Blissfully Domestic » Entertainment

Richard Marx

Kat — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 19:21:24 +0000

Say the name Richard Marx and many of us are instantly transported through time, back to our awkward days as a teenager. Marx always had the perfect songs for; love songs for girls who were head-over-heels in love and love songs to wallow in our sorrows after a break up. I can’t recall going to a high school dance that did not play one of Marx many hits.

Marx has been in the music industry for over 20 years, both as a writer and a performer and is best know for his singles “Don’t Mean Nothing,” “Hold On To The Nights” and “Right Here Waiting.” Well guess what? He’s back! Marx album, Stories To Tell, is a two CD, one DVD collection of his own hits as well as hits he’s written for others. Music includes original recordings, acoustic versions, and a live DVD from Shepherd’s Bush in the United Kingdom.

I have been listening to his new album since I got it and have been in flashback heaven! I love all the acoustical version of my favorite songs which would be perfect to set the mood for Valentine’s Day. hint hint If you loved him then, you will love his new album even more.

Do you love Richard Marx as much as I do? The you are going to love Stories to Tell package giveaway! Submit your favorite Richard Marx song and tell us why for a chance to win a Stories to Tell package giveaway of the CDs and a signed Lithograph of the album cover. Amazing right?! Now for the official rules:

This giveaway is open to US residents only who are 18 years old or older
One random winner will win a Stories to Tell package including the CDs and a signed Lithograph of the album cover.
For a chance to win leave a comment stating your favorite Richard Marx song and why. Please include your email in your comment!
Earn an extra entry by tweeting about the giveaway. “@BlissfullyD and @richardmarx are giving away an autographed copy of Richard Marx new album, Stories to Tell? http://bit.ly/zAhWcv Love him!“
Earn another extra entry by subscribing to our newsletter.
Contest ends February 24, 2012.

Good luck and happy listening!

Gavin DeGraw Announces European Tour Dates

Kat — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:06:49 +0000

Gavin DeGraw just wrapped up his North American tour in support of his new album Sweeter, and recently announced two weeks of European tour dates this February. More stops will be announced in the coming weeks. Visit GavinDeGraw.com for ticket details, and to RSVP via Facebook for his upcoming radio shows around the country.

Gavin’s tour merchandise bundles are available now through his merchandise store. He is offering his guys and girls bundles which include two t-shirts along with a limited edition poster from his summer tour. Fans can also grab music bundles with all of his releases, and Sweeter merchandise packs that include the Sweeter CD, exclusive t-shirt, and more.

Sweeter is available now, in stores and online. Single “Not Over You” has spent 15 weeks on the Billboard Top 100 since its release. Gavin’s recent iTunes Sessions album was released right before Thanksgiving and features seven acoustic tracks like “Not Over You” and “Chariot,” along with an exclusive interview.

Fresh Beat Band Games and Printable Activities for Kids

victorianicks — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:01:18 +0000

Kids love the Fresh Beat Band, a musical show that airs on Nick Jr, and parents like the wholesome messages espoused by the characters. So, how can you encourage your kids’ enjoyment of this group of positive role models without having the TV on all day long? Try these games and activities with your kids, and have fun!

Free Printable Coloring Pages & Activities

Do your little ones like to color? Nick Jr. has provided these groups of free printable coloring pages. The first group is composed of the Fresh Beat Band’s Winter Outfits and the second group shows the Fresh Beat Band in Summer.

Each of these groups of images include one group image of the band, along with another image of each individual member of the band (Kiki, Marina, Shout and Twist)

In addition to coloring pages, you can also print out these fun FBB place-mats for your kid’s party. Guests will enjoy coloring their placemat before the cake is cut!

Ready for some more fun? These printables provide a little more ‘learning’ in your activity plans. This group of printable puzzles includes shape matching, patterns, and a maze, suitable for fairly young kids. Older kids will probably enjoy the memory match cards more.

Thanks, Pan Am, For Making History Look So Good

Scotty Reiss — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:54:17 +0000

It’s enough to bring tears to my eyes, and it might be my favorite memory of my 12-year-old daughter’s toddler-hood: standing in front of the TV one evening she sang along with the characters on Little Bear and mimicked their dances as they sang “Little Bear, Little Bear, turn around, wiggle your nose, fall to the ground.” With each refrain she would sing and giggle and fall to the ground in a pile of laughter. Her fascination with fictional TV friends was cemented, and so was the dread in the pit of my stomach: my daughter dreamed of being a TV star.

Ten years later, her wish is still just as strong, and now it’s dinner time conversation. Gazing at the train wreck lives of Lindsay Lohan and Demi Lovato helps to deflect her aspirations, but if it’s really what she’s cut out for, should I stop her? Or should I find the right way to encourage and help her?

Maybe It’s Not Such a Bad Path, Afterall

My eyes were opened recently when I had the chance to visit the set of Pan Am, the ABC television drama set in the 1960’s and focused on the fabled airline and its renowned crew. What I discovered was far from what I expected: rather than an aloof group of pretty prima-donnas, I found that, from producers to actors to costumers and prop masters, this was a group of amazingly, authentically, painstakingly smart people.

History is the Main Character

Of course, each episode of Pan Am is filled with intrigue (CIA operatives doubling as stewardesses) and romance (all those layovers in places like Paris and London), and it is still in the process of developing the characters and crafting cliff hangers that draw you into the next week’s episode. But for Pan Am, history is really the main character, and the producers have focused on its authentic details, from the real jet aircraft that is the set for so many scenes, to the vintage and couture costumes, even to the cups, saucers and Champagne bottles that are used on board.

The actors who so engagingly portray the Pan Am crew not only take authenticity to heart (they actually had to study for their roles–imagine that!), they feel responsible for it. As we sat and chatted with Michael Mosley (who plays Ted), Margot Robbie (Laura) and Christina Ricci (Maggie) in a conference room at Steiner Studios, a sound stage built in the former Brooklyn Navy Yard, what raised the pitch of their voices more than anything was how much they loved studying for their roles. The history of Haiti; the role of women in the business world (women weren’t empowered to say what they thought and had to keep their ideas and opinions quiet); the history of the Cold War, the assassination of President Kennedy. Of course, we all learned this in history class, but the Pan Am cast had to learn 1960’s history on a much deeper level so that they can thoughtfully and convincingly portray their characters on screen. What an enviable way to earn a living.

A Bright Future?

Right now ABC network execs are weighing the future of Pan Am and will decide soon if the program will remain on the air for another season. I hope so; primetime television so often lacks intelligence and authenticity in an engaging and pretty package. And I hope that it spawns more shows just like it; if my daughter wants to pursue an acting career, I hope there are more Pan Ams out there for her.

Pan Am will air its final episode of the 2011-2o12 season on Sunday, February 19^th.

Photo credit: ABC/PATRICK HARBRON

Romantic Songs for Valentine’s Day Playlists

Meg Massey — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 17:32:29 +0000

Whether you’re planning a quiet dinner at home or a romantic evening out, these playlists feature songs from a variety of genres that are sure to set the mood for whatever you’re planning this Valentine’s Day.

For the Country Music fans:

God Gave Me You – Blake Shelton
Breathe – Faith Hill
Bless the Broken Road – Rascal Flatts
Lost in this Moment – Big & Rich
When You Say Nothing At All – Alison Krauss
It’s Your Love – Faith Hill & Tim McGraw
Lady Antebellum – Just A Kiss
Come A Little Closer – Dierks Bentley
Amazed – Lonestar
Luke Bryan – I Don’t Want This Night to End

For Pop/Rock/Alternative fans:

Bryan Adams – The Best of Me
Seal – The Loneliest Star
John Mayer – Your Body is a Wonderland
Colbie Caillat – Fallin’ for You
Jack Johnson – Better Together
Come Away With Me – Norah Jones
Peter Gabriel – The Book of Love
Lifehouse – cFirst Time
Eastmountainsouth – So Are You to Me
Keane – Somewhere Only We Know

For Hip-Hop/R&B fans:

Justin Timberlake – My Love
Brian McKnight – Back at One
Mario – Let Me Love You
Drake – Best I Ever Had
Usher – You’ve Got It Bad
Beyonce – Halo
Chris Brown – With You
Ciara – Promise
Ne-Yo – Sexy Love
Alicia Keys – No One

Have a favorite love song that you don’t see listed here? Share your favorite Valentine’s Day songs with us in the comment section.

Ringo Starr Releases His New Album: Ringo 2012

Kat — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:02:44 +0000

Ringo’s new album, titled simply Ringo 2012, was recorded in Los Angeles and mixed in England by Ringo and Bruce Sugar. Ringo 2012 is his second release on Hip-O/UMe, and will be released on January 31 in the United States and January 30 Internationally. Of the 9 tracks, two are covers, “Think It Over” and “Rock Island Line,” and two are new versions of his own songs, “Wings” and “Step Lightly.” Ringo 2012 will be released digitally, on CD and vinyl.

In conjunction with his 17th solo record Ringo 2012, Ringo Starr launches a music video competition with Genero.tv giving filmmakers the opportunity to make the official promo for his new single, “Wings.”

The competition represents an opportunity for filmmakers to put their work directly in front of Ringo, one of the world’s most influential artists, and Universal Music Enterprises, one of the industry’s leading record labels.

After the competition closes on March 7th, finalists will be selected by Ringo, UMe, and Genero. Ringo will then personally choose his favorite, which will be serviced to media as the official promo video for “Wings.”

Top 20 Romantic Movies for Valentine’s Day Dates

Jace Shoemaker-Galloway — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:41:17 +0000

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning that romantic evening with that special someone. After a lovely candlelight dinner, why not grab your favorite fella and make it movie night? Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to snuggle with your sweetie whether you go out to the theater or watch a few of your favorite flicks from home.

And single people can celebrate Valentine’s Day too. Just gather up the kiddies or your BFFs, whip up some tasty treats and hunker down with a few DVDs. Whether you prefer hilarious romps or tear-jerkers, movie night at home is a fun and affordable way to celebrate any holiday.

20 Romantic Movies for Valentine’s Day

When Harry Met Sally has got to be one of the best romantic movies of all time. This witty, charming and memorable 1989 film stars Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan. I’ll have what she’s having – won’t you?
Titanic is one of the most romantic movies and most popular movies of all time. Not only will the story of Rose and Jack melt your heart, but Celine Dion’s song will go on and on too.
The Notebook is another must-see movie. Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams became “stars” after this 2004 romantic film was released. James Garner and Gena Rowlands also star.
The title pretty much sums it up. But fair warning, Love Story is a real tear-jerker.

The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall releases February 7th

Kat — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 01:24:34 +0000

Broadway’s longest-running production of all time celebrates a triumphant quarter century on stage with The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall, coming to Blu-rayTM – with perfect hi-def picture and perfect hi-def sound- DVD, On Demand and Digital Download on February 7, 2012 from Universal Studios Home Entertainment. On October 2, 2011, composer Andrew Lloyd Webber and producer Cameron Mackintosh marked the 25th anniversary of their beloved musical extravaganza, “The Phantom of the Opera,” with a lavishly staged production at London’s legendary Royal Albert Hall that was beamed live via satellite to cinemas across the globe. The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall marks the first time a live performance of the blockbuster musical has been made available for home viewing, making it a must-have anniversary release for fans everywhere.

The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall stars Ramin Karimloo (2011 Olivier Award nominee for Best Actor in a Musical for “Love Never Dies”) as the lovestruck Phantom and Sierra Boggess (2011 Olivier Award nominee for Best Actress in a Musical for “Love Never Dies”) as the beautiful and gifted soprano Christine. The show also features Barry James, Gareth Snook, Liz Robertson and Wynne Evans, as well as special guest appearances from the actors who originated the roles of The Phantom and Christine, Tony® Award winner Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman, in a memorable final curtain call.

Wiggles vs. Yo Gabba Gabba: Best Kids Shows For Preschoolers

victorianicks — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:53:04 +0000

If you have little ones, you’ve probably got a favorite, or even a kid’s show you love to hate. Me? I love them all. Here’s a breakdown of the highs and lows of popular pre-school & toddler television.

Wiggles

Take five grown men dressed in bright colors and playing around like kids, add a rose-eating dinosaur, a dog named Wags, and a feather-wielding pirate, and throw in singing, dancing, and Australian accents, and you’ve got the Wiggles. Adorable, kid-friendly, and great models for positive behavior.

Yo Gabba Gabba

Yo Gabba Gabba is a little odd-looking, but kids love it. There’s a character for everyone to identify with, from Foofa, the ultra-girly pink flower character to Tootie, the sporty blue cat-like character, and they all get along, learn life lessons, and dance together. There are lots of celebrity cameos in this show, and videos of kids showing their special skills.

