Release date: 2006-06-12
RRP: £12.99
Price: £3.58
Review Jo Jo's Circus - Animal A Go-Go / Jojo's Circus:
![Review 2 Entertain Video / Brum - Kitten Rescue And Other Stories [2003]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5125FC1DR0L._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Mark Powlett
- Toyah Willcox
Run time: 49 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £9.45
Review Brum - Kitten Rescue And Other Stories [2003] / 2 Entertain Video:Quietly tucked away in a car-collection garage, Brum is only conspicuous by his size. When the owner turns his back at the start of the day however, Brum blazes into action; ready to fight crime and do good deeds in the "big town". TV has tried lots of ideas with cars that think for themselves, but never managed to convey the charm that this series offers. Whether it's thwarting the escape of some naughty bank robbers, or saving a newlywed bride who inadvertently steps on a runaway skateboard, the little car with the big heart is always the perfect gentleman. Each episode sets up a crime to solve or dilemma to resolve, and by way of handy ramps and elevators, Brum is cheerily applauded and waved at by the town's residents. Every so often there's an outburst of song that will unite good guys and bad guys alike, and then there's always the sing-along at the end to look forward to. Warning to parents: expect a look of abject disappointment on the face of the tot who discovers their toy cars won't do any of the tricks on TV. -Paul Tonks.
Release date: 2003-06-30
RRP: £15.99
Price: £3.49
Review Scooby Doo And The Ghoul School / Warner Home Video:
Release date: 2007-01-15
RRP: £12.99
Price: £0.99
Review Fireman Sam - on Stage / Fireman Sam:
Actors & Directors
- Glenn Close
- Chris Buck (II)
- Brian Blessed
- Tony Goldwyn
- Kevin Lima
- Nigel Hawthorne
- Minnie Driver
Run time: 88 min.
RRP: £24.99
Price: £18.95
Review Tarzan (1999) Disney - Collector's Edition (2 Disc) / Walt Disney Home Video:After viewing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote to Walt Disney about adapting his novel of an ape-man into a feature animated cartoon. Sixty odd years later, the tale is finally told with brilliant design work that looks unlike any previous animated film. The story is a natural for Disney since the themes of misunderstood central figures have been at the heart of most of its recent hits. Disney's Tarzan doesn't wander far from the familiar story of a shipwrecked baby who is brought up by apes in Africa. What gives the film its zing is its clever use of music (the songs are sung by Phil Collins himself rather than onscreen characters) and the remarkable animation. Deep Canvas, a 3-D technology, was developed for the film, creating a jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the trees, often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant tree limbs. The usual foray of sidekicks, including a rambunctious ape voiced by Rosie O'Donnell, should keep the little ones aptly entertained. The two lead voices, Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, are inspired choices. Their chemistry helps the story through the weakest points (the last third) and makes Tarzan's initial connection with all things human (including Jane) delicious entertainment. Disney still is not taking risks in its animated films, but as cookie-cutter entertainment, Tarzan makes a pretty good treat. [+]On the DVD: It's the dish-mistakes, unused footage, creative differences, embarrassing behind-the-scene stories-that makes collector's editions so much fun. Unfortunately, this goes against the Disney philosophy of picture-perfection, and this two-set disc shows it; only half of the new material is engaging. The other half of this second disc, the "Tarzan Archives," is a slickly produced filler-more publicity fluff than real insight on the development of the film and the animation process. Much better are the three abandoned scenes (with voices and storyboards), including a much fiercer opening and ending, plus dozens of sketches made over the years as the designers pursued the luscious look of the film. The original audio demos Phil Collins made for the film are also intriguing (mostly filled with dummy or place-holding lyrics). The new audio commentary (by the producer and two directors) is a "fireside chat" variety, hardly worth more than one listen. Two side-by-side comparisons of storyboards to final film are a great tool to show youngsters how the animated process works, as is animator Glen Keane's talks on animating Tarzan. Also for kids: a read-along book and trivia game. -Doug Thomas.
Actors & Directors
- Otmar Gutmann
- Marianne Noser
RRP: £12.99
Price: £1.27
Review Pingu - Bouncy Fun / Hit Entertainment:
![Review 2 Entertain Video / Postman Pat's Bumper Bag [1981]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V57107SCL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Chris Taylor (VI)
- Ken Barrie
- Archie Panjabi
Run time: 95 min.
