Dumbo Now Available on Blu-Ray, DVD, and Digital HD

Disclosure: Complimentary product was received for review purposes.

Our family watched Dumbo in the theater - and I cried!  I did not expect that I would be so immersed in the movie or get so emotional, but I did.  My kids enjoyed the movie too, and they've already watched the Blu-Ray, which is now available at retailers nationwide (in addition to the DVD and Digital HD versions).

My kids loved the story of Dumbo and watching the beloved elephant's journey as he becomes the star of a circus.  What I loved most about the story was the bond between mommy and baby elephant, as well as the growing relationship between Dumbo and the elephant keeper's kids.

Get your copy of Dumbo now!

Summer-ready thanks to Dumbo!

“Dumbo,” the grand live-action adventure from Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, which expanded on the beloved animated classic and sent spirits soaring, prepares for a landing on June 25. Disney invites fans to fall in love again with this heartfelt story, in which differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight, when it swoops into homes on Digital in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere, and physically on 4K Ultra HD,  Blu-ray™ and DVD — with never-before-seen bonus features, deleted scenes, Easter eggs and bloopers.

Stunning extras will transport viewers to the set of “Dumbo,” where cast members Danny DeVito (circus owner Max Medici), Michael Keaton (opportunistic businessman V.A. Vandevere), Colin Farrell (war-veteran-turned-elephant-keeper Holt Farrier), Eva Green (stunning aerialist Colette Marchant), Nico Parker (Farrier’s daughter, Milly) and Finley Hobbins (Farrier’s son, Joe) share their personal stories of courage and character. Features explore how Disney’s timeless animated story was brought to life with an incredibly expressive, lovable, fully computer-generated baby elephant; the longtime collaboration of Burton, production designer Rick Heinrichs and costume designer Colleen Atwood, which resulted in jaw-dropping sets and costumes; and the creation of the visually colossal Dreamland parade sequence. Also included are nine deleted scenes, hidden and not-so-hidden Easter eggs, bloopers and a special performance of “Baby Mine” by Arcade Fire.

In “Dumbo,” struggling circus owner Max Medici enlists former star Holt Farrier and his children to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive but sinister entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere, who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, spectacular, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland.

“Dumbo” will be released in several different formats, giving families the flexibility to watch it on a variety of devices. Viewers can watch the film in Digital 4K UHD, HD and SD, and bring home a physical copy of the film as the 4K Ultra HD Edition (4K UHD, Blu-ray and Digital Code), Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Code) and a single DVD.

Bonus features include*:
BLU-RAY & DIGITAL HD:

• CIRCUS SPECTACULARS: Dumbo’s cast share their experience of making the film—and get to the heart of a story about family and believing in yourself.
• THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: Explore how one of Disney’s most lovable characters went from an animated classic to a stunning live-action retelling.
• BUILT TO AMAZE: Get a closer look at the film’s production and costume design.
• DELETED SCENES: A compelling collection of scenes that almost made the final film.
  • Roustabout Rufus
  • Pachyderm Plans
  • The Other Medici Brother
  • Monkey Business
  • A Star Is Born
  • Where’s Dumbo
  • Elephant Heist
  • A Seat at the Show
• EASTER EGGS ON PARADE: Discover the hidden and not-so-hidden nods to the animated Dumbo in this narrated tribute to the Disney classic.
• CLOWNING AROUND: Laugh along with the cast in a collection of big-top bloopers and goofs from the set.
• “BABY MINE”: Visual video performed by Arcade Fire

DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE:

• DREAMLAND – ANATOMY OF A SCENE: From Final Script to Final Scene: The filmmakers and cast talk a lot about the feeling of “grand intimacy” in the film.  Step right up as they bring the Dreamland parade to life, accomplishing the rare marriage of a massive spectacle combined with an emotional tenderness. 

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Own Paddington 2 on Blu-ray Combo Pack DVD!

Disclosure: Complimentary product was provided for review purposes.

