DVDs For Families

My Sassy Girl

ELISHA CUTHBERT, beautiful star of smash hit series 24, is My Sassy Girl.  An English-language remake of the major Korean box office hit, this offbeat romantic comedy will be released to rent and buy on DVD by Entertainment In Video on 25th August.

 Directed by Yann Samuell (Love Me If You Dare), the film also stars Jesse Bradford (Flags of Our Fathers, Swimfan, The West Wing), Chris Sarandon (Dog Day Afternoon, The Princess Bride) and Joanna Gleason (Hannah and Her Sisters, Boogie Nights).   Charlie (Jesse Bradford) is a shy and unassuming Midwestern boy with his life neatly planned. Out of his element in New York City, he is pursuing his dream of landing a job with the Tiller King lawn mower company.

 Jordan (Elisha Cuthbert), on the other hand, is a brash and outspoken Upper East-sider with a drinking problem who relies on destiny rather than personal responsibility to determine her future.  One day Chris rescues Jordan from falling to her death – and his life is changed forever.  Jordan engages her new beau in an unusual and eccentric courtship – but just how many tests will Charlie endure to win the heart of this complicated young woman? 

My Sassy Girl has a 12 (TBC) certificate.

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Deception

GOLDEN GLOBE nominee Ewan McGregor (Star Wars, Moulin Rouge, The Island) stars in Deception as a beleaguered accountant who unwittingly finds himself engaged in the steamy underground culture of New York’s exclusive sex club The List.  A sensual, psychological thriller, Deception is now set to excite viewers at home as Entertainment in Video announces that the title will be released on DVD to rent on 11th August and buy on 25th August. 

Deception is director Marcel Langegger’s feature-film debut and the film boasts an impressive supporting cast including Golden Globe nominee Hugh Jackman (X-Men, The Fountain, Kate and Leopold) and the fast-rising actress and Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams (Brokeback Mountain). 

Jonathon McQuarry (Ewan McGregor) is a busy accountant who barely has enough time for himself, let alone for relationships and women, but after a chance meeting with the charismatic but mysterious lawyer Wyatt Bose (Hugh Jackman), all of that changes.

Wyatt introduces Jonathon to the playgrounds of Manhattan’s wealthy and in particular to The List, New York’s hottest sex club which boasts ‘intimacy without intricacy’. But following a passionate affair with a mysterious woman known only to Jonathon as ‘S’ (Michelle Williams), The List drags Jonathon into a world that is anything but casual – a world of deception, treachery and murder from which Jonathon needs to escape as quickly as he can.

Deception has a 15 certificate and a running time of approximately 110 minutes. 

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Son of Rambow

Son Of Rambow is a cheeky, coming-of-age comedy set in suburban England in 1982, which became the surprise hit and hot ticket of last year’s Sundance Film Festival.  The film stars talented young newcomers Will Poulter and Bill Milner as two little boys who embark on a heart-rending and hilarious adventure. 10 year old Will (Bill Milner) has led a very sheltered life. His strict religious and moral upbringing has excluded the adolescent joys of music, TV and movies and excitement is in pretty short supply.  Until that is, he finds himself caught up in the extraordinary world of Lee Carter (Will Poulter) - the school terror and maker of bizarre home movies.

Armed with a big video camera and even bigger ambitions they attempt to make a home movie “Son of Rambow”, in homage to their hero Rambo. Supporting cast includes Jessica Hynes (Confetti), Eric Sykes (Harry Potter and the Goblet and Fire) and Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl, Breaking and Entering).

Extras:  Making of featurette (35 mins) / Commentary with Garth, Nick (Hammer & Tongs) Will and Bill  / Interview with Jessica Hynes / Interview with Will and Bill / Son of Rambow competition winner / Garth’s short film Aron (9 mins) / Geography lesson

Tech specs: Cert: 12

Feature Running Time: 91 mins approx

RRP: £17.99

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Storm Hawks – Volume 1

Available to buy on DVD

25th August 2008

Cutting edge animation and a thrillingstory combine to great effect when children’s favourite Storm Hawks, the second highest rated show on the Cartoon Network, is released on DVD on 25th August 2008, courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

In Atmos, thousands of islands of rock called Terras shoot up from the clouds, each housing a variety of strange creatures and societies. Their only defence from an invading evil empire is a squadron of fearless Sky Knights who patrol the roads and skies with their powerful transforming vehicles, shifting from easy rider to easy glider at the flick of a switch. The Storm Hawks were the most legendary of all the Sky Knights until they were taken out by the dark forces invading the Terras. Now, with the threat of invasion looming again, it is up to five fearless teenagers to take up the Storm Hawks’ mantle once again to save everything they hold dear.

With the hugely popular toys currently flying off the shelves, Storm Hawks – Volume 1 is one DVD guaranteed to keep kids of all ages entertained this August.

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ARCTIC TALE

In this heart-warming film that follows the real-life adventure of two animal friends, ARCTIC TALE portrays the wild beauty of the Arctic and its inhabitants, available on DVD on September 8 2008 from Paramount Home Entertainment.  

From National Geographic Films, the producers of March of the Penguins, and Paramount Vantage, the studio that brought you An Inconvenient Truth, ARCTIC TALE follows the story of Nanu, a polar bear cub and Seela, a walrus pup, through their exhilarating and moving struggles for survival.

