Great New DVDs – Just in Time for Holiday Shopping for Your Family
Tuesday, November 9th, 2010
Toy Story 3 welcomes Woody (voice of Tom Hanks), Buzz (voice of Tim Allen) and gang back as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in… day care! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the great escape get underway. More than a few new faces—some plastic, some plush—join the adventure, including iconic swinging bachelor and Barbie’s counterpart Ken (voice of Michael Keaton), a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants (voice of Timothy Dalton) and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (voice of Ned Beatty). Directed by Lee Unkrich (co-director of Toy Story 2 and Finding Nemo), produced by Pixar veteran Darla K. Anderson (Cars, Monsters, Inc.) and written by Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine), Toy Story 3 is a comical new adventure! DVD. 103 min.; Ages 8-18. Disney Home Entertainment.
The Sound of Music 45th Anniversary Edition. Starring Oscar winner Julie Andrews in one of her most memorable roles, the film adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical follows Maria, a spirited young woman who leaves a convent and becomes a governess to seven unruly children. Her charm and songs soon win the hearts of the children and their father but when Nazi Germany unites with Austria, Maria is forced to attempt a daring escape with her new family. DVD. 175 min.; $34.99; Ages 5-18. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls start your engines. You’re about to take an incredible ride with one of the most wonderful family films of all time! Now celebrating its 30th anniversary, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang has never looked or sounded better. Dick Van Dyke stars as eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, who creates an extraordinary car called Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It not only drives but also flies and floats as it leads him, his two children and his beautiful lady friend, Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes), into a magical world of pirates, castles and endless adventure. DVD. 145 min.; Ages 5-18. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.
The Goonies (25th Anniversary Collector’s Edition). From the imagination of Steven Spielberg, The Goonies plunges a band of small heroes into a swashbuckling surprise-around-every corner quest beyond their wildest dreams! Following a mysterious treasure map into a spectacular underground realm of twisting passages, outrageous booby-traps and a long-lost pirate ship full of golden doubloons, the kids race to stay one step ahead of a family of bumbling bad guys…and a mild mannered monster with a face only a mother could love. Blu-ray. 114 min.; Ages 8-12. Warner Home Entertainment.
White Christmas (Two-Disc Holiday Edition). Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye are song-and-dance men who hook up, romantically and professionally, with a “sister” act (Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen) to put on a Big Show to benefit the struggling ski-resort lodge run by the beloved old retired general (Dean Jagger) of their WWII Army outfit. DVD. 120 min.; Ages 8-12. Paramount Home Video.
The Happy Elf. Based on the Grammy-winner Harry, Jr.’s original song, The Happy Elf will be sure to ring in the season with loads of holiday laughter. This delightful animated adventure is the story of Eubie, one of Santa’s helpers whose overly optimistic outlook is put to the test when he decides to bring Christmas joy to a sad little town called Bluesville. Will Eubie’s unbridled enthusiasm be too much for the town’s austere authority? Featuring the voice and brand-new holiday songs of Harry Connick, Jr. and the voice talents of Carol Kane, Lewis Black, Rob Paulsen and Mickey Rooney. Adult Juror Comments: Very encouraging. Happy Elf breaks the rules in order to do what is right for the townspeople, but it’s the only way to accomplish his goal. Good ending, especially when we learn that Bluesville changes its name. 45 min.; DVD. 45min.;Ages 5-12. Anchor Bay.
Families of Afghanistan. Meet Zamora, 13, who lives in the country with her parents, three sisters, two brothers and two uncles. An early riser, Zamora has chores to complete before breakfast, including tending to the cows and chickens. She shows us how the homes in her village are built around a common courtyard to help protect them and their vegetable gardens from the elements. At meals, she often helps feed her uncle, who lost his arms and eyesight to a land mine. She attends religion class, where she studies the Koran, and performs her daily prayers (five times a day). Twelve-year-old Madina lives in Kabul with her parents, two sisters, uncle and cousin. Unlike Zamora, who attends school in the afternoon, Madina’s classes are in the morning and include studies in math, science, language, history and sports. She also tutors another student twice a week in computers. After school and the midday meal she shares with her family, Madina helps with household chores like vacuuming and ironing, then enjoys an afternoon snowball fight before doing her homework, eating supper and playing games. DVD. 30 min.; Ages 5-12. Master Communications.
Veggie Tales: It’s a Meaningful Life. Jimmy Stewart fans get ready for a new version of It’s a Wonderful Life. An asparagus has taken over the leading role. Stuart’s life is falling apart, and he focuses his life on event where he failed in the past. He boards the “What if Express” and finds out what life would have been like if he became famous when he was younger. The same lessons as the classic tale still shine through, along with a message of God’s love for the person you are, not what you might have been. It also clearly demonstrates that God has a plan for you, even if you don’t know what it is. Adults and children alike will laugh together as the beloved Veggie Tale gang sings, dances, and teaches importnat lessons about life. See how many Christams stories you spot as you watch this deligthful story. We saw, It’s a Wonderful Life, The Polar Express, a bit of the Grinch Who Stole Christmas, and A Christmas Carol. Child Juror Comments: I loved this movie because it had a great lesson that God loves you, and even if something happened that you didn’t want, He has a plan for you. I think the cinematography was pretty good. It’s not the best in the world, but is still pretty good. They were nice to each other. When the main character was in trouble, someone would come along and help him. I think my friends would love this DVD becasue they love Veggie Tales, and they would love the lesson learned in this. May favorite part was when they went on the train ride, and he saw what his life would be like if he caught the football. 97 min.; $14.97; Ages 5-12. Big Idea Entertainment.
