JAM Reviews Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Review by JAM

For all those kids who rue the day the naughty list was created, we can all thank Manny the mammoth (Ray Romano) from the Ice Age movies. In order to get back at Sid the sloth (John Leguizamo) for breaking the traditional Christmas rock passed down through the generations, Manny convinces Sid he has now landed himself on the naughty list. Of course this necessitates a road trip to Santa himself as Sid, Eddie (Josh Peck), Crash (Seann William Scott), and little Peaches herself (Ciara Bravo) head out through the glacial wilderness in search for a reprieve from the naughty list.

Needless to say, Ellie (Queen Latifah) does not take the news well that her little girl has gone off due to Manny’s smart mouth and joins Manny and Diego (Denis Leary) on a secondary quest to find their lost herd. Needless to say, hiijinks ensue, Christmas is ruined and then saved, and the herd comes together once again as always.

JAMS Ink on Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas Special

This is a fun new Christmas special to add to the collection, especially if you are a big Ice Age like me. The characters are al back and even in a small time frame are able to share the moments both tender and sarcastic that you come to expect from the Ice Age canon. Add to that a good Christmas message of a herd coming together in more ways than one and you have a classic that your kids will want to watch more than one time a year. You can trust me on that as it has been played quite a bit already this year in this house.

EXTRAS

Short on extras, but for a made for Christmas release, I cannot complain. There is an awesome sneak peek for the next full length Ice Age adventure Ice Age: Continental Drift that showcases the main three of Manny, Sid, and Diego along with a surprise previously unknown family member tagging along. There is also the mini-sloth choir singing a joyous rendition of Swingin’ Jingle Bells for your enjoyment.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

HTZ's Natalia Rocks the Runway at the Nordstrom Winter Fashion Show

HTZ's Junior Reporter Natalia rocks the runway in her Rockstar Oohlala Couture dress. Check out her adorable moves in the video below.

JAM Reviews Shaun the Sheep: Season Two from Liongate and HIT Entertainment

He’s Baaaa-ck and better than ever as Shaun the Sheep, his wooly cohorts, the petulant pigs, and more come together for a brand new set of fun as the complete Season Two from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment hits shelves on DVD November 15, 2011! From the creators of Wallace and Gromit come 40 full length episodes of Shaun fun, and five of them are on DVD for the first time ever! Remember that the US versions only show 5 minute shorts on the Disney channel, but this set contains the full length antics of Shaun, the herd, the pigs, and the rest.

The Shaun the Sheep releases so often have good extras added from videos that depict how to build the characters, to fun mini games, and often lately a Timmy Time sneak peek. This set is no different as the videos, games, and Timmy episode included are a whole lot of fun for your little one. So grab a handful of wool (or at least this DVD) and have a fun time with Shaun the Sheep Season Two.

DVD SYNOPSIS:
The complete second season of Shaun the Sheep has arrived with 40 hilarious episodes of woolly shenanigans! The Oscar-winning creators of Wallace and Gromit strike again with the mischievous barnyard antics of Shaun, Bitzer, Shirley, Timmy, and those naughty Pigs next door. From fancy wheels and outrageous deals to foxy crimes and Christmas time, there’s something for everyone in this fun-filled collectible gift set of must-have treats the whole family will love!

DVD BONUS FEATURES
• Behind the Scenes Gallery
• “Sing-Along With Shaun”
• “The Mini-Making of Shaun” featurette
• “Sheep Shearing” Game
• “Whack-A-Pig” Game
• “Building A Pig” featurette
• “Meet The Animals” video
• Timmy Time Sneak Peek: “Timmy’s Tune #1” video

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 2011
Type: TV on DVD
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Animated
Age Target: Fans of all ages from 2-60
Closed Captioned: English
Format: Full Screen
Feature Running Time: 280 minutes
DVD Audio Status: 2.0 Dolby Digital
Program Website: www.shaunthesheep.com

Shaun the Sheep: Season Two from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment is waiting for EWE to grab a copy off of shelves on November 15, 2011.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Monte Carlo from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Monte Carlo: Blu-Ray & Digital Copy: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Take a recent high school graduate (Selena Gomez), a not so close step sister (Leighton Meester), a waitress with dreams bigger than they need to be (Katie Cassidy), throw them into the tourist destination of Paris and what do you get? A charming little movie about being who you are while being someone else entirely.

Grace (Gomez) is a mostly level headed high school graduate who has dreamed of a vacation to the romantic city of Paris with her best friend and crazy dreamer Emma (Cassidy). Having her parents throw her stepsister Meg (Meester) into the plans does not even phase Grace as her dreams of adventure. Unfortunately in typical comedy fashion, everything that cold go wrong does go wrong for Grace and her friends, until… conveniently, a high maintenance socialite walks into their lives and provides an opportunity for Grace to make this trip into the dream she wanted. Too bad the dream you have always wanted can often mess with the dream that you really need. Each of the girls find that out in this fun comedy with a cute message as Monte Carlo awaits you…

JAMS Ink on Monte Carlo

Selena Gomez is a star. A fish out of water, take over an identity, make sure the ending is not too cheesy type of movie needs someone to carry it, and Selena does. She has the uncanny ability to be cute but does not mug the camera, sensitive but not weak, funny but natural, and poised yet relatable. And she works well within this movie. You feel for the small town girl as you cheer her high society moments and feel for her as her fake life comes crashing around her. It is a fun film that shares the message of becoming who you truly want to be while showing the pratfalls of being who you really are not.

The scenery and backdrops of the exotic European setting for the film are definitely enhanced by the use of the Blu-ray technology. From the frenzied pace tour of Paris to the grassy fields of polo, to the exotic backdrop of Monte Carlo, the scenery on the Blu-ray is amazing. This is a movie that come Recommended for the Blu-ray format as the scenery lend to the excitement of Grace’s European adventures.

EXTRAS

For a fun little movie, they did well on not skimping on the extras. The Deleted Scenes and the Jet Setter’s Dreams were this reviewers favorite with some actual scenes that seemed to enhance the movie (maybe cut for time) and a cool little making of featurette showing the backdrop of the movie. Also included for those that would enjoy it are the Ding-Dang Delicious which highlights the male eye candy of the movie, Monte Carlo Couture highlighting of course the wardrobe and how it ties to the characters themselves, Gossip with the Girls which is pretty much as it sounds, Backstage Pass which gives a forum for makeup, wardrobe, locale, and more, and finally the Monte Carlo Match-up which is a mini quiz that tells you which character you are in the movie.

