DREAMBUILDERS

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming from SHOUT! Factory Kids, directors Kim Hagen Jensen and Tonni Zinck is the story of a young girl dealing with life changes with DREAMBUILDERS.

Minna (Robyn Dempsey) is a young girl who is happy with dad John (Tom Hale) and pet hamster Viggo but is feeling the pressure when dad moves in girlfriend Helene (Karen Ardiff) and attention seeking daughter Jenny (Emma Jenkins) into their home.

She finds an escape in sleep and discovers another world with dream-builder named Gaff (Luke Griffin) who explains to Minna how dreams happen. He also explains that interfering in someone else’s dream is a disaster. Under pressure from his dream-superiors, Gaff is working extra hard to make sure the dreams pass inspection.

During awake time, Jenny is threatening Viggo and Minna’s happy home life and that’s when she realizes there is one way to stop it all from happening. Enlisting the help of Gaff, Minna changes Jenny’s dreams so that she will be nicer.

The problem is, Jenny figures out what is happening and does things that hurt Minna deep. That’s when she goes overboard in dreamland and when it goes wrong, only Minna can make it right!

Dempsey as Minna is a young girl dealing with a missing mom and her dad’s new relationship. The changes are almost to much for her to take and adding a not-so-nice Jenny who turns her world upside down. Minna does things that are unlike her, and she cannot seem to stop herself.

Jenkins as Jenny is a girl who has a dad-issue and uses that as a reason to do act in a way that is selfish. Immediately taking over Minna’s home with her demands and fits puts her in a place to make it easy not to like her. When she realizes what Minna can do, she needs a friend to get back home.

Griffin as Gaff truly cares about Minna and wants to make her happy. Knowing that allowing her inside the dream building process could get him in trouble, he wants to help her. Hale as John is a dad who just wants his daughter to be happy and at the same time create the one thing he misses the most – a family. Ardiff as Helene has basically created a monster out of her own guilt and Jenny is the result.

Hamster Viggo Mortensen is just to cute for words, as is his namesake!

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.

DREAMBUILDERS is a story of dreams, hopes, nightmares, family, issues and everything in between. I kind of which I knew who my “Gaff” was so I could make a few changes to dreams here and there.

Mixed into the films themes is color, a bit of fun, delightful characters and animation. Going inside a world that we are not privy to, DREAMBUILDERS gives us all something to think about.

A cast of characters inside the dreams are fun, quirky, inventive, creative, scary and in some cases, a stickler for the dream rules. When things go haywire in Minna’s waking world, they all come to the rescue to help their young dream-ward get through it.

DREAMBUILDERS is a fanciful and sweet film that calls for cuddle time on the sofa to watch together with the family.

In the end – she gets inside the dreamworld!

THE JUNGLE BUNCH Brings Fun and Family to DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from writer/director David Alaux and SHOUT! Kids Factory is the story of family, friendship and protecting the home of THE JUNGLE BUNCH.

It is another day in the jungle or is it? Tony the sloth (Frantz Confiac), Natasha the tiger (Marie-Christine Darah), Goliath the rhino (Alain Dorval) and Ricky the porcupine (also called The Champs) are chasing Igor the koala (Richard Darbois) through the jungle. Igor is up to no good and attempting to ruin the jungle for all who live their.

When he succeeds all the animals must find their own way. Natasha finds herself the foster-mother of Maurice (Philippe Bozo), a young penguin who takes to jungle life. Her ward has plans of his own as he grows to create a new team that fights for justice.

Mom Natasha isn’t too thrilled about Maurice’s goal but he sets out into the jungle to find others who want to be aprt of it. He brings his team including Junior the fish, Miguel the gorilla (Pascal Casanova), Gilbert the tarsier (Laurent Morteau) and Batricia the bat (Celine Montsarrat) and call themselves ‘The Jungle Bunch’.

Igor has been busy as well on his secluded island, he wants to get back and take on The Champs once again. When he discovers there is another justice fighting team in town he is equally thrilled. Especially when he learns Maurice is Natasha’s son.

The Jungle Bunch knows their new mission is to save the jungle and everything they love about their home. When Igor kidnaps Junior, it is Natasha that wants to put The Champs back together to save him. Feeling left out, Maurice realizes that he must do what ever it takes to rescue his family but with a little help from his friends.

Other characters include Emmanuel Curtil as Al the Toad, Paul Borne by Bob the Toad, Michel Mella as Fred the warthog, Jean-Philippe Puymartin as Snake, Barbara Tissier as Ping, and Alexis Tomassian as Pong.

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.

The characters are all delightful and, well, animated! This is a story about many things but mainly that differences don’t seem to matter one bit to these jungle creatures. They love who they love and that includes Natasha taking in Maurice and Maurice taking in Junior.

The story of Igor being cast out because of the harm he wants to cause is believable in that the other animals would ban together to put him in his place. There is also a generational issue that I found a great theme to talk about. Natasha protecting her son caused her to say things that she should have thought about more carefully. Taking to heart the words of his mother was tough and a lesson to parents – even parents who have grown children.

