Do you learn better by watching rather than reading? Here is a chance to see how to transport your baby from screaming into serenity...in minutes. Watch as, step-by-step, Dr. Karp teaches new parent how to switch on their baby's powerful calming reflex. English and Spanish In "The Happiest Baby" Dr. Karp reveals a treasure sought by new parents for centuries... the "calming reflex" (the automatic "off-switch? for any baby?s crying). No wonder thousands of Los Angeles parents, from working moms to superstars like Madonna and Michelle Pfeiffer have turned to Dr. Karp to learn his secrets for making babies happy. Elisabeth Bing author and co-founder of Lamaze International "The Happiest Baby on the Block is fun, fascinating and convincing. I highly recommend it to all new parents." (Running time - 38 minutes.) The DVD also contains 3 bonus chapters: 1) Dr. Karp answers 25 questions from parents about calming babies and helping them sleep. 2) A Spanish dubbed audio track of the entire 38 minute teaching video. 3) Three tracks of calming white-noise sound that is an extraordinary mix of womb sounds and a newly designed pulsation that babies love (even though it sounds a little odd to the ears of an adult) Each track can be played individually, played in sequence or repeated for hours to gently guide your baby into a deep level of relaxation. This video is designed in NTSC not PAL or SECAM. It is meant for use in most countries in the Western Hemisphere as well as Japan, South Korea, Greenland, Guam, Samoa, and the Philippines.
REVIEW
Excellent Aid for Fussy Babies The Happiest Baby on the Block DVD combines a slew of old folk remedies for fussy babies into a calming method that not only makes sense, but works. My mother-in-law and I watched it as we took turns pacing around with my crying, colicky baby. We watched the doc calming babies like magic and just stared at each other, awed. But it really works! These techniques help the baby calm so both you and she get a respite. I actually bought a copy and donated it to the local library and have given it twice as a baby shower gift. A really useful product!
DescriptionJoin a thrilling expedition deep in the forbidding jungle, where two modern scientists are on the trail of an amazing discovery! While studying rare fossils, they uncover a living, breathing legend, an enormous pair of Brontosauruses and a hatchling dinosaur alive in the heart of the rain forest! To protect this rare find, they must escape a world of unseen and certain danger. Through a tribe of mystical native warriors and into the grasp of an evil scientist, it's the ultimate battle to survive! Screen favorite Sean Young (NO WAY OUT) and William Katt (THE GREATEST AMERICAN HREO) igniite the screen in this entertaining adventure of gigantic proportions!
REVIEW
Special Effects dated I bought this for my grandson aged 7 who is dinosaur mad. Although he enjoyed it in places he complained that real dinosaurs didn't move like that, eat like that couldn't swim under water, all the expert things that the rest of us don't really care about, and just enjoy the movie. At the movie's climax he was yelling encouragement to the mother dinosaur, so it can't of been that bad. Me, I enjoyed it just as much as the first viewing, although after the Jurasic Park movies the dinosaur special effects were a little dated
Amazon.comLaughter and hearty guffaws abound in this comical look at 37-year-old career woman Kate Holbrook's (30 Rock's Tina Fey) desperate attempts to have a baby. Never mind that she's not married and has never been involved in a serious relationship; Kate wants a baby and will stop at virtually nothing to get one. After failed attempts at broaching the concept of conception with first dates and trying artificial insemination with the help of a sperm bank, Kate finds out that her t-shaped uterus leaves her with only a one in a million chance of conceiving a child. Adoption doesn't work out and she's left with the distasteful option of hiring a surrogate mother. Enter Chaffee Bicknell's (Sigourney Weaver) surrogate service and her recommendation of the working-class Angie Ostrowiski (Saturday Night Live's Amy Poehler) who, with her common-law husband Carl (Dax Shepard), is just desperate enough to take on the job in order to make some money, and the stage is set for baby making. As fate would have it, Angie and Carl break up just after Angie announces she's pregnant and Angie ends up moving in with Kate. Unfortunately, the two are completely incompatible and what ensues is a hysterical struggle to coexist while clashing over everything from proper nutrition to stroller selection, hair dye, and delivery options. Further complicating matters is Kate's budding relationship with ex-lawyer and juice-store owner Rob (Greg Kinnear), who just happens to be morally opposed to the whole concept of surrogate parenting. Finally, there's the question of just how fully Angie embraces the virtue of honesty. It's the juxtaposition of opposing viewpoints--so boldly stated, humorously set, and blatantly exploited--that makes this witty comedy so darn funny. Expect graphic references, raunchy humor, and a whole lot of laughter. --Tami Horiuchi
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Stills from Baby Mama (Click for larger image)
REVIEW
Oh, Tina, NO!! Bad movie, BAD MOVIE!! I love Tina Fey, and I rarely miss 30 Rock...but this was horribly painful to watch! Predictable, I guessed most of it about 5 minutes into the film...Bad, bad, bad...:( I gave it 2 stars, one for Tina and one for Amy...sorry, ladies...this was just awful.
Amazon.com essential videoThe Baby Einstein Company's "video board books" were designed as music-focused developmental tools to stimulate babies' brains (prompted by research proving that exposure to classical melodies can improve verbal ability, spatial intelligence, creativity, and memory in youngsters). Now the company is expanding into other art forms, including color and art. The idea remains the same--taking bold, beautiful objects (toys, puppets, nature scenes) and setting them to fun renditions of classical music (their recordings are easily the best in the crowded field of child development). A new puppet--Vincent Van Goat--introduces the six primary colors and associates them with Van Gogh's paintings--"The Starry Night" for blue, "Wheat Fields with Reaper" for yellow. The only misstep is the poetry written and read by creator Julie Aigner-Clark, which is strongly reminiscent of Dr. Seuss's My Many Colored Days.
The company suggests the program is for toddlers between the ages of 1 and 4. Harsh sounds between segments--such as balloons popping and tires screeching--will draw the attention of youngsters but will probably render the video inappropriate for babes in arms. The video can be purchased by itself or with a beautifully produced 28-page book featuring Van Gogh's paintings, screen shots from the video, and Clark's poems. The combination set may be the best way to engage 3- and 4-year-olds' interest; they can follow along in the text while watching the video. Music includes "The William Tell Overture," "The Blue Danube," "Bolero," and Brahms's "Lullaby." The video also provides information on the cool toys seen in the ending "Toy Chest" segment. --Doug Thomas
REVIEW
Never to early to start with the Classics. I think the Baby Einstein products are amazing. Why not start early letting your children watch and listen to something very worthwhile. My three year old grandson has graduated to Little Einstein and now sings all the classical melodies.
Amazon.comFor his initial offering as director, Ben Affleck returns to the site of his first Oscar: South Boston. (He and Matt Damon shared the award for Good Will Hunting.) Hot on the heels of his moving turn in Hollywoodland, Affleck's Dennis Lehane adaptation marks one of the more seamless actor-to-filmmaker transitions in recent years. Ostensibly, a procedural about the search for a missing child, class and corruption emerge as his primary concerns. First off, there's low-rent private eye Patrick Kenzie (Casey Affleck, equally adept in The Assassinationof Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford). Then there's the girl's drug mule mother, Helene (Amy Ryan, Before the Devil Knows You're Dead). She and Patrick grew up in Dorchester, but he took a different path, setting up an agency with his girlfriend, Angie (Michelle Monaghan). Helene's aunt, Bea (Amy Madigan), hires the duo to augment the investigation, and they team up with Captain Doyle (Morgan Freeman) and Detective Bressant (Madigan's husband, Ed Harris). The authorities don't appreciate the interference, but Patrick knows how to get the local populace talking, and he soon finds there's more to the story than anyone could possibly imagine. Hard-hitting, but never soft-headed, the evocative end result proves Affleck has a flair for this directing thing and that his little brother can carry a major motion picture with aplomb. Gone Baby Gone belongs on the list of great Boston crime dramas, along with The Departed and Mystic River, Clint Eastwood’s take on Lehane. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
REVIEW
Why, Ben, Why?! I'll start off by saying that I am a HUGE Dennis Lehane fan. He's not my favorite author (Harlan Coben is), but he's definitely in my top 5. I can't say that I like all of his books, but in my opinion "Gone Baby Gone" is one of his better ones. Usually, I don't like book to movie adaptations, as I tend to think that there's no way that a movie can supersede the book that it's based upon, but there's been a few exceptions that I can think of right off the top of my head. "Shawshank Redemption", for example, which is based on a short novel by Stephen King. "Mystic River" is another one, which is based on the book by the same name, and by no other than Dennis Lehane himself. So I thought to myself, it can't be all that bad. Boy, was I wrong. Ben Affleck, and whoever put him in charge, and behind the camera, should be fired and banned from having anything to do with movie making industry ever again. While we are at it, ban Casey, and all the other Affleck's, if there are any, too. But actually, it wasn't Ben Affleck's directorial debut that I have complaints about (honestly, I was quite impressed with it), but rather his choice of actors (I assume that he played a big part in casting). Now let me explain what exactly I mean by that. In my book, Ben Affleck is THE WORST actor of all time. PERIOD. I don't think the word "actor" can be even applied in the same sentence with Ben Affleck. I'm a movie buff, and will watch pretty much anything. However, I try to avoid movies with Ben Affleck for the reason mentioned above; Paul Walker (SECOND WORST actor ever... "Running Scared" is an exception - I enjoyed that movie enormously, and can only wonder how much better it could be without Paul Walker in it); and ... yes, Casey Affleck, who is the THIRD WORST actor, partially because of his VERY annoying voice, but mostly because of the fact that he simply can't act. Anyway... Back to the movie, and why I hated it so much. But you've probably already guessed it - THE CHARACTERS killed it. Casey Affleck's portrayal of Patrick Kenzie was, for the lack of a better word, HORRIFIC. Arnold Schwarzenegger would've done a better job. Is Casey the only one to blame? Unfortunately, not. His "better" half, as someone referred to her in the movie, or the character of Angela Gennaro, wasn't much better also. That's not how I imagined those two when I read the books. They lacked emotion; they lacked chemistry; they lacked anything else that you can possibly think of. And what about Bubba?! He's supposed to be the meanest, the toughest person to walk the face of this planet. Loyal to his friends, but ruthless to his enemies. So who was the whiny, whimpy fatso that played him? Hey, Ben, have you read the book?! Unbelievable... The girl's mother, and her uncle were overplaying a bit. Morgan Freeman was totally underused. I think the only bright spot in the movie was Ed Harris, who almost nailed his part. And the only reason I say "almost" is because he was surrounded by a bunch of losers. So to summarize, if you haven't read the book, and don't mind that pathetic excuse of an actor Casey Affleck, then there is a chance that you might enjoy this movie (although I would still recommend to just pick up a copy of a book, and read it). Otherwise, I suggest to stay as far away from it as possible. You've been warned...
Amazon.comThe beauty of this entry in the Baby Einstein catalog is its integration of puppets, toys, and live farm footage to help babies and toddlers make the connection between their plastic play sets and stuffed animals with images of a real farm. As always, the spoken language is minimal, omitting the pesky verbs and adjectives that would confuse the very young. The 30-minute main program is divided into sections: barns and equipment, animals, planting crops, and harvesting. Background music ranges from "Old MacDonald" to Schumann, and DVD extras include a 6-minute puppet show and visual "discovery cards" identifying animals and farm paraphernalia with a single word. (Ages 6 months to 3 years) --Kimberly Heinrichs
REVIEW
I'm dissapointed with the new release! I bought a copy of this one two years ago, but unfortunately my son damaged it. He loved it so much I decided to buy it again. I bought the new release of the dvd thinking it was probably better than the original. I was very dissapointed to find out that the language tracks are not available, even though it plainly states it on the back of the dvd case! I love the Baby Einstein series because its a great way to keep Spanish in my child's life. I would not have bought it again if I had known that the language features were no longer available. False advertising!!! If youre gonna do something, do it right or dont do it at all.
Amazon.com essential videoJohn Waters's goofy, 1990 comedy about a Baltimore girl (Amy Locane) who can't decide if she should remain "good" in her 1954 world or hang out with the motorcycle boys is funny in a scene-by-scene way, but doesn't quite gel into the grand piece the director was hoping for. The cast is exceptionally likable, however, including Johnny Depp as an Elvis type and Iggy Pop as a chattering loony. The best material is set in a fringe world of bikers and losers on the outskirts of town, and Waters writes some hilarious sardonic dialogue for the characters. Cry-Baby is the last of Waters's more undisciplined features; he followed it with the glossier but no less perverse Serial Mom. --Tom Keogh
REVIEW
Hilarious Movie Johnny Depp at his funniest!! I LOVE THIS MOVIE!! And i reccomend everyone see it!!
Baby Signing Time Volume 1 sets your baby's day to music as you learn signs and songs for everyday events in baby's life - eating, family, pets and more. Designed specifically for babies 3-36 months old, Baby Signing Time combines sign-along songs, playful animation, and the positive reinforcement of signing babies - who are all age 2 and under - to teach you and your baby to sign the easy way!
ASL signs you will learn:
* Eat * Drink * Cracker * Water * Cereal * Milk * Banana * Juice * Finished * Mom * Grandma * Dad * Grandpa * Diaper * Potty * More * Bird * Fish * Cat * Dog * Horse * Frog * Hurt * Where * Baby
Available only on DVD. Includes sign review and special features.
REVIEW
Great Starter Series The Original Baby Signing Time 1 & 2 wonderful. Engaging and catchy music that help the children pay not to mention fun singing and signing in the car.
The comment these are two produced is a bit premature, check out series 2, they have gone way way too produced and formulaic. These are great starter DVDs (and CD's). Our children loved them, and when they were 18 months old had over 200 signs (yes we did get the entire series 1, it was great and well worth it). Our kids are now older and still sign often and spontaneously.
Amazon.comWhen Baby Einstein started its "video board books" in 1997, the company was virtually alone in the field of baby development. By its sixth video, the field has become crowded with similar-sounding titles. Now scientists might be able to analyze what a baby will get out of a video like Baby Dolittle compared to Baby Van Gogh, but is it worth getting more baby videos? Absolutely--babies love variety as much as their adult counterparts. On that level, Baby Dolittle scores. The theme of animals is a natural, and this show should cause squeals of delight from little ones 1 to 4 years old. Using a stimulating mix of brightly colored toys, whimsical puppets (including your host, Pavlov the Dog), and lots of pictures, Baby Dolittle takes the viewer on a 30-minute tour of commonly found animals. Help your little pal spot a pig on the farm or a dog in the house. Baby Dolittle uses animals' sounds, kids' drawings, and photography for each animal in four habitats. The natural settings and original, bright recordings of Beethoven, Rimsky-Korsakov, Vivaldi, and others should make this a favorite every time you want to visit Old MacDonald's Farm. Followed by a companion production, Baby Dolittle World Animals. --Doug Thomas
REVIEW
BORING!!! I thought that my 6 month old daughter would like this movie because she is already an avid tv watcher but this didn't hold her attention much at all. Everytime it switched sceens, the screen goes black for a second. The music was very lame too and did not attract my daughters attention at all. There was not much speaking or much music (especially in the beginning). It did show lots of differnt animals in a variety of their natural outdoor settings but for a baby the graphics wasn't colorful enough to keep her attention. I would think an older children, maybe 3 or so, would be more interested in this type of video.
Amazon.com essential video"The love impulse in man," says a psychiatrist in Bringing Up Baby, "frequently reveals itselfin terms of conflict." That's for sure. For a primer on the rules and regulations of the classic screwball comedy, which throws love and conflict into close proximity, look no further. A straight-laced paleontologist (Cary Grant) loses a dinosaur bone to a dog belonging to free-spirited heiress Katharine Hepburn. In trying to retrieve said bone, Grant is drawn into the vortex surrounding the delicious Hepburn, which becomes a flirtatious pas de deux that will transform both of them. Director Howard Hawks plays the complications as a breathless escalation of their "love impulse," yet the movie is nonetheless romantic for all its speed. (Hawks's His Girl Friday, also with Grant, goes even faster.) Grant and Hepburn are a match made in movie heaven, in sync with each other throughout. Not a great box-office success when first released, Bringing Up Baby has since taken its place as a high-water mark of the screwball form, and it was used as a model for Peter Bogdanovich's What's Up, Doc?--Robert Horton
REVIEW
Please! This is so BAD! It's not funny, at all. It's simply not funny. No plot, laughs, likable charaters, nothing good. Skip it, skip it, skip it.
