Yes Virginia there is a Santa Claus and NORAD is tracking his every move

'Santa Claus' CC.2.0

For more than 50 years, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and its predecessor, Continental Air Defense Command (CONAD) have tracked Santa Claus on his Christmas Eve flight, providing Santa, his reindeer, and sleigh, safe and unimpeded air space over North America and Canada, while sharing information with children about Santa’s minute-by-minute progress around the globe.

 

NORAD is staffed by the good folks who keep our skies safe, 24 hours a day, seven days week with radar and intercept aircraft, and this time of year they also invite you to their NORAD Tracks Santa web site where you can keep an eye on Santa’s Christmas flight right along with them in real time.

At the NORAD site, children, parents and caregivers will see video images from the “Santa Cams” that have been pre-positioned around the world to catch glimpses of Santa, the reindeer and his sleigh.

You’ll also track Santa by downloading a free application of Google Earth, available from the NORAD web site, as well as following Santa's progress on NORAD’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

NORAD provides some fun and games during the countdown at "Santa’s Village," where you click on any shop in the village, and find an interesting activity that is inside each of the different buildings.

There are also special pages where you’ll see and hear Santa read the Night Before Christmas in a pre-recorded video, and learn lots of interesting facts about the big guy in red, everything from his sleigh’s technical data to how he gets down a chimney.

For Santa skeptics there is even a page where you can listen to the reading of a real letter, which was written to a newspaper in 1897 by eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon, questioning the existence of Santa, and hear the newspaper editor’s touching and thoughtful reply.

Information about appropriate “Santa Snacks” to leave out for the main man, and pages about NORAD – "why" they track Santa and details on how the tracking is actually done are available.

The NORAD Tracks Santa website is a non-profit organization funded solely through corporate donations, and is fully staffed by an all-volunteer crew who love children, Christmas, and honor the memory of Colonel Harry Shoup, (Retired) USAF, who by serendipity in 1955, became NORAD’s very first Santa Tracker.

While you and your little one are waiting for Santa, below is this year’s adorable video pick, “Santa and Baby (Santa’s Little Helper Song)” by award-winning songwriter, performer and educator, Debbie Cavalier and her band Debbie and Friends.

Cavalier’s YouTube channel explains: "Baby" is a little dog with big dreams! She wants to be Santa's little helper and her friend "Lady" helps make that dream come true.

The groove is inspired by the Spin Doctors (Yeah!) ! The story is inspired by one of the cutest dogs we've ever met named Baby. And, the message for this Christmas song is about giving, helping friends, and taking steps to make your dreams come true.”

Since 2009, this post, which originally appeared in my column on Examiner.com, has become a tradition with my readers, and it was once again my pleasure to bring it you, dusting it off a bit and providing some updates along with this year’s very special cartoon video from Debbie and Friends. 

It is my hope that this is shared with the child or children who are important in your life. 

With very best wishes for the happiest of holidays and a New Year filled with many blessings to you and yours. 

I will be back in the first week of the New Year with a very special announcement.

The Holiday Popcorn Report: Guide to Christmas and New Year movies with ratings and trailers

‘Popcorn’ photo by Petr Kratochvil

It’s time to make holiday family entertainment plans and see if the next two weeks’ current crop of films will be part of your schedule. The following report covers motion picture theatrical releases opening nationwide beginning Friday, Dec. 16, 2011 to Thursday, Jan. 5, 2011, along with current film industry news.

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 may 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.

NEWS

WAR HORSE” LoNDON PREMIERE To BENEFIT THE FOUNDATION OF PRINCE WILLIAM and PRINCE HARRY

 War Horse, which is one of the most anticipated films of the holiday season, opens nationally on Christmas Day in the United States. 

DreamWorks Pictures announced yesterday that the UK premier, which takes place on January 8, 2012 will benefit the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry.


