Nella the Princess Knight Coming to DVD

Nella the Princess Knight, Nickelodeons unconventional princess, brings action into homes with the release of her first DVD. Fans will be able to join Nella as she goes on daring quests and transforms into a princess knight and defends her kingdom. Whether she is searching for a lost invitation, or rescuing a phoenix, Nella is always ready to stand up for what's right.

Nella is eight years old and she is fearless, confident, and friendly and this DVD features eight episodes which will show you just that.

• Princess Nella's Orc-hestra -  Nella's concert keeps being interrupted by Gork the orc.
• That's What Best Friends Are For - Trinket, Nella's talking unicorn and best friend, refuses to admit that she is sick on the day of the big parade.
• Big Birthday Surprise - Nella Tracks down Garrett's childhood dragon friend, Bigor, for a birthday surprise.
• Sir Clod - Nella helps Clod, Sir Garrett's talking steed, find his invitation to the Royal Café Breakfast Buffet.
• The Blaine Game - Nella and Garrett spot a pink polka dotted dragon on the mountains; meanwhile, Blaine (a mean an bossy 9-year old knight) thinks he can do everything better than Nella.
• Knightly Knight Dragons - When sleepy dragons move to Castlehaven because of a scary monster in their cave, Nella the Princess Knight sets out to find it.
• Inside and Seek - Nella's new friend Minatori the minotaur wants to play hide-and-seek, but her reluctance to follow the rules causes chaos in the castle.
• Up All Knight - Nella frees a phoenix from the knight brigade tower.

Nella the Princess Knight is produced by Nickelodeon Home Entertainment and distributed by Paramount Home Media distribution and will be available on DVD January 30, 2018. Be sure to grab it for all of your knights in training.

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Paddington 2 in Theaters January 12th + Review & Giveaway

If you are looking for a fun movie for the whole family then you are in luck because Paddington 2 come out this Friday, January 12th.  This movie continues the story of the lovable bear that started with the original movie three years ago.

 

The synopsis is:

Following the worldwide hit “Paddington,” one of the most successful family films of all time, this much-anticipated sequel finds Paddington (Ben Whishaw) happily settled with the Brown family in London, where he has become a popular member of the local community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes.

While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington sees a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it.  But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief.

Paddington 2 stars: Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey), Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral), Sally Hawkins (Jayne Eyre), Brendan Gleeson (Into the Storm), Julie Walters (Mamma Mia) and Ben Whishaw (The Hollow Crown) as the voice of Paddington.

My daughter and husband attended a screening last week and they came home excited about this movie.  They said that it was very fun and entertaining.  They did not want to reveal any spoilers because they want to see it again and take me this time. From what they were talking about it sounds like there are a lot of laughs, perhaps a tear or two and plenty of great action and that in the end it all comes down to family.

The movie runs 1 hour 43 minutes and is rated PG. 

Plus, one lucky My Springfield Mommy reader will win a Paddington 2 Prize Pack with the items pictured below.

Giveaways ends at 8pm on Sunday, January 21st

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Forever My Girl

I always love to hear how couples have met.  I think it is interesting how some couples have an unexpected situation that brings them together while others have known each other their entire lives and then one day something changed and they realized they could be more than friends.  This likely explains why romantic movies are always a hit with me and why I am looking forward to going to see Forever My Girl.

Forever My Girl tells the story of music super-star Liam Page (Alex Roe) who left his bride, Josie (Jessica Rothe), at the altar choosing fame and fortune instead. However, Liam never got over Josie, his one true love, nor did he ever forget his Southern roots in the small community where he was born and raised. When he unexpectedly returns to his hometown for the funeral of his high school best friend, Liam is suddenly faced with the consequences of all that he left behind.  Forever My Girl is an uplifting romantic film about second chances.  It releases in theaters on January 19.

Since we are talking about how people meet, I have to share that next week my husband and I will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary.   When you factor in the time we dated we are looking at close to 20 years together which is why when I tell you we met online you might wonder.  Sure online dating is popular today but 20 years ago when we exchanged our first email I was pretty sure that I would never actually meet him since he was most likely going to murder me since that's what "internet people" (as my Mother called him) do.   

