Giveaway: The Lego Movie on Blu-ray

I've got some awesome news for LEGO fans: the Blu-Ray of The Lego Movie will be available to purchase on Blu-ray starting tomorrow!  To celebrate the release of the Blu-Ray, you can make your own LEGO GIF video via The LEGO Movie App:
• Move your mouse across the GIFs to control the action and play "EVERYTHING IS AWESOME" at the same time to really get crazy with it!
• Press the "record" button and make a mini 6 second LEGO GIF video that can be shared to Twitter and Facebook. Videos instantly get posted to YouTube for everybody to enjoy!

Here's the GIF movie that I created! It's super easy, just move your mouse across the app screen to get the animation going.  Your mini-movie will save to a LEGO Gif creations YouTube account, so you don't have to use your own YouTube account.  Then you can share it via Facebook or Twitter!

Want to create your own? Here's the app!

Win a copy of The Lego Movie on Blu-ray

One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive The Lego Movie on Blu-Ray

Required Entry

Create a 6-second GIF video using the Everything Is Awesome blog app, and leave a comment on this post with the link to your video.

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For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

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I entered the Lego Movie  giveaway! Giveaway ends 6/30 at http://ow.ly/y6Fnh

6) Tweet this once per day (1 entry per day)

Enter to win a copy of The Lego Movie on Blu-Ray! Giveaway on @bonggafinds ends 6/30 http://ow.ly/y6Fnh

7) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for every giveaway you join)


The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on June 30,  2014; I will draw a winner at random, on July 1 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. Each household is only eligible to win The Lego Movie Blu-Ray via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. For additional giveaway rules, click here.


Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post.  Product information (in italics) and giveaway prize is provided by Warner Bros Home Entertainment. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Disneynature's new film, "Bears" opens Earth Day, April 18

When my family is at a Disney park, we mean business. Every minute is precious, so there aren't many things that can entice my kids away from enjoying the rides and attractions.

Apparently, a movie is one of them. Well, not just any movie: a special preview of Disneynature's new movie, Bears. It opens this weekend, April 18, but we got to see it ahead of schedule as part of last weekend's Disney Social Media Moms Celebration.

I was actually surprised that the kids said they wanted to watch the movie. I thought they would prefer to spend time in the parks, and watch the movie along with the rest of the country. I guess I underestimated the magic of a Disneynature film! We've watched almost every Disneynature film since Earth opened in 2007. The cinematography is gorgeous, and there's no better way to celebrate Earth Day than by learning more about our planet and the creatures that live in it.

In a nutshell, Bears tells the story of a mama bear, Sky, and her two cubs, Scout and Amber, in the cubs' first year of life. I don't want to get into the details of the plot or the characters because I don't want to spoil the surprises. I will, however, reveal the biggest surprise of all: how much I enjoyed the movie.

Bears is so much more than a beautiful documentary of bears and other creatures in the Alaskan wilderness. Disney has woven their usual magic and turned these animals into characters with a story and a purpose. I didn't think I would relate to a real life bear, but I found that I could totally relate to Sky. She's a parent who would do anything and suffer anything for her children. Sky could totally be one of my besties (or should I say beasties)!Some of the interactions between mom and cubs were downright human-like! So were some of the mannerisms and expressions that the film crew managed to capture. They did a wonderful job with this movie and I highly recommend it.

Trust me, if my kids deemed Bears worthy of missing a ride on the Tower of Terror and California Screaming, you can bet it's a great movie.

About the movie
In an epic story of breathtaking scale, Disneynature’s new True Life Adventure “Bears” showcases a year in the life of a bear family as two impressionable young cubs are taught life’s most important lessons. Set against a majestic Alaskan backdrop teeming with life, their journey begins as winter comes to an end and the bears emerge from hibernation to face the bitter cold. The world outside is exciting—but risky—as the cubs’ playful descent down the mountain carries with it a looming threat of avalanches. As the season changes from spring to summer, the brown bears must work hard to find food—ultimately feasting at a plentiful salmon run—while staying safe from rival male bears and predators, including an ever-present wolf pack. “Bears” captures the fast-moving action and suspense of life in one of the planet’s last great wildernesses—Alaska! Directed by Alastair Fothergill (“Earth,” “African Cats” and “Chimpanzee”) and Keith Scholey (“African Cats”), “Bears” arrives in theaters April 18, 2014, to celebrate Earth Day.

