The Disney Songbook

The Disney Songbook
New Agey pianist Jim Brickman's history with children-friendly material goes back a long way--one of his early assignments was writing for Jim Henson, after all. On this album, he tackles Disney songs, although that definition is rather flexible. New tracks "Beautiful" (featuring vocalist Wayne Brady) and "I'm Amazed" (featuring country singer Lila McCann) aren't actually from any movie or TV show but inspired by Cinderella. (Other singing guests of note include former American Idol contestants Kimberley Locke and Josh Gracin.) Brickman's approach is so mellow that it's hard to tell the tunes apart in a Mary Poppins medley made up of five different songs, including the usually upbeat "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious." This actually extends to the entire album, which feels like an extended medley. On the plus side, nothing comes in to peskily disrupt the soothing vibe. --Elisabeth Vincentelli
Customer Review: A beautiful CD of soothing adult music - which happens to be Disney Songs.
For the most part, I detest Disney songs. There are some beautiful pieces out there but alot of them just get on my nerves. Saw this at my local library and decided to check it out for my first son (I'll give anything free a try). This is coming from a mommy who hates "kid-ified or dummied down" music (see baby einstein series). I ABSOLUTELY ADORE LOVE THIS CD! To me, it feels like a beautiful CD made for adults to relax too, that happens to just use Disney songs. It's ever so sweet and gentle that I play it for myself to fall asleep. Oh yes, the son loves it too. P.S. The "baby mine" is a real tearjerker. Wonderful vocals. Elegant piano playing. My second son falls asleep to either this or Carnie Wilsons "A Mother's Gift" which is also a wonderful collection of lullabies that also seems to be made for adults...
Customer Review: Nice, pleasant, okay
Sometimes a Jim Brickman composition transcends normal background music and is absolutely heavenly. I was looking for something to send a 3-year-old who loves music, and insists that his parents play him some new and favorite songs every day. I had read other reviewers' notes on this, and thought it might be the perfect thing - great for kids, great for adults. Actually, I have listened to it twice, and it seems like the kind of pleasant, quiet, familiar music that just melts into the background. Not as creative, dramatic, or varied as I was expecting from this marvelous musician. Perhaps I just need to play it a zillion times much louder (to simulate how it will actually be used in the 3-year-old's house!).


Disney Pixar Ultimate Movie Collection (Toy Story / Toy Story 2 / Finding Nemo / The Incredibles / A Bug's Life / Monsters, Inc. / Cars / Ratatouille)
Disney-Pixar Ultimate Movie Collection includes eight of Pixar's full length films on DVD:

Toy Story (10th Anniversary Edition)
Experience a hilarious fantasy about the lives toys lead when they're left alone. Woody (Tom Hanks), an old-fashioned cowboy doll, is Andy's favorite. But when Andy gets Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) for his birthday, the flashy new space hero takes Andy's room by storm! Their rivalry leaves them lost with a toy's worst nightmare -- Sid, the toy-torturing boy next door. Woody and Buzz must work together to escape, realizing along the way that they've got a friend ... in each other! Now, in a magnificent special edition, Toy Story shines even brighter. With an all-new enhanced picture and a spectacular home theater mix as well as exclusive bonus features, including deleted scenes and a retrospective special with director John Lasseter, this modern classic is one you'll enjoy to infinity and beyond.

A Bug's Life (Collector's Edition)
Journey inside the world of bugs in this epic of miniature proportions. Crawling with imaginative characters, hilarious laughs, and colorful animation, Walt Disney Pictures Presentation of A Pixar Animation Studios Film, A Bug's Life, will "delight everyone -- young, old, or six-legged." (People Magazine) In this 2-disc set you'll step behind the scenes for a look at the innovation and teamwork that resulted in this ingenious film. Loaded with bonus features â€" including animation not seen in theaters, abandoned sequences, and multiple surprises â€" A Bug's Life Collector's Edition offers something for everyone from families to film lovers!

Toy Story 2
A Golden Globe Award winner for Best Picture, Toy Story 2 has become a favorite all across the world, garnering praise from fans and critics everywhere. It's "an instant classic," raves New York Magazine. Now, in a 2-disc collector's edition with a sparkling theater mix, this groundbreaking animated adventure is even better! While Andy is away at summer camp, Woody is toynapped by Al, a greedy collector who needs Andy's favorite toy to complete his Roundup Gang collection. Together with Jessie, Bullseye, and the Prospector, Woody is on his way to a museum where he'll spend the rest of his life behind glass. It's up to Buzz, Mr. Potato Head, Hamm, Rex, and Slinky Dog to rescue their friend and remind him what being a toy is all about. Bursting with exclusive bonus features, including deleted scenes, outtakes, a new game, and much more, this hilarious comedy classic raises the bar on family entertainment to infinity and beyond.

Monsters, Inc.
From the Academy Award(R)-winning creators of Toy Story comes the computer-animated film that captured the hearts of fans and critics everywhere. Monsters, Inc., is "visually dazzling, action-packed, and hilarious" (Boston Herald), featuring groundbreaking animation, imaginative storytelling, and unforgettable voice talent. John Goodman stars as the lovable James P. Sullivan (Sulley) and Billy Crystal as his wisecracking best friend, Mike Wazowski. Top scarer Sulley and his enthusiastic Scare Assistant Mike work at Monsters, Inc., the largest scream-processing factory in Monstropolis. The main power source of the monster world is the collected screams of human children. Monsters believe children are dangerous and toxic, however, and they are scared silly when a little girl wanders into their world. Sulley and Mike do their best to return the girl home, but they face monstrous intrigue and some hilarious misadventures along the way. Monsters, Inc., is "supremely clever -- fun for kids and adults alike" (CBS-TV). Treat yourself to the most entertaining movie of the year with all-new exclusive bonus features and animation for monster laughs and monster fun.

