I had attended a Q & A with the cast and crew of Strange Magic. That included creator George Lucas, director Gary Rydstrom, music director Marius DeVries, and stars Alan Cumming, Evan Rachel Wood, Elijah Kelley, Meredith Anne Bull, and Sam Palladio.
First, it was pretty awesome to have George Lucas walk into the room… He influenced the better part of my childhood and I’d say like 90% of my friends childhood and even our children.
Lucas in particular, who spent 15+ years bringing his vision of Strange Magic to life, had a lot to say about the inspiration behind the film. “What I wanted try to do,” Lucas revealed, “was tell a story using the lyrics of existing songs.” He added that “originally I wanted it to be all music, like an opera”. This is pretty darn close to a ROCK OPERA for kids as one can be.
“Making this movie was more like a Rubik’s Cube than a jigsaw puzzle.” Once you see the movie and hear which music was picked and see how the story flows with the music telling the tale, you will understand. The music is the backbone of the film, and mashing together a movie that depends so heavily on its songs was certainly no simple task for music director Marius DeVries. According to DeVries, over 400 songs were recorded during the creative process of Strange Magic.
Locus had made a movie for tween boys (Star Wars) but since he had daughters, he wanted this movie to about Princess fairies. The fact that one doesn’t take the conventional route and that love & beauty isn’t skin deep.
Into our second round of interviews included:
Gary Rydstrom (Director)
Meredith Anne Bull (voice of “Dawn”)
Sam Palladio (voice of “Roland”)
Evan Rachel Wood (voice of “Marianne”)
Alan Cumming (voice of “Bog King”)
Elijah Kelly (voice of “Sunny”)
Marius De Vries (Musical Director)
The movie professes acceptance and love not only for others, but for yourself as well– an aspect that the film’s stars weighed in on as one of Strange Magic’s more powerful lessons. “The things that make you different are the things that make you beautiful,” said Evan Rachel Wood (who plays Marianne), while Elijah Kelley (Sunny) added that he felt the movie showcases that “no matter how weird and strange you feel like you are, there’s somebody out there who’s weird and strange like you.”
STRANGE MAGIC opens in theatres everywhere on January 23rd!
If you didnt know Disney’s Into The Woods is a musical… something that the first few trailers didnt really show you that clearly. I was a little surprised when I saw the first few scenes… but once you get over that (or better yet go into the movie knowing that) then you’re in for a real treat. I think this movie will become this generations Rocky Horror Picture Show. The singing some of the best you’ve seen in musicals. The writing is witty and really gets you into the 4 main storylines. I would highly recommend this for children 10 and up do to the dark subject matter.
Once upon a time in a far off Kingdom when the Baker (Tony Award® winner James Corden) was just a child, his Father (BAFTA Award winner Simon Russell Beale) was caught stealing magic beans from the vegetable garden of the Witch (three time Oscar® winner Meryl Streep) next door. As punishment for losing the precious beans, the Witch was placed under a curse which made her hideous in appearance. The Witch, in turn, cast an evil spell on the Baker’s household, cruelly insuring that the Baker and his Wife would forever be incapable of having a child.
Years later, when the Baker and his Wife (Golden Globe® winner Emily Blunt) learn of the curse, they venture into the Woods to seek out the ingredients which will both reverse the spell and restore the Witch’s beauty. By the time the blue moon rises in three days’ time, something which only occurs once every 100 years, they must return with four items: a cow as white as milk, hair as yellow as corn, a cape as red as blood and a slipper as pure as gold.
On their journey into the Woods, they encounter: Cinderella (Oscar® and Tony® nominee Anna Kendrick) fleeing the Palace in a pair of gold slippers; Little Red Riding Hood (Lilla Crawford) on her way to Granny’s house while being pursued by the Wolf (three time Oscar nominee Johnny Depp); the fair maiden Rapunzel (MacKenzie Mauzy), held captive by the Witch in a tower with no doors; and young Jack (Daniel Huttlestone) 3 en route to the market to sell his cherished cow, Milky-White, to appease his exasperated Mother (seven time Emmy® winner Tracey Ullman). Each one on their own quest to fulfill a wish.
