Skip Rope, Public Media Distribution To Release New ‘Garfield’ Compilation Next Month

Posted on December 10, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: Public Media Distribution/Skip Rope

PBS Distribution and Skip Rope are partnering to bring Garfield back to DVD again.

The companies announced Monday that they will release Garfield: 20 Stories on DVD Jan. 15. The compilation features 20 episodes of the classic animated Saturday morning cartoon series, such as “The Pie-Eyed Piper,” “Films & Felines” and “How To Drive A Human Crazy.”

Garfield: 20 Stories is expected to retail for $6.99. Its run time is listed at 142 minutes.

This is just the latest Garfield collection to be released by Skip Rope and Public Media Distribution. The companies re-issued the classics Garfield: Nine Lives, and Garfield’s Halloween Adventure in February and August respectively. They re-issued the Garfield Thanksgiving and Christmas specials last year in the DVD, Happy Holidays Garfield.

All seven seasons of Garfield & Friends are available now via Amazon in five volumes of episodes. More Garfield games, comics and more are available online now at:

Website: http://www.garfield.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Garfield

Twitter: http://twitter.com/garfield

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

PBS Announces Release Date For New Fred Rogers Doc

Posted on September 8, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

Public Media Distribution will release to DVD next month another documentary focused on Fred Rogers and his beloved series Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.

Mister Rogers: It’s You I Like was released digitally Sept. 3 and is currently scheduled to be released on DVD Oct. 2. The hour-long documentary, which originally aired on PBS and not to be confused with the other Fred Rogers documentary Won’t You Be My Neighbor, is a retrospective on Fred Rogers and his beloved series.

Veteran actor Michael Keaton (Batman, Baman Returns, Spiderman: Homecoming) serves as host for the heartwarming documentary. It also features interviews from other well-known figures, such as Yo-Yo Ma, John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the Sun, The World According to Garp, Interstellar), Whoopi Goldberg (The View, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Ghost) and others.

Mr. Rogers: It’s You I Like was produced by JoAnn Young (JFK: The Lost Inaugural Gala, Oscar Hammerstein: Out of my Dreams) and John Paulson (JFK: The Lost Inaugural Gala, A Raising in the Sun Revisited). Ellen Doherty and Kevin Morrison of Fred Rogers Productions executive produced.

Mr. Rogers: It’s You I Like will retail for MSRP of $19.99 and can be pre-ordered now at a reduced price of $14.99 at PBS’ online store. More information on this and other titles from PBS is available online now at:

Website: http://www.pbs.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbs

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbs

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” It. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment news and reviews in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

PBS to Release New ‘Nature Cat’ DVD Next Month

Posted on September 3, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/PBS Kids/Public Media Distribution

PBS Kids’ favorite nature loving feline has another brand new DVD on the way.

Nature Cat: Winter Dance Party is scheduled to be released Oct. 2. Only the second collection of episodes to be released from the family favorite series, the forthcoming DVD presents four more episodes, all from the young series’ debut season.

The DVD’s title episode opens on the winter solstice, the shortest day of the year and the start of winter. It also means the slow countdown to spring, and Daisy’s family always celebrates the winter solstice with a dance party. There’s just one problem — Daisy forgot to get ready for the party this year. There’s a lot to do and not enough time to do it all. Can Daisy get everything done before her family arrives for its annual celebration?

The winter theme continues in “Ice is Nice.” This time, Nature Cat and Ronald both lose their hot cocoa when both of their mugs break. This leads Hal to think a mug breaker is on the loose, but is there really? Or is it just natural science at work?

In “A Jump To Remember,” the winter theme continues yet again as Nature Cat tries yet again to get in the the Animal Book of World Records. This time, he tries to set a new record for ski jumping. The problem is that there’s no snow on which Nature Cat can ski.This leads his friends to come up with their own idea about how to create snow. Time will tell if the idea works.

