New Chuck & Friends DVD Offers More Entertainment, Life Lessons For The Whole Family

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/Shout! Kids/Hasbro/The Hub

Chuck, the adventurous young dump truck is back once again.  And he’s brought all of his friends along for the “ride” in an all new collection of adventures from Shout! Kids, Hasbro, and The Hub.  The brand new collection, titled, When Trucks Fly takes viewers on ten more fun-filled adventures that also teach some very valuable lessons.  The Adventures of Chuck & Friends is just as enjoyable for kids and parents as the series’ previous release, Monster Rally.  The episodes are short enough to keep younger viewers’ attention.  And the bright, vivid colors do their own part in keeping kids engaged.  The adventures themselves will entertain kids.  And the life lessons tied into all ten episodes are equally important.

One of the best episodes included in this latest collection involves a motorcycle named Sam Steering who is blind.  Through the use of his friend, Sidecar, he is able to get around easier.  But he’s not entirely helpless.  As a matter of fact, he even helps keep Chuck’s dad from slipping in some oil early on because he could smell the oil.  Sam is a very helpful character to younger viewers in that he teaches kids that just because he’s different in not being able to see, he’s no different from anyone else.  In understanding this, Chuck and his friends learn to use their senses to locate the parts and toy race car for a race track they want to put together.  In a way, this teaches a very basic level of biology that will perhaps be the building block of getting kids interested in science.  All of the lessons are tied seamlessly together to make an episode that is one of the best in this collection.

When Trucks Fly offers lots of great lessons for kids in every episode as already noted.  Parents will especially appreciate this collection because at least two of the episodes included in this collection teach a lesson of cleanliness.  Both “Mystery He Rode” (yes that’s a spoof of Mystery She Wrote) and “Super Sweeper Chuck” teach kids the importance of keeping things clean and neat.  “Super Sweeper Chuck” teaches this lesson more directly than “Mystery He Rode.”  When Chuck and his friends decide to go off and play a game without cleaning up after themselves, Rowdy is the only one who stays behind to clean.  When Chuck’s dad comes along and sees this, he goes to get the others and bring them back.  The others see the mess that they left and that Rowdy had stayed behind.  They feel bad for having left such a mess and help clean up their mess.  The musical montage included here will get kids engaged even more.

By comparison, “Mystery He Rode” teaches the lesson cleanliness in a more subtle manner as Chuck and his friends look for Rowdy’s missing horn.  Chuck’s mom emphasizes to the boys that they need to put everything back once they’re done as they search for his horn.  It’s good to see this lesson incorporated into this episode, too.  Even more worthwhile in “Mystery He Rode” isn’t so much that lesson as the lesson of not falsely accusing others without proof.  One of the boys is falsely accused of having taken Rowdy’s missing horn at one point.  But thanks to Chuck pointing out one vital piece of evidence, his name is cleared, and the true location of Rowdy’s horn is revealed.  This is yet another important life lesson that parents will appreciate having been taught.  And kids will easily grasp it too.

Just as important as the lessons on cleanliness and accepting people’s differences, parents will appreciate the lessons of teamwork and honor in the episode, “Keep on Trackin’.”  Chuck and his friends are Junior Spark Plug Scouts in this episode.  During a scavenger hunt of sorts, Chuck and the others learn both of these lessons.  Chuck and Flip end up competing with each other instead of with one another.  They realize in the end that they hadn’t lived up to the teamwork or honor.  But in realizing this, they both earn their honor badges because of their honesty and decision to make up and work together from then on.  Yet again, parents and kids alike have one more important life lesson that even adults could learn from believe it or not.  It’s just one more part of the whole that kids and kids at heart will enjoy with every watch.  The Adventures of Chuck and Friends: When Trucks Fly will be available in stores and online on Tuesday, February 19^th.  It can be ordered online direct from the Shout! Factory store at http://www.shoutfactory.com/?q=node/216660.

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The New Pound Puppies Is Fun For The Whole Family

Shout! Factory/Hasbro Studios/Hub

Dog is man’s best friend, it’s often said.  Well dogs are also every child’s friends.  And after seeing the new compilation DVD from Hasbro Studios and Shout Factory, the dogs of the new Pound Puppies will be a favorite of every child, and maybe even some adults out there, too.  In this new single disc compilation, audiences get five episodes from the new series that will leave both parents and kids alike smiling and watching over and over again.  In the first of the set’s five episodes, pound manager Leonard and his flunky Olaf have to track down his mother’s dog.  Megastar Betty White guests in this episode.  The compilation’s second episode is a heartwarming episode both for adults and kids alike as Cookie learns a valuable lesson about being a parent.  Lauren Tom, Maurice LaMarche, and Cree Summer all add their guest vocal talents to this episode.  And in one more episode, a new pup named Patches joins the gang.  He looks up to the Pound Puppies so much that he, Cupcake, and Rebound form their own group called The Super Secret Pup Club.  Of course, lots of laughs and mayhem ensue.This five-episode collection opens with the episode, “Bone Voyage.”  Betty White (Golden Girls, Hot in Cleveland) guest stars as the voice of Agatha, the mother of the pound’s manager, Leonard.  Agatha has brought her puppy, Rebound, to the pound so that Leonard will look after Rebound while she goes on vacation.  While Lucky and the others try to get Rebound to understand that Agatha will be back, Rebound sees Agatha leave and freaks out.  She takes off after Agatha, causing not only the Pound Puppies to take chase, but so do Leonard and Olaf.  They all end up on board the cruise liner on which Agatha has taken her vacation.  Of course, lots of mayhem and laughs ensure.  Viewers will have to see for themselves how things unravel.  It does, of course, have a happy ending.

