Building toys don’t always have to be for kids. They can be for adults, too. I found this out when I had the chance to receive a red case filled with K’Nex building objects. There are some small pieces that can be built into intricate, amazing designs. With the building sets, you have the ability to follow the picture models included with the case, or you can build anything you want, of your own creation. I chose to build a model first, to figure out what pieces fit together the best. Then I went on to build something of my own creation. Let me tell you, building with K’Nex is quite a workout…but a fun one!

It’s fun to play with another person, especially someone who is younger and who has imagination when it comes to building. My 13 year old son loves to build with Legos, Megablocks, and now K’Nex. He’s into building intricate patterns and objects that have depth and 3D characterizations. He was right at home, enjoying playing with the K’Nex as soon as the durable, red box they came in was opened and the parts were removed from the bag they are sealed in within the box.

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Writer: Jim Kouf, Oren Aviv
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Cast: Nicolas Cage, Diane Kruger, Justin Bartha, Sean Bean, Jon Voight, Harvey Keitel, Christopher Plummer
Rating: PG
Studio: Disney Home Video
Release Date: December 18, 2007

National Treasure was a huge success when it came out about three or four years ago. Using history and an adventure theme, Disney hit paydirt as they did with the pirates theme in Pirates of the Caribbean. This particular franchise is suitable for older children and adults. This makes National Treasure a fabulous family movie. That is one of the things I like about it. As a parent, I hate having to constantly look up DVDs that will work for the kids and others that will work for adults. It’s nice to have some that will be enjoyable for everyone in the family.

When this movie first came out, everyone mentioned how I just had to see it. I don’t know why, but I never did. It was one of those things that it came out and I missed it at the theater, I never picked it up on DVD, and for some reason I just never saw it on television. So, it ruled out my chances of seeing it at that point. I had nothing against the film it just never crossed paths with me. When I was offered this for review, I decided to give it a shot. We all sat down for a night with this movie to see how it would rank in that specific category. I have to say it did pretty well.

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As a girl, I longed to own a pony. I suppose that made me like a million other girls on the planet. There was something appealing about horses. Today, thanks to video games, kids can have the ability to raise a horse instead of parent’s having to buy one if they were even considering such an idea. While I have not played any of the other horse games, I have heard that they are lacking in excitement.

When I was offered the chance to review Horse Life, I immediately compared it in my mind to the massive amounts of other “raise the animal” type games on the market. You can raise everything from puppies to monsters and now horses.

For some reason, I relate horses to a more female style game and I know I am not alone in this. I think that will keep some people from playing this game or purchasing it. I will admit that I probably would not have purchased it on my own had I been looking for something in the store.

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If you want to purchase your Naruto fan a game this Christmas it has to be “Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution”. I’m not a huge Naruto fan, but I love fighting games, excellent graphics and games that have plenty of fun, fighting-based, adventures. This game has pretty much everything you’d expect from the hottest Nintendo Wii fighting games and maybe it even has a little more. While D3 sunk with their Nintendo DS game, “Naruto: Path of the Ninja”, they have a winner with “Naruto: Clash of Ninja Revolution”.

There isn’t much I can say to discourage you from buying this game. I wasn’t sure how I’d like this, but it is definitely a keeper. I’m looking forward to more Naruto titles, and while I’m not that big of a fan of anime, the game did give me the chance to learn about the story. In fact, I’m considering checking out past episodes of Naruto. That’s how much fun I’ve had playing this game. If you, like me, have a young, teenage son (mine just turned 13) this is one of those games you can enjoy together. Otherwise, it’s a great way to occupy your teen or tween as opposed to worrying about where they are, who they’re with, and what they’re doing.

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Writer: Adam Rifkin, Joe Piscatella
Director: Frederik Du Chau
Cast: Amy Adams, Jason Lee, Peter Dinklage, James Belushi
Rating: PG
Studio: Disney Home Video
Release Date: December 18, 2007

Underdog presents a live action version of the popular 60s cartoon. This is one of those situations where parents might automatically be skeptical about whether or not this is going to be any good and kids and going to want to see it as soon as they hear about it. What got me excited about this movie was the option of hearing the large number of stars that offer voiceovers and traditional performances for this film.

Jason Lee is the star of the show as Underdog. Even though I am a fan of the original Underdog cartoons there were elements of this movie that I found enjoyable, as well. Additional talent is handled by the likes of James Belushi and Peter Dinklage amongst others. None of the performances are truly awful, though you will not find any Oscar contenders in the bunch.

While this is not the worst children’s movie I have come across in my years, it is certainly not the best either. The kids seemed to like it a little more than the adults in the room. On the family fun meter it will pass quite well because while I was not always in love with the movie I was not rushing to turn it off either. I felt it tended to dumb things down for the kids more than I normally like, but the younger ones seemed more interested in the flying dog than the older ones so I wasn’t too worried.

