Review: Brooklyn (Film)

It's always a treat when a book to movie adaptation provides a satisfying portrayal of a beloved story. Director John Crowley and screenplay writer Nick Hornby beautifully captured the soul of Colm Tóibín's novel about an Irish women who seeks a better future in America.

In case you don't know the story, here is the studio's summary:

Oscar Nominee Saorise Ronan lights up the screen as Ellis Lacey, a young Irish immigrant navigating through 1950s Brooklyn. Although her initial homesickness soon gives way to romance, when Ellis's life is disrupted by news from her hometown, she is forced to choose between two countries and two men on opposite sides of the world. Based on the best-selling novel, Brooklyn is a warm and wonderful story about falling in love . . . and finding your way home.

The story line of the film follows the essence of the book, and we get a clear feeling of why Ellis decides to go to America, her rocky adjustment to Brooklyn, and her later dilemma when she has to choose a country and a future. All the actors do a great job, and it's easy to become invested in their world.

I loved how the film's costumes, music, and settings bring the period details to life. Ronan's performance is spot-on, and I particularly loved the scenes set in her boardinghouse. The other girls and the landlady, with their clothes and hairstyles and gossip, gives us a sense of the single woman's life in the 1950s.

The Blu-Ray version came out earlier this month, and the movie is one of those that you'll likely want to watch more than once. Don't miss the Blu-Ray special features, which include a print to screen segment as well as shorts on the cast, story, and film making. You'll also find a photo gallery and deleted and extended scenes.

I highly recommend this movie. I love the story, and I completely agree with the professional critics: Saorise Ronan's performance is fantastic. Whether you've read the book or not, Brooklyn is a beautiful movie that's sure to win your heart.

Thanks to Think Jam and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for the review copy of the Blu-Ray edition of Brooklyn. All thoughts are my own.

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Movie Review & Giveaway: Maze Runner--The Scorch Trials

Just about a year ago, I wrote about The Maze Runner, the first movie adaptation of James Dashner's trilogy of the same name. Tomorrow, the second installment, The Scorch Trials, will be available in DVD/BluRay and streaming.

On Saturday, I was lucky enough to participate in a viewing of The Scorch Trials and a Twitter chat with author James Dashner. I enjoyed watching this action-packed film along with fans from around the world. It's always fun to see what grabs other people's attention, from the sets to the acting and the plot. From Dashner's tweets it's obvious he's well pleased with the movie version of his popular novel.

The movie, directed by Wes Ball, stars Dylan O'Brien, Ki Hong Lee, and Thomas Brodie-Sangster, who are teens out to save the world from the people who took away their memories and seem to be conducting evil medical experiments (Patricia Clarkson and Aidan Gillen). Here's the summary from Twentieth Century Fox:

In this next chapter of the epic Maze Runner saga, Thomas (O'Brien) and his fellow Gladers face their greatest challenge yet: searching for clues about the mysterious and powerful organization known as WCKD. Their journey takes them to the Scorch, a desolate landscape filled with unimaginable obstacles. Teaming up with resistance fighters, the Gladers take on WCKD's vastly superior forces and uncover its shocking plans for them all.

The Scorch Trials is a fast-moving film that is heavy on the action (chases, battles) while conveying the deep emotions of the characters (friendships, grief, betrayal). The filming was well done, and the sets were imaginative and believable. I was particularly impressed with the sound track, which added to the tension. Of course, Gillen plays the perfect bad guy, and Clarkson oozes smug superiority. All the teen actors also do a great job, especially O'Brien and Brodie-Sangster.

Take a look at the trailer:

The Giveaway

Thanks to the nice people at Think Jam and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, I'm able to offer one of my readers with a USA mailing address a copy of the DVD/BluRay of The Scorch Trials. All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win is fill out the following form. I'll pick a winner, using a random number generator, on December 21. Once the winner has been confirmed, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good luck!

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Paper Towns: Book to Movie Giveaway

Book first or movie first? Which is your preference? I'm a book-first kind of woman, but even if I hadn't yet read John Green's Paper Towns, I'd be impatiently counting the minutes until the movie is released. Just 10 more days . . . July 24. Not that I'm excited or anything.