Brought to life by narrator Queen Latifah, viewers will be entranced as she tells the story of two very different Arctic creatures who live in this vast snow kingdom at the top of the world. Armed only with their natural instincts and mothers’ guidance, these inspiring animals face countless trials and challenges in a beautiful icebound world that is rapidly melting beneath them. 

The ARCTIC TALE DVD features some truly special extra features, including the “Making of ARCTIC TALE”, a behind-the-scenes look at the years of extraordinary work that went into capturing the unforgettable images in the film.

In addition, the paper that Paramount is using in the DVD packaging is made from 30% post-consumer waste.

Also included is “Are We There Yet? World Adventure: Polar Bear Spotting,” a production of Sinking Ship and National Geographic Kids Entertainment. In this episode, two children embark on a thrilling adventure to view polar bears up close! Offering child and family-friendly entertainment, this DVD makes the ideal back-to-school gift that all the family can enjoy.

ARCTIC TALE is available to buy on DVD on September 8 2008 from Paramount Home Entertainment; certificate PG

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Persepolis

Persepolis is the autobiographical tale of Marjane Satrapi, sharing her experiences as a young girl coming-of-age in Iran during the Islamic Revolution.

It is through the eyes of this precocious and outspoken nine year old that we see a peoples’ hopes dashed as fundamentalists take power – forcing the veil on women and imprisoning thousands. Though she outsmarts the “social guardians” and discovers punk, ABBA and Iron Maiden, the daily fear that permeates life in Iran is palpable, as bombs fall on Tehran during the Iran/Iraq war and those close to her fall foul of the regime...

Based on Marjane’s four graphic novels, this striking animation covers her childhood in Iran, her escape to an education in Vienna and then a bittersweet return to her native country.

First time director Marjane Satrapi has brought her acclaimed novels to life with co-director Vincent Paronnaud and won a host of international awards in the process, including the Grand Jury Prize at Cannes and the Sutherland Trophy at the London Film Festival. Persepolis was named as France’s official entry for Best Foreign Film at the Oscars and was nominated for Best Animated Feature.

Certificate 15

Available to buy from 18th August

How She Move

An energetic, gritty and inspiring story about a talented young woman who defies the rules to achieve her dreams, HOW SHE MOVE debuts on DVD from August 4 2008, from Paramount Home Entertainment.

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, the film wowed audiences with its unflinching portrayal of life in a crime-infested neighbourhood and explosive sequences celebrating the unique urban art form of step dancing. 

Directed by Ian Iqbal Rashid (Touch of Pink) and featuring a hot urban soundtrack with songs by Missy Elliot, Busta Rhymes and Lil’ Mama, HOW SHE MOVE is the gritty story of Raya Green’s (Rutina Wesley) battle to escape her drug and crime-filled neighbourhood.

After being accepted into the exclusive Seaton Academy, Raya’s family hopes she will finally fulfill her full potential. Just as Raya begins to settle into her new life, things take a turn for the worse when her sister suddenly dies of an overdose, shattering her family life and forcing her to return to her home town.

Feeling trapped and looking for a way out, Raya sees her chance to escape through a local step contest offering a $50,000 prize. Persistence and passion prevail as she battles her way into an all-male team led by the reigning champ of the local steppin’ scene, Bishop (Dwain Murphy). Sparks fly between Raya and Bishop and she finds herself in a battle between her loyalty, her determination, her family’s ambitions and her heart.

HOW SHE MOVE marks the feature film debut of the electric Rutina Wesley, with street-style step sequences by celebrated choreographer Hi-Hat and special appearances by R&B singer-songwriter Keyshia Cole and comedian DeRay Davis, delivering a hugely uplifting and inspiring film experience.

HOW SHE MOVE is available to buy on DVD on August 4 2008

from Paramount Home Entertainment

Certificate 12

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The Legend of the Shadowless Sword

Another great South Korean film from director Young-Jun Kim who also directed Bichunmoo. If you like Hero, Flying Daggers, etc, etc then this

sword slashing romp wont disappoint. A must see for anyone who likes this genre.

This is a certificate 15, and does have some scary scenes which may not be suitable for younger children to watch.

A POWERFUL story of chivalry, bravery and love, the acclaimed Korean film Legend of the Shadowless Sword is to be released on DVD by Entertainment In Video.

Directed by Young-jun Kim, the title will be available to rent and to buy on 7th July 2008.

927 A.D. The Killer-Blade Army has toppled the ruling dynasty, plunging the kingdom into chaos.

The only remaining heir, Prince Jung-Hyun (Lee Seo Jin), is living in exile, unaware of his family's dark fate.

Still loyal to the dynasty, the beautiful and deadly warrior, Soha (Yoon Soy), sets out to find Jung-Hyun and guide him to become the great leader he was born to be.

But with the Army's greatest assassins and the criminal underworld hunting them, Soha and Jung-Hyun are swept into an explosive, nonstop battle of swords, wits and bloodshed as they fight to reclaim the fallen throne. 

Legend of the Shadowless Sword has a 15 certificate and a running time of approximately 104 minutes.

Uncle Max - Series 2

Uncle Max returns for more hilarious adventures with his nephew Luke when the zany CBBC TV series Uncle Max – Series 1, Part 2 is released to buy on DVD on 21st July 2008, courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment UK.

