The Top Ten Cartoons on Netflix Right Now

Are your kids driving you batty with this snowy weather? Can you just not take one more day of winter vacation? Is the TV line up not cutting it today? Well time to fire up your favorite Netflix hub (Xbox, Wii, PS3, computer, tablet, smartphone, Apple TV, etc.--I bet you were wondering just how many ways of getting Netflix I could name!) and entertain your kids with the click of a button!

Head on over to my About.com page to see what I deem to be the current Top Ten best cartoons I found waiting on Netflix right now. Thank me later.

DVD Review: Monsuno

Image courtesy Shout! Factory.

Monsuno is an anime action show that airs on the Nicktoons channel. Until this DVD, I'd never watched it myself, and I have to say, I probably won't after this either (good thing I have a lot of nephews to give DVDs to!). For some reason, this one didn't hook me like Kaijudo did.

Anyhow, head on over to my About.com page to read more about it and find out why it's not my favorite kids action cartoon. However, in doing some research, I was in fact impressed with the game that goes along with the cartoon. No boring cards here! You actually get a cute little core with a mini Monsuno critter inside! Not too shabby for a card game!

Littlest Pet Shop: Character Profiles

Image courtesy The Hub (c).

There are a lot of different pets on The Hub's newest cartoon hit, Littlest Pet Shop. Check out my latest About.com article for some rundowns on the characters, including the pets' hidden talents!

Degrassi: Las Vegas SPECIAL SNEAK PEEK

Image courtesy Teen Nick (c).

I don't normally post about shows on Teen Nick, but I'm a HUGE Degrassi fan myself*, so this one gets an exception. If you've been keeping up this season, you'll already know that drop-out Drew has asked Bianca to marry him, and after the fundraiser for the school, he scored tickets to Vegas to push their wedding up sooner because his mother Audra is not being supportive. Adam, Imogen, and Fiona tag along as the wedding party and planners. Meanwhile, Katie, Marisol, Mo, and Jake are headed to Mexico for Spring Break.

The hour-long "Degrassi: Las Vegas" special will air this Friday, December 14th at 9pm Eastern on Teen Nick channel. (And yes, you'd better believe I have my DVR set for it!) BUT! As a special treat for my readers, you get two very special Sneak Peeks of the episode right here at The TV Mom, thanks to my friends at Teen Nick!





*Disclaimer: Yes, I'm almost thirty and I still watch Degrassi religiously. So sue me. I've been watching it since the mid-90's when Teen Nick was still "The N" and Drake was still Jimmy BEFORE he was shot. Yeah, I'm hardcore.

Disney's Prep and Landing on Blu-Ray

Image courtesy Disney (c).

It's that time of year again. Time for the holidays to barf all over the airwaves! But maybe you're not a Grinch like me and you enjoy that sort of thing. If that's the case, then you'll probably want to snag a copy of Disney's Prep and Landing "Totally Tinsel Collection" on Blu-Ray combo pack, out new this year. It's chock full of Elven goodness!

Check out my full review at the About.com page!

Kaijudo DVD WINNER!

Congratulations to Chrissy G. for winning the Kaijudo DVD! Chrissy, check your email :) For those of you who didn't win, stay tuned to the blog. There *might* be another chance to win coming soon! I'm waiting on a returned email from the publisher :)

There's still time to enter!

Have you entered the Giveaway for the Kaijudo DVD yet? There's still time!

Click HERE to go to the post with the entry form! It's easy and there aren't a lot of hoops to jump through! You can earn up to four entries!

And click HERE to go to the review of the DVD on my About.com page!

Image courtesy Hasbro Studios/Shout! Factory.

DVD Review: Gummibär The Yummy Gummy Search for Santa

Image courtesy Lionsgate.

Chances are, you've seen the "I'm a Gummy Bear" video before online. Or you've heard the song. In fact, your kids might be bugging you with it right now. But never before has Gummi been seen in a full length feature film! Well, now your kids will have the opportunity to bother you all over again with this new Christmas special: The Yummy Gummy Search for Santa.