The third midnight approaches, and the Baker and his Wife, having produced the required ingredients through a combination of theft , bribery and deceit, deliver them to the Witch. Soon the Witch’s curse is lifted, rendering her beautiful once more. The Baker and his Wife magically give birth to the child they so longed for. Cinderella breaks free from her evil Stepmother (Emmy® and two-time Tony Award® winner Christine Baranski) and stepsisters Florinda and Lucinda (Emmy winner Tammy Blanchard and Lucy Punch) and marries her Prince (Critics’ Choice Award nominee Chris Pine). Rapunzel is freed from exile by her Prince (Tony nominee Billy Magnussen), and the giant beanstalk which sprouted from the magic beans Jack received in exchanged for his cow, has led to riches beyond his Mother’s wildest dreams.
However, just at the moment of happily ever after, a terrifying, vengeful Lady Giant (Tony® and Olivier Award winner Frances De La Tour) climbs down from the beanstalk, wreaking destruction on the Kingdom, the village and the enchanting forest. Forced to face the consequences of their desires, the group of characters who have befriended one another in the Woods, must come together and take responsibility for their actions before they can defeat the Giant. Only then, will they discover the signifi cance of each of their individual
journeys.
Directed by Oscar® nominee and DGA Award winner Rob Marshall and produced by Emmy® winner and Golden Globe® nominee John DeLuca, p.g.a., Rob Marshall, p.g.a., Marc Platt , p.g.a. and Callum McDougall, “Into the Woods” brings the Tony Award®-winning musical classic and such memorable songs as “Children Will Listen,” “On the Steps of the Palace,” “No One is Alone” and “Agony,” to life on the big screen. The fi lm is based on the musical stage production by eight-time Tony, GRAMMY® and Oscar-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim and Tony winner James Lapine, who also wrote the screenplay.
The film’s outstanding team of creative talents includes: Academy Award® winner Dion Beebe, ACS, ASC as director of photography; Oscar® winner Dennis Gassner as production designer; three-time Oscar winner Colleen Atwood as costume designer; Emmy® nominee Wyatt Smith as editor; Oscar winner Peter Swords King as makeup and hair designer; Emmy winner Mike Higham as music producer; Tony® and Emmy winner Paul Gemignani and Mike Higham as music supervisors; and Emmy winner Matt Johnson as visual effects supervisor.
Night At the Museum opens Christmas Day and with all the choices for your entertainment dollar, this is a don’t miss. Hollywood stars make this movie which has it all, just a little bit more because of the place in history it will have. The franchise has been around since 2006. We’ve grown to love Larry, the night watchman, Jedediah and Octavius, (Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan), Sacajawea (Mizuo Peck) and this even returns old favorites like Dick Van Dyke, whose role is to show he’s can still really shake ‘em down. Mickey Rooney (who died in 2014) and now add a bit of Ben Kingsley and a lot of Rebel Wilson (who steals every scene she’s in as the bombshell blond) and allow Shawn Levy to shake it up one more time and you got a blockbuster.
Did I miss someone, Oh, yeah. The reason for giving this review starting with the stars rather than the story. It turns out this movie, as good as the story is, as good as the comedy and family bonding comes across, as good as the effects are, that makes us watch a monkey pretend to die, as good as every moment of this movie is, it will be remembered as the last film with Robin Williams. Not only that, but Teddy Roosevelt’s final line is something to the effect of There will always be another sun rise tomorrow. Think about that.
