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The Babysitter, Leveled Reader (Levels 12-14): Rigby Pm Platinum

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Secondhand Lions (New Line Platinum Series)

• ISBN13: 9780780646391
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

This comedic and touching family film follows the adventures of a shy young boy (Haley Joel Osment) who is sent to spend the summer with his eccentric uncles (Michael Caine, Robert Duvall). At first shocked by his uncles’ unconventional behavior that includes ordering African lions through the mail, the boy soon becomes enthralled with unraveling the mystery that has followed the uncles for years. Hearing tales of their exotic adventures involving kidnapped princesses, Arabian sheiks and lost treasure, not only brings him closer to his uncles but also teaches him what it means to believe in something… whether it’s true or not.

If you can get past its thick layer of syrup and molasses, Secondhand Lions reveals itself as a thoroughly decent family film that anyone can enjoy. It gets a little sappy sometimes, but there’s something to be said for a movie in which Michael Caine and Robert Duvall play eccentric old brothers who take the easy approach to fishing: instead of a peaceful rod and reel, they use 12-gauge shotguns. When 14-year-old Walter (Haley Joel Osment, teetering on puberty) spends an eventful summer with his great-uncles on their vast Texas farmland (he’s been dumped there by his delinquent mom, played by Kyra Sedgwick), he soon discovers they’ve lived lives full of adventure, excitement, passion, and mystery. Either that or they’re old-time bank robbers with a long criminal record, and writer-director Tim McCanlies (who invested similar warmth into The Iron Giant) does a nice job of concealing the truth until the very end. Full of enriching lessons and homespun humor, Secondhand Lions has more substance than most family films. If you enjoyed Holes, you’ll probably enjoy this movie, too. –Jeff Shannon

Rating: (out of 465 reviews)

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Soar away on a magic carpet ride of nonstop thrills and fun in the most spectacular adventure of all time! Now meticulously restored and enhanced — experience the wonders of ALADDIN like never before, from the Academy Award(R)-winning music (Best Original Song, Best Original Score, 1992) to the unforgettable moments of sidesplitting comedy and soaring adventure. In the heart of an enchanted city, a commoner named Aladdin and his mischievous monkey, Abu, battle to save the free-spirited Princess Jasmine. Aladdin’s whole life changes with one rub of a magic lamp as a fun-loving, shape-shifting Genie appears and grants him three wishes, setting him on an incredible journey of discovery. Through his adventures, Aladdin proves that he is a prince where it truly matters most — on the inside!

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The Little Mermaid (Two-Disc Platinum Edition)

The Little Mermaid, one of the most celebrated animated films of all time — and winner of two Academy Awards(R) (Best Music, Original Score; Best Music, Original Song, “Under The Sea,” 1989) — splashes onto an exciting 2-Disc DVD with an all-new digital restoration. Ariel, a fun-loving and mischievous mermaid, is off on the adventure of a lifetime with her best friend, the adorable Flounder, and the reggae-singing Caribbean crab Sebastian at her side. But it will take all of her courage and determination to make her dreams come true—and save her father’s beloved kingdom from the sneaky sea witch Ursula! Dive into a world of music and adventure in this new 2-Disc Platinum Edition your family will enjoy again and again!From the moment that Prince Eric’s ship emerged from the fog in the opening credits it was apparent that Disney had somehow, suddenly recaptured that “magic” that had been dormant for thirty years. In the tale of a headstrong young mermaid who yearns to “spend a day, warm on the sand,” Ariel trades her voice to Ursula, the Sea Witch (classically voiced by Pat Carroll), for a pair of legs. Ariel can only succeed if she receives true love’s kiss in a few day’s time and she needs all the help she can from a singing crab named Sebastian, a loudmouth seagull, and a flounder. The lyrics and music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken are top form: witty and relevant, and they advance the story (go on, hum a few bars of “Under the Sea”). Mermaid put animation back on the studio’s “to do” list and was responsible for ushering Beauty and the Beast to theaters. A modern Disney classic. –Keith Simanton Fans awaiting a revamp of The Little Mermaid on DVD should be pleased to know that the new, fully restored version gets the treatment it deserved all along. The Special Edition is presented in 1:78 aspect ratio, as opposed to the original 1:66 presentation, and gone is the grainy original transfer, which had Ariel’s mottled complexion looking like she spent some time in a tanning bed. Various crew members chime in on the audio commentary track, but most dominant is composer Alan Menken, who adds in previously taped interviews with the late lyricist Howard Ashman (a welcome surprise). There’s also a 45-minute “making of” documentary in which everyone from animators to Jeffrey Katzenberg and Leonard Maltin reflect the limp state of Disney animation before Mermaid kicked off its “golden reign” of the early ’90s. Another revelation: Katzenberg nearly eliminated “Part of Your World” from the movie after a hyperactive kid sitting in front of him appeared restless during a test screening.

Other features: a documentary on Hans Christian Andersen, and the tragedy of his personal life that inspired his much darker original ending. (The mermaid, unable to stab the prince in the heart after he marries another, turns into sea foam.) Included is an animated short of Andersen’s “The Little Match Girl,” a tale so depressing–again, reflecting the loneliness in Andersen’s own life–it’s not really clear how it ever became a “beloved bedtime story.” There’s also a sing-along feature, which jumps right to the musical numbers with words appearing onscreen. Deleted scenes include one unused song, “Silence is Golden,” and various early sketches of alternate takes. One curious addition is a virtual Little Mermaid amusement park ride, which was originally proposed for Disneyland but failed to come to life. (Seems digitizing the experience for people to “ride” in their living room was the consolation prize.) The only blasphemous feature is a music video of “Kiss the Girls,” reimagined as a Hilary Duff-esque rock song–minus the charming calypso beat that made it famous(!)–sung by the Hilary Duff-esque Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical). Aside from that, if you own The Little Mermaid in its 1999 incarnation of DVD, get the special edition and leave your old one for the kids (or the dog) to scratch up. –Ellen A. Kim

Stills from The Little Mermaid (Click for larger image)

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How good-looking is the DVD restoration of Disney’s popular animated film? Take a look at the serviceable but dull film clips incorporated in the plethora of extras and compare them to the vivid gorgeousness of the film presentation. This “special edition” also adds a 90-second song (“Morning Report”) that originated in the lavish stage musical. To Disney’s credit, the original theatrical version is also included, both restored and featuring two 5.1 soundtracks: Dolby Digital and a new Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix, which does sound brighter. As with the Disney Platinum line, everything is thrown into the discs, except an outsider’s voice (the rah-rahs of Disney grow tiresome at times). The excellent commentary from the directors and producer, originally on the laser disc, is hidden under the audio set-up menu.

The second disc is organized by 20-minute-ish “journeys” tackling the elements of story, music, et cetera, including good background on the awkward Shakespearean origins at Disney where it was referred as “Bamlet.” The most interesting journey follows the landmark stage production, and the kids should be transfixed by shots of the real African wildlife in the animal journey. Three deleted segments are real curios, including an opening lyric for “Hakuna Matata.” Most set-top DVD games are usually pretty thin (DVD-ROM is where it’s at), but the Safari game is an exception–the kids should love the roaring animals (in 5.1 Surround, no less). One serious demerit goes to the needless and complicated second navigation system that is listed by continent, but just shows the same features reordered. –Doug ThomasAnybody who struts around with Simba’s hard-won authority deserves this royal DVD read-along from Disney. Kids can recoil at Uncle Scar’s dastardly deeds en español and discover that “hakuna matata” sounds pretty much the same in Spanish, French, Italian, or German. And should the dynamic storytelling fail to thrill your 4- to 12-year-old fan, a flurry of other interactive options await. Toggle to “Songs” for sing-along renditions of movie hits, including “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” and on to “Music Videos,” where Elton John roars soundtrack favorites “Circle of Life” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and Jimmy Cliff and Lebo M groove to “Hakuna Matata.” The “Vocabulary” feature allows for see-and-say mastery of a list of wildlife, while the “Game” section allows players to match paw and hoof prints to the proper beast and reassemble the scattered skeletal remains of an elephant. Original cast voices are featured, and grownups will be pleased by the package’s reading component. –Tammy La Gorce

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