The Croods Movie opens this weekend – Totally a movie Dads should take the kids to see!

The Croods Movie opens this weekend – Totally a movie Dads should take the kids to see!

urlTHE CROODS is a 3D comedy adventure that follows the world’s first modern family as they embark on a journey of a lifetime when the cave that has always been their home is destroyed. Traveling across a spectacular landscape, the Croods are rocked by generational clashes and seismic shifts as they discover an incredible new world filled with fantastic creatures — and their outlook is changed forever.

Starring the voices of Nicolas Cage, Emma Stone, Ryan Reynolds, Catherine Keener, Clark Duke and Cloris Leachman.

Visit the official website

Like The Croods on Facebook

Follow @DWAnimation on Twitter #TheCroods

For great DIY tutorials, printables color forms for the kids check out The Croods on Pinterest!

So I loved this movie! My Son loved this movie (he’s 4.5years old) we saw the 3D version and it was some great 3D that had him standing up at points trying to catch some of the 3D effects.

Why did I love this movie – it was a very cute story about a family and really that centers around the father. Grug is a total caveman…. but he’s the protector the strong guy.  It’ll bring a tear to your eye when you watch the movie… The movie is great about making you laugh the whole way through.  The relationship between Grug and his Mother-in-Law makes you giggle but the heart of the story is Grug having to deal with Eep growing up.

I really think this was one of the best Dreamworks Animated movies ever! The movie has an amazing cast of voices and even cuter characters who I hope ends up with their own spinoff cartoons – keep you eyes on Belt truly one of the funniest characters in this movie.

IMG_3977-resized-600If you dont possibly think this movie could be amazing for dads – I’ll prove it to you that the National Fatherhood Initiative gave Grug an award.

Take the family and go see this movie and if try to tell me you dont come out saying…

DA-DA-DAAAAA

Karate Kid 2010 bullying in its finest form

Karate Kid 2010 bullying in its finest form

I’m going to admit it – I’m not a fan of remakes of movies that certainly dont need remakes – Karate Kid from the 80’s still stands tall “Sweep the leg Johnny!” is still heard monthly in my life! When I heard about the remake being called the kung fu kid I was just awestruck… how and why would someone remake this classic?

Then I actually sat down to watch it… well its not going to be on my replay loop and it certainly wont be quoted from years from now but it did show something; it showed the update of a the Bully – finally a true bully that would live in 2010 no more simpson nelson like bully who just give you a wet willy.  I mean this kid was getting the street mopped up with him and completely tormented by these kids.

We all know the concept bully picks on kid, kid finds mentor, mentor teaches kid, kid beats up bully.  Its a very nice holiday formula, but thats just it – its not what really happens.  We need to support our children – bullies use mental and physical torment these days and without mentors or support from adults we’re going to make the next generation scared of their own shadows.

Overall the movie was entertaining enough I’m going to watch it again with my wife and paid homage to the original in ways that I was thankful that they remembered it was an original. I would totally suggest this movie for the 10 year old crowd as an 8/9 year old might take it the wrong way without some parent dialog about whats going on and when is it right to use force vs walking away and telling an adult.

Its totally a popcorn flick and comes out on DVD next Tuesday!

Disclaimer: I was provided with a screening of this movie by TravelingMom.com but in no way did that influence my review.

Iron Man 2 rocks as toys and as a movie

Iron Man 2 rocks as toys and as a movie

Iron Man 2 is the 3rd most hyped movie this summer behind Shreck3 and Toy Story 3.  I got to an early show and even still I wont be the first one to tell you it wasn’t as good as the first movie.  Lets be honest = we’re not looking or working for Oscars here… we’re looking for the minds/hearts/souls of comic fan boys (and a few fan girls). First let me say this is completely spoiler free.

The movie does a great job of picking up right were the first one left off… it introduces some key characters without a hiccup.  I guess we should touch on the quick recast of a major character is just smooth – you really dont notice the difference unless you just watched the first movie.

This movies keeps the hints of all the future movies right there – from a shield, some witty banter, to even the extra after the credit scene. Sure you could find most of this movie on YouTube clips at this point but its totally a popcorn movie and worth the price of admissions (unlike some recent superhero movies).









This cast reads like a who’s who of modern day cinema Robert Downey Jr., Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Garry Shandling, Jon Favreau, and Samuel L. Jackson. Its a great line up and back in the directors seat is king of fanboys everywhere Jon Favreau.  Jon makes movies fanboys want to see, mainly because he keeps the storyline intact to the comic book.  I don’t see Iron Man having a kid anytime soon! (I’m still a little upset about the Superman movie).

The pace is set rather quickly and you’ll be a little lost without seeing the first Iron Man.  I don’t know if I would take a younger child to this as there is plenty of firepower and fight scenes but then again if the only way I was getting to see this movie was to take an 8 year old – I probably would just to see it in the theaters.

With all great comic book hero movies there are great toys…  we’ve got two amazing prize packs to giveaway one from Hasbro and the other from MegaBrand.

