Sing and Dance with Barney

Children will thoroughly enjoy singing and dancing along with Barney and friends as they watch "Sing and Dance with Barney," released June 16, 2009. A music CD with selected songs from the DVD is included.

Synopsis
Come celebrate with Barney as he plans a very special sing-along party and invites many of his friends in Barney: Sing & Dance with Barney, available in stores June 16, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. The group sings some of their all-time favorites, such as “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” “B-I-N-G-O” and “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star,” while being transported to some Tee-riffic places, such as a farm, a campsite in the woods and a storybook land. There are over 55 minutes of singing and dancing to 20 of Barney's favorite melodies. As an added bonus, each DVD includes a free music CD featuring 5 songs: “The Clapping Song,” “Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star,” “The More We Get Together,” “If You’re Happy and You Know It” and “You Can Count On Me.” This is a celebration no Barney fan will want to miss!

DVD Special Features
Interactive Matching Game
Catch up with the Barney Reunion Cast
Barney Boogie Music Video

Barney: Sing and Dance with Barney

Barney: Let's go on Vacation DVD Review

I'll admit it. I like Barney. Had the character been around when I was 3, I would have been just as mesmerized by the songs, dancing, and good behavior. But the latest DVD release is not that good. It's not that the story, which is a compilation of new and old segments made into one episode, is bad. The adventure and lessons learned are great for little ones. It's just choppily done and seems hasitly produced.

First, the season featured on the DVD is not Summer, but Fall, complete with dying leaves on the ground and talk about cold weather. If HIT wanted a Cinco de Mayo or summer vacation theme for this mid-May release, perhaps it should have chosen a spring/summer theme. It feels out of place (of course, that'll change in four months).

The main story sends Barney and his playground friends off to Mexico for a summer vacation. They make new friends, and learn about the culture of the nation, complete with dance, music, treats and celebrations. There is some Spanish language spoken, but not in a way that would teach it. More like to familiarize young ears with the sound of the language, which is not a criticism. One needs to become familiar with the cadence to learn a language.

The episode ends, black screen shows, untitled bonus feature, which ends, and goes into another black screen followed by another untitled bonus feature. These are featured on the Main Menu to select individually.

Pack a Suitcase with Barney is humorous, but is not a lesson in smart packing for parents and kids. Barney can fit anything he wants into his suitcase!

One of the most useful features is Barney's Travel Checklist. The purple dinosaur reads a list of must takes that is also shown on the screen. Very handy for kids who would like to take some responsibility for preparing for vacation.

There are three Spanish Sing-Along Songs, which are pleasant.

To us, the highlight of the DVD was the Bonus Episode of Roary the Racing Car: Roary's Day at the Seaside. They are just a fun, noisy group, learning how to race and play fairly.

Barney : Let's Go on Vacation DVD

Barney: Let's go on Vacation Synopsis
Pack your bags and embark on a dino-mite musical vacation discovering a whole new world of fun when Barney: Let’s Go On Vacation travels exclusively to DVD on May 19, 2009 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. Featuring fun stories never-before-seen on TV, Barney and his friends explore exotic new foods and meet exciting new people. The trip ultimately turns into a singing and dancing celebration of the differences and similarities between cultures. The group quickly learns that the things that matter most – family and friends –¬ are the same the world over. \

Source: Lionsgate Publicity.

Fairy Tales, A Big Race & Valentine's Fun for Little Ones

Jan. 6th, Hit Entertainment and Lionsgate released three new preschool DVDs.

Barney: Once Upon a Dino Tale features a series of classic fairy tales told for little ones, starring Barney, Baby Bop, Riff, BJ, and playground friends David and Tracey. It all begins when Jingles the Jester arrives, asking for help selecting a perfect fairy tale to cheer up Princess Rosey. Barney: Once Upon a Dino Tale Review >>

In Bob the Builder: Race to the Finish, everyone in Sunflower Valley is excited that special athletic events will be held when they complete the new stadium at Bobland. Two new big machines are brought in to help, but their curiosity may keep the stadium from being completed on time. Meanwhile, Wendy is persuaded to train as Sunflower Valley's best hope at a medal, which keeps her away from the build. Bob is at his wits end! Can everything get done on time so the games can be held? Bob the Builder: Race to the Finish Review >>.