In one of the set’s deeper, more emotional episodes, Cookie learns a valuable lesson about being a parent when a young new pup named Cupcake is brought to the pound.  This is one that parents will appreciate in their own way.  Cookie becomes emotionally attached to Cupcake.  So much so that she doesn’t want Cupcake getting adopted.  In its own way, this is somewhat representative of parents letting their own children go as they get older.  That likely wasn’t the primary intent.  But parents will be able to relate to Cookie’s emotional ordeal.  They may even be left a little bit teary eyed by the episode’s end.  Lauren Tom (Futurama), Maurice Lamarche (Futurama, The Simpsons, Animaniacs, etc.) and Cree Summer (Rugrats, Codename:  Kids Next Door, etc.) all add their guest vocals to this episode.

Once parents get over the emotional moments of “Mutternal Instincts”, they’ll find themselves laughing in “The Super Secret Pup Club.”  Cree Summer returns again as Cupcake.  Rebound is back again.  The two team up with another new puppy named Patches.  Patches is a young Dalmatian.  He really looks up to the Pound Puppies.  He tells them of the stories he’s heard of the Pound Puppies, and how he wants to be as great as them.  So the trio forms its club and tries to emulate the Pound Puppies.  But as is the course with any new puppy, the run off, forcing the others to hunt them down.  This causes all sorts of trouble for the Pound Puppies.  It also causes lots of laughs for audiences.  Audiences will have to see for themselves what happens.  Pound Puppies:  Super Secret Pup Club will be available in stores and online Tuesday.  It can be ordered online at http://www.shoutfactorystore.com.

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New Steve Martin Box Set Is One Wild And Crazy Retrospective

Courtesy: Shout! Factory

Shout! Factory has proven time and again throughout 2012 why it is one of the leaders in home entertainment.  With releases of so many classic Nicktoons and even the entire original G.I. Joe series alongside the release of the horror classic, They Live, and so many great music releases, one can only wonder what Shout! Factory will do next to top itself.  What to do?  What to do?  How about a triple disc DVD box set profiling the early career of entertainment legend Steve Martin?  Bingo!

“Steve Martin:  The TV Stuff” is the latest release from Shout! Factory’s stable of top notch releases.  Anyone who is a fan of this veteran comedian/actor/musician/author (heck, just call him a jack of all trades), will find this to be an invaluable addition to their own home library.  The triple-disc set follows Martin’s career from 1978 – 2005.  While audiences won’t find much in the way of his work on Saturday Night Live, they will love seeing his 1978 stand-up act taken from HBO archives.  This nearly hour-long performance is funny.  There’s no arguing that.  But audiences should also know that it isn’t meant for younger audiences due to language and other content.  That aside, it’s still a great piece of nostalgia for any comedy fan or fan of Martin himself.  Some of the best moments in this performance include his banjo playing and his magic (yes, magic) act.  On a similar note, audiences will really enjoy the commentary included on each disc. 

The commentary included on this first disc of the set includes some history from Martin himself.  He explains how he eventually came to work in front of the camera versus behind it.  He explains that he originally wanted to be a magician when he was growing up.  That would account for the addition of the little magic act in his original 1978 stand up set.  He also adds some interesting other tidbits such as how he started his early television career writing for very famous television shows including:  The Smothers Brothers, Sonny & Cher, and The Cher Show.  There’s even mention of where is now famed bit with the fake arrow through the head came from.  Each disc contains its own commentary from Martin.  This is just a tiny sample of what audiences can expect.  And as this reviewer has pointed out so many times before, factors such as this are more proof of the importance of bonus features on DVD’s and blu-rays.  This is one of those cases where the bonus commentary adds so much more to the entire viewing experience.  So kudos once more to Shout! Factory for this inclusion.

His 1978 HBO stand-up act and the commentary are just a couple elements that make this box set enjoyable for any Steve Martin fan.  Also included in the set are his NBC television specials.  Those specials include many of the skits from throughout the years that he’s done.  Fans will love the likes of “Turtle Boy.”  And hearing country legend Johnny cash discussing astrophysics with Steve in his Steve Martin Variety Show skit is hilarious.  There are even appearances by Martin’s SNL cast mates in one of his later TV specials. 

