Paramount

Rise of the Guardians is Available Now on Blu-ray and DVD Just in Time for Easter

March 27, 2013 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

With Easter just a few days away, it’s a great time for a little family entertainment and Rise of the Guardians is the perfect way to enjoy some Easter fun! The hit movie featuring Jack Frost, Santa Claus and, of course, the Easter Bunny is now available in a special gift set containing two hopping eggs! Here’s a brief synopsis of the movie:

rise of the guardians dvd gift set DreamWorks’ newest animated adventure is a fun-filled and magical story about the legendary guardians – Jack Frost, the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy and Sandman – together for the first time! When the evil Pitch threatens to take over the world, it’s up to our beloved heroes to protect the hopes and dreams of children everywhere. Filled with non-stop action and laughs, it’s a dazzling family film that’s being hailed as an instant classic.

Zackary was the one that was most excited to watch this movie and from his enthusiasm, I decided that he must have either discussed it with friends or seen some previews that piqued his interest. He soon convinced me that we should put the DVD on immediately and the three of us sat down to watch it together. [Read more...]

Holiday DVDs from Paramount Provide Hours of Family Fun-Giveaway

December 15, 2012 by Kathryn

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Looking for kid-friendly entertainment over the holidays? Paramount has a great collection of DVDs featuring beloved characters ranging from Shrek to SpongeBob! If you’re looking for a new DVD for your kids this Christmas, check out one of these great titles:

Kung Fu Panda: Holiday – In this hilarious action adventure, Master Shifu calls on Po to host the year’s biggest event – the Winter Feast, a special time of the year to celebrate family, tradition and the awesomeness of Kung Fu! Po and the Furious Five must team up to throw the best celebration the Valley of Peace has ever seen. Can Po pull off the perfect party, impress his heroes, and discover the true meaning of the Winter Feast? [Read more...]

Filed Under: Holiday Gift Guide, Infants and Children, Reviews, Reviews and Giveaways Tagged With: christmas, DVD, DVD reviews, dvds, family, holiday, holiday dvd, holiday dvds, kids dvds, kung fu panda, madagascar, nickelodeon, Paramount, paramount dvd, shrek, spongebob

Dinosaur Train: Eggstravaganza DVD-Review and Giveaway

February 27, 2012 by Kathryn

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Dinosaur Train has been a favourite in our household for some time, so when the hit show’s newest DVD release Dinosaur Train: Eggstravaganza arrived at our front door, my boys couldn’t have been happier about it. Here’s a brief synopsis of the release:

What can be better than a basket full of Easter eggs? How about a train full of dinosaur eggs! Buddy and his Pteranodon family set off for new adventures as they encounter baby hatchlings and dinosaur eggs of all shapes and sizes in Dinosaur Train: Eggstravaganza! They’ll learn that all dinosaur families are different, and so are the ways of nurturing them. And who knows, they might just solve a mystery or two while they’re at it! From the world-renowned Jim Henson Company, PBS KIDS and Paramount Home Entertainment, the Dinosaur Train: Eggstravaganza DVD includes eight exciting edu-tainment adventures and is packed with loads of special features including interactive games, colouring pages, a Dinosaur Reference Guide, information for parents and more.

Zackary was never very “into” dinosaurs, but Benjamin absolutely loves them and has quickly become a big fan of the Dinosaur Train series. He doesn’t understand much of the educational content yet, but he loves watching the different dinosaurs that are featured in the episodes!

My own favourite aspect of the show has always been its focus on the scientific method of reasoning: asking a question, researching, forming a hypothesis, testing it, drawing a conclusion and sharing the results. These six simple steps have been responsible for some of our society’s most incredible discoveries and I love that Dinosaur Train features it as the best method for answering questions in its episodes.

Dinosaur Train: Eggstravaganza has a run-time of approximately 100 minutes and features eight fun and informative episodes and some great bonus features. My boys both especially loved watching Dr. Scott the Palaeontologist talk about the dinosaurs in each episode after the show was over. And I have to admit, I liked that segment as much as my kids; it’s always so informative! If you have dinosaur-loving kids in your household or even just preschoolers with an insatiable curiosity, check out Dinosaur Train: Eggstravaganza for yourself. It’s a fun-filled way to get your kids excited about learning.

