Family Movie Night: Star Wars - The Force Awakens

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

Thanks to the kindness of the nice people at Hasbro our family was able to enjoy a fun Star Wars themed Family Movie Night watching The Force Awakens the weekend before it was released on Blu-ray and DVD. We found a mysterious box on our front porch on April 1st with a big Star Wars logo on the front. It wasn't a joke though but rather the Blu-ray/DVD/DigitalHD movie bundle for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens a few days before the film's official April 5, 2016 release on Blu-ray and DVD.

In addition to receiving The Force Awakens to enjoy, the box was also filled with a variety of Star Wars goodies to help make our Family Movie Night extra special.

Hasbro Star Wars toys are a great way to re-enact favorite scenes from the Star Wars saga of movies. My son practiced his dueling skills with a light up Bladebuilders Kylo Ren lightsaber during The Force Awakens battle sequences while my daughter held tight to a giant Rey action figure throughout the show.  The two of them have also had fun imagining up new adventures for BB-8, Finn, Rey and Maz Kanata with the Takodana Encounter 3.75 Inch Multipack that we also received in our Star Wars gift pack from Hasbro.

We always like to include some themed activities to our Family Movie Night entertainment.  We started off the evening with a target shooting competition using a Star Wars NERF Episode VII First Order Stormtrooper Deluxe Blaster.  I'd like to brag that I won this competition hands down but I'm also honest and have to say my wife took first place with my son doing pretty well too but I did hit more targets than my little girl did to avoid last place.  Of course she schooled me in the next competition of the night which was several rounds of R2D2 Bop It.  I have to say my daughter really loves that game!



Of course you can't have a Family Movie Night without treats! We snacked on Star Wars themed JELLO Jigglers of Chewbacca, C3P0, Darth Vader,  R2D2 & Yoda along with some popchips and blue "bantha" milk.  Here's my preferred recipe for Blue Milk just like Anakin and Luke Skywalker drank growing up on Tatooine:

Ingredients:

1 cup of milk;
1/2 teaspoon of unsweetened blue fruit punch mix;
1/2 teaspoon of sugar.

Directions:

• Pour the milk into a tall glass and gently stir in the blue fruit punch 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.

There you have it our evening wasn't extravagant but we had a really good time for our Star Wars: The Force Awakens Family Movie Night.  To add some fun to your own Star Wars themed movie night enjoy these free The Force Awakens activity sheets:



#StarWars #TheForceAwakens #Hasbro

Play out your favorite STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS scenes with Hasbro's Micro Machines

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

Our family is counting down the days and can't wait until we can watch STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS again after it is officially released on April 1, 2016 for DigitalHD and April 5th on Blu-ray & DVD.  While we've been waiting to add the newest movie in the Star Wars saga to our home video library, my kids have been having fun playing out their favorite scenes from Episode VII and imagining new adventures involving the characters and vehicles from the film with Hasbro's Micro Machine toys.

My son has been racing around the house the last few days with the Finalizer, a Resurgent-class Star Destroyer used by the First Order as Kylo Ren's command ship in the movie, while my daughter has pursued him around the house with Poe Dameron's dark hulled T-70 X-wing fighter.  Hasbro's Star Wars Micro Machines have brought the battle between The First Order and The Resistance into our family's living and dining room as my kids have been racing around imagining being engaged in a variety of space faring exploits.

This Star Destroyer isn't just a model though it opens up to be used as a playset.  Recreate the scene from THE FORCE AWAKENS where FN-2187 and Poe Dameron attempt to escape from the grasp of The First Order or create your own scenarios featuring the hanger bay of the Finalizer.  In addition to moving Star Wars Micro Machine vehicles and figures around the playset, there is also a simulated flight feature that allows kids to fly a TIE Fighter or X-wing across the playset and shoot a plastic missile which represents a laser bolt being shot from one of these starfighters.

These Star Wars: Micro Machine toys are recommend for children 4 years old and up. A few nice features about the miniaturized toys is that your kids can have some epic battles with a bunch of them without messing up your house and Micro Machines are easy to store and put away because of their compact size.  They are also very portable to take along with you to keep kids amused when you are out and about for example during a long car trip, an extended wait at the doctor's office or a visit to an elderly relative.



