Home Media Magazine - February 16-22, 2009 - (Page 14) PRODUCT GUIDE Anastasia KIDVID/EASTER Edited by Kyra Kudick www.homemediamagazine.com An Easter Basket of DVDs By John Latchem his year’s crop of Easterthemed DVD titles offers a viewing selection for just about every member of the family. Several studios are stepping up with Biblical epics from their vaults. Sony Pictures Home Entertainment March 3 releases the 1976 miniseries The Story of David at $14.94. The story of the famed Biblical ruler of Israel stars Timothy Bottoms as King David and Jane Seymour as Bathsheba. Meanwhile, 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment is releasing two stories of Jesus Christ on Blu-ray Disc. Due Feb. 17 is Mel Gibson’s 2004 film The Passion of the Christ, followed March 17 (prebook Feb. 18) by 1953’s The Robe, both at $34.99, Also re-promoted on DVD at $19.98, The Robe tells the story of Roman centurion Marcellus Gallio (Richard Burton), who is tasked with overseeing the crucifixion. Warner Home Video March 17 releases the 1951 Roman epic Quo Vadis on Blu-ray at $28.99. The film tells of Emperor Nero’s personal war against the Christians. Genius Products is celebrating Easter with three animated specials. Producer Big Idea’s VeggieTales: Abe and the Amazing Promise is available at $14.93, while Classic Media offers Here Comes Peter Cottontail and The Fat Albert Easter Special at $9.93 each. T Keeping the Kids Entertained I FIRST LOOK STUDIOS March 24 (prebook Feb. 17) brings the Hallmark Channel drama Every Second Counts (DVD $24.98), about a young girl who must choose between college or life as a professional equestrian. Due May 5 (prebook March 31) is the Kids on the Go Pack (four-DVD set $24.98), featuring four family movies: George and the Dragon, Finding Rin Tin Tin, Secret of the Cave and The Snurks. I LIONSGATE Due March 3 is The Tales of Beatrix Potter (DVD $14.98). March 24 (prebook Feb. 25) sees Care Bears: Cheer, There and Everywhere (DVD $14.98) and Happily N’Ever After 2 (DVD $19.98), a twisted retelling of Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs. Arriving April 21 (prebook March 25) is Wolverine and The X-Men: Heroes Return Trilogy (DVD $14.98). Streeting May 12 (prebook April 15) are Leapfrog Letter Factory and Leapfrog Talking Words (DVDs $14.98 each). From HIT Entertainment: Bob the Builder On Site: Skyscrapers arrives March 17. Due March 31 (prebook March 4) are Thomas & Friends: High Speed Adventure and Bedtime for Frances. Coming May 5 (prebook April 8) is HIT Favorites: Playtime Pals, a collection of six adventures with characters such as Bob the Builder and Barney. All DVDs are $14.98 each. I SCHOLASTIC MEDIA Available March 31 (prebook Feb. 24) are My Very First Treasury of 50 Storybook Classics: Preschool Stories (seven-DVD set $49.95), as well as There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly And More Sing-Along Favorites, Is Your Mama A Llama? And More Stories About Growing Up and The Ezra Jack Keats Collection (DVDs $14.95 each). I GENIUS PRODUCTS Coming March 3 is Elmo and Friends: Tales of Adventure (DVD $12.93). Due March 17 is Azur and Asmar: The Prince’s Quest (DVD $19.97), in which two adopted young men raised as brothers compete to be a heroic prince. April 7 (prebook Feb. 24) sees the Sesame Street gang encouraging recycling in Being Green (DVD $14.93). I SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT Arriving March 17 (prebook Feb. 12) is Dragon Tales: Our Amazing Pets! (DVD $12.99), which has five episodes about pet care. Due March 31 is the tween TV movie Spectacular! (DVD $24.94). I INDICAN PICTURES Due March 10 is All Aboard for the Magic Musical Voyage (DVD $14.99), which includes lessons in concepts such as melody, rhythm and dynamics. Out April 28 (prebook March 25) is Cartoon Galaxy Vol. 1 (DVD $14.99), including classics with characters such as Popeye, Felix the Cat, Superman and Bugs Bunny. I 20TH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT Coming March 17 (prebook Feb. 18) are Alvin and the Chipmunks, Anastasia: Family Fun Edition, Ferngully: Family Fun Edition and Secret of Nimh: Family Fun Edition (Blu-ray Discs $19.98 each). I PARAMOUNT HOME ENTERTAINMENT From Nickelodeon: Coming March 3 are SpongeBob SquarePants vs. The Big One (DVD $19.99) and Max & Ruby: Bunny Hop Into Spring! (three-DVD set $36.99). Streeting March 31 is Go, Diego, Go! — Rainforest Fiesta (DVD $16.99). I INFINITY ENTERTAINMENT From Smithsonian Networks March 24 (prebook Feb. 17) comes the educational TV show Critter Quest! (DVD $14.98), featuring three episodes about bugs. I UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT Available April 7 is The Tale of Despereaux (DVD $29.98, BD $39.98), based on the children’s book by Kate DiCamillo, in which the fates of a mouse, a princess, a servant girl and a rat are entwined. 14 Home Media Magazine February 16–22, 2009 http://www.homemediamagazine.com
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