The story starts on the set of every Indiana Jones movie and the boy who discovered a lost tomb. Seventy-five years later he’s dancing at an old age home. Dick Van Dyke proves he’s still got the dance in those old legs. Owen Wilson’s character, Jedediah, the miniature cowboy and Steve Coogan’s Octavius, the miniature Roman Sentry, bond. Larry bonds with his son. Rami Malek’s ahkmenrah finds his father, in London and having not seen each other since the expedition split the spoils, they bond. Ricky Gervais retires from the directorship of the museum, and finally sees what he’s never believed before. We learn lessons of the importance of family and accepting friends. We learn that it is always hard to let go of our loved ones. After all of these hard times, there is always the next dance, the next day, the next party. We learn that in life we can do what we need to do, and each step of progress in our lives, is just a step to redefine next wonderful moment that will become a memory if not in our own minds then in the minds of those who we’ve touched. As And allowing us to move forward is a wonderful thing that allows us to redefine our lives, our goals and the memories we leave others with.
The comradarie, the fun, the love, it’s all palpable. The quest to save the lives of every museum exhibit, is upon us. The plot weaves from comedy to adventure with the ease of watching family movies of our last vacation. Everything just fits in to tell one story tidbit, after the next. But then there is that one actor who just can’t fit in. Rebel Wilson has already proven herself to be a standout. But in her ten or so scenes, each of which she just down and out steals, her smile, her accent, her ability to show lust while making us laugh at what we’re all thinking just endears a new member of the NATM cast in our hearts and heads.
In the end the next generation takes over, but along the way, the lives of the characters in the museum, have been saved, and while the franchise might be dead, the character’s lives have all been changed.
Shawn Levy, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson and Robin Williams began and ended their journey in a better place than they had been. And having watched the trifecta of Museum movies, we are all the better for having watched them, grown with them, and loved them.
Calling all Jedi, Sith, and Clone Troopers! Oh so you’ve meet my son – who is a little Star Wars obi-wan as he’s got the bedding, the books (I really think his first alphabet book was made with Star Wars items), and he’s got plenty of toys. But these new toys really have allowed him to use his imagination and create large-scale epic battles of the Star Wars franchise in your own home.
Within moments of opening the packaging you could hear like pew-pew and rooooommmmm sounds coming from his mouth. He gets to create different match up, change the terrain from the soft dunes of navy sand (or as it is in reality his bed) and the fire ball pits of the living room (we have red spotted carpet).
Well, Star Wars fans old and young alike, this is your chance to recreate those classic moments (and even make some new ones of your own)– with the new “Star Wars Command” toys! This new line of toys enables you to “Command the Force” like never before!
The figures come in sets beginning at nine figures for $4.99, making it affordable for kids to command massive armies and create the ultimate epic Star Wars battles they’ve always dreamed of! But the sets of nine soldiers aren’t all– there are also generals, vehicles, and the awesome and iconic Millennium Falcon itself! Here’s what’s in store for the “Star Wars Command” series:
STAR WARS® COMMAND Battle Packs
(Ages: 4 & up/ Approximate retail price: $4.99/Now)
The battle is in kids’ hands with STAR WARS COMMAND! Each STAR WARS COMMAND Battle Pack features nine permanently posed and collectibly-sized figures —eight soldiers and one specially detailed General—for kids to pit against their friends in epic battles! Each pack sold separately.
STAR WARS® COMMAND Versus Packs
(Ages: 4 & up/ Approximate retail price: $9.99/ Available: Now)
Each STAR WARS COMMAND Versus Pack features ten permanently posed and collectibly-sized figures —eight soldiers and two specially detailed Generals—plus two vehicles on stands for kids to pit against their friends in epic battles! Each pack sold separately.
STAR WARS® COMMAND Invasion Packs
(Ages: 4 & up/ Approximate retail price: $14.99/ Available: Now)
Kids can customize their attacks with STAR WARS COMMAND Invasion Packs. Each pack features ten permanently posed and collectibly-sized figures —eight soldiers and two specially detailed Generals—plus four vehicles on stands and two special Strikers that kids can rev up and launch into battle! Each pack sold separately.