Help Disneynature donate to the National Park Foundation
For everyone who sees Disneynature's Bears on opening week (April 18-24, 2014), Disneynature will contribute $0.20 per ticket, to the National Park Foundation through the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund to protect wildlife and wild places, with a minimum of $100,000.

Win an Adventures By Disney trip to Yellowstone
Disney is giving your family the chance to take your own incredible journey through Wyoming’s great “wide open,” including Yellowstone National Park! Discover more about the 7 Day/6 Night vacation at http://nature.disney.com/bears/sweepstakes and enter for your chance to win!



Photo Credit: all photos courtesy of Josh Hallett

Disclosure: I was invited to attend the 2014 Disney Social Media Moms Celebration which included an advanced screening of the movie Bears. The conference fee I paid included discounted lodging and park tickets for me and my family. I was not asked or required to blog about the conference or any of its sponsors. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Giveaway: Single Moms Club releases in theaters March 14 (and a giveaway for you!)

I participated in an Influencer Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting(#MC) for Lionsgate. I received promotional item and a prize pack as a thank you for my participation

Whether you're a working mom or a stay-at-home mom or a part-time-working mom, one thing that every mom can agree on is that motherhood is a tough job.  It's the best job, but it's tough.  And having a partner does make it easier.  That's why I think single moms deserve an extra halo -- and I don't think anyone would disagree!  When single moms have a bad day, they can't lie on the sofa and let someone else plan dinner.  When their child has a nightmare or wakes up and throws up all over the sheets, a single mom can't roll over and pretend to be asleep so someone else can take care of it.  When their child misbehaves, a single mom has to be the bad cop and the one their child hates.

I get a taste of single motherhood now and then when Alfie has to work late or work on the weekends.  Some of my married friends get a taste of single motherhood when their spouses have to travel for weeks on end.  But in our cases, the situation is temporary.  We know it has an end.  Single moms don't get that.  They don't get a break. They don't get a backup.

Yes, single moms deserve a shout out and a pat on the back.  Single moms deserve friends and family to take a bit of the load now and then.  At the very least, they deserve a shout out and a pat on the back -- and I'm very glad that the Single Moms Club, Tyler Perry's new movie, is coming out soon so people can see the challenges that single moms face,  in a funny, cheeky, yet touching way.  If you have a friend who's a single mom, gather a group of friends to chip in for a babysitter, then take her out for a girl's night out to see the movie!  There's no better way to let her know you care and want to ease her load, even for a little while.

About the movie
This spring, grab your girlfriends, find a sitter, and prepare for a ladies night out for a break from kids and responsibilities. On March 14th, Lionsgate releases The Single Moms Club, a story of five struggling single Moms who put aside their differences in the midst of a school dilemma with their kids to form a support group. Throughout their journey, the five women find inspiration and laughter in their new sisterhood and help each other overcome the obstacles that stand in their way.

This feel-good movie, directed by and starring Tyler Perry as well as Amy Smart, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Zulay Henao, Cocoa Brown, and Nia Long, reminds us of the incredible bond women form in friendships and promises to leave us smiling after it ends. 

Check out the movie trailer below:

Win a Single Moms Club prize pack
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will receive a movie prize pack that includes:

1 Vino2Go cup
1 Grocery Tote
1 Nail File with a back mirror
1 Chocolate Bar
1 Hand Wipe Pack
1 Film poster.

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Leave a comment on this post and share the most characteristic you look for in a friend.

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I entered the Single Moms Club giveaway! http://ow.ly/u8XMd #MC #SingleMomsClub

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Enter to win a #SingleMomsClub movie gift pack! Giveaway ends 3/10/14 on @bonggafinds: http://ow.ly/u8XMd #MC #sponsored

7) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry per giveaway you've joined)

The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on March 10, 2014; I will draw a winner at random on March 11 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.



