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101 Dalmatians

101 Dalmatians

Starring: Rod Taylor, Betty Lou Gerson, J. Pat O'Malley, Martha Wentworth, Ben Wright
Director: Clyde Geronimi

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:19

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Back in 1961, Walt Disney got a little hip with 101 Dalmatians, making use of that flat Saturday morning cartoon style that had become so popular. The result is a kitschy change in animation and story. Pongo and Perdita are two lonely dalmatians who meet cute in a London park and arrange for their pet humans to marry so they can live together and raise a family. They become proud parents of 15 pups, who are stolen by the dastardly Cruella De Vil, who wants to make a fur coat out of them. Cruella has become the most popular villain in all of Disney; she's flamboyantly nasty and lots of fun. But it's the dalmatians who shine in this endearing classic, particularly those precocious pups. Telling the story from the dogs' point of view is a clever conceit, a fundamental flaw of the live-action remake. --Bill Desowitz

Product Description
Full of boundless adventure and boisterous fun, Disney's 17th animated masterpiece is the original film classic starring 101 of the world's most lovable, huggable Dalmatians and their hilariously evil captor, Cruella De Vil! A charming London neighborhood is home to Roger and Anita, whose beloved Dalmatians, Pongo and Perdita, have become the proud parents of 15 puppies. But when Cruella and her bumbling henchmen, Horace and Jasper, unexpectedly appear, the pups soon disappear -- along with every other Dalmatian puppy in town! Now Pongo and Perdita must rally their animal friends and use the power of the "Twilight Bark" to find Cruella's secret hideaway and free the puppies. Featuring the unforgettable toe-tapping song "Cruella De Vil," 101 DALMATIANS is one of the most cherished and sought-after Disney classics of all time -- and among the last films to bear the personal touch of Walt Disney.

101 Dalmatians

101 Dalmatians

Starring: Glenn Close, Jeff Daniels, Joely Richardson, Joan Plowright, Hugh Laurie, Mark Williams, Hilda Braid, John Shrapnel
Director: Stephen Herek

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:43

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Editorial Reviews - 101 Dalmatians

All Movie Guide
There are more puppies than you can shake a rolled up newspaper at in this live-action remake of the Disney animated favorite 101 Dalmatians. Roger (Jeff Daniels) is a designer of computer games who shares his home with his pet dalmatian, Pongo. One day, Roger takes Pongo for a walk in the park and the dog sets his eyes on a beautiful female dalmatian named Perdy. Perdy likes Pongo as much as he likes her, and thankfully Perdy's mistress, a fashion designer named Anita (Joely Richardson), is quite taken with Roger. Romance blooms between the human and canine couples, and Roger and Anita tie the knot (Pongo and Perdy are apparently still living in sin). Anita works for Cruella De Vil (Glenn Close), an intense fashion maven whose lust for fur doubtless places her high on PETA's hit list. Inspired by her dogs, Anita finds herself working up a design for a fur coat made with spotted fur, and Cruella leaps on the idea of making garments out of real dalmatians. But where to get the animals? Cruella has two nasty but not especially intelligent henchmen, Jasper (Hugh Laurie) and Horace (Mark Williams), who've been known to kill the odd endangered species at madame's request. Now they're sent on a mission to round up dalmatians, and when they fall a bit short of their goal, it comes to Cruella's attention that Perdy has just given birth to a litter of 15 pups. For this version, a number of real dalmatian puppies were combined with computer-generated animation and animatronic creatures from Jim Henson's Workshop, who respond better to direction (and are doubtless easier to clean up after) than the real thing. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

102 Dalmatians

102 Dalmatians

Starring: Glenn Close, Ioan Gruffudd, Alice Evans, Tim McInnerny, Ian Richardson, Gérard Depardieu, Ben Crompton, Carol Macready, Jim Carter, Ron Cook, David Horovitch, Timothy West, Eric Idle, Delphine Annails, Tony Bluto, Dick Brannick, Hugh Futcher, Mike Hayley, Nicholas Hutchison, Thierry Lawson, Dorothea Phillips, Kerry Shale, Charles Simon, John Styles, Tessa Vale, June Watson, Tim Willcox
Director: Kevin Lima

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:40

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Editorial Reviews - 102 Dalmatians

All Movie Guide
Glenn Close goes to the dogs once again in this sequel to 101 Dalmatians, Disney's 1996 live-action adaptation of their beloved animated classic. After three years in prison, Cruella De Vil (Close) is judged to have paid her debt to society and is set free, as she pledges to have nothing to do with animal fur (especially dogs) ever again. Meanwhile, Kevin (Ioan Gruffudd) operates an animal shelter that has fallen on hard times; unless he's able to find new financial support, the lost dogs he's been caring for will have nowhere to go. Kevin and his girlfriend Chloe (Alice Evans), who happens to be Cruella's parole officer, get the idea of bringing their plight to the people through the press, but media reports of the shelter's problems attract an unlikely benefactor -- Cruella. While Ms. De Vil claims the purest of intentions, it seems the shelter is housing a large number of dalmatians, and in cahoots with mad fashion designer Monsieur Le Pelt (Gérard Depardieu), she plans to turn the puppies into haute couture. 102 Dalmatians was the first live-action feature for director Kevin Lima, who previously helmed two animated features for Disney, A Goofy Movie and Tarzan. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Absent-Minded Professor

The Absent-Minded Professor

Starring: Fred MacMurray, Nancy Olson, Keenan Wynn, Tommy Kirk, Leon Ames, Elliott Reid, Ed Wynn, Edward Andrews, David Lewis, Jack Mullaney, Belle Montrose, Wally Brown, Alan Carney, Forrest Lewis, James Westerfield, Gage Clarke, Alan Hewitt, Wendell Holmes, Don Ross, Charlie Briggs, Wally Boag, Leon Tyler
Director: Robert Stevenson

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Fantasy Comedy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:32

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Editorial Reviews - Absent-Minded Professor

All Movie Guide
One of Disney's most entertaining forays into live-action, this hit family comedy stars Fred MacMurray as a college professor so forgetful that he missed his own wedding twice. He creates an extremely resilient flying rubber, dubbed "Flubber," and manages to make his old Model-T bounce all the way to Washington, DC, where it is mistaken for a UFO, as well as helping the college basketball team win the big game with Flubber-powered sneakers. MacMurray is a lot of fun in the title role, ably supported by a cast including Tommy Kirk, Keenan Wynn and Leon Ames, although the central romance between MacMurray and huffy bride-to-be Nancy Olson gets a bit annoying in its repetitiveness. In all, however, this is one of the best children's films of the '60s, and is highly recommended. A sequel, Son of Flubber, followed, with a remake simply titled Flubber appearing in 1997. ~ Robert Firsching, Rovi

Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland

Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland

Starring: Kevin Clash, Fran Brill, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, Dave Goelz, Joseph Mazzarino, Martin P. Robinson, David Rudman, Steve Whitmire, Frank Oz, Mandy Patinkin, Vanessa L. Williams, Sonia Manzano, Roscoe Orman, Carmen Osbahr, Alison Bartlett O'Reilly, Ruth Buzzi, Emilio Delgado, Loretta Long, Bob McGrath, Harland Williams, Jerry Nelson, Carroll Spinney, Drew Allison, Bill Barretta, John Boone, B. Lee Bryan, Leslie Carrera, Lisa Consolo, Jodi Eichelberger, Rowell Gormon, Mark Harrison, Rob Killen, Bruce Lanoil, Bob Lynch, Ed May, Tim Parati, Annie Peterle, Andy Stone, Lisa Sturz, Kirk Thatcher, Matt Vogel, Matt Yates
Director: Gary Halvorson

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:13

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Editorial Reviews - Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland

Barnes & Noble
It's refreshing to see a beloved TV character -- in this case, the fuzzy red Muppet tyke of "tickle-me" fame -- make such a delightful splash with his feature film debut. The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland begins when Elmo's security blanket falls into Oscar the Grouch's trash can. The familiar can proves to be the passage to Grouchland, where garbage abounds and a motley assortment of delightfully messy Muppet monsters (and a few humans) sing, dance, and indulge in bad behavior. There, with the help of his "Sesame Street" pals, Elmo must retrieve his blanket from the clutches of Huxley (Mandy Patinkin), a dastardly villain who, like our hero, has some important lessons to learn about sharing. Highlights include Patinkin's showstopping number about the glories of greed and the appearance of sexy songstress Vanessa Williams as the Queen of Trash. Bert and Ernie narrate, stopping the film whenever things get too scary to offer reassurances that everything's going to be all right. You would have to go back to The Muppets Take Manhattan to see these fuzz balls on such a wildly imaginative big-screen outing. Kryssa Schemmerling

All Movie Guide
One of the most popular characters on Sesame Street gets his own movie in this family comedy. Playful Elmo (voice of Kevin Clash) loves his blue blanket and would never want to lose it. So when it gets spirited off to parts unknown in the midst of a tug-of-war with one of his friends, Elmo sets out to find it and ends up in the grumpy kingdom of Grouchland, where Huxley (Mandy Patinkin) and the Queen of Trash (Vanessa Williams) rule over a dark and ill-mannered domain. Along with Elmo, several other favorite Sesame Street characters appear, including Oscar the Grouch (Carroll Spinney), Ernie (Steve Whitmire), and Bert (Frank Oz). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Air Bud

Air Bud

Starring: Michael Jeter, Kevin Zegers, Wendy Makkena, Bill Cobbs, Eric Christmas, Brendan Fletcher, Norman Browning, Jay Brazeau, Stephen E. Miller, Nicola Cavendish, Shayn Solberg
Director: Charles Martin Smith

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:37

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Editorial Reviews - Air Bud

All Movie Guide
The heartwarming story of a boy, his dog and a basketball forms the basis of this family comedy from Disney. Snively (Michael Jeter) is an unfunny clown whose appearances at children's parties are usually upstaged by his dog Buddy, who has learned how to shoot a basketball. Snively is tired of being upstaged by the pooch, and he eventually abandons him. Buddy is taken in by Josh (Kevin Zegers), a shy boy whose father recently died. Josh's mother Jackie (Wendy Makkena) moves them to a small town in Washington, where the naturally withdrawn Josh doesn't quite fit in. Too shy to try out for the basketball team, he instead becomes team manager, and he practices on his own after the team goes home. One night, Josh discovers Buddy that can not only shoot hoops, but he's a better shot than anyone on the team. Coach Barker (Stephen E. Miller), hungry for victory, adds Buddy to the team and soon the dog with game is famous -- just famous enough, in fact, for Snively to return, demanding the return of his pet. Buddy the Dog was spotted by the film's producers shooting baskets on the "Stupid Pet Tricks" segment of The Late Show with David Letterman. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Air Bud: Golden Receiver

Air Bud: Golden Receiver

Starring: Kevin Zegers, Cynthia Stevenson, Gregory Harrison, Nora Dunn, Perry Anzilotti, Robert Costanzo, Tim Conway, Dick Martin, Shayn Solberg, Suzanne Ristic, Alyson MacLaren, Jay Brazeau, Jonathan Adams
Director: Richard Martin

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:30

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Editorial Reviews - Air Bud: Golden Receiver

All Movie Guide
In this family canine comedy, a sequel to Air Bud (1997), Josh Framm (Kevin Zegers) finds it a problem when his widowed mother, Jackie (Cynthia Stevenson), starts seeing the community's new veterinarian, Patrick Sullivan (Gregory Harrison). Sullivan gives a football to Josh's golden retriever Buddy, and the athletic animal is soon girding for the gridiron. Coach Fanelli (Robert Costanzo) adds Josh as back-up quarterback to the jr. high team, and an accident takes Josh off the bench and onto the field. Meanwhile, two devious dognappers (Nora Dunn, Perry Anzilotti) see news footage of Buddy playing basketball and make plans to spirit him away to a Russian circus. Four dogs performed the tricks seen here. The character of Air Bud was created by Kevin DiCicco, but Buddy died not long after the first movie. The original basketball-shooting Buddy, a popular half-time attraction prior to the first film, achieved a lifetime total of some 22,000 baskets. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch

Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch

Starring: Caitlin Wachs, Cynthia Stevenson, Molly Hagan, Richard Karn, Kevin Zegers, Frank C. Turner
Director: Robert Vince

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:26

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Editorial Reviews - Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch

All Movie Guide
With her older brother, Josh (Kevin Zegers), off at college, and her yuppie parents (Richard Karn and Cynthia Stevenson) obsessed with the new baby, young Andrea Framm (Caitlin Wachs) joins the junior high baseball team to escape the tedium of her home life. She's not very good, but luckily her sports-inclined golden retriever, Buddy, is a natural. Buddy also makes the team and becomes the star player. When the team gets into the championship game, a pair of zany scientists traveling in a laboratory inside a mobile home kidnap the pooch and his offspring in the interest of their experiments to clone sports-prone animals. ~ Buzz McClain, Rovi

Air Bud: World Pup

Air Bud: World Pup

Starring: Kevin Zegers, Caitlin Wachs, Brittany Bouck, Miguel Sandoval, Martin Ferrero, Don McMillan, Dale Midkiff
Director: Bill Bannerman

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:23

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Editorial Reviews - Air Bud: World Pup

All Movie Guide
The world's most athletic Golden Retriever is back, and he's becoming a family man in this, the second sequel to the 1997 hit Air Bud. Josh Framm (Kevin Zegers) suddenly has a lot to get used to -- his mom Jackie (Cynthia Stevenson) has just tied the knot with her boyfriend Patrick (Gregory Harrison), and now that Josh and his best friend Tom have made the school soccer team, Coach Montoya (Miguel Sandoval) informs them that the team has gone co-ed -- Emma, whose family has just moved to America from England, will be playing alongside the boys. As it turns out, Emma's family has a Golden Retriever named Molly, and Molly makes the acquaintance of Josh's basketball- (and football) playing pooch, Bud. Soon Bud and Molly are the proud parents of a litter of puppies, and Josh and Emma discover that Bud's previously displayed ball-handling skills apply to the soccer field as well. But while Josh, Emma, and Bud are trying to push their team to the state championships, the clown-turned-dogcatcher Snively (Michael Jeter) has evil plans for Bud and his new family. Air Bud: World Pup marked the directorial debut of Bill Bannerman, who had previously worked as a producer and assistant director. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Aladdin

Aladdin

Starring: Brad Kane, Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Lea Salonga, John Freeman, Frank Welker, Gilbert Gottfried, Douglas Seale, Charlie Adler, Jack Angel, Corey Burton, Philip L. Clarke, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Darling, Jerry Houser, Vera Lockwood, Sherry Lynn, Mickie T. McGowan, Patrick Pinney, Philip Proctor, Albert Tavares
Director: Ron Clements

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:30

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Editorial Reviews - Aladdin

Barnes & Noble
DVD is a whole new world for Aladdin, which soars to dazzling new heights in this magical two-disc set. Out of circulation for nearly a decade, this story of the street urchin who falls in love with Princess Jasmine has topped many a Disney buff's wish list, and this special edition doesn't disappoint. This first-ever digital presentation offers eye-and ear-popping picture and sound. As the song says, hold your breath, it gets better. The second disc contains nearly two hours of entertaining and illuminating segments that take viewers behind the scenes of a tumultuous production that became a contemporary Disney classic. Among the highlights: clips of the test animation that convinced Robin Williams to sign on as the voice of Genie; memories of "Black Friday," when the project seemed doomed after a poorly received early screening; and hilarious green-room interviews with the reunited filmmakers and cast members (but not Williams, unfortunately) conducted by Gilbert Gottfried, the voice of hench-parrot Iago. Other gems include deleted scenes -- rendered here in storyboards -- and, for the kids, two music videos: "A Whole New World" performed by Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey, and the deleted song "Proud of Your Boy," performed by Clay Aiken. Aladdin was a rollicking departure from the fairy-tale romance of Beauty and the Beast, with a hip sense of humor unprecedented in a Disney animated film. With its timeless Arabian Nights adventure, wondrous animation (the awesome Flying Carpet), and Williams's tour-de-force performance, Aladdin is truly one for the ages. Make way! Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Robin Williams's dizzying and hilarious voicing of the Genie is the main attraction of Aladdin, the third in the series of modern Disney animated movies that began with 1989's The Little Mermaid and heralded a new age for the genre. After a sultan (Douglas Seale) gives his daughter, Jasmine (Linda Larkin), three days to find a husband, she escapes the palace and encounters the street-savvy urchin Aladdin (Scott Weinger), who charms his way into her heart. While the sultan's Vizier, Jafar (Jonathan Freeman), weaves a spell so that he may marry Jasmine and become sultan himself, Aladdin discovers the Genie's lamp in a cave, rubs it, and sets the mystical entity free, leading the Genie to pledge his undying loyalty to the dazzled youth. Aladdin begins his quest to defeat Jafar and win the hand of the princess, with the Genie's help. Monsters, Disney's trademark talking animals, and a flying carpet all figure into the ensuing adventures, but Williams' Genie, who can change into anything or anybody, steals the show as he launches into one crazed monologue after another, impersonating figures from Ed Sullivan to Elvis Presley. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Aladdin and the King of Thieves

Aladdin and the King of Thieves

Starring: Linda Larkin, John Rhys-Davies, Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Gilbert Gottfried, Jerry Orbach
Director: Tad Stones

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure Drama
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:20

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Editorial Reviews - Aladdin and the King of Thieves

All Movie Guide
In Disney's second straight-to-video sequel to Aladdin, Aladdin (voice of Scott Weinger) and Princess Jasmine (voice of Linda Larkin) have finally decided to marry, but when the big day finally arrives, the ceremony is thrown into chaos by the unexpected arrival of the Forty Thieves, who are searching for the enchanted Hand of Midas, a charm that will turn all it touches into gold. Aladdin makes the shocking discovery that his father (voice of John Rhys-Davies), long believed dead, is actually the leader of this infamous band of thieves, and when his father falls into peril, Aladdin must rescue him -- with the genie of the lamp (voice of Robin Williams) on hand to help. Robin Williams, whose voice work was considered a key factor in the success of the original Aladdin, returned to the franchise for this film after bowing out of the first sequel, The Return of Jafar, due to a financial dispute (in The Return of Jafar, the genie was voiced by Dan Castellaneta). ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Alaska

Alaska

Starring: Thora Birch, Vincent Kartheiser, Dirk Benedict, Charlton Heston, Gondon Tootoosis, Arthur Agee, Ben Cardinal, Byron Chief-Moon, Don S. Davis, P. Adrien Dorval, Duncan Fraser, Ed Gale, Ryan Kent, Kristin Lehman, Dolly Madsen, Mark McCracken, Stephen E. Miller
Director: Fraser C. Heston

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:50

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Editorial Reviews - Alaska

All Movie Guide
Widower Jake Barnes (Dirk Benedict) moves with his daughter and son to a fishing village in Alaska, and earns his keep as a bush pilot by ferrying supplies to remote locations throughout the state. While the daughter loves her new home, the son cannot stand it, and is impatiently waiting until he is grown up enough to move away. However, they join forces to look for their father when they learn that he has gone down in an airplane accident. The official search party is called off and Jake is assumed dead, but the children will have none of it, and go off on their own into the Alaskan wilderness. Along the way, they thwart a big-game poacher (Charlton Heston) and his sidekick, and learn about survival in the wilderness. A highlight of the film is its fine footage of wild Alaska. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland

Starring: Kathryn Beaumont, Ed Wynn, Richard Haydn, Sterling Holloway, Jerry Colonna, Verna Felton, Pat O'Malley, Bill Thompson, Heather Angel, Joseph Kearns, Larry Grey, Queenie Leonard, Dink Trout, Doris Lloyd, James MacDonald, The Mello Men, Don Barclay, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, J. Pat O'Malley
Director: Clyde Geronimi

Certification: NR
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - Alice in Wonderland

Barnes & Noble
Walt Disney's 1951 animated adaptation of Lewis Carroll's enchanting fable emerges through the looking glass and onto DVD in this two-disc "Watch Me" set that's brimming with fascinating archival treasures and fun interactive features. Following Snow White and Cinderella, Alice was the third storybook heroine Disney animators brought to life. Their Alice is a bored schoolgirl who, like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, yearns for a more exciting life. Things get "curiouser and curiouser" after she follows the frantic White Rabbit down the rabbit hole and has a series of surreal misadventures in a world where "nothing's impossible." Although less emotionally engaged than such Disney animated masterworks as Pinocchio and Bambi, Alice in Wonderland is still a riot of fantastic incidents and classic characters (the Walrus and the Carpenter, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, the Queen of Hearts, and, to quote Grace Slick, that hookah-smoking Caterpillar). The voice work is superb, from charmer Kathryn Beaumont as Alice to Ed Wynn as the Mad Hatter, Jerry Colonna as the March Hare, and Sterling Holloway as the Cheshire Cat. The musical score includes the Disney standards, "I'm Late" and the rollicking "The Unbirthday Song." And, for once in a Disney film, a wicked queen is more comical than terrifying. As for the bonuses: Rarities include "One Hour in Wonderland" form 1950, culled from Walt Disney's first television show, as well as the 1923 Disney cartoon "Alice's Wonderland," which combines live action and animation, and the classic Mickey Mouse cartoon "Thru the Mirror." An adult Beaumont appears in a surprising segment that reveals how unused music from Alice found its way into Peter Pan. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This Disney feature-length cartoon combines the most entertaining elements of Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Chasing after the White Rabbit, who runs into view singing "I'm Late! I'm Late!," Alice falls down the rabbit hole into the topsy-turvy alternate world of Wonderland. She grows and shrinks after following the instructions of a haughty caterpillar, attends a "Very Merry Unbirthday" party in the garden of the Mad Hatter and the March Hare, stands in awe as the Cheshire Cat spouts philosophy, listens in rapt attention as Tweedledum and Tweedledee relate the story of the Walrus and the Carpenter (a sequence usually cut when Alice is shown on TV), and closes out her day with a hectic croquet game at the home of the Red Queen. The music and production design of Alice in Wonderland is marvelous, but the film is too much of a good thing, much too frantic to do full honor to the whimsical Carroll original, and far too episodic to hang together as a unified feature film. One tactical error is having Alice weep at mid-point, declaring her wish to go home: This is Alice in Wonderland, Walt, not Wizard of Oz! Its storytelling shortcomings aside, Alice in Wonderland is superior family entertainment (never mind the efforts in the 1970s to palm off the picture as a psychedelic "head" film). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

All Dogs Go to Heaven

All Dogs Go to Heaven

Starring: Burt Reynolds, Judith Barsi, Dom DeLuise, Vic Tayback, Charles Nelson Reilly, Melba Moore, Loni Anderson, Candy Devine, Ken Page, Earleen Carey, John K. Carr, Robert Fuller, Dan Kuenster, Anna Manahan, Dan Molina, Nigel Pegram, Godfrey Quigley, Mark Swan, Dick Zondag
Director: Don Bluth

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:25

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Editorial Reviews - All Dogs Go to Heaven

All Movie Guide
One of the most expensive of Don Bluth's animated cartoon features, All Dogs Go to Heaven was also among the most successful. Set in late-'30s New Orleans, the story centers upon a roguish German shepherd named Charlie B. Barkin (voice of Burt Reynolds), who is killed early in the proceedings by his business partner, Carface (voice of Vic Tayback). Charlie travels to Heaven, and is promptly warned that if he heads back to Earth, he can never return; he does decide to go back to Earth, however, to exact revenge on Carface, who has kidnapped Anne-Marie, a little orphan girl who can talk to Animals.

The film also includes the vocal skills of Dom DeLuise, Charles Nelson Reilly, Vic Tayback, Melba Moore, Loni Anderson, and a host of others. All Dogs Go to Heaven was the first production of the Dublin-based Sullivan Bluth Studios. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Amazing Panda Adventure

The Amazing Panda Adventure

Starring: Stephen Lang, Ryan Slater, Huang Fei
Director: Christopher Cain

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:24

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Editorial Reviews - Amazing Panda Adventure

All Movie Guide
This family adventure concerns Ryan (Ryan Slater), a ten-year-old boy who has traveled to China with his father, a scientist working with a wildlife preserve dedicated to the rescue and protection of giant pandas, who are quickly becoming an endangered species in their native land. However, the preserve is faced with a severe budget cut that would close them down unless they can produce a living panda cub. Ryan, his father Michael (Stephen Lang), and a local girl acting as translator (Huang Fei) set out in search of a baby panda. However, when they find one, the bear is being pursued by poachers. Ryan becomes separated from the rest of the group, and he alone must guide the young panda to the safety of the preserve, with the hunters hot on his trail and without the help of his father or their translator. The Amazing Panda Adventure was shot on location in Mainland China's Sichuan province. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West

Starring: Philip Glasser, James Stewart, Dom DeLuise, Cathy Cavadini, John Cleese, Erica Yohn, Nehemiah Persoff, Amy Irving, Jon Lovitz, Jack Angel, Fausto Bara, Vanna Bonta, Philip L. Clarke, Jennifer Darling, Annie Holliday, Sherry Lynn, Lev Mailer, Mickie T. McGowan, Larry Moss, Nigel Pegram, Patrick Pinney, Lisa Raggio, Lawrence Steffan, David Tate, Robert Watts
Director: Phil Nibbelink

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - American Tail: Fievel Goes West

All Movie Guide
In this animated sequel to An American Tale, Fievel Mousekewitz strikes out from not-so-enthralling New York City in a wagon train headed West. Helping propel the departure is a crafty cat named Cat R. Waul who tells our Fievel that out West the cats and mice get along just fine. Once on the trail, Fievel finds that the cat's real plan is mice meat pie out of the little rodents, and Fievel tries his darndest to warn everyone, but to no avail. On his side, however, are a couple of friendly cats, including one named Tiger (voice: Dom Deluise) whose scattered one-liners will keep most audiences chuckling. Another wonderful character is the has-been sheriff Wylie Burp (voice: James Stewart). Although this film may be rightfully criticized as being a little too tame, even for toddlers, the endearing and humorous character side-play will likely appeal to most little ones, and very possibly some big people, too. Rovi

Anastasia

Anastasia

Starring: Meg Ryan, John Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Christopher Lloyd, Hank Azaria, Bernadette Peters, Kirsten Dunst, Angela Lansbury, Liz Callaway, Lacey Chabert, Jim Cummings, Jonathan Dokuchitz
Director: Don Bluth

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:34

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Editorial Reviews - Anastasia

All Movie Guide
The first feature from the 20th Century-Fox animation unit in Phoenix, Arizona, this is the ninth film produced and directed by the Don Bluth/Gary Goldman duo (An American Tail) and the first animated feature to be made in CinemaScope since Disney's Sleeping Beauty (1959). This $50 million animated fantasy retells the story of Anastasia, daughter of Czar Nicholas, beginning with her childhood in 1916 Russia. After Rasputin's curse on the Romanovs, little Anastasia is separated from her grandmother, the Dowager Empress Maria. After growing up in an orphanage, Anastasia emerges as a young woman called Anya. With no clear memory of her youth, Anya encounters entrepreneurs who seek an Anastasia look-alike in hopes of collecting a reward in Paris from the aged Dowager Empress. Despite demonic interference from Rasputin, the three travel to Paris where another problem awaits: the Dowager Empress is now skeptical of the parade of imposters. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Angelina Ballerina: Angelina in the Wings

Angelina Ballerina: Angelina in the Wings

Starring:
Director: Roger McIntosh

Certification: NR
Category: Animation
User Rating:
Running Time: 0:48

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Editorial Reviews - Angelina Ballerina: Angelina in the Wings

Barnes & Noble
Following in the footsteps of Bob the Builder and Kipper, this charming British animated series has been embraced by American preschoolers. Based on the books written by Katharine Holabird and illustrated by Helen Craig, Angelina is a "ballet-mad" mouseling with a dream to follow and lessons to learn. In the title story, Angelina overcomes her initial jealousy and graciously helps her cousin Henry prepare for a dance recital. In "Treasure Tandems," slow and steady wins the race when Angelina and best friend Alice compete in a treasure hunt against their archrivals, the Pinkpaw twins. Teamwork is required in "Two Mice in a Boat," when Angelina is reluctantly partnered with Mouseland's bad boy, Sammy, in a boat-decorating carnival. In "Cheese Ball Cup Final," peer pressure almost causes William to quit ballet until his dancing skills help win the Cheese Ball championship. Finty Williams is the voice of Angelina, with her real-life mother, Dame Judi Dench, as the ballet teacher Miss Lily. The warm British voices, exquisite animation, and delightful stories will have Angelina fans cheering, "Encore." Donald Liebenson

Angels in the Outfield

Angels in the Outfield

Starring: Danny Glover, Tony Danza, Brenda Fricker, Christopher Lloyd, Ben Johnson, Jay O. Sanders, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Milton Davis Jr., Taylor Negron, O.B. Babbs, Ruth Beckford, Adrien Brody, Robert Clohessy, Tim Conlon, Mark Conlon, Connie Craig, Oliver Dear, Pam Dixon, Lionel Douglass, Michael Halton, Sally Jane Jackson, Israel Juarbe, Tony Longo, Matthew McConaughey, Neal McDonough, Dermot Mulroney, Tony Reitano, John Howard Swain
Director: William Dear

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:42

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Editorial Reviews - Angels in the Outfield

All Movie Guide
Updated from the 1951 film of the same name, Angels In The Outfield takes liberties with the original to bring sentimental values to a modern setting. Roger (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is a foster child whose irresponsible father promises to get his act together when Roger's favorite baseball team, the California Angels, wins the pennant. The problem is that the Angels are in last place, so Roger prays for help to turn the team around. Sure enough, his prayers are answered in the form of angel Al (Christopher Lloyd), and, before you know it, the Angels' bitter manager (Danny Glover) is watching in amazement as his team starts making the plays -- with the help of angels visible to the audience only as glowing special effects. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Annie

Annie

Starring: Alicia Morton, Victor Garber, Kathy Bates, Alan Cumming
Director: Rob Marshall

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:30

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Editorial Reviews - Annie

Barnes & Noble
The sun comes up again on one of the best-received Broadway musicals of the '70s in a made-for-TV production from the same people who brought us Gypsy (with Bette Midler) and Cinderella (with Brandy and Whitney Houston) in recent years. This sparkling production, also broadcast on ABC's The Wonderful World of Disney, is a more streamlined Annie with much of its Depression-era subtext -- and the song "Hooverville" -- cut to keep things moving between commercials. As with the earlier productions, the cast is top-notch, including Alicia Morton as the indomitable Annie, Victor Garber as Daddy Warbucks, Audra McDonald as Grace, and Tony-winners Alan Cumming (Cabaret) Kristin Chenoweth (You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown) as Rooster and Lily, respectively. Broadway fans will appreciate the producer's nod to the original "star-to-be" in the song "NYC" -- Andrea McArdle, the Great White Way's first Annie. Oscar-winner Kathy Bates is a hoot as the despicable Miss Hannigan, the bane of young Annie's existence. While John Huston's 1982 film has its devotees (and detractors), this fluid and family-friendly Annie is a rousing outing that will have your children chirping "tomorrow, tomorrow" for years to come. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This made-for-TV adaptation of the hit Broadway musical (which was, in turn, based on the popular comic strip by Harold Gray) stars Alicia Morton as Annie, who lives in an orphanage run by the ill-tempered Miss Hannigan (Kathy Bates). Like the rest of the children, Annie doesn't like the orphanage and hates Miss Hannigan, so she's excited when famous and eccentric billionaire Daddy Warbucks (Victor Garber) picks Annie as the lucky orphan who gets to spend Christmas at his mansion. Warbucks is charmed by Annie's spunk and good spirits and is eager to adopt her, but Annie is convinced that one day her real parents will come back to claim her. Eager to make her happy, Warbucks offers a sizable cash reward to whomever can find Annie's mother and father; Miss Hannigan, seeing the possibility of an easy payday, concocts a scheme by which her brother Rooster (Alan Cumming) and his floozy girlfriend Lily (Kristin Chenoweth) will pose as Annie's long-lost folks. Andrea McArdle, who originated the role of Annie on Broadway, has a supporting role as the Star-to-Be. The musical was previously filmed in 1982, with John Huston in the director's chair. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Antz

Antz

Starring: Woody Allen, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Gene Hackman, Christopher Walken, Danny Glover, Dan Aykroyd, Jennifer Lopez, Jane Curtin, John Mahoney, Anne Bancroft, Paul Mazursky
Director: Eric Darnell

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:23

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Editorial Reviews - Antz

All Movie Guide
DreamWorks and Pacific Data Images collaborated on this all computer-animated comedy-adventure about the ant angst of misfit worker ant, Z (voice of Woody Allen), who feels trapped by the conformist confines of his totalitarian ant civilization and eventually sets forth in search of Insectopia. After DreamWorks began animating Prince of Egypt June 1, 1995, the company launched Antz in Palo Alto a year later (5/20/96), the same month the DreamWorks/PDI partnership was announced. The screenplay by Chris and Paul Weitz and Todd Alcott has uncredited input by Woody Allen (who matched dialogue to fit his usual style of verbal delivery). The story suggests the possible influence of Yevgeny Zamatin's classic novel We (1923) and Ayn Rand's similar-themed Anthem (1936), filmed in the early '70s in a rarely seen unauthorized film adaptation (which Rand never allowed to be shown commercially). Following the 1995 Toy Story (1995), Antz is the second fully computer-animated feature, preceding the release of Disney's all-CGI A Bug's Life by seven weeks. Antz begins with worker ant Z discussing his feelings of insignificance with a shrink (voice of Paul Mazursky) before heading off to his tunnel-digging job, work supervised by General Mandible (Gene Hackman) and Colonel Cutter (Christopher Walken). Mandible has big dreams of conquest, and he convinces the Queen (Anne Bancroft) an attack is necessary to prevent a termite invasion. Her daughter is Princess Bala (Sharon Stone), who's not overly enchanted by her engagement to Mandible. The Princess goes slumming, visiting the bar where Z hangs out with his friend Weaver (Sylvester Stallone). To the tune of "Guantanamera," Bala dances with Z -- in a scene with allusions to the dance in Pulp Fiction (1994). Entranced by the encounter, Z convinces Weaver to swap places, so a military parade will allow him to see Bala in the reviewing stand. Befriended by soldier ant Barbatus (Danny Glover) during the parade, Z nervously realizes he's actually marching into battle. Attacked by termites, the troops experience horrors highly reminiscent of the Starship Troopers (1997) bug battles. The dying Barbatus tells Z, "Don't follow orders all your life." As the only survivor of the slaughter, Z returns home a war hero. Threatened by Mandible, Bala and Z are thrown together in a journey into the outside world, and they travel toward the legendary Insectopia. Major city newspaper critics were almost unanimous in their praise of Antz. Shown at the 1998 Toronto Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

The Aristocats

The Aristocats

Starring: Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, Sterling Holloway, Scatman Crothers, Dean Clark
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:18

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Duchess and her three kittens are enjoying the high life with their devoted human mistress until the wicked butler Edgar, with his eyes on a big inheritance, decides to dope them and get them out of the picture. How can these fragile creatures cope in the unfamiliar countryside and the meaner streets of Paris? Only by meeting the irrepressible alley cat O'Malley, a rough diamond with romance in his heart. After they get a taste of the wide dangerous world, he guides them home, and Edgar gets his just desserts at the wrong end of a horse. As always, it's really the voices rather than the animation that are the heart of the Disney magic: Phil Harris is brilliant as O'Malley, Eva Gabor as Duchess is... well... Eva Gabor; but perhaps the most memorable turns are by Pat Buttram and George Lindsay, who turn the old hounds Napoleon and Lafayette into a couple of bumbling Southern-fried rednecks. Their scenes with Edgar, and the musical numbers with Scat Cat and his cool-dude band, are classic. Most striking about seeing The Aristocats now is how deeply Disney's style of animation has changed since this was at the cutting edge in 1970. Perhaps the nostalgic, dated feel are just a result of being plonked down in Belle Epoque Paris, but the illustrations are fussier (a pity) and the animation and overall pace much less frenetic (sometimes a relief) than in more recent efforts such as Aladdin. --Richard Farr

Product Description
A Walt Disney Masterpiece Movie. The Aristocats is a movie enjoyed both by the young and old. In plastic protective case.

The Aristocats

The Aristocats

Starring: Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, Sterling Holloway, Scatman Crothers, Vito Scotti, Thurl Ravenscroft, Dean Clark, George Lindsey, Bill Thompson, Hermione Baddeley, Pat Buttram, Maurice Chevalier, Gary Dubin, Liz English, Monica Evans, Tim Hudson, Nancy Kulp, Charles Lane, Roddy Maude-Roxby, Carole Shelley, Paul Winchell
Director: Milt Kahl

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:18

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Editorial Reviews - Aristocats

Barnes & Noble
Disney's 20th animated feature is even more of a jazzy romp than The Jungle Book, and once again, the voice cast makes as much of an impression as the animation. Phil Harris (essentially reprising his free-spirited Baloo character) is alley-wise cat Thomas O'Malley, who comes to the rescue of Parisian-bred feline Duchess (Eva Gabor) and her three kittens after they are dumped in the countryside by a scheming butler out to steal their rightful inheritance. The musical highlight is the stylized tour de force "Everybody Wants To Be a Cat." As in "101 Dalmatians," The Aristocats boasts a menagerie of memorable animal characters, including bohemian Scat Cat (Scatman Crothers), the veddy British geese Agatha and Abigail, and hound dogs Napoleon and Lafayette (Pat Buttram and George "Goober" Lindsay). Not vintage Disney, but still a breed apart, The Aristocats will enjoy more than nine lives in this pristine, re-mastered edition. Only the most finicky viewers will resist its considerable charms. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
The Aristocats was the first Disney Studios animated feature to be produced after Walt Disney's death. A wealthy woman leaves her vast fortune to her four cats: the well-bred Duchess and her kittens, Berlioz, Toulouse, and Marie. Jealous butler Edgar, eager to get his mitts on the cats' legacy, abandons the felines in the French countryside. The four lost kitties are aided in their efforts to return home by the raffish country pussycats Thomas O'Malley and Scat Cat. In keeping with a tradition launched by The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats is top-heavy with celebrity voices, including Phil Harris, Eva Gabor, Scatman Crothers, Hermione Baddeley, and the ineluctable Sterling Holloway. Assembled by the "nine old men" then in charge of animation, The Aristocats was a commercial success, essentially proving that Disney animated features could succeed without the involvement of the company's founder. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Arthur: Arthur's Perfect Christmas

Arthur: Arthur's Perfect Christmas

Starring:
Director:

Certification: NR
Category: Animation
User Rating:
Running Time: 55:00

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Editorial Reviews - Arthur: Arthur's Perfect Christmas

Barnes & Noble
The perfect Christmas? Not with Arthur's gift to his mother accidentally broken! And not with clumsy Uncle Fred making a shambles of the house, and sister D.W. demanding the season's hottest-selling toy (Tina the Talking Tabby). To make matters worse, Arthur's friends have their own holiday problems: Muffy insensitively demands that Francine skip her family's Chanukah party to attend her Christmas blowout; Buster's recently divorced mother is in a frenzy to make this holiday "a big deal"; and no one can seem to stomach Binkie's holiday treats (banana bread, with peels). For fans of Marc Brown's bestselling books and PBS's top-rated animated series, this hour-long animated holiday special sings with the joy of the holidays (Chanukah and Kwanzaa included) and offers heartwarming lessons about family, friendship, and the true meaning of Christmas. Of course, when his uncle reminds him that the holidays are about "more than just presents," Arthur responds, "That's what grownups always say." The program implies it's worth saying. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Arthur the loveable aardvark and his friends have entertained and delighted countless young people with their adventures while teaching important life lessons along the way. Now join them as they prepare for Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, bringing together many different traditions in hopes of creating the perfect holiday. But as his best-laid plans begin to fall apart, Arthur discovers that the real joy of the Christmas season comes not in the form of holiday parties and fancy gifts, but in the spirit of special friends and family. ~ Kathryn Tamms, Rovi

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Starring: Michael J. Fox, James Garner, Cree Summer, Leonard Nimoy, Don Novello, Claudia Christian, Jacqueline Obradors, John Mahoney, Corey Burton, David Ogden Stiers, Jim Varney, Florence Stanley, Phil Morris, Natalie Strom
Director: Gary Trousdale

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Fantasy Adventure
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:35

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Editorial Reviews - Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Barnes & Noble
Disney takes another plunge under the sea for its most exciting animated extravaganza in years. No pop-fueled soundtrack. No cute animal sidekicks. No Broadway-bound song-and-dance showstoppers. Instead, Disney's 40th animated feature is a thrilling throwback to the studio's grand tradition of live-action adventures such as 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. It is also another awesome leap into uncharted realms of the imagination and state-of-the-art animation. (Disney recruited the services of famed comic book artist Mike Mignola to help design the production.) Michael J. Fox heads the voice cast as Milo Thatch, who repairs boilers in a museum basement while yearning to continue his grandfather's quest to find the legendary lost empire of Atlantis. He gets his chance when one of his grandfather's long-lost journals surfaces. An eccentric benefactor (voiced by Frasier's John Mahoney) funds an expedition crewed by a rogues' gallery of colorful characters serving under the imposing Commander Rourke (James Garner). The story may become a bit hard to follow for youngsters once Milo and company reach Atlantis (something to do with an ancient energy source); but they'll get the big picture when Rourke's true nature surfaces, Atlantis is threatened, and mild-mannered Milo gets in touch with his inner Indiana Jones. Atlantis earned a PG rating for its explosive action set-pieces, mildly risqué humor, and provocative character designs (most notably the bombshell Helga, Rourke's right-hand woman). As folksinger Donovan once sang, "Hail, Atlantis!"