SYNOPSIS

While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington sees a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. Hilarity and adventure ensue when the book is stolen and Paddington and the Browns must unmask the thief.

“Paddington 2” Blu-ray Combo Pack contain the following special features:

• Paddington: The Bear Truth
• How to Make A Marmalade Sandwich
• Music Video with Phoenix Buchanan
• The Magical Mystery of Paddington’s Pop-Up Book
• The Browns and Paddington: The Special Bond
• Knuckles: A Fistful of Marmalade
• The (Once) Famous Faces of Phoenix Buchanan
• Audio Commentary by Director/Co-Writer Paul King

“Paddington 2” Standard Definition DVD contain the following special features:

• Paddington: The Bear Truth 

“Paddington 2” will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99 and DVD for $28.98. The Blu-ray Combo Pack features a Blu-ray disc with the film in high definition and the special features in high definition, a DVD with the film in standard definition, and a Digital version of the movie.

Review

My kids are familiar with Paddington and his red hat, blue coat, and brown suitcase, through his numerous books.  

In Paddington 2, they watched his adventures in achieving his goal of getting a one-of-a-kind book for his Aunt Lucy.  He mistakenly ends up in jail, but makes the most of his time there, and ends up getting some help from surprising people in order to get released.  Paddington ultimately gives Aunt Lucy a gift, although not the one he intended, but he also ends up bestowing gifts of kindness and knowledge to several he meets along the way.

Paddington 2 is full of warmth and humor.  My kids laughed throughout the movie, and particularly enjoyed a peculiar way Paddington cleaned a window, and an ingenious way he used honey.  

Paddington 2 is wonderful for family movie night!

Own it now on Blu-ray Combo Pack DVD!

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Review: Coco - Now Available on Blu-ray, DVD, and On-Demand

Disclosure: Complimentary product was received for review purposes.

About “Coco”
In Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” Pixar Animation Studios’ 19th feature film, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt)—despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music. Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Héctor (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

In true Disney•Pixar style, Coco tells a moving story using amazing animation techniques, with sprinkles of humor, and lots of heart.

My kids really enjoyed Coco.  One of their favorite parts was when Miguel played his homemade guitar for the very first time.  And it's hard not to shed a tear at the end, as Miguel sings to Mama Coco, and a long-awaited family reunion finally takes place. 

I personally thought Coco was a great way for my kids to learn about a different culture, as well as lessons of the importance of family and pursuing your passion.

The stunning scenes, captivating story line, and the magic of Disney•Pixar all helped to create another family movie masterpiece.

You can find Coco at retailers online and nationwide.

BONUS FEATURES*

Blu-ray & Digital:

