Bolt DVD Review

Bolt

http://www.disney.go.com/disneyvideos/animatedfilms/bolt/

On DVD: March 22nd, 2009

Rated PG for some mild action and peril.

Running time: 96 minutes

Link to our theatrical Bolt reviews.

Byron Howard (dir.)

Chris Williams (dir.)

John Travolta as Bolt (voice)

Miley Cyrus as Penny (voice)

Susie Essman as Mittens (voice)

Mark Walton as Rhino (voice)

Malcolm McDowell as Dr. Calico (voice)

James Lipton as The Director (voice)

Greg Germann as The Agent (voice)

Diedrich Bader as Veteran Cat (voice)

Bolt, (voice of John Travolta), Mittens, (voice of Susie Essman), and Rhino, (voice of Mark Walton), in Disney's Bolt.

Our reviews below:

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Bolt DVD Review By John C.

**** (out of 4)

Bolt, my own personal pick for the very best dog movie in recent years, comes home on DVD today. Following the adventures of a dog, Bolt (John Travolta), who is the star of a TV show, where he plays a super dog who always has to save his person, Penny (Miley Cyrus), from grave-danger. The only problem is, he thinks he really has superpowers. So when he gets lost from the set after filming a cliffhanger episode, he sets out on an hilarious and exciting road trip to get back to his person.

Filled with funny and lovable characters, including a street-smart New York alley cat, Mittens (Susie Essman), and fan boy hamster, Rhino (Mark Walton). The pigeons with accents from whatever city they are in are always hilarious. When I reviewed the film back in November, I called it almost at the level of Pixar, while watching it again, I realized it pretty much is on the same level. Pixar is still slightly ahead in terms of realism in the animation, but Bolt is practically on the same level in terms of story and heart. The action scenes are exciting, the comedy is funny and the characters are very likable and believable for who they are. In theatres the film was in 3-D, but due to the technology for 3-D at home still being expensive and not quite up to what it should be, Bolt is just in plain old 2-D. The animation still has incredible depth to it, so the 3-D was never integral, but just a nice extra element when it was there, but when it’s not, you don’t really miss anything.

Bolt is available in three different formats. The one-disc DVD includes the brand new short film, Super Rhino. The two-disc DVD includes Super Rhino, “I Thought I Lost You” music video, In Session with John Travolta and Miley Cyrus, A New Breed of Directors: A Filmmakers’ Journey, Act, Speak! The Voices of Bolt, Creating The World of Bolt, Deleted Scenes with optional introductions and a digital copy of the film. There is also a three-disc blu-ray combo pack, which basically includes everything on the two-disc DVD set, plus a blu-ray of the film that includes all of the DVDs bonus features and more. If you have a blu-ray player, or are going to be getting one in the near future, then the three-disc is most worth your money. If you don’t really care how you see the film, and don’t mind missing out on all the bonus features, then either DVD edition would be fine.

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Bolt DVD Review By Erin V.

**** (out of 4)

I enjoyed Bolt just as much the second time around on DVD. Originally seeing it in Real D 3D was cool, and watching it again let me remember that experience which was so fun in theatres. Last year was great for animation. The three big animated movies nominated at the Oscars were all stellar, (Bolt, Kung Fu Panda, and WALL•E). I would have been happy had any of them won, (although I am glad that WALL•E won in the end.) Kung Fu Panda got the Annie last year, which meant that Bolt was the one of the three left largely unrecognized for awards last year. It’s still a really good movie, and now that it’s out on DVD, you should really add it to your collection.

The Bolt DVD has about 40 minutes, or so, of great special features. I enjoyed the ‘making of’ videos, and the funny new short ‘Super Rhino’. The DVD/Blu-ray combo pack is worth getting, since once you do make the switch to Blu, (if you haven’t already), you have both. This deal also comes with a digital copy for your iPod. One of the advantages of this set is that even if you’re still waiting to be able to view your Blu-ray, you still get the above mentioned 40 minutes of extras on the regular DVD. Granted, the Blu-ray has a lot more.

