BURBANK, Calif., February 21, 2012 – Legendary Academy Award®-winning motion picture director/producer Steven Spielberg presents the critically acclaimed and multi Academy Award®-nominated epic adventure “War Horse” on Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital and On-Demand, April 3. This newest home entertainment release not only enthralls viewers once again with its visually stunning and emotionally heartwarming story on the Blu-ray, but also offers an unprecedented look into the making of the film by Spielberg himself.

The extraordinary journey of courage and friendship as seen through the eyes of one unforgettable horse named Joey and his miraculous journey to find his way back home, “War Horse” is a must own contemporary classic for everyone’s home entertainment collection. Spielberg’s renowned creative passion and artistry not only shine throughout the film but are also evident in all the fascinating bonus features included exclusively on the Blu-ray disc.

The premium 4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack in particular allows viewers to explore the filmmaking process and storytelling adventure though a special 60 minute documentary (named “A Filmmaking Journey”), created by Spielberg, that offers a never-before-seen inside look into the making of “War Horse.” Additional bonus features include a behind the scenes look at Spielberg’s Award-Winning “Dream Team” – the film’s scoring session with five-time Oscar-winning composer John Williams, the editing room with three-time Academy Award winning film editor Michael Kahn, the sound room with seven time Oscar-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom, and a look through Producer Kathleen Kennedy‘s lens as she shares photos she took during the filming and recounts her discovery of “War Horse.”

“War Horse,” which received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Art Direction, Best Sound Editing and Best Sound Mixing, will be available to own and for in-home viewing as follows:

4-Disc Combo Pack (2-Disc Blu-ray + 1 Disc DVD + Digital Copy)
Includes:

• A Filmmaking Journey – Academy Award®-winning Director/Producer Steven Spielberg provides a unique and unprecedented look into the making and filming of “War Horse.”
• Editing & Scoring – Multi-Oscar® winners Michael Kahn (film editor) and John Williams (composer) discuss specific aspects of editing the film and composing music for “War Horse,” as well as the secret to their long and successful collaborations with Steven Spielberg.
• The Sounds of “War Horse” – Seven-time Academy Award®-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom takes us through the sophisticated sound design he created for “War Horse.”
• Through The Producer’s Lens – Producer Kathleen Kennedy shares the photos she took during filming and recounts how she discovered the source material, as well as her appreciation of Steven Spielberg’s vision, the team that sounds him, and why “War Horse” appealed to her.
• “War Horse”: The Look – Director/Producer Steven Spielberg introduces us to his creative team of production designer Rick Carter, costume designer Joanna Johnston and director of photography JanuszKaminski, who discuss what it took to design the look for the film.
• An Extra’s Point of View – Film extra Martin Dew explains how and why he was brought in––along with a hundred other men––to be featured alternately as both German and British soldiers. A Filmmaking Journey – Academy Award®-winning Director/Producer Steven Spielberg provides a unique and unprecedented look into the making and filming of “War Horse.”
• Editing & Scoring – Multi-Oscar® winners Michael Kahn (film editor) and John Williams (composer) discuss specific aspects of editing the film and composing music for “War Horse,” as well as the secret to their long and successful collaborations with Steven Spielberg.
• The Sounds of “War Horse” – Seven-time Academy Award®-winning sound designer Gary Rydstrom takes us through the sophisticated sound design he created for “War Horse.”
• Through The Producer’s Lens – Producer Kathleen Kennedy shares the photos she took during filming and recounts how she discovered the source material, as well as her appreciation of Steven Spielberg’s vision, the team that sounds him, and why “War Horse” appealed to her.

2-Disc Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD)
Includes:

• “War Horse”: The Journey Home
• An Extra’s Point of View

1-Disc DVD
Includes:

• “War Horse”: The Look

Digital
Includes:

• “War Horse”: The Look
• An Extra’s Point of View

On-Demand

• Does not include bonus features

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:
Street Date: April 3, 2012
Release Formats & Suggested Retail Pricing:
4-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack = $45.99U.S./$52.99 Canada
2-Disc DVD Combo Pack = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
1Disc DVD = $29.99U.S./$35.99Canada
High Definition Digital =$39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada
Standard Definition Digital =$ 29.99U.S./$ 35.99Canada
On-Demand =Please check with your television provider or favorite digital retailer for pricing
Feature Run Time: 146 minutes
Ratings: U.S.: PG-13/Canada: PG (Bonus material is not rated)
Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray: 2.40:1 / DVD:2.40:1
Audio: Blu-ray: 7.1 DTS HD-MA; 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital / DVD: 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby

Social Media:
Stay connected with the latest news and information on DreamWorks Pictures’ “War Horse.”