“The Groundhog Way,” is one more winter-themed episode included in this DVD. This story Nature Cat and company want to know if winter will end early or last another six weeks. The problem is that this year, the groundhog doesn’t even want to come out, but instead wants to sleep in. That’s because he’s only been right with his prediction five times, making him uncertain about his abilities to forecast. Now it’s up to Nature Cat and company to save the day, and there’s no telling what that will mean.

Nature Cat: Winter Dance Party will retail for MSRP of $6.99. It can be pre-ordered online now via PBS’ online store now. More information on Nature Cat is available online now along with lots of games, activities, printables and more at:

Website: http://www.pbskids.org/naturecat

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/naturecatshow

‘Wild Kratts’ Second DVD Of 2018 Is “Twice As Nice” As The Year’s First Offering

Posted on August 16, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBSPBS Kids/Public Media Distribution

Over the course of the past six years, brother Chris and Martin Kratt have taken families around the world and taught fun and unforgettable lessons in biology, ecology, zoology and more through their hit animated series Wild Kratts. The series has become one of PBS Kids’ biggest hit series since its debut, running now five seasons and a sixth very likely to be announced soon. It has also led to the release of now 17 DVDs featuring the adventures of Chris, Martin and their friends Aviva (Athena Krakanis – Manifest, The Expanse, Low Winter Sun), Koki (Heather Bambrick – The Cat in the Hat Knows A Lot About That, Doozers, Atomic Puppet) and Jimmy Z (Jonathan Malen – The Mist, Mean Girls, Charlie Bartlett). From North America’s desert southwest to the depths of the Atlantic to the frozen far reaches of the Arctic and Antarctic and beyond, the Wild Kratts gang has time and again given audiences unforgettable adventures and invaluable lessons in every episode. Now thanks to Public Media Distribution, two more of those episodes are available in the latest Wild Kratts DVD, Adventures on the African Savannah. As that title notes, this time the brothers Kratt and company are in Africa. The two adventures featured in the 55-minute DVD are enjoyable in themselves. The lessons connected to the stories are also enjoyable for the whole family. Considering that content, the DVD’s relatively affordable average price point proves to be money well spent. When it is considered alongside said content, all three elements make Wild Kratts: Adventures on the African Savannah yet another enjoyable addition to any family’s DVD library.

Adventures on the African Savannah, the second of Public Media Distribution’s Wild Kratts DVD releases so far this year – the first, Madagascar Madness, was released April 10 – is another successful and enjoyable presentation from PMD and PBS Kids. It is a collection that despite featuring only two episodes, every family will find welcome in their DVD library. That is actually due in part to the stories themselves. This time out, Martin and Chris (and their friends) take on a game of tag in the first episode, “The Food Chain Game.” Of course, this is no ordinary game of tag. This game involves Chris and Martin racing to the top of the Savannah’s food web by touching and turning into various different animals that roam the savannah. They start at the bottom and work their way up, all the while learning about each creature’s strengths and weaknesses. By the time it’s all said and done, Aviva has crafted a giant food web from Chris and Martin’s friendly competition that plays directly into the lessons, which will be discussed shortly. In the second of the brothers’ adventures, Chris and Martin face off in another competition. This time it’s a test to see which is the dominant animal – a rhino or an elephant. However, at least one person wants to ruin the fun. That person is the Kratt gang’s longtime foe Zack Varmitech (Zachary Bennett – Designated Survivor, Total Drama All Stars, Ranger Rob). Zach, who is jealous of Aviva’s accomplishments uses his mini-bots to disrupt Chris and Martin’s suits so that they can’t finish their competition. In an added effort to ruin the group’s fun, his bots also disrupt the Tortuga’s systems, trapping Aviva, Jimmy and Koki inside…at least temporarily. Obviously the story has a happy ending with Zack being defeated once again. How that happens won’t be given away here, but it will leave viewers laughing once again. Of course, this story offers its own subtle biology lesson that adds to the story’s enjoyment. Said lesson will be discussed along with the biology lesson included in the DVD’s lead story. Keeping in mind the enjoyment offered through the stories themselves, it creates a solid foundation for the DVD’s presentation. That foundation gives audiences plenty of reason in itself to add this DVD to their DVD libraries. The noted lessons tied into the DVD’s presentation give families even more reason to add the DVD to their Wild Kratts collections.

