Jake and the Never Land Pirates: The Battle For The Book
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: January 6, 2015
Retail: $19.99
ASIN: B00OCUYC0I
Running Time: 141 minutes
Rated: TV-Y
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Now available on DVD from Walt Disney Home Entertainment is Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Battle For The Book, featuring 8 exciting adventures along with 10 "Jake's Neverland Pirate School" Cartoon Shorts. Each DVD come with a a "free" Checkerboard Bandana Game.

Jake and the Never Land Pirates first premiered on Disney Junior in 2011 and has won the hearts of critics and young fans. The series is set in the world of Disney's Peter Pan and centers on three pirate children Jake, Izzy and Cubby. They spend their days with their parrot Skully aboard their live ship named Bucky as they set off a new adventure. Of course Captain Hook and his crew are never too far behind them.

The episodes on this single-disc DVD are:

Battle For The Book - Parts 1 & 2 - After Captain Hook and his crew goes to London and steals Wendy's magical book, Wendy and her brothers begin to lose their memories, so she sends a message to Peter Pan for help. Peter Pan is sort of tied up at the moment, so he sends Jake and the Never Land Pirates to save the day!

Treasure Of The Pirate Mummy's Tomb/Mystery Of The Missing Treasure! - Jake his pals must find the Never Land ankh that is located inside the Mummy's Tomb. Then Jake and his crew are on the hunt to find the thief that stole their Team Treasure Chest.

The Wind Rises
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Voice Cast: Joseph Gordon-Levitt, John Krasinski, Emily Blunt, Martin Short, Stanley Tucci, Mandy Patinkin, William B. Macy
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Retail: $36.99
ASIN: B00MHT49KO
Running Time: 127 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Buy Link: Amazon


Review:



The Winds Rises tells the story of Jiro Horikoshi (voiced by Joseph Gordon-Levitt), who as a young boy dreamed of being a pilot, but his poor eyesight kept from it. Despite this setback, he still loves all aviation. He is determined to become an aircraft designer and follows the footsteps of his mentor,  Giovanni Battista Caproni (voiced by Stanley Tucci). He goes on to attend Tokyo Imperial University to study engineering, where he befriends future designer, Kiro Honjo (voiced by John Krasinski)

Kiki's Delivery Service
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Voice-Cast: Kristin Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman, Debbie Reynolds
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Retail: $36.99
ASIN: B00MMPB4ME
Running Time: 105 minutes
Rating: G
Buy Link: Amazon


Review:

Available to own on Blu-ray from Walt Disney Home Entertainment is the 1989 (first released in the United States in 1998) Japanese anime Kiki's Delivery Service. The film is directed by the now retired Hayao Miyazaki and features the voices of Kristin Dunst, Janeane Garofalo, Phil Hartman and Debbie Reynolds. Special Features includes an Introduction by John Lasseter, Ursula's Painting, Original Japanese Storyboards, Original Japanese Trailers Creating Kiki's Delivery Service, Producer's Perspective: Collaborating with Miyazaki, Scoring Miyazaki, Behind the Microphone, The Locations of Kiki's Delivery Service, Kiki & Jiji and Flying with Kiki & Beyond.

Based on the book of the same name by Eiko Kadono, Kiki's Delivery Service centers on a thirteen-year-old girl, Kiki (voiced by Kristin Dunst), who travels on a broomstick with her cat Jiji (voiced by the Phil Hartman) to the port city of Koriko, where she plans train to become a witch!


Kiki takes a job delivering goods on her broomstick for a baker named Osono (voiced by Tress MacNeille). She befriends many of the locals, including an artist, an old woman and a geeky teen. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she discovers that she can no longer fly, which forces her to halt her job at delivering goods. When a friend gets into trouble, Kiki must find away to regain her powers and save the day.

Princess Mononoke
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Voice Cast: Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver, Jada Pinkett Smith and Billy Bob Thornton
Release Date: November 18, 2014
Retail: $36.99
ASIN: B00MMPB3VG
Running Time: 134 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Buy Link: Amazon

Arriving on Blu-ray High Definition for the very first time is critically acclaimed animated classic Princess Mononoke from director Hayao Miyazaki. The newly remastered film features several bonus features, such as the Original Japanese Storyboards, Original Japanese Trailers, Princess Mononoke in the U.S.A. and Original Japanese TV Spots.

Princess Mononoke was originally released to theaters in Japan in 1997 and in the United States in 1999. Of course the United States version got an American voice cast, featuring the voices of Gillian Anderson, Billy Crudup, Claire Danes, Minnie Driver, Jada Pinkett Smith and Billy Bob Thornton. The film received great reviews from critics and moviegoers. 

