Enjoy a Smurfy Family Movie Night

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free **

Have yourself a Smurfy good time watching the newest Smurfs movie.  SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE is now available to add to your home video library on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.  This animated movie has received an "A" CinemaScore with general audiences and a rare "A+" with those under the age of 18, making it a perfect selection for a family to enjoy together.

When the evil wizard Gargamel discovers information about a previously unknown village of Smurfs, he heads out to capture them.  Smurfette discovers what the wizard is up to and heads out to find the village first so she can warn its inhabitants.  Of course her friends Brainy, Clumsy and Hefty aren't going to let her go alone and join in the quest.

Together the four smurfs embark on a race through the Forbidden Forest filled with exotic plants and magical creatures in an effort to find the mysterious lost village before Gargamel does.  It is a rollercoaster of a journey full of action and danger that leads to the revelation of the biggest secret in Smurf history!

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE features an all-star voice cast, including platinum-selling recording artist Demi Lovato as Smurfette, Emmy-nominated comic actor Rainn Wilson (The Office) as Gargamel, Jack McBrayer (30 Rock) as Clumsy, Joe Manganiello (Magic Mike) as Hefty, Danny Pudi (Community) as Brainy and Mandy Patinkin (Homeland) as Papa Smurf. Directed by Kelly Asbury (Shrek 2) from a screenplay by Stacey Harman (The Goldbergs) and Pamela Ribon (Moana), SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE is based on the characters and works of Peyo.  Pierre Culliford (1928 - 1992) was a Belgian cartoonist who crafted comic strips under the pseudonym "Peyo" with the Smurfs being one of his most successful and popular creations. 

I watched all the Smurfs cartoons and played with the collectible figures as a kid myself so it is nice that my own children can enjoy them as well through watching SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE.  I particularly appreciated that this story went back towards the Smurfy vibe of the '80s compared to the last two live action with CGI films that had a more contemporary comedic focus.  My kids really enjoyed the animation and getting a look inside the magical world of the Smurfs in this movie.  Our whole family had a great time watching this movie together!

In addition to the feature presentation, the home video version of SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE is full of bonus material.  There are 10 fun and interactive featurettes, including Meghan Trainor's "I'm A Lady" music video and "Lost Village Dance Along" where you can join in a Smurf dance party.  You also have to check out the included step-by-step tutorials on how to draw your favorite Smurfs contained within three "how to" videos. 

SMURFS: THE LOST VILLAGE has a run time of around 90 minutes.  It is rated PG for some mild action and rude humor.  For more information about the film, please visit smurfsmovie.com

Family Movie Night: ROCK DOG

Thanks to LIONSGATE  we were able to enjoy on home video the animated film ROCK DOG for a family movie night a few days before its May 23, 2017 release on Blu-ray and DVD.  This comedic, family-friendly movie is a music-filled adventure about a dog's quest to become a rock star.  Was he bred simply to shepherd sheep or was he born to have a greater destiny?  He finds out when a radio falls from the sky becoming a sign of encouragement for this wide-eyed Tibetan Mastiff to leave his mountain home and set off on a series of unexpected events following a desire to become a super star.  The movie had my kids dancing around the room to the film's soundtrack and giggling at its funny escapades.



Courtesy of LIONSGATE, A Geek Daddy has a ROCK DOG children's activity sheet you can print out and a Blu-ray+DVD+DigitalHD prize pack to giveaway.  Follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet the embedded tweet below by 11:59 pm ET on May 24, 2017 for a chance to win.  Must be a US resident over 18 years old to participate.

Follow @Geekdad248 & RT before 5/25/17 for chance to win ROCK DOG Blu-ray+DVD+DigitalHD prize pack courtesy of @Lionsgate #ad (US Only) pic.twitter.com/POiTyUnROw

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) May 22, 2017

The home video release of ROCK DOG includes four featurettes (Finding the Fire: The Making of Rock Dog, Mic Check: Casting the Voices, A Rockin New World: Animating Rock Dog, and Rock Dog & Roll: Exploring the Music).  It also contains the music video for the movie soundtrack's original song "Glorious."  ROCK DOG is rated PG for action and language by the Motion Picture Association of America with a run time of 90 minutes.  For more information about the movie and its home video release, please visit rockdogmovie.com

Disclaimer & Contest Rules: A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use. The prize is provided by LIONSGATE and A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate. Entries limited to one household and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. If you have already won this prize through another blog participating in this promotion, your entry will be disqualified if that prize has already been awarded by LIONSGATE. By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes allowed for delivery of the prize. Must reply to notification message within 48 hours by providing requested contact information or else the prize will be forfeited and a new winner randomly selected. LIONSGATE will be responsible for shipping the prize to the selected winner.  Twitter is not a sponsor and has no relationship with this promotion.

Family Movie Night: A DOG'S PURPOSE

**A Geek Daddy received the featured product for FREE to review**

Thanks to Universal Pictures Home Entertainment  I was able to add A DOG'S PURPOSE to my video library and enjoy watching the movie a few days before its May 2, 2017 release on Blu-ray, DVD and On Demand. A DOG'S PURPOSE is a lighthearted film that has a heartwarming story filled with humorous scenes and dramatic moments making it a great selection for parents to enjoy along with their children for a fun family movie night.  The film takes you on a sentimental journey as it delves into the bond that transpires between dogs and their owners.

Based on the beloved bestselling novel by W. Bruce Cameron, A Dog’s Purpose, the movie directed by Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, Dear John, The 100-Foot Journey) shares the soulful and surprising story of one devoted dog (voiced by Josh Gad – Frozen, Angry Birds) who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of  the humans he teaches to laugh and love. This family-friendly film told from the dog’s perspective also stars Britt Robertson (Tomorrowland, The Longest Ride), KJ Apa (Riverdale), John Ortiz (Silver Linings Playbook, American Gangster), Juliet Rylance (Sinister, The Knick), Luke Kirby (The Astronaut Wives Club), Peggy Lipton (When in Rome, Twin Peaks), Pooch Hall (The Game, Ray Donovan) and Dennis Quaid  (Far From Heaven, The Rookie).

A DOG'S PURPOSE follows a dog from birth to death multiple times as he is continuously  reincarnated as different breeds throughout the movie.  A boy's loyal Golden Retriever companion named Bailey, a dedicated German Shepard police dog called Ellie, and a Pembroke Welsh Corgi who is a treasured family pet known as Tino are a few of the incarnations that occur in this heartfelt story.  Eventually the dog's journey comes full circle as it reincarnates into the body of a Bernese Mountain Dog and through a twist of fate is reunited with his original owner who is no longer a boy but now a down on his luck middle aged man. Will this man realize that this dog is his beloved childhood pet reincarnated? Can the dog help turn the human's life in a positive direction?  You'll have to watch A DOG'S PURPOSE for yourself to find out!

One of you will be able to watch A DOG'S PURPOSE courtesy of A Geek Daddy as we're giving away a Blu-ray combo pack. Submit the entries below by 11:59 pm ET on May 10, 2017 for a chance to win.  Must be a US resident over 18 years old to participate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
The Blu-ray Combo Pack includes a Blu-ray, DVD and Digital HD with UltraViolet.  In addition to the movie, the combo packs includes bonus features such as deleted scenes and outtakes.  It also has two mini-documentaries.  Light, Camera, Woof! provides a behind-the-scenes look at the making of the film and A Writer's Purpose lets viewers learn the story behind W. Bruce Cameron's best-selling novel the movie is based off of.

A DOG'S PURPOSE is rated PG for thematic elements, including alcoholism, domestic violence and death, and situation which place characters in peril.  The movie originally garnered some negative attention when a video leaked from the set was released alleging that a dog used in stunts had been mistreated.  A review by the American Humane Society through an independent third-party animal cruelty expert though reported that safety measure on the set were appropriate and the leaked video had been deliberately edited to outrage and mislead the public. There was nothing observed in the movie that I was concerned about my 8 year old twins seeing.



Disclaimer & Contest Rules: A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use. The prize is provided by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate. Entries limited to one household and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. If you have already won this prize through another blog participating in this promotion, your entry will be disqualified if that prize has already been awarded by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. No P.O. Boxes allowed for delivery of the prize. Must reply to notification email within 48 hours by providing requested contact information or else the prize will be forfeited and a new winner randomly selected. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment will be responsible for shipping the prize to the selected winner.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC: MARS

  ** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free to review**

Are you ready to blast off on a space adventure to Mars?  National Geographic's six-part television series MARS immerses you into a realistic representation of a futuristic mission to the red planet.  Academy Award-winning producers Brian Grazer and Ron Howard merge a sci-fi drama with an educational documentary by interspersing interviews with real life astronauts, engineers, scientists, and other space experts within a scripted fictional story about a journey to Mars. It's really well done!

If you missed watching MARS when it first aired on the National Geographic Channel last year, the series is now available to purchase on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Download.  This show filled with incredibly informative segments about astronomy and space travel as well as a suspense filled adventurous tale really captured my family's imagination and was very entertaining to view.  Plus the home video edition also includes features such as a bonus episode (Before Mars: A Prequel), a behind-the-scenes documentary (Making Mars), and interviews with the cast and crew.

What would life be like on the first human colony on the fourth planet from the sun?  It would obviously be much different than life is here on Earth. Ask your kids what they think it would be like, share with them this informative fact sheet, and have some fun giving them a chance to fill out the form below where they can list what they would pack for their adventure.





Watch MARS together as a family and compare the astronauts experience in the show to what your kids though it would be like.  Since we saw the show, my kids have been interested in going outside to gaze for Mars in the night sky through a telescope and have wanted to learn more about how someone can actually become an astronaut.  If this National Geographic television series sparks the same interest about space travel in your kids as it has mine, you'll want to visit, makemarshome.com, which allows people to see if they have what it takes to be an astronaut for a Mars mission through an interactive online experience.

The television series, based upon the book How We'll Live On Mars (2015) by Stephen Petranek, tells the story of a multi-national effort to send astronauts to explore Mars set in 2037.  It revolves around the crew of the Daedalus, which includes mission commander Ben Sawyer (American), systems engineer Hana Seung (American), physician Amelie Durand (French), roboticist Robert Foucault (Nigerian), geochemist Javier Delgado (Spanish), and geologist Marta Kamen (Russian), who will be the first people to set foot on Mars.  As they engage in their adventure, viewers are shown flashbacks of the characters preparing for the mission from four years before lift off.  Interview segments with actual modern day experts are also incorporated into the fictional story explaining how today's technology will be utilized or enhanced to make such a mission feasible in the future.

In the first episode, as the Daedalus prepares to land on Mars a critical system on the space ship malfunctions.  Attempting to avert a disaster, the mission commander is critically injured.  While Commander Sawyer's efforts get his crew's boots on the ground, they find themselves 75 kilometers away from where automated rockets from Earth had previously dropped supplies waiting for them.  How will they survive with limited resources and no easy way to get to their planned landing site where all their vital supplies are stored?  And how do they treat Sawyer's serious injuries when the closest hospital is more than 200 million kilometers away?  You'll have to start watching to find out!  Be aware though that there are life and death situations impacting the crew of the Daedalus so parents should take some discretion about whether the show is suitable for their children to watch based upon that.  It was fine for my 8 year old twins to watch but every child is unique.