After months of email exchanges there was no avoiding that one day we would meet.  Which is why armed with a friend I agreed to meet him in a very pubic place (a local movie theater).   My plan was simple, go see a movie and leave since I had a friend with me.  I had no plans on ever seeing him again after this one night.   That of course changed when I walked in and saw him standing there,  I remember telling my friend that I was in big trouble because if I walked in that theater and introduced myself I would end up marrying him.   She of course looked at me like I was crazy but watched as I walked in and literately faced my fate.

Which as you can see here worked out just the way it was meant to, since we just had a date night to celebrate our anniversary.

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The Miracle Season - In Theaters April 18th

Just days before Thanksgiving this year there was an accident on the local highway.   It was quickly shared on facebook that local girls had been involved and the outcome was a positive one.   While I can not claim to have known the girls or their family's I feel that The Miracle Season is a movie that our community will all stand behind.   From what I have heard these young ladies were very active on their school's basketball team and having a daughter on another town's team I know first hand how the towns have all come together to show their support to not only their family's but also their community. 

SYNOPSIS

Based on the inspiring true story of West High School girls' volleyball team.  After the tragic death of the school's star player Caroline "Line" Found, the remaining team players must band together under the guidance of their tough-love coach in hope of winning the state championship.
I know The Miracle Season is going to be just what this town needs when it comes to theaters on April 18th.

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Star Wars: The Last Jedi In Theaters Friday + Review

 

Can you believe that is has been 40 years since the original Star Wars movie, A New Hope, was released?!  I have to be honest and say that I personally never got into this series, however, my husband is a big fan and when I was offered an invitation to attend a screening of the new chapter, I knew that he would jump at the chance.  Below are his thoughts of Star Wars:The Last Jedi which is being released Friday, December 15th.



I clearly remember going to see A New Hope in 1977 when I was 6 years old. I also remember seeing it 4 or 5 times in the theater. I was instantly brought into the world George Lucas created and anxiously waited until each new movie was released.  I really enjoyed The Force Awakens a few years ago and could not wait to see The Last Jedi.  One reason for my excitement was because the way the The Force Awakens ended, with Rey arriving at the secret island that had one very important resident, Luke Skywalker.  Interestingly, this is the first Star Wars movie that picks up right where the last movie ended, with no jump in time and I had to know what happened when Rey met Luke.

Obviously I don't want to divulge any spoilers, but I can honestly say that this movie did not disappoint.  Seeing Rey and Luke work together the way that Luke and Yoda did in the original trilogy was exciting.  Plus, the other story lines involving Kylo Ren, Finn, Poe and some new and old characters kept the movie moving along quickly.  The scenery was beautiful and the battle and fight scenes were amazing, including one incredible use of slow motion. It really is a great movie and it left me wanting to know what happens next right away.  By the way, in case you hadn't already looked it up or heard a story about it, Star Wars: Episode IX is scheduled to be released on December 20th, 2019 so we all have to wait two years for the conclusion of this trilogy. 

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 2 hours and 32 minutes. 

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Disney Pixar COCO in Theaters Wednesday, November 22nd + Review

When I think of the holidays, I think about family. With as busy as everyone's lives are it is good to slow down and spend time together when you can.  A great way to do this is to go see a movie and even better would be to see a movie about family, which is why I am excited to tell you about the newest movie from Disney Pixar, called COCO.  It comes out in theaters Wednesday, November 22nd and is perfect for the whole family. 



The synopsis of the movie is:

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Héctor (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel's family history.

Thanks to Disney Pixar, my daughter and husband got to attend a screening and they came back raving about it. Obviously they don't want to give out any spoilers because I definitely want to see it too, but they said that they really loved the story about family and how important it is and how everyone needs to remember those members who are no longer alive.  They also said that visually this movie is amazing and that the animators outdid themselves with all of the scenery especially in the Land of Your Ancestors.  They saw it in 3D and they said that they really felt like they were brought into the very vibrant lands.


The movie runs 105 minutes and is rated PG. This is a movie that your whole family of all ages should really enjoy.

