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
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Team Up with Thomas DVD Review
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts Review
The Dr. Dolittle series continues with "Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts," released on DVD and Blu Ray May 19, 2009.
Dr. Dolittle is helping animals in China as his daughter, Maya, prepares to go to veterinary school. Her pet dog, Lucky, isn't too happy about the separation, but it's what she needs to do to help animals. As she's packing, the DVD orientation arrives. The years of study, training, and examinations are overwhelming to the young woman who only wants to help animals. Her mother, Lisa, reassures her that the time spent is well worth the effort for the rewards it will bring Maya.
The day is interrupted by a neighborhood emergency - a cat is stuck in a tree top. Maya quickly climbs up a ladder and begins talking to it to see if she can find out why it won't come down. It seems the cat is being bathed by its elderly owner. Maya expalins to the lady that cats aren't supposed to take baths. The owner and pet are reunited with a new understanding.
The event was captured by a television news camera and soon, Maya's gift is known to Hollywood. An agent enlists his superstar, Tiffany Monaco, to entice Maya to LA so he can get her signed and on television. Tiffany is glad to help, especially since Maya helped her with her own pet dog.
Promising her mother that she'll be gone just for the weekend, Maya heads to the bright lights and seductive glamour of Hollywood. She attends an A-list party where she meets a famous, well-adjustedm former child star, Brandon Turner. He can't believe she really talks to animals, so Maya asks his pet Sheltie for a piece of information about Brandon that only his pet pooch would know. With an embarrassing fact revealed, Brandon is convinced - and smitten with Maya's sweet personality and good looks.
Tiffany and Maya make the rounds as they try to find famous young celebrities who will participate in a television show that let's Maya help animals by listening to their problems with their owners and helping them solve them. The stars of movies, television and music are thoroughly convinced that Maya helped them and endorse the show. The unscrupulous agent persuades Maya to sign the contract without reading it, even though Maya knows she shouldn't.
To do this show and stay with her celebrity friends, Maya decides to not go to college. Her mother, of course, is shocked. But, Maya has been convinced that she can help animals without all those years of vet school. It takes a sick dog that Maya cannot help without medical training to persuade her that if she really wants to help animals as her father does, she must complete her education. That's great, but there's that nasty contract she signed that just might prevent Maya from fulfilling her dream.
Dr. Dolitle: Million Dollar Mutts really is a heart-warming family film. It conveys the importance of a complete education to reach one's highest goals. The film also emphasizes that not all child stars are spoiled or get into drugs or face tremendous problems. Brandon is a nice young man, who follows Maya's lead to college. Maya's mother has a strong, but kind, disposition, allowing her daughter a special opportunity, but is there to remind her of what is important in the long run. The film also shows that a young adult who has been raised with strong values will recognize what is important, even if they are momentarily blinded by the glitz of celebrity life.
Special Features found on both the Blu Ray Disc and Standard DVD include:
Special features include:
Tiffany’s Tricked Out Cell Phone featurette
No Business Like Show Business featurette
Star Tours: Dolittle Style featurette
DVD Special Features:
Presented in widescreen (1.78:1 ratio) format, English, Spanish and French Dolby Surround 5.1 with English and Spanish subtitles.
Blu-Ray Special Features:
The feature film is presented in widescreen format (1.78:1
aspect ratio) with English 5.1 DTS HD Master Audio and Spanish and French 5.1 Dolby Digital with English, Spanish, French, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean and Thai subtitles.
Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts
Dr. Dolittle: Million Dollar Mutts [Blu-ray]
Cast
Kyla Pratt... Maya Dolittle
Karen Holness... Lisa Dolittle
Tegan Moss... Tiffany Monaco
Brandon Jay McLaren... Brandon Turner
Jason Bryden... Rick Beverley
Crew
Director: Alex Zamm
Writers: Steve Altiere
Daniel Altiere
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Lovely Stories
Based on three novels by Elizabeth Gaskell, Cranford follows the lives of villagers in a remote Midlands market town as the modern age encroaches on it. The story is follows the lives of the early-Victorian backwater from June 1842 through May 1843, beginning with the nearly simultaneous arrivals of Mary Smith, whose mother was from Cranford, and Dr. Frank Harrison, a doctor fresh out of medical school who is joining his cousin's practice. Cranford is populated with a remarkable number of aging spinsters and widows. "All the householders above a certain rent are women." Men take a backseat to the influence the women wield through their control of the village's social life. Cranford is absolutely charming. The comedy of manners is now on DVD. Cranford Miniseries DVD Full Review >>
Shiny Surprises for Kids
In Zakland: The Shiny Surprise, children's entertainer Zak Morgan takes kids and families on a kaleidoscopic adventure into his world of magic, music, song, and puppets. His clear and concise lyrics are filled with humor as they guide children to dealing with emotional issues, including jealousy over the attention a parent gives another sibling. Each chapter of the DVD is filled with catchy music with meaningful lyrics. This is one DVD that will be played over and over to the delight of young and old. Great for rainy day inspiration, as well as dealing with negative emotions. Zakland: The Shiny Surprise DVD Review >>
Family Comedy
TBS's family comedy returns for its second season Thursday, June 12, 9:00pm e/p. Engvall is best known for his comedy acts, particularly Blue Collar Comedy Tour and the former WB TV series, Blue Collar Comedy. He adjusts his routine for the sit-com, which is one of the rare truly family sit-coms on broadcast or cable network television. It is warm-hearted, always humorous, and sometimes hilarious. It is also a show that most parents will feel comfortable watching with their kids.
The Bill Engvall Complete Season One DVD was released May 20. Those who enjoy his stand-up comedy will find it's still thriving on the DVD bonus feature, "Ask Bill," a series of answers to fan mail.
For Father's Day, Bill provides insight into what it means to be a father and shares his favorite Father's Day gifts for great ideas for your own dad! Bill Engvall's Fatherly Advice >>
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Bob the Builder - The Three Muksetrucks
Bob the Builder continues to be an inspiring children's series, especially for preschool boys. The release of The Three Musketrucks showcases Dodger the Milk Truck, Packer the Delivery Truck, and Scrambler the four-wheeler's adventures. Oh! Bob has a different voice in this collection. In the title episode, Dodger, Packer, and Scrambler call themselves the Three Musketrucks when Bob and Wendy send them off together for a pick-up and delivery. They get into all kinds of trouble, of course. In the end, they get the job done and have learned important life lessons along the way. Other episodes center on building a creamery, a weaving studio, and a general store. The DVD also contains episodes of Fireman Sam and the always charming Fifi and the Flowertots. These supplement Bob the Builder themes with lessons on outdoor play, cooperation and playing nicely. Fireman Sam also shows by example the necessity of doing as adults say and following safety rules. The Three Musketrucks DVD Review >> Other recent Bob the Bilder DVD releases are Building Bobland Bay and the excellent Bob Onsite: Building Roads and Bridges, which features real-life segments of construction projects. The Hit Favorites: Summertime Fun DVD centers on seasonal activities and outdoor play. Bob the Builder: Dizzy goes Camping is included. There is also an excellent Barney episode, titled The Wind and the Sun, as well as episodes of Thomas and Friends, Angelina Ballerina, Fireman Sam, and Fifi and the Flowertots.
Sinatra
One thing you can say about Frank Sinatra is that he was determined to succeed in the music industry, and he pretty much did it his way, as reflected by his mid-life hit single, "My Way." Warner Home Video has released the Award-winning bio-pic, Sinatra, which was made while he was still living. Sinatra's daughter, Tina, executive produced the made-for-TV-movie. Contradiction and controversy followed him throughout his life. More than sixty years after he started his Big Band career, Sinatra remains an international icon, transcending genres. He still influences the industry in music, motion pictures, or lifestyle. The acting captures the essence of the characters and the eras in which they lived, including superior performances from Olympia Dukakis as Sinatra's brash mother and Marcia Gay Harden as the sultry Ava Gardner, both of whom have since won Academy Awards. The teleplay and music of Sinatra are as timeless as its subject.