May 12, 2010 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 21 Toys come to vibrant life on Blu-ray disc cal release of “Toy Story 3.” Disney has always been generous with its extras and both editions contain deleted scenes as well as numerous featurettes about the making of the films, their production design, the art of computer animation, and casting the actors. Also included are animated shorts, filmmaker interviews, and a preview of “Toy Story 3” on both editions. Robin Hood has been a durable go-to character whenever a studio is looking for an exciting costume adventure. Douglas Fairbanks and Errol Flynn are the most famous interpreters of the role of the expert archer who drove the Sheriff of Nottingham crazy by thumbing his nose at unjust laws and relieving the wealthy of their cash in order to benefit those less fortunate. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has just released four lesser-known color Robin Hood films made between 1946 and 1960. “Sword of Sherwood Forest” (1960) stars Richard Greene, who played Robin Hood for five years on the 1950s TV show. He reprises his role here, with Peter Cushing stepping in as the Sheriff of Nottingham. Produced by England’s Hammer Studio and directed by Terence Fisher, this tale focuses on a plot to assassinate the Archbishop of Canterbury. A young Oliver Reed and Woody is one of the playthings that comes to life in ‘Toy Story.’ by Dennis Seuling The joining of Disney Pictures and Pixar was a match made in box office heaven. Disney made its fortune on animated films with strong stories, such as “Snow White,” “Pinocchio,” and “The Lion King.” These movies had not only memorable characters, but also plots that combined drama and comedy, and frequently reached exhilarating heights. Director John Lasseter’s Pixar company had made clever computer animated shorts, but was eager to get into feature film production. Disney had the money to make this possible, and “Toy Story,” the first completely computer generated animated feature, was the result. The film was a success with both critics and the public. Now, Disney has issued the original “Toy Story” and its sequel “Toy Story 2” in twodisc Blu-ray special editions. In “Toy Story,” the concept is simple: What do toys do when the kids who own them aren’t playing with them? Viewers meet an assortment of colorful characters headed by cowboy doll Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Mr. Potato Head (Don Rickles), Slinky Dog (Jim Varney), Rex the T. Rex (Wallace Shawn), and the new toy, Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). The script is clever and derives its humor from visual and verbal gags. The movie holds up remarkably well and is particularly vivid and sharp in Blu-ray. “Toy Story 2” is an exceptionally fine sequel, with the core group of characters and a few new ones expressing concerns about separation, rejection, and usefulness. One theme addressed is whether toys should be saved in their original packaging as collectors’ items or opened and enjoyed -- their intended function. Sly toy collector Al (Wayne Knight) is the villain here as he gathers a bunch of toys, including Woody and his friends, intending to profit by selling them separately as retro collectibles. These films on Blu-ray are timed to hit stores a month before the June 18 theatri- Desmond Llewelyn (Q in the James Bond films) are in the supporting cast. “The Bandit of Sherwood Forest” (1946) stars Cornel Wilde as the son of Robin Hood in a sumptuous Technicolor swashbuckler. William of Pembroke, Regent of England, imprisons the young king of England and intends to repeal the Magna Carta, returning England to autocratic rule. Robert of Huntington (Wilde) joins his father and his reunited band of men to save the boy king from death and England from tyranny. The other films are “Rogues of Sherwood Forest” (1950), starring John Derek in a plot featuring a villainous King John, and “Prince of Thieves” (1948), starring Jon Hall as the legendary hero. All four titles are bare-bones DVDs; there are no extras. Larry McMurtry is best known for the “Lonesome Dove” franchise. Two Vivendi Entertainment two-disc releases portray events prior to those of “Lonesome Dove” and events that follow. “Dead Man’s Walk” is a prequel in which young Texas Rangers Augustus McCrae and Woodrow F. Call face three warring cultures within their region, undergoing attacks from hostile Indians. 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