Mommy Brain

(Hannah Montana: The Complete First Season was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of this feature.)

See how it all began for TV’s tween diva when every poppin’ episode of Hannah Montana: The Complete First Season comes to Disney DVD on November 18, 2008! Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment marks the first time all 26 episodes from the first season come together in a special four-disc Collectors Edition featuring commemorative packaging and an exclusive
collectible keepsake. With 17 episodes never before offered on DVD, a behind-the-scenes featurette with Miley Cyrus and much, much more, Hannah Montana: The Complete First Season is this year’s ultimate holiday gift!

Miley Cyrus stars as the fourteen-year-old pop superstar with a double life, joined by Emily Osment, Jason Earles, Billy Ray Cyrus, Mitchell Musso and Moises Arias as her friends and family. At home and school, she’s Miley Stewart, a typical teenager, but when the lights go down and the curtain goes up, she emerges as the glamorous and talented Hannah Montana. Having the “Best of Both Worlds” is a complicated proposition, and keeping her identity under wraps leads Miley and her friends into some
hilarious capers as she tries to balance her normal life with her rock star persona.

The roster of awesome guest stars on Hannah Montana: The Complete First Season includes Corbin Bleu and Ashley Tisdale of “High School Musical,” Cody Linley (Cheaper by the Dozen), and more! Hannah Montana: The Complete First Season will have fans rockin’ with a memorable and hilarious portrait of a very special girl who wants to be “Just Like You.”

(more…)

(Hannah Montana: The DVD Game and High School Musical: The DVD Game were provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of this feature.)

Filled with tons of clips, questions, pictures, sing-alongs, dance routines and more, the High School Musical DVD Game will have fans out of their seats and singing, dancing and acting alongside their favorite stars, including Zac Efron, Vanessa Anne Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Corbin Bleu, Lucas Grabeel and Monique Coleman.

Far more than a trivia game, the High School Musical DVD Game is jam-packed with 11 interactive experiences that allow players to sing along with favorite tunes (including two original High School Musical 3 songs), compete in a dance off by learning new routines with friends, and test their High School Musical knowledge with hundreds of questions about all three movies. Later, they can help the Wildcats slam-dunk their way to the championship or take the Career Finder Quiz.

(more…)

(WhoBob WhatPants? was provided to me by Special Ops Media for the purpose of this feature.)

(more…)

(Alvin & the Chipmunks Classic Holidays was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of this feature and giveaway.)

Alvin & the Chipmunks Classic Holidays came just as the autumn weather was setting in and the kids started asking how many days until Halloween. This DVD gift set includes three Alvin & the Chipmunks DVDs, one for Halloween, one for Thanksgiving, and one for Christmas.

(more…)

(iCarly: Season 1, Volume 1 was provided to me by Special Ops Media for the purpose of this feature.)

Hey there, people of Earth! It’s Carly, Sam and Freddie coming to you with some of the best episodes from Season 1 of iCarly! Revisit favorite iCarly moments and web features like iCrush It, iSpit Takes, random dancing, and more!

Episode list:

1. iPilot
2. iWant More Viewers
3. iHatch Chicks
4. iDream of Dance
5. iLike Jake
6. iWanna Stay with Spencer
7. iNevel
8. iScream on Halloween
9. iSpy a Mean Teacher
10. iWant to Date Freddie
11. iWant a World Record
12. iRue the Day
13. iPromise Not to Tell

Here’s what Natalie thought:

iCarly is a TV show by Nickelodeon about a web show that is really famous called iCarly. Her neighbor, Freddie, and her best friend Samantha, otherwise known as Sam, do the show with her. They do a show once every week and they have a lot of viewers. My favorite episodes are: “iDream of Dance,” “iScream on Halloween,” “iWant a World Record,” and “iPromise Not To Tell.” I really like this show!

iCarly: Season 1, Volume 1 is available now on DVD. DVD special features include “Leave It All To Me” music video, extended & exclusive making of the music video, and behind-the-scenes extras.

