Monday, March 31, 2014

"The Sparkle Egg" -- A Wonderful Book from Jill Hardie That Reminds Us Why We Celebrate Easter -- Review and #Giveaway #ShareAMoment

Disclosure: Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.



Ideals Books



A touching story that uses the powerful yet accessible symbol of an empty egg to demonstrate the concept of complete forgiveness. The Sparkle Egg is a tool which will help readers and their families start a new Easter tradition.


    Written by Jill Hardie
    Illustrated by Christine Kornacki
    Available now!
    Hardcover with jacket, 10 x 10, 32 pages
    Ages 4 to 8 

    About The Sparkle Egg 
    Easter is coming, and Sam loves Easter! But this year, he is upset about a lie he told his parents. Even though he apologized and they forgave him, Sam can’t shake the feeling that he is a bad kid for what he did. Meanwhile, his parents help him make a special Easter craft called a Sparkle Egg. His mom tells him to write anything he feels sorry about or ashamed of on a piece of paper and put it inside his Sparkle Egg.

    On Easter morning, when he opens his Sparkle Egg expecting a surprise, Sam finds that it is empty! His parents explain that because Jesus died and rose again, we are forgiven. Like the tomb that first Easter Day, Sam's egg is empty—and Sam’s wrongdoing is completely forgiven. Once he accepts this forgiveness fully, Sam realizes a truth: we can sparkle and shine with God’s light when we let God’s gift of grace into our hearts. This touching story will strike a deep chord with readers of all ages, and the Sparkle Egg tradition will help readers and their families grasp the totality of God’s perfect grace.


    Visit the official website:  http://www.idealsbooks.com 


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    My Thoughts:

    I was first introduced to Ideal Books and author Jill Hardie back in Dec. of 2012. As my of my annual Christmas Gift Guide, I shared a review of Jill's holiday book, "The Sparkle Box."  If you missed my review or want to learn more about this book, click here now -- http://www.inspiredbysavannah.com/2012/12/holiday-gift-ideas-sparkle-box-by-jill.html.  Recently, I was sent another wonderful holiday book from Jill Hardie, to include in my  Easter Gift Guide called "The Sparkle Egg."  As with Jill's previous book, which reminded us about the true meaning of Christmas and how it is better to give than to receive, "The Sparkle Egg" has a message of forgiveness, which children of all ages will enjoy reading or having read to them.

    I don't know about you, but when the holidays roll around, I sometimes find myself getting lost in the festive activities of the season, and have to stop and remind myself why we are celebrating a certain holiday. My girls are getting to the age that they are starting to enjoy the holidays, and with Easter fast approaching, I have been stocking up on plastic Easter eggs to fill and hide on Easter morning, as well as picking up egg dying kits to decorate eggs with them.  But, thanks to this book, I was able to take a step back and remind myself, and share with the girls why we celebrate Easter and to make sure we thank God for all that we have and ask for forgiveness when we do something wrong.

    In this story, we meet a boy named Sam, who does poorly on a spelling test.  Instead of getting a gold star that he was hoping for, he feels ashamed for his poor performance.  When he arrives home from school, his mom asks him how he did on the test.  He lies and tells her he got a gold star, but forgot the test at school, so he couldn't show it to her.  It wasn't until the next day when Sam's parents attend a parent-teacher orientation that they find out from the teacher that Sam did poorly and didn't receive a gold star, like he had told them.  His mother asks him why he lied.  

    Sam apologizes for lying to his parents and even asks God for forgiveness.  But, for the next week he finds himself carrying around this guilt and being able to live life to its fullest, or letting God's light shine through.  It isn't until his mother sits him down and has him create a Sparkle Egg, which he embellishes with glitters, sparkles and more.  She tells her son to draw a picture or write something down on a sheet of paper that he feels sorry about or ashamed.  Sam ends up drawing a gold star, to go along with his lying about receiving this on the spelling test.  He then folds the paper up and puts inside the egg.  His mom tells him that on Easter morning he will find a special surprise in the egg.