All Movie Guide
The first Disney cartoon to be produced in the 70 mm format since The Black Cauldron (1985), this blend of traditional animation with computer-generated imagery is a straight adventure tale of the Jules Verne school, eschewing the studio's typical formula of cute critters mixed with song-and-dance routines. Michael J. Fox is the voice of Milo Thatch, a lowly museum employee and linguist in the early 20th century who's determined to continue his late grandfather's search for the lost, sunken empire of Atlantis. Bankrolled by eccentric millionaire Preston Whitmore (John Mahoney), Milo teams up with a diverse crew of mercenaries led by submarine commander Rourke (James Garner). After a sea battle with a giant denizen of the deep, the explorers locate the submerged civilization. Milo falls in love with Princess Kida (Cree Summer), the daughter of Atlantis' aged ruler (Leonard Nimoy), and must choose sides when it's revealed that some of his fellow expedition members intend to steal a mystical energy source from their hosts. Claudia Christian, Mark Hamill, David Ogden Stiers, Don Novello, and the late Jim Varney co-star. Although considered a shoo-in for a nomination in the debut year of the new Oscar category of Best Animated Feature, Atlantis: The Lost Empire faced stiff competition from other non-live-action entertainment in the summer of 2001, including Shrek, Final Fantasy, and Monsters Inc.. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Babe

Babe

Starring: James Cromwell, Magda Szubanski, Christine Cavanaugh, Miriam Margolyes, Danny Mann, Hugo Weaving, Michael Edward-Stevens, Miriam Flynn, Paul Goddard, David Webb, Marshall Napier, Matthew Long, John Doyle, Charles Bartlett, Russie Taylor, Courtland Mead, Rosanna Huffman, Paige Pollack, Maeve Germaine, Jane Alden, Kerry Walker, Kimberly Bailey, Patrika Darbo, Michelle Davison, Julie Forsyth, Tina Lifford, Helen O'Connor, John Erwin, Jacqueline Brennan, Justin Monjo, Neil Ross, Doris Grau, Tony Hughes, Roscoe Lee Browne
Director: Chris Noonan

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:34

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Editorial Reviews - Babe

Barnes & Noble
One of the most beloved family films in recent years, Babe tells a sweetly sardonic fable of tolerance and understanding. Despite the fact that its fairy-tale settings are bathed in a golden glow, Babe is refreshingly honest about the realities of life on a farm. A little piggy starts out life the runt of the litter and becomes a champion sheepdog through good humor and an open heart. Superb vocal performances bring Babe and his barnyard pals to life, and the computer animation never detracts from the personable animal stars. As stoic Farmer Hoggett, James Cromwell delivers such a beautifully restrained performance that his eventual explosion into song charms and astonishes at the same time. This sleeper hit proved successful with adults as well as children, earning it a surprisingly large number of year-end awards and nominations, including an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. Babe deserves to be a holiday staple, if only for the notable catchphrase uttered by one of the animals: "Christmas is carnage." Amy Robinson

All Movie Guide
A young pig fights convention to become a sheep dog -- or, rather, sheep pig -- in this charming Australian family film, which became an unexpected international success due to superior special effects and an intelligent script. The title refers to the name bestowed on a piglet soon after his separation from his family, when he finds himself on a strange farm. Confused and sad, Babe is adopted by a friendly dog and slowly adjusts to his new home. Discovering that the fate of most pigs is the dinner table, Babe devotes himself to becoming a useful member of the farm by trying to learn how to herd sheep, despite the skepticism of the other animals and the kindly but conventional Farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell). Because technically impeccable animatronics and computer graphics allow the farm animals to converse easily among themselves, first-time director Chris Noonan can treat the film's menagerie as actual characters, playing scene not for cuteness but for real emotions. The result is often surprisingly touching, with Noonan and George Miller's script, based on Dick King-Smith's children's book and, indirectly, a true story, seamlessly combining gentle whimsy and sincere feeling. These same qualities are embodied by in Cromwell's beautifully understated performance as Farmer Hoggett, which anchors the film. Despite its unlikely premise and low profile, Babe's inspirational story was embraced by audiences and critics, and the movie became an international sleeper that won an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture. It was followed in 1999 by the less successful Babe: Pig in the City. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Babe: Pig in the City

Babe: Pig in the City

Starring: Magda Szubanski, James Cromwell, Mary Stein, Mickey Rooney, Julie Godfrey, Elizabeth Daily, Danny Mann, Glenne Headly, Steven Wright, James Cosmo, Myles Jeffrey, Nathan Kress, Stanley Ralph Ross, Russi Taylor, Adam Goldberg, Roscoe Lee Browne
Director: George Miller

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:35

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Editorial Reviews - Babe: Pig in the City

All Movie Guide
The 1995 Academy award-winning film Babe was Australian-made and featured the latest in talking animal anima-tronics. It told the heart-warming story of a sheepherding pig named Babe and his rise to community fame. The film was a tremendous hit, both financially and critically. Babe: Pig in the City is the higher budgeted American-made sequel that picks up where the original left off. It was directed by George Miller (Mad Max trilogy) who produced the original Babe film, and received a lot of criticism for being much darker than the original. The story owes more to George Orwell's Animal Farm or Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist than the original film. Having triumphed at the National Sheepdog trials, Babe returns home a hero. But after farmer Hoggett (James Cromwell) suffers from a farming accident, Mrs. Hoggett, a naive portly woman, is left to work the ranch alone. It's not long before the bank comes knocking. Desperate to save her farm from foreclosure, she accepts an offer for Babe to perform his sheepherding abilities at an overseas state fair. Babe, Mrs. Hoggett, Ferdinand the duck, and the singing mice travel across the ocean to a surreal metropolis, where they suddenly become stranded and separated. Soon Babe is performing with circus apes, being chased by wild strays (sounding a lot like Marlon Brando in The Godfather), and making a new wheelchair-bound canine friend (voiced by Adam Goldberg). He also is anointed leader of the animal community. What Babe lacks in street smarts he makes up for in honest goodness as he teaches audiences yet again that "an unprejudiced heart can mend a broken world." ~ Arthur Borman, Rovi

Babes in Toyland

Babes in Toyland

Starring: Charles Nelson Reilly, Lacey Chabert, Joseph Ashton, Raphael Sbarge, Cathy Cavadini, Christopher Plummer, Susan Silo, Bronson Pinchot, Jim Belushi, Lindsay Schnebly
Director: Paul Sabella

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animation
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:14

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Editorial Reviews - Babes in Toyland

All Movie Guide
This highly acclaimed animated version of the classic children's holiday tale features the voices of several stars, notably Christopher Plummer, James Belushi and Bronson Pinchot. The story is set in mythical Toyland two days before Christmas and centers on the attempts of young Jack and Jill to stop the wicked Barnaby (Plummer) from shutting down the Toyland factory and spoiling the holiday for children everywhere. The heroic children receive help from Toyland residents, Tom Piper, Mary Lamb and Humpty Dumpty. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Balto

Balto

Starring: Kevin Bacon, Lola Bates-Campbell, Bob Hoskins, Bridget Fonda, Jim Cummings, Phil Collins, Miriam Margolyes, Jack Angel, Bill Bailey, Jennifer Blanc, Juliette Brewer, Jim Carter, Christine Cavanaugh, Sandra Dickinson, Brendan Fraser, Garick Hagon, Danny Mann, Robbie Rist, William Roberts, Michael J. Shannon, Donald Sinden
Director: Simon Wells

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:17

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Editorial Reviews - Balto

All Movie Guide
Balto is an animated trifle, based loosely on a true story from the 1920s, that may offer some amusement for young children. A live-action intro and outro set the stage for the story of Balto (voiced by Kevin Bacon), a stray who's half dog and half wolf, who is shunned as a half-breed outcast by both humans and his own kind. Balto does have some friends, like the goose Boris (Bob Hoskins) and two polar bears named Muk and Luk (Phil Collins), but he is particularly resented by canine pack leader Steele (Jim Cummings), with whom he is competing for the affections of Jenna (Bridget Fonda). He eventually becomes a hero when he guides a medication-carrying sled to a townful of sick kids in the wilds of Alaska. The film features a number of positive messages (subtlety is not its strong point), but it may not feature enough humor or excitement to keep anyone but the very smallest viewers engrossed. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Bambi

Bambi

Starring: Hardie Albright, Stan Alexander, Peter Behn, Tim Davis, Donnie Dunagan, Sam Edwards, Ann Gillis, Sterling Holloway, Cammie King, Perce Pearce, Bobby Stewart, John Sutherland
Director: James Algar

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:09

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Editorial Reviews - Bambi

Barnes & Noble
More than 60 years before The Lion King, Walt Disney and his original dream team of animators illustrated the circle of life with this classic coming-of-age fable based on the book by Felix Salten. Bambi traces the seasons in the life of a young deer prince, from his birth and adolescence through the birth of his own two fawns. This masterpiece ranks near the top of the Disney pantheon. Bambi boasts some of Disney's most memorable characters (Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk), its loveliest songs ("Love Is a Song" and "Little April Showers"), and its most haunting and harrowing score -- listen to how the ominous Man's theme anticipates the incoming shark music from Jaws. It's hard to imagine an animated scene that more effectively depicts joy and wonder than Bambi's first skittish skate on the frozen pond. There is heartbreak here, too, in Walt Disney's first-ever death scene: "We'll tear [the audience's] hearts out," the animator famously predicted. This two-disc set will leave Disney and animation buffs "twitterpated" with its wealth of archival rarities and unprecedented features. Chief among these is, in lieu of a commentary, audio reenactments of the actual story meetings that chart the film's production. Bambi is truly one for the ages, and this Special Edition will en-deer it to yet a new generation. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
The classic Felix Salter story Bambi provides the basis for this near-perfect Disney animated feature. We follow the male deer Bambi from birth, through his early childhood experiences with woodland pals Thumper the rabbit and Flower the skunk, the traumatic sudden death of Bambi's mother at the hands of hunters, his courtship of the lovely doe Faline, and his rescue of his friends during a raging forest fire; we last see the mature, antlered Bambi assuming his proper place as the Prince of the Forest. In the grand Disney tradition, Bambi is brimming with unforgettable sequences, notably the young deer's attempts to negotiate an iced-over pond, and most especially the death of Bambi's mother--and if this moment doesn't move you to tears, you're made of stone (many subsequent Disney films, including Lion King, have tried, most in vain, to match the horror and pathos of this one scene). The score in Bambi yielded no hits along the lines of "Whistle While You Work," but the songs are adroitly integrated into the action. Bambi was the last of the "classic" early Disney features before the studio went into a decade-long doldrums of disjointed animated pastiches like Make Mine Music. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Barbie as Rapunzel

Barbie as Rapunzel

Starring: Kelly Sheridan, Anjelica Huston
Director: Owen Hurley

Certification: NR
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:23

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Editorial Reviews - Barbie as Rapunzel

Barnes & Noble
Following her star turn in Barbie in the Nutcracker, the original American idol returns to the screen in this enchanting computer-animated romantic adventure. Barbie really lets her hair down as the fairy-tale princess, Rapunzel, who has been secreted from the world by the evil sorceress Gothel (regally voiced by Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston). Rapunzel's artistic imagination and adventurous spirit lead her outside the magic walls, where she meets Prince Stefan and helps bring peace to two feuding kingdoms, pitted against each other by the vengeful Gothel's trickery. Barbie's Rapunzel is a resourceful heroine, and she's aided by the requisite animal sidekicks, including Penelope, a dragon who discovers how mighty she can be when all seems lost. This contemporary twist on a classic fairy tale will captivate Barbie fans everywhere. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
A beloved fairy tale gets a whole new look in this computer-animated feature for the whole family. The world's best-loved fashion doll, Barbie (voice of Kelly Sheridan) stars as Rapunzel, a lovely girl with beautiful golden hair who is locked in a tower by a wicked witch (voice of Anjelica Huston). However, Rapunzel's gifts as an artist provide a key to her escape, and to a better life with a handsome prince. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Barney's Great Adventure

Barney's Great Adventure

Starring: George Hearn, Shirley Douglas, Trevor Morgan, Kyla Pratt, Diana Rice, David Joyner, Bob West, Jeff Ayres, Julie Johnson, Renee Madeleine Le Guerrier
Director: Steve Gomer

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - Barney's Great Adventure

All Movie Guide
This is the large-screen debut of famous (or infamous, depending on your POV) fuzzy purple dinosaur Barney, the oafish character who began a decade earlier on video (selling 45 million units) and then became a top-ranked public TV preschooler show in 1992, followed by 15 million stuffed toys and 25 million copies of Barney books, plus his own attraction at the Universal theme park. The story in this $15 million movie has Mom and Dad leaving son Cody and daughter Abby, plus Abby's friend Marcella, and a baby with Grandpa and Grandma down on the farm -- where a shooting star deposits a large colorful egg. After it's accidentally taken away, Cody and others chase after the egg, intersecting a Main Street parade and then continuing on through a French restaurant, a circus, and a big hot-air balloon launch, eventually returning to the farm. Music features more than a dozen songs, including "Old MacDonald" and "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star." Dances devised by Cirque du Soleil choreographer Debra Brown. Filmed in the countryside near Montreal. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Barney: Barney's Musical Castle

Barney: Barney's Musical Castle

Starring:
Director:

Certification: NR
Category: Made for TV
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:10

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Editorial Reviews - Barney: Barney's Musical Castle

Barnes & Noble
Hear ye! Hear ye! From the Enchanted Forest to a fairy-tale castle, you are invited to join His Purple Majesty, ruler of the kid-vid kingdom, on a magical and musical journey to return a lost crown to the king. Along the way, Barney, Baby Bop, B.J., and their enthusiastic young companions perform sing-along songs, rhyme-along rhymes, and clever little finger plays. Taped before an adoring audience, this produced-for-video presentation captures all the fun of a Barney stage show without the screaming throngs or the souvenir sticker shock. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Barney, the lovable purple dinosaur, returns to the stage for his third live performance tour. Barney's Musical Castle thrilled young audiences around the country with its usual blend of singing, dancing, and adventure. Twenty song-and-dance numbers accompany the main story line that puts Barney, B.J., Baby Bop, and their various friends on a mission to journey through the Enchanted Forest for the purpose of returning a lost crown to the king. They meet and overcome their usual assortment of obstacles along the way with good humor, teamwork, and creative problem-solving. The 70-minute performance is captured on this video, along with occasional camera shots of excited fans singing and clapping along with the action on stage. ~ Sarah Block, Rovi

Barney: Let's Go to the Zoo

Barney: Let's Go to the Zoo

Starring:
Director:

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 50:00

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Editorial Reviews - Barney: Let's Go to the Zoo

Barnes & Noble
It's still Barney's world; we just live in it. And in this 50-minute, produced-for-video program, his purple majesty is unleashed on an adoring public for the first time in a real-world location -- sans his usual Greek chorus of lip-syncing kids. Barney, BJ, and Baby Bop visit and learn about a wide assortment of real-life, contemporary creatures, from porcupines to kangaroos. BJ captures the day in pictures, while Baby Bop seeks out a real pachyderm to show her own stuffed elephant. A puppet character, Scooter McNutty, searches for that "noblest of animals," the squirrel. Delightful filmed vignettes show preschoolers imitating their favorite creatures. Of course, it wouldn't be a Barney video without songs, and this urban safari features 11 of them, including "What Will We See at the Zoo?", "Rock like a Monkey," "Have a Snack!," and "Ten Little Meerkats." Lively and informative, this is easily one of the better Barney videos you're likely to capture. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This video features television star Barney, the purple dinosaur loved by children everywhere. In this episode, Barney and his friends go to the zoo. The program is filmed live on location, an unprecedented event in the annals of Barney productions. All the usual zoo animals are there, from lions to elephants, flamingos to monkeys. Barney has some songs for the children at home to join in on, as they enjoy the sights and sounds of the zoo. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, Rovi

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Starring: Kevin Conroy, Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Mark Hamill, Stacy Keach, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Abe Vigoda, Richard Miller, John Ryan, Robert Costanzo, Bob Hastings, Marilu Henner
Director: Eric Radomski

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:14

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Editorial Reviews - Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

All Movie Guide
This stylish animated adventure is based on the '90s animated television series, which in turn is based on the original comics and Tim Burton's live action "Batman" films. Unlike the campy 1960s version of Batman, this version is half-mad from the superhero's obsession with justice. It is only his unusual sense of ethics that keeps him from becoming a full-blown psychotic. The story describes the origins of Batman as it follows the Dark Knight's attempts to capture the elusive, deadly Phantasm who kills a crime lord and makes it look as if Batman did it, causing a media smear campaign against the Caped Crusader. At the same time, millionaire Bruce Wayne holds a party at his mansion. There he meets Councilman Arthur Reeves, the man behind the accusations. Reeves derides playboy Wayne for allowing his college sweetheart Andrea Beaumont to leave him. Suddenly Wayne flashes back to his pre-Batman days. He remembers how he met her while visiting his parents' graves to renew his vow that he would spend his life fighting crime to avenge their wrongful deaths. He has already devised an early version of his alter-ego Batman, but that is nearly forgotten when he falls in love with Andrea. The story then jumps from past to present and back as the mysterious Phantasm strikes again. Batman continues his investigation and discovers a disturbing link between Andrea, who suddenly shows up after many years absence, and the villain. Meanwhile, the Phantasm, feeling that Batman is too close to learning his/her identity hires the Joker to kill him. But the Joker has his own agenda and much action ensues before the mystery of the Phantasm identity is solved, Batman clears his name, and justice is served. This film was originally made to go straight to video, Warner's studio liked it enough to release it theatrically. Some of the violence may be inappropriate for very young children. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast

Starring: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Jerry Orbach, Angela Lansbury, Richard White, David Ogden Stiers, Jesse Corti, Rex Everhart, Bradley Michael Pierce, Jo Ann Worley, Kimmy Robertson, Mary Kay Bergman, Vanna Bonta, Brian Cummings, Alvin Epstein, Tony Jay, Alec Murphy, Hal Smith, Kath Soucie, Albert Tavares, Frank Welker
Director: Gary Trousdale

Certification: NR
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:24

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Editorial Reviews - Beauty and the Beast

Barnes & Noble
After a decade, Beauty and the Beast makes its triumphant return to home video in a spellbinding, fully restored VHS edition and makes its DVD debut in a truly enchanting Platinum Edition. Both versions offer a new musical sequence, "Human Again," which has been seamlessly integrated into the original film. The DVD offers viewers this "Special Edition," as well as the original theatrical release, and the fascinating "work in progress" version that premiered at the New York Film Festival. In its original cinematic release, Beauty and the Beast was a milestone. It was the first animated feature to be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture, and though it didn't win, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman did take the Oscar for their musical score. The story tells of the surprising romance that blossoms between odd bookworm Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara), one of Disney's most beloved heroines, and the cursed and ferocious Beast (Robby Benson), who holds her prisoner. The stellar voice ensemble includes Angela Lansbury as teapot Mrs. Potts, Jerry Orbach as French-accented candlestick Lumiere (who performs the showstopping "Be Our Guest"), and David Ogden Stiers as mantle clock Cogsworth. The VHS edition offers a few extras, but Disney has really outdone itself with the two-disc "Experiential" DVD, which contains a treasure trove of archival goodies that chart the evolution of the film's production, as well as interactive games. Beauty and the Beast is a sparkling jewel in the Disney crown that will captivate viewers for generations to come. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Beauty and the Beast is widely considered the best animated Disney feature of the studio's 1980s/1990s renewal of the form. Based on the classic French fairy tale, it tells the story of Belle (voiced by Paige O'Hara), an intelligent young woman scorned by her townspeople for being a bookworm, weary of fighting off the advances of the arrogant Gaston (Richard White), and dreaming of escape. When her father gets lost in the woods and captured by the forbidding Beast (Robby Benson), a once-handsome prince turned into a monster by a witch, Belle goes off to rescue him. Taken with her, the Beast agrees to release Belle's father if she agrees to stay with him forever. Initially repulsed, Belle soon finds much to appreciate in the Beast's hidden, tender nature. The Beast's servants -- a clock (David Ogden Stiers), a teapot (Angela Lansbury), and a candlestick (Jerry Orbach) -- see Belle as their salvation: if the Beast and a woman fall in love before his 21st birthday, he will be free from the curse. The songs are first-class, the tale is told with sincerity but not sentimentality, and the characters of Belle and the Beast, complex individuals who defy stereotyping and change over the course of the story, are more three-dimensional than in most live-action movies. The eye-popping animation is beautifully rendered, and Beauty and the Beast certainly deserves its place amongst Disney's animated classics. In 2002, a special 89-minute edition of the film was released in IMAX theaters with the addition of a newly animated song, "Human Again."" ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas

Starring:
Director: Andrew Knight

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:12

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Editorial Reviews - Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas

Barnes & Noble
The Enchanted Christmas -- another in Disney's line of direct-to-video sequels to its animated classics -- is a welcome gift for the holiday season that keeps the beloved Beauty and the Beast characters warm in our hearts. While the animation and songs in this 1997 feature are not on a par with the 1991 Oscar-winning original, the participation of the original voice cast goes a long way toward recapturing the magic. Belle (Paige O'Hara) and her handsome husband, the prince formerly known as Beast (Robby Benson), recall how the once-imprisoned Belle melted the Beast's heart by bringing the holiday spirit into the cursed castle. Mrs. Potts (Angela Lansbury), Lumiere (Jerry Orbach), and Cogsworth (David Ogden Stiers) keep the proceedings festive. New characters include Forte, a treacherous pipe organ (played in just the right malevolent style by Tim Curry), and the charming Angelique, a Christmas tree ornament (Bernadette Peters). Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This animated story for the whole family revisits the characters from the Disney favorite Beauty and the Beast, as Belle tries to overcome the Beast's cynicism about the Christmas season with a lesson about the warmth and giving of the holiday, though Forte the evil pipe organ tries to foil her good intentions for reasons of his own. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Starring: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Roddy McDowall, Sam Jaffe, John Ericson, Ian Weighall, Bruce Forsyth, Cindy O'Callaghan, Cyril Delevanti, Arthur E. Gould-Porter, Robert Holt, John Orchard, Manfred Lating, Tessie O'Shea, Reginald Owen, Richard Peel, Roy Smart, Rick Traeger, Lenny Weinrib, Hank Worden, Ben Wrigley, Irwin Kostal
Director: Robert Stevenson

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:57

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Editorial Reviews - Bedknobs and Broomsticks

All Movie Guide
Bedknobs and Broomsticks was produced several years after Walt Disney's death and released in the fall of 1971. As it turned out, Bedknobs was frequently compared to Mary Poppins -- probably thanks to several striking similarities between the two productions, notably the presence in the cast of David Tomlinson, the use of Cockney children as central characters, and the inclusion of sequences that combine animation and live-action. Set in wartime England, Bedknobs stars Angela Lansbury as Eglantine Price, a would-be witch who hopes to use her newly acquired conjuring powers to forestall a Nazi invasion. Saddled with three surly kids who've been evacuated from London, Lansbury wins over her charges by performing various and sundry feats of magic. And, yes, she manages to foil a few Germans along the way. The film's most famous episode is an elaborate undersea fantasy, which combines animation with live-action on a gargantuan scale, dwarfing all previous Disney sequences along these lines. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Big Green

The Big Green

Starring: Yareli Arizmendi, John Bourg, Jordan Brower, Olivia D'Abo, Anthony Esquivel, Gil Glasgow, Steve Guttenberg, Nik Hagler, Bug Hall, Jimmy Higa, John Terry, Hayley Kolb, Chauncey Leopardi, Hayley Miller, Milt Oberman, Patrick Renna, Jessie Robertson, Jay O. Sanders, Louanne Stephens, Billy L. Sullivan, Libby Villari, Areil Welch, Ashley Welch
Director: Holly Goldberg Sloan

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:39

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Editorial Reviews - Big Green

All Movie Guide
In this Disney comedy that bears a suspicious resemblance to The Mighty Ducks, the down-trodden cynical young misfits of a run-down Texas town, devastated by the closing of its one major industry, find renewed hope and spirit at the hands of a plucky British foreign-exchange teacher who introduces them to soccer. When British elementary school teacher Anna Montgomery arrives in the dusty town and first meets the depressed and frequently angry youths, she immediately knows she must do something to somehow make them feel better about themselves and so decides to enroll them into a soccer league. Naturally the kids are at first awful and are soundly pummeled during their first game. Fortunately, former high school football champ, Deputy Sheriff Tom Palmer decides to give the pretty and single Anna a helping hand, and between the two of them manage to whip the kids into shape so they can beat the arrogant state champion team, helmed by Palmer's old rival Jay Huffer. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Billboard Dad

Billboard Dad

Starring: Ashley Olsen, Mary-Kate Olsen, Tom Amandes, Carl Banks
Director: Alan Metter

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 30:00

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Editorial Reviews - Billboard Dad

All Movie Guide
Two girls play Cupid for their father with unusual results in this light comedy. Tess and Emily Tyler (Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen) are 12-year-old twin sisters whose father, Maxwell Tyler (Tom Amandes), is a wealthy and successful artist. Maxwell's wife (and Tess and Emily's mother) died some time back, and his daughters think their father is lonely and needs a new girlfriend; however, Maxwell hasn't had much luck getting back in the swing of dating. Figuring their father needs some help, Tess and Emily decide to place a personal ad for him -- on a billboard overlooking a busy Los Angeles thoroughfare. Before long, literally hundreds of women are responding to the ad, and Maxwell finds love again. However, Maxwell's agent (Carl Banks) thinks Maxwell's art has been suffering now that he's once again content, and he tries to break up the lovebirds for the sake of his client's career. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Black Cauldron

Black Cauldron

Starring: Grant Bardsley, Susan Sheridan, Freddie Jones, Nigel Hawthorne, Arthur Malet, John Byner, John Hurt, Lindsay Rich, Brandon Call, Gregory Levinson, Adele Malis-Morey, Billie Hayes, Phil Fondacaro, Wayne Allwine, James Almanzar, Steve Hale, John Huston, Jack Laing, Eda Reiss Merin, Phil Nibbelink, Pete Renaday
Director: Ted Berman

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Fantasy Adventure
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:22

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Editorial Reviews - Black Cauldron

All Movie Guide
Walt Disney Pictures produced this ambitious, animated tale of sorcery and swordfighting. Taran (voice of Grant Bardsley), is an assistant to Dallben (voice of Freddie Jones), a pigkeeper in the mythical land of Prydain. Taran longs to be a knight, and he's given his chance to live out his dream when he is sent out in search of a magical black cauldron which can either be a powerful instrument of good or a bottomless fount of evil, depending entirely upon who should find it. However, Taran is not the only one in search of this talisman -- the Horned King (voice of John Hurt) wants the cauldron to shore up his sinister powers and raise an army of the dead, and with the help of the all-seeing pig Hen-Wren, the wicked one may make his hideous plans a reality. The Black Cauldron had the distinction of being the first animated feature from Disney to receive a PG rating from the MPAA, due to some frightening scenes of black magic. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Black Stallion

The Black Stallion

Starring: Kelly Reno, Mickey Rooney, Teri Garr, Clarence Muse, Hoyt Axton, Michael Higgins, Ed McNamara, Doghmi Larbi, John Burton, John Buchanan, Kristen Vigard, Fausto Tozzi
Director: Carroll Ballard

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 2:00

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Editorial Reviews - Black Stallion

Barnes & Noble
Twenty-five minutes into The Black Stallion viewers may be astounded to discover that they have become thoroughly engrossed in a film that has, so far, featured almost no dialogue. Indeed, when director Carroll Ballard chose to adapt Walter Farley's boy-meets-horse children's tale for the big screen, he clearly decided to make the visuals speak for themselves. And as the story unfolds -- from an ocean liner to a desert island to a racetrack -- the potent beauty of the physical world, courtesy of cinematographer Caleb Deschanel, is the film's true headliner. Alec (Kelly Reno) is a young boy who, during a sea voyage with his father, discovers a dauntingly beautiful Arabian stallion in the ship's cargo hold. Just as Alec is beginning to make contact with the animal, an unexpected storm sinks the ship, landing the boy and the horse on an uninhabited isle. So begins a relationship as uniquely touching as it is unpredictable and untamed. Halfway into the movie, a new story line takes root -- the boy is rescued and takes the stallion back home with him, where he befriends a horse trainer (Mickey Rooney) who turns him into a budding jockey. But what sustains the film through to its final frame is Ballard's commitment to his themes: the jaw-dropping majesty of nature and the invincibility of a boy's love. Bruce Kluger

All Movie Guide
This beautifully mounted adaptation of Walter Farley's story for children tells the tale of Alec (Kelly Reno), a young boy touring the world with his adventurous salesman father (Hoyt Axton). While travelling back to the United States by ship, Alec discovers a wild, beautiful Arabian stallion being brought along in the cargo hold. When disaster strikes at sea, the ship sinks, and Alec and the stallion are the only survivors. Alone together on a nearby island, the boy and the horse develop a relationship; wary of each other at first, they learn to trust each other, and they become close friends. When a rescue party finally finds Alec, he refuses to leave the island without the stallion, and the horse goes with Alec to the small town that is his home. Alec's mother (Teri Garr) is at a loss about what to do with this remarkable but difficult animal. Henry Dailey (Mickey Rooney), an elderly horse trainer who lives in the neighborhood, senses a special connection between the boy and his horse; he's soon convinced that with the right training, and the boy as his jockey, the horse could be a champion on the race course. First-time director Carroll Ballard captures the mysterious relationship between humans and animals, treating the stallion with the same intelligence and respect as the rest of his cast; he also draws fine, understated performances from Kelly Reno and Mickey Rooney, and Caleb Deschanel's photography makes this a feast for the eyes. The Black Stallion is that rare contemporary family film that will fascinate adults as much as their kids, if not more so. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Blue's Clues: Blue's Big Musical Movie

Blue's Clues: Blue's Big Musical Movie

Starring: Steve Burns, Ray Charles, Traci Paige Johnson, Kelly Nigh, The Persuasions
Director: Todd Kessler

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - Blue's Clues: Blue's Big Musical Movie

Barnes & Noble
It's the big time for Blue! Yes, the popular half-hour Nick Jr. series Blue's Clues goes feature length (75 minutes) in this direct-to-video mystery that also marks the introduction of Blue's new pal, Periwinkle. Blue's Big Musical Movie recalls all the let's-put-on-a-show exuberance of the old Mickey Rooney-Judy Garland musicals, as Steve Burns, Blue, Magenta, and company prepare for their "You Can Be Anything You Want To Be" show. They must build a stage, make snacks, pull together costumes, and rehearse! Special guest G-Clef (voiced by Ray Charles) picks up the tempo with notes on how to make a song, six of which were written for this production. With lessons on teamwork, cooperation, problem solving, and building self-confidence, Blue's Big Musical Movie would have been most welcome in theatres, where quality age-appropriate programming for preschoolers is at a premium. Maybe we'll have to wait for something like Blue's Big Historical Epic to see our floppy-eared friend on the big screen. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Blue the Dog (from the popular children's TV series Blue's Clues) stars in her first full-length musical adventure. Blue (voice of Traci Paige Johnson) and her master Steve (voice of Steve Burns) are putting on a show in their backyard, but suddenly Tickety Tock the Clock (voice of Kelly Nigh) loses his voice, leaving poor Blue without a singing partner. While Blue follows up on the clues to find who wants to duet in Tickety Tock's place, G-Clef the Keyboard (voice of Ray Charles) and his friends the Notes (voices of the Persuasions) show kids how to make a song. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Bob's White Xmas

Bob's White Xmas

Starring:
Director: Liz Whitaker

Certification: NR
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 0:10

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Bob the Builder's infectiously optimistic battle cry ("Can we fix it? Yes, we can!") rings truer than ever in a very busy Yuletide in the delightful Bob's White Christmas. Already committed to play Santa Claus at a children's party, Bob finds that Christmas Eve gets a lot more complicated when freezing temperatures and a blanket of snow arrive. Suddenly, Bob and his crew--Wendy, Scoop, Dizzy, and the others--get an SOS from a snowbound Farmer Pickles, help Spud the scarecrow identify a mysterious "snow monster," and save some stranded critters. There's still time, fortunately, for snowball fights and gift exchanges, but the best part of this holiday is the camaraderie between a great bunch of friends. Keen characterizations and a happy, fluid animation style make Bob the Builder (seen on Nick Jr.) one of the best children's TV programs around. If anything, this Christmas special has even more of the show's vitality and good cheer. --Tom Keogh

Product Description
"Santa Bob" is dreaming of a white Christmas, but along with the snow and ice comes an avalanche of problems! In his first-ever ho-ho-ho holiday show, Bob celebrates by trimming the tree, delivering Christmas presents, and enjoying a snowball fight. But when "Big Freeze" hits, Bob and Scoop must snowplow a path to a snowbound Farmer Pickles. Then, Spud is one scared scarecrow when he discovers a mysterious "Snow Monster". (Don't worry - it's only a snow-covered Dizzy!) Finally, Bob and his friends demonstrate the true spirit of the season when they rescue some hungry ducks and homeless hedgehogs. Along the way, Bob and his crew learn that sometimes the best gift is a helping hand from a friend!

The Book of Pooh: Stories from the Heart

The Book of Pooh: Stories from the Heart

Starring: Peter Cullen, Jim Cummings, Stephanie D'Abruzzo, John Fiedler, Ken Sansom, Andre Stojka, Paul Tiesler
Director: Mitchell Kriegman

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:10

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Editorial Reviews - Book of Pooh: Stories from the Heart

Barnes & Noble
Cynics may suspect that Disney opened The Book of Pooh -- a new-millennium program of puppetry set against computer-generated backgrounds -- to milk even more honey from A. A. Milne's legacy. But clearly, as we see in the segments collected in Stories from the Heart, this is more of an update than a retread, and one calculated to appeal to contemporary kids with slapstick hijinks and an eye-popping visual style. Produced for the Disney Channel by Mitchell Kriegman, the Emmy Award-winning creator of Bear in the Big Blue House, this 77-minute-long program casts familiar voices as the captivating characters from the Hundred Acre Wood, even if the look is a striking departure from the original animated series, which was very close to Ernest H. Shepard's illustrations for the Milne books. Compared to Disney's earlier animated Pooh series, Stories from the Heart seems more faithful in spirit to Milne's gentle-natured tales of friendship. This is underscored in the first of the six included stories, as Pooh sets off over the hill to look for adventure, only to find himself twisted around and back home, where he gets to meet his very best friends all over again. There is one new character here, too: a chipper bluebird named Kessie. She's no Eeyore. But then, who is these days? Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Part of The Book of Pooh series, which offers preschool kids simple life lessons and scholastic pointers, The Book of Pooh: Stories From the Heart uses puppetry and computer animation to tell Christopher Robin's imaginative tales. Kids join Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, and Tigger for an afternoon of storytelling and lesson learning. The program, based on stories and characters created by A.A. Milne, features six new songs. ~ Betsy Boyd, Rovi

The Brave Little Toaster

The Brave Little Toaster

Starring: Jon Lovitz, Tim Stack, Timothy E. Day, Thurl Ravenscroft, Deanna Oliver, Phil Hartman, Jonathon Benair, Joe Ranft, Randy Bennett, Randy Cook, Jim Jackman, Judy Toll
Director: Jerry Rees

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:30

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Editorial Reviews - Brave Little Toaster

Barnes & Noble
The concept of a Brave Little Toaster and sundry fellow appliances having animated lives of their own, based on Thomas M. Disch's book, didn't catch on the way the Toy Story movies have. But this 1987 feature remains a charmer. Modestly animated, The Brave Little Toaster charts the incredible journey of Toaster, a loquacious tube radio who gives a lot of static (ace work by Jon Lovitz), a desk lamp, a childlike electric blanket, and a vacuum cleaner (Thor Ravenscroft, who voiced Tony the Tiger and famously sang, "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch"). Seemingly deserted at a family's summer home, the appliances fear that it is "scrap metal time" and set off to the big city to find their beloved college-bound Master. The ever-optimistic Toaster rallies this bickering band through obstacles and close encounters with such menacing characters as the junk dealer -- who is eager to scavenge their parts. By the film's junkyard climax, viewers may find themselves contemplating the blithe cruelty of planned obsolescence, thanks to these whimsical anthropomorphic characters. Or maybe just smiling. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
A fast-paced and funny twist on the Homeward Bound saga in which devoted pets traverse the wilderness in search of their owners, Brave Little Toaster is an animated family treat that tells the delightful story of a gang of household appliances who set off for the big city to find their young master after he thoughtlessly leaves them in his summer cabin. Along the way they must face many dangers and obstacles, including figuring out how to get juice in a wilderness containing no electrical outlets. The film is based on a children's tale by science-fiction author Thomas M. Disch and won a Parent's Choice Award. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

Starring: Thurl Ravenscroft, Deanna Oliver, Tim Stack
Director: Robert C. Ramirez

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

Barnes & Noble
Popping up for the first time on DVD, the third film in the Toaster trilogy ends this beloved series on a warm and fuzzy note. It's another "you don't have to be bigger to be better" empowerment adventure as the Brave Little Toaster and his fellow appliances fashion a spaceship out of a laundry basket to rescue the Master's new baby, who has been beamed to Mars by vengeful appliances bent on destroying the Earth. As in the original Brave Little Toaster, a stellar voice cast adds personality to the appealing animation. Standouts include Thurl "Tony the Tiger" Ravencroft as Kirby the vacuum cleaner; Fyvush Finkel as Albert Einstein's hearing aid; Wayne Knight as the smug Microwave; Carol Channing as Fanny, the ceiling fan who helps power the makeshift spacecraft; Farrah Fawcett as -- who else -- Faucet; and Alan King as the Supreme Commander, who is to Mars what the Wizard was to Oz. There are memorable way-out moments, as when Toaster and crew encounter all the balloons that have ever been let go on Earth, and a touching reunion between Blanky and the Little Master. Unlike the "planned obsolescence" that plagues the rebellious Mars-based appliances, The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars was made to last. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Aimed at younger children, this sequel to the highly imaginative The Brave Little Toaster features most of the original electrical appliances plus a few new friends, including Calculator (Stephen Toblowski), Faucet (Farrah Fawcett), Ceiling Fan (Carol Channing) and Microwave (Wayne Knight), in a brand new adventure. This time, Toaster and company must work together to build a spaceship and travel to the Red Planet after aliens accidentally beam up the household's "Little Master" (a baby) instead of Hearing Aid (Fyvush Finkel). ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

A Bug's Life

A Bug's Life

Starring: Dave Foley, Kevin Spacey, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hayden Panettiere, Phyllis Diller, Richard Kind, David Hyde Pierce, Joe Ranft, Denis Leary, Jonathan Harris, Madeline Kahn, Bonnie Hunt, Michael McShane, John Ratzenberger, Brad Garrett, Roddy McDowall, Edie McClurg, Alex Rocco, David Ossman, Christina Milian, Kelsey Mulrooney, Ashley Tisdale
Director: John Lasseter

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:35

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Editorial Reviews - Bug's Life

Barnes & Noble
A Bug's Life, produced by the same studio and creative team responsible for Toy Story, gleefully expands the nearly limitless boundaries of computer animation with innovative imagery and sophisticated storytelling techniques. The film's protagonist is Flik (voiced by Dave Foley), a brilliant but socially awkward ant who labors to free his colony from the tyranny of thuggish grasshoppers led by Hopper (Kevin Spacey). When one of Flik's labor-saving inventions backfires and scatters an offering of grain collected to mollify the grasshoppers, our hero enlists the aid of performing insects, who impersonate fearless warriors apparently eager to do battle with the green-skinned, multi-legged bullies. Witty scripting and peppy vocal performances go a long way toward delineating the characters, and the three-dimensional Pixar animation creates the illusion that they really exist. Their fluidity of movement, coupled with the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, facilitates the willing suspension of disbelief that will enable viewers of all ages to enjoy A Bug's Life. Ed Hulse

All Movie Guide
John Lassiter, director of Pixar's movie phenomenon Toy Story, has set new standards in computer animation with his next effort, another Disney-released children's epic entitled A Bug's Life. Blending classic Disney story-telling characters, and the mysterious underground world of bugs, he has created a film that can be enjoyed by all audiences and has created another franchise in the process. A Bug's Life is a computerized retelling of the Aesop fable The Ant and the Grasshopper, made as a cartoon short by the one-and-only Walt Disney in the mid-30's. However, A Bug's Life has modernized the story with many new twists and celebrity voices. The story focuses on a colony of ants who seasonally gather food for themselves and a wild gang of rowdy grasshoppers. When bumbling worker-ant Flik (David Foley) destroys the food supply, the angry grasshoppers, lead by the maniacally warped Hopper (Kevin Spacey) threaten to kill the ants if they don't produce a new supply of food by the time they return, an impossible feat. Flik leaves the anthill in search of help in the form of bigger bugs to wage war against the grasshoppers. What he doesn't know is he has actually discovered a group of down-on-their-luck traveling circus insects in need of a job. When the ants realize that their heroes are really circus performers (and the circus bugs realize that these grasshoppers are really big and mean) the situation goes from bad to worse. Ultimately the ants use their large numbers to overcome the grasshoppers. Chris Gore

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins

Starring: Tim Allen, Wayne Knight, Nicole Sullivan, Stephen Furst, Larry Miller, Adam Carolla, Diedrich Bader, Patrick Warburton
Director: Tad Stones

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:10

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Editorial Reviews - Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins

Barnes & Noble
To fans of Disney's mega-successful Toy Story and Toy Story II, the title says it all: Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins. The gung-ho toy in the totally cool space suit sets the stage for his upcoming television series in this 70-minute direct-to-video feature. As in the original movies, Tim Allen supplies Lightyear's voice, while the evil Emperor Zurg (voiced by Wayne Knight) provides the villainy. Other voices include those of Terminator mother figure Linda Hamilton, Comedy Central Man Show fixture Adam Carolla, Animal House's "Flounder" Stephen Furst, and squinty-eyed 3rd Rock From the Sun spaceman French Stewart. For those who have been waiting to explore the deeper meaning of Buzz's brave battle cry -- "To infinity, and beyond" -- your time has come!

All Movie Guide
Buzz Lightyear, the plastic spaceman who helped conquer the toy box in the wildly popular Toy Story films, returns in this animated adventure. Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and his partner Agent Z (voice of Diedrich Bader) have devoted themselves to keeping Gamma Quadrant in Deep Space free of evildoers, but when Agent Z is lost in battle, Buzz is determined that from now on, he has to go it alone. However, after the evil Emperor Zurg (voice of Wayne Knight) kidnaps Buzz's allies, the LGM -- aka Little Green Men (voice of Patrick Warburton) -- Commander Nebula (voice of Adam Carolla) orders Buzz to bring along reinforcements as he flies into battle. With the help of female Space Ranger Mira Nova (voice of Nicole Sullivan), LGM-designed android XR (voice of Larry Miller), and janitor/aspiring Space Ranger Booster (voice of Stephen Furst), Buzz sets out to defeat Zurg's minions and bring back the LGM safe and sound. Unlike the first two Toy Story features, Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins was created using traditional cel animation rather than digital computer animation techniques, though computer animation was used for the film's prologue. The film's theme song is sung by another noted space voyager, William Shatner. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Casper

Casper

Starring: Christina Ricci, Bill Pullman, Cathy Moriarty, Eric Idle, Malachi Pearson, Joe Nipote, Joe Alaskey, J.J. Anderson, Dan Aykroyd, Amy Brenneman, Rodney Dangerfield, Clint Eastwood, Brad Garrett, Mel Gibson, Garette Ratliff Henson, John Kassir, Chauncey Leopardi, Ernestine Mercer, Don Novello, Mister Rogers, Devon Sawa, Mike Simmrin, Ben Stein, Wesley Thompson, Spencer Vrooman, Jessica Wesson
Director: Brad Silberling

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:40

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Editorial Reviews - Casper

Barnes & Noble
All Casper ever wanted was a friend, and he found a bunch of them in executive producer Steven Spielberg and the special-effects wizards at Industrial Light and Magic. They teamed up to bring the friendly ghost to wondrous, um, life, in this 1995 live-action fantasy. Bill Pullman (Sleepless in Seattle, While You Were Sleeping) stars as Dr. James Harvey, a therapist who ministers to the "living impaired." In search of hidden treasure, Carrigan Crittendon (Cathy Moriarty), a real witch, summons Dr. Harvey to rid the condemned Whipstaff Manor of its mischievous poltergeists. Lonely Casper finds a kindred misfit spirit in Harvey's motherless young daughter, Kat (Christina Ricci). The Ghostly Trio (the aptly named Stretch, Stinkie, and Fatso) supply the supernatural slapstick and rude noises. Monty Python member Eric Idle is a real scream as Crittendon's put-upon accomplice. Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Gibson, the Crypt Keeper, and Dan Aykroyd -- as a ghostbuster who suggests Crittendon call "someone else" -- supply haunting cameos. References to death and the afterlife may be upsetting to younger viewers, but, mild profanity aside, this treat will be just the trick for ?tweens and teens looking to scare up some frighteningly fun entertainment. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Based on the popular cartoon character, this family-oriented "ghost story" is about a not-so-scary spirit who bonds with a little girl (Christina Ricci). The eternally irritable Ms. Carrigan (Cathy Moriarty) discovers that the only thing she's been left in her recently departed father's will is a rickety old house in New England. Naturally, the woman is furious about this, until her "close personal friend" and assistant, Dibbs (Eric Idle of Monty Python fame), discovers a secret message that a treasure may be concealed somewhere in the house. The two take off for Maine, only to learn that the house is haunted by Casper "the friendly ghost" and his three ghostly uncles Stinky, Stretch, and Fatso. After futilely recruiting an exorcist (Don Novello, more or less reviving his Father Guido Sarducci character from Saturday Night Live) and a "professional ghost exterminator" (Dan Aykroyd), she brings in a "ghost psychiatrist" (Bill Pullman) and his daughter Kat (Ricci). Innocently attracted to the young girl, Casper befriends Kat as they try to save the ghosts' home from the evil Carrigan. Eye-popping special effects highlight this magical story that touches (albeit lightly) on the theme of what lies at the heart of human desires. Clint Eastwood, Rodney Dangerfield, Mel Gibson and The Crypt Keeper (of Tales from the Crypt) all make cameos as apparitions in the mirror Bill Pullman looks into in the house. ~ Don Kaye, Rovi

Casper: A Spirited Beginning

Casper: A Spirited Beginning

Starring: Steve Guttenberg, Lori Loughlin, Brendon Ryan Barrett, Rodney Dangerfield, Michael McKean, James Earl Jones, Pauly Shore, Jeremy Foley, Bill Farmer, Jess Harnell, James K. Ward
Director: Sean McNamara

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:34

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Editorial Reviews - Casper: A Spirited Beginning

Barnes & Noble
It's a "poltergeist party" when newly minted ghost Casper finds himself AWOL from spook training school. He makes his very first friend, a kindred misfit spirit named Chris, who loves comic books and sci-fi and isn't afraid of ghosts. Chris's workaholic father (Steve Guttenberg) is determined to tear down a condemned mansion, putting him at odds with a local schoolteacher (Full House star Lori Laughlin), who rallies the town to save it. This direct-to-video treat is hauntingly heartwarming and hilarious with spook-tacular slapstick, courtesy of the mischief-making Ghostly Trio. The age-appropriate scares make for ideal family fright night viewing. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Billed as a prequel to the 1995 family film Casper, which in turn is based on an enduring Harvey cartoon character "Casper the Friendly Ghost," this direct-to-video entry is aimed at younger kids (though some of the scenes may be inappropriate for really young children). The story begins as Casper, who is new to the ghostly plane, rides a death train towards Ghost Central Station where he is to attend a camp to train him to scare people. Instead, he irritates another passenger and is tossed off the train. The bewildered little spirit lands in Deedstown where he becomes friends with 10-year-old Chris Carson, a troubled boy whose mother is gone and whose work-obsessed father ignores him. Chris sees that Casper is troubled too and so decides to show him how to be a real ghost by taking him to Applegate Manor, the town's haunted house, and introducing him to the riotous Ghostly Trio. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Chicken Run

Chicken Run

Starring: Mel Gibson, Julia Sawalha, Miranda Richardson, Jane Horrocks, Lynn Ferguson, Imelda Staunton, Benjamin Whitrow, Anthony Haygarth, Timothy Spall, Phil Daniels
Director: Peter Lord

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Comedy Adventure
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:24

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Editorial Reviews - Chicken Run

Barnes & Noble
A coop full of tender chickens attempt to fly for freedom in the newest claymation creation from Nick Park and Peter Lord, whose U.K.-based Aardman Animations is known for its wildly popular Wallace & Gromit series. After several unsuccessful attempts to escape the chicken farm of vicious Mrs. Tweedy (voiced by Miranda Richardson), a snappy hen named Ginger (Julia Sawalha) thinks she finds the answer to her prayers in the form of a Yankee Doodle Dandy named Rocky (Mel Gibson), who can supposedly fly. But can the charming rooster save the hens from their imminent doom -- being diced for pot pies? Intelligent execution of a witty story makes this farmhouse allegory vastly entertaining, and it's enhanced all the more by a colorful cast of characters and clever references to films like The Great Escape. Simultaneously humorous and touching, Chicken Run's visual and technical magic is wholly cinematic in scope, a perfect example of the animation niche Aardman has carved for itself. Although not always the fun-filled children's romp you would expect -- several allusions to the tragedies of World War II are made -- Chicken Run still strikes home on many levels. And after only one viewing, you may think twice before eating another chicken pot pie. Patricia Kim O'Cone

All Movie Guide
Aardman Animations, the British clay-animation studio that created a cult sensation (and won three Academy awards) with its short subjects featuring Wallace and Gromit, presents its first feature film, a mixture of comedy and adventure. Mrs. Tweedy (voice of Miranda Richardson) operates a chicken farm, where most of the birds have resigned themselves to a short and uneventful life of producing eggs and ending up as the main course of someone's Sunday dinner. But when Rocky (voice of Mel Gibson), a rooster from America, arrives on the farm, things begin to change. Rocky soon finds romance with a hen named Ginger (voice of Julia Sawalha) who longs for a better life and has been trying to find a way out of the farm for some time; together they devise a plan to escape to freedom. However, Rocky and Ginger soon find themselves racing against the clock when Mrs. Tweedy decides it's time to turn the entire flock into chicken pies. Nick Park, director of the Wallace and Gromit shorts, co-directed Chicken Run with Peter Lord, who produced several Aardman projects and created animation for the TV series Pee-Wee's Playhouse. The voice cast also includes Jane Horrocks, Phil Daniels, and Timothy Spall. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Time Magazine
It's a parable of plucky sisterhood: hens who endure life's drab defeats while hoping for a break. The film is funny and touching and beautifully understated; its characters earn big laughs with the subtlest wrinkle of a brow, sobs with a stifled sigh. Richard Corliss

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Starring: Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, Lionel Jeffries, Benny Hill, Gert Fröbe
Director: Ken Hughes

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 2:24

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This remastered, pan-and-scan 30th-anniversary edition of that kiddie-car caper is flawed but solid family fare. It retains a quaint charm while some of the songs--including the title tune--are quite hummable. A huge plus is Dick Van Dyke, who is extremely appealing as an eccentric inventor around the turn of the century. With nimble fingers and a unique way of looking at the world, he invents for his children a magic car that floats and flies. Or does he? The special effects are tame by today's standards, and the film is about 20 minutes too long--but its enthusiasm charms. The script was cowritten by Roald Dahl and based on the novel by Ian Fleming, best known for his James Bond adventures. --Rochelle O'Gorman