MONTE CARLO Blu-ray + Digital Copy
• Feature Film
• Deleted Scenes
o Meet Madame Valery
o Pont Des Arts Bridge
o Try on the Dior
o Owen Plays Soccer
o Owen at Sacre-Coeur
o Alicia Confronts Cordelia
o Cordelia’s Fate
• Monte Carlo Match Up
• Ding-Dang Delicious: The Boys of Monte Carlo
• Monte Carlo Couture
• Jet Setter’s Dream
• Backstage Pass
• Gossip with the Girls
• Theatrical Trailer
• Digital Copy “How To”
• Live Extras
o Theatrical Trailer
o Live Lookup
o Digital Copy

Take a fun trip through the European high society with Selena Gomez as she visits the world of Monte Carlo on Blu-ray and DVD on October 18, 2011. Grab a copy and make your life your own.

MONTE CARLO Blu-ray + Digital Copy
Street Date: October 18, 2011
Screen Format: Widescreen 1.85:1
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Spanish, French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, Spanish
U.S. Rating: PG
Total Run Time: 2 hours, 37 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer: Blu-Ray, DVD, & Digital Copy: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

It is time for an imaginative young girl to take summer vacation to brand new heights as Judy Moody (Jordana Beatty) has a plan to make her summer vacation into the greatest adventure ever. That is until hit by a dose of nasty reality as her parents are called out of town and her cohorts in craziness are going away for the summer with their own families. What is a young imaginative girl to do?

Well, stir in a fun wild Aunt Opal (a fun and fitting part for Heather Graham), an annoying yet useful brother Stink (Parris Mosteller), a whole lot of imagination and prepare yourself for the greatest summer ever! The adventures keep coming, the fun never ends, and Judy finds out that sometimes the best plans should be changed as the Not Bummer Summer keeps her busy.

JAMS Ink on Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer

They picked a perfect actress to personify the Judy Moody character and they show you insight and reasons throughout the movie and the extras. Jordana Beatty ends up being the character that Megan McDonald imagined and created in text come to life in a energetic bundle of girl power.

Jaleel White and Heather Graham lend themselves to adult personas in this film who are willing to have a little fun and contribute strongly to the film while never stealing the spotlight from the kids who run the story.

Psychedelic colors and vivid imaginations lend themselves well to the clear aspects of a Blu-ray disc. The adventures that Judy and Aunt Opal find themselves in lend to the ability to keep clean vivid coloration and clear imaging. Besides, it’s packed with tons of fun stuff in the extras. So this Blu-ray comes Recommended or Highly Recommended if you have young kids.

EXTRAS

There is a good amount of extras added to keep you and your young Judy Moody fans busy on this set from pop quizzes, making of featurettes, deleted scenes, and some cool video diaries from the cast on set. It is a fun treasure stash of extras for a fun family film and adds the recommended aspect of the blu-ray set.

Take a psychedelic adventure through the mind of a young girl in search for the best summer ever in Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer out on October 11, 2011 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Modern Family: Season Two from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Modern Family: Season 2 Blu-ray: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

What is truly the definition of a “Modern Family”? The answer can take so many connotations throughout the myriad of families that comprise this crazy country. Biracial couples? Check. Second marriages? Check. Gay couple? Check. With an adopted baby? Check. Oh yeah, and there’s a traditional family as well.

All solid sprinkling of society’s various familial units are on display on this comedic free-for-all. Ed O’Niell as the patriarch Jay Pritchett dispenses love and advice (not always the greatest) as he faces the challenges of both a combined family with his second wife Gloria (the AMAZINGLY funny Sofia Vergara) and her son Manny (the subtle yet hilarious Rico Rodriguez) joining his grown children in the growing Pritchett family. The traditional family in the program is the bickering, conniving, loving Dunphy’s, led by Jay’s daughter Clarie (the fun Julie Bowen) and her husband Phil (Ty Burrell). Throw in three lovely and challenging kids (Nolan Gould, Sarah Hyland, and Ariel Winter) and you have the crazy challenges of the traditional family. Claire’s brother Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) his partner Cameron (Eric Stonestreet), and their little Vietnamese Lily form the final family in the crazy bunch in the Modern Family.

Favorite episode: Earthquake. From Claire getting locked into the bathroom with a plumber while Phil races to fix something that should have been done long ago to Mitchell and Cameron finding an excuse to finally cancel longstanding, non-desirable plans, an earthquake changes the day of the whole family in funny ways. Watching Phil run back and forth trying to assuage Claire while attempting to smooth things over for when she gets out is funny.

EXTRAS

Take some extended and deleted family interviews (a fun aspect of this series with it’s pseudo-documentary feel), some more deleted and extended scenes from the shows themselves, a cool intro to the households with “At Home with the Modern Family”, a fun gag reel in which Sofia Vergara is the star (she is a funny woman), and a cool table read of the Strangers on a Treadmill episode which is really cool for anyone with an interest in seeing the true behind the scenes work of Hollywood.

Modern Family: Season 2 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment hits shelves on Blu-ray and DVD on September 20, 2011. Check out the truth of the American family, Hollywood style and be ready to split your sides laughing out loud.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at www.jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Raising Hope: Season One from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Raising Hope: Season 1 DVD: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Imagine living with your parents, meeting a girl and unknowingly fathering a child, and then finding out that the mother of your child is a serial killer soon to be executed by the state. Then imagine this is one of Fox’s newest comedies and that it is truly funny.

Jimmy Chance (Lucas Neff) stars as the 23 year old new father to a cute little girl named Hope (Baylie and Rylie Cregut) that he must raise as a single father after some crazy extenuating circumstances. Luckily he has the comedic assistance of his blue collar parents Virginia (Martha Plimpton) and Burt (Garret Dillahunt) to help lead her on the “right” way? Think of this as a bit of My Name is Earl while raising a child which means it’s a little far out, but full of love along with the blue collar trailer trash-type comedy that can be expected. Even a dysfunctional family is a family that you can count on as long as the love flows freely, which it seems to with the Chances. So take a look at this crazy little family and check out what might happen next.

Favorite episode: Meet the Grandparents – as anyone knows, family is fun, frustrating, and forever, and Jimmy decides to invite Hope’s other grandparents to an impromptu Thanksgiving celebration. Of course, having a daughter that is a serial killer may mean something, especially as her parents seemed to have their own issues. Kind of puts in-laws into a better perspective when you see the craziness of the krazy kidnapping grandparents. It is fun to watch the bumbling mess-ups of family, and family once removed.

EXTRAS

We pretty much have a commentary on the pilot, the unaired pilot included for your enjoyment, and a few featurettes that are fun but a little bit on the light side. This seems the type of show that would have tons of bloopers and/or gags with the blue collar comedy involved, but they really don’t seem to share that much in the set. The Adorable Stars is cute for the little girl lovers as it shares a look at the girls who portray Hope, and the gag reel and deleted scenes actually are kind of cool, but it just seems like this set is missing the big ticket that a lot of these seasons have. Well, it is only season one so I am sure they will have lots to add as season two comes our way.

Raising Hope: Season One from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment hits shelves on DVD on September 20, 2011. It is one of those shows that will make you feel better about yourself all while laughing your butt off.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at www.jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Bridesmaids from Universal Studios Home Entertainment

Bridesmaids: DVD: Universal Studios Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

From the minds of women comes the comedy for women as we see the lead up to the walk to the altar and how it affects friendships, young and old. This is a R rated comedy from the woman’s perspective, but funny no matter your gender.

Annie (Kristen Wiig) and Lillian (Maya Rudolph) have been friends forever, and when Lillian is preparing for her marriage Annie is the first thought for Maid of Honor. Lillian is excited to share her new world with her friend Annie, but their worlds collide in the process. Lillian has entered the world of money and prestige where a new friend Helen (Rose Byrne) wants to usurp everything that Lillian has to share, while Annie lives in the world of failure and loss as her former business had failed, she is caught in a dead-end relationship, and feels like she has to provide something special for Lillian’s preparations. Between her failed attempts to make things special and Helen’s insistence in making things more high-class, things just start falling apart even more in Annie’s life. Can she and Lillian make it back to who they were before, or is this friendship doomed to fall by the wayside? Bridesmaids also stars Melissa McCarthy as the future sister-in-law in all her crassness, Wendi McLendon-Covey as the mom looking for an escape in sensuality not found in her motherhood, Ellie Kemper as the quiet newlywed, Jon Hamm as the friends with benefits that expects all the benefits without any of the friendship or anything else, and more.

JAMS Ink on Bridesmaids

I will never look at Brazilian food or bridesmaid dresses the same again, and I love Brazilian food. This is such a small part of the movie and yet I found myself uncontrollably laughing to the point at which I found myself coughing and having issues even catching my breath. This is true physical humor at its best for someone like myself, and would appeal to people that enjoy American Pie type of humor.

The ultra-competitiveness of the tennis match between Helen and Annie is also a high point of the movie as you can see the stress and anger rise in each of the woman, one a friend forever to the bride upset about being replaced and the other a new friend trying to take a place of importance in a life she values and wants to control/live in. Taking their aggressions out on the tennis balls and each other, it comes off as a tour-de-force of wisecracks, broken promises, and bruised egos.

EXTRAS

FEATURE COMMENTARY: With director Paul Feig, co-writer Annie Mumolo and cast members Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Melissa McCarthy, Wendi McClendon-Covey and Ellie Kemper. A fun watch with some true comediennes providing the back and forth needed on these types of commentary. There is a ton of back and forth discussing deleted scenes, extended scenes, funny set-ups and more, this ends up being a good addition to the extra inclusions of the film.
GAG REEL (DVD Version) This is just a fun look at some fun people having a little too much fun on the film. It’s kind of fun.
LINE-O-RAMA An interesting look at some freewheeling line work.
ADDITIONAL DELETED SCENES
ADDITIONAL EXTENDED & ALTERNATE SCENES
CHOLODECKI’S COMMERCIAL: Check out what’s new with Cholodecki’s when you watch the never-before-seen “commercial” from Annie’s jewelry employer! It’s a fun little addition to the extras again.

Bridesmaids
Street Date: September 20, 2011
Screen Format: Theatrical 2.35:1 Aspect Ratio – Anamorphic Widescreen2.40:1
Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1/DVS Dolby Digital 2.0
Spanish and French Audio Dolby Digital 5.1
Languages: Subtitled English, French, and Spanish
U.S. Rating: R
Total Run Time: 2 hours 5 minutes/2 hours 11 minutes

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

Ten Years Later – We “Go On”

Ten Years Later – We “Go On”

Los Angeles Recording Artist Debuts Positive Message

Music Video Inspired by Events of 9/11

With the recent commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks – an event still painfully fresh amidst additional global unrest and economic turmoil – messages of motivation, inspiration and hope have never had more relevance.

Los Angeles-based recording artist Darci Monet, along with Intuitive Entertainment and Dooper Girl Productions, are venerating such messages through Monet’s debut music video for her single “Go On (feat. Debby Holiday and Levi Kreis),” premiering Saturday, Sept. 24th at www.YouTube.com/darcimonet and www.YouTube.com/gregsonfilm. The independent project is directed by Christopher Gregson and produced by Jacole Kitchen.

“Go On,” Monet’s moving gospel-tinged track from her sophomore album Fusion, was inspired by an emotional visit to Ground Zero in August 2006.

“I hadn’t visited New York City since before the attacks,” Monet explains. “I’d been inside the Twin Towers several times on school trips as a kid, coming down from upstate (New York). This was my first time seeing these huge gaping holes where the Towers once stood and it literally took the breath right out of me.”

Walking the area only days after ground had broken for the new Trade Center memorial, Monet was truly inspired by the people of New York who were carrying on with their lives, going on despite the looming memories. “When I got back to L.A.,” she continues, “I began working on the song immediately, but it took a good year before it was ready to record. It had to be right. The time to mourn was past; I wanted to celebrate the living we all still have left to do.”

The moving video features four vignettes that spotlight not only 9/11 but also the timely issues of bullying and suicide, self-destruction, addiction, and domestic abuse. Also included are montages of photos submitted by real people who have triumphed over various adversities including HTZ’s and JAM’s very own Jr. Reporter Natalia Stoa. Natalia was included for her anaphylactic peanut allergy which she nearly died from. She has triumphed and works daily to keep herself safe and healthy with the help of Kids With Food Allergies (www.kidswithfoodallergies.org) and FAAN (www.foodallergy.org). She is working on getting the message out about life threatening food allergies through her work as the Local Honorary Youth Chair for the 2011 FAAN Walk for Food Allergy. You can join her in Santa Monica on October 23! For more information visit www.foodallergywalk.org/losangeles_ca11 !

“Our vision was to create a love letter to the world,” says Monet. “We are so excited to unleash some much needed virtual joy into the media.”

For more information on the release, webcast and premiere event at NoHo Performing Arts Center, visit http://www.darcimonet.com/govid. Watch for more details on the full version coming soon!

JAM Reviews Families of Germany from Master Communications

Families of Germany: DVD: Master Communications
Review by JAM

Take a look at new cultures, new families, and new friends as Families of Germany comes to DVD from Master Communications. Taking a look at the European economic superpower known as the Federal Republic of Germany, we look into two families from the rural village of Reimershausen and the urban capital of Berlin.

Sophia, a seven year old girl from Reimershausen, lives the rural life with her parents, sister, and brother, helping out with the neighbor’s farm feeding the cows and collecting eggs from the chickens. Her family and school are important to her as she shows us her guitar practice, craft time, and skits after school and the family time on the weekends.

Ole is a ten year old boy who lives in the capital Berlin with his parents, two brothers, and two tortoises. We get to look in on Halloween time as Ole carves pumpkins, makes treats, and heads uptown for a tour around the city. On his return, it is time for trick or treating followed by school the next day.

Check out the Families of the World to share insight with your little ones who want to know more about the children of the world.