Upcoming Movies for Kids

Meg Massey — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 02:10:36 +0000

The new year brings a new set of kid’s films that are sure to become favorites for the entire family. Check out titles, which include a classic tale, the continuation of beloved films, and new adventures with characters that are sure to capture the imaginations of your children.

Beauty and the Beast 3D

Release Date: January 13, 2012

This Disney classic returns to the big screen in 3D, and tells the story of Belle, a beautiful woman taken prisoner by a beast under a spell. Thanks to the new friendship of the beast’s enchanted staff, including a cute teacup named Chip, Belle begins to see that there’s more to the beast than his rough exterior.

The Lorax

Release Date: March 2, 2012

Inspired by the beloved tale by Dr. Seuss, this 3D film follows a 12-year-old Ted, who yearns to win the love of the girl of his dreams. In order to win her heart, Ted must learn the story of the Lorax, a disgruntled but endearing creature who fights to protect his world. This film features the vocal talents of Danny DeVito, Zac Efron and Taylor Swift.

Van Halen announces 2012 North American Tour

Kat — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:44:30 +0000

Van Halen, Rock And Roll Hall of Fame inductees and one of the most important and influential rock bands of all time, announced their return to the live stage with an extraordinary 2012 North American tour. The announcement was made late last night, during a once-in-a-lifetime performance, at the intimate Café Wha? in New York City. Known around the world for some of the most iconic live performances in music history, the legendary rock band will begin their tour on February 18. Kool & The Gang will join Van Halen for select tour dates.

In addition, Van Halen confirmed their new album, A Different Kind Of Truth, will be released in the U.S. by Interscope Records on February 7. The first single from the album, “Tattoo”, and its accompanying video will be debut simultaneously on Tuesday, January 10th, with album pre-orders starting that day. A Different Kind Of Truth is Van Halen’s first original studio album with singer David Lee Roth since the band’s classic multi-platinum album 1984.

Fans can expect Van Halen to perform selections from A Different Kind Of Truth alongside songs from their arsenal of epic hits that include: “Eruption,” “Running with the Devil,” “Jamie’s Cryin’,” “You Really Got Me,” “Ain’t Talkin’ ‘Bout Love,” “Everybody Wants Some,” “Unchained,” “And The Cradle Will Rock,” “Beautiful Girls,” “Mean Street,” “Somebody Get Me A Doctor,” “Jump,” “Panama,” “Hot For Teacher,” “I’ll Wait,” and more from their classic albums Van Halen, Van Halen II, Women and Children First, Fair Warning, Diver Down and 1984.

Van Halen – who the Los Angeles Times recently called “a force of nature” and “one of the flat-out greatest rock bands on the planet” – was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in March of 2007.

Formed in Los Angeles in 1974, Van Halen changed the rock and roll landscape forever with the release of their self-titled, 1978 debut album displaying unparalleled stage presence, revolutionary musicianship, and extraordinary songwriting abilities. With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide, the band’s record of achievement is hard to top. Among a long list of awards, recognition and accolades, Van Halen joins an elite short list of two time Diamond Award honorees in the history of the music industry. Presented with two Diamond Award RIAA Certified Status’ for their albums Van Halen and 1984, the band has produced a repertoire of hits that remain some of the strongest and most influential rock songs ever written that fans will admire for decades to come.

Top 3 Best New Year’s Eve Scenes in Movies

victorianicks — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 01:58:26 +0000

Watch the clock on New Year's Eve: Image by fangol

What happened in your home, when midnight rolled around on New Year’s Eve? In my house, there’s usually snoozing involved, since my kids wake up at 5AM even if I’ve stayed up until midnight the night before. Instead of staying up into the wee hours celebrating, I enjoyed the New Year by popping in a movie. These are some of the best New Year’s Eve movie scenes – poignant, family friendly, and romantic.

Poignant New Year’s Eve Movie Scene

Show Boat, the classic musical from 1951, starring Howard Keel, Ava Gardner, and Kathryn Grayson, includes a hilarious, yet touching New Year’s Eve scene. A very jolly Joe E. Brown, playing Captain Hawks, parties the night away, saying ‘Hap-py New Year’ to everyone in earshot. As he enjoys his evening, however, he discovers his estranged daughter on the stage. He hushes the mocking crowd, and gives her the opportunity to sing – a very touching father-daughter moment.

Family-Friendly New Year’s Eve Movie

Rudolph’s Shiny New Year (1976) is a sweet kid-friendly sequel to the original Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. This claymation classic follows our hero, Rudolph, as he helps a young New Year, who’s being teased. The end of the movie, which takes place on New Year’s Eve, has Rudolph explaining to ‘Happy’ (the young New Year) that his over-sized ears inspire people to laugh out of sheer joy, not because they’re making fun of him. This movie has a positive message, and is fun for kids of all ages.

Best Romantic New Year’s Eve Scene

1989′s “When Harry Met Sally,” starring Meg Ryan and Billy Crystal, is an R-rated romantic comedy, so it’s not kid-friendly, but is a great movie to watch with your girlfriends. The New Year’s Eve scene at the end of the movie, in which Harry confesses his love of Sally, and her penchant for toppings ‘On the side’ is both touching and adorable.

Celebrate New Year's with Sparklers! Image by Mupsu

Fireworks and Family Fun on New Year’s Eve

Whether you’re setting off New Year’s Eve fireworks on a hill, or watching the celebrations on television, you can enjoy the year-end festivities all year with these fun and family-friendly New Year’s Eve-themed movies.

What’s your favorite New Year’s Eve movie scene?

Fred Figglehorn’s First Animated Series Now on YouTube

Kat — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:42:34 +0000

Fred Figglehorn, created & performed by Lucas Cruikshank, is the #1 Teen & Tween program on YouTube, as well as a hit movie on Nickelodeon. The 18 year old internet sensation is YouTube’s #6 Most Viewed Comedian and the #7 Most Subscribed Channel with 2.3 million subscribers. Now, Cruikshank is presenting Fred Figglehorn’s first animated series, coming exclusively to his YouTube channel.

The brand new series, entitled It’s Fred! will follow the trials and tribulations of the classic Fred characters, starring Lucas Cruikshank as the voices of Fred, Jake Weary, Taryn Southern, and Loraine Newman. The series, developed and written by Eryk Casemiro and Kate Boutilier (The Wild Thornberries and Rugrats), will comprise of 9 episodes that will debut every Thursday starting today with Episode 1, “FRED Gets Adopted.”