    Sam rushes to check his basket and more specifically the Sparkle Egg on Easter morning. He is saddened and confused when he finds the egg empty.  His parents sit him down and tell him that the empty egg represents all that is forgiven in God's eyes.  Jesus died and rose again so that we could live on eternally.  And, like the empty tomb that first Easter Day, this is why Sam's egg is empty.  Sam's wrongdoing of telling a lie was completely forgiven by God.  And, once Sam realizes that he is forgiven and accepts this forgiveness fully, then he will truly be able to sparkle and shine with God's light.  If we carry around shame and guilt like Sam did, we can never really receive all God's gifts and shine.  But, once we let go of our guilt and understand that God forgives us completely, then we can truly live a happier and more spiritual life, one that God wants us to live.

    It is hard to find touching stories like this one that you can share with your children, and discuss the meaning of it afterwards.  And, while many children think of Easter as fun egg decorating, Easter egg hunts and baskets full of candy and goodies, they also have to understand why Easter is really celebrated and the sacrifice Jesus made for us.  With this book, you can sit your children down and share the true meaning of Easter.  And, thanks to Jill and her idea of the "Sparkle Egg," you can start a new tradition with your children, as a way to symbolize the true promise of Easter, and how we have to forgive ourselves fully in order to open ourselves to God's purest of light and be able to spark and shine like God wants us to. 

    While my girls are still too young to really appreciate this story and for us to start a tradition of creating a Sparkle Egg for Easter, I will definitely be keeping this book handy for when the time comes.  I love this idea and especially love the message Jill shares with her book.

    If you are looking for a new tradition to start with your family, or simply want to share the true promise of Easter, then you will want to check out "The Sparkle Egg" by Jill Hardie.


    "The Sparkle Egg" is a symbol of the true promise of Easter, and how God sacrificed his only son so that those who believe in him with have an eternal life.

    --GIVEAWAY--


    Note:  Only one entrant per mailing address, per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you are not eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.

    a Rafflecopter giveaway
    ---



    Author Bio
    Jill Hardie’s first book, The Sparkle Box, ignited a new Christmas tradition that helps center Christmas in the true joy of the season. Now Jill is hoping to touch lives with a new Easter tradition with The Sparkle Egg. She lives in North Canton, Ohio.

    Illustrator Bio
    Christine Kornacki illustrated the highly acclaimed The Sparkle Box. She has a love for painting and a knack for bringing stories to life. Christine received a BFA in illustration from the University of Hartford and spends most days painting in her studio, which adjoins a charming cafĂ© in New Haven, Connecticut.



    Disclosure: Many thanks to Propeller Consulting, LLC for providing this prize for the giveaway. Choice of winners and opinions are 100% my own and NOT influenced by monetary compensation. I did receive a sample of the product in exchange for this review and post.
    Read more »

    New Matching Games for Preschoolers From Wonder Forge -- Disney's Frozen and Planes + Marvel (Review)

    Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.

    Wonder Forge

    My holiday gift guides are never complete, until I share a selection of games from Wonder Forge.  I have been working with this company for a few years now and love their selection of games for preschoolers and even kids 8+. And, with preschoolers in mind this Easter, Wonder Forge has three fantastic NEW matching games launching in April, that feature gorgeous color artwork from Frozen, Planes, and Marvel. The games are small, portable, and easy to play—promoting preschool matching, creativity, and imaginative play with your child's favorite characters. And at just $19.99 or below per game, they're a great value, offering hours of family fun.

    ----

    High-flying, tricky-tossing fun!

    Planes Sky Race


    Fly your plane through the Wings Around the Globe Rally to win. But, watch out–flight conditions change and you’ll face surprising challenges. Toss with your eyes closed, between your legs, lying down, and more!

    Embedded image permalink

    A fun game of picture-matching!

