Archives for August 2012

Disney Parks Halloween Merchandise for 2012 VIDEO

24 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Halloween is right around the corner, so I decided to head over to Downtown Disney Marketplace and check out the new 2012 Halloween merchandise at World of Disney. The Halloween merchandise should be in all the Walt Disney World and Disneyland Parks now, so check it out! Be sure to see the new Haunted Mansion tombstone collectible pieces as well as the new “Goth Goodies” line of candy, including a chocolate rose.

Here’s a video of the merchandise highlights with a little song to get you in the Halloween spirit:

On the way out, I also snagged some photos of the Halloween/Autumn soaps at Basin. I’m pretty sure those are there year round, but they are pretty!

Disney Classics Old and New Now On Blu-ray Combo Packs

24 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

One thing I love about Disney Pictures bringing out new movies on special edition or Blu-ray release is that I get to see movies I haven’t seen in decades, and usually hold some wonderful childhood memory for me or now, my family. Disney has now released a handful of new-to-Blu-ray films, and I was lucky enough to be sent them for review here. Released on August 21, 2012 are:

The Tigger Movie: Bounce-A-Rrrific Special Edition Combo Pack

Pocahontas and Pocahontas II: Journey To A New World – Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo

Lady and the Tramp 2: Scamps Adventure – Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Special Edition

The Rescuers: 35th Anniversary Edition with The Rescuers Down Under – Three-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo

The Aristocats – Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Special Edition

Now believe it or not, some of these movies I’d actually never seen. Pocahontas II, The Rescuers Down Under, and The Tigger Movie somehow all escaped my viewing eye. I was happy to be able to share them with my children, as well as see them for the first time myself. My almost-4 year-old is currently obsessed with Tigger, so he now watches the Tigger movie on rotation daily! It was also great to see what I’d missed with the other two sequels.

Most of all, I loved sharing The Rescuers with my daughter. I truly loved this movie when I was a little younger than her, and it also terrified me. It was interesting to see it from an adult perspective as well as having quite a few years pass since the movie was first released. It was great to finally see The Rescuers Down Under too.

I remember getting Lady and the Tramp II on VHS when my oldest son was little. He loved little Scamp and his adventures, so it brought back fun memories from when he was little. Pocahontas has such wonderful music and visuals, and having the sequel together was fun to see. The Aristocats has also always been a favorite, so it’s great to get all of these films in wonderfully restored digital quality on Blu-ray.

The best part is that each of my children can identify with the different movies in their own way, and choose their own favorites. So many of my Disney movie memories are tied to when they were first released in the case of the 70’s – present, or if they were shown in theatres again. Now kids can see all of the old classics and newer ones as well, whenever they please.

Here are the bonus features you’ll find on these releases:

The Aristocats –

The Lost Open: legendary songwriter Richard Sherman introduces an early story board iteration of an opening scene complete a deleted character named “the Maid” and demos for the deleted songs “How Much You Mean to Me” and “Court Me Slowly.”

“Oui Oui Marie” Music Video

Deleted Song – “She Never Felt Alone”: This deleted song, complete with animation, will tug at the heartstrings of any animal lover, as Duchess explains to Thomas O’ Malley why she must return to her beloved owner Madame Bonfamille. Richard Sherman discusses the song he co-wrote with his brother Robert, which captures the special relationship between a pet owner and their animal. It’s a moving sequence that will stir everyone’s fondest memories of their favorite pets.

The Sherman Brothers: The Aristocats of Disney Songs: A tribute to the legendary Disney songwriting team of Robert and Richard Sherman, with particular emphasis on “The Aristocats.”

The Great Cat Family (Excerpt): This animated excerpt tells the history of cats from ancient Egyptians to the present.

The Classic Disney short “Bath Day”: Figaro has been freshly bathed and perfumed by Minnie when he meets up with Lucifer and his gang who chase him. In the ensuing fight, the gang is fooled into beating up Lucifer and making Figaro the winner. But the victor is soon putback in the tub by Minnie.