Buy It: Dinosaur Train: Eggstravaganza is available at DVD retailers across North America, or shop online now

Dreamworks Puss in Boots Double DVD-Review and Giveaway

February 24, 2012 by Kathryn

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The weekend is here and if you’re planning on enjoying a family movie this weekend, you’re in luck because the much-anticipated Dreamworks hit Puss in Boots is now available in both Double DVD and Blu-Ray Combo Packs today! Here’s a brief synopsis of the film:

puss in boots double dvd box art You loved him in Shrek…now see where the one-and-only swashbuckling feline found his fame – and a very big pair of boots – in the “hilariously funny” (Associated Press) animated epic! Lover, fighter and outlaw Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas) is off on the adventure of his nine lives as he teams up with Kitty Softpaws (Salma Hayek) and Humpty Dumpty (Zach Galifianakis) for the ultimate showdown with the notorious Jack and Jill (Billy Bob Thorton, Amy Sedaris). Here’s the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend – Puss in Boots!

I don’t know who was more excited to watch this movie: my son or my husband! They sat down to watch the DVD together and I couldn’t help but smile at how absorbed they were. Zackary, at five years old, is the perfect age for this type of movie. He loves the physical humour, is able to understand a few of the verbal jokes and really gets involved in the plot. In fact, he had a bit of a hard time at one point because one of the “good guys” turned out to actually be one of the “bad guys.” He looked at me with such a stricken expression and said, “Mom, why is he being mean?”

“Honey, it’s just a movie,” I said. “Sometimes movies have parts like that to make it more interesting to watch.” Fortunately, he found that explanation acceptable and was soon laughing again as Puss in Boots thwarted a bumbling guard to make a daring escape.

When the movie was over, Zackary insisted on putting on the included all-new adventure Puss in Boots: The Three Diablos. This fun bonus DVD is only eleven minutes long, but it’s big on entertainment! Zackary loved watching Puss face off against the Cat Whisperer and insisted on watching the bonus DVD at least four times in a row!

If your kids have been waiting eagerly to see the film, you can click here to download a fun Puss in Boots colouring page. And if you’re looking for good-hearted family fun for your weekend movie night, pick up a copy of Puss in Boots in a Double DVD or Blu-ray Combo Pack today. This Academy Award Nominee will keep you on the edge of your seat as you cheer for the ever charming and incredibly daring Puss in Boots!

Buy It: Puss in Boots is available across North America on Double DVD and Blu-Ray Combo Pack today, February 24, 2012, so check your local DVD retailer or shop online now

Captain America: The First Avenger on Blu-Ray and DVD-Review

October 25, 2011 by Kathryn

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Captain America: The First Avenger, Hollywood’s newest superhero movie, arrives on Blu-ray and DVD today, October 25, 2011, and I was lucky enough to receive a screener DVD to review. My husband and I both love a good superhero movie and we wasted no time in sitting down to watch it. Here’s a brief synopsis:

Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures introduce the latest addition to the incomparable Marvel Super Hero team with CAPTAIN AMERICA: The First Avenger, ready for action on high definition Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD October 25, 2011. Called “the best superhero movie ever” (Brian Erdy, CBS-TV), the thrill-packed adventure is a blockbuster hit with audiences worldwide, earning over $350 million at the Global Box Office. When a terrifying force threatens everyone across the globe, the world’s greatest soldier wages war on the evil HYDRA organization, led by the villainous Red Skull. Loaded with fantastic action, stunning visual effects and an awe-inspiring hero imbued with courage, humanity and an unbreakable spirit, CAPTAIN AMERICA: The First Avenger transports viewers into a world of daring exploits and excitement. Starring Chris Evans in the title role, the film features an outstanding ensemble cast including Academy Award®-winner Tommy Lee Jones, Hugo Weaving as Marvel’s Ultimate Villain, Red Skull, Dominic Cooper, Neal McDonough, Derek Luke and Stanley Tucci.

The plot was fairly standard as superhero movies go, but what I loved about this movie was that it was realistic. There were no unexplained superpowers and no incredible elements of fantasy. Instead, the movie simply told the story of a man during World War II that longed to join the army and fight for his country, but was repeatedly denied acceptance into the military because of his diminutive stature. Thanks to a scientist’s revolutionary formula, that all changed…but in the end this is a story about a man following his dreams no matter what and eventually achieving his goals in a completely incredible way. Yes, the mind-blowing special effects and devastating weapons were there, but what was truly super was the character of the soldier that volunteered to become Captain America.

