Get Engulfed in the World of The Super Mario Bros. Movie - Review

A few weeks ago I let you know that THE SUPER MARIO BROS. MOVIE was out and last night I watched everyone's favourite duo explore new worlds in this film full of adventure.

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This animated feature was full of nostalgia and I was impressed by The Super Mario Bros. Movie and the way it captured the spirit of the fun-filled video games. While Mario and Luigi were engulfed in a Brooklyn plumbing emergency that sucked them into a different dimension, as a viewer I felt I was along for the ride as well. Every spectacular stop on the journey overwhelmed me with the attention to detail and bursts of colour on my screen.  This made The Super Mario Bros Movie story almost leap off the screen as the characters were pouncing from platforms, bounding on bricks and punching for power-ups! With all this spectacle, the movie never lost sight of the story of Mario never giving up no matter the odds. He is the hero who perseveres in his quest to save the world. This is why everyone loves these characters and you will love this movie too!

For a chance to win a Digital Copy of The Super Mario Bros. Movie, enter the GIVEAWAY!

To learn more about The Super Mario Bros. Movie, visit these links

Website: https://www.uphe.com/movies/the-super-mario-bros-movie

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supermariomovie

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/supermariomovie

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/supermariomovie

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@supermariomovie

Celebrate Back to School with Minions: The Rise of Gru - Review and Giveaway

 We'll start with the Disclaimer - Yes, I did receive a copy for review, but this just means I'm able to give away the film as a prize too! Enter the contest at the end of this post

September is here and everyone is headed back to school including Little Gru...

While his class doesn't believe he can do it, Little Gru has big plans. 

Ever wonder how Gru learned his despicable ways, how Dr. Nefario came to work for him, how he got such an elaborate lair and why was he so obsessed with capturing the moon? All these questions and more are answered in Minions: The Rise of Gru. 

Minions: The Rise of Gru Review

If you are a fan of the Depicable Me Franchise, then this Minions sequel is a Must-See! It sends the Minions on another action-packed adventure. This time they are battling a villainous crew called the Vicious Six. Thankfully, they make new friends along the way to assist them on their quest.  Of course there is never an easy fix when it comes to the team of Bob, Stuart and Kevin and with the addition of Otto to the group, it makes it even harder, and funnier. I believe your family will enjoy watching Minions: The Rise of Gru together as it is filled with giggles and goofs.

Last month we let you know about the release of Minions: The Rise of Gru on digital and today it has been released on BluRay and DVD!  However you watch it, expect fun from beginning to end.

For more information visit these links 

Facebook: @Minions

Twitter: @Minions

Instagram: @Minions

Hashtag: #Minions: The Rise of Gru

Enter to win

To celebrate Back to School and the release of Minions: The Rise of Gru, we are giving away a digital code for the film. Enter the rafflecopter giveaway for a chance to win (it works best if you are already logged into your google account).

 

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Minions: The Rise of Gru on Digital - Get Set for Gru and his Minions to Take Over a Screen Near You! Activity Kit and Colouring Sheets

Get set for the Gru and his Minions as they plan to take over screens everywhere with the Digital Release on August 30th of Minions: The Rise of Gru.

To help you get ready we have a Minions: The Rise of Gru Activity Kit

that you can download for free at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2369595749/posts/10160206842445750

It includes Colouring Pages, a Maze, a Recipe and more!

It will be fun for the whole family and will have everyone excited for the film's release as the Despicable Me universe expands in this Minions sequel.

MINIONS: THE RISE OF GRU

Synopsis: In the heart of the 1970s, amidst a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru (Steve Carell) is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making back-up from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto - a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please - deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons, and pull off their first missions.

For more information visit these links

 

Facebook: @Minions

Twitter: @Minions

Instagram: @Minions

Hashtag: #Minions: The Rise of Gru

Stay tuned for more Minions: The Rise of Gru content coming soon!