Disclosure: I participated in an Influencer Program on behalf of Mom Central Consulting(#MC) for Lionsgate. I received promotional item and a prize pack as a thank you for my participationThe views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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That Awkward Moment giveaway

Have you ever had an awkward moment?  Zac Efron's new movie, That Awkward Moment, is full of them -- and since it's not happening to you or me, I have a feeling it's going to be a funny movie to watch!  My favorite one is where Zac's character goes to a costume party wearing a, um, rubber model of a certain part of the male anatomy.  Check out his awkward moment at 2:12 into the trailer below!



That Awkward Moment opens in theaters tomorrow, January 31.

Win a pair of That Awkward Moment shorts
Do you have an awkward moment to share?  Two winners will receive a pair of That Awkward Moment gym shorts!

Required Entry

Leave a comment on this post and share an awkward moment you've experienced.

Extra Entries

For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).

1) Follow bonggamom on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Pin this giveaway on any of your Pinterest boards (1 entry -- you can use the "Pin It" button at the bottom of this page!).

5) "Like" Bonggamom Finds on Facebook and write this on my wall (1 entry):

I entered the That Awkward Moment giveaway! http://ow.ly/t8ivv  #thatawkwardmoment #rockon

6) Tweet this (1 entry per day)

Enter to win That Awkward Moment swag: a pair of gym shorts!  Ends 2/10/14 @bonggafinds: http://ow.ly/t8ivv  #thatawkwardmoment #rockon

7) Join any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry per giveaway you've joined)

The Rules

This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on Feb 10, 2014; I will draw a winner at random on Feb 11 and post their name after they confirm acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here.

Disclosure: I received a prize pack as a thank-you for hosting this giveaway, and a second prize pack to give away. The views and opinions expressed here are my own. 

Disclosure: I received a pair of gym shorts for this post. Giveaway prize was provided by ThinkJam on behalf of That Awkward Moment. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Ten Reasons you should watch FROZEN

Walt Disney Animation's latest feature, Frozen, is now out in theaters, and I'm sure many parents are wondering whether they should take their kids to see the movie or wait till it comes out on DVD.  Despite all the Disney movies I've already seen this year (Oz, Monsters U, Planes, Thor), I say WATCH IT in theaters.  It's a must-see!  I've already seen it several times and I've already decided to buy the DVD!  Frozen is an adorable movie, and here are ten reasons you should see it this holiday season:

10) There's no better movie to watch during the holidays than one set in a land of ice and snow!

9) Speaking of ice and snow, the snow and ice animation is amazing.  I could stare at the details in Elsa's ice palace for hours, and I was mesmerized by the snowflakes that swirled around the screen throughout the closing credits (tip: I watched both the 3D and the regular version of Frozen, and the snowflakes look WAAY BETTER in 3D!)

8) I've never been a big fan of the original Snow Queen story, and I love how Disney has taken the characters from Han Christian Andersen's fairy tale and woven their own story.

7) You will never guess how the movie ends!  I had to revise my predictions constantly throughout the movie, and I still got it wrong.  When a kids' movie can surprise all the jaded, sophisticated grownups in the theater, you know it's a good one.

6) You'll get a kick out of hearing Anna -- a princess in a far-away, fairytale land -- use contemporary expressions like "For the first time in forever" and "Awkwaaaaard!".

5) The fun begins even before the movie starts, with a cute black-and-white Mickey cartoon that ends in glorious color.  And just when you think the movie is over, you get to enjoy a disclaimer and short clip that will make you laugh -- so make sure you stay through all the credits!

4) I thought Disney's golden age of animated musicals (Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin) was over and gone, but I've found myself humming the songs from Frozen almost every day since I watched the movie!