For a lot of fun, go out and get the Bolt DVD. This is one that you will probably want to view again and again.

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Bolt DVD Review By Nicole

**** (out of 4)

After seeing Bolt again, I realize this is actually a 4 star movie, not 31/2 like I had originally rated it. Seeing Bolt again on the small screen was just as exciting as when I first saw it in theatres. The story, animation, voice work, and score are some of the best in Disney history.

The extras on the DVD are excellent. The short film “Super Rhino”, is really funny and cute. There is also a music video with John Travolta and Miley Cyrus, which splices scenes from the recording studio, and images from the film. The making of featurettes are really interesting. I really enjoyed the featurette on how the animation backgrounds were done. I really liked how the animators wanted the backgrounds to look like a painting. To see how this was achieved was interesting to me as an artist. I also liked the featurette about the directors, and the one about the voice actors. I like how all the voice actors fit the characters in the movie. I would have liked to see a featurette about the score on the DVD. There are also two deleted scenes, which show some of the early plans for the story. This is one DVD you will definitely want to own.

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Bolt DVD Review By Maureen

***1/2 (out of 4)

Having originally seen Bolt in 3D at a theatre I wasn’t sure the movie would be as enjoyable on DVD with a smaller screen and 2D. Well the DVD didn’t disappoint. The animation is so well done with a lot of depth in the scenes that Bolt is still one of the better animated movies that I’ve seen.

Bolt’s storyline, the action, the voice acting by John Travolta and Miley Cyrus and the excellent animation all add up to a really fun movie. What I like about seeing a movie again on DVD is catching some of the lines and humour I missed the first time in theatres.

This is one DVD that belongs in a family collection. There are a lot of extras on the DVD and it’s nice having the DVD/BluRay combo for those households that are in the process of switching over or adding on BluRay. Treat the family and bring Bolt home.

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Bolt DVD Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

Read original theatrical Bolt review here.

The BluRay release includes a DVD for folks like us who don’t yet have a BluRay player. Though the BluRay disc has some extra material, the DVD has all the features you would expect. It is fun to hear from the two young directors carrying on the Disney animation tradition with their mentor John Lasseter. We also meet the main voice actors and can watch how their voices are used in their scenes. There is also a short with the hamster Rhino as the hero–in the same vein as the internet Mater shorts from Cars.

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Consensus: Bolt is still a very entertaining movie on DVD. This will be a must add to your collection that you will want to watch for years to come. ***1/2 (Out of 4)

Twilight DVD Review

Twilight

http://www.twilightthemovie.com/

On DVD: March 21st, 2009

Rated PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sexuality.

Running time: 122 minutes

Catherine Hardwicke (dir.)

Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan

Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen

Billy Burke as Charlie Swan

Ashley Greene as Alice Cullen

Nikki Reed as Rosalie Hale

Jackson Rathbone as Jasper Hale

Kellan Lutz as Emmett Cullen

Peter Facinelli as Dr. Carlisle Cullen

Cam Gigandet as James

Taylor Lautner as Jacob Black

Anna Kenfrick as Jessica Stanley

Michael Welch as Mike Newton

Christian Serratos as Angela Weber

Gil Birmingham as Billy Black

Elizabeth Reaser as Esme Cullen

Edi Gathegi as Laurent

Rachelle Lefevre as Victoria

Bonus Features: Disc one includes commentary by director Catherine Hardwick, and stars Kristan Stewart and Robert Pattinson, extended scenes and three music videos. Disc two includes an extensive seven part making-of documentary, deleted scenes, trailers and clips, and a look at the film from comic-con.

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Twilight DVD Review By John C.

**1/2 (out of 4)

Last year’s surprising smash hit film adaptation of Twilight finally arrives on DVD today. Having not read the books, only hearing about them, I did not find watching the movie confusing, unlike with some other book adaptations. I don’t really need to tell you what it’s about, because you probably already know the story of forbidden love in Forks, Washington between deer-eating vegetarian vampire Edward Cullen, (Robert Pattinson), and mortal girl Bella Swan, (Kristan Stewart).

