Rise of the Guardians combo pack Blu-ray + DVD Review

Praised by critics and moviegoers of all ages, DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: DWA) spectacular and heartfelt adventure RISE OF THE GUARDIANS is now available on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D™ and DVD. Hailed as “brilliant” and “the best family film of the year” (Joel Amos, MovieFanatic.com) with “spellbinding power” (James Verniere, Boston Herald) and “dazzling animation” (Tom Long, Detroit News), RISE OF THE GUARDIANS received outstanding audience reactions and a coveted ‘A’ Cinemascore. DreamWorks Animation’s newest animated adventure has captured the imagination of audiences worldwide with a fun-filled and magical story about the legendary guardians—Jack Frost, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and Sandman—together for the first time! When the evil Pitch threatens to take over the world, it’s up to our beloved heroes to protect the hopes and dreams of children everywhere. Filled with non-stop action and laughs, it’s a dazzling family film that’s being hailed as “an instant classic” (Nancy Jay, Daybreak USA).

Available now for Easter, RISE OF THE GUARDIANS on Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Pack with UltraViolet™ or single-disc DVD, each of which includes two delightful hopping toy eggs inspired by the ones seen in the film (while supplies last—quantities are limited). The combo pack and single-disc DVD also include special features that take viewers behind-the-scenes to learn more about the magic used to bring the story to life.

Featuring an all-star cast of voice talent including Chris Pine, Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher and Jude Law, RISE OF THE GUARDIANS delivers humor, adventure and exceptional entertainment that the whole family can enjoy.

 I received the above tote packed full of goodies for the family to enjoy. The tote included the following:

• DVD/Blu-ray combo pack (with hopping eggs)
• Watering can (pink)
• Bunny ears
• Flowering Pot (Forget Me Nots seeds to plant) 
• Easter candy (peeps, Cadbury eggs, etc) 
• Easter egg decorating kit 
• ROTG Night light 
• Temporary tattoo sheet

Forget Me Nots planted. Will they grow?

The Rise of the Guardians Combo pack Blu-Ray + DVD with the hopping eggs is a great value that provides hours and hours of enjoyment for the entire family. The hopping eggs are so cute and remind me of the eggs in the movie. We printed out some Easter coloring sheets from the DVD for this coming weekend, to keep the kids busy while Easter dinner is cooking. The Blu-Ray also had some games to play along with some extra videos, and commentary. There really is something to keep everyone entertained.

Blu-ray Exclusive Bonus Features:

• Jack Frost Snowball Showdown!—Use your remote to duck and dodge snowballs!
• Rock, Paper, Scissors with Sandy—See if you can beat the Sandman in this classic game.

Additional Bonus Features:

• Behind the Magic—Explore the filmmakers’ journey to create Rise of the Guardians’ enthralling look, characters, effects and music:
• Dreaming Up the Look
• Naughty & Nice: Designing Memorable Characters
• Enchanting Effects
• Creating an Epic Score
• The Man Behind the Guardians—Learn how DreamWorks Animation worked with author William Joyce to bring his novels to life.
• Dreamers and Believers—A look at the cast and characters of Rise of the Guardians.
• Sandy’s Dream Guide—The Sandman helps interpret your dreams in this interactive guide.
• Filmmakers’ Commentary—With director Peter Ramsey and producers Christina Steinberg and Nancy Bernstein.

Disc 2 (DVD): Bonus features:

• Dreamers and Believers
• Sandy’s Dream Guide
• More Magic (DVD-ROM)—Printable egg holders, coloring sheets and more—perfect for Easter fun!
• Filmmakers’ Commentary

Wow! That is quite the list of bonus material don't you think? Talk about value, you sure got it with this combo set. Not much filler material, just good bonuses that fit well with the movie.

If you saw Rise of the Guardians at the movies or if this will be your first time watching, you will be pleasantly surprised with this purchase. The film itself features well flushed out characters and a story that surpasses the 'Holiday' theme. It is really a great movie that can be enjoyed year around. Hopefully we will see more of this franchise in the future. Jack has a tremendous amount of depth to his character for the adults. Yet the film has a lot of 'eye candy' to keep the kids entertained.

Don't just take my word for it! Head out to your favorite retailer or visit your favorite e-retailer to purchase your copy of Rise of the Guardians so you and your family can not only enjoy it this Easter but year around!

***Note: I was sent a copy of Rise of the Guardians and goodie tote in order to help facilitate this review. Opinions are my own.***

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Wild Kratts Lost at Sea DVD Review

Join the adventures of Martin and Chris as they meet up with cool creatures from around the world - and witness many never-before-seen wildlife moments. With their creature smarts plus their newly invented Creature Power Suits, the brothers Kratt are using amazing animal abilities to rescue their animal friends when they get into trouble. Each episode is a wildly funny adventure that also features how animals use science in their natural lives. 

Wild Kratts Lost at Sea Episodes Included:

• Speaking Dolphinese - The Wild Kratts team is on a mission to decode the secret language of one of the smartest creatures on earth - dolphins! With the help of Aviva's experimental dolphin decoder and two young dolphin tutors, Chris and Martin join a pod and try to speak "dolphinese". But when their new found friends get caught in a jam with the dolphins' only true creature enemy--a hungry shark--the bros get embroiled in a hair-raising rescue mission that tests their new creature language skills.
• Blowfish Blowout - When the miniaturized Kratt bros get swept up and lost in a swath of plankton, they become part of a crowd of fish larva all headed to the most populated and diverse habitat on earth - the coral reef. As Aviva and the gang searches for them, the lost bros take up residence on the reef alongside a newfound porcupine fish friend, who will hopefully show them how to survive in this fish-eat-fish world until they are rescued. But when donita shows up searching for a special sea crown fit for a fashion queen, the gang must return the favor and rescue their friend.

Approximate: 55 minutes for both episodes.

Our Thoughts:

Wild Kratts is a lovely program on PBS and we were offered the opportunity to review the DVD released today before it even aired on tv. The little guy was thrilled as he is a big from of the Kratts brothers as well as other PBS programs such as Super Why! & Dinosaur Train. 

For those of you not familiar with Wild Kratts, its a different kind of science show. Its a mix of real life experiences and cartoon experiences. In "Speaking Dolphinese" you learn about the dolphins and how they "speak". The Kratts brothers up you to decode their language. Then in the other episode titled "Blowfish Blowout" the Kratts brothers take us to the most diverse and populated habitat on earth -- the Coral Reef. The brothers get up close to the puffer fish and they find out their feeding habits, how they defend themselves and more! At the end of both episodes the Kratts brothers show us in a real-life setting (not cartoon) what the animals look like and where they live. 

