SEX AND THE CITY 2 - Blu-ray review

Published on SoCal.com

In the late ’90s, HBO launched a weekly series about a single sex columnist in New York City and her three best girlfriends. No one had ever seen a series like this before. In 30 minutes, viewers were exposed to bed hopping, cocktail drinking, smoking and four very independent women who redefined what it means to be single.

Flash forward to 2004. The ladies of “Sex and the City” had gone through many changes: marriage, divorce, childbirth, cancer, infidelity and home ownership among them. By the series’ end, some felt that the show had strayed too far from the original freewheeling formula, though fans universally rejoiced when Carrie finally landed her Mr. Big.

Many of those same criticisms were launched at the 2008 feature film as well; mainly, that these gals were too old, their storylines were too heavy and they just weren’t relatable. But those critics overlooked one critical fact: despite the titillating title, the series was never just about sex. Watching the escapades of these four women was like watching aspects of your own personality (whether it be a fashionista, good girl, career woman or sexaholic) taken to the limits; everyone could relate a little bit to Carrie, Charlotte, Miranda or Samantha.

That said, Sex and the City 2 (Warner Home Video, Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack + Digital Copy, MSRP: $35.99; DVD, MSRP: $28.98) takes this idea of living your fantasy and blows it up. Chris Noth isn’t the only “Big” in this production. There’s a wedding that is like a cross between Winter Wonderland and Broadway; a movie premiere compete with red carpet antics; and, of course, an all-expense paid trip for four to Abu Dhabi, the country in the United Arab Emirates deemed “the future of the Middle East.”

The movie begins two years after the first film ended. Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker) meets up with her besties, Charlotte (Kristin Davis), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon) and Samantha (Kim Cattrall), to shop a wedding registry at Bergdorf Goodman, and in the process viewers are treated to an ’80s flashback of each character in their 20s (most of which are truly dreadful).

At an over-the-top wedding in Connecticut, we see the first signs of trouble to come. Carrie unintentionally upsets a fan with her decision not to have children; Miranda’s new chauvinistic boss (the perfectly cast Ron White) bombards her with text messages as her patient husband Steve (David Eigenberg) tries to enjoy the romantic setting; Charlotte tries to downplay her struggle with two-year-old Rose and her constant crying; and Samantha amazes her friends with the sheer volume of supplements she’s started taking to hold onto her youth.

At the red-carpet premiere for Smith Jerrod’s (Jason Lewis) latest movie, an actioner set in the heart of the desert, Samantha meets the Middle Eastern backers who are very interested in her PR prowess. Claiming that Dubai is yesterday and Abu Dhabi is the future, they invite her to visit, all expenses paid, and then meet to discuss ways to get the word out in America. Samantha convinces them to include her three friends and the trip is a done deal.

They fly aboard the sheik’s private airline and arrive at a sumptuous hotel via their own private Maybachs, then are shown to their suite where four butlers wait to satisfy their every whim. Despite the confiscation of Samantha’s pharmaceuticals at the airport and Charlotte’s lack of iPhone service, it seems as if their week is off to a swimming start (especially with the scenes of the Australian national soccer team in the hotel pool). Complications ensue when Carrie runs into the one that got away, Aidan (John Corbett), in the marketplace.

One of the most hotly debated topics between “SATC” fans is whether Carrie should have ended up with Aidan or Big. By bringing him into the picture at a time when her marriage is losing its sparkle, writer/director Michael Patrick King is toying with longtime fans. Will she stray with the married Aidan as she once cheated on him with Big? Or will Carrie realize what she has and stay with her man? The results are surprising, but definitely in character.

Viewers who could identify with the everywoman struggles of this quartet before will struggle to empathize with beyond-first-class flights, luxury car service and $22,000-per-night hotel rooms. In the desert of our current economy, such lavish excess is almost like a mirage. But the lush scenery and exotic lifestyle ultimately fade into the background of storylines that definitely hit home: Why do I hate the job I worked so hard to get? Will he cheat with the nanny? Where did the spark in our marriage go? What happens when menopause hits and you’re still chasing youth?

Panned by many critics, true fans of the series loved this film. For the most part, although the actresses were rarely together much in the original series, Sex and the City 2 feels like a throwback to the glory days on HBO, when their core friendships were the focus and provided the strength to get through any crisis.

The bonus features on the Blu-ray release offer fans an in-depth look at some of the choices made by the actors, filmmakers, stylists and even soundtrack artists on the film. Every line of dialogue, stitch of clothing, camera angle and musical note was created to enrich the story in ways a casual viewer would never notice, and it’s the subtle details and acting choices that really elevate the film far beyond the boundaries of the half-hour series. The insights are fascinating, however they do tend to get a bit repetitive if you watch all of the bonus features back to back. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll see.

For the most comprehensive look behind the scenes, watch the movie with the commentary by King activated. If there was ever a time you thought that Sex and the City 2 was shallow or visual fluff, King reveals many hidden subtexts and deeper meanings behind every scene. Afterward, the viewer definitely has a greater understanding of the psychology behind each character, and the broader social messages the movie explored.

If you’ve ever met a former coworker for drinks a few years after you parted ways, you will understand the vibe during "So Much Can Happen in Two Years: A Conversation with Sarah Jessica Parker and Director Michael Patrick King.” It’s just SJP and King, sitting in fabulous pink armchairs, talking about old times, but it feels as if there’s really a third armchair off-screen—and you’re in it. Though many of their reminiscences revolve around the off-screen process of making the film, it still feels as if the viewer can relate. Incredibly warm and nostalgic, this featurette gives greater depth to some of the commentary by King and reveals the extent that Parker was involved in the creation of this film, both as a producer and as an actor. If there were any complaint, it would be that it was over too soon.

Stylist Patricia Field isn’t the type to hold back when it comes to fashion, and this movie provided ample opportunity for over-the-top ensembles. In “Styling Sex and the City 2,” Field, King and cast members wax nostalgic over recreating the ’80s looks for the four women before delving into the luxe looks created for the trip to Abu Dhabi. The desert locale wasn’t the only lavish production, as they reveal the racks and racks of clothing for each character, shelf upon shelf of shoes and bags and two rooms exclusively for jewelry. They also talk about the sartorial choices made in certain scenes and the challenges (or fantastic opportunities) each provided. If you have a passion for fashion, this segment will be your porn.

“Revisiting the ’80s” (available on both the DVD and Blu-ray release) covers some of the same ground as “Styling Sex and the City 2,” but with more of a focus on the making of the two-minute segment that opens the movie. It explains a bit more about who the girls were when they met, and why King thought it was important to include this montage. It’s interesting, but for those who purchase the Blu-ray release and listen to the commentary track or watch some of the other Blu-ray features, you get most of the same information.

The venerable Liza Minnelli made one of the greatest cameos in the film, and “Marry Me, Liza!” a fitting tribute. Over two weeks, the cast filmed the big wedding scene in which she appears (between whom will remain unsaid so it won’t spoil the surprise). This featurette takes fans onto the set as she runs lines, chats with costars and rehearses the surprising choreography (putting an end to rumors that her head might have been CGI-ed onto another body). This is one person for whom show business is truly in the DNA, and it’s easy to see her come alive in front of the camera. This is also the bonus feature with the biggest faux pas of them all: at the end of the segment, the cast and crew talk about how amazing it was to work with Minnelli and how, on the last day of filming, she did an impromptu performance for everyone on set. They talk about the amazing quality of her voice, the electricity in the air, even the reaction of the swans. The only thing they don’t do is show the performance, although they clearly had footage (a snippet runs behind voice-over commentary, followed by her taking a bow). Why not allow viewers to be touched by her singing “Ev’ry Time We Say Goodbye” instead of talking over it? Anyone who loves Minnelli enough to watch this feature will probably be mightily disappointed at this ending.