• Deleted Scenes with Introductions - Director Lee Unkrich and co-director Adrian Molina talk about the deleted scenes and the part they played in the development of “Coco.”
  • Día de los Muertos - In this musical extravaganza, the colors and excitement of Día de los Muertos come to life as we meet superstar Ernesto de la Cruz.
  • The Way of the Riveras - A musical number in which Abuelita and Miguel prepare their Día de los Muertos celebration while she teaches him Rivera family history and traditions.
  • Celebrity Tour - Héctor, a Land of the Dead tour bus guide, agrees to help Miguel, revealed to be a living boy, on his quest to find de la Cruz.
  • The Bus Escape - The Rivera family catches up to Miguel and Héctor and attempts to halt their mission to find de la Cruz.
  • Alebrije Attack - Miguel and Héctor are interrupted on their journey to find de la Cruz by a fierce alebrije.
  • The Family Fix - After de la Cruz reveals his true colors, the Rivera family puts their dismay aside and comes together to repair the smashed guitar needed to send Miguel home.
  • To the Bridge - As the Land of the Dead counts down to the end of Día de los Muertos, Miguel and de la Cruz come head-to-head on the marigold bridge.
• Filmmaker Commentary – Presented by Lee Unkrich (director), Adrian Molina (co-director) and Darla K. Anderson (producer).
• The Music of “Coco” - Collaborating with musicians of Mexico and some unique instrumentation, this documentary explores the beautiful fusion of music essential to the story of “Coco.”
• Paths to Pixar: “Coco” - Explore how the film crew’s personal stories resonate with the themes of the movie itself.
• Welcome to the Fiesta - A musical exploration of the skeletons that make the Land of the Dead in “Coco” so wondrous and intriguing.
• How to Draw a Skeleton - Pixar artist Daniel Arriaga gives a lesson on the quick and easy way to draw skeletons using simple shapes.
• A Thousand Pictures a Day - Join the “Coco” crew on an immersive travelogue through Mexico, visiting families, artisans, cemeteries, and small villages during the Día de los Muertos holiday.
• Mi Familia - Developing the Riveras was a labor of love that took the cast and crew on a deep dive into the meaning of family.
• Land of Our Ancestors – Watch Pixar artists lovingly construct layer upon layer of architecture from many eras of Mexican history, bringing the Land of the Dead to life.
• Fashion Through the Ages – The cast of characters in “Coco” are from many different eras, making for some magnificent costuming opportunities.
• The Real Guitar – The majestic guitar that spurs Miguel on his journey through the Land of the Dead is a unique creation. Watch as it is initially designed by a Pixar artist and ultimately realized as a real instrument by a master luthier in this poetic ode to craftsmanship.
• Dante - How the crew fell in love with the uniquely Mexican breed of Xoloitzcuintli (or “Xolo”) dogs that inspired Dante.
• How to Make Papel Picado - Join Pixar artist Ana Ramírez González as we learn how papel picado is made traditionally, and then try your own approach to this beautiful art form.
• Un Poco “Coco” - A montage of original animated pieces used to promote “Coco.”
• “Coco Trailers” - Trailers include “Feeling,” “Dante’s Lunch,” “Destiny,” “Journey” and “Belong.”

DVD:

• Filmmaker Commentary
• Dante

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Despicable Me 3 - A Great Gift for the Holidays!

Disclosure: Complimentary product was received.

My kids are huge Despicable Me fans, and they were delighted to receive a merry surprise just in time for the holidays.

They received a copy of the Despciable Me 3 Blu-ray, placemats with activities, stickers, and ornaments!  

It's the perfect gift for any Despicable Me fan!

They've already watched the Blu-ray multiple times, and check out these cool features:

BONUS FEATURES EXCLUSIVE TO 4K ULTRA HD, BLU-RAY^TM, DVD & DIGITAL:

• All-New Mini Movie — The Secret Life of Kyle
• Minion Moments — Watch the Minions cause more hilarious mayhem with Gru
• Deleted Scene — With intro by Dana Gaier, the voice of Edith
• Character Profiles — The inside scoop on the most popular characters, from the actors who play them
• The Making of Despicable Me 3 — A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the movie
• Developing Dru — Behind the scenes character development of Dru
• The AVL Files — Through the lens of the Anti-Villain League’s hi-tech database, this ultra secret, interactive surveillance briefing showcases all of the agency’s amazing creations and top agents
• Freedonia Visitors Guide — Welcome to Freedonia! See all that the town has to offer with this interactive map. From its world class cheese, to its beautiful coastline, Freedonia has it all!
• Despicable Me TV — Tune in for some fabulous fun with these Despicable Me 3 infomercials. Includes “Balthazar Bratt Action Figure,” “Bad Boy Bod by Balthazar Bratt” and “Agnes’ Super Cute, Incredibly Amazing Toy Sale.”
• “Doowit” Sing-Along — Sing along with Pharrell Williams as the Minions plot their escape from prison
• “Yellow Light” Music Video — Official music video by Pharrell Williams
• Minion Mugshots — The Minions add to the long list of celebrity mugshots in their very own “rogues gallery.”
• Wanted Posters — Have you seen these Minions wanted for various crimes?

Despicable Me 3 is now available at retailers online and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

You can download the actvitiy sheet here.

You can download the ornament here.

About Despicable Me 3
The characters beloved by everyone – Gru, his wife Lucy, their three adorable daughters—Margo, Edith and Agnes—and the Minions are back in this heartwarmingly subversive comedy from Academy Award®-nominated producer Chris Meledandri (Despicable Me Franchise) and directors Pierre Coffin (Despicable Me Franchise) and Kyle Balda (Minions 1 & 2, The Lorax). After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down Balthazar Bratt, the latest evil mastermind to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis. But when a mysterious stranger informs Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother — a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin’s despicable footsteps — the former super-villain rediscovers just how good it feels to be bad. Featuring the voice talents of Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Miranda Cosgrove, Steve Coogan, Jenny Slate, Dana Gaier and legendary actress Julie Andrews, Despicable Me 3 is the #1 animated film of the year and the latest chapter in the biggest animated franchise in the world.

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The Angry Birds Movie Available on Blu-ray and DVD

Disclosure: Complimentary product was received for review purposes.

My kids were bummed that we didn't get a chance to catch The Angry Birds Movie while it was still in theaters, but we finally had a chance to watch it when the Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack was delivered to our home last week.

Synposis:

In the animated comedy-adventure, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE, we’ll finally find out why the birds are so angry. The movie takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds – or almost entirely. In this paradise, Red (Jason Sudeikis), a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck (Josh Gad), and the volatile Bomb (Danny McBride) have always been outsiders. But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it’s up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to.

The Columbia Pictures/Rovio Animation film is directed by Fergal Reilly and Clay Kaytis from a screenplay by Jon Vitti. Produced by John Cohen and Catherine Winder, THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIEwas executive produced by Mikael Hed and David Maisel.

Bonus content on THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE Blu-ray, DVD and digital formats includes a bonus scene; the Blake Shelton Music Video “Friends;” Symphony Mode, which allows viewers to play the movie without all the squawking, just the music; a Character Sketch Gallery, where fans can see drawings and renderings of the birds, pigs and environments from the film; and Music Vignettes with Composer Heitor Pereira. Blu-ray and digital exclusive content includes the all-new short “The Early Hatchling Gets the Worm”, deleted scenes and a series of fun mini-movies featuring the Hatchlings. There are also five additional featurettes including “Dance Along Birds and Pigs,” where fans learn the line dance from the movie; “Crafty Birds,” where viewers learn how to build their own piggy tower; and three featurettes where fans can “Meet the Birds,” “Meet The Pigs” and “Meet the Hatchlings.”

After gathering all of their Angry Bird plush toys, my boys eagerly sat down to watch The Angry Birds Movie.

They were excitedly naming all of the characters on the Blu-ray menu before the movie even started!

The boys loved the movie.  It was pretty much non-stop giggles throughout, as they were introduced to all the different characters and their special talents on the movie, as well as the contraptions they were familiar with from playing the game, such as the slingshot.

After the green piggies arrive to the island inhabited by the birds, the once happy birds turn angry as they realize what the pigs are really up to.

The kids really enjoyed the movie, and were thrilled towards the end, when three familiar birds finally made an appearance in the movie.

After reading Nadia's review of the movie, I was expecting the gross humor.  One scene that resulted in some of the biggest laughs from my kids (and a huge "ewwww" from me) was when the Mighty Eagle emerged and did something quite foul, and the birds' reaction to this action was hilarious!

If your kids love Angry Birds, this is a great DVD to add to your collection!

Blu-ray, DVD & Digital Extras Include:

• Bonus Scene: “Chuck’s Rescue” 
• Symphony Mode 
• Making Music! With Composer Heitor Pereira 
• Blake Shelton Music Video “Friends” 
• Photo Gallery 

Blu-ray & Digital Exclusive Extras Include:

• All-New Short “The Early Hatchling Gets the Worm” 
• 3 More Hatchlings Shorts 
• Deleted Scenes 
• Crafty Birds – How to Build Your Own Piggy Tower 
• Dance Along Birds and Pigs 
• Creating the Real World of Angry Birds 
• Meet The Birds 
• Meet The Pigs 
• Meet The Hatchlings 

THE ANGRY BIRDS MOVIE has a run time of approximately 97 minutes and is rated PG for rude humor and action.

