#Win #SpaceWarriors Blu~Ray Combo Pack ~ Open to US/Canada ~ Ends June 25th ~ #WaldenFamilyTheater

How Spacey Are You?

Are you a Space Warrior? Do you use the stars to navigate your journeys instead of the map function on your smartphone? 

Take this quiz to find out whether you're destined to orbit the cosmos or whether you're happiest living here on this planet.

Mad Moose Mama is VERY pleased to offer you an opportunity to win your VERY own copy of this Family Friendly Classic...all you have to do is answer the mandatory question by doing the quiz above and letting us all know how Space Savvy you truly are~!!  Have fun and GOOD GROOVY LUCKS~!!

About Space Warriors:
Six highly skilled teenagers are handpicked to be part of a summer space camp competition at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. As the competition heats up, the kids have no idea that their ultimate challenge will be to solve a life or death crisis aboard the International Space Station as the world anxiously watches.

Starring: Thomas Horn, Danny Glover, Josh Lucas, Dermot Mulroney, Mira Sorvino and Booboo Stewart.

Space Warriors Official Website: http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/spacewarriors


And to go along with the show is the Space Warriors Blog App where you can do the following:

• Win a Family Trip to Space Camp - Watch Space Warriors on the Hallmark Channel May 31 at 8/7C for the secret keyword, then enter it for a chance to win a family trip to the U.S. Space and Rocket Center's Space Camp.
• How Spacey Are You? Quiz - Take this quiz to find out whether you are destined to orbit the cosmos or whether you are happiest here on the planet.
• Prepare for Blast-off! Space Warriors Viewing Guide - Check off the boxes as you watch Space Warriors for the most spectacular, spaciest experience.

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**I received no monetary value for posting this giveaway...Walden Family Theater is responsible for all prizes and is sponsoring this giveaway~!! **

DVD REVIEW: Wiener Dog Nationals (2013)~!!

Wiener Dog Nationals (2013)

Language:  English
Genre:   Comedy/Family
Production Company:  Fromage Pictures
Run Time:  82 minutes
Directed by:  Kevan Peterson
Written by: Kevan Peterson
Story by: Gregory Gutierrez and Kevan Peterson

Fact: The Wiener Dog Nationals Movie is inspired by an actual Wiener Dog race held each year by fast food company Wienerschnitzel.

A family adopts a runt of a dachshund from a shelter. Only time will tell if little "Shelly" and her new family are up for the challenges of entering the nation's greatest wiener dog race, Wienerschnitzel's "Wiener Dog Nationals." One Nation, one race, one wiener. 

Cast:

Alicia Witt as Melanie
Jason London as Phil Jack
Morgan Fairchild as Ms. Merryweather
Marque Richardson as Dirk
Bryan Batt as Judge Brown
Caitlin Carmichael as Bridget
Chris Moss as Mr. Bright
Jim Metzler as Mr. Fleet
Laura Ann Kesling as Teresa
Brandon Tyler Russell as Ronny
Jessica Tyler Brown as Snotty Girl
Cheryl Texiera as Ms. Hampton
Scott Butler as Judge Brown's Assistant
Jeanne Chinn as News Reporter
Austin Anderson as Skip Jack

Plot:

Each year, hundreds of dogs participate in the Annual Wiener Nationals, an event that has been sponsored by the Wienerschnitzel Restaurant chain for almost 20 years.  When a little boy and his family adopt "Shelly", named after Shelter Dogs everywhere...they decide to run her in the races even though they do not hold much faith in her winning.

When Shelly places in the Nationals, the family scrapes and scrimps to get enough together to enter only to be thwarted along the way by Ms. Merriweather and her reigning Wiener dog champion, "Princess".

Along the way, they learn that Ms. Merriweather may not appear to be a decent sort and when the chips finally fall, Shelly becomes triumphant in her pursuit to capture the hearts of those around her.

We found that this is not suitable for children younger than six years of age, there isn't enough to grab and hold their attention for very long.  Though the puppies are adorable, there just wasn't enough action to follow through with the plot's development.

The dialogue was stale in some parts and the comedy delivered failed to meet its punchline.  Though the movie was charming, I feel that some people will have a hard time keeping their attention drawn to the movie.  If you love Wiener dogs, however, you will find this movie absolutely fascinating.

We here, at The Marsh, give "Wiener Dog Nationals" a 5 out of 10 stars~!!

LIKE the WIENER DOG NATIONALS on FACEBOOK~!!!