Mario Cantone (Anthony) and King are a riot as they take a trip down memory lane with “The Men of Sex and the City.” Like flipping through a high school yearbook, the boys talk about the men (and one woman) that romanced the ladies throughout the run of the series. Naturally, Aidan and Mr. Big are represented (whose team were you on?), but they also talk about the quirky (Carrie’s boyfriend-who-broke-up-on-a-Post-it Berger, Charlotte’s potty-mouthed lover), the sexy (Miranda’s affair with Blair Underwood) and the downright bizarre (Mr. Pussy, Mr. Tookus Lingus and David Duchovny as Carrie’s psych ward sweetheart). At the end, King quizzes Cantone on “which girl did what” (such as who had sex with an Orthodox Jew, which girl had a girlfriend and whose man had less-than-stellar measurements down there). The funniest part of this quiz (deemed “hilarious” by the Blu-ray cover) was that Cantone got most of the answers wrong! This is one of the more original features on the Blu-ray release.

One feature that seems like a total waste of space is “Sex and the City 2 Soundtrack: In the Recording Studio with Alicia Keys,” which is ironic since it’s included on both the Blu-ray and DVD release. Beginning after an ad for the soundtrack, this tiny featurette shows Keys in the recording studio, where she talks about how she came to be a part of the new movie and how much fun she had working on the project. To hear her talk, you’d think that she wrote the score for half the movie instead of just the first three minutes. If the concessions line was long, you would have missed her contribution completely at the theater.

All in all, fans of the series will get more than their fill of luxury, laughs, Louboutins—and of course, love.

Sex and the City 2 is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

OCEANS - Blu-ray Review

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 Over two-thirds of the earth is covered in water, yet the ocean has always remained one of mankind’s greatest mysteries. In the theatrical follow-up to the wildly popular earth, Disneynature turns its focus to the wonders of the deep.

Filmed in each of the earth’s five oceans, Oceans takes viewers along as we literally swim with the fishes. Using a variety of new technologies and pieces of equipment, directors Jacques Perrin and Jacques Cluzaud went to great depths to find imagery that the world had never seen before. From groups of giant sperm whales to the incredibly tiny heartbeat of a reptile embryo still in the egg, no image was too big or too minute for the camera.

Though it might seem that viewers can get much of the same experience gazing at a large salt water tank, watching fish in an aquarium can’t compare to these scenes of sea life in their natural habitat. Some scenes, with their accompanying soundtrack, even play out like an action film (such as one epic sequence in which a school of sardines almost dances in unison as they dodge the jaws of dolphins, sharks, whales and seagulls).

Other scenes contain a more quiet, balletic beauty. In one particularly beautiful sequence, razor fish and garden eels perform an undersea dance that is unexpected and graceful. A blanket octopus is aptly described as “silk scarves rippling through the water,” and a type of sea slug called the Spanish dancer “cuts a path through Australian waters like the swirl of a flamenco skirt.”

Other ocean dwellers that would, at first glance, seem to be awkward or heavy move in ways that are elegant and flow effortlessly. Gigantic whales dance and sing to each other off the coast of Alaska. Massive schools of fish swim so closely together, they create near solid shapes. From funnel clouds and spheres to waves and clouds, they dance as if they are all of one mind.

Oceans also focuses on animals whose main sustenance is the sea. From seagulls to polar bears to lumbering walruses, a number of the earth’s creatures depend on the water for their meals.

If young ones are watching, be warned: there are many intense scenes of predators seeking (and devouring) their prey. In particular, a scene in which baby sea turtles fight to make it from the beach to the nearby water is heartbreaking. There are also a few vicious fights, such as one in which a crab has its claws torn off before ultimately being defeated.

Actor Pierce Brosnan was a great choice to narrate the English version of the film, as he brings both a playful lightness and sincere gravitas to the scenes as needed. It’s never easy to make such a diverse group of images into a cohesive story, but Brosnan manages to tie the images together masterfully.

To be expected of any documentary focusing on the ocean, the effect of pollution versus the signs of a healthy ocean are highlighted in Oceans. As disturbing as it is to see scenes of a shopping cart resting on the ocean floor or plastic bottles and bags floating on the surface, it also helps highlight the message: trash has to end up somewhere. That message is delivered with a pretty light hand, however, lightened by evidence of still-unspoiled waters (though images of some elderly Asian sheepshead wrasse are pretty scary). Had this been filmed today, in the midst of such oil spill disasters as the one in the Gulf Coast, there might have been a much stronger impact.

Bonus features on both the DVD and Blu-ray releases (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, DVD MSRP: $29.99; Two-disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack MSRP: $39.99) include five bonus videos under the heading “Deeper in the Ocean,” each one to three minutes long, which explore a few different aspects of the filming process. “The Importance of the Ocean” is an opportunity to learn more about the ocean’s role in making (and keeping) our planet as hospitable as it is. “The Sardine Run” takes another view of the spectacular action sequence in which a school of sardines is hunted for food. “Activity in the Coral Reefs” offers a deeper look at the variety of life sustained by reefs and of their overall importance in ocean ecology. “‘Jonas:’ The Torpedo Camera” is a fun look at the improvised machinery filmmakers developed to capture some of their shots (and of the patience required to get them). Scenes such as swimming with a school of yellowfin tuna would not have been possible without these innovations. Finally, “Swimming with the Great White Sharks” gives insight into the pecking order of sharks, and the reasons why Oceans’ camera people were given status as high-ranking sharks.

“Disney & Nature: Preserving the World We Share” is a look at how Disneynature is continuing Walt Disney’s vision to encourage conservation in the world. Projects such as Disney’s Friends for Change, Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, Disney’s Planet Challenge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom are featured. One interesting fact covered was that for every ticket sold for Oceans during its opening week of release, a donation was made to save a section of coral reef (a similar tactic with earth earned enough to plant 3 million trees in the Brazilian rainforest).

Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato star in the music video for “Make a Wave,” a catchy song that is also available for download on iTunes (proceeds to benefit Friends for Change). The song is fairly short, but it features Jonas and the winsome Lovato on the beach and in the recording studio making a plea to support conservation, but with a sweet pop music sound.

Exclusively on the Blu-ray release is the bonus feature Filmmaker Annotations, which offers picture-in-picture commentary, facts, behind-the-scenes footage and expert commentary on the film. This feature adds a depth and more personal feel to the movie, which is so perfectly shot it’s easy to forget that actual cameras run by people (some in, some out of the water) were used to capture the hours and hours of footage. It’s interesting to learn some of the stories behind achieving such a perfect mix of story and narration.

The Blu-ray release also includes a Living Menus feature that allows viewers to select different spots on a rotating globe and get real-time information on the local wildlife. Each month, Disneynature has pledged to provide an update, adding more locations and information via an Internet connection. It's an educational plus that parents should enjoy as well, and adds an extra value to the purchase price of the Blu-ray Combo Pack.

