Nickelodeon, CBS Present New Spongebob Special, Album

Posted on November 19, 2012 by philspicks

Courtesy: Nickelodeon

With Thanksgiving only days away, many people are looking forward to the second half of the holiday season and the arrival of Christmas. One of the most beloved traditions of the holidays is sitting down to watch the annual holiday specials on television. CBS will have a new holiday special this year in the form of a new Spongebob Squarepants special called, It’s a Spongebob Christmas. Along with the new special, there will be a soundtrack available for parents to pick up for their kids, too. In anticipation of both, the special’s lead song has been released. The song, which was co-written by Tom Kenny and Andy Paley even has a video to go with it.

The video for ‘Don’t Be a Jerk (It’s Christmas) was the winner of the 2008 Built By Me Movie contest. The contest in question is held by Lego and Nickelodeon. It features Spongebob and his friends celebrating the holiday season all while Spongebob sings. It can be viewed here now at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVOPRCnc8r4. And families can even follow along with the lyrics right here, too!

DON’T BE A JERK (IT’S CHRISTMAS)

(Andy Paley & Tom Kenny)

BRING JOY TO THE WORLD IT’S THE THING TO DO
BUT THE WORLD DOES NOT REVOLVE AROUND YOU
DON’T BE A JERK
IT’S CHRISTMAS

THERE’S A SIGN ABOVE THE LINE THAT SAYS “EXPRESS”
THAT MEANS TEN ITEMS OR LESS
DON’T BE A JERK
IT’S CHRISTMAS

BE NICE TO BABIES AND ANIMALS
OLD FOLKS TOO
‘CAUSE THAT’S HOW YOU’D LIKE THEM TO TREAT YOU
USE TURN SIGNALS DON’T SCREEN MY CALLS
DON’T WRECK THE HOUSE WHEN YOU DECK THE HALLS

SPIT YOUR GUM WHERE IT WON’T WIND UP ON MY SHOE
SQUEEZE TOOTHPASTE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TUBE
DON’T BE A JERK
IT’S CHRISTMAS

(solo)

WHEN OTHERS ARE TALKING NEVER INTERRUPT
DON’T PUT PEOPLE DOWN AND LEAVE THE TOILET SEAT UP
IT’S THE TIME FOR FAMILY AND HOLLY AND TURKEY
‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE JOLLY NOT JERKY
(JOLLY NOT JERKY)

DON’T DIG IN THE CEREAL BOX FOR GOODNESS SAKES
TAKE THE PRIZE AND LEAVE ME NOTHIN’ BUT FLAKES
DON’T BE A JERK
IT’S CHRISTMAS

SANTA BROUGHT NEARLY EVERY GIFT ON YOUR LIST
WHY WHINE ABOUT THE ONE THAT HE MISSED?
DON’T BE A JERK
IT’S CHRISTMAS

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The New Pound Puppies Is Fun For The Whole Family

Posted on October 14, 2012 by philspicks

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.

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.

The Three Stooges Update Is Surprisingly Funny

Posted on October 12, 2012 by philspicks

Courtesy: 20th Century Fox

The Farrelly Brothers’ take on everyone’s favorite comic trio is surprisingly entertaining. On the surface, it would seem that it’s little more than the same style movie as Hollywood’s big screen reboot of Dennis The Menace or The Little Rascals. But the reality is that those re-imaginings pale in comparison. Sure the Farrelly Brothers have done much the same thing as what those flicks did. But at the same time, it’s obvious that they really did attempt to pay homage to the original Stooges.

At first glance, the very thought of modernizing the Stooges makes no sense. After the utter failures that were Dennis the Menace (and its equally awful sequels) and The Little Rascals, the natural reaction here is to shake one’s head that much the same has been done here. And while the pop culture references abound (E.g. Jersey Shore, Geico Auto Insurance, etc.), somehow, the Farrelly Brothers managed to balance out the modernization without losing the heart that make the original Stooges so beloved to this day. Yes, it would have been nice to see the Stooges in their original 1930s and 1940s element. But at least in this case, the trio’s modernization doesn’t overpower the physical comedy for which Larry, Curly, and Moe became famous.

