It’s a great week for indie toons on home video, with the release of Chico & Rita and Adventures in Plymptoons! leading the way.
Nominated for an Oscar, Chico & Rita (New Video Group, $29.95 DVD, $39.95 Blu-ray-DVD and CD soundtrack combo pack) is a stunning animated feature from directors Javier Mariscal, Fernando Trueba and Tony Errando about the lifelong romance between a man and woman from Havana, Cuba, who are split by music and world events. One of the best-reviewed films of last year, it’s well worth any animation fan’s time.
Adventures in Plymptoons! (Cinema Libre Studio, $19.95) is a documentary about the iconic and legendary independent animator Bill Plympton. Directed by Alexia Anastasio, the film features the likes of Terry Gilliam, Ralph Bakshi and Frank Gladstone.
Folks who miss the 1980s will be pleased with The Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin: In Search of the Treasure of Grundo (Image Entertainment, $9.98) and The Complete Adventures of Teddy Ruxpin (Image Entertainment, $29.98), featuring tales of the talking bear toy.
Marvel Animated Features: 8 Film Complete Collection (Lionsgate, $39.98 DVD, $54.99 Blu-ray) collects everything from Ultimate Avengers through Thor: Tales of Asgard.
Younger viewers can sink their teeth into 321 Penguins: Complete Season One (Arc Entertainment, $14.97), Thomas & Friends: Blue Mountain Mystery – The Movie (HIT Entertainment, $19.98 DVD, $24.99 Blu-ray and DVD) and Veggie Tales: Little Ones Can Do Big Things, Too! (Arc Entertainment, $12.99).
