Reviews. For the love of God.

Transformers: Beast Wars- Season One

2011-06-16T11:22:00.000-07:00

Brace yourself to relive some of the most epic TRANSFORMERS battles and non-stop action adventures through the 15th Anniversary release of BEAST WARS. In 1996, TRANSFORMERS fans were introduced to this stunning saga between the heroic MAXIMALS and the evil PREDACONS where these powerful TRANSFORMERS disguised themselves as some of the fiercest and most ferocious animals on Earth. In a flash of an instant, these beasts turned into battle-tested robot warriors ready for combat. Created by Hasbro and produced by Mainframe Entertainment, the hugely successful animated series TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS ran for three successful television seasons and garnered an Emmy® Award for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Animation.

On June 7, 2011, Shout! Factory, in collaboration with Hasbro, Inc., will unleash the TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS Season One 4-DVD set, featuring all 26 visually stunning episodes and exciting bonus features. A must-have for fans and families, this DVD set promises to keep you on the edge of your seat with exciting adventures.

TRANSFORMERS: BEAST WARS Season One 4-DVD set

Synopsis:
When the descendants of the treacherous Decepticons — now known as PREDACONS — land on a mysterious planet in search of a powerful fuel known as Energon, it’s up to Optimus Primal and the heroic Maximals to stop them before they conquer the universe!

Bonus Features Include:
Maximize! Creating A New Breed of TRANSFORMER
Art gallery
Original character models

I'm kind of embarrassed to say how geeked I was to get this DVD. Apparently I dropped my Girl Card many years ago, because I've always enjoyed the Transformers cartoons when I was a wee lass. By the time 1996 rolled around, I was in my early twenties, and never saw any of the Beast Wars cartoons.

In fact? When I received this in the mail? I began to sing:

TRANSFORMERS!
MORE THAN MEETS THE EYE!
TRANSFORMERS!
ROBOTS IN DISGUISE!

I'm a huge geek. I make no apology for it.

Thankfully, I have a son who is a huge geek as well and he was completely stoked to get to watch these. The animation was pretty amazing, especially compared to the old school version I used to watch.

Apparently there is also a complete collectors editon 8-DVD box set coming out soon. Christmas presents anyone? You can preorder it right here!

Lemonade Mouth: Extended Edition

2011-06-02T06:16:00.001-07:00

When five ragtag freshmen first meet in detention, it seems they have nothing in common. But, through music, they bond and find they have the makings of the greatest high school garage band in history! Disney invites audiences of all ages to turn up the music and have some fun with the highly-anticipated 2-Disc DVD + Digital Copy debut of Lemonade Mouth, the hit Disney Channel Original Movie.

I'm going to be totally honest. I really didn't expect to enjoy this movie at all.

See, I'm a mother of two young teenagers (as much as that pains me) and we have enough drama on a daily basis to make pretty much want to pull my hair out. The synopsis of this movie says "Lemonade Mouth is a resonant, music-filled movie about five teens who break through become the voice of their generation". I've listened to their generation. It's usually pretty whiny.

I'm a huge sucker for movies that are filled with music, and this movie is based on a book (I'm also a sucker for movies based on books), so I decided to give this movie a shot.

To continue being totally honest? I actually really liked the movie.

The basic plot is that a group of five kids come together, not just to become a musical group but also to stand up and be heard about various issues. They really connect with all the kids who feel like they aren't part of the popular crowd. Conflict arises with the rival band "Mudslide Crush", as both groups want to win the Rising Star music competition. Sounds like a lot of other movies, right?

What set this movie apart was the music. What a talented group of kids!

The DVD had some cool extras and my daughter (a Chorus geek by her own admission) loved the "Rock-A-Long" version of the movie. The lyrics would appear on screen so she could sing along. If you have an aspiring singer in your house I'm sure they will love it too! You might even find yourself singing along.

Gnomeo and Juliet on DVD and Blue-ray!

2011-05-24T05:36:00.000-07:00

This coming summer to the U.S., don’t miss the chance to bring home GNOMEO & JULIET - the hilarious twist on William Shakespeare’s legendary tale Romeo & Juliet as you’ve never seen it before, perfect for the whole family. Enter the secret world of garden
gnomes and meet two adorable gnomes from completely different worlds who fight the odds to be together. From a director of Shrek 2, and featuring fun, all-new music by Sir Elton John, the out-of-the-ordinary animated comedy GNOMEO & JULIET releases on Blu-ray™, Blu-ray 3D™, DVD, Movie Download and On-Demand – May 24, 2011.

Uniquely packaged with families’ top of mind, GNOMEO & JULIET will be made available for
purchase by Walt Disney Studios as either a 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray 3D + DVD with Digital Copy), a 2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray 2D + DVD) and/or a 1-Disc DVD. Disney Blu-ray Combo Packs provide families with an enhanced entertainment experience –with the value and flexibility to enjoy your favorite movies on a variety of platforms of choice. And for those who enjoy to learn more about the making of the film,GNOMEO & JULIET discs come enclosed with never-before-seen bonus features including “Elton Builds A Garden,” “Frog talk with Ashley Jensen,”, “Crocodile Rock Music Video featuring Elton John and Nelly Furtado.” And for those who purchase the Blu-ray Disc, it includes hours of extra exclusive bonus features including alternate endings, deleted scenes and more.

GNOMEO & JULIET is brought to life by the extraordinary voices of Golden Globe nominee James McAvoy (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe) as Gnomeo; Emily Blunt (The Devil Wears Prada) as Juliet; Academy Award winner Michael Caine (Inception) as Lord Redbrick; Jason Statham (The Trasnsporter franchise) as Tybalt; Ashley Jensen (TV’s Ugly Betty) as Nanette; Patrick Stewart (X-Men franchise) as William Shakespeare; Ozzy Osbourne (TV’s The Osbournes) as Fawn and Maggie Smith (Harry Potter franchise) as Lady Blueberry.

Bonus Features:
DVD & Movie Download:
• Elton Builds a Garden
• Frog Talk with Ashley Jensen
• “Crocodile Rock” Music Video, featuring Elton John and Nelly Furtado
Blu-ray:
• DVD Bonus plus:
• 2 Alternate Endings with Filmmaker Introductions
• Deleted & Alternate Scenes with Filmmaker Introductions, including:
o 1 Alternate Opening
o 1 Alternate Scene
o 6 Deleted Scenes
• The Fawn of Darkness, featuring Ozzy Osbourne

I had extremely high hopes for this DVD. I mean come on. Shakespeare, Patrick Stewart AND Ozzy Osbourne? How can you miss with that combo?

As I suspected, this was a winner all the way around. Even my husband, who generally ignores most things animated, thought this one was funny and cute. It's geared more toward the younger crowd (it has a G rating), but I found it very enjoyable.

The premise of the movie is pretty basic "star-crossed-lovers" and "falling in love despite your differences" tale, but the music and characters made it really pop. There were plenty of pop-culture references (the mafia! Loved!). I found the movie very clever and even though I knew the basic premise before I even started watching the movie, I found dozens of little "surprises" throughout.

The bonus features are always my favorites, so here's an alternate ending clip you might enjoy:

This movie was funny and smart and suitable for everyone. I just gnome you'll love it!

The Wild Thornberrys- Season One

2011-05-23T09:48:00.000-07:00

Produced by Klasky-Csupo for Nickelodeon, The Wild Thornberrys premiered in September 1998 and aired until 2004 with reruns airing on Nicktoons and CBS from 2002-2007. The Wild Thornberrys DVD release has long been anticipated by fans but has not been available in stores until now.

The hit series follows the Thornberry family as they travel the world in their Communications Vehicle (or CommVee) looking for rare animals to film. After an encounter with an African shaman, their youngest child Eliza was given the power to speak to animals! Every episode in this adventure-packed DVD set follows Eliza as she comes face-to-face with an assortment of animals, continents and danger. Encounter wildlife in all its natural glory and eavesdrop on Eliza’s conversations with silverback gorillas, pythons, crested grebes, tapirs, capybaras, antelopes and opossums while the CommVee travels on!

Vibrant animation, exotic locations, charming storytelling plus an all-star voice cast, including Lacey Chabert (Party Of Five), Tim Curry (The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius) and Flea (The Red Hot Chili Peppers) make season one of The Wild Thornberrys an epic family adventure. Featuring all 20 action-packed episodes, the collectible 4-DVD box set is priced to own at a suggested retail price of $29.93 and will no doubt attract a new audience of kids as well as young adults who grew up watching the television series.

The release of these DVDs is part of Nickelodeon’s commitment to bring back classic shows. Nickelodeon will also launch a new nighttime programming block this fall on TeenNick called “The ‘90s Are All That!,” featuring a rotating selection of iconic live-action and animated shows from Nickelodeon’s 1990s.

I cannot tell you how excited I was to receive this DVD. My children were born in 1998 and Wild Thornberrys was one of "our" favorite shows when they were still small. I loved the plucky heroine of the series Eliza Thornberry and I especially loved how she could talk to the animals. Plus, how cute is she? I love when the lead character has glasses! My son always enjoyed it just as much as my daughter, and that's a big plus.

I anticipated that I would watch this alone, but as soon as I put the first DVD in (there are four in this set) my daughter came out of her room with her headphones in hand. My son was right behind her and the three of us cuddled on the couch as we made our way through all the episodes we had forgotten.

This series encompasses a lot of my favorite things about cartoons- it's very funny and smart, has a strong female lead that isn't so "girl power!" that boys are turned off, and it has lots of opportunities for education what with all the animals that Eliza comes in contact with. It's a simple, Nickelodeon classic and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to rediscover it.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie's Masquerade with Mickey Mote

2011-02-08T23:44:00.000-08:00

Parents and their preschoolers are invited to join in the ultimate masquerade party with Minnie, Mickey and pals in a fun-filled collection of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse latest episodes that celebrate themes of friendship, teamwork, sharing and problem solving. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade is the perfect gift to dress-up your Valentine’s Day, available on Disney DVD today from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

This latest release features four playful Minnie-themed adventures previously seen on the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse TV show, a never-before-seen episode, and a free paper mask with festive embellishments that kids can personalize. And as a special option for consumers, Disney has packaged a version of the DVD to include the exclusive Mickey Mote – a child-friendly handheld remote control, shaped like Mickey
ears, that takes children’s viewing experience to a whole new level of play. The DVD and Mickey Mote Play Set is the ultimate value for moms and equally fun and engaging for kids! The Mickey Mote uses infrared wireless technology and may not be compatible with all devices.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Minnie’s Masquerade starring Disney’s Fab Five -- Minnie, Mickey, Donald, Goofy and Daisy – takes viewers on an all new adventure as they dress-up in their favorite costumes for Minnie’s Masquerade Ball. In this episode, Minnie needs some help getting everything ready for her party including making royal crowns for their costumes, searching for Sir Goofalot’s lost shoe, stringing
up paper lanterns and much, much more. At the ball, Professor Von Drake hosts the great Clubhouse Costume Show and gives out prize ribbons to all the friends who have dressed up in some funny and fancy costumes. All it takes is a heaping helping of imagination…and the right Mouseketools.

About Disney’s Exclusive Mickey Mote:
Disney’s Mickey Mote works with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes the Discovery Mode™ feature – an interactive “Watch & Play” feature on the DVD. All parents have to do is program the remote control - there’s an easy and quick set-up guide in each DVD- and select the Discovery Mode feature on the menu screen. Within minutes, kids will be easily responding to questions, throughout the story, about scenes they just watched by pressing one of four color-coded buttons on the device -- a yellow star, green circle, orange triangle or blue square – to click in their responses. Discovery Mode features include two levels of play, which provides more challenging questions as the child grows.

The Mickey Mote can be used with any Disney Preschool DVD that includes the Discovery Mode feature.

My little babies are almost thirteen, so they were a little old for this particular DVD, so I borrowed a friend of mine's three-year-old son to help me preview this movie. We had such a fun time watching these wholesome, fun Mickey Mouse Club episodes, that it made me long for another little one (just for the fun remote!).

I really liked that the episodes weren't as long as a movie...this particular little friend of mine has to have frequent potty-pet-the-dog-ask-for-a-cookie breaks, but he was okay with watching an entire episode at a time. I had no compatibility issues with the Mickey Mote, and my friend's son very much enjoyed getting to press the big, brightly colored buttons. We both really enjoyed the interactive aspects. He got to "be" part of the story, which was a huge amount of fun.

This DVD is great for both girls AND boys and it would make an excellent Valentine's Day present!

Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2!

2011-02-04T13:10:00.000-08:00

From the creators of Beverly Hills Chihuahua, everybody’s favorite talking Chihuahuas are back in a comedy that’s a pack of outrageous fun for the whole family. Puppy mayhem turns the lives of newlywed Chihuahua parents, Papi and Chloe, upside down when their playful puppies present one challenge after another. But, when their human owners find themselves in trouble, the tiny pups will stop at nothing to save them—because in good times and hard times, the family always sticks together. Papi, Chloe and the puppies embark on a heroic adventure, proving once again that big heroes come in small packages.
Featuring an all-star cast, including George Lopez (voice of Papi), and complete with a litter of bonus features, this heartwarming tale of the meaning of family, friendship and loyalty is a special breed of fun—times five.

Okay, as I've admitted before? I'm a complete sucker for dogs. I really thought the first installment of the Beverly Hills Chihuahua movies was cute and if you're like me, you'll like one as well.

This is a straight-to-DVD movie and I often feel like those aren't as good as the movies that are released into the theater but in this case, I think it was comparable. In this movie, we get to meet the whole "family" of dogs, and those puppies? Good Lord. I think they made me ovulate. So adorable!

Disc 2 has a cute blooper reel...I'm a huge sucker for bloopers too. There is also a music video by Bridgit Mendler which was very well done.

This would make a very cute Valentine's gift for your favorite dog lover!

Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2 Sneak Peek!

2011-01-11T12:58:00.000-08:00

Coming February 1st!

Santa Buddies: The Search for Santa Paws

2010-12-03T13:06:00.001-08:00

In the tradition of Disney's classic holiday tales comes a heartwarming movie about the power of giving and the true meaning of Christmas. Discover how the legendary friendship of Santa Claus and Santa Paws began in the inspiring original film, The Search For Santa Paws.

When Santa and his new best friend, Paws, discover that the boys and girls of the world have lost the spirit of the season, they take a trip to New York City. But after Santa loses his memory, it's up to Paws, a faithful orphan named Quinn (America's Got Talent's Kaitlyn Maher), her new friend Will (The Game Plan's Madison Pettis) and a wonderful group of magical talking dogs to save St. Nick and show the world what Christmas is really all about.

I eagerly anticipated this movie and it did not disappoint. It was by far my favorite of the "Buddies" movies.

The story was, in a word, adorable. I loved the dogS, I loved the little girls and I really loved all the musical numbers. I literally cried at a few spots (including when Santa lost his memory! SOB!). A small word of warning...some of the scenes are really sad and some parts of it might be a tad scary for smaller viewers.

This movie is a prequel to the 2009 movie The Legend of Santa Paws, which I also loved, but you can watch this movie having not seen the first and still know the story. It was very uplifting and I loved seeing how things turned out at the end (and I did cry! Sobby McGee!).

The Bonus features were really cute. I love deleted scenes and the music video and sing-along were really cute.

You'll love this movie! If you want something a little out-of-the ordinary, sweet and heartwarming, this one is for you. We're watching it AGAIN tonight!

Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture

2010-11-17T13:21:00.001-08:00

From Publishers Weekly:
Orenstein, who has written about girls for nearly two decades (Schoolgirls), finds today's pink and princess-obsessed girl culture grating when it threatens to lure her own young daughter, Daisy. In her quest to determine whether princess mania is merely a passing phase or a more sinister marketing plot with long-term negative impact, Orenstein travels to Disneyland, American Girl Place, the American International Toy Fair; visits a children's beauty pageant; attends a Miley Cyrus concert; tools around the Internet; and interviews parents, historians, psychologists, marketers, and others. While she uncovers some disturbing news (such as the American Psychological Association's assertion that the "girlie-girl" culture's emphasis on beauty and play-sexiness can increase girls' susceptibility to depression, eating disorders, distorted body image, and risky sexual behavior), she also finds that locking one's daughter away in a tower like a modern-day Rapunzel may not be necessary. Orenstein concludes that parents who think through their values early on and set reasonable limits, encourage dialogue and skepticism, and are canny about the consumer culture can combat the 24/7 "media machine" aimed at girls and hold off the focus on beauty, materialism, and the color pink somewhat. With insight and biting humor, the author explores her own conflicting feelings as a mother as she protects her offspring and probes the roots and tendrils of the girlie-girl movement.

I am fortunate to get early review copies of books and when I heard about Cinderella Ate My Daughter: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the New Girlie-Girl Culture, I knew I had to read it. I mean, come on. Best title of all time #1 and #2 it's written by Peggy Orenstein, the brilliant writer behind Schoolgirls: Young Women, Self Esteem, and the Confidence Gap

I devoured this book in about two days (keep in mind I have a full-time job, work freelance, have a part-time blogging job, two kids, a husband, a house, a 70 mile a day commute, and a dog who unfortunately had a bad spell of puking her guts out while I was trying to read). I just could not put this book down.

See, I was one of the mom's that said "I will NEVER let MY daughter do XYZ". My daughter was not going to wear pink. My daughter was not going to participate in Beauty Pageants (okay, I have kept to that one thus far) and my daughter was going to play with gender neutral toys and never, ever feel like she was anything less than her brother. I put the kibosh on her having shirts that said things like "Girlz rule, Boys drool!" She had a brother. It wasn't appropriate.

And yet, somehow, I ended up with a child who wore a skirt every single day to kindergarten. I've had conversations many times with my friend Al, decidedly a "tomboy" about her daughter who wears pink sparkly EVERYTHING.

Were we failing our daughters? Of course not. But the drastic extremes in today's culture sometimes make the lines really blurry. Are Disney Princesses okay? Does American Girl really set the example we think it does? Are girls just ACTUALLY wired differently than boys?

Having a son and a daughter who just happen to be twins, I've seen both sides. Ironically, I have a very sensitive son and a very proactive daughter. My daughter is already fighting the good fight in her own way...she frequently says things like "I can adopt children with no husband" or "I don't care if I ever get married". Then, of course, I worry I've taken it too far and she's going to grow up a man hater.

It's a tough line to walk.

I came away from this book feeling a bit better about how I'm doing though. I learned it is normal (and okay!) to be a bit conflicted in dealing with girls. It's also normal (and okay!) to struggle with my own thoughts and perceptions on femininity and how my child is growing up. At what lessons I'm teaching her.

I'd highly recommend this book for anyone who has a daughter. Orenstein is a gifted writer and I'm sure you'll be able to relate, as I did, to what she has to say.

Hannah Montana Forever: Who is Hannah Montana?

2010-11-05T23:02:00.000-07:00

World-famous superstar Hannah Montana has been living a double life as Malibu teen Miley Stewart?! Say what, say what? In the much-anticipated, 1-hour episode from the all-new season, HANNAH MONTANA FOREVER, the whole world will watch as Hannah takes the wig off ... for good! This is the must-have series collection that includes all of Hannah's biggest moments when she takes off the wig and shares her true identity. Hannah has been rocking the world and living the celebrity life, but behind all the glitz and glamour, she's just a normal teenage girl named Miley Stewart. Things get complicated when she has to keep her true identity from friends, classmates, crushes, paparazzi and millions of fans! Join Miley on a journey of self-discovery in 8 hilarious episodes -- including the sensational series pilot! Watch as she confesses her double life to her BFFs Lilly and Oliver, then to Jake, and then to...? You'll have to watch to find out! Will Hannah finally take center stage as Miley Stewart? It's the big moment y'all have been waiting for -- and you can see it first, only on this DVD! Sweet nibblets!

