Granny Ranny's Coming Attractions

The Barbie animated films offer excellent stories and excellent animated production values. This new release is sure to please young Barbie fans. Here’s more about it:

DVD. 75 minutes. Ages 5-8
From UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME VIDEO

Sweetening store shelves this fall with a brand new look is Strawberry Shortcake starring in her first ever, CGI feature movie The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: The Sky’s The Limit premiering on DVD September 15, 2009 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, American Greetings Properties, and Cookie Jar Entertainment. Life is berry sweet in Berry Bitty City where Strawberry runs the Berry Café. When a boulder blocks the town’s water supply, Strawberry must find a way to rescue the town, and learns that when you have good friends and faith in yourself, any challenge can be overcome. Meet Strawberry’s new friends Orange Blossom, who runs the Orange Mart general store, Raspberry Torte of the Fashion boutique, and Blueberry Muffin, owner of Blueberry Books, and other Bitty City girls. The Strawberry Shortcake Movie: The Sky’s The Limit also introduces the magical Berrykins, mischievous little creatures who grow and harvest berries from the nearby strawberry fields. In this brand new adventure Strawberry and her friends share a positive “anything is possible” attitude.

Strawberry Shortcake: Sky’s the Limit Synopsis

A sudden storm leaves Berry Bitty City with a gigantic problem. Strawberry Shortcake and her friends will have to movie their whole tiny town unless they find a way to safely remove a huge boulder that threatens everything they hold dear. The storytelling Mr. Longface Caterpillar says he has an easy solution. Strawberry reluctantly agrees to follow him in an adventure-filled journey in search for his fabled Geyser Stone. When that journey ends in failure, Strawberry loses faith in herself. Can her friends restore her “Sky’s the Limit” attitude to help lead them to save the town.

Peep! Peep! All aboard for new friends, new destinations, and new voices when Thomas and his engine friends embark on their greatest adventure yet as Thomas & Friends™: Hero of the Rails steams onto DVD September 8, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. See and hear Thomas, Percy, James, Gordon and all the other engines as never before in this brand-new CGI-animated movie, which marks the debut of individual character voices for the engines. For the first time, fans will hear the voice of Thomas and his friends, including three new characters who debut in Hero of the Rails, as they share stories that lead to timeless life lessons of discovery, friendship and cooperation.

In this action-packed tale of friendship, determination and teamwork Thomas discovers an abandoned and broken down engine named Hiro from an exciting far away land. Fearing that he will be scrapped, Thomas enlists help from many friends including Victor, a new steam engine and Kevin, a new crane vehicle who both work at the spectacular Sodor Steam Works. But mishaps, mistakes and one boastful engine could foil their plans for a heroic rescue. Can the engine pals work together to help their new friend? Join the adventure and find out!

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES
· Thomas & Spencer Racing Game
· Guess Which Train Game
· Thomas & Friends Bedroom Makeover

Tribute to Children, a sculpture that celebrates the enduring values of Fred Rogers, will be unveiled this fall on the north shore facing downtown Pittsburgh.

Cordelia May was a longtime friend of Fred and Joanne Rogers. After his death, she wanted to honor Fred — in the city that was his home — and at a location where all could be reminded of his messages and legacy of love. She began to collaborate with Joanne Rogers on the creation of a sculpture that would be entirely funded by her Colcom Foundation.

Tribute to Children was sculpted by Robert Berks, who has created fourteen monumental works and more than three hundred portraits of individuals in public and private life, including most of the world’s leaders of the 20th century.

Berks said of the project: “This sculpture is the summation of how I see Fred Rogers and his perceptive, loving openness to life. It is how I celebrate his particular genius in my own medium. His unique gifts will live on for future generations, and I am rewarded to play a part in that heritage.”

Tribute to Children features a walk-around platform — measuring approximately 96 feet by 59 feet — and will encompass the old Manchester Bridge pier which will be reconstructed into a dramatic portal. The floor design will be patterned after the colorful path in the part of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood known as the ‘Neighborhood of Make-Believe.’

“We are thankful to the local tradesmen, authorities and to our team of architects for their efforts in creating a very special place,” said Bill Isler, President of Family Communications, Inc. “The generosity of Colcom Foundation is making this gift to the region a reality,” added Isler.

At the unveiling, Colcom Foundation will give Tribute to Children to the City of Pittsburgh and will continue to provide funding for the site’s ongoing maintenance.

For more information, visit tributetochildren.org.

Gatherr round for not-so-spooky tales of adventure, learning and friendship with your favorite preschool pals Thomas & Friends™, Barney™, Bob the Builder™, Angelina Ballerina™, Fifi and the Flowertots™ and Fireman Sam™ in HIT Favorites: Trick or Treat Tales on DVD September 1, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment.

The thrills start with Thomas & Friends™ in a ghostly adventure. Bob The Builder™ and Spud put on scary faces to protect a giant pumpkin pie from hungry crows. Barney™ and Fifi learn that there’s more to a costume than just dressing up. Angelina Ballerina™ sneaks into a costume ball and Fireman Sam™ saves a furry friend from a chilling experience. Enjoy the season’s sweetest collection of Trick or Treat Tales
· Thomas & Friends – “Flour Power!”
· Barney & Friends™ – “Guess Who?”
· Bob the Builder – “Trix’s Pumpkin Pie”
· Fifi and the Flowertots – “Pirate Primrose”
· Angelina Ballerina – “The Costume Ball”

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

· “Cat Magic” – a bonus episode of Fireman Sam

Get a big scoop of fun with Bob the Builder™ and his machine team in the all-new Bob the Builder: Call in the Crew! available on DVD August 25, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Featuring never-before-seen episodes, the DVD is packaged with a free toy vehicle and is filled with action as Bob and his Can-Do Crew learn that good friends always work together to get the job done. Teamwork, positive thinking and problem-solving equip future builders with the right Can-Do attitude to tackle any project!

DVD SYNOPSIS – Join Bob, Muck, Scoop and Roley, in 5 exciting, action-packed episodes! Watch and learn as Bob and his Can-Do Crew build a house, open a new café, fix an old gate and help a family of ducks. See how teamwork and fun go hand-in-hand in these building adventures.

Episodes include:

· Massive Muck
· Roley’s Moleys
· Scoop Slips Up
· Scrambler’s Seaweed Delivery
· Muck’s Convoy

DVD SPECIAL FEATURES

§ “Lofty the Painter” Game
§ “Skip’s Chute Rescue” Game