New on DVD March 31, 2009

Wow, there are so many new DVD's this week! I was at the snack bar at Target today and was commenting to the cashier that the popcorn and medium soda deal had increased in price from $1.00 to $1.50.* She said that it's still cheaper than going to the theater. It's true. Two movie tickets, popcorn, and drinks for two people can run you close to $30! I told her that it's so much more economical to buy a movie and watch it at home.

Thomas & Friends: High Speed Adventures
My son eats, breathes, and sleeps Thomas. Seriously, he's addicted. We've seen a lot of the episodes over and over (and over again). So it's always nice when a new DVD comes out.

Thomas & Friends: High Speed Adventures is the latest addition to our collection. The CGI effects really bring not only the tank engines alive, but also the residents of Sodor.

(From the DVD:) Join Thomas & Friends as they speed through the Island of Sodor in these six spectacular stories of fun and adventure. Capture the spirit of 'steamwork' as Thomas learns to share his workload, rescues the water works, and takes on the challenge of a high-speed race! So hop on board and strap on your conductor's hat for this thrilling collection of High Speed Adventures!

Note: Amazon has this on sale at 50% off right now. In fact, quite a few children's DVD's by HIT Entertainment are 40-60% off on Amazon. I'm considering getting a stash for upcoming birthday parties.

Frances: Bedtime for Frances
We began watching the new Frances series on our cable's On Demand on the PBS Sprout. My four-year-old daughter really enjoys this show.

The new CGI animated series by the Jim Henson Company, takes the theme of the books that you probably read as a child, and turns it into vibrant stories.

Frances: Bedtime for Frances includes not only the DVD with three episodes, but also includes the original storybook. There is also an interactive read-along of Bedtime for Frances.

(My question is: do you leave the DVD in the sleeve in the book risking scratches from curious kids, or do you remove the DVD and store it separately?)

Marley and Me
Okay, I swore I wouldn't cry. I had a heads up that the movie had a sad ending. And I swore I wouldn't cry.

I did.

Marley and Me is a coming-of-age story that follows a young couple as they get married, begin careers, and have children. All of this while having a crazy dog named Marley.

With all this dog puts them through (and destroys!) I wonder if I would have had the fortitude not to send her to a farm. But the couple finds they have such a deep love for both the dog and each other.

Strawberry Shortcake
I played with Strawberry Shortcake dolls as a child. This character has been reinvented for this generation. She's a spunky teenager (I say that because she drives a car in this DVD) who has some pretty grand adventures with her friends in the new DVD Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Big Journey.

(From the DVD:) Join Strawberry and her pals as they load up the car and set out for an unforgettable road trip. It's an adventure filled with wonderful discoveries as the girls make new friends, share new experiences and learn that the trip itself can be just as amazing as the destination.

Goosebumps
Do your children read the R.L. Stein Goosebumps books? There are two new DVD's this week that bring these stories to life: Goosebumps: Return of the Mummy and Goosebumps: The Scarecrow Walks at Midnight

"Hair-raising adventures, monster mysteries, creepy tombs, a four thousand year old Mummy, a spooky attic, twelve menacing scarecrows, and more terrifying tales will thrill future ghost hunters."

This was written by Leighann who can be read at Soy is the New Black where she dishes about family, food, foraging, and frivolity.

*My shopping-with-kids trick is to stop at the snack bar first and spend a buck on popcorn. Totally keeps the kids occupied!

Please read our disclosure statement. DVDs were supplied by Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment and I was not paid for my review.