2010 Holiday Guide: Gifts of Music part two

Earlier this month we began this series by covering the Gifts of Music, then followed with DVDs and videos and special coverage on theme-oriented gifts covering one of the most popular of all children’s classics, The Wizard of Oz.

Today, we turn our attention back to one of the most popular categories – music, and gifts that specifically cover CD releases that were made during the last 12 months, which included some of the biggest names in the music industry.

Below you will find a broad range of artists that focused their talents on bringing compilation recordings to the marketplace for all family members.

These products have been researched for quality as well as value, and are geared to provide multiple age ranges with many hours of positive and fun-filled entertainment.

Best pricing options available at the time of this posting are provided below, but it is suggested that (when available) you cross-compare with your favorite online as well as stick and brick retailers.

You may wish to bookmark this page to enable further explorations of the highlighted links at your leisure, as there are numerous choices in this star-studded category, which covers a multitude of musical tastes.

As always, you are the best judge of what is appropriate for your child’s entertainment.

Putumayo Kids: Rock and Roll Playground

Released on June 29th this year, from the Putumayo Kids label, the company known as award-winning innovators in music for children, comes Rock and Roll Playground.

This album brought together a stellar lineup of talent including Grammy® Award winners Dan Zanes and Friends, Taj Mahal and 2009 Grammy nominee Brady Rymer, as well as Parents' and Choice® Gold award winner Roger Day, plus other notable and upcoming musicians that contributed to this historically musical take on the development of Rock and Roll.

Included with the CD is read-aloud illustrated booklet with notes tracing the history of this musical genre, and information about each song on the CD.

Sound samples for all 12 tracks of Putumayo Kids: Rock and Roll Playground is available through Putumayo Kids online, and best pricing for the CD is currently available at Import CDs for $9.79.

Maria Muldaur’s: Barnyard Dance Jug Music Band for Kids

From the distinctive and award-winning Music For Little People label comes a wonderful and fun collection of homegrown toe tapping, sing-along tunes for the whole family from award-winning, platinum selling vocalist Maria Muldaur whose career has spanned more than 47 years.

This collection of tunes, along with Muldaur’s distinctive vocals, utilizes everything from washboard and cowbells to pots and pans and spoons. This jug band recording is a happy audio romp designed to delight the spirit.

All tracks for Maria Muldaur’s: Barnyard Dance Jug Music Band for Kids are available to sound sample at New Releases Now, and the complete CD may be ordered through Amazon.com Marketplace for $6.77, or downloaded in MP3 format for .69 cents per track ($7.99 for the entire album) at iTunes.

Buckwheat Zydeco’s Bayou Boogie

Music for Little People presents another great album from the “Ambassador of Zydeco Music,” Grammy award-winning, Buckwheat Zydeco, who has become a true living Bayou music legend.

Great songs accompanied by guitar, accordion and Hammond B3 organ run the gamut from classic rock to original compositions presented in an enticing mix of Creole sounds that salute a niche of American culture.

Joined with Buck are music superstars Dan Zanes, Maria Muldaur, Laurie Berkner and Aaron Nigel Smith.

All tracks are available for listening at Amazon.com where the CD is priced at $7.45 and individual MP3 downloads are available for .99 cents per track.

Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti

A labor of love and generosity from an exceptional lineup of musical talent, Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti was released in August as a fund raising effort to benefit the Haitian People’s Support Project after the devastating earthquake that occurred on January 12, 2010.

A first time release from Spare the Rock Records, Many Hands was the brainchild of Dean Jones (Dog on Fleas) and was supported in kind by the many artists who deeply discounted or donated their efforts to bring an amazing mix of sounds, songs and moods that are sing able and danceable for the whole family.

Almost all of the selections on this 22-track album were recorded specially for this CD or were previously unreleased.

Contemporary music legends abound here – Pete Seeger, Elizabeth Mitchell, Dan Zanes and They Might Be Giants (to name just a few) have created an outstanding album to continue the much need support for the people of Haiti.

Sound samples for Many Hands: Family Music for Haiti are available for review at Amazon.com Marketplace, where the CD is priced at $9.02 and individual MP3 tracks are .99 cents each.