Sean Hayes (Larry), Chris Diamantopolous (Moe), and Will Sasso (Curly) weren’t the only stars of this big screen remake. The trio’s interactions with co-stars Sofia Vergara (Modern Family), Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm), and Brian Doyle-Murray (Groundhog Day, SpongeBob Squarepants, etc.) harkens back to the original Stooges’ bits with its constant supporting cast. It’s obvious through these interactions and the physical comedy together that despite being modernized, the Farrelly Brothers really were making a valid attempt to do more than just toss something up on screen for the sake of throwing it up on screen. Unlike the people behind the reimaginings of The Little Rascals and Dennis the Menace, the intent behind this update was obviously to entertain and pay the deserved honor to the original Stooges and their fans, too.

The Farrellys succeeded in entertaining audiences nonstop with the combination of classic slapstick comedy. It took center stage, rather than the updated surroundings. The pair should also be commended for taking time immediately after the movie to warn all potentially young audiences that the gags used in the movie were not real. They point out that the hammers, crowbars and other tools were all rubber. And the sounds used in coordination with said tools were just that. They were sound effects and nothing more. They took the time to say to audiences please don’t try what they saw on screen themselves. It’s all movie magic. This might have been a minute factor in the grand scheme of things. But taking such responsibility is deserving of great respect. So thank you to the Farrellys for that. And thank you to the Farrellys for this surprisingly entertaining update on a legendary comic act.

Shout! Factory, Nickelodeon Keep The Fun Coming With New Nicktoons Release

Posted on September 21, 2012 by philspicks

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/Nickelodeon

Nickelodeon and Shout! Factory are at it again. The two companies are releasing the second half of Nick’s classic Nicktoon, CatDog. In the second half of Season Two, CatDog learns yet again, the value of the other after they have a fight. Also during a visit to an art museum, it turns out that Dog might just have some royal roots. And in the season finale, Cat learns the true meaning of Christmas in a special half hour long episode after Cat sells out to Mayor Rancid. These episodes and all the others included in this double disc feature make for even more furry fun from Nickelodeon and Shout! Factory. And as has become tradition with Shout! Factory’s Nickelodeon releases, the company continues to lead the way in proper packaging, too, adding yet another bonus in itself to this double disc set.

CatDog has had a number of fights throughout the first season of this classic Nicktoon. That’s also been the case in the first half of Season Two. Now, another fight has led to another episode in which the pair learns to value the other in the second half of Season Two. Cat and Dog learn to appreciate the other after a fight between them leads to a pair of dream sequences that eventually intersect in “It’s A Wonderful Half Life.” Dog is dreaming of a happy simple life, while Cat is dreaming of living in the lap of luxury. In his dream, CatDog’s friend Winslow is his personal butler. There’s even a reference to the Orson Welles classic, Citizen Kane in his dream. While both Cat and Dog’s dreams start out happy, both turn bad quickly, leading to their intersection. When their dreams intersect, they wake the boys up and make them realize how silly their fight was. They end up making up, making for a happy and funny end.

Cat showed in his dream during “It’s A Wonderful Half Life” yet again, his greedy nature. Apparently he got his greed naturally. That’s shown in “Royal Dog.” CatDog take a trip to the art museum in this episode. During their visit, they discover a painting depicting what could very well have been their ancestors. The tour guide tells them the story of the painting. The guide tells of how the CatDog in the picture started out poor, but thanks to Cat’s greed and desire for the good life, he trains Dog to be a Royal Dog. The training works. But there’s just one catch. The position of Royal Dog turns out not to be everything that Cat and Dog thought it would be. In the end, things turn out not so well for CatDog’s ancestor. But the end result does make for a good laugh.

CatDog has offered lots of laughs in the show’s first two seasons. And while it does offer more laughs, the season finale of Season Two also offers a warm feeling in “A Very CatDog Christmas.” In the season finale of Season Two, CatDog is celebrating Christmas. Dog drags Cat to the mall to see Santa. Mayor Rancid brings his niece to the mall, too. She is, of course, a total brat. She tells Santa and Rancid that she wants CatDog. But CatDog says they’re not for sale. That’s not the pair’s only trouble. After having to deal with Rancid, CatDog also has to deal with the Greaser Dogs again. Once they escape the Greaser Dogs, Cat’s greed get the better of him. He goes back to Rancid and agrees to sell himself and Dog to Rancid’s niece. This depresses Santa, who turns out to be the real Santa. Santa’s so saddened by seeing CatDog sell out that he cancels Christmas. Meanwhile, even though Cat and Dog don’t know the effect of what’s happened, they start to realize that they may have made a bad choice. So, they escape from Rancid and his niece and head home in an effort to set things right. But they discover when they get back home that things are even worse than they originally though. Right when everyone is about to punish them, Dog stops everyone and tells everybody there that they can still celebrate Christmas. This single moment leads to a happy ending for all, including Santa’s return.

