Teen Beach Movie follows teen surfing sweethearts Brady (Ross Lynch) and McKenzie (Mack) (Maia Mitchell) as they ride the last wave of summer. Mysteriously this wave takes them into Brady’s favorite movie, the 1962 beach party movie, “Wet Side Story” where the rival surfers and bikers are vying for control of the beach hangout. Brady and Mack must get back to present day but to do that they need to get through the movie. During their visit to 1962 they alter the romantic storyline of the movie and they have to rectify this before they can leave. Of course all of this happens while there is the requisite singing and dancing found in every classic beach party movie.

Teen Beach Movie is a cute family film that will resonate with ages 8+. The dancing and soundtrack are well done, though there is some really bad lip-synching at times. The storyline is endearing and the underlying theme of the movie-be true to yourself-is a good lesson for kids who are always trying to fit in.

I did find it a bit disturbing that the character of Tanner (Garrett Clayton) seemed to me to be a Zac Efron wanna-be while Seacat (Jordan Fisher) was a young, not-as-good-looking Corbin Bleu. There are so many different types of kids out there did we really need Disney Channel stereotypes? Just my opinion.

On Saturday, July 27th at 8pm ET/PT Disney Channel will air a Dance Along telecast of Teen Beach Movie hosted by the cast. Dance tutorials will also be available on DisneyChannel.com. Since July 19th the DVD has been available at Walmart and these come specially packaged with a collectible surfboard zipper pull-while supplies last. On July 30th the DVD will be available at retailers nationwide. The DVD also includes an exclusive new music and dance number including behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage.

Most of you have probably already seen the movie several times on your DVR but I suggest you pick up a copy of the DVD and set is aside for Christmas or a birthday. Your child will appreciate owning their own copy of this summer’s hit movie.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the DVD for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

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In case you don’t know about RADIO REBEL it is a huge hit DCOM that originally aired in February. We have watched it 8-10 times before getting the DVD to review so this was a hit in our home. The story, acting and music is all top notch and is a great fit for families, kids, teens and tweens.  In my opinion this was Debby Ryan‘s best work yet.

The DVD includes the movie, 5 featurettes, deleted scenes, a blooper reel and the music video. The best of the bonus features is the music video.

Have you or your kids seen RADIO REBEL yet? Leave me a comment and let me know your favorite part of the movie. If you haven’t seen it, add it to your shopping list, your family will enjoy it.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the DVD for the purpose of this review. All opinions are 100% mine.

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Earlier this week I told you that the latest DCOM, Let it Shine was premiering June 15th. If you missed it last night is is re-airing on Disney Channel this weekend and I assume over the rest of the summer. I watched last night and it was better than I expected it to be. While this is no High School Musical or Lemonade Mouth, it was a very good movie.

The movie follows 16 year old Cyrus DeBarge (Tyler James Williams), an aspiring musician who has the gift of rhyme but lacks the self confidence to take the stage.Cyrus and his best friend Kriss McDuffy (Trevor Jackson) both enter a songwriting contest and Kris is mistakenly named the winner for the song Cyrus wrote, a song where Cyrus shares his feeling for his longtime crush, Roxanne Andrews (Coco Jones). Cyrus panics and lets Kris take credit for the song and soon he is on the sidelines while Roxanne begins to fall for Kris.

As the movie progresses we learn that Cyrus’ father, a Baptist minister is very anti hip hop and rap, the music his son is passionate about. So along with the confused love triangle and web of lies, there are also themes of redemption, reconciliation and understanding that are woven into the fabric of the movie.

The story is strong, though somewhat predictable. The music and dancing are very well done, though especially in the final scene, there are some very obvious lip synching issues. I was very impressed with the caliber of acting. Newcomer Coco Jones reminded me a lot of Keke Palmer in Jump In! I was most impressed with Brandon Mychal Smith as Lord of Da Bling. I have always seen him playing a good guy and I actually had trouble accepting him as the bad guy at the beginning of Let it Shine. Brandon did a great job and I really disliked his character at the end of the movie.

Let It Shine is a great movie for families, tweens and teens. I hope your family enjoys this Disney Channel Original Movie this summer.

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