3) Of course, Idina Menzel (voice of Elsa; she's the original Elphaba in Wicked) could sing the phone book, and everyone would be enthralled.  Her duets with Kristen Bell (voice of Anna, I had no idea she could sing!) are amazing. I can totally see Frozen being turned into a Broadway musical!

2) I'm a sucker for a movie where princesses take the reins and save the day instead of leaving things up to the men.

1) I'm a sucker for a movie where love conquers all.




Disclosure: I received complimentary admission to an advanced screening of Frozen.  All subsequent viewings of the movie (and there have already been several!) are at my own expense. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Emotions and spirits soar in Disney's Planes movie

If you haven't watched Disney's new animated movie, Planes, yet, I suggest you fly over to the nearest movie theatre and buy a ticket.  Sure, you could wait for the DVD, but you really shouldn't -- director Klay Hall has given viewers a unique look into the world above Cars that you just can't replicate at home, even in the best of home theater systems.  The camera is constantly swooping, diving, soaring and spinning along with its main characters -- at times it's so much like a 3D ride that motion-sickness prone viewers might even have to look away from the screen at times!  (I certainly had to!).

The storyline of Planes takes you on quite a ride.  After the first few minutes of the movie, I thought I had it all figured out -- small-town plane takes the big racing world by storm.  In fact, to an adult, the plot might seem far fetched (Might? Try will!).  How did Dusty the crop duster manage to qualify for the Wings Around the World race?  If he was so fast, why did his friends from middle-of-nowhere Propwash Junction make fun of him?  Surely he was already lightning fast, a natural prodigy?  Surely he couldn't have become a world-class flier in just a few months?  Ridiculous -- to everyone except a kid.  None of my kids ever questioned it!

More importantly, as the movie progressed, I realized that the underdog story wasn't really the point of the story, it wasn't what pulled my emotional strings.  No, what made me begin to cheer for Dusty was his compassion, his willingness to help friends (and strangers) in need, and his attitude that good sportsmanship is more important than winning. And what finally won me over was seeing how his acts of kindness were repaid to him when he was at his lowest.

Do I recommend this movie?  Absolutely.  Is it worth a second look?  Yes!  Even after you already know the story, there is so much to entertain you, no matter what your age.  Kids, of course, can enjoy the story countless times.  Adults will enjoy the jokes (especially anything to do with El Chu, the lovesick Lucha-Libre racer).  They will enjoy the cameos (even though I was disappointed that none -- zero, zip, zilch -- of the characters from Cars made an appearance!).  My favorite cameos were Anthony Edwards and Val Kilmer as Echo and Bravo the fighter jets (oldies like me who remember Top Gun will love the fact that Iceman and Goose are back in the skies!).  And they will enjoy searching for the many plane shapes littered throughout the movie.

Some shapes are easy to spot, like Skipper's airplane-shaped hangar.

Others are more subtle, like the plane-shaped rock formations in the canyon where Dusty and Ripslinger made their final sprint to the finish line.  In fact, I wasn't able to spot any of them the first time I watched the movie!  I had to ask director Klay Hall for some help.  He gave me three clues on where to look, so the second time I watched Planes, I was ready!  Since I already knew the story, I had time to look around, and I even spotted a few other plane-themed shapes that Klay hadn't pointed out!

Here are the plane-themed shapes I was able to find (I'm sure there are more):
* Propwash Junction -- landing strip shaped like airplanes
* Propwash Junction -- mountains shaped like airplanes
* New York -- Statue of Liberty shaped like a forklift
* Iceland -- ice formations shaped like airplanes
* Nepal -- jungle foliage shaped like a jet engine
* India -- seagulls shaped like airplanes
* India -- tops of the Taj Mahal shaped like radar towers
* China -- Chinese lanterns shaped like hot air balloons

Can you spot them all?  Can you spot any more?  It will probably take a few viewings of the movie to see them all!  But that's okay, I'm sure your little one won't mind watching Disney's Planes again and again and again and again....  

Disclosure: I was invited to an advanced screening of Disney's Planes. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Monsters University now in theatres!