It is a treasure when there is an animated film that actually brings family and community together like THE JUNGLE BUNCH. The actors truly bring the animals to life with their vocal performances. Oh don’t worry, there is plenty of fun to be had and my own family laughed a lot at the antics.

So gather up your own jungle herd with a big bowl of popcorn and enjoy a film that brings so much of everything we love animated films for!

In the end – things are getting wild!

THE BOXCAR CHILDREN: Surprise Island Brings Animated Family Adventure to Bluray and DVD

Jeri Jacquin

On Bluray & DVD this week from directors Dan Chuba and Mark Dippe along with Legacy Classics and SHOUT! Kids Factory comes a story of family and a summer like no other for THE BOXCAR CHILDREN: Surprise Island.

Henry, Jessie, Violet and Benny are spending the summer on a private island that belongs to their grandfather. Every day they do something special together like make cabinets for their cabin and making lunches together. They also meet young Joe who is a mystery to many people on the island.

Out wandering they take to the beach and soon run the beach looking for clams and exploring. Chasing sandpipers they soon discover a platform in the water. Violet and Benny meet Joe who shows them amazing things about the ocean. Wanting to know more, Henry decides to create a museum from their exploration.

Joe volunteers to help them learn by getting books from the library. They begin to create an amazing collection of items from the island and continue to explore even more about the island finding an unusual cave. They tell Joe who is as excited about what is inside.

When Grandfather returns, he sees that the children not only have made the cabin a home but turned the upstairs into a wonderful museum. A man named Mr. Browning arrives looking for a friend when the kids offer him something to eat.

And quickly the kids discover that their friend Joe has a surprise for everyone but what a joyous surprise it is!

The cast is voiced by Joey King as Jessie, Talitha Bateman as Violet, Griffin Gluck as Henry, Carter Sand as Benny, Gil Birmingham as Mr. Browning, Stephen Stanton as Captain Daniel, Dane DeHaan as Joe, J.K. Simmons as Dr. Moore, and Martin Sheen as James Alden.

SHOUT! Factory brings the best to fans offering up feature films, classic television series, animation and specials. For more of what they have to offer go to www.shoutfactory.com. 

Legacy Classics is dedicated to family entertainment and educational tools based on classic and award-winning children’s literature. The Boxcar Children, written by Gertrude Chandler Warner, has sold over 70 million books world-wide. Most do not know that there are over 150 books in the series that reaches over 1 million kids!

The DVD of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN: Surprise Island includes the Special Features of Interviews with Cast & Crew, Interview with the Composer, and Behind-The-Scenes Interview with the Sound Editing and Mixing Team. Also included is a Watch-Anywhere code that allows you to experience the film on your PC, Mac, iPhone, and iPod and a fantastic book mark showing the wonderful cover of THE BOXCAR CHILDREN: Surprise Island.

THE BOXCAR CHILDREN: Surprise Island is a beautiful film with a deep connection to a simpler life and a hunger for learning. These are kids who are very close and take care of each other. The story sweeps the viewer in quickly because the relationship between the siblings is one of mutual respect and love.

The characters in the story gave me plenty of reason to giggle, smile and remember what it was like to spend summers on the beach with my own siblings. The animation is vivid and extraordinary to tell this touching story.

This film is absolutely a must have for the home film library and a story I want my own grandchildren to watch again and again. These are important stories to be told and they are made sweeter by a studio that takes such amazing care in the way a story is presented to those of us who love the books.

THE BOXCAR CHILDREN: Surprise Island has so much to teach us all about beauty, family, love and support along with believing in a few life surprises.

In the end – on a small island they find big adventure!

MY LITTLE PONY Friendship is Magic: Spring Into Friendship Brings Color and Fun on DVD

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to DVD from SHOUT! Kids Factory and Hasbro Studios is the next batch of adventures from our favorite hoofed friends with MY LITTLE PONY Friendship is Magic: Spring Into Friendship.

When Rainbow is invited to a party at Princess Celestia’s castle in The Ticket Master is becomes clear there is a dilemma. As much as she wants to go, so do all the other ponies and each one tries to do something special to show how much they want to go. Stressed out, Rainbow makes a decision that surprises them all showing how selfless one can truly be and rewarded just the same.

Rarity in Sisterhooves Social, her parents need to go out of town for a few days leaving sister Sweetie Bell in her care. Discovering that trying to keep a little sister occupied while keeping everything in order is a big job. Making Sweetie Bell feel unloved, Rarity learns that perhaps she may have been wrong about so many things.

Just for Sidekicks has Spike taking care of Angel while Fluttershy works on celebration plans at the Crystal Empire. That gives him an idea that he can collect more jewels by babysitting the pets of the other Pony’s. His real plan is to pawn the pets off on the smaller Pony’s so he can get back to doing what he really wanted to be doing – baking a cake. Spike is in for more than he ever bargained for!

Princess Twilight Sparkle (Part 1) has Twilight learning how to be a princess in her first Summer Sun Celebration. What she doesn’t expect is a black vine coming after Princess Celestia! Even more surprising is that the sun and the moon are both sharing the sky. Twilight must return to Ponyville and get the Elements of Harmony along with her friends to try and find answers. Trusting Zecora puts Twilight in front of Princess Luna who isn’t quite right.

In Princess Twilight Sparkle (Part 2) Twilight discovers that Luna’s new look has come about by the potion. More importantly, she discovers that it all began with a visit to the Everfree Forest. Knowing that she and her friends must also go in the forest, they seek out the Tree of Harmony only to discover it also is covered in a strange vine. Of course there is one thing Twilight doesn’t know that someone back in Ponyville does. Will they all make it to the Summer Sun Celebration?

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!

SHOUT! Factory brings the best to fans offering up feature films, classic television series, animation and specials. For more of what they have to offer go to www.shoutfactory.com. 

MY LITTLE PONY Friendship is Magic: Spring into Friendship is a delightful look at the power of friendship, being loyal, the importance of family and the importance of giving ones word. Those are pretty wonderful lessons to see, especially when My Little Pony’s are the ones showing us all how.

The DVD includes the episodes of The Ticket Master, Sisterhooves Social, Just for Sidekicks, Princess Twilight Sparkle Part 1, and Princess Twilight Sparkle Part 2. There is the fun Bonus Feature of the Sing-Along and if that isn’t enough, how about the Spring into Fun with special Egg-Decorating stickers!

MY LITTLE PONY has been a staple of programming in my family’s home for so many years that I’m thrilled it continues today with the grandkids. The storytelling is funny and colorful with so many elements of animation that are captivating.

These characters have become so iconic that you’d have to be from another universe not to recognize them. The best part of this franchise is that it is for everyone to enjoy. One of the best experiences is to sit with a young child and watch to see the wonder through their eyes.

I still do this with my own family because when you know something has made such an impression of goodness and fun – you definitely want to share it!

In the end – these Pony’s know how to spring into friendship!

MIRACULOUS: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: It’s Ladybug!

Jeri Jacquin

On DVD from SHOUT! Factor Kids and ZAG is the next installment in the amazing adventures of MIRACULOUS: Tales of Ladybug & Cat Noir: It’s Ladybug!

When Tiki isn’t feeling well, Marinette needs to find a way to get her friend to a healer. Unfortunately it will have to wait until she gets out of school. When Marinette is pressured to help Adrien with chemistry notes, Tiki manages to fall into the hands of Chloe.

Mean girl Chloe wants to use Tiki to impress Prince Ali staying in her father’s hotel but Princess Fragrance is eager to cause havoc. Cat Noir knows there is trouble coming and makes his way to the hotel. He doesn’t know that Ladybug is also there to get Tiki from Chloe and through the smoke, save them all.

At school, a video game tournament is happening as one player looks for a worthy opponent. Adrien makes his move and ends up partnering with student Max to represent the school – that is until Marinette wins and pairs with Adrien. Max isn’t happy and that is an as Hawk Moth gets Max to do his dirty work.

It’s picture day at school and everyone wants to look their best and Chloe is causing a ruckus about her spot in the photo. Being mean to Julica, Marinette and friends try to do everything to help the quiet girl. Hawk Moth is ahead of them using her insecurities against her but Ladybug and Cat Noir do what’s right for the young girl.

While Marinette is babysitting, her young ward isn’t happy about leaving the dolls of Cat Noir and Ladybug behind. Hawk Moth takes advantage of the child’s anger sending an Akuma making the little terror a puppeteer out to get the Miraculous. Ladybug and Cat Noir are dealing with the changes that she can make!

A mysterious invisible force is making its way through school and terrorizing Chloe. Knowing immediately that they need to transform, Ladybug and Cat Noir go to the hotel where Chloe lives to look for clues. During their investigation, Ladybug is sure that Chloe isn’t telling them everything.

Adrien and Lila study together but Marinette is keeping a watch on them both. When she hears that Lila is spreading lies about Ladybug, she comes face to face with her about it. Hawk Moth uses her heartbreak to transform Lila into Volpina and make all her lies become truth – and not in a good way!

SHOUT! Factory brings the best to fans offering up feature films, classic television series, animation and specials. For more of what they have to offer go to www.shoutfactory.com. 

ZAG specializes in the creation of groundbreaking 3D CGI animated kids and family film as well as television franchises. MIRACULOUS: Ladybug and Cat Noir is one of their original content with films coming soon.

MIRACULOUS: Tales of Ladybug and Cat Noir – It’s Ladybug! is such a wonderful series to watch. It is fun, funny, charming and full of life lessons about family, friendship, loyalty and doing the right thing. That is the kind of programming we all want our families to enjoy.

Each episode is colorful and filled with adventure from start to finish. My granddaughter enjoys every moment and wants a Tiki all her own. That’s what makes MIRACULOUS Lady Bug and Cat Noir – It’s a Ladybug! so special. Children are instantly drawn to the story, characters and fun.

The DVD includes the six episodes Princess Fragrance, Gamer, Reflekta, The Puppeteer, Antibug and Volpina. The Bonus Feature includes Animatics for Selected Scenes. Also included is an amazing and exclusive paper doll of Ladybug that can keep you company while enjoying the show.

In the end – it’s high flying adventure in Paris for Ladybug and Cat Noir!