(Dinosaur King: The Adventure Begins was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

Step into the action of Dinosaur King! From SEGA and the masterminds behind Pokemon and Yu-Gi-Oh! comes the new hit series that combines the ultimate in exciting 2D and 3D dino-animation.

Join the D-Team - Max, the son of a world-famous paleontologist, and his friends Rex and Zoe - in this prehistoric adventure that begins when they uncover a set of mysterious dinosaur cards and three palm-sized stone tablets that have the power to bring extinct dinosaurs to life! Whoever controls the cards is master of the dinosaurs… With their new power, the three friends are thrust into a quest to collect the lost cards that have been scattered around the world - before they fall into the hands of the evil Alpha Gang! Dinosaur King is your destiny - make your move!

Episodes include:

~ Prehistory in the Making
~ Battle at the Pyramids
~ Tanks a Lot!
~ Bungle in the Jungle
~ Rubble Trouble

First, let me just say that the people who make Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh!, and now, Dinosaur King are geniuses when it comes to creating programs that appeal to boys. Take fantastic creatures - either Pokemon, creatures, or dinosaurs - add in a liberal dose of silly comedy, some exciting battles, and a lot of talk about “destiny,” and you have a show that will appeal to any young boy. While I see Dinosaur King as yet another Pokemon clone, my boys see it s a funny, thrilling show about two of their favorite things: collectible cards and dinosaurs.

Noah’s review: It was very, very fun. It doesn’t have the complete season, but it’s a good show. I think every DVD that you get comes with a Dinosaur King card. 4 and a half stars.

Jonathan’s review: Dinosaur King is a very great show because these dinosaurs come to life from cards. If you deal with this dino-holder, then they slide the card, and the dinosaur comes to life. 5 stars.

Josiah’s review: 5 stars.

Dinosaur King: The Adventure Begins is available now on DVD. The DVD special features include Behind the Roar Triceratops, a Sneak Peak at Dinosaur King from SEGA, and an exclusive Dinosaur King trading card.

(Caillou’s Winter Wonders was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of this feature.)

Growing up is the greatest adventure of all! Join Caillou as he explores everyday life, where ordinary daily events spark his and your child’s imagination. Your child will be inspired by Caillou’s pretend play, and they will join in the role-playing fun where beds become boats, a garden becomes a jungle and Caillou and your child can become anything they can imagine.

In this compilation of 4 Caillou episodes, your child can enjoy Caillou the Snowman, Caillou’s Christmas, It’s Cold Outside, and Winter.

“I’m just a kid of four, each day I grow some more…”

Caillou may only be four, but Josiah, my almost seven-year-old, still enjoys watching Caillou have his adventures and learn about the world around him. Caillou reminds me of two other children’s shows that I especially like because they are gentle: Little Bear and Franklin. In all three of these programs, you have characters simply learning how to interact with others and how to get along in the world. No one is collecting monsters or dinosaurs or robots of any kind in order to battle for supremacy. No one has a hidden identity as a superhero. No one has stupid parents who have no idea that their kid is a genius. Instead, there are happy families, with loving parents, and curious, bright kids experiencing life. What could be better than that?

Caillou’s Winter Wonders will be available on DVD on September 23rd. The DVD special features include interactive games, character bios, parents’ information, and coloring pages.

(Alvin and the Chipmunks: The ALVINNN! Edition was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of this feature.)

It’s Alvin in all of his mischievous glory! This 2-disc compilation of 14 episodes includes Alvin’s most hilarious, action-filled comedy adventures. It’s time for side-splitting laughter with Alvin, whose antics take him from Hawaii to boot camp, ski slopes and more! Though he often has the best of intentions, it is well deserved when Dave yells, “ALVINNN!!!”

Episode listing:

1. The Curse of Lontiki
2. Mr. Fabulous
3. Unidentified Flying Chipmunk
4. A Horse of Course
5. New Improved Simon
6. Snow Job
7. Maids in Japan
8. Every Chipmunk Tells a Story
9. Romancing Miss Stone
10. 3 Alarm Alvin
11. Alvin’s Oldest Fan
12. Chip Off the Old Tooth
13. Whatever Happened to Dave Seville?
14. Cadet’s Regrets

Everything old becomes new again, right? Not only are Strawberry Shortcake and the Care Bears flying off of toy shelves, but Alvin, Simon, and Theodore have made a comeback that would make any aging rockstar green with jealousy. Ever since their live action film was a family favorite last year, old episodes of Alvin and the Chipmunks are finding new life on DVD - and my kids couldn’t be happier. They have enjoyed watching all these episodes and seeing the predicaments those furry-faced youngsters get into.

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The ALVINNN!!! Edition is available on DVD now.

(Brian Regan: The Epitome of Hyperbole was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

Brian Regan is back in this all-new Comedy Central special, The Epitome of Hyperbole. Watch as he exposes the truth behind psychics, discusses the stupidest crimes, and offers his suggestions on how to improve the opera. With his easygoing manner and physical brand of humor, it’s clear why Brian Regan is one of today’s most respected comedians.

We have been huge Brian Regan fans since we first discovered him, shortly after we got married. Ever since we heard his bit on phonics and the one on spelling words aloud over the phone, we were hooked. I don’t know how to describe Regan’s humor - but something about it just clicks with Kevin and I.

I also appreciate the fact that, unlike many comedians, he is clean enough to watch with the kids - who also think he is side-splittingly funny.

To give you an idea of how funny he is, watch this YouTube video. Then this one. Then this one.

Brian Regan: The Epitome of Hyperbole is available on DVD now. The special features include his encore material, and the backstage story.

(Alvin and the Chipmunks Go To the Movies: Daytona Jones and the Pearl of Wisdom was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of this feature.)

In the title episode, dashing hero Daytona Jones (Alvin) sets out to track down the legendary Pearl of Wisdom in the Exotic East. Along the quest, he must battle the sinister Roland Bellyache to win the Pearl and keep it safe forever. Then, in Batmunk, in the dark alleys of the big city lurks the triumphant Caped Crimefighter Batmunk (Simon), who battles the mischievous Jokester played by Alvin! Next, watch out as Alvin is transformed into Robomunk, a super robotic cop who, along with his police partner Brittany, must clean up the city from the nefarious schemes of arch villain Mr. Pinky (Theodore). Will they succeed? It’s a triple bill of heroic proportions.

The boys have really enjoyed watching the Chipmunks take on popular movies - though they have no idea what Robomunk is supposed to be spoofing, they have seen the Indiana Jones movies and they know who Batman is. The Chipmunks are always a hit at our house - whether they’re live-action or animated.

Alvin and The Chipmunks Go To the Movies: Daytona Jones and the Pearl of Wisdom is available now on DVD.

(My Friends Tigger & Pooh and Mickey’s Storybook Surprises were both provided to me by Special Ops Media for the purpose of this feature and giveaway.)

Join Pooh, Tigger, Darby and all your pals from the Hundred Acre Wood for this delightful treat full of fantas-terrific fun!

It’s fall, the time of year filled with surprises, and the gang needs YOU to use your super-sleuthing skills to answer a few tricky questions and solve some spooky-fun mysteries. Can Piglet’s friends help him overcome his fear of thunder and lightning by playing the Flashidy Freeze game? And when a piece of the moon “breaks off,” will Eeyore really take a rocket-ship trip to fix it?! There’s much more excitement in store, so get ready to laugh, play and sing along as you and your friends celebrate the harvest season and proudly proclaim, “This mystery is history!”