If you want to learn even more about Mars, National Geographic has also published a companion book to the television series.  MARS -- OUR FUTURE ON THE RED PLANET is a wonderful 288 page hardcover book filled with 200 color illustrations and photographs.  The book combines science, technology, photography, and art to illuminate how Mars is the next frontier in space exploration.

Thanks to National Geographic you can now explore Mars without the hassle of traveling a million miles to get there.  Let MARS spark your family's imagination and curiosity about space exploration, science, and technology.

 
For more information about the television series, visit: channel.nationalgeographic.com/mars

THE YOUNG POPE -- REVIEW + DIGITAL HD GIVEAWAY

While I am a big fan of science fiction and fantasy adventures sometimes it is nice to mix things up a bit and watch a show with some serious dramatic chops to it.  So with Westworld and Game of Thrones on hiatus, I've decided to spend some time watching the first season of HBO's ten episode The Young Pope TV series now that it is available on Digital HD.  It is a show filled with political and psychological intrigue as a variety of players jockey for power within the Vatican wrestling for the authority to steer the direction of the 1 billion member congregation of the Catholic Church as well as the resources and responsibilities that come with that leadership.  The Young Pope is directed and edited by Paolo Sorrentino (co-writer and director of The Great Beauty which won an Academy Award for "Best Foreign Language Film" in 2014) who creates an art filmesque backdrop for this show that is full of visually stunning settings and splendid character portrayals.  The imagery of The Young Pope combined with the acting performances of two-time Academy Award nominee Jude Law and Academy Award winner Diane Keaton make this dramatic series in my opinion very much worth seeing.

In this fictional story,  a clandestine group of Cardinals arrange to get the Archbishop of New York City, Lenny Belardo (played by Jude Law), elected as the youngest and first-ever American Pope, with the aim of manipulating him as their pawn.  But as Belardo takes on the role of Pope as Pius XIII it appears that he may be the one doing the manipulating.  One of Belardo's first actions as Pope Pius XIII is to secretly command the priests who handles the Confessions of the Cardinals and other noteworthy Vatican staff to report back to him the details of each of these people's sins.  Has Belardo actually been scheming for years to rise through the Church's hierarchy?

To the surprise of the Cardinals who elected him, instead of taking a refreshing, youthful approach to directing the policies of the Church, Pius XIII announces ultra conservative, hardline initiatives that rock the Vatican status quo.  He also forsakes the guidance of the Vatican's long-time Secretary of State, Cardinal Voiello, and brings in the nun who raised him at a Catholic orphanage, Sister Mary (played by Diane Keaton), as his chief confidante and counsel.  Of course Vatican insiders begin a plot to take the Pope down trying to find dirt on him or catch him in a scandalous act to force his ouster.  As Law's character consolidates his power and executes his duties with an ironfisted authority, the story becomes a mystery about whether the young Pope is a man of conviction or one full of contradictions.

Does Pius XIII have a spiritual philosophy for leading the Church? Is a psychological disorder impacting him causing his behavior to be askew? Or is Lenny Belardo just someone who craves authority over other people to compensate for the lack of power he had when abandoned by his parents as a child?  Trying to understand this complicated character's intentions provides an intricate plot for viewers to unravel as the show progresses.

Season One of The Young Pope is now available on Digital HD.  It will be available on Blu-ray and DVD beginning June 6, 2017.  In addition to all ten episodes the Blu-ray, Digital Download, and DVD of The Young Pope -- Season One will also contain three special features including an exclusive new "The Making of The Young Pope" segment.  The Blu-ray and DVD will also include a free Digital Download.

THE YOUNG POPE -- DIGITAL HD GIVEAWAY

A Geek Daddy has a Digital HD code for The Young Pope -- Season One to giveaway.  Just complete the required entries below for a chance to win it!  Must be a U.S. resident over the age of 18 to be eligible to participate in this giveaway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided the same items being provided as a prize for personal use.  A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US resident over the age of 18 to participate.  Winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. Must provide a valid email address to receive the prize which consist of a download code for "The Young Pope -- Season One." A Geek Daddy will email the code to the randomly selected winner. By participating in this free promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog or HBO regarding this contest or the prize.

" ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story " Family Movie Night

** A Geek Daddy received the featured product for free **

I spent an evening relaxing the other night by kicking up my shoes and watching ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story on my living room television with my wife and kids.  This film ss one of my Top 3 favorites of the 8 Star Wars movies that have been made so far.  So I've anxiously been waiting to add ROGUE ONE to my home video library.

The movie was just released on Digital HD this last weekend.  Digital HD is when movies or television shows are purchased or rented in a digital format that features a 1080p high definition picture by streaming or downloading them.  Disney Movies Anywhere kindly provided us ROGUE ONE through their service plus a fun pack of goodies so that we could have a fun Star Wars themed Family Movie Night in conjunction with the Digital HD release of the film.

Disney Movies Anywhere allows you to purchase Digital HD versions of Disney, Disney Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars movies, store them via the cloud in one central spot, and access them anytime on the device of your choice.  Whether it is on your smart phone, tablet, PC or television Disney Movies Anywhere gives you the freedom to watch your movies when and how you want.  While the movies are stored online and can be streamed to a mobile device, TV, or computer, Disney Movies Anywhere also allows you to download your movies so users have an option to view their shows when an Internet connection isn't available.  Plus you can earn Disney Movie Rewards points for your purchases made through Disney Movies Anywhere and some titles also include exclusive content such as never-before-seen videos, new original programming, and other special perks.

We enjoyed our ROGUE ONE family movie night by streaming the movie from our Disney Movies Anywhere account to our big screen television using a ROKU player. Just plug a ROKU streaming stick into the HDMI port of your television to connect it to the Internet and watch any of the items in your Disney Movies Anywhere account's library.  After making up some blue milk like they enjoy drinking in a galaxy far, far away and grabbing some special edition Star Wars Cheez-It baked snack crackers to snack on from the kitchen we just had to plug in our ROKU, jump on the couch, and start streaming the show.

Here's how we make our Star Wars inspired Blue Milk:

Ingredients

1 cup of milk;
1/2 teaspoon of Kool-Aid Liquid Blue Raspberry Drink Mix;
1/2 teaspoon of sugar.

Directions

• Pour the milk into a tall glass and gently stir in the blue raspberry drink mix;

• The drink should initially be light tinted blue.  Add more of the fruit punch mix to get a darker color if you desire;

• Add sugar to sweeten the taste.

ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story tells the epic story of a group of unlikely heroes who band together on a mission to steal the plans for the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction -- the Death Star. It concludes where the original Star Wars movie, A New Hope, begins.  ROGUE ONE answers a question that Star Wars fans have been asking since A New Hope was released in 1977 -- how did Princess Leia get her hands on the Death Star plans in that movie.  ROGUE ONE is a nicely done film that will appeal to a new generation of Star Wars fan with its impressive special effects, well done casting, funny one liners and numerous action sequences while also providing much of the same tone and elements of the first trilogy of movies so that those, like myself, who have enjoyed this franchise over the last 40 years will be very satisfied by it.  While my favorite scene involves Darth Vader going on a rampage, the twins favorite part is the space battle over the planet of Scarif which they like to re-enact with their Star Wars toys.

In addition to being available on DigitalHD now, ROGUE ONE is being released on Blu-ray and DVD on April 4, 2017.   In addition to the feature presentation, the home video formats also contains never-before- seen ROGUE ONE bonus material that will take fans behind the scenes with the movie’s diverse, dynamic cast and inspired team of filmmakers. An intimate collection of stories reveals how the film came to life, as well as hidden Easter Eggs and film facts that audiences may have missed in the theater.

Bonus features include*:

• A Rogue Idea – Hear how ILM’s John Knoll came up with the movie’s concept – and why it’s the right film to launch the Star Wars stand-alone films.
• Jyn: The Rebel – Get to know Rogue One’s defiant, resourceful survivor, and hear what it was like for Felicity Jones to bring her to life onscreen.
• Cassian: The Spy – Diego Luna shares insights into his complex, driven character, who becomes a hero through selflessness, perseverance and passion.
• K-2SO: The Droid – Explore the development of this reprogrammed Imperial droid, from initial pitch and character design through Alan Tudyk’s performance.
• Baze & Chirrut: Guardians of the Whills – Go deeper into the relationship between these two very different characters, with Chinese superstars Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen.
• Bodhi & Saw: The Pilot & The Revolutionary – Forest Whitaker and Riz Ahmed reflect on Saw Gerrera, the broken Rebel leader, and Bodhi Rook, the Imperial pilot who defects.
• The Empire – Meet a dangerous new Imperial adversary…and cross paths once more with the most iconic villain of all time.
• Visions of Hope: The Look of “Rogue One” – The filmmakers describe the challenges and thrills of developing a bold new look for the movie that can fit within the world of the original trilogy.
• The Princess & The Governor – See what it took to bring the vibrant young princess of “Star Wars: A New Hope” – as well as one of her most memorable foes – back to the screen.
• Epilogue: The Story Continues – Filmmakers and cast celebrate Rogue One’s premiere and look forward into the future, to the Star Wars stories yet to be told.
• Rogue Connections – Uncover Easter eggs and film facts hidden throughout the movie that connect “Rogue One” to the Star Wars universe.

JOIN IN A ROGUE ONE TWITTER PARTY DUEL ON 3/26

The answer to a question that has been on Star Wars fans minds since the original movie debuted in 1977 was answered last year.  How did Princess Leia get her hands on the Death Star plans that Darth Vader was chasing after in the opening sequence of that movie?  Last December, Disney released its first Star Wars standalone film, ROGUE ONE, which tells the epic story of a group of unlikely heroes who band together on a mission to steal the plans for the Empire's ultimate weapon of destruction -- the Death Star. This brand new adventure expands the Star Wars universe in its own unique way yet its plot also nicely wraps into the previous movies enhancing the franchise's overall story.

 I really enjoyed ROGUE ONE when I saw it at the theater (ranking it as one of my top three favorite films in the Star Wars franchise) and have been waiting in anticipation to add it to my home video collection.  Well the wait is finally over!  ROGUE ONE: A STAR WARS STORY is available TODAY (3/24/17) on Digital HD and will be available to get on Blu-ray or DVD beginning April 4th.

Disney Movies Anywhere and Roku set-up my family to enjoy a fun movie night this weekend by providing us with a free ROGUE ONE Digital HD code and some Star Wars goodies. We'll be watching ROGUE ONE on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT simultaneously along with other social media influencers' and their families from across the country live tweeting as everyone is watching the movie at the same time. I've been designated part of #TeamEmpire and will be engaging in a Twitter Duel against #TeamRebel as we banter about whose side is superior.  We'll also be giving away some great prizes to people who RSVP for this #RogueOneDigital Twitter Party and actively participate in the conversation.

