susiej/reviews

Just in time for Halloween, the latest release of WHO BOB WHAT PANTS? (Spongebob Squarepants) includes four underwater shorts:

What Ever Happened to SpongeBob?
SpongeBob leaves Bikini Bottom, gets amnesia and finds himself Mayor of New Kelp City! When Sandy, Patrick, Mr. Krabs and Squidward finally find him, will SpongeBob return to his old life with these “strangers” or remain in the city where he’s a hero?

Goo Goo Gas
In his latest attempt to steal the Krabby Patty secret formula, Plankton turns everyone inside the Krusty Krab into babies.

The Two Faces of Squidward
When Squidward breaks his face, his resulting look is so handsome he becomes all the rage in Bikini Bottom!

SpongeHenge
The strong winds whipping through SpongeBob’s pores are creative beautiful music. Everyone knows music attracts jellyfish, and this time is no exception.

Banned in Bikini Bottom
The United Organization of Fish Against Things Fun and Delicious has banned Krabby Patties!

Stanley S. SquarePants
Cousin Stanley comes to live with SpongeBob and find his purpose in life. But it’s tough to find when practically everything you touch goes up in smoke. Literally.

Plus, now you can help SpongeBob Square Pants find his prizes. The SpongeBob Square Pants’ Lost & Found My Prizes Game is a fun and exciting online prize hunt for children and SpongeBob fans of all ages! First, get a Game Piece found in selected SpongeBob products or request a free one by mail. Then go online to Find Spongebob to play. Every time you play the SpongeBob Square Pants’ Lost & Found My Prizes Game, you will be entered to win one of 550 Instant Win Prizes and the Grand Prize. You can also enter to win the Grand Prize by mail.

Special Thanks to Tamara Brown from Special Ops Media for the video.

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There is something indistinctly delightful to a child when he hears his name spoken by someone they least expect to know their name. Billy Blue Hair: Why Do Giraffes Have Long Necks?, a combination animation/real-live nature DVD that addresses my son personally, by name, didn’t fail to delight my son.

Right on the DVD cover, my son’s name was emblazoned, right alongside of Billy Blue Hair himself — an animated little guy with tall blue hair, who is the host of this award-winning (2006 iParenting Media Award) animal video, sent to me by the Parent Bloggers Network. Billy took us on an adventure, while looking for his dog Doogie, to visit Monkeys, Giraffes (his favorite) and lions. Sprinkling facts along the way, about each animal, Billy Blue Hair happily entertained my son for 30 minutes.

Every time Billy said his name, my son giggled and said, “How does he know that?!” This, combined with the beautiful shots of animals swinging in the trees, looking silly for the camera, made this a DVD that satisfied him beyond the novelty of hearing his name. I hope Billy Blue Hair has help to lay the foundation for a continued love of nature. as my son’s curiosity continues to evolve. Billy Blue Hair: Why do Giraffes Have Long Necks? is available for $12.99.

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After his break up with Joni Mitchell, Graham Nash wrote several poignant songs, (“Better Days,” “Simple Man” and “I Used To Be King”), and Nash was inspired to keep writing.

“I realized I could craft something special that you could listen to and could help you in your own life,” he says. “At the time I wrote those songs, they were very hopeful. There was bleakness, but I tried to put an opening of light at the end.”
The album, Songs for Beginners[CD/DVD-Audio], was first released in the spring of 1971, which is his emotionally charged solo debut that follows his permanent break with Mitchell, and his temporary split with his bandmates, David Crosby and Stephen Stills. The album was a decisive hit, peaking at #15 on Billboard and spawning the Top 40 hit “ Chicago .”

Songs for Beginners is written and performed in a conversational tone of voice, often just above a whisper. It is tender in its honesty, warm and calm in its pace and determination. “Yes, it was quiet,” Nash admits. “But I wanted it to be straight from my heart to whoever listened to it. What I’m saying has survived pretty well.”

Rhino remasters this legendary musician’s first album for a landmark CD/DVD reissue that features 5.1 Surround Sound and High Resolution mixes of the original, along with a 2008 interview with Nash, photos and lyrics. SONGS FOR BEGINNERS is available from Rhino Records and all physical and digital outlets,for a suggested list price of $24.98.

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Instead of watching the football game like the rest of the town; my girlfriend and I escaped to a quiet room upstairs and plugged the DVD that Victor Lu from Special Ops Media graciously sent me; and we’re so glad that we’re smart enough to make good choices with what little time we have.