 In-conclusion, we are all huge animal lovers in this household - so its not a surprise that we all loved this DVD. While this DVD is intended for ages 6-8, it kept older and younger entertained. However the science portion went over the younger ones heads. But its something they will continue to learn from each time they watch. Even I was fascinated on the Kratts brothers journey and learned a few things about sea-life science.

Remember: Every purchase keeps PBS going and kids growing. So buy your copy today! 

*Please note that I received a copy of the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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Kung Fu Panda Holiday Blu-Ray + DVD Review

Summary:
In this hilarious action adventure, Master Shifu calls on Po to host the year’s biggest event – the Winter Feast, a special time of the year to celebrate family, tradition and the awesomeness of Kung Fu!  Po and the Furious Five must team up to throw the best celebration the Valley of Peace has ever seen.  Can Po pull off the perfect party, impress his heroes, and discover the true meaning of the Winter Feast?

About The Blu-Ray & DVD:
•    1080p High Definition
•    English 7.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital & Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
•    English, English SDH, French & Spanish Subtitles


Running Time: 26 Minutes
Not Rated
Price as low as: $19.96

Special Features:
o    Learn to Draw Wo Hop
o    Kung Fu Panda Holiday Shuffle
o    Mr. Ping’s Noodle House
o    How to Use Chopsticks
o    World of DreamWorks Animation

Review:
I really love Jack Black and he is one of those actors that I give a chance to anything he does. Kung Fu Panda was one of those cases. I wasn't sure if as a adult I would enjoy the movie, but it kept me entertained. So I was thrilled to be able to enjoy it with the entire family. We have been dedicated Kung Fu Panda watchers from the beginning and each installment has been must see. So we were all thrilled when I was given the opportunity to review Kung Fu Panda Holiday!

This Holiday special runs just 26 minutes, so it was a quick watch. We were kept entertained and everyone was laughing together. Great times to spend as a family! What I loved most is all the lessons Po teaches us. Po the Dragon Warrior is not perfect. He makes mistakes and learns from them. No one is perfect, far from it. It teaches our kids that you can make mistakes and we will still love you! Po also helped Master Shifu to know that sometimes things change for the better and that family is important. We can all learn from Po here I think.

The special features were a nice bonus. The kids seemed to like the holiday shuffle game more then the others. One thing is for sure though, the food extras sure made me hungry!

Kung Fu Panda Holiday does have reply value, especially for the kids. I'm sure they will want to watch this each year.

This is one Holiday Blu-Ray/DVD title that your entire family will love. So be sure to pick up Kung Fu Panda Holiday Blu-Ray as a last minute gift.

*Please note that I received a copy of the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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Dreamworks Holiday Classics Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack Review

The DreamWorks Holiday Classics 2-Disc Blu-Ray + DVD Combo is packed with Holiday fun in these movie shorts inspired by their big screen counterparts. Merry Madagascar, Shrek the Halls and Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury might be made for the small screen, but have the quality of the big screen. This makes the perfect stocking stuffer or the item to keep the kids occupied during that car ride to Grandma's house.

Merry Madagascar:
When Santa and his reindeer crash onto the island of Madagascar, it’s up to Alex, Marty, Gloria, Melman and those wacky Penguins to save Christmas. Get ready for a sleigh full of laughs in this hilarious holiday classic, Merry Madagascar. Also includes The Penguins in A Christmas Caper!

Shrek the Halls:
The Christmas tree isn't the only thing green in this holiday classic. Shrek is back and trying to get into the spirit of the season. After promising Fiona and the kids a Christmas they'll remember, he is forced to take a crash course in the holiday. But just when he thinks he has everything for their quiet family Christmas just right, Donkey, Puss in Boots, Gingy and the rest of the gang decide to crash the party. Shrek the Halls is the greatest holiday tale that's never been told... until now. Also includes Donkey's Caroling Christmas-tacular.

 Dragons Gift of the Night Fury:
The Dragons are back in the exciting next chapter to the Academy Award® -nominated film, HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON. The epic story of Hiccup and Toothless continues as they take flight in a thrilling, adventure to discover an island of never-before-seen dragons. Explosive action and fire-breathing excitement collide in this exhilarating DreamWorks Dragons story.

Our Thoughts:
With Christmas right around the corner, this Holiday Collection helped us get into the Christmas spirit. As if we needed any help though. What I liked about this combo set, is that it came with two discs. Essentially one for the "adults" and one for the kids.  The "adult" Blu-Ray copy for the family-room tv, so that the adults can enjoy the sounds and HD quality. The DVD for the kids to put in their playroom player or the portable one to play during the car ride to grandma's house.

The release itself is stunning in the 1080p transfers. The colors are bright and the images are crisp. The familiar voices are back and that is a major plus. It goes along way to keeping everyone interested and engaged. The kids loved the only special feature included, which was the "Donkey's Caroling Christmas-tacular". They just loved to sing along with it! I did noticed that Dreamworks included preview clips for other titles, but we didn't watch those. I just knew if we watched them, they would want to watch the movies that same day.  

We were left wondering why the other Madagascar short "Party with the Penguins" wasn't included with this release though. Hopefully it will make it to Blu-Ray somehow, but it could have easily been included! It was also brought up that Kung Fu Panda Holiday was also missing, but found out that will be release separately. (I will be reviewing Kung Fu Panda Holiday Shortly, so stay-tuned!)

In-conclusion, I would recommend this 2-disc set. Especially if your children enjoyed Shrek, Madagascar, and/or Dragons. Plus who wouldn't want to watch these without the commercials? That alone to me would be worth the money.

If your interested in picking up this Holiday Classics Combo set, Amazon.com currently has it listed for just $19.96.

*Please note that I received a copy of the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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Dinosaur Train: Dinosaurs A to Z DVD Review

The Dinosaur Train is filled with its most fascinating passengers yet as it makes new and exciting stops in DINOSAUR TRAIN: DINOSAURS A TO Z.  Join Buddy and his family as they embark on a musical tour where they learn about fantastic dinosaur species that Buddy never knew existed.  From the singing Corythosaurus to the speedy Ornithomimus, this is one train no one will want to miss!  From the world-renowned Jim Henson Company, PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Media Distribution, the DINOSAUR TRAIN: DINOSAURS A TO Z DVD features nine exciting dino-filled adventures including a bonus holiday episode titled “Solstice Time” and loads of special features including Dr. Scott video segments, interactive games, coloring pages, information for parents and more.

