Newsletter 10-24-08 - Scream Scene - Sid The Science Guy - Passengers - High School Musical 3: Senior Year - Elections for Kids: Classic Cartoons

Screen Scene Newsletter
Vol. I, Issue No. 7
Oct. 24, 2008

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In This Issue:

* Scream Scene Halloween Highlights

* Kids TV - Sid the Science Kid, Happy Smurfday

* Movies - Passengers, High School Musical 3: Senior Year

* Elections for Kids - Classic Cartoons

* AD: Halloween Costumes, Props and More


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Halloween

Boo! It's that time of year! Check out Scream Scene's Haunted TV Highlights for today's and upcoming movies and special episodes.

Find a great Halloween-themed DVD for kids and families in our Scream Theatre guide.

Find online stories of the strange and bizarre, as well as ghost stories in Scream Scene's Scary Stories.

Find the legends behind pumpkin symbols, coloring pages, pumpkin carving templates, instructions, and other Halloween crafts in Jack-o-Lantern's Pumpkin Patch.

ABC Family's 13 Nights of Halloween is back with spooky movies for all ages every night from Oct. 19 through Oct. 31. Saturday and Sunday, there will be a marathon of scary movies beginning at 11:00am e/p each day. Titles include Beetlejuice, Hocus Pocus, Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, Casper Meets Wendy, the Scooby Doo! movie series, Teen Witch, the Addams Family movies, and others.

HIT Entertainment has released Halloween Spooktacular DVD. Each episode of this collection of Halloween stories and activities is not scary and written for preschoolers and early elementary age children. The seasonal episodes are from Barney, Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, Angelina Ballerina, and Bob the Builder.

Scholastic and Fox Home Entertainment have released three Goosebumps DVDs from R. L. Stine's writings: One Day at Horrorland; Monster Blood; and A Night in Terror Tower DVDs. Cartoon Network is airing Goosebumps episodes Monday through Thursday, 8:00pm e/p through Oct. 30th.

Playhouse Disney's Big Halloween Party is Saturday Oct. 25 and Sunday, Oct. 26, from 6:00am to 12:00 noon e/p both days. New episodes of Happy Monster Band, Imagination Movers, and Charlie and Lola will air Saturday, during their regular times.

ABC will air It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 8:00-9:00pm e/p. The Peanuts gang celebrates Halloween, with Linus hoping that he will finally be visited by The Great Pumpkin. Charlie Brown is invited to a Halloween party.

Food Network will air Halloween specials throughout the week. The Secret Life of .... Halloween airs Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7:00pm e/p. Learn how candy corn is made so there three colors in it and that medieval revelers prepared a cake with special treats baked in it. Other FN highlights include it's Paula's Party - Halloween Party, Oct. 25, 8:00pm e/p; Food Network Challenge - Spooky Cake & Candy Cookoff, Oct. 25, 9:00pm e/p; Food Network Challenge - Haunted Gingerbread House, Oct. 25, 10:00pm e/p.; and Food Network Challenge - Outrageous Pumpkins, Oct. 26, 8:00-9:00pm e/p.

Of course, History Channel will air Haunted History of Halloween on Sunday, Oct. 26, 7:00pm e/p.

History Channel also presents MonsterQuest Saturday and Sunday: The Real Hobbit - Oct. 25, 8:00pm e/p; MonsterQuest - Giant Killer Snakes - Oct. 25, 9:00pm e/p; MonsterQuest - Boneless Horror - Oct. 25, 10:00pm e/p; MonsterQuest - America's Lochness Monster - Oct. 25, 11:00pm e/p; MonsterQuest - Unidentified Flying Creatures - Oct. 26, 8:00am e/p; MonsterQuest - Mega Hog - Oct. 26, 9:00am e/p; MonsterQuest - Swamp Beast - Oct. 26, 10:00am e/p; and MonsterQuest - Chupacabra - Oct. 26, 11:00am e/p.

Nickelodeon will also air specials in the next week. Saturday, Oct. 25, kids will see repeats of iCarly - iScream on Halloween - 7:30pm & 8:00pm e/p; Drake and Josh - Alien Invasion, 8:30pm e/p; Zoey 101 - Haunted House, 9:00pm e/p; and Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide - Halloween; Vampires, Ghosts, Werewolves and Zombies, 9:30pm e/p.

