It’s that time of year again. On Sunday, March 11, the clocks go forward, the days get longer and families get an extra precious hour of daylight. Perfect for moms like me who want our kids outside playing as long as possible.
But what you may not know is that Daylight Savings is also a great time to check your smoke alarms to make sure the batteries are fresh.
Did You Know That Having A Working Smoke Alarm Doubles Your Chances Of Surviving A Fire?
For the best protection, install smoke alarms on every level of your home, outside every sleeping area and in every bedroom. Smoke alarms should be mounted high on walls or ceilings and tested monthly.
Check Your Batteries Once A Year
It’s important to replace smoke alarm batteries at least once a year, even if alarms are wired directly into your home’s electrical system. You may also want to consider installing a smoke alarm that has a 10-year battery for more peace of mind.
Reminder: Smoke alarms don’t last forever. They typically expire after 8-10 years. So if your alarm is more than 10 years old, it’s time to install a new one.
Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” is ready to come home available on HD digital and on blu-ray / dvd. Thor: Ragnarok is the third movie in the series and certainly features a fresh new tone. This movie carries more humor then the first two movies but I will say this one comes with a pretty large body count. For those dads looking to enjoy this movie with their children keep that in mind. I recommend this movie for ages 8 and up.
Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok – the destruction of his home world and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanchett). But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk (Mark Ruffalo) – and grapple with his silver-tongued adopted brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), the fierce warrior Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson) and the eccentric Grandmaster (Jeff Goldblum).
The movie now features exclusive, never-before-seen bonus features include deleted scenes; hilarious outtakes; an exclusive short: part three of the mockumentary “Team Thor,” retitled “Team Darryl” and featuring an eccentric new roommate; the evolution of MCU’s heroes culminating in “Avengers: Infinity War;” numerous making-of featurettes which explore the unique vision of director Taika Waititi; the story’s unstoppable women; the effortlessly charismatic Korg; the tyrannical leader of Sakaar, the Grandmaster; and the film’s comic-book origins; audio commentary by Waititi; and more.
BONUS MATERIAL (may vary by retailer):
Blu-ray:
Director’s Introduction
Deleted/Extended Scenes – Deleted Scenes: The Sorcerer Supreme, Skurge Finds Heimdall & Hulk Chases Thor Through Sakaar and Extended Scenes: Thor Meets the Grandmaster, Stupid Avenger vs. Tiny Avenger & Grandmaster and Topaz
Gag Reel – Watch a collection of goofs, gaffes and pratfalls starring the cast
Exclusive Short/Team Darryl – Fresh off being unseated as the ruler of Sakaar, the Grandmaster makes his way to Earth to start a new life. It’s been over a year since Thor left Australia and Darryl has been struggling to pay his rent. Now Darryl needs a new roommate to help make the monthly payments. Unfortunately for Darryl, the Grandmaster was the only one who answered Darryl’s “Roommate Needed” ad and with no viable options, the Grandmaster moves in.
Marvel Studios: The First Ten Years – The Evolution of Heroes – Marvel’s universe is vast and transcends both time and space. We’ll examine the Cinematic Universe as a whole and revisit each of our heroes’ current location and their place in the current MCU timeline, as it all leads up to the one culminating event: “Avengers: Infinity War.”
Getting in Touch with Your Inner Thor – “Thor: Ragnarok” director Taika Waititi has brought his unique sensibility and sense of humor to the film in a great many ways but it is the evolution of Thor’s own sense of humor, which stands out the most in the new film. This piece explores the impact Chris Hemsworth has made on the development of his widely-loved character and celebrates the mighty cast and crew who reveal the fun and hard work that went into assembling Thor’s eccentric counterparts.
Unstoppable Women: Hela & Valkyrie – This piece explores the strong female characters in “Thor: Ragnarok,” their importance in the MCU, their incredible casting and their epic comic origins.
Finding Korg – A tongue-in-cheek interview with Taika on casting Korg. He describes the difficult search for just the right evolution of the character design, and the nuances of this instantly classic character in the MCU. This conversation will also delve into all the extraordinary visual effects that brought Korg, Sakaar and the worlds of “Thor: Ragnarok” to life.
Sakaar: On the Edge of the Known and Unknown – Sakaar is the collection point for all lost and unloved things. This documentary will answer all known and unknown questions while also exploring the hard work and creativity that went into creating the look and feel of Sakaar. From design inspired by Jack Kirby’s classic artwork to the dedication of the visual development team to the awe-inspiring physical and digital production, you will see this distant world come alive.
Journey into Mystery – A deep dive story piece with the writers, director and producer Kevin Feige about the inspirations for “Thor: Ragnarok” within the comics. Most notably, the contest of champions limited series where the Grandmaster pitted our favorite heroes against one another as he does in the film. This piece also further explores Thor’s comic book origins and classic arcs through interviews with some of the most important comic creators, such as Walt Simonson and Jack Kirby.
8bit Scenes – Final Bridge Battle + Sakaar Spaceship Battle. Dive into these climactic sequences presented in retro video-game format.
Directors Commentary
Digital Exclusives:
Evolution of Thor and Hulk’s Bromance – We’ll examine this Super Hero friendship, which has spanned through several Marvel films. From their original Helicarrier fight match to the now iconic Hulk punch from Avengers 1, see how Marvel’s most powerful Super Heroes become the most extraordinary Super Hero buddies.
Additional Deleted Scenes –Travel to Asgard & Race To The Wormhole
Check out this bonus feature Tribute to Kirby (Bonus Feature)
Disney’s cherished animated classic, “Lady and the Tramp,” will join the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection! As one of the greatest love stories ever told, “Lady and the Tramp” is sure to melt the hearts of generations with its beloved characters, brilliant animation, memorable music and sweet sentiment. Every member of the family will treasure this timeless tale—loaded with three versions of the film, classic bonus material and three all-new features—when it heads home onDigital and Blu-ray & DVD.
“Lady and the Tramp” is the sixth title to join the Walt Disney Signature Collection, which includes groundbreaking films created or inspired by the imagination and legacy of Walt Disney, featuring timeless stories and characters that have touched generations. The film takes its place alongside “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pinocchio,” “Bambi” and “The Lion King.” Lady and the Tramp is a classic love story and I know my girls love watching all of the above Disney classics and I cant wait to share this movie with them.
As one of the greatest love stories ever told, “Lady and the Tramp” is sure to melt the hearts of generations with its beloved characters, brilliant animation, memorable music and sweet sentiment. The animated treasure tells the story of Lady, a lovingly pampered cocker spaniel, and Tramp, a freewheeling mutt with a heart of gold. Through the Signature Collection edition, viewers can relive the pair’s thrilling adventures, sing along with the film’s unforgettable songs like “Bella Notte,” and swoon over one of the most memorable movie moments of all time—the iconic scene in which Lady and Tramp share a plate of spaghetti and an accidental kiss.
BLU-RAY & DIGITAL*:
Film Versions
Original Theatrical Edition – Enjoy this cherished Disney classic that captivates audiences of all ages.
Sing-Along Mode – Sing along with all your favorite songs as you watch the movie.
Inside Walt’s Story Meetings – As you view the film, hear reenactments of Walt’s story sessions with animators and see how their ideas were realized on-screen.
New Signature Bonus
Walt & His Dogs – Through archival recordings and photos, hear the tales of the dogs Walt Disney owned and loved over his lifetime.
Stories from Walt’s Office – Take a tour of Walt’s office suite on the Studio lot, carefully re-created to look just as it did when he occupied it.
How to Make a Meatball and Other Fun Facts About “Lady and The Tramp” – Watch a delicious lesson on how to make perfect meatballs with teen chef Amber Kelley and Oh My Disney Show Host Alexys Gabrielle.