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Series: Families of the World
DVD Titles: Families of the Germany
Release Date: September 20, 2011
R/T: Approx 30 minutes each child.
Website: www.familiesoftheworld.com

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Families of the Philippines from Master Communications

Families of the Philippines: DVD: Master Communications
Review by JAM

Take a look at new cultures, new families, and new friends as Families of the Philippines comes to DVD from Master Communications. Taking a look at the Asian island nation of the Republic of the Philippines, we look into two families from the rural island of Cebu and the thriving urban metropolis of Manila.

Khim, a thirteen year old boy from Cebu, shows us the rural side of life from the coastal outrigger boats that provide the fish that acts as one of the staple foods of the area to 10,000 student public school which he attends to the afternoon chores he has to help his family out. Through all of this, his energy and happiness shines out in an infectious way as we see his daily life.

Shahani, a seven year old girl living in the capital Manila, takes us on an urban journey as we see her school and her passion for dance which she excels in. We see her interaction with family and friends with her trip to buy groceries with her mother, in the mall where her father entertains children during birthday parties, and in her father’s dance class alongside her sister.

Check out the Families of the World to share insight with your little ones who want to know more about the children of the world.

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Series: Families of the World
DVD Titles: Families of the Philippines
Release Date: September 20, 2011
R/T: Approx 30 minutes each child.
Website: www.familiesoftheworld.com

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews X-Men: First Class from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

X-Men First Class: Blu-Ray with Digital Copy: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM



Long before they were enemies with opposing viewpoints on the mutant/human coexistence, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lensherr (Michael Fassbender) were friends who worked together to find out more about themselves, what they were, and how to usher in the age of the mutant. Faced with an enemy they cannot overcome alone, they find other like themselves in order to take on the tyrannical actions of megalomaniac mutant by the name of Sebastion Shaw (Kevin Bacon), formerly known as Dr. Schmidt to the boy who would become Magneto.

From the beginning sibling-like relationship between Charles and Raven/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) to the budding business relationship to something more between Charles and Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne), interpersonal relationships abound as mutants come together, some fearful of their powers, others proud of who they are, but all of them needed for the fight against Shaw and his band of Evil Mutants.

And what a fight it is as within the backdrop of the Cuban Missile crisis, boats fly through magnetic manipulation, heroes fight to stop a war between anyone and everyone, and the seeds are set for future confrontations between two men with respect and love for each other, but with pride and feelings that cause a gap between them.

JAMS Ink on X-Men First Class

Continuity. If I would have any issues with this release, it would have been continuity. See, I am an X-men nut. I own the majority of X-men issues ever produced since the reimagining of the team in the 70s with Giant-Size X-Men #1 and know these characters better than most I would say. And I own the movies that came before in which a number of these characters already appeared at ages that really did not work with this film. And do you know what? I AM OK WITH THAT. This movie was fun, full of X-Men goodness, and whether it worked with all the continuity of the X-Men Universe or not is ok with me. The characters were fleshed out even if they were out of their own timeline, and I am really looking forward to the sequels that are sure to come.

In a comic book movie full of beautiful women, I found it kind of odd that my favorite characters were the destructive weapon of mass destruction Havok and the Irish screamer himself, the Banshee. Seeing characters going through the learning curve of learning control and ultimately finding strength in their weaknesses is enjoyable and with many of the characters being “second” tier compared to Wolverine, Cyclops, or Jean Grey, it allows the power of teamwork to shine throughout in this film.

BLU-RAY Aspects

Sun powered energy blasts, scream powered sonic manipulation, blue-tinted shape-shifting mutants, Nazi history, 60’s psychedelic backdrops… You need to get this one on Blu-Ray. It is really too much fun and too amazing graphically to not enjoy the color contrasts and clarity on the Bliu-ray. Nazi Germany looks dark and dreadful, the groovy clubs look psychedelic, and the mutant powers look as amazing as you would expect. So I am definitely happy to recommend BLU-RAY YES on this one.

EXTRAS

Talk about extras galore on this one. From the fun digital comics included to the behind the scenes information in the Children of the Atom, there is something for anyone on this disc. Cerebro Mutant Tracker was pretty cool too giving mutant information on characters you were interested about. The extended and deleted scenes were pretty cool, but as I enjoyed the film as a whole I am okay with the cuts that were made.

• 10 Marvel “X-Men” Digital Comics with exclusive “X-Men: First Class” Backstory Comic
• More than two hours of never-before-seen extras, including:
o Cerebro Mutant Tracker: The complete interactive Mutant Database with interactive videos

giving fans the ability to learn about their favorite mutants in the X-Men film franchise
o Children of the Atom: An eight-part behind-the-scenes featurette, charting the film from

pre-production through post-production, including visual effects techniques and cataloguing

“X-Men” transformations through prosthetic make up and costume design

o “X” Marks the Spot: An interactive feature allowing viewers the opportunity to learn more

about specific scenes with talent interviews and behind-the-scenes footage
o Extended and Deleted Scenes
o BD-Live Portal with additional Cerebro Mutant Tracker profiles
o Composer’s Isolated Score
o Theatrical Trailer

X-Men First Class
Street Date: September 9, 2011
Screen Format: 2.40:1 (16:9)
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
(Some special features in 5.1 DD or 2.0 DD)
Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, Spanish, and French
U.S. Rating: PG-13
Total Run Time: 4 hours, 55 minutes
Closed Captioned: Yes

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

HTZ's Natalia Reviews Strawberry Shortcake: Growing Up Dreams from American Greetings and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Hollywood Teen'Zine's Natalia joins us again to share her thoughts on Strawberry Shortcake: Growing Up Dreams from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment and American Greetings. Check out the video below to see what Natalia thinks of the movie and what she wants to be when she grows up.

JAM Reviews Thomas & Friends: Day of the Diesels from Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment

Thomas & Friends: Day of the Diesels: Blu-Ray/DVD: Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment
Review by JAM

It’s DIESEL time! Thomas joins friends new and old in a brand new fire-filled adventure on the island of Sodor. New fire-fighting friends Flynn and Belle arrive on Sodor to help Thomas and Percy save the day, but when Thomas spends all of his time with these new heroes Percy finds himself drawn to the wrong side of the tracks and Diesel 10 tries to use him to take over the steam yard. Can Thomas and his friends bring things back to normal before it’s too late?

Thomas’ newest release on Blu-ray technology will showcase the CG animation like never before, and is a great find for those families looking to add Preschool fun to their Blu-ray collections.

Bonus Features

“Fiery Flynn to the Rescue” game
“Day of the Diesels” Karaoke song
“Hear the Engines Coming” Karaoke song
“Steamies and Diesels – Learn How They Work” video

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Ages 2-5
Closed Captioning: DVD - English
Blu-ray - English SDH
DVD Format: Widescreen
Blu-ray Format: 1080P High Definition Widescreen
Feature Running Time: 58 minutes
DVD Audio Status: English 5.1 Dolby Digital and English, Spanish and French 2.0
Dolby Digital
Blu-ray Audio Status: English 5.1 DTS HD-Master Audio and Spanish and French 2.0
Dolby Digital
Website: www.thomasandfriends.com

Thomas and Friends: Day of the Diesels chugs its way onto shelves on Tuesday September 6, 2011. Grab a copy for the little railroad tycoon in your life.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Castle Farm: Volume One from Organa Kids

Castle Farm: Volume 1: Organa Kids
Review by JAM

A cutely drawn farming adventure starring the appropriately named Farm Girl and her best friend Piggy make their way to DVD for your little preschoolers to enjoy. Set in the shadows of a castle on a English countryside farm, Farm Girl and Piggy find new ways to finish chores, find new and interesting friends, and learn more about the land around them often with insight from a wise Unicorn.

Castle Farm is a fun innocent animated series that will keep your kids watching and learning as they go. The insights and challenges they face are geared for the younger crowd and are great for the preschool age. So grab a copy and sit down for a fun innocent adventure with Farm Girl and her pal Piggy.

Episodes include:
Snails
The Carrot Thief
Ball Games
A Windy Day
Amber
The Prickly Flower
Bubbles
Trophy
Waiting for Winnie

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Genre: Children/Family/Animated
Age Target: 2-5
Feature Running Time: Approximately 59 minutes

Castle Farm: Volume 1 brings the farm experience to your young ones, sharing fun adventures, cute characters and a fantastic time for your child and you.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

HTZ's Natalia Reviews Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy From Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment

HTZ's Natalia takes some time to share her thoughts on the newest Angelina Ballerina release The Shining Star Trophy! Natalia loved seeing Angelina help other, but check out the video to see more of what she thought about this brand new movie.

JAM Reviews Happy Valley: Volume One from Organa Kids

Happy Valley: Volume 1: Organa Kids
Review by JAM

Out in the countryside, close by the sea, lives a Happy Valley full of goodness and glee.

Nursery rhymes and songs fill this fun filled animated series as the denizens of Happy Valley share their thoughts and adventures with your preschoolers using rhyming and singing melodies. From the counting of goats to the joys of splashing through a mud puddle in the rain, the Happy Valley is full of fun and insights for your little one. Take the time to learn together with your new friends in the Happy Valley, your little one will love it!

Episodes include:
Rain is Tumbling
There You Are, Blackbird
Tree on the Hill
Where Are You Hiding?
Autumn Leaves
Gee Up Little Horsie
Wakey, Wakey!
Far, Far Away” and Little Donkey

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Genre: Children/Family/Animated
Age Target: 2-5
Feature Running Time: Approximately 59 minutes

Happy Valley: Volume 1 introduces your preschooler to new adventures in song and rhyme as the citizens of the Happy Valley take them on an animated adventure in each episode.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment

Angelina the Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy: Lionsgate/HIT Entertainment
Review by JAM

Angelina and her friends have the chance to participate in the school talent show in Angelina’s first ever movie The Shining Star Trophy out on DVD, digital download, and On-Demand on August 30, 2011 from Lionsgate and HIT Entertainment. After finding out about the talent show, all of Angelina’s friends are abuzz and worried about their talents. Being the good friend that she is, Angelina helps each of them out along with her sister and mother, and suddenly finds herself without any time to practice her own talent. With a special celebrity guest coming, will Angelina’s friends take the time out to help her just like she helped them? Find out on this brand new DVD about friendship, family, and fellowship.

Bonus Features

“Talent Show Trivia” Game

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Year of Production: 2011
Title Copyright: © 2011 Hit Entertainment Limited. The Angelina Ballerina name and character and the dancing Angelina logo are trademarks of Hit Entertainment Limited, Katharine Holabird and Helen Craig.
Rating: NR
Genre: Children/Family/Animated
Age Target: 2-7 years old
Closed Captioned: English
Format: Widescreen
Feature Running Time: 55 minutes
DVD Audio Status: English, Spanish, and French 2.0 Dolby Digital
Program Website: www.angelinaballerina.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/angelinaballerina

Angelina Ballerina: The Shining Star Trophy makes its way onto store shelves on August 30, 2011. Take home a trophy of your own with this brand new Angelina Ballerina movie.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Roadkill from Vivendi Entertainment

Roadkill: DVD: Vivendi Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

A SyFy original full of gypsy curses, large mythical birds, and gory bloody violence and wounds fill this release from Vivendi Home Entertainment as Roadkill comes to DVD.

A group of seven young friends come together for one last foray in the form of a RV trip through the Irish countryside, only to run across a gypsy outpost. Thievery and idiocy lead to the revenge of a gypsy curse bringing down the Simuroc, a giant bird of prey down upon them, one by bloody one. Death, dismemberment, and dystopia fill the lives of these young kids as they try to stay alive in the craziest of deadly battlefields between the threat of the Roc and the crazy evil of the gypsies.

Starring Kacey Barnfield, a mistress of the SyFy genre and a killer nightstick wielder, and a host of other pretty good young actors, let this DVD take a bite out of your free time!

JAMS Ink on Roadkill

This movie was a bit of fun for a low budget made for television SyFy movie with a cast of actors that actually made you wish there was a little more character development in a movie that really didn’t have or need that much. Each of the characters had their quips and flaws, and even those that died early left you with secrets you wish had been divulged.

The special effect makeup and graphics used was over the top yet well done, and the CGI on the bird was reasonably done. I would have gone for a more feathered scary bird, but the talons were well done at least. Overall, I would check this out if you are a fan of the SyFy genre at all.
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EXTRAS

No extras at all.

Check out the Simuroc and its swathe of destruction when Roadkill hits shelves on August 30, 2011 from Vivendi Home Entertainment and Roc out all night!

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Strawberry Shortcake: Growing Up Dreams from American Greetings & 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Strawberry Shortcake: Growing Up Dreams: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and American Greetings
Review by JAM

A brand new release shows Strawberry Shortcake and her friends thinking about careers, the future, and friendship in two episodes on Growing Up Dreams. In the first episode, Ginger Snaps dreams of seeing the stars with her friends, though Peppermint Fizz is trying to keep her grounded. But Strawberry Shortcake reminds her friends that dreams can come true, and are always worth dreaming as her friends take their trip to the stars. The second episode looks at Peppermint Fizz and her plans to be mayor or as she calls it “the Boss”. Lessons are learned as working together is the only way to overcome a major beetle problem, and being the boss is not as important as leading and helping each other, no matter the cost. So grab a copy of Growing Up Dreams, and let your dreams soar through the clouds!

JAMS Ink on Strawberry Shortcake: Growing Up Dreams

This is a good movie with good lessons for little girls to see. The idea of striving for your dreams and never letting go reminds us that we can strive for the future no matter what obstacles find their way into our path, or our daughters’ path. And the focus on leadership versus being the boss as Peppermint Fizz discovers that necessary projects need to take precedence over special projects for the boss. Check this out for a good look at girls dreaming big and learning about important careers they can strive for.