Racing onto DVD on July 5th~!!

I was provided a DVD screener to review this movie...I was not paid or compensated in any other way.  My opinions are my own as I see it~!!

#DVD #Review ~ Decisions

Decisions

Running Time:  87 minutes
Genre:  Action, Crime, Drama
Year:  2011
Rated:  R for violence, pervasive language, some drug use and sexual content
Production Company:  Zenon Kesik Productions, Zrk1 Pictures
Budget:  $1.5 million

SYNOPSIS:

When a group of friends decide to pull a bank heist to get out from underneath their money troubles they quickly discover that things can unravel in a hurry~!!

A compromised LAPD Dectective (Corey Haim) on the take with a crime syndicate figure (Anthony Vitale) want the money back and will got to any lengths to get it~!!

Things go wrong quickly as bullets start to fly and the group finds that one thing affects another and discover the voice of reason is not always what it appears to be.

CAST & CREW:

Corey Haim ~ Det. Lou Andreas
Anthony Vitale ~ Frankie
Matt Medrano ~ Dave
Yeniffer Behrens ~ Serena
Mike Foy ~ AD
George Cantreras ~ DJ Johnny
Anthony Fitzgerald ~ Kiwi
Joseph Medrano ~ Chino
Desmond Phillips ~ Mike
Cisco Reyes ~ Halo Manchester
Senyo Amoaku ~ Smoke

My Thoughts:

The story sets off interesting enough, you are introduced who you assume are going to be the main characters and begin to build a rapport with them.  You watch the scene being set up and you begin to get the uncanny sensation that you have seen this same scene in dozens of films and truthfully, the whole premise was nothing but one huge cliché after another.

After the shooting, things begin to get confusing as the viewer isn't quite sure who are the victims and who are the "bad" guys as character building is left on the wayside in order to bring a mindless and drifting plot that doesn't really capture the viewers imagination nor their attention.

I thought Corey Haim was over~rated in his role of Det. Lou Andreas, his portrayal of a "on~the~take" detective was not only trite in his depiction, but grossly over~acted in almost every scene.  "Decisions" is being classified as Haim's "last movie" that he shall be appearing in and after the likes of his performance in this movie, I cannot say as I am going to miss him much.

I thought the musical score was improperly tuned to the film as at times the quality was lacking and the volume had to be turned up and down with there being no happy flow to the listening levels.  I thought the music was fitting for the movie and set the tone nicely however and was one of the few aspects of the movie that was enjoyable.

I thought the dialogue was lacking in some areas and almost seemed ad libbed in others.  Often times it was hard to follow as there was no clear and concise measure to the characters words.  Most of the time it was a lot of incessant shouting matches between testosterone humped up men who are looking for an "easy" way out of their life situations.

I would give Decisions a two out of five stars.  I just didn't find this movie appealing, though it did have some moments of brief clarity, for the most part, the director needs to hire themselves a better writer if they wish to continue working in the movie industry.  There were some nice cinemagraphics but not enough to keep the movie interesting.

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  I didn't receive any monetary compensation for this review, other than a movie in which to review~!!  **

DVD REVIEW: Chuggington ~ Wilson and the Ice Cream Fair

CHUGGINGTON ~ Wilson and the Ice Cream Fair

Director:  Sarah Ball
Producer:  Sarah Ball
Executive Producer:  Charlie Caminada, Rob Lawes, Dick Rothkopf, Don Toht
Duration:  61 minutes
Surround:  2.0
Number of Discs:  1

Episodes Include:

Wilson and the Ice Cream
Bang Klang Wilson
Frostini's Fruit Fandango
Frostini's Meltdown
Koko's Puppy Training
Brewster and the Dragon

Bonus Features:  Colouring and Activity Sheets

In this colllection, the brave young trainee makes a special delivery to the ice cream fair, helps Frostini create a new flavour for the mayor's banquet, and tries to prevent a massive ice cream meltdown on the hottest day of the year.  There's fun in the ice cream factory, a brave rescue at the Safari Park and an adventure in the ice caves, too~!!  

Alongside good friends, like Koko and Brewster, and helpful Chuggers like Old Puffer Pete and Mtambo, the trainees discover important lessons about responsibility, cooperation, paying attention, overcoming a fear and so much more~!!

