October 14, 2006 - Amazon.com has just made four DVDs due early next year available for preorder: Peter Pan: Platinum Edition ($20.99; March 6), Cinderella III: A Twist in Time ($20.99; February 6), "Higglytown Heroes" On the Move, and "Higglytown Heroes" To The Rescue ($13.49 each; January 2).
Cover art has been added for That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana and Read It and Weep.
With their shared release date just ten days away, Disney has issued full press releases for "Hannah Montana" Livin' the Rock Star Life and Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior.
October 13, 2006 - Via an e-mail from Walt Disney Treasures host Leonard Maltin, "matthewgb" on the UD forum shares some information on the upcoming volume Your Host, Walt Disney. Maltin confirms that complete shows will include "The Fourth Anniversary Show", "Backstage Party", "I Captured the King of the Leprechauns", and "The 10th Anniversary Show." There will also be excerpts touching on subjects close to Walt's heart, the entire 90-minute "Kodak Presents Disneyland '59" (which was feared lost), a special film presentation made for a one-time, early '60s showing at Radio City Music Hall, never-before-seen footage of Walt shooting his TV openings, and a newly-produced tribute featuring the participation of Walt's daughter Diane plus those who worked with him such as Tommy Sands and various Mouseketeers. Click here for more on Treasures Wave 6.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment has scheduled two more Disney Channel DVDs for release early next year. Arriving on January 16, 2007 is That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana: Mixed-Up Mashed-Up Edition, the three-show crossover that became the most-watched three episodes in the network's history when it aired last summer. The disc will include one extra for each of its featured series, with the trivia game "So You Think You Know Raven, Volume 2", a never-before-seen episode of "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody", and a Hannah Montana music video. Due the same day is Read It and Weep: Zapped Edition, the Panabaker sisters movie which aired last summer. It will include a behind-the-scenes featurette, the never-before-seen Jordan Pruitt music video for "Outside Looking In", and "DCOM extras." Each DVD will carry a $19.99 list price.
October 12, 2006 - Via Home Media Retailing, Disney is reporting that, with more than 4 million copies sold in its first week of availability, The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition has made a splash as the top-selling animated debut in the history of October. By now, you should be acquainted with your copy of the 2-disc set. If so, be sure to share your thoughts and join in UD's most active forum thread ever, which has just been continued in a Part 2, with more screencaps from the DVD.
October 11, 2006 - UltimateDisney.com recently had the opportunity to speak with veteran Disney film producer Don Hahn, a man behind some of the studio's biggest animated hits ever, including Who Framed Roger Rabbit, Beauty and the Beast, and The Lion King. In An Interview with Don Hahn, the producer focuses on his latest project -- overseeing the transformation of cult holiday favorite The Nightmare Before Christmas into three dimensions for next week's big screen release of Tim Burton's 1993 stop-motion musical. Hahn answers the how and why behind this unprecedented leap to Disney Digital 3-D. He also addresses the issue of Nightmare's once-Touchstone/now-Disney branding, weighs in on the current state of animation, discusses the studio's new cartoon shorts program, and comments on upcoming DVD possibilities. Read our complete 2-page interview with Don Hahn.
October 10, 2006 - If you prefer your hospital TV series with more comedy and in half-hour installments, then our review of "Scrubs" The Complete Fourth Season may be more up your alley. Season 4 finds Touchstone's NBC comedy still at the top of its game, with minimal shake-ups but continued freshness and copious amounts of hilarity. The 3-disc set, available today, doesn't quite live up to the previous three seasons in terms of extras, but it comes close with a welcome menu of featurettes, deleted footage, and commentaries. More...
A press release has been issued for "The Golden Girls" The Complete Sixth Season, which hardly elaborates on the 3-disc box set holding the sitcom's penultimate season. It's due November 14th, a day which will see much TV on DVD from Disney/Buena Vista.
October 9, 2006 - We've got a tardy but thorough review tonight of "Grey's Anatomy" The Complete Second Season, last month's 6-disc, follow-up box set for ABC's popular medical drama. Jake Lipson critiques the season, covering the show's growth and defining Super Bowl Sunday airing, and the DVD's assorted features, which include four extended episodes and five commentaries. Read on...
On the UD Forum, "sambadude" reports that Australian retailers have been told to expect Pinocchio and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs as 2008's Platinum Editions, arriving in February and October, respectively. Snow White's re-release has been anticipated under the 7-year cycle established in 2003, which is when Pinocchio and three others were added to the collection to bring it to a total of fourteen titles. Disney's Platinum schedule has been maintained worldwide. The most surprising development of this news is that 101 Dalmatians, previously scheduled for winter 2007, now won't see Platinum treatment until 2009 at the earliest, unless more changes occur (always a possibility). Today marks the fifth anniversary of Snow White's initial DVD release, which effectively launched the Platinum Collection line.