RRP: £9.99
Price: £8.00
Review Postman Pat's Bumper Bag [1981] / 2 Entertain Video:
![Review 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment / Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones [2002]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/416GEJ9AGKL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Ewan McGregor|Natalie Portman|Hayden Christensen|Ian McDiarmid
- George Lucas
Run time: 137 min.
RRP: £16.99
Price: £4.93
Review Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones [2002] / 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment:The most densely plotted instalment of the saga so far, Attack of the Clones is a tale of both Machiavellian political drama and doomed romance; it's epic war film and silly comic-book fantasy combined, as teenage Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) chafes at the restrictions imposed by his mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) and falls in love with Padme Amidala (Natalie Portman). Renegade Jedi Count Dooku (Christopher Lee) is leading a breakaway federation of disgruntled systems; while the insidious influence of Darth Sidious is felt rather than seen as his invisible hand guides apparently unrelated events, from Jar Jar's unwitting instigation of a disastrous Senate decision to bounty hunter Jango Fett's revelatory role at the centre of the conspiracy. Along the way the story has fun with the conventions of Chandleresque detective fiction as Obi-Wan explores the seedier side of Coruscant, and incorporates the noble warrior ethos of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in its portrayal of the Jedi order. The portentous tone is lightened by tongue-in-cheek self-referential dialogue and the antics of robotic clowns R2D2 and C3PO. (One niggle for music fans, though, is the cavalier cut-and-paste approach to John Williams's music score. ) Like the Empire Strikes Back, Clones is the bridging film of the trilogy and thus ends on an equivocally bittersweet note. On the DVD: Attack of the Clones is an all-digital film, and so looks suitably superb in this anamorphic widescreen transfer, accompanied by a THX encoded Dolby 5. 1 soundtrack. Anyone who owns The Phantom Menace two-disc set will know what to expect from the special features: here's another group commentary led by George Lucas, two lengthy documentaries on the digital effects ("From Puppets to Pixels" and "The Previsualisation of Episode II") plus several other featurettes and Web documentaries, notably "Films Are Not Released, They Escape", a look at the sound design. There's also a fun trailer for the R2-D2 mockumentary "Beneath the Dome", trailers, photo galleries and more to satisfy any Star Wars fan. [+]-Mark Walker.
![Review Walt Disney Home Video / Mary Poppins [1964]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51CMGDJD6YL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Cyril Delevanti
- Robert Stevenson
- Ed Wynn
- Reginald Owen
- Reta Shaw
- Julie Andrews
Run time: 133 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £19.99
Review Mary Poppins [1964] / Walt Disney Home Video:There is only one word that comes close to accurately describing the enchanting Mary Poppins, and that term was coined by the movie itself: supercalifragilisticexpialidocious! Even at 2 hours and 20 minutes, Disney's pioneering mixture of live action and animation (based on the books by P. L. Travers) still holds kids spellbound. Julie Andrews won an Oscar as the world's most magically idealized nanny ("practically perfect in every way," and complete with lighter-than-air umbrella), and Dick Van Dyke is her clownishly charming beau, Bert the chimney sweep. The songs are also terrific, ranging from bright and cheery ("A Spoonful of Sugar") to dark and cheery (the Oscar-winning "Chim-Chim Cheree") to touchingly melancholy ("Feed the Birds"). Many consider Mary Poppins to be the crowning achievement of Walt Disney's career-and it was the only one of his features to be nominated for a best picture Academy Award until Beauty and the Beast in 1991. -Jim Emerson A pioneering film within Animation, Musicals and Fantasy, Walt Disney's Mary Poppins is possibly one of the warmest and dearest films ever made. Based on a story by PL Travers we find Julie Andrews on fine form in her debut lead role (for which she would win the "Best Actress" Oscar). She is practically perfectly teamed with Dick Van Dyke as the lovable chimney sweep Burt, whose cockney accent is endearingly inaccurate. Along with a fine supporting cast, where even the child actors hold their own without appearing like stage school wannabes, Poppins and her crew take you on a magical ride through chalk pictures, the roof tops of London and show you that laughter is not always the best medicine (even with a spoon full of sugar) when you can't get down. [+]In total Mary Poppins clocked up five Academy Awards including Best Song and Best Visual Effects and has made it into the staple diet of family viewing across the world. On the DVD: Mary Poppins has certainly cleaned up a treat, restoring her to 1. 85:1 widescreen glory and 5. 1 Dolby digital sound-which is guaranteed to be music to your ears. The special features are "supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" with the "Sing Along with the Movie" subtitles for all your favourite songs when they appear in the movie and the "I Love to Laugh" game offering Uncle Albert flying high in his parlour once more. "The Movie Magic of Mary Poppins" lets you look behind the scenes at how the magic was done and is fun, informative and easily understandable-pity the same cannot be said about the narrator. "Hollywood goes to a World Premiere" is a warm and amusing reminder about how premieres and stars used to be in 1964. The only disappointment is the lack of commentary-Dick Van Dyke would surely have offered a gem of a cockney voice-over! -Nikki Disney.
