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Hannah Montana The Movie – a classic Disney film, but with modern elements

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I grew up watching reruns of the Mickey Mouse Club and the Sunday night Disney Family Movie. Films like the Apple Dumpling Gang, Parent Trap, or My Dog The Thief (who can forget that one) were decidedly bland compared to some of the other offerings of the day. But that was okay, life was pretty bland.

It’s obviously a different world today. Everything is faster paced. Kids grow up faster and pop-stars grow up just as fast. And on screen. Few fit that description better than Miley Cyrus, Disney’s current teen superstar. Her first-ever full-length theatrical movie as Hannah Montana – “Hannah Montana: The Movie” – is available for a limited time only in a Three-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack that includes the film in both Blu-ray and DVD formats, as well as Two-Disc and Single-Disc DVD editions. Both the Blu-ray Combo Pack and Two-Disc DVD include DisneyFile, a digital copy of the movie that can be viewed on an array of electronic devices.

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The plot of the movie is actually fairly simple, hearkening back to those Disney films of yore. Being a superstar as well as a normal teenager is getting even more complicated for Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus). Her crazy double life as pop sensation Hannah Montana is taking its toll on the teen and her family. So Miley’s dad, Robby Ray Stewart (Billy Ray Cyrus) decides a visit to the family farm in Tennessee to celebrate Grandma Ruby’s (Margo Martindale) birthday will bring his little girl back down to earth. Far away from the bright lights and the big city, Miley reconnects with childhood friend Travis (Lucas Till).

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Their budding romance, along with the love of her family and friends, gives Miley some much-needed perspective on life. But when her pushy publicist (Vanessa Williams) comes calling and a smarmy reporter (Peter Gunn) tries to dig up the dirt on Hannah, Miley is forced to make the hardest decision of her life. Cyrus is joined in the film by her stellar cast mates from the hit Disney Channel series including Emily Osment, Moises Arias, Mitchel Musso, Billy Ray Cyrus and Jason Earles.

In addition, fans will enjoy special appearances by Lucas Till (Walk the Line), Vanessa Williams (“Ugly Betty”), Tyra Banks (“America’s Next Top Model”), Barry Bostwick (“Nancy Drew”), Melora Hardin (17 Again), and hit recording artists Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts.

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Even if you’re not a fan of the television series, I think you’ll find Hannah Montana: The Movie a good fit for your Disney DVD Collection. It’s another successful property for The Walt Disney Company.

Follow below the jump for some of the excellent bonus features available:

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EARTH from DisneyNature – Director’s Roundtable

Director Alastair Fothergill took part in a Virtual Roundtable for DisneyNature’s EARTH today. They also showed the ‘Earth Diaries” film that will be a special feature on the Blu-Ray Disc. It took over 5 years to complete the film, so there is a lot of territory covered in the feature, but it really lets the creators put some umph behind what is otherwise just the story of the movie.

The next two films Fothergill is working on for DisneyNature are Big Cats, projected to release early in 2012, and Chimpanzee, which should arrive early in 2013.

For those interested in the nitty gritty, I’ve included the full transcript below.

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Pete’s Dragon Special Edition DVD Review

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It’s hard to review Pete’s Dragon without conflating it with my youthful memories of being a Disney fan. I was 7 or 8 and remember wishing that I too had a dragon like Elliot. Somewhere along the way the film became closely tied to my feelings about Disney as an adult too. “Candle on the Water” has always been one of my favorite Disney songs. Plus, seeing the the Elliot float in Disneyland’s Main Street Electrical Parade always elicits a feeling of joy, because it’s such an amazing float (makes me want to shout “Brazzle Dazzle!” right now), and sadness because seeing Elliot always the parade was nearly over.
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It goes without saying that Pete’s Dragon is a family friendly film everyone can enjoy. I watched it with my son and found him humming along to the songs even though he’d never seen the move before. For a film made in 1976 the effects are remarkably advanced, you’ll want to check out the special feature narrated by Pete (Sean Marshall) as he explains the history of Disney’s technical film wizardly that allows animation and live action to mix. This goes all the way back to Walt Disney’s first “Alice” shorts featuring Virginia Davis, who just passed away.