Barney: Be My Valentine has been re-released on DVD. Barney, Baby Bop™ and BJ™ as they visit the Queen of Hearts' Royal Valentine Castle where there are magical surprises behind every door. The DVD features, of course, many songs, as well as crafts and activities related to Valentine's Day.

Newsletter 09-26-08

Screen Scene Newsletter
Vol. I, Issue No. 5
September 26, 2008

In This Issue:

Kids TV - Bindi: The Jungle Girl Season Premiere

Elections for Kids

TV Highlights

Barney: 20th Anniversary Collection DVD Review

Kids TV
Emmy-winning Bindi Irwin returns for a second season of Bindi: The Jungle Girl beginning Sept. 27 at 5:00pm e/p on Discovery Kids Channel. The new episodes begin with "American Road Trip" across U.S. desert states. The colorful video postcard is both funny and informative.

Elections for Kids
We've updated our guide for the 2008 Presidential race. Find resources that explain the branches of our government, as well as classroom and online activities that encourage children to learn about the candidates and how issues effect campaigns. Both PBS KIDS GO! and Nickelodeon's Nick News with Linda Ellerbee have special episodes or events that demonstrate the electoral process, while encouraging children to participate in discussions. Most of these resources are geared for K-8 students, although some are for secondary school students. Elections for Kids Guide >>

TV Highlights
Catch a repeat of The Mentalist Friday, Sept. 26, on CBS at 8:00pm ET, before the Presidential Debate on foreign policy.

Sunday, Sept. 28th is a big premiere night.

The Amazing Racing returns for its 13th installment, one week after winning its sixth consecutive Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality-Competition Program. The season premiere is 8:00pm e/p on CBS. The action starts in Los Angeles, where the teams begin the first leg of their global journey. They travel to Salvador, Brazil, but must face a frightening Detour.

"Glory Days" is the season premiere of Cold Case, 9:00pm e/p on CBS and, in Canada, "A." The 1937 murder of a football player is re-examined when evidence surfaces that he was actually killed later than believed. Bobby Cannavale returns as Narcotics Cop Eddie Saccardo.

The season premiere of The Unit follows Cold Case on CBS at 10:00pm e/p. The military team tries to unravel an assassination plot as the women are relocated from the base to safety.

ABC broadcasts a two-hour season premiere of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, 7:00-9:00pm e/p. Then, it's the return of Edie Britt on Desperate Housewives at 9:00pm e/p. All the main adult characters are back as the series moves forward five years. The Scavo children are older, so new actors have been cast for their roles. At 10:01pm e/p, the Walkers embark on a dramatic weekend getaway together on the season premiere of Brothers and Sisters.

With a full-season order from NBC, things are looking up for Chuck - that is if he can survive Ep. 201! In the season premiere on NBC, Monday, Sept. 29, 8:00pm e/p, "Chuck and the First Date," Academy Award nominee Michael Clarke Duncan guest-stars as Colt, a menacing operative. Chuck prevents Colt from obtaining the Cipher -- a device that would ultimately lead to a new Intersect. With his assignment completed, Chuck asks Sarah out for a date. What he doesn't know is that Casey has other plans for him.

More TV Premiere Dates >>

Happy Birthday, Barney! Since 1988, the loveable purple dinosaur has entertaining children with songs and dance. But, each episode stresses positive behavior and friendship, as well as learning how to count, recite ABC's, and reading. Because Barney is a stuffed toy that comes to life through a child's imagination to embark on a new adventure, the show also promotes creativity. Many of Barney's first fans are now parents whose own children are drawn to the comforting character. HIT Entertainment, the producers of Barney & Friends, has released a DVD of favorite moments from the twenty years the show has been on video and television, including the very first one - a home movie! The Best of Barney - 20th Anniversary Collectors' Edition >>

Peggy

Family Screen Scene

http://familyscreenscene.com

Halloween DVDs for Kids and Family

Halloween began as a pagen harvest festival and considered the Celtic New Year. As Christianity took root, the Church instituted All Hallows Day, more commonly known in modern times as "All Saints Day," celebrating the lives and miracles of all the Catholic Church's saints. The night before All Hallows Day became known as "All Hallow Even," the evening before All Hallows Day. "Hallowe'en" replaced the Gaelic custom of dressing up as ghosts and spirits on October 31st. They believed a door between our world and the spirit world was opened for that day only. Evil spirits invaded the world to wreck havoc on human beings. The costumes were believed to appease the spirit world, lessening the destruction they brought. Since then, Halloween has become a day of revelry for all ages, and an opportunity to "play dress-up" as adults. Costumed children go begging door-to-door, calling "trick or treat," delighting their neighbors with their costumes, ranging from angels to devils and monster. Thankfully, the "trick" part of this custom is no longer considered acceptable.

Another favorite part of Halloween is watching scary movies, television episodes, and cartoons. Here are some of our old and new favorites for kids and family.

Scholastic and Fox Home Entertainment have released three Goosebumps DVDs based on R. L. 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 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.

Each episode of HIT Entertainment's Halloween Spooktacular DVD collection of stories and activities is not scary and written for preschoolers and early elementary age children. The episodes cover a variety of Halloween topics, including choosing a costume, safety carving and handling pumpkins, what to expect while trick-or-treating, good manners for trick-or-treating, owning up to one's mistakes, being a good friend, cooperative play, and slightly spooky ghost stories. Episodes are taken from Barney, Angelina Ballerina, Thomas & Friends, Fireman Sam, and Bob the Builder. A Fifi and the Flower Tots bonus episode is also included.

Nickelodeon Films and Paramount Pictures finally did justice to a movie adaptation of a children's book series when it released The Spiderwick Chronicles. When his parents separate, Jared Grace, his twin brother Simon, sister Mallory, and his mother, Helen, move from New York to a mysterious old house in the country. It is owned by their great great uncle Arthur Spiderwick and great aunt Lucinda. The brothers and sister soon learn that the Field Guide their elderly uncle wrote isn't a fantasy. These creatures actually exist! The only way a human can see these creatures is through a special seeing stone, or by being spat in the eye by an icky goblin. The Grace children desperately try to keep the key to the Unseen World out of Mulgareth's evil hands. As the Graces develop their powers and face these magical, sometimes frightening beings, they overcome their personal conflicts.

Don Knotts was best known for his roles as the suspicious, bumbling deputy in The Andy Griffiths Show and the suspicious, bumbling apartment manager in Three's Company. But, he also made a name for himself in family comedy movies, the best of which is The Ghost and Mr. Chicken, released in 1966. It's all silly and your kids will find the special effects and props outdated. It is, however, still funny. Knotts plays Luther Heggs, a newspaper typesetter back in the day when setting up a newspaper for printing required setting it up on a huge printers. He dreams of becoming a reporter. One day, he Luther is given a dare to stay overnight in the town's haunted house. He decides that the best way to draw attention to his investivative reporting skills is by finding out what is going on in the house. But, he is so frightened by the happenings at the house that he doesn't make it. He tells of his terrifying evening, which makes him the laughing stock of the town. Determined to save face, Luther continues to investigate the mysterious house.

The magical adventure The Little Vampire is a delightful children's fantasy film, complete with flying cows. Kids will watch as an underdog gains confidence as he helps his new friends overcome a huge obstacle and evade a klutzy vampire hunter. The parents are loving and caring, but bemused at Tony's make-believe vampire friends - until they are introduced. In the end, good conquers evil. Those who were thought to be evil weren't so bad, after all. They were just stuck in a bad situation and needed a little help getting out of it. The acting and writing is remarkably good, compared to many kids' movies of this genre. The story keeps the attention of the kids. And, adults will catch themselves laughing along with the kids.