Songs
“Peace on Earth”
“What Is a Baby/La La Lu”
“The Siamese Cat Song”
“Bella Notte”
“He’s a Tramp”
Classic Bonus Features
Diane Disney Miller: Remembering Dad – Walt’s daughter shares memories of her father and Disneyland’s early days, as well as a look at his apartment above the firehouse.
Never-Recorded Song – “I’m Free as the Breeze” – Take a listen to a song originally meant to be sung by Tramp.
Deleted Scenes
Introduction of Boris – Tramp wasn’t always meant to be Lady’s only suitor. Meet Boris the aristocrat and Homer the peasant in this deleted scene.
Waiting for Baby – Lady watches as Jim Dear plans out his new son’s future in this early storyboard.
Dog Show – See the storyboards for this deleted scene in which Lady and Tramp unexpectedly find themselves in the middle of a dog show.
Classic Bonus Features on Digital Only*
Lady’s Pedigree: The Making of “Lady and the Tramp” – A behind-the-scenes look at the making of Walt Disney’s first feature-length animated film based on an original story.
Finding Lady: The Art of the Storyboard – Explore the origins of the storyboard and how they’re used by filmmakers today.
Original 1943 Storyboard Version of the Film – View a unique presentation of the original 1943 storyboards for “Lady and the Tramp.”
PuppyPedia: Going to the Dogs – Wild and wacky comedian Fred Willard takes us on an outing to the dog park to learn all about dogs and their owners.
Deleted Scenes
Turning the Tables – In this story-reel presentation, Tramp dreams of a world where dogs run the show and humans are on the other end of the leash.
The Arrival of Baby – In this alternate scene re-created from original storyboards and with original voice talent, Lady makes way for a new arrival.
Baby Arrives – Lady is baffled by the strange goings-on in the house—the arrival of a squealing bundle only deepens the mystery.
Lady’s Sweater – Lady gets a new sweater for her birthday and must figure out an ingenious way to lose it for good.
Trailers
1955 Original Theatrical Trailer – More than just a trailer, this preview features several minutes of footage from the film and introduces each major character.
1972 Theatrical Re-Issue Trailer – This trailer from the 1972 rerelease heralds Disney’s “happiest motion picture.”
1986 Theatrical Re-Issue Trailer – Released theatrically for the 1986 holiday season, this trailer highlights the love story between Lady and the handsome Tramp.
The inaugural U.S. event, LEGO LIVE NYC, is geared towards LEGO fans of all ages, with interactive, life-size builds, workshops with Master LEGO Builders, iconic LEGO activities, and more.
The show will feature 65,000 square feet of immersive experiences, hands-on building activities, live performances and demonstrations for families and visitors of all ages at Pier 36 in Manhattan.
A must-attend event for any LEGO fan, LEGO LIVE NYC will include a range of interactive themed play zones, each offering a distinct experience – from classic building challenges to using coding and robotic technology to program a multi-functional model. Fans will also be able to meet LEGO Master Builders at the Master Lab Help Desk, where builders can get one-on-one advice and show off their creations. Show guests can explore the latest LEGO building sets, compete in exciting building challenges, and take photos with LEGO models based on beloved characters from iconic films and LEGO properties such as Star Wars™ and NINJAGO®. Among the many experiences, families will find:
LEGO® Life: Maximize your show experience via the LEGO Life app, a safe, social network for kids who love to build. The app will offer details on show activities and insider tips, and the LEGO Life team will host exclusive opportunities to build, capture and share unique LEGO creations made at the show with the broader community of LEGO fans in the app.
Meet the Masters on the Main Stage: Meet a. @Lego_Groupand learn building tips and tricks in live demonstrations, competitions and Q&Asessions.
LEGO Architecture:Build together to create the iconic skyscrapers that make up the Manhattan skyline in this community building area.
LEGO Minecraft™: Journey with Steve to build your way through the iconic and ever-popular Minecraft universe with the thousands of specialty LEGO pieces found in this creative building zone.
