Category: Movies

Thomas and the Magic Railroad 20th Anniversary Edition

Shout! Kids Factory

The beloved fan-favorite Thomas And The Magic Railroad (20th Anniversary Edition) is coming to Blu-ray™ + DVD on September 29 from Shout! Kids, the first time the film will be available in high definition. 

About Thomas and the Magic Railroad

This DVD is packed with extensive special features, sure to thrill fans who have long clamored for the deleted scenes to be released. The list of special features includes new interviews with the film’s stars Alec Baldwin, Mara Wilson, and Didi Conn as well as the film’s composer Hummie Mann, a two-part documentary with writer/director/producer Britt Allcroft, a behind-the-scenes reel, and deleted storylines and lost scenes, including deleted scenes with Peter Fonda, Didi Conn, Russell Means, and Doug Lennox.

Starring Alec Baldwin (The Boss Baby, 30 Rock), Mara Wilson (Mrs. Doubtfire, Matilda), Peter Fonda (Easy Rider, Ulee’s Gold), Didi Conn (Grease, Shining Time Station), Russell Means (Last of the Mohicans, Pocahontas), and of course Thomas the Tank Engine, Thomas and the Magic Railroad is a longtime favorite.

For as long as anyone can remember, the magical Island of Sodor has been the realm of enchantment, innocence, and talking train engines. Mr. Conductor (Alec Baldwin) is taking care of the whole railway while Sir Topham Hatt is away.

Mr. C comes from a family of miniature Conductors who travel between the Island of Sodor and Shining Time Station thanks to a supply of mysterious gold dust. However, Sodor’s steam engines suddenly find themselves heading for a load of trouble courtesy of the railroad baddie Diesel 10, whose plan is to destroy our hero Thomas and Mr.C and then take over Sodor before Sir Topham Hatt’s return! Thomas and Mr. C must save the engines before his dwindling supply of gold dust runs out!

Lily (Mara Wilson) has a hunch that her grandfather (Peter Fonda), up in his workshop on Muffle Mountain, can be the one to crack the code that will save the Conductor family and bring back to life the Magic Railroad (which runs between Sodor and the beautiful Indian Valley surrounding Shining Time). Lily teams up with Mr. C and Thomas and sets out to get Sodor back on track in this beloved, full-length adventure starring the world’s #1 tank engine.

While Thomas And The Magic Railroad celebrates its 20th anniversary, Thomas the Tank Engine is marking his 75th year as a beloved children’s character. Originally part of the Rev W. Awdry’s Little Railway book series, first released in 1945, Thomas was brought to life through the cherished TV series Thomas & Friends, created by Britt Allcroft (director/writer/producer of Thomas And The Magic Railroad) in the early 1980s. In the late ‘80s, Allcroft and Rick Siggelkow introduced Thomas to America when they created Shining Time Station. Many years on, Thomas’ legacy remains everlasting.

Special Features

  • “Return To Shining Time: Your Ticket To Thomas And The Magic Railroad” – Two-Part Documentary With Writer/Director/Producer Britt Allcroft
  • “Hello Mr. Conductor” – Interview With Alec Baldwin
  • “Finding Your Sparkle” – Interview With Mara Wilson
  • “There’s Something About This Place” – Interview With Didi Conn
  • “The Sounds Of Sodor” – Interview With Composer Hummie Mann
  • Behind-The-Scenes Reel
  • Deleted Story Lines

Movie Trailer

We loved the animated version of Thomas the Tank Engine when our boys were younger, they had all the character toys, sets and keepsakes. We could not wait to dive into this DVD and were completely impressed. We enjoyed every moment of both the film and the extras included.

With the holidays quickly approaching, this would make an excellent gift for the Thomas the Tank Engine fan in your life.

You can purchase a copy on Shout Factory and Amazon.

Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD in order to facilitate this review. All opinions are my own.

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Sesame Street: When You Wish Upon a Pickle

Shout! Kids Factory

When a mysterious wishing machine is delivered to Sesame Street, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and Ernie find their wishes coming true after they talk to the magical pickle inside.

