My kids grew up watching the animated show Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on the Disney Channel. Hot Diggity Dog! They loved the show's Hot Dog song and dance segments as preschoolers so much that I still catch them now they are teenagers being Goofy dancing around singing the song. Talking to them the other day, I realized that beyond knowing about Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Daisy, Pluto and Goofy from that cable tv show, they weren't familiar with earlier Disney works that crafted these characters into the beloved pop cult icons we know today. So, I was geeked to learn that as part of Disney's 100 Year Celebration, many of the original short films that introduces these characters to the world are being re-released on Digital and Blu-ray.
Arriving April 4 on Digital and June 27th on Blu-ray/DVD is MICKEY & FRIENDS 10 CLASSIC SHORTS: VOLUME 2. This home entertainment video release includes a brand-new animated interstitials introduction featuring Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy and Pluto, as the beloved Disney characters gather together to watch a slideshow on some of their hilarious past adventures. Then viewers can enjoy the hijinks of Mickey and his friends in ten classic animated shorts.
Celebrate 100 magical years of Disney with this collectible compilation of animated shorts! Join Mickey and his friends in these 10 hilarious, madcap adventures which have entertained generations of children and adults alike. Highlights include The Band Concert, where Maestro Mickey and his friends face wild challenges while performing outdoors. Then see what happens when Goofy is in the driver’s seat pulling Mickey’s Trailer. In Pluto’s Sweater, Pluto gets hot under the collar when Minnie knits him a warm turtleneck, and in Pluto and the Gopher, Pluto stops to smell the flowers, but finds himself outwitted by a mischievous rodent. And there’s no stopping Donald’s nephews from coming between their uncle and the lovely Daisy Duck when Mr. Duck Steps Out. Five more charming, funny stories complete this legacy collection that’s sure to delight.
The ten included shows within MICKEY & FRIENDS 10 CLASSIC SHORTS: VOLUME 2 are:
I'm looking forward to some quality family time sharing with my son and daughter the origins of Mickey Mouse and the fun situations he and his friends were involved in before their Mickey Mouse Clubhouse years. Hot Dog!
Movie prop replicas can be a great way to add a fun touch of favorite films into your surroundings. So, I was geeked about the chance to have my very own Eye of Agamotto amulet like the one utilized by Benjamin Cumberbatch to bring the mystic arts abilities of Doctor Strange to life within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Disney has produced a number of Infinity Stone-related movie prop replica items from the Marvel Comics inspired superhero films including the Eye of Agamotto; which turned out to be powered by the Time Stone, one of six cosmic gems that can provide wielders amazing power. These prop replicas are available exclusively at a souvenir shop attached to Epcot's Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind roller coaster and the shopdisney online store.
I purchased Doctor Strange's Eye of Agamotto on shopdisney.com to check out these Infinity Stone themed movie prop replicas and determine if I might want to pick up any of the others as this was a favorite out of the lot. Others available are the orb holding the Power Stone from Guardians of the Galaxy, the Aether Container that held the Reality Stone from Thor: The Dark World, the Tesseract with the Space Stone from Captain America: The First Avenger, Loki's scepter with the Mind Stone from The Avengers, and the Iron Man gauntlet from Avengers: Endgame that holds all six Infinity Stones. If I was impressed with Doctor Strange's Eye of Agamotto, the odds are really good these other items would also all be finding their way to my house to be incorporated into a Marvel fan display in our game room or home office.
There was a lot of excitement in the air when the package containing my Eye of Agamotto which I had eagerly been awaiting arrived from shopdisney.com. Enthusiastically ripping up the boxes for what I had thought would be the unveiling of my own piece of Hollywood magic, the oxygen in the room emptied as I gasped at a disappointing dud. This has to be the most disappointing purchase I can remember making in a long time. I normally don't write negative reviews but wanted to warn others not to be suckered into what looks like a really cool prop replica being marketed by Disney.
