Tag: review
A Mom’s Review of Why Do We Call It Christmas?
October 12, 2011Comment
Ok folks! It’s time to take out the Snuggies, light a fire, pop some corn and make a batch of hot cocoa…it’s Christmastime in October!! Buck Denver and his pals are starring in a brand new Christmas DVD!– Buck Denver Asks Why Do We Call It Christmas? — and you’re going to love it!
While most Christmas shows are entertaining, only Phil and his friends can pull off being “edutaining”. Ok, I know that’s not a real word– so don’t try it on Words With Friends– but I can’t think of a better word to describe this incredibly entertaining and super educational Christmas show. Phil Vischer explains it beautifully during his intro to the show when he says, “We all know the Christmas Story, but do we really know the story of Christmas?”
As the show begins, we find Buck Denver feeling a little confused about why there are so many holiday traditions tied into celebrating Jesus’ birthday. Why do we drag trees into our homes and decorate them? Where did the tradition of hanging stockings by the fire come from? Why is Santa Claus even a part of Jesus’ birthday, anyway? With the help of Sunday School Lady and Marcie, Buck sends out invites to all of his friends, hoping they can make it to his cabin in Indiana for a Christmas party. Along the way, we see that it’s not only Buck who’s a little confused about where all the different Christmas traditions have come from.
You and your kids will truly appreciate how lovingly accurate each of these sometimes tricky questions are handled. As you’ve come to expect from What’s in the Bible?, this show is witty, heart-warming and just plain fun to watch! And of course, the kids will get a beautiful lesson about the birth of Jesus–the REAL reason we celebrate Christmas! Look for some great new songs mingled together with some of your traditional holiday favorites.
I personally appreciated that kids with sensory integration issues won’t find this DVD overly stimulating, like some popular shows on TV. The songs aren’t obnoxiously loud with a lot of percussion and the movement of the characters is well regulated and not jerky or rapid. The colors are bright and the story will hold their attention. For the kiddos who love facts, this DVD is a goldmine!
If your family’s like mine, you probably already have a nice-sized Christmas movie library. You’ll definitely want to add this DVD to your collection! It’s one that can be enjoyed by the whole family throughout the season!
Why Do We Call It Christmas? will be available in our online store or in your local Christian bookstore on October 18.
A Chameleon Misses the Mark for Family Entertainment but Singing Veggies Save the Day!
March 8, 20113 Comments
My family and I are big Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean fans, so when the previews of RANGO, the Gore Verbinski / Nickelodeon film started last fall, we were anxiously awaiting its release! This past Friday night we went to the movies expecting to see a smartly written, masterfully directed, fun, CGI animated film that the whole family would enjoy.
We were disappointed on most accounts.
The animation was great! In fact, if you are an animation aficionado, you will appreciate the level of expertise displayed in the film’s many action-packed scenes. There’s a great cameo by Clint Eastwood, who was momentarily reprising his The Man with No Name character. This scene was so well animated, I had to remind myself it was a toon I was seeing, and not the actor himself!
If, however, you’re more like me, and story just happens to be king, then you may walk away from Rango a little disappointed.
The first thing I need to address is that this is by no means a kid’s movie. There are curse words that alone make it inappropriate. But even if you were to dub out the “h” and “d” words (to include one scene where a character actually says, “Go to h…”) the violence and adult situational humor was a bit over the top for the youngsters under 10.
To sum up the plot is one sentence, I would say that it’s a story about a lizard who goes on an adventure to find his true self. The story doesn’t arc until way late in the process, so I found myself checking my watch at least three times, thinking he would never find a resolution. Of course, he does find his true self–his destiny– and saves the day. Think the Odyssey-meets a spaghetti western-meets The Big Lebowski, cast entirely with desert creatures. It’s funny, but not meant for the WHOLE family.
The music in Rango was my favorite part! The mariachi owls were pretty awesome–in fact they almost stole the show! They followed Rango’s story as Mexican minstrels, and would inject just the right dose of humor or emotion in perfect intervals. A decent soundtrack possibility if you are so inclined.
I would not recommend RANGO for young kids.
