Planes...Planes...and MORE PLANES!!

Look, up in the sky...it's a bird...it's a plane...it's a...no, it IS a PLANE! Dusty Crophopper to be exact! 

Well, let me tell you, WAY back in 2011 when we went to the Disney D23 Expo, we saw some (very) preliminary footage of an upcoming Disney/Pixar movie that was part of the Cars world, called Planes. At that time, what we saw was pretty much the storyboard ideas, but we were pretty excited about it. To think: expanding on the universe created by Pixar in Cars! Awesome! Then, the movie came out...and yep...it was AWESOME! There was that newness of a...well, new world, yet, the familiarity of a world that we all know and loved. The best of both worlds here! 

Dusty Crophopper

So, without (of course) spoiling too much, Planes is the story of a little crop dusting plane by the name of Dusty Crophopper (perfectly voiced by Dane Cook), who just knows, deep down in his cockpit that he was meant for something more. He has this dream of being a famous and winning racer...only problem is, well, he's afraid of heights! Making the tough decision to set aside his life of crop-dusting, Dusty asks Propwash Junctions legendary citizen Skipper (a Navy Corsair Skipper World War II veteran - voiced by veteran actor Stacy Keach) to train him on how to fly....FAST!

Skipper

Supporting Dusty in his flighty goal are his good friend Dottie the mechanic (a very familiar forklift vehicle - voiced by Teri Hatcher) and his fuel tanker best bud Chug (voiced by Brad Garrett).

Chug and Dottie

Against all odds, Dusty finds himself qualified for the big annual air-race, Wings Around The World - and pitted against some of the worlds very best (and some very underhanded) race planes ever seen. Dusty makes some new friends during the first leg of the race, like  a Mexican plane called El Chupacabra (voiced by Carlos Alazraqui), Rochelle (voiced by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) the French-Canadian beauty who El Chupacabra instantly falls for, the Indian beauty Ishani (voiced by Priyanka Chopra) who DUSTY instantly falls for, and Bulldog, the British champion (voiced by John Cleese) who at first, is dead set against a 'common plane' like Dusty joining the elite racers.

Ishani, Dusty's Love Interest 

 Of course, not everyone admires Dusty for his heart and skill - three time champion Ripslinger (voiced by Roger Craig Smith) refuses to allow a nobody-hick-farm plane like Dusty win...and will do anything, ANYTHING to make sure of it! With the help of his dim-witted henchplanes Ned and Zed (voiced by Gabriel Inglesias), Ripslinger does his very best (or is that worst) to steer Dusty off course. 

Dusty Meets Ripslinger, his nemesis 

Of course, there is a lot more to the story than that, but I'm not going to do ALL the work for you! You need to watch Planes for yourself to find out! 

As is the case with all Disney animated movies, Planes does have a point. Dusty is a plane who has a gift - he can fly fast and has heart - and, he is an underdog in every sense of the word. He has a dream, and wants nothing more than to achieve that dream, even when everyone around him tries to talk him out of it, and, even his own fear of heights is seemingly a hurdle that is insurmountable.  But, he stays true to himself and pushes through. Although it may be hard to see in an animated movie, this is a message that everyone needs to hear, from the smallest child to the most 'mature' adult. Don't. Give. Up. In the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, it's all too easy to forget about our dreams, and blame them drifting away on our fears, or perceived obstacles. But, as Disney usually does very well, that message is here. Dusty is faced with some pretty insane obstacles, including himself, but he does not give up. He perseveres no matter the cost. Yes, I know...'it's only a cartoon'. Well, not really. It's a message. And a fun one at that! 

Dusty and his new Friends

There are a lot of good laughs in Planes as well. Some geared toward the little ones, and some geared toward the adults. The great thing about it is that the kids gags aren't too silly and the adult gags are somewhat subtle. So, the adults won't mind the kid stuff and the kids won't even recognize the adult stuff! Win/Win for everyone! The animation has grown leaps and bounds since Cars. Planes showcases some of the most impressive animation I've ever seen, and like Monsters University, at times takes you out of the fact that it IS animation. I found myself a few times thinking how beautiful these locations were...then I realized they were animation! 

Now, at the time of this writing, the sequel to Disney's Planes has already been announced. Planes: Fire and Rescue which features a quirky crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from a raging wildfire. When world famous air racer Dusty learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of wildfire air attack. Dusty joins forces with veteran fire and rescue helicopter Blade Ranger and his courageous air attack team, including spirited super scooper Lil Dipper, heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter, ex-military transport Cabbie and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. Together, the fearless team battles a massive wildfire, and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero. Planes: Fire and Rescue is set to open in theaters July 18, 2014. 