My son absolutely LOVES this DVD and I was quite shocked to tell you true.  While he has watched Chuggington in the past, I was beginning to think he may be just a bit old but nope, I was totally wrong.  He got so engrossed with the show that he was upset when his younger niece came into the room and began asking him questions.  He told her to sit down and watch his really cool Chuggington DVD on ice cream, he loves ice cream so the theme of the DVD couldn't be a more suitable one.

He loved the episode on Frostini's Fruit Fandango, I could hear him talking to the characters as they were trying to come up with a flavourful ice cream and even came up with a flavour all of his own.  Chocolate chip with bananas, chocolate syrup and cherries and do not forget the whipped cream...lol

The episodes are adorable and the animation is very eye~catching.  Each episode revolves around cold and I'm thinking it couldn't have come at a more suitable time then the summer months.   And each of the six episodes are only about ten minutes long and you can play them individually or play all and let the whole DVD play through.

If your little people love the Chuggington series or maybe their a train buff, however you look at it, they are thoroughly going to enjoy this DVD.  It''s a wonderful way to spend a hot summer day, the lessons and messages shared throughout each episode are truly enjoyable ones for your wee folks to listen and share with.

Visit Chuggington and see what other wonderful things they have to share~!!

  **  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

DVD REVIEW: Scholastic ~ Stellaluna

Based on the beloved children's book, this fun~filled animated feature follows a spirited young fruit bat who finds friendship, love and acceptance in the most unexpected places~!!

Brimming with music, laughter, warmth and excitement, Stellaluna is sure to capture your heart~!  

When the adorable fruit bat, Stellaluna is separated from her mother, she is adopted by a family of birds, but soon finds that she just can't fit in~!  Her playmates like to sleep at night; she wants to fly.  They whistle and sing; she doesn't even have a beak~!  But just when it seems like she'll always be an outsider, Stellaluna makes an amazing discovery.

Now she'll learn to cherish the things that make her different from everyone else.  And she'll see that an open mind and open heart can lead to the greatest gifts of all.

Directed by:  William R. Kowalchuck Jr.

Written by:  Rachel Koretsky and Steven Whitestone

Studio:  Fox Video

Release Date:  July 20, 2004

Run Time:  41 minutes

Bonus Features:

On Screen Read~Along

Sing~Along Feature

5.1 Surround Sound

Stellaluna Activity Booklet

Award Winning DVD:

Parents' Choice Recommended Award

Newport Beach Film Festival Outstanding Achievement in Family Entertainment

iParenting Media Award

I am very thankful for such educating and entertaining places such as Scholastic who provide many fun and heart~warming stories for children.  I am very impressed with their video series and the children and I absolutely adored Stellaluna and her adventures on finding herself.

The message portrayed in this video is about finding oneself in a world where you don't quite fit.  Stellaluna's tale is endearing and charming to watch and the music is just wonderful to listen to as well.  

I loved the graphics, they were colourful and enriching and added a perfect blend to the overall story being shared.  My young people fell completely in love with Stellaluna and were so happy to see that everything works out for her in the end.  Great story that I am sure you young folks will thoroughly enjoy~!!

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

DVD REVIEW: Bubble Guppies

Bubble Guppies

Studio:  Nickelodeon
Release Date:  May 1, 2012
Run Time:  88 minutes

From meeting the Bubble Guppies for the first time to finding his favourite Bubble Bite snacks to starring in a TV movie fairy tail, get to know the Guppies' playful pet, Bubble Puppy!

Bubble Puppy's Fin~tastic Fairy Tale!
When a witch turns Bubble Puppy into a frog, Molly and Gil team up with famous fairy-tale friends to undo her mean green spell and help everyone in the Enchanted Forest live happily ever after!

Bubble Puppy Gil wants to adopt a puppy after seeing one he really likes at the adoption center, but the Bubble Guppies have to learn how to take care of a pet before he can bring it home.

Bubble Bites
Ms. Pinkytoes, a friendly crab, gives Gil a few Bubble Bites to feed to Bubble Puppy.  Bubble Puppy wants more food so the guppies head to the supermarket.  They discover there is one box left and both Gil and Ms. Pinkytoes want it, so they must complete a Bubble Bites biathlon.  

Special Features include:
Karaoke Music Videos
"Where's Bubble Puppy?" DVD Game
Song Selection

We found the Bubble Guppies to be a wonderfully depicted animated series for kids to enjoy.  The wee people loved the graphics and thought the little mermaid~ish people were cute.  My son wasn't much a fan, he felt it was more geared towards girls, but I did catch him paying attention when he felt no one was watching.

