Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

family movies

Adventure Has Never Been Bigger: Clifford The Big Red Dog

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“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!…

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

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*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_2048x1024TWO 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! …

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Planes: Fire & Rescue – Win a Family Pass! (GTA)

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If you have Disney-loving offspring in your household, chances are, you’ve got July 18th circled on your calendar. Why? Well, it’s the North American release of Planes: Fire & Rescue, of course!

“Planes: Fire & Rescue” is a new comedy-adventure about second chances, featuring a dynamic crew of elite firefighting aircraft devoted to protecting historic Piston Peak National Park from raging wildfire. When world-famous air racer Dusty (voice of Dane Cook) learns that his engine is damaged and he may never race again, he must shift gears and is launched into the world of aerial firefighting.

Dusty joins forces with veteran fire-and-rescue helicopter Blade Ranger (voice of Ed Harris) and his courageous team, including spirited air tanker Dipper (voice of Julie Bowen), heavy-lift helicopter Windlifter (voice of Wes Studi), ex-military transport Cabbie (voice of Captain Dale Dye) and a lively bunch of brave all-terrain vehicles known as The Smokejumpers. The fearless team battles a wildfire and Dusty learns what it takes to become a true hero.

Planes: Fire & RescueI’ve got two little fans who cannot wait to see the new movie, and I’ve got a special surprise for them – we’re attending the advanced screening on July 16th in Toronto! Yup – they’ll get their Dusty-fix before anyone else (which translates to two more days of hearing roaring plane engines for me).

The best news: you can join us! I’ve got one Family Pass of 4 to give away to the advanced screening of Planes: Fire & Rescue on July 16, 2014 in Toronto. The show will take place at Cineplex Yonge & Dundas at 7:15pm.

If you’re interested in treating your family to this epic aerial adventure, simply leave a comment on this post. I’ll randomly draw for a winner on Sunday, July 13th, 2014. Good luck everyone!

Put Education First: Monsters University

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As many of y’all know, I am officially a student of Monsters University! Yep, back in May, I received acceptance into the university and have been studying around the clock in the school’s elite Scare Program. Term finals are just around the corner – wish me luck!

Of course, back in the Spring, I was letting y’all know about the coming release of the movie in theatres. And now, I’m happy to share even more exciting news: Last month, Disney•Pixar celebrated the release of “Monsters University” on Digital HD and Digital HD 3D on October 8, 2013, followed by the 4-Disc Ultimate Collector’s Edition Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, 3-Disc Collector’s Edition Blu-ray Combo Pack, 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and On-Demand on October 29, 2013. Whew! That’s quite a widespread release, but now, your options are limitless!

I’ve got two little monsters who absolutely adore everything about the movie. In fact, they often practice their scares… which was cute *at first*. Now, I often have to intercede as they try to outperform each other. Let’s just say many-an-Advil has been popped as they do their “homework”.

Now I’ll be the first to admit that I too am enamoured with the animated film. In fact, since getting my hands on a review copy of the 3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack, I’ve lost hours in productivity as I watch along with the boys. From the painful cuteness of Mike Wazowski as a young boy, to the perfect comedic ensemble of Oozma Kappa, the movie will delight kids of all ages….

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GTA: Win 1 of 4 Family Passes to Disney’s Frozen

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Live in the Greater Toronto Area? Why not join me for a very special advanced screening of Disney’s Frozen. I’ve got four (4) family passes of four to give away to lucky readers in the Greater Toronto Area. The advanced screening takes place on Saturday, November 9th at 10:00am at Cineplex Odeon Winston Churchill (Oakville).

From the studio behind 2010’s “Tangled” and last year’s “Wreck-It Ralph,” Walt Disney Animation Studios presents Frozen, the most daring comedy-adventure ever to hit the big screen. When a prophecy traps a kingdom in eternal winter, Anna (voice of Kristen Bell), a fearless optimist, teams up with extreme mountain man Kristoff (voice of Jonathan Groff) and his sidekick reindeer Sven on an epic journey to find Anna’s sister Elsa (voice of Idina Menzel), the Snow Queen, and put an end to her icy spell.

Encountering mystical trolls, an amazing and comedic snowman named Olaf, Everest-like conditions and magic at every turn, Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom from destruction.

Frozen is in theatres in 3D on November 27, 2013 – but you can be one of the special folks who sees it before the public release! If you’d like to join me on November 9th, simply leave a comment below indicating your interest. Remember, each family pass is good for four (4) admission tickets, and I’ve got four family passes to give away.


I’ll randomly draw for winners on November 6th. And contrary to the movie’s title, I hope you all stay warm!

Blue Carpet: Thomas & Friends King of the Railway

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Live in the Greater Toronto Area? Know a Thomas & Friends Fanatic?

Courtesy of Fisher-Price, I’m giving away twenty (20) family passes of four to the Blue Carpet Screening of Thomas & Friends King of the Railway!

WHAT: Blue Carpet Screening of Thomas & Friends King of the Railway
WHEN: Saturday, September 21st at 10:30am
WHERE: Cineplex Cinemas Yonge-Dundas, 10 Dundas Street East
WHY: Because I’m a #FisherPriceMom, and have awesome perks to share!

“Join Thomas & Friends as they embark on a legendary movie adventure! The engines meet new friends and discover suits of armor; coats of arms and legends of long-ago heroes. Then their bravery is put to the test when their new friend Stephen goes missing. Will Thomas find him in time? Will the engines discover the truth about the Island of Sodor’s biggest mystery? It’s a crusade of knightly proportions in this epic movie!”

*EDIT* Thank you! All tickets have been claimed!

Put Education First: Monsters University

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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….

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