It's June 21, summer is officially here -- and what better way to kick it off than by watching Monsters University!  Over 12 years after the original movie, Monsters Inc, made its debut, Disney Pixar is releasing the prequel movie (the first time it has ever made a prequel!) so fans can find out how best buds Mike and Sulley ended up at Monstropolis' top scaring company.

I was invited to an advanced screening of the movie so I've had a bit of time to digest its contents, mull it over.... and head right back into the movie theatre to watch it again!  Yes, it was that much fun.  It was great to see how Mike and Sulley became best friends despite starting out as rivals in their Monsters U. days.

In fact (Plot description follows! You've been warned!), it's their rivalry that gets them kicked out of the Monsters University Scaring Program, the program Mike has dreamed of entering since he was a little kid.  Desperate to avoid settling for the mind-numbingly boring Scare Can Design major, Mike strikes a bargain with Dean Hardscrabble, the Scare School dean -- if he and his Oozma Kappa fraternity brothers can win the annual Scare Games, she has to readmit him into the Scare Program.... but if they don't win, Mike is out of not just the Scare Program but Monsters University.  Mike is forced to team up with Sulley and turn a team of misfits (think Revenge of the Nerds, monster style!) into winners.  It's a plot made in movie heaven -- but Disney Pixar isn't known for being predictable, so watch out for a twist at the end!

Monsters University, like every Disney Pixar movie, is as much fun for adults as it is for kids, because of all the "inside" jokes that are peppered throughout the movie to amuse and delight the grownups.  The movie does a great job of "monsterrizing" the whole college experience, from freshman initiation to  club recruitment to rush week to cheerleaders to frat initiations (don't worry parents, no scary stuff!) to cafeteria food to pranks, professors and parties.  And as always, there are plenty of visual details to enjoy, if you're sharp enough to spot them (one more reason why it's fun to watch more than once!).  Here are some:

* The titles of the college textbooks in the library
* Characters from Monsters Inc (Roz, the Abominable Snowman, Henry J. Waternoose III and Randall Boggs)
* The flyers posted on the campus billboards (you'll see them close-up as the credits roll)
* The extra scene after the very last credit has come up on screen and disappeared.


There are just a few things about the movie that disappointed me:

* The animated short that played before the movie, The Blue Umbrella, was beautifully rendered, but the plot was too similar to the Academy Award-winning short film Paperman, which showed before Wreck-It Ralph.

* I wish there had been a bit more in the movie about Sulley's relationship with his dad, who was a famous scarer -- for example, he could have had a marble bust dedicated to him in the College of Scaring, or his portrait could have been in the Scare Hall of the Roar Omega Roar frat house.

* I wish (Major Plot spoiler follows!!!!) Dean Hardscrabble had given Mike and Sulley a second chance.

Despite those misgivings, I loved the movie and will probably buy it when it comes out on DVD.

Here's a fun trailer of Monsters University you should watch -- and I do mean you should watch it, because it has a few scenes that aren't in the movie!



Disclosure: I  received a pair of passes to an advanced screening of Monsters University.. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Disney Channel's "Teen Beach Movie" premieres July 19

Let's face it, it wouldn't be summer without a day at the beach, a night at the movies, and a summer romance -- or better yet, all three!  Disney has done just that with their latest tv movie, Teen Beach Movie, which premieres July 19, 2013 (8:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel.  Disney Channel sent us  a load of beach-themed goodies so we could throw ourselves a beach party while watchingTeen Beach Movie on tv, and we're already getting into the beach party spirit!  Check it out (the amazing photo edits are courtesy of The Pea!):

Jammy has his tub of popcorn all ready in his hand, along with a beach ball to throw into the crowd!

The Pea is feelin' groovy with her new sixties beehive 'do!

3Po is ready to surf the waves with the rest of the Teen Beach Movie surfers!

Teen Beach Movie channels the spirit of classic teen romance and beach movies like Grease, Gidget, Beach Blanket Bingo and West Side Story.... especially West Side Story.  In fact, the two main characters, Brady and McKenzie, actually find themselves magically swept into a beach party movie with pretty much the same plot as West Side Story, except it's set on a beach -- so it's "Wet Side Story", get it? -- and the rival gangs are the Surfers and the Bikers instead of the Jets and the Sharks.  It's a fun family flick that's sure to get everyone shimmying and shaking, so don't miss it!