I loved the thought process behind this series, geared towards children who are heading into preschool.  The episodes involve your children in problem solving, recycling, pets and more.  The kids loved Goby who has loads of imagination and Deema who was always playing jokes and pranks.

I would give the Bubble Guppies a four out of five stars.  While I totally enjoyed the episodes, there is just something off about the characters illustrated that I cannot pinpoint nor name and it may have something to do with their over proportioned heads.


**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

DVD REVIEW: Yo Gabba Gabba! Super Spies

Yo Gabba Gabba!  Super Spies

Studio:  Paramount
Release Date:  April 17, 2012
Run Time:  96 minutes
Starring:  Jason Bateman

Join the Gabba Land gang as they become super spies, uncover mysteries, explore DJ Lance's house and more in these move-along, groove-along musical episodes!

Jason Bateman guest stars in Super Spies, as a mean spy who is stealing all the Gabba gang's balloons.  Muno and his friends must find out who is the culprit while using their new super spy gadgets to track down the balloon thief.

Included on this DVD are three other episodes for your children to enjoy which shares the same spy like theme.  

Mystery has Foofa disappearing and Toodee and Plex must find her.  Along their musical journey they run into Foofa's brother, Foofle!

In Space you'll enjoy the singing and antics of DJ Lance Rock and friends as they blast off into outer space.

Big has Brobee frustrated about being the smallest and after a body switch with DJ Lance, Brobee learns that being big isn't always what it seems.

My children love the Yo Gabba Gabba! series and I think its because of the rockin' tunes you find on most of their episodes.  My granddaughter has already laid claim to this DVD as the Gabba gang are amongst her favourites.

I was quite impressed with the songs, they are witty, rockin' and intelligent for youngsters to absorb.  I love the colourful characters even tho' I do not understand their appeal, but that's strictly speaking as an adult.

I thought Jason Bateman did a fantastic job being kooky as a bad super spy.  My kids were enthralled with his balloon stealing schemes and were delighted when it all worked out in the end.

I would give Yo Gabba Gabba!  Super Spies a five out of five, just because of my children's interaction with the music and the wild antics found on this DVD!

This DVD also includes an interactive spy game.

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

DVD REVIEW: A Fairly Odd Movie ~ Grow Up, Timmy Turner!

A Fairly Odd Movie ~ Grow Up, Timmy Turner!

# of disks:  1
Studio:  Nickelodeon
Release Date:  July 11, 2011
Run Time:  109 minutes

Cast:
Drake Bell ~ Timmy
Steven Weber ~ Hugh J. Magnate
Daniella Monet ~ Tootie
Randy Jackson ~ Baby Poof (voice)
Mark Gibbon ~ Jorgen von Strangle
David Lewis ~ Denzel Crocker
Teryl Rothery ~ Timmy's Mom
Cheryl Hines ~ Wanda
Jason Alexander ~ Cosmo
Susanne Blakeslee ~ Animated Wanda (voice)
Tara Strong ~ Animated Poof (voice)
Christie Lang ~ Janice
Darien Provost ~ Howie
Olivia Steele-Falconer ~ Katie
Qayam Devji ~ Ravi

Timmy Turner has never had any reason to grow up since that would mean saying goodbye to his fairy godparents, Wanda and Cosmo, forever!  Now 23, Timmy is doing everything to remain a kid~he still lives at home, is still in 5th grade, and most importantly, has never fallen in love!

But when the formerly geeky and annoying Tootie returns to Dimmsdale as a stunningly beautiful woman, Timmy might be falling in love, which would mean he's finally growing up!  Meanwhile, evil billionaire oil tycoon Hugh J. Magnate plans on tearing down part of downtown Dimmsdale.

Will Timmy give in to his grown-up feelings and lose Wanda and Cosmo forever to help Tootie save Dimmsdale?  Will he try to remain a kid forever?  Will he ever get a different coloured hat?  Find the answers to these questions and more in Fairly Odd Movie:  Grow Up, Timmy Turner!

Quite frankly, the kids and I were quite excited to watch this, however, they didn't stay to finish it, which isn't a good sign, in my honest opinion.  I felt that the acting was wooden and Drake Bell's rendition of Timmy Turner was horrible.  He just didn't feel his character and I'm afraid that came across in his acting ability.

I also had problems with a 23 year old man being in the 5th grade, even if this is a movie, there are just some standards I can accept and this failed to move me and only further frustrated my views over the movie.