Yes, that says “Darby.” Christopher Robin is absent from this installment of the Winnie the Pooh franchise, which I find slightly blasphemous. It didn’t bother my 6-year-old Josiah, though, who enjoyed this DVD very much.

My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Hundred Acre Wood Haunt will be available on DVD on September 2nd. The DVD special features include a special Halloween episode of Handy Manny and the “Super Sleuth Fall Harvest Festival” game.

The only thing more fun than listening to a story is actually being part of it. So just say the magic words, “Meeska Mooska, Mickey Mouse” - and let the enchantment begin!

When Donald Duck turns into a frog after drinking Professor Von Drake’s new potion, only a kiss from Princess Daisy can change him back. But she’s locked away in the Tallest Tower! Will you help Mickey choose the right Mouseketools to rescue Daisy and de-frog Donald? There’s nonstop fun, excitement and new challenges around every corner as you help solve a Goldilocks-style mystery, wake Sleeping Minnie from a hundred-year-nap, outsmart pesky Pete on a race through the woods and more!

Let your imagination soar as you join Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and the whole Clubhouse gang of classic characters as they set off on amazing, music-filled storybook adventures inspired by your favorite fairy tales. No matter what your age, Mickey’s Storybook Surprises will make you believe in Mousekemagic!

We haven’t had time to watch this one yet, but Josiah loves the other Mickey Mouse Clubhouse DVD we have, so I’m sure it will be a hit, too.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: Mickey’s Storybook Surprises will be available on DVD on September 2nd. The DVD special features include the “Tales from Toodles” Game.

Now, the fun part. I have one copy of each of these DVDs to give away to my readers. Here are the specifics:

1. Leave a comment on this post before 11:59 pm PST, Sunday, September 7th.

2. In your comment, please tell me which DVD is your first choice, which is your second choice.

3. On Monday, September 8th, I will use Random.org to generate two random numbers. If both winners prefer the same DVD, the first number chosen will get their first choice.

4. This giveaway is open to readers in the US and Canada only. (I’m paying shipping myself.)

5. Normally I say one comment per reader. However, this time I have a way for you to earn one more chance to win. Click over to my other blog, Books and Movies. Look around and find one book that I’ve reviewed that you would like to read, then come back here and tell me about it. Your comment must include a book that you saw me review at Books and Movies, or it won’t qualify for a second entry. While you’re there, you can also enter to win a copy of the novel Guernica.

Good luck!

(Wayside School: Season One was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

The comically absurd and wacky Wayside School - Season One is available for the first time on DVD in an awesome 2-disc set! It’s 13 way cool episodes filled with hilarious off-the-wall events and foolish shenanigans. Based on Louis Sachar’s bestselling book series, it’s the crazy tales of students of Wayside School, a quirky grammar school that was accidentally built 30 stories high! Join the new kid Todd as he enters a school where cows roam free, class elections are decided by a game of dodgeball, and falling asleep in class is not only okay but encouraged. Wayside School is more than just another classroom comedy - it is a fantastic, defiant romp through the peculiar twists and turns of kid logic.

Way wacky. Way cool. It’s Wayside School!

My kids love Wayside School, and it didn’t take them very long to plough through the episodes in Season One. It’s pretty goofy, but harmless fun.

Noah’s review: Very, very, very funny. My favorite episode is “Our Great Leader” because Principal Kidswatter thinks that the students are planning to kill him. 5 stars.

Jonathan’s review: I thought it was a very good show. My favorite show was “At the Aquarium” because he said, “Paste it, no erasies.” And there’s this girl named Marisia who loves Todd. 5 stars.

Josiah’s review: It was really funny how the other students except Todd thought that a cow was their substitute teacher. My favoritest one was “Kindergarten King” because the kindergarten kids built him a castle. 5 stars.

Wayside School: Season One is available now on DVD.

