Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Blu-ray Review)
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a family classic that I somehow missed until now which is a mystery to me since I am a huge fan of Dick Van Dyke. The movie stars not only Dick Van Dyke, but also the beautiful Sally Ann Howes (in a role that was originally intended for Julie Andrews), Lionel Jeffries, and in a drastic departure from the role of the villainous Auric Goldfinger, Gert Frobe too. It’s funny that my next review is for The Sound of Music which stars Van Dyke’s fellow Mary Poppins alum Julie Andrews and it’s interesting to see both of their follow-up movies play even more to both of their unique talents than Mary Poppins did. This time, Dick Van Dyke has a the starring role and it’s one that showcases his admirable abilities as a singer and a dancer.
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Re-imagining classic TV shows has become very popular since the shows tap into any nostalgic feelings viewers may still harbor for the old show, and it also gives the new show a chance to update and modernize the special effects, the tone, and the story-lines. A perfect example on how to do it right would the remake of Battlestar Galactica which ended up being superior in every way compared to the original show that it was based on.
Hey you guys! One of the greatest movies of the 80s is finally on Blu-ray as The Goonies 25th Anniversary Box Set with some fun extras. I’ve always loved this movie and I think this was a one of those rare movies that is a part of our cultural landscape and loved by most of my generation. You can’t go wrong when the movie was conceptualized by Steven Spielberg, written by Chris Columbus, and directed by Richard Donner and has a fantastic cast. 
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Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is another family classic that is finally coming to Blu-ray with a ton of special features! Starring Dick Van Dyke, Sally Ann Howes, and Lionel Jeffries, this tale about an eccentric inventor and his magical car is a long time classic and has been remastered for both video and audio and has never looked or sounded better! Take a look at the press release below to see all of the special features that will be loaded on this long awaited Blu-ray and also some clips of the movie kindly provided by MGM Studios. 
On November 23rd, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment kicks off the holiday season with the release of The Search for Santa Paws on Blu-ray & DVD! A heartwarming prequel to 2009’s Santa Buddies, this film reveals how the legendary friendship between Santa Claus and Santa Paws began and continues the most successful live action direct to video franchise ever. If your kids enjoyed some of the earlier movies in the franchise, they will be sure to like this latest holiday installment. 
Baz Luhrmann’s version of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet is a highly stylized retelling that sets the story in modern times. The second movie in Luhrmann’s self-described Red Curtain Trilogy (preceded by Strictly Ballroom and followed by his masterpiece of Moulin Rouge). In this movie, Luhrmann was stretching his wings and trying out new and innovative ideas and assembled an all-star cast to realize his vision. 
The comic-con sensation is now on Blu-ray and although it may not have done great business at the box office, I predict that over time more audiences will discover this movie much like they did director Edgar Wright’s earlier movies Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz. Also like those previous films, Scott Pilgrim is a hybrid of multiple genres as it blends a mix of comedy, action, music, and a whole lot of video-game conventions and graphics together to create something original and fun. As Wright said,”“At one of the [test screening] focus groups somebody said, ‘It’s like a cross between Superbad, and Kill Bill, and Tron,” he recalls, “and I thought, ‘There’s nothing wrong with that!”
Easily the most anticipated movie in our household (especially by my son) this deluxe Blu-ray set has finally arrived to our delight and now I can share with you how incredible it is. The movie isn’t officially released until November 2 so get your pre-orders in! Not only is Toy Story 3 getting the Blu-ray treatment, it’s also getting a deluxe box set that contains the entire trilogy and all of their special features all in a replica of Andy’s wagon train toy box! 
When the Jonah Hex movie was announced I was really looking forward to it. I love westerns, it had a good cast, and I enjoyed the character in earlier DC Comics shows such as Batman – The Animated Series, Justice League – Unlimited and Batman – The Brave and the Bold. Hex was never popular enough to have his own show, but he did have several long running comic series which were popular. 
Troll 2 is a breathtaking study about the rights and grandeur of a small group of indigenous people and their struggle to survive. This profound movie is a serious look at the human condition and how individuals can triumph despite the societal norms and pressures placed on them. Superbly directed by film auteur Claudio Fargrasso (under the pseudonym of Drake Floyd to remain humble), and ably supported by hand-picked actors whose haunting and nuanced portrayals bring the characters to life, Troll 2 is a cinematic treasure that dazzles us with its wit and charm. 
One of my favorite actors is Mel Gibson, who despite his personal demons is one of the best actors to come along in the last thirty years. Able to convey both masculinity and sensitivity, he’s a rare actor that can work in any genre as shown by his long and illustrious career. That career was started by Mad Max a $400,000 Australian independent film that ended up becoming a huge hit and the start of a new franchise. 
The sequel to the last remake of Death Race will arrive this January! If you enjoy hardcore vehicular mayhem you will enjoy this series. While none of the stars of the last movie will appear in this one, it does boast some notable names such as Sean Bean, Danny Trejo, Ving Rhams, and Luke Goss. The last one was a lot better than I thought it would be and it was a fun way to see weaponized cars destroy everything in their path. 
I was fortunate enough to participate in two separate round-table interviews with the legendary Disney animator Glen Keane who has played a central role in bringing many Disney movies to life including The Little Mermaid and especially Beauty and the Beast, where he was the lead animator for the character of the Beast. Mr. Keane is as modest and friendly as he is talented and he generously spent more time than was originally allotted to answer our questions. 
Here are some fun activities you can do with your kids! There are some pages to color, a puzzle, a tool to help teach your kids how to tell time, a make your own fairy-tale page, and some dining etiquette tips from Lumiere, and a way to make your own bookmarks with your favorite Beauty and the Beast characters! All you need to have fun with these pages is a color printer, crayons, scissors, and some imagination! Just click on the image and print out the pages to have fun! I’d like to say a big thank you to Disney for providing these fun activities for kids of all ages!
One of the biggest movies in Disney history, Beauty and the Beast has finally been released to Blu-ray as a new Diamond Edition release! With its incredible blend of traditional animation with computer generated images, Beauty and the Beast was the only animated movie to ever be nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture until the Disney/Pixar release of Up eighteen years later. 