There are 10 prizes in total including the following:

• 1 Director Orson Krennic Pop! Vinyl Figure by Funko
• 1 Sergeant Jyn Erso Elite Series Die Cast Action Figure
• 1 Captain Cassian Andor Elite Series Die Cast Action Figure
• 1 K-2SO Elite Series Die Cast Action Figure
• 1 Imperial Death Trooper Elite Series Die Cast Action Figure
• 1 Imperial Stormtrooper Elite Series Die Cast Action Figure
• 1 R2-Q5 Mini Metal Action Figure by Takara Tomy
• 1 C2-B5 Pop! Vinyl Figure by Funko – Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
• 1 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Journal
• 1 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Rebel Dossier Book

Winners will be randomly chosen from the RSVP list throughout the Twitter Party and must be actively tweeting using the #RogueOneDigital hashtag when selected to be eligible to win.  I'd appreciate you also using #TeamEmpire while tweeting to help my team win this Star Wars Twitter Duel but #RogueOneDigital is the only one you actually need to use to be eligible to win a prize during the party.

Give in to the power of the Dark Side! Follow @Geekdad248 along with my other #TEAMEMPIRE Twitter Party panelists on Sunday, March 26, 2017 from 7pm ET (4 pm PT) until the movie ends.  The #RogueOneDigital Twitter Party will be full of movie commentary, Star Wars trivia and prizes.  Purchase the Digital HD edition of ROGUE ONE: A Star Wars Story from Disney Movies Anywhere and watch it along with us as we chat on Twitter.  RSVP to join in the #RogueOneDigital Twitter Party -- it will be a blast!

The Digital HD version in addition to the feature presentation also contains never-before- seen “Rogue One” bonus material that will take fans behind the scenes with the movie’s diverse, dynamic cast and inspired team of filmmakers. An intimate collection of stories reveals how the film came to life, as well as hidden Easter Eggs and film facts that audiences may have missed in the theater.

Bonus features include*:

• A Rogue Idea – Hear how ILM’s John Knoll came up with the movie’s concept – and why it’s the right film to launch the Star Wars stand-alone films.
• Jyn: The Rebel – Get to know Rogue One’s defiant, resourceful survivor, and hear what it was like for Felicity Jones to bring her to life onscreen.
• Cassian: The Spy – Diego Luna shares insights into his complex, driven character, who becomes a hero through selflessness, perseverance and passion.
• K-2SO: The Droid – Explore the development of this reprogrammed Imperial droid, from initial pitch and character design through Alan Tudyk’s performance.
• Baze & Chirrut: Guardians of the Whills – Go deeper into the relationship between these two very different characters, with Chinese superstars Jiang Wen and Donnie Yen.
• Bodhi & Saw: The Pilot & The Revolutionary – Forest Whitaker and Riz Ahmed reflect on Saw Gerrera, the broken Rebel leader, and Bodhi Rook, the Imperial pilot who defects.
• The Empire – Meet a dangerous new Imperial adversary…and cross paths once more with the most iconic villain of all time.
• Visions of Hope: The Look of “Rogue One” – The filmmakers describe the challenges and thrills of developing a bold new look for the movie that can fit within the world of the original trilogy.
• The Princess & The Governor – See what it took to bring the vibrant young princess of “Star Wars: A New Hope” – as well as one of her most memorable foes – back to the screen.
• Epilogue: The Story Continues – Filmmakers and cast celebrate Rogue One’s premiere and look forward into the future, to the Star Wars stories yet to be told.
• Rogue Connections – Uncover Easter eggs and film facts hidden throughout the movie that connect “Rogue One” to the Star Wars universe.

* Digital bonus offerings may vary by retailer.

SING -- SPECIAL EDITION

SING was one of my kids favorite movies that came out last year and they've been regularly asking if we could get it to add to our home video library ever since seeing the animated film at the theater.  The wait is almost over for them as I received a complimentary SING -- SPECIAL EDITION Blu-ray+DVD+Digital Download movie combo pack as part of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment's promotion of its Tuesday, March 21, 2017 release date.  With food allergies being a serious concern when it comes to my kids, we minimize candy at Easter and replace it with other fun things.  SING -- SPECIAL EDITION came out just in time to be a perfect addition to their Easter baskets!

The studio behind the production of SING, Illumination (which also created Despicable Me and The Secret Life of Pets) wasn't content with just re-releasing the original theatrical movie on home video.  So Illumination and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment have put together SING -- SPECIAL EDITION which in addition to the featured presentation also includes 3 new mini-movie that include the cast from the movie as well as an exclusive Tori Kelly music video and a variety of musical extras.  You'll definitely get your groove on when watching the movies, music videos and other special extras included in SING -- SPECIAL EDITION.

SING is an animated comedy with the theme of finding the music that lives inside all of us.  You'll be entertained by more than 60 hit songs while you watch it including a brand new song by Motown legend Stevie Wonder (featuring Ariana Grande), marking his first song for a major motion picture in 25 years.  The movie includes the vocal talents of Matthew McConaughey as Buster Moon (an eternally optimistic koala who puts on the world's greatest singing competition to save his crumbling theater), Reese Witherspoon as Rosita (an overworked and unappreciated mother of 25 piglets desperate to unleash her inner diva), Scarlett Johansson as Ash (a punk rock porcupine with a beautiful voice behind her prickly exterior), Taron Egerton as Johnny (a young gangster gorilla looking to break free from his family's history of felonies), Seth MacFarlane as Mike (a small time con artist of a mouse with big aspirations), Nick Kroll as Gunter (a pig who is not afraid to let it all hang out), and Tori Kelly as Meena (an elephant whose stage fright hides a huge talent).  This dramatic comedy filled with music is sure to delight both kids and kids-at-heart of all ages.

Whether you're giving SING as a surprise for a child's Easter basket or planning on watching it for a Friday Family Movie Night, I promise you this film is sure to get people tapping their feet, laughing and singing along as they view it.  To share my family's enjoyment of the film and enthusiasm about it becoming available on home video,  in addition to giving the movie A GEEK DADDY nod of approval for being an awesome movie for kids, I  am giving away a SING -- SPECIAL EDITION Blu-ray+DVD+Digital HD combo pack to one lucky blog reader.  Complete the entries required in the Rafflecopter form below and a winner will be randomly selected from all eligible submissions.  The contest is open from 3/18/2017 to 3/26/2017.  Must be a US resident over 18 years old to participate for a chance to win.

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Listen up! You aren't going to want to miss the extra content in SING -- SPECIAL EDITION, especially the 3 mini-movies "Gunter Babysits", "Love At First Sight" and "Eddie's Life Coach"

Gunter Babysits:  Rosita's dance partner Gunter offers to watch all 25 of her piglets for the night to prove he's the best babysitter ever.

Love At First Sight:  During a piano lesson with Johnny, Miss Crawly becomes nostalgic about the dancing and romancing of her youth.  Johnny convinces her that it's not too late to find someone and helps her setup a profile on a dating website.

Eddie's Life Coach:  Eddie's mom signs her slacker son up for a digital training seminar to get his life back on track.

Additional extras contained in SING -- SPECIAL EDITION include music videos for the songs "Don't You Worry About A Thing", "Faith" and "Set It All Free"; behind the scenes documentaries on the making of the movie; and animated segments providing additional details about the characters you love from the film.  The SING Network shorts provide news and highlights on the business endeavors of some of the characters following the conclusion of the events in the movie such as Gunter's Dance Studio, The Moon Theater, Rosita's Babysitting Gizmo, and Miss Crawley's Matchmaking Service.  Plus "True Entertaining Stories" are segments that highlight each of the Moon Theater's newest stars, Gunter, Rosita, Johnny, Meena, Ash, and Mike.

For more information, please visit SINGmovie.com or follow the movie's social media feeds on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.  SING -- SPECIAL EDITION is available to watch on 4K, 3D Blu-ray, Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital HD on March 21, 2017.

THE LEGEND OF CHUPACABRAS

We enjoyed a special viewing of the animated film THE LEGEND OF CHUPACABRAS for a family movie night a few days before its March 7, 2017 official North American release on DVD, Digital HD download platforms, and cable television On Demand courtesy of LIONSGATE.  In the scary-fun tradition of Scooby Doo and Goosebumps, this cartoon adventure tells the story of a heroic boy and some magical friends uncovering the mystery of a legendary monster.  Set during the Mexican War of Independence in the early 19th century (1810 - 1821) versus Spanish colonial rule, the movie combines a historical backdrop with a fantasy story filled with magic and Latin American mythology.



Caught up in the middle of the war, young orphan Leo San Juan while traveling to Puebla to live with his grandmother is taken prisoner when he gets mistaken for an insurgent rebel by the royalist army.  Imprisoned in an old abandoned convent with other rebels, a frightening winged monster appears, the mythical Chupacabra, and begins hunting prisoners and guards alike.  Royalists and rebels must set aside their differences to work together to escape the creature that is stalking them.  With some help from his own group of magical friends that come to his aid, Leo discovers the secret behind the Chupacabra which leads him to have to make the most difficult decision of his life in a dramatic conclusion to the movie.

THE LEGEND OF CHUPACABRAS is rated PG for action/scary images and portrayals of people smoking.  The movie has a run time of 83 minutes.  The DVD includes audio tracks in both English and Spanish.  Visit the online LIONSGATE SHOP to purchase your own DVD of THE LEGEND OF CHUPACABRAS.  Also available at major retailers across the United States and Canada beginning Tuesday, March 7th!

Jason Bourne Movie Giveaway

I've been a big fan of the Bourne film series and was looking forward to seeing the newest installment of the franchise when it was playing in movie theaters over the summer.  Unfortunately, as every parent knows, sometimes not being able to get a babysitter and busy schedules prevent you from seeing every movie you want to go see in the theater.  I missed out on seeing JASON BOURNE last summer so I'm really looking forward to seeing the movie when it is available on Blu-ray starting December 6, 2016. 

To share my excitement about the video release of JASON BOURNE, A Geek Daddy has a Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD Movie Prize Pack to give away courtesy of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.  To be eligible for this giveaway you must follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet our original contest tweet embedded below before December 5, 2016 @ 11:59 pm EST.

RT and follow @Geekdad248 before 12/6/16 for chance to win a JASON BOURNE Blu-ray + DVD + Digital HD Movie Prize Pack @UniversalEnt #ad pic.twitter.com/sgQA2fDWbE

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) November 24, 2016

It's been 10 years since Jason Bourne (Matt Damon) walked away from the agency that trained him to become a deadly weapon. Hoping to draw him out of the shadows, CIA director Robert Dewey assigns hacker and counterinsurgency expert Heather Lee to find him. Lee suspects that former operative Nicky Parsons is also looking for him. As she begins tracking the duo, Bourne finds himself back in action battling a sinister network that utilizes terror and technology to maintain unchecked power.



 JASON BOURNE is also available to watch now on Digital HD!  Download it or stream it from your favorite digital movie service.


A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but was provided a copy of the same item that is being provided as a prize. The prize is provided by Universal Pictures Home Entertainment and A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US  resident over the age of 18 to participate.  One entry per person and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. Winner when notified by DM to their Twitter account has 48 hours to reply by providing a valid address for shipping purposes to accept the prize. Universal Pictures Home Entertainment is responsible for delivery of the prize to A Geek Daddy's selected winner. If you have already won this prize through another blog participating in this promotion, your entry will be disqualified. By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. 

Have A Berry Good Time Enjoying Strawberry Shortcake Dolls & Videos

** A Geek Daddy received the featured products for free to review **

My daughter always has a "berry" good time watching the Strawberry Shortcake videos that are released by Fox Home Entertainment.  So when we got our hands on the newest one, "Strawberry Shortcake: Berry Hi-Tech Fashion," she couldn't wait to jump on the couch with her Lemon Meringue rag doll and a bowl of popcorn to enjoy herself watching the DVD.  This 66 minute animated presentation is divided into three sweet adventures that have Strawberry Shortcake and her friends showing off their stylish sides while demonstrating the importance of always trying your best in the challenges life throws your way.

When I was a kid, all the girls in my neighborhood collected Strawberry Shortcake dolls that smelled like each character's personality -- blueberry muffin, lemon meringue, raspberry tart, and of course strawberry shortcake.  These were all the rage with my sister and all her friends as we grew up in the 80's and now parents can share these same dolls that provided so many great playtime memories thanks to The Bridge Direct Inc.  They've created special reproductions of these classic dolls from the 1980s that include all the original details -- including their berry sweet scents -- in both the vintage action figure and rag doll designs.  These Strawberry Shortcake dolls are available at a variety of retail locations across the United States including Kmart, meijer, RITE AID, Spencer's, Target, Toys R Us, Walgreen's and Walmart.

The Bridge Direct's rag dolls are great for little girls to snuggle while enjoying a Strawberry Shortcake video from Fox Home Entertainment.  After watching one of these videos, my daughter likes to reenact or expand upon the adventure she watched on DVD or Digital HD  by playing with her classic Strawberry Shortcake dolls.  These dolls with the original 1980's design also have some fun accessories available (The Berry Bake Shop, Berry House Playset & Strawberry Shortcake Scooter) which can further immerse children within the world of Strawberry Shortcake as they play.

Children can help Strawberry Shortcake create delicious cakes and pies with The Berry Bake Shop.  What treats will your child want to imagine making and baking in the playset's oven with the included mix and match cakes and pies kitchen accessories? A vintage inspired sweet-scented doll is included to inspire kids imaginary baking creations.

Take Strawberry Shortcake's pet cat Custard for a spin around Berry Bitty City in the scooter created for these classic dolls.  Safety first so make sure the rider is wearing the included helmet.  A Custard cat figure with the strawberry themed scooter.  Dolls to ride it must be purchased separately.

Party like it is 1980 with the Strawberry Shortcake Berry House playset.  This retro-inspired doll house is not just great for inspiring kids to be creative in playing with their Strawberry Shortcake dolls but is a convenient way to store them as well.  It includes party accessories like balloons, cakes and drinks.  Plus it comes with a classic Strawberry Shortcake doll in a party dress along with a cat figure of her pet Custard.

To celebrate the release of STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: BERRY HI-TECH FASHION on Digital HD and DVD, A Geek Daddy has a berry special prize pack to giveaway to one lucky blog reader or social media follower courtesy of Fox Home Entertainment and The Bridge Direct.  The prize pack includes the Digital HD version of the Berry Hi-Tech Fashion video along with a Strawberry Shortcake rag doll and Berry House Playset from The Bridge Direct Inc.  To be eligible for this giveaway you must follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet our original contest tweet embedded below before November 13, 2016 @ 11:59 pm EST.

RT & follow @GeekDad248 before 11/14/16 for chance to win a STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE prize pack courtesy of @TheBridgeDirect & @FoxHomeEnt #ad pic.twitter.com/hLaaqkTV33

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) November 9, 2016

STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKE: BERRY HI-TECH FASHION is now available from Fox Home Entertainment on DVD at retailers across the USA and via Digital HD Internet downloads.  The hour long video features three short stories: "Berry Double Trouble," "Berry Bitty Adventure," and "High Tech Drama."  When Strawberry Shortcake and her friends' favorite "berrynet" show announces a fashion tech contest, the girls put their heads together to show off their sensational style!  But with the pals busy with their designs, there's "Berry Double Trouble" as two bickering twins, Sweet and Sour Grapes, try to keep the Berry Bake Shop running smoothly.  The arrival of Strawberry's traveling cousin, Apple Dumplin, also throws things off-balance as everyone works to make their unexpected guest feel welcome in "Berry Bitty Adventurer." And as they prepare to unveil their berryriffic work, a little "High Tech Drama" threatens to unravel it all.  Good thing these berry best friends know that sweet rewards come to those who work together!



 DISCLAIMER & GIVEAWAY RULES

A Geek Daddy has not been financially compensated for this endorsement or hosting the giveaway but has received the featured items free to review and  for our family's personal use. The prize is provided by Fox Home Entertainment and The Bridge Direct Inc.  A Geek Daddy is hosting the promotion as a benefit to our readers. Must be a US  resident over the age of 18 to participate.  One entry per person and winner will be randomly selected from all eligible entries. Winner when notified by DM to their Twitter account has 48 hours to reply by providing a valid email and valid mailing address within the United States to accept the prize. The provided Email address will only be utilized by A Geek Daddy for providing a digital download code for the video to the winner. The Bridge Direct Inc. will be responsible for shipping the doll portion of the prize pack to the winner. By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. 

Catch Season 2 of HBO's Ballers on Digital HD

 **A Geek Dady received the featured product for FREE to review**

With afternoon sky's turning grey, leaves falling off the trees, and temperatures beginning to hover in the 40s & 50s here in Michigan, watching Season 2 of HBO's dramatic comedy BALLERS was a welcome escape.  The series revolves around a retired NFL player Spencer Strasmore, played by former WWE wrestler and collegiate football athlete Dwayne Johnson, who now instead of competing on the football field is hustling to become a super star financial manager in sun-soaked Miami.  Trendy people, hot cars, and cool locations provide a great backdrop to let viewers escape into the world of professional athletes living a life that many of us can only dream of in the Miami Beach community.  As you delve into this television series' episodes though it is apparent that this show is more than just eye candy to amusingly pass time watching.  Ballers is filled with laughable moments that are sure to entertain but also touches on some hard hitting realities that illustrate how the life of a professional athlete isn't always as bright and cheery as those of us who aren't insiders of the sports industry might think it to be.

In Season 1 that debuted in 2015, Strasmore reinvented himself from a star athlete to a flashy financial manager with drama and hilarity ensuing as he mentors current and former players through the daily grind of the business of football.  Dwayne Johnson's charisma that has made him one of Hollywood's current super stars shines through in his performance and is complimented by co-stars John David Washington (Denzel's son), Omar Miller, Dule Hill, and Rob Corddry.  Johnson's character fought his way to be a top player at his firm in Season 1 so what is next?  Strasmore is going to either soar even higher in his professional endeavors or he is going to come crashing to the ground.  You have to have drama in a drama, even if it is a comedic one, after all.

So in Season 2, we find Spencer Strasmore tackling the area's most powerful agent Andre Allen, played by Andy Garcia, to gain a higher profile in the world of sports management.  Of course Allen isn't going to just step aside to be second fiddle to his new competitor.  In fact, the sleazy veteran agent is now determined to ruin Strasmore to set an example that no one else should consider challenging him. Oh by the way did I mention that Allen was Strasmore's financial manager during his football playing days.  For sure there is some real tension there! Will Spencer Strasmore find glory or despair in his bid to be a dominate player in the world of the rich and famous?  You'll have to tune into Season 2 of HBO's Ballers to find out.

While this is going on Ricky Jerret (John David Washington) is struggling to make a huge decision -- which team offer will this free agent accept in what is probably his last deal as a player.  Dwayne Johnson gets a lot of credit for his charisma bolstering the show but Washington's performance as an aging player in his 30s with a big ego masking his insecurities about a fading career provides that stand out performance that makes this series a must watch show.  I also found the storyline for Charles Greane (Omar Miller) a great aspect of the show as he deals with the combined challenges of being a stay-at-home dad as well as a professional athlete who was forced to retire before he felt his career should be over.  Miller has scenes that will have you laughing and crying as his situation plays out dealing with how he copes with not being famous but still having to be an inspiration as a father instead of a pro athlete now.

I just finished watching all ten episodes and really enjoyed them. If you missed Season 2 of BALLERS when it was broadcast over the summer, you can catch up on it now.  HBO's Ballers is now available on Digital HD as of Monday, October 24, 2016.  The complete season download includes all ten Season 2 episodes, plus Inside the Episodes features at select retailers that take viewers behind the scenes of the show.  With Digital HD you can stream the show's episodes to your television, view them on a computer, or watch from a mobile device whenever is convenient for you which, as a busy professional and parent myself, I really appreciate.

For more information about the television series, please visit hbo.com/ballers

HBO Ballers: Season 2 Digital Download Giveaway

If you missed the most recent season of the HBO hit comedy series BALLERS when it was broadcast over the summer, you can catch up on Season 2 now as it will be available to own on Digital HD beginning Monday, October 24, 2016.  The complete season download includes all ten Season 2 episodes, plus Inside the Episodes features at select retailers that take viewers behind the scenes of the show.  With Digital HD you can stream the show's episodes to your television, view them on a computer, or watch from a mobile device whenever is convenient for you.
 
The series revolves around former Miami Dolphins stand-out Spencer Strasmore, played by Dwayne Johnson (AKA The Rock from the WWE) who is coping with the realities of life after football. He reinvents himself as a financial manager for professional athletes in sun-soaked Miami. Drama and hilarity ensue as Strasmore mentors other current and former players through the daily grind of the business of football.

In Season 2 of BALLERS, things are getting more competitive and complicated for Spencer. As the lines between professional and personal blur in his pursuit of lasting success and glory, he must face demons from the past when he goes head-to-head with the biggest business manager on the scene.  Heralded by critics for Johnson’s “movie-star charisma” (The Hollywood Reporter) and co-star Rob Corddry’s “hilarious” performance (TV Overmind), BALLERS is a must-see comedy for football fanatics and TV junkies alike.

Compliments of HBO, A Geek Daddy has a digital code to download all of Season 2's episodes of BALLERS to giveaway to one lucky winner.  To enter this giveaway you must follow @Geekdad248 on Twitter and retweet our original contest tweet embedded below before October 23, 2016 @ 11:59 pm ET.

.@BallersHBO Season 2 available to own on Digital HD starting Monday October 24--RT & Follow @GeekDad248 for chance to win download code #ad pic.twitter.com/69zNvWwYQt

— A Geek Daddy (@GeekDad248) October 21, 2016

To be eligible for the giveaway entrants must be a US  resident over the age of 18 to participate. .Prizing is courtesy of HBO.  A Geek Daddy will email the Digital HD code to a randomly selected winner. The selected winner must provide a valid email to redeem the digital download code and redemption of the prize will be the only use of provided email. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. By participating in this promotion you waive any liability of any kind against the publisher of this blog. A Geek Daddy received a digital download of Season 2 of BALLERS for personal use as compensation for sponsoring this promotion.  A Geek Daddy is providing this giveaway contest as a benefit to our readers and social media follower.

For more information about this television series, please visit hbo.com/ballers