DVD Reviews
Page 2

Disney's Spooky Buddies (U) 

The quintet of irresistible talking puppies, Disney’s lovable “Buddies,” are back for a ghoulish good time in a fantastic all-new Halloween-themed adventure, Spooky Buddies. 

Overflowing with trick-or-treat action, the ‘Buddies’ films are favourites of families and kids of all ages.  Spooky Buddies continues the overwhelmingly popular franchise featuring the adorable talking puppies, with action, laughs and fast-paced adventure.  In this latest movie caper, the lovable canine clan find themselves in a mysterious mansion, with no less than the fate of the world hanging in the balance as they must stop a dastardly warlock from his plans for world destruction. 

Packed with fun, excitement and a bag full of bonus features, Spooky Buddies is a spooktacular feature-length movie that treats audiences to a celebration of friendship and teamwork for the whole family. 

Totz2teens Review: Firstly I would like to say well done to Disney films for the fast play button which proves great for young fingers who amazingly seem to know how to sort out films and remote controls (plus losing them!!)  The film itself is set around Halloween when a class of children are being taken on a spooky tour.  The also have a tag along of 5 very cute puppies.  The film is very much suited to a young age group that perhaps wants a little 'more'.  Although not actually scary there is certainly a little suspense but I think most children should be able to handle this.  The evil warlock has a comedic appearance so although he is obviously evil he isn't going to terrify children.  We liked the talking animals that the 'Buddies' range of stories use.  Its very cute to see the puppies and other animals talking.  At the beginning the film is set with a terrible incident with the spooky hound and the poor pups that have their souls removed.  All except one!  He then shows as a Ghost to the other puppies and helps guide them.  We loved that the children and the puppies each work in a team to overcome the evil which of course results in a sweet ending.  My 7 year old loved the film but my 13 year old thought it a bit babyish (but was still happy to watch it all I hasten to add so he couldn't have thought it too bad)  Ideal little gift for half term/Halloween.  I understand that the other Buddies films are also available as a pack so worth a look in all good retailers.

Totz2teens Rating 4/5

The Little Engine that Could DVD

Totz2teens Review:  Super DVD for train lovers.  Majority of under 5's will absolutely adore The Little Engine that could.  It has a great cast of voices and the animation creation is spot on.  It totally kept my little one amused (unfortunately or fortunately it allowed me to have a bit of a nap) but I did watch enough to know that this DVD has great values, fun action and give that 'American' twist to a train story such as Thomas the Tank Engine. Having train lovers means they want to watch anything to do with trains and seeing this made my child want to turn our lounge into a train which was very sweet.  Plus I had the energy to play as I had a little nap - good for Mums xx  So I would recommend this DVD and I know that we will be watching it again very soon.

Totz2teens Rating:  3/5

A Turtle's Tale:  Sammy's Adventure

As he scrambles to the sea shortly after his birth on a beach in California, Sammy the sea turtle finds and loses the love of his life, a pretty hatchling called Shelly. On the epic journey across the oceans that all turtles accomplish before returning to the beach where they were born, Sammy dodges every danger in the hope of meeting Shelly again. With best buddy Ray, he sees close up how humans are hurting the planet. But then he is rescued by other humans. He battles with piranhas, escapes a fish eagle and searches for a mysterious secret passage. And, one day, after so many adventures and close shaves, Sammy finds Shelly. She has never forgotten him either...

Totz2teens Review:  Sammy is a turtle who is gets separated from the other hatchlings especially a friend called Shelly.  Sammy makes friends and learns who not to trust along the way on his quest to find Shelly.  The animation is superb and the thing thats great about this is that if you have a 3D TV you can actually watch this film in 3D  but you have a 2D choice too.   The music is fun and helps create the atmosphere of the sea and of Sammy's life.  As with many of the animated film the writers have managed to create an amazing amalgamation of love, cuteness, scary bits and tenderness.  A joy to watch for all the family.

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5

Lavender Hill Mob

Henry Holland (Alec Guiness) has worked faithfully for 20 years as a bank transfer agent for the delivery of gold bullion. A shy retiring man, completely inconsequential to his employers, he has long dreamt of a way to execute his plan of the perfect gold robbery - the only catch being how to move the gold on once stolen. One day he befriends Pendlebury (Stanley Holloway), a maker of souvenirs. Holland remarks that, with Pendlebury's smelting equipment, one could forge the gold into harmless-looking toy Eiffel Towers and smuggle the gold from England into France. Soon after, the two plant a story to gain the services of professional criminals Lackery (Sid James) and Shorty (Alfie Bass). Together, the four plot their crime, leading to unexpected twists and turns.

