movie review - Dad of Divas

Movie Review – A Cinderella Story: Starstruck

July 13, 2021 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the Movie

Finley Tremaine (played by Bailee Madison), a small-town farm girl, longs to spread her wings and soar as an aspiring performer. When a Hollywood film crew arrives in her sleepy town, she is determined to land a role in the production and capture the attention of handsome lead actor Jackson Stone (played by Michael Evans Behling). Unfortunately, a botched audition forces her to change course. Now, disguised as cowboy “Huck,” Finley finally gets her big break. But can she keep the charade a secret from everyone, including her evil stepmother (played by April Telek) and devious step-siblings (played by Lillian Doucet-Roche and Richard Harmon)?

This is the sixth installment in the A Cinderella Story movie series. Other titles include A Cinderella Story (Hilary Duff), Another Cinderella Story (Selena Gomez), A Cinderella Story: Once Upon a Song (Lucy Hale) A Cinderella Story: If the Shoe Fits (Sofia Carson), and A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish (Laura Marano).

A CINDERELLA STORY: STARSTRUCK is now available on Digital & DVD, and will be coming to HBO Max later this year.

My take on the movie

This movie had a flair all its’ own. Tonight my family had a blast getting into this new Cinderella rendition. As a father of daughters, I loved the character of Finley and while I hate thinking of someone having to hide who they are. This movie allows Bailey Madison to shine in this role. I honestly did not know that she could sing (and she can) and by the end I was waiting in the credits to see if the song she sang in the movie were actually sang by her (they are). Finley’s stepmother and step-siblings definitely hold onto the title of “wicked” and they truly make Finley work for the life she has. The movie had a lot of laughs, fun, some good songs and more. It is a great family-friendly film that you will not want to miss!

Thanks to Warner Brothers for sending me this film to review, but also some great cookies that we could actually paint and eat (my daughters loved doing this)!

Dora And The Lost City of Gold Is Adventure For the Whole Family

November 10, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Explore a new world of family-friendly adventure when DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD debuts on Digital November 5, 2019 and on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand November 19 from Paramount Home Entertainment.

The Digital* and Blu-ray releases boast a wealth of fun-filled bonus features, including hilarious bloopers, deleted and extended scenes, a look at Isabela Moner’s transformation into Dora, a tour of Dora’s Jungle House, and more! Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD is the perfect film to enjoy over Thanksgiving and “a treasure for the whole family” (Greg Russell, NBC Detroit).

Having spent most of her life exploring the jungle with her parents, nothing could prepare Dora (Isabela Moner, Instant Family) for her biggest challenge yet – high school. When her parents mysteriously disappear while searching for the Lost City of Gold, Dora must swing into action and lead a group of ill-equipped high schoolers on a wild quest to save them. Hold on for a high stakes mission as Dora and her new friends navigate the jungle, outrun treasure hunters, and solve ancient puzzles to unlock the mystery of the fabled city.

DORA AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD also stars Eugenio Derbez, Michael Peña, Eva Longoria, and Danny Trejo.

BONUS FEATURES ON BLU-RAY COMBO & DIGITAL*

Bloopers – Take a trip to the wild side with hilarious bloopers of the cast’s funniest on-set mishaps.
Deleted and Extended Scenes – Journey deeper into the jungle to find the “lost” scenes not shown in theaters.
All About Dora – Discover how Isabela Moner transformed Dora into a jungle-savvy teenage adventurer for a new generation.
Can You Say Pelicula? – Unlock the mystery of underwater stunts and surviving quicksand with Eugenio Derbez.
Dora In Flower Vision – Explore the movie’s playful animated sequence, a treasure trove of nods to Dora’s cartoon origins.
Dora’s Jungle House – The adventure continues with this behind-the-scenes tour of Dora’s jungle house, part museum, part laboratory, and always a place for family.

My Take on the Movie

I did not know what to expect with this movie, but seeing that my kids loved Dora growing up and were excited to see this as well. The movie was funny in many parts but also had a great storyline too. You see growth in the characters as well which made it fun too. The movie moved along quickly and while there were parts that were a bit over the top, as Dora was as a cartoon, the characters were great and definitely ones that you can relate to. There are lessons that go throughout the movie about finding out who you are and being willing to be the person that you are meant to be. My oldest daughter actually said she would love to see more movies in the future. This is a family friendly movie that will put a smile on your face throughout the entire film!