Finding Nemo
From The New Yorker
The latest flood of wizardry from Pixar, whose productions, from Toy Story onward, have lent an indispensable vigor and wit to the sagging art of mainstream animation. Whether the new movie, directed by Andrew Stanton, will add much to that resuscitation is another matter. Albert Brooks provides the voice of Marlin, a non-amusing clown fish who sees his young son, Nemo, borne off in a diver's net. Not to be daunted, and plainly unfazed by the threat of both sharks and sentimentality, Marlin sets off to rescue his only child. You'll never guess how it ends. The technical skill on show is beyond question, but, as yet another computer-generated seascape ripples past, you may be tempted to ask whether that skill is driving the story; Marlin just drifts from one semi-heroic feat to the next, and the characters seldom get their hooks, or their jaws, into you with the pointed, snippy comedy that we have come to associate with Woody and Buzz Lightyear. Also, not to be impolite or anything, but how expressive is a fish, until it hits a grill? With the voices of Geoffrey Rush, Barry Humphries, Willem Dafoe, Allison Janney, and-the funniest of the shoal-Ellen DeGeneres. -Anthony Lane Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

The Incredibles
After creating the last great traditionally animated film of the 20th century, The Iron Giant, filmmaker Brad Bird joined top-drawer studio Pixar to create this exciting, completely entertaining computer-animated film. Bird gives us a family of "supers," a brood of five with special powers desperately trying to fit in with the 9-to-5 suburban lifestyle. Of course, in a more innocent world, Bob and Helen Parr were superheroes, Mr. Incredible and Elastigirl. But blasted lawsuits and public disapproval forced them and other supers to go incognito, making it even tougher for their school-age kids, the shy Violet and the aptly named Dash. When a stranger named Mirage (voiced by Elizabeth Pena) secretly recruits Bob for a potential mission, the old glory days spin in his head, even if his body is a bit too plump for his old super suit.

Nominated for four Oscars, The Incredibles won for Best Animated Film and, in an unprecedented win for non-live-action films, Sound Editing.

Cars
From the acclaimed creators of Toy Story, The Incredibles, and Finding Nemo comes a high-octane adventure comedy that shows life is about the journey, not the finish line. Hotshot rookie race car Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) is living life in the fast lane until he hits a detour on his way to the most important race of his life. Stranded in Radiator Springs, a forgotten town on the old Route 66, he meets Sally, Mater, Doc Hudson (Paul Newman), and a variety of quirky characters who help him discover that there's more to life than trophies and fame. Revved up with a sensational soundtrack, featuring Rascal Flatts, Sheryl Crow, John Mayer, James Taylor, and others, plus exciting bonus features, including the exclusive short movie "Mater And The Ghostlight," Cars is full of freewheeling fun for everyone.

Ratatouille
From the creators of Cars and The Incredibles comes a break-through comedy with something for everyone. With delightful new characters, experience Paris from an all-new perspective. It's "terrific movie making" raves Leonard Maltin of Entertainment Tonight. In one of Paris' finest restaurants, Remy, a determined young rat, dreams of becoming a renowned French chef. Torn between his family's wishes and his true calling, Remy and his pal Linguini set in motion a hilarious chain of events that turns the City of Lights upside down. Ratatouille is a treat you'll want to enjoy again and again.

Customer Review: Grandson Loved It!
This came the next day and was marvelous! Exactly what a three year old wanted! Saved me from running around finding everything on his list!
Customer Review: its an amazing deal and i love the movies
i bought it fo r my 3 yr old we love the collection it was a great buy


Disney Songs the Satchmo Way
For this 1966 session, Louis Armstrong took on 10 Disney classics. A few of the tracks have intriguing arrangements, notably the slowed-down, eerie-sounding version of "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from Mary Poppins and the hillbilly camp strings that swell throughout "The Ballad of Davy Crockett." But while there are about a hundred other Armstrong records that feature more inspired performances and arrangements, it's still an interesting, enjoyable disc. There's just something about songs like "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and "When You Wish upon a Star" that delights kids of all ages. Armstrong's deep, graceful, unmistakable voice combined with his Dixie and traditional soloing par excellence make this a record worth owning for all fans of Disneyana. It's a tad camp and somewhat dated, but so are the movies the selections are taken from--it's part of the charm. --Mike McGonigal
Customer Review: a Louis Necessity
Louis Armstrong is someone I admire for doing what they did consistently. Thus, if you are at all familiar with Satchmo, you have a good idea what this album is all about. There are those who view Armstrong's later years as a time of commercial submission, yet from my perspective, he elevated all the material that he recorded. This set of Disney tunes is no different. I bought it for my toddler son, so that he would be exposed to music of quality, but that would also appeal to him; however, I have no qualms listening to it on my own. My favorite is Louis' take on "Chim Chim Cheree", followed by "The Bare Necessities". If you have kids, make sure they hear this recording!
Customer Review: Makes me and the baby happy!
We love to dance and unwind to Disney by Louis. The songs are my favorite Disney songs...back when Disney really was magical. We have really enjoyed this. Fun for road trips, too.