Shrek The Third (Full Screen Edition, Dreamworks Animated, Rated PG, $29.98

Shrek is one of those great franchises that kids and parents equally enjoy.  While Shrek the third was not as good as its predecessors, it still packs an entertaining punch.   In this third Shrek Movie, Shrek (Mike Meyers) is sent on a journey with Donkey (Eddie Murphy) and Puss-In-Boots (Antonio Banderas) to find Arthur (Justin Timberlake), the only heir in line for the throne besides himself.  There's a very funny deathbed scene when King Harold (John Cleese) passes away. Just as Shrek sets sail to find Arthur , Fiona (Cameron Diaz) shocks Shrek with the news that she's pregnant. Shrek has some gross baby nightmares that the kids seem to find very funny - which of course include "spitting up."  Arthur (or Artie) is definitely not "King material" and he an Shrek both struggle to find themselves and their self worth.   The antics begin when evil Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) sends Captain Hook (Ian McShane) in pursuit of Shrek.  Fiona and her fellow Princesses get imprisoned as Prince Charming has a plan to become King of Far, Far Away.  Kids of all ages will enjoy this movie, but be warned as usual there's some crude humor.  Our reviewers all gave it a hearty thumbs up.

Mr. Bean's Holiday Universal Studios, Rated G, $29.98

If you want to hear your grandkids laugh out loud this is the movie to buy.  Our reviewers aged 6 and up, laughed and laughed and laughed and have watched this movie again and again.  Their reports were that "Mr. Bean is SOOOO funny!"  Basically,  Mr. Bean (Rowan Atkinson) wins a camcorder and an all-expense-paid vacation to the French Riviera. During his train journey to the South of France mayhem ensues and all the mishaps and coincidences are caught on film.  His crazy antics earn him an entry in the the Cannes Film Festival.  This is a great comedy for the whole family!

Ratatouille Walt Disney/Pixar, Rated G, $29.99

As always Disney and Pixar have served up another great film.  Ratatouille, the story of country rat named Remy whose gift for smell and taste has him marked as the poison detector.  Remy arrives in Paris only to discover that his cooking idol, Auguste Gusteau has died.  While Remy is observing the happenings at the restaurant he spies the new garbage boy mess up the soup.  Hs talent and desire to cook, as well as Gusteau's famous phrase that "anyone can cook" spurs him into action.  It isn't long before Linguini, the garbage boy is the talk of the town.   The movie has great animation, fun music and of course it provides entertainment for both kids and adults.  This movie has been watched again and again and each time it's entertaining.   Click here to read more.

Pixar Animated Short Films: Volume 1, Pixar,

This DVD features the shorts that you sometimes get to see before one of the Pixar films (if your kids/grandkids) don't press fast forward.  These are gems though.  This DVD includes: The Adventures of Andre & Wally B, Luxo Jr., Red's Dream, Tin Toy, Knick Knack, Geri's Game (one of my favorites where a man plays chess against himself with his dentures being the final prize), For the Birds, Mike's New Car, Boundin', Jack-Jack Attack, Mater and the Ghost Light, One Man Band, and Lifted.  Some of them tie in with the movies, like Mike's New Car is Mike from Monster's Inc., and his new car has everything wrong with it.  Mater and the Ghost Light is a mysterious blue light haunts the "Cars" town of Radiator Springs and Jack-Jack Attack is the baby brother in The Incredibles who was thought to have no super powers - and boy are they all wrong!  This is a great DVD is you are fan of Pixar, if you like cartoon creativity at it's best and want some humour that the whole family can enjoy.

Transformers (Two-Disc Special Edition) (2007)
Dreamworks Video, Rated PG-13, $36.99

My husband took my son to see this in the movie theaters and raved about how great it was the minute he got home.  Waiting for this DVD to be released was almost painful for the two men in my house and now that they have their hands on a copy - they won't let it go.  It's been watched at least three times so far, with many more times anticipated for the future.  What makes this movie so great?  Well, to quote my husband - it's just "so damn cool!"  The movie is based on the Transformers animated tv show and the hugely popular toys by Hasbro.  The star is the Mack truck Optimus Prime an Autobots who was sent to Earth to protect the humans from the  Decepticons - yes, automobiles (and planes) that transform into robots.  The story starts out with Sam Witwicky a teenager who finally gets his first car, a slightly beat up Cammaro who is the Autobot "BumbleBee" in disguise.

The movie revolves around the search by both the Autobots and the Decepticons for the all-powerful AllSpark which would grant it's owner the power to rebuild the dying Cybertron (home world of the Transformers) or remake any planet into a new home. Needless to say the Decepticons are the bad guys headed up by the evil robot Megatron.

As scary as this movie might sound, it's actually very funny.  BumbleBee speaks through his radio in the beginning and interjects very funny songs, to spark on the romance between Sam and Megan Fox (his love interest).  Kids definitely seem to miss this and it was probably put in for the 30+'s that grew up during the 80's watching the shows.  There are plenty of parts that will make the younger kids chuckle.

Bottom line is this movie is really worth owning.  I can guarantee that it will be watched again and again in my house.  Of course, it goes without saying that if you purchase the DVD you'd better find some transformers to take along too!  You may also want a bigger TV screen - much to my husbands delight I uttered several times - "we need a bigger TV for this movie!"

Join the Autobot army and have Optimus Prime make the call! Be sure to check out the feature here: http://optimus.transformersmovie.com/

The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones, Volume One - The Early Years, Paramount Home Video, Not Rated $129.99

If you were a fan of Indiana Jones, you'll probably enjoy watching this series of DVD's with your kids. The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles was based on the Indiana Jones series and follows the Indiana Jones character as a young boy to a young man.  These DVD's are similar to the grown up Indiana Jones as he as adventures, learns life lessons, but also meets historical figures.  Another cool feature of these DVD's is the exciting places that it was filmed at including Africa, Ireland, Morocco Greece, India and more!  Although there are some scary parts, they do not come close to what the mature Indiana faces and the movies historical content far outweighs the fear factor!  Although pricey, this DVD set has a lot of bang for it's buck.  There are hours and hours of movie time with each episode feature-length.  This will keep the kids entertained for hours!

The DVD includes: