Camp Rock: Extended Rock Star Edition
Disney

Following the mega-success of the two High School Musical Disney Channel TV movies, Camp Rock is about — surprise — a musical camp. Joe Jonas (of the Jonas Brothers) is a member of a rock band wrangled as a counselor/instructor to improve his image, and Demi Lovato is the new girl, a daughter of the camp cook who lies about herself to fit in with “cool” girls, led by the “bad” Meaghan Jette Martin, the camp diva. A few more semi-cliche characters are introduced as well. What makes it all work for ‘tweens and younger is the music (not quite as catchy as H.S. Musical, though the anthem, “We Rock,” is a winner) and choreographed numbers — all safe, all Disney. Nick and Kevin Jonas also appear in the movie in small roles, and the Jonas Brothers perform a couple songs. Bonus features include an extended previously unseen alternate ending and the guide “How To Be A Rock Star.”

Hannah Montona and Miley Cyrus-
Best of Both Worlds Concert – Two-Disc Extended Edition
Disney

Perhaps this should’ve been covered as a music DVD, but since Hannah/Miley is for kids (though grown-ups may like some of the songs) and was TV-spawned, let’s get to it here. The Hannah Montana & Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds concert tour set new records for scalping and eBay auctions, and the 3-D concert film in theaters was a hit as well. From the behind-the-scenes, how it happens footage to the onstage performances, Miley Cyrus is a natural, full of charm as her alter-ego and as herself. The Hannah songs are more on the pop side while, as Miley, she’s a lil’ rocker in an ’80s-style new wavey kind of way. The Hannah numbers include “Rock Star,” “Life’s What You Make It,” “Nobody’s Perfect,” and “We Got the Party.” The Jonas Brothers, who were special guests, sing their Radio Disney hits “When You Look Me In the Eyes” and “Year 3000,” and then Miley is back as Miley for songs such as the spunky “Start All Over,” “Girl’s Night Out,” “Let Dance,” and the theme from her Hannah Montana TV show, “The Best of Both Worlds.” The 3-D effects work fine on a TV (glasses are included in the packaging), and bonus features include a sing-along mode so all the girls can sing into their hairbrushes with friends while watching.

Jane and the Dragon: A Dragon’s Tale
Shout Factory

We discovered Jane and the Dragon on UK television in 2007, and then the program started running on NBC in the USA. Set in the kingdom of Kippernium, 12-year-old Jane is more interested in being a knight than just another lady-in-waiting. She rescues Prince Cuthbert from a dragon who turns out to be more of a puddytat, and King Caradoc grants her permission to train as a knight, with the comical Dragon as her new pal. Based on Martin Baynton’s children’s books, the 3-D style CGI animaton has its own magic to match the stories of right and wrong and friendship, which are never preachy. There are five episodes here, along with looks at the art and character profiles, plus a printable coloring page for PCs and Macs.

Transformers Animated: Season One
Hasbro

This set includes the remaining 13 episodes out of 16 of the first season of the latest Transformers animated series. The DVD from earlier this year, Transform and Roll Out, previously covered by Buzzine, features the pilot episode, which was first a TV movie and then the first three episodes of the show. This two-disc set opens with episode four, “Home is Where the Spark Is,” and goes from there. Among the standouts are “Blast From the Past,” which introduces Dinobots, “Sound and the Fury,” starring Autobot Soundwave, and the two-part season finale “Megatron Rising,” where the program really finds its focus, though the other episodes will work for young Trans fans.

Adventures of Galaxy Rangers
Complete Collection, Volume Two
Koch

The second part of of the definitive collection of this space cowboy series features more tales of the intergalactic lawmen. Set after the year 2086, two aliens from the planets Andor and Kirwin have travelled to Earth to search for allies against the evil Crown Empire led by the Queen of the Crown. In return for help, Earth gets the schematics for a faster-than-light hyperdrive, and away mankind goes into the galaxy. BETA (Bureau for Extra-Terrestrial Affairs) establishes the Galaxy Rangers to protect the spaceways and take on interstellar baddies. The show ran from 1986-1989, combining sci-fi and wild-west motifs, plus touches of sword and sorcery fantasy too. When the series originally aired, episodes were aired five days a week until all 65 were shown, but out of order. As with Volume One, this set takes care of that. The extras include interviews with series creator Robert Mandell and writers Dan Fiorella and John Rawlins, select episode audio commentary, behind-the-scenes bits, and a slideshow of Galaxy Rangers character art, plus a 28-page Collectible Booklet.

Wayside School Season One
Paramount

Based on Louis Sachar’s books, Wayside School is a Canadian series about a wacky grammar school that was “accidentally” constructed as a 30-story-high building with classrooms stacked on top of each other. The teachers are often nuttier than any students, and sleeping in class is encouraged! It’s all seen from the perspective of new student Todd, who becomes part of the class taught by Miss Jewels. Not quite a future classic, but young boys especially will like this one.

Corduroy…and More Stories About Caring
(Scholastic Storybook Treasures)
New Video Group

This Scholastic/Weston Woods/New Video celebrates the 40th anniversary of longtime children’s book favorite Corduroy with this release. The lead story of the way-too-cute stuffed animal bear who goes searching for his missing button and finds friendship is warm-hearted and like a little blanket of soothing comfort. The DVD also includes other sweet tales as well, including “Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel” and “Smile for Auntie.” Delightful for Kinders and pre-schoolers.