Archives for September 24, 2024

Fans can travel across the multi-verse with the epic release of the Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-7 boxed set on DVD on September 10. Get Schwifty while you binge on one of cable’s most-watched comedies that follows the sci-fi misadventures of genius scientist Rick and his family. Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-7 includes all 71 episodes from seven seasons of the award-winning series, copious special features, audio commentary, deleted scenes, “Inside the Episode” segments, numerous featurettes, animatic sketches, and more.

ABOUT RICK AND MORTY: THE COMPLETE SERIES 1-7:

Rick and Morty is the critically acclaimed, half-hour animated hit comedy series on Adult Swim that follows a sociopathic genius scientist who drags his inherently timid grandson on insanely dangerous adventures across the universe. Rick Sanchez is living with his daughter Beth’s family and constantly bringing her, his son-in-law Jerry, granddaughter Summer, and grandson Morty into intergalactic escapades.

Debuting in 112 countries in 38 languages, Rick and Morty has captured substantial international viewership. The series has ranked as one of the top series for Max, both domestically and globally. Lifetime to date, Rick and Morty has been viewed over 10 billion times globally, across linear, digital, and streaming.

Rick and Morty: The Complete Seasons 1-7

series information:

Includes 71 episodes from all seven seasons, plus all the bonus materials that have been lovingly created over the years, and carefully curated for you now.

PRODUCT                   

DVD                                 

Audio: English

Subtitles: English

Running Time: 1,589 minutes

Rated: TV-MA

Credit: Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment (WBDHE)

Hana wants to know everything about the world around her. When she starts asking questions, her mother gives her a book. She learns so much, but now she has even more questions! She also has a big mission: she will read all the books—every single one! She reads every book in her house…and then her friends’ houses…and then the whole block. Nonfiction, fiction, romance, mysteries, and science fiction. But when her mother takes her to the downtown library, she realizes there are a lot more books than she thought…way more. Maybe she can’t really read all the books—now what?

Debbie masterfully captures the essence of a child’s wonder and determination, painting a vivid picture of Hana’s adventures in reading. It is a testament to the power of books and their ability to foster curiosity that will keep readers laughing page after page, as well as inspire them to challenge themselves and explore reading both for fun and to learn.

With features of books from all genres and readers from all backgrounds, I Want to Read All the Books is about how sharing books and even starting a book club is a great thing!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Debbie Ridpath Ohi is the author-illustrator of Where Are My Books? and I Want to Read All the Books. Her illustrations also appear in Sea Monkey and Bob, written by Aaron Reynolds; I’m Bored (a New York Times Notable Book), Naked!, and I’m Sorry, written by Michael Ian Black; as well as ten Judy Blume chapter books and middle grade titles. For more info, visit DebbieOhi.com or @InkyElbows on Twitter.

CAMP TWISTED PINE by Ciera Burch

When eleven-year-old Naomi is forced to go to summer camp, she must figure out what to do when it appears a menacing creature is abducting fellow campers in this spooky new middle grade from the author of Finch House for fans of Whispering Pines and Small Spaces.

This is the perfect read for the upcoming Fall season and Halloween! This one is a hard one to put down!

Witness the chilling rise of the Nazi Party through the eyes of a ten-year-old boy in this action-packed middle grade novel for fans of I Survived and A Night Divided. The main characters of this all-new series are a group of friends who oppose the Nazis and are inspired to intervene as the Party takes root in their community. Though readers will know they cannot stop the eventual war, their actions demonstrate the importance of everyday acts of defiance against tyranny and standing up for what you believe in. This is a really engaging book!

Self Disclosure: I received free copies of the above books to feature. Info and images were also provided.

In ancient China after a clash with the humans, dragons are banished from the kingdom. Many years later, innocent and freedom-yearning orphan, Ping, is looking after the last two dragons when she discovers that one has sadly died, and the other is guarding a precious and rare dragon egg. As palace guards arrive, the remaining dragon, Danzi disappears, and before Ping has the opportunity to explain what has happened, she is mistaken for an accomplice and must run away herself. Danzi and Ping escape from the palace together and must return the dragon egg to the ocean to save all dragons from extinction! On this wild and dangerous adventure, Ping finds a way to unlock her power and discovers she is a true Dragonkeeper.  Dragonkeeper comes from animation studio Ilion Animation Studios (Wonder Park, Planet 51) and the visual direction of the legendary Sergio Pablos (Rio, Despicable Me) & Borja Montoro (Zootopia).

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ariel K. comments, “I really enjoyed this film. It has lots of humor – there are all sorts of humorous scenes like my favorite, where the mouse tries helping. He marches up to the big fight against something 2,000,000 times his size.” See his full review below.

Dragonkeeper

By Ariel K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12 

I like the movie Dragonkeeper because it is funny and heartfelt.

The storyline is about a slave girl called Ping (Mayalinee Griffiths), who dreams about meeting dragons. Her dream comes true, but one of the magical creatures dies and she goes on a quest to save the dragons and hatch the last imperial dragons’ egg. Joining her is a dragon (Bill Nighy) as her protector and a funny “very helpful” mouse. She soon finds out that she has mystical powers and learns to use them to stop bad guys who want to steal the egg and use its powers for evil.

I really enjoyed this film. It’s an animated film with special effects. It also has lots of humor – there are all sorts of humorous scenes like my favorite, where the mouse tries helping. He marches up to the big fight against something 2,000,000 times his size. Another fun scene is when he rolls the egg away from the bad guys. The movie is also sad and heartfelt because one of the dragons dies. The visual effects are great and really stand out. For example when one of the dragons heals Ping’s wound with the power of the egg as shown in the trailer. I do have to admit that some parts of the movie are a little childish. For example, there is a scene about 30 seconds long of two kids blowing raspberries at each other.

The film’s message is “you can do whatever you want; only you decide your destiny.”

I give Dragonkeeper 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 12. It is available on digital in the US now and opens in theaters in UK & Ireland on September 27, 2024. I hope you enjoy it. 

In Agatha All Along, the infamous Agatha Harkness finds herself down and out of power after a suspicious goth Teen helps break her free from a distorted spell. Her interest is piqued when he begs her to take him on the legendary Witches’ Road, a magical gauntlet of trials that, if survived, rewards a witch with what they’re missing. Together, Agatha and this mysterious Teen pull together a desperate coven, and set off down, down, down The Road.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Emma O. comments, “Marvel’s Agatha All Along has me bewitched!  This show exceeded my expectations. It continues Agatha’s story after the events of WandaVision and is filled with suspense, mystery, dark comedy, and fantasy.” See her full review below.

Agatha All Along: Season 1

Emma O., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

Marvel’s Agatha All Along has me bewitched!  This series continues Agatha’s story after the events of WandaVision and is filled with suspense, mystery, dark comedy, and fantasy. 

The story begins three years after Wanda has taken Agatha’s (Kathryn Hahn) powers. She has no powers and no recollection of who she is.  Under a spell, she believes she is a detective in a small town solving a murder. With the help of a goth Teen (Joe Locke), the spell is broken.  She must form a coven and travel the witch’s road to regain her powers.

This show exceeded my expectations. It magically casts a coven of witches with great chemistry – Sasheer Zamata (Jennifer Kale), Rio Vidal (Aubrey Plaza), Alice Wu-Gulliver (Ali Ahn), Lilia Calderu (Patti LuPone), Mrs Hart (Debra Jo Rupp).  The coven is hesitant to trust Agatha; her reputation precedes her. The witch’s road challenges the fears of each witch on their journey to release a curse and help Agatha regain her powers.  The witch’s road offers five houses with a trial at each. Each house is themed and focuses on a weakness or fear of a specific witch.  The trials bring chaos, suspense and self-doubt.  Through this adversity, each witch faces their own fears, and the coven forms a bond strengthening their resolve as they continue their journey. Everything about this series is fabulous.  The scenes are elaborate and transition into dark, fantasy-creating, spell-binding effects. From living rooms and basements, from the witch’s road of glowing forests, all of the set designs and lighting bring this Marvel series to life.  The costumes are elaborate and reflect the theme of each house. Special effects, combined with music, make each scene suspenseful. Agatha’s character is self-centered, yet conflicted.  We see her as evil and yet cannot help but love her.

The show’s message is about teamwork and how trust and respect are proven through one’s consistent actions.  Viewers should be aware this contains witch horror, suspenseful scenes, partial nudity, foul language and other adult content.

Agatha All Along: Season 1 gets 5 out of 5 stars and I recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The series streams on Disney + beginning Sep 18, 2024.

Trailer:

A nerf-herder discovers an artifact that twists the Star Wars universe, swapping the roles of heroes and villains. He embarks on an adventure to restore order and emerge as the savior who reassembles the fractured galaxy.

KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kennedy P. comments, “Legends aren’t made, they are built!  I love LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy.  This four-piece animated special reimagines the Star Wars galaxy like never before.  It is funny and the cast is outstanding… This show is filled with heart, laughter, and the important message of believing in yourself.” See her full review below.

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy
Kennedy P., KIDS FIRST!  Film Critic, age 10

Legends aren’t made, they are built!  I love LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy.  This four-piece animated special reimagines the Star Wars galaxy like never before.  It is funny and the cast is outstanding.

In LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy, the entire Star Wars galaxy gets completely mixed up when an ordinary nerf-herder, Sig Greebling (Gaten Matarazzo), unearths a powerful artifact called the Cornerstone from a hidden Jedi temple. He finds himself thrust into adventure in a new, wild and twisted version of the galaxy where good guys are bad, bad guys are good, and the fate of all depends on Sig becoming the hero who can put all the pieces back together. 

LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy is full of comedy, action and incredible animation.  This show is filled with heart, laughter, and the important message of believing in yourself.  It is a family friendly special and for fans of LEGO or Star Wars this is a must watch. I could not take my eyes off the screen.  The animation and visuals are stunning – I love when the light sabers light up and the flying sequences are awesome.  They could not have picked a better cast to voice these characters.  It features the vocal work of Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker), Gaten Matarazzo (Sig Greebling), Bobby Moynihan (Jedi Bob), Tony Revolori (Dev Greebling), Marsai Martin (Yesi Scala), Michael Cusack (Servo), and Ahmed Best (Darth Jar Jar). The writing is so smart and funny. I think this movie will create a whole new generation of LEGO and Star Wars fans because it has something for everyone. 

This film teaches you to believe in yourself and to embrace teamwork.

I give LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 5 to 18, plus adults.  You can watch LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild The Galaxy on Disney+ beginning September 13, 2024 on Disney +.