Six hundred serving and ex-serving military personnel and their families have been invited to the Premiere, alongside beneficiaries of military charities, which the Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry helps to support. The servicemen and women have been invited from The Duke of Cambridge’s regiments, including RAF Search and Rescue, Household Cavalry, Irish Guards, Royal Air Force Coningsby, Scotland Royal Naval Command and Submarines Royal Naval Command.  

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be in attendance, and will greet members of the cast and Director Steven Spielberg before watching the film. 

War Horse, is the epic tale of loyalty, hope and tenacity set against a sweeping canvas of rural England and Europe during the First World War. Based on the best-selling book by Michael Morpurgo and the Tony Award®–winning stage play by Nick Stafford, War Horse is an incredible story of bravery and friendship, brought to the screen by one of the greatest directors in film history.

NEW TRAILERS FOR THE MOST ANTICIPATED UPCOMING FILMS


The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

In a carefully controlled roll-out, the first official trailer for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey has been released.

This film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novel, The Hobbit, is directed by Peter Jackson, and the footage is from first of this two-part series, which is a prequel to the famous The Lord of The Rings Trilogy.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is scheduled for national release, December 14, 2012.

The trailer is available in a private screening area at this link.

FILMS OPENING THIS WEEK AND NEXT

Opening December 25, 2011 The Darkest Hour– Action, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller- PG-13- because of “sci-fi action violence and some language.”

Opened December 23, 2011 Don 2 – Action- NOT RATED- NOTE: In limited release.

Opening December 25, 2011 Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close– Drama- PG-13- because of “emotional thematic material, some disturbing images, and language.” NOTE: In limited release – opens wide on January 20, 2012.

Opened December 23, 2011 The Flowers of War – Drama, History- R- because of “strong violence including a sexual assault, disturbing images, and brief strong language.” NOTE: New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco only.

Opened December 23, 2011 In the Land of Blood and Honey – Drama, Romance, War-R- because of “war violence and atrocities including rape, sexuality, nudity and language.” NOTE: Los Angeles and New York City only.

Opened December 23, 2011 Miss Minoes – Comedy, Family, Fantasy - PG- because of “brief language, smoking and rude behavior.” NOTE: In limited release.

Opening December 30 2011 Newlyweds– NOT RATED-NOTE: Limited information at the time of this posting.

Opening January 4, 2012 –Once Upon a Time in Anatolia-Drama- NOT RATED- NOTE: In limited release.

Opening December 28, 2011 Pariah– Drama- R- because of “sexual content and language.” NOTE: Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York City only.

Opened December 23, 2011 Pina–Documentary, Musical- PG- because of “some sensuality/partial nudity and smoking.” NOTE: Los Angeles and New York City only.

Opening December 30, 2011 A Separation– Drama- PG-13- because of “mature thematic material.” NOTE: In limited release.

Opening December 25, 2011 War Horse – Drama, War-PG-13- because of “intense sequences of war violence.”

Opened December 23, 2011 We Bought a Zoo – Comedy, Drama, Family- PG- because of “language and some thematic elements.”

For information on films that opened December 16, 2011 which included:  Addiction Incorporated;     The Adventures of Tintin;    Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked!;    Carnage;    Cook County;     Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel;    The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo;    Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol, and   Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies


For information on films that opened December 9, 2011 which included:  I Melt with You;    Knuckle:    New Year’s Eve;    The Sitter;    Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy;    W.E.;    We Need to Talk About Kevin,  and Young Adult, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies


For information on films that opened December 2, 2011 which included:  Answers to Nothing;    Coriolanus;    Kinyarwanda;    Outrage;  Pastorela;….Shame, and  Sleeping Beauty, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened November 18, 2011 through November 25, 2011 (Thanksgiving Week Report) which included:  Another Happy Day;    The Artist;    Arthur Christmas;    A Dangerous Method;    The Descendants;    Happy Two Feet;    Hugo;    The Lie;    The Muppets;    My Week with Marilyn;    Tomboy;    The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1  and  Tyrannosaur, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened November 11, 2011, which included:  11-11-11;    The Greening of Whitney Brown;    Immortals;    Into the Abyss - A Tale of Death, a Tale of Life;    J. Edgar;    Jack and Jill;    London Boulevard;    Melancholia  and  Tropa de Elite 2 – O Inimigo Agora E (Elite Squad: The Enemy Within), please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened November 4, 2011, which included:  A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas;    Killing Bono;    The Son of No One and  Tower Heist, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened September 23 to October 28, 2011, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies


For information on films that opened August 19, 2011 to September 16, 2011, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened June 24, 2011 to August 12, 2011.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened May 20 to June 17, 2011, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened April 1 to May 13, 2011, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the weeks of Friday, February 4 to Friday March 25, 2011 please click on the link below, where you will also find previous listings and links for prior weeks in January, as well as films that opened in 2010:

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.

DVD teaches important life skills that open a world of possibilities

On August 15, 2011, the National Poll on Children’s Health, conducted by the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, was released. It brought to light startling new health concerns that are facing America’s youth. Drug abuse is now tied with childhood obesity as their #1 concern followed by: smoking and tobacco use, teen pregnancy, bullying, Internet safety and stress.   Bullying, in particular, has become a national concern following some recent youth suicides. 

Earlier in the year, we provided some suggestions for parents and caregivers for books and music that not only inform and provide useful strategies to help combat bullying, but are entertaining to children and teens while getting positive messages across in non-confrontational ways. 

Today, we’re providing information on a DVD series that certainly fits this same mold, SHANTI GENERATION: YOGA SKILLS FOR YOUTH PEACEMAKERS.

Yoga is practiced by nearly 14 million American adults, and it also has developmental benefits for young people that help instill self-confidence, combat obesity, develop physical strength and improve academic achievement, while cultivating inner peace and mindfulness. 

Yoga has also been found to be beneficial for children with ADHD, Autism and chronic disease, helping them to stay physically healthy and mentally focused. 

SHANTI GENERATION was developed by noted Southern California yoga instructor, Abby Wills, in tandem with the direct input from seven Los Angeles teenagers.

The video does not require previous training in yoga, and it is a program that talks to and not at kids.

The production values of this DVD are high end and include tight editing and a hip sound track with soothing music by Aaron Wills (a/k/a P-Nut, bassist of the rock band 311). The total presentation is designed to capture the attention of young people.

Unlike most yoga videos, boys as well as girls demonstrate the exercises rather than an instructor, while the teens’ multiracial makeup is more reflective of modern America. 

Wills, who holds a Masters in Education, has had 15 years of hands-on experience working in schools, communities, and in international workshops for teachers. Her approach to yoga for youth is informed by studies in social justice and developmental education, which provide her unique insights in understanding the specific needs of the educator as well as the student.

 “Shanti,” means peace in Sanskrit. In fact, says Wills, “We plan to build a movement by teaching young people peacemaking skills, to build a world that respects and celebrates differences in effort to create a culture of peace and unity. The yoga program we developed cultivates social and emotional learning, or SEL, through mindfulness practices including movement, breathing and meditation. Each practice is offered in a context directly relevant to the developmental needs of adolescent youth.” She adds, “The program is designed to empower teens to cope with real life challenges, including bullying.” 

The SHANTI GENERATION: YOGA SKILLS FOR YOUTH PEACEMAKERS 90-minute DVD features:

Over 30 unique options for beginner and experienced yogis:

5 unique half-hour practice sequences: Creating Happiness, Energy Amplified, Choosing Peace, Being Sound and Voice Choice Possibility 

Library of Poses: 18 mini sequences for Focus, Energy and Calm 

 Breathing Room: 5 sequences featuring stress management and self-regulation

Self-Connection Room: two mindful awareness practices

 Interviews with the seven teen yoga students

 Optional narration in Spanish and Japanese

Below is the official trailer for SHANTI GENERATION: YOGA SKILLS FOR YOUTH PEACEMAKERS and a second video introducing you to some of the young people who are part of this unique program.

