Disney Brings a STRANGE WORLD

 Jeri Jacquin

Currently streaming on Disney+ and coming to 4K, Bluray and DVD on February 14^th from directors Don Hall, Qui Nguyen and Walt Disney Animated Studios comes a journey through a STRANGE WORLD.

Jaeger Clade (Dennis Quaid) and son Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal) are wilderness adventurers who want to get past a mountain that seems to elude them. On the way, Searcher makes his own discovery of a plant that is full of energy. When his father Jaeger wants to continue up the mountain, Searcher knows this is something important and he calls it Pando.

Upset at his son’s choice, Jaeger goes off on his own and is missing for twenty-five years. In that time, Searcher has a wife Meridian (Gabrielle Union) and son Ethan (Jaboukie Young-White) on their Pando farm. This gives energy to the town of Avalonia. Things are going well until one day Callisto Mal (Lucy Liu) arrives to let Searcher know that Pando is mysteriously losing its ability to produce power.

Gathering up an expedition of his own, Searcher discovers that Meridian, Ethan and their dog Legend has joined in the mission. Instead, they are attacked by creatures and end up in a world beneath their own but creatures aren’t the only thing lurking about. Searcher discovers his father Jaeger has been living in the strange world.

While grandfather gets to know grandson and father to son, the journey continues and what they discover at the end of the road is something that they could never have ever possibly imagined.    

Gyllenhaal voices Searcher, part of a father-son adventurer team who discovers something else of importance that leads to a split with his father. Raising his own family, he starts to feel his son pull away and it is distressing. Gyllenhaal gives much feeling to Searcher and when son meets grandfather, well, things get even more interesting.

Quaid as Jaeger fears nothing and when the family meets once again, he thinks it is a chance for more family adventures. Yet, there are issues that have to be resolved between father and son – even though there seems to be an instant connection between grandfather and grandson. It seems like Quaid has a good time voicing this character.

Young-White as Ethan fits well into the clan being a bit of an adventurer in his own right. Once the adventure begins, he has a chance to have his say in regards to their world and do everything possible to correct the imbalance. Union as Meridian is no stay-at-home Mom but an adventurer in her own right. She is also very strict and certainly takes a no-nonsense approach to it all. She will remind Moms everywhere that adventure is for everyone.

Liu as Callisto wants to find out what is happening in their world and is not going to let anything get in her way. She is a bit headstrong in a group of very head strong people but when the need arises, her skills are everything they need to get the job done.

Other cast include Francesca Reale as Azimuth, Karan Soni as Caspian, Abraham Benrubi as Lonnie Redshirt, Jonathan Melo as Diazo, Nik Dodani as Kardez, Alan Tudyk as Duffle, and Adelina Anthony as Captain Pulk.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

Disney+ is the subscription home streaming entertainment with Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. There are exclusive originals with new feature films, shows, short form content, documentaries, and actions series such as THE MANDALORIAN. For more information, please visit www.disneyplus.com.

Bonus Features include Anatomy of a Scene: Creating a Strange World, Strange Science, Creature Feature, The Hidden Secrets of STRANGE WORLD, Outtakes and Deleted Scenes.

STRANGE WORLD takes on the issues of farming, energy sustainability, creatures great and small, family, love, adventure and forgiveness, acceptance and working together to make their world a better place. That is something I would expect from Disney in each of those forms melding into a story. The creatures are, as I would expect, very creative, funny, colorful and all things Disney.

It is an enjoyable film and one that will lead to family conversations with the content of family, love and creating clean energy. Their world is stunning, of course, but also full of life lessons that are not far from our own and that is everything.

In the end – journey to a place where nothing is as it appears!

THOR: Love and Thunder Hammers Home

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on Digital and coming to 4K, Bluray and DVD from writer/director Taika Waititi, Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Home Entertainment is the next chapter in the life of THOR: Love and Thunder.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has been hanging out with the Guardians of the Galaxy for some time and putting in his hammer when needed. That is until a distress signal from Thor’s friend Sif warning him of Gorr (Christian Bale). Gorr has the Necrosword and wants to destroy all the gods for the death of a child. His next target is New Asgard!

Arriving at New Asgard, he is happy to see Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and explains about Gorr and needs help. What he does not expect is to see Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), or in her new incarnation as the Lady Thor. They do not have much time to talk about it when Gorr arrives in New Asgard and captures the town’s children.

Now they must come together to discover what it is that Gorr wants with the children and how to stop him. Thor, Dr. Foster, and Valkyrie set out with Korg (Taika Waititi) to bring together an army with the help of the gods. They reach out to Zeus (Russell Crowe) to get the one weapon that may be able to take on the Necrosword.

But Gorr is not about to back down and when a fight breaks out, it is Valkyrie and Jane that pays. Now Thor has to take on Gorr alone if he is to save the children of New Asgard and stop the evil from having its way with the entire world.

Hemworth returns as Thor, and he’s finally exercised out his previous chunky dad-bod. Back to form he is still with the Guardians trying to figure himself out. When he sees a message from a friend asking for help, he learns about Gorr and his plans. Thinking he has found his purpose and arriving in New Asgard, he does not expect to see Jane transformed. Hemsworth is funny, tries to be charming and in fight mode.

Portman as Dr. Jane, she is ill and finds herself drawn to New Asgard and Thor’s broken hammer Mjolnir. Seeing Thor once again in her new incarnation, she is enjoying her new role as a heroine for the town of New Asgard. When Thor makes it clear he is going after Gorr, Jane also makes it clear that she is perfectly capable of handling both a hammer and a bad guy.

