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Category Archives: Reviews
The Top 10 Disney Movies – #1
Episodes & Reels is delivering our monthly Top 10 List a little differently this time around. We have posted one entry in the countdown each night from Jan 23 – Feb 3 on Chip and Co and now it’s time to finally reveal #1! Here is our choice for the #1 animated Disney film of all-time:
Toy Story, 1995
#1 - TOY STORY (1995)
Stars: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen
Director: John Lasseter
Rating: G
To put it simply – this one changed the animation game forever. Disney/Pixar now has 12 feature films on their resume, with 2 more on the horizon (Brave and Monsters University). With each of their releases, Pixar seems to elevate the digital animation bar even higher constantly topping themselves (and everyone else in the industry). Much like our #3 entry (Snow White) changed the traditional hand-drawn, brush-stroked animation forever thrusting us into over 75 years of wonderful cartoons and animated films, Toy Story has done the same with digital or computer-generated animation. As I already mentioned on this list, I had to limit myself from including more than 3 Pixar films, because if not they would have dominated this countdown. I would say that at least 5 or 6 of their productions could’ve easily made my top 10 animated films of all-time – they are just that innovative and simply put, good. Not only is Toy Story a trendsetter and mentor to anything that exists in digital animation today, but it is also a family friendly story of friendship that can easily be enjoyed by any generation. As a kid, who didn’t talk to their dolls or toys, even if just to have a simple tea-party? Well, what if those toys came to life at night or when we were gone? I’m sure every child’s imagination has run in that direction, and with Toy Story we saw it come to life like never before. With celebrity voices like Tim Allen (Buzz) and the legendary Tom Hanks (Woody) on board, as well as two sequels that are just as good (some may say even better) as the original, this animated giant is destined to remain one of the greatest animated franchises ever created.
We hope you enjoyed our Top 10 Countdown of Disney’s best movies. Need a re-cap? Just click HERE to view the entire Top 10 List at Episodes & Reels, and if you’re up for it “Like” us on facebook.
It’s sure to be a bella notte when you bring home Lady & the Tramp on Blu Ray!
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.
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The Top 10 Disney Movies – #2
Episodes & Reels is delivering our monthly Top 10 List a little differently this time around. We will post one entry in the countdown each night from Jan 23 – Feb 3 on Chip and Co until we finally reveal #1! Now back to the countdown with our runner-up, the #2 animated Disney film of all-time:
Beauty and the Beast, 1991
#2 - BEAUTY & THE BEAST (1991)
Stars: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson
Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
Rating: G
As far as the “Princess” storyline goes, Beauty and the Beast may be the all-time best. Belle is a beautiful, yet simple girl who never really dreamt of becoming a Princess, but rather of falling in love. Of course, it helps when the person that you fall in love with has a brutal curse that can only be lifted by love, thus turning him back to a Prince. Disney’s reimagining of this classic French fairy tale from the 1700s is timeless. It features some of their most memorable characters, which not only include Belle and the Beast, but also the Beast’s servants around the castle that have been turned into furniture and trinkets – Lumiere (the candlestick), Cogsworth (the clock), Mrs. Potts (the teapot) and Chip (the teacup) just to name a few. We also get one of the most conceited and often hilarious bad-guys in Disney’s sinister depot of villainous characters, Gaston. The music in this one is just as much of a star as any of these characters. Who can forget the title track “Beauty and the Beast” sung by “Murder She Wrote” star, Angela Lansbury (voice of Mrs. Potts), or “Be Our Guest,” which has become one of Disney’s most recognizable ensemble numbers, often used in advertisements for visiting their theme-parks. Beauty and the Beast has just been released in theatres again, this time in 3D, so the timing has never been better to re-live this classic or to be introduced to it for the first time.
Watch the 3-D Verison’s Trailer
Come back tomorrow night when we finally reveal our #1 Disney movie of all-time, and check us out on facebook.
iPad Review: Pooh’s Birthday Surprise
The folks at Disney Publishing Worldwide Apps have released several iPad apps, and today I’m going to review for you Pooh’s Birthday Surprise. This app is for younger children, and the app itself is available at the iTunes store for both the iPad and the iPhone (or newer generations of the iPod Touch), and costs $4.99.
In the story, the narrator helps to guide you along in the story of Winnie the Pooh’s birthday, and the surprise party that his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood are planning for Pooh. As you can see from the scenes I’ve captured, there is quite a bit to do to get ready for the party!
Tigger and Rabbit working together?
As you can see from the outline of the cupcake, this is one scene where your children can interact with the scene. In this case, Tigger ate a cupcake (big surprise), so you have to match the correct sized cupcake with the rest of the cupcakes.
As for Piglet, he is helping Christopher Robin to wrap a present for Pooh. Based on the shape of the present, can you tell me what object it might be?
They are wrapping a special present for Pooh. What do you think it is?
As for Roo, he has a big job to do as well — he needs to make the party hats!
Which color hat will come next in the pattern?
As you can see, there is a pattern that needs to be completed. Can you tell me what color hat will come next (look for the dotted line to indicate where the hat needs to go.)
Eeyore has perhaps the hardest job! It’s his job to get the balloons. I do not like balloons, so I wouldn’t want this job at all! Look at the trouble Eeyore had with them!
Are those balloons caught on Eeyore's tail?
Yep, the balloons have caught Eeyore!
Even Owl has a job to do — he needs to make a Birthday Card for Pooh!
As you can see, everyone works together to give Pooh a happy surprise birthday party!
As you can tell, this app is for a younger aged child, but it’s a good app, and one that your young child will enjoy. There isn’t as much interaction as with the Beauty and the Beast app that I reviewed recently, but it is a nice app, and worth the price in my opinion.
The Top 10 Disney Movies – #3
Episodes & Reels is delivering our monthly Top 10 List a little differently this time around. We will post one entry in the countdown each night from Jan 23 – Feb 3 on Chip and Co until we finally reveal #1! Now back to the countdown with our #3 animated Disney film of all-time:
Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs, 1937
#3 – SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS (1937)
Stars: Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell
Directors: William Cottrell, David Hand
Rating: G
Well, what do you know, another film from the pages of the Brothers Grimm’s storybooks. In 1937, this became Walt Disney’s first ever full-length, theatrical animated feature film, so in a way, it’s the one that started it all. This year (2012) will give us two live adaptations of the classic Snow White tale – Mirror Mirror (starring Julia Roberts) and Snow White & the Huntsman (starring Charlize Theron). I am extremely excited to see both (you can click here to see our breakdown and preview of both those releases). Snow White’s story is also the pivotal plot-point on the new ABC fantasy series, “Once Upon a Time.” I think it’s safe to say that her classic story may be the most well-known, and definitely the most often duplicated, in all of Disney’s arsenal. This is a movie that basically created the “Evil Queen” stigma that would show up in countless others that followed. Also, thanks to Snow White, none of us can ever look at a mirror or a red apple the same way ever again. If you are lucky enough to own this one on DVD or blu-ray, please pop it in at least once a year. While you are watching it, remind yourself that without Snow White, none of the other movies on this list would have been possible – and, not only that, but where would animation be today without it?
Come back tomorrow night for our runner-up #2 entry, and check us out on facebook.