Written by and starring TV comedy favourite DAVID SCHNEIDER (Knowing Me, Knowing You, I’m Alan Partridge), Uncle Max is jam-packed with physical comedy and a feast of visual gags, quirky ideas, noises and sounds, but not a word of dialogue. A big kid himself, he’s just the kind of uncle every child would love.

Featuring six side-splitting episodes from the first series, including Uncle Max Walks the Dog and Uncle Max Goes to the Dentist, Uncle Max – Series 1, Part 2 is guaranteed to keep kids of all ages entertained this summer.

Max’s (SCHNEIDER) weekly outings with 9-year old Luke (WILLIAM HOWE) are always hilarious and unpredictable. Whatever they do, wherever they go, to the arcade, camping or to the dentist, it’s chaos, disaster and great, great fun! Uncle Max turns everything into a really exciting experience and that’s why he’s such good fun to be with!

The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep

Available to buy on DVD, Blu-ray and UMD Video / to rent on DVD 30th June

The legend of the Loch and its mysterious inhabitant has captured theimagination of millions of people worldwide for generations. Now the ancient myth is brought vividly to life in the enchanting The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep, available to buy on DVD, Blu-ray and UMDTM Video and to rent on DVD from 30th June 2008, courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Based on the much-loved novel by acclaimed children’s author DICK KING-SMITH (The Sheep-Pig), The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep boasts an incredible cast, including Academy Award®-nominee EMILY WATSON (Gosford Park, Angela’s Ashes), BEN CHAPLIN (The Thin Red Line, The Truth About Cats and Dogs), DAVID MORRISSEY (Derailed, TV’s Sense and Sensibility) and ALEX ETEL (Millions, TV’s Cranford).

The story begins when a lonely young boy named Angus MacMorrow (ETEL) takes home a strange object he finds on the beach. He soon realises that it is a magical egg and finds himself raising an amazing creature: a mythical ‘water horse.’ Angus and the creature, who he names Crusoe, soon form a strong bond of friendship, and Angus begins an extraordinary journey of discovery, protecting a secret that gives birth to a legend.

Boasting breathtaking special effects created by the special-effects team behind The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia and Charlotte's Web, this release is perfect entertainment for the whole family this summer. The DVD is also packed with unmissable special features, including interviews with cast and crew and deleted scenes.

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My Child Could Paint that

This film relates to the story of a Child Prodigee who can paint superb pictures at the age of 4 - this is a documentary following the family from the first show of her paintings, to the issues that arose, and the final happy ending.

It shows the family care, and love for their child but may have been unprepared for the publicity and awareness the artwork brought to them all.

Interesting for anyone who is interested is abstract art.

Just about everyone who has been the parent of a young child has a priceless collection of masterpieces: treasured drawings and paintings taped to a closet door, stuck to the refrigerator with magnets or rolled up in a box somewhere in the basement. The value of these artifacts is personal and sentimental, but they can also have an aesthetic power that goes beyond parental pride. The untaught sense of color and composition that children seem naturally to possess sometimes yields extraordinary results, and the combination of instinct and accident that governs their creative activity can produce astonishing works of art.

It is also an intimate, sometimes unsettling family drama. At the center is not really Marla, who has a sweet smile and a shy, delicate demeanor, but rather her parents. Throughout the film, Laura voices her apprehensions about subjecting Marla to so much public attention at so young an age. When asked if she’s having fun riding in limousines or appearing on talk shows, Laura tends to say no, and a quiet tension between her and her husband is evident in many scenes. Mark is more enthusiastic about Marla’s fame, so much so that his promotion of her career, like Mr. Brunelli’s, begins to seem opportunistic, even exploitative.

Feast of Love

FROM LEGENDARY multiple Academy Award® winning director Robert Benton (Kramer Vs. Kramer, Places in the Heart), comes Feast of Love, a funny and uplifting tale of comedy and romance from Entertainment in Video.

Boasting an all star cast headed by Academy Award® winner Morgan Freeman (Million Dollar Baby, The Shawshank Redemption, Evan Almighty), Greg Kinnear (Little Miss Sunshine, Stuck On You, As Good As It Gets), Radha Mitchell (Finding Neverland, Phone Booth, Pitch Black) and Selma Blair (Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde), this delightful film will be released to rent on 28th April and to buy on DVD on 12th May 2008.

In a coffee shop in a close-knit Oregon community a local professor and writer Harry Stevenson (Morgan Freeman) witnesses as love causes trouble among the town’s inhabitants, profoundly shaping the lives of everyone around him – including himself. 

There’s Bradley (Greg Kinnear), the die-hard romantic coffee shop owner who persists in looking for love in all the wrong places; the edgy real estate agent Diana (Radha Mitchell) who is caught up in an affair with a married man (Billy Burke) and the beautiful young newcomer Chloe (Alexa Davalos) who defies fate in romancing the troubled Oscar (Toby Hemingway).

And then there is Harry himself, whose adoring wife (Jane Alexander) is trying to reach out to him after the devastating loss of a loved one . . .

All of these strands intertwine into one epic love story in which no one can escape being bent, befuddled, delighted and ultimately redeemed by love’s inescapable spell. 

Feast of Love has a 15 certificate and a running time of approximately 101 minutes.