About the movie
"Teen Beach Movie" follows teen surfing sweethearts Brady and McKenzie who together ride the last wave of summer, one that mysteriously takes them into a classic beach party movie, “Wet Side Story.”  There, it's surfers versus bikers for control of the beach hangout…and everyone spontaneously breaks into song and dance. Now, Brady and McKenzie must try to return to present day, but their lives may be changed forever when they inadvertently alter the movie's romantic storyline when handsome surfer Tanner falls for McKenzie and biker girl Lela starts swooning for Brady.

"Teen Beach Movie" will premiere July 19, 2013 (8:00 p.m. ET/PT) on Disney Channel. Find out more on the Disney Channel website -- and don't forget to follow @DisneyChannelPR on Twitter and Instagram, and TeenBeachMovie on Pinterest using #TeenBeachMovie!

Disclosure: I received beach-themed promotional items from Disney Channel via Child's Play Communications.  Movie information (in italics) is provided by the Disney Channel via Child's Play Communications.  The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Iron Man 3 opens in movie theaters today!

I'm hardly the young male demographic that comic book movies cater to, but I've watched them all: Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk, The Avengers.  Iron Man 3 was tops on my must-watch list, but thanks to a well-timed press screening, I got to watch it a few days early and share my thoughts:

Iron Man 3 is set a short time after the events in The Avengers, and in the beginning we find Tony Stark still trying to process the fact that gods, aliens and monsters are actually exist.  He's suffering from anxiety attacks and insomnia, and he's trying to deal with it by tinkering with Iron Man suit prototype after prototype after prototype -- at the expense of quality time with his girlfriend, Pepper Potts.  And no, Tony, a giant 20-foot stuffed rabbit won't make up for that.

The action heats up (literally) when a terrorist organization bombs Grauman's Chinese Theatre, and Stark's friend Happy Hogan is caught in the blast.  Stark swears revenge, and the terrorists attack his home.....

....okay, that's all the plot I'm giving away.  If you want more, you'll have to watch to watch the trailer below, or better yet, watch the movie.


One of the things I like best about Iron Man 3 is that Stark does a lot of his heroics without his Iron Man Suit.  I really liked seeing him forgo his hi-tech equipment and tinkering with stuff you can buy at a regular hardware store.  It's kind of a metaphor for Tony Stark's own personal journey: in this movie, he's reconnecting with who he is and what's important to him.

For those of you with kids, note that it does have some pretty violent scenes -- aside from the usual bullet and missile carnage you'll also see people exploding and people falling out of planes.  You'll also see people with glowing eyes, people with glowing skin and people seemingly rising from the dead.  You know your kids best, so use your judgement on whether they can handle it.

My kids (age 9, 9 and 12) are actually pretty sensitive and emotionally vulnerable at movies, but they are dying to watch it, and I'm going to let them.  It helps that they've seen Iron Man 1 and 2, and The Avengers, so they know the level of violence to expect (although you don't need to see any of these to enjoy Iron Man 3).  It also helps that the action scenes are too amazing to be true -- there's no way a real person could survive what Tony Stark does.  The crazy action scenes reinforce the fact that it's just a movie, and even when things are at their worst, my kids can take refuge in knowing that good will win out in the end.

If you plan to watch Iron Man 3...
a) Buy extra popcorn because you might spill some when you jump in your seat or shake with laughter.
b) Watch for cameos from Stan Lee, Bill Maher and Mark Ruffalo
c) Do not leave the theater until after the last credit has rolled, or you'll miss and extra scene and a special message from Iron Man!