The movie is directed by Jake Schreier and stars Nat Wolff (Admission, The Fault of Our Stars), Cara Delevingne, and Halston Sage. I was particularly happy to see that author John Green was one of the screenwriters, so I can rest assured that the movie will follow the essence of the novel.

In case you don't know the story, here's the summary from 20th Century Fox:

Adapted from the bestselling novel by author John Green, Paper Towns is a coming-of-age story centering on Quentin and his enigmatic neighbor Margo, who loved mysteries so much she became one. After taking him on an all-night adventure through their hometown, Margo suddenly disappears, leaving behind cryptic clues for Quentin to decipher. The search leads Quentin and his quick-witted friends on an exhilarating adventure that is equal parts hilarious and moving. Ultimately, to track down Margo, Quentin must find a deeper understanding of true friendship--and true love.

What this summary doesn't tell you is that Paper Towns explores a number of larger issues beyond love and friendship. One of these is learning to take off your rose-colored glasses and see life and people and situations for what they really are. I can understand why Paper Towns was a book club favorite because the story includes several themes related to being on the brink of adulthood and the hopes, dreams, and fears that older teens become obsessed with.

For more on the story and the making of the movie, watch this short film starring author John Green and some of the actors.

The Giveaway: I hope I've gotten your attention because thanks to 20th Century Fox, I'm able to offer one of my readers (with a U.S. mailing address) a fabulous prize pack to celebrate the opening of the movie Paper Towns. Here's what one lucky winner will receive:

• $25 Visa card so you can watch the film in the theater
• 3 Paper Towns buttons
• 1 copy of the paperback book

All you have to do to be entered to win is to fill out the following form. I'll pick a winner on July 21 using a random number generator. Once the winner has been confirmed, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good luck!



To stay informed, follow Paper Towns on Twitter or Instagram and check out the movie's Facebook page. Search for #PaperTowns across all your social media.

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Review: Before I Go to Sleep (Movie)

Although I'm a Colin Firth fan, I missed Before I Go to Sleep in the theaters. If you were like me, then you'll be happy to know that the Blu-ray + Digital HD edition came out earlier this week.

Director Rowan Joffe wrote the screenplay based on the novel (same title) by S. J. Watson. I haven't read the book, so I can't tell you firsthand how the plots of the two media compare, but a scan of reviews tells me that the screenplay follows the book fairly closely.

First the premise of Before I Go to Sleep, then I'll give you my thoughts.

Every morning the almost forty-year-old Christine (Nicole Kidman) wakes up with no memory of what has happened to her since she was in her mid-twenties. She doesn't recognize the man, Ben, who is her husband (Colin Firth) and has no memory of their marriage. Every morning, Ben tells her that she was in an accident that left her incapable of forming new memories, and he gives her a short recap of her life. After Ben leaves for work, the phone rings, and a man who introduces himself as Dr. Nasch (Mark Strong) tells Christine to look for a camera she's hidden in her wardrobe and to play back the videos. When she does, Christine sees herself recording everything she remembers each day over the previous couple of weeks.

What she learns from her videos is that either Ben or the doctor (or both) have hidden the truth from her. She also realizes that she can't quite figure out which of the men is really trying to help her, and she doesn't know how to regain her memory.

The idea behind Before I Go to Sleep is good (although not original). It's hard to imagine how scary it would be to wake up every single day with no memory of the day before, and thus it's an excellent foundation for a psychological thriller. Kidman does a great job with the mix of fear, confusion, and dependency that an amnesia patient must feel. In addition, both Firth and Strong hit the mark of nice but not too nice / trustworthy but not really, so that we're not initially sure which of them has Christine's best interests at heart.

Unfortunately, I found the setup of the major action to be a bit slow. It felt like a long time before the heart of the thriller began to take shape and we could see the depth of Christine's situation. I also had some questions about Christine's memories. For example, she seemed a little too comfortable with the digital camera, which would have been new to her every morning.

On the other hand, the solid performances by Firth and Kidman are well worth seeing, despite the weaknesses of the screenplay. If you're fan of either Oscar winner or of Mark Strong, then you'll want to see Before I Go to Sleep. Just keep in mind that it will take a while before the story comes together.