Showcasing everything from the weird to the wonderful, Oceans is a true must-have for any nature lover’s collection. What’s truly surprising, though, is that the drama, heartbreak and humor could find Oceans on the shelves of many mainstream movie lovers as well.

Oceans is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

THE CRIMSON WING: MYSTERY OF THE FLAMINGOS - Blu-ray Review

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 “Once upon a time, in the heart of Africa, is a lake of fire…” So begins the beautiful, unexpectedly touching tale The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos.

Disneynature’s second release after the stunning feature film earth (although filmed first), The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos was only screened in the United States at the 2009 Hamptons International Film Festival. Now available on the small screen, the rest of the country can experience the majesty and heartbreak captured over 14 months in Africa.

For many, flamingos are nothing more than lawn ornaments (or, in the case of Alice in Wonderland, croquet mallets), but these birds are truly miracles of nature. They live—and thrive—in an environment most life on earth would find unbearable. The caustic waters of Lake Natron in northern Tanzania can be as acidic as ammonia, and with temperatures as high as 130 degrees, it is, to say the least, inhospitable. Yet, for over two million years, the lesser flamingos have used it as their breeding ground, with nearly one million birds seeking mates and laying their eggs.

The nearby Maasai people are said to claim that the flamingos are made from the water’s soul—that they are the children of the lake. It is fitting, then, that The Crimson Wing follows the life of one chick from birth to young adulthood, as she migrates with her colony from Lake Natron to other lakes along Africa’s Rift Valley. From her first wobbly steps in her mother’s shadow to her gradual exploration of their little salt island, the filmmakers were dedicated to capturing the smallest of details in a new flamingo’s life.

That life is certainly not without peril. The young chicks face a variety of predators, such as marabou storks “that hover above the colony like storybook witches” threatening eggs and hatchlings; a mongoose that stalks the young chicks as they begin migrating away from Natron; a spotted hyena that attacks the colony, seeking older, weaker prey; and even the lake itself eventually takes a toll, encasing the legs of a few young birds in a salty shackle that, once hardened, cannot be removed, therefore crippling the birds who eventually get left behind the rest of the colony. These scenes are not made easy for any audience to see, but children might be particularly affected; this is nature at its most basic.

Because only lesser flamingos are featured in this film, viewers are treated to many interesting facts. For example, the baby flamingo is white and grey; only after feasting on the algae that blooms at Natron after the rainy season do their feathers, legs and eyes develop the signature bright pink hue. The more the flamingos consume, the brighter pink they get—a sign of a healthy, desirable mate.

The landscape definitely plays an important supporting role. From the harsh salt island that forms in the center of Natron to the nearby volcano that spews ash into the sky every 30 years, to thunderous clouds that bring the rain and nearly ripple-free waters that “in its stillness held heaven’s reflection,” viewers should be awed at both the minute details and the breathtaking scope captured by the high-definition cameras.

The images on-screen are visually arresting, never-before-captured moments in the flamingos’ lives. Due to the harsh conditions, it has been nearly impossible to capture these images before. The images get so up-close-and-personal, in fact, that the viewer appears to be centimeters away from the hatching of an egg. One might wonder if the filmmakers disguised themselves as birds in order to capture some of the intimate footage.

Originally released in French, the English version is beautifully narrated by Mariella Frostrup. Her voice brings to life the poetic quality of the narrative, which, along with the breathtaking visuals and the perfect score by The Cinematic Orchestra, make The Crimson Wing so much more than a nature documentary—it plays more like a visual love poem to the flamingo.

The bonus features on the DVD and Blu-ray releases (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, DVD MSRP: $29.99; Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack MSRP: $39.99) offer a glimpse at some of the efforts that went into the making of the film. “Lake Natron Diaries: Behind The Crimson Wing” offers five shorts detailing the filmmakers’ experiences during filming. “Life at the Camp” shows the accommodations of the crew during the shoot, and gives a bit more detail on what life in the wild was like; “Life of the Flamingo” gives a bit more detail on the mating and birthing habits of the pink birds; “Making Of” spills the secrets of getting such lush, detailed imagery; “Lake Natron” delves into the geological peculiarities of the titular lake; and “Music” details the creation of the unique score by The Cinematic Orchestra. Of all these pieces, “Making Of” offers the most interesting behind-the-scenes dish, detailing how the cameras captured visuals no one has been able to capture before. Another thing that jumps out at viewers is the pure joy the crew all had at making this movie. Even in such harsh conditions and with little contact with the developed world, they all seemed more than happy to trade in daily newspapers for salt flats and volcanoes.

Even more bits of info, from shooting challenges to editorial decisions, are contained in the Filmmaker Annotations on the Blu-ray disc. Unlike the usual director’s commentary track, this is a picture-in-picture narration that gives the movie an extra dimension of personal experience.

The Blu-ray release also contain an interactive feature called “The Living Planet” in which viewers can click on spots on a globe and get real-time facts and information about the wildlife in that area, as well as current time and temperature. This feature does require an Internet connection to be fully optimized. An interesting inclusion, especially for young viewers, this bonus feature offers a new experience each time you use it.

Finally, The Crimson Wing Screensaver is a montage of music and images that capture the essence of the film in a five-minute loop. This is definitely more scenic than your last trip to Phoenix (which are, incidentally, a mythical bird inspired by the flamingo).

As with most nature films, The Crimson Wing touches on the impact humans may have on the ecosystem. According to the end card, pollution and development now threaten many African lakes, where these flamingos have reigned for 20 million years. In the words of the filmmakers, “How many more seasons of life and color do the flamingos have? And who will notice if they are gone forever?” Thanks to The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos, more attention may ultimately help save these majestic, mysterious birds.

The Crimson Wing: Mystery of the Flamingos is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: DIAMOND EDITION - Blu-ray Review

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Recently, an online parents’ site was abuzz over a blog entry asking who, exactly, was the worst Disney Princess. The debate was heated, and respondents from all parts of the country weighed in with opinions from the lighthearted to the fiercely defended. Though the votes were ultimately too scattered to name any one sovereign the biggest loser, it was clear that the most beloved Disney Princess of all time was Belle.

From her kind heart, to her love of books, to her ability to rebuff the advances of the handsome but heartless Gaston, the winsome beauty possessed the qualities most cherished by mothers and daughters alike. And now, proving that good girls can win, she’s getting a diamond from Disney. On the verge of the 20th anniversary of its release next year, the three-disc Beauty and the Beast: Diamond Edition (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, MSRP: $39.99) offers fans an enchanted castle’s worth of features and bonus material.

For those not familiar with this tale as old as time, here’s a brief recap: madcap inventor Maurice (Rex Everhart) and his daughter Belle (Paige O’Hara) relocate to a small town in France. While undeniably beautiful, the villagers find Belle strange and she, in turn, longs to live the kind of life she reads about in her many books. Despite her unconventional ways, the town hunk, Gaston (Richard White), has decided Belle’s destined to be his wife and begins to woo her (which mainly consists of him telling her he’s made up his mind that she will be his wife).