    The classic game of picture-matching now features Marvel Super Heroes! Flip over brightly colored tiles featuring Iron Man, Spider-Man, Captain America and many more Marvel heroic friends and villains. Pick up the most pairs to win!

    Photo: Look What's Coming Soon! Our Brand NEW Disney Frozen Matching Game!

    It’s the classic game of picture-matching, now featuring your favorite characters from Frozen! Flip over brightly colored tiles and find beautiful pictures of sisters Anna and Elsa, plus friends Kristoff, Olaf, Sven and more. What familiar faces will you see? Pick up the most matching pairs to win!

    ---

    My Thoughts:

    Out of the three name games releasing soon, I had the folks at Wonder Forge send along the Disney Planes Sky Race™ Game and Disney Princess Frozen Matching Game to review with my girls.  I don't know about you, but Disney's new release, Frozen, has been on repeat in our DVD play since the girls got it last week.  I don't want to brag, but after seeing it countless times, I can recite the movie word for word.  Don't get me started on the song, "Let It Go," which I can't get out of my head. :-)  I find myself singing this song in the car, the shower, and just last night in my head, as I was waiting in line at the market.

    My girls love Wonder Forge's matching games, especially ones that they release for the holidays or that feature recent hit movies like Disney's Planes and Frozen.  Within days of putting in my review request, these two games arrived at my door, ready to be played with by my two preschoolers.  :-)

    Photo: Look What's Coming Soon! Our Brand NEW Disney Frozen Matching Game!

    Before I could read the directions to the Disney Princess Frozen Matching Game to the girls, Savannah was already passing out the cardboard cards, in which you have to push the individual matching tiles out before you play the game the first time.  She said, "Mommy, I know how to play."  I should have known, seeing that they pull out their assortment of Wonder Forge matching games on a weekly basis.  Even my 2 1/2 yr. old daughter, Bella, knows how to play these matching games. 

    Both of my girls are huge fans of Frozen's Elsa, Anna and Olaf, and couldn't help but smile as they prepared the game titles for play.  They loved the game and looking at the beautiful pictured titles that they played the Disney Princess Frozen Matching Game for two whole hours, without getting bored. This was a first in regards to any game played by them. Usually, they are done after 20 minutes.  But, there was something about this new Disney Princess Frozen Matching Game that pulled them in and got them excited about rematching over and over again.

    When it came time to play the new Disney Planes Sky Race™ Game from Wonder Forge, I left this game for my husband to play with the girls.  Savannah was so into this movie at Christmastime that Santa ended up filling half the tree for Disney Planes toys. And, since then, whenever Savannah has one-on-one time with her Daddy, she is oftentimes pulling out the assortment of Disney Planes toys in the playroom to play with him.  My husband couldn't wait to play this game with Savannah especially, when I showed it to him last week.  And, this past weekend, while I was spending time with Bella, my husband and Savannah gathered in the living room to play this game.  Even though I was upstairs with Bella, we could hear Savannah and my husband yelling and screaming as they tossed their planes into the air and watched to see whose went the farthest.  Bella was so interested in seeing what they were doing and why they were being so loud, that we ended up coming downstairs to join in on the fun. :-)

    Planes Sky Race

    For the next hour, the whole family had a blast taking turns flying the different planes from this new race game, around the living room.  Boys and girls will have a blast with this fun Disney Planes Sky Race™ Game, and will want to get other members of the family, both young and old, to join in and play. Come on, tell me "Who doesn't like a good airplane race?"  I haven't had this much fun playing a game with our girls in a long time.  And, I have the folks at Wonder Forge to thank for our great bonding time and memories made.

    So, instead of filling your child's Easter basket with candy this year, why not pick up a one or more of the above games, or other from Wonder Forge, to surprise your child with?  Here is just a sampling of games you will find from Wonder Forge...

    tickety toc

    matching gamehide and seek zoo game
    all better gamesurprise slides game
    easter matching gameshipwreck beach game
    traintastic cargo gameenchanted cupcakeClash Alley Game


    Click here now to visit the Wonder Forge website and browse their complete line of games for preschoolers and families -- http://www.wonderforge.com/.



    Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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    Arriving Tomorrow on DVD, Exclusively at Walmart -- Birds of Paradise -- Review and #Giveaway

    Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.

    GET READY FOR A SKY HIGH ADVENTURE

    Pre-order on DVD from Walmart for only $12.96

    All-Star Cast Of Feathered Friends Arrives On DVD Exclusively At Walmart, 
    As Well As Digital HD and Video On Demand April 1 - From Lionsgate Home Entertainment

    "Why hide in a crowd when you were born to stand out with the high-flying adventure Birds of Paradise, arriving on DVD (plus Digital UltraViolet) April 1 exclusively at Walmart and Redbox from Lionsgate Home Entertainment. The film will be available on Digital HD, Video On Demand and Pay-Per-View everywhere the same day. Awarded the DOVE seal of approval, this family-friendly adventure proves you shouldn’t judge a bird by their feathers and features the voices of a talented cast including Drake Bell (TV’s “Drake & Josh), Ashley Tisdale (TV’s “High School Musical”), Ken Jeong (Despicable Me 2), Jane Lynch (TV’s “Glee”), Jon Lovitz (The Benchwarmers) and Keith David (Free Birds).

    When Jack, an ordinary sparrow with dreams of becoming an extraordinary bird, is accidently covered in colorful paint, he is thrilled about his new exotic appearance and believes that he’ll now be able to impress Aurora, a beautiful canary who has recently escaped from her indoor cage.  But when Aurora’s mean owner, Mr. Potter, finds her, Jack must enlist the help of his best friends - Vinnie, the loyal pigeon and Skeeter, the hyper hummingbird as well as Rosie, the caring bat and the wise Old Buzzard in order to free her. And along the way, Jack and Aurora will learn that it’s not what you look like on the outside, but who you are on the inside that truly counts. 

    Timed to the theatrical release of Rio 2, the Birds of Paradise DVD features all-new bonus material including a look behind the scenes of the voice recording sessions and a sneak peek at award-winning animated Miniscule shorts. The Birds of Paradise DVD will be available exclusively at Walmart for the suggested retail price of $19.98."

    DVD SPECIAL FEATURES*
    • “Bringing the Characters to Life - At the Recording Studio with Drake Bell, Ashley Tisdale, Ken Jeong, Jane Lynch, Jon Lovitz and Keith David” featurette
    • Sneak Peek at Award-Winning Miniscule Shorts
     *Subject to Change

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    My Thoughts:

    I love watching animated movies with my girls, as I love trying to figure out who is voicing the characters.  In this upcoming DVD release, you will find the voice talents of Ashely Tisdale, Jane Lynch from Glee, comedian Jon Lovitz, Drake Bell, Ken Jeong from Community, Dallas Lovato, older sister to Demi Lovato and Keith David.

    Have you ever felt ordinary or not that special?  Well, this is the case for Jack the Sparrow voiced by Drake Bell.  He wishes he could be more exotic and vibrant like his other feathered friends.  But, when a paint color goes wrong, Jack the Sparrow finds himself in trouble.

    Paired with a yellow canary voiced by Ashley Tisdale, who escapes her cage and has to deal with the adjustment of her new found freedom, these two unlikely friends, along with some other feathery friends they meet along the way, set out on an wild and crazy adventure, that will delight your entire family.

    Not only do these feathered friends learn about the important of friendship, caring for one another, overcoming your fears and never giving up.  Jack the sparrow and Aurora both have low self esteems in the beginning, but along the way on their amazing adventure, they learn about themselves and how being different or ordinary is not so bad.  What a great message for the younger audiences.  And, they will love hearing familiar voices like Drake Bell and Ashley Tisdale voicing the lead characters.



    And, as you wait for this DVD's release tomorrow, why not print out this fun Birds of Paradise maze to share with your child...


    --GIVEAWAY--

    Thanks to the kind folks at Lionsgate Home Entertainment, one lucky reader will win a copy of Birds of Paradise on DVD to share with their family.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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    Pound Puppies: A Perfect Match on DVD April 8th from Shout! Factory Kids -- Review and #Giveaway

    Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.



    More Fun-Filled Outings Starring your Favorite Pups!

    Bring Home the Adventures April 8th, 2014 from Shout! Factory Kids

    "Not every puppy is perfect for every person, and the Pound Puppies are dedicated to making sure their furry friends end up in the right hands!  On April 8th, 2014, join Lucky, Cookie, Niblet, Strudel and Squirt as they continue on their mission to find a person for every pup with the release of Pound Puppies: A Perfect Match on DVD. Featuring five fun-filled adventures, this DVD collection is priced to own with an SRP of $9.99.

    The Pound Puppies find they have their paws full with their newest adventures! In Perfect Match, the Pound Puppies come to the rescue when a so-called “un-matchable puppy” finally finds his match – and loses him,  assist a shy puppy on a High Energy Scouts camping trip,  help a furless pup to bolster his confidence, and they have to investigate why a paper girl’s deliveries are always late!

    Winner of the 2012 Humanitas Prize in Children’s Animation, the Pound Puppies series is currently airing on The Hub in the U.S. and YTV in Canada and stars the voices of Eric McCormack, Yvette Nicole Brown, Michael Rapaport, John DiMaggio, Alanna Ubach, RenĂ© Auberjonois, and M. Emmet Walsh." 

    Episodes Include:
    • The Yipper Caper
    • Working K-9 to 5
    • Hello Kitten
    • Beauty is Only Fur Deep
    • No More S’mores

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    My Thoughts:

    I grew up watching Pound Puppies, and was even able to pass down a few of my Pound Puppies plush dogs to my girls recently when I saw them getting in to the newly transformed animated series which airs daily on the Hub Network.  Just like back in my day, the Pound Puppies are hard at work trying to find a perfect match for all the pups.  Through fun-filled episodes, fans of this animated series will love watching Lucky, Cookie, Niblet, Strudel and Squirt find homes for even even the most unadoptable pup, like in this new DVD release.

    This new DVD, which is just another in a line of Pound Puppies DVDs available from Shout! Factory, includes 6 full-length episodes, which have already aired on television.  But, fans of the series will not mind these repeats, and will want to watch them time and again, like my girls do.

    When I asked my girls which of the 6 episodes they like the best, they both looked at one another and then turned to me and said, "all of them!"  Want to see why all six ranked as #1 in my girls' eyes? Check out this trailer for this upcoming DVD release...


    If you were a fan like I was of Pound Puppies growing up, or have children who are now getting into this series, which airs daily on the Hub Network, then you will want to pick up a copy of "Pound Puppies: A Perfect Match" when it arrives in stores on April 8th.  Just in time for Easter, this would make for a great Easter basket surprise. :-)

    --GIVEAWAY--

    Thanks to the kind folks at Shout! Factory, one lucky reader will win a copy of Pound Puppies: A Perfect Match, to enjoy with their family.  To enter, please complete the entries on the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck!

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    About Hasbro Studios
    Hasbro Studios is the Los Angeles-based entertainment division of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS). The studio is responsible for entertainment brand-driven storytelling for the company across television, film, commercial productions and short-form. It develops, produces and distributes TV shows based on Hasbro's world class brands, including TRANSFORMERS, MY LITTLE PONY, LITTLEST PET SHOP and FAMILY GAME NIGHT. Many of these shows air on the Hub Network, a U.S. television network for kids and their families, that is a joint venture between Hasbro and Discovery Communications (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK). Hasbro Studios shows can also be seen on networks in more than 180 territories globally.  Since its formation in 2009, the studio has received seven Daytime Emmy wins and 16 nominations.  On the film side, the studio is developing and producing a number of features based on Hasbro's brands, including TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION (Paramount), G.I. JOE 3 (Paramount) and CANDY LAND (Sony).  The studio team also oversees the production of commercials that feature Hasbro's brands as well production of short-form content that can be seen on all of the major digital and social media platforms globally.

