This last week Disney’s Dreamer Academy brought one hundred high school students from across the country one step closer to turning their dreams into reality. In collaboration with nationally syndicated radio personality Steve Harvey, Walt Disney World Resort is hosting the students for an innovative… Read More »Disney’s Dreamer Academy meets Anika Noni Rose, voice of Princess Tiana
When I heard that Disney was releasing a 20th Anniversary Edition of “Oliver & Company” the first thing that came to my mind was how long ago 1988 seems. It was pre-internet, the Berlin wall still stood, and Miley Cyrus’ birth was still 4 years away. And yet Oliver & Company really pushed the boundaries for Walt Disney Feature Animation.
There was ample use of computer generated animation. All the cars on the road, Fagan’s cart, and that great staircase descent of Bette Midler’s spoiled Poodle Georgette were CGI. In fact, the staircase shot was in many ways a precursor to the great tree-surfing scene that was so spectacular in Tarzan.
In Oliver & Company, Disney presents an unforgettable musical adventure as Oliver, an adorable stray kitten (voiced by Joey Lawrence), takes Manhattan by storm! When Dodger (Billy Joel), a street-smart mutt with a weakness for mischief, befriends the homeless tabby, he introduces his new pal to his pack of pickpocket pooches, run by the nefarious Sykes (Robert Loggia).
Just as Oliver is about to begin a life of crime, he is rescued by a rich girl named Jenny, who takes him home to live in luxury with her and her spoiled poodle Georgette (Bette Midler). But when Sykes finds out about Oliver’s new benefactor, he hatches a plot to abscond with the little girl and hold her for ransom. The courageous kitty and his new found friends must race to the rescue in an electrifying chase through the city’s labyrinthine subway system in order to bring Jenny home.
Oliver & Company’s, Disney’s 27th full-length animated film, celebrates its 20th anniversary in a special edition DVD with enough fun and laughter for the whole family. The adorable gang of animal outcasts comes to you with brilliant animation, a fantastic soundtrack and the amazing voice talents of Billy Joel, Bette Midler, and Huey Lewis, that puts Oliver & Company on track to win the hearts of a whole new generation.
As for special features, the 20th Anniversary Edition comes with animated shorts, behind–the-scenes featurettes and an all-new game that the parents and kids will love to play together. Not exactly anything to write home about. The shorts are cute and memorable, but the featurettes are literally nothing new. I would have at least appreciated a retrospective from some of those involved in the project and where they are today.
If you don’t have Oliver & Company in your Disney DVD collection, now is your chance to catch up with this unique animated feature.
(DVD details below the cut)
Read More »Oliver & Company: 20th Anniversary Edition DVD Review
Disney and Pixar have released two new production images from the animated feature UP. I’m using the second one as my new desktop image.
Links to larger versions available below each and two additional photos below the fold, in case you don’t have them already.
UP floats into theaters on May 29, 2009. Learn more at the official website.
Disney has announced the release dates for the Bolt DVD and Blu-ray editions. I did say dates because for some reason the Blu-ray edition will arrive two days before the DVD version. Did they have to bake the DVDs longer in the oven?
Actually, I think their plan is to get you to buy the Blu-ray now even if you only own a DVD player as that version contains the movie, all the specials of the DVD, a digital file of the movie to watch on your computer, and the Blu-ray edition. In theory, this should get you to buy the Blu-ray player eventually.
Personally, I’m still holding out.
The Bolt Disney Blu-ray + DVD + Digital File Combo Pack arrives March 22 while the Disney DVD arrives March 24.
The full press release is below the cut.
If you can get yourself to Munich, Germany make sure you stop at the City Museum to see this exhibit on the influence of European arts on Walt Disney’s films. Munich is the final stop for this tour and it runs through February 15th. More… Read More »Influence of European Arts on Disney Animation Exhibit
This new Princess and the Frog artwork is from the Disney Annual report. So beautiful! How can anyone not be excited about this movie after seeing this? Can’t you already see the walk-around character holding court in Disneyland’s New Orleans Square. I know just the… Read More »Princess and the Frog, new artwork
With Walt Disney Animation Studios ‘Bolt’ released in the UK on February 6, the Financial Times conducts one of the famous lunch interviews with John Lasseter, of late “Savior of Disney Animation” (TM). It will be nice to see what ‘Bolt’ can do overseas without… Read More »Lunch with John Lasseter in the FT
Originally uploaded by blakespot Flickr user blakespot took a tour of Pixar Studios up in Emeryville on January 5th. In this Flickr set he shares with us some great photos of the public areas. Sadly, I don’t see any sign of promotional materials from ‘Up’… Read More »Recent Tour of Pixar Studios
