Return to Never Land
by Walt Disney Home Video
Average Customer Review:
DVD (30 November, 2004)
list price: $29.99
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Editorial Review

Unlike Disney's other sequels to their classic films, this follow-up tothe 1953 version of Peter Pan debuted in theaters. World War II hasturned Wendy's preteen daughter, Jane, into a realist, a girl who insiststhere's no need for stories and fun while London is crumbling. Hook kidnaps Jane(thinking she's Wendy) and returns to "the second star to the right" to foilPan. Alas, the film doesn't build on this new story line (the London scenes havethe most emotional impact), and what follows is a thin reworking of theoriginal. On the plus side, a clever octopus takes over from that old crocodile,and Jane turns out to be a solid--and modern--role model. Those from ages 4 to 9who have been brought up on the original should enjoy these adventures, even ifthe story, like Peter himself, "hasn't grown up." The 72-minute film is shownwith the delightful 1948 short "Pluto's Fledgling." --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Features

• Animated
• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby
• DTS Surround Sound

Reviews (93)

Like a kid again
I am still very young but no longer a child. When I watched this movie it made me remeber what it was like to be a kid again. All you have to do is believe, but it is so hard to believe. That was Jane's problem she was growning up to fast because of the war. I think this movie was great. i think for all those people out there who have trouble believeing you should watch this.

Great movie all u need is faith, trust & pixie dust!!!
This is the best movie i have seen in a long time , My kids watch it aleast 3 times a day .. They love it that much ..
i have never like disney Sequels before ever ....TILL this oneThis one rocks
My kids love the soundtrack also .. they have some great songs on this movie..

don't listin to all those bad reviews.. all you need is faith , trust& pixie dust:O)thengive this movie a shot .. i'm sure you will love this one ...

Good movie
Even though this isn't as good as the first one, as sequels never are, I thought this movie was really good. It is better than I originally expected it to be considering that there were several bad reviews of this movie. ... Read more

Asin: B00005JKX4
Subjects:  1. Feature Film Family   

Oliver & Company (Special Edition)
by Walt Disney Home Entertainment
Average Customer Review:
DVD (14 May, 2002)
list price: $29.99 -- our price: $26.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Disney does Dickens in this animated version of Oliver Twist, in which a homeless New York City cat falls in with a bunch of mischievous dogs under the leadership of the appealing scoundrel Fagin. The roots of Disney's success with animation in the '90s begins with this clever, energetic, atmospheric movie, which succeeds in capturing the grim world Dickens conjured. Lyricist Howard Ashman (The Little Mermaid) worked on the songs, the best of which is sung by Billy Joel, who provides the voice of (the Artful) Dodger. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Features

• Animated
• Color
• Closed-captioned
• Widescreen
• Dolby

Reviews (46)

This is one of my favourite Disney Film!
I saw this film when I was 15 years old. I love this film very much. The story is perfect, and the music is my favourite part of this film. "Once upon a time in New York City" is my favourite song in this movie, the melody is perfect and this song always give me courage. The characters in this movie are lovely, especially Oliver and his little master, Jenny! And Rita is a beatiful female. If you're a Disney fan, this film is worth viewing to you!

Not up to Disney's standards!
I recently picked up a copy of Disney's animated "classic," Oliver & Company, a somewhat twisted retelling of Charles Dickens' novel, 'Oliver Twist'.What we have here is a ridiculous story about a kitten, taking the role of Oliver lost in the streets of New York and picked up by a bunch of street dogs lead by the poor Fagin, an outcasted, poor man who's problem is the need to pay a huge debt he has with mean Mr. Sykes, a gangster of the most evil kind.However, you really can't feel bad for Fagin, since he borrowed money it is his duty and he should have to pay back, not be able to get off the hook easily by literally getting rid of the gangster Sykes.Oliver joins this street-wise gang for a few days until he is brought home by the kind Jenny Foxworth, a somewhat remade of the sweet orphan girl, Penny from a previous Disney release, The Rescuers.The story-line is pretty strong, not at all like the original Dickens' tale but rather well-plotted, the animation is good but the whole film has a dirty feeling due to too many details in the backgrounds of the streets of New York.

It's films like these that give a bad name to the Disney animation releases of the '80s, a period in which Disney release lack-luster films such as The Great Mouse Detective (1986) or The Black Cauldron (1985), which were unable to capture the charm they had achieved previously with hits like The Rescuers (1977) or Pete's Dragon (Also, 1977).The film is good for a one time viewing, this DVD lacks quality, so it is very unlikely that you will find it worthy of your money.

A Movie with Great Heart
Disney's Oliver and Company fully deserves the five stars.I first saw the movie on video in the early nineties, and I must have been in a bad mood, because it didn't stick with me.But I just saw it again, in fact I watched it two times in a row.My husband watched it the second time with me, and he loved it. I think that this video should be in every child's personal collection.It has such a wonderful message of believing in yourself during tough times, compassion, friendship, love, and doing the right thing.