To find out exactly how each of these episodes play out, along with all of the other fun adventures not mentioned here, fans of this classic Nicktoon can pick up the double disc set themselves next Tuesday, September 25^th. It will also be available online at http://www.shoutfactorystore.com.

Iron Man Season 2.5 Offers Even More Action For Fans

Posted on September 17, 2012 by philspicks

Courtesy: Gaiam/Vivendi/Marvel

Iron Man is one of the biggest stars of the comic book world right now thanks to his two most recent solo movies and the brand new Avengers ensemble movie from Marvel. He’s just as big on the small screen as he is on the small screen, too, thanks to Marvel’s “Iron Man: Armored Adventures.” This series, which currently airs on Nicktoons, is a big hit with teen audiences. That’s because the series focuses on a teen-aged Tony Stark. He and his fellow young co-stars have to face off against an equally aged Justin Hammer among so many other foes. Next week, audiences and fans of this CG-based series will be able to watch the second half of the show’s second season any time they want as “Iron Man: Armored Adventures Season Two Part Two” will be available in stores and online.

“Iron Man: Armored Adventures Season Two Part Two” finishes off the second season of this hit teen-centric super powered show. This time out, Tony meets what is almost his match in “Titanium vs. Iron.” Also, the young Tony meets fellow future Avengers Hawkeye and Black Widow in “The Hawk and The Spider.” And in one of the season’s most interesting episodes, Tony learns a valuable lesson about having to balance his responsibilities as Iron Man with those of Tony Stark, student, in “All The Best People Are Mad.” These are just half of the six new episodes included in the new single disc compilation that the show’s fans will enjoy.

Season Two Part Two opens with Tony Stark’s foe, Justin Hammer getting ready to reveal his new armor suit to the military thanks to designs that he stole from Tony. When Hammer opens the capsule that would have held the suit, he and the others are surprised to see nothing there, setting off Justin. It’s revealed that the suit has disappeared (along with many of the stolen designs) thanks to Tony. Just one problem, Tony is eventually discovered as he is trying to delete the design for Hammer’s Titanium Man suit. That suit comes in to play later when Tony has to face it, not knowing it’s really Hammer in the suit. Tony and War machine are nearly defeated by Titanium Man. But thanks to a little help from Pepper, another suit is sent, allowing Tony to defeat Titanium Man. What happens along the way in this episode is left for viewers to find out for themselves.

Hammer’s not the only problem that Tony has to face in the second half of Season Two. Tony meets two of his future fellow Avengers in “The Hawk and The Spider.” When Tony is trying to get his hands on a UI chip that Obadiah Stain has, it’s abruptly stolen from him by Hawkeye, with the help of Black Widow. Even after they get the chip from Tony, things don’t go too well for them, either. Hammer comes after them in his Titanium Man suit, and steals the chip from them, forcing Tony, Hawkeye, and Black Widow to team up in order to defeat Hammer. The end result leaves the door wide open for another encounter later on with both characters. But to find out what that result is, again, audiences will have to see for themselves.

Fans who have watched Iron Man: Armored Adventures know that as a teenager, Tony Stark has to face the trials and tribulations not only of facing evil villains, but also of high school. And in “All The Best People Are Mad”, Tony’s late nights catch up with him when an evil teenage genius (who just happens to be a former classmate of Tony) captures him and his friends in what can only be described as something of an homage to the Saw movie franchise. Tony is forced to answer a series of questions related to his classes in order to save his friends. On another angle, this is a good episode in that it also promotes the importance of education in a young person’s life. Sure it may not be a life or death situation. But education is still important in every person’s life. This is just a creative way to sort of illustrate that. All involved with this episode’s creation are to be commended for including that note without being preachy about it.

Tony faces a lot of challenges as Iron Man, as evidenced here. Of course, there are even more adventures for audiences to check out for themselves. This single disc collection of episodes will be available next Tuesday, September 25^th.

New Steve Martin Box Set Is One Wild And Crazy Retrospective

Posted on September 17, 2012 by philspicks

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.