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Carol

Starring: George C. Scott, Timothy Bateson, Michael Carter, Nigel Davenport, Frank Finlay, Michael Gough, Lucy Gutteridge, Caroline Langrishe, Brian Pettifer, Angela Pleasence, John Quarmby, Roger Rees, Liz Smith, Anthony Walters, David Warner, Joanne Whalley, Peter Woodthorpe, Edward Woodward, Susannah York
Director: Clive Donner

Certification: NR
Category: Fantasy - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:40

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Editorial Reviews - Christmas Carol

All Movie Guide
Charles Dickens' classic holiday tale of one man learning the true meaning of Christmas is brought to the screen once again in this made-for-TV movie. Ebenezer Scrooge (George C. Scott) is a cynical old man whose greatest concern is money, and who regards compassion as a luxury he can't afford. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by the ghost of Jacob Marley (Frank Finlay), his former business partner, who arranges for Scrooge to be visited by three spirits in an attempt to show him the error of his ways -- the Ghosts of Christmas Past (Angela Pleasence), Christmas Present (Edward Woodward), and Christmas Yet to Come (Michael Carter). The spirits force Scrooge to examine the failings of his own life, as well as the bravery and optimism of his loyal but ill-treated employee Bob Crachit (David Warner). A Christmas Carol also features Susannah York as Mrs. Crachit, Anthony Walters as Tiny Tim, and Joanne Whalley as Fan. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A Christmas Story

A Christmas Story

Starring: Melinda Dillon, Darren McGavin, Peter Billingsley, Ian Petrella, Scott Schwartz, R.D. Robb, Tedde Moore, Zack Ward, Yano Anaya, Les Carlson, Chad Dowdell, Colin Fox, Jeff Gillen, Paul Hubbard, Jim Hunter, Patty Johnson, Dwayne McLean, Fred Lee Own, Jean Shepherd, Tommy Lee Wallace
Director: Bob Clark

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Anarchic Comedy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:35

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Editorial Reviews - Christmas Story

All Movie Guide
Nine years after the Yuletide slasher flick Black Christmas, Porky's director Bob Clark once again took on the holiday genre, switching from gasps to laughs with A Christmas Story. Adapted from a memoir by humorist Jean Shepherd (who narrates), the film centers on Ralphie Parker (Peter Billingsley), a young boy living in 1940s Indiana, desperately yearning for a Red Rider BB gun for Christmas. Despite protests from his mother (Melinda Dillon) that he'll shoot his eye out, Ralphie persists, unsuccessfully trying to enlist the assistance of both his teacher and Santa Claus. All the while, Ralphie finds himself dealing with the constant taunts of a pair of bullies and trying to not get in the middle of a feud between his mother and father (Darren McGavin) regarding a sexy lamp. ~ Matthew Tobey, Rovi

Cinderella

Cinderella

Starring: Ilene Woods, James MacDonald, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Rhoda Williams
Director: Clyde Geronimi

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:16

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Disney's adaptation of the beloved fairy tale became a classic in its own right, thanks to some memorable tunes (including "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," and the title song) and some endearingly cute comic relief. We all know the story--the wicked stepmother and stepsisters simply won't have it, this uppity Cinderella thinking she's going to a ball designed to find the handsome prince an appropriate sweetheart, but perseverance, animal buddies, and a well-timed entrance by a fairy godmother make sure things turn out all right. There are a few striking sequences of pure animation--for example, Cinderella is reflected in bubbles drifting through the air--and the design is rich and evocative throughout. It's a simple story padded here agreeably with comic business, particularly Cinderella's rodent pals (dressed up conspicuously like the dwarf sidekicks of another famous Disney heroine) and their misadventures with a wretched cat named Lucifer. There's also much harrumphing and exposition spouting by the King and the Grand Duke. It's a much simpler and more graceful work than the more frenetically paced animated films of today, which makes it simultaneously quaint and highly gratifying. --David Kronke

Product Description
This is a GREAT movie and will love

Cinderella

Cinderella

Starring: Ilene Woods, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Claire Du Brey, Rhoda Williams
Director:

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:16

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Editorial Reviews

Disney's adaptation of the beloved fairy tale became a classic in its own right, thanks to some memorable tunes (including "A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes," "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," and the title song) and some endearingly cute comic relief. We all know the story--the wicked stepmother and stepsisters simply won't have it, this uppity Cinderella thinking she's going to a ball designed to find the handsome prince an appropriate sweetheart, but perseverance, animal buddies, and a well-timed entrance by a fairy godmother make sure things turn out all right. There are a few striking sequences of pure animation--for example, Cinderella is reflected in bubbles drifting through the air--and the design is rich and evocative throughout. It's a simple story padded here agreeably with comic business, particularly Cinderella's rodent pals (dressed up conspicuously like the dwarf sidekicks of another famous Disney heroine) and their misadventures with a wretched cat named Lucifer. There's also much harrumphing and exposition spouting by the King and the Grand Duke. It's a much simpler and more graceful work than the more frenetically paced animated films of today, which makes it simultaneously quaint and highly gratifying. --David Kronke

Cool Runnings

Cool Runnings

Starring: Leon, Doug E. Doug, Malik Yoba, Rawle D. Lewis, John Candy, Larry Gilman, Peter Outerbridge, Paul Coeur, Raymond J. Barry, Chemin Sylvia Bernard, Jay Brazeau, Jaki Brown-Karman, Bill Dow, Charles Harvey, Charles Hyatt, Campbell Lane, Phill Lewis, Michael London, David Lovgren, John Morgan, Winston Stona, Matthew Walker, Fitz Weir
Director: Jon Turteltaub

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy - General
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:38

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Editorial Reviews - Cool Runnings

All Movie Guide
Cool Runnings fictionalizes the true story of a bobsledding team from Jamaica making it to the Olympics. The tale begins when Derice Bannock (Leon), realizing that due to an accident his chances of qualifying for Jamaica's 1988 Olympic track team are dashed, scrounges around looking for another sport for the competition. Since ex-United States gold medal bobsledding winner Irv Blitzer (John Candy) now lives in Jamaica, Derice chooses bobsledding, convincing Irv to coach the team. Derice then forms his team. He gets his friend Sanka Cofie (Doug E. Doug) to join up and recruits Junior Bevil (Rawle D. Lewis), a young man who lacks self-confidence, and Yul Brenner (Malik Yoba), a disagreeable and bitter malcontent. After setbacks and near disasters, the group jells as team members and they head off to the Olympics to compete for an Olympic spot. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

The Country Bears

The Country Bears

Starring: Christopher Walken, Stephen Tobolowsky, Daryl Mitchell, M.C. Gainey, Diedrich Bader, Alex Rocco, Meagen Fay, Eli Marienthal, Queen Latifah, Krystal Marie Harris, Don Henley, Wyclef Jean, Elton John, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Brian Setzer, Don Was, Xzibit, Haley Joel Osment, Candy Ford, James Gammon, Brad Garrett, Toby Huss, Kevin Richardson, Stephen Root, Charles S. Dutton, John Hiatt, Richard Kind
Director: Peter Hastings

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:28

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Editorial Reviews - Country Bears

Barnes & Noble
Paws down, The Country Bears is the best live-action comedy ever based on a Disney theme-park attraction -- a sweet, cleverly cast surprise that's a subversively funny cross between The Jerk and The Blues Brothers. Taking its cue from the Disneyland original, the film relies on costumed characters rather than ursine computer-generation. Haley Joel Osment is the voice of Beary Berrington, a cub who worships the Country Bears, a legendary band that broke up a decade earlier following its "Hiber Nation" tour. When Beary, who has been adopted by humans, leaves home to find his birth parents, his pilgrimage takes him to venerable Country Bear Hall, the venue where his beloved band got their start. Discovering that it's about to be destroyed by a banker (a hilarious Christopher Walken) with a surprising old score to settle, Beary has an inspiration: reunite the long-estranged Country Bears for a benefit concert that will save their former stomping grounds. The film boasts a honey of a soundtrack: John Hiatt, Bonnie Raitt, and Don Henley all lend their voices, and Brian Setzer participates in a "Devil Went Down to Georgia"-type battle of the bands. From slapstick comedy to sly and surreal humor, The Country Bears is all-ages fun. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This family musical enjoys the dubious distinction of being the first film ever based on a theme park attraction, the "Country Bears Jamboree" at Disneyworld. Beary Barrington (voice of Haley Joel Osment) is an adolescent bruin raised by a human family after he was found by a park ranger, abandoned in the forest. Curious about his biological roots, Beary travels to Tennessee to seek out his birth parents while attempting to locate the members of his favorite musical group -- a defunct country music act called the Country Bears -- along the way. Country Bear Hall, the famed venue where the band was launched, is facing imminent destruction at the hands of greedy banker Reed Thimple (Christopher Walken), but young Beary has a plan to save the hall by staging a reunion benefit concert. Beary's path takes him through a guitar duel, a vintage coffee house, and a car wash, as he's pursued by a pair of bumbling cops (Diedrich Bader and Daryl "Chill" Mitchell) trying to reunite him with his adoptive parents. Meanwhile, a panoply of musical legends including Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, and Queen Latifah appear Behind the Music-style to comment on the Country Bears' alleged artistic influence on their work. The Country Bears, the first in a pair of planned Disney projects based on the company's theme park rides (the second is slated to be based on "Pirates of the Caribbean"), co-stars Stephen Tobolowsky, Brad Garrett, Alex Rocco, and Stephen Root. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Crayola Kids Adventures: Trojan Horse

Crayola Kids Adventures: Trojan Horse

Starring:
Director: Michael Kruzan

Certification: NR
Category: Animation
User Rating:
Running Time: 0:44

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Editorial Reviews

From Parents' Choice®
Trading on the success of such television programs as Hercules and Xena: Warrior Princess, this campy look at an historical battle will captivate the adventure-loving audience. Older children will relate to like-aged children playing the heroic characters. Mock battles and castle sieges are enhanced by authentic-looking costume and live settings. The actors are obviously experienced and seem to enjoy this recreation of an epic story which is true, within reason, to the original. Girls are warriors as well, with one markswoman known far and wide for her accuracy with bow and arrow. The dialogue is modern in spots and there are some "groaner" jokes. Yet, it's the action, the settings, and of course, the fascinating story that count. The use of the splendid Trojan horse to gain the Greeks entrance to Troy is naturally climactic and will cause the audience to cheer in delight. Look for more of these, as they will surely become popular! A 1998 Parents' Choice® Silver Honor.

Reviewed by Yvonne Coleman, Parents' Choice® 1998

D2: The Mighty Ducks

D2: The Mighty Ducks

Starring: Emilio Estevez, Kathryn Erbe, Michael Tucker, Jan Rubes, Carsten Norgaard, Maria Ellingsen, Joshua Jackson, Elden Ratliff, Shaun Weiss, Matt Doherty, Vincent Larusso, Colombe Jacobsen, Aaron Lohr, Kenan Thompson, Justin Wong, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Brandon Adams, Steven Brill, Joe Fowler, Casey Garven, Wayne Gretzky, Garette Ratliff Henson, Michael Francis Kelly, Jeannette Kerner, Leah Lail, Greg Louganis, Bob Miller, Marguerite Moreau, Cam Neely, Michael Ooms, Robert Pall, Brock Pierce, Nancy Stephens, Noah Verduzco, Mike Vitar, Jack White
Director: Sam Weisman

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:46

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Editorial Reviews - D2: The Mighty Ducks

All Movie Guide
In this sequel to the kid-friendly sports comedy The Mighty Ducks, Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) takes one more shot at a career as a professional hockey player, but a severe knee injury sidelines him for good. However, his success coaching a rag-tag pee-wee hockey team in Minneapolis (as chronicled in the first film) has attracted the attention of a major sportswear firm, which hires him to coach the United States team for the Junior Goodwill Games. Gordon reassembles most of the Mighty Ducks along with several new players, including a huge bully who is great on defense (if low on social skills), a figure skater who knows how to move on the ice, and a hotshot goalie who happens to be a girl. However, the excitement of a trip to Los Angeles and a large dose of overconfidence puts the team at a severe disadvantage when they're pitted against the top-ranked Icelandic team. D2: The Mighty Ducks features cameo appearances from hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, whose athletic career has never involved ice skating. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

D3: The Mighty Ducks

D3: The Mighty Ducks

Starring: Emilio Estevez, Jeffrey Nordling, Joshua Jackson, David Selby, Heidi Kling, Joss Ackland, Michael Cudlitz, Matt Doherty, Garette Ratliff Henson, Colombe Jacobsen, Vincent Larusso, Aaron Lohr, Marguerite Moreau, Christopher Orr, Elden Ratliff, Kenan Thompson, Mike Vitar, Shaun Weiss, Justin Wong
Director: Robert H. Lieberman

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:44

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Editorial Reviews - D3: The Mighty Ducks

All Movie Guide
Everybody's favorite underdog youth hockey team hits the ice for a third adventure in D3: The Mighty Ducks. This time out, the Ducks' improbable success under lawyer-turned-hockey player Gordon Bombay (Emilio Estevez) has earned the group of misfits a certain degree of fame, and the entire team is given scholarships to attend Eden Hall Academy, an upscale private school with a rich and snobbish student body. The Ducks are dismayed to discover that they have a new coach, Ted Orion (Jeffrey Nordling), and they soon learn that, as freshmen, they get precious little respect from the Varsity team, and the team's melting-pot lineup makes them stick out like a sore thumb in the white, upper-class surroundings of Eden Hall. However, by the film's final reel, the Ducks will have taught their fellow classmates a lesson about teamwork and overcoming adversity. This proved to be the last film in the Mighty Ducks series, but it was followed by an animated television series that improbably turned the team into hockey stars from another dimension. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier

Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier

Starring: Fess Parker, Buddy Ebsen, Basil Ruysdael, Hans Conried, Kenneth Tobey, Pat Hogan, Helene Stanley, Nick Cravat, Mike Mazurki, Jeff Thompson, Benjamin Hornbuckle, Robert Booth, Ray Whiteside, William Bakewell, Henry Joyner, Don McGowan, Hal Youngblood
Director: Norman Foster

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Adventure Drama
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:33

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Editorial Reviews - Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier

All Movie Guide
Cashing in on the surprise success of his 1954 Davy Crockett TV miniseries (first presented on the weekly anthology Disneyland), Walt Disney assembled the three hour-long "Crockett" episodes into a 93 minute theatrical feature. While the re-editing process has created a few noticeable continuity gaps, the results are by and large satisfying: certainly audiences in 1955 were satisfied, if box office returns are any indication (and, of course, they are). Fess Parker plays Davy Crockett, Tennessee-born frontiersman, while Buddy Ebsen (Disney's original choice for Crockett) co-stars as Davy's sidekick George Russell. The film is divided into three long episodes, each separated by a title card. Part one shows Crockett the Indian fighter (politically correct? Of course not!); part two finds Davy winning a seat in the Nashville legislature, where his heroism is rather cynically exploited by presidential candidate Andrew Jackson (Basil Ruysdael); and part three concludes at the Alamo, with a discreet cutaway just before Davy meets his doom at the hands of Mexican general Santa Anna. Also appearing in this jerry-built film are Hans Conried as Thimblerig and Helene Stanley as Davy's wife Polly. And who could forget "The Ballad of Davy Crockett"--not to mention those neato coonskin caps? Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier was followed in 1956 by a "prequel" (likewise cobbled together from three Disneyland episodes), Davy Crockett and the River Pirates. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Diet for a New America

Diet for a New America

Starring:
Director:

Certification: NR (MPAA)
Category: TV
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:00

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In Diet for a New America, John Robbins, son of the founder of the Baskin-Robbins ice-cream empire, presents his theories about how an animal-based diet is killing Americans. Abandoning the wealthy lifestyle of his family, Robbins lived in a log cabin while subsisting on a simple diet of grains, and he eventually realized his calling as a dietary evangelist. He is not without a sense of humor; at one point he describes how he broke with his family by "walking away from our ice-cream-cone-shaped swimming pool." But Robbins takes his mission seriously, buttressing his strong opinions about how America must reform its diet with commentary from physicians and academics, including some experts from Cornell University who appear on camera. Robbins himself visits farms where pigs, cattle, and chicken are raised in hellish conditions to make the point that modern meat production is inhumane. Much of this video comes across as being commonsense dietary advice, though some of the more extreme statements by experts are no doubt debatable. And there's no denying that footage of heart surgeries and animals cramped into filthy cages could serve as strong reinforcement to those seeking a healthier diet. --Robert J. McNamara

Digimon: Digital Monsters, Vol. 2

Digimon: Digital Monsters, Vol. 2

Starring:
Director: Wendee Lee

Certification: NR
Category: Animation
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:00

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Enter the world of Digimon Digital Monsters. This video contains three separate stories: "Biyomon Gets Firepower," "Kabuterimon's Electro Shocker," and "Togemon in Toy Town." Each of these features a group of kids: Tai, Sora, Matt, T.K., Izzy, Mimi, and Joe. Along for the adventure with them are assorted Digimon. In "Biyomon," a mysterious black gear lodges itself into Meramon (a Digimon with fire power), making him into a fireball of destruction. Biyomon must digivolve into Birdamon to cool him off. In "Kabuterimon's Electro Shocker," the group rescues a robotlike Digimon called Andromon, but he turns out to be hostile and almost unstoppable. Again, a mysterious black gear seems to be the culprit. Kabuterimon launches a shocking attack and scores an unlikely victory. In "Togemon in Toy Town," a large teddy bear named Monzaemon has the aforementioned black gear stuck in its body. The results are a raging stuffed bear of destruction. Our gang must find a way to dislodge it in order to make Toy Town safe. Looks like a job for Palmon. This series digivolves into Pokémon, featuring the same simple animation and plots that will baffle the adult crowd. --Peggy Maltby-Etra

From the back cover
Catch the coolest kids and craziest creatures in the whole wide digital world with DIGIMON! Meet Tai, Sora, Matt, T.K., Izzy, Mimi and Joe--seven young friends who team up with a colorful assortment of "monsters" to battle evil forces in the ultimate digital adventure.

Biyomon Gets Firepower
Weak from the desert heat, the kids finally reach a village, but a fire monster named Meramon is burning mad and dries up the water supply. Biyomon must digivolve into Birdramon to cool him off!

Kabuterimon's Electro Shocker
The children rescue a robotlike Digimon trapped in an abandoned factory, but "Andromon" turns out to be hostile--and seemingly undefeatable--until Kabuterimon scores a shocking victory.

Togemon in Toy Town
There's no joy in Toy Town when a huge teddy bear named Monzaemon attacks, but Palmon transforms into Togermon just in time to turn the overstuffed Digimon back into a gentle giant.

Dinosaur

Dinosaur

Starring: D.B. Sweeney, Alfre Woodard, Ossie Davis, Max Casella, Hayden Panettiere, Sam Wright, Julianna Margulies, Peter Siragusa, Joan Plowright, Della Reese
Director: Eric Leighton

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:22

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Editorial Reviews - Dinosaur

Barnes & Noble
A fittingly oversized box-office hit from 2000, Dinosaur is the computer-animated tale of an orphaned dinosaur, adopted by lemurs, who eventually joins a migrating dino herd in search of nesting grounds. As veteran Disney fans will recognize, this is not a giddy ride like the Robin Williams-fueled Aladdin. Rather, the film is more of a Homeward Bound-styled odyssey, with a voice cast (including D. B. Sweeney and Julianna Marguilies) that plays it straight. What truly widens eyes here, though, are the undeniably awesome computer-generated images, depicting dinosaurs romping and stomping in photo-realistic backgrounds. There are two DVD editions of this artistic milestone. The single-disc edition contains four segments that chronicle the painstaking production process, as well as two games, a "Dinopedia" of dinosaur facts, and DVD-ROM links to the Web. The Collector's Edition boasts two discs. The first includes audio commentaries by the directors and effects supervisors as well as other members of the creative team. Some of the tidbits here are especially fun, such as the revelation that Zini, the misfit lemur, was inspired in part by the Michael Richards Seinfeld character, Kramer. There are abandoned and deleted sequences, hidden "Easter Eggs," an isolated sound-effects-only track and a treasure trove of supplemental features -- nearly three hours worth -- that chart the film's evolution in sketches and animation tests. Young Dino-maniacs will eat this up. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Walt Disney Pictures redefined computer animation with this technically accomplished fantasy of prehistoric life, combining live-action backgrounds with computer-generated animals. After a pterodactyl snatches a dinosaur's egg and accidentally drops it while flying away, the egg is rescued by a family of lemurs, who keep it warm until it hatches. They raise the baby dinosaur, named Aladar, as one of their own, and as he grows to adulthood, Aladar protects the primates that he has come to regard as his family. When a giant meteor appears in the sky, packs of dinosaurs have no idea what to make of the strange fiery light, but Aladar and the lemurs are convinced that they must escape to a safer place before the huge flaming stone destroys their home, leading Aladar to encounter his own kind for the first time. D.B. Sweeney provides the voice of Aladar; other actors in the voice cast include Joan Plowright, Julianna Margulies, Alfre Woodard, and Ossie Davis. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Disney's the Princess Diaries

Disney's the Princess Diaries

Starring:
Director: Garry Marshall

Certification: NR
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:55

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
A thoroughly engaging fairy tale that's family friendly without being condescending, The Princess Diaries is your basic Cinderella makeover story given a fresh, affectionate twist courtesy of a game, energetic cast and a screenplay that skirts schmaltz in favor of gentle, effective comedy. Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a frizzy-haired, glasses-wearing 15-year-old girl whose two highest ambitions are to become invisible and to get a few smooches from the slickly attractive school heartthrob. As a girl who can't stand being the center of attention so much that she throws up during debate class, she's stunned and horrified when her coolly continental grandmother (Julie Andrews) shows up and informs her that she's the crown princess of the European principality Genovia. Soon enough, Mia has to undertake "princess lessons" (and a makeover) from her queenly grandmother, and eventually she blossoms into a confident, radiant girl--despite the worries and pressure that her newfound status brings. What makes The Princess Diaries work is director Garry Marshall's guileless, irony-free approach to the material (based on Meg Cabot's novel). In comparison to most snarky, ultra-hip teen comedies, The Princess Diaries is refreshingly and enjoyably square, content to win you over on charm alone and not a slick bag of tricks. Hathaway is a charismatic, appealing role model with a sharp sense of comic timing, and Andrews--who came to stardom as the object of a makeover supreme in My Fair Lady on Broadway--is at her regal best whether teaching Mia the proper royal wave or learning how to eat a corndog. Both leading ladies are complemented by a finely tuned cast, including Hector Elizondo as Genovia's head of security (and romantic counterpart to Andrews), Heather Matarazzo as Mia's best pal, and Robert Schwartzman as the good guy who ultimately wins Mia's heart. All in all, a royal pleasure. --Mark Englehart

Doctor Dolittle

Doctor Dolittle

Starring: Rex Harrison, Samantha Eggar, Anthony Newley, Richard Attenborough, Peter Bull, Geoffrey Holder, Muriel Landers, William Dix, Portia Nelson, Norma Varden, Ray Erlenborn
Director: W. Leslie Bricusse

Certification: NR
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 2:25

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Editorial Reviews - Doctor Dolittle

All Movie Guide
Rex Harrison, although not at all like the portly man described in Hugh Lofting's charming series of children's stories, is sheer perfection as the kindly animal doctor in Leslie Bricusse's musical fantasy Doctor Dolittle. Sadly, Harrison is the only thing nearing perfection in this overstuffed and over-mounted fiasco that nearly brought down 20th Century Fox. Considered a lunatic because he can converse in 498 animal dialects, Dolittle gathers up his friends Matthew Mugg (Anthony Newley) and Emma Fairfax (Samantha Eggar) and heads off on a journey to the South Seas to find the elusive great pink snail and the giant lunar moth. Along the way, the group encounters a succession of bizarre human and animal characters -- most notably the legendary pushme-pullyou, an animal so freakish that it compels Albert Blossom (Richard Attenborough) to burst out into the exuberant song, "I've never Seen Anything Like It in My Life." Incredibly, the film was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar in 1967. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Doug's 1st Movie

Doug's 1st Movie

Starring: Thomas McHugh, Fred Newman, Chris Phillips, Constance Shulman, Frank Welker, Doug Preis, Guy Hadley, Alice Playten, Eddie Korbich, Doris Belack, Greg Lee
Director: Maurice Joyce

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animation
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:23

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Editorial Reviews - Doug's 1st Movie

All Movie Guide
Doug Funnie and his friends from Bluffington make the leap from TV to the big screen in the animated comedy Doug's 1st Movie, based on the long-running children's series. Doug (voiced by Thomas McHugh) is a good-natured 12-year-old who is chronically infatuated with his classmate Patti Mayonnaise (voiced by Constance Shulman). Doug's best friend Skeeter (voiced by Fred Newman) is convinced there's a monster in Bluffington's Lucky Duck Lake. Surprisingly enough, it turns out Skeeter is right -- pollutants dumped in the lake by cranky factory owner Bill Bluff (voiced by Doug Preis) have spawned a large but thankfully friendly beast Doug and Skeeter name Herman Melville. Doug and Skeeter both want to protect Herman -- Doug so he can look cool in front of Patti, and Skeeter so he can prove the damage Bluff is doing to the environment -- but that isn't so simple when Bluff sends his hired guns to track down the monster. Doug creator Jim Jenkins served as co-producer for this film adaptation, which like the TV series was created by the Jumbo Pictures studios. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Starring: Jim Carrey, Jeffrey Tambor, Christine Baranski, Bill Irwin, Molly Shannon, Clint Howard, Taylor Momsen, Anthony Hopkins
Director: Ron Howard

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:45

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Editorial Reviews - Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Barnes & Noble
Prepare the Roast Beast and get set to feast your eyes on director Ron Howard's spectacular live-action film of the cherished Dr. Seuss story about a holiday-hating Grinch who tries to put the kibosh on Christmas. Even if the production misses the simple charm of Dr. Seuss' classic 1957 book or Chuck Jones's beloved 1966 animated adaptation, it is a dizzying wonder of over-the-top performances and creative set design. Howard's Whoville makes Blade Runner's vision of a future Los Angeles look like Mayberry, RFD. Jim Carrey, with an invaluable assist from Oscar-winning makeup maestro Rick Baker, brings the Grinch to roaring, ranting life in a bravura performance. A stellar ensemble cast lends able comic support: Christine Baranski is perfect as the Grinch's childhood sweetheart; Jeffrey Tambor (Larry Sanders) scores, too, as the mean green one's lifelong nemesis. Bill Irwin and Molly Shannon are the holiday-harried parents of the adorable Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen), who melts the Grinch's cold, cold heart, and Anthony Hopkins lends a touch of class as the film's narrator. Kids will delight in the antics of Max, the Grinch's dog and reluctant partner-in-crime. The Grinch is a perfect holiday gift, as the DVD offers a sleigh-load of extras, including deleted scenes, a gag outtake reel, segments on the film's production and character design, a Faith Hill music video, and "Max's Playhouse," which contains sing-along, read-along, and play-along activities for children. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
He's mean, he's green, and he doesn't like the Yuletide season one bit -- Jim Carrey stars in this live-action adaptation of the classic children's story by Dr. Seuss (aka Theodore Geisel). High atop Mt. Crumpet, the Grinch (Carrey) observes the residents of Whoville joyously preparing to celebrate Christmas. The Grinch was born in Whoville years ago, but was shunned due to his scary appearance, and his unrequited love for Martha May Whovier has turned him bitter; the good cheer of the Whos has been a thorn in his side ever since. Finally the Grinch decides he's had enough of all this happiness, and with the wary aid of his dog Max, the Grinch conspires to steal Christmas from Whoville, making off with their presents, holiday decorations, Christmas trees, and everything else used to enjoy the holiday. Molly Shannon, Christine Baranski, Jeffrey Tambor, and Clint Howard play several of the citizens of Whoville, while Anthony Hopkins narrates (taking over from the late Boris Karloff, who memorably read Dr. Seuss' story in Chuck Jones' 1966 animated adaptation of the story). Ron Howard directs. Mark Deming

Dumbo

Dumbo

Starring: Sterling Holloway, Edward S. Brophy, Herman Bing, Verna Felton, Cliff Edwards, Billy Bletcher, Sarah Selby
Director: Samuel Armstrong

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:03

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Editorial Reviews - Dumbo

Barnes & Noble
Walt Disney's fourth animated feature soars to new heights on this digitally remastered "60th Anniversary Edition" VHS and, for the first time, on DVD. This was Walt's favorite of his animated features (or so he claims in his introduction to the film's first TV broadcast, which is included on the DVD). Exquisitely simple, Dumbo tells the touching and triumphant story of the young circus elephant whose oversize ears mark him as a "Freak!" to other pachyderms. But thanks to his mother's love and the friendship of Timothy J. Mouse, he discovers that the very thing that holds him down will lift him up to become "the 9th wonder of the Universe" and the circus's star attraction. Listen for Sterling Holloway (Winnie-the-Pooh) as the weighted-down stork who delivers Dumbo; and wrestle with your sense of the politically correct as jive-talking crows sing one of the film's signature songs, "When I See an Elephant Fly." The Oscar-winning score also includes the heartbreaking "Baby Mine" and the surreal "Pink Elephants on Parade," two classic sequences that rank high among Disney's most inspired. The archival goodies included on the 60th Anniversary DVD editions are true treasures: There are several illuminating segments that chart the film's production, as well as insightful and meticulous commentary by animator and historian John Canemaker. Kids will enjoy two vintage "Silly Symphony" cartoons, two sing-alongs, and a DVD storybook. This is the definitive Dumbo -- pure and primal entertainment your family will never forget. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
The shortest of Disney's major animated features Dumbo involves a baby elephant with unusually large ears. Ostracized from the rest of the circus animals, poor Dumbo is even separated from his mother, who is chained up in a separate cage after trying to defend her child. Only brash-but-lovable Timothy Mouse offers the hand of friendship to Dumbo, encouraging the pouty pachyderm to exploit his "different" qualities for fame and fortune. After trepidatiously indulging in a vat of booze, Dumbo awakens in a tall tree. Goaded by a group of jive-talking crows, Dumbo discovers that his outsized ears have given him the ability to fly. The musical score by Frank Churchill and Oliver Wallace won Oscars for them both. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Dunston Checks In

Dunston Checks In

Starring: Jason Alexander, Faye Dunaway, Eric Lloyd, Rupert Everett, Graham Sack, Paul Reubens, Jennifer Bassey, Bruce Beatty, Ray Chang, Natalie Core, Nathan Davis, Lois de Banzie, Steven Gilborn, Marceline Hugot, Jim Ishida, Frank Kopyc, Cynthia Martells, Karen Maruyama, Michael McCarty, Neriah Napaul, Ernest Perry Jr., Judith Scott, Glenn Shadix, Peter Siragusa, Lynne Stewart, Frank Welker
Director: Ken Kwapis

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy of Errors
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:28

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Editorial Reviews - Dunston Checks In

All Movie Guide
A nervous hotel manager has all sorts of monkey business to deal with (actually orangutan business, but you get the idea) in this comedy for the family. Robert Grant (Jason Alexander) is the manager of The Majestic Hotel, a large and highly luxurious five-star facility. Grant is harried, overworked, and wants to take his two sons, Kyle (Eric Lloyd) and Brian (Graham Sack), on a well-deserved vacation, but when the owner of the Majestic, Mrs. Dubrow (Faye Dunnaway), hears that the hotel is being considered for the newly-minted and very prestigious six-star rating by the Le Monde Guide, it falls on Robert to make sure that everything is perfect when the guide's staff arrives. Since the inspectors will arrive unannounced, Robert has to chase after anyone who looks like they could be a VIP, so he finds himself giving the star treatment to new guest Lord Rutledge (Rupert Everett) when he spots Rutledge using a pocket camera to snap pictures in the lobby. However, Rutledge is actually a skilled jewel thief who has come to the Majestic to take advantage of its wealthy clientele, and he's arrived with his pet orangutan, Dunston, who has been trained to be Rutledge's partner in crime. Dunston gets lost in the hotel's air duct system; Kyle finds the friendly ape and discovers he makes a great playmate, which makes things all the more difficult for Robert. Paul Reubens (aka Pee Wee Herman) also appears as a trigger-happy animal control officer. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Limited Collector's Edition

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Limited Collector's Edition

Starring: Drew Barrymore, Dee Wallace, Henry Thomas, Peter Coyote
Director: Steven Spielberg

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Science Fiction & Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:57

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Editorial Reviews - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Limited Collector's Edition

Barnes & Noble
Steven Spielberg's 1982 masterpiece and all-around pop culture phenomenon soars to new heights on DVD. The beloved adventure concerns the remarkable friendship between young Elliot (Henry Thomas), whose world has been shattered by his parents' divorce, and the stranded alien he befriends and helps to return home. To mark the film's 20th anniversary, Spielberg did a bit of tinkering. Most exciting is the restoration of two brief, deleted scenes, as well as enhancements to the Oscar-winning special effects and to the wayward extra-terrestrial. More questionable calls include the digital replacement of the government agents' guns with walkie-talkies, and the description of a trick-or-treater as a "hippie," substituting for the original "terrorist." A winner of four Academy Awards, including one for John Williams's transcendent score, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial is still wondrous after all these years, brimming with iconic images (a bicycle ride across the sky) and classic moments, such as young Drew Barrymore's introduction to E.T. Donald Liebenson

Ed

Ed

Starring: Matt LeBlanc, Jayne Brook, Jack Warden, Bill Cobbs, Jay Caputo, Doren Fein, Denise Cheshire, Patrick Kerr, Philip Bruns, James Caviezel, Mike McGlone, Valente Rodriguez, Charlie Schlatter
Director: Bill Couturie

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:34

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Editorial Reviews - Ed

All Movie Guide
If, in the world of the movies, a dog can play basketball and a donkey can play football, why can't a chimp play baseball? That question is answered in the family comedy Ed. Jack "Deuce" Cooper (Matt LeBlanc) is a struggling baseball pitcher who has great natural talent but keeps choking under pressure. Traded to a class A minor league team, Deuce is appalled to discover his third baseman -- and roommate on the road -- is a chimpanzee named Ed Sullivan. While Ed can actually hold his own on the diamond, Deuce feels there's something a bit undignified about having to look after a monkey, and it doesn't help that Ed has poor hygiene and a chronic case of flatulence. Ed was Matt LeBlanc's first starring vehicle following his success on the TV series Friends. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Emperor's New Groove

The Emperor's New Groove

Starring: David Spade, John Goodman, Eartha Kitt, Patrick Warburton, Wendie Malick, Kellyann Kelso, Eli Russell Linnetz
Director: Mark Dindal

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:19

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Editorial Reviews - Emperor's New Groove

Barnes & Noble
If one views Disney as a sort of empire of children's animation, then it's not much of a stretch to assume that the emperor -- in the wake of the technically awesome but relatively laugh-free Dinosaur -- was in desperate need of a new groove. This feature, Disney's loosest, hippest, and funniest animated work since Hercules, certainly delivers on that in spades. Or rather, David Spade, whose smart-alecky vocal stylings give the young and arrogant emperor Kuzco plenty of snap. John Goodman is the voice of gentle giant Pacha, a peasant whose home is slated for demolition so Kuzco can build his summer palace, Kuzcotopia. The indefatigable Eartha Kitt is the voice of the "scary beyond all reason" Yzma, the most memorable (and funniest) Disney villain since James Woods's Hades. She schemes to kill Kuzco, but her plot backfires when her dense, scene-stealing sidekick Kronk (Patrick Warburton of The Tick) gives the unwitting Kuzco a potion that turns him into a llama instead. Kuzco gets Pacha to accompany him back to the castle to undo Yzma's spell, and they predictably must learn to rely on each other to survive. But getting there is all the fun. The songs by Sting are a bit of a letdown, but they are the only flat notes in this rollicking little gem. Reportedly, this offbeat buddy comedy began life as something more epic and dramatic. Fortunately, funnier heads prevailed. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
A ruler learns how the other half lives -- the animal half, that is -- in this animated comedy-adventure from the Walt Disney Studios. Kuzco (voice of David Spade) is the young emperor of an Inca nation who takes a self-centered joy in the troubles of others. Not surprisingly, Kuzco's attitudes have earned the enmity of many of his subjects, including Yzma (voice of Eartha Kitt), a sorceress who wants to seize power away from the emperor after he relieved her of her royal duties, declaring she was too old and unattractive to do the job. Yzma and her musclebound assistant Kronk (voice of Patrick Warburton) hatch a plan to poison Kuzco and take the throne, but thanks to a mistake on Kronk's part, Kuzco isn't killed -- he's instead turned into a talking llama. Kronk can't bring himself to kill the llama, and instead sends the former emperor into the jungle to fend for himself. Kuzco doesn't do too well as a llama until he runs into Pacha (voice of John Goodman), a poor farmer whose property Kuzco once planned to take over for a vacation home. Soft-hearted Pacha agrees to help the emperor-turned-llama find his way back home where, hopefully, another sorcerer can reverse the spell, but once they hit the road, they discover Yzma and Kronk are looking for them, with Yzma determined to finish the assassination she started. Pop star Sting composed several original songs for The Emperor's New Groove, which during its long and troubled production had previously been announced as Kingdom in the Sun and Kingdom of the Sun. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

New York Times
On the surface, Disney's newest animated film looks and sounds like a poor second cousin to Dreamworks's far more splendiferous (but dreary) "Road to El Dorado." But once it hits its groove, so to speak, the new movie exhibits a cheeky effervescence and spunk that were conspicuously absent in its glittering dud of a predecessor...."The Emperor's New Groove," directed by Mark Dindal, shrewdly avoids pompous moralizing in favor of zany high jinks and snide, adolescent jokes, which Mr. Spade delivers with a typically smug twerpiness that suits the role just fine. Stephen Holden

An Extremely Goofy Movie

An Extremely Goofy Movie

Starring: Bill Farmer, Jason Marsden, Rob Paulsen, Jenna von Oy
Director: Douglas McCarthy

Certification: NR
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:19

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Editorial Reviews - Extremely Goofy Movie

All Movie Guide
Higher education will never by the same, as Goofy goes to college in this animated comedy. Max (Jason Marsden) is a top-ranked skateboarder who is just starting college, but he has one little problem -- his father Goofy (Bill Farmer), who is a walking disaster and a frequent source of embarrassment. Max figures that he'll be able to impress the girls at the University with Dad a safe distance away, but when Goofy loses his job, he learns that his best bet for launching a new career is to complete his college degree, and soon Max and Goofy are now classmates. Goofy puts a serious cramp in Max's hipness quotient with his non-ironic enthusiasm for disco music and late-'70s fashions, and Max, in training for the X Games, tries to keep his dad at arm's length. Goofy has enough to keep himself busy between his schoolwork and his romance with similarly clueless librarian, Sylvia (Bebe Neuwirth), but in time, Goofy and Max realize that it's better to get along than to stay away from each other. An Extremely Goofy Movie was the direct-to-video sequel to the 1995 theatrical success A Goofy Movie. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Fantasia

Fantasia

Starring: Walt Disney, Bela Lugosi, Philadelphia Orch., Leopold Stokowski, Deems Taylor
Director: James Algar

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:56

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Editorial Reviews - Fantasia

Barnes & Noble
It is titles like Fantasia that make the DVD player seem essential. Unavailable for purchase on VHS for nearly a decade, one of Walt Disney's most magnificent achievements is back, and grander than ever, in this DVD-only Special 60th Anniversary Edition. For the first time on any home video format, Walt Disney's "grand experiment" -- combining animation with classical music -- is presented in its original 1940 Roadshow edition, complete with intermission and narration, which viewers have not seen since that original theatrical release. Incredibly, like It's a Wonderful Life, Fantasia was not fully appreciated at the time of its release, but with such hallucinatory sequences as "The Sorcerer's Apprentice," "The Dance of the Hours" with the tutu-clad hippos and "The Nutcracker Suite" with the dancing vegetables, it's no wonder it was embraced in the 1960s and '70s by college kids looking for the ultimate cinematic trip. This DVD is loaded with state-of-the-art supplemental features including archival interviews with Walt Disney and a segment about the making of this groundbreaking masterpiece. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Fantasia, Walt Disney's animated masterpiece of the 1940s, grew from a short-subject cartoon picturization of the Paul Dukas musical piece "The Sorcerer's Apprentice." Mickey Mouse was starred in this eight-minute effort, while the orchestra was under the direction of Leopold Stokowski. Disney and Stokowski eventually decided that the notion of marrying classical music with animation was too good to confine to a mere short subject; thus the notion was expanded into a two-hour feature, incorporating seven musical selections and a bridging narration by music critic Deems Taylor. The first piece, Bach's "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor," was used to underscore a series of abstract images. The next selection, Tschiakovsky's "Nutcracker Suite," is performed by dancing wood-sprites, mushrooms, flowers, goldfish, thistles, milkweeds and frost fairies. The Mickey Mouse version of "Sorcerer's Apprentice" is next, followed by Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring," which serves as leitmotif for the story of the creation of the world, replete with dinosaurs and volcanoes. After a brief jam session involving the live-action musicians comes Beethoven's "Pastorale Symphony," enacted against a Greek-mythology tapestry by centaurs, unicorns, cupids and a besotted Bacchus. Ponchielli's "Dance of the Hours" is performed by a Corps de Ballet consisting of hippos, ostriches and alligators. The program comes to a conclusion with a fearsome visualization of Mussorgsky's "Night on Bald Mountain," dominated by the black god Tchernobog (referred to in the pencil tests as "Yensid," which is guess-what spelled backwards); this study of the "sacred and profane" segues into a reverent rendition of Schubert's "Ave Maria." Originally, Debussy's "Clair de Lune" was part of the film, but was cut from the final release print; also cut, due to budgetary considerations, was Disney's intention of issuing an annual "update" of Fantasia with new musical highlights and animated sequences. A box-office disappointment upon its first release (due partly to Disney's notion of releasing the film in an early stereophonic-sound process which few theatres could accommodate), Fantasia eventually recouped its cost in its many reissues. For one of the return engagements, the film was retitled Fantasia Will Amaze-ya, while the 1963 reissue saw the film "squashed" to conform with the Cinemascope aspect ratio. Other re-releases pruned the picture from 120 to 88 minutes, and in 1983, Disney redistributed the film with newly orchestrated music and Tim Matheson replacing Deems Taylor as narrator. Once and for all, a restored Fantasia was made available to filmgoers in 1990. A sequel, Fantasia 2000, was released in theaters in 1999. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Finding Nemo

Finding Nemo

Starring: Albert Brooks, Ellen DeGeneres, Alexander Gould, Willem Dafoe, Brad Garrett, Allison Janney, Austin Pendleton, Stephen Root, Vicki Lewis, Joe Ranft, Geoffrey Rush, Andrew Stanton, Elizabeth Perkins, Nicolas Bird, Bob Peterson, Barry Humphries, Eric Bana, Bruce Spence, Bill Hunter, LuLu Ebeling, Jordy Ranft, Erica Beck, Erik Per Sullivan, John Ratzenberger
Director: Andrew Stanton

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:40

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Editorial Reviews - Finding Nemo

Barnes & Noble
Sebastian from The Little Mermaid was right: It is better under the sea! The No. 1 box office hit of 2003, Pixar's Finding Nemo makes a big home video splash, especially in the DVD edition, which is loaded with see-worthy features that will immerse viewers in Nemo's breathtakingly beautiful computer-animated undersea world. This instant family classic contains all the lures of a film by the creators of Toy Story, A Bug's Life, and Monsters, Inc.: state-of-the-art animation, sophisticated storytelling that doesn't treat the audience like minnows, vividly rendered characters, and impeccable voice work. Albert Brooks is well cast as Marlin, a neurotically overprotective clown fish, who embarks on a desperate search to find his young son, Nemo, plucked from the ocean and now languishing in a dentist's fish tank. As Marlin gets in over his head, he meets a variety of sea creatures, some friendly (Ellen DeGeneres's Dory, a cheerful blue tang with poor short-term memory), and others not (Barry Humphries as a self-improving great white shark striving to think of other fish as "friends, not food"). Other memorable additions to Pixar's gallery of classic characters include a turtle who converses in surfer dude speak (voiced by the film's director, Andrew Stanton), and a flock of single-minded seagulls who pounce on any potential foodstuff with the squawk, "Mine." As with Monsters, Inc., there won't be a dry eye in the house at the film's surprisingly emotional conclusion. This "Collector's Edition" offers lots of bait. In addition to segments that plunge animation enthusiasts into this film's production, this two-disc set also contains interactive games, the delightful Pixar short Knick Knack, the educational short film Exploring the Reef with Jean-Michel Cousteau, and a feature that transforms your TV into a virtual aquarium. Don't let this be the one that got away. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Andrew Stanton, who helped write Toy Story and Monsters, Inc., co-wrote and directed this computer-animated comedy-adventure about finding a very small fish in a very large ocean. Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks) is a more-than-slightly paranoid Clown Fish who is extremely devoted to his young son, Nemo (voice of Alexander Gould), the only survivor after an undersea predator swallowed up Nemo's mother and her other offspring. It's not Marlin's nature to explore unfamiliar waters, but when he and Nemo are accidentally separated near the Great Barrier Reef en route to Nemo's first day of fish school, Marlin gathers his courage and sets out to find his son. What Marlin doesn't know, however, is that while Nemo was looking at a boat passing on the surface, he was caught in a net and given a new home in a dentist's aquarium. As Marlin searches for his son, he makes friends with a friendly but absent-minded Regal Blue Tang named Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres), a Great White Shark named Bruce (voice of Barry Humphries) who is trying to cut fish out of his diet, a beach-rat Sea Tortoise named Crush (voice of Andrew Stanton), and Nigel (voice of Geoffrey Rush), a Pelican who can take Marlin's search from the ocean to dry land. Finding Nemo's impressive voice cast also includes Willem Dafoe, Allison Janney, Eric Bana, Stephen Root, and Brad Garrett. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rolling Stone
Leave it to a g-rated cartoon to give the live-action epics a lesson in action, fun and bracing originality. Peter Travers

Entertainment Weekly
You could trawl the seven seas and not net a funnier, more beautiful, and more original work of art and comedy than Finding Nemo. Lisa Schwarzbaum

San Francisco Chronicle
The visuals pop, the fish emote and the ocean comes alive. That's in the first two minutes. After that, they do some really cool stuff. C.W. Nevius

