Via GreenDaily:

Yesterday Disney announced a new green initiative — just in time for Earth Day. But while some organizations are “going green” by recycling paper or planting trees, the entertainment mega-giant is taking being eco-friendly one step further — by creating an entirely new, green-focused company. Called Disneynature, the new production banner promises to “go to the ends of the earth to produce major big screen nature documentaries.”

If the above trailer is any indication, this is exciting news for nature lovers everywhere. The preview is for Earth, the first feature-length Disneynature film, set to appear in theaters on Earth Day 2009. Directed by Alastair Fothergill, (whose credits include the Emmy and Peabody award-winning Planet Earth series and The Blue Planet), the new documentary will be narrated by the legendary James Earl Jones, and will “take moviegoers on an extraordinary tour of our home planet as it’s never been seen before.”

This is great news for Disney and love these type of films. I look very much forward to this and future movies Disney might release dedicated to our beautiful planet Earth. For more informtion on this, please visit there official website at “Disneynature“.

written by Jose Castillo

From AppleInsider:

Preparing the Apple TV’s viewers for the weekend, Apple on Friday night patched its media hub to version 2.0.1.

The fix, available through the Apple TV’s own update utility, is not documented by the company and appears primarily to be a maintenance update.

However, a preliminary discovery reveals a Genres category under My Movies, letting owners browse by type.

The download represents the first minor upgrade to the Apple TV’s firmware since February’s Take 2 overhaul introduced a completely redesigned interface as well as support for iTunes movie rentals and streaming podcasts.

YaY for Apple TV owners, now you have another great update. Don’t miss it by running Software Update off your Apple TV ASAP.

written by Jose Castillo

I was not lucky enough to see Enchanted in the theaters. I heard about how wonderful Amy Adams was and how the whole film just worked from start to finish. Well now that I’ve seen it on DVD, all I can say is go out and get a copy right away. The movie is sweet, endearing and enchanting for every minute it’s on screen. It’s not going to go down as the best Disney film ever, but it ranks right up there with some of the classics.

Also of note is the use of animation that bookends the film’s New York City setting. This was the first hand drawn animation from the Mouse House as they embarked on a journey back to regularly using hand drawn animation in feature animation. I was impressed with how close the animation was to some of the classics, a move that was intentional, but I don’t want to give away too much of the film. Let’s just say that the number of ‘homages’ to other Disney films is substantial.

The Enchanted DVD comes with a few excellent extras that make the DVD a pleasurable viewing experience. Deleted Scenes, Bloopers, and a behind the scenes featurette will keep your interest. Sadly, there is no director’s commentary from director Kevin Lima. I know he’s a funny and intelligent man and think knowing his views and choices would be a nice addition.

You can view the full Press Release below:

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written by Jose Castillo

Following up on the post from last week, about the Saludos Amigos/The Three Caballeros DVD, here’s some more in-depth info on that DVD:

Things seem to be going well for Disney’s Three Caballeros. The Latin American themed characters had all but disappeared for years, but the past year has brought quite a resurgence for them. First the characters get added to the revised El Rio del Tiempo at Epcot’s Mexican pavilion, now their classic movie is getting re-released as part of Disney’s celebration of Latin America.

Walt Disney’s Classic Caballeros Collection hits DVD on April 29th, just in time to be part of your Cico de Mayo collection. The set includes two classic Disney movies: Saludos Amigos and The Three Caballeros.

The first of the two movies, Saludos Amigos follows Donald Duck, Goofy, and even Walt Disney himself as a team of Disney writers, musicians, and artists head South to explore four different Latin American locations. Then Donald teams up with pals Joe Carioca and Panchito for some animated fun as The Three Caballeros. The set also includes a rare interview with Walt Disney, a “South of the Border with Disney” featurette, and two animated Donald shorts: “Don Donald,” and “Contrary Condor.”

Take the opportunity to view these two Oscar nominated pictures when they are released in the Classic Caballeros Collection on April 29th.

[Via Cinema Blend & distant creations]

written by Luke Manning

Apparently over at Disney’s Hollywood Studios’ Animation Exhibit there is a piece of concept art up (no pun intended) featuring a scene from Pixar’s 2009 release: “Up”. It appears to show an old gentleman with a very vivid imagination… very Don Quixote, if you ask me.

But it doesn’t look very 3D. I hope it is 3D in the final product.

[Via Blue Sky Disney]

written by Luke Manning