New DVD, Blu-ray and Instant Video releases this week include “The Brady Bunch Complete Series” (groovy!), “Harlock: Space Pirate” (rad!), “Elmo 3” (super cute!) and lots more. Here’s a sneak peek.
1. THE BRADY BUNCH: THE COMPLETE SERIES
Not Rated. Paramount. Buy on Amazon.
How fun to have the whole Brady Bunch series in one set — 117 episodes in all! With a groovy shag carpet cover! You know the story: When widower Mike Brady (Robert Reed) marries a lovely lady named Carol (Florence Henderson), their two families become one. The six kids include Carol’s daughters, Marcia (Marcia! Marcia!) (Maureen McCormick), Jan (Eve Plumb) and Cindy (Susan Olsen), as well as Mike’s sons, Greg (Barry Williams), Peter (Christopher Knight), and Bobby (Mike Lookinland).
Together with their dog Tiger and quirky housekeeper Alice (Ann B. Davis), this wild clan became one of the most popular families in sit-com history. From the debut episode where Mike and Carol tie the knot to the heartwarming series finale, this show is filled with family fun, outrageous outfits, and loads of sibling rivalry.
2. CHUGGINGTON: FIRE PATROL RESCUE
Not rated. Anchor Bay. Buy/Watch on Amazon.
In this latest collection of Chuggington adventures, Wilson sets out on fire patrol duty with his new friend Asher and learns to use a fire hose in a rescue. There’s also a friendly contest of Chug Patrol versus Speed Fleet; Hodge find himself in a high-rise jam; and all the Chuggers practice emergency drills at the roundhouse.
In these six exciting episodes, plus New Chugger Spotlights, a Bonus Badge Quest Episode and coloring sheets, Wilson, Asher, Brewster and young viewers discover the importance of community service and working together. Limited Edition Bonus Pack includes a toy train.
3. HARLOCK: SPACE PIRATE
Not Rated; Ok for Kids 9+. ANconnect. Buy/Watch on Amazon.
Many years into the future, battle has been raging across the galaxies as 500 billion humans, whose forebears were exiled from Earth, plan to return to what is still called home. Forced to flee a ravaged Earth, humans have now depleted the corners of the galaxy to which they fled.
Earth has now become the most valued and precious resource of all, controlled by the corrupt Gaia Coalition which governs the human race across the different galaxies. Captain Harlock and his trusted crew are the only hope mankind has of discovering the secrets that the Gaia have kept hidden. A worthy installment for any anime fan. Includes the original Japanese version.
4. ELMO 3
Not Rated. Sesame Street. Buy/Watch on Amazon.
It’s all Elmo all the time in this collection of the best moments with everyone’s favorite furry red monster. Elmo sings and dances his way through numbers, letters, vocabulary, and emotions with his Sesame Street pals and a few famous friends like Melissa McCarthy, Taye Diggs, Drew Brees, Romeo Santos and more.
Join Elmo as he does “The Elmo Slide,” finds out about “The Power of Yet” with Janelle Monae, and sings about the number 5 with the band Train. After 45 seasons, Sesame Street has received more Emmy awards than any other show in television history, as well as a Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award. Great kids’ programming never goes out of style.
5. BERENSTAIN BEARS: ULTIMATE COLLECTOR’S EDITION
Not Rated. Phase 4 Films. Buy/Watch on Amazon.
This Ultimate Collector’s Edition includes a collection of the best Berenstain Bears DVDs featuring your favorite bear family — more than 50 episodes on 10 DVDs.
Also, each DVD cover is a fun coloring page for your kids — which is really awesome. So gather around and enjoy this amazing Berenstain Bears marathon.
6. THE BUSY WORLD OF RICHARD SCARRY: HUCKLE & LOWLY’S GREATEST ADVENTURES
Rated G. Mill Creek Entertainment. Buy on Amazon.
Richard Scarry’s children’s books and illustrations have been loved by children and their parents for generations. And with good reason — they’re engaging, educational, and cute as all get out. This DVD features 20 exciting adventures of two of Busytown’s most famous characters, Huckle Cat and Lowly Worm. Episodes include The Three Fishermen, The Busiest Firefighter Ever, Camping Out, The Treasure Hunt, A Trip To The Moon, The Big Story, Young Vikings and lots more.
7. YELLOWBIRD
PG for mild peril. Lionsgate. Buy/Watch on Amazon.
Just when it’s time to migrate to Africa, Darius (Danny Glover), the elder of the flock, is wounded. He will have no choice but to share all his secrets, wisdom and new flying routes with the first bird that happens to come along.
The candidate is none other than Yellowbird (Seth Green), an eccentric little fellow, super excited about the challenge, but without the slightest hint of knowledge or natural talent for migrating whatsoever. Christine Baranski, Dakota Fanning and Richard Kind also voice characters.
8. JULIUS JR.: PIRATES AND SUPERHEROES
Not Rated. A&E Home Video. Buy/Watch on Amazon.
This cute series centers on Julius Jr., a monkey with a penchant for invention. Together with his best pals, Worry Bear, Sheree, Clancy, and Ping, they build a playhouse out of a simple cardboard box. But when they walk inside, to their surprise and delight, they discover that ordinary objects magically come to life and amazing adventures are just a door away. The episodes on this DVD include Farmer Sheree, Dez the Dragon, Banana-licious, Pirates and Superheroes, Bouncy Beans, and A Real Hero.