Flubber

Flubber

Starring: Robin Williams, Marcia Gay Harden, Christopher McDonald, Raymond J. Barry, Raymond Barry, Clancy Brown, Ted Levine, Wil Wheaton, Edie McClurg, Jodi Benson, Scott Martin Gershin, Julie Morrison, Adryenn Ashley, Leslie Stefanson
Director: Les Mayfield

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Fantasy Comedy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:33

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Editorial Reviews - Flubber

All Movie Guide
Although "flub" is defined as "to make a mess of," the word "flubber" is a contraction from "flying rubber." In this remake of the 1961 comedy-fantasy The Absent Minded Professor, Robin Williams takes on the role created by Fred MacMurray and later executed by Harry Anderson on television, while the 1961 film's Flubber with anti-gravity properties has now been digitally reincarnated as a translucent green, pulsating, bouncing blob that loves to dance the mambo. Absent-minded college professor Philip Brainard (Williams), employed at a near-bankrupt university, creates the formula for Flubber, yet he can't remember to show up for his own wedding to university-President Sara Jean Reynolds (Marcia Gay Harden). His rival, Wilson Croft (Christopher McDonald), plots to steal Sara and the Flubber from Brainard. Rich, corrupt businessman Chester Hoenicker (Raymond Barry) tries to force Brainard to pass his failing son Bennett (Wil Wheaton), but he soon takes an interest in Flubber after hearing about it from his flunkies (Clancy Brown, Ted Levine). After using Flubber to fly over clouds in his 1963 T-Bird, Brainard realizes Flubber can also improve the performance of the school's pathetic basketball team. Jodi Benson is the voice of Weebo, Brainard's talking, flying household robot, with a video display of Disney clips at odd moments. Many gags are embellishments from the 1961 film, with John Hughes (Home Alone) rewriting the original Bill Walsh screenplay (based on Samuel Taylor's short story, "A Situation of Gravity"). Though Walsh died in 1975, he received posthumous credit for this script. Filming began October 8,1996 in San Francisco. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Fluke

Fluke

Starring: Matthew Modine, Nancy Travis, Eric Stoltz, Max Pomeranc, Samuel L. Jackson, Ron Perlman, Bill Cobbs, Federico Pacifici, Collin Wilcox Paxton, Jon Polito, Clarinda Ross
Director: Carlo Carlei

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:36

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Editorial Reviews - Fluke

All Movie Guide
A man learns to be a better person when he turns into a dog in this thoughtful and surprisingly somber drama for the family. Tom (Matthew Modine), a businessman, is so driven to succeed that he all but ignores his wife Carol (Nancy Travis) and their son Brian (Max Pomeranc). Tom's perspective changes when he dies in an auto accident and is reincarnated as Fluke, a big brown dog. Fluke wants nothing more than to be with Carol and Brian, but he gets lost as he tries to make his way home. He's adopted by a homeless woman, and with her, Fluke truly learns to give and receive love for the first time, but when she dies, the dog is left with nowhere to go. Fluke is soon befriended by Rumbo (voice of Samuel L. Jackson), a guard dog at a junkyard who teaches him how to survive on the street, but before long, Fluke once again hears the call from his heart to find Carol and Brian. Fluke also stars Eric Stolz, Ron Perlman, and Jon Polito. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Fox and the Hound

The Fox and the Hound

Starring: Mickey Rooney, Kurt Russell, Pearl Bailey, Jack Albertson, Sandy Duncan
Director: Art Stevens

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:23

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The Fox and the Hound marked the last collaboration between Disney's older artists, including three of the "Nine Old Men" (Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and Woolie Reitherman), and the young animators who would make the record-breaking films of the '90s. Based on a book by Daniel P. Mannix, the film tells the story of a bloodhound puppy and a fox kit who begin as friends but are forced to become enemies. Tod and Copper barely establish their friendship before Copper begins his training as hunting dog. Unfortunately, neither character develops much of a personality, which makes it difficult to care about them. The screen comes alive near end of the film, when Tod and Copper have to join forces to fight off an enormous bear. It had been years since Disney produced a sequence with this kind of feral power--and years would pass before they surpassed it. The Fox and the Hound ranks as one of the studio's lesser efforts, but it suggests that better films were soon to follow. (Ages 5 and older) --Charles Solomon

Free Willy

Free Willy

Starring: Jason James Richter, Jayne Atkinson, Lori Petty, August Schellenberg, Michael Madsen, Michael Ironside, Richard Riehle, Mykelti Williamson, Michael Bacall, Danielle Harris, Lynda Gordon, Tom Lasswell, Judy Taylor, Betsy Toll, Keiko the Killer Whale
Director: Simon Wincer

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:52

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Editorial Reviews - Free Willy

Barnes & Noble
This tenth anniversary edition of one of the most popular family films of the last decade is sure to make a big splash with a new generation. Jason James Richter stars as 12-year-old Jesse, a rebellious foster child who finds a kindred misfit spirit in Willy (played by the magnificent Keiko), an orca whale who is the featured attraction at the dilapidated local theme park. Encouraged by the sympathetic trainer (Lori Petty) and the park's handyman (August Schellenberg), Jesse and Willy form a bond, and Jesse becomes the whale's trainer. But when the greedy park owner (Michael Ironside) decides that Willy, like George Bailey, is worth more dead than alive, Jesse races against time to rescue his newfound friend and return him to the ocean. A whale of a tale, this film launched a real-life "Free Willy" crusade for Keiko, who was rescued from his own deplorable living conditions in captivity. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
The touching story of a boy and his killer whale made this family drama a surprise box office hit. Jesse (Jason James Richter) is a kid without parents who has bounced from one foster home to another and is living on the streets. One night, he's caught spraying graffiti with his friend Perry (Michael Bacall) in a theme park. Jesse and Perry are caught red handed by Dwight (Mykel T. Williamson), a policeman who thinks that Jesse needs a more stable and disciplined environment. Dwight arranges for Jesse to stay with a new foster family, Glen and Annie Greenwood (Michael Madsen and Jayne Atkinson), with whom Jesse has an initially stormy relationship. Part of Jesse's punishment involves cleaning up the damage he caused at the park, where the new attraction is Willy, a killer whale who is being trained to do tricks. However, Willy was traumatized when he was stolen from his family by mercenary fisherman and does not respond well to the genuine concern of his trainers, Rae (Lori Petty) and Randolph (August Schellenberg). Jesse and Willy, both stranded without families in a place where they don't fit in, develop a close emotional bond, and with Jesse's help, Willy begins to display aptitude as a performer. Thanks to his friendship with Willy, Jesse develops a new sense of responsibility and a healthier relationship with the Greenwoods. However, Dial (Michael Ironside), the owner of the park, doesn't much care for animals and isn't happy with the slower-than-expected progress of Willy's training; having insured the whale for $1 million dollars, he figures that Willy is worth more dead than alive, and Jesse, Rae, and Randolph have to rescue their aquatic friend and return him to the ocean when Dial seems ready to live up to his threats. Free Willy, which featured a star performance by a killer whale named Keiko (who is doubled in some scenes by animatronic models) included the theme song "Will You Be There," a top-ten hit for Michael Jackson, and spawned two sequels. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Fun and Fancy Free

Fun and Fancy Free

Starring: Edgar Bergen, Dinah Shore, Luana Patten, Walt Disney, Cliff Edwards, Billy Gilbert, Anita Gordon, The King's Men, Clarence Nash, The Dinning Sisters, The Starlighters
Director: Jack Kinney

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:36

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Editorial Reviews - Fun and Fancy Free

All Movie Guide
A blend of live-action and animation, Fun and Fancy Free is comprised of two distinct tales linked by additional footage featuring Jiminy Cricket. Disney had been planning to use each story for separate feature films but the involvement of the United States in WWII disrupted his plans and the stories were shelved until after the war. The first is a musical story based on a children's story by Sinclair Lewis and is narrated by Dinah Shore, who also sings. It is the tale of a sad little circus bear named Bongo who is adored when performing but ignored after the show. Tired of travelling and being mistreated, he escapes into the forest where he discovers that life in the wilderness is not as free and easy as he thought. Despite the obstacles awaiting him, Bongo manages to find the thing he most longed for -- true love. By contemporary standards, the story is almost 'unbearably' sweet, but it should be remembered that such candy-coated fluff as "Bongo" was the remedy war-weary audiences needed to lift their spirits. The second tale is more zesty thanks to the peppery repartee between ventriloquist Edgar Bergen and his two dummies Charlie McCarthy and Mortimer Snerd. Together the three tell would-be Disney child star Luana Patton, a story based on "Jack and the Beanstalk" featuring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy, who climb a magic beanstalk and try to retrieve a stolen singing harp to restore wealth to their impoverished kingdom.

In 1997, to commemorate the film's 50th anniversary, it was released on video tape in a restored version (the executive producers in charge of restoration were Phil Savenkic and Harry Arends) that has brought the colorful animated sequences back to their original depth and vibrance. This video version also contains a brief but informative documentary hosted by noted film historian Leonard Maltin and narrated by Corey Burton at the end that gives the fascinating history of the films. It also contains rare footage of the making of the films and a priceless segment in which Walt Disney performs as Mickey Mouse. "Mickey and the Beanstalk" was the last time Disney provided his voice. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

The Goonies

The Goonies

Starring: Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Corey Feldman, Kerri Green, Martha Plimpton, John Matuszak, Robert Davi, Joe Pantoliano, Anne Ramsey, Jeb Stuart Adams, Steve Antin, Newt Arnold, Bill Bradley, Patrick Cameron, Michael Paul Chan, Jeff B. Cohen, Jane Feinberg, Mike Fenton, Ted Grossman, Curtis Hanson, Orwin Harvey, Charles McDaniel, George Nicholas McLean, Elaine Cohen McMahon, Jack O'Leary, Lupe Ontiveros, Jonathan Ke Quan, George Robotham, Gene Ross, Max Segar, Judy Taylor, Mary Ellen Trainor, Paul Tuerpé, Keith Walker, Eric Briant Wells
Director: Richard Donner

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Horror - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:54

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Editorial Reviews - Goonies

All Movie Guide
Leonard Maltin wasn't alone when he noticed similarities between Goonies and the 1934 Our Gang comedy Mama's Little Pirate. Adapted by Chris Columbus from a story by Steven Spielberg, the film follows a group of misfit kids (including such second-generation Hollywoodites as Josh Brolin and Sean Astin) as they search for buried treasure in a subterranean cavern. Here they cross the path of lady criminal Mama Fratelli (Anne Ramsey) and her outlaw brood. Fortunately, the kids manage to befriend Fratelli's hideously deformed (but soft-hearted) son (John Matuszak), who comes to their rescue. The Spielberg influence is most pronounced in the film's prologue and epilogue, when the viewer is advised that the film's real villains are a group of "Evil Land Developers." The musical score makes excellent use of Max Steiner's main theme from The Adventures of Don Juan, not to mention contributions by the likes of Richard Marx and Cyndi Lauper. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Great Mouse Detective

The Great Mouse Detective

Starring: Vincent Price, Barrie Ingham, Val Bettin, Susanne Pollatschek, Candy Candido
Director: Burny Mattinson

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:14

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Just because Walt Disney created contemporary and traditional classics of animation doesn't mean the studio is out of ideas--not by a long shot. The Great Mouse Detective is richly animated and offers a clever tale. It may not be as easily recognized a title as Aladdin or The Little Mermaid, but all three share the same director, Ron Clements. Originally released theatrically in 1986, the mystery borrows easily from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes and is based on Eve Titus's book Basil of Baker Street.

When a brilliant toymaker is kidnapped by a creepy peg-legged bat, his daughter, Olivia, enlists the aid of the legendary Basil. Basil, Olivia, and Basil's assistant, Dr. Dawson, are part of an intricate city system of Victorian-era London mice. Basil quickly realizes his archenemy, Professor Ratigan (a rat who wants to be a mouse), is behind the abduction. Ratigan (voiced by Vincent Price) fiendishly aspires to take over London rodents--and will stop at nothing to achieve his greatest desire. The unlikely trio of good guys become heroes, of course. The engaging story line is a perfect introduction to Doyle's work and mysteries in general. Look for a very cleverly executed voice-cameo by Basil Rathbone (as Sherlock Holmes, natch). Alan Young (Mr. Ed) also provides a voice. Ages 4 and up. --N.F. Mendoza

Product Description
The Great Mouse Detective (A Walt Disney Classic) [VHS]

Gremlins

Gremlins

Starring: Zach Galligan, Hoyt Axton, Frances Lee McCain, Phoebe Cates, Polly Holliday, Scott Brady, Glynn Turman, Corey Feldman, Keye Luke, Judge Reinhold, Jonathan Banks, Edward Andrews, Susan Arnold, Belinda Balaski, John C. Becher, Joe Brooks, Harry Carey Jr., Peter Cullen, Kenny Davis, Mark Dodson, Donald Elson, Lois Foraker, Bob Holt, Chuck Jones, Jackie Joseph, Nicky Katt, John Louie, James MacKrell, Howie Mandel, Jim McKrell, Richard Miller, Arnie Moore, Mushroom, Fred Newman, Michael Sheehan, Steven Spielberg, Don Steele, Frank Welker, Michael Winslow
Director: Joe Dante

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Fantasy - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:46

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Editorial Reviews - Gremlins

Barnes & Noble
Executive producer Steven Spielberg teamed with horror director Joe Dante (The Howling) for this comical shockfest, written by Chris Columbus (Mrs. Doubtfire) in his Hollywood breakthrough. A Capra-inspired Christmas classic -- bizarro-world Frank Capra, at least -- Gremlins gleefully straddles the line between funny and frightening, as an army of animatronic creatures wreak havoc in a small town before the human residents figure out what's hit them and strike back. The story follows precocious Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan), who receives a cute-and-fuzzy (pre-Furby) "Mogwai" named Gizmo (voiced by Howie Mandel) from his inventor dad (Hoyt Axton). Gizmo comes with three strict, if cryptic, rules of pet care: no bright light; no water; and, most important, no midnight snacks. But rules are made to be broken: Soon enough, the winter wonderland of Kingston Falls catches a bad case of the Gremlins, and we have a monster movie on our hands. Ugly, green, and extremely mean, these Mogwai transmutations are the polar opposite of cuddly Gizmo. They seek only to torture and humiliate, which results in some shockingly crude physical comedy. From Billy's sweetly sarcastic coworker Kate (Phoebe Cates) to mean old Mrs. Deagle (Polly Holliday), no one escapes the depredations of these creepy critters. In 1990, Dante directed a sequel, which concentrated more on comedy than fright, but it's the original Gremlins that stays in moviegoers' minds. Jason Bergenfeld

All Movie Guide
"Don't expose him to bright light. Don't ever get him wet. And don't ever, ever feed him after midnight." This sage advice is ignored midway through Gremlins, with devastating results. This comic Joe Dante effort is set in a Norman Rockwell-esque small town at Christmastime. Seeking a unique gift for his son an erstwhile inventor (Hoyt Axton) purchases a cute, fuzzy little "Mogwai" from a Chinatown shopkeeper's (Keye Luke) grandson (John Louie), who dispenses the above-mentioned warning before closing the deal. Meanwhile, young bank clerk Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) must suffer such antagonists as rich-bitch Mrs. Deagle (Polly Holliday) and priggish Gerald (Judge Reinhold) while pursuing his romance with Kate (Phoebe Cates). These and a variety of other plot strands are tied together when the lovable mogwai (named Gizmo) is exposed to bright light and gotten wet. In short order, the town is invaded by nasty, predatory Gremlins, who lay waste to everything in sight as Billy and Kate try to contain the destruction. Like most of Joe Dante's works, Gremlins is chock-full of significant cameo appearances: in this instance, such pop-culture icons as Dick Miller, Jackie Joseph, Chuck Jones, Scott Brady, Harry Carey Jr., Steven Spielberg (the film's executive producer) and even Robby the Robot all show up briefly on screen. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Hercules

Hercules

Starring: Tate Donovan, Josh Keaton, Roger Bart, Danny DeVito, James Woods, Susan Egan, Bobcat Goldthwait, Matt Frewer, Rip Torn, Samantha Eggar, Barbara Barrie, Hal Holbrook, Paul Shaffer, Amanda Plummer, Carole Shelley, Paddi Edwards, Charlton Heston
Director: Ron Clements

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:32

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Editorial Reviews - Hercules

All Movie Guide
Disney's animation team dipped into the rich well of ancient mythology for this musical comedy. The son of Greek gods Zeus (voice of Rip Torn) and Hera (Samantha Eggar), Hercules (voice of Josh Keaton) is stolen as a boy by the minions of Hades (voice of James Woods), lord of the underworld. Forced to live among humans, Hercules is turned into a half-god and half-mortal after drinking a forbidden potion brewed by Hades' right hand men, Pain (voice of Bob Goldthwait) and Panic (voice of Matt Frewer). Now Hercules has the remarkable strength of a god, but is trapped in the body of a human, and before he learns how to use his power properly he goes through a typically adolescent awkward period. In order to become a god and return to his home on Mount Olympus, Hercules must prove himself a true hero on Earth. With the assistance of Philotes (voice of Danny De Vito), a plucky satyr known as "Phil," the grown-up Hercules (voice of Tate Donovan) learns to use his strength to his advantage and becomes a famous and benevolent protector of those around him, successfully battling a variety of gods and monsters. However, Hades, wanting to cut Hercules down to size, sends his secret weapon after him -- Megara (voice of Susan Egan), a seductively beautiful woman under Hades' control, who is to win Hercules' heart and render him helpless against the forces of the underworld. Acclaimed British cartoonist Gerald Scarfe served as production designer for this project, while Alan Menken wrote the musical score. Incidentally, for the Spanish language version of the film, Latin pop singer Ricky Martin provided the singing voice of Hercules, two years before he became a chart-topping sensation in America with his hit single "Livin' la Vida Loca." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco

Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco

Starring: Robert Hays, Kim Greist, Veronica Lauren, Kevin Timothy Chevalia, Michael J. Fox, Sally Field, Benji Thall, Michael Rispoli, Ralph Waite, Michael Patrick Bell, Tisha Campbell, Adam Goldberg, Carla Gugino, Tommy Lasorda, Ross Malinger, Al Michaels, Max Perlich, Jon Polito, Will Sasso, Sinbad, Stephen Tobolowsky, Bob Uecker
Director: David R. Ellis

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:28

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Editorial Reviews - Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco

All Movie Guide
Two dogs and a cat, separated from their human family, must find their way home and face the dangers of a big city for the first time in this adventure story for the whole family. Bob Seaver (Robert Hays) and his wife Laura (Kim Greist), who live in Northern California, are taking their kids on a camping vacation in Canada, and they're bringing along their pets -- spunky bulldog Chance (voice of Michael J. Fox), self-centered Himalayan cat Sassy (voice of Sally Field), and wise old Golden Retriever Shadow (voice of Ralph Waite). However, Chance doesn't like being cooped up in his travelling cage at the airport, and when he escapes, Sassy and Shadow follow him to the nearest city, San Francisco. After a scary night on their own, the trio are befriended by a gang of stray dogs and cats who have learned to live on their own after running away from their cruel masters. However, Chance, Sassy, and Shadow soon realize that life on the streets is not for them, and they set out to find the Seaver house they call home. Sports fans take note: Bob Uecker, Tommy Lasorda, and Al Michaels appear as themselves and also provide the voices of their pets. The voice of Shadow was performed by Don Ameche in the preceding film Homeward Bound; it proved to be Ameche's last film released before his death in late 1993 (his final film, Corrina, Corrina, didn't reach theaters until several months after his passing), leading the producers of this sequel to cast Ralph Waite in the role. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

Starring: Robert Hays, Kim Greist, Jean Smart, Michael J. Fox, Benji Thall, Don Ameche, Veronica Lauren, Sally Field, Kevin Timothy Chevalia, Don Adler, Ed Bernard, Ted D'Arms, Woody Eney, Rich Hawkins, Jane Jones, Dave MacIntyre, Mary Marsh, Kit McDonough, Jesse Merz, William Edward Phipps, Frank Roberts, Gary Taylor, Mark L. Taylor, Frank Welker
Director: Duwayne Dunham

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:25

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Editorial Reviews - Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey

All Movie Guide
Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey, Disney's 1993 remake of the 1963 hit The Incredible Journey, follows three household pets as they travel across mountains and plains on their way to find their owners. A misunderstanding leads the animals to mistakenly believe that they have been abandoned by their loved ones, when in reality they have been left in the care of a friend while the family has moved from the country to the city for the father to take a temporary assignment . All three pets--a golden retriever (Don Ameche), a cat (Sally Field), and a bulldog puppy (Michael J. Fox)--can talk, and they bicker and crack jokes as they set off on a truly incredible journey chock full of misadventures as they wend their way back to their owners. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Honey, I Blew up the Kid

Honey, I Blew up the Kid

Starring: Rick Moranis, Marcia Strassman, Lloyd Bridges, Robert Oliveri, Daniel Shalikar, Joshua Shalikar, John Shea, Keri Russell, Ron Canada, Amy O'Neill, Linda Carlson, Pamela Cederquist, Alex Daniels, Ed Feldman, Minori Goto, John Hora, Robert Jaffe, Mamoru Kanai, Suzanne Kent, James M. Lauten, Ronald William Lawrence, Bill Loska, Gregory McCurdy, Lisa Mende, Michael Milhoan, Mary Ellen Moore, Bill Moseley, Leslie Neale, Marion Palmer, John Paragon, Kathy Pastor, Renee Rousselot, Sammy, David Scates, Gregory Sierra, Shannon M. Steger, Randy Swallow, Julia Sweeney, Kenneth Tobey
Director: Randal Kleiser

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:29

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Editorial Reviews - Honey, I Blew up the Kid

Barnes & Noble
"Terrible twos" takes on a whole new meaning in this ingenious sequel to Disney's surprise comic fantasy hit. Rick Moranis returns as endearing crackpot inventor Wayne Szalinksi, who accidentally zaps his infant son with a new ray that makes him grow to Godzilla-size proportions. Instead of Tokyo, though, this titanic tyke heads for the bright lights of the Las Vegas strip. A subplot about corporate skullduggery may go over kids' heads, but the scenes of the unwitting infant wreaking mayhem are every child's fantasy -- and every parent's nightmare. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
In the sequel to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, a bumbling but brilliant scientist (Rick Moranis) accidentally makes his two-year-old son into a giant who becomes larger every time he comes in contact with electricity. Though he and his wife try to control their son, the child inevitably escapes and wreaks havoc, eventually terrorizing the streets of Las Vegas. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Starring: Rick Moranis, Matt Frewer, Marcia Strassman, Kristine Sutherland, Jared Rushton, Amy O'Neill, Robert Oliveri, Martin Aylett, Thomas Wilson Brown, Lou Cutell, Charles Fleischer, Trevor Galtress, Lou Hirsch, Kimmy Robertson, Carl Steven, Janet Sunderland, Mark L. Taylor, Kathleen Turner, Laura Waterbury, April Winchell
Director: Joe Johnston

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:33

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Editorial Reviews - Honey, I Shrunk the Kids

Barnes & Noble
Disney's 1989 fantasy ranks with the studio's best live-action family classics of the 1960s, such as The Absent-Minded Professor and The Shaggy Dog. SCTV legend Rick Moranis gives his most memorable performance as loving (albeit distracted) father, hapless inventor, and perceived neighborhood nut job Wayne Szalinski. When Szalinski's latest creation shrinks his two kids and their neighborhood pals to microscopic size, they embark on a treacherous journey across the oversized terrain of their suburban backyard, where insects look like something out of Jurassic Park and Cheerios serve as life preservers. With clever writing and awesome special effects, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids deftly taps into every child's experience of being dwarfed by an adult world. The result is comic gem certain to delight the old and young alike. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Erstwhile inventor Prof. Wayne Szalinski (Rick Moranis) has been experimenting with an electromagnetic shrinking machine. He leaves the device unattended in his attic; shortly afterward, it is accidentally activated. Alas, the demon machine is aimed at his children, as well as the son of neighbor Russ Thompson (Matt Frewer). The kids, shrunk to 1/4-inch height, are tossed into the trash bin by the unwitting Szalinski. For the rest of the film, our teeny-tiny protagonists attempt to gain their parents' attention -- and to survive the wilds of the backyard, where all sorts of dangers, from bumblebees to lawnmowers, threaten their well-being. Honey, I Shrunk the Kids features Marcia Strassman as Moranis' wife, and juvenile players Robert Oliveri, Kristine Sutherland, Thomas Brown, Jared Rushton, and Amy O'Neill. The visual effects are the handiwork of such masters as Joe Johnston, Phil Tippett, and David Allen. When originally released to theaters, Honey, I Shrunk the Kids was double-billed with the Roger Rabbit cartoon Tummy Trouble; this is how it is presented on videotape as well. The film (the live-action one, that is) prompted a 1992 sequel, Honey, I Blew Up the Kid. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves

Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves

Starring: Rick Moranis, Eve Gordon, Bug Hall, Allison Mack, Robin Bartlett, JoJo Adams, Bryson Aost, Laura Dunn, Stuart Pankin, Jake Richardson, Ashleigh Sterling
Director: Dean Cundey

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves

Barnes & Noble
The third, and least, of the Honey trilogy offers modest charms that will probably hit home hardest with adults. Sure, children may feel microscopic in a grown-up world, as in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, but as they become teenagers, it's often the parents who feel overwhelmed. Rick Moranis reprises his signature role as inventor Wayne Szalinsky, whose shrinking machine, as the title suggests, gets one more workout before he donates it to the Smithsonian. Wayne, his brother (Stuart Pankin), and their wives become the incredible shrinking parents, while their clueless kids take the opportunity to throw an illicit party. The scaled-down special effects conjure up nifty thrills, including a behemoth cockroach and a roller-coaster ride on a Hot Wheels track. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
The Szalinsky family once again discovers size really does matter in this follow-up to Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and Honey, I Blew up the Kid. Inventor Wayne Szalinsky (Rick Moranis) is preparing to donate his problematic shrinking/expanding machine to the Smithsonian Institution as he and his wife Diane (Eve Gordon) get ready for a long weekend away from their son Adam (Bug Hall). Wayne's brother Gordon (Stuart Pankin), his wife Patty (Robin Bartlett), and his kids Jenny (Allison Mack) and Mitch (Jake Richardson) volunteer to look after Adam while his parents are away, but as luck would have it (and the title would lead you to expect), the grown-ups are accidentally zapped by Wayne's shrinking ray. As the kids run amok, their miniaturized folks must contend with monstrously huge insects, wrinkles in the carpet that look like canyons, and other threats to the existence of the suddenly tiny. Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves marked the directorial debut of cinematographer Dean Cundey. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

How the Grinch Stole Christmas/Horton Hears a Who

How the Grinch Stole Christmas/Horton Hears a Who

Starring:
Director: Chuck Jones

Certification: NR
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 0:53

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With the talents of Chuck Jones, Boris Karloff, and Dr. Seuss combined, there was almost no way this could be anything but an instant classic. Watched regularly every holiday season and beloved by children and cynical adults alike, this animated gem is just that and more. Boris Karloff narrates and stars as the odious Mr. Grinch, the sinister green monster who plots to steal all the Christmas presents in the town of Whoville. All goes well with his dastardly plan until little Cindy Loo Who (who was no more than two) gums up the works with her innocent Christmas spirit. Jones directed, with Karloff supplying the sweetly sinister narration and voice of the Grinch. The story is from the book by Dr. Seuss. Thurl Ravenscroft (of "Tony the Tiger" breakfast commercial fame) provides the memorable bass singing voice for the tune "You're a Mean One, Mister Grinch." Filled with close attention to comic detail, memorable characterizations, and delightful wordplay, this is essential holiday viewing for the whole family.

Synopsis
The animation talent of Chuck Jones combined with the delightful prose of the great Dr. Seuss results in a Christmas cartoon classic that will make even the most resolute cynic warm to its sneaky holiday message. Horror icon Boris Karloff supplies the voice of the Grinch, who plans on spitefully ruining Christmas for the town of Whoville by stealing all the presents. It's great, mischievous fun plotting along with this diabolical humbug, and ultimately moving as he warms to the spirit of Christmas.

Hunchback Of Notre Dame

Hunchback Of Notre Dame

Starring: Tom Hulce, Demi Moore, Kevin Kline, Jason Alexander, Jack Angel, Joan Barber, Scott Barnes, Bob Bergen, Mary Kay Bergman, Susan Blu, Maureen Brennan, Rodger Bumpass, Corey Burton, Victoria Clark, Philip L. Clarke, Jim Cummings, Jennifer Darling, Debi Derryberry, Jonathan Dokuchitz, Bill Fagerbakke, Bill Farmer, Laurie Faso, Merwin Foard, Dana Hill, Tony Jay, Paul Kandel, Judy Kaye, Charles Kimbrough, Eddie Korbich, Alix Korey, Michael Lindsay, Sherry Lynn, Mona Marshall, Howard McGillin, Mickie T. McGowan, Anna McNeely, Bruce Moore, Denise Pickering, Tim Pigott-Smith, Patrick Pinney, Philip Proctor, Jan Rabson, Peter Samuel, Kath Soucie, Gordon Stanley, David Ogden Stiers, Mary Stout, Gary Trousdale, Marcelo Tubert, Frank Welker, Mary Wickes, Jane Withers
Director: Gary Trousdale

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:26

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Editorial Reviews - Hunchback Of Notre Dame

All Movie Guide
After the critical and commercial success of The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King, the Walt Disney Pictures animation studio embarked on their most serious and ambitious animated feature to date with this adaptation of Victor Hugo's classic novel Notre Dame de Paris. Quasimodo (voice of Tom Hulce) is a grotesquely deformed but kind-hearted young man who was abandoned by his parents as an infant and thrown down a well; he was rescued by the priests of Notre Dame, the massive cathedral in the heart of Paris, and he lives there, earning his keep as a bell ringer. Quasimodo has become the ward of Judge Frollo (voice of Tony Jay), an outwardly pious but deeply hateful man who treats Quasimodio with indifference and violently loathes the Gypsies who spend their days in the cathedral's courtyard. Frollo hopes to clear the Gypsies out of Paris with the help of Phoebus (voice of Kevin Kline), leader of the troops under Frollo's command. However, Phoebus does not share Frollo's racist views and harbors no ill will against the Gypsies. When Quasimodo is crowned King of the Fools after leaving Notre Dame during the annual festival of Topsy Turvy Day, the hunchback is ordered beaten by the guards as punishment, but Esmerelda (voice of Demi Moore), a hot-blooded but compassionate gypsy beauty, shows pity on him and helps free him from his chains. The lovely Esmerelda is the first woman to show kindness to the unfortunate Quasimodo, and the hunchback soon falls in love with her. However, the dashing Phoebus is also infatuated with her, and Esmerelda is attracted to Phoebus as well, though she feels a motherly affection for the hunchback. Judge Frollo finds that he also desires Esmerelda, which only inflames his hatred for the Gypsies when she refuses his proposals. Darker and less outwardly comic than most of Disney's features, The Hunchback of Notre Dame does feature comic relief in the form of Victor (voice of Charles Kimbrough) and Hugo (voice of Jason Alexander), a pair of gargoyles who befriend Quasimodo, as well as several songs from Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Ice Age

Ice Age

Starring: Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Goran Visnjic, Jack Black, Tara Strong, Cedric the Entertainer, Stephen Root, Diedrich Bader, Alan Tudyk, Lorri Bagley, Jane Krakowski, Chris Wedge, David Newman
Director: Carlos Saldanha

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:25

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Editorial Reviews - Ice Age

Barnes & Noble
One of the biggest box office hits of 2002, this pre-hysteric comedy echoes John Ford's 1948 western, Three Godfathers, as a mismatched trio of creatures teams up to return a wayward human infant to its family. Emmy winner Ray Romano is the voice of Manfred, a woolly mammoth who is migrating north instead of south. John Leguizamo voices Sid, a sloth who becomes to Manfred what Donkey was to Shrek. "We make a great team," the hyper-verbal Sid exclaims. "Isn't there someone else you can annoy?" Manfred replies. Denis Leary is the voice of Diego, a saber-toothed tiger who joins them on their treacherous journey and has his own agenda. But the character who runs away with Ice Age is Scrat, a hapless squirrel/rat who tries desperately to make off with his hard-won prize, an acorn. There is one heart-tugging moment in which Manfred sadly observes cave drawings of an ill-fated woolly mammoth family, and some tooth-and-claw fight scenes may send chills through younger viewers. The computer animation throughout is quite good, and the storytelling will warm the hearts of young and old for ages to come. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
A team of "sub-zero heroes" band together to save a human infant in this digitally animated feature from Oscar-winning director Chris Wedge, whose unique lighting software (called "Ray Tracing") sets his visual style apart from earlier CGI efforts. Twenty thousand years ago, the Earth is overrun by freezing temperatures in an Ice Age that is sending all manner of critters scattering in the path of encroaching glaciers. When a lost human infant is discovered, an unlikely quartet of misfits forms to return it to its mother: Manny, a depressed woolly mammoth (Ray Romano); Sid, a fast-talking sloth (John Leguizamo); an acorn-crazed squirrel named Scrat (Wedge); and the devilish saber-toothed tiger named Diego (Denis Leary). Before they can complete their mission, the reluctant compatriots will brave pits of boiling lava, dangerous caverns of ice, and even a traitorous plot within their midst. Ice Age (2002) also features the voices of Jack Black, Jane Krakowski, and Goran Visnjic. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Indian In The Cupboard

Indian In The Cupboard

Starring: Hal Scardino, Litefoot, Lindsay Crouse, Richard Jenkins, Rishi Bhat, Steve Coogan, David Keith, Gia Galeano, Sakina Jaffrey, Nestor Serrano
Director: Frank Oz

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:36

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Editorial Reviews - Indian In The Cupboard

All Movie Guide
Based on the popular children's book by Lynne Reid Banks, this fantasy concerns a young boy who discovers that his toys are developing lives of their own -- which presents him with unexpected responsibilities. Omri (Hal Scardino), a young boy growing up in Brooklyn, receives an odd variety of presents for his birthday: a wooden cabinet from his older brother, a set of antique keys from his mother Jane (Linsday Crouse), and a tiny plastic model of an Indian from his best friend Patrick (Rishi Bhat). Putting them all together, Omri locks the Indian inside the cabinet, only to be awoken by a strange sound in the middle of the night. Omri opens the cabinet to discover that the tiny Indian has come to life; it seems that he's called Little Bear (Litefoot), and he claims to have learned English from settlers in 1761. Omri hides this remarkable discovery from his mother but shares it with Patrick; as an experiment, Patrick locks a toy cowboy into the cupboard, and soon Little Bear has a companion, Boone (David Keith), though predictably, the cowboy and the Indian don't get along well at first. Omri comes to the realizations that his living and breathing playthings are also people with lives of their own, and he begins to wonder how much control he should really have over their lives. The Indian in the Cupboard was directed by Frank Oz, best known as one of the original puppeteers for The Muppets and the voice of Miss Piggy. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Inspector Gadget

Inspector Gadget

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Rupert Everett, Joely Fisher, Michelle Trachtenberg, Andy Dick, Cheri Oteri, Michael Hagerty, Dabney Coleman, D.L. Hughley, René Auberjonois, Frances Bay, Don Adams
Director: David Kellogg

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Action Comedy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:17

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Editorial Reviews - Inspector Gadget

All Movie Guide
Matthew Broderick stars in this live-action adaptation of the popular animated series. When a well-meaning but overly trusting security guard is wounded in an explosion created by the evil Dr. Claw, a beautiful scientist named Brenda (Joely Fisher) takes him under her wing and turns him into a crime-fighting dynamo by replacing his limbs with a wealth of gadgets and gimmicks. Now dubbed Inspector Gadget, the once-naïve guard can fulfill his dream of becoming a crime-fighting detective, and as he investigates his first case - namely, who blew him up -- he finds out that the man responsible also killed Brenda's father. Now it's up to the Inspector to find the fiend's identity and bring him to justice, using his homegrown bionic powers to crack the case. Inspector Gadget co-stars Rupert Everett, Dabney Coleman, Andy Dick, and Cheri Oteri. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Iron Giant

The Iron Giant

Starring: Eli Marienthal, Vin Diesel, Jennifer Aniston, Harry Connick Jr., Christopher McDonald, James Gammon, Cloris Leachman, John Mahoney, M. Emmet Walsh, Mary Kay Bergman, Ollie Johnston, Frank Thomas
Director: Brad Bird

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:26

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Editorial Reviews - Iron Giant

Barnes & Noble
Directed by Brad Bird (of "The Simpsons") and based on a storybook by British poet laureate Ted Hughes, The Iron Giant was among 1999's very best family films despite its inexplicably swift departure from theaters. Set in 1957 against a backdrop of cold war paranoia engendered by Russia's Sputnik launch, this is a deeply satisfying and lushly animated parable of friendship and trust. In the woods near his bucolic Maine hometown, imaginative nine-year-old Hogarth (voiced by Eli Marienthal) rescues and befriends a titanic mechanical man that has fallen from the sky. Hogarth must keep the iron man hidden from his mother (Jennifer Aniston) and a snooping government agent (Christopher McDonald) determined to find the metal man and destroy it. The expert cast of voices also includes Harry Connick Jr. as Dean, a beatnik and aspiring artist whose junkyard provides sanctuary and sustenance for the robot. Programmed with the potential to be either a ferocious weapon of a 50-foot toy, the giant has a few things to iron out, and Hogarth there to help him. A towering filmmaking achievement, The Iron Giant is finally finding the audience it so richly deserves. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
A boy's best friend is his robot in this animated adventure from Brad Bird, best known for his TV work on such series as The Simpsons, King of the Hill, and The Critic. Set in 1957, The Iron Giant focuses on Hogarth (voice of Eli Marienthal), an imaginative nine-year-old boy who daydreams of alien invasions and doing battle with Communist agents. One day, Hogarth hears a local fisherman talk about something that surpasses anything he could dream up: a fifty-foot robot that fell from the sky into a nearby lake. Needless to say, Hogarth's mom, Annie (voice of Jennifer Aniston) finds this a little hard to swallow, but when Hogarth finds the robot (voice of Vin Diesel) and fishes him out of the water, his pal Dean (voice of Harry Connick Jr.), a beatnik sculptor who also runs a junkyard, offers to help by hiding the robot with his salvage. A government agent named Kent Mansley (voice of Christopher McDonald) soon gets wind that there's a mechanical invader of unknown origins in the neighborhood and wants to wipe out the potential threat. However, the robot (which loves to eat metal and is learning to talk) turns out to be friendly, and the boy in turn tries to teach his new pal the ways of humans. The Iron Giant is loosely based on the book The Iron Man by late British poet Ted Hughes, previously adapted for the stage by rock musician Pete Townshend, who executive produced the film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Jack Frost

Jack Frost

Starring: Michael Keaton, Kelly Preston, Mark Addy, Joseph Cross, Trevor Rabin, Henry Rollins, Dweezil Zappa, Ahmet Zappa, Andrew Lawrence, Scott Thomson, Moon Zappa
Director: Troy Miller

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:35

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Editorial Reviews - Jack Frost

All Movie Guide
Michael Keaton stars in this special-effects-heavy Christmas film about a boy who discovers, after his father dies in a car accident, that his dad is still alive in the form of a snowman. Unlike the horror film of the same name, Jack Frost is a children's film designed to warm the soul during a chilly winter season. Think of this film as a live-action version of the children's classic Frosty the Snowman. The story starts with Jack Frost (Michael Keaton), a harmonica-playing blues rocker who spends too much time pursuing his musical career, leaving little time for his wife (Kelly Preston) and son Charlie (Joseph Cross). Feeling guilty for his absence and missing his son's hockey practice, he decides to forego his big audition to spend Christmas with his family. While driving home for the holidays, however, Jack dies in a tragic auto accident. The following Christmas, Jack's son builds a snowman and decorates it with his father's old clothes. When Charlie plays his father's harmonica, Jack Frost returns home in the body of the snowman. Jack has to show Charlie how much he loves him and also has to teach him the ice hockey shot he never got around to when he was alive. Along the way there are snowball fights and sled chases, and Jack finally realizes the great times he was missing with his son. ~ Arthur Borman, Rovi

James and the Giant Peach

James and the Giant Peach

Starring: Simon Callow, Joanna Lumley, Richard Dreyfuss, Jane Leeves, Pete Postlethwaite, Miriam Margolyes, Paul Terry, Susan Sarandon, David Thewlis, Steven Culp, Tony Haney, Al Nalbandian, Vanessa Redgrave, Mike Starr, Guy Witcher
Director: Henry Selick

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:19

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Editorial Reviews - James and the Giant Peach

All Movie Guide
A young boy's discovery of a gigantic peach triggers an eventful journey across the sea in this strikingly designed and surprisingly twisted animated adventure. A live-action framing device establishes the dark yet fanciful mood one might expect from an adaptation of a Roald Dahl story, as young British lad James (Paul Terry) is orphaned by the death of his parents and forced to live with two cruel, repulsive aunts (played by noted British character actors Miriam Margolyes and Joanna Lumley of British TV hit Absolutely Fabulous). The visit of a mysterious stranger provides a means of escape, however, through a magic bag of "crocodile tongues" that bring about the appearance of the giant peach. The curious James soon winds up inside the fruit, at which point his body changes, and the film switches to a combination of stop-motion and digital animation. The new James meets up with a group of talking, oversized insects, including a vampish spider (voiced by Susan Sarandon), a sarcastic centipede (voiced by Richard Dreyfuss), and a matronly ladybug (voiced by Jane Leeves). These creatures become his traveling companions when the peach rolls into the Atlantic Ocean, and James and his new friends must brave a variety of dangers to reach the shore. Director Henry Selick provides further proof of the visual skill he demonstrated in The Nightmare Before Christmas, creating a fascinating, often eerie alternate universe, while Randy Newman provides the upbeat musical accompaniment. Young children may be disturbed by the story's creepier overtones, but the mixture of remarkable visuals, oddball characters, and off-kilter fantasy will appeal to all other audiences. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Jingle All the Way

Jingle All the Way

Starring: Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Rita Wilson, Robert Conrad, Jim Belushi, Martin Mull, Jake Lloyd, Brian Johnson, Harvey Korman, David Nash, Laraine Newman, Jane Plank
Director: Brian Levant

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy - General
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:28

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Editorial Reviews - Jingle All the Way

All Movie Guide
The true meaning of Christmas -- desperate last-minute shopping -- is the subject of this holiday-themed comedy. Howard Langston (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is a mattress salesman with a bad habit of putting his work ahead of his family. His son Jamie (Jake Lloyd), who wishes Dad would pay more attention to him, wants only one thing for Christmas -- a Turbo Man action figure, with all the accessories. Howard promises both Jamie and his wife Liz (Rita Wilson) that there will indeed be a Turbo Man under the tree for Jamie on Christmas morning, but come December 24, Howard realizes that he hasn't actually bought the toy yet. Seemingly it would be no great problem to head on down to the toy store and pick one up, but it just so happens that Turbo Man has been the hottest ticket of the holiday season, and literally thousands of parents are scrambling for the last few action figures. Howard then spends a hilariously hellish Christmas Eve madly scrambling from store to store in desperate search of a Turbo Man; in the course of his adventures, Howard keeps crossing paths Myron Larabee (Sinbad), a postal worker who wants a Turbo Man even more desperately than Howard. And on the home front, Howard has to worry about Ted Maltin (Phil Hartman), an annoyingly perfect suburbanite obsessed with Christmas who has eyes for Liz. This was the second film for child actor Jake Lloyd, who three years later would gain international attention when he was cast as the young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Joseph: King of Dreams

Joseph: King of Dreams

Starring: Ben Affleck, Mark Hamill, Steven Weber, Jodi Benson, Maureen McGovern, James Eckhouse, Judith Light, Richard Herd, David Campbell
Director: Rob LaDuca

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - Joseph: King of Dreams

Barnes & Noble
This animated feature is a produced-for-video follow-up to Prince of Egypt from the film's original producers, with Ben Affleck (Reindeer Games) providing the voice of Joseph. Joseph is the "miracle child" who rises from slavery to become Pharaoh's second-in-command. While not as awe-inspiring as Prince of Egypt, it is also not as intense, making it more accessible to the entire family than its predecessor. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
The Biblical story of Joseph comes to life in this animated feature from the creators of The Prince of Egypt. Adventure and music set the stage for this tale of a boy named Joseph (voice of Ben Affleck) whose dreams bring him powerful visions of the future. Joseph's abilities to prognosticate win him a favored position with the Pharaoh of Egypt, but only inflames his contentious relationship with his brothers. Featuring the same top-notch artwork and animation that impressed audiences in The Prince of Egypt, Joseph: King of Dreams also features several original songs sung by Maureen McGovern and Jodi Benson. The film was released directly to home video in the United States, but enjoyed a theatrical release in Europe. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Jumanji

Jumanji

Starring: Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, Bebe Neuwirth, Jonathan Hyde, David Alan Grier, Adam Hann-Byrd, Gillian Barber, Lloyd Berry, Peter Bryant, Laura Bell Bundy, Patricia Clarkson, Robin Driscoll, James Handy, Darryl Henriques, Malcolm Stewart
Director: Joe Johnston

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:44

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Editorial Reviews - Jumanji

All Movie Guide
Jumanji is a visually elaborate fantasy about an enchanted board game that opens a magical portal to a jungle universe. Two young children, Judy (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter (Bradley Pierce), discover the game in an abandoned home and suddenly are greeted by Alan (Robin Williams), an adult who has spent his life trapped inside the game since playing it at age 12. Alan's only hope for freedom involves finishing the game, but this proves rather dangerous, as Judy, Peter, and Alan find themselves running for their lives from huge rhinoceroses, evil monkeys, vicious lions, and other terrifying jungle beasts. Director Joe Johnston, whose special-effects background previously came to good use in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, used groundbreaking computer imagery to simulate the thrills. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Jungle 2 Jungle

Jungle 2 Jungle

Starring: Tim Allen, Martin Short, JoBeth Williams, Lolita Davidovich, Sam Huntington, Dominic Keating, David Ogden Stiers, Luis Avalos, Bob Dishy, Frankie J. Galasso, Leelee Sobieski, Valerie Mahaffey, Carole Shelley
Director: John Pasquin

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Jungle Film
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:45

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Editorial Reviews - Jungle 2 Jungle