The Suggested retail price for SHANTI GENERATION: YOGA SKILLS FOR YOUTH PEACEMAKERS is $16.95 and Amazon.com has best price of $14.95.

Eight fun Chanukah tips to share with children in your life

'Celebrating Chanukah' photo by Paula Slade

Parents’ Choice® award-winning kids’ musician Mama Doni (a.k.a Doni Zasloff Thomas) is wishing everyone a Happy Chanukah and she’s provided some fun videos to share with your child each night.

This Chanukah season, Doni offers Mama Doni’s Eight Fun Tips for Chanukah, a series of 30-second video segments, featured at the end of this article, with a fun family activity for each of the eight days of the holiday.

These are Mama Doni’s tips — in her own words and they include:

DAY 1. Makin’ Lotsa Latkes!

“Chanukah is a celebration of light and oil, so we make latkes because making them uses so much oil! Start the holiday off right with a fun latke contest.  Gather some friends and make the traditional latkes, but then ask everyone to think of a special ingredient to throw into the batter. Try making veggie latkes like carrots (I call those carrotlatkes), broccoli (i call those broccolatkes), fruits like apples (applelatkes), banana (bananalatkes), even crazy things like spaghetti (spaghettilatkes), chicken (bokalatkes), or even chocolate chips (chocolatkes)! You can even make a latke sundae with sprinkles.  Kids can be the judges. Yum! Let me know how you did! “

DAY 2: Get Your Dreidel On!

“It's dreidel night! The dreidel is a four-sided top etched with Hebrew letters, which stand for the phrase, "A great miracle happened here." That miracle is the miracle of Chanukah.  Now, this is a chance for you to get your dreidel on-- for chocolate coins. Get yourself some dreidels and some gelt (instead of gelt, you can also use chocolate kisses or lollipops, or you can go healthier and play with fruit snacks or boxes of raisins).

Everyone spins the dreidel, and depending on what Hebrew letter the top lands on, you either win all of the candy (gimel), half of the candy (hey), none of the candy (nun) or have to give one back (shin). What I like to do is after everyone has had a turn to spin, is take a ROCKSTAR BREAK, and turn on your Chanukah tunes on my Chanukah Fever CD, and have a Chanukah dance party!  Everyone gets a candy or gelt if they go crazy dancing and singing! Then back to playing…. “

Day 3: The Story of Chanukah

“The Jewish holiday of Chanukah literally lights up our homes! Chanukah is also called “The Festival of Lights,” referring to the flames that we light on our menorahs on each of the holiday’s eight nights. The story of Chanukah is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees  and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days when there was only enough for one day. Chanukah is about hope and spiritual light, and it’s a time to be with friends and family, as we celebrate the light in our lives. “

DAY 4: Are you Grateful?

“On this day, get out a piece of paper and think about eight things you are most grateful for in your life.  Make your lists and read them to each other.  You can set up an area of your house as a stage, and everyone in your family can get on stage and read his or her list.  Of course if you want to sing the list, go for it! (Sing the list to the melody of “Maotzur”…)”

DAY 5: Is It “Chanukah” or “Hanukkah?”

“Everyone says the name of this holiday differently, but both ways are cool.  Something fun to do on this day is try replacing your "h" sound with the "chh" sound for a little while. You can say things like "chello?" or "chow are you?" It might make your throat tickle as well as give you the Chhhanukah giggles! Make sure to wish everyone a "Chappy Chanukah!”

DAY 6: Honey This Ain’t Money

“Everyone knows about Hanukkah gelt, (the Yiddish term for money) right? It looks a lot like change or gold, but it is actually made of chocolate!  A fun thing to do on this day is go to the store with your mom or dad or babysitter.  Put the Hanukkah gelt in your pocket ,and then when you get the cash register, take your Hanukkah gelt ,and hand it to the person at the counter as if you were paying with real change. Only let the joke go for a couple of seconds, because you are not trying to be mean, just a little silly!  Make sure your mom or dad has real change ready to pay right away. Maybe the store owner will have a good laugh with you, and remember to wish him or her a happy holiday!”