Sunday, Oct. 26, it's The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius - The Incredible Shrinking Town, 1:00-2:00pm e/p; Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide - Halloween; Vampires, Ghosts, Werewolves and Zombies; 7:00pm e/p; iCarly - iScream on Halloween; and oey 101: Curse of the PCA, 8:00-9:00pm e/p.

More Halloween TV Highlights >>


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Kids TV
PBS KIDS prepares little ones for Halloween and its sweet treats by premiering Sid the Science Kid Health themed episodes Oct. 20 - Oct. 24. Preschoolers will learn why it's important to brush teeth everyday, eat more than sweets, exercise, and wash your hands. Check local listings for broadcast times on your local PBS Station.

On Oct. 23, 1958, a Belgian magazine's comic series introduced a little blue gnome, who interspersed its conversation with the word "smurf" and its derivitives. The characters became an international phenomenom. On the day before their 50th anniversary, it was announced that the Smurfs will be a part of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, Thursday, Nov. 27. There will be both a balloon and a float. The latter will feature Papa Smurf, Smurfette, and a Smurf home. This year's Holiday Ambassador for Macy's is Horton from the Dr. Seuss book and animated feature film, Horton Hears a Who. The parade is broadcast on NBC, 9:00am to 12:00 noon in all time zones. CBS also airs the event.

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Passengers
In Theaters: Oct. 24, 2008
Drama / Horror / Supernatural / Thriller
Columbia TriStar
Rated PG-13 for thematic elements including some scary images, and sensuality. (Parents strongly cautioned.)

A plane crashes and only five passengers survive. Claire (Anne Hathaway) is a therapist assigned to guide them through their grief. The survivors' accounts vary. Some say there was an explosion. The airlines denies this claim. Of the surviving passengers, Eric, is more withdrawn than the others. Claire is attracted to him, and begins a romance. Her professional reputation is on the line, but that cannot stop her. Then, the other survivors begin disappearing. Claire realizes that Eric may have the answers to what is happening. Determined to find the truth, she will stop at nothing unravel the mystery, no matter what the consequences.


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High School Musical: Senior Year
In Theaters: Oct. 28, 2008
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Rated: G (General audiences.)

The story focuses on growing up and making life altering decisions during the last months of high school. The audience will watch as the friends face the pressures of the last year in high school, from planning for the prom to finals, graduation, and becoming young adults. Troy (Zac Efron) and Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) realize they will soon be separated. To express and share their emotions with the rest of the school, they put on a show! Things are complicated when Sharpay, Ryan, Kelsi and Troy are up for the same Juilliard scholarship. Only one can receive it. Sharpay, of course, is determined to find a way to elminate the competition. Chad faces his own dilemma when Troy begins questioning the plans they had made. Now, he must re-evaluate the future he thought was a certainty. While her friends are busy making decisions, Taylor is in her element as she runs the school newspaper, prepares for her graduation, and dates Chad.

High School Musical 3: Senior Year Synopsis, Photos, and Cast >>


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Elections for Kids

Warner Home Video (WHV) and Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) have released DVDs featuring classic lessons on our system of self government.

WDSHE released School House Rock! Election Collection this DVD includes several American government and history cartoons from the award-winning short-form animated learning series. Still relevant in today's world, each three-minute episode uses humor and catchy tunes to succinctly explain our system of self-government. Ironically, the series premiered during the United States' bicentennial year, which was another turning point in our country's history. One of the most significant lessons in "I'm Gonna Send Your Vote to College," which effectively explains the Electoral College process. The limited edition DVD also has an "Election Tracking Kit." Stickers in the kit can be used to track the actual voting results in our 50 states as returns come in on Nov. 4.

WHV released You're Not Elected, Charlie Brown. This episode originally airing on ABC in 2006 and will air again on Oct. 28th when ABC broadcasts It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown! on Tuesday, Oct. 28, 8:00-9:00pm e/p. Charlie Brown runs for school president, but realizes he cannot win. So, he throws his support to Linus. All is well, until Linus begins talking about the Great Pumpkin.

