The Turtles are Back...

 and they are totally AWESOME!!!

 

The city needs heroes. Darkness has settled over New York City as Shredder and his evil Foot
Clan have an iron grip on everything from the police to the politicians. The future is grim until
four unlikely outcast brothers rise from the sewers and discover their destiny as Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles. The Turtles must work with fearless reporter April and her wise-cracking
cameraman Vern Fenwick to save the city and unravel Shredder's diabolical plan. Teenage
Mutant Ninja Turtles starring Megan Fox and Will Arnett, directed by Jonathan Liebesman.

                                          

Its been all about the Turtles in our house lately. We got  TMNT masks and it was impossible to resist taking this picture with the boys which representing each one of their favorite turtles as I joined in on the fun. Chris picked Leo because he's also the leader of the group.  Danny's favorite is Raph because he says he's the muscle, and Mikey likes, well guess who?- Michaelangelo (or Mikey) of course because he's just as silly and pizza loving as his namesake. 

So this past Saturday, we took the boys to a screening of the new live action #TMNTMovie at the Live Regency Theatre in Downtown, LA (Thanks to Allied Hispanic) and no one could have been more excited than Danny. He's been waiting to see this movie for months and it was on his birthday wish list to do, so it was nice to be able to surprise him and the boys with the screening before it comes out this Friday.

Although we have been fans of the many other TV and movie versions of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we're happy to say that this version did not disappoint! I really liked that the movie explains the TMNT's history in a way I hadn't seen yet, and it helps you better understand how and where they came from and their connection to April O'Neil (Megan Fox).  There was action from beginning to end and although some of the action scenes could be considered over the top, they were awesome none the less. What else would you expect from these Ninjitsu, bad-ass, crime fighting heroes? The movie was also hysterical in many ways and I will let you experience those moments on your own. All I know is that I caught myself  laughing out loud along with the other adults just as much as the kids did. Its a kids movie that can totally be enjoyed by adults as well.

These turtles are bigger (literally), badder and funnier than ever. Mikey and Danny were not convinced that they had to be portrayed so big since they're used to seeing them in a more thinner animated version but after seeing the movie they got it.  Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello and Michelangelo continue to have the personalities we've come to know and love, but Donatello was a bit of a surprise for us as it was the first time we had seen him as
the nerdy-broken-glasses-wearing-techie turtle, which I guess is the new cool, so they made it work. But my favorite was truly Mikey; he was just adorable with his not-so-subtle flirtations, his corny jokes and his comedic timing was genius. And the forever tense relationship between Raph and Leo never fails to bring heartwarming moments as well.

 

I have mentioned before that we don't usually see movies in 3D for a few reasons, one being the added cost of the ticket.  Well, the 3D imagery in this movie was so AMAZING and well done, that I'm here to say that it would be totally worth paying those few extra bucks to get this kind of viewing experience. So go for it!

On a personal note- Watch out for Galen Walker in the credits as one of the producers of this film (also producer of the 1997 TMNT animated movie).  He is a friend of the family, and we couldn't be prouder to share this shout out for this job well done. We wish him and this movie much success always!

 #TMNTMovie IN THEATERS This Friday, AUGUST 8TH!!

http://www.teenagemutantninjaturtlesmovie.com/

 From my little corner to yours... 

Cowabunga Dude!!

Planes: Fire & Rescue...

 

This past Tuesday, I took the boys, my nephews and Danny's friend to the movie screening of
Planes- Fire & Rescue in Downtown LA, and as an added bonus we were able to see it in 3D. Its always fun to get the chance to see a preview movie with the kids.

Planes: Fire and Rescue begins where the original Planes movie ended, with Dusty Crophopper enjoying the benefits of newly found fame as a world famous air racer. However, his career may come to an end when his gear box goes out on him during a routine practice flight and is told he may never race again.  Dusty has to come to grips with finding a new purpose in life when he is joins an elite rescue team of firefighting air crafts devoted to protecting Piston Peak from a massive wildfire and his new adventure begins.
 