I know I am not the audience that is into Twilight, but the audiences that are, will likely be overjoyed to see the book come to life and be even happier to now have the film in their collections. It is actually a lot better than I thought it would be. I never thought I would be saying this, but I am actually mildly recommending Twilight, and not just for its intended audience. The film was interesting enough to keep me watching and better yet, it kept me awake. The only big problems with Twilight is that in adapting an insanely popular bestseller, the effort comes off as slightly pedestrian. While they could have made a spectacular looking film, they chose to go with more cheesy and campy special effects. It is also about twenty to thirty minutes too long. So, I am giving it a strong rating of 2 1/2 stars, but just one notch below three.

If you are a Twilight fan then you should get the two disc edition, to keep on your shelf beside your multiple copies of the Twilight books and the soundtracks for the movie.

The two-disc set comes packed with bonus features, that would make any Twilight fan want to rush out and get it. Disc one includes commentary by director Catherine Hardwick, and stars Kristan Stewart and Robert Pattinson. It also includes extended scenes and three music videos. Disc two includes an extensive seven part making-of documentary, deleted scenes, trailers and clips that were used to promote the movie theatrically and a video showing a bunch of screaming and obsessed fans at comic-con. People say the guys dressed up as the Watchmen are crazy. Well, this video shows the female counterpart of comic-con, when they aren’t just the guys girlfriends who are dressed up as a super heroes closest female companion. Twilight is an important staple in pop-culture and it’s footage like this that makes us realize just how popular it really is.

So my verdict is go out and buy the set if you are a fan, and if you just want to see what all the hype is about, then rent the film. Who knows, you might like it.

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Twilight DVD Review By Erin V.

**1/2 (out of 4)

This is the movie adaptation of the book by the same name, Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer. Fans of the book series, will most definitely want to see, (if they haven’t already), and will most likely enjoy, this movie version.

It follows the beginning of the forbidden love story between Bella Swan, (Kristen Stewart), and Edward Cullen, (Robert Pattinson). The fact that she’s a mortal, and he’s a vampire, (who controls his urges and feast only on deer), makes their relationship difficult at times. Needless to say, this is a love story, and a fairly good one at that. This being said, there are also some action and suspense scenes in here as well, regarding the evil vampires, who do not control their urges, and prefer people to deer. The special effects are not the best that they could have been, and seem like they belong more in a movie from 15-20 years ago. Also, they seem to like to show them off. i.e., Edward can move around really fast, so that he is just a motion blur. We see him get out of his side of the car and zip around to the other side to open Bella’s door. He moves around really fast in places where it seems unnecessary, like this...

I actually liked this movie more than I had thought I would. I haven’t read the books, and did not see this in theatres. Reluctant even to check it out on DVD, I am glad that I did. It is a fair movie, that while a bit long in parts, (I found), was entertaining enough, and had some rather nice moments in it. I also checked out some of the extras on the DVD, and there are a lot, especially on the two-disc edition, which will make fans very, very happy.

Overall, this movie belongs in the collection of any fan, and others will probably want to rent it at least, even if just to see what all of the hype is about. It will probably be remembered as a part of pop-culture for years to come.

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Twilight DVD Review By Nicole

**1/2 (out of 4)

Based on the book of the same name, Twilight is a fable about chastity. The story follows Bella, a lonely 17 year old girl who moves from her mom’s place to live with her dad in Forks, Washington, (which is a real place). She has to go to a new school, and there she meets Edward, a mysterious boy with a secret. He is a vampire, but not the kind that eats people. He and his family are “vegetarians”, meaning they only eat deer. (This is not graphically depicted.) The aboriginal people know about the vampires however, and one boy, Jacob, tries to warn Bella about Edward. Bella trusts Edward. She likes his cougar-like superpowers, such as running fast, climbing trees, and being able to appear as if out of nowhere. However, Edward has to be able to control his animalistic instincts around Bella, because he finds she smells like lunch. In the end though, Edward finds the strength in him to protect Bella.

The romance between Bella and Edward is touching. My favorite scene is when Edward is playing the piano for Bella, (Robert Pattinson is a musician and composer, as well as an actor). The song he is playing is both beautiful, haunting, and mysterious, which fits Edward’s slightly disturbed, but very likable character well.

The special effects in this movie could have been done a lot better. However, the scenery in the temperate rainforest is beautiful, and makes one appreciate and want to conserve this unique ecosystem. I also really liked the storyline surrounding the native people, as I am a fan of native legends.

The extras on this DVD are plenty. The first disc contains extended scenes, audio commentary by director Catherine Hardwicke, Kristin Stewart, and Robert Pattinson, and three music videos. The second disc contains a seven part making of documentary, deleted scenes, a behind the scenes pass to the Comic Con convention, and more. Fans of Twilight will not be disappointed, and should buy this DVD.

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Twilight DVD Review By Maureen

**1/2 (out of 4)

The Twilight DVD will please fans of the vampire romance books by Stephanie Meyer and film fans alike. The story of a forbidden love between human Bella Swan, (Kristin Stewart), and vampire Edward Cullen, (Robert Pattinson), is surprisingly romantic. Perhaps it’s because we’re no longer used to seeing a chaste romance and old fashioned courtship between young lovers on the screen anymore. My favorite scene in the movie is when Edward is playing a white grand piano for Bella in his home. The piece he plays is beautiful and the whole scene very romantic and sensual.

The darker side of the film has to do with the evil, ‘non-vegetarian’ vampires who kill people and set their sights on Bella. The scenes where Bella is being attacked are violent and not for the under 13 crowd. Parents need to take note of the PG-13 rating no matter how cute their under 13 daughters think Edward is.

The special effects in this film could have been a whole lot better. The acting was fine but the real star of this film for me was the music score, in particular the piece Edward plays for Bella.

I’m usually not a fan of anything to do with the subject of vampires. However, I found this film to be quite watchable, though a little too long at 122 minutes. Fans of Twilight will want to own this DVD so they can watch Bella and Edward over and over again. The two disc set is full of extras that are well worth the price of the DVD. This is definitely worth adding to your collection if you are a Twilight fan.

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Twilight DVD Review By Tony

*** (out of 4)

As we observed in the crowds lining up for the theatrical release, the target audience for Twilight is almost exclusively teen girls. They will be thrilled with the treatment of Stephanie (sic) Meyer’s book by screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg and director Catherine Hardwicke, with an attractive cast and a crew dominated by women and evocative soundtrack featuring original music by Carter Burwell and some good songs including one by the male lead, Robert Pattinson.

Bella Swan (Kristin Stewart) has been living with her mother in Phoenix AZ since she was little. Her mother has remarried and is moving to Jacksonville FL, so Bella goes to live with her father in Forks WA which is in the misty temperate rainforest of Olympic National Park. Despite warnings by her classmates and native friends, Bella is strangely drawn to Edward Cullen (Pattinson). The Cullens are vampires who, despite their taste for human blood, have chosen to prey on wildlife (compared to vegetarians who replace steak with tofu). As if from a planet with much stronger gravity (like in the original Superman comics), they can run up trees and jump really high and far. Like X-mutants, they each have unique special powers. Edward can read minds and zip around like Dash of The Incredibles. Unfortunately, there are other vampires in the area who have murdered people. When one of these gets a craving for Bella, the Cullens have to protect her.

Wary of the incredible hype and oblivious to most of the gothic vampire lore of recent years, we were not expecting much from this film. In fact, it is not bad. The cast is pretty good and though essentially cheesy the story builds with enough suspense to keep up interest to the end. As a bonus–despite their mutual attraction, Edward’s fear of getting too close to Bella lest he eat her makes their relationship chaste enough to appeal to social conservatives. With muted colors that reflect the overcast climate and pallor of the undead, the film is very pretty to look at, not only for the scenery but also most of the cast, particularly the Cullens, who seem to have just stepped off a fashion runway.

