I had the honor this past week to travel with the cast and crew of Veggietales Live – God Made You Special Tour. I was able to see first hand the quality of the show from start to finish. First of all I had never traveled with a Live show and after one week I sure do appreciate the long days and hard work that both cast and crew put forth in order to produce a great show. I traveled from Bozeman Montana to Eugene Oregon and each show was awesome – but some of the shows stood out during the 12 show run. Missoula Montana made a mark in my mind. It was so cool to see families engaged in the show and singing the songs with their kids and just having a great family time together. I stood back and thought – every Veggietales fan needs to be at this Live Show! Let face it – there are not to many solid Live shows that a Christian family can attend these days. Veggietales delivers on this one for sure!!
Let me give you an overview of the show . . .
If you arrive early there will be some pre show videos playing on the screen that everyone will love. The music is classic Veggietales – you will find yourself tapping your toes and singing thru each line of some of your favorite Veggie Tunes. The costumes are larger than life ( which make each seat in the house have a pretty good view). The story line is classic Veggie ( Bob is lost in Larry time machine – Larry bought it on Ebay) and they have to find where Bob disappeared to. In the midst of all this we are reminded that “God Made You Special” and loves you very Much ( as Bob always says). I loved the show and thought it was very well written and executed. The show is mixed with live actors with creative dance steps, colorful costumes and the Wierd Ometer ( you will find out when you go to the show).
Has anyone seen the live show? Let me know what you think about this all new Veggietales Live Show.
So if you want a great family outing that the entire clan will love – than check out Veggietale Live this fall. Now on tour thru Thanksgiving.
How cool would it be to have your child’s favorite characters singing their favorite song with your child’s name in the song? Well – now it is possible with a new line of CDs and books from a company called Just Me Music. They have created a great new line of CDs that has Barney, Mickey, Bob and Larry and a few other popular characters singing their trademark songs to your child. It is really a wonderful idea. I have to say that I was concerned when I first heard of this idea – I thought it would sound cheesy. The reality is that the quality is very good and the sound is seamless regarding the singing of the child’s name in the songs. They also feature a line of personalized books ( Veggietales) that insert the child’s name in the story. This is awesome!! They take into consideration the personality of the child and incorporate the child’s name as they progress through the story.
So if you are looking for a unique gift for that special child in your life this Christmas season- than this could be the perfect gift. This is very different and is specific to the child you are giving the present to for their birthday, Christmas or just because. I have provided a link to their web site justmemusic.com.
The pirate’s are pulling up to the dock October 11th, 2008 on DVD. The theatrical release produced $12.5 million at the box office. What will the DVD sales look like as it hits the store in time for the Christmas season? Will the FREE pirate hat and sword convince fans to take the plunge or will they walk the plank and make the purchase? Big Idea and the parent company sure hope that this new Veggie title performs well this holiday season. Maybe strong sales on this title can help keep Bob and Larry off the sale block. The rumor is that Entertainment Rights is trying to sell off some of their assets to help cover some debt. We will see what happens with this story.Regardless of the status of Big Idea – The Pirates movie is a wholesome family movie that delivers a message that God can use anybody and wants to be apart of our lives. The music is classic Veggie and the story is creatively written by Phil Vischer.
Big Idea is now 15 years old and seems to be holding on with consumer interest. Saturday mornings on NBC seem to be going strong. Numbers are down from season #1 -but NBC has committed to go thru this season with Bob house and 321 Penguins.
Pre order the new Pirates DVD now at http://www.kidonearth.com
Attention Veggietale fans. Big Idea is rolling out the red carpet to celebrate its 15th anniversary with a special edition DVD re-release of Where’s God When I’m Scared? A live 10 week stage tour “Where’s God When I’m Scared”, two new book titles and other product tie-ins.
