UltimateDisney.com: The Ultimate Guide to Disney DVD
NOVEMBER 1-15, 2004: NEWS ARCHIVES
November 15 - The opening of another computer-animated film didn't prevent The Incredibles from easily retaining its top spot at the box office in its second weekend. After 10 days, the film's $143 million take has it keeping pace with Pixar's previous and top-grossing film Finding Nemo. It looks like The Incredibles will be coming to DVD quicker than any other Pixar film; we're already hearing about its 2-disc Collector's Edition DVD. All signs have been pointing to a spring release, and now it looks like we can expect it in time for Easter, according to an ad inside the new United Kingdom Mulan DVD (thanks to BonusMage for sharing this). Check out the Incredibles DVD ad, which includes preliminary artwork. Also in March, the three in-print Pixar DVDs will be undergoing temporary price reductions.
Tuesday's
Releases
November 14 - Cover art for Aladdin and the King of Thieves (half of January 18th's Aladdin II & III Collection) and the first wave of the newly-announced Walt Disney's Classic Cartoon Favorites line, has been added to Upcoming Cover Art.
November 13, 2004 - When it was released to theaters in the fall of 1993, the studio feared what kind of a reaction The Nightmare Before Christmas would get and decided not to associate the "Disney" name with it. Eleven years later, there's little hesitation in embracing this stop motion fantasy. With its dark tone and unique visuals, Nightmare divides audiences, but the majority seems to praise it as a modern masterpiece. Whether you consider it a Halloween film, a Christmas film, or just sick (with either connotation), Jack Seiley has a review for you of the 2000 Special Edition DVD, which delivers quality over quantity.
Filming on Disney's The Shaggy Dog remake begins tomorrow. When the original black-and-white comedy (which starred Fred MacMurray and Tommy Kirk) was released in 1959, it was a success with audiences, a reaction that encouraged Walt and company to make more wacky comedies, a staple of the studio's output in the '60s and '70s. This new version stars Tim Allen as a lawyer who inopportunely transfers into a sheepdog. Danny Glover (in his third Disney film) and Craig Kilborn have just joined the cast, which also includes Kristin Davis. More info.
November 12, 2004 - Today's latest addition to our ever-expanding Upcoming Disney Movies page covers The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, the long-coming feature film adaptation of Douglas Adams's cult sci-fi/comedy creation that will finally land in theaters next May. In addition to a write-up on the film, we've got links to a new teaser trailer and concept art.
November 11, 2004 - We have an assortment of new media for you today, including menus from December DVDs The Princess Diaries 2, The Young Black Stallion, and Where the Red Fern Grows (with newly-revealed extras), and new stills from next month's Walt Disney Treasures. Below, you'll find larger pics of preliminary artwork for next spring's TV on DVD season sets of "Boy Meets World", "Home Improvement", and "The Golden Girls", plus a high-resolution look at the first still (uncropped) from Pixar's upcoming film Cars.
  
While not much is kicking there yet, Disney has opened their official website for the Bambi: Special (yes, it's still "Platinum" too) Edition. Appropriately enough, the address is www.bambidvd.com.
Those looking forward to the Lilo & Stitch and Pocahontas Special Editions coming to Region 1 in 2005 may be interested in reading Loomis' report on the recently-released Australian versions of these DVDs, with screencaps.
The latest issue of our big, free, weekly newsletter was sent out in the wee morning hours. To read this and all other issues, e-mail UltimateDisney-subscribe@topica.com to subscribe.
November 10, 2004 - The character-themed cartoon short collections that Disney announced yesterday are now available to preorder from Amazon.com for just $10.49 each: Volume 1: Starring Mickey, Volume 2: Starring Donald, Volume 3: Starring Goofy, and Volume 4: Starring Chip 'N Dale. Each disc contains an hour of animated shorts, with theatrical releases ranging from 1935 to 1954. (Full list of shorts.)
Disney is making use of a rapid pace for releasing their television shows on DVD. Spring 2005 will bring the next installments of "Boy Meets World" (Season 3), "Home Improvement" (Season 2), and "The Golden Girls" (Season 2). Preliminary cover art for these three upcoming sets can be seen above; click for a larger look. No release date has been established, but the last we heard, April is the expected arrival for the next wave of DVDs for these sitcoms.
The final DVD season sets are coming for the one-hour Touchstone series "Felicity" and "Popular" on March 8, 2005. The six-disc Felicity: Season Four will contain the 22 episodes from Felicity's senior year. The second and last year of Popular (the WB's high school dramedy) will include the 21 episodes from the 2000-01 season, also on six discs. Bonus features are still to be announced. Each set is now available for preorder at Amazon.com with a 30% off discount (SRPs will be the usual $59.99): Felicity: Season Four, Popular: Season Two.
Lastly, if you buy any 2 of the four TV boxsets arriving on November 23 (schedule), you'll be eligible to receive a $10 mail-in rebate. Forms are included in all four sets. (Disney TV Shows)
November 9, 2004 - Until now, Disney's classic animated shorts have mostly been released to Region 1 DVD through the popular Walt Disney Treasures line. That will change with Walt Disney's Classic Cartoon Favorites, a new line debuting January 11, 2005 with four DVDs. These single-disc releases (each carrying a suggested retail price of just $14.99) compile about an hour of vintage color shorts featuring Disney's long-running comic cartoon characters. In this first batch, discs are devoted to Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy, and Chip 'N Dale. Disney's just-issued press release offers the lists of shorts and more information on this new line.