Dinosaur Train embraces and celebrates the fascination that preschoolers have with both dinosaurs and trains while encouraging basic scientific thinking and skills as the audience learns about natural science, natural history and paleontology.  Over 13 million households tune in to watch “Dinosaur Train” each month.  The “Dinosaur Train” television series is an Emmy®-nominated and Parent’s Choice Silver Honor series.

Specifications:             Widescreen with Dolby Digital English Stereo and English SDH subtitles
Rating:                         U.S. – Not Rated; Canada – G
Runtime:                     Approximately 110 minutes
SRP:                             $12.99 U.S.; $13.99 Canada


Our Thoughts:
I feel like a broken record anytime I review something for PBSKids, but they do provide good quality entertainment. Dinosaur Train provides quality entertainment and educational programming for both the little ones and adults. Dinosaur Train is a program that your child can grow and develop with. They do a good job of keeping things interesting with exciting adventures and fun memorable songs.

Dinosaur Train: Dinosaurs A to Z is no different. We were all glued to each of the episodes which included the following:

• The Call of the Wild Corythosaurus
• Fast Friends
• One Small Dinosaur
• Have You Heard About the Herd?
• Dinos A to Z (Parts 1-4)
• Bonus Episode: Solstice Time

You join the Pteranodon family as the meet some old friends and introduce us to some new species. We learn about the classification of all 26 dinosaurs in these episodes on the train. It doesn't end there after those nine fun filled episodes. The dvd is loaded with special features like Dr. Scott Video Segments, Interactive Games, Coloring Pages, Information for Parents, and more.

Dinosaur Train: Dinosaurs A to Z is the latest in the series out on DVD for you to own. So pickup it up for your family today if you want educational, family friendly, fun programming.

Here are two places among many for you to purchase Dinosaur Train: Dinosaurs A to Z. Shop PBS & Amazon

*Please note that I received a copy of the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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Orangutan Diaries DVD Reviews

“ORANGUTAN DIARIES”

GOES INSIDE A RAINFOREST HOSPITAL
THAT IS FIGHTING TO SAVE THESE MAGNIFICENT AND VULNERABLE CREATURES

Available on DVD from PBS Distribution October 2nd

Arlington, Va. – August 30, 2012 – PBS Distribution today announced it is releasing “ORANGUTAN DIARIES” on DVD. Deep in the Borneo rainforest, a dedicated team of veterinarians and caregivers has a massive and emotional task ahead of them: rescuing and nursing the jungle’s most vulnerable animals back to health. Currently there are approximately 600 orangutans being cared for day and night at the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation Centre. Most have had traumatic lives, clinging to survival as rainforests are burned around them, while others are snatched from the wild to be sold as pets. Everyday is a challenge for the team as they care for the orphans and deal with the human crises of life in a rainforest hospital. “ORANGUTAN DIARIES” will be available on DVD October 2, 2012. The run time of the program is 250 minutes on two discs. The SRP for the DVD is $29.99.

“ORANGUTAN DIARIES” features stories of hope as this dedicated team attempts to save these fragile animals. During the course of the film, the team introduces the newest and smallest orangutan, baby Arnold, and races through miles and miles of muddy roads hoping to save a young orangutan held illegally in a tiny crate. Sumanto takes a terrifying fall at the centre and fights for his life, while massive male Hercules, the hairiest orangutan you will ever meet, heads off for his annual leave on a river island. 

Lone Droscher Nielson, the centre’s director, is always looking for places where rescued orangutans can be released back into the wild and finally finds a refuge in the heart of Borneo. After months of planning, a handful of rescued orangutans are able to fly away to freedom, including Mama Abut and her baby, found starving on an oil palm plantation but nursed back to health at the centre. Later, the confiscation team sets off on the most demanding rescue yet, with one of the technicians risking his life in a death-defying climb to get Bonny back where she belongs. “ORANGUTAN DIARIES” is an emotional roller coaster ride into the heart of the rainforest that presents an inside look at the lives of these animals on the edge. 

Underwriters: Public Television Viewers and PBS

Producer: BBC Worldwide and Santa Fe Productions

Executive producer: Sara Ford

Producer: Simon Bell

Directors: Rowan Musgrave and Roger Webb 

About PBS Distribution 

PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally.  Jointly owned by PBS (Arlington, VA) and WGBH (Boston, MA), PBS Distribution extends the reach of public television programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.  

PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including Ken Burns’s films (Prohibition, The National Parks, The War, Baseball, Jazz), documentaries from award-winning series NOVA (The Elegant Universe, Origins), FRONTLINE (God in America, Bush’s War, Growing Up Online), and American Experience (Freedom Riders, We Shall Remain), dramas from Masterpiece (Downton Abbey, Jane Eyre, Inspector Lewis), films from independent producers (Easy Yoga for Arthritis, The Buddha, The Story of India, Carrier, Journey into Buddhism, I.O.U.S.A.), and popular children’s programming from Dinosaur Train, Super Why!, WordGirl, Cyberchase, Martha Speaks, and Arthur.  As a multi-channel distributor, PBS Distribution pursues wholesale/retail sales, consumer and educational sales through PBS- branded catalogs and online shops, and international broadcast and video sales. PBS distribution is also a leader in offering programming through digital platforms including the internet, mobile, and web-connected television. 

ORANGUTAN DIARIES

Street Date: October 2, 2012

Genre: Documentary

Run Time: 250 Minutes on Two Discs

SRP: $29.99 

Format: DVD

Our Thoughts: 
We always love watching the animals on various shows. It's really fascinating to see what they all can do, how they interact, how they eat, etc. So I knew we would all be interested in this dvd set. We didn't know much about the Orangutans, besides seeing them at a exhibit the kids thought. I honestly don't remember though. The kids just love animals and this is a great thing to watch with them since its a learning experience for both kids and adults. 

We got to see these amazing animals interact with each other up close. In the video we got to see Arnold, a baby Orangutan being rescued from a crate where he was being kept illegally. We got to know the rescue team that does this work and how they care for the Orangutans. It's really just amazing to see, it's like your almost right there with them along for the ride.

This DVD gets 4 out of 4 stars from us. It's from PBS, so you know its going to be quality product. Don't just take my word for it. Go out and get your copy on October 2 and judge for yourself. 