If you don't plan to watch Iron Man 3...
d) WATCH IRON MAN 3, then follow steps (a), (b) and (c)


Disclosure: I was invited to an advanced press screening of Iron Man 3. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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Oz The Great and Powerful opens March 8

Only two weeks till Disney's latest movie, Oz the Great and Powerful, opens in theatres!  That's right, on March 8 viewers will get to see how the two-bit magician Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkel Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs (at least that was his name in the books), ended up as the Wizard of Oz.  I was a great fan of the Oz series (I read all 14 books sometime between 4th and 6th grade), so I'm really excited to see the kind of world director Sam Raimi and screenplay writers Mitchell Kapner and David Linsday-Abaire have dreamed up.  I hope it lives up to L Frank Baum's legacy!

About the movie:
Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s beloved wizard character. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot—fame and fortune are his for the taking—that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis), Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use through illusion, ingenuity—and even a bit of wizardry—Oscar transforms himself not only into the great wizard but into a better man as well.


What I want to know is, when is the Oz Balloon Ride opening at Walt Disney World and the Disneyland Resort?  :)


Disclosure: I did not receive a sample or monetary compensation for this post. Movie synopsis (in italics) was provided by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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McKenna Shoots for the Stars on NBC TV

Only 10 more days and the London 2012 Olympics will begin!  We love watching the Olympics, especially gymnastics.  I grew up watching Nadia Comaneci, Mary-Lou Retton and Kerri Strug, and even though I never went into gymnastics, these girls have always inspired me to do my very best.

Now there's another gymnast who can inspire millions of girls:  McKenna Brooks, American Girl's 2012 Girl of the Year.  Her movie, McKenna Shoots for the Stars, came out on Blu-Ray/DVD on July 4, and girls everywhere are enjoying her story! Have you seen it yet? We held a McKenna viewing party, and The Pea and her friends loved it! 

If you haven't had a chance to get Blu-Ray/DVD yet, NBC is airing McKenna Shoots for the Stars this  Saturday, July 14 at 8/7 PM CT.  Here's a little clip from the movie to get you all excited:






Want the chance to win your own copy of the movie? I have an open giveaway for a McKenna movie prize pack, ending July 30, and I'm starting another giveaway for the movie today!



Win a copy of McKenna Shoots for the Stars
One lucky Bonggamom Finds reader will win a Blu-Ray/DVD (with digital copy) of McKenna Shoots for the Stars.

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me which character in the McKenna movie inspires your daughter (or which character is your favorite).   This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).


1)  Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Repin any of the pins on my American Girl crafts Pinterest pinboard (1 entry for each repin, max 5 repins/entries).

5) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

6) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the McKenna movie giveaway! http://bit.ly/LLlQDG

7) Write this on the American Girl Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered to win a copy of the new McKenna movie on Bonggamom Finds!  Giveaway ends August 5 at  http://bit.ly/LLlQDG

8) Share the link (http://bit.ly/LLlQDG) to this giveaway on your Facebook page (1 entry). 

9) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win a copy of the new American Girl McKenna movie!  Enter by 8/5 at  http://bit.ly/LLlQDG #giveaway 

10) Enter any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for each giveaway you've joined)

The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on August 5, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on August 6 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!


Disclosure: Thanks to American Girl for providing the giveaway prize. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
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McKenna Shoots for the Stars on Blu-Ray/DVD

This is a big week for US gymnastics -- the 2012 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics trials were held in San Jose this weekend, and we finally have a 2012 US Olympic Gymnastics team!  With all the excitement surrounding one of America's favorite Olympic sports, the timing couldn't be better to introduce a girl who has some Olympic dreams of her own: McKenna Brooks.  Actually, millions of girls around the country already know McKenna, because she's American Girl's 2012 Girl of the Year.   Her movie, McKenna Shoots for the Stars, debuts tomorrow, June 2, on Blu-Ray and DVD.  The Pea owns a McKenna doll, so she was so happy when American Girl sent us an advance copy of McKenna's movie to review, as well as supplies to host a McKenna viewing party!

The Pea invited three of her friends to watch the McKenna movie with her.  They are all American Girl fans, so they brought their own American Girl dolls with them (the dolls had not been to a party together since we hosted our American Girl holiday party last December, so they were happy to dress up and socialize!).  Each girl got a cute American Girl rubber bracelet and a McKenna activity sheet.