Along with each episode will be a new photo caption contest with a frame from the following week’s show. A winner for the contest will be announced every Wednesday (the day before the new episode airs) on Fred’s official Facebook page.

It’s Fred! is produced and distributed by Collective Digital Studio, the online content division of leading entertainment management company The Collective. An industry leader in the production and distribution of digital content, CDS has partnered with some of the top content channels on the Internet, including The Annoying Orange, FreddieW, Fred, iJustine and Megan and Liz. CDS produces the original Yahoo! Web series “In the Dressing Room” with Cat Deeley, the host of “So You Think You Can Dance,” and the celebrity talk show “Figgle Chat” featuring Lucas Cruikshank AKA Fred. CDS is also in the process of rolling out “Video Game High School,” a new feature length original web series from FreddieW creators Freddie Wong and Brandon Laatsch.

Head over to Fred’s YouTube now to watch the first episode and enter the photo caption contest for Episode 2.

Streaming Movie Options vs Cable

fourformom — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 15:23:02 +0000

For a few years now I have been gripping about the steadily-increasing cable bill and the thousands of channels, of which we only watch about 25. And how about the fact that the cable companies practically force you to have a telephone landline in the package to get the best deal? Spurred by a big move and a desire to trim the fat off of the budget (ok and a rage-filled marathon call to the cable company’s customer service line) I eliminated the cable – keeping only high speed internet. But after making the big step of cutting the cable there are decisions to be made regarding streaming video options. It pays to do your research, so I will show you what I have learned.

Streaming Video vs. Cable TV

Cable

Most of you have had (and probably still have) cable television. Where you have access to an obscene amount of channels, premium movie channels for an extra fee, a digital video recorder for an extra fee and the ability to television in real time – whether it’s a primetime sitcom, addictive reality shows or an NFL playoff game. And there is a level of comfort in that – the mindless act of flipping through all of those channels; jumping around until you find something that peaks your interest. But the cost is getting to be a bit unjustified considering the other options on the market.

Pros:

Live television, a large amount of channels to choose from, ease of use (we all know how to use the guide on the cable box).

Cons:

Cost – my cable bill was roughly $145 – hard to justify when thats more than I spend on groceries a week for my family of 5 thanks to coupons)

Movie Rentals – OnDemand movie rentals now run anywhere from $2.99 – $6.99 for newer releases – while that’s still cheaper than purchasing the DVD, it’s still high and can easily bring the cable bill closer to $200 a month.

Customer service – anyone who has had to call their cable company to complain about spotty service or to try and reduce their monthly bill knows that this experience can be very stressful and incredibly irritating.

Apple TV

Rumor has it that before he died, Steve Jobs and his team, were very close to breaking through the cable television barrier and creating an Apple TV set that would be as revolutionary as the iPhone was to the cell phone world. Until then, Apple TV is a great option if you are considering a streaming video player.

Pros:

Low cost – at $99

Small size – no more large cable box

If you are already a Mac-connoisseur, then you are going to love the fact that you can share your photos and iTunes library with this device.

Ability to play a slideshow of your entire iPhoto library.

Ability to play your iTunes library on your TV.

If you have a Netflix subscription, you can access that and watch videos instantly.

Access to a large amount of internet radio stations.

AirPlay – with an iPad 2 or iPhone 4S you can mirror what you are seeing on that device to the TV screen via Apple TV

Cons:

Since you aren’t able to access Hulu or Crackle, the only option for watching current seasons of TV shows is by purchasing them through iTunes ($1.99 – $2.99 each) – if you have an iOS 5 device you can get around this using AirPlay

With all the individual subscriptions and pay-per-view purchases necessary to match a cable TV experience you could easily surpass your cable bill – just takes more awareness

Only works on HDTVs

Roku

This streaming player is a great option (whether you have Apple products or not) with built in Wi-Fi and compatibility with almost any TV. Roku has built-in channels like Netflix, Hulu Plus, HBO Go (all requiring a subscription) as well as Pandora Radio and a host of other channels available at an additional cost. There are currently 4 different Roku Box options – Roku LT $49.99, Roku 2 HD $59.99, Roku 2 XD $79.99, Roku 2 XS $99.99 – the difference between the 4 being the best HD viewing capabilities and an enhanced-remote for game playing.

Pros:

Works with most televisions

Size – just like Apple TV this little box will take up a fraction of the space that your cable box did

Over 350 *channels* available – including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant Video and Pandora – Far more options than available through Apple TV (unless you have the option to use AirPlay

Cons:

The interface doesn’t have the same *magic* that Apple TV does (but it gets the job done).

No way to stream video, pictures or music from your home Mac or PC

As with Apple TV, the extra subscriptions can add up so watch out.

Now keep in mind, if you are ready to give the brush off to the cable companies and purchase a streaming video player, you will be losing (for the most part) your easy access to local programming, live news, sporting events, etc. These are big things to consider based on your family’s viewing habits and preferences. People seem to feel very passionate about this topic so it’s best to do your research and talk to some friends or family members who have tried out these devices. For myself, Apple TV with AirPlay is great – the kids can watch a show when they want and I have eliminated the need to be tied to the DVR cable box.

Classic Christmas Movies & Holiday Television Specials for Families

Jace Shoemaker-Galloway — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 11:32:14 +0000

With Christmas right around the corner, you don’t have to spend an arm-and-a-leg to get into the holiday spirit! While many Christmas movies, animated shows and holiday musicals are broadcast on television, renting movies or watching them online has become an affordable entertainment alternative.

Besides being affordable, many of the following selections are sure to conjure up all sorts of happy memories for parents as well. Why not start your own family tradition this year and make it a holiday movie night to remember? Gather up the family, grab a great big bowl of your favorite popcorn and get into the holiday spirit with the following classic Christmas movies, TV specials and animated shows listed below.

