By Kelly, on January 20th, 2012%
My mom, my daughter, and I went to see Beauty and the Beast today. In true Disney tradition, it was magical! Despite the fact that I’ve seen the movie a gazillion times, it was magical to see it in the theater and in 3D. The familiar scenes were beautiful in three dimensions and theater projection size. . . . → Read More: Movie Review: Beauty and the Beast in 3D – Three Generations Loved It!
By Kelly, on December 12th, 2011%
Shave your legs.
Pop some popcorn.
Curl up on the couch with the guy you love.
Watch “Friends with Benefits”.
Fade to blurry scene…
I missed this movie when it came out in July in theaters, but it’s okay because this is THE perfect movie to watch at home . . . → Read More: DVD Movie Review: Friends with Benefits – Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis #CBias #CouchCritics
By Kelly, on November 2nd, 2011%
 The Tuneables “I Love Music!” DVD is “smart” music! It teaches children the fundamentals of music while they have fun singing and dancing. A story is woven between the songs that grabbed Rosie’s attention and held her through the entire 30 minute DVD. Sorry I’m so excited about this one that I’m jumping ahead.
The Tuneables DVD is sponsored by the Music Intelligence Project, which is dedicated to understanding that music learning is beneficial to young children and is most effective when begun at an early age. The Music Intelligence Project brought together musicians, educators, researchers and creative professionals to create products to educate children in music. I think from reading their website that The Tuneables is their first product development effort and I look forward to seeing more!
Also included in the set is a CD, “The Music Box”, a companion CD that reinforces the curriculum in the DVD.
The Tuneables “I Love Music!” DVD is:
- engaging – the use of animated characters and real children engages the viewer
- interactive – this is definitely not a “sit on the couch” and watch DVD. Children will be up and moving!
- entertaining – the story and short songs kept Rose laughing and singing
- educational – it teaches the fundamentals of music like rhythm, beat, tonal patterns, voice flexibility
- fun!
My Take
The animation on The Tuneables DVD is high quality with beautiful colors and detailed scenes. The characters are drawn quite well with many shades giving dimension. Real children are mixed in along with the animation which Rosie loved. It gives a feel of playing with other kids for my only child :)
I’ve found there are “sweet spots” in children’s entertainment – a balance of educational value and entertainment. Things that teach but are still entertaining. Also a balance of adult tone and children’s tone. Things that children like but that don’t drive adults crazy. The Tuneables, I Love Music! hits both “sweet spots” – it is educational AND entertaining; can be enjoyed by children without driving mom crazy.
The Tuneables DVD is a high quality product from start to finish. Even the case of the DVD/CD is attractive, interesting, and full of information. I highly recommend The Tuneables! The material gives a recommended age range of 3 to 8. Rosie is almost 6 and she loved it. Her favorite part was “The Funny Song” – a song that used glasses partly filled with water to make different notes when tapped. We got glasses and water out and did it together with the DVD and it was fun for both of us! Fun!
One lucky reader is going to win a Tuneables DVD/CD of their own! Yay! Enter in the Rafflecopter form below.
Continue reading Children’s Review and Giveaway: The Tuneables “I Love Music!” 2-Disk Set DVD/CD
By Kelly, on November 1st, 2011%
 About the Story
Want to watch the movie, Thomas Kinkade presents “Christmas Lodge” with me? Usually I watch a DVD and then write the review but this time I’m going to write as I go! Might be fun!
The first thing I noticed about this movie is the visually stunning photography. It opens with great shots of woods and water. The main character is Mary (Erin Karpluck) and I could identify with her feelings for the outdoors. She heads to the mountains to rejuvenate from her hectic job and life in the city. Her boyfriend, Kent (sssss) is a “city guy” that her brothers call “fancy pants”. But when Mary asks him if this country/city difference is going to cause a rift between them he says “of course not”. But I’m sensing a mismatch! Not as much as Kim and Kris (did you hear about that? Yikes only 72 days. Coincidence, I just watched their wedding show – it was a show! – and they didn’t even sit together at the rehearsal dinner because they were fighting. Okay, back to the movie!)
