Mickey's Twice Upon A Christmas
Disney DVD

- This is a delightful collection of Christmas tales that will entertain the entire family. You'll love finding out who has been naughty or nice as Mickey, Donald, Minnie, Daisy, Goofy and the rest of the gang prepare for the Christmas holidays. Minnie and Daisy compete on the ice; Mickey loses Pluto while preparing for a Christmas party; Donald's nephews travel to the North Pole to make sure that their names are on Santa's list, and much, much more. These wonderful stories are heart-felt, tender tales with smart little lessons.

The animation for these mini-stories is extraordinarily beautiful. The tiny, snowy village, Santa's home at the North Pole, the glittering interiors and exteriors of glorious Christmas trees, street scenes, etc. are wonderfully rendered. There is music -- joyous holiday music -- that will make you sing and hum along. Everything is lovingly wonderful.

The disc includes deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes look documentary about how Olympic star Michelle Kwan inspired the animators who duplicated skating. There are also loads of games and activities including a featurette, Guess What Donald is Singing?, Santa's Workshop challenge and DVD-ROM Holiday Printables. This is a perfect gift for the entire family!

Bridget Jones's Diary: Collector's Series
Miramax Home Entertainment

- The funniest, smartest "girlie" romantic comedy on the planet is based on a best-selling British novel about a hapless 30-something woman looking for Mister Right. Bridget Jones (Renee Zellweger) is spontaneous, smart, single and unlucky with love but that doesn't stop her from eating the wrong foods, swilling vodka, smoking cigarettes, playing feel-good rock music and falling for two guys who are polar opposites. First there is her devilish, naughty boss (Hugh Grant) and then there is the up-crust lawyer (Colin Firth) who grew up in the same town. While one makes her feel like a wanton sex goddess, the other likes her "just the way she is."

There are huge laughs with Bridget making all the usual mistakes that are so familiar to all women like wind-blown hair, making blue soup for your friends and making a spectacle of yourself at social events.

This new collector's edition includes much, much more bonus material including documentaries on the "Bridget Phenomenon, The Young and The Mateless, Reviews of the actual Diary, a guide to Bridge Britishness, commentary with director Sharon Maguire; a behind the scenes featurette and deleted scenes. The biggest delight is a sneak peek at the upcoming sequal, "Bridget Jones's Diary: The Edge of Reason." This awesome DVD will make an wonderful gift for that special woman in your life. It is hysterically funny!

Around the World in 80 Days
Disney DVD

- The latest version of an amazing race around the world during the 19th century features superstar Jackie Chan. Chan joins an English scientiest who accepts the challenge to travel around the world in 80 days. He's stolen a precious gem and unbeknowst to the scientist, has English agents shadowing their every move. Along the way, a bored French artist joins them. Most of the story is filled with messy slapstick (crashing into things that splatter) as the trio travel by hot air ballon, train, cars, etc. There is even a cameo appearance by Arnold Schwarnegger. Unfortunately, there aren't a lot of laughs despite the extensive stunts performed by Chan.

The disc is filled with bonus features including a behind-the-scenes featurette, deleted scenes, never-before-seen director's alternative opening, cast and filmmaker commentary, music video and much, much more. Frankly, one of the early versions might be more entertaining.

Spanish Fly
Miramax Home Entertainment

- This incredibly annoying movie about a writer working on a sexy book while also searching for her identity pretends to be a deeply profound and sensitive indie film. However writer/director Daphna Kastner cast herself as the lead and frankly, she's not appealing. Kastner plays Zoe, a writer who travels to Madrid to quiz Spanish men about their notions of "machismo" and endures a hit-and-miss relations with a womainizomg translator and a 'feminist' bookseller (Martin Donovan). Of course neither man satisfies Zoe's yearning for romance and she flounces around town angry at the world. We learn that her mother conceived her while on vacation in Spain when she was 18 and Zoe discovered the truth when she was 13. She still habors feelings of betrayal and her love life has always been unhappy. The trip is nice but until Zoe deals with her own self loathing and anger, she'll never be happy. The film is unpleasant to watch and you can never be certain if Zoe experiences personal growth.

The disc has no bonus features -- big surprise! I think that the filmmaker thought that since "Under the Tuscan Sun" was a great success -- with a lovelorn heroine living abroad -- that this film would have a chance. No way! Ms. Kastner might have made a better film with a different actress in the lead. Watch this on cable.

Bear in the Big Blue House: Tidy Time with Bear; Heroes of Woodland Valley; Sleepy time with Bear and Friends; Shapes, Sounds & Colors; Party Time with Bear; Dance Party; Everybody's Special; A Bear of All Seasons
Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment

- These 8 DVDs are based on Jim Henson television shows and kids will be entertained while learns important lessons about friends, nature and kids fun with music and dancing. Bear shares these adventures with friends Treelo, Ojo, Pop, Pip and Tutter.

Each digitally mastered audio & video disc has 3 episodes with bonus features like trailers and 4 sing-alongs. Kids will love these charming DVDs.

Power Rangers Dino Thunder: White Thunder and Legacy of Power
Buena Vista Home Entertainment

- The dynamic teenagers are back fighting evil for the good of mankind. In "Legacy of Power Volume 2," Mesogog, the alien reptile has Dr. Tommy Oliver in his clutches and the Power Rangers race to save him. In "White Thunder Volumb 3," familiar things seem different when Dino eggs bring out a risky kind of Zord-play. Mesagog and henchwoman, Elsa devise a plan to stop the Rangers as they try to subdue rad Dino Zords.

Each of the discs include bonus material that features Ninja Moves and Virtual trading cards. Fans will want to add these DVDs to their collection.

Edited by Veronica Mixon
images courtesy of Buena Vista, Columbia Tristar, Disney and Miramax.

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