Check out my full review on the about.com page!

Also, read my interview with one of the creators of Gummi, Jurgen Korduletsch!

Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters DVD Review and Giveaway!

Image courtesy Hasbro Studios/Shout! Factory.

I have never been one for the serial marital arts cartoon series, but I have to say, Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters - Creatures Unleashed has made a believer out of me. I'm actually kind of annoyed with myself that I haven't been watching this all along already! It's REALLY GOOD. No, I mean REALLY.

Check out my full review of the DVD at my About.com page!

This new DVD from Hasbro Studios and Shout! Factory doesn't hit the streets until December 4th, but they were kind enough to send me a copy to give away to one of my lucky readers! Enter easily using the Rafflecopter widget below! Contest ends December 4, 2012.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

It's a SpongeBob Christmas! on DVD

Image courtesy Nickelodeon Studios.

Gasp! A SpongeBob review on The TV Mom blog? I know, right! But honestly, I was pleasantly surprised. And yes, this is coming from a non-SpongeBob-fan like me. This special actually aired on non-cable television (CBS) last week, and is already available to purchase as a DVD, complete with awesome special features.

Check out my full review of the DVD at my About.com page!

First Look: Littlest Pet Shop

Hey TV Mom readers! Sorry it's been so quiet around here. The month of November took a few turns I wasn't expecting. There was a death in my family a few days after my birthday (I was posting on the go for my last entry, unfortunately, which led to some typos that I got raked across the coals by the Brony community for... sorry, DJ-Pon3 is a girl, I know!), and after a week of being two states away from home for the funeral, I came back to have a minor surgical procedure I wasn't planning on. It wasn't a great way to start off my thirtieth year on this planet, for sure. So, with all that said, I finally have some new content for you!

Image courtesy The Hub/Discovery Networks.

In case you've missed it, The Hub premiered their new series, Littlest Pet Shop on November 10th. There are only about three episodes so far, but if you have a little girl, it's worth checking out. TV Boy isn't so enthused with it, honestly, because there is a LOT of pink and adorableness that he isn't entirely on board with... and that's coming from my son, the Brony. He did, however, enjoy the adorable press kit I got that looks like the pet shop and includes a little "elevator" that he can play with... I don't know what it is with this boy and elevators lately, but it attracted him like a moth to the flame.

Check out my full article about Littlest Pet Shop at my About.com page!

Rockin' Out Toon Style!

Image courtesy Daniel Ingram and danielingrammusic.com (c)

I recently got the incredible opportunity to chat to this gentleman, Daniel Ingram. He's written over 100 songs for cartoon shows, and he is the chief composer for the upcoming new series on The Hub, Littlest Petshop, which features lots of big musical numbers. Chances are, if you've never heard his name, you've heard his work. His show music credits include greats like My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Pound Puppies, Chuck the Truck, and Martha Speaks.

Check out my full interview with him here at my about.com page, including a musical interlude of our own!

Also, be sure to tune in to The Hub this Saturday, November 10th at 11am Eastern to see the premiere of Daniel's new musical masterpiece, Littlest Pet Shop. Click here for fun printable party favors from HubWorld.com for the premiere!

Kids Cartoons for Adults

Image courtesy Turner Broadcasting (c).

Think that daytime cartoons are just for kids these days? Think again! There are so many shows out there that have a huge adult following for good reasons. In fact, I'm going to be doing a series of these posts to highlight some of my favorites that might eventually be added to your list too. I'm calling it "Silly Adults, These Shows Are For Kids!", and the first installment is now posted on my about.com page! Check it out!

Happy almost Halloween from the TV Mom

Pony pumpkin perfection! (Image (c)thetvmom.com)

TV Boy is a total Brony. And I'm super proud of it. He chose Rainbow Dash as our pumpkin design this year. Somehow my arthritic hands carved it with minimal error. Here's where I got the template, if you want the fastest pony in Ponyville on your pumpkin this year too.

Happy Halloween!

Phineas and Ferb

Image courtesy Disney (c)

Please tell me you're watching this cartoon.