The combination of animation and live-action bring the magical friendship between Pete, a young orphan, and his unusual best friend to life in Pete’s Dragon High Flying Edition, now out on DVD from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Adventure, comedy and soaring musical numbers will charmed children and adults alike. And there is nearly an hour of brand-new bonus features, including a look at Disney’s live action/animation legacy, alternate versions of some of the film’s most beloved songs and much more.

Pete’s Dragon was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Music, Original Song and Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Score). The film boasts an extraordinary cast that includes Sean Marshall (“To Race the Wind”), Helen Reddy (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band), Mickey Rooney (Night at the Museum), Jeff Conaway (Grease), Shelley Winters (The Poseidon Adventure), Jim Dale (“Pushing Daisies”) and Red Buttons (“ER”), with Charlie Callas as the voice of Elliot the Dragon.

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Also among the features is a classic Donald Duck short called “Lighthouse Keeping.” It features Donald, a crafty seagull, and a light house light that just won’t stay lit. I also really enjoyed the two excepts “Disney Family Album” and “The Plausible Impossible.” Always nice to see Walt Disney in his element entertaining the audience.

Follow below the jump for a complete list of features.

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EARTH coming soon on DVD & Blu-ray

EARTH, the beautiful and powerful documentary released by DisneyNature earlier this year, is coming to DVD and Blu-ray. Here at The Disney Blog we’ve been given two copies to give away. See below for details on how to enter the drawing.

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On September 1, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment releases EARTH on Blu-ray and DVD! This trio of unforgettable stories is woven together by award-winning filmmakers Alistair Fothegrill (“The Blue Planet) and Mark Linfield (“Planet Earth”), and narrated by Academy Award-winner James Earl Jones. In Blu-ray, the film gives audiences an unmatched opportunity to view its dizzying aerial photography, epic backdrops and rare footage of land, sea and air in astonishing high definition. Bonus material includes a making-of featurette and more.

A large part of Walt Disney’s legacy is his love of the outdoors. You see it in the true life adventure series, the parks, and ultimately in his plans for EPCOT. My hope is that the new Disneynature label will return to this legacy in full. To win a copy of Earth (the DVD version) leave a comment on this post with your idea for what you’d like to see from the Disneynature label in the future. Specific answers with a focus on Walt’s legacy will get extra weight. Make sure to provide a valid email address! Delivery only to US addresses. A winner will be chosen September 4th at Noon eastern.

After the jump you can check out a preview of one of the DVD’s bonus features – Aerial Shots and get more DVD details:

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Disney Extends Blu-ray Combo Pack Efforts through December 2010

Based On Popular Demand: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Extends Worldwide Blu-ray Combo Pack Efforts through December 2010 Exceptional Value, Quality & Versatility Included In The Purchase of Any Disney-Branded Blu-ray Disc BURBANK, Calif.— August 11, 2009 – In a time when price, quality and value… Read More »Disney Extends Blu-ray Combo Pack Efforts through December 2010

Up coming Nov. 10 to DVD & Blu-ray

As I reported earlier on The Pixar Blog , Pixar’s Up (directed by Pete Docter) will be arriving on DVD and hi-def Blu-ray Disc (Region 1) on November 10. Both editions can now be pre-ordered online from a variety of retailers. The film will come in both a 1-Disc DVD and a… Read More »Up coming Nov. 10 to DVD & Blu-ray

Movies from Disney coming to your SD card

Disney Japan and Panasonic have recently agreed to a contract for Disney feature film releases to be put on micro SD cards. Panasonic-manufactured memory cards will be released alongside new DVD releases. Users will be able to incorporate the SD cards into cell phones, car… Read More »Movies from Disney coming to your SD card

The Secret Tour of Disneyland – DVD Review

The Secret Tour of Disneyland is a fan produced tour of Walt Disney’s Magic Kingdom that’s chock full of fun, facts, and trivia about the park. The DVD production and script approaches Travel Channel quality and the host Lauren Delmont could some day give Samantha… Read More »The Secret Tour of Disneyland – DVD Review