Disney Song Selection:

“The Aristocats”
“Scales and Arpeggios”
“Thomas O’Malley Cat”
“Ev’rybody Wants To Be A Cat”

The Rescuers and The Rescuers Down Under –

3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack: “Peoplitis” deleted song; The Making of “Rescuers Down Under;” “Three Blind Mouseketeers” animated short; Water-Birds, A Walt Disney True Life Adventure documentary; “Someone’s Waiting For You” Sing-Along

2-Disc DVD: The Making of “Rescuers Down Under;” “Three Blind Mouseketeers” animated short; Water-Birds, A Walt Disney True Life Adventure documentary; “Someone’s Waiting For You” Sing-Along

Lady and the Tramp II –

Blu-Ray Combo Pack: The Making of Lady and Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure; Sing-Along Songs; Pluto Animated Shorts; Puppy Trivia Tracks; Audio Commentary

Pocahontas II –

3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack:

Drawing Inspiration: The Lost Story of Hiawatha
Deleted Song: “If I Never Knew You” The Music of Pocahontas
“Little Hiawatha” Cartoon Short
Deleted Scenes
“Pocahontas” Audio Commentary
Virtual Vault

The Tigger Movie –

2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack:

Disney Intermission – While the film is paused, young viewers are entertained with fun and engaging Hundred Acre Wood themed games and activities.

· “A Tigger Tale” – This featurette includes interviews with director Jun Falkenstein, producer Cheryl Abood, art director Toby Bluth, animator Jeff Johnson and composer Richard Sherman who discuss how Tigger’s literary and film history influenced “The Tigger Movie.”

· 10 Mini Adventures of Winnie the Pooh shorts – The journey continues with these 10 animated shorts featuring all of the Hundred Acre Wood characters.

· “Round My Family Tree” Sing-Along Song – In this feature, fans can sing along with Tigger as the lyrics are highlighted on screen.

· Kenny Loggins Music Video “Your Heart Will Lead You Home” – Singer/songwriter Kenny Loggins reunites with the Hundred Acre Wood characters in this heartwarming music video.

Enjoy these films with your family, or by yourself and create even more Disney memories for years to come.

^*Disclosure: I was provided these movies for the purposes of review but my opinions are my own. Links above are affiliate links, which, if used to purchase these discs, will give me back a few cents to keep zannaland running. Thank you!

Guest MOVIE REVIEW: The Bourne Legacy

22 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

A few weeks back, my husband had the opportunity to attend a screening of Universal Pictures The Bourne Legacy – here’s his review of the film:

The Bourne Legacy is a good movie, and good addition to the Bourne franchise. It can best be reviewed by breaking the movie down into…The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. WARNING: The Ugly contains spoilers.

The Good:
Tony and Dan Gilroy do a great job of working the story seamlessly into the previous Bourne trilogy of movies; fitting the story into the events of the third movie. Jeremy Renner and Ed Norton are amazing in their roles and really stand out in an amazing cast. Renner, in particular, is very believable as Aaron Cross and pulls off the roll with ease.

The Bad
Tony Gilroy directing was just…bad. In one of the opening scenes of the film, two people are talking in a small office. The camera, for some inexplicable reason, “helicopters” around them as they are talking, producing a motion sick feeling that will leaving you needing Dramamine. The rest of the movie is okay directorally until the climatic car chase at the end. This scene looks and feels like it was directed by my 4yo, with my 92yo grandfather working the camera. There is a lot of fast action, but the camera always seems to be zoomed in on a random car bumper, or unaware passenger.

The Ugly
I really liked the movie, and the storyline of a failed government project that is trying to swept under the carpet is riveting. However, toward the middle of the movie you realize that Aaron Cross doesn’t know he’s being hunted down, in fact all he is looking for is more “chems” (the government supplied drugs that make you stronger and faster). The movie proceeds with Aaron trying to save the life of a doctor in order to obtain more drugs, not realizing he is the one being hunted. Then the bomb drops…figuratively. It is revealed that Aaron is only looking for the “smart” drug because his iq test results on his entrance exams were pumped up by his recruiter, thus making him, in his pre-drug state, 12 iq points below normal…and he doesn’t want to go back to that. So basically the moral of Aaron’s crisis is, it’s not good to be…well…not smart. I felt not smart after realizing that was the guiding force behind the plot; he didn’t know he was trying to stay alive, he just didn’t want to be dumb.

