Review: Lucy the binds detector

Titrate: Lucy the DetectorAuthor binds: Marianne MusgroveIllustrator: Cheryl OrsiniPublisher: Random House, $14.95 RRPFormat: PaperbackISBN: old 9781741664553For: 7+Type: NovelAbout: Following Lucy the good, this is the history off the doubtful talent off Lucy van Loon to enter itself all the kinds off disturbs. While playing to their range off the police force off forces circulation, Lucy and his/her best friend Harriet realize than they forgot to bring has camera - the most important tool to show them with the medals off police force forces are depend to Be presented with to their worse enemy, Jacinta - thus Lucy dispatches At the house one his bicycle. Unfortunately, she forgets new Toyota brilliant parked in the alley and raye the side. Its mom and dad will Be furious. What is it to make? Lucy decide to fix scratch itself, goal naturally ramming apparent are still and, when its dad comes to ask to him whether it knows they occurred, it is. It all turns in the pear shape ! very quickly, goal even admitting and being punished does not could Lucy At far, with its continuation off dregs. When it receives finally the message which the truth is the best, it says the truth in the false situation and its dad is insane with it. Lucy is confused and then its moods and bad hardening become its fall. Lucy which the binds detector has history butt the binds off evil edge make, the manner it returns you to it feeling interior and the good which has just said the truth. There has fine line between providing has positive message and being with condescension, goal Musgrove remained right-sided off the line in this beautiful story which will cuts little girls laughter off the mishaps off Lucy van Loon.Coming later today one the critic off book off children - our interview with Marianne Musgrove author! This book is Web site available off websiteIllustrator off onlineAuthor
Family Films

Write Your Own Review of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Write Your Own Review of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Wednesday June 30, 2010

I know, we're crazy, we actually went to the theater last night. We were there to see a different movie, and we got to observe the lines and lines of young girls, teenage girls, and women waiting to see the midnight showing of Eclipse. I wonder if Stephenie Meyer ventured to any theaters last night, just to take a look at what she started!

Since the vampire wave has taken the nation, girls from as young as six and up have become entranced by the Twilight world and are taking sides -- Team Edward or Team Jacob. At the heart of the series is an intense and dangerous young love blossoming amid a supernatural world filled with vampires and werewolves -- not the usual fare for young kids. On the other hand, the story is relatively mild as far as language goes, and the lead vampire practices abstinence. With all of the Twilight mania  spanning most age groups, parents may be wondering whether or not the movies are suitable for their own kids.

Find out about the content and themes in the movie, as well as what other kids and parents think of the movie here: The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)- Movie Review for Parents. Or, write your own review of Twilight: Eclipse.

(Photo Credit: Kimberley French/Photo © Summit Entertainment. All Rights Reserved.)

Family Films

Review: When the dad has teenager

Title: When Dad Was a TeenagerAuthor: Mini GossIllustrator: Mini GossPublisher: Black Dog Books, $16.95 RRPFormat: SoftcoverISBN: 9781876372361For ages: 6-12Type: Picture BookAbout: Nothing like a little sentimentality to upturn the corners of the mouth. The subtleties of this bright, giggle-inducing book may be lost on the very young, but they’ll no less enjoy barrelling into the past to witness the life of Dad pre-… well â€" pre-Dad.For young children, it’s hard to fathom that parents and grandparents were once also kids and teens themselves â€" they’ve just always been Dad or Mum or Granny. This fun book by the talented Mini Goss takes readers back in time to the late 1970s when Dad was an ! early teen. You see, Dad was not always bald. He used to have hair back then.He also had a penchant for hair gelled spikes, an über messy room, parachute silk tracksuits (OMG, how embarrassing), videos and super high tech walkmans. Basically, he was just like a modern day teen with all the new mod-cons and desire to be cool, only it all looked so tragic back then â€" and kids and adults alike will just adore the total cringe factor, especially older readers (and â€" sorry Mum and Dad â€" I mean old).Goss has written a humorous storyline in the voice of Dad’s reminiscing children, and has filled each double page spread with a riot of illustration, cataloguing the trend of the day through the late 70s to mid 80s, showcasing an eyefest of hilarity and relatability that will have parents guffawing and reliving the memories with their kids… although I defy you to explain those parachute pants, thankyouverymuch MC Hammer.Each page features a line from a song of that year, fr! om Devo to Cyndi Lauper, Wham, Olivia Newton John and The Poli! ce, whic h will also get you humming a tune and heading straight to youtube with the kids in tow. If you search the pages carefully, you’ll spot a catalogue of icons endemic to each year from Dynasty and Woman’s Day to teddy bear biscuits, Garfield and Cabbage Patch dolls.Despite the hilarity and fun of this book, there is a subtle undercurrent that clearly reminds us that adults were once rule-breaking, over-sleeping, cool-seeking teens, too. And that regardless of the changes in high-tech gizmos and music, some things never change.Note: kids can look out for the guinea pigs hidden on each page of the 80s.

Author website

This book is available online

Family Films

4th of July Shows for Kids

4th of July Shows for Kids Monday June 28, 2010

If you're celebrating the 4th of July this week, you can add a little education to the kids' entertainment with America and 4th of July themed movies for kids. Up first, of course, you can always count on the Peanuts for good holiday special, and the 4th is no exception. In This Is America, Charlie Brown, Charlie and the gang visit important people, places and events from American history -- like the voyage  of the Mayflower and the signing of the Constitution.