There is a lot of extra material on the DVD that we have not had a chance to check out. There is running commentary by the director and two leads, some extended and deleted scenes, some music videos and trailers, and lots of documentary material on the making of the film. There is also some cringe-inducing Comic-Con [comic convention] footage, where the writer, director, and much of the cast played down to the screaming crowd.

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Consensus: The Twilight DVD will be an essential addition to any fan’s collection - especially the two-disc. For others, this movie is worth checking out. It is entertaining enough to be worth the watch. **1/2 (Out of 4)

Trailer Watch: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

You can now watch a trailer online for Sony Pictures Animation’s upcoming 3-D CGI comedy Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. It is based upon a children's book of the same name by Judi and Ron Barrett. You can watch the trailer in in different formats, including 1080p HD on Yahoo! here.

-John C.

Disney Pixar’s “Up” will open the 62nd Cannes Film Festival

The 3-D animated adventure will open this years Cannes film fest on May 13. This is the first time an animated film has opened the fest, and is a return to lighter fare, after last years fest opener, Blindness. Regular audience’s can see Up when it opens

in theatres on May 29th.

UPDATE: Here is a link to the official press release.

-John C.

Natasha Richardson (1963-2009)

Aclaimed actress Natasha Richardson died on Wednesday night, due to a head injury that she received while skiing in Quebec. She was 45. She will be missed by many, including her husband Liam Neeson and their two sons. May she rest in peace.

-John C.

Natasha Richardson on IMDb

Happy St. Patrick's Day

To everyone reading this, we hope you find a fun way to celebrate this special day!

Elegy DVD Review

On DVD: March 17th, 2009

Rated Canada 14A for sexual content and nudity

Running time: 115 minutes

Isabel Coixet (dir.)

Penélope Cruz as Consuela Castillo

Ben Kingsley as David Kepesh

Peter Sarsgaard as Kenneth Kepesh

Patricia Clarkson as Carolyn

Dennis Hopper as George O'Hearn

Antonio Cupo as Consuela's imagined lover

Deborah Harry as Amy O'Hearn

Kris Pope as Consuela's Brother

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Elegy Review By John C.

*** (out of 4)

Elegy is the tale of English professor David Kepesh, (Ben Kingsley), who is in his 60’s, but likes woman about half his age. But ever since they stuck up the phone number for the sexual harassment hotline across from his office, he no longer sleeps with his students while teaching them, but when classes finish, he throws a huge graduation party at his place. In hopes that at least one young woman will stay behind in his bedroom. This time is different because Consuela Castillo, (Penélope Cruz), didn’t just stay that one night, she came back for more. They are both very intelligent and share a love for art. Which would make them a perfect match, if they had their age in common.

I did not see one sunny day in this movie. The film takes place over at least two years in New York. I imagine that the sun would come out at least once over two years while you live in New York. But then it struck me. How can the sun shine in New York when you’re only filming for a couple of weeks in Vancouver, presumably in the fall?

While the acting in the film is excellent, the musical score is pleasant, and some of it is well shot, it at times, gets kind of boring. While the film should have only been around 95 minutes, it goes on for nearly 2 hours, over staying it’s welcome by about 20 minutes. This is by no means a bad film, and is actually mildly worth seeing. But it’s also not a great film. So I am giving it a mild three stars, but just a notch above 2 1/2. I would say it’s worth a rental, but not really something that needs to be in your permanent collection.

I can’t believe I’m even saying this, but I never thought I would see a topless Penélope Cruz and the Easter Bunny in the same movie. That’s right, Folks! The EASTER BUNNY is in this movie. Watch for his cameo within the first half-hour.

The DVD includes the films theatrical trailer, and a seven-minute featurette entitled The Poetry of Elegy.