*Please note that I received a copy of the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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Titanic Blu-Ray/DVD Review

About Titanic:
The two billion-dollar box office phenomenon and winner of 11 Academy Awards®, TITANIC, makes its highly anticipated debut on Blu-ray 2D and 3D on September 10, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.  Available in high definition for the first time ever, James Cameron’s timeless and unforgettable tour de force will be presented in stunning 2D and 3D, providing a cinematic in-home experience of TITANIC like never before.

James Cameron commented, “Blu-ray extends TITANIC’s immersive 3D theatrical experience into audiences’ homes, where their living room becomes the backdrop for big spectacular environments and intense action, as well as profoundly intimate human moments, allowing generations of fans—new and old—to truly become part of the movie like never before.”

Presented in a four-disc 2D Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with Digital Copy or, for the ultimate experience in fully immersive 3D, in a four-disc Blu-ray 3D and 2D combo pack with Digital Copy, this high-definition presentation of TITANIC is a must have for film fans’ home media collections.  Both sets feature more than 2 ½ hours of new bonus footage never-before-released on disc, including a fascinating in-depth exploration of the film with James Cameron, as well as documentary footage produced by National Geographic with James Cameron that brings the world’s leading RMS Titanic experts together to solve the lingering mysteries of why and how the “unsinkable” ship sank.

The sets also boast additional special features including 30 deleted scenes, over 60 behind-the-scenes featurettes, a look at the groundbreaking visual effects, over 2,000 photos, three commentaries and much, much more.  TITANIC will also be available in a two-disc DVD set with deleted scenes and, for the first time ever, for digital download.

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in the roles that would make them global stars, TITANIC tells the story of the epic romance between two star-crossed lovers set against the backdrop of the legendary and ill-fated maiden voyage of the “ship of dreams.”

About the Four-Disc DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack:
The TITANIC Blu-ray containing the feature film is presented in 1080p high definition with English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles.  The DVDs are presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 televisions with English 5.1 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, French and Spanish subtitles.
The disc breakdown is as follows:
Disc 1 (Blu-ray):

• Feature film in high definition
• Commentary by director James Cameron
• Cast and Crew Commentary
• Historical Commentary by Don Lynch and Ken Marschall

Disc 2 (DVD):

• Feature film in standard definition (Part 1)

Disc 3 (DVD):

• Feature film in standard definition (Part 2)

Disc 4 (Blu-ray):

• Documentaries
  • Reflections on Titanic—NEW!
  • Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron—NEW!

• Deleted Scenes with commentary by James Cameron
• Behind-the-Scenes Featurettes
• Construction Timelapse
• Deep Dive Presentation—Narrated by James Cameron
• $200,000,001: A Ship’s Odyssey—the Titanic Crew Video
• Videomatics
• Visual Effects
• Music Video—“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
• Trailers
• TV Spots
• Still Galleries
  • Titanic Scriptment by James Cameron
  • Storyboard Sequences
  • Production Artwork
  • Photographs
  • Ken Marshall’s Painting Gallery
  • Concept Posters and One Sheets
  • By the Numbers
  • Bibliography
  • Titanic Parodies
    • MTV’s 1998 Movie Awards skit
    • Saturday Night Live skit
    • Titanic in 30 Seconds

My Thoughts:
I have only seen Titanic once in its entirety, so I really enjoyed watching it all again. What a amazing love story it was! I actually can't believe it's been 15 years since this was shot (100 years since the Titanic sank) and by the special effects, you wouldn't know its been that long. Titanic holds up really well, probably because of the touch James Cameron had.

For the first time ever Titanic was released on Blu-Ray. This set contains 2.5 hours worth of bonus footage. You have 60 behind-the-scenes featurettes, 30 deleted scenes and a bunch of brand new features like "Titanic: The Final Word w/ James Cameron" and "Reflections on Titanic". These two features were probably my favorite additions of the set.

This set is a must own for any Titanic film fan. It is also worth the upgrade from either VHS or DVD. Even if just for the bonus materials. If you are part of the 3D craze, they have a version of the set including that as well. They really have it all covered for you! This release gets 4 out of 4 stars from me. The value is there for this older title for sure. They really put the effort into it.

I was sent the above viewing kit. Very cool! Loved the soundtrack and it will be nice to play in the house or in the car during those long car rides. I am going to use the book for writing notes. It's super cute!

*Please note that I received a copy of the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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Dinosaur Train: Big, Big, Big DVD Review

Synopsis: 
Hop on the Dinosaur Train and join Buddy the T.Rex and his adoptive family of Pteranodons as they travel around and meet some of the biggest dinosaurs in DINOSAUR TRAIN: BIG, BIG, BIG. Buddy and his Pteranodon siblings embark on new adventures traveling back to the Jurassic Period, riding on the newest Dinosaur Train car – the flatbed, and earning their Junior Conductor hats. Buddy even gets to meet another adopted dinosaur! From the world-renowned Jim Henson Company, PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment, the DINOSAUR TRAIN: BIG, BIG, BIG DVD includes eight exciting edu-tainment adventures that bring dinosaurs to life and makes science fun. “Dinosaur Train” is an Emmy®-nominated and Parents’ Choice Silver Honor series. “Dinosaur Train” consistently ranks in the top ten shows for kids ages 2 to 5*.

8 Episodes:
Remember the Alamosaurus - The Pteranodon kids and Dad get the idea to travel around on the Dinosaur Train and meet some of the biggest dinosaurs. They even sing a song, `The Biggest Dinosaurs', before meeting Allie Alamosaurus, an enormous, long-necked, plant eating sauropod who is very friendly. Allie explains that her huge, strong legs hardly bend at all, but she can still have fun playing games with the kids, and teaching them some of her favorites!

Heck of a Neck - The Pteranodon kids have a Nature Trackers adventure when they meet Denise Diplodocus, a super-long, super big dinosaur. At first the kids mistake Denise's neck for a snake, and tail as a bridge. Later, Denise amazes the kids, telling them how hard it is for her to raise up her long, heavy neck. Shiny and the others help her raise her neck higher than normal just once, but it feels better for Denise to keep closer to the ground and low-lying trees.

An Apatosaurus Adventure - The Pteranodon kids visit the Jurassic Time Period to meet Apollo Apatosaurus, a huge, long-necked, long-tailed dinosaur who likes adventure. Apollo loves to whip his long tail, and does so as he leads the kids on a pretend adventure to find a hard-to-reach tree with yummy, delicious leaves!

