Summer at the Movies: Flipped
July 26, 2010
I can’t remember the last time I went to see a “grown-up” movie. The few times when both my husband and I are off AND have child care, we typically just sleep relax. Last week, I found a website that provides information on advanced movie screenings. Since there isn’t much in this world that’s truly free, I was a bit skeptical. I had been wanting to see the movie Flipped, and I wasn’t able to attend the media screening last week. So I signed up, fully expecting to go through hoops to see a free movie that hasn’t even been released yet. To my surprise, I received the information on how to print out my 2 passes within minutes. It was that simple!
My thought was, ah…I get to watch a movie in peace…I don’t even have to write about it if I don’t want to. But it was so good, I couldn’t help but tell you about it. It’s very rare these days to find a wholesome family film. The movie made me laugh…and cry…and think about my relationship with both my children and my parents. Directed by Rob Reiner and starring Madeline Carroll, Callan McAuliffe, Rebecca De Morna, Anthony Edwards, and Aidan Quinn, you’ll “flip” for Flipped. This romantic comedy follows both perspectives of second-graders Bryce and Juli through elementary school into junior high school as they struggle through family life, love, identity, and tragedy.
Here is a quick synopsis from the site:
When second-graders Bryce and Juli first meet, Juli knows it’s love. But Bryce isn’t so sure. Girl-phobic and easily embarrassed, young Bryce does everything he can to keep his outspoken wannabe girlfriend at arm’s length… for the next six years, which isn’t easy since they go to the same school and live across the street from each other. But if Juli finally looks away, will it be Bryce’s turn to be dazzled?
Flipped is scheduled for limited release on August 6th and will be in theaters nationwide on August 27th.
No compensation was received for this post. I attended an advanced screening, courtesy of Gofobo and you can too!
Standing Ovation
July 18, 2010
On Friday, Kenilworth Films released Standing Ovation, a family film musical with comedy and heart. My husband and I don’t get out to the movies that often anymore, unless it’s a KidFlick, but this actually sounds like something we’d all enjoy. Here is a brief synopsis:
Standing Ovation delivers an optimistic tale of perseverance and passion that inspires the American dream in all of us. Five junior high school friends form a singing group called “The 5 Ovations” to compete in a national music video contest for a cash prize of one million dollars. With limited funds and resources, these street-smart kids use their wits, courage and passion to create spectacular song and dance numbers that compete with their arch rivals, “The Wiggies,” five rich, talented and unscrupulous sisters who, along with their parents, will stop at nothing to win the competition.
Standing Ovation features 20 original songs, 5 classics, and 14 dance numbers with a cast of over 100 dancers. Standing Ovation is in theaters nationwide.
No compensation was received for this post. I simply wanted to share information about a family movie you might enjoy!
Toy Story 3 Premieres in 3D
June 18, 2010
Can you believe it’s been 15 years since Toy Story first captivated children across the country with toys that come to life? Today is opening day for Toy Story 3, which finds Andy all grown up and off to college (crazy right?). Presented in Disney Digital 3D and featuring the voices of Tom Hanks (Woody) and Tim Allen (Buzz), Toy Story 3 will warm the hearts of parents and children alike.
It’s been some time since I’ve seen a Toy Story movie, but the familiarity of the characters made it easy to jump right into the plot. I’m not certain if this will be the last Toy Story movie (the ending, as always, leaves this up for interpretation), but it was my favorite. The action-packed movie follows Woody, Buzz and the gang as they plan their escape from…day care! What happens to those cherished childhood toys when the child grows up? Follow the gang as they wrestle with where they belong now that Andy is moving away. The movie is funny and tender. I found myself tearing up at the end as I think about my children growing up. They’ve also thrown in some humor that only an adult would appreciate. I should mention that there are some adult themes which may be a bit mature (scary) for younger kids. But my son, who has never seen a Toy Story movie sat the entire hour and forty minutes and only covered his eyes for one of the scenes. Here is a brief synopsis (without giving too much away).
“Toy Story 3” welcomes Woody, Buzz and the whole gang back to the big screen as Andy prepares to depart for college and his loyal toys find themselves in… day care! These untamed tots with their sticky little fingers do not play nice, so it’s all for one and one for all as plans for the great escape get underway. A few new faces—some plastic, some plush—join the adventure, including iconic swinging bachelor and Barbie’s counterpart Ken (voice of Michael Keaton), a thespian hedgehog named Mr. Pricklepants (voice of Timothy Dalton) and a pink, strawberry-scented teddy bear called Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear (voice of Ned Beatty).
My son has never sat through an entire movie, let alone one where he has to wear glasses, so I know he enjoyed it. While the movie is presented in 3D, I didn’t find it distracting (as I often do with 3 and 4D movies). At one point, my son took off his glasses and they were lost in the darkness of the theater. I was able to watch the movie (sans glasses) without any problems (rare for a 3D movie).
Since we saw the movie at Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre, we were able to check out the Toy Story 3 Fun Zone afterward. Every ticket purchased for Toy Story 3 at the Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre includes admission into the 25,000 movie-themed amusement park attraction. My advice? See the movie early so you can plan on spending ample time in this space. There were a lot of tears when we left. Just a quick walk away from the Theatre brings children to the “Zone” where they can meet Buzz and Woody, watch “Dancing with Toys” (a life stage show featuring Toy Story characters), bounce in Buzz’s Bounce House, play carnival games, test the latest movie-themed toys from Mattel and LEGO, soar on Bullseye’s Bungee Jump, and compete in an obstacle course. The “Zone” is impressive and offers a diverse range of activities for children in various age ranges. For more information, visit the Hollywood’s El Capitan Theatre.
No compensation was received for this post. We attended a screening at the El Capitan, courtesy of the company.
Toy Story 3
June 14, 2010
My son, like most boys, is eagerly anticipating the release of Toy Story 3. On June 18th, join Buzz, Woody, and the characters from Toy Story for a third installment of their adventures, where toys come to life.
If you’re looking for a truly unique, interactive experience, El Capitan offers a live stage show and their brand new Toy Story 3 Fun Zone. Some of the highlights from the Fun Zone include gaming (E3 for kids!), a bounce house, an obstacle course, and the chance to get hands on with themed toys from LEGO and Mattel. They’re also hosting a Toy Story marathon on June 17th where you and your kids can view all 3 movies in one afternoon.
For tickets, show-times, and more information, just visit the El Capitan website.
And if you’re looking for some Toy Story 3-themed activities, visit your local Disney Store.
June 19th, Toy Story 3 Scavenger Hunt (11 am to 2 pm): Kids will start the scavenger hunt by receiving some secret clues to find a specific Toy Story character or product in the store. Once kids find the character, they will be challenged with answering questions about the character. When all of the answers are completed correctly, they will be able to decode a mystery message and receive a special surprise (while supplies last).
June 26th, Toy Story 3 Adventure (11 am to 2 pm): Kids will be asked to complete four adventures/activities and may win a free activity sheet or other prizes.. When the activities are complete, kids will receive a certificate and special surprise for participating (while supplies last).
No compensation was received for this post.
Where the Wild Things Are
October 18, 2009
Have you head the buzz? Where the Wild Things Are: The IMAX Experience opened on Friday. The movie is based on a 1963 children’s book by Maurice Sendak. I don’t remember reading the book as a child, however, the book is very short (only 10 sentences) and tells of the story of Max who one evening plays around his home “making mischief” in a wolf costume (Wikipedia). Here is a little synopsis about the movie:
The film tells the story of Max, a rambunctious and sensitive boy who feels misunderstood at home and escapes to Where the Wild Things Are. Max lands on an island where he meets mysterious and strange creatures whose emotions are as wild and unpredictable as their actions. The Wild Things desperately long for a leader to guide them, just as Max longs for a kingdom to rule. When Max is crowned king, he promises to create a place where everyone will be happy. Max soon finds, though, that ruling his kingdom is not so easy and his relationships there prove to be more complicated than he originally thought.
On Monday, October 19th, IMAX is launching a promotion just for their Facebook fans! Each day of that week, two lucky fans who put the Where the Wild Things Are crown on their profile picture and comment on the IMAX Wall will be entered to win an exclusive IMAX Where the Wild Things Are poster, book, and a pair of IMAX movie tickets! The crown image and full instructions will be released on the IMAX Fan Page on Monday!
Win It! Two readers – across all participating Momfluence blogs (about 30) will win a Where the Wild Things Are Prize Pack which will include the following:
- An adult Where the Wild Things Are t-shirt (L or XL)
- A kids Where the Wild Things Are t-shirt (size large)
- A Where the Wild Things Are Crown
- An exclusive Where the Wild Things Are IMAX poster
- Where the Wild Things Are book
- A pair of IMAX movie tickets
To enter, you need to do two things:
1. Become a fan of IMAX on Facebook here: http://facebook.com/IMAX
2. Fill out this secure document: http://bit.ly/1kjn8H
The contest ends Friday, October 23rd at 11:59 p.m. ET and is open to all legal U.S. residents age 18 years or older.
ALSO:
There will be a Twitter party – hashtag #IMAXWildThings – Monday from 9 to 10 p.m. ET and even more prizes and tickets will be awarded during that event.
New on DVD: The Great Polar Bear Adventure (Plus a Giveaway!)
January 8, 2009
This giveaway is now closed. Thank you so much for stopping by! The winners are Janet F, Sylvia Belle, Denyse, Kenna Rogers, and Leah. Congratulations!
Looking for adventure this winter? Be sure to check out The Great Polar Bear Adventure, set to be released from Genius Products and Media Headquarters on January 20th. I absolutely love seeing animals in their natural habitats.