October 8, 2006 - It's not ordinary that new Disney animated classic DVDs arrive on consecutive weeks, but UD has you covered all the same with our review of this Tuesday's release, The Fox and The Hound: 25th Anniversary Edition. This single-disc reissue offers minimal improvement over 2000's Gold Collection DVD: the picture remains imperfect and curiously fullscreen, while the light slate of bonuses deliver two all too thrifty extras (recycled from the UK's 2001 DVD), a random pair of fine cartoon shorts, and toddler-oriented fare. The most important part, however -- the film -- is still the endearing, affecting tale it was 25 years ago. While it lacks the flair of more cherished classics, it achieves a highly satisfying blend of the studio's traditional anthropormophized animals and modern filmmaking sensibilities which depart from formulas. Click to read our full review.
October 7, 2006 - Air Buddies now has a press release. This direct-to-video live action film is the sixth entry in the athletic golden retriever series. It's also the first to feature talking dogs, as it follows a quintet of puppies on a rescue mission to save their parents. The announcement jumps the gun on the franchise's tenth anniversary and also claims a fullscreen-only feature presentation. Other sources have indicated both 1.33:1 and 1.78:1 versions will be included on the disc, while Disney's earlier literature proclaimed only a 16x9 version. See the full press release for more information.
| September's Top Sellers on UltimateDisney.com |
October 6, 2006 - Our Fall Screencap Challenge has come to an end. Click here to reveal the screencaps, their sources, and the winner of this 18th contest.
October 4, 2006 - Disney has issued a press release announcing Disappearing Classics 2007, the four titles and five DVD releases that will be heading to the proverbial vault on January 31, 2007. We've spiced up the document with links to the assorted items we have published in covering the movies, which are: Bambi, Lady and the Tramp: Platinum Edition, Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Extended Edition & Gift Set). Click here for the full announcement.
The 8th Platinum Edition has been on store shelves for just a bit over 24 hours, and we've already managed to score some firm details and high-res cover art from #9, Peter Pan: Platinum Edition. Disney's 1953 adaptation of J.M. Barrie's beloved children's tale will fly to DVD on March 6, 2007. The digitally restored film will be offered in 1.33:1 fullscreen (approximating the Academy Ratio it was created for) and your choice of an all-new 5.1 channel Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix, the restored original theatrical soundtrack, or French and Spanish dubs. Among the announced bonus features are "In Walt's Words" (newly-discovered footage of the studio's namesake explaining why he made Peter Pan), the 1952 featurette The Peter Pan Story, "You Can Fly: The Making of Peter Pan", deleted songs, multi-level Camp Never Land set-top games, and a sneak peek of next August's direct-to-video CG-animated film Tinker Bell. Click here for a look at the cover art.
October 3, 2006 - Disney has set February 6, 2007 as the release date for Cinderella III: A Twist in Time. This direct-to-video sequel will be presented in 1.78:1 anamorphic widescren with both Dolby and DTS 5.1 tracks. The FastPlay-"enhanced" disc will come with just two bonus features: the set-top game "Bibbidi Bobbidi Choose" and the DVD-ROM dance/choreograph/photo fun activity "Cinderella's Ballroom." The DVD will be backed by a heavy marketing campaign and a "limited time only" angle. Check out Upcoming Cover Art for our first look at the cover.
Another Platinum Tuesday is here and so is our two-page review of The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition, the long-awaited double-disc reissue of Disney's beloved 1989 animated musical.
Can you believe it's actually been ten months to the day since our last interview was posted? Neither can we. But we're making it up to you. In the next few weeks, we'll be bringing you four (that's right, 4!) interviews with individuals who behind animated and live action Disney movies and television series. Keep an eye out for these upcoming discussions.
September 30, 2006 - We now have the real cover art from The Fox and the Hound 2, as well as high-res looks at the near-final artwork (the years are still mislabeled) for the Walt Disney Legacy Collection: True-Life Adventures sets. Check out Upcoming Cover Art to see.
September 29, 2006 - We've just posted Disney's press release for The Fox and the Hound 2, the latest set-within-its-predecessor sequel from DisneyToon Studios. In this G-rated animated tale, Copper ends up in The Singin' Strays, a harmonizing novelty dog act. The film will arrive on disc on December 12th with a trio of musical bonuses. Check out the announcement for more information, revised faux cover art, and eight pictures from this upcoming movie.
September 28, 2006 - The Fall 2006 issue of Disney DVD Insider (found inside The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition) reveals some general details on Peter Pan: Platinum Edition, a 2-disc set that will soar to stores on March 6, 2007. Expect "Never Land secrets", all-new games, deleted scenes, an all-new digital restoration, a Dolby 5.1 Enhanced Home Theater Mix, and, of course, much more.
