Hey there readers! Sorry for the long absence. I have now successfully re-located to the Los Angeles area and can resume writing the Anime Updates!
This week we’ve got some awesome Studio Ghibli releases on the way!
Press Release info: 4/13/2012
FROM THE STUDIOS THAT BROUGHT YOU THE
ACADEMY AWARD®-WINNING BEST ANIMATED FEATURE,
“SPIRITED AWAY”
The Heartwarming Family Adventure
Debuts On 2-Disc Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD on May 22
BURBANK, Calif., April 13, 2012 –– Walt Disney Studios and the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Ponyo” & “Spirited Away”) proudly open the doors to “The Secret World of Arrietty” on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and DVD, on May 22, 2012. This visually stunning animated masterpiece stars an illustrious voice cast that includes Will Arnett, Amy Poehler, Bridgit Mendler, Moises Arias, David Henrie and the iconic and much beloved Carol Burnett.
Based on the acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers,” by Mary Norton, “The Secret World of Arrietty” is an imaginative tale of “little people” living furtively among us, and the unlikely friendship that forms when their hidden world is discovered. The heartwarming family adventure features beautiful, stylized animation and timeless themes of friendship, courage and determination.
In addition to the stunning Blu-ray hi-definition picture and digital sound, the 2-DiscCombo Pack includes an array of bonus features that will fascinate animation fans, including a storyboard version of the film and the original Japanese trailers and TV commercials. Additional features include music videos for the songs “Summertime” performed by Disney Channel star Bridgit Mendler, who is the speaking voice of Arrietty; and the movie’s theme song “Arrietty’s Song” performed by French singer/songwriter Cécile Corbel.
An enthralling story, with the English language version directed by 7-time Academy Award®-winner Gary Rydstrom, “The Secret World of Arrietty” is a remarkable filmmaking achievement that families will want to add to their home entertainment collections and enjoy over and over.
Residing quietly beneath the floorboards are little people who live undetected in a secret world to be discovered. Arrietty (voice of Bridgit Mendler), a tiny, but tenacious 14-year-old, lives with her parents (voices of Will Arnett and Amy Poehler) in the recesses of a suburban garden home, unbeknownst to the homeowner and her housekeeper (voice of Carol Burnett). Like all little people, Arrietty (AIR-ee-ett-ee) remains hidden from view, except during occasionalcovert ventures beyond the floorboards to “borrow” scrap supplies like sugar cubes from her human hosts.
But when 12-year-old Shawn (voice of David Henrie), a human boy who comes to stay in the home, discovers his mysterious housemate one evening, a secret friendship blossoms. If discovered, their relationship could drive Arrietty’s family from the home and straight into danger. From the legendary Studio Ghibli (“Spirited Away,” “Ponyo”) comes “The Secret World of Arrietty,” an animated adventure based on Mary Norton’s acclaimed children’s book series “The Borrowers.”
The film was directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi and produced by Toshio Suzuki. Gary Rydstrom directed the English-language version of “The Secret World of Arrietty” from a screenplay written by Karey Kirkpatrick. The producers include Kathleen Kennedy and Frank Marshall. The original Japanese screenplay was written by Hayao Miyazaki and Keiko Niwa.
BONUS FEATURES:
2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack: (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD)
· Storyboard presentation of the film
· Original Japanese Trailers and Television Commercials
· “Summertime” Music Video – Performed by Bridgit Mendler, the speaking voice of Arrietty.
· The Making Of “Summertime” Behind the Scenes – Bridgit Mendler hosts a look at the making of the music video.
· “Arrietty’s Song” Music Video – Experience the movie’s theme song, performed by innovative singer and harpist Cécile Corbel, who also wrote the lyrics.
1-Disc DVD: (1 DVD)
· “Summertime” Music Video
· The Making Of “Summertime”
DISC SPECIFICATIONS:
STREET DATE: May 22, 2012
Direct Pre-book: April 27, 2012
Distributor Pre-book: April 10, 2012
Suggested Retail 2-Disc Blu-ray = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S. only
Feature Run Time: Approximately 95 minutes
Ratings: U.S. G/Canada G
(Bonus Features not rated)
Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray – 1.85:1 1080p High Definition
DVD – Widescreen/1.85:1 – Enhanced for 16×9 Televisions
Blu-ray Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
French 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Track
Japanese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Original Production Audio
English ESL & SDH and French Subtitles
DVD Audio: English and French Dolby Digital 5.1 Language Tracks
Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital Original Production Audio
English ESL & SDH and French Subtitles
Stay connected with the latest news and information on “The Secret World of Arrietty”
· View clips and trailers at www.Disney.com/Arrietty
· “Like” us on Face Book at www.Facebook.com/TheSecretWorldofArrietty
· Follow us on Twitter @DisneyPictures
First Time on Blu-ray Combo Pack
Available May 22, 2012
“Castle in the Sky,” a timeless story of courage and friendship, is now more thrilling than ever with the magic of Blu-ray! The pristine hand-drawn animation fromacclaimed Academy Award®-winning director Hayao Miyazaki (2002, Best Animated Feature, “Spirited Away”) and a new digital master––featuring the original Japanese score––make this epic adventure soar like never before!