Yesterday – A Movie For Any Lover of the Beatles

October 5, 2019 by dadofdivas 5 Comments

Bring family and friends together with The Beatles’ music inspired film Yesterday, on Digital September 10, 2019 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD and On Demand September 24, 2019. Jack’s life is changed forever when he discovers he is the only person on earth who remembers the music of The Beatles and must decide if he truly wants the spotlight, or if all he needs is love, after all. Filled with heart and humor from beginning to end, Yesterday on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital comes packed with exciting bonus features including deleted and extended scenes, live performances at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, an alternate opening and ending and several featurettes with the filmmakers and cast that take fans further into the charming story. Hailed as “Funny, original, and touching” (Patrick Stoner, “Flicks” WHYY-TV (PBS)), Yesterday is a rock-n-roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that leads to the love of your life. Stay in, “re-experience the Beatles’ songs as if they’re brand-new” (Mara Reinstein, Billboard) and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of The Beatles’ Abbey Road this year with the perfect at-home movie night when you own Yesterday on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital.

Jack Malik was just another struggling songwriter…but that was yesterday. After a mysterious blackout, Jack (Himesh Patel; BBC’s “EastEnders”) discovers he is the only person on earth who remembers The Beatles! As he rockets to fame by passing off the Fab Four’s songs as his own, Jack risks losing Ellie (Lily James; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Cinderella) – the one person who has loved him and believed in him from the start. Kate McKinnon and Ed Sheeran also star in this romantic rock ‘n’ roll comedy from Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) and Academy Award®-nominated screenwriter Richard Curtis (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually).

The soundtrack to YESTERDAY is available on digital/streaming services as well as CD from Capitol Records/Polydor Records. The album will be available on vinyl this Friday, August 16.

*DVD format includes over 35 minutes of bonus content

BONUS FEATURES ON 4K ULTrA HD, BLU-RAY™, DVD & DIGITAL

Alternate Opening*
Alternate Ending
Deleted Scenes
- Corden & Roxanne – Includes deleted performance by Himesh Patel of “Something”
- Late for School
- Nutters Italian Ice Cream
- Sortisimus
- Moscow Audience
- Alexa
- A Gonk
- W Hotel
- Jack Calls Ellie
- Hilary in the Mirror
- Nick and Carol
- Hazel’s Selfie
Gag Reel*
Live at Abbey Road Studios – Watch Himesh Patel perform “Yesterday”, “I Want To Hold Your Hand”, and “Let it Be” at Abbey Road Studios.
- “Yesterday”
- “I Want To Hold Your Hand”
- “Let it Be”
Ed Sheeran: From Stadium to Screen* – Acting in his first major role, Ed Sheeran reflects on his experiences making the movie.
Agent of Comedy: Kate McKinnon* – Kate McKinnon shares how eager she was to play the role of “Debra Hammer” while the cast and crew reflect on the fun and energy that the queen of improvisational comedy brought to the set.
A Talented Duo* – Richard Curtis and Danny Boyle, two of the most successful British filmmakers, team up for the first time.
Playing for Real* – The re-interpreting of the Beatles songs was a huge undertaking for newcomer Himesh Patel. Learn how he spent months learning to play the songs perfectly as the production decided to take the more challenging route of recording the musical numbers live on set.
Soul Mates* – Beyond the music and the laughs, the film is, of course, a love story. This piece looks at the relationship between Jack & Ellie and the actors playing them.
A Conversation with Richard & Ed* – Long-term friends Richard Curtis and Ed Sheeran have a funny and informal chat about the making of YESTERDAY.
Feature Commentary with Director Danny Boyle and Writer/Producer Richard Curtis

Yesterday will be available on 4K Ultra HD in a combo pack (4K Ultra HD+ Blu-ray™ + Digital). Bonus features on the 4K Ultra HD will all be delivered in stunning 4K resolution.

4K Ultra HD is the ultimate movie watching experience. 4K Ultra HD features the combination of 4K resolution for 4X sharper picture than HD, the color brilliance of High Dynamic Range (HDR) with immersive audio.
- Yesterday 4K Ultra HD is available with HDR10+™, providing premium HDR picture quality. HDR10+ transforms your movie watching experience with incredible brightness and contrast for each scene, delivering brighter brights and deepest darks.
Blu-ray™ delivers a pristine HD picture and theater-quality surround sound.
Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
MOVIES ANYWHERE is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-ray™ and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. MOVIES ANYWHERE is only available in the United States. For more information, visit https://moviesanywhere.com.

* Exclusive to 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ & Digital

Yesterday – Romantic Comedy Bonus Feature Clip

In this clip from the bonus feature, “A Talented Duo,” director Danny Boyle talks about the joys of working on a romantic comedy with writer and producer Richard Curtis and shows them behind the scenes on the set of Yesterday.

Yesterday – Soul Mates Bonus Feature Clip

In this clip from the bonus feature, “Soul Mates,” stars Lily James and Himesh Patel chat about the close friendship and romance between their characters Ellie and Jack in Yesterday.

My Take on the Movie

I was excited to see this movie as I am a big Beatles fan and we were interested to see how this movie would not only portray the songs but also a world where no one knew who the Beatles were and their songs had never been written.

Himesh Patel is not an actor that I had ever seen before but he does a great job not only in portraying his own character, but also singing all of the Beatles songs. He has a great voice that allows him to bring new life the the Beatles songs that are presented in the film. Both the music and the story were strong and really make you think about how you would react if you were in a reality like this and whether you could or would give up a chance for everlasting fame, riches, wealth and more to hold onto your soul.

The movie had so many great songs throughout the movie. There were others I had wishes to hear but they could not have all of them.

All-in-all this was a great movie, with a great story, great music and an overall great message.

If you have not seen this movie, you should!

GIVEAWAY

Do you want to win a copy of this great movie? Enter below

A Whole New World & A Whole New Aladdin

September 20, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

EXPERIENCE MAGIC IN A WHOLE NEW WAY WITH THE THRILLING AND VIBRANT LIVE-ACTION ADAPTATION OF ALADDIN

AND

THE ANIMATED CLASSIC JOINS THE HIGHLY CELEBRATED WALT DISNEY SIGNATURE COLLECTION

Disney’s “Aladdin,” the thrilling and vibrant live-action adaptation of the studio’s animated classic, lands in homes on Digital in HD, 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere on Aug. 27, and physically on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD on Sept. 10. Fans of all ages will enjoy the exciting, humorous tale of the lovable “street rat,” Aladdin (Mena Massoud), courageous and self-determined Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott) and the larger-than-life Genie (Will Smith) with all-new bonus features. The release of the live-action adventure coincides with the addition of the original animated classic to the highly celebrated Walt Disney Signature Collection — granting “Aladdin” fans everywhere the opportunity to own both magical movies.

Extras explore elements of “Aladdin” that audiences adore, from the film’s treasured, iconic award-winning music to its beloved characters and their hilarious antics on and off screen. Viewers get the first look at an all-new song “Desert Moon,” deleted from the final film, written by eight-time Academy Award® winning composer Alan Menken and Oscar®-and Tony Award®-winning songwriters Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (“The Greatest Showman,” “La La Land”). Features document Guy Ritchie’s joyful, easy-going approach to directing that led to movie magic; Will Smith’s fresh take on the infamous shape-shifting blue entity confined to an oil lamp; Naomi Scott’s powerful performance as the spirited princess who yearns to lead the people of Agrabah; and the indescribable feeling of playing Aladdin chronicled personally by Mena Massoud. Deleted scenes and a blooper reel round out the fun.

In addition, early owners of “Aladdin” gain access to exclusive bonus features. Fans who pre-purchase will receive a feature showcasing the making of the massive musical number “Prince Ali,” and those who bring home the film first on Digital will secure an exclusive extra detailing the creation of Jasmine’s new song “Speechless.”

“Aladdin” is sure to become an instant classic for viewers of all ages and will be packaged several ways to ensure the entire family gets the most out of its in-home entertainment experience. The film arrives two weeks early on Digital 4K Ultra HD and HD. A Digital bundle, which includes both the Walt Disney Signature Collection edition of the original animated classic “Aladdin” and the live-action adaptation, is also available for early purchase. A physical copy of the film will be released as a 4K Ultimate Collector’s Edition (4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and Digital Code), a Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray and Digital Code) and a single DVD.

Bonus features include*:

DIGITAL PRESELL BONUS:

MAKE WAY FOR PRINCE ALI – Take a look at the gigantic design extravaganza that came together for this scene of Genie-sized proportions.