As her father heads off to enter his latest invention in the fair, he makes a few wrong turns and finds himself at the gates of a seemingly abandoned castle in the middle of a dark, spooky woods. He’s invited in out of the rain by unseen voices he soon learns belong to enchanted objects and settles by the fire. The chateau’s owner, a monstrous, enchanted Beast (Robby Benson), finds him there and throws him into a tower cell where Belle soon finds him.

Her reunion with her father is cut short, however, as she is confronted by the Beast. She makes a deal—her life for her father’s—which he accepts. Belle is soon being moved from the tower to a suite of rooms, where the enchanted objects try to make her feel at home, though the Beast is still temperamental and surly. What follows is their gradual change of heart toward each other, ending, as all good fairy tales do, with happily ever after.

In the Diamond Edition package, viewers get three full-length versions of the film on both the Blu-ray and DVD discs: the original, Academy Award-winning theatrical release (with Disney enhanced picture and sound fit for high-definition); an extended version with a previously deleted portion (a charming scene where the household objects clean the castle, featuring the previously deleted song “Human Again”); and the theatrical release with a picture-in-picture view of the work-in-progress version first screened at the 1991 New York Film Festival. Both discs also feature audio commentary of the extended edition by producer Don Hahn and co-directors Kirk Wise and Gary Trousdale, with special appearance by composer Alan Menken. Additionally, both discs feature Disney Sing Along Mode, in which the musical numbers are subtitled, karaoke style.

If you’re a fan of documentaries, Blu-ray disc number two (or disc three in the set) contains the ultimate in behind-the-scenes peeks. Presented in a format that allows the viewer to call the shots, the in-depth “Beyond Beauty—The Untold Stories” goes way beyond the usual DVD special features. Between each segment, icons offering additional information appear. If you want to know more about the topic just covered, just click on the icon and a new featurette will seamlessly begin. When it’s over, the main documentary resumes. There’s also a special menu feature that allows you to keep track of which featurettes you’ve seen or skipped. It’s interactivity at its finest, and one of the greatest examples of what the new technology is capable of.

“Beyond Beauty” begins at the very roots: the evolution of the Beauty and the Beast folk tale, from the 1700s to the present, and Walt Disney’s fascination with fairy tales in general. Then it’s off to the ’90s, as a struggling Disney animation department is downsized and shuffled off to a warehouse to make room for its live-action franchise (a move which, ultimately, reinvigorated the medium). It’s a fascinating story, told by the artists themselves, which sheds light on both the animation process and the business of making movies.

“Broadway Beginnings” features several of the actors who portrayed Belle, Gaston and even Chip in the Broadway production, including such high-profile names as Deborah Gibson, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Nick Jonas and Donny Osmond. Budding actors will get tips on launching their own careers, as well as advice on how to mount community theater productions of the popular musical.

When watching the finished film, the soundtrack seems so organic that it’s hard to imagine it without song. In “Composing a Classic,” composer Alan Menken takes viewers on an audio tour of the inspirations and versions of the songs that ended up in (and were cut from) the movie. His impromptu piano renditions are fun to watch.

Two of the most surprising entries in the bonus features are the never-before-seen deleted scene and alternate opening. Both show how differently the movie might have played out at one time. The opening sequence, for example, recasts Maurice as the more traditionally seen widowed merchant who fell on hard times. He’s got two daughters and a meddling sister-in-law to support, and his journey to the enchanted castle is quite different. The feel is so much different, even in storyboard mode, that it’s hard to imagine the steps that led from there to the movie audiences know today.

The deleted scene, featuring Belle in the library with four new enchanted objects, was tabled in the storyboard stage. It’s easy to see why, as it doesn’t add much to the story, though it’s fun to watch. One small irritant is the need to select the introduction to the scene, then return to the menu to select the scene. A simple “play all” button should have been inserted here.

Included in the Family Play section are two games: the “Enchanted Musical Challenge” game and the “Bonjour: Who is This?” game, which also utilizes one’s cell phone. The games are cute, but provide very limited entertainment. Text message rates will apply, so make sure your little ones have permission to use the feature (or an unlimited plan).

A brand-new music video for the song “Beauty and the Beast” by Jordin Sparks rounds out the bonus features; a more whimsical take than the original by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson (which you can view among the original DVD special features), Sparks’ take is a beautiful tribute.

The sheer volume of bonus features is overwhelming (they can literally take days to consume), and on the Blu-ray discs, they’re a bit difficult to navigate. In the end, however, Beauty and the Beast: Diamond Edition is definitely a completist’s dream, and a worthy addition to any Disney collection.

Beauty and the Beast: Diamond Edition is now available as a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack. The 2-disc standard edition DVD will be available Nov. 23.

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue DVD Review

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  For many years, the only image most people had of Tinker Bell was of the headstrong, bell-voiced fairy who loved Peter Pan and held a major grudge against Wendy Darling. She was rude, impudent and had a major attitude: in short, she was a real brat.

Despite her flaws, Tinker Bell remained hugely popular. It was no surprise then, following the success of the Disney Princess franchise, that the next move was to launch Disney Fairies with 2008’s DVD release Tinker Bell, followed by 2009’s Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.

The third DVD in this series, Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, MSRP: $29.99 or 2-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, MSRP: $39.99) finds the fairies headed to the mainland as summer arrives. Soon after arriving in fairy camp (hidden from human eyes inside a huge tree), Tinker Bell (voiced by Mae Whitman) is warned to stay away from humans. The sight of an automobile rolling down the road proves too irresistible, however, and Tink is off to investigate.

Her frenemy Vidia (Pamela Adlon) follows along, both trying to talk Tinker Bell out of her adventure and relishing her disobedience. Tinker Bell’s curiosity eventually leads to her capture by a little girl named Lizzy (Lauren Mote), who is summering in the cottage across the field from fairy camp.

Lizzy has believed in fairies her entire life, much to the chagrin of her scientifically-minded father, Dr. Griffiths (Michael Sheen). When the young girl proudly tries to show her father the real live fairy she’s captured, she finds him studying a butterfly specimen and realizes that if he knew about Tink, he’d put her on display in a museum. Instead, she takes her to her room, and Tink is placed in an old birdcage to avoid becoming a meal for a fat housecat. Watching from outside, Vidia is horrified and races back to camp to round up help.

Meanwhile, Tinker Bell warms up to Lizzy, whose great belief in fairies is evident by the many figurines and drawings covering her walls. The fairy soon feels compelled to correct some misconceptions about her kind, despite a few minor communication challenges (every time Tinker Bell speaks, Lizzy only hears ringing bells). Over a rainy afternoon, the two fill a field journal full of “scientific facts” about fairies.

In the meantime, Vidia reaches fairy camp and gathers the others to mount a rescue attempt. The pouring rain makes it impossible to fly, and the meadow is flooded, so it takes some real inspiration to find a solution--fueled, of course, by “faith, trust and pixie dust.”

What follows is an adventure that is bolder than any of the previous Tinker Bell movies, and more fraught with danger. While Tinker Bell is befriending a human, her fairy friends are navigating waterfalls, dodging car tires and playing a literal game of cat-and-mouse with Mr. Twitches. There are also scenes of Tinker Bell flying around inside a moving car that might cause some anxiety.

Though Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue is a straight-to-DVD release, it is theatrical quality and worthy of its Disney heritage. Of the three Tinker Bell features, this one offers the biggest emotional payoff, as Lizzy’s father turns from “Without proof, it’s just a fairy tale” to “I do believe!,” connecting with his daughter in a way many children of overscheduled parents might appreciate.