Celebrate Earth Week with Luna, Chip and Inkie: Adventure Rangers Go

There are lots of ways to celebrate Earth Week. You can help with a local community clean-up (see April 23rd on our local list), upcycle items into a craft project or find ways to reduce waste. Those are just some of the eco-friendly ways families can mark Earth Week.  We think that teaching children about stewardship and protecting the environment at an early age is the best way to go. Another great way is for them to learn from their favourite characters, and this week Luna, Chip and Inkie: Adventure Rangers Go provides some great episodes to do just that.

Knowledge Kids has curated a new Earth Week focused episode to air each day this week of their new animated original series Luna, Chip and Inkie: Adventure Rangers Go. The episodes are available free and commercial free on the Knowledge Kids app and website knowledgekids.ca. The episodes centre around time in nature and teach lessons on being good stewards to the environment. 

 

THIS WEEK'S EPISODES: 

THE GREAT SEA LION SAVE - 🌎 Earth Week 🌎

Broadcast Premiere: Monday, April 18th, 2022

Knowledge Kids App & website premiere: Monday, April 18th, 2022

A bark for help leads the Adventure Rangers to a sea lion trapped on a rock. Can Luna,

Chip and Inkie work together as a team, or is this sea lion going to stay stuck?

WAY TOO EAGER BEAVER - 🌎 Earth Week 🌎

Broadcast Premiere: Tuesday, April 19th, 2022

Knowledge Kids App & website premiere: Monday, April 18th, 2022

When the Rangers take the Mini-Moosers on a camping hike, Chip is eager to get to

their destination so they can start having fun. But will he miss all the amazing sights and

sounds along the way?

MARKED CRABSENT - 🌎 Earth Week 🌎

Broadcast Premiere: Wednesday, April 20th, 2022

Knowledge Kids App & website premiere: Monday, April 18th, 2022

Mr. Crumple’s pet crab, Herman, has gone missing and Luna, Chip and Inkie are on the

case! It seems like the Adventure Rangers are asking the right questions but are they

listening to the answers?

OCTO GAL - 🌎 Earth Week 🌎

Broadcast Premiere: Thursday, April 21st, 2022

Knowledge Kids App & website premiere: Monday, April 18th, 2022

Inkie figures the best way to solve a sticky situation is to do whatever her hero, Octogal,

would do. But when the Rangers need to help a lost baby whale, she discovers that she

has superpowers of her very own.

THE GREAT FROG UNCLOG - 🌎 Earth Week 🌎

Broadcast Premiere: Friday, April 22nd, 2022

Knowledge Kids App & website premiere: Monday, April 18th, 2022

The Adventure Rangers and their neighbors are overwhelmed by a leaping, hopping

and croaking frog-vasion! Can Luna, Chip and Inkie find out why the croakers are here

or will Eagle Creek end up turning into Frogtown?

Disney is bringing the Magic of Encanto to the Big Screen This Month - Advance Screening Pass Giveaway

 

Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Encanto” tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charmed place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel. But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might just be her exceptional family’s last hope. The film features all-new songs by Emmy®, GRAMMY® and Tony Award® winner Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Moana”) and is directed by Byron Howard (“Zootopia,” “Tangled”) and Jared Bush (co-director “Zootopia”), co-directed by Charise Castro Smith (writer “The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez”) and produced by Clark Spencer and Yvett Merino. “Encanto” opens in theatres November 24, 2021. 

 

Disney's Encanto is in theatres on November 24th!

For more info about this film, visit these links

Facebook: @WaltDisneyStudiosCanada
Twitter: @DisneyStudiosCA
Instagram: @disneystudioscanada

 

 

We are so excited for this film and have been given the opportunity to give away a 4 pack of passes to attend the advance screening in Toronto on Wednesday, November 17 at 7:00pm at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas!  Enter below for your chance to win.

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Ron's Gone Wrong is a Film that Gets it Right

We'll start with the Disclaimer – Yes, we did receive complimentary tickets to the advance screening of this movie, but this just means we're able to give you our opinion of the film.

