TV and Film
Showing posts with label TV and Film. Show all posts

The Beatrix Potter Collection DVD Giveaway

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When I heard that The Beatrix Potter Collection was to be released on DVD I was genuinely excited.   I loved watching Peter Rabbit when I was little and I am hoping little J loves it as much as I do. Its amazing to think that 2016 marks 150 years since the birth of Beatrix Potter. For me she is one of  best children’s authors and has captured imaginations around the world with her beautifully illustrated tales. We were lucky enough to visit Beatrix Potter's home Hilltop a few years ago and if you are a fan I would highly recommend a visit. To walk around the home where all the amazing characters were thought of and drawn is truly special.

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Must See Musicals 10 Film Collection Giveaway

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Ever since I was little I have always loved Musicals. I was brought up with both my Nana and my Mum watching movies such as Gypsy and my all time favourite Calamity Jane. My love of Musicals didn't just stop at watching the movies, I love listening to the soundtracks and watching the stage show versions too. You might have already read that we went to see Calamity Jane and it was amazing.

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DisneyLife Review

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This month we have been trying out a new subscription box called DisneyLife. I first noticed it just before Christmas when it popped up in our local Disney Store. As it was Christmas and a little manic I didn't stop to look what it was. If you haven't heard of DisneyLife let me tell you a little bit about it first.

DisneyLife Review
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Star Wars - The Force Awakens Film Review

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Before I start I do want to say that I am not a huge Star Wars fan. I like Star Wars mainly because John and big J like Star Wars. I play with lightsabers mainly because big J and little J like playing with lightsabers and I don't think I have watched the original trilogy all the way through. I was excited to see the new movie mainly because John and big J were excited to see the movie. However after watching the movie on opening day I do feel the need to write my opinion on probably one of the most anticipated and talked about movie of the year, Star Wars The Force Awakens.

Star Wars - The Force Awakes
I watched the second trilogy first, episodes I, II and III and then I have watched bits of the episodes IV, V and VI over the years. I know the story from playing Star Wars Lego on the xbox with John and big J. I liked the first three episodes and obviously they were more up to date than the original trilogy. Special effects were spot on and Darth Maul was such a great baddie.

In case you are peeking at this with one eye closed scanning for spoilers, there won't be any. I know Star Wars fans who haven't seen the movie yet won't want to know about any secrets, twists and turns so I will just stick to the main points.

When the film started there was a real genuine excited atmosphere in the cinema. As the music started and the yellow scrolling text appeared on the screen telling us about the what has happened I did join in with the excitement. The main storyline was Luke Skywalker is missing. General Leia (No longer known as Princess) is searching for him. A new baddie, Kylo Ren was in charge of the First Order and also searching for Luke - the last remaining Jedi.

Throughout the film as new and old characters were introduced I totally believed each and everyone. The actors and actresses chosen for the parts, for me were spot on. I am a big fan of Girls starring Adam Driver and I wasn't sure how he would be as Kylo Ren but wow I was sold. He looked and played the part brilliantly. At first I thought his character had a Darth Maul feel about him and that maybe he would only be in it for a short time but he was on screen throughout with some really impressive scenes. You see and feel the anger inside him within the first 5 minutes so I knew it was going to be good. Also you see Kylo Ren without his helmet on to which really worked.

Star Wars - The Force Awakes

Finn and Rey reminded me of a young Luke/Han and Leia. Both really great and really stepped up to the mark. Not much was given away about Rey and her past so I am hoping we will find out more about her in future movies. All we know so far that she believes her family will return to her home planet Jakku. She has been alone there for many years, since she was young girl and is surviving by being a scavenger. Finn was brought up as a Stormtrooper but decided to rebel after his first mission. He escaped and found Rey.

BB-8 is the cutest little droid I ever did see. He is adorable and just like R2-D2 can only talk in beeps and other noises. Luckily Rey can understand him perfectly. BB-8 holds the key to Luke's whereabouts in the form of a map that both the resistance and the First Order are eager to get.

When Han and Chewie appeared on the screen I guess for fans it was just like old times. I really like Harrison Ford and considering his age he did pretty well in not looking like an old has been. In fact he had a big part in this movie and with his still dashing good looks and sarcasm he was still the Han Solo the audience loved.

For me Leia was unrecognisable. I know Carrie has aged but she looked so different. There was still chemistry between her and Han and I was a little gutted they didn't make it as a couple over the years.

So without giving to much away Star Wars The Force Awakens was definitely worth the wait. The action scenes were strong, special effects were as expected for 2015 but it still did have an original trilogy vibe. In fact it was more like the original movies than the later. I am sure spoilers will hit the internet soon if not already but I do think sometimes its best to wait and see. I know I am usually the one googling for sneak peeks but with this I didn't and I'm glad. I think even non Star Wars fans will enjoy this movie, I know I did.