Arnie Rides the Flat Car - Buddy, Tiny, and Mom visit their very large sauropod friend, Arnie Argentinosaurus, and his dad. Arnie has grown bigger since our kids have seen him and is now too big to ride on the Dinosaur Train anymore. Tiny and Buddy arrange with Mr. Conductor for Arnie to be the first big dinosaur to ride on the newest Dinosaur Train car - the flatbed car!

Ned the Quadruped - Buddy and Tiny tour the Dinosaur Train and earn their Junior Conductor hats while their friend Ned, a four-legged, long-necked Brachiosaurus and regular Train rider, tags along.

One Big Dinosaur - Tiny and Buddy visit a dinosaur family called Argentinosaurus, some of the biggest land creatures ever! The kids find out there are great things about being really big, and that it's also great being their own size.

Dinosaur Poop - Buddy and Tiny learn that all creatures poop, even really big dinosaurs.

All Kinds of Families - When Buddy expresses his feelings about being adopted to Tiny and Mrs. Pteranodon, they tell him that he will always be a part of the Pteranodon family. Mom takes Buddy and Tiny to meet another adopted dinosaur kid named Sonny Sauroposeidon, a huge tall creature, now a part of tiny Mikey Microraptor's family. Buddy and Sonny bond over being adopted and knowing that they are both in adoptive families that are different species but still love and appreciate them.

My Thoughts:
I was thrilled to get this Dinosaur Train DVD in the mail, as it is the most requested series in the house. They do enjoy the other PBS Kids programs, but Dinosaur Train is by far their favorite. With the weather starting to cool, the kids are spending less time outside. It's nice to have dvds like this to pop in, to keep them entertained for awhile. Not only being entertained, but learning something at the same time. Each episode is a standalone episode, so they can be watched in any order. They can also be watched in multiple sittings. Which is always a great feature, that you have to "continue" to the next episode. It just doesn't automatically start. So the adult is always in control, until someone gets a little to smart for their own good! LOL Kids are starting to pick-up on the little things, like how to work the remote. Next thing you know, it will be working the computer.

The overall favorite episode of this set was "Arnie Rides the Flat Car". In the episode the Pteranodons visit their old friend Arnie Argentinosaurus who got a little too big to ride the train. So Tiny and Buddy found a solution to this issue by getting him on ride on the new flatbed car. See? It's all about working together, helping others and being a family.

Once we were done watching the episodes, we decided to check out the extras. It is packed with interactive games, coloring pages to print, activities, and information for the parents.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and pick-up your copy at the PBS Shop or Amazon.com. It's worth every penny, since your not only providing both boys and girls with quality entertainment, they are also learning some valuable tools at the same time.

*Please note that I received a copy of the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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Wild Kratts: Jungle Animals DVD Review

Synopsis:
Join the Kratt Brothers, Martin and Chris, as they take their adventures into the jungle and discover some of the world’s most fascinating and elusive creatures in WILD KRATTS: JUNGLE ANIMALS. In these four amazing new-to-DVD adventures, the Kratt Brothers study the ways of this diverse ecosystem and encounter lizards that walk on water, orangutans who create medicines, and tarsiers that survive in complete darkness! The WILD KRATTS: JUNGLE ANIMALS DVD includes four fun-filled, educational journeys, each with a unique blend of live action and animation creating unlimited potential for education and storytelling. Over 8 million households tune in to watch “Wild Kratts” each month. (Approximately 100 minutes)

Featured Episodes: Walk on the Wetside, A Huge Orange Problem, Birds of a Feather and Googly-Eye: The Night Guru

Our Thoughts:
In the summer its hard to find activities that continue to challenge kids and that are fun. It's kinda like finding a way to sneak in veggies without the kids noticing. Wild Kratts makes it super easy to accomplish something educational and fun! I mean who doesn't love animals!?! It does not take long to get the kids occupied because once they hear the theme song, they come running in and start dancing. Once thats over the kids settle in to listen intensely and learn. They are just amazed by the animals the brothers come in contact with. While I love that it mixes cartoon and real life. It opens and closes with the real Kratts brothers showing and talking about real animals.

The DVD contains four episodes and they are easily broken up into multiple viewings if needed. The DVD also contains printable PDF activity sheets, which is a nice extra. They include animal facts, activities and coloring pages for the kids to enjoy. Lots of fun for both boys and girls.

In-conclusion, we give this DVD Two Thumbs-up! The kids loved it from start to finish. It's informative, entertaining and funny. Depending on your kids age, the older ones will even pick-up on the environmental issues that face various animals in the episodes. It's great that the Kratts brothers make it easy for the kids to understand, make them think and to invoke discussion.

Own Wild Kratts: Jungle Animals on DVD – now available for purchase in stores and online.

*Please note that I received a copy of the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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The Best of Caillou: Caillou's Outdoor Adventures DVD Review

Join Caillou as he embarks on another series of marvelous adventures that will lead him to new and exciting discoveries in THE BEST OF CAILLOU – CAILLOU’S OUTDOOR ADVENTURES. In these new-to-DVD episodes, Caillou learns what it takes to be an athlete, make a garden, build a scarecrow, and even celebrate Valentine’s Day!  THE BEST OF CAILLOU – CAILLOU’S OUTDOOR ADVENTURES DVD includes 12 fun-filled outdoor adventures, interactive games, coloring pages and a special message to parents.  Over 4 million households tune in to watch “Caillou” each month.

There are four episodes on this DVD:

• Caillou the Sports Star – He imagines he’s an Olympic athlete and tries to win ribbons for the games Grandma created.
• Caillou Outdoors – They make a scarecrow to keep the birds away from the garden.
• Springtime for Caillou – A Vaentine’s Day story
• Caillou Can Do It! – He and Grandma water the flowers, fill the birdbath, and make homemade fruit juice.  

Specifications: Full Screen with Dolby Digital English Stereo and English SDH Subtitles
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: Approximately 100 minutes
SRP: $12.99 U.S.

Our Thoughts: During the episodes the kids will learn about gardening, Valentine's Day, nature, sports and a lot more. One thing that I really have loved about the Caillou series is that they not only teach our kids about everyday life, but it also shows them how to use their imagination to have an adventure whenever you need some fun in life.

The episodes on this DVD were not new to us, as they have all aired on television before. With that said we liked being able to watch them anytime that we wanted. We also enjoyed the activities that came along with the DVD. The PC game is one of those activities. Its a game where your kid(s) become paleontologists (Ross Geller on Friends!) and discover Dinosaur fossils. You sweep away the dust and place them in the correct box. He thought it was much cooler then putting his plastic blocks into the proper cylinder holes. This game is great teaching tool for your kids to become more familiar with a computer mouse as well! The coloring pages that you could print were also a nice touch.