(Photo © Paramount Home Entertainment)

Another fabulous choice for older kids is the Liberty's Kids series. This animated show aired on PBS and the entire series is available on DVD. Aimed at kids ages 7-12 years, the show introduces kids to American history through the eyes of two young apprentice reporters named Sarah and James, who experience firsthand the conflicts and events that shaped their nation. Famous names such as Walter Cronkite, Dustin Hoffman, Annette Bening, Michael Douglas, Whoopi Goldberg and more lend their voices to bring history to life for kids and help them learn not only about the history, but also about the different perspectives people might have had at that pivotal time. Since the show covers the Revolutionary War, there are some episodes which may be scary or unsettling to young kids. Also, for my younger kids, I had to explain a couple of times that Sarah and James are not real and did not really live at that time in history. Since the story weaves them into the historical events, ! young children may not understand that their involvement is fiction.

If your family has any favorite 4th of July movies or shows, let us know about them using the "comments" link below. Have a happy 4th!

Photo © DIC Entertainment)

Family Films

Review: Broad Abby - cat-like investigator

Titrate: Broad Abby: Cat-like InvestigatorAuthor: MeredithIllustrator paddle: See the review for the detailsPublisher: Brilliant close, $10.95 RRPFormat: PaperbackISBN: old 9781876870171For: 7+Type: NovelAbout: Abby thinks that it is thin, courageous and strong. Then the popular aquarium enters its world and it is astonished with At which not it frightened is. It is also shocked that the popular aquarium cal its grease. Surely it is not broad Abby? ! The popular aquarium has strange cat which frighten Abby with its size and its trustful way, goal when it realizes that the popular vulnerable aquarium is really pregnant and, Abby is not frightened more and wants just to help and protect his/her new friend. Fear turns over when the hook, the tomcat which obtained the popular aquarium enclosure, comes seeking it. Broad It is, rough-looking At, the alarming cat which will stop with nothing with - including/understanding to kill the oldest friend off Abby - obtaining its manner. A! bby and popular aquarium edge-they to escape its wrestling terrifying one them? Gros Abby has beautiful story butt the friendship, overcoming the adversity, the mystery and research, goal it approaches nap heavy matters ace well. The things like death, intimidating, pregnancy are presented and, while they are not treated in detail, will make children curious and sharp for other conversations around thesis sectors. The diagrams by the thirteen-year-old Cassandra De Jonge are has culminating not - illustrations off coils I by children off! - this not by each nap pages and supplement the comic charm off the history. The book off websiteThis off author is provided by the education off five directions by calling (02) 9838 9265. It will Be soon available one the Web site At fivesenseseducation.com.au.
Family Films

Shin off the Erwerber Robo against neo the magazines off encourage from Robo off the Erwerbers