Michelle


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Thomas and Friends - The Christmas Engines DVD Review

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Every year we start getting in to the Christmas spirit earlier and earlier. We have a HUGE list of Christmas films to watch and we have a Christmas CD we play in the car. We usually start around 25th November but this year we have already started when we recently watched Thomas and Friends - The Christmas Engines DVD.

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Twirlywoos - There's Somebody At The Door DVD Review

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 When I first saw the Twirlywoos on Cbeebies I knew instantly that little J would love it. Its colourful, fun, cute and educational. However, I didn't expect to like it myself but I do. I think its a great show and I can actually watch a whole episode without thinking ' what is it?' to myself like I have done in the past with other children's programmes.



Twirlywoos features the adventures of four adorable characters, Great Big Hoo, Toodloo, Chickedy Chick and Peekaboo. You can join in there adventures aboard the Great Big Boat.

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DreamWorks - Home

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Last weekend we were lucky to receive preview tickets to see the new Dreamworks movie HOME. I hadn't heard of it until I received the tickets and googled. Big J had already viewed a trailer of the movie and it was on his 'to see' list. 
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What We've Been Watching

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Daddy and I have been making the most of our evenings lately as little J has been falling asleep between 6-7pm. 
We have watched a few films, its been nice to sit and chill for a few hours as usually we are busy and don't seem to find the time.
So what have we been watching. Well we are big fans of Liam Neeson and we watched Taken 2 just around christmas time ready for Taken 3 when it came out on the cinema. 
They are such great films and although the storyline is similar in each film I am always blown away with just how good these films are.
So after Taken's we decided to see what else Liam Neeson was in. Love Actually was first. I love that film and have watched it many times, really enjoyed it even though it was after christmas.
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Project 365 Days 61-67

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Its been a lovely dry week this week so plenty of chances to head out in the garden for some fresh air.
 
61/365 - My week got off to a very good start when I lost albs. I started slimming world the week before and I am really enjoying it. I don't actually feel like I am on a diet and I am amazed with my weight loss. I know when you start dieting you always lose more in the first week but its really motivated me to do good.
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Date Night

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One of my resolutions is to spend more time with Daddy. Obviously I see Daddy every day but I do want to spend more time doing something just for us two. Being a parent is so time consuming and some days you don't have a minute to sit, chill and relax. When we do get to sit and talk we are normally to tired (or well I am) so its cut short.
I love being a Mummy and spending as much time with my two monkeys as possible but I do think its nice to spend time alone with Daddy.
We did manage a few nights out together in December which was nice. We are not big drinkers so a night out on the town isn't for us really. We don't go crazy maybe just a meal or the cinema. For those two hours or so you feel completely relaxed knowing that you don't have to worry about anyone or anything. 
One of our nights out was going to see the Hobbit - The Battle of The Five Armies. We booked our tickets really early to secure our seat at the Odeon in the Gallery. I love the Gallery and if you haven't been - you must. It's not available in every Odeon but if it is in one by you, do give it a try. It does cost slightly more than a usual ticket but the experience is so much more. 
We like to arrive at least 45 minutes before the movie but we got stuck in traffic with everyone christmas shopping so we were running slightly late. We headed up to the gallery which is located on the top floor. When the lift doors open you are greeted by a huge window the length of the cinema looking out over Liverpool. You can sit and relax on the sofa's while enjoying unlimited soft drinks, tea, coffee, nachos, popcorn and chocolates. 
I usually just have a Pepsi Max and Nacho's. I not a big fan of popcorn but Daddy loves it. The seats are so much bigger in the gallery too. You get a double leather sofa to share with speakers in. The Hobbit was in imax so the sound was amazing.
Once we were settled and had our goodies to eat and drink we were ready to watch the film. We are huge Lord of The Rings fans and have been for years. We watch the trilogy every christmas and have seen the Hobbit films as soon as they come on the cinema. 
Anyway the film was amazing and we didn't move for the duration which is probably a first for me because usually I am the one that squeezes past everyone to go the toilet at least twice through a long film. 
After we watched we returned to the gallery and had a chat about the film. Its sad to think that this is the last one. I hope Peter Jackson does something again in the future. 
So thats it, my resolution has been made that more 'Date Nights' are to be had for Daddy and I. We need to make the time and no excuses. 
Do you have 'date nights?' How do you plan them?
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My Christmas Movie List

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I love Christmas so much, its my favourite time of year. Every year I make a Christmas movie list and although we never get round to watching them all. This year I am hoping to get through a few of them. 
This was on my Christmas to do list HERE so I can cross this one off.