Elections for Kids Guide >>


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Costumes & More

BuyCostumes is a leading internet costume and party supply store. They have thousands of costumes from baby and kids to Renaissance, Santa suits, and mascots to adult, plus size, and theatre costumes. They also carry a wide variety of makeup and accessories to make your costume complete. The store's party supplies range from wedding to Halloween and birthdays. You'll find favorite characters, as well as traditional costumes and parties themes. The website features a video fashion show and costume of the week.

There's still time to order from BuyCostumes.com



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Have a great week!

Peggy Smith

Family Screen Scene

http://familyscreenscene.com

Smurfy Blue Skies

On the eve of the 50th Smurfday of the Smurfs, Macy's and Sony Entertainment announced that they will have their own balloon in this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade^R. It will be the beloved Belgian cartoon characters' first appearance in the famed event.

The tiny blue gnome will grow from three apples tall to 47 feet high, 38.7 feet wide, and 57.6 feet long. The body of the balloon will be filled with 15, 050 cubic feet of helium.

A "smurfariffic" float will follow on the heels of the balloon. Papa Smurf and Smurfette will ride on the float, which will also feature one of the Smurfs' legendary mushroom shaped homes from Smurf village. The house will be an inflated balloon.

"Without a doubt, the sky will be blue this Thanksgiving," said Amy Kule, producer of Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. "We are thrilled to help The Smurfs celebrate their 50th Anniversary with a new giant balloon that will be one of the highlights of this year's Parade. Following closely behind this flying wonder will be the ubiquitous mushroom village float holding the classic characters everybody remembers so well: Papa Smurf and Smurfette." Kule continued, "We are pleased that following this inaugural flight, a whole new generation will have a chance to get to know and love the Smurfs for many more decades to come."

Hendrik Coymsan, CEO of Lafig Belgium s.a., added, "To celebrate their 50th anniversary, the Smurfs have been touring throughout Europe with the 'Smurf Happy Birthday Project,' supporting UNICEF's mission to 'bring education to all the children of the world'. At this coming Thanksgiving, the Smurfs will appear for the first time in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. This will be one of the highlights of their 50th anniversary year. The Smurfs are proud to have been invited to make this special appearance at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and to greet three generations of fans in America. Smurfs are only three apples high, but in
the Big Apple at Thanksgiving they will be super-sized! It will be a unique experience."

Juli Boylan, senior vice president, worldwide consumer products for Sony Pictures Entertainment, commented, "We are thrilled to be celebrating the Smurfs' 50th Smurfday in America, and the giant character balloon in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is the perfect highlight for this milestone. People all over the world love the Smurfs and the parade is the perfect time and event to celebrate 50 years of Smurfing."

The first Smurf appeared in a cartoon on October 23, 1958 in the Belgian magazine Spirou. The cartoon was set in medieval times and featured Johan and Peewit. The heroes suddenly hear a voice, "Can't you look where you smurf? You nearly smurfed me!" Just then, a small, blue gnome stepped out from behind a rock.

The 82nd annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs nationally on NBC from 9:00am to 12:00 noon in all time zones. The telecast reaches more than 50 million viewers, while approximately 3.5 million spectators watch it from the streets of the Big Apple.

Macy's Department Stores are celebrating their own anniversary, as it marks 150 years in New York City.

The 2008 Macy's Holiday Ambassador is none other than the environmentally-conscious, helpful elephant, Horton from Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears a Who!

Source: Macy's press release.

Newsletter - Turbo Dogs - qubo - Beverly Hills Chihuahua - Animalia

Screen Scene Newsletter
Vol. I, Issue No. 6
Oct. 3, 2008

In This Issue:

Kids TV - Turbo Dogs

Family Movie - Beverly Hills Chihuahua

TV Highlights

Children's DVD - Animalia

Kids TV

The Rising popularity of qubo is due in part to its entertaining children's programming and its efforts to win the trust of parents. Joining qubo's line-up is Turbo Dogs, a racing action series that encourages fair play and literacy. Turbo Dogs premieres Friday, Oct. 3, at 3:30pm ET on ION; Saturday, Oct. 4, at 12:00 Noon ET on NBC; and Saturday, Oct. 4, at 8:00am ET on Telemundo.

