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Camp Rock

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Musicals and Performing Arts
starring: Julie Brown, Maria Canals, Daniel Fathers, Alyson Stoner, Jordan Francis
directed by: Matthew Diamond

August 19, 2008

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The Sound of Music (40th Anniversary Widescreen Edition)

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Musicals and Performing Arts
from: Fox Video

November 15, 2005
Some movie musicals have aged better than others. THE SOUND OF MUSIC is not one of these. The fault lies in the music; not so much the melodies composed by the great Richard Rodgers, but rather the unpoetic treacle served up by Oscar Hammerstein as lyrics. In fact, all the other film versions of Rodgers and Hammerstein productions (The King and I, South Pacific, Oklahoma!) have dated rather badly for the same reason. All huge blockbusters when they were released, they all seem to suffer from a surfeit of lyrical over sentimentality when viewed today.
On the other hand, more modest musical productions have retained their freshness due in large part of their superior musical qualities. Before he teamed up with Hammerstein, Rodgers had ... Read More:

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Across the Universe

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Musicals and Performing Arts
from: Columbia/Tristar Vid

February 05, 2008
Across the Universe is a musical directed by Julie Taymor (Titus, Frida). The film incorporates over 30 songs from The Beatles into it's story and is loaded with endless references to other Beatles' songs and associated lore. As a tribute the film is outstanding. As a film it is as visually beautiful as any movie released in 2007 and is definitely worth owning on blu-ray if you are a Beatles fan or, at the very least, you're familiar enough with their catalogue that the many references to their music are not over your head. The other big bonus in Across the Universe is its young cast. The film includes great performances from Jim Sturgess and Evan Rachel Wood especially. I did not know that Wood could sing and evidently she can.

The ... Read More:

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Singin' in the Rain (Full Screen Special Edition, 2 Discs)

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Musicals and Performing Arts
starring: Dawn Addams, Margaret Bert, Madge Blake, Cyd Charisse, Mae Clarke
directed by: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly

September 24, 2002
Aficionados of Singing in the Rain have never quite gotten over the fact that their favourite film only received two (failed) Oscar nominations in 1952, whereas the previous year An American in Paris walked away with five Oscars, in the face of much more formidable competition (by 1952 the House of Un-American Activities had managed to blacklist many of Hollywood's most talented screenwriters). Ever since, this cabal has been fighting this perceived "injustice", mainly by trumpeting the shortcomings of An American in Paris. Since Singing in the Rain is one of those "insider" flicks (a Hollywood film about Hollywood), many of it's most fervent supporters are people with real Hollywood connections who can identify strongly with the storyline. And of ... Read More:

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Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: The Best of Both Worlds Concert - The 3-D Movie

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Musicals and Performing Arts
starring: Billy Ray Cyrus, Miley Cyrus, Jonas Brothers

August 19, 2008
Aficionados of Singing in the Rain have never quite gotten over the fact that their favourite film only received two (failed) Oscar nominations in 1952, whereas the previous year An American in Paris walked away with five Oscars, in the face of much more formidable competition (by 1952 the House of Un-American Activities had managed to blacklist many of Hollywood's most talented screenwriters). Ever since, this cabal has been fighting this perceived "injustice", mainly by trumpeting the shortcomings of An American in Paris. Since Singing in the Rain is one of those "insider" flicks (a Hollywood film about Hollywood), many of it's most fervent supporters are people with real Hollywood connections who can identify strongly with the storyline. And of ... Read More:

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Beauty and the Beast (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Musicals and Performing Arts
starring: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers
directed by: Kirk Wise, Gary Trousdale

October 08, 2002
This all time classic Walt Disney film, will get your heart pumping with
feelings of joy and love. It will show you that love can be found in unexpected
places. This fairly tale takes place a long time ago. Belle¢s father, an
inventor, was on his way to a fair, but took a wrong turn and ended up at a
castle. When he doesn¢t return home, Belle sets off to look for him, and in turn
becomes a prisoner in the ferocious beast¢ castle, where it¢s filled with
talking furniture, who in the end turn back into there human form. Now Belle no
longer has to look into books for an adventure, for she is on one of her own.
As the two spend many days and nights together, Belle shows the beast how to
love. This amazing enchanted ... Read More:

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Once

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Musicals and Performing Arts
starring: Glen Hansard, Mal Whyte, Marcella Plunkett, Darren Healy, Paul Clarke
directed by: John Carney

December 18, 2007
This film is a truly sweet tale of two musicians. He busks on the street when not working in a vaccuum repair shop. She is a single mom with a heartbreakingly lovely voice. Their names are never mentioned. They collaborate and record and share snipets of each other's lives.
The song "Falling Slowly" won a well deserved oscar this past year and the soundtrack is not to be missed.
It's not very long and has a fairly simple storyline but the sheer loveliness of it all makes it stay with you long after it has ended. This is the kind of movie that when you're finished watching it, your heart feels full.

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Meet Me In St. Louis

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Musicals and Performing Arts
starring: Leon Ames, Mary Astor, Lucille Bremer, Joan Carroll, Donald Curtis
directed by: Vincente Minnelli

April 06, 2004
Meet Me in St Louis is one of the greatest musicals ever made! Combining the talent of Judy Garland and scene stealer Margaret O'Brian and wonderful songs Meet Me In St Louis is a treat for all!

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Celtic Thunder: The Show

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Musicals and Performing Arts
starring: Paul Byrom, George Donaldson, Keith Harkin, Ryan Kelly, Damian McGinty
directed by: Julia Knowles

April 22, 2008
I had the pleasure of watching this performance on PBS Detroit. I could not move myself from the T.V. when they came on. I watched it again when it was shown for the second time. I immediately bought a copy of this performance for home and a CD for my car. These men are unbelievably talented as a group and the individual songs chosen for them match their vocals perfectly. They are awesome. The talent they have goes without saying. It is a MUST see for everyone

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Mary Poppins: 40th Anniversary Edition (2-Disc Set)

Childrens Toy Shop > DVD > Musicals and Performing Arts
starring: Julie Andrews, Hermione Baddeley, Don Barclay, Marjorie Bennett, Jane Darwell
directed by: Robert Stevenson

December 14, 2004
This is one of those films that has stood the test of time and is still entertaining now as it was 40 years ago. Everyone knows the tale of the magical nanny that blows in on the east wind and into the lives of the Banks family of 17 Cherry Tree Lane. Jane and Michael Banks have had a succession of strict nannies as well as a very strict father and a mother who is always out with her fellow suffragettes. Mary Poppins brings magic and fun into the children's lives, something that has been sorely lacking prior to her arrival.
Julie Andrews stars as the nanny and Dick Van Dyke as the lovable cockney Bert, (just forgive his dreadful accent) who always seems to be around at the right time for an adventure. The children find themselves having outings such as jumping into a chalk ... Read More: