Friendship Begins with A TOOTH FAIRY TALE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Digital platforms from director Michael Johnson, Automatic Entertainment and Shout! Kids is the animated story and A TOOTH FAIRY TALE.

Young Van (voiced by Booboo Stewart) is a young fairy who is learning the ways of being a fairy which his father doesn’t really see. His Mom on the other hand wants her song to succeed and is willing to help. She explains that his magic just needs time and patience. On the first night out to deliver coins to the children who have lost teeth, his dad presents him with a very special wand. He soon discovers that someone has beat him too it!

Getting back to the other fairy’s, he explains what he found but no one seems to believe him. On the second night out, he meets Rupee, a small troll who is more than happy to help Van. Going through a secret space in the rocks, Van finds another world that is far from his home. There he finds Gemma (Larkin Bell), a goblin who warns him that fairies are forbidden there yet they learn from one another.

Quickly, Van and Gemma discover they have something in common – parents! Gemma takes Van around her world and shows him how they live. They also discover that the stereotypes on both sides are not correct. When Gemma discovers that fairy dust in her invention will allow her to go out into the daylight, she and Van feel like they are free to enjoy each other’s company in the sky. Someone who wants either fairy or goblin a certain widow, Queen Mortina, (Fran Drescher) in the dark.

Now, Van and Gemma have to find a way to be together before what lies in the dark ruins everything!

Stewart lends his voice to Van, a young fairy who is learning the ropes of getting a tooth and leaving a coin. His parents are trying to understand his difficulties and its even made more difficult when Dad is the trainer of the new fairy’s. Van is different, he sees the world as something to be explored, learned about and discovered. That might be his biggest problem that even his friends don’t understand. Bell as Gemma has the same problem. She is a smart goblin who examines and learns about everything and is creative enough to invent things but doesn’t always fit in. She and Van realize fairly quickly that they both are on the outside but with each other they get it.

There only problem happens to be a very dark Queen and Drescher gets to be that eight-legged fright in the night. Her character is one that both the fairies and the goblins have fear of and that would be the one thing that they need to come together on for the sake of their children. That doesn’t stop Drescher from giving us a wicked and snappy character that made me giggle.

Other cast include Jailen Bates, Mary Deaton, Maz Jobrani, Paty Lombard, Jon Lovitz, Tony Nation, Zachary Rice, Presley Ryan and Vivica A. Fox.

SHOUT! Studios has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite LONG WAY NORTH, and the epic fantasy BEAUTY AND THE BEAST along with releases such as WALLACE & GROMIT, FERNFULLY, SHAUN THE SHEEP and so many more. For more of what SHOUT! Kids has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Automatic Entertainment is a Los Angeles based independent motion picture distribution management company. Collaborating with content creators to develop and produce movies that appeal to a global audience, they work closely with theatrical distributors, television networks and film festivals around the world to secure distribution that promotes movies and series to the widest possible audience.

A TOOTH FAIRY TALE is really a wonderful film all around. The animation is so well done, colorful and dark at the same time. It gives us three different worlds which means three ways to use animation skills to show it to us all. I loved all three worlds as it shows the ways that one side misunderstands the other through outdate beliefs and stereotypes. That’s what I found most interesting, the stereotypes that Van and Gemma talk about made them both willing to be understanding. That is an important issue that kids can truly relate to and apply to their own life.

The story is so well done I just love Van and Gemma. This is a film that families can enjoy together, have some laughs, learn from and truly embrace from start to finish. I really do love when a film can be shared and the subject offers teachable moments. Films are so powerful in general but when you can tell a story such as this through animation and a good story, I can’t help but recommend it to anyone I meet – especially those with children.

Characters such as fairy’s, trolls and goblins are always of interested because they hold such mystery. Bringing them all together in a film with their own story to tell is so beautiful and worth the time to view again and again. So, cuddle up, grab some popcorn and spend a night at the movies with A TOOTH FAIRY TALE!

In the end – their friendship can save them all!

PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from directors Richard Claus, Karsten Kiilerich and Shout! Factory Kids is a tale of friendship and loyalty with PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA.

Pang the Panda (Yootha Wong-Loi-Sing) and best friend Jielong (Georgina Verbaan) the dragon are the best of friends. Spending their days playing games and waiting for Jielong to learn to fly, they are living the hometown life. When the two get to spend the season together, there is so much more to do! That is until an unexpected visitor reaches their shores and takes Jielong away.

Where? In Africa, the young prince lion Ade (Namisa Mdalose) is told by his uncle Malume (Silas Lekgoathi) that a special present its way. Pang is not about to let his best friend disappear and finds Xing-Xing (Thom Hoffman) the orangutan to take him across the sea where he meets Jojo (Maurits Delchot) the talapoin. The goal is to have Jojo lead him to where the lions are and get Jielong back.

Ade is surprised when he learns Jielong What Pang doesn’t expect is to meet the very sweet Niala (Candice Modiselle), the spotted hyena who has a history with Ade. There is a secret that is keeping the lions and hyena’s from sharing the same space. Now Pang and Jielong each do what they must to get free, save Niala’s family, Ade’s kingdom and get back home. That’s a lot for Pang and Jielong but they will not stop until they are home.

Other cast include Sthandile Nkosi as Kabora, Thulani Nzonzo as Mpho, James Weebo as Darius, Charles Ouda as Abu, Angel Orugbo as Camel, Joyce W. Musoke as Mrs. Python, and Adriana Pang as Kang.

SHOUT! Studios has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT! Studios has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

The DVD includes the Special Features of a Featurette, Selected Scenes from PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA and Theatrical Trailer.

PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA is the very charming animated film that any family who loves a little sofa cuddle time are going to enjoy. There is so much to offer here with a story of friendship between the young Pang the Panda and Jielong the dragon. They have an amazing friendship of fun, adventure and loyalty to one another. When someone scary happens to one, the other jumps in and does everything possible to help. That would be an amazing story in itself.

Yet, in this film, there is also the story of the animals in Africa and the dilemma they find themselves in. Jielong sees what is happening in the lion kingdom and Pang learns about the secrets in the hyena world. There is a conflict on both sides and little do they realize that two animals from another place on earth can help in the most heart-warming way possible. That makes the story even more wonderful to watch with the family. As a family, it is a chance to talk about everything the film offers and that is so important.

The animation of the film is colorful, fun, lively and brings about so much joy. The cast bringing their voices to each of the characters had me and my family laughing so much. What I love about such films like PANDA BEAR IN AFRICA is that it is also a bit of a teaching tool about animals around the world. My granddaughter was thrilled to learn about them and is now interested in researching them even more.

This is a story of wildlife with lions, pandas, hippos, lions, dragons, gorillas and meerkats. So, grab the family, cuddle up on the sofa and prepare to take a trip into friendship!

In the end – bravery knows no size!

ABBY & ELMO’S AMAZING ADVENTURES

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Shout Factory Kids! And the Sesame Workshop comes the next adventures with the most memorable characters of ABBY & ELMO’S AMAZING ADVENTURES.

Abby, Elmo and Cookie Monster let us know that the best way to make friends is starting out by saying ‘hello’! Abby then spends time with Ginnifer Goodwin as they pretend to go on amazing adventures in fairy tales. The adventures don’t stop as Abby shows us how the fun can be indoors as well as outdoors.

Elmo visits Abby and her beautiful flowers and spends time with Cookie Monster with his four-legged friend Tango. Abby is upset because her watering hose is not working so Elmo and Tango decide to solve the mystery by investigating what has happened.

Elmo calls Abby to go on a virtual play date but Abby and Rudy have decided to go for a hike instead. Rudy has brought a full backpack with ‘just in case’ items and their dad let him know that there is so many other wonderful things to do being outside. Jason Mraz comes to the Sesame Street to lead a sing-a-long about being outside.

Abby introduces Elmo to Chirpy the grasshopper but almost immediately he disappears. Elmo knows that he and Tango can investigate and other Sesame Street mystery. They find other noises but none of them seem to be Chirpy. That doesn’t stop Elmo and Tango!

Cookie Monster, Elmo and Abby are in space but Cookie Monster is stuck in a crater. The three put their heads together to discover what can be done to fix the problem. Elmo and Abby refuse to let Cookie Monster give up trying. Working together is so very important so their adventure can continue!

Abby and brother Rudy go on a space mission with Basket to visit a space station. They learn about how gravity works in space, the use of solar panels, they see meteoroids and stars. They also learn how to fix a space station by being out in space themselves.

Big Bird is the Ring Master and brings everyone together to experience the greatest show of them all. Grover shows his adorable moves that entertain the crowd. When a problem arises, Elmo learns ‘I wonder, what if, lets try’. Abby and Rudy are transported to the big top where they see what goes on under the big top.

Grover takes the kids on an treasure seeking adventure showing them how his world has changed. There was a fix-it shop where the laundromat is but the clues are still there waiting for them. The treasure is a big of a surprise to everyone but Grover seems to enjoy it. 

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street and the amazing television show. Teaching children since 1969, Sesame Workshop is a force for change and a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger and kinder. Reaching over 150 countries, Sesame Workshop tailors to the needs of the culture and communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.sesameworkshop.org.

The DVD includes Comic Book Adventures, Hike Pirates, Astro Team Alpha, Sesame Circus and Treasure of Yucky Mama. There is also the Bonus of Elmo and Friends: Tales of Adventure.

Sesame Street has been in the lives of families for several generations, and why shouldn’t it? As a grandmother there is no question of the immense joy it brought my own children seeing the world through Sesame Street eyes. Watching the grandkids have their moments with Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch (my personal favorite), Elmo, Cookie Monster and all the characters that have joined the family throughout the years.

Having a DVD library of Sesame Street stories allows kids to see their favorites again and again. It is like having good friends close when you need to revisit space, or learn more about how to investigate a mystery or learn about a circus. Sesame Street brings the hopes, dreams and possibilities straight to the kids presented by their iconic friends.

In the end – say hello!

MAVKA: The Forest Song Charms

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD and Digital from directors Oleg Malamuzh, Sasha Ruban and Shout Factory Kids is a story of friendship, loyalty, and hope with MAVKA: The Forest Song.

The story begins explaining of the enchanted forest that holds such characters as the guardian of the forest Lesh (Marc Thompson), who oversees the creatures and, most importantly, the Tree of Life. When a human comes asking for a drop from the Tree of Life to save his ill daughter, Lesh agrees. That one decision leads to a power struggle and destruction leaving Lesh no choice but to seal themselves away from the human world.