DVD Bonus Features Include:

Exclusive: Be The First To Get A Sneak Peek At Ashley Tisdale's Upcoming Movie, SHARPAY'S FABULOUS ADVENTURE!

This DVD is a compliation of several episodes of the Hannah Montana show. Hannah fans will not be disappointed...I really loved that all the episodes have a "revelation" theme and the main episode was almost a tear-jerker, even for a non-softy like me. I really like how the character not only had to deal with her secret herself, she also had to deal with how it affected others. I love the lessons that are learned in these episodes and I felt they were all important.

The bonus feature was cute, but I wish there had been more to it. I really enjoy the bonus clips that include bloopers! Overall though I enjoyed this DVD and so did my daughter. If you have a Hannah fan in your house, I'm sure she'll enjoy it too!

Santa Paws: Sneak Peek!

2010-11-04T04:35:00.000-07:00

Disney's The Search for Santa Paws comes out November 23rd! Go here for a Disney Movie rewards offer!

I can't wait to see this!

DisneyNature: Oceans

2010-10-11T14:34:00.000-07:00

In celebration of World Ocean’s Day, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment today announces the release of Disneynature OCEANS as a Disney Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu- ray + DVD) and 1-Disc DVD, October 19, 2010 and the extension of the “See OCEANS, Save Oceans” efforts – an initiative developed between Disneynature and The Nature Conservancy to help establish new marine protected areas.

Disneynature OCEANS is helping to conserve more than 35,000 acres of coral reef in The Bahamas on behalf of moviegoers who went to see the film during its theatrical opening week. In continued efforts, Disneynature has committed to carry on the “See OCEANS, Save Oceans” initiative by contributing a portion of sales to The Nature Conservancy through Disney’s Worldwide Conservation Fund for every Disneynature OCEANS Blu-ray Combo Pack or DVD purchased between October 19 and 25. As one of the world’s leading conservation organizations, The Nature Conservancy is widely recognized for its efforts to protect vital marine habitats.

OCEANS on Blu-ray Hi-Def will take viewers on a breathtaking and unprecedented high-definition journey to discover nature’s mysteries, showcasing creatures captured on film for the first time and state-of-the-art imagery of the colorful symphony that lives under the sea. With crystal clear picture, and theater-quality sound, OCEANS puts audiences in the very heart of the action, racing along amid a school of traveling tuna, leaping with dolphins and swimming shoulder-to-fin with whales that will entertain kids and parents alike.

Directed by Jacques Perrin (two-time Academy Award® nominee for Best Documentary, Features for Winged Migration in 2003; Best Picture for Z in 1970) and Jacques Cluzaud (Winged Migration, Les Ailes de la Nature), the two filmmakers venture in, on and around our seas to discover photogenic oddities and endangered wonders. OCEANS dives deep into the very waters that sustain all of mankind—exploring the playful splendor and the harsh reality of the weird and wonderful creatures that live within. These two directors capture mesmerizing footage using the most technologically-advanced equipment that has allowed them to bring this to true high-definition powers.

OCEANS is narrated by Pierce Brosnan (The Ghost Writer, Percy Jackson and the Olympians, and Mamma Mia) who has long been affiliated with environmental causes and campaigns including programs such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare's "Save the Whales Again!" campaign.

About “See OCEANS, Save Oceans”:
By purchasing a Blu-ray Combo Pack or DVD of Disneynature OCEANS between October 19 and 25, viewers can help conserve our world’s oceans and the species that depend on them for survival. In honor of each Blu-ray and DVD purchased during that period Disneynature, through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund, will help establish new marine protected areas in The Bahamas with The Nature Conservancy, one of the largest conservation organizations in the world. In The Bahamas, The Nature Conservancy and its local partners, including the Bahamian government, are establishing a new marine protected area along the west side of Andros Island. Currently, new marine protected area boundaries are being defined that will expand the part from 300,000 acres to over 1 million acres. These areas will contain miles of vital coral reefs that provide natural habitat, nurseries and feeding grounds for hundreds of marine species. For more details on Disney’s collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, please visit this website.

About The Nature Conservancy:
The Nature Conservancy is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people. The Nature Conservancy and its more than 1 million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide. Visit The Nature Conservancy on the web.

About Disneynature:
Disneynature, the first new Disney-branded film label from The Walt Disney Studios in over 60 years, was launched in April 2008 to bring the world’s top nature filmmakers together to share a wide variety of wildlife subjects and stories with theatrical audiences. Disneynature EARTH, the first film to premiere domestically under the new label on Earth Day 2009, garnered a record-breaking opening weekend for a nature documentary. Walt Disney was a pioneer in wildlife documentary filmmaking, producing 13 True-Life Adventure motion pictures between 1949 and 1960, winning 8 Academy Awards®.

Honestly, I didn't expect to enjoy this movie. The primary reason I requested it was because of my twelve-year-old son. I knew this would be something he would very much enjoy, and I figured I'd watch it with him and do the best I could with it. To my surprise, I really very much enjoyed it, and not just because Pierce Bronsnan and his extremely sexy voice narrates it.

The story is amazing...it's not typical Disney stuff. Nothing is sugarcoated. There are very touching moments and very dramatic moments. You'll even chuckle a few times. The picture was amazing and some of the underwater shots took my breath away. I will admit that I did chuckle that Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato were part of a music video bonus feature!

I really liked this movie. My son LOVED it and my daughter liked it too. It might be a little "scary" for younger viewers (as I said nothing is sugar-coated) but it was just right for pre-teens.

Disney's Beauty and The Beast: Diamond Edition

2010-10-09T14:10:00.000-07:00

Disney’s most requested film, Beauty and the Beast,arrives for the first time on Blu-ray Hi-Def as the second installment to the company’s new Diamond Collection.The Blu-ray transformation reveals the magic, music and majesty of the film as never before experienced with state-of-the-art picture restoration, pristine 7.1 Digital Surround Sound and hours of additional viewing experiences that include behind the scenes features, deleted scenes, enhanced music tracks, immersive games and more.

The first of only two animated films ever to be nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Picture (the second is 2009’s Up), Beauty and the Beast earned six Academy Award® nominations and won two Oscars®in 1992 for Best Original Song (“Beauty and the Beast”) and Best Original Score.

Unavailable in any form since 2003, Beauty and the Beast will be released from the Disney vault for a limited time only, arriving on a Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack (2 Blu-ray Discs + DVD) October 5, followed seven weeks later with the release of a 2-Disc standard definition DVD on November 23.

Film Synopsis:
Set in and around a quaint French village during the late 18th century, Beauty and the Beast follows the fantastic adventures of Belle, a bright and beautiful young woman who finds escape from her ordinary life, and the advances of a boorish suitor, Gaston, by reading books. Meanwhile, off in a castle in the distance, a cruel young prince is cast under the spell of an enchantress who turns him into a tormented beast, while transforming his servants into animated household objects.

In order to remove the curse, the Beast must discover a true love who will return his affection before the last petal falls from an enchanted rose. When Belle’s inventor father stumbles upon the Beast’s castle and is taken prisoner, Belle comes to the rescue and agrees to take her father’s place. With the help of the castle’s enchanted staff, she sees beneath the Beast’s exterior and discovers the heart and soul of a human prince.

Film Accolades:
Beauty and the Beast received two Academy Awards® for music in 1992, three Golden Globes® for Best Motion Picture, Best Original Score and Best Original Song in 1992, and two Grammy Awards in 1993. Listed as number seven on the American Film Institute’s Top 100 Animated Films, Beauty and the Beast helped define Disney animation for a new generation as the second film in the “Disney
Animation Renaissance” (1989-1999) which launched with The Little Mermaidand revitalized animated features by captivating mature audiences while still delighting young viewers.
Beauty and the Beast features a cast of top vocal talent. Veteran stage actress and singer Paige O’Hara is the voice of Belle, one of Disney’s most beloved and independent heroines, and Robby Benson (TV’s “American Dreams”) delivers a powerful portrayal of the Beast. Three-time Oscar®- nominated screen star (The Manchurian Candidate in 1963, The Picture of Dorian Grey in 1946, and Gaslight in 1945) and six-time Golden Globe® award winner (TV’s “Murder, She Wrote” in 1992, 1990, 1987 and 1985, The Manchurian Candidate in 1963, and The Picture of Dorian Grey
in 1946), Angela Lansbury gives a bubbly performance as Mrs. Potts. The late Jerry Orbach (TV’s “Law and Order,” “House of Mouse”) shines as the voice of Lumiere, the passionate candelabra, and David Ogden-Stiers (TV’s “M*A*S*H,” Lilo & Stitch) is Cogsworth, the tightly-wound mantel clock who functions as the head of the household.

Beauty and the Beast was also the first Disney animated film to inspire a Broadway stage production by the same name. Highlighting the film’s music by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman, seven new songs were written for the stage musical. Beauty… was nominated for nine Tony Awards in 1994 and ran on Broadway for 5,464 performances until 2007, becoming Broadway's sixth-longest running production in history.

About Disney’s New Blu-ray™ Diamond Collection:
The new Blu-ray™ Diamond Collection represents The Walt Disney Studio’s most prestigious animated classics. The Collection will be comprised with many of Walt Disney’s most treasured animated classic titles to be released through 2016. These titles represent the highest level of picture and sound, feature groundbreaking, state-of-the-art immersive bonus content, and include unprecedented levels of interactivity, personalization and customization, made possible because of Blu-ray technology.

Honest confession:

Beauty and the Beast is my second favorite Disney film of all time. The only one above it, for me, is The Little Mermaid. So you can imagine how extremely stoked I was to see that my beloved movie was being re-released as a Disney Diamond Edition. I eagerly tore open my copy as soon as it arrived and have watched it at least four times since then.

There is nothing, NOTHING, like the music in this film. When I was a Senior in High school my chorus sang, "Be Our Guest" and it was so much fun. I remember it so fondly and was so very happy to share this fantastic movie with my own children. This edition that I received was particularly amazing; a 3-Disc combo pack which includes 2 Blu-ray's AND the DVD version of the version. As Disney is known for, we also get never-before-seen deleted scenes and also a never-before-seen alternate opening as well as music videos, audio commentary, and games. The bonus features are some of the best ever (and that's really saying a lot, as Disney always has awesome bonus features). You get three versions of the movie (the original movie, the extended edition and a storyboard version). There is a sing-along mode, which I very much enjoyed (much to the dismay of my preteens) and a special "making of" the movie entitled "Beyond Beauty". The "Broadway Beginnings" appealed to my chorus loving daughter but she had a little trouble with the interactive game.

The movie is gloriously restored (and it was amazing before!) a will be on my rotation of favorites forever. This would be a fantastic Christmas present for a special little gal (or big gal, like me!) in your life.

Disney's Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue

2010-09-29T23:50:00.000-07:00

What would you do if you met a fairy? Witness the historic moment when Tinker Bell first meets a human being, and it’s not who you think.

Years before meeting Wendy and the Lost Boys, Tinker Bell met Lizzy, a little girl with a steadfast belief in the power of pixie dust and the magic land of fairies. During the fairies’ summer visit to the flowering meadows of England, two very different worlds unite for the first time and Tink develops a special bond with a curious child in need of a friend. As her fellow fairies launch a daring rescue, Tinker Bell takes a huge risk, putting her own safety and the future of all fairykind in jeopardy.

Experience Disney’s astonishing all-new movie about the true power of faith and friendship. Bursting with excitement and imagination, Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue is magical entertainment for the whole family. You might even learn to fly.

I love Tinker Bell and I found this movie extremely charming. I had never heard of it before receiving it for review (which made me wonder why? Was this released in movie theaters and I just didn't realize it? It was certainly of the quality that I would expect of a big-screen movie production) and I found it to be very entertaining and fun.

This is a "kid movie", overall, but it was also very enjoyable for me. Thus far, I believe this is my favorite of the recent Tinker Bell movies (I understand there is a new one coming, though, so maybe I'll like that one!). I loved the special bond that Tinker Bell had with Lizzy and I loved how Lizzy believed so strongly in fairies. The characters were well done and even though the story line was fairly predictable, it was still extremely enjoyable and very well done. And I loved the deleted scenes (I always do!).

I would recommend this for younger girls, but my entire family liked it very much and we can't wait for the next installment!

The Last Song

2010-08-27T03:29:00.000-07:00

The Last Song, a coming of age love story, from best-selling novelist and screenwriter Nicholas Sparks (Dear John and The Notebook) comes to Blu- ray Hi-Def Combo Pack and DVD editions on August 17, 2010 from Touchstone Home Entertainment.

Bonus features include filmmaker commentary, making of the Miley Cyrus
music video “When I Look At You,” deleted scenes, set tour and alternate opening sequence.

Miley Cyrus ("Hannah Montana," Hannah Montana: The Movie) and Greg Kinnear (Oscar®
nominee, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, As Good As It Gets, 1997, Little Miss Sunshine, You've Got Mail) star as an estranged father and daughter in this year's most heartwarming love story. Bobby Coleman (Take, Martian Child), Liam Hemsworth (Knowing), Hallock Beals, Kelly Preston (Jerry Maguire, The Cat in the Hat), Stephanie Leigh and Nick Searcy (Castaway, The Ugly Truth) round out the cast. Directed by Julie Ann Robinson ("Grey's Anatomy," "Big Love"), The Last Song is set in a small Southern beach town where father and daughter reconnect with the help of their shared love for music. The journey is complete with discoveries of friendship,
first love and second chances.

Bonus Features for The Last Song:

• Set Tour with Bobby Coleman – Audiences will have an all access pass to see how a
film is made through the eyes of the new up-and comer and star of The Last Song,
Bobby Coleman. This rambunctious eight-year old will bring his fans along as he
does everything from interview Adam Shankman and Miley’s security team, to
going on a seashell scavenger hunt.

• Making of the Music Video, “When I Look At You” with Miley Cyrus – Go behind-
the-scenes of the music video, “When I Look At You”. It will feature recording studio footage, b-roll from the set, interviews with Miley and crew, clips from the film and music video. Audiences will learn how the film’s motif, southern summer romance, is incorporated into feel and theme of the music video.

• Miley Cyrus Music Video: “When I Look At You”

Blu-Ray Exclusive
-Alternate Opening Sequence: The Church Fire (With optional commentary by director)
-Deleted Scenes (With optional commentary by director)
-Ronnie At The Piano
-Steve & Ronnie At The Beach
-Hospital Montage
-Vegan Cookies
-Juggling On The Pier
-Audio Commentary– with Director Julie Anne Robinson and Co-Producer Jennifer
Gibgot.

At its heart, The Last Song is a poignant journey for a father (Greg Kinnear ) and daughter (Miley Cyrus) who have lost touch with each other and are struggling to find a way back. At the same time, it explores the uncharted territory of young love, as the emotionally closed off Ronnie begins to let down her guard with a boy (Liam Hemsworth) she meets during summer vacation.

Shocking confession here: I've never read any of the Nicholas Sparks books. Never even picked one of them up, to tell you the truth.

I know, I know. Surprising, right? Especially considering how much I read.

I thought this was probably an advantage, though, as I reviewed this movie. See, when there is a movie based upon a book? I almost always like the book better. Then I feel like I can't be fair to the movie. And I'm all about being fair.

I have since learned that Nicholas Sparks actually wrote the screenplay before he wrote the book. So there you go. I could have been fair either way!

I figured this would be your typical chick flick, but it really wasn't. It was a strong story line (love! cancer! estrangement!) and I was really surprised that Miley Cyrus played the dramatic role of Ronnie as well as she did. I understand that Sparks always saw her as the lead role, so it makes sense that she played it well, but as someone who is used to seeing her in more campy roles (Hannah Montana), it was surprising to see her range.

Is it formulatic? A bit. That doesn't mean it wasn't well-acted, heartfelt, and a real tear-jerker. In short, a great movie for everyone. Not just tween girls.

James and the Giant Peach!

2010-08-09T04:27:00.000-07:00

In an all-new digitally restored special edition from Tim Burton, the acclaimed director of Alice In Wonderland, comes the astounding film that captured the hearts of fans and critics all across the world. Inspired by Roald Dahl’s beloved children’s book, Burton, Denise Di Novi and director Henry Selick combine a fascinating mix of live-action, stop-motion animation and computer-generated special effects to create a world beyond your imagination in this new Special Edition DVD.

After the daring rescue of a spider, a young boy named James finds gains possession of some magic crocodile tongues. When James spills them in the garden, out sprouts an enormous peach! Climbing inside, he meets an astonishing cast of characters and embarks on a magical odyssey full of thrills and adventure. Voiced by an all-star cast, including legendary actors Richard Dreyfuss, Susan Sarandon, Simon Callow and Jane Leeves, and featuring the celebrated music of Randy Newman, this classic story is delicious entertainment for the whole family!

Ronald Dahl is one of my favorite authors of all time and I'm so pleased that my children also love his books. Rarely do I enjoy a movie as much as I did a book, but this one was pretty awesome and stayed mostly true to the story (as I remember it anyway). Tim Burton was involved, so you know it has to be a little wacky.

There were some great bonus features on this movie:
• Spike the Aunts Interactive Game – New BD Exclusive! Inspired by the game that plays after the end movie credits, try your hand at spiking the evil aunts with the rhino and ring up major points!

• Production Featurette – A look at the making of the film.

• “Good News” Music Video performed by Randy Newman

• Still Frame Gallery

• Original Theatrical Trailer

I know I am a major nerd, but I always enjoy the "making of" parts of the bonus features. I love to see how movies are made!

This is for sure a family-friendly film, even though there are some dark moments (the kid is treated pretty horribly by his evil Aunts), but as it usually does with Disney movies, it all works out in time.

If you love Disney or Ronald Dahl, you'll love this movie!

Lysol Giveaway!

2010-06-08T14:58:00.000-07:00

Recently I got some cool products and information from Lysol. Here is what they sent me:

Allergy flare-ups are often attributed to the allergens outside your front door. However, did you know that the same allergens are found on surfaces inside 75 million homes across America? According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), some of the most common indoor allergens, include dust mites, mold and household pets.

Some easy ways to reduce allergy suffering in the home include:

·Reduce Pet Dander - Decrease your exposure to pet dander by keeping your pet out of your bedroom, since this is typically the room in which people spend a majority of their time.
(The Ging stays out of our bedroom, but my goodness does she have a lot of dander! It's so sad when you fall in love with a long-haired dog!)

·Wrap Things Up - Put fabric covers over common dust mite hideouts such as pillows, mattresses and sofa cushions and wash bedding often.

·Clear the Air - Prevent pollen from entering your home by keeping windows and doors closed during peak allergy season (which is pretty much every day in Knoxville!). Air filters are also considered useful for helping clear the air of lingering allergens triggers.

·Wipe Down Surfaces- Be sure to frequently clean hard surfaces to get rid of allergens in your home. Use LYSOL Disinfecting Wipes to remove 90%of pollen particles and dust mite debris, in addition to killing 99.9% of illness-causing bacteria. Also use LYSOL Disinfectant Spray to kill the source of mold allergens on hard, non-porous surfaces.

·Avoid Mold Spores - To help reduce mold: use an air conditioner in humid climates and avoid the use of humidifiers in dry climates. Also, run the bathroom fan or open the window when showering.