Amish Grace. Perhaps this film should have been called “God’s Grace.” Either way, the story is powerful and inspirational. It’s based on the true account of a gunman who entered an Amish schoolhouse and killed some of the girls. The man’s wife struggles to come to terms with the enormity of what her husband had done, and because of their belief in God’s forgiveness of them, the Amish community offers a hand of forgiveness to the wife. Except for one mother. Ida, a fictional character, struggled to come to terms with that her own community preached. Viewers who watch this film should settle in to watch the entire movie, which isn’t hard to do since the pacing keeps the viewer glued to the screen. The first half of the film seems almost black and white with the Amish as good guys and the “Others” as evil influences. As the film moves on, however, both sides begin to grey so everyone just becomes human, with good and bad qualities. This in no way detracts from the strong message of forgiveness. The idea of forgiveness is shown to be very difficult and very real, but a viewer understands the messages behind forgiveness. When you don’t forgive, you are disobeying God’s command and authority. Even if you don’t believe in God, the hatred that comes from a lack of forgiveness will eat at you, making you feel even worse. The acting is very real, and those who live in Amish communities will recognize the lifestyle, aside from the fact that all the Amish women in the film are young and beautiful, and there are no scenes with little babies, even though the Amish tend to have many children. Child Juror Comments: The message of forgiveness in this movie was really good. I’m not sure that my friends would like it because it’s so religious. My Christian friends would like it. They aren’t like the Amish people in my area. The ones here don’t talk. The acting and crying seemed real. If my brother got shot, I don’t think I would act like the Amish. DVD. 94 min.; $22.98; Ages 14-18 Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. 
Five Little Monkeys Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed… and More Favorite Children’s Stories. Weston Woods has a history of making DVDs out of books that truly tap into a child’s life. They do it again in Five Little Monkeys. This DVD would be perfect after a long day of work. A parent could cuddle in with their child for this sweet collection of stories. From humoristic twists on a favorite chant to facing new challenges with a little parental encouragement and learning how to tackle nightmares, this DVD inspires discussion. The images are beautifully drawn. One of the greatest strengths of this DVD is that it is very inclusive. Not only does the narrator speak in a pleasing voice, but in man and a woman sign the stories using American Sign Language. Emergent readers will appreciate the words of the story coming across the screen as the narrator reads. Child Juror Comments: I liked this a lot. They were very good stories. The duck had to find the courage to swim. I don’t like to swim sometimes. The mom helped the duck just like mine helps me. The parents don’t believe the girl with the lasso, and sometimes my parents don’t believe me either. The sign language was really cool. It was kind of annoying that the people stood in the middle of the pictures, but it was cool that they did sign language. One child had a friend that was deaf, and the girl loved how these stories would have been good for him. The stories looked great when they moved and how they changed scenes like the pages flipping like a book. The girl’s face looked like drawings, but they looked real. My favorite part was when the duck jumped in the water and realized he could swim. I loved when the girl with the lasso tried to bring her nightmare down to show her parents, but the monster was gone. DVD. 30 min.; $12.95; Ages 2-5. New Video Group. 
Adventures at School. School becomes an exciting adventure through this Scholastic DVD collection. The children can enjoy some of their favorite stories as they come to life on the screen through delightful images accompanied by great sound effects. Parents will find themselves reliving their own school days and enjoying the imaginative twists from creative authors. Not only are these DVDs great for entertainment, but they can also promote discussion after viewing titles such as Crazy Hair Day in which a child’s most embarrassing day turns out fine thanks to his school friends. Child Juror Comments: This was a really funny DVD. The one about the librarian had lots of funny stuff like a real mouse at her computer. They made the library fun. The pictures were great. Sometimes I don’t want to go into the library in school because some teachers are mean. I am kind of like the boy who used his imagination for things like the library signs that said no talking and no breathing. In Miss Nelson, it was cool how her twin sister when in and pretended she was the teacher. The principal was funny when he taught the boring stuff. The slides with the dogs were funny, too. The pictures were creative like when the kids pretended to be Miss Nelson. I think my friends would like it, especially how it looked. The drawings were good, and the stories were great. They are about school, and we go to school. My favorite part was when the three kids pretended to be Miss Nelson and wobbled around town. They even went right by her house. It was very funny. DVD. 179 min.; $24.95; Ages 2-5. New Video Group. 