DIGITAL EXCLUSIVE BONUS:

“SPEECHLESS”: CREATING A NEW SONG FOR JASMINE – Follow the story of Jasmine’s inspirational song “Speechless,” written by Alan Menken, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul especially for this version of “Aladdin.”

BLU-RAY & DIGITAL BONUS:

ALADDIN’S VIDEO JOURNAL: A NEW FANTASTIC POINT OF VIEW – Watch behind-the-scenes moments captured by Mena Massoud (Aladdin) in this fun, fast-paced look at his personal journey.
DELETED SONG: “DESERT MOON” – Experience a moving duet performed by Jasmine and Aladdin, fully shot and edited, with an introduction by Alan Menken.
GUY RITCHIE: A CINEMATIC GENIE – Discover why director Guy Ritchie was the perfect filmmaker to tackle this exhilarating reimagining of a beloved classic.
A FRIEND LIKE GENIE – Discover how Will Smith brings talent, experience and his own personal magic to the iconic role of Genie.
DELETED SCENES
- Falling Petals Into OJ
- Jafar’s Magic Orrery
- Anders’ Gift
- Wrong Wishes
- Silly Old Fool
- Post Yam Jam Debrief
BLOOPERS – Laugh along with the cast and crew in this lighthearted collection of outtakes from the set.
MUSIC VIDEOS
- “Speechless” – Music video performed by Naomi Scott
- “A Whole New World” – Music video performed by ZAYN and Zhavia Ward
- “ A Whole New World” (“Un Mundo Ideal”) – Music video performed by ZAYN and Becky G.

My take on these movies

As someone that grew up with Aladdin I was super excited to see how the new Aladdin would be and how well Will Smith would embody the role of the Genie. In watching the original movie again before seeing the new one I have to say that the original Aladdin still was a ton of fun and Robin Williams was over the top in his portrayal of the Genie. The cartoon is able to create a world that allowed all viewers to suspend their belief and get lost during the movie. Even after all of these years I still found myself getting lost in the movie!

The new movie was similar to the first in many ways, but also different too. I felt that the actors in the movie did a great job of embodying their characters. Will Smith created a new Genie and for me it was not a question of was he as good as Robin Williams as his characterization of the Genie was very different than Robin Williams, in a good way. The movie has great music and even new songs too. The movie is a non-stop adventure and you will love how the movie begins and ends and how the whole movie is tied together, I know that I did!

Movie Review – Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase

April 6, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

The iconic mystery solving teenager from the classic Nancy Drew books is back with an all-new feature length film that will keep you guessing until the very end! Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release Nancy Drew And The Hidden Staircase on Digital starting March 26, 2019 and Blu-ray™ Combo Pack & DVD on April 2, 2019. Executive Produced by Ellen DeGeneres, the film stars Sophia Lillis (IT and “Sharp Objects”), Sam Trammell (“True Blood” and “This is Us”), and Linda Lavin (“The Good Wife” and“Alice”) and follows Nancy Drew in her new town, making new friends and on a mission to solve the case! The film carries a suggested retail price of $19.99 for the Digital, $19.98 for the DVD and $28.98 for the Blu-ray Combo Pack.

After the death of his wife, Carson Drew decides to leave Chicago behind and make a fresh start with his daughter in River Heights. But for 16-year-old Nancy Drew, life in a small town is mighty dull. She longs for excitement, adventure, and the chance to make a difference. Nancy gets that opportunity when she is asked to help solve the ghostly activity at the Twin Elms mansion. Can she help explain the creaking footsteps, exploding lightbulbs and the ominous creature? Is it the handiwork of high-school bully Derek Barnes? Or is it possible that the ghost of original owner Malcolm Colfax is back for revenge? Recruiting her best friends George and Bess, along with local “mean girl” Helen, Nancy Drew is on the case!

“Nancy Drew has been a source of inspiration to countless girls as she has her wits and ingenuity to solve intriguing mysteries. Now, Nancy is back in an all-new film from Ellen DeGeneres,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, WBHE, Vice President, TV Marketing, Family & Animation. “Cast perfectly with Sophia Lillis as Nancy Drew, this mystery has a modern-day edge as Nancy learns about responsibility and friendship while solving mysteries.”