Disney's Planes is now available on Blu-Ray, DVD and Select Digital Retailers. 
     Bonus Features Include: 
      *Exclusive Franz's Song - Produced exclusively for Blu-ray  
         and HD Digital, this never-before-seen completely 
         finished animated song features the German mini-car, 
        Franz Fliegenhosen, who encourages Dusty on his flight
      *Klay's Flight Plan - Follow director Klay Hall's journey  
        during the making of Planes and discover why his family 
        connection to aviation made Planes his perfect project. 
      *Deleted Scenes
      *Meet The Racers

Disney's Planes is approximately 91 minutes long and is rated PG in the U.S., and G in Canada. 

All in all, Disney's Planes is a wonderful addition to the world Pixar created in the Cars movies, and a must have for Disney fans of all ages. On my scale of 1 - 5 Corn Dogs, (5 being GREAT), I would give Disney's Planes a solid 4.5! - Al

Hi Ho Silver....AWAY!!!!

Bring the magic home to watch over and over again! 

Johnny Depp and Armie Hammer star in The Lone Ranger, from Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Director Gore Verbinski. It’s a wild ride of high velocity action, explosions and gunfights that brings the famed masked legend to life through brand-new eyes. The Lone Ranger (Hammer), the last of his kind, teams with Tonto (Depp), a dark and mysterious vigilante, to seek vengeance after justice has failed them. It’s a runaway train of epic surprises, as these two unlikely heroes must learn to work together before the ultimate showdown between good and evil explodes.

On December 17, 2013, Disney will release The Lone Ranger on Blu-Ray and DVD! The Blu-Ray+DVD+Digital Copy will include:

• Blooper Reel (YEAH!).
• Deleted Scenes.
• Riding The Rails Of The Lone Ranger - For the production of the movie, director Gore Verbinski had a five mile oval track built along with multiple engines and cars. See the incredible effort that went into crafting such a detailed and important part of The Lone Ranger.
• Armies's Western Road Trip - Armie Hammer (The Lone Ranger) takes viewers on a tour of the scenic locations the production shot in as we see and learn more about the amazing places he went to become The Lone Ranger.
• Becoming a Cowboy - Before the cast began shooting the film, they had to learn how to shoot a gun…and ride a horse. In this piece we follow the cowboy (and cowgirl) cast to boot camp, where they got a chance to experience what their characters would really be living like in the Wild West.

Disney's The Lone Ranger runs about 2 1/2 hours and is rated PG-13

College...Monsters Style!

Hey gang, our favorite Monsters are back in the movie Chris Nashawaty from Entertainment Weekly called “Hilarious and heartwarming”

On October 29, 2013, Monsters University is coming to YOUR house!! And you can pick up the Digital HD and Digital HD 3D Versions on October 8, 2013 


After scaring up big laughs in theaters, the in-home release of “Monsters University” opens its doors to the movie in stunning high definition Blu-ray, and provides hours of all-new bonus material, in-depth behind the scenes features, deleted scenes, the animated theatrical short “The Blue Umbrella” and much more.  Directed by Dan Scanlon ("Cars," "Mater and the Ghostlight," "Tracy"), produced by Kori Rae ("Up," "The Incredibles," "Monsters, Inc."), and written by Dan Scanlon and Robert Baird & Dan Gerson (“Monsters, Inc.”), “Monsters University” marks Pixar’s 14th consecutive film to debut at number one at the box office.  

Ever since college-bound Mike Wazowski (voice of Billy Crystal) was a little monster, he has dreamed of becoming a Scarer—and he knows better than anyone that the best Scarers come from Monsters University (MU). But during his first semester at MU, Mike's plans are derailed when he crosses paths with hotshot James P. Sullivan, "Sulley" (voice of John Goodman), a natural-born Scarer. The pair's out-of-control competitive spirit gets them both kicked out of the University's elite Scare Program. To make matters worse, they realize they will have to work together, along with an odd bunch of misfit monsters, if they ever hope to make things right. “Monsters University” bravely explores themes of self-discovery and the revelations that come with growing up. 

Joining Crystal and Goodman as part of “Monsters University’s” monstrously talented voice cast are Steve Buscemi (voice of Randy Boggs), Helen Mirren (voice of Dean Hardscrabble), Alfred Molina (voice of Professor Knight), Charlie Day (voice of Art), Sean P. Hayes (voice of Terri Perry), Dave Foley (voice of Terry Perry), Nathan Fillion (voice of Johnny Worthington) and Aubrey Plaza (voice of Claire Wheeler). Featuring a score from recent Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and award-winning composer Randy Newman ("Monsters, Inc.," "Toy Story 3")

Bonus Materials Overview for These Products:
 Digital HD
4-Disc Blu-ray 3-D Superset (3D + 2BD + DVD + Digital Copy)
3-disc Blu-ray 2-D Superset (2BD + DVD + Digital Copy)
3-Disc Blu-ray 2-D Combo Pack  (2 BD + DVD)