In this brand new animated film, we come to learn that the Pudowski is struggling, They have a warehouse of novelty items that are not selling and they are usually hacking the grid to get electricity. This takes a toll on young Barney Pudowski. He is not very social with the other kids at Nonsuch Middle School, and when the B. Bot craze takes over he realizes his social status both online and offline won't improve unless he has B.Bot of his own. While the other kids are live-streaming, gaining likes and having video-game battles through their B. Bots, Barney gets sequestered to the Buddy Bench each recess and he finds it humiliating. When his family learns of the teasing that Barney is receiving, they find their own way to get B. Bot for Barney.  The problem is there is something a little off with this B. Bot.

“Ron’s Gone Wrong” is the story of Barney, a socially awkward middle-schooler and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally-connected device, which is supposed to be his “Best Friend out of the Box.” Ron’s hilarious malfunctions set against the backdrop of the social media age, launch them into an action-packed journey in which boy and robot come to terms with the wonderful messiness of true friendship. “Ron’s Gone Wrong” features the voices of Zach Galifianakis, Jack Dylan Grazer, Olivia Colman, Ed Helms, Justice Smith, Rob Delaney, Kylie Cantrall, Ricardo Hurtado, Marcus Scribner, Thomas Barbusca.

We think this is a great film for families. It has funny moments, with lessons mixed in along the way. It touches on topics like data privacy, economic status, and empathy for others. Each lesson is learned through the lens of friendship and how Barney teaches Ron his B. Bot to be his friend but then Ron gets it right when it comes to how Barney should approach friendship as well. Ron's Gone Wrong is sure to have you talking about the film and your own family values when it comes to screen time, encouraging individuality and treatment of others.

Ron's Gone Wrong will be released in theatres on October 22, 2021 and we hope after seeing it you will share your thoughts on the film in the comments! 

New Episodes of Paw Patrol, Wild Kratts, and Clifford the Big Red Dog are all coming to a FREE Streaming Service in September

 

Here is where To Stream Paw Patrol and other Age-Appropriate Kids Shows for Free with Show Premiere listings beginning September 6, 2021

We know it's hard to believe but soon you will be able to stream Paw Patrol, Wild Kratts, Clifford the Big Red Dog and a bunch of other soon-to-be Family Favourites all in one place for Free with the Knowledge Kids app and on the KnowledgeKids.ca website.

This service from British Columbia is open to families across Canada for Free and their new Fall Line-up starts September 6, 2021, 

This means you will have a safe space for your kids to watch their favourite shows commercial-free without the worry of other videos popping up with ads and other content.  To learn more, watch the short video below.

About Knowledge Kids
Knowledge Kids is a safe, trusted environment with the best and brightest shows for kids aged 2-8 brought to you by Knowledge Network, B.C.’s  viewer-supported public broadcaster. Free and commercial-free, Knowledge Kids is available on Knowledge Network’s television service in B.C. and across Canada via the KnowledgeKids.ca website and Knowledge Kids streaming video apps, available for iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku and the Amazon Fire Stick. For more information, visit Knowledge.ca or KnowledgeKids.ca or follow Knowledge Kids on Facebook.

Kids Shows Premiering on the Knowledge Kids app and KnowledgeKids.ca

Here's a list of premiere dates for the shows your young kids will want to watch

Fall Lineup - beginning Sept 6, 2021

Paw Patrol (season 8) NEW EPISODES AVAILABLE BI-WEEKLY In season 8 of the global hit, Ryder and his pack of rescue pups find new ways to work together to help the citizens of Adventure Bay. They use reasoning, teamwork and just the right high-tech vehicle to analyse the situation, come up with a plan and work together to accomplish their goals

Gus the Itsy Bitsy Knight  PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 Small in stature but big in courage and kindness, Gus is ready for action in this new animated series. Set in medieval times with a modern twist, it follows the diminutive knight as he pursues adventures on his electric pony. Gus’s world includes fellow knights, princesses and the big guy, Daddy King, along with rascals like Stinky-Dragons, Warticious, the Shadow Knight and his naughty Knight-Knights. Although Gus’ quests rarely go as planned, he's sure to learn plenty of life lessons along the way!