I liked the premise behind the story, a boy who doesn't want to grow up and will do anything to stop his eventual demise.  There were some antics that were comical, however, there wasn't enough hilarity to keep the audience involved.  

The graphics of the fairies were acceptable, but I felt that they could've been better utilized in the movie and I didn't understand why the voices had to change between real life and animated, being a voice stimulated person, I found this annoying.

I would give A Fairly Odd Movie ~ Grow Up, Timmy Turner! a two out of five stars.  I believe that Nickelodeon underestimated themselves in the making of this feature and should have spent more money on their writing team.

**  Reviewed by me...as I see it~!!  **

Christmas Movies Featuring Dogs

Christmas may be over, but if you’re missing the magic of Christmas and love dogs, you can easily recapture the wonderful feeling of Christmas all year long by watching these great Christmas movies featuring dogs!

The Dog Who Saved Christmas ~ 2009
This family friendly comedy is a great movie to get you in the Christmas spirit. Think Home Alone, except instead of starring Macaulay Culkin, it stars a golden lab. Basically, a dad adopts a lab as a family pet/watch dog just before Christmas without the support of his wife. And that is just the beginning of the comedic scenes. Some robbers in the area are staking out the house and do their best to attack, except they were not expecting one thing, a smart golden lab is waiting for them on the inside with a lot of booby-traps. Your kids and you will be laughing out loud with this film.

Santa Buddies ~ 2009
In an effort to life Santa’s depression for the word’s lack luster of belief, a litter of Labrador puppies are brought into Santa’s work shop. These puppies are tasked with helping create new beliefs in the magic of Christmas in both children and dogs. Together these new Santa buddies work to save Christmas for Santa and children around the world. You will be whisked into a magical time where all it takes is a little imagination and faith to see the good in the world.

The Search for Santa Paws ~ 2010
Christmas is in limbo when Santa loses his magic crystal. Without this special crystal Santa loses his identity and believes he is mortal. Luckily his magical dog, Santa Paws is out to help save the holiday. Santa Paws teams up with some children to search for Santa, who is aimlessly wondering the streets with amnesia. Santa Paws and the children do their best to keep the spirit of Christmas alive. This action packed family film will inspire everyone to believe in the magic of Christmas.

Lady & the Tramp ~ 1955
Disney movies never really go away and the Lady and the Tramp is a great classic that shows the love of getting a dog on Christmas and how the relationship grows and the effects it can have on the dog. Through circumstances Lady, the prized dog of the Darlings is out on the streets while they are out of town.  Lady is a dog of fortune and knows nothing about survival on the streets. She is saved by a local stray, Tramp, who shows her life on the streets. Together they find their way back to Lady’s house just in time to save the Darlings new baby.

Lassie Come Home ~ 1943
This classic film showcases the undying love between a dog and her owner. Lassie’s owner, a young boy, is forced by his parents to sell his best friend to a Duke in Scotland due to their poor financial situation during the depression. Lassie and the boy are both mourning the loss of one another. With the help of the Duke’s granddaughter, who realized how unhappy Lassie was, the spirit of Christmas becomes alive as she helps Lassie escape. Lassie attempts to travel the countryside, fulfilling her efforts to be reunited with her boy in England.

Dr. Susan Wright DMV has been a practicing veterinarian for more than 10 years. Susan loves dogs both professionally and personally as exhibited by her wide interest that ranges from article writing to entertainment mediums. Susan is the staff dog containment systems expert for DogFenceDIY.

5 Film Releases in 2011 that Surprised Us

Films surprise us for a number of reasons. Sometimes they are extremely well received when the hype has been somewhat minimal, and other times a relatively small film can become a cult classic overnight. 2011 was one of those years with plenty of cinema surprises. There were over 100 films released to cinema in the year and some of them made a huge splash. We can’t forget The King’s Speech that cleaned up at the Oscars either, with a triumphant performance from Colin Firth.

There’s something we love about the cinema, whether that be an escape from a busy life, the want to see the latest blockbuster films, an air conditioned retreat during the summer months, or perhaps a romantic date. Here are 5 films that were released in 2011 and why they surprised us:

Battle: Los Angeles
This film was released in March 2011 under a lot of hype. We saw trailers full of cryptic scenes of alien invasion. It’s not that common that this genre is tackled successfully but we were all surprised on how the film worked and depicted the struggle behind Aaron Eckhart and his group of soldiers battling through. The film is epic and shot like any good war film, with plenty of action and plenty of great and emotional acting throughout.

