Old Dogs (Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack available March 9, 2010)
Dan (Robin Williams) and his best friend and business partner Charlie (John Travolta) are on the verge of the biggest deal in the history of their sports marketing firm when their lives are turned upside down by a surprise visit from Dan’s ex-wife Vicki (Kelly Preston). Vicki has big news for Dan—their ever-so-brief liaison produced twins Zach (Conner Rayburn) and Emily (Ella Bleu Travolta), now seven-years-old and in need of a dad to keep an eye on them for two weeks. With only high-living playboy Charlie for support, Dan’s bumbling attempts at “on the job training” in fatherhood result in a series of disastrously funny exploits that lead him to a new understanding of what really matters in life. Featuring an extraordinary cast of comedy purebreds including Seth Green, Matt Dillon and Lori Loughlin, Old Dogs will have audiences rolling over and begging for more.
Blu-ray Bonus features include deleted scenes, bloopers, Music Video “Every Little Step” Preformed by John Travolta and Ella Bleu Travolta, Audio Commentary By Director Walt Becker, Producer Andrew Panay and writers David Diamonf and David Weissman, “Young Dogs Learn Old Tricks”, and music video “You’ve Been a Friend To Me” preformed by Bryan Adams.
Planet 51 (available on DVD and Blu-ray March 9, 2010)
Riding on an intriguing premise, it’s a shame that Planet 51 shoots for the stars but still manages to end up going nowhere interesting. Excellent texturing and attention to detail on inanimate objects can’t make up for the bland alien character designs and the few bouts of inspired animation don’t drown out the generic jokes. While some of the parodies and references aim for more than the younger crowd, their immature presentation suppresses any adult laughs, and by now even clever mockeries of Star Wars, Alien, and E.T. have gotten old. At least the film promotes the ideas that aliens don’t need pants and that when your brain is removed, you become British.
Lem (Justin Long) is just an average teenager working on getting the girl and furthering his career at the local planetarium - except that he’s an alien. At least to U.S. astronaut Captain Charles T. Baker (Dwayne Johnson – does anyone else find this to be an odd casting choice?) who lands on Lem’s planet hoping for a quick flag plant and a hasty return to earth and his millions of screaming fans. But on this alien planet the media has tagged spacemen as brain-eating, zombie-creating monsters, causing Baker to run for his life and into Lem’s house. Now it’s up to the green native to get the clumsy astronaut back to his spaceship before military dictator General Grawl (Gary Oldman) and mad scientist Professor Kipple (John Cleese) manage to exterminate the Earthly visitor.
Loaded with a world of extras including Exclusive Fun “Run Rover Run” Game, 3 Extended Scenes, a Music Video Montage, 2 Featurettes, and Much More!
Ponyo (available on DVD and Blu-ray March 2, 2010)
The works of Hayao Miyazaki are always populated by unique characters and unbridled creativity in fantastically magical worlds. Ponyo is no different. However, where his other films like Spirited Away and Howl’s Moving Castle play upon more adult themes and oftentimes truly terrifying villains, Ponyo remains very safely in the realm of whimsical childhood adventure, and sadly abandons the heavy adversity found in previous efforts. Still mildly entertaining, gorgeously picturesque, and wonderfully perceptive to the subtleties of childish innocence that evoke poignant humor, Ponyo clearly targets a very young audience.
The son of a sailor, 5-year old Sosuke lives a quiet life on an oceanside cliff with his mother Lisa (Tina Fey). One fateful day, he finds a beautiful goldfish trapped in a bottle on the beach and upon rescuing her, names her Ponyo. But she is no ordinary goldfish. The daughter of a masterful wizard (Liam Neeson) and a sea goddess (Cate Blanchett), Ponyo uses her father’s magic to transform herself into a young girl and quickly falls in love with Sosuke; but the use of such powerful sorcery causes a dangerous imbalance in the world. As the moon steadily draws nearer to the earth and Ponyo’s father sends the ocean’s mighty waves to find his daughter, the two children embark on an adventure of a lifetime to save the world and fulfill Ponyo’s dreams of becoming human.
Blu-ray bonus features include “The World Ghibli” – Visit Ponyo in this Extraordinary Interactive Experience, “Meet Ponyo” – Disc introduction with the producers, and a Storyboard Presentation of the Movie.
Castle In The Sky (available on DVD March 2, 2010)
Introduce your entire family to Castle In The Sky: Special Edition, featuring a timeless story of courage and friendship with stunning animation from acclaimed Academy-Award®-winning* director Hayao Miyazaki. Plus, this 2-Disc Special Edition DVD included never-before-seen bonus features that transport you deeper into the film’s amazing world! This high-flying adventure begins when Pazu, an engineer’s apprentice, finds a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky, wearing a glowing pendant. Together, they discover both are searching for a legendary floating castle, Laputa, and vow to unravel the mystery of the luminous crystal around Sheeta’s neck. Their quest won’t be easy, however. There are greedy air pirates, secret government agents and astounding obstacles to keep them from the truth—and from each other. Add Castle In The Sky: Special Edition to your DVD library, and this magical and uplifting classic will thrill and amaze your family for years to come!
Bonus features include “The World Ghibli” – Visit Castle In The Sky in this Extraordinary Interactive Experience, an introduction by John Lasseter, and a storyboard presentation of the movie.
Kiki's Delivery Service (available on DVD March 2, 2010)
Discover Kiki’s Delivery Service: Special Edition, a fantastic coming-of-age tale full of magic, adventure and self-discovery from the sensational imagination of Academy-Award®-winning* director Hayao Miyazaki.
Kiki is an enterprising young girl who must follow tradition to become a full-fledged witch. Venturing out with only her black cat, Jiji, Kiki flies off for the adventure of a lifetime. Landing in a far-off city, she sets up a high-flying delivery service and begins a wonderful experience of independence and responsibility as she finds her place in the world.
Bonus features include “The World Ghibli” – Visit Kiki’s Delivery Service in this Extraordinary Interactive Experience, an introduction by John Lasseter, and a storyboard presentation of the movie.
My Neighbor Totoro (available on DVD March 2, 2010)
Director Hayao Miyazaki has created a heartwarming, music filled and wonderful world in My Neighbor Totoro: Special Edition, a delightfully animated family adventure. And now—exclusively in this 2-Disc Special Edition DVD—never-before-seen bonus features reveal even more of Totoro’s fantastic world! Follow the adventures of Satsuki and her four year- old sister Mei when they move into a new home in the countryside. To their delight, they discover that their new neighbor is a mysterious forest spirit called Totoro—who can be seen only through the eyes of a child. Totoro introduces them to extraordinary characters—including a cat that doubles as a bus! — and takes them on an incredible journey.
Bonus features include “The World Ghibli” – Visit My Neighbor Totoro in this Extraordinary Interactive Experience, and a storyboard presentation of the movie.
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- Joy Dominguez
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