• “Like” Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/WarHorseMovie
• Follow us on Twitter at @WarHorseMovie
• View videos at www.YouTube.com/WarHorseMovie

Film Synopsis

“War Horse,” the Academy Award®-nominated Best Picture, is a story of incredible friendship, loyalty, courage, hope and tenacity. Based on the Tony Award®-winning play, and set against the sweeping canvas of World War I, this deeply heartfelt tale begins with the remarkable friendship between a feisty colt named Joey and his young trainer Albert (Jeremy Irvine). When they’re forced apart by war, the film follows Joey’s extraordinary journey as he changes and inspires the lives of everyone he meets. No matter where they go or what they experience both boy and horse keep forging ahead, driven by devotion and the hope of returning home. Filled with spectacularly rich visuals, “War Horse” is one of the most powerful and moving stories of friendship and love ever filmed.

About DreamWorks Studios:

DreamWorks Studios is a motion picture company formed in 2009 and led by Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider in partnership with The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The company recently released “The Help,” which has been nominated for 4 Academy Awards® including Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Upcoming releases include Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln.” DreamWorks Studios can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DreamWorksStudios and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dwstudios.
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Marley’s back, this time with an invitation to the lawn screening of The Puppy Years premiere!

If you live in or near Los Angeles, consider joining Marley and friends for the ultimate puppy championship and the live outdoor screening on Saturday, August 13th!

Enjoy a dog-day afternoon of FREE Fido festivities including a rescue dog fashion show, a zoom room puppy agility contest, a doggie spaw, VIP gift bag raffles, and lots more. HOsted by KIIS FM’s “Manny on the Streets” the day is sure to be tons of fun for you and your four-legged friend. The finale?! Walk down the red carpet with your pooch for the Premiere Lawn screening of Marley & Me: The Puppy Years.

Saturday, August 13
From 2:00pm to 6:00pm
Free outdoor lawn screening at 7:30pm

The Grove
189 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Event Location: The Park

Marley Is Back For More Tail-Wagging Fun
In An All-New Family Adventure

Hear Marley Speak for the First Time in
MARLEY & ME: THE PUPPY YEARS
Arriving On Blu-ray and DVD August 16
Exclusively at Walmart, Sam’s Club® and Walmart.com

Los Angeles, CA (July 15, 2011) – One loveable canine goes on a magical new adventure for the entire family in MARLEY & ME: THE PUPPY YEARS, cuddling up on Blu-ray and DVD August 16 from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. Filmed on location in beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia by acclaimed director Michael Damian (Flicka 2, Moondance Alexander), this touching side story to the original $240 million global box office smash Marley & Me introduces us to Marley as the lovable pint sized pup.

Fall into puppy love with “the world’s worst dog,” who now has a frisky voice and an attitude to match. Join Marley for his mischievous puppy years, as he and his summer pal, Bodie Grogan, wreak havoc on a neighborhood dog contest. Marley outwits Dobermans, Shepherds and Collies, while stealing hearts in his own unique and lovable way. Get your paws on MARLEY & ME: THE PUPPY YEARS and fetch big laughs for the whole family!

The MARLEY & ME: THE PUPPY YEARS Blu-ray and DVD is packed with bonus material allowing fans to go behind-the-scenes to see all the animal fun on the set.
Available at 4,000 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations nationwide and in Canada, both the Blu-ray and DVD are now available for pre-order exclusively at Walmart.com.

MARLEY & ME: THE PUPPY YEARS Special Features:

• Marley & Me: The Puppy Years Goes to Training Camp
• Part of the Family
• My Favorite Moments

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC
Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.

The Impossible True Story About A Legendary Sports Champion & Its Owner Releases As A Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD & Movie Download on January 25, 2011

If you haven’t seen Secretariat, the Disney movie based on the novel by William Nack, you might want to consider adding the blu-ray or dvd to your personal library. It’s everything you’d expect from an inspirational Disney film based on a true story. Secretariat, a Walt Disney Pictures film written by Mike Rich and directed by Randall Wallace, was originally released on October 8, 2010.

We received a preview of the blu-ray dvd combo pack and all 3 generations of our family loved it for different reasons. What’s not to love? Diane Lane as Penny Chenery Tweedy, the housewife and mother of four who takes the reins of her family’s stables in Virginia after her mother’s death; John Malkovich as Lucien Laurin, the semi-retired racehorse trainer she talks into helping her ready Big Red for the races; real life jockey Otto Thorwarth as Ron Turcotte, the jockey riding Secretariat on the most memorable day in racing.

They left things out like the lesser known Meadow Stable horse, Riva Ridge, who won the Derby and Belmont the year before Secretariat. And they took liberties with the characters, like dressing John Malkovich in atrociously loud clothing that according to Ron Turcotte wasn’t a true reflection of the real Lucien Laurin’s much more conservative dressing habits. From what we understand, there were several liberties taken with the factual story surrounding Secretariat so while we truly enjoyed the movie, it also inspired us to start reading William Nack’s novel, Secretariat: The Making of a Champion.

We came into the movie with a basic bit of knowledge: the fact that Secretariat won the Triple Crown in 1973 and did so setting some speed records that still stand today.

We adored Diane Lane as Penny Chenery Tweedy. Mother of four, Denver housewife becomes thoroughbred-owning business woman competing in a man’s world and everything that story line entails is a compelling saga of independence in and of itself. But what we loved about Diane Lane is that we sensed a real passion and appreciation of horses. At least it looks that way seeing her interact with the 5 horses that take turns playing Secretariat in the movie.

We love John Malkovich, but didn’t like him very much as Lucien Laurin. Maybe we just couldn’t get past the crazy 70′s pants and hats. Surprisingly enough, we were particularly fond of Nelsan Ellis as Eddie Sweat, Secretariat’s groom. So much so that we decided to learn more about our favorite character from the movie and we think his story would make a great movie, too. So maybe Disney, or some other movie-producing mogul, will take Lawrence Scanlan’s, The Horse God Built: Secretariat, His Groom, Their Legacy and create a movie that’s more focused on the bond between human and horse and less focused on glamorizing the horse racing industry in general.

Nelsan Ellis as Eddie Sweat in Secretariat	Eddie Sweat with Riva Ridge, courtesy of Secretariat.com

From Disney . . .

Based on the remarkable true story, “Secretariat” chronicles the spectacular journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner. Housewife and mother Penny Chenery (Diane Lane) agrees to take over her ailing father’s Virginia-based Meadow Stables, despite her lack of horse-racing knowledge. Against all odds, Chenery – with the help of veteran trainer Lucien Laurin (John Malkovich) – manages to navigate the male-dominated business, ultimately fostering the first Triple Crown winner in 25 years and what may be the greatest racehorse of all time. For more information check out Disney.com/Secretariat, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter.

“Secretariat’s victories have stirred people’s emotions for decades, but with this film, we’ve been swept up again with the incredible story of this horse and its owner, Penny Chenery,” said Rich Ross, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. “In reliving Secretariat’s extraordinary achievements, we can all appreciate Penny’s passion and determination, and the need to support her efforts on behalf of the Secretariat Foundation.”

The film, shot on location in Kentucky and Louisiana, captures a host of fan favorite locales, including Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and First Lady Jane Beshear will attend special advance screening. “The spectacular story of Secretariat is tightly woven into the horse legacy of Kentucky – truly, this film could not have been made anywhere else but here in the horse capital of the world,” said Governor Beshear. “I worked hard to create film credits as part of our new economic development incentives package that will attract movie projects like Secretariat, and our efforts have clearly paid off. I speak for the citizens of the Commonwealth when I say we can’t wait to see Big Red on the big screen.”

The inspirational story about one of the most remarkable feats in sports history, SECRETARIAT, comes to Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-rayTM + DVD), DVD and Movie Download on January 25, 2011 by Walt Disney Studios. This powerful and thrilling journey of the 1973 Triple Crown winner and its owner Penny Chenery, played by Academy Award® and Golden Globe nominee Diane Lane, brings hope, heart and courage to audiences of all ages making SECRETARIAT a perfect film to add to the home library.

The home entertainment debut of the critically acclaimed SECRETARIAT will keep audiences engaged for hours on end with never-before-shared in-depth interviews with Penny Chenery, exclusive behind-the-scenes footage, deleted scenes and more on the story of one of the greatest accomplishments in sports history.

