Category: Movies

February 6, 2018

The Napping Princess DVD Review and Giveaway

Napping Princess is a film that shows that following your dreams is sometimes the best way to discover your past.

About Napping Princess

From visionary director Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex and Eden of the East) comes a sci-fi fantasy that weaves together the rapidly evolving technology of today’s world with the fantastic imagination of the next generation. The Napping Princess was nominated for Best Animated Feature – Independent, at this year’s Annie Awards.

The year is 2020, three days before the opening of the Tokyo Olympics. While she should be studying for her exams, Kokone Morikawa often dozes off, entering a dream-world called Heartland that is full of fantastic motorized contraptions. But when her father, a talented but mysterious mechanic, is kidnapped for stealing technology from a powerful corporation, it is up to Kokone and her childhood friend Morio to save him.

Together they realize that Kokone’s dream-world holds the answers to the mystery behind the stolen technology, uncovering a trail of clues to her father’s disappearance and ultimately a surprising revelation about Kokone’s family.

Bonus Features:

Interview with Kenji Kamiyama
Special Interview with Cast
Intro at Japanese Release
Okayama Scenery
Special TV Program
Trailers and TV Spots

My Thoughts

I couldn’t wait to pop this DVD in as I fell in love with the cover image. I was (and still am) a huge fan of the Sailor Moon series and something about the cover brought back such great memories! This film is set in Japan in the future where technology is beyond what we could currently imagine.

Kokone is your typical teen, she has strong beliefs, a bit cheeky at times, loves to dream and has a tendency to drift off to sleep at the worst of times (which almost seems to be a joke between her and her friends) and enters her own magical dream world (which at first I thought was real!). Like many films similar to this genre, she also does a lot more than your typical teen would – she cooks for her Father (she almost seems to run the house!) and when her Father disappears she takes matters into her own hands. Along with her best friend, they set off with a stolen tablet, bike and begin on the journey to find her Father and to discover why he was taken in the first place.

I love the animation, it suited the film and plot. You can’t help but fall in love with Kokone. She has a huge heart and while her Father may drive her crazy at times, she would do anything to help him.

The film was roughly of two hours. I loved the theme of believing in yourself and chasing your dreams and never allowing the past to define the future.

The Napping Princess can be purchased on Amazon and Shout! Factory.

The Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a copy of this DVD in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 20, 2017

Educational Movies that Inspire, Move and Give Hope #StreamTeam

A good movie can do a lot of things. It can make us laugh, cry, smile and touch our hearts. It can also inspire us to be better people, to learn from our past mistakes and to hope for a better future. This to me is the true sign of a great movie. I want my kids to watch a documentary that helps them understand the world around them, how fragile it is and how to protect it. I want my eldest to learn about our past as a human race and how we need to move forward into the future with respect, kindness and fairness.

I have broken down my top movies and documentaries into two categories: Environmental and Historical. These are two very important categories for me and I think all people in general. It is so important to teach children about our past and how we move into the future as respectful, understanding and thoughtful adults. I love how after watching a movie like this, you run to your computer or tablet and start researching to learn more about what you saw. It could be about an animal, a war, a certain time period in history – it doesn’t matter the what, what matters is that it inspired you to learn more.

So here is my top five in each category (all of which can be found on Netflix Canada currently):

Top Five Environmental Documentaries

Planet Earth 2

This amazing series transports us all around the world learning about animals and nature. It is also the sequel to Planet Earth: The Complete Collection also found on Netflix. We fall in love with the animals and our heart goes out to them during their struggles. Like the penguins trying to climb up rocks or the lizards trying to make it past the snakes after they hatch.

Blue Planet: Natural History of the Oceans

The sea is an amazing, untouched world full of surprises and some of the weirdest creatures we will ever find. This series explores the entire marine world, from the familiar to those unknown.

Strange Creatures

The world is full of some strange-looking animals and insects. This series explores this crazy world! These animals may exhibit odd behaviour and show physical abnormalities for a wide variety of reasons.

Walking with Monsters: Life Before Dinos

Who doesn’t love dinosaurs? They are almost mystical with their power, mystery and brutality. This Emmy winning series takes you back 500 million years when fish, reptiles and sea scorpions ruled the Earth.

Wild North

This incredible journey explores three areas of Norway: the forests, coastlines and the highlands shaped by the ice age.