Giant Robots are awesome, aren’t they? Some of them are really creative and fun to watch fight giant monsters and what not. The best part of this is that we can thank Japan for the onslaught of awesome giant robot shows that we have seen over the past couple of decades. Sadly, we don’t seem to get a lot of the cooler Super Robot animes that are shown everywhere else in the world. Most of the time, We get stuff like Gundam, which can get a little more tedious since politics take a front seat to the action, but giant robot shows need to be more action-oriented. We do have some good ones, like The Big-O and Daiguard, but there is one that I have wanted to see for some time now, the Ge! tter Robo series. It’s a really popular robot anime and manga series that is still around today in Japan. Today, I decided to take a look at one of the more recent anime adaptations of the series, Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo. This series, which was made in 2001 and ran for only 4 episodes, was a pretty epic show in my opinion. So, let’s get right down to it, and see what makes this series so awesome. Just a heads up though, I plan to do a review of some of the other anime adaptations later this year, and I do plan on doing a review of Shin Getter Robo: Armageddon.The main plot takes place in an alternate universe where this anime acts as a sequel to Getter Robo. This time though, it starts with an invasion by the Dinosaur Empire. They are dinosaurs that have lived underground and evolved into humanoid form. While two of the original Getter Robo pilots try to charge up Shin Getter Robo, a stronger version of Getter Robo, the other original pilot takes the origin! al Getter Robo, and tries to single-handedly defeat and preven! t the in vasion from the Dinosaur Empire in Manhattan. Sadly, they can’t get Shin Getter Robo up and running, and the third pilot of the original Getter Robo realizes he can’t hold them all off for long, and instead uses a self-destruct device using the core of the robot. In the end, the explosion kills the Dinosaur Empire and wipes out Manhattan. Years later, one of the original pilots, Hayato, is trying to find a third member for a new team to pilot Neo Getter, a newly-made robot that runs on Neo energy, due to Getter energy getting banned from the Japanese Government. However, the Dinosaur Empire somehow survived the blast from the explosion and is trying to kidnap people and turn them into its soldiers. Hayato finally finds a third pilot named Gou who must team up with the two other pilots, Shou and Gai, and save the world with Neo Getter Robo.Shin Getter Robo Vs. Neo Getter Robo is like other Super Robot shows, in that there is an evil force trying to take over the world and! the giant robot needs to stop the invasion and save the world. However, this series starts off dark, with one of the original Getter Robo characters dying. I mean, Shin Getter Robo is probably the darkest of the anime series based on of the Getter series, but this one is a little more lighthearted, but still serious. For most of the episodes, the three main pilots use Neo Getter Robo until episode 3, where Neo Getter is destroyed and they are forced to use Shin Getter Robo. Like other Getter Robos, it has three forms. The first one is basically the ground-based default robot, which is usually the titular character of the series. I mean, he IS on the title. The second one is usually the fastest of the three forms and always uses a drill attack. The final form is usually more ground-based, but depending on what series you watch, has two different styles of attacks. The Neo Getter version has a powerful wind engine-like weapon around his head, and uses it to make a strong tor! nado-like blast at the enemy. The other version has extendable! arms, a nd basically has tank-wheel caterpillar legs, but uses missiles in most of its powerful attacks. There is usually a second robot on hand, like in Shin Getter Robo, and in this show also. Here we have the American robo, Texas Mach that is themed like a cowboy and uses revolvers, a lasso, rides a robotic horse, and has a huge rail gun hidden in the US and Japan, if things go bad. Let’s get down to the villains now. There is not a lot of the original Dinosaur Empire left, so it works, since this series is only 4 episodes long. They do use robots, like humans, but they usually have some form of lizard or reptile thing attached to them. The exception is the ruler of the Empire who doesn’t need his own robot since he is as big as one. The animation looks nice. The art style of Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa still holds up well, and I like the designs of the enemies and the robots used in the series. Sadly, Ken Ishikawa is no longer with us, dying in 2006. It’s always sad to see p! eople who made things you watched or read in your childhood or life pass away. The music is typical Getter Robo stuff, but it helps that Ichiro Mizuki, who you all know I love, sings the opening for the anime. The anime opening is actually well done, filled with intense action music and action scenes. Don’t believe me? Then check it out for your self.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03YnHf5pGAU&feature=relatedNow, it’s time to talk about the bad parts of this little series. I just don’t like the whole 4-episode thing. I think it’s too short, and it forces the creators or whoever to rush the whole story line. It seems even pointless to have Neo Getter Robo since it gets destroyed in episode 3, and then they use Shin Getter Robo to finish off the villains. We also don’t get a lot of character development. You get the basic idea of what they are all like, but still, they could have made this series at least 26 episodes. I also kind of find it weird how Americans are po! rtrayed in the Getter Robo series. In Shin Getter Robo, they a! re portr ayed as arrogant and brutish. In Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo, they are portrayed as cowboys and are cocky as they can be. It kind of makes you wonder how Japan actually sees us. Some of the designs of the dinosaurs are really weird, and only a few seem sloppy. That seems like a theme in some of the monsters in Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa’s work, but they have a charm to them. They might seem weirdly simple looking, but they hold a charm.Overall, this was a fun, but short 4-episode anime. I say, if you can find the DVD for this show, pick it up or just watch it on Youtube with English subtitles. I will always have a part of my heart dedicated to this series for the inspiration for a group of my giant robot drawings. Let’s just see where Go Nagai goes next with the Getter Robo series.This show gets a solid 9 out of 10
Family Films

Shin off the Erwerber Robo against neo the magazines off encourage Robo off off the Erwerbers