First of all, and most troublesome, the Doctor Strange Eye of Agamotto movie prop replica isn't screen accurate. Its sized about twice the size it actually should be! It is more like a big clock you'd see Flavor Flav wearing around his neck than the amulet donned by the Sorcerer Supreme. Absolutely, too large to be used for cosplay! As well as hindering the display value of the amulet because it looks out of place big. Doah!
Second, instead of utilizing AAA or AA batteries, which would have been totally doable based upon the girth of the amulet, you need to insert the more expensive style wristwatch style batteries to power its special effects. I don't normally keep those in stock around the house. Fortunately, batteries are included with it! But I'm not looking forward to eventually replacing them.
On a more positive note, the glowing light effect of the Time Stone does have a nice ambience to it. It has a supernatural glow and emits a mystical humming sound. The Eye of Agamotto prop replica does get kudos for that. The Time Stone is removable but doesn't glow on its own removed from the amulet.
The amulet is also very sturdy with its body made out of metal. From tapping on it and feeling its weight, you can tell that this isn't just a plastic mold. Disney's Eye of Agamotto is made with metal giving it the feel of actually holding a real magical amulet, well that is if such a thing actually existed. Still, it has the durability you think would be put into a prop used on a set to make sure it doesn't get broken while filming a movie.
Additionally, the packaging incorporates some nice details to make it look like a techy storage container. That adds a fun element to unpacking the Eye of Agamotto and is worth keeping around to store it when not using for cosplay or display.
I just can't get over just how obnoxiously big this is! That is such a huge detraction. Though I guess it does look rather cool on a display shelf if you are viewing it from a distance. The size is enough of a negative though that Disney's Doctor Strange Eye of Agamotto doesn't earn a Geek Daddy nod of approval. Buyer beware!
In terms of size, the Disney Company is, without a doubt, one of the biggest companies in the world. Aside from producing great movies, they also have some fantastic theme parks. They also have the marketing muscle and budgets to be involved with some amazing sweepstakes.
How magical would it be to win a family vacation Disney World (or Disneyland!) by entering a Disney sweepstakes. Honest to God, I actually won a Disney sweepstakes once for my family to go on an all expenses visit from Detroit to Disneyland about ten years ago so take my word it is possible to get lucky if you participate in these promotions.
Disney never disappoints with its giveaways! They come in all shapes and sizes. As far as prizes, they have it all, whether it's movies, toys, or fabulous vacations! This week they're giving away some great prizes. Check them out!
Take part in the Delish Celebration Disney Sweepstakes to win a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida! The winner will receive four round-trip coach airfares between the airport closest to their residence and Orlando International Airport. The prize is valued at $9,161.96 in total. Imagine an all-expenses paid trip with four of your most immediate family members or friends. This Disney Sweepstakes is one way to make dreams come true.
You must be at least 21 years of age to enter and be a resident of the United States. Return daily and earn your daily entries until the promotion ends on September 30, 2022.
In the live-action remake of Pinocchio, you'll go on a thrilling adventure alongside Pinocchio, Geppetto, Jiminy Cricket, and more! With Disney+'s recent release of Pinocchio, Gofobo is giving away Pinocchio on DVD, a vintage Pinocchio movie poster, and an exclusive Pinocchio Funko Pop! All classic Disney fans will love this Disney Sweepstakes!
The contest will end on October 10, 2022. You must be at least 18 years of age to enter and be a resident of the US. Claim a daily bonus entry to increase your chances of winning!
Nothing screams 'luxury Disney' more than the Disney Vacation Club! From now until April 21, 2023, you can enter their instant win games to win some Disney Cash Gift Cards and pick precisely what you want from the Disney Store! There will be five entry periods with 128 prizes awarded during each one. The instant win prizes include:
● $19 Disney Gift Card;
● $25 Disney Gift Card;
● and finally, a $250 Disney Gift Card!
So, if you've had your eye on any Disney merchandise, this could be an excellent opportunity to win some cash - and an excuse to shop!
You've Gotta Enter to Win!
Don't miss out on great Disney Sweepstakes. Who knows where you'll end up or what you'll find? It's an excellent opportunity to win prizes and create memories. I wish you the best of luck and an extra pinch of pixie dust!