Disney is a company that definitely embraces special features, and The Great Fairy Rescue doesn’t disappoint. Among the many sneak peeks and previews offered is one for the upcoming Rapunzel film, Tangled. The Tangled bonus feature takes viewers behind the scenes of the animated Disney film as co-director Nathan Greno and actors Mandy Moore (Rapunzel) and Zachary Levi (Flynn Ryder) share their experiences along with clips of the movie, due out in theaters Nov. 24.

There is also a preview of the upcoming Tinker Bell and the Mysterious Winter Woods, which is scheduled for release in early 2011. This will complete the four seasons portrayed in the Tinker Bell movies, and brings viewers one step closer to Tink’s meeting with Peter Pan. But fans of the fairy shouldn’t despair: a fifth movie, Tinker Bell: Race Through the Seasons, is slated for mid-2012.

The deleted scenes section offers three scenes that were cut for time or story reasons. As usual with animated features, the scenes are mainly storyboarded (think: those flip books you used to make as a kid), but one scene (“Cat Attack”) was so beloved by the crew that they completed it in full color. “Lizzy’s Bedtime Story” is portrayed both in the storyboard style and in an intermediate “gray scale” version, where some of the scene is colored in. It’s a fascinating peek at the many levels of production that animated movies go through. Finally, “A Real Live Fairy” offers a reason for Lizzy’s father’s firm insistence in scientific fact: when he was a young boy, he encountered a fairy of his own--with disastrous consequences. Though the scene was cut because producers believed that it took away from some of the magic of Lizzy meeting Tinker Bell for the first time, it’s a very strong scene that helps put a new perspective on Dr. Griffiths’ actions.

As with the other two Tinker Bell movies, The Great Fairy Rescue features a polished soundtrack, including the inspiring "How To Believe" by Bridgit Mendler. The video for her song is included as one of the bonus features, and it’s every bit as colorful and frothy as you’d expect it to be.

A feature called “Design a Fairy House” shows director Bradley Raymond talking about a contest that challenged children to design…well, you know. The short documents winner Zoe Periale’s journey from California to Florida, where she lived every little girl’s dream and built a fairy house that was put on display during the Epcot International Flower & Garden Festival.

The final bonus feature, “Fairy Field Guide Builder,” is a game that reviews fairy trivia and offers a simple quiz in order to help viewers build their own field guide of scientific facts. Those who buy the DVD/Blu-ray release can also mail in for a Tinker Bell charm and bracelet with purchase.

Faith, trust and pixie dust. Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue proves that seeing is believing. Without proof, it’s just a fairy tale.

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Modern Family: The Complete First Season DVD Review

Published on SoCal.com

  Your family is not that funny. Seriously. Even Uncle Bob, who pulls quarters from behind your ear and spouts limericks that feature the word “Nantucket.” If someone followed you and your family around for a year with a video camera, you would know this for a fact.

But if someone were to take your family’s quirks, flaws and best stories, added a brilliant comedic cast and some world-class writers? Then you’d have ABC’s Emmy-award winning hit comedy “Modern Family.”

The story of three families, the mockumentary-style sitcom follows patriarch Jay (played with finesse by Ed O’Neill), his beautiful Columbian second wife Gloria (Sofia Vergara) and her young son Manny (the very funny Rico Rodriguez); Jay’s daughter, the uber-controlled Claire (Julie Bowen), her lovably clueless husband Phil (Ty Burrell) and their three children, Haley, Alex and Luke (Sarah Hyland, Ariel Winter and Nolan Gould), are the second group; the third is comprised of Jay’s gay son Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson), his dramatically-inclined partner Cameron (Eric Stonestreet, who also picked up an Emmy for his performance) and their newly-adopted Vietnamese baby, Lily (played by twins Ella and Jaden Hiller).

“Modern Family” turned everyday life into something divine, finding the funny in overscheduled families (Claire and Phil trying to find time for dad to shoot son Luke with a BB gun), sibling rivalry (Mitchell and Claire’s unresolved figure-skating drama) and blended families (Jay’s attempts to incorporate Columbian holiday traditions into their American Christmas).

Though viewers never really know whose camera this family’s life is being documented by, the “film crew” device makes this comedy something a little more special than the typical live-audience sitcom. Kind of a sitcom-reality show hybrid, “Modern Family” works because it is both over the top and completely relatable. Every character is so perfectly cast, even high-octane guest stars (such as Minnie Driver, Elizabeth Banks, Edward Norton, Fred Willard and especially Shelley Long as Jay’s Sedona-dwelling first wife) seem to step up their game.

Now available as a four-disc DVD set (Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, MSRP: $49.98) or a three-disc Blu-ray set (MSRP: $59.99), “Modern Family: The Complete First Season” features all 24 episodes, plus some enticing extras. Like many DVD/Blu-ray releases, there are deleted, extended and alternate scenes. Divided among the discs, there are some hidden gems in these extras, such as Cameron’s scenes with Barkley the dog butler and Manny getting Claire and Mitchell to come over early Christmas morning for a family portrait. There are also some deleted family interviews that are pretty funny, especially Phil’s list of (to him) great band names.

The real payoff is on the last disc, though, with six featurettes that truly enhance the series. “Real Modern Family Moments” goes behind the curtain to show which episodes featured stories from the lives of the series’ writers, producers and creators. Far from filler material, some of the most unlikely scenarios are the ones inspired by real-life events (such as Mitchell’s pigeon-in-the-house freak out and Phil and Luke’s adventure in the crawlspace under their house). Viewers actually get to take a journey under series’ creator Steven Levitan’s house to see firsthand the inspiration for the episode “Fears.”

Many people are familiar with the roles stars Ed O’Neill and Julie Bowen have played, but in “Before ‘Modern Family,’” viewers learn where we may have seen the other cast members, whether on TV, at an amusement park or in the mall. There are also snippets of cast screen tests, where the chemistry is pitch-perfect.

One of the most unexpected surprises is “Fizbo the Clown,” which shows how Eric Stonestreet’s teenage clown was lifted from reality and written into the show. As a teen, Stonestreet already had much of the charisma and stage presence that earned him the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Don’t be afraid of this clown feature!

Two episodes (“Family Portrait” and “Hawaii”) get their own behind-the-scenes treatment. Each episode is exposed from table reads to final scenes. Viewers see the inspiration for their storylines, hear the actors’ opinions of certain scenes or their characters and witness the chemistry of the cast and the director. In the words of Mitchell, “Sweet Lady Gaga, that’s good!”

Finally, a gag reel rounds out the collection. It’s fine, as gag reels go, but nothing as funny as watching an episode of this series. If you like watching actors flub lines or make faces, then this is for you. Otherwise, skip this and go to one of the other more memorable bonus features instead.

If you weren’t lucky enough to catch this series as it aired, this 24-episode set is the perfect way to immerse yourself in comedy gold. Even if you did see every episode, “Modern Family” is the kind of show that only gets better with repeat viewings. Watch it once for the hilarious storylines; watch it again for the in-jokes and subtle background comedy. Then watch it a third time because, unlike your family, these guys are really funny.

