Tinker Bell gets a makeover in “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
‘Lost Treasure’ tinkers with pixie’s evolution
The world’s most famous fairy gets a makeover, frolics amid the fall leaves and embarks on a thrilling voyage in the new DVD “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.”
The latest installment in the popular Disney Fairies direct-to-DVD franchise has Tinker Bell and her fairy friends bringing in autumn, with the pixies coloring the leaves red, turning the light golden and helping animals enter hibernation.
“I happen to love autumn. The way the light hits the trees, the colors of fall and the crispness in the air. I wanted to capture the textures and feel of the season,” said director Klay Hall in a recent “virtual roundtable” online chat he and producer Sean Lurie took part in with entertainment journalists.
The follow-up to 2008’s “Tinker Bell,” the film is the second of five planned computer-animated DVD releases that will take the fairies on adventures through the seasons and beyond the borders of their Pixie Hollow home.
“The Lost Treasure” continues the evolution of Tinker Bell from literary sidekick in J.M. Barrie’s 1904 play “Peter and Wendy” — she is often depicted onstage with a spot of light and tinkling bells — to the wordless pixie-dust distributor in the 1953 Disney animated film “Peter Pan.” Actress Mae Whitman (“Arrested Development”) gave voice to the sprite in “Tinker Bell” and reprises the part in the sequel.
“Even though she couldn’t talk in the Peter Pan movie she was very expressive. You always knew what she was trying to communicate. We tried to keep her very expressive,” Lurie said. “We tried to be as accurate in her appearance as possible. It was important that people recognize and accept her as the Tink they know and love.”
Inspired by the Disney chapter book “Tinker Bell North of Neverland,” the sequel has Tinker Bell working on an important project: crafting the Autumn Scepter. At the Autumn Revelry, light from the rare blue moon will shine through the precious moonstone atop the scepter and produce blue pixie dust to reinvigorate the Pixie Dust Tree.
When her overly helpful friend Terence (voice of Jesse McCartney) accidentally breaks the scepter, Tink loses her temper and inadvertently shatters the moonstone. Frantic to save autumn, she makes the perilous trek north of Neverland to find the legendary wish-granting Mirror of Incanta.
The skilled tinker fairy builds an impressive flying machine to make the journey, and along the way she encounters an array of lively characters, from an intrepid firefly named Blaze to a pair of bickering, adorably ugly trolls.
“We wanted to create a movie that the whole family would enjoy, including our sons,” said Lurie, who, like Hall, has two boys.
To suit the story, the filmmakers gave Tink her first makeover in 50 years.
“In the earlier films, she wears her iconic little green dress. However, it being fall and there being crispness in the air, in addition to this being an adventure movie, her dress just wouldn’t work,” Hall said.
Her new look adds a long-sleeve shirt, shawl, visor, leggings and boots adorned with her usual pom-poms.
“The costume also had to feel as if a fairy made it, so all the materials, textures and elements are organic and easily found in nature,” Hall added.
Working with one of Disney’s most beloved characters — and company mascot — was both a heavy responsibility and great honor, he said. The director counts the late Marc Davis, the Disney animator who created the 1953 Tinker Bell, as one of his mentors.
Davis based the lively pixie on Marilyn Monroe, Peggy Lee and Betty Kimble, wife of fellow animator Ward Kimble, and Hall researched the animator’s original model sheets and pencil tests when designing the updated character.
Capturing the spirit of Tinker Bell was as essential to the film as pixie dust is to fairies.
“Tink is very relatable. She has emotions like we do, and is very expressive. She has a temper; she gets jealous in the Peter Pan movie. She’s very feisty. We have tried to maintain these personality traits in Tink, and think that (is) part of what people love about her,” Lurie said.
-BAM
DVD review: “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
“Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” Blu-Ray+DVD pack
Disney returns to Pixie Hollow for the charming “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure,” the second direct-to-DVD computer-animated movie in its popular fairies franchise.