Giant Robots are awesome, aren’t they? Some of them are really creative and fun to watch fight giant monsters and what not. The best part of this is that we can thank Japan for the onslaught of awesome giant robot shows that we have seen over the past couple of decades. Sadly, we don’t seem to get a lot of the cooler Super Robot animes that are shown everywhere else in the world. Most of the time, We get stuff like Gundam, which can get a little more tedious since politics take a front seat to the action, but giant robot shows need to be more action-oriented. We do have some good ones, like The Big-O and Daiguard, but there is one that I have wanted to see for some time now, the Ge! tter Robo series. It’s a really popular robot anime and manga series that is still around today in Japan. Today, I decided to take a look at one of the more recent anime adaptations of the series, Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo. This series, which was made in 2001 and ran for only 4 episodes, was a pretty epic show in my opinion. So, let’s get right down to it, and see what makes this series so awesome. Just a heads up though, I plan to do a review of some of the other anime adaptations later this year, and I do plan on doing a review of Shin Getter Robo: Armageddon.The main plot takes place in an alternate universe where this anime acts as a sequel to Getter Robo. This time though, it starts with an invasion by the Dinosaur Empire. They are dinosaurs that have lived underground and evolved into humanoid form. While two of the original Getter Robo pilots try to charge up Shin Getter Robo, a stronger version of Getter Robo, the other original pilot takes the origin! al Getter Robo, and tries to single-handedly defeat and preven! t the in vasion from the Dinosaur Empire in Manhattan. Sadly, they can’t get Shin Getter Robo up and running, and the third pilot of the original Getter Robo realizes he can’t hold them all off for long, and instead uses a self-destruct device using the core of the robot. In the end, the explosion kills the Dinosaur Empire and wipes out Manhattan. Years later, one of the original pilots, Hayato, is trying to find a third member for a new team to pilot Neo Getter, a newly-made robot that runs on Neo energy, due to Getter energy getting banned from the Japanese Government. However, the Dinosaur Empire somehow survived the blast from the explosion and is trying to kidnap people and turn them into its soldiers. Hayato finally finds a third pilot named Gou who must team up with the two other pilots, Shou and Gai, and save the world with Neo Getter Robo.Shin Getter Robo Vs. Neo Getter Robo is like other Super Robot shows, in that there is an evil force trying to take over the world and! the giant robot needs to stop the invasion and save the world. However, this series starts off dark, with one of the original Getter Robo characters dying. I mean, Shin Getter Robo is probably the darkest of the anime series based on of the Getter series, but this one is a little more lighthearted, but still serious. For most of the episodes, the three main pilots use Neo Getter Robo until episode 3, where Neo Getter is destroyed and they are forced to use Shin Getter Robo. Like other Getter Robos, it has three forms. The first one is basically the ground-based default robot, which is usually the titular character of the series. I mean, he IS on the title. The second one is usually the fastest of the three forms and always uses a drill attack. The final form is usually more ground-based, but depending on what series you watch, has two different styles of attacks. The Neo Getter version has a powerful wind engine-like weapon around his head, and uses it to make a strong tor! nado-like blast at the enemy. The other version has extendable! arms, a nd basically has tank-wheel caterpillar legs, but uses missiles in most of its powerful attacks. There is usually a second robot on hand, like in Shin Getter Robo, and in this show also. Here we have the American robo, Texas Mach that is themed like a cowboy and uses revolvers, a lasso, rides a robotic horse, and has a huge rail gun hidden in the US and Japan, if things go bad. Let’s get down to the villains now. There is not a lot of the original Dinosaur Empire left, so it works, since this series is only 4 episodes long. They do use robots, like humans, but they usually have some form of lizard or reptile thing attached to them. The exception is the ruler of the Empire who doesn’t need his own robot since he is as big as one. The animation looks nice. The art style of Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa still holds up well, and I like the designs of the enemies and the robots used in the series. Sadly, Ken Ishikawa is no longer with us, dying in 2006. It’s always sad to see p! eople who made things you watched or read in your childhood or life pass away. The music is typical Getter Robo stuff, but it helps that Ichiro Mizuki, who you all know I love, sings the opening for the anime. The anime opening is actually well done, filled with intense action music and action scenes. Don’t believe me? Then check it out for your self.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03YnHf5pGAU&feature=relatedNow, it’s time to talk about the bad parts of this little series. I just don’t like the whole 4-episode thing. I think it’s too short, and it forces the creators or whoever to rush the whole story line. It seems even pointless to have Neo Getter Robo since it gets destroyed in episode 3, and then they use Shin Getter Robo to finish off the villains. We also don’t get a lot of character development. You get the basic idea of what they are all like, but still, they could have made this series at least 26 episodes. I also kind of find it weird how Americans are po! rtrayed in the Getter Robo series. In Shin Getter Robo, they a! re portr ayed as arrogant and brutish. In Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo, they are portrayed as cowboys and are cocky as they can be. It kind of makes you wonder how Japan actually sees us. Some of the designs of the dinosaurs are really weird, and only a few seem sloppy. That seems like a theme in some of the monsters in Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa’s work, but they have a charm to them. They might seem weirdly simple looking, but they hold a charm.Overall, this was a fun, but short 4-episode anime. I say, if you can find the DVD for this show, pick it up or just watch it on Youtube with English subtitles. I will always have a part of my heart dedicated to this series for the inspiration for a group of my giant robot drawings. Let’s just see where Go Nagai goes next with the Getter Robo series.This show gets a solid 9 out of 10
Family Films

16 Wishes Grants a Fun, Romantic Tween Comedy

16 Wishes Grants a Fun, Romantic Tween Comedy Saturday June 26, 2010

Here's what I like about Disney Channel Original Movies: they are fun, free of offensive content, age appropriate and uplifting. In a day and age when media is what it is, those qualities are appreciated. So while Disney Channel movies may be a little cheesy and most won't win any awards for artistic merit, they have an important place.

16 wishes follows in that tradition with a quirky story about a girl whose sweet 16 birthday starts out all wrong, but her luck changes when a random woman offers her a box full of magical candles that have the power to make all of her birthday wishes come true. A new take on the old adage, "Be careful what you wish for," 16 Wishes conveys positive messages about friendship and values, and it reminds kids that there's no need to grow up too fast -- really. The movie is aimed at young girls and tweens (about ages 8-14) and is rated TV-G. The movie premiered on Disney Channel last night and will encore this evening, tomorrow, and throughout the month (check your Disney Channel listings).

(Photo © Disney. All rights reserved.)

Family Films

Shin off the Erwerber Robo against neo the magazines off encourage from Robo off the Erwerbers