Emmy-winning Bindi Irwin continues the second leg of her "American Road Trip," Bindi: The Jungle Girl Oct. 4 at 5:00pm e/p on Discovery Kids Channel. The colorful video postcard is both funny and informative.

Family Movie
Beverly Hills Chihuahua
In Theaters Oct. 3, 2008
Adventure / Comedy / Kids / Family
Walt Disney Studios Films
Rated: PG for some mild thematic elements (Parents cautioned.)

Chloe (voiced by Drew Barrymore) is a Beverly Hills Chihuahua living the poshest of lives. She is so content with the life she leads that she barely notices that the gardener's Chihuahua, Papi (voiced by George Lopez), is passionately in love with her. But when an irresponsible dog-sitter loses Chloe on a weekend vacation to Mexico, Chloe embarks on her own adventure in the country of her ancestors. Meanwhile, Papi is desperately searching for his beloved.

In spite of some critics' early reviews knocking it, this movie may be a funny adventure movie that families will enjoy seeing together. There will be spectacular Mexican scenery and its ancient ruins. Audiences will get a message about tolerance, self-worth, and responsibility. Beverly Hills Chihuahua Synopsis, Cast & Fun Facts About the Production >>

TV Highlights

CBS and CTV premiere the fourth season of Ghost Whisperer Friday, Oct. 3, 8:00pm e/p. During the season premiere, "Firestarter," Jamie Kennedy will be introduced as a series regular, portraing Pscyhology Professor Eli James. Jay Mohr (Gary Unmarried) will make a guest apperance as Prof. Rick Payne.

At 9:00pm e/p on Oct. 3, CBS and Global TV premiere The Ex-List. Bella Bloom (Elizabeth Reaser, Grey's Anatomy is in her 30s and a successful business owner. She's also unmarried.

One day, a psychic informs Bella that she has already dated her future husband, but doesn't tell her who it is. Furthermore, Bella has only one year to find him or she will be single forever. At a bachelorette party for Bella's sister, Daphne (Rachel Boston, American Dreams), the psychic gives her a tip - Bella will find her soul mate if she revisits her past relationships and sorts through the mistakes. Bella is doubtful, but begins analyzing every liason and failed romance. Her friends help her dissect her past.

"High Exposure" is the fifth season premiere of Numb3rs, Oct. 3, 10:00pm e/p on CBS. When two rock climbers are killed, Don and the team search for the killers. Meanwhile, Charlie decides if he should get his FBI clearance reinstated and Agent Nikki Betancourt (Sophina Brown - Shark) joins the team. Lou Diamond Phillips ("La Bamba") returns as Agent Ian Edgerton.

America's Funniest Home Videos returns Sunday, Oct. 5 at 7:00pm ET on ABC and, in Canada, "A."

More TV Premieres >>

Children's DVD
Animalia: Welcome to the Kingdom

The first Animalia DVD has been released on standard and Blu-ray by Porchlight Entertainment.

The series subtly shows the importance of strong communication and literacy skills. The episodes encourage viewers to be knowledge seekers to solve problems. The library is the center of knowledge for both our world and that of Animalia. The stories show the value of using books to find solutions - sometimes with facts and sometimes by triggering creative solutions from our imaginations. The value of team work and overlooking each others differences is also demonstrated.

In addition to first four episodes from the series, the release includes informative and interesting featurettes. "Animalia Book to Screen" features an interview with author Graeme Base, who discusses how he lost an advertising job and turned to illustrating which led to the book. "The Animation Process" shows the various steps required to transport Base's illustrations to television. Both are excellent extensions of the series, showing kids and their parents the creative process behind writing a successful book and producing a hit educational cartoon series.

Halloween DVDs for Kids
Get Goosebumps!

As a child, I loved scary stories and spooky movies and TV episodes, similar to R. L. Stine's books. Scholastic and Fox Home Entertainment have released three Goosebumps DVDs based on Stine's writings: One Day at Horrorland; Monster Blood; and A Night in Terror Tower DVDs. The first title is part of the Stine's HorrorLand series that also includes books and video games. The Goosebumps book and television series receives a great deal of criticism from some parents' groups. Nevertheless, they are entertaining scary stories for the preteens who love this genre. Stine's stories seem to be inspired by O'Henry's surprise endings and Twilight Zone's twists and turns.