Instead of Dancing with the Stars, how about dancing with the family?

Primrose Schools  is sponsoring a Family Dance-off Competition with great prizes including a $5,000 grand prize, a Wii Fit Bundle, Flip Camera, and a $30,00 donation to one of the 170+ local non-profit Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Physical activity helps combat obesity, illnesses, and injuries. Don’t get into a rut. That dance routine you work up and at will mean smiles, laughter, and quality time for your whole family. You will be together sharing. Visit www.FamilyDanceoff.com for more information and entry rules. While you are there, check out the choreography of weekly semi-finalists. Then go for it.

This post is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. It was written as part of a public service campaign for Mom Select. It has not been monetarily compensated however I have received an entry into a drawing for a gift card in exchange for my participation.

DREAMWORKS ANIMATION’S THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR Operation: DVD Premiere

• Own it on DVD: February 9, 2010
• Runtime: 120 minutes
• U.S. Rating: Not Rated
• Canadian Rating: G

Brand New Missions and More of the Uproarious MADAGASCAR Story Land on DVD February 9, 2010

HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. – (December 9, 2009) The perennially popular Penguins are back with the world debut of their very first feature-length DVD, THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR Operation: DVD Premiere, taking flight February 9, 2010. Starring the madcap pack of Penguins from DreamWorks Animation’s phenomenally successful MADAGASCAR franchise, Operation: DVD Premiere features never-before-seen missions that continue the MAD-tastic adventure, plus favorite escapades from the highly-rated Nickelodeon series “The Penguins of Madagascar.” The MADAGASCAR franchise has earned over $1 billion at the worldwide box office and the Penguins’ Nickelodeon show was the #1 series premiere ever for the network and was the #1 animated program in October for kids 2-11.

THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR Operation: DVD Premiere also includes exclusive access to a brand-new, Penguins-themed online game on Nick.com, a DreamWorks Animation Video Jukebox and sneak peeks at upcoming DreamWorks Animation and Nickelodeon releases. The DVD arrives just in time for Valentine’s gift giving with a sweet anticipated retail price under $16.

Mad-Tastic Franchise Support
The world debut of THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR Operation: DVD Premiere coincides with Nickelodeon’s “Operation Blowhole” tentpole event on February 15, delivering millions of impressions for the Penguins franchise, along with online advertising and promotion and an updated Nick.com/penguins microsite. Additionally, licensed merchandise based on the Penguins franchise will begin arriving on shelves in January.

DreamWorks Animation’s THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR Operation: DVD Premiere
THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR Operation: DVD Premiere is presented in widescreen with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, English 2.0 Surround, French 5.1 Surround and Spanish 2.0 Surround and English, French and Spanish subtitles. The DVD features all-new, never-before-seen missions as well as several favorite penguin adventures. Additional features include exclusive access to Nick.com’s “The Penguins of Madagascar: The Devious Dr. Blowhole” game, as well as special sneak peeks at DreamWorks Animation & Nickelodeon releases including How To Train Your Dragon, Shrek Forever After, Po’s Kung Fu Panda Virtual World, The Madagascar Story So Far, More of The Penguins of Madagascar and Fan Boy Chum Chum and a DreamWorks Animation Video Jukebox.

About DreamWorks Animation SKG
DreamWorks Animation creates high-quality entertainment, including CG animated feature films, television specials and series, live entertainment properties and online virtual worlds, meant for audiences around the world. The Company has world-class creative talent, a strong and experienced management team and advanced filmmaking technology and techniques. All of DreamWorks Animation’s feature films are now being produced in 3D. The Company has theatrically released a total of 18 animated feature films, including the franchise properties, Shrek, Madagascar and Kung Fu Panda.

About Paramount Home Entertainment
Paramount Home Entertainment (PHE) is part of Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment. PPC is a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), a leading content company with prominent and respected film, television and digital entertainment brands. PHE is responsible for the sales, marketing and distribution of home entertainment products on behalf of various parties including: Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Paramount Famous Productions, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, CBS and PBS and for providing home entertainment fulfillment services for DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment.

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THREE winners will each receive a copy of the Penguins Of Madagascar Operation DVD.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter visit leave me a comment on this post telling me what your favorite DreamWorks movie is.

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Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

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US addresses only please. This contest will end on Monday 02/15/10 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone!

DREAMWORKS ANIMATION’S THE PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR Operation: DVD Premiere

• Own it on DVD: February 9, 2010
• Runtime: 120 minutes
• U.S. Rating: Not Rated
• Canadian Rating: G

Madagascar fans, the penguins are coming. On February 9, 2009, Dreamworks is releasing Operation” DVD Premier. This will be a full-length DVD of some never-before seen missions as some animated television series spinoff favs.