Nancy Drew And The Hidden Staircase is produced by A Very Good Production and A Red 56 Productions. Based on the novel by Carolyn Keene, the film is Executive Produced by Ellen DeGeneres and Wendy Williams (Free Ride), with Jeff Kleeman (The Man From U.N.C.L.E.) and Chip DiggIns (A Walk In The Woods) serving as producers and Rachel Abarbanell (“Splitting Up Together”) as Co-Producer. Katt Shea (Poison Ivy) directed from the script written by Nina Fiore & John Herrera (“The Handmaids Tale”).

My Take on the Movie

As a fan of Nancy Drew, my kids and I watched this great movie this past weekend. One of the things that we loved first was that the movie was brought into today’s world. You have a Nancy Drew that is a bit of a rebel. She rides a skateboard and is definitely willing to get herself into some trouble. The backstory to Nancy and her dad is a bit different that in the books, but that is fine. The story itself was quite different than the book, but even though that is the case, it was still a story that kept you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. We also liked that the actors that played Nancy and her friends were ones that were new and fresh. While some of the older actors are ones you may have seen before, the girls were fresh and fun and brought a great energy to the screen too! Overall, if you love Nancy Drew, check out this new take on a great book!

——————————————————————————————-

New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?

Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader

Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Movie Review – Bumblebee

April 2, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

About the Movie

In Bumblebee, CYBERTRON has fallen. When OPTIMUS PRIME sends BUMBLEBEE to defend Earth, his journey to become a hero begins. Charlie Watson (Hailee Steinfeld), a teenager trying to find her place in the world, discovers and repairs the battle-scarred robot, who’s disguised as a Volkswagen Beetle. As the DECEPTICONS hunt down the surviving AUTOBOTS with the help of a secret agency led by Agent Burns (John Cena), BUMBLEBEE and Charlie team up to protect the world in an action-packed adventure that’s fun for the whole family.

Watch the Full Trailer

My Take on the Movie

I have been a fan of the Transformers since I was a kid. I started watching their cartoons in the 1980’s and I have thoroughly enjoyed seeing all of the Transformer movies over the years as well. This movie gives a ton of back story to Bumblebee that you did not get in the past. I really enjoyed learning more about the backstory of Bumblebee, such as how he lost his voice and how and why he came to Earth.

The movie is a full adventure and is non-stop action from beginning to end. The movie has a great story behind it and while there is a lot of action, the movie also has a lot of heart. Bumblebee has an amazing story that shows the powerful relationship between Bumblebee and his new friend Charlie Watson. There are a lot of parallels into what Charlie needs in her life and what Bumblebee needs as well. Bumblebee and Charlie grow together and Charlie does what she can to make Charlie stronger and Bumblebee does the same.

The relationship between Charlie and Bumblebee makes the movie even stronger.

Growing up in the 1980’s there were a lot of things that reminded me of my youth which was also fun. The music, clothes, posters and more took me back in time which was a lot of fun for my wife and I.

Is the movie perfect, no, but as someone that is a fan of the Transformers I will say that it stays true to the story of the Transformers and adds a ton of back story to Bumblebee, Soundwave, Optimus Prime and others which allows you to only get more engaged in the overall movie and the Transformers world.

All-in-all this was a great movie that I was excited to be able to see and you will love seeing this too.

On top of the movie I was sent the amazing Bumblebee fan kit above. I loved this kit as it allows you to be one with the movie. I particularly loved the actual Autobots as I have collected others in the past and these Autobots were well crafted and definitely can inspire creative play or can simply be amazing just for display as well. I am very impressed with these additions to the movie and of you are a transformer fan, you will love them as well!

——————————————————————————————-

New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?

Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader

Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Movie Review – The Nutcracker and the Four Realms

January 27, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Disney’s dazzling adventure “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”- inspired by E.T.A. Hoffmann’s classic tale and the beloved ballet “The Nutcracker”- carried audiences along with 14-year-old Clara (Mackenzie Foy) to a magical, mysterious world with breathtaking performances by Misty Copeland plus sweets, snowflakes, soldiers, scurrying mice… and no shortage of surprises. Destined to become an annual viewing tradition for adventurers of all ages, the film arrives home instantly with never-before seen extras and deleted scenes on Digital and Movies Anywhere, and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD Jan. 29, 2019.