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Goodbye Christopher Robin

We all grew up and fell in love with Winnie the Pooh as children.  Now for most of us we are passing that love our to the next generation, our children. With the recent release of Fox's Goodbye Christopher Robin this has left me wondering, how much do we know about A.A. Milne and his beloved tales of Winnie the Pooh. 

For those who may not know  Goodbye Christopher Robin is a film that takes us to post-war England and the lives of the Milne family. A.A. Milne, an author and veteran of The Great War suffering from PTSD becomes inspired by his son to create characters that we all know and love today. The film explores the ways we heal, and the sometimes complicated bond between children and their parents especially when the child shares a spotlight alongside a treasured icon.

Staring Domhnall Gleeson (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, The Revenant, Unbroken), Margot Robbie (The Wolf of Wall Street, Suicide Squad) and Kelly MacDonald (Brave, Nanny McPhee). It is directed by Simon Curtis (My Week With Marilyn, Woman In Gold) and written by Simon Vaughan and Frank Cottrell Boyce (who you may or may not know wrote famous children’s book Chitty Chitty Bang Bang) this film is sure to inspire your entire family.

While many of us will never share the spotlight with our children, I imange it would be a challenge to keep the balance of both home and fame in check.  I am looking forward to seeing Goodbye Christopher Robin and to see if it changes the way I look at the iconic characters in Winnie the Pooh.

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Boss Baby Bluray #BossBabyHE #BossBabyMovieNight

Some of us are just born leaders and the Boss Baby is no exception, starting Alec Balwin as the voice of Theodore Lindsey Templeton AKA the Boss Baby this movie will have you looking at babies in a whole light.

Told from the perspective of his 7 year old brother, Tim voiced by Tobey Maguire, you are taken on a adventure that takes sibling rivalry to a whole new level leaving the question who really is in charge?

Now available on digital download and Bluray on Tuesday, July 25th this movie will entertain your entire family no matter the age.   Which is why this weekend we are inviting a few friends over and having a Boss Baby movie night at our house.    I am even teaming up with the Benld Public Library on Saturday, July 29th where we will be showing Boss Baby in the city park. 




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The Zookeeper's Wife - $25 Fandango Gift Card Giveaway

Have you ever been moved by a movie trailer to the point you know that the film is going to be one you will want to see multiple times?  This is exactly what happened to me when I first saw the preview of The Zookeeper's Wife, but before I explain why, let me tell you more about this title.

THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIF:

In 1939 Poland, Antonina Żabińska (portrayed by two-time Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain) and her husband, Dr. Jan Żabiński (Johan Heldenbergh, a European Film Award nominee for the Academy Award-nominated The Broken Circle Breakdown), have the Warsaw Zoo flourishing under his stewardship and her care.

When their country is invaded by the Germans, Jan and Antonina are stunned and forced to report to the Reich's newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck (Golden Globe Award nominee Daniel Brühl of Captain America: Civil War).

To fight back on their own terms, the Żabińskis covertly begin working with the Resistance and put into action plans to save lives out of what has become the Warsaw Ghetto, with Antonina putting herself and even her children at great risk.

When I was younger, my parents would often share the story of a couple they had been in business with years before I was born.  Both of them had been Holocaust survivors and had made their way to the St. Louis area where they reconnected and married.  I remember as a young child, always thinking they had to of been ridiculously old or dead.   Then one night after school I remember walking into our living room and there they sat. They had come up to visit with my parents and from that day on they became a couple who spent a lot of time with us.   While they never spoke of their experiences with me, again I was a child, my parents would share a few stories and I just remember being shocked that they were not much older than my parents and that put the events of the Holocaust into a perspective that I don't think many people my age are able to experience, because of this I am looking forward to seeing The Zookeeper's Wife, rated PG-13, when it is in theaters on March 31st.   

Would you like to win a $25 Fandango gift card to take your heroine to see The Zookeeper's Wife?

Giveaways ends at 8pm on Sunday, March 26th

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Disney's Beauty and the Beast in Theaters Today + Review

The wait is over and Disney's Beauty and the Beast is in theaters today! 



