Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox

Last week, I showed you a sneak peak of Rio, 20th Century Fox’s latest animated film.  The movie stars the voice talents of Anne Hathaway and George Lopez and follows the story of Blu, a domesticated macaw from small-town Minnesota who never learned to fly.  When he learns that another Macaw, one of the last of his kind, resides in Rio de Janeiro, he heads to the exotic country to meet the fiercely independent Jewel.

Rio soars into theaters nationwide on April 15th.

Win It! One of you will win a $25 gift card so you can see Rio! Simply leave me a comment to include  something you’re looking forward to with regards to the film.  Comments will close on April 13th 2011 at 11:59 PM PST.

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.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

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.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post. Review and giveaway gift cards supplied by the company.

In just three weeks, the comedic adventure RIO debuts in theaters nationwide.  The animated film, presented in 3-D Digital Animation, stars the voice talents of Anne Hathaway, George Lopez, and Jamie Foxx and was conceived by the makers of ICE AGE.  Here is a short synopsis of the film:

Blu is a domesticated Macaw who never learned to fly, living a comfortable life with his owner and best friend Linda in the small town of Moose Lake, Minnesota.  Blu and Linda think he’s the last of his kind, but when they learn about another Macaw who lives in Rio de Janeiro, they head to the faraway and exotic land to find Jewel, Blu’s female counterpart.  Not long after they arrive, Blu and Jewel are kidnapped by a group of bungling animal smugglers.  With the help of street smart Jewel, and a group of wise-cracking and smooth-talking city birds, Blu escapes.  Now, with his new friends by his side, Blu will have to find the courage to learn to fly, thwart the kidnappers who are hot on their trail, and return to Linda, the best friend a bird ever had.

Stay tuned! Next week I’ll be hosting a film-related giveaway you don’t want to miss.

No compensation was received for this post.

I’ve had the opportunity to see live performances of the Nutcracker on several occasions in my 32 years of life.  But I’ve yet to see a film on the big screen, or in 3D for that matter!  On November 24th, The Nutcracker in 3D will premiere in theaters across the country.

Here is a brief overview of the film:

From the imagination of acclaimed Russian director Andrei Konchalovsky, the cherished story of The Nutcracker will be brought to life in spectacular 3D this holiday season.  THE NUTCRACKER IN 3D follows nine-year-old Mary (Elle Fanning) whose dull Viennese Christmas is suddenly filled with excitement and adventure following the arrival of her beloved Uncle Albert (Nathan Lane) and his gift of an enchanted nutcracker.  On Christmas night, Mary’s new friend, The Nutcracker (Charlie Rowe) or “NC,” comes to life and takes her on a wondrous journey into his magical world of fairies, sugarplums, and other Christmas toys which come to life.  Mary soon realizes that this fantastical kingdom is facing danger from the tyrannical rule of the evil Rat King (John Turturro) and his devious mother (Frances de la Tour).  When NC is taken hostage, Mary and her newfound toy friends must uncover the secret of the Rat King to rescue NC and his kingdom.  Based on the story that inspired acclaimed Russian composer Piotr Tchaikovsky to create the music for the iconic ballet, the film includes eight exciting new songs penned by Oscar-winning lyricist and librettist Sir Tim Rice.

On Wednesday, I will be joining 5 Minutes for Mom, Hollywood Mom Blog, Cafe Mom, and Seven Clown Circus on the red carpet for the World Premiere in Los Angeles!  You can follow us on Twitter as we cover the event.

If you are going to be in Los Angeles on Wednesday, November 10th, you can enter to win a family FIVE pack of tickets! Please note that travel/accommodations are not included.

Win It! Simply leave me a comment with a memory of seeing The Nutcracker.  This is a very quick giveaway and comments will close on Tuesday, November 9th at 11:59 PM PST.  I will email the winner and I must have your name for will call by Wednesday at 10 am PST.  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.  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.

Like me on Facebook

Subscribe to my feed via email or reader.

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.

Click on one of the very cute buttons below and digg, stumble, fav, etc. Just let me know what you did in the comments!

No compensation was received for this post.  Giveaway tickets provided by the company.

On September 21, Walt Disney Studios Entertainment will release Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue on Blu-Ray and DVD.  But, you don’t have to wait to see the film.

From September 3rd through the 19th, you can see the movie before it’s release at the El Capitan (which is the only place in the US to see the movie).  A special live appearance by Tinker Bell is featured at every performance and on select days, guests can enjoy breakfast with Tinker Bell at the Disney’s Soda Fountain & Studio Store before the 10 am showing.

For the first time, the El Capitan is hosting Tiny Tot Tuesday on September 7th at 10 am.  Parents and tots can view the movie with dimmed lights and reduced sound levels.  Tickets to this performance are only $9.

Here is a brief synopsis of the movie, from the site:

Witness the historic moment when Tinker Bell first meets a human being… and it’s not who you think. Years before meeting Wendy and the Lost Boys, Tinker Bell meets Lizzy, a little girl with a steadfast belief in the power of pixie dust and the magic land of fairies. During the fairies’ summer visit to the flowering meadows of England, two very different worlds unite for the first time and Tink develops a special bond with a curious child in need of a friend. As her fellow fairies launch a daring rescue, Tinker Bell takes a huge risk, putting her own safety and the future of all fairykind in jeopardy.

Daily show times are 10:00 am, 12:15 pm, 2:30pm, 4:45pm and 7:00pm. Tickets are on sale now, and available at the El Capitan Theatre, online at www.elcapitantickets.com, or by calling 1-800-DISNEY6.

No compensation was received for this post.

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!

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!

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.

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 19^th, 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 26^th, 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.

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 19^th, 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 23^rd 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.

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?