In-conclusion, even if you are like us and have seen all the episodes this DVD still has a lot of value to offer. Don't you agree? We sure think so and are giving "The Best of Caillou: Caillou's Outdoor Adventures" DVD 2 thumbs-up!


*Please note that I received the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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WILD KRATTS: Predator Power DVD Review

Synopsis: Join real-life zoologists, writer/producers Chris and Martin Kratt as they transform into animated versions of themselves and embark on incredible edu-taining journeys in WILD KRATTS: Predator Power arriving on DVD March 20, 2012 from The Kratt Brothers Company, 9 Story Entertainment, PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment. Combining humor, adventure and fun, WILD KRATTS: Predator Power brings kids face to face with some of the most wild and exciting predators in the animal kingdom through astonishing live-action footage and presents age-appropriate science concepts along the way. As they explore the world and science through animals, the Kratt brothers and their trusty team actively apply their new knowledge to extricate themselves from hilarious and suspenseful predicaments while empowering kids to do their part in protecting wildlife and saving the planet. Viewed by 8 million households each month, WILD KRATTS features a unique blend of live action and animation creating unlimited potential for education and storytelling. The WILD KRATTS: Predator Power DVD includes four adventures that take kids on fantastic journeys to explore the deep sea with sharks, fly through the sky with eagles, howl with a wolf pack, find out why cheetah cubs mimic their mothers and more!

The DVD includes the following episodes:

• Stuck on Sharks- Martin and Chris are on a mission to uncover the secret life of the mysterious Great White Shark and soon learn that the giant predator of the sea actually has lots of challenges to contend with.
• Mimic in the Grass- While exploring why some animals mimic the looks of others, Martin and Chris encounter a cheetah cub and its mom. But before they know it, the mom is ‘cat-napped’ so it’s up to the Wild Kratts team to spring into action on a rescue mission.
• Little Howler- Chris and Martin are unpacking from an adventure and are surprised when a Wolf pup pops out of their bags. They have no idea where the little guy came from and must retrace their steps in order to return him back to his pack. They learn that wolves are very social animals with a close pack structure and frequent visual and audio communication among individual members.
• Raptor Roundup- Martin and Chris challenge themselves to ID as many hawks, eagles, owls, falcons and vultures as they can. But they soon realize that an evil villain has been capturing them all! They’ll have to use everything they know about classification and birds of prey to round up the raptors and return them to where they belong – living free and in the wild!
  
  
  The WILD KRATTS: Predator Power DVD is presented in widescreen with English SDH subtitles.  The DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $12.99 U.S with a run time of 100 minutes.

Our Thoughts: We had never seen the Wild Kratts series on tv before, so this was a pleasant surprise. The episodes kept my attention as well as a easily wandering 3 year old. Everyone can learn something from this dvd about caring and protecting wildlife before its gone. It is a interesting blend of animation and real life scenes that create a lively and easy learning experience for young kids. There is a nice variety of animals from wolves, snakes, birds and fishes in these particular episodes.

We gave this DVD two thumbs-up! We were both left with the feeling of wanting to learn more. Which is never a bad thing! We will be watching the show and buying more of these dvds.

*Please note that I received the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Get Ducky DVD Review

Those wacky Penguins are back for eight exciting egg-ventures featuring their newest pal, Ducky, and a collection of outrageous critters. Upon the discovery of a lost egg, the Penguins volunteer to egg-sit until they can find its mother. When the egg unexpectedly hatches, the new duckling - Ducky - is hilariously put into "Penguin" training - but a jealous King Julien wants to raise him to be his second-in-command!

Episodes:
1. Paternal Egg-stinct
2. Hard boiled eggy
3. April fools
4. Siege the day
5. Operation: neighbor swap
6. Otter gone wild
7. Two feet high and rising
8. Sting operation

Widescreen Format
• English 5.1, English 2.0, French 5.1 & Spanish 2.0 Dolby Digital Surround
• English, French & Spanish Subtitles

Running Time: 92 Minutes


Our Thoughts: First of all who doesn't love Penguins? Especially these cute Penguins, I know we all do! I think I enjoyed this just as much as the 2 year old did and he enjoyed it a lot. It was so hard to get him to go to bed. Lucky for me after each episode they had a break, so I was able to tell him it was over.

This DVD which is available now at Amazon for $9.99 is titled Penguins of Madagascar: Operation Get Ducky. In this DVD we are introduced to a new zoo member, a baby duck named Eddy. Marlene discovers the lost egg and the penguins volunteer to egg-sit until they find the mother. The male penguins do the egg-sitting, something that I didn't know (Fun Fact). So when the egg hatches the little duckling learns all about the penguins skills and training. However this makes the King Julien a bit jealous and he decides he wants to raise the little duckling to be his number two in command.

This is a great gift for those Easter baskets! The kids and even adults will enjoy it!

*Please note that I received the DVD so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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Kung Fu Panda 2 DVD Review

The Kung Fu Panda series has to be one of those movies that I think kids and adults both enjoy. I know I loved Kung Fu Panda and was excited to see the 2nd installment. Plus knowing the kiddos just loved the adventures and were captivated by the movements and bright colors when they were younger (or in some cases not even born yet when the first one came out!). Its pretty special time though to be able to watch a movie that makes the kids happy and the adults entertained.

Kung Fu Panda 2 was released on DVD & Blu-Ray on December 13. I got my copy of the Awesome 2 pack around that time. But between the holidays and everyone being sick, my review is a little behind. Sorry about that!

Jack Black is back as Po in DreamWorks Animation’s Kung Fu Panda 2, the hilarious and action-packed “winning sequel” to the Academy Award-nominated original film. In Kung Fu Panda 2, Po and the Furious Five set off on his first big challenge since becoming the Dragon Warrior. When his new evil nemesis has taken down the legendary three kung fu masters, Po is the only one left who can save China, save kung fu, and save the bunnies! You’ll laugh out loud as you watch Po try to find his way, and be on the edge of your seat as he fights the most epic kung fu battle ever.

Featuring an all-star cast of voice talent including Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Gary Oldman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, David Cross, Michelle Yeoh, Danny McBride and Jean-Claude Van Damme, KUNG FU PANDA 2 will also be available on a single-disc DVD and in the Kung Fu Panda Collection on either DVD or Blu-ray, which includes both movies, Kung Fu Panda:  Secrets of the Masters, two free online game memberships to Kung Fu Panda World, and loads of additional fun.

DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 Awesome Double DVD Pack
The Kung Fu Panda 2 Awesome Double DVD Pack delivers a punch with smashing features including:

Disc 1:
•    “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness”—See the debut of an episode of Nickelodeon’s brand new television series.
•    Kickin’ It with the Cast—Meet the new faces who have joined Po’s journey including
Gary Oldman, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Victor Garber and Michelle Yeoh and catch up with the returning cast.
•    Deleted Scenes—Check out three scenes with director Jennifer Yuh Nelson.
•    Filmmakers’ Commentary—Director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, producer Melissa Cobb, production designer Raymond Zibach and supervising animator, kung fu choreographer and story artist Rodolphe Guenoden discuss the making of the film.
•    World of DreamWorks Animation—Enjoy promos and more.
•    Previews
•    Sneak Peek—A first look at DreamWorks Animation’s How To Train Your Dragon Arena Spectacular.
Disc 2:
Kung Fu Panda:  Secrets of the Masters— Po’s all-new adventure.
Additional bonus features:
•    Panda Stories—A look at the animals that inspired Kung Fu Panda and footage of Jack Black’s visit to the Atlanta Zoo to meet Po’s real-life namesake.
•    Kung Fu Shuffle—Master Shifu teaches the best way to find a hidden radish in an update of the classic shell game.
•    Ni Hao—Learn Chinese!  Choose from more than 50 Kung Fu Panda-inspired words and learn how to say and draw the symbol in Chinese.
•    DVD-ROM:
o    Legend of the Wu Sisters Game—This exciting game features the three feline villains from Secrets of the Masters.
o    Printables—Coloring pages, connect the dots, 3D fortune tellers, stand-up 3D characters, pencil toppers and mazes!

Kung Fu Panda World:
•    Get two free memberships—each good for game play through April 2012 and valued at $5.95 each per month—to the online virtual game world where kids create avatars, play games with their favorite characters, win points towards earning a kung fu black belt, chat with friends and more!  Membership codes must be redeemed by and free membership will expire on 4/30/12.  Additional restrictions apply.

DreamWorks Animation’s KUNG FU PANDA 2 Awesome Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Pack
The Kung Fu Panda 2 Awesome Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy Pack includes the following:
Disc 1 (Blu-ray):
Kung Fu Panda 2
Kung Fu Panda:  Secrets of the Masters
Blu-ray Exclusive bonus features:
•    Animation Inspiration—Follow Po and the Furious Five on their journey throughout China!  See footage of real locations that served as inspiration for the film and learn fun, kid-friendly facts about China.
•    The Animators’ Corner—Features interviews with creators, animators, cast and crew, along with storyboards, music and commentary.
•    Trivia Track—Pop up trivia, Po style.
Additional bonus features:
•    “Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness”
•    Kickin’ It with the Cast
•    Deleted Scenes
•    Panda Stories
•    Kung Fu Shuffle
•    Ni Hao
•    Filmmakers’ Commentary
•    World of DreamWorks Animation
•    Previews
•    Sneak Peek

Disc 2 (DVD):
Kung Fu Panda 2
Digital Copy

Kung Fu Panda World:
•    Get two free memberships—each good for game play through April 2012 and valued at $5.95 each per month—to the online virtual game world where kids create avatars, play games with their favorite characters, win points towards earning a kung fu black belt, chat with friends and more!  Membership codes must be redeemed by and free membership will expire on 4/30/12.  Additional restrictions apply.

Final Thoughts: I am amazed by the value here in this 2-pack. From the movie, to the games and the extras it is well worth the $25 price tag. Its hours and hours worth of entertainment. Plus this 2 pack comes along with a digital copy. Which I just love. The kiddos are always wanting to hold the dvd or put it in, but they always drop it. This way I keep a copy scratch free and they have one to play frisbee with. LOL

Kung Fu Panda 2 does a great job of setting things up for Kung Fu Panda 3. However Kung Fu Panda 2 does a good job of being a great sequel, best I have seen in awhile. I can see why it made over 650 million globally and was such a huge hit. The story does continue from the original Kung Fu Panda, which was another plus. The same cast, so familiar voices and characters for the kiddos. The story of Po setting to fight the new bad guy, only to realize that this guy was there when his parents abandoned him. Then Po goes off to defeat the peacock, but also finds the answers he desperately needs at the same time. In the end you have Po's real daddy saying his dad is alive. Which means part 3 is coming and should be just as good as the first two.

Now we sit back and enjoy Kung Fu Panda and Kung Fu Panda 2, while we wait impatiently for the third installment. Anyone else with me?

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Dreamworks Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury & Book of Dragons Review

The epic story began with "How To Train Your Dragon" continues with the groundbreaking new "Dreamworks Dragons" Double DVD and Video Game, in stores now.

"How To Train Your Dragon" enchanted audiences all over with its captivating and original story boasting fire-breathing action, heroic deeds and heartfelt laughs.  DreamWorks Animation’s new signature entertainment experience, Dreamworks Dragons Double DVD and Video Game features two brand new adventures plus a Dragons online video game available for the first time ever.

Now for the details and our thoughts on this amazing double pack:

DREAMWORKS DRAGONS Double DVD + Online Video Game Pack includes the follow-up “Gift of the Night Fury,” in which the epic story of Hiccup and Toothless picks up where it left off and they take flight in a thrilling, all-new adventure to discover an island of never-before-seen dragons; the all-new “Book of Dragons” that reveals seven never-before-seen dragons as Hiccup, Astrid and Gobber share insider training secrets and new dragon mythology; AND a game card that grants exclusive access to the ultimate interactive Dragons challenge: a brand new Dragons Online Video Game in which players use the new training secrets they’ve learned to earn badges as they fight and train new dragons to become the ultimate dragon trainer.