Pete Seeger’s Tomorrow’s Children

From Appleseed Recordings comes the iconic Grammy-winning folksinger/political activist, Pete Seeger in his latest studio album, Tomorrow’s Children.

An uplifting and inspirational mix of music and storytelling, Seeger is joined by youth from grammar to high school along with teachers and musicians from his hometown of Beacon, New York.

The album contains many tracks, written or adapted by the children themselves and exudes a feeling of camaraderie, empowerment and cooperation – a true passing of the torch of ideals to a new generation.

Amazon.com Marketplace has sound samples for all 19 tracks of Pete Seeger’s Tomorrow’s Children. The CD is also available from Amazon for $9.98, or individual downloadable MP3 tracks for .99 cents each.

 The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band

People Magazine dubbed her “The queen of children’s music,” and on this CD, Laurie Berkner and her band deliver a good dose of royal treatment for the listener.

An excellent compilation of Berkner’s most requested songs includes such favorites as: "Open Your Heart;" “Rocketship Run; “Victor Vito” and many more.

You may sound sample all selections of The Best of the Laurie Berkner Band at Amazon.com and purchase the complete CD for $8.99 or download separate MP3 tracks for .99 cents each or the entire album for $9.99.

Holiday Gift Guide 2010: Wizard of Oz theme oriented gifts

"Santa Holding Christmas Gift" photo by Petr Kratochvil

Earlier this month we began this series covering the Gifts of Music, followed by DVDs and videos, with more choices in both categories to follow in the coming weeks leading up to the holiday season.

Today however, we turn our attention to theme oriented gift ideas – specifically covering items based on one of the most enduring pieces of children’s classic literature, L. Frank Baum’s, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

The products, which appear below have been researched for quality as well as value, and are geared to provide the children and teens in your life with many hours of positive and fun-filled entertainment.

Best pricing options available at the time of this posting are provided below, but it is suggested that (when available) you cross-compare with your favorite online as well as stick and brick retailers.

You may wish to bookmark this page to enable further explorations of the highlighted links at your leisure.

As always, you are the best judge of what is appropriate for your child’s entertainment.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Most children and adults were introduced to The Wizard of Oz through the original Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) 1939 movie, which was based on the characters created by L. Frank Baum in his series of children’s books.

Begin your journey by taking a look at the original story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which is available to read free online at RareOzBooks.com. The website also provides an excellent slide show of images from the original publication’s renderings by W.W. Denslow, as well as information about collecting and the valuation of first edition titles of these books.

The Wizard of Oz (70th Anniversary Edition) [Blu-ray]

Issued in March of this year was a special 70th Anniversary Edition in single disc Blue-ray format from Warner Brothers Home Video, which offers superb visual and sound quality. It is truly a collector’s edition and priced at $10.00 through Amazon.com.

There are other editions to explore if Blu-ray does not work for your household.

A video preview of the Blu-ray edition is available by clicking on the following link to the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDB.)

The Wizard of Oz: An Illustrated Companion to the Timeless Movie Classic by John Fricke, Jonathan Shirshekan

 
If your family already has a video format of The Wizard of Oz, this Barnes and Noble exclusive, The Wizard of Oz: An Illustrated Companion to the Timeless Movie Classic by John Fricke and Jonathan Shirshekan is a must-have definitive source of all things Oz.

This handsome hardbound edition was recently reissued as a second printing because of its immense popularity and exposure at Oz festivals nationwide.

The 160 page book includes over 500 black and white stills as well as full color images with behind-the-scenes shots, an extra gatefold scene along with visuals of the film’s test costumes, artists’ sketches, posters and informational casting notes.

Author John Fricke at a recent book signing

John Fricke has authored four earlier books about Oz and its star, Judy Garland. Twice he has received an Emmy Award as co-producer /writer of Garland documentaries for the A & E Network and PBS-TV.

Jonathan Shirshekan is a preeminent Oz collector, researcher, and preservationist.