Uh oh, a cute little girl stranded in the woods that Mary rescues has a cute big dad! And the dad, Jack, and Mary seem to instantly have more in common than Mary and Kent do. I’m guessing cute-little-girl doesn’t have a mom and boy-loses-girl-to-better-match is coming! Oh, now we find out what “Christmas Lodge” is! Mary and her family visited Christmas Lodge when she was a child. Jack’s family owned Christmas Lodge and he is trying to renovate it and reclaim it from abandonment. Mary starts dreaming of renovating the lodge and getting her own family back together to celebrate one last Christmas there. Her grandfather’s health is failing and it might be his last chance to return for a Christmas celebration.
Well I don’t want to spoil the movie for you and tell any more of the plot!
My Take
This is a beautiful movie about family, faith, and how they can help bring you through difficult times. The theme of time marching on and causing change and loss is universal. To watch a close family, strong in their faith, struggle and come out the other side is inspirational. If you like Hallmark-Channel-type movies (they actually use the word “courting” and mean it) and you’re looking for something to watch this Christmas , I highly recommend Christmas Lodge and predict it will become a classic! I know I plan on watching it every Christmas and probably a few times in between *wink*.
About Thomas Kinkade
From ThomasKinkade.com, “There is no greater testament to Thom’s mission that art be accessible for everyone to enjoy than the millions of Kinkade images that grace the walls of homes across America and around the world. Through a myriad of genres, Thom’s ability to present his subject in an idyllic setting inspires the viewer to imagine the world full of beauty, intrigue, and adventure.
After attending UC Berkeley and working as an artist in the film industry, Thom began publishing his images so that he could share his passion for beauty and art. Since that day over 25 years ago, Thom has painted over 1,000 masterworks covering topics that include, cabin and nature scenes, beautiful gardens, classic cottages, sports, inspirational content, lighthouses and powerful seascapes, impressionists, and classic Americana. Hidden in his paintings are messages that speak to Thom’s inspiration for each image. Whether including the initials of family members, hiding Disney characters, or imbedding hearts for special occasions and loved ones, each image contain treasures that add to their mystique.
Thom is also a prolific author and speaker. He has authored or has been the subject of over 140 books. He is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author.
Thom has won numerous awards and has been prolific in his charity work raising millions for various charities.
Thom continues to create inspiring, moving, and compelling art adding to a life’s work that is a testament to the confluence of passion, talent, and creativity with which Thom has been blessed. We trust his images will move you as profoundly as we are moved everyday by images that capture the imagination and move the soul.”
Trailer
Trailer: http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1554553881/
Giveaway!
Enter below in the Rafflecopter form to win your own copy of, Thomas Kinkade presents “Christmas Lodge”. Hint: this would make a great Christmas gift for parents or grandparents.
Continue reading Movie Review and Giveaway: DVD, Thomas Kinkade Presents “Christmas Lodge” – US and Canada
By Kelly, on October 3rd, 2011%
This weekend I saw two movies, Contagion and Dolphin Tale. Sean and I went on Friday and I choose Contagion because I thought it would be something he would like – drama and suspense. Rosie and I went on Sunday and saw Dolphin Tale. Rosie had read the book and has a plush toy of Winter, . . . → Read More: Movie Battle Monday: Contagion versus Dolphin Tale
By Kelly, on September 15th, 2011%
Wow. I just finished watching “The Shunning”, another great movie based on the books of New York Times Bestselling author, Beverly Lewis. I don’t know if it’s because adoption is such a personal issue for me, or if I’m just generally a fan of Hallmark Channel movies, but whew, this one hit me in the heart! Directed by Michael Landon, Jr. and starring Danielle Panabaker, “The Shunning” tells the story of Katie Lapp, a young Amish woman who begins to question her faith just as she begins to learn the secrets of her birth.
As an adoptive mom, I’m always personally tied to stories of children who are contacted by their birth parents, and their feelings surrounding their adoption. In this story, Katie, didn’t know she was adopted until just before her marriage to a leader of their Amish community. It turns her world upside down and when she breaks the rules of her faith, she is shunned by the people she has loved her whole life.
 Danielle Panabaker and Sandra Van Natta, starring in "The Shunning" Danielle Panabaker plays the role of Katie with tenderness and feeling. Watching the movie, you feel her pain of not knowing who you are, where you belong, and who to trust. Katie’s adoptive mom is played by Sandra Van Natta and she also strongly portrays the mother’s struggle of wanting the best for her daughter but also wanting to respect her husband and her church. Sherry Stringfield (ER) plays Katie’s birth mother who desperately wants to meet the daughter she gave up 20 years before.