I honestly don't think I've ever met a parent who said they disliked it in any manner. This show is hilarious. The music is awesome. The characters are witty. There's a platypus who knows karate. You can't beat that!

Here's why you should be watching Phineas and Ferb, with or without your kids. You'll thank me.

Interviews posted!

I finally got the chance to transcribe and post all my latest interviews with the creators of Jake and the Never Land Pirates on my about.com page! These guys were fantastic to talk with and I imagine they're just as fun to work with/for too!

Director Howy Parkins
(c) Disney Studios

Executive Producer Rob LaDuca and Producer/Head Writer Mark Seidenberg
(c) Disney Studios

If you haven't already, please check out my interviews with:

• Director Howy Parkins
• Executive Producer Rob LaDuca
• Producer and Head Writer Mark Seidenberg

Special Thanks go out to Gabby and Tyler at Disney and Click Communications respectively for setting up the interviews for me! It was an incredible opportunity and such an honor to speak with some of Disney's best and brightest!

Jake and the Never Land Pirates: Jake Saves Bucky... New on DVD!

Image courtesy of Disney (c).

Jake and his Never Land Pirate crew have a new full-length adventure out on DVD this week. Those who are fans of the show have probably already seen "Jake Saves Bucky", as it has aired on Disney Junior and Disney already. Now you can own it, and with the cool Digital Copy that is included, you can "grab it and go!" wherever your adventures take you. And don't forget your trusty sword... it's included too!

Check out my review of the DVD at About.com!

I also had the pleasure to speak with some of the creators of the series. Check out my interview with Director Howy Parkins, my interview with Executive Producer Rob LaDuca, and my interview with Producer and Head Writer Mark Seidenberg!

Review: Super Hero Squad Show

Image courtesy The Hub/Discovery Networks.

Is your child riding the high of the flood of Marvel movies in theaters right now? The Hub's Super Hero Squad Show is a great way to help them extend their love of all things super hero, no matter what their age. Check out my full review of the program at About.com!

In case you were wondering...

No. I am so totally NOT a fan of the new NickMom block on Nick Jr. It has effectively ruined our nighttime routine for our little night owl, TV Boy. Time for either a new non-tube (read: can get more than channels with only two digits) television or somehow figuring out how to finagle a DVD player on his TV shelf.

Insert sad TV Mom face here.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: My Initial Thoughts

Image courtesy Nickelodeon (c)

This weekend marks the premiere of the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series on Nickelodeon. As an avid Turtles fan of the '80s and '90s, I was interested to see how Nick would handle the reboot of the series. Past attempts, in my opinion, were not so successful, thanks in part to fans like myself picking apart every little difference. So, what does a diehard TMNT fan think of the new version? Check out my About.com page to read my full review!

Ben 10 Omniverse Gallery

Image courtesy Cartoon Network (c).

Want more than just my basic stock photo of Ben 10 on the new Cartoon Network show Ben 10 Omniverse? Check out this cool new GALLERY I set up over at the about.com page! It's got pages of Ben 10 goodness ripe for the looking!

As a side note, I'm still trying to figure out the gallery tool over there, so be patient if it doesn't work right, or right away for that matter. Thanks a bunch :)

Ben 10 Omniverse Premiere

Image courtesy Cartoon Network (c)

Fans of Ben 10 will rejoice in a new incarnation of the alien fighting cartoon series in Ben 10 Omniverse. It premieres tomorrow morning on Cartoon Network at 9am EST. I got a chance to see the full series premiere a little in advance. Check out my full review at About.com!

Review: Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures

Image courtesy The Hub/Discovery Networks (c)

If there's one thing The Hub is good at, it's rebooting '80s classic cartoons. Strawberry Shortcake is another one of their fantastic do-overs. The title has also been updated to "Strawberry Shortcake's Berry Bitty Adventures". Strawberry and her friends learn about what it means to be a good friend, how to work together to achieve great things, and how to be a good citizen in their city, Berry Bitty City.

Click here to read the review at About.com!