EXTRAS

DVD-Rom Printable Coloring Pages
Fun Music Video

Fun little extras included on the DVD with coloring pages for the kids and a little music video.

Strawberry Shortcake: Growing Up Dreams
Street Date: August 30, 2011
Screen Format: Fullscreen
Audio: English, Spanish
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Total Run Time: 44 Minutes
MPAA Rating: NR
Closed Captioned: Yes

Strawberry Shortcake: Growing Up Dreams from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and American Greetings blooms onto store shelves on August 30, 2011 so grab a copy and enjoy growing up a little bit with your little girls.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

HTZ Videos - JAM Catches Melissa Joan Hart and Joseph "Joey" Lawrence at the D23 Expo

Melissa and Joey share memories of Disney Theme Park experiences at the D23 Expo. And Joey shares too much information.

JAM Reviews Trollhunter from Magnolia Home Entertainment

Trollhunter: DVD: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

A Norwegian import to the Magnolia collections, Trollhunter is a little bit Brothers Grimm, a little bit Blair Witch, and a whole lot of fun. When bear attacks abound over the frozen tundra of Norway, a three man video team from the local university find something odd when they notice a strange hunter at each site in which something seems off. Following this hunter, they get thrust into a world beyond their imagination full of governmental shadow agencies, cover-ups galore, and gigantic mythological trolls.

With the mythological aspects of the blood of Christian men, morning sun destruction, and the slobbering hunger of the Trolls, the team takes their investigation as far as possible into the reasoning behind this troll invasion only to find their steps guarded and blocked by a government attempt to silence them which only impedes the safety of its own.

JAMS Ink on Trollhunter

A Norwegian import, Trollhunter is an enjoyable yet practical romp through a mythological realm intersecting with modern day sensibilities. Set up much like the Blair Witch project with a single shaky camera perspective, the filmmakers do a good job of creating a film that keeps your interest even with the goofiness of the idea of Trolls living among us by not taking themselves too serious, yet not falling into the realm of complete comedy.

The CGI used for the Trolls done rather well as it has a simplistic look that makes the Trolls blend into the terrain and setting while also making them stand out in their oddness. As much as it has the low budget feel with the choice of camera set-up, the CGI is perfectly tailored to keep the low budget feel without the cheesiness that could have come from bad CGI.

The actors chosen for their parts were good choices in that they reveled in the oddness of the movie while maintaining seriousness and comedy when needed. From the desire of rubbing themselves down with Troll stench to the group moments within the car trips, these actors gave their all and made the movie worth a check out. I Highly Recommend checking out this movie if you are a fan of fantasy or the Blair Witch Project.

EXTRAS

There are a good number of extras included with Deleted Scenes, Improv and Bloopers, Extended Scenes, Visual Effects, Behind the Scenes, Photo Galleries, and an HDNET look at Trollhunter. In other words, a little bit of everything that you might want in a set of extras. The Deleted scenes are not bad, the bloopers leave a little to be desired, but the extended scenes are actually pretty cool with more insight into the nowhere power lines and a couple other scenes. It enhances the experience with a movie that is pretty cool to begin with.

Fear, fantasy, and fun collide as Norway sends its Trollhunter to DVD on August 23, 2011 from Magnolia Pictures.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

HTZ Videos - JAM Catches the Leo Howard Karate Demonstration at the D23 Expo

Leo Howard, Karate, and HTZ. JAM was at the D23 Expo to put them all together as Leo gives a karate demonstration in the video below.

HTZ Videos - JAM Interviews Alyson Stoner at D23 Expo about her EP Release "Beat the System"

Hollywood Teen’Zine sent Natalia and the JAM team to cover the Disney D23 Expo, and we got the chance to talk to many of your favorite stars. Keep your eyes on the site for much more coverage, but here is Alyson Stoner discussing her debut EP “Beat the System”.

HTZ Videos - JAM Interviews Keke Palmer on Set from True Jackson VP - Mystery in Peru

Besides movie reviews, the JAM team often helps out our friends at Hollywood Teen’Zine with interviews, red carpets, and event coverage whenever we can. Check out the Hollywood Teen’Zine video below to see our interview with Keke Palmer from True Jackson VP about Mystery in Peru, the True Jackson movie.

HTZ Videos - JAM Interviews Ashley Argota on Set from True Jackson VP - Mystery in Peru

Besides movie reviews, the JAM team often helps out our friends at Hollywood Teen’Zine with interviews, red carpets, and event coverage whenever we can. Check out the Hollywood Teen’Zine video below to see our interview with Ashley Argota from True Jackson VP about Mystery in Peru, the True Jackson movie.

HTZ Videos - JAM Interviews Matt Shively on Set from True Jackson VP - Mystery in Peru

Besides movie reviews, the JAM team often helps out our friends at Hollywood Teen’Zine with interviews, red carpets, and event coverage whenever we can. Check out the Hollywood Teen’Zine video below to see our interview with Matt Shively from True Jackson VP about Mystery in Peru, the True Jackson movie.

HTZ Videos - JAM Interviews Robbie Amell on Set from True Jackson VP - Mystery in Peru

Besides movie reviews, the JAM team often helps out our friends at Hollywood Teen’Zine with interviews, red carpets, and event coverage whenever we can. Check out the Hollywood Teen’Zine video below to see our interview with Robbie Amell from True Jackson VP about Mystery in Peru, the True Jackson movie.

JAM Reviews Shalom Sesame: The Sticky Shofar from Sisu Home Entertainment

Shalom Sesame: The Sticky Shofar: DVD: Sisu Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Our furry friends from just down the Sesame Street have made their way to Israel to meet new people and learn new things as Shalom Sesame makes its way to our shelves. Sharing Jewish culture, Hebrew language, and Israel locations, the eventual 12 disc launch seeks to give insights into aspects of Jewish life through the use of familiar and new Sesame Street characters and a variety of celebrities sharing their time.

The Sticky Shofar continues the Shalom Sesame launch in which celebrity host Anneliese van der Pol (from That’s So Raven) and Grover travel to Israel to meet and share stories with new characters. In The Sticky Shofar, we learn about Rosh Hashanah and the wonders of sweet and sticky honey! Along the way Grover, Avagail, and Brosh learn about friendship and forgiveness as the New Year fast approaches.

Bonus Features

Grover’s Video Player “ The King and the Bee”
Grover’s Sing-A-Long Karaoke “Rosh Hashanah Hannah”
Sneak Peeks at all 12 titles from the Shalom Sesame Series

PROGRAM INFORMATION
Series: Shalom Sesame
DVD Titles: The Sticky Shofar
Release Date: August 16, 2011
R/T: Approx 30 minutes each, plus 25 minutes in bonus extras.
Website: www.ShalomSesame.org

Shalom Sesame: The Sticky Shofar will find its way into your hands on August 16, 2011. Take a peek at Israel and this sticky situation with your Sesame friends.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Tactical Force from Vivendi Entertainment

Tactical Force: DVD: Vivendi Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Cop killers, gun battles, former WWE Wrestlers... Sounds like a guy movie for the ages.