The Blu-ray edition contains several bonus features, including in-depth looks into the three main characters: Christine, Ben, and Dr. Nasch. You'll also get a key code for the digital HD edition, so you can watch the movie on any almost any device.

Thanks to Think Jam and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for a review copy of the Blu-Ray / Digital HD edition of the movie.

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Movie Review & Giveaway: Gone Girl

When I reviewed Gillian Flynn's Gone Girl in 2012, I noted that the book exposes the "dark recesses" of a marriage, and I recommended the novel as a "good read." It was no surprise to me that the book was made into a movie because the plot had all the makings of a good visual story.

Now that I've seen the Blu-ray™ version of Gone Girl, I can confirm that it's an excellent movie. Before I get into the details, let me start with Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment's summary:

On the occasion of his fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his beautiful wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has gone missing. Under pressure from the police and a growing media frenzy, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon his lies, deceits, and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife?

I don't say this often, but I liked the movie better than the book. When author Gillian Flynn wrote the screenplay for Gone Girl, she tightened the plot, without losing the creep factor and the surprises. Helping her along was David Fincher (director) and the impeccable cast. Not only were Affleck and Pike absolutely perfectly suited for their roles but so were Neil Patrick Harris (who played Desi), Carrie Coon (playing Go), and everyone else from Amy's parents to the local police.

The trimmed plot accelerated the action, and the actors' body language, exchanged looks, and on-screen chemistry made Gone Girl shine. Don't miss this one.

Home Edition Extra: The Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital HD™ version of Gone Girl was released this week. I just love the packaging of the Blu-ray™ edition: Not only does it come with the disk and a digital streaming code, but you also get the very cute Amazing Amy: Tattle Tale book. You'll love the story and the illustrations, especially after you get to know the real, grown-up Amy.

Giveaway: Thanks to Think Jam and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, I'm able to offer one of my readers with a U.S. mailing address a copy of the Blu-ray™ edition of Gone Girl (complete with the Amazing Amy booklet) plus a copy of the paperback (movie tie-in edition). This is a great giveaway for movie buffs and readers alike.

All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win is to fill out the form. I'll pick a winner via a random number generator on January 22. Once the winner has been verified, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good luck!

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Book to Movie: Giveaway & Twitter Chat with James Dashner

If you follow me on Twitter, then you know I love to watch movies and talk about them with my online friends. Once in a while, it morphs into a real event--and tonight is one of those times.

Tonight at 8pm Eastern Time,  get ready to join a Twitter viewing party of The Maze Runner with the author of the book, James Dashner. Once the movie starts, we will all have the chance to ask author @JamesDashner questions about the book to movie process, our favorite moments, and behind-the-scenes action.

To participate, log into Twitter or your favorite Twitter chat program and search for and use the hashtag #MazeRunnerFriday. Be sure to follow @JamesDashner, @FoxHomeEnt, and @MazeRunnerMovie so you don't miss any of the questions, answers, and reactions to The Maze Runner movie.

I'm already thinking about the questions I want to ask and can't wait to join in the fun.

The Giveaway: If don't yet have a copy of The Maze Runner, don't fret. I'm happy to be able to offer one of my readers a copy of the two-disk Blu-ray/DVD plus a copy of the book, so you can make your own book to movie comparison. Just in case you don't know the premise, here's the studio's summary:

In this heart-pounding survival thriller based on the best-selling novel, Thomas (Dylan O'Brien of MTV's "Teen Wolf" ) wakes up trapped in a massive, ever-changing maze with a group of boys who have no memory of the outside world. Facing dangerous obstacles at every turn—especially the deadly Grievers that roam the concrete corridors at night—Thomas and the others must race to piece together clues in order to discover their true purpose . . . . and find a way out before it’s too late!

Besides, O'Brien, the film stars Thomas Brodie-Sangster (Game of Thrones), Will Poulter (We're the Millers), and Kaya Scodelario (Skins). It was directed by Wes Ball. The disk comes with a ton of great extras, such as a twenty-four page prequel comic book, deleted scenes, a documentary on the making of The Maze Runner, and a visual effects reel.

All you have to do to be enter to win a copy of the book and movie is to have a U.S. mailing address and fill out the following form. I'll pick a winner via random number generator on December 26. Once the winner has been confirmed, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good luck!