The Wizard of Oz: An Illustrated Companion to the Timeless Movie Classic is available through Barnes and Noble at a special online holiday price of $10.98.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to Thanksgiving week movies with ratings and trailers

"Popcorn" photo by Petr Kratochvil

It’s time to make Thanksgiving holiday family entertainment plans and see if this week’s current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, November 19 to Friday November 26, 2010.

The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).

If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.

If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information will be furnished.

For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.

As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.

Opened November 24, 2010 Burlesque- Drama, Musical Romance- PG-13 because of “sexual content including several suggestive dance routines, partial nudity, language and some thematic material.”

Opened November 24, 2010 Faster- Action, Crime, Drama- R because of “strong violence, some drug use and language”

Opened November 19, 2010 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1–Action, Adventure, Fantasy- PG-13- because of “some sequences of intense action violence, frightening images and brief sensuality.”

Opening November 24, 2010 Love and Other Drugs- Comedy Romance- R because of “strong sexual content, nudity, pervasive language, and some drug material.”

Opened November 19, 2010 Made in Dagenham-Comedy, Drama, History- R- because of “language and brief sexuality.” NOTE: In limited release

Opened November 24, 2010 Tangled-Animation, Comedy- PG- because of “brief mild violence.”

Opening November 24, 2010 The King’s Speech- Drama, History- R because of “some language.” NOTE: In limited release.

Opened November 19, 2010- The Next Three Days– Crime, Drama, Romance-PG-13- because of “violence, drug material, language, some sexuality and thematic elements.”

Opened November 24, 2010- The Nutcracker in 3D- Action, Family, Fantasy-PG- because of "thematic material, scary images, action and brief smoking." NOTE: On limited release.

Opened November 19, 2010 White Material –Drama- NOT RATED-NOTE: New York City only.

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, November 12, 2010, which included: Cool It; Skyline; Tiny Furniture and Unstoppable, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, November 5, 2010, which included: 127 Hours; Care Bears: Share Bears Shines; Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer; Due Date; Fair Game; For Colored Girls; Four Lions; Megamind; Morning Glory and Red Hill, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, October 29, 2010, which included: Aftershock; The Feed; The Girl Who Knocked the Hornet’s Nest; Monsters; Outside the Law; Saw 3-D; Waste Land; Welcome to the Rileys and Wild Target, and for all other films that opened September 24 to October 22, 2010, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the weeks of August 6 to September 17, 2010, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the weeks of June 11 to July 30, 2010, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

G GENERAL AUDIENCES (All Ages Admitted) PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED (Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children) PG-13 PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) R RESTRICTED (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) NC-17 NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED – As determined by the Rating Board/Motion Picture Association of America.

Disney’s Winnie the Pooh returns to the big screen in a new animated adventure

The world’s most beloved storybook bear since 1926, and one of Walt Disney Pictures most successful franchises, WINNIE THE POOH, returns to the Hundred Acre Wood in an all new animated feature set for release in theaters nationwide, July 15, 2011.

Billed by the studio as, “the first big-screen Pooh adventure from Disney animation in more than 35 years,” WINNIE THE POOH reunites (in classic hand-drawn animation) all of your favorite A.A. Milne characters: Pooh; Piglet; Kanga; Roo; Tigger; Rabbit; Eeyore and Christopher Robin.

The film’s, co-directers by Stephen A. Anderson (“Meet the Robinsons” and “Journey Beneath the Sea”) and Don Hall (story artist for “The Princess and the Frog” and “Meet the Robinsons”) are joined by Disney veteran animator/storyman/director Burny Mattinson who served as key animator for the 1974 featurette “Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too!”

The voice cast includes the talents of: Jim Cummings as Pooh and Tigger; Craig Ferguson (“The Late Show with Craig Ferguson”) as Owl; Tom Kenny (“SpongeBob SquarePants”) as Rabbit; Bud Luckey (director of the Pixar short “Boundin’”) as Eeyore, and Travis Oates as Piglet.

Produced by Peter Del Vecho (“The Princess and the Frog”) WINNIE THE POOH also features the creative talents of Tony® Award-winning songwriter Bobby Lopez and his wife Kristen who have written new songs for the “hunny” loving bear and his friends, with score composition by Henry Jackman, and vocals (for a special rendition of the WINNE THE POOH theme) provided by Zooey Deschanel (Indie folk band, “She & Him.”)