The film centers on Ashitaka, the last Emishi prince, who kills an evil possessed beast before it entered his village, but he is injured in the process. He is now poisoned with the same evil that controlled the beast. He is told that a possible cure for his curse may be somewhere in the western lands.

2D animation is becoming a thing of the past, but there are a few them still around cable channels, including Phineas & Ferb, which its fourth season is currently being aired on Disney XD. While the future of the series is in limbo, fans can grab their hands on Phineas & Ferb: Star Wars that will arrive on DVD this Tueaday November 11, 2014. As an added bonus there are 5 bonus episode along with a Perry-In-Carbonite Keychain.

The Star Wars special aired back in July on the Disney Channel and Disney XD. There have several other series (Robot Chicken, Family Guy) that have crossed over with the Star Wars franchise, mostly retelling the original trilogy, but that isn't the case with this special. Here we get an original Phineas & Ferb adventure that happens to take place during Star Wars - Episode IV: A New Hope.


In the new spin on the tale, Phineas and Ferb are living with their parents on the planet Tattooin and they happen to be living close to Luke Skywalker (voiced by Christopher Corey Smith). Meanwhile, Perry the platypus is part the Rebel Alliance and steals a CD containing the Death Star plans and gives the plans to Princess Leia. After the Star Destroyer intercepts their ship, Princess Leia inserts the CD into R2-D2 for safe keeping. C-3PO (voiced by Simon Pegg) and R2-D2 hop into an escape pod, but three Imperial stormtroopers, Candace Flynn, Baljeet Tjinder and Buford van Stomm, are hot on their trail and of course Perry isn't too far behind them either.

Million Dollar Arm
Director: Craig Gillespie
Starring: Jon Hamm, Aasif Mandvi, Bill Paxton, Suraj Sharma, Lake Bell and Alan Arkin
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 7, 2014
Retail: $39.99
Running Time: 124 minutes
ASIN: B00KYYFHGO
Rating: PG
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD on October 7, 2014 is the Million Dollar Arm. The film is directed by Craig Gillespie (Fright Night) and stars John Hamm, Aasif Mandvi, Bill Paxton, Suraj Sharma, Lake Bell and Alan Arkin. Special Features include: Training Camp: actors Suraj Sharma and Madhur Mittal face the same daunting challenge that their characters Rinku and Dinesh did - learning how to pitch a baseball; Their Story - the real JB Bernstein, Rinku and Dinesh explore the legacy of the Million Dollar Arm contest and its impact on the lives and aspirations of children in India ... and their own lives as well; Million Dollar Music By A.R. Raham - The Oscar-winning composer (Best Original Score, Slumdog Millionaire, 2008) talks about creating music that encompasses two worlds - India and the U.S.; alternate ending; deleted scenes and outtakes.

Based on the true story, Million Dollar Arm centers on JB Bernstein (played by Jon Hamm), a sports agent who is struggling to keep the doors to his business open. After flipping through channels late one night, he stumbles upon Britain's Got Talent and a cricket match, resulting in an idea that may save his business. Bernstein and his business partner Ash (played by Aasif Mandvi) convinces Chang, a sports business investor, into backing their idea of running a contest called the Million Dollar Arm in India. The contest is to find the best cricket bowlers, which the winners receive $100,000 and will travel to the United States to train for a tryout for the MLB.

Bernstein doesn't find just one suitable candidate, but he finds two - Suraj Sharma and Madhur Mittal, two young men that have no clue how to play baseball.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Special Edition
Director: Robert Stevenson
Starring: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, John Ericson
Ian Weighill, Cindy O'Callaghan, Roy Snart
Studio: Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: August 12, 2014
Retail: $29.99
ASIN: B00K5ZXKFM
Running Time: 117 minutes
Rating: G
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on Blu-ray Combo Pack this Tuesday August 12, 2014 is the 1971 Disney classic Bedknobs and Broomsticks, with an all-new digital transfer. Bonus features include Music Magic: The Sherman Brothers, Five Enchanted Deleted and Extended Songs, Eight Magical Deleted and Extended Scenes, David Tomlinson Recording Sessions, Song Selections and The Wizards of Special Effects.

Based on the book by Mary Norton, Bedknobs and Broomsticks was released to theaters in 1971, but was edited to fit into a 2-hour slot. The film was heavily edited for the 1979 re-release. In 1996, the film was reconstructed on VHS in its original intended 139 version.

Set during WWII, the film centers on Eglantine Price (played by Angela Lansbury) taking in three orphans, Charlie (played by Ian Weighill), Paul (played by Roy Snart), and Carrie (played by Cindy O'Callaghan). Just after arriving, they learn that Miss Price is an apprentice witch!

