Five episodes from the popular Disney Junior preschool series combine in this new DVD. Ten complete stories featuring Sheriff Callie and her friends are filled with plenty of songs and fun. Sheriff Callie’s Wild West: Howdy Partner is a disc parents can feel good about playing for their kids.

Sheriff Callie keeps the peace in Nice and Friendly Corners. Callie is a cat and her deputy, Deputy Peck, is a woodpecker. Toby is an adorable little cactus that hangs out with Callie and Peck. There are all kinds of animals in this Wild West. They sing and talk, and even dance. The one notable animal that doesn’t speak is Callie’s horse Sparky.

The episodes in this collection are:

• Train Bandits/A Dirty Dusty Apology
• Sparky’s Lucky Day/Peck’s Bent Beak
• Toby the Cowsitter/Callie’s Blue Jay Blues
• The Pie Thief/Fool for Gold
• Moustache Toby/Doc’s Cheatin’ Chili

Sheriff Callie is a singing, guitar playing, roping gal who always comes to the aid of the town. In “Train Bandits” they are on their way to a roping contest of sheriffs when a mean gang of thieves robs the train. It is a “sticky up.” All the riders get taped to the seats and the walls. That’s a sticky up. Then to make matters worse, the bandits dislodge the passenger car so it is up to Callie to choose whether to save the passengers or go after the bandits. In true form, Sheriff Callie is able to do both.

In “Sparky’s Lucky Day” the horse is eager for the barrel-racing contest. While practicing the little fellow slips and is too afraid to continue. As they all tell him, “accidents happen.” The message here is to try again and they manage to build up Sparky’s confidence so he can race.

In “Moustache Toby” the little cactus wants to be a rough and tough cowboy like his fictional hero. When Callie brings a mechanical bull to town for a party, Toby decides a large moustache like his hero is just what he needs so he can ride the bull like a pro.

With characters like Dirty Dan and Dusty, Priscilla Skunk, Farmer Stinky, and a whole bunch of others, the cast of this show is a fun group that preschoolers enjoy and adore. Their stories are cute and filled with songs and good lessons.

Sheriff Callie’s Wild West: Howdy Partner! DVD is rated TVY for young viewers. Wrangle up your posse and head on out to the Wild West for some rootin’ tootin’ good times.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Twenty-three years ago Disney’s Aladdin transfixed audiences with the exotic tale of a young urchin who uses the power of a genie to win the heart of princess Jasmine. For the first time Aladdin is available in High Definition on the Diamond Edition containing both a Blu-ray and a DVD as well as Digital HD.

Several characters in this film have captured the hearts of both young and old. Of course, there is Jasmine, a Disney princess. And let’s not forget Aladdin, the young lad who gets involved in trickery and love. And there is Abu, his pet monkey. There is also the magic carpet with a personality of its own, Jasmine’s father the Sultan, and the evil Jafar and his parrot. But the one character most memorable through the years has always been the Genie.

Robin Williams made the Genie the unforgettable character he is. Through Williams’ comedic talent the Genie is beloved by young and old. Impersonations, one-liners, and plenty of energy infuse the Genie with love and even life. Whether he is impersonating Ed Sullivan, Rodney Dangerfield, Jack Nicholson, or others, the Genie is always fun to watch. One of the bonus features in the Diamond Edition includes a look at the Genie’s impersonations. There is also a feature with plenty of outtakes from Williams. This man was truly a comedic genius and listening to Williams unleashing all his talent for this character is hysterical.

In the bonus features viewers will learn about the difficulties involved in turning this beloved film into a stage play. Aladdin is now a successful musical comedy, but it didn’t get there overnight.

And did you know that Jonathan Freeman is the only person who has supplied the voice of Jafar in not only the film but also the play and the toys and games? For 24 years this man has been Jafar.
A fun bonus feature uncovers the hidden Disney characters that are seen – if you look quickly and closely – in the film. Did you know Sebastian from The Little Mermaid makes an appearance in Aladdin? Also the film pays homage to Belle’s Beast. Directors Don Clements and John Musker make animated cameos. Plus there are some hidden Mickey ears in the film. Can you find them?

The music in the film is memorable and a bonus feature shows how some of the songs that didn’t make it into the movie did manage to survive in the stage play.

The newest addition to the Disney Consumer Products Animator Collection is Aladdin. He is only the second male character to join this beloved collection coming on the heels of Kristoff from Frozen. With Jasmine already a popular doll in this collection, the addition of Aladdin will not only be enjoyed by girls but also boys.

Disney’s Aladdin is rated G.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Coming of age is difficult for most kids, but for Anna it is even more miserable. When Marnie Was There is a sweet and sensitive story of Anna and how this young girl transforms from a caterpillar into a butterfly, so to speak.

Anna is a morose twelve-year-old who suffers from asthma. She is a great artist and loses herself in her sketching. Anna is an orphan who has lived with her foster family since she was a little girl. She knows they have her best interest at heart yet they are not her real parents so how could they feel the love for her that real parents would? Conflicted about life and shutting out the world, Anna is quiet and stays to herself.

Anna’s foster mother sends her to some relatives in a small coastal town for the summer believing the fresh air will be good for her. There, Anna becomes entranced by an abandoned mansion across the marsh. But it isn’t abandoned. She meets Marnie, a young girl who lives there. Marnie and Anna quickly become best friends and they tell each other all their secrets. But what exactly is going on with the mansion? It looks abandoned yet Marnie lives there and Anna even attends a lavish party. How could this be?

This metaphysical aspect of the film is not the focal point. What comes to be is that Anna learns about her life and her past and through the help of Marnie turns into a happy little girl. She becomes outgoing and friendly, which is the complete opposite of the girl that arrived in this small town at the beginning of the summer.

When new owners move into the mansion, Anna is confronted by the young girl whose family bought the residence. Together they learn about Marnie and what happened in that house. The two girls put the pieces together and with the help of another woman who has lived in the town all of her life, the complete life of Marnie is exposed. Or is it?

The love and devotion between Anna and Marnie comes full circle when all is revealed. The summer proves to be a life-changing time for young Anna who comes to terms with her past and her present.

The combo pack includes a Blu-ray and a DVD as well as some bonus features. Most of the bonuses are the original Japanese features with English subtitles. There is, however, a feature with the American actors discussing the film and their characters.

This is a beautifully animated and amazing film. If you love Studio Ghibli movies this will not disappoint you. Although it is dramatic, heartfelt and sensitive, it leaves viewers feeling happy.

When Marnie Was There is rated PG for thematic elements and smoking. It’s a film adults will enjoy along with kids.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter