VeggieTales – The Little Drummer Boy
Nov 25, 2011 DVD Reviews
The Little Drummer Boy
VeggieTales
Big Idea
The newest Christmas DVD from the VeggieTales series is a play on the 1968 stop motion classic of the same name. In a very veggie fashion the loveable characters tell a story of forgiveness, and recognizing the value of our God-given gifts. The new feature also includes a remake of the traditional “Drummer Boy” song by BeBe and CeCe Winans. There is also a new silly-song called “8 Polish Foods of Christmas.” I particularly found the occasional Star Wars references quite witty. The underlying story of Aaron and the difficult circumstances of his life also depict upright character traits and spiritual growth, all together a great lessons and a lot of fun on one disc.
Big Idea and the VeggieTales series have a partnership with World Vision as well and you can visit http://www.veggietales.com/worldvision for more information on how you can help provide a “life-saving” gift to a family in need. This too is a wonderful lesson in caring and giving at a time when materialism and receiving tends to have a stronger pull in our hearts.
- Ken W.
Snowmen (DVD)
Nov 25, 2011 DVD Reviews
Snowmen (DVD)
ARC Entertainment &
Mpower Pictures
“Snowmen” is a “coming-of-age” feature film about three young friends trying to make their mark in history, mostly driven by one of the kids who is overly obsessed with getting into the Guinness World Records. The story is interesting and there are a lot of good character points and valuable lessons learned. And while there are moments of juvenile humor, and a couple of “crap” words thrown in the dialog, the movie overall maintains a clean “family friendly” atmosphere.
I would however have benefited from reading the parental warning as the film is rated PG for peril and juvenile humor. It was the peril that was most shocking for my own children. I would say that this movie is safer for tweens and up, but I should have been more careful to not assume that “family friendly” meant it was okay for my 5 year old and 8 year old. There were scenes that ended up keeping them up at night.
Aside from my ineptitude and lack of discernment, the movie was touching and the morals were respectable. The slight bit of crudeness was minimal compared to most coming of age movies. While there were plot points you could easily predict, there were just as many twists that were not expected. I would highly recommend this for families, but parents may want to preview before allowing their pre-teens or teens watch the movie.
The film features some recognizable actors like Ray Liotta and a cameo by Christopher Lloyd. The DVD extras include some funny outtakes and a lot of behind the screen footage including an interview with the director. While this is not a holiday film per se, it is seasonal. For more information check out the official website at http://snowmenmovie.com/.
- Ken W.
Alleged (DVD Review)
Nov 12, 2011 DVD Reviews
Alleged
Image Entertainment
The movie “Alleged” is a historical piece based on the 1925 Scopes trial also referred to as the “Monkey Trial.” This time period is set in what is also known as the “Ballyhoo” time period when US citizens were changing their focus to lighter things after the horrors of WWI.
As the drama begins to build up we see small-town folks concoct a plan to bring good fortune to their small village to make up for the untimely closing of the local mine. The leaders of the community saw the trial as an opportunistic venture and the media saw it as a way to sensationalize the debate between creationist and evolutionist.
The trial then is the backdrop for this romantic-infused drama and the story focus’ on news reporter Charles Anderson (played by Nathan West). Charles is looking to break out of the small town newspaper and into the much larger market of the Baltimore Sun. Thus enters one of the villains of the movie, Baltimore Sun editor H. L. Mencken (played by Colm Meany). The editor plays on Charles’ ambitions and ultimately bides Charles against his own fiancé (hence the romantic drama). The internal battle within Charles’ mind is a classic battle of right and wrong or “moral responsibility and journalistic opportunity” as the press release states.
The personal drama nearly wipes out the landmark battle of the trial itself. However, supporting actors Brian Dennehy (playing attorney Clarence Darrow) and Fred Dalton Thompson (playing William Jennings Bryan) do an exemplary performance that helps to keep the trial at the forefront of the film.
I was equally impressed with the production, as even the film effects maintained the time period of the story. The acting staff includes some really big names and all did an amazing job with their individual characters.
Aside from the production, there were other elements of the movie that I found favorable. The historical context of the story is important and it helps to draw your attention to that era and inspires you to dig deeper into the basis of the trial itself. Secondly, the struggle that Charles goes through is not that uncommon and his story is a fitting lesson of character that is much needed in today’s society. In our time we are all too familiar with media sensationalism and the get ahead at any cost approach to careers. This story gives us a closer look at what a Biblical perspective looks like compared to the secular approach.
“Alleged” has not been rated, however, I would feel safe comparing it to maybe a PG13 movie. Any younger than that and they’re not going to follow the story well anyways. The only two pieces that are questionable include one swear word and one scene where editor Mencken is urinating on the side of the road in front of the welcome sign. I guess this particular scene was a character setup letting you know the general unpleasant nature of the editor. Overall though the film was very “family friendly” and I would highly recommend it for family movie night.
- Ken W.
Princess and the Pop Star: A Story of Trading Places
Aug 5, 2011 DVD Reviews
Princess and the Pop Star: A Story of Trading Places
VeggieTales
Big Idea
The newest adventure in the VeggieTales series is another story particularly for the girls, as was last summer’s release of “Sweetpea Beauty.” In “Princess and the Pop Start” the story is derived from the passage of Jeremiah 1:5 which reads, “Before I formed you in your mother’s body, I choose you. Before you were born, I set you apart to serve me. A very culturally relevant lesson for today’s youth.
The main characters have a canny resemblance and like many other switcheroo stories they manage to trade places with each other for a short time. While before this encounter they both wished they had it some other way, by the end of the tale the both learn something about being content with being who they are. It’s Princess Poppyseed who learns the most and aside from the verse and being content, she also learns about unconditional love with regards to her siblings. This is a very important lesson that was not mentioned in the synopsis.
“Princess and the Pop Star” is out this month (August, 2011) and the feature includes a new song by Francesca Battistelli and a new silly song called “Astonishing Wigs.” The DVD extras include sing-along versions of each of the songs as well. There will be a companion CD, “Songs for a Princess,” released in conjunction with the DVD. “Princess and the Pop Star” is a very relevant and critical life-lesson and one that I’m sure the boys will enjoy just as much as the girls.
- Ken W.
VeggieTales Live!: Sing Yourself Silly
Aug 5, 2011 DVD Reviews
VeggieTales Live!: Sing Yourself Silly
Big Idea
“Sing Yourself Silly” is a recording of the live VeggieTales show. The live show hits a limited market so it is a great idea to tape it live for a DVD release like this. At first I did not think that watching a video of a live show (that’s not animated), would not be as entertaining as a typical Veggie DVD. However, I was completely wrong. The live DVD was highly entertaining and the children loved singing along with the characters and they liked watching how the scenes and dances were choreographed with each song.
The DVD is over 70 minutes long and it includes 18 silly songs as the main feature. The extras include some backstage videos which is a very cool addition. Like I said, the show hits a limited market and having the event captured on DVD means more people get to enjoy the production.
While it’s never the same as being there live, there are pluses to having it on DVD instead. For one thing if the children get tired you don’t have to suffer through the whole show with a less than pleasant child. Simply stop the video and start it again when ready. I guess even if you were able to see the show live the DVD would still be a treasure to have as the children can look back on it later and appreciate what went in to making the production materialize.
- Ken
Mission Six/The Rubyz/Jonnie & Brookie
Jul 2, 2011 CD Reviews, DVD Reviews
Mission Six/The Rubyz/Jonnie & Brookie
MVP/DVD
iShine
Grade = C+
These three separate MVP (Music, Video, Purpose) disks are low-budget Christian versions of Teen Nick. There’s far worse out there for the tweener crowd.
Most of the music videos are done in studio or in front of a green screen; lots of guitars and synths and generic lyrics. If your faith practices frown on youth dancing, avoid these. I’ve seen more enthusiastic studio crowds. It’s also a little disconcerting to see performers on stage without any backing musicians. At times the choreography is a little painful to watch.
I did cringe when during an “iAsk” segment, a tot asked, “Will I keep my name in heaven?” The youthful respondent essentially said. “Yeah, I think so.”
- Rob S.