About Sesame Street: When You Wish Upon a Pickle

Winner of the 2019 Primetime Emmy® Award for Outstanding Children’s Program,Sesame Street – When You Wish Upon a Pickle will be available for digital download on June 2, 2020 from Shout! Factory and Sesame Workshop.

The primetime special features guest appearances by Blake Lively and Amanda Seyfried!

When a mysterious wishing machine is delivered to Sesame Street, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, Cookie Monster, and Ernie find their wishes coming true after they talk to the magical pickle inside. One word of warning though: when you wish upon a pickle, make sure you read ALL the directions first!

When Elmo wishes to be a grown-up and run Hooper’s Store, he switches bodies with Chris. When Ernie tries to help his friend achieve his dream of becoming a TV meteorologist, Bert ends up trapped in the television, dashing from show to show. Cookie Monster’s wish for more cookies results in more Cookie…Monsters! Abby teams up with her favorite storybook detective – brought to life by a wish, to figure out what’s going on in the neighborhood. In the end, the gang learns that if they believe in themselves, they can be anything they want to be — without needing magic.

We love the Sesame Street characters and this feature does not disappoint! How can you resist making a wish? I know we at home constantly make wishes or wish we were something different (‘I wish I could play with Messi!’). As the characters play different roles, they learn a very important lesson (something that we try so hard to teach our children). If they believe in themselves, they can be anything they want to be (no magic needed!). We all have special talents that we should be proud of. This will be a new favourite in your home and as we spend more time at home due to COVID, a win win for families. You can download the feature here.

Official Trailer

Disclosure: I did not receive compensation for this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Cinderella and the Secret Prince DVD Giveaway

Shout! Kids Factory

On November 5th, a never before told story of Cinderella comes to DVD from Shout!Kids Factory and Gold Valley Films, Cinderella and the Secret Prince.

About Cinderella and the Secret Prince

With the help of good fairy Crystal, Cinderella and her three mouse friends are able to escape the attic they live in and make it to the Royal Ball at the palace. They soon discover a terrible secret. The real Prince has been turned into a mouse by an evil witch! The “Prince” standing in front of everyone at the Ball is an impostor!

Cinderella and her faithful furry friends must embark on an all-new adventure to restore the real Prince to his true form and help him defeat the forces of darkness.

Cinderella and the Secret Prince is voiced by Cassandra Lee Morris (Your Name), Chris Niosi (TOME), R. Martin Klein (Perfect Blue), Tony Azzolino (The Grover Complex), Kirsten Day (Barbie Dreamhouse Adventures), Wendee Lee (Cowboy Beebop: The Movie), Stephen Mendel (Barbie: Dreamtopia), Terrence Stone (Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft), and Stephanie Sanditz (The High Life), directed by Lynne Southerland, and produced by Allen Tsang at Gold Valley Films.

DVD Trailer

Are you ready to see a whole new take on the story of Cinderella?

Then get ready for this modern version of the classic story where Cinderella does all the saving! Huge admiration for the girl power in this movie, love the idea that girls can be the ones saving the prince and that we don’t always need to be the one saved in films.

This is beautifully animated film that runs approximately one hour and a half in length. It is full of personality and fun with a great, brand new spin on a family favourite story. This new version will soon become a family favourite. The DVD would make an excellent addition to a stocking this holiday season if you are looking for stocking gift ideas.

The DVD arrives in stores on November 5th but you can enter now to win your own copy. The giveaway is open to residents of the USA and Canada (excluding Quebec), 18 years of age and older. Good luck!

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting

Shout! Kids Factory

Spanning the beloved show’s 50-year history, the DVD collection offers five-and-a-half hours of songs, celebrity appearances, new and classic segments with the Sesame Street Muppets, and never-before-seen outtakes.

About Sesame Street: 50 Years and Counting

From the five boroughs of New York City to the beaches of LA and every town in between, Sesame Street has been teaching children for 50 years! Now on October 1, 2019 Shout Kids and Sesame Workshop present a birthday bash for this most beloved and famous brand in 50 Years and Counting.

