Christmas

The Hogfather

Based on a fantasy novel by Terry Pratchett, The Hogfather is an extraordinary satire-adventure set in the mythical realm of Discworld, a kind of parallel-universe version of Earth. Discworld's alternative to Santa Claus is the Hogfather, who also chases around in a sled delivering gifts to children (on a Christmas-like night known as Hogwatch), but who looks like, well, a wild hog and is pulled through the skies not by reindeer but a bunch of grunting porkers with long, dangerous teeth. Just as the Hogfather is about to complete his annual mission to leave toys for kids under their Hogwatch trees, a specter makes a deal with a professional assassin to kill the jolly old fellow. The job is farmed out to a psychotic monster named Teatime (Marc Warren), who sets about trying to get to the Hogfather through, of all things, the Tooth Fairy. While danger stalks these immortal characters, Death (Ian Richardson) himself takes the Hogfather's place on his magical rounds, with comic consequences. Meanwhile, a governess named Susan (Michelle Dockery), possessor of a strange secret and awesome powers, determines that the Hogfather is in danger. She sets about trying to find him and discovers Teatime's plot, while a cluster of clumsy wizards (led by Joss Ackland) try to make sense of what has happened and what they can do about it. It's hard to explain the charm and wit of The Hogfather, which is full of quirky, ironic humor, except to say that it's easy to fall in love with this British television special and its dark delights. (Some a bit too dark for younger viewers.) The cast includes a very funny Tony Robinson of Black Adder. --Tom Keogh

Hogfather is the magical menacing wicked and witty family story unlike anything else you could ever imagine. From the imagination of best-selling author Terry Pratchett comes Hogfather. It s the holiday of Hogswatch the night when kids anticipate presents from the beloved Hogfather. But someone wants the Hogfather out of the way. Now it s up to the most unlikely of heroes to get the holiday back on track. Just in time for the Easter season Hogfather is a cross between Chronicles of Narnia and Harry Potter that s sure to be a family favorite you ll be watching for years and years to come. System Requirements:Run Time: 189 minutesFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: CHILDREN/FAMILY UPC: 796019806046 Manufacturer No: 80604

The Nightmare Before Christmas (Special Edition)

For those who never thought Disney would release a film in which Santa Claus is kidnapped and tortured, well, here it is! The full title is Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas, which should give you an idea of the tone of this stop-action animated musical/fantasy/horror/comedy. It is based on characters created by Burton, the former Disney animator best known as the director of Pee-wee's Big Adventure, Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, and the first two Batman movies. His benignly scary-funny sensibility dominates the story of Halloweentown resident Jack Skellington (voice by Danny Elfman, who also wrote the songs), who stumbles on a bizarre and fascinating alternative universe called ... Christmastown! Directed by Henry Selick (who later made the delightful James and the Giant Peach), this PG-rated picture has a reassuringly light touch. As Roger Ebert noted in his review, "some of the Halloween creatures might be a tad scary for smaller children, but this is the kind of movie older kids will eat up; it has the kind of offbeat, subversive energy that tells them wonderful things are likely to happen." --Jim Emerson

Enter an extraordinary world filled with magic and wonder -- where every holiday has its own special land ... and imaginative, one-of-a-kind characters! THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS tells the heartfelt tale of Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, and all things that go bump in the night. Bored with the same old tricks and treats, he yearns for something more, and soon stumbles upon the glorious magic of Christmas Town! Jack decides to bring this joyful holiday back to Halloween Town. But as his dream to fill Santa's shoes unravels, it's up to Sally, the rag doll who loves him, to stitch things back together. This critically acclaimed movie milestone captured the heart and imagination of audiences everywhere with its Academy Award(R)-nominated stop-motion effects, engaging Grammy(R)-nominated music, and the genius of Tim Burton (BATMAN, PLANET OF THE APES). THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHIRSTMAS -- a delightful treat the whole family will enjoy!