Giant Robots are awesome, aren’t they? Some of them are really creative and fun to watch fight giant monsters and what not. The best part of this is that we can thank Japan for the onslaught of awesome giant robot shows that we have seen over the past couple of decades. Sadly, we don’t seem to get a lot of the cooler Super Robot animes that are shown everywhere else in the world. Most of the time, We get stuff like Gundam, which can get a little more tedious since politics take a front seat to the action, but giant robot shows need to be more action-oriented. We do have some good ones, like The Big-O and Daiguard, but there is one that I have wanted to see for some time now, the Ge! tter Robo series. It’s a really popular robot anime and manga series that is still around today in Japan. Today, I decided to take a look at one of the more recent anime adaptations of the series, Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo. This series, which was made in 2001 and ran for only 4 episodes, was a pretty epic show in my opinion. So, let’s get right down to it, and see what makes this series so awesome. Just a heads up though, I plan to do a review of some of the other anime adaptations later this year, and I do plan on doing a review of Shin Getter Robo: Armageddon.The main plot takes place in an alternate universe where this anime acts as a sequel to Getter Robo. This time though, it starts with an invasion by the Dinosaur Empire. They are dinosaurs that have lived underground and evolved into humanoid form. While two of the original Getter Robo pilots try to charge up Shin Getter Robo, a stronger version of Getter Robo, the other original pilot takes the origin! al Getter Robo, and tries to single-handedly defeat and preven! t the in vasion from the Dinosaur Empire in Manhattan. Sadly, they can’t get Shin Getter Robo up and running, and the third pilot of the original Getter Robo realizes he can’t hold them all off for long, and instead uses a self-destruct device using the core of the robot. In the end, the explosion kills the Dinosaur Empire and wipes out Manhattan. Years later, one of the original pilots, Hayato, is trying to find a third member for a new team to pilot Neo Getter, a newly-made robot that runs on Neo energy, due to Getter energy getting banned from the Japanese Government. However, the Dinosaur Empire somehow survived the blast from the explosion and is trying to kidnap people and turn them into its soldiers. Hayato finally finds a third pilot named Gou who must team up with the two other pilots, Shou and Gai, and save the world with Neo Getter Robo.Shin Getter Robo Vs. Neo Getter Robo is like other Super Robot shows, in that there is an evil force trying to take over the world and! the giant robot needs to stop the invasion and save the world. However, this series starts off dark, with one of the original Getter Robo characters dying. I mean, Shin Getter Robo is probably the darkest of the anime series based on of the Getter series, but this one is a little more lighthearted, but still serious. For most of the episodes, the three main pilots use Neo Getter Robo until episode 3, where Neo Getter is destroyed and they are forced to use Shin Getter Robo. Like other Getter Robos, it has three forms. The first one is basically the ground-based default robot, which is usually the titular character of the series. I mean, he IS on the title. The second one is usually the fastest of the three forms and always uses a drill attack. The final form is usually more ground-based, but depending on what series you watch, has two different styles of attacks. The Neo Getter version has a powerful wind engine-like weapon around his head, and uses it to make a strong tor! nado-like blast at the enemy. The other version has extendable! arms, a nd basically has tank-wheel caterpillar legs, but uses missiles in most of its powerful attacks. There is usually a second robot on hand, like in Shin Getter Robo, and in this show also. Here we have the American robo, Texas Mach that is themed like a cowboy and uses revolvers, a lasso, rides a robotic horse, and has a huge rail gun hidden in the US and Japan, if things go bad. Let’s get down to the villains now. There is not a lot of the original Dinosaur Empire left, so it works, since this series is only 4 episodes long. They do use robots, like humans, but they usually have some form of lizard or reptile thing attached to them. The exception is the ruler of the Empire who doesn’t need his own robot since he is as big as one. The animation looks nice. The art style of Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa still holds up well, and I like the designs of the enemies and the robots used in the series. Sadly, Ken Ishikawa is no longer with us, dying in 2006. It’s always sad to see p! eople who made things you watched or read in your childhood or life pass away. The music is typical Getter Robo stuff, but it helps that Ichiro Mizuki, who you all know I love, sings the opening for the anime. The anime opening is actually well done, filled with intense action music and action scenes. Don’t believe me? Then check it out for your self.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03YnHf5pGAU&feature=relatedNow, it’s time to talk about the bad parts of this little series. I just don’t like the whole 4-episode thing. I think it’s too short, and it forces the creators or whoever to rush the whole story line. It seems even pointless to have Neo Getter Robo since it gets destroyed in episode 3, and then they use Shin Getter Robo to finish off the villains. We also don’t get a lot of character development. You get the basic idea of what they are all like, but still, they could have made this series at least 26 episodes. I also kind of find it weird how Americans are po! rtrayed in the Getter Robo series. In Shin Getter Robo, they a! re portr ayed as arrogant and brutish. In Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo, they are portrayed as cowboys and are cocky as they can be. It kind of makes you wonder how Japan actually sees us. Some of the designs of the dinosaurs are really weird, and only a few seem sloppy. That seems like a theme in some of the monsters in Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa’s work, but they have a charm to them. They might seem weirdly simple looking, but they hold a charm.Overall, this was a fun, but short 4-episode anime. I say, if you can find the DVD for this show, pick it up or just watch it on Youtube with English subtitles. I will always have a part of my heart dedicated to this series for the inspiration for a group of my giant robot drawings. Let’s just see where Go Nagai goes next with the Getter Robo series.This show gets a solid 9 out of 10
Family Films

Shin off the Erwerber Robo against neo the magazines off encourage Robo off off the Erwerbers