The first disc in this very special 2-disc set features some of the greatest Sesame Street moments from yesterday and today: fan-favorite animations like “Ladybug Picnic” and “Pinball Number Count”; new and classic songs from Kermit the Frog’s soulful “It’s Not Easy Being Green” to will.i.am’s empowering anthem, “What I Am”; and timeless interactions between children and the Sesame Street Muppets. 50 Years and Counting will also let fans revisit Sesame Street’s many unforgettable celebrity appearances: Patti LaBelle putting a glamorous spin on the alphabet song; Amy Poehler teaching the gang new vocabulary words; R.E.M.’s joyful rendition of “Furry Happy Monsters”; Ricky Gervais trying — and failing — to sing Elmo to sleep; and other guest appearances made pop culture headlines while embodying Sesame Street’s inclusive lessons and values.

The second disc is an exclusive collection of the most iconic “Street Story” segments from Sesame Street. With help from the kids’ favorite characters, the early childhood experts behind Sesame Street helped generations of families tackle big conversations through little moments like these: the neighborhood’s poignant farewell to Mr.Hooper; the dramatic reveal of Big Bird’s not-so-imaginary friend, Mr. Snuffleupagus; and the debut of Julia, the first Sesame Street Muppet with autism. 

50 Years and Counting also lets fans revisit the lighter side of the show: Super Grover’s many crash-landings, Bert and Ernie’s classic comedy-duo antics, moments with human friends like Bob, Maria, Luis, Susan, and Gordon, and much more. There are even a few never-before-seen outtakes with Jim Henson and other original performers! With over five-and-a-half hours of content from all five decades of the beloved show, 50 Years and Counting offers something for everyone – from the very young to the young at heart. 

Customers who buy the set at select retailers will also receive an exclusive Sesame Street frame, while supplies last. The frame features fan-favorite characters and is the perfect place to house a 2”x 3” photo of a special Sesame Street fan.  

You can learn more and purchase a copy of this DVD here.

Looking to do Sesame Street activities with your child? Print out this Draw Elmo printable. Or this 50 Years and Counting activity.

DVD Trailer

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Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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Princess Emmy DVD and Giveaway

Shout! Kids Factory

Princess Emmy will reign supreme on October 15th!

About Princess Emmy

It’s a gift fit for a queen when Princess Emmy arrives on DVD on October 15th. The new animated feature is voiced by Ruby Barnhill (The BFG, Mary and the Witch’s Flower), Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones, Netflix’s Hilda), Franka Potente (Run Lola Run, Bourne Identity), and John Hannah (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Mummy), and directed by Piet de Rycker (Laura’s Star, Little Polar Bear).

Princess Emmy is a young girl with a secret and special gift – she is the only one in the Kingdom of Kandis who can speak to horses! Amazing, right?

Up until now, life for Emmy has been wonderful. She spends her time exploring and hanging out with her best friends – a stable full of horses; as well as spending time with her family at the castle and not having a care in the world. 

That is, until her jealous, scheming cousin Gizana appears, challenging her at every turn and threatens Emmy’s chances of becoming an officially inaugurated princess and generally making her life miserable. 

On top of all that, Emmy must undergo the ultimate test to earn the right to keep her gift. If she fails, she loses the gift and her best friends forever. 

There is a huge amount at stake for such a little girl in this new film from Shout Factory.

Our Thoughts

This wonderful movie is based on the books Princess Emmy and Her Horses, were a young girl who can speak to horses. Not only can she speak to horses (who are her dear friends), she is also a real princess! Talk about every young child’s dream come true?

This is a story of of courage, friendship and perseverance that young children will love. Emmy is not perfect but she is 100% lovable and someone that many children can relate to (especially with her cousin Gizana always there to make her life just downright miserable).

The total run time of this film is 75 minutes – perfect for younger children who have a harder time sitting still for longer time periods.

It is wonderfully animated and will touch the hearts of both young princesses and princes alike (although to be fair – I feel it is geared more towards a female population). And if you are already doing your Christmas planning like me, this would make a great gift under the tree or in a stocking.

You can pre-order a copy of this DVD here.

DVD Trailer

The Giveaway!

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Disclosure: I received a DVD copy of this movie in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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