The synopsis is:
Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” is a live-action re-telling of the studio’s animated classic which refashions the classic characters from the tale as old as time for a contemporary audience, staying true to the original music while updating the score with several new songs. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart and soul of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Oscar® winner Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s eccentric, but lovable father; Josh Gad as Lefou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor as Lumiere, the candelabra; Oscar nominee Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Oscar nominee Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts. Directed by Oscar® winner Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast” is produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman with eight-time Oscar-winning composer Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the 1991 animated film, providing the score, which will include new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as several new songs written by Menken and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice.

As soon as the announcement was made a few years ago that this movie was going to be made, my family could not wait to see it and I am happy to say that after attending a screening earlier this week, I am confident that you will not be disappointed. We really had a great time and honestly would have watched it a second time immediately after having seen it the first time. I am certain that we will be going to see it at least one more time in the theaters. 

I definitely don't want to give any spoilers away, but I will say that this movie does a great job of being true to the animated movie, while also showing some of the back stories of both Belle and the Beast. The cast is fantastic, especially Emma Watson as Belle.  The scenery is also amazing; this movie does a great job of bringing Belle's village to life as well as Beast's castle.  The village in particular is how I pictured it in my hand and from watching the animated movie. 

Beauty and the Beast is a really enjoyable movie with a running time of 126 minutes, though it doesn't feel that long at all.  As I said before, I wished I could have watched it again right after finishing seeing it for the first time.  It is rated PG.  

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The Lego Batman Movie Out Friday + Review

 

Thanks to Warner Bros. for my advanced screening invitation.

If you enjoyed the Lego Movie like my family did and thought one of the best parts was the Batman character, then you are luck, because the same people who made the first movie have created a new movie that focuses on the Dark Knight. The Lego Batman movie is in theaters this Friday, February 10th.



The synopsis is:

There are big changes brewing in Gotham, but if Batman (Will Arnett) wants to save the city from the Joker's (Zach Galifianakis) hostile takeover, he may have to drop the lone vigilante thing, try to work with others and maybe, just maybe, learn to lighten up. Maybe his superhero sidekick Robin (Michael Cera) and loyal butler Alfred (Ralph Fiennes) can show him a thing or two.

My daughter and husband attended the screening this past weekend and they came home talking and laughing about it and tried to explain their favorites parts to me. They said there was a lot of action and a lot of funny moments.  My husband said that Will Arnett does another great job providing the voice to Batman and that he gets great dialogue just as he did in the original movie.

The Lego Batman Movie is a great movie for the whole family and is rated PG and has a running time of 1 hour, 46 minutes.  

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Rogue One: A Star Wars Movie in Theaters Friday, December 16th & Review

Thanks to Disney for my screening invitation. Opinions are honest, no compensation received. 

Coming to theaters this Friday, December 16th is the first of the Star Wars standalone films called "Rogue One".  My husband is the Star Wars fan in my family, so he jumped at the chance to attend the screening of this movie and below are what his thoughts are.

If you are a fan of the Star Wars movies, then I am sure you remember what the scroll reads at the beginning of Episode IV: A New Hope.  "It is a period of civil war. Rebel spaceships, striking from a hidden base, have won their first victory against the evil Galactic Empire. During the battle, Rebel spies managed to steal secret plans to the Empire's ultimate weapon-the DEATH STAR, an armored space station with enough power to destroy an entire planet".

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is the story of those Rebel spies and their quest to get the DEATH STAR plans.  The description is that "This key event in the Star Wars timeline brings together ordinary people who choose to do extraordinary things, and in doing so, become part of something greater than themselves."




I of course do not want to give away any spoilers, but I will tell you this movie is a great addition to the Star Wars series.  In Rogue One, you will see a number of characters, both big and minor, that you first saw in Star Wars: A New Hope.  It definitely helps to have seen the original Star Wars movie to fully understand this one, however, it would still be enjoyed by someone who may not have seen it yet. It has a number of great battles and some very interesting new characters. There is a lot of action, some dramatic scenes and a number of laugh out loud moments. As soon as I left the theater,
I wanted to head home right away and watch A New Hope to keep the story going. 

