Entertainment – Page 22 – MommyB Knows Best

Imagia and the Magic Pearls Review

January 18, 2010

Entertainment, Literature, Reviews, School Kids

At first glance you may think Imagia and the Magic Pearls: Tales from the Mapmaker is a knock-off of the recent Disney princess hit movie,The Princess Frog. While both princesses are African-American the bulk of the stories are very different from one another.

I think it’s great that the country is getting a bigger dose of diverse leading ladies, and this book gives you another option aside from the already popular Disney movie. While the book has some great ideas behind it, I doubt that this book will become a household name or a classic read.

I found myself, at times, just wanting the book to be over with. Tarver spent a lot of time developing his characters and describing the story, almost at a point where it hindered the actual plot and story line of the book. While I enjoy reading about how the wind gushes I don’t need to know what color every flower, every blade of grass is. Read More

Cartoon Madness

January 13, 2010

Jennifer Bullock

Entertainment, TV & Film

6 Comments

Cartoon Madness C I know cartoons are for children and not necessarily supposed to make sense to adults or make sense in general. However, I can’t help but ask myself when I watch TV shows with Little Miss A what are these characters doing, thinking etc.

Here are some of our favorites and some of my recent ponderings.

Nick Jr.

Go Diego Go – Why is Baby Jaguar still a baby and will he ever grow up? I thought animals grew faster than humans. Also how can Diego drive? Isn’t he like 10 years old? Where are his parents when he’s surrounded by pumas when he should be afraid of being eaten? Who is Diego’s real family? On Dora Diego and Daisy were brother and sister but on Go Diego Go Diego’s sister is Alicia…hmm maybe there is an illegitimate daughter somewhere in this mix.

Backyardigans – I used to ask what Uniqua was but then we wikipedia’d it and found out she’s not really anything according to the creator. Now I’m wondering why Uniqua is the only non-animal in the bunch?

WonderPets -Why is the sink always full for Tuck to get out? Don’t those school kids clean up? And what’s up with Linny, they say, “she,” when referring to her and she dresses in girl costumes sometimes but why is she often portrayed like a boy?

Max and Ruby – Where are these children’s parents?? In fact where are most of these and other cartoon’s parents? Maybe they feel like the parents will put a damper on the adventures? We probably would!

PBS Kids

Clifford The Big Red Dog – Why hasn’t Clifford unintentionally hurt anyone? He’s a mess and huge! Where do Emily Elizabeth’s parents get all that money for dog food? Perhaps their cover is the beach shop….

Caillou – Caillou is 4 years old and his little sister has more hair than he does, why doesn’t he have any hair at all??? Cartoon Madness Curious George

Curious George – Shouldn’t Chef Pisghetti and Professor Wiseman be in jail for their multiple health code violations of letting a monkey (and cat) into their restaurant and museum?

Playhouse Disney

Special Agent Oso – Why is this panda teal and yellow? Is there a back story, like he was douced with acid or came from another planet?

PS. Did anyone notice in Christmas Dora that she is playing with Boots, Isa, and her other friends when they are toddlers yet in the show she doesn’t meet them until after she’s older? Mmmmhmmm 😉

These are only a few of my ponderings and obviously cartoons aren’t made to make sense but I had to get it off my chest. Anything you notice in your child(ren)’s cartoon shows that “bug” you?

Readeez Review and 2 Giveaways {Closed}

January 7, 2010

Jennifer Bullock

Closed Giveaways, Giveaways, Music, Services, TV & Film

1 Comment

Readeez Review and Giveaway Little Miss A and I couldn’t help but bop around our house listening and watching the materials from Readeez. There were even points in the songs where Miss A took out her inflatable guitar to rock along with the quirky songs.

I love Readeez because they remind me a little of the band They Might Be Giants’ style , if you don’t know who they are then stop reading my blog! No seriously TMBG is probably best known by parents because they are featured on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Higglytown Heroes, and Courage the Cowardly Dog. Although they have some pretty awesome adult hits as well. Read More

Kustom Memories Spotlight

December 30, 2009

Jennifer Bullock

Entertainment, Literature, Reviews, Toys & Games

3 Comments

Kustom Memories Spotlight I hope you enjoy my first and last spotlight of 2009. This spotlight features Kustom Memories, a small family owned company focusing on making fun, educational, personalized products for children.

The company is family founded and Kustom Memories ensures that every product they send out is of the highest quality. Many studies show that when children become a part of what they read, see and listen to it builds confidence and self-esteem while increasing literacy and retention. What a better way to learn than by having fun?!? Read More

Veggie Tales DVD Winner

December 27, 2009

Jennifer Bullock

Entertainment, Giveaways, TV & Film, Winners

1 Comment

Veggie Tales Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving Thank you to everyone who entered my Veggie Tales DVD Giveaway.

The winner picked by Random.org is Terra C. Thanks for liking my Stroller Fit post.

Remember all winners will also be contacted by email and have 48 hours to email me their mailing address. If I do not hear from the winner I will choose again from the list of entries.

Keep checking back for more fun giveaways!!

Veggie Tales DVD Review & Giveaway {CLOSED}

December 19, 2009

Jennifer Bullock

Closed Giveaways, Entertainment, Giveaways, Reviews, TV & Film

2 Comments

Veggie Tales Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving The story of Saint Nicholas comes to life in this fun Veggie Tales movie: Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving. From start to finish this film was a great movie on so many levels.

As holiday cheer is spreading through the town, everyone is excited about their own Christmas plans and gifts. Unfortunately, Laura the Carrot and her family may not have a Christmas at all. All of the Veggies try to think of ideas to help out, but Bob the Tomato, in usual Veggie Tales fashion has a great lesson/story to share. So off Bob and Larry go “back in time,” to tell the story of Saint Nicholas.

I was very interested to see how this animated film aligned with the history of Saint Nick. I had never heard the full story myself, only bits and pieces so it was very interesting for me to watch and learn. Plus it’s always great to learn about other cultures and their versions of Santa. Read More

Wizards of Waverly Place DVD Review

December 15, 2009

Jennifer Bullock

Entertainment, Reviews, TV & Film

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Imagine enjoying a tropical family vacation in beautiful San Juan, Mexico. Add a dash of magical hijinks, a drop of adventure, and double, double, toil and trouble, you’ve brewed up Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie.

This is not your typical witchy movie. Whether you are a fan of the Emmy Award-winning, Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Placeor not, this bewitching film will magically draw you in. It’s a story that any family can appreciate and find value in. Read More

Scholastic Storybook Classics DVD Review

December 12, 2009

Jennifer Bullock

Entertainment, Literature, Reviews, TV & Film

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Scholastic debuts a Treasury of 50 Storybook Classics: Animal Antics and More. This seven-disk box set has a lot of great things to tout, including stories that have won 80 awards (the Caldecott Medal and the NAPPA Gold Award among them), and celebrity voice narration by Meryl Streep, Sarah Jessica Parker, John Lithgow, and others.

I was very excited to review these Storybook Classics since some of my childhood favorites, “The Story About Ping” and “Owl Moon” (winner of the 1988 Caldecott Medal) are featured. Not only could I reminisce about the tales I loved as a child, but I can now share them with my own child. Read More

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo Choo Express DVD Review

December 7, 2009

Jennifer Bullock

Entertainment, Reviews, Toddlers & Preschoolers, TV & Film

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Hop aboard the Clubhouse Train with your favorite animated Mickey Mouse Clubhouse characters in Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Choo Choo Express. This movie is based on the original Mickey Mouse Clubhouseon the Disney Channel. This fun, new two-part episode gives viewers a fresh look at holiday movies and is definitely not your cookie cutter Christmas remake.

Your favorite characters, Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Pluto, and Professor Ludwig von Drake, want to make this Christmas the most fun ever. Professor von Drake has created a never-melting, “easy-freezy” snow and the clubhouse crew decides to have a snow party. Read More

Santa Buddies DVD Review

November 24, 2009

Jennifer Bullock

Entertainment, Family, Reviews, TV & Film

1 Comment

Just in time for this holiday season Disney presents Santa Buddies, a mischievously merry Christmas movie that will not only bring laughter to your home but also touch your heart. Santa Buddies follows a list of fun predecessors including Air Bud, Air Buddies, and Space Buddies, to name a few.

Santa Buddies is a live action film featuring the familiar faces of George Wendt as Santa Claus, Christopher Lloyd as grumpy Stan Crudge, and Danny Woodburn as the lovable Head Elf Eli. Zachary Gordon does the voice-over for the main character, Puppy Paws. Stan is the character you love to hate. Christopher Lloyd plays a spectacularly grumpy dog catcher and his character is very believable. Aside from the human players, there are many fur-covered characters who play important roles in making this movie shine

Viewers will love the rambunctious, snow white Puppy Paws whose curiosity gets him in trouble. Five personality-filled golden retriever pups called The Buddies enhance the fun and laughs. Budderball, B-Dawg, Rosebud, Mudbud, and Buddha each create their own hilarious antics from the start of the film to the finish. You’re bound to fall in love with one, if not all, of them. Some of their rambunctious adventures in Santa Buddies include doggie break dancing, a jaw-dropping mud scene, and a Christmas cookie disaster.

I love the movie’s play on the Christmas classic A Christmas Carol. The dog catcher in this movie, Stan Crudge played by Christopher Lloyd, is the villain and, not so coincidentally, his name can be transformed into S. Crudge. Other Christmas Carol similarities are when Stan is visited by the Elf dog resembling Scrooge’s spirits, and there’s even a version of Tiny Tim. I thought it was neat that they added that layer to the film.

The version of Santa Buddies that I reviewed came with both standard DVD and Blu-ray versions. I did not watch the Blu-Ray version of this film but I think it’s great that there is an option. If you have a DVD player in your vehicle you will definitely want to consider buying this so your kids can enjoy it both at home or in the car.

I give this movie two thumbs up for being a delightfully funny family movie while showing children there is more to Christmas than the material side.

Just in time for this holiday season Disney presents Santa Buddies, a mischievously merry Christmas movie that will not only bring laughter to your home but also touch your heart. Santa Buddies follows a list of fun predecessors including Air Bud, Air Buddies, and Space Buddies, to name a few.

Santa Buddies is a live action film featuring the familiar faces of George Wendt as Santa Claus, Christopher Lloyd as grumpy Stan Crudge, and Danny Woodburn as the lovable Head Elf Eli. Zachary Gordon does the voice-over for the main character, Puppy Paws. Stan is the character you love to hate. Christopher Lloyd plays a spectacularly grumpy dog catcher and his character is very believable. Aside from the human players, there are many fur-covered characters who play important roles in making this movie shine.

Viewers will love the rambunctious, snow white Puppy Paws whose curiosity gets him in trouble. Five personality-filled golden retriever pups called The Buddies enhance the fun and laughs. Budderball, B-Dawg, Rosebud, Mudbud, and Buddha each create their own hilarious antics from the start of the film to the finish. You’re bound to fall in love with one, if not all, of them. Some of their rambunctious adventures in Santa Buddies include doggie break dancing, a jaw-dropping mud scene, and a Christmas cookie disaster.

I love the movie’s play on the Christmas classic A Christmas Carol. The dog catcher in this movie, Stan Crudge played by Christopher Lloyd, is the villain and, not so coincidentally, his name can be transformed into S. Crudge. Other Christmas Carol similarities are when Stan is visited by the Elf dog resembling Scrooge’s spirits, and there’s even a version of Tiny Tim. I thought it was neat that they added that layer to the film.

The version of Santa Buddies that I reviewed came with both standard DVD and Blu-ray versions. I did not watch the Blu-Ray version of this film but I think it’s great that there is an option. If you have a DVD player in your vehicle you will definitely want to consider buying this so your kids can enjoy it both at home or in the car.

I give this movie two thumbs up for being a delightfully funny family movie while showing children there is more to Christmas than the material side.

Click on the Amazon link to get yours:

Category - Entertainment