    About Shout! Factory
    Shout! Factory, LLC is a diversified multi-platform media company devoted to producing, uncovering, preserving and revitalizing the very best of pop culture. Founders Richard Foos, Bob Emmer and Garson Foos have spent their entire careers sharing their music, television and film favorites with discerning consumers the world over. Shout! Factory’s DVD and Blu-Ray™ offerings serve up feature films, classic and contemporary TV series, animation, live music and comedy specials in lavish packages crammed with extras.  Shout’s audio division boasts GRAMMY®-nominated box sets, Broadway cast albums, new releases from storied artists, lovingly assembled album reissues and indispensable “best of” compilations.  In addition, Shout! Factory maintains a vast digital distribution network which delivers video and audio content to all the leading digital service providers in North America.  Shout! Factory also owns and operates Timeless Media Group, Biograph Records, Majordomo Records, HighTone Records and Video Time Machine. These riches are the result of a creative acquisition mandate that has established the company as a hotbed of cultural preservation and commercial reinvention.  Shout! Factory is based in Santa Monica, California. For more on Shout! Factory, visit shoutfactory.com

    Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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    Arriving on DVD April 8th -- Todd Oliver: Funny Dog -- A Stand-Up Comedy Show Your Whole Family Will Enjoy (Review)

    Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.




    Inception Media Group Proudly Presents


    Man’s Best Friend Finally Talks Back!


    Family-Friendly, Stand-Up Comedy Coming to DVD April 8th


    “So funny and amazing!”
    • Penn & Teller
    "A ventriloquist for 35 years, Todd Oliver brings his act to the next level by taking the stage with his own pets as co-stars in the comedy show, Todd Oliver: Funny Dog, coming to DVD April 8 from Inception Media Group.


    Named as one of the top-five ventriloquists in the world by the king of late night himself, David Letterman, the comedian and his amazing talking, dogs – all real-life adopted family pets – bring down the house in this over-the-top performance!

    Most recently, Oliver has appeared as a semi-finalist on NBC’s
    America’s Got Talent and on The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, the Today Show, Late Show With David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the Howie Mandel Show, among others, have made him and his canine sidekicks a favorite of countless fans of all ages!

    Todd Oliver: Funny Dog is presented in widescreen with an aspect ratio of 16 x 9 (1.78:1) and digital stereo 2.0. "



    Todd Oliver: Funny Dog
    Inception Media Group
    Genre:  Comedy/Stand Up/Family
    Not Rated
    Format:  DVD Only
    Running Time:  Approx. 62 Minutes
    Suggested Retail Price:  $14.98
    Pre-Order Date:  March 4, 2014
    Street Date:  April 8, 2014
    Catalog #:  IMG1243DVD
    UPC Code:  #815300011805


    ---


    My Thoughts:

    There aren't many family-friendly comedians that I could watch with my family, without having to quickly cover their ears or turn the television off quickly to prevent them from hearing inappropriate content. But, when it comes to nationally known comedian, Todd Oliver, this is another case. Todd Oliver, along with his talking dogs, who are all his family pets, will have every member of your family, young or old, laughing and smiling, as you enjoy his show. Prior to hearing about this upcoming DVD release, I had become familiar with Todd Oliver and his dogs through appearances he has done over the years on Late Show with David Letterman, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and even stops at The Today Show. Each and every time I has this comedian and his dogs, I found myself laughing until the point of being in tears. His stage show is amazing and one you will not want to miss. So, when I heard about the DVD being released, I had to get my hands on a screener copy to share with my family. And, this past weekend, my family and a few of my kids' friends enjoyed watching this fun family friendly DVD. Even if you are not a dog lover, you will be amazed at the talent of Todd Oliver's talking dogs. So, make a point to check out Todd Oliver: Funny Dog when it arrives on DVD on April 8th.