“Modern Family: The Complete First Season” is now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

Don't miss season two of “Modern Family,” airing Wednesday nights at 9 p.m. on ABC.

The Black Cauldron: 25th Anniversary Special Edition DVD Review

Published on SoCal.com

The Black Cauldron is an animated Disney classic, but not exactly one of those animated Disney classics. Yes, it features a princess (Eilonwy, voiced by Susan Sheridan), but not one you’ll find on any sleepwear or fruit snacks. It has a dark villain (The Horned King, a menacing John Hurt), but this one is truly terrifying, more reminiscent of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings than Cruella De Vil. And while the movie does features that classic Disney device, magical beings, these creatures do little to make the film the sort of lighthearted family-friendly movie the House of the Mouse is revered for. Plus, there isn’t a single bit of song to stick in viewers’ heads days afterward.

The movie takes place in the fictional land of Prydain and is based on Lloyd Alexander’s The Chronicles of Prydain series (which, in turn, was based on Welsh mythology). Viewers begin by meeting a young assistant pig keeper named Taran (Grant Bardsley), whose first words are a lament that the war might end before he has a chance to fight. His master, Dallben (Freddie Jones), tries to temper his bravado with tales of the fearsome Horned King, but Taran seems more fired up than ever, especially when he learns that his pig, Hen Wen, has powers beyond rooting in the dirt. Unfortunately, Taran discovers that she has the ability to deliver hidden knowledge in the form of visions just as The Horned King becomes aware of it.

Taran is entrusted with taking the pig to a safe location, then promptly loses track of her as he daydreams of being a great warrior and defeating The Horned King. As he searches for his lost charge, Taran encounters Gurgi, sort of a cross between a Shih Tzu and a human, who tries to steal the apple Taran is using as bait for Hen Wen. Gurgi tells Taran that he knows where the pig has gone, only to run in fear when they discover Hen Wen being chased (and ultimately grabbed by) two black, dragon-like creatures and taken to a dark castle.

A quick side note: this sequence, just 10 minutes into the movie, is every bit as terrifying as the final scene in Sleeping Beauty, where the prince must fight his way through thorns and a dragon to reach the castle, and it is just the first of many such scary scenes throughout the runtime of this film. There are gnashing rats, brutish henchmen, narrow escapes and the reanimation of corpses, all of which combine to give The Black Cauldron a PG rating, though it actually seems more like PG-13.

Inside the castle, Taran rescues the pig but is captured himself and thrown into the dungeon, where he meets Princess Eilonwy and minstrel Fflewddur Fflam (Nigel Hawthorne). After a daring (and hair-raising) escape, the trio embark on a quest to find (and destroy) the ancient Black Cauldron, which The Horned King seeks in order to create an army of reanimated corpses and rule the world…definitely not the typical Disney plotline!

Along with the animated film, which features a new digital transfer, The Black Cauldron: 25th Anniversary Special Edition DVD (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, MSRP: $19.99) also includes a new, never-before-seen deleted scene entitled “The Fairfolk,” which is actually just a different version of a scene that made it into the final cut. Watching deleted scenes in animated features, though, always carries an extra bit of fun, as they are mostly line drawings and rough sketches, with even some of the main characters’ looks shifting from cel to cel. It’s a fascinating peek at the storytelling process, but ultimately not as interesting as the scene that made it into the film.

A gallery of behind-the-scenes photos and the original movie trailer are nice, but a more interesting addition might have been a feature on the fact that The Black Cauldron was the first Disney animated feature to use a new system known as computer-generated imagery (better known today as CGI) as well as the APT process, which replaced xerography and hand-coloring of cels in the animation process (and later was used on The Great Mouse Detective, Oliver & Company and The Little Mermaid). Such a significant historical moment should have been recognized.

Two games are also included on the 25th Anniversary Special Edition DVD; the first, “Quest for the Black Cauldron,” is a trivia game in which viewers race The Horned King to reach the titular Cauldron and was carried over from the original 2000 DVD release. The second, “The Witches’ Challenge Game,” dares viewers to solve riddles posed by the Witches of Morva in order to claim a magical sword. Both are easy to play and require only the DVD player and a remote.

Finally, classic Disney fans will get a kick out of the 1952 short “Trick or Treat” featuring Donald Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey and Louie. However, just like the still frame gallery and “Quest for the Black Cauldron,” those who already own The Black Cauldron on DVD will have this bonus feature, too.

The Black Cauldron, the 25th animated feature produced by Disney, was notable for more than its dark feel (which, reputedly, was toned down by new studio head Jeffrey Katzenberger before its release). It was also the most expensive movie Disney had produced to date at $25 million. But does The Black Cauldron, which only earned $21 million domestically at the box office, deserve the 25th anniversary treatment? On its own, the movie is just middle-of-the-road in terms of memorability and appeal, although its dark overtones and lack of a peppy soundtrack make it stand out from other frothy fare. But it’s the historical aspect of the film that marks the beginning of a new era in animation and CGI that ultimately earns the recognition this DVD release provides.

The Black Cauldron: 25th Anniversary Special Edition is now available on DVD.

LOST: The Complete Sixth Season DVD Review

Published on SoCal.com

 For six seasons, fans of the television phenomenon that was “Lost” were treated each week to so much more than an hour’s worth of entertainment. The show provided viewers with a story as impossibly tangled as the vines wrapping the crashed Oceanic 815’s cockpit, and as compelling as the need to type 4 8 15 16 23 42 every 108 minutes. Who were these people? What was the island? Where were they going to end up?

In its final season, the series’ creators did their best to answer most of those burning questions. Fans finally learned why the castaways were all drawn to the island, what the smoke monster was and who Richard Alpert, Jacob and The Man in Black really were. There was also a twist—viewers got to see what might have happened if the plane had actually made it to Los Angeles. By most accounts, the end of the series was satisfying, even if there were some plotlines left dangling.

With the arrival of “Lost: The Complete Sixth Season” (Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, DVD: $59.99; Blu-ray: $79.99), longtime fans of the show might just find some of the closure they seek, as well as the last few tears not wrung out by the series’ finale in May.

While re-watching the 15 episodes leading up to the series finale, viewers can enjoy audio commentary on four key episodes (“LA X,” “Dr. Linus,” “Ab Aeterno” and “Across the Sea”) by series creator Damon Lindelof and writer/executive producer Carlton Cuse. These finally offer insight into the creative process behind “Lost” and why certain choices were made in telling the story. Amid the lighthearted banter and easy rapport between the two are the reasoning behind the flash sideways, the timing of the two mythology-based episodes and why viewers never really learned “the rules” of the island. It’s interesting to note that there is no commentary on the finale, however. If ever an episode demanded commentary, that’s the one. It’s a pretty glaring omission.

After the final episode, fans can finally find the answers to some of the series’ lesser mysteries (and at least one forgotten character) in the 12-minute epilogue, “The New Man in Charge.” This brand-new footage is shot with actors Michael Emerson, Jorge Garcia and (SPOILER ALERT!) Malcolm David Kelley, a.k.a. the long-lost Walt. While interesting as a stand-alone piece, this minisode seems more like an afterthought than (as some critics claim) a ploy to get fans to purchase the DVD or Blu-ray in order to find the closure they seek. It’s a nice bit of story that illustrates where things might be headed for the folks on the island (and answers a few more insignificant questions), but it doesn’t delve into some of the more popular mysteries (Who built that four-toed statue? Why do pregnant women die on the island? What’s with that temple?). Watch it to be entertained and to feel a little nostalgia for the series, but don’t expect much resolution.

