Category Archives: DVD

Zarafa

zarafaPeople told me about this film when it was shown at the New York International Children’s Film Festival, and they were blown away. They described the movie as one of the most beautiful animation, cinema experience in storytelling. Zarafa captures suffering at the hands of slave traders. Human beings treated as a property to the edge of monstrous fixation. Sincerely, I enjoyed this movie and hope everyone sees it as work of art.

Directed by both Rémi Bezançon and Jean-Christophe Lie, Zarafa is full of adventure as a charming animated story in French and English subtitles. We meet an orphaned African boy who starts a journey to find his place in the world. His other purpose for the journey is to protect a young giraffe that he deems himself responsible.

The movie is packed with cute and hilarious moments with offbeat and curious characters while the boy visits many exotic global locations.  It is also exciting with narrow escapes, rescues, and threat of capture.  The tear-jerking moments in the movie might be tough for some kids to watch.  The moments include deaths of fond characters that the audience grows to love.

The movie has its highs and lows and several scary, suspenseful scenes.  For example, the two children find themselves in danger with a ferocious dog and an evil villain. The villain is a slave trader who pursues them relentlessly. He even holds a dear, little girl in chains while he attacks the boy with the intent to shoot and kill. Another tragedy is when parents of a young child are captured, and their village is burned down to the ground.

The movie is fine for older kids, who understand the difference between imaginary and real violence and can put up with the English subtitles.

 

 

Scholastic Storybook Treasures

20holidayadvent20 Holiday Adventures – Scholastic Storybook Treasures is the fourth release under the Scholastic Classics label with loads of content for kids to be entertained while learning family values such as right and wrong, be truthful, and do unto others. Just like the title says, the DVD holds twenty stories celebrating the holidays. My favorites are The Night Before Christmas, Little Drummer Boy, Max’s Christmas (from Max and Ruby currently airing on Nick Jr.), and Noah’s Ark.

The classic storybooks come to life and draw the kid’s attention, making a wonderful way to introduce reading books to kids.  Other stories on the disc include Merry Christmas, Splat, Morris’s Disappearing Bag, Merry Christmas, Space Case, Bear Snores On, Too Many Tamales, Lemonade in Winter, The Snowy Day, Fletcher and the Snowflake Christmas, In the Month of Kislev, Seven Candles for Kwanzaa, Great Joy!, Antarctic Antics, Giving Thanks, Bear Has a Story to Tell, The Clown of God, and Brave Irene.

20FairyTalesThe next Scholastic Collection is narrated by Oscar winners Kathy Bates and Paul Giamatti, and B.D. Wong from Law & Order. 20 Fairy Tales – Scholastic Storybook Treasures features twenty classic tales on a single DVD. My favorites are Cinderella, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Hansel and Gretel, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf.

The classic fairy tales are so much fun for the kids to watch while learning family values and the importance of reading. You can even place your storybook in the room with them while they watch the classic stories on the screen. The rest of the classic titles on the DVD are Doctor De Soto, Each Peach Pear Plum, Extra Yarn, Harold’s Fairy Tale, Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China, Princess Furball, Rapunzel, Red Riding Hood, Three Billy Goats Gruff, The Elves and the Shoemaker, The Little Match Girl, The Red Shoes, The Three Little Pigs, The True Story of The Three Little Pigs!, The Ugly Duckling, and The Emperor’s New Clothes.

Chuggington: The Big Freeze

chuggbigfreezeThe weather is still not cold enough, but freezing high-speed adventure is on the way. My preschoolers were treated to the newest Chuggington DVD called Chuggington: The Big Freeze.

The latest popular DVD collection from the United Kingdom is entertaining with six episodes. There are adventures for preschoolers while teaching lessons about right and wrong and sharing.  It is no wonder this is a highly rated show distributed by Disney.

One episode is a holiday special called The Big Freeze. The chuggers perform one heroic rescue after another. The kids learn from these shows by watching the characters solve situations that are presented to them. Like, when icy temperatures cause the town to run out of fuel and all diesel engines are grounded. They solve the problem as Chief Jackman and his team of brave Chug Patrollers work together to find a way to the frozen docks to retrieve fuel and get the town of Chuggington moving once again.  It also teaches preschoolers important lessons about safety, responsibility and teamwork as they watch Wilson, Koko, Brewster, and Asher.

Another episode includes one where Fletch tries to repair the lighthouse, and Calley tests to become a first responder. Another is where the kids get to watch Brewster get closer to being a Chuggineer. The lessons taught in these shows are so helpful.  The series has great characters for kids to watch and get to know.

Pups United

PUPS UNITED_3d DVDDirected by Guy Distad, who is known for working in television, cut his teeth on Disney TV shows as first and second assistant director such as Wizards of Waverly Place and Hanna Montana, the movie is made for kids to enjoy. If you are up for a silly, non-committal adventure with puppies who talk, then Pups United on DVD is what you want your kids to watch. Awarded the Dove Seal of Approval means it is safe for kids to watch, stating the film is “a fun family movie that everyone will enjoy.”

In the manner of Air Bud, this live action movie features the voice talents of Rob Schneider (Grown Ups) in a familiar story of quest and the rescue of the World Cup. A rag-tag gang of international talking dog mascots must save the day and foil the plot of villains planning to sabotage the Youth World Cup soccer finals.

The laughter launches when the two villains try to cover up their identity because they want to find the trophy. The story will never get monotonous as Rex and his canine mascots unite to stop the thieves.  By helping to stop the thievery the canines also help Ryan and the coach return to the game and go for the win.

The DVD includes a behind-the-scenes featurette with “The Making of Pups United” featurette and miniscule bonus episodes. It is something consider for your library to help keep your kids entertained with the wintry season coming up.

Power Rangers: The Perfect Storm

powermegaPower Rangers DVDs are so popular with the kids and some adults. Each collection is worth owning, and recently released The Perfect Storm is no expectation.  The five episodes are pure entertainment, and never fail the ardent fan.

One episode follows Orion, who unlocks every sixth ranger power while his helmet morphs revealing each one of the power ranger’s helmet designs with his costume.  As a result, the rangers lose their energy because it is taken from them when Orion morphs.  How will they get their power back? It is such a fun story to watch.

Another episode with a quirky twist is where one of the monsters becomes smitten with one of the rangers. A love triangle forms because another monster is trying to destroy the ranger to have the female monster all to himself.

The next episode is about two of the rangers who switch bodies.  It’s hilarious when they adjust, learn how to be the other power ranger, and notice the disparity in their personalities.  They even try to discover what trigger the change.

In another episode, Tensou ventures outside the command center in order to see the arrival of a fierce storm.  It approaches quickly, and Tensou is hit by lightning. He loses his memory and is lost. The other rangers search for him. Once they find him they do everything in their power to help him recover his memory.

I can see how the kids will go crazy over these storylines. Overall and of course, The Perfect Storm will please any Power Ranger fan.