family movies

Adventure Has Never Been Bigger: Clifford The Big Red Dog

November 12, 2021 By Lena 7 Comments

“Magic is all around us if you just know where to look.” – Mr. Bridwell
Let me start out by saying: Clifford The Big Red Dog is a magical family film. We were offered an exclusive opportunity to view an advanced screening courtesy of eOne, and my boys loved it! The movie has a decidedly innocent throwback appeal; generations of fans of the original literary series have already fallen in love with the over-the-top main character and this movie has been long awaited by children and their parents alike! Here’s the official movie synopsis:

When middle-schooler Emily Elizabeth (Darby Camp) meets a magical animal rescuer (John Cleese) who gifts her a little, red puppy, she never anticipated waking up to find a giant ten-foot hound in her small New York City apartment. While her single mom (Sienna Guillory) is away for business, Emily and her fun but impulsive uncle Casey (Jack Whitehall) set out on an adventure that will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat as our heroes take a bite out of the Big Apple. Based on the beloved Scholastic book character, Clifford will teach the world how to love big!…

Toronto: Enter to Win Tickets to a Screening of Kung Fu Panda 3!

June 15, 2016 By Lena

*Note: The following sweepstakes is open only to those in the Greater Toronto Area who can travel to the Toronto Zoo for the event on June 24, 2016.*

ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO A SCREENING OF KUNG FU PANDA 3 AT THE TORONTO ZOO!

After reuniting with his long-lost father, Po travels to a secret village and meets tons of hilarious new panda friends and family members. But when the supernatural villain Kai challenges all the Kung Fu masters across China, Po must discover the teacher within himself and train his clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas!
KungFuPanda3_2048x1024 TWO lucky readers will win a Family Prize Pack consisting of 4 ‘admit one’ passes to attend an exclusive screening of Kung Fu Panda 3 at the Toronto Zoo. (Parking included.)

Date: Friday, June 24, 2016
Time: 1 pm arrival, 2 pm screening
Location: Toronto Zoo: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON
Screening will take place in the Wildlife Marquee, Discovery Zone

Bonus: Winners will receive passes for full entry to the zoo before and after the screening! …

Put Education First: Monsters University

May 24, 2013 By Lena

I had been checking my mailbox for weeks; pacing back and forth, waiting for the mail carrier to arrive. Sometimes, I’d meet her down the street – impatiently inquiring if she had anything for me, my stomach twisting in knots as she ransacked her mailbag. After rooting around for what seemed like hours, she’d look up at me with a expression of pure pity, and say, “Not today, Lena.”

Crushed, I walked back to my house, wondering how I could make it through the next 24 hours. Surely it would arrive tomorrow.

I was waiting for a big package; one that would be bursting at the seams. I had pinned years of hopes and dreams on this; I couldn’t eat, I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t function until I knew either way where fate would take me. I refused to be recklessly confident and yet I knew my chances were extraordinarily good… so, I waited.

And then, the very next day, it happened.

As I leaned against the mailbox for support, I caught sight of the mail carrier as she turned the corner. She had a glorious grin from ear-to-ear and in her hands, was clutching a thick, heavy package. As we made eye contact, I broke into a run, a little bloom of hope growing inside of me. Within seconds I pulled up short in front of her, gasping as I tried to catch my breath – “For me?”

“For you,” she replied with a smile, unshed tears glistening in her eyes.

Grabbing the package, I tore it open right then and there. Inside, I found several forms, many little booklets, but it was the single sheet of paper at the very top that caught my eye:

Dear Lena,

You’ve Been Admitted to Monsters University.

The Monsters University Admissions Office have asked us to extend an invitation for an exclusive “campus tour.” M.U. students Mike Wazowski, James P. Sullivan (plus more misfit monsters) invite you and your loved ones to see a sneak peek of Disney-Pixar’s “Monsters University” (@MonstersU) on Saturday afternoon, May 11 at the AMC Theatres at Downtown Disney! (If you want to scream now, it’s o.k…the monsters actually like it.) This sneak peek is compliments of our pals at Disney-Pixar (@DisneyPixar).

Sincerely,
Dean Hardscrabble

I couldn’t help it – I cried with relief. I had waited for this letter for four long years. Four years of hitting the books, churning out content, and late nights spent at the computer instead of hanging with friends and family. Four years of building my credentials, networking among peers, and making sure I always stayed true to myself and my followers. And now, it had finally paid off….