Release date: 1996-07-08
Run time: 62 min.
RRP: £6.99
Price: £0.98
Review Iron Man - Origin Of Iron Man - Special Edition (Disney) / Walt Disney Home Video:
Actors & Directors
- Craig Bartlett
- Cree Summer
- Broni Likomanov
- Celia Kendrick
- Christine Cavanaugh
- Nancy Cartwright
- Barry Vodos
- Elizabeth Daily
- Chris Hermans
- Tara Strong
Run time: 25 min.
RRP: £7.99
Price: £4.99
Review Rugrats - The Santa Experience / Paramount Home Entertainment:
![Review Paramount Home Entertainment / The Rugrats Movie [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NEDDYA6WL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Whoopi Goldberg
- David Spade
- Norton Virgien
- Christine Cavanaugh
- Kath Soucie
- Igor Kovalyov
- Elizabeth Daily
Run time: 77 min.
Creator: Peter Chung
RRP: £9.99
Price: £1.03
Review The Rugrats Movie [1999] / Paramount Home Entertainment:The first theatrical film from the popular Nickelodeon TV series became the surprise hit of the 1998 holiday box-office crunch, trouncing the highly competitive kids market. The key ingredient to Rugrats' success is the writing. Venturing into their first theatrical movie, the pals-including the intrepid diaper-wearing Tommy Pickles, the nervous Chuckie, the twins Lil and Phil, and the wonderfully prissy Angelica-garble English into funny prose ("I want those fugitives back in custard-y!") and use movie references in their fantasy life. The opening here is a dead-on spoof of Raiders of the Lost Ark. The big news for the movie is that Tommy gets a new baby brother, named Dylan (or Dil for short). The rest of the film has no real plot but is a series of adventures as the clan gets lost in the forest riding an inventive Reptar wagon that is the 90s equivalent of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Parents search for the kids, the kids learn new lessons, everyone goes home happy. The Rugrats Movie is not as wildly appealing as A Bug's Life but is far goofier and wackier with its animation. There's also a tremendous sense of joy that is often missing from cartoons these days, and the songs used in the film-from such diverse musicians as Busta Rhymes, Iggy Pop, Lisa Loeb, Lou Rawls, Beck, and Devo-add to the fun. It's an acquired taste, but the creators' first efforts to take the 10-minute TV sketches into an 80-minute feature pay off. [+]-Doug Thomas The first theatrical film from the popular television series became the surprise hit of the 1998 holiday box-office crunch, trouncing the highly competitive kids market. The key ingredient to the Rugrats' success is the writing. Venturing into their first theatrical movie, the pals-including the intrepid nappie-wearing Tommy Pickles, the nervous Chuckie, the twins Lil and Phil, and the wonderfully prissy Angelica-garble English into funny prose ("I want those fugitives back in custard-y!") and use movie references in their fantasy life. The opening here is a dead-on spoof of Raiders of the Lost Ark. The big news for the movie is that Tommy gets a new baby brother, named Dylan (or Dil for short). The rest of the film has no real plot but is a series of adventures, as the clan gets lost in the forest riding an inventive Reptar wagon that is the 1990s equivalent of the car in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Parents search for the kids, the kids learn new lessons and everyone goes home happy. The Rugrats Movie is not as wildly appealing as A Bug's Life but is far goofier and wackier with its animation. There's also a tremendous sense of joy that is often missing from cartoons these days and the songs used in the film-from such diverse musicians as Busta Rhymes, Iggy Pop, Lisa Loeb, Lou Rawls, Beck and Devo-add to the fun. It's an acquired taste, but the creators' first efforts to take the 10-minute TV sketches into an 80-minute feature pay off. -Doug Thomas.
![Review Paramount Home Entertainment / Rugrats - Space Kiddets [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51H70T7S6CL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Tara Strong
- Celia Kendrick
- Chris Hermans
- Broni Likomanov
- Craig Bartlett
- Barry Vodos
- Christine Cavanaugh
- Nancy Cartwright
- Cree Summer
- Elizabeth Daily
Run time: 58 min.
Price: £8.99
Review Rugrats - Space Kiddets [2001] / Paramount Home Entertainment:
![Review Walt Disney Home Video / The Rescuers Down Under (Disney) [1991]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/5129XB9FPAL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Hendel Butoy
- Mike Gabriel
- John Candy
- Adam Ryen
- Tristan Rogers
- Bob Newhart
- Eva Gabor
Run time: 80 min.
Creator: Margery Sharp
RRP: £14.99
Price: £0.01
Review The Rescuers Down Under (Disney) [1991] / Walt Disney Home Video:The Rescuers Down Under isn't a quickie, direct-to-video sequel, cashing in on the success of the original 1977 animated hit about adventurous mice, but a full-blown theatrical effort. This time around, Bernard (voice of Bob Newhart) is trying to pop the question to Bianca (Eva Gabor) when they're summoned to Australia, where a young boy has been kidnapped by a pallid, grey-faced poacher (who looks like and is voiced by George C. Scott). Wilbur, a chatterbox of an albatross (John Candy, replacing the late Jim Jordan's character Orville), and Jake (Tristan Rogers), a kangaroo mouse-Bernard is jealous of the dashing rodent-assist the Rescuers in saving the day and imparting a mild environmental message. The film opens with an absolutely breathtaking aerial sequence-this was made near the beginning of Disney's animation renaissance-so impressive it would seem the story, literally, has nowhere else to go but down. However, some smart gags, excellent animation and rollicking adventures ensue. So why isn't it better known? It had the bad luck to open, in 1990, opposite another kids' film-Home Alone. -David Kronke.