High-Definition & Standard Definition Digital 
• Bonus offerings vary per select digital retailers
Includes:
• Campus Life – What's it like being on a production crew at Pixar? Get a look at a day in the life of the “Monsters University” crew through their own eyes.
• Story School – This documentary examines the challenges of creating a prequel as well as themes that run through the story, and the change in focus from Sulley to Mike.  We'll also look at how gags are developed – from writing jokes to brainstorming a million ideas, only 5% of which actually end up in the movie.
• Scare Games – At Pixar, we play hard while we work.  The same people who keep the film production moving - producers, managers, coordinators and artists - are also the ones who bring spirit and excitement to some of our extracurricular activities. We check out the MU production teams as they go head to head in the mostly playful Pixar Scare Games competitions. 
• Welcome to MU – Sets aren't just buildings, they are the worlds our characters live in and explore.  This look at the Monsters University campus and its development is told from the perspective of the artists who created each piece of the campus from the architecture to the ivy leaves.  .
• Music Appreciation – Randy Newman's scores are a mainstay of Pixar films, and this documentary will give you a privileged look at his creative process.  We follow the “Monsters University” scoring process from spotting to writing and on to the scoring session. including special college-themed recording sessions.
• Scare Tactics – Animators are actors who digitally bring the characters to life. In this look at how the MU animation team worked, you’ll see their process of how they channeled their own monster-selves and created moments on screen that were really funny, really scary and also really serious, sometimes all at the same time.  
• Color and Light – How can a single painting set the tone for an entire scene? We'll look at the creation of the colorscripts and how they were realized technically in the final film.  Along with the process, this piece explores the many layers of technical innovation required to produce such a naturalistic feel.
• Paths to Pixar - MU Edition – When one door closes, sometimes another door opens – one with an even more exciting opportunity behind it. Members of the MU crew tell their own compelling backstories and share the challenges they overcame along their paths to Pixar.
• Furry Monsters: A Technical Retrospective – Explore the difficulties in creating characters that are 20 years younger with tools that are 10 years more advanced in this contrasting look at the differing technical challenges that arose when making “Monsters, Inc.,” and “Monsters University.” 
• Deleted Scenes – Four separate scenes – “Rivalry,” “Recon,” “Movie Night,” and “Drama Class” - are highlighted with an introduction from director Dan Scanlon.
• “The Blue Umbrella” – This animated short film from Pixar Animation Studios, directed by Saschka Unseld and produced by Marc Greenberg, played in theaters in front of "Monsters University." “The Blue Umbrella” tells the story of an evening commute in which the rain starts to fall and the city comes alive to the sound of dripping rain pipes, whistling awnings and gurgling gutters. And in the midst, two umbrellas—one blue, one not—fall eternally in love.
• Additional Bonus Features - Audio Commentary, Promo Picks, College Campaign, Theatrical Campaign, Set Flythroughs, Art Gallery and more!

Walt Disney Studios Classic Releases!

**This is AWESOME NEWS for Disney Fans! Stay tuned to Tales From The Mouse House for more details**

TWO ANIMATED CLASSICS AWAKEN TO SPECTACULAR NEW LIFE IN 2014…

THE JUNGLE BOOK & SLEEPING BEAUTY

AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER AS PART OF DISNEY’S 

PRESTIGIOUS BLU-RAY™ DIAMOND EDITION COLLECTION

Burbank, Calif., August 2, 2013 – The Walt Disney Studios is pleased to announce the addition of animated classics THE JUNGLE BOOK and SLEEPING BEAUTY to its prestigious Blu-ray™ Diamond Edition Collection. Released from the Disney vault for a limited time only, THE JUNGLE BOOK opens to colorful new life on Blu-ray Diamond Edition in February 2014, while SLEEPING BEAUTY awakens on stunning Blu-ray Diamond Edition in October 2014.

Released from the Disney vault for the first time in almost seven years, THE JUNGLE BOOK swings onto Blu-ray Diamond Edition in the U.S. on February 11, 2014. Based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel, this song-filled celebration of friendship, fun, and adventure was Disney's 19th animated masterpiece and the last animated feature to have Walt Disney's personal touch. Now, viewers can experience its lush and colorful world and jazzy, toe-tapping songs - including the "I Wan'na Be Like You” and Academy Award®-nominated classic "The Bare Necessities" - with the ultimate in high definition picture and sound clarity. Also featuring thrilling new bonus features, THE JUNGLE BOOK is next winter’s must-own Diamond Edition Blu-ray!

The ultimate Disney fairy tale, SLEEPING BEAUTY, once again awakens to exquisite new picture and sound on Blu-ray in the U.S. in October 2014. Heralded by audiences and critics alike, SLEEPING BEAUTY was one of the final fairy tales to be that Walt Disney himself worked on. Fully restored with revolutionary Blu-ray technology, this animated classic’s dazzling colors, spectacular action, and Academy Award®-nominated orchestration (for Best Music, Scoring of a Musical Picture) shines brighter than ever. With wondrous new bonus features families will love, SLEEPING BEAUTY charms like never before on Blu-ray Diamond Edition!