“Secretariat belongs in The Winner’s Circle. It’s one of the Best Family Films of the Year!” said CBS News, and Pete Hammond of Boxoffice Magazine called the film, “A truly exciting, beautifully made movie that makes a run for the heart and will have you standing up and cheering. Secretariat is thrilling and inspiring entertainment for everyone. Diane Lane is wonderful. John Malkovich is terrific. It’s this year’s Blind Side.”

“A remarkable story that lifts our spirits, ‘Secretariat’ is a winner! … and the luminous Diane Lane’s tour de force performance is unforgettable!” writes Jeff Craig of Sixty Second Preview. From the Producers of Miracle, Invincible and The Rookie, SECRETARIAT features critically acclaimed performances by an all-star cast that includes Diane Lane (Unfaithful, Under The Tuscan Sun, Nights in Rodanthe), John Malkovich (Con Air, Burn After Reading, Being John Malkovich), Dylan Walsh (Congo, The Lake House, The Stepfather), James Cromwell (L.A. Confidential, The Green Mile, The Queen), Kevin Connolly (“Entourage,” He Is Just Not Into You, John Q), Nelsan Ellis (True Blood, The Soloist, The Express, Warm Springs), Margo Martindale (Million Dollar Baby, Orphan, Dead Man Walking), Fred Thompson (Die Hard 2, In the Line of Fire, Cape Fear) and AJ Michalka (The Lovely Bones, Cow Belles, Haversham Hall).

Disney presents an astonishing true story bursting with hope, heart and courage. Behind every legend, lies an impossible dream. Witness the spectacular journey of an incredible horse named Secretariat and the moving story of his unlikely owner, a housewife who risked everything to make him a champion. Out of the gate with never-before-seen bonus features, Secretariat is hours of pulse-pounding entertainment for the whole family!

Secretariat DVD Bonus Features:

• Heart Of A Champion – This feature takes a look at one of the most famous thoroughbred horses ever known. Secretariat was a horse with style as well as amazing speed and an unsurpassed racing record. We interview all the key players from the day as well as today’s filmmakers to learn more about the horse affectionately called “Red.”
• Deleted Scenes With Optional Audio Commentary By Director Randall Wallace
• Director Introduction
• Memories
• Seth Joins The Team
• Too Soon To Celebrate
• Music Video – AJ Michalka “It’s Who You Are”

Additional BLU-RAY Bonus Features:

The same as the DVD, plus…

• Choreographing The Races – This piece looks at how director Randall Wallace and the filmmakers used innovative tools and technology to accurately and excitingly recreate the Triple Crown races that make the viewer feel like they are standing on the backstretch themselves.
• A Director’s Inspiration: A Conversation With The Real Penny Chenery – Director Randall Wallace sits down with Secretariat owner Penny Chenery to review the movie and some of the key scenes. Penny reflects on what it was like to have been a woman in a male dominated sport and to have been part of horse racing’s most exciting moments in history.
• Audio Commentary By Director Randall Wallace – View the film with optional audio commentary from Director Randall Wallace.
• Deleted Scenes With Optional Audio Commentary By Director Randall Wallace – The same deleted scenes as the DVD, plus four more…
• Alternate Opening
• Introduction
• “Are You A Golfer?”
• No Time To Rest
• Secretariat Multi-Angle Simulation – Relive Secretariats triumphant 1973 Preakness race by viewing the race from a number of perspectives as well as listening to commentaries from fans, announcers and even the jockey who rode Secretariat to their record finish.

About The Walt Disney Studios:
For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company (DIS: NYSE) was built. Today, the Studio brings quality movies, music and stage plays to consumers throughout the world. Feature films are released under four banners: Walt Disney Pictures, which includes Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios, Disneynature, Touchstone Pictures and Marvel. Through the Home Entertainment division, innovative distribution methods provide access to creative content across multiple platforms. Original music and motion picture soundtracks are produced under Walt Disney Records and Hollywood Records, while Disney Theatrical Group produces and licenses live events, including Broadway theatrical productions, Disney on Ice and Disney LIVE!. For more information, please visit www.disney.com.

Check out these books . . .
Secretariat: The Making Of A Champion by William Nack – Paperback	The Horse God Built by Lawrence Scanlan – Paperback	The Horse God Built by Lawrence Scanlan – NOOKbook

Here comes Santa Paws! The Search For Santa Paws premiers on Blu-ray & DVD today, November 23^rd. Last year we gave Santa Buddies gift sets to 3 lucky PetsBlogs readers. This year we’re giving away 3 of The Search For Santa Paws Blu-ray + DVD Combo Packs!!

In this prequel to the overwhelmingly popular Santa Buddies from last year, the irresistible talking dogs are back in an all-new holiday movie that’s fun for the whole family. The Search For Santa Paws, also directed by Robert Vince, embraces the Disney classic holiday tradition about the power of giving and the true meaning of Christmas. The big city adventure reveals how the legendary friendship of Santa Claus and Santa Paws began.

Disney’s The Search For Santa Paws comes with fantastic bonus features:

• An interactive Animated Pop-Up Book – ‘Buddies’ puppy star Rosebud reads a holiday story featuring new canine friends from The Search For Santa Paws
• Sing-Along Mode – colorful lyrics added to the film’s song sequences, so audiences can sing along to the film’s fantastic new songs.
• Music Video – tween favorite Debby Ryan (Disney Channel’s Suite Life on Deck) performs a great new arrangement of ‘Deck The Halls.’
• Deleted scenes

In the movie, when Santa and his new best friend, Paws, discover that the boys and girls of the world have lost the spirit of the season, they take a trip to New York City. But after Santa loses his memory, it’s up to Paws, a faithful orphan named Quinn (America’s Got Talent’s Kaitlyn Maher), her new friend Will (The Game Plan’s Madison Pettis) and a wonderful group of magical talking dogs to save St. Nick and show the world what Christmas is really all about.

Do you believe in Santa Paws?
Experiencing this sure-to-be holiday classic, full of fun, adventure and a carrying the timeless messages of the holidays, will surely delight the entire family! And we’d like to send 3 of our readers a Combo Pack – a Blu-ray Disc plus a DVD in a single package.

We start watching holiday movies right after Thanksgiving dinner and we’re looking for more titles to add to our collection.

So, for a chance to win The Search For Santa Paws Combo Pack from us to add to your collection, or give as a gift, just leave a comment below and let us know what your family’s favorite holiday movie is.

* The only rule is that you can’t repeat a movie title that someone else has already suggested! So get your favorite movie entered into the comments below now. We’ll be picking our winners on Tuesday, November 30th!

Suggested retail price: DVD 29.99 SRP (US); Blu-ray $39.99 (US)
For more than 85 years, The Walt Disney Studios has been the foundation on which The Walt Disney Company was built. For more information, please visit www.disney.com.

Our family loves Air Bud movies so we thought we’d mention that the Air Bud World Cup DVD (Special Edition) goes on sale today.

The whole family will get a kick out of the spectacular Special Edition of Disney’s timeless canine adventure AIR BUD: WORLD PUP, including the all-new exclusive bonus, The Buddies’ Sports Channel: Soccer Edition – and including a free limited edition sports bag to continue the fun after the film is done!

The world’s most talented pooch is back in a heartwarming and hilarious sports adventure. When Buddy meets Molly and they have puppies, the hotshot hound is in for an all-new challenge, but the fun is just beginning. This exciting family favorite features Buddy joining his teenage owner Josh on the field in pursuit of the state soccer championship. From the creators of Santa Buddies and Space Buddies, the new AIR BUD: WORLD PUP SPECIAL EDITION will give audiences of all ages something to cheer about!

Movie Clips

First of all, puppies are too adorable:

And Air Bud movies are all about the sports scenes!

DVD Bonus Features:

• All-New: The Buddies Sports Channel: Soccer Edition: Join Rosebud in the broadcasting booth as she
  and the rest of the Buddies, B-Dawg, Mudbud, Buddha and Budderball, review the instant replay on the
  amazing soccer career of their dad, Air Bud. Using on-camera footage and voiceover, the Buddies check
  out highlights from AIR BUD WORLD PUP
• Making Of Air Bud World Pup Production Featurette (from the original release)
• Exclusive In-Pack “Air Bud” Sport Cinch Bag – a cool collectible sports bag, branded with the AIR
  BUD logo, to carry the fun from the family room to the playing field

LOS ANGELES, CA. – The box office smash hit Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel sings and shakes its way to Blu-ray Disc/DVD Combo Pack, “Squeak-Along” double DVD, and DVD Single Disc March 30th from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment. A follow-up to 2007’s Alvin and the Chipmunks, Chipmunk singing sensations Alvin, Simon and Theodore are back for an encore in this hilarious “squeakquel” packed with over an hour more of music. The Squeak-Along bonus content includes new sing-alongs such as Beyonce’s “Single Ladies,” teaches audiences how to dance like the Chipmunks with the “Shake Your Groove Thing” dance instructional video, games and more nutty fun for the whole family!

When a concert mishap lands Dave in the hospital, the Chipmunks take a break from superstardom and enroll in school to fit in with kids their age. But they soon face some stiff competition when they meet the Chipettes — a beautiful, talented trio of chipmunks discovered by Ian, the boys’ evil ex-manager!

From director Betty Thomas (Dr. Dolittle), the heartwarming film stars Golden Globe nominee* Jason Lee (“My Name Is Earl”), Emmy Award winner** David Cross (“Arrested Development”) and Zachary Levi (“Chuck”), and features vocal talent from franchise veterans Justin Long (He’s Just Not That Into You), Matthew Gray Gubler (500 Days of Summer) and actor-pop heartthrob Jesse McCartney (Alvin and the Chipmunks). Newcomers Christina Applegate (“Samantha Who”), Anna Faris (The House Bunny) and Amy Poehler (“Saturday Night Live”) lend their voices to the musically talented Chipettes as Brittany, Jeanette and Eleanor, respectively.

The hit soundtrack to the Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel features The Chipmunks and The Chipettes covering some of today’s top hits and classic tracks as well as original songs including “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It),” “Hot N Cold,” “Stayin’ Alive,” and “I Gotta Feeling.” The album is certified gold by the RIAA for sales of over 500,000 and has reached #1 on the Billboard Top Soundtrack chart and #6 on the Billboard Top 200 Album chart.

The Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack includes a high definition Blu-ray version of the film, and all hilarious bonus features from the Squeak-Along Bonus Disc including Sing-Alongs, Chipmunk Adventures, Munk Music Machine, Meet the Chipettes, Meet The Rising Stars, Music Mania, Shake Your Groove Thing, Music Videos, a Live Lookup featurette, and much more. The pack also includes a Digital Copy and a standard DVD, and will be available for the suggested retail price of $39.99 U.S. / $49.99 Canada.

Featuring more entertainment for the whole family, the “Squeak-Along” double DVD pack features an all-new bonus disc with over an hour of added Chipmunks Sing-alongs, music videos, featurettes and much more, and will be sold for the suggested retail price of $34.98 U.S. / $45.98 Canada.

The Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel will also be available in a single disc with two featurettes – Munk Music Machine and Music Mania – for the suggested retail price of $29.98 U.S. / $43.48 Canada.

For more Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel fun go to www.MunkYourself.com now to create your own munk! The website will include many new updates that are sure to make you party like a munk-star, including 2 brand-new games — “Dance to the Beat” and “Munk Mic” — as well as the ability to generate a munked audio-recording of your voice which can be downloaded as a ringtone.

Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack Special Features:
Disc One

• Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Blu-ray
• Munking History: 50 Years of Chipmunk Mischief, Mayhem & Music
• Munk Music Machine
• Meet the Chipettes
• Rockin’ Rising Stars
• Music Mania
• Meet the Stuffies
• Shake Your Groove Thing! with Rosero
• Music Videos & Sing-Alongs “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It),” “We Are Family,” “Shake Your Groove Thing”
• Music Videos: (“You Really Got Me” featuring Honor Society & “The Song” featuring Queensberry)
• A-l-v-i-n-n-n-n!!! Album Maker
• Live Lookup
• Music In A Nutshell: Song Trivia
• The Chipmunks: Behind the Squeaking
• A-NUT-omy of a Scene

Disc Two

• Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel feature film

Disc Three

• Digital Copy

“Squeak-Along” Double DVD
Disc One

• Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel Blu-ray
• Munk Music Machine
• Music Mania

Disc Two

• Munking History : 50 Years of Chipmunk Mischief, Mayhem & Music
• Meet the Chipettes
• Rockin’ Rising Stars
• Chipmunks: Behind the Squeaking
• A-NUT-omy of a Scene
• Meet the Stuffies
• Shake Your Groove Thing! With Rosero
• Music Videos & Sing-Along (“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)”, “We Are Family,” “Shake Your Groove Thing”

Single-Disc DVD Special Features

• Munk Music Machine
• Music Mania Featurette

*2006, 2007: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, (“My Name Is Earl”)
**1993: Outstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Variety or Music Program (“The Ben Stiller Show”)

About Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
A recognized global industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC (TCFHE) is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming on DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) and Digital Copy as well as acquisitions and original productions. The company also releases all products around the globe for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets — from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce – throughout the world. Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment LLC is a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company.

Fans of golden retriever dogs, old and young alike, will find this sequel to Air Bud a charming, if undemanding, movie. Picking up a few years after the original left off, this movie focuses on the Framm family’s young teenager Josh he struggles to cope with his father’s death, and his mother Jackie’s attempts to start dating again, and his lack of confidence in his own athletic ability at a new sport. With the help of his precocious dog, Buddy, Josh is finally able to confront all these issues and experience the thrill of victory.

Set in the quaint town of Fernfield, Washington, the story starts with a reminder of what a great athlete Buddy is, and his passion for basketball. After being told that he cannot accompany the family to a basketball game, Buddy manages to sneak out and ride quietly in the back of the family’s car to the game. He makes his appearance later in the game and ultimately ends up stealing the show by dunking a few shots on behalf of the high school’s team, leading them to victory.

We soon see that Buddy is not only good at sports, but also great at scaring away potential dates for Jackie’s mother (at Josh’s behest). Jason and his friend Tom take Buddy on a routine visit to the vet, where we meet Dr. Sullivan, a new vet in down. Buddy immediately warms up to the new doctor, a pleasant surprise for Josh; trips to the vet were no walk in the park for them with Buddy in the past. This encounter leads to a highly amusing chance meeting between Jackie and the handsome new vet at the docks, and ultimately a date. Unable to deal with their growing closeness, Josh reluctantly decides to join Tom at after-school football practices to avoid seeing Dr. Sullivan and his mother together.

Josh and Tom arrive at their first practice only to be confronted by a laughably awful team run by Coach Fanelli, who believes that football should be about fun, rather than just winning. We soon discover that Josh has a great throwing arm (previously unknown to him) and is accepted on to the team as a second-string quarterback, while Tom joins as a wide receptor. At their first game of the season, which they are losing badly, Buddy once again steals the show, catching the football and scoring a touchdown for the Fernfield Timberwolves. After they win this game, Buddy becomes an integral member of the team, leading them to the state championship.

While things seem to be turning around for Josh at school, he is still greatly displeased by his mother dating Dr. Sullivan, and distressed by the secret he accidentally learns about his football coach. As if that weren’t enough for the teenager, he and Buddy are unknowingly threatened by a pair of Russian animal thieves kidnapping various talented animals to add to their traveling circus. Once they catch sight of Buddy and his basketball talent, they relentlessly pursue him to add to their lineup.

The movie’s cast list does not boast many famous names. It does, however, contain some solid performances by its actors, in particular Kevin Zegers as the troubled but earnest Josh Framm, and Robert Costanzo as the compassionate, voracious eater Coach Fanelli. Like all of the Buddy movies, this movie is G-rated and is certainly geared towards younger children with its ‘Home Alone’-type antics and situations.

However, it has plenty of entertainment for adults, too. The overly zealous Principal Salter who howls sings the national anthem and announces the games, the ‘Boris and Natasha’-like animal thieves Natalya and Popov, and the thoroughly enjoyable cameos by Tim Conway and Dick Martin as the State Football Game announcer and his bumbling cohort, were all reference jokes that would sail over most kids’ heads.

Bottom Line: The young and the young-at-heart will all find something to smile about in this family-friendly movie.

Watch the Air Bud 2 Movie Trailer . . .

The Real Star of Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian

Crystal, the Capuchin monkey who played Dexter in Night at the Museum (2006) is back in the sequel, Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian(2009). The kids and I watched the movie last week and I’m again fielding questions about why we simply cannot have a pet monkey.

It’s not that I wouldn’t love to have a pet monkey, or rather that I don’t understand what it’s like to be a kid infatuated with the idea of having a pet monkey. Look at them, they’re adorable! It’s just that in reality – we don’t have the time, the resources, the space, or the knowledge, to take care of a Capuchin monkey!