In a new DVD review, Aaron Wallace tackles Twitches, the 2005 Disney Channel Original Movie which furthers the network's tradition of Halloween-ready family films. While there are some flaws (like spotty dialogue and heavily-used amateurish CGI), this story of separated twin witches discovering one another on their 21st birthday succeeds in entertaining. Its "Betwitched Edition" disc includes a few inspired bonus features but continues the fullscreen-only trend of Region 1 DCOM DVDs. Read the full review.
We've just updated the Cars press release with eleven new images from the DVD. The new pictures include stills from four deleted scenes and three images which provide our first look at the all-new short Mater and the Ghostlight. Click here to view them all.
Buena Vista Home Entertainment has issued the much-anticipated official announcement for Walt Disney Treasures: Wave VI. Unfortunately, it's not as thorough as past wave's press releases have been, as complete contents lists have not been included. Still, the document points out highlights from each set as well as a seemingly full slate of supplements. More Silly Symphonies will include audio commentaries, the featurettes "Silly Symphonies Rediscovered" and "Animators at Play", and extensive production art galleries. The Complete Pluto, Volume 2 will contain a "master class" with modern-day Disney animators Randy Cartwright and Andreas Dejas discussing Pluto 'toons, deconstruction and a pencil test of Pluto's Judgement Day, and galleries. Your Host, Walt Disney -- which is confirmed as having "The Fourth Anniversary Show" and "Disneyland 10th Anniversary" -- will also hold an interview with Walt's daughter Diane Disney Miller and galleries. Finally, The Mickey Mouse Club Featuring The Hardy Boys will provide the featurettes "From Dixon to Disney" and "The Hardy Boys Unmasked" as well as a gallery, and the 20-episode serial The Mystery of The Applegate Treasure. See the complete press release for more information.
September 19, 2006 - Today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which means it's time for Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest press release. The official DVD announcement of the studio's all-time top-grossing film provides a full list of bonus features for the separate single-disc and two-disc Special Edition releases, both arriving December 5th. A writers' audio commentary and bloopers will be found on both versions, while the two-disc adds ten additional supplements, covering pre-production, characters, swordplay, the re-Imagineered park ride, the Disneyland premiere, and more. Click here for full details.
Recent Disney DVD Reviews:
• Twitches - Furthering the Disney Channel tradition of apt Halloween-ready family films, this story of separated twin witches succeeds in entertaining, in spite of some flaws (like spotty dialogue and heavily-used amateurish CGI). The "Betwitched Edition" disc includes a few inspired bonus features but continues the fullscreen-only trend of Region 1 DCOM DVDs.
• Walt Disney Treasures: The Adventures of Spin and Marty - This two-disc set holds all 25 episodes from the "Mickey Mouse Club" serial's fall 1955 run, which follows a privileged boy's first summer at a ranch. The DVD provides a solid feature presentation plus an excellent lot of extras.
• Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse in Living Color - Presenting the enduring Mouse's first four years in color, this debuting wave volume is marked by several landmark cartoons. It also serves up a couple of rare appearances, magnificent restoration work, and a mostly satisfying presentation.
• The Wild - Conventional but effective, this New York-to-Africa CGI comedy/adventure is more enjoyable than some recent in-house productions. The disc scores the highest marks for potent picture and sound, though it is light on bonus features.
• Sing Along Songs: Happy Haunting - Party at Disneyland - Half-hour compilation offers animated excerpts as well as kids-and-costumed characters in ten Halloween-themed musical numbers. The park hardly features, the songs are a mixed bag, and no effort has been taken to amplify the program's value in its overdue DVD debut. More...
Recent Touchstone, Miramax, and Buena Vista DVD Reviews:
• September DVD Roundup - This two-page report provides reviews of Stick It (Touchstone's PG-13-rated gymnastics comedy starring Jeff Bridges and Missy Peregrym), Stay Alive: Unrated Director's Cut (an ensemble horror film which reawakens the Hollywood Pictures label), Goal! The Dream Begins (a drama about a man's journey to England's pro soccer league), Kinky Boots (a British comedy brought to the US by Miramax), The Miracle Match (another soccer drama, this one an acquired indepdendent film on the 1950 U.S. World Cup team), and Power Rangers Mystic Force: Dark Wish - The Blockbuster (a triple-length, made-for-TV saga).
• Desperate Housewives" The Complete Second Season - Lives up to high expectations set forth by the previous season, especially with commercial breaks and weeks of waiting eliminated. Rich writing, skillful performances, and a dark ironic tone add up to remarkable entertainment value. The 6-disc box set largely pleases, with creative featurettes and exciting previously-deleted material bolstering a fine show that blends comedy and drama.
To subscribe to UltimateDisney.com's free weekly newsletter and gain access to past issues, send an e-mail to UltimateDisney-subscribe@topica.com or visit here.
E-mail UltimateDisney.com: tsdvd at yahoo.com
PAST NEWS UPDATES
September 1-15 Archives
August 16-31 Archives
Archives Index (goes back to July 2003)
TITLE LISTINGS