Review: DreamWorks Dragons - Riders of Berk

Image courtesy Cartoon Network (c)

Okay, so I'll admit I only just recently watched the movie How To Train Your Dragon, but I will say that I instantly fell in love with it. The fact that Cartoon Network has just premiered their new series DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk is just icing on my awesome dragon-loving cake. If you liked the movie, you're going to love the new cartoon series.

Check out my full review of the new series at About.com!

Happy September!

Just a quick post today... we've got some serious crazy going on in the TV Family right now, including a visit from the barf fairy for TV Boy. I'm thrilled, of course! I didn't forget about you all!

Coming this month...

*TV Mom finally types up her interviews from Comic Con with Chewbacca and Boba Fett (who is now my favorite Star Wars character because Jeremy Bulloch is just beyond incredibly awesome). There are already some great teaser photos over at the Facebook Page!

*Blasts from your past on DVD (at least, if you were a kid of the late 80's/early 90's).

*Ninjago review! I swear!

*Info on the new DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk cartoon spin-off from How to Train Your Dragon. I just watched the movie for the first time, and I'm in love!

*Something related to The Hub's Super Hero Squad Show, because I've been watching a lot of it lately.

*And, if I can find the time, a quick write up on the new Care Bears: Welcome to Care-a-Lot cartoon.

Look for all of that and possibly more if time allows (and if TV Boy feels better quickly)! Stay tuned!

DVD Review: Tom and Jerry - Tricks & Treats

Image courtesy Warner Home Video Inc.

Just in time for Halloween, Warner Home Video is releasing a collection of both new and classic Tom and Jerry cartoons on this new DVD "Tom and Jerry - Tricks & Treats", available September 4, 2012. This is the perfect alternative to a bucket-load of candy for your little ghoul or goblin!

Check out my full review at About.com!

Review: Robot and Monster

Image courtesy Nickelodeon Studios (c)

This is a fairly new cartoon from Nick, and I have to be honest, I'm in LOVE. Not only is it hilarious, but the animation is gorgeous, and the voice cast is to die for. So, grab yourself a plate of bacon (as it's only fitting, after all!), and head on over to About.com to read my review of this awesome new show!

The Hub's "Dog Days of Summer" event this week!

Image courtesy The Hub Network (c)

With summer winding down and school days upon us, The Hub is throwing a summer blowout party celebrating the best in pooch-themed entertainment all this week, August 20-25.

It kicks off tonight at 8PM ET with The Hub TV Network Premiere of "Hotel For Dogs", and continues every night at 8PM ET with a new Dog-tastic flick: Air Bud 3: World Pup, Scooby-Doo (Hub Premiere), Air Bud 4: Seventh Inning Fetch, and Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (Hub Premiere).

Image courtesy The Hub Network (c)

Then, on Saturday, August 25, from 9-11AM ET, The Hub will feature a Pound Puppies marathon, culminating in a final brand new episode, "The Accidental Pup Star" in which Rebound excitedly sings and dances when her owner, Agatha McLeish (voiced by Betty White), returns home... but it may prove catastrophic when a scouting girl selling cookies catches her on video! Will the Pound Puppies greatest secret--that dogs can talk--be revealed to the whole world via the internet? Tune in to find out!

Image courtesy The Hub Network (c)

Finally, The Hub will announce the winner of it's online "Pup-ularity Contest" with the Happiest Dog in the World, as voted by you the viewers! Check out HubWorld.com for more information (although voting closed yesterday).

By the way, The Hub gets the prize for the coolest method of screener disc delivery I've gotten so far as a reviewer:

Check it out... it came in a film tin! Pretty sweet!

(I love the "Hollywoof" sign in the background. Hilariously adorable. Good work, Hub Network!)

DVD Review: Tiny Toon Adventures - How I Spent My Vacation

Image courtesy Warner Brothers Studios (c)

Remember the '90s? If you do, you probably remember Tiny Toon Adventures. It was a fun cartoon about the next generation of Looney Tunes characters: Buster and Babs Bunny, Plucky Duck, Hampton Pig, Dizzy Devil, etc.