Featured in the Hasbro prize package

IRON MAN 2 ARC CHEST LIGHT
(Approximate Retail Price: $6.99; Ages 4 & up; Available: Spring 2010)
As fans know, TONY STARK’s armored suit’s technology hinges on drawing its power from the one-of-a-kind arc reactor in his chest.  Now, all kids can pretend to draw their IRON MAN role-playing energy from the light-up IRON MAN 2 ARC CHEST LIGHT, which features power-up sounds and easily clips onto shirts.

IRON MAN 2 3 ¾” COMIC SERIES ACTION FIGURES
(Approximate Retail Price: $7.99; Ages 4 & up; Available: Spring 2010)
The IRON MAN 2 3 ¾” COMIC SERIES ACTION FIGURES bring classic characters from the franchise’s long-time comic book history to life in super-articulated, highly-detailed action figure form.  The 2010 lineup will include 17 IRON MAN action figures, including CRIMSON DYNAMO, HULKBUSTER IRON MAN and TITANIUM MAN.  Each figure includes a display stand and three collectible “Armor Cards.”

IRON MAN 2 SUPER HERO SQUAD 3-PACKS
(Approximate Retail Price: $9.99; Ages 3 & up; Available: Spring 2010)
For the younger generation of IRON MAN fans, Hasbro proudly presents the
IRON MAN 2 SUPER HERO SQUAD 3-PACKS!  A wide variety of favorite characters from the IRON MAN franchise, including IRON MAN, CAPTAIN AMERICA, and NICK FURY, are offered in this wildly popular, cute and fun action figure expression.  This line of figures is a great way for kids to discover IRON MAN for the first time!

IRON RACER ASSORTMENT
(Approximate Retail Price: $9.99; Ages 4 & up; Available: Spring 2010)
These 3.75” scale vehicles feature pop out weapons or a pull back motor with an Iron Man action figure.

IRON MAN 2 IRON MAN HERO MASK
(Approximate Retail Price: $7.99; Ages 5& up; Available: Spring 2010)
Find out what it feels like to be your favorite hero! Put on this awesome mask, place the elastic band behind your head to hold it in place and get ready for adventure. With your Iron Man character mask on, it’s your job to defeat the “bad guys” and fight for justice all over the world — or at least in your living room!

 

Featured in the MEGA Brands prize package

Tri-Armor Suitcase
When Tony Stark realized that one armor wouldn’t do the trick in fighting against evil, he created multiple armors for specific uses. The Tri-Armor Iron Man set includes three sets of 6” buildable armors – Mark II, IV and V – that contain a total of 46 magnetic pieces. All pieces are conveniently stored inside Tony’s iconic suitcase replica right out of the movie. With its revolutionary magnetic design, each of the three Iron Man armors can be built and taken apart in seconds. All armor sets are compatible with each other, allowing you to build your own custom armors for any situation! The fully poseable characters are great to build, play and display! This set contains three different armours and one skeleton.
Age: 6+  SRP: $19.99  Available: Now

Hall of Armor
Welcome to Tony Stark’s top secret Hall of Armor, a 170-piece buildable playset where all of his armor designs are kept safe from prying eyes. On display are images of the armor suit designs and a sophisticated building and repair area, complete with a multidirectional repair arm run by Tony’s faithful computer A.I. “Jarvis”. With a cool movie themed sticker sheet for accurate film detail, this playset includes a buildable Mark II and Mark VI, with repulsor flames and 2 fly-wires, one integrated into the playset and a 3ft fly-wire for free flying action. This buildable Hall of Armor playset provides endless hours of building action like a moving repair arm and secret trap door.
Age: 6+   SRP: $29.99  Available: Now

 

How to win it… Contest ends 11:59pm EST. May 16, 2010.

You must comment telling us your favorite Iron Man 2 character or cast member and which prize pack you’d like to win, please include some method for us to contact you in the comment (twitter or email)

You get 1 extra entry for following us on twitter – twitter.com/dada_rocks

You get 1 extra entry for following MegaBrands on twitter – twitter.com/megabrands

You get 1 extra entry for following HasbroNews on twitter- twitter.com/HasbroNews

You get 1 extra entry for tweeting about this contest (you can do this daily). Must contain the following information:
@HasbroNews or @megabrands @dada_rocks – http://bit.ly/cuEqJe and you must also comment with the link to your twitter message.

Example 1: I want to win @megabrands prize pack from @dada_rocks – http://bit.ly/cuEqJe

Example 2: I want to win @HasbroNews prize pack from @dada_rocks – http://bit.ly/cuEqJe

You get 1 extra entry for becoming a FAN on facebook –facebook.com/DaDaRocks you must comment that you’re a fan

You get 1 extra entry for subscribing to our Feedburner digest mailing (right side subscribe by email) – you must also comment that you’ve subscribed

You will have 24 hours to reply before we pick another winner! Also 1 prize pack person (no one can win both packs)

Disclaimer: MEGA Brands and Hasbro are providing these toys for the raffle.