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Toy Story 4 Movie Review #ToyStory4

Lolli — Fri, 21 Jun 2019 04:25:00 +0000

I know you’ve been counting down the days. I’m sure you’re just as excited as I am to say that Toy Story 4 is finally here!! The family and I were thrilled to be able to catch a screening of the newest Toy Story movie a few days before it was released in theaters. Although our tickets were comped, all thoughts about the movie are our own.

ABOUT “TOY STORY 4”:

Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So, when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts).

LOST AND FOUND – In Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” Woody is reunited with his long-lost friend Bo Peep, who’s been on the road for years. She’s become an adventure-seeking free spirit whose strength and sarcasm belie her delicate porcelain exterior. Featuring the voice of Annie Potts as Bo Peep, “Toy Story 4” opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries. Directed by Josh Cooley (“Riley’s First Date?”), and produced by Mark Nielsen (associate producer “Inside Out”) and Jonas Rivera (“Inside Out,” “Up”), Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” ventures to U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.

How Our Family Reacted to Toy Story 4

I remember when we saw the original Toy Story in theaters. My husband and I were shocked that the story line was so captivating. We were expecting a fun family movie, but what we got was a deeply touching, thoughtful, and totally hilarious film that everyone in the family could appreciate.

AND BEYOND – Buzz Lightyear is back on the big screen in Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” joining Woody and the whole gang on an eye-opening road trip that takes them to unexpected places, including a carnival. Featuring Tim Allen as the voice of Buzz, “Toy Story 4” opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

It’s rare for a second or a third movie in a franchise to come anywhere close to the first when it’s as good as Toy Story was. Second and third time around, I went to the movie theater expecting to be let down…at least a little. And yet, Woody and Buzz and all of their friends never let me down.

This movie was the same for me. Dare I say even better? Toy Story 4 exceeded my expectations (and at this point my expectations are pretty high when it comes to Toy Story). I laughed, I cried, and I felt like I was back with old friends.

HANGIN’ AROUND – In Disney·Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” Buzz Lightyear finds himself among a host of carnival prizes—including Ducky and Bunny, who’ve been waiting a long time to be won. They aren’t exactly welcoming to the Space Ranger—the odds are already stacked against them, and who needs that kind of competition? Featuring Tim Allen as the voice of Buzz, Keegan-Michael Key as the voice of Ducky and Jordan Peele as the voice of Bunny, “Toy Story 4” opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019. ©2019 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

My husband’s reaction was the biggest shock for me. While I tend to enjoy a movie for its entertainment value (and don’t get too critical unless it bores, offends or creeps me out), my husband is a “critical” movie critic. He likes to tear movies apart for their flaws.

He found none. He laughed throughout the movie and could not stop singing its praises as we walked out of the theater.

I think all families that have seen the previous Toy Story movies should see Toy Story 4 in theaters. Yes, I do recommend watching the first three movies if you haven’t already. I loved that there was a quick “refresher” sequence at the beginning of Toy Story 4 so everybody knew where the movie was starting.

One word of warning: some young children might be scared by the ventriloquist dummies (they are creepy!) but otherwise there is nothing in the movie that stood out to me as something to keep young kids away from.

GABBY GABBY – In Disney•Pixar’s “Toy Story 4,” Woody finds himself in Second Chance Antiques, home to an adorable, talking pull-string doll from the 1950s and her crew of voiceless ventriloquist dummies. Unfortunately for Gabby Gabby, a manufacturing defect in her pull-string voice box has left her sounding anything but adorable. Christina Hendricks lends her voice to Gabby Gabby. “Toy Story 4” opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019.
©2019 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Did you know?

“Toy Story,” originally released on Nov. 22, 1995, was the first fully computer animated feature film and the highest grossing movie of the year. It was nominated for three Oscars® and two Golden Globes®.

“Toy Story 2” is the first film ever to be entirely created, mastered and exhibited digitally. It was also the first animated sequel to gross more than its original, breaking opening weekend box office records in the U.S., UK and Japan, becoming the highest grossing animated release of 1999. It won the Golden Globe for best motion picture – comedy or musical. It won a Grammy® for best song written for a motion picture, television or other visual media (Randy Newman, “When She Loved Me”).

THREE-IN-ONE – He’s not a fork. He’s not a spoon. And most of all, Forky is not a toy! At least that’s what he thinks. Bonnie created him from an assortment of supplies Woody’s retrieved from the kindergarten trash can. So, it’s no wonder Forky feels strongly that he’s trash and not a toy. Featuring Tony Hale as the voice of Forky, Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 4” opens in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2019. ©2019 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Released in 2010, “Toy Story 3” won Oscars® for best animated feature film and best achievement in music written for motion pictures, original song (Randy Newman/“We Belong Together”). The film also won a Golden Globe® and BAFTA for best animated film. It was the second Pixar film to be nominated for the best picture Oscar. It’s also Pixar’s second highest-grossing film of all time behind “Incredibles 2.”

Toy Story 4 FUN!

Enjoy these fun activity sheets. Print as many as you’d like for personal use. Simply click on a photo you’d like (don’t right click) to download the full sized PDF file to your computer, then print away!

Connect with Toy Story 4

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/toystory

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DisneyPixar

Hashtag: #ToyStory4

INCREDIBLES 2 Activity Sheets To Enjoy at Home

Lolli — Sat, 10 Nov 2018 16:47:06 +0000

Incredibles 2, Disney * Pixar’s long-awaited sequel to The Incredibles, is finally available to bring home as of this week! To celebrate the Blu-ray/DVD release of this must-have family movie, I’ve got some fun bonus content – videos, printables, recipes, and more – to enjoy at home. Content is courtesy of Disney/Pixar. No compensation has been received.

Get info about the movie + more printables here!

SUPER FAMILY — In Disney Pixar’s “Incredibles 2,” Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is in the spotlight, while Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) navigates the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life at home when a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot that only the Incredibles can overcome together. Also featuring the voices of Sarah Vowell as Violet and Huck Milner as Dash, “Incredibles 2” opens in U.S. theaters on June 15, 2018. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Incredibles 2 Bonus Content and Printables

If you’re looking for a little fun with the kiddos, we’ve got you covered! This INCREDIBLES 2 Activity Sheet Kit has everything from games to awesome coloring sheets of the entire Incredibles family. Download them now!

If you liked INCREDIBLES 2 and the adorable short film BAO, you’re going to absolutely love digging into these delicious Bao Cake Pops! And, honestly, they could not be easier to make! Check it out:

Whether it’s Jack Jack or your own little one, we know that kids can sometimes be quite the handful. That’s why we’ve put together a few special babysitting tips for you. Good luck! You can check them out right here:

We all love Edna Mode, and she makes a super appearance in Incredibles 2.

EDNA “E” MODE (voice of director Brad Bird) possesses impeccable design sense, a keen understanding of cutting-edge technology and an unmatched skillset. A creative visionary, she longs for the return of Supers so she can once again create functional yet cutting-edge supersuits.

New Characters in Incredibles 2

WINSTON DEAVOR (voice of Bob Odenkirk) leads a world-class telecommunications company alongside his genius sister, Evelyn. Ultra-wealthy, savvy and suave, Winston goes big in everything he does—including his infatuation with Supers. He has been a supporter of Supers returning—all he needs is a hero (or three) to help him change public perception and bring them back into the sunlight.