Because this movie happens in the time period leading up to A New Hope, it feels very familiar and while some new locations are featured in Rogue One, a number of ones already shown before are featured. The new characters and some old ones intersect and work together to create this new Hope that the rebellion so desperately needs. As Jyn Erso, the new female lead of Rogue One says, "Rebellions are built on hope".

Rogue One is rated PG-13 and has a running time of 2 hours, 13 minutes but the time flew by for me. 

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Any dream is possible and some can even be...GREATER

If we think about it long enough I am sure we can all come up with the name and story of a person who has inspired you, amazed and maybe even moved them to changed your outlook on life a little.   That is exactly what Brandon Burlsworth did when he proved to not only himself but the world that he had what it took to become a great football player.

GREATER, in theaters Friday, August 26th,  is an inspirational movie based on the life of Brandon Burlsworth. Brandon had one dream – to play for the Arkansas Razorbacks.  Unfortunately, Brandon was a clumsy player who lacked the physical prowess to make the team.  He was written off by coaches and teased by his fellow teammates.  Undeterred, Brandon continued to show-up for practice.  He woke up before anyone else and worked harder than anyone else, until his determination paid off.  Not only was he given an opportunity to walk-on and play football – he became one of the greatest players on the field, and was drafted to the Indianapolis Colts. 

After hearing about Brandon's story I took a minute and thought about the people who have truly inspired me and the reality is many people do.   Our community leaders who selflessly lookout for us, the singles parents who balance work and family life, those dealing with long term illnesses be it themselves or those they take care of the list is long and the fact is I believe we all have the power to inspire and it is up to us to take the action to do so.

With a new school year upon us I would be foolish to not mention the teachers in our lives.  Without teachers taking the time to not only educate but advocate for our children where would we be?  This is why I am proud to be working with GREATER and being able to provide a Walmart gift card to our daughter's teacher to use as she sees fit for the classroom.  I have no doubt with her at the front of the classroom our daughter, and the other students will all have a successful year.

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The Secret Life of Pets in Theaters Today

Thanks to Illumination Entertainment for my screening invitation. Opinions are honest.

If you are like me and have pets, do you wonder what they do when you aren't at home.  That question is addressed in the new movie, The Secret Life of Pets, and it is out in theaters today.



My husband and daughter attended a screening for this movie and even though they saw it almost two weeks ago, they are still laughing about it and telling me about scenes. When we watch TV and the trailer comes on, they start telling me what happened before and after those particular scenes. From hearing them talk about it, it sounds like the movie is a lot of fun and has a lot of action and jokes.  Even though they have basically told me about the whole movie, I can't wait to see it and they have already said that they want to see it again too.  You will probably recognize a lot of the voice talent in this movie including Louis C.K., Eric Stonestreet, Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Ellie Kemper, Lake Bell, Dana Carvey, Hannibal Buress, Bobby Moynihan, Steve Coogan and Albert Brooks.

The Secret Life of Pets is created by the people who made the Despicable Me movies and if you are a fan of those movies, especially the Minions, you won't be disappointed. Don't be late for the movie, because there is a brand new mini-movie featuring the Minions before The Secret Life of Pets begins.  My daughter and husband said it was super funny and so much happened and the audience was laughing so much, they want to see it again to catch everything they may have missed. 

I am sure that after you see this movie, you will come home and if you have pets, you will be looking at them differently and will be curious about what they may have been doing while you were gone. The movie is rated PG for action and some rude humor. It runs 87 minutes.

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Disney's The BFG In Theaters Today

Thanks to Disney for my invitation to an advanced screening. Opinions are honest. 

Today, Friday, July 1st, is the day that Disney releases The BFG in theaters. 



The synopsis is:
The talents of three of the world’s greatest storytellers – Roald Dahl, Walt Disney and Steven Spielberg –finally unite to bring Dahl’s beloved classic “The BFG” to life. Directed by Spielberg, Disney’s “The BFG” tells the imaginative story of a young girl and the Giant who introduces her to the wonders and perils of Giant Country.