This was a very cute movie and something the whole family can watch. It had a great message for kids of friendship, team work and never giving up. Loved that!

The kids perspective...they loved the movie too! They liked the 3-D effects especially during the main action shots as you see the planes coming at you. It was interesting to hear them say that they were a bit stressed out and didn't like that the planes seemed to be in danger so often- a taste of a real life concern, right? But they also got the message that working as a team and following directions could save your life in dangerous situations. Awesome!

I personally also loved that this movie started with a dedication to all those firefighters and people who risk their lives fighting wildfires- Appropriately so! Although its an animated movie, Disney did a great job giving you an inside perspective as to what these firefighting teams do to make sure communities are protected, evacuated and how they contain these horrible fires and yet do their best to come out alive themselves. Its a crazy life for sure and I for one am grateful for what they do. And speaking of the animation- it was Incredible! The fires scenes were very real and there was one morning scene in particular that made me do a double take because it looked like they had taped it live. Truly fascinating to see what technology has done to make these "cartoons" almost true to life.

It was a nice evening out with the kids and its definitely worth taking your family to watch. 

Planes: Fire and Rescue comes out this week on Friday, July 18th. 

(Check your local listings for times)

 Have a great day!

(Thank you Allied for the screening opportunity)

How to Train a Dragon 2...

On Saturday, Jerry went on a Dad/son afternoon with Danny and Mikey and took them to the movie preview of How to Train Your Dragon 2. This is the second adventure of the book series written by Cressida Cowell and is written and directed by Dean DeBlois.

The first movie took you through Hiccup's (Jay Baruchel), a not so trained Viking teenager, on a self discovery adventure of finding and training a wild dragon named Toothless, and leads his village of dragon slayers of Berk to find peace with the dragons who allow them to see their world from a different point of view.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 that takes place 5 years after the first movie that features Hiccup and his friends as young adults. Now that the Vikings have the dragons on their side, they have been able to discover uncharted territories. However, the curious Hiccup and Astrid (America Herrera) decide to go a little farther and find a cave that opens themselves up to a new adventure.  They find themselves in the middle of a more wild dragons, a mysterious dragon trainer, and an ensuing larger conflict between humans and dragons.

Jerry is not usually one for animated movies, but he said he actually enjoyed it, and being that he was his boys he was happy to see it with them.

Danny and Mikey really liked it as well. Danny loves dragons so they apparently get an upgrade in powers in this film which he really enjoyed seeing.

Both Mikey and Danny said they definitely liked this sequel better than the first movie. They said there was more adventure, cooler armor, way cooler dragons, a wonderful surprise for Hiccup, some even sad moments, and an ending I won't mention so as not spoil the movie for all of you.

All in all, they recommend everyone to go see it, especially their brother, Christian who didn't get to go with them and who loved the first movie. So it looks like we may be going out to see again ourselves.  

How to Train Your Dragon 2 is being released this Friday, June 13th at a theater near you.

From my little corner to yours...See at the movies!

Mickey Mouse Around the Clubhouse World...

So I've been trying to see this DVD with my baby niece for weeks, and for various reasons it just hasn't happened. I've been wanting to see it with Mikey at least but the kid has been really busy himself so guess what I did this morning? Yup, I watched Mickey Mouse Clubhouse...Around the Clubhouse World all by myself


Silly you say? Maybe, but I took advantage while I was working on some baking and frosting of cakes and it gave me something cute to watch as I worked.  It was actually quite nostalgic and it brought me back to watching this show with Mikey when he was a baby boy.

Oh, those were the days! And its still super fun to watch....yes, even on my own.