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Book to Movie: If I Stay (Review)

Do you remember back in 2009 when Gayle Forman's If I Stay was published in hardcover? This young adult novel won the hearts of readers of all ages and earned much critical acclaim, becoming an Indie Next pick and winning the 2009 NAIBA Book of the Year Award and a 2010 Indie Choice Honor Award.

I loved the novel and was thrilled when I learned that If I Stay was going to be turned into a movie directed by R. J. Cutler. Because music is at the core of this story, sensitive acting and a solid soundtrack were going to be key to the movie's success. Fortunately, If I Stay has both.

The film stars Chloe Grace Moretz and Jamie Blackley, who couldn't be better for the parts of Mia and Adam, the two teenagers who meet and fall in love. The young couple is wonderfully supported by the likes of Mireille Enos, Joshua Leonard, Stacy Keach, and Liana Liberato. And then there is the music, which includes classical pieces and golden oldie rock songs supplemented by rock originals, played and sung by Blackley himself.

Just in case you somehow missed the story, here's the studio's summary:

Mia Hall thought the hardest decision she would ever face would be whether to pursue her musical dreams at Juilliard or follow a different path to be with the love of her life, Adam. But what should have been a carefree family drive changes everything in an instant, and now her own life hangs in the balance. Caught between life and death for one revealing day, Mia has only one decision left, which will not only decide her future but her ultimate fate.

The Blu-Ray / DVD of If I Stay was released this week, and I have already had a chance to see it. I can't tell you how beautifully this novel was translated from print to screen. I admit was concerned about how the actors would handle the music, but Moretz and Blackley are absolutely amazing. Not only do they come off as relaxed and natural during the many scenes with cello and guitar, respectively, but their onscreen chemistry is positively sparkling (and I'm not talking vampires).

A story that deals with death, music, love, and destiny could so easily come off as corny on the big screen, but If I Stay is instead both intellectually and emotionally strong. Be warned: You'll want a huge box of tissues near you before you start watching. Be warned again: You'll be surprised at just where your eyes will start to well up. The soundtrack and the acting work together in a special way that will intensify your feelings and keep you fully invested in the film.

The Blu-Ray / DVD pack of If I Stay contains several great special features, such as an interview with Gayle Forman, a discussion about the music, and insight into the book to movie adaptation. Viewers also be able to listen to different levels of commentary (don't miss Cutler's thoughts about the music).

Giveaway Alert: Come back tomorrow when I'll be hosting a giveaway of one copy each of the Blu-Ray / DVD movie pack and Gayle Forman's novel If I Stay. You won't want to miss this; If you're anything like me, I know you'll want to watch this movie more than once.

Twitter Extra: To help celebrate the release of If I Stay on Blu-Ray, Gayle Forman herself will be live tweeting a viewing of the film tonight (November 20). I encourage you to join in and ask Forman questions about the film or the story and to discuss your favorite characters and scenes. Be sure to follow @Cambio and the hashtag #IfIStayIn. I'll be online tonight, tweeting along, starting at 8:00 pm EST.

In the meantime, check out the theatrical trailer:

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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Prize Pack Giveaway

Last week I reviewed The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, the 2013 film starring Ben Stiller, Sean Penn, and Shirley MacLaine, noting that it was fun and uplifting. Although the movie takes place in modern times (despite a retro feel), its spirit is in line with James Thurber's original 1930s short story.

Recently I had the opportunity to watch the movie on Blu-ray and loved seeing it on a bigger screen. Whenever I have a disk I always look for extras, so I was happy to find quite a few features for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, including extended and deleted scenes, music videos, a slide show, and a variety of behind-the-scene shorts.

Of the dozen or so features my favorites were "The Look of Life" and "That's a Shark," both of which introduce us to the actors, the scenery, and the challenges of filming. A few things stood out in particular from watching all the extras:

• First, I was quite impressed with how willing Ben Stiller was to attempt his own stunts, including jumping into the North Sea. (When needed, Stiller relies on a long-time stunt double plus a few other professionals.)
• Second, I was amazed to find out that all of the non-New York City scenes were filmed in Iceland, including the shots that were supposed to take us to central Asia and the Himalayas.
• Finally, I was interested in meeting the person who designed the titles for The Secret Life of Walter Mitty; once you see the opening scenes of the movie, you'll know why. I loved the way the titles were added.