Release date: 2005-03-14
Run time: 56 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £4.18
Review Mickey's Laugh Factory / Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm:
![Review 2 Entertain Video / Teletubbies - Animals Big And Small [1997]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/518RNH02PYL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Rolf Saxon
- Penelope Keith
- Rudolph Walker
- Alex Pascall
- Sandra Dickinson
- David Hiller
Run time: 50 min.
RRP: £9.99
Price: £6.93
Review Teletubbies - Animals Big And Small [1997] / 2 Entertain Video:
Actors & Directors
- Joy Grdnic
- Brad Garrett
- Jay Bacal
- John Walker (XVIII)
- David Workman
- Steve Bulen
- Peter Wallach
- Joe Leahy
- John Gibbs (II)
Run time: 330 min.
RRP: £24.99
Price: £4.52
Review Transformers - Season 2 - Vol. 1 / Metrodome Distribution:
![Review Boulevard Entertainment / Harry Potter And Philosopher's stone [UMD Mini for PSP]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wQvO5mWeL._SL160_.jpg)
Release date: 2008-01-07
RRP: £5.99
Price: £3.70
Review Harry Potter And Philosopher's stone [UMD Mini for PSP] / Boulevard Entertainment:
![Review Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm / Underdog [Blu-ray] [2007]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51j-29w%2BWLL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- John Slattery
- Frederik Du Chau
Run time: 79 min.
RRP: £23.99
Price: £15.78
Review Underdog [Blu-ray] [2007] / Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm:What happens when mad scientist Dr. Simon Barsinister (Peter Dinklage) and a former police beagle Shoeshine (voiced by Jason Lee) are involved in a fiery lab accident? A dog with superpowers (soon to be dubbed "Underdog") is born, and Dr. Barsinister becomes a man obsessed with revenge and bent on genetically modifying the entire population of Capital City. An unwitting former policeman, Dan (James Belushi), and his son Jack (Alex Neuberger) adopt Shoeshine in the hope of improving their strained relationship. What follows is a typical scene of home destruction by a young dog, multiplied exponentially by the incredible strength, speed, and newly developed language skills of one super dog. While Jack and Shoeshine struggle with the conflict between Shoeshine's desire to be a regular dog and Jack's insistence that he use his newfound powers to help people, mayhem reigns in Capital City as Barsinister and his henchman Cad (Patrick Warburton- Emperor's New Groove) wreak havoc on the entire city and Jack's dad, schoolmate Molly (Taylor Momsen) and her dog Polly (voiced by Amy Adams-Enchanted) are all unwittingly dragged into the conflict. Underdog dedicates himself to good, quickly becoming revered as a superhero, but ultimately it will take the combined efforts and understanding of Underdog, Jack, Dan, Molly, and Polly to defeat Barsinister and save Capital City from destruction. Based on the original animated Underdog television series, this live action film is entertaining, if not great. Bonus features include deleted scenes with director introductions, bloopers, a 5-minute glimpse of the logistics of shooting animals and blending live action with animation, and the first Underdog cartoon "Safe Waif. " (Ages 3 to 12) -Tami Horiuchi.
![Review Sesame Street / Sesame Street: TV Episode Fun Pack, Vol. 1 [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51QvAxBHoTL._SL160_.jpg)
Release date: 2007-03-06
Run time: 120 min.