Skipper, Kowalski, Private, and Rico (voiced by Tom McGrath, Jeff Glen Bennett, John DiMaggio, and James Patrick Stuart), the boys from the Penguins of Madagascar movies, have a mission to protect Central Park Zoo. When King Julien and his minions, Maurice and Mortimer, challenge them the fun begins. Watching the penguins outwit their nemesis is something else. Nickelodeon has come up with another kids programming winner.

Operation: DVD Premier features the shorts never before seen missions plus mad-tastic extras like Secret Access to The Devious Dr.Blowhole game on Nick.com, Rockin’ MusicVideos, and Sneak Peaks from DreamWorks’ Secret Headquarters. Run time is 121 minutes. This video comedy lists for $26.99.

EDIT - I’m giving three copies of this DVD away - CLICK HERE TO ENTER TO WIN.

Southland The Complete First Season

• Available on DVD: January 26, 2010
• Official Site URL: www.southlanddvd.com

Synopsis: L.A. is sandy beaches and Bel-Air mansions and flawless bodies. And it’s gang bangers and drug deals gone wrong and apartments crammed with almost as many people as cockroaches. It’s Southland, the place where a rookie cop and his savvier, veteran colleagues struggle to make a difference. Here in a 2-Disc Set are all seven Season One Episodes of the gripping, lightning-paced series about the men and women who live their lives – professional and personal – on a jagged edge, taking on criminals, victims and a sprawling city tainted by vice and seething with danger. It’s hellish work. But, as one wised-up cop says, “Every once in a while, you get to take a bad guy off the street for good. And that, my friend, is God’s work.”

How many of you remember how huge JAG was dropped by NBC then moved to CBS for another nine seasons? I wonder if NBC has dropped the ball again in cancelling Southland now that TNT has picked it up.

Southland is a solidly acted crime drama. Describe it as raw, gritty, realistic. Its casting is excellent. The ensemble includes Kevin Alejandro (Detective Nate Moretta), Arija Banks (Officer Chickie Brown), Michael Cudlitz (Officer Joh Cooper), Shawn Hatosy (Detective Sammy Bryant), Regina King (Detective Lydia Adams). Michael McGrady (Detective Daniel Salinger), Benjamin McKenzie (Officer Ben Sherman), and Tom Everett Scott (Detective Russell Clarke).

This show revolves around the workings of a Los Angeles police unit and what happens to cops, criminals, victims, and families. It is about characters, moral but jaded with strengths and flaws. Storytelling and on location shoots set it apart from most other cop shows.

No matter what the plot, be it a deadly shootout, lost baby, celeb influence, dead unidentified female, off-the-books manhunt, jewelry robbery, or dead gang member–Southland is different. Tune in TNT Tuesdays at 9:00 P.M. EST to decide for yourself if Season 2 will be a winner. Meanwhile Season One is available on DVD.

Here’s a clip from the DVD.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

The Boys Are Back

• Own It On DVD: January 26, 2010
• Suggested retail price: $29.99
• Feature run time: 104 minutes
• Rating: Rated PG 13 - for some sexual language and thematic elements
• Bonus materials not rated
• Sound: 5.1 Dolby Digital
• Languages: English and Spanish

Miramax Films’ The Boys Are Back premise sucked me right in. Idealic love stories are hard on the survivors, the spouses and the children. Single parenting is common in this 21st Century as are dysfunctional families.

Sportswriter Joe Warr (Clive Owen) married then split leaving one son behind in England. Relocated in Australia, he started another. Life was happy until his new wife died. Six year old son Arti (Nicholas McAnulkty) angrily grieved. Not always mature or responsible in his own life and decisions, Joe opted to raise the boy on his own. His personal philosophy of coping was simply stated–no rules, just say yes. Visions of dead wife Katy (Laura Fraser) seemed his only insight.

A visit by confused teenage son Harry (George MacKay) complicated the situation. The boy asked why had his father abandoned him and left him. Joe failed to give the support and guidance all children need. Mourning, adapting, and moving on are necessary but responsibly.

I enjoyed the true story inspired movie; however, I am an adult. What I question is the message and image that it gives to non-adult viewers. I know too many parents neglect supervising their children’s television and movie choices. Childhood antics like jumping into a bath tub are dangerous. A parent drinking to ease whatever is an example. If daddy does, then so can I. Leaving children alone without any supervision may be OK for a quick trip to the store. Leaving children, especially troubled ones, alone to travel to another continent is unacceptable. Everyone must make hard choices.

Here’s the trailer.

Here’s more information on the DVD.

THE BOYS ARE BACK

Available on DVD January 26, 2010

“One of the year’s best pictures” — Baz Bamigboye, Daily Mail

BURBANK, California, November 20, 2009 — The Boys are Back, the deeply moving and often funny tale of a man who finds himself suddenly responsible for raising two sons alone, comes to DVD on January 26, 2010 from Miramax Films and Buena Vista Home Entertainment. The story of this irreverent and independent sportswriter who suddenly faces single fatherhood is inspired by the true story of Australian Simon Carr, The Boys are Back is an original and uplifting story of one family’s journey. Exclusive bonus features include a behind-the-scenes photographic tour and a visit with the three special guys who lived the story.