The Three Musketeers
Director: Donovan Cook
Voice Cast: Wayne Allwine, Tony Anselmo, Bill Farmer, Russi Taylor, Tress MacNeille, Jim Cummings, April Winchell, Jeff Bennett, Maurice LaMarche, Rob Paulsen
Studio: Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: August 12, 2014
Retail: $29.99
ASIN: B00K5ZXKTS
Running Time: 68 minutes
Rating: G
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on Blu-ray for the first time on Tuesday August 12 is the swashbuckling adventure The Three Musketeers starring Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy. Bonus Features include: New "Get Up And Dance!" - Be Stouthearted And Dance To The Song & "All For One" From The Movie, Deleted Scenes With Commentary - Learn Why These Scenes Were Deleted From The Movie, Sing-Along Songs and much more!

A Disney animation based on the famous novel The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, père had been in the works for years before finally being released as a direct-to-video feature in 2004 starring Mickey, Donald and Goofy. In this version of the classic tale, Mickey, Donald and Goofy are the janitors for the palace, but they dream of becoming Royal Musketeers, even though Mickey is "too small," Donald is a "coward" and Goofy is "doofus" in the eyes of the Musketeers.




Meanwhile, Captain Pete of the Royal Musketeers and his goons (the Beagle Boys) are planning on kidnapping Minnie Mouse, the princess of France, before the opera The Pirates of Penzance, where Pete plans on taking the thrown for himself. Pete knows that there is no way to kidnap Minnie when there are skilled Royal Musketeers guarding her at all times, so he appoints Mickey, Donald and Goofy as Musketeers, knowing that they will fail at protecting her.

Hercules: Special Edition
Directors: Ron Clements, John Musker
Voice Cast: Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito, James Woods, Susan Egan, Rip Torn
Studio: Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: August 12, 2014
Retail: $29.99
ASIN: B00K5ZXJFI
Running Time: 93 minutes
Rating: G
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on Blu-ray for the first time is the 1997 Disney animated classic Hercules. The film is directed by Ron Clements and John Musker and features the voice talents of Tate Donovan, Danny DeVito, James Woods, Susan Egan and Rip Torn. Bonus Features include From Zero to Hero Sing-Along "No Importa La Distancia" Music Video and The Making of Hercules.

Based on the Greek mythology, the film centers on Zeus' son, Hercules, who is kidnapped by Hade's minions (Pain and Panic). The two feed the baby Hercules a formula that makes him mortal. As a mortal, Hercules can no longer live with his parents at Mount Olympus, as it is a place for Gods only. Therefore, Hercules is left to be raised by a moral couple.

Years pass by and Hercules has grown into an adult with super strength. His foster parents inform him about his birth parents. Then Hercules sets off for the temple of Zeus, where his father leaves him a message to search for the satyr Philoctetes, "Phil." who will train Hercules to become a hero. Once he becomes a hero, then maybe he would one day be accepted into Mount Olympus, but hiding in the darkness is Hades, whom is planning on overthrowing Zeus and taking over Mount Olympus.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie-Rella
Voice Cast: Bret Iwan, Russi Taylor, Bill Farmer, Tony Anselmo and Tress MacNeille
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Retail: $19.99
Release Date: February 11, 2014
ASIN: B00GN13CNC
Running Time: 102 minutes
Rating: TV-Y
Buy Link: Amazon

Review:

Arriving on DVD this Tuesday, February 11, 2014 is Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie-Rella, the all-new 30-minute special, which will premiere on the Disney Channel and Disney Junior on February 14th. There are three extra 24-minute episodes and ten Minnie's Bow-Toons. Each DVD comes with a Free Castle Play Set.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is the Disney Channel's first CGI animated series, which began airing under the daily Playhouse Disney block in 2006 and later moved to Disney Junior. It is the first Mickey Mouse program aimed for preschoolers. Sadly, the series stopped production in December 2013.

In Minnie-Rella, Mickey and the gang are planning a surprise for Minnie. They give her several chores to do to distract her while they finish the surprise. Meanwhile after finishing the chores, Minnie is tired and falls asleep. She is awaken by Fairy Godmother Clarabelle, who magically helps her to get ready for Prince Mickey's party, but she might not make it in time if she doesn't hurry.

The three bonus episodes are:

Billy's Review:

Gravity Falls
Voice Cast: Jason Ritter, Kristen Schaal, Alex Hirsch, Linda Cardellini
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 15, 2013
Retail: $19.99
ASIN: B00EAHX876
Running Time: 129 minutes
Rating: TV-Y7

Review:

Being released this Tuesday, October 15, 2013, is the hit-animated Disney's series Gravity Falls: Six Strange Tales DVD featuring six mysterious episodes that the entire family can enjoy.