If you’re having a similar discussion at your house, you might try pointing out that the Capuchin monkeys live pretty long and it’s likely to be a 30-year commitment (or more). Even better, add 30 years to your child’s age and tell them that they’ll have to take care of the monkey until they’re 41 (in my daughter’s case). That’s a pretty good way to get your point across.

We’ve decided that we’re better off watching Crystal in the movies and envying the actors and actresses and trainers who work with monkeys. We’re particularly fond of laughing at Ben Stiller’s slap fests with Crystal in the first Night at the Museum movie and we weren’t disappointed in Battle of the Smithsonian!

We loved Ben Stiller (Larry Daley, the night guard), Robin Williams (Teddy Roosevelt), and Owen Wilson (Jedediah Smith) in the first movie and they’re all back in Battle of the Smithsonian! We also adored the addition of Amy Adams (brilliant in Enchanted) as Amelia Earhart in this sequel. But we really enjoyed seeing Crystal back in action, along with Squirt – her Capuchin Co-Host – in the film.

We did some research about Capuchin Monkeys and, in particular, about Crystal and we learned quite a bit about her. I thought I’d share what we learned, tell you what our movie-watching plan is for the upcoming holidays, and share some pictures and links – all featuring our favorite little monkey.

What We Learned About Crystal . . .

She’s a 15 1/2 year old Capuchin monkey who lives with her handler and trainer, Tom Gunderson. He’s had her since she was 3 (so for about 13 1/2 years now). He gives her a bath every single day and while he obviously loves Crystal, he wouldn’t recommend owning a Capuchin monkey for a pet because, according to Tom they’re very high maintenance, they’re possessive and can be aggressive and they’re messy and destructive. Wow, sounds a bit like a toddler.

Capuchin monkeys aren’t very clean animals either. Their only sweat glands on on their hands and feet and in the wild they’d wash their hands and feet with their urine!

Tom has spent a lot of time training Crystal, more time than the average person has available to spend on a pet. He spent 2 1/2 months of additional training time with Crystal for her role on Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian. Her favorite food is yogurt, but she eats at least 5 different fruits and 5 different veggies every single day. She also loves nuts and seeds, pistachios are her favorite and she loves cracking walnut shells.

Still thinking you’d like a pet monkey? What if I told you Crystal doesn’t really like being hugged and that she’s a bit uncomfy around big animals like horses.

Our Crystal Movie Project . . .

One of the best things we learned about Crystal is that the Night at the Museum movies aren’t the only movies she’s been in. We’ve seen many of the movies in her repertoire, but we didn’t realize that Crystal was in them – so we’re going to try to go on a Crystal-spotting movie safari over the holidays. Here’s a list of titles we’ll be watching. If you know of any more, please leave us a comment so we can consider adding it to our ‘watch’ list!

• Night at the Museum
• Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian
• Dr. Doolittle 1
• Dr. Doolittle 2
• George of the Jungle
• Shaggy Dog
• 3:10 to Yuma

You can also catch Crystal appearing in:

• American Pie 1
• American Pie 2
• Fun With Dick and Jane
• Terror Tract

We also found out that Crystal will be in the comedy The Zookeeper next fall. What’s not to love about the idea of Kevin James and Crystal in a movie?! The icing on the cake? Adam Sandler will be the voice of Crystal and Sylvester Stallone the voice of a lion. Sweet!

Fun Pics & Clips of Crystal . . .

Mizuo Peck (“Sacajawea”) and Crystal (“Dexter,” “Able”) unveil the all new Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian exhibit with nearly 50 local children who participated in the first ever sleepover at Madame Tussauds in New York to celebrate the December 1st Blu-ray and DVD release from Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment.

Crystal in the green room at Fox and Friends to promote Night at the Museum:Battle of the Smithsonian on Blu-ray and DVD.

Watch the kOL (Kids AOL) coverage of the Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian Movie Premiere!

See Crystal on MyFox NY!

See Crystal the Monkey and her trainer, Tom Gunderson on Pawnation!

See Crystal the monkey chat with KOL!

Great Gift Idea

We received a free preview disc of the Night at the Museum Battle of the Smithsonian movie but went and bought the gift set for our family movie collection.

The limited edition “Monkey Mischief” double DVD boasts a second disc including over 30 minutes of entertainment complimenting the bonus materials featured on the first disc, including cast and crew commentary, six deleted scenes with an alternate ending, a gag reel, and more. The holiday two-pack DVD will be available for the suggested retail price of $34.98 U.S. / $45.98 Canada.