Below for your viewing pleasure is a newly released trailer.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week's movies with ratings and trailers

It’s time to make weekend family entertainment plans and see if this week’s current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, November 12, 2010.

The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).

If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.

If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information will be furnished.

For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.

As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.

Opened November 12, 2010 Cool It –Documentary- PG- because of “thematic elements.” NOTE: Los Angeles and New York City only.

Opened November 12, 2010 Skyline-SciFi, Thriller- PG-13- because of “sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence, some language, and brief sexual content.”

Opened November 12, 2010- Tiny Furniture– Comedy-NOT RATED- NOTE: New York City and Los Angeles only.

Opened November 12, 2010 Unstoppable –Action, Drama, Thriller- PG-13-because of “sequences of action and peril and some language.”

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, November 5, 2010, which included: 127 Hours; Care Bears: Share Bears Shines; Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer; Due Date; Fair Game; For Colored Girls; Four Lions; Megamind; Morning Glory and Red Hill, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, October 29, 2010, which included: Aftershock; The Feed; The Girl Who Knocked the Hornet’s Nest; Monsters; Outside the Law; Saw 3-D; Waste Land; Welcome to the Rileys and Wild Target, and for all other films that opened September 24 to October 22, 2010, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the weeks of August 6 to September 17, 2010, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the weeks of June 11 to July 30, 2010, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

G GENERAL AUDIENCES (All Ages Admitted) PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED (Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children) PG-13 PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) R RESTRICTED (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent or Adult Guardian) NC-17 NO ONE 17 AND UNDER ADMITTED – As determined by the Rating Board/Motion Picture Association of America.

2010 Holiday Guide: DVDs and videos

Last week we began this series covering the Gifts of Music, with more choices in that category to follow in the coming weeks.

Today we turn our attention to some of the finest new DVD and videos that have been released this year that are perfect for holiday entertainment gift giving for children and teens.

From now until December 21, 2010, new offerings will be featured in many entertainment categories in addition to music, DVDs and videos, so you may wish to bookmark this page to enable further explorations of the highlighted links at your leisure.

The products, which appear below have been researched for quality as well as value, and are geared to provide the children in your life with many hours of positive and fun-filled entertainment.

Best pricing options, available at the time of this posting are provided below, but it is suggested that you cross-compare DVD and video pricing with your favorite online as well as stick and brick retailers when available.

As always, you are the best judge of what is appropriate for your child’s entertainment.

Enjoy the visual journey as there will be many choices provided, covering a multitude of viewing tastes. Simply click on the links to further explore each title in depth, some include viewing previews.

THE SECRET OF KELLS

 

A visually enchanting stylized hand-drawn animated adventure fantasy that garnered worldwide recognition with numerous nominations and awards, which included a 2010 Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature Film of the Year.

The story revolves around the fictionalized character of “Brendan,” a young Irish lad and his connection to one of the finest literary treasures in all of Ireland, The famed Book of Kells.

There is no MPAA/CARA rating for Secret of Kells, but you may connect to parent/audience reviews from the original feature film presentation through IMBD.

The DVD/Blu-ray combo pack includes two discs; a running time of 75 minutes with special bonus features from Amazon.com for $26.49.

SCHOLASTIC STORYBOOK TREASURES

It’s always a pleasure to introduce parents and caregivers to the outstanding lineup that is consistently offered under the Scholastic Storybook Treasures banner. Every visual adaptation includes high production values along with professional narrations produced by Weston Woods Studios, considered one of the foremost creators of audiovisual adaptations of classic picture books for children.

Here are several of this year’s releases that will delight.

THE ROSEMARY WELLS COLLECTION

This two-DVD set release includes eight literary works brought to the screen from beloved author/illustrator Rosemary Wells whose career has spanned more than 40 years and has included 140 books treasured by children.

The stories presented on the ROSEMARY WELLS COLLECTION include such classics as “Max’s Chocolate Chicken;” “Max’s Christmas;” Morris’s Disappearing Dog;” “Otto Runs for President;” “Noisy Nora;” “Emily’s First 100 Days of School;” “Voyage to the Bunny Planet” along with “Reading to Your Bunny,” a special presentation that includes advice about the importance of reading books to the child in your life.