The movie, Then She Found Me, (now available on DVD) is based on the novel by Elinor Lipman, stars Helen Hunt (Best Actress, As Good As It Gets, 1998) and Colin Firth (Mamma Mia!, Bridget Jones’s Diary). The film starts off with laughs and giggles; but soon develops into a complex tangled weave as Alice April (Helen Hunt) hungers for a baby; her husband (Matthew Broderick) leaves her for another woman and her mother dies. Then, two-time Oscar® nominee Bette Midler, steps into Alice’s life as her real mother.

Bette was full of enough half-truths to keep us giggling, and ultimately, temporarily kept April side-tracked enough to see the options, some she was still unaware of, in her life.

When you watch the film; be sure to take note of the chocolate-colored evening dress April wears to the gala with Colin; in that dress, she looked her lovely, graceful best; even though we agreed through most of the movie that Helen is just too thin; she looked worn-out.

The movie is beautifully done; the scene of April in the bath tub, while her mother washes her hair was especially poignant. While the love story runs in the foreground; the real story in this movie runs underneath; this is a story about a mother’s love.

Then She Found Me was directed by Helen Hunt and screenplay by Alice Arlen and Victor Levin & Helen Hunt. The film was executive produced by John Wells, Chip Signore, Louise Goodsell, Ralph Kamp, Victor Levin, Walter Josten, Jeff Geoffray and Howard Behar; associate produced by Moon Blauner; co-produced by Matthew Myers; produced by Pamela Koffler, Katie Roumel and Christine Vachon; and produced by Helen Hunt and Connie Tavel.

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The stars in this latest DVD, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Storybook Surprises from hit Playhouse Disney are none other than Mickey and his pals Minnie, Goofy, Donald and Pluto. This fun-loving gang takes on some classic fairytales, giving each their own individual twist. From enchanted spells and 100-year sleeps to magical frogs, the ingredients are all there for a thrilling journey through your very own storybook.

• Label: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
• Genre: Preschool
• Suggested Retail Price: US 19.99, Canada 24.99
• Running Time: Approximately 96 Minutes
• MPAA Rating: TV-G
• Sound: Dolby Digital Sound
• Language: English, Spanish, French audio

The second is, My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Hundred Acre Wood Haunt,; four Halloween-inspired stories and a bonus Halloween Disney Handy Manny episode, Hundred Acre Wood haunt is the perfect gift for all little trick-or-treaters this Fall.

• Label: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
• Genre: Preschool
• Suggested Retail Price: US 19.99, Canada 24.99
• Running Time: Approximately 88 minutes
• MPAA Rating: Not Rated, TV-G
• Sound: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
• Language: English, Spanish, French audio
• Bonus Features: Bonus Super Sleuth Fall Harvest Festival

Special Thanks to Brooke Schneider, Junior Account Manager at Special Ops Media.

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“So, who won?,” I asked the kids after they were still laughing after watching the latest release from The Jim Henson Company, Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare, I assumed, it would be the tortoise. Typical, I thought. But, they just looked at me bewildered, as if “Mom, you’re missing the whole point…” I never got an answer about who did win, but they did let me know that “They all had to work together.”

So, just as we want our kids to learn about life, it’s not about who wins or loses in this movie, it’s about the adventure… the process of getting to the finish line.

With Danny Glover starring as Walter the Tortoise, and Jay Leno as the Hare, I doubt that my kids, do to their tender young age, realize the gem of talent behind and supporting this movie. They just take all that for granted. The kids loved, it, and find scenes worth recalling over dinner… with laughter.

The movie hits the streets on September 9, 2008, and retails for $19.97. Indulge yourself… it’s the perfect antidote to “back to school stress!.”

Special Thanks to Marisa Vaccari, at from Special Ops Media for the DVD.

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When I do manage to pull myself and the boys away from the lake… as late as possible, we’ll be checking out the new movie, Fly Me To the Moon, which opens August 15. A rated-G family movie, full of adventure. Just the thing to keep my 4-year-old from asking if I’ll take him to see the new Batman Movie… which isn’t an option.

I just watched the trailer for Fly Me To the Moon, and I am in love with this movie. Insects are flying to the moon, but they must keep it a secret from their Mom. The lines are based on the actual transcripts and the original blueprints from NASA, which adds “The Right Stuff” Drama to the entire insect mission. I won’t give away all the details… you can read more about them here.

This is the first animated film shot in 3-D for 3-D.

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