The basic biology lessons incorporated into each story are easily accessible for viewers of all ages. The lesson incorporated into the lead story is straight forward. It teaches the interconnection of different organisms within a given food chain. It’s just one example, but shows in a simple fashion, the depth and diversity that is possible in any given food chain. At the same time, viewers also learn some interesting facts about the given organisms and animals featured within the given food chain. What’s really interesting to note here is that the writers don’t try to hide the educational content here, unlike in other episodes in which said content is smartly woven into the story. It’s right out front. Yet somehow even with the content being right out there, the writers have still managed to keep the episode interesting both for grown-ups and children alike. The writing staff is to be highly commended for that. The lesson is a little bit more subtle in the second story. It basically highlights the adaptations that make different animals fitted for various climates and territories. For instance, the walrus is more fitted for cold climes while certain reptiles are definitely not suited for the savannah. The strengths and weaknesses of the rhino and elephant are both pointed out in the long run, too. It’s just interesting to see so much incorporated into one story and done so smoothly in the process. It doesn’t make the educational content so outright, balancing very well with the story itself. When this is considered along with the balance of educational and entertaining content in the DVD’s lead story, it makes the educational content that much more valuable to the DVD’s presentation. While the stories and lessons are both key to the DVD’s whole, they are not its only important elements. The DVD’s rather affordable average price point makes it that much more welcome in any family’s home DVD library.

The average price point of Adventures on the African Savannah is $5.19, not counting taxes. Adding tax, that price probably rises to almost $6.00 if not barely more than that. Considering the amount of entertainment and education that this DVD offers, even with just two episodes (at 55 minutes), that honestly is a rather affordable price. It’s money well spent to entertain and educate children while also bringing the whole family together in the process. That is something of which this country needs more – family togetherness. That’s especially the case considering how television is in itself ripping families apart more and more because of content aimed at specific audiences. Keeping all of this in mind, the DVD’s average price point is the proverbial cherry on top for its presentation. It is not a bad price to pay, even with tax, for that togetherness, education and entertainment. To that end, this second Wild Kratts DVD offering this year is another welcome addition to any family’s Wild Kratts DVD collection.

Public Media Distribution’s second Wild Kratts DVD of the year, Adventures on the African Savannah, only boats two episodes from the hit animated series, but despite that, those two episodes offer audiences of all ages plenty to appreciate. That is evidenced in part through the stories that make up the body of the DVD. The lessons tied into the stories are expertly balanced in their presentation. That balance shows the amount of time and thought put into each story’s writing overall. The writers, again, are to be commended for such attention to detail. The DVD’s rather affordable price point makes that content extra valuable and the DVD that much more worth the purchase in turn. Keeping all of this in mind, all three elements join to make this DVD a presentation that will lead the whole family to want to join the Kratt brothers on their African Savannah adventures again and again. It is available now and can be ordered direct via PBS’ online store. More information on the DVD is available online along with lots of printables, activities and more now at:

Website: http://pbskids.org/wildkratts

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/wildkrattsofficial

To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.

PBS Announces Release Date, Specs For New ‘Dinosaur Train’ DVD

Posted on May 11, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS Distribution/PBS Kids/PBS/Public Media Distribution

PBS Distribution has another new Dinosaur Train DVD on the way.

Dinosaur Train: Meeting New Friends is scheduled to be released June 12 on DVD and Digital HD. The series’ latest collection of episodes, it features another handful of episodes that finds the Pteranodon family making new friends in a variety of situations.

In one of the collection’s episods, the Pteranodon family takes a surprise day trip that leads them to meet a Tyrannosaurus Rex who has features similar to Buddy’s. Another of the featured adventures finds the Pteranodon family helping a pair of new friends find their way home. In yet another of the collection’s episodes, the Pteranodons meet a 40-foot crocodile named Deanna Dienosuchas, who has quite the toothy smile.