We don't enjoy flip-flopping on the Miyazaki Wave 2 date, but now Disney has issued a press release which confirms what we originally reported last month. Wave 2 of Buena Vista's Miyazaki DVDs WILL arrive on February 22, 2005. That day will bring the two-disc special editions of Porco Rosso and Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, which were originally scheduled for last August. The third title that was announced, My Neighbor Totoro, has been bumped in favor of Studio Ghibli's 2002 film The Cat Returns. Each DVD will include both the original Japanese audio and new English dubs featuring all-star American casts. As far as bonus features go, each Special Edition will include storyboards, the original Japanese theatrical trailer, and "Behind the Microphone" featurettes on the English-speaking voice talent. See the press release for full details.
Not surprisingly, The Incredibles has continued Pixar's perfect streak of critical acclaim and box office draw. Enjoy this montage from the film's Hollywood premiere featuring interview clips with the voice cast and crew.
A writeup has been added for another one of the films Disney will be releasing to theaters in 2005: The Pacifier stars Vin Diesel as a Navy SEAL and will open March 4.
November 8, 2004 - We have another grand look at an upcoming Disney DVD today. This review covers A Wrinkle in Time, an ambitious Wonderful World of Disney adaptation of Madeleine L'Engle's popular novel. Shelved for a couple of years, this made-for-TV movie finally received an untimely airing this past May. On November 16, it arrives on a DVD, which (aside from another judgment call to release in its standard broadcast ratio) satisfies in every regard. Read our review.
November 6, 2004 - Our latest DVD review covers Eloise at Christmastime, the Wonderful World of Disney's second adaptation of Kay Thompson's popular "Eloise" books, which will be released on November 16. Aside from a disappointing aspect ratio decision, the DVD for this charming holiday comedy merits a strong recommendation for a terrific presentation and a couple of solid bonus featurettes. Our review includes an updated guide to all the "Eloise" books.
November 5, 2004 - Pixar's long-awaited new film, The Incredibles, opens in theaters today. (Read our review / Post your thoughts.) Theatergoers get their first look at the next Pixar film Cars (the last under their contract with Disney). But if you don't want to wait to see the Cars teaser (or you want to see it again), it is now available on Apple's website.
Our write-up of Aliens of the Deep, James Cameron's new documentary coming to IMAX theaters next January, has been added to the Upcoming Disney Movies page.
November 3, 2004 - First look at Bambi disc art...
 
Courtesy of USA Today, we have a new picture and updated write-up for Cars, Pixar's seventh film (and last under their contract with Disney), which opens next November.
A new issue of UltimateDisney.com's free weekly newsletter was recently sent out. To subscribe and gain access to all past issues, send an e-mail to UltimateDisney-subscribe@topica.com.
November 2, 2004 - Our newest DVD review is up, and looks at Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas a new direct-to-video holiday feature starring Mickey, Donald, Goofy, and friends...in 3-D computer animation. The new medium for these classic Disney characters may be the most distinguishing quality about this decent collection of shorts. Mickey's Twice Upon a Christmas comes to DVD next Tuesday.
Disney has issued an unelucidating press release on the first two Growing Up with Winnie the Pooh DVD volumes.
A new Incredibles TV spot, a new National Treasure trailer have been released by Disney. The studio is orchestrating an unprecedented marketing campaign for these two new films coming to theaters this month. Read more in an article by The Hollywood Reporter.
November 1, 2004 - As promised, the latest UltimateDisney.com contest is now up and running. All you need to do is answer 8 out of 11 trivia questions correctly, and you'll get a chance to win the 2004 Disney DVD of your choice (up to $32.99 SRP). Registered and active forum members have an even better shot at winning. Entries to this contest (UD's sixth) must be received by November 20. Click here for more details and to enter.
| October's
Most Popular DVDs on the Site |
 |
Tuesday's New DVD Releases |
 |
Disney has just issued a tentative schedule for their 2005 theatrical releases, which will necessitate some updates to our Coming to Theaters page. While that is in process, here's a list of the 12 films now under the "Walt Disney Pictures" banner which are scheduled to make it to theaters next year:
Aliens of the Deep (January): James Cameron returns under the sea for additional exploring, IMAX-style. (More...)
Pooh's Heffalump Movie (February 11): The heffalumps arrive to the fright of the Hundred Acre Woods. (More...)
The Pacifier (March 4): Vin Diesel plays a Navy SEAL who faces his greatest challenge: babysitting. (More...)
Ice Princess (March 18): A brainy high school student pursues her dream of becoming a championship figure skater. (More...)
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (May 6): From the popular book by Douglas Adams, an ordinary man journeys across the universe with the fate of his planet in jeopardy. (More...)
The Greatest Game Ever Played (Spring): Shia LaBeouf stars as an amateur golfer who shocks the world at the US Open.
Herbie: Fully Loaded (June 3): Lindsay Lohan's the latest owner of that beloved Volkswagen, who now tries the NASCAR circuit. (More...)
Chicken Little (July 1): After mistaking an acorn for a falling sky, Chicken Little seeks redemption in his unforgiving hometown. (More...)
Sky High (August): With much teenage angst, Will Stronghold starts high school at an elite academy for superheroes. (More...)
Glory Road (Date TBA): Story of the underdog Texas Western basketball team that took the nation by surprise in 1966.
Cars (November 4): Pixar's seventh and last feature film with Disney takes us into the world of racecars. (More...)
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe (December 9): Adapted from the first in C.S. Lewis's popular fantasy novel series, four siblings enter a magical world cursed to an eternal winter by the dreaded White Witch. (More...)
Discuss these upcoming Disney films.
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.
PAST NEWS UPDATES
October 16-31 Archives
October 1-15 Archives
September 16-30 Archives
September 1-15 Archives
Archives Index (goes back to July 2003)
|
TITLE LISTINGS
