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Entertainment, Kids Activities, Lifestyle, Movies

Ice Age 4 Continental Drift Review

On Sunday we went to the first ever SA screening of the much-anticipated Ice Age 4 Continental Drift in 3D, we even got to see it before the US! This is my Ice Age 4 Continental Drift Review:

The film was super funny and along with the usual characters we got to meet a few new ones. As Manny, Diego, and Sid set out on their most action packed adventure yet, they are joined by Sid’s crazy long-lost granny. After a Continental shift occurs Manny, Diego and Sid find themselves separated from the rest of the herd. The three friends are forced to set sail, on a ship crafted out of an iceberg, in an attempt to reunite with the rest of the herd. Along their treacherous journey, they encounter a pirate ship and are taken hostage.

Another new character we meet during this new adventure, is a female sabre-tooth, named Shira (Jennifer Lopez), she is one of the notoriously bad pirate crew. Shira sets out to destroy Diego and also challenges his view of what a family really is and his loyalty to the herd. Eventually she realizes the pirates are only out for themselves and who her true friends really are.

I cannot forget to mention Scrat and his acorn adventures, that take him to places that no prehistoric squirrel has gone before.

The main focus throughout the film is on the importance of family, how vital it is to maintain a close bond between parents and children and the unconventional family unit, that these animals have formed as their “herd”. The film is both funny and heart warming and we all thoroughly enjoyed it! In my opinion it may be the best Ice Age yet!

Ice Age 4 Continental Drift is due to be released in cinemas on Friday 29th June 2012.

Source: Numetro

Entertainment, Kids Activities, Lifestyle, Movies

Ice Age 4 Continental Drift

We have very luckily been invited to attend the screening of the much-anticipated Ice Age 4 Continental Drift, on Sunday afternoon, what a great way to start off the holidays!

This all-new chapter in one of the most successful film franchises of all time brings together the visually epic and the emotionally powerful; the humorous and the heartfelt – plus the world’s most beloved prehistoric squirrel-rat and the ultimate unconventional herd of this or any Age.

Scrat’s nutty pursuit of the cursed acorn, which he’s been after since the dawn of time, has world-changing consequences – a continental cataclysm that triggers the greatest adventure of all for Manny (Ray Romano), Diego (Denis Leary) and Sid (John Leguizamo). In the wake of these upheavals, Sid reunites with his cantankerous Granny, and the herd encounters a ragtag menagerie of seafaring pirates determined to stop them from returning home.

The film sounds like heaps of family fun and the girls are so looking forward to it. I will definitely post a review next week after we have seen it.

Ice Age 4 Continental Drift is due to be released in cinemas on the 29th June 2012.

Source: Numetro

Entertainment, Family, Lifestyle, Movies, Parenting, Pregnancy

What to Expect When You’re Expecting

On thursday I was invited to attend the press screening of What to Expect When You’re Expecting, which is soon to be released in cinemas. I was really looking forward to seeing this movie as it promised to be a heart warming big screen comedy; I love a film that is both funny and meaningful.

The film is based on the New York Times bestseller of the same name, What to Expect When You’re Expecting. It tackles a variety of preconceived ideas that people have regarding pregnancy and parenthood. Although light-hearted, the film also focuses on the more emotional aspects of being a parent-to-be. The basic plot follows the lives of five couples, as they each prepare for the responsibilities of parenthood. Each of the couples are representative of possible pre-parenthood situations, which allows most viewers to connect with a few of the various stories portrayed. As a mother, having gone through two pregnancies myself, I could certainly relate to quite a few of the situations in the film.

The star-studded cast all deliver great performances but my favourite character in the film is Wendy, played by Elizabeth Banks. Wendy is a baby-crazy author who when faced with the reality of her own pregnancy realises that it is not all that the books and magazines portray it to be! She is constantly searching for the “glow” that pregnancy promises to bring.

Another actor that stands out is Chris Rock, who is the leader of “the dudes group”{the dads}, who in my opinion brings the true element of comedy to the film. The dads agree that ‘whatever is discussed in dudes group stays in dudes group’ and they have a strict policy of no judgement! The film although funny is definitely not a side-splitting comedy but rather a romantic film peppered with humorous moments.

Ultimately the film is about understanding that no matter what you plan for, life (and especially parenthood) doesn’t always deliver what you expect.

What to Expect When You’re Expecting is due to be released in cinemas on the 15th June 2012.

To find out more about the film and cast see my previous synopsis of the film click here

Image Source: Numetro

Entertainment, Lifestyle, Movies

What to Expect When You're Expecting

Pregnancy can be an overwhelming experience, filled with lots of surprises and “unknowns” – you never really know “what to expect when you’re expecting”! It can be tough just trying to fall pregnant, never mind the actual pregnancy, the birth and all the 100’s of decisions there are to make. It’s always easier to laugh about it, after the fact! We all need a good laugh sometimes and what better than a great comedy to do the job! I am super excited about the release of “What to expect when you’re expecting” in cinemas next month. It looks hilarious and has a fantastic cast!