Totz2teens Review:  Newly digitially remastered I was excited to see The Lavender Hill Mob again.  I was not disappointed.  The foray of stars that are smuggled into this gem of a film from Alec Guiness to Sid James is such a delight.  A classic film that is still enjoyable all these years later.  If you havent seen The Lavender Hill Mob then this is the time to catch up on this great little masterpiece.

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5

Beastly DVD
Based on a the beloved tale “Beauty & the Beast,” BEASTLY is a wicked romance released on DVD and DVD & Blu-ray Double Play Pack on 29^th August 2011, courtesy of Lionsgate Home Entertainment.

Fans will swoon over captivating performances from Alex Pettyfer (Tormented, I Am Number Four), Vanessa Hudgens (High School Musical 1-3, Bandslam) and Mary-Kate Olsen (Full House, New York Minute), BEASTLY proves that true love is never ugly, and inner beauty will always shine through.

Seventeen year old Kyle (Pettyfer) is the spoiled, shallow and incredibly popular prince of his high school kingdom. Entirely captivated and empowered by his own physical appearance, Kyle foolishly chooses Kendra (Olsen), a goth classmate rumoured to be a witch, as his latest target for humiliation. Unfazed by his cruel behaviour, Kendra decides to teach him a lesson – she transforms him into someone as unattractive on the outside as he is on the inside. Now he has one year to find someone who can see past the surface and love him, or he will remain “beastly” forever. An unassuming classmate he never noticed named Lindy (Hudgens), may be his best chance to prove that love is never ugly...   Loaded with extras, including A Classic Tale Retold: The Story of Beastly and an Alternate ending,   drama and romance fans everywhere will fall in love with BEASTLY!

Totz2teens Review:  We really enjoyed watching Beastly.  The Story of a young man who is very popular and thinks he is the bees knees.  He picked on the wrong girl who turns out to be a witch and disfigures him until he can find true inner love.  He meets a young lady - the film follows their friendship and how that develops.  Beastly is full of the typical humour and romance that you would expect which made this a totally great experience to watch.   Beastly is one of those films you can watch time and again.

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5
 

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1   12
Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows, the seventh and final adventure in the Harry Potter film series, is a much-anticipated motion picture event to be told in two full-length parts.

Part 1 begins as Harry, Ron and Hermione set out on their perilous mission to track down and destroy the secret to Voldemort's immortality and destruction-the Horcruxes. On their own, without the guidance of their professors or the protection of Professor Dumbledore, the three friends must now rely on one another more than ever. But there are Dark Forces in their midst that threaten to tear them apart.

Meanwhile, the wizarding world has become a dangerous place for all enemies of the Dark Lord. The long-feared war has begun and Voldemort's Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them. But the one prize they still seek is the one most valuable to Voldemort: Harry Potter. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort...alive.

Harry's only hope is to find the Horcruxes before Voldemort finds him. But as he searches for clues, he uncovers an old and almost forgotten tale-the legend of the Deathly Hallows. And if the legend turns out to be true, it could give Voldemort the ultimate power he seeks.

Little does Harry know that his future has already been decided by his past when, on that fateful day, he became "the Boy Who Lived." No longer just a boy, Harry Potter is drawing ever closer to the task for which he has been preparing since the day he first stepped into Hogwarts: the ultimate battle with Voldemort.

Totz2teens Review:  Being a hopeless Harry Potter fan family we eagerly awaited the release of the DVD and Blu-ray editions of the film.  A family film night of the best proportions.  Gathering the sweeties and popcorn we sat in down ready.  The film was actually as good on the home screen as it was the cinema.  Harry Potter doesn't fail in the storyline, not personally having read the last couple of books I was pleased with this film as I didn't feel I was having to ask questions as to what was happening.  The flow was considerably better than the previous film.  I have to admire the whole series of films in that on the whole they have been able to keep the actors the same and therefore the continuity is excellent.  The darker aspect of the films works well as Harry is growing up and so are the key readers/watchers of the film.  I found this to be a brilliant penultimate film and I am eagerly awaiting the final part.

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5
 

Cats & Dogs:  The Revenge of Kitty Galore 

To celebrate the release of CATS & DOGS and CATS & DOGS: THE REVENGE OF KITTY GALORE on Blu-ray and DVD double pack on 29^th November,  

It’s raining Cats & Dogs with this family-pleasing pair of feature films about the pet power struggle going on right under our noses. In the original Cats & Dogs, an eccentric professor (Jeff Goldblum) makes a discovery that could tip that power balance, and it’s up to a frisky beagle pup (voiced by Toby Maguire) to prevent disaster, in an adventure that also features the voices of Alec Baldwin, Susan Sarandon, Jon Lovitz, Charlton Heston and Sean Hayes.  