Giant Robots are awesome, aren’t they? Some of them are really creative and fun to watch fight giant monsters and what not. The best part of this is that we can thank Japan for the onslaught of awesome giant robot shows that we have seen over the past couple of decades. Sadly, we don’t seem to get a lot of the cooler Super Robot animes that are shown everywhere else in the world. Most of the time, We get stuff like Gundam, which can get a little more tedious since politics take a front seat to the action, but giant robot shows need to be more action-oriented. We do have some good ones, like The Big-O and Daiguard, but there is one that I have wanted to see for some time now, the Ge! tter Robo series. It’s a really popular robot anime and manga series that is still around today in Japan. Today, I decided to take a look at one of the more recent anime adaptations of the series, Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo. This series, which was made in 2001 and ran for only 4 episodes, was a pretty epic show in my opinion. So, let’s get right down to it, and see what makes this series so awesome. Just a heads up though, I plan to do a review of some of the other anime adaptations later this year, and I do plan on doing a review of Shin Getter Robo: Armageddon.The main plot takes place in an alternate universe where this anime acts as a sequel to Getter Robo. This time though, it starts with an invasion by the Dinosaur Empire. They are dinosaurs that have lived underground and evolved into humanoid form. While two of the original Getter Robo pilots try to charge up Shin Getter Robo, a stronger version of Getter Robo, the other original pilot takes the origin! al Getter Robo, and tries to single-handedly defeat and preven! t the in vasion from the Dinosaur Empire in Manhattan. Sadly, they can’t get Shin Getter Robo up and running, and the third pilot of the original Getter Robo realizes he can’t hold them all off for long, and instead uses a self-destruct device using the core of the robot. In the end, the explosion kills the Dinosaur Empire and wipes out Manhattan. Years later, one of the original pilots, Hayato, is trying to find a third member for a new team to pilot Neo Getter, a newly-made robot that runs on Neo energy, due to Getter energy getting banned from the Japanese Government. However, the Dinosaur Empire somehow survived the blast from the explosion and is trying to kidnap people and turn them into its soldiers. Hayato finally finds a third pilot named Gou who must team up with the two other pilots, Shou and Gai, and save the world with Neo Getter Robo.Shin Getter Robo Vs. Neo Getter Robo is like other Super Robot shows, in that there is an evil force trying to take over the world and! the giant robot needs to stop the invasion and save the world. However, this series starts off dark, with one of the original Getter Robo characters dying. I mean, Shin Getter Robo is probably the darkest of the anime series based on of the Getter series, but this one is a little more lighthearted, but still serious. For most of the episodes, the three main pilots use Neo Getter Robo until episode 3, where Neo Getter is destroyed and they are forced to use Shin Getter Robo. Like other Getter Robos, it has three forms. The first one is basically the ground-based default robot, which is usually the titular character of the series. I mean, he IS on the title. The second one is usually the fastest of the three forms and always uses a drill attack. The final form is usually more ground-based, but depending on what series you watch, has two different styles of attacks. The Neo Getter version has a powerful wind engine-like weapon around his head, and uses it to make a strong tor! nado-like blast at the enemy. The other version has extendable! arms, a nd basically has tank-wheel caterpillar legs, but uses missiles in most of its powerful attacks. There is usually a second robot on hand, like in Shin Getter Robo, and in this show also. Here we have the American robo, Texas Mach that is themed like a cowboy and uses revolvers, a lasso, rides a robotic horse, and has a huge rail gun hidden in the US and Japan, if things go bad. Let’s get down to the villains now. There is not a lot of the original Dinosaur Empire left, so it works, since this series is only 4 episodes long. They do use robots, like humans, but they usually have some form of lizard or reptile thing attached to them. The exception is the ruler of the Empire who doesn’t need his own robot since he is as big as one. The animation looks nice. The art style of Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa still holds up well, and I like the designs of the enemies and the robots used in the series. Sadly, Ken Ishikawa is no longer with us, dying in 2006. It’s always sad to see p! eople who made things you watched or read in your childhood or life pass away. The music is typical Getter Robo stuff, but it helps that Ichiro Mizuki, who you all know I love, sings the opening for the anime. The anime opening is actually well done, filled with intense action music and action scenes. Don’t believe me? Then check it out for your self.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03YnHf5pGAU&feature=relatedNow, it’s time to talk about the bad parts of this little series. I just don’t like the whole 4-episode thing. I think it’s too short, and it forces the creators or whoever to rush the whole story line. It seems even pointless to have Neo Getter Robo since it gets destroyed in episode 3, and then they use Shin Getter Robo to finish off the villains. We also don’t get a lot of character development. You get the basic idea of what they are all like, but still, they could have made this series at least 26 episodes. I also kind of find it weird how Americans are po! rtrayed in the Getter Robo series. In Shin Getter Robo, they a! re portr ayed as arrogant and brutish. In Shin Getter Robo vs. Neo Getter Robo, they are portrayed as cowboys and are cocky as they can be. It kind of makes you wonder how Japan actually sees us. Some of the designs of the dinosaurs are really weird, and only a few seem sloppy. That seems like a theme in some of the monsters in Go Nagai and Ken Ishikawa’s work, but they have a charm to them. They might seem weirdly simple looking, but they hold a charm.Overall, this was a fun, but short 4-episode anime. I say, if you can find the DVD for this show, pick it up or just watch it on Youtube with English subtitles. I will always have a part of my heart dedicated to this series for the inspiration for a group of my giant robot drawings. Let’s just see where Go Nagai goes next with the Getter Robo series.This show gets a solid 9 out of 10
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How Did Your Child React to Toy Story 3?

How Did Your Child React to Toy Story 3? Thursday June 24, 2010

One of the amazing things about Toy Story 3 is the wide range of emotion the film elicits from people of all ages. Not many G-rated movies can make grown people laugh hysterically one minute and cry the next. But what about the kids? If a movie can get that kind of emotional reaction from an adult, either the kids are reacting as well, or the content is over their heads. In the case of Toy Story 3, I think it's both.