Set in Manhattan, the backgrounds and art of Oliver and Company are a treat.I did not appreciate the art of this movie the first time I saw it.The backgrounds and scenery are brushed with dark browns and blues, evoking the simultaneous urban grit and inexplicable pull of New York City.

Based on Charles Dicken's Oliver Twist, Oliver is a homeless kitten who falls in with a gang of stray dogs.The gang is led by Fagan, voiced by the irreplaceable Dom Deluise.(What would animated movies be without Dom Deluise?)Oliver soon meets Jenny, a lonely, loving little rich girl, and he is torn between his two families.The evil Sykes, to whom Fagan owes money, has plans to hold Jenny for ransom.

Billy Joel and Bette Midler provide their speaking and singing voices as Dodge and Georgette.The original songs in this movie are so special.

... Read more

Asin: B0000640VM
Subjects:  1. Classics (Silents/Avant Garde)   

Phonics Writing Desk
by LeapFrog
Average Customer Review:
Toy
-- our price: $29.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

This electronic writing desk teaches kids the alphabet, letter sounds, letter formation,spelling, and word creation in a fun, interactive format. Kids can choose from sixgames: letters, a letters quiz, phonics, a phonics quiz, spelling, and "create-a-word."In the letters game, children push a letter to hear its name and see how it is formedon the LCD screen; players can also write their own letters on the "magic" writing screen.In the spelling game, children learn to spell simple words. In the phonics game, childrenfirst hear a letter and then are given a short word as an example. Along the way, thealways-helpful LeapFrog "coach" offers lots of cheerful hints so children won't getstuck in any of the exercises. Additional features include an automatic shut-off, anoversize pullout handle, a variety of comical sounds for incorrect answers, and atwo-position volume control. --Tami Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (84)

A Fantastic learning tool!!!
My first son received this when he was 3 and loved it..it really solidified what he knew about letters and helped him to learn the difference between upper and lower case. Now, my second son, who just turned 2, knows all his letters simply from playing with this desk, and I am amazed! He played with it and still plays with it constantly, and just from playing with it was able to learn them all on his own...which is great for me, a mom of three, who doesn't always have the time to sit down with him. This toy occupies him for hours and is so educational, and I know that as he gets older, he will love using more of the many options it offers. This is such a great learning tool, I would buy another if this one broke tomorrow!

My sons new favorite toy...
I ordered this for my 4 year old son last week and ever since I gave it to him he loves to practice his writing on it.This desk has a lot of different activities on it that the child can play with and still have fun learning.Like the other reviewers, my only complain is that it times out too quickly.But still it's a great teaching tool for kids learning to write letters and words.

Excellent Preschool Learning Tool
My son is 4 years old and in preschool, this product has significantly helped him to not only recognize the letters in the alphabet but also how to write them.My only complaint is that it "times" out too quickly and asks them to play again later.Other than that, it is an excellent product. ... Read more

Asin: B00000JJ7S
Subjects:  1. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    2. Alphabet    3. Phonics    4. Reading    5. Preschool    6. Learning    7. Games    8. Electronic   

Quantum Pad Library: Smart Guide To Fourth Grade LeapPad Book
by LeapFrog
Average Customer Review:
Toy (18 September, 2002)
list price: $14.99 -- our price: $12.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (4)

this is very educating
Smart guide fourth grade is fun I learn spelling rules and parts of speech and the reading comrehension was tough for me the first time and knowing who what where when and why and underling the keywords is very helpful for me and I just learn to double digit mutiplicationcomparig fractions decimals and geometry it was a little hard the first time about triangles angels perimeter and area and it took me a while to know congrunent and not congruent and now i know them and I learn a few facts about the animals guess who game was east and the beat the clock game was a little hard but its going to take me a while and the circulatory and respitoy systems I always like to learn about the parts of the heart and it was very easy and learn parts of the respitory system Graphy data is pretty hard for but im getting there and getting to know your government is kind of easy and fun cause you get to know the laws that we havebill of rights declaration of independence and the three branches and it help me alot and the united states is fun too and the glossary is hard sometimes and this is going to help me get smarter everyday

It really does make learning fun
I found that this book contained the same type of materials that my son was learning in forth grade. It was very helpful.
This learning toy is kept in our car, which makes it handy on trips.

These books work on the regular and pro Leap Pads Also
I searched for a really long time the other night to see if the Quantum books work on the Leap Pad and Pro systems. I never found the answer. I almost ordered the Quantum for my 9-year-old granddaughter but decided to wait. In a discount store I saw the books, and it clearly states on the book that it will work in all Leap Pad systems except My First Leap Pad. What a relief. Saved me $40. ... Read more

Asin: B000066999
Sales Rank: 1316
Subjects:  1. Learning    2. Math    3. Reading    4. Science    5. Astronomy    6. Geology    7. Geography    8. Electronic Learning Aids (ELA)    9. Electronic    10. Alphabet    11. Activity    12. Space