Animated Christmas Specials

A Charlie Brown Christmas – Charles Schulz created this animated Christmas special that features Charlie Brown and the gang. Watch and see if Charlie Brown will find the true meaning of Christmas.
Frosty the Snowman – Jimmy Durante narrates this all-time favorite classic animation. Jackie Vernon “plays” Frosty, the happy snowman that comes to life.
Rudolph, the Red-Nose Reindeer – First telecast in 1964, this animated musical proves that being different is not such a bad thing and in fact, can be advantageous. Rudolph is frequently teased and left out because he looks different than the other young reindeer. Rudolph’s nose lights up and glows beet red. Watch what happens when Rudolph saves the day! Classic tunes include “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “Have a Holly Jolly Christmas.”
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! – The Grinch tries everything he can to ruin Christmas for the fine folks in Whoville. Green with envy, the Grinch hates Christmas! Boris Karloff stars in this classic 1966 Dr. Seuss animated television special.

Classic Christmas Movies

It’s a Wonderful Life – Jimmy Stewart and Donna Reed star in this 1946 Frank Capra family Christmas classic. After a large sum of money is misplaced, George Bailey takes a long, hard look at his life, with a little help from his guardian angel, Clarence.
Miracle on 34th Street – Maureen O’Hara, Edmund Gwenn and a young Natalie Wood star in this delightful 1947 holiday classic. Watch what happens when jolly old Kris Kringle claims to be the one and only Santa Claus.
Holiday Inn – Move over, Dancing with the Stars. Watch as Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire dance and sing their way into a lovely lady’s heart in this classic 1942 holiday musical.
White Christmas – Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye team up in this 1954 romantic musical that also starts George Clooney’s aunt, Rosemary. Crosby belts out Irving Berlin’s classic song “White Christmas” in the film.
Scrooge – This 1951 classic film takes a good hard look at Ebenezer Scrooge, a bitter, stingy old man who overworks and underpays his faithful employee, Bob Cratchit. But life is about to change for Mr. Scrooge when three ghosts show him the error of his ways.

Newer Christmas Movies

A Christmas Story – This wonderfully charming movie, set in the 1940s, is sure to become a Christmas classic. Darren McGavin, Melinda Dillon and Peter Billingsley as the adorable Ralphie play the lead roles. Despite his mom’s objections, all young Ralphie really wants for Christmas is a Daisy Brand Red Ryder BB gun.
Prancer – Like most little girls, Jessica believes in Santa. When she comes across an injured reindeer, she is positive it’s one of Santa’s reindeer – Prancer. Jessica brings him home and hides him in the barn. This lovely movie from 1989 is guaranteed to tug at the old heart strings. Sam Elliott and Cloris Leachman star.
The Polar Express – If you have little ones, chances are pretty good they know all about The Polar Express. Watch what happens when a little boy boards a magical train headed to the North Pole. This 2004 film, directed by Robert Zemeckis, stars Tom Hanks.
Home Alone – This holiday movie made Macaulay Culkin a huge star. Watch what happens when the little boy is left home alone to fend for himself while the rest of his family heads to France for the holidays. Joe Pesci and Daniel Stern also star.
How The Grinch Stole Christmas – Based on the 1960s Dr. Seuss cartoon, Jim Carrey stars as the grumpy Grinch who will stop at nothing to ruin Christmas for the Who’s in Whoville. But never fear – Cindy Lou Who comes to the rescue in this 2000 holiday film.
Elf – Funny man Will Ferrell stars as the lovable Buddy the Elf in this 2003 film for older audiences. Buddy, a human who was raised by Santa’s elves, heads to New York to meet his real father, played by James Caan. Bob Newhart, Edward Asner, Zooey Deschanel and Mary Steenburgen also star.
The Santa Claus – Tim Allen is forced to take on Santa’s duties when he accidentally kills Santa on Christmas Eve! Needless to say, he is not too happy about it! Or is he? Judge Reinhold and Peter Boyle also star.

It’s important to note – some of the selections listed above may not be appropriate for young children or those who still believe.

Image courtesy of National Telefilm Associates

Introducing Joely Fisher: Actress, Wife, Mother

Serena Norr — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:18:09 +0000

Moms like Joely Fisher never cease to amaze me. As a mom of five, Fisher has been a successful performer for years with roles in television, musical theatre, and motion pictures as well as a stint on Broadway in “Cabaret,” as Sally Bowles. With such an interesting career, I wanted to learn more about how she ‘does it all,’ as well as how she balances her life during the hectic holiday season.

During our chat, I instantly loved Joely’s sharp and natural sense of humor that made her very easy to relate to as she shared stories of her life. I loved hearing her stories of her famous family (her mom is actress and performer Connie Stevens) and how she was surrounded by music, singing and frequent visits from famous performers during her childhood. Fisher noted, “I spent my life with some iconic performers sort of wandering in and out of my house.” Adding, “I would see Lucile Ball sitting at the bar with my mom, you know, having a Manhattan and smoking a cigarette, you know, in the late ‘70s, for me that was normal.”

It was her unique upbringing that sparked a love of performing where she appeared in TV movies like NBC’s Thirst, Lifetime’s Jitters and ABC’s Seduction of A Small Town, and on the screen in The Mask, Mixed Nuts and I’ll Do Anything, and as Ellen’s best friend, Paige Clark, on the Emmy award-winning show Ellen.

In her most recent role, Fisher played Joy Stark opposite Brad Garrett in the Fox Television comedy ‘Til Death. Currently in syndication, the show aired from 2006-2010 and chronicled the hysterical ups and downs of their 20-plus year marriage. I asked Joely about her character, and the secrets of how to have a successful marriage. “A lot of alcohol,” she laughed. Adding, “Actually, we often took stories from our lives like when I turned 40 and I got my first speeding ticket or not asking for directions.” The show also incorporated humor where Joely noted, “I loved the fact that you saw Brad Garrett and Joely Fisher really laugh and really laugh at each other and really laugh at situations where, you know, you have to sometimes do that.”

Fisher also talked about how she is a hands-on mom that “pretty much likes to do everything.” From making lunches for her kids to taking them to school, she works to be a part of her kids’ lives and she loves every minute of it. Adding, “I’m the one that goes, you know, takes them to dance classes and everything and, you know, they make me laugh, they come up with something pretty much every day.”

Fisher also talked about the holidays and how her and her family “celebrate every moment.” Adding, “life is short and there’s going to be a time very soon when they’re all going to be drifting away.” She also noted that she avoids the holiday stress by shopping for Christmas presents all year long, and says, “I need to have plans, lists and plans.” This organization allows her to have a hostess present or a birthday present on a whim that she stores under her bed or in her closet. She noted that she learned that from her mom who was also a master organizer.

