We are back!

Sorry I have been MIA. We have been away for the past couple of weeks visiting family in Taiwan. We are finally home and trying to get our schedule back to normal. Jet lag is no fun!

We are still trying to recover from our trip, but I will be catching up on my blog and picking winners when I have some free time. Between the laundry, house cleaning and trying to kick the jet lag, I am not sure how much work I can get done. But, I just wanted to post a quick note to let everyone know that I am back in the States and hopefully my blog will be all updated in the next couple of weeks.

I will be sharing our vacation photos soon :).

HUGO debuts on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD on February 28th

Nominated for 11 Academy Awards^® Including

Best Picture and Best Director

FROM LEGENDARY DIRECTOR AND 2012 GOLDEN GLOBE^® WINNER*
MARTIN SCORSESE COMES THE YEAR’S MOST EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURE

HUGO

Critically-Acclaimed, Enchanting Film Debuts on Blu-ray 3D™, Blu-ray™ and DVD February 28, 2012

  

                HOLLYWOOD, Calif. – Renowned director Martin Scorsese’s groundbreaking and original adventure HUGO makes its highly-anticipated debut on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD, all with UltraViolet™, On Demand and for Digital Download on February 28, 2012 from Paramount Home Media Distribution.  Recipient of more Academy Award nominations than any other film, HUGO was honored with 11 total—including Best Picture and Best Director—and has already won Martin Scorsese the Golden Globe for Best Director, was named the best film of 2011 by the National Board of Review, and was cited by more than 150 critics as one of the top 10 films of the year including writers for Associated Press, New York Times,
Rolling Stone, Time, Entertainment Weekly, New Yorker, New York Daily News and
The Hollywood Reporter, among others.  Called “magical and enchanting” (Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun Times) and “one of the wonders of the world you need to see” (David Edelstein, New York Magazine), HUGO is bursting with dynamic action, sumptuous imagery and a heartwarming and magical story that audiences of all ages can enjoy.

HUGO will be available in a three-disc Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, as well as a two-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack, each of which boast nearly an hour of behind-the-scenes special features including an illuminating making-of featurette, a retrospective on the extraordinary genius of filmmaker Georges Méliès, a look at the mechanical man at the heart of HUGO, plus interviews with the cast and crew and more.  The film will also be available as a single-disc DVD.  All Blu-ray and DVD releases available for purchase will be enabled with UltraViolet, a new way to collect, access and enjoy movies.  With UltraViolet, consumers can add movies to their digital collection in the cloud, and then stream or download them – reliably and securely – to a variety of devices.    

HUGO Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack

The HUGO Blu-ray is presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  The DVD in the combo pack is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround, Spanish 5.1 Surround and English Audio Description and English, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  The combo pack includes access to a digital copy of the film as well as the following:

Blu-ray

·         Feature film in high definition

·         Shoot the Moon (The Making of Hugo)

·         The Cinemagician, Georges Méliès

·         The Mechanical Man at the Heart of Hugo

·         Big Effects, Small Scale

·         Sacha Baron Cohen: Role of a Lifetime

DVD

·         Feature film in standard definition

HUGO Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD Combo Pack

The HUGO Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD combo pack includes all of the above, plus a Blu-ray 3D presented in 1080p high definition with English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital, Portuguese 5.1 Dolby Digital and English Audio Description and English, English SDH, French, Spanish and Portuguese subtitles.  The Blu-ray 3D includes the feature film presented in high definition and 3D.

HUGO Single-Disc DVD

The single-disc DVD is presented in widescreen enhanced for 16:9 TVs with Dolby Digital English 5.1 Surround, French 5.1 Surround, Spanish 5.1 Surround and English Audio Description and English, French and Spanish subtitles.  The disc includes the feature film in standard definition and Shoot The Moon (The Making of Hugo).

HUGO Synopsis

Welcome to a magical world of spectacular adventure! When wily and resourceful Hugo discovers a secret left by his father, he unlocks a mystery and embarks on a quest that will transform those around him and lead to a safe and loving place he can call home. Academy Award-winning** filmmaker Martin Scorsese invites you to experience a thrilling journey that critics are calling “the stuff dreams are made of.” (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone).

Paramount Pictures and GK Films present a GK Films/Infinitum Nihil Production of A Martin Scorsese Picture: “Hugo,” directed by Martin Scorsese, with a screenplay by John Logan, based upon the book entitled The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.   It is produced by Graham King, Tim Headington, Scorsese and Johnny Depp.   The executive producers are Emma Tillinger Koskoff, David Crockett, Georgia Kacandes and Christi Dembrowski. The music supervisor is Randall Poster; casting is by Ellen Lewis.

REAL STEEL on Blu-ray & DVD Review

DreamWorks Studios’ Action-Adventure With Heart, “REAL STEEL,” Starring Hugh Jackman, Enters the Home Entertainment Ring on

Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital and On-Demand January 24, 2012

 

“It’s Rocky with robots…a heartwarming movie for everyone.”—Pete HammondBox Office Magazine

BURBANK, California, December 2, 2011—DreamWorks Studios’ REAL STEEL, starring Hugh Jackman, muscles its way into the Home Entertainment arena on Blu-ray™, DVD, Digital and On-Demand on January 24, 2012. This visually stunning action-adventure filled with heart and soul is a "must-add" to every home movie collection, delivering a premium in-home experience complete with knockout bonus materials that dive deeper into the action.

The Blu-ray Combo Pack, with its perfect picture and sound, delivers the ultimate punch, offering viewers a variety of supplemental bonus features that take them ringside with Director Shawn Levy on the making of the film. Exclusive features include a bare-knuckled exposé of the life story of Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman), deleted and extended scenes that go deeper into the film and storylines, and a riveting profile with legendary boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard. Plus, the revolutionary Real Steel Second Screen app lets viewers sync their iPad™* or computer with the Blu-ray movie to peel back layers of effects with progression reels, check out 360-degree turnarounds of the robots, explore seamless branching pods that delve into the cutting-edge technology used to create the fights, and much more.

The #1 movie in the country for two consecutive weeks during its theatrical run, REAL STEEL is directed by Shawn Levy (Night At the Museum franchise, Date Night and What Happens in Vegas), produced by Steven Spielberg (Saving Private Ryan, Schindler's List), with a screenplay by John Gatins (Coach Carter, Summer Catch). Set in the not-so-distant future where boxing has gone high-tech and 2000-pound, 8-foot-tall steel robots have taken over the ring, the film stars Hugh Jackman (X-Men franchise, Australia) as Charlie Kenton, Evangeline Lilly (TV’s Lost, The Hurt Locker) as Bailey Tallet, Dakota Goyo (Thor) as Max Kenton, Kevin Durand (I Am Number Four, X-Men Origins: Wolverine) as Ricky, and Anthony Mackie (The Adjustment Bureau, The Hurt Locker) as Finn. 

REAL STEEL will be available to own and for in-home viewing as follows:

 

BONUS FEATURES:

 

3-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD + 1 Digital Copy)

All 2-Disc Blu-ray Bonus Features

All DVD Bonus Features

 

2-Disc Blu-ray Combo Pack (1 Blu-ray Disc + 1 DVD)

REAL STEEL SECOND SCREEN

Countdown to the Fight—The Charlie Kenton Story

Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman’s Champ

Deleted and Extended Scenes with introductions by Shawn Levy

                                    —Extended “Meet Ambush”

                  —Deleted “Butterfly” Storyline

PLUS All DVD Bonus Features

 

1-Disc DVD (1 DVD)

Making of Metal Valley

Building the Bots

Bloopers

 

                  HIGH-DEFINITION & STANDARD DEFINITION DIGITAL

Sugar Ray Leonard: Cornerman’s Champ

PLUS All DVD Bonus Features

 

 

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:

 

                  STREET DATE:                                     January 24, 2012

                  Direct Pre-book:                                 November 29, 2011

                  Distributor Pre-book:                     December 13, 2011

 

                  Release Formats &                             3-Disc Blu-ray = $44.99 U.S./$51.99 Canada

                  Suggested Retail                                   2-Disc Blu-ray = $39.99 U.S./ $46.99 Canada

                  Pricing:                                                      1-Disc DVD = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada

                                                                                          HD Digital = $39.99 U.S./$46.99 Canada

                                                                                          SD Digital = $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada

On-Demand = check with your television provider or favoritedigital retailer for pricing

 

                  Feature Run Time:                             127 Minutes

Ratings:                                                     U.S.: PG-13 / CANADA: PG (bonus not rated)

Aspect Ratio:                                         Blu-ray: 1.85:1

                                                                                          DVD: 1.85:1

                  Audio:                                                         Blu-ray: 5.1 DTS HD-MA; 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital

                                                                                          DVD: 5.1 and 2.0 Dolby Digital

FILM SYNOPSIS:

Balancing gritty action and emotional heart, “Real Steel” is an inspiring and visually stunning film that takes audiences on an action-packed journey. Washed-up boxer Charlie Kenton (Hugh Jackman) scrapes by as a small-time robot-fight promoter as he tries to make a comeback. Against all odds he eventually succeeds—at least in the eyes of his son Max (Dakota Goyo). “Real Steel” is spectacular family entertainment that will have everyone cheering again and again.

SOCIAL MEDIA:

Those who would like to stay connected with the exciting REAL STEEL release are encouraged to:

 

·      “Like” the Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/RealSteelMovie

·      Follow us on Twitter at @realsteelmovie

·      Visit the website at www.steelgetsreal.com

·      View videos at www.YouTube.com/RealSteelMovie

·      Connect with Facebook and Twitter via Real Steel Second Screen

 

About DreamWorks Studios:

DreamWorks Studios is a motion picture company formed in 2009 and led by Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider in partnership with The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group.  The company recently released The Help, which has resonated with audiences around the country and earned over $100 million at the U.S. box office. Upcoming releases include Steven Spielberg’s War Horse. DreamWorks Studios can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DreamWorksStudios and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dw_studios.

Our Review:
If you think that this movie was made for only little boys, I can assure you that it is not the case. My 5 year old daughter LOVES this movie, even my husband (who initially thought this movie was made for little kids) thinks  that this is a great movie. We watched this movie as a family and we were pleasantly surprised by how entertaining it was. DD particularly enjoys watching the robots battling each other. The Japanese robot that Huge Jackman bought looked amazing, but it was also a lot of fun to watch Dakota Goyo (who plays Max in the film) training the robot he found at the junkyard. The end of the movie featured a series of fights between Atom (the robot) and some really fantastic looking robots. The last fight was really difficult and we honestly had no idea how the movie was going to end. I am not going to spoil the ending for you, but I can tell you that we were all cheering for Atom. This Blu-ray and DVD combo had bonus features we enjoyed watching as well. It was fun to watch how the robots were built and the blooper are really funny.

This is definitely a Blu-ray & DVD combo you want to pick up for family movie nights!

To buy Real Steel, please check your local stores where DreamWorks Pictures DVDs are sold. You can also pre-order a copy here: http://www.amazon.com/Real-Steel-Two-Disc-Blu-ray-Combo/dp/B005ZKYXZI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1326395995&sr=8-3
This title will be released on January 24th, 2012.

*I received a free product (or products) for review purposes. I did not receive any form of compensation from the company. All opinions are my own and not influenced in anyway. My reviews are not always positive, but they are my personal and honest opinions. Other people's views and experiences with the product or products might be different from mine.

PUSS IN BOOTS comes to DVD and Blu-ray on February 24th

Stars:

Antonio Banderas Salma Hayek Zach Galifianakis Billy Bob Thornton Amy Sedaris

Synopsis:

Puss in Boots continues the legacy of Shrek, the #1 animated franchise of all time, with the uproarious and irresitable origin story of the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots. Filled with hilarious action and adventure, the true tail—er, tale—of how Puss became a hero long before he met Shrek delighted audiences of all ages with its non-stop laughs, daring deeds and original story. Boasting an all-star cast of voice talent including Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Bob Thornton and Amy Sedaris, Puss in Boots is a must-own family film with serious cat-itude.
· English 5.1 Surround, English 2.0 Surround, French 5.1 Surround, Spanish 5.1 Surround& English Audio Description
· English, French & Spanish Subtitles
· Special Features: (Available on DVD, Double Pack DVD, 2-Disc Blu-ray & 3-Disc BD)
o Purr-fect Pairings: The Voices Behind The Legends
o Deleted Scenes: Humpty Plots With Jack & Jill, Humpty Repays His Accomplices & Puss In Boots Fights The Giant

Double Pack DVD
· Special Features: (Additional features on Double Pack DVD, 2-Disc Blu-ray & 3-Disc 3D)
o Puss in Boots: The Three Diablo’s
o The Cat’s Meow: Kitten to Cat, Glitter Box Dance Off!, Klepto Kitty, Kitty Keyboard, Fairytale Pop-Up, Kitty Strikes Again
2-Disc Blu-ray & 3-Disc 3D
· 1080p High Definition

· English 7.1 Dolby True HD, French 5.1 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital & English Audio Description

· English, English SDH, French & Spanish Subtitles

Rating: PG (G in Canada)

Double DVD Pack: Pricing as low as $25.00

2-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo: Pricing as low as $30.00

Zeiss Lenses Review

Ever since I was a young teen, I had been getting my eyes checked every year. I do wear eye glasses in order to get around, but I actually never give much thoughts on what sort of lenses I should get or have a set of questions to ask about my glasses. Basically, my husband and myself just go to the nearest optometrist's office from the list provided by our insurance. I think mostly we just want to make sure that our eyes healthy and that we get glasses that are presentable enough for us to wear for a couple of years.

If you want to be more prepared for your next check up, I recommend reading through the Zeiss educational tools . We actually just had our annual check up a couple of weeks ago, and I found the tools to be very helpful. I like that it had a list of questions that I could ask during my check up. Questions such as:

"Are all eyeglass lenses the same?"

"Are all eyeglass lenses the same?"


"Is there a difference in quality of lenses?"

"What are the best lenses for my vision needs?"
"What do you check for in an eye exam besides my prescription?"

I thought these questions were really great questions, and I was surprised that I never asked them in all of the years I have been getting my eyes checked. After checking out the tools, I felt much more confident about what I need to get out of my corrected lenses.

*I received compensation for this review. All opinions are my own and not influenced in anyway. My reviews are not always positive, but they are my personal and honest opinions. Other people's views and experiences with the product or products might be different from mine.

MONSTER JAM roars into Anaheim and Los Angeles with Grave Digger Celebration

2012 MARKS THE 30^TH ANNIVERSARY OF MONSTER JAM^® ICON - GRAVE DIGGER^®

Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam roars into Anaheim and Los Angeles with Grave Digger Celebration

***Monster Jam fans can party in the Pits with Grave Digger 30^th Anniversary Experience***
Saturday, February 11 at Angel Stadium & Saturday, February 18 at Dodger Stadium
 - Pit Party Tickets $10 -

 

WHAT:                 Southland motor sports fans will experience a massive collection of the world’s best monster trucks battling it out in the ultimate event of high-octane speed, racing and destruction as Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam^® returns to Angel Stadium in Anaheim and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles!  Due to popular demand, Monster Jam roars through the Southland with four nights of dirt-flying, high-energy events between January 14 – February 18, 2012. 

                                This year’s incredible truck lineup is highlighted with appearances by Monster Jam powerhouses – the legendary GRAVE DIGGER^® celebrating its 30^th Anniversary of car crushing mayhem this year, along with World Finals Champions MAXIMUM DESTRUCTION^®, EL TORO LOCO^®, MONSTER MUTT^® and BOUNTY HUNTER^®, plus several all-new Monster Jam trucks will be showcased for the 2012 season including SON UVA DIGGER^® (driven by Ryan Anderson, son of Grave Digger icon Dennis Anderson), CAPTAIN AMERICA^®, METAL MULISHA and MONSTER ENERGY^®, plus the Southland debut appearances of MOHAWK WARRIOR™, SPIDER-MAN™, TASMANIAN DEVIL (“TAZ”) and LUCAS OIL CRUSADER™.  Other trucks featured at select events include Grave Digger: The Legend℠, The Patriot, Iron Man™, Captain USA, Shock Therapy, Hot Wheels, Obsession, M2D Camo Thunder, Predator^®, The Felon, Prowler^®, Excaliber^®, Shocker^®, Iron Outlaw, Titan, Time Flys, Razin Kane, Detour, Ice Cream Man and more!           **check website for specific event trucks; truck line-up subject to change

In addition to the world-class racing and freestyle competition action, die-hard fans can come to the stadium early to enjoy the Party in the Pits pre-show experience – which gives fans unparalleled access to view their favorite trucks up-close, meet the star drivers for autographs and take photos!

And, Grave Digger fans won’t want to miss the Grave Digger 30^th Anniversary Experience, as part of the Monster Jam  pre-show Party in the Pits.  The Grave Digger 30^th Anniversary Experience, which will tour to all Monster Jam events in which Grave Digger will be performing, features a historical timeline from Grave Digger’s humble beginning to its rise in popularity, exclusive vintage attractions, limited edition merchandise like the Grave Digger 30^th Anniversary DVD, broadcasts of thrilling moments from Monster Jam events spanning three decades, and more! The Grave Digger 30^th Anniversary Experience will be featured at Angel Stadium on Saturday, February 11 and Dodger Stadium, February 18^th.

One of the most popular touring family entertainment sporting events in the world, the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam is a high-flying, car-crushing explosive event of demolition, speed and powerful stunts with the world’s best monster trucks and drivers whose skills provide an awesome spectacle of “rock-and-roar” that will bring fans to their feet cheering for more!

SCHEDULE:         Anaheim – Angel Stadium

2000 Gene Autry Way, Anaheim, CA  92806

§  Saturday, January, 14^th at 7:00pm

§  Saturday, January 28^th at 7:00pm

§  Saturday, February 11^th at 7:00pm

Los Angeles – Dodger Stadium
1000 Elysian Park Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90012

§  Saturday, February 18^th at 7:00pm

PIT PARTY:          Open from 3:00pm – 5:30pm prior to each show

                                Exclusive VIP Early Access to Pit Party at 2:00pm for Total Access Pass holders

                                Pit Passes are required for entry; available for purchase at $10 each

TICKETS:               Anaheim – Angel Stadium

                                $22, $32 and $45 for Adults

                                Kids (age 2-12) tickets are only $10 each (in select price levels)

Total Access Pass - $75

                                Los Angeles – Dodger Stadium

                                $20 and $40 for Adults

                                Kids (age 2-12) tickets are only $10 each (in select price levels)

Total Access Pass - $75

                               

**Above ticket prices are advance purchase only; all tickets (including kids) are $2 more day of show.

Tickets subject to tax, convenience and handling fees.

While accessibility to the stars of Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam is a staple in the brand, the Total Access Pass is paramount in maximizing the live event experience. The quintessential VIP backstage pass, Total Access Pass offers fans the distinct opportunity to the best of everything, including a private pit party to meet the drivers early before the event opens to the general public, premium seating and other benefits that make the Total Access Pass a must have.  A very limited number of these tickets are set aside for the biggest Monster Jam fans – so be sure to order early as these will sell-out!

All seats are reserved and available at the venue box office, online at Ticketmaster.com or

by calling 800-745-3000.

Save $5 with code MOMMY! Limit 10. Expires day prior to event (1/13, 1/27, 2/10 & 2/17). Valid in $32 & $22 price levels in Anaheim and $40 & $30 price levels for LA.