All Movie Guide
A man finds the son he never knew he had, and a boy discovers a city he never knew existed, in this comedy. Michael Cromwell (Tim Allen) is a commodities broker who deals in coffee beans; while on a trip to Brazil, Michael is abandoned by his wife, Patricia (JoBeth Williams), an anthropologist who decides to stay behind to study the indigenous tribespeople of the area. Fourteen years later, Michael has decided to marry his new girlfriend, Charlotte (Lolita Davidovich), but since he never formally divorced Patricia, he must go to Brazil, find her, and get her to sign a divorce agreement. Once he arrives, he discovers that there's a bit of a complication -- Patricia was pregnant at the time she left Michael, and she is now the mother of a 13-year-old son, Mimi-Siku (Sam Huntington). Mimi-Siku is about to undergo the manhood rituals of the tribe that adopted Patricia and himself, and when the leader discovers that the boy's father has arrived, he insists that Mimi-Siku should return to the "Stone Island" of Manhattan to get to know his dad. Arriving in New York City with a loincloth and a blowgun, Mimi-Siku has a lot to learn about living in contemporary America. Charlotte is not too happy about discovering that she's about to be a stepmother, while Richard (Martin Short), Michael's business partner, wishes the boy wouldn't eat the tropical fish from his aquarium. Jungle 2 Jungle is an Americanized remake of the French comedy Un Indien Dans la Ville. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Jungle Book

The Jungle Book

Starring: Bruce Reitherman, Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, Louis Prima, George Sanders, Sterling Holloway, J. Pat O'Malley, Verna Felton, Clint Howard, Chad Stuart, Tim Hudson, John Abbott, Ben Wright, Darlene Carr
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman

Certification: NR
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:18

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Editorial Reviews - Jungle Book

All Movie Guide
The final animated feature produced under the supervision of Walt Disney is a lively neo-swing musical, loosely based upon the tales of Rudyard Kipling. The story takes place in a tropical jungle where people are conspicuously absent. But one day Bagheera the Panther (voice of Sebastian Cabot) discovers a baby in the wreck of a boat. Feeling pity on the child, Bagheera takes him to be raised with the wolves. Ten years later, the child has grown into Mowgli (voice of Bruce Reitherman). Mowgli discovers that his life is in danger because of the return to the area of Shere Khan the Tiger (voice of George Sanders), whose hatred of humans is such that Mowgli faces certain death if discovered. Bagheera agrees to transport Mowgli to the human village, where he will be safe from Shere Khan. Along the way to the village, night falls and Mowgli and Bagheera almost succumb to the man-eating snake Kaa (voice of Sterling Holloway). Escaping Kaa's coils, they run into the lock-step military elephant band of Colonel Hathi (voice of J. Pat O'Malley). Afterwards, Mowgli, who doesn't want to be sent to the human village, runs away from Bagheera and meets up with the fun-loving Baloo the Bear (voice of Phil Harrris). With both Bagheera and Baloo to protect him, Mowgli is saved from several more life-threatening situations -- including a barber-shop quartet of vultures, the crazed King Louie of the Apes (voice of Louis Prima), and Shere Khan himself -- before making it to the village of humans. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

The Jungle Book

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:18

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Lady and the Tramp

Lady and the Tramp

Starring: Peggy Lee, Barbara Luddy, Larry Roberts, Bill Thompson, Stan Freberg, Verna Felton, Alan Reed Sr., George Givot, Dal McKennon, Lee Millar, The Mello Men
Director: Clyde Geronimi

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:16

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Editorial Reviews - Lady and the Tramp

Barnes & Noble
What's your favorite moment from Lady and the Tramp? Is it the mischievous song of the scheming Siamese cats? Is it Peggy Lee's scruffy and saucy dog-pound classic, ?He's a Tramp?? Or is it Tramp and Lady's back-alley spaghetti dinner -- one of the screen's most romantic scenes? Unleashed for the first time on DVD, Lady and the Tramp is one of Disney's most fetching animated features. Told from a dog's point of view, it introduces Lady, a cocker spaniel whose pampered life with Jim Dear and his wife, Darling, is upended by a baby's arrival. Lady's friends Jock, a small black Scottie, and Trusty, a bloodhound with a fading sense of smell, try to reassure her that it will all work out; but Tramp, a ?footloose and leash-free? mutt, warns her, ?When a baby moves in, the dog moves out.? The mismatched couple cross paths again after Lady runs away from home and the street-savvy Tramp comes to her rescue, setting the stage for an unforgettable ?Bella Notte.? Presented in an all-new pristine digital restoration, Lady and the Tramp can be viewed in its original (and preferred) CinemaScope version or in full screen. This two-disc DVD throws a bone to Disney buffs with its extensive archival features, including reconstructed abandoned scenes, a ?pitch? version of the film comprising the original storyboards, and a thorough chronicle of the film's production that somewhat compensates for the absence of audio commentary. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Lady and the Tramp represented two "firsts" for Disney: It was the studio's first Cinemascope animated feature, and it was their first full-length cartoon based on an original story rather than an established "classic." Lady is the pampered female dog belonging to Jim Dear and Darling. When her human masters bring a baby into the house, Lady feels she's being eased out; and when Darling's insufferable Aunt Sarah introduces her nasty twin Siamese cats into the fold, Lady is certain that she's no longer welcome. The cats wreak all manner of havoc, for which Lady is blamed. After the poor dog is fitted with a muzzle, Lady escapes from the house, only to run across the path of the Tramp, a raffish male dog from the "wrong" side of town. The Tramp helps Lady remove her muzzle, then takes her out on a night on the town, culminating in a romantic spaghetti dinner, courtesy of a pair of dog-loving Italian waiters. After their idyllic evening together, Lady decides that it's her duty to protect Darling's baby from those duplicitous Siamese felines. On her way home, Lady is captured and thrown in the dog pound. Here she learns from a loose-living mutt named Peg that The Tramp is a canine rake. Disillusioned, Lady is more than happy to be returned to her humans, even though it means that she'll be chained up at the insistence of Aunt Sarah. Tramp comes into Lady's yard to apologize, but she wants no part of him. Suddenly, a huge, vicious rat breaks into the house, threatening the baby. Lady breaks loose, and together with Tramp, runs into the house to protect the infant. When the dust settles, it appears to Aunt Sarah that Tramp has tried to attack the child. That's when Lady's faithful friends Jock the bloodhound and Trusty the scottie swing into action, rescuing Tramp from the dogcatcher. Once Jim Dear and Darling are convinced that Tramp is a hero, he is invited to stay...and come next Christmas, there's a whole flock of little Ladies and Tramps gathered around the family. Beyond the usual excellent animation and visual effects, the principal selling card of Lady and the Tramp is its music. Many of the songs were performed and co-written by Peggy Lee, who years after the film's 1955 theatrical issue, successfully sued Disney for her fair share of residuals from the videocassette release. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure

Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure

Starring: Scott Wolf, Alyssa Milano, Chazz Palminteri, Jeff Bennett, Jodi Benson, Bill Fagerbakke, Mickey Rooney, Bronson Pinchot, Cathy Moriarty
Director: Darrell Rooney

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:10

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Editorial Reviews - Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp's Adventure

Barnes & Noble
We've met Simba's son and Ariel's daughter. Now shake paws with Scamp, the mischievous son of Lady and Tramp, as Disney unleashes another produced-for-video "Next Generation" sequel. Unlike his now-domesticated dad, Scamp (voiced by Scott Wolf) yearns to be a "wild dog." He hooks up with the streetwise Junkyard Dogs led by top hound Buster (Chaz Palminteri), and experiences puppy love with the fetching stray Angel (Alyssa Milano). This leads to a second helping of the original film's classic spaghetti dinner scene. Scamp's Adventure is a mixed breed of '50s-style design, traditional cel animation, and computer animation, and an entertaining making-of segment follows the movie. Although it's not likely to win any Best of Show honors, Scamp's Adventure will certainly appeal to kids caught up in the puppy love stage. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Disney's 1955 classic Lady and the Tramp is revisited in this new animated family video. The story finds Lady and Tramp the proud parents of a litter of pups that includes three well-behaved girls and one rambunctious boy puppy named Scamp (voiced by Scott Wolf). In search of adventure and a "real" dog life, Scamp strays far from home and meets the cute Angel (voiced by Alyssa Milano), Buster (voiced by Chazz Palminteri), and Buster's gang of Junkyard Dogs. Although he found the adventure he was looking for, Scamp finds his thoughts returning to home and the loved ones he left behind. ~ Jessica Frost, Rovi

The Land Before Time

The Land Before Time

Starring: Pat Hingle, Gabriel Damon, Will Ryan, Bill Erwin
Director: Don Bluth

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:09

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This 1988 animated feature from Don Bluth (An American Tail) focuses on an orphaned young dinosaur, Littlefoot, who has to make his way to the paradise of the Great Valley in order to survive a plague. Along the way, he meets up with some other dinos from different species, and they all bond and travel together. On the way, they have plenty of adventures. Even with elements of suspense, this is a pretty relaxed movie that isn't in a particular hurry to roll out its story. Kids will like the originality of the concept, and the themes of friendship and cooperation are well woven into the fabric of the entertainment, plus the music is great. Bluth's artwork looks good, though--as always--he never seems to quite catch up with the quality of the Disney machine. --Tom Keogh

Product Description
Guaranteed to work or your money back - PLEASE NOTE ALL MONIES FROM THIS SALE GO TO A 501 (C)3 NO KILL ANIMAL SHELTER

The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving

The Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving

Starring: Jeff Bennett, Linda Gary, Nicholas Guest, Whitby Hertford, Heather Hogan, Candy Hutson, John Ingle, Tress MacNeille, Kenneth Mars, Scott McAfee, Scott Menville, Rob Paulsen, Frank Welker
Director: Roy Allen Smith

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:11

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Editorial Reviews - Land Before Time III: The Time of the Great Giving

Barnes & Noble
The third time's the charm for this enduring produced-for-video franchise that continues the coming-of-age adventures of "longneck" Littlefoot and his friends and family in the idyllic Great Valley. Making its DVD debut, this second sequel to the 1988 kids' hit conveys an easy-to-grasp lesson in sharing and cooperation. In the wake of an "earthshake," the water supply to the Great Valley is blocked, threatening the region's vegetation. While the elder dinosaurs bicker among themselves, Littlefoot and his friends venture again into the mysterious beyond to find the source of the problem. The intrepid young dinos set a good example not only for the elders but also for the resident bullies who learn "the special kind of joy which comes from giving to others." The less ambitious animation isn't as lush as the original film or the most recent entries that have incorporated computer animation, but the popular characters make this Time well spent. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
In this third installment of the animated saga of a young brontosaurus and his pals, trouble has come to the Great Valley in the form of a meteorite. It fell just beyond the valley and now blocks the main water supply. As the land dries and thirst increases, the different species of dinosaurs who once coexisted peacefully become fractious. Suddenly Littlefoot and his friends are no longer allowed to play together. As bigotry and bickering increase, Littlefoot's gang decides that it's up to them to save the day. Since they went outside the valley in the last sequel, they know where water can be found, and though the Great Beyond is populated by tyrannosauruses and other carnivores, the youngsters know that they and their parents must take that risk in order to survive. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

The Land Before Time IV: The Journey Through the Mists

The Land Before Time IV: The Journey Through the Mists

Starring: Candy Hutson, Heather Hogan, Rob Paulsen, Jeff Bennett, Kenneth Mars, Charles Durning, Juliana Hansen, Tress MacNeille, Scott McAfee
Director: Roy Allen Smith

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:14

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Editorial Reviews - Land Before Time IV: The Journey Through the Mists

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In this lively animated feature, Littlefoot and his cute cadre of prehistoric pals embark on another colorful adventure that is aimed at younger children. This time, the rambunctious reptiles ignore warnings and go stomping off into unexplored territory to find a rare flower. Littlefoot needs it to save the life of his grandfather who is near death. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock

The Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock

Starring: Jeff Bennett, Nancy Cartwright, Aria Noelle Curzon
Director: Charles Grosvenor

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:17

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Editorial Reviews - Land Before Time VI: The Secret of Saurus Rock

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In this animated adventure, Littlefoot the Dinosaur (voice of Thomas Dekker) and his friends return as they live in fear of the "Sharp Tooths," a pack of vicious T-Rexes who don't get along with other prehistoric animals. Littlefoot finds inspiration in the stories passed along by his elders of The Lone Dinosaur, a Brontosaurus who helped defend his tribe from angry predators. When Doc (voice of Kris Kristofferson), a strong but soft-spoken older dinosaur, arrives in Littlefoot's camp, the younger lizard wonders if Doc might be the Lone Dinosaur of legend, travelling incognito. Kenneth Mars, Nancy Cartwright, and Miriam Flynn also lend their voices to this film. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Larger Than Life

Larger Than Life

Starring: Bill Murray, Janeane Garofalo, Matthew McConaughey, Keith David, Linda Fiorentino, Pat Hingle, Tai, Jeremy Piven, Anita Gillette, Maureen Mueller, Harve Presnell, Lois Smith, Tracey Walter
Director: Howard Franklin

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy - General
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:33

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Editorial Reviews - Larger Than Life

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Bill Murray teams up with his biggest co-star to date (with the exception of the Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man) in this family-oriented comedy. Jack Corcoran (Bill Murray) is a motivational speaker who makes his living advising others how to tie up the loose ends of their lives, but he has plenty of his own left dangling. Jack is emotionally at the mercy of his mother (Anita Gillette) and his fiancée Celeste (Maureen Mueller), while his booking agent Walter (Jeremy Piven) keeps promising him bigger and better things that don't materialize. Jack has grown up believing that his father died before he was born while trying to rescue a drowning child, but he learns that was not the case at all -- Dad spent a long career working as a circus clown, and died only a few weeks ago. However, Dad was kind enough to bequeath Jack a large stack of debts and his only tangible asset, an Indian elephant named Vera (Tia). Jack is in no position to keep a pachyderm at home, and he has two options for getting rid of the animal -- sell Vera to Terry (Linda Fiorentino), a mean spirited animal trainer, or donate her to Mo (Janeane Garofalo), a zoologist who hopes to return her to the wilds. Either way, Jack has to get Vera from the East Coast to California, and in order to make an important speaking engagement, he and the elephant have five days to cross the country. Larger Than Life also features Matthew McConaughey as an excitable truck driver; Keith David, Harve Presnell, and Pat Hingle also highlight the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Leave It To Beaver

Leave It To Beaver

Starring: Christopher McDonald, Janine Turner, Cameron Finley, Erik Von Detten, Adam Zolotin, Barbara Billingsley, Ken Osmond, Frank Bank, Erika Christensen, Alan Rachins, E.J. De La Pena, Justin Restivo, Geoffrey Pierson, Grace Phillips, Walter C. Bassett, Brenda Song
Director: Andy Cadiff

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy - General
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:28

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Editorial Reviews - Leave It To Beaver

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The Cleaver Family makes the jump from the small black and white screen to color and Panavision in this updated version of the classic TV sit-com. Eight-year-old Theodore "Beaver" Cleaver (Cameron Finley) is a good natured kid with a habit of getting in trouble; he's not bad, mind you, just a bit absent-minded. Beaver lives with his 12-year-old brother Wally (Erik Von Detten), his father Ward (Christopher McDonald), and his mother June (Janine Turner) in a small town in Ohio. Beaver wants a new bicycle more than anything, but his father wishes that he had more of an interest in team sports; someone suggests to Beaver that if he joined the school's football team, Ward might be impressed enough to buy him the bike. Beaver signs up, but his skills on the gridiron fall somewhere between slim and none, and the experience proves more than a bit embarrassing for both Beaver and Ward. Before long, Beaver has quit the team, but he tries to hide this fact from his father. Beaver does get his bike -- but he doesn't get to do much with it before it's stolen by a bigger kid in the neighborhood. Meanwhile, Wally's best friend, the mildly sleazy Eddie Haskell (Adam Zolotin), has fallen for a cute girl at school, Karen (Erika Christensen), and wants Wally to help him impress her; however, Karen seems to like Wally more than Eddie. This puts Wally in dutch with his best friend, and Wally feels even worse when he and Karen begin to quarrel. Ken Osmond, who played Eddie Haskell on the original TV series, plays Eddie's father here, and Barbara Billingsley, the original June Cleaver, appears as Aunt Martha. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Lilo & Stitch

Lilo & Stitch

Starring: Daveigh Chase, Chris Sanders, Tia Carrere, David Ogden Stiers, Kevin McDonald, Ving Rhames, Zoe Caldwell, Jason Scott Lee, Kevin Richardson, Susan Hegarty, Amy Hill, Alyson Stoner
Director: Dean DeBlois

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:25

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Editorial Reviews - Lilo & Stitch

Barnes & Noble
Disney has never before unleashed an animated character like the helium-voiced Stitch, which makes Lilo & Stitch the most refreshingly out-of-this-world film from the House of Mouse in quite a while. Filled with anarchic humor and stuffed to the pelvis with Elvis Presley songs, it tells the heartwarming story of an extraterrestrial science experiment gone awry, leaving chaos and destruction in its wake. All this occurs in Hawaii, to boot, where Stitch proves to be the answer to one lonely girl's prayers. Lilo, a young girl, lives with her loving but overwhelmed older sister, Nani (voiced by Tia Carrere). Lonely Lilo is something of an outcast, with a passion for the King and a penchant for mischief. "Send me the nicest angel you have," she wishes upon a star. What she gets is Stitch, a.k.a. Experiment 626, who escapes his creators and crash-lands on our planet. His maker, Jumba (David Odgen Stiers), and a supposed Earth expert, Pleakley (Kevin McDonald of Kids in the Hall), are dispatched to retrieve him. But Lilo finds him first in a dog pound and adopts him. Her ill-fated attempts to tame the creature come at a time when a menacing social worker (Ving Rhames) gives Nani only three days to shape up the family's untidy life or lose custody of Lilo. What "Hakuna Matata" was to The Lion King, "ohana" is to Lilo & Stitch. It means "family," and to Nani and Lilo, that means "nobody gets left behind or forgotten." As much as it subverts the time-honored Disney formula, Lilo & Stitch is refreshingly old school. For the first time since Dumbo, the animators used watercolors for the backgrounds. One of the most enjoyable Disney animated features in recent years, it rivals Aladdin, Hercules, and the surprise hit The Emperor's New Groove for sheer fun. The DVD edition will have you all shook up with music videos of Elvis classics (performed by the A*Teens and Wynonna), deleted scenes, and those hilarious commercials in which Stitch wreaks havoc on such Disney icons as Ariel and Belle and the Beast. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
A lonely little girl makes a very unusual friend -- a ukulele-playing alien who likes to toss around small automobiles -- in this antic animated comedy from Walt Disney Studios. Lilo (voice of Daveigh Chase) is a young Hawaiian girl being raised by her teenaged sister Nani (voice of Tia Carrere) after the unexpected death of their parents in an auto accident. While Nani tries to hold their household together, Lilo is a child with unusual interests and a distinctive sense of humor, which makes it hard for her to bond with her peers, as well as her big sister. Nani decides Lilo might be happier if she had a pet, so the sisters go to the animal shelter to adopt a dog; however, the critter which catches Lilo's fancy is a fuzzy blue creature she names Stitch (voice of Chris Sanders). Nani isn't so sure Stitch is really a dog, and it turns out she's right; Stitch is actually "Genetic Experiment 626," a mutation created by extraterrestrial mad scientist Dr. Jumba (voice of David Ogden Stiers) to be used a weapon. Stitch is an intelligent but gleefully destructive little creature with superhuman strength who has escaped to Earth and crash-landed in the Hawaiian islands, but Lilo sees him simply as a fellow misfit and attempts to teach him to behave like her favorite American icon, Elvis Presley. Meanwhile, Nani struggles to keep Lilo and Stitch on their best behavior as stern social worker Cobra Bubbles (voice of Ving Rhames) tries to determine if Nani is fit to raise a child, while Dr. Jumba and Pleakley (voice of Kevin McDonald) attempt to capture "Experiment 626" and bring him back home. Chris Sanders, who provides the voice of Stitch, also co-wrote and co-directed the film, which features numerous Elvis Presley tunes on the soundtrack, as well as a new recording of "Burning Love" by country star Wynonna. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Lion King

The Lion King

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Moira Kelly, Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, Robert Guillaume, Rowan Atkinson, Niketa Calame, Jim Cummings, Madge Sinclair, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Zoe Leader, Joseph Williams, Jason Weaver, David McCharen, Philip Proctor, Frank Welker, Cathy Cavadini, Judi M. Durand
Director: Roger Allers

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:27

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Editorial Reviews - Lion King

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One of the most popular Disney animated musicals, The Lion King presents the story of a lion cub's journey to adulthood and acceptance of his royal destiny. Simba (voiced first by Jonathan Taylor Thomas, then by Matthew Broderick) begins life as an honored prince, the son of the powerful King Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones). The cub's happy childhood turns tragic when his evil uncle, Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons), murders Mufasa and drives Simba away from the kingdom. In exile, the young lion befriends the comically bumbling pair of Pumbaa the warthog (voiced by Ernie Sabella) and Timon the meerkat (voiced by Nathan Lane), he and lives a carefree jungle life. As he approaches adulthood, however, he is visited by the spirit of his father, who instructs him to defeat the nefarious Scar and reclaim his rightful throne. Borrowing elements from Hamlet, classical mythology, and African folk tales, The Lion King tells its mythic coming-of-age tale with a combination of spectacular visuals and lively music, featuring light, rhythmic songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, and a score by Hans Zimmer. Embraced by children and adults alike, the film also spawned hit songs ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight," "The Circle of Life") and a hit Broadway musical. In late 2002, The Lion King was re-released in the large-screen IMAX format. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Lion King II: Simba's Pride

Lion King II: Simba's Pride

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Neve Campbell, Andy Dick, Robert Guillaume, James Earl Jones, Moira Kelly, Nathan Lane, Jason Marsden, Suzanne Pleshette, Ernie Sabella
Director: Rob LaDuca

Certification: NR
Category: Animation
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - Lion King II: Simba's Pride

Barnes & Noble
As part of the artistic zenith of Disney's second golden age of animation that began with The Little Mermaid, The Lion King was Disney's pride. As befits royalty, Simba's Pride was Disney's most ambitious direct-to-video production, ensuring the continuation of the circle of sales life for the franchise. This was the first of Disney's "next generation" sequels created to engage a new audience with the adventures of the offspring of already beloved Disney characters. Simba's daughter Kiara (Neve Campbell) resists her father's advice to "stay on the path I've marked out for you." Just as the original film echoed Shakespeare's Hamlet, so does the sequel borrow a page from the Bard's Romeo and Juliet (but with a much happier ending). Kiara meets Kovi, an "outsider" handpicked by the late Scar to follow in his paw prints. Kiara and Kovi become friends and fall in love, which Kovi's mother, Zira (Susanne Pleshette), plans to exploit to take revenge on Simba. Simba is not too pleased, either. Simba's Pride is not as primal an experience as The Lion King, but it is much more family friendly. The animation is impressive, if not as majestic, and the key voice cast is back, including Matthew Broderick as Simba and Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella as veldt-belt comedians Timon and Puumba. Of the songs, "Love Will Find a Way," "We Are One," and "He Lives in You" (from the Broadway production) rank with the original's Oscar-winning score. Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon penned Zira's wickedly funny "My Lullaby," in which she rapturously fantasizes a grisly end to Simba and daughter. Whether Simba's Pride is worthy of the Special Edition treatment is debatable, but parents can purchase this features-packed two-disc set with "Hakuna Matata" (that means "no worries," in case you've forgotten). Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Darrell Rooney directed this direct-to-video sequel to Disney's 1994 The Lion King, which climaxed with Simba (voice of Matthew Broderick) enthroned as the ruling king of beasts following the death of the evil Scar. With the spirited tune "He Lives in You," Simba and his mate Nala (Moira Kelly) issue a triumphant announcement of the birth of Lion Princess Kiara (Neve Campbell)! Given to misadventures and mischief, Kiara wanders into the forbidden Outlands, the haunt of Scar's exiled minions, and there she encounters another mischievous cub, Kovu (Jason Marsden), son of lioness Zira (Suzanne Pleshette), once a close friend of the late Scar and now the leader of the exiles. Zira plots against Kiara, drawing her son into her scheme. Kovu has divided loyalties as his love for Kiara deepens. Several original characters (and original voices) from the 1994 film return in this sequel, an event so anticipated that Buena Vista Home Video initially shipped 15 million units for the 10/27/98 retail release. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid

Starring: Rene Auberjonois, Christopher Daniel Barnes, Jodi Benson, Pat Carroll, Paddi Edwards
Director: Ron Clements

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:23

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Mermaids are supposed to stay under the sea, but Ariel, a headstrong teenager, longs to be part of the magical world on land. When she falls in love with a human prince, Ariel strikes a bargain with the diabolical Sea Witch to win the prince's love. THE LITTLE MERMAID is a beautiful splash of art and music that revived the classic Disney tradition.

Industry Reviews
"...Glorious....THE LITTLE MERMAID is a marvel of skillful animation, witty songwriting and smart planning. It is designed to delight filmgoers of every stripe..."
New York Times - Janet Maslin (11/05/1989)

Included in the New York Times "10 Best Films of 1989" List
New York Times - Janet Maslin (12/24/1989)

"...The animators fill the water with shimmers and sparkles, wraiths of weed and shiny crops of coral, and they create amazing illusions of underwater movement..."
Los Angeles Times - Michael Wilmington (11/15/1989)

"...The songs are fresh, the script is tight..."
Total Film - Simon Brew (07/01/2000)

3 stars out of 4 -- "The 1989 film that ignited the second golden age of Disney animation..."
Premiere - Premiere Staff (10/01/2006)

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea

The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea

Starring: Jodi Benson, Sam Wright, Tara Charendoff, Pat Carroll, Buddy Hackett, Kenneth Mars, Max Casella, Stephen Furst, Rob Paulsen
Director: Jim Kammerud

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea

Barnes & Noble
Known to some parents as Little Mermaid: The Next Generation, this direct-to-video musical introduces Ariel and Prince Eric's child Melody, born of the "sea and shore." (Or is it surf and turf?) Unaware of her family heritage, she dreams of being a mermaid, setting the stage for King Triton's downfall at the tentacles of Morgana, Ursula's "crazy sister" (Pat Carroll, who also voiced Ursula). Ariel (Jodi Benson) will be forced to once again don her clamshell bikini to save her daughter, her father, and all of Atlantica. Not to crab, but this sequel to Disney's 1989 animated hit The Little Mermaid is out of its depth when compared to the original. Children, though, will no doubt be hooked, for Return to the Sea's preteen audiences will relate to 12-year-old Melody's adolescent awkwardness. Like Belle, Pocahontas, and Mulan before her, Melody is eager to find her place in the world. Feeling like a fish out of water, she calls herself the "Princess of Disaster." Younger children will enjoy the antics of the requisite new sidekicks, a penguin and walrus team named Tip and Dash, as well as such beloved returning characters Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright) and Scutter (Buddy Hackett). Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
In this direct-to-video sequel to Disney's animated hit The Little Mermaid, Ariel (Jodi Benson) and Eric (Christopher Daniel Barnes) are the proud parents of a little girl named Melody (Tara Charendoff), who has begun to hear the call of the sea she has inherited from her mother. But wicked Morgana (Pat Carroll), the sister of Ursula, seeks revenge against Ariel, and has devised a scheme to take control of the oceans. As Melody goes to the waters in dreams of becoming a mermaid like her mother once was, he is drawn into Morgana's plot, and now Ariel must reunite with her childhood friend Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright) to save her daughter. Buddy Hackett and Kenneth Mars also lend their voices to this animated feature. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings

Starring: Billy Barty, Norman Bird, David Buck, Simon Chandler, Michael Graham Cox, Anthony Daniels, Dominic Gould, Christopher Guard, Dominic Guard, John Hurt, Michael Sholes, William Squire, Alan Tilvern, Peter Woodthorpe
Director: Ralph Bakshi

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 2:11

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Editorial Reviews - Lord of the Rings

Barnes & Noble
Based on the first book-and-a-half of J.R.R. Tolkien's enduring, three-tome Lord of the Rings cycle, animator Ralph Bakshi's 1978 film is itself a time-tested classic. In no way your typical children's movie, it captures Tolkien's imagination in a much darker way than the Ring films produced by Rankin & Bass, The Hobbit and The Return of the King. Bakshi winds through Tolkien's first Ring volume, The Fellowship of the Ring, with mystical aplomb, making great use of rotoscoping, a virtually abandoned animation process that involves drawing over live-action film. The process lends a dreamlike effect as characters move over dark landscapes, making Tolkien's mythical Middle-earth an appropriately eerie and fantastic world. The story remains familiar, following hobbit Frodo Baggins in his travels to the site where the legendary ring was forged. There the ring must be destroyed -- for, in the wrong hands, its power can be catastrophic. Along the way, Frodo surrounds himself with the likes of Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the Wizard, and a slew of other fascinating creatures sure to stir nostalgia in all who have read and loved the cherished series. Thankfully, director Peter Jackson's 2001 live-action adaptation has renewed interest in the fantasy saga and given reason to celebrate the inspired visions of both the Bakshi and Rankin & Bass. R.J. Wafer

All Movie Guide
Controversial animator Ralph Bakshi's literal adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's classic fantasy trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, is brought to the screen in a reverent, stilted way, with Bakshi forsaking his sharp-edged animated looniness for a rotoscoped dullness. Although the film's title encompasses the entire Tolkien trilogy, this longish Bakshi feature, in fact, covers only the first book, The Fellowship of the Ring, and the first half of the second, The Two Towers. Given the complexity of the original story line, this unfortunately means that only those intimately familiar with the books will be able to understand what is happening in the movie. In brief, however, an evil sorcerer from a previous era created a magical ring which enables its users to call upon its tremendous powers to rule the world, but it inevitably warps them to evil. It was believed lost, but during a resurgence of magical evil in the world, Bilbo, a simple, plain-spoken hobbit, recovers it from its hiding place. The forces of good give his nephew Frodo the choice to bear the awful burden of the ring to a place where it may be destroyed. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi

Madeline

Madeline

Starring: Frances McDormand, Nigel Hawthorne, Hatty Jones, Ben Daniels, Arturo Venegas, Kristian de la Osa, Rachel Dennis, Pilar Garrard, Stéphane Audran, Katia Caballero, Chantal Neuwirth, Clare Thomas
Director: Daisy von Scherler Mayer

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:30

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Editorial Reviews - Madeline

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Daisy von Sherler Mayer directed this family film, an adaptation of the famed book series that Austrian-born writer-illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans (1898-1962) launched in 1939 with the opening lines, "In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines lived twelve little girls in two straight lines. In two straight lines they broke their bread and brushed their teeth and went to bed. They smiled at the good and frowned at the bad and sometimes they were very sad. They left the house at half past nine in two straight lines in rain or shine -- the smallest one was Madeline." This live-action film interpretation, set during the mid-1950s, expands on plot elements found throughout several books in the series. Lord Covington (Nigel Hawthorne) plans to sell the small French boarding school where the young orphan Madeline (nine-year-old British actress Hatty Jones) lives with other girls under the supervision of sympathetic schoolmistress Miss Clavel (Frances McDormand). Hospitalized after an appendectomy, Madeline wanders down the hospital hallway and meets Covington's dying wife, Lady Covington (Stephane Audran), an encounter which becomes an asset in Madeline's efforts to save the school. Moving into the house adjacent to the school is the family of the Spanish Ambassador (Arturo Venegas), including his young son Pepito (Kristian de la Osa), who spends a good deal of time wheeling about on his Vespa, so noisy it serves to irritate possible buyers of the school.

When Madeline falls into the Seine, she is rescued by a dog, Genevieve, who immediately becomes the school's mascot and pet, despite the "no pets" rule and Miss Clavel's allergy to dogs. Pepito's somewhat sinister British tutor Leopold (Ben Daniels) engineers a plan that leads to the county fair kidnapping of Pepito and Madeline. First filmed by UPA in the early '50s as the Oscar-nominated animated cartoon short, Madeline (1952), decades passed before other adaptations appeared: the 23-minute Madeline's Rescue and Other Stories (1990, available from Facets Video), narrated by Louise Roberts; and the 1989-1993 series of half-hours narrated by Christopher Plummer -- Madeline, Madeline and the Bad Hat, Madeline and the Gypsies, Madeline in London, Madeline's Christmas, and Madeline's Rescue. MGM's 1945 Fred Astaire/Vincente Minnelli film Yolanda and the Thief also adapted Bemelmans. Daisy von Scherler Mayer's earlier Party Girl (1995) was the first feature film seen in its entirety on the Internet. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Man of the House

Man of the House

Starring: Chevy Chase, Farrah Fawcett, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, George Wendt, David Shiner, Art La Fleur, Peter Appel, Ron Canada, John DiSanti, Richard Foronjy, Walter Marsh, Shane Meier, Sean Orr, Richard Portnow, Jim Smith, Spencer Vrooman
Director: James Orr

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy - General
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:37

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Editorial Reviews - Man of the House

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A young boy attempts to sabotage his single mother's relationship with her new fiancé in this family-oriented comedy. Ben Archer (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) has become protective of his attractive mother Sandra (Farrah Fawcett) since they were abandoned by his father, and he resents the intrusion of anyone else into their lives. Despite his disapproval, however, Sandra has built up a relationship with district attorney Jack Sturges (an extremely low-key Chevy Chase), who eventually pops the question. Ben decides that marriage is out of the question, and he sets out to drive the lawyer away through a variety of schemes. These plans culminate in an effort to trick Struges into participating in the "Indian Guides," a scouting program involving all sorts of strenuous father-son activities. As one might expect, things do not quite go as Ben planned, as Jack proves himself a more suitable father figure than either expected. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh

Starring: Sebastian Cabot, Junius Matthews, Barbara Luddy, Howard Morris, John Fiedler
Director: John Lounsbery

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:14

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Disney's 1977 The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh may be the last word on (animated) Pooh because it so faithfully honors the first word on Pooh, penned in the 1920s by British storyteller A.A. Milne. Gently paced, subtly humorous, and blessedly understated, this adaptation reflects Walt Disney's original vision to develop the beloved British bear for a wider audience. The film is essentially a collection of the original Pooh shorts, "The Honey Tree," "The Blustery Day," and "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too." These storybooks are presented in seamless "chapters," narrated by the timeless Sebastian Cabot. The familiar musical score and original voices of Sterling Holloway as Pooh, and Paul Winchell as Tigger, cap this enchanting keepsake. (Ages 2 and up). --Lynn Gibson

Product Description
Walt Disney's Classic Masterpiece movie. Comes in plastic protective case enjoyable entertainment for young and old.

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins

Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Hermione Baddeley
Director: Robert Stevenson

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 2:19

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
There is only one word that comes close to accurately describing the enchanting Mary Poppins, and that term was coined by the movie itself: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Even at 2 hours and 20 minutes, Disney's pioneering mixture of live action and animation (based on the books by P.L. Travers) still holds kids spellbound. Julie Andrews won an Oscar as the world's most magically idealized nanny ("practically perfect in every way," and complete with lighter-than-air umbrella), and Dick Van Dyke is her clownishly charming beau, Bert the chimney sweep. The songs are also terrific, ranging from bright and cheery ("A Spoonful of Sugar") to dark and cheery (the Oscar-winning "Chim Chim Cher-ee") to touchingly melancholy ("Feed the Birds"). Many consider Mary Poppins to be the crowning achievement of Walt Disney's career--and it was the only one of his features to be nominated for a best picture Academy Award until Beauty and the Beast in 1991. --Jim Emerson

DVD Savant/DVDTALK.COM
"Disney's DVD of Mary Poppins will please just about everyone."

Mary Poppins

Mary Poppins

Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns, Hermione Baddeley, Ed Wynn, Reginald Owen, Karen Dotrice, Matthew Garber, Elsa Lanchester, Arthur Treacher, Reta Shaw, Jane Darwell, Cyril Delevanti, Lester Matthews, Clive L. Halliday, Marjorie Bennett, Alma Lawton, Marjorie Eaton, Don Barclay, Major Sam Harris, Doris Lloyd, James Logan, Arthur Malet, Dal McKennon, J. Pat O'Malley, Irwin Kostal
Director: Robert Stevenson

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 2:19

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Editorial Reviews - Mary Poppins

Barnes & Noble
It is impossible to hold a discussion of Movie Magic without touching on Mary Poppins, winner of five Oscars as well as the love of three generations of children (and counting). Based on a beloved book and featuring Julie Andrews (The Sound Of Music) and Dick Van Dyke in peak musical comedy form, it also employed Walt Disney's crack animation team and an infectious, whimsical score. (Enduring highlights include "Chim Chim Cher-ee," "A Spoonful of Sugar," and that bane of spell-checks "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.") As Mary Poppins -- the cheerful, no-nonsense Nanny with rosy cheeks, a magic carpetbag, and the ability to do practically anything -- Andrews is a dream come to life for the Banks children. Though at times things look bad for young Jane and Michael, even distant dads and unforgiving bosses are no match for Ms. Poppins's combination of magic and good sense. She transports the Banks family, just as the film transports the viewer, into a world where imagination is king, penguins dance with chimneysweeps, and live-action mingles joyfully with animation, making this tuneful Disney classic a perennial favorite. Martha Schulman

All Movie Guide
Long resistant to film adaptations of her Mary Poppins books, P.L. Travers finally succumbed to the entreaties of Walt Disney, and the result is often considered the finest of Disney's personally supervised films. The Travers stories are bundled together to tell the story of the Edwardian-era British Banks family: the banker father (David Tomlinson), suffragette mother (Glynis Johns), and the two "impossible" children (Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber). The kids get the attention of their all-business father by bedevilling every new nanny in the Banks household. Whem Mr. Banks advertises conventionally for another nanny, the kids compose their own ad, asking for someone with a little kindness and imagination. Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews in her screen debut) answers the children's ad by arriving at the Banks home from the skies, parachuting downward with her umbrella. She immediately endears herself to the children. The next day they meet Mary's old chum Bert (Dick Van Dyke), currently employed as a sidewalk artist. Mary, Bert, and the children hop into one of Bert's chalk drawings and learn the nonsense song "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" in a cartoon countryside. Later, they pay a visit to Bert's Uncle Albert (Ed Wynn), who laughs so hard that he floats to the ceiling. Mr. Banks is pleased that his children are behaving better, but he's not happy with their fantastic stories. To show the children what the real world is like, he takes them to his bank. A series of disasters follow which result in his being fired from his job. Mary Poppins' role in all this leads to some moments when it is possible to fear that all her good work will be undone, but like the magical being she is, all her "mistakes" lead to a happy result by the end of the film. In 2001, Mary Poppins was rereleased in a special "sing-along" edition with subtitles added to the musical numbers so audiences could join in with the onscreen vocalists. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen: Double, Double, Toil & Trouble

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen: Double, Double, Toil & Trouble

Starring: Mary-Kate Olsen, Ashley Olsen, Cloris Leachman, Meshach Taylor
Director: Stuart Margolin

Certification: NR
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:33

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Editorial Reviews - Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen: Double, Double, Toil & Trouble

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Laughter and chills are served up in equal measure in this made-for-TV movie for the whole family. Kelly and Lynn Farmer (Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen) are twin sisters, who, one Halloween, make a surprising discovery about their Aunt Agatha (Cloris Leachman) -- she's a witch! It seems Agatha isn't an especially nice witch, either -- she has a grudge against Kelly and Lynn's father and wants to ruin him financially, and the twins have to step in to stop her. However, along the way they also have to help Agatha's twin sister Sophia (also played by Leachman), who has been trapped by one of Agatha's spells. Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen: Double, Double, Toil & Trouble also features Meshach Taylor and Eric McCormack. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Max Keeble's Big Move

Max Keeble's Big Move

Starring: Alex D. Linz, Jamie Kennedy, Zena Grey, Josh Peck, Larry Miller, Nora Dunn, Robert Carradine, Clifton Davis, Amy Hill, Noel Fisher, Orlando Brown, Amber Valletta, Brooke Anne Smith
Director: Tim Hill

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy of Errors
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:26

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Editorial Reviews - Max Keeble's Big Move

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After having been outmatched in the live-action family film department by rival Nickelodeon in recent years, Disney jumps back into the kid-friendly fray with this comedy about a seventh grader (Alex D. Linz) who's mercilessly picked on by his school's bullies and by his principal (Larry Miller). When his parents (Nora Dunn and Robert Carradine) inform Max that they're moving at the end of the week, he takes the opportunity to exact several forms of creative revenge on his many tormenters. When it subsequently turns out that the Keebles aren't leaving town after all, little Max is left to the mercy of those he's just humiliated. Max Keeble's Big Move is the second feature film from Tim Hill, the nephew of famed director George Roy Hill (The Sting). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse

Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse

Starring: Carlos Alazraqui, Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo, Jeff Bennett, Robby Benson, Jodi Benson, Corey Burton, Pat Carroll, Eddie Carroll, John Cleese, Peter Cullen, Bill Farmer, John Freeman, Jennifer Hale, Maurice LaMarche, Tress MacNeille, J.P. Manoux, Mark Moseley, Rob Paulsen, Ernie Sabella, Kevin Schon, Russi Taylor, Michael Welch, April Winchell
Director: Burny Mattinson

Certification: NR
Category: Animation
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:05

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Editorial Reviews - Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse

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Share "The Best Christmas of All" with Mickey Mouse, Minnie, and an all-star roster of beloved Disney animated characters in this feature-length home video spinoff of the Saturday morning ABC series. The House of Mouse functions much like the Pen & Ink Club in Who Framed Roger Rabbit. It's a chaotically comic nightclub where Disney icons from the Three Little Pigs and Jiminy Cricket to Belle and her Beast come to see and be seen. On this Christmas Eve, Mickey invites his snowbound guests to an impromptu holiday party, where they watch hilarious and heartwarming winter- and Yuletide-themed Disney cartoons (such as the vintage "Pluto's Christmas Tree" and the 1983 featurette "Mickey's Christmas Carol"). They also share their holiday wishes, such as the Seven Dwarfs' request for bunk beds! Only Donald Duck is in a "humbug" funk, of course, until Mickey makes a magical wish of his own that "everyone could have the Christmas spirit." Hip (for Disney) humor gives a welcome edge to the prevailing air of greeting-card sentiment. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This home video release finds an interesting way to repackage older Disney cartoons. Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse, finds Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Pluto, and all of the other beloved Disney animated characters unable to leave a holiday party. In order to pass the time, the gang watches a compilation of holiday-themed short films. There is something for every member of the family on this look at Disney older efforts. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas

Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas

Starring: Kelsey Grammer
Director: Jun Falkenstein

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:12

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Editorial Reviews - Mickey's Once Upon A Christmas

Barnes & Noble
This sweet stocking stuffer from Disney is a collection of three original cartoons that demonstrate the spirit of the holidays (it's in "the hearts that we touch and the care that we show"). The first, and best, echoes Groundhog Day, as Donald Duck's nephews, Huey, Dewey, and Louie, find themselves "Stuck on Christmas" until they stop being selfish and greedy. In "A Very Goofy Christmas," Goofy's son Max suffers a crisis of belief when a mean neighbor insists that there is no Santa Claus. Finally, "Gift of the Magi" recasts O. Henry's classic story with Mickey and Minnie, each of whom sacrifices a prized possession to buy a special gift for the other. The animation is a notch above Saturday morning television, and it's a pleasure to see these classic characters revived to captivate a new generation. Narrated by Kelsey Grammer and brimming with slapstick, "Once upon a Christmas" is a spoonful of sentimental sugar to help the holidays go down. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
A handful of Walt Disney's best loved characters appear in this direct-to-video release, which tells three different tales of the holiday season. First, Donald Duck and Daisy Duck are enjoying Christmas Day with their nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, when the boys wish that every day could be Christmas. Their wish comes true, and before long, they learn why the holiday only comes once a year. Next, Goofy has to teach his son about the real meaning of Christmas after Junior catches Dad impersonating Santa Claus. And Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse appear in an updated version of the O. Henry classic The Gift of the Magi, in which they both give up a prized possession in order to give their beloved something special for Christmas -- with unexpected consequences. Kelsey Grammer narrates. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Mighty Joe Young

Mighty Joe Young

Starring: Charlize Theron, Bill Paxton, Rade Serbedzija, Peter Firth, David Paymer, Regina King, Robert Wisdom, Naveen Andrews, Lawrence Pressman, Linda Purl, Mika Boorem, John Alexander
Director: Ron Underwood

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Jungle Film
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:54

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Editorial Reviews - Mighty Joe Young

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This 1998 version of Mighty Joe Young begins with a Gorillas in the Mist-type prologue and then jumps forward twelve years to find Bill Paxton leading a safari expedition to capture the legendary giant (two-ton) gorilla, the subject of the film's title. Paxton's intentions are admirable; he wants to remove the majestic beast from the imminent danger of poachers and set him up on a posh nature reserve in California. The x-factor comes in the form of Charlize Theron's beautiful jungle girl, Jill Young. Jill has been Joe's soul mate from birth and is the only human who can communicate with him. She is also the reason Paxton's maverick-on-the-run lingers at the reserve after his task is completed. From there, the plot is spurred on by the nefarious actions of a poacher with an Ahab complex and a battery of money hungry scientists who want to exploit Joe. Naturally, all of this puts a burr under the towering simian's skin, causing him to break free and go ape in L.A.'s concrete jungle. ~ Tom Meek, Rovi

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie

Starring: Karen Ashley, Johnny Yong Bosch, Steve Cardenas, Jason David Frank, Amy Jo Johnson, Robert Axelrod, Nicholas Bell, Kerry Casey, Julia Cortez, Jamie Croft, Gabrielle Fitzpatrick, Paul Freeman, Paul Goddard, Barbara Goodson, Kerrigan Maham, Mitchell McMahon, Peter Mochrie, Paul Schrier, Robert Simper
Director: Bryan Spicer

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Fantasy - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:35

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Editorial Reviews - Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie

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The popular children's television show comes to the screen in this sci-fi adventure about a group of teenage superheroes battling an evil leader bent on world domination. The film's six heroes lead double existences as normal young teens who, when needed, don color-coded costumes to become the Power Rangers. Under the guidance of the valiant Zordon (Nicholas Bell), the Rangers fight crime with kung-fu skills and specialized attack vehicles. This time, the Rangers are battling Ivan Ooze (Paul Freeman), a millennia-old villain who hopes to take over the world with an army of phlegm creatures. The Rangers' only hope for victory is to acquire a special power source, leading to a dangerous journey into outer space. Despite the larger budget, the film remains true to the style of the show, which often recalls Japanese monster movies in its depictions of battling giant monsters through obvious special effects. The fast-paced fantasy action attracted a good portion of its intended youthful audience, while not becoming quite as much of a sensation as the TV series; some adults attacked the film for its reliance on violence (though of a bloodless, cartoon variety) and its status as a blatant promotional tool for the best-selling Power Ranger toys. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Miracle on 34th Street

Miracle on 34th Street

Starring: Richard Attenborough, Elizabeth Perkins, Dylan McDermott, Mara Wilson, Robert Prosky, J.T. Walsh, James Remar, Jane Leeves, Simon Jones, William Windom, Joss Ackland, Mike Bacarella, Bill Buell, Peter Gerety, Alvin Greenman, Allison Janney, Harve Kolzow, Michele Marsh, Jack McGee, Jenny Morrison, Greg Noonan, Joe Pentangelo, Byrne Piven, Peter Siragusa
Director: Les Mayfield

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:54

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Editorial Reviews - Miracle on 34th Street

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The 1947 holiday classic Miracle on 34th Street is transplanted to the 1990s with few changes in this family-oriented remake. The screenplay by the prolific John Hughes sticks close to the original outline, centering on Macy's executive Dorey Walker (Elizabeth Perkins) and her young daughter Susan (Mara Wilson), neither of whom much believes in the spirit of Christmas. Dorey is in charge of hiring Macy's Santas, including an old man named Kriss Kringle (Richard Attenborough). He does a remarkably convincing job, and he soon reveals that he actually believes himself to be Santa Claus. The authorities threaten to place the old man in an insane asylum, but a young lawyer comes to his defense. Meanwhile, Dorey and Susan find their own defenses melting and become reacquainted with the power of faith. Hughes and director Les Mayfield add a few modern touches, making Susan slightly more cynical and adding the requisite soulless corporate villains. Viewers familiar with the original may still prefer Edmund Gwenn's original Kris Kringle and consider the remake unnecessary, although the newer version reflects enough of the earlier film's spirit to prove entertaining to modern family audiences. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

Miracle on 34th Street

Miracle on 34th Street

Starring: Maureen O'Hara, John Payne, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Wood, Harry Antrim, Jerome Cowan, William Forrest, Herbert Heyes, Gene Lockhart, Jack Albertson, Lela Bliss, Jeff Corey, Teddy Driver, Mary Field, William Frawley, Robert Gist, Jane Green, Alvin Greenman, Porter Hall, Alvin Hammer, Theresa Harris, Percy Helton, Robert Hyatt, Richard Irving, Robert Karnes, Robert Lynn, Anne O'Neal, Harry "Snub" Pollard, Thelma Ritter, Steve Roberts, James Seay, Anthony Sydes, Guy Thomajan, Philip Tonge, Basil Walker
Director: George Seaton

Certification: NR
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:37

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Editorial Reviews - Miracle on 34th Street

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Edmund Gwenn plays Kris Kringle, a bearded old gent who is the living image of Santa Claus. Serving as a last-minute replacement for the drunken Santa who was to have led Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, Kringle is offered a job as a Macy's toy-department Santa. Supervisor Maureen O'Hara soon begins having second thoughts about hiring Kris: it's bad enough that he is laboring under the delusion that he's the genuine Saint Nick; but when he begins advising customers to shop elsewhere for toys that they can't find at Macy's, he's gone too far! Amazingly, Mr. Macy (Harry Antrim) considers Kris' shopping tips to be an excellent customer-service "gimmick," and insists that the old fellow keep his job. A resident of a Long Island retirement home, Kris agrees to take a room with lawyer John Payne during the Christmas season. It happens that Payne is sweet on O'Hara, and Kris subliminally hopes he can bring the two together. Kris is also desirous of winning over the divorced O'Hara's little daughter Natalie Wood, who in her few years on earth has lost a lot of the Christmas spirit. Complications ensue when Porter Hall, Macy's nasty in-house psychologist, arranges to have Kris locked up in Bellevue as a lunatic. Payne represents Kris at his sanity hearing, rocking the New York judicial system to its foundations by endeavoring to prove in court that Kris is, indeed, the real Santa Claus! We won't tell you how he does it: suffice to say that there's a joyous ending for Payne and O'Hara, as well as a wonderful faith-affirming denouement for little Natalie Wood. 72-year-old Edmund Gwenn won an Oscar for his portrayal of the "jolly old elf" Kringle; the rest of the cast is populated by such never-fail pros as Gene Lockhart (as the beleaguered sanity-hearing judge), William Frawley (as a crafty political boss), and an unbilled Thelma Ritter and Jack Albertson. Based on the novel by Valentine Davies, Miracle on 34th Street was remade twice: once for TV in 1973, and a second time for a 1994 theatrical release, with Richard Attenborough as Kris Kringle. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Monsters, Inc.