As the fairies are busily working to bring in fall, Tinker Bell (voice of Mae Whitman) gets an important assignment from Queen Clarion (Anjelica Huston): to craft the Autumn Scepter for the Autumn Revelry. This year, the fall celebration will feature a rare Blue Moon, so Tink will top the staff with an invaluable moonstone. When the light of the Blue Moon shines through the ancient gem, it will create special blue pixie dust to enliven the Pixie Dust Tree.
Tink taps her best friend Terence (Jesse McCartney), a dust-keeper fairy who knows all about pixie dust, to help her. But as Terence hovers over her shoulder and the Autumn Revelry nears, Tink starts feeling the pressure.
When an accident breaks the scepter, she blows up at her pal and tosses him out. She then throws a tantrum, accidentally shattering the moonstone.
Desperate to save the Autumn Revelry, Tink makes the dangerous journey north of Neverland in search of the wrecked pirate ship that holds the mystical wish-granting Mirror of Incanta.
While last year’s “Tinker Bell” focused on setting the scene and introducing characters, “The Lost Treasure” wings straight into the new adventure. The movie doesn’t spend much screen time with favorite fairies Rosetta (Oklahoma native Kristin Chenoweth), Silvermist (Lucy Liu), Iridessa (Raven-Symoné) and Fawn (Angela Bartys), but it features truly enchanting visuals, from the richly colored fall landscapes to Tink’s fantastic flying machine.
Perhaps the best endorsement of the film: Even my almost-3-year-old son watched it spellbound.
DVD features: The movie comes in one of Disney’s clever Blu-Ray/DVD packs and features a bonus short, Demi Lovato music video, deleted scenes and funny outtakes.
— BAM
New releases for Nov. 3, 2009
Carrie Underwood (Associated Press photo)
Oklahoma native and country music star Carrie Underwood releases her third album, “Play On,” in stores today.
The new album, one of the most eagerly anticipated country records of the fall, already has spawned one hit with the sassy first single, “Cowboy Casanova.”
Also in music news, Oklahoma country star Reba McEntire makes an appearance on Andrea Bocelli’s “My Christmas”; she and the Italian singing star do a duet of “Blue Christmas” on the album.
Here is a list of new CDs, DVDs and books out this week, from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Carrie Underwood, “Play On.”
Andrea Bocelli, “My Christmas.”
The Rolling Stones, “Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out! The Rolling Stones In Concert” (40th Anniversary Deluxe Box Set).
Weezer, “Raditude.”
Foo Fighters, “Greatest Hits.”
Slayer, “World Painted Blood.”
Straight No Chaser, “Christmas Cheers.”
DVDs
Aliens in the Attic
The Answer Man
Command Performance
Food, Inc.
G.I. Joe Real American Hero: Season 1.2
G.I. Joe: Resolute
G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra
I Love You, Beth Cooper
The Marc Pease Experience
North By Northwest
Star Wars The Clone Wars: The Complete Season One
The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Will Ferrell: You’re Welcome America
Books
“Ford County” by John Grisham.
“Eating Animals” by Jonathan Safran Foer.
“The Audacity to Win: The Inside Story and Lessons of Barack Obama’s Historic Victory” by David Plouffe.
“A Christmas Blizzard” by Garrison Keillor.
“The Humbling” by Philip Roth.
“In Too Deep (39 Clues Series No. 6)” by Jude Watson.
“It’s Your Time: Activate Your Faith, Achieve Your Dreams and Increase in God’s Favor” by Joel Osteen.
“Kindred in Death (In Death Series No. 29)” by J. D. Robb.
“The Lacuna” by Barbara Kingsolver.
“No Less Than Victory: A Novel of World War II” by Jeff Shaara.
“One Simple Act: Discovering the Power of Generosity” by Debbie Macomber.
“Our Choice” by Al Gore.