The film is inspired by the perennial New York Times bestseller of the same name, What to Expect When You’re Expecting. It is a hilarious and heartfelt big screen comedy, about five couples whose intertwined lives are turned upside down by the challenges of impending parenthood.

Delighted at the prospect of starting a family, TV fitness guru Jules (Cameron Diaz) and dance show star Evan (Matthew Morrison) find that their fast-paced celebrity lives don’t stand a chance against the surprise demands of pregnancy.

Baby-crazy author and advocate Wendy (Elizabeth Banks) gets a taste of her own militant mommy advice, when pregnancy hormones ravage her body. While Wendy’s husband, Gary (Ben Falcone), struggles not to be outdone by his competitive alpha-Dad, Ramsey (Denis Quaid), who’s expecting twins with his much younger trophy wife, Skyler (Brooklyn Decker).

Photographer Holly (Jennifer Lopez) is prepared to travel the globe to adopt a child. Her husband Alex (Rodrigo Santoro) isn’t so sure, and tries to quiet his panic by attending a “dudes” support group, where new fathers – get to tell it like it really is! Rival, food truck, chefs Rosie and Marco’s surprise hook-up leaves them wondering, what to do, when your first child comes before your first date?

“What to Expect When You’re Expecting” promises to be a humorous and uplifting tale of all the unexpected trials and triumphs of welcoming a child into the world. The film stars Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Elizabeth Banks, Chace Crawford, Brooklyn Decker, Anna Kendrick, Matthew Morrison, Dennis Quaid, Chris Rock, Rodrigo Santoro, Ben Falcone and Joe Manganiello.

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The film is due to be released in cinemas in South Africa on the 15^th June 2012, so keep a look out for it and I will definitely do a review after I have seen it!

Source: Numetro

Be Inspired, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Movies, My Top

My Top 4 Epic Love Stories

I am always keen on a good love story and love nothing better than spending Friday Night “In”, with my hubby, a good movie and yummy food and wine. Recently we have been revisiting a few epic favourite movies, they conjure up such brilliant memories, so I thought I would share my top four romantic movies with you. Most of these I have seen at least half a dozen times, if not more!

1. Footloose

I may be showing my age here but this 1984 American musical-drama film directed by Herbert Ross, is one of my all time favourite love stories and movies! It is the story of Ren McCormack, played by Kevin Bacon (who I adore), an upbeat Chicago-teen who moves to a small back-water town. Much to his horror the local minister (John Lithgow), has banned dancing and rock music in the town. Ren just happens to meet and fall in love with the minister’s daughter Ariel, played by Lori Singer, which as you can well imagine complicates matters. The story tells the tale of Ren’s fight to restore music and dancing in the town and ends with them celebrating on Prom night and “cutting FOOTLOOSE!”

2. The Bodyguard

I absolutely love Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston and this 1992 American romantic thriller ticks all the boxes for me. Plus it has great musical talent, supplied by the legendary Whitney Houston, who plays Rachel Marron, an Oscar-nominated music superstar who is being stalked and sent death threats. Enter Frank Farmer, played by Kevin Costner, who is a former Secret Service Special Agent, hired to protect her. So there is something for everyone, great music, trilling adventure and endearing romance what more could you ask for – oh and this is one of the first movies my hubby and I saw when I knew, for sure, that this was going to be the man I was going to marry…aaahhh!!!

3. Four Weddings and a Funeral

I know that this 1994 British film is probably more comedy than romance, but sometimes comedy and romance go hand in hand! Once again it stars one of my favourite actors Hugh Grant, who plays Charles, a debonair but rather amusing Englishman, who falls in love with Carrie an attractive American (who they actually nickname “the American” in the movie), played by Andie MacDowell. They constantly run into each other at Weddings, one of which is Carrie’s and then a Funeral. At the Funeral they recite a poem by W.H.Auden, “Stop The Clocks”, which always makes me cry! ” Stop all the clocks, cut off the telephone, Prevent the dog from barking with a juicy bone, Silence the pianos and with muffled drum Bring out the coffin, let the mourners come….” So along their romantic journey, there is laughing and crying but most of all LOVE!

4. Notting Hill

What is not to love, Julie Roberts is gorgeous and such a great actress and as I mentioned Hugh Grant is one of my favourites! Hugh plays the part of William “Will” Thacker, who owns an independent bookshop in Notting Hill, that specialises in travel writing. Anna Scott, Hollywood star actress, played by Julie Roberts, happens upon the bookshop and so the tale of romance unfolds. Her fame hampers their relationship but in the end “the guy gets the girl” – Yay! I must not forget to mention the famous quote from the movie: “I’m Just a Girl, Standing in front of a Boy, Asking Him to love Her.” – a real ahhh moment!

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it, as I said all these movies are such an integral part of many happy memories! There are quite a few more to mention but we will save those for another time. For those “young ones” out there, who were born post 80’s, you have to watch Footloose! I know they have done a remake but I think I will give it a miss, I don’t want to taint the awesome memories I have!

What are your favourite epic movies? I would love to hear from you!

Image Source: Pinterest Movies Board