Visit another world with these video and music CDs
Visit another world with these video and music CDs
By Diane Peters
DVD
Dragon Hunters (Phase 4 Films) – In an odd, ancient-looking world with some very unique rules of gravity, we meet Zoe, who lives with her old Uncle Arnold, who’s both blind and mean, and spends her time reading and play-acting about knights. Then there’s Lian-Chu, a big hulk of a guy who’s all brawn, and his sidekick, the not-so-honorable Gwizdo, who’s always trying to make a buck of his pal’s ability to get the better of beasts. The two end up in Lord Arnold’s castle, where he asks them to find the World Gobbler, a massive dragon who half destroys the world every 20 years. They go off to the end of the world to do so, the promise of gold as their reward, and Zoe tags along. Just what this world is called and how long it’s been terrorized by dragons and why Lian-Chu seems Asian, but no one else does, and why, at one point, they seem to be walking on the Great Wall of China; none of it is properly explained. You can’t help but spending the first half of the movie wondering and trying to figure it out. By that point, it’s obvious nothing’s going to be explained, so it’s time to get into the plot: a quest-like tale where the relationships play as big a role as the adventure. And while you’d expect Lian-Chu, voiced by Forest Whitaker, to be the vocal star, really it’s Gwizdo, veteran voice actor Rob Paulsen. He’s not only got about quadruple the number of lines as the big guy (he talks about as much as Wall-E), but his struggles to deal with the even-chattier-than-he-is Zoe makes up a big part of the storyline. At least until the group meets up with the unbelievably massive skeletal dragon World Gobbler. Yes, the climax is quite scary with big teeth and plenty of fire. As well, the often off-colour dialogue from the characters – young Zoe included – really puts this animated film into an older age bracket.
A Plumm Summer (Paramount) – In family-oriented films, reality is hard to do. Fantasy may be popular these days, but there’s nothing like a true story (or at least a story based on one) to get everyone inspired about the magic of life as it actually is. In this tale, set in small town Montana back in 1968, Elliot Plumm is constantly annoyed by his little brother Rocky, who is obsessed with TV puppet Froggy Doo. He’s also not too impressed with his alcoholic father and his own shy ways with the new girl in town. When the puppet is kidnapped for ransom, Elliott starts investigating to appease a very devastated Rocky. The quest brings Elliott and new girl Haley together, and even prevents his family from falling apart. Except for a few lines here and there that seem a tad forced, the sometimes sentimental storyline is handled with grace. I think it’s because the often frustrated Elliott, his very troubled parents and the wide-eyed Rocky feel real. Plus, I totally fell for the beautifully shot scenery. Who knew? Montana seems like a perfectly idyllic place to put on jean shorts and a t-shirt, grab an old bike and hang out for the summer.
AUDIO
Putumayo Kids Presents European Playground (Putumayo) – I’m always amazed at these compilations, which take music from around the world but somehow the tunes always go together. This collection of music for kids from across Europe’s diverse nations sounds surprisingly unified. The songs all have perk and bounce, and all have kid-friendly charm yet never slip into juvenile. Maybe it has something to do with the European tendency to treat kids like little adults, not babies. But it’s why I enjoy such tunes as Tito Troca-Tintas by Portugal’s Buscapólos. The song’s based on a rhyme-heavy poem, and talks about lying and football (two great subjects, for very different reasons), but below the bubbly vocals is some seriously great music, complete with a lilting clarinet solo. There’s some wonderful melodies scattered through the disk, and that’s particularly important when you don’t understand the language being sung. But songs like En Voici, En Voila from France’s Alain Le Lait actually try to teach language – but in a fun way – and young ones will likely pick up some extra words. Oddly, there are two North American songs here. Ise the B’y is from Newfoundland, but it’s sung here by Scottish performer Ian F. Benzie. And Ireland’s Sharon Shannon does a lovely instrumental of the American song Sandy River Belle to end the disk.
CUTLINE: The latest compilation from Putumayo Kids gathers together some lighthearted but seriously good songs from across Europe. You may pick up a little French, German or Dutch as you listen.
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all blend a perky, fun-loving spirit, but the subject matter and melodies treat children — not a surprise, as this is Europe — like small adults, not kids to be babied. I find things work best when the melodies soar above unfamiliar languages, such as in Alba TK. And it helps that TK is about soccer — it’s a rollicking little tune. And while it’s tireseomtto learn too much from music, I like, young French learners can pick up an extra word or two in TK.
songs are perky, bouncy tunes with plenty of playful kid-like spirit, but they also talk to children
CUTLINE: Putumayo is back with 15 songs from across our most populated continent. Plenty of songs to dance to. Plus there’s the added bonus of leraning a bit more French and German as you wiggle.
TV
The Next Star (YTV) — There’s no better time than summer to dream about fame and fortune. So, why not tune in for the second season of The Next Star? It’s the same drill as last year: the six finalists chosen from thousands from the under 15 set are put through weeks of musical fame boot-camp; doing challenges such as media interviews and songwriting. They learn while you and yours can watch and see if you agree with the criticisms of judges Suzie McNeil, Christopher Ward and Steve Cranwell. Or, I suspect much of the audience will just gawk at Degrassi cutie Adamo Ruggiero, who hosts again. The top six will be putting out a disk with Universal, and the winner gets a distribution contract with Universal and studio time; a deal worth $35,000. The show starts on July 17 at 6 pm as part of Big Fun Fridays.
CUTLINE: While the judges of The Next Star get their say in every episode, viewers get to vote for the winner in the live finale for YTV’s second edition of this popular reality talent show for kids.
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