Jasper: Journey to the End of the World is a cute movie filled with fun characters and an inquisitive little star. Jasper is a playful, klutzy, excited, and energetic penguin and knows deep in his heart there is more to the world than his icy home in the South Pole. He is told that the earth is flat and there is nothing beyond the icebergs in their small little enclave. His parents want him to simply “do homework, eat seaweed, and walk in single file.” But the little fellow knows there is more out in the big world and one day he gets the chance to see it.

 

When Jasper sees a “weird green bird” he knows there is something more out there. The bird says he lives in a warm place. This is new to the little penguin who tells the rest of the group. Obviously they don’t believe him. But one day while watching his baby brother Junior, they accidentally find what is beyond the icebergs and meet new friends, along with a very bad man.

 

They end up on a large ship where nine-year-old Emma lives. Her father is the captain and she is a fun-loving but lonely little girl. Also on the ship are three stolen eggs from an endangered species of parrots.

 

Kakapo (the strange green bird) is on a secret mission to retrieve the stolen eggs. He enlists the help of Emma, Jasper, and even little Junior in this assignment.

 

I will admit that Junior is adorable, precious, and a scene- stealer. He’s irresistible. Kakapo is also a fun character. And Emma is a sweet girl with a heart of gold. Of course, the star of the show is Jasper, a loveable little fellow who means well and has a lot of spirit and gumption. They’re all fun characters and together make a fun story for the entire family.

 

Jasper: Journey to the End of the World is not rated but is suitable for all ages.

 

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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Critics around the world have heralded this magical, mystical animated movie. The Tale of The Princess Kaguya is now available on combo pack with a DVD, a Blu-ray, and a special DVD bonus disc containing a documentary about the making of this highly acclaimed movie.

 

The story focuses on a tiny girl who was found inside a magic bamboo stalk by a bamboo cutter. He and his wife raise the girl, who the wife originally thinks is a tiny doll. This tiny girl magically turns into a baby, and then grows at an alarming rate. The local kids lovingly call her “Little Bamboo” because she grows fast like a stalk of bamboo.

 

The couple loves the little girl, but the bamboo cutter believes he was entrusted with her for the sole purpose of making her a respectable princess. When she has grown a bit they move from the country where she is happy, to the city where he hires people to teach her how to be a princess.

 

Princess Kaguya is enchanting and everyone loves her, but she is very unhappy. She longs for her old life in the country. Then, something happens that changes everything, and her whole story unfolds near the end of the film, as she must come to terms with her fate.

 

The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for “Best Animated Feature Film” and received many other nominations, as well as several wins. The American voice talents include Chloe Grace Moretz as The Princess Kaguya, James Caan and Mary Steenburgen as her parents, Lucy Liu, Beau Bridges, James Marsden, Oliver Platt, George Segal, Emily Bridges, and Darren Criss. The animation is different from the usual animated films of today. It is old fashioned with some attractive artistry.

 

This is an interesting movie, but very slow moving and at a running time of 2 hours 18 minutes, young kids won’t stay interested in the story. Plus, there are scenes of violence and nudity, giving the film a PG rating. While it is a beautiful piece of animation, it is not for little kids.
The Tale of The Princess Kaguya is now available from Universal Studios Home Entertainment with plenty of bonus features that will appeal to animated movie lovers. It is rated PG for thematic elements, some violent action and partial nudity.

 

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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That adorable Peanuts gang is irresistible. And now there are three full-length features available on DVDs to enjoy the gang any time you want. We all have our favorite Peanuts kid. Who’s yours – Charlie Brown, Lucy, Linus, Schroeder, Sally, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Franklin, Pigpen, Rerun, Violet, Sherman, Patty, Frieda, Woodstock, or Snoopy?

 

Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown (1977)

 

Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown is available on DVD for the first time ever. This fun story follows the gang as they go off to camp. Everyone is eager to experience the great outdoors, except for Sally. Camp Remote is a shock to everyone. Franklin doesn’t want to wake up at the required 5 am time, and he is upset there is no thermostat in the tent! Sally hates every part of the camp, Peppermint Patty decides she is going to lead her fellow tent-mates and rule by ballots, and Charlie Brown wants to learn leadership qualities while at the camp. The gang not only has to face the rigors of camp life, but also the three bullies who “rule” the camp.

 

When it comes time for the Big Rafting Race, it’s the bullies against the team of Charlie Brown, Linus, Franklin, and Schroeder (who insists on taking his piano on the raft), the team of Peppermint Patty, Lucy, Sally, and Marcie, and the team of Snoopy and Woodstock. Who do you think will win?

 

There are some very cute Peanuts moments throughout the entire movie, and some sentimental ones as well. Don’t be surprised if you reach for a tissue when little Snoopy thinks Woodstock is lost forever.

 

Race for Your Life, Charlie Brown is rated G for everyone.

 

A Boy Names Charlie Brown (1969)

 

A Boy Named Charlie Brown was the first big-screen film. Charlie Brown, Linus, Lucy, Snoopy, and the gang go to New York and the National Spelling Bee. This is filled with plenty of great Peanuts situations as well score that was nominated for an Oscar as well as a Grammy.

 

Charlie Brown has all the grief he can stand – with his kite problems as well as never winning at baseball. But he manages to win the class spelling bee. Finally something good is happening to him. But can he keep it up through the national spelling bee?

 

A Boy Named Charlie Brown is rated G for everyone.

 

Snoopy Come Home (1972)

 

Snoopy Come Home is a sweet Peanuts movie with an Academy-Award nominated score. Poor little Snoopy is confronted by “No Dogs Allowed” signs everywhere he goes. He’s used to going anywhere he wants, but these signs are impeding on his life. Then he gets a letter from his former owner who is in the hospital. Snoopy takes off with his friend Woodstock to visit the sick little girl. When Snoopy feels he should move back with the girl, the Peanuts gang realizes how much the little beagle has meant to them.

This is a sweet, sentimental, endearing little movie. What would the world be like without Snoopy? Sad and tearful. But, don’t worry. Snoopy realizes where he belongs – with Charlie Brown, of course!

 

Snoopy Come Home is rated G for everyone.

 

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Like her on Facebook