No comments about Children's Family Classic: Good King Wenceslas and Silent Night.

No comments about Silent Night with Jose Carreras.

2 comments about Holiday Double Feature: The Tin Soldier/Rumpelstiltskin.

1. I have loved this version of Rumpelstiltskin my whole life. I CANNOT believe it is on DVD soon. I am forever grateful. The cartoon version on the front made me think it might be him, and it was! The exact one I grew up with!
   
   The animation is haunting and his personality is amazing. I love the songs. I'm sorry, but this DVD release is going to be a MUST-BUY for me. THANK YOU FHE!!!



2. Screen acting legend Christopher Plummer narrates these two cherished tales based on the works of Hans Christian Andersen and The Brothers Grimm. Children of all ages can sing along with these animated classics that the whole family will enjoy! The toys come to life in "The Tin Soldier!" This poignant tale of a steadfast, one-legged grenadier has inspired children since it first appeared in print in 1838, and remains a beloved parable of duty and sacrifice. It even inspired the smash hit "Toy Story!" "Rumpelstiltskin" is perhaps the most famous dwarf in all of folklore! This tale of the mysterious little man who could spin straw into gold has fascinated children for nearly two centuries, and remains a popular bed-time story around the holidays and year 'round!.

No comments about A Wobot's Christmas.

No comments about 1984 Brigham Young vs. Michigan.

5 comments about Bob the Builder - Holiday Video 2003 - A Christmas to Remember.

1. My three-year-old son has loved this movie more than any other Bob the Builder video for more than a year. He cannot take his eyes off of it-and it's a fairly long show. Luckily, it's entertaining enough for the whole family to watch with interest. We highly recommend this for Bob enthusiasts and first-timers.



2. My 5 year old watches this tape over and over. He especially likes Elton John's song. When it comes on the radio, he says that's the "Bob the builder christmas song".



3. My son has about 20 Christmas DVDs and this is one of our favorites!
   
   This heartwarming story has Bob's twin brother, Tom, trying to make it home for Christmas--clear from the the Arctic Circle! Will he make it in time?
   
   A Christmas to Remember has a heartwarming--and well crafted--plot, and features a guest appearance by Elton John!
   
   I admit--I tear up when I see the baby videos showing Tom and Bob playing as kids...as well as Bob's disappointment when he hears that Tom missed his boat. It's a very heartwarming tale with some very funny moments!
   
   Of course, Wendy, Spud, and the rest of the can-do crew make appearances in this story--as do "Lennie and the Lazers"!
   
   At around 50 minutes, this engaging DVD will delight fans of Bob the Builder, as well as small children. And, it's a DVD that a parent can sit through comfortably without being bored to death or driven insane by mindless drivel or grating singing--which is a great plus!



4. We love Bob but this one isn't his best... Has Elton John in it which is kind of strange but whatever... Kind of boring and hard storyline for a 2 year old to follow, but in the end, a nice message of the importance of family.



5. The movie is great and my age 3 son loves the movie. Perfect on a cold snowy day!

1 comments about Cuento de Navidad.

1. I enjoyed the video, however it was also the only version that I could find in Spanish. The animation was a little cheesy and the dubbing was off in places.

5 comments about Our Favorite Things - Christmas in Vienna / Tony Bennett, Vanessa Williams, Placido Domingo, Charlotte Church.

1. Placido Domingo has done several holiday concert special for PBS over the years. The ones I've seen usually pair him with Jose Carreras on the classical end and maybe one pop diva like Dionne Warwick or Diana Ross. That makes for a mixed bag, and maybe a few awkward moments when the vocal styles don't quite mesh. But with the visuals, the glitz and glamour of the stars usually make these spectacles enjoyable enough.
   
   I've never seen the DVD version of this concert, which also aired of PBS, as I understand it. But I'll wager it works better with the visuals. As a pure listening experience, OUR FAVORITE THINGS comes up short. Domingo is really the only singer who is in top form for the occasion, and his Spanish language carols (probably unfamiliar to most American listeners) are a real treat. Tony Bennett, who has been fine in other recent broadcasts and recordings, sounds a bit hoarse here. He improves as the concert progresses, but he relies more on phrasing than chops and is at a disadvantage when duetting with Domingo. (On the other hand, Domingo's noticeable discomfort with idiomatic American English weakens his performance on tracks like "My Favorite Things" and "I'll Be Home For Christmas").
   
   On the distaff side we have Charlotte Church and Vanessa Williams, whose work I am less familiar with. Church sounds a little nervous and out of her depth when duetting with Domingo. She has a pleasant enough voice, which I hope she does not subject to too much strain before reaching her potential. I am not an expert in these matters, but I have been told by classical singers that too much too soon can be disastrous for a developing voice.
   
   Williams is less distinctive a pop singer than, say, Dionne Warwick or Diana Ross, who could at least begin to hold their own against the classical singers in those previous holiday concerts. She has her moments, but even her duet with Tony Bennett on "White Christmas" seems a bit strained.
   
   Fans of the individual singers featured here may well want to purchase this CD, but (even without having seen it), I'm betting that the DVD would be a wiser purchase. With the visuals of Vienna, the concert hall, the gowns and the glitter, I'm guessing it holds up a bit better. Strictly on a musical level, though, this is none of the stars' shining hour.



2. ONE AT A TIME IF YOU PLEASE!!!!
   
   This disc includes four of the best voices of our day, BUT they simply do not belong together in one program!!!!Somehow hearing 'O Holy Night' by two classical sounding singers following 'The Christmas Song' sung by a jazz-pop singer doesn't 'light my fire'. Now if you offered me a complete album of anyone of these singers, I probably would take it and enjoy it. Obviously, this is a money-making venture of the extreme sort; after all(say the great commercial powers) if you don't like Tony Bennett, then you have Placido Domingo etc. etc. etc. As I recall the same type disc was recorded 2 years ago (1998) with four diverse singers, Domingo again included.
   
   Oh well, the individual contributions are, for the most part enjoyable, but you will notice I did say: for the most part.



3. Maybe you had to be at the performance to appreciate it. Perhaps the concert itself, with the presence of these four performers, had some sort of flow and dazzle.
   
   But this CD is merely a strange assortment of singers, songs, and stylings, in no particular order. For instance: Placido Domingo's Jesus de Nazareth (the reason I'm giving this three stars instead of two) - followed by Tony Bennett and Vanessa Williams warbling a swinging "Winter Wonderland." Which detracts from my enjoyment of both those pieces.
   
   And then there are the inexcusable versions of "Angels We Have Heard on High" and "Silent Night," in which Tony Bennett's voice is just not up to the music anymore. It should have been obvious during rehearsals, and Bennett removed from the ensemble or given easier solos, or other songs selected. (And I still love him as a singer, just hate to see his aging voice be bested by the wrong music. In public.)
   
   It is an odd little CD, as is suggested by the cover. I found it in a bargain bin and was puzzled by the selection of these four performers, and decided to buy it and find out how well it worked. I'm so glad I didn't pay full price.



4. My favorite holiday music performed by top professionals and the gifted Charlotte Church. The amazing abilities of the featured artists supported by the magnificent orchestra and chorus make this an album that I wait all year to hear.



5. An odd assortment of singers you never thought of putting together, come together to produce a truly delightful Christmas concert. The visuals are beautiful to look at as well.

No comments about Yorkshire From The Air.

No comments about Santa Claus.