In addition to the STAR WARS: Micro Machines First Order Destroyer Playset there are also 3-Pack Vehicle Assortments and Deluxe Vehicle Assortments that can be purchased separately to build up your First Order and Resistance armies.  Each 3-pack assortment contains vehicles from throughout the Star Wars saga ranging from classics like the TANTIVE IV and AT-AT to new additions from THE FORCE AWAKENS such as Rey's Speeder and Kylo Ren's Shuttle.  The Deluxe Assortment allows kids to build an entire fleet of starfighters that can fit in the palm of their hand.  Each assortment includes five vehicles and two microfigures.  The Deluxe Vehicle Assortment Hasbro generously sent our family to play with, along with a Star Wars: Micro Machine First Order Star Destroyer Playset and a 3-Pack Vehicle Assortment, included 2 X-Wings, 2 TIE Fighters, a snow speeder, a Poe Dameron micro figure and a TIE pilot micro figure.

Another option for building a Star Wars: Micro Machines fleet of ships is to pick up Blind Bags.  Each of these contains one ship and you won't know what you get until opening up the bag.  There are 36 different vehicles that you can obtain through the Star Wars: Micro Machines Blind Bag assortments.  In buying ten of these you could end up with one of  10 different vehicles or with 10 Y-wing fighters...it is all blind luck what you might pick.  There is a bit of excitement though opening up a pack not knowing what to expect. My son grabbed an Inquisitor TIE fighter from the Star Wars: Rebels TV show in this blind bag and was thrilled!

CLICK HERE for more information about Hasbro's Star Wars: Micro Machines collection.

#StarWars #TheForceAwakens

Rey is on her way

My son and daughter loved the new Star Wars movie and unanimously their favorite character in The Force Awakens was ... Rey - the young woman whose mechanical skills, piloting abilities, and aptitude for winning a brawl have made her role one of the most appealing parts of the film.  I've had to intervene a few times in battles between my kids when they both have wanted to play at the same time with the one Rey toy Santa brought for Christmas.  In fact there not being enough Rey toys to go around is a current complaint for Star Wars fans who can't find the sci-fi saga's new leading lady on store shelves.

For the first time ever, the Star Wars brand was featured in the National Retail Federation's top ten toys lists for BOTH boys and girls.  Realizing that Rey is a big part of the appeal for a new generation of fans and there is unsatisfied market demand for items featuring this character, Disney recently acknowledged in a press release that it is now making a concerted effort to get more products featuring her out to retailers.

According to Elissa Margolis, Senior Vice President, Disney Store, "Rey is a true break out hero in the movie and is proving a huge hit with our guests. Demand for Rey merchandise was strong even before the movie released, with products selling as quickly as we could restock shelves, and it is only growing with the success of the film."

Keep an eye out for new toys, clothing, collectibles, and home goods featuring Rey as they begin to roll out at Disney Store locations and other retailers nationwide.  Some items featuring Rey that are or will soon be available include:

Rey branded light saber toys from Hasbro 

A Nerf shooter shaped like Rey's blaster from The Force Awakens

A buildable figure from LEGO 

3.75 inch Rey action figure in her Resistance gear by Hasbro

Rey's land speeder from Mattel

Playskool Rey & Captain Phasma toy set

20-inch BIG-FIGS action figure from JAKKS PACIFIC

Exclusive Disney Store Figure Play Set

Exclusive Disney Store 6-inch Elite Series Die Cast  Action Figure

Disney Store Limited Edition Sculpture

Rey Pop! figure from FUNKO

Rey Build-A-Bear

Disney Infinity The Force Awakens Video Game

If you come across some Rey products not included in this list that you want our A Geek Daddy readers to know about shoot us some information in the comments section, tweet us the info or a pic to @Geekdad248 or let us know on our Facebook page.

Disney Artist Creates Adorable Calvin and Hobbes / Star Wars Mashup Illustrations

 ** Warning images contain spoilers for Star Wars: The Force Awakens**

As a child, my family had the same routine every Sunday.  We'd go to morning mass, swing by the local pharmacy on the way home to pick up the Sunday newspaper, then my dad would make us  scrambled eggs, bacon and waffles for breakfast when we got back to our house.  Once we'd finished breakfast my dad would pull out the newspaper and throw the comic strips my way while he began to peruse the sports section.  I always would enthusiastically go straight to my favorite comic, Calvin and Hobbes, to check out that week's adventure of a six-year-old boy and his stuffed tiger.

Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Watterson was syndicated in newspapers across the world from 1985 through 1995.  During its run the comic strip both entertained and promoted critical thinking through the use of satire inspiring many people including a gentleman named Brian Kesinger.  Brian recently paid tribute to his fondness for Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes by creating some nostalgic illustrations that merge the classic comic strip with today's hottest pop culture topic, the new Star Wars movie The Force Awakens.  Highlighted on his website and social media accounts, Kesinger recreates some memorable Calvin and Hobbes segments as scenes from The Force Awakens.  Having loved both Star Wars and Calvin & Hobbes as a boy and still being a fan of both to this day, I was so delighted to discover these great illustrations by this remarkable up and coming artist who also has quite a few artistic accomplishments under his belt.