The series is about twelve-year-old twins, Dipper & Mable Pines, being shipped off to spend the summer with their Great Uncle ("Grunkie") Stan, who happens to run a tourist trap called the "Mystery Shack" - where the twins discover a strange journal about all the weird things that go about in Gravity Falls.

The episodes on this single-disc are:

Phineas & Ferb: Mission Marvel
Voice Actors: Vincent Martella, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Dan Povenmire, Ashley Tisdale, Alyson Stoner
Studio: Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Retail: $19.99
ASIN: B00DQR8Z3S
Running Time: 137 minutes (counting bonus episodes)
Rating: TV-G

Review:

Two of Disney's best franchises collided together yesterday with the DVD release of Phineas & Ferb: Mission Marvel, where everybody's favorite stepbrothers teamed up with Spider-Man, Hulk, Thor and Iron Man. This exciting DVD comes with six bonus adventures from season four of the series.

In Mission Marvel, Phineas & Ferb have a built a space station that is orbiting Earth. Dr. Doofenshmirtz is up to no good again and accidentally blasts his "Power-Drain-Inator" into space, which it ricochets off the space station and hits Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor and Hulk, draining them of their superpowers. Though they are just kids, it is up to Phineas & Ferb (and a little help from Agent P) to help the superheroes regain their powers and stop the super villains from destroying the Tri-State Area.


The bonus adventures are:

The Odd Life of Timothy Green
Director: Peter Hedges
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Joel Edgerton, CJ Adams
Studio: Disney
Release Date: December 4, 2012
ASIN: B005LAIIL2
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number of discs: 2 
Running Time: 105 minutes
Rated: PG

Review:

The Odd Life of Timothy Green is making its way onto DVD and Blu-ray on December 4th just in time for Christmas. I recall seeing a few advertisements for it when it was released to theaters, but I never got a chance to see it until I watched it on DVD last night. Disney was nice enough to send me an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

At first I thought The Odd Life of Timothy Green was based on a book, but I was mistaken as it was based on the concept by Ahmet Zappa. It was written and directed by Peter Hedges (What's Eating Gilbert Grape).

Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Garner star as Jim and Cindy Green, a couple living in the small drought-stricken town of Stanleyville, North Carolina. Jim spends his days working at the town's historic pencil factory while Cindy works at the local museum. The couple desperately wants to have children, but they find out they cannot conceive a child.

Heartbroken, they write down their dream child's characteristics onto pieces of paper, put the pieces into a wooden box and buried it in their garden.

The Secret World of Arrietty is a 2010 animated Japanese film based on the award winning novel The Borrowers by Mary Norton. It was directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and produced by Studio Ghibli. After a successful run in Japan, and winning the Animation of the Year Award at the 34 Japan Academy Price, it was released in the Untied States by Walt Disney Pictures in early 2012. Disney’s release had an American dub with the voices of Bridgit Mendler, David Henrie, Will Arnett, Amy Poehler and Carol Burnett.

A boy named Shawn is sent to live with his great aunt Jessica’s, the same house his mother had grew up in. Shawn’s parents are busy with work and don’t have the time to take care him. He is going to have  heart in a few weeks and needs to rest. His mother told him about the little people who live in the walls, of course Shawn thinks it was just a story, but he was wrong.

First came the successful DVDs, and now the “Disney Fairies” have their very own graphic novel. The first issue has four stories in it. In “Prilla’s Talent,” Prilla is sad that she is the only fairy without a talent. The story goes on to explain each of the fairies’ gifts. In the end, Prilla discovers that she has always had a very special talent of her very own.

In the second story “Like the Wind,” the reader is introduced to fastest fairy of them all - Vidia, the fairy that can never be trusted when you really needed. She is irresponsible. When one of her own gets in trouble, Vidia must change her ways and rescue her friend.

The third story “The Sound of Friendship,” revolves around Tinker Bell. The Bluebell Festival is approaching and everyone is getting ready. Terrance, the male fairy, is having a hard time trying to ask Tinker to the Festival. The Festival bell is broken, and Tinker and Terrance rush to fix it before the festival is a disaster.

In the last story “Best of Friends,” Tinker and Rani are the best friends, until Rani starts avoiding her. Tinker and Prilla spend the rest of the story trying to find out why.

I haven’t read a graphic novel since I was a kid. “Prilla’s Talent” is aimed for female readers, but boys might like the character Terrance. The illustrations are colorful and well drawn. The plots in each of the stories are simple, but fun to read. There is a great message of friendship in every story. I recommend this book to anyone who likes “Peter Pan” or the “Disney Fairies.”

Note: I would like to thank the Author Marketing Experts for sending me this complimentary copy to review.