timmy Time follows a day in the life of barnyard preschoolers. With diverse animal characters along with a rich and colorful nursery school backdrop, Timmy and his friends learn life lessons that every preschooler needs to know. Whether fleeing bath time, becoming a walking collage, being bitten by the cleaning bug or engaging in a paint war, Timmy and his pals always bring joy, heart and a little silliness to any situation.

Timmy Time™ is part of Disney Channel’s Disney Junior programming for kids ages 2-7 and their families, which airs in more than 99 million U.S. homes. The show is created by Aardman Studios, the Academy Award®-winning creators of Wallace & Gromit™ and Shaun the Sheep™.

DVD SYNOPSIS:
Enjoy some good clean fun with Timmy and his friends! Adventures with mud, glue and paint leave Timmy in some sticky situations. This clever little lamb uses his creativity to make tub-time fun and turn a paint fight into a masterfleece! Timmy cleans up and discovers the most fun of all is being with friends! Soak up the good times with Timmy…just don’t forget to wash behind your ears!

Episodes:

• “Timmy Needs A Bath”
• “Sticky Timmy”
• “Tidy Timmy”
• “Timmy Goes Camping”
• “Timmy The Artist”

DVD BONUS FEATURES

• Timmy’s Tune #2 – Music Video
• Shaun the Sheep Bonus Episode: Supersize Timmy

Related articles

• 24 Hour Disney Junior Set to Launch March 23rd (chipandco.com)
• Disney Junior gets its own 24hr channel on March 23rd! (couponingtodisney.com)

January 2012
1/17 DEAD POETS SOCIETY (Blu-ray & Digital Download)

(Rated: PG) Academy Award winner Robin Williams (Best Supporting Actor, Good Will Hunting, 1997) delivers one of his most memorable performances in Dead Poets Society – digitally restored and presented for the first time ever in breathtaking Blu-rayTM High Definition.

1/17 GOOD MORNING, VIETNAM (Blu-ray & Digital Download)

(Rated: R) For the first time in stunning Blu-rayTM High Definition, Academy Award winner Robin Williams (Best Supporting Actor, Good Will Hunting, 1997) delivers a tour-de-force performance in the 25th Anniversary Edition of the hit comedy Good Morning, Vietnam!

1/24 REAL STEEL (Blu-ray, DVD, Digital & On-Demand)

(Rated: PG) DreamWorks Studios’ REAL STEEL, starring Hugh Jackman, muscles its way into the Home Entertainment arena on Blu-rayTM, DVD, Digital and On-Demand on January 24, 2012. This visually stunning action-adventure filled with heart and soul is a “must-add” to every home movie collection, delivering a premium in-home experience complete with knockout bonus materials that dive deeper into the action.

1/31 TREASURE BUDDIES (Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD & Digital)

(Rated: G) On January 31, 2012, The Walt Disney Studios proudly unleashes Treasure Buddies, an all-new live action feature for the whole family on Blu-rayTM, DVD and Digital. The 6th film in the Buddies franchise stars everyone’s favorite talking canine superstars Rosebud, B-Dawg, Budderball, Buddha and Mudbud, as the pup pack journeys to mysterious Egypt in search of the greatest treasure known to animalkind, the legendary Cat’s Eye jewel, from the lost treasure of Cleocatra! Danger lurks around every secret sphinx, cryptic crypt and puzzling pyramid as Ubasti, a devious cat, schemes to possess the mystical jewel and use its powerful energy to rid the planet of all dogs! With help from new lovable friends Cammy, a baby camel – and a mischievous monkey named Babi – the gang and their new friends avoid booby traps, solve puzzles and explore a mysterious tomb in their most exciting and challenging adventure yet.

February 2012
2/7 LADY AND THE TRAMP (Blu-ray & High Definition Digital)

(Rated: G) A classic love story unfolds in the best Disney tradition as a lovely young pedigreed cocker spaniel named Lady, who lives a pampered life, finds herself falling romantically for Tramp, an amorous street-smart pooch without prospects. Although they have fun together on several dates, including a sentimental spaghetti dinner by moonlight at Tony’s restaurant, their relationship is strained not only by Lady’s loyalty to her human family and their newborn baby, but by Tramp’s devil-may-care attitude that eventually gets Lady in trouble and tossed into the dog pound. However, good-hearted Tramp redeems himself by saving the baby from potential harm and thus wins Lady’s love and the affection of her human family.

2/7 GEEK CHARMING (DVD)

(Rated: TV-G) When Dylan Schoenfield (Sarah Hyland), Woodlands Academy’s top girl, accidentally drops her expensive “it” handbag into the mall fountain, she is surprised that film geek, Josh Rosen (Matt Prokop), retrieves it for her. In exchange for rescuing her bag, Dylan must agree to be the subject of Josh’s documentary film. Dylan hopes the film will help her campaign for Blossom Queen – she claims that winning is her only life goal. Josh plans to make a hard-hitting expose about popularity, but, as he gets to know Dylan, he learns that the real Dylan is much more interesting than the persona she’s created. At the last minute, Josh decides that his film should introduce this awesome girl to the world, but how will Dylan react when she sees it?

2/7 BABY EINSTEIN: BABY LULLABY (DVD)
Baby Lullaby – Take your baby on a soothing journey with classical lullabies by Bach, Brahms and Mozart. Enjoy relaxing ocean waves, sweet puppet shows, and tranquil images. From fun time to rest time, Baby Lullaby is the perfect way to spend special time with your baby.

2/7 BABY EINSTEIN: BABY BEETHOVEN (DVD)
Baby Beethoven – Parent and baby can listen to the joyous sounds and cherished works of Beethoven. See how music celebrates the sounds of different instruments. Together, they will experience a world of enchanting sights and sounds and make new discoveries with Baby Beethoven.