 

To date, Disney has released seven Diamond Edition titles – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast, Bambi, The Lion King, Lady and the Tramp, Cinderella and Peter Pan - with The Little Mermaid scheduled for release on October 1, 2013. Each Diamond Edition title boasts the highest level of picture and sound; features groundbreaking, state-of-the-art immersive bonus content; and in some cases second screen interactivity, made possible because of Blu-ray technology.

About The Jungle Book:

Based on the Rudyard Kipling’s classic novel of the same name, The Jungle Book follows young Mowgli on a fun-filled journey with unforgettable characters, including Bagheera, the wise panther, the jazzy King Louie, the hypnotic snake Kaa and the lovable, happy-go-lucky bear Baloo, who teaches Mowgli “The Bare Necessities” of life and the true meaning of friendship.

About Sleeping Beauty:

Sleeping Beauty tells the wondrous tale of a princess cursed by an evil witch, protected by three loving fairies and, ultimately, saved by a “true love’s kiss.” Featuring the voice talents of renowned opera singer Mary Costa (as Sleeping Beauty) and Disney stalwart Eleanor Audley (as the evil fairy, Maleficent), the film’s vibrant visuals were created by a team that included Milt Kahl and Ollie Johnston, John Lounsbery, Frank Thomas and Marc Davis (of Disney’s legendary Nine Old Men), and an Academy Award® nominated score adapted from the incandescent music of Peter Tchaikovsky.

About The Walt Disney Studios:

For nearly 90 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under the following banners: Disney, including Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios; Disneynature; Marvel Studios; Disney|Lucasfilm; and Touchstone Pictures, the banner under which live-action films from DreamWorks Studios are distributed. The Disney Music Group encompasses the Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records labels, as well as Disney Music Publishing. The Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Disney on Broadway, Disney On Ice and Disney Live!. For more information, please visit www.disney.com. 

Oz The Great And Powerful...

Somewhere, over the rainbow....wait...what's a rainbow? It's been so long since we've had rain in Arizona, that we've forgotten what a rainbow looks like. Well, that was until we watched the newest classic, Disney Oz The Great And Powerful! 

Let me start this by saying that I'm not what you'd call a HUGE fan of The Wizard Of Oz. I certainly like the story sure, and of course, unlike my darling wife Joyce, I'VE seen the original 1939 film starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr and Jack Haley. A few times in fact. And even though it IS a musical, I like it. I remember as a kid, it would air on TV every year around Christmas time...Just wouldn't place it on my top-ten list. So, when we heard that Disney was making a "prequel" to the original, we weren't exactly Avengers excited about seeing it. And when it came out at the theaters, we didn't rush to the box office to purchase our tickets. But, recently we were given a copy of the Blu Ray to review and we were pleasantly surprised! 

First off, if you're a fan of the 1939 original and are expecting something along those lines, you're in for a disappointment. Although it does share a lot of theming as the original, and there are a LOT of shout-outs to the original, it's not exactly as "sugar coated" as Dorothy's Oz. And (thankfully for me) it's NOT a musical! And it is a bit of a darker story.

***WARNING, SPOILERS BELOW***

Ok, so the story of Oz The Great And Powerful is sort of an origins story (for you comic book fans out there). It starts, as the original did, in black and white, which we found pretty cool. And there is one more aspect to the opening sequences of this film that change once our "hero" finds his way to the Land Of Oz. I'll let you figure that one out for yourselves...but trust me, it's cool. Anyway, Oz starts by introducing us to Oscar Diggs (played by James Franco), a small time circus magician with, well, questionable ethics. After an altercation with the boyfriend of one of Oscar's "conquests", Oscar (or OZ as he prefers to be called) escapes via hot air balloon and heads directly in to a...TORNADO! A mysterious one at that. As his balloon plummets into the twister, Oz is hurled away from dusty black and white Kansas (a shout out to the original) to the Land of Oz - ablaze with vibrant and beautiful colors and landscapes. Of course, he figures he's hit the jackpot...no one knows him here, so he can do as he pleases. Then...he meets three witches: Theodora (played by Mila Kunis); Evanora (played by Rachael Weisz) and Glinda (played by Michelle Williams). Turns out that there's a prophecy in Oz that a great and powerful wizard (no, NOT Harry Potter) will arrive and assume the throne of king, and defeat the evil witch that is currently making everyone's life less than wonderful. Now, without going into a lot of spoilers, suffice it to say that not everything is as it seems in Oz. 

The Emerald City in the Land Of Oz

Reluctantly drawn in to a battle between good and evil, Oz encounters many interesting and awesome characters in the Land of Oz, including a talking monkey (voiced by Zach Braff)! With the help of his faithful companion (you know, the monkey), Oz must figure out just exactly WHO is good and who is evil before time runs out. By putting his circus magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity and even a bit of "real" wizardry, Oz transforms himself not only into the great wizard the Land of Oz needs, but a better man as well. 