Fast Five
This is the fifth instalment of Fast & Furious films based around a group of thieves who love cars. Why was this film a shock? Well it was never meant to do well at the box office, and there were no high expectations for this film, but when it was released it exploded, taking more money than most films that year in the opening two weeks. Viewers were treated to the original cast in Rio looking to rob a bank in a high octane tale of cars, money, love and endurance against all the odds.

Bridesmaids
This comedy tour-de-force was released in June as a no holds bar chick flick that had a story reminiscent of the Hangover. It proved a huge smash and it wasn’t just girls going to see it either as there was something in it for everyone. The film was upfront, rude and raunchy, and all this was the perfect recipe for a successful film for the summer. With some original takes on humour and some reworking of classic situations, this film is a future classic.

Kill List
This independent British film was released in the autumn on 2011 and gave viewers the shock of the year. What started as a classic UK hitman film quickly turned into a dark tale of murder and paganism. Without giving away the twist at the end, the duo of hitmen are presented an unusual and chilling situation with some of the unexpected turns you’ve ever seen a film take. This isn’t a viewing for everyone, but those brave enough to take the ride will surely be rewarded.

Real Steel
Real Steal was also released in the autumn of 2011 and starred Hugh Jackman as a lazy father to his son who was given to him after the death of his mother. They begin to bond over the futuristic sport of robot boxing and embark on an adventure to claim the world robot boxing title from a feared opponent. The story has plenty of adrenaline for the whole family but also has something for those looking for a story about coming together with common goals, and developing a strong paternal relationship with your newly discovered son.

Steve is a film fanatic who loves nothing better than sitting in room with a huge screen, some popcorn and being gently cooled by air conditioning. He lives in London and thinks there is no better option than going to the cinema on a rainy evening.

5 Family Classics We Still Remember From Childhood

No matter how many blockbuster movie hits come and go over the years, there will always be the family classics we remember watching as a child – and these movies just never seem to get old. In fact, many have been watched throughout generations and with some of these classics, every time we watch, we feel like a kid again.

Today, a large number of classic movies from the past have been re-released on DVD. This makes it even easier to share these flicks with kids, grandkids, or others who may or may not be familiar with their stories. Watching these timeless movies is sure to take everyone – at least a little bit – down memory lane.

The Wizard of Oz 

Who hasn’t heard of following the yellow brick road or not being in Kansas anymore? This classic story of a Kansas girl dreaming of a better world that lies somewhere just over the rainbow originally starred Judy Garland in her early years.

Once Dorothy and her three friends, the lion, the tin man, and the scarecrow, find themselves being followed by an evil witch, this young girl – and Toto too – is more eager than ever to get back home. But first, they must meet The Wizard.

Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

This classic tale actually has an underlying lesson – although as kids, it may be hard to detect while watching Oompa Loompas dance around chocolate rivers and candy banks. Willy Wonka, a unique candy maker, is seamlessly played by Gene Wilder. While several of the kids touring his candy factory meet with “accidents,” the show proves that there is nothing to be gained by greed. This flick, with is colorful scenes, is a great story for all generations who watch – even if you’ve seen it before.


To Kill a Mockingbird

This moving classic film, originally produced in the early 1960’s, shows the very real issues of race, mental illness, and poverty in the south during the time of the depression. Atticus Finch, played by Gregory Peck, will make all dads feel like the greatest dad in the world – while also leaving viewers to really think. Although moving, this flick never gets old.

Old Yeller

Both parents and kids alike will hug their dog a bit closer after watching Old Yeller. This 1950’s classic shows how a huge Labrador-mastiff mix works his way into his family’s lives – and into their hearts. Be careful, though, because no matter how many times you’ve seen it, you will likely shed a tear at the end.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

In yet another classic from the 1950’s era, “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” is more of a science fiction flick with some very good special effects of that time period. The Nautilus – a futuristic submarine headed up by Captain Nemo – becomes the rescuer for a group of ship wreck survivors and ends up taking them on a pretty incredible journey below the ocean. This family classic even won Academy Awards for Best Art & Set Direction, as well as for Best Special Effects. If you haven’t watched this one lately, it may be time to do so.

Anthony Silver is a blogger for entertainment and film blogs. He is also a huge fan of indie action and adventure movies.

Christmas Classics

Luke 2 : Reading the birth story of the founder of Christianity is a hallmark of many Christians' Christmas celebrations. There's just something about hearing the words, "And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Cæsar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed" that sends a shiver up and down my spine!

