Melissa Disney Movies

The episode of theologian Max Lucado's CG-animated Christian video series Hermie and Friends entitled "Milo: The Mantis Who Wouldn't Pray" concerns Milo, a praying mantis who experiences an upsetting calamity. A thunderstorm destroys Milo's food establishment, The Snack Shack, so devastating the insect that he loses all sense of when and how to pray. Milo mistakenly reasons that he must outdo himself to get God's attention, little realizing that the Lord has been helping him all along. With this release, Lucado continues to unofficially tap the repertory of Carol Burnett Show veterans, by enlisting Richard Kind as the voice of Milo and Hermie regular Tim Conway as the voice of Hermie the Caterpillar. ~ Nathan Southern, Rovi

In this animated adventure, Buzby the misbehaving bee is kicked out of the hive for his troublemaking and now he has made the garden his new home. His behavior is no less bothersome there, however, and when Buzby neglects to follow the Garden Golden Rules, it comes time for him to learn about why it is best to follow God's rules about kindness. ~ Cammila Albertson, Rovi

This 3D-animation children's series was staged in flashback form, as an elderly pig regaled his grandchildren with stories of his youth on the Raloo Farm in Ireland. Among the many friends of young Piggley Winks were Wiley the Sheep (his voice provided by the legendary Mel Brooks), Dannan the Duck, and Ferny the Bull. The object of the series was to teach the kids at home how to find creative solutions to problems, and to respect the wisdom of their elders. These were driven home on each episode with a live epilogue featuring soccer star Cobi Jones. Its title derived from the leading character's favorite slang expression, Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks was first seen over the PBS network on September 7, 2003. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

E.B. White's children's story of a swan searching for his voice comes to life in this animated adventure. When young Louie the Swan is hatched, it's soon discovered that he isn't able to make a sound, which is a matter of no small annoyance to his boastful father (voice of Jason Alexander) and doting mother (voice of Mary Steenburgen). As Louie gets a bit older, he falls in love with Serena (voice of Reese Witherspoon), but he has no way of telling her how he feels. Despondent, Louie flies away, and makes friends with a young boy named Sam (voice of Sam Gifaldi). Sam realizes Louie has a problem, and with the help of his schoolteacher, Mrs. Hammerbotham (Carol Burnett), Louie learns to read and write. Louie is thrilled that he has finally found a way to communicate, but his joy is short-lived when he discovers his fellow swans are not well acquainted with the English language. At long last, Louie finds a way to speak in a way his family and fellows can understand when his father gives him a trumpet; while Louie is thrilled and shows a remarkable gift for the instrument, his dad's happiness is diluted by the fact that the horn is stolen merchandise. Determined to pay for the stolen trumpet and make his family proud, Louie flies away to the big city, where he lands a lucrative gig playing with a jazz combo. At last, Louie has found fame, fortune, and self-respect, but can he win the heart of Serena away from her fiancé, Boyd (Seth Green)? The score for The Trumpet of the Swan was written by noted jazz artist Marcus Miller; rock & roll pioneer Little Richard also contributed a song to the soundtrack. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi