Team Up with Thomas DVD Review

This May 19th release of the beloved trains of Sodor Island features a new character, Mr. Arkwright, a new engine driver. His appearances are made during live action segments. He shows children the employee breakroom. During Team Up with Thomas, Mr. Arkwright has an important task to complete: Make a cardboard engine for Sir Topham Hatt's grandchildren! Mr. Arkwright's welcome addition will not appear on television broadcasts of Thomas and Friends, but only on DVD releases.

The animated adventures continue to uphold Rev. Awdry's original stories' valuable lessons in cooperation, respect for oneself and each other, completing tasks, and following directions. The Team Up with Thomas DVD's emphasis is, of course, team work and cooperation in work and play. Children will recognize themselves and their peers as they watch the trains work, play, make mistakes, but ultimately do a job well done.

The DVD includes a Roary the Racing Car bonus episode, "Roary Takes Off." When Roary is accidentally filled with helium instead of an engine cleaner, he gets a new view of the world. The addition of a Roary episode complements the Thomas and Friends stories. Roary's eagerness to become the best race car leads to an ocassional mishap, but always ends happily with new life lessons learned while having fun.

Hit Entertainment and Lionsgate have released a limited Edition set that includes a well made wooden Thomas the Tank Engine toy. The cost is just a couple of dollars more, but the toy would cost several dollars more at most retailers. Thomas & Friends: Team Up with Thomas with Thomas Toy

Thomas & Friends: Team Up With Thomas DVD

Team Up with Thomas DVD Synopsis
Everyone's favorite true blue engine, Thomas, is back with friends old and new in four fun adventures on the Island of Sodor in Thomas & Friends: Team Up With Thomas. This DVD is enhanced with state-of-the-art CG animation and a new live-action host, Mr. Arkwright, who welcomes viewers with a smile and a fun project for Lady Hatt's grandchildren. Thomas, Edward, Toby, James and the rest of the engines introduce young engineers to Hank, a big, strong, new engine, and Flora, a lovely new lady steam engine. Together, they take us along on their tasks around the island. Be careful: trouble may lie around the next bend. But one thing's for certain - you'll always come home with a brand new friend!

Episodes include:

"Heave Ho Thomas" - Sir Topham Hatt asks Thomas to show Hank, the new engine, around the island. Thomas quickly rails against Hank's brash personality and refuses to let Hank help him with his important jobs. When overloaded, Thomas cracks a cylinder and needs Hank's help. The two soon become good friends.
"James Works It Out" - It's winter on the island and James is telling everyone he always knows best and never needs advice from anyone! When Hector tries to warn him about the bad weather, he decides to ignore him. He soon changes his mind when they get stuck in the snow. Luckily, Hector is happy to help his friend James.

"Tram Trouble" - Toby is very excited about leading the parade at the first Great Waterton festival, so when Thomas discovers that Flora, the new steam tram, is also leading the parade, Thomas is worried his friend will be upset. Thomas tries to impede the forthcoming events…little does he know that Toby is scared of leading the parade on his own!

"Push Me Pull You" - The Puppet Show has arrived on the Island of Sodor and Skarloey excitedly asks Sir Topham Hatt if he can pull the puppet show special. The trucks are very heavy, and instead of accepting Rheneas' offer of help, Skarloey challenges him to a tug of war with the trucks. Disaster quickly ensues, and Skarloey learns that friendship is the strongest thing of all.

DVD Special Features
Spot the Difference Game
Sir Topham Hatt's Helping Hands
Bonus Episode: Roary™ the Racing Car - "Roary Takes Off" The all-new TV series from the creators of Bob the Builder™

DVD Technical Features
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Ages 2-5
Closed Captioned: English Closed Captioned
Format: Full Screen
Feature Running Time: 46 minutes
DVD Audio Status: English, Spanish and French 2.0 Dolby Digital

Children can have fun at the Thomas and Friends official website

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.

Thanksgiving 2008 Newsletter

Screen Scene Newsletter
Vol. VII, Issue No. 9
Nov. 26, 2008

If you believe you are receiving this newsletter in error or wish to stop getting it, scroll down for the unsubscribe link.

In This Issue:
* Barbara Walters Special
* Thanksgiving
* TV Highlights
* Green Toys and Games
* Kids & Family DVD Reviews

******************************************************************
A Bit of Inspiration: If the Pilgrims in Plymouth and the colonists at Jamestown could survive hunger, famine, scurvy, and a lack of shelter, we can face and overcome our current economic crisis. Many thanks to the Native Americans who helped the European settlers.

******************************************************************
Barbara Walters Special
You have to give Barbara Walters credit for her ability to interview anyone about anything. Wednesday at 10:01pm e/p, tune in to to ABC for "Barack Obama: The Barbara Walters Interview." President-Elect Obama and his wife, Michelle, will talk about their future in the White House. Most importantly, Obama will discuss the economy.

******************************************************************
Thanksgiving Day!
On the fourth Thursday of November, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving Day. It's a time for family - not just parents, brothers and sisters - but grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles, too, not to mention our friends! It's also a wonderful day filled with humongous balloons, big stars, beautiful floats and marching bands!

There are all kinds of things to do and preparations to make, from Thanksgiving Dinner/Help Lines & Websites to watching Thanksgiving Day Parades, Thanksgiving specials and marathons, and DVDs. Take a minute to learn 10 Fun Facts about Thanksgiving Day. Find outdoor cooking and recipes for Grilled, Smoked, or Fried Turkey, including Grilled Apple Slices with Brown Sugar Butter.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade airs from 9:00am to 12:00 noon ET on NBC and CBS. In Detroit, insteady of Macy's Thanksgiving Day, the NBC Affiliate, WDIV Channel 4, will air America's Thanksgiving Day Parade, 9:00am - 12:00 noon ET. The latter will be syndicated across the nation beginning around 10:00am ET (check local listings for the channel carrying it where you live.) Truthfully, the Detroit parade has a more 'hometown' feel to it.

******************************************************************
TV Highlights
Watch a rebroadcast of "Modern Marvels: The Turkey" Wednesday at 7:00pm e/p on The History Channel.

Nickelodeon kicks off its Superstuffed Weekend with an encore of iCarly: iGo to Japan, 7:00-8:30pm e/p. Then, it's the premiere of the Naked Brothers Band's first animated special, The Supetastic 6, at 8:30pm e/p.

Rosie Live! features comedy, music, and celebrity guests, Wednesday, Nov. 26, 8:00pm e/p on NBC.

Part 2 of Deal or No Deal's Thanksgiving special episode airs Nov. 26 at 9:00pm e/p on NBC and E! Canada. A Minnesota woman tries to outsmart the banker, but her nerves may get the best of her when her family is placed in a cage with turkeys - the animal she is most afraid of.

Nov. 27, Food Network will repeat "Dear Food Network" episodes focusing on holiday cooking tips, problems, failures and successes: "Thanksgiving Disasters" - 10:00am e/p; "Thanksgiving Turkey" - 11:00am e/p; "Thanksgiving Desserts" - 12:00 noon e/p; and "Thanksgiving Leftovers" - 1:00pm e/p.

Survivor: Gabon - I Was Put On The Planet For This Show is a special behind-the-scenes episode airing on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 8:00-9:00pm e/p on CBS and Global. At 9:00pm e/p, it's a repeat of last year's "Grissom's Divine Comedy" on CSI and CTV. Eleventh Hour: Resurrection, the series premiere, repeats at 10:00pm e/p on CBS and 'A' in Canada.

ABC repeats A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving at 8:00pm e/p, followed by Grey's Anatomy: Dream a Little Dream, 9:00-11:00pm e/p.

For a truer picture of the Pilgrims and their quest than tradition provides, watch Desperate Crossing: The Untold Story of the Mayflower, Thanksgiving Day, 9:00-11:00pm ET on History International.

ABC Family airs a marathon of Christmas movies Nov. 27 beginning at 12:00 noon e/p. Then, The Notebook airs at 8:00pm e/p.

Four new episodes of SpongeBob SquarePants air Nov. 28, 8:00-10:00pm e/p on Nickelodeon. During the 8:30 episode, catch a sneak peek at Nick's new cartoon series, The Penguins of Madagascar Based on the characters from the movies, this series will premiere in 2009.

A one-hour episode of Back to the Barnyard will air Saturday, 8:00pm e/p on Nickelodeon, followed by two new episodes of Mighty B! at 9:00pm and 9:30pm e/p.

Sunday, Fairly OddParents airs new episodes at 8:00pm and 8:30pm e/p on Nickelodeon.

Check out our Thanksgiving Weekend TV Highlights for more marathons, movies, sports, and holiday ideas episodes.

******************************************************************
Green Toys and Games
Family Screen Scene has selected 12 toys, games, kits, and books that encourage an understanding of nature and the environment, or are manufactured to be as "green" as possible. Each is a traditional favorite of kids, whether a science set, arts and crafts kit, board game, doll house, vehicle, or activity book.

12 Eco-Friendly Gifts for Kids & Families >>

******************************************************************
Wintry Children's DVDs
Hit Entertainment and Lionsgate released two cool family DVDs: Pingu's South Pole Adventures and Shaun the Sheep: Off the Baa!. Both are slapstick comedy for all ages. They are almost silent and the dialogue is grunts, baas, or penguenise. As children watch, they create their own narrative for the action, which helps develop language and communication skills. But, really, the comic adventures on both DVDs are just plain funny! Bonus features include character galleries for both series. Pingu also includes a DVD-rom computer game.

The Christmas Toy Movie is a holiday classic available for the first time on DVD. Filled with wonderful songs by Jeff Moss, the heart-warming movie is still a delightful Christmas story from the master puppeteer, Jim Henson. It is filled with laughter, a few tears, thrills, and adventure. As the Jones family toys try to rescue one of their own from being frozen forever, they learn that there are more important things than being a child's favorite toy: love, friendship, and helping others. The Christmas Toy Synopsis >>
******************************************************************
Happy Birthday Anne and Mike!
******************************************************************
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Peggy Smith
Family Screen Scene
http://familyscreenscene.com