Oz

Now, I must admit, I did have some issues with this movie. Not many, but a few. Mainly with the actual look of the film. When Oscar arrives in Oz, there are of course many "gimmicks" the filmmakers put in the movie to highlight the 3D aspect of the film (it is also a 3D adventure), and these are painfully apparent. In fact, I found myself recalling the 3D movies of the early 1980's, when they'd have the actors shove things into the camera to "shock" the audience by the "awesome realness". Also, the actual look of the Oz scenes felt very artificial to me. I know, it's a movie but still...they almost looked cartoony. Unlike Alice In Wonderland, it was a little too artificial looking to me, almost like the filmmakers wanted to impress upon us that this isn't a real land at all. And that kind of disappointed me. The 1939 Wizard Of Oz used real sets which gave a realism to the movie. In Oz The Great And Powerful everything moment drove home the fact that CGI is here forever! However, these are just nit picks. Overall, the movie is terrific!

James Franco isn't the most obvious choice to play Oz, but shortly after the film begins, it's easy to understand why they chose him. He really is perfect for this role. And believe me, I'm NOT a fan of Mila Kunis, something about her annoys me a lot BUT she did an over the top awesome job as Theodora, and once she transformed into the Wicked Witch...man, PERFECT. The voice, the cackle..everything. Just perfect for the role! 

Mila Kunis as Theodora...

...And the Wicked Witch of the West!

As usual, Zach Braff is spot on as the wise cracking monkey Finley. 

Zach Braff voices Finley

Oz The Great And Powerful has many fun bonus features, including 

• The Magic of "Oz The Great And Powerful", an immersive Second Screen experience that details all things Oz.
• My Journey in Oz by James Franco - A personal story produced and directed by Oz himself, James Franco
• Mr. Elfman's Musical Concoctions - An interview with composer extraordinaire Danny Elfman
• China Girl and the Suspension of Disbelief - Uncloaking the forms of movie magic employed to bring the character China Girl to life
• Mila's Metamorphosis - Transforming actress Mila Kunis into....The Wicked Witch of the WEST!
• Walt Disney And The Road To Oz - A truly wonderful documentary highlighting Walt Disney's fascination with the Land Of Oz since childhood, and his quest to bring this story to life - including a failed attempt at an early live action version! 
• And BLOOPERS!! - These are truly awesome!

Oz The Great And Powerful is now available on:

• Blu Ray 3D+Digital Copy which includes all of the bonus features. MSRP $44.99
• Blu Ray+DVD+Digital Copy which includes all of the bonus features. MSRP $44.99
• Blu Ray+Digital Copy which also includes all of the bonus features. MSPR $39.99
• DVD+Digital Copy which includes bonus features bloopers and Walt Disney and the Road To Oz. MSPR $29.99

Follow The Yellow Brick Road!

You can find Oz The Great And Powerful just about anywhere, however, if you'd like to get a great deal on your purchase, and would like to help the Tales From The Mouse House cause...visit our Amazon Store: Tales From The Mouse House Amazon Store we'd be grateful if you did!

Running time for the movie is 130 minutes. Although we're not disappointed that we did not see this in theaters, we are glad to have seen it. It is without doubt, destined to be another Disney classic, and a must have for any Disney lovers movie collection. So, we give Disney's Oz The Great And Powerful 4 out of 5 Dumbos! (yeah, that's good). - Al

  

I'm Gonna WRECK IT!...The Review

Ok, so the term "completely and totally unequivocally awesome" may be over used these days (yeah, ok, I made that up), but it DOES apply to Disney's Wreck-It Ralph. When we first saw some unfinished footage of this film during the D23 Expo in 2011, we KNEW this would be one of those rare movies we would brave the theater crowds for...and we were not disappointed. Well, now The Walt Disney Studios has given us one of the greatest gifts of all: Wreck-It Ralph on DVD and Blu-Ray so we can enjoy it as often as we like, in the comfort of our OWN HOME (excuse me for a moment...I need to weep a bit). 

Weekly Meeting of Bad Anon

On February 5, 2013, Wreck-It Ralph was released on HD Digital Download. The early digital release marks a first for the Disney company. Then, on March 5, 2013, the HD Digital 3D formats will be released. 

Winner of five Annie Awards including Best Animated Feature, the Producers Guild Award, a Critics Choice Film Awards and National Board of Review for Best Animated Film, Wreck-It Ralph, as you may have guessed, brings to life the world of video games, where, after the arcade closes for the day, "Game Central Station" comes alive with characters from our favorite video games, including cameos from Sonic The Hedgehog, Q-Bert and more. 