Top Five Historical Movies/Documentaries

Seven Wonders of the Industrial World

This movie series looks at some of the most ambitious man-made achievements of the industrial age including the Panama Canal and Brooklyn Bridge.

Timeless

In this incredible series (I love love love this one – have watched it twice now), a historian, a soldier and a programmer embark on a time hopping adventure in pursuit of criminals whose goal is to destroy history (and a certain group).

The Pyramid Code

There is something so beautiful and mysterious about this time in history. Explore the ancients in this series as scientists unlock secrets to the pyramid code!

Secrets of Great British Castles

England has a deep (somewhat dark) history and its castles hold even more secrets. In this series, follow along with historian Dan Jones as he explores the most famous castles and their infamous inhabitants.

Note: The next two films I feel are an important journey for children and teens to learn about. These movies may be suited to older children and teens. Use your own discretion when watching them with children but I do feel they add a lot of value, education and understanding.

Auschwitz: The Nazis and the Final Solution

Like its title suggests this series tackles one of the worst times in recent history, World War II and the holocaust. This series explores Auschwitz, the site of one of the largest mass murders in history. Please use viewing discretion but also weigh the importance of this subject in learning.

First They Killed My Father

I was very excited for this movie to premiere on Netflix. It focuses on the story of a five-year old girl who tries to survive during the rise and reign of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia. I am sad to say that I did not know enough of the events that happened during this time and this really opened my eyes. I cried and it encouraged me to research and learn more.

Movies are a great way to learn and to understand past and present. What are some of your favourite educational films?

Disclosure: I am a #StreamTeam member and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 19, 2017

Trick, Treat or Binge: Top 10 Child Friendly Halloween Flicks #StreamTeam

Halloween is by far my favourite holiday of the year. I begin decorating our house in the middle of September (although my husband makes me wait to decorate the outside until after Thanksgiving weekend) and begin working on crafts with my youngest around the same time.

I love the feeling of Halloween, the spirit, the colours and just the all around fun of the day and the excitement leading up to it. Family adventures to the pumpkin patches and hay rides complete the month!

I completely understand and can appreciate when some children are scared of the holiday. The monsters, ghosts and scary characters can definitely be overwhelming for some children (and adults too!).

Movies are a great way to introduce children to this holiday but you have to be careful about what you choose to let them watch. One scary movie can ruin the whole night for a child, trust me I am still traumatized to this day by Child’s Play. I can not walk out of a room that has porcelain dolls unless I walk out backwards so that I can ensure that doll isn’t going to come to life and attack me.

Here are my top ten child friendly Halloween flicks for you to enjoy before the big night hits:

Hotel Transylvania

The owner of Hotel Transylvania, Dracula, does double duty as an overprotective Father as an unwelcome suitor pays attention to his daughter.

Hotel Transylvania 2

In the second edition of this hilarious cartoon movie, Adam Sandler players the over protective Dracula. His daughter and son-in-law have a baby, Dennis, and Dracula will do anything to prove that his Grandson is a vampire. This hilarious movie is full of monsters and grossness that your child will love.

Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman

In this spooky feature-length film, Alvin, Simon and Theodore stage a production of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and things begin to get creepy!

Casper

A doctor who specializes in ghosts is hired by an heiress to rid a house of ghosts. His daughter befriends a friendly ghost that lives there. This movie is one of my favourite from my own childhood!

Coraline

Curious Coraline unlocks a door in her family’s home and is transported to a new universe that strangely resembles her own but better!

Monster High: Ghouls Rule

After learning that Monsters and Normies used to spend Halloween together, Frankie and her pals rally together the groups for a frightful good time!

Monster House

Three friends uncover the secret behind a scary abandoned house in their neighbourhood that seems to have a personality of its own and eats people!

ParaNorman

When an army of zombies invade a small town, it is up to an odd boy who has a knack for talking to the dead to save the day.

Power Rangers Super Samurai: Trickster Treat

When a Nighlock invades the Power Rangers dreams and turns them into nightmares, the Rangers must figure out what is reality and what is an illusion.

Scooby Doo

In this live action feature, Scooby Doo and the gang journey to Spooky Island, where a magical force has been awakened that could destroy human kind.

While these Halloween flicks are geared for younger children to late childhood, here are some that may be suited for an older child or early teen:

Goosebumps
Monster Trucks
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
R. L Stine’s Mostly Ghostly

What is your favourite Halloween movie of all time?