Aaahh!!! Real Monstrers Season Three Offers More Monstrous Fun Just In Time For Halloween

Posted on September 11, 2012 by philspicks

Courtesy: Shout! Factory/Nickelodeon

Halloween’s almost here. And just in time to count down the days, Shout! Factory and Nickelodeon have released the penultimate season of Aaahh!!! Real Monsters. Krumm, Ickis, Oblina, The Grumble and all the other monsters at the Monster Academy are back for thirteen more episodes of scares and screams. In this second to last season, all the monsters learn about the Festival of the Festering Moon. And monster hunter Simon is back again, trying his best to capture proof that monsters really exist. Also in Season Three, Oblina has to face her overbearing mother and make her realize that scaring is her life, whether she likes it or not. These episodes and more make Season three another fun one for all the Nicktoons Nostalgics out there.

Season Three opens with the episode, “Festival of the Festering Moon.” In this episode, all the students at the monster academy are undergoing a new stage in their lives. They’re all quivering. The only one who knows why is The Gromble. He explains that the quivering is part of the annual shedding that all young monsters go through. He also explains that the last monster to shed leaves the academy, never to return. What he doesn’t explain at first is that the last to shed also is the first to grow up. So being the only one not quivering, Ickis is scared that he’ll be cast out of the academy. He goes to every length possible to kick start his shedding process. It isn’t until the Festival of the Festering Moon that he finally sheds. And when he finally does, the Gromble finally explains the why the last to shed leaves the academy. It turns out to actually be a good thing. So while Ickis isn’t the last to shed, he realizes he was making a big deal over nothing.

After they face the hurdle of a new stage in growing up, Ickis, Krumm, and Oblina also have to face an old foe in Simon The Monster Hunter. Simon (voiced by James Belushi) returns in “Simon’s Big Score.” When the trio gets into Simon’s apartment to scare him, Krumm eats some roaches off of a pizza in his kitchen. What none of the trio knows is that Simon had planted a fake cockroach on the pizza that is actually a microphone/homing device. So having taken the bait, Krumm inadvertently leads Simon to every one of the trio’s scares. Suddenly everyone at the monster academy is suspected of intentionally leading Simon to the monsters. That is until Krumm almost gets into a fight with Ickis. As he’s getting ready to fight, he’s holding his eyes in his mouth. Oblina hits Krumm on the back, trying to calm him down. That causes him to accidentally swallow his eyes (again). But thanks to her doing that, Krumm discovers the homing device. Having discovered it, Krumm and the others set up a trap for Simon. They lead him to a wrestling match and cause him to get involved in the match, in which he is soundly beaten by the wrestler.

Simon The Monster Hunter isn’t the only trouble that the monsters face in Season Three. In “Lifestyles of the Rich and Scary”, Oblina gets a letter from her mother asking her to come visit. Her mother’s secret intention is to get her to leave the scare school. At first, Krumm and Ickis think it’s a great idea for Oblina to visit her mother. So she obliges and visits her. Things go south real fast, as Oblina’s mother turns out to be anything but supportive of her. Things reach a head when Oblina’s mother basically forces her to stay there, rather than return to the monster academy. Luckily for her, the family’s butler steps in and along with Krumm and Ickis, they convince her that her mother is wrong. When they scare off two robbers from the pedicure shop above their home, Oblina comes to her senses and realizes scaring is her life. She stands up to her mother at this point. And with her father’s help, Oblina convinces her mother that she needs to return to the academy. Her mother agrees, and all ends happily.

Season Three of Aaahh!!! Real Monsters has so many laughs, scares, and screams. What’s mentioned here is just a tiny portion of that enjoyment. The double disc set will have any Nicktoons Nostalgic happy from beginning to end, both from the stories and the wonderfully hand drawn animation. In a time when real cartoons seem increasingly rare, this penultimate season to another classic Nicktoon is another welcome blast from the past. Add in the continued pack leading packaging for this double disc set, and audiences get another great release from both Shout! Factory and Nickelodeon. Aaahh!!! Real Monsters Season Three is available now on in stores and online. It can be orderd online at http://www.shoutfactorystore.com

Nickelodeon, Shout! Factory Offer More “Spirited” Fun In Danny Phantom Season 2.5

Posted on August 28, 2012 by philspicks

Courtesy: Nickelodeon/Shout! Factory

The end is near for another of Nickelodeon’s Nicktoons. Nickelodeon and Shout! Factory have officially released Danny Phantom Season Two Part Two, which will henceforth be simply called Season 2.5. Danny Phantom Season 2.5 completes the penultimate season to this short lived series from Butch Hartman. While this show would be short lived, Hartman would go on to create what is one of Nickelodeon’s more popular of the new generation of Nicktoons in The Fairly Oddparents. Audiences see Danny get shrunk thanks to his dad’s bad aim, all while learning the value of physical fitness, believe it or not. Also, after learning Danny’s secret, his sister Jazz tries to offer her help, but only makes things worse until she goes to visit Vlad Masterson. And Danny also learns a very valuable lesson in a special Christmas themed episode.