Home Alone

Now and forever a favorite among kids, this 1990 comedy written by John Hughes (The Breakfast Club) and directed by Chris Columbus (Mrs. Doubtfire) ushered Macaulay Culkin onto the screen as a troubled 8-year-old who doesn't comfortably mesh with his large family. He's forced to grow a little after being accidentally left behind when his folks and siblings fly off to Paris. A good-looking boy, Culkin lights up the screen during several funny sequences, the most famous of which finds him screaming for joy when he realizes he's unsupervised in his own house. A bit wooden with dialogue, the then-little star's voice could grate on the nerves (especially in long, wise-child passages of pure bromide), but he unquestionably carries the film. Billie Bird and John Candy show up as two of the interesting strangers Culkin's character meets. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern are entertainingly cartoonish as thieves, but the ensuing violence once the little hero decides to keep them out of his house is over-the-top. --Tom Keogh

Eight-year-old Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) has become the man of the house, overnight! Accidentally left behind when his family rushes off on a Christmas vacation, Kevin gets busy decorating the house for the holidays. But he's not decking the halls with tinsel and holly. Two bumbling burglars are trying to break in, and Kevin's rigging a bewildering battery of booby traps to welcome them!

25th Birthday Musical Celebration

Sesame Street celebrates its 25th anniversary. Features many old favorites, both songs and friends.
Genre: Children's Video
Rating: NR
Release Date: 31-AUG-1999
Media Type: DVD

Yes, Virginia, there was a Sesame Street before the Age of Elmo. This 1993 collection highlights the role of music in the long-running series from Children's Television Workshop, and reminds us that such Jim Henson creations as Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, and Ernie and Bert were once part of a true ensemble of Muppet superstars. Nothing against Elmo, of course: kids adore him and he makes enough appearances in this anthology (including the show-stopping "Happy Tappin' with Elmo") to keep today's tykes happy. Also included is Ernie's classic "Rubber Duckie" (really, who doesn't know the words to that?), Oscar's anthemic "I Love Trash," you-know-who's "C Is for Cookie," and Big Bird's Big Finale, a rendition of "Sing" that includes the entire cast. There are 27 tunes in all, and they don't all involve singing puppets: Ladysmith Black Mambazo turns up for one track, and the "Sesame Street Jam Session" includes some actual playing of instruments. --Tom Keogh

Angels in the Outfield

This effects-heavy, 1994 remake of the 1951 film starring Janet Leigh and Keenan Wynn is all computer-generated pizzazz, with none of the charm or imagination of the original. Aimed squarely at children this time, the story focuses on a boy who gets some divine intervention on behalf of his favorite ball club. Christopher Lloyd plays the head angel, and Danny Glover is good as the team's manager, but the real star of the film--for better or worse--is the software that makes a glowing, celestial presence on the field seem real. --Tom Keogh

Catch the movie that flew over the fence and into the hearts of millions of cheering fans! It's Disney's ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD, the feel-good film of the year about a young boy praying for a father -- and a struggling baseball team praying for a pennant. Danny Glover plays George Knox, the frustrated coach of the California Angels, a ragtag team of major-league misfits who are down on their luck. But things begin to look up when 11-year-old Roger, their biggest fan, starts giving Knox some winning tips from a real live angel named Al (Christopher Lloyd). The team miraculously climbs back into the pennant race ... all the while learning to believe in themselves. With its heavenly mix of outrageous comedy, dazzling special effects, and amazing baseball action, Disney's ANGELS IN THE OUTFIELD is an entertainment home run for the whole family!

The Magic School Bus - Holiday Special

Kids learn about the world around them and how to care for it in this trio of engaging adventures based on Joanna Cole's bestselling books. In the title story, Miss Frizzle's class gets a clever tutorial on the wonders of recycling when Wanda makes a regrettable wish to abolish it forever. Faster than you can say "tin can," the Friz whisks her students into the future to discover the perils of a world without recycling. Dolly Parton lends her voice in a guest appearance while several holiday tunes add seasonal mirth. In the other episodes, Phoebe and friends receive a hands-on lesson about the extreme conditions of the desert and how native plants and animals not only survive, but flourish. Then, it's on to the rainforest as the students celebrate Earth Day uncovering the interdependent relationships of cocoa trees, midge flies, and mud wallows. An informative Q&A session follows each 30-minute story to reinforce concepts and clarify fact from fiction. The series never wanes in quality and creativity and remains exemplary edutainment for ages 6 and older. --Lynn Gibson

In HOLIDAY SPECIAL, it's the last day of school before the winter holidays and Wanda plans to see the Nutcracker ballet. But during a trip to Murph's (Dolly Parton) recycling plant, the toy soldier she needs to get into the theater accidently becomes a plastic pellet! The DVD includes two additional magical adventures to celebrate the season: In ALL DRIED UP, the always-caring Phoebe goes on a crusade to save the animals and plants of the desert -- and discovers how well they take care of themselves! In IN THE RAINFOREST, it's Earth Day and the kids discover how cocoa pods, mud puddles, and bugs all play a part in the wondrous web of life.