The re-release of the first Veggietales title “Where’s God When I’m Scared’ (Thank you – I still have this one on VHS and I need to upgrade to a DVD version) is coming to an e-tailer near you on August 19th, 2008 (Kidzonearth.com). This classic title is where it all started back in 1993 in the spare bedroom of Mr. Jellyfish ( Phil Vischer). The live stage tour will land this fall in a city near you and the other product tie-ins will hit just in time for school.
Where’s God When I’m Scared was a groundbreaking title that launched Veggietales forward into the Christian market and beyond. The story is simple, the the characters are endearing and you will find yourself singing and or humming the song “God is Bigger than the Boogieman” as you walk the isle of your local grocery store. In the end we find out that God can help us thru our fears and He will comfort us in our times of need.
To pre order and to check out other Veggietales titles go to Kidzonearth.com
Meet Tomato Sawyer & Huckleberry Larry – two friends homesteading along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River. Tom & Huck look forward to owning their own land, building a home and opening Huck’s Jerkey Land and Tom’s Tax Service. But everything changes when they meet a mysterious stranger who is on the run and trying to find his mama. Will Huck & Tom risk losing all they’ve worked for in order to help someone they hardly know? A lesson in helping others.
This new episode is the latest all new Veggietales episode to arrive on the scene since the Pirates Movie. Rumor is that Phil Vischer wrote this story – if this is true it will be a great episode. There was a screening last night for a conference in the south (April 14th). If anyone happened to be at this screening of Huck Larry – please chime in and let us know what is in store with this clever spin on Huck Fin.
Find out in this all-new adventure Veggietales – Big River Rescue! Coming to DVD this July 12th, 2008. Pre order this new title at Kidzonearth.com.
If you live in Portland Oregon – Mark your calendars for ( Saturday July 12th 10:30am) the big screen premiere of Huckleberry Larry. This event will be held at the Hollywood theater in Portland Oregon.
Click here to view a trailer of the new Veggietales episode.
January 11th has come and gone ( the 11th was the opening day of the new Veggie Pirates Movie). The fate of the new Veggietales movie in the box office is not what was expected and is slowly moving along in the $$ box office numbers. As of this past weekend the total box office take is $11.2 million (slow and steady). Look at how well The Hannah Montana movie performed – it hit $29 million in just 3 days – wow!!
So what is the deal? Why did the Veggie Pirates Movie perform below expectations? I believe that the Pirates movie is a good solid family film. Good music, great story, silliness and just pure fun to watch for kids. Well – enough of what I think – What do you think? I am curious to hear from Veggie fans.
Here is what a few Veggie fan’s thought . . .
“Great Family night opportunity”
“It was a great family film”
“It was great and taught a great lesson”
“It was the best! Loved it and all the kids that went loved it! Thanks Big Idea!
“It was delightful and taught a great lesson that with God’s help we can do anything.”
“Nothing in the movie about God will make church people NOT go to see the movie.’
“Excellent Biblical teaching in a great entertainment format.”
‘I would not recommend this as a Christian Movie as there was not one mention of God or any Bible verses. Just another movie – it was okay. I expected alot more from Big Idea remember why you started and return your roots!!!
Greeting Veggie Fans!
Welcome to the new blog for Kidzonearth.com where we feature all things Veggietales. The new family film “The Pirates Who Don’t Do Anything” debut was this past weekend. The movie opened to an excited audience throughout the land! In day and age where there are very few safe family films to go see – the Veggies deliver with delightful adventure that families are sure to love. If you have not yet seen the movie on the big screen – then pull up your stakes and head on out this weekend!
Here is what a few of the critics are saying. . .
So what’s the good word on Pirates? The critics love ‘Pirates!’
“Veggies the kids will love” – Newsday
“Tots will eat this Veggietales up.” – New York Daily News
“For values-based produce, a heroric Seafaring Quest.”- New York Times
“Veggietales has fun with swashbucklers.” LA Times
“Moral nutrients of the latest ‘Veggietales movie are pureed to perfection.”
Chicago Sun Times
Faith and Family Films News and Notes 