Run time: 47 min.
Review The Muppets - A celebration of 30 Years:For three decades the Muppets have entertained millions. this video is a celbration of 30 years of muppet achievement. from 1955 when Jim Henson introduced Kermit - through to the muppet show and Fraggle rock. running time 47 Minutes.
Actors & Directors
- Richard Coombs
- Debby Cumming
- David Coyle
- Vicki Lee Taylor
- Richard Cadell
- Francis Wright
Creator: Paul Rose
Price: £8.99
Review Sooty - Sooty's School Trip [2001] / Thames Video:
Release date: 2003-11-03
Price: £12.99
Review Baby Bach / Buena Vista Home Entertainment:
Run time: 40 min.
Review Le Shuttle - French For Children 4-11 Years - 1 / Creative Media Marketing:
Actors & Directors
- Michelle Melanson
- Shadia Simmons
Run time: 50 min.
Creator: Rick Siggelkow
RRP: £9.99
Price: £6.99
Review Noddy - To The Rescue / 2 Entertain Video:
Release date: 1996-06-10
Run time: 44 min.
RRP: £9.99
Price: £7.95
Review Ariel - Giggles (Disney) / Walt Disney Home Video:
![Review 4 Front Video / Muppets From Space / Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland [1999]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51NW0DKV0XL._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Gary Halvorson
- Kevin Clash
- Mandy Patinkin
- The Muppets
- Tim Hill
- Fran Brill
- Caroll Spinney
Run time: 154 min.
RRP: £9.99
Price: £8.99
Review Muppets From Space / Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland [1999] / 4 Front Video:
Actors & Directors
- Michelle Melanson
- Shadia Simmons
Run time: 50 min.
Creator: Rick Siggelkow
RRP: £9.99
Price: £6.99
Review Noddy - The Magician / 2 Entertain Video:
Release date: 2000-05-01
Run time: 61 min.
RRP: £9.99
Price: £7.70
Review Maisy - Colours And Counting / Universal Pictures UK:Maisy, the epony-mouse from Lucy Cousins' hugely popular books, has been brought to the small screen in a series of beautifully produced animated tales now collected together on video. Each episode focuses on a central theme such as "Bedtime" or "Birthday", and features Maisy's band of friends: Tallulah the effervescent chick, Eddie the elephant, Cyril the Squirrel, and the stomach-obsessed crocodile Charley. The animation reproduces the bright, block colours of the books, but adds a new dimension of playful characterisation and sound effects. The characters' voices are very much in the Teletubbies and Pingu mode, offering few discernible words but perfectly evoking the individual characters and appealing to very young children. Neil Morrissey's voice-over offers a gentle, questioning cue for Maisy and her friends' activities, and further brings out the stories' educational emphasis. The Maisy videos combine simple presentation with charming characterisation to great effect and each tale is constructed with an underlying intelligence and humour that repays repeat viewings. For those in occasional need of a Teletubby-free zone, these are the perfect videos for pre-school children. In Colours & Counting Maisy picks up all her friends in her bus (although Eddie is a tight squeeze!), plays hide and seek with Charly, and organizes an egg hunt for everyone. In "Clouds" she goes ballooning, while at the circus Cyril spin plates, Tallulah walks the tightrope, Eddie trampolines and Maisy does a turn on the trapeze. The emphasis on numbers and colours is imaginatively applied throughout, particularly when Eddie helps Maisy paint her shed in technicolour! -Steve Napleton.
![Review 2 Entertain Video / Teletubbies - Happy Weather Stories [1997]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/413SX0KPP1L._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Toni Barry
- Alex Pascall
- David Hiller
- Sandra Dickinson
- Rolf Saxon
- Penelope Keith
Run time: 28 min.
Creator: Sue James
RRP: £9.99
Price: £8.49
Review Teletubbies - Happy Weather Stories [1997] / 2 Entertain Video:The cuddly foursome guide young viewers through all aspects of the weather in Teletubbies, Happy Weather Stories. This 68-minute video has all the hallmarks of the much-loved BBC series including the baby in the sun, the magic windmill and short films of real children-in this instance shown having a great deal of fun flying kites, splashing in puddles and building sandcastles. From clear blue skies to a snowy day in Teletubbyland, Po, Dipsy, Laa-Laa and Tinky Winky discover the elements in their own unique way, providing a gentle introduction to the weather for the very young. -Helen Baker.
Release date: 2001-07-13
Run time: 70 min.