It was a Joe Everyman story with a superhero twist and that made it something a little more unique than the standard superhero tale. My husband and I both really enjoyed it and my husband found it especially absorbing. And while the movie has a little too much violence and mature themes to make it appropriate for children, there are still ways that kids can enjoy some Captain America-themed fun too. Click here for a Captain America maze or click here to download a Captain America colouring sheet. And don’t forget to check your local DVD retailer for Captain America: The First Avenger on Blu-ray and DVD!

Buy It: To purchase Captain America: The First Avenger, check your local DVD retailer or shop online now

Disclaimer: The product/s mentioned above were provided free of charge from the company or PR firm for the purposes of this review. Opinions expressed belong to Mommy Kat and Kids and are NOT influenced in any way. Please view full Terms of Use and Policies

Filed Under: Reviews Tagged With: captain america, captain america activity sheets, captain america dvd, captain america the first avenger, DVD reviews, first avenger, Paramount

Scared Shrekless and Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space Double DVD Pack-Review and Giveaway

October 22, 2011 by Kathryn

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Halloween is just around the corner and Paramount Home Entertainment is ready to celebrate with a fun Double DVD Pack featuring Shrek and the characters from Monsters vs. Aliens. It sounded like a great way to enjoy a little extra Halloween fun and as big fans of the holiday, my family couldn’t wait to check it out. Here’s a brief synopsis of the DVDs:

Prepare for out-of-this-world fun with the DVD premiere of two spooky adventures from DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.: Scared Shrekless and Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space, arriving in time for Halloween in a thrill-filled Double DVD Pack. The perfect centrepiece for family Halloween party fun, the Double DVD Pack includes not only the two delightfully creepy main attractions, but also Thriller, an all-new Shrek-ed out parody of Michael Jackson’s epic music video. Dance along with your favourite Shrek characters as they get funky – and freaky – in the sensational new video. The Halloween Party Double DVD Pack also includes loads of other musical fun, video and more, making it an ideal choice for families to come together and enjoy Halloween.

We watched the two DVDs together one afternoon and I immediately fell in love with the clever parodies in Scared Shrekless. Classics like Bride of Frankenstein and The Exorcist were given fun and family-friendly twists when retold with the characters from Shrek, and the clever humour had my husband and I laughing as much as our sons! The second DVD was just as fun, though the style and plot were completely different. Zackary especially enjoyed the story of monsters battling mutant alien pumpkins. I liked the fact that both of the DVDs were quite short; they were perfect for a fun half-hour of entertainment in the afternoon.

While neither of these DVDs is really scary, preschoolers may find some of the scenes a little frightening, so I would suggest these movies are better for school-aged children. Check out the Double DVD Pack for yourself and enjoy a little spooky Halloween fun courtesy of DreamWorks and Paramount!

Buy It: To purchase the Scared Shrekless and Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space Double DVD Pack, check your local DVD retailer or shop online now

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win their own Scared Shrekless and Monsters vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins from Outer Space Double DVD Pack from Paramount Home Entertainment

To Enter (mandatory): Leave a blog comment about your favourite Halloween tradition and then let me know you did using the Rafflecopter form below

Dora the Explorer: Dora Celebrates Three Kings Day DVD-Review and Giveaway

October 13, 2011 by Kathryn

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One of the things I love about Dora the Explorer is that the show offers something for everyone, and Dora the Explorer: Dora Celebrates Three Kings Day, the latest bilingual DVD compilation of the popular Nickelodeon show, is the perfect example of that. Here’s a brief synopsis:

dora the explorer dora celebrates three kings day box art Celebrate Three Kings Day with Dora! Dora, Boots and Diego are dressed up as kings for the big Three Kings Day party. They’ll be bringing a horse, a camel and an elephant to carry the presents, treats and special Three Kings cake. But when Swiper accidentally scares the animals away, we must set out on an adventure to find them!

The cover of this DVD had Zackary, Benjamin and their friend Jocelyn incredibly excited. “Look, they have crowns!” Jocelyn exclaimed happily.

“Day-go!” Benjamin yelled in response, pointing at the picture of his good friend Diego on an elephant. Even Zackary was intrigued by the idea of Dora and her friends in their royal garb! I played the DVD for the children and they sat down to watch it together.

The DVD contains four episodes and there is a great mix for both boys and girls. Jocelyn loved watching Dora help a unicorn find its way home. Zackary was delighted with the Big Go-Kart Race that Benny was joining for the first time. And Benjamin loved the music throughout the episodes and every scene that featured Diego!

Overall, Dora the Explorer: Dora Celebrates Three Kings Day had lots of fun content that boys and girls could both enjoy. Check it out for yourself and enjoy Dora’s adventures with her friends in English or French today!