Also included in the 153-minute set are enhanced read-along and comprehension questions for building early literacy skills, plus Spanish Versions of “Noisy Nora” and “Max’s Christmas” and a “Gonna Read to My Bunny” music video.

Available for $10.49 from Amazon.com.

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS SING-ALONG TRAVEL KIT

Something to keep kids entertained as you hit the road traveling during the holidays.

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS KIT provides two musical DVDs that features 15 animated literary classics; a CD with 13 sing-along songs; a 34-page booklet that includes crayons and assorted games and activities designed to reinforce math and early reading skills. And, everything is packed in a portable child-sized mini-case, which includes some travel tips just for parents and caregivers.

Specifics about the two featured DVDs and CD are:

The first DVD -"The Wheels on the Bus...and more sing-along favorites" is adapted from the picture book by Paul O. Zelinsky, and the classic children's song is brought to life with Zelinsky’s artwork and musical score by The Bacon Brothers. The DVD also includes six additional stories.

The second DVD -“There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly...and more sing along favorites” is visually adapted from the picture book by Simms Taback with musical interpretation provided by Cyndi Lauper, plus seven more stories for more than an hour’s worth of sing-along fun.

The separate audio CD features the following sing-along story songs: “The Wheels on the Bus;” “The Fox Went Out on a Chilly Night;” “Dinosaur Bones;” “Chicka Chicka 123;” “Donut Make You feel So Good;” “Dem Bones;” “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands;” “Everything’s Better (When You Come Together);” “Over in the Meadow;” “The Erie Canal;” “Frog Went A-Courtin’;” “Tooth School Anthem” and “Gonna Read to My Bunny.”

THE WHEELS ON THE BUS KIT is available from Amazon.com for $11.49 and you may a view a video excerpt by simply following the above link and clicking on the small icon that is provided beneath the product picture.

ADVENTURES AT SCHOOL

Fourteen stories on three DVDs for total running time of 179 minutes are included in this hilarious and whimsical collection, which features such classic tales as “Crazy Hair Day;” “The Teacher From the Black Lagoon;” “Miss Nelson Has a Field Day,” and “How Do Dinosaurs Go to School?"

ADVENTURES AT SCHOOL is professionally narrated by notable actors Zach Braff, Calista Flockhart, Alexander Gould and Alfre Woodard, among others.

Perfect for children ages three through nine and available through Amazon.com for $16.99.


FIVE LITTLE MONKEYS JUMPING ON THE BED... AND MORE FAVORITE CHILDREN'S STORIES                                                                                                                                      

A unique offering that teaches children the art of sign language, which helps promote the development of fine motor skills, and also includes vocabulary lessons and quizzes for each story that assist in reading comprehension.

Cherished stories, “Little Quack” and Mercer Meyer’s “There’s Something in My Attic” are presented with pleasant voice narration, musical score and sign language.
The 38-minute DVD is available through Amazon.com for $11.49/

Two additional sign language formatted releases of beloved children’s books, GOODNIGHT MOON…AND MORE GREAT BEDTIME STORIES and A POCKET FOR CORDUROY AND MORE STORIES ABOUT FRIENDSHIP are available from Amazon.com, both priced at $6.99 each.

By following the above link for Goodnight Moon, an excerpted video is available to view by clicking on the icon immediately under the product picture.

CRAZY HAIR DAY...AND MORE BACK-TO-SCHOOL STORIES

                                                  
Based on Barney’s Saltzberg’s popular picture book, “Crazy Hair Day,” the 60 minute DVD features the title story as well as Roger Duvoisin’s “Petunia,” James Stevenson’s “Monty”, and Miriam Cohen’s “Will I have a Friend?” narrated by Zach Braff (Scrubs, Garden State.)

The disc also includes a Spanish version of “Monty” and an interview with Barney Saltzberg.
Available at Amazon.com for $13.49.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week's movies with ratings and trailers

It’s time to make weekend family entertainment plans and see if this week’s current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, November 5, 2010.