Then, in Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, ex-agent Kitty Galore (voiced by Bette Midler) plans to unleash a diabolical device to bring canine enemies to heel and declaw former cat comrades. For the first time in history, cats and dogs must join forces in an unlikely alliance to save not only themselves, but their humans too. 

©2010 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.  All rights reserved.

Totz2teens Review:  Full of Family fun - we enjoyed watching Cats & Dogs: The revenge of kitty galore.  Some pretty scary looking cat emerges from a dog but this is such a funny film.  The dogs and cats have to learn to deal with each other to save everyone including the humans.  The pigeon is hilarious and made me chuckle.  The voices of the creatures are jam packed full of recognizable voices such as bette midler as Kitty Galore and Roger Moore as Tab,  The humour is set at many levels so the adults are able to have a snigger but the children wont necessarily understand but still not feel its going over them.  very cleverly made.  This is a proper family film with a bit of action to keep the interest going.  Its a little silly but that really isnt a problem.  Its a kids film after all. 

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5
 

Scooby Doo Camp Scare DVD RRP £15.99

The creepiest campfire ghost stories come to life on the all new, must have, animated Scooby-Doo original movie Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare. Viewers will want to join in the high-jinks with the lovable Great Dane and the rest of the Mystery Inc. gang as they explore mysterious goings on at a haunted summer camp.

Roast your marshmallows and hide under your sleeping bag covers, because this campfire experience is going to get spooky! In this brand new adventure, Scooby-Doo and the gang head out in the Mystery Machine to visit Fred’s favorite childhood camp.  They soon learn that creepy creatures from their favourite campfire stories have come to life and now haunt the nearby woods and lake, threatening to shut down the camp once and for all.  Will our heroes; Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne and Velma manage to end all the spooky occurrences and stop the creatures before the camp is forced to close its doors forever?

Totz2teens Review: Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare is an all new movie starring Scooby-Doo, Fred, Daphne, Velma, and Shaggy that takes place at Camp Little Moose. As counsellors, the gang hopes to inspire confidence in the campers. But when a camp story comes to life and starts terrorizing the camp, they know they have a mystery to solve. Atypical Scooby doo film getting to the bottom of the ever confusing mystery. But what else would we want from a Scooby Doo Film.  I have to say this was a good film much to be enjoyed by the younger years oh and older ones too of course!!!

Totz2teens Rating:  4 out of 5
 

DRAGON HUNTERS - Cert: PG       RRP:    £12.99   

Impeccably animated and cut through with an imaginative sense of mischief and humour, DRAGON HUNTERS is available on DVD from 11 October 2010 courtesy of Icon Home Entertainment.  This enchanting and exciting adventure tells the story of a land which is cowering in the expectation of a mighty dragon's unwanted visit to plunder and destroy. With the resident knights being all but annihilated, it is Zoe, the king’s granddaughter who volunteers to save the day, having always dreamt of being a knight herself. However, because she is a girl the king has other plans for her and the fate of the kingdom is left hanging in the balance.

When Zoe sneaks out she meets Lian-Chu (Forest Whitaker – The Last King Of Scotland, Ghost Dog), a gentle giant, and his opportunistic friend, Gwizdo (Patrick Timsit) who call themselves Dragon Hunters but are in fact useless at their job. Zoe, convinced they’re up to the challenge, decides that with her help, they will be the ones to slay the dragon. Persuaded that she has found the heroes of her dreams, she is going to drag them into the strangest and most dangerous of adventures...

A rapid succession of exhilarating chases, imaginative creatures, and problem solving group dynamics will keep an audience of both children and adults consistently entertained. The animators have invested thought into almost everything that appears on the screen, and this attention to detail is staggering. But what truly makes DRAGON HUNTERS such an engaging spectacle is its stunning CG graphics, which are solidly rich, detailed, and an eye-popping marvel to behold.   

Totz2teens Review:  Zoe is a little girl who believes in fairy tales. she likes to imagine dragons knights and many other things, when her uncle is in dire need of some knights she goes out to find some then she come into the path of Gwizdo and Lian-Chu--a couple of two-bit, fly-by-night dragon hunters, she is immediately drawn in by them and takes a liking to them both! They set out on their quest in search of the fierce dragon.  Dragon Hunters is a good children's film, the animation is crafted well and the characters  suit their personalities very well.  I enjoyed watching this film and I am positive other people will too.