1. Love Actually
2. The Holiday
3. Home Alone
4. Home Alone 2
5. While you were sleeping
6. The Family Stone
7. Mickeys Christmas carol
8. The snowman
9. The snowman and the snowdog
10. The family man
11. Serendipity
12. Bridget jones diary
13. Bridget jones diary - the edge of reason
14. Jingle all the way
15. Sleepless in Seattle
16. The polar express
17. The Santa clause
18. The Santa clause 2
19. The Santa clause 3
20. Santa Claus the movie
21. Hobbit
22. Miracle on 34th Street
23. Lord of the rings - the fellowship of the ring
24. Lord of the rings - the two towers
25. Lord of the rings - return of the king
You may notice that Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit have made it on to my list. Now I know they are not very Christmassy but we love to sit and watch the LOTR films back to back once our decorations are up. Strange I know but its become a tradition.
Do you like to watch Christmas movies? Whats your favourite?
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We had a DVD weekend with Fireman Sam and Q Pootle 5

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Little J likes to watch TV and is starting to have a few firm favourites. He won't sit and watch a programme from start to finish just yet but he is certainly starting to enjoy it. He will glance over every now and then and if there is something in particular he likes then he will sit and stare whilst fiddling with a toy in his hand, but not for to long before he's off playing.
I usually find myself still watching children's programmes even when he's not around. 
We have recently been watching two DVDs which were sent for little J.
Fireman Sam - Ocean Rescue

I am a fan of Fireman Sam myself. We have been watching him for years since big J was little and it's nice to see Fireman Sam has stood the test of time and is still a favourite of little ones. I have to say we really enjoyed this. Little J has watched Fireman Sam before and he seems to like it. I thought the episodes were really good. I loved the fact they were on the ocean and I have been looking at the range of toys to go with this.
New coastguard Ben works alongside the Rescue Team to keep everyone safe with heroics on the high seas. Mike takes on the choppy seas alone as he attempts to set up some fireworks but they accidentally all go off at once. Meanwhile Norman and Mandy row out to sea in search of a rare turtle. Its not long before they are lost and the waves keep getting bigger. Will Fireman Sam be able to find them before disaster strikes? Find out all this and more in this collection of new, daring Ocean Rescues.
The DVD features six episodes 
All at Sea
Whale Watch
The Pontypandy Cup 
Turtle Hunt
The Treasure Trap
Stage Fright
running time is 70 mins approx.
Q Pootle 5 - The Great Space Race and other adventures

If I am honest I hadn't heard of Q Pootle 5 before which i'm shocked at really because as you may already know we are huge fans of cBeebies. I was eager to give the DVD a try because after watching the trailer ( which you can below) it looked great. Again little J seemed to really enjoy it. We watched two episodes over the weekend and its a really cute show.

Join Q Pootle 5 and his friends in 13 of your favourite episodes
The Great Space Race
Pootle's House Guest
Groobie's Spacewash
A day with Ray
The Biggest Picture Ever
Maurice
Rocket Bird Oopsy
Flower Power
Hitting The High Note
The Singing Valley
Runaway Rocket
Eddi's Hat
It Came From Outer Space\
Also includes extras

Okidoki Karaoke
The Making of Q Pootle 5

So both DVD's got big thumbs up from us here and I am sure they will stay in our dvd collection as little J gets older.
*we were sent the dvd's for review purposes. All opinions are our own*
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Lena Dunham - Girls

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A few weeks ago I didn't feel to good, well it was just a cough and cold but it took me out. I was really bad with it and it lasted almost a week which is really rare for me. I usually just have it for a day or two and still able to do my normal things, this wiped me out completely.
 
I looked after little J as normal during the day which was okay although he had his usual appointments so I just made sure I had lots of tissues with me. When Daddy came home he took over and I was able to go to bed. I just couldn't sleep, which didn't help me get better. Instead I was flicking through some TV Shows and I couldn't believe it when I realised the third season of GIRLS was out. 
 
I'm not quite sure how I came about watching GIRLS I think I had read an article about it when it had just premiered on HBO in America.
 
I watched the very first episode and I was hooked. It is such a great programme and I can relate with all the GIRLS in different ways.
 
If you have never seen it, GIRLS was created by Lena Dunham who also stars in the show. It follows the lives of four friends in their twenties living in New York City.
 
It reminds me of Sex in the City but more realistic and genuine. 
 
Anyway so I wasn't feeling well and found season 3 of GIRLS to watch. Now all parents will know it is hard to get a few minutes to yourself and it normally takes me a long time to get through a series of a TV programme but once I started watching it I couldn't stop. Although I felt like rubbish I was enjoying my chill time and I watched a whole season in less than a day. I really enjoyed it and I'm gutted I have to wait till next year for season four. 

Do you watch GIRLS?

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