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS – In “Incredibles 2,” siblings Winston and Evelyn Deavor are huge fans of the Supers and start a campaign to improve their public image and ultimately bring them back. Featuring the voices of Catherine Keener as the brilliant and laid-back Evelyn Deavor, and Bob Odenkirk as the ultra-wealthy and savvy Winston Deavor. ©2018 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

EVELYN DEAVOR (voice of Catherine Keener), the brilliant brainchild behind her brother Winston’s telecommunications company, knows her way around tech. She loves tinkering with tech, and has never met a problem she can’t solve. When Helen is recruited to help the Deavors bring back Supers, she and Evelyn become fast friends—exchanging ideas, creating strategies and sharing a lot of laughs along the way.

THE UNDERMINER is a greedy villain who hopes to tunnel through the city in an effort to steal everyone’s money from under their noses. Considering the destructive device he’s employed to pull off his mission—it’ll take a hero (or five) to stop him.

Meet a New Group of Supers

“WANNABE” SUPERS are a group of second-rate Supers who aspire to join the ranks of the Incredibles, Frozone and other popular heroes. They team up with the Deavors to help bring Supers back.

· VOYD is a young, overeager mega-fan of Elastigirl. Her super power is the ability to divert and manipulate objects around her by creating voids that allow the objects to appear and disappear. Sophia Bush lends her voice to Voyd.

· BRICK is super tough with mega muscles and a fearless spirit that showcases her strong name.

· REFLUX is a senior who has the unsettling super power of heaving hot lava, which helps him break into some of the most secure locales.

· It’s mind over matter for KRUSHAUER who has the power of telekinesis. This guy can crush a car without even laying a hand on it.

· SCREECH sports big owl-like eyes and a head that rotates 360 degrees. He can fly, thanks to a pair of wings he made to complete his look, but his real power is a high-pitched screech that can break glass.

· HE-LECTRIX can shoot lightning bolts from his fingertips. He’s high voltage, so it’s best to steer clear.

Who were your favorite new characters in Incredibles 2?

Incredibles 2 on Blu-ray & DVD (Plus Printables!)

Lolli — Fri, 02 Nov 2018 01:38:33 +0000

Who else was beyond excited when they heard the news that Incredibles 2 was coming to theaters?? There’s nothing like a 14 year wait to whet the appetite for more! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to receive Incredibles 2 on Blu-ray/DVD – there was never any question that I would be adding this movie to our family’s Disney/Pixar collection. We loved it in theaters and enjoyed it just as much at home. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Amazon affiliate links are used within this post.

My husband still believes that The Incredibles (2004) is one of the best animated movies of all time, if not the TOP. He loves it. We all do. Not only did The Incredibles win Oscars®, but it earned a 93% positive critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes and surpassed $1 billion at the global box office (it is one of the highest-grossing animated films of all time).

Fourteen years is a long time to wait for a sequel, but Incredibles 2 hit the mark and was worth the wait. I couldn’t believe how easily the story picked up right where we left off. It was exciting, funny and action-packed. And it felt SO good to see the Parr family, Edna, and Frozone again.

Incredibles 2 is available on Digital in HD and 4K Ultra HD and on Movies Anywhere as of October 23, and will be available for purchase on Blu-ray 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray DVD and On-Demand on November 6.

About Incredibles 2

In “Incredibles 2,” Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is called on to lead a campaign to bring Supers back, while Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) navigates the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell), Dash (voice of Huck Milner) and baby Jack-Jack—whose super powers are about to be discovered. Their mission is derailed, however, when a new villain emerges with a brilliant and dangerous plot that threatens everything. But the Parrs don’t shy away from a challenge, especially with Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) by their side. That’s what makes this family so Incredible.

Incredibles 2 BONUS FEATURES to enjoy at home

I love watching a good movie (especially while sorting and folding laundry in my family room) but one of my favorite things to do is dive into the bonus features on DVDs. Who would have guessed that bonus features could be just as enjoyable as the movie itself?? Granted, I’ve always been the type to want to discover the extra details about a story. When I was a kid (long before the internet), I’d pull out our encyclopedias to research historical topics discussed in the books I read. I was known for reading every single book and short story that an author I liked had written. And if I found out that a movie I had just watched was based on a book, you’d better believe I’d check it out of the library (because I knew the book would have more details that I craved).

BEDTIME STORY – In “Incredibles 2,” Bob navigates life at home with the Parr kids while Helen leads a campaign to bring back Supers. But when baby Jack-Jack shows some surprising changes – including the appearance of a few unexpected super powers—Bob finds that it’s challenging to keep up (and awake), even for Mr. Incredible. Featuring Craig T. Nelson as the voice of Bob, Disney-Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” opens in U.S. theaters on June 15, 2018. ©2018 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Nowadays, I’m hooked on bonus features….learning about how movies were made, meeting the cast, seeing deleted scenes and pondering why they weren’t included in the final movie. And don’t get me started on outtakes. They’re my favorite!

The bonus features on the Incredibles 2 Blu-ray did not disappoint. There’s so much to enjoy, whether you’re a life-long fan of the Parr family or just enjoy learning more about the makings of a family-friendly movie like The Incredibles. Here’s what you will find when you bring Incredibles 2 home:

Note: bonus features may vary by retailer

SUPER DREAMS – When Elastigirl is called on to lead a mission to bring back Supers, she meets a group of new Supers who aspire to join the ranks, including Voyd, a mega-fan whose superpower is the ability to divert and manipulate objects around her. Featuring the voices of Holly Hunter as Helen aka Elastigirl, Sophia Bush as Voyd, Phil LaMarr as Krushauer and HeLectrix, and Paul Eiding as Reflux, “Incredibles 2” opens in U.S. theaters on June 15, 2018.. ©2018 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Digital Exclusives:

The Coolest Guy in Show Business – In this partially illustrated documentary, Samuel L. Jackson reflects how his childhood and love of comics shaped his passion for film and imaginative storytelling.

2 SuperScene Breakdowns – Casual commentary-style pieces looking at specific scenes in the film (The Racoon Fight and Mrs. Incredible) through a particular creative focus like action choreography, set design or story.

Blu-ray & Digital:

All-New “Auntie Edna” Mini-Movie – When Bob Parr visits super-suit designer Edna Mode looking for help with his high-energy toddler Jack-Jack, Edna pulls an all-nighter designing a suit to harness the baby’s seemingly limitless powers.

10 Deleted Scenes With Introductions – Suburban Escape, Kari Revisited, Return of the Supers, Chewed Out, Late Audition, Slow Day, Frozone and Honey, Restaurant Robbery, Fashion Show and Security Breakdown.

Super Stuff – From buildings and vehicles to costumes and props, every action movie requires a lot of really cool stuff. Meet the makers and learn what it takes to design and build such a uniquely incredible world.

EVERYTHING’S FINE – In “Incredibles 2,” Bob navigates life at home while Helen is tackling a new mission to bring back Supers. But life at home gets complicated when Bob discovers that Jack-Jack has powers. Directed by Brad Bird and produced by John Walker and Nicole Paradis Grindle, “Incredibles 2” opens in U.S. theaters on June 15, 2018. ©2018 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Heroes & Villains – A collection of mini-docs about the backstory and major design ideas behind the “Incredibles 2” characters — featuring voice actors, director Brad Bird, and Pixar artists talking about the many elements that make these characters feel real.

Ralph Eggleston: Production Designer – This short piece explores the many ways a single production designer has influenced the look, feel and character of the Pixar universe, culminating in “Incredibles 2.”

Strong Coffee: A Lesson in Animation with Brad Bird – Brad Bird’s passion for animation dates back to his childhood and mentorship under Disney’s Milt Kahl, and that enthusiasm and powerful insight emanates from every film he’s made. Take a deep dive into Brad’s early years at Disney Animation Studios and his time at Pixar.

Paths to Pixar: Everyday Heroes – At its heart, “Incredibles 2” is about family dynamics and the challenges of being a working parent. Meet the parents of Pixar as they discuss their personal connections to the film and their experience with stretching to balance work and family.

SUPER FANS – In “Incredibles 2,” savvy siblings and business partners Evelyn and Winston Deavor summon Frozone, Elastigirl and Mr. Incredible to share a plan designed to ultimately make Supers legal again. Featuring Catherine Keener as the voice of Evelyn, Samuel L. Jackson as the voice of Frozone, Holly Hunter as the voice of Elastigirl, Craig T. Nelson as the voice of Mr. Incredible and Bob Odenkirk as the voice of Winston, Disney•Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” busts into theaters on June 15, 2018. ©2018 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

SuperBaby – A documentary/hip hop music video hybrid hosted by Frankie and Paige from Disney Channel’s Bizaardvark. This piece explores how Jack-Jack came to life onscreen — from design to special effects to animation — all set to a hot beat.

Commentary – Get inside commentary from animators Alan Barillaro (supervising animator), Tony Fucile (supervising animator, story artist and character designer), Dave Mullins (supervising animator) and Bret Parker (animation second unit and crowds supervisor).

Theatrical Short: “Bao” – An aging Chinese mom suffering from empty nest syndrome gets another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy.

Making “Bao” – Director Domee Shi shares her secret recipe for making an animated short — discussing how her rich cultural heritage, unique relationship with her mom, and her love of food all informed the making of the food-fantasy “Bao.”

MY LI’L DUMPLING – In Disney•Pixar’s all-new short “Bao,” an aging Chinese mom suffering from empty-nest syndrome welcomes another chance at motherhood when one of her dumplings springs to life as a lively, giggly dumpling boy. Her newfound happiness is short-lived however, as she soon realizes that nothing stays cute and small forever, and even dumplings grow up. Directed by Domee Shi, “Bao” opens in theaters on June 15, 2018, in front of “Incredibles 2.” ©2018 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Outtakes & Stories – Raccoon Fight Story, Evelyn Animation Outtakes, Puppet Animator Interview, Outtakes Goofy Arms Story and SuperBaby Music Video.
Character Theme Songs, Vintage Toy Commercial TV Spots , Toolkit Montage and Global “Incredibles 2” Trailers

SUPER CYCLE – When Helen aka Elastigirl is called on to help bring Supers back in “Incredibles 2,” she employs a brand-new, specially designed, state-of-the-art Elasticycle. Written and directed by Brad Bird and featuring the voice of Holly Hunter as Helen, Disney•Pixar’s “Incredibles 2” busts into cinemas on July 13, 2018. ©2018 Disney•Pixar. All Rights reserved.

KEEP READING to get your hands on tons of fun Incredibles 2 printables – games, coloring pages and more!

NEXT —>

2018 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Slate

Lolli — Wed, 17 Jan 2018 03:53:10 +0000

Another year, another AMAZING line up of movies from Walt Disney Studios! I’m excited to share the 2018 movie slate…and there are so many I’m excited about this year. A Wrinkle in Time is #1 on my list this year…this was one of my favorite books as a kid. I read it over and over! But there are so many that I’m eager to see that it’s hard to say what I’m most excited about. Which movies can you not wait to see?

BLACK PANTHER (Marvel Studios)

February 16, 2018 – #BlackPanther

Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” follows T’Challa who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king—and Black Panther—is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

“Black Panther” stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, with Angela Bassett, with Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

The film is directed by Ryan Coogler and produced by Kevin Feige with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Nate Moore, Jeffrey Chernov and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Ryan Coogler & Joe Robert Cole wrote the screenplay.

A WRINKLE IN TIME (Walt Disney Studios)

March 9, 2018 – #WrinkleInTime

From visionary director Ava DuVernay comes Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” an epic adventure based on Madeleine L’Engle’s timeless classic which takes audiences across dimensions of time and space, examining the nature of darkness versus light and, ultimately, the triumph of love. Through one girl’s transformative journey led by three celestial guides, we discover that strength comes from embracing one’s individuality and that the best way to triumph over fear is to travel by one’s own light.

Meg Murry is a typical middle school student struggling with issues of self-worth who just wants to fit in. The daughter of two world-renowned physicists, she is intelligent and uniquely gifted, as is Meg’s younger brother, Charles Wallace, but she has yet to realize it for herself. Complicating matters is the mysterious disappearance of Mr. Murry, which has left Meg devastated and her mother broken-hearted. Charles Wallace introduces Meg and her fellow classmate Calvin to three celestial beings (Mrs. Which, Mrs. Whatsit and Mrs. Who) who have journeyed to Earth to help search for their father, and together they embark on their formidable quest. Travelling via a wrinkling of time and space known as tessering, they are transported to worlds beyond their imagination where they must confront a powerful evil force. To make it back home to Earth, Meg must face the darkness within herself in order to harness the strength necessary to defeat the darkness rapidly enveloping the Universe.

Directed by Oscar® nominee Ava DuVernay from a screenplay by Oscar winner Jennifer Lee based upon the beloved novel by Madeleine L’Engle, “A Wrinkle in Time” stars: two-time Academy Award® nominee

Oprah Winfrey as Mrs. Which, Oscar winner Reese Witherspoon as Mrs. Whatsit, Emmy® nominee Mindy Kaling as Mrs. Who, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Mrs. Murry, Michael Pe?a as Red and introducing Storm Reid as Meg Murry, with two-time Emmy winner Zach Galifianakis as The Happy Medium and Emmy nominee Chris Pine as Mr. Murry.

Produced by Jim Whitaker and Catherine Hand with Doug Merrifield and Adam Borba serving as executive producers, the film also boasts an impressive creative team featuring some of the most talented and skilled craft persons working today, including: Tobias Schliessler, ASC as director of photography, Naomi Shohan as production designer, Oscar®-nominee Spencer Averick as film editor, two-time Academy Award®-nominee Paco Delgado as costume designer with music by Ramin Djawadi.

AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR (Marvel Studios)

May 4, 2018 – #InfinityWar

An unprecedented cinematic journey ten years in the making and spanning the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe, Marvel Studios’ “Avengers: Infinity War” brings to the screen the ultimate, deadliest showdown of all time. The Avengers and their Super Hero allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.

Anthony and Joe Russo direct the film, which is produced by Kevin Feige. Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Michael Grillo and Stan Lee are the executive producers. Christopher Markus & Stephen McFeely wrote the screenplay.

SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY (Lucasfilm)

May 25, 2018

Board the Millennium Falcon and journey to a galaxy far, far away in “Solo: A Star Wars Story,” an all-new adventure with the most beloved scoundrel in the galaxy. Through a series of daring escapades deep within a dark and dangerous criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his mighty future copilot Chewbacca and encounters the notorious gambler Lando Calrissian, in a journey that will set the course of one of the Star Wars saga’s most unlikely heroes.

INCREDIBLES 2 (Disney / Pixar)

June 15, 2018 – #Incredibles2

Everyone’s favorite family of superheroes is back in “Incredibles 2” – but this time Helen (voice of Holly Hunter) is in the spotlight, leaving Bob (voice of Craig T. Nelson) at home with Violet (voice of Sarah Vowell) and Dash (voice of Huck Milner) to navigate the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life. It’s a tough transition for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack’s emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone (voice of Samuel L. Jackson) must find a way to work together again—which is easier said than done, even when they’re all Incredible.

Directed by Brad Bird (“Iron Giant,” “The Incredibles”) and produced by John Walker (“The Incredibles”) and Nicole Grindle (“Sanjay’s Super Team” short, “Toy Story 3” associate producer), “Incredibles 2” busts into theaters on June 15, 2018.

ANT-MAN AND THE WASP (Marvel Studios)

July 6, 2018 – #AntManAndTheWasp

From the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes a new chapter featuring heroes with the astonishing ability to shrink: “Ant-Man and The Wasp.” In the aftermath of “Captain America: Civil War,” Scott Lang (Rudd) grapples with the consequences of his choices as both a Super Hero and a father. As he struggles to rebalance his home life with his responsibilities as Ant-Man, he’s confronted by Hope van Dyne (Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Douglas) with an urgent new mission. Scott must once again put on the suit and learn to fight alongside The Wasp as the team works together to uncover secrets from their past.

“Ant-Man and the Wasp” is directed by Peyton Reed and stars Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, Michael Pena, Walter Goggins, Bobby Cannavale, Judy Greer, Tip “T.I.” Harris, David Dastmalchian, Hannah John Kamen, Abby Ryder-Fortson, Randall Park, with Michelle Pfeiffer, with Lawrence Fishburne, and Michael Douglas.

Kevin Feige is producing with Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Stephen Broussard, Charles Newirth and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. Chris McKenna & Erik Sommers, Paul Rudd, Andrew Barrer & Gabriel Ferrari wrote the screenplay.

DISNEY’S CHRISTOPHER ROBIN (Walt Disney Studios)

August 3, 2018

In the heartwarming live action adventure “Disney’s Christopher Robin,” the young boy who loved embarking on adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood with a band of spirited and loveable stuffed animals, has grown up and lost his way. Now it’s up to his childhood friends to venture into our world and help Christopher Robin remember the loving and playful boy who is still inside.

THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS (Walt Disney Studios)

November 2, 2018 – #DisneysNutcracker

All Clara (Mackenzie Foy) wants is a key – a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a box that holds a priceless gift. A golden thread, presented to her at godfather Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual holiday party, leads her to the coveted key—which promptly disappears into a strange and mysterious parallel world. It’s there that Clara encounters a soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and the regents who preside over three Realms: Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and Land of Sweets.

Clara and Phillip must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve Clara’s key and hopefully return harmony to the unstable world. Starring Keira Knightley as the Sugar Plum Fairy, Disney’s new holiday feature film “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” is directed by Lasse Hallström and inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale.

RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET: WRECK-IT RALPH 2 (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

November 21, 2018

“Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-It Ralph 2” leaves Litwak’s video arcade behind, venturing into the uncharted, expansive and thrilling world of the internet—which may or may not survive Ralph’s wrecking. Video game bad guy Ralph (voice of John C. Reilly) and fellow misfit Vanellope von Schweetz (voice of Sarah Silverman) must risk it all by traveling to the world wide web in search of a replacement part to save Vanellope’s video game, Sugar Rush. In way over their heads, Ralph and Vanellope rely on the citizens of the internet—the netizens—to help navigate their way, including a webite entrepreneur named Yesss (voice of Taraji P. Henson), who is the head algorithm and the heart and soul of trend-making site “BuzzzTube.”

Directed by Rich Moore (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph”) and Phil Johnston (co-writer “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Cedar Rapids,” co-writer “Zootopia,”), and produced by Clark Spencer (“Zootopia,” “Wreck-It Ralph,” “Bolt”), “Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck-Ralph 2” hits theaters on Nov. 21, 2018.

MARY POPPINS RETURNS (Walt Disney Studios)

December 25, 2018 – #MaryPoppinsReturns

In Disney’s “Mary Poppins Returns,” an all new sequel with a fresh sensibility that celebrates the spirit of the original, Mary Poppins is back to help the next generation of the Banks family find the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Emily Blunt (“The Girl on the Train,” “Into the Woods”) stars as the practically-perfect nanny with unique magical skills who can turn any task into an unforgettable, fantastic adventure and Lin-Manuel Miranda (“Hamilton,” “Moana”) plays her friend Jack, an optimistic street lamplighter who helps bring light—and life—to the streets of London. “Mary Poppins Returns” is directed by Rob Marshall (“Into the Woods,” “Chicago”). The screenplay is by David Magee (“Life of Pi”) and the screen story is by Magee & Marshall & John DeLuca (“Into the Woods”) based upon The Mary Poppins Stories by PL Travers. The producers are Marshall, DeLuca and Marc Platt (“La La Land”) with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer and the music is by Marc Shaiman (“Hairspray”) with songs by Shaiman and Scott Wittman (“Hairspray”). The film also stars Ben Whishaw (“Spectre”) as Michael Banks; Emily Mortimer (“Hugo”) as Jane Banks; Julie Walters (“Harry Potter” films) as the Banks’ housekeeper Ellen; with Colin Firth (“The King’s Speech”) as Fidelity Fiduciary Bank’s William Weatherall Wilkins; and Meryl Streep (“Florence Foster Jenkins”) as Mary’s eccentric cousin, Topsy and introduces three new Banks’ children played by Pixie Davies, Nathanael Saleh and newcomer Joel Dawson. Angela Lansbury appears as the Balloon Lady, a treasured character from the PL Travers books and Dick Van Dyke is Mr. Dawes Jr., the retired chairman of the bank now run by Firth’s character.

PL Travers first introduced the world to the no-nonsense nanny in her 1934 children’s book “Mary Poppins.” However, the subsequent adventures of Mary Poppins remained only on the pages of the seven other PL Travers’ books…until now. “Mary Poppins Returns” is drawn from the wealth of material in these additional books. The film takes place in 1930s Depression-era London 24 years after the original film was set. Michael Banks works for the same financial institution that employed his father and still lives at 17 Cherry Tree Lane with his three children, Annabel, John and Georgie and their housekeeper Ellen. Carrying on in her mother’s tradition, Jane Banks campaigns for workers’ rights and provides a helping hand to Michael’s family. When the family suffers a personal loss, Mary Poppins magically re-enters their lives and with Jack’s help, brings joy and wonder back into their home.

How amazing are all of these movies! Disney has done it again! :)

Five Reasons to See Disney*Pixar’s Coco In Theaters

Lolli — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 17:36:36 +0000

My family and I had the opportunity to see an early screening of Disney-Pixar’s COCO, which comes to theaters this week! Although our movie admittance was covered, no other compensation was received and all thoughts and opinions about the movie are my own.

ABOUT COCO

Despite his family’s baffling generations-old ban on music, Miguel (voice of newcomer Anthony Gonzalez) dreams of becoming an accomplished musician like his idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (voice of Benjamin Bratt). Desperate to prove his talent, Miguel finds himself in the stunning and colorful Land of the Dead following a mysterious chain of events. Along the way, he meets charming trickster Hector (voice of Gael García Bernal), and together, they set off on an extraordinary journey to unlock the real story behind Miguel’s family history.

Coco is all about the importance of family. There’s really no better message for kids! I love the focus on remembering and finding out about your ancestors.
Coco is full of toe-tapping, feel-good music! I can’t wait to get the soundtrack!
Coco is entertaining and funny for ALL ages. I love finding movies that can hold the attention of kids as well as adults, and this movie delivers.
Coco encourages everyone to follow their dreams. Miguel has a passion for music, and despite obstacles in his way, he continues to pursue his dreams.
Like everything Pixar does, the story was unique, enjoyable, and not at all what any of us expected!