“A Quilter’s Holiday: An Elm Creek Quilts Novel” by Jennifer Chiaverini.
“Rachael Ray’s Book of Ten: More Than 300 Recipes to Cook Every Day” by Rachael Ray.
“Rainwater” by Sandra Brown.
-BAM
3D’s Need to See: Halloween Edition
Well, it’s Halloween, so I have to get serious with my horror movie recommendation for today. No more horror/comedies or camp cult films. No, today’s recommendation is one of the bleakest and darkest films I’ve seen in a while. Fittingly, it is called “30 Days of Night.”
Based on a graphic novel (emphasis on graphic), this is a movie that takes vampires to one of their goriest and scariest incarnations. In other words, don’t you dare watch it if you like the vampires in “Twilight.” There is nothing sparkly or romantic about the bad guys in this film.
The movie is set in a small town in Alaska that is going through 30 days of darkness because of the time of year. Mostly, I like this film because of the setting. Not only is it interesting to see vampires in the snow, but this film eliminates the out of daylight. In most vampire films, you just have to make it till the sun comes up, but in this film, that is a very, very long time.
If you like dark, gory films and haven’t given this one a chance, then you need to see “30 Days of Night.”
Happy Halloween!
From 3D
New releases for Oct. 27, 2009
Halloween is almost here, so naturally the number of Christmas-related releases is beginning to increase, a trend that will only intensify as the holiday shopping season heats up.
Sting pays tribute to winter with his collection of songs, carols and lullabies “If On A Winter’s Night …” Taylor Swift and U2 have special editions of their hit albums out in time for seasonal giving.
Also in new CDs, The Swell Season, the Oscar-winning duo behind the film and soundtrack to “Once,” release their second album. And Grammy-nominated country singer Joe Nichols has his new record, “Old Things New,” out this week; I’ll have an interview with Nichols next week, when he’s playing Oklahoma City’s Wormy Dog Saloon.
In DVDs, the next installment of the wildly popular Disney Fairies series, “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure” is out, and I’ll have a review and interview with the director and producer soon. Another family-friendly new release is “Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.” Also, Woody Allen’s latest film, “Whatever Works,” and the horror film “Orphan,” are new on DVD.
In books, titles from Anne Rice, Emeril Lagasse, Robert Jordan, Phil Mickelson and Hulk Hogan are out this week.
Here is a list of the new CDs, DVDs and books from Amazon.com, VideoETA.com and BarnesandNoble.com:
CDs
Sting, “If On A Winter’s Night…”
U2, “The Unforgettable Fire” (Super Deluxe Edition).
Taylor Swift, “Fearless” (Platinum Edition).
Pink Martini, “Splendor in the Grass.”
The Swell Season, “Strict Joy.”
Tegan & Sara, “Sainthood.”
Stephen Stills, “Live at Shepherd’s Bush” (CD/DVD set).
R.E.M., Live At The Olympia” (CD/DVD set).
Joe Nichols, “OId Things New.”
DVDs
Battlestar Galactica: The Plan
The Guardian: The First Season
Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
Night Of The Creeps
Nothing Like the Holidays
Orphan
Stan Helsing
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
Whatever Works
Books
“Tempted (House of Night Series No. 6)” by P. C. Cast.
“Angel Time: The Songs of the Seraphim” by Anne Rice.
“Ayn Rand and the World She Made” by Anne C. Heller.
“The Book of Basketball: The NBA According to the Sports Guy” by Bill Simmons.
“Emeril Quick and Easy” by Emeril Lagasse.
“The Gathering Storm (Wheel of Time Series No. 12)” by Robert Jordan.
Grave Secret (Harper Connelly Series No. 4)” by Charlaine Harris.
“Last Night in Twisted River” by John Irving.
“Matchless: A Christmas Story” by Gregory Maguire.
“My Life Outside the Ring” by Hulk Hogan.
“Nigella Christmas” by Nigella Lawson.
“Secrets of the Short Game” by Phil Mickelson.