Years later, young Mavka (Laurie Hymes) is a nymph who has a wonderful heart. She loves being around all living things and has a connection to their home. Lukas (Eddy Lee) is a young man in dire need of help. His uncle Leo is seriously ill and he needs money for medicine. That’s when he makes a deal with new town arrival Kylina (Sarah Natochenny) to go back into the enchanted forest for more Tree of Life.

Lesh gathers everyone together to tell them it is time to find a new guardian and the choice will be made at midnight. Meanwhile, Mavka discovers Lukas in the forest and plans to prove she can be a guardian but after hearing the story of his uncle, she is moved. They spend time together as Mavka loves to hear Lukas play his music. But when the time comes to gather, water nymph Ondina (Nikki Thomas) discovers Lukas and Mavka manages to help him escape with what he needs.

Kylina is not happy when Lukas returns and has nothing for her. Not trusting her ‘employee’, she tells Frol (Tom Wayland) to watch Lukas closely. The next morning Mavka finds Lukas’ flute and wants to return it to him. Making her own disguise, she goes into town and Lukas invites her to a spring festival but things to horribly wrong.

Lesh explains to Mavka that humans and the forest do not mesh together. But it is Kylina who is turning both worlds upside down with lies and treachery. The connection between Mavka and Lukas is the only thing that can stop the firestorm that is building inside the young girl.

Hymes lends her vocals to Mavka and gives us a young, strong, loving and caring girl who can not help but have a soft heart. Being teased by the other forest creatures for being that way is only a minor irritation to Mavka. Meeting Lukas, her world becomes a larger place and she wants to experience it all but can certainly do without Kylina bringing danger to everything she holds dear.

Lee as Lukas is a young man very similar to Mavka, especially when it comes to wanting to end the suffering of loved ones. When the two meet, Mavka may have tries to be aggressive but it just isn’t in her nature in that way. Lukas entertains her with music and enjoys her company, all the while in danger by Kylina as well.

Natochenny as Kylina is a piece of work! She is a walking, talking, lying, manipulating human being who doesn’t think twice about the wrong she is doing. She uses Lukas to get what she wants and when the truth is discovered, well, nasty people can get nastier!

Thompson as Lesh has a history with human so it is no surprise that having them around the enchanted forest wouldn’t be something he is interested in. His last encounter was almost deadly and now his time to choose a new guardian is something he takes very seriously (as all good guardians should). Shout out to Wayland as Frol because putting up with Kylina, he should ask for a raise!

Other cast include Scottie Ray as Lukas’s uncle Leo, Marc Thompson as Hush, Marca Leight as the narrator and Mike Pollock as the One Who Sits in the Rock.

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Produced by Ukraine-based Animagrad Animation Studios and based on the Ukrainian drama “The Forest Song” by celebrated poet and author Lesya Ukrainka, MAVKA: The Forest Song unfolds in a universe that blends ancient Slavic traditions and folklore with a modern narrative that showcases Ukrainian culture, values, designs, and music. The movies has a soundtrack written by well-known Ukrainian musicians and compositions created especially for this animated adventure.

In addition to having an engaging storyline and memorable characters, this uplifting and colorful animated fairytale is bolstered by a strong young female lead character, fascinating folklores, and the relevant theme of environmental conservation.

You can pre-order MAVKA: The Forest Song now at www.ShoutFactory.com and will be available in store, other fine retailers and digital entertainment platforms. The DVD Bonus Features includes a Featurette, Music Video, and Trailers.

MAVKA: The Forest Song is such a lovely film from beginning to end. Hearing the folklore and legends of this particular enchanted forest is brilliantly done. The values of friendship, loyalty, kindness, and understanding are what make Mavka and Lukas the heroes of this story. They may be from different worlds but their beliefs are not so dissimilar.

The color of the film is absolutely stunning, vibrant and a feast for the eyes. Doing an animated film, to my way of thinking, can be difficult if not done with deep feeling and it is clear that MAVKA was done with a great deal of deep feeling. The creatures are so detailed and everything about the animations captures the imagination of any viewer from start to finish.

In the end – one heart, two worlds!

AINBO: Spirit of the Amazon

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD, Digital and On-Demand from directors Joe Zelada, Richard Claus and Shout! Factory Kids is the tale of AINBO: Spirit of the Amazon.

Hidden deep in the jungle of the Amazon, Ainbo (Lola Raie) is a 13-year-old-girl who wants nothing more than to be the best huntress for her tribe. Zumi (Naomi Serrano) is her best friend and is about to be crowned the Queen of the Candamo civilization.

Caught in her own favorite tree trap, spirit guides Dillo the armadillo and Vaca the tapir who tell Ainbo that they are Zumi’s spirit guides. She is going to need them as the curse of Yacuruna seems to be taking over the jungle. Trying to gift them to Zumi, Dillo (Dino Andrade) and Vaca (Joe Hernandez) don’t show up and it causes the tribe to think she is lying.

Chuni (Alejandra Gollas), who takes care of the girls, causes Ainbo to run away with the nasty Atok (Rene Mujica) chasing them running into the westerner Cornell DeWitt (Thom Hoffman). In the forest, the two spirits tell her that Motelo Mama (Susana Ballesteros) the turtle can help with the quest that she is now on and talks more about Ainbo’s favorite tree. From there she finds the sloth spirit Pelejo (Rico Sola) who gives her another item on her journey to a volcano.

Coming back to the tribe, Ainbo finds that Atok and Zumi are in the company of DeWitt who promises to cure the illness of the people and land in exchange for gold. Calling upon her mother Lizeni (Yeni Alvarez), two who are against one another become one in the fight for the people of Candamo!

Raie as the voice of Ainbo gives the young girl all the emotions of a 13-year-old. She is insecure, unsure but loves her tribe and best friend Zumi. Willing to take on the journey that could save them all from destruction, she embraces all the danger with a bravery she did not know she possessed.

Serrano as the voice of Zumi may not have started out a queen but quickly let it be known she knows what to do for Ainbo and her people. Trying to understand the outlander, it becomes clear what he wants because they don’t see gold in the same way. Mujica as Atok has his own personal issues and they constantly get in the way of doing the right thing.

Andrade as Dillo and Hernandez as Vaca are wonderful companions to Ainbo on their journey. They try to help the best they can but sometimes manage to get into more chaos but it all works out for the best.

Other cast include Gerardo Prat as Conibo and Bernardo De Paula as Huarinka.

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

DVD Bonus Features include special Featurette About the Making of AINBOW: SPIRIT OF THE AMAZON and the Music Video.

Directors Zelada and Claus previously worked in the film THE LITTLE VAMPIRE with this film being the first animated film from the Tunche Films in Miraflores. The story itself was written by Jose Zelada. Bringing in Claus from the Amsterdam Cool Beans Studio created a collaboration between Peru and the Netherlands. The added history of AINBO is that the Zelada family lived near the Amazon Basin in the 80’s and they listened to local stories of the rain forest.

An official selection of the 2021 Annecy International Animation Film Festival and recently nominated for Best Feature, Best Sound Design and Best Original Music at the Ibero-American animation Quirino Awards in Madrid. AINBOW: Spirit of the Amazon smashed the box office in Spain and garnered international box office successes in France, Australia, New Zealand and Central America.

AINBO: Spirit of the Amazon is a colorful, exciting and wonderful film that tells a story of what is truly important to this young girl. With no concern for her own safety, she tackles every obstacle in front of her to keep moving forward to find the answer. That answer is what will save her people and repair old wounds she didn’t even know surrounded her.

The friendship between Ainbo, Dillo and Vaca are just priceless and necessary, especially when the two girls find themselves at odds over what to believe about a stranger in their midst. New alliances are made because nothing has changed for Ainbo who will do anything to stop the chaos and the destruction headed towards her village.

In the end – it is a wild jungle adventure!

It is the Season on SESAME STREET – My Favorite Holidays!

 

Jeri Jacquin

On DVD from Shout! Factory Kids and Sesame Street is the celebration of holidays with SESAME STREET – My Favorite Holidays!

Grover learns from the beginning that there are so many different holidays that are celebrated. Starting out with Elmo and Cookie Monster singing about all the different holidays there are, a song tells it all. Elmo learns about Halloween and all the wonderful costumes that come along with it as Abbey helps her friend with his costume. Cookie Monster goes door to door because, well how else is he going to get lots of treats? Also, learning that there is Dias De Los Muertos and the special meaning for remembering loved ones.

Grover is learning about Thanksgiving and all the wonderful traditions there are. Abby and Julia are making a table beautiful for everyone that is going to be joining them for dinner. Emo dresses as a Turkey as children on Sesame Street are the pilgrims. Cookie Monster is a little confused about the holiday but once it is explained, he is off to make cookies! The only one that isn’t as thrilled is Oscar the Grouch.

Elmo introduces the winter holidays by Christmas carols and Cookie Monster is all in. He teaches his cookie eating friend about holidays and how people decorate in so many different ways. Of course, Cookie Monster is very interested in gingerbread cookies! On Sesame Street, Elmo and Bear help Alan but when bad news comes, he is very worried. A song of Hanukah shares the fun of this Jewish holiday and family dress and dance for Kwanza.  

Also, Ramadan brings people together as family celebrate from near and fear away. Christmas gets family together to decorate the tree. But, that’s not all! New Year celebrations begin as even more decorations bring a count down to shouting HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sesame Street shows us how to celebrate right!

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Sesame Workshop is the nonprofit media and educational organization behind Sesame Street and the amazing television show. Teaching children since 1969, Sesame Workshop is a force for change and a mission to help kids everywhere grow smarter, stronger and kinder. Reaching over 150 countries, Sesame Workshop tailors to the needs of the culture and communities they serve. For more information, please visit www.sesameworkshop.org.

The DVD includes Festive Food, Holiday Cheer, Musical Fun and Once Upon a Sesame Street Christmas.

There is always something very special about Sesame Street that can be shared by the entire family. In this DVD it is about the difference in holidays but at the heart of them is love, family, food and a time of memories.

Those that live on Sesame Street share what they love about the holidays and teaching others about how they celebrate and what it means to them. That is where the holiday magic comes from – sharing.

With song, dance and fantastic costumes, the Sesame Street characters explain everything and give families a chance to enjoy time together. It is fantastic to share and learn about how other families and cultures celebrate the winter holiday season.

In the end – tis the season on Sesame Street!

JIM BUTTON AND THE WILD 13 Sails to DVD

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Dennis Ganzel and SHOUT! Factory Kids is the adventure of JIM BUTTON AND THE WILD 13.

Young Jim (Solomon Gordon) lives with friends Lucas (Henning Baum) and Ms. Whaat (Annette Frier) after being abandoned as a child in Morrowland. His days are filled with friendship and keeping the trains Emma and little Molly. One day the mail boat hits the rocks in the dark. Now, the King realizes they need a lighthouse.

He also reminds everyone that the island is too small for one, but Jim remembers that Mr. Tur Tur knows how to make a light that can be seen from far, far away. Finding a way to reach the desert fast, Jim and Luke meet Sursulapitschi (Sonja Gerhardt), a mermaid who takes them to the Magnetic Cliffs. She helps to find the Sea Glow which lights up the bottom of the sea.

Using the metals they find, Jim and Luke make Emma into a Perpetumobile and fly to get Mr. Tur Tur. Once there they find a half-dragon Nepomuk and he is the key to helping their mermaid friend find happiness. On their way home, they group is taken by pirates called the Wild 13. They are not very afraid because they remembered what the Golden Dragon of Wisdom, Mrs. Grindtooth, had told them about their trip.

They also find stowaway Princess Li Si (Leighanne Esperanzate) and they are all taken to the Castle Stormeye by the pirates. In the madness Jim discovers who he truly is and what he must do to not only reclaim his birthright but to save his friends from disaster!

Gordon as Jim gives his role a feeling of compassion, love, excitement and understanding of who he is and what he must do. I really enjoyed his relationship with Luke and his ability to remember clues and apply them when they seem like a riddle. Well done young man.

Baum as Lucas clearly cares about his young friend. Setting off on their adventure, Luke does not hesitate to take the young man. Constantly looking after him, he also finds himself in the middle of an amazing adventure filled with possibilities.

Esperanzate as Princess Li Si has the same love of mystery and adventure as her friend Jim. Of course, she is going to stow away to join in, even after her father expressly forbade it with dire consequences for anyone that helped her. Well, a father has to do what a father has to do!

Other cast include Eden Gough as Ping Pong, Christoph Herbst as Armel, Rick Kavanian as Wild 13, Milan Peschel as Tur Tur, Dulcie Smart as Mrs. Grindtooth, Hon Ping Tang as Han Gong, Uwe Ochsenknecht as King Alfred, Kao Chenmin as Pung Ging.

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

JIM BUTTON AND THE WILD 13 is based on the best-selling novel of the same name by German author Michael Ende. The charming book followed the success of its preceding novel Jim Button and Luke the Engine Driver.

Director by Jupiter Award winner and Sundance Film Festival nominee, Ganzel is also responsible for one of my favorite films, THE WAVE. The feature film’s magic was celebrated in film festivals worldwide and was a winner at the Animago Awards, Bavarian Awards, German Film Awards and Hollywood Music in Media Awards.

They cast plays together so well with Jim and Luke as the helm of the adventure. I have to say that the characters are funny and come from the most unexpected places. The film is so colorful with the special effects from the darkest of modes to the costuming, it is just an absolutely delightful family film.

Sharing this with the family shows the adventure, joy, hope and mystery of the story and can be a part of any family night in with popcorn and couch cuddles. Join Jim and Luke on their adventure as JIM BUTTON AND THE WILD 13 share it all on DVD.

In the end – it’s a mysterious and exciting adventure!

 

 

 

 

 

Celebrate the Return of FERNGULLY

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD from director Bill Kroyer and Shout! Factory Kids is the thirty-year anniversary of the beautiful FERNGULLY: The Last Rainforest.

Living in the lush rainforest of FernGully lives Crysta (voiced by Samantha Mathis), a fairy who is very curious about everything and the world outside. Magi (Grace Zabriskie) explains to young Crysta that once upon a time the fairy folk lived with humans but were plagued by Hexxus, a dark spirit who only lived for destruction. It was the fairy folk who had him put up tight in a tree.

While Crysta and her friend Pips (Christian Slater) are having fun in the rainforest, a new friend joins them. Batty Koda (Robin Williams) is a bat who has been tampered with my humans. The fairies do not exactly like him, but Crysta wants to find out how he came to be. Taking a risk and going above the canopy, Crysta sees something that she can not explain and gets answers from Magi, not happy with those answers, she takes it upon herself to explore.

She finds Zak (Jonathan Ward), a very large lumberjack who is tagging trees that will be cut down and she is horrified. Zak does not realize that one of the trees he has marked is home to Hexxus (Tim Curry) and when a tree comes close to hitting Zak, Crysta shrinks him to her size. Trying to explain her world to Zak, they have more worries when Hexxus is freed!

Crysta explains to Zak that what he is doing is destroying their home and all those that live in it. When Hexxus comes for them, Zak realizes that he must help his friends before the machine destroys everything and it is the end of FernGully!

Mathis lends her voice to Crysta, a young fairy that does not realize yet she has such power within her small, winged body. Her curiosity is what gets the better of her but then again if she had not been so curious, she would never have Zak to help FernGully and all the creatures living in it. Mathis gives Crysta her firey spirit and it is wonderful.

Ward as Zak is a young man just plodding along living his life marking trees. What he does not realize is that he is headed for something amazing life changing. Slater as Pips wants to make sure his friend Crysta and FernGully are protected in equal measure.