Bonus features include a discussion with American Ballet Theatre’s Misty Copeland about her role as the enchanting Ballerina Princess, her personal history with “The “Nutcracker” ballet, and her inspirational and historic rise within the world of dance. Extras take viewers on the set of “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” to meet both new and reimagined characters, and discover how the Land of Sweets, Land of Snowflakes, Land of Flowers and mysterious Fourth Realm were created to such dazzling effect. Deleted scenes provide a look at magical moments that didn’t make the final version of the movie.

In “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,” Clara travels along a golden thread, presented at Drosselmeyer’s (Morgan Freeman) annual party, eagerly searching for a one-of-a-kind key that will unlock a music box that holds a priceless gift. When she enters a mysterious parallel world, Clara encounters a Nutcracker soldier named Phillip (Jayden Fowora-Knight), a gang of mice and three Realm regents, including the Sugar Plum Fairy (Keira Knightley). Ultimately, she must brave the ominous Fourth Realm, home to the tyrant Mother Ginger (Helen Mirren), to retrieve the key and return harmony to the unstable world.

The stunning feature film will be packaged and released in several different formats, giving families the flexibility to watch it on a variety of different devices. Viewers can instantly watch the film in Digital UHD, HD and SD, and bring home a physical copy of the film as the Ultimate Collector’s Edition (4K UHD, Blu-ray and Digital Code), Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Code) or a single DVD.Bonus features include*:

BLU-RAY:

On Pointe: A Conversation with Misty Copeland – Copeland shares the thrill of portraying one of her favorite characters in a whole new way.
Unwrapping “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms” – Dive into the production design, sets, costumes and more that helped transform a beloved ballet into an adventurous movie.
Deleted Scenes –
- The Stahlbaums Arrive– As the Stahlbaums enter the Christmas Eve ball, the butler attempts to announce them to the assembled guests.
- Follow Your Ribbon- Drosselmeyer encourages a reluctant Clara to go find her gift.
- Deleted Scene: Clara Asks About Her Mother– Sugar Plum gives Clara a tour of her mother’s bedroom.
- Left, Left, Left, Left, Left– Wandering lost in the forest, palace guards Cavalier and Harlequin quarrel about which way to go.
- Out with the Old– Sugar Plum makes sweeping changes to the palace decor.
Music Videos –
- “Fall on Me” Performed by Andrea Bocelli Featuring Matteo Bocelli– Experience superstar tenor Andrea Bocelli and his son Matteo Bocelli performing their first duet together in this uplifting song.
- “The Nutcracker Suite” Performed by Lang Lang– Get swept up in a series of images from the movie, set to Tchaikovsky’s music and featuring world-renowned pianist Lang Lang.

ON DIGITAL:

Unwrapped: The Visual Effects of “The Nutcracker and the Four Realms”– View a reel that explores the layers of effects in sequences of the film.

My Take on the Movie

This is a visually stunning movie. We loved being able to see the story of the Nutcracker in a completely new way. For some reason some of the critics did not like this but for my household, we thought it was a beautifully made movie that really allowed viewers to be transported into a whole new world. Throughout the movie we were stunned by the costumes and visual aspects of this film. The story itself was different than past renditions but that did not deter us. We loved hearing the music of The Nutcracker throughout the movie and the plot of the movie was one that truly showed how much characters can grow throughout a movie.

I mentioned before that the costumes were amazing. In each setting in the film there are different costumes that really make the setting unique from another. The characters of the different realms also have an amazing costume array that makes them stand out as unique realms. These costumes really allow you to be drawn in further into the movie.

While the movie may have a plot that can be a bit guessed there are some twists and turns that you would not guess. I also loved how much the main character grew throughout the movie. Also, as a father of girls I loved seeing a girl that was interested in STEM and was willing to buck the norm of the society around her.

All-in-all this was a great movie that we all loved and one that I would recommend to all!

——————————————————————————————-

New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?

Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader

Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Movie Review – Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch

January 22, 2019 by dadofdivas Leave a Comment

Start the new year with a laugh when Universal Pictures Home Entertainment’s Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch becomes available on Digital January 22^nd and on 4K Ultra HD, 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray and DVD February 5^th. Included are three hilarious new mini-movies featuring the Minions and Max!

The new home entertainment edition contains more than 60 minutes of bonus content, including three mini-movies: “Dog Days of Winter” starring the Grinch and his heroically loyal dog Max; and “Yellow is the New Black” and “Santa’s Little Helpers,” both starring the lovable Minions. It also includes stunning featurettes, a how-to-draw tutorial and much more. Narrated by Grammy Award^®winner and Oscar^® nominee Pharrell Williams, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch stars Academy Award^® nominee Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Strange, “Sherlock”) as the infamous Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpit with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. The incredible voice cast includes Rashida Jones (“Parks and Recreation,” The Muppets) as Donna Who, Kenan Thompson (“Saturday Night Live”) as Bricklebaum, Cameron Seely (The Greatest Showman) as Cindy-Lou Who, and featuring legendary actress Angela Lansbury (Anastasia, Beauty and the Beast) as the mayor of Whoville. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch is a perfect night in for the whole family!

My Take on the Movie

My family has always loved the original Grinch movie so we were excited to see what this new movie would bring. We ended up seeing this movie in the theater and we found that while it was a different interpretation to the original we all thoroughly enjoyed the plot, voice acting and new animation that was brought to this movie.

This movie, unlike the original seems to show the Grinch as knowing at least some of the Whos, if not quite a few of them. He still does not have a good liking for them as a whole but there does seem to be more connection than in the previous version.

The new style of animation allows you to really see a new world and you seem to be able to really get drawn into the world from beginning to end.

We loved Benedict Cumberbatch as the Grinch. He did a great job as a whole and truly seemed to embody the character well in my opinion. There are many other unique characters that my kids loved meeting such as Max who is an adorable character as well.

We also liked the rendition of Cindy Lou who is trying to capture Santa Claus to help her mom.

The movie itself was a very fun family movie altogether. My whole family thoroughly enjoyed the movie itself and we recommend it to all!

——————————————————————————————-

New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?

Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader

Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Venom – Get Ready For Non Stop Action!

December 20, 2018 by dadofdivas 2 Comments

One of Marvel’s most enigmatic, complex, and badass characters comes home in VENOM, which will made its debut on Digital December 11, and on 4K Ultra HD™ Combo Pack, Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, and DVD on December 18! This must-own comic book blockbuster, which has grossed more than $822 million in theaters worldwide to date, is directed by Ruben Fleischer (Zombieland) and features an all-star cast including Tom Hardy (The Dark Knight Rises, Mad Max: Fury Road), Michelle Williams (The Greatest Showman), Riz Ahmed (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, TV’s “The Night Of”), Jenny Slate (Zootopia) and Woody Harrelson (Zombieland, The Hunger Games franchise).

If you don’t know much about Venom, it is the story of Eddie Brock, a good reporter who tries to do the right thing but does not always do them in ways that you or I would. In this movie he investigates someone that has a ton of power & influence and when he challenges him he loses everything. After some time he connects with a scientist that does not agree with the experiments that this person is doing and brings Brock in to expose it. In working to expose this he inadvertently becomes host to Venom.

As the movie continues the symbiotic relationship between Brock and Venom grows and you truly get to see each coming to need each other. The conflict in this movie is two-fold, first there is internal conflict between Venom and Eddie as they figure out the symbiotic relationship, but more than this is with the other symbiote “Riot.”

Venom’s lack of scruples pegs him as something of an anti-hero. In this movie you can see that Venom does grow and learn from Eddie. The story of the movie is easy to follow for audiences and because of the characters in the movie, most that I have spoken with have said that they like the characters and the writers allow the message to simply happen and it is not forced on the audience. The other reason that you have to love the relationship between Eddie and Venom is that they form a great team and both play off each other to become a great team!

While the movie may not be the same as the comic, I am ok with that as it was a lot of fun, with great action and characters!

Bonus Materials Include:

Venom Mode: When selecting this mode the film will engage informative pop-ups throughout the film to provide insight on the movie’s relationship to the comics, and to reveal hidden references that even a seasonedVenom-fan may have missed!
Deleted & Extended Scenes: These deleted and extended scenes will give fans even more of the Venom action they loved in theaters!
- Ride to Hospital – Eddie and Venom take a ride to the hospital.
- Car Alarm – Let’s just say that Venom is not fond of car alarms.
- San Quentin – Extended post-credits scene at San Quentin.
From Symbiote to Screen: A mini documentary about the history of Venom in comics and his journey to the big screen. Interviews with Avi Arad, Matt Tolmach, Ruben Fleischer, Oliver Scholl, and Director and Comic Fanboy Kevin Smith.
The Lethal Protector in Action: Go behind the scenes with the production crew and learn the secrets behind the awesome Motorcycle stunts, wire stunts, and drones.
Venom Vision: A look at how Ruben Fleischer came to the project, gathered his team, and made Venom a reality. Utilizes interviews from cast, crew, and producers as well as Fleischer himself.
Designing Venom: Designing and creating Venom meant a huge challenge for VFX artists; follow the amazing journey.
Symbiote Secrets: Blink and you may have missed it! Enjoy the hidden references throughout the film.
8 Select Scenes Pre-Vis sequences: See the progression of the visual effects, storyboards and fight chorography compared to the finished film.
“Venom” by Eminem – Music Video
“Sunflower” by Post Malone, Swae Lee (From Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse Sneak Peek: Meanwhile in another universe…

4K Ultra HD™ Includes:

Feature film presented with Dolby Vision high dynamic range and Dolby Atmos sound
Also includes the film and special features on the included high-def Blu-ray

Giveaway

I am giving away a copy of the movie and this awesome shirt! How would you like to win this for yourself or for your family? All you need to enter is the following:

Share a comment about what you like or dislike about the character of Venom
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY –

Winner must be a resident of the U.S.

Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

——————————————————————————————-

New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?

Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader

Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

Movie Review – I Can Only Imagine #ICanOnlyImagine #FlyBy #Giveaway

June 5, 2018 by dadofdivas 7 Comments

In I Can Only Imagine, Dennis Quaid and Trace Adkins star in this inspiring true story behind MercyMe’s beloved hit song. Running from a troubled home life and a broken relationship, Bart Millard (Finley) found escape in music. Hitting the road in a decrepit tour bus, Bart and his band MercyMe set out on an amazing journey none of them could have ever imagined, in this uplifting, music-filled movie that beautifully illustrates the power of forgiveness and God’s love.

The home entertainment release of I Can Only Imagine features over 3 hours of extras including 7 deleted scenes, 7 in-depth featurettes, an audio commentary, and more!

The #1 Inspirational Movie of the Year Comes Home on Digital on June 5 and Blu-rayTM Combo Pack and DVD on June 12

NASHVILLE, Tenn (April 30, 2018) – Experience the uplifting story that shares the power of forgiveness when I Can Only Imagine arrives on Digital June 5 and on Blu-rayTM Combo Pack (plus DVD and Digital), DVD, and On Demand June 12 from Lionsgate and Provident Films. Directed by the Erwin Brothers (October Baby, Moms’ Night Out) and written for the screen by Jon Erwin & Brent McCorkle, the film tells the incredible true story behind Christian band MercyMe’s iconic, history-making song “I Can Only Imagine.” Starring in the film are up-and-coming Broadway star J. Michael Finley (“Les Miserables”) and Golden Globe® nominee Dennis Quaid (2011, Best Actor – Limited Series or Television Motion Picture, The Special Relationship; 2003, Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture, Far From Heaven), as well as Trace Adkins (The Lincoln Lawyer, Traded), Priscilla C. Shirer (War Room), Cloris Leachman (The Last Picture Show, Spanglish), and Madeline Carroll (Flipped).

Find Out More

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/icanonlyimaginemovie/
Instagram: @icanonlyimaginemovie
Twitter: @onlyimaginefilm

My Take on the Movie

Every one of us brings along baggage in our lives that shape us into who we are. This movie really explores the genesis of a song that has become so well known over the years and what really brought the writer into writing the song itself. The movie itself was both inspiring and moving and there were points in which you may find that there is something in your eye (just saying). While the movie was a Christian film, it was not overdone. The acting was strong and the plot worked well and the characters connected well together and with the audience. The movie brings out some powerful messages and allows you to see the both the power of forgiveness and the importance of dealing with the issues of your own past to bring you to a new future. This is a must see!

Giveaway

How would you like to win this movie for yourself or for your family? All you need to enter is the following:

Share a comment about what you would name a song about your own life
ENTER THE GIVEAWAY –

Winner must be a resident of the U.S.

Winners are chosen at random, if you want all your chances counted, make sure you leave individual comments, not all of them in one!

Winner has 48 hours to contact me or another name will be chosen.

——————————————————————————————-

New to the Divadom or to Dad of Divas Reviews?

Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader

Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com