DVD Features:
DVD ROM Features
Other:Take a field trip interactive adventureThe Magic School Bus Trailer

Caillou's Holiday Movie

Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas with Caillou and his family. Caillou receives a special advent calendar from his parents to count down the days until Christmas, and each night Caillou and his parents open a flap to discover a new picture of a holiday celebration somewhere in the world. As the family talks about different Christmas traditions, Caillou learns that a young boy in Germany started the tradition of the Christmas tree, that English school children made the first Christmas cards, and that Christmas stockings (and shoes) figure prominently in holiday celebrations in France and Hungary. He also learns about Hanukkah and the lighting of the Menorah from his friend Leo. As Caillou and his family enjoy their own holiday traditions, they discover the universal importance of giving and sharing. Music, including eight original songs, abounds in this 73-minute program. Unlike more typical Caillou episodes, there are no animated segments focusing on the interactions between Teddy, Rexi, and Gilbert in this presentation nor does Caillou find much to whine about in this festive season. DVD extras include an interview with Caillou, a holiday sing-along, and six challenges. (Ages 2 to 6) --Tami Horiuchi

Caillou's First Full-Length Animated Movie! When winter comes to Caillou's house, this curious 4-year-old tackles all kinds of big boy activities like helping Daddy shovel snow, making holiday presents for his family and even discovering the traditions of other little boys and girls around the world! And when Caillou learns about the spirit of the holidays, your little one will follow right along! Kids love Caillou for his real-world perspective on the life of a preschooler. Moms love Caillou for being a friend with whom their children can identify. Filled with the excitement and anticipation of holiday happenings, kids of all ages will love celebrating the season with Caillou! More than 90 minutes of frosty fun and eight all-new songs, too!

DVD Features:
Challenges:Six Caillou challenges
Interviews:Animated interview with Caillou
Other:Two holiday songs; 'Twas the Night Before Christmas story

Home Alone 2 - Lost in New York

This somewhat unpleasant 1992 sequel to the blockbuster Home Alone revisits the first film's gimmick by stranding Macaulay Culkin's character in New York City while his family ends up somewhere else. Again, the little guy meets up with colorful people on the margins of society (including a pigeon woman played by Brenda Fricker) and again he gets into a prop-heavy battle with Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern. The latter sequence is even worse than the first film in terms of violence inflicted on the two villains (director Chris Columbus, who also made the first film, can't seem to emphasize the slapstick over the graphic effects of the fight). The best running joke finds a concierge (Tim Curry) at the swank hotel where Culkin is staying trying and failing to prove that the boy is on his own. --Tom Keogh

Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) is back! But this time he's in New York City with enough cash and credit cards to turn the Big Apple into his own playground! But Kevin won't be alone for long. The notorious Wet Bandits, Harry and Marv (Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern), still smarting from their last encounter with Kevin, are bound for New York too, plotting a huge holiday heist. Kevin's ready to welcome them with a battery of booby traps the bumbling bandits will never forget!

A Holiday for Love

Warm holiday drama in which an executive forced to cut the jobs of many people working at a small-town tractor factory gets a big surprise when he's mistaken as the savior of the local economy. Melissa Gilbert, Tim Matheson, Travis Tritt, Michelle Trachtenberg star. AKA: "Christmas in My Hometown." Standard (Full Screen); Soundtrack: English.

The Homecoming: A Christmas Story

No Description Available.
Genre: Feature Film Family
Rating: PG
Release Date: 23-SEP-2003
Media Type: DVD

A true television classic, The Homecoming was the second movie (after 1963's Spencer's Mountain) based on Earl Hamner's autobiographical writings about love, pride, faith, and survival in rural America during the Great Depression. The Homecoming introduced the Walton family, a 1930s mountain clan living a hardscrabble existence that forces patriarch John Walton (Andrew Duggan) to seek work, far from home, in the city. When John fails to return home, as promised, on Christmas Eve, his iron-willed wife Olivia (Patricia Neal) keeps a lid on their children's worry. Oldest son John-Boy (Richard Thomas), who privately dreams of becoming a writer but worries about disappointing his parents, is dispatched to find his dad. Graceful yet harder-edged than the subsequent TV series The Waltons (which recast several characters and ran for nine years), The Homecoming reveals, albeit understatedly, much about the pain of poverty even as the family draws strength and closeness through endurance. --Tom Keogh