Our friends over at Brighter Minds Media sent us details of a great new contest that they will be running for four more days, until July 6. Parents with young kids will not want to miss out on the chance to win some awesome Thomas and Friends merchandise.

From Brighter Minds Media:
In Thomas and Friends Special Delivery, Thomas and Harold are on a mission to find a lost James. Can you find James on our website?

Search www.brightermindsmedia.com and click on his picture when you find him to enter. Send us your name, phone number, and address. One grand prize winner will receive a copy of Thomas and Friends Special Delivery PC Game as well as a Thomas and Friends Ultra Soft Blanket.

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Writers: Various
Cast: Scott Menville, Frank Welker, Casey Kasem, Jeff Bennett
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Warner Home Video & Turner Entertainment
Release Date: July 8, 2008

Call me a cartoon purist, but I’m just not in love with the Kids WB (or is it CW?) television show, Shaggy and Scooby Doo Get a Clue. The show feels lost without the constant companionship of the rest of the Mystery Gang. Sure, the show focuses primarily on Shaggy and Scooby (and that’s the point of the show), but something seems missing without Fred, Velma and Daphne. Of course, I’m so used to hearing Casey Kasem voice Shaggy, Scott Menville hardly seems like a worthy “new generation” replacement.

I know this makes me sound a bit like a curmudgeon, but I grew up in the 80s. There will never be a better time for cartoons then in the generation when I grew up. My son, age 13, is of this new generation and I often have to shake my head at how clueless this young generation is. They think their cartoons are the greatest thing since sliced bread. I had to convince my son that without the Ninja Turtles of the 80s, his reloaded and revamped Ninja Turtles probably never would have existed. He didn’t even believe my generation’s Ninja Turtles were any good until he had the chance to watch them (and boy did he laugh at how funny they were) during a recent box set I had to review.

Once again, my son is claiming his Scooby Doo show is the best show ever. To him, Shaggy and Scooby Doo Get a Clue is the epitome of excellence in the Scooby universe. Truthfully, nothing beats the original and that came out even before my generation. Kids today don’t realize that their incarnation of spin-off, rip-off shows wouldn’t be possible without the original shows that aired decades ago. They take for granted the fact that they believe theirs was the first. When you’ve only seen mediocrity, it is easy to believe that mediocrity is good. When you’ve seen an excellent series and then are served mediocrity, the mediocre show just isn’t as good. That’s exactly how I feel about Shaggy and Scooby Doo Get a Clue.

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Writers: Karey Kirkpatrick, David Berenbaum, John Sayles, Tony DiTerlizzi, Holly Black
Director: Mark Waters
Cast: Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, Nick Nolte, Mary-Louise Parker, Joan Plowright, David Strathairnk, Seth Rogen, Jordy Benattar, Martin Short, Andrew McCarthy
Rating: PG
Studio: Paramount – Nickelodeon
Release Date: June 24, 2008

It is very hard to find shows and movies that I can enjoy with my teenage son. Most of the shows geared towards a teen crowd, these days, are not funny, not well written or just not my style. Most of the movies are either spin-offs of these shows (such as the Hannah Montana concert movie) or star actors who perform on these shows (High School Musical anyone?). I grew up in the 80s. I had plenty of good movies to enjoy; things like The Breakfast Club, The Goonies and ET. So, when I find a movie that everyone in the family likes that movie is gold.

The Spiderwick Chronicles is one of those movies that everyone in the family liked. I found the story to be well written. The boys (my son and Dominick, who reviewed the standard version of the movie) loved the magic and action. I liked spending time with my family, something that is becoming a scarce event as my son becomes older and less willing to spend time with his parents. Paramount has found a way to bring families together and it’s all thanks to The Spiderwick Chronicles.

Release Information:
The Spiderwick Chronicles debuted in theaters nationwide on February 14, 2008. It had its film premiere earlier, in Hollywood, on January 31, 2008. This film had enormous success at the box office and critics, for the most part, have liked The Spiderwick Chronicles. I’m one of those reviewers. The Spiderwick Chronicles was based on a book series of the same name.

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Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: David Kaye, Jeff Bennett, Bumper Robinson, Bill Fagerbakke, Tara Strong, Corey Burton, Tom Kenny
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Hasbro
Release Date: June 17, 2008

I grew up watching the original Transformers television series. It was one of the shows I never missed. With the success of the live action Transformers movie it was only a matter of time before another Transformers cartoon was produced. This came in the form of the 2008 Cartoon Network television show, Transformers Animated. While the Transformers have been given a new, updated look they still retain enough for fans of the original series to feel nostalgic about it.

