Category Archives: Entertainment

Save 25% on Tickets to The Harlem Globetrotters 2018 World Tour

My kids are going to be super excited when I tell them we are going to see the Harlem Globetrotters soon. We saw them a couple of years ago, and we all loved it. Now, that they are older, I think they will be even more excited to see them and experience the action.

The Harlem Globetrotters are traveling around the country during their 2018 World Tour. Their star-studded roster featuring Big Easy Lofton, Ant Atkinson, Hi-Lite Bruton, Thunder Law, Bull Bullard and Cheese Chisholm – plus female stars TNT Lister, Ace Jackson and Hoops Green – the Harlem Globetrotters’ show is unrivaled in the world of family entertainment.

 

Their 2018 World Tour will showcase incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequaled fan interaction. After the game, Globetrotter stars will sign autographs and take photos with fans.

If you would like to see them, you will be happy to learn, you can SAVE 25% on tickets for ALL Harlem Globetrotters Games with promo code FUNFAM. For Tickets click HERE!


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“The Lion King” ROARS To Its Rightful Place In The Walt Disney Signature Collection

I remember taking my oldest 2 children to see The Lion King in the theater when it made its debut many years ago. It became a favorite of theirs and of my third child, who at the time was just a baby. Since then, we have added 2 more children to our family, and believe it or not, I don’t think they have ever seen The Lion King.

Well, that will change this weekend as I have just received, The Walt Disney Signature Collection version of The Lion King on Blu-ray. We are going to have a family movie night this weekend with this coming of age masterpiece, filled with humor and heart, breathtaking animation and soul-stirring Academy Award winning music. You can get it to0, The Lion King roars to its rightful place in the Walt Disney Signature Collection on Digital Aug. 15th and on Blu-ray™ Aug. 29th.

Audiences will fall in love all over again with the treasured classic, and a new generation of fans will laugh with Timon and Pumbaa, cry with Simba and Mufasa, burst into song, and find their place in the “Circle of Life.” The Walt Disney Signature Collection release includes over three hours of classic bonus material and exclusive, brand new features inviting viewers to sing along with the film’s award-winning music, observe recording sessions, step inside the story room, witness the evolution of a villain, and join Nathan Lane (voice of Timon) and Matthew Broderick (voice of Adult Simba) for an extended conversation regarding the legacy of “The Lion King.”

Bonus Features:

BLU-RAY, DIGITAL*:

  1. Brand New Sing-Along Version
  2. Audio Commentary – View the film with commentary by producer Don Hahn and co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.
  3. Visualizing a Villain – Against a backdrop of live dancers and the animated “Be Prepared” sequence, artist David Garibaldi paints a masterpiece of evil.
  4. The Recording Sessions – Watch rare footage of the actors recording their roles, matched with the final animation. Intro by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.
  5. Nathan and Matthew: The Extended Lion King Conversation – Nathan Lane (Timon) and Matthew Broderick (Adult Simba) offer candid and hilarious insights into their Lion King experiences.
  6. Inside the Story Room – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff present archival footage of five original story pitches.
    1. Circle of Life – See how color creates emotion and meaning in the film’s iconic opening.
    2. Simba & Nala – See how elements proposed in story meetings evolve into what appears onscreen.
    3. Simba Takes Nala Out to Play – …And, sometimes what seems funny in story meetings never makes it into the film!
    4. Hakuna Matata – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff sing, act and dance their hearts out as they pitch the “Hakuna Matata” sequence.
    5. Rafiki and Reflecting Pool – Co-directors Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff pitch a sequence that became the emotional heart of The Lion King to Producer Don Hahn.
  1. Music & More – Sing along to your favorite songs from the movie!
    1. “Circle of Life”
    2. “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King”
    3. “Be Prepared”
    4. “Hakuna Matata”
    5. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”
  1. Galleries
    1. Visual Development – Explore a gallery of striking artwork that inspired the movie’s look and feel.
    2. Character Design – Trace the development of the film’s unforgettable characters through early concept art drawings.
    3. Storyboards – Examine storyboards created in the development of “The Lion King.”
    4. Layouts – Feast your eyes on layouts created in the development of “The Lion King.”
    5. Backgrounds & Layouts – Journey through a gallery of landscape paintings that shaped the world of “The Lion King.”
  1. Classic Bonus Features (Digital Only) – These offerings from prior home entertainment releases include hours of bonus material, such as bloopers, audio commentary, deleted and alternate scenes, and in-depth journeys into the music, film, story, animals and stage show.