My husband and daughter went to see the movie and came home raving about it.  They have been trying to use the interesting words the BFG uses and I have been trying to figure out what Snozzcumber and Frobscottle mean, but it sounds like I would not particularly like the after effects of taking a drink of Frobscottle. They also talked about beautiful the movie looked including the interesting looking giants as well as the scenery of Giant Country. The BFG is described as a 24 foot tall giant who has enormous ears and a keen sense of smell, he is endearingly dim-witted and keeps to himself for the most part. The actor playing the BFG, Mark Rylance, is amazing.  Of course CGI is a big part of his character, but the language and expressions he creates are very funny.

The running length of the movie of 110 minutes is longer than a usual family movie, but they both said that it moved quickly and it did not feel that long. They both highly recommend The BFG for the whole family and are planning on taking me to see it too. 

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Disney Pixar Finding Dory In Theaters Now

Thanks to Disney for my invitation to the advanced screening. Opinions are honest. 

Can you believe that it has been 13 years since Finding Nemo was released?! I am not sure why it took Disney Pixar so long, but they have finally created a sequel, Finding Dory, and it comes out today, Friday, June 17th.

The synopsis is:
Disney•Pixar's “Finding Dory” welcomes back to the big screen everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres), who’s living happily in the reef with Nemo (voice of Hayden Rolence) and Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks). When Dory suddenly remembers that she has a family out there who may be looking for her, the trio takes off on a life-changing adventure across the ocean to California’s prestigious Marine Life Institute, a rehabilitation center and aquarium. In an effort to find her mom (voice of Diane Keaton) and dad (voice of Eugene Levy), Dory enlists the help of three of the MLI’s most intriguing residents: Hank (voice of Ed O’Neill), a cantankerous octopus who frequently gives employees the slip; Bailey (voice of Ty Burrell), a beluga whale who is convinced his echolocation skills are on the fritz; and Destiny (voice of Kaitlin Olson), a nearsighted whale shark. Deftly navigating the complex innerworkings of the MLI, Dory and her friends discover the magic within their flaws, friendships and family.

My husband and daughter attended the advanced screening earlier this week and my daughter has not stopped talking about it. She has told me the highlights and has shared some of her favorite lines from the movie, but of course, I won't share any of those with you and spoil it.  What I will share with you is that both of them said that they really loved the movie and if I want to, they would be happy to go see it again. They described how amazing the movie looked, clearly there have been huge advances in technology in the past 13 years. They also talked about the voices, which including some very familiar voices, both from Finding Nemo as well as some new ones.

They also told me that the short movie before Finding Dory, called "Piper" is incredible and is a must see.  The movie is rated PG and has a running time of 95 minutes.  One tip, I would encourage you to stay and watch the credits.

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Me Before You Now in Theaters

Earlier this year, Jojo Moyes' book Me Before You come across as a suggested read on Amazon and without knowing anything about the title I decided to see if the library had a copy I could borrow. About 50 pages in I was unable to put the book down, in fact I would get annoyed when I was interrupted and not able to read it in peace and quiet.

 For those who may not be familiar with Me Before You:

Louisa “Lou” Clark (Clarke) lives in a quaint town in the English countryside. With no clear direction in her life, the quirky and creative 26-year-old goes from one job to the next in order to help her tight-knit family make ends meet. Her normally cheery outlook is put to the test, however, when she faces her newest career challenge. Taking a job at the local “castle,” she becomes caregiver and companion to Will Traynor (Claflin), a wealthy young banker who became wheelchair bound in an accident two years prior, and whose whole world changed dramatically in the blink of an eye. No longer the adventurous soul he once was, the now cynical Will has all but given up. That is until Lou determines to show him that life is worth living. Embarking together on a series of adventures, both Lou and Will get more than they bargained for, and find their lives—and hearts—changing in ways neither one could have imagined.



I was invited to the screening and while I refuse to be the person known for giving out spoiler alerts what I will say is that Thea Sharrock has done the book proud in that she stays true to the story line and does not take liberties with Me Before You that you often find when a book is made into a film. Sure there are a few minor elements that time would just not permit for but that is to be expected. The onscreen chemistry between Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin will leave you so caught up in the story that you will forget you are at the movies.

For those who have read the book, you know what to expect. For those who may not be familiar with the topics this title brings up I suggest you do yourself a favor and let the movie be where you find out what this story is all about. I will suggest that no matter what you know about Me Before You that you go prepared with a handful of Kleenex in your hand and be ready to #LiveBoldly.