In all, Dinosaur Train: Meeting New Friends features eight episodes and runs for a total of 88 minutes. It will retail for MSRP of $12.99, but can be pre-ordered online now at a reduced price of $7.99 via PBS’ online store.

More information on Dinosaur Train: Meeting New Friends is available along with Dinosaur Train games, activities, printables and more at:

Website: http://pbskids.org/dinosaurtrain

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/DinosaurTrain

PBS Presenting Rarely Told WWII Story In New Doc Next Month

Posted on April 9, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

The atrocities committed against Jews before and during World War II has been well-documented throughout the decades. It has been presented time and again in so many books, movies and documentaries. Now this May, PBS is bringing to DVD a new, rarely told story of Jews in WWII in the new documentary GI Jew: Jewish Americans in World War II.

This 90-minute doc is currently scheduled to be released on DVD May 8. It tells the story of the battles that Jewish Americans fought externally and internally as part of America’s military. Those internal battles included anti-Semitism from their own fellow servicemen.

This story of Jewish immigrants becoming American all while working to overcome so many obstacles will retail for MSRP of $24.99, but can be pre-ordered now at a reduced price of $19.99 via PBS’ online store. More information on this and other programs from PBS is available online now at:

Website: http://www.pbs.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbs

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pbs

New ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ DVD Box Set Coming Next Week From PBS

Posted on March 20, 2018 by philspicks

Courtesy: PBS/Public Media Distribution

March is a big month in the history of Fred Rogers. Early this month, the world marked what would have been the legendary TV personality’s 90th birthday. This month, the 50th anniversary of his beloved series Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood was also recognized with a new star-studded documentary. Next Tuesday, March 27, the celebration of the man and his series continues with the release of another new release, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood: It’s a Beautiful Day Collection.

The four-disc, 32-episode collection runs a total of 928 minutes. The episodes featured in this new collection include: “Ups and Downs of Friendship,” “Families Come In Different Shapes and Sizes” and many others. The set’s full episode listing is noted below.

Episodes featured on the DVD include:

Helping Children Know What to Expect at School

Creating with Friends is Different than Playing Alone

Play is the Work of Childhood

Respecting All Living Creatures

Opera Day

Ups and Downs of Friendship

Learning about Rules and Limits

Appreciating the People Who Came Before

Food and Love Go Hand in Hand

Music As a Way to Express Feelings

Families Come in Different Shapes and Sizes

Celebrating Big and Little Things

Lots of Different Things for Play and Pretending

Each Person is Unique – Yet We All Have Much in Common

Being Kind to Ourselves and Others

Nobody Knows What You’re Thinking Unless You Tell Them

Games Can Be Fun, But Not If You’re Left Out

Recycling and Other Ways to care for Our Planet

Learning to Take Care of Yourself

Trying on Different Roles

We All Have Art Inside of Us

Understanding Concepts of Up and Down

The Strength of Love – Even Through Angry Times

Appreciating our Uniqueness

Some Things Change…Some Things Stay the Same

Needing Help and Giving Help

Feeling Good About Who We Are

Encouraging Generosity and Gratitude

Strengths and Limitations, Abilities and Disabilities
Wondering and Asking Questions

Enjoying Books and Recognizing Symbols

Valuing All Kinds of Art

Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood: It’s A beautiful Day Collection will retail for MSRP of $19.99, but can be pre-ordered online now at a reduced price of $14.99 via PBS’ online store. more information on this and other titles from PBS is available online now at:

Website: http://www.pbs.org

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pbs

Twitter: http://twitter.com/PBS

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Tag Archives: Public Media Distribution

Skip Rope, Public Media Distribution To Release New ‘Garfield’ Compilation Next Month

PBS Announces Release Date For New Fred Rogers Doc

PBS to Release New ‘Nature Cat’ DVD Next Month

‘Wild Kratts’ Second DVD Of 2018 Is “Twice As Nice” As The Year’s First Offering

PBS Announces Release Date, Specs For New ‘Dinosaur Train’ DVD

PBS Presenting Rarely Told WWII Story In New Doc Next Month

New ‘Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood’ DVD Box Set Coming Next Week From PBS