Archives for 2014

You’re invited to the spooky return of CURIOUS GEORGE: A Halloween Boo Fest on PBS KIDS! OnMonday, October 27, everyone’s favorite monkey returns in his Halloween special, kicking off season 9 with a week of new episodes from the popular series!

New adventures with CURIOUS GEORGE debut on PBS KIDS October 28-30, including George testing his super spy skills and exploring an aviation museum. October 28 features the premiere of “Submonkey,” an underwater adventure that includes the song “Down, Down, Down,” performed by Belinda Carlisle (lead vocalist of the Go-Go’s).

The week of Halloween will also feature Halloween-themed episodes from other PBS KIDS shows, including DINOSAUR TRAIN, DANIEL TIGER’S NEIGHBORHOOD, WILD KRATTS, and more. Check your local listings for airtimes.

CURIOUS GEORGE: A Halloween Boo Fest Program Description
Airs Monday, October 27 and Friday, October 31

It’s George’s first Halloween in the country, and Bill tells him and Allie about the “Legend of No Noggin” – a spooky tale about a hat-kicking scarecrow who haunts the countryside on Halloween. But is the legend real? George and Allie are determined to find out by taking a picture of No Noggin in hat-kicking action. But first, George needs to figure out what he’s going to be for Halloween so he can win the costume contest at the town Boo Festival and give the prize to the Man with the Yellow Hat. Will George be able to put together the perfect costume and find out the truth about No Noggin? Only the curious will find out!

New Season 9 CURIOUS GEORGE Episodes Descriptions and Listings

“Submonkey/Double-Oh-Monkey Tracks Trouble”
Premieres Tuesday, October 28
“Submonkey” – When Professor Pizza’s birthday present is dragged away by a strong ocean current, George volunteers to take an undersea adventure in a monkey-sized submarine to retrieve it. Can the curious little monkey locate a small package at the bottom of the ocean or will Pizza’s present be forever lost at sea?
“Double-Oh-Monkey Tracks Trouble” – Double-Oh-Monkey takes on his most important case yet – to prevent Steve’s well-intentioned (but always disastrous) “good luck present” from ruining Betsy’s dance recital! Using his super spy skills and all five of his senses, George tracks down Steve and discovers…a bucket of wet paint?! Can George warn Betsy in time? Or will her dance recital get a splash of color?

“Monkey Goes Batty/Curious George and the Balloon Hound”
Premieres Wednesday, October 29
“Monkey Goes Batty” – A hole in the roof means George and the Man with the Yellow Hat must sleep in the living room while their bedrooms are being repaired. But their adventure quickly turns into a disaster when George’s nightly trips to the kitchen keep the Man with the Yellow Hat awake at night. Can George figure out a way to quietly find his way to the refrigerator in the dark?
“Curious George and the Balloon Hound” – George and Hundley are amazed by all the flying machines at the museum’s aviation exhibit. So when Hundley’s souvenir airship flies out of reach in the lobby, he dreams he is British flying ace, Leftenant Doxie. Joined by the daring flyboy Chuck Monkey, the dynamic duo uses propeller power as they race towards the finish line. When Hundley awakens from his dream, he has a few new ideas on how to get his ceiling-bound toy within reach.

“George’s Photo Finish/Monkey Mystery Gift”
Premieres Thursday, October 30
“George’s Photo Finish” – Today is the big unveiling of the Ankylosaurus dinosaur skeleton at the museum, but it’s missing a leg! George and the Man with the Yellow Hat thought they delivered all four bones. Where did the fourth bone go? Fortunately, Mr. Quint took pictures on their way to the museum. Maybe the photos can lead them to the bone…if they can only figure out which order to put them in.
“Monkey Mystery Gift” – George and Allie’s imaginations run wild as they brainstorm what could be in the large unmarked box on George’s doorstep. Based on its weight, sound, smell and bristly hair, they’re certain it’s a baby goat! But what’s really inside surprises them more than anything they could ever have imagined.
Credit: PBS KIDS.

Music rules and rainbows rock as Twilight Sparkle and her pals compete for the top spot in the Canterlot High “Mane Event” talent show. This latest installment of the My Little Pony franchise does not disappoint and is perfect for your younger set as well as the die hard Brony fans. KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Gerry O, age 12 comments, “It is definitely a combination of adventure with a crème of comedy and a sprinkle of excitement all rapped up in a friendship sandwich.” See his full review below and catch his interviews with Tara Strong, Andrea Libman, Will Anderson and more at the premiere here.

My Little Pony: Equestria Girls – Rainbow Rocks

Reviewed by Gerry O, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

What an addition to the “My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic” franchise! This film has references to the first movie, a bit of story from the last season of the show and even all the little extra characters that My Little Pony fans love!

It is definitely a combination of adventure with a crème of comedy and a sprinkle of excitement all rapped up in a friendship sandwich.

The adventure starts when a band performance is planned at Canterlot High where the kids can make bands and raise funds and three very unusual girls turn it into a super competitive battle of the bands. When they run out of things to do, Twilight’s friends from that world call to another world where Twilight is. Will they be able to come there and save them or will evil prevail?

This film is just fantastic! Hasbro was smart to include a lot of little fun things from the shows that fans adore including the beloved Derby Hooves pony who is really never part of the story, just in the background for fun. The songs are great as well. We hear not just the classic My Little Pony songs from the TV show. Instead, the music is very pop like which suits the story well. I imagine that sing-along coming to the fans shortly and being a smash hit. The show’s creators also connected to the first Equestria Girls movie which I thought was perfect.

My favorite scene is when girls are having a sleep-over at Pinkie Pie’s house. When Twilight gets out of bed and walks to the kitchen she finds Pinkie’s older sister feeding her pet boulder. I love this scene because, in the show, there is an episode where we meet this sister. So, I thought having her in the movie is a great idea and so unexpected.

This film does not have anything parents should be worried about and for extremely little kids who do not understand the ponies, they will enjoy the bright colors. I give this film 5 out of 5 stars for its original story, fantastic songs and those little characters that fans and Bronies love so much! If you want to see My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic, Equestria Girls: Rainbow Rocks, at theaters near you!

Credit: KIDS FIRST!  www.kidsfirst.org

PBS KIDS  has a new APP! This one is a fun one for the younger kids! Arthur’s Big App for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch, a new app inspired by the hit series ARTHUR. Designed for children ages 6-8, Arthur’s Big App encourages positive social skills through fun and engaging multi-level games. Focusing on the values of friendship, teamwork and helping others, each game allows kids to explore Elwood City and interact with their favorite ARTHUR characters. The app is available for $2.99 on the App Store and is also available on the Amazon App Store since October 2, and on Google Play and the Nabi Store on October 16.

ARTHUR airs weekdays on PBS KIDS and is produced by WGBH, and will premiere its 18^th season next Monday (9/29). Arthur’s Big App offers the following features:

• Four unique mini-games hosted in memorable locations around Elwood City
• More than 15 levels per game
• Randomization of gameplay to keep kids engaged
• 50 collectable characters from throughout the history of the series
• A music game in which kids can enjoy a variety of well-known tunes, including the ARTHUR theme song
• A smoothie game in which kids create delicious treats for Sugar Bowl customers
• A library game that challenges kids to find and shelve books before time runs out
• A freeze tag game in which kids “freeze” ARTHUR characters – a fun, digital twist on a classic playground game

We checked this one out and it is fun! My son is a little older than the recommended age but it wasn’t too long ago when he loved Arthur! He gives this one a thumbs up for kids ages 6-8. I like that it has so many characters and so many different things kids can do!

Self Disclosure:  I received a free download code to review for this post. Credit for images/video: PBS KIDS.

SoCal City Kids’ readers have been invited to a Movie Screening!

THE BEST OF ME

Wednesday, October 8 @ 7:30 PM

AMC Century City

10250 Santa Monica Blvd #2000

Los Angeles, CA 90067

Link: http://www.relativityscreenings.com/BESTOFMESOCALCK

Code: BESTOFMESOCALCK

Based on the bestselling novel by acclaimed author Nicholas Sparks, The Best of Me tells the story of Dawson and Amanda, two former high school sweethearts who find themselves reunited after 20 years apart, when they return to their small town for the funeral of the beloved friend.  Their bittersweet reunion reignites the love they’ve never forgotten, but soon they discover the forces that drove them apart twenty years ago live on, posing even more serious threats today. Spanning decades, this epic love story captures the enduring power of our first true love, and the wrenching choices we face when confronted with elusive second chances.

Release: October 17, 2014

Director: Michael Hoffman

Writers: Screenplay by Will Fetters and J. Mills Goodloe, Based upon the novel by Nicholas Sparks

Cast: Michelle Monaghan, James Marsden, Luke Bracey, Liana Liberato, Caroline Goodall, Sebastian Arcelus, Jon Tenney and Gerald McRaney

Self Disclosure: No compensation was received to post. Credit: Relativity.