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:

  • Product SKUs: Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray, DVD, Digital Copy), Digital HD/SD, DVD
  • Feature Run Time: Approximately 89 minutes
  • Rating: G in U.S. and Canada
  • Aspect Ratio: Blu-ray Feature Film = 1080p High Definition / 1.78:1

 

 

What are your memories of The Lion King? Are you excited about this new release?

 


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Filed under Disney, Entertainment, Family Fun, Movies, Review

We Have Some Really Super PJ Masks News To Share

PJ Masks fans it is time to rejoice! I have big news! This fall, for the first time ever, Catboy, Gekko and Owlette are hitting the stage in PJ Masks Live! This brand-new musical production based on the hit animated TV series from eOne, kicks off across North America in September 2017. More info and dates to come soon! Fans are encouraged to sign up now at www.pjmaskslive.com in order to get to the front of the line for pre-sale tickets when the tour goes on sale this spring.

That is not all, I have more super news, the PJ Masks mini-album, “Here We Come,” is now available for digital download! The new release features ten songs from the TV show and official music videos for you to enjoy with the little heroes in your life. The mini-album is available for iOS and Android platforms. Click HERE to download it in your preferred format.


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Watch Season 4 of ANNEDROIDS on Amazon Prime Video Now!

Are your kids fans of Annedroids? If they are, you probably know the brand new, sci-sational season just began on Friday, March 3rd! You can view the Emmy-nominated Amazon Original Kids adventure series on Prime Video.

It is a very interesting and fun show that I enjoy watching with my kids. I like that it is a show that is full of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) concepts presented in an entertaining way. The show follows Anne, a young female scientist and her human friends, along with the android assistants she has created as they make amazing scientific discoveries while undertaking the biggest experiment of all: growing up!

Season 4 sheds light on the concept of a modern-day family, where “family” isn’t necessarily defined by blood relation, but rather by the people closest to you. In this season, Anne, Nick and Shania band together and use scientific approaches to solve myriad problems, including getting lost in the wilderness, dealing with a friend moving out-of-town, building a robot for competition, and defending the junkyard from a hostile takeover – which leads to an epic, action-packed season finale!

This is a series that challenges kids to think and not just mindlessly sit in front of the TV. My kids don’t watch much TV but when they do, I want it to be something that enriches their mind, and this show does just that! I hope you check it out and let me know what you think.


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Explore Unique Worlds From Your iPad

If you are looking for some challenging quests, tricky game and love to explore new worlds, I have just the game for you! Step into a mystical gateway as you enter a place called Halfworld. It is there waiting for you to unravel its myriad of mysteries. You are on a quest after your father, a famous researcher who devoted his life to the exploration of enigmatic portals vanishes. As you embark on a journey to a place where universes collide and intersect, you enter the dimensional crossroads known as Halfworld.

Challenge your intellect, explore breathtaking locations and meet dynamic characters as you teleport yourself in this out-of-this-world adventure to get to the bottom of mysteries that span realms and defy time and space. Can you find your father and decode the enigmas of the Twin Moons? Only time will tell! Are your ready to embark on your quest? If so, you can download the game HERE for FREE.

I don’t play many games but when I am in the waiting room or delayed somewhere, I will. This is the kind of game I like because it lets you use your mind, is challenging. The mini games break it up and add variety.

This initial version already has:

  • Nearly 700 absorbing quests to tackle
  • 95 collections to assemble
  • 18 stunning scenes to explore
  • Three thrilling mini-games to play
  • Unique characters and dozens of powerful tools
  • Game Center Support

Requirements: compatible with iPad2, iPad3, iPad4, iPad Air, iPad Air2, iPad Pro, iPad mini, iPad mini 2, iPad mini 3, iPad mini 8.0+ firmware

Languages supported: English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese
We have added this game to our 2016 Holiday Gift Guide at Mommy Ramblings! I hope you give the game a try and let me know what you think.


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Calling All Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Fans-#HolidayGiftGuide

Do you know any Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Fans? If you do, you will love this! There is a great boxed set available now that any TMNT lover would go out of his shell for!

It contains a metal lunchbox, 2 Movies on Blu-Ray/DVD/Digital HD and Turtle Masks in all 4 Colors! See my unboxing below to get the full details of what is included.

Watch TMNT: Out of the Shadows video clips HERE! For even more fun, you can download a TMNT, Out of the Shadows Activity Book HERE!

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We are adding this boxed set to Mommy Ramblings’ 2016 Holiday Gift Guide! So do you have any TMNT fans on your holiday list? Let me know what you think in the comments.


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These Are Songs To Uplift, Heal & Empower Children and Families

Growing up in New Jersey, Jennifer Paskow spent hours in her bedroom singing songs from Annie, The King and I, The Sound of Music, Oliver! and other Broadway shows, alternating with sitting at the piano with her clipboard, writing songs in the mode of Carole King.

With admiration for Raffi and his child-honoring philosophy, and inspired by the spirit of her favorite album from childhood, Free to Be … You and Me, Jennifer Paskow’s objective with Make A Circle was to make a recording that would feel like a hug for humanity. Produced by Don Boyette (Michael Jackson, Stevie Nicks, Gary Clark, Jr.) and mixed and mastered by Robert Carranza (Jack Johnson, Beck, The Mars Volta, Los Lobos, Ozomatli), the album achieves and far surpasses Jennifer’s goal.

 

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Make A Circle leads off by showcasing Jennifer Paskow’s rich, honeyed voice on Make A Circle, whose central message is to extend your love to others by learning to love yourself. The “love” theme continues with “The I Love You Song,” a peppy and very danceable straight up ode to affection. “On The Inside,” an anthem to self-esteem, encourages young people to look within to discover their intrinsic value. “Listen to Your Heart” sets its lyrics to a musical heartbeat and encourages a contemplative looking within for answers.

You can watch Jennifer sing Make A Circle HERE.

“I Am A Tree” connects us to one another and Mother Earth by presenting the metaphor of a tree connecting to the earth as an emblem of the oneness of all things, while “Celebrate This Day” urges physical movement to express the sheer joy of life. Continuing the celebration theme, Jennifer Paskow’s version of “This Little Light of Mine” is a manifestation of traditional hand-clapping gospel exuberance.

Celestial bodies receive their due in the wrap-up of this beautiful album. The soothing sounds of “Hello Moon” depict the wonder of being connected to nature and the universe, while “Long Time Sun” is an Irish blessing that Jennifer Paskow often sings at the end of the classes she teaches.

A trained music therapist and children’s music and yoga teacher, Jennifer Paskow has been an exponent of healing since she was a child. When not recording or performing publicly, Jennifer can be found teaching music at preschools and in a variety of “Parent and Me” music class settings, teaching yoga to kids living in shelters, and sharing her music with hospitalized children and their families as a volunteer with the acclaimed organization The Art of Elysium. Says Jennifer, ”Singing for kids in the hospital is a real highlight for me. I always walk away feeling joyfully inspired and rooted in my purpose. I’ve been doing community service since I was nine years old, and the ideas of giving back and supporting my community are deeply ingrained in my being. I believe in the interconnectedness of all life and that, as we give, we are receiving.”

jennifer-make-a-circle

 

MAKE A CIRCLE TRACK LIST:
Make A Circle
The I Love You Song
On The Inside
I Am
Listen To Your Heart
I Am A Tree
Celebrate This Day
This Little Light Of Mine
Hello Moon
Long Time Sun
The I Love You Song (acoustic)

Make A Circle will be available on iTunes, Amazon, and CDBaby.

 


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Stinky & Dirty Can Help Teach Kids Problem Solving Skills! #StinkyAndDirty

This post has been sponsored by Amazon Studios.

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I don’t know if you have any little boys in your house but my little guys love trucks, playing outside and best of all getting dirty. Playing with their trucks in the sand, dirt or best of all mud is just the greatest thing. What’s a mom to do besides directing them to the shower and remembering that someone said dirt is good for them? Did someone say dirt is good for them? I hope so because I could swear I heard that and that is what I am going to continue thinking.

You can imagine their delight when they watched the new Amazon Original Series, The Stinky & Dirty Show. Stinky is a garbage truck and well, the name certainly fits. Dirty is a backhoe loader that is constantly working with dirt and so his name fits equally well. The two are the best of friends and this strange duo are even what you might call heroes. They are quite creative and love challenges. They constantly ask themselves “What If” when trying to tackle issues or when obstacles are in their way. The series is based on the books by Jim and Kate McMullan and was written and developed by Guy Toube. You can stream the episodes free on Amazon if you have Prime. If you don’t you can still watch 1 episode for free.

stinky & Dirty Show

My kids loved the series from the get go and I enjoyed it as well because it teaches kids good problem solving skills. Problem solving skills are something everyone needs because things rarely go as planned and obstacles, challenges and road blocks are something we all face. In order to achieve our goals we must find ways to tackle those obstacles, overcome the challenges and remove the road blocks. Stinky & Dirty show kids that when things get tough the tough find solutions.

Kids can get frustrated when something does not go as they hoped. This series can help them see they need to think and talk about other ways to figure out the solution. They will learn the importance of negotiation and brainstorming with others. In the end they will see that when they keep going instead of giving up, they can reach their goals.  As a mom, I feel this is such an important life lesson. I come across many adults who do not have problem solving skills. If a hurdle comes across their path, they fall instead of learning what they need to do to jump that hurdle. The earlier kids are introduced and learn problem solving skills, the better off they will be.

In the Jump at the Dump episode Stinky & Dirty face many challenges creating a stunt course for Jumpy the stunt cycle who needs a new venue to perform her show. They have to figure out how to make mud that has just the right amount of “sploosh” for Jumpy. Their first challenge is to find a way to direct the water from a spigot to the dirt. When their first idea does not work, they come up with another and when that does not work, they brainstorm another way until they find the perfect solution. The way Jumpy and Stinky talk to each other and ask each other “What If” helps them find the solutions they need to complete their tasks.

stinky and dirty collage resize

In an episode titled  The Art of Trash, Stinky & Dirty clean up a vacant lot full of trash to make a park, but when they can’t remove some large items, they turn the items into a trash sculpture instead! This is similar to turning trash into treasure or finding ways to recycle and re-purpose things that might normally end up in a landfill. My kids and I just made some Frankenstein Monsters for Halloween decorating using some old scrap cut off boards that were in our basement.

With some green craft paint, we painted the boards and then added some foam embellishments to create hair, eyebrows and a tooth. We used a permanent black marker to draw the mouth and a paint marker for the nose. Then to really make it authentic we screwed two bolts into either side.

dirty and stinky

You can have a lot of fun with this and there are other monsters and Halloween critters you can create in this fashion. You can create a mummy if you wrap the board in gauze and add two googly eyes. Make a Jack O’ Lantern by painting the wood orange and using black paint or foam to create eyes and a mouth, add a green bow or green block to the top to serve as the stem.

Whatever you make, your kids will have a great time and learn all about re-purposing and recycling, another great life skill that will improve their world. Let me know if you have watched The Stinky & Dirty Show and what you think. I would love to see your thoughts in the comments.

 


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Enter Our #Giveaway For “The Wonder Years” Complete Series on DVD

Last week Time Life re-issued one of the most beloved sitcoms of all-time in specially priced slipcase packaging!

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THE WONDER YEARS: THE COMPLETE SERIES

There’s Never Been a Better Time to Add One of the “Top 20 Shows of the ‘80’s” to Your Home Entertainment Collection; the 22-Disc Set Features All 115 Landmark Episodes and Nearly 12 Hours of Exclusive Bonus Features!

For six seasons, The Wonder Years captured the angst of growing up in suburban middle-class America in the late 1960’s, as seen through the life and times of Kevin Arnold (Fred Savage). Audiences eagerly followed his evolution as a typical awkward teenager who remembered every moment of his transition from childhood with excruciating detail and remarkable hindsight.

From his first kiss with Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar) to his friendship with Paul Pfeiffer (Josh Saviano) and the ups and downs of the Arnold family, fans shared in laughter, love, and loss, but above all, wonder. This 22-DVD set contains all 115 episodes from the six seasons of this landmark series that aired from 1988 to 1993. Included in this specially priced slipcase set are complete show notes with episode synopses, cast member reflections, “Current Events,” and more plus nearly 12 hours of bonus material, as well as an astounding soundtrack of over 300 classic period songs as they were featured in the original broadcasts featuring such artists as: Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, The Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin, James Taylor, and of course, Joe Cocker’s unforgettable theme.

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BONUS FEATURES 

  • Highlights from the first cast reunion in 16 years
  • Roundtable discussions with Danica McKellar, Fred Savage, and Josh Saviano
  • 6 newly produced featurettes
  • Farewell set tour
  • One-hour ABC broadcast of the series finale
  • 1 TV Guide
  • Exclusive interviews with the show’s creators and cast including Fred Savage, Danica McKellar, Josh Saviano, Alley Mills, Dan Lauria, Olivia d’Abo, Jason Hervey, and more!

ABOUT THE WONDER YEARS 

The Wonder Years debuted in 1988 following ABC’s broadcast of Super Bowl XXII, and the affectionate look at growing up in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s in suburban America was unlike anything else on television. It was 1968 — the year of Nixon, space walks, Mod Squad, and Vietnam. Enter Kevin Arnold, a sixth grader at Kennedy Junior High School. Set against the suburban backdrop of Anytown, USA, Kevin sought to minimize his teenage angst while dealing with an older, noogie-happy brother Wayne (Jason Hervey), a rebellious sister, Karen (Olivia d’Abo), distant, workaholic father, Jack (Dan Lauria) and doting housewife mother, Norma (Alley Mills). Add to the mix Paul Pfeiffer (Josh Saviano), his nerdy, allergy-riddled best friend, a potential love interest in winsome girl-next-door Winnie Cooper (Danica McKellar) and narration by an older, wiser, wittier Kevin (voiced by Daniel Stern) to add perspective to the nostalgia, and you have the perfect recipe for TV greatness.

For the next six seasons, America tuned in to follow Kevin’s exploits, as he navigated adolescence in the most memorable of ways. From 1988 to 1993, The Wonder Years was one of the most popular shows on TV, achieving a spot in the Nielsen Top 30 for four of its six seasons. And the critical accolades and awards would follow: after only a scant six episodes, the show captured an EmmyÂŽ for “Best Comedy Series;” and, at the age of 13, Fred Savage would become the youngest actor ever nominated as “Outstanding Lead Actor for a Comedy Series.” The series would also go on to win 24 awards (and be nominated for 70 more), including multiple EmmyÂŽ Awards, a Golden GlobeÂŽ and, in 1989, a PeabodyÂŽ Award for pushing the boundaries of the sitcom format and using new modes of storytelling. Additionally, in 1997, “My Father’s Office” was ranked #29 on TV Guide’s “100 Greatest Episodes of All Time” and in the 2009 list, the pilot episode was ranked #43. Suffice it to say, The Wonder Years was one of the most critically lauded sitcoms of the late 80s and early 90s.

Enter To Win This Collector’s Set

Time Life is sponsoring a giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!  One lucky blog reader will win this 22 disc Wonder Years Collection! Thank you to Time Life for sponsoring this fantastic giveaway on Mommy Ramblings!!!  Open to US residents.

Wonder Years Complete Series DVD Collection Giveaway on Mommy Ramblings Rules:

Please enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below.  Good Luck!!!

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Meet The Bottersnikes & Gumbles Today on Netflix #Bottersnikes

Do you have Netflix? We do and we love it. I don’t watch TV or even cable much, but Netflix is something I check out when I have time and I can always find a great documentary or original series or movie to watch. Netflix is the world’s largest internet TV service and it is not hard to understand why.

I want to share some great news! Netflix released their newest kid’s series, Bottersnikes & Gumbles Today!

Bottlesnikes Gumbles

This series is based on the beloved children’s books by S.A. Wakefield that were published in Australia and the UK between 1967 and 1989.
Bottlesnikes Gumbles book

The setting for this series is a fantasy kingdom of rusting junk and abandoned things AKA junkyard. Bottersnikes & Gumbles is geared to boys and girls ages 6-9 and having 2 boys in that range, I can tell you they loved the advance premier we watched together.

The animated graphics are amazing and the characters are awesome! Tink, Willi Bounce, Happi, Merry, Float, Jolli and Toot are the Gumbles.

Meet The Gumbles Graphic

The Gumbles live on Junk Highway in a Gumble Tree with an old school bus on it.

bottlesnikes gumble tee

As you might assume from their names, they are fun-loving creatures but they are also quite adventurous. Their bodies have the ability to be stretched or squashed just about any way they want to. The way they move around is called “gumbling” and their favorite snacks are grubs which you might expect are plentiful living on Junk Highway.

Bottlesnikes stretchy

While all this sounds delightful in a Gumble sort of way the Bottersnikes are not. The Bottersnikes live in Snike Hill and are ruled by the most awful Bottersnike, King Bottersnike.

Bottlesnike grumpier

They are not fun-loving like the Gumbles, they are mean spirited and more than that, they are stinky, lazy, selfish and mostly evil creatures. They don’t look nice either, they have hard, scaly skin, sharp teeth, claws and ears that glow red-hot when angry, which is almost all of the time!

Meet The Bottersnikes Graphic

They enjoy a diet of rusty nails but their favorite treat is mattress stuffing. One thing they really don’t like is water, if they get wet they shrink! You can check out more on their website and follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. This series is very entertaining, I hope you check it out with your kids and let me know what you think in the comments.

This review was made possible by iConnect and Bottlesnikes & Gumbles.  I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.”

 


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