“True Blue” by David Baldacci.
“You Better Not Cry: Stories for Christmas” by Augusten Burroughs.
-BAM
3D’s Need to See: Behind the Mask Edition
Well, it’s another horror movie recommendation for you this weekend, but this one is just a little different. It falls squarely into the category of horror-comedies. And believe me, “Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon” is one of the funniest slasher movies I’ve ever seen.
It tells the story of an aspiring serial killer, his mentor, the plan he has to perpetrate a horror movie type massacre, and, of course, the documentary crew that is following his attempts. Yes, you read that correctly. “Behind the Mask” is a satire of slasher movies, and it is told through the conceit of a documentarian following the main character as he stalks and later attempts to kill his chosen prey.
Once you buy into the movie’s premise, it is endlessly clever as it sends up the various cliches of the horror genre. It even includes horror legend Robert Englund (a.k.a. Freddy) as the “Ahab” to the titular Leslie Vernon. (Want to know what an “Ahab” is? Watch the film. It’s just one of the helpful horror movie terms defined for you.)
So, if y0u’re in the mood for a slasher movie, but you’re tired of the same old predictable stuff, why not try a different kind of movie. A movie that will explain to you just exactly why the handle of the ax the heroine is swinging at the killer ALWAYS breaks or why on earth the foolish young teenagers will think they can hide in the barn. If you want to know the answers, you need to see “Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon.”
—3D
DVD review: “Where the Wild Things Are … and 5 More Stories by Maurice Sendak”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
“Where the Wild Things Are … and 5 More Stories by Maurice Sendak”
In conjunction with last week’s long-awaited release of Spike Jonze’s big-screen adaptation of “Where the Wild Things Are,” Scholastic Storybook Treasures has repackaged and re-released the company’s faithful animated versions of six Maurice Sendak stories.
The short films follow the acclaimed author-illustrator’s picture books practically line by line. Parents and children can watch the tales unfold in read-along mode or view them without the words.
Though the story is brief and familiar, Sendak’s Caldecott Medal-winning “Where the Wild Things Are” loses none of its thrall in cartoon form. Composer Peter Schickele (AKA P.D.Q. Bach) not only provides the fittingly creepy and lovely score, he also narrates the yarn.
Schickele also gives music and voice to Sendak’s 1970 book “In the Night Kitchen,” an even weirder tale about a dreaming lad who is nearly cooked into a cake by three bakers who look like Oliver Hardy. Again, the cartoon precisely follows the book, which remains controversial because of the boy’s nudity.
The other four stories make up Sendak’s “Nutshell Library” and teach overt lessons. Legendary singer/songwriter/pianist Carole King performs the tales: the morality fable “Pierre,” the alphabet book “Alligators All Around,” counting exercise “One Was Johnny” and “Chicken Soup with Rice,” a charming accounting of the months and seasons.
For children too young for Jonze’s dark film, the Scholastic DVD offers a satisfactory way for them to watch Sendak’s visions come to life.
DVD features: Spanish and French versions of “Where the Wild Things Are,” brief Sendak interview and stickers.
— BAM
New Releases for October 20, 2009
Hey loyal readers. 3D is here to update you on the new releases in DVD, CD, and Books this week. The “Transformers” sequel is sure to do big business this week in DVDs. Country star Tim McGraw has a new CD out, and in books, Patricia Cornwell has a new book in her long-running Scarpetta series.