Click here to access the on-line competition for your chance to win a copy of this DVD

Dragon Wars

A modern re-telling of a classic Korean legend the spectacular Dragon Wars is released to buy on DVD and High Definition Blu-ray and to rent on DVD from 19th May 2008, courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

When reporter Ethan Kendrick (JASON BEHR, TV’s Roswell, The Grudge) investigates a series of natural disasters he discovers that mythical creatures are actually real and threatening modern-day Los Angeles. With the help of a girl connected to his past, Ethan must out run vicious monsters and a particularly dogged FBI agent who thinks he knows the key to saving LA. 

With staggering special effects and a cast of familiar faces that includes ROBERT FORSTER (Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, Jackie Brown), Dragon Wars is a thrilling, action-packed fantasy adventure.

Certificate 12

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Golden Compass

Embark on a heroic journey to save humanity as the Academy Award® and BAFTA® winning The Golden Compass arrives on rental and retail DVD and Blu-ray from Entertainment In Video on 28th April 2008.

Fresh from its £26 million UK box office gross, this sweeping family fantasy will be available in a two-disc, standard DVD featuring a commentary by writer/director Chris Weitz and eleven revealing behind-the-scenes featurettes. Additionally, a two-disc Blu-ray edition will also be available, as will a single-disc standard DVD.

Based on Philip Pullman’s best-selling and award-winning first novel in the now legendary His Dark Materials trilogy, the film is adapted and directed by Academy Award® nominee Chris Weitz (About A Boy).

In a wondrous parallel world, witches soar the skies and Ice Bears rule the frozen North. But this world is also dominated by the Magisterium, which seeks to control all of humanity.

12-year-old Lyra Belacqua (Dakota Blue Richards) lives an extraordinary life as a ward of distinguished Jordan College. Tearing unsupervised through the streets on mad quests for adventure with her loyal friend Roger (Ben Walker), Lyra is accompanied everywhere by her daemon, Pantalaimon (voiced by Freddie Highmore) – a small, ever-changing animal that serves as a constant voice of reason.

Martian Child

Discover the magical world of a little boy whose universe collides with a very special family in the poignant  ‘Martian Child’, arriving on rental and retail DVD on 28th April from Entertainment In Video.

Science fiction writer David Gordon (John Cusack) is feeling alone after losing his wife two years earlier and is now deciding whether or not to adopt a fragile six-year old orphan boy named Dennis (Bobby Coleman). There is only one thing that may prevent the adoption from happening, and that is Dennis believes he is from the planet Mars.

Ignoring some sage advice about the perils of parenthood from his sister Liz (Joan Cusack), David decides that he really does want to be a father to the odd youngster.  

However, even with the support of his friend, Harlee (Amanda Peet), who David finds himself increasingly attracted to, the aspiring dad soon finds himself in way over his head. 

For starters, David’s in danger of missing his next publishing deadline. And then there is the social worker, Lefkowitz (Richard Schiff), and his review board who also have some serious doubts about his suitability as a dad.

In the midst of all this, young Dennis exhibits some pretty strange behaviour and adamantly insists that he does indeed come from the red planet.

Undeterred by the special emotional needs of the boy, David quickly accepts the child’s differences and the two learn how to open their hearts and embrace the power of love.

‘Martian Child’ has a PG certificate (TBC) and a running time of approximately 108 minutes.

Indiana Jones Special Edition DVD

Raiders of the Lost Ark, Temple of Doom and Last Crusade are available individually for the first time on Special Edition DVD and as part of a full trilogy box-set from 12th May

Own the Movies That Started the Great Adventure

Of Cinema’s Biggest Action Hero

Indiana Jones is one of the greatest action-adventure heroes of all time and his unforgettable exploits can be relished by fans old and new from 12th May when all three INDIANA JONES films will be available for the first time as individual Special Edition DVDs and in an all-new box set.

Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade Special Edition DVDs boast all-new, exclusive bonus features that dig deeper into the making of these cinematic milestones than ever before. All three were originally restored and remastered in 2003.  Created with fans of all ages in mind, the bonus features provide never-before-seen explorations of the making of these classic movies and showcase the characters, action and extraordinary visual effects that have made the films indelible cinematic treasures.

These new individual Special Edition DVDs provide the perfect introduction to the unforgettable, action-packed adventures of the most daring archaeologist in the world in advance of his return to the big-screen, in the highly anticipated Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Click here to access the on-line competition for your chance to win a copy of this DVD

GATTACA

A beautifully crafted film, as self contained and near perfect. The science fiction is essential and incidental in equal measure’s, since the story revolves around the people and not just the science fiction it is small in scale, more literary than cinematic, telling a tale through film with a clear vision and acutely measured pace. Never over indulgent in detail, it achieves what it does with simplicity and elegance. This is a highly recommend scifi movie for the older child/family as it contains many aspects that may difficult to grasp for younger viewers

To model a human's DNA would be the ultimate of playing God - and director Andrew Nicol pretends its all ahead of us "in the not too distant future." But in the cold world of Gattaca, a society that creates a race of "super" people, the word "perfection" has been taken one step too far.

Any person who enters the world from a "faith birth" (without use of DNA structuring) becomes known as an "In Valid", an outcast who often will end up with the lowest possible occupation and living conditions

The film follows the  life of Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), a child born the old fashioned way. At the time of his birth Vincent's life expectancy was estimated at a lousy 30 years; so after discovering this and realizing that he would have to live the life of a third rate citizen, his parents agree for genetics to decide the fate of his future brother Hugo. Once Hugo is "born", Vincent begins to realize just how weak he is.