I have a 13 year old son, who is a fan of this series. This was one show that I could enjoy watching with him. While I think it is slightly shoddy of Hasbro and the distributors to release just the first three episodes of the series on this Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out DVD, I think it is even shoddier if the rumors are true and the August release of Season One includes all the episodes from the season but these three, so fans of the series have to buy Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out as well as the Season One DVD release. Still, this show is enjoyable enough that fans of the show will want to purchase both this and the Season One DVD if they must.

Release Information:
Transformers Animated airs on the Cartoon Network. The three episode pilot for the series premiered on December 26, 2007. It seems as though the three episodes were made so they could also be combined together into one movie-style episode, which is how it is available on the Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out DVD. The first season aired for 16 episodes, which ended in April of 2008. The show is now in its second season and this season debuted a week after the first season ended.

The Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out DVD was released on June 17, 2008 by Hasbro through Paramount Home Entertainment. The rest of the first season is set to be released in August of 2008. The Transformers Animated: Transform and Roll Out DVD can be purchased at Amazon for $14.49.

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LI Kids is proud to be giving away three copies of Charlie and Lola: Volume Eight on DVD. To enter all you need to do is leave us a comment. Please be sure to only leave one. Comments are moderated to avoid spam, so it will not show up right away. People who leave multiple comments will be deleted from the contest altogether. If you do not see your comment within a day then by all means leave another one. Otherwise, do not worry as we accept comments several times a day.

To enter you need to be 18 years of age and a resident of the US. If you have won a contest within the last 30 days you are not eligible. Winners will be announced here. If we do not hear from you within 3 weeks from the date the winners are announced you forfeit your prize and we will select another winner. Prizes will be shipped within 45 days from the day you win.

We will choose a winner for this the week of July 27, 2008. This means that you have until July 26, 2008 at 11:59 PM EST to enter the contest.

From the Press Release:
Charlie and Lola Volume Eight: I Am Collecting A Collection
This August, BBC Video™ builds upon the enchanting adventures of the loveable sibling duo, Charlie and Lola, with the latest DVD installment of the award-winning preschool series - Charlie and Lola Volume Eight: I Am Collecting a Collection.

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Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: Hal Sparks, Kari Wahlgren, Dannah Feinglass, Maurice LaMarche, Lloyd Sherr, Patrick Warburton, John Dimaggio, Megan Cavanagh
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Paramount & Nickelodeon
Release Date: June 24, 2008

I was given the opportunity by Nickelodeon to preview the new show, Tak and the Power of Juju before it aired. I liked it then and I still like it now. I’m a fan of Hal Sparks and Kari Wahlgren. Both of them do an excellent job in this series. The show is funny. Adults can get as much humor from Tak and the Power of Juju because the humor in the show is multi-generational. There is something pretty funny in a show that has a 30-something man voicing a young, villager boy. That’s just part of the show’s charm. Villager life is amusingly personified through the majority of slightly dimwitted characters that are a part of the show.

While this isn’t the best comedy show I’ve seen, I will turn it on if I see it is going to be airing. I enjoy the show with my 13 year old son. Even my 4 year old nephew, Lil B, likes Tak. He’s funny. He’s somewhat clueless at times. He always seems to make mistakes, but in the end, everything is usually all right. This is a coming of age cartoon. Older kids will most likely enjoy this, but younger kids will find the humor and silliness in it, as well. Adults will get the subtle parent friendly jokes that will fly over their child’s head, and everyone in the family can enjoy Tak as he learns how to use the power of Juju.

Release Information:
Tak and the Power of Juju is a show that airs on the cable network, Nickelodeon. It is based on the “Tak and the Power of Juju” video game series. The show debuted in its first season on August 31, 2007. Tak and the Power of Juju’s first season ran from August 2007-May 2008. There is talk of a second season though I have no official confirmation on that, as of yet. The first season was comprised of 16 episodes, most of which feature two mini-episodes within them.

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Writers: Danny Kallis, Jim Geoghan, Adam I. Lapidus, Jeny Quine, Howard Nemetz, Pamela Eells, Dan Signer, Jeff Hodsden, Tim Pollock
Directors: Richard Correll, Lex Passaris, Jim Drake, Kelly Sandefur, Danny Kallis
Cast: Dylan Sprouse, Cole Sprouse, Phill Lewis, Kim Rhodes, Brenda Song, Ashley Tisdale, Adrian R’Mante
Rating: G
Studio: Walt Disney
Release Date: June 17, 2008

I’ve been watching The Suite Life of Zack and Cody since it started airing on the Disney Channel. It’s one of my 13 year old son’s favorite shows. Of all the Disney Channel shows, next to That’s so Raven, The Suite Life is the funniest. It’s hard to argue with a show that stars twins, Dylan and Cole Sprouse. The two have been entertaining audiences with their excellent comedic timing since starring as Julian “Frankenstein” in the Adam Sandler comedy, Big Daddy.