(The Best of Comedy Central Presents II was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

The Best of Comedy Central Presents is back with an all-new array of your favorite comedians. Watch as they rant about proper concert etiquette, help you discover the true meaning of “time-traveling,” and impersonate some of today’s biggest stars. So, what does this all mean? Probably that you’ll end up spending (wasting?) hours of your precious day on the couch, giggling like a little schoolgirl.

Um.

Yeah. I probably shouldn’t have agreed to review this one. To be honest, I missed the whole “uncensored” portion of the title, or that would have tipped me off. Kevin and I attempted to watch this last night, and I made frequent use of the fast-forward button on the remote.

We used to like watching comedians. It used to be that comedians could be funny without being foul and profane, but apparently that’s not the case anymore. We did enjoy Frank Caliendo, who does spot-on impersonations, but found nothing to like in the other performances.

The Best of Comedy Central Presents II will be available on DVD on August 26th.

(Handy Manny: Manny’s Pet Roundup and Little Einsteins: Flight of the Instrument Fairies were both provided to me by Special Ops Media for the purpose of this feature and giveaway.)

When Handy Manny is on the job, you know everything will get fixed…even when the “job” is helping find lost animals and bringing them home safely!

Throw on your sneakers and get ready to play chase as Manny and his team of talkative tools use creative thinking and special treats to round up the pets of Sheetrock Hills. Crunchy carrots do the trick when bunnies escape from the pet store, bananas may be gophers’ favorite treats, and it turns out birds just love pretzels! And everyone falls in love with a little kitty who needs a good home.

Hop up and join Manny and all the wonderful creatures in the community for fun and furry fix-it adventures!

Handy Manny - Manny’s Pet Roundup is available on DVD on August 5th. It includes six episodes: 1. Blackout on the Block, 2. Squeeze Makes a Promise, 3. Pet Problem, 4. Kitty Sitting, 5. Gopher Help, and 6. Renaldo’s Pretzel Castle. The DVD also includes a game: The A-Maze-ing Pet Roundup.

Hold on tight and let fun take flight, as Rocket transports you through a dazzling rainbow sky on amazing adventures!

Journey to the breathtaking Arctic wilderness where a band of Musical Instrument Fairies “paints” the sky with colorful, shimmering light. But now, the Fairies need your help! So before you can say “Up, periscope!” - Rocket transforms into a submarine and leads Quincy, Annie, June, Leo - and YOU - on a thrilling underwater quest.

And there’s more magic in store as you pat, clap, sing and dance your way to exciting adventures in faraway lands. Whether you’re waltzing at a grand ball in Vienna or helping Rocket foil Big Jet’s latest tricky plan, Flight of the Instrument Fairies is fairy tale-inspired fun that will light up your cihld’s imagination!

Disney Little Einsteins - Flight of the Instrument Fairies is available on DVD on August 5th. The DVD includes four episodes: 1. Flight of the Instrument Fairies, 2. The Puppet Princess, 3. The Glass Slipper Ball, and 4. Little Red Rockethood. The DVD also features a game: Music Mix-Up Game.

Now comes the fun part! I have one copy of each of these DVDs to give away to my readers. Here’s how to enter:

1. Leave a comment on this post before 11:59 pm PST, Sunday, August 10th.

2. In your comment, please tell me which DVD is your first choice, which is your second choice.

3. On Monday, August 11th, I will use Random.org to generate two random numbers. If both winners prefer the same DVD, the first number chosen will get their first choice.

4. This giveaway is open to readers in the US and Canada only. (I’m paying shipping myself.)

5. One comment per person. Duplicate comments will be deleted.

Comment away! If you have a blog, be sure to send your readers over for a chance to win, too.

(Transformers Cybertron: The Ultimate Collection was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

Cybertron, the Transformers’ home planet, is on the brink of destruction as an ominous Black Hole looms. In order to save their world, the Transformers embark upon an intergalactic scavenger hunt across the universe, searching for the lost Cyber Planet Keys. The evil Decepticons, villains unlike any you have seen before, are in a race against the Heroic Autubots to recover these lost Cyber Planet Keys - keys that have the power to unlock the Cybertron planet itself, creating the greatest Transformer the universe has ever seen! The battle will span the galaxy in a race to wield the all powerful Planet Keys and to save their home world of Cybertron from certain doom!