Don’t despair! Just because I may have squashed (ha…get it? squashed?) your plans for a night out at the movies, there’s a fun, new VeggieTales episode that is being released TODAY! VeggieTales Twas the Night Before Easter…
It’s Easter time in Crisper County and cable news reporter Marlee Meade (Petunia Rhubarb) is hunting for a way to help others. On a tip that the old town theater will be shut down, Marlee cooks up a plan to save the stage and make a difference through the power of musical theater. With a cast of costume-clad townies, massive props and a 20-foot robot rabbit – “Up With Bunnies” is hatched! There’s only one thing missing – the star of the show!
When news spreads that singing sensation Cassie Cassava is arriving to perform in her hometown church’s Easter service, Marlee gets worried. Concerned about the competition, she schemes to steal the starlet for her own pageant! But when things go haywire, will it be curtains for Marlee’s dreams – or will she discover the true meaning of Easter.
In true Veggie fashion, there is always a message in their story. The verse used to teach the lesson in this episode is, Mark 10:45 “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
In the end we learn that the best way to help someone is to just simply… help them. Find out what their needs are and then serve them. Bob and Larry learn that while candy and plastic eggs are fun, Jesus and what He did for us is the MOST important aspect of Easter! Because (like one of the songs in the show says…) when we think about Easter, we think about God’s love!
Written and directed by Mike Nawrocki, and starring the usual cast of Veggies (many who are voiced by Phil Vischer), including some older veggie friends we haven’t seen in awhile. This episode also introduces us to a new Veggie friend, Cassie Cassava, voiced by American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle.
Great story and music which will be enjoyed by the whole family! Recommended for all ages!
VeggieTales has teamed up with Christian charity World Vision as part of this particuar campaign. The partnership will focus on building a greater awareness of how families can help care for those in need with opportunities to sign up for child sponsorships through World Vision at WorldVision.org, as well as in person at numerous Christian retail stores across the country.
Twas the Night Before Easter releases today, March 8, at all major retailers and Christian bookstores.
You can follow Lisa on twitter @lisastrnad and she blogs regularly at talkinglikeagirl.
The Unofficial Top Ten Family Christmas Movie List
December 10, 201013 CommentsIf your family is anything like mine, you all enjoy gathering in front of the TV to watch family friendly movies, especially during the Christmas season! I’ve enlisted the help of some friends to make up a Top Ten Family Friendly Christmas Movie List, and wanted to share it with you! There is absolutely nothing even remotely scientifically statistical about our list; it’s purely done in fun– and is completely opinionated! But, nonetheless, I bring to you the:
Unofficial What’s in the Bible?’s (but mostly Lisa’s) First Annual Family Friendly Christmas Movie Top Ten List!
#10 Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is an old classic with Burl Ives as narrator, and it has made a recent come-back. The show uses innovative puppetry and stop-motion animation to tell the story of an outcast reindeer, an aspiring-dentist elf, and an island of misfit toys who help Santa save Christmas. Great for all ages!
#9 How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000)
This is the version starring Jim Carrey. It’s an adaptation of the famous Christmas tale by Dr. Seuss. This film is a big treat for the whole family. With the antics of Carrey and the imagination of director Ron Howard, you will feel like you’ve been really swept away to Whoville!
#8 VeggieTales’ St. Nicholas (2009)
A Story of Joyful Giving! Find out as the Veggies discover the true joy of giving to others — at Christmas time and throughout the year! Laura Carrot’s Christmas stocking might be empty this year because her dad is in danger of losing his job. While Larry thinks a letter to the North Pole should fix the problem, Bob knows what will really help … and tells the story of a little boy named Nicholas who made a discovery in Bethlehem that changed Christmas forever. But what did Nick learn and how can it possibly help Laura and her family?! There’s an added bonus to this DVD, and that is the Matthew West / Amy Grant music video for the song, “Give This Christmas Away”. I LOVE this song!! VeggieTales continues their partnership with Samaritan’s Purse, Operation Christmas Child, and Matthew’s song nicely ties into that theme of “giving”. This movie is great for ALL ages!
#7 A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
Charlie Brown is out to find the true meaning of Christmas. Everyone seems to care more about gifts and activities than the actual holiday. The defining moment comes when Charlie Brown takes pity on the homeliest Christmas tree on the lot, and takes it back to his very unimpressed friends. Great for ALL ages!
#6 A Christmas Snow (2010)
(This is a new film, by Trost Moving Pictures. It has been critically acclaimed throughout the Christian film market!) Kathleen has carried around the unwanted memory of her father abandoning her and her mother on Christmas Eve. For the past 30 years, she has blamed her mother for that night and refuses to celebrate Christmas in any fashion. Although she has tried to forget her past, it has not forgotten her, and in the days leading up to Christmas she finds herself stuck in her own home with two strangers, because of an unforgiving blizzard. As the storm brings her face to face with the hurts of her past, she will have to choose one path; letting go and grabbing hold of a life changing forgiveness or continuing to carry her pain and bitterness with her.
#5 The Polar Express
A doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery that shows him that the wonder of life never fades for those who believe. Based on the beloved children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. This is one of my all time favorite movies, and I’ll watch it throughout the year! I think it’s great for all ages!
#4 Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Another adaptation of the Dickens’ classic, told Muppet style! The Muppets add their special and musical touch while staying true to the story. With Michael Caine as Scrooge, Kermit the Frog as his poor employee Cratchit, and a host of other fun, loveable Muppets, The Muppet Christmas Carol is both funny and heartwarming! Great for all ages!!
#3 Elf (2003)
A little human baby finds his way into Santa’s bag. Thus begins the life of our friend, Buddy the elf. The “man-elf” decides to look for his father in New York City. It turns out Dad is a workaholic business man who has no time for family. Buddy finds himself in many outrageous situations including the “pre-chewed gum” scene! This is a movie I would recommend for older kids and adults, since the humor is geared to a more mature audience than the preschool set. (One of my absolute favs!)
#2 A Christmas Story (1983)
The king of all holiday flicks!! All Ralphie wants is a Red Ryder BB gun. After asking, begging, and pleading, will he get it? This is more than just an “I want this for Christmas” movie – it deals with bullies, family relationships, and being misunderstood. This classic movie will appeal to kids and adults alike who will sympathize with Ralphie – and his parents who are afraid he’ll shoot his eye out!! The magic of Christmas comes in a funny, irreverent, and heart-warming package! I would say it’s fine for all ages! — But I leave this up to your discretion.
#1 It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
My favorite Christmas movie of all time!! The story is simple, but told in such a pointiest way! We can all use a little reminder that God has a plan for our lives, and how one life truly does affect so many others. George Bailey (played superbly by James Stewart) grows up in the small town of Bedford Falls, dreaming dreams of adventure and travel, but circumstances conspire to keep him enslaved to his home turf. Frustrated by his life, and haunted by an impending scandal, George prepares to commit suicide on Christmas Eve. An angel arrives to show him a vision: what the world would have been like if George had never been born.
“Puppets give key Bible lessons” – A Review
March 8, 20105 CommentsHere’s a great review from Marketta Gregory at the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle. Thanks, Marketta, for capturing the heart of What’s in the Bible? so well!
PUPPETS GIVE KEY BIBLE LESSONS
I’ve heard many feisty sermons — the kind that step on toes and challenge even good, moral people to improve. Those are the sermons you remember years later.
Sometimes those sermons are delivered by clergy. Sometimes by a frail grandmother who refuses to complain. Or, in my case, by a kids’ show.
The guy who created VeggieTales, Phil Vischer, just came out with a new DVD series this month called What’s in the Bible (Tyndale, $14.99). Even though everyone loves his singing vegetables with their great lessons, Vischer wanted to provide more context — more of the big picture — for kids and the adults they hang out with.
“Through Sunday School and kids’ videos like VeggieTales, kids get snapshots from the Bible. Moses. Noah. Jesus. They’re like pictures in a photo album,” Vischer told me. “What we’re missing is the ‘connective tissue.’ What does Jesus have to do with Moses? What does any of this have to do with Adam and Eve? How do all these stories fit together to tell one story, and how does that one story explain our world today?”
I kept that in mind as I watched the first video. I thought my 11-year-old was going to roll off the couch laughing at some of the clever jokes and silly songs. But I was busy thinking of something else: the realization that I have never read the Bible cover to cover.
I’ve tried to read it straight through several times, and I know I’m not alone — even local places like Browncroft Community Church in Penfield have huge initiatives to get people reading more. But this is one time I don’t feel comfort in numbers.
I’ve done lots of devotionals and Bible studies that are based on one book or one theme. I’ve jotted notes as ministers read from the pulpit. I’ve even considered myself pretty knowledgeable about the Bible, when in reality, I’ve only read the CliffsNotes. And I haven’t even read those in order.
I’d never open up another bestseller and start reading in the middle and then jump back to the second chapter. That would make it almost impossible to follow the plot. Yet I do that all the time to a book that’s central to my faith. And it took some puppets to teach me that.
Thank God for challenging sermons, no matter how they are delivered.
A Few Friendly Reviews
February 15, 20104 CommentsWhat a great weekend we had!
Our team spent Friday out in Colorado Springs and Denver meeting with some people who are VERY EXCITED about What’s in the Bible? and hopefully we’ll be able to announce some things soon. Let’s just say that important people are catching the vision for our series, and we truly believe that it will make an impact on the Church and the next generation.
While we were gone, we had several people review our DVDs on their respective blogs. Here is what some of them had to say …
“What the What’s in the Bible videos do is teach children about the word of God- literally from cover to cover. I can tell already that they’re not planning to take the easy route. In the first two videos, they took on issues like ‘Why does the Catholic Bible have more books?’ and ‘Was the world created in 7 literal days?’- I have to admit I held my breath, just waiting to see HOW IN THE WORLD they were going to do it. The answers were perfectly, beautifully, excellently addressed, focusing not on the details of the stories but the Author of them. I found myself smiling, nodding, and WAIT FOR IT…. learning! (…) If you have elementary- aged children, you can’t afford not to add these videos to your library. This is not a paid endorsement… but it is an endorsement by a girl who, after 19 years of studying, teaching, and ministering to kids thinks these DVDs are pretty much the the coolest thing she’s seen in a really long time.”
“I’m here to tell you that Vischer’s newest show is AMAZING! What’s In The Bible tackles the mission that is long overdue: to create a kid’s video series to really take children through the Bible. All of it. Not just Genesis, Exodus, and then Jesus. Everything. … The best way I can describe it would be a Christian version of The Muppet Show.”
Children’s Ministry and Culture
“The goal of these videos is to help kids understand the structure of the Bible, its overarching message, and to give kids a comfort level that will let them dive in on their own. I watched the disc with my kindergarten and fifth-grade boys. In spite of their age differences, they were both hooked on it. (…) I loved the diversity of the puppets. There’s a priest in a collar, a doughty Sunday School teacher, and an African American preacher. Much attention went into making sure these videos would appeal to children in a variety of cultures and faith traditions.”
A Great Review!
February 4, 20105 CommentsWe just received a great review from Kelsey Shade at CBA Retailers+Resources, the Christian Bookseller Association‘s official magazine. Since it is a trade-only publication, we thought we’d share her review with you here!
“From Phil Vischer, the man who made vegetables talk (and sing and dance and tell Bible stories), comes an engaging new series that walks kids through the entire Bible. What’s in the Bible? springs from Vischer’s passion to reverse the trend of biblical illiteracy in the church. Unlike previous efforts to retell Bible stories, this 13-part DVD series explains the Bible – from Genesis to Revelation – in a format that’s humorous and entertaining for children and adults alike.
In the Beginning and Let My People Go! – the first two volumes in the series respectively – will release in March from Jellyfish Labs and Tyndale Kids, and retail for $14.99 each. In the Beginning introduces Buck Denver and his friends as they share how the first 11 chapters of Genesis set up the rest of the Bible – and all of life. In Let My People Go! Buck Denver and friends travel through the stories of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses to show children that they can always count on God and trust in His promises. The entertaining cast of characters explains what’s in the Bible, how it’s organized, who wrote it, and what it’s all about; Vischer accomplishes this by using an engaging format and a mix of animation, puppets, live action, and music.
The first episode in this series is entertaining, but a few of the characters don’t seem fully developed. Fortunately, the rest more than make up for that. Vischer does an amazing job combining different media and modes of entertainment to provide knowledge on a topic we all think we know but could always learn more about. What’s in the Bible? may be a little over the heads of very young children, but it’s a great teaching tool for kids to learn some important information. It’s also enjoyable, entertaining, and educational for adults.”
Thanks, Kelsey!