The DREAMWORKS DRAGONS Double DVD + Online Video Game Pack includes the following:
Disc 1:
•    DreamWorks Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury
•    Gobber’s Training Secrets
•    Deleted Scenes
•    Spot the Difference
•    Learn How to Draw a Baby Gronckle
•    How to Host a Snoggletog Party (DVD-ROM)
•    Previews
•    World of DreamWorks Animation

Disc 2:
•    DreamWorks: Book of Dragons
•    Dragon Lair (DVD-ROM)
•    Your Book of Dragons
•    3-D Land of the Dragons
Plus:
•    Dragons Online Video Game—The ultimate interactive Dragons challenge!  Once you’ve learned all the insider training secrets in the Book of Dragons, you’re ready to use your exclusive game card to gain access to this all-new, high-quality video game:
•    Create your own Viking avatar
•    Learn to train Dragons
•    Fight epic dragon battles
•    14 battle arenas
•    8 Dragon lairs
•    4 legend games
•    Challenge the Dragons you loved in the film
•    Discover and battle seven never-before-seen Dragons
•    Earn training and battle badges

Overall Thoughts: We were surprised that both adventures were only about 20 minutes each. I know that I was expecting them to be much longer. With that said both adventures were cute for the kids ( 8 & 4 years old) but disappointing for me. The youngest easily sat through the entire thing without getting antsy. While the oldest was left wanting more, just like me. 

Gift of the Night Fury: (22 minutes) The storyline was enjoyable. We all got a few good laughs and it did have some good action scenes. Fishlegs seemed to have a bigger role here then in the movie. The baby dragons are so cute and adorable!

Book of Dragons: (19 minutes)This one felt like more of a setup to the sequel sequel that was announced for 2014. It profiles the dragons that are living among everyone in Bourke. It did have some amusing and funny scenes though.

Extras: These didn't really add any valueable content and I felt as though they were just filler. Most of the extra content is geared towards the kids. With the exception of the deleted scenes, which are enjoyable for all. 

The pack also includes a game card that gives you exclusive access to the ultimate interactive new Dragons Online Video Game. In which players use the new training secrets they’ve learned to earn badges as they fight and train new dragons to become the ultimate dragon trainer. This game will provide a lot of enjoyment for kids 6 or older. The 8 year old got a lot of play out of this and is still playing it.

Overall I give this pack a 3.5 of 5. Considering the price, your kids will get a lot of hours of play out of it.

Available now in stores. Amazon.com currently has it for $12.99 and that is the cheapest I have seen so far.

*Please note that I received a copy of the DVD 2-pack and party kit so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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Winnie The Pooh DVD/Blu-Ray Combo Pack Widget & Giveaway

Back to the Hundred Acre Wood we go! Join Pooh, Tigger, Rabbit, Christopher Robin, Owl, Kanga, Piglet, Eeyore, and all of the classic characters you know and love when Walt Disney Pictures releases Winnie The Pooh on DVD and Blu-Ray October 25, 2011!

The Winnie the Pooh widget allows you to connect with the Classic Winnie the Pooh on Facebook, and to pre-order your copy of Winnie the Pooh on DVD/Blu-Ray. Check out the cool widget below for personality quiz, games, recipes, crafts, activities and more. When I took the quiz I was Piglet!

I have the opportunity to give away a copy of the combo pack to my readers. Please enter using Rafflecopter located below:

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Scared Shrekless & Monsters vs Aliens Halloween Party DVD Pack Review

The kids in our house are big Shrek and Monsters vs. Aliens fans so they got super excited when I got a package in the mail which included the two dvds and a neat Halloween pack. Halloween is probably one if not my favorite Holiday. I just love the Halloween themed movies, tv shows, candy and of course the decorations.So combining both Shrek and Monsters vs. Aliens movies together with Halloween was a surefire hit in our household. Let me tell you they did not disappoint! The DVDs are already available in stores and are reasonably priced! (Note: Best Buy has the DVD 2-pack for $12.99 next week.) Here is a summary of what each movie is about and what the 2-pack includes:

In Scared Shrekless, the gang gathers to celebrate Shrek’s favorite holiday: Halloween!  But instead of the usual tricks or treats, Shrek ups the ante and challenges everyone to spend the night telling scary stories—the last one to be scared Shrekless wins.  The DVD includes spooky spoofs on classics horror movies and features the voices of Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz and
Antonio Banderas.

Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space finds Susan, B.O.B., The Missing Link, and Dr. Cockroach, Ph.D. dispatched as special operatives to investigate a mysterious alien presence on Halloween.  As the night unravels, innocent-looking pumpkins are revealed for what they really are – mutant aliens!  Luckily the monsters are there to smash the mutants’ wicked scheme to take over Earth.  Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space features the star-studded cast of voice talent from the original hit film including Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie, Will Arnett, Kiefer Sutherland and Rainn Wilson.




Halloween Party Double DVD Pack:

Scared Shrekless and Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space are each presented in widescreen with English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, English Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround, French Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround with English, French and Spanish subtitles.  The disc breakdowns are as follows:

Scared Shrekless
•    “Thriller”
•    Puss In Boots “These Boots Are Made For Walking”
•    Previews
World of DreamWorks Animation:
•    Shrek “I’m A Believer” music video
•    Shrek video
•    How To Train Your Dragon “Fly High” music video
•    How To Train Your Dragon video
•    Kung Fu Panda “Kung Fu Fighting” music video
•    Secrets of the Furious Five video
•    Kung Fu Panda World video
•    Madagascar “I Like To Move It” music video
•    “Penguins of Madagascar” video
•    Megamind “Mega Rap” music video
•    Megamind video

Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space
•    Karaoke Music Party with:
•    Ginormica
•    B.O.B.
•    Dr. Cockroach Ph.D. and The Missing Link
•    Modern Monster Movie-Making
•    Previews
World of DreamWorks Animation:
•    Shrek “I’m A Believer” music video
•    Shrek video
•    How To Train Your Dragon “Fly High” music video
•    How To Train Your Dragon video
•    Kung Fu Panda “Kung Fu Fighting” music video
•    Secrets of the Furious Five video
•    Kung Fu Panda World video
•    Madagascar “I Like To Move It” music video
•    “Penguins of Madagascar” video
•    Megamind “Mega Rap” music video
•    Megamind video

Our Thoughts: Both movies are beyond cute and very appropriate for the all the young kids. The little ones enjoyed Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space more though, it's just easier for them to understand I think. Shrek exhibits a slightly more sophisticated humor that older kids will get, but is lost on the younger set. I have to say whoever made the decision to include music videos was a genius. The kids loved them and were dancing and singing along. However as the adult who has to watch the kiddos, it does drive you bonkers after awhile. LOL Thats when I brought out the treats (Swamp Slugs,Donkey Droppings, & Ogre Snot) we got along with the dvd pack. To get them all hyped up before most of them went home. How evil am I? ;)

*Please note that I received the DVD 2pack & party kit so I could give my fair and honest opinion. The opinions expressed in this review are my own and were not influenced in any way.*

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