RRP: £7.99
Price: £5.98
Review Charley Says... Vol. 1 - The Best Public Information Films In the World / Network:
Release date: 2001-05-16
RRP: £7.99
Price: £2.50
Review Charley Live / Network:
![Review Walt Disney Home Video / Princess Diaries [2001]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41NQWGX6M9L._SL160_.jpg)
Actors & Directors
- Hector Elizondo
- Heather Matarazzo
- Julie Andrews
- Anne Hathaway
- Mandy Moore
- Garry Marshall
Run time: 115 min.
Creator: Meg Cabot
RRP: £14.99
Price: £1.62
Review Princess Diaries [2001] / Walt Disney Home Video:A thoroughly engaging fairy tale that's family friendly without being condescending, The Princess Diaries is your basic Cinderella makeover story given a fresh, affectionate twist courtesy of a game, energetic cast and a screenplay that skirts schmaltz in favour of gentle, effective comedy. Mia Thermopolis (Anne Hathaway) is a frizzy-haired, glasses-wearing 15-year-old girl whose two highest ambitions are to become invisible and to get a few smooches from the slickly attractive school heartthrob. As a girl who can't stand being the centre of attention so much that she throws up during debate class, she's stunned and horrified when her coolly continental grandmother(Julie Andrews) shows up and informs her that she's the crown princess of the European principality Genovia. Soon enough, Mia has to undertake "princess lessons" (and a makeover) from her queenly grandmother, and eventually she blossoms into a confident, radiant girl despite the worries and pressure that her newfound status brings. What makes The Princess Diaries work is director Garry Marshall's guileless, irony-free approach to the material (based on Meg Cabot's novel). In comparison to most sarcastic, ultra-hip teen comedies, The Princess Diaries is refreshingly and enjoyably square, content to win you over on charm alone and not a slick bag of tricks. Hathaway is a charismatic, appealing role model with a sharp sense of comic timing, and Andrews-who came to stardom as the object of a makeover supreme in My Fair Lady on Broadway-is at her regal best, whether teaching Mia the proper royal wave or learning how to eat a corndog. Both leading ladies are complemented by a finely tuned cast, including Hector Elizondo as Genovia's head of security (and romantic counterpart to Andrews), Heather Matarazzo as Mia's best pal, and Robert Schwartzman as the good guy who ultimately wins Mia's heart. All in all, this is a royal pleasure. -Mark Englehart, Amazon. [+]com.
![Review Sony Bmg / Mariah Carey - MTV Unplugged + 3 [1992]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41V5YMT6TYL._SL160_.jpg)
Release date: 1999-09-06
Run time: 52 min.
RRP: £5.99
Price: £2.95
Review Mariah Carey - MTV Unplugged + 3 [1992] / Sony Bmg:Discovered by a major label and quickly accorded fast-track priority, Mariah Carey was already a platinum pop Cinderella by the time of this 1992 music video project. Her career's exclusive reliance on meticulously groomed studio recordings and equally polished video clips invited critical scepticism, if not scorn, making this concert debut on camera a risky career move. As it happened, it was triumphant: coming on the heels of her manicured albums, the girlish charm and heart-stopping vocal pyrotechnics displayed on Unplugged confirmed Carey's talents, while also delivering the freshest music she had made up to that point. Modifying the series' original acoustic format, Carey reinforces her octave-leaping vocal prowess with a crack (and frequently very plugged-in) band, a string section and a muscular vocal chorus. But the star herself is clearly live, not Memorex, as she vaults from her husky lower register to those signature, stratospheric head tones that would normally be possible only through judicious application of helium. Earlier hits, including "Emotions", "Vision of Love" and "Make It Happen", come across more like heartfelt (if somewhat routine) personal testaments than the technical showcases they seem on record, where every on-a-dime vocal swoop, leap or pirouette can suggest a deliberate obstacle placed there to demonstrate Carey's chops. When she tucks into Michael Jackson's "I'll Be There", however, there's little room left for quibbling. Carey's lush, melismatic delivery blossoms in this richer emotional soil, and her duet partner, Trey Lorenz (who would go on to a successful solo career, catapulted by this performance), matches her in fervour. Even Carey's detractors can be humbled by this track, while her fans will relish the whole program, augmented on home video with three contemporaneous video clips. -Sam Sutherland, Amazon. [+]com.
Release date: 2002-11-04
Run time: 66 min.
RRP: £9.99
Price: £0.97
Review Barney - Christmas Star / Hit Entertainment:
| Browse Ages 5-8:
Models & Brands:
Iron Man - Origin Of Iron Man - Special Edition (Disney), Rugrats - The Santa Experience, The Rugrats Movie [1999], Rugrats - Space Kiddets [2001], The Rescuers Down Under (Disney) [1991], The Muppets - A celebration of 30 Years, Sooty - Sooty's School Trip [2001], Baby Bach, Le Shuttle - French For Children 4-11 Years - 1, Noddy - To The Rescue, Ariel - Giggles (Disney), Muppets From Space / Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland [1999], Noddy - The Magician, Maisy - Colours And Counting, Teletubbies - Happy Weather Stories [1997], Charley Says... Vol. 1 - The Best Public Information Films In the World, Charley Live, Princess Diaries [2001], Mariah Carey - MTV Unplugged + 3 [1992], Barney - Christmas Star |