DAY 7:  Gobble Up Sufganiyot!!!

“Did you know that jelly donuts, also known as "sufganiyot," are a traditional Hanukkah treat? Kids all over the world are gobbling them up at Hanukkah time! Now, imagine a place made out of… JELLY?! Jelly donut boats, jelly streams, jelly birds, jelly donut houses... Imagine this crazy cool place with me.”

DAY 8: Eight Special People in Your Life

“It's the last night! This is the night where you can pick eight people in your life.  These could be your mom, dad, grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, friends... eight people who are special to you, and you can call them (or if they are nearby, you can give them a hug) and wish them a happy happy Hanukkah and tell them how much you love them.”

In addition to the video below, which is for the first night, Mama Doni’s Eight Fun Tips for Chanukah are on the home page of her website — http://mamadoni.com -- through the end of December, where you and your children will be able to view all eight videos plus an energizing and fun music finale that will get the whole family movin’ and groovin'.

Mama Doni, a resident of Montclair, New Jersey, hopes that her music will add some Jewish flavor to the lives of people everywhere.

As you can see from the video, she speaks with great passion about preserving the priceless Yiddish and Jewish spirit by imbuing it with a contemporary vibe that connects to life in our times.

All of Mam Doni’s recordings recordings are available nationwide, as CDs and digital downloads, from Barnes and Noble, Amazon, FYE.com, iTunes, and select Costco locations.

Doni currently has a number of projects in the works, which include: A Mama Doni book; DVD; new CD and a TV pilot.

2011 Holiday Guide: Part 3 - Gifts of Music

"Street Corner Snowman" photo by Paula Slade

Today we wrap up our section on musical gifts, which are perfect for not only the holidays, but year round listening as well.

The products, which appear below were released during 2011 and are performed by an incredibly diverse and talented mix of musical artists.

All of these albums 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 CD and MP3 prices with your favorite online as well as stick and brick retailers when available.

From now, and until December 21, 2011, more offerings will continue to be featured in other entertainment categories.

As a reminder, you may want to bookmark this page to further enjoy the musical journey at your leisure, and enable you to connect with the many other product reviews that occurred this year and in 2010, which are available through archived posts on the right side of this page.

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

Christmas in Concord

From Grammy Award-Winning artist, Dan Zanes and Festival Five Records comes a recent digital release, Christmas in Concord, a delightful small-scale celebration of old Christian tunes that have been a part of Christmases in Zanes’ hometown of Concord, NH for generations.

Of the EP Zanes notes, “I moved away from that narrow canon in the years since I left home as a seventeen year old in favor of more varied musical pastures, but this holiday season something pulled me back. From my vantage point here in Brooklyn, where every holiday tradition is represented and the parties are much more mixed and worldly than anything I could have imagined back then, I now realize that there were some very moving songs being sung year after year and I’m grateful for the memories of those parties and for the experience of gathering year after year with friends and neighbors to sing, eat, have a few laughs and eat some pickled herring.” 

Tracks include the following selections:

1. Angels We Have Heard on High

2. Deck the Halls

3. It Came upon a Midnight Clearer

4. Joy to the World

5. Silent Night

Sound samples for Christmas in Concord are available exclusively through iTunes, where the MP3 downloads for each track is $1.29, or all five tracks for $3.99.

Tumble Bee

Acclaimed indie folk artist Laura Veirs' first family recording Tumble Bee delves into the great American folk song tradition

The recording covers a wide range of folk songs, from early 20th century work songs to the ballads of Jimmie Rodgers, Woody Guthrie, Peggy Seeger and Harry Belafonte.

The youthful innocence in Veirs’ voice lends itself well to the jaunty spirit of the album.

Veirs and renowned record producer Tucker Martine, her long-time collaborator on seven of her eight records, have created a piece of art that is sure to appeal to children as well as adult fans of Veirs’ previous work. The album features guest appearances by Colin Meloy (Decemberists), Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Béla Fleck and Brian Blade (drummer for Bob Dylan) among many others.

Inspired by the birth of her son and by countless fans who’ve told her over the years how much their kids love her records, Veirs became curious about the history of American children’s music. She and Martine listened to hundreds of songs from the past several centuries, including Harry Smith’s famous Anthology of American Folk Music and the deep catalog of American music from Smithsonian Folkways. They selected what Veirs calls, “a sampling that reflects our richness as a people.”

Sound samples for all 13 tracks Tumble Bee are available at Amazon.com where MP3 downloads are offered at $0.89 per track or $8.99 for the entire album.

Best price for the “New” CD is from Amazon Marketplace for $9.37.

The CD package includes a D.I.Y. kit to make your own Tumble Bee mobile.

Golden Kids Rules

Chip Taylor, renowned musician and songwriter, who is probably best recognized for music mega hits “Angel of the Morning” and “Wild Thing,” has created a charming contribution to family music with this Smithsonian Folkways Recordings release, Golden Kids Rules featuring Chip Taylor and the Grandkids.

Generational love, wisdom and original songs fill the 13 tracks on this 38-minute album blending Taylor’s seasoned voice with the youthful interplay of his three granddaughters, Riley, Kate, and Samantha.

A true family affair, Taylor's brother, actor Jon Voight, provides an insightful introduction to the artist and the album in the accompanying liner notes which also include a 20-page book of song lyrics. Voight writes, “Charm is an ingredient we seem to have lost in music over the years...and purity. To me, this album is a treasure that comes just at the right time to lift us to a reminder of the power of family and the majesty of children.”

In the video below, Chip Taylor discusses the making of Golden Kids Rules at the 2011 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, where songs from the album debuted.

Sound samples for all tracks of Golden Kids Rules are available through Amazon.com where MP3 downloads are $0.99 per track or $8.99 for the entire album.

Best price for the Golden Kids Rules CD format is through Amazon Marketplace “New” for $7.27.

Music Play for Folks of All Stripes

Award-winning musician, author and child development specialist Jim Gill released his sixth playful recording for young children and the adults who care for them: Music Play for Folks of All Stripes.

Like all of Gill’s CDs, Music Play for Folks of All Stripes invites active participation from listeners. Known as the “Poet of Play,” Gill’s style, when he toys with each of the song’s lyrics and music, has the effect of inviting kids, parents and caregivers to play together. Opportunities abound in this album for physical movement and active expression. There are clap-alongs, finger plays, pretend games and imaginative dances, all suitable for playrooms, family rooms and even classrooms.

The 15 new songs represent a range of musical styles, from symphonic to country, improvised jazz to polka, so there is something for music lovers “of all stripes.” There are also show tunes, a country waltz, a piece that includes bagpipes, and a special number called “Living Inside of a Jar,” which is accompanied entirely by musicians who blow, pluck and strike, xylophone-style, on glass bottles.

Gill is a nationally acclaimed musician and child development authority who often speaks to early childhood educators, care providers and children’s librarians on the intrinsic value of play and the many connections between music play and literacy.

Music Play for Folks of All Stripes is available to sound sample and purchase direct from Gill’s website where the CD is available to purchase for $16.00 and includes a DVD featuring live-action music videos relating to selected songs on the album.

Below is a video of Jim Gill and “Beethoven's Five Finger Play,” which is one of the tracks featured in Music Play for Folks of All Stripes.

Small Potatoes

On September 6, we featured a post about the launch of “Small Potatoes,” a series of animated shorts on Disney Junior. Over the last several months, that article received an extensive amount of page views, which attests to the fact that this adorable block of children’s programming has an enormous following. 

The show now has a fun and eclectic selection of downloadable songs from the program, which are available to sound sample through iTunes for $0.99 per track, with the video, “Imagination” downloadable for $1.49.

 
These are delightful and cheerful tunes that entertain with a capital “E."

Plus, there’s a brand new track, just in time for the holiday season, “Jingle Spuds.”

Below for your enjoyment is the Small Potatoes animated short, “You Can Be What You Want to Be".

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

‘Popcorn’ photo by Petr Kratochvil

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, Dec. 16, 2011 along with current film industry news.

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 may 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.

NEWS

On November 27, 2011, one of the most anticipated films for the holiday season, WAR HORSE, was presented in an advanced screening in New York City by DreamWorks Pictures.

The event, offered fans from around the globe the opportunity to submit questions to WAR HORSE director Steven Spielberg, and the 54-minute video below gives an in-depth look into this upcoming film and one of the greatest directors of all time.

WAR HORSE opens in theaters nationwide, Sunday, December 25, 2011

FILMS OPENING THIS WEEK

Opened December 15, 2011 Addiction Incorporated – Documentary, Biography- PG-13- because of “brief language.” NOTE: New York City only.

Opening December 21, 2011 The Adventures of Tintin– Animation, Action, Adventure, Family, Mystery-PG- because of “adventure action violence, some drunkenness and brief smoking.”

Opened December 16, 2011 Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chipwrecked! – Animation, Comedy, Family, Fantasy, Music- G- Suitable for all audiences.

Opened December 16, 2011 Carnage – Comedy, Drama- R- because of “language.”

Opened December 16, 2011 Cook County–Drama- R- NOTE: Reason for MPAA rating not available at the time of publication.

Opened December 16, 2011 Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel – Documentary - R- because of “some violent images, nudity and language.”

Opening December 20, 2011 The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo –Drama, Thriller- R- because of “brutal violent content including rape and torture, strong sexuality, graphic nudity, and language.”

Opening December 21, 2011 Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol – Action, Adventure, Thriller-PG-13- because of “sequences of intense action and violence disturbing violence and behavior, some sexuality and language.” NOTE: Opening in wide release on this date (limited release on 12/15 and selected IMAX theaters on 12/16).

Opened December 16, 2011 Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows– Action, Adventure, Crime, Mystery, Thriller- PG-13- because of “intense sequences of violence and action, and some drug material.”

For information on films that opened December 9, 2011 which included:  I Melt with You;    Knuckle:    New Year’s Eve;    The Sitter;    Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy;    W.E.;    We Need to Talk About Kevin,  and Young Adult, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies


For information on films that opened December 2, 2011 which included:  Answers to Nothing;    Coriolanus;    Kinyarwanda;    Outrage;  Pastorela;….Shame, and  Sleeping Beauty, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened November 18, 2011 through November 25, 2011 (Thanksgiving Week Report) which included:  Another Happy Day;    The Artist;    Arthur Christmas;    A Dangerous Method;    The Descendants;    Happy Two Feet;    Hugo;    The Lie;    The Muppets;    My Week with Marilyn;    Tomboy;    The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1  and  Tyrannosaur, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened November 11, 2011, which included:  11-11-11;    The Greening of Whitney Brown;    Immortals;    Into the Abyss - A Tale of Death, a Tale of Life;    J. Edgar;    Jack and Jill;    London Boulevard;    Melancholia  and  Tropa de Elite 2 – O Inimigo Agora E (Elite Squad: The Enemy Within), please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened November 4, 2011, which included:  A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas;    Killing Bono;    The Son of No One and  Tower Heist, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened September 23 to October 28, 2011, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies


For information on films that opened August 19, 2011 to September 16, 2011, please click on the link below.
The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened June 24, 2011 to August 12, 2011.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened May 20 to June 17, 2011, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened April 1 to May 13, 2011, please click on the link below.

The Popcorn Report: Guide to this week’s movies

For information on films that opened the weeks of Friday, February 4 to Friday March 25, 2011 please click on the link below, where you will also find previous listings and links for prior weeks in January, as well as films that opened in 2010:

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.