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This new section is dedicated to covering the latest childrens-genre DVD releases to hit the shelves. If you've got a Kid's DVD you'd like
us to spotlight, feel free to drop us a line.
 Thomas & Friends: New Friends For Thomas (2004) (NR)
Anchor Bay's newest installment in the "Thomas & Friends" series is my favorite so far. Come to the Island of Sodor and meet five new fun friends.
Kim Possible: A Sitch in Time (1969) (NR)
Disney's presents the feature length "Kim Possible" episode featuring all of your favorite badguys. Can Kim Possible and Ron Stoppable travel through time to save the past?
Scooby Doo! Where Are You? The Complete First and Second Seasons (1969) (G)
"Scooby-Doo" is finally available to the public en masse in a four-disc set that includes all 25 episodes from the show's first two season. At $64.95 list price, that's a fairly steep price to pay without Scooby snacks, but for diehard fans, it's still a must have.
Looney Tunes: Back in Action (2003) (G)
"Looney Tunes" failed to be anything other than a tedious venture in fast moving images set to Looney Tunes music. The lack of chemistry between its two stars, purposeless cameos, poor compositing of live-action and animation and last but not least extremely disjointed pacing, all add up to one dud of a film.
Lizzie McGuire: Star Struck (2001) (G)
"Looney Tunes" failed to be anything other than a tedious venture in fast moving images set to Looney Tunes music. The lack of chemistry between its two stars, purposeless cameos, poor compositing of live-action and animation and last but not least extremely disjointed pacing, all add up to one dude of a film.
The Love Bug: Special Edition (1969) (G)
Disney's "The Love Bug" is probably one of the studio's most adult friendly films. Made during the reign of the hippies in America, "The Love Bug" preaches unconditional love as an answer to human anger. That may seem deep for a Disney film, but I was amazed at how much more I got out of the film now as opposed to when I saw it as a child. Does this mean that kids won't enjoy "The Love Bug." Not at all. "The Love Bug" is an example of a family film which works on many levels. It appeals to adults and kids alike.
Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends: The Complete First Season (1959) (NR)
Jay Ward and Bill Scott's "Rocky & Bullwinkle & Friends" was one of the most inventive cartoons ever to grace the small screen. "Bullwinkle" featured simple animation and complex scripts. The series was filled with puns, double entendres and political satire. The series premiered during the cold war. Villians Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale were used to poke fun at our enemies behind the Iron Curtain. Another highlight of the "Rocky and Bullwinkle" cartoons was the educational level. People read books back then. Ward and Scott gave their audience credit for some intelligence as they parodied great works of literature. My first exposure to many poets and authors came from Bullwinkle's recitation of famous poems (accompanied by an animated skewering of the work being read!).
Bear in the Big Blue House: A Bear for All Seasons (1997) (G)
"Bear in the Big Blue House: A Bear for All Seasons" is another DVD release from the Jim Henson/Disney TV series "Bear in the Big Blue House." The children's series won several Daytime Emmy awards. As a parent, I like the balance between education and entertainment. "Bear in the Big Blue House" is not just a passive TV experience. The episodes call on the young viewers to use their mind as they enjoy the antics of the lovable characters.
Treasure Island (1950) (G)
"Treasure Island" was Walt Disney's first live action feature film. While the Technicolor photography is beautiful, I can't help but yearn for Victor Fleming's 1934 Black and White version. In the Fleming version, Wallace Beery created a Long John Silver that couldn't be surpassed. That said, the Disney version is entertaining.
The Rescuers (1977) (G)
Walt Disney's "The Rescuers" pales in comparison with its dazzling sequel "The Rescuers Down Under." I enjoyed the movie when I took my oldest daughter to see it years ago during a theatrical re-release. This time around, the movie left me flat. It just doesn't hold up as well as some other vintage Disney films. The DVD is fine and includes a number of good extras, bu8t the movie itself is a bit slow and quaint.
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea: Special Edition (1954) (G)
"20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" remains the grandest live-action adventure film from the Walt Disney Studio. The 1954 film has lost none of its excitement or charm after nearly 50 years. "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" boasts excellent performances, a great script, top-notch direction and outstanding special effects.
Madeline's Easter (1993) (NR)
I like children's entertainment that has positive messages. I found Madeline's superiority and goody-goody image unrealistic and annoying. I can't recommend this to anyone. The one positive point is the narration by Christopher Plummer.
 Spirited Away (2001) (PG)
"Spirited Away" is the most popular film in the history of Japanese cinema. "Spirited Away" even surpassed "Titanic's" phenomenal box-office take in Japan. Earlier this year "Spirited Away" became the second film to win the Oscar for Best Animated Feature Film. I was pulling for "Lilo and Stitch" that night. I had never seen or heard of Hayao Miyazaki's masterpiece. I spoke with Stephen Wong after I watched the three Miyazaki DVDs I received from Disney. I couldn't agree more with Stephen's assessment: "Miyazaki is the Kurosawa of animation."