·Talk to Your Doctor - It is important to talk to your doctor about whether or not allergy testing, medications, and/or other measures are recommended.

Here are the products they sent me to try out:

I'm pretty much in love with the disinfecting wipes. I used them for EVERYTHING. I cleaned my stove. I wiped down the door handles. I even cleaned my front door. I'm not kidding. These things are great! You can wipe up small spills, clean up the microwave if something boils over and get all the sludge out of your stove. Plus, they smell pretty nice (as far as cleaning products go) and they are really thick and strong. Loved these and they are in my regular product rotation from now on.

The disinfecting spray was also amazing. My absolute favorite use was to keep my trashcans smelling fresh. It worked great!

One lucky reader will win a prize pack with the items pictured above. These are full-sized products.

To win leave a comment on this blog with your email address no later than MIDNIGHT JUNE 15TH.

Receive an extra entry by linking this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter. Be sure you leave a comment with the link info!

Blog subscribers also get an extra entry! Leave me a comment to let me know you subscribe!

Winner will be notified via email. Good luck!

$10 off Alice in Wonderland!

2010-06-08T14:49:00.000-07:00

Haven't gotten your hands on your very own copy yet? Click here to get a printable coupon for $10 off the Alice in Wonderland Blue-Ray and DVD Combo pack!

Enjoy!

Starstruck: Extended Edition

2010-06-08T14:32:00.000-07:00

StarStruck, a hit Disney Channel Original Movie, will debut on DVD June 8, 2010 with more movie and music -- available in two ways: as a single DVD or a 2 disc set that includes the DVD+ Full Length Soundtrack CD. Each exciting release contains a never-before-seen exclusive extended scene and additional music with eight Rock-Along tracks and three music videos. The 2 disc set includes the DVD, plus the Walt Disney Records CD soundtrack with chart-climbing songs performed by stars Sterling Knight and Brandon Mychal Smith (“Sonny With A Chance”) among others. Both products (the DVD and 2-disc DVD+CD) will be available in stores June 8, 2010 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE).

StarStruck, a music and adventure-filled romp that hits all the right notes for kids and tweens, tells the story of Jessica Olson (Danielle Campbell, Prison Break) and her older sister Sara (Maggie Castle, Time Traveler’s Wife), who are heading to Hollywood from Kalamazoo, Michigan, on a family trip to visit their grandmother. Sara is obsessed with pop star Christopher Wilde (Sterling Knight, Sonny with a Chance) and hopes to track him down while in California, but Jessica could care less about the stuck-up star and would rather go sightseeing. When the sisters arrive in L.A. Sara takes Jessica on a hunt to find Christopher and a chance meeting with the star sets off a series of comic adventures that feature many of L.A.’s landmark locations. As the sisters sightsee and spend time together, Jessica gets to know the real Christopher and soon their friendship grows. Ultimately Christopher must decide what is more important -- being himself or becoming a movie star. Disney Channel stars Brandon Mychal Smith (Sonny With a Chance) and Chelsea Staub (JONAS) also star as Christopher’s loyal best friend and fame- hungry girlfriend, respectively.

The ‘out of this world’ bonuses featured on the StarStruck: Extended Edition DVD include:
• Extended version of the movie - only available on DVD
• More Music with eight Rock-Along tracks to sing-along with!
• Three Hot Music Videos

StarStruck was #1 in its time slot among kids ages 6-11 and tweens ages 9-14, and was the most watched February original movie premiere in total viewers. StarStruck: The Extended Edition DVD is the only way to get the exclusive content not aired on TV. A modern day Cinderella story, StarStruck promotes strong messages about honesty, humility, self-acceptance, and strength of character.

I kind of love modern-day Cinderella stories and this one was pretty cute. The love story was believable and very sweet.

While it's a fairly typical Disney story, it's very watchable. The actors are quite talented and we all really enjoyed the musical scenes.

Here's a bonus clip you might enjoy:

If you like Sonny with a Chance (I'm a fan. I admit it), you'll enjoy seeing Sterling Knight and Brandon Mychal Smith in this movie. Check it out!

Kraft First Taste!

2010-05-23T03:43:00.000-07:00

Do you like to be the first to try new things? Do you LOVE free stuff? Then you need to join Kraft First Taste! It's free to join, they have a really cool community, and you can get coupons for free products!

I've recieved numerous coupons for Kraft products (including 200 calorie DiGornio Pizza. Yum!) and met some really nice people. And did I mention it's free? I love free!

I was in not asked nor was I compensated by Kraft for this review. I just really love First Taste. You will too!

Avatar

2010-05-22T03:27:00.000-07:00

A reluctant hero. An epic journey. A choice between the life he left behind and the incredible new world he’s learned to call home. Return to James Cameron’s Avatar — the greatest adventure of all time.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment announced that James Cameron’s phenomenal epic AVATAR became the best selling Blu-ray of all time after just four days in stores, with an astonishing 2.7 million units sold in North America alone. AVATAR Blu-ray sales crushed the previous record of 2.5 million units.

Retail sales of AVATAR Blu-ray and DVD Discs have exceeded 6.7 million units since its launch last Thursday, on pace to be the best selling title in recent history.

The extraordinary initial sales for AVATAR are clearly a game changer for the Blu-ray format. Blu-ray players for the first time are surpassing DVD players at retail outlets across the country as fans are upgrading their systems to experience the best picture and sound quality available.

The ultimate high definition experience for home viewing audiences, the April AVATAR Blu-ray and DVD release features the film and corresponding menu, utilizing the disc’s entire storage space in order to provide the highest quality picture and sound. An action-adventure journey of self-discovery that dramatically demonstrates how human invasion almost destroys the balance of life on the planet Pandora, the Oscar® and Golden Globe®-winning AVATAR is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in over $2.7 billion in worldwide box office. Written by James Cameron and produced with his long-time collaborator Jon Landau, AVATAR stars Sam Worthington, Zoë Saldana, Sigourney Weaver, Stephen Lang, Michelle Rodriguez, Giovanni Ribisi, Joel David Moore, CCH Pounder, Wes Studi and Laz Alonso.

What can be said about this movie except that I am STUNNINGLY DISAPPOINTED I didn't get to see it in the 3-D. No, I did not expect the DVD to be in 3-D (and I have to admit that I chuckled everytime I saw that in print because I honestly never thought anyone honestly expectd a DVD to be in 3-D. I mean I guess I was wrong, but I still thought it was funny). I'm disappointed that I didn't get to the movie theater in time to see this on the big screen in 3-D. It was one of the most amazing and different movies I've ever seen.

I thought the quality of the movie was absolutely amazing, even though I didn't get to see it in 3-D (giggle). The picture and sound were both sharp and clear. Like looking through a window and sitting right next to the person speaking. We turned on the surround sound and the room was filled. It was awesome.

The movie is awesome and I generally don't go for fantasy movies. I loved this though!

THE GREAT MOUSE DETECTIVE: Mystery in the Mist Edition

2010-04-22T04:29:00.001-07:00

The game is afoot! The world’s greatest sleuth dons his miniature deerstalker hat and puts his extraordinary deductive ability into animated action when The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery in the Mist Edition comes to DVD on April 13, 2010 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. In the greatest little mystery in Disney history, the renowned Basil of Baker Street takes on his archenemy, the evil genius Dr. Ratigan, and this time the battle is for the entire city of London! With fresh and exciting bonus features, The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery in the Mist Edition will thrill audiences with an exciting game of “mouse and mouse” that’s not elementary by a long shot!

Inspired by the adventures of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s brilliant detective Sherlock
Holmes, The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery in the Mist Edition marks the directing
debut of now legendary filmmakers Ron Clements and John Musker, creators of such
Disney animated blockbusters as The Princess and the Frog, The Little Mermaid and
Aladdin. As Basil sniffs out one clue after another with unmatched ingenuity, kids and adults will delight in a heartwarming and suspenseful adventure that goes from Baker Street to the tower of Big Ben in the charmingly downsized London of Mousedom. An intriguing mystery, spectacular animation and unforgettable characters make The Great Mouse Detective: Mystery in the Mist Edition a devilishly clever family gift!

Viewers can test their own powers of deduction and go behind the scenes of the movie
with bonus features that include:
• So You Think You Can Sleuth? — An animated look at the history of detective
work, complete with a crime-solving puzzle for the entire family.
• The Making Of “The Great Mouse Detective”
• “The World’s Greatest Criminal Mind” Sing-Along Song

When talented toymaker Hiram Flaversham is mousenapped, his winsome daughter
Olivia turns to the most famous mouse detective of them all, Basil of Baker Street.
Accompanied by his assistant and confidante, Dr. David Q. Dawson, Basil uncovers a
villainous plot by the “slimy, contemptible sewer rat” Dr. Ratigan to replace Moustoria, Queen of Mice, with a look-alike robot and take control of the entire rodent population of London. Based on Eve Titus's book Basil of Baker Street, The Great Mouse Detective channels the spirit of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's most famous creation into a richly animated, Sherlock Holmsian tale set in Victorian-era London’s underground mouse kingdom.

This is probably one of Disney's most underrated movies. I remember seeing it back in the late 1980's when I was just a kid and it's one of those classics that you just don't forget. It's not just a movie for kids...in fact, I think I enjoyed it more as an adult because I could appreciate the mystery plot. It's not just a bunch of cartoon mice running around doing zany things for a cheap laugh. There are well-written characters and a real, strong plot here and no excessive cheese factor (pun intended).

As with a lot of the current Disney releases the Bonus features pretty much rock out loud. I got the entire gang playing along with "So you think you can sleuth" and we laughed the whole time. I love when movies give you not only entertainment but a chance to test your brain power.

If you haven't seen this movie, you should! Even those of you without kids will love it.

The Princess and the Frog

2010-03-26T13:18:00.000-07:00

Tiana, the ninth and newest enchanting addition to the legendary lineage of Disney Princesses, makes her home entertainment debut in a rollicking Big Easy-style fairy tale when The Princess and the Frog arrives on Blu-ray Combo Pack and DVD on March 16, 2010 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

A timeless heroine in the tradition of Snow White, Ariel, Jasmine and the rest of the beloved royal sisterhood, Tiana comes to life with classic hand-drawn Disney animation from the revered team of John Musker and Ron Clements (Aladdin, The Little Mermaid) and a jazz-infused musical score from Academy Award® winning composer Randy Newman (Best Original Song, Monsters, Inc., 2001). A royal procession of exclusive bonus features, including games and specially- created featurettes, take viewers on a once-in-a-lifetime tour of the storied French Quarter of New Orleans and into the magic-steeped bayou for hours of can’t-miss family entertainment.

The Princess and the Frog transports audiences to glorious, glamorous New Orleans as Tiana, the first African American Disney princess meets her frog prince and gives him the fateful kiss that leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the mystical, magical bayous of Louisiana. The Princess and the Frog’s colorful cast of one-of-a-kind new characters joyfully raises the roof, with voice performances from stars including Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical, 2004,“Caroline, or Change”), Keith David (Crash), Jenifer Lewis (“Strong Medicine”), Jim Cummings (“Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”), Michael- Leon Wooley (Ghost Town), Bruno Campos (“Nip/Tuck”), Peter Bartlett (The Producers), Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow), Jennifer Cody (Broadway’s “Shrek: The Musical”), Oprah Winfrey and John Goodman (Monsters, Inc.).

Bonus Features

The single disc DVD comes with these exciting bonus features:

• Deleted Scenes

• Audio Commentary by John Musker and Ron Clements (co-writers and directors) and Peter Del Vecho (producer)

• “Never Knew I Needed”- Music video by Ne-Yo

Games and Activities

• What Do You See: Princess Portraits — A bayou-style quiz tests viewers’ knowledge of all of
Disney’s beautiful princesses. Ray’s firefly family creates twinkling portraits of each princess and if the player correctly identifies her, they can enjoy a tongue-cheek mini re-telling of that character’s story.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack edition comes with additional bonus features, including:
Backstage Disney
• Magic In The Bayou: The Making of A Princess — Co-writers and directors John Musker and Ron Clements take a freewheeling, behind-the-scenes look at the making of Disney’s newest animated film as it grows from an initial concept to a lavish animated film set in the enchanting world of New Orleans and the surrounding bayous.
• The Return To Hand Drawn Animation
• The Disney Legacy
• Disney’s Newest Princess
• The Princess and the Animator
• Conjuring The Villain
• A Return To The Animated Musical
• Bringing Life to Animation with an introduction by John Musker and Ron Clements.
• Deleted Scenes introduced by the filmmakers
• Art Galleries — A collection of storyboard art traces the visual development of The Princess and the Frog’s rich gallery of characters and settings.

With extravagant musical numbers, stunningly realized settings and gorgeously rendered costumes, The Princess and the Frog serves up an experience Richard Corliss of Time calls “A start-to-finish delight.”

Magic, music and romance are waiting around every corner of the legendary Big Easy as Disney’s newest princess sets out on an exciting adventure through a magical new world. Tiana (voiced by Anika Noni Rose) is a beautiful and hardworking young woman determined to fulfil her father’s dream of owning an elegant New Orleans supper club. When Naveen (Bruno Campos), a handsome prince arrives in town looking for romance, the evil Dr. Facilier (Keith David) hatches a nefarious plot and turns Naveen into a frog. A kiss from Tiana should return him to his true form, but in a hilarious twist on the classic story, she is instead transformed into a frog herself! The pair must travel into the heart of the mysterious Louisiana bayou with only a trumpet-playing alligator and a love-struck firefly as guides to find the priestess who can reverse the curse in order to find their “happily ever after.”

This movie is old-school Disney. Beautiful, memorable hand-drawn animation, fantastic songs, and an absolutely classic story. This is my favorite movie since The Little Mermaid and I was obsessed with Ariel and Prince Eric. (And yes, I was in high school when it came out. Shut up)

I especially loved the story. You can't just wish upon a star and get what you want. There are no Princes with pretty, pretty dresses to support you. Tiana, our heroine is hardworking and poor...and wants to start her own business. She is the Disney Princess that I wish I had when I was a little girl, and that I was thrilled to be able to share with my daughter...the girl didn't need to be rescued! I loved Charlotte, even if she was a spoiled brat and I loved Prince Naveen.

I've never been to New Orleans, but I felt like I had after watching this movie. This is definitely one to add to your collection.

And just for fun...a Disney Princess montage! Enjoy!

Hannah Montana: Miley Says Goodbye?

2010-03-17T04:10:00.000-07:00

Growing up means becoming more responsible, and Miley (Miley Cyrus) and her brother Jackson (Jason Earles) face some difficult, life-changing decisions in the final six episodes of the third and penultimate season of Hannah Montana. "You Never Give Me Money" finds Jackson pleading for a later curfew and Miley angling for a raise in her allowance, but when puppy-dog eyes and begging don't seem to convince their dad (Billy Ray Cyrus), Jackson and Miley discover that acting responsibly might just do the trick. Hannah has to stand up to her father and a crazy choreographer in "Papa's Got a Brand New Friend," and in "Promma Mia," she has to choose between singing a duet with David Archuleta and keeping her word to a geeky classmate. "He Could Be the One" chronicles Hannah's simultaneous infatuation with Jake and fellow band member Jesse and her turmoil over deciding which boy to date. In the end, it's Miley's departed mother that helps Miley realize that true happiness can only be found by following her heart. This episode is punctuated by a multitude of hilarious musical interludes performed by Jackson and Rico (Moises Arias) in a range of musical styles, including a Scottish jig, a Caribbean song, a Broadway duet, and even a disco number. The surprisingly moving two-part episode "Miley Says Goodbye?" may just signal the end of an era for Hannah Montana fans as Miley struggles to decide whether to remain in Hollywood or return to her home town of Crowley Corners, Tennessee. While Miley can't imagine moving away from her close friends Lilly (Emily Osment) and Jackson (Mitchel Musso), she misses her horse Blue Jeans, her family, and her life in the country. After some bizarre dreams in which Miley's horse pleads with her to come home, Miley again realizes that only by listening to what's in her heart can she figure out which course of action will make her happy. Only one question remains: how will her friends and family feel about her decision?
The Hannah Montana television series has consistently done a good job of portraying the joys and difficulties of growing up, and these final episodes of the third season do not disappoint. Bonus features include an alternate ending to "He Could Be the One"; "Sister Secrets," which features eight minutes of cast interviews by Miley Cyrus's real-life sister Brandi Cyrus; and a rendition of the episode "You Never Give Me Money," with more pop-up trivia than one would imagine possible. Viewers can only guess at what the final season of Hannah Montana will bring- Amazon.com.

Bonus Features include:
He Could Be The One, Alternate Ending
Hannah's Highlights: You Never Give Me My Money Episode
Sister Secrets: Miley's Real-Life Sister Reveals Another Side Of Miley!

I have to admit that this video was totally not what I was expecting. First of all, I was expecting it to be a movie. Why? I have no idea. But for some reason I didn't realize it was actual episodes of the Hannah Montana show. I also thought this would be the final time we would see the Hannah Montana character, but everything I am reading online seems to indicate that there will be at least another season of this show, much to the delight of young girls everywhere.

This DVD includes six episodes. The show has changed since it first appeared on the Disney channel, but that's to be expected. The kids on the show are getting older and the situations they find themselves in are more in line with what teens face in the real world today. Here are the episodes that are included (and I won't give away anything, so no spoilers!):
-You Never Give Me My Money
-Papa's Got A New Friend
-Promma Mia
-He Could Be the One
-Miley Says Goodbye? Part 1
-Miley Says Goodbye? Part 2

My favorite episode was "You Never Give Me My Money", as I think it's so difficult to teach children about finances. I also thought the two-part "Miley Says Goodbye?" was very touching...surprisingly so.

This is a great DVD for any Miley fan. Very funny, very touching and lots of great extras.

Swagbucks: A review

2010-02-11T13:18:00.000-08:00

Have you tried Swagbucks? In just about a month I've already earned 2 Amazon gift cards. I haven't done anything but searching just like I always do!

The search engine leaves a bit to be desired, but I honestly can't complain. I love gift cards and I love getting them for free.

Leave a comment if you have any question how it works. I'd be glad to help you.

Now go sign up! It's free!

Air Bud: Golden Receiver

2010-02-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

Now you can kick off all-star family fun with the heartwarming Air Bud: Golden Receiver Special Edition,featuring exclusive all-new bonus action: Sports Channel play-by-play quarterbacked by the Buddies! This time out, Buddy, the hoop-shooting, hotshot canine, tackles a new sport—football. When his teenage owner reluctantly becomes the school’s new quarterback, Buddy catches the spirit and joins the team. Soon, the two find themselves leading the Timberwolves to the state championship. But victory hopes are sidelined when two sinister Russian circus owners take a bite out of everyone’s plans and dognap Buddy for their star attraction. Give three cheers for Disney’s hilarious hit that goes the whole nine yards for outrageous fun and adventure.

Bonus Features
• The Buddies Sports Channel – Join Budderball in the broadcasting booth as he and the rest of the Buddies, B-Dawg, Mudbud, Buddha and Rosebud, review the instant replay on the amazing football career of their dad, Air Bud.
• Air Bud Sport Whistle Necklace – Exclusive on-pack while supplies last.

I have written about Air Bud before. We love this ridiculous dog and all of the funny stories!