Thompson as Valkyrie lets it be known that being a ‘king’ has not turned out exactly how she thought. But then again being a king on Asgard and being a king in New Asgard is totally different. She is responsible for a town and that means financially and for their well-being. So, when Gorr takes the children, well, she is ready for a good fight.

Bale as Gorr gets a chance to play a villain in the MCU and it is as a butcher of gods. As he gets bolder and bolder with his Necrosword, he fades being a human being. His one ‘wish’ is to get to a place no one else has seen to recover his daughter.

Waititi as Korg is so dang cute it’s ridiculous. He cares so much for Thor that he will stand with him in any battle. There is an innocence to Korg as well that is so sweet because it is honest and heartfelt. When he does go off on a subject, he makes me laugh so much. Crowe as Zeus has issues and we are still trying to figure out how a Greek god has an Italian accent, oh well.

Other cast include Jaimie Alexander as Sif, Dave Bautista as Drax, Karen Gillan as Nebula, Pom Klementieff as Mantis, Sean Gunn as Kraglin, Carly Rees as Miek, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Vin Diesel as Groot, and Chris Pratt as Peter Quill.

There are so many cameos to mention but I think it would be much more fun in the surprise!!

Walt Disney Studios continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see more of what they have to offer please visit www.disney.com.

Marvel Studios has released sixteen films since 2008 in what is known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is built on a library of over eight thousand characters featured in a variety of media content for over seventy years. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.marvel.com.

Bonus Features Include Gag Reel, Audio Commentary with Director/Writer Taika Waititi, Hammer-Worthy: Thor and The Mighty Thor, Shaping a Villain, Another classic Taika Adventure, Looking for Zeus, Wasting Time, A Safe Vacation and Fighting For You.

THOR: Love and Thunder is just a good time at the movies. It is the typical Thor vs. a bad guy in order to save those around him but this time he finally has a chance to come face to face with Jane. Let’s face it, he has talked about his broken heart long enough and now is the time to mend it.

A visit from the Guardians gives Quill a chance to tell Thor it is time for him to find out who he is and Gorr helps along that storyline. Returning to New Asgard, it does not take long for the battles to begin in both inner and outer space.

This is a fun time at the theatre for families so pack them up and prepare to laugh, see epic battles and see how New Asgard has grown and come together to protect one another and the universe!

In the end – not every god has a plan!

Disney’s CINDERELLA is Celebrating an Anniversary on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from Walt Disney and directors Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske and Wilfred Jackson is the animated story of CINDERELLA Anniversary Edition.

Cinderella was a happy child in the loving home and a loving father. All of that changed the day he brought home a new wife, Lady Tremaine and her two daughters Anastasia and Drizella. Soon after her father passes leaving Cinderella to the mercy of an unforgiving step-mother.

The young girl is sent to live in the dankest part of the house and made to wait on Lady Tremaine and daughters. From sun-up to sun-down the only friends she has are the house mice like Gus and Jaq, birds and dog Bruno.

The palace where the king and queen live are planning a ball for their son the Prince. Invitations are made and sent out all over the land and that includes Cinderella’s home. Excited, the girls begin barking orders to Cinderella for shoes, bows and dresses. Asking Lady Tremaine if she may also attend, the reply is that if she finished all her chores then Cinderella may go.

She immediately finds a dress that belonged to her mother and feels that she will never get it ready in time. That’s when Jaq, Gus and her feathered friends have a plan of their own and redesign the dress beautifully. Dressed and ready to go, it doesn’t take long before Lady Tremaine watches Anastasia and Drizella take apart Cinderella’s dress.

Crying in the dried garden, Cinderella is visited by her Fairy Godmother who creates a coach and footman so that she can go to the ball. She also creates the most stunning gown for the young girl and sends her on her way with a warning to be home before midnight.

At the ball, the prince is captured by Cinderella as he walks away from other ladies waiting to dance to spend time with her. They danced to amazing music and as time passed so did the clock as it begins to strike midnight.

Trying to excuse herself from the prince is difficult but as she makes her way to the carriage, one of her slippers falls off. What she doesn’t know is that the Prince is taken with her enough to send word out far and wide to find her.

Her life is about to change forever!

The voice cast include Elene Woods as Cinderella, Eleanor Audley as Lady Tremaine, Verna Felton as the Fairy Godmother, Rhoda Williams as Drizella Tremaine, James MacDonald as Jaq and Gus, Luis van Rooten as the King and Grand Duke, Don Barclay as the Doorman, Mike Douglas, William Phipps as Prince Charming and Lucille Bliss as Anastasia Tremaine.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

The Bluray/DVD include the Special Features with Two Ways to Watch – Original Theatrical Version and New: In Walt’s Words: The Envisioning of Cinderella, From Rags to Riches: The Making of Cinderella, The Cinderella That Almost Was, Try This Trivia on for Size – Disney Channel Stars Ruth Righi and Ava Kolker Reveal Fun Facts and so much more!

CINDERELLA was released in 1950 based on the fairy tale by Charles Perrault. This was to be Disney’s twelfth animated film that would bring about some of the most popular songs of the day. They include A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes, Sing Sweet Nightingale and So This is Love.

The story of Cinderella would bring about CINDERELLA II: Dreams Come True in 2002 and CINDERELLA III: A Twist in Time in 2007. It would be in 2015 when a live-action version of the film would hit theatres.

That being said, it is still the original CINDERELLA that families are first introduced to. That’s because it is beautiful, fun, and filled with the magic we have always come to associate with Disney. It has creatures that are beloved and a story that is relatable to us all on so many levels. CINDERELLA is part of the Prestigious National Film Registry as well it should be.