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Teen Titans Go!: Eat. Dance. Punch! Season 3 Part 1 DVD Review

Disclosure: Complimentary product was received for review purposes.

TEEN TITANS GO!: EAT. DANCE. PUNCH! SEASON 3 PART 1
Street Date: May 31

My kids absolutely love Teen Titans Go!  They watch the show all the time on the Cartoon Network, and have lots of Teen Titans Go! toys!  Now, they have another Teen Titans Go! DVD to add to their collection - Teen Titans Go!: Eat. Dance. Punch! Season 3 Part 1.

Synopsis:

After three successful seasons, the popularity of Teen Titans Go! is undeniable and has lead Cartoon Network to aptly brand the network’s Thursday cartoon block as “New Titans Thursday.” On May 31, 2016, everyone will enjoy 26 all-new adventures with DC Comics’ Teen Titans as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) and DC Entertainment release Teen Titans Go!: Eat. Dance. Punch! Season 3 Part 1 on a 2-disc DVD collection $19.97 SRP. 

Robin, Cyborg, Raven, Starfire and Beast Boy are back for the latest installment in the Teen Titans Go! Series with another season of crime fighting and gut-busting adventures. Hilarity ensues as everyone’s favorite heroes must band together to fight crime and deal with everyday adolescent issues. Whether their capes are on or off, the gang is always up to something!  

“Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is delighted to release of Teen Titans Go!: Eat. Dance. Punch! Season 3 Part 1 on DVD,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, WBHE Vice President, Family, Animation & Partner Brands Marketing. “Fans can get excited about yet another installment of the ever-popular Teen Titans Go! animated series.”

My kids had already seen most of the episodes on the DVD when they watched them on the Cartoon Network, so they had fun reciting some of their favorite lines as they watched the episodes.  They have so many favorite episodes, but a couple include the Fourth Episode (because of how it seemed like the characters were talking to them - the audience, and because of the "toot jokes"), and How 'Bout Some Effort, which was all about Cyborg trying to do thoughtful things for Jinx on Valentine's Day.

Adults will have fun watching the DVD with their kiddos too - there are a lot of pop culture references throughout the episodes, which are sure to make parents chuckle and reminisce.

If your kids love Teen Titans Go!, this is a must for your DVD collection!

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Minions Review - Out on Blu-ray December 8

Disclosure: Complimentary product was received for review purposes. Links are affiliate.

Minions

The breakout stars the world fell in love with in Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Despicable Me global film franchise headline their own movie for the first time in Minions, available on Digital HD November 24, 2015, and on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD and On Demand on December 8, 2015 from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. A much anticipated prequel to the unprecedented worldwide blockbusters Despicable Me and the beloved sequel Despicable Me 2, Minions is an immensely entertaining film for all audiences called “inventive and hilarious” by Julian Roman, Movieweb.com.  The Blu-ray™ Combo Pack and Digital HD also come with three all-new mini-movies and even more Minions everyone will want to watch again and again especially during the busy holiday travel season.

The story of Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment’s Minions begins at the dawn of time. Starting as single-celled yellow organisms, Minions evolve through the ages, perpetually serving the most despicable of masters.  Continuously unsuccessful at keeping these masters—from T. rex to Napoleon—the Minions find themselves without someone to serve and fall into a deep depression. But one Minion named Kevin has a plan, and he—alongside teenage rebel Stuart and lovable little Bob—ventures out into the world to find a new evil boss for his brethren to follow. The trio embark upon a thrilling journey that ultimately leads them to their next potential master, Scarlet Overkill (Academy Award®-winner Sandra Bullock), the world’s first-ever female super-villain.  They travel from frigid Antarctica to 1960s New York City, ending in ‘mod’ London, where they must face their biggest challenge to date: saving all of Minionkind...from annihilation.

My kids absolutely loved the mischievous minions from the moment they watched Despicable Me, so it was inevitable that they'd be clamoring to watch Minions when it was released in theaters.