Ralph (voiced by John C. Reilly) is the villain in 30 year old (but still fairly popular) arcade game called Fix It Felix. It's Ralph's job to wreck the apartment building the good citizens all live in, and of course, it's up to Felix (voiced by Jack McBrayer) to repair all Ralph's damage with his magic hammer. For 30 long years, Ralph has lived in Felix's shadow. Every night after the arcade closes, the good citizens celebrate Felix's heroism, while poor Ralph is banished to his rubble-pile home. Then, for the 30th anniversary of Fix It Felix, Ralph sees that the citizens have thrown a huge party for Felix, complete with CAKE, but have neglected to include Ralph - without whom there would be NO game. As Ralph attempts to crash the party, he's informed that he's the bad guy and will be nothing more. Of course, this does not sit well with our hero...err, I mean villain. 

Ralph In Action..HUGE hands!

So, Ralph decides he's tired of playing the role of bad-guy and takes matters into his own hands and sets out to prove everyone wrong, and he embarks on an action-packed adventure to prove to everyone that he is a true hero with a BIG heart! As he explores some exciting new worlds, he teams up with some unlikely new friends, including a feisty "glitch" of a program by the name of Vanellope von Schweetz (voiced by Sarah Silverman). And that's where things get interesting! Now, I'd go into deeper detail, but then, why would you have to see it for yourselves??? Besides...no spoilers here!

Ralph and Vanellope

Wreck It Ralph is without doubt one of the best movies we've seen in a long time. The animation is fantastic and seeing it on Blu-Ray is as beautiful as seeing it in digital 3D. As is usual, Disney paid so much attention to detail in this film that you almost forget it's animation - until Ralph knocks down a building! This film appeals to all ages really, and it's truly appropriate for everyone. The story is terrific, but beyond that, there is a touching and heartwarming message. It's about friendship, being true to yourself, to who and what you really are, and about sacrifice. 

Best Friends Come In All Sizes

Wreck It Ralph offers a great escape from the real world, if only for a short time (something Disney is absolutely perfect at giving us). Yet it also serves up some valuable lessons, not just for the young ones but for adults as well. Without realizing we've just been schooled, Disney has created a great portal to teach everyone the value of others, to look past what we see, and see others as they are deep down. And when a movie can make me feel good about learning something, AND entertain me...well, full endorsement from me!  And you thought it was just another cute cartoon!  

Director Rich Moore

Now, there are some pretty cool features that are exclusive to the Blu-Ray editions, and trust me, they ARE cool. When you pause the movie, instead of the boring old pause menu, you see a count-down to intermission pop up. Then, a new feature called "Disney Intermission: The Gamer's Guide To Wreck-It Ralph" begins! Hosted by Chris Hardwick (of Walking Dead/Talking Dead fame) this pause feature takes viewers through a series of 10 video segments offering an inside look at the many video game references, Disney references and other hidden surprises featured in the film! Now, I'm not going to spoil all of them, but for example, on the Fix-It Felix game, notice the high score of 120501. There's a very important significance to those numbers...think you can figure it out? And, there are at LEAST two hidden Mickey's in the film (but I'm not saying where!), and finally, director Rich Moore has a sort of...cameo in the film. See if you can spot him! Oh, and be sure to watch until the VERY end of the movie, you'll notice some pixelated code that some of you out there may be able to decipher! 

Disney's Wreck-It Ralph will be available on Tuesday March 5, 2013 on the following formats:

• 4-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack
• (Blu-Ray 3D + Blu-Ray + DVD + Digital Copy)
• MSRP $49.99 in the US and $56.99 in Canada
• 2-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack
• (Blu-Ray+DVD)
• MSRP $39.99 in the US and $46.99 in Canada
• DVD
• MRSP $29.99 in the US and $35.99 in Canada

All the Blu-Ray versions come with the following Features:

• Bit by Bit: Creating the worlds of "Wreck-It Ralph"
• The short takes viewers into Game Central Station with the artists who brought Sugar Rush, Hero's Duty and Fix It Felix, Jr to life
• Alternate & Deleted Scenes
• Video Game Commercials 
• Viewers can check out the commercials created for the video games featured in the film!
• "Paperman" 
• This Academy Award Winning short showcases first time director John Kahrs' minimalist black and white style with his story about a lonely young man in mid-century New York City, who relies on his heart, imagination, a stack of papers and a little luck, to change his destiny and win the girl of his dreams!

The DVD version has the feature "Paperman". 

You can buy Disney's Wreck-It Ralph just about anywhere, or, you can help out Tales From The Mouse House and purchase it from our Tales Amazon Store (just click the link)

Bottom line is, there are many, many films out there that are entertaining, moral, teaches a decent lesson, and visually beautiful, but there are very few that have all of these qualities. Disney's Wreck-It Ralph definitely has all of them! A must have for any movie fan! 