Celebrate the anniversary of one of the most iconic animated films that still holds a candle to the hearts of us all with Disney’s CINDERELLA.

In the end – a dream is a wish your heart makes!

AVENGERS: Endgame

Jeri Jacquin

Coming this Friday to theatres is the highly anticipated finale with an iconic team from directors Anthony and Joe Russo, Marvel and Walt Disney Studios with AVENGERS: Endgame.

That's about the most I want to tell you about AVENGERS: Endgame and why is that? Well, I don't want to spoil anything about the film for those who have been waiting patiently and to back me up is this letter from the Russo brothers that circled the internet.

It reads as follows:

To the greatest fans in the world,

This is it. This is the end. The end of an unprecedented narrative mosaic spanning eleven years and eleven franchises. For all of you who have been on this journey with us since the very beginning, sharing every high and low with your family, your friends, your classmates, your co-workers. Investing so deeply in every character and storyline. Laughing. Cheering. Shedding tears. Giving so freely of your thoughts and emotions

In spirited dialogue, theories, fan art and fan fiction. Please know that the two of us, along with everyone involved in Endgame, have worked tirelessly for the last three years with the sole intention of delivering a surprising and emotionally powerful conclusion to the Infinity Saga.

Because so many of you have invested your time, your hearts, and your souls into these stories, we're once again asking for your help.

When you see Endgame in the coming weeks, please don't spoil it for others, the same way you wouldn't want it spoiled for you.

Remember, Thanos still demands your silence.

As always, good luck and happy viewing….

The Russo Brothers

#Don'tSpoilTheEndgame

This is important for people to read because AVENGERS: Endgame is the end of eleven years of storytelling and eleven years of a journey that has brought comic book fans to the theatres and at the same time created new comic book readers. After seeing it for myself, I agree with the Russo Brothers and ask the same of all those who are reading this.

In 2008, we were all introduced to IRON MAN, Tony Stark and the only man who will ever be this character to my way of thinking - Robert Downey, Jr. I didn't know much about this character and turned to my two sons to talk about it. I knew Iron Man's place in the world of comics and knew what he looked like but that's about it. Robert Downey, Jr. gave me a quick lesson which was not a surprise to me.

Seeing this first offering was fantastic and I remember thinking at the time that I wouldn't mind seeing more of Tony Stark. I had no idea that somewhere in the world someone else was thinking the very same thing as the universe (to be tagged the ‘Marvel Universe’) was about to get oh so much bigger.

Then came more Marvel characters with THE INCREDIBLE HULK, more IRON MAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA, and THOR in 2012. Then the crew of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, the second AVENGERS in 2015, ANT-MAN, the return of SPIDER MAN, the introduction of DOCTOR STRANGE, and Wakanda brought us BLACK PANTHER. All of these set the stage for the 2018 AVENGERS: Infinity Wars.

Adding the final piece of the puzzle, we meet the new CAPTAIN MARVEL. All of this guiding us to this Friday's inevitable finale of AVENGERS: Endgame.

As each film came to the big screen, the crowds of people became bigger and bigger and all for different reasons. The most interesting thing about these Marvel films is that everyone's reason for becoming part of the theatre experience is different but the kid-like excitement is the same and generationally shared.

That is what Marvel has brought to everyone who has experienced the comic-book-to-screen phenomena. Each character has something that we all can relate to in some way or another. Their stories of struggle and reconciling love and loss is relatable and heartfelt. We want them to be our heroes and cheer for them to save our planet time and time again.

So, for AVENGERS: Endgame what can I tell you? The film picks up with what has happened after Thanos snapped his Infinity Stone-laden chunky fingers and what the left-over Avengers are doing in this new reality. Each is now dealing with their losses and the wish that the world were right again. That is where a plan to make that right happen is formed.

Sounds easy right? Hardly, because everything done by the Avengers isn't a straight line from chaos to success. Obstacles get in their way, twists and turns are put into play and stories have an opportunity to be told. There is also so much raw emotion in the entire three hours of the film, there are giggles, jaw drops and I do so highly suggest bringing tissue.

At the premier for the film, Chris Evans aka Captain America says about AVENGERS: Endgame, "It’s a double edged sword in that you have this wonderful fan base but also the pressure to satisfy the people who's taste is from the source material. You can't deviate too much and they deserve this."

The ever so charming and never-aging Paul Rudd says, "I can't believe we are finally going to see the movie. I'm excited for audiences to experience the culmination of these films and see where this thing has landed and have a satisfying emotional roller coaster ride experience."

I'm giving Robert Downey, Jr. the final say about how he feels with, "I'm excited, nervous and have such pride. We are fans and that is the reason this has been such a great adventure."

I have always found it difficult to watch a film where there is a huge cast because I always want to see more of one character over another, not the case with the AVENGERS films. Don't get me wrong, I do have my personal favorites in Tony Stark and Loki (I love a smart smart-ass and a smooth talking Asgardian what can I say!), but the AVENGERS cast mesh in the sense that each has a job to do and they don't screen-hog to do it.

The MCU is one of action, adventure, storytelling, lessons to be learned, friendship, loyalty, chaos, a lot of destruction, those who want to see the world burn and superheroes that make it their life mission to stop it and all of this brought to a hungry audience who want more. That's what Marvel does and will continue to do. Although AVENGERS: Endgame is a finale in this particular chapter of that MCU, there are so many more stories waiting in the wings to be shown to us on the big screen.