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5
 

The Secret of Kells

In the 9th Century, in a remote part of Ireland, lies the fortified Kells Abbey, where 12 years old Brendan lives quietly. He is hard at work with the other monks to fortify the abbey walls as protection against Viking raids. But he is called to a new life of adventure with the arrival of Brother Aidan, a celebrated master illuminator and keeper of an extraordinary, but unfinished Book. Aidan initiates Brendan into the art of llumination, awakening a prodigious talent. Brendan must finish the magnificent book. He has to overcome his deepest fears on a secret quest that will take him for the first time beyond the Abbey's walls into the enchanted forest where dangerous mythical creatures hide. It is here where he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young white wolf/girl, who will help him along the way.

But with the terrifying Viking hordes closing in, will Brendan’s artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against barbarians?

Totz2teens Review:  Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers. To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in.  This was a good film, it was try to follow in the beginning and I didn't really understand it but after a short while I really got into the story and really quite enjoyed watching the film. It is drawn like the older animation films which gives a certain appeal.
 
Totz2teens Member Rating: 3 out of 5

Postman Pat SPD:  A Speedy Delivery   £9.99

Here couldn’t be a better gift for pre-schoolers going on their summer holidays than the all new DVD - Postman Pat® Special Delivery Service – ‘A Speedy Delivery’.

This double disc DVD includes 4 action packed Postman Pat Special Delivery Service episodes – PLUS a bonus disc with 4 Postman Pat episodes.

With his new job as Head of the Special Delivery Service (SDS), Postman Pat and his faithful companion Jess the Cat® now deliver anything, anytime, anywhere!  With Pat’s very own fleet of vehicles and his pilot’s licence, not even a slippery ice cube or a super magnet can stand in his way!  No job proves too big for Postman Pat – mission accomplished!

The bonus disc features Postman Pat episodes; ‘Holiday Hobbies’, ‘The Fun Run’, ‘Spy Mission’ and ‘The Noisy Day’

Totz2teens Review:  Pat is busy with his special deliveries in this lovely new selection of episodes.  Jess is as funny as ever.  I watched them with my sons and found that they kept them interested.  When it had finished they wanted to watch it again so that meant I was able to get on and do some bits which was fantastic for me. 

Pat is brilliant and the kids love him too.

Totz2teens Rating:  5/5

Scooby-Doo Abracadabra-Doo - PG £12.99

Everyone’s favourite mystery solving hound will be hitting the shelves on March 29, 2010 with his new magical animated movie “Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra Doo ”.

Fans, both big and small, will be spellbound by this brand-new haunting adventure starring the whole Mystery Inc. gang.

Join the gang as they set out on a trip to visit Daphne’s sister Madelyn, who has been studying magic at the Whirlen Merlin Magic Academy. However, when they arrive, they find out that the school has been troubled with strange disturbances and a lot of the pupils have run away after being scared by a mysterious giant Gryphon. Mystery Inc. smell trouble and go to investigate!

DVD bonus material includes the cool featurette “Scooby-Doo and Puppets Too” where you can learn how to make your own scary Gryphon puppet. It’s a great introduction to puppet-making for all ages!

“Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra Doo” is available nationwide from all good retailers from March 29 2010 for kids aged 4 - 9. RRP £12.99.

Totz2teens Review:  The latest DVD in the series of Scooby Do. If your kids liked Monster of Mexico and Ghoul School to mention just a few then they will love this! My ds had a friend for a sleepover last night so they offered to review this for me! They said it was very funny with a good storyline, it's set in a castle which is a magic school and they have to battle against the mystical creature a Griffin . There were a couple of spooky bits and said they jumped when a Banshee came wailing along!

There is also a special feature on it which tells you how to make and use puppets which they found interesting.

Totz2teens Rating:  The Boys gave it a 4/5

The work that goes into building up a tour of this stature was amazing and such a shame for everyone involved that it didnt happen in the end.  Having this film as part of the memorabilia is of course something every Michael Jackson fan will desperately wish to own.  Even if you arent a fan it is still amazing viewing. 

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5
 

When Flint Lockwood's (Bill Hader) latest contraption accidentally destroys the town square and rockets up into the clouds, he thinks his inventing career is over. Then, something amazing happens as delicious cheeseburgers start raining from the sky. His machine actually works! But when people greedily ask for more and more food, the machine starts to run amok, unleashing spaghetti tornadoes and giant meatballs that threaten the world! Now it's up to Flint with the help of weather girl Sam Sparks (Anna Faris) and Steve, his talking monkey assistant, to find some way to shut down the machine before the world is covered in super-sized meatballs!

Totz2teens Review:  Fun, Family film.  Brilliant.  A pleasure to watch with humour for adults and children.  Flint is an inventor who doesnt seem to hit the jackpot until he invents a machine to produce food for the town.  This starts of fun but as greed sets in, disaster strikes.  Can Flint rectify his damage???  This film has touching moments such as the relationship between Flint and his father.  The actual animation is superb.  The whole family enjoyed watching this film and will definately be watching it again and again.