Sequels are rarely as good as the original, but this one is an exception. It's a really cute and funny movie with a beautiful and well-mannered dog. This is a great movie if you love football or just love dogs. It's a cute movie for kids and others who are young at heart. This edition even included a sports whistle. That part made me want to scream (stuck in the house due to the bad weather), but it was still a really nice touch.

We loved it and it would make a great Valentine's gift for your little sports fan!

10 things I hate about you: Volume One

2010-01-22T14:48:00.000-08:00

From the director of the original hit movie comes the hilarious ABC Family Series 10 Things I Hate About You.
Viewers will experience the ultimate sibling rivalry with the show that Jennifer Goodwin of E! Online calls “wickedly funny, smart and sweet” and meet Kat (Lindsey Shaw) and Bianca (Meaghan Jette Martin), two very different sisters who have their own unique views on high school life and teenage love. Kat is a feisty, smart student activist who wants to stand out, and Bianca is a sweet social butterfly who just wants to fit in. Things get a lot more complicated, however, when Kat meets the mysterious Patrick Verona (Ethan Peck). Fans can experience every episode of Volume One, complete with exciting bonus features, available only on DVD.

10 Things I Hate About You is a witty and fun family comedy with something for everyone.

Bonus Features
• Bloopers
• 10 Things I Hate Vs. 10 Things I Love – The Cast Answers Crazy Questions
• Backstage Pass – Behind The Scenes With Meaghan And Lindsey
• Audio Commentaries
• Pilot Episode: Make It Or Break It

I have to admit that I was a huge fan of the movie 10 Things I hate about you with Julia Stiles and Heath Ledger before he was really famous (he didn't even come close to top billing in this movie back in 1999). Because of my love for the original movie, I didn't have high hopes for this series. It's been my experience that remakes aren't nearly as fun as the originals.

I was pleasantly surprised with this comedy. It's a typical (but not completely stereotypical) view of life in high school. It wasn't a rip-off of the original movie, which I feared. And it's not nearly as dramatic as some of the series I've watched lately. It's fun! And very funny! The characters, especially Bianca and Cameron, are very endearing.

And because I love the Bloopers, here you go!

This is one you don't want to miss. It's funny and engaging and good for the whole family.

Make it or Break it Volume One: Extended Edition

2010-01-21T17:08:00.000-08:00

How far will they go to achieve their ultimate dream? Experience the rivalry and romance of four teenage girls on their path to Olympic gold in the original ABC Family series that has fans and critics cheering all across the nation. “You’ll flip for…Make It Or Break It,” raves David Hinkley of the New York Daily News.

Who will rank #1 at Nationals and what will it take to get there? Viewers will flip for this engaging series chronicling the triumphs and heartbreaks as close friends balance their lives as high school students with the intense world of competitive gymnastics. Fans can relive the series that raises the bar on family drama, complete with a never-before-seen extended episode, and go behind the scenes to discover what it takes to perform such amazing stunts—only on DVD!
Bonus Features
• Never-Before-Seen Extended Finale
• Making It—Watch How These Stars Balance Acting With Difficult Stunts
• Deleted Scenes

I have always been ridiculously jealous of girls who could do gymnastics. As someone with the grace of a plane crash, I could never really understand how they could perform those amazing flips and twists. For that reason, I was pretty excited to watch Make it Or Break It, an ABC Family series.

The good thing about this show is that it's not totally about gymnastics. The series has a good, solid storyline, good acting, and lots of drama. The story lines center around Emily, a girl who receives an opportunity to attend a top gymnastic school ("The Rock"). Typical "new girl" angst ensues; the other girls aren't friendly, she's the daughter of a single mom and her brother is disabled. I enjoy stories about underdogs and Emily fits the bill. She's the type of character I enjoyed when I was a kid and I want my own kids to relate to.

This is a family series and a great show to inspire kids to keep trying, even when life isn't easy. And the gymnastics are really cool to watch.

Kyle XY: The Complete Third and Final Season

2010-01-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

Action, mystery and suspense reach an all-new level in ten stunning original episodes of Kyle XY. Go to the
next stage as Kyle (Matt Dallas) and Jessi (Jaimie Alexander) begin to work as a team and uncover the secrets of their origin. Kyle’s world is turned upside-down when his powers suddenly disappear, and he’s in for another surprise when Amanda (Kirsten Prout) comes home with an unexpected question. As one woman in Kyle’s life arrives, another must say goodbye – though Jessi assures him they will always be connected. Meanwhile, the prom is fast approaching, and Kyle wants his night with Amanda to be perfect. After a dance neither of them will ever forget, Kyle comes face-to-face with the ultimate mystery. Experience every twist and turn on three discs, including never-before-seen bonus features. You don’t know the whole story until you’ve seen Kyle XY: The Complete Third and Final Season.

Bonus Features
• Kyle XY: Future Revealed – A look at what would have happened in Season 4
• Deleted Scenes
• Audio Commentaries

(First thought? The dude has no belly button. That freaks me out just a little. I can't help it.)

Kyle XY is a show about a boy who was found in the woods in Seattle, lost and naked. He wanders into a nearby town and is picked up by the police. Kyle has no memories...of anything. Kyle XY follows the developments between Kyle and his adopted family as they begin to try to figure out his past.

This is a science-fictiony kind of series, except it's kind of not at the same time. Because it deals with real life teen-age issues as well. It's a show that's good for families because no matter how into the "issues" they get, the parents and family are still central to the story.

I've seen this show a few times since it came on in 2006 (mostly because my niece liked it...or at least thought the star was really cute!) but was somehow unaware that this was the final season until I received this DVD. I won't give away what happens, but I will admit to feeling a little confused still.

Overall, a good DVD and an interesting series. I wish they hadn't cancelled it.

The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Volume 3

2009-12-31T14:45:00.000-08:00

The teen drama that has everyone talking is better than ever in its inspiring third season. Rediscover all the excitement and emotion of The Secret Life of the American Teenager, the critically acclaimed original ABC Family series. It’s a whole new school year as Amy (Shailene Woodley) tries to juggle motherhood, school, work and family, and Grace (Megan Park) and Jack (Greg Finley) take their relationship to the next level. Don’t miss this “top-flight series,” raves the New York Post. Experience every episode of Season 3, complete with revealing bonus features, including a behind-the-scenes look at the cast and an exclusive sneak peek at Season 4 —available only on DVD!
Bonus Features
• Hat Chat – Cast members Shailene, Daren, Ken, Megan, Greg, Francia and India answer crazy questions they draw from a hat. Yes, a hat.
• Sneak Peek of Season 4
• Make It Or Break It – Pilot Episode

You know I love a good "viewer discretion advised" program, so this show seemed like it would be right up my alley. The secret focus is a teen girl named Amy, her unexpected pregnancy, and her family, their relationships and friends. Plus I heard that Molly Ringwald was in it (she's Amy's mom) and I adore her, so it was already a win even before watching it.

Isn't she adorable even now? I'm never tired of her.

I hadn't seen the series before now, so I feel like I should have already know a lot of things. Overall, I really enjoyed the shows. I sometimes felt like the character of Amy was unrealistic, but then I remembered that this is a teenager and a teenage character. Teenagers ARE often unrealistic and whiny about things. I snorted when she complained about being a teen mom and missing out on everything...that's just one of those sacrifices of motherhood, right? Of course most teenagers probably wouldn't get the ramifications. Also, this does seem like a very "small town" kind of show...everyone is everyone's business. I'm not sure teenagers would care that much about someone's dad's vasectomy. But it does make for addictive television.

I did let my children watch some of these episodes, as I do think it's important to point out to them at every available opportunity that getting pregnant at a young age is something you DO NOT WANT TO DO. If you have younger kiddos, you might want to take precautions when watching this- it's rated TV14 and they do talk about sex and sexual topics frequently. It's a show that could be used as a teaching tool for kids if you watch it with them and discuss it. I probably wouldn't just let them watch it alone, though.

If you'd like to get caught up on the series ABC family is airing a marathon on January 3rd and 4th. Check it out!

Family Guy Presents: Something Something Something Dark Side

2009-12-24T08:12:00.001-08:00

A long time ago, in a Cineplex not too far away, one of the greatest movies was unleashed upon the universe. It’s a dark time for the rebellion but the future has never been brighter for “Family Guy” and Star Wars fans when “Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side”arrives exclusively on two-disc Blu-ray (BD) with Digital Copy and DVD December 22 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The second DVD premiere feature from the creators of “Family Guy” after 2005’s enormously popular Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story, and a follow-up to the 2008 Star Wars spoof “Blue Harvest,” this time around the Griffin clan packs light saber sharp wit as they parody the classic sequel The Empire Strikes Back. Luke (Chris), Leia (Lois), Han Solo (Peter) and Chewbacca (Brian) have evaded the dreaded Imperial Starfleet led by the cunning, conniving and curiously short evil lord Darth Vader (Stewie), setting up a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth. With the rebellion in trouble, young Skywalker must take the advice of his late, and rather lascivious, mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Herbert) and learn the ways of the “farce” under Jedi Master Yoda (Carl) to save the galaxy once and for all. “Family Guy” proves that even in the far reaches of space, the dark side can be much lighter!

“Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” Synopsis
The story of The Empire Strikes Back is retold. Darth Vader (Stewie) is hunting the rebel Luke Skywalker (Chris) and his troops relentlessly across the galaxy. On the ice planet Hoth, Luke has a vision of his late mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Herbert), telling him to go to the Dagobah system to learn the ways of the Force under Jedi Master Yoda (Carl). Meanwhile Princess Leia (Lois) finds herself taking a shine to the scruffy pilot Han Solo (Peter) and, against all odds, the two soon fall in love. But an encounter with Han’s old friend Lando Calrissian (Mort) lands them in the clutches of the Empire. Envisioning this, Luke chooses to forgo his Jedi training to save his friends. It all comes to a head in a climactic confrontation with Darth Vader himself…

Two-Disc Blu-ray With Digital Copy Specs:
The “Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” BD is presented in full screen 4x3 aspect ratio featuring English 5.1 Dolby Surround, Line 21, English for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, English, Spanish, and French stereo and subtitles. Special features include:
• Digital Copy
• Audio Commentary
• Deleted Scenes
• Behind-The-Scenes Featurette – “The Dark Side of Poster Art”
• Animatics
• Pop-Up Video

I was seriously so geeked to get this that when I got home yesterday and it was on my doorstep I threw the door open, dropped everything in my hands, and RAN (literally RAN) to get my scissors go I could rip into this package.

Have I mentioned I'm a huge Family Guy fan? Because that's probably an important part of this story.

Also? I'm a huge Star Wars geek. Which just makes this obsession even worse.

Anyway, we own Blue Harvest and have watched it countless times, so when I heard about this DVD I couldn't wait to watch this hilarious parody.

And it was HILARIOUS. I laughed out loud so many times. I love how they take word for word scenes from the Star Wars movies and make them uniquely "Family Guy".

I won't tell you the entire movie (although soon I'll probably be able to do so line-by-line because that's just how I am), but here were some of my favorite parts:

1) They shot this huge gun that looked like a boob. A solider ran out, rubbed the bottom of it and giggled uncontrollably. TEARS FROM LAUGHTER. Seriously.
2) Peter is Han Solo and insists everyone calls him by his codename "Carlos Spicy Wiener".
3) James Woods is in the movie. I don't care who you are, that's funny. I do wish he would have had more lines though.
4) One of the Storm Troopers says to another Storm Trooper "Have we ever hit anything with these things?" The second Storm Trooper says, "I hit a bird once".
5) "Shut up Meg". (You have to watch the show to know why this is hilarious. But it's HILARIOUS)
6) THE INJURED KNEE SCENE. I held my sides I laughed so hard.

My only wish is that Yoda (Chris' boss Carl) would have spoken like Yoda does in Star Wars. He was a good Yoda, but that would have made it funnier. I also LOVED Mort Goldman as Lando. I don't know why that worked so well, it just did.

(And my one and only warning: There is some pretty strong language in this movie. Not excessive, but it's there. So if you have little ears around remember this is a cartoon for adults not little kids)

The extras were fairly good and my favorite extra was the "Pop-Up video" feature. I pretty obsessively watched Pop-Up Videos back in the day and this was a cute and clever way to give the fans extra facts about the video.

Seriously, I would give this five stars if I could. I LOVED this DVD.

And now? I'm going to go watch it again.

Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie

2009-12-22T03:25:00.000-08:00

The most magical event of the year is now even bigger, with more thrilling adventure! Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie Extended Edition features exclusive footage, behind-the-scenes bonus and awesome extras that take you deeper into the mysterious world of wizardry! Embark on a supernaturally exciting adventure as the Russos, your favorite family of wizards-in-training, join together on a quest full of heart-stopping action and hilarious magical mishaps! While on vacation, Alex (Selena Gomez) accidentally casts a spell that threatens her family’s existence! Max (Jake T. Austin) tries to keep his parents together while Alex and Justin (David Henrie) use every trick they know as they search for the “Stone of Dreams” to reverse the spell and save their family. You won’t want to miss one extraordinary moment of this extended, magic-filled and action-packed movie!

Bonus Features
• Color-Changing Wishing Stone With Clip (Limited Time Only) included on pack
• Insider’s Exclusive – On Location! – Your Favorite Stars Reveal: Special Effects; Movie Stunts; Magical Props; Animal Actors and More!

My eleven year-old daughter is my primary viewer of movies of this type (my son likes them too, but doesn't like to admit that as he thinks they are "girly"). She's also a very literal child so once we got past the statements like, "I just don't understand why Alex wouldn't want to go on vacation! I LOVE going on vacation!" and "I don't know why she would wish her parents had never met!" she actually enjoyed the movie a lot.

This is a good family film. The concept of family of wizards is really cute and if you've ever seen the show, it's fun and fast-paced. Putting the characters in a movie allows you to get to "know" them a little better. Sure, there are still funny one-liners and physical comedy, but there were more touching moments than you would normally see in the television episodes. I liked both the parents more in this movie than in any of the episodes I had ever seen. And that Selena Gomez (Alex) is really a very talented actress! I think we will continue to see her in more and more diverse roles.

I liked this movie even more than I thought I would. You don't have to already be a Wizards of Waverly Place fan to enjoy this movie, but it's likely you will become one after watching it!

Something, something, something DARKSIDE.

2009-12-21T03:44:00.000-08:00

“Family Guy” fans and Star Wars aficionados alike, promise to have a very special holiday with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment’s limited edition “Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” Blu-ray Disc Collector’s Set – only available at Best Buy. The farce is strong for fans with this exclusive set as it includes a new specially created Lucasfilm-approved lunchbox - based on the original 1980’s fan-favorite The Empire Strikes Back box and featuring the Griffin gang – Peter as Han Solo, Lois as Princess Leia, Chris as Luke Skywalker and Brian as Chewbacca. The set also comes with a t-shirt emblazoned with “Family Guy’s” ever-popular character Ernie the Giant Chicken as Boba Fett and a Blu-ray Disc of the new feature. “’Family Guy’ and Star Wars are two franchises that continue to have fans with shared enthusiasm that is unrivaled. We wanted to create something special for them in honor of “Family Guy: Something, Something, Something Dark Side,” said Mary Daily, Executive Vice President, Marketing, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The“Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side” Blu-ray Disc Collector’s Set is available December 22, just in time for the holidays, exclusively at Best Buy. The follow up to the Star Wars spoof Blue Harvest, the saga continues in “Family Guy: Something, Something, Something, Dark Side.” Luke, Leia, Han Solo and Chewbacca have evaded the dreaded Imperial Starfleet led by the cunning, conniving and curiously short evil lord Darth Vader (Stewie), setting up a new secret base on the remote ice world of Hoth. With the rebellion in trouble, young Skywalker must take the advice of his late, and rather lascivious, mentor Obi-Wan Kenobi (Herbert) and learn the ways of the “farce” under Jedi Master Yoda (Carl) to save the galaxy once and for all.

I am SO GEEKED ABOUT THIS!!!

Awesome review and giveaway!

2009-12-18T06:44:00.000-08:00

My sweet friend CPA Mom has a really awesome review blog. Really. It rules. And so does she!

Right now she has a great review and giveaway going for Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not so Fabulous life. This looks like an IDEAL book for "tweens", so I definately entered the contest. And you can too!

But hurry! It ends tomorrow!

Cascade ActionPacs!

2009-12-16T06:49:00.000-08:00

I'm going to be honest here and admit I don't think a lot about doing dishes. I just kind of shove them into the dishwasher periodically and move on with my life.

Recently I recieved a sample of Cascade ActionPacs. I'm going to be honest again and say, I really didn't think a lot about these. When I was out of whatever detergent I had been using I opened the pack, stuck on the in the dishwasher and went on about my life.

When I opened the dishwasher, though, something seemed strange. I thought about it for a minute and realized:

There was no gunk on my cups.

I looked again and there was no gunk on my dishes. None!

I HATE having to wash dishes before I wash dishes. I HATE having to rinse my dishes after they are "clean". I didn't have to with this product.

I am SOLD on these! Anything that makes my life easier is SO worth it.

Check out these cute videos for Cascade featuring Alyson Hannigan! And check out this product too! I LOVE it!

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo Choo Express!

2009-12-08T07:54:00.000-08:00

This Yuletide season, Mickey and the Clubhouse Gang hop
aboard the Clubhouse Choo Choo Train for a holiday-filled adventure when Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Choo Choo Express comes to Disney DVD on December 1, 2009.

This animated feature includes lively original music including a new song by the kid-friendly alt-rock
band, They Might Be Giants; delightful bonus episode, Mickey’s Big Job and an interactive experience with three enjoyable ways to watch the movie.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo Choo Express stars the Fab Five: Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck and Goofy. While Professor Von Drake goes to the top of Mistletoe Mountain to create snow that never melts, the gang put together his old Clubhouse Choo Choo train. They use the train to help the professor carry back loads of his special non-melting snow so that they can build snowmen and make snow angels in the middle of summer. Mickey invites more friends to the Easy Freezy Snow Party so they can all join in on the fun. In order to get everyone out to the clubhouse, they adhere to a train schedule where different folks, including Santa and Ms. Claus, are picked up along the way at designated times. When Mickey and friends all make it back just in time for the party, Professor Von Drake presents them a gift – a golden car train – in appreciation for picking up everyone on the Clubhouse Choo Choo train.

BONUS FEATURES
Bonus Episode
Mickey’s Big Job: Willie the Giant is off to visit his Mama. Before he leaves he asks Mickey and his pals to house-sit his farm. The gang is eager to help, but Willie's "little list" of chores turns out to be a big hassle considering how small they are in the giant's home. With a big "can do" spirit, the Clubhouse gang set about the chores and all the jobs get done in time earning a mammoth thank you from Willie when he gets home.
* “Mickey’s Big Job includes 3 fun ways to watch and play using your remote control”
1. Fastplay mode – enjoy the movie without using your remote
2. Adventure mode 1 (ages 2-3) – as you watch the movie, use your remote to answer fun
questions about colors, shapes and sizes.
3. Adventure mode 2 (ages 4-5) – move to a higher level with more challenging questions using your remote.

In case it's not already extremely obvious, I absolutely love both Mickey Mouse and Christmas. Give me the two of those things combined and I pretty much lose my ever-loving mind.

I used to watch Mickey Mouse Clubhouse years ago and back then, the animation was more like the classic Disney animation. I was reintroduced to the Clubhouse through my own children who loved "Playhouse Disney" when they were a bit younger. Even now we will catch an episode via our TiVo and all seem to enjoy watching it. I believe the animation now is more geared toward the younger viewer, but it does not detract from our enjoyment of it.