While Bill Watterson is no slouch, Brian Kesinger also has a pretty darn respectable resume to his credit. In 1996 at 18 years old, Kesinger was hired by Walt Disney Studios becoming the youngest animator in the history of the company.  He started off working on Tarzan and other movies he has been involved with include Bolt, Chicken Little, Tangled and Winnie the Pooh.  In 2011, he received the Annie Award for his story work on an animated television show that for our family has become a Christmas viewing tradition, called Prep and Landing.  Brian also worked on one of our family's all-time favorite Disney animated movies, the Academy Award-nominated Wreck-It Ralph and is currently working on a movie my kids really want to see coming out later this Spring called Zootopia.  Like myself, Brian Kesinger is a fan of the Sci-Fi and Steampunk genres who likes to create drawings inspired by those themes when he is not working on projects for Disney.  I knew that I'd like this guy the second I saw his Calvin and Hobbes / Star Wars mashups!

If you like these illustrations show some appreciation to Brian by following him on Instagram or Twitter and giving his displayed artwork some likes or stopping by his website to leave a positive comment. If you enjoy his artwork, you may also want to check out his book "Traveling With Your Octopus"

Zen Studios adds The Force Awakens to its line of Star Wars pinball video games

Most Saturdays I have an hour to kill while waiting for my daughter at the dance studio during her ballet lessons and often find myself spending the time playing the Star Wars themed digital pinball tables from Zen Studios that I've downloaded on my iPad.  There are a variety of games available representing the movies and televisions shows from the Star Wars saga plus a few digital pinball tables dedicated specifically to some of the more colorful characters from the sci-fi franchise.  In addition to imitating the play of traditional pinball machines these video games also add buzz and whistles like digital special effects and video to enhance their entertainment value.  Plus you don't have to keep stuffing them with quarters while you play which is nice.  I also have a few of these Star Wars pinball apps from Zen Studios on my iPhone which are nice to play around with when I have some down time during the day.

In addition to enjoying digital pinball on tables based off the characters and events in the first six Star Wars movies, soon players will be able to add The Force Awakens experience to their game play. On January 12, 2016 Zen Studios is releasing a Star Wars Pinball: The Force Awakens Pack which will have two new pinball tables featuring art, models, and sounds directly from the film and will be available on Playstation 3, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Mac, Windows 10, Steam, plus iOS, Android, and Amazon mobile devices.  The two new additions to Zen Studios video game pinball will be titled Star Wars Pinball: The Force Awakens Table and Star Wars Pinball: Might of the First Order which will allow players to choose whether they want to support the Light Side or the Dark Side of the Force.



With Star Wars Pinball: The Force Awakens Table players will team up with the Resistance and fight against the First Order alongside such heroes as Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron. It features all-new table-transforming environment mechanics that allow players to visit locations from the film and twelve action-packed story modes that incorporate some of the most thrilling moments from the motion picture into the game play.

Star Wars Pinball: Might of the First Order puts players in command of the First Order, tasked with extending its power across the galaxy.  This digital pinball table features an innovative two-level playfield where you must use a special ball-lock system tied to Kylo Ren to crush the Resistance, as well as the ability to control your own Star Destroyer with the help of a special magnetic upside-down ramp!

While it is nice to see Zen Studios adding The Force Awakens to their pinball table themes, as a player who already enjoys these video games I'm even more excited that they are also adding new mechanics and elements that will provide different game play experiences. Star Wars Pinball: The Force Awakens Pack will be available as a digital download for console, PC, and mobile device beginning the week of January 12, 2016.  Visit starwarspinball.com for more information.

The Force Awakens Hasbro's Star Wars Toy Line

A few weeks ago A Geek Daddy received a message from Hasbro asking me to choose a side in the Star Wars saga ... would I select the Light Side or choose the path of the Dark Side?  That was a tough choice but in the end I couldn't resist the lure of the Dark Side with its gleaming white stormtroopers, evil Sith warriors and cool bounty hunters. #ChooseDarkSide I did!

Hasbro followed up my response by sending a mysterious package my way.  Of course my kids and I couldn't wait to open it up! What could be inside?  The box was filled with a preview of Hasbro's new toys based upon the upcoming Star Wars sequel THE FORCE AWAKENS.  Based upon the path, I had chosen Hasbro provided a sample of toys that would help our family crush The Resistance in the name of The First Order!  So let's take a look at the Dark Side of Hasbro's new lineup of Star Wars toys that were included in our #ChooseDarkSide mailing.