For a more satisfying bonus feature, watch “The End: Crafting a Final Season.” This featurette is a visual scrapbook of the filming of the last season, from the Hawaiian blessing on day one to the final “cut.” In the words of one crew member, it’s like senior year, except that as a senior you’re excited to be finished with school, whereas the mood on “Lost” was much more bittersweet. In this short, viewers get to experience the emotions of “Lost’s” cast and crew as they count down to the finale, as well as commentary from Hollywood insiders (such as Stephen J. Cannell) who are also fans. One of the most poignant scenes occurs when viewers get to witness the impact on Jorge Garcia (Hurley) as he first reads the final scene of the last episode. As he discovers his ultimate role on the island, a single tear trickles down his face. He then shuts the script and pronounces, “it’s good.” It’s drama just as affecting as anything on the show.

Another attempt to clarify concepts from the final season is “See You in Another Life, Brotha,” which delves deeper into the flash sideways concept with cast interviews and insights from Lindelof and Cuse. Viewers learn each character’s take on their alternate-reality egos and what they think of the device.

“A Hero’s Journey” visits the question “What makes a hero?,” as well as explores the heroic actions of many of the survivors of Oceanic 815. In a show such as this, with more than one hero, it is interesting to follow some of their journeys juxtaposed with the writings of American mythologist Joseph Campbell. Why was Jack (Matthew Fox) heroic, even though he spent much of the season running away? Why was Sayid (Naveen Andrews) heroic, even though he was a torturer and murderer? What made Kate (Evangeline Lilly) a hero, even though she was a criminal on the run? The answers are intriguing.

“Lost on Location” takes viewers behind the scenes of some of the season’s most spectacular stunts, intricate sets and filming challenges. We get to see some of the hurdles involved in filming Sun and Jin’s final scene (hint: where are the restrooms when the cast and crew is underwater all day?) and also how the scene with Charlie and Desmond underwater after their car crashes in the bay was captured for the cameras. One of the most interesting vignettes is the construction of the jungle temple. The stone walls, covered with hieroglyphics designed with a wink and a nod by the crew (and shown off by an affable Garcia), were actually Styrofoam, and the dense jungle was only about two-feet-wide before ending in the studio parking lot.

Of course, no DVD or Blu-ray release would be complete without a blooper reel or deleted scenes, and “Lost: The Complete Sixth Season” contains both, although they’re the least compelling pieces of this particular puzzle. For hardcore “Lost” fans, the “Lost University Master’s Program” is easily the most compelling bonus feature, a Blu-ray exclusive that allows viewers the chance to “delve even deeper into the themes and mysteries” of “Lost” thanks to BD-Live. Dharma Initiative geeks, rejoice!

Finally, for those who have been curious about the show but are reluctant to watch the previous five seasons to catch up, there’s something for you as well. “Lost in 8:15—A Crash Course” takes viewers through a rapid-fire (but very concise) capsule of the first five seasons, so you can jump right in at the deep end of the pool, so to speak.

So does the release of “Lost: The Complete Sixth Season” answer every burning question or tie up every storyline with a neat bow? No. Even the simultaneous release of “Lost: The Complete Collection” (DVD: $229.99; Blu-ray: $279.99) doesn’t accomplish that feat, although it does come with more than 30 hours of bonus materials, a special edition collectible “Senet” game, a collectible Ankh, a custom Lost island replica, an exclusive episode guide, a black light penlight and more, all packaged in what appears to be an ancient stone relic. What “Lost: The Complete Sixth Season” does offer fans, though, is an often touching, sometimes maddening, ever-intriguing capsule of one of the most compelling shows to ever air on television.

”Lost: The Complete Sixth Season” and “Lost: The Complete Collection” are now available on DVD and Blu-ray.

A Fairy Tale Life

Photo by Taylor Bellinghausen

It’s mid-afternoon, and a group of T-shirt-clad crew members are doing various checks on the set of Peepshow, Planet Hollywood’s fairy tale-themed burlesque show. Tonight, the stage will host glittering backdrops, sultry dancers and some of the best live vocals in a Strip production. For now, however, it stands exposed, bright overhead lights revealing signature props and the show’s giant, light bulb-covered logo, now dark. It’s a reminder that behind every story lies another, and it’s those stories we’re seeking today.

Peepshow’s three leads are taking a break from a photo shoot for our conversation, their casual demeanor in contrast with their full stage makeup and glittery costumes. To the right, male lead Josh Strickland, fresh from a stint on Broadway as Tarzan; in front, the diva-licous Cheaza (Chay-za), daughter of an Ikette and a mighty voice in her own right. And to the left, marquee darling Holly Madison, blonde curls and sweet lace at odds with the former Playmate’s sexpot appeal.

As with all fairy tales, our interview begins with Once Upon A Time…

What’s On: Once Upon A Time, I wanted to be a writer. I imagine Josh and Cheaza always wanting to be performers, but I can’t imagine this is where you thought you’d end up, Holly…

Holly: I wanted to be a famous Playmate…

WO: And you did it!

Holly: Yes I did!

Josh: I got my first microphone at 5, Fisher Price. It was awesome! And I have a photo of me when I was young, looking like little baby Elton John with a piano, so I’ve always kinda had [performing] in my blood.

Cheaza: My mom was a huge influence for me. I kinda grew up on the side of the stage. I saw my mom sing with Chaka Khan, Rick James, Charlie Wilson and the Gap Band, so [performing] was pretty much around me all my life. But sports were always my thing. If I could sneak off and do it, I wanted to do that.

WO: You guys are asked questions in interviews all the time that you probably don’t want to answer.  What is the one question you wish someone would ask?

Holly: I’d like to be asked about current projects more than my love life…

Josh: Everybody just outright asks me everything! I mean, I think I’d just like to be asked about my

family, my friends, maybe what things people may not know about me.

Cheaza: What more is there to you?

Josh: A lot. Get me in the bedroom…

Cheaza: Yeah, no limits is my little motto. Go have fun, try it all.

WO: What was your favorite fairy tale as a child?

Holly: Probably Cinderella. See, I’ve got my glass slippers…

WO: And your life would kind of echo that story.

Holly: True!

Cheaza: I love Tinkerbell. She runs things, has an attitude and she’s really little.

Josh: Mine was Little Mermaid. And that has definitely echoed my life [laughs]. What you don’t know is I’ve really got fins!

WO: OK, everyone. Name one thing on your bucket list.

Josh: There’s a lot of places around the world that I haven’t seen. I’d love to just travel and not care about anything else.

Cheaza: I’d like to have a holiday off with my daughter. I have worked every holiday since I’ve been in Vegas! She’s very understanding about it, but I would just love to have a holiday off. That would be awesome.

Holly: Probably just travel more.

WO: Holly, your image is so cute and sweet as cotton candy, but I think many people would be very surprised to find out you’re also a very intelligent woman.

Josh: She is smart as hell!

WO: I sort of picture you becoming a professor of French history someday. What else do you think people may have underestimated about you?

Holly: I think people just assume that I don’t really work, that I just travel and for me everything is really fun and games. They don’t realize how much initiative it takes [to do what I do].