It's a Wonderful Life : Jimmy Stewart stars in this heartwarming classic about a man who discovers his own self-worth. An angel named Clarence is assigned to the case of George Bailey (Stewart). George is a good man who owns a loan company in the small town of Bedford Falls. Unfortunately, a disaster happens at work wherein he is implicated in the loss of $8,000. Realizing that his death could provide the money necessary to pay it off, he is pushed to the brink of suicide. Clarence the angel then shows him what would have happened to his town, friends, and family if he never been born. He is shocked to discover the enormous mark he has left on the people around him.

Photo Credit

The Santa Clause : Scott Calvin (played by none other than Tim Allen), is disconnected from his family—especially his son Charlie (Eric Lloyd). Due to a series of unfortunate circumstances, Scott is forced to take on the role of Santa Claus. Sarcastic and unbelieving, Scott struggles to take on his new responsibilities. The situation is complicated further when Charlie's step-father and mother start believing that Scott is taking advantage of their son. Hilarious and witty, this story is surely a classic.

A Christmas Carol : Ebenezer Scrooge is a miserable old man who is unwilling to share his riches with the poor, or even reward his faithful employee Bob Cratchit with a pay raise . . . until he is visited by four ghostly guests—Jacob Marley, Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Future. They help him to see the lives and circumstances of the people surrounding him. They also show him what future lies in store for Scrooge if he continues on his present course. There are several versions of this story: the original book, a theatrical version, a Mickey Mouse version, a Muppets version, several live-action versions, and even a Broadway musical.

A Charlie Brown Christmas : Charlie Brown is nervous about Christmas. To help him get into the Christmas spirit, Lucy assigns him to be in charge of the upcoming Christmas pageant. Charlie Brown quickly becomes frustrated when his friends in the pageant show more interest in the commercial nature of Christmas instead of the nativity story that they are supposed to be portraying. Another classic for the ages, both the music and the Peanuts characters will make this one to watch each year.

About the Author

Stephen Sharpe is a writer interning for MyCollegesandCareers.com. My Colleges and Careers has provided a web-based resource for thousands of people. It helps them find out if an online education will meet there needs and helps them understand which online courses they can choose from to reach their goals. The site even helps students determine if online schools are what they are looking for.

Christmas Musicals to Watch at Home

There's no better time to enjoy a musical than at Christmas. The festive atmosphere seems to bring out the musical-lover in all of us, even the po-faced aunts or the macho, football-mad dads. We're often left salivating like puppies at the chance of hearing those much loved Christmas songs again in person.

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However, not everyone can be easily convinced to wrap up warm to get their festive musical fix. Even though London theatre break providers can offer affordable West End theatre ticket and London hotel packages for classic musicals such as Oliver!, Mamma Mia!, some would rather stay at home.

If you'd rather miss out on the bright lights of the West End, on the festive markets and romantic ice rinks, the glorious smells and heart-warming sights then fair enough; stay home and rent one of these Christmas musicals on DVD instead.

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Muppet Christmas Carol
Since 1992 The Muppet Christmas Carol has been the best adaptation of Charles Dickens' iconic Christmas novel ever made. A slightly controversial viewpoint, I know; I'm sure that several legitimate theatre groups have had a good stab at capturing the essence of the story in an accessible, funny, and family-friendly way, but they didn't have Rizzo the Rat.

Make sure you're paying attention for One More Sleep 'Till Christmas, one of the most uplifting, life-affirming Christmas songs ever sung by a green felt frog.

If you're a fan of Disney, this festive sequel to the finest film of the Disney Renaissance really is a Christmas must-see.

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Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas
No doubt you're deeply suspicious of Disney's straight-to-DVD sequels, especially after Return to Neverland (damn you, Disney) but give The Enchanted Christmas a try, it really is rather good. In it, Tim Curry voices a malevolent pipe organ named Forte and the entire cast of the first Beauty and the Beast film return, even Angela Lansbury as Mrs Potts.

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A Charlie Brown Christmas
An American cult classic which is woefully under-appreciated in the UK, A Charlie Brown Christmas is a touching little film featuring the Peanuts (Snoopy) characters. It gently explores the traditional Christmas themes; commercialism, friendship, togetherness, secularism all that sort of thing. Snoopy himself makes an appearance, which is always nice.

There's a gentle religious message as well, which you can choose to ignore and focus on Snoopy instead, your choice.

This guest post has been provided by Show and Stay, offering you the best London Theatre Breaks.