This weekend I suspect that theatres on our particular universe and planet will be bursting at the seams with fans waiting to spend three hours with their closest super hero friends. AVENGERS: Endgame is a film to be experienced with your family, friends and every person in what ever theatre you find yourself in. I don't think anyone who has invested so much time and emotion into these films will be disappointed.

There is so much to take in and so much to prepare for. Here are a few suggestions if I may: 1) Lay off the liquids a few hours before the film so you can have plenty of popcorn and drink during the film, 2) take a deep breath and exhale slowly from the moment the theatre goes dark and then remember to breathe often after that, 3) bring tissue…lots and lots of tissue.

They started this together and each scene attempts to bring closure for fans so embrace every moment of the film. Clearly AVENGERS: Endgame was made with love, fun and a sense that the creators wanted to give fans everything – the good, the bad, the cheering and the sad. AVENGERS: Endgame is going to give everyone exactly that. 

In the end - each of these Avengers has something to lose, something to gain and a world that needs to be set right.

Disney’s MARY POPPINS RETURNS Lands Down on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray/DVD and Digital from Walt Disney Home Entertainment comes our favorite Nanny as MARY POPPINS RETURNS.

Back in 1930s London, Michael Banks (Ben Whishaw) is living with his three children Annabell (Pixie Davies), John (Nathanael Saleh) and Georgie (Joel Dawson) after the passing of his wife. Sister Jane (Emily Mortimer) visits the childhood home regularly and living a busy life.

The Fidelity Fiduciary Bank is back with a new chairman in Weatherall Wilkins (Colin Firth) who is in their lives as Michael has borrowed money and the Banks family is being threatened with repossession of the family home. Remembering that their father left them shares, the two go through the attic to desperately find them – instead they find a kite but Michael throws it away.

Annabel, John and Georgie find the kite and decide to take it to the park. That is where they meet a very straight forward and no-nonsense nanny named Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) who takes the children home. Much to the surprise of Michael and Jane, Mary Poppins announces she is taking charge of the children.

That gives Michael time to go and look for the shares but Wilkins is no help. That’s when Annabel and John get the idea to sell something of their mother’s hoping it will help pay off the debt. Georgie has an accident and Mary enlists the help of her friend Jack (Lin-Manuel Miranda) as they set off on an adventure to fix the bowl.

When that doesn’t work, Mary takes the children to visit Topsy (Meryl Streep) who tells them the bowl won’t help their problem. The children decide to go straight to Wilkins to ask for help only to discover what is really going on.

The family learns that it only takes a moment to turn back time but will it be enough to save their iconic home?

Blunt as Mary Poppins is charming and looks like she is having an amazing time. To me that’s important when you are taking on such an iconic character. It is good to see those shoes back in the house on Cherry Tree Lane and Blunt makes sure that we remember every minute of the return.

Whishaw as Michael is now raising his own children in the house of his childhood. It makes the transition for those of us who remember everything from 1964. Dealing with the bank is such an adult issue but then again it is nothing new to Michael. Mortimer as Jane has much of her mother’s women empowerment issues but doesn’t forget where they came from as children.

Davies, Saleh and Dawson as the new Banks children have some big shoes to fill and they do it quite nicely thank you very much. They are charming, sweet, funny and have hearts as big as their father and aunt. There isn’t anything they won’t do for their family and with Mary Poppins’ help, they are about to prove it.

Firth as Wilkins has the wonderful ability to be absolutely sympathetic on one hand (and be believable about it) and in the next breath he is as horrible as he wants to be – all while grinning with no shame. Streep as Topsy is very funny and of course she has the pipes to pull off any song you put in front of her.

Miranda as Jack gets a chance to be the next generation chimney sweet as well as “Jack” of all trades. He fits in with his soot laden face and dancing on the London night cobblestone streets with all of his friends – including Mary Poppins.

Shout out to Julie Walters as Ellen because I have adored her since first seeing her in the 1983 film EDUCATING RITA. She is a chameleon and there isn’t a role she has done that I am not enthralled with. As Ellen she is hilarious!

It must be said, this film could NOT have been any more endearing without Dick Van Dyke who just made me absolutely giddy. Returning as Dawes was the smartest thing Disney could have done allowing us slightly older movie lovers to embrace someone who still dances in paintings that are drawn on our hearts.

Other cast include Julie Walters as Ellen, David Warner as Admiral Boom, Jim Norton as Mr. Binnacle, Jeremy Swift as Hamilton Gooding, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith as Templeton Frye, Angela Lansbury as the Balloon Lady, Noma Dumezweni as Miss Penny Farthing, Sudha Bhuchar as Miss Lark, Tarik Frimpong as Angus and Dick Van Dyke as Mr. Dawes Jr.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

The Bluray Bonus Extras contain over an hour of Bonus Including a Sing-Along Edition Deleted Song: The Anthropomorphic Zoo, Bloopers, The Practically Perfect Making of MARY POPPINS RETURNS, Deleted Scenes and so much more!

MARY POPPINS RETURNS is absolutely a must have on Bluray to sit right next to the 1964 original MARY POPPINS. You can have both, love both and binge watch both with what I think could be three or four generations of family members loving every moment.

MARY POPPINS RETURNS is colorful, musical, fun, animated and everything we would expect not only from Disney but from Mary Poppins’ herself.

In the end – in a place we hold dear where wonder once lived…soon from above, a new story begins – again!

Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID Returns to Us on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray, DVD and Digital from the Walt Disney Signature Collection is the return of our favorite underwater characters in THE LITTLE MERMAID.

Ariel (voiced by the amazing Jodi Benson) is a curious little mermaid who lives under the sea with her father Triton (Kenneth Mars). Constantly worried about his youngest daughter, Triton gives orders to Sebastian (Samuel E. Wright) to keep an eye on her.