I heard a few kids in the theater getting upset during that part in the movie where the toys link hands and resolve themselves to their fate, and I know there are a lot of kids out there who are not at all happy about Lotso's sad choices. But, it wasn't the kids who were crying when Andy's mom walks into his empty bedroom.

I was surprised that my 5-year-old, who tends to get scared watching movie characters in peril, did not grab my arm and bury her face during some of the scenes in Toy Story 3, but she sat thought the whole thing just fine. She loved the movie. As we left the theater I asked her, "How many stars would you give that movie?" She didn't even have to think about it for a second. She turned to me, punched her hand in the air just like Buzz, and said, "Infinity!"

More About Toy Story 3:

• Toy Story 3 Movie Review for Parents
• Toy Story 3 Movie Trailer, Clips, and Info
• Toy Story 3 Movie Photos and New Characters

(Photo © Disney/Pixar. All rights reserved.)

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Review Westfest 2010 off Mickey Head-Disney Podcast

These podcasts share the Good (meeting old friends), the bad (rude guests) and the ugly (Bat’s Day) of Westfest for those of us that could not attend this grand event. (Download your favorite Disney Podcasts on iTunes.)

Disney Dudes Episode #44 Trace has to get this off his chest! Thanks to him, we have been vindicated from the Brazilian Tour group people! You have got to hear this story of camera flashing gone wild on Pirates! As a result, he now is referred to as ‘El Disney Amigo Diablo’ (The Disney Dude Devil). It is an understatement to say he is sick and tired of rude guests and he’s not going to take it anymore! We are not sure if this is a result of when Trace turned 41 and had men-o-pause becoming a grumpy old man, but we are with him in this revolution. Also included in this episo! de is ‘The better marriage blanket‘and some private Disney talk from 2 famous Disney personalities.

The Meandering Mouse Episode #99.5 Westfest 2010 Disneyland Meandering Staying at the Grand Californian, Jeff and his many friends tour the Disneyland Resort following most of the Westfest activities. He reels from meeting his old friends and making new ones during this trip to the west coast. The free entertainment of the Bats Day participants is recalled with the amazing, even sexy and some downright ghetto scary costumes. And meandering with Jeff means some adult, yet immature, but always side-splitting fun. Riding along on the subs with Nemo, we are pointed to the fish super-glued to the rocks, the KY jellyfish, and the hopes that the whale had its fiber today. That is the humor found here! And I haven’t even talked about the ride along on Small World, you have to give it a listen for yourself.

The 3 Caballeros- Episode ! #18 This group discussion recalling Westfest, looks at the man! y differ ent experiences of our hosts. They casually look at the various lodging and value of, one even checking out of their accommodation to get a better hotel. They reference flight issues, primarily in the customer service arena, and the flight descent with RALPH. How about In and Out Burger?-Ah it’s all right. Treading on dangerous territory, they do discuss whether or not Disneyland is a better park with better attractions as compared to Walt Disney World. But don’t worry; this is not a serious conclusive analysis, just the caballeros chatting. But one comment struck a cord with me: that DL feels like a local hangout rather than a vacation destination.

Beyond Main Street Episode #60 In You Ears Experience â€" Lou, in this audio podcast relates how much fun it is to catch up with old online friends. He even talks of his plans for next Westfest. While he was not able to record a lot of audio, he did see Captain EO twice in his trip and gives us this gre! at audio of the attraction. You know you want to listen to this, filmed before Michael went ‘ugly.’

Episode #85 (Video) From Lou packing his two pairs of shorts for a three and a half day trip through to finishing the day under the lights at DCA, we get to see all this Westfest goodness. With the initial enthusiasm of arriving at the Disneyland, Lou takes us along a whirlwind tour of many favorite attractions. Starting with Alice, The Pirates of the Caribbean and then ‘getting his Pooh on’, he filmed it all! Throw in some Dapper Dan’s and then a review of his accommodations at The Best Western Anaheim and we’re left wishing we tagged along to this great event.

Episode #86 (Video) Arriving at the opening of DCA, Lou is all afire for what the day will bring. First he shows the DPN Meet and Greet, then the Toy Story Mania Meet and after a ‘happy belly’ heads back to Disneyland showing sweeping panoramas and interesting sights as he travels and event! ually takes us on the many waters of the Jungle Cruise. And fi! nally ba ck to DCA, he takes us on the stimulating, and exhilarating Flik’s Fliers. And with a child found in Monstropolis, we see the ensuing hilarity riding Monsters Inc.

Those Darn Cats Episode #104 Disneyland Trip Report From the barren land of Fort Worth to touchdown and hitting the shops, this episode details Lisa and trace’s trip to Westfest. Festivities at the DPN dorm and The Lost Bar kick off the fest. Lisa shares her thoughts on whether or not it is best to stay on property. We hear of Starbucks inconsistencies, missing Jennifer’s flowing locks in Lisa’s hair on Matterhorn, and of big Cinnamon buns. Lisa finds the Space Mountain of her dreams. And they ride on Alice, even though the iPhone app does not work with the attraction. However, they do find a little Disney Magic on Peter Pan. The agonizing wait for Captain EO attendees leads to more shopping. And looking for an outlet, Lisa makes sure we understand that it is an actual, not figurativ! e outlet, she is looking for. Evaluating Indiana Jones, Trace shows himself to be a little Disney Fundamentalist (DF) as he points out hidden features of attraction. Trace meeting Michael Broggie, shopping, love for Screamin’, the freakish Animation Building, Nachos with the eye of Mara are just a few of the zany tales of this cat and her beau. And yet we hear of another report of a rude guest ruining a highly anticipated picture from the tower of Terror.