Steve Austin, Michael Shanks, Lexa Doig, and Michael Jai White star in the SWAT thriller Tactical Force as a SWAT team that is a little rough around the edges. When the call comes out on a hostage situation at a super market, Tate (Austin) and his team take matters into their own hands. After a violent yet successful raid involving gunfights, takedowns, and frozen meat, Tate and his team believe they are in line for a commendation. Instead some intense retraining is required at a remote hanger in order to work on more conventional rescues.

Armed with only blanks for the training, the team suddenly finds they are not alone as rival factions are searching for a briefcase that has been stored within the hanger. Tate and his team must rely on their brains as much as their brawn in order to get out of this deathtrap alive.

JAMS Ink on Tactical Force

I have long been a fan of Steve Austin, from the time of Stone Cold in the WWE to the transition to roles in Chuck and Condemned, but this movie just isn’t my thing. SWAT is usually the best of the best, and this team comes of reckless, crazy, and sloppy which usually leads to failures of missions and dead officers. But worst of all for the movies, it doesn’t come off as a team really. Good cop movies tend to focus on buddies or a small team of officers in which we can see the camaraderie and tactical abilities of the team. This was just a simple shoot-em up, beat-em up which at times had a hard time holding attention. But, Steve Austin was fun at least.

EXTRAS

A look inside the making of the movie and a montage of fight scenes from within the movie are all of the extras included. The making of is kind of good, but the fight scene montage is not really needed since all of the fight scenes were in the movie itself already.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

HTZ Videos - JAM Covers the Ice Cream for Breakfast Event by Give Kids the World

The JAM team and Natalia from Hollywood Teen’Zine had a chance to cover a special event for Give Kids the World as the stars came out for Ice Cream for Breakfast and came by to chat with us. Check out Hollywood Teen’Zine’s coverage of the event below.

HTZ Videos - JAM Interviews Madison Pettis at her 13th Birthday Party

JAM and Natalia headed out for a 13th birthday party for Madison Pettis. While there, we had a chance to chat with her for Hollywood Teen’Zine, so check out the video here. She shared some really great information on her upcoming show.

JAM Reviews Rio from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Rio: Blu-Ray with Digital Copy: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Flying in from the icy Northern Minnesota tundra to the balmy sunny shores of Rio de Janeiro, the blue macaw aptly known as Blu (Jesse Eisenberg) journeys to meet the only other left of his kind, the entrancing and enigmatic Jewel (Anne Hathaway) in this fun new Blu-ray release from FOX Home Entertainment. Taken long ago from the Brazilian rain forest as a little chick, Blu has grown up with a bookstore chic young lady named Linda (Leslie Mann) in the frozen north until a crazy opportunity leads to a foray into the tropical climate of Brazil in pursuit of a chance to save Blu’s species.

Besides Blu’s chance for romance, he finds an adventure full of bold birdnapping, frantic flight follies, and a crazy cache of new friends in this wonderful tropical paradise including Nico (Jamie Foxx) and Pedro (Will i. Am) two little birds with a metric ton of attitude, Rafael (George Lopez) a father with a need to get away to the Carnival, and crazy Luiz (Tracy Morgan) a dog who is ready to party and shake it all out. Through in a soundtrack that really adds to the movie and you have a fun family foray into the beauty of Rio de Janeiro while swaying to the masterful soundtrack as you fly.

JAMS Ink on Rio

JAM had heard the soundtrack before but had not seen the movie yet so I had a taste of what to expect but nothing visual that I really expected in my mind. Man, I wish I would have seen this on the big screen. This was a fun romp through the rain forests of Rio with flashy colorful characters that are fun, unique, and interesting each in their own way. Some might feel overloaded by the vocal name dropping that happens within the picture, but each voice tends to work its own way with the characters themselves. From Jamie Foxx and his smooth suave debonair voice matched with the little guy and Will i. Am with the tougher talker than truthful tough guy, the characters personalities shine throughout the trip through a land that has a personality of its own whether in the colorful, plentiful rain forest or in the kaleidoscopic overload of Carnival.

The monkeys are bad little simians and try to steal the show from our heroes. From their music bopping, wallet stealing introduction to their crazy throw down with a plethora of birds, they are a hilarious addition to the movie even with their less than desired moral codes.

BLU-RAY Aspects

The colors of the rain forest come alive with the amazing Blu-ray clarity on this release. From fanciful feathered flyers to fruity foliage to the colorful confusion of Carnival, this animated film makes full use of all the tricks or the trade as it makes its way to Blu-ray and takes over your screen. Whether a young child or just young at heart, the BLU-RAY is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

EXTRAS

The extras are a lot of fun on this release or maybe that’s just because of the bouncing and bopping that the youthful members of the JAM team were doing as they watched the music videos and Samba lesson. Being able to watch hopping, dancing, and shaking while taking a look at these fun extras made the disc all worthwhile for this reviewer. Exploring the World of Rio, Hot Wings, and the Deleted Scenes were more fun for this reviewer and all parties of all ages

Special Features
• Explore the World of Rio
• Beach
• Jungle
• City
• Stadium
• Blu Shows the Way (introduction)
• Boom-Boom Tish Tish: The Sounds of Rio
• The Making of Hot Wings
• Saving the Species: One Voice at a Time
• The Real Rio
• Welcome to Rio Music Video
• Deleted Scene – Fruit Stand
• Postcards from Rio
• Carnival Dance O Rama
• Intro
• Blu
• Jewel
• Luiz
• Monkeys
• Nico and Pedro
• Rafael
• Samba Line
• Rio de JAM-eiro Jukebox
• Taio Cruz – “Telling the World” Music Video
• Angry Birds Rio – Trailer
• Angry Birds Rio – Nigel Mash Up
• Angry Birds Rio – Instructional Video
• Live Lookup Powered By IMDB

RIO
Street Date: August 2, 2011
Screen Format: Widescreen 2.40:1 Aspect Ratio
Audio: English 5.1 Dolby Digital
French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Languages: Subtitled English and Spanish
U.S. Rating: G
Total Run Time: 95 minutes


Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

HTZ Videos - JAM Interviews Olivia Holt about Kickin' It at Ice Cream for Breakfast

Olivia Holt from Disney’s Kickin’ It talked to Hollywood Teen’Zine at the Ice Cream for Breakfast event and JAM was there for HTZ. Check out the video below to find out how she enjoys Kickin’ It with the guys on set.

JAM Reviews Limitless from 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment

Limitless: Blu-Ray with Digital Copy: Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Ever thought life could be better with just one little boost, one little break, one little pill? One little pill that enhances the portion used within the brain turns Eddie Morra (Bradley Cooper) into a super genius power machine.