Totz2teens Rating:  5/5

Totz2teens Review:  One of those films that you can all sit down and watch.  My husband got very engrossed in watching this and it very much appealed to him.  It is obviously dated as it was originally released over 40 years ago but it was super to watch a properly charming version of a Robin Hood story.  There is lots of action and peril which keep you on the edge of your seat and it was a good film to remind you of times gone by when harmless action films with no swearing happened. 

Totz2teens Rating:  3.5/5
 

Shorts

Totz2teens Review:  Shorts is a film about a boy called Toe who finds a Rainbow wishing rock.  It contains mixed chapters of the journey all in different orders. He calls them Short Chapters.  Every one live in Black Falls and all the parents work at Black Box Industries.  They make a box that can do everything.  All the adults end up becoming power hungry which drains the wishing rock of its powers with disastrous consequences.  The main character is a young boy who doesn't have many friends and wants to have some.  The chapters were fun and it was different to watch a film this way rather than one long story.  The film is directed by the same director that did Spy Kids and carrys the same humour and fun family viewing.  Ideal for young families.

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5

Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince   -  12

Wizards and muggles beware!  No one is safe as Harry Potter returns for his sixth year at Hogwarts in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™. 

Emboldened by the return of Lord Voldemort, the Death Eaters are wreaking havoc in both the Muggle and wizarding worlds and Hogwarts is no longer the safe haven it once was. Harry suspects that new dangers may lie within the castle, but Dumbledore is more intent upon preparing him for the final battle that he knows is fast approaching. He needs Harry to help him uncover a vital key to unlocking Voldemort's defenses--critical information known only to Hogwarts' former Potions Professor, Horace Slughorn. With that in mind, Dumbledore manipulates his old colleague into returning to his previous post with promises of more money, a bigger office...and the chance to teach the famous Harry Potter.

Meanwhile, the students are under attack from a very different adversary as teenage hormones rage across the ramparts. Harry's long friendship with Ginny Weasley is growing into something deeper, but standing in the way is Ginny's boyfriend, Dean Thomas, not to mention her big brother Ron. But Ron's got romantic entanglements of his own to worry about, with Lavender Brown lavishing her affections on him, leaving Hermione simmering with jealousy yet determined not to show her feelings. And then a box of love potion-laced chocolates ends up in the wrong hands and changes everything.

As romance blossoms, one student remains aloof with far more important matters on his mind. He is determined to make his mark, albeit a dark one. Love is in the air, but tragedy lies ahead and Hogwarts may never be the same again.

Out on Blu-ray and DVD on 7 December 2009 from Warner Home Video, the entire ensemble cast is back for the sixth installment of the record-breaking franchise based on the best-selling book series by J.K. Rowling.   Yours to own and relish, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ will be released as a 2-disc special edition DVD.  There will also be a 3-disc Blu-ray pack that will feature the Maximum Movie Mode interactive viewing experience and a bonus copy of the film on DVD.  As if that wasn’t enough, fans can also look forward to the simultaneous release of Harry Potter™ 1-6 boxsets on both the Blu-ray and DVD formats.  

From celebrated director David Yates (BBC’s State of Play, Harry Potter series Years 5-7), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ brings back the highly-acclaimed cast including Daniel Radcliffe (BBC’s My Boy Jack, December Boys), Rupert Grint (Driving Lessons) and Emma Watson (The Tale of Despereaux) as well as two-time Academy Award^® Winner Maggie Smith (Gosford Park, A Room With A View), Academy Award^® Nominee Helena Bonham Carter (Sweeney Todd, Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride), Alan Rickman (Love Actually, Die Hard) and Michael Gambon (The Good Shepherd, Gosford Park).  Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ also introduces Academy Award^® winner Jim Broadbent (Iris, Moulin Rouge!) as Professor Horace Slughorn.  

The Blu-ray disc of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ will feature Warner Bros. Maximum Movie Mode, an interactive viewing experience that examines the entire film with such features as Focus Points, Picture-in-Picture, photo galleries and more.  Maximum Movie Mode includes commentary from director David Yates, producers David Heyman and David Barron, and stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson and Tom Felton.  

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince™ will be available as a 2-disc DVD for £24.99 and 3-disc Blu-ray pack (x2 Blu-ray discs and 1 x bonus copy of the movie on DVD) for £28.99.  Harry Potter™ box sets on both Blu-ray and DVD and featuring all six films released in the franchise to date will also be released on 7 December 2009.