OPTIMUS PRIME and the AUTOBOTS face one of their greatest challenges ever as they battle to save their home planet and the universe itself in TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON: The Ultimate Collection, arriving in a seven-DVD set on July 22, 2008 from Paramount Home Entertainment. This power-packed release features all 52 episodes from the long-running 2005 Cartoon Network series based on the classic program from the ‘80s. TRANSFORMERS CYBERTRON: The Ultimate Collection includes hours of adventures full of intrigue and surprise and is the ultimate gift set for fans of the legendary “robots in disguise”.

Okay, I have to tell you that any day that brings the arrival of 52 episodes of Transformers on DVD ranks up there with Christmas in my boys’ minds. They were so excited, especially since it arrived on the same day as the final disc of the Avatar series. And since I am having major short-timers disease and not wanting to do anything besides get ready to leave on vacation on Sunday, I have had no problem with letting them veg out in front of the TV. Don’t worry, though, every once in a while, the good mommy kicks in, and I send them outside to ride their bikes.

They have only watched a couple episodes of this so far, but they are each giving it two thumbs up.

Transformers Cybertron: The Ultimate Collection is available on DVD now.

(Avatar: The Last Airbender - Book 3 Fire, Vol. 4 was provided to me by Special Ops Media for the purpose of review.)

The kids return to the Fire Nation and prepare for their final confrontation with firelord Ozai, but they discover that the Firelord has plans of his own: he has ordained himself Phoenix King and appointed Princess Azula as the next Firelord.

In the spectacular four-part finale of Avatar Book 3: Fire, Aang fulfills his destiny as the Avatar and confronts the Firelord in the greatest battle of the series.

We have been huge fans of Nickolodeon’s Avatar: The Last Airbender series since we first started watching it on TV. When we got rid of our satellite, we kept up on DVD through Netflix. The kids sat yesterday and watched all six episodes on this final disc yesterday. (I know, I’m a bad mom, but we are on summer break.) I could tell from the cheers and satisfied smiles that they loved the way the series ended.

Don’t tell Noah I told you this, but he was glad Aang got to kiss Katara in the end.

Avatar: The Last Airbender - Book 3 Fire, Vol. 4 will be available on DVD on July 29th. Special features include commentary by creators, cast, and crew.

(Phineas and Ferb: The Fast and the Phineas was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

From the smash-hit Disney Channel Original Series Phineas and Ferb comes 5 hilarious episodes filled with awesome adventures! Plus, get the inside scoop on how Phineas and Ferb was first created and chill out at the amazing Homemade Tree Shade Arcade for some supercool games that will keep you coming back for more fun and laughs!

Nothing’s impossible for Phineas and Ferb! When school’s out for the summer, the stepbrothers plan all kinds of exciting and fantastic adventures for each day of vacation. Soup up Mom’s car and enter the Swampoil 500 Race? No problem! Form a rocking band and become a one-hit wonder? Sure! Rebuild a time machine and bring back a T-Rex? Excellent! Meanwhile, their big sister Candace is going nuts trying to bust them to Mom and Dad, and their pet platypus is leading a double life as “Agnet P,” who is secretly saving the world from Dr. Doofenshmirtz’s evil plots.

If they can imagine it, they can do it - and Phineas and Ferb are gonna do it all!

Phineas and Ferb is an animated series from the Disney Channel, and my boys are hooked. Since we don’t have Disney Channel anymore, this series is completely new to them, and they’ve watched each episode at least twice since the DVD came yesterday. The coolest thing is that Phineas and Ferb use their brains to fuel their adventures, inspiring some homemade adventures from my own kids. Nothing too messy so far.