Take a look at the trailer and then read about my great giveaway.

The Giveaway: Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment and Think Jam, I can offer one of my readers a great prize pack. One of you will win not only a Blu-ray/DVD of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty but also a copy of the book The Thurber Carnival, a great collection of James Thurber's stories and art, including "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." You'll also get a great travel mug with the Secret Life of Walter Mitty motto (and hashtag) #LetLifeIn.

All you have to do to be entered for a chance to win is to have a U.S. mailing address (no PO boxes for this giveaway) and to fill out the following form. I'll pick a winner on April 25 via random number generator. Once the winner has been confirmed, I'll erase all personal data from my computer. Good luck!

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The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: Story and Film Review

As you might suspect, I'm endlessly curious about the process of transforming the written word to the silver screen. Sometimes when reading a novel, I find it easy to envision how the action could be translated to film. But what about a short story?

"The Secret Life of Walter Mitty" was first published in The New Yorker in 1939. James Thurber's protagonist is an absentminded man who must drive his wife to the hairdresser and then run a few errands. On the surface, Walter lives a dull and ordinary life, but deep within him flows a vivid imagination and all the excitement and urgency of a war hero or world-famous brain surgeon.

In the 2013 film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Walter's story is brought into the twenty-first century. In real life, mild-mannered Walter (played by Ben Stiller) is in charge of the photos for Life magazine, but in his head, he's a modern-day hero, lady's man, and tough guy. In fact, he spends so much time daydreaming, his co-workers have begun to harass him. As the print magazine comes to an end, it's Walter's job to prepare the final cover photo; there's just one problem, the negative is nowhere to be found. Will Walter muster up the gumption to travel to the ends of the earth to find the photographer (played by Sean Penn)? What happens when imagination becomes reality?

I really loved the updated version of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. Not only is the scenery beautiful (Greenland, New York City, Iceland, the Himalayas) but the story itself is uplifting without being sappy. The main message is to embrace life instead of just imagining what it could be. Walter also learns that change can bring opportunity.

The Blu-Ray/DVD won't be available until April 15, but thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, I was lucky enough to view the movie early on Google Play. But guess what? I'm not all that special because you too can get The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and many other movies on Google Play before they're released on disk to stores.

Although I've often streamed movies, this was my first experience with Google Play. I was pretty impressed with how easy the app was to use across my devices. I started out watching the movie on my PC in my office and finished watching on my iPad (with earbuds) on the deck so I could soak up the late afternoon sun. I had no problem switching devices or operating systems.

Another great thing about Google Play was the simplicity of using closed captioning. This is a big plus for me because both my father and Mr. BFR have hearing issues and often rely on good captioning. All I had to do on my tablet was tap on the "cc" in the bottom right-hand corner and the captions appeared instantly. They were easy to read and didn't interfere with the picture.

I also thought it was pretty cool to be able to first read the short story from The New Yorker site and then switch to the film, all on the same gadget. In fact, I was thinking that it'd make a fun book club meeting to read the story together (it's only four pages) and then watch the movie.

Check back next week for a great The Secret Life of Walter Mitty giveaway. I'm pretty excited about the prize pack. In the meantime, however, you can watch the movie at home or on the go by using the Google Play app.

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Review: Heart of the Country (Movie)

A couple of weeks ago I introduced you to the film Heart of the Country written and directed by John Ward. I finally found a free evening last week to watch the movie (thanks to Think Jam and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for the review copy).

When Faith (Jana Kramer) left her North Carolina home to become a singer in New York, she didn't know that she'd meet and fall in love with Luke (Randy Wayne), a budding Wall Street broker. As Luke became successful, Faith left her career behind, and they had a charmed and comfortable life.

But when his boss is arrested for illegal investing, Luke is also implicated and sent to prison. On her husband's advice, Faith goes back to North Carolina to decide what to do about her marriage and her future.

Although the acting was well done and Kramer's voice (she sings two of her songs) is beautiful, the script was not very strong. It didn't bother me that the underlying message about the importance of family and love over material goods isn't new. But I was disappointed that several story lines were left undeveloped, such as one character's illness and Faith's old boyfriend.