Williams as Batty gives everything we have loved Williams for. Batty is hilarious, loving, and cautious and never far away from silly one-liners. Batty became a beloved character and I know this because I still have the stuffed animal I got after FERNGULLY came out.

Curry as Hexxus proved he had the voice and attitude to play a dark spirit. Of course, it is not hard to believe since he portrayed evil in the 1985 film LEGEND playing of Darkness. I just love that he gets to sing a tune because even though Hexxus is evil, I kind of liked him (minus the destruction).

Other cast includes Geoffrey Blake as Ralph, Tone Loc as Goanna, Townsend Coleman as Knotty, Brian Cummings as Ock, Robert Pastorelli as Tony, Cheech Marin as Stump, Tommy Chong as Root, Danny Mann as Ash and Anderson Wong as Rock.

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Bluray includes the Special Features of New Introduction with Director Bill Kroyer, Including Never-Before-Seen Pencil, Character and Animation Tests, Audio Commentary with Bill Kroyer, Art Director Ralph Eggleston and Coordinating Art Director Susan Kroyer, “Seed of the Story” – Script to Screen Comparison with Optional Commentary by Screenwriter Jim Cox.

Also, “From Paper to Tree” – Making-Of Featurette, “Behind the Voice: Toxic Love” – Multi-Angle Scene Study, Original Featurette, “If I’m Gonna Eat Somebody (It Might As Well Be You)” Music Video and Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots.

Diana Young is the author of the FernGully stories, and this film is adapted from those very stories. The soundtrack for the film includes 14 tracks and was composed by Alan Silvestri. “Batty Rap” is sun by Robin Williams and Tim Curry lends himself to the song “Toxic Love”.

It is so amazing that Shout! Factory Kids is celebrating FERNGULLY: The Last Rainforest with this 30^th Anniversary Edition. It is so important for kids to see because, although the film came out in 1992, the issues are even more crucial today. The fear of Ferngully can be seen through climate change today.

Crysta makes it clear that someone needs to stop the destruction and by reaching Zak as a human being, she has found the voice, but the fight still continues. One small little fairy knows what we all should know that the world is shared by so many that we forget that it is not all about us individually but collectively.

The animation is still amazing with its restoration and there is so much to talk about once the film is finished. I would love to see this in all educator’s classroom library as a way to reach children and explain what can happen if we do not all come together to keep our world a beautiful place. Kids get it!

In the end – one courageous sprite must save them all!

The Fun and Animated Story of GULLIVER RETURNS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from director Ilya Maksimov and Shout! Factory Kids is the call for the legend in GULLIVER RETURNS.

While sailing around in his life of adventure, Gulliver (voiced by Wayne Grayson) receives a message from Lilliput. When he arrives, he is greeted by a king (Billy Bob Thompson) he does not know and immediately put on trial for not being the giant the little town celebrates.

Standing up for Gulliver is Marcy (Alyson Leigh Rosenfeld) and confuses the king with facts (although that does not seem difficult). What Gulliver does not know is that Marcy is the daughter of his good friend Frelok (HD Quinn) who seems to be in a fog about who his friend is.

When General of Blefuscu comes banging on Lilliput’s giant door, Gulliver has to show how being a giant has little to do with size. Gathering help from the town’s people, they repair what is needed while preparing for the General to do his best to try and take what belongs to the good people of Lilliput.

Other cast include Marc Thompson as Peters, Yelisaveta Zinovenko as Squick, Tom Wayland as Pablo and Samuel Weintraub as Wesley.

Shout! Factory will be donating a portion of the net proceeds earned from the distribution of the movie from year one to World Central Kitchen, a non-profit organization that provides fresh meals in response to crises, which is currently active in Ukraine and surrounding countries providing meals for as many people as possible at border crossings, shelters, and other locations.

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

GULLIVER RETURNS reunites the classic character from Jonathan Swift’s timeless tale. The king sends shocks through the town declaring that Gulliver is Gulliver but not the Gulliver they celebrate. The idea for this returning tale came about by Ukrainian President Volodymryr Zelensky who has become a symbol of the fighting spirit with a giant’s heart.

The animation has Tony Bonilla as its animation director who was part of ENCANTO and MOANA. The film is lively, fun, full of giggly scenes and yet a story that continually reminds the viewer that standing up for what is right and help those who need it the most.

GULLIVER RETURNS is definetly a family film and needs to be watched together. There is so much to talk about once the film has ended as well. Grab the popcorn and prepare to return to Lilliput!

In the end – new adventures from a big hero!

 

 

WONDERFUL WORLD OF FRIENDS with the Sesame Street Gang

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from your friends at the Sesame Street Workshop and SHOUT! Factory Kids is a fun filled two hours of the WONDERFUL WORLD OF FRIENDS.

Elmo loves to talk about what it means to be friends with singing and dancing. He invites us to see the different faces and places of friends up and down Sesame Street. Alessia Cara teaches us all a song about how much we are all really alike. Showing it through dance we get to see all kinds of dancing and Nina shows us how to do it all.

From Salsa to Flamenco to the Tango, she tells us it takes two to tango and it is fun, but Elmo prefers the Elmo Slide and Chris joins in. Big Bird likes the Birdie Cha-Cha but Snuffy is not sure he can do it on the Do Your Favorite Dance Day. Instead, Snuffy teaches them all the dance he knows.