Now if you were a kid or had kids in the '90s, you probably had VHS cassettes of Tiny Toons laying around your house. But, if you're like me, your VCR is long since dead, and you have lots of these cassettes looking for you forlornly from the boxes they occupy in your attic, and you kind of miss all those hours of tape you had of some of your favorites. Well, miss them no more, with the newest release of Tiny Toon Adventures - How I Spent My Vacation from Warner Brothers Studios.

Click here to read my full review of the DVD at About.com!

Cartoons For Kids Who Like Robots

Do you have a tiny robot fan running around your house? Check out my latest About.com list featuring the best cartoons for kids who like robots!

And, coming soon, a review of Nickelodeon's newest cartoon duo: Robot & Monster. I watched it for the first time today and fell in love! It features the voice of none other than Booger from Revenge of the Nerds, and their favorite food is bacon. What's not to like?

Image courtesy Nickelodeon Studios

Doc McStuffins WINNER! *Updated with consolation prize!*

Congratulations go out to..........

Image courtesy Walt Disney Studios (c)

Beth R.!

Thanks to everyone who played in my first giveaway! There weren't as many entries as I was hoping for, but I'm sure those will come with time. Stay tuned for more fun giveaways!

Beth, check your email! :) 

The rest of you who didn't win, I have a fun consolation prize for you and your children! Click below for some fun Doc McStuffins activity sheets that you can print for free!

Team Umizoomi Special: The Umi Games... and my interview with Donovan Patton!

Image courtesy Nickelodeon (c)

With the Olympics winding down, it would seem everyone has Olympic fever. Team Umizoomi and Dora the Explorer have caught it too, and will be airing special sports-themed episodes on Monday, August 13th.

The evening will begin with "Dora's Fantastic Gymnastics Adventure" at 7pm ET/PT, who is competing in a ribbon dancing competition, until Swiper the Fox swipes her new special rainbow ribbon! Will she get it back in time to perform?

Then at 7:30 ET/PT, Team Umizoomi steps up to the plate at the Umi Games. It's the biggest sporting event in Umi City and they must compete against special sports robots to win the Umi Games Trophy. They show us how math is at work in four different sports: Soccer, Basketball, Swimming, and Cycling. Will Milli, Geo, and Bot win the trophy?

I've gotten to see the Team Umizoomi episode, and it's a lot of fun! My favorite is the soccer match!

As part of this special event, I got the chance to chat with none other than Bot himself, Donovan Patton! I had so much fun talking with him about working with Team Umizoomi, his time on Blue's Clues, and more.

Click here to read my full interview with Donovan Patton at About.com!

Doc McStuffins: Friendship is the Best Medicine DVD Giveaway!

Image courtesy Walt Disney Studios (c)

If you're a loyal reader, you already know how much I love Doc McStuffins, Disney Junior's most popular new series. It's such a cute show and it's so different than any preschool-directed cartoon on the air right now. But here's the exciting part: Disney has given me the chance to host my first giveaway here on the blog! "Doc McStuffins: Friendship is the Best Medicine" releases on Disney DVD with Digital Copy on August 21st, but you can win a copy here from The TV Mom before it even hits shelves!

The new DVD features five shows with two episodes each. Plus it includes a cute activity book that is reminiscent of Doc's "Big Book of Boo-Boos", complete with character stickers. You will also get access to Disney's Digital Copy so you can take Doc with you wherever you go!

I've made it super simple to enter too... just fill out the Rafflecopter info below! The only mandatory entry is that you leave a comment on this post, using the comment form at the bottom, telling me which Doc McStuffins character is your favorite and then fill out the widget letting me know you did it. Personally, my favorite is Stuffy the Dragon, mostly because I know he's voiced by the former "Cousin Oliver" from The Brady Bunch. Ha!