Here is a little more about this upcoming release:
See what life is like through the eyes of a 1,000 pound polar bear (the largest predator found on land), when The Great Polar Bear Adventure debuts on DVD. The Great Polar Bear Adventure was nominated for an Emmy and originally aired on Discovery Kids. Enter into the frigid temperatures of the Arctic and follow the story of one family’s attempt to adapt and survive in the ever-changing glacial climate that has ultimately made the polar bear a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Amazingly, producers worked with top polar bear scientist and researcher Dr. Nick Lunn to create a story that illustrates the effect of climate change from the imagined perspective of a polar bear. Featuring the voices of Howie Mandel and Megan Follows and combining stunning real life cinematography with cutting edge animation, The Great Polar Bear Adventure is sure to be a hit among adults and children.
The Great Polar Bear Adventure will be available for purchase on January 20th and will retail for $14.95.
Win It! 5 lucky readers will win a copy of The Great Polar Bear Adventure. Head on over to the site and take a look around. Come back here and leave me a comment with something interesting that you learned. Comments will close on January 23, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.
Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.
Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.
Subscribe to my feed.
Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.
Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.
Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!
Looking for more giveaways?
New On DVD: Closing the Ring (Plus a Giveaway!)
January 8, 2009
This giveaway is now closed! Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Thomas Semesky, Jaque, Samantha Pruitt, Ed Nemmers, and Pat Connors. Congratulations! 
I am a true romantic at heart. Some of my favorite movies include the classics like Gone With the Wind and Breakfast at Tiffanys. I know I introduce you to a ton of baby and kid products but today, I have something for you moms! When your little one is asleep or at grandmas, grab a cup of tea and sit down to Closing the Ring. Starring Academy Award winner Shirley MacLaine, Golden Globe nominee Christopher Plummer, Mischa Barton, Gregory Smith and Neve Campbell and directed by two-time Academy Award winner Richard Attenborough, Closing the Ring is a moving love story you don’t want to miss.
Here is a little more about the movie:
Closing the Ring is an inspirational romance that alternates between eras and continents. An adventurous Irishman goes on a quest to find the original owner of a gold ring that once belonged to an American World War II bomber pilot.
During World War II, more than 300,000 American military personal passed through or were based in Northern Ireland. On June 1, 1944, ten of these young American servicemen died when their B-17 bomber lost its bearings in heavy fog and crashed into Belfast’s Cave Hill. Over fifty years later, a news item about a discovery at the crash site of one airman’s wedding ring struck a chord in writer Peter Woodward, son of the actor Edward Woodward, inspiring him to write Closing the Ring. Richard Attenborough calls it ‘unequivocally one of the most exciting, most original, most authentic first screenplays I’ve ever read.’
Win It! 3 lucky readers will win a copy of Closing the Ring. Head on over to the site and watch the preview. Come back here and leave me a comment with your favorite romance movie of all time. Comments will close on January 23, 2009 at 10 pm PST. One comment per person, please. US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.
Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.
Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.
Follow me on Twitter AND tweet about the contest.
Subscribe to my feed.
Blog about this giveaway. It doesn’t have to be a separate post. Just include a blurb about it when you blog about other giveaways.
Place my button on your site. If you have difficulty, please let me know.
Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!
Looking for more giveaways?
Sneak Peak: DELGO
December 9, 2008
One of the perks of being a member of Team Mom is getting the “first look” at products and and services. On December 12, Fathom Studios will release their first independently produced and distributed movie called DELGO in theaters nationwide. DELGO is a fun, animated action/adventure movie starring Freddie Prinze Jr., Jennifer Love Hewitt, Anne Bancroft, Val Kilmer, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Chris Kattan.
Here is a little blurb about the upcoming film:
Fast-paced action and adventure, a mystical land, an unlikely hero, a princess and a message of acceptance between different cultures make Delgo the perfect family-friendly movie this holiday season.
The story takes place in the magical land of Jhamora which is divided between two cultures – the Nohrin, winged masters of the skies, and the Lockni, the terrestrial tribe who harness the mystical powers of the land. When Delgo (Freddie Prinze, Jr.), a reckless Lockni teenager, forms a forbidden friendship with the spunky Nohrin Princess Kyla (Jennifer Love Hewitt), hostilities between the two peoples escalate, setting the stage for an exiled empress (Anne Bancroft) to exact her revenge and reclaim her rule.
Falsely imprisoned, Delgo and his best friend, Filo (Chris Kattan), must put aside their differences to join forces with a sworn enemy, Bogardus (Val Kilmer), and travel to the mysterious land of Perran to rescue Princess Kyla. Here they encounter fanciful creatures and discover more than just a kidnapped princess, they learn the value of different cultures and the importance of working together.
Be sure to check out the trailer on the website!