WO: As we all know, fairy tales usually end with “Happily Ever After.” What does that mean for you?

Josh: It means so many different things. I’m so happy right now with what I’m doing, and my friends, and it’s just one of the best times of my life.

Cheaza: “Happily Ever After” would probably be just looking in the mirror, saying I’ve done my best and I’m happy with that. It doesn’t matter what people say or do, it’s what matters to you. Family. Love.

Holly: Just having a family and me being able to balance [both]. But work paves the way.

And work they must. As the three leads head back to pose in front of the now blazing Peepshow logo on stage, smiles in place, it’s clear to see that their lives are indeed the stuff of fairy tales.

Peepshow | Sun.-Tue. & Thur.-Fri., 9:30 p.m.; Sat., 8 & 10:30 p.m. (dark Wed.) | $65, $75, $100 & 

$125 | Chi Showroom, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino | 800-745-3000

Published August 24, 2010 in What's On, The Las Vegas Magazine and on whats-on.com.

Moving Forward By Looking Back

Donny And Marie Osmond Build A Brand New Following

Every Tuesday through Saturday night, a crowd lines up at the Flamingo to see their favorite teen idols perform alongside chart-topping rock and country artists, Broadway belters, an opera singer, a radio host and a finalist and reigning champ of television’s ballroom dance phenomenon, “Dancing with the Stars.”

And all of those people are Donny and Marie Osmond.

The siblings’ 90-minute stage show has garnered rave reviews and has far surpassed the expectations of its stars.

“When you launch a show here in Vegas, you just don’t know,” Donny confides. “You try the best you can to have all the right ingredients. I mean, you can’t just shove everything in there plus the kitchen sink and think it’s gonna work. History has proven that that’s not the case.”

In fact, when the Chip Lightman-produced spectacular was launched in late 2008, the performers worked hard to ensure the right mix of entertainment, going so far as getting the opinion of a former Las Vegas Entertainer of the Year.

“Danny Gans helped us to make [the act] pure entertainment but to still keep personality in the show,” Donny says. “And that’s what Marie and I have really tried to do, is give [the audience] our personality.”

Lack of personality is definitely not something the two have ever been accused of over the years. Even so, some audience members tend to pigeonhole the performers.

“I think people remember me as ‘I’m a little bit country, I’m a little bit rock and roll,’” Marie says, quoting lyrics to the pair’s most well known duet. “But they leave seeing that, my goodness, she did rock, she did pop, Broadway—even opera!”

“The show is kind of unexpected to lots of people,” Donny adds. “[The audience has] heard it’s an entertaining show, but when they come in we have to prove it, and we do that every night.”

“There was this guy front row [last night] with his wife, and he just did not want to be at a Donny and Marie show,” he remembers. “[But] by the end of the show, he was on his feet, with a big smile on his face, clapping his hands and having good time!”

In the past year and a half, the show has proved to everyone that it can pull in audiences and belongs on the Strip. Consequently, the duo’s popularity has skyrocketed off the Strip as well.

Marie, a new Las Vegas resident and renowned philanthropist, was honored recently as Woman
of the Year by the Nevada Ballet Theatre at their annual Black and White Ball. NBT Co-Founder Nancy Houssels says, “From her days on The Donny & Marie Show to her work with The Children’s Miracle Network, we are thrilled to celebrate her achievements and dedication to the world of arts and entertainment.”

“It was a great honor to be there—are you kidding?” Marie enthuses. “And to be included with the other women who were honored before (including Debbie Reynolds, Celine Dion and Bette Midler)? I just love the arts, and I think that it’s an area where we do need more public support.”

When asked how she maintained such a warm, approachable personality in a business that tends to breed cynicism and bitterness, Marie knew just who to credit.

“I had great parents,” she laughs. “I think you have to follow your passion and work hard. I do that—whether it’s my charity work for children’s hospitals or designing my dolls—whatever I do, because I think if you have passion, it’s authentic.”

Currently promoting her upcoming “lifestyle line” of products, Marie will also be the keynote speaker at the United Way’s annual Women’s Leadership Luncheon, held at Paris Las Vegas on Feb. 25, continuing to support the community she has grown to love.

“[Las Vegas] is great for my children. I don’t think people realize what a great community it is outside the Strip,” she says. “I love it [here]; it definitely feels like home for me.”

Meanwhile, brother Donny won the hearts of America when he and professional ballroom dance partner Kym Johnson were crowned the winners of “Dancing With The Stars” in November (“...and I rub it in every night,” he laughs).

“Kym is just amazing,” Donny says. “I remember the night before we did [the final routines] we were so tired. She said, ‘Come on. Just one more!’ And I was lying on the floor, thinking, ‘I can’t even get up off the floor, I’m so tired!’ But I’m so glad we did, because we both worked so hard on [the freestyle] dance.”

“I’m very proud of him for winning, but we all know that the girls dance much harder than the boys do!” Marie quips, the sparkle of the siblings’ famed onstage rivalry peeking through.

“I say [during the show] that I really want to acknowledge Marie, because she was the one who did ‘Dancing with the Stars’ first, and set the stage for me. My hat’s off to her,” Donny says, pausing a beat before adding, “but I won!”

Though it may seem like constant competition, Donny is quick to reassure that the rivalry is just for show.

“It’s just wonderful that both of us have successful careers, and we have so much fun with that rivalry onstage, but it stays onstage,” he says. “We don’t look over the fence at each other and say, ‘Well, what’s she doing? I better one-up her,’ but it kind of comes across that way.”

Radio is one area he has all to himself, however. Recently, Donny had a small recording studio built inside his dressing room at the Flamingo to make it easier to record his new weekday show, On Air With Donny, which is broadcast on radio stations across the U.S. and Canada. (Las Vegas listeners, though, will have to catch his show via the Internet, as it doesn’t air in the valley.)

“I’m having the time of my life!” Donny says of his DJ career. “I’d always had [the idea of a radio show] in the back of my mind. There’s always those little mountains you want to climb, and this was one of them.”

As for the format of his show?

“It’s mainly music-driven, with a few fun stories here and there. It’s [an early-afternoon show] designed to help get you through the work day.”

Rest assured, though, that just because the Osmonds are busy with outside projects, it doesn’t mean their stage show is on the way out.

“[The show] looks like it will last a long, long time,” Donny says. “They’re talking years now of [possibly] continuing this gig, and I really have to say thanks to this community for embracing our show. Chip Lightman and the people at the Flamingo have also been unbelievable. Despite the hardships of the economy, they’ve been very good to us.”

“I think one of the things you notice is that when people go through difficult times, like with the recession, is that the things that seem to endure are entertainment and lipstick,” Marie reflects. “I think [people] just want to look [back on] happier times.”

Can we all become as happy as an Osmond just by attending their show? One look at their 15- foot-high smiles on the Strip side of the Flamingo, and it certainly seems possible.

Donny and Marie | Tue.-Sat. (dark Sun.-Mon.), 7:30 p.m. | $90, $104, $120 & $255 VIP | Flamingo Showroom | 702-733-3333

Published February 23, 2010 in What's On, The Las Vegas Guide

*AUTHOR'S NOTE: As this article went to press, a devastating personal tragedy befell Marie Osmond. My deepest sympathy to her and the entire Osmond family.