Here's the "fine print" (which isn't going to be very fine because I don't feel like changing the font size): Open to US and Canada residents only. The contest runs from today until midnight on August 12th. I will then choose a winner and email them. If they don't respond within 24 hours of the time the email was sent, I will choose a new winner. I'm only being so strict with that because I want you to be the very first to have a copy of the DVD, and in order to do that and get it mailed in time, I need to know where to send it! All you have to do is follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below. Answer the question by using the comment form *at the end of this post* (not in the widget), and be sure to leave your email address! Please note, the comment will not show up right away, so if you see the "comment will appear after moderation" message at the top of the page after you hit submit, it's in. The other entries will unlock after you do the first one. You have the opportunity to earn a total of five entries into the contest.

So that's it! Have fun with it! And good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Lorax on BluRay and DVD August 7th!

Image courtesy Universal Studios Home Entertainment (c)

The Lorax was the first film I took my son to as a Mommy-Son date in a theatre. He had already seen the 3D version of Star Wars Episode 1 with me and my husband, and had done well with it. A rainy day last spring, we decided to hit the early bird special and see it together while Daddy was at work. We actually had the entire theatre to ourselves. It was magical. If you haven't already seen it, check out my parent guide site on About.com's Kids TV & Movies page and read Carey's review of the film.

What I liked about it, was that it took the beloved story by Dr. Seuss further. It showed what happened when the seed was planted, and what happened when the Once-ler finally realized what the Lorax was trying to tell him. And Danny DeVito as the Lorax? Perfection.

However, today I'm going to review The Lorax on BluRay (also available on DVD and BluRay 3D) combo pack. I was given the opportunity to have a special sneak preview* of the BluRay combo pack from Universal Studios Home Entertainment, and I have been spending the good part of a day playing with it so far.

The BluRay is loaded with fun special features, including three new mini-movies. There is your usual fare for special features: a deleted scene, concept art, screen tests, and behind the scenes interviews and featurettes. I'm a cinema geek in that I love seeing the "making of" segments and learn about the process behind he film I just watched, and the "Seuss to Screen" segment delivered.

There is a fun "Get out of Town" game (available only on the BluRay version) that I still can't quite get the hang of, since you use the arrow buttons on your player remote to move, and it's rather involved with having Ted jumping and changing direction to avoid O'Hare and his henchmen. Younger kids might get frustrated with it, but older kids will love it. I fared better in the "Truffula Run" game, where you guide the Lorax through the Truffula tufts while avoiding stumps. It has a difficulty level setting at the beginning which will appease the younger players in your group far better. "The Once-ler's Wagon" feature lets you play with things that fall out of the wagon when the Lorax kicks it. It's cute, but you run out of new things to play with very quickly. There's also a cute music video sing along to the Let It Grow song from the credit part of the film with pop up words to follow along with, and the artwork scrolling behind without the distraction of the credits, which lets you take in the beauty of both the art of the film and Dr. Seuss' original story.

The mini-movies are downright adorable. "Wagon Ho!" takes you on a joy ride with two Bar-ba-loots as they snag the Once-ler's wagon and donkey with hilarious consequences. "Forces of Nature" was supposed to be a scene in the film according to the little "Making of the Mini Movies" featurette, but they decided instead to take it out and let it be a stand alone tidbit, featuring the Lorax trying to scare the Once-ler into doing the right thing with the help of Pipsqueak the Bar-ba-loot. Finally, "Serenade" is about two Bar-ba-loots who want to win the affections of a cute girl Bar-ba-loot by engaging in a sing-off. I have to say, "Serenade" was my favorite of the three.

Other fun features include a tour of Truffula Valley and Thneedville (only available on the BluRay version), that lets you learn more about all the characters, watch interviews with the film creators or voice actors, and even learn to draw the Lorax and a Bar-ba-loot.

My drawing from the "How to draw the Lorax" segment... how'd I do?

My favorite special feature has to be the "Grow Your Own Truffula Tree", in which you plant a seed and the tree grows as you explore the menus of the disc. I kind of wish it was real!

There is also the opportunity, available only on the BluRay disc, to view the movie with "O'Hare Vision", which will interrupt the movie with special hilarious O'Hare commercials like the one presented to him in the film.