Day 8 ~ Holiday Gift Guide ~ Scholastic Canada Storybook Treasures Read-A-Long DVD's

Scholastic Canada is one of the country's leading publishers and distributors of children's books and educational materials in both official languages.

For over 50 years Scholastic Canada has introduced young people to the joys of reading, and has enlarged their understanding of Canada and the world.

Today we continue that mission with award-winning Canadian books and outstanding classroom materials, along with related educational software.

Incorporated in 1957, Scholastic Canada Ltd. was the first of an international family of companies that now includes members in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, India and Hong Kong. All evolved from the original Scholastic company founded in 1920 by M.R. (Robbie) Robinson in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Scholastic Canada has also grown dramatically. Its impressive head office and distribution warehouse in Markham, Ontario is complemented by eleven Book Fair branches across Canada.

ARV $24.95

Storybook Treasures is #1 in Award-Winning Children's DVD Series.  Caldecott Favourites features three DVD's including over 20 stories being narrated by famous people.

In The Ezra Jack Keats Collection, children will be delighted to hear their favourite stories, such as:

The Snowy Day
Whistle For Willie
Peter's Chair
Pet Show!
A Letter To Amy
The Trip
Apt. 3



In Antarctic Antics, you will find such tales as:
In The Small, Small Pond
Bear Snores On
Bark, Georgie
Caps For Sale
The Hat
The Little Red Lighthouse
The Great Gray Bridge

In Make Way For Ducklings you will be delighted by such fables as:
The Story About Ping
The Ugly Duckling
Angus And The Ducks
Cat And Canary
Wings:  A Tale Of Two Ducklings

Each of these stories are narrated by celebrities such as John Lithgow, Laura Dern, Lynn Whitfield to name just a few.

ARV $14.95

Collect the entire library of Scholastic Storybook Treasures and read along on screen with your favorite classic children’s stories, brought vividly to life on DVD.

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS (By Clement Clark Moore, Illustrated by Ruth Sanderson, Narrated by Anthony Edwards) The stockings are hung by the chimney with care, and soon St. Nicholas will be there.
IN THE MONTH OF KISLEY (By Nina Jaffe, Illustratred by Louise August, Narrated by Theodore Bikel) A wealthy, arrogant merchant learns the true meaning of Hanukkah when he takes the family of a poor peddler to court for savoring the smell of his family’s potato pancakes.
SEVEN CANDLES FOR KWANZAA (By Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney, Narrated by Alfre Woodard) This unique holiday commemorates the strength of family ties, respect for ancestors, commitment to the growth of community, and gratitude for life’s bounties.
TOO MANY TAMALES (By Gary Soto, Illustrated by Ed Martinez, Narrated by Blancha Camacho) Maria feels very grown-up helping make Christmas dinner, until she realizes that she may have lost her mother’s ring in one of the tamales!

3 BONUS STORIES!
MAX’S CHRISTMAS (Written and Illustrated by Rosemary Wells, Narrated by Jenny Agutter & Rex Robbins) Max is told that he can’t stay up to see Santa, but he sneaks down anyway. Will Santa still come if Max is awake?
MORRIS’S DISAPPEARING BAG (Written and Illustrated by Rosemary Wells) Morris thinks his brother and sisters have better Christmas presents. But inside the last box under the tree he finds a magical gift that makes all his troubles disappear.
THE LITTLE DRUMMER BOY (By Katherine Davis, Henry Oronati & Harry Simeone, Illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, Narrated by John Jennings) Joyful drumming and glowing illustrations combine to celebrate the nativity.

Bonus Features
Spanish Version of “Too Many Tamales”

My Thoughts~!!

I thought these tales were wonderful to watch and listen.  I thought the illustrations were wonderfully depicted and entertaining to view.  I enjoyed listening to the stories being told by the celebrities and thought it was amazing that so many notable people participated in their telling.

I was impressed with the messages that most of the stories shared on The Caldecott Collection.  Each of the stories shared and supported such morals as honesty, humour and respect for oneself and for others.

The stories shared in the Christmas Collection were not ones that children would hear on a normal basis.  The stories share Christmas traditions from around the world, as well as timely favourites, such as, The Night Before Christmas. 

These stories are made for children and they are filled with heart and warmth that I am sure all children, young AND old, will enjoy~!!  These DVD's are a must have for under your tree, you and your children will surely love them~!!

 

** Disclosure: I did not accept any compensation from the sponsors other than review copies, my views are my own, reviewed by me..as I see it~!! **