Star Wars: The Black Series 6-inch Stormtrooper Action Figure 
These 6-inch scale figures are highly articulated and exceptionally detailed.  Characters from STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS that will be available as these action figures include the First Order Stormtrooper, Finn (Jakku outfit), Rey with her droid BB-8 (Jakku outfit), Kylo Ren, Captain Phasma, Chewbacca, Poe Dameron, Constable Zuvio and First Order Snowtrooper among others.
(Retail Price: $19.99  /  Recommended Ages 4 & up )

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Stormtrooper Mask
Join the battle for control of the Star Wars galaxy by donning a role-play mask.  Kids can pretend to join The First Order by wearing a Stormtrooper role play mask.
(Retail Price:  $9.99  / Recommended Ages 5 & up )

Star Wars: NERF First Order Stormtrooper Deluxe Blaster
Wow! this NERF shooter was impressive, most impressive!  Pretend battling against The Resistance with this blaster that comes with a 12-dart clip, slam-fire action, removable sight, detachable stock and twelve NERF darts that fire up to 65 feet!
(Retail Price: $39.99 / Recommended Ages 6 & up )

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Kylo Ren Extendable Lightsaber
The power of the dark side is strong with the Kylo Ren Extendable Lightsaber! With the flick of your wrist, you'll be ready to stop The Resistance in its tracks.  This lightsaber is compatible with other components of the Hasbro BLADEBUILDERS system [each sold separately] so kids can create incredible new lightsaber combinations.
(Retail Price:  $12.99  / Recommended Ages 4 & up)

Every kid, and geek daddy, in town is going to want to relive their favorite scenes from the new STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS movie.  Whether you select the Light Side or Dark Side, Hasbro has a variety of toys for fans of all ages to spur on imaginative play and enhance fans' enjoyment of the film.  CLICK HERE for more information about Hasbro's entire lineup of STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS toys.

So thanks to Hasbro our family is stocked up and prepared to be the scourge of the galaxy, well at least of our neighborhood, as we have some fun with the Dark Side of the Star Wars universe.  May the Force be with you!

The Force Awakens on Friday September Fourth

You knew from the moment that Disney announced it was releasing a brand new Star Wars movie that in addition to an incredible amount of fan hype concerning the film there also would be a flood of tie-in retail products including clothing, books, toys, grocery items, and novelties swamping store shelves.  Well the Force Awakens on Friday, September 4, 2015 at 12:01 am when all manner of brand new Star Wars items will be flooding the marketplace as that is the date and time that Disney has authorized its licensees to begin selling products connected to the new movie which will be opening on December 18, 2015 at theaters across North America.   "Force Friday", as September 4 has been dubbed, is meant to be the initial spark that ignites a huge blast of consumer and media attention for the film in the final months before Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens arrives in theaters.

For fans that don't mind staying up very late on Thursday night and want to be the very first to get their hands on Star Wars: The Force Awakens apparel and merchandise, several stores will be having special Force Friday events at select locations when the clock strikes midnight.  There will also be a variety of retail promotions taking place throughout Force Friday and the following weekend at various retailers. Here's a round up of some of the Force Friday goings on taking place around the USA:

TOYS R US

When the clock strikes 12:01am on September 4, ALL Toys“R”Us stores in the U.S. will open their doors, giving customers the opportunity to be among the first to purchase hundreds of new Star Wars playthings^.  As an added bonus, little Jedi Knights and their families attending midnight opening events will have the chance to receive special giveaway of an exclusive Star Wars poster, while supplies last.  I've been told the first 75 people in line at each store will receive the giveaway items.  Don't feel like going out late at night?  At midnight on Force Friday, shoppers will also be able to browse and purchase the new products online at Toysrus.com/StarWars.

MEIJER

Meijer stores throughout the Midwest are preparing to bring customers closer to a galaxy far, far away by offering a variety of grocery and merchandise items in honor of the epic Star Wars saga and this year’s theatrical release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens.  Starting on Force Friday at 12:01 a.m., Sept. 4, the retailer that is known for being open twenty-four hours per day will have a huge variety of the newest Star Wars themed products at all 222 stores in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky and Wisconsin. The Grand-Rapids, Mich.-based retailer is also hosting larger regional midnight events at 12 Meijer stores where customers can participate in the Force Friday global celebration for Star Wars.  From Noon to 5pm on Force Friday, all Meijer stores will also feature Taste of the Galaxy food stations with samplings and Star Wars-themed recipe options to feed the fandom as they re-watch their favorite episodes to gear up for The Force Awakens.