“Steve Martin:  The TV Stuff” may only be comprised of three discs.  But in those three discs, Shout! Factory has managed to compile so much footage from Martin’s career.  Whether it be the skits, the interviews, the standup material, or even the bonus commentary by Martin, this triple-disc set is a wonderful retrospective on his career on the small screen.  The new set will be available in stores and online tomorrow.  It can be ordered direct via Shout! Factory’s website at http://www.shoutfactorystore.com.

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The Adventures Of Chuck & Friends Will “Rev” up Audiences Of All Ages

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/Hub

Television today is rife with programming that’s anything but kid and family friendly.  Even all the “reality” shows out there are loaded with so much profanity being bleeped out that some parents probably question even letting their kids watch that stuff.  Even the networks that have kid friendly programming aren’t available to all parents.  That makes DVD’s such as the new release from Hub’s The Adventures of Chuck & Friends that much more important to parents who want something safe for their kids. 

The Adventures of Chuck & Friends:  Monster Rally is another fun and family friendly release from Hub in its partnership with Shout! Factory.  This new single disc compilation of episodes boasts ten more episodes of life lessons and fun.  The young dump truck Chuck learns why it’s not good to brag in this compilation.  Also in “Daredevil Chuck”, Chuck learns that sometimes it’s better to go with your heart than with the crowd.  And in “The Legend of Bigtire” Chuck and his friends learn about rumors and to not always believe everything they hear.  There are even more life lessons to be learned throughout the other seven episodes in this collection that families will love to watch together.

In the opening episode of this brand new compilation from Hub and Shout! Factory, Chuck has gotten a brand new horn.  He’s so excited about it that he can’t wait to go and show it off to his friends.  He loves all the attention.  But when his friend Soku comes along and shows off his new police kit, all of the attention suddenly goes to Soku instead, making Chuck jealous.  So Chuck goes back to the shop and “Borrows” his brother Rally’s new tires and puts them on.  He goes back to the junkyard to show them off to his friends.  While his friends are amazed by Chuck’s “new” tires, they tell him they have to see them in action.  This is where things get hairy for Chuck, as he loses control on the track and ends up running through a bunch of mud, and getting the tires dirty.  When he comes back to his friends, Soku inadvertently gets the attention of Chuck’s mom with his new megaphone.  She comes over with Rally, forcing Chuck to admit what he had done.  Chuck learns his lesson about trying to brag and show off, and gets Rally to show off the tires instead.

Chuck learns a valuable lesson about pride in the compilation’s opener.  It’s just one of many episodes that he learns.  In “Daredevil Chuck”, Chuck learns that just because other people do certain things doesn’t mean he has to.  When a series of dares gets bigger and bigger, Chuck starts to question the dare his friends had set up for him.  He talks to his dad about it, who tells him that he should go with his heart.  Chuck pays attention to that advice, and goes back the next day to tell his friends he’s not going to take their dare because he doesn’t feel safe.  And just as his friends start to get on him for not taking the dare, the giant pile of bricks and the girder leaned against them comes tumbling down.  Chuck’s friends realize after it falls that he was right to not take the dare.  And Chuck feels that much better for not having taken the dare, but following his heart instead. 

Learning to not always follow the crowd and do what everyone else does is a very important life lesson.  And in that same vein, part of not going along with the crowd is not spreading rumors.  Chuck and his friends learn this lesson in the episode, “The Legend of Bigtire.”  Chuck and his friends are out and about one day in this episode, when they discover some very large tire tracks in the dirt.  The discovery leads the group to start talking about the legend of Bigtire.  As they search for Bigtire, Chuck and his friends all have their own idea of what Bigtire is.  They go back to the shop and tell Chuck’s dad and his friends about what they’ve seen.  So Rally is asked to go along with Chuck and his friends.  He doesn’t let on that he knows who Bigtire really is at first.  But eventually, he finally introduces everyone to the “legendary” Bigtire.  Bigtire turns out to be merely a construction truck named Sigmund.  And he’s a far cry from what the rumors had said he was.  Actually, he’s the exact opposite of those rumors.  He is big.  But he’s also very polite and kind.  Seeing this, Chuck and his friends learn that not everything they hear should be believed.  Nor should they add to the rumors that get spread about others.

Chuck and his friends learn some very valuable lessons in this brand new compilation of episodes.  The ones noted here are just tiny samplings of what this new DVD has to offer.  There even more episodes in this set that parents will love to watch with their kids again and again.  It’s available now in stores and online at Shout! Factory’s store, http://www.shoutfactorystore.com.

To keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it or its companion page, http://www.facebook.com/pages/Reel-Reviews/381028148587141.  Fans can always keep up with the latest entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at http://philspicks.wordpress.com.