Danny Fenton (A.K.A. Danny Phantom) has had to face a lot of challenges ever since accidentally gaining his ghost powers. He has also learned a lot of valuable life lessons along the way. One of those valuable lessons that he learns is on the importance of physical fitness. That lesson is contained in the episode, “Micro Management.” In this episode, Danny has to utilize his “natural abilities” after being accidentally shrunk by his dad while battling Skulker. Skulker also gets shrunk along with Danny’s classmate, Dash. Ironically, Danny had been doing everything that he could to avoid the phys. Ed. test for which he was supposed to have been training prior to getting shrunk. After going through the adventure, he realizes the importance of being physically fit. This episode was a smart way to discuss the importance of physical fitness without preaching to young audiences. Hartman and company were very smart to attack the concept in this way.

The importance of physical fitness is just one lesson that Danny learns in the second half of Season Two. He also learns lessons about the importance of family through a handful of episodes. One of those episodes was “Secret Weapons.” Danny has faced some tough challenges before. But nothing could prepare him for a sister who is trying way too hard to help Danny hunt ghosts. Danny’s sister, Jazz, means well in her efforts to help him. But her help seems to keep causing Danny trouble. So he ends up confronting her about it at school. This leads Jazz to go to Vlad Masterson’s home, where she discovers one of his secrets. In learning his secret, Jazz and Danny team up in the end to beat Vlad. Thanks to their teamwork, Danny learns to appreciate Jazz’s efforts as his sister, and to appreciate her as a sister, too. Again, it’s a smart way to tackle a subject to which any younger viewer could relate.

Danny also learns to appreciate the rest of his family, as well as others In the Christmas episode, “The Fright Before Christmas.” In this episode Danny is no fan of the holiday season. Viewers learn that the reason for that is his parents constantly fight every Christmas. So one year, Danny’s in such a foul mood that when he goes into the ghost zone, he destroys a Christmas book written by the Ghost Writer (voiced by Arrested Development star, Will Arnett). The Ghost Writer is so angry that he traps Danny in a holiday story to teach Danny about appreciating Christmas. The ghosts from the ghost zone are there, too. They tell Danny that while they may fight him and each other through the year, Christmas is the one time of the year when they all have a truce, kind of like in All Quiet on The Western Front. Fans will also enjoy the Christmas music in the background helping to set the mood of each scene. Eventually, Danny learns that no matter how people celebrate (even if it’s by arguing and fighting), he shouldn’t let that spoil his view of Christmas, and in turn ruin others’ holiday season. It’s a very valuable lesson for parents and kids alike.

The episodes noted here are just small samplings of what Danny Phantom Season 2.5 has to offer. Fans will likely have their own favorite episodes after watching this half of Season Two for themselves. The two-disc DVD set is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered direct through Shout! Factory at http://www.shoutfactorystore.com.

New Power Rangers Compilation More Super Powered Fun For Audiences

Posted on August 16, 2012 by philspicks

Courtesy: Lionsgate/Saban

Good news Power Rangers fans. Lionsgate and Saban released two brand new DVD compilations of Power Rangers Samurai episodes this week. The first of the pair saw the new team of rangers get its Super Samurai powers, and learn how to use them. The adventures get even bigger in the second set, “Power Rangers Super Samurai: Super Showdown Volume 2. In the second volume of the pair, the rangers have to tame the new Bullzord with the help of their friend, Cody. And in another adventure, the rangers have to save Master Ji and Antonio when they’re kidnapped by the Nighlok Eyescar. Those adventures and another pair are included on “Power Rangers Super Samurai: Super Showdown Volume 2.”