TARGET

200 Target stores across the United States will open at 12:01 am on September 4th so fans can get their hands on more than 300 brand new Star Wars items.  CLICK HERE to find one near you. Target's main focus though will be on Saturday from 11 am - 2pm when every store will feature a special "Star Wars shop" area that will have photo ops, demos of the newest Star Wars toys, family friendly activities, and while supplies last a Star Wars lunchbox giveaway for kids.  Target will have some unique displays, including an X-Wing fighter cockpit photo op in the seasonal department, which the retailer wants to encourage people to take take pictures with and share on social media with the hashtag #ShareTheForce.

WALMART

2,900 Walmart locations across the United States will be hosting Force Friday midnight events.  Check their website for participating locations, because while 2,900 seems like a lot the two locations closest to our house aren't doing anything special at midnight.  From toys to and grocery to apparel, Walmart will have more than 500 new Star Wars products in stores and thousands more on Walmart.com.

Walmart will be the only place to find the Star Wars Galactic Connexxions trading disc game by Topps, a collectible trading disc game featuring the Star Wars characters generations know and love. At Force Friday midnight events, Walmart will hand out a free limited edition two pack of the discs, including a rare star field disc that is only available in packs given away on Force Friday. If customers find one of four special redemption discs inside Galactic Connexxions game sold in stores, on Walmart.com or during the events, they can be redeemed for an ultra-rare 14 karat gold disc and a Star Wars room makeover.  Walmart will also be hosting Family events in every stores on Saturday, Sept. 5th, beginning at 10 am. If you couldn't make it to the Force Friday midnight event stores will also be handing out the collector disc two-pack as well as giving away collectable Star Wars posters and activity sheets.

DISNEY STORES

Disney Store locations in New York City in Times Square, Chicago on Michigan Avenue, and San Francisco on Stockton Street will participate in midnight madness. Doors will open at 12:01 a.m. local time on Sept. 4, giving fans the first opportunity to see and purchase toys, collectibles, books, apparel and more from the upcoming film. In addition, the first 1,000 guests will receive a free Star Wars: The Force Awakens D23 commemorative fan poster.

In ALL Disney Store locations throughout North America, doors will open for business on Force Friday with Star Wars -themed opening ceremonies, offering a galactic twist on the traditional "Unlocking Imagination" ritual. Other activities taking place at Disney Store locations (excluding Disney Store Outlets) on Force Friday include:

• A free commemorative Star Wars: The Force Awakens pin for the first 100 guests who make a purchase on Force Friday
• Numerous Star Wars events taking place, including:
• R2-D2 craft activity
• Ways of the Force
• Star Wars Story Time
• Art of Drawing: R2-D2
• Free Topps vintage trading card giveaway upon completion of an in-store event and while supplies last
• Epic Star Wars theming that pays homage to both the Dark Side and the Light

For those who prefer to shop online, DisneyStore.com , will have a special Limited Edition product available only for purchase through the web site, as well as free shipping on all Star Wars items from Sept. 4 – Sept. 6.

Additionally, on Thursday, Sept. 3, the Disney Store on North Michigan Avenue in Chicago will play host to one of 14 live toy unboxing events happening around the world. Starting at 8:30 a.m. CDT, HobbyKidsTV, a YouTube channel part of the Maker Studios network, will be broadcasting live from inside the Store, unveiling new products from Star Wars: The Force Awakens, available exclusively at Disney Store and DisneyStore.com.   Through this promotion, fans across the world will get a sneak peak of new product inspired by Star Wars: The Force Awakens and available at retailers worldwide via the world's first-ever global live toy unboxing event on the Star Wars YouTube channel. Unfolding over 18 hours in 15 cities and 12 countries, the event will see highlights from the range of epic merchandise revealed in a rolling New Year's Eve style celebration. The live stream kicks off with the first unboxing in Sydney, Australia at 7:45 a.m. local time on Thursday, Sept. 3 (5:45 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, Sept. 2), and concludes with a grand finale at Lucasfilm in San Francisco at 8 a.m. PDT (11 a.m. EDT) on Thursday, Sept. 3.  Fans can tune in to watch live unboxings at home or on mobile devices, and also enjoy the latest trailers on the upcoming movie, commentary from special guests, fun product videos and demos, and footage from recent Star Wars events. The full schedule is available at. www.StarWars.com

 QVC

Even  the home shopping television network QVC is getting into the action hosting hour long time slots focused on selling Star Wars products on Friday at 2am and 5pm.

So are you going to head out at midnight for Force Friday?  May the Force be with You! Whether you do or don't it appears that the next 3 months will be full of excitement for Star Wars fans as they eagerly await next installment of the Star Wars saga.