As Vincent grows up, and his desire for social acceptance is spurred on by his dream to be an astronaut, he realises that the only way to hide his identity is to borrow someone else's. Enter Jeromre, a very contrasting character to Vincent, who was structured as an extraordinarily high-class citizen - perfect in every way. But, after a failed suicide attempt, Jerome is left a paraplegic and is now useless in Gattaca's unforgiving society. Deciding to cash in on his injury, Jerome forfeits his identity to Vincent for a large paycheck that will ensure a comfortable life for him.

Rupert the Bear and the Giant Sunflower

This lovely DVD following the adventures of Rupert The Bear is an enchanting series of stories from an old favourite which will delight the 2-6 year old age group.

In his first adventure Rupert plants a sunflower seed. His friend, Mother Nature gives Rupert a magic potion to help the sunflower grow, but in his rush and impatience to make it grow he pours the whole potion onto the sunflower. This results in the sunflower growing to Jack and the Beanstalk proportions. This only ends up causing other problems for the rest of the plants in the garden, who need sunlight to survive. Unfortunately this is being blocked by the sunflower. Thankfully for Rupert, Mother Nature returns with a potion to return the sunflower to normal size. Who is going to be brave enough to climb to the top of the Sunflower? Can Rupert save the rest of the garden plants? All will be revealed in the exciting adventures of Rupert.

The DVD features other episodes, full of magic and adventure - from Wild Scooter Rides and Treasure Hunts to an Octopus’ Garden and a Playful Wind. Interactive features include, ‘Where’s Rupert’s Scooter’ game, a Rupert Bear and Friends section with details of each character, their favourite colours and hobbies and a DVD ROM area with downloadable colouring pages.

The DVD is available to buy from all major DVD stockists. RRP: £9.99.   For more information about Rupert Bear visit www.rupertbear.com.

Review by Yasmin Hall, Blackfen School in Sidcup

BEWITCHED – Season 6

Available to buy and rent on DVD 24th March 2008

There's a new arrival for spell-binding Samantha and her family in the adored TV sitcom Bewitched - Season 6 which will be available to own as a four-disc DVD box set from the 24th March 2008, courtesy of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Beautiful witch Samantha (ELIZABETH MONTGOMERY) and her long-suffering husband Darrin (DICK SARGENT, replacing Dick York) are back for 30 more hysterical adventures, along with a host of the most popular characters from their happy and haphazard family, including the indomitable Endora (4 times Oscar® nominee AGNES MOOREHEAD, Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte, Citizen Kane). Young Tabitha also gains a new baby brother during Season 6.

With her daughter Tabitha reacting badly to the presence of younger sibling Adam, Samantha and her family soon discover that a change is never as good a rest - with suitably hilarious results.

Uncle Max - Series 1, Part 1

Laugh along at the side-splitting comedy capers of madcap Uncle Max and his nephew Luke when the hit TV series Uncle Max, currently airing on CBBC, is released to buy on DVD from 17th March 2008, courtesy of Anchor Bay Entertainment UK.

Written by and starring TV comedy favourite DAVID SCHNEIDER (Knowing Me, Knowing You, I’m Alan Partridge), Uncle Max is jam-packed with physical comedy and a feast of visual gags, quirky ideas, noises and sounds, but not a word of dialogue. A big kid himself, he’s just the kind of uncle every child would love. 

Max’s (SCHNEIDER) weekly outings with 9-year old Luke (WILLIAM HOWE) are always hilarious and unpredictable. Whatever they do, wherever they go, to the cinema, zoo or bowling alley, it’s chaos, disaster and great, great fun! Uncle Max turns everything into a really exciting experience and that’s why he’s such good fun to be with!

Featuring seven hilarious episodes from the first series, including Uncle Max Plays Golf and Uncle Max Goes for Pizza, Uncle Max – Series 1, Part 1 is guaranteed to keep kids of all ages entertained this Easter.

Uncle Max Review:-  Beth (8) and Katie (6) think Uncle Max DVD is “cool, funny, made us giggle, want to see more, excellent, superb!” Which makes me think it is good; it also made my and my husband laugh.  If like us you have not seen this programme before which is shown on CBBC, it is basically a mime programme, with very little speech.  It is slap stick comedy done in a very family friendly way.  The DVD kept my two glued to the TV for its duration.  I would recommend all families get one.  The DVD is released mid March. Heather McLean

The Adventurs of Young Indiana Jones

THE ADVENTURES OF YOUNG INDIANA JONES continues on DVD from 24th March as the teenage hero heads into World War I. From the Battle of the Somme to the fringes of the African jungle and the heart of revolutionary Russia, the DVD collection explores history with hours of all-new documentary features to complement creator George Lucas’ Emmy®-award winning series.

 THE ADVENTURES OF YOUNG INDIANA JONES: The War Years is the second of three collections and is released by Lucasfilm Ltd., CBS Home Entertainment and Paramount Home Entertainment. The expansive nine-disc collection includes eight feature-length episodes, as well as a comprehensive assortment of exhaustively researched special features providing insights into the historical people and events that inspired the series.

 “The series was a great way to spark interest in the events of the past, but I always felt that we had only scratched the surface of Young Indy’s potential,” said Lucas, creator of the series that that ran on television from 1992 to 1994.  “We had made the initial introduction to history, and I am thrilled that the DVD extras can provide the tools that allow audiences to dig even deeper.”  