Clive Owen (Closer, Duplicity) heads up an accomplished cast that includes Laura Fraser (A Knight’s Tale), Emma Booth (TV’s “The Circuit”) and George MacKay (Defiance). Directed by Scott Hicks (Shine), The Boys Are Back is a 2009 Heartland Truly Moving Picture Award winner that won the hearts of critics everywhere including Peter Travers of Rolling Stone who calls it “A funny, touching and vital film…Clive Owen gives a heartfelt, award-caliber performance.”

DVD Bonus Features
• The Boys Are Back: A Photographic Journey — A picture is worth a 1,000 words as director Scott Hicks takes us on a pictorial tour of the making of the film.
• A Father and Two Sons, On Set — Simon Carr, whose memoir inspired the movie, and his real-life sons visit the set. The death of his wife leaves wisecracking sportswriter Joe Warr (Clive Owen) with a curious six
year-old (Nicholas McAnulty) and a rebellious teen from a previous marriage (George MacKay) to bring up in a household devoid of feminine influence. So Joe takes on parenting the only way he knows how—full throttle. With an exuberance born of necessity, he teaches his boys to meet the joy and fragility of life head on. The Boys Are Back chronicles the fierce love and loyalty the three Warr men discover for each other as they make their way through the trials of everyday life.

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

I Heart Jonas

• Own It On DVD: January 26, 2010
• Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canada
• Rated: ‘TV-G’
• Run time: Approx. 155 minutes
• Language: English

On January 26, 2010, Walt Disney Home Entertainment will release I Hearty Jonas, a DVD featuring seven G-rated episodes of the Jonas Brothers television series and a bonus take. Running time is 155 minutes. I wish more sitcoms were written this way, just good clean old fun with a sprinkle or two of good parental guidance in the mix. Real brothers relating in ups and downs make this romantic and relationship centered feature work. Too bad the audience doesn’t not get to see more of little brother Frankie.

Nick, Joe, Kevin entertain on stage and off. Their kid friendly pop band performances remind me of the Partridge Family of the early 70’s. Their style meaning just plain fun, is reminiscent of the fictional rock group The Monkees of the late 60’s that became reality when the comedy The Monkees was cancelled.

Fashion Victim, Love Sick, Three Musketeers, Karaoke Surprise, Frantic Romance, Forgetting Stella’s Birthday, and Double Date make this Valentine Special truly that. No serious or heavy stuff here though. How long can Joe and Stella remain just best friends? Add a little music. Top this off with the never-before-seen hilarious pranking in “You’ve Just Been Jo Bro’d” with American Idol starlet Jordan Sparks.

I liked the DVD and bet that teens will love it even more. Hope this group stays around for a while. Jonas today is an image of which I approve.

Here’s a clip from the film called We Have To Talk.

And here’s some more information on the DVD.

Story: Fans will get a kick out of the lovable antics of three of the world’s most famous musicians with 7 specially selected episodes of the hit Disney Channel Original Series in I ♥ JONAS. Viewers will see how Joe reacts when he discovers that Stella has a date with another guy, and what happens when the tables are turned and a struggling young actress makes a play for Joe. Plus, with the never-before-seen bonus feature, “You’ve Just Been Jo Bro’d—Surprising Jordin Sparks,” I ♥ JONAS is a must-have for any Jonas Brothers fan!

Bonus Features
• You’ve Just Been Jo Bro’d – Surprising Jordin Sparks – Jordin thinks she is participating in a radio interview with the Jonas Brothers. But confusion and mayhem soon follow as the interview quickly takes on a life of its own with crazy questions and odd callouts. Then the Jo Bros get in on the action by pretending to be “callers!”
• Exclusive Premium Magnets Featuring Each Of The Jonas Brothers on the package (while supplies last)

The product(s) featured in this review was provided free of cost to me for the sole purpose of product testing and review. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Hubby and Baby Boy (grown up into LA) are television junkies. They watch everything including infomercials. One day I found them sitting at the table making lists. They wanted to buy the 40 year old ranch down the road, unoccupied for a couple of years. It seems that they were watching Flip This House and decided it was their way to make a million–each. Optimistic fools.

Like Santa Claus, I said not a word but went straight to work leaving them in their fantasy world. Later in the day I decided on a drive by but not the violent kind. Outside the house the need for landscaping, a fence, a driveway, a porch, vinyl siding, replacement windows, and gutter protection work was apparent. I shuddered at what the inside might need.

That same evening the media was covering the economy and had a special on declining real estate. I recorded it then played it back later while my men were both in the room. They thought again about their property scheme and scrapped it. What great idea will the boys come up with tomorrow? Hey, I have one said the repair man’s wife (joke, joke), “Fix mine.”