Elinor Wonders Why  PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 Elinor is a curious little bunny. When she encounters something she doesn’t understand, she can’t let it go until she figures it out! With the help of her friends Ari, an imaginative bat, and Olive, a perceptive elephant, there’s lots to learn and explore in Animal Town – like the best way to engineer a pillow fort and why Ari’s Velcro watch strap only sticks to certain things. Engaging and fun, the series encourages children to follow their curiosity, ask questions and find answers using science enquiry skills.

ABC with Kenny G  PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 6, 2021 Fans of the award-winning Canadian series 16 Hudson will recognize the star of these swinging little animated shorts – the grumpy cat Kensington, who seems unimpressed by all the daytime shenanigans in the neighbourhood. But when night falls and the humans go to bed, Kensington (or rather his alter-ego Kenny G) comes to life. He rounds up a bunch of animal buddies and slinks down to the basement boiler room – home to the local “milk & cookies” jazz club. There, he croons late-night ABC songs (L is for lazy lobsters, leaping lemurs and lively loons) to his grooving groupies. Now that is one cool cat!

Dog Loves Books  PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 9, 2021 Forget about bones – there’s nothing these two dogs like better than chewing on a good book. (Thankfully not in a literal sense!) Dog is cool, calm and unflappable – a dog of few words. Pug is enthusiastic, flappable and very, very chatty. They may be opposites, but the two best pals share a love of stories. When Dog’s bookshop closes for the day, he picks up a book from the shelves and then he and Pug are off on an exciting, imaginative adventure. Whimsical and humorous, the series aims to foster interest in reading, especially among young boys.

Let’s Go Luna (new episodes) PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 Andy, Carmen and Leo travel the world with their parent's circus (Circo Fabuloso), learning about new countries and meeting new people  In the new season of this Socials Studies -themed series, they visit Iceland and India, the United States, Ghana in Africa, Tokyo, Buenos Aires, Polynesia, Mexico, Scotland, China, Switzerland, France, Croatia, Jamaica and England.  Explore traditions, music, food, ceremonies, legends and sea monster sightings!

Geronimo Stilton  PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 22, 2021 Adventure-comedy based on the globally-popular book series featuring the adventures of the most famous mouse journalist Geronimo and his fearless nephew Benjamin and sister Thea.

Clifford the Big Red Dog (new episodes) PREMIERES SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 Emily Elizabeth and her big red dog, Clifford, along with Pablo, Jack and Samantha, explore their island home, lending a paw to neighbours in need. Each episode has an original song. Based on the popular Scholastic books, this new series is a reboot of the 90s classic.  “Knowledge Network and Knowledge Kids have long been trusted brands in British Columbia. We’re committed to offering shows that inspire and help kids learn about the world around them through cooperation, empathy, friendship and problem-solving,” says Michele Paris, Senior Manager, Children’s Programming. “We know many parents are very deliberate about screen time for their kids. We’re happy to provide parents in all of Canada with access to a curated lineup of fun and age-appropriate shows that their kids will love.”

We think your kids will enjoy these shows while giving Parents the peace of mind that everything is appropriate for their young children.  Let us know if you agree.

The Magic of Aladdin May Make Your Wish Come True - Enter To Win

Aladdin was a story many people grew up with but only knowing about rubbing the lamp to receive three wishes from the Genie (just like in the exhibit from this year's CNE)  It was the Disney's Aladdin Animated where I learned the full tale. It was a movie that brought the Genie to the forefront with its casting of Robin Williams.  Since then many movie stars have been in animated films, but for me this was the first one that had a recognizable voices as main characters. The second most recognizable voice in that film was Gilbert Gottfried as Iago the Parrot and the third voice many Disney fans know is Jim Cummings who voiced Winnie the Pooh and several other animated characters.  The fantastic cast, quick paced dialogue and memorable music numbers in this film are what make the animation of this film almost pop off the screen.  You almost feel like you are inside the cave of wonders and flying through the sky on a magic carpet ride because of all the Disney Magic involved!

Now its your turn to share the magic of Aladdin with your family!

DISNEY’S ALADDIN SIGNATURE COLLECTION

Available on Digital August 27 and Blu-ray^TM September 10

Embark on a magic carpet ride with the entire family when Disney’s original animated classic “Aladdin” soars into the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection, granting nonstop laughs, action-packed adventure and Academy Award®–winning music (1992: Best Music, Original Song, “A Whole New World,” Original Score) for the first time in 4K Ultra HD™. The Signature Collection Edition of “Aladdin” takes flight two weeks early in 4K Ultra HD™ and Digital in HD Aug. 27 and lands on 4K Ultra HD™ and Blu-ray™ Sept. 10 — with a brand-new sing-along version; all-new bonus features, including original cast recordings; and classic bonus material. 

Enter To Win

We are giving away a copy of Disney's Aladdin Signature Collection Animated Movie! Just enter the Rafflecopter contest below (it may take a minute to load) and be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of this post with why you want to win.

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For Pete’s Sake, Go See Disney’s Pete’s Dragon - Review

When I first received the press release in 2015 that Disney would be releasing a new live action version of Pete’s Dragon I had no idea just how amazing this film would be.  Not only was this movie on point with the visuals it also pulls at your heart strings. So much so though that I keep thinking that it’s a pun on a famous Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers song.  I feel the title of the song should now be “Stop DRAGON My Heart Around”

So yes during this film I laughed and cried. We can say it had “all the feels” that you expect from a Disney classic. 

What To Expect From Pete’s Dragon

 

The film begins in a very sweet way but soon you learn how Pete became lost in the forest.  The young boy is in what could be a very awful situation until he happens to be saved by a dragon.  Soon you see the film change as you learn Pete has been growing up in the woods under the watchful of dragon he named Elliot.  This scene in the forest are very reminiscent of Mowgli and the animals in THE JUNGLE BOOK that was released earlier this year.  Soon after the plot changes again as Pete and Elliot learn about the world just outside of the forest.

The animators did a great job of bringing Elliot to life through CGI.  When he is first introduced you notice the fur and the forest colours in it, but as the movie goes on you begin to recognize the facial features and characteristics of the 1977 animated version of Elliot.  They also kept the time frame the same with the use of station wagons, pickup trucks and corded telephones from that era. 

For years, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted local children with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas Howard), who works as a ranger, these stories are little more than tall tales…until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliot. And from Pete’s descriptions, Elliot seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr. Meacham’s stories. With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an 11-year-old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he belongs, and the truth about this dragon.

We think this film is a great way to spend some family time, not only to see the film, but also to learn about the importance of trees and surrounding environment.

Click Image To Enlarge

 

We Love The Canadian #FindingDory Poster

If you're like us you have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Finding Dory.  Walt Disney Studios Canada knows that as well and has sent us a unique poster for the movie to be used by Canadian outlets that provide media coverage.

We love how vibrant this image is and thought your family would like to see it in advance of the movie arriving this summer!

FINDING DORY

DISNEY•PIXAR

Release Date: June 17, 2016

Voice Cast: Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy, Diane Keaton

Director: Andrew Stanton

Co-Director: Angus MacLane

Producer: Lindsey Collins 

Disney•Pixar's “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favourite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about  her past. What can she remember? Who are her parents? And where did she learn to speak Whale?

Directed by Andrew Stanton (“Finding Nemo,” “WALL•E”) and produced by Lindsey Collins (co-producer “WALL•E”), the film features the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O'Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton.  “Finding Dory” swims into theatres June 17, 2016.   

Disney•Pixar's “Finding Dory” reunites everyone’s favourite forgetful blue tang, Dory, with her friends Nemo and Marlin on a search for answers about  her past.

 
To make sure you have the latest film updates be sure to follow these links

Website: https://disney.com/FindingDory
Facebook: https://facebook.com/WaltDisneyStudiosCanada
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DisneyStudiosCA
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneystudioscanada/

Hashtag: #FindingDory