Castle in the Sky (1986) (PG)
Hayao Miyazaki's "Castle in the Sky" is more accessible to younger audiences than the mystical "Spirited Away." While I felt "Spirited Away" was a superior film, I found "Castle in the Sky" to be more exciting and enjoyable. "Castle in the Sky" is a dazzling homage to the adventure comics of the 1920s and 30s such as "Terry and the Pirates" and "Little Nemo." "Castle in the Sky" will keep you enthralled with its action-packed sequences and brilliant animation.
Sing Along Songs: The Lion King Circle of Life (2003) (G)
Disney has recently released several "Sing Along Song" collections. "Sing Along: The Lion King Circle of Life" includes 13 songs from various Disney films including the new "The Little Mermaid," "The Lion King," "Alladin," "The Jungle Book," "The Aristocats," and "Pinnochio." The 13 songs can be played in English, Spanish and French. Nice fun for musically inclined toddlers.
Sing a Song With Pooh Bear and Piglet Too (2003) (G)
Disney has recently released several "Sing Along Song" collections. "Sing Along With Pooh Bear and Piglet Too" includes 14 songs from various Winnie the Pooh films including the new "Piglet's Big Movie." The 14 songs can be played in English, Spanish and Italian. Nice fun for musically inclined toddlers.
Justice League: Justice on Trial (2001) (NR)
Two 2-part episodes from the first season of Justice League are included in "Just League: Justice on Trial." In the first two-parter, In Blackest Night, Green Lantern is put on trial for destroying a planet, but the Justice League comes to his aid to uncover the real perpetrator of the crime. In The Enemy Below the Justice League uses their super human strength to help Aquaman save his family and kingdom. Though the show has its moments, the four episodes selected lack the sharp writing found in the superior "Batman: The Animated Series."
Challenge of the Super Friends: Attack of the Legion of Doom (1978) (NR)
For many, the DVD arrival of "Challenge of the Super Friends" marks the return of a childhood favorite. A nostalgic compilation of the classic 1978 TV cartoon, Superman leads a team of all-star DC Comics superheroes (including Batman & Robin, Flash and of course the super sexy bikini and armor clad Wonder Woman), against a team of 13 of the most notorious DC Comics supervillians. There were 16 episodes of this landmark animated series, but only four have been included in "Attack of the Legion of Doom."
Who Framed Roger Rabbit: Vista Series (1988) (PG)
This groundbreaking homage to film noir pushed the limits of how live-action and animation could work together in one of the zaniest and most clever comedies to come out of the 1980s. Nominated for six Academy Awards and winner of three, including Best Sound Effects Editing, Best Visual Effects and Best Film Editing (it was also nominated for Best Cinematography, Sound, and Art Direction), this Robert Zemeckis-directed film was as much a landmark achievement in visual effects as “Jurassic Park” was for computer-generated effects five years later (incidentally, Steven Spielberg helped produce “Roger Rabbit” and directed “Jurassic Park”).
Jonah: A VeggieTales Movie (2002) (G)
"Veggie Tales" is an animated series of Christian cartoons and books from "Big Idea Productions." The successful series has presented Christian values to small children with wit and humor for several years. "Veggie Tales" turns your garden-variety salad into several funny characters that lead kids through the most painless Sunday School you will ever experience.
Tuck Everlasting (2002) (PG)
Loosely adapted from Natalie Babbitt’s adored children’s book (a.k.a. Disney-fied), this fairy tale
concentrates on the ageless Tuck family, whose serendipitous discovery of a magical spring gives them immortal life.
Spy Kids 2: The Island of Lost Dreams (PG)
Small children who have little discernment should enjoy this one. Whether you want your little ones to view it is another question. The film's target audience; young teens will lose interest fast.
Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends: Percy's Chocolate Crunch (NR)
Another adventure on the Island of Sodor where Thomas the Train and friends keep life moving. This DVD isn't to any one of Thomas's friends. There are 6 stories on this DVD. The stories deal with taking one's responsibilities seriously. The stories also deal with how it feels to pick on someone. In teaches an important lesson about respecting the feelings of others.
Hans Christian Andersen: My Life as a Fairytale (2001) (NR)
If this is a family film, I'd hate to see the family the filmmakers had in mind when they made it. The lavish made for TV movie is just too bizarre to be enjoyed by the entire family. This film presents the famed Danish writer as a mentally ill fruitcake.
Somewhere in Dreamland (1936) (NR)
Max and Dave Fleischer were the chief rivals of Walt Disney during the 1930s. Max Fleischer invented the rotoscope device used to track movement to create animated cartoons. When the Disney studio began to create color cartoons during the 30s, the Fleischer brothers responded with "Color Classics." The Fleischer's produced 36 cartoons in the series. Over the years, many of the cartoons were neglected by their owners. VCI Entertainment and Kit Parker Films went a hunting. They were able to locate the entire collection. After loving restoration, the entire "Max Fleischer's Color Classics" collection is available for cartoon lover of all ages.
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