I also bought some American Girl partyware and crafts to liven things up, so the girls started out by making craft boxes and cards.  Once they had glued and glittered to their satisfaction, we watched the McKenna movie.  After that, we all took a deep breath, had some muffins and fruit on cute American Girl party plates, then watched the US Gymnastics Olympics trials and cheered on Gabby Douglas as she won the all-around competition and made the team!  What an exciting, inspiring afternoon!

So what did we think of the movie?  All the girls loved it!  The movie is based on the 2 McKenna books, McKenna and McKenna, Ready to Fly, so they all knew the story, but I think that seeing it performed by real girls on screen really brought home the challenges that all girls face:  being ashamed to ask for help, getting into fights with friends, dealing with frustration and disappointment, facing up to your fears.  The girls did say there was far too much hugging and kissing than you would normally see between real girls in real life, but they all agreed that it was a good movie.   I even caught The Pea with tears in her eyes :)

As a parent, I would definitely recommend McKenna Shoots for the Stars.  The gymnastics sequences are really entertaining-- advanced enough for viewers to Oooh and Ahh, but not so advanced to make them skeptical that McKenna, who is supposed to be a typical 4th grader, would be able to do them.   The movie has some really good messages:  finding balance between schoolwork and extracurriculars, between old friends and new.  Having read Little Girls in Pretty Boxes decades ago, I'm well aware of the dark side of women's elite gymnastics, and I'm glad that the movie emphasizes that gymnastics is supposed to be fun, to take things one step at a time, and enjoy the sport no matter what level you're in.  It's a great movie for little girls with big dreams!



Win a McKenna Movie Prize Pack
I have an extra copy of the movie, and one of The Pea's friends couldn't make it to the party, so I'm giving some of our party goodies to one lucky Bonggamom Finds reader!  The winner of this giveaway will receive:

* 2 McKenna activity sheets
* 2 McKenna bracelets
* 1 McKenna Shoots for the Stars Blu-Ray DVD

Required Entry
Leave a comment on this post and tell me which character in the McKenna movie inspires your daughter (or which character is your favorite).   This entry must be completed before any extra entries will count.

Extra Entries
For extra entries, you can do any or all of the following. Please leave a separate comment for each extra entry with a way to verify the entry (i.e. tweet link, blog post link, Facebook id, Twitter id, etc.).


1)  Follow Bonggamom Finds on Blogger (1 entry)

2) Follow bonggamom on Instagram (1 entry)

3) Follow bonggamom on Pinterest (1 entry)

4) Repin any of the pins on my American Girl crafts Pinterest pinboard (1 entry for each repin, max 5 repins/entries).

5) Like Bonggamom Finds on Facebook (1 entry).

6) Write this on the Bonggamom Finds Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered the McKenna movie giveaway! http://bit.ly/OXeOvd

7) Write this on the American Girl Facebook page (1 entry):
I entered to win a copy of the new McKenna movie on Bonggamom Finds!  Giveaway ends July 30 at  http://bit.ly/OXeOvd

8) Share the my Facebook posting about the giveaway on your own Facebook page (1 entry).  Here is the link to share:
https://www.facebook.com/BonggamomFinds/posts/371511229569134

9) Follow @bonggafinds on Twitter and tweet this (1 entry per day):
RT @bonggafinds Win a copy of the new American Girl McKenna movie!  Enter by 7/30 at  http://bit.ly/OXeOvd #giveaway 

10) Enter any open giveaway on Bonggamom Finds (1 entry for each giveaway you've joined)

The Rules
This giveaway ends at 11:59PM PST on July30, 2012; I will draw a winner at random on July 31 and post his/her name after she/he confirms acceptance. Continental US residents only. For additional giveaway rules, click here. Good luck!



Disclosure: I received 2 complimentary copies of the DVD plus activity sheets and a gift card to purchase party supplies and crafts. The views and opinions expressed here are my own.
 
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