Joely Fisher is an inspirational and funny gal, who truly loves what she does. With a successful career in film, TV and on Broadway, the sky is the limits for this organized mom of five.

Newly Released Video Games: Choose Wisely For Your Family

victorianicks — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 11:25:24 +0000

With the variety of platforms available, there are way more video game choices than we had as kids. For my brother and I, the choice was between Asteroids and Pac-Man. But your kids have virtually infinite choices, whether they’re playing Angry Birds on their mobile device, or a game on the family Wii. If you’re planning to purchase a newly-released video game for your kids or family this Christmas, check out the ratings and online reviews first. The last thing you want to do is end up with a game no one plays, or worse – a game you don’t want them to play!

Mario Kart 7 for Nintendo 3DS

For fans of Mario Kart, this release is great news. This game is rated E and is perfectly safe for younger kids. Mario Kart 7 allows you to customize your ‘Kart’ and offers multi-player modes as well. A good addition to your holiday shopping list, regardless of your age.

Just Dance 3: Older Kids & Adults

Just Dance 3 is rated E +10, which means it’s appropriate for anyone age 10 and up, a great choice if you have older kids. This release has lots of new tracks and is great fun for tweens and adults!

Avatar The Game: Teens and Adults

With an ESRB rating of ‘Teen’, Avatar the Game is suitable for teens age 13 and up. For fans of the Avatar movie, this game is available on multiple platforms, including the Nintendo DS, Wii, XBox 360, and Playstation. You can even purchase it for your iPod or iPhone.

Video Games as Gifts

Considering how expensive video games are, and the state of the economy, most families are choosing gifts carefully this year. When you choose a game for your family, check to make sure it’s age-appropriate and suitable for your children, so you don’t end up getting stuck with another unplayed game gathering dust in your A/V cabinet.

Global Pop Sensation Girls’ Generation Begins US Takeover with New Single “The Boys”

Kat — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:26:29 +0000

Korean pop sensations Girls’ Generation are bringing their internationally-recognized sound to the US with the release of their single “The Boys”. After their 2007 debut in Korea, the nine young women became a phenomenon in their home country, receiving the Grand Prize and Singer of the Year awards two years in a row at the Golden Disk ceremonies (the Korean-equivalent to the Grammy Awards). They began topping Japanese music charts in 2010, and have now set their sights on the entire globe. After recent sold-out concerts in Los Angeles and Paris, the girls also performed at New York’s Madison Square Garden as part of a massive K-Pop music event.

The single “The Boys” was arranged by famed producer Teddy Riley, who is best known for his work with the late Michael Jackson. In addition to his influence, each of the nine members (Sooyoung, Seohyun, Taeyeon, Tiffany, Yoona, Jessica, Yuri, Sunny, and Hyoyeon) brings a unique talent and perspective to the group. Head over to the Girls’ Generation website or Facebook page to learn more about them, and for updates on the US premiere of “The Boys” music video.

Recently Canceled TV Shows and the Ones we Hope Will Last

Meg Massey — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 13:09:26 +0000

We see it every year: shows that are canceled before they have the chance to really shine. Here are a few recent cancellations, and a list of the shows that we hope to see on air for a long time to come.

Charlie’s Angels

A reboot of the popular 70’s series, this action drama starred Friday Night Lights’ Minka Kelly, Annie Ilonzeh and Rachel Taylor as butt-kicking ladies Eve, Kate and Abby. The short-lived series was canceled in mid-October after only four episodes had aired, but ABC has announced that it will continue to air an unreleased amount of remaining episodes in the timeslot. Many have argued that the show simply never found an audience despite its beautiful cast and action-packed episodes.

Free Agents

When drunk co-workers Alex and Helen end up in bed together, their decision to remain just friends becomes complicated. While some British remakes have taken off (case in point, the Office) this one was pulled by NBC after just four episodes. We’ll miss Hank Azaria, who we’ve loved since his appearance on Friends, and Kathryn Hahn, who appeared as Kate Hudson’s hilarious friend Michelle in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.

The Playboy Club

After three episodes, this already controversial show was yanked from the air by NBC. Protested by several groups and individuals for its sexual content and depiction of women, many have noted that the series was practically canceled before it aired. The show’s creators still have hope, however, that the series may be picked up by Bravo.

Shows That We Hope Will Last

Person of Interest

It was recently announced that this series has been picked up for an entire season. We are loving Jim Caviezel as John Reese, a former CIA-agent turned vigilante, and Lost’s Michael Emerson as mysterious billionaire Finch. We hope that the series, and its interesting plotlines, will air for a long time to come.

The New Girl

Starring Zooey Deschanel, this series follows the story of beautiful but quirky Jess, who moves in with three guys after a bad breakup. Just picked up for an entire season, we can’t wait to see the adventures that Jess and her hilarious roommates find themselves wrapped up in during the rest of the season, and beyond.

Up All Night

What do you get when you put Christina Applegate and Will Arnett together? Hilarious television! This series follows two new parents as they struggle to reconcile their pre-baby party life with the responsibilities of raising their new daughter. We hope this laugh-out-loud series will go the distance.

The X-Factor

Though often compared to American Idol, this competition series is on a stage of its own. Former American Idol judges Simon and Paula are back, and are joined by music industry powerhouse L.A. Reid, who is responsible for superstars like Mariah Carey, Pink, Justin Bieber and more. We love the mentoring stage of the competition, and can’t wait to see who comes out as the winner this season.

Tell us what you Love (or Hate!)

Have a new favorite show that you want to stick around? Are you already missing a recently canceled show? Share your thoughts in the comment section!

Must-Watch Movies for Thanksgiving Break

Meg Massey — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:53:40 +0000

Around the holiday season, there’s no shortage of Christmas movies playing on your favorite channels. But what about Thanksgiving-themed flicks? Rent these titles this season to get in the thankful spirit.

A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving

This classic family film is guaranteed to be found playing on at least one cable channel around this special holiday. When Peppermint Patty invites herself to Thanksgiving dinner at Charlie Brown’s home, Charlie Brown and Snoopy bend over backwards to meet her demands. But this heartwarming story teaches children to be thankful for what they have, which is perfect for the season.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles

Though not recommended for children, this movie follows the misadventures of advertising executive Neal (Steve Marting) as he tries to return home to Chicago after a business trip in New York. But as every method of transportation fails him, and he is joined by accident and error-prone Del (John Candy), he begins to wonder if he’ll ever make it home.