This new DVD (which came out May 20 btw) has 5 great episodes total you can watch back to back. I watched as Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Daisy made their way around the Clubhouse world, gathering stamps for their passports from France, Egypt, Italy and China. Ooh, let me not forget to mention that there's a passport that comes inside the DVD for your kiddo's too! Then I watched 4 more episodes of everything from Mickey and the gang escaping the clutches of the giant as they try to get Donald's BooBooChicken back, to having themselves some good ol' Carnival fun.

 

I can't wait to give this to Katarina because she loves Mickey already and she loves this show. My SIL will appreciate it keeping her well entertained for a long time. I honestly feel that you can't go wrong with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for your kids. The stories are entertaining, educational, relevant and the music is super catchy! I have to say that I found myself even doing the "Hot Dog Dance" at the end of the episodes...too much fun I say!!

From my corner to yours...Tootles!!

 

Mickey Mouse Around the Clubhouse World Its available now on Amazon.

 

A review of a Sofia the First movie...by our own Sofia the 1st ;)

Ok, I will be honest...My boys are growing up but they still watch a lot of Disney Channel shows, ie- Jessie, A Dog with a Blog, and the former Good Luck Charlie so hence that means that I am too also watching those shows! Should I be embarrassed to admit this? Ehh, I don't know. I chalk it up to making sure I know what my kids are watching (wink, wink). So when I was the one who asked the boys to make sure they had scheduled to record the final episode of Good Luck Charlie...Umm, well I was just making sure that I they got some closure with the show?? lol

Anyway, my point is that even though we may be watching kids shows I don't get to watch too many of our old favorite Disney Jr. shows anymore and more importantly I never really got to watch the girlie girl cartoons, like Sofia the First because obviously I don't have girls to watch it with! So when I was asked to watch and review the newest Sofia the First movie- The Floating Palace, I knew I had to find myself an expert in the field of everything that is Sofia the First...and I found my very own niece, our family's own Sofia...the 1st. ;)

So Sofia came over this weekend to watch the movie with me and as we sat on the couch, (along with Mikey and Danny...shhhh I didn't say that) watching together with popcorn and oranges I asked her a whole bunch of questions to catch myself up on this cartoon's back story.



 

Me:    "So what is Sofia the First all about?
Sofia: "Well, its about this little girl who's mom married a Royal man and moved in with his family, and so she becomes a princess too."
Me: "Oh, so they're a blended family?"
Sofia:  "Yes, exactly...something like that."
Me:     "That's very cool of Disney"

Me: "Ok, so then why is her name Sofia the 1st?"
Sofia: "Because her new dad's name is King Roland II, so she wanted a royal name so she called herself, Sofia the First."
Me: "Ok, cute, that makes sense."

Me:     "Does she have special powers?"
Sofia: "The amulet she wears does so it lets her do anything she wants when she's good."
Me:    "Hmmm...that's interesting, ok"

So as we continue to watch, I see my Sofia's eyes light up when she sees Sofia the princess meet the mermaid Oona in this cute little underwater adventure where mermaids learn to trust Sofia and the "humans" to save their world from the dreaded Cedric the sea monster.  And Disney does a great job in this movie and in the other 3 full episodes this DVD includes in intertwining other Disney characters to tie the whole princess world together. Even Princess Ariel makes a musical cameo in this movie alongside Sofia to help her figure out a way to rescue Oona from the sea monster.  And the 3 fairies from Sleeping Beauty show up as 3 teachers at the Royal Prep Academy in one of the other episodes. Now what little girl wouldn't want to go to school there, right?!

So my interviewing Sofia continues as we watch:

Me:   "Sofia, why do you love Sofia the First soo much?
Sofia: "Because she's a princess and she has my name and its spelled the same."
Me: "Why do you love this movie- The Floating Palace?"
Sofia: "Because its on the water, it has mermaids and Ariel shows up and its all abut being a princess."
Me: "You also like Oona the mermaid. Why do you want to be a mermaid?"
Sofia: "Because I could swim below, and have my own hideaway like Oona."