STAR WARS® COMMAND MILLENNIUM FALCON Set
(Ages: 4 & up/ Approximate retail price: $29.99/ Available: Now)
Now, kids can finally take command of the greatest battles in STAR WARS history! STAR WARS COMMAND lets kids pit huge armies of collectibly-sized figures and vehicles against each other to determine the fate of the galaxy! The STAR WARS COMMAND MILLENNIUM FALCON features one of the most iconic vehicles in the STAR WARS universe, plus two armies for everything kids need to stage an epic battle right out of the box! Kids can pull back the MILLENNIUM FALCON and see it race forward then blast into battle at hyper speed! Set also comes with 24 permanently posed and collectibly-sized figures which includes 22 soldiers and two specially detailed Generals—plus six vehicles on stands and two special Strikers that kids can rev up and launch into battle!
These affordable and fun figures combine classic army play with collectability, innovative features, and the iconic Star Wars characters and vehicles to provide endless hours of fun for the whole family! They’re sure to be big this holiday season and beyond!
I was provided with the toys and compensated for this post but all thoughts are my own and really you cant fake having a kid having that much fun!
Who is sick and tired of the middle of the night feedings? I know that was one of my biggest hates when the kids were young!
Miravan is set to revolutionize formula feeding and reduce the stress of middle of the night feedings with Moozi, an innovative new single-serving pod system that simplifies the bottle making process, creating the perfect temperature formula bottles in under a minute at the touch of one button. It’s a true all-in-one system that gives parents a stress-free, safe and easy solution to the current multi-step complicated formula feeding process. Prior to Moozi being available in retail and online stores in late 2015, the company has created a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the product, which began earlier this month. The preview link can be viewed now at: Moozi Kickstarter.
Before Moozi even hits retail shelves in late 2015, Miravan is offering potential backers an advance offer to purchase Moozi through their Kickstarter campaign at a discounted price of $125. And in the true spirit of the holidays for supporters who would like to partner with Miravan to help families in need, there is the opportunity to pledge $100 to donate a Moozi to an organization serving these families. The campaign launched November 3rd and will remain live for 30 days.
The idea for Moozi was conceived and developed by mompreneur Miriam Kutcher, a mother of two daughters now ages 8 and 10. Looking back, she wished there was a one-step, simple solution that would warm and dispense the perfect temperature bottle simply by pressing a button. It was years later that she decided to bring her idea to life and now she is ready to introduce Moozi.
“When my girls were infants, making a formula bottle was a time-consuming process that involved rushing down to the kitchen in the middle of the night to try and measure, warm and mix a bottle as quickly as possible. Listening to them cry while doing all of this was stressful. I wanted my focus and attention to be on them, not the prep work,” says Miriam Kutcher, president and founder. “So I came up with the idea of Moozi and after three long yet gratifying years, I’m proud to bring this product to the market.”
Safety is key with Moozi. Water sensors ensure there is water in the tank and that the water temperature is regulated at body temperature. The bottle sensor alerts parents if there isn’t a bottle in position. Plus Moozi’s unique patent-pending dry release system keeps the formula and water separate until they mix in the bottle. This reduces bacteria growth and keeps the system running smoothly.
I’m a big fan of the iPads and Kindle devices for kids, but sometimes its a little hard to find the right educational apps… Little Scholar is the perfect solution – its a device that comes loaded with early learning workbooks, flashcards, and software are designed by educators and focused on developing success in math, reading, spelling and more.
All of School Zone’s rewarding educational knowledge is now available in Little Scholar. Little Scholar is designed to teach kids 3-7 the essential skills needed for school and is the only tablet that comes fully-loaded with 200+ uniquely fun apps, books, songs, and videos (a $390 value). Parents also love the A+ app that allows them to track progress and guide their child’s learning.
Ready to play – no extra purchases, downloads, or Wi-Fi needed (although additional content can be uploaded) it was designed for little hands with a large 8-inch screen, textured easy-grip protective bumper, and extended 5-foot power cord.
IF you’re in the market now – you can find them from $149-199 but if you hang out till the fall there is a new and improved version coming to Toys R Us (heres the current version!). For more information check out School Zone’s website.
First, it was pretty awesome to have George Lucas walk into the room… He influenced the better part of my childhood and I’d say like 90% of my friends childhood and even our children.
Into our second round of interviews included:
