Disney's Up

(L-R) Russell and Carl Fedricksen "©Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved." Up is in North American theaters May 29, 2009.

Disney's A Christmas Carol

"Jim Carrey stars as the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge in Disney's A Christmas Carol, a multi-sensory film re-invisioned by Academy Award^R-winning filmmaker Robert Zemeckis. Capturing the fantastical essence of the classic Dickens tale in a groundbreaking 3D motion picture event, Disney's A Christmas Carol opens in theaters around the world in November 2009. Early footage from the film was screened at the Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2009." (c)Walt Disney Films.

The film is scheduled for a Nov. 6th release in the U.S.

Toy Story 3 D Image

"Toy Story In Disney Digital 3-D" (L-R) Buzz Lightyear, Woody "©Disney Enterprises Inc. All Rights Reserved." This re-release is slated to premiere in U.S. theaters on Oct. 2, 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]

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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

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.