Me:    "What is your ultimate princess dream?"
Sofia: "To be a princess like Sofia, so I can live like the royals, and I would be able to do projects with my friends in the castle."

Awww...She made me want to be that kind of a princess too!!

THANK YOU SOFERS!!
I was so happy you came over to watch this with me and we had such a great time together.
I love you!


Sofia the First- The Floating Palace on DVD was released on April 8th
and available for your own little princess at a store near you!

From my little corner to yours...Thank you for stopping!!

Mr. Peabody and Sherman...a movie review

A few weeks ago, I was offered tickets by Allied Hispanic to take the kids to a screening of Mr. Peabody and Sherman in return for a review on my blog, so in the spirit of saying 'Yes' to this... new and unknown opportunities, of course I accepted and here I am with a friendly but honest review to share with you.

The screening was held this past (very rainy) Saturday morning at the Regal Theatre at the Nokia Center in downtown LA.  The boys enjoyed the screening experience in itself, as we got there a little early to take part in some of the pre-screening activities which included balloon making, face painting and each of the boys got their own set of Peabody glasses, a red bow-tie and a movie poster.  Awesome little extra treats!

As an added bonus, especially since we don't usually get to splurge on these, we were pleasantly surprised to find out that we would be watching the movie in 3D! Woo-hoo!


                                                                            Some history first:
The movie is based on the 1950's cartoon Mr. Peabody and Sherman from the Rocky and His Friends animated series. Do you  remember watching re-runs of these cartoons on Saturday mornings?- I do!! Anyway, like most classics nowadays, they've brought a modern version of the cartoon to the big screen for the new generation of kids today.



About the movie-
The movie carries quite of few well known actors  including Modern Family stars Ariel Winter and Ty Burrell as the voice of Mr. Peabody, the most intellectually accomplished dog in the world who adopts and is raising a human boy, Sherman (Max Charles), as his own son. Together they have traveled through time in Peabody's own version of a time machine called the WABAC ("way-back") which has taken them on some of the most incredible historical adventures possible. Sherman has been given a first hand look at history like no other child his age so he unintentionally one ups, Penny (Ariel Winter), another know-it-all classmate during a history lesson. This provokes Penny to become  Sherman's temporary nemesis and the chaos that follows could possibly change his life.

In hindsight the plot of the movie is multilevel and maybe even a bit complex. The story continues as it builds around a variety of today's socially relevant topics  such as- what truly makes up a family unit vs the threat of what is viewed as socially and even legally acceptable, some bullying and even peer pressure. This is what ultimately gets Sherman into some trouble as he tries to impress Penny by taking the WABAC on a joyride, ripping a whole in the universe and possibly changing the course of history. Mr. Peabody is then forced to go out and rescue them and finds himself not only doing that, but figuring out what it means to truly be a parent.

Our review-
My boys loved this movie! Once the movie hits outer space the fun begins. The animation was fantastic and stimulating, and watching it in 3-D really made a difference for me. It was very funny, and full of clever puns that parents could connect with, and according to my oldest son in the 11th grade, he was very impressed with how historically accurate it was, albeit delivered in the most comedic of ways! As an older viewer he said he appreciated the fact that he and the boys were able to relate to the history, and all the scientific references made since they are subjects that they've covered at school. As a parent, I couldn't be happier to hear that and know they were watching a movie that not only entertained them but educated them as well.

One of the things I personally took away from it was the underlying story between a parent and a child, finding out what it means to believe in yourself, and to know that at the end of the day, your parents believe in you too. Or as they boys put it- "they knew they had each other's back, Mom." Exactly boys and don't you forget it!

We hope you'll enjoy it as well, and I'd love to hear what you think of it too.

Mr. Peabody and Sherman premiers this Friday, March 7th at a theater near you! 

From my little corner to yours...Thanks for stopping by!

Note: Thank you to Claudia Sandoval and Alliedim.com for the screening tickets and the opportunity to give a review 
based on my honest opinion and that of my boys.