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Elegy Review By Erin V.

*** (out of 4)

Elegy tells the story of David Kepesh, (Ben Kingsley), a university professor, who seems to always fall for women his students ages - and he is around 60. One becomes very special to him - Consuela Castillo, (Penélope Cruz), who shares his love and fascination for art and music. To David, she is, as he puts it, “a work of art herself.” Unfortunately, she really is too young for him, which makes the relationship hard to sustain.

The movie is built around their relationship, and is interesting enough to check out, but could have been way better. This was a well-enough made film, although I found that it kind of dragged on a little bit too long. The acting was good, and the musical score in the background was quite nice to listen to, so I really liked that aspect of the film. I would recommend checking this one out on DVD if you’re interested, although you could probably rent it to do so.

The DVD also includes the film’s trailer, as well as a seven minute featurette.

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Elegy Review By Nicole

???? (out of 4)

N/A

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Elegy Review By Maureen

???? (out of 4)

N/A

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Elegy Review By Tony

???? (out of 4)

N/A

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Consensus: Elegy is well acted, and the music is nice to listen to in the film. It does drag at times though, but would be worth at least a rental. *** (Out of 4)

New UPisode on Apple Trailers

Apple Trailers now has the second UPisode entitled First Aid.

Watch it here, along with the previous UPisode titled Animal Calling. You can also see both teaser trailers, and the trailer that we reported on last week.

Update - (March 15th): Two new stills from UP have surfaced in the last few days. Thanks to Pixar Planet/Upcoming Pixar, (see here, and here).

Tell us what you think in the comments below.

This Month’s Overlooked Film

Chosen by: John C.

Saint Ralph

Release Date April 8 2005

Rated PG-13 for some sexual content and partial nudity

Running Time: 98 min.

Michael McGowan (dir.)

Adam Butcher as Ralph Walker

Campbell Scott as Father George Hibbert

Gordon Pinsent as Father Fitzpatrick

Jennifer Tilly as Nurse Alice

Shauna MacDonald as Emma Walker

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Saint Ralph

Review By John C.

Saint Ralph is the story of a kid who dreams big. Ralph Walker is a 15 year-old boy growing up in Hamilton, ON in 1954. He is not an orphan, but his mother has been in a coma for quite some time, and his father has died. He dreams of running and winning the Boston marathon, because it would be a miracle if he wins, and a miracle is what his mother would need to wake up. The acting by the mostly Canadian cast is excellent, and it is interesting to hear the music of composer Andrew Lockington before he became more known for scoring films like Journey to the Center of the Earth and City of Ember.

It would be worth checking out this great little film before you go see One Week, director Michael McGowan’s latest film, which opened last Friday.

Is there a film that you think is overlooked? Drop us a comment below, or send us the name of the movie to onemoviefiveviews@hotmail.com

Partly Cloudy; Where do babies come from? UPDATE

UPDATE: Mac has been able to enlarge the above picture from 468 x 196 to 1920 x 804, without loosing much quality. The pixillation on the enlarged image is very minimal, so click on the above image to see it full size! (If the link doesn't work for you, please drop a comment below, I will sort it out.)

PIXAR’s newest short film is called Partly Cloudy. The short will accompany UP, opening this May 29th, 2009, and is directed by Peter Sohn and produced by Kevin Reher.

Official Synopsis:

“Everyone knows that the stork delivers babies, but where do the storks get the babies from? The answer lies up in the stratosphere, where cloud people sculpt babies from clouds and bring them to life. Gus, a lonely and insecure grey cloud, is a master at creating ‘dangerous’ babies. Crocodiles, porcupines, rams and more—Gus’s beloved creations are works of art, but more than a handful for his loyal delivery stork partner, Peck. As Gus’s creations become more and more rambunctious, Peck’s job gets harder and harder. How will Peck manage to handle both his hazardous cargo and his friend’s fiery temperament?”

Thanks to Upcoming Pixar, and AWN for the synopsis, and picture!