My favorite scenes were those between Katie and Ella Mae (Nancy Saunders), the “Baby Catcher” of the community. Ella Mae was present for the birth of every baby in their Amish town, except for that of Katie Lapp. When an “Englisher” comes searching for a mother and child, Ella Mae has a good idea of what is going on. She helps Katie sort out the pieces of her life and tells her, “No matter where God puts us, it’s up to us how we choose to live.” That was my favorite line in the movie.
For more information about the movie:
About Author, Beverly Lewis
Beverly Lewis, born in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country, is The New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty books. Her stories have been published in eleven languages worldwide. A keen interest in her mother’s Plain heritage has inspired Lewis to write many Amish-related novels, beginning with “The Shunning,” which has sold more than one million copies. In 2007, Lewis’ “The Brethren” was honored with a Christy Award.Lewis has been interviewed by both national and international media, including Time magazine, the Associated Press, and the BBC. Lewis lives with her husband, David, in Colorado.
I’m so happy to say that I can also giveaway a copy of the DVD, “The Shunning” to one lucky KLY reader! Please enter below in the Rafflecopter form and enjoy this wonderful film.
Continue reading Movie Thursday – Review and #Giveaway of “The Shunning” from NYT Bestselling Author, Beverly Lewis
By Kelly, on September 15th, 2011%
Just in time for Halloween, Disney is releasing, “Spooky Buddies”! Those adorable puppies that you saw in Santa Buddies, Snow Buddies and more, are coming back in a not-so-scary Halloween treat. The DVD release is hitting shelves on Tuesday, September 20th. Win your own copy by entering the KLY giveaway in the Rafflecopter form below.
Disney describes it as: “It’s Halloween, and Disney’s irresistible talking puppies are back in an all-new movie that takes them far across town to a mysterious mansion where something very spooky is going on. With the help of some unexpected new friends – including a friendly ghost, this trick-or-treat adventure is howling-good Buddy fun. In a race against the Howlloween Hound, the Buddies and their new friends, Pip, Zelda, Rodney and Skip must stop Warlock the Magician — and save the world from his dastardly deeds.”
We can’t wait to see it! Perfect for the whole family, start poppin’ that popcorn!
Continue reading Movie Thursday – Disney’s Spooky Buddies #Giveaway (US and Canada)
By Kelly, on August 30th, 2011%
P & G and Walmart are bringing us another Family Movie Night, premiering Saturday, September 3 on NBC at 8pm ET/7pm CT. The movie, Game Time: Tackling the Past, is my favorite of all the Family Movie Nights so far. I love sports movies and this one managed to capture the excitement of the “Big Game” . . . → Read More: Movie Review: “Game Time: Tackling the Past” starring Catherine Hicks
By Kelly, on August 16th, 2011%
A new movie is being released on DVD August 16th and you can win a copy!
The Grace Card stars Michael Joiner, Michael Higgenbottom and Louis Gossett Jr. Michael Joiner plays Mac, the head of a troubled family. His wife and son are excellently portrayed by Joy Moore and Rob Erickson, both new to movies but very . . . → Read More: Movie (DVD) Review: The Grace Card and #Giveaway
By Kelly, on July 2nd, 2011%
What It’s About
Grace Bennett (played by Selena Gomez) has been saving for years to take a dream trip to Paris after high school graduation. She wants to become someone else, somewhere else. Growing up in a small Texas town, she wants to experience more of life on a grand scale. Her older friend, Emma (played by . . . → Read More: Movie Review: Monte Carlo, Starring Selena Gomez
|
welcome Welcome to Kelly's Lucky You!
This is a place where we share things that make us feel lucky! For me, that's family and friends, winning contests, giveaways, bargains and a lot of fun! Is today your lucky day?
|
giveaways Blog giveaways are easy to enter and the odds are awesome!
Here are just some of the prizes, KLY readers have won:
StinkyKids Doll and Book
JumpStart.com
Hallmark Jingle Pup and Storybook
Teach My - Fun and Educational Kits
Sound+Sleep Machine
Fogless Shower Mirror
Sears Craftsman Lithium Ion Headphones
Kokopax Premium Baby Carrier
Air Picks
Book: The Christmas Shoppe
Children's Music: Big Bully
Wet Ones Survival Kit
Choice of Lalaloopsy or Lego Set
Nintendo DS Games - Squinkies and Zhu Zhu Babies Games from Activision
The only giveaway for the month of January is the Ross Vote giveaway but stay tuned... there are some great ones planned for February!
|
what you're saying