Coding Corner: Build, code and play with the new LEGO BOOST and heritage LEGO MINDSTORMS®toolkits to test your skill in creating your ownLEGO robot.
LEGO Shop: Browse a huge selection of LEGO sets for builders of all ages, or select from an assortment of “show only” souvenirs.
Tickets are now available and can be purchased at legolive.frontgatetickets.com. $30General Admission, $45 VIG (Very Important Guest) and $75 VIK (Very Important Kid) ticketing options are available.
I’ve rounded up some pretty awesome gifts for Valentine’s Day from our friends at Logitech. If you’re into music, running, home security, gaming or just being super productive with an iPad this list has you covered.
Logitech Circle 2 ($179.99 Wired; $199.99 Wire-free): Logitech Circle 2 is an indoor and outdoor camera that can keep an eye on your front door or back porch with customizable attachments and mounting accessories. Simply place Circle 2 in your desired location, connect to the Logi Circle web or mobile app, and let the 1080p HD security camera do the rest. With customizable motion alerts and built-in smart home integrations, Circle 2 gives you customizable security and ensures that your whole home is covered.
Jaybird RUN ($179.99): Get in shape for Valentine’s Day with Jaybird’s first truly wireless pair of headphones designed for runners. With Jaybird RUN, you can forget about your big date that night and focus on you, your music, and your environment – no wires, no worries. Sweat-proof and water-resistant, Jaybird RUN delivers customizable music from two wireless headphones with a single-button on each headphone for control and a secure comfort-fit for all ears.
Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM ($99.99 [but on sale]): Enjoy your music the way it’s meant to be heard with Ultimate Ears WONDERBOOM, the super-portable, waterproof, Bluetooth speaker with surprisingly big sound. WONDERBOOM blasts room-filling 360-degree sound that is clear, crisp and full of big, beautiful bass. It also floats on its own and sports a travel-ready hanging loop on top. WONDERBOOM is drop-proof from up to five feet, boasts a 10-hour battery life and 100-foot wireless Bluetooth range. To turn things up, connect two WONDERBOOM speakers together to party louder.
Logitech G433 7.1 Gaming Headset ($99.99): The Logitech G433 7.1 Gaming Headset features advanced audio technologies such as Pro-G drivers and DTS Headphone:X®, in a comfortable, lightweight and stylish design. The multi-platform G433 features high-grade audio in a modern headset that is suitable for use everywhere in a gamer’s life, and comes in four custom colors, Royal Blue, Fire Red, Triple Black and Camo Blue. It supports PCs, Xbox One, PlayStation®4, Nintendo Switch™ and mobile devices.
Logitech Slim Combo ($129.99 for 10.5-inch iPad Pro; $149.99 for 12.9-inch iPad Pro): The Logitech Slim Combo is the love match your new 10.5-inch or 12.9-inch iPad Pro has been waiting for. When the Slim Combo connects with the iPad Pro, it brings the future of personal computing to your lap with a protective cover and detachable keyboard that supports four modes – typing, viewing, FaceTime and reading – so you’ll be ready to work on-the-go.
It has just been over a week since the release of Dreamworks Animation Studios, Netflix Original Series Trolls: The Beat Goes On. Personally, I LOVE IT! After watching the entire season in just under a week, twice (I have kids and everything has to replay) it has provided some very special moments with the kids. The story, the songs, the animation has all resonated so well with my family it has become one of our go to shows to put on first thing in the morning.
One of my most memorable experiences during my trip to Dreamworks Animation Studios was our time in the theater. Almost everything I was a part of was a first for me and with all of the activities this wonderful organization had us part of I was there just taking it all in with amazement and participating as often as I could.
Meeting some of the team leads behind this incredible show was very surreal and it was inspiring to hear all the wonderful things they had to say in relation to its overall process. Also, having the opportunity to see other bloggers who were way more experienced than me asking all kinds of cool questions only added to the experience for the better. It was such a pleasure to meet so many wonderful people from around the country. (more…)