Disney's live action adaption of the beloved animated movie MULAN is now available via digital purchases to add to your home entertainment video library. Get it now from MoviesAnywhere, AmazonPrime, Vudu and other popular movie retailers. We picked up dinner from our favorite Chinese restaurant (Mui's in Clawson, Michigan), had a good time completing a Mulan themed activity pack, and enjoyed watching this movie courtesy of our friends at Walt Disney Studios.
We had such a wonderful evening I wanted to share our family movie night fun! So I've included the activity sheets below for you to enjoy. Plus...I have a digital code redeemable from moviesanywhere.com to giveaway!
For a chance to win a digital code to redeem Mulan from MoviesAnywhere, just complete the rafflecopter entries below before 11:59 pm on October 25, 2020. Must be a United States resident to be eligible for the giveaway and for the code to work. All entrants must be over 18 years old. Good luck!
To save her ailing father from serving in the Imperial army, a fearless young woman named Mulan disguises herself as a man to battle invaders who are set on killing the Emperor and destroying China in the process. Aiding these rogues is a devilish witch who has the men of China overmatched until one of their own soldiers surprises everyone. Does Mullan have the courage and chi to save her friends, family and the Emperor's dynasty?
The movie is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence. While there isn't anything particularly troublesome for young viewers to watch in this movie, note it isn't the kids cartoon that so many families are familiar with. The goofy sidekicks and warm hearted songs of the animated film have been replaced with more serious themes about female empowerment and devotion to family. Still the movie is filled with vivid visuals of landscapes, jaw dropping martial arts scenes and eye catching special effects. This version of Mulan just may be a bit more fitting for tweens and teens to watch with their parents for some Disney family movie night entertainment instead of the elementary school aged kids that people may think would be into it.
During this year's Detroit Auto Show, I had the great opportunity to meet up with Jay Ward, Creative Director, and Jay Shuster, Production Designer, for the upcoming Disney PIXAR Cars 3 movie that will be roaring into movie theaters on June 16, 2017. They mentioned to me that they've been working on Cars 3 for five years! While
the movie is scheduled to be released this summer, they said the film was going to continue to get tune ups until just a
couple of weeks before it is released. Ward and Shuster were very proud that the studio was going over
every little detail of the film to make sure everything is just right
and movie goers can appreciate an exceptional experience at the theater
viewing it. CLICK HERE to read the full details about my discussion with this dynamic duo who have played a major role in creating the Cars movie franchise that so many families, including my own, are fans of.
Cars 3 promises to be another entertaining movie chock full of action, racing and fun adventure scenes. The movie begins with Lightning McQueen (voiced by Owen Wilson) blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers. Trying to get back to the front of the pack, McQueen turns to an eager young race technician named Cruz Ramirez (voiced by Cristela Alonzo) for help plus gets some inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet. Making his way through some unexpected turns #95 shows that he isn't done yet. Can Lightning McQueen win another Piston Cup and take another cruise through victory lane? We'll have to see the movie to find out!
Growing up in the Motor City, I have naturally developed a love of cars. So in addition to my children enjoying these wonderful animated movies, I've also really liked them as well. Our whole family is really enthusiastic to see Cars 3 when it rolls into theaters. Join us in getting geared up for the movie by having some fun with these great free Cars 3 downloadable activity sheets that my friends from Disney PIXAR provided A Geek Daddy to share with you:
Plus here's a a snippet from the upcoming Cars 3 movie:
Learn more about Cars 3 at cars.disney.com which includes character profiles, craft ideas, games, videos and an online store of themed merchandise. Also check out their Twitter and Facebook accounts as we head towards the green flag being waved for the opening weekend of Cars 3!
Here's a first glimpse of Golden Globe® winner Emily Blunt portraying Mary Poppins as filming has begun for MARY POPPINS RETURNS, the all new sequel to Disney’s 1964 film
MARY POPPINS. Directed and produced by Rob Marshall,
MARY POPPINS RETURNS also stars Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer and Julie Walters with Colin Firth and Meryl Streep. The original movie is a family favorite so we'll be looking forward to an outing at the cinema when this sequel arrives at theaters!
The
film, which introduces three new Banks children, played by Pixie
Davies, Nathanael Saleh and newcomer Joel Dawson, also features Dick Van
Dyke
and Angela Lansbury. The film is set in 1930s depression-era London
(the time period of the original novels) and is drawn from the wealth of
material in PL Travers’ additional seven books. In the story, Michael
(Whishaw) and Jane (Mortimer) are now grown up,
with Michael, his three children and their housekeeper, Ellen
(Walters), living on Cherry Tree Lane. After Michael suffers a personal
loss, the enigmatic nanny Mary Poppins (Blunt) re-enters the lives of
the Banks family, and, along with the optimistic street
lamplighter Jack (Miranda), uses her unique magical skills to help the
family rediscover the joy and wonder missing in their lives. Mary
Poppins also introduces the children to a new assortment of colorful and
whimsical characters, including her eccentric
cousin, Topsy (Streep).
MARY POPPINS RETURNS will be released in U.S. theaters on December 25, 2018!
AquaBall, the zero-calorie, sugar-free, and preservative-free children's beverage know for packaging featuring Disney's Frozen, Disney Princesses, Marvel's Avengers and Disney Classic Characters for its Berry Frost, Fruit Punch, Grape and Strawberry Lemonade flavors is hosting a very nice holiday giveaway. You'll want to check this out because not only are they giving away a great prize for kids, but also some things moms and dads will appreciate winning as well.
There's a prize pack just for dads with useful and fun tech items from Logitech and Ultimate Ears. I especially like the headphones for online video game play.
A lucky mom will win a prize pack with a limited edition Laura Mercier cosmetic set, stained glass birthstone dish, and a nice scarf featuring the quote "I love you more today than yesterday, but far less than tomorrow."
Plus there is a prize pack just for kids that includes a space scooter, bell helmet, and Light Stax block set.
Get your entries in because this giveaway ends at 3pm (ET) / Noon (PT) on December 15, 2017. CLICK HERE and fill out the entry forms for each of the three themed contests (Dads, Moms & Kids) located on the AquaBall blog for a chance to win. Good luck!
Our family had the opportunity to see an advance screening of Disney's PETE'S DRAGON before its August 12th opening weekend and we all really enjoyed the show. My daughter specifically was delighted by PETE'S DRAGON sitting on the edge of her seat through the whole movie. When my wife suggested she sit back in her seat my 7 year old exclaimed "I can't it's too exciting!"
This movie is a re-imagining of the 1977 family film that combined Disney's hallmark animation with live action sequences that were similar to other campy movies of the time like The Apple Dumpling Gang and Herbie the Love Bug. The original movie featured musical singing and dancing routines, slap stick humor, and a cartoonish dragon with purple hair and wings. While the new adaption features an orphaned boy named Pete who is befriended and protected by a dragon he names Elliot that is about all the similarities between the two movies as 2016's PETE'S DRAGON really is its own stand alone tale. While the original film is known for outlandish characters and musical numbers, the new movie stands out as a drama that tells a story which absorbs audiences into it through well developed characters, impressive stunts, stunning natural backdrops, and wonderful special effects. It also features some comedic moments that had the whole theater laughing, mostly involving the reactions by people in the movie the first time they get their eyes on Elliot.
I have to give a lot of credit to the Disney special effects team who created Elliot as they had a difficult balancing act of attempting to make Elliot into a "realistic" dragon that also wouldn't be scary for most children as this is meant to be a family friendly film. They did an extraordinary job bring to life on the screen a magical creature that can be viewed both as fierce and intimidating but also as cuddly and affectionate. The dragon has the look of a giant green labrador retriever with wings providing a character that has a warm appearance but also should have people wary of its bite -- or in this case breathing fire! As a kid I liked Pete's Dragon so much that Elliot was my Halloween costume one year, so as a parent enjoying the new movie with my kids I appreciated that it paid homage to the original beloved character by preserving the dragon's snaggletooth and ability to turn invisible. While the stories aren't connected it was nice to see a few elements of the 1977 movie incorporated into the 2016 version in Elliot's appearance...and I have to say I don't miss the purple hair. Disney really did an impressive job of creating Elliot for PETE'S DRAGON and while watching the movie you don't view it as a special effect but rather see it as a character in the movie on par with the human actors.
Pete's Dragon 1977
PETE'S DRAGON 2016
In PETE'S DRAGON, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted
local children for years with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in
the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas
Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more
than tall tales…until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a
mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in
the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliot. And from Pete’s
descriptions, Elliot seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr.
Meacham’s stories. With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an
11-year-old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber
mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he
belongs, and the truth about this dragon.
PETE'S DRAGON is rated PG for action, peril and brief language. In my opinion this rating is primarily for three scenes. The movie starts off with an accident which leaves Pete alone in the woods being stalked by some very vicious looking wolves that appear very ready to eat him. Another sequence has men with rifles shooting at Elliot. There is also a scene where Elliot attacks several characters by breathing fire at them putting them at risk of being killed. The film really is suitable for children of any age, but as a parent if you have a child who may be sensitive to intense situations or easily scared these scenes are what you should really be aware of before he or she sees the movie. For the most part though this is a great movie for a family outing filled with some great messages for kids such as valuing family and wildlife.
Please enjoy these free downloadable PETE'S DRAGON activity sheets and for more information about the movie visit movies.disney.com/petes-dragon-2016
Look at this! We ran into Elliot from Pete's Dragon while taking a hike through the woods! Of course you can't see him because the dragon can make himself invisible; but trust me he's standing right there getting a hug from my kids. You'll actually be able to see what Elliot looks like though in Disney's new adaption of PETE'S DRAGON when it opens at theaters across the United States on Friday, August 12, 2016.
For a sneak peek at Elliot before the move hits theaters, A Geek Daddy has some activity sheets and coloring pages to share with our blog readers featuring Pete and his dragon:
In PETE'S DRAGON, old wood carver Mr. Meacham (Robert Redford) has delighted
local children for years with his tales of the fierce dragon that resides deep in
the woods of the Pacific Northwest. To his daughter, Grace (Bryce Dallas
Howard), who works as a forest ranger, these stories are little more
than tall tales…until she meets Pete (Oakes Fegley). Pete is a
mysterious 10-year-old with no family and no home who claims to live in
the woods with a giant, green dragon named Elliot. And from Pete’s
descriptions, Elliot seems remarkably similar to the dragon from Mr.
Meacham’s stories. With the help of Natalie (Oona Laurence), an
11-year-old girl whose father Jack (Wes Bentley) owns the local lumber
mill, Grace sets out to determine where Pete came from, where he
belongs, and the truth about this dragon.
I've enjoyed following the adventures of Doctor Strange ever since flipping through the pages of Marvel's THE DEFENDERS comic books as a kid. In these comics, the mystic wizard Doctor Strange led a super powered team consisting of the Incredible Hulk, Namor, the Silver Surfer, and a female Asgardian named Valkyrie, who could give Thor a run for his money in a duel, that took on extraterrestrial and supernatural threats to the Earth. So I'm really excited that Disney's Marvel Studios is releasing an origin story movie featuring the Sorcerer Supreme that will arrive on November 4, 2016 at movie theaters across the United States.
The movie will tell the story of how Doctor Stephen Vincent Strange
transforms from being a brilliant surgeon to becoming the world's
Sorcerer Supreme after a tragic car accident ruins his medical career.
Doctor Strange travels the globe looking for a cure to restore his
damaged hands from the car accident and while traversing through Asia
encounters the Ancient One who teaches him to be a master of the
mystical and martial arts. Doctor Strange uses his new talents to take
up the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme setting up residence in a New York
City mansion he calls the Sanctum Sanctorum and focusing his life on
defending the world from dark magic, demonic intrusions and super
villains.
Marvel Studios has just released a new trailer and movie poster to help build excitement for the movie. Check them out below!
By the Flames of the Faltine! Nobody is going to need to conjure up a spell to enchant me into going to this movie, I'm raring to go! If you are as excited about going to see this movie as I am, or have no clue who this comic book character is and want to learn more, visit the official Marvel website or follow the movie's social media accounts on Facebook and Twitter for updates on DOCTOR STRANGE.
This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the birth of Roald Dahl, the author who has delighted generations of children with books such as Charlie & the Chocolate Factory, James and the Giant Peach, Fantastic Mr. Fox, and Matilda. Of all the wonderful stories that Dahl wrote before he passed away in 1990, his personal favorite was The BFG, which tells the tale of a ten-year-old orphan and her encounter with a big friendly giant. Making his directing debut for Walt Disney Studios, Steven Spielberg has created a movie adaption of The BFG that is a touching tribute to the beloved children's author during this special commemorative year celebrating his life. My son was exuberant about going to see The BFG and he obviously was not disappointed in the film as he left the theater with a GIANT smile on his face. To share his jubilation with our A Geek Daddy readers please enjoy these fun The BFG coloring pages:
The movie begins with a young orphan named Sophia lurking around her orphanage alone during the "witching hour" late at night after everyone else has fallen asleep. Peaking out a window she notices a large, cloaked shadow blowing what appears to be a trumpet into a second story window down the street. The shadowy figure notices he is being watched and suddenly gigantic fingers pluck the girl from the window of her orphanage bedroom. Afraid that this little girl will tell adults of what she saw which will lead to them hunting down the creature, Sophia is smuggled away to Giant Land. While initially afraid that her giant captor will eat her for dinner, she soon finds out that he is a Big Friendly Giant (BFG) who doesn't eat children but rather subsists through eating a foul smelling, nasty looking vegetable known as a snozzcumber. Though BFG's Gobblefunk language may be a bit odd, Sophia discovers the giant to be a gentle, kind soul who strives to improve children's lives during his visits to the land of humankind.
Unfortunately for Sophia, the other inhabitants of Giant Country love to eat children and soon catch wind of her scent. As they seek her out, Sophia witnesses BFG's brothers bully and brutalize him as the runt of their band of giants. Plus Sophia learns that while BFG visits London and the other cities where humans live to blow dreams into sleeping children's heads with his magical trumpet, Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater, and other ferocious giants roam the world secretly snatching children in the dark of night to eat. She comes up with a plan to ask the Queen of England for help in combating the brutish giants. Can Sophia and BFG convince Queen Victoria to help them stop the bad giants from eating children once and for all?
Grade school children will definitely enjoy Disney's The BFG because Spielberg faithfully transforms Dahl's text from a book which has captivated young readers for more than 30 years to maintain the ambiance which has made it one of the most popular school age reading books of all time. The movie is like watching the imagery from a grade school book pop out of its pages and play out in front of you and does a remarkable job of incorporating elements of The BFG's original illustrations by Quentin Blake into the film's live action sequences. A nice touch to the movie is that it is set in 1982 which is the year the book was published. Can you notice the details in the movie which highlight the era in which the story is set?
I'm not normally a big fan of 3D movies but The BFG is one that is worth wearing the glasses to see at the theater. The 3D really helps subtly provide depth to the elements and special effects in a story where height and size play a crucial role in its plot. The 3D doesn't provide any mind-blowing visual effects but it does enhance the overall viewing experience.
The BFG is rated PG. The rating is due to younger audiences potentially being sensitive to a dream sequence involving a giant eating a child, scenes with the band of giants beating up and bullying BFG, scenes with the brutish giants searching for Sophia so they can eat her, and references to the bad giants stealing and eating children from around the world. I would recommend the movie for children 6 to 12 years old which is the same audience for the book. Younger children could be scared by some scenes and some teens and adults could be bored by the film which is based on a book meant for kids to read. If your child enjoys Roald Dahl books, and you liked reading them yourself as a kid, this movie is well worth going to see.
The BFG has a run time of 117 minutes and began playing at movie theaters across the United States on July 1, 2016. For more information on the movie, visit movies.disney.com/the-bfg. Also visit, roalddahl.com for more information about the author and the Roald Dahl 100th Anniversary Celebration.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator and James and the Giant Peach were three of my favorite books to read in grade school and I read each of them multiple times during my youth. So I'm excited the story by their author that was his favorite published work, "The BFG" has been made into a motion picture by Walt Disney Studios directed by Steven Spielberg. "The BFG" tells the tale of a ten-year-old orphan and her encounter with a big friendly giant and their battle with his brutish brothers in Giant Country. To share my excitement about The BFG arriving at theaters across the USA on July 1, 2016 here are some fun activity sheets and fun facts related to the movie.
FUN FACTS
Roald Dahl's "The BFG" was first published in 1982, the same year as Steven Spielberg's own story about an unusual and transformative friendship, "ET: The Extra-Terrestrial," captured the hearts and imaginations of children and adults. Melissa Mathison wrote the screenplays for both films.
The BFG is 24 feet tall. The biggest giant in Giant Country is Fleshlumpeater who is twice as big as the BFG. If NBA basketball player Lebron James, a forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers who is 6 feet 8 inches tall was standing next to Fleshlumpeater, he would come up to his ankle.
Roald Dahl was exceptionally tall himself, measuring 6 feet, 6 inches in height. 2016 marks the 100th anniversary of Dahl's birth. "The BFG" was Roald Dahl's favorite of all his stories and was originally created as a bedtime story for his grandchildren. The character Sophie was named after his granddaughter and based upon his daughter Olivia who died at 7 years old from the measles.
Production on "The BFG" was a combination of live action and performance capture (the performance capture techniques were used to bring the story's fantastical characters to life). Director Steven Spielberg filmed individuals in their performance capture suits acting on the same set with the film's totally human characters as he wanted to see the interaction between them.
ACTIVITY SHEETS
The BFG is rated PG and has a run time of 117 minutes. It began playing at movie
theaters across the United States on July 1, 2016. For more information
on the movie, visit movies.disney.com/the-bfg.
Hulu is pushing to be a go-to source for children's television programming through a new deal it just inked with The Disney - ABC Television Group which will make full prior seasons of top rated kids titles from Disney Channel, Disney Junior, and Disney XD available through the online video streaming service. Hulu niche has been providing its subscribers with access to the current season of shows from 5 of the 6 largest U.S. broadcast networks but is also bolstering its available library of past seasons of TV shows and original programming like The Mindy Project and the Golden Globe nominated comedy series Casual. A subscription to Hulu is $7.99 per month with limited commercials or commercial free for $11.99.
The new agreement with The Disney-ABC Television Group makes Hulu the exclusive subscription video-on-demand home for all of the past seasons of several popular shows that appeal to children, tweens, and teens including Disney XD's highly rated animated series Gravity Falls and Star vs. The Force of Evil plus the Disney Channel's live action shows K.C. Undercover, Austin & Ally and Dog With A Blog. Additionally, the agreement provides Hulu with exclusivity for the Disney Junior shows Sheriff Callie's Wild West and Henry Hugglemonster which appeal to preschool audiences. These shows join Doc McStuffins and Bunnytown from Disney Junior which Hulu had previously obtained exclusive rights to stream.
In addition to adding more than 500 episodes of kid friendly programming this deal also provides 20 Disney Channel Original Movies that will be available to stream on Hulu for the first time ever. Other recent efforts by Hulu to bolster its children's programming lineup have included recent deals to obtain exclusivity for Nickelodeon's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Penguins of Madagascar and PBS Kids Curious George. They've also created a special Kids Portal for their children's programming so that kids can watch it commercial free even if your family is on the basic $7.99 per month plan. The streaming service also has a Kids Lock feature which restricts viewing to only shows designated as children's programming which can be triggered on your TV, PC, or mobile devices. Between an expanded library of content and commercial-free children's programming, Hulu is doubling down on attracting parents and their kids to tune in with them.
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