Totz2teens Review:  The infamous Harry Potter returns for another exciting adventure in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince.  I had seen this film at the cinema and was quite interested to see how it would be in the home environment.  I find that the films are quite darkly filmed so to give an air of mystery and drama this worked absolutely fine in the lounge too which was pleasing.  The actors have all grown into their parts well and I feel that each film ensues a better step in the acting.  Having not read the book previously I was not aware of where the story would lead and a did feel that I needed a few bits explaining to me from someone who had read the book although I still thoroughly enjoyed watching the film.  My family all sat excitedly watching Harry and his pals work towards a better world.  I love seeing the well known faces playing such rich and interesting  characters.    The extra DVD was really interesting to watch and now I have 2 children that really fancy going to Orlando!!!!!  Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince doesnt fail to provide an entertaining couple of hours.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  5/5

HARRY POTTER characters, names and related indicia are trademarks of and ©Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Harry Potter Publishing Rights © J.K.R. 
© 2009 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.  All rights reserved.

Moon - 15
Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is nearing the end of his contract with the mining company, Lunar, for whom he has been a faithful employee for three long years. His home has been Sarang, a moon base where he has spent his days alone mining Helium 3, the precious gas that holds the key to solving Earth's energy crisis. Isolated and determined, Sam has followed the rules obediently and his time on the moon has been enlightening but uneventful. He does his job mechanically and spends most of his time dreaming of his imminent return to earth, his wife and young daughter. Finally he will have someone to talk to beyond “Gerty”, the base’s well-intentioned, but rather uncomplicated computer. 

Two weeks shy of his departure from Sarang, Sam starts seeing and hearing things and when a routine extraction goes horribly wrong, he discovers that Lunar has its own plans for replacing him and that the new recruit is eerily familiar. Now Sam has to confront the discovery that the life he has created may not be his own.

Totz2teens Review:  An interesting film which we all watched together.  Sam lives and works on a moon base alone except for a computer robot.   He lives for the day he will return to his wife and daughter once his contract finishes.  However after an accident out in the mining area it becomes apparent that all is not as it seems.  This was an intriguing watch with humour and raw emotion that held it all together well.   This isnt normally 'my kind' of film - I usually let them watch this sort of film on their own but this was such a curious film that you continue to watch waiting for the next little surprise.

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5
 

Time Bandits 
Time Bandits is the timeless, hilarious and always engaging fantasy from visionary director Terry Gilliam (The Imaginarium of Dr Parnassus). The story of a group of guerrilla dwarves who leave their jobs with The Supreme Being for a life of crime with a map they’ve stolen from their workplace, Time Bandits boasts music by George Harrison, who co-produced the film alongside writer/director Gilliam, and stars Academy Award-winners Sean Connery, John Cleese and Jim Broadbent plus co-writer Michael Palin.

Totz2teens Review:  When 6 of gods helpers find a map to time portals they set about causing trouble by planning to still treasures from history.  Things start going wrong when they are running from god and stumble into a young boys bedroom and he winds up leaving his  home behind and travelling with the bandits.

We follow the schemes of the bandits back and forth through time until they go to the Land of Legends where the ultimate evil is after the map to escape.  An easy watch.

Totz2teens Rating:  3/5
 

Paul Blart:  Mall Cop   - PG
Don’t Mess With His Mall!

The Biggest Comedy of The Year Starring Emmy® Nominee Kevin James

Available on Blu-ray™ High-Def and DVD 10th August, 2009

Prepare for side-splitting laughter and heart-pumping action when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases Paul Blart: Mall Cop on high definition Blu-ray Disc and DVD on 10 August, 2009. The £5.4 million box office hit from Adam Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions is packed with deleted scenes, hilarious outtakes, featurettes on the making of the movie and a commentary.

With a heart that won’t quit, a stomach that won’t stop gurgling and a self-sworn oath to protect his turf, he’s Paul Blart: Mall Cop. Mild-mannered Paul Blart (Kevin James, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, Hitch,TV’s “The King of Queens”) has always had huge dreams of becoming a State Trooper. Until then, he patrols the local mall as a security guard. With his closely cropped moustache, personal transporter and gung-ho attitude, only Blart seems to take his job seriously. All of that changes when a team of thugs raid the mall and take hostages. Untrained, unarmed and a super-size target, it’s up to Blart to save the day.

Trailer - watch here

Totz2teens Review:  Paul Blart is a wannabee Cop but his hyperglycemia means he cant do it but can be a Mall Cop.  He is a really sweet guy but isnt well liked.  Falls in love with a woman on a stall in the mall and helps rescue everyone when the mall is subject to a heist. 