Pixie Tales...Never Grow Up Challenge

“If growing up means it would be beneath my dignity to climb a tree, I'll never grow up, never grow up, never grow up! Not me!”   -J.M. Barrie

Never Grow Up Challenge by Joyce

As part of the 60th anniversary release of Peter Pan on Blu Ray, I was tasked by the PR Firm promoting the release to take the Never Grow Up! Challenge.  I started the challenge on February 1st and continued my child-like activities through February 7th.  I consider myself a kid at heart but consciously playing made my week seem less stressful more productive, too.

Joyce and Mickey

Day One: My first child-like activity was coloring.  I love to color and have a collection of coloring books, crayons and colored pencils but I have not taken the time to enjoy this activity for many years.  It is so relaxing to escape into the world of coloring. 

Day Two: We have a bubble wand that we use as a dog toy and I blew bubbles and tried to catch them on the wand to blow bigger bubbles. Katie the pup, enjoyed this activity with me. 

Day Three: I played hide and seek (mainly with Katie the pup).   This was one of my favorite games as a child and we would play with the neighborhood kids and stay out after dark!

Day Four: I can fly!  I soared high on the swing set and you know...it was so invigorating! Although I could not bring myself to jump off the swing as I did as a child. 

Day Five: I walked/played in the rain.  Not in the exact same manner as I did as a child because in Arizona we do not receive the same volume of rain as we did in Indiana.  I did not jump in puddles and splash anyone but I did take a walk in the rain and I LOVED it!

Day Six: I read the Golden Book, Little Mermaid.  I love this story!

Day Seven: I put my hair in pigtails and well, I FELT like a kid but was not brave enough to leave the house with the hairstyle! 

Joyce (right) and sister Cheryl as younglings

What was/is your favorite childlike activity? Blowing bubbles, jumping in piles of leaves in the fall, making snow angels?  As adults it is difficult to let go and pretend to be a child but when we do, it does so much for the mind and body.  Living in Arizona does not allow me to catch fireflies, make snow angels, and other activities that require 4 seasons, but I can still enjoy activities such as laying on a blanket and looking up at the clouds and imagining I can fly or locating shapes within the clouds.   I am making it a goal to be child-like on regular basis. 

I challenge you to be a child-like for a day or a week and let me know how it changed your day.

Peter Pan now available on Blu Ray

Peter Pan...You CAN Fly!

Peter Pan 60th Anniversary Diamond Edition Blu-Ray

 **Note, you're in for a treat! Both Joyce AND Al reviewed Peter Pan...enjoy!

By Joyce - 

I “grew up”  with Disney and just like Peter Pan I have not really grown up.  I first saw Peter Pan when I was 5 years and when it was released on VHS in 1990s, my oldest son was almost the same age as I was when I first saw the movie.  He loved it as much as I did and is now sharing it with his children. This movie has been seen by many different generations. 

Peter Pan, Tinker Bell & Wendy

This classic is one of my all time favorite movies although a view it differently as a adult that I did as a child.  I remember seeing it as a child and did not understand the jealously Tinker Bell had toward Wendy and how this caused trouble for her, Peter, the Lost Boys, and the Darling Children.  As a child I loved Nana the dog and remember being afraid of Captain Hook and Tick-Tock Croc, and also thinking that Peter Pan could magically enter my bedroom and “kidnap” me and I would never see my parents again.  This frightened me as a child but as I watched it recently, I realized that Wendy, Michael and John did not seem to care that they may not see their parents again as they flew away with Peter. It was a dream that they lived while sleeping and they wanted to experience it for real.

“You know that place between sleep and awake, the place where you can still remember dreaming? That’s where I’ll always love you. That’s where I'll be waiting.”

Peter shared with Wendy that she could be a mother to the Lost Boys and this excited her so very much.  Wendy was also upset with her father because she had to leave the nursery the following day.  

I loved the movie and it is a classic but I am not sure that children will understand or appreciate it as I did. Today’s society is also different than it was when I growing up.  There is sensitivity to Indians being referred to as the “Red Man” and "Quite Savage”   

Not PC by today's standards

Things I picked up as an adult seeing the movie that I did not notice when I watched it at the age of 5 and even as a young Mom watching it with my sons. There was lots of violence such as the mermaids trying to drown Wendy and Tinker Bell’s jealously towards Wendy.  In my opinion, even though it is a bit outdated it is ok for children of all ages and parents may need to explain it to the children based on their age and maturity. 

Did you know that the message appearing during the credits: "Walt Disney Productions is grateful to the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street, London”  JM Barrie gave all the rights to the Peter Pan to the Great Ormond Street Hospital in 1929. 

By Al - 

Ok, I must confess something to you all. I’ve never seen Disney’s classic animated film, Peter Pan. I know what you’re thinking. “But, you’re such a Disney FAN! How could you have NEVER seen this beloved classic?”. Well, I haven’t, ok? I’ve lived a sheltered life, OK? I admit it! I’ve not seen a...few of the Disney Classics out there, but I’m in the process of rectifying that grievous error....