A critically acclaimed combination of adventure, romance and history, The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones was shot in 35 countries and utilised the talents of the industry’s most distinguished actors, directors and writers, earning 12 Emmy Awards and 27 nominations over the course of its run. In addition, The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones was the first television series to use digital production, pioneering processes that would pave the way for Lucas’ own Star Wars prequels. “I think fans are in for a treat with The War Years, which contains some of my favourite episodes,” said producer Rick McCallum.

“We wanted audiences to understand all aspects of war, from the horror of the front lines to the contrasting philosophies of those on the outskirts and in the crossfire. World War I offered so many settings, and I think our brilliant cast and crew brought them all to life – from the savagery of the Battle of the Somme to the heroism of the Australian Lighthorsemen to the ‘reverence for life’ that was born in Albert Schweitzer's Africa.” 

The feature-length episodes star Sean Patrick Flanery (Boondock Saints, The Dead Zone) as a teenage Indy. The extraordinary cast of guest stars in The War Years volume includes Friedrich von Thun, Anthony Daniels, Christopher Lee, Timothy Spall, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Daniel Craig.

August Rush

ENTERTAINMENT IN Video is delighted to announce the DVD release of August Rush, the moving tale of a charismatic Irish guitarist and a sheltered young cellist whose lives are changed forever by a chance encounter. Having grossed $30 million at the US box office, August Rush will be released on rental on 17th March and retail DVD on 31st March.

Directed by Academy Award® nominee Kirsten Sheridan (Disco Pigs), August Rush boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Freddie Highmore (Finding Neverland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Golden Compass); Keri Russell (Waitress, Mission Impossible III); Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Bend It Like Beckham, Mission Impossible III, TV´s Elvis, TV´s The Tudors) and Academy Award® winner Robin Williams (Good Morning Vietnam, Good Will Hunting, Night at the Museum).

One memorable night, Lyla Novacek (Russell), a sheltered young cellist, and Louis Connelly (Rhys Meyers), a charismatic Irish singer-songwriter meet and fall instantly in love. Sharing the language of music, their connection is real and undeniable…but short-lived.

Lyla promises to meet Louis again but her father (William Sadler) rushes her to her next concert - leaving Louis to believe that she doesn’t care.  Disheartened, he finds it impossible to continue playing and eventually abandons his music.

Lyla meanwhile, her own hopes for love lost, is led to believe months later that she has lost their unborn child in a car accident.

12 years pass with neither of them knowing the truth.

Now, the infant secretly given away by Lyla’s father has grown into a spirited and unusually gifted child (Highmore).

Orphaned by circumstance and now performing on the streets of New York, August is cared for by a mysterious stranger (Williams).

Can August now use his remarkable musical talent to seek the parents from whom he was so cruelly separated at birth?

Mee Shee The Water Giant

The heart warming, magical and uplifting family adventure Mee-Shee: The Water Giant will be available to buy or rent on DVD from 10th March 2008, the perfect film to keep children entertained this Easter!

A young boy, Mac, is devastated when a planned vacation with his father has to be cancelled due to an emergency salvage mission at a remote Canadian lake. Mac is forced to accompany his father to the lake, but soon discovers the lake is known as the home of a mythical creature… Mac quickly makes it his mission to prove there's more to this myth than just legend. Forging a connection with the creature is easier for Mac than getting his father's attention until both man and beast need all the help they can get!

Withplenty of twists and turns along the way, this film will amuse and charm adults and children! Plus with a leaflet inside the DVD offering exclusive money can’t buy discounts for family days out at places like Chessington World of Adventures and Legoland to name just a couple, this DVD is perfect for Family Fun Time this Easter!

This is a great family film which has happy and sad moments but keeps you glued to the television, both my children who are 6 and 9 loved it and would watch it again and again.  It shows how we should love the world and look after nature, and expect the unexpected.  All homes should have this film in their selection - review submitted by Heather McLean of Fife.

Horrid Henry Gets Rich Quick DVD

In this 4th volume, Henry is experiencing a cash flow crisis, and employs some hilarious money raising schemes!

Out on March 3rd,  Horrid Henry Gets Rich Quick DVD is a fun packed must have with six fabulously funny episodes, an interactive DVD guessing game and a free set of Horrid Henry joke cards; which all add up to hours of fun and an egg-cellent Easter present!

A great DVD for all who love Horrid Henry and love to keep watching it again and again.  It keeps kids laughing for hours, and hopefully makes them realise bad behaviour doesn't pay off!

Stardust

British talent sparkles in this spectacular and critically-acclaimed fantasy adventure from renowned director Mathew Vaughn (Layer Cake).  Co-written by Vaughn and fellow Brit Jane Goldman, this smash box office hit is available on DVD and HD DVD from 25th February.

Starring a huge cast of Hollywood heavyweights Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer and Claire Danes (Romeo and Juliet). Introducing talented newcomer Charlie Cox as Tristan, plus a host of home grown talent including Ian McKellen, Sienna Miller (Alfie), Rupert Everett (Shrek the Third), Jason Flemyng (Layer Cake), Dexter Fletcher (Layer Cake), David Walliams (Little Britain) and comedian Ricky Gervais.