COCO (Pictured) – DON’T FORGET THE SHOES – In Disney•Pixar’s “Coco,” Abuelita (voice of Renée Victor) and Miguel (voice of Anthony Gonzalez) ensure that their home is adorned for Día de Muertos, including an elaborate ofrenda that holds several framed family pictures, flowers, candles, favorite foods and—because they are in the shoemaking business—shoes. “Coco” opens in n U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

My whole family wholeheartedly endorses Coco, and we highly recommend that you see it in theaters this holiday season! We saw the movie in 2D, but it is also available to watch in 3D. I loved the movie as it was, but I’m eager to see how 3D would enhance the experience!

This is definitely a movie we’ll be adding to our home movie collection!

Enjoy these COCO-inspired activities and printables!

Click on any of the images below to download the full size versions of these activities, including a recipe, printable family tree, coloring pages, and more!

Connect with COCO

Like COCO on Facebook

Follow COCO on Twitter

Follow COCO on Instagram

Visit the official COCO website here: https://movies.disney.com/coco

COCO opens in theaters everywhere on November 22nd!

Bring Cars 3 Home Today!

Lolli — Wed, 08 Nov 2017 03:42:19 +0000

Disney-Pixar’s Cars 3 is available to own on Disney Blu-ray/DVD and digital! No matter the ages of your family members (kids or not) Cars 3 is a must-have movie to add to your home-viewing collection. I was sent a review copy of the Blu-ray/DVD but all thoughts are my own. Amazon affiliate links are used to link to the movies to purchase if you wish.

When my kids were little, they lived for Disney animated movies. We had a huge collection of Classic movies on VHS. Now that my kids are bigger (with 2 of them over 18, and 3 getting precariously close…0, we still love and appreciate Disney animation just as much.

The teens were all thrilled to find our own copy of Cars 3 arrive in the mail last week.

One of the things that I love about Disney-Pixar movies is that they are engaging and entertaining for young kids, but full of things that the older crowd appreciates on a whole other level.

I remember how much my husband in particular laughed when we saw Cars 3 in the theaters this past summer. I love that we can enjoy those laughs and discover even more about the movie, like easter eggs and other enjoyable extras, at home.

As much as we loved the original Cars movie when it came to theaters, the story of Cars 3 really resonated with me and as soon as I saw it for the first time, I knew it would be my favorite of the three.

“Cars 3” Pit Cast and Crew

“Cars 3” features Owen Wilson (“The Royal Tenenbaums,” upcoming “Wonder”) as the voice of Lightning McQueen. Cristela Alonzo (“The Angry Birds Movie”) voices tech-savvy trainer Cruz Ramirez, who tries to help #95 return to greatness, and Armie Hammer (“The Birth of a Nation”) lends his voice to next-gen racer Jackson Storm, whose high-tech speed leaves Lightning McQueen behind. Kerry Washington (ABC’s “Scandal,” HBO’s “Confirmation”) was called on to voice statistical analyst Natalie Certain, Nathan Fillion (ABC’s “Castle,” ABC’s “Modern Family”) provides the voice of brilliant businesscar Sterling, Lea DeLaria (Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black”) lends her voice to formidable school bus Miss Fritter, and Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton helps bring voice command assistant Hamilton to life.

The third chapter of Lightning’s story pays homage to NASCAR with four characters based on real-life stock car racing legends. Chris Cooper (“Adaptation,” “American Beauty”) voices Doc Hudson’s crew chief Smokey; team owner and NASCAR racing legend Junior Johnson lends his voice to Junior “Midnight” Moon; three-time Emmy® winner Margo Martindale (FX’s “The Americans,” FX’s “Justified,” Amazon’s “Sneaky Pete”) provides the voice of Louise “Barnstormer” Nash; and Isiah Whitlock Jr. (HBO’s “The Wire,” “Cedar Rapids,” HBO’s “Veep”) is the voice of River Scott. The film also features NASCAR drivers and the voices behind the sport, as well as a host of returning characters from Radiator Springs and the “Cars” racing world.

Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“), produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short) and co-produced by Andrea Warren (“LAVA” short), “Cars 3” is executive produced by John Lasseter, who directed the first two films in the franchise. With a story by Fee, Ben Queen (TV’s “Powerless”), Eyal Podell (actor “Code Black”) & Jonathon E. Stewart (“Doing Time” short), the screenplay was penned by Kiel Murray (“Cars”), Bob Peterson (“Up,” “Finding Nemo”) and Mike Rich (“Secretariat,” “The Rookie”). The film features a score by Oscar®-winning composer Randy Newman (“Toy Story 3,” “Cars”), instrumental cues composed by Brad Paisley, and original songs by ZZ Ward and Grammy® winner Dan Auerbach.

“Cars 3” is Disney•Pixar’s first in-home title released in stunning 4K Ultra HD format, the next-generation viewing format with four times the resolution of HD and exceptional high dynamic range (HDR), resulting in brilliant highlights, vibrant colors and greater contrast on compatible displays than ever before. With 4K Ultra HD, viewers will feel like they’re at the center of the action—holding their breath during the dramatic crash that launches Lightning’s journey, feeling the pulse-pounding action at the Florida International Super Speedway, and getting down and dirty at the Crazy 8 demolition derby.

What to Expect on the DVD/Blu-ray Release:

Bonus Features*

Blu-ray & Digital:

Miss Fritter’s Racing Skoool (Exclusive new mini-movie) – Enjoy blindsided testimonials from the Crazy 8’s, touting the transformative impact Miss Fritter’s Racing School has had in reshaping the direction of their lives
Theatrical Short: “Lou” (I love this!) – When a toy-stealing bully ruins recess for a playground full of kids, only one thing stands in his way: the “Lost and Found” box.
Let’s. Get. Crazy. – Get schooled in the world of demolition derby, the “rules” of figure 8 racing, and how Pixar puts the crazy in the Thunder Hollow Crazy 8 race. This piece is hosted by Lea DeLaria.
Legendary – a close, historical look at the racing legends Wendell Scott and Louise Smith, whose tenacity and perseverance got them into the race even when they weren’t invited.
Ready for the Race – Disney Channel’s Olivia Rodrigo and NASCAR Racer William Byron check out the Hendrick Motorsports campus to showcase how real-world race training influenced the filmmakers.
World’s Fastest Billboard – Blink and you will miss all of the graphics and “car-ified” advertisements created by Pixar’s Art team to make the ”Cars 3” world as believable as possible.
Cruz Ramirez: The Yellow Car That Could – Join Cristela Alonzo and the filmmakers on their journey to create a race-car trainer turned champion racer
Generations: The Story of “Cars 3” – For the story team, creating Lightning McQueen’s next chapter didn’t involve just a tune-up, but a complete overhaul.
My First Car – A collection of illustrated first-car stories as narrated by members of the “Cars 3” cast and crew. “A Green Car on the Red Carpet with Kerry Washington,” “Old Blue,” and “Still in the Family.”
5 Deleted Scenes – Each deleted scene is set up with an introduction as to why it was removed from the film. Deleted scenes include “The Boogie Woogie,” “The Jars of Dirt,” “Lugnut,” “The Bolt,” and “More Than New Paint.”
Cars To Die(cast) For – Take a look at the phenomenon of die-cast toy collecting and the more than 1,000 unique designs that exist in the Cars universe.
Commentary – Brian Fee (Director), Kevin Reher (Producer), Andrea Warren (Co-Producer) and Jay Ward (Creative Director)
And more…

Cars 3 – Movie Review and Printable Activity Sheets

Lolli — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 14:00:22 +0000

Earlier this week, my family and I were invited to a screening of Cars 3. Although our seats were complimentary, all thoughts and opinions about the movie are my own. Amazon affiliate links are used in this post.

I remember, back in 2005/2006 when I saw the trailers for the first Cars movie. Even though I had a 5-year-old boy at the time who was the ideal age for a movie all about cars, I had a hard time picturing how *I* would enjoy a movie with talking cars. I decided to trust Pixar’s track record (I had loved everything they’d released, so why wouldn’t I love this one?) and Cars certainly didn’t disappoint.

MEET THE LEGENDS — Lightning McQueen comes hood to hood with a group of characters who represent the roots of stock car racing—and provide a link to Lightning’s late coach and mentor, Doc Hudson. From left: River Scott (voice of Isiah Whitlock Jr.), Junior “Midnight” Moon (voice of Robert Glenn “Junior” Johnson), Smokey (voice of Chris Cooper), Louise “Barnstormer” Nash (voice of Margo Martindale), and Lightning himself (voice of Owen Wilson). “Cars 3” opens in U.S. theaters on June 16, 2017. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

That little 5-year-old boy is now a tall 16-year-old who is learning how to drive, and I had no doubts that Cars 3 would be a family favorite.

I wasn’t disappointed.

I have to say that Cars 3 brought the story line back to the heart and soul of the original movie, and I absolutely loved that. Cars 3 is rated G and 100% appropriate (and entertaining) for even the youngest child, and it has a message that can be appreciated by kids and adults of all ages. I found myself really touched by the message of this movie. It took a turn that I wasn’t expecting that left me feeling all warm and fuzzy.

Now that I have teens instead of young kids, I love finding animated movies that are still equally entertaining for the older crowd. My husband was especially impressed with the movie and commented after the screening that he was laughing throughout the entire movie.

I think Cars 3 will take a place amongst other timeless feel-good sports movies because its message is universal amongst athletes in all sorts of fields. Athletes tend to have short careers, with retirement often coming around 30. That means that they have their entire life ahead of them when their careers are over. It must be tough to essentially start over and find something new to fill not only their time but their passions.

CRAZY 8 DRAMA — In “Cars 3,” Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) hits the road in an effort to reignite his career. Along the way, he finds himself in the middle of a smash-and-crash, figure-8 race, facing off against local legend Miss Fritter, a formidable school bus who—like #95 himself—doesn’t like to lose. Featuring Lea DeLaria (Netflix’s “Orange is the New Black”) as the voice of Miss Fritter, Disney•Pixar’s “Cars 3” opens in U.S. theaters on June 16, 2017. ©2017 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

I saw Cars 3 in 3D, but for this movie, I’d say you won’t miss anything important if you decide to go for the regular showing. I know that some of my family members have a hard time with 3D glasses and I always like to know when a movie is a must-see-in-3D event. My recommendation: definitely see Cars 3 in theaters, but save your extra cash for some popcorn!

About Cars 3

Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!

Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“) and produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short), “Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.

Did you know? “Cars” (2006) and “Cars 2” (2011) took in more than $1 billion in combined worldwide box office.

Catch Up on Cars:

Did you know? “Cars” won a Golden Globe® for best animated feature film and two Annie Awards for best animated feature and best music in an animated feature production. Composer Randy Newman won a Grammy® for best song written for motion picture, television or other visual media (“Our Town”). The film was nominated for an Oscar® for best animated feature film, as well as best achievement in music written for motion pictures, original song (“Our Town”).

Cars 3 Printable Activities for Kids of All Ages!

To print off the activities below, simply CLICK the image to get the full-sized PDF version (note: there are multiple pages of each activity – these are simply previews). Enjoy!

The wait is over! See Cars 3 in theaters now!

2017 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Slate

Lolli — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 03:14:11 +0000

You know how much I love Disney movies, right? My kids and I are thrilled to announce the Walt Disney Studios movies coming out this year. There’s so much to look forward to, and it’s hard to pick just one movie I’m most excited to see, but I think I’d have to say that I’m most eager to see Beauty and the Beast. I love the original animated movie and I can’t wait to see it come alive (and with Emma Watson as Belle?!).

Note: All information and images below are courtesy of Disney. No compensation has been received.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Walt Disney Studios)

March 17, 2017 | #BeautyAndTheBeast #BeOurGuest

ABOUT Beauty and the Beast: The story and characters audiences know and love come to spectacular life in the live-action adaptation of Disney’s animated classic “Beauty and the Beast,” a stunning, cinematic event celebrating one of the most beloved tales ever told. “Beauty and the Beast” is the fantastic journey of Belle, a bright, beautiful and independent young woman who is taken prisoner by a Beast in his castle. Despite her fears, she befriends the castle’s enchanted staff and learns to look beyond the Beast’s hideous exterior and realize the kind heart of the true Prince within. The film stars: Emma Watson as Belle; Dan Stevens as the Beast; Luke Evans as Gaston, the handsome, but shallow villager who woos Belle; Kevin Kline as Maurice, Belle’s father; Josh Gad as LeFou, Gaston’s long-suffering aide-de-camp; Ewan McGregor as Lumière, the candelabra; Stanley Tucci as Maestro Cadenza, the harpsichord; Audra McDonald as Madame de Garderobe, the wardrobe; Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Plumette, the feather duster; Hattie Morahan as the enchantress; and Nathan Mack as Chip, the teacup; with Ian McKellen as Cogsworth, the mantel clock; and Emma Thompson as the teapot, Mrs. Potts.

Directed by Bill Condon based on the 1991 animated film, “Beauty and the Beast,” the screenplay is written by Stephen Chbosky and Evan Spiliotopoulos and produced by Mandeville Films’ David Hoberman, p.g.a. and Todd Lieberman, p.g.a. with Jeffrey Silver, Thomas Schumacher and Don Hahn serving as executive producers. Alan Menken, who won two Academy Awards® (Best Original Score and Best Song) for the animated film, provides the score, which includes new recordings of the original songs written by Menken and Howard Ashman, as well as three new songs written by Menken and Tim Rice. “Beauty and the Beast” will be released in U.S. theaters on March 17, 2017.

BORN IN CHINA (Disneynature)

April 21, 2017 | #BornInChina

ABOUT Born in China: Narrated by John Krasinski (“13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi,” NBC’s “The Office,” “Amazon’s “Jack Ryan”), Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure film “Born In China” takes an epic journey into the wilds of China where few people have ever ventured. Following the stories of three animal families, the film transports audiences to some of the most extreme environments on Earth to witness some of the most intimate moments ever captured in a nature film.

A doting panda bear mother guides her growing baby as she begins to explore and seek independence. A two-year-old golden monkey who feels displaced by his new baby sister joins up with a group of free-spirited outcasts. And a mother snow leopard—an elusive animal rarely caught on camera—faces the very real drama of raising her two cubs in one of the harshest and most unforgiving environments on the planet. Featuring stunning, never-before-seen imagery, the film navigates China’s vast terrain—from the frigid mountains to the heart of the bamboo forest—on the wings of red-crowned cranes, seamlessly tying the extraordinary tales together. Opening in U.S. theaters on Earth Day 2017, “Born in China” is directed by accomplished Chinese filmmaker Lu Chuan, and produced by Disney’s Roy Conli and renowned nature filmmakers Brian Leith and Phil Chapman.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 2 (Marvel Studios)

May 5, 2017 | #GotGVol2

ABOUT Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Set to the all-new sonic backdrop of Awesome Mixtape #2, Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” continues the team’s adventures as they traverse the outer reaches of the cosmos. The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mystery of Peter Quill’s true parentage. Old foes become new allies and fan-favorite characters from the classic comics will come to our heroes’ aid as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to expand.

Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” is directed by James Gunn and stars Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, featuring Vin Diesel as Groot, Bradley Cooper as Rocket, Michael Rooker, Karen Gillan, Pom Klementieff, Elizabeth Debicki, Chris Sullivan, Sean Gunn, Tommy Flanagan, Laura Haddock and Kurt Russell. Kevin Feige is producing, and Louis D’Esposito, Jonathan Schwartz, Victoria Alonso, Nik Korda and Stan Lee are the executive producers. The screenplay is by James Gunn. Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” blasts into theaters on May 5, 2017.

PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN: DEAD MEN TELL NO TALES (Walt Disney Studios)

May 26, 2017 | #PiratesOfTheCaribbean #APiratesDeathForMe

ABOUT Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales: Johnny Depp returns to the big screen as the iconic, swashbuckling anti-hero Jack Sparrow in the all-new “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales.” The rip-roaring adventure finds down-on-his-luck Captain Jack feeling the winds of ill-fortune blowing strongly his way when deadly ghost sailors, led by the terrifying Captain Salazar (Javier Bardem), escape from the Devil’s Triangle bent on killing every pirate at sea—notably Jack. Jack’s only hope of survival lies in the legendary Trident of Poseidon, but to find it he must forge an uneasy alliance with Carina Smyth (Kaya Scodelario), a brilliant and beautiful astronomer, and Henry (Brenton Thwaites), a headstrong young sailor in the Royal Navy. At the helm of the Dying Gull, his pitifully small and shabby ship, Captain Jack seeks not only to reverse his recent spate of ill fortune, but to save his very life from the most formidable and malicious foe he has ever faced.

“Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” also stars Kevin R. McNally as Joshamee Gibbs, Golshifteh Farahani as the sea-witch Shansa, David Wenham as Scarfield, Stephen Graham as Scrum, and Geoffrey Rush as Captain Hector Barbossa.

Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg are directing “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” with Jerry Bruckheimer producing. The executive producers are Mike Stenson, Chad Oman, Joe Caracciolo, Jr., Terry Rossio and Brigham Taylor. Jeff Nathanson wrote the screenplay. “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales” drops anchor in U.S. theaters on May 26, 2017.

CARS 3 (Disney / Pixar)

June 16, 2017 | #Cars3

ABOUT Cars 3: Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen (voice of Owen Wilson) is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician, Cruz Ramirez (voice of Cristela Alonzo), with her own plan to win, plus inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!

Directed by Brian Fee (storyboard artist “Cars,” “Cars 2“) and produced by Kevin Reher (“A Bug’s Life,” “La Luna” short), “Cars 3” cruises into theaters on June 16, 2017.

THOR: RAGNAROK (Marvel Studios)

November 3, 2017 | #ThorRagnarok

ABOUT Thor: Ragnarok: In Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Ragnarok,” Thor 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 homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization—at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger—the Incredible Hulk!

“Thor: Ragnarok” is directed by Taika Waititi and returns Chris Hemsworth starring as Thor and Tom Hiddleston reprising his role as Loki. They are joined by Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban, with Mark Ruffalo and Anthony Hopkins.

Kevin Feige is producing with Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Thomas M. Hammel and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. The story is by Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost and Stephany Folsom, and the screenplay is by Eric Pearson. “Thor: Ragnarok” thunders into U.S. theaters on November 3, 2017.

COCO (Disney / Pixar)

November 22, 2017 | #Coco

Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Toy Story 3”), co-directed by Adrian Molina (story artist “Monsters University”) and produced by Darla K. Anderson (“Toy Story 3”), Disney•Pixar’s “Coco” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22, 2017.

STAR WARS: EPISODE VIII (Lucasfilm)

December 15, 2017 | #StarWarsVIII

Details, photos, and trailer coming soon (but you KNOW it’s going to be amazing!)

Which Disney movie are you most excited to see this year?

Finding Dory Movie Review

Lolli — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 15:36:48 +0000

I was invited to a screening of Finding Dory last week and couldn’t wait to head to the theater a few days before the movie comes to theathers on June 17, 2016. Amazon affiliate links may be used in this post. This is a spoiler-free movie review! All thoughts are my own. All photos included in this post are courtesy of Disney.

Be sure to grab these Finding Dory activity pages and coloring sheets, and check out my Finding Dory-inspired fizzing bath bombs.

I have loved Finding Nemo for years. Nemo was a staple in our house when my kids (now teens) were growing up. We were thrilled when we learned that Dory would finally have her own movie, since she really stole the show when Finding Nemo came out in 2003.

About Finding Dory

Just in case you haven’t already seen the trailers and heard the hype, here’s a short blurb about Finding Dory:

Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Dory” welcomes back to the big screen everyone’s favorite forgetful blue tang Dory (voice of Ellen DeGeneres), who’s living happily in the reef with Marlin (voice of Albert Brooks) and Nemo (voice of Hayden Rolence). When Dory suddenly remembers that she has a family out there who may be looking for her, the trio takes off on a life-changing adventure across the ocean to California’s prestigious Marine Life Institute, a rehabilitation center and aquarium.

FINDING DORY – Hank is an octopus—or actually a “septopus”: he lost a tentacle—along with his sense of humor—somewhere along the way. When Dory finds herself at the Marine Life Institute, a rehabilitation center and aquarium, Hank reluctantly agrees to help her navigate the massive facility. Directed by Andrew Stanton. ©2016 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

In an effort to find her mom (voice of Diane Keaton) and dad (voice of Eugene Levy), Dory enlists the help of three of the MLI’s most intriguing residents: Hank (voice of Ed O’Neill), a cantankerous octopus who frequently gives employees the slip; Bailey (voice of Ty Burrell), a beluga whale who is convinced his biological sonar skills are on the fritz; and Destiny (voice of Kaitlin Olson), a nearsighted whale shark. Deftly navigating the complex inner workings of the MLI, Dory and her friends discover the magic within their flaws, friendships and family.

“What is so great about plans? I’ve never had a plan.
Did I plan to lose my parents? No.
Did I plan to find Marlin? No.
Did you and I plan to meet?
Wait … did we?”
~ Dory to Hank in Finding Dory

FINDING DORY – When Dory finds herself in the Marine Life Institute, a rehabilitation center and aquarium, Hank—a cantankerous octopus—is the first to greet her. Featuring Ed O’Neill as the voice of Hank and Ellen DeGeneres as the voice of Dory ©2016 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Finding….Family

Family is a key theme in Finding Dory. I loved that Finding Dory’s focus was on the importance of family (including the people who BECOME family as your own story develops). Even though Dory doesn’t remember her family, she knows deep down that she has one. But I love that she doesn’t forget or discount Nemo and Marlin, who have become her family through their adventures together.

“We learn when we first meet Dory that she can’t remember where she’s from,” says Director Andrew Stanton. “But she must have a family. Her confusion got a laugh when she said in the first film, ‘Where are they?’— but there’s a sad truth to that. I knew there was a story worth telling.”

I love the positive message in Finding Dory – the idea that we should “just keep swimming.” The value of pressing forward, in the face of trials and in spite of the unknown, is something that we all need to remember. Despite Dory’s obvious challenges (like her short term memory loss) she remains positive and upbeat and keeps reminding ALL of us to “just keep swimming.”

Is Finding Dory Appropriate for Kids?

In a word, yes. You won’t find any language or violence or off-color humor or references in Finding Dory. However, be warned that the two preschoolers that I saw the movie with jumped several times, and the 3-year-old cried at one point because the squid was a little too scary for him. You know your kids best and what they can handle – if they are easily scared, it might be better to wait until Dory is on DVD. I wouldn’t hesitate to bring kids, though. It’s a fun, uplifting story with characters they already know and love (plus a couple new friends to meet).

FINDING DORY – Marlin and Nemo get guidance from a pair of lazy sea lions in an effort to catch up with Dory. Featuring Idris Elba as the voice of Fluke and Dominic West as the voice of Rudder. ©2016 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Should I See Finding Dory in Theaters…or Wait?

There is something special about seeing a movie on the big screen after waiting for SO long. If you’re a Nemo fan, then you’ve probably already got plans to see Finding Dory in theaters. Don’t change your plans. Pixar keeps improving their techniques, and my favorite thing about Finding Dory was the stellar animation (see the fun facts below).

However, I have to say that the Dory’s story didn’t WOW me as much as I thought it would. It’s hard to put a finger on it, but there seems to be something missing with Finding Dory. If this had been a random movie about a new character, maybe I would have felt differently. But something about the movie just left me feeling like I was missing a piece. Maybe I’ll feel differently when I see it again…because I do plan on seeing it with my family.

“Finding Dory” introduces new characters to the big screen, including a whale shark named Destiny who’s nearsighted, and a beluga whale named Bailey who thinks his biological sonar skills are on the fritz. Featuring Kaitlin Olson as the voice of Destiny and Ty Burrell as the voice of Bailey. ©2016 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Fun Facts About Finding Dory…By the Numbers

289,240,840 key animation frames were created for the film. A key animation frame defines pivotal points of motion in a sequence.
25,118,559 likes on Facebook for Dory (the most of any Disney or Pixar character).
103,639 total storyboards were delivered to editorial (49,651 were delivered for “Toy Story 3”).
26,705 individual pieces of coral were placed in six sets by the sets dressing team.
16,091 fish are swimming in the Open Ocean exhibit at the Marine Life Institute.
11,041 rigging prims were created just for Hank’s simulation (the average character requires around 20).
5,000 stingrays take part in the stingray migration.
1,108 fish are in quarantine at the Marine Life Institute.
746 visitors are hanging out at the Marine Life Institute.
350 suckers are found on Hank: 50 suckers on each of his seven arms.

SO MANY STINGRAYS — In “Finding Dory,” memories of her past are sparked for forgetful blue tang Dory when a stingray migration whizzes by her. Featuring the voices of Ellen DeGeneres, Albert Brooks, Ed O’Neill, Kaitlin Olson, Ty Burrell, Eugene Levy and Diane Keaton. ©2016 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

319 tendrils were added to each sea anemone in the ocean.
118 weeks were required of the team of technical directors who were responsible for building and articulating Hank.
83 employees of the Marine Life Institute appear in the film.
51 minutes of the film include crowds characters (which is more than double that of an average Pixar film).
45 active stalks were added to each section of kelp in the underwater kelp forest outside of the Marine Life Institute.
17 is the date in June of 2016 that “Finding Dory” opens in U.S. theaters.
22 weeks were spent shading Hank to give him extra texture and color, as well as making it possible for him to camouflage himself. (An average
character takes less than eight weeks.)
13 years have passed since “Finding Nemo” opened.
4 Oscar® nominations went to “Finding Nemo.” The film won best animated feature—it was the first Pixar movie to win the award.

About Piper, a New Short from Pixar

“PIPER” — In Pixar Animation Studios’ new short, “Piper,” a hungry sandpiper hatchling discovers that finding food without mom’s help isn’t so easy. Directed by Alan Barillaro (supervising animator “WALL•E,” “Brave”), the short debuts in theaters on June 17, 2016, in front of “Finding Dory.” ©2016 Disney•Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Directed by Alan Barillaro and produced by Marc Sondheimer, “Piper,” the new short from Pixar Animation Studios, tells the story of a hungry sandpiper hatchling who ventures from her nest for the first time to dig for food by the shoreline. The only problem is, the food is buried beneath the sand where scary waves roll up onto the shore. “Piper” can be seen before Finding Dory in theaters.

I absolutely LOVED Piper. You’ve GOT to make it to the theater (with popcorn and drinks in hand) in time to see Piper before Finding Dory. There are no words (Piper is not a talking bird) – it’s all very realistic, with a cute, uplifting story.

Be sure to see Finding Dory AND Piper in theaters starting Friday, June 17!

DIY Finding Dory Fizzing Bath Bombs

Jody — Wed, 08 Jun 2016 10:00:08 +0000

I know I am not the only one who has kids that are about to lose their mind waiting for Finding Dory to come out (okay okay, I am just as excited as they are). As a fun pre-treat while waiting for the movie we made up these adorable Finding Dory Fizzing bath bombs.

These Finding Dory bath bombs make a great moisturizing and detoxifying soak for littles ones and would be a fantastic homemade gift or to give out at a Finding Dory themed party!

(Psst…They’re great for mom and dad, too!)

How to Make Finding Dory Bath Fizzies

5.0 from 2 reviews

DIY Finding Dory Fizzing Bath Bombs

Prep time

3 hours

Total time

3 hours

Author: Jody

Ingredients

1 cup citric acid - Get it HERE
2 cups baking soda
¼ cup epsom salts
1 tablespoon coconut or almond oil
15-20 drops essential oil (see below for suggestions or as me for some additional ideas)
Food coloring- orange, blue, and yellow
Water in a small spray bottle
Fish mold (silicone works best) - Get it HERE
Spoon
Whisk

Instructions

With a wire whisk combine citric acid, baking soda, epsom salts, essential oil, and almond or coconut oil until well combined.
Divide in half, and then take a small portion out of each to make 2 smaller portions (ie, two big bowls and two small bowls).
Add a of couple drops of orange food coloring to one of the larger bowls and a couple drops of blue to the other large portion and stir, adding until desired color is reached.
Leave one of the smaller portions white and color the other yellow- you will use the least of these.
Spray each mixture with a bit of water from the spray bottle, spritzing and stirring constantly until mixture is just barely damp and holds together but not wet- if it begins to fizz you are adding too much.
For Dory- Use a small spoon to add yellow to the tail and a bit in the middle for her fin, press down hard. Fill in the rest with blue, press firmly.
For Nemo/Marlin- Alternate white and orange in your fish mold until full, press firmly into mold.
Allow your bath fizzies to harden overnight or at least 2 to 3 hours until set.
Remove carefully from mold and store in a cool, dry space until ready to use- a mason jar with a lid is perfect to hold them.

To use: add 3-4 bath bombs to warm bath water and watch them fizz away, leaving behind a yummy scent, a light color, and softened skin.

You can use any essential oil you like to scent these with – lavender for bedtime, orange to wake them up, or peppermint/eucalyptus when they have a cold. If you don’t have essential oils at home, ask me about them. I’m a huge advocate and love to suggest great oils!

PS – be sure to print out my Finding Dory coloring pages and activity sheets and stay tuned for my movie review coming up soon! – Laura