The movies listed below have a rating, which has been established by the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) and have been provided with an italicized commentary from the Classification and Ratings Administration (CARA).
If a film has not been provided with an official rating, additional information may, or may not be provided.

If a film is designated NC-17, very limited information will be furnished.

For your convenience, each film title links directly to the Internet Movie Data Base, which provides the most comprehensive listing about the movie’s storyline, and includes a trailer, cast and crew information, initial audience reaction (if prior screenings have taken place) and parent advisories when available.

As always, you are the single best judge for determining your child’s choice of entertainment.

Opened November 5, 2010 127 Hours –Adventure, Biography, Drama, Thriller- R- because of “language and some disturbing violent content/bloody images.”

Opening November 6, 2010 Care Bears: Share Bears Shines –Animation, Family-NOT RATED – NOTE: In very limited release.

Opened November 5, 2010 Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer-Documentary- R- because of “some sexual material, nudity and language.”

Opened November 5, 2010 Due Date –Comedy- R-because of “language, drug use and sexual content.”

Opened November 12, 2010- Fair Game– Action, Biography, Drama, Thriller- PG-13- because of “some language.”

Opened November 5, 2010- For Colored Girls–Drama- R – because of “some disturbing violence including a rape, sexual content and language.”

Opened November 5, 2010- Four Lions – Comedy, Drama- R- because of “language throughout, including some sexual references.”

Opened November 5, 2010 Megamind –Animation, Comedy, Family-PG – because of “action and some language.”

Opening November 10, 2010 Morning Glory -Comedy- PG-13 – because of “some sexual content including dialogue, language and brief drug references.”

Opened November 5, 2010 Red Hill –Crime, Thriller- R- because of “strong bloody violence, and language.”

For information on films that opened the week of Friday, October 29, 2010, which included: Aftershock; The Feed; The Girl Who Knocked the Hornet’s Nest; Monsters; Outside the Law; Saw 3-D; Waste Land; Welcome to the Rileys and Wild Target, and for all other films that opened September 24 to October 22, 2010, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the weeks of August 6 September 17, 2010, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the weeks of June 11 to July 30, 2010, please click on the following link:

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened prior to June 11, 2010, please see archived issues of this report at my Arts & Entertainment homepage at the National Edition of Examiner.com.

G GENERAL AUDIENCES (All Ages Admitted) PG PARENTAL GUIDANCE SUGGESTED (Some Material May Not Be Suitable for Children) PG-13 PARENTS STRONGLY CAUTIONED (Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) R RESTRICTED (Under 17 Requires Accompanying Parent

2010 Holiday Guide: Gifts of Music

With Halloween now behind us, and your pumpkin waiting for the first frost, we turn our attention to the upcoming holiday season.

This article, the first installment in this series, provides information and ideas for parents and caregivers for children’s entertainment-oriented gifts for the upcoming holidays.

From now until December 21, 2010, new offerings will be featured in many entertainment categories in addition to music, so you may wish to bookmark this page to enable further explorations of the highlighted links at your leisure.

The products, which appear below have been researched for quality as well as value, and are geared to provide the children in your life with many hours of positive and fun-filled entertainment.

Today we take a look at the gift of music.

There are numerous choices in this category, and we will work backwards from the most recent music releases, to those that occurred earlier in the year.

It is suggested that you cross-compare pricing with various online as well as stick and brick retailers when available.

As always, you are the best judge of what is appropriate for your child’s entertainment.

Enjoy the musical journey, as there will be many choices provided, which cover a multitude of musical tastes.

The New Explorers Club by Flannery Brothers

A recent release from October 19, 2010, The New Explorers Club by Flannery Brothers marks this energizing duo’s third album launch.

Winners of 13 prestigious awards, including the Lennon Award for Best Children’s Song in the 2008 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, the Flannery Brothers (Mike and Dan) are fun, engaging, and easy-going with their brand of family music.

You can sound sample all 13 tracks of Flannery Brothers’ New Explorer’s Club as well as order the complete compact disc for $15.00, or the down-loadable format for $9.99 direct from the artists’ website.