The movie gets a good rating at IMDb, so I bet you'll like it better than I did. Again, the movie wasn't bad, the soundtrack is good, and I like the actors, I just wish the story had been a little bit deeper.

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Giveaway: Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (movie prize pack)

Do you love Greek mythology? If so, you're bound to become a fan of the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, which starts with the premise that the ancient gods are still with us and are still getting up to mischief. Humans have been seduced by the gods for millennia, and half-bloods walk our streets in the twenty-first century.

The second book in the series, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters is now a major motion picture (20th-Century Fox; directed by Thor Freudenthal) and will be opening in theaters around the country tomorrow! Here's the studio summary:

Based on the publishing phenomenon, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters continues the young demigod’s epic journey to fulfill his destiny. To save their world, Percy and his friends must find the fabled and powerfully magic Golden Fleece. Embarking on a treacherous odyssey into the uncharted waters of the Sea of Monsters (known to humans as the Bermuda Triangle), they battle terrifying creatures, an army of zombies, and the ultimate Evil.

Not only is the story exciting (I've always been fascinated by the Bermuda Triangle) but the star power is, well, stellar. The cast includes Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, Alexandra Daddario, Jake Abel, Douglas Smith, and Stanley Tucci.

The Giveaway: Thanks to 20th-Century Fox, I'm able to offer one of my readers with a U.S. mailing address a great prize pack:

• A $15 Visa gift card to see the film
• A copy of the movie tie-in paperback edition of The Sea of Monsters
• (prize pack valued at $22.99)

All you have to do to enter for a chance to win is to have a U.S. mailing address and to fill out the following form. Because the movie is coming out in theaters tomorrow, I'll make this a quick giveaway and will pick a winner via a random number generator next Tuesday (August 13). Once the winner is confirmed, I'll erase all personal information from my computer. Good luck!



For more information about Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, be sure to follow the movie across a variety of social media sites: Like Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters on Facebook; visit the official website; follow @PercyMovies on Twitter and Instagram; watch the trailer, clips, and more on YouTube; and follow on the movie on Tumblr. And, of course, don't forget to read the book and take you and your family to the movie theater!

Take a look at the trailer and get ready to see some amazing action!

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Review: A Late Quartet (Film)

Four classical musicians, played by Christopher Walken, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Catherine Keener, and Mark Ivanir, have been playing together for about 25 years. Now, despite their great success, the quartet seems to be on the brink of dissolution.

Peter is facing a career-ending disease, Robert and Juliette's marriage is at a crisis, and Daniel thinks he's in a love with a much younger women, who happens to be Robert and Juliette's daughter. These personal issues are played out against the background of music, not just in the score but almost as another character.

A Late Quartet, directed by Yaron Zilberman, is a character study of four friends and partners who also harbor jealousies and their own ideas of how pieces should be played. The acting is wonderful, and the individual stories of the quartet members are interesting, even if not uplifting.

But honestly, I was more fascinated by what I learned about the life of a classical musician than I was in the fate of the quartet. I was unaware of the choices musicians make, the life cycle and lifestyle of a classical group, and the inner workings and emotions that hold such groups together (or tear them apart).

The score, principally Beethoven’s Quartet in C Sharp Minor, sets the structure for the film (the opus is described and explained in the script), and the musicians' emotional ups and downs nicely follow the moods of Beethoven's long piece. Unfortunately, the actors were less convincing when attempting to look as if they were really playing their instruments, but their stellar performances more than compensate.

The BluRay of the movie comes out February 5. Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for the chance to view a streamer of the film.

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Review: Ice Age: Continental Drift (movie)

Looking for a great family gift or a backup plan for entertaining the troops during the holidays? I have the answer. Be sure to pick up a copy of the animated film Ice Age: Continental Drift, which was released on BluRay and DVD just last week.

In this Ice Age adventure, Manny, Diego, and Sid are separated from the rest of their community when the world's land masses are divided as a result of plate tectonics, triggered when a crazy squirrel-like creature tries to bury an acorn in the ice. As the continent breaks apart, the trio is set adrift on a iceberg and must find a way to get back home while surviving the many perils of their journey.

