Category Archives: Dadnabbit

DVD Review: Prep & Landing

This holiday season lacks original Christmas programming. It’s either a repeat from 1977 or a holiday spinoff of a popular movie from 10 years ago.

Thankfully Prep & Landing is neither one of those.

Though it originally aired in 2009, it’s the exception to the rule. Entertaining for both kids and parents, I liked it when it first aired and my daughter has loved watching it ever since the DVD arrived. It’s a cute and clever addition to television’s holiday arsenal.

The story revolves around Wayne (Dave Foley from Kids in the Hall, Newsradio) and his colleague Lanny (Derek Richardson) as they prepare houses for Santa’s arrival. Unfortunately things turn bleak and the duo face Christmas being canceled. Thankfully through some good old-fashioned teamwork, Wayne and company are able to save Christmas.

In addition to my daughter loving it, Prep & Landing also won an Emmy® Award in 2010 for Outstanding Animated Program, an Annie Award in 2010 for Best Animated Television Production plus a Visual Effects Society Award in 2010 for Outstanding Visual Effects in a Broadcast Miniseries, Movie or a Special.

As good timing would have it, a brand new Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice, will air on ABC tonight, Dec. 5 at 8:30 p.m. (7:30 p.m. central).

Bonus material on this DVD includes a short with Betty White as the voice of Mrs Claus. There are also bonus “training videos” the elves have to watch. Every single parent who has ever had to sit through one of those videos will greatly enjoy them.

Details:
Release Format:1-Disc DVD
Feature Run Time: 22-minutes
Rated: TV-G (bonus material not yet rated)
Presentation: 16×9 Widescreen
Audio & Languages: English 5.1 Dolby Digital, French Canadian 5.1 Dolby Digital, Latin Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles: French & Spanish

CD Review: Ozomatli – Happy Feet Two: The Videogame

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Anytime I have ever told a friend about Ozomatli I always add that “They’re the best live band I have ever seen. ” I have yet to see a band capture the raw, live energy that Ozomatli produces on stage from start to finish. Hailing from Los Angeles, Ozomatli is a melting pot of music genres: salsa, funk, hip-hop, dancehall, reggae and so much more. So it was with great excitement when I saw earlier this year that they were going to be making childrens music under the moniker Ozokids. However, the soundtrack for Happy Feet Two: The Videogame is not Ozokids, rather Ozomatli.

Since the goal of the video game is “use the player’s rhythm to bring the Antarctic landscape to life. Use dance moves to stun enemies and help recruit other penguins to join the cause.” The pairing of Ozomatli is almost too perfect, they’ve been making music that has made people move for 15+ years. This soundtrack is no different. “Get On The Dance Floor” was put on repeat after my daughter’s first listen. It took us at least 4 more listens until we could move on to the equally infectious “Flip Flap”. Not to judge, but if you can’t dance around the house to this album with your kids, you’ve got issues.

As they do with most of their albums, this one is bilingual with a mix of English and Spanish songs. “Bailar Pinguino” (Dancing Penguin) and “Mas Campana” (More Bell) are two and you better believe “Mas Campana” features some cowbell. Even the opening track “Dynamite” goes back and forth between English & Spanish. The album is full of all original tracks, except a cover of Basement Jaxxs’ “Do Your Thing.”

If Ozokids is anything like what they feed our ears on Happy Feet Two: The Videogame, parents and kids are in for a real treat in 2012.

If you are on spotify, you can listen to the album here.

Track list:
1. Dynamite
2. Get On The Dance Floor
3. Flip Flap
4. Bailar Pinguino
5. Go Crazy
6. Are You Ready?
7. Scatman
8. Your Hand In Mine
9. Penguin’s Life (feat. Lil P’nut)
10. Do Your Thing
11. Happy Bird
12. Mas Campana

Dadnabbit Gets Spared (and Spoiled)!