VeggieTales: ‘Twas the Night Before Easter
Apr 14, 2011 DVD Reviews
VeggieTales: ‘Twas the Night Before Easter
Big Idea
The latest from Big Idea is a new Easter episode with a very special lesson. Statistically, Easter, like other Christian holidays, is a time of the year when attendance is usually up at most services. Therefore, the pressure can be on to employ a “impress and awe” service and that’s half of the story on this DVD. To quote from C. S. Lewis’ Letters to Malcom, “’I wish they’d remember that the charge to Peter was Feed my sheep; not Try experiments on my rats, or even, Teach my performing dogs new tricks.’”
The second half is the individual who catches a vision and goes for it without regard for others – even when it is a worthy cause we sometimes think we know what people need and we miss an opportunity to just live out our faith through service. Our main character, Marlee Meade, feels strongly that she can give others what they need by putting on a huge theatrical production but she fails to even look at the more simple needs right in front of her.
‘Twas the Night Before Easter features American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle as the voice of Cassie Cassava. Cassie is a sought out performer that both the church pastor and Marlee who feel like she can be used to draw in the crowds. Aside from Cassie’s character, there are a handful of other cultural references to American Idol and its British counterparts.
Extras on the DVD include audio commentary, a silly-song-sing-along called “Hopperena,” some behind the scenes look at the character of Cassie and the Veggie Tales Live! traveling show. There is also an interactive matching game on the DVD.
Continuing with the theme of serving others, Big Idea is partnering with World Vision on the promotion of this video and the overall theme of serving others. According to the press materials, the partnership will help to raise awareness of how others can help by child sponsorship through World Vision (http://www.worldvision.org).
For more information check out http://www.bigidea.com.
- Ken W.
VeggieTales: Happy Together (DVD)
Apr 14, 2011 DVD Reviews
VeggieTales: Happy Together (DVD)
Big Idea
“Happy Together” is a compilation of three popular episodes and some new extras. The three episodes on this video include “Sheerluck Holmes and the Golden Ruler” (focusing on friendship), “Ester: The Girl Who Became Queen” (faith), and “The Grapes of Wrath” (family).
This is apparently the third such compilation and while this could be an easy sell for desperate parents, with 80+ minutes of video, I do not think of it as a cheap sell. I love all of these episodes and I think the three link together well. Aside from the themes coming together I also like having multiple episodes on a single disc.
The new content includes real live interviews with children who share their perspective on the friends, family, and faith. Other extras include three silly songs, “Pants,” “Dance of the Cucumber,” and “Larry Sings the Blues.”
Check out the trailer below or the official website http://www.bigidea.com.
- Ken W.
Tales From the Ark: Honk if You’re Special (DVD)
Apr 14, 2011 DVD Reviews
iShine
The “Tales from the Ark” series were previously released on VHS back in 1998 and their DVD debut was in the Fall of 2010. The first episode “Honk if You’re Special” is a good lesson in self-esteem, friendship and seeing ourselves as God does.
The animation was decent if you were to compare it to today’s capabilities. The video is also a biology lesson in why geese fly in a V formation. The main character is a loveable young duck who is like a cross between Charlie Brown and Rudolph. He’s also got a good friend just like Lucy.
The action and story-line were done well enough that it held the attention of a two-year-old up to an eight-year-old (and myself – age withheld). The only catch for myself was the continuity of it all considering it was from the “Ark.” These were not pre-flood ducks or a pre-flood storyline considering it included Canada. Also, there were not many couples on the Ark considering all the animals went on in pairs. Minor things that only an adult would get hung up on.
Check out http://www.tailsfromtheark.com.
- Ken W.
iShine KNECT, Vol. 2
Apr 14, 2011 DVD Reviews
iShine KNECT, Vol. 2
iShine
Volume 2 features three more full episodes of the witty comedy series from iShine that airs on TBN. The show features some of the iShine artists as well and in between skits there are music videos and some devotionals as well. The skits were hilarious and the young artists do a decent job of pulling off the acting (and singing). I found the skits to be humorous and the lessons behind them were biblical and well thought out. You can check out more on KNECT by visiting the official iShine website at http://www.iShineLive.com.
- Ken W.