Price: £7.80
Review Sesame Street: TV Episode Fun Pack, Vol. 1 [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC) / Sesame Street:
Actors & Directors
- Bernard Vorhaus
- Eric Blore
- Roman Bohnen
- Lynne Roberts
- Charles Drake
- Elinor Donahue
Run time: 47 min.
RRP: £11.99
Price: £2.03
Review Winter Wonderland / Walt Disney Home Video:
![Review Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm / Jungle Book/Jungle Book 2 [1968]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51f18og%2BKVL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Louis Prima
- Sebastian Cabot
- Phil Harris
- George Sanders
- Sterling Holloway
- Wolfgang Reitherman
Run time: 145 min.
RRP: £29.99
Price: £20.68
Review Jungle Book/Jungle Book 2 [1968] / Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm:Disney's 1967 animated feature The Jungle Book seems even more entertaining now than it did upon first release, with a hall-of-fame vocal performance by Phil Harris as Baloo, the genial bear friend of feral child Mowgli. Loosely based on Rudyard Kipling's original, the film goes its own way as Disney animation will, but the strong characters and smart casting (George Sanders as the villainous tiger, Shere Khan) make it one of the studio's stronger feature-length cartoons. Songs include "The Bare Necessities" and "Trust in Me". -Tom Keogh One of the very best animated films that the Walt Disney Studio has ever released (and the last to be produced by Walt Disney himself), and as downright brilliant as it was on its debut in 1967, The Jungle Book makes a very welcome return to DVD in this excellent 40th anniversary double-disc set. Based loosely on the Rudyard Kipling's book of the same name, the film tells the story of man-cub Mowgli, and the friends he makes in the jungle. And it's these friends who ignite the film, with some of the most memorable characters and songs that Disney has ever put on the screen. Kings of The Jungle Book are the likes of Baloo the Bear, King Louie the villainous Shere Khan the Tiger, while supporting characters such as Colonel Hathi are just as memorable. It's astonishing that it packs so much and so many into its relatively short running time. It's an amazing achievement too that The Jungle Book bristles with such energy and fun, and that it's just as likely to enthral the current generation of youngsters as well as those of us who saw it first time round. And when those songs start playing-from Bare Necessities through to I Wanna Be Like You-it'll take some effort to not start tapping your feet. [+]A brilliant, brilliant film, and as vintage as the Disney back catalogue gets. -Simon Brew.
Actors & Directors
- Sean McCann
- Noddy
- Doris Doi
- Katie Boland
Run time: 26 min.
RRP: £16.99
Price: £5.85
Review Noddy - Noddy Saves Christmas / Universal Pictures UK:
Actors & Directors
- Gilbert Gottfried
- Frank Welker
- Linda Larkin
- Robin Williams
- John Musker
- Scott Weinger
- Ron Clements
Run time: 87 min.
RRP: £16.99
Price: £6.49
Review Aladdin (Disney) / Walt Disney Home Video:
![Review Walt Disney Video / Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey/Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco [1993] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61bMYabUQkL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Don Alder
- Kevin Chevalia
- Ed Bernard
- Duwayne Dunham
- Anne Christianson
- Ted D'Arms
- David R. Ellis
Run time: 173 min.
Price: £8.05
Review Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey/Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco [1993] (REGION 1) (NTSC) / Walt Disney Video:
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Models & Brands:
Jo Jo's Circus - Animal A Go-Go, Brum - Kitten Rescue And Other Stories [2003], Scooby Doo And The Ghoul School, Fireman Sam - on Stage, Tarzan (1999) Disney - Collector's Edition (2 Disc), Pingu - Bouncy Fun, Postman Pat's Bumper Bag [1981], Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones [2002], Mary Poppins [1964], Mickey's Laugh Factory, Teletubbies - Animals Big And Small [1997], Transformers - Season 2 - Vol. 1, Harry Potter And Philosopher's stone [UMD Mini for PSP], Underdog [Blu-ray] [2007], Sesame Street: TV Episode Fun Pack, Vol. 1 [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC), Winter Wonderland, Jungle Book/Jungle Book 2 [1968], Noddy - Noddy Saves Christmas, Aladdin (Disney), Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey/Homeward Bound II: Lost in San Francisco [1993] (REGION 1) (NTSC) |
