October 2007 Releases for Ages 5 - 8

DVD
66 min.
From Genius Products (street date: 10/30/07)

Leonardo, the Terrible Monster
Leonardo is terrible at being a monster.  He can't seem to frighten anyone.  Then he comes up with a plan to find the perfect nervous little boy and scare the tuna salad out of him.  Will his plan succeed, or will he come up with a better idea?  Author Mo Willems narrated this dramatic tale with wit and warmth.  Animated by Pete List. Adult Juror Comments: Cute, simple animation, good story. Perfect for this age.

8 min.
Age: 3-8
Independent Short from Weston Woods Studios/Scholastic    

Adventures of Ociee Nash, The
Although nine-year-old Ociee Nash (Skyler Day) loves roaming Mississippi's 1898 rural landscape, her widower father (Keith Carradine) feels he must send her to live with her aunt (Mare Winningham) in Asheville, N.C. to learn how to become "a lady." Adult Juror Comments. This is a period piece that reflects on the attitudes of the era. Ocie is definitely not the "normal" little girl from the late 1800s and for that, this story is a bit of a stretch. However, for girls of contemporary times, her story is believable and entertaining following her trevails to becoming what was accepted as a "lady."

98 min.
Age: 5-8
Independent feature from Cinevita Productions/Twentieth Century Fox Home   

Winter Holiday Stories
Includes: "In the Month of Kislev" - A wealthy merchant learns the true meaning of Hanukkah when he takes the family of a poor peddler to court for savoring the smell of his wife's pancakes from outside their window.  Narrated by Theodore Bikel. (12 min.); "The Night Before Christmas" - The story of Santa's visit on a snowy Christmas Eve is beautifully brought to life with exquisite illustrations and festive music.   Narrated by Anthony Edwards (6 min.); "Seven Candles for Kwanzaa" - For each new day of Kwanzaa, a new candle is lit and children and adults share their thoughts, songs, stories from the past, dreams about the future and a delicious feast on the last day.  Narrated by Alfre Woodard, music by Crystal Taliefero (9 min.)

27 min.
Age: 5-8
Short from Weston Woods Studios/Scholastic       

Future is Wild
Ethan, Emily and Luis are three kids from the 21st century, who happen to be in the wrong place at the right time when they meet up with C.G., a distant inhabitant from the seventh solar system 10,00 years into the future whose civilization is threatened by an impending new Ice Age.  When C.G. adopts the 21st century kids as her new crew, they are all propelled into the future on the Time Flyer, tasked with the mission of finding a future sustainable habitat for humanity.  But little did the 21st-century kids know when they signed up for this mission that they'd encounter a variety of bizarre creatures that they must befriend or outwit in order to avoid becoming dinner!  From "Spitfire Birds" of the Antarctic Rainforest, (yes, "rainforest"! Due to shifting continents, Antarctica may be near the equator in 100 million years!), whose nostrils spray acid (or "killer snot" as Ethan calls it), to the eight-foot tall "Carakiller" birds with sickle shaped claws of the Amazonian grasslands, to the fierce and carnivorous "Slickribbon" millipede, the crew of the Time Flyer have a hard time keeping pace with these amazing evolutionary adaptations and extreme climates!

From TV series
22 min.
Age: 6-12
from Discovery Kids           

Arthur and the Invisibles
Freddie Highmore (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) stars as Arthur, a brave young boy who must find a hidden treasure that will save his family's home.  To do so, Arthur must enter the underground realm of the "Invisibles," tiny creatures who live beneath his own backyard. There he discovers the smallest heroes can make the biggest difference! Adult Juror Comments: Whether male or female, every kids loves a hero. "Arthur and the Invisibles" is such a delight to watch. From beginning to end, this movie encompasses the values of family, believing in oneself, and respecting others. The honesty and hard work ethic are refreshing to see. That this film appeals to girls as well as boys, is a plus. Also, it appeals to a wide age range - 5 to 12. This has quickly become one of our new favorite films.

94 min.
Age: 5-12
Feature film from Genius Products                

Garfield Gets Real
Follow our tubby tabby as he takes the plunge and flees his comfortable cartoon world for the "real world" on the other side of the newspaper. Escaping the boredom of cartoon life, Garfield soon realizes that real-life felines don't enjoy nearly the same benefits as cartoon cats do...as bloodthirsty Chihuahuas and bodybuilding canines challenge him at  every turn. But with the help of some new outlandish pals and some trusted old friends, Garfield's wacky adventures teach him that reality isn't just in the real world, it's where his heart is.

70 min.
Age: 5-12
Feature film from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment 

Jingle All the Way (2007)
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this hilarious holiday comedy as a father desperate to buy the must-have Christmas toy during a frantic last-minute shipping spree on Christmas Eve.

89 min.
Age: 5-12.
Feature film from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment                                

Journey of the One and Only Declaration of Independence
A true symbol and inspiration for all that is best about America, the actual Declaration of Independence has been rolled up, moved, hidden, copied and transported by more modes of transportation than anyone might guess, since its signing in 1776.  In this witty, gritty and factual history, audiences will learn all about the document that has defined American freedom for more than two centuries.  Narrated by Jeff Brooks, with music by Ernest V. Troost. Adult Juror Comments: Wonderful iconographic animation that really brings this story to life. A great way to learn about this history of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Brings the story to life.

26 min.
Age: 6-12.
Independent short from Weston Woods Studios/Scholastic