The message is simplified as well...perfect for children between the ages of 2-5 (I would say birth to five, actually, as my friends very small baby seemed to be mesmerized by the screen as this video played). "They Might be Giants" sang a song called "Choo Choo Express" which is STILL IN MY HEAD (much to the dismay of my office mates. I can't sing like them!)

I had planned on giving this video to my nieces but my kids protested as they enjoyed it (and they are huge fans of Holiday movies. No idea where they get that particular trait) so we are keeping it. I was unable to get the bonus episode to play in anything other than FastPlay, but I think it's a problem with my remote and not the video itself, as I had a similar problem with another video I recently reviewed.

Overall, I found this very cute! It would be a great Holiday gift for a little one in your life!

Handy Manny: Motorcycle Adventure

2009-12-07T23:46:00.000-08:00

This holiday season, the first ever Handy Manny fulllength
story, Handy Manny: Manny’s Motorcycle Adventure is coming to Disney DVD. Available on December 1, this animated cross-country expedition features a thrilling bonus episode, A Very Handy Holiday and new music including an original new song by legendary Latin-rock band Los Lobos. In this road trip adventure, Manny decides to bring his friends and tools along for the ride to a fiesta grande – Manny’s family reunion. With everyone safely aboard his magnificent motorcycle, Manny helps the communities he passes through with fixes and repairs, and
even has time to teach Pat the hammer that families come in all shapes and sizes. With quick teamwork and clever steering, Manny manages to rescue Pat, Squeeze, and Flicker who strayed from the group and get everyone to the reunion on time to partake in the exciting family festivities.

BONUS FEATURES
Bonus Episode
A Very Handy Holiday It's the night of Kelly's Winter Holiday Party and Manny and the
tools are finishing up their holiday gift making before they go. But when a series of
emergency holiday repairs are needed all over town, their celebration plans are threatened
and the tools learn that helping others is an even better way to celebrate the holidays.
*”A Very Handy Holiday” includes 3 fun ways to watch and play using your remote
control”
1. Fastplay mode – enjoy the movie without using your remote
2. Adventure mode 1 (ages 2-3) – as you watch the movie, use your remote to answer fun
questions about colors, shapes and sizes.
3. Adventure mode 2 (ages 4-5) – move to a higher level with more challenging questions
using your remote.

Handy Manny wasn't around when my children were younger, but I really wish he was! This video was super cute and even featured a song by Los Lobos. I adore Los Lobos and think all children should know every one of their songs. Okay, maybe that's a little extreme, but the fact that they had a song on this video really added to my enjoyment.

Unfortunately I couldn't get the adventure modes to work, but I don't think it was an issue with the video. I think, instead, it was an issue with the user (read: me), as I was able to watch the video in Fastplay (I didn't have to use the remote for that). I really like holiday videos and would have been extremely bummed if I wasn't able to view it.

I can't wait to pass this one along to my nieces! If they aren't Manny fans, they will be after this!

Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws!

2009-12-01T01:09:00.000-08:00

Disney’s irresistible talking pups are back in SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS, a heartwarming, all-new holiday adventure coming to Blu-ray combo pack and DVD on November 24, 2009 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The beloved pups take a fantastic journey to the North Pole in an exciting new escapade featuring more new friends, fun, and teamwork than ever before unleashing a stocking full of holiday cheer with a fun-filled film and plenty of never-before-seen bonus material. Perfectly timed for holiday gift giving, SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS is sure to be at the top of everyone’s wish list!

Few things are more appealing, adorable and elicit bigger enthusiasm than man’s best friend. From classic Old Yeller to classy Beverly Hills Chihuahua to animated Bolt, one of Hollywood’s surest ways to delight audiences of all ages lies firmly at the feet of our four-legged friends. Since the 1997 big-screen debut of the sports-minded Golden Retriever star “Buddy,” audiences have thrilled to the high-stakes antics in the AIR BUD movie series with its fantastic sports-themed adventures including basketball, football, soccer, volleyball and even America’s national pastime – baseball!

A quintet of adorable talking puppies followed the “Bud” movies in 2006, with the highly-anticipated launch of the BUDDIES series – and a puppy craze began as AIR BUDDIES became the biggest live- action Direct-To-DVD movie of the year!

Following in those triumphant paw prints, the wise-cracking pups went North to Alaska to compete in a daring dogsled adventure, barking up yet another #1 for 2008, as SNOW BUDDIES crossed the finish line as the best-selling live-action Direct-to-DVD of all time! Released to Disney DVD in February 2009, SPACE BUDDIES sent the puppies where no dog has gone before, and rocketed another hit into the homes of millions. Now comes SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS, arriving this holiday season on Disney Blu-Ray hi-def and DVD, and sure to be their greatest and most heart warming adventure yet.

“The overwhelming success of each of our ‘Buddies’ adventures really highlights how irresistible Disney Dog movies are and what great family entertainment can be," said Bob Chapek, President, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. "SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS is destined to become a new holiday classic, securing the Buddies' place in the long lineage of Disney Dogs."

In SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS, the lovable “Buddies,” B-Dawg,
Budderball, Buddha, Mudbud, and Rosebud embark on a thrilling journey to the magical world of Santa’s Workshop. When Puppy Paws, the fun-loving son of Santa Paws, gets tired of the North Pole, he checks out Santa’s “naughty” list and finds Budderball’s name right on top. Puppy Paws heads south to meet the Buddies and find out how “ordinary” pups spend their days. But when the world begins to forget the true meaning of the holidays and the magic of the season begins to literally melt away, it’s up to Puppy Paws and his newfound Buddies to save the day in another epic adventure. Their extraordinary exploits highlight the importance of collaboration, courage and tradition in a joyous celebration of life and friendship. Sure to be a family favorite for years to come, SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS delivers enough holiday cheer to last a whole year! It’s Buddy-loving fun the whole family will enjoy again and again.

SANTA BUDDIES: THE LEGEND OF SANTA PAWS stars the voices of Tim Conway (The Carol Burnett Show), Richard Kind (A Bug’s Life, Spin City), Tom Bosley (Happy Days), Field Cate (Pushing Daises), Josh Flitter (Nancy Drew), and Skyler Gisondo (The Bill Engvall Show) and the acting talents of George Wendt (Cheers) and Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future). Robert Vince returns to produce and direct his fourth “Buddies” film.

I absolutely love dogs AND this movie!

It really probably drives my husband crazy, but I love dogs so much that I could probably watch a million movies about them. Even though I love the cartoon movies like "Bolt", I especially love to see movies with real dogs playing the starring roles. AND I adore Christmas movies and could watch them all year around, so this movie is pretty much a total win for me. The kids loved it too and it's definately found it's way into our constant-Christmas-movie-and-television-show viewing rotation for the month of December.

If you have anyone on your wish list that is a dog lover? You definately WANT this movie!

Admit it. You want it just because of this dog right here, don't you?

Only Milo

2009-11-06T02:01:00.000-08:00

I read (and write) mostly non-fiction, so I really didn't know what I would think of Only Milo. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy fiction. I just get on certain benders where I read only one thing. So sue me.

I received a copy of this book and kind of fell in love with it. It's really unlike any other book I've ever read. Even the printing is different and kind of funky.

The basic premise of the story is this: Milo is a struggling writer (holla!). He has tons and tons of writing squirreled away in his closet. He ends up becoming a ghostwriter (I won't give away the whole plot...I'm being really subtle here) and all the highs and lows that come along with this sudden success. I really can't say much more because I'll give the plot away and I don't want to do that because you really need to read this book for yourself!

I've never read another book like Only Milo. Neither have you. But you should.

And you can! I have an extra copy to give away! Enter by leaving a comment no later than November 26th!

Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed In at the House of Mouse

2009-11-05T01:16:00.000-08:00

Watch Mickey and Friends As They Get Snowed In at the House of Mouse And Learn About the True Meaning of Christmas in this full-length adventure out November 3, 2009!

This Christmas, share a hilarious and moving holiday celebration with Mickey and Minnie Mouse as they get snowed in at the House of Mouse in Disney Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse out on Disney DVD November 3, 2009.

In this full-length adventure, a huge snowstorm leaves Mickey, Minnie and many other
friends stranded leading Mickey and his guests at the House of Mouse to whip up an impromptu party that includes instilling a “Humbug”-quacking Donald Duck with the holiday spirit. Everyone shares their home movies and even grumpy Donald starts to smile when they realize the “Best Christmas of All” is the one you share with friends and family.

Disney Mickey’s Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse, which debuted in 2001, stars more than 35 Disney characters including Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, Cinderella, Ariel, Belle, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Winnie the Pooh, Tigger, Piglet,Bambi, Dumbo, The Lion King and more.

BONUS FEATURES
*Episode of animated series House of Mouse.
*The Sounds of Christmas – discover the secrets of movie sound effects with a Disney sound effects artist. This also includes a special version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas.”
*Sing-Along Songs “Deck the Halls” and “Sleigh Ride”

I love this DVD! I had originally seen it back in 2001 with my children, but they were only 3 years old at the time and couldn't remember. I couldn't wait to share it with them again. We used to be huge fans of The House of Mouse and were really disappointed when the episodes stopped coming on. One of the bonus features was an episode of the House of Mouse and I actually remembered it from seeing it years ago.

This is a Holiday classic! We've watched it three times already and I'm sure will watch it again and again during the Christmas season. You'll love it! And if you've never seen The House of Mouse? You are missing out.

Tinker Bell named Honorary UN Ambassador of Green!

2009-11-04T01:30:00.000-08:00

Disney’s Tinker Bell was named “Honorary Ambassador of Green” yesterday, October 25, 2009, by United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, Kiyo Akasaka at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. Tinker Bell was joined by voice cast Mae Whitman (Tinker Bell), Raven Symone (Iridessa), TINKER BELL AND THE LOST TREASURE director Klay Hall, producer Sean Lurie and UN delegates as they celebrated the world premiere of TINKER BELL AND THE LOST TREASURE, which arrives on DVD & Blu-ray on October 27th.

You can win a copy of Tinker Bell and The Lost Treasure! Enter by November 16th!

Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure

2009-11-03T16:13:00.000-08:00

Tinker Bell’s greatest adventure yet takes place in Autumn, as the fairies are on the mainland changing the colors of the leaves, tending to pumpkin patches, and helping geese fly south for the winter. The rare Blue Moon will rise, and when its light passes through the magical Fall Scepter that Tinker Bell has been summoned to create, Pixie Hollow’s supply of pixie dust will be restored. But when Tinker Bell accidentally puts all of Pixie Hollow in jeopardy, she must venture out across the sea on a secret quest to set things right.

Along her journey Tink meets new friends, including Blaze, a cute and courageous firefly that helps Tinker Bell complete her mission. It’s a long and dangerous journey, full of astonishing encounters, a few narrow escapes and a daring rescue by Tink’s friend Terence.

On October 27th, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment releases TINKER BELL and the LOST TREASURE on Blu-ray & DVD! It’s harvest time, and Tink is honored with the task of creating the Pixie Hollow fall scepter. After small accident on the precocious pixie’s part, Tinker Bell must set things right in Pixie Hollow by venturing far oversea on a quest! Bonus material includes deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes look at how the filmmakers transformed Florida’s Epcot Center into Pixie Hollow!

Tinker Bell is one of those Disney characters that I never felt got their appropriate props. You know what I mean? Like she was a really important character in Peter Pan, but she was still a minor character. I had never seen the first Tinker Bell movie (during which movie-goers heard Tink's voice for the first time), so I had limited expectations for this one.

I was really surprised! The movie was cute, funny, and charming. I loved all the characters (particularly Rosetta and Blaze). The storyline was good...friendship, responsibility, creativity. Everyone in the family could watch it and get a good chuckle, as well as a good lesson. And the lighting and effects in this movie are amazing!

I enjoyed this movie so much that I bought two more copies; one for a gift and one to give away here! If you'd like to win, please leave me a comment here no later than November 16th.

Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs!

2009-10-31T11:08:00.000-07:00

Get ready, for the dawn of a new age! Manny, Sid, Diego and Ellie are back for more pre-hysterical hijinks when Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs stomps onto Three-Disc Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Pack October 27 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. The third film in the outrageously popular Ice Age franchise, the sub-zero heroes return another wild and fun adventure. Scrat is still trying to nab the ever-elusive nut (while maybe finding true love); Manny and Ellie await the birth of their mini-mammoth; Diego the saber-toothed tiger wonders if he’s growing too “soft” hanging with his pals and Sid the sloth gets into trouble when he creates his own makeshift family by hijacking some dinosaur eggs. On a mission to rescue the hapless Sid, the gang ventures into a mysterious underground world, where they have some close encounters with dinosaurs, battle flora and fauna, run amuck, and meet a relentless, one-eyed dino-hunting weasel named Buck. The coolest animated comedy of the year, Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs features hilarious performances from Ice Age veterans Ray Romano (“Everybody Loves Raymond”), John Leguizamo (The Happening), Denis Leary (“Rescue Me”), Queen Latifah (The Secret Life of Bees), Seann William Scott (Planet 51) and Josh Peck (“Drake & Josh”), along with newcomers Bill Hader (Forgetting Sarah Marshall), Kristen Wiig (“Saturday Night Live”), Jane Lynch (“Glee") and Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead).

The Ice Age: Dawn Of The Dinosaurs Three-Disc release includes the BD, DVD and Digital Copy and provides hours of extra fun for the entire family including an Ice Agedigital story book maker, commentary by director Carlos Saldanha, deleted scenes, making-of featurettes, two special Scrat shorts, a how-to-draw Scrat tutorial with the filmmakers and much more.

To coincide with the release of the Ice Age 3 Dawn of the DinosaursBlu-ray disc and DVD, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for Tallest Ice Sculpture at the opening of the ice skating rink, ICE at Santa Monica.

Fun Facts:
• The Scrat Ice Sculpture will stand at 45 feet tall
• Over 133,000 lbs. of ice will be used, gathered across 4 states
• Months of preparation went into the logistics
• Artists from Blue Sky Studios developed the look of the model
• The current record for the Tallest Ice Sculpture is 40.28 feet and was achieved by Michel Amann (France) in Ski Dubai, Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 20, 2006

Additional Highlights:
• World Figure Skating Champion Randy Gardner will perform to the “Walk the Dinosaur” song featured in the film
• The one and only acorn-loving Scrat will demonstrate his own skating abilities
• Skating for the entire family, including music and many more fun activities
• ICE at Santa Monica is an 8000-square-foot outdoor ice rink in Downtown Santa Monica

WHO:
A team of 14 skilled sculptors from Ice Bulb LLC will build the world’s Tallest Ice Sculpture over a 4-day period on the ice rink at the ICE at Santa Monica. A Guinness World Records™ adjudicator will be present to oversee the attempt.

The Ice Age movies are among the funniest children's movies I have ever seen, so I was eagerly anticipating this one. My children had already seen the movie while it was in the theaters but we excited to watch it again. We were not disappointed! I love the movies because they really do have a lot of humor adults can appreciate and unlike a lot of series, this one seems to get better with every movie. Our favorite character is Scrat (and his acorn).

I also really enjoyed this movie (and the other two Ice Age movies) because of the actors! I adore Ray Romano and Dennis Leary and Queen Latifah is one of my heroes! They alone make the movie worthwhile, but there are so very many reasons you will love this movie! It would also make a great christmas gift!

Winnie the Pooh: Seasons of Giving 10th anniversary edition

2009-10-05T01:35:00.000-07:00

Ring in the season with this special 10th anniversary edition of WINNIE THE POOH: SEASONS OF GIVING -- the cherished, full-length adventure that celebrates friendship, family and the true meaning of the holidays. Join Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and Rabbit on a brave quest to find a favorite season they somehow seem to have missed -- Winter! Next, accompany them on a wild search for the perfect ingredients to create a festive Thanksgiving feast, and share in the warm glow of a Christmas that brings a surprise visit from a very special friend. Featuring beloved characters, five irrestible songs, and two new-to-DVD Pooh adventures, this fun, heartwarming Disney classic will keep the magic of the holiday season alive and sparkling the whole year long!

Bonus Features Include Pooh Adventures - First Time On DVD, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh The Magic Earmuffs, The New Adventures of Winnie the Pooh The Wishing Bear, Decorate Your Own Christmas Tree, Coloring Fun With Piglet.

Despite the fact that my kiddos were quite young when this was first available, we had never had the pleasure of watching this DVD. We all really enjoyed it, especially the songs. I found myself singing the songs to myself a few times, which was pretty hilarious considering I was singing them in the shower (okay, and maybe making up my own words a few times). The DVD also included a small collectible Christmas stocking, which my kids decided the Girl One could keep (after much discussion).

For the price, this is a great little DVD and would make a great Holiday movie for any family with kids. Or if you are a Winnie the Pooh fan of any age!

Mickey's Christmas Carol

2009-10-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

Celebrate the holidays with Mickey's Christmas Carol, a beloved classic short film that is now part of the Disney Animation Collection!
Bonus Features Include the following shorts: Mickey's Christmas Carol, Pluto's Christmas Tree, The Small One, Santa's Workshop

Mickey's Christmas Carol has been one of my favorite holiday traditions for years. I love the original Charles Dickens' tale and the retelling of it by my favorite Disney characters is pure gold. I watched it for the first time as a child and was absolutely thrilled to get to watch it with my children. They loved all four of the short films, especially Mickey's Christmas Carol and Pluto's Christmas tree.

Although it's just October, watching the video made it really feel like the holiday season in our house. I can't wait to break it out again next months...and the next!

JONAS: Rockin’ the House (Vol. 1)

2009-10-01T03:59:00.000-07:00

The latest smash-hit Disney Channel Original Series, JONAS, features America’s favorite bro trio as pop idols who tear up the stage by night, and by live at home with their parents, attend school, and do the dishes. JONAS: Rockin’ the House includes 2 World premiere never-before-seen episodes, and You’ve Been Jo Bro’d, the special surprising of Chelsea Staub.

Kevin, Nick and Joe are three guys facing the same challenges as teenagers all across America -- the only difference is they are also internationally famous rock stars in the band JONAS! Experience life through the eyes of the world's most popular trio in five episodes of JONAS on JONAS: ROCKIN' THE HOUSE. Plus, this DVD includes two full bonus episodes and premieres the exclusive You've Just Been Jo Bro'd DVD feature that takes you along with the Jonas Brothers on their laugh-out-loud mission to surprise their co-star. Get ready to see even more of your favorite Disney Channel series with JONAS: ROCKIN' THE HOUSE on DVD!

Bonus Features Include: You've Just Been Jo'Bro'd! surprising Chelsea Staub, World Premiere Episodes On DVD: Beauty And The Beat and Cold Shoulder

My daughter is not a squeelie kind of girl, so she doesn't freak out about the Jonas Brother's the way a lot of girls her age seem too. She does, however, appreciate television. And movies. And pretty much anything related to music. Thus, she really enjoyed this DVD.

These boys are cute. They are funny. They have real acting ability and are so wholesome you could sop them up and eat them with a biscuit. I do not feel I have to monitor every second of what is going on while my daughter watches the shows, and that is a huge plus. My son (fraternal twin to my daughter) even enjoyed the Pizza Girl song (but you probably wouldn't get him to admit it).

This is a cute DVD. Lots of zany antics and lots of laughs.

I'm liking these JoBro's more and more. Probably not going to get a poster for my bedroom wall, but I really like them.

Well maybe I will. But my husband wouldn't like it.

Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana!

2009-09-30T01:16:00.000-07:00

Three worlds collide when the casts of Wizards of Waverly Place, The Suite Life on Deck, and Hannah Montana come together for one zany teen cruise on the S.S. Tipton. WIZARDS ON DECK WITH HANNAH MONTANA bonus features include exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and hilarious cast bloopers.

Climb on board for fun on the high seas as three favorite Disney Channel shows come together in Wizards On Deck With Hannah Montana! The S.S. TIPTON embarks on a triple-length comedy crossover event when Justin (David Henrie) wins a Teen Cruise to Hawaii—and a chance to meet London (Brenda Song). Both Justin and Max (Jake T. Austin) do their best to win the heiress’s affection, while Cody (Cody Sprouse) tries to win concert tickets for Bailey (Debby Ryan), and Alex (Selena Gomez) accuses Zack (Dylan Sprouse) of being a prankster. Between the kids’ pranks (who turned Justin blue?!) and crazy schemes (Alex sneaks Harper [Jennifer Stone] on board to take her make-up science class?!), the excitement goes overboard when international superstar Hannah Montana (Miley Cyrus) checks in on her way to a sold-out concert in Hawaii. But when Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) loses her lucky charm anklet and her Hannah wig, are her days as the world’s biggest pop star over forever? It’s all here in Wizards On Deck With Hannah Montana with three times the fun and triple the laughs. Plus, this new full-length adventure includes exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, hilarious cast bloopers and more!

Bonus Features
• Justin’s Award-Winning Essay – Watch the essay video that got Justin and his siblings on the S.S. TIPTON Teen Cruise!
• It’s A Suite Life Having Fun With Hannah & The Wizards – Hilarious bloopers and backstage interviews with the stars!

This was a very cute cross-over movie from Disney. The show I was least familiar with was Wizards of Waverly Place, and I've now added it to the TiVo rotation so we can check it out. This is a very typical Disney tween comedy, but hey. I've got tweens. This is what we watch and this is what we like. It's good for the whole family and hilarious...you can't beat that!

And of course, I have to share my favorite part...the bloopers!

Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana is a really cute movie! I highly recommend it if you have a Miley Cyrus fan in your house.

Marvel X-MEN Vol. 3 and 4

2009-09-24T03:39:00.000-07:00

X-MEN!!

It really always amazes me when my kid's pick up on something I love. I don't know why...we share DND and sometimes a brain. Still, I was pretty stoked when the Boy Child saw these X-MEN DVD's and said, "AWWWW YEAH!" Granted, I wasn't a child when these came out. This was more my early-college-years-dating-slacker-avoiding-homework-viewing pleasure. And what a pleasure it was.

Released on September 15th, Volume 3 has 15 complete episodes including the 4 part "Dark Phoenix" saga during which the Dark Phoenix inhabits the body of Jean Grey and the two part Savage Land, Strange Heart.

Volume 4 has 14 complete episodes, including the 4 part "Beyond Good and Evil" (which is BEYOND AWESOME). And! "Have yourself a Morlock Little Christmas"! Crazy how I remember that one from when I saw it on Fox Kids years ago. Also, I love the cover art on Volume 4, don't you?

I'm so glad I got to share these DVD's with the Boy Child. Your son would probably like them too! So go on...relieve your childhood (or early adulthood, in my case)!

Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season

2009-09-23T03:23:00.000-07:00

GREY’S ANATOMY:
THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON

On DVD September 15, 2009

The hottest doctors on television experience some of the most important
moments of their lives in Grey's Anatomy: The Complete Fifth Season, on DVD from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The seven-disc DVD set includes every
episode from season five of the ABC hit series plus one full disc of exclusive bonus features including bloopers, deleted scenes, cast interviews, extended episodes and cast interviews.

The Complete Fifth Season of ABC’s irresistible medical drama Grey’s Anatomy is full of life-changing surprises for the committed young doctors of Seattle Grace Hospital. The award-winning ensemble created by cast shines through heart-stopping moments of life, death, love and riveting medical drama, leaving fans breathless with anticipation.

“Grey’s Anatomy” was created by Shonda Rhimes and stars Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey, Patrick Dempsey as Derek Shepherd, Sandra Oh as Cristina Yang, Katherine Heigl as Isobel “Izzie” Stevens, Justin Chambers as Alex Karev, T.R. Knight as George O’Malley, Chandra Wilson as Miranda Bailey, James Pickens, Jr. as Richard Webber, Sara Ramirez as Callie Torres, Eric Dane as Mark Sloan, Chyler Leigh as Lexie Grey, Brooke Smith as Erica Hahn, and Kevin McKidd (Owen Hunt).

Bonus Features:

• In Stitches: Season Five Outtakes
• Dissecting Grey’s Anatomy: Unaired Scenes
• Heaven Sent
• 100th Episode: Tales from the O.R.

STREET DATE: September 15, 2009
Suggested retail price: $59.99 US; $79.99 Canada
Feature run time: 1,008 Minutes
Rated: ‘TV-14-DLS’ (US); ‘14A’ (Canada)

Okay, I'm going to admit it now. Before I got this for review? I had never seen Grey's Anatomy.

*insert shocked and horrified noises here*

I know, I know.

All my girlfriends have raved over it so I was somewhat familiar with the storylines. Oh believe me when I tell you...I know who "McDreamy" is. I've been familiar with him and his particular brand of dreaminess for many years.

I really enjoyed this series. So much so in fact, that even though I finished watching it days and days ago I decided to go back and download old episodes of past seasons so I could attempt to get caught up before I wrote this.

Without giving away any spoilers (or trying not to!) there was a lot of very sweet and poignant moments. When Meredith tells us the importance of saying "I love you" to the people in our lives while we still can? I honestly, really found myself choking up. And I am not a choking up kind of girl. Well, not often anyway. I liked the character Izzie a lot, and a lot of the storylines seem to involve her. This made me want to watch the older episodes even more, so I can see how everything has evolved.

The DVD was awesome, of course. And of course I have to share my favorite part...the bloopers!

Buy this. If you are not a Grey's fan YOU KNOW A GREY'S FAN. (Believe me, they are everywhere)

Private Practice- The Complete Second Season!

2009-09-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

The Sizzling Spinoff from the Creator of “Grey’s Anatomy”

PRIVATE PRACTICE:
THE COMPLETE SECOND SEASON

Coming to DVD on September 15, 2009!

Another electrifying medical drama from the creator of ABC’s runaway hit “Grey’s Anatomy,” Private Practice: The Complete Second Season, comes to DVD on September 15, 2009 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Every gripping Season Two episode comes packaged in this multi-disc collection, which also includes exclusive bonus features that go behind the scenes with cast and creator for an in depth look at a unique series.

From Shonda Rhimes, the Golden Globe®-winning creator of “Grey's Anatomy,” comes a standout show about the personal and professional lives of a group of passionate doctors. Featuring steamy storylines and a dazzling ensemble cast, the show stars Kate Walsh reprising her “Grey’s Anatomy” role as Dr. Addison Forbes Montgomery. With Seattle Grace Hospital and all its complications behind her, Addison embraces the sunnier weather and new possibilities of the Oceanside Wellness Group in Los Angeles—but life and love are never that simple.

Private Practice: The Complete Second Season stars Kate Walsh (“Grey’s Anatomy”), Tim Daly (“The Nine”), Audra McDonald (“A Raisin in the Sun”), Paul Adelstein (“Prison Break”), KaDee Strickland (American Gangster), Chris Lowell (“Veronica Mars”), with Taye Diggs (“Rent”) and Amy Brenneman (“Judging Amy”).

Bonus Features
• Patient Confidentiality: Creator / Executive Producer Shonda Rhimes, Executive
Producer Betsy Beers and actors Paul Adelstein (Dr. Cooper Freedman) and Amy
Brenneman (Dr. Violet Turner) take a look back at the controversial issues encountered by the doctors of Oceanside Wellness Group in Season 2 of Private Practice.
• Life Through The Lens: The Pictures Of Chris Lowell
• Extended Episodes
• Deleted Scenes
• Bloopers

STREET DATE: September 15, 2009
Suggested retail price: $59.99 US; $79.99 Canada
Feature run time: 946 Minutes
Rated: ‘TV-PG DLSV’ (US); ‘14A’ (Canada)

Okay, I'll admit it. Before I got this DVD I had never seen Private Practice. Or the show it was spun from, "Grey's Anatomy". I knew Tim Daly was in it (as well as the yummy Taye Diggs) so I decided to take a chance and see if I liked it.

Well, now I'm hooked. My TiVo just keeps getting more and more full.

The premise of the series is that Dr. Addison Montgomery (played by the beautiful Kate Walsh) realizes that her life is going nowhere at Seattle Grace (where Grey's Anatomy takes place) and moves to Santa Monica to join a private practice with her old med school friends.

There's a lot more than that going on, though, and I find myself craving Season 1 so I can start at the beginning and watch all the way through. Lots of drama and lots of action and I found myself on the edge of my seat more than once (without giving to much away, especially when dealing with Violet's pregnancy! YOWZA!)

If you are a Grey's Anatomy fan, or even if you aren't, you'll love this series. Clear some room on your TiVo!

Win Free groceries for a year!

2009-09-13T14:16:00.000-07:00

This sweepstakes offers you the chance to win free groceries for a year! Now who wouldn't love that?

Click on the link to enter! No purchase necessary to enter or win.

Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow your Dreams

2009-09-12T01:04:00.000-07:00

New Special Edition of Delightfully Majestic Movie Starring Beloved Princesses Aurora and Jasmine out on Disney DVD

DISNEY PRINCESS ENCHANTED TALES:
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS SPECIAL EDITION

Two-Disc DVD Includes a Bonus Disc Featuring Exclusive Footage of Disney’s Newest Princess from Princess and the Frog, Two never-before-seen music videos featuring Cinderella and Mulan

Plus All Original Bonus Features!

In the splendid tradition of classic Disney storytelling comes the special edition of the delightfully majestic movie, Disney Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams out on Disney DVD, September 8, 2009. The two-disc DVD has even more wonder and enchantment than before, with one of the first peeks at Disney’s newest princess from Princess and the Frog plus two never-before-seen music videos featuring Cinderella and Mulan.

Brimming with stellar animation and compelling music, Disney Princess Enchanted Tales:
Follow Your Dreams features the beloved princesses from two of Disney’s most revered films
– Jasmine, from the Academy Award® Winning Aladdin (1992, Best Music, Original Score and Best Music, Original Song) and Aurora, from the timeless classic Sleeping Beauty. With classic Disney storytelling and magical songs, this timeless adventure follows Aurora and Jasmine as they discover the power of believing in oneself.

BONUS DISC SET INCLUDES
*Exclusive footage of Disney’s newest princess from Princess and the Frog.
*Two never-before-seen music videos featuring Cinderella and Mulan.

ORIGINAL DVD BONUS FEATURES
*”Aurora Dress-Up” game
*”Find Sahara” game
*”You’ll Never Lose This Love” music video featuring Belle

STREET DATE: September 8, 2009
Direct prebook: July 14, 2009
Distributor prebook: July 28, 2009
Suggested retail price: U.S. $29.99, Canada $35.99
Aspect ratio: Widescreen (1:78:1)
Rated: G
Total episode run time: 56 minutes
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Languages: English, Spanish, French

My daughter has been a huge fan of the Disney's Princesses since she was really small. She's outgrown her obsession, but still enjoys a good story so she really enjoyed Disney's Princess Enchanted Tales: Follow Your Dreams on DVD.

In true Disney tradition join Princess Aurora and Princess Jasmine as they both discover what it means to be a true Princess. The songs were really fun and the animation was excellent. I especially loved the Bonus Disc which was a sneak peek at the upcoming Disney film "The Princess and the Frog". I can't wait to see that movie!

Disney Princess Enchanted Tales is a must-have for any Disney Princess fan!

Little Einsteins: Fire Truck Rocket's Blastoff!

2009-09-11T01:52:00.000-07:00

NEW TO DISNEY DVD
DISNEY LITTLE EINSTEINS:
FIRE TRUCK ROCKET’S BLAST OFF

Travel ‘Round the World On A Rescue Adventure with the Little Einsteins!

Join the Little Einsteins as they embark on four rescue-themed adventures in LITTLE EINSTEINS: FIRE TRUCK ROCKET’S BLAST OFF premiering on Disney DVD September 8, 2009. In this latest installment of fascinating adventures that includes a never-before-seen episode and the Magic Mission viewing mode, the Little Einsteins set out on rescue missions that take place in all corners of the world. In never-before-seen episode Fire Truck Rocket, it’s Rocket’s latest transformation: Fire Truck Rocket. The Einsteins rush to rescue an adorable monkey from an erupting volcano on the tropical island of Java. They will need all of Rocket’s rescue gadgets including his rescue Spreader (jaws of life), rescue Ladder and rescue Hose to cool down the rumbling volcano.

Other episodes include Melody the Music Pet which features the Little Einsteins
in France, watching animals board the special train that takes pets to their new
homes. One particular cuddly creature stands out – Melody, the Music Pet. However, Melody can’t find her golden ticket for the train. Leo and team promise to help Melody find her missing ticket, and the mission takes them over Monet’s famous painting of lily pads, through the French countryside and to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

In Carmine’s Big Race, the Little Einsteins are in Monaco at a grand prix to cheer for Quincy’s friend Carmine, the music car. The other cars don’t think Carmine has what it takes to win the race, but with the help of the Einsteins, he just might take home the Grand Prix trophy. The team explores the Patagonia region of South America in Mr. Penguin’s Ice Cream Adventure. When an ice cream train being driven by Mr. Penguin to his best friend’s birthday party breaks down, Rocket transforms himself into a train to pull the big load of ice cream. Afterwards, the team must dig past a huge rock, put a musical bridge back together and chug over the Andes Mountains.

The Magic Mission Viewing Mode let viewers use their remote to answer fun questions about colors, shapes and sizes.

About Little Einsteins
Originally created as a television series specifically for preschoolers in 2005, Disney Little Einsteins was developed with child development experts and musicians. The lovable and diverse cast of Little Einsteins – Leo, June, Quincy, Annie and Rocket – each bring a special talent to the group of spirited adventurers. Leo is six years old, loves music, and is the conductor of the group. Annie is four years old and Leo’s sister. She loves to sing and can make up a song on the spot. She’s also the only one who can fly Rocket all by herself. Quincy is an instrument virtuoso who plays any instrument he gets his hands on. He’s five years old and especially likes the trumpet and violin. Quincy tells great jokes as well! June is six years old and loves dancing. Her leaps, spins and twirls help change the direction of each mission. Rocket is the best friend of all
four children. He has lots of gadgets, and can transform himself into anything imaginable. Visit www.littleeinsteins.com for more information.

STREET DATE: September 8, 2009
Direct prebook: July 14, 2009
Distributor prebook: July 28, 2009
Suggested retail price: U.S. $19.99, Canada $24.99
Aspect ratio: Full Screen 1.33:1
Rated: US: TV-Y, Canada: G
Total episode run time: 88 Minutes
Languages: English, Spanish, French audio
DVD Bonus Features: Magic Mission Viewing Modes

My kids were a bit older when The Little Einstein's first aired in 2005, but I've been aware of the show since it's inception. I have tons of friends with preschoolers and have heard nothing but positive (even glowing!) reviews of this show. I decided I'd watch for myself because I have nieces and nephews and dozens of friends who are preschool-aged and I'm always looking for fun videos to share with them.

This DVD was so much fun! I viewed in all three different watch and play methods (Fastplay, Magic Mission Mode 1 and Magic Mission Mode 2). I enjoyed the different questions and think it would be fabulous for kids age 2-6. The episodes were really cute and funny and I enjoyed Annie's songs!

I really would have loved this show for my children when they were younger and if you have preschoolers, I would highly recommend this fun DVD!

Walt Disney's Bedknobs and Broomsticks: Enchanted Musical Edition!

2009-09-10T01:07:00.000-07:00

Experience the extraordinary animation, enchanting music and Academy Award(R)-winning special effects (1971: Best Effects, Special Visual Effects) of Disney's beloved classic BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS -- now fully restored and remastered in the Enchanted Musical Edition with dazzling new bonus features. Viewers will need to hold on tight for a magical, musical, fun-filled journey! When young Charlie, Carrie and Paul move to a small village during World War II, they discover their host, Miss Price (Angela Lansbury), is an apprentice witch! Although her early attempts at
magic create hilarious results, she successfully casts a traveling spell on an ordinary bedknob, and they fly to the fantastic, animated Isle of Naboombu to find a powerful spell that will save England! All-new fun is brewing in this
Enchanted Musical Edition, including "The Wizards of Special Effects" feature. Also starring David Tomlinson (MARY POPPINS) and Roddy McDowall, BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS is a heartwarming adventure viewers will love to revisit!

Bonus Features
THE WIZARDS OF SPECIAL EFFECTS - Hosted By Jennifer Stone From Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place Jennifer Stone, Harper on Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place, becomes a Special Effects Wizard Apprentice and learns about the Academy Award winning 1971 special effects in Bedknobs and Broomsticks, then compares them to the special effects magic of her current show Disney’s Wizard’s Of Waverly Place.
MUSIC MAGIC: The Sherman Brothers - Take a look behind the scenes from a musical point of view of Bedknobs and Broomsticks with The Sherman Brothers, Angela Lansbury and Scott MacQueen. This featurettes explores the origins of the songs, including what was deleted and what made it into the final version of the film.
DELETED SONG – “A Step in the Right Direction”
“PORTOBELLO ROAD” Recording Session - A rare clip of David Tomlinson’s recording of the song “Portobello Road”.

STREET DATE: September 8, 2009
Suggested retail price: $29.99 US; $35.99 Canada
Rated: ‘G’
Run time: 139 minutes
Language: English, French and Spanish subtitles

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is one of those movies that I forgot that I love. I saw this movie when I was a child (it actually came out before I was even born!) and I loved how the real live people interacted with the cartoons. I really thought it was amazing as a child, and while special effects have come a long way, it was something to behold back when I first saw it.

I had also forgotten how much I love Angela Landsbury (I barely remember her as anyone but Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote) and she truely shines in this movie.

My favorite part of the video was probably the extras. I loved "The Wizard of Special effects" (and made a note to check out the show Wizards of Waverly Place) and especially loved the deleted song.

All children of the 1970's should share this movie with their kids!

Brothers and Sisters: The Complete Third Season

2009-09-09T01:37:00.000-07:00

ABC’s Critically Acclaimed Drama Explores The Modern American Family
BROTHERS & SISTERS: THE COMPLETE THIRD SEASON

Family bonds bend, but never break, for five dissimilar siblings in Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Third Season, coming to DVD on September 1, 2009 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The six-disc DVD includes every episode from the third season of the acclaimed ABC television series, plus exclusive cast interviews, deleted scenes and much, much more.

Brothers & Sisters: The Complete Third Season stars two-time Oscar® winner Sally Field (Best Actress for Norma Rae, 1979 and Places of the Heart, 1984)—who won a 2007Lead Actress Emmy® for her Brothers & Sisters role as family matriarch Nora Walker—Rachel Griffiths (“Six Feet Under), Rob Lowe (“The West Wing”), Calista Flockhart (“Ally McBeal”), Balthazar Getty (“Alias”), Dave Annable (“Reunion”), Luke Macfarlane (“Over There”), Sarah Jane Morris (Seven Pounds), Matthew Rhys (The Edge of Love), Ron Rifkin (“Alias”), Emily VanCamp and Patricia Wettig (“Prison Break”).

Bonus Features
• Bloopers
• Deleted Scenes
• The Mothers of Brothers & Sisters — The cast of Brothers & Sisters discuss the amazing role mothers play in their lives.
• The Ojai Experience — This intriguing featurette takes viewers on a tour of a real-life family winery in Ojai, California with members of the Brothers & Sisters cast and offers a taste of the truth and the fiction behind running a family wine business.
• In-Between Scenes — A behind-the-scenes look at the on-set high jinks that kept the Brothers & Sisters ensemble on their toes—and laughing—during the shooting of Season Three.

The Walkers are everything anyone could ask from a family—and a few things no one would want. The Complete Third Season of this compelling one-hour drama continues to follow the sprawling California-based clan as they face the complications of contemporary American life. Passionately devoted mother Nora Walker (Sally Field), her grown children and their loved ones contend with romance, parenting, divorce, infidelity, addiction, war and even death.

STREET DATE: September 1, 2009
Suggested retail price: $59.99 US; $79.99 Canada
Feature run time: 1,032 Minutes
Rated: ‘TV-14-DLS’, PG (CAN)
Technical specifications may only apply to feature
Aspect ratio: 1.78.1
Sound: Dolloy Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Languages: English

Brothers and Sisters is one of those shows that I've been vaguely aware of for the past couple of years, but have only watched a few times. The show started a few years ago and in the first season the family was devestated by the death of the family patriarch, William Walker. Upon his death the family became aware of all his misdeeds--the affair, illegitimate daughter, and even embezzlement. Pretty good set-up for a dramatic series, right?

The series is about a family, their lives, their loves, and their family business Ojai Foods. My favorite character was Nora, played by Sally Field. I've loved Sally Field forever and she's really excellent in her role as the mother. Although I sometimes found some of the situations the characters found themselves in to be unrealistic (Justin and Rebecca getting engaged after arguing the whole season? Really?), the series overall was a heartwarming and sometimes painful look at what it means to be a family.

And as always, I loved the bloopers! Here's a fun clip:

I also appreciate that the DVD included a Season 1 and 2 recap. I like to be able to keep up, even when I haven't been watching the whole time.

I enjoyed the series overall, and will likely watch Season Four this fall.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland!

2009-09-08T01:54:00.000-07:00

I. Love. Mickey. Mouse.

Our love affair began many years ago when I, as a small child, went to Disney World in Florida. Since then I have loved all things Mickey and this video was no exception.

Follow Mickey and And the Clubhouse Gang On A Most Curious Adventure in This All-New Animated Movie on Disney DVD September 8, 2009

Get ready for an all-new fairy-tale adventure when Mickey
Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Adventures in Wonderland comes to Disney DVD on
September 8, 2009. Inspired by Disney’s remarkable classic, Alice in Wonderland, the movie features all-new animation, original songs and interactive bonus feature.
Mickey, Donald and the entire Clubhouse gang embark on their most majestic journey yet as they enter a wondrous world where they encounter Tweedle Chip, Tweedle Dale and Goofy Hatter; play croquet with Queen Clarabelle and more. During their fascinating adventure, they navigate giant mazes and solve mysterious riddles on their hunt for Daisy’s birthday present, a lost cuckoo bird, while racing time to get back to the Clubhouse in time for Daisy’s surprise birthday party.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Adventures in Wonderland includes an additional
bonus episode, “Goofy Goes Goofy” and features interactive Adventure Modes with two levels of difficulty using the remote control. Adventure 1, perfect for kids ages 2-3, answers fun questions about colors, shapes and sizes, as the story moves along. Adventure 2, appropriate for kids ages 4-5, is a slightly more difficult level with challenging questions using memory, logic and telling time.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse ranked as the #1 cable series with kids 2-5 in February 2009, with more than 24 Million unique viewers – over 42% of preschool kids age 2-5. It features the iconic characters of Mickey and friends encouraging teamwork and problem-solving. (Source: Nielsen Media Research, National Ratings, Live +7, 1/26/09-2/22/09)

BONUS FEATURES
*Bonus episode – Mickey Mouse Clubhouse“Goofy Goes Goofy”: Goofy accidentally gets soaked with the Professor’s latest experimental goo – and he splits into six Goofys! It’s up to Mickey and friends to help out with the Goofys until the effects wear off.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Adventures in Wonderland, is available for U.S. $26.99 (SRP), Canada $29.99 (SRP) from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment.

My kids are a bit older than the target audience of the video, so they didn't really get into the Adventure Modes (which were interesting and probably a really fun way to watch the movie if you have younger kids), but they did enjoy the movie. We're all big "Alice in Wonderland" fans as well, and this movie was inspired by that classic. The animation was really excellent in this...a bit different than the Mickey Mouse cartoons of my youth, but really cool and interesting. Here's a small clip so you can see for yourself:

This was a really fun movie! If you have kids, especially between the ages of 2-5, they will really love this!

Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fifth Season

2009-09-07T10:18:00.000-07:00

More Twists and Surprises from Television’s Deliciously Decadent Series!
DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES:
THE COMPLETE FIFTH SEASON

Wisteria Lane’s most delicious season of deception and backstabbing to date comes to DVD on September 1, 2009 from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment with the arrival of Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fifth Season. The multi- disc set includes every Season Five episode of the long-running Emmy® and Golden Globe winning series, as well as exclusive bonus features that will shock and delight viewers with new revelations.

The ladies of Wisteria Lane have still more scandalous secrets to unveil in their fifth season, as Susan (Teri Hatcher), Lynette (Felicity Huffman), Bree (Marcia Cross), Gabrielle (Eva Longoria Parker), Katherine (Dana Delaney) and Edie (Nicollette Sheridan) give the residents of Fairview plenty to talk about. The show’s subversively funny take on suburban life reveals all the juicy secrets lurking behind closed doors in this seemingly perfect community.

The two-time winner of the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fifth Season stars Teri Hatcher (Coraline), Felicity Huffman (Transamerica), Marcia Cross (“Everwood”), Eva Longoria (Over Her Dead Body), Nicollette Sheridan (Code Name: The Cleaner), James Denton(“Threat Matrix”), Doug Savant (“24”), Ricardo Antonio Chavira (“Six Feet Under”), Dana Delany (“Kidnapped”), Neal McDonough (“Boomtown”) and Kyle MacLachlan (“In Justice”).

Bonus Features
• Teri & Cherry – A look at Wisteria Lane’s dynamic duo!
• Desperate Housewives: Evolution of a modern classic
• Cherry-Picked: Marc Cherry’s Favorite Moments from Season 5
• Deleted Scenes
• Bloopers
• Audio Commentaries

STREET DATE: September 1, 2009
Suggested retail price: $59.99 US; $79.99 Canada
Feature run time: 1032 min.
Rated: US ‘TV-14 DLSV’; Canada ‘14A’

Desperate Housewives is one of those series that I've been aware of since it's inception, but never really watched. Having never been a housewife, but having been desperate in the past, I wasn't sure I would completely relate to the characters. I jumped at the chance to review the Season Five "Red Hot Edition" and I'm so glad I did!

I had imagined this series would be a bit more campy and comedic than it turned out to be. There was really a lot of drama in it, and more action that I expected. There was a whole lot of "OH NO SHE DIDN'T!" going on too, which I like.

Since I haven't seen the entire series, I'm going to try to find old episodes online so I can attempt to catch up. This season jumped five years in the future, which leaves me wondering what happened in the meantime (and was probably the point now that I think about it).

As always, my favorite parts of DVD's are the bloopers. Here's a clip:

I also loved the "I Know Things Now" part of the extras, which gives you a look back at the last 100 episodes. For those of us (like me) who are unfamiliar, this helps give an overall background of the series.

Overall, I enjoyed this DVD and will watch the likely watch the series in the future.

Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie!

2009-09-02T05:32:00.000-07:00

POOH’S HEFFALUMP HALLOWEEN MOVIE LIMITED EDITION DVD GIFT SET!

The spectacular Halloween classic, Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie, is now a limited edition gift set with an exclusive Pooh dressed as Tigger beanz plush–available in limited quantities on September 1, 2009 on Disney DVD. The hilariously haunting movie features Pooh and his friends as they weave unconditional friendship with spooky adventures and warm-hearted moments.

Set in the Hundred Acre Woods, Roo is ready to accompany his new friend, Lumpy the Heffalump on his first trick-or-treat adventure until they quickly discover Pooh has eaten all the candy. The adorable duo decide to be “brave together, brave forever” and embark on an adventure to catch the mythical, wish-granting Goboloon that
Tigger has told them about so they can wish for more candy and save Halloween.

Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie features all of the Halloween-themed original bonus features including numerous, fun-filled Halloween party activities and games, printable party invitations and Halloween-themed recipes.

Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie DVD was originally released in 2005 and is the sequel to the theatrical movie, Pooh’s Heffalump Movie.

DVD Gift set Includes:
*Original Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie DVD
*Pooh Dressed as Tigger beanz plush

ORIGINAL DVD BONUS FEATURES
Fun Games including:
*Trick or Re-Treat
*Pooh’s Boo Bingo!
*Pass the Pumpkin
Plus, Heffalump Halloween Party Planner
*Printable Party Invitations
*Halloween-themed Recipes
*Decorate Your Own Jaggedy Lantern

Rated: U.S. G, Canada G
Total feature run time: 66 minutes
Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Languages: English, Spanish, French

Just in time for my 2nd favorite holiday (first is Thanksgiving!), Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie is re-released on DVD! I was so excited to recieve this video (and the adorable little Pooh bear!). I loved this movie when it came out a few years ago and it was just as cute as I remembered it. This movie is up there with the Charlie Brown Halloween special for my family! And the cute little Pooh bear dressed as Tigger? I'm keeping it for myself.

The games were a bit young for my kids, but would be perfect for the younger crowd. This would be an awesome gift set...and I think that so much that I bought a second one to give as a gift!

EARTH presented by Disneynature

2009-09-01T05:45:00.000-07:00

On September 1, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment releases EARTH on Blu-ray and DVD! This trio of unforgettable stories is woven together by award-winning filmmakers Alistair Fothegrill (“The Blue Planet) and Mark Linfield (“Planet Earth”), and narrated by Academy Award-winner James Earl Jones. In Blu-ray, the film gives audiences an unmatched opportunity to view its dizzying aerial photography, epic backdrops and rare footage of land, sea and air in astonishing high definition. Bonus material includes a making-of featurette and more!

Choose your mission:
Do your part

Choose the ways you and your family will help the humpback whales and their families. These are especially great tips for kids!

Seek out information about conservation issues
- Check out books from your local library on whales and the places where they live to learn more about these amazing animals.
- Watch nature shows and films about humpback whales to find out more about their cool adaptations and behaviors.
- Contact local conservation groups to find out what they are doing to help animals like the humpback whale and to learn how you can get involved.
- Visit zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) to see marine mammals, support marine mammal conservation, and learn more about how you can animals like whales in the wild.

Reduce, reuse, recycle, and replenish
- Conserve water at home . Help your parents check for leaky faucets and encourage them to use cold water in the wash. Challenge your entire family to take shorter showers, turn off the water when brushing their teeth, and make a rain barrel. This saves water for animals (and people) everywhere.
- Remember, all drains lead to the ocean! Be careful what chemicals, pesticides, and household products you use. Encouraging your family to use green cleaning products is one way to help keep waterways clean. Finding alternatives to chemical pesticides is another way to help wildlife. And recycling motor oil and disposing of hazardous waste properly can ensure pristine lakes, rivers, and oceans for future generations.

Look for and purchase environmentally friendly products
- While many whales are protected from hunting, they sometimes still end up trapped in nets or fishing line intended for other animals. If your family eats seafood, make sure it is “whale and dolphin safe” – meaning it is caught in a way that won’t hurt other animals.
- When dining out, have your parents ask if the seafood is sustainable – meaning it is caught in a way that won’t hurt the fish population or other animals (such as whales and dolphins).
- When fishing, use eco-friendly gear such as fishing line that will decompose and lead-free spinners and weights. Learn about environmentally friendly hooks that can reduce damage to fish during catch-and-release fishing trips. All of these things can help protect aquatic animals and habitats.

Spread the word to others about the importance of wildlife and wild places
- Do a school project on humpback whales and share your findings with your class.
- Present a report on whales at a local science fair.
- Write to your local, state, and national representatives to encourage them to support whale-friendly legislation.
- Tell your friends how cool humpback whales are and why it is important to protect them.
- Start a humpback whale club at school to raise awareness for these special animals.

Support conservation organizations through contributions and volunteerism
- If you live near a waterway, whether it is a river, wetland, lake or ocean, do your part by participating in a water clean-up with your family.
- Check with your local EPA or US Fish and Wildlife Departments to find out the water quality in your area and how you can help keep waterways clean.
- Support marine mammal conservation organizations such as Whale Trust, or water conservation organizations.
- Support eco-tourism by taking a family trip to observe whales in their natural habitat!

Create habitats for wildlife in your backyard
- Whether you live by the ocean or in the desert, you can still make a difference for animals that depend upon water. Create aquatic habitats for animals in your backyard by putting out a bird bath or fountain, creating a pond, or making a rain barrel.
- Many animals migrate like humpback whales; you might even have migrating animals in your backyard! Butterflies and birds are great examples of migratory animals – create homes for both by building a butterfly garden and hanging a bird house.

I really enjoyed watching this with my kids. My kids? Absolutely loved it. They were glued to the screen the entire time and had tons of questions when the movie was over (thank God for both Google and inquisitive eleven year olds!).

The footage was stunningly beautiful. The mama polar bear and her cubs? Please. I think I ovulated it was adorable. I think I fell in love with the humpback whales and suddenly want to quit my job and champion their cause. And even I, who loathes birds, was impressed with their migration.

And James Earl Jones narrated the entire thing. Need I say more?

The movie does portray the "circle of life" and while there is no blood or gore, there are scenes in which animals are taken down by a predator. Viewers with younger children could likely use this as a learning opportunity, but it's worth noting.

Overall, I loved this and plan on buying another copy as a Christmas gift for a nature-loving kid in my life.

Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season!

2009-08-31T01:50:00.000-07:00

The doctors at Sacred Heart Hospital administer another hilarious dose of their inimitable medicine in Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season, on DVD on August 25,
2009 and Blu-ray for the first time on November 17, 2009. The long-running show’s trademark surrealistic humor reaches a fever pitch in these 19 episodes, including the hysterical and heart-warming two-part season finale.

Nothing is sacred at Sacred Heart Hospital, where Dr. John “J.D.” Dorian (Zach Braff) has survived his internship and become attending physician while Dr. Cox (John C. McGinley) has been kicked upstairs. Along with his best friends and colleagues Turk (Donald Faison), Elliot (Sarah Chalke) and Carla (Judy
Reyes), J.D. keeps things rolling at the most unpredictable medical center on television. Packed with whip-smart dialogue and wacky characters, the eighth season of Scrubs once again has audiences in stitches!

Scrubs: The Complete Eighth Season stars Zach Braff (Garden State), Sarah Chalke (“How I Met Your Mother”), Donald Faison (Next Day Air), John C. McGinley (Platoon), Judy Reyes (“Oz”), Ken Jenkins (I am Sam) and Neil Flynn (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull).

Season Eight guest stars include Elizabeth Banks (Role Models), Scott Foley (“The Unit”), Christa Miller (“The Drew Carey Show”), Thomas Cavanaugh (“Ed”), Courteney Cox (“Friends”) and Elmo (“Sesame Street”).

BONUS FEATURES
• My Bahamas Trip
• Deleted Scenes
• Bloopers
• Alternate Lines
• Webisodes

I have loved Scrubs since the beginning. No matter what channel or time it was on, I managed to catch up with the series (and I've thanked God for my TiVo a few times, because I couldn't catch it). Although I love J.D.'s imagination (and the hilarious montages), I love Dr. Cox and his sarcasm most of all. Some of the episodes over the years have literally left me in tears...sometimes from laughing and sometimes because the episode was so touching.

Season eight was refreshing. Any show, after so many years, has slips but in season eight the show seemed to come back to it's original hilarious roots. This and the first season are probably tied as my favorites. I believe this was intended to be the final season of the series (although I think there will be more episodes! Yay!) so a lot of the episodes seem to represent closure. Without giving away spoilers, my favorite episodes were the ones shot in the Bahamas (for the janitors wedding). I cried at the end when they aired on television. I also loved the Elmo episode.

The extras included with this DVD are amazing. Deleted scenes, webisodes, and a bonus disc of ABC shows. I love Bloopers and from this DVD they were hysterical.

If you are a fan of Scrubs, you will want this series! If you aren't a fan of Scrubs, then I don't understand you at all.

Sonny with a Chance: Sonny's Big Break Vol. 1

2009-08-30T06:26:00.000-07:00

Four episodes of the latest smash-hit Disney Channel Original Series are now available on DVD. Meet Sonny (Camp Rock’s Demi Lovato), a talented Midwestern girl who relocates to Los Angeles to join the cast of the most popular sketch comedy show for teens and tweens, “So Random!” But life behind the scenes on a Hollywood set is not as idyllic as Sonny imagined, especially because of her fellow performers: the self absorbed Tawni (Tiffany Thornton), suave Nico (Brandon Mychal Smith), funnyman Grady (Doug Brochu), quirky Zora (Allisyn Ashley Arm) and dreamy Chad Dylan Cooper (Sterling Knight), star of the teen drama “Mackenzie Falls” that films in the adjacent studio, and his simmering rivalry with the cast of “So Random!” Sonny With A Chance: Sonny’s Big Break comes with bonus features as well as a bonus world premiere episode on the DVD!

Bonus Episode
“Sonny In The Middle” – World Premiere Episode on DVD, never before seen!

Bonus Features
Backstage Disney – Demi Lovato Audition Tape
Bonus Short – “Mackenzie Falls – Season Finale Cliffhanger” – an all original online series starring Sterling Knight

Rated: ‘TV-G’
Run time: 90 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English, Spanish subtitles

Sonny with a Chance is a funny and smart program on The Disney Channel. The basis premise is a girl from the Midwest gets her big break on a teen sketch comedy show (called "So Random"...hilarious). Sonny wants to be friends with her new castmates and some of them aren't so sure. It actually reminds me of the dynamics at my workplace! Here's a clip of Sonny's first day.

Now how many of us haven't met someone like that at some point? I know I have!

Sonny is cute. She's bright. She's fun. And she's positive. There are so many negative role models for young girls these days that I am always thrilled to see a positive one. The cast is excellent, the storylines are fun, and it's something unique. This is a great series for the whole family to watch together.

Don't miss this one!

The Suite Life on Deck: Anchors Away!

2009-08-29T06:02:00.001-07:00

All-new adventure, fun and excitement on the latest Disney Channel Original Series takes to the seas as tween favorites Dylan and Cole Sprouse reprise their roles from the Emmy-nominated series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. The Suite Life on Deck: Anchors Away! follows twin brothers Zack and Cody Martin (Dylan and Cole Sprouse) and hotel heiress London Tipton (Brenda Song) as they enroll in a semester-at-sea program aboard the SS Tipton. Much to his chagrin, dutiful hotel manager Mr. Moseby (Phill Lewis) must go aboard, too, assuming responsibility for all three. The DVD contains four episodes, including one with Ashley Tisdale (High School Musical) reprising her role as Maddie from the original series, along with many bonus features!

Bonus Episodes
“Mulch Ado About Nothing”
“International Dateline”

Bonus Features
Debby On Deck – The guys interview Debby, the newest member of the cast.
The Floating Premiere – 10 minutes of jam-packed fun at the star studded premiere.

STREET DATE: August 25, 2009
Direct prebook: June 30, 2009
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canada
Rated: ‘TV-G’
Run time: 90 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English

Oh, Zack and Cody. How we love you.

My kids are twins so they've always had this fascination with The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. My children are boy/girl twins and really don't much alike (except maybe they could pass for brother and sister. Sometimes) and these boys look exactly alike. In fact, I often get confused as to which one is Zack and which one is Cody. The show is funny...I enjoy watching it with my kids.

That's why I was excited to share with them The Suite Life on Deck: Anchors Away!.
The twins have checked out of the Tipton Hotel and moved onto a luxury cruise ship (man, do those kids have a charmed life or what?) called the S.S. Tipton. They attend Seven Seas High on the ship and the results? Are really funny.

Check out this hilarious clip (and Brenda Song's red heels! Wow!):

If you are a fan of good family entertainment that your whole family can enjoy, then you will love this DVD!

Pete's Dragon: High-Flying Edition!

2009-08-19T01:00:00.000-07:00

Academy Award nominated combination animation and live-action PETE’S DRAGON: High Flying Edition soars onto DVD this summer! This 1977 musical adventure about a young orphan and his unusual friend boasts a star-studded cast including Mickey Rooney, Shelley Winters, Jeff Conaway, Helen Reddy, and Sean Marshall as Pete! Bonus material includes a new look at Disney’s pioneering work in the magical mix of live-action and animation, a deleted storyboard sequence, an original song concept: “Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You, Too)” and more!

As a child of the 70's, I was unbelieveably stoked to receive a copy of Pete's Dragon. This was one of my favorite Disney movies from my childhood and I couldn't wait to share it with my own children, who had, for I'm not sure what reason, never seen the movie before.

Animation and live-action combine to bring the magical friendship between a young orphan and his unusual best friend to life in Pete’s Dragon High Flying Edition. A classic feel-good Disney tale for the entire family, Pete’s Dragon High Flying Edition is packed with adventure, comedy and soaring musical numbers that have charmed children and adults since its 1977 debut. Now available in this special edition DVD, Pete’s Dragon High Flying Edition comes with nearly an hour of brand-new bonus features, including a look at Disney’s live action/animation legacy, alternate versions of some of the film’s most beloved songs and much more.

Pete’s Dragon was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Music, Original Song and Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Score). The film boasts an extraordinary cast that includes Sean Marshall (“To Race the Wind”), Helen Reddy (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band), Mickey Rooney (Night at the Museum), Jeff Conaway (Grease), Shelley Winters (The Poseidon Adventure), Jim Dale (“Pushing Daisies”) and Red Buttons (“ER”), with Charlie Callas as the voice of Elliot the Dragon.

Bonus Features

• Brazzle Dazzle Effects: Disney’s Movie Magic – An entertaining new look at
Disney’s pioneering work in the magical mix of live-action and animation, narrated by the star of Pete’s Dragon, Sean Marshall.
• Deleted Storyboard Sequence: “Terminus & Hoagy Hunt Elliot” – A rare demo
dialog track and storyboard sketches.
• Original Song Concept: “Boo Bop Bopbop Bop (I Love You, Too)” – The first
demo recording for one of the film’s unforgettable musical sequences with story
sketches for an early concept of the song Pete sings to Elliot.
• Original Demo Recordings (Audio Only) – A special audio-only feature that includes
early demo versions of “Brazzle Dazzle Day” and “Every Little Piece” before they
evolved into the songs heard in the movie. Also includes “The Greatest Star of All,” a song originally intended to be sung by Ferdinand, a character later deleted from the film.
• Promotional Record (Audio Only) – Pop versions of “It’s Not Easy,” “Brazzle Dazzle
Day,” “There’s Room For Everyone” and Academy Award nominee for Best Song, “Candle On The Water,” originally released together on a 7” record to promote the film’s music.
• “Where's Elliot?” – The Disappearing Dragon Game
• Pete's Dragon Art Galleries
• Publicity
• Trailers
• About Pete’s Dragon
• Disney Family Album
• The Plausible Impossible
• Lighthouse Keeping

I've always been charmed by Elliott and his invisible dragon and I'm sure you will be too!

You can win it! I have a copy of Pete's Dragon: High-Flying Edition available to win! To win just leave me a comment on this post. Get an extra entry by becoming a follower of this blog and two additional entries if you blog or tweet about this giveaway (leave a comment with a link to your blog or tweet). The contest ends on September 1st, so don't be late!

*Open to U.S. and Canadian readers. Thanks!

Hannah Montana: The Movie

2009-08-18T01:41:00.000-07:00

Laugh along with the hysterical high jinks as Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus) tries to reconcile her double-life as country girl Miley and pop star Hannah Montana. Cyrus is joined in the film by her stellar cast mates from the hit Disney Channel series including Emily Osment, Moises Arias, Mitchel Musso, Billy Ray Cyrus and Jason Earles. Bonus material includes Bloopers, a behind-the-scenes led by Jason Earles, SEVEN music videos and much much more!

Product Description
Get ready to be dazzled by Disney's big-screen smash hit Hannah Montana the Movie, filled with laughs, adventure, family fun and fabulous music! Come along for the ride and see Hannah like never before as she returns to her roots and faces the most important decision of her life! When Miley Stewart (aka pop-star Hannah Montana) gets too caught up in the superstar celebrity lifestyle, her dad decides it's time for a total change of scenery. But sweet niblets! Miley must trade in all the glitz and glamour of Hollywood for some ol' blue jeans on the family farm in Tennessee, and question if she can be both Miley Stewart and Hannah Montana. With a little help from her friends and awesome guest stars Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts and Vanessa Williams, will she figure out whether to choose Hannah or Miley? Hannah Montana the Movie is a heartfelt major motion picture perfect for the entire family.

Bonus Features include: The Hoedown Throwdown Dance-Along Learn The Moves!, DVD Of The Movie Plus Bonus, DisneyFile Digital Copy, The Dance Experience With The Cast, 7 Music Videos, Cast Bloopers Fun With Hannah And The Gang, Deleted Scenes, Audio Commentary On The film With Director Peter Chelsom, Find Your Way Back Home Join The Stars As They Show You Around Their Hometowns, I Should Have Gone To Film School, Go Behind The Scenes With Jason Earles For Movie Secrets and more!

Being a Tennessee girl, I have a special place in my heart for movies based in Tennessee and this movie is no exception. The story is a very sweet, coming-of-age tale with a good moral. It was a movie that my entire family, even my eleven-year old son who declares most girls to be "gross", greatly enjoyed.

Here's a backstage pass to the making of the movie!

THE STORY…
What’s Hannah Montana The Movie all about? “Well, my character has always had the best of both worlds – but she’ll have to choose just one in the movie,” explains Miley Cyrus. “She’s lost herself and her dad decides the best thing to do is to take her home to Tennessee. She’s taken back to the real world where she’s brought back to reality. She has to go out and get dirty, as well as ride the horse she grew up with!”

BOX OF DELIGHTS!
“I bought some cool ideas to the movie,” admits Miley. “There’s something we call a ‘Hannah box’ in the film, which is Hannah’s make-up box. She travels around with it and it was me who came up with ideas for the fun things to put inside. I said that it shouldn’t look like a normal make-up box because Hannah has a different vibe. I think it came out really cool!”

STUNT HERO!
Jason Earles – who plays Miley’s brother Jackson in Hannah Montana – performed all of his own stunts in the movie. “I didn’t have a stunt double,” the brave star reveals. “I did everything myself. When you see Jackson falling off the ladder, that was me harnessed up!”

KISSY KISSY!
Miley gets to kiss a cute country boy called Travis in the movie – but the Disney star wasn’t nervous about the smooch scenes at all. “I wasn't worried about my first movie kiss,” reveals Miley. “I don't know… Maybe it's because he’s so cute?!”

PONY UP!
It took three weeks for Lucas Till to learn to ride a horse for the film. “I hadn’t ridden a horse before I worked on this movie,” chuckles Lucas. “My dad did rodeo for the University Of Georgia and always had horse stories, but I hadn’t even been on a horse before. Thankfully, it felt natural to me – and it was a lot of fun.”

ANIMAL MAGIC!
“I shot a lot of scenes that didn’t make it into the movie, but I’m glad they made it onto the DVD,” reveals Jason Earles. “There were a few extra scenes with the animals and some other scenes with Cousin Derek – and I they’re really funny. Check them out!”

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION…
It took 11 weeks to shoot the movie. The cast and crew spent eight and a half weeks filming in Nashville, close to where Miley Cyrus actually grew up. The rest of the film shoot was spent on location in California at landmarks including Santa Monica Pier and Rodeo Drive.

TIME TO CHILL…
The waterfall scene was tough on the actors in the movie. “It was freezing,” giggles Miley. “It was a big challenge because we had to rock climb up to the top of this cliff and then jump into the water from up high. Thankfully there were heaters nearby because the water was so cold. It was icy!”

THE STYLE FILES!
“None of the outfits Hannah wears in the movie were brought in stores,” reveals the movie’s costume designer, Christopher Lawrence. “They were all designed and made by the costume department. We even hand-glued crystals to her sneakers for one scene. It took 13 hours per shoe!”

MADE TO MEASURE!
It cost $70,000 to build the revolving doors seen in the movie. “The building where we were shooting didn’t have revolving doors, but I thought they would work really well in the film,” explains director, Peter Chelsom. “That’s why I decided to build them from scratch!”

TICKLE TIME!
Emily Osment spent four hours getting her feet massaged for one of the scenes in the movie. “It was great,” chuckles Emily. “They didn’t need me in the shot because it was only my feet – but I kept saying, ‘No, I’ll do it. It’s okay.’ I really enjoyed sitting in bed getting my feet rubbed!”

HIGH HEEL HORROR!
“It was so much fun to shoot the shoe scene with Tyra Banks,” reveals Miley. “But the problem with that scene is the way that the shoes aren’t really very cute. I would never fight over those shoes in real life!”

FAST FACT!
It took two days to film the exploding cake scene in the movie! “I was covered in cream and sponge for hours,” giggles Moises Arias.

DID YOU KNOW?
It took the prop team three weeks to create the pumpkin head for the scene where Jackson falls into the pumpkin patch!

The movie had some really funny scenes and I've seen the actress Miley Cyrus being hilarious in other instances. Check out these hilarious bloopers!

I'll admit, I didn't know how I would feel about this movie, but I'm really glad we watched it. It was very cute my kids really enjoyed it. You will too!

You can win it! I have a copy of the two disc DVD (deluxe DVD edition plus digital copy) to give away! Leave me a comment to let me know you want to win! Plus get an additional entry for becoming a follower of this blog and two additional entries if you blog or tweet about this giveaway (please leave a comment linking to the blog or tweet). The contest will run until August 30th, so enter today!

Greek Chapter 3 on DVD

2009-08-17T01:52:00.000-07:00

Studio:
ABC Family

Story:
The fun, the friendship, and a new kind of drama continue in the engaging ABC Family original series Greek. Chapter Three brings a new year with new pledges and new challenges. Rusty’s fraternity life takes some interesting twists when he moves into the Kappa Tau house. Meanwhile, in a battle for the pledges’ affections, Casey and Frannie spill each other’s past secrets, and Hell Week at Cyprus-Rhodes
University creates havoc up and down Greek Row. The gossipy fun of Greek: Chapter Three comes complete with a captivating and talented ensemble cast as well as an irresistible soundtrack.

Bonus Features
• 20 Questions with the Cast
• Bloopers
• Audio Commentaries

Available: August 18, 2009
Suggested retail price: $39.99 US
Rated: ‘TV-14 DL’
Run time: 440 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Language: English, French and Spanish subtitles

I'll admit it. I love ABC family. I have pretty relaxed standards as a mother, but I'll admit there are some things on television that really make me pause. I like ABC family because the shows are interesting enough for everyone in the family to enjoy them without being preachy or juvenile.

I hadn't seen the series Greek, so I was thrilled to receive a copy of Greek Season 3 for review. The show was so funny that it's definately made it's way onto my TiVo rotation. My favorite character was Rusty. I just want to hug him (and I admit I always kind of like the nerdy guys). I also love the back and forth drama of Cappie and Casey.

The show is a drama series, although it really is laugh-out-loud funny at times. This really is a show for kids a bit older than mine...the rating is TV14. In a few years I think they will enjoy it.

The new season starts August 31st, so don't miss it!

Teak, Wicker, and More Giveaway!

2009-08-14T03:40:00.000-07:00

Despite having a degree in Environmental Science, I still need a lot of help Going Green. One of my (many) jobs is being my companies Green Blogger. It's really fun and it helps me to incorporate small changes in my life that help our planet. To that end, I'm really stoked about this giveaway because it's a great prize AND it's eco-friendly!

The good folks at Teak, Wicker, and More are letting me give away this cool set of Westinghouse Solar Lighting.

Nice, huh?
Here's an overview of the product:

Features:
8 Piece solar light set
Kendal Collection
Black finish
Ribbed plastic frosted lens
Plastic construction
Includes pole and ground stake
Requires 1 x 600 MAH battery (included)
Each light accommodates 1 amber LED bulb (included)
Overall dimensions: 4.8" W head

Do you want to win? Of course you do! Here's how:

-Go to Teak, Wicker, and More and browse around. Leave me a comment here with the name of your favorite product.
-Follow this blog.
-Blog about this contest using this paragraph: "Reviews for the Love of God is having a great giveaway by Teak and Wicker and More who can service all your outdoor needs from patio furniture to solar lighting." Be sure you include the links! Do this and double your entries!
-You can also tweet about the contest and recieve an extra entry.

(If you blog or tweet about the contest, be sure to leave me the link in a comment!)

Contest ended and the winner was emailed! Thanks for playing everybody!

Jenni K Half-off Jewelry Sale!

2009-08-12T12:26:00.000-07:00

I am extremely in love with Jenni K jewelry. When I moved to Greenville, NC years ago it seemed like all the women I met had this gorgeous, hand-crafted jewelry. I went to the store once and was hooked. The jewelry is hand-made and gorgeous and I love that Jenni is living her dream...she apparently wanted to make her own jewelry since the age of thirteen, went to East Carolina University and got a degree in Metalsmithing, and opened her own shop.

Until August 29th, the store is having it's annual 50% off sale! ROCK ON!

If you are in Eastern, NC you can visit the actual store, but otherwise you can shop online 24/7. I'm getting myself a Christmas present! Probably this, which will match my bracelet and earrings:

Nice, huh? You can really get some great deals, so don't wait!

Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt, AKA: Stephanie's crack

2009-08-11T01:32:00.000-07:00

I have been pretty much completely obsessed with this yogurt (and many other Fiber One products...I mean, hello? Fiber One Pop Tarts? Fiber One bars? I am SO. THERE.) since I became a Weight Watcher. Each of these little cups of Heaven contain only fifty calories and they have NO fat and FIVE grams of fiber! I'm telling you...Heaven! (And if you are a Weight Watcher like me? Calculate the Points! You'll be thrilled!)

I've tried the Strawberry, Vanilla, and the Key Lime Pie. The Key Lime Pie is by far my favorite, but they are all so fabulous. I highly recommend these.

To share the love, I'm giving away a coupon for $1.35 off any Yoplait Fiber One Yogurt Multipack. The coupon expires 1/20/2010. In my grocery store, these cost around $2.00 for a Multipack, so this is likely to be a great savings for the winner!

Contest over! Winner was emailed. Thanks for playing!

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days Deluxe Edition DVD!

2009-08-10T01:17:00.000-07:00

The irresistibly funny romantic comedy HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS makes its move onto DVD and Blu-ray in an all-new Deluxe Edition arriving August 18, 2009 from Paramount Home Entertainment. Pairing Matthew McConaughey and Kate Hudson with delightful results, HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS is an uproarious battle of the sexes that appeals to both men and women. While Andie (Hudson) needs to prove she can dump a guy in 10 days, Ben (McConaughey) is determined to show that he can win a girl in the same amount of time. The result is a wildly outrageous tale of sex, lies and romantic fireworks. The HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS Deluxe Edition DVD and Blu-ray feature new bonus material including “How to Make a Movie in 2 Years”, “Why the Sexes Battle” and “Girls Night Out”, as well as previously released features including commentary by director Donald Petrie, deleted scenes with optional commentary by Petrie and a music video of Keith Urban’s “Somebody Like You”.

The discs include the following special features in high definition as noted:·
· How to Make a Movie in 2 Years (HD)
· Why the Sexes Battle (HD)
· Girls Night Out (HD)
· Music Video: “Somebody Like You” by Keith Urban
· Deleted Scenes with optional commentary by director Donald Petrie

This movie is absolutely hilarious! Unlike many romantic comedies this movie is consistently funny and also has many touching moments. The action moves right along and the main characters have a great on-screen chemistry.

You can win it! Leave a comment here to let me know you'd like to win. Get an extra entry if you become a follower and two additional entries if you blog or tweet about the giveaway (please leave the link to your blog entry or tweet in a comment). The contest ends on August 28th, so enter today!

*Open to U.S. and Canadian readers. Thanks!

Contest is closed and the winner was chosen! Thanks for playing!

Smelly Washer!

2009-08-09T01:36:00.000-07:00

Your washer is probably one of those things you never think about cleaning, right? You put your dirty clothes in, drop in your washing powder, turn it on and forget about it. Your clothes come out clean, so everything is cool, right?

Maybe not so much.

Fortunately? Smelly Washer can help.

I received a bottle of this product recently to try and found it pretty amazing. It was so easy to use!Here is some Product information from their website:
Smelly Washer Cleaner is the only clothes washer cleaner that is all natural! It is also the only available washing machine cleaner that will remove mold odor from any towel or clothing that has picked up bad mildew smell from the washer! Formerly Purewasher, we've removed any scents or dyes to conform with all natural product standards. You can also check out their blog.

You can try this cool product yourself by buying here. Use the code: loveofgod and receive 10% off until August 31st!

Try it! My towels smell great!

The Tigger Movie 2-Disc 10th Anniversary Edition!

2009-08-08T07:26:00.000-07:00

Is there anyone, anywhere who doesn't love Tigger?

I can't believe it's been ten years since The Tigger Movie was released. When my son was a baby Tigger was always his favorite and he and his twin sister spent many happy hours on their Tigger-Totter and bouncing about our house. We had dozens of videos, but we watched The Tigger Movie time and time again.
Even though I no long have a toddler in the house, I was thrilled to receive a copy of the 10th anniversary edition of The Tigger Movie so we could share it all over again.

Experience a fun-filled celebration of friendship in the beloved Pooh tradition with this special 10th anniversary edition of The Tigger Movie.

Share the excitement with all your friends from the Hundred Acre Wood as Tigger sets off on an amazing adventure. He's hoping to find fellow tiggers to play with, and along the way, he'll discover something even more remarkable: the true meaning of family!

I love movies that teach a good lesson without being preachy or annoying. This movie more than delivers. I'm a huge fan of adoption and think this would make an excellent gift for an adopted family.

The 2-disc 10th anniversary edition also features:
-The Tigger Movie Interactive Trivia Game
-Thingamajigger Matching Game
-Kenny Loggins Music Video: "Your Heart will lead you home"
-"Round My Family Tree" Sing Along Song
-Disney DVD Storybook: The Tigger Movie
-How to Make your Own Family Tree
-Theatrical Trailer

Contest closed! Winner has been emailed! Thanks to everyone who entered!