Stardust tells the tale of Tristan (Cox) as he sets out to recover a fallen star in the hope of winning the heart of the prettiest girl in his village (Miller).Tristan’s journey takes an unexpected turn when he discovers that the fallen star is actually a beautiful, ethereal young woman named Yvaine (Danes) who he must help protect from having her secret powers stolen by an evil witch (Pfeiffer) seeking eternal youth as well as 7 power-hungry princes.

Tristan enlists the aid of a rogue pirate (played with gusto by De Niro!) to keep Yvaine from their clutches as this wondrous adventure builds to a climax filled with love, humour and excitement.

The unprecedented British cast and superb acting leaves little doubt that Stardust will leave a trail of glory across fans of all ages throughout the UK.

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The Nanny Diaries

Scarlett Johansson stars in a witty, romantic comedy about life at the top as seen from the bottom

BAFTA-winner Scarlett Johansson (Girl With a Pearl Earring, Lost In Translation) stars as nanny Annie Braddock in this witty peek into the glamorous world of high society New York, also starring Alicia Keys.

College graduate Annie is disillusioned with life after being forced into a boring career by her pushy parents, but after a chance encounter with Mrs X, played by double-Oscar nominee Laura Linney (The Truman Show, Love Actually), the strapped-for-cash Annie takes a job as live-in nanny looking after her five-year-old son Grayer.

Annie quickly realises that life in swanky Manhattan is far from the lavish, care-free existence she expected.  Living with the family from hell and looking after a spoiled brat of a boy turns into a nightmare, with hilarious consequences.

Life gets even more complicated when Annie, struggling to deal with this dysfunctional family, finds herself falling for their handsome neighbour played by Chris Evans (Fantastic Four).  With her life-plan in tatters, Annie ponders if she has really found her Prince Charming in this rags-to-riches Cinderella story with a modern twist and Upper East Side accent.

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Night Garden: Hello Upsy Daisy

This February, pre-schoolers and their parents can enjoy a magical trip into the garden with Upsy Daisy.  Hello Upsy Daisy, the third DVD from the landmark children’s series In the Night Garden includes 5 episodes featuring Upsy Daisy and will be released on February 18th 2008 from BBC Worldwide, priced at £12.99.

Her enchanting escapades are a must-have for fans of the enthralling series that has captured the imagination of the country. Created by Anne Wood and Andy Davenport and produced by Ragdoll Productions, who bought us the Teletubbies, In the Night Garden is a magical exploration of an imaginary picture-book world. 

In the Night Garden is the phenomenally successful UK children’s TV series, which launched on CBeebies in March 2007. It is best described as a visual interpretation of a nursery rhyme picture book depicting a magical place that exists between waking and sleeping in a child’s imagination.  Narrated by Sir Derek Jacobi and filmed in a real woodland setting in High Definition, the adventures of this community of toy characters have been hailed by parents and children alike as today’s most compelling and comforting children’s programme.

For more information about In the Night Garden please log on to www.inthenightgarden.co.uk

Rock a Doodle - out on DVD now

Review by Beth (8) and Katie (6).  This is a cool movie because it is a half human halfcartoon.  And it’s really funny and we loved watching it.  It is about a boy in a storm, there is a flood and his Mum & Dad go out to stop it but don’t.  A tree breaks and a nasty owl turns the boy into a cartoon cat. It all becomes a cartoon, the flood still comes, and the climb into a box and float away, they get to town and find Rock a Doodle to give him a letter. The cat needed saving from baddies, and he escaped with thanks to a friendly bird who unties him.  Loads more happens during the film but that would be telling the whole story but at the end there is a big flood and loads of rain, Cat gets caught by the nasty owl and in the cartoon he dies but then is changed back to a little boy, the sun comes out, the flood goes away and his Mum and Dad return.

DVD can be purchased from play.com, priced £7.99, free P&P

All Dogs Go To Heaven - out on DVD now

Review by Beth (8) and Katie (6).  This is a great film which kept my 2 girls and their friends entertained the whole way through, the actually watched it all glued to the TV which is rare so it must be good!  It is an animated story of a dog who dies before his time, comes back to earth by twisting his necklace which made him come back to life so that he could find his cousin the sausage dog as he didn’t want to be dead; after that they found a little girl from a orphanage in a room, the nasty dogs had the little girl, then Charlie and the other dog went to see the girl and asked her some questions and took her away to try and find her family.  During the film they looked for the family and at the end of the film they found a family who take her in and they left her there and she stayed there happily

DVD can be purchased from play.com, priced £7.99, free P&P

Spot Goes To The Carnival

It’s carnival day and there are lots of adventures in store!  Spot arrives at his grandparent’s house and before they can leave, his friends stop by and are invited to join in on the fun. Grandma bakes her tasty cookies for the outing and Grandpa keeps everyone entertained with stories about his days as a fireman. Then as a special treat, they all head over to the carnival on a real fire engine – the one Grandpa used to work with! 

Once at the carnival, Spot and his friends find endless fun in all the activity and colour – there is even a troupe of performing stunt pigs!

It’s a perfect day – even better than Spot could have hoped for! 

Packaged in a delightful carry case, Spot Goes to the Carnival and other Musical Adventures will be available to buy in stores nationwide and from www.abbeykids.co.uk where new customers receive 20% off their first purchase.

Disney Pixar's RATATOUILLE
The must-own film for the whole family includes an exclusive all-new animated short, deleted scenes and more!