Of course they enjoyed Minions, but now that they have the Blu-ray, they can watch it a lot more often, and they can even watch it on our smart phone while we're out and about thanks to the Digital HD download.

They absolutely love watching the Minions movie.  From the start of the movie, when the Minions are "singing" to the tune of the Universal theme music in the opening, until the very end, where they meet a future evil, "despicable" boss, the kids were constantly laughing.  From bouncing on beds, to boogying with bad guys, to bashing bees, the Minions found themselves in all sorts of hilarious predicaments, meeting all sorts of funny characters along the way.  Even adults will get a kick out of the movie and all of its pop culture references.                        

There are lots of great bonus features exclusive to Blu-ray and Digital HD (see below for details).

Below you can also watch Competition, a mini-movie from the Blu-ray.  This marks the first time a mini-movie from the Despicable Me franchise has been made available in its entirety prior to the home entertainment release and is one of three mini-movies that can be found exclusively on the MINIONS Digital HD release (released 11/24) and on the Blu-ray to be released on 12/8.

• THREE ALL NEW ORIGINAL MINI-MOVIES:
• Cro Minion
• Competition
• Binky Nelson Unpacified
• DELETED SCENE – ME, MYSELF AND STUART
• AROUND THE WORLD INTERACTIVE MAP - Explore the world of the Minions with this interactive map featuring a collection of games, trivia, featurettes, storyboards, and more all themed to movie locations.
• BEHIND THE GOGGLES – THE ILLUMINATION STORY OF THE MINIONS – Get a “behind the googles” look at the history and evolution of everyone’s favorite yellow henchmen.
• WRITER - See how the Minions evolve throughout the different time periods. Writer, Brian Lynch discusses creating distinctive personalities for the three main Minions, his VillainCon idea, and the Minion family.
• BOSS’ OFFICE – Illumination Entertainment CEO and founder and Minions producer, Chris Meledandri discusses the origins of Illumination Entertainment and the genesis of both Despicable Me and the Minions.
• ART DEPARTMENT - See how the Minions came to life, from the original art concept of the henchmen to the final creation of the Minions and how to differentiate them between new time periods. Also, see how the idea of Herb and Scarlett Overkill’s characters came to be.
• GALLERY – CONCEPT ART (stills)
• GALLERY – COLOR SCRIPT (stills)
• COMPOSER - Listen to how composer Heitor Pereira creates the sound of the Minions and what it takes to create big music for small characters.
• ACTORS STUDIO - Listen to the actors’ experiences being part of the Minions movie, who their favorite Minions are, and why they love them so much
• NOTICE BOARD (stills)
• SAFETY VIDEO

• ILLUMINATION MACGUFF ANIMATION
• ANIMATION - Go behind the scenes and hear about the challenges and excitement behind the Minion characters and bringing them alive through animation in the movie

LIGHTING, LAYOUT AND EFFECTS - A look at the ways in which layout and lighting plays a big role in the emotion and motivation in the movie. Also see the ways in which they try to keep the 60’s vintage look and the challenges they face with very technical shots, where one shot can take weeks.

• 3D MODELS GALLERY (stills)
• DIRECTORS - Directors Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda discuss the unique challenges of creating distinctive personalities for the Minions  
• PRODUCERS - Producers Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy and Executive Producer Chris Renaud discuss the three main characters – Kevin, Stuart, and Bob – little family in the movie and the goal of creating a special bond between them and the audience when they leave the theater.
• EDITORIAL - Editor Claire Dodgson discusses the distinctive editing style of the Despicable Me franchise and the three-year process it takes to make these movies from the original storyboards to cutting scenes with Minion dialogue.
• STORYBOARD ARTIST - Learn how the actions of the words of the script turn into visual drawings and how much work is put in from the rough sketches to the final cut of the movie.
• GALLERY – STUART HOT TUB STORYBOARD (stills)

• JINGLE BELLS MINION STYLE - This holiday favorite is brought to life in a merry-Minion way. Now you get to sing along to the beloved video that was the most shared piece of content on Facebook in 2014.   

• THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS THEATRICAL TRAILER

DVD BONUS FEATURES

• DELETED SCENE – ME, MYSELF AND STUART

• JINGLE BELLS MINION STYLE - This holiday favorite is brought to life in a merry-Minion way. Now you get to sing along to the beloved video that was the most shared piece of content on Facebook in 2014.   
• THE SECRET LIFE OF PETS THEATRICAL TRAILER

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Teen Titans Go!: House Pests Season 2 Part 2 DVD Review

Disclosure:  Complimentary product was received for review purposes.  Some links are affiliate.

Teen Titans Go!: House Pets Season 2 Part 2 DVD (SRP $19.97)
Teen Titans are a GO, GO, GO! Join DC Comics characters Robin, Raven, Starfire, Beast Boy, and Cyborg in their never-ending quest for goof, justice and maybe a little couch time. Things kick off with a backwards battle as Robin faces off against his Bizzaro World counterpart, Nibor. Raven is pushed to her limits during Crazy Day and it’s anything but a vacation when the Teen Titans visit Starfire’s home world. Don’t miss a single serving as the Titans have their hands full keepin’ the scene both crime-free and boredom-free in this all-new 2-disc collection!

My kids love Teen Titans Go!  Whenever we catch it on the Cartoon Network, they'll immediately know the episode's title even if we catch the episode midway through, and they recite their favorite parts constantly. 

Naturally, they couldn't wait to watch Teen Titans Go!: House Pests Season 2 Part 2 on DVD, which released yesterday, August 18.

Teen Titans Go! is consistently ranked as a top show on Cartoon Network (#1 show for boys 6-11; #2 show for kids 6-11 on all of cable), and I can see why - the characters are just so funny, and the adventures the Titans find themselves in are just as hilarious (adults will get a kick of out of watching the show as well - so many references to pop culture from the 80s).

My oldest son's favorite episode is Crazy Day.  He thought all of the things the Titans did to drive Raven crazy were hilarious, such as Beast Boy eating cereal with forks, Starfire walking around in big shoes, and all of the Titans dancing silly.

My middle son's favorite episode was Video Game References.  He kept giggling as he watched Beast Boy in his unsuccessful attempts to make it across a busy highway in a Cross the Street video game (similar to Frogger).  Grownups with love this episode too, with the many video game references of popular video games from the 80s, such as Circle Guy (Pac-Man) and Save the Princess (Super Mario Bros.)

My youngest son's favorite episode was Cool School, because this is when Rose Wilson (aka Ravager) is introduced. She's a villain with a cool attitude, and the Titans want to be just as cool, so they decide to go to Cool School.  I loved how they used a popular Sir-Mix-A-Lot song and changed up the words for this episode.

The Teen Titans Go! House Pests Season 2 Part 2 DVD is a must for any Teen Titans Go! fan!

Episode List:

Disc 1

• "Robin Backwards"
• "Crazy Day"
• "Smile Bones"
• "Real Boy Adventures"
• "Yearbook Madness"
• "Hose Water"
• "Let's Get Serious"
• "Tamaranian Vacation"
• "Rocks and Water"
• "Multiple Trick Pony"
• "Truth, Justice and What?"
• "Beast Man"
• "Two Bumble Bees and a Wasp"

Disc 2

• "Oil Drums"
• "Video Game References"
• "Cool School"
• "Kicking a Ball and Pretending to Be Hurt"
• "Head Fruit"
• "Operation Tin Man"
• "Nean"
• "Campfire Stories"
• "The H.I.V.E. Five"
• "The Return of Slade"
• "More of the Same"
• "And the Award for Sound Design Goes to Rob"
• "Some of Their Parts"

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Sesame Street: Count on Elmo DVD Review

Sesame Street: Count on Elmo

Kids can rely on their Sesame Street friends for lots of fun, laughs and counting in Sesame Street: Count on Elmo. When the Noble Counting Prize committee is looking for the World’s Greatest Counter, Elmo knows that his friend The Count is perfect for the prize. Elmo, Grover, Abby and Cookie Monster try and capture The Count’s amazing counting skills on camera so they can enter him in the contest, but everything goes awry! Will The Count win the prize or will it be a Count-astrophe? Kids will learn about friendship and math concepts such as numbers, counting, and enumeration. With over 2 hours full of friendship and fun, kids will really enjoy counting along. Featuring the new song “Count on Friends,” this DVD also includes the bonus video Pre-School is Cool: ABC’s With Elmo.