Noah’s review: I think it’s very funny and every kid will like this. It’s got two adventures in each episode, where his pet platypus is a secret agent and also where Phineas and Ferb build something or do something cool. 5 stars.

Jonathan’s review: At the end there’s a T-Rex chasing after Candace and it’s pretty funny. There’s also a part where they tie a camera to a hungry monkey and Candace started running to try to stop it, but then Candace got beat up. 5 stars.

Josiah’s review: My favorite part is when they tie a camera to Ferb’s head and then Phineas says “Remember, Ferb hasn’t eaten lunch yet” and then Ferb started acting like a monkey. 5 stars.

Phineas and Ferb: The Fast and the Phineas will be released on DVD on July 29th.

(The Wizards of Waverly Place: Wizard School was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

Meet Alex, Justin and Max Russo. They’re just your average, ordinary kids living in New York City, except they’ve got a powerful secret: They’re wizards in training! Turn up the magic with four extraordinary episodes from Wizards of Waverly Place, the smash-hit Disney Channel Original Series. Plus, join cast memebers for a high-flying virtual magic carpet ride to their favorite haunts - including backstage where secrets to the show’s spectacularly cool spells will be revealed!

What would you do if you discovered you had awesome, supernatural powers? New “wizards in training” Alex (Selena Gomez) and her brothers Justin (David Henrie) and Max (Jake T. Austin) love to use magical potions, brews and spells to cut corners on things like homework and chores. And when the kids practice their newfound wizardry skills, things really get tricky - and hilarious! You’ll be spellbound when they adopt a pet dragon, try to learn the ropes at wizard school and attempt to charm their parents into letting them use more magic - all with super-cool, supernatural results!

Okay, The Wizards of Waverly Place: Wizard School is Disney’s attempt to capitalize on all the wizard super-popularity surrounding Harry Potter. They even admit it in a tongue-in-cheek way, when in the first episode Alex tells her brother that with his black robes and glasses, he looks like a certain famous wizard, but she can’t remember the name.

Regardless, my kids are enjoying watching this series, which employs the same scenery-munching, over-acting and comic hijinks that make The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Cory in the House, and Hannah Montana so popular.

Noah’s review: I thought it was really funny. The DVD doesn’t have that many episodes on it, but it’s still cool. 4 and a half stars.

Jonathan’s review: It was the funniest movie I’ve seen in a long time. There was this one part where they can do magic whenever they want and this boy says that brownies are against the law because he put a spell on his mom and dad and if they eat the brownies the spell will be gone. I liked it. 5 stars.

Josiah’s review: I don’t have a favorite part, I like the whole thing. 5 stars.

The Wizards of Waverly Place: Wizard School will be available on DVD on July 29th.

(The Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain was provided to me by Click Communications for the purpose of review.)

The curtain is going up on The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain! Get ready to laugh out loud at four outrageously funny episodes from the hit Disney Channel original series packed with mischief, mayhem and music!

Plus, discover if Dylan and Cole Sprouse are exactly alike in the exlusive “Tin-Tastic” bonus feature, loaded with fun facts and cool trivia about real-life twins, and watch the sidesplitting gag reel featuring hilarious never-before-seen moments from the entire cast!

TV’s funniest identical twins, Zack and Cody (Dylan and Cole Sprouse), and their friends Maddie and London (Ahsley Tisdale and Brenda Song) are feeling the beat - and the results are hilarious! Their school is putting on a production of High School Musical, and total chaos ensues when London beats out Maddie for the role of Sharpay! It looks like Maddie will do all the work and London will get all the glory, but the twins have a plan to reveal the real star of the show.

I’ve talked before about how much the kids like The Suite Life, and since we no longer have Disney Channel, they love it when a new DVD comes out. The Suite Life of Zack and Cody: Lip Synchin’ in the Rain is available now.