We all enjoyed watching this film, I found it touching and funny at the same time.  The way that Paul finds the strength to deal with the baddies is very funny - in a slapstick way which of course always manages a laugh.  

The film has a slight Christmassy feel to it as a bit of thanksgiving and decorations are themed in the film.  However I didnt feel it was wrong watching it at any time of the year but will definately put it on the list for autumn !!

Totz2teens Rating:  5/5

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2

A coming of age movie that will strike a chord with young women everywhere, THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2 is latest must have accessory!  Starring some of the hottest young talent in Hollywood including Blake Lively (Gossip Girl) and America Ferrera (Ugly Betty), this is the  ultimate girl power movie. 

Set for DVD release on 25^th May 2009 courtesy of Warner Home Video, this sequel to the immensely successful The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants will be released day and date with a double pack featuring both the original and sequel.

Based on Ann Brashares’ best-selling series of novels, THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2 refreshingly avoids teen-movie stereotypes and clichés by concentrating on the power of friendship and individuality, with a pair of jeans ingeniously acting as a metaphor for the bond the four central characters share. 

Filled with career adventures and romantic disasters and triumphs, THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS 2 also stars Alexis Bledel (Gilmore Girls, Sin City), Amber Tamblyn (Joan of Arcadia), Emmy award winning Blythe Danner (Sylvia, Meet the Parents), the up-coming Rachel Nichols (Alias, G.I. Joe) and Golden Globe winning Kyle McLaughlan (Sex and the City, Desperate Housewives).  So if you like your entertainment to be fun, enlightening and life-affirming then look no further - the sisterhood has arrived, complete with baggage!

www.Sisterhoodofthetravelingpants2.co.uk            www.Sisterhoodofthetravelingpants2movie.co.uk

Three years ago, four lifelong friends founded the Sisterhood, staying in touch during their first solo adventures by passing around a pair of perfect-fitting second-hand jeans.  As they catch up with them again in their first year of college and the summer beyond, they are embarking on new adventures, remaining as close as ever by sharing their experiences with honesty and humour…and the travelling pants.  Discovering their individual strengths, fears, talents and capacity for love, they come to value more than ever the bond they share and the immeasurable power of their friendship.

DVD Released:             25^th May 2009   Certificate 12       1 disc DVD £12.99    Double Pack with Sisterhood 1 - £15.99

Totz2teens Review: 
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 was reviewed by myself and my daughter aged 12.  The premise of the story is that there are 4 girls who have grown up but are connected by some denim jeans that appear to have some powers.  They rotate who has them and it is believed their bond and the jeans help them through hard times.  The story is about friendship and the ups and downs of life.  This is a really nice film to watch and does make you think about the friends and relationships that may have some distance between them but still when the chips are down we all pull together.

The characters are all believable and the film allows you to develop a liking for each character within the storyline. 

I dont think you will have to have seen the first film to watch this one although I had already seen the 1st one previously.

My daughter enjoyed watching the film too and liked the ending too.

Totz2teens Rating:  4/5

Alice Upside Down

You rocked with the Jonas Brothers; you danced with the Wildcats, now discover ALICE UPSIDE DOWN.  Featuring stars of Camp Rock and High School Musical, ALICE UPSIDE DOWN is a sure fire hit for pre-teen girls everywhere!  Set for DVD release on 18 May 2009 courtesy of Momentum Pictures, you couldn’t find a more family friendly film that is pure entertainment from start to finish. 

ALICE UPSIDE DOWN is also genuinely tender and appealing in its tale of a typical young girl who is getting ready to leave her childhood behind.  In her imagination, Alice is cool, confident and popular, but in reality, she feels like she can’t do anything right.  Starring Alyson Stoner (Camp Rock, Cheaper by the Dozen, Disney’s Suite Life of Zack and Cody), Lucas Grabeel (High School Musical, Legend of the Dancing Ninja) and Luke Perry (Beverley Hills 90210, 8 Seconds, Buffy the Vampire Slayer), ALICE UPSIDE DOWN is both hilarious and poignant as we follow Alice’s journey from tweenship to teenship! 

Growing into your own skin is a journey which takes many twists and turns.  For Alice this journey flips literally ‘Upside Down’!  Moving to a new town, meeting new friends and starting at a new school would perhaps have something to do with it, as well as having to cope with living in an all-male household!  Missing her mother who died when she was very young, Alice looks for new role models in her new teachers Mrs Plotkins and Miss Cole by auditioning for the new school musical The Princess and the Frog.  Whist surviving the embarrassments of being ‘the new girl’ unfortunately music doesn’t come as naturally to Alice as with her musician dad and rockstar brother, but with the help of the new people in her life she learns more about who she really is.  For more information visit the website at www.aliceupsidedown.co.uk.

