Canadian Mom Blogger - Product Reviews, Travel, Food and Parenting
August is always a little bit of a downer month, since the start of a new school year and the end of summer are just around the corner. That’s why I always try to plan some fun activities to help our family make the most of the last few lazy weeks before we head back to school.
And this year, The Nut Job 2: Nutty by Nature, the sequel to the popular Entertainment One animated comedy, is out just in time for end-of-summer fun! Here’s a brief synopsis of the movie:
I’m a sucker for re-watching the classic Disney movies I loved as a child but with two boys in the house, I’ve found that most of my favourite fairy tales about princesses don’t go over so well with them. So, I’m always excited when a Disney classic that has a more boy-friendly story is remastered and introduced to the children of today. That’s why I was ready for family movie night as soon as I heard that Disney’s Pinocchio: The Signature Collection had just been released on Blu-ray and DVD! Here’s a brief synopsis:
Now a part of the celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection, the timeless story of Pinocchio inspires a new generation with its masterful animation, award-winning music, unforgettable characters and new behind-the-scenes bonus extras! With his faithful friend, Jiminy Cricket by his side, Pinocchio embarks on fantastic adventures that test his bravery, loyalty and honesty until he triumphs in his quest for his heart’s desire: to become a real boy.
Finding a summer movie that that truly captivates everyone that watches it certainly isn’t easy, but this summer’s must-see animated movie has managed to do just that…and it’s in theatres today! Kubo and the Two Strings is a movie with music, magic, heart and an unlikely little hero with one eye. Created by Laika Entertainment and distributed in Canada by eOne Films, it combines stop-motion animation and CGI into a gorgeous cinematic adventure that you won’t want to miss seeing.
A little over a month ago, I had the chance to fly to Los Angeles for an advance screening of Kubo and the Two Strings. With popcorn, soda and my 3D glasses in hand, I grabbed a seat in the busy theatre and sat down to experience the movie for myself. Since my boys weren’t with me, I was curious to see what I would think of the movie from an adult perspective. Within minutes, I was caught up in the magic of the story and the absolutely stunning animation. Stellar voice acting by Art Parkinson, Charlize Theron and Matthew McConaughey added depth to the story but it was the twisting, turning plot itself that really won this movie for me. I was almost scared to blink because I didn’t want to miss a single moment.
Ever since I found a copy of Casino Royale, Ian Fleming’s first James Bond novel, at a used book sale, I’ve been nuts for everything 007. I read every book, watched every movie and, like most fans, had very strong opinions about which actor made the best Bond. While all the actors brought something different to the role, the little-known Timothy Dalton was my personal favourite and Pierce Brosnan was a close second.
Then Daniel Craig made his debut in the movie version of that first book I once loved and turned every opinion I ever had upside down. Yes, the continuity errors bothered me a bit, but the movie was so enjoyable that I managed to set them aside. Now, the actor’s fourth Bond movie, SPECTRE, is available on Blu-ray and DVD and I couldn’t wait to check it out. Here’s a brief synopsis:
A cryptic message from the past sends James Bond on a rogue mission to Mexico City and eventually Rome, where he meets Lucia Sciarra, the beautiful and forbidden widow of an infamous criminal. Bond infiltrates a secret meeting and uncovers the existence of a sinister organization known as SPECTRE. Meanwhile back in London, Max Denbigh, the new head for the Centre of National Security, questions Bond’s actions and challenges the relevance of MI6, lead by M. Bond covertly enlists Moneypenny and Q to help him seek out Madeleine Swann, the daughter of his old nemesis Mr. White, who may hold the clue to untangling the web of SPECTRE. As the daughter of an assassin, she understands Bond in a way most others cannot. As Bond ventures towards the heart of SPECTRE, he learns of a chilling connection between himself and the enemy he seeks. [Read more…]
Brought to you by Shomi and TheCo.
My boys love watching cartoons and children’s programs, but when it comes to finding great content, we don’t always agree on the best shows. They want variety, and lots of it. I want content that’s age appropriate, no matter what. Shomi, Canada’s newest streaming service for top television shows and movies, promised to deliver both. So I was thrilled when we got the chance to test it out and see for ourselves how we liked it.
Shomi can be streamed either on a home computer, select Internet television devices, a mobile device, an Xbox 360 or, for Rogers and Shaw customers, through the cable box without Internet access. Since my boys have an Xbox 360 that they use almost exclusively, adding Shomi to that just made sense. I also set it up on my laptop so that we could plug it into the television and watch on the large screen in the living room if we liked. Then I set the boys loose and let them start browsing!