The thing I like about The Suite Life of Zack and Cody is that it’s funny enough to let your kids watch, without worrying about overly tasteless humor and yet it is entertaining enough for adults to enjoy. I just can’t get into some of the other shows, like Hannah Montana. However, The Suite Life of Zack and Cody is one show the entire family can enjoy. If we’re flipping channels and see the show is on, Suite Life is one of those shows we’ll turn on just because it’s a guaranteed winner that everyone in the family won’t mind watching.

Release Information:
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody first aired on the Disney Channel in 2005. The series is in its third and (presumed) final season. There is a spin-off series, The Suite Life on Deck, which is currently being filmed and stars Dylan and Cole Sprouse as well as Brenda Song (London) and Phill Lewis (Mr. Moseby). The first season aired from March 18, 2005 to January 27, 2006. The second season aired from February 3, 2006 to June 2, 2007. The third season, which contains all of the episodes from The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain, started airing on June 23, 2007. Due to the writer’s strike, the show is still airing the third season and plans to end it sometime in August of 2008.

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You have to be living under a rock to not know who Hannah Montana is. Of course, if you’re like me you’re living a happy existence under that rock, but that’s for another day and another article. We recently received a batch of Hannah Montana Summertime toys for review. You can find the reviews of Oliver and Lilly, as well as Rico’s Surf Shop through their respective links. This is our last of the huge summer line of Hannah toys for review. Surprisingly enough, it is also my least favorite of the bunch.

The other Summertime dolls showed amazing attention to detail and though I was not a fan of the show, series, or even Hannah Montana, I was impressed with the dolls as a whole. Now, I will admit that there is plenty of detail put into the Hannah doll. However, the doll does not particularly look like Hannah at all. That is, unless, of course, you are going solely on the blonde hair thing, which if you are, then they look like twins! Regardless of my distaste for Hannah and this particular doll, chances are, your kids will love her if they are Hannah fans.

Positives & Negatives:

Positives
-Realistic
-Inspires Creative Play
-Doll is Durable
-One of a Set, So Multiple Additions are Available
-Comes with Multiple Accessories
-Well Made
-Lots of Detail

Negatives
-Has Small Parts, so may not be good for Younger Children
-Doesn’t Look like Hannah Montana when compared to the other Dolls
-Clothing and Accessories Appear Flimsy

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Writers: Bill Peet, T.H. White
Director: Wolfgang Reitherman
Cast: Sebastian Cabot, Karl Swenson, Rickie Sorensen, Junius Matthews, Ginny Tyler, Martha Wentworth, Norman Alden, Alan Napier, Richard Reitherman
Rating: G
Studio: Walt Disney
Release Date: June 17, 2008

With so many of Disney’s early movies being such magnificent works of art, a few of the lesser known classics have been left to get lost in the shuffle. One of those movies is The Sword in the Stone. I have to be honest. The Sword in the Stone isn’t my favorite Disney movie. However, it is one I grew up watching on the old VHS tapes we used to own. Still, it really is a Disney classic that needs to be seen by a new generation, who might not even know it exists.

The Sword in the Stone is an excellent film. The movie is based on part of the book The Once and Future King (The section aptly titled “The Sword in the Stone” – which was originally released as its own novel in 1938) by T.H. White, which is about the legend of King Arthur. While this is your typical Disney film, with some frivolous, marshmallow-y Disney goodness thrown in to adapt the story into a light, fluffy cartoon, The Sword in the Stone does follow the basic storyline from the book. Of course, I find the mythological tales of King Arthur all very fascinating so this makes the movie all the more entertaining.

Release Information:
The Sword in the Stone was originally released in U.S. theaters on December 25, 1963. This was the 18th animated feature film by Walt Disney and the last movie to be released before his death. While the film was successful at the box office, the critics of the 1960s didn’t like the film. In the 40+ years since its release, the film has developed a following. In 2008, the film is highly regarded as a true Disney classic and while less popular than other Disney films, it is considered a must have film for any Disney collector.

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Once you have the Fancy Nancy Doll, it’s only a matter of time before your little one will be requesting that Fancy Nancy has something new to wear. The clothing that she comes with will provide plenty of play, but once your kids see the gorgeous outfit options available for Nancy it will be hard for them to deny their precious doll the idea of a wardrobe all her own.

As I mentioned in the doll review that I had done, Fancy Nancy was one of my favorite toy reviews to date. When we had played with her, I brought out some new clothes for her to wear just for this review. Of course, with her being brand new, the clothing wasn’t necessary at that point, but for review purposes we pulled it out and settled in for a day of fashion fun with Fancy Nancy.

Positives & Negatives:

Positives:
Adds additional play to main toy
Good quality
Kids will love the inclusion of this item in their toy arsenal
Mix and Match-ability

Negatives:
Could be seen as pricey based on one outfit

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