2/7 BABY EINSTEIN: BABY MOZART (DVD)
Baby Mozart – Parent and baby will discover the joy of classical music together and listen to Mozart’s popular works – including “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star” – delightfully re-orchestrated for little ears. They’ll look at real-life images and enchanting puppet shows bringing a symphony of sights and sounds together as they share new discoveries with Baby Mozart.

2/7 BABY EINSTEIN: NEPTUNE’S OCEANS (DVD)
Neptune’s Oceans – Dive in with your little explorer for a voyage of undersea discovery! Journey across Neptune’s Oceans to encounter amazing marine life in their natural habitats. Penguins, whales, dolphins, sea lions and crabs come to life in engaging musical portraits. Together, you and your baby will ride a tide of fun as you explore this wondrous new world!

2/7 BABY EINSTEIN: WILD ANIMAL SAFARI (DVD)
Wild Animal Safari – Parents can take their little explorer on an exotic musical expedition to meet wild animals from across the globe. Together, they’ll journey to the jungle, savanna, desert and forest on a wild, wonderful voyage of discovery with Wild Animal Safari.

2/7 BABY EINSTEIN: ANIMALS AROUND ME (DVD)
Animals Around Me – Parent and child set off on a fun-filled “field trip” to discover animals found at the park, on the farm, and in their own backyard – whether furry or feathered, winged or wiggly, bumpy or cuddly, they’ll explore the Animals Around Me.

2/7 BABY EINSTEIN: WORLD OF RHYTHM (DVD)
World of Rhythm – Your little one will want to keep a beat, snap his fingers and march his feet! Join characters Pillie, the musical woodpecker, and Coco, the dancing cockatoo, and share the excitement of rhythm with your baby. World of Rhythm explores rhythm in music, rhythm in nature and rhythm as a form of expression. It’s a fun way to encourage children to express themselves through singing, dancing, clapping and playing!

2/7 BABY EINSTEIN: WORLD OF COLORS (DVD)
World of Colors – Parent and child share a rainbow of sights and sounds and discover the wonders of color together! They’ll join puppet host “Vincent Van Goat” as he creates six Van Gogh masterpieces exploring red, green, blue, yellow, orange and purple with World of Colors.

2/7 BABY EINSTEIN: WORLD OF WORDS (DVD)
World of Words – Parent and child join playful puppet host Bard the Dragon on an exciting adventure using everyday words, such as flower, cat, and moon, plus beautiful scenery from nature with World of Words.

March 2012
3/6 THE LION KING 11⁄2: Special Edition (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital)

(Rated: G) Hilarity reigns in the motion picture comedy-adventure that takes you waaay back to the beginning before Simba’s tale began…now more fabulous than ever for the first time in a 2-disc Blu-ray Combo Pack!

3/6 THE LION KING II: SIMBA’S PRIDE: Special Edition (Blu-ray, DVD & Digital)

(Rated: G) The king of animated films reigns in this final chapter of The Lion King trilogy, now breathtakingly beautiful for the first time in a 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack! Experience the power of “Upendi”—which means “love”— as Kiara, Simba’s strong-willed daughter, seeks adventure away from her father’s watchful gaze. Timon and Pumbaa can do only so much to protect her, especially when she encounters an intriguing rival, Kovu, a cub who is being groomed to lead Scar’s pride.

Also watch out for these Bluray & DVD Titles

Fall 2012
TBD CINDERELLA (Blu-ray)

(Rated: G) Disney’s Cinderella has enchanted generations with its unforgettable story, Academy Award®-nominated music (1950 for Scoring of a Musical Picture, Song “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” and Sound Recording) and endearing characters. With a wave of her wand and some “Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo,” Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother transforms an ordinary pumpkin into a magnificent coach and Cinderella’s rags into a gorgeous gown, and then sends her off to the royal ball. But Cinderella’s enchanted evening must end when the spell is broken at midnight. It will take the help of her daring animal friends Jaq and Gus and a perfect fit into a glass slipper to create the ultimate fairy tale ending.

Spring 2013
TBD PLANES (Blu-ray & DVD)

(Not Yet Rated) The sky’s the limit as DisneyToon Studios proudly announces PLANES – a spectacular, full-length CG animated comedy action adventure movie for everyone set high above the world of CARS. PLANES will introduce an entirely original and hilarious crew of daredevils from every corner of the globe and draws inspiration from the immensely popular Disney•Pixar’s CARS world. PLANES will arrive on Blu-rayTM and DVD in Spring 2013.

Related articles

• Disney’s Treasure Buddies Premiering On Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital on January 31, 2012 (chipandco.com)
• Lady and the Tramp: Diamond Edition on Blu-ray & DVD February 7, 2012 (chipandco.com)

While StarWars.com readers can currently enjoy a recap of Season 4 episodes of The Clone Wars (this week features the 4th, 5th, and 6th episodes of Season 4), fans who’d like to relive the first three seasons of Clone Wars adventures can head over to iTunes for discounted full seasons!

Even if you’ve already got these on Blu-ray or DVD at home, the downloadable versions will make a wonderful holiday gift for your favorite Star Wars fan!

The Clone Wars promotion runs today through January 17, 2012 in the U.S. and Canada. This offer excludes Season 4 and the Nightsisters Trilogy Theatrical Cut:

Season 1: USD $24.99 SD / 34.99 HD
Season 2: USD $24.99 SD / 34.99 HD
Season 3: USD $27.99 SD / 37.99 HD

Head on over to iTunes and be sure and check out The Clone Wars!
*Source StarWars.com