Special Features

Ok, now that I've been linked to, I officially have to start keeping this thing up. I'm going to have to ask my girl how to do nifty things like linking -- otherwise this is doomed to be a boring in mechanics blog that is left to wow through writing alone. That's too tall an order, methinks.

I suffered from the worst bout of bronchitis to grace my lungs last week, and as a result, my horizons have been broadened. Law students shouldn't watch movies during the semester. That being said, I watched about 15 movies last week. While my grades are certain to suffer, I experienced a new enlightenment -- DVD bonus features.

Koda (my rockstar of a dog) and I spent a glorious week of reliving some Disney classics. Now, I can admit that this was not the first time I glanced at the Special Features tab of my DVDs' menus--many a time I've heard the creators' of "FRIENDS" in their audio commentary. However, this was the first time I really gave Disney special features a second look. Here's a gem or three we discovered:

(1) The Jungle Book -- audio commentary by Mowgli himself!! All grown up, of course. To hear his perspective of working with the Disney masters of the 50s and 60s made this Disneyphile's** heart glow.

(2) Mulan -- Mushu delights in this bonus feature where he takes the viewers on an easter egg hunt of historical tidbits about China, from fireworks to paper to the Huns to Mulan herself. Educational and entertaining.

(3) Bambi -- This one's a biggie for any Disneyphiles out there... There's a feature that walks the viewer through the film as Walt and his team of animation imagineers artfully dream up and deliver Bambi's forest, family, and friends. It's an insight into how a wonderful story is adapted into a masterpiece screenplay, as well as how Walt personally lead his dreamers to achieve new heights in storytelling. Hearing Walt's voice command and guide his team as the viewer sees glimpses of original sketches evolve into the final product is like taking a time machine and taking a seat at the dreammaker's table.


**Disneyphile--a term Disney uses in its newsletters to communicate to adults who never stop reveling in Disney magic and wonder! LOVE It.

Although I decidedly learned NOTHING about the law while I was sick, I definitely learned that if I slow down and re-read, re-watch or delve further into a medium (just like rereading my favorite book for the hundredth time and then reading the "about the author" section) the gifts I receive can make my soul dance --

...and I'm grateful!