Coming Soon to Blu-Ray and DVD -- Mirror, Mirror, Starring Julia Roberts (Giveaway)

Alan Menken: From Mouse to Mirror

 

Debuting on Blu-ray and DVD June 26

 

The whimsical musical score in Mirror Mirror was composed by acclaimed songwriter Alan Menken, who is no stranger to fairytale tunes. Most well known for his pivotal role in the songwriting for Disney’s animated films like The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast and most recently Tangled, we’ll take a look back at his career and his work on Mirror Mirror. 

One of the world’s most beloved fairy tales takes a hilarious turn in this fresh, exciting film starring Oscar® Winner Julia Roberts. After she spends all her money, an evil enchantress queen (Roberts) schemes to marry a handsome, wealthy prince (The Social Network’s Armie Hammer). There’s just one problem – he’s in love with a beautiful princess, Snow White (Lily Collins, The Blind Side). So, the sinister queen banishes Snow White from her own kingdom! Now, joined by seven rebellious dwarves, Snow White launches an epic battle of good vs. snarky in this funny, magical movie that the whole family will love.

 

Little Shop of Horrors

In 1986, Alan Menken ventured onto the big screen with Little Shop of Horrors after finding success with the musical Off Broadway, where he earned a Drama Desk Award nomination. The story revolves around a nerdist florist who believes his man-eating plant will gain him happiness. Once the film starring Rick Moranis and Steve Martin found its rabid fan base, the musical enjoyed a run on Broadway with songs “Skid Row (Downtown),” “Da-Doo” and “Feed Me (Get It).” "Mean Green Mother from Outer Space" was nominated for an Academy Award. 

The Little Mermaid

 

Menken’s first foray into animation changed it forever with Disney’s 1989 musical tale of a mermaid longing to be human. The original Hans Christian Anderson novel had to be changed quite a lot to appeal to the younger crowd, and Menken and Howard Ashman’s lively tunes helped the transition from dark story to an enchanting experience with “Part of Your World,” “Under the Sea” and “Kiss the Girl.” “Under the Sea” won the Academy Award for Best Song, and Menken and Ashman’s score was also awarded that year. 

Beauty and the Beast

 

Capitalizing on the magic made in their previous outing, both Menken and Ashman continued their Disney legacy with 1991’s Beauty and the Beast, which focuses on Belle, a young villager who reads instead of fawning over handsome hunters until she is thrown into a mysterious castle led by the Beast. Somehow, the critical acclaim surpassed all odds when the film was the first animated work to be nominated for Best Picture. Three of its songs were nominated for Best Song Oscars: “Be Our Guest,” “Belle” and the ultimate winner, “Beauty and the Beast.” Memken’s score was also awarded once again.

Newsies

 

Getting back to live action, Menken alongside lyricist Jack Feldman, worked on the film that brought audiences young a Christian Bale as Jack Kelly, a New York City newsboy rebelling against the big businesses exploiting him and his friends. Directed by Kenny Ortega, songs include “Santa Fe,” “King of New York” and “Once and for All.”

Tangled

After a long break from the silver screen and Disney, Menken rejoined the studio’s computer animated princess tale Tangled, writing numbers for voice stars Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi to perform. Tangled updates the classic fairytale of long-haired girl Rapunzel with songs like the Oscar-nominated “I See the Light” and “Mother Knows Best.” 

Mirror Mirror

Now, for the first time ever, Snow White is Menken’s muse as he composed music and a score for the new family flick. At the end of the fantasy movie, Lily Collins bursts into song as the joyful princess with “I Believe in Love,” written by Nina Hart, Sam Hollander and director Tarsem Singh. 

 

 

 

 

 

--GIVEAWAY--

One lucky reader will win a Blu-Ray copy of Mirror, Mirror thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck! a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

 

Disclosure:  I was not compensated in any way for this post.  The views above are mine and mine alone.