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This Christmas, the hot new line of Baby Jamz toys is making a definite splash! Young children, particularly toddlers, are getting the chance to become DJs and appreciate music in a whole new way. With an Urban flavor, the Baby Jamz toys feature the talented sister of Beyonce, Solange Knowles, as the singer of updated versions of children’s nursery rhymes. I guarantee you’ve never heard “Mary Had a Little Lamb” quite like this before! My kids, even the older ones, thought the music was really inventive. While Jaden (8) and Tim (16) were too old to play with the Baby Jamz Move n’ Groove Dance Mat (just one of the great products available by Baby Jamz) they loved watching how much their little sister Kayla (2) enjoyed making music with the mat.

Kayla has always been musically inclined. From banging on pots and pans in her early years to the typical baby xylophone she tapped on and dragged around everywhere she went, Kayla has loved to make noise and listen to music since before birth! However, nothing could prepare any of us for the Move n’ Groove Dance Mat. This was one toy that went out of its way to appeal to toddler music fans. Kayla is the perfect age to enjoy this toy and I can see the fun of the mat lasting for quite some time.

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Writer: Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Cast: Charlie Cox, Ian McKellen, Ben Barnes, Sienna Miller, Peter O’Toole, Rupert Everett, Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer
Rating: PG 13
Studio: Paramount Home Video
Release Date: December 18, 2007

Stardust is at its core, a fantasy film. It was a film that did not do well at the box office. In fact, it did so bad that I don’t ever even recall it being there. It was one of those moments where, when it showed up on my doorstep I became excited because I thought I wanted to see the movie. Even then, I didn’t have much of an idea of what it was about until I watched it for the first time.

I knew the basics. I knew that movies with Claire Danes are usually worth watching. Add in Michelle Pfeiffer and a good story and things keep getting better. Stardust is a movie filled with excellent acting and a beautiful visual quality. While things might start out somewhat slow, they quickly get going and end in a most enjoyable way. This is one of those rare movies that both older children and parents will like. It’s rare that kids and parents can find something they both truly enjoy once the kids begin to enter the teenage phase, but this movie is an absolute treat and it’s definitely worth watching, if not adding to your collection.

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NICK JR. GREENLIGHTS SECOND SEASON OF YO GABBA GABBA! AND ORDERS 20 NEW EPISODES OF CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED LIVE-ACTION PRESCHOOL MUSIC SERIES

NEW YORK, Dec. 18, 2007 – Nick Jr. has announced the pickup of a second season of the critically acclaimed, live-action preschool music series Yo Gabba Gabba!, produced by The Magic Store and W!LDBRAIN. The hit magazine-style series, recently hailed as one of the top 10 new television series for 2007, has been getting preschoolers, parents and music fans alike, movin’ and groovin’ to the show’s infectious music which highlights simple lessons and universal experiences in the lives of preschoolers. The network has ordered 20 new episodes of Yo Gabba Gabba which premiered on Nick Jr. on Aug. 20, 2007. Production for the second season will commence in spring 2008 in Orange County, Calif.

“Yo Gabba Gabba is like nothing else on TV, and the show is quickly becoming a pop culture phenomenon,” said Brown Johnson, Executive Vice President, Executive Creative Director, Nickelodeon Preschool. “This has been an excellent partnership with The Magic Store and WILDBRAIN, and we can’t wait to introduce our audience to more hip music, funky dance moves, catchy life lessons, and exciting guest stars.”

“We are extremely proud to have the chance to work with Nick Jr. on this groundbreaking series,” said Charles Rivkin, President and CEO of W!LDBRAIN. “Together with the creative minds at The Magic Store we hope to surprise and delight children of all ages with this unique and original production.”

Through an original beat-driven soundtrack and innovative retro style, Yo Gabba Gabba highlights simple life lessons in the lives of preschoolers, like sharing and healthy eating. The series’ unique magazine format features original animation, vibrant walk-around puppets, real kids, diverse music genres, and celebrity and musical guest appearances in every episode. Yo Gabba Gabba! features a recurring role by Hip Hop legend Biz Markie in a “Biz’s Beat of the Day” segment teaching preschoolers how to beat-box, and a recurring role by singer, illustrator and composer Mark Mothersbaugh (Devo) in a “Mark’s Magic Pictures” drawing segment. Additional guest stars include, Elijah Wood, Mya, The Shins, Sugarland, Rahzel, Tony Hawk, Laila Ali, Sean Kingston, Nikki Flores, Hector Jimenez, Smoosh, The Aquabats, The Aggrolites and Cornelius.

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