Buy It: To purchase Dora the Explorer: Dora Celebrates Three Kings Day, check your local DVD retailer or shop online now

Win It: One lucky reader is going to win their own DVD copy of Dora the Explorer: Dora Celebrates Three Kings Day from Paramount Home Entertainment

To Enter (mandatory): Leave a blog comment about your or your child’s favourite character from Dora the Explorer and then let me know you did using the Rafflecopter form below

Paramount Home Entertainment-Classics and Non-Fiction on Blu-Ray-Review

October 6, 2011 by Kathryn

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Do you have a classic movie fan on your Christmas list? Paramount Home Entertainment has you covered! Just in time for Christmas, the company has released an assortment of its most popular classic movies on Blu-ray and there is something for everyone! Here’s a brief synopsis of Paramount Home Entertainment’s newest Blu-Ray releases:

footloose blu-ray box art Footloose

Filled with electrifying dancing, memorable music, timeless spirit and the contagious celebration of youth, Footloose arrives on Blu-ray for the first time ever and in a new Deluxe Edition DVD, both featuring more than 30 minutes of all-new special features. In this beloved fable about teen exuberance overcoming rigid, misplaced morality, Kevin Bacon lights up the screen as city-boy Ren, an outsider who finds himself in an uptight Midwestern town where dancing has been banned. Footloose also stars John Lithgow, Dianne Wiest, Sarah Jessica Parker, Lori Singer and Chris Penn.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles

Written and directed by John Hughes, the hilarious classic Planes, Trains and Automobiles stars Steve Martin and John Candy as a businessman and a travelling salesman forced together by circumstance as they try to get home in time for Thanksgiving. The Blu-ray features a bran new, in-depth retrospective on John Hughes’ career that includes new interviews and explores his indelible impact as a writer and filmmaker.

Airplane!

A masterpiece of off-the-wall comedy, Airplane! tells the story of an ex-fighter pilot who takes control of an airliner when the crew is incapacitated – and skewers airplane disaster flicks, religious zealots, television commercials and everything else in its path along the way. The wildly quotable comedy features an all-star cast including Leslie Nielsen, Robert Hays, Julie Hagerty and Robert Stack. The Blu-ray includes a trivia track, an enhanced version of the film with deleted scenes, interviews and more.

The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad

Leslie Nielsen stars as Police Squad’s own granite-jawed, rock-brained cop Frank Drebin, who bumbles across a mind-control scheme to assassinate Queen Elizabeth in The Naked Gun: From the Files of the Police Squad. Priscilla Presley, Ricardo Montalban, a stuffed beaver, two baseball teams and an odd assortment of others join the wacko goings-on. The Blu-ray includes commentary by director David Zucker, producer Robert Weiss and Peter Tilden.

If non-fiction is what you are looking for, Paramount Home Entertainment has great choices for you too! From the history of bootlegging to the hysterical styling of America’s best-selling stand-up comedian, non-fiction is never boring with Paramount!

Prohibition

Ken Burns’ and Lynn Novick’s engaging, entertaining and enlightening documentary about the rise and fall of the 18th Amendment debuts on Blu-ray and DVD. A fascinating story that goes beyond the oft-told tales of gangsters, rum runners, flappers and speakeasies to raise profound questions about the proper role of government and individual rights and responsibilities. Prohibition delves deep into how a society founded on individual freedom became a nation of scofflaws and hypocrites. Told through expert interviews, vintage footage and compelling images, the five-and-a-half hour film explores how the enshrining of a faith-driven moral code in the Constitution paradoxically caused millions of Americans to rethink their definition of morality.

Jeff Dunham: Controlled Chaos

The best-selling stand-up comedian of ALL TIME is back with his first special since 2008. TIME Magazine called Jeff, “the most powerful comedian in the United States.” There’s no doubt that Jeff and his entourage of signature characters are a phenomenon, selling out shows around the world and appealing to audiences of all ages.

We haven’t yet had the chance to watch all these amazing movies yet, but so far I have fallen in love with Footloose, which I had never seen before. My husband, on the other hand, is completely entranced by Prohibition, and I must admit that I find it quite fascinating too! If you’re looking for great movie choices for that special film buff, check out Paramount Home Entertainment’s newest titles for yourself. You’re sure to find a favourite film for almost everyone!

Buy It: To purchase any of the Blu-ray releases from Paramount Home Entertainment, check your local DVD retailer or shop online now