Ariel's constant companion is Flounder (Jason Marin), a fish who enjoys all the trinkets and treasures she finds. When neither knows what an object is, they ask their friendly neighborhood seagull Scuttle (Buddy Hackett) who has a name for everything.

The one thing Ariel wants to know about are those who live on the land. Deciding that's her next adventure she makes a deal with the less than friendly Ursula (Pat Carroll) and in exchange for legs, she gets Ariel's voice.

Once on land she meets Eric (Christopher Barnes), a young prince who is intrigued by the young girl. Spending time together makes her very happy but it's Sebastian who is all a flutter. Not only does he have to keep away from the kitchen but help Ariel find happiness with the prince before Ursula gets what she really wants!

Benson as Ariel has become the iconic and ethereal voice of THE LITTLE MERMAID. Her voice is so endearing and her laughter seems so genuine that its easy to smile at her adventure. That is important especially to little kids who might be experiencing THE LITTLE MERMAID for the very first time. Musker and Clements knew exactly what they were doing when casting Benson. Her singing is a bit magical and every bit stunning!

Wright as Sebastian is as smooth a lobster as there ever was one. He is funny, sweet, hilarious and clearly loves his ward. Their relationship is funny from the start and continues to the very last frame. Marin as Flounder is such a sweet young friend to Ariel and that's important when everyone else sees you as different.

Barnes as Eric is a young man who finds there is something different about the young girl washed ashore, he could never imagine how different. Mars as Triton has the deep fatherly voice but also comes to understand that his daughter has a path all her own.

Carroll as Ursula is absolutely fantastic and even though her character is a tad evil we can't help but sing along to her songs. Lets face it…she's just misunderstood. She can make even this bad girl sound good.

Other cast include: Rene Auberjonois as Louis, Paddi Edwards as Flotsam & Jetsam, Edie McClurg as Carlotta, Ben Wright as Grimsby and Will Ryan as Seahorse.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

The Bluray and DVD contains the Bonus Extras of Alan Menken & The Leading Ladies: Iconic Disney Leading Ladies Share Their Musical Memories with Alan, Jodi Benson who voices Ariel, Paige O’Hara who voices Belle from BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Judy Kuhn who is the voice of Pocahontas and Donna Murphy who is the voice of Mother Gothel from TANGLED as we celebrate the music of their films in honor of the one that started it all – THE LITTLE MERMAID.

In the discussion, the ladies will share their memories of musically creating their characters with Alan, discuss what it means to be part of the Disney Princess/leading lady legacy and create new memories as they sing with Alan around a baby grand piano!

Also included is the Sing-Along Mode, "What I Want From You Is Your Voice" An Inside Look at the Casts Original Recording Sessons, Stories from Walt's Office: Gadgets & Gizmos, Class Bonus Features of Deleted Character: Harold the Merman, Under the Scene: The Art of Live Action Reference, Howard’s Lecture and Audio Commentary with Ron Clements, John Musker and Alan Menken and so much more!

Also the Digital Code can be used with the Movies Anywhere App meaning families can watch the film just about anywhere on their Computer, Smartphone, TV and Tablet.

THE LITTLE MERMAID is back with this Anniversary Edition that reminds us how much we loved it the first time in 1989. Each generation that is introduced to this film comes away with singing the songs and loving the characters.

My family is into its third generation of singing along and loving every moment together as my granddaughter now reminds us of 'Gizmo's & Gadgets'. Flounder and Sebastian have their proper place among her Disney stuffed animals and we couldn't be happier.

That's what Disney brings us, the animated stories that become generational with characters we can count on to share friendship, family, love, loyalty and adventure. I know this to be true because my first Disney film was FANTASIA and have followed everything animated since.

So bring the family together to take another trip under the sea to visit the fin and leg friends we have come to cherish with Disney's Anniversary Edition of THE LITTLE MERMAID on Bluray, DVD and Digital.

In the end - love has no boundaries!

SOLO: A Star Wars Story Docks on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and Digital in a MultiScreen Edition from director Ron Howard and Walt Disney Home Entertainment comes the story of a young and future scruffy-looking-nerf-herder in SOLO: A Star Wars Story.

On Coreillia, a young Han (Alden Ehrenreich) is trying to get away from the miserable and abusive life on the planet. Wanting to bring the girl who has his heart Qi'ra (Emilia Clarke), he devises a plan that will test his piloting skills. Mere steps from the transport that will take them away, they are spotted and Qi'ra pushes Han to leave without her. Pledging that he will return for her, there is only one thing he can do to make that happen and immediately joins the Imperial Navy who give him the name Han Solo.

Several years go by and Han still is having a difficult time. Kicked out of the Imperial Flight Academy, he ends up on Mimban fighting in a battle as an infantryman. That's when Han notices Imperial Officer Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and Val (Thandie Newton) and follows him to discover that he is actually an imposter but not before Tobias has him arrested and thrown in a pit where he meets Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo).

Managing to escape from prison, Han and Chewbacca make their way back to Tobias who sees potential and brings them aboard his ship. Getting help with his next job, Han learns that the leader of the Crimson Dawn, Dryden Vos (Paul Bettany), is expecting a shipment of something called coaxium and Tobias is going after it. The problem is there is someone else interested in doing the same thing which puts Tobias, Han and Chewbacca in danger.