As a child, I grew up watching Sesame Street.  It's hard to believe that after all these years, Sesame Street is still coming out with quality, educational shows for children.  Now my sons will grow up watching the same characters that I used to watch.

The latest Sesame Street DVD released is called "Count on Elmo" and it's a hit with my boys.  While they are only 20 months and too young to understand the storylines or most of what they're saying, they  are mesmerized by the images they see on the screen and in no time they will pick up on the numbers on the screen.  They also like to dance to the music!

What's fun about this DVD is that it intermixes scenes with the Sesame Street characters....




with other animated scenes.  The variation maintains the kids' attention as well as the parents'. :)

It even has a segment on sign language!




The entire video, which includes two bonus features, runs over 2 hours long, which gives moms some time to do the dishes or cook dinner while the kids learn their numbers!

Disclosure: Complimentary sample was provided for review purposes.

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Sesame Street: Elmo The Musical Vol. 2 Imagine and Learn DVD Review

Disclosure: Complimentary product was provided for review purposes.

Your favorite furry red monster is ready to sing and dance as Warner Bros. Home Entertainment and Sesame Workshop, the nonprofit educational organization, release Sesame Street: Elmo The Musical Volume 2 on DVD and digital on May 5, 2015 for $14.98 SRP. With over two hours of fun in seven all-new episodes, Sesame Street fans young and old will love to interact with Elmo during his explorations! 

In Sesame Street: Elmo the Musical Volume 2: Imagine and Learn, kids will sing, dance, play and imagine along with Elmo on math-filled adventures!  They’ll join Elmo as he becomes a cowboy in his musical “The Count-by-Two Kid,” and escorts six kitty-cows through a canyon to the Double Double Dude Dude Ranch Ranch. Next, they’ll don a detective hat with Elmo to help investigate the secret behind all the sneezing. An extension of Sesame Street’s STEAM curriculum (science, technology, engineering, arts and math), each episode is an interactive, fun-filled musical adventure created by Elmo and the child at home. Focusing on imagination and math skills, such as enumeration, relational concepts, addition/subtraction, geometric shapes and many more, Elmo takes viewers on thrilling explorations as he imagines himself in many adventures. This DVD also includes bonus full-length video of Play With Me Sesame: Imagine With Me, which focuses on imagination and interactive learning.

This DVD contains the following episodes:

• "Guacamole the Musical"
• "Mountain Climber the Musical"
• "Repair Monster the Musical"
• "Bird the Musical"
• "Cowboy the Musical"
• "Detective the Musical"
• Bonus Feature: "Imagine with Me"

This DVD was my 18 month old twin boys' first exposure to Sesame Street. From the moment the DVD started, the boys were captivated by the sights and sounds of Elmo and his friends.  While they're too young to understand the stories or sing along out loud, they dance to the music and will eventually become familiar with the characters and lessons taught in the episodes. 

To learn more about Elmo's math-filled adventures of the imagination, click HERE.

About Sesame Workshop

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit educational organization behind Sesame Street which reaches 156 million children across more than 150 countries. The Workshop’s mission is to use the educational power of media to help all children reach their highest potential. Delivered through a variety of platforms, including television programs, digital experiences, books and community engagement, its research-based programs are tailored to the needs of the communities and countries they serve, helping children everywhere grow smarter, stronger and kinder. For more information, visit us at www.sesameworkshop.org.

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc.

Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution and interactive entertainment businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees.

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