Totz2teens Member Review:
Alice is a typical young girl who has aspirations in life.  She dreams of being popular, pretty and confident.  What really happens is that she just makes a bit of a mess of everything she attempts.  As the story progresses we see Alice take on a singing audition.  We see what she believes everyone is seeing and then we see the reality.  BIG DIFFERENCE.  This is an amusing story with a real sentiment behind it and the whole film comes over as a likeable tale of a young woman growing up.  I felt that this could have been a film of a tv programme as it seemed to have that air about it.  My Pre teen and teen both enjoyed watching it and said that that Alice upside down was a great film typical of ones that they like to watch.  I read that as it is typical of the genre which of course means it is playsafe for any young girl that you may want to buy this for which is a good recommendation.

It was certainly watchable for an adult too so no one will be bored watching this with their child which is again a good thing. 

Alice upside down is a touching story and I am happy to recommend it for you to watch.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  4/5
 

IGOR
Pull the switch and help Igor become this year’s inventor extraordinaire! Don’t get the hump this half-term and have fun hanging out with the noble science assistant experimenting on some mad-cap lab antics to out manoeuvre the nasty nemesis, in this tale of re-invention. Momentum Pictures unveils IGOR on DVD 2 February 2009.  

This hilarious animated comedy follows lowly scientist’s assistant Igor (JOHN CUSACK), an inventor pushing weird science to the extreme hoping to make a difference to the lives of all the subservient science hunchbacks. Bubbling with humour and sparky electric energy plus the addition of the unlikeliest of hero’s, IGOR has the perfect formula of pop, bang and fizzle for all the family this half term.

Bright and boldly directed by ANTHONY LEONDIS (LILO & STITCH 2), Igor is a fun-filled, action-packed comedy celebrating the underdog. The stellar voice cast includes JOHN CUSACK (HIGH FIDELITY), EDDIE IZZARD (THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: PRINCE CASPIAN), JOHN CLEESE (FAWLTY TOWERS), SEAN HAYES (WILL & GRACE) and STEVE BUSCEMI (MONSTERS INC.).

The Story

In the land of Malaria, you are either a somebody or a nobody. The biggest somebodys are the evil scientists and the nobodies are their loyal hunchback assistants.  But one unlikely inventor is about to change everything….

Meet Igor, a talented hunchback who’s determined to prove his worth at the annual Evil Science Fair.  With help from his wise-cracking sidekicks Scamper (BUSCEMI), a grumpy lab rabbit, and the not so brainy Brain (HAYES), he plans to create the greatest invention the world has ever seen and win first prize.  However the fiendish Dr Schadenfreude (IZZARD) is also making plans: to steal Igor's crazy creation and take over all Malaria.  Can Igor and friends stop him and truly save the day?

IGOR Released by Momentum Pictures on  2 February 2009 Certificate: PG  RRP:£17.99  Running Time: 118 mins approx

Totz2teens Member Review:  Igor - pronounded eegor (I kept getting wrong with my children telling me the right way!!!)  Igor is an inventor who wants to win a prize at the Evil Science Fair.  He makes a wonderful monster however it turns out to be kind.  The story follows their tale of how they try to turn Eva evil.  As with many of the animated films these days there is a good blast of humour to keep the youngest and oldest family members watching.  A wide range of celebrity voices are used within the film and I did find myself thinking who is that and was pleased when I got it right.  Igor is a super film and well worth getting for the kids to watch. 
Totz2teens Member Rating:  4/5
 

Fly me to the moon    £17.99 out now

FLY ME TO THE MOON is the first ever computer animated film designed, created and produced from first frame, exclusively for the 3D experience.  In 1969, three astronauts dared to go where no man had gone before; the moon.  FLY ME TO THE MOON combines the Apollo 11 mission with a twist involving three tween-aged flies who go along on an incredible space adventure.  The film introduces new generations to space exploration and the historic moment when the world was united for this awe-inspiring achievement. 

Totz2teens Member Review:  I was very excited about our opportunity to review Fly me to the moon as the 3D sounds great fun.  We were a little disappointed.  Out of 4 of us, 2 found it very hard to wear the glasses and my other child got a headache.  So we switched to the non 3D version of the film and it was successful.  During our attempts with the 3D we found this hilariously funny especially the dragonfly that flies out you which made us all feel like ducking and reaching out for it.  The film itself has a great story line and was highly entertaining.  The animation was brilliant and realistic too (if you can have realistic talking creatures!!!!!  Very impressive film and great viewing for all little space travellers.

Totz2teens Member Rating:  4/5