Here are the new releases by format:
Dvds:
“Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen”
“Cheri”
“Numbers: The Complete Fifth Season”
“Blood: The Last Vampire”
“Fawlty Towers: The Complete Collection Remastered”
“It’s Garry Shandling’s Show: The Complete Series”
CDs:
“Southern Voice” by Tim McGraw
“Natural Forces” by Lyle Lovett
“I Told You I Was Freaky” by Flight of the Conchords
“A Mediterranean Odyssey” by Loreena McKennitt
“The Long Way Home” by Terri Clark
“Liebe Ist FurAlle Da (Dix)” by Rammstein
Books:
“Too Big To Fail: The Inside Story of How Wall Street and Washington Fought to Save the Financial System—And Themselves” by Andrew Ross Sorkin
“The Scarpetta Factor” by Patricia Cornwell
“SuperFreakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes, and Why Suicide Bombers Should Buy Life Insurance” by Levitt and Dubner
“What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures” by Malcolm Gladwell
“Knockout: Interviews with Doctors Who Are Curing Cancers—And How to Prevent Getting It in the First Place” by Suzanne Somers
—3D
3D’s Need to See: Big Bad Edition
Hey there loyal readers. This week I’m continuing my horror movie recommendations for the month of October. As I stated last week, I’m trying to suggest some stuff that you might not have seen or heard of (as an alternative to the many great horror movies you’ve seen tons of times already).
My movie recommendation this week is the 2006 film “Big Bad Wolf,” and it will not be for everyone. For one thing, it is definitely adult viewing so don’t let the kids see it. For another, serious horror buffs may not respond to the campy tones of the film, but for me they made the film great fun.
This movie starts with your typical horror setup as a group of teenagers become trapped in a cabin in the woods and are picked off one by one by a werewolf. However, this situation lasts for less than half an hour, and from that point on the film develops into something else entirely. Oh yeah, and did I mention that the werewolf talks? (Yes, while in wolf form.) Thus, the camp factor.
Even if you don’t enjoy it, you have to admit that the filmmakers took some bold and unexpected risks with this film. I would recommend it for that alone. I love a good horror movie (and a bad one and a mediocre one…), but it does get tiring to see the same thing over and over. So, anytime someone tries to shake things up, I’m all for it. That’s why I say, if you’re into this sort of thing, you might want to give “Big Bad Wolf” a try.
—3D
DVD review: “Monsters vs. Aliens”
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
“Monsters vs. Aliens Ginormous Double DVD Pack”
The spring blockbuster “Monsters vs. Aliens” truly is a rare creature: a family-friendly animated film that should appeal to children as well as cinephiles.
The good-natured escapade packs in plenty of agreeably silly gags for the youngsters while paying clever homage to 1950s monster movies like “The Fly,” “The Blob” and the Godzilla films.
Susan Murphy (voice of Reese Witherspoon) is a perky if unambitious California girl living her dream: to marry local TV weatherman Derek (Paul Rudd), a dim but driven talking head with hopes of network stardom. But the wedding is literally crashed when a strange meteor smashes into Susan and turns her into a towering giant a la “Attack of the 50 Foot Woman.”
The military immediately captures her, dubs her Ginormica and imprisons her in a secret facility under the oversight of loud-mouthed Gen. W.R. Monger (Kiefer Sutherland). Susan reluctantly bonds with her fellow prisoners: insectile mad scientist Dr. Cockroach (Hugh Laurie in full British accent), brainless gelatinous blob B.O.B. (Seth Rogen), the half-ape/half-fish Missing Link (Will Arnett) and immense monster amalgamation Insectosaurus, who speaks in shrieks.
When the megalomaniacal alien Gallaxhar (Rainn Wilson) targets Earth, the government gives the monsters a chance to win their freedom by defeating the encroacher.
While the film offers playful entertainment, the special features focus on the 3-D technology used to make the movie — as it was seen in theaters. For people watching it on DVD, the 3-D option isn’t available, no matter how great it sounds in the featurettes.
The Ginormous DVD Pack includes a second disc with the 3-D short film “B.O.B.’s Big Break,” but the new adventure is in the old headache-inducing red-green 3-D, not the advanced version now used in cinemas. The short actually is more fun to watch with the standard 2-D option, which also includes a comical karaoke music party feature.
Other DVD features: Commentary, deleted scenes and sneak peeks of other DreamWorks projects.
— BAM