Monsters, Inc.

Starring: John Goodman, Billy Crystal, Mary Gibbs, Steve Buscemi, James Coburn, Jennifer Tilly, Bob Peterson, John Ratzenberger, Frank Oz, Daniel Gerson, Steve Susskind, Bonnie Hunt, Jeff Pidgeon, Sam Black, Rodger Bumpass, Kay Panabaker
Director: Pete Docter

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Fantasy Comedy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:33

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Editorial Reviews - Monsters, Inc.

Barnes & Noble
The DVD edition of Monsters, Inc. -- the latest Disney-Pixar collaboration -- is really something to scream about. Its many supplemental features include the Academy Award-winning computer-animated short "For the Birds," as well as a new animated short created for the DVD, "Mike's New Car." There are also exclusive "outtakes" and, for animation buffs, a behind-the-scenes look at the artistic evolution of the film, from abandoned concepts to animation tests. But Monsters, Inc. -- an Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Feature and Oscar winner for Randy Newman's rollicking ode to friendship, "If I Didn't Have You" -- is itself a sheer joy to behold. While the Disney-Pixar Toy Story films and A Bug's Life revealed the secret lives of toys and insects, Monsters, Inc. confirms something that generations of children have always known: There really are monsters lurking in their bedroom closets! What they don't know is that these beasts are employees of the titular corporation, and their job is to scare children -- whose screams somehow fuel the power grid in Monstropolis (where monsters live). The real revelation here, though, is that monsters are deathly afraid of children. John Goodman is the voice of the bearlike Sully, Monsters, Inc.'s leading scream producer. His sidekick is Mike (Billy Crystal), a giant eyeball with a mouth, arms, and legs. Chaos ensues when a fearless little girl follows Sully through the closet door and into Monstropolis. Monsters, Inc. brims with visual invention (a climactic chase aboard an assembly line of closet doors is a particular tour de force), as well as in-jokes for keen-eyed viewers. Like the Toy Story films, it's a state-of-the-art crowd pleaser. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
After exploring the worlds of toys and bugs in the two Toy Story films and A Bug's Life, the award-winning computer animation company Pixar delves into the realm of monsters with its fourth feature. Hulking, blue-furred behemoth James P. "Sully" Sullivan (John Goodman) and his one-eyed assistant Mike Wazowski (Billy Crystal) are employed by Monsters, Inc., a scream processing factory. It seems that the denizens of their realm thrive on the screams of kids spooked by monsters lurking under their beds and in their closets. It's the job of Sully, Mike, and their co-workers, including sarcastic Randall Boggs (Steve Buscemi), crab-like CEO Henry J. Waternoose (James Coburn), and lovely snake-headed receptionist Celia (Jennifer Tilly) to keep the frights flowing. When Sully and Mike are followed back into the monster world by a very unafraid little human girl named Boo (Mary Gibbs), they are exiled to her universe, where they discover that such a modern-day mythological specimen as the Abominable Snowman is a fellow refugee. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Mouse Hunt

Mouse Hunt

Starring: Nathan Lane, Lee Evans, Vicki Lewis, Maury Chaykin, Eric Christmas, Michael Jeter, Debra Christofferson, Camilla Soeberg, William Hickey, Christopher Walken, Cliff Emmich
Director: Gore Verbinski

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Slapstick
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:37

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Editorial Reviews - Mouse Hunt

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Gore Verbinski, the TV-commercials director responsible for the Budweiser frogs, directed this Adam Rifkin screenplay about two brothers (Nathan Lane and Lee Evans) who inherit a string factory and a decaying country home after the death of their father (the late William Hickey, in his last role). After moving in, they learn that the house has historical architectural importance and is valued in the millions. However, they are constantly tormented by a mouse within the walls. They engage in cartoon-like combat against the rodent, but it manages to outwit the brothers in successive situations. Both live and animatronic mice portray the title role, and some scenes assume the mouse's point of view. The film is dedicated to William Hickey. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Mulan

Mulan

Starring: Ming-Na, Eddie Murphy, BD Wong, Miguel Ferrer, Harvey Fierstein
Director: Barry Cook

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:28

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Solid entertainment from a new group of Disney animators. The story source is a Chinese fable about a young girl who disguises herself as a man to help her family and her country. When the Huns attack China, a call to arms goes out to every village, and Mulan's father, being the only man in the family, accepts the call. Mulan (voiced by Ming-Na Wen, sung by Lea Salonga) has just made a disastrous appearance at the Matchmaker and decides to challenge society's expectations (being a bride). She steals her father's conscription notice, cuts her hair, and impersonates a man to join the army. She goes to boot camp, learning to fit in with the other soldiers with some help from her sidekick, Mushu, a wise-cracking dragon (voiced by Eddie Murphy). She trains, and soon faces the Huns eye-to-eye to protect her Emperor.

The film is gorgeous to look at, with a superior blend of classic and computer-generated animation. Directors Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook make the best of it: a battle in the snowy mountains is as thrilling as the best Hollywood action films. The menacing Huns are not cute but simple and bad. The wickedness is subtle, not disturbing. The film is not a full-fledged musical, as it has only five songs (the best, "Be a Man," is sung during boot camp). Eddie Murphy is an inspired choice for the comic-relief dragon, but his lines are not as clever as Robin Williams's in Aladdin. These are minor quibbles, though. The story is strong, and Mulan goes right to the top of Disney animated heroines; she has the right stuff. --Doug Thomas

From The New Yorker
Disney takes it easy on the hype this time, allowing its latest summer animated picture to build its own fan base. It's a canny decision, and the story, based on a Chinese legend, is clever: a young girl cuts her hair, joins the army disguised as a man, and saves China from the Huns. It gives boys lots of exciting (if cross-dressed) action, and lets girls root for an empowering hero. While the movie sticks to the familiar Disney formula, the cute sidekicks are less intrusive and the songs are not as overbearing as usual; for the most part, it sustains an enjoyable hum and a simple, delicate glow. -Bruce Diones
Copyright ® 2006 The New Yorker

The Muppet Christmas Carol

The Muppet Christmas Carol

Starring: Michael Caine, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson, Frank Oz, David Rudman, Donald Austen, Rob Tygner, Karen Prell, Williams Todd Jones, Jessica Fox, Ian Allen, David Barclay, Robbie Barnett, James Barton, Joan Barton, Mike Bayliss, Meredith Braun, Fergus Brazier, Simon Buckley, Dave Bulbeck, Marcus Clarke, Raymond Coulthard, Craig Crane, Suzanne Crowley, Sue Dacre, Taylor David, John Ecclestone, Geoff Felix, Mike Fenton, Kate Frost, Dave Geolz, Ken Haines, Anthony Hamblin, Ronnie LeDrew, Christopher Leith, Anthony Lymboura, Steven Mackintosh, Russell Martin, Kristopher Milnes, Rebecca Nagan, David Shaw Parker, Angie Passmore, Peter Passmore, Nigel Plaskitt, Gilly Poole, Judy Preece, Sally Preisig, Peter Robbins, Gillie Robic, Tim Rose, Edward Sanders, Theo Sanders, Kaefan Shaw, Dave Showler, John Thirtle, Ian Thom, Mark Alexander Todd, Ian Tregonning, Robin Weaver, Simon Williamson, Victoria Willing, Phil Woodfine
Director: Brian Henson

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:25

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Editorial Reviews - Muppet Christmas Carol

Barnes & Noble
Charles Dickens's original story did not feature a narrating rat, dancing penguins, or a tadpole on crutches as Tiny Tim. Leave it to the Muppets to correct these grievous oversights. Brian Henson joyfully carries on his father's legacy with this surprisingly faithful adaptation of Dickens's timeless holiday tale of miserly Scrooge (a game Michael Caine), who learns to stop with the "bah, humbug" and love Christmas after all. There is just the right touch of Muppet irreverence. For intstance, when Scrooge threatens to fire his put-upon staff of rat accountants for complaining about the cold, they respond with a rousing version of "Island in the Sun." The mostly Muppet cast includes Kermit as Bob Cratchit, with Miss Piggy as his wife (their brood comprises girl pigs and boy frogs). Hecklers Statler and Waldorf steal the show with a song-and-dance extravaganza as the ghosts of the gleefully greedy Marley brothers, Jacob and (get this, reggae fans) Robert. There are also roles for Fozzie Bear, Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and Beaker, and Sam the Eagle. The story's gloomier aspects are lightened up a bit for young audiences, but as Gonzo self-importantly observes, "This is culture." Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Brian Henson, the son of Muppet founder Jim Henson, took over directing duties after the untimely death of his father for The Muppet Christmas Carol, a sluggish re-telling of the Charles Dickens tale. Michael Caine, surrounded by legions of fuzzy, felt puppets, plays it straight as the crotchety Ebenezer Scrooge, an old miser who could care less about Christmas and the joy the season brings. Working for the skinflint is his faithful employee Bob Cratchit (Kermit the Frog), who begs Scrooge for a day off for Christmas. Scrooge reluctantly agrees and goes home on Christmas Eve filled with bile at the holiday merrymakers. But then he is visited by the sprits of Christmas Past, Present, and Future, and Scrooge, after revisiting his sorrowful past, hate-filled present, and doomed future, turns over a new leaf and becomes the most generous and celebratory person in town. ~ Paul Brenner, Rovi

Muppet Treasure Island

Muppet Treasure Island

Starring: Tim Curry, Jennifer Saunders, Kevin Bishop, Billy Connolly, Frank Oz, Steve Whitmire, Dave Goelz, Kevin Clash, Harry Jones, Jerry Nelson, David Rudman, Frederick Warder
Director: Brian Henson

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:39

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Editorial Reviews - Muppet Treasure Island

Barnes & Noble
Robert Louis Stevenson's classic adventure gets Muppetized in this 1996 delight, complete with savvy cameos, rollicking musical numbers ("Cabin Fever" is a showstopper), self-referential humor, and Miss Piggy as the Island's treasure-bedecked "queen of the warthogs." Purists offended by any of this are free to walk the plank. But if you're anything like the tour group that passes through one of the climactic scenes ("This is where they filmed Muppet Treasure Island," explains the guide) you'll be very impressed indeed. Kevin Bishop heads the human cast as plucky young Jim Hawkins, who comes into possession of a treasure map. Tim Curry is in his element as the scheming "professional pirate" Long John Silver. The Muppet cast includes Kermit as Captain Smollett, with Rizzo the Rat and the Great Gonzo shouldering most of the comedy. It wouldn't be a Muppet movie without a Kermit-and-Piggy love scene, and here the duo wind up tied together upside down, dangling over a cliff, where they share the tender ballad "Love Led Us Here." Funny and faithful (in its way) to Stevenson's story, this is a film families will long treasure. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of a young orphan who becomes involved with pirate Long John Silver is given the Muppet treatment in this vibrant children's musical. As in The Muppet Christmas Carol, the film stays loyal to the original storyline but casts the well-known puppets in many of the supporting roles. Young Jim Hawkins remains human, as does Long John Silver, played by an amusingly exaggerated Tim Curry. However, Captain Smollet is played by the evergreen Kermit the Frog; Miss Piggy, Gonzo, and Rizzo the Rat serve as roving narrators; and numerous other Muppets assume smaller roles. The familiar adventure plot is enlivened by the Muppets' good-natured, winking sense of humor, and a number of anarchic musical numbers are reminiscent of the original Muppet Show. Long-time followers of the Muppets may find the film less fresh than Jim Henson's original creations, but the combination of old-fashioned storytelling, intriguing design, and clever humor will undoubtedly amuse younger audiences. ~ Judd Blaise, Rovi

One Hundred and One Dalmatians

One Hundred and One Dalmatians

Starring: Rod Taylor, J. Pat O'Malley, Betty Lou Gerson, Martha Wentworth, Ben Wright, Cate Bauer, Lisa Davis, Tom Conway, George Pelling, Queenie Leonard, Marjorie Bennett, Mickey Maga, Barbara Beaird, Frederic Worlock
Director: Clyde Geronimi

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:19

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Editorial Reviews - One Hundred and One Dalmatians

All Movie Guide
This Disney animated classic is based on the children's story by Dodie Smith. The story involves the canine pets of a struggling composer and his wife: Dalmatians Pongo (male) and Perdita (female). Perdita gives birth to fifteen spotted pups, cuing the entrance of the scheming Cruella De Vil. She demands that the dogs' owners sell her the pups, but she is shown the door instead. Under cover of night, Cruella arranges for the pups to be stolen. The human police are baffled, but the "dog network" is alerted by Pongo and sent to rescue the pups. It is discovered that Cruella has been rounding up every Dalmatian she can get her hands on, hoping to use their pelts to make one spectacular fur coat. The dogs rescue the 15 pups, plus 86 others stolen by Ms. DeVil. After an eventful escape, the 101 Dalmatians make their way home--whereupon the composer pens a hit tune, "Dalmatian Plantation." 101 Dalmatians represents the Disney animation staff at its very best, and as a bonus introduces the world to Cruella De Vil, one of the greatest movie villains--cartoon or "real"--of all time. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Operation Dumbo Drop

Operation Dumbo Drop

Starring: Danny Glover, Ray Liotta, Denis Leary, Doug E. Doug, Corin Nemec, Dinh Thien Le, Marshall Bell, Jared Chandler, James Hong, Tchéky Karyo, Tim Kelleher, Michael Lee
Director: Simon Wincer

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy - General
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:47

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Editorial Reviews - Operation Dumbo Drop

All Movie Guide
This old fashioned service comedy is suitable for the whole family. It is set in Vietnam during the war and chronicles the efforts of a small band of Green Berets as they endeavor to help out a beleaguered village located next to a major supply route for the Viet Cong. The leader, Capt. Sam Cahill has been working overtime to create good relations between the American soldiers and the villagers so he can use their little town to monitor enemy activities. Unfortunately, Cahill is slated to retire and his replacement is shaping up to be the classic Ugly American. It is he who accidentally lets the North Vietnamese know that the hapless villagers have been harboring American soldiers. To punish them, the VC shoot the only elephant in the village. To help the villagers, Cahill goes against the wishes of the new leader and promises to replace the slaughtered beast in time for an important local ritual. The trouble is, the Americans have only five days in which to find and bring back an elephant; they find one, but it is 200 miles from the village. The men decide the only way to do it is to load the beast aboard a transport plane and send it to the village via parachute. Now all they have to do is figure how to engineer this feat. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Pagemaster

Pagemaster

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, Christopher Lloyd, Ed Begley Jr., Mel Harris, Patrick Stewart, Whoopi Goldberg, Frank Welker, Leonard Nimoy, Jim Cummings, Charles Fleischer, Ed Gilbert, Dorian Harewood, Phil Hartman, George Hearn, Alexis Kirschner, Jessica Kirschner, Brandon McKay, Robert Picardo, ad Pixote, B.J. Ward
Director: Joe Johnston

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - Pagemaster

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A young boy overcomes his obsessive fears by discovering a love for books in this animated fantasy adventure. In a live action wraparound, Macaulay Culkin stars as Richard Tyler, an easily bullied, nervous wreck of a kid who's an expert on safety statistics. His mother and father (Mel Harris and Ed Begley, Jr.) don't know how to inspire their son to embrace life boldly. Barely able to leave the house, Richard ventures out one day, but he gets lost in a storm and ends up at a mysterious library. Inside, he slips, knocks himself unconscious and finds himself in a cartoon realm where books come to life. Guided by Adventure (Patrick Stewart), Fantasy (Whoopi Goldberg) and Horror (Frank Welker), Tyler experiences the adventures of classic novels such as Moby Dick and Treasure Island, and he even meets some famed fictional characters, such as Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (Leonard Nimoy). Through his experiences in the pages of the legendary books, Richard confronts his phobias and learns to face life more courageously. The Pagemaster was directed by Joe Johnston, a former special effects supervisor and production designer who later directed Jumanji (1995) and October Sky (1999). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

The Parent Trap

The Parent Trap

Starring: Lindsay Lohan, Dennis Quaid, Natasha Richardson, Elaine Hendrix, Lisa Ann Walter, Simon Kunz, Polly Holliday, Maggie Wheeler, Ronnie Stevens, Erin Mackey, Joanna Barnes
Director: Nancy Meyers

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy of Errors
User Rating:
Running Time: 2:07

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Editorial Reviews - Parent Trap

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The husband-and-wife team of Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer, who scored with their 1991 remake of the 1950 Father of the Bride, returned for this updating of the 1961 comedy about twins who hope to bring their divorced parents back together. Sheyer and Meyers stayed close to the original screenplay by David Swift, based on Erich Kastner's book Das Doppelte Lottchen. At a summer camp in Maine, 11-year-old Hallie Parker (Lindsay Lohan) meets Annie James (also Lindsay Lohan). Despite a curious resemblance, Hallie develops an immediate dislike for Annie, and the feeling is mutual. However, the two eventually discover they are twin sisters separated not long after they were born. Their parents, Elizabeth (Natasha Richardson) and Nick (Dennis Quaid), had met on the Queen Elizabeth 2 and married on that same voyage. After a divorce, Nick brought up Hallie at his Napa Valley vineyard, while Annie lived with wedding-gown designer Elizabeth in London. Neither twin was aware she had a sister, until their summer-camp meeting. To learn more about their parents, they switch places and maintain the deception until Nick states he will remarry. The twins then try to engineer a renewed romance between Nick and Elizabeth, but Nick's annoying but attractive fiancee Meredith (Elaine Hendrix) presents a major problem in reaching their happy-ending goal. Hayley Mills portrayed the twins in the 1961 original and subsequent TV-movie sequels: In The Parent Trap II (1986), the twins are adults with their own romantic problems. In The Parent Trap III (1989), the twins compete for a widower (Barry Bostwick), the father of triplets, and that same year, the twins also returned in Parent Trap Hawaiian Honeymoon (1989). ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Paulie

Paulie

Starring: Jay Mohr, Gena Rowlands, Tony Shalhoub, Tia Texada, Cheech Marin, Bruce Davison, Trini Alvarado, Buddy Hackett, Hallie Kate Eisenberg, Matt Craven, Bill Cobbs, Laura Harrington
Director: John Roberts

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy Adventure
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:31

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Editorial Reviews - Paulie

All Movie Guide
In the Babe tradition of talking animatronic animals, this comedy adventure gets underway when animal-research-lab janitor Misha (Tony Shalhoub) expresses concern for a Blue-crown Conure parrot named Paulie (voice of Jay Mohr) caged in a dank basement. Misha settles back as Paulie tells his life story, seen in flashback: When Paulie was owned by little Marie (Hallie Kate Eisenberg), the parrot helped the little girl get rid of her stutter. After Marie tried to teach Paulie how to fly, he wound up in a pawnshop owned by Artie (Buddy Hackett), where he got an education in one-liners. Paulie and Ivy (Gena Rowlands) learn Marie's family is in LA, so Ivy agrees to drive Paulie cross-country in her RV. However, Marie goes blind and dies. Paulie is forced to fly to LA, where small-time entrepreneur Ignacio (Cheech Marin), with an eye for talent, talons and tacos, puts Paulie to work as a dancer at his taco-stand, where Paulie gets a birds-eye view of a female parrot with pretty plumage. Unfortunately, researcher Dr. Reingold (Bruce Davison), convinced Paulie can bring him academic recognition, steps in with a false promise to link the parrot up with Marie. Betrayed, Paulie refuses to speak anything other than the standard "want-a-cracker" lines, resulting in solitary confinement. Misha, who knows why the caged bird talks, hopes to free Paulie for an eventual reunion with Marie. Animal stunt coordinator Boone Narr and Stan Winston animatronics brought Paulie to life. For another fine-feathered film, see Dean Riesner's Bill and Coo (1947); the film's all-bird cast (dressed in human clothing) brought a "Special Award" for producer Ken Murray during the 1948 Oscar ceremony. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

The Pebble and the Penguin

The Pebble and the Penguin

Starring: Martin Short, Annie Golden, Tim Curry, Angeline Ball, Jim Belushi, Hamilton Camp, Kendall Cunningham, Stan Jones, Pat Musick, Neil Ross, Will Ryan, Louise Vallance, Shani Wallis, B.J. Ward
Director: Don Bluth

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:14

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Editorial Reviews - Pebble and the Penguin

All Movie Guide
This heartwarming animated tale--reportedly inspired by a National Geographic documentary--follows the exploits of a shy penguin, Hubie, who is hopelessly enamored with Marina, but must compete with the ultra macho, puffed up Drake, who wants her to be his life mate. In order to win her, one of them must present her with a suitable pebble. Hubie finds a doozy of an emerald-like stone to give her, but before he can deliver it, the wicked Drake pushes him into the roiling sea and Hubi is swept away. Eventually Hubie is captured by traders. He must make it home within 10 days or Drake will claim his beloved Mariana. Songs are sung, action ensues, and ultimately, happiness prevails. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Pete's Dragon

Pete's Dragon

Starring: Helen Reddy, Jim Dale, Mickey Rooney, Red Buttons, Shelley Winters, Sean Marshall, Jim Backus, Charles Tyner, Gary Morgan, Walter Barnes, Calvin Bartlett, Charlie Callas, Al Checco, Jack Collins, Jeff Conaway, Robert Easton, Robert Foulk, Jane Kean, Roger Price, Joe E. Ross, Henry Slate, Ben Wrigley, Irwin Kostal
Director: Don Chaffey

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 2:08

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Editorial Reviews - Pete's Dragon

All Movie Guide
Based on a story by Hollywood old-timers Seton I. Miller and S. S. Field, Pete's Dragon divides its time between its flesh-and-blood characters and an animated green dragon. Pete (Sean Marshall), a lonely orphan boy in turn-of-the-century Maine, runs away from his abusive foster family. He stumbles upon a lovable dragon named Elliot, and the two become inseparable companions. Elliot is visible only to Pete, leading the townsfolk to assume that the boy is a trifle tetched. Pete finally finds happiness with his "new" family, lighthouse-keeper Lampie (Mickey Rooney) and his daughter Nora (Helen Reddy, who sings and sings). British comic actor Jim Dale co-stars as the wacky dentist Dr. Terminus. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Peter Pan

Peter Pan

Starring: Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried, Bill Thompson, Heather Angel, Paul Collins, Tommy Luske, Candy Candido, Tom Conway, Don Barclay, Roland DuPree
Director: Clyde Geronimi

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:17

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Editorial Reviews - Peter Pan

Barnes & Noble
Peter Pan's stature as one of Disney's most beloved animated features is a testament not only to the animators' artistry but also to a fantasy so irresistible it inspired its own syndrome. A benchmark of the studio's second Golden Age (which began with 1950's Cinderella), Peter Pan (1953) liberates James M. Barrie's timeless story from its stage-bound conventions. Peter (voiced by Bobby Driscoll) is portrayed as an actual boy, and Nana as an actual dog. Tinker Bell is fleshed out as the screen's most fetching fairy, as opposed to a dancing dervish of light. And no wired acrobatics can beat this film's stunning set piece, the Darling children's flight over nighttime London toward Never Land, where the "Lost Boys," wild Indians, Captain Hook, and his sidekick Smee await. The soaring musical score includes the Disney standards "You Can Fly," "Follow the Leader," and "A Pirate's Life for Me." This two-disc Platinum Edition takes Peter Pan to dazzling heights with newly produced featurettes that chronicle the film's history. "A Fairy's Tale" puts to rest the rumor that Tinker Bell was modeled on Marilyn Monroe. Also included is a dramatic reading of a magazine article, credited to Walt Disney, titled "Why I Made Peter Pan." Unearthed treasures from the Disney archives include two lost songs, "Pirates Song" and "Never Land," originally written in 1940. A thorough audio commentary hosted by Roy Disney features, among others, film historian Leonard Maltin, author of The Disney Films, Kathryn Beaumont, the voice of Wendy, and legendary animators Frank Thomas, Ollie Johnston, and Marc Davis. This two-disc set is DVD pixie dust that will enchant a new generation, who will be carried away by a story and film that will never grow old. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
A pet project of Walt Disney's since 1939, this animated version of James M. Barrie's Peter Pan reached full fruition in 1953. Eschewing much of Barrie's gentle whimsy (not to mention the more sinister aspects of the leading character), Disney and his staff fashioned a cheery, tuneful cartoon extravaganza, which cost $4 million and reaped several times that amount. The straightforward story concerns the Darling family, specifically the children: Wendy, Michael and John. Wendy enjoys telling her younger siblings stories about the mythical Peter Pan, the little boy who never grew up. One night, much to everyone's surprise, Peter flies into the Darling nursery, in search of his shadow, which Wendy had previously captured. Sprinkling the kids with magic pixie dust, Peter flies off to Never-Never Land, with Wendy, Michael and John following behind. Once in Peter's domain, the children are terrorized by Captain Hook, who intends to capture Peter and do away with him.

After rescuing Indian princess Tiger Lily from Captain Hook, Peter must save the children, not to mention his own "Lost Boys," from the diabolical pirate captain. In addition, he must contend with the jealousy of tiny sprite Tinker Bell, who doesn't like Wendy one little bit. Breaking with several traditions, Peter had been played by a girl in all previous incarnations, Tinker Bell had always been depicted by a shaft of light, etc ... this "Disneyized" version of Peter Pan may not be authentic James Barrie, but it has never failed to enthrall audiences of all ages. Adding to the fun are the spirited voiceover performances by Bobby Driscoll (Peter), Hans Conried (Captain Hook and Mr. Darling), Kathryn Beaumont (Wendy) and Bill Thompson (Smee), and the sprightly songs by Sammy Cahn, Sammy Fain, Ollie Wallace, Erdman Penner, Ted Sears, Winston Hibler, Frank Churchill and Jack Lawrence. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Pinocchio

Pinocchio

Starring: Dick Jones
Director: Ben Sharpsteen

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:28

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Walt Disney's second full-length animated feature is a timeless, breathtakingly beautiful classic. Based on an 1800s story by Carlo Collodi, it stars Jiminy Cricket (voiced by Cliff Edwards) as a vagabond insect who spends a rainy night at the shop of toymaker Geppetto. The Blue Fairy brings a marionette to life after Geppetto wishes on a star for a son, and Jiminy Cricket is appointed the new boy's conscience. He has a devil of a time keeping up as Pinocchio is willingly lured through various forms of temptation, the most frightening of which leads him to Pleasure Island, where he drinks, smokes, and is almost turned into a jackass. This sequence, as well as Pinocchio's brave rescue of Geppetto from the belly of a whale, ranks among the most memorable in the history of animation. With such songs as "When You Wish Upon a Star," this is about as magical as cinema can get, a sublimely beautiful coming-of-age story for all to treasure.

Industry Reviews
"...Awesomely restored..." -- 4 out of 4 stars
USA Today - Mike Clark (03/26/1993)

"...Every element in PINOCCHIO shimmers with the energy of young artists reveling in their newly discovered powers of creation..."
Los Angeles Times - Charles Solomon (06/26/1992)

"...The movie looks great....The movie is genuinely exciting and romantic, great to look at, and timeless..."
Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (06/26/1992)

"...Visually, the movie remains the peak of the studio's craft..."
Entertainment Weekly - Ty Burr (01/11/2002)

"Arguably the best told of all the Disney fairy tales....And, as ever, the animation is near flawless..."
Empire - Empire Staff (03/01/2008)

"The rollicking adventure, about a lonely old toy maker whose wooden puppet comes to life and dreams of becoming a real boy, is tender and timeless." -- Grade: A
Entertainment Weekly - Chris Nashawaty (03/13/2009)

"PINOCCHIO remains a technical summit of hand-drawn animation, executed with a grace and expressiveness of movement that even Disney's artists were neve quite able to recapture."
New York Times - Dave Kehr (03/06/2009)

Pinocchio

Pinocchio

Starring: Dick Jones, Cliff Edwards, Christian Rub, Walter Catlett, Mel Blanc, Don Brodie, Frankie Darro, Charles Judels, Evelyn Venable
Director: Walt Disney

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:28

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Editorial Reviews - Pinocchio

Barnes & Noble
Just as the Blue Fairy brings life to a little wooden marionette in this timeless classic, the groundbreaking work of hundreds of animators sets a cast of delightful characters into amazingly supple, lifelike motion. Pinocchio, the puppet who must learn to follow his conscience before he can become a real boy, and his guide, Jiminy Cricket (wonderfully voiced by Cliff Edwards, who also sings the Oscar-winning "When You Wish Upon a Star"), remain two of cinema's most endearing figures. And who can forget the gentle woodcutter, Geppeto; his winsome cat, Figaro; or the wickedly funny fox, J. Worthington Foulfellow (a dead ringer for John Barrymore)? Pinocchio's marvelous misadventures take him and Jiminy from an island of lost boys into the belly of whale. The spectacular underwater sequence pioneered techniques used decades later in The Little Mermaid, yet Pinocchio has a luminous warmth missing from contemporary computerized animation. Mingling moments of sweetness and terror, this beautifully realized fairy tale -- the second of Walt Disney's animated features -- is one of the crowning achievements in film history. Kryssa Schemmerling

All Movie Guide
When the gentle woodcarver Geppetto (Christian Rub) builds a marionette to be his substitute son, a benevolent fairy brings the toy to life. The puppet, named Pinocchio (Dick Jones), is not yet a human boy. He must earn the right to be real by proving that he is brave, truthful, and unselfish. But, even with the help of Jiminy (Cliff Edwards), a cricket who the fairy assigns to be Pinocchio's conscience, the marionette goes astray. He joins a puppet show instead of going to school, he lies instead of telling the truth, and he travels to Pleasure Island instead of going straight home. Yet, when Pinocchio discovers that a whale has swallowed Geppetto, the puppet single-mindedly journeys into the ocean and selflessly risks his life to save his father, thereby displaying that he deserves to be a real boy. Based on a series of stories by 19th century Italian author Carlo Collodi, Pinocchio came under fire for being a sugarcoated version of its original tale, but the film's moral did have a strong educational effect on children. Soon enough, a 16 mm excerpt from the picture, titled "Pinocchio: A Lesson in Honesty," was released for teachers to use in schools. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi

Pocahontas

Pocahontas

Starring: Irene Bedard, Mel Gibson, Judy Kuhn, Linda Hunt, Russell Means, David Ogden Stiers, Joe Baker, Christian Bale, Billy Connolly, John Kassir, Danny Mann, Michelle St. John, Gondon Tootoosis, Frank Welker
Director: Mike Gabriel

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:30

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Editorial Reviews - Pocahontas

Barnes & Noble
Disney followed up The Lion King, its first animated feature based on an original story, with its first such film based on a historical figure, the Indian princess Pocahontas. The strong-willed, free-spirited heroine (voiced by Irene Bedard) listens to the spirits and reckons they're telling her to follow a path other than what her father, Chief Powhatan (Russell Means), intends for her. A saga of passion and prejudice, Pocahontas is a love story in which the heroine defies Powhatan's plans when English adventurer John Smith arrives on Virginia's shores, speaking and singing in the lusty, robust voice of Mel Gibson. Accompanying Smith is a shipload of encroaching settlers led by a gold-digging colonial governor named Ratliffe (David Ogden Stiers); greed and cultural differences threaten to escalate into hatred and violence until Pocahontas defies her father to intervene. The tale treats the native Powhatan tribe with respect, even as it takes liberties with history and adds animal sidekicks for comic relief. This 2005 reissue is a marked improvement over the original Pocahontas DVD release, with the original theatrical version of the film as well as a 10th Anniversary Edition. The latter restores to the film the lovely ballad, "If I Never Met You," which Smith sings to Pocahontas on the eve of his scheduled execution (audience restlessness in test screenings spelled its deletion). Archival treasures include an early "presentation reel" of the film-in-progress, storyboarded deleted scenes, and a 1995 segment devoted to the film's historic premiere in New York's Central Park (there's an uncomfortable line about the event requiring enough electricity "to light the World Trade Center"). Bedard hosts a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film, and there is a segment about Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz's Oscar-winning musical score, which includes "Colors of the Wind." Audio commentaries further heighten appreciation for the animators' truly stunning work. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
History gets the Disney kiddie treatment and a politically correct interpretation in the studio's 33rd feature-length animated movie, the first to be based on actual events and people. Pocahontas (Irene Bedard) is the daughter of Algonquin chief Powhatan (Russell Means), who promises her in marriage to Kocoum, a brave whom she doesn't love. Pocahontas would rather be paddling in her canoe or wandering in the forest, communing with nature and her animal pals, Meeko, a raccoon, and the hummingbird Flit. When European settlers arrive, she becomes enamored of handsome John Smith (Mel Gibson). Their attraction is encouraged by Grandmother Willow (Linda Hunt), a talking tree. The situation between their peoples is tense, however, as the settlers, led by Governor Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers) desperately want the gold that they're sure the natives are concealing. When a dutiful sentry, Thomas (Christian Bale) follows Smith into the woods on one of his secret meetings with Pocahontas, a tragic mistake leads both groups to the brink of war. Only the love of Pocahontas and Smith can prevent bloodshed. Pocahontas (1995) was awarded two Oscars, for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score and Best Original Song for "Colors of the Wind." ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Pocahontas

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:30

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Pocahontas II: Journey To A New World

Pocahontas II: Journey To A New World

Starring: Irene Bedard, Judy Kuhn, Billy Zane, David Ogden Stiers, Jean Stapleton, Russell Means, Linda Hunt, Donal Gibson
Director: Tom Ellery

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:12

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Editorial Reviews - Pocahontas II: Journey To A New World

Barnes & Noble
Children who wonder what awaited Pocahontas just around the river bend can find out in this produced-for-video sequel to Pocahontas, in which our spirited heroine sails off to England, where she will try to bring peace between her people and the settlers. Meanwhile, Radcliffe is already preparing an armada to reclaim Jamestown from the "savages." As Disney's produced-for-video sequels to its animated features go, Pocahontas II is one of the better ones. It has been handsomely rendered by Disney's B (or B+) team of animators. Irene Bedard reprises her signature voice role as Pocahontas, with Linda Hunt as Grandmother Willow, David Ogden Stiers as Radcliffe, and Russell Means as Chief Powhatan. Billy Zane is the voice of English diplomat and love interest John Rolfe, while Donal Gibson (Mel's brother, as John Smith) makes a climactic, nick-of-time cameo. The songs are less engaging than those in the original film, and history buffs long ago threw up their hands at such stories, but when it comes to mining gold from popular characters, Disney has no peer. Pocahontas still cuts an impressive figure and Meeko the raccoon still constantly outwits pampered pooch Percy out of food scraps. "Where do I go from here?" Pocahontas sings. The safe bet? Pocahontas III. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
For this animated direct-to-video sequel to Disney's 1995 animated Pocahontas, Irene Bedard returns to the title role -- with Judy Kuhn once again providing Pocahontas' singing voice. The story starts in colonial Jamestown before Pocahontas travels to England to meet with the king in hopes of preventing a British-Indian war. Her guide and companion is royal emissary John Rolfe (Billy Zane). They are attracted to each other, but Pocahontas yearns for John Smith (Donal Gibson, brother of Mel Gibson). After a conflict with the evil Ratcliffe (David Ogden Stiers), the missing Smith is presumed dead. Ratcliffe tells the king that the Jamestown Indians are savages, so Pocahontas enters high society, hoping to prove otherwise by presenting a civilized appearance at the Royal Hunt Ball. Ratcliffe schemes to sabotage Pocahontas' plan. New songs by Marty Panzer and Larry Grossman include the closing-credits tune, "Between Two Worlds." ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin

Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin

Starring: Jim Cummings, Brady Bluhm, Paul Winchell
Director: Karl Geurs

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animation
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:16

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Editorial Reviews - Pooh's Grand Adventure: The Search for Christopher Robin

Barnes & Noble
As this 1997 produced-for-video animated feature begins, Christopher Robin reassures his cherished friend, Winnie the Pooh, "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." This affirmation will later rally Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Wood as they embark on a search for Christopher, who, unbeknownst to them, is attending his first day of school. His note to his companions, misread due to a honey smudge, creates the impression that Christopher has been taken to Skull Island. And so the quest "into the great unknown" begins. Produced a full 30 years after the initial Pooh shorts brought A. A. Milne's beloved characters to the screen, this exquisitely animated film captures the charm of the books' illustrations. John Fiedler as Piglet, Paul Winchell as Tigger, and Jim Cummings -- who took over as Pooh after Sterling Holloway retired in the late '80s -- provide indelible voice work. But young ones should beware: The foreboding woods and ominous (offscreen) growls create a mood of dread and fear that overpowers the gentle tone and whimsy of Milne's stories. Heffalumps and Woozles seem tame when compared to the dangers and cliffhanging perils that are more suited to an Indiana Jones movie. Best to reassure your little ones, much like Christopher Robin did Pooh. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
In this animated story for the family from Disney, Christopher Robin and his stuffed bear Winnie The Pooh are best friends and love to spend their days together. However, the time has come for Christopher to begin going to school. He doesn't have the hear to break the news to Pooh, so he leaves a note for him before leaving for the first day of classes. However, Pooh gets confused and is somehow convinced Christopher has been spirited away to Skull Island; he bands together Tigger, Piglet and Rabbit to stage a rescue mission as only they can. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Prince of Egypt

The Prince of Egypt

Starring: Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Michelle Pfeiffer, Sandra Bullock, Jeff Goldblum, Danny Glover, Patrick Stewart, Helen Mirren, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Natalie Portman
Director: Brenda Chapman

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:37

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Editorial Reviews - Prince of Egypt

All Movie Guide
Dreamworks Pictures has taken the biblical story of Exodus, put it into cartoon form, and released it on the big screen as an epic animated feature. The Prince of Egypt tells the story of Moses releasing the Jews from Egyptian slavery under the hand of the evil pharaoh Rameses. Think of The Ten Commandments with songs and an all-star cast doing the voices. In the Charlton Heston role of Moses is Val Kilmer. Moses' brother Rameses, previously played by Yul Brynner, is now voiced by Ralph Fiennes. The story revolves around these two close brothers, Moses and Rameses. While Rameses is groomed to take over the land, his beloved brother Moses is a carefree prankster, until he learns the true secret of his past. His secret, of course, is that he is really a Jew and as a child was floated down the river to escape mass genocide. The pharaoh Seti (Patrick Stewart) raised Moses as his son. Upon learning the truth of his past from a burning bush, Moses returns to Egypt with God on his side and demands that the pharaoh (now his brother Rameses) must "Let my people go." With songs written by Oscar-winner Stephen Schwartz and sung by Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey, The Prince of Egypt covers all the classic story points of the story of Moses, including the ten plagues and the parting of the Red Sea. ~ Arthur Borman, Rovi

The Princess Diaries

The Princess Diaries

Starring: Anne Hathaway, Julie Andrews
Director: Garry Marshall

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:54

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Editorial Reviews - Princess Diaries

Barnes & Noble
Garry Marshall conjures up more fairy-tale, Pretty Woman magic for this film take on Meg Cabot's popular novel for teens. Anne Hathaway stars as Mia in this Pygmalion-esque charmer about an awkward 15-year-old San Francisco misfit whose world turns upside down when she discovers that she's a real princess. Broadway's original My Fair Lady, Julie Andrews, makes a welcome return to the screen as Mia's regal grandmother, who is charged with grooming her reluctant granddaughter for the throne. But Mia's happy-ever-after ending is not assured, as her newfound royal status threatens her friendship with her best friend and fellow social outcast, Lily (Heather Matarazzo of TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Further complicating Mia's life is a jerky high school hunk, whose attentions distract her from a true Prince Charming waiting in the wings. Lending able comic support are Larry Miller, as the flamboyant hairdresser assigned to transform Mia, and Marshall regular Hector Elizondo as Mia's plainspoken chauffeur and bodyguard. Marshall -- who built his reputation on such family fare as Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and Mork & Mindy -- knows how to get laughs without stooping to inappropriate humor, which is to say that the picture's G rating doesn't mean it's bland. It's little surprise that The Princess Diaries ranks among the most successful G-rated live-action family films in some time, since it's also one of the best. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This teen comedy from Disney is based on a popular novel by Meg Cabot and directed by Garry Marshall. Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a teenage klutz who's openly mocked by the popular Lana Thomas (pop singer Mandy Moore). In fact, Mia's only friend at her exclusive prep school is the socially outcast Lilly (Heather Matarazzo). Mia's life takes a dramatic turn, however, when her mom announces that her late biological father was in actuality the crown prince of a small European nation, Genovia. Now Mia is the sole heir to the throne, and her grandmother, Queen Clarisse Renaldi (Julie Andrews) wants to tutor the awkward teen in royal behavior. It's a daunting task given Mia's lax table manners, poise, and hair care, but the girl perseveres with some makeover help from her grandmother's security chief Hector Elizondo) and a style expert (Larry Miller). In the meantime, Mia's romantic affections are torn between the handsome, popular Josh (Erik Von Detten) and the more appropriate Michael (Robert Schwartzman), who also happens to be Lilly's brother. The Princess Diaries is the second film from Whitney Houston's production shingle after the television version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella (1997). ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Quest For Camelot

Quest For Camelot

Starring: Jessalyn Gilsig, Andrea Corr, Cary Elwes, Bryan White, Gary Oldman, Eric Idle, Don Rickels, Jane Seymour, Celine Dion, Pierce Brosnan, Steve Perry, Bronson Pinchot, Jaleel White, Gabriel Byrne, John Gielgud
Director: Frederik Du Chau

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:25

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Editorial Reviews - Quest For Camelot