A down on his luck author, Eddie finds his world falling apart as writer’s block has stifled any creativity he has, his girlfriend can take no more of his life, and everything is falling to pieces. Then through one chance meeting with a former relative through marriage, Eddie finds exactly what he needs. One little pill changes everything, and not always for the best. Money, prestige, and more come his way even as his life starts tumbling out of control. Side effects, insidious characters, and himself as his worst enemy conspire to take him down before he can learn to control his destiny and his own life.

Also starring the amazing Robert DeNiro, Limitless looks at the lengths a man will go to change himself and his life all around.

JAMS Ink on Limitless

Man has always searched for the means to make himself better in a myriad of ways. Whether through the use of pills or any other shortcuts, it seems like we have been searching for the miracle which that can change our lives. It almost seems that NZT is like a souped up version of Viagra in that it completely changes how Eddie is able to accomplish things in his life. It is a poor commentary on a society that searches so often for the easy way to succeed in that Eddie finds himself so addicted to the drug that even death threats, manipulative businessman, and the warnings of an ex-wife cannot keep him from the need to pop the little clear pill.

The idea of the Hollywood ending was a bit much for me as well, as Eddie is able to manipulate addiction and side effects out of his perfect escape. It has the feelings of a super hero film, yet the addiction aspect of it rears its ugly head but is then supposedly bypassed but not conquered. There is too much of a perfect world ending when dealing with the addiction side of things for my taste, but any other ending would have been too depressing to make a movie someone would want to watch.

BLU-RAY Aspects

I have to say that a psychedelic tripout while under the sway of a brain altering drug definitely looks even brighter and more LiteBrite crazy in Blu-ray. With it mainly being a storyline based movie, the Blu-ray aspect is not absolutely needed as much as in an actionbased thriller, but it is pretty nonetheless. BLU-RAY IF WANTED on this one.

EXTRAS

Not too many extras included on this one which is kind of odd for a fairly large theatrical release, but having the extended cut is kind of cool, so that you can either watch it as shown in the theater or watch it with extended story lines. The alternate ending included is not really all that exciting and the Man Without Limits is pretty much just an intro to the character of Eddie himself. The making of is just an added extra, so the extras really do not give you any reason to splurge necessarily.

LIMITLESS Features:
• A Man Without Limits
• Taking it to the Limit: The Making of LIMITLESS
• Alternate Ending
• Unrated Extended Cut

LIMITLESS Blu-Ray:
Street Date: July 19, 2011
Screen Format: 16:9
Audio: English 5.1 DTS-HD-MA
French 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: English, Spanish
U.S. Rating: PG-13

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

JAM Reviews Dumbstruck from Magnolia Home Entertainment

Dumbstruck: DVD: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Everybody loves a dummie. Or at least they do if they are ventriloquists or their fans. Dumbstruck takes a look at the serious side of showmanship and voice throwing as it follows five ventriloquists after an annual visit to the mecca of ventriloquism, the Vent Haven convention.

The first and foremost of the followed is the America’s Got Talent winner Terry Fator who is a fun and interesting fellow. His stage presence commands the camera as well as he moves through present details and past stories with a smooth transition throughout his pieces. His backstory is interesting as he never let the lack of total success shut him down, and just happened to find the right place, right time to win the lottery as he said. The second compelling story is Dan, a cruise ship regular who has put his life and his family’s lives on hold as he makes money on the cruise ship circuit. A true pro, Dan has even influenced Terry previously and seems to be a master of the movement and manipulation of the mannequin. His subtle artistry with the simple movements is amazing to watch and seeing him torn apart between his career and his family is so tough to see, especially when things take an unseen turn. Third on the list is a former Beauty queen Kim trying to get herself onto the cruise circuit. She comes off as both likeable and committed , and her story is one that is interesting and worth the time. Working professionally as an entertainer already, she wants more and seems to miss that final step throughout her story. But she will be a success sometime. Friend four is a teenage vent named Dylan just starting out. While not as compelling, his story highlights some of the challenges faced when choosing a path that seems so strange to others in your life. And finally is Wilma, a dedicated ventriloquist who has the heart strings tugging story but less compelling aspects than the other focuses.

Meeting again at the end at the Vent Haven, these five stories intertwine once more as we receive some resolution, entertainment, and ventriloquism.

JAMS Ink on Dumbstruck

I wasn’t sure what I was going to think on this one, but to be honest the storylines in this documentary often had me hooked. Terry, Dan , and Kim kept me wanting more as they flashed in and out of the focus and even Dylan had his times where I could see the difficulty faced in choosing a career on the fringes. It was interesting to see the success versus the longing for success versus the beginning aspects of the journey versus an overall obliviousness to needs and necessities.
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EXTRAS

Further interviews with Terry and two other sets of characters make up the extras on this release. The Terry portions are good extras that I guess really had no place in the release but enhance it nonetheless, and the other are interesting characters again but without the invested backstory of the others, so they make for interesting addition but not overall necessary.

Remember check out this review and more from JAM at www.hollywoodteenzine.com for teens and tweens, and at http://jammoviereviews.blogspot.com for movies of all genres and ages.

Natalia from HTZ Reviews Winnie the Pooh from Walt Disney Studios

HTZ's junior reporter joins us once again and shares her thoughts on the new adventures of Winnie the Pooh on the big screen. Out in theaters now, take a look at what Natalia thought of Disney's newest animated Pooh feature.

JAM Reviews 13 Assassins from Magnolia Home Entertainment

13 Assassins: DVD and Digital Copy: Magnolia Home Entertainment
Review by JAM

Swordplay, honor, and evil fill this release from Magnolia Pictures. Lord Naritsugu, the younger brother of the Shogun is prepared to take a greater role in the politics of empire, yet he is not the man for the job. Devoid of any kind of conscience, moral code, and believing the people of his land are worth nothing more than playthings that serve his every whim, there are those who will unite to hinder his ascendance into power.

Shinzaemon, a samurai of great honor is tasked with the assassination of Lord Naritsugu for the sake of his people, his country, and the future of the empire. Recruiting a small group of like minded individuals who pledge their lives to the cause, Shinzaemon stakes his gambit on Lord Naritsugu passing through one small village which they turn into a death trap for the expected small contingent of soldiers. When Naritsugu’s army has been greatly increased, the men do all they can to fulfill their obligations as the bloody battle begins.

JAMS Ink on 13 Assassins

This was a movie about duty and obligation, about honor and what is right, about power and when to use it. It is all about the value of a man’s life relative to the requirements of his country. In true David and Goliath fashion, the men of honor sell their lives for the chance to save their country and destroy an evil man who revels in the suffering of others. Chock full of action with enough character development to make things interesting, this is definitely in the must watch again category.

EXTRAS

Deleted Scenes which give a little more insight into the characters involved and a Interview with the director in which we get to see some background into his creativity. But that’s it.

Honor, responsibility, and sacrifice leads this amazing look into the life of a samurai in 13 Assassins from Magnolia Pictures. Check it out on July 5, 2011 when it hits stores near you.

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