Micecast Another Westfest Wrap Up-This report starts long before the Westfest festivities with a tour of LA. Seeing the Gamble House, the bridge from Roger Rabbit, and visiting the original Animation Studios are just a fraction of the fun before the fest. It is truly remarkable to hear where a lot of the TV shows and movies location shots are filmed. And then on to the Jimmy Kimmel Live backstage and green room. Another view of the Lost Bar meet is related. And unfortunately even some problems gain! ing entry into park with the swag and equipment. Some of our a! ttendees were even detained, released or even denied entry. The Rabble Rousers Meet was recalled and even more inconsistencies with security revealed. Yet Mickey’s Fun Wheel ride only had a few newbie hiccups. Even the DPN banquet was not glitch free, with Poor drink service, and a difficult radio link up with excruciatingly poor video quality. Yet the multimedia presentations, the Stand Up Skippers, and Guitar Hero made for a enjoyable evening.

Skurvy Monkeys Episodes 65.5, 66 You know the monkeys had some of the most well attended meets, and these episodes share with us the adult goodness that accompanied these meets. If you just can’t get enough Westfest, and you can tolerate the explicit language, these are my final picks for Westfest audio.

Don’t forget, you can download your favorite Disney Podcasts on iTunes.

Save $2 Per Box on Disney Checks. Enter Code "GET2". Order Now! Discuss this post, and anything else related to Disney, at the TownSquare Forums. Mickey Heads-Disney Podcast Review Westfest 2010 The Disney Blog - Disney News and Information -- by fans, for fans

                          

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Want to Give Your Kids Some Summertime Academic Inspiration? -- Watch Kids Week on Jeopardy!

Want to Give Your Kids Some Summertime Academic Inspiration? -- Watch Kids Week on Jeopardy! Wednesday June 23, 2010

It may be summertime, but there are at least 15 kids who are probably not going to experience that traditional summer slip in academics. 15 or so of the nation's brightest 10-12 year-olds will compete during Kids Week on Jeapardy!. 2010 K ids Week episodes will air Monday, July 5, through Friday, July 9 (check local listings for times).

We've watched some of Kids Week in years past, and the contestants certainly are fun to watch and inspiring. Although, I am so curious about the road these kids have taken to get where they are. To have that kind of knowledge in their little heads at such a young age! I am hoping the Jeopardy! website will post a little info about the kids and how much they have to study each day. Do they have personal tutors? Do they travel often? Private schools? I am so fascinated, but I doubt we'll get that much information.

According to Jeopardy!, the winner of each game will receive a minimum guarantee of $15,000 as well as a family vacation to one of five exotic locales, courtesy of Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic. The winners will either travel to Arctic Norway to search for polar bears, explore the rainforests of Costa Rica and the Panama Canal, get close to whales and dolphins in Mexico's Baja Peninsula, explore the wonders and wilderness of Alaska, or discover the rich natural history of the Galapagos Islands. Wow, which one would you choose?

(Photo courtesy of "Jeopardy!" Productions, Inc.)

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Tuesday DVD Round Up: New Collector's Editions...

Tuesday DVD Round Up: New Collector's Editions... Tuesday June 22, 2010

Avatar: The Last Airbender may be an animated series, but the deep storyline, mystical setting, and engaging martial arts action set the show apart and garnered a large and devoted following. It's no surprise that that the series inspired a live action theatrical release, but that it is directed by M. Night Shyamalan makes the movie even more interesting. The movie The Last Airbender opens in theaters on July 1, 2010, and just in time to cash in on the movie buzz, Nickelodeon and Paramount have released Avatar: The Last Airbender The Complete Book 1 Collector's Edition.

Available today on DVD, the limited edition 7-disc set includes the entire Book 1: Water compilation with special features and a bonus disc. Fans can check out a behind-the-scenes documentary from the creators Michael Dante DiMartino and Bryan Konietzko, learn about the story behind the creation of the series, and see never-before-seen development art. A series of this magnitude made for kids is a rarity, and the show has many adult followers as well, so this is one collector's edition that will truly be worth it for those who have followed and enjoyed the show, or for those who see the movie and are inspired to find out how it all began.

(Photo © Paramount Home Entertainment)

Also out on DVD today:

That famous duo Tom & Jerry brought new meaning to the game of cat and mouse with hilarious antics set to melodramatic and fun music. This anniversary compilation features 30 of the best and most popular shorts showcasing Tom and Jerry's appearances and how they evolved through the decades. There are certain old school cartoons that will be around forever, and Tom & Jerry is one of them. This anniversary collection is fabulous if you want a good sampling of the show for your own collection or to share with your kids.

(Photo © Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.)

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Disney looks At to approve Phineas and Ferb

Get ready to see a lot more of Phineas, Ferb, and their Platypus friend Perry. Disney thinks it has found a franchise it can hang the next few years of revenue on. And as we know, Bob Iger is focused on franchises right now.

This NY Times article compares Phineas and Ferb with the success of Spongebob Squarepants. You may not put the two together right now, but there was a time when the Square One was just getting off the ground and not as ubiquitous as he is today. Of course, Disney can only hope for success like that.

Previously: How to Make a Perry The Platypus Cake.

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