One of things that makes this movie perfect for family viewing is that it can be watched on two levels. Kids will love the adventure story, with its great scenery, terrific characters, and catchy songs. At the same time, adults will have fun identifying the references to literature, movies, and myths. Everyone will fall for the characters and the wonderful animation.

The all-star team that voices the characters is not to be missed. As the studio's publicists note, Ice Age: Continental Drift has the "coolest cast." Just a few of the greats are Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Queen Latifah, Jennifer Lopez, and Peter Dinklage.

The disc extras include songs and "The Story so Far." I particularly liked the short piece about the creation of the animals and the discussion of the Odyssesy.

Thanks to Kids Discover, parents, teachers, and curious children can download a free five-page pamphlet called "The Science behind Continental Drift." The booklet is linked to the movie and includes pictures of the Ice Age: Continental Drift characters along with colorful and informative graphics and charts. Print out the pages for yourself or the budding geologist in your family.

Thanks to Think Jam and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for the screener copy of the movie.

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Review: The Big Year (Movie)

For serious North American birders, having the opportunity to take a "big year" is a lifelong dream. The idea is for competitors to spend from January 1 to December 31 crisscrossing the continent to see how many different bird species they can spot or hear during that time.

In Twentieth Century Fox's The Big Year, Kenny Bostick (Owen Wilson) is the current reigning champion determined to hold on to his record. Stu Preissler (Steve Martin) is retiring from big business and treating himself to a year of birdwatching, and Brad Harris (Jack Black) is a computer programmer who is scrapping together both vacation time and money to check off as many birds as he can. The Big Year follows the three men as they pursue their goal of being the best birder in the world.

The movie stars three great comedic actors, and viewers are in for treat. One of the pleasant surprises about the film, however, is its depth. Not only is the scenery beautiful and birding aspects of The Big Year fascinating but the message to not give up on your dreams is universal. Kenny, Stu, and Brad learn, each in their own way, that success has many meanings. Follow your passion, and you cannot help but grow and learn something about your true self and what's most important in your life. A bonus is the fun bird-filled soundtrack.

The film is directed by David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, Marley & Me) and includes a cast of many recognizable faces, including Angelica Huston, Brian Dennehy, Rashida Jones, and Kevin Pollak. The Blu-ray and DVD will be available on January 31.

Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for the following information and photos about some famous birders.

Famous Birders

Brad, Kenny and Stu are not the only people fascinated by ornithology. They are joined by a well-known bunch of famous faces including Daryl Hannah, Paul McCartney & Prince Philip. Here, we’ll take a fun look at the array of celebrities who have a passion for feathered friends much like our leading men.

The Duke of Edinburgh is an accomplished bird photographer, writer, and wildlife advocate. Due to his extended time spent on the royal yacht, Prince Philip began photographing rare seabirds. In 1962, he published Birds from Britannia, a collection of pictures of some of the world’s rarest birds. Additionally, Prince Philip later became president of the World Wildlife Fund.

Daryl Hannah isn’t just an actress--she’s also an environmentalist and a birdwatcher! It is unknown whether Hannah is an avid or casual birdwatcher, but she has stated in interviews that she enjoys bird watching. Regardless of her level of activity in the bird watching arena, Hannah is a fierce advocate of the environment and of various species, birds included.

As a teenager, Paul McCartney was a big fan of the BBC nature show Look--he even wrote to its host (wildlife artist Peter Scott) asking for “the drawings of them ducks, if you’re not doing anything with them.” Since his youth, McCartney has been a passionate advocate for birds and other wildlife, including the endangered skylark, which he used to watch in Liverpool as a child.

Former president of the United States of America Jimmy Carter is an avid birder! Jimmy and his wife, Rosalyn, have birded throughout the world. Rumors in the birding community speculate that their combined life list is around 1,500 species! In interviews Jimmy has spoken about checking out bird ringing stations in Israel and searching for African Hoopoes in Zimbabwe.

You don't have to be compiling your life bird list to enjoy The Big Year. It's a well-acted film that will make you want to spend time on your own hobbies, enjoy life, and--of course--keep your bird feeders full.

Givaway alert: Stop by next week for a chance to win a copy of the The Big Year. Thanks to Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment for a review copy of the film.

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