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Star Wars: The Force Awakens Review

Thanks to Disney for my screening invitation. Opinions are honest. 

The review embargo has been lifted so now it can be shared that I was invited to a screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.

Having not seen any of Episodes 1-6, my husband was more than willing to take my place and go since he is a big fan of the movies and remembers going to see the first Star Wars movie in 1977 when he was 7 years old.  Below is his review.

First of all, there will not be any spoilers in this review.  I made a point not to read any spoilers or speculation about this movie before I went and I am so happy I did. 

Star Wars: The Force Awakens is an incredible movie that really feels like a continuation to Star Wars: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.  J.J. Abrams, the director and co-writer of this movie is clearly a big fan of the original trilogy.  He is able to continue the story of the original movies and uses some of those characters while introducing new characters and combining them seamlessly.  Plus, he brought back the composer, John Williams, so you know the music is an amazing addition. 

There are some great action scenes, some laughs and perhaps even a tear or two.  It really was a fun 2 hours and 15 minutes. 

After I came home from the screening I Googled Star Wars spoilers and it was once again proven that not everything written on the internet is true. I encourage you to avoid reading any opinions or "facts" about the movie before you go and see it for yourself.  I had such a good time watching the movie, because I went in purposely not knowing any possible details or speculation.  

This movie could be viewed without having seen any of the previous 6 movies, though there are definitely some references and "inside jokes" that others will laugh at that you would not understand, but you would still enjoy the movie. 

The only negative I can say is that it will be very hard to wait until the next episode comes out. Star Wars:The Force Awakens opens everywhere Friday!

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Teen Beach 2 on DVD Review + DVD & Soundrack Deals

Thanks to Disney for my sample for review. Opinions are honest. No compensation received. 

Did you and your family catch Teen Beach 2 on Disney Channel? If you can't wait to add it to your movie collection, the DVD is available right now! My daughter watched the whole movie when it premiered last Friday and saw parts of it throughout the weekend.  When the DVD arrived, she immediately put it in to watch it again. She really had a good time seeing the story from Teen Beach Movie continue.

In case you haven't seen it yet, the synopsis is:
Now that summer's over and school has begun. Brady and Mack's relationship seems headed for a wipeout-until Lela, Tanner and the "Wet Side Story" kids show up! Dazzled by the novelty and variety of the modern world, Lela wants to stay, but the real world and the "reel" world just don't mix. Can Mack and Brady find the magic to get the kids home and get their own romance back on track before it's too late?

What she was most excited about were the extras included with the DVD.  The DVD shows the cast during dance rehearsals practicing Best Summer Ever, Gotta Be Me, Falling for Ya and That's How We Do.  Plus, it comes with a necklace like the one Lela gave to Mack that she has worn every day since she got it.

Teen Beach 2 is rated G and runs 104 minutes. It retails for $26.99, but Amazon has it for just $14.85!



And of course the music in the movie was great! My daughter immediately requested we get all of the songs just like we did after she saw the original Teen Beach Movie.  Here is a deal on the Teen Beach 2 Soundtrack!   Go to Amazon and get the CD for $11.88 or the MP3 for $9.49.

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Join the #HomeMovieParty Tonight at 6 PM PLUS GIVEAWAY

Sponsored

Today, Friday, June 26th, you can purchase Dreamworks Animation's Home on Digital HD!

To celebrate, you are invited to join the #HomeMovieParty tonight at 6 PM CST.

Be sure to RSVP for the Twitter party.

Download your copy of this really fun movie now and get ready to press play at 6 PM tonight.  The director of the movie, Tim Johnson, will be joining in and you can ask him questions.  Plus, you might be one of the lucky prize winners!

 I have a copy of the Blu-ray to give one My Springfield Mommy readers:

Giveaway will end at 8pm on Sunday, July 12th

 Winner chosen by Random.org
Winners responsible for supplying shipping info via email.
U.S. or Canada entries only

Want to win?

RSVP to tonight Twitter Party

Attend tonight's party and tag me in a tweet to confirm (10 entries)

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