Billy Porter makes friends with a penguin and shows what can happen when you just say ‘hi!’. Oscar, Cookie Monster, Rosita and Elmo decide they want to build a very big bird feeder for their bird friend. They learn about an Indian holiday called Rakhi (and making bracelets for friends and family) from Chompki and Rosita shares how Indian bread and Mexican bread are very close to being the same. Chris also teaches Elmo how to make Indian food.

Gwen Stefani sings that sharing is caring and how to be a good friend as Cookie Monster, Elmo and Big Bird along with other Sesame Street get to learn about friendship. Rosita decides to write a book so that people will know what it really means to be Mexican.

Josh Groban joins Elmo, Abby and Rosita to sing once again about friendship and being together. Alan, Chris and the gang are having a food festival so that each of them can learn about other cultures. Food, clothing, dancing and what makes their cultures special. Elmo tries wontons, tamales and so much more but it is Rudy who is not willing to try the food.

Monster Foodies helps kids learn about recipes and how to make some fantastic goodies starting with smoothies. Elmo is thrilled to see John Legend behind the piano singing about what it means to come together. 

It is all about coming together through special friendships!

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Sesame Street: Wonderful World of Friends DVD Bonus Features include A Very Sesame Street Thanksgiving, and The Magical Wand Chase: A Sesame Street Special.

Sesame Street has spent three generations in our household. Beginning with myself and siblings watching and being guided in so many special ways by Kermit and Big Bird with Oscar the Grouch always making us laugh. Every morning we were treated to songs and learning that we never realized helped us in our youth.

When I began to have children, Sesame Street was always playing in the home as the kids were riveted once again and it always made me laugh to see them so happy. When the grandchildren arrived, Sesame Street became more than a television show – it also became a source of learning on the ipad with numbers, colors, and letters fun.

Sesame Street has always celebrated kids and family, did everything to capture children’s imagination and gave them the hunger to learn. It has embraced differences but helped children remember that being a good human being is the center of everything.

This DVD is fun, colorful, exciting, funny, sweet, musical and will have your feet tapping.

In the end – it is all about celebrating friendship!

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE GREAT ESCAPE

 

Jeri Jacquin

Currently on DVD from directors Toe Yuen, Matthew Chow and Shout Factory Kids is the wonderful story of heroes in fur with SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE GREAT ESCAPE.

It is England in the 19^th Century and Sherlock Holmes is a little different than we are use to seeing him. In this world of animal crime, only Holmes can be counted on to find the answers.

Holmes and companion Dr. Watson are visiting an orphanage and they learn there is a mysterious benefactor that is keeping them afloat. The children asked Holmes to reunite the young girl Katy with her father who has been missing for some time.  In the process, he catches infamous Mack in front of his daughter and not many are happy about it.

Holmes is devastated about seeing Katy so sad, so he goes to prison to speak with Mack and learn the true story of this master criminal. As Katy grows, she begins a relationship with her father that makes her as happy as it can for their separation.

One day Mack receives a letter that upsets him, and Holmes discovers that the prisoner has escaped! Detectives Gordon Gorilla Riller and Carlson Fox try to keep up with Holmes in the investigation, but the escape is not the only thing they will have to deal with. Also escaping prison is Scarface who is upset with Mack and has a score he wants to settle!

Holmes has so much to unravel, and he is just the canine to do it!

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty and The Beast. Also, their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

Other characters include Alice, Little Rabbit, and Skinny Monkey.

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE GREAT ESCAPE is a wonderful family film that is colorful in its telling, the characters are delightful, and the story is filled with fun. All of that would be enough but added to it is Holmes’ way of explaining his deductions that are smart and easy for everyone to follow (and a few are even very funny).

The animation is absolute genius filled with the color and vibrancy that will keep viewers focused and delighted at the same time. The story if one of family, loyalty, friendship and a few broken rules along the way and bicycle thievery. Well, what do you expect from a great mystery solver like Sherlock Holmes!

In the end – Holmes is about to solve an emotional crime!

 

 

It’s Time for A to Z with the AWESOME ALAPHABET COLLECTION

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from Sesame Street and Shout! Factory Kids is a collection that shares so much learning for kids with AWESOME ALPHABET COLLECTION.

It begins with Ernie sharing how to use the letter A in a drum beating rhyme. The beat is kickin’ and the words begin to flow in fun. The songs are easy for kids to learn quickly and share with the family. That’s not all as guests like Pharrell Williams share that it is quite easy to travel without ever leaving town with the letter B for book!

There is the fun of learning about C for cake, and the letter of the day with a song even I know and D, Guy Smiley hosts ‘What’s My Letter?’, the letter E makes Elmo smile as well! Grover gives an F demonstration and even though he’d rather be doing a G for Grover, he teaches so well.

The G is turned over to two very cute imaginary girls who take you on their adventure of a letter, H finds itself in a beautiful garden, of course ice cream starts with the letter I and its delicious, of course its one big juggle with the letter J, singer Tori Kelly gives us a little vocal kindness, and Kermit gives us a lesson on how to use lines to make a K.

Bert and Ernie show us all how easy it is to musically la-la-la our way into the letter L and of course the letter M is one that each of the Muppets can understand and gladly will sing about it! Ricky Gervais teaches Elmo what it means to have a Celebrity Lullaby visit you before bed with the letter N.