From the award-winning team that thrilled audiences with Cars and The Incredibles comes one of the best-reviewed film of 2007! Disney•Pixar's Ratatouille is an incredible adventure with something for everyone. It is the perfect recipe of comedy, heartfelt storytelling, and breathtaking animation.

Experience Paris from the unique perspective of a rat named Remy, who dares to dream the impossible dream of becoming a gourmet chef in a five-star French restaurant. Bubbling over with bonus features, including an original animated short starring Remy and his brother, Emile, deleted scenes, and much more, Ratatouille is a treat you'll want to enjoy again and again on Disney DVD and Blu-ray from 11th February 2008.

FRANKLIN & THE TURTLE LAKE TREASURE

When his beloved Granny comes down with a mysterious ailment, Franklin and his friends must search for the treasure of Turtle Lake that is said to be a talisman that can cure any illness.

Directed by Oscar-nominated Dominique Monfery and powered by strong animation from a former Disney team, the surprisingly sophisticated story keeps the Franklin franchise fresh and fun.

Tech specs:

Cert: U

Feature Running Time: 77 mins approx

RRP: £12.99

Shaggy and Scooby-Doo Get A Clue – Volume 1

Everyone’s favourite crime-fighting duo is back intown with more action-packed scoobitastic adventures than ever before in the hilarious new series Shaggy and Scooby-Doo Get A Clue - Volume 1; available to own from DVD on 11 February 2008 courtesy of Warner Home Videos (WHV).

Kids will r’ove the latest side-splitting antics of Scooby, Shaggy and friends in all manner of crime-busting, spook-chasing escapades in this awesome collection of laugh-a-minute episodes.

Boasting revitalised artwork giving the characters a fantastic modern new look for 2008, the must see series includes the episodes; Rags to Riches, More Fondue for Scooby-Doo, High Society Scooby and Party Arty, all of which feature the all-new Mystery Machine and its awesome morphing powers.

The DVD also includes a groovy menu challenge; “Shaggy and Scooby-Doo’s Crooked Capers”, which involves identifying and capturing villains in a fun-filled array of levels as an exciting bonus feature.

Scooby-Doo continues to be one of the most popular kid’s franchises in the UK and Shaggy and Scooby-Doo Get A Clue – Volume 1 is sure to delight, providing barrels of laughs and hours of fun to be enjoyed by all the family this half term.

Transformers

$650+ Million Smash Hit From DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures Rolls Out on DVD and HD DVD December 3rd in Two-Disc Sets, Bursting with a Universe of Bonus Features to Immerse Fans of All Ages in the World of the Legendary ROBOTS IN DISGUISE

The armies of CYBERTRON invaded Cinemas with a juggernaut fury that shook the summer of 2007, but on December 3, 2007 fans of all ages will discover that there is far “More Than Meets The Eye” to the massive mechanical behemoths when TRANSFORMERS arrives on Earth in spectacular DVD and HD DVD two-disc Special Edition sets as well as on a single disc from DreamWorks Pictures and Paramount Pictures; distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment

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Bratz The Movie

The best-selling dolls come to life in their first ever feature film, charting the teenage years of best friends Cloe, Jade, Sasha and Yasmin as they enter Carry Nation High School. Tempted to join rival cliques, the girls have to realise what is important to them - each other - before class president Meredith Baxter destroys their friendship forever.

Release date: Out Now

Certificate: PG

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Happily N'ever After

Once upon a time will n’ever be the same again, aseveryone’s favourite fairy tales are turned upside down in the fun packed animated adventure, HAPPILY N’EVER AFTER.

Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, and Jack from the Beanstalk are all about to live happily ever after when the balance between good and evil is dramatically thrown out of whack. It’s up to Ella (Sarah Michelle Gellar) to save the day, by taking on her power hungry stepmother Frieda (Sigourney Weaver).

But this time, Ella will have to do it without her Prince Charming (Patrick Warburton) as she joins forces with an unlikely army of dwarves, fairies, and the wizard’s bumbling assistants, Mambo (Andy Dick) and Munk (Wallace Shawn) and teaches the lesson that - no matter who you are, you have the power to affect how your story turns out!

Starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr, Andy Dick, Wallace Shawn, Patrick Warburton, George Carlin and Sigourney Weaver, HAPPILY N’EVER AFTER is a must-own family favourite. Plus, a double DVD menu allowing a choice between the good or the evil path makes this a true interactive experience! 

DVD Price (RRP / DLP): £15.99 / £10.89

Certificate: U/G

Feature running time:  84 mins approx

It's a Wonderful Life

Make sure your Christmas is complete with Frank Capra’s 1946 classic It’s a Wonderful Life, out to own on DVD on 26th November 2007 with this unique collector’s edition of the original masterpiece. This enchanting tale of one man’s journey from despair to hope has captivated audiences for over 60 years and has become must see viewing during the festive season.

This year Universal Pictures is delighted to announce an exclusive partnership with Samaritans, whereby 50p from the first 100,000 copies sold will be donated to this invaluable organisation going towards the costs of recruiting new volunteers. Samaritans is a registered charity which offers 24-hour confidential emotional support to anyone in emotional distress.

In this timeless film, we encounter George Bailey (James Stewart), a man who has spent his entire life working tirelessly for the benefit of the people of Bedford Falls. He has always longed to travel but never had the opportunity for fear of letting evil local businessman Mr. Henry F. Potter (Lionel Barrymore) take over the entire to