Pazu, an engineer’s apprentice, finds a young girl, Sheeta, floating down from the sky, and discovers they are both searching for a legendary floating castle, Laputa. Together, they embark on a daring quest and encounter greedy pirates, secret agents and astounding obstacles that keep them from the truth––and from each other.
For the first time ever on Blu-ray, “Castle in the Sky” is a must-own for families!
Cast: Anna Paquin (Academy Award®-winner, “The Piano”) as voice of Sheeta
James Van Der Beek (TV’s “Dawson’s Creek”) as voice of Pazu
Cloris Leachman (TV’s “Raising Hope”) as voice of Dola
Mark Hamill (“Star Wars” franchise) as voice of Muska
Director: Hayao Miyazaki
Producer: Isao Takahata
Bonus Features: Disc introduction by John Lasseter
Original Japanese Storyboards
Behind the Studio – Explore the film’s fantastic world in these featurettes:
· The World of Laputa
· Creating “Castle in the Sky”
· Character Sketches
· Producer’s Perspective: Meeting Miyazaki
· Scoring Miyazaki
· Original Japanese Trailers
· Behind the Microphone – with voice talent from the film
Street Date: May 22, 2012
Rating: G in U.S. and G in Canada
Bonus materials not rated
Feature Run Time: Approx. 125 minutes
Suggested Retail Prices: 2-Disc Blu-ray (Blu-ray + DVD) = $39.99 U.S. and $46.99 Canada
Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray: 1.85:1 1080p High Definition
DVD: 1.85:1/Widescreen
Sound: Blu-ray: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
French 2.0 Dolby Digital Language Track
Japanese 2.0 DTS-HD Master Audio Original Production
English ESL & SDH and French Subtitles
DVD: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Track
French 2.0 Dolby Digital Language Track
Japanese 2.0 Dolby Digital Original Production Audio
English SDH and French Subtitles
First Time on Blu-ray Combo Pack
Available May 22, 2012
“Whisper of the Heart” inspires like never before in Blu-ray! A new digital master reveals the true brilliance of this heartwarming coming-of-age classic from Studio Ghibli, the studio that brought you “Ponyo” and the Academy Award®-winning “Spirited Away” (Best Animated Feature Film, 2002).
A chance encounter with a mysterious cat sends Shizuku, a quiet schoolgirl, on a quest for her true talent. Challenged by Seiji, a boy determined to follow his dreams, and enchanted by The Baron, a magical cat figurine who helps her listen to the whispers of her heart, Shizuku embarks on curious adventures beyond the boundaries of her imagination.
Now in Blu-ray high definition for the first time ever, this beautiful tale based on the screenplay from legendary animator Hayao Miyazaki will delight and amaze families!
Cast: Brittany Snow (“Harry’s Law”) as voice of Shizuku Tsukishima
Courtney Thorne-Smith (“According to Jim”) as voice of Shiho Tsukishima
Cary Elwes (“The Adventures of Tintin”) as voice of The Baron
David Gallagher (“CSI: Crime Scene Investigation”) as voice of Seiji Amasawa
Director: Yoshifumi Kondo
General Producer: Hayao Miyazaki
Blu-ray Bonus Features: 4 Masterpieces of Naohisa Inoue – Watch the evolution of four different scenes by master artist Naohisa Inoue
Original Japanese Storyboards
Behind the Microphone––With voice talent from the film
Original Japanese Trailers and TV Commercials
Street Date: May 22, 2012
Rating: G in U.S. and G in Canada (Bonus material is not rated)
Feature Run Time: Approx. 119 minutes
Suggested Retail Prices: 2-Disc Blu-ray (Blu-ray + DVD) = $39.99 U.S. and $46.99 Canada
Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray: 1.85:1 1080P High Definition
DVD: 1.85:1/Widescreen – enhanced for 16×9 televisions
Sound: Blu-ray: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Japanese 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio Original Production Audio
English ESL & SDH and French subtitles
DVD: English 5.1 Dolby Digital Language Track
Japanese 5.1 Dolby Digital Original Production Audio
English ESL & SDH Subtitles and French subtitles