The letter O teaches about opposites, the ocean, ostriches, octopus and all things fun, P is the favorite letter of one particular street and one of the most comfortable things to lay our head on. Who would have thought that a song could be made from the letter Q? Cookie Monster decides to try his furry paw at rap with the letter R.

Sia joins the group to sing about the letter S! Chance the Rapper is going to star with Cookie Monster in a theater production with the letter T, the letter U is worth singing about; V is all about vegetables, violins and a vase of violets. The letter W brings Larry King to ask his audience what their favorite ‘w’ word is.

The letter X can be found with an ox, fox so say hurray! The letter Y is taking us on a wild yo-yo chase that Elmo loves to sing about along with Norah Jones. Finally, there is a musical Z that rocks out leading to little Zelda looking for words that start with her name.

Of course Kermit is going to have the best way to speed through the alphabet in the best way possible.

The DVD includes Norah Jones, Tori Kelly, Pharrell Williams, Sheryl Crow, Ricky Gervais and the most wonderful Maya Angelou.

The spectacular DVD also contains a bonus feature of the ABC-themed printable activities with Elmo’s Amazing Alphabet Race and Printable Alphabet Activity Sheets.

SHOUT! Factory has grown into a tremendous multi-platform media company. Releasing new animated features such as the exquisite Long Way North, and the epic fantasy Beauty And The Beast. Also their own original horror film, Fender Bender gives fans a good scare. For more of what SHOUT Factor has to offer please visit www.shoutfactory.com.

AWESOME ALPHABET COLLECTION is being released during Sesame Street’s yearlong 50^th anniversary celebration. The anniversary will celebrate the timeless lesson that Sesame Street has always taught: everyone, no matter who they are or where they are from, is equally deserving of respect, opportunity, and joy. Throughout 2019, families everywhere can join their favorite furry friends in celebrating Sesame Street as well as a star-studded primetime special that will kick off the show’s 50^th season.

Fans are encouraged to share their favorite Sesame Street memory across social media this year using the hashtag #ThisIsMyStreet.

This DVD is just amazing and so much fun. Filled with songs, laughter, games and guests that want to teach kids how to be creative, thoughtful, and filled with imagination. That is what makes Sesame Street everybody’s street. We all want to explore and have colorful adventures – yes, even us older folks!

This is 130-minutes of Sesame Street Workshops best and you can actually find more fun and learning at www.sesamestreet.org.

In the end – this is a street where learning is always fun!

Elmo Takes Us on THE MAGICAL WAND CHASE on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from SHOUT! Factory Kids and Sesame Street is Elmo’s next batch of question when working on THE MAGICAL WAND CHASE.

Elmo thinks there is so much in the world to explore and since they can’t go by book, they are going to go where ever they want using their imaginations and Abby’s magic wand. Their first adventure is ballooning over their city but they are starting to feel a little lost. When the wind and a bird takes their magic wand, Elmo, Abby, Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Grover begin to panic!

Back on the ground, the group begins looking for the wand and discover a place called Chinatown meeting Carl and Lindsay who help them look for the smaller bird that has Abby’s wand. Next they see a group performing the Mexican hat dance discovering their culture and a bag of churros. They are amazed at what is happening right around the corner of Sesame Street.

Still on the hunt for the bird that has used the magic to turn herself into an elephant, they discover families from West Africa. They are again surprised to discover another community within their own neighborhood and the ability to send messages by drum! The best news is that their new friends can get them back to Sesame Street.

After chasing after Wanda the Wand far and wide and with the help of new friends – the group plans to return home but not before thanking the everyone for their help!

Their next adventure takes them to another time as Elmo, Teddy and Abby belt out The Knights Song and learn about going on a quest. The letter Y also joins them as their quest is looking for things that begin with the letter Y.

The DVD includes A Bird Burglar, New Friends! And Hot-Air Balloon Mayhem! and the Bonus Features of Full-Length Elmo’s Alphabet Challenge, Full-Length Episode The Golden Triangle of Destiny and Downloadable Storybook: Elmo and the Lost Wand.

Hasbro Studios is an iconic brand with some of the best in animation and family programming with MY LITTLE PONY, and LITTLEST PET SHOP. Since its formation in 2009, Hasbro Studios has received seven Daytime Emmy’s!

Elmo is such a beloved character on Sesame Street and along with his friend Abby; they show us why their friendship is so very special. They listen to one another and not only enjoy each other’s company but reach out to the rest of the gang to join in on the fun.

There are so many values here that are important to children today and they are covered in this DVD. From friendship to cultural appreciation to kindness, these characters embrace everyone they meet and every situation worked out between them.

They also meet new friends in the neighborhoods surrounding Sesame Street and won’t soon forget everything they see, hear and experience.

Currently in its 48^th season, Sesame Street is the longest-running program in children’s television and has received more Emmy Awards than any other show in television history.

There is a reason for that. Simple put, Sesame Street has always reached out to children without ever once talking down to them. Instead, they embrace the way children feel, hear and think while teaching and expanding their little minds and transforming them into big, wondrous minds. 

That is what we want for all of our children, to embrace this every changing world with kindness and acceptance with ease and we have Sesame Street to thank for helping us do just that.

In the end – everything you need to find is right on Sesame Street!