All Movie Guide
For this feature-length foray into Arthurian animation, screenwriters Kirk DeMicco (A Day in November), William Schifrin (Townies), Jacqueline Feather (Dancing in the Dark), and David Seidler (Tucker, Dancing in the Dark) adapted The King's Damosel (1976) by British novelist Vera Chapman. The 85-minute tale follows independent, strong-willed Kayley (Jessalyn Gilsig voice, with the singing of Andrea Corr), who hopes to follow the path of her late father, Sir Lionel (Gabriel Byrne), a brave Knight of the Round Table who died defending his king against the evil Ruber (Gary Oldman). Some years later, when Ruber is joined by sidekick Griffin (Bronson Pinchot), the two manage to acquire and then lose Excalibur, the legendary magic sword of King Arthur (Pierce Brosnan with Steve Perry singing). Preparatory to his invasion of Camelot, Ruber first kidnaps Kayley and her widowed mother, Lady Juliana (Jane Seymour, Celine Dion singing). Making an escape, Kayley travels through the haunted Forbidden Forest, where she meets Garrett (Cary Elwes, Bryan White singing), a bitter blind man assisted by his silver-winged, seeing-eye falcon, Ayden. Once King Arthur's stable boy, Garrett dreamed of becoming a knight, but after he was blinded by a fire, he ran away to live in the Forbidden Forest. When Garrett learns Kayley is the daughter of the knight who trained him to fight, he agrees to help Kayley search for Excalibur. Falling in love with Kayley, Garrett soon finds the courage to start anew. With the blessing of Merlin (Sir John Gielgud), the couple sets out to save Camelot. Along the way, they meet the two-headed dragon, Devon (Eric Idle) and Cornwall (Don Rickles), a dragon duo delivering dotty dialogue replete with riotous riffs and cinematic references (to such films as Dirty Harry and Taxi Driver). Yet another supporting character is Bladebeak, a cutting-edge hybrid possibly fashioned to illustrate the axiom, "Don't count your chickens before they're a hatchet." Following the live-action/animation combo of Space Jam, this is the first fully animated feature from the L.A.-based Warner Brothers Feature Animation unit, and the film began production May 26, 1995 in L.A., expanding operations February 11, 1996 with a sister studio in London: a 20,000-square-foot facility in London's Covent Garden district. The new UK unit shared production duties on Quest for Camelot, receiving storyboards from L.A., animating with both computers and traditional techniques, and digitally transmitting completed art back to L.A. for ink and paint. At the London WBFA studio, John McKenna (previously head exec of the London City Ballet and Disney's London studio manager) initially supervised a staff of 73 (including 50 artists from the British animation talent pool) that expanded to 350. The film eventually employed over 600 staffers as it ran through a variety of working titles (The Quest for the Grail, The Quest, The Quest for Camelot). Songs by Grammy-winners David Foster and Carole Bayer Sager include On My Father's Wings, (Kayley), I Stand All Alone (Garrett), The Prayer (Juliana), and If I Didn't Have You (Devon, Cornwall). The director of Quest for Camelot is Frederik Du Chau, who attended film school in his native Belgium, entered the industry via commercials and TV series, worked for Disney France, made his own animated short (The Mystery of the Land), drew Disney projects at Baer Animation, co-directed for Sony Wonder, directed The Land Before Time 3, joined Chuck Jones Productions, and was developing his own animated project for Warner Bros. when he was asked to direct Quest for Camelot. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

The Rescuers

The Rescuers

Starring: Bill McMillan, Pat Buttram, Larry Clemmons, Dub Taylor, John Fiedler, Joe Flynn, Bernard Fox, Eva Gabor, Jim Jordan, George Lindsey, James MacDonald, John McIntire, Bob Newhart, Jeanette Nolan, Geraldine Page, Michelle Stacy
Director: Don Bluth

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:20

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Editorial Reviews - Rescuers

All Movie Guide
Two fantasy novels by Margery Sharp were combined for in the Disney animated feature The Rescuers. The title characters are a pair of mice, Bernard and Miss Bianca. A little girl named Penny has been kidnapped by Miss Medusa. When the human law enforcement officials fail to locate the child, Bernard and Miss Bianca take over with the help of several colorful animal companions. In classic Disney tradition, the comedy element is offset by moments of genuine terror. Voices are provided by Bob Newhart (Bernard), Eva Gabor (Miss Bianca), Geraldine Page (Madame Medusa), Jim "Fibber McGee" Jordan, John McIntire, George "Goober" Lindsay, Joe Flynn (who died in 1974, not long into the four-year production), and a host of others. It scored at the box office, more than compensating for the $8 million investment and the half-decade of work it took to complete the film. In fact, The Rescuers remains one of the most popular of the Disney cartoon films produced after the death of Uncle Walt. A heavily-computerized sequel, The Rescuers Down Under, appeared in 1990. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

The Rescuers

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:20

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The Rescuers Down Under

The Rescuers Down Under

Starring: Bob Newhart, Eva Gabor, John Candy, Tristan Rogers, Adam Ryen
Director: Hendel Butoy

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:17

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
No, this isn't a quickie, direct-to-video sequel, cashing in on the success of the 1977 animated hit about adventurous mice, but a full-blown theatrical effort. This time around, Bernard (voiced by Bob Newhart) is trying to pop the question to Bianca (Eva Gabor) when they're summoned to Australia, where a young boy has been kidnapped by a pallid, gray-faced poacher (who looks like and is voiced by George C. Scott). Wilbur, a chatterbox of an albatross (John Candy, replacing the late Jim Jordan's character Orville), and Jake (Tristan Rogers), a kangaroo mouse--Bernard is jealous of the dashing rodent--assist the Rescuers in saving the day and imparting a mild environmental message. The film opens with an absolutely breathtaking aerial sequence--this was made near the beginning of Disney's animation renaissance--so impressive it would seem the story, literally, has nowhere else to go but down, but some smart gags, excellent animation, and rollicking adventures ensue. So why isn't it better known? It had the bad luck to open, in 1990, opposite another kids' film--Home Alone. --David Kronke

Product Description
The Rescuers Down Under (A Walt Disney Classic) [VHS] (1990) Bob Newhart (Actor), Eva Gabor (Actor), Hendel Butoy (Director), Mike Gabriel

Richie Rich

Richie Rich

Starring: Macaulay Culkin, John Larroquette, Edward Herrmann, Jonathan Hyde, Christine Ebersole, Stephi Lineburg, Mike Bacarella, Wanda Christine, James Deuter, David Fawcett, Eddie Fernandez, Marilyn Dodds Frank, Reggie Jackson, Kent Logsdon, Dawn Maxey, Michael McShane, Mariangela Pino, Joel Robinson, Chelcie Ross, Sam Sanders, Claudia Schiffer, Eddie Bo Smith Jr., Ben Stein, Rachel Stephens, Sean A. Tate, Justin Zaremby
Director: Donald Petrie

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Action - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:40

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Editorial Reviews - Richie Rich

All Movie Guide
A purposely outlandish cartoon created in 1953, Harvey Comics hero Richie Rich finally came to the big screen in 1994, when a boy billionaire was not quite as fanciful an idea. Richie Rich (Macaulay Culkin) is the wealthiest boy in the world, but even though he loves his doting parents, Richard (Edward Herrmann) and Regina (Christine Ebersole), he's not happy. Richie wants to play baseball with some neighborhood kids, but his parents instead hire Reggie Jackson to coach him. He wants to go out and play, but instead he gets aerobics training from Claudia Schiffer. When his parents disappear in the Bermuda Triangle, Richie suspects that Laurence Van Dogh (John Larroquette), an employee of Rich Industries, of plotting to take over the company by killing his mom and dad. With trusty butler Cadbury (Jonathan Hyde), eccentric inventor Prof. Keenbean (Michael McShane) and some new friends his own age, Richie puts a plan together to foil Van Dogh's wicked scheme and rescue his parents. Having grown to the point where he was no longer believable in the little kid parts that once made him America's top child star, Culkin took an extended break from acting after the filming of Richie Rich. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

The Road to El Dorado

The Road to El Dorado

Starring: Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Rosie Perez, Armand Assante, Edward James Olmos, Jim Cummings, Frank Welker, Tobin Bell, Duncan Majoribanks, Elijah Chiang, Cyrus Shaki-Khan, Elton John, Gavin Greenaway, Rupert Gregson Williams
Director: Bibo Bergeron

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:29

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Editorial Reviews - Road to El Dorado

Barnes & Noble
The Road to El Dorado is beset with bumps and curves. On the one hand, the animation is outstanding. Another plus: Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh are in their hammy element as the voices of con men Tulio and Miguel, a kind of 16th-century Hope and Crosby. On the other hand, the songs by Elton John and Tim Rice are not their finest, and the plot -- not unlike the old Hope and Crosby films -- won't win any awards. The bantering duo take advantage of a golden opportunity to become rich when they discover the mythical city of El Dorado and are mistaken for gods. Parents wondering how an animated movie earns a PG rating should take note of the intense encounters with supernatural beasts, skinny-dipping, human sacrifice, and the provocative figure of seductive villager Chel (Rosie Perez). Mind you, she's got nothing on Dorothy Lamour. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Dreamworks SKG's second feature-length animated film blends comedy and drama in an unusual historical adventure. Two genial swindlers working as stable hands stow away with Cortez, the legendary Spanish conquistador, as he searches for El Dorado, the lost City of Gold. Luck smiles on the two con men, and they happen to find a settlement in Mexico that they believe is El Dorado; however, while the two exotic strangers are at first embraced by the Mayan people, they've also arrived just in time to be offered up as the next human sacrifice. The Road to El Dorado was directed by Don Paul, who helmed the first DreamWorks animated feature, The Prince of Egypt; Will Finn, a featured animator on Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin; Bibo Bergeron, who worked on Ferngully: The Last Rainforest; and David Silverman. It features new songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, and the voice cast includes Kevin Kline, Kenneth Branagh, Rosie Perez, Edward James Olmos, and Armand Assante. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Robin Hood

Robin Hood

Starring: Brian Bedford, Andy Devine, Peter Ustinov, Roger Miller, George Lindsey, Phil Harris, Terry-Thomas, Pat Buttram, Candy Candido, Ken Curtis, Monica Evans, John Fiedler, Dana Laurita, Barbara Luddy, Carole Shelley
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:23

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Editorial Reviews - Robin Hood

Barnes & Noble
You've seen the Errol Flynn, Kevin Costner, and, perhaps -- courtesy of Mel Brooks -- the Cary Elwes versions of the Robin Hood legend. Now Disney's virtuoso animators present "the story of what really happened in Sherwood Forest." Released in 1973, Robin Hood was the second animated feature produced following Walt Disney's death, and while it doesn't blaze new paths, it does hit the bull's-eye with its anthropomorphic take on this familiar story, recast with a menagerie of distinctively voiced classic characters. Brian Bedford is the wily fox Robin Hood, the outlaw who "borrows from those who can afford it" to give to the poor, and pines for Maid Marian (Monica Evans), a real vixen. Peter Ustinov is a thumb-sucking lion/Prince John, with Terry Thomas as "silly serpent" Sir Hiss. Phil Harris gives it the old Baloo as Robin's bear sidekick, Little John. Western hands Andy Devine and Pat Buttram add some unaccountable twang and drawl to, respectively, badger Friar Tuck and the Sheriff of Nottingham, a wolf. George "Goober" Lindsey and Ken "Festus" Curtis provide further comic relief as vultures Trigger and Nutsy. There are cutesy children's voices for the adolescent animals that worship Robin and befriend Marian. The "King of the Road," Roger Miller, is rooster balladeer Alan-a-Dale. Of the handful of songs, only "Oo-de-lally" is noteworthy. In addition to direction by The Jungle Book's Wolfgang Reitherman, the credits include some of the studio's venerable Nine Old Men (Frank Johnston and Frank Thomas) and some promising young talent (Don Bluth). This Most Wanted Edition includes a deleted alternate ending and the Mickey/Minnie Mouse cartoon "Ye Olden Days." While not quite one of Disney's classics, Robin Hood is an entertaining, briskly paced romp that should delight younger kids. But like the evil Sheriff, older members of Generation Shrek and adults may find it too taxing. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Robin Hood is one of the first animated films produced by the Walt Disney Company after Walt Disney's death in 1967. For the film, the studio's animators took the Disney tradition of adding human-like animal sidekicks to established tales (Cinderella, Pinnochio) a step further by making Robin Hood's legendary characters creatures themselves. Robin Hood (Brian Bedford) is a wily fox; Maid Marian (Monica Evans) is a beautiful vixen; Little John (Phil Harris) is a burly bear; Friar Tuck (Andy Devine) is a soft-spoken badger; the Sheriff of Nottingham (Pat Buttram) is a greedy wolf; and the scheming Prince John (Peter Ustinov) is a sniveling, groveling, thumb-sucking undersized lion with a serpent sidekick named Sir Hiss (Terry Thomas). The film begins after Prince John and Sir Hiss have tricked the true King into leaving the country on a phony crusade. With the help of the Sheriff of Nottingham, they tax the life out of Nottingham's peasants, leaving them all penniless but with the courageous Robin Hood as their only hope. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi

Robin Hood

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:23

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Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

Starring: Whitney Houston, Brandy, Jason Alexander, Whoopi Goldberg, Bernadette Peters, Veanne Cox, Natalie Desselle, Victor Garber, Paolo Montalban
Director: Robert Iscove

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 2:00

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Editorial Reviews - Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella

All Movie Guide
Seen on ABC's Wonderful World of Disney, this $12-million production is the only musical Rodgers and Hammerstein wrote for television. The CBS-TV original, with 21-year-old Julie Andrews in the title role and Edie Adams as the Fairy Godmother, played on live television March 31, 1957 to TV's largest audience ever to that date (107-million viewers). That historic production, captured on kinescope, can still be seen today on library monitors at the Museum of Television & Radio in New York and Los Angeles. Hammerstein died in 1960 and did not get to see 18-year-old Lesley Ann Warren as Cinderella in the February 22, 1965 restaged production, repeated annually on CBS until 1977 and later made available on videotape from CBS/Fox Video and Facets Multimedia. Added to the 1965 show was "Loneliness of Evening," a song actually written for South Pacific but cut before the Broadway opening.

Running a half-hour longer, this third interpretation premiered November 2, 1997. Filmed over a 28-day period, it stars Brandy Norwood as Cinderella and Whitney Houston as the Fairy Godmother, with Bernadette Peters as the Stepmother, Whoopi Goldberg as the Queen (wearing $60 million worth of borrowed Harry Winston jewelry), Paolo Montalban as the Prince, and Jason Alexander as the Prince's steward, Lionel. Scripter Robert L. Freedman provided a rewrite of the original Oscar Hammerstein book, and three other Richard Rodgers songs were added to the existing score: "There's Music in You" (from the 1953 movie musical Main Street to Broadway), "The Sweetest Sounds" (a Brandy/Montalban duet), and "Falling in Love with Love." Originally set in motion as a follow-up to the highly successful TV Gypsy (1993) with Bette Midler, this 1997 multicultural version (sometimes referred to as the "rainbow Cinderella") was years in the making, since it was initiated in 1994 when Houston joined executive producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron (the team responsible for the TV Gypsy). ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys

Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys

Starring: Rick Moranis, Jamie Lee Curtis, Richard Dreyfuss, Kathleen Barr, Scott McNeil, Garry Chalk
Director: Bill Kowalchuk

Certification: NR
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:14

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Editorial Reviews - Rudolph and the Island of Misfit Toys

All Movie Guide
This Christmas musical, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer & the Island of Misfit Toys, relates the adventures of everyone's favorite reindeer and his beloved owner, Santa, when they come across an island populated by broken toys. Hollywood heavy-hitters Jamie Lee Curtis, Rick Moranis, and Oscar-winner Richard Dreyfuss head up the list of performers who contribute their voices to this animated, family friendly film. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book

Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book

Starring: Jason Scott Lee, Cary Elwes, Lena Headey, Sam Neill, John Cleese, Jason Flemyng, Stefan Kalipha, Ron Donachie, Gerry Crampton, Natalie Morse, Rachel Robertson, Liza Walker
Director: Greg Michael

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Adventure Drama
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:50

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Editorial Reviews - Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book

All Movie Guide
Twenty-seven years after turning one of Rudyard Kipling's best known works into a successful animated musical, Disney returned to the same source material for this live-action adventure, which hews slightly closer to the original source material. Mowgli (Sean Naeleli) is the five-year-old son of a wilderness guide who accompanies his father on a hunting expedition in the jungles of their native India. Mowgli becomes close friends with a British girl named Kitty (Joanna Wolff), whose parents commissioned the hunt, but when a tiger attacks their camp and kills Mowgli's father, the boy is lost in the confusion, and he's left to fend for himself. Mowgli is befriended by the animals of the jungle -- Baloo the bear, Bagheera the panther, and Grey Brother the wolf -- and they develop an unspoken sense of communication as the growing boy learns to live in the wilds. Years later, after growing to adulthood, Mowgli (now played by Jason Scott Lee) once again encounters Kitty (now played by Lena Headey), who is visiting India with her father, Col. Brydon (Sam Neill), a British officer stationed nearby, and her stuffy fiancée Capt. William Boone (Cary Elwes). Kitty and Mowgli recognize each other, and while his powers of speech are rusty, with the help of Dr. Plumford (John Cleese), Kitty and her father are able to return Mowgli to civilization. However, after spending most of his life in the jungle, Mowgli does not feel at home among other people, and while he deeply loves Kitty, he concedes to his rival for her affections. However, Boone and several of his men kidnap Mowgli when they learn that he has discovered a vast treasure in the jungle, and they try to force him to reveal its secrets while fending off the dangers of the jungle which Mowgli understands, but Boone and his men do not. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Rugrats in Paris: The Movie

Rugrats in Paris: The Movie

Starring: Elizabeth Daily, Christine Cavanaugh, Michael Patrick Bell, Susan Sarandon, Cheryl Chase, Julia Kato, Jack Riley, Melanie Chartoff, Tara Charendoff, Kath Soucie, John Lithgow, Lisa McClowry, Debbie Reynolds, Mako, Casey Kasem, Tim Curry, Philip Proctor, Dan Castellaneta, Tress MacNeille, Kevin Richardson, Billy West, Joe Alaskey
Director: Stig Bergguist

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:18

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Editorial Reviews - Rugrats in Paris: The Movie

Barnes & Noble
C'est magnifique! This sequel to The Rugrats Movie falls into that nearly empty column of follow-ups that surpass the originals. It's wildly funny and touchingly poignant, with enough of the requisite poo, pee, barf, and booger gags to tickle the kids and sufficiently sly pop culture in-jokes to amuse their parents. At the heart of Paris is timid toddler Chuckie Finster's yearning for a new mommy. He and his widowed dad accompany the Pickles family to Euroraptorland, run by the ambitious, kid-hating Coco Le Bouche (voiced by Susan Sarandon), who schemes to marry the milquetoasty Mr. Finster to advance her career. The Rugrats and a giant mechanical Raptar rise to the occasion -- springing to Mr. Finster's aid. The signature Rugrats bathroom humor (a bidet is described by one baby as "a potty that squirts back") doesn't go for the gross-out but instead revels in each toddler's growing sense of physical self-awareness. Angelica, the babies' nemesis, demands to know, "What is it with you babies and poop?" "Anjelica," one rapturously replies, "where do we start?" Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
The biggest babies in the entertainment business take their act to Europe in this sequel to the surprise-hit animated feature The Rugrats Movie. Chuckie (voice of Christine Cavanaugh) has been fretting over his father Chas (voice of Michael Bell) and his status as a single father, as he wants to have a mommy like all of his friends. Chas and his father Stu (voice of Jack Riley) were hired to create a bevy of electronic critters for the newly opened Euro-Reptarland theme park, but the robots are acting up, and park manager Coco La Bouche (Susan Sarandon) is hopping mad. So Stu and Chas are flown to Paris to do some repairs, with Chas bringing Chuckie and all his friends along. Their visit to the City of Lights proves to be one adventure after another, as Chuckie tries to find a suitable mother (with Coco leading the pack) and Tommy (voice of Elizabeth Dailey) somehow gets behind the wheel of the giant Reptar robot. Rugrats in Paris: The Movie features original songs from T-Boz from TLC, The Baha Men, and Mylene Farmer, while John Lithgow, Debbie Reynolds, and Mako contribute to the voice cast. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Rugrats Movie

The Rugrats Movie

Starring: Elizabeth Daily, Christine Cavanaugh, Kath Soucie, Cheryl Chase, Tara Charendoff, Melanie Chartoff, Jack Riley, Joe Alaskey, Philip Proctor, Cree Summer, Michael Patrick Bell, Tress MacNeille, Busta Rhymes, Whoopi Goldberg, David Spade
Director: Igor Kovalyov

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:19

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Editorial Reviews - Rugrats Movie

All Movie Guide
Based on the popular Nickelodeon TV series Rugrats, this is the first full-length feature animated movie to star the little tots. It's the story of diaper-clad kids, told from a baby's point- of-view, and they were one of the hottest-selling toy franchises of the late '90s. The film features a hilarious musical number in the hospital nursery, where newborns have the voices of major rock stars that include Jakob Dylan (Bob Dylan's son), Iggy Pop, Lou Rawls, Lisa Loeb, and Patti Smith, to name a few. The story escalates when self-proclaimed leader Tommy Pickles is thrust into an impossible situation with the birth of his new brother, Dil Pickles. This new kid is grabbing all the attention and won't stop crying. With the help of other toddlers Lil and Phil, Tommy decides that the baby should be returned to the hospital for fixing. They all hop on their little wagon and take a high-speed ride straight into the deep woods where they realize they're lost. Chased around by animals (or so they think), the Rugrats clan must get home in one piece. Other celebrity voices include Whoopi Goldberg and The Rocky Horror Picture Show's Tim Curry, as well as Saturday Night Live's Andrea Martin and David Spade. ~ Chris Gore, Rovi

The Sandlot

The Sandlot

Starring: Tom Guiry, Mike Vitar, Patrick Renna, Chauncey Leopardi, Karen Allen, Marty York, Daniel Zacapa, Brandon Adams, James Earl Jones, Grant Gelt, Shane Obedzinski, Denis Leary, Art La Fleur, Bob Apisa, Keith Campbell, Chuck Fick, Cleve Hall, Wil Horneff, Arliss Howard, Victor di Mattia, Herb Muller, Garret Pearson, Shari Rhodes, Robbie T. Robinson, Marley Shelton, Dennis Williams, Maury Wills
Director: David Mickey Evans

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:41

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Editorial Reviews - Sandlot

All Movie Guide
The Sandlot is sparsely narrated by the main character (now an adult) who occasionally drops in on the action to comment on events or help move the story along. Tom Guiry plays Scotty Smalls, the shy new kid on the block who wants to join the rowdy pickup baseball team that plays every day in the neighborhood sandlot. But he doesn't know how to catch a baseball, and his stepfather (Dennis Leary) is too busy to teach him. He tries out for the sandlot gang anyway, and though he isn't very good, it turns out he's lucky: there happen to be only eight of them, and nine makes a team. The summer passes blissfully as Scotty learns to play ball under the wing of Benny Rodriguez (Mike Vitar), the oldest and best player, as well as Ham, Squints, Repeat, and the rest of the kid-eccentrics. The skies darken, however, when Benny literally knocks the stuffing out of the team's only baseball, a sign of impending doom, or worse, bad luck. Wanting to set things right, Scotty returns home and "borrows" his stepfather's ball, which he promptly uses to hit his first home run, knocking the ball clear out of the sandlot into mean old Mr. Mertle (James Earl Jones)'s junkyard, home to Mertle's legendary guard dog The Beast. Scotty admits that he took the ball without asking, and he naively explains that his stepfather will want it back since it had a woman's name written on it: some lady named Babe Ruth. Horror-stricken, the sandlot gang mobilizes to fetch the autographed ball from the clutches of The Beast, building a series of mechanical ball-retrieval machines which get progressively more complicated and preposterous as The Beast's size grows in their imaginations. ~ Anthony Reed, Rovi

Scooby Doo: Greatest Mysteries

Scooby Doo: Greatest Mysteries

Starring:
Director:

Certification: NR
Category: Series
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:49

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Editorial Reviews - Scooby Doo: Greatest Mysteries

Barnes & Noble
Scooby-Doo collectors can be forgiven a sense of déjà vu. Three of the four vintage Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? episodes included here were previously released on home video. But they are certified fan favorites (chosen in an online poll) and it's groovy to have them on one disc. "A Clue for Scooby-Doo" boasts one of the original series' creepiest villains, the seaweed-draped "ghost" of Captain Cutler. "Hassle in the Castle" finds the Mystery, Inc. gang on the aptly named Haunted Isle. In "Jeepers, It's the Creeper," they unmask the rat pulling the strings on a phantom bank robber. The new-to-video episode, "A Backstage Rage," is a tale of counterfeiting that features a spook resembling the Phantom of the Opera. Watch 'em if you've got 'em. For new collectors, this disc is a great start on an essential Doo collection. Donald Liebenson

Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders

Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders

Starring: Scott Innes, Mary Kay Bergman, Jennifer Hale, Mark Hamill
Director: Jim Stenstrum

Certification: NR
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:20

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Editorial Reviews - Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders

Barnes & Noble
Jinkies! The Mystery Machine is back on the road as America's favorite meddling kids and their ever-hungry canine solve their first caper of the millennium. After the sight of bright lights causes the van to crash in the desert, the gang discovers something other-worldly about a nearby small town: Aliens. As Fred, Daphne, and Velma stumble upon clues leading to possible human culprits, Shaggy and Scooby find true love when they meet Crystal, a hippie photographer, and her dog Amber. Scooby-diehards may first raise eyebrows at the film's modern touches -- voice work by Mark Hamill and theme song featuring Jennifer Love Hewitt -- but Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders will please all viewers by adding new dimensions to the five already famous characters. Fans will also be pleased that this is the first Scoob release available on DVD. And despite such advances in technology, the movie still stirs nostalgia for the dog days of cartoons and the classic mantra, "Scooby-Doo, where are you?" Jason Bergenfeld

All Movie Guide
The perennially-popular canine sleuth (with a weakness for snack treats) has an out-of-this world adventure in this direct-to-video animated feature. Scooby, Shaggy, and their friends are traveling through the desert when their van breaks down. Stuck with nowhere to go, they head for the nearest town, which they discover is crawling with UFO enthusiasts. The gang quickly learns that the UFO buffs have picked this meeting place for a very good reason -- some actual extraterrestrials have landed in a flying saucer, and it doesn't take long for Scooby to notice that they aren't very friendly. Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders features the voice talents of Mark Hamill, Jennifer Hale, Scott Innes, Kevin Michael Richardson, B.J. Ward, and Frank Welker; actress and musician Jennifer Love Hewitt performs the theme song. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School

Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School

Starring: Casey Kasem
Director: George Gordon

Certification: NR
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:30

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Editorial Reviews - Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School

Barnes & Noble
Fred, Daphne, and Velma sat out this 1988 made-for-TV Scooby spinoff in which Shaggy, cowardly canine Scooby-Doo, and Scrappy are hired as gym teachers at Miss Wormwood's girl's school. The class roster includes the daughters of the screen's most famous monsters (Elsa Frankenstein, Winnie the Werewolf, and Sibella Dracula). As the girls prepare for a volleyball game against the nearby boy's military academy, Revolta the witch and her hench-monster, the Grim Creeper, have other plans. They plot to hypnotize the girls to join Revolta's evil army and take over Monsterland. This film scores points for girl power as the Wormword team gives the taunting boys their comeuppance. Detractors will note the assembly-line animation, one-dimensional characters, and lame humor, but there's something about Scooby that has made him Toon Town's top dog for more than 30 years. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This 2-hour TV cartoon special was originally syndicated as Scooby and the Ghoul School. That's right, kids: our hero is Hanna-Barbera's favorite timorous Great Dane, the one and only Scooby Doo. This time, Scooby, his somewhat more courageous nephew Scrappy Doo and hygenically challenged human cohort Shaggy take jobs as gym teachers at a highly suspicous girl's finishing school. Locked in the building in the dark of night, the dauntless trio finds themselves in classroom chock full of monsters and ghosts. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Scooby-Doo's Creepiest Capers

Scooby-Doo's Creepiest Capers

Starring:
Director:

Certification: NR
Category: Animation
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:30

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Editorial Reviews - Scooby-Doo's Creepiest Capers

Barnes & Noble
"Scooby-Doo? Where are you?" He's right here in a collection of four vintage mysteries alongside his meddling friends. In "Go Away Ghost Ship," TV's top dog detective and his human posse board a vaporous vessel only to find themselves at the mercy of a ghost pirate. It seems Scooby might receive a million-dollar inheritance in "A Night of Fright Is No Delight," but the gang has to stay in the deceased's haunted house to claim it. Then it's back to the seas in "Hassle in the Castle," when engine trouble with the Mystery Machine lands the gang on Haunted Isle. Finally, the van conks out again, landing them in "The Haunted House Hang-up." Sure, Scooby and Shaggy are 'fraidy-cats. But their friends Fred, Daphne, and Velma help them to be the most successful detectives since Holmes and Watson. Nostalgic Scooby fans and newer viewers alike will find this collection as satisfying as a high-rise sandwich and a box of Scooby Snacks. Tony Nigro

The Secret Garden

The Secret Garden

Starring: Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott, Maggie Smith, Laura Crossley, John Lynch, Walter Sparrow, Irène Jacob, Frank Baker, Colin Bruce, Karen Lindsay-Stewart, Arthur Spreckley, David Stoll
Director: Agnieszka Holland

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:41

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Editorial Reviews - Secret Garden

All Movie Guide
The 1993 remake of The Secret Garden is a rendition of the classic Frances Hodgon Burnett novel about a young girl (Kate Maberly) who discovers an abandoned garden on her uncle's large Victorian country estate, as well as an invalid cousin she didn't realize she had. With the help of a local boy, the girl sets out to restore the garden and, once it is blooming again, she discovers it has magical powers. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

Shiloh 2: Shiloh Season

Shiloh 2: Shiloh Season

Starring: Michael Moriarty, Scott Wilson, Zachary Browne, Ann Dowd, Caitlin Wachs, Joe Pichler, Rachel David, Marissa Leigh, Bonnie Bartlett, Rod Steiger
Director: Sandy Tung

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:36

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Editorial Reviews - Shiloh 2: Shiloh Season

All Movie Guide
The adventures of a boy and his beagle continue in this sequel to 1997's Shiloh. Marty Preston (Zachary Browne, replacing Blake Heron, who played the role in the first film) is a well-meaning 12-year-old who adopts Shiloh, a beagle who was treated cruelly by his first master, a bitter alcoholic named Judd (Scott Wilson). However, when Judd is hurt in an auto accident, Marty realizes Judd may have lost one of the only friends he had, even if he did mistreat Shiloh. With help from his parents (Michael Moriarty and Ann Dowd), Marty tries to help Judd get back on his feet both physically and emotionally. Rod Steiger also joins the cast returning from the first film as the crusty but lovable Doc Wallace. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Shrek

Shrek

Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John Lithgow, Vincent Cassel, Peter Dennis
Director: Andrew Adamson

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Fantasy Comedy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:29

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Editorial Reviews - Shrek

Barnes & Noble
"What kind of a knight are you?" the imprisoned princess asks of her unconventional rescuer. "One of a kind," the ogre replies. And so is Shrek, the compound-fractured fairy tale that ranks as 2001's box office champ, as well as the most successful non-Disney animated film ever. With its state-of-the-art computer animation, A-list voice cast, hit-heavy soundtrack, and subversively funny story (based on William Steig's book), it will live happily ever after on VHS and special-edition DVD. Mike Myers is the voice of Shrek, a repulsive but good-hearted green ogre. His solitude is shattered by an influx of fairy tale characters banished by the diminutive Lord Farquaad from his kingdom. To rid his swamp of these intruders, Shrek offers to rescue Farquaad's (John Lithgow) bride-to-be, Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) from a tower guarded by a fire-breathing dragon. Accompanying him on his quest is Donkey -- who speaks with Eddie Murphy's voice and galvanizes the film in much the same way that Robin Williams elevated Aladdin. Meanwhile, Fiona awaits her rescuer, and naturally enough, Shrek is not what she anticipated. Brimming with delights both visual and verbal (with many wickedly funny jokes at the expense of Walt Disney's legacy), Shrek invites repeated viewings. Not since The Princess Bride has there been a magical, family-friendly, true-love story told with such humor and heart. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
In this fully computer-animated fantasy from the creators of Antz, we follow the travails of Shrek (Mike Myers), a green ogre who enjoys a life of solitude. Living in a far away swamp, he is suddenly invaded by a hoard of fairy tale characters, such as the Big Bad Wolf, the Three Little Pigs, and Three Blind Mice, all refugees of their homes who have been shunned by the evil Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow). They want to save their homes from ruin, and enlist the help of Shrek, who is in the same situation. Shrek decides to offer Lord Farquaad a deal; he will rescue the beautiful Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz), who is intended to be Farquaad's bride. Accompanying Shrek on his adventure is the faithful but loquacious Donkey (Eddie Murphy), who has a penchant for crooning pop songs. The two must face various obstacles in order to locate the Princess, but they find their world challenged when she reveals a dark secret that will affect the group. Shrek is based on the children's book by William Steig, and features additional voice-work by Vincent Cassel, Cody Cameron, and Kathleen Freeman. Jason Clark

New York Times
The movie itself is a giggly cocktail, though it's more foam than drink, a return to the frothy riffing on pop culture that started back on Bugs Bunny's watch in the Vitaphone days. Elvis Mitchell

Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

Starring: Brad Pitt, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Michelle Pfeiffer, Joseph Fiennes, Dennis Haysbert, Timothy West, Adriano Giannini, Andrew Birch, Chung Chan, Jim Cummings, Raman Hui, Chris Miller, Conrad Vernon
Director: Patrick Gilmore

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:26

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Editorial Reviews - Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas

Barnes & Noble
While Belle and the Beast's tale may go far back in time, Sinbad's is certainly older. It derives from the Arabian Nights, the source of many a memorable screen fantasy, notably the 1947 Douglas Fairbanks swashbuckler Thief of Baghdad and 1958's The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, featuring Ray Harryhausen's magical special effects. Brimming with awesome action, fantastic creatures, and a rogue's gallery of colorful characters, this rollicking adventure reanimates the Sinbad legend. Brad Pitt heads the voice cast as our mercenary, piratical antihero, who reluctantly embarks on a perilous voyage to retrieve the priceless Book of Peace from Eris (a purring Michelle Pfeiffer), the goddess of discord. Oscar winner Catherine Zeta-Jones gives feisty and forceful voice to Marina, who stows away onboard to make sure the incorrigible Sinbad completes his mission and does not hightail it to Fiji. Joseph Fiennes (Shakespeare in Love) is the voice of Proteus, Sinbad's childhood friend and Marina's fiancé, who selflessly takes Sinbad's place in prison, allowing the pirate to go after the Book. Pitt hasn't been this rakishly charming onscreen since Thelma and Louise, and the role seems to put the wind in his sails. The witty, albeit anachronistic, dialogue goes overboard at times ("Who's bad? Sin-bad"), but most of the time, the animators are wowing us with one spectacular sequence after another, from nasty behemoths to liquid Sirens, the latter luring Sinbad's men to certain death. Don't miss the boat on one of the buried treasures of the Summer 2003 movie season. Donald Liebenson

Sleeping Beauty

Sleeping Beauty

Starring: Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton, Barbara Luddy, Bill Thompson, Taylor Holmes, Barbara Jo Allen, Candy Candido, Pinto Colvig, Dal McKennon, Marvin Miller
Director: Les Clark

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:15

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Editorial Reviews - Sleeping Beauty

Barnes & Noble
Movies like this come along "once upon a dream." Released in 1959, the wildly ambitious and stylistically bold Sleeping Beauty -- at the time the most expensive animated feature ever -- mimicked Walt Disney's similarly grand Fantasia at the box office. That is, it failed. Nevertheless, both films are now considered among Disney's masterworks. This is old-school Disney, with enchanting princess Aurora; spell-breaking Prince Philip; evil villainess Malificent; scene-stealing good fairies Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather; and cute forest creatures to befriend our heroine. Sleeping Beauty makes a royal debut on DVD in a wide-screen presentation that does full justice to the majestic panoramas. The Tchaikovsky-inspired score contains the Disney standard "Once Upon a Dream," as well as the rollicking drinking song "Skumps." The climactic fight between Prince Philip and Maleficent, who transforms herself into a terrible dragon, is the stuff nightmares are made of, and it remains spectacular. It would be another 30 years until the Disney studios reentered the fairy tale realm with The Little Mermaid. Donald Liebenson

From the Studio
In the original story, Princess Aurora sleeps for 100 years before being awakened by a prince's kiss. In the Disney version, Prince Philip comes to her rescue much sooner. George Brun's orchestral score, which was nominated for an Academy Award®, expertly blended famous themes from Tchaikovsky's ballet. With a budget that exceeded $6 million in 1959, this was Walt Disney's most lavish and expensive animated feature to date. Determined to make the characters as realistic as possible, Disney had a live action film shot with actors posing as Sleeping Beauty, the Prince, and Maleficent, for the animators to use. New York Times critic Bosley Crowther called the fight between Prince Philip and Maleficent "the noisiest and scariest go-round he [Disney] has ever put into one of his films."

All Movie Guide
Disney produced this lavish animated fairy tale, the most expensive cartoon ever made up to its release with a budget of $6 million. When the young princess Aurora is cursed at birth by the evil fairy Maleficent, the baby is kidnapped by a trio of good fairies who raise the girl themselves, hoping to avoid the spell's fulfillment. Nevertheless, at the age of 16, the beautiful Aurora falls into a deep sleep that can only be awakened by a kiss from her betrothed, Prince Phillip. Knowing that Phillip intends to save Aurora, Maleficent takes him prisoner. When the good fairies launch a rescue attempt, Maleficent transforms herself into a spectacular fire-breathing dragon, forcing Phillip to defeat her in mortal combat. Sleeping Beauty (1959) was Oscar nominated for its musical score, which featured adaptations of Tchaikovsky compositions. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Small Soldiers

Small Soldiers

Starring: Kirsten Dunst, Gregory Smith, Jay Mohr, Phil Hartman, Kevin Dunn, Denis Leary, David Cross, Ann Magnuson, Wendy Schaal, Alexandra Wilson, Richard Miller, Robert Picardo, Tommy Lee Jones, Frank Langella, Ernest Borgnine, Jim Brown, Bruce Dern, George Kennedy, Clint Walker, Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Christina Ricci
Director: Joe Dante

Certification: PG-13 (MPAA)
Category: Action Comedy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:39

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Editorial Reviews - Small Soldiers

All Movie Guide
Joe Dante directed this satirical action-comedy about talking tech toys accidentally juiced-up with military microchips. After the defense industry firm Globotech takes over a small toy company, Heartland Play Systems' CEO Gil Mars (Denis Leary) gives the green light to develop a new line of action figures, requesting an upgrade to more realistic figures from Heartland toy designers Larry Benson (Jay Mohr) and fumbling Irwin Wayfair (David Cross). Mars wants toys that act like the ones in TV commercials. The results are fierce fighting figures, the Commando Elite, programmed to seek out and destroy the kindly alien-like Gorgonites. In an effort to make the toys as natural as possible, Benson inserts Globotech's most powerful military computer chips. Meanwhile, in quiet Winslow Corners, Ohio, toy-store owner Stuart Abernathy (Kevin Dunn) and his 15-year-old son Alan (Gregory Smith) are stuck in a failing business, so when Heartland truckdriver Joe (Dick Miller) stops by with the Commando and Gorgonite toys, Alan is convinced they will be hot sellers, commenting, "Maybe this store will finally make a little money." With blistering blows to their blister packs, the Commandos burst out, receive orders from their leader Chip Hazard (voice of Tommy Lee Jones) and ready for an all-out assault on the Gorgonites. When the Gorgonite leader Archer (voice of Frank Langella) begins communicating with Alan, it causes the Commandos to perceive humans as another enemy, simply by their association with the "Gorgonite scum," so an attack on the Abernathy house begins. Unfortunately, the Gorgonites can offer only limited assistance, since they have been programmed to lose. The film combines animatronics, puppetry, and computer animation. The Commando Elite voices include surviving actors from Robert Aldrich's The Dirty Dozen (1967), while the Gorgonite voices reunited several This Is Spinal Tap (1983) cast members. A dedication to Phil Hartman (the voice of Phil Fimple) after the closing credits features a brief Hartman outtake. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

Snow Dogs

Snow Dogs

Starring: Cuba Gooding Jr., James Coburn, Sisqo, Nichelle Nichols, Joanna Bacalso, Graham Greene, Brian Doyle-Murray, M. Emmet Walsh, Jean-Michel Pare, Michael Bolton
Director: Brian Levant

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Comedy Adventure
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:39

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Editorial Reviews - Snow Dogs

All Movie Guide
Two Oscar-winning actors add a family-oriented comedy to their resumes with this Disney-produced arctic adventure. Snow Dogs stars Cuba Gooding Jr. as Ted Brooks, a Florida-dwelling dentist with a successful chain of offices and a comfy, poolside lifestyle. All this changes, however, when he finds out that he was actually adopted as a child, and that his birth mother has died and left him an inheritance in her home state of Alaska, of all places. After arriving in the snow-bound clime, Ted learns that he has been willed a pack of cutely named sled dogs: Demon, Diesel, Dutchess, Nana, Mack, Scooper, Sniff, and Yodel. Problem is, the town's premiere sled-dogger, Thunder Jack (James Coburn), wants the pack for himself, and encourages Ted to go back to his tropical environs. But with a major sled-dog race looming, Ted's inspired to learn the ropes, as it were, and prove himself worthy of his birth mother's inheritance -- any way he can. Snow Dogs was directed by Jingle All the Way's Brian Levant and features some animatronic dog effects by Jim Henson's Creature Shop; the script was very loosely adapted from popular author Gary Paulsen's nonfiction book Winterdance: The Fine Madness of Running the Iditarod. ~ Michael Hastings, Rovi

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Starring: Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell
Director: David D. Hand

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:24

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Release Note

One of the brightest nuggets from Disney''s golden age, this 1937 film is almost dizzying in its meticulous construction of an enchanted world, with scores of major and minor characters (including fauna and fowl), each with a distinct identity. When you watch Snow White''s intricate, graceful movements of fingers, arms, and head all in one shot, it is not the technical brilliance of Disney''s artists that leaps out at you, but the very spirit of her engaging, girl-woman character. When the wicked queen''s poisoned apple turns from killer green to rose red, the effect of knowing something so beautiful can be so terrible is absolutely elemental, so pure it forces one to surrender to the horror of it. Based on the Grimm fairy tale, Snow White is probably the best family film ever to deal, in mythic terms, with the psychological foundation for growing up. It''s a crowning achievement and should not be missed. --Tom Keogh

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Starring: Roy Atwell, Stuart Buchanan, Adriana Caselotti, Marge Champion, Eddie Collins, Pinto Colvig, Marion Darlington, Billy Gilbert, Otis Harlan, Lucille La Verne, Jim MacDonald, Scotty Mattraw, Moroni Olsen, Harry Stockwell
Director: Dorothy Ann Blank

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Animated Musical
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:23

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Editorial Reviews - Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

All Movie Guide
It was called "Disney's Folly." Who on earth would want to sit still for 90 minutes to watch an animated cartoon? And why pick a well-worn Grimm's Fairy Tale that every schoolkid knows? But Walt Disney seemed to thrive on projects which a lesser man might have written off as "stupid" or "impossible." Investing three years, $1,500,000, and the combined talents of 570 artists into Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Disney produced a film that was not only acknowledged a classic from the outset, but also earned 8,500,000 depression-era dollars in gross rentals. Bypassing early temptations to transform the heroine Snow White into a plump Betty Boop type or a woebegone ZaSu Pitts lookalike, the Disney staffers wisely made radical differentiations between the "straight" and "funny" characters in the story. Thus, Snow White and Prince Charming moved and were drawn realistically, while the Seven Dwarfs were rendered in the rounded, caricatured manner of Disney's short-subject characters. In this way, the serious elements of the story could be propelled forward in a believable enough manner to grab the adult viewers, while the dwarfs provided enough comic and musical hijinks to keep the kids happy. It is a tribute to the genius of the Disney formula that the dramatic and comic elements were strong enough to please both demographic groups. Like any showman, Disney knew the value of genuine horror in maintaining audience interest: accordingly, the Wicked Queen, whose jealousy of Snow White's beauty motivates the story, is a thoroughly fearsome creature even before she transforms herself into an ancient crone. Best of all, Snow White clicks in the three areas in which Disney had always proven superiority over his rivals: Solid story values (any sequence that threatened to slow down the plotline was ruthlessly jettisoned, no matter how much time and money had been spent), vivid etched characterizations (it would have been easier to have all the Dwarfs walk, talk and act alike: thank heaven that Disney never opted for "easy"), and instantly memorable songs (Frank Churchill, Leigh Harline, Paul J. Smith and the entire studio music department was Oscar-nominated for such standards-to-be as "Whistle While You Work" and "Some Day My Prince Will Come"). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

So Dear to My Heart

So Dear to My Heart

Starring: Bobby Driscoll, Beulah Bondi, Burl Ives, Luana Patten, Harry Carey, Raymond Bond, Daniel Haight, Matt Willis, Walter Soderling, John Beal, Ken Carson, The Rhythmaires, Bob Stanton, Mel Torme
Director: Harold D. Schuster

Certification: NR
Category: Animation & Live Action Mixed
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:22

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Editorial Reviews - So Dear to My Heart

All Movie Guide
Like Disney's earlier Song of the South, So Dear to My Heart peppers its live action with animated sequences. In this film, however, it is the "live" story that lingers longest in the memory. Set in 1903, the film takes place on the small Kincaid farm. Twin sheep are born in the barn: one white, one black. When the mother sheep rejects the black lamb, young Jeremiah Kincaid (Bobby Driscoll) adopts the animal, naming it Danny, after the great trotting horse Dan Patch. Danny grows up to be quite troublesome, and Jeremiah's grandmother (Beulah Bondi) wishes that the boy would get rid of his pet. Jeremiah's only ally is kindly blacksmith Uncle Hiram (Burl Ives), who encourages the boy to enter Danny in blue-ribbon competition at the county fair. Granny is against this notion, so Jeremiah sets about to pay his own way. On a stormy night, Danny runs away; Jeremiah is kept from searching for the lost sheep by Granny, who now believes that the boy wants to enter the state fair contest for selfish reasons rather than out of love for his pet. She further warns that the Lord may not let Danny survive the night. The next day, however, Danny returns. Remembering Granny's remonstrations, Jeremiah now states that he won't attend the county fair, having promised the Lord that he'd forget about the competition if Danny was spared. Moved by this unselfishness, Granny softens her own stance, claiming that she'd promised the Lord that Jeremiah could go to the fair if the lamb returned alive. The story reaches a warm-hearted climax at the fair; Danny doesn't win, but his ultimate prize is far more meaningful than any blue ribbon. The isolated animated sequences spring from Jeremiah's scrapbook, illustrating such homespun philosophies as "stick-to-it-tivity" and "it's whatcha do with whatcha got." So Dear to My Heart yielded a hit song, "Lavender Blue," which co-star Burl Ives retained in his repertoire until his dying day. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Sound of Music