Pieces of April

Katie Holmes stars as April, a quirky young woman living in the East Village. April invites her estranged family to her tiny apartment for Thanksgiving. But when she discovers that her oven is broken, will she be able to put dinner together before her family arrives?

Son-In-Law

Though Pauly Shore’s brand of humor isn’t for everyone, this movie is highly entertaining. When Rebecca (Carla Gugino) returns home for Thanksgiving during her first semester of college, she’s not alone: she’s brought her odd-ball friend Crawl (Pauly Shore) home for Thanksgiving. Though they are just friends when the weekend begins, the two soon realize that there’s more between them.

Bonus Watch: Friends Thanksgiving Episodes

Holiday-themed episodes of this hilarious television series are sure to be playing on at least one cable station around this time of year. Our favorite Thanksgiving-themed episodes include season 6′s “The One Where Ross Got High”. The gang is doomed when Rachel is in charge of desserts, and Monica and Chandler push Ross to tell his parents the truth about an event that happened in high school. Season 8′s “The One with the Rumor” guest stars Brad Pitt as a Thanksgiving guest who was once a member of the I Hate Rachel Green Club in high school. When Rachel discovers who else was in the club, hilarity ensues.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving movies or tv episodes?

The Rolling Stones Release Reissues Of The Classic 1978 Album ‘Some Girls’

Kat — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 12:47:43 +0000

Universal Music Group will release a deluxe and super deluxe reissue of the Rolling Stones’ 1978 album, Some Girls, on November 21st. Widely regarded as one of the band’s greatest albums, the super deluxe version will feature 2 CD’s, 1 DVD, a hardback book, Helmut Newton print, 5 postcard set, a “Beast of Burden/”When The Whip Comes Down” 7″ vinyl, and a poster. Fans will definitely want to check out the video “unveiling” of the super deluxe contents!

The Rolling Stones will issue the previously unreleased track ‘No Spare Parts’ on exclusive limited edition 7” vinyl to mark Record Store Day’s ‘Black Friday’, Friday 25 November. A digital download version of the single will be available week commencing 15 November. “No Spare Parts” is one of twelve bonus tracks that have been unearthed for inclusion on the forthcoming deluxe and super deluxe. Other never-heard-before tracks featured on the Some Girls reissue will include ‘We Had It All’, ‘I Love You Too Much’ and ‘Don’t Be A Stranger’.

Thirty-three years on from its original release, the re-mastered, expanded, Super-Deluxe edition of Some Girls shows why the 1978 album has often been hailed as the equal of Exile On Main Street. Some Girls is both a time capsule and a timeless listen. It features the band at their tightest and toughest, at their most vibrant and vital. It’s an all-killer, no-filler, must-have album. It still packs a punch.

Fans can pre-order the super deluxe box set, the deluxe CD set or vinyl version before the Christmas rush.

Il Volo to Release Christmas EP

Kat — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 12:20:35 +0000

Italian teen heartthrobs Il Volo will release Il Volo – Christmas Favorites on November 21st. The five song digital EP includes “Silent Night” and the German version “Stille Nacht,” “Panis Angelicus,” “The Christmas Song” featuring Pia Toscano (of American Idol fame) and a medley of classic Christmas songs including “Jingle Bell Rock,” “Let It Snow” and “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

Additionally, a physical version of Il Volo – Christmas Favorites will be available on Amazon via CreateSpace’s Disc on Demand platform. Amazon and CreateSpace’s Disc on Demand will also exclusively offer the Christmas EP bundled with Il Volo’s self-titled 12-track debut, sold under the title Il Volo – Special Christmas Edition. Their debut album was released earlier this year and debuted at #10 on the Billboard Top 200 chart (iTunes).

The three teens – Gianluca, Piero, and Ignazio – just wrapped a North American tour and are in Europe through the end of the month. A recent concert filmed at Detroit’s famed Opera House will premiere on Detroit Public TV on December 7th at 8pm, with a national PBS airing beginning March 3, 2012. Visit Il Volo Music for the latest news and updates.

Lauren Alaina’s Wildflower Lands at No 2 on Billboard Top Country Chart

Kat — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 03:21:02 +0000

Lauren Alaina’s debut album, Wildflower, is the best-selling female country debut since 2006 and is the highest country album debut this week, debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and an impressive No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200. With first-week sales of 69,013, Lauren is the youngest female artist to debut this high on the Billboard charts since LeAnn Rimes’ debut 15 years ago. Wildflower also becomes the best-selling digital album by a debut country female, selling 19,659 digital albums.

“I am just so thankful that I have been given the opportunity to share my music with the world,” said Lauren Alaina. “To see my name on the charts alongside country greats that I have admired and looked up to my whole life is absolutely mind-blowing!”

According to Billboard, this is the first time since 2008 where both the winner (Scotty McCreery) and second-place finisher (Lauren Alaina) of American Idol posted Top Five-charting albums (or Top 10, for that matter). The last Nos. 1 and 2 placers to do so were 2008 winner David Cook and runner-up David Archuleta. Their debut albums bowed and peaked at No 3 and 2, respectively.

Lauren will perform her rocking new single “Georgia Peaches” on The Ellen DeGeneres Show this Friday, Oct 21st, and has upcoming features scheduled on CNN, E! News and Entertainment Tonight’s The Insider. She was featured on a half-hour GAC special Introducing: Lauren Alaina that debuted Oct 10. Visit Lauren Alaina’s website for the latest news and updates. Wildflower is available now in stores and online.

Best Gift Ideas for Home Entertainment

Erika F. Washington — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 01:26:16 +0000

Ready, Set, Shop. You may be looking for that perfect gift for you home, something that the whole family can enjoy all year long. Home entertainment products can be expensive, but when it’s a gift for everyone, buying that shiny new television may feel like a sweet deal. Check out some of the cool stuff we found online…

Wireless Earbuds

Listen to your music without being tethered to your tech by inconvenient, tangling wires with wireless earbuds. They connect to any Bluetooth enabled device so you can listen and control your music play, advancing or rewinding the track and pausing from up to 32 feet away. It even has a microphone that lets you make or take calls on your cell phone — the music stops when a call is in progress, and resumes playing when you hang up.

Price: $79.99

The Sharper Image

ipad Tower Speaker Dock

Floorstanding iPad Speaker Tower with built-in iPad, iPhone, and iPod dock transforms your personal electronic devices into home-filling entertainment. It powers and charges docked devices, has a digital PLL/FM radio with 20 station presets and a sound equalizer for optimal sound quality. It also comes with a full function wireless remote control.