For your enjoyment, below is “Pirate or Parrot,” a video interpretation from one of Flannery’s songs from their New Explorers Club album.

Jim Cosgrove’s Swimming in Noodles

For the last decade, Jim Cosgrove has delighted audiences with his “Free Range Family Rock” in over 200 performances throughout the year that included stops around the United States, Europe and even The White House.

Swimming in Noodles, Cosgrove’s latest release, which debuted October 5, 2010, joins his extensive discography and marks his first collaboration with Grammy-nominated producer Tor Hyams, and provides a mixture of bright effervescent tunes that celebrate “the wonder of youth.”

On November 1, the National Association of Parenting Publications (NAPPA) announced it’s 2010 Audio Award winners and Cosgrove’s Swimming in Noodles has been honored with a gold award.

All 14 tracks of Swimming in Noodles along with lyrics are available as a download for $8.00, or ordered in a full CD format for $12.00; selections may be sound sampled direct from Cosgrove’s online store.

To learn more about Jim Cosgrove and his trio band, The Hiccups, along with his extensive discography, latest concerts and seminars, his blog, “Mr. Stinky Feet’s Road Trip,” and to view music videos, go directly to the artist’s website.

Use Your Words

Released September 28, 2010, New York City musician Jeremy Zmuda’s, Use Your Words, is a unique “language based music” album that features lyrics developed by early childhood specialists.

Use Your Words offers a mixture of musical genres including pop, country, folk, Jazz and rock to ease in subtle messages that highlight children’s feelings in everyday social encounters.

Joined on the album are musical artists Madeleine Peyroux, Kirk Douglas (The Roots), Joy Dragland and Leo Sidran.

The 14 original songs, for children ages two through six may be sound sampled at Zmuda’s website, and where you will also learn more about Zmuda’s unique qualifications for this album, check out his upcoming live performances, download song lyrics and purchase the CD at the suggested retail price of $13.99.

Use Your Words is also available through online retailers Amazon.com and Best Buy.

The Best Candy in the Whole World and Other Stories by Bill Harley

 Launched September 14, 2010, another hit album from Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter, storyteller, author and playwright Bill Harley.

This 67-minute album features a collection of two original Harley stories plus folktale adaptations from Africa, Appalachia and the British Isles, along with a bit of music.

Entertainment Weekly called Harley “the Mark Twain of contemporary children’s music,” and he’s as equally at home and accomplished as an author and storyteller.

Harley’s latest recording imparts the important message that “a little kindness can bring magic to everyday life.”

You can read all about Harley, along with his newsletter and check out his upcoming tour schedule when you visit his official website.

Excerpts from The Best Candy in the Whole World and Other Stories are available for listening, and may be purchased as an individual MP3 track download or full album download for $8.00, or ordered in the CD format for $15.00 through Harley’s online store.

 

Meet the Squeegees

Meet the Squeegees, a debut EP album from the Southern California based group of the same name features lots of positive messages, which include such topics as healthy eating, environmental awareness and animal rescue.

Songs are arranged for vocals, acoustic guitar, and sometimes a shaker or two, with music that appeals to infants, toddlers, parents and caregivers.

Sound samples and music videos of Meet the Squeegees are available directly from the artist’s website, where you’ll also find news, information about upcoming shows, and a special “Mommy’s Corner.”

The Squeegees debut album was released August 24, 2010, and

all 14 tracks of Meet the Squeegees are available in CD format exclusively at Target for $7.99.

 Matt Clark’s Funnier Little Fellas

A nice mix of country, blues, pop and even rap, written by composer Matt Clark for his two young sons, Rowlin and Quillan. The album takes toddlers, young children and parents on a musical journey reflecting family insights of everyday life.

Released in August 2010, this is a companion album to Clark’s debut disc, “Funny Little Fella.”

Sound samples for all 14 tracks of Funnier Little Fellas are available through CD Baby,where you will find the entire download MP 3 album for $9.99 or complete CD for $12.00.

Biographical information about Clark along with news, reviews and some free musical downloads are accessible through the artist’s website.

To learn about many other musical releases from the earliest portion of the year, please visit my home page at the National Edition of Examiner.com.