If you liked the film, the BluRay or DVD is a must buy. It's such a heartwarming film, and there is so much to do on the Special Features menus, it's definitely worth adding to your film collection. Plus all three versions feature a Digital Copy of the film to add to your iPad, computer, or smart phone. You can't beat having a movie to take with you on the go!

Finally, today the Home Depot held a special Lorax event, where kids could build a cork board and learn more about the BluRay and DVD. We trekked over to our local Home Depot in Grove City, OH to get in on the fun.

We're in the right place!

However, it was a very popular event, and when we got there, they had run out of the cork board projects. We were given a tool box to build instead. But TV Boy didn't mind!

Hammering away, while I secretly prayed he didn't hit my fingers!

Paint time!

Placing our stickers very carefully!

It was a fun way to learn about tools while making something we can actually use! TV Boy was so proud of his little tool box, and I'm proud I didn't walk away with any injuries. We're definitely going to start visiting the Home Depot Kids' Workshops more often now that TV Boy is old enough. It was a lot of fun, and FREE!

Be sure to pick up your copy of The Lorax on BluRay, 3D BluRay, or DVD combo pack this coming Tuesday, August 7th!

*Full Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of The Lorax on BluRay combo pack from Universal Studios Home Entertainment for evaluation purposes. All views and opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not in any way influenced by my receipt of the free disc.

Celebrate The Lorax on BluRay and DVD!

Celebrate the release of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax on BluRay combo pack and DVD August 7th by downloading a free Lorax Activity Sheet for your Littlest Tree Lover! Also, check out the trailer with a first look at the all-new mini-movies at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DXU1348PHg

A review of the BluRay and all its cool extra special features is coming soon to The TV Mom! Stay tuned!

Cartoon Profile - Gravity Falls

Image courtesy Disney Channel (c)

Ever wonder what "The X-Files" would have looked like had it been an animated show for kids? Check out Disney Channel's new cartoon, Gravity Falls, to find out! It's an amusing cartoon starring Jason Ritter and Kristen Schaal that takes kids on monster hunting adventures in the small town of Gravity Falls, Oregon.

Check out the cartoon profile at About.com!

Cartoon Review: Adventure Time

Image courtesy Turner Broadcasting (c)

If you thought Yo Gabba Gabba was weird, hold on your hat because you ain't seen nothin' yet. If you're not already on the Adventure Time wagon, you're going to be really confused if you try to jump on now. That's not to say you won't enjoy it, or that you're even missing all that much because there's basically zero continuity with this show.

It's definitely a show I recommend for the older crowd, fifth grade and beyond. It's actually a program I think many adults might enjoy more than the kiddos.

But it's really, really weird.

Read my full review at About.com!

Cartoon Profile - Pound Puppies

Image courtesy Discovery Networks/The Hub (c)

I know I've talked about Pound Puppies before here on TV Mom, but I finally got around to writing a Cartoon Profile about it for About.com. Learn more about the characters and the people who voice them, as it's probably THE most all-star cast in cartoons today, short of the guest stars on The Simpsons. Plus, I've been watching a lot of The Hub lately, thanks to my son's obsession with this show, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, and Strawberry Shortcake for some reason. Leave it to TV Boy to have an eclectic taste in television!

Oh, and I found out that Mr. Stan Lee himself voices The Mayor on The Super Hero Squad Show (see a little about the show here)! My love of Stan Lee just grew a little more knowing that, and it makes me giddy to know I might get to meet him in a couple of weeks :)

Comic Con! (No, not that one)

So I can't afford airfare and tickets and hotel accommodations to go to the San Diego Comic Con. Bummer.

BUT! There's one in Chicago in a couple of weeks! I drive there at least once a year to visit family (as evidenced by this post), so it's do-able. Therefore, we're coming to the Windy City!

Even more exciting, some cartoon big wigs will be there! I applied for my very first press credentials, so hopefully I will have the opportunity to ask these guys some questions about their jobs. How fun!