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    About Inception Media GroupInception Media Group, LLC is based in Los Angeles and is a diversified media company specializing in the production, acquisition and distribution of motion pictures and other filmed entertainment across all media platforms and channels of distribution. Inception Media Group's management team has extensive relationships with exhibitors, retailers, distributors and technology companies, enabling the Company to maximize the services performed on behalf of its content partners. The company boasts a catalog of approximately 100 filmed entertainment properties and over 2,500 hours of digital content encompassing feature films, episodic television series, documentaries and special interest programming. More information is available at www.inceptionmediagroup.com.

    Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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    Pre-Order Your Copy of Guardian of the Highlands -- A Great Family-Friendly Movie Starring Voice Over Role by Sir Sean Connery (Review)

    Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.



    GUARDIAN OF THE HIGHLANDS

    Connery’s First Ever Animated Voice-Over Role, Co-Starring Alan Cumming,
    Rides In On DVD, Digital and On Demand April 8 From Cinedigm and Random Media

    "Hollywood icon Sean Connery (star of seven James Bond films, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade) stars in the thrilling animated tale set in the breathtaking landscape of the actor’s native Scotland, Guardian Of The Highlands, arriving on DVD, digital and on demand April 8 from Cinedigm and Random Media. The film also stars Emmy® nominee Alan Cumming (Spy Kids, “The Good Wife”).

    This hilarious, family-friendly adventure marks Connery’s first voice-over animated role. As Sir Billi, Connery is a respected veterinarian and a skateboard-loving hero who unites the local people to protect the last beaver in Scotland.

    Residing in a landscape of unparalleled beauty, breathtaking scenery and hidden secrets, Sir Billi and his hilarious sidekick Gordan the Goat (Cumming) work against evils that threaten the future of the area’s wildlife.

    Written by Tessa Hartmann and directed by Sascha Hartmann, Guardian Of The Highlands is set to a soundtrack by Academy Award® nominee Patrick Doyle (BraveSense and Sensibility) and includes a theme song voiced by the legendary Shirley Bassey, who also sang the theme songs to two of Connery’s previous films, Goldfinger and Diamonds Are Forever. "

    DVD BASICS
    Price: $14.93                       
    Street Date: April 8, 2014
    Pre-Book: February 25, 2014           
    Catalog Number: RM3248
    Language: English
    Running time: 75 minutes                       
    Rating: NR
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    My Thoughts:

    This past Friday when my family was trying to decide on a movie to watch for our weekly family movie night, I suggested this upcoming animated movie.  My husband, like always, had never heard about this movie, so he was skeptical if it would be any good.  My girls, on the other hand, were eager to watch it just based on the cute cover art which featured a handful of animals including a beaver and rabbit.  I didn't tell my husband that Sir Sean Connery was voicing the veterinarian, as I wanted to see if he could tell once he heard this main character talk.

    Of all the actors out there, I never would have thought to see Sir Sean Connery lending his voice to an animated movie like this. But, I have to say that after watching this cute family friendly flick with the my family this past weekend, that Connery did a great job and really brought life to the skateboard loving veterinarian hero. :-)

    Here is a quick trailer of the movie, to let you heard Connery lending his voice, as well as see why my family loved this movie so much...



    I know you will love this heartwarming and at time hilarious family friendly movie.  The movie was enjoyable from start to finish, and never lagged in between.  Even the girls stayed interested in, and were rooting Bessie Boo the Beaver to be saved.  When you are not enjoyable the breathtaking scenery in this animated movie, you will enjoy see teamwork and the importance of community in this movie that the whole family will enjoy, and want to watch over and over again.

    Disclosure:  I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  All views shared are mine and mine alone.
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