Disclosure: I am a #StreamTeam member and receive perks with this affiliation. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 18, 2017

My Little Pony: Holiday Hearts DVD Giveaway

Get ready for the holidays with your favourite little pony characters in My Little Pony Friendship is Magic: Holiday Hearts DVD!

About My Little Pony Friendship is Magic: Holiday Hearts

‘Tis the season to celebrate with family and your very best friends – the My Little Ponies!

But you know that no holiday in Equestria is complete without a little adventure. Join Twilight Sparkle, Spike, Pinkie Pie, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Rarity and Fluttershy as they embark on six exciting adventures sure to put you in the holiday spirit!

Gather Around For Six Hearth-Warming Holiday Tales including:

Applebuck Season
Winter Wrap Up
Castle Sweet Castle
Hearthbreakers
A Hearth’s Warming Tail
Not Asking For Trouble

Bonus: Sing-Along

I love the My Little Pony series, I was a huge fan as a child and my love has only grown as I have become a parent and an Aunt (I know – my kids make fun of me because I love movies geared for children more than they do sometimes). These series are excellent for young children as they not only feature some of their favourite characters but they teach excellent life lessons that are crucial for this age group in a fun manner. Not to mention the awesome graphics and plot lines! This DVD does not disappoint at all.

This DVD, which is slightly over two hours long, has been released in North America on October 3rd from Shout! Kids Factory – just in time for you to purchase to add either under the Christmas tree or as an early Christmas surprise to help get your child in the Christmas spirit. You can purchase a copy of this DVD on Amazon or on Shout Factory.

The Giveaway!

Do you have a HUGE My Little Pony fan in your house? Or maybe a niece or nephew that this would be a perfect gift for? My Canadian and American readers can now enter to win one of two DVDs just in time for the holiday season. Please enter via the Rafflecopter form below – good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a DVD copy of this movie. All opinions expressed are my own.

October 3, 2017

Encourage and Celebrate Individuality with Kuu Kuu Harajuku Giveaway

It is so important, especially in the times that we are currently living in, to encourage and support the young girls in our lives to embrace and love themselves. Too often they are told to be and act in a certain manner that differs greatly from their personality and their hopes and dreams. Young girls should be encouraged and celebrated on expressing their personalities, being creative and chasing their dreams – even if that doesn’t fit into the perfect image of what society thinks a young girl should be or dress like.

Gwen Stefani’s animated series Kuu Kuu Harajuku is all about celebrating the power and uniqueness of young girls. The series follows the lives of five young girls, Love, Angel, Music, Baby and G, and their band HJ5. G is the leader of this group of fearless young girls who are ready to take the world by storm through music and fashion. The show’s setting is inspired by the street fashion and creative youth culture of the Harajuku district but takes place in a magical fantasy world. The series follows the girls adventures as they travel around the world performing and getting caught up in adventures that fosters loyalty and friendship.

Young girls can now bring the Kuu Kuu Harajuku world to life with the animated series new fashion doll and doll line from Mattel! Mattel infuses the popular Japanese harajuku fashion with the dolls show imagery, allowing young fans to customize and create their own fashions, interchangeable outfits and accessories. Each of the five band members brings their personality to her fashion, brand and doll. Fans have the opportunity to connect with their favourite character and use their own creativity and imagination to bring the doll’s personality to life.

Kuu Kuu Harajuku teaches us about loyalty, being true to ourselves all while expressing ourselves the way we want to (go ahead and rock that fashion accessory or item regardless of what anyone else says!). Too often girls are taught to only like certain clothes or styles but this series teaches us to love and show off our style with pride!

Two new DVDs featuring a selection of the popular television series are now available for purchase (Music Baby and Super Kawaii). The Music Baby DVD and Super Kawaii DVD can be purchased online at Shout Kids. Each DVD runs roughly from an hour and a half to two hours long.

Series Clip

The Giveaway!

My Canadian and American readers can now enter to win a Kuu Kuu Harajuku prize pack valued at $70 that includes: 1 doll purse, 1 fashion doll, Kuu Kuu Harajuku Music Baby DVD, Kuu Kuu Harajuku Super Kawaii DVD. Enter via the rafflecopter form below – good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received the above prize pack free of charge in order to facilitate this review. All opinions expressed are my own.