(from the Wizard World site)

Of course, I also get to feed my geeky side... Peter Mayhew (aka Chewbacca), Jeremy Bulloch (aka Boba Fett), Stan Lee, Lou Ferrigno, William Shatner, Laura Vandervoot (aka Lisa from V), James Hong, Dean Cain, Joey Lawrence (okay, so he's not a geek icon, just a hottie), Scott Bakula, Colin Ferguson (also from V), Kevin Sorbo.... the list goes on and on and my geek heart swells!

I haven't yet decided if I'm going to do any sort of cosplay or just show off my geeky t-shirt collection, but I am almost positive I'm dressing TV Boy up as Link from Zelda for the children's costume contest. So if you happen to come and see a tiny Link running around, that's probably me. Say hi!

Chi-town, see you soon!

DVD Review: Transformers Prime - One Shall Stand

Image courtesy Shout! Factory and Hasbro Studios.

If you're a fan of Transformers, your collection will not be complete without the newest full length animated feature "One Shall Stand" from The Hub's Transformers Prime series. Seven episodes from the end of season one into season two are edited together to create a two and a half hour special event of epic proportions.

Click here to read my full review at About.com!

 

The DVD drops on July 31st, 2012 and will be available for $14.97 MSRP. 

Full disclosure: A copy of this DVD was provided free of charge by the publishers for the purpose of this review. All opinions are my own and are not in any way influenced by receipt of the DVD.

Wanna Trade?

Since I'm still fairly new to the whole blogging phenomenon (by which I mean getting a blog noticed among literally millions of them), I am offering up a bit of a bloggy social experiment of sorts.

I would like to do an ad swap with some popular "mommy blog" style blogs. By ad swap, what I mean is a sort of "you grab my button and share it on your blog side bar, I'll do the same for you" sort of deal. No money involved, but we're both getting our names out to each others readers.

Now, this may turn out awesomely, or it may crash and burn in my face.

The only stipulations I have are as follows:
*Must be for a parenting-related or family-friendly-geek blog.
*Your graphic can't be ginormous. 125x125 pixels only please.
*I have to approve your graphic beforehand (shoot me an email with it).
*You use mine that is off to the side ---> there. (The little TV)

If you are interested in sharing in my experiment, please shoot an email to thetvmom(at)gmail(dot)com or use the Contact TV Mom page and put "Ad experiment" in it somewhere in the form :)

Remember, experimenting is fun :)

Premiere alert: TMNT

Image courtesy Nickelodeon (c)

What child of the '80s/'90s didn't grow up loving the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Did you not sing "Go ninja, go ninja, go!" like the rest of us? Well, Nickelodeon is capitalizing on the popularity of our favorite mutant pizza munchers and is debuting a new incarnation of the "heroes on the half shell" on Saturday, September 29th at 11am EST/PST.

The cast includes some interesting names...

*Jason Biggs (Jim from American Pie) as Leonardo (yes, really... I'm not joking)
*Sean Astin (Sam from Lord of the Rings) as Raphael
*Greg Cipes (Teen Titans) as Michelangelo
*Rob Paulsen (Planet Sheen) as Donatello. Mr. Paulsen also voiced the original Raphael from 1987-1996 in the very  first TMNT series.
*Mae Whitman (Amber from TV's Parenthood and also the voice of Tinkerbell in many of the DVD movies) as April O’Neil, in a teenage version instead of her twenty-something reporter form we're used to, which will be interesting to see.
*Hoon Lee (Royal Pains) as Master Splinter
*Kevin Michael Richardson (Penguins of Madagascar and Cleveland Jr. on The Cleveland Show) as Shredder


The show will air on Nickelodeon stations, available on cable and satellite providers. Please check your local listings for channel information.

All I can say so far is that at least these turtles have pupils in their eyes... you hear me, weird pupil-less eyed early 2000's turtles? You were creepy!

And for the record, my favorite turtle was Donatello :)

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic on About.com

Image courtesy The Hub/Discovery Networks (c)

You may have read my review of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic here on the blog back in May. Check out the new cartoon profile on at my site on About.com! It features exciting new information about the voice actors and the show's creator.