Monsters University Home Video

It took a couple extra days but it finally arrived! Yes, I'm talking about the Monsters University Home Video! I pre-ordered mine from the Disney Store and thought it would arrive on the 29th, but it didn't show up until late Halloween afternoon. But I think it was worth the wait! I purchased the 3-disc combo pack (Blu-ray, DVD and digital copy). Since I pre-ordered it, I also received a set of 4 beautiful 10" x 14" lithographs, each showing a different scene from the movie.

I haven't had a chance to watch the movie or look at any of the features yet but did download the digital copy. I'm very happy to say the download process was simple. I've downloaded a number of films from Flickster and Ultraviolet, and absolutely hate that process. But downloading Monsters University was a pleasant surprise. I am a Disney Movies Reward member, so I logged in there to record my points for purchasing the film. Once I did that I was given a link to download the film to iTunes. I clicked on that, which launched iTunes and began the download immediately.

As an extra surprise, in addition to the digital copy of the film I received the iTunes bonus content which I wasn't expecting. This includes a look at the music for Monsters University and The Blue Umbrella (the beautiful short by Saschka Unseld that proceeded Monsters University), plus features like Campus Life, Monthropology, Story School, Scare Games, Welcome to MU, Scare Tactics, Color and Light (can't wait to watch that one), Paths to Pixar (excited about this one too), deleted scenes and others. It even includes the Easter Egg I found out about reading The Pixar Post's review of the Blu-ray (The Easter Egg features Adrian Molina discussing the opening title sequence for the film with samples of his storyboards - so cool).  I can't wait to start digging into all of these features, plus those on the Blu-ray bonus disc! It's going to be a fun weekend!


 

Join John Ratzenberger in Pixar's Recording Booth!

@ Fiddler’s Bay Production. All rights reserved.

Have you ever wanted to see more of the behind-the-scenes making of a Pixar film? Like maybe checking out the recording booth, or even hearing one of the actors record lines? Well, here is your opportunity!!

@ Fiddler’s Bay Production. All rights reserved.

I'm sure you know John Ratzenberger, Pixar's lucky charm. John has voiced characters in every Pixar film, including Hamm in the Toy Story series, Mack in Cars and Cars 2 and the Yeti in Monsters, Inc. and Monsters University. John has launched a new television series titled John Ratzenberger's American Made. The series will highlight and promote American manufacturing companies and their products, and he has turned to crowd-sourcing to help fund the series. Some contributions levels include Pixar-related gifts. For instance, if you contribute $45, you will receive a limited-edition, Hamm-styled Pez dispenser signed by Ratzenberger. For $125, you will receive a grab bag of autographed film and TV memorabilia that, while not explicitly stated, looks like will include items John has picked up from working on Pixar films. For $200 you can have Hamm (or any Pixar character voiced by John) as your voice mail answering message. And the big one - if you're able to contribute $3000 to John's series, you will get to attend one of John's recording sessions for an upcoming Pixar film. You'll also receive 2 tickets to the film's screening in Los Angeles and an exclusive after-party, both of which will be attended by cast and Pixar crew!

$3000 is a lot of money, but opportunities like this don't come around every day! I noticed on the contribution page that someone already has donated at this level. Even if you can't contribute at this amount, there are contribution levels down to $10. To learn more about John Ratzenberger's American Made and the contribution levels, check out the American Made website!