All together, the movie was a great addition to the Bourne franchise and very fun to watch…it just won’t make you smarter. – J.F. DiMarzio

The Bourne Legacy opened in theatres August 10

NEW: Steven Spielberg’s LINCOLN Movie Poster Released

22 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

After the first stunning image of Daniel Day Lewis as Abraham Lincoln, Dreamworks has now released the first official movie poster for its upcoming film:

Steven Spielberg directs two-time Academy Award® winner Daniel Day-Lewis in “Lincoln,” a revealing drama that focuses on the 16th President’s tumultuous final months in office. In a nation divided by war and the strong winds of change, Lincoln pursues a course of action designed to end the war, unite the country and abolish slavery. With the moral courage and fierce determination to succeed, his choices during this critical moment will change the fate of generations to come.

Starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, David Strathairn, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, James Spader, Hal Holbrook and Tommy Lee Jones, “Lincoln” is produced by Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy, with a screenplay by Tony Kushner, based in part on the book “Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln” by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The DreamWorks Pictures/Twentieth Century Fox film, in association with Participant Media, releases in U.S. theaters exclusive on November 9, 2012, with expansion on November 16, 2012.

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Sneak Peek: PARTYSAURUS REX Toy Story Toon To Show Before Finding Nemo 3D

16 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

The toys are back! Disney*Pixar’s brand-new Toy Story Toon, PARTYSAURUS REX, will run in theaters before FINDING NEMO 3D starting September 14th. This adorable short is directed by Mark Walsh, produced by Kim Adam, and is the third installment of Toy Story Toons.

Check out this brand-new clip from PARTYSAURUS REX!

“Partysaurus Rex” features Rex (voiced by Wallace Shawn), the insecure toy T-Rex in the ‘Toy Story’ gang. Rex goes from shrinking violet to sudsy stud when Bonnie brings him into the bath! What follows can only be described as an EPIC bathtub party.

FINDING NEMO 3D & “Partysaurus Rex” Hit Theaters September 14th!

Disney Pixar’s Wall-E Custom Fan-Painted Shoes

11 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

I know I’m not alone in thinking Wall-E and EVE are one of Disney’s greatest love stories. Somehow we can all identify with robots because of that film. Here’s another great pair of custom painted shoes from artist Taylor Litonjua on etsy:

Wall-E and EVE sneakers — Wall-E and EVE custom painted shoes

Adorable Disney Princess Cupcake Jewelry Pendants

10 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

What better combination is there than Disney princesses AND cupcakes? Throw jewelry into the mix and you’re all set! I found these adorable fan-made creations on etsy from KTJennuary. The seller has them as a set or individual purchase – check them out:

Disney Princess Cupcake pendants — Click the link above for more photos!

Amazing Rapunzel “I See The Light” Cake

9 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

The part in Tangled when Rapunzel and Flynn sing “I See The Light” is without a doubt, my favorite scene in any Disney animated film, and it has been beautifully created in cake form below. I do not know who Isabella is, but she sure was a lucky girl to get this amazing Tangled cake.

Tangled Rapunzel cake — The detail and accuracy is just beautiful!

More photos at the cake artist’s flickr page – Little “Miss” OC’s Kitchen.

FIRST IMAGE: Daniel Day Lewis in Steven Speilberg’s Lincoln

8 August 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

LINCOLN focuses on the last four months of the president’s life and the political strategizing he undertook at the close of the Civil War to ensure that slavery would be forever outlawed. “Our movie is really about a working leader who must make tough decisions and get things done in the face of overwhelming opposition,” Spielberg says.

LINCOLN is a DreamWorks, Twentieth Century Fox, Participant Media production opening in limited release November 9, expanding November 16, 2012.

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