The meeting with Vos is not something Tobias is looking forward to but Han is shocked to see Qi'ra there all grown up and Vos' right hand woman. Feeling that their lives are in danger, it is Han who says that they can steal unprocessed coaxium from the mines on Kessel. Agreeing to the plan, Vos also sends Qi'ra with them and she locates smugger Lando Calrissian (Donald Glover). In a game of poker brings them all aboard the Millennium Falcon to Kessel and once they get their bounty they have little time to get the unstable coaxium back to Vos.

But they is also the Cloud Riders led by Enftys Nest as the group learns that they are only trying to make a difference by aiding the rebellion against the Empire. When they arrive to delivery to Vos, he informs them that he knows what they've been doing and how he knows shocks Han and Chewbacca. Now Han must deal with the traitor, save a friend and make things right for the Cloud Riders - and he will definitely make sure all scores are settled.

Ehrenreich as Solo does a fine job as the young Solo. He has the look of someone who doesn't take orders well and isn't about to be told what to do, that's important. He throws out the arrogant confidence and silly charm that I'd expect from Han Solo. I get that it's hard to walk in on a role that has been made iconic by another actor in fact I give Ehrenreich props for doing it.

Clarke as Qi'ra is another character that has a story to tellKind of broke my heart a little that Leia wasn't Han's first love but the more I got to know Qi'ra the less I worried about her. The chemistry between Clarke and Ehrenreich is good. Glover as Calrissian gave a charmer performance and he gave the character swagger and capes. His robot counterpart was far funnier and more interesting to watch however.

Harrelson as Beckett is a smuggler who is going to go with who ever is going to pay him the most. Being a traitor seemed to come naturally to this character and Harrelson gives it his smirk and calmness that ends up being some of the trademarks found in Han. Newton as Val has a small role that works with Beckett and is the smuggler with a heart.

Bettany as Vos is a bad guy who doesn't give one wit of care who knows it or what anyone else thinks of it. In fact he only answers to one person (sorry, no spoiler for you!) so how he handles situations goes easily unchecked.

Big shout out to Suotamo as Chewbacca because I think this is the first film that I've seen him in where he's "talked" so much! It must be said that seeing him on the Millenium Falcon was uber-cool.

Other cast include Phoebe Waller-Bridge as L3-37, Jon Favreau as Rio Durant, Linda Hunt as Lady Proxima, Ian Kenny as Rebolt, John Tui as Korso, and Warwick Davis as Weazel.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

The Bluray has amazing Bonus Extras including 8 Deleted Scenes, Solo: The Director & Cast Roundtable, Becoming a Droit: L3-37 – Meet the Newest Droit and the Woman behind its Wry Humor, Into the Maelstrom: The Kessel Run – Join Han and Chewie at the Controls of the Millennium Falcon for the First Time, Remaking the Mellennium Falcon – Get the Lowdown on the Most Famous Ship in the Galaxy, Kasdan on Kasdan – Iconic STAR WARS writer Lawrence Kasdan and his son Jonathan Kasdan Share What it Was Like to Write This Film Together, Team Chewie – See What it Takes to Bring Your Favorite Wookie to Life and More!

Also included is the Movies Anywhere Digital Code and be able to watch SOLO: A Star Wars Story on your computer, Smartphone, TV and Tablet anytime you want whether you download or stream!

Now that I've given you background lets get right to it, SOLO: A Star Wars Story is the story of Han in the Star Wars Universe. There are laughs, action and plenty of symbolism and nods to the original Star Wars and there isn't anything wrong with that.

Watching the new stories being told the Star Wars is often difficult for me. It's hard to explain it unless you can have a conversation with the 1976 version of me. I think the fact that Han is gone, Luke is gone and Leia is really gone, it is hard for me and others to come to grips with. I know, I know, we are silly creatures. I never really needed to know the back story of the three. I trusted who they were from the beginning!

ROGUE ONE was cool because it didn't involve the main three characters but instead the story of how R2-D2 got the Death Star plans. That took me in a direction that was where I wanted to go, SOLO gets to tell the story of the Kessel Run and we all go for the ride to see where it leads.

I am an original die hard fan, yes I stood in line every Saturday for months to go far, far away and I didn’t need any urging. That’s what I want from anyone who dares to take on the task of making these “A Star Wars Story” film and we all know there are more on the horizon (deep sigh). I think I also feel a bit protective of my memories and my love of the galaxy I hold dear.

SOLO: A Star Wars Story is filled with a lot that fans love and answers to questions many have been asking since 1976. Your home entertainment library that includes anything STAR WARS will not be complete until you add Han and Chewie in stunning Bluray.

In the end - never tell him the odds!

THOR: Ragnarok Puts the Hammer Down on Bluray!

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray/DVD and Digital from director Taika Waititi, Marvel Entertainment and Walt Disney Pictures Home Entertainment is the next adventure from THOR: Ragnarok.

Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is once again in a predicament but once the hammer is back in hands there is one place to go – Asgard. Knowing that brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) has been hiding behind the image of their father Odin, they both go looking for him. Not where Loki left him, they get a little unexpected help.

Thor and Loki speak with Odin and discover that they have sister named Hela (Cate Blanchett) and she is an angry individual and extremely powerful. He tells them about Ragnarok which is the destruction of Asgard by the hand of Hela. When she arrives unexpectedly, Loki panics bringing the gateway and Hela hitches a ride.

Pushing both Loki and Thor out into another world, Thor lands in a pile of junk on a planet that has piles of junk. Captured by Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), he is taken to the Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum) who has a little fighting arena to keep the masses entertained. Surprised to discover who he will be fighting, the Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) bring entertainment to the masses.

Back on Asgard, Hela has found a new lackey in Skurge (Karl Urban) who is guarding the door of their world. Heimdall (Idris Elba) is now considered a traitor and no one knows where he is. The destruction of the beautiful civilization of Asgard has begun and the people are all looking for safety.

As Thor, Valkyrie, Loki and David Banner escape from the Grandmaster, their eye is on Asgard and nothing is going to stop them from saving what is left of their world!

Oh yea Hela, it’s on now!

Hemsworth as Thor is physically still ripped (didn’t think I’d miss that did you?), expands his humor and keeps Loki in check and all while still calling him brother, and twists the Hulk/Banner to do what is right for Asgard. Is it me or does he smile a heck of a lot more in this film and join in on the jokes? I think cutting his hair made Thor much more at ease with being the God of Thunder. All of that just gives Hemsworth everything he needs to be the one and only Thor.

Hiddleston as Loki is hilarious, saucy, charming, unpredictable, edgy and although still full of mischief, finds that helping can also be self serving to his way of thinking. I adore Hiddleston, there, I said it. He is so fun as Loki because lets be honest, it is fun watching him have fun being Loki. There are moments where the expressions on his face are just pure magic. That’s what Hiddleston brings to this character a sense of everything a good bad guy needs to have his own beloved army – meaning everyone who loves Loki even with his faults. I keep thinking ‘when will Loki get his own gig?’ but maybe just having him mischievous in the right amounts works just as well.

Blanchett as Hela is the opposite of Lady Galadriel from LORD OF THE RINGS. Hela is angry, sarcastic and certainly doesn’t walk away from a fight. Knowing her brothers aren’t about to embrace her takeover, she spends her time looking for Heimdall and using Skurge to get what she wants. Blanchett turns on her badass and has no intention of letting anyone find the off switch. It must be said – she is stunning!

Ruffalo as Hulk/Bruce Banner has been stuck being the big green guy for quite a while. He doesn’t want to get involved in any other skirmish but knows what the right thing to do is. Ruffalo also gets to be part of the humor that this film brings out and the audience loved it.

Thompson as Valkyrie is a disillusioned Asgardian who just needs a little push to remember her honor. Goldblum as the Grandmaster is perfection with his zany outlook on things and I’d hire him to be a DJ at my party any day. Hopkins as Odin deserves to be Odin and every time I see this actor on screen it is such a joy.

Urban as Skurge wants a position of importance in Asgard but serving a scary goddess means doing what he’s told and keeping his distance when she’s a bit upset. Elba as Heimdall isn’t about to let anyone get the sword, especially Hela since her plan is universal destruction and domination.

I’m throwing a shout out to director Taika Waititi as the voice of Korg who I think is my newest funny creature. He is laid back yet tells it like it is and when things go wrong, well, he is the last to get all upset about it. Just know that we all could use a good Rock-guy on our side! I think he needs his own Funko actually.

More cast include Rachel House as Topaz, Clancy Brown as the voice of Surtur, Tadanobu Asano as Hogun, Ray Stevenson as Volstagg, and Zachary Levi as Fandral.

Cameos include Luke Hemsworth, Sam Neill, Charlotte Nicdao, Benedict Cumberbatch and Matt Damon.

Marvel Studios has released sixteen films since 2008 in what is known as the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Marvel is built on a library of over eight thousand characters featured in a variety of media content for over seventy years. For more of what they have to offer please visit www.marvel.com. 

The Bluray includes the stunning Bonus Extras Deleted Scenes, Gag Reel, Getting in Touch with Your Inner Thor, Unstoppable Women: Hela & Valkyrie, Finding Korg, Exclusive Short – Team Darryl: With Thor Gone, Darryl Runs an Ad for a New Roommate, Director’s Commentary and so much more! Also, THOR: Ragnarok can instantly be streamed or downloaded on Digital through iTunes!

THOR: Ragnarok is a wild ride from beginning to past the credits end! The story is strong, the special effects are pretty frakken cool and I don’t mind since it is part of this universe. The characters are absolutely amazing and the cross over in the film brought the audience to its comic book knees.

There is serious laughter, cheering and fun bringing the adventure on Bluray to us excitement like to kids in a candy store. I will say it here and now, I had so much fun watching THOR: Ragnarok again, and alright I’ll admit it – again! There is non-stop action with a cast that brought their adventurous A-game. This film is the reason people have Bluray collections so microwave a huge bag of popcorn and revisit that theatre feeling once again – and again.

In the end – No hammer? No problem!

THE LION KING Roars onto Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

This week on Bluray/DVD and Digital and directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff is the Signature Walt Disney Collection and the Circle of Life Edition of THE LION KING.

On Pride Rock a new prince is born to Mufasa (James Earl Jones) and Sarabi (Madge Sinclair). Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas) begins to learn the ways of the pride under the watchful eye of Zazu (Rowan Atkinson). Joined by Nala (Niketa Calame), the two young cubs explore their world.

Also watching the young prince is Scar (Jeremy Irons), Simba’s angry and plotting uncle who wants what Mufasa has. In one afternoon Scar, along with the help from hyenas Banzai (Cheech Marin) and Shenzi (Whoopie Goldberg), rid the pride lands of their king and prince.

Simba makes his way across the plains meeting Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) but always remembering home. Simba (Matthew Broderick) has now grown to a full size lion enjoying his days until one day he meets Nala (Moira Kelly) again. She is very upset thinking that he was dead but now needs him to return to help the pride from his nasty uncle.

After a talk with Rafiki (Robert Guillaume), Simba knows he must return and set things right for the memory of his father and the survival of the pride!

Thomas as the young Simba has the voice filled with mischief and fun. That’s what catches the kid in us all. His musical relationship with Timon and Pumbaa gave us all a new phrase into the lexicon with ‘Hakuna Matata!’ Broderick as the older Simba brings the intensity to the young lion and a past that he must face head on.

