Illustrating two very different uses of animation, the award-winning, adult-oriented documentary Chicago 10 and Disney’s new direct-to-video prequel The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning make their DVD debuts today. Also available are discs containing episodes of the animated kids’ television shows Curious George, Funky Town, Bob the Builder and The Care Bears.
Released theatrically in February by Roadside Attractions, festival favorite Chicago 10 is a largely animated documentary from filmmaker Brett Morgen, director of the Robert Evans doc The Kid Stays In the Picture. The film, which revolves around the antiwar protests at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, features the voices of Hank Azaria and Mark Ruffalo in recreating the trial of members of the revolutionary Yippie movement through archival footage and computer-animated courtroom reenactments. Learn more about Chicago 10 and the history behind the movie at www.chicago10themovie.com. The disc carries a suggested retail price of $29.98.
In The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning, fans are reintroduced to the red-headed heroine who lives under the sea. In a kingdom where music has been outlawed, King Triton’s youngest daughter, Ariel, discovers the joys of the forbidden fruit in a secret underground music club. Torn by loyalty to her father and her passion for music, she sets off on a daring adventure to restore music to Atlantica. Extras include the featurette Teaching Mermaids to Dance, a Disney song selection, a look at the Little Mermaid Braodway musical and deleted scenes. The Disney release lists for $29.99.
Curious George: Sails With the Pirates and Other Curious Capers offers eight episodes of the PBS KIDS animated series produced by Imagine Ent., WGBH Boston and Universal Studios Family Prods. The Universal release lists for $16.98 and includes George’s Boat Game.
Funky Town: Volume 1 and Funky Town: Volume 2 each offer young fans thirteen episodes of the animated series from Granada Int’l. The show is a collection of funny fables for kids 4-6. The stories are told in a madcap farmyard populated by odd, misfit animal characters who wallow in their peculiarity. The cast of critters includes a dreamy cow named Dippy, a busy hen named Clara, a sensible pig named Porker, a neurotic sheep named Fleecie and a bossy duck named Daphne. The PorchLight Home Entertainment offerings list for $9.98 each. A third volume is scheduled to hit retail on Oct. 21.
Bob the Builder On Site: Houses & Playgrounds is an animated/live-action episode of the HIT Ent. stop-motion series in which Bob and his crew show kids what it takes to build a hardy house and a safe playground. From Lionsgate Home Entertainment, the disc carries a suggested retail price of $19.98.
Tykes will also enjoy The Care Bears: Care-A-Lot Collection. The two-disc set contains 22 episodes and an activity booklet filled with various activities and games. Parents can pick up the Fox Home Video debut for $22.98 or less.
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