Price: $199.99

The Sharper Image

Neon Pegs

This cool 3D construction set is the first building toy that lights up! Lighted pegs connects to the power platform then connect to other pegs sending a low voltage current through them to light them up. The result is a creation that lights up with brilliant color and special effects — steady glow, flash and strobe. The set includes 5 game activities and 21 model designs and of course kids designing and building their own creations.

Price: $99.99

The Sharper Image

Snowball Launcher

Home entertainment isn’t just meant to be had in front of the television, get your hats, gloves and coats and head out side for a good old-fashion snowball fight. Load a snowball into the front of the launcher, pull back the lever, aim and fire at the target (provided) or your next victim. The Crossbow Launcher shoots snowballs up to 60 feet.

Price: $39.99

The Sharper Image

ipad Under Cabinet Dock

The iPad UnderCabinet Dock recharges your tablet and provides you with a world of space saving entertainment in the kitchen. Cooking, washing the dishes or just hanging out in the heart of the home can be a lot of fun when you’re watching movies, videos, and boogying to streaming music or the dock’s built-in AM/FM clock radio with remote control.

Price: $129.99

The Sharper Image

17 inch Mac Book Pro

New Thunderbolt technology lets you connect high-performance peripherals and high-resolution displays to a single port, and transfer files at lightning speeds. And with the built-in FaceTime HD camera, you can make astonishingly crisp HD video calls on the 17 inch screen and an integrated video encoder enables HD video calls with FaceTime, while an efficient decoder gives you long battery life when you’re watching DVDs or iTunes movies.

Price: $2,299

Amazon.com

Samsung LED TV

For the ultimate TV enthusiasts, incredible picture quality and advanced connectivity are just the first step; the Samsung UN55D8000 LED TV goes a step beyond, adding elegant design to the formula. Available in 46′, 55′ and 60′, the Samsung “One Design” bezel is only 0.2 inches–as slender as they come–for a picture that’s, well, all picture. You can also enjoy Samsung Smart TV, which puts the web, a wide range of apps, Skype video calling, and plenty more at your fingertips. Or connect a Blu-ray 3D player to get immersed in cinema-quality 3D programming–two pairs of active glasses are included.

Price: $1,947.98

Amazon.com

Happy Shopping!

Best Gift Ideas for Video Games

Erika F. Washington — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:55:34 +0000

Whether you have a PlayStation 3, Xbox, Nintendo Wii or ds, there are hundreds of games available and during the fall season many new games debut just in time for the holidays. If you’re anything like me you might feel just a little overwhelmed when shopping for cool games for the kids or the husband, so we’ve put together a comprehensive list including something for everyone on your holiday gift list.

Rocksmith

Advertised as the first and only game you hook up to a real guitar. The game has a large collection of songs to master for the novice player to the more advance. Guitar not included.

Age: Teen and up.

Price: $84.23-$99.00

Platform: Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC.

Just Dance 3

Video games have come a long way from just sitting and punching buttons, games now require you to get up and move something. Just Dance has a large catalog of today’s hits that the whole family can groove to.

Age: Everyone 10 and up

Price:$33.96

Platform: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3

Fifa Soccer 12

Video games have begun to have a more realistic look and from the screen shots published its obvious. The game also boasts a redefined defending mechanism, more true-to-life injuries, precision dribbling and according to EA Sports the new physics engine is built to deliver real-world physicality in every interaction on the pitch.

Age: Preteen/Teen

Price: $57.98

Platform: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Sony PSP, PC and Mac download.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Define your own Star Wars saga by choosing from eight iconic characters and engage in warfare while you journey through the light or the dark side. This game is on pre-order status until it’s scheduled release date 5 days before Christmas.

Age: Teen and up

Price: $59.95

Platform: PC

NBA 2K12

Features 15 legendary NBA players, including Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dr. J and more… Each player can relive celebrated careers and heated rivalries from NBA history–re-created in meticulous detail.

Age: Everyone

Price: $54.99

Platform: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation 2, Sony PSP, PC and PC download.

Go Vacation

A great game for the whole family where up to 4 players, cooperatively or competitively play over 100 different ways. The fully featured game includes support for the Wii Motion Plus, Wii Zapper Light Gun, and the Wii Balance Board to really get into the action. Ride jet skis, race cars, play beach volleyball, hang glide, fish, surf, scuba dive, skate, snowboard, miniature golf, sky dive, horseback riding, play carnival games and much more.

Age: Everyone

Price: $29.96

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Disney Universe

Mischief, magic and mayhem reign as players explore 6 different worlds inspired by Disney and Pixar films. Team up with up to four friends to solve puzzles or defeat enemies or toss your friend into trouble!

Age: Everyone 10+

Price: $19.99-$49.96

Platform: Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, PC

Zumba Fitness 2

Available November 15 this total body workout has 32 new routines and music tracks, including hits from today’s hottest artists including Pitbull, Nicole Scherzinger and Yolanda Be Cool & DCup. Follow along as celebrity Zumba instructors Tanya Beardsley, Gina Grant and Beto guide you through each routine. New 3D models of each instructor make playing the game feel like taking a real class.

Age: Teen and up

Price: $39.96

Platform: Nintendo Wii

Once Upon a Monster

An Xbox 360 exclusive, Sesame Street: Once Upon A Monster is an interactive storybook like no other as children join Elmo, Cookie Monster, Grover, Oscar the Grouch and other characters as they meet new monsters and help them overcome their problems. Players can engage in fun and physical activities such as monkey-see-monkey-do, playing instruments, flying, and running obstacle courses.

Age: Everyone

Price: $47.99

Platform: Xbox 360 Kinetc

The Black Eyed Peas Experience

The dance game in which players seek to match the dance skills of the members of the superstar crossover Hip-Hop group The Black Eyed Peas in face-to-face dance-offs. The game features 30 best-selling tracks by The Black Eyed Peas, each with real choreographer dance moves, unlockable items, on-screen song lyrics, two-player co-op dance functionality and more.

Age: Teen and up

Price: $49.96-$49.99

Platform:Xbox 360 Kinetc, Nintendo Wii

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect game for everyone on your list. Happy Shopping!

All prices deemed accurate as of 11/2/2011 from Amazon.com