Irons as Scar is creepy, scary and awesome all rolled into one. I just love his vocal portrayal that drips with distain and sugar sprinkled on it. Jones as Mufasa could be the only one to speak for Mufasa.

Lane as Timon is hilarious along with Sabella as the endearing Pumbaa. Together they are perfection in the film. Goldberg and Marin as the very sarcastic and self-entertaining hyenas. They made me laugh because of their laugh!

Guillaume as Rafiki is that crazy shaman who seems slightly off until you realize that it’s just his way to capture your attention and the truth about life. Atkinson as Zazu is equally endearing and quite different than most physical roles he has played.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

THE LION KING on Bluray has amazing Bonus Extras that include The Recording Session – Enter the recording booth and watch never-before-seen voice recording sessions, Inside The Story Room – Rare archival footage shows the origins of five iconic scenes, Visualizing a Villain – Performance Artist David Garibaldi creates his own unique interpretation of the iconic villain Scar, The Lion King: Song Selection – All new sing-along version of the movie with ‘Circle of Life’, “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King’, ‘Be Prepared’, ‘Hakuna Matata’ and ‘Can You Feel The Love Tonight’.

What can be said about THE LION KING that hasn’t been said a hundred times over? This is a fantastic film filled with so many themes of love, family, togetherness, adversity, trials and redemption. This is one of Disney’s most memorable films and it will continue to be for more generations.

It is hard to believe that THE LION KING graced theatres in 1994 and now, in 2017, twenty-three years later the film still holds firm with audiences. The best part is that on Bluray it is absolutely stunning. The picture is unbelievable and the color is so impressive! Watching the film with my granddaughter I think we were both jaw dropped and enraptured at the same time and I’d have it no other way.

The Circle of Life Edition of THE LION KING has something even more exciting inside with a Limited Edition 35-mm film strip frame that has been sourced from the film’s original digital files. Absolutely amazing!

In the end – the King has returned!

BAMBI Celebrates with an Anniversary Edition on Bluray

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray from directors James Algar, Samuel Armstrong, David Hand, Graham Heid, Bill Roberts, Paul Satterfield and Norman Wright along with Walt Disney Studios is a beloved film that continues to delight us all with BAMBI.

This animated tale tell us the story of a young deer named Bambi who is born a prince in the forest kingdom. He gets to know the woodland creatures like Flower the skunk and his buddy Thumper who enjoy their new friend.

Learning his way around, Bambi learns a little of everything from all the forest has to offer. He also meets Faline, a doe who teaches him to play like a deer should. As the seasons change, Bambi and his mother are struggling to find food but are thrilled when they find a patch of spring.

That happiness isn’t to last as Bambi must now leave with his father to make his way in the forest. Eventually, Bambi returns having grown with a set of antlers to meet up with his first friends Thumper and Flower and even Faline!

Taking his rightful place as the prince of the forest, Bambi and Faline reconnect as he defends her honor. But it is once again when man enters the forest that Bambi defends all those in his domain. In that scuffle another danger to the forest happens as a fire spread wildly.

Together the creatures great and small come together because they a family and they look to Bambi to lead them!

What can be said about BAMBI that hasn’t been said since it came to the silver screen over 75 years ago? It is brilliant in its story telling, stunning in its animation when I first saw it at the age of 10 and today at the age of 56. Generation after generation continue to see this film and know immediately it is something special. Five generations of my family know it to be true.

Voice includes Hardie Albright and Donnie Dunagan as Bambi, Stan Alexander and Sterling Holloway as Flower, Peter Behn and Sam Edwards as Thumper, Cammie Conlon and Ann Gillis as Faline, and Friend Shields as the Great Prince of the Forest.

Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment began distributing under its own label in 1980 and continues to bring quality programming to kids and kids at heart. Home of the most beloved animated features including SNOW WHITE, PINOCCHIO and SLEEPING BEAUTY to name a few is what keeps families coming back for more. To see what is currently available to add to your own family library please visit. www.movies.disney.com for their At Home titles!

This Anniversary Edition of BAMBI that includes a Bluray, DVD and Digital HD which means you can take your favorite forest friends just about anywhere. Also, this is the first time BAMBI is available with a Digital Copy.

The Bonus Features include Studio Stories: Bambi – Walt Disney’s Recordings, Deleted Scenes, The Bambi Effect – See how today’s animated films were inspired by the artistry and technology of Bambi, Inside Walt’s Story Meetings – Extended Edition, Bambi Fawn Facts – Forest Animal Fun Facts and so much more!

BAMBI received three Academy Award nominations for Best Sound, Best Song and Original Music Score – personally I think they should have swept all three and I think anyone who grew up with Bambi would agree.

When Bambi’s father appears, it is majestic and sad at the same time as the young deer learns a little more about the deer heritage. I think that is what is so wonderful about this story; the realities of the human world can be put in the animated world teaching us so much about ourselves. There is love, loyalty, friendship, dedication to family and silliness all grouped into this film.

Disney brings such rich animation and with the Anniversary Edition the film comes out brilliantly in Bluray. The music and score also bring so much to the film with its playfulness, sense of urgency and grandeur. The songs continue to remind me why I love Disney films as do million all over the world.

Thumper, Flower, Faline as well as Bambi are rich and beautiful once again. Now I have the opportunity to share, for the first time, a film that has come to mean so much to me with my own granddaughter – that makes BAMBI even more amazing and special.

In the end – an enchanting story that continues to live in our hearts!