Recently, Joyce and I received a review copy of Disney Peter Pan Diamond Edition Blu Ray and I FINALLY watched it, and I truly loved it. Classic Disney, at it’s very best. Now, I’m pretty familiar with the story of Peter Pan, after all, I DO love Disneyland! I LOVE Disneyland’s Fantasmic show in which Peter and Captain Hook have a daring duel with swords on the Sailing Ship Columbia, while the Hook hungry crocodile is chasing after, waiting for Hook to fall into the river!  And, Joyce LOVES Tinker Bell!! I’ve also seen the myriad of Peter Pan movies over the years including the live action Peter Pan (which I found a bit “dark”), and the Robin Williams big budget Hook, which took a rather interesting look at the Peter Pan story. However, THIS Peter Pan is, in my opinion, the best. 

Tinker Bell

For those of you who’ve never seen this 1953 Disney classic (yes, like I USED to be), Peter Pan is the story of a boy who refuses to grow up and the three Darling kids who, when faced with their fathers disapproval of “all things childish”, embark on an adventure that not only allows them to enjoy being a child, but enables them to better understand the need for a balance between being TOO childish and forever putting those childish ways away. 

Ok, so, what did I think of Peter Pan? Like Wendy, John and Michael Darling, I was drawn into Peter’s ongoing war with the evil pirate Captain Hook and delighted in the many ways Peter outwits Hook. On the surface, Peter Pan is a lighthearted look at the age-old struggle between parents and children, where parents insist on their offspring growing up and facing the “real world”, while the children just want to remain children forever. Unfortunately, parents typically win in this battle, and the result is that too many kids grow to forget how fun it is to be a kid, and end up being like Mr. Darling, who has no patience for games. In that regard, it’s not hard to see why Peter Pan is a classic. In true Disney fashion, we’re entertained by some incredibly enjoyable situations, all the while learning a life lesson that few of us would admit to learning. There MUST be balance in the Force (sorry, wrong franchise), there MUST be a balance between becoming a responsible adult and retaining your child-like side. If you can accomplish that, well, then you’d be Walt Disney!

Peter Pan 

One of the things about Peter Pan that I enjoyed is that although there is a “message” in the film, it certainly isn’t too “deep” or too serious like Bambi. Peter Pan appeals to just about everyone really, from the kid who can relate and yearns to have adventures like Peter and his Lost Boys, to the adults who (almost) remember what it’s like to BE a kid. For an animated film, it is very beautiful. At times the animation almost makes you forget it is indeed a cartoon. And again, in true Disney fashion, our hero is triumphant over the villain and saves the day. Every scene in Peter Pan was familiar to me, mostly because of the Peter Pan attraction at Disneyland and the aforementioned Fantasmic show. 

Of course, there are a few things in Disney’s Peter Pan that made me wince a bit. First off, remember it was done in 1953, a time that we didn’t really understand the term “politically correct”. Certain scenes that portray Native Americans in a rather...stereotypical light, but like I said...1953. And, is it just me or is Tinker Bell NOT very nice in this film? I mean, this is NOT the Tinker Bell I know, this one is mean, vindictive, jealous and well, VIOLENT!  When we watched the film, I mentioned to Joyce that if they had made Peter Pan today, those scenes would have been altered drastically to be certain! Aside from that, Peter Pan is one of my new all time favorites and will be one of our “going to Disneyland” movies. The humor, awesome animation, simple yet poignant message, and a story that has the ability to immediately make us not only remember but FONDLY remember what it’s like to be a carefree child, make Disney’s Peter Pan a must see movie for anyone. And, this film is one of three to boast all nine of Walt’s famous “Nine Old Men” as directing animators! So that fact alone makes Peter Pan an instant classic and an historic piece. 

Tick Tock, Tick Tock 

Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Disney’s classic adventure Peter Pan as it soars to new heights for the first time EVER on Disney Blu-Ray! By the way, we viewed Peter Pan on DVD and on the Blu Ray version and although DVD is nice, the Blu Ray is beautiful! The level of clarity offered by Blu Ray makes the animation even more outstanding and the sound...well, THIS is what surround sound was made for! 

Disney’s Peter Pan Diamond Edition Blu Ray is available now, bonus features include Growing Up With Nine Old Men, Disney View, Disney Intermission, Deleted Songs and Scenes, You Can Fly: The Making Of Peter Pan, Tinker Bell: A Fairy’s Tales, Disney Song Selections, Audio Commentary Hosted By Roy Disney, Music Videos and More!

3-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack includes Blu Ray disc, DVD, Digital Copy and Storybook App, SRP $44.99
2-Disc Blu-Ray Combo Pack includes Blu Ray disc and DVD, SRP $39.99

Never Grow Up Games!