Kyle XY: the third and final season DVD Review!

You can purchase this DVD online today

Synopsis: Action, mystery and suspense reach an all-new level in ten stunning original episodes of Kyle XY. Go to the next stage as Kyle (Matt Dallas) and Jessi (Jaimie Alexander) begin to work as a team and uncover the secrets of their origin. Kyle’s world is turned upside-down when his powers suddenly disappear, and he’s in for another surprise when Amanda (Kirsten Prout) comes home with an unexpected question. As one woman in Kyle’s life arrives, another must say goodbye – though Jessi assures him they will always be connected. Meanwhile, the prom is fast approaching, and Kyle wants his night with Amanda to be perfect. After a dance neither of them will ever forget, Kyle comes face-to-face with the ultimate mystery. Experience every twist and turn on three discs, including never-before-seen bonus features. You don’t know the whole story until you’ve seen Kyle XY: The Complete Third and Final Season.

Review: I had heard of Kyle XY in passing over the years.  When it first came out we were sent some press releases and such, but I never really gave it a chance.  It just looked too teen oriented for me.  I already watch Smallville, thats enough youthful angst, I figure.   So, when we came upon this DVD I decided to give it a good chance, because honestly most of my favorite shows keep getting cancelled and I need new ones!

Its been referred to as Smallville meets Dawson's Creek and I really found that to be the case.  The relationships in this world take the first chair, and after that comes the sci-fi elements.  This caught me by surprise, because Smallville has really balanced the two very well and this show is definately more love drama than action/sci-fi.  Its still a cool show and definately worth checking out, but don't expect straight sci-fi.

The bonus features on the DVD include Kyle XY: Future Revealed – A look at what would have happened in Season 4, Deleted Scenes and Audio Commentaries.  This DVD set is your chance to wrap-up this cool show and complete your collection!  We even get a look into what would have happened with this series if Fox had graced it with a fourth season.  Honestly, on Fox it was lucky to get three, they're so cancel-happy (we still miss the Sarah Connor Chronicles!).  The story could have been more involved and the acting isn't always top shelf, but this is a cool show and worth getting into.

Video: Click HERE to view the trailer

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Wizards of Waverly Place: The Movie DVD Review

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Review: This Wizards of Waverly Place is quite popular in our household.  Ever since we got the Disney Channel the kids have been glued to it.  My daughter loves all of the witchery, but I think my son just thinks Selena Gomez is cute.  Sigh.   I remember when this movie aired, my kids had to make sure we were home in time to see it.  It was a big ol' deal.  I wasn't sure why, so I started to watch this show with them more often.  What I found was a formula that I've seen work many times in the past, but with a twist.

When we opened the extended edition of this film, the kids were SO excited to find that it comes packed with a keychain that has some sort of magic stone in it.  Its something they understand being regular viewers of the show I guess, but they loved it.  This film delves into the idea of what would happen if Alex (Gomez) wishes that her parents never met.  Its really a fun film, and as a parent this show has grown on me.  I hope its around for many years to come.

This one would make a great Xmas gift, so I'd pick it up today!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Handy Manny's Motorcycle Adventure DVD Review!

You can purchase this fun family title online today!

Synopsis: Chart a course for nonstop fun with Handy Manny s first full-length adventure!
Feel the wind in your hair, and join Manny as he packs up his Tools for an exciting road trip. They re heading out to a fiesta grande Manny s family reunion! But when Pat veers off in search of his own family, Manny s plans take a detour. Can he race to the rescue in time to make it to the party? Filled with new songs, old friends, and an inspiring message, Manny s Motorcycle Adventure shows that when it comes to family, there s always something to celebrate!

Review: I'm always happy to find new Disney releases. I think that parents really struggle to find age-appropriate programming for their little ones. I really dislike shows like Sponge Bob for their mindless humor and violence. When a show like Handy Manny comes along, I have complete confidence that my children aren't destroying their brain cells by tuning in. Therefore, when it gets released on DVD, I stand up and take notice.

Manny Garcia is joined in Sheetrock Hills by his silly tool friends, such as Squeeze the Pliers, Pat the Hammer and Rusty the Monkey Wrench. In this adventure, Manny heads off with his friends to a family reunion. Along the way, a few of them get lost and they have to all find each other and try to get to the reunion on time!

I can't stress enough how much I love this show. When my kids are 10+ I don't mind them watching a little cartoon network, but until then I prefer PBS and Disney programming. I always need more family friendly DVDs. This would be a great stocking stuffer this year for any little one.

BONUS FEATURES
Bonus Episode - A Very Handy Holiday It's the night of Kelly's Winter Holiday Party and Manny and the tools are finishing up their holiday gift making before they go. But when a series of emergency holiday repairs are needed all over town, their celebration plans are threatened and the tools learn that helping others is an even better way to celebrate the holidays.

*A Very Handy Holiday includes 3 fun ways to watch and play using your remote control
1. Fastplay mode – enjoy the movie without using your remote
2. Adventure mode 1 (ages 2-3) – as you watch the movie, use your remote to answer fun
questions about colors, shapes and sizes.
3. Adventure mode 2 (ages 4-5) – move to a higher level with more challenging questions
using your remote.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!

Santa Buddies Blu-Ray/DVD Combo Pack Review

You can purchase this blu-ray online today!

Synopsis: Disney’s irresistible talking puppies return in a heartwarming all-new holiday adventure! Take a fantastic journey with your beloved Buddy friends to the magical world of the North Pole! Join The Buddies (Budderball, B-Dawg, Rosebud, Buddha and Mudbud) in a wonderfully wacky twist on a classic Christmas favorite. When Puppy Paws, the fun-loving son of Santa Paws, gets tired of the North Pole, he finds Budderball on Santa s naughty list and figures he s just the dog to show him how to be an ordinary pup. But when the magical Christmas Icicle starts to melt and the world begins to forget the true meaning of the season, it s up to Puppy Paws and his newfound Buddies to save Christmas. Unleash a stocking full of Christmas cheer for you and your family with this fun-filled film, featuring never-before-seen bonus material. It s sure to be a holiday favorite on everyone s wish list!

Bonus Features: Buddies Christmas Carol Sing Along, and more.

Review: One of the nice things about the Xmas season is the influx of great kids DVD releases. All year its pretty slim pickings, but around the holidays all these great specials and movies come out and I can finally sit down with the kids and watch something decent. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into Santa Buddies. My kids are fans of the Buddies franchise (Air Buddies, Snow Buddies and Space Buddies) and I was vaguely familiar with the premise, but I hadn’t sat through an entire film yet.

This film is another in the series of Disney dog “Buddies” movies, and it falls well into the franchise. Since watching this one, the kids made me catch up on the other films. Finally the kids get a Xmas film featuring the adorable little dogs parents everywhere have come to love. Why do we love them? Our kids love them. Bottom line…kids love these movies and parents can be comfortable letting their children of all ages enjoy this film.

The blu-ray looks fantastic and crisp. It provides a nice viewing experience. What we do in our house is let the kids take the DVD and watch it and we keep the blu-ray in nice shape for future use. It’s a fantastic deal in this 2-disc combo pack, and definitely something to get this holiday. It’d make a great Xmas or even pre-Xmas gift.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Mickey's Magical Christmas DVD Review













You can purchase this DVD online today

Synopsis: Celebrate the season with Disney’s most popular holiday movie ever! Starring Mickey Mouse and 35 of the world’s most beloved characters, this one-of-a-kind adventure joyously captures the spirit of Christmas and is sure to delight the entire family. When a huge snowstorm leaves everyone stranded, Mickey and all of his guests at The House Of Mouse, including Pooh, Belle, Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel and many more of his old and new friends, break out the cookies and hot chocolate to help Donald mend his tattered Christmas spirit. The fun starts when Minnie pulls out their favorite holiday home movies and everyone starts to reminisce. Their magical memories soon put everyone in the Christmas mood — even grumpy Donald, who ultimately becomes the star of the evening. Featuring four unforgettable holiday tales, including The Nutcracker, Mickey’s Christmas Carol, Donald On Ice and Pluto And The Christmas Tree, plus an epic finale of The Best Christmas Of All, this holiday treat is bound to become a tradition for you and your family.

Bonus Features Include: Premiere Episode Of HOUSE OF MOUSE, The Sounds Of Christmas — A Disney Sound Effects Featurette, Holiday Sing-Along Songs Deck The Halls and Sleigh Ride

Review: Snowed in at the House of Mouse! This Xmas film debuted back in 2001 and is now finally seeing the deluxe DVD treatment here in 2009. The film basically consists of over 35 Disney favorite characters literally snowed in at Mickey’s place. To entertain his upset guests Mickey shows them holiday shorts from Disney’s past.

-Donald On Ice (1999)

-Pluto’s Xmas Tree (1952)

-The Nutcracker (1999)

-Mickey’s Xmas Carol (1983)

The video transfer is fantastic during the modern House of Mouse segways before each animated short. Obviously the older animated shorts are a little grainy and have varying quality. Overall, it holds up nicely, but there are no illusions that these are vintage animation. The sound is presented in DTS 5.1 and Dolby Digital 5.1. The channel use is mostly front and center. It came off quite nicely.

This is a great DVD for the xmas season. The kids really enjoyed it and I always love watching the vintage Disney holiday toons!

Rating: 5 stars