Sound of Music

Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood
Director: Robert Wise

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 2:54

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Some people may sneer at this 1965 musical, but the truth is the film has earned its status as a perennially watchable romantic-drama, largely on the strength of a fun story and chemistry between stars Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Veteran filmmaker Robert Wise (The Day the Earth Stood Still) mostly stays out of the way of the film's appealing elements, which include a based-on-fact tale of Austria's von Trapp family, who fled their Nazi-occupied country in 1938. Andrews is delightful and even fascinating as Maria, who sheds her tomboyish ways as a novice nun to accept the mantle of adulthood, becoming matron of the motherless von Trapp clan. Plummer is matinee-idol handsome and gives a smart performance to boot, and the cast of young people and kids who make up the singing von Trapp children make a strong impression. Based on the Rodgers and Hammerstein stage musical, the score includes such winners as "Maria" and the future John Coltrane hit "My Favorite Things." --Tom Keogh

Product Description
Guaranteed to work or your money back - PLEASE NOTE ALL MONIES FROM THIS SALE GO TO A 501 (C)3 NO KILL ANIMAL SHELTER

Space Jam

Space Jam

Starring: Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, Wayne Knight, Patrick Ewing, Theresa Randle, Muggsy Bogues, Billy West, D. Bradley Baker, Bill Murray, Larry Bird, Danny DeVito, Bill Farmer, Kath Soucie, Danny Ainge, Bob Bergen, Shawn Bradley, Cedric Ceballos, Vlade Divac, June Foray, Del Harris, Cheryl James, Larry Johnson, Maurice LaMarche, Ahmad Rashad, Jim Rome, Paul Westphal
Director: Joe Pytka

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Adventure - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:27

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Editorial Reviews - Space Jam

Barnes & Noble
Fans eager to hear Michael Jordan's inside story of the making of his motion picture debut, the 1996 Loony Tune-fest Space Jam, will have to wait. But for animation aficionados who feel that the classic Warner Bros. characters are the movie's main lures, this new DVD edition will be welcome indeed. Voice actors Billy West II (Bugs Bunny, Elmer Fudd) and Dee Bradley Baker (Daffy Duck, Tasmanian Devil) provide commentary throughout the movie, sometimes as themselves, and occasionally in character. Director Joe Pytka pops in every so often to make an observation or drop the occasional name (costar Patrick Ewing is evidently much more fun than his press suggests, says Pytka), but it's really West and Baker's show. Among the pair's more fascinating Space Jam revelations is that the very real sounding barks and growls of Jordan's live-action pooch -- a nasty looking bulldog -- actually come from the talented voice of Frank Welker ("the best known dog voice in Hollywood"). The DVD's features also allow you to isolate the musical track, eliminating all the voices save those of the singers. It turns the entire affair into an extended music video that, given the soundtrack's chart-topping popularity several years back, will no doubt appeal to fans of Seal ("Fly Like an Eagle") and R. Kelly ("I Believe I Can Fly"). Greg Fagan

All Movie Guide
Warner Bros. attempted to revitalize its animation division with this family adventure that blended live action and animation in the style of Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), reportedly coming in with a price tag of $100 million. Basketball legend Michael Jordan stars as himself, a retired sports hero trying his hand at baseball and failing miserably. Meanwhile, the Looney Tunes gang, led by Bugs Bunny, are kidnapped by aliens called the Nerdlucks. It seems that the Nerdlucks' theme park, Moron Mountain (a barely-veiled dig at Disney) is failing to attract customers. The space invaders are convinced that the appearance of Bugs and his pals Porky Pig and Speedy Gonzalez will beef up business. Bugs makes his captors a deal -- they'll play a game of basketball for their freedom. When the Nerdlucks stack the deck by pilfering the talent of NBA superstars Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing, the Warner Bros. heroes enlist the aid of Jordan, who returns to the court to help the classic characters. While he prepares to play, Jordan is aided by fellow celebrity Bill Murray. Director Joe Pytka previously created many of the television commercials that featured Jordan as a paid endorser. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

SPACE JAM

SPACE JAM

Starring:
Director:

Certification: NR
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 0:00

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Although at first glance it looks like a movie dreamed up by a marketing committee (and in some respects it probably was), Space Jam actually defies the odds against it to become a dazzling display of family entertainment. There's a kind of demented genius to the idea of casting NBA superstar Michael Jordan in a live-action and animated movie costarring the beloved characters from Warner Bros.' Looney Tunes cartoons. They play off each other like seasoned veterans of vaudeville, and Jordan never falls into the kind of awkward, amateurish showmanship that you might expect from a sports idol. He's comfortable in the cartoon land of his costars, who include Bugs Bunny and sexy newcomer Lola Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd, Sylvester & Tweety, Speedy Gonzalez, the Tazmanian Devil, Foghorn Leghorn, and Yosemite Sam. They've all been hijacked to an outer-space amusement park run by the Nerdlucks, who strike a Faustian bargain with the Looney heroes: if Bugs and Co. can defeat the Nerdluck "Monstars" in a basketball game, they'll win back their freedom; if they lose, they'll be doomed to stay there forever as enslaved entertainers. So they kidnap Jordan as their coach and "secret weapon" while the nefarious Nerdlucks suck out the basketball skills from such stellar victims as Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing. It all leads to reckless abandon on the basketball court, and Bill Murray pops in for some hilarious support. Combining traditional animation and computer-generated Nerdlucks with its live-action cast, Space Jam was made in the anarchic spirit of the Looney Tunes cartoons, where anything goes as long as it's funny and off-the-wall (or the ceiling, or the door, or the floor...). Technically astounding, it's also witty enough to entertain adults and kids alike. --Jeff Shannon

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

Starring: Matt Damon, James Cromwell, Daniel Studi, Chopper Bernet, Robert Cait, Donald Fullilove, Michael Horse, Jeff LeBeau, Matt Levin, Zahn McClarnon, Richard McGonagle, Charles Napier, Adam Paul, John Rubano, Meredith Wells, Gavin Greenaway
Director: Kelly Asbury

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:22

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Editorial Reviews - Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron

Barnes & Noble
One of the best animated films of 2002, Spirit: Stallion of Cimarron is a stirring western saga told not from the perspective of a feisty mustang. Matt Damon is the voice of the hero who grows "from colt to stallion, racing with the eagle, soaring with the wind." Spirit's idyllic life as the leader of his herd is shattered when the U.S. Army captures him, and the defiant horse finds himself locked in a battle of wills with the fort's stern Colonel (voiced by James Cromwell, the kindly farmer from Babe). Spirit refuses to be broken, and will let no man ride him until he meets a kindred soul, a Lakota brave named Little Creek. Things are better for Spirit on Little Creek's reservation, but the stallion's unquenchable longing for his home and herd lead him and the mare he loves to even greater adventures. Some of the film's bravura set pieces -- an eagle's flight over a majestic landscape that rivals the opening of The Lion King, a spectacular train wreck, and a cliff-leaping escape - will set the hearts of animation buffs and horse lovers galloping. Bryan Adams supplies power ballads full of empowering messages that underscore the G-rated film's politically correct tone, but Spirit does contain scenes of emotional upheaval and mistreatment that may disturb young foals. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Screenwriter John Fusco returns to the Western themes of his previous films Young Guns and Thunderheart with this animated children's adventure from Dreamworks. Matt Damon supplies the voice of Spirit, a wild Mustang stallion living free in the Old West of the late 19th century, where he's captured by human horse traders and sold to a cavalry regiment at a frontier outpost. There, a cruel colonel (voice of James Cromwell) nearly succeeds in breaking the willful horse, but not quite. Spirit escapes in the company of another captive, Little Creek (voice of Daniel Studi), a Native American youth that tries to possess the magnificent animal by more humane means, but Spirit refuses to bend to human will even when he makes the acquaintance of Little Creek's beautiful and fiercely loyal mare, Rain. After he saves Little Creek's life in an Army raid, Spirit believes that the gravely injured Rain has perished after a tumble over a waterfall. Despondent, the horse is captured again by humans, enslaved this time for work in a pack team on the transcontinental railroad. Undaunted by the tragedies that befall him, Spirit manages to escape for a reunion with Little Creek, Rain, and his long-lost brethren. Featuring songs by rock singer Bryan Adams, Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron departs from other examples of its genre in that the horse protagonists do not speak or sing; only Spirit's voice is heard as voice-over narration. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Spy Kids

Spy Kids

Starring: Antonio Banderas, Carla Gugino, Alexa Vega, Daryl Sabara, Alan Cumming, Tony Shalhoub, Teri Hatcher, Cheech Marin, Robert Patrick, Danny Trejo, Tom Savini, Trant Batey, Louis Black, Andy W. Bossley, Norman Cabrera, Dick Clark, George Clooney, Jeff Dashnaw, Rachel Duhame, Steve Havens, Houston Hooker, Mike Judge, Angela Lanza, Richard Linklater, Emilio Navarro Mackissack, Guillermo Navarro, Ermahn Ospina, Charles Ramirez-Berg, Johnny Reno, Becca Rodriguez, Evan Sabba, Roberto Santibanez, Shannon Shea, Kara Slack, Julio Villarreal, Patricia Vonne
Director: Robert Rodriguez

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: James Bond Type Spy Film
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:28

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Editorial Reviews - Spy Kids

Barnes & Noble
It's highly unusual for a studio to re-release one of its spring hits late in the summer, which is what Columbia chose to do with Spy Kids; ostensibly, cynics will say, to make a few more bucks while alerting fans to its imminent arrival on home video. But in truth, this unusual marketing approach only serves to underscore this surprise hit's unique and likely enduring appeal. Indie maverick Robert Rodriguez, who wowed action fans with his studio debut (Desperado) and avoided the sophomore jinx in his dazzling horror flick From Dusk 'til Dawn, brings exhilarating stylistic bravado to this wonderful fantasy. The setup sounds almost goofy: Self-confident Carmen and her insecure younger brother Juni Cortez have decidedly uncool parents -- but when a demented children's show host and his twisted minion capture Mom and Dad, the siblings spring to their rescue and discover that (whoa!) their folks are actually international superspies! In Rodriguez's imaginative hands, though, the payoff on this ridiculousness is absolutely sublime. As Carmen and Juni (Alexa Vega and Daryl Sabara, respectively) strap on the rocket-packs to save Mom and Dad (Antonio Banderas and Carla Gugino), the sense of gee-whiz adventure is irresistible. Alan Cumming and Tony Shalhoub make perfect villains, embodying genuine comic-book evil in their plot to rule the world using an army of cloned kiddie robots. Multiple viewings only enhance enjoyment of this pint-size Bondian adventure with its clever script, perfect casting, way-cool gadgets, and awesome special effects. Parents will especially appreciate that, save for one poop joke (okay, and it's a good one), there is no bathroom humor. And at a time when Washington is taking Hollywood to task for marketing inappropriate films to youngsters, here is a film that promotes family values. Count on the Cortezes to spy again together in sequels, and for imitators to follow in Rodriguez's creative trail. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
In this reteaming of actor Antonio Banderas and director Robert Rodriguez -- their first film together since the 1995 feature Desperado -- Banderas plays Gregorio; he and devoted partner Ingrid (Carla Gugino), comprise the greatest pair of secret agents working. Both are masters of disguise and have the ability to prevent wars, but eventually they want to settle down and begin raising a family. Nine years later, after retiring and giving up the lives of super-spies, Gregorio and Ingrid find themselves at the call of duty again when techno-genius Fegan Floop (Alan Cumming) and his insidious, ruthless sidekick Minion (Tony Shalhoub) have plans for world destruction. The only hope for Gregorio and Ingrid are their children, Carmen (Alexa Vega) and Juni (Daryl Sabara), who are called upon to save their missing parents, eventually learning their former identities. The film also features Cheech Marin, Robert Patrick, and Danny Trejo. In the summer of 2001, five months after Spy Kids had become a major box office success, an expanded edition was released, featuring several minutes of footage not used in the film's original cuts (including special effects sequences that couldn't be completed within the film's original budget). ~ Jason Clark, Rovi

Strawberry Shortcake: Spring For Strawberry Shortcake

Strawberry Shortcake: Spring For Strawberry Shortcake

Starring:
Director:

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:00

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Editorial Reviews - Strawberry Shortcake: Spring For Strawberry Shortcake

Barnes & Noble
With howling winds, slippery ice, buckets of rain, and deep snow, it's the "unspringiest" spring in Strawberryland. What would the world be like without Spring? It is up to Strawberry Shortcake and her friends to convince Spring -- a winged sprite who doesn't want to do her job -- that the season of renewal is an absolute necessity. This 45-minute musical fantasy reintroduces the beloved 1980s icon to a new generation. Strawberry is cheerful and optimistic, with nary a discouraging word for anyone (that's her finicky cat, Custard's, department). This may be a little heavy on the sugar, but young girls especially will eat this up. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This adventure takes place on the first day of spring and Strawberryland is plagued with cold, wind, and frost. Wearing jeans instead of her old dress-and-apron outfit, the updated title heroine joins her friends Orange Blossom and Ginger Snap to try and convince the spirit of spring that she is needed. ~ Andrea LeVasseur, Rovi

Stuart Little

Stuart Little

Starring: Michael J. Fox, Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Jonathan Lipnicki, Nathan Lane, Chazz Palminteri, Brian Doyle-Murray, Estelle Getty, Julia Sweeney, Dabney Coleman, Steve Zahn, Jim Doughan, David Alan Grier, Bruno Kirby, Jennifer Tilly, Jeffrey Jones, Allyce Beasley
Director: Rob Minkoff

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:24

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Editorial Reviews - Stuart Little

Barnes & Noble
You will believe a mouse can talk. Oh, and pilot a toy sailboat, among other anthropomorphic feats. Directed by Ron Minkoff (codirector of Disney's The Lion King) and coadapted for the screen by Oscar nominee M. Night Shyamalan ( The Sixth Sense), this delightful film combines live action with state-of-the-art, Oscar-nominated visual effects. The story comes from E. B. White's beloved book: Hugh Laurie and Oscar-winner Geena Davis star as Mr. and Mrs. Little, who set out to adopt a baby brother for their son George (Jonathan Lipnicki of Jerry Maguire) but instead return home with a mouse (ingratiatingly voiced by Michael J. Fox). The fuzzy white rodent, whom they name Stuart, is not a hit at home. "He's only a mouse," George grouses. The house cat, Snowball (Nathan Lane, perfectly catty), is even nastier, especially after Mr. Little admonishes, "We do not eat family members." Shamed by his status as a cat with a mouse master, he goes on the offensive. A few climactic scenes of peril and some mild profanity (Snowball to Stuart: "Talk to the butt!") earned Stuart Little its PG rating. But the family themes explored here are heartfelt and thought-provoking, especially for children with new siblings. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
E.B. White's classic children's story is brought to the screen in this fantasy, which combines computer-animated characters with a cast of live actors. Mrs. Little (Geena Davis), Mr. Little (Hugh Laurie), and their son George (Jonathan Lipnicki) live in a brownstone near New York's Central Park. The Littles have decided to adopt a younger brother for George, and while they're meeting the children at an orphanage, they are greeted by a mouse named Stuart (voice of Michael J. Fox), who can talk, walk upright, wear clothes, and do nearly anything a human child can do. The Littles are so taken with Stuart that they decide to adopt him, and soon the rest of the family is just as charmed by Stuart -- with the possible exception of Snowbell (voice of Nathan Lane), their house cat. The cast of humans includes Jennifer Tilly, Bruno Kirby, and Dabney Coleman; animal voices are contributed by Chazz Palminteri and Steve Zahn, Jim Doughan, and David Alan Grier. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Stuart Little 2

Stuart Little 2

Starring: Michael J. Fox, Geena Davis, Hugh Laurie, Jonathan Lipnicki, Melanie Griffith, James Woods, Nathan Lane, Marc John Jefferies, Anna Hoelck, Ashley Hoelck, Steve Zahn
Director: Rob Minkoff

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Fantasy Adventure
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:17

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Editorial Reviews - Stuart Little 2

Barnes & Noble
Stuart, the little mouse that could, soars to new heights in this superior sequel to the 1999 Oscar-nominated family favorite. Stuart (given indefatigable voice by Michael J. Fox) is by now a fully accepted member of the Little family. Even his former nemesis, the house cat Snowball (voiced again by Nathan Lane), has warmed to his presence. But Mrs. Little (Geena Davis) worries when her three-inch charge, Stuart, plays soccer with cleat-wearing human kids, and his brother George (Jonathan Lipnicki) is spending more time with his own friends. Into Stuart's life flies Maragalo (Melanie Griffith), a wayward bird whom Stuart rescues from a predatory falcon (James Woods at his menacing best). Is she the friend for whom the trusting, good-hearted Stuart has wished, or is she not what she seems? The nifty visual effects -- which allow Stuart to drive a miniature car on the streets of New York and pilot a model airplane over Central Park -- do not overshadow the very human story that teaches that size is not an essential determinant in stature. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This sequel to a family hit based on the popular children's book by E.B. White again mixes live action actors with computer-animated cartoon characters. Michael J. Fox returns as the voice of Stuart Little, a three-inch tall talking mouse adopted by a human family in New York City. When his older "brother," George (Jonathan Lipnicki), starts spending more time with his other friends, playing games that Mrs. Little (Geena Davis) feels are too dangerous for the diminutive Stuart, the lonely fellow goes in search of companionship and finds it when he makes the acquaintance of Margalo (voice of Melanie Griffith), a tiny bird wounded by a sinister falcon (voice of James Woods) that is relentlessly pursuing her. While Margalo's busted wing heals up the Littles' house, Stuart grows closer to her and falls in love, but his new pal is hiding a secret that involves the villainous falcon and jewelry theft. In order to save his friend and their friendship, Stuart must call upon the assistance of the dreaded Snowbell (voice of Nathan Lane), the Little family cat with a Catskills comic delivery and no great love of Stuart. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

The Sword in the Stone

The Sword in the Stone

Starring: Norman Alden, Barbara Jo Allen, Sebastian Cabot, Junius Matthews, The Mello Men, Alan Napier, Rickie Sorenson, Karl Swenson, Martha Wentworth
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:19

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Editorial Reviews - Sword in the Stone

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1963's The Sword in the Stone is Disney's animated take on Arthurian legend. In the midst of the Dark Ages, when England has no rightful ruler, a sword imbedded in a stone mysteriously appears in a London churchyard, bearing the inscription "Whoso pulleth out the sword of this stone and anvil is rightwise king born of England." Scores of would-be kings travel to London to attempt the feat and thereby claim the throne. They all fail. Years later, in the English countryside, an 11-year-old squire nicknamed Wart (Rickie Sorensen) is devotedly helping his incompetent foster brother, Kay (Norman Alden), train to become a knight, when he meets the great magician Merlin (Karl Swenson). The well meaning, but absentminded, wizard declares himself Wart's mentor and claims that he will lead the boy to his destiny. Spirited and full of spunk, Wart (whose real name is Arthur) approaches Merlin's lessons with the same determination that he applies to Kay's hopeless training and to the monotonous chores he is assigned by his guardian. He soon finds himself accompanying Kay to London for a jousting tournament that will determine England's new king. There, Wart forgets to bring Kay's weapon to the joust, but finds an abandoned sword in a nearby churchyard -- which he effortlessly pulls out of a stone. ~ Aubry Anne D'Arminio, Rovi

Tall Tale

Tall Tale

Starring: Patrick Swayze, Oliver Platt, Roger Aaron Brown, Nick Stahl, Scott Glenn, Susan Barnes, Kevin Brown, Jackie Burch, Joe Grifasi, Jared Harris, Moira Harris, Sal Jenco, Bert Kramer, Stephen Lang, Eric Lawson, James Oscar Lee, William H. Macy, Mike Moroff, John Nance, Catherine O'Hara, Tim Riley, Bill Rodgers, John Ryan, Darwyn Swalve, Scott Wilson, Jay S. York, Richard Zobel
Director: Jeremiah S. Chechik

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Fantasy Adventure
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:38

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Editorial Reviews - Tall Tale

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This ambitious Disney movie uses a remarkable screenplay from Steven L. Bloom and Robert Rodat to tell a rollicking tale of America's transition from a close-to-the-land culture of mythic heroes to a corporate world of real estate tycoons. The strong theme about the decline of folk culture is expressed through a series of high octane adventures experienced by 12-year-old Daniel Hackett (Nick Stahl) at the dawn of the 20th century. Daniel's father, Jonas Hackett (Stephen Lang), runs a farm in a place called Paradise Valley, but his land is coveted by a greedy developer, J.P. Stiles (Scott Glenn). Daniel looks longingly at postcards of New York City while growing increasingly skeptical of his father's tales of legendary folk heroes. Then, through a series of incredible adventures, Daniel meets up with the legends that his father has spoken about -- cowboy Pecos Bill (Patrick Swayze), lumberjack Paul Bunyan (Oliver Platt), and finally, ex-slave and strongman John Henry (Roger Aaron Brown). Each of these heroes hooks up with Daniel and becomes involved in an increasingly bitter and boisterous fight against Stiles, whose plans to buy up land threaten the very strength of the folk heroes and the well-being of the common people. Pecos Bill has a horse named Widowmaker and can lasso a tornado. The giant Bunyan is accompanied by his famous blue ox, Babe. At one point, another legend, the cowgirl Calamity Jane (Catherine O'Hara), joins in the adventures. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Tarzan

Tarzan

Starring: Brian Blessed, Glenn Close, Minnie Driver, Tony Goldwyn, Nigel Hawthorne, Lance Henriksen, Wayne Knight, Alex D. Linz, Rosie O'Donnell
Director: Chris Buck

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Jungle Film
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:28

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Editorial Reviews - Tarzan

Barnes & Noble
The world of this Tarzan pops as it never has before in this gazillionth film version, thanks to a groundbreaking ?Deep Canvas? animation process that creates lush jungle environments. Add in the ape-man's extreme surfing moves -- inspired by veteran Disney animator Glen Keane's skateboarding son -- and Phil Collins's muscular score, and Tarzan ranks among the best animated films of its age. Tarzan followed in the footsteps of Hercules and Mulan -- its hero likewise trying to find his place in the world. Orphaned and raised by a gorilla family, Tarzan (voiced by Tony Goldwyn) is determined to be ?the best ape ever,? but like Hercules, he suffers the pains of awkward adolescence. He initially does not quite fit in, and the other apes even call him ?the hairless wonder.? But his adoptive mother, Kala (Glenn Close), reassures him, ?Forget what you see -- what do you feel?? The superb voice ensemble includes Minnie Driver as the spirited and independent Jane, Nigel Hawthorne as Jane's scientist father, and Lance Henrikson as Kerchack, the silverback patriarch who does not accept Tarzan. Wayne Knight, as Tarzan's pachyderm pal, Tantor, and Rosie O'Donnell as a wisecracking ape, Terk, delivers the comic relief. Terk's ?Trashing the Camp? is a scat-singing showstopper; and the power ballad ?You'll Be in My Heart? earned an Oscar on its way to pop ubiquity. The 2005 Special Edition contains a new-to-DVD music video of ?Strangers Like Me? by Everlife, as well as an alternate opening and deleted scenes, ?DisneyPedia? animal segments, and three games. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Author Edgar Rice Burroughs once suggested that animation would be the ideal medium to bring his Tarzan to the screen, and 81 years after the first film about the famous ape-man, Disney brings us the first full-length animated film starring the King of the Jungle. After a disaster at sea causes their ship to sink off the coast of Africa, a British couple finds their way to shore with their infant son in tow. However, the parents are killed by a leopard, leaving the baby to fend for himself. The child is discovered by a gorilla named Kala (voice of Glenn Close), mate of Kerchak (voice of Lance Henriksen), the leader of the tribe of apes. While Kerchak is taken aback by the foundling and would just as soon leave him in the jungle, Kala's maternal nature is stirred. Kala and Kerchak take the baby with them, naming him Tarzan and raising him among their own. Although Tarzan (voice of Tony Goldwyn) grows up painfully aware that he's different from the apes, he comes to love and respect the gorillas and learns their ways, while they accept him into their tribe as he grows to adulthood. However, Tarzan's idyllic life in the jungle is changed forever by the arrival of Professor Porter (voice of Nigel Hawthorne), his daughter Jane (voice of Minnie Driver), and their guide, a hunter named Clayton (voice of Brian Blessed). The Professor and Jane have arrived in Africa to study the wildlife in its natural habitat, although Clayton would prefer to bag as many trophies as he can. When the explorers encounter Tarzan, they at first think they've discovered the missing link, although soon realize that he's as human as they are. Tarzan finds himself torn between his desire to be with his own kind (and the new, unfamiliar emotions that he feels for Jane) and his loyalties to the gorilla family that raised him -- especially since Clayton sees the apes not as friends but as prey. Dominated by fast-paced jungle action sequences, Tarzan also features voices by Rosie O'Donnell and Wayne Knight, as well as new songs by Phil Collins. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Teletubbies: Dance With the Teletubbies

Teletubbies: Dance With the Teletubbies

Starring: Rolf Saxon, India de Beaufort, John Simmit, Nikky Smedley, Pui Fan Lee
Director: David Hiller

Certification: NR
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:00

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
The British countryside has seen few raves like this one--our favorite Teletubbies are shown dancing through Teletubby Land with a few of their friends and, of course, their multiple rabbits. The "Stepping and Standing Dance" leads things off, followed by the "Walking Dance," "Running Away Dance," "Splashing Dance," and so forth (thankfully, we're spared from "Riverdance"). Of course, all this dancing--and even some clips of real children performing a few jigs--can wear a little thin on the patience of any child or parent. While younger children may want to perform some of the moves themselves (the "Tip Toe Dance" looks semi-appealing), everyone else risks becoming bored. The Teletubbies work best when, just like the typical preschooler, they all act differently, performing unique tasks (check out the effective Here Come the Teletubbies). On this video, they're all line dancing. There is some genuine weirdness for more mature Tubby aficionados: a vacuum cleaner starts dancing and a computer-animated bear does a convincing Grateful Dead-inspired number. But for most everyone else, it can't beat the TV show. --Jason Verlinde

Thomas and the Magic Railroad

Thomas and the Magic Railroad

Starring: Peter Fonda, Mara Wilson, Alec Baldwin, Didi Conn, Michael E. Rodgers, Cody McMains, Russell Means
Director: Britt Allcroft

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:26

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Editorial Reviews - Thomas and the Magic Railroad

All Movie Guide
The internationally popular children's television program Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends (shown in the United States as part of the PBS series Shining Time Station) makes its way onto the big screen in this feature-length adventure. On her way to see her Grandpa Burnett (Peter Fonda), young Lily (Mara Wilson) gets on the wrong train and ends up lost. Fortunately, she meets the tiny Mr. Conductor (Alec Baldwin), who shows her a magical railway where the plucky little steam engine Thomas (voice of John Bellis) pulls the line from the enchanted town of Shining Time to the island of Sodor. Thomas' rival is the bigger (and meaner) Diesel Ten, who has already put one of Thomas' allied engines, The Lady, out of commission. Without The Lady, the Conductor has no source for the magic gold dust that allows him to travel from Sodor to Shining Time in the wink of an eye, so Lily and Thomas have to find a way to find more for him. Thomas and the Magic Railroad also features Didi Conn as Stacy Jones (reprising her role from Shining Time Station) and Russell Means as Billy Two Feathers. Like the TV series, Thomas and the Magic Railroad is loosely based on the Thomas the Tank Engine books written by British children's author "Wilbert Vere Awdry." ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

The Three Caballeros

The Three Caballeros

Starring: Aurora Miranda, Carmen Molina, Dora Luz, Clarence Nash, Joaquin Garay, Jose Olivera, Frank Graham, Sterling Holloway
Director: Walt Disney

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Action - general
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:11

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Editorial Reviews - Three Caballeros

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Three Caballeros is the first Walt Disney feature to combine animation with live action footage. Originally conceived as World War II propaganda promoting good relations between the United States and Latin America, the film details the adventures of Donald Duck as he meets two Latin birds--Jose Carioca and Panchito,--and the three head down to Rio. The film doesn't have a concrete story, choosing to follow the three animated birds through Latin America, as they sing a number of songs, get into trouble and have a number of very amusing experiences. Filled with achingly funny jokes, good music, and stunning, ground-breaking animation, The Three Caballeros remains extremely entertaining decades after its release. It is one of Disney's unacknowledged classics. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi

The Tigger Movie - 10th Anniversary Edition

The Tigger Movie - 10th Anniversary Edition

Starring: Jim Cummings, Nikita Hopkins, Ken Sansom, John Fiedler, Peter Cullen, Andre Stojka, Kath Soucie, Tom Attenborough, John Hurt
Director: Jun Falkenstein

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:17

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Editorial Reviews - Tigger Movie - 10th Anniversary Edition

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In this animated story for the whole family, Disney brings A.A. Milne's classic characters from the Winnie the Pooh stories back to the big screen. Tigger is having a hard time finding anyone to play with him, so he decides to track down his family tree and find other Tiggers. Concerned that their friend feels sad, Winnie and his friends dress up like Tiggers so he won't feel so alone. But once Tigger finds out who they really are, it makes him even more determined to find his real family. As Tigger heads out in search of others like himself, he accidentally makes his way into a snowstorm, and Winnie and friends must find him before he gets lost in the cold. The Tigger Movie was originally produced for home video and then upgraded to a theatrical release. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Tom and Huck

Tom and Huck

Starring: Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Brad Renfro, Eric Schweig, Charles Rocket, Amy Wright, Michael McShane, Rachael Leigh Cook, Lanny Flaherty, Kellen Hathaway, Heath Lamberts, Peter MacKenzie, Courtland Mead, Marian Seldes
Director: Peter Hewitt

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Adventure Drama
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:32

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Editorial Reviews - Tom and Huck

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This Disney live-action film is a very loose adaptation of Mark Twain's two novels about boyhood friends in Hannibal, MO, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn which omits some of the darker themes and undertones in the original books. Television star Jonathan Taylor Thomas (of Home Improvement) is the prankish Tom Sawyer. Tom wants desperately to be friends with the renegade orphan boy Huck Finn (Brad Renfro), who lives on his own on the edge of town. Tom is also smitten with the tomboyish Becky Thatcher (Amy Wright), daughter of the town judge. On an adventure one night, Tom and Huck stumble upon a murder in a graveyard. They see Injun Joe (Eric Schweig) killing the town undertaker to get a map to a treasure. Tom's friend Muff Potter (Michael McShane) is wrongly accused of the crime, but Tom and Huck both know the real killer. Huck has made Tom swear not to reveal the truth and both boys fear that Injun Joe will come after them if they squeal. Tom must choose between his friendship with Huck and his desire to vindicate Muff and get the real killer brought to justice. They try to find the treasure and end up confronting Injun Joe in a cave. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

Toy Story

Toy Story

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, Jack Angel, Greg Berg, Kendall Cunningham, Erik Von Detten, R. Lee Ermey, Bill Farmer, Sarah Freeman, Penn Jillette, Sherry Lynn, Scott McAfee, Laurie Metcalf, John Morris, Patrick Pinney, Annie Potts, Philip Proctor, Jan Rabson, Joe Ranft, John Ratzenberger
Director: John Lasseter

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:20

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Editorial Reviews - Toy Story

Barnes & Noble
Witty, inventive, and just a little bit offbeat, this high-tech salute to the charm of low-tech playthings will easily win over adults as well as kids. Not your average children's movie, Toy Story was written by Joss Whedon, creator of the critically acclaimed hit TV series Buffy, who shades his sophisticated sense of humor with dark undertones. That said, any child will relate to the simple plot, reminiscent of the children's classic The Velveteen Rabbit, about a favorite toy who fears being replaced in his owner's affections by one that's brighter and newer. And the sadistic bully across the street will send a delightful shiver of recognition down practically everyone's spine. What distinguishes Toy Story is its amazing and groundbreaking computer animation, which creates a realistic world where old-fashioned toys and humans seamlessly interact, as well as a sharp script filled with sly references to everything from Picasso to Star Trek. This truly is a family movie, one great enough to endure the inevitable repeated screenings of understandably spellbound children. Karen Backstein

All Movie Guide
Toy Story was the first feature-length film animated entirely by computer. If this seems to be a sterile, mechanical means of moviemaking, be assured that the film is as chock-full of heart and warmth as any Disney cartoon feature. The star of the proceedings is Woody, a pull-string cowboy toy belonging to a wide-eyed youngster named Andy. Whenever Andy's out of the room, Woody revels in his status as the boy's number one toy. His supremacy is challenged by a high-tech, space-ranger action figure named Buzz Lightyear, who, unlike Woody and his pals, believes that he is real and not merely a plaything. The rivalry between Woody and Buzz hilariously intensifies during the first half of the film, but when the well-being of Andy's toys is threatened by a nasty next-door neighbor kid named Sid -- whose idea of fun is feeding stuffed dolls to his snarling dog and reconstructing his own toys into hideous mutants -- Woody and Buzz join forces to save the day. Superb though the computer animation may be, what really heightens Toy Story are the voice-over performances by such celebrities as Tom Hanks (as Woody), Tim Allen (as Buzz), and Don Rickles (as an appropriately acerbic Mr. Potato Head). Director John Lasseter earned a special achievement Academy Award, while Randy Newman landed an Oscar nomination for his evocative musical score. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Toy Story 2

Toy Story 2

Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Joan Cusack, Kelsey Grammer, Don Rickles, Jim Varney, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Annie Potts, Wayne Knight, John Morris, Laurie Metcalf, Estelle Harris, R. Lee Ermey, Jodi Benson, Jonathan Harris, Joe Ranft, Andrew Stanton, Jeff Pidgeon
Director: Ash Brannon

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:32

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Editorial Reviews - Toy Story 2

Barnes & Noble
The eagerly awaited computer-animated sequel to the landmark 1995 Oscar-winning instant classic is the best family film since, well, Toy Story. Tom Hanks and Tim Allen reprise their signature roles as Andy's favorite toys: cowboy doll Woody and straight-arrow space ranger Buzz Lightyear. When Woody is toy-napped by Al McWhiggin (Wayne Knight), greedy collector and owner of Al's Toy Barn, it is up to Buzz to lead the rest of Andy's toys -- ever-anxious dinosaur Rex (Wallace Shawn), Slinky Dog (Jim Varney), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), and Hamm (John Ratzenberger) -- on a daring rescue mission. At Al's, Woody learns that he was once the star of a 1950s TV puppet show, Woody's Roundup when he meets fellow collectibles Stinky Pete the Prospector (Kelsey Grammer), Bullseye the horse, and Jessie the cowgirl (a rollicking performance by the magnificent Joan Cusack). Will he choose to spend his life behind glass at a Tokyo toy museum or return with Buzz to Andy's room? Randy Newman composed the film's Oscar-nominated score, which includes the hear-it-and-weep ballad "When Somebody Loved Me." Like The Godfather Part II, Toy Story 2 is that rare sequel that surpasses the original. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
Woody the Cowboy, Buzz Lightyear, and the rest of their friends from the toy box return in this computer-animated sequel to the 1995 hit Toy Story. This time around, Andy, the young boy who is the proud owner of most of our cast of characters, is off at summer camp, giving the toys a few weeks off to do as they please. Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) is unaware that in the years since his model went out of production, he's become a rare and valuable collector's item. An avid toy collector (voice of Wayne Knight) decides that he wants Woody for his collection and swipes him, so Buzz Lightyear (voice of Tim Allen), Hamm (voice of John Ratzenberger), Rex (voice of Wallace Shawn), Slinky Dog (voice of Jim Varney), and Mr. Potato Head (voice of Don Rickles) venture forth to rescue their kidnapped friend before Andy returns. Along with most of the original voice cast, composer Randy Newman returns with a new score and new songs. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Warriors of Virtue

Warriors of Virtue

Starring: Angus MacFadyen, Mario Yedidia, Marley Shelton, Chao-Li Chi, Dennis Dun, Jack Tate, J. Todd Adams, Michael J. Anderson, Mark N. Cohen, Adrienne Corcoran, Doug Jones, Don W. Lewis, Tom Towles
Director: Ronny Yu

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:41

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Editorial Reviews - Warriors of Virtue

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A children's fantasy adventure, Warriors of Virtue features five superheroes, dressed in kangaroo-like outfits, who are known as the Roos. The Roos inhabit a magical underground world which is threatened by the foppish villain Komodo (Angus Macfayden), who is mining a life-enhancing mineral from the River of Life. Ryan Jeffers (Mario Yedidia) arrives in this fantasy world unexpectedly, after taking a dare from a bully to walk across a whirlpool in an underground sewer. Ryan has with him an ancient Chinese manuscript, the Tao, given to him by a mystical cook in a Chinese restaurant, Ming (Dennis Dun), before Ryan was suddenly sucked into the nether world. The Tao contains secrets coveted both by Komodo and by Master Chung (Chao-Li Chi), an ancient guru who rules the Roos' kingdom. But only Ryan can read the manuscript. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf

White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf

Starring: Scott Bairstow, Charmaine Craig, Al Harrington, Anthony Michael Ruivivar, Victoria Racimo, Alfred Molina, Paul Coeur, Geoffrey Lewis, Matthew Cowles, Woodrow W. Morrison, Reynold Russ, Ethan Hawke
Director: Ken Olin

Certification: PG (MPAA)
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:46

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Editorial Reviews - White Fang 2: Myth of the White Wolf

All Movie Guide
Disney filmed its version of the Jack London story in 1991 and followed with this sequel four years later. Besides the presence of a dog named White Fang and its setting in the Alaska Gold Rush days, the story bears no resemblance to London's original story. Jack Conroy (Ethan Hawke), the hero of the first Disney film, has bequeathed his gold mine and the wild wolf-dog White Fang to young Henry Casey (Scott Barstow). The boy and dog thwart a would-be thief and decide to take their gold to San Francisco. While rafting to the nearest town, they capsize, lose their gold, and are separated. Lily (Charmaine Craig), a young Indian princess, rescues Henry from the rapids. She, along with her tribal chief Moses (Al Harrington) and his followers, believes that Henry is the reincarnation of a great spirit wolf who will help the Haida tribe find the Great Caribou. Henry and Lily fall in love, and Henry sets out to find the legendary Caribou who will save the tribe from extinction. Television actor Ken Olin made his directorial debut with this family fable. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi

The Wind in the Willows

The Wind in the Willows

Starring: Alan Bennett, Michael Gambon, Rik Mayall, Michael Palin, Vanessa Redgrave
Director: Dave Unwin

Certification: NR
Category: Children's Fantasy
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:18

Color Stereo

Editorial Reviews - Wind in the Willows

All Movie Guide
This beautifully rendered British animated version of Kenneth Grahame's enduring children's classic features the voices of Michael Gambon, Michael Palin, Alan Bennett and Rik Mayall; it is narrated by Vanessa Redgrave who frames the story while reading her children a bedtime story. The story is set beside an ever changing river that "always remains the same," and chronicles the adventures of the timid, unworldly Mole and the pragmatic dreamer Rat, as they embark on Mole's first trip into the great river. There they have many fun and scary times encountering such characters as the menacing Badger and the outrageous, carefree Mr. Toad. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

Starring:
Director: Ed Wexler

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:05

Color Stereo

Editorial Reviews - Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

Barnes & Noble
Short, sweet, and sunny, this 65-minute produced-for-video animated feature is a 2002 production that rings in the "Pooh year" with two heartwarming holiday stories. In the first, a wayward letter to Santa sends Pooh to the North Pole to bring Christmas to his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. "Everything turns out wonderfully," of course, as Pooh and company learn that friendship and memories are the real gifts of Christmas. In the second story, a fed-up Rabbit is losing his holiday spirit, so Pooh and friends resolve to change their ways to stop him from leaving. But is the world ready for a bouncy Piglet or a honey-slurping Eeyore? The charming animation, delightful wordplay, and snowy slapstick will have Pooh fans laughing all the way. Donald Liebenson

All Movie Guide
This family-friendly cartoon is about what happens when a new year comes to the Hundred Acre Wood. Rabbit becomes annoyed with his friends while he prepares a party to commemorate the new year. In order to make him feel better, each of the citizens of the Wood make resolutions to change, but end up becoming like one of the others. Pooh becomes downbeat when he forgoes honey and Piglet begins bouncing. The DVD release of the film offers a karaoke function allowing people to sing along during the film. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving

Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving

Starring:
Director: Harry Arends

Certification: NR
Category: Children
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:10

Color Stereo

Editorial Reviews - Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving

All Movie Guide
This feature-length tale finds Pooh and all the characters in the Hundred Acre Wood preparing for the holidays. When a gust of wind changes Rabbit's calendar, everyone thinks that they've missed winter, and it's time for spring cleaning. But when it starts to snow, the gang realizes that Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and when Pooh and Piglet are in charge of the turkey, things go awry. The Christmas story is a touching reunion between Rabbit and Cassie, a little bird he helped years ago. Featuring the voice talents of Paul Winchell as Tigger and Jim Cummings as Pooh, this video is a great addition to the children's video library. ~ Heather M. Fierst, Rovi

Winnie the Pooh: Spookable Pooh

Winnie the Pooh: Spookable Pooh

Starring:
Director:

Certification: NR
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 0:33

Color Stereo

Editorial Reviews - Winnie the Pooh: Spookable Pooh

All Movie Guide
This video contains a pair of animated tales about that loveable Pooh gang. In the first, "A Knight to Remember," Pooh and company hide from a thunder storm in Christopher Robin's creepy attic. While looking around the place for a missing knight chess piece, Piglet finds himself in a dark and empty trunk. Soon Piglet has an anxiety attack and imagines himself as a knight looking to thwart a depressive dragon. In "Rock-a-Bye Pooh Bear," Piglet has a dream that he has been abandoned and becomes convinced that this dream will come true. His friends band together to make his dream come true...and give it a happy ending. Rovi

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz

Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley
Director: King Vidor

Certification: G (MPAA)
Category: Movies
User Rating:
Running Time: 1:41

Black & White Stereo

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
When it was released during Hollywood's golden year of 1939, The Wizard of Oz didn't start out as the perennial classic it has since become. The film did respectable business, but it wasn't until its debut on television that this family favorite saw its popularity soar. And while Oz's TV broadcasts are now controlled by media mogul Ted Turner (who owns the rights), the advent of home video has made this lively musical a mainstay in the staple diet of great American films. Young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), her dog, Toto, and her three companions on the yellow brick road to Oz--the Tin Man (Jack Haley), the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), and the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger)--have become pop-culture icons and central figures in the legacy of fantasy for children. As the Wicked Witch who covets Dorothy's enchanted ruby slippers, Margaret Hamilton has had the singular honor of scaring the wits out of children for more than six decades. The film's still as fresh, frightening, and funny as it was when first released. It may take some liberal detours from the original story by L. Frank Baum, but it's loyal to the Baum legacy while charting its own course as a spectacular film. Shot in glorious Technicolor, befitting its dynamic production design (Munchkinland alone is a psychedelic explosion of color and decor), The Wizard of Oz may not appeal to every taste as the years go by, but it's required viewing for kids of all ages. --Jeff Shannon

DVD features
The Wizard of Oz DVD released in 1999 was loaded with extra features, but it's now safe to throw away that version in all its cardboard-package glory in favor of this new two-disc edition. First things first: All the bonus material from the earlier disc is there (with one small exception). That includes the Angela Lansbury-hosted documentary The Making of a Movie Classic; the outtakes and deleted scenes, including Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow" reprise and the home-movie recording of "The Jitterbug"; the sketches and stills and composer Harold Arlen's home movies; the audio underscores and radio programs; the 1979 interviews with Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, and Jack Haley; and other items too numerous to mention. (Some text introductions to the features have been replaced by narration by Lansbury, for whatever reason.) Brand-new to the 2005 edition is a sharp restoration using Warner's Ultra Resolution process and an accompanying featurette on how it's done. The technicians also discuss how the sound was remixed, though that would have been more effective had it included surround-sound demonstrations (the featurette is in 2.0). Other features on the new set include a commentary track by critic John Fricke supplemented by vintage cast interviews (he offers a lot of trivia, and debunks the myth that Shirley Temple was ever close to getting the Dorothy role); profiles of nine cast members and clips of other movies they appeared in (including Toto); a lightly animated 10-minute storybook again narrated by Lansbury; 2001 and 2005 behind-the-scenes featurettes; and a 1950 Lux Radio Theater broadcast. Oh, and if you were still wondering about the missing material mentioned above--the 1999 disc included one-minute excerpts of three early treatments of The Wizard of Oz. Those excerpts are not included in the two-disc special edition, but the third disc of the three-disc collector's edition includes the complete versions of those treatments and more. --David Horiuchi

101 Dalmatians

101 Dalmatians

102 Dalmatians

The Absent-Minded Professor

Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland

Air Bud

Air Bud: Golden Receiver

Air Bud: Seventh Inning Fetch

Air Bud: World Pup

Aladdin

Aladdin and the King of Thieves

Alaska

Alice in Wonderland

All Dogs Go to Heaven

The Amazing Panda Adventure

An American Tail: Fievel Goes West

Anastasia

Angelina Ballerina: Angelina in the Wings

Angels in the Outfield

Annabelle's Wish

Annie

Antz

The Aristocats

The Aristocats

Arthur: Arthur's Perfect Christmas

Atlantis: The Lost Empire

Babe

Babe: Pig in the City

Babes in Toyland

Balto

Bambi

Barbie as Rapunzel

Barney's Great Adventure

Barney: Barney's Musical Castle

Barney: Barney's Night Before Christmas

Barney: Camp Wanna Runna Round

Barney: Let's Go to the Zoo

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm

Beauty and the Beast

Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas

Bedknobs and Broomsticks

Belle's Magical World

The Big Green

Billboard Dad

Black Cauldron

The Black Stallion

Blue's Clues: Blue's Big Musical Movie

Bob's White Xmas

The Book of Pooh: Stories from the Heart

The Brave Little Toaster

The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars

A Bug's Life

Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins

Casper

Casper: A Spirited Beginning

Chicken Run

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

A Christmas Carol

A Christmas Story

Cinderella

Cinderella

Cool Runnings

The Country Bears

Crayola Kids Adventures: Trojan Horse

D2: The Mighty Ducks

D3: The Mighty Ducks

Davy Crockett, King of the Wild Frontier

Diet for a New America

Digimon: Digital Monsters, Vol. 2

Dinosaur

Disney Sing Along Songs - The Early Years, Collection of All-Time Favorites

Disney's the Princess Diaries

Doctor Dolittle

Doug's 1st Movie

Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Dumbo

Dunston Checks In

E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial Limited Collector's Edition

Ed

The Emperor's New Groove