One of the most important developments for the Samurai Rangers so far was the acquisition of the Bullzord. The reason is that it was such a powerful zord. As the story in the aptly titled episode notes, the Bullzord was so powerful when it was originally created, that its creators had to keep it locked up, as it couldn’t be tamed. But when the rangers’ young friend, Cody, releases the Bullzord, the rangers have to help tame it. As if taming the Bullzord wasn’t tough enough, the rangers also had to deal with the Nighlok, Crustor. Crustor’s after the Bullzord, too. In his attempt to take control of the Bullzord, Crustor goes after Cody, who has its discs. Jayden has to stop Crustor and protect Cody, who is finally able to tame the Bullzord. Once the Bullzord is tamed, Jayden sends Cody back to his dad and uses it to finish off Crustor. After defeating Crustor, the rangers go back to check on Cody and his dad who are both okay.

The challenge of taming the Bullzord wasn’t the only tough moment for the Samurai Rangers. In “The Rescue” the team has to free Master Ji and Antonio after they’re kidnapped by the Nighlok Eyescar. Luckily for the rangers, when they are captured, Antonio leaves a trail of twine a la Hansel and Gretel for the rangers to follow. This leads to a brief funny moment, when Mia makes a joke about the trail just having to lead down a dark and creepy tunnel. It’s almost like she was speaking through the viewers, joking about how cliché it was. That in itself made for a few laughs. The rangers follow the trail through the tunnel, when they encounter a group of Moogers. The rangers manage to defeat the Moogers and get to the end of the tunnel where they discover Antonio and Master Ji are being held by Eyescar and a huge horde of Moogers. The rangers regroup get the edge with an aerial attack that clears enough Moogers for the team to release Antonio and Master Ji. The rescue couldn’t come at a better time, as Eyescar goes mega size. The rangers assemble the Samurai Megazord and finish him off once and for all.

These two adventures are just half of the enjoyment that fans of the new Power Rangers team will get on the new Super Showdown Volume 2 compilation. There are two more episodes included in this set that fans will also enjoy. Fans can check both of those episodes, along with the pair noted here now. The compilation is available in stores and online. It can be ordered direct from Lionsgate at http://www.lionsgateshop.com.

Power Rangers Power Up With New DVD

Posted on August 15, 2012 by philspicks

Courtesy: Lionsgate

The Power Rangers is one of the most iconic children’s television programs in the history of modern television. American audiences got their first taste of the Power Rangers way back in 1993. Now nearly two decades since that first series aired, young audiences are still being treated to the adventures of the Power Rangers. The latest team of rangers is known as the Power Rangers Samurai. This team of rangers has to face off against the evil Master Xandred and his hordes. In one of the latest volumes of adventures from the Power Rangers Samurai, the rangers acquire their Super Samurai powers in their fight against Xandred. In another of the volume’s adventures, the rangers’ souls are transferred into inanimate objects, while the essence of those objects is transferred into the rangers. It’s up to the Green and Yellow ranger to save the rest of the team. That and more are in “Power Rangers Samurai: The Super Powered Black Box Volume 1.”

In the first episode included in “The Super Powered Black Box Volume 1”, the Arachnitor has returned from its exile. At first, Xandred is none too happy with this news. But he changes his mind in considering that it could be very useful thanks to its new mutation. Meanwhile, the rangers have started planning what to do. When they track down the monster, they try to morph, but can’t thanks to evil magic barriers that have been put up. Just when it seems that the rangers won’t be able to defeat the Arachnitor, Antonio comes with the legendary Super Powered Black Box that allows the rangers to become Super Samurai. With their newly discovered powers, the rangers are able to defeat the creature both at their size and when it grows and they have to use their zords against it.

In “Trading Places”, the Nighlok creature Switchbeast has come to “help” Xandred defeat the rangers on the orders of his master, who is revealed later in another episode. Switchbeast is switching people’s souls with the essence of inanimate objects, causing them to take on the form of the objects in question, so to speak. It just so happens that the rangers are right where Switchbeast is as he’s “switching” everybody out. Only two of the rangers are left untouched by Switchbeast. So it’s up to Mike to use the black box and unleash his Super Samurai powers and defeat Switchbeast. Mike tricks Switchbeast, leading it to switch places with a soccer ball. Mike’s trick works, allowing him to release the souls of all of Switchbeast’s victims. Things aren’t over there, though. When Switchbeast goes mega-size, Mike has to take control of the zords and defeat Switchbeast. Mike defeats the creature and gets everything back to normal. But not without a friendly match between Mike and one of the other rangers at the episode’s finale.

“Trading Places” and “Super Samurai” are only half of the episodes included in the “Super Powered Black Box” compilation